#Alfie Ho-Tan

[troubledcomet]

Alfie Ho-Tan my darling, darling wife <3

[ailendolin]

Happy upcoming birthday!

For the prompt: Ho-Tan (Vextan also good!) with the prompt of 10 - Moon and stars

Thank you so much for the prompt and the birthday wishes! 💙 Today's the day and I'm happy I can celebrate my birthday with a little Vextan fic. I hope you enjoy it!

List of prompts is here. Filled prompts are here, here, here and here on AO3.

Prompts are closed.

————

The Key

“What’s this?” Ho-Tan asked when Vex handed her a small blue box that felt surprisingly heavy in her hands.

“A gift,” Vex explained – which wasn’t much of an explanation at all, Ho-Tan thought. “And before you ask: yes, I know it’s not your Name Day or one of our anniversaries.”

Intrigued and more than a little curious, Ho-Tan glanced down at the box. “Then what’s the occasion?”

“I’ll tell you after you’ve opened it,” Vex smiled secretively.

Ho-Tan huffed out a laugh and gently tugged at the ribbon that was tied around the box. When it finally fell away, her heart began to beat a little faster in anticipation of what Vex had gotten her. A new quill, perhaps? Or maybe one of those ancient scrolls she’d been trying so hard to acquire for months now?

In the end, no amount of guesswork could have prepared her for what lay inside the box. Her fingers shook as she opened it, and when she looked inside, her eyes went wide with shock. A key, the size of her palm and very familiar despite its altered shape, glinted up at her from a small blue velvet cushion.

“Is that–?” she asked in awe.

“A copy of the Chamber’s Key?” Vex smiled. “Yes.”

Ho-Tan’s gaze flicked up to the original hanging around his neck. “But – that’s not allowed, Vex! There must only ever be one Key.”

“Pep, pep, pep,” he said and took the second key – her key – out of the box by its blue string. He looked at it for a moment before he ever so gently draped it over her head. When he let go, the key, flat and wide where his was round and narrow, rested just below her heart. “There. Perfect.”

“Vex,” Ho-Tan began, not quite able to let the argument go just yet. The rules were there for a reason, after all. But then she looked down and noticed the intricate engravings on the key’s surface, and whatever she had been about to say fled her mind. The empty box fell from her hand, forgotten.

“Remember when we stood in Debbie’s garden and you were missing our home?” Vex asked softly. He cupped his hands around hers so they were holding the key between them. “I can’t promise you something like that won’t ever happen again. I sincerely hope it won’t but if it does, this way you’ll always carry the most important parts of our home with you.”

Ho-Tan’s breath caught in her throat as he began to list all the things that mattered to her the most in life and pointed them out on the key: the night sky with the three moons, her favourite constellation and the Red Star on one side – “So you will always find your way back home.” And an apple blossom and butterfly – “To remember you are loved,” next to the names of their children on the other – “So you’ll always have them close.”

Tenderly, Vex closed her fingers around the key and pressed it against her heart. “It’s meant to remind you that you’ll always have a home to return to, no matter where life may take us in the future.”

“Vex,” Ho-Tan whispered in awe. “This is–“

She shook her head, unable to put the magnitude of his gift and the gratitude she felt into words.

“I know,” Vex said. “It’s okay, Alfie. Come here.”

Helplessly, Ho-Tan tipped forward into his waiting arms and buried her head in his shoulder. His soft laughter rang in her ears as his arms came up around her, holding her close, keeping her safe, grounding her – just like he’d done for most of her life. And just like the key would now whenever they were parted.

“I hope these are happy tears, my dear,” he murmured softly into her ear.

Ho-Tan nodded and felt him press a kiss onto the top of her head before he tightened his arms around her. They stood like this in her room until the sun gave way to the moons. When her favourite constellation twinkled into existence in the night sky, they curled up under the blankets and Ho-Tan fell asleep with Vex’s head on her chest and the weight of the key resting just beside it, warm and reassuring.

[caps-clever-girl]

vex and ho-tan have a third younger, but cant figure out what to do about a name because at this point, name-changing is a family trait.

Alfie chose her name when she was younger, its still close to her birth name but it feels like her, and of course took on ho-tan when she joined the elders.

vex chose his name because he thought it was funny. "whys your name vex" "oh does it VEX you"

Alvin picked his name when he came out because it was close to his mums name and his birth name

Irk chose his name to be more like his dad and because he thinks its funny. he wants to Irk people.

they cant keep calling the baby baby or child, but they also find it hilarious that the likelyhood of whatever name they choose being kept is slim at this point, so they dont want to choose anything they really like.

in the end they go with noah - its gener-neutral, but also because they nave noah dea what to name the baby. geddit? no idea? noah-dea? vex loves it.

(noah DOES keep their name; but they add Deer as an official middle name to make the joke stronger)

[franciskirkland]

Can you do AmeFra for the ship game? I like your fanfics btw they're very sweet.

ohhh thank u anon that is so very sweet of you!!!😭😭💕💕 that rly cheered me up. i will try to work on finishing something today!!

Gives nose/forehead kisses: awww!! both? Francis starts but Alfred catches on quickly. Fran loves to kiss his chest, cheeks etc and Alfred is definitely a forehead kisser.

Gets jealous the most: Alfie boy. jealousy is one of his Toxic Traits™

Takes care of on sick days: Francis typically bc he's Mommy like that, but at the first sign of Fran feeling off i feel like Alfred would get all overprotective.

Drags the other person out into the water on beach day: hmmm i don't feel like either of them would have to be dragged!! but if they do, Alfred might have to convince Franny bc he's too busy like tanning and looking hot. on the other hand... Alfred might do this too.

Brings the other lunch at work: definitely Francis, he packs his man lunch every day!! That being said, Alfred is absolutely the type to bring home treats and snacks for his boo

Tries to start role-playing in bed: i think Fran would probably initiate but Alfred is really into it. *cough* francis in cheerleader costume *cough*

Embarrassingly drunk dancer: Alfred absolutely. Francis too elegant.

Firmly believes in couples costumes: oooh this is a fun one and kinda correlated with the role-playing bc that's something i LOVE for this couple especially. i think they'd both be gung-ho about it and have so much fun with it! funny costumes or sexy ones.

Breaks the expensive gift rule during Christmas: Francis. Alfred does love to spoil, but i see him as a creative gift giver too like he would write a song or make something and Francis is just like $300 sweater uwu

Makes the other eat breakfast: both, like Fran cooks up a storm but Alfred needs to remind him to actually eat!!!

Remembers anniversaries: Francis definitely. they're both sentimental but he's just better at these things bc he's wifey

Brings up having kids first: probably Francis since i would typically see him as older here. Alfred isn't opposed, he loves the idea but is a bit nervous for the reality

Kills the bugs: Alfie 100%! he's the hero!

First to define them as a couple: hmm i could see it either way. honestly i think alfred might be the first to want to define things, but they're on the same page so Francis might be the first to actually confirm it. again, esp if he's older + more experienced.

Who hides their guilty pleasures longer: neither, they're terrible at hiding things. but as much as Fran is very shameless, Alfred can be kinda gross (drinks from the milk jug etc) and i think Franny might actually want to appear more graceful

Snorts while laughing: also both!! god they're both such cute laughers. Alfred's laugh is endearing and awkward and Francis' laugh is like beautiful music but he'll snort too.

[celestriahq]

mwm and species?

* 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 ! i'd love to see more draki + dragons, humans ( we have none ), or daemonaki. as for gents these are from the discord so if there are duplicates i apologize : rahul kohli, ncuti gatwa, oliver jackson cohen, derek luh, oliver stark, ben barnes, casey deidrick, serkan cayoglu, wi ha joon, sinqua walls, jonathan daviss, dev patel, jonathan bailey, eka darville, ding yuxi, kiowa gordan, michael evans behling, yoshi sudarso, russell curry, brennan mejia ( one of our members is offering to make gifs ), rudy pankow, lee dong wook, lee jun ho, lewis tan, kim bum, daniel ezra, raymond ablack, michael b jordan, nam joo hyuk, ahn hyo seop, oscar issac, pedro pascal, song kang, taylor zakhar perez, xiao zhan, ahn hyo seop, ben levin, lucien laviscount, freddy carter, froy gutierrez, hayden christensen, henry golding, evan mock, josha stradowski, alfie enoch, kento yamazaki, zeeko zaki, mackenyu arata, mason gooding, keith powers + mena massoud !

[oh2e]

I really do fancy giving writing Kendall a try but I’m all out of ideas so if you’ve got anything feel free to hit me with it.

(And if there’s anything you’d particularly like to see from a soft Elders family fic too because ideas for that are also thin on the ground)

[iris-in-the-rain]

Flowers: Hey, so Alfie, we still on for tonight?

Ho-Tan: Absolutely!

Flowers: I'll see you at 8:00.

Ho-Tan: Okay.

Choop: Oh, what's at 8:00?

Ho-Tan: Oh, I have dinner plans with Flowers. We get together about once a month to discuss the rest of you guys.

Vex: Wow, did not know that! May I say how lovely you look today?

Ho-Tan: Duly noted.

[historicalsnail]

Ho-Tan’s first name is Alfie, which is usually short of Alfred or Alfreda, which is Old English for “elf counsel“.

Which is kinda perfect.

[simonfarnabyslegs]

there's one brief throwaway moment in yonderland where it sounds like flowers calls ho-tan alfie (?), and the youngers have the same names as the elders, which i suppose isn't uncommon because some people are named after their parents, but i have a feeling that this means the names we know them by are actually their surnames. and if that's the case, i wonder what their given names are (besides ho-tan, of course, who is apparently alfie). i can't remember if any of them are ever called by another name than the ones usually used to refer to them.

[ailendolin]

Whump Wednesday - 58 - Yonderland

Title: The Book [AO3]

Characters: Vex/Ho-Tan

Prompt: Vex and Ho Tan visiting a rare bookshop. - Prompt sent in by a lovely anon.

Warnings: mind manipulation, horror

A/N: This fic is different from everything else I've written so far, I think but I hope you enjoy it despite that, or maybe even because of that, anon!💙

Prompts are open, so if you want me to write a story for you as well just send me an ask with the fandom, characters and your prompt. I’m writing for Ghosts, Yonderland, Horrible Histories and Bill at the moment.

Six Idiots Whump Wednesday / Fluff Friday masterlist is here.

————

The Book

When Ho-Tan came home talking excitedly about an old bookshop Jenny and Mary had mentioned to her, Vex had thought a visit to said bookshop would be just the thing to take her mind off the stress of the past week. The Youngers had been sick, one after the other, and Ho-Tan had run herself ragged between trying to comfort them with warm tea and captivating stories and keeping her worries and fears to herself.

She still looked a little brittle around the edges even though the Youngers had recovered and gone back to school, and she wasn’t the only one. That fever-riddled week had left its mark on all of them and Vex couldn’t deny that a day trip to the borders of the realm sounded tempting. They’d finally be able to spend some time together without the frenzy of their every day lives interrupting and after a few quiet and relaxing hours of travel Ho-Tan would get to browse through the bookshop to her heart’s content.

It had the making of a perfect day.

If only Ho-Tan hadn’t found The Book.

It wasn’t particularly large or ornate, had no fancy lettering and didn’t stand out among the other books and tomes at all. There was nothing special about it to catch the eye – quite the opposite, really. It looked rather plain with its simple brown cover – boring, Irk would probably say – and was easy to overlook. Ho-Tan noticed it anyway. She had always been drawn to the things everyone else seemed to be unaware of, perhaps because she’d been so often overlooked as a child. It was something Vex usually loved about her. 

Not today, though.

“What do you have there?” he asked, trying his best not to let the nervousness he felt creep into his voice. It wouldn’t do to alarm her before he wasn’t completely sure that the book she was holding was actually The Book. The mere possibility that it might be, though, was more than enough to make his stomach churn and the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

He considered it a small mercy that Ho-Tan seemed to have no idea what exactly she was holding in her hands.

“Oh, this?” she asked, looking down at the book. “I don’t know, actually. I found it crammed in-between these tomes and just … felt drawn to it.”

She shrugged as if that was completely normal – being literally drawn to books. The alarm bells in Vex’s head began to ring more insistently. 

“Maybe you should put it back,” he suggested while taking a cautious step towards her.

Ho-Tan frowned at him and held the book a little closer to her chest. “Why? I don’t even know what’s in it yet.”

And I hope you never will, Vex thought.

“Some books are not meant to be read, Alfie,” he said softly, hoping the use of the old, familiar name would make her pause.

It didn’t. For a moment, Ho-Tan looked at him as if he were crazy. Then she started laughing. “What’s going on with you? No harm ever came from reading a book, Vex. See?”

Before Vex had a chance to stop her, she opened The Book to the first page. A gust of wind rushed through the bookshop, ruffling old parchments and books on its way – just like it had decades ago in a different room when smaller and even more naïve hands had dared to open it. Vex had been foolish enough to sneak into his father’s study that day. The Book had been hidden in a drawer and not at all difficult to find– something he only later learned was part of its magic. It was the first and last time he had ever seen it but the uneasy feeling that was now creeping up his spine like icy spiders was unmistakable. He had no doubt it was The Book, and seeing it in Ho-Tan’s innocent, gentle hands made his blood run cold.

“I think it’s a book about monsters,” she murmured to herself, a little dazed and still not aware of the danger she was in. There was a small furrow between her brows that Vex knew meant she was deeply intrigued by what she was reading. The Book was already pulling her in, and it was doing it fast.

As quickly as he could, he pulled it out of her hands and held it out of her reach. “I really think we should put it back.”

Fury flashed in Ho-Tan’s eyes, white-hot, sudden and unfamiliar. Vex instinctively backed away from her, clutching the book close to his chest. He’d seen that look before, had seen what it could do and where it could lead, and it broke his heart to see it directed at him again.

Then Ho-Tan blinked and her eyes cleared. Vex had no idea what she was seeing when she looked at him – shock? Fear? Terror? – but her eyes widened in dawning horror as she stammered out, “I felt – Oh gods, did I–?”

Hurt me? Vex thought, feeling his chest tighten at the devastation in her voice. Without looking away from her, he placed The Book behind him on the shelf and reached for her hand.

“No,” he said firmly and repeated the word when she met his eyes. “No, Ho-Tan, you did not. I promise. It’s not you – it’s The Book.”

Her eyes flicked over his shoulder, drawn to it once again. Vex stepped between her and the shelf. “Look at me, dear. Look only at me.”

Ho-Tan shook her head as if trying to dispel a confusing dream.

“How,” she murmured. “The book, I – I don’t understand.”

“It makes you do things – things you would normally never do,” Vex explained. “It’s not your fault, okay? Whatever happens, it’s not your fault.”

He could see tears gathering in her eyes.

“I can hear it calling, Vex,” she whispered.

Vex let go of her hand to cradle her face. “I know. You must not listen to it, Alfie.”

He felt her tremble under the palms of his hands.

“I can’t,” she said with a hint of panic in her voice.

“You can,” Vex told her as calmly as he could. “You must.”

Because the alternative was not an option. He had seen what The Book did to people who couldn’t resist its call. His own mother –

Vex shuddered as he remembered the way her eyes had darkened when she’d opened the book, the way what little gentleness she’d possessed had slowly been drained from her with every page she’d turned and the way she’d laughed at him when he’d cowered in the corner and desperately begged her to close The Book and lock it away. By the time his father found them, she had already been too far gone to listen to reason and his father had been forced to take drastic measures to break the spell.

Vex’s vision blurred as he remembered blood and ruined eyes. The thought of having to do the same to Ho-Tan now to save her was unbearable.

“Listen to me, Alfie,” he said, holding her face more tightly. “You have to fight it, okay? You have to!”

Ho-Tan whimpered and squeezed her eyes shut.

“I can’t,” she said again, sounding terribly scared. “Vex.”

His name was a silent plea to let her go and hold onto her both at once. When she began to struggle against his hold, unable to resist the pull of the book any longer, Vex did the only thing he could think of to bring her back to him.

He pulled her into a kiss.

They had shared many kisses over the years: short, shy kisses that were the start of something new; slow, gentle kisses that promised warmth and comfort; heated, passionate kisses that reaffirmed what their hearts already knew.

The one they shared now was all of that and more. It was full of desperation and overflowing with love; it was I need you and Stay with me and I love you more than life itself. It was a call, a plea, a promise.

And it was enough.

“Vex?” Ho-Tan whispered against his lips. Just like her voice she was trembling when she looked at him. Her face shone in the candle light as if she’d just run for her life.

“Is it still calling you?” Vex asked without letting go of her. He feared the worst when Ho-Tan glanced away. “Alfie? Is it still calling you?”

Ho-Tan’s eyes returned to him, wide and shaken but also beautifully bright and alert. “No. It’s – it’s quiet.”

Vex let out a shuddering breath and closed his eyes in relief.

“Thank the gods,” he whispered. His hands fell from her face so he could wrap his arms around her and hold her close, keep her safe. “I feared–“

He broke off, unable to put it into words, the fear of losing her.

“I know,” Ho-Tan whispered, burying her hands in his robes with strength born from desperation. “Thank you, Vex. Thank you.”

They left the bookshop without buying anything. Ho-Tan went first and Vex waited until she was back in the carriage and as far away from The Book as possible under the circumstances before he wedged it between two large tomes in the darkest corner of the shelf where it would have a harder time luring unsuspecting customers into its trap. For a brief moment, he considered telling the shopkeeper about what sort of ancient evil he was innocently harbouring in his shop but ultimately decided it would be wiser not to draw any attention to it at all. After all, the saying Nosiness killed the Ninny existed for a reason.

After offering the shopkeeper one final, trembling smile, Vex finally left the shop and stepped out into the sun. It didn’t provide much warmth now that autumn was slowly turning into winter but the air was crisp and clean and for the first time since he saw The Book in Ho-Tan’s hands he felt like he could breathe again.

“I’m sorry,” Ho-Tan said quietly after he had joined her in the carriage and they were on their way home. She looked down at her hand, gently clasped in Vex’s and resting between them. “I had no idea books could … do that. If I’d known I’d never–”

“You couldn’t have known,” Vex told her. “That’s the point. That book shouldn’t even exist.”

Ho-Tan was silent for a very long moment. “Did your father make it?”

Over the next hour, Vex told her everything: he spoke of his father’s mad idea to subject others to his will by creating a book of pure evil, and of the wizards and witches he had tortured, corrupted and broken in his efforts to achieve that goal. He told her about how he had discovered The Book by accident as a boy and how his mother had found him and nearly killed him because it demanded it of her. And finally, he told her about what his father had done to stop her.

“He promised to destroy it. He – he promised,” Vex whispered. He shook his head, unable to believe that he still had the capacity to feel betrayed and disappointed after all these years. “I should have known he wouldn’t do it. He was never good at keeping promises.”

“But you are,” Ho-Tan said, giving his hand a squeeze. “You can do what he could not.”

Vex offered her a shaky smile. “I can certainly try. I was thinking Dissectus and Voltari might be able to help. Perhaps Wizard Bradley and Mojo as well.”

“Good,” Ho-Tan whispered. She reached up to touch his face. “I’m sorry I ruined our day off.”

With a wet chuckle, Vex covered her hand with his, gently holding it in place against his cheek. “You ruined nothing, my dear. I’m just glad that you’re okay.”

Tomorrow, he would return to the bookshop together with Voltari, Dissectus and Yonderland’s last remaining wizard. He would explain the situation to the owner and take the book away, far into the woods where it could hurt no one ever again. There Bradley, Voltari and Dissectus would combine forces and destroy it, though not without a gruelling fight that would leave a huge crater behind and the land infertile for at least a quillenia. They would return home, battered, bruised and exhausted but mostly unhurt, and Vex would finally be able to put that cursed book out of his mind.

That was tomorrow, though. Right now, he rested his head on Ho-Tan’s shoulder and closed his eyes, comforted by the sound of her steady breathing and the gentle touch of her hand upon his.

[gaymusicchart]

GAY MUSIC CHART – 2017 week 51

 Welcome to the Gay Music Chart, the LGBTQA related music videos TOP 50 actuality and most request.

Vote for your favourite LGBTQA related music videos by leaving a comment for this post on :

YOUTUBE (in the comment section of the video of the week) : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz7yfp-xq-b08tD6mAWwclA

BLOGGER : http://gaymusicchart.blogspot.fr

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/GayMusicChart/

TWITTER : https://twitter.com/GayMusicChart with #GayMusicChart  

TUMBLR : http://gaymusicchart.tumblr.com  

 Here is the recap for this week :

 OUT : Detox feat. Ellis Miah & Keisha Henry - She's Gotta Habit (LW: 17 / WO: 1 / PEAK: 17)

OUT : Myckael SG - John vs Angela (LW: 28 / WO: 5 / PEAK: 16)

OUT : David Courtin - L'hymne à l'amour [People Theatre's Cenfranlamour Mix] (LW: 32 / WO: 1 / PEAK: 32)

OUT : GAREK - Stray (LW: 34 / WO: 60 / PEAK: 01 (x2))

OUT : Kim Petras - I Don't Want It At All (LW: 35 / WO: 6 / PEAK: 25)

OUT : Wilderdrop - Lay Me Down (LW: 36 / WO: 1 / PEAK: 36)

OUT : Matt Fishel - Bored Of Straight Boys (LW: 37 / WO: 1 / PEAK: 37)

OUT : Alvin Point - Il a dit (LW: 40 / WO: 63 / PEAK: 01 (x4))

OUT : Candy Ken feat. Gigi Tays - Netflix and Chill (LW: 42 / WO: 1 / PEAK: 42)

OUT : Goro Gocher feat. Gustavo Rollano - Me Haces Tan Bien (LW: 44 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 19)

OUT : Kehlani - Honey (LW: 45 / WO: 1 / PEAK: 45)

OUT : B.Slade - Stay Mad (LW: 46 / WO: 1 / PEAK: 46)

OUT : Morrissey - Jacky's Only Happy When She's Up on the Stage (LW: 47 / WO: 1 / PEAK: 47)

OUT : Jackie Shane - Any Other Way (audio) (LW: 49 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 18)

OUT : Everybody's Talking About Jamie Cast - Don't Even Know It (LW: 50 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 15)

  01 (=) : Alfie Arcuri - If They Only Knew (LW: 01 / WO: 24 / PEAK: 01 (x6))

This is the new music video of the winner of The Voice Australia 2016. What must do a gay man when he's in love with his best male friend, who's dating his best female friend?

  02 (+ 4) : PJ Brennan - Tease (LW: 06 / WO: 6 / PEAK: 02)

PJ Brennan is well known for his role as Doug Carter in the British television soap opera Hollyoaks.

 03 (+ 1) : Larva - For Ruy (censored version) (LW: 04 / WO: 8 / PEAK: 02)

Larva is a Mexican openly gay heavy metal band. The uncensored version, only for adults because of its raw sex content, is now also available on YouTube.

 04 (+ 4) : Leon Else - What I Won't Do (Lyric Video) (LW: 08 / WO: 27 / PEAK: 02)

The British singer has came out on Facebook last May.

 05 (+ 7) : Calum Scott - You Are The Reason (Lyric Video) (LW: 12 / WO: 4 / PEAK: 05)

 06 (- 3) : Wrabel - The Village (LW: 03 / WO: 20 / PEAK: 01 (x1))

This engaging song was written the day after US President Trump removed new federal protections for trans students in public schools last February. Trans actor August Aiden plays the role of a young transgender who tries to be himself despite the hostility of his father in the music video.

 07 (+ 2) : P!nk - Beautiful Trauma (LW: 09 / WO: 4 / PEAK: 06)

In her new music video, P!ink supports her husband Channing Tatum who loves wearing her dresses.

 08 (- 6) : Huntington - Love Is Love (LW: 02 / WO: 12 / PEAK: 02)

Three years after "Secret", this is their new original song. It was released specially for the Australian debate about marriage equality. Every cent made from this song went go to the Yes campaign. Now that the debate is over, finaly, LGBT can now get marry : congratulations Australia !

 09 (+ 29) : Greyson Chance - Low (Official Lyric Video) (LW: 38 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 09)

USA

 10 (=) : Michele Bravi - Diamanti (LW: 10 / WO: 13 / PEAK: 04)

This is the third single from the Italian singer taken from the album “Anime Di Carta”.

 11 (+ 4) : G&D (Geez & DIK) - Freelove (LW: 15 / WO: 6 / PEAK: 07)

There are several straight, gay, lesbian and bi couples making love in this music video.

 12 (- 5) : La Prohibida - Baloncesto (LW: 07 / WO: 21 / PEAK: 03)

 13 (+ 5) : Conchita Wurst & Ina Regen - Heast as Net (Hubert Von Goisern Cover) (LW: 18 / WO: 3 / PEAK: 13)

The power of yodeling, but in a classy way.

 14 (- 9) : Kevin Chomat - Sens Interdit (LW: 05 / WO: 15 / PEAK: 01 (x2))

This new single of the French singer reached the top 10 YouTube trending in France.

 15 (NEW) : SAKIMA - Daddy (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 15)

 16 (+ 15) : HEIDRIK - Monster (LW: 31 / WO: 4 / PEAK: 16)

 17 (NEW) : Kevin Chomat - Issue de secours (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 17)

 18 (NEW) : Não Recomendados - Não Recomendado (Remix Deep Lick) (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 18)

Originally a song about prejudices from singer Caio Prado.

 19 (- 3) : Jakub & Dawid - Pokochaj nas w święta (LW: 16 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 16)

This time, the Polish couple sings for this Christmas song, always to change mentalities in their country !

 20 (+ 3) : Steve Grand - Walking (LW: 23 / WO: 9 / PEAK: 05)

The song has now a music video shot in New Orleans!

 21 (- 7) : Bobby Newberry - Up (LW: 14 / WO: 8 / PEAK: 08)

 22 (NEW) : Léo Áquilla - Princesinha da Favela (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 22)

Brazil

 23 (+ 6) : Hayley Kiyoko - Feelings (LW: 29 / WO: 8 / PEAK: 04)

The singer flirts with another woman while she’s dancing in her new music video.

 24 (- 2) : Alfie Arcuri - Love is Love (LW: 22 / WO: 9 / PEAK: 12)

The Australian singer took position with this song for the YES in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey. 61,6% of the 12,7 millions people who voted said YES to mariage equality. Now that the debate is over, finaly, LGBT can now get marry : congratulations Australia !

 25 (+ 16) : Sam Smith - One Last Song (LW: 41 / WO: 3 / PEAK: 25)

 26 (NEW) : Eli Lieb - Next To You (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 26)

 27 (- 8) : Kevin Chomat - Un homme à terre (LW: 19 / WO: 44 / PEAK: 01 (x3))

In this single, the French singer is talking about infidelity, with his boyfriend who cheated on him.

 28 (RE-ENTRY) : Javiera Mena - Dentro de ti (LW: - / WO: 2 / PEAK: 28)

Chili

 29 (- 16) : Namuel - Joven de Corazón (LW: 13 / WO: 6 / PEAK: 11)

In his new music video, the chilean singer is a teen at school who has a crush on his bully.

 30 (- 10) : Michele Bravi - Tanto Per Cominciare (LW: 20 / WO: 6 / PEAK: 14)

 31 (- 10) : Trevor Moran - Sinner (LW: 21 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 21)

 32 (- 6) : Oscar and the Wolf - Breathing (LW: 26 / WO: 4 / PEAK: 10)

"Infinity" has been 3 weeks #1 in the Belgian albums chart.

 33 (- 22) : Tokio Hotel - Boy Don't Cry (LW: 11 / WO: 7 / PEAK: 11)

The lead singer Bill Kaulitz becomes a beautiful drag queen in the new music video of the German band.

 34 (+ 9) : Banda Uó - Tô na Rua (LW: 43 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 34)

 35 (RE-ENTRY) : K Anderson - Cluttered (LW: - / WO: 3 / PEAK: 25)

UK

 36 (+ 3) : ILY - Your Love (LW: 39 / WO: 10 / PEAK: 05)

Two new brides are kissing in this Swedish music video.

 37 (- 12) : Oscar and the Wolf - Runaway (LW: 25 / WO: 7 / PEAK: 19)

Max Colombie,aka Oscar and the Wolf, is an out singer. Billboard has included this track in their top 30 gay love songs last October.

 38 (NEW) : Jvel - Los morbos, los vicios y todos los servicios (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 38)

 39 (+ 9) : Brandi Carlile - The Joke (Live from Studio A) (LW: 48 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 39)

 40 (- 10) : Virgin Suicide - Evil Eyes (LW: 30 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 30)

This Danish music video is like a short movie, telling the struggles of a closeted gay teen taken by his father to a fathers-sons's camp.

 41 (NEW) : Living Without Prejudice - Stronger Together (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 41)

The single is released in support of the LGBTI people living in fear in Chechnya. 50% of the income from the record will be donated to ILGA-Europe.

 42 (- 15) : Bilal Hassani - House Down (LW: 27 / WO: 5 / PEAK: 25)

Several young French YouTubers are featuring in his new music video.

 43 (- 19) : 10cm - Help (LW: 24 / WO: 2 / PEAK: 24)

This South Korean music video tells the hopeful story of a homosexual couple, a divorced couple, and others seeking "Help".

 44 (NEW) : SOPHIE - Ponyboy (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 44)

This is her new track after "It's OK to Cry"

 45 (NEW) : Hunter - So Gay (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 45)

The Tanzanian singer dares to proclaims his homosexuality in music in a country where homosexuality is criminalized and punished by prison. He has perhaps created a new anthem for LGBT rights in Africa.

 46 (NEW) : La Pelopony - Icónica (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 46)

 47 (NEW) : So Brown - United States of Deprivation (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 47)

 48 (NEW) : Parson James - Only You (Lyric Video) (LW: - / WO: 1 / PEAK: 47)

The track is #1 in the Top 40 LGBT Urban Chart.

 49 (- 16) : Sufjan Stevens - Mystery of Love ("Call Me By Your Name" OST) (LW: 33 / WO: 6 / PEAK: 11)

The movie Is actually nominated for 3 Golden Globes for Best Movie, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

 50 (RE-ENTRY) : Sam Vance-Law - I Think We Should Take It Fast (LW: - / WO: 2 / PEAK: 23)

  ALSO NEW THIS WEEK

 Loreen - Ride

 The Presets - Do What You Want

 Blondie - Doom or Destiny

 Smoke Season - Wolves

 snny - Young Boy

 Tatianna - Use Me

 Ginger Minj - White Christmas

 Pupi Poisson & Chumina Power - Macho Caliente (Vuélvete Loca Christmas)

 Willam Belli - Ho Ho Ho Ho

 Sia - Underneath The Mistletoe

 Out of the Blue - Merry Xmas Everybody (Charity Single)

 Jordan Leshea - Apocalypto (Audio)

 See you next week and don’t forget to vote for your best LGBTQA music videos ! Here are the rules :

1 ) You can vote for many videos as you want under the videos on YouTube in the comment section. It could be recent or past music videos, which must provide at least one among the following conditions:

- the music video has LGBTQA related content, in the lyrics or the music video

- the artist is LGBTQA, an LGBTQA icon or eventually ally

- LGBTQA medias talked about it.

2 ) You can’t vote more than 3 songs of a same artist per week.

3 ) In case of an artist who receive votes mostly by a fan base, we will count only one song, in a limited time of 10 weeks of presence in the top.

4 ) You can vote with only one account.

5 ) If you make 5 votes or less, your first vote will represent 5 points, your second vote 4 points, etc… until your last vote and following 1 point. If you make 6 to 10 votes, your first vote will represent 10 points, your second vote 9 points, etc… If you make more than 10 votes, your first vote will represent 20 points, your second vote 19 points, etc…

6 ) People who make 1 to 5 votes form the amateur ranking, those who make 6 to 10 votes form the fan ranking, those who make more than 10 votes form the expert ranking. We form the jury ranking. And we count now the ranking of minutes of views of our weekly playlist of the previous week. The Gay Music Chart is the addition of the five charts. In case of equality, the number of votes and the dates of votes will count.

7 ) The votes will close on Thursday, 8 PM, European time.

[ailendolin]

Whump Wednesday - 51 - Yonderland

Title: Tingling [AO3]

Characters: Vex/Ho-Tan

Prompt: Ho-Tan needs to go to the dentist. Vex is there for her every step of the way and looks after her. - Prompt sent in by the lovely @iris-in-the-rain.

A/N: This was honestly so much fun to write! I hope you'll enjoy this mix of fluff and angst, dear! 💙

Prompts are open, so if you want me to write a story for you as well just send me an ask with the fandom, characters and your prompt. I’m writing for Ghosts, Yonderland, Horrible Histories and Bill at the moment.

Six Idiots Whump Wednesday / Fluff Friday masterlist is here.

————

Tingling

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

Alfie turned around to face him. Her smile, usually so bright when it was just the two of them, looked dull despite her best efforts to appear normal. “Nothing. Why do you ask?”

Vex sighed and allowed himself to plop to the ground beneath the apple tree they were in the process of picking. “You keep holding your cheek, Alfie.”

He demonstrated her unconscious gesture with his own hand. The smile fell from Alfie’s face and she hung her head.

“My tooth’s been bothering me,” she reluctantly admitted.

Gently, Vex tugged at her hand until she joined him on the ground. “Since when?”

“The day before yesterday,” Alfie mumbled without looking at him. “I thought it would go away – it sometimes does – but it’s … it’s getting worse.”

“Why didn’t you say something?” Vex asked, careful to keep his voice free of blame and judgement. He’d learned long ago that pushing Alfie into a corner rarely helped.

Alfie helplessly shrugged her shoulders, shame blooming on her cheeks. “Because I’m scared, Vex.”

This was the first time Vex had ever heard her admit that. Alfie liked to give off the impression that nothing could faze her, that she could weather any storm, no matter how fierce or strong it was. Even though Vex knew why she did it, knew that she would drown in her responsibilities if she didn’t pretend she was in control all the time, it didn’t make standing by and watching her silently struggle any easier.

He scooted a little closer to her so that their arms were touching, hoping his presence would bring her a little comfort. “Of the dentist?”

Alfie nodded. She sucked in a shaky breath. “The last time I was there, they … they held me down. I don’t even remember why I was so terrified – I think one of my siblings was in before me and screamed bloody murder? But I remember being scared and struggling against the doctor’s hold. Mum came into the room – I thought she would get me out of there but she – she–“

She broke off with a pained look on her face.

“She held you down too,” Vex finished softly for her. “I’m so sorry, Alfie.”

Alfie squeezed her eyes shut. “They eventually knocked me out with something so the doctor could work on my teeth but, well – the damage was done.”

She wrapped her arms around her legs and pulled them close to her chest. It made her look small in a way she rarely allowed herself to be, not even late at night when she tried to finish her homework despite sleep and exhaustion making her eyes droop. Vex considered wrapping an arm around her shoulders but with Alfie looking as tense as a bowstring he feared she wouldn’t welcome a lingering touch. So he gently nudged his shoulder against hers instead and said, keeping his voice light, “I could go with you.”

“Huh?” Alfie’s voice cracked when she looked up at him.

“To the dentist,” Vex clarified, flashing her a reassuring smile. “I’ll make sure no one does anything against your will. I’ll even hold your hand during the procedure.”

He hadn’t meant to say that last part out loud but when Alfie’s eyes widened in hopeful disbelief, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it.

“You’d do that for me?” she asked him, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vex reached for her hand, thinking, I’d do anything for you.

“Of course,” he smiled.

Her hand trembled in his hold. “Even … even if I wanted to go to another dentist? One who’s over an hour away?”

Vex gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Even then. Especially then.”

Alfie’s breathing hitched and for a second, Vex thought that the tears she’d kept at bay this whole time would actually fall but then she visibly pulled herself together and offered him a shaky but grateful smile. “Thank you, Vex.”

She wrapped her arms around him, pulled him close for one beautiful, brief second. Vex allowed himself to melt against her like he’d so often been tempted to in the past. His heart was in his throat, beating a mile a minute, and he was sure he was blushing hard enough for Alfie’s siblings to be able see him from the house when she pulled back.

“Back to work,” Alfie mumbled shyly. She pushed herself to her feet and held out her hand to him. Vex took it and was not surprised to find his fingers still tingling from her touch long after she’d let go.

————

He kept his promise.

When they reached the dentist’s office and Alfie hesitated in front of the door, trembling all over, Vex reached for her hand and gently pulled her inside. He held it as they stood at the reception desk and explained the problem to the young man behind the counter, and he held it as they sat down in the waiting room and Alfie’s leg began to bounce up and down in a maddening rhythm while her eyes nervously roamed over the black and white tiles that made up the floor beneath her feet. He tugged at it, gently, when they were at last called in to see the dentist, and he held it all the way through the procedure, both before the anaesthetic did its work and her pulse was skyrocketing in panic under his fingertips and afterwards when she calmed down and the tension drained out of her body for the first time in hours.

Vex would be lying if he said that seeing her at her most vulnerable wasn’t affecting him in some way. They had been through a lot together over the past few years – too much for two kids, really –but this felt different, somehow; deeper. Not only was Alfie trusting him with her darkest fears, she was also trusting him to look out for her when she couldn’t do it herself.

No one had ever put their lives in Vex’s hands like this before. The fact that Alfie of all people was doing it right now felt … humbling. Breathtakingly so, almost, and as the dentist took away her pain Vex silently vowed that he would do anything in his power never to betray that precious trust and let her down.

He had no idea what medication the dentist had given her but he figured it had to have been a pretty strong dose because when they were finally allowed to go home, Alfie giggled at the flowers on the roadside as if they were funniest thing she’d ever seen. “Look at them, Vex! They’re all blue and purple!”

“Yes,” Vex said patiently, unable to keep the fondness out of his voice. “And they’ll bite off your hand if you touch them so please don’t get too close.”

He let her look at the flowers a moment longer before he gently pulled her away from them. Her eyes immediately landed on something else that fascinated her – the sun, the clouds, a root under her feet she stumbled over, a blue butterfly fluttering around her head – and he had a hard time keeping her going and moving forward. The sun would be setting soon. Already, one of the moons could be faintly seen rising over the horizon to their right, heralding the beginning of–

Alfie stopped abruptly in the middle of the road and let go of his hand. She frowned and touched her face. “My mouth feels funny. Why does it feel funny?”

She turned to him with wide, inquisitive eyes that still looked way too dilated for Vex’s comfort.

“Because you just spent over an hour getting your tooth fixed,” Vex reminded her gently. “Remember?”

Alfie slowly blinked up at him as she tried to recall their visit to the dentist. Eventually, her face lit up with recognition. “Oh, yes! I was terribly scared, wasn’t I?”

She said it with an easy smile, aided by the medication, no doubt, and it made Vex’s heart ache a little because she hadn’t just been scared – she had been utterly terrified. And even so, even after admitting her fear, she had still tried her best to keep her composure all the way to the dentist because that was the only way she knew how to handle it. Her whole life, she had been taught to function, to pretend that she didn’t feel scared or hurt, stressed or lonely just so that her family could rely on her when everything erupted into chaos.

Sometimes, Vex wanted to weep for the lost and lonely little girl he’d met under the apple tree all those years ago.

He cleared his throat.

“I know,” he said softly.

“Aw, don’t look so sad, Vex!” Alfie said, picking up on his mood shift. “I’m not scared anymore – see?”

She skipped around him in a circle, happier and more carefree than he’d ever seen her. It made his heart ache even more.

When she came to a stop at his side again, she tried to peer down her nose at her mouth.

“It really does feel weird. Is it supposed to feel like that?” she asked, almost as if the last five minutes of their conversation had never happened.

“For a short while, yes. But it will wear off soon,” Vex reassured her.

Alfie nodded, still trying to catch a glance at her lips, impossible as that was. She looked a little funny with her lips pressed together as if for a kiss but laughing was the last thing on Vex’s mind when her eyes suddenly focused on him. “Wait! I could show you!”

Before Vex had a chance to realise what she meant, she stood up on her tiptoes, grabbed hold of his face and pressed her lips against his.

It was just a quick kiss, over before it had really begun. Alfie probably hadn’t even felt anything but Vex had, and when she pulled back, his heart was racing a mile a minute and throbbing with both joy and sorrow at the same time.

“And?” Alfie asked expectantly, completely unperturbed by what she’d just done. “Do you feel the funny tingling too?”

Vex definitely did but not in the way that she meant. He didn’t know how but he somehow managed a smile and a small nod. It seemed to be enough because a moment later, Alfie grinned at him and skipped ahead down the road, still pursing her lips every now and then to chase the numbness she felt there. Vex closed his eyes in silent, desperate relief before followed her, all the while hoping that this wouldn’t change anything between them when in his heart he knew it already had.

————

Later that night, when the medication had finally worn off and Alfie was lying in her bed, drained and exhausted but thankfully no longer in pain, she reached over the small space between their beds and gently touched his arm. “Vex?”

“Hm?” Vex asked, already on the verge of sleep.

“I just wanted to thank you,” she said softly. “For coming with me today, and for making sure I got home okay. I – I think I was pretty out of it, wasn’t I?”

You have no idea, Vex thought, remembering the feeling of her lips against his.

He allowed his fingers to intertwine with hers like they had earlier that day. “I’m just glad I could be there for you.”

He couldn’t see Alfie’s face in the darkness but he could hear her swallow.

“So am I,” she said softly. There was a pregnant pause that made him wonder if it was possible that she actually remembered the kiss but then she gave his hand a squeeze and said, “Goodnight, Vex.”

“Goodnight, Alfie,” he whispered, letting her hand go.

It was only when her breathing had evened out that he allowed himself to touch his lips in remembrance of something soft and sacred, and squeezed his eyes shut in silent despair.

————

Years later, after they had shared their first proper kiss, he gathered up the courage to ask, “Do remember the first time you kissed me?”

Ho-Tan froze for a moment but then face softened and she gave the tiniest nod before she ducked her head. “Of course I do. How could I forget?”

She smiled up at him, a little shyly, and Vex frowned in confusion. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

One of her hands found its way to his cheek and cradled it as if he was the most precious thing in all the Realms. Vex’s heart stuttered in his chest.

“Because even though a part of me was clearly already in love with you, most of me had no idea why I’d done that. It … it scared me, Vex – the idea of loving someone. Because who could ever like me? A girl who’s actually a boy?”

Vex gently leaned their foreheads together.

“Who could like a boy who’s the son of an Evil Overlord?” he whispered. He brought up a hand to her face, mirroring hers on his. “We’re not our pasts, Alfie. You’re as much a boy as I’m evil.”

“I know,” Ho-Tan breathed. “I’m sorry it took me so long to realise that.”

“Don’t be,” Vex smiled. “We got there in the end.”

He angled his head to bring their lips together and smiled at the familiar tingling sensation.

[ailendolin]

Birthday ficlet

Happy birthday to one of the loveliest people I have met in this fandom and am grateful to call my friend - @iris-in-the-rain! 💙 This little ficlet is for you, dear! I hope you enjoy it!

————

Title: In Her Arms [AO3]

Characters: Ho-Tan, the Youngers, the Elders

A/N: This is a sequel to my prompt ficlet Packing in which Ho-Tan refuses to admit she's sick. The Youngers' names are based on this post. Teddy for Trevor's Younger is a new addition I came up with for this story.

————

In Her Arms

There was a soft knock on her bedroom door.

“Come in,” Ho-Tan called hoarsely. She pushed herself up to her elbows as five small heads and a little blue blob carefully peered around her door with matching anxious looks and worried frowns on their faces. Her heart swelled with more affection than she knew what to do with. For the first time in days, a smile broke out on her face. “Oh, you made it!”

Taking her joyful relief as permission to enter the room, the Youngers pushed through the door and nearly stumbled over each other in their eagerness to come closer.

“Hi Mum,” Alfie said softly and reached for her cold hands. “How are you feeling? Uncle Choop told us you were sick.”

Ho-Tan did her best to swallow the cough she could feel tickling in her throat. It wouldn’t do to make the children worry even more than they already were.

“Better now that you’re here,” she said sincerely once she was sure her voice wouldn’t break halfway through the sentence. She gave her son’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “How was your journey?”

As the Youngers launched into a riveting tale about all the things they’d seen along the way – even a real dragon, according to Irk – Ho-Tan allowed herself to sink back against her pillows and let their voices settle around her like a warm, comforting blanket. It felt good to have her children here – to have them home. She had missed them these past few weeks; more than she’d like to admit, if she was being honest. Their bright eyes and smiling faces made even the glummest day bearable and made her feel at peace like little else in the Realms did. Now that she had them with her, Ho-Tan felt even more grateful to Choop and the others for rearranging their plans so the Youngers could come visit them instead of the other way around. She would have never been fit enough to travel, not after the night she’d had. Her fever had spiked so badly that just after midnight, Vex had been forced to go and fetch the doctor.

Thanks to her help and the foul-smelling tea she had forced Ho-Tan to drink Ho-Tan was fine now – not perfectly, of course, but her fever had finally broken in the early hours of the morning, leaving her weak and tired but still feeling better than she had in days. Certainly well enough to bask in the presence of her children.

“And then it breathed fire!” Irk exclaimed with wide eyes before he proceeded to imitate the, apparently, fire-breathing dragon by crawling on all four over her floor and sticking out his tongue as he roared and snarled at them in a rather cute manner that made Ho-Tan bite her lip.

“It did not,” little Teddy piped up from where he rested in Sepal’s hand.

Daisy nodded in agreement. “It was a lizard, nothing more.”

“It didn’t even puff smoke,” Barry added, sounding vaguely disappointed.

Irk harrumphed mid-growl and sat up. He crossed his arms in front of his chest in such a petulant manner that this time, Ho-Tan couldn’t help but laugh. It felt good, even if her laughter eventually turned into a coughing fit that left her gasping for breath.

Alvin’s hold on her hand tightened in worry. “Mum? Are you all right?”

“Of course I am,” Ho-Tan rasped out once she felt like she could breathe again. “You’re here, aren’t you?”

The Youngers smiled at her – still looking a little spooked, perhaps, but also obviously glad to be home.

Ho-Tan patted the empty space next to her on the bed. “Come on, I want to hear about the rest of your trip.”

Alvin and Irk immediately cuddled up close to her just like they’d done when they were younger. Sepal handed Teddy to her and joined Alvin on her left side, followed by Daisy. Young Barry made himself comfortable next to Irk before he picked up his story about the dragon that actually was a lizard (“But it had a frill and looked all big and scary with it!”) again.

An hour later, when Choop and the other Elders came to see how they were doing, the Youngers were still curled up at Ho-Tan’s side but instead of daring tales of adventure the sound of soft snoring now filled her room.

“The journey must have taken it out of them,” Pressley murmured with a fond smile as he gently rested one of his hands on Barry’s curly head.

“It was quite eventful,” Ho-Tan agreed with a quiet smile.

Vex carefully sat down on the edge of the bed and let his eyes roam over her face in concern for a moment before he asked, “Are you all right, my dear?”

Ho-Tan nodded at him, still tired but so very happy to have her whole family around her for once.

“Of course she is,” Choop said softly. He sat down next to Vex and pushed that stubborn lock of hair Ho-Tan was never able to tame behind her ear with a gentleness that made her feel more cherished than she thought she deserved. His fingers briefly touched her brow, looking for signs of a fever that was no longer there. “She’s got everything she needs right here, haven’t you, my dear?”

Ho-Tan smiled.

“Hear, hear,” Flowers said quietly. Together with Pressley, he sat down on the other side of the bed, careful not to disturb the children, while Trevor got comfortable at their feet.

They mean to stay, Ho-Tan suddenly realised, and for the second time that day she felt her heart swell with so much love it shimmered wetly in her eyes. For Choop was right: all she truly needed was her family and today, she finally had them all in her arms again. Even exhausted and aching, Ho-Tan couldn’t imagine a better way to spend a day than this: holding the people she loved close and being held by them in return.  

[ailendolin]

Fluff Friday - 1 - Yonderland

Title: Anniversaries [AO3]

Fandom: Yonderland

Characters: Ho-Tan / Vex

Prompt: Vextan celebrating an anniversary. - Prompt by the wonderful @a-small-bear can be found here.

A/N: The first Fluff Friday fic is here! I'm so excited! I hope you all enjoy our beloved Elders celebrating their (rather unconventional) anniversaries.

Prompts are open, so if you want me to write a story for you as well just send me an ask with the fandom, characters and your prompt. I’m writing for Ghosts, Yonderland, Horrible Histories and Bill at the moment.

Six Idiots Whump Wednesday / Fluff Friday masterlist is here.

————

Anniversaries

1. Ho-Tan

Throughout her whole life, Ho-Tan meticulously kept track of important dates. She had a little notebook that was full of her friends and family’s name days, wedding dates, anniversaries and other significant milestones. Every person had a page in her book, from her siblings to the Elders and their Youngers and even Debbie of Maddox and Bob Peter Peter. Ho-Tan only needed to find the right one to be able to tell which days of the year were a cause for celebration for them.

There was no page for herself in the book.

Her parents had never put much value in anniversaries of any kind. Ho-Tan had vague memories of her second and third name days being celebrated with stale leftover cake from the day before but after that, there was nothing; no more cake, and no more celebrations. By the time her fourth name day came around she’d already had two younger siblings – the Twins, as they were still called by everyone to this day –  and a third one on the way. There simply hadn’t been time to celebrate, or so her mother had told her back then until Ho-Tan had finally stopped asking.

She hadn’t been happy with her name anyway. There was no need to celebrate Alfred when she’d always been more happy as Alfie. And yet Ho-Tan couldn’t quite deny the quiet longing she felt every time she made a cake for one of her siblings and decorated the kitchen with balloons and bright, sparkly Happy Name Day banners. It would tug at her all day, relentlessly, and make her wish someone would recognise who she truly was and just once acknowledge and celebrate Alfie’s existence with her.

That someone eventually came into her life in the form of Vex. Ho-Tan had never met someone like him before. He was easy-going and seemingly without a care in the world; soft-spoken where her parents had always been loud and gentle where her siblings were rough. But most importantly he was more perceptive than all of her family put together.

From the moment they’d met under the apple tree, Vex had seen past the boys’ clothes and the short hair. To him, Ho-Tan had always been Alfie, never Alfred, and even to this day he never got tired of correcting people if they called her by the wrong name. He’d also made it his mission to keep track of all the milestones in Ho-Tan’s life once he realised no one else was remembering them, Ho-Tan included. He kept a list, messy and chaotic and so Vex it had made Ho-Tan smile when she first saw it. It contained the day she decided to grow her hair out; the day she wore a skirt for the first time; the day she was supposed to take her uncle’s place in the Council of Elders and ended up taking Nestor of Maddox’s instead; the day she finally told her family she was a girl instead of a boy and many, many more.

Even now, years and decades later, Vex still remembered those anniversaries and added new ones to the list. The lengths he was willing to go to to make these days special for her never failed to amaze Ho-Tan but it was the quiet moments they shared before the celebrations she actually liked the most; the moments when it was just the two of them and Vex did something incredibly sweet.

This morning, he came up behind her as she stood in front of the mirror and gently pushed her hair out of the way so he could press a kiss behind her ear. Ho-Tan smiled and closed her eyes, knowing by the way his lips lingered against her skin that today must be one of her important days. “Which one is it?”

“It’s Hairclip Day,” Vex murmured against her skin before he peppered it with more kisses.

Ho-Tan huffed out a soft laugh. “I don’t think pinning my hair back for the first time warrants a celebration, dear.”

Vex looked up and their eyes met in the mirror.

“Maybe not,” he said quietly and reached past her to pull a blue butterfly hairclip out of her self-made and battered jewellery box. “But it was the first time I saw you smile when you looked in the mirror.”

Oh.

With infinite gentleness, his fingers gathered up the hair on the left side of her face and secured it with the butterfly. Its blue wings had dulled over time and so had its fine golden body but when Ho-Tan turned her head to the side to get a better look at it she felt like she was sixteen again and seeing her hair reflect her true self for the very first time.

“There it is,” Vex murmured softly and rested his chin on her shoulder. “That beautiful smile I fell in love with all those years ago.”

Ho-Tan’s eyes softened. She placed her hands over his on her stomach and turned her head to brush her lips against his temple. “Thank you, Vex.”

“Happy Hairclip Day, my love.”

2. Vex

Vex was not a morning person. Ho-Tan knew that. Ho-Tan had known that for years and yet here she was, gently coaxing him awake with loving kisses and soft whispers of, “Vex, my dear. Wake up,” even though the sky beyond the window was still dark.

“It’s night,” Vex grumbled and turned to hide his face in his pillow.

Behind him, Ho-Tan laughed softly. “It’s not. Come on, if we hurry, we can catch the sunrise.”

With that she first pulled the blanket away and then dragged him out of bed. Literally. Still half-asleep, Vex stumbled after her into the bathroom and blearily blinked at the clothes she was pushing into his arms.

“These are not my robes,” he said around a yawn.

“Of course not. You can’t very well go hiking in those, now can you?”

Vex squinted at her as the gears in his head slowly woke up from their slumber and began to turn. Hiking, sunrise … “Oh, is today –?”

“Yes,” Ho-Tan beamed before she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Somehow, she was already dressed. When had that happened? “Now hurry up or we’ll miss it!”

Warmth pooled in Vex’s stomach as he took in the excitement on her face. He blinked away the final haze of sleep and pulled on the shirt, trousers and sturdy boots Ho-Tan had given him together with the old walking stick that rarely saw any action these days. Even though Vex could think of better ways to spend his morning – namely in bed and preferably in Ho-Tan’s arms – he gladly tiptoed after her through the hallways and out the door, knowing how important it was for Ho-Tan to commemorate special occasions.

And today, Vex had to admit, was indeed rather special.

The air was already pleasantly warm as they hiked through the woods and up the little hill on the outskirts of the city. It was the height of summer and all around them the trees and bushes were laden with fruit. Vex’s stomach growled noticeably as they passed a particularly delicious looking patch of blueberries and Ho-Tan stopped to look at him over her shoulder.

“We’re almost there,” she said and lifted the basket in her arm in a silent promise of breakfast. It was covered by a cloth but Vex knew from past experience that it contained a cake Ho-Tan made herself as well as some bread, cheese and juice. His mouth watered just thinking about all the delicious food she’d prepared.

True to her word, five minutes later Ho-Tan led them out of the forest and onto a little ledge that faced East over Yonderland. The horizon was just starting to light up in a faint, light blue when she spread out the blanket on the ground and laid out the contents of her basket. Vex’s mouth fell open when she didn’t pull out just one but three cakes – each of them shaped in one of the letters of his name and smelling of apples.

“Debbie kindly got me these baking moulds from her world,” Ho-Tan explained sheepishly while she arranged the three letters on the blanket. “It’s amazing what things they have over there, isn’t it?”

“You’re amazing,” Vex breathed, dragging his eyes away from the cakes to look at her. He reached for her hands and shook his head. “Every year you go to so much trouble to surprise me on this day. What have I ever done to deserve that?”

Ho-Tan brought his hands to her mouth and pressed a lingering kiss against his knuckles.

“You came into my life and changed it for the better,” she smiled, a little teary-eyed, before she leaned up to give him a proper kiss. Vex’s eyes fell close and he allowed himself to get lost in the feeling of her lips, the sound of birdsong echoing through the woods around them and the smell of apples in the air. When Ho-Tan pulled back, there was a soft, loving smile on her face. “Happy Name Day, Vex.”

Today wasn’t his actual Name Day, of course. That had already come and gone, unnoticed and unremarked. Today was his New Name Day – the day Ho-Tan had found him on her family’s farm and given him a new life. When she’d asked him for his name Vex had told her the first thing that came to his mind. “Vex. I’m … I’m Vex.”

Ho-Tan had given him a funny look at first but then she’d simply smiled and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Vex. I’m Alfie. Do you want to come inside, perhaps? Have a glass of milk and some bread? I mean no offense but you look like you could do with a meal or two.”

Vex would never forget the kindness she had shown him that day, and all the days that had followed.

“Happy Better Life Day, Alfie,” he whispered against her lips as the first rays of the sun bathed the lands below them in a warm golden light.

[ailendolin]

I had a Yonderland dream last night, which is very fuzzy, but I did have this thought in my head when I woke up.

Baby Irk is sick and Vex and Ho-Tan are losing their minds a little 🤒😨

So how about

¿: thermometer 

I know it took me two weeks but here's your prompt fill for Baby Irk being sick. I hope you enjoy what I came up with, dear! 💙

Next up: ‡ - bath: Mike ►- crisp, clean pajamas: Julian ≣ - hand holding: Headless Humphrey Original prompt: something about Bernard and Chamberlain ≣ - hand holding: Julian & Robin

Ask Game can be found here. Filled prompts are here on AO3. ________

Exhaustion

Vex gently opened the door to the nursery with his foot. “Is he asleep yet?”

Ho-Tan looked up with tired eyed and shook her head. Everything about her screamed exhaustion. “No.”

Her eyes gleamed wetly in the soft light of the rotating lamp – almost as if she had been crying or was just barely holding back tears. Vex hurried to sit down the tea in his hands and joined her by the window.

“Hey,” he said softly. One of his hands settled on her arm; with the other, he gently caressed the back of Irk’s feverish head. Their son hiccupped against Ho-Tan’s chest. “Do you want me to take him for a moment?”

“No, I – I just want him to get better,” Ho-Tan choked out. She looked up. “I need him to get better, Vex.”

“I know,” Vex said quietly just as Irk let out an unhappy noise and began to cry his little heart out once more. “But the doctor said he’s fine, that we just have to wait until the illness runs its course.”

“What if she’s wrong, though?” Ho-Tan asked, rocking their youngest helplessly in her arms to calm him down.

Vex couldn’t deny having had the same thought over the last few days – more than once, actually. But giving in to panic would help neither them nor Irk so instead he pulled Ho-Tan a little closer and pressed his lips against her temple in quiet reassurance. “She wasn’t wrong when Alvina was ill, was she?”

“Alvina was never this ill, though,” Ho-Tan argued. “It’s been days, Vex. He’s barely eaten, hasn’t slept –“

“And neither have you,” a voice suddenly said from the doorway. Vex and Ho-Tan looked up to see Flowers standing there with a serene smile on his face, looking completely at ease despite Irk’s crying fit. “Good evening, brothers.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Ho-Tan hurried to say. “Has he woken you up? We tried to calm him down but–”

Flowers held up his hand.

“Relax, Alfie,” he said softly before holding out his arms. “Give the little bud to me.”

Ho-Tan looked questioningly at Vex who shrugged in a I-don’t-see-how-this-could-get-any-worse sort of way. Reluctantly, she stepped out of his arms and handed Irk over to Flowers. For one blissful moment, the crying died down to surprised little hiccups before it started back up again, louder than ever.

“There you go,” Flowers murmured to the baby, completely ignoring the angry tears and furiously red cheeks. “Let it all out. You and I are going to take a nice long walk so your Mummy and Daddy can get some rest, okay?”

With that he waved at them and walked out of the nursery, all the while mumbling soft nonsense to the baby. Ho-Tan crumpled in on herself the moment they were out of side. “I let him go. Oh gods, I let him go.”

Vex was by her side in an instant. He wrapped his arms around her and gently guided her to the rocking chair in the corner. “He’ll be fine. Flowers knows what he’s doing.”

Ho-Tan, now curled up in his arms, looked at him in despair. “I’m just so tired of it all, Vex. I want him to be okay.”

“So do I,” Vex murmured against her hair. “So do I.”

They were asleep by the time Flowers came back, and still sleeping when the sun rose the next morning and little Irk’s fever has gone down enough for him to develop something resembling an appetite again and allow his big sister Alvina to feed him under Flowers’s watchful eye. There was more baby food on the baby than actually in him by the time Ho-Tan and Vex staggered into the kitchen but Flowers had a feeling neither of them minded when Irk greeted them with a happy, toothless smile for the first time in days.

[ailendolin]

ʌ okay, I gotta have this for Vextan 🥺

Sorry it took me so long to answer this, dear! The last few days have been crazily busy (and exhausting) but I finally managed to sit down yesterday and write more Vextan hurt/comfort for you. I hope you enjoy it! 💙

This is techincally set after Last Breath but works just as well as a stand-alone.

Ask Game can be found here.

The Chosen One

ʌ: Comfort after a nightmare

She was tense and still in his arms. So very, very still.

“Ho-Tan?” Vex asked softly. He reached out to brush a strand of hair out of her face, the one she usually braided back. “Wake up, dear. Whatever it is you see, it’s not real. I promise.”

He had no idea if she could hear him. She never remembered his words when she woke up from a nightmare but Vex always talked to her anyway, hoping, foolishly perhaps, that the sound of his voice would reach her wherever she’d gone and pull her back from the place she was trapped in; bring her home.

“Alfie,” he tried next – a name he and the others only rarely used. It was deeply personal, that name. Both a reminder of who she was and who she used to be. “Please. Come back to me.”

As if hearing him Ho-Tan woke with a start, a sob still lodged in her throat and her eyes wide and frantic with panic. Her whole body, so still only a few seconds ago, started trembling like a leaf and Vex pulled her against his chest, held her close in a helpless attempt to shield her from her own mind.

“Shhh,” he gently hummed. “It’s over now. You’re safe.”

Ho-Tan shook her head and struggled against his hold. Surprised, Vex let go of her. There was a desperation in her eyes when she looked at him – a desperation he hadn’t seen in years. Her gaze frantically roamed over his body as if searching for something, or reassuring herself nothing was there. It always returned to his neck, he noticed.

“Ho-Tan?” he asked softly, feeling his skin prickly under her stare.

Even in the dim light of the moons he could see the tears well up in her eyes when she cupped his face with both her hands and brought their foreheads together. Her breathing hitched and her words were nothing more than a strangled whisper when she said, “You’re alive.”

Something in Vex broke. He lifted his hands to tangle his fingers in her hair, desperate to touch her, to keep her close. He wondered if she had been dreaming about the fire again. He knew it still haunted her even though years, decades, had passed since that fateful day.

“I am,” he promised her. “I’m here.”

Ho-Tan angled her head a little and bridged the small gap between them. For a moment, Vex could taste her tears on his lips before she shifted around a little so she could press her ear against his chest. His heart was racing a mile a minute and she closed her eyes in relief, relaxing little by little with every beat she heard and felt. Vex still kept whispering soft reassurances to her, kept stroking her hair, her back, her face until the night gave way to the sun, and the sky lit up in soft hues of pink and orange that left no room for ghastly shadows and frightful memories.

It was morning. The worst was over.

Ho-Tan slowly lifted her head to look up at him.

“Thank you, Vex,” she said softly, her eyes full of silent gratitude that needn’t be put into words. She leaned closer to press a chaste kiss to the corner of his mouth that made Vex smile, very softly.

“Do you want to try and go back to sleep now?” he asked. Ho-Tan shook her head. They were both quiet for a moment. Then, “Want to talk about it?”

Ho-Tan hesitated. “Can we watch the sunrise first?”

Vex pressed a kiss to her hair. “Of course, my dear.”

She settled down against his chest again, her eyes fixed on the window. Vex held her close and watched as the warm, golden light gently touched her face and chased the last lingering shadows away. She looked ethereal like this; almost as if she came from another world. She might not be the Chosen One but she was his chosen one, and Vex would choose her again and again and again, would brave every night with her for as long as she let him because he loved her.

It was as simple as that.

Ho-Tan reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers.

Vex smiled. He loved her so very, very much.