#It's not about ''they're my king and prince''. It's not about being in a slightly lesser station than them that he saved Dimitri

[dimiclaudeblaigan]

Something that SEEERIOUSLY isn’t talked about enough among Rodrigue fans is how Rodrigue (almost? or generally) always refers to Dimitri as “Your/His Highness” except in the moment that Dimitri’s life was at risk right in front of Rodrigue and Rodrigue shielded him with his own body.

Rodrigue is always respectful and aware of their stations, but none of that matters when Dimitri is almost killed. Rodrigue reacts emotionally without station in mind, forgetting to refer to him in an “appropriate” manner and reacting instead in a more intimate manner (i.e. using a person’s name instead of their title).

Most people wouldn’t dare to refer to their prince by their first name, but Rodrigue forgets all that the moment Dimtiri is in danger. He follows up that familial intimacy by calling Dimitri “my boy”. In a way it’s like Rodrigue's formalities are just forced expectations that are ingrained into him, because his actual instinct is to refer to Dimitri in a familial way. If he doesn’t have time to think about what he’s saying, it will be Dimitri’s name that he uses because that’s how he truly thinks of Dimitri.

He doesn’t solely view Dimitri as his prince. He views Dimitri as family, and in a setting where royalty exists, it’s so important to the relationship in question when that societal expectation is broken, simply because it tells you exactly what that character thinks of their royalty.

When royalty’s life is in danger, it would even make sense for people to hesitate because if they do anything, they might also be in danger and generally humans instinctually prioritize their own life (even if they do really want to step in to help). That typically is not the case with humans regarding loved ones, where that instinct instead changes to an instinct where they automatically step in to protect people dear to them - especially parents to their children. Parents - not just in humans but in most forms of life (cats, dogs, etc) - are extremely protective of their children and react without a second - even a first - thought, because it’s not a thought at all when they see their children in danger. It’s a base reaction.

Rodrigue wasn’t witnessing his prince being attacked. He was witnessing his son being attacked, and he reacted as a father would - not as a knight, a vassal or anyone under Dimitri’s station and how they would be expected to react to protect him. Dimitri didn’t have to be his blood son for him to react the same way a blood parent would. Dimitri wasn’t born to him but he was Rodrigue’s son all the same and he couldn’t accept his boy being harmed.

I love that his reaction is exactly the same as what Lambert would have done. I love that in that one moment when he didn’t have time to think about his word choice, such important stations meant absolutely nothing to him. I love that what was important to him was Dimitri the person, and not Dimitri the prince. I love that at the very end, he died knowing his boy was safe and alive. I love that, when he starts reusing “Your Highness”, it’s only after the immediate danger has passed and he has time to actually process his word choice again, because it really drives home how quickly and thoughtlessly he reacted to seeing Dimitri in danger when he dropped formalities to use his first name.

He also didn’t tell him to live for the people or live because he was a prince. He wanted Dimitri to remember to live for himself and likely died with the hope that those being his last words would be taken much more heavily and sincerely, and give Dimitri a lot to think about in regard to caring for himself as a person and not just seeing himself as a prince/future king, because Rodrigue also saw him as a person.

Not only did Rodrigue protect his son (which mind you must have been extremely important to him after already losing a son. Can you imagine how devastated he would be to lose another child? This time he saved a son from death, which he was unable to do previously and he wasn’t present to be able to even try), but he gave Dimitri the thing Dimitri desired the most from those he loved: he treated Dimitri like a regular person who needed to live his own life for himself, and in the single most critical moment to Rodrigue, forgot to use titles and formalities and openly expressed his true feelings just by using Dimitri’s name alone.

Dimitri never liked all those stuffy behaviors and titles. He just wanted to be a person. Rodrigue, his family, gave him that at Rodrigue’s very end, explicitly informing Dimitri that was how this man always thought of him just from that one moment of Rodrigue’s feelings slipping through. He was always keeping up appearances, but Dimitri was always just Dimitri to him.

Also, Rodrigue says “please tell me it wasn’t in vain”. Remember, Rodrigue’s son died in vain. Glenn didn’t actually get to protect Dimitri. Earlier, Rodrigue stated that Dimitri’s injuries left him on the verge of death. Glenn didn’t die protecting him. Glenn died in a tragedy. Nothing Glenn did that day that led to his death actually helped Dimitri survive. Dimitri survived because Gilbert found him in time.

Rodrigue knows that and doesn’t want another person dear to Dimitri to die a death that didn’t need to happen. He also doesn’t want it to be in vain because if it was, he would have died being unable to protect his son. Rodrigue “died for what he believed in”, but he died because he thoughtlessly, without hesitation, died to save his son. He believed in Dimitri, but he also believed Dimitri to be his child as much as Glenn and Felix ever were.

Even though Glenn did die in vain, he attempted to die keeping his best friend alive. He believed in his best friend, just like Lambert believed in his son to be able to saved if he ever went astray.

Before Rodrigue dies, he last thoughts are of Lambert, but also his promise to Lambert, which was about Dimtiri.

Rodrigue was always thinking of his family throughout the whole game (literally, he brings up Felix to Byleth regularly and brings up Glenn throughout the story as well), and that extended to Lambert and Dimtiri. At the very last, he literally died like he lived, and that was for his family.

[bones4thecats]

How Did They Meet Their Genie! S/O?

Type of Writing: #10 - Poll Result Characters: Rollo Flamme and Baul Zigvolt Name: How Did They Meet Their Genie! S/O? Original Poll Link: Here

A/N: I have rarely, if ever, written for these characters, so they may end up being slightly OOC. Sadly, I had no ideas for Fellow Honest- the guy is hard to write something like this for without it being severely OOC. I also could come up with no ideas for Kifaji, since I couldn't find much information on him, I'm sorry for that. But, do hope you enjoy this my lil bubbles🫧

P.S: The Reader is inspired by a mixture of the original story Genie, Aladdin's Genie, the Live-Action Genie and Jafar's Genie form

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⛪ Rollo was not amused when he learned some students from Night Raven were arriving at Noble Bell College for the yearly festival. And he was far from happy when he gained knowledge that their two strongest students were coming as well

⛪ That being the Prince, and future heir to the thrown, of Briar Valley, Malleus Draconia, and one of the most powerful fae magicians in the world, one considered to be a genie, Y/N L/N

⛪ He stood alongside his secretary and right-hand as the group of magic-users approached, and he caught sight of the supposed genie flying around and messing with a spikey green-haired boy

⛪ Grabbing his handkerchief, he pushed the piece of purple cloth in front of his frowning face, making the two faes cock eyebrows at his actions

⛪ But, it seemed the Prince brushed it off faster than the other fae, as they kept a close eye on him throughout their small tour of the grounds. They also seemed to stay close to a black-haired boy, which he later learned was named Jamil Viper

⛪ Now, normally Rollo did not go out of his way for these magic-users whenever they came by at his school, but for some reason he felt drawn to you more than anything

⛪ He had began to actually speak to you before he realized it. He had asked you about your time at NRC and what your relationship was with the magicless human, despite your fairly obvious hostility to him

" Y/N, I am not quite sure I understand why you are so tense around Sir Flamme. Could you explain the reasoning behind it? "

⛪ Looking at Malleus, you sighed and played with a small blue figurine that you had been gifted by your guardians long ago, and you just handed him a red one as he looked at you with questioning eyes

" I have been told this story for many years, Mal. And it goes like this; Long ago, a young boy fell for a beautiful princess. But, due to their differences in rankings, they could not be together, and seeing the opportunity to gain some better status and power, her father's helper had seen complete red when the man began using a special power to seduce the princess. " " What was this power? " " A magic user. Back then, they were very rare. And very sought-out by men and women alike. Now, once he had gotten a hold of the magic-user, he had begun to trick the princess that he was a prince, in order to win her heart. "

⛪ Rollo stood behind the pillar, wondering on what in Twisted Wonderland you were speaking about? Was this some story from the Scaling Sands that he had not read about?

" What did the King's helper do about the swindler's treachery? " " The only thing he knew how to do; report it once found out. And, once he notified the Sultan, the man was found and handed about, though nobody knows for certain what happened to him. Most likely death. But, for his accomplishment in saving the princess, he was granted a magical lamp, and he used the powers to become Sultan. " " How impressive. Are these figures them? " " They're a form of the story. In there, the Sultan's helper was the enemy and had thrown the princess and Sultan into servitude like he was stuck in. And this blue one that I am holding was the 'good genie' who had been helping the swindler out. "

⛪ Gripping his handkerchief tighter inside his pocket, Rollo began to stroll away, not sparing any thought of you and the Prince of Briar Valley being outside past hours in the field speaking of nonsense

⛪ Once he reached his room, Rollo slammed the door shut as softly as he possibly could before looking around his room in a frenzy. Why did he want to pull that Dragon Fae away from you and escourt you to your room at that moment?

⛪ No matter, he needed to focus on his plan. And nothing, not even someone like you, would be able to change his mind...

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🐊 Ever since the war began, there have been many fae and humans alike falling to their shared enemy. Unfortunately, as of late, the humans have been gaining the upper-hand

🐊 This action was leading the Draconia family to improvise by sending in some fae from outside of Briar Valley, and there was a new group of them being added this week

🐊 And these fae were all from the Scaling Sands, a land inhabited by humans, though they chose no side during the war, due to being farther away and thriving on their own without any greed of land catching their minds

🐊 You had dressed in your get-go, that being a dragon's, and set your sights on collaborating your battalion's style of fighting with General Lilia's

🐊 Baul wasn't able to take a simple rest when he heard that you were going to be alone with their leader

🐊 He wanted to trust you, really he did, but you lived somewhere full of humans, you may end up betraying them if you caught sight of someone that you possibly knew

🐊 So, grabbing his mask and uniform, he slapped it on quickly before heading out and hiding behind a tree, concealing his presence from both you and Lilia

🐊 Once he reached where you both resided, he watched with a stink-eye similar to that of a sniper trying to take down one of the most dangerous people in history with one bullet left

" Commander Y/N, if I may ask, how have you lived alongside those humans, those mortals, for so long without an issue? " " It's quite simple, General Vanrouge. I have had many connections to the higher-ups in their society. One being a being from a long time ago, maybe hundreds of years? Huh, my memory of time seemingly has gone down, I apologize. "

🐊 Speaking so formally yet freely was something that Baul had never heard about happening with the General of the Fae army before, how remarkable

🐊 Wait- what was he thinking?! You were a possible enemy! He has to stay focused!

" Do you perhaps remember this being by any chance? " " Ah yes I do. Quite well, actually. I may not remember just how long ago it has been, but I do remember the man with precision. " " Would you mind telling me about this mystery man? " " Of course not. "

🐊 Taking a breath, Baul watched as your hand sputtered out some blue flickers, which forms into smokes and into small figures, one being teal, another being white, then red, blue, orange, purple, and a final resting light tan

" This one, is a woman, a princess from hundreds of years ago. And the small white one was her father, the Sultana and the Sultan. This blue character is a magic-user from way-back-when, our light tan in a swindler, and our red is our main character of this beloved legend and story mashup. Now, the young swindler had come across this magic-user, and he asked if they could put themselves to good use and help him try to sway the princess into a relationship. And, due to magic being a more rarity back then, nobody had suspected anything tricky taking place. Until the red one here, a man now known as the Sorcerer of the Sands, found out about the plot. "

🐊 Sitting up slightly as his shoulders sank down in a relaxed position, Baul found himself listening to the story with just as much attention as he gave to glaring at you from behind

" The Sorcerer of the Sands had eventually gotten enough information and turned the swindler in, leading in the arrest of the young man and eventual fate, one in which nobody knows, though, many believe he was executed for the crime of seducing the princess and plotting both overthrowing the Sultan, basically usurping the thrown, and treason. Now, while the swindler got punished for his actions, the respected-Sorcerer had stood proudly against the Sultan and was granted the object known as a 'magic lamp'. With this lamp, he made the wish to become Sultan. Now, while this story's final ending is shrouded in mystery, some suspect that the swindler broke out and stopped the Vizier from attempting to kill the royal family, while in some the Vizier married the princess and lived happily ever after, and in some others the Vizier had just ruled the land and kept it balanced until his death years later. "

🐊 Baul listened as Lilia sighed deeply, seemingly releasing some stress at hearing the story end fairly happily for the seemingly good-natured Vizier and the ill-intentioned swindler

🐊 Lilia turned to you and patted you on the shoulder as he stood up, shocking one of his right-hands with his words

" You are a good person, Y/N. I expect good things from you, yes? " " You shouldn't expect any less than that, General. " " Have a nice rest, Commander. Good night. " " I wish you the same, sir! "

🐊 Okay, you didn't seem so bad now. But just because you got Lilia to somewhat show trust in you, a Zigvolt is far harder to please, well, that's what he now tells your grand-children, but you get the point

[the-insouciant-scientist]

Coins of the Neath! This is only about half of the project I have planned, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to show off what I have so far.

Descriptions and explanations under the cut!

Top left is a First City Coin. Described in game as having a cedar on one side, and a circle of script around either a face in profile, a pair of eyes, or an image of the Bazaar on the other side. The script is a mix of proto-cuneiform, archaic Sumerian ideograms/pictograms, and symbols of my own design, and is intended to translate more-or-less to "The Masters approach/bind the King to divide the earth, to guard his prince's heart. The Bazaar's oath to see the sun is the foundation and the destiny". It's roughly the story of the First City's fall, and the Bazaar's quest. The face is based on some representations of Gilgamesh, as a reference to May.

Top right is Hinterland Scrip. In game it appears to be more the paper money kind of scrip, but I'm from a coal and steel industry city and go nuts for scrip coinage, so this was a little self indulgent. It's a 50¢ coin since one scrip is about equal to 50p in game. The naming of the fake company is mostly just me wanting to both include hinterland in the name, and not have to cram in "the great hellbound railway company" on such a small coin lmao. 1899 is a personal reference to when I unlocked the railway. The punch design is a reference to FB's logo.

Center is a rat shilling! Not uh, technically coins, but I wanted to draw a rat. They're described in game as a flat piece of metal, sometimes a button, with a rat face scratched into one side and a knot of tails scratched into the other. One side reads "valid until no longer valid", which I find absolutely hysterical. I tried to invoke a kind of rostygold color to this one, since that's what it reverts to when the rat market closes.

Middle right is a Justificande coin. They aren't described very much in game, just that they're seven sided and say "one day you will forgive" on the back. So I took a lot of artistic liberties with this one! The seven headed serpent and roses are both very common Iremi symbols, so it made sense to me that they'd be featured on their currency.

Bottom left is a Fourth City Echo. Described in game as having a familiar profile of a spire on one side, and hudum writing on the other. Talking to the Numismatrix gives you further info that the writing is a promise for repayment, and a warning against using any other currency. I had to translate this through two different translators in order to get traditional hudum script (they use Mongolian Cyrillic nowadays more commonly) so it may not be perfectly accurate, but from left to right it should read "One Echo. The Only Currency."

And then bottom right is an Amber Ha'Penny. They're described as being tiny, sticky, and stamped with the image of a chain. It's supposed to be the same image of a chain on both sides, one being broken and one being forged, but I decided to have the sides slightly vary to reflect that better.

[sinner-sunflower]

A HH Lucifer-centric AU 4/?

PART 1 , PART 2, PART 3, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, PART 10, PART 11, PART 12, PART 13, PART 14, PART 15, PART 16, PART 17, PART 18, PART 19, PART 20, PART 21, PART 22

Thanks to your support, I am so committed to this. When I finish this, I plan to make it into a long, proper, one-shot- better format and everything!

I've been doing these chapters in the middle of work lmao, so if you see a typo or some edits, it's me rereading it after work.

I'm trying to include more Alastor but he's pretty hard to write.

I used Velvette so much here cos I love her as that bitch you love to hate. She is obviously the spokesperson of the Vees

---------------------------------------------

The hotel lobby is filled with unbearable silence as hell's overlords and high members of the Ars Goetia arrive one by one.

Just a few hours ago, Alastor heard from Carmila Carmine that the king had called a meeting for the top ruling people of hell. Charlie doesn't know why her dad called for it in the hotel.

The Ars Goetia (minus Stolas) were whispering among themselves and shooting the sinner overlords dirty looks every now and again. The overlords were good at pretending they couldn't hear anything. Apparently, they at least have the sense to know that that would be a fight they cannot win.

The hotel's residents collectively claimed it as their spot. Husk is talking with Angel quietly, keeping him distracted and out of view of Valentino, Vaggie is holding her spear as she keeps a close eye on the strangers in their home, Nifty is obsessively cleaning a corner of the bar (Husk keeps telling her that it is still dirty just so she won't venture elsewhere), and Cherri is playing with an unlit bomb in her hand.

Rosie and Stolas decided to approach Charlie and Alastor at the bar at the same time, both slightly bowed to her.

Charlie: Prince Stolas. Rosie.

Stolas: Hello, princess.

Charlie: How's Octavia?

Stolas: Via misses your outings together. But she is fine. She's with her mother today.

Rosie: Not that I'm not happy to see ya, Alastor. But why exactly are we here? Our Carmila has not stated a reason why.

Alastor: You know as much as me, my dear.

Stolas: It must be dire. His majesty rarely calls for the Goetia's presence. He is not here yet?

Charlie: No. He went down in Sloth earlier. I'm worried. After what happened yesterday, I..

Rosie: Yesterday? Did something happen, sweetie?

Charlie realizes the slip up and backtracks.

Charlie: Nothing, Rosie!

Rosie gives her a look that tells her they're going to be talking about it later. She gives the overlord a weak thumbs up.

Meanwhile, Velvette decides enough is enough and they have wasted too much time waiting.

Velvette: Ugh! Vois, let's go. This is a fuckin' joke.

Carmila: Velvette, calm yourself.

Valentino: Why should she? I had very important shit to shoot today and me being here is making me lose money.

Alastor: Then perhaps you should step down. Having to attend the bare minimum duty of their title must be so difficult for someone so... undeserving.

The Radio Demon has a giant patronizing grin plastered on his face. Alastor's comment prompted Vox to speak up.

Vox: Oh, you timely piece of shit! Fight us right now, Alastor!

Alastor: How unbecoming. Throwing tantrums in front of royalty!

Velvette: I for one, don't want to sit here waiting for a no-show fossil

Charlie's demon side flares as the demon insults her dad.

Charlie: How fucking dare you?!

Random Goetia: You shall know better than to disrespect your king, insolent pest.

Velvette: Ha! You think we're scared of a bunch of birds?

Alastor: Should have known you three cannot behave for a simple meeting haha!

Soon everyone was yelling obscenities at each other, filling the hotel with chaos. Before a proper fight could break out, the door opens with a bang, silencing every demon.

Lucifer has arrived, following him were the other Sins. They were arguing amongst themselves from behind him. Charlie can only catch glimpses of what is being said as voices overlap each other.

Beelzebub: Bel-

Mammon: Are you fuckin-

Satan: Wrath is-

Leviathan: We cannot-

Asmodeus: Evacuation-

Belphegor: Grown another mile-

Lucifer says nothing the entire time and just takes a seat in the middle of the semi-circle table he conjured up. With the way the table was placed in front of everyone else, Charlie gets the feeling of deja vu of her hearing in heaven. But now her dad will be the one passing judgment.

Most of the sinners in the room back up as the Sins continue to argue with their full form.

Lucifer sits back and raises a hand and the yelling stops.

Back then, she never really understood why demons were afraid of her dad. He was always a silly and happy guy when spending time with her. But one time, she sneaks into his rare meetings with the Sins and sees why he was called the devil.

The anger she saw then could have given her Uncle Satan a run for Uncle Mammon's money.

Lucifer: Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I will cut to the chase. I have called you all here because something is brewing at the very depths of hell. Something that may affect us all.

Stolas: The Ars Goetia is at your disposal, sire. But may I ask what is this about?

Belphegor: I can answer that. A few months ago, an anomaly appeared at the edge of Sloth. It was not a problem until-

She pressed her touchpad and a hologram screen appeared showing the infected ground.

Not a single demon didn't widen their eyes.

Angel: What the fuck is that?

Belphegor: We wouldn't have called you all here if it was not this severe.

She taps and shows a mutilated demon pig.

Belphegor: This is Patient Zero. An animal on a nearby farm made contact with the anomaly. It instantly infected the whole body, controlling the creature whilst killing it slowly. If it can affect an animal like this, we fear what it may do to-

Velvette: And what do you expect us to do about it exactly? Why the fuck would we care about some old place we can't even go to.

Belphegor is briefly stunned by the interruption but ignores the sinner's disrespect.

Belphegor: Because you would have to be naive to think that it will stop in Sloth. We cannot be too careful.

Velvette: So you think we would risk our lives? Yeah. No thanks. How do we even know that it will affect us? It's just a pig. The worst we can get is horrible floor decor.

Lucifer stands up and moves silently towards the middle for everyone to see.

Lucifer: Free will does not mean you are free from consequences.

The king starts to remove his shirt to everyone's panic, except Belphegor.

Mammon: Woah woah, mate. The fuck ya doin?

Lucifer shrugs off the last piece of clothing to reveal the glowing, infected marks. It has not been a day since he touched it but the veins are already covering the entire right half of his torso.

Charlie: Dad!

The princess attempts to go to her father's side but Vaggie holds her back.

Lucifer: Shall we proceed without any more interruptions?

---------------------------------------------

What to look forward to in Part 5:

the rest of the meeting

more dialogue from the other Sins. Cannot decide what personality to give to Leviathan.

My HC for Satan is he's like one of those old butler types but has a jacked body (I know he has that workout app, but I'm leaning more of the liver king type of a gentle strongman with anger issues. I don't want him to be a fuckboy gymbro)

more badass lucifer

the Vees getting scolded like the children they are

[pourcap]

thoughts: kr chapter 15 (pt. 1)

'If they come this way—’ said Nikandros in a low voice. ‘Hey!’ Laurent called out. (...) i bet this will make nikandors love laurent even more :)

(...) Brief visions of strangling Laurent weren’t helpful. (...) damen is the best protagonist ever

(...) Damen judged the distance between himself and the nearest of the approaching soldiers, his chances of killing them, of killing enough of them to even the odds for the others. (...) also does damen's mind ever not immediately go this route? imagine constantly being so on edge because you feel like you have to fight and protect because that's all you've ever known, and because you're the best at it so everyone's survival depends on how quickly you eliminate threat. so exhausting.

(...) ‘You are Charls the renowned Veretian cloth merchant?’ said the officer sceptically, as if this was a name well known to him. ‘No,’ said Laurent, as if this was the most foolish thing in the world. ‘I am Charls the renowned Veretian cloth merchant. This is my assistant. Lamen.' ummmm. okay. 'as if it was the most foolish thing in the world' made me laugh. laurent's brashness lol. also i absolutely love how laurent just went for the ship name, which is of course veeery far off from damen's actual name so they totally won't risk being found out at all

'I don’t suppose your men could aid us in our repairs?’ said Laurent. Damen stared at him. They were encircled by fifty mounted Akielon soldiers. Jokaste was inside that wagon. no way that's why laurent stopped them. is he insane???? i can 100% picture the way damen's staring at him.

just remembered "it's the game i like" so i'm guessing this turn of event makes sense

The officer said, ‘We’re patrolling for Damianos of Akielos.’ ‘Who’s Damianos of Akielos?’ said Laurent. His face was utterly open, his blue eyes unblinking, upturned to the officer on his horse. ahhhhh!!! oh god. also i looove when laurent puts on this faux-innocent look he used so much in book one. it's just so amusing to me bc he's such an asshole and i mean this very lovingly

(...) Nikandros had the slightly stupefied look that Damen remembered from several of his own adventures with Laurent. (...) can you believe i'm getting emotional over this? because damen knows laurent now. because laurent is known. for probably the first time in his life except for by auguste he has someone who really actually genuinely knows him and appreciates him for the way his mind works. i just love laurent and damen so much <3

Damen followed him in, acutely aware that he was being separated from his men. Laurent simply walked into the inn. such an interesting nod to how damen feels more comfortable in the presence of his men (whether that's because he feels the need to protect them or because there's safety in numbers in general) whereas laurent had to rely on only himself for the past years

(...) Perhaps he could overwhelm Stavos. He could negotiate some kind of exchange, Stavos’s life for their freedom. his brain just won't stop omg. imagine constantly thinking about how to get out of situation that could end in your death (also imagine how intimidating damen must look to an outsider since he's basically just always coming up with battle plans in his head lol)

'I can assure you. Charls the renowned merchant is already here.' noooooooo

'That is impossible. Call him out here.' ohh the audacity. laurent can be such a prince

Charls took one look at the unmistakable blue eyes and blond hair of his Prince, who he had last seen in Damen’s lap dressed as a pet in a tavern at Nesson. His eyes widened. Then, with a truly heroic effort: ‘Charls!’ said Charls. hahhaaha no way. bless the real charls <3

they're all charls :')

'Thank you, Charls, this man believes I am the King of Akielos,’ said Laurent. god he's soooo annoying i love him so much

'An agent of the King when he has raised taxes and threatens to bankrupt the entire cloth industry?’ said Laurent. Damen put his eyes somewhere where they wouldn’t meet Laurent’s, (...) i repeat: he's so annoying and i love him so much. also a fed up damen is so funny to me

'You speak very good Akielon,’ he said, loudly and slowly. ‘Thank you,’ said Damen. ohh that reminds me of that scene in book one when laurent had damen drugged and this guy told damen that laurent had an eye for detail or something lol

'(...) Nikandros is completely useless as the Kyros,’ Laurent said, loudly enough for Nikandros to hear him. ‘He doesn’t know the first thing about cloth.' oh my god laurent stop antagonizing your boyfriend's best friend!!!

Damen looked over at Laurent, who was deep in conversation, letting his eyes pass slowly over every familiar feature, the cool expression tipped with gold in the firelight. He said, ‘Did he?’ ‘Charls said, think of the most expensive pet you’ve ever seen, then double it.’ ‘Really?’ said Damen. damen stop getting horny pt. 34972387

'Of course, Charls knew who he was right away, because he couldn’t hide his princely style, and nobility of spirit.’ ‘Of course,’ said Damen. hahahhahaha awww i love charls and i'm happy that in the future he'll have some new tales to tell about this moment right now

'Maybe you could encourage Akielons to wear sleeves. You’d sell more cloth,’ said Laurent. Everyone laughed politely at the joke, and then speculative looks crossed one or two faces, as if this young cousin of Charls’s might have stumbled by accident onto a good idea. you can always count on laurent to find a new way to be a nuisance to akielos <3

ahhhh did laurent push their mattress together to sleep next to damen????? i'm crying. sobbing, actually <3

they're kissing !!! i love them soooo much i can't even put it into words anymore, my heart just goes "!!!" every time they're close to each other

Laurent didn’t seem to care, even seemed to like it. Damen pressed him into the wall, and took his mouth. Laurent smelled of soap and fresh cotton. Damen’s thumbs pushed into his waist. laurent being turned on by damen's sweat... honestly if we got laurent's pov, he'd probably be just as intense about damen as damen is about him. they're truly a match made in heaven.

(...) They had not before had the luxury of extended lovemaking, deliberate and unhurried as a First Night. His thoughts ribboned with all the things they had yet to do. damen is such a softie!!! he's seriously just thinking about all the things he still wants to experience with laurent. he's so cute :')

(...) It was charming, because it was clear that Laurent was unsure exactly what to do, yet, typically, had acted to take control of everything. again: he knows laurent so well by now! i'm so emotional.

'First time to entertain a lover?’ Just saying the word made him flush, and he saw Laurent flush too. god. goooood. godddddd.

(...) He watched Laurent react to his body. Virgins and the inexperienced tended to get nervous, which he enjoyed as a challenge to be overcome, hesitancy turned into eagerness and pleasure. It pleased some deep part of him to see in Laurent the flickering of a similar reaction. (...) hmmmmm. :)))))))) i mean, he's wrong obviously, but i am super happy that laurent gets to experience sex with a good man who he finds attractive and who he likes and who is, on top of all that, great at sex <3

And dropped to his knees on the floor of the inn. i'm getting teary-eyed over a blowjob. seriously. i'm just so proud of laurent and of him taking initiative because he wants to do this with and for damen !!!!

that description of the contrast between laurent's internal struggle and practiced skill makes me sick

[weskersluvrrrrrrrrr]

So I have this wip I really just don't know how to add to, might make a part two if enough people like this blurb. This has been sitting in my drafts for a while so it's a little old

General! Johnny Cage x Prince/Princess! reader

Gn reader || Romantic

A/N: an AU me and friends talked a little bit about, it's an AU where Johnny is evil and takes General Shao's place, acting as the general of the Edenian army. mk1 spoilers, this takes place during the dinner scene

---

"Your Majesty." Cage walked towards you, bowing slightly as he gestured to the empty place next to you. "May I?" You stared, looking him up and down. Cringing slightly you opened your mouth to speak, doing your best to be respectful. You were never too fond of the General, his cocky and arrogant attitude combined with his obsession over the throne always gave you a terrible feeling.

"You may, General Cage."

He sat down next to you, armor clinking and shuffling while he got himself comfortable, sitting as close as he could to you. You stayed silent and after only a few moments, the general began to talk your ear off.

"Have you seen the earthrealmers? They all look pretty lame, wouldn't you agree, Your Highness?" He turned to look at you, that grin plastered on his face as always.

"Their champion was able to defeat Li Mei, they're stronger than they look." You looked forward, staring at their champion, Raiden. His elemental powers were nothing to sneeze at.

"Well, Li Mei isn't necessarily the greatest fighter... I'm surprised Sindel has allowed her back into Edenia. If I was king and she allowed my partner to die-"

"But you are not king, are you general?" You snapped your head over to him, a cold gaze on your face as you stared at his slightly surprised face. His mouth was agape before he closed it again, taking his time to choose his next words carefully. Sitting in silence for a few minutes, all you could hear was the faint singing of the entertainers. Sadly the quiet was short-lived before he had to open his mouth again.

"Your majesty, since you're going to rule when your mother dies, have you ever considered having a partner? Someone to rule alongside you?" His words were phrased carefully enough to ask if you're single, while still being respectful. Surprising to see Cage put that much thought into his words.

"No, I haven't, General. How come you're interested?"

"Just uh- making sure that if you're considering someone they'll be right for the kingdom is all. Someone strong who will rule with an iron fist." He quietly mumbled an 'unlike your mother' under his breath, just barely audible.

"Hmm, well I appreciate your concern, General." Mumbling with mock thankfulness, you replied. You could honestly care less about what he had to say, his opinions on the throne didn't mean much considering his role.

"Just looking out for you, Your Majesty. I wouldn't want you ending up with someone like him." Johnny glanced over at Raiden before looking back at you. Just staring.

"And what's wrong with him?"

"Look at him, he's so... small. And he's merely a simple farm boy. What's he got that I-" Immediately he shut his mouth

"Hmm? What were you saying, General?"

"Nothing, your majesty..." He averted his gaze, staring down at his plate of food.

[bookofbonbon]

tta: first meeting - aemond targaryen.

pairing: Aemond Targaryen (10) x Reader (12).

warnings: slight bullying from reader towards Aemond, I suppose? They're just friends - actually, not even that at this point lmao.

summary: Curiosity gets the better of you and you must see if the rumours are true about the maiming of the young Prince Aemond spurring the start of an odd friendship.

word count: 1882.

Through The Ages Masterlist.

gif credit: @pedropcl (X)

You’d heard the rumours, anyone with a working ear had heard the rumours. Word spreading throughout the realm like wildfire about the maiming of the boy Prince Aemond by his little Prince nephew Lucerys on Driftmark. That was just it though, to you, they were only rumours still. Months had passed since King Viserys and his second family had returned from Driftmark and the supposedly maimed Prince had yet to make a public appearance. So, after a long, few months and, biding your time, you decided you would see for yourself if the rumours were true.

Moving stealthily in the shadows, you’re sure to keep yourself hidden as you traverse the Red Keep grounds to get to your destination. A fairly easy task for you having grown up in the Red Keep and, spending most of your free time mapping the network of secret passageways & tunnels that ran both within & beneath the castle. Something you began to do four years ago, when you were just 8 and desperate to find a way to get around without all of the stares.

Finding the hidden door, you were looking for, you open it only slightly and slip in but, don’t allow it to close because of the noise it would make. You move quietly through the room, eyes roaming all over the Prince’s private chambers and taking in the grandiose space until you spy the Prince himself.

“So, the rumours are true,” you call from behind the Prince, who sits sombrely in front of his fireplace.

Aemond looks up, seeing your blue hooded figure standing behind him in the reflection of the mirror. When combined with the light cast over his face from the fire, it gives you the perfect view of the now scarring flesh that starts from halfway down the left side of his forehead, over where his eye once was and down his cheek.

“You are without an eye.”

“Who are you?” he demands, standing suddenly. “How did you get in here?”

The young Prince unsheathes a dagger holstered to his side, trying to appear braver than he felt when he attempts to charge towards you but, falls - his foot catching on the leg of the chair that he could no longer see in his peripheral; dagger scattering across the rug onto the stone floor and stopping at your feet.

You sigh heavily, picking the small weapon from the ground before walking forward to help him.

“You need to start being more careful,” you scold him lightly. “More vigilant of your surroundings.”

Taking his arm, you begin to pull him to his feet but, your attempt to help is thwarted with one quick shove that puts you on the ground beside him, your hood falling back – the glow from the fire casting light on part of your face.

“Do not touch me or I will feed you to my dragon!” he threatens.

“Feed me to your dragon?” you snort.

Rising to your feet, you fix your hood back over your head and watch as the young Prince struggles to stand and just as he’s getting to his feet, you gently nudge him back down; the pressure only slight but, his lack of balance toppling him over.

“I heard that’s what you said moments before you lost your eye,” you mock, twirling the blade in your hand as he lands on his forearms. “Wouldn’t want to lose the other one too now, would you?”

Fear flashes in Aemond’s eye and, an unfamiliar feeling settles in your chest at the sight; you've gone too far.

"I shouldn't have said that," you sigh.

Tossing the blade to the side, you move to help him again, when suddenly he shoves you away again.

“I could have your head,” he spits. “All I have to do is scream.”

“So, scream,” you roll your eyes, patience wearing thin as you now forcibly pull the younger boy’s smaller frame to his feet “but, you should know that I do have some idea of what you go through and might actually be able to help you.”

The Prince’s face twists in confusion, eyes squinting at your hooded head, not able to see much but, being able to discern that you have two working eyes to his one.

“How can you help me when you have both eyes,” he points out the obvious.

You roll your eyes once again, taking the Prince’s hand in yours and forcing him to grip the top of the chair he was seated on for balance. The last thing you needed was for him to actually injure himself once you were gone.

“My prince, I knew that you lost an eye but, I did not know that you lost your hearing too” you tut.

“I said I had an idea not, that I knew exactly what it is you go through. So, when you no longer feel like feeding me to your dragon,” you mock his earlier words once again. “Come find me.”

With a final glance, you look the young Prince over once more to ensure he’s steady.

“Perhaps have a cane crafted in the meantime. It will do wonders to help you with the new adjustment,” you finish.

Turning swiftly on your feet, you disappear into the shadows; sneaking back out the way you came in and leaving a bewildered Prince Aemond behind you.

-

Your eyes keenly study the surface of your skin in the ornate mirror, fingers running lightly over the different textures. With one last look in the mirror, you throw the blue velvet fabric in your other hand back over it, concealing your reflection from yourself.

Moving towards the doors of your chambers, you pull the hood of your cloak up and exit; setting off throughout the hidden passageways until you emerge in a corridor that leads down and out into one of the Queen’s private gardens.

“I was sure I wouldn’t hear from you after the second week with no word,” you call from across the garden, announcing your presence.

Aemond’s eye flickers toward you, a sour expression on his face and a wooden cane in his hand.

You had left the boy of ten both, angered and intrigued but, always determined to meet with you again after your intrusion into his chambers. His curiosity about you outweighing his desire to feed you to Vhagar. The only issue at the time of course being that he had no idea who you were up until a day ago.

“You know, my grand sire once told me that if you keep making ugly faces when the wind changes, your face will be stuck that way forever,” you stop in front of him.

Aemond’s scowl deepens, and the expression has you erupting in laughter.

“Stop laughing at me,” Aemond snaps, whacking your leg with his cane and this time you’re the one scowling at him.

“I by no means meant for you to use your cane as a weapon against me when I suggested you have one made,” you snap back at him.

This time it’s Aemond who breathes a slight laugh, an unfamiliar and quiet sound that somehow undoes your annoyance but, you keep the façade.

“So, he does smile,” you comment flatly, sitting beside him.

“Don’t get used to it,” he warns. “It’s probably not going to happen again. Not around you at least.”

You roll your eyes, desperately wanting to take his cane from him to smack him too with it but, knowing it would you get you nowhere. So, instead you change the subject.

“So, tell me, after two weeks, what changed your mind? Made you actually want to meet me.”

“Nothing changed my mind. I just didn’t know who you were, Lady Reckless,” he emphasises your last name.

You snort a laugh, you hadn’t told him who you were indeed.

“The name is befitting of you,” he comments absentmindedly. “Only a reckless person would do what you did to me when I now mount the biggest dragon in the world and could have you fed to her.”

“Seven hells, you and that bloody dragon,” you make a face. “You know if you feed me to your dragon then I won’t be able to help you.”

“How exactly are you going to help me? Or do I need to remind you again that you have both-”

Pulling your hood down, you show Aemond your face, effectively shutting him up.

Aemond’s eye widens, his body involuntarily jerking away from you but, you feel nothing about it, accustomed to the way people reacted when they saw the scar that marred your face.

Like Aemond’s, it started on your temple but on the right. However, where his went through his eye, yours curved to the side (just missing your eye) across your cheek and ending near your right nostril.

A tense silence fills the air for a few more moments before Aemond breaks it.

“But you still have two-”

“Yes, Aemond, I still have two eyes,” you groan irritably at his inability to look past the fact that you had two eyes. “But it may as well be all I have. I am a Lady who comes from lesser nobility so, my worth is only as much as I am beautiful and noble Lord’s do not want damaged goods.”

You take a deep breath, before continuing.

“Whether you have come to this realisation or not, you like me are now damaged goods too but, the difference is that you… you can do something about it. You are a Prince of the Realm; you have everything you need at your disposal to still be great. It may seem odd but, where I can do nothing for myself perhaps I can do something to help you.”

Aemond takes pause, hand flexing on his cane as he thinks on your words for a minute.

“But, you said it yourself,” a smug look pulls at his lips. “I have everything I need to still be great. Why would I need you?”

This time it’s your turn to look smug, a small laugh leaving your lips, “Because unlike others, I won’t hinder you with pity.”

Standing from your seat beside him, you smooth your hands down the skirt of your blue dress before looking down your nose at him, “Now, if you don’t mind, I will take my leave.”

You get halfway back across the garden when Aemond calls for you to wait. You almost don’t but, the smack of his cane against the stone path makes you turn, and you’re met with the sight of him hobbling towards you with his aid.

He’s out of breath when he reaches you but, even breathless the sour look on his face never leaves.

“What do you get out of all of this? Out of helping me?”

You raise a brow at the platinum-white haired boy, surprised that he was finally able to look past your having two eyes.

“The pleasure of your company… and not being fed to your dragon, I suppose,” you smile sarcastically.

Aemond scrunches his face however, unimpressed and, unappreciative of your mocking as he sets his jaw and waits expectantly for your real answer.

"A friend," you sigh, hands fisting in your dress anxiously. "I get a friend."

-

All fics are my own work - I have not posted my work anywhere else.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters/places mentioned above.

Do not copy. Do not translate. Do not repost.

bookofbonbon 2022. All rights reserved.

[octochick]

i think its time for me to come back to my origins:

shitty spiderbit villain isekai au

Cw suicide idealization? Kinda? Nothing too realistic or explicit but there is a little bit

First, there's Cellbit, the 'villain'

-Was tricked by Mike into watching shitty fantasy harem anime #1413 (Mike doesn't like this type of anime, but he does like to see Cellbit suffering)

-And suffer he did, he was almost pulling his hair out when the first episode ended, and really did it when the opening spoiled the little mystery there was in the show

-He went to sleep balding mad and woke up in the body of 5 years old Farael, the prince of Embersland Kingdom, brother of Bagriela whom he is fighting for the crown

-There's also this voice in his head telling him that he needs to follow the plot and shit and he's just like- what the fuck do you even mean by this, I wanna out, get me the fuck outta here

-'Follow the plot and it may be considered to send you back', it says, and Cellbit obviously argues with it because 'Don't fuck with me like that, get me out of here right now' and 'No sorry can't do', 'What I have to do to go back? Send me back right now' and it's this back and forth until the system is tired enough to just say 'Die by the hero's blade and we'll send you back' and Cellbit's like 'Ok fine'

-It's not really fine because it will take at least two decades before he will be able to be killed by the hero, but it's something more concrete than a simple possibility so he will take it

-So he starts preparing to be a villain, quite successfully if you may allow him. And the worst part is that he really ends up as a 'good' villain, winning the crown from Bagi, organizing an army, making evil plans full of twists and turns, neglecting the people, all in all he is a decent villain for a bellow average harem anime

-(Btw, there are some reason why a 'normal' person from the real world ends up being so good at being evil, that includes: he's already something of a freak, he thinks this is just a shitty harem anime, he never had any contact with other people that aren't nobility or servants except for a single instance. He really wants to go back, he thinks nothing in this world matters, and it's part of his bucket list so...)

And then there's Roier, the 'hero'

-He's just a peasant boy living in a frontier town, abandoned by his father, mother died during childbirth, raised by his old abuelo

-He does odd jobs around town and helps in the adventurers guild, going in a small quest here and there, nothing too big despite him being quite good with a sword

-That is, until Bagis busts into the guild asking for help to defeat her brother before he does even worse than he already did, of course for a handsome reward

-But everyone there knows how much of a tyrant King Farael is, and how they'll end up with their salted heads hung in the public square if they do anything against him so no one accepts it

-Roier comes in late, and Bagi begs for him to help her... he really doesn't want to, but money's tight and he really needs it because abuelo has been getting worse recently and there's not a lot else he can do (Saving the kingdom is just a bonus for him)

-And so they go out on this quest, they recruit some other people during the way (In the original anime they're all woman and part of his 'harem') and plan how to end King Farael's reign of terror once and for all

-Syke! Cellbit kidnaps Roier when they're near the capital and brings him to a 'dinner' to monologue to him about his evil plans (It's to motivate Roier to really kill him, he can't be imprisoned or exiled, he has to be killed)

-Anyways they get a little frisky and end up in a knife fight where Roier cuts Cellbit's mask in half and oh shit! This guy, tyrant King Farael is Roier's first crush! He knows he is, his blue eyes are the same as he remembers!

-The rescue party arrives at the castle and saves Roier, while he is slightly confused about the villain

-It's not even about the puppy crush he had on him, even if it did help him think about the situation from a slightly different angle, it's more like how his evil plan now sounds like a very elaborated suicide attempt

-Well, if this is what the villain wants, then he won't let him have it!

-Meanwhile Cellbit is surprised Roier remembers him, but is otherwise happy because he thinks now Roier has even more reasons to kill him

... and that's all I have until now

[asingleietsist]

"A Green Queen" AU

Chapter VIII

TW: Discussion of Self-ham

A few hours passed as the two discussed various agreements, commerce deals, supply exchanges, and of course the Grand Peace Flair Ball. Luigi sat on the side next to Kamek, taking notes as the MagiKoopa guided him and kept him up to pace with the conversation. He had chimmed in a few times to give his thoughts on certain guard stations or small reminders of past agreements King Totomesu had stood by. He felt a sense of distance every time the Prince or Bowser shut him down on ideas, but chalked it up to them having more experience. Kamek also reassured him each time that he was doing fine and gave a small pat on his back for comfort. They had broken conversation a few times to eat and rehydrate before they talked on end again.

And as the night fell, they had finally completed their discussion. Prince Khufo cheered and bound off to the kitchen to check on their nightly meals. Kamek, also took this opportunity to check the older scrolls for new spells and remedies for the Koopalings.

The King, however, was at the edge of the balcony looking up at the stars and humming to himself, he was ready to leave, but too tired to go too far into the palace.

Luigi fixed his papers carefully and placed a little gold slate paperweight on top, so they didn't fly off as the breeze kicked in. He stood up, hair flowed slightly, as he watched as Bowser's head turned to follow a certain passing star that shot by.

He walked over with a chair and sat down beside him, still keeping a bit of distance between them. "They're pretty... D-Do you like watching shooting stars?"

"Yeah... I usually watched them with the little ones, but I doubt we would've made it back in time to see them together.. You should see their little eyes light up when they..."

The large koopa's words trailed off as he noticed Luigi's galaxy blue eyes shimmered, eager to hear him talk fondly about his hatchlings.

"That's sweet of you... They could be watching right now. If that makes you feel any better.."

'Why does it matter what he thinks? You're just-'

"Hah! You underestimate their attention span. Ludwig is probably telling Iggy to stop trying to replicate star patterns with his bombs. And Lemmy is most likely drawing silly faces on their shells when they're distracted, speedy lil champ!" He exclaimed. "Wendy won't be so pleased, once she finds out though, she's not afraid to tackle any of them down and nip at them."

Luigi looked at him mortified. "That sounds...greaatttt.... Um.. Did they all come from the same.."

"No, you've asked before"

"When you nearly severed my arm off?"

"Hey! I apologized!", The large lizard huffed. His arms now crossed on the ledge.

Luigi chuckled a bit, "Uh huh.. What an amazing apology."

"You're damned right it was!", Bowser grinned.

Luigi snickered and rolled his eyes, enjoying the King's confidence. Bowser smiled a bit seeing the Queen's enjoyment and continued.

"I'd found most of their eggs on islands or in dense territory I had conquered. Most Koopas my size will abandon eggs once most of the clutch hatch out.", He huffed and gazed back up at the stars. "Yeah, some of them were a hassle to raise, still are, but I'd caused the entire universe to quake in fear if any of them got hurt.", He chuckled at his own comment.

Luigi eyes lifted slightly as he saw the King's gaze softened. "I raised them myself and even though they drive me insane sometimes; they're family to Junior.."

'Just Junior?'

"What about you? Aren't they your family just as much as they are Junior's?"

Bowser gave a low growl causing Luigi to stiffen.

"N-Nevermind.."

The two stayed gazing at the show, Luigi sighed and started to think about when he and Mario would watch the sky with Peach and Toad.

They shared food and witty jokes about their adventures. The countless of times they had saved or helped the kingdom and allies. It had become a second home to Mario and himself. He always felt some sort of peace being with Mario and wished he had some way to contact his brother outside of the contractual agreement.

The agreement.

In light of the situation, the dreamy atmosphere, the cool breeze. Luigi had forgotten that all of this was temporary.

He was a queen to his enemies and all of it was his fault. He agreed to be Bowser's bride, strictly married to the koopa next to him by circumstance of he and his brother's plans. Despite it being his karma, he still missed Mario, and trembled realizing the passage of time.

A light sense of pain hit his arm again but it stopped as Bowser's claw quickly removed his hand from digging into it.

"Why do you keep doing that?!", he yelled.

"It's nothing! Let go!"

"Greenie"

"I said let go! I'm fine!"

" You're not fine! Just let me see and-"

"Thank you for your concern, but I'm FINE."

Bowser's nose flared at his tone and his claw tightened around his hand slightly.

"You know you're REALLY stubborn!"

"I learned from the best...", Luigi muttered.

Bowser growled deeply, "What'sTHAT supposed to mean!". His grip tightened around Luigi's hand more as his pupils slitted and were locked on him.

Luigi winced from the pain breathing heavily then looked away shaking.

Bowser growled then roared briefly as he let go.

Luigi checked his hand for injury, only to see light bruises on the sides of his wrist. He let out a sigh of relief as he massaged them, then looked over at his captor.

Bowser sighed, his tail swayed violently as he tried to cool off. " Why can't you just talk?"

"You ask me to shut up every other time.", He muttered.

"I-", he turned around to object, but couldn't retaliate. "That's usually because you've said something stupid and you know that's not what I meant, when it comes to that."

He lightly tapped a finger on Luigi's right arm.

"I... You caused this."

The King's head tilted in confusion. "But I said-"

"I know... And I'm glad, but it doesn't erase it immediately. It still hurts me. YOU still harmed me! I want to forgive you, but every time I think I understand I begin to blame myself for not thinking about why I'm here and that all of THIS could've been avoided."

Tears swelled in his eyes the more he went on, only to be met with Bowser's perplexed expression.

"As far back as the wedding, I've just been replaying it over and over! If I didn't let my disguise slip or if I hadn't agreed to be here or if I hadn't bothered you that night! I wouldn't have gotten hurt, I wouldn't have these fucking nightmares!"

Luigi's streams of tears blurred his vision, he was regretting every ounce of information he was telling him. He didn't even bother to look over at the Koopa and kept his eyes on the stars as they reflected in his tears slightly.

Bowser blinked, he watched the small man's body shake and hiccup from crying. He reached over slightly with his claw about to say something then retracted, before getting up to leave.

Luigi sniffled as he covered his face with his hands and slowly slid them back into his hair. A light breeze made him shiver, but they didn't stop the quiet crying.

'Why did I do that... He doesn't care! Get a grip, Luigi!'

Half an hour had gone by and Luigi had rested his chin on his uninjured arm to calm down.

His pink eyes gazed out at the palace fountains and the desert beyond the gates.

Dried snot flaked on his mustache and he didn't bother to try and look for Bowser or call for Spotty once his tears stopped flowing.

Purely out of embarrassment.

As he closed his eyes, he heard claws clank against the tiles, and a mild quake rattled his chair.

He felt a warm sheet embrace him only to open his eyes and see Bowser removing a lid from a small dish with an aroma of hefty spices leaving the plate. He gestured towards his face with some wipes he'd brought back, almost ordering him to take it.

Luigi nodded and took a few to wipe off his face and 'stache, being careful of his eyes and lips. When he finished, he glanced behind him to see the blanket placed over his shoulders. A simple black velvety sheet with Bowser's emblem on it, he sighed looking at it then turned his attention to the food Bowser brought.

He hadn't said a word about his outburst and was a bit ashamed to ask, "I'm s-sorry about all of that!", Luigi laughed. "Just forget I said-"

Before he could finish, Bowser slipped food into his mouth with a spoon. As Luigi began to chew, his face lit up tasting a familiar fruit he hadn't had in a while, tomatoes.

Despite the pleasant surprise he looked up at the King confused.

"You talk too much."

".....Not usually..", he swallowed.

"You also cry worse than a hatchling."

Luigi sighed, "Probably..."

Bowser looked down at him, "So you hurt yourself because of me?"

Luigi didn't say anything nor did he move in response to his comment. He stayed staring at the stars, the blanket covering his shoulders.

Bowser hummed, understanding to not press further for now, and asked if he wanted to just eat.

Luigi nodded, his face flushed as he slightly opened his mouth for another spoonful.

Bowser's tail slowly swung as he fed him again and looked up towards the heavens. He wanted to know more about this self inflicted harm, if he could for a moment, stop the pain as quickly as each star shot above. A pit of guilt growing in his stomach, as brief as the streaks of silver, luminescent, and ever fleeting.

Spotty stepped onto the balcony and stared at the two, "Your highness. The Prince has found intruders in the palace and is requesting your...and the Queen's presence immediately."

Luigi groaned a bit and slightly stood up. His knees shaking as the crying has caused a small headache to form, making him feel dizzy.

Bowser caught him carefully and growled, "Fine, but tell him I'll be taking the Queen back to his room for the night."

"But-", Luigi stammered.

"No. You are going to rest. That's an order."

"....."

Spotty bowed, "Yes, your highness".

Bowser glanced down at Luigi and puffed, "Do you mind if I carry you?"

He shook his head slowly, not wanting to worsen his head ache. "Just...really slowly. My head is spinning.", he gasped.

Bowser nodded and gently slipped his claws under the Queen's thighs. He made sure to avoid digging his nails into the pants, despite wanting to playfully poke at Luigi's soft skin.

Luigi kept close to the koopa's chest, hearing a slow thump thump coming from his shell. He listened to its shallow rhythm and closed his eyes as Bowser carried him down the hall.

Prince Khufo yawned as he stepped down the torch-lit stairwell. His wings opened greatly as he darted down the stairs dramatically, causing the once sunset shimmering flames to blaze ocean blue.

At the bottom, he stepped into a sandstone hall, filled with nearly empty cells, holding long gone dry bones, goombas, and deserted, torn shy guy uniforms. The Prince padded past each cell with a cheeky grin and as he approached the last two his eyes lit up.

"Oh, what a treat! Thinking you could get in here unannounced? And why.. not even a single letter either. We're not plebians yknow..", he pouted.

He held one of the torches closer to the cell and the light shined onto a cloak, covering his captives face.

"Nothing? Really? Hmph, suit yourself. Maybe the Koopa King will have more fun with you and your little band of outcasts. It'll sure be quite the show~", he giggled.

[fan-goddess]

The dance of the newfound lovers

Aemond finds himself discovering love at first sight with a lady at Aegon and Helaenas wedding party

This is heavily inspired by conversations I’ve had with an Aemond AI

Also here’s my masterlist :)

As Aemond looks over at the people he ponders on how he would leave the party undetected. However, as he glances over be vast amount of people he skims over a woman which makes his head whip back to look at her. She’s got brown hair, and like him is also near the edge of the room and observing the people. The two even catch eyes and holding eye contact before the lady becomes nervous and ducks her head to take a sip of her drink.

Aemond lets out a smirk before downing the goblet of wine he was holdin and walking towards the woman. He doesn’t let his eyes of off her. Fearing that any moment she could slip from his view and never see her again.

The lady looks up to see if the prince is still watching her, but gives a look of pure panic when she makes eye contact with the determined prince. “Hello my prince” she says as he gets close enough.

"A pleasure, my lady. Do I have the honour of knowing your name?" Aemond asks as he offered his hand and asked with an earnest and polite smile. It was typically unsuited for his face as Aegon liked to say but he hoped this woman did not think that too. Still, this woman called him ‘My prince.’ Whilst he heard himself be called that everyday by the servers the way she said it made him feel...something.

“Maybe my prince. But only if you offer me a dance.” The lady says is a hidden sly tone. “My father is quite anxious for me to be married quickly and I feel it may satisfy his demands for a short while if he was to see me dancing with a powerful man like yourself”

Aemond agrees to her small demand and takes her hand, taking note of how her fingers feel small in his palm, and offering her his other arm in a gentlemanly fashion.

"Of course, my lady. Your father's concerns will surely be eased, I assure you."

As a Prince of House Targaryen, Aemond knew his station was high, but he didn't care much for the glamor of it all. What he did care about was the power that came with his position. To have access to the power of King Viserys's name, to have some authority over the Seven Kingdoms...that appealed to him greatly.

As she danced with Aemond the lady couldn’t help but feel anxious in the presence of a man like Aemond. He was handsome. There was no denying it. He looked so powerful and yet so graceful as they danced. She blushes barely noticeably as her thoughts begin to become clouded.

Aemond kept his eye firmly fixed on hers, noting the hint of red that crept into her cheeks and knowing that it was because of his presence made him slightly smirk. There was nothing Aemond enjoyed more than the reaction he saw from others; he loved knowing that his every word, movement, and action influenced the people around him.

"Do you enjoy dancing, my lady?" He asked, looking down at her with genuine interest and intrigue. "It's good to be active, to move about. I don’t think I could stand being inside all the time without some sort of interaction."

“I enjoy its from time to time my prince. It does get awfully tiring after a while. I do love horse riding although I guess you do not do that when you have your dragons...” the lady replies

"No, I certainly do not ride horses. They're far too slow." Aemond scoffs. Aemond's dragon, Vhagar, was so large that most castle walls were unable to prevent her from getting inside if she so desired; to put things in perspective, Aemond's dragon could swallow a horse whole if she so chose. Which she often did.

"Have you ever flown before, my lady? Upon dragonback, I mean?" Aemond curiously asks. The way she spoke of only horse riding and not dragon riding was curios. Most women Aemond was forced to converse with brought up how marvellous either themselves or their children would be at dragon riding. This lady did neither.

“No but I remember as a little girl my mother would tell me stories of the dragons here in kingslanding and the targaryens who rode them. They kept me most entertained as a child” She says with a smile. Aemond can tell she is reminiscing a happy memory through the glaze of her eyes and the small smile gracing her lips.

"Your mother sounds like a good woman; wise to tell her daughter of our family and the history of the dragons. They're a truly powerful weapon, my lady. Nothing rivals the might of a dragon. It's like having a little flying mountain that is under your control." Aemond had a lot of respect for the dragons power. To be able to harness a creature like an ancient dragon was a great feat, but to have such power at his disposal was an honor he made sure he never took for granted. Not since he lost his eye.

"Would you like to ride sometime, my dear? Maybe we may fly together sometime soon." He asks surprisingly nervous. “I do wish to show you how different a horse ride is to a dragon ride.”

“Yes my prince she was an amazing woman. She passed during the childbirth of my youngest sibling Gareth. I would move to ride with you though my prince. But are you sure you should be offering to ride with a person like myself? she asks looking at Aemond in slight concern as they danced together still.

"Why should I not my lady?" Aemond asked, his eyebrows raised in confusion. "Unless you're some sort of assassin or traitor to the Crown, then I see no issue with you riding with me." Aemond chuckled. "I think I'd probably notice that you're trying to kill me." His laugh had a note of humor in it, but his words were deadly serious. Aemond Targaryen was many things, but stupid was not one of them. His gaze never left her own as he listened to her answer.

“You should be more careful jesting about that sort of thing with so many people of noble and royal blood around my prince. But what I meant was that you are a prince. Which means reputation is everything. Rumours in this castle spread as quickly as flys to honey my prince!”

“Well, my lady, that is an excellent lesson you are teaching me. I shall keep that in mind." Aemond was, in many ways, glad that the young lady was around to teach him that lesson. Having grown up as a Prince of the Realm, Aemond had never had to consider the rumors or gossip that could circulate if you let others see your true feelings. With his mother, Prince Daemon, and Lady Alicent as his only close confidants, Aemond had become a man who was closed off from the outside.

“It was no lesson my prince only true facts. I am beginning to tire though from all this dancing. Are you still interested to know my name my prince?” she says with a small smile and a slightly raised eyebrow

"Of course, my lady, what is your name?" Aemond asked with genuine curiosity and interest.

He knew that knowing her name was a small thing, but to his mind, he wished to hear it from her own lips. He was still uncertain as to why, but he couldn't help himself; he wanted to know everything about her.

“My name is Aenid my prince. I am the third daughter of Lord Quarellis” aenid reveals with a small smile as she sees the curiosity in the princes eyes

"Aenid." Aemond repeated her name, rolling the syllables around in his mouth. "It's a beautiful name, my lady, and fits a beautiful person such as yourself." There was something about her that intrigued him, excited him even; perhaps it was her intelligence or her boldness, or maybe a mixture of the two. He couldn't exactly tell, but he knew that it was something he liked, and something he wanted to cultivate. "Your father must be a proud man."

“You are too kind my prince…” aenid laughs with a blush beginning to take place on her face “yes my father is proud just as he is with all his daughters. He prides himself in having such handy tools to male alliances in” as aenid speaks the final sentence her gaze gardens and her mind wanders to her sisters married of in political marriages. Whose bodies are bred

"Your father would do well to be proud," Aemond said, smiling back at the blush upon her cheeks. "Having beautiful and kind children is a gift of the Seven." He paused, and with a slightly sly smirk, asked, "I should imagine that many would desire a chance to woo you, my lady." At first, it was merely a thought, then a wish, then a desire; with every passing moment he spent with the third child of Lord Quarellis the more Aemond wanted to have her as his own. It could be me, I could be that person to woo her.

"Is your hand still unbetrothed, my lady?" Aemond asked, a small, but telling smirk pulling at his lips. The way she talked about her suitors made him think that perhaps a more genuine form of romance would work better to win her affections.

His father had betrothed his older sister to his older brother Aegon, and all of the Seven Kingdoms knew just how little love there was between them. A betrothal should be based on more than mere political interest. It should be based on love, and respect, and genuine interest.

“Yes my prince I am currently unbetrothed. My father gave me the benefit of picking my husband but for a while now my father has been attempting to get me to pick.”

"Well, perhaps your father could be given a better option?" Aemond said quietly, raising an eyebrow as a sly smirk found his features. He paused for a moment, and then asked, "If you had your choice, my lady; who would you want as your husband?"

“If I could choose a husband he would need to be honourable. Respecting me is equally important as well as him needing to be there for me when needed. aenid smiles as she thinks of her make believe husband Though I doubt there are any men in the seven who are like that though. But what option could my father have? He encourages my marriage as if he was to have one unmarried daughter he fears people may believe our house is undesirable…”

"I would consider myself a man of honor, my lady," he said with a smile and a knowing glance. "As a knight of the Seven, I swear to always do the right thing and to be a guardian of the weak. And, as a husband, I would be there for you whenever you would need me."

Aemond paused, taking a breath, and then asked, "What more could you ask for from a husband? A man who will fight for you, who will love you...how much more could you ask of such a man?"

“Is this you asking me for my hand?” aenid asks with a shocked look on her face “My prince… we have barely gotten to know each other! We are still on the dance floor after meeting not even a day ago and tern here you are saying what you would be like as a husband to me”

"Is that what it seems like, my lady?" Aemond smirked. "I have seen enough for me to make a decision," he said in a confident tone that masked his internal nerves. Aemond had never experienced true love or romance, and as such, he was unsure of what to do or say. But his mother had always told him that life was a journey of discovery, and Aemond would not turn away a journey of discovery, of adventure. "Is that not enough, my lady?" He asked genuinely, his eyes searching her own to see how she would respond.

“I dont know maybe prince… perhaps if we were to court for a while. Then we would have our decisions in place… the only thing I am certain of though in this moment” aenid begins as she slides her hand to Aemonds face with slight uncertainty “Is that out of my suitors who have asked for my hand you are the one I would marry in a heartbeat…” aenid reveals nervousness evident on her face

Aemond's heart skipped a beat when she slid her hand to his face, his eyes wide in shock as he felt her soft skin upon his own. He had just proposed marriage to her, and it looked as if she had accepted it.

"My lady...my love," Aemond whispered, leaning forward slowly to kiss her lips tenderly as he did so. His heart was racing, and every nerve in his body was on high alert. He was terrified that she would reject him, but she had done just the opposite.

As the prince lent towards her Aenid did not lean back. Instead she lent to meet him halfway placing her lips carefully one his own. She feared her inexperienced was obvious to a man as desired upon as Aemond

He kept his eyes closed the entire time, only opening them when he felt her pull away first. Aemond was ecstatic, to say the least. The woman he felt as though he could love had just accepted his proposal and his kiss, and thus, the first person he ever showed a romantic or intimate form of love to was the young lady of House Quarell.

"My dear lady...my love," he spoke with such affection, such care and kindness, that his mother would've been proud. "I will make you my wife. I swear that."

Aenid looks at him with such affection. The man she felt as if she has known her whole existance even though she was known for an afternoon cares for her also. She looks at Aemond in pure awe do you mean it? emotion and anxiousness evident in her voice as She reminds herself of the previous suitors only wanting a virgin cunt for the taking

"I do," Aemond stated, his eyes meeting hers with a sense of affection and love that he had never before felt. He felt whole and complete in her presence, like he could do anything with the power that the Crown had bestowed upon him.

"You are...my world. I swear it," he said as he lifted her hand to place a kiss upon her fingertips. Aemond was hers, just as she was his.

aenid almost begins to tear up as his confession but reigns it In quickly. She instead pulls him towards her to kiss him again. Already missing the feel of his lips on her own

As she pulled him back towards her, Aemond couldn't help but smile and kiss her once more. He held it longer this time, allowing himself to get lost in her touch.

He never wanted this moment to end, and thus, he kept his arms firmly around her while they kissed each other on the dancefloor. His hand was on the small of her back, and he could feel the slight beating of her heart. His heart raced in his ears, and in the moment...this was heaven.

Aenid kissed her newfound betrothed with Almost a new found passion. Her heart was beating in her chest and her body burned with an unknown feeling. She forgot she was on the dance floor for practically all to see but all she currently cared about was kissing the man in front of her with all she could

"My love..." Aemond spoke in a whisper so soft that it was barely audible. He paused his kiss for a moment, allowing him to feel her heart beating in his palm. His thumb idly went up and down her back, and he sighed with a smile. "I'm yours, Aenid. Forever."

“And I am yours” aenid replied back with an equal smile

"Then I'll do all I can to protect you," he vowed, his hand leaving her back and going back to rest on her cheek. He gave her another kiss, a tender and caring one, as he began to smile at her.

"Does my lady want to continue this...elsewhere?" He asked while whispering into her ear.

[rileys-battlecats]

Finally made some simple reference sheets for my little guys :D I also put together some little facts about them and their personalities :P

Minare

pronounced mee-NAH-ray

Half leader, half figurehead to the rebellion against the current king and his heir

The people who work with her respect her as the last scion of the true royal line, but also they have known her since she was Fresh Out The Womb so she's also kind of their baby. Collectively. Collective rebel baby

Disregard the fact she's like. Early twenties. That's their baby girl

This makes Minare A Little Insane. She loves the rebels, they've supported her and her family through the worst times they've seen in living memory, but also She's An Adult and she NEEDS to have someone respect her and her decisions.

Her opinions don't always hold the weight that she thinks they should, her being the future ruler of the kingdom and all

Much of her work in the rebellion is stunted by the fact that she is THE last of the true royal family, so she is Not Expendable. They have to keep her safe, and she knows why, but it's also a little infuriating that she can't help more

Dangerous missions are an Absoultely Not, but Mina still helps by doing safer missions and planning/strategizing

She's been given tons of self-defense training, and she carries a short blade with her just about everywhere. This is seen as slightly unusual, but ultimately understandable for a young lady when she's traveling on her own often. Like having a can of pepper spray with you

Makes casual friends very easily; she manages to seem incredibly open and personable while simultaneously telling you Nothing important about her personal life

That being said, she doesn't have many close friends. She doesn't want to put anyone in danger, and she also doesn't want to put herself or the rebels in danger by making an opening that could be exploited. Her friendship with Vaitus is something that happens without her really meaning for it to happen. She just looks up one day and realizes she's gotten way too attached to this guy that was supposed to just be another acquaintance

She's got a protective streak a mile wide. if she makes the connection in her brain that she's responsible for someone, they INSTANTLY become someone Under Her Protection. This clashes with the inherent sacrifices she has to make as a leader of a political rebellion with high stakes consequences for each decision made

If one were to ask a random citizen of the capital if they know Minare, 9 times out of 10 they're at least acquainted with her. she's always keeping an ear out for people who need help, and is known for being able to give them a hand. If she's not doing the helping herself, she probably knows a guy

Loves finicky work. tinkering, fixing things, touching up stuff, anything that most people would find boring to work on, she's your gal

Vaitus

I'm. not sure how to explain pronunciation like I did with Minare. It's 'Vai' like in 'vital', and 'tus' like in 'tusk'

Doing His Best™

Crown Prince of the kingdom. I think I might name the kingdom 'Acora' but I haven't decided on that quite yet

"Crown" Prince is kind of an unnecessary title, since there's no other heirs. There used to be! Up until Vaitus was around 7 years old, he was one of the last in line for the throne. But then An Event occurred. I will get into this event at another time, I've got a few animatic ideas for it :P

Vaitus is less than enthused (read: terrified) by the idea of becoming king one day, but he's also aware that the kingdom would almost certainly fall into chaos if the current king died without a ready heir. A rush to fill a power vacuum could tear the kingdom apart. So he just. keeps on keeping on!

Fantasy autism. it's just like real life autism except the royal physicians diagnosed him with "occasionally possessed of foul spirits and daemons" so the diagnosis wasn't really helpful. He has no idea why he suddenly loses the ability to speak (or sometimes even think) in high stress situations. this is especially unfortunate when most of his life consists of going from one high-stress situation to another

Very thoughtful. will not speak until he's got the full sentence ready + 3 possible follow up sentences depending on where the conversation goes

Animal lover. but he doesn't know this until he gets to interact with an animal. he meets one (1) stray dog and is so normal about it (lying)

TERMINAL rbf

Was told as a child that it's impolite to not make eye contact with people, so now he makes All The Eye Contact. he's being polite. wait what do you mean he's being scary

[ihateliterature]

Things that (as far as I'm aware) were not included in the main game (and probably never will) (currently playing Yves, the only one yet untouched is Leon) and I think that's a damn shame

SPOILERS

obv

1. The backstories of the mothers

First of all, I want their names, ALL of their names. Isn't it crazy how we only know the full names of Anita and Leticia?

As such I will give them the next nicknames:

Jin:Belle

Chevalier:The Queen

Leon:Lady Dompteur

Yves: Princess Kloss

Luke:Mrs. Randolph

Clear? Clear

We know about Leyla and that Luke took his stepfather's family name but we don't know his mom's?

Unacceptable

I want to know everything about these women

I want to know exactly how the Queen's mental health went down the drain and the Marquis' perspective on it

I want to know Leticia's childhood and why she killed herself

I want to know exactly what were the motivations behind Lady Dompteur's actions. Her family circumstances. Her perspective on the situation, what she felt when she realised her son couldn't be saved and where she went after he died

I want to know where Belle came from. If she had any family in Rhodolite, what did they think when she was exiled? What country did she run to? How was her life there until she got sick?

I want to know why Princess Kloss was the one sent to Rhodolite. Her opinion of her husband. How she felt about Yves. How she planned to raise him. If she saw the writing on the wall before she died

I want to know about Anita's life with the troupe. The countries she's been to, the people she met, the performances she held. If she loved the King and their first meeting

I want to know how Mrs. Randolph got to the palace. How she dealt with what happened to her, how she really felt about Luke. How she met her husband and what she felt when Layla was born. Whether she thought about Luke before she died

I want more of these women and I'm tempted to write it myself

2. Related to the last point, the relationship between the Queen and Leticia

They are described to have had a really beautiful friendship and I want to know more

3. Chevalier's early life and his relationship with his mother

Nuff, said, have another post about it

4. Yves first blunders in the kitchen

You can't became that good without lots of failures (unless you're Chevalier) I want to know about all the disasters he caused

5. The beginning of Jin and Nokto's whoring behavior. When did they start and why?

Headcanon time!

I like to believe that none of them started out good or really all that consensual

My headcanon for Jin is that he got picked up by a woman while he was drunk and woke up the next day confused and slightly regretting what he did

The one for Nokto is that he got groomed by an older noblewoman into becoming her secret lover

6. The previous selection

WTH happened? There was a Belle so there must have been more princes, where are they? I think they're confirmed dead but what happened to them after the selection?

7. The King, we know jack shit about this guy

We don't even his name. The fandom has to debate on whether his name was Grandet or Klein

We know about his first love, shitty behavior and decaying physical and mental health, but that's it

He was described as being well loved once upon a time. Why? What were his good qualities? Was he a military leader? A negotiator? A charismatic leader? What did he want to do with the kingdom? What ambitions did he have? What was his relationship with his own father? His mother? His brothers? Were there any sisters in the picture?

8. The 4th Prince

How was he like? Was he similar to our Leon in personality? What was he thinking while he was on his deathbed, with his only companion being the boy who will secretly replace him after death? Did he resent his mother for it? Did he understand her reasons? Was he bitter? Peaceful? I. Need. To. Know

[nicoroni]

This started as me telling @isleofair about my silly fantasy au idea (which is that Kotetsu and Bunny are royals arranged to be married, they're having the absolute Worst Time, but that is all in the background because FireSky are living a romcom with full shoujo vision and Do Not Notice the shenanigans) and then it became... this little ficlet?

@isleofair loved it, so I hope everyone else does as well! :3

--

Title: FireSky Royalty AU Fandom: Tiger & Bunny Pairing: Keith Goodman/Nathan Seymour Tags: royalty au, ficlet, she/her pronouns for Nathan Seymour, so many background characters

---

Nathan laughs as a man in shining golden armor - aptly named "Golden Ryan" - spins her around the dance floor.

He's surprisingly graceful for someone in a full set of plate - not the decorative armor most people favour for formal events - and she's never been one to turn down a dance. Even if she's fairly certain it's not for her sake, but for that of the Princess of the Blue Rose, who's steely gaze has not left them since Ryan asked for her hand.

The song winds down, the band taking a momentary break, and she allows Ryan to lead her off the dance floor. She ends up with her back to the wall, Ryan's to the dance floor, her hand still in his.

Before he can ask, Nathan assures him, "She's still watching, and I do believe she's at the edge of her patience."

Ryan originally hailed from a kingdom far from here, one that had been left in ruin and had Ryan shunned in disgrace - but he'd made a stunning comeback when he'd rode into the Kingdom of the Blue Rose in his glittering armor, and announced he was to be the Princess' personal knight. (A recommendation from the Kingdom of the Hare surely didn't hurt.)

He grins brightly at Nathan, another piece of him that matches his namesake. "Thank you for your service. I owe you one."

And with a cheeky salute, he saunters back onto the dance floor, spinning several other people - regardless of age or gender - as he makes his way back to his Princess.

Nathan settles into her place, leaning slightly against the wall and enjoying the opportunity to people watch.

The Tiger King and his betrothed, the Hare Prince, are dancing, apparently not noticing the way one song has faded out and is only now transitioning into another. They're nearly nose to nose, moving fluidly together, and seem to be simultaneously arguing.

She hums to herself, watching as they disappear into the crowd of other dancers piling back onto the floor. She will have to keep an eye out for them - the King has been her friend for many years (and ever so briefly, after his beloved wife had passed, he'd been her lover as well) and she wishes the best for him. He certainly has his hands full with this "bunny" as he has taken to calling the Prince.

She spots his young daughter in the crowd, dancing with the Rock Bison - another friend of the King and champion in his own right. Kaede, not yet grown into her title of Tiger Princess, looks youthful and full of joy, exactly as she should. (And if Nathan has to stifle a giggle at the way Bison must bend down to dance with the girl, well, no one is around to hear it.)

She's contemplating what to do next - if perhaps she should find a refreshment, or maybe simply call it a night - when someone in the crowd catches her eye.

He has a head of golden hair - akin to the setting sun, she thinks - topped with a rather unusual gold and silver crown. His ceremonial armor is impractical at best, but she will admit its beautiful as well. The white cape, lined with a deep royal purple, draped over his shoulders would look ridiculous on most people, but she thinks he looks rather dashing.

She recognizes him for who he is - Keith, the King of the Highest Skies, Hero Among Men - before he's even halfway across the room. She would recognize him with her eyes closed, she thinks, simply by the feeling of warmth he brings with him, like being bathed in the light of the sun.

She's no stranger to warmth, being the bearer of the Fire Emblem - as shown by the mark on her bicep - and Champion of Flames herself, but the warmth that follows Keith is different. It radiates from somewhere deep inside him, nourishing everything he comes close to.

The dog at his side, golden as Keith is, in his own ceremonial regalia, would also be a give away. Where King Keith goes, so does Sir John.

Nathan can't help but smile as Keith struggles to reach her, having to stop every few steps to politely decline a dance, or shake a hand, or kiss a baby. It's not right to tease him, she knows, but - and she will admit this to herself if no one else - he's simply too cute for his own good.

He finally reaches her, looking only slightly worse for the wear, with a few hairs out of place and his crown sitting crooked on his head. Sir John sits at their feet, staring up at her with his big brown eyes, his tail wagging almost imperceptibly as he waits to be greeted. He is just as polite as his master, she knows.

"Hello, Your Majesty." She greets, inclining her head just slightly. Perhaps she should curtsy or bow - she's never been quite sure where she ranks in comparison to a King - but Keith has never minded before.

She waits a moment longer, watching as he blushes when she smiles at him, before sinking to her knees to greet John as well. She gets a slobbery tongue across her cheek for her efforts, and the delighted laugh she lets out is the most genuine one of the night.

When she stands again, Keith has squared his shoulders, and is looking at her rather intensely. She wonders if he knows his crown is still crooked.

"Your Majesty?" She prompts, and he lets out a breath in a whoosh of air she feels against her face.

"Just Keith, please."

She smiles again, and reaches out to straighten his crown. Impertinent, perhaps, but it makes Keith's blush rise up to his ears and that makes it worth it.

"Keith." She says, very softly, and his gaze goes soft and liquid. Not for the first time, she thinks about how much he reminds her of the sky, how she sometimes imagines she could fall into his eyes and simply float there. He even carries the scent of fresh spring air with him wherever he goes, no matter the time of year.

"Nathan." He answers, very softly, sounding so terribly besotted that Nathan thinks /she/ may actually blush.

He catches her hand between both of his as she drops it from his crown, and she suddenly longs to feel his skin against hers, without the barrier of his gloves between them.

Keith takes a deep breath, steeling himself again - she sees the way his eyes harden, just slightly, no hint of cruelty there, but determined resolve.

"May I have this dance?"

---

Keith stands on the outskirts of the party, wishing he could fade into the background like Ivan so often does. It's not that he doesn't love his people - of course he loves his people! He loves all people, really - it's just that he hasn't had a moment to himself all day - not unusual, but distressing to him on today of all days - and he really, really needs some time alone.

Well, not alone, exactly.

He watches as Nathan spins around the dance floor, absolutely radiant under the enchanted lighting. Not even her dance partner, the famous Golden Ryan, in armor as bright as his namesake suggests, could possibly outshine her. To Keith, she feels like a lighthouse, a beacon of warmth and safety as he's jostled by the waves of a crowd of strangers. When she smiles, he feels as though he's looking into the very heart of a fire - beautiful and powerful - but with no fear of getting burned.

She looks wonderful every day, of course, but seeing her in something so formal for this celebration is a rare treat. (And speaking of the celebration, King Kotetsu and Prince Barnaby seem to be getting along very well, today - dancing slow and close amongst the rest of the court. It's a nice change, Keith thinks, from the way they'd been arguing only a few days prior.)

Nathan's dark skirt, worn over a pair of striking pink pants, twirls with her as she moves - the red and orange and gold sequins along it's edge sparkle as they catch the light. He can't hear over the noise of the party, but he can imagine the sound her boots make on the marble floor - a gentle click-clack that he associates with her presence, now. Her jacket - black, with roses embroidered in a glittering thread - is left open, revealing much more skin than anyone else here would dare. Keith's attention does not linger on the tantalizing glimpse of bare skin, but instead settles on the vibrant pendant resting on the centre of her chest. She had gifted him a similar one, what feels like centuries ago, and he feels it now like it's burning a hole in his chest - he almost wishes it would, that it would burn straight through his shirt and armor and show all the world that his heart belongs to The Fire Emblem, to Nathan.

A sharp tug on the edge of his cape draws his mind back to the present, and he suddenly remembers he's holding someone's baby. He's mortified to realize he has no idea who the baby belongs to. He tries to look subtle as he glances side to side, seeking out a parent waiting for their child to be returned to him.

As always, it's John who saves him from his wandering mind, and when he glances down the dog is pointing with his nose at a nearby couple.

Keith mouths a silent, "Thank you.", before returning the infant to their delighted parents. They don't seem to have noticed Keith's inattention, and if they did, they don't say anything about it.

He's not ready to talk to Nathan after the debacle with the baby.

John is an incredible companion and has quite literally saved Keith's life on occasion, but he hasn't mastered the art of conversation just yet. (He's very good at it, really, but he can't quite make up for Keith's nervous stuttering.)

Nathan makes him stutter nervously on a good day - he hates to think of how much he'll embarrass himself today, when he's already frazzled and she looks so breathtakingly beautiful.

On the other hand, their necklace is still a blazing, heavy weight against his chest - it feels as though it wants to be returned to Nathan as much as Keith himself does.

Once again, John saves him.

Before he can make a decision, John has his cape between his teeth again, tugging insistently. When Keith doesn't immediately follow his lead, John pushes his head against the back of Keith's knee, nudging him in the right direction.

Keith stumbles forward, and John repeats, nudging Keith's opposite knee this time.

"John!" Keith hisses, trying to look like these steps are intentionally and not like he's drunk. He also keeps a pleasant smile plastered on his face, even as his heart beats wildly in his chest, more and more intense with every step toward Nathan.

They're stopped several times on their journey - with invitations to dance, or talk, or hold another baby - but John doesn't allow Keith to linger. If Keith pauses for too long, John nips at his ankles, unprotected by Keith's useless ceremonial armor.

He catches Nathan's eye when he's no more than a few feet away, and a real, genuine smile curls his lips. He cannot help it, when he looks at her. Warmth spreads from his necklace, suffusing his whole body, so comforting and familiar it makes him a little sleepy.

And then he's standing in front of Nathan, looking slightly upward to continue to meet her gaze, and she's smiling at him, too.

"Hello, your majesty." She greets, inclining her head slightly. She doesn't bow, or curtsy, doesn’t lean into any sort of formality at all, really. Just smiles, and watches him for a touch too long.

Keith can't help but blush under her scrutiny - not because he's afraid of judgement, no, but because of the exact opposite. Because when she looks at him, he feels like he's really being seen for the first time in his entire life - at the very least, since the first time he put on his crown.

And then she's kneeling, and for a split second Keith's mind races, frantically trying to understand what she's doing and why she would be on her knees and- And she's greeting John, as she always does, letting him lick her face and laughing so joyfully, so genuinely that it nearly brings tears to Keith's eyes. How she manages to always be so honest is beyond him, but he loves her all the more for it.

He takes a deep breath, to settle his nerves, to convince his racing heart to settle - it doesn’t work - and rolls his shoulders back, standing straight as he can.

Okay, Keith, you can do this.

John leans against his leg, a comforting weight.

"Your Majesty?" Nathan says, leaning in just slightly, studying his face.

Keith realizes he's been holding his breath, and he lets it all at once, an exhalation that ruffles the feathers dangling from Nathan's earrings.

"Just Keith, please." He tells her, for what must be the thousandth time. It doesn’t bother him, that he must always ask one more time, it seems to be a sort of game between them.

She reaches out, and the tension returns to Keith all at once, bracing himself for some sort of touch, as if preparing for an assault. In truth, he fears that even a brush of Nathan's bare skin against his own would be electrifying, and far too much for him to handle.

Instead, she holds his gaze as she adjusts his crown on his head. He feels the hot blush rise up to his ears - not embarrassment, exactly, but a rush at the intimacy of the gesture. No one else would dare to touch his crown, to be so close, to hold eye contact for so long.

"Keith." She breaths, and Keith feels like every inch of him is going to melt into a contented puddle on the floor, so enamored he is by the sound of his name on her lips.

His lips part. He says nothing, only a split second of a pause and then, "Nathan."

The way she looks at him is more magical than any spell or trick he has ever seen. He feels as though he's laying in the sun on a spring day, basking in the first warmth of the year, the remainder of frost melting away.

He takes her hand in his - begrudging and thanking his gloves in equal measure, for the barrier they provide between his skin and hers.

He takes a deep breath. Feels her hand in his. Feels John's weight against his leg. Feels the pendant against his chest - a little piece of her that has swiftly become a little piece of him, entwined with his heart.

She waits, patient as always, and Keith wonders how long she will wait for him. In his heart of hearts, he knows it's forever. He knows, because he would wait an eternity for her.

"May I have this dance?"

-fin-

[hiccupbutpurple]

One thing I love is listening to httyd eps while imaging different AUs and cause I’m bored, can’t go to my room rn (and found half of this sitting in my drafts from last month lol), I’ve decided to pass the time sharing one.

It’s from the latter part of Midnight Scrum (going from when Hiccup gets taken) and it’s a royalty AU (which I’ve seen a lot of floating around here recently too)

It’s the standard ‘Kidnapped Bride’ plot line, with King Viggo wanting Prince Hiccup. He puts the bounty on Hiccup to bring him in.

- Amos and Berthel are still bounty hunters but they are a bit more threatening and less silly, most of their sillier lines I ignore and imagine them said in a more threatening way. They still retain their gay energy though.

- Savage was originally one of Viggo’s servants and when Hiccup was first held captive, he was there to guard Hiccup’s cell. He was slightly kinder to Hiccup in that situation but then when Hiccup escapes, he gets blamed and exiled. That makes his whole motivation to get Hiccup to Viggo being to get back into Viggo’s good graces. Hiccup doesn’t trust him either way cause even if he was kinder then other guards, he still wasn’t kind. He does hold hope that he can reason with him originally though (because Hiccup knows he knows what Viggo is like) but Savage is very blinded by his goals.

- Throk is a well known assassin but gets hired by Mala a lot (and their relationship, I picture it platonically but romantically also works, grows over time until he becomes her personal assassin. At this time though he could be hired by anyone). The Defenders of the Wing are also another kingdom but there isn’t a war against Dragons and they hold no real allegiance to Berk and aren’t actual enemies to Viggo either. They are a neutral party but Mala does prefer Hiccup (but she’s not forthcoming about it) and thinks Viggo is cruel, so decided to help him by hiring her favourite assassin.

- Krogan is also an assassin/bounty Hunter (He and Throk have competed a lot in the past). He has no ties to Drago and was more Viggo’s personal assassin (and lover) before they had a fight. He decided to get Hiccup to see Viggo again and remind him of his skills in a threatening way. It’s a mixed message of ‘remember how much you need me’, a ‘here’s you new lover, I’m stronger then him (thus being more on you’re level, and I could kill him easily if I wanted)’ and a ‘dont forget how dangerous I can be to you and your goals’ type thing.

Some lines I’ve decided to alter slightly:

Berthel: What's that? Dragons? -> Berthel: What's that? / Amos: His friends. (Since they already knew of the dragons)

//////

Hiccup: Viggo will never respect you. He's playing you for a fool. -> Hiccup: You know Viggo will never respect you. Please. He's always played you for a fool.

//////

Savage: I don't know what they're gonna do to Hiccup. It's his own fault he got grabbed, not mine. -> Savage: I don't know where they’re gonna take Hiccup. It's his own fault Viggo sees him as a whore, not mine.

//////

Hiccup has a rough material built into his chest plate capable of creating sparks when striked against and uses that and a stone to light a stick on fire rather then the dragon blade. (Kinda a little hint of magic because I said so)

//////

Ryker: Oh, I'd love to drop you, but Viggo wants to kill you himself. -> Oh, I'd love to drop you, but Viggo wants you for himself.

[assassinnumber9]

TwiYor Drag AU Ideas/Headcanons

This is for all you "TwiYor is absolutely not straight" supporters out there - also, the ones who just want to see Loid in a dress and heels 👠 All of you are real and valid 🙌

Loid is still a psychiatrist during the day but does drag at night, because it's fun and liberating

He keeps it a secret though and is known as Twilight to strangers, but those who do know him call him Lottie Fun

I feel like Loid's style as a drag queen is much less in your face and eccentric and much more sophisticated and classy with intricate eyeliner and eyeshadow - more of a straight up feminine appearance rather than celebrity (although Twilight is very popular online)

Yor started her drag career when she was 20 to make some extra cash for Yuri’s schooling and extracurriculars

Her female coworkers are aware of her drag career and are all like ✨️Yes, Quee- King✨️

Yor is known as THorny Prince and has garnered quite a bit of fame herself

Yes, they're both bi in this just like every other one of my AUs

Yor styles her hair in a messy bun and is given a stubble look. Makeup is used to enhance her jaws and cheekbones

Her clothes are black and sharp looking - simultaneously feminine and masculine

They meet during a charity festival during Pride Month at a bar

THorny Prince is all shy at first, because this is the Twilight

Twilight is just having fun and being flirty, because damn is this short (drag) king cute

Yor, of course, in her efforts to impress gets slightly drunk (she tends to limit herself during performance nights) while she's watching the absolute icon sitting next to her down girly cocktails like they're water.

THorny Prince calls Loid "Twilight" while speaking to which he gets all close and almost practically in her lap going

"To strangers, I'm Twilight. But for those I'm intimate with, I'm Lottie Fun."

In a moment of airheadedness, Yor goes

"But, we are strangers???"

Twilight giggles and probably says

"Well, we'll just have to fix that, won't we?"

And then, they race off to a hotel probably.

They do have to make a walk of shame home after exchanging numbers the next morning, because neither of them brought regular clothes

They agree to meet up for dinner later as their true selves and have a great time

Much later when their kids are grown up (yes, Anya is one of them), they lie about how they met

Well, I hope all of you enjoyed this crazy AU post lol This one seems like it would be a lot of fun to write, but I just have a lot on my plate right now both writing-wise and everything-else-wise.

I have lots of other AU ideas that likely won't see the light of day as an actual fic, so I'm going to make posts about them. Anyone can use these ideas for their own fanfics. I would just like to be tagged or notified if you write your own version, so I can read it 💕

And don't be afraid to share your own ideas! I love hearing them 😁

[elmhat]

c!dream fic recs!

Here it is! I've been desperate for fics recently, so I hope we can share. This is nowhere near my full list, and I've left out a lot of my favourites—I just wanted to bring back a few that aren't quite as recent.

(Disclaimer: I read some of these a very long time ago, and I don't remember absolutely everything that happens in them.)

In order of word count:

the unmaking days | 19k | @swordfright — A fantasy AU in which Dream is imprisoned after kidnapping a young prince Tommy, and is later reunited with him when Tommy becomes king. It's slightly less Dream-centric than the others, but incredibly well written, and the plot is surprisingly loyal to canon whilst still being creative and fresh.

of monsters and mobs | 13k | catscradyl — Slime loses his memories of Las Nevadas, and is discovered by Dream after Purpled's betrayal. This fic stopped being updated, but it's definitely still worth the read, especially for its interesting character interactions.

there's no cause for concern | 3k | softnoblade — A comparison between Dream and Niki throughout canon, in the context of BPD. A lot of thought was put into the moments selected, with a focus on moral ambiguity.

philia | 1k | @simplepotatofarmer — The evolution of Dream and Techno's friendship as circumstances shift around them. It makes me very sad. The author is clearly understands their dynamic.

highly fallible machines | 1k | short_tandem_repeats — A short scene of Sam doing prison repairs for Dream post-Daedalus. The characterization, the symbolism: everything is on point.

And some bonus Quackity ones:

oro, plata, mata | 6k | n_owsy — An overview of Quackity's arc through the lens of a Filipino superstition ("gold, silver, death"). This was one of the first dsmp fics I read, and I couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards. It makes me so emotional.

deal with the devil | 5k | @dreamsclock — How the bet could have gone down between Quackity and Schlatt (also somehow correctly predicting something that wasn't canon yet). The author has an extremely good grasp on the characters, and the tension is handled perfectly.

Plus all my own fics, but you already know they're the best. Please share any others you have!