#Keith and Branch Brother Au

[empressgeekt]

Trolls - Branch and Keith Brothers AU

HI!!! I'm back! With more Trolls plot bunnies. This one does not take place in the Prince Char Au, or the Veneer re-carnation one. It's completely separate and closer to canon.

Pre-movie.

Keith is the little trolling who likes to watch his parents sleep, and it's clear by the reactions from his classmates that he's not the most popular kid. A bit of a odd outsider, that finds happiness in things that others don't. There's another troll in Pop village who's a bit of an outsider, our favorite grump, Branch.

Branch would be in the village market one winter day, making some rare purchases rather then getting them from the wilds, when he first comes across Keith. The trolling would've been lost, left behind by his classmates. Branch would be a little confused by the kids blankness, but he isn't going to leave a kid lost in the snow, and helps Keith get back home to his dad. One the way he asks if this, keith getting left behind, happened often. Keith would blankly gripe about it, and how he thought his friends didn't actually like him, and he didn't think he liked them. Branch says that friends should like each other.

Couple of weeks later, Branch is working on gathering supplies, and Keith appears out of no where, then continues to follow the grey troll. When Branch asks what Keith is doing. Keith says, "You said befriend people I like." "Yeah so?" "I like you."

It throws Branch off, no one liked him.

Keith would continue to find and follow Branch for the next few days, it's only after a chance run in with a predator, that the grey troll realizes this kid isn't going away, and he starts training Keith in the ways of survival. Even more shockingly Keith listens to him when he's teaching. Everyone in the village always called Branch crazy with his survival bunker and apocalypse prep, but Keith listens intently. Even if it doesn't appear like it. Branch teaches Keith about, the forest, which fruits were safe to eat and where/when they grew. How to defend yourself from different type dangerous predators. And even about some of the extra traps and defenses Branch made for the village.

Branch gets used to his new little protégée, and honestly likes being able to pass on his knowledge to someone. He eventually learns to read the subtle differences in Keith's expressionless expressions to know how the kid's mood is, whether it's happy or upset. One day, Keith comes to visit Branch upset. Seeing the kid angry makes something in Branch's stomach turn, and he has this need to fix it. He doesn't know how, he hasn't comforted someone in years. So, pulling from vague memories of Floyd helping him when Branch was upset, he asks Keith what's wrong. Keith's upset about the other kids calling his school project weird. They were supposed to make a short presentation on people, they care about and Keith chose Branch. None of the kids would listen to him and said, that Branch was weirdo, and Keith was weirdo and they deserved each other. It made Keith Mad, because, he doesn't think Branch is weird, he thinks the Grey troll is cool and he doesn't want people to be mean to him. Branch does his best to console, Keith saying that sometimes people just don't agree with you no matter how hard you try to convince them, sometimes people just can't hear you.

K: Some times it feels like no one hears me

B: Yeah, I get that. it sucks, Makes you think their something wrong with you. But there isn't. Different doesn't mean bad, it just means you see things other don't.

Keith hugs Branch, and he can't turn the kid away. It's the first person the grey troll hugs in nearly twenty years.

K: Thank you, Branch

B: No problem kid, I'm always here.

K: I've always wanted a brother.

After this, Branch fully is attached. He goes all out for Keith any chance he gets. He's always there if Keith is upset, or to help with home work. Keith is one of the few people Branch allows in the Bunker. Branch makes sure, that he'd be the brother to Keith that his own were never to him. Always there.

Especially when Keith suddenly loses his dad. Branch fights and fights hard to keep Keith, knowing just how much the grief of losing a caretaker is crushing the kid. Unsurprisingly, the Pop trolls foster system fails Keith and eventually Branch gains his custody. "Let the outsider raise an outsider." Keith moves into the bunker, and Branch is with the trolling no matter what, making sure that this kid never goes Grey like he did. Though, waking up to Keith just staring at him is a little startling at first, but branch gets over it, anything to make the kid more comfortable.

By the events of the first movie, Keith has fully moved in with Branch and stays with him during the Chef's attack. And after the whole village is hidden in the bunker by Poppy, Keith pushes Branch to go after her. Peppy stepping up to watch over Keith while Branch is gone. All through out the mission Branch is thinking about Keith, worried how he's fair one his own, because while he can trust Peppy to make sure Keith doesn't die, he doesn't' trust the king to take care of Keith's mental health. They're reunion in the bergan pot is a hard one. On one hand, Branch is happy to have Keith back in sight, but on the other he feels like a failure for not being able to protect Keith from getting eaten. And When Keith goes grey in his arms...let's just say Branch isn't going down with out a fight.

I have no plans for World Tour, other then the possibility of Keith ending up captured with Poppy, and Barb mistaking Keith as her and Branch's son.

Its in Band together that things get a little more interesting...

Keith is Gristle and Bridget's ring bearer, though the rings are to big for him to hold, so he just stands inside of them to keep them from rolling away, with a very flat smile. Poppy and Branch end up dating in this two, and she does put in effort to get to know Keith, understanding that the trolling would be in branch's care for years to come. She's not as good at reading him, but she's getting better at it. And she finds Branch's caregiver side, adorable.

"Stop the Wedding!"

When John Dory shows up, Keith leaves his post, and runs to Branch after the elder troll was finished being man handled, bY JD. John is thrown off by the sight of a tiny Trolling in Branch's Arms. Seriously, when did his baby brother get a baby? Or a girlfriend? Was the kid theirs? Oh crap he missed a lot....

Keith is angry, through out the course of the third movie. Branch had already told him about their (yes, their, Keith is branch's brother now, which sadly makes him also related to these idiots) brothers, and how they all walked out on him. Keith has seen how much this hurt Branch, and how much they are hurting Branch now, he's clinging to his older brother all through out the mission.

Bruce is also shocked, and kind of feels bad, because Keith would be in Branch's hair when Bruce tossed him jostling the trolling. But he likes kids, so quickly warms up to the idea of Keith being a new baby brother. Even if he creeps Bruce out. And Keith is constantly creeping him out on purpose...thought Bruce doesn't realize it.

Keith doesn't like the hustle button.

Clay is scared of Keith. Because thanks to living with Branch the trolling can point out all of his safety measures and traps, understand how the work, and how to out smart them.

While practicing, John tries to get Keith toe join in but the trolling will only sing the words in the same flat stale note. Branch knows he's messing with john (Keith naturally sings flat but he's not that tone deaf) but doesn't say anything. Keith is hugging Branch all through out the fight, and along with poppy promises to not leave.

Floyd's too tired to really notice Keith until after he's rescued, however he's curious about the trolling. He feels proud watching Branch take care of trolling, but it also makes his stomach churn. Watching Branch with Poppy and Keith it feels like he's looking in on a family that Branch built and he missed it. Floyd would move into the bunker continuing his recovery, and during that is where he really interacting with Keith. He finds the kid adorable, not in the sparkly eyes way that Branch was but utterly adorable none the less. Keith becomes family to him too.

The fic would conclude with All the brother's accepting the fact that Branch and Keith are a package deal, and apologizing to branch for abandoning him (Keith and Poppy don't let them get away with shit). There's no long five brothers in Brozone, but six....and at least three sister-in-law...

[petracozbi]

They’re brothers, change my mind

[demon-witch-cat]

Keith sees Branch differently than how the others sees him. He just doesn’t understand why. Why do the other trolls look at him like that? Why do they talk about him like that? It's not nice.

Branch doesn’t have the heart to explain it.

These two have consumed my brain!

[sanguinarysanguinity]

First Lines Game

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most  recent fanfics and tag ten people. If you have written less than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway.

Thank you for thinking of me, @educatedinyellow!

Skipping the ficlet collections, my last ten works begin:

1. The secret panel was secret only to human eyes; a wolf would sniff it out in a moment. (Brother of Wolves, Come Ye Hither, The Flight of the Heron, Keith/Ewen, psychic wolves.)

2. "What. Is that," Miles flatly asked, coming to a stop just inside the door of Ivan Vorpatril's lavish bachelor apartment. (Report on an Incident Concerning a Botanical Specimen from Eta Ceta IV, Vorkosigan Saga, Miles/Ivan, sex pollen.)

3. Bush returned to Chichester happier than he left, warmed by a memory that not even pelting rain in an open waggon could extinguish. (An Ember Against Winter's Cold, Hornblower novels, Bush/Hornblower, developing relationship.)

4. "No, you just sit right there. I'm cooking tonight.” (If Food be the Food of Love, Leverage: Redemption, Harry/Eliot, drabble.)

5. "You can't hide from Styles forever, you know," Horatio said, and had the pleasure of hearing William, turned out in purser's slops like one of the hands, growl in disapprobation. (Robe of Misrule, Hornblower TV, Bush/Hornblower, crossdressing, pwp.)

6. Laurent would allow no other to claim the honour of bandaging the wounded arm. (Seaweed and Apple Blossoms, The Wounded Name, Laurent/Aymar/Avoye.)

7. The full moon brought not only Brown in his skiff with the month's supplies, but a second man — Hornblower's first visitor since the beginning of his self-imposed exile. (Hornblower’s Lost Honour, Hornblower novels, Bush/Hornblower, West Indies AU.)

8. "By God," Captain Bush exclaimed. "Lord Hornblower marooned himself? On purpose?" (With Friends Possessed, Hornblower novels, Bush & Brown, prequel to Lost Honour.)

9. Major Windham’s grave is well. (A Peaceful and a Beautiful Spot, The Flight of the Heron, Ewen & Francis, post-canon.)

10. "Your landlady is mean with the blankets," William observed. (With Surprising Quickness, Hornblower TV, Bush/Hornblower, only [enough blankets for] one bed, pwp.)

On the whole, I put a strong emphasis on orienting the reader in the first line. If it’s an AU, establishing the branch-point and what will be a significant element of the branching; for non-AUs, establishing an element that’s going to be key in the coming story. A few of these opening lines don’t do that as well as I would like, but in general, I believe in giving my reader a nice strong lead, so even if they’re not dead-sure right away about what I’m doing, we can still get through the opening paragraphs together without too much uncertainty or stumbling.

Tagging: @tgarnsl, @cedarboots, @thehappyreturn, @chiropteracupola, @acrossthewavesoftime, and anyone else who would like to play!

[cedarboots]

I'm curious about everything, but do please tell us about Literal Heron Husbands! (Is it the husbands that are literal, or is it the herons?)

It's the herons that are literal! This one is a Flight of the Heron AU based (loosely) on the Crane Wife folktale that I may or may not ever finish and publish.

Snippet here (which is most of the WIP):

It was the noise of a shot that caught his attention. Ewen looked up sharply— Lachlan, on the far side of the valley, was lowering his gun. 

“What was that?” he called.

“A great bird,” was Lachlan’s faint reply, “a heron, I am sure. I only clipped it.”

“Not another heron!” Ewen frowned, riding closer. “You will depopulate the whole country of them, if you go on this way. But I suppose we had better find the spot where the poor creature fell. If we do find it alive, I forbid you to kill it, Lachlan!”

He grumbled, but off they went, cresting the top of the hill and picking their way through the stones on the far slope. Ewen’s horse was nimble, raised a Highlander just as he himself had been, and it was a graceful, easy descent. 

At the foot of the hill was a small burn, which ran into a thicket of gorse and low-boughed trees. He scanned all along the bank, but there was no sign of the heron— no piercing cry, and no still gray shape among the heather. Tugging at the rein, he turned the horse downstream and rode a little ways toward the thicket. This effort yielding no more success than before, he was about to turn back and ask Lachlan to look further afield when he heard a faint, but distinctly English, “God damn!”

It had come from under the trees. There was a gap in the thicket nearby, and he urged his horse through it, all thought of the heron forgotten. Branches and twining vines snagged at his plaid; there was no real path, so they shouldered through from open space to open space, Ewen listening intently for another curse. 

He heard a twig snap to his left, and turned at once, ducking under the branch of a tree. They emerged into a claustrophobic little clearing, overshadowed by branches— but light shone through one gap caused by a broken bough onto the scarlet coat of an English officer.

The man was lying on the ground, propped up against the base of the tree. His hat and wig were a little askew, and his uniform had upon it smudges of dirt; one leg was stretched out before him, and Ewen saw bright new blood creeping up his stocking. When the Englishman saw Ewen his eyes narrowed, and he made a mighty effort to get to his feet.

“How came you here, sir?” he snapped.

“I live here, sir,” was Ewen’s bemused reply. The strangeness of the circumstances had ruffled him enough that he added, “Have you seen a heron hereabouts?” 

The Englishman stared. “What?”

“My brother believes he has shot a heron. Have you seen any bird fall from the sky?”

There was a long silence, in which the man sized him up with wary hazel eyes and pretended his leg was not trembling beneath him.

“I— yes,” he said at last. “It fell through the trees, just here. It startled my horse.”

He made a sharp gesture that encompassed the broken branch on the ground, the absence of horse, and his wounded leg. 

“I am sorry for it,” said Ewen. “May I ask your name, sir?”

The Englishman did not bow. “Captain Keith Windham, of the Royal Scots.”

“Ewen Cameron,” returned Ewen, and dismounted his horse.

Captain Windham drew his sword. 

“Oh, come,” Ewen said, really disappointed, “I had rather not fight a wounded man.”

“I am more than capable, wounded or no,” the Captain replied stiffly.

“I see you are a man of honor; you need not prove it to me.”

When this met with no answer, Ewen sighed.

“Do at least tell me what happened to the heron. Is it dead?”

“No,” said Captain Windham, “it flew off, along with my horse and my entire company. Your sword, sir— unless you are afraid.”

That was a low blow, and Ewen had just laid his hand to the hilt of his weapon when something on the ground caught his eye. He bent to pick it up, certain that the impeccably honorable Captain Windham would not attack a stooping man. 

It was a feather, long and gray-blue like slate, or the sky before a storm. There was a smear of blood on its edge.

“This must be from the heron, poor fellow,” he said. “I am glad it escaped with the rest of its feathers. Still, this one I shall keep, as spoils of war.” He tucked it into his sporran. “Now, sir, must we fight, or will you return with me to my house and let me give you shelter?”

Captain Windham’s face, pale to begin with, was drained of color. 

“No,” he said dully, “I cannot fight you, Mr. Cameron, as you well know.”

This was a very sudden about-face, but if the Captain had seen sense Ewen had no intention of arguing with him. 

“I am glad to hear you say so. Come, you shall have my horse, and we will go and find Lachlan together.”

He helped Windham mount the horse; the Captain made no move to resist, his every limping action bespeaking resignation.

[starlightments]

                                     PREVIEW: part one

    The Galra, a hostile nation of magic-wielders, have finally been banished from the kingdom’s borders. The war is over, once and for all. The Crown City is more determined than ever to re-establish peace to its people when a mysterious boy is discovered in the outlands. Keith is taken under the wing of the Royal Guard, where he is to be groomed for knighthood, but his inherent and untamed magical abilities have branded him a threat, alienating him from the only family he’s ever known — until he meets Lance, a rambunctious young prince in search of a playmate.     But as the boys grow older and feelings grow stronger, their days of childhood whimsy evolve into a deeply unshakeable bond; one that is soon tested by rumors of a Galra counterattack and perhaps even a state-mandated betrothal to assuage political tension. Now, with both hearts and lives on the line, the two lovers find themselves at a complicated crossroads: duty or desire?  

Language: English  |  Rating: TBD  |  Art Credit: here  

FANDOM: Voltron: Legendary Defender

GENRE: Royal AU, childhood friends-to-lovers

PAIRING(S): Keith/Lance

                                                     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  A flash of light comes blazing through the half-parted curtains, followed by a violent clap of thunder that rattles the floorboards and, consequently, startles the young prince awake.

  Lance sits up with a gasp, clutching at the elaborately embroidered duvet, keeping it tucked under his chin for protection. The bedroom goes pitch black again, save for the bluish glow of a star-shaped nightlight in the corner, but the storm continues to rage outside. He can hear rain beating behind his window and the blustery sway of tree branches as they scrape up against the glass like fingernails.

  “Marco,” Lance whispers into the darkness. His brother remains fast asleep, snoring softly, on the other side of the room. “Marco.”

  Still no response. Lance spends a moment rooting around under the covers for his raggedy stuffed lion, then squeezes it close to his chest as he scuttles over to his brother’s bed and shakes him urgently by the shoulder.

  “Go away,” Marco grumbles into his pillow.

  “But the noises!” insists Lance. “What if it’s a—”

  “It’s not a monster, it’s just a storm. Quit being such a baby.”  

  Lance puffs up at that, bottom lip jutting out with defiance. He’s fully prepared to remind his brother that he turned seven last month — and is, therefore, no longer a baby by any means, thank you very much — when another loud noise cries out in the dead of night; except this time it’s unlike the rumbling thunder and howling winds. It’s a mighty whoosh of the front doors being flung open downstairs. Wet footsteps slapping against the marbled foyer. Low, angry-sounding voices.

  “Marco,” says Lance, shaking him again. “I mean it, I think there’s something—”

  “Cut it out, Lance,” Marco says, and then swats at the younger boy’s hand with an agitated grunt before rolling away to face the wall.

  But the noises persist. If anything, they’re only getting louder, more conspicuous, and Lance’s curiosity is not so easily brushed aside. So, bracing himself, with his trusty lion in tow, he pads across the room and pokes his tiny head through the door.

  Across from him, Lance’s older sister is doing the exact same thing, peering furtively down the dimly-lit corridor in a satin nightgown, her hair done up in curlers.  

  “Ronnie—”

  “Shh!” she hisses at him, a finger pressed to her lips in warning. “It’s Papa.”

  Lance’s mouth parts into a bewildered little ‘o’ shape as Veronica proceeds to slink out of her room and toward the staircase. At the opposite end of the hall, he spots Coran, the royal family advisor, where he appears to have dozed off in the middle of watch duty again, slumped over in a chair, his big orange mustache wiggling with every exhale, and so Lance decides to tiptoe after his sister.  

  The Citadel’s east wing is a winding labyrinth of passageways and gilded alcoves, but the further they creep into its bowels, the clearer the commotion becomes. One of the many chamber doors has been left slightly ajar, a strip of lamplight pouring out from the gap, along with their father’s voice, hushed and stern.

  “—What on earth were you thinking, Takashi?”  

  They both scamper up to the door, peeking inside. It’s a thin opening, just barely enough space to make out glimpses of shifting bodies: their father paces around a large wooden conference table, his brow drawn tight, while Shiro, in contrast, stands perfectly still like the soldier he was born to be. There’s a small boy hovering at his side in tattered clothes, similar to Lance in size, and his face is obscured by a curtain of damp fringe.  

  “I found him in the outlands, alone, with nowhere to go and no way to survive,” Shiro answers firmly. “That’s what I was thinking, your Majesty.”

  “You should know better,” the king fires back. “After everything that’s happened, you, of all people, should know better than to invite danger into this household.”

  “He’s not dangerous,” says Shiro. “He’s a child.”  

  “No, he’s Galra.”

  At that, Veronica inhales a sharp breath, then immediately clamps a hand over her mouth. Lance is startled, too, but only because he knows he should be. Only because he’s heard grown-ups murmur that word when they think no one is listening, like it’s something terrible and blasphemous. This boy right here looks like neither of those things.  

  Through the crack, Lance can see Shiro lift his arm; the mechanical one. “And so am I, now,” he states. “The very magic that this kingdom fears, the very magic that’s now a part of me, is what saved my life.”    

  A pause. “That’s different,” the king growls. “It was our only option.”  

  “Well, pardon me, your Majesty, but then what is his only option?” argues Shiro, pointing at the boy. “Death?”  

  “Death,” Lance echoes, scandalized, his grip on his stuffed lion tightening. He reaches for his sister’s ruffled sleeve and tugs. “Ronnie, did you hear that, he just said—”

  “Lance,” she shushes, “be quiet or they’ll hear—”  

  The sudden halting of footsteps lets them know they’ve been caught. But before either of them can think to run, the chamber doors are being swung open wide and their father’s long shadow is looming from above. His expression, however, has been transformed into one that Lance recognizes; gentle and warm.

  “Aha,” he chuckles. “I thought I heard some little mice scurrying around these halls.” Swiftly, the king scoops Lance up into his arm and takes Veronica’s hand with the other. “Back to bed, you two. What would your mother have to say if she knew you were up this late, hm?”

  Shiro, in the background, says, “Your Majesty, I—”

  “We will finish this discussion in the morning, Captain Shirogane,” the king replies tersely. He doesn’t even turn halfway to meet the other man’s eyes. “Right now, I have a family to take care of.”

  “Yes,” mutters Shiro, nodding. “Understood.”

  As Lance clings to his father, peering curiously over the top of his shoulder, he discovers that the strange Galra boy is staring at him with the darkest, saddest eyes that Lance has ever seen in his life. It makes Lance’s skin tickle, being looked at like that.

  So, he waves.  

  The boy freezes in place for a moment, but eventually waves back, looking a bit ashamed, as if he’s not sure whether he should be doing it. When he does, though, Lance notices that the skin of the boy’s palm is covered in black calluses, almost charred straight through to the bone.

  It’s the last thing Lance sees — and the only thing he’ll think about, later, tucked away in bed — before his father rounds the corner and carries him out of sight.

[afandomroom]

Run down of what my ocs are doing throughout the Ninjago seasons. 

No one asked for this but it’s being made anyways. 

Season 1

- Sage and Asher have just met, a little before the pilots. They’ve started traveling together after the pilots take place. 

- Jerome has moved to Ninjago City

Season 2

- Jerome saves civilians from the Great Devourer, but ends up getting buried underneath the destruction. He survives but needs to go through physical therapy and needs a walking cane and brace from thereon out. He also loses touch with his magic and is only able to reforge that through unstable means. 

- Marion starts living on his own. 

Season 3

- Sage and Asher are hired by Ronin. This is the unfortunate start to their criminal career. 

- In the Cryptor redemption au, Siege is built and eventually takes Cryptor’s place as general. They are also his primary torturer during his interrogations. 

- Jerome gets married to Keith, they start looking into adopting kids. 

- Zoe was one of Garmadon’s students during his time as a sensei. They took particular interest in the Art of the Silent Fist. 

Season 4

- Daemon meets Safa and takes her in. 

- Katlyn and Asher meet for the first time. They’re stealing from Borg Industries, Katlyn gets away and Asher doesn’t. 

Season 5

- Sage and Asher were stealing from the history museum for Ronin around the same time Morro broke in. They were in different exhibits and their theft went unnoticed for weeks thanks to the ruckus Morro caused. 

- Calvin goes to live with Jerome, his older brother. This is his first time meeting Keith, and his niece and nephews. It’s also his introduction into magic. 

- Safa and Daemon are separated prior to the start of the season, and are reunited a little after. 

- Zee joins the SOG. 

Season 6

- Cryptor officially starts visiting Daemon and Safa. 

- Sage and Asher stop working for Ronin, instead choosing to work independently as thieves. 

Season 7

- N/A

Season 8/Season 9

- Sage and Asher were sought out to steal an Oni Mask. They declined the offer despite the money that would’ve been involved, deciding it was to risky. 

- During the takeover, Marion ends up cornered by SOG members after intervening when they were messing with a civilian. 

- Sage, who felt cooped up in the apartment she was sharing with Asher at the time, sees this. She handles the situation by shooting down the SOG members. 

- Sage ends up taking Marion back to the apartment after finding out he had no where else to go. 

- Sage gets hunted down by Mr.E sometime after this event, only making it out because of Zee. 

- Zee and Katlyn officially end up joining the family, as well as Marion. 

- Zee quits being an SOG member. 

Season 10

- Sage, Asher, and Marion all end up hiding with Jerome, Keith, Calvin, and the triplets during the Oni takeover. Jerome and his family let them into an old tornado shelter beneath their house, where they wait out the attack. 

- It’s at the end of the season that Marion gets his vengestone bracers removed, and for the first time finds out he has an element. 

Season 11

- Puppet Master begins planning and seeking out helpful ‘puppets’

Post-Current-Seasons

- Asher eventually settles down with Katlyn, quitting crime for good. They have twin daughters named Cedar and Willow. 

- Zoe, Calvin, and Marion end up coming together to create their own ninja team. All have become masters of their own powers/crafts and help train a younger generation alongside the ninja. 

- Safa becomes a vigilante. She lives in ninjago city and occasionally (and begrudgingly) fights alongside them. 

- Puppet Master and her ‘puppets’ end up going against them. Marion is taken under her control for a time. 

- Sage finds a quiet life just outside the city, helping run a branch of Jerome’s tea shop. 

[harmonytre-reblogs]

“This is how I think of “shipping”: When you start shipping someone, it starts out as a little sailboat. As hints are seen (in the actual show, movie, book, game, etc.), the sailboat slowly grows larger. When it becomes canon, the boat becomes a giant pirate ship with cannons (get it?). If the people suddenly break up, that means the ship ran into a giant Broken-Love-Iceberg.“

-me (HarmonyTRE)

(P. S. All of these I ship platonically too, and the younger couples are only wholesome. NONE of these I ship in more than romantic ways. And some of them I don’t ship now, but shipped when I was younger so they feel nostalgic. So if the ship seems odd, it’s probably that asdfghjkl.)

Key:

Fandom/show/movie/game/short film/etc.

Ship

Semi-ship

!:OTP

*

Index:

Never Draw

Commission Only

Shows

Movies

Games

Other Media (short films, comics, etc.)

Live Action

Steven Universe AUs

Undertale AUs

Not Finished/Caught Up

(long, so I’ll put under the cut)

*

Never Draw:

Frisk/Sans (fr.ans)

Keith/Lance (kl.ance)

Shiro/any of the minor paladins

Papyrus/Chara (?)

Papyrus/Sans (fon.tcest)

Steven/gem ships

Steven/Pink Steven

*

Commission Only (won’t do for requests, challenges, etc.)

Lance/Allura (Allurance, Cotton Candy, Mr. and Mrs. Blue Lion)

Au Sanses (unless listed, and only if they have clearly different personalities, appearances, and names)

Allura/Shiro (Shallura)

*

Shows

Voltron: Legendary Defender

!Pidge/Lance (Plance)

Keith/Allura (Kallura)

Hunk/Shay (Hunay)

Romelle/Matt (Romatt)

Pidge/Hunk (Punk)

Hunk/Romelle (Hunelle)

Keith/Axca (Kaxca)

James/Ina (Leiffin)

Keith/Pidge (Kidge)

Ryan/Nadia (Kindia)

Lotor/Allura (Lotura)

Krolia/Tex (Krolidad, Krolitex)

Zarkon/Honerva (Zanerva)

Krolia/Kolivan (Kolivan)

James/Veronica (Jamonica)

Miraculous: The Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir

!Marinette/Ladybug/Adrien/CatNoir (Love square, Marichat, Adrinette, Ladynoir, Ladrien)

!Alya/Nino (DJWiFi)

Mylene/Ivan (Myvan)

Penny/JaggedStone (Jaggenny)

Plagg/Tikki (CheeseCake)

Nathaniel/Alix (Nathanix)

Kim/Ondine

Rose/Juleka

Steven Universe

Steven/Connie

Ruby/Sapphire

Sadie/Lars

Pearl/Bismuth

Volleyball/Spinel?

Pearl/Volleyball

She-ra and the Princesses of Power (SPoP) {Double Trouble, Glimmer, Entrapta, Wrong Hordak}

!Glimmer/Bow (Glow, Glimbow)

Seahawk/Mermista (Seamista)

Entrapta/Hordak (Entrapdak)

Catra/Adora (Catradora)

Scorpia/Perfuma (Scorfuma)

Spinerella/Netossa (Spinnetossa)

*Star vs. the Forces of Evil (Marco, Janna, Tom, Star}

!JanTom

!Starco

Eclipsa/Globgor

Jackie/Chloe

Trolls

!Branch/Poppy (Broppy)

Phineas and Ferb

Phineas/Isabella (Phinabella)

Candace/Jeremy (Candermemy)

Baljeet/Ginger (Baljinger)

RWBY

!Ren/Nora (Renora)

Ruby/Oscar

Sun/Blake (BlackSun)

Pyrra/Jaune (Arcos)

Weiss/Neptune (Iceberg)

Velvet/Fox (Zootopia)

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts

Troy/Benson (Trenson)

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Yadomi/Anjo

Yukiatsu/Tsurumi

The Dragon Prince

!Callum/Rayla

Amaya/Janai

My Little Pony (MLP)

!Fluttershy/Discord (Fluttercord)

!YonaYak/Sandbar (Yonabar)

DerpyHooves/DoctorWhooves (DerpyWhooves)

PinkiePie/CheeseSandwhich (CheesePie)

BigMac/SugarBelle

Ember/Thorax (Emberax)

Sunburst/StarlightGlimmer (StarBurst)

ZephyrBreeze/Treehugger

HTTYD (How to Train Your Dragon) (any show besides Race to the Edge, because I haven’t seen it)

Hiccup/Astrid (Hiccstrid)

Fishlegs/Heather (Feather)

Toothless/Nubless (Nightlight)

Pokemon {seen all but seasons 8-15, 21+}

!Jessie/James (Rocketshipping, KojiMusa, JAJL)

Ash/Misty (Pokeshipping, Sakashipping, Gakishipping, Bikeshipping, Sushishipping, AAML, Twerpshipping)

!Serena/Clemont (Geekchicshipping)

Lana/Sophocles (Sparksurfershipping)

Butch/Cassidy (Neoshipping)

Serena’sSylveon/Clemont’sBunnelby (Fairybunnyshipping)

Brock/Lucy (luckshipping, squintshipping, blushshipping)

Casey/Georgio

NurseJoy/Nicholas (from Celebi episode)

Hal/Elisa

May/Drew (Contestshipping, ShuHaru, DAML, Mew, Day)

Togedemaru/Pikachu (SpikyPika)

Serena/Jimmy

Brock/Wilohmena (Sissyshipping)

Glitch Techs

Zahra/Five (?)

Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA)

Sokka/Toph (Tokka)

Zuko/Katara (Zutara)

Katara/Aang (Kataang)

Suki/Sokka (Sukka)

*

Movies

Rise of the Guardians

Jack/ToothFairy

Big Hero 6

Gogo/Fred (Gogozilla)

HoneyLemon/Tadashi (Tadahoney)

Your Name (Kimi no na Wa)

Taki/Mitsuha

Katsuhiko/Sayaka

Miki/Tsukasa

A Silent Voice

ShoukoNishima/ShoyaIshida

Leap! (Ballerina)

Victor/Felicie (Felictor)

Inside Out

Riley/Jordan

Anger/Disgust (Angust)

Wreck-it-Ralph (and Breaks the Internet)

Felix/TamoraCalhoun (Hero’s Cuties)

Trolls

Branch/Poppy (Broppy)

Hotel Transylvania

Jonathan/Mavis (Jonavis)

Smurfs: The Lost Village

Smurfette/Hefty

PapaSmurf/Smurfwillow

Brainy/Smurfblossom

Clumsy/Smurfstorm

Zootopia

Judy/Nick (WildeHopps)

Coco

Hector/Imelda

Pepita/Dante?

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (and 2)

SamSparks/FlintLockwood (Sparkswood)

Lego Movie (and 2nd)

Emmet/Lucy

Tangled

Rapunzel/Eugene

Frozen

Anna/Kristoff

Megamind

Megamind/Roxanne (Megarox)

Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse

Miles/Gwen

*

Games

Undertale

!Toriel/Sans (Soriel)

Undyne/Alphys (Alphyne)

Muffet/Mettaton (Muffaton)

!Nice Cream Guy / Burgerpants (Nicepants)

Sans/Grillby (Sansby)

Gaster/Asgore (Kingdings)

Toriel/Asgore (Asgoriel, Torigore)

Asgore/Rudy (?)

Grillby/Muffet (?)

Royal Guards

Deltarune

Noelle/Susie (Suselle)

Henry Stickmin

Henry/Charles (Chenry, Stickvin)

Riddle School

Phil/Smiley

*

Other media (short films/comics/etc)

Paperman

Meg/George

*

Live Action

Psych

Juliet/Shawn (Shules)

The Space Between Us

Gardner/Tulsa

The Goldbergs

Erica/Geoff

Barry/Laney

Adam/Jackie

The Greatest Showman

Barnums

PhillipCarlyle/AnneWheeler

The Librarians (tv series)

!Cassanda/Ezekiel (Casekiel)

Eve/Flynn (Fleve)

Jacob/Serina

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Klaus/Fiona

Violet/Duncan

Jacques/Olivia

Alex Inc.

Eddie/Deidre

Scrubs

JD/Elliot (Jelliot)

Turk/Carla

The Office

Pam/Jim (PB&J)

Michael/Holly

Dwight/Angela

Drop Dead Diva

Stacy/Fred

Stacy/Owen

Jane/Gracen

Jane/Ian

Stranger Things

Mike/Eleven (Mileven)

Nancy/Jonathan (Jancy)

Joyce/Hopper (Jopper)

Lucas/Max

Chuck

Chuck/Sarah

Timeless

LucyPreston/WyattLogan

RufusCarlin/Jiya

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Zoey/Max

*

Steven Universe AUs

Feral Beast Steeb

Feractus

Pink Steven AU

Connverse

Cactus Steven AUs Blog

Feractus

LISTEN ALL NIGHT (suf-fering)

Connverse

*

Undertale/Deltarune AUs

Timetale AU (Punny Skele-scientist, Allesia the Hedge)

Sans/Alphys (Salphys)

Paper Trail (lynxgriffin)

Susie/Noelle (Suselle)

Overtale (yuramec version)

Sans/Toriel (Soriel)

*Underswap

Sans/Napstablook (Napstasans)

Underfell

Sans/Toriel (Soriel)

Payryus/Mettaton (Papyton)

Alphys/Undyne (Alphyne)

*Outertale

Sans/Toriel (Soriel)

Sans/Grillby (Sansby)

Handplates

Gaster/Alphys (Bi-entists)

Crossover

Insans/Sappy

Rain/Imposter (platonic)

*

Not finished/caught up

Fruits basket{season 2}

Tohru/Kyo (Kyoru)

Ritsu/Mitsuru

Wild Kratts {quite a lot to catch up on}

JimmyZ/Koki (Joki)

My Hero Academia/Boku No Hiro Academia {recent season}

!DenkiKaminari/KyoukaJirou (Kamijirou)

IzukuMidoriya/OchakoUraka (Izuocha)

EjirouKirishima/MinaAshido (Kirimina)

ShoutoTodoroki/MomoYaoyoruzu (Todomomo)

FumikageTokoyami/TsuyuAsui (Tokotsuyu)

MashiraoOjiro/TooruHagakure (Ojitooru)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012) (TMNT) {half of final season}

April/Donatello (Apritello)

Raphael/Mona

Leonardo/Karai (Leorai)

Mikey/Renet (Renetangelo)

The Flash {recent 1-2 seasons}

Barry/Iris (Westallen)

!Kaitlyn/Cisco (Snowmone, Snowvibe, Killervibe, Frostvibe, Vibefrost)

Joe/Cecile (Joecile)

HRWells/TracyBrand

Ralph/Izzy

Digimon Tamers {missed quite a lot because my brother watched without me}

Juri/Takato (Jurato)

Rika/Ryo (Ryuki)

Kingdom Hearts

Sora/Kairi

Once Upon a Time (OUaT)

CaptianHook/EmmaSwan (CaptainSwan)

Belle/Rumpilstiltskin (Rumbelle)

Regina/Robin (OutlawQueen)

Doctor Who

TheDoctor/Riversong (Twiver)

Amy/Rory (Ponds)

God Friended Me {just part of 1st season}

Kara/Miles

Heroes {just starting season 2}

Hiro/Charlie

[lunadiane]

commoner katarina AU

I really really want an AU where Katarina’s a commoner farmer living her best life baking and eating sweets, thinking that she’s successfully avoided all the death flags of Fortune Lover, but somehow ends up meeting all the main characters and unwittingly making them all enamoured with her anyway.

how does Katarina meet everyone else? some thoughts:

being a commoner, Maria becomes Katarina’s childhood friend due to their shared interests in baking and, later on, similarities in possessing magic.

as a lover of shoujo manga and otome games, the only equivalent Katarina can find are romance novels, and so Katarina frequents the bookshop in town, eventually bumping into the ethereally beautiful albino noble girl Sophia - and later her overprotective brother Nicol.

ostracized by her half-sisters, Mary Hunt seeks comfort through rides through the countryside - anything to get away from her family, and ends up meeting friendly and energetic farmer Katarina working in the fields. 

meeting Alan and Geordo follows by association. Katarina’s empathy, kindness, and complete disregard for appearances and social rank enable her to dispel Alan’s insecurities towards his older brother, while Geordo finds Katarina - friend of his brother’s fiancee - immensely amusing and a bright light in his dull, ordered princely life.  

featuring in this AU: strong Maria/Katarina vibes in being childhood friends, and Katarina’s stubborn dedication in protecting Maria from vicious rumours when her light magic manifests. 

defending Maria causes Katarina’s own magic to show itself in tripping up bullies with her Earth Bump, which is when everyone except Katarina realizes that, actually, her affinity for plants and farming isn’t just her natural green thumb, but is actual, 100% runs-in-the-family earth magic. 

this naturally pushes Katarina into the same spotlight as Maria as everyone attempts to find out if Katarina herself has any noble blood, eventually drawing the attention of the Claes family and the discovery that Katarina is actually a distant relative. Lady Claes takes it upon herself to adopt this young girl with earth magic into the main Claes branch, which leads to Katarina meeting her adopted brother Keith.

since all magic users in the kingdom are required to attend the magical academy should they possess the ability, regardless of social class, Katarina and Maria end up in the same school as the rest of the main cast.

harem hijinks ensue

[charred-ground]

Fanfic  Update - VLD - Klance

I hope you all are doing well! 

Unfortunately, it has been a chaotic week for @sometimesafangirl and myself. We survived the holidays, I moved to my own place (so peaceful), and then I got sick (booo). Sumire has also been bogged down by work so to save our sanity we decided to take a week off from the story. Do not fret! We will be back next week with an update!  In the meantime please take a look at some things coming up in our next story! Concept: Guns of Gamara AU Paring: Klance (of course) Genre: Sci-fi/drama/Childhood Friends/klangst and fluff (Remember we don’t believe in unhappy endings)  Time Frames: past, present, future.  Settings: Will range and I won’t give too much away but this will fall in line with the original GOlion. 

At the start of the story, Earth has been destroyed by the Alteans with most of the human population absorbed or turned into Non-cogs. The surviving humans are living on a space colony protected by a united coalition of rebels. It’s a refugee camp and things aren’t great but it can always be worse. 

Main Characters: Lance: Born and raised in the colony, everyone there is like family to him. He’s the well-known mischievous kid who everyone has a soft spot for. His dream is to make his immediate family proud and to join the rebel army, become a hero, and raise a family.

Keith: A quiet kid who appeared in the colony one day with his father. He doesn’t talk much at first and everyone treats him as if he’s special. He has a short temper but sticks to himself if he’s not hiding behind his father’s legs. He’s polite to adults and is very easily ruffled by Lance’s ‘attempts at friendship’. He has a secret only a few adults know until Lance finds out. The knowledge binds the two would-be rivals together.

Shiro: Keith’s (everyone’s) role model. He works as a trainer and recruiter for the rebel army. Hates the Guns of Gamara for taking his brother away. He is left slightly embittered and is discreet about his sexuality due to the emphasis on rebuilding the human population. Things have settled down since his youth but he is left with a few emotional scars.

Sven: Shiro’s twin brother - MIA

Pidge: Child of a brilliant biological engineer and Physician. She is not lacking in intelligence and when she’s not running around with Lance and Hunk she’s plugging away at developing stronger and better devices for the survivors. She hopes to branch away from the medical field but she wants to help people in need. She does dabble in gene alteration and light manipulation. 

Hunk: Lance’s best friend and sounding board for all his problems, particularly relating to the ‘weird kid who’s good at everything’. A prodigy second only to Pidge. His brillance only rivaled by the warmth of his heart. He has no desire to fight but he will protect those he loves with everything he has. He can also make even dirt look appetizing. 

[empressgeekt]

Trolls - Accidental Knight Branch AU (Field of Forget-me-nots part 1)

My hyper fixation continues and for some reason I got this idea while watching a Bug's Life. And i"m thinking of linking this to my Keith and Branch Brother hood Au (link to that post if interested - https://empressgeekt.tumblr.com/post/744629825487126528/trolls-branch-and-keith-brothers-au). I think I'm going to re-name it A Field of Forget-Me-knots Au. If they end up linked that is.

The Au would start before the first movie. Branch is still grey and on his own, with the exception of his little stalker. Keith had been following him for the past year, and branch had taken a reluctant liking to the kid. Pretty much becoming a big/little brother duo that no one in the village gets. Keith's habit of story telling, is encouraged by Branch, who buys the kid notebooks to put his idea on paper. During the summer evenings, Branch would help edit his grammar and spelling, while working on a latest trap as Keith read his latest chapters. The trolling's current story fixation, being one about a trolling knight who protects his village and wears a suit of armor in the brightest green leaves. Branch askes Keith where he found the inspiration for it, and Keith explains that it came to him when he was helping Branch with the alarm systems and predator preventions he made for the village. Branch is flattered when he learn that the kid thinks of him as a hero, but doesn't admit it.

When Keith's birthday rolls around. In addition to another note book, and some custom made drawing pencils, Branch decides to bring Keith's character to life. With all the mechanical know how, he learned from making traps and weapons, (and sewing skills thanks to Grandma), the grey troll can pretty easily fashion together a suit that is both functional and how Keith described it. With room for all the Gadgets that Keith gave his character. Which on the weapons side Branch kind of cheats due to him already having multiple back up bows and spears. He just paints those to match the suit. Keith is ecstatic to see Branch in the suit, and insists on Branch wearing it while they check the traps that day. Branch allows it, partially because it makes the kid happy, and partially because he wants to show off his gadget re-creations. Keith even calls Branch, "Forest Guardian" all through the walk. At some point, Branch falls into a flower patch, and pollen gets all over his hair making it turn into a maroon color.

Their on the last of their safety checks, this one just outside of the village borders, when suddenly the alarm strings go taunt and screaming is heard in the direction of the village. Branch tells Keith to run back to the bunker using their escape tunnels, and keith says that, "Forest Guardian is needed". Branch rushes off, completely forgetting that he's in a ridiculous looking suit, finding a rabid wolf charging through the middle of the village. Most the pods are too high for the predator to reach, but the trolls on the ground are done for...Branch grabs hold of the spear tied to his back.

Poppy is on the ground, trying to get as many trolls away from the wolf, but she's at a lost of what to really do. A predator like this had never gotten this close to the village, so she's scrambling. All she knows is that everyone is screaming and running, their afternoon song is ruined, then suddenly out of nowhere the wolf is taken down. Poppy looks up, and finds a troll with maroon colored hair, clad in armor of the brightest green, their hands gripping a spear that was impaled in to the base of the wolf's skull, killing it. In the corner of her eye, she sees one of the trollings, Keith, Call out "It's Forest Guardian!"

Branch is very uncomfortable with all the people suddenly staring at him, once the wolf is down. Then he hears Keith call out, and suddenly remembers he's in the costume. They don't know who he is. Still he doesn't like being the object of all there attention. Branch rushed back into the woods before Poppy has the chance to thank him.

Keith meets Branch back at the bunker. Branch immediately takes off the suit, and confronts Keith as to why he was in the village and not safe in the bunker. Keith said he wanted to see Forest Guardian in action. Branch retorts he's not Forest Guardian. Keith said he could be, and gets upset, because he based a the character off of branch, but the grey troll doesn't want to be a hero. Branch said he wasn't a hero. Keith says that he is, and recounts all he does for the villages protection and no one sees it! And they are all mean to branch. It makes the trolling frustrated, and this way they can be nicer to branch without Branch having to deal with them invading his personal privacy.

Eventually Branch gives in, after all the armor stopped him from getting hurt by the wolf, and it would make it easier to carry needed essentials. So when ever he goes after predators that get too close to the village he wears the suit. Keith promises to be Branch's man on the inside and reports to the grey troll on all the rumors that were spread about them. They have a good laugh over it.

Meanwhile, the village is set on fire with news of their new hero. People are gossiping and word of the "Forest Guardian" is spreading fast. And one troll in particular has become engulfed by the flames. Poppy has become obessed with the Forest Guardian. She wants to thank him, know who he is, and become his best friend. No she is totally not fangirling over him, like the twins tease. The snackpack is equally enthralled with the new village hero. Cooper, Biggie, And GD are impressed with how cool he looked, The twins have been making fan wear based on eye witnesses on the armor, Fuzzbert and DJ Suki want to know who his gear works, and Smidge wants to know where he learned how to take down a wolf. They are all willing to help Poppy find the Guardian. Creek is grateful for the new hero, but he is a little apprehensive about Poppy wanting to find him. After all he could be dangerous, and what kind of troll would use violence before friendship.

Nothing could stop Poppy's hunt. She askes everyone in the village what they know about the Forest Guardian. She sadly doesn't get much information. Until she asks Keith. The little trolling tells her all about how the Guardian lives out side of the village in the forest, and that he's been defending the village from predators for years, the wolf had been a rare instance when they snuck passed his defenses.

Poppy: Keith how do you know about this?

Keith: I see him. I go into the woods sometimes, he's always looking out for us.

Poppy: And no one knows? No one's thanked him!

Keith: He's shy and a little different. He doesn't think the village will accept him.

Poppy: He's our hero, we'd always accept him

Keith: he doesn't think so. He's seen how you treat other people who aren't like you.

Poppy: We aren't mean.

Keith: not actively.

Poppy: Look Keith Sweetie, you think you can get me meeting with him?

Keith agrees and leads poppy out into the woods. And calls out to the "Guardian". Branch and the trolling had come to an agreement that if he was refered to Guardian or Forest, then someone was with th trolling and Branch needed to play the part. Branch just didn't think Keith would bring the princess of all trolls. Poppy excitedly begins to ramble, until Branch clears his throat. In a deeper voice he sends Keith home, and asks what Poppy wants.

Poppy: We'll first to say thank you

Branch: I don't do this for thanks your highness

Poppy: Well, we're going to give it to you now that we know about you! Especially since you've been protecting all of us for so long.

Branch: How do you know about that?

Poppy: Keith told me.

Branch: Of course.

Poppy: Now, to show you how grateful the village is for all your work, we're throwing a party for you and officially inviting you-

Branch: Pass.

Poppy: WHat?

Branch: Apologizes for my brashness Princess, but I do not enjoy big loud parties.

Poppy: Why not?

Branch: You're larger celebrations attract a lot of attention from Predators your highness. Any part you through means a lot of work and stress for me. After years of this, I've lost my taste for such gatherings

Poppy's thrown by this, but in some form understands. The Forest Guardian's work is dangerous, he could've gotten hurt many times over while they partied. She had no idea that their parties attracted predators. She asks if their was any way to prevent that

Branch is shocked, all he had to do was save the village and put on a mask and suddenly people wanted to listen to him?! Taking advantage of this new found respect. Branch takes Poppy around the forest explaining how he keeps everyone safe from the forest, and just how vulnerable they all are. And that he deosn't want them to stop their fun, he just doesn't want anyone to get hurt or worse.

Poppy takes all this information, back home to her father, and suggests a few changes to make life better for both their guardian and the village. Peppy says that some of these suggestions would need to be consulted by the council however one of them they wouldn't need approval for. When talking with Keith the trolling had offered a less explosive way of thanking the Forest Guardian. Peppy agrees to knight the hero.

Word spreads quickly as troll village hadn't had a knight since before bergen town was established. So everyone is really excited. When keith tells Branch about the knighting thing, it's really surprising to the grey troll. After all he only took down one wolf their acting like he conquered the sun for them. Still the kid talks branch into going to the ceremony.

The ceremony goes smoothly although branch doesn't stay very long at the after party. Keeping up appearances is hard. Not to mention Poppy is all over him wanting to dance and find out his real name. He doesn't give it. Still some how rumors fly about hiw the princess and the new knight are smitten with each other. Keith teases branch about when ever they meet up. Branch is just worried about Poppy getting too close to him. After all in reality he isn't the hero they all think he is.

Life goes on, Poppy tries to reason for more safety measures but the council won't allow them. She goes to branch as the forest guardian for help. Shockingly its easier to standup and reason his ideals while in costume. He gets them to think about it, and Poppy offers lunch as a thanks. She disappointed that he won't take off his mask to eat, which leads to a conversation over why he hides his face. Once more rumors about the knight and princess pick up pace.

When the 20th freedom anniversary rolls around, Poppy trie to invite the knight but Branch declines saying that such a party 2as too big of a risk during predator season. Poppy doesn't head his word as Guardian or normal branch and goes trhough with it. You all know how this ends. Poppy goes to the bunker and asks Branch if he has seen Forst Guardian any where worried about if the Bergan had already gotten to him as he didn't show up to fight the bergen. Branch said he didn't know. As in canon Poppy stuffs the village in his bunker. Keith tells Branch to go after her as Guardian. They both know Poppy has 0 to none on survival skills, and this way no one will stumble onto his secret while in the bunker.

Poppy is at first thrilled when Forest Guardian joins her, however her excitement dwindles as she realizes that he's more of a grump then she thought their hero was. He doesn't join in on her songs and she's desperate to hear his voice. So also probs him on his back story, which Branch lies and says, "I don't have any."

Poppy: what how?

"Leta just sya that the story of the escape isn't as happy as everyone makes it out to be princess."

Cloud guy pissess him off as usual. And they can't spare Creek from getting "eaten". When freeing the snack pack, some of them ask for his autograph which, branch thinks their crazy for. Not the time and who has a pen on them at the moment anyway.

Branch still refuses to sing, with Bridget, and when cornered all he can say is that it tore his family apart. With a mix of truth and lies forest guardian says that he used to sing all the time with his family, but that made them prime targets for bergens. He became silent that's what saved him. "So forgive me if I'm not comfortable with singing in bergen filled town. I stay silent so that others don't have to."

The date goes the same, only Poppy is more giggly than in canon when Branch says she has a nice smile.

They both choke creek

True colors happens

then when confronting the chef, she doesn't react for Branch when she tries to for feed gristle. She reaches for Poppy. Branch jumps in and stabs the chef in the hand protecting the princess. Chef would then pull out a knife and with it smach brnahc into the far wall. Severally injuring him. Gristle orders for Chef to be captured. While Poppy runs over to Branch. She pulls off the mask and reveals the identity of the village hero. Shocking everyone.

Brnach remains unconscious for weeks afte the event. Poppy and Keith at his bed side. The village is rebuild. Peppy announced his retirement. And Poppy planns to create a team of well trained trolls to help bench protect the village.

When he does wake up, Branch is welcomed back home and offered the position of head of village security. If he wants it. With peace with the bergen established. Branch accepts the job. Creating the Forest Guardian's. Pop villages own defences force.

--'

Not sure what will happen in the othe movies yet, but branch is definitely sporting a new scar that JD will freak out about.

[calligraphist-artemisia]

The Annual Summer Hike

Summary: My entry for Kidgezine: Roads Untraveled.  Modern AU. When faced with spending her summer at her grandparents house way out in the country, Katie Holt decides to tag along with her brother and his best friend on their yearly hiking trip along a mountain trail instead, where she meets an interesting stranger and his dog. They all end up travelling together and by the end of their journey, Katie can't help but hope for something more.

*shows up 15 minutes late with Starbucks* I finally have a free moment to post this! And with the announcement of a second Kidgezine, I feel like my timing is perfect.

Edit 9/5/19: Because I’m a dumb and I forgot, go check out @luce-ciel​‘s amazing art that goes with this! 

Also posted on AO3 and fanfiction.net (under the username kishirokitsune)

-------

The Annual Summer Hike

If Katie Holt was asked to make a list of her top five least favorite summer vacations, that summer would be ranked number one.

Everything about it had gone wrong from the start. Her parents were going overseas for their anniversary and, even though she was eighteen, they didn’t feel comfortable with leaving her on her own for a month. Normally, that meant staying with her brother, Matt, in the apartment he shared with his best friend, Shiro, but the two of them were leaving for their annual hike along Lionrock Trail.

That left Katie with two options: either join them on their hike, or spend a month at her grandparents’ house with zero access to the technology and tools she needed to work on her summer projects.

She chose the hike.

Katie grumbled to herself as she made herself comfortable at a picnic table at the first campground of their journey. Three days in and she was already done with nature and walking and the humidity and the outdoors in general. Her shower made her feel a little better as her hair hung in damp waves past her shoulders, keeping her cool even as it rapidly dried under the evening sun.

Her laptop was freshly recharged and she had a few hours of precious time to get some coding done, so she dove right into it, zoning out as her fingers flew over the keys. She barely blinked. Everything around her faded out and for a moment she could forget that she wasn’t at home in her room.

A wet nose nudged at her arm and, out of habit, Katie lifted it up to allow her dog the attention she wanted. It was only when a larger and much heavier weight settled onto her lap that she remembered where she was.

Katie blinked down at black and gray fur, which was partially covered by a vest with many pockets, unsure of how to react to an unfamiliar dog making themself very comfortable on her lap. “Um, hi?”

The dog happily wiggled, turning their head to lick at her face and whine for attention.

“Aww, you're cute,” Katie giggled. She had no problem gently running her hands through thick fur once the licking stopped. A collar and tags jingled around the dog’s neck and she tried to turn it around for a better look at what it said, assuming there would be a name or phone number.

“Kosmo!”

The dog - apparently named Kosmo - woofed softly at the sound of his name and clumsily got out of her lap.

Katie turned to follow his path, which led to a young man with shaggy black hair. As she watched, he crouched down next to Kosmo, quietly scolding him for being rude and scaring people, to which Kosmo simply wagged his tail and tried to lick his face. 

The man laughed and stood up, his expression sobering as he looked at Katie. “Hey, uh, I’m sorry about him.”

Katie shook her head. “Oh no, it’s fine. He’s sweet.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Katie reassured him a second time before he seemed content that Kosmo hadn’t gotten into too much trouble. The man gave her a hesitant smile and then patted his thigh, calling Kosmo to walk away with him. 

Katie watched them go, breathing a sigh of relief once they were both out of sight. 

That had been one of the most awkward conversations she had been a part of in some time, but at least it didn’t last more than a few seconds. She turned back to her laptop, ready to dive back into her work, but found herself unable to get back into the groove of things. Her mind kept wandering away, back to the handsome stranger and his friendly dog.

Katie paused, her fingers hovering over the keys. Her brow furrowed as she tried to comprehend where her thought process had gone.

Handsome?

“Get it together, Katie,” she mumbled to herself. “It’s not like you’ll ever see him again.”

After that, she managed to get a little more work done before packing everything up and heading back to where Matt and Shiro had set up camp for the night. As she approached, she became aware of a third figure sitting with them.

“Katie, come meet Keith!” Shiro lifted his hand to wave her over.

So much for never seeing him again.

Because of course Shiro and Matt knew who he was. Of course they decided that inviting him to join them on their hike was the best idea ever. Of course they thought the fact that they’d just met just a while before thanks to Kosmo was the funniest thing ever.

Katie snuck glances at him throughout dinner, trying to act like she wasn’t interested in the conversation he was having with Shiro. She couldn’t help but be curious about what he was like, especially if they were going to be traveling together. At the same time, she knew she had a horrible poker face and if she let herself get swept away in the thoughts about how attractive he was, Matt and Shiro would pick up on it for sure and then there would be no end to the teasing. So she would sit back and observe. That was it.

Her resolve lasted throughout the night and most of the next morning, but crumbled by that afternoon when Keith fell into step next to her.

“So what kind of dog is he anyway? A husky?” Katie asked.

Keith shrugged as they both looked at Kosmo, who sniffed along the edge of the path. “My mom thinks he may be part shepherd, but we don’t know for sure. I found him on this trail two years ago and we’ve been inseparable ever since.”

Katie smiled as Kosmo padded over to her. She reached down to pat him on the head. “We have a bull terrier at home. She’s a little older now, but you wouldn’t think that if you knew her. She’s a bundle of energy.”

“The terror of the neighborhood,” Matt jokingly called back to them.

Shiro shushed him, but the damage had been done. Katie stared down at the ground, reminding herself that it was a bad idea. 

It wasn’t the last time something like that would happen. Keith was surprisingly persistent about striking up a conversation with her, and if Katie was being honest, she liked that. He was easy to talk to and seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say, which only served to make him that much more attractive in her eyes.

She caught herself staring at him more than she liked. And by the knowing grin Matt threw her way, she knew he’d figured it out too. She had to make a choice; either deliberately distance herself more than she already was, or not let her rapidly developing crush keep her from making a new friend.

It took her several hours, but by the time she made a decision, Kosmo had already taken matters into his own paws. He’d wound circles around them as they hiked along the trail, guiding them closer and closer together until they were side-by-side, so close that their hands brushed together.

Katie was so startled the first time that she stumbled and would have fallen if not for Keith’s swift reaction.

“Th-thank you,” she whispered, feeling her cheeks burn from embarrassment. His hand felt so warm against her skin as he held her steady. It was nice.

Kosmo wagged his tail as they started walking again, still close enough that they could touch. And it was like a spell had been broken. Everything that had held her back before - all of those insignificant, silly reasons - became a distant memory. If Keith was surprised by her sudden desire to talk to him without trying to pass the conversation over to Shiro, he didn’t show it.

Night fell swiftly, but for once Katie found herself unbothered by the darkness of the forest around them. The fire crackled several feet away, where Shiro and Matt were roasting marshmallows on some long sticks they found, but she and Keith were huddled together, despite the warmth in the air. They shared a pad of paper between them, playing games of tic-tac-toe to pass the time.

“Where did Kosmo go?” Katie asked without looking up.

Keith refused to be distracted. “Nearby, probably.”

As if summoned by his name, Kosmo chose that moment to crash through the underbrush, proudly lugging a large tree branch, which he attempted to deposit on Keith’s lap. Katie laughed so hard that she nearly fell over, earning herself eager licks all over her face from Kosmo, who took her reaction as praise.

The hike that once seemed to feel as though it would drag out forever began to pass quickly thanks to her blossoming friendship with Keith. Every day brought a new experience; a new memory.

“Wow,” Katie breathed, staring out over the peaks of the tranquil mountain range. She leaned against the guard rail on the overlook, content to just watch as the fog began to clear from the valley below and the sun started to rise over the mountain. 

“I thought you said you didn’t like nature. You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

To her credit, Katie didn’t flinch as Keith approached. For once, Kosmo was nowhere to be found, probably because he was too busy begging Matt for food.

“Maybe I’ve gained a new appreciation for it,” Katie said.

Keith hummed as he joined her against the guard rail. “I’ve always loved it up here. My dad used to bring me every year and we’d spend time camping. He always wanted to stay longer, but his job didn’t really allow it.”

“What did he do?” Katie asked, finally turning to look at him.

“He was a firefighter. Summer… summer was always a busy time for him, but he made a point to bring me out here anyway. I wish I’d told him how much that meant to me.”

Past tense. Katie’s heart constricted. She didn’t need to ask the reason for that. “I’m sure he knew,” she said gently. “That’s why he came out here with you.”

Keith didn’t say anything else for a long time. He barely even moved when Kosmo padded over to join them, pressing his body against him. It wasn’t until the sun had fully risen over the mountaintops that he pushed away from the rail and held out a hand to Katie. “Ready to go back?”

Katie smiled as she accepted his hand. “I’m ready.”

The days blurred together and it felt as though one minute she was standing at the overlook, listening to Keith talk about his father, and the next they were laughing over Kosmo’s antics, whether the dog was splashing through a river and ignoring all attempts to get him out, or chasing around the local wildlife.

A particularly memorable occasion had them stopping to remove the vest-like backpack that Kosmo wore, in order to properly dry it out and make sure the treats tucked away in the pockets hadn’t gotten too soaked during his adventure.

“You’re a menace,” Keith told his dog, his voice warm with affection.

Before she knew it, that fated final day had arrived.

Cold dread settled in Katie’s chest from the moment she woke that morning. It was the last day she’d get to travel with Keith. The last day she’d get to spend time with him. And though she tried her best to not let it drag her down as they walked, everyone was affected by her melancholy mood. 

She tried to talk. To stay upbeat, but not even Kosmo’s usual antics were enough to cheer her up. To make matters more difficult, Keith had gone quieter than usual.

It wasn’t how she wanted things to end.

The hours passed too quickly and before she knew it, she could hear cars running along a main road. 

Their journey was over.

There was Allura, waiting next to her blue sedan to pick them up. Shiro and Matt went ahead to greet her and start loading up their gear, while Katie lagged behind with Keith and Kosmo, but it wasn’t long before Kosmo barked and ran off to greet another person, his entire body wiggling in joy as he approached a woman who bore a strong resemblance to Keith.

“I guess this is it,” Katie said, her throat tight. She refused to cry. She wouldn’t.

“Katie, wait.”

Katie froze. Keith had reached out to take her hand, gentle enough that if she wanted to pull away, she could easily do so. She turned to face him, unsure of what he was going to say.

“I, um… I was wondering…” He paused to take a breath. “Do you want to get coffee? With me?”

“Coffee?” Katie repeated, not sure she was hearing correctly. The way he’d phrased it, it almost sounded like he was asking her on a date.

“I’ve heard good things about Juniberry’s.” Keith sounded nervous as he kept talking. “Unless you don’t like coffee. We could go someplace else. Sal’s? No, wait, not there. Um…”

He was asking her on a date. 

Katie’s heart skipped a beat at the realization. “I’d love coffee,” she told him, interrupting his rambling. “Juniberry’s sounds perfect.”

Keith looked relieved. “Is Tuesday okay?”

“Nine o’clock?” Katie asked in return, unable to stop a broad smile from spreading across her face.

She had a date!

“Nine o’clock,” Keith agreed. He smiled at her in return before Kosmo ran back to them, barking, and breaking up their moment.

But just like that, the melancholic atmosphere evaporated. Katie no longer felt the dread that had been plaguing her all morning. Things were looking bright.

She couldn’t wait for Tuesday to arrive.

[demon-witch-cat]

Quick HC for my Keith and Grey Branch brothers AU that I've still yet to come up with a name for!

Branch calls Keith Bug/Little Bug sometimes

Branch started calling him that because Keith kept following him and would not leave him alone(like a bug), so he'd say things like, "Ah, the little Bug has returned to bother me." or "You sure do ask a lot of personal questions, Bug." And even "Alright, Little Bug, it's time for you to Shoo away now."

But when he started getting used to Keith, becoming fonder of him, and seeing him as a little brother, it changes more to a fond little nickname. "That was a good one, Bug" "Thanks for the help today, Little Bug" "I see the Bugs got some extra energy today!" And, "Dont worry about Bug."

Keith loves the nickname! He loved it from the beginning! He loves it so much that he slowly gains an interest in learning about bugs. When they're walking around the forest, and they see/pass by a bug, Keith will ask questions about it and sometimes try to get close to it. This is normally fine with Branch, as long as he doesn't wander off. But sometimes the creatures aren't very safe, and oh my hair! Put that down Keith, if that bites you, you'll get SO sick!

[enig998]

Kidge fic - Victorian AU

Here’s the fic I promised. :D

———————

After the sudden disappearance of her father and brother, along with their family friend, Takashi Shirogane, during a business trip, Katie Holt runs away from her small village to the vast but mysterious streets of London to find her loved ones.

Disguising herself as a boy, Katie— now Pidge— takes up a small job as a newspaper boy wondering and searching for any sort of information or clues she can find on her family.

She manages to have several useful contacts over the next few months around the city, knowing almost everything and everyone. Her favourite contacts are Rolo, Nyma and Beezer. This in turn, earns her the title ‘The Way-Finder’ among the working class and some of the nobles as well— lost something/someone? Leave it to Pidge!

Lance and Hunk are her most frequent customers; she sees them almost everyday. The former often comes frantically running towards Pidge, begging the newspaper boy to find a particular cat named Green. Said cat wasn’t exactly owned by the lanky nobleman, he claimed it belonged to a very important friend; he made sure to keep his blabbering mouth in check when Pidge often tried to switch the topic towards Green’s owner, Lance had yet to crack under her intense interrogation.

It was never hard finding Green though, in fact, the cat found her most of the time until it became apparent that whenever Lance noticed the feline missing, he’d make a buzz for Pidge.

“It’s as though she turns invisible for a couple of seconds!” Lance complained while he glared at Green who was comfortably curled on Pidge’s lap, “The other cats are definitely a handful but recently Green just seems on edge to get away from me and see you. It is ironic, considering the fact that Red is considered the more moody of the bunch; I’m surprised Green beat him to it.”

Turns out, Lance babysits five cats for his so-called ‘important’ friend; all of them are named after a colour: Black, Red, Green, Blue and Yellow.

Hunk met Pidge when he was out on a walk on a fortunate sunny day. He noticed the newspaper boy practically ogling the latest factory machines that we’re being experimented on in the warehouse the engineer worked in.

When he approached Pidge, Hunk only meant to start a small conversation with the boy, but in a matter of seconds the two were enthusiastically talking and sharing their interest and ideas on the latest forms of engineering and communications. The latter was already best friends with Lance and the two often walked by her path to greet her a good day. Out of the two boys, Hunk is the only one who secretly knows Pidge is a girl.

Even after a year of staying in London, Pidge’s search for her family has barely made any progress— it frustrates her how easy it is to find something for someone else but not being able to do the same for own herself.

Enter Keith Kogane, a young man from the infamous Galra noble family asking Pidge’s help to find his brother, Takashi Shirogane.

“That’ll cost ya’ £100, Mr. Kogane,” Pidge had already held up her hand right in front of his face.

“What?!” Keith spluttered out, “That price is absurd! I heard from Hunk that you charge someone only £5 every time you search for his cat.”

“Do you want me to find him for you or not?” Pidge shot back without missing a beat. Keith countered with a frightening glare before the two went on to a full argument about the payment.

In the end, Keith only gave Pidge £50 as an advance payment, while promising that the latter would receive the other half of the fee once the job was done.

Despite keeping her face calm and collected, Pidge’s mind was reeling, there was someone else also looking for Shiro and considering the boy’s heritage, this could open several locked doors for her in the upper ranks. Plus, since the boy was ridiculously rich, she might as well exploit him a little; she hasn’t had a decent meal in weeks because of slow business lately.

Mr. Kogane— who later allows Pidge to call him Keith, is the only customer the latter has had where the two have to work together. Pidge always works solo but she really did need Keith’s help to get some questions answered.

While working together, Keith starts suspecting Pidge’s true gender. He was known for being very observant in his surroundings and everything about the way Pidge walked, talked and appeared just screamed ‘female’ to him even though those hints were as subtle as a spec of dust on a table, hidden by the sun’s rays making it almost impossible to figure out if it’s there or not. He even noticed that on a couple of occasions, the newspaper ‘boy’ would stare longingly at the dresses that were held out on display.

A month passed where a lot of strange events took place; Shiro was mysteriously found unconscious around the the river Thames with a strange prosthetic right arm and just about no memories as to what happened or how he ended up there. While Pidge was happy finding Shiro, it hurt knowing that she still couldn’t find anything on her father and brother, nor could she reveal her true identity to him yet. After recovering him, the trio were suddenly caught by royal guards, instead of them demanding any sort of explanation, they simply escorted the three to the royal palace, where none other than Queen Allura herself had asked for their audience. Pidge could barely register the fact that Lance and Hunk were already at the royal court with them, she was still trying to grasp the concept of why she was here. Even Keith was in a daze.

Pidge glanced at Lance for an explanation before Green suddenly came running towards her and rubbed her body against the former’s legs.

A soft giggle escaped the queen’s lips, “So this is the one who you often run off to?” The white haired royal looked at Green while asking the question.

In response, the cat let out a adorable meow before setting herself comfortably on Pidge’s right foot.

So that’s who Lance’s ‘important’ friend was...

It wasn’t horrifying hearing the queen talk about an assassination attempt on her life a few days before, what was truly horrifying was hearing that her missing family were taken prisoners by them for human trafficking. Upon Lance’s recommendation, Queen Allura asked the five attendees to help solve this case; killing two yalmors with one meteorite, that’s what the royal advisor, Coran, added, whatever that meant.

“It’s simple”, Lance gestured with his right hand, “Shiro so far has had the most contact with them, plus since he’s also from the military so that makes him a huge asset.” Said man seemed to stifle slightly but held a firm posture, even though he was in a much worse condition than everyone combined.

“I’m your ticket to just about any and every party and event London has to offer,” Lance boasted before winking at the queen, “I would also like to add that I was an excellent shooter back in my military day, still am,”

His hand gestured towards Hunk, “This fine gentleman not only excels at cooking and engineering but is also a well qualified medic for the field,” the large man blushed at the compliment.

“Mr. Hotshot here,” Lance pointed while closing his hand to a fist and pointing only with his thumb continued, “also has military experience but his connections with the Galra household are extremely valuable,” the nobleman grumble while glaring at Keith.

The black haired boy could only stare at Lance in confusion, he leaned towards Pidge whispering, “... Am I supposed to know him? He seems really mad”.

Apparently he wasn’t quiet enough because Lance heard him, “You and I were in the same rank under Iverson!” He replied exasperatedly, this time pointed his index finger at Kogane, “You and I were always competing with one another!”

“We were?” Keith only arched an eyebrow.

“YES WE WERE— NEVERMIND THAT THEN!” The lanky boy cleared his throat to stop his little tantrum, “moving on. Lastly, we have Pidge, the one any only Way-finder of London. There is nothing he can’t find around these streets!” Lance ended with an excited grin.

Queen Allura stayed silent for a few moments before she asked the groups if they wanted to take up the job. Pidge was the first to accept; her family could finally be found, there is no way she could back down from this.

Before Pidge and the rest of the group were allowed to take the guest rooms of the palace— upon the queen’s insistence— Coran called behind them.

“You all get yourselves well rested nice and tight before starting the day off tomorrow— especially you Shiro”, he spoke, “Meanwhile, I shall make sure the royal servants fetch you some dresses Pidge, can’t have a lovely lady like you solving our case in ragged clothes— Oh! We’ll get some fine clothings for you as well Shiro!”

No one heard the last part; they were all too busy trying to put together ‘dresses’, ‘Pidge’ and ‘lady’ in one sentence. The court room exploded after five seconds.

Shiro was the first to speak after he finally looked at Pidge, “... Wait a minute, Katie?! Is that you?”

“Pidge is a what!?” Even the queen lost her regal demeanour.

“WHA— YOU’RE A GIRL?!” Lance was being Lance.

“Guess your secret’s out, sorry about that Pidge— no Katie? ... What do you want us to call you now that everyone knows you’re a girl?” Hunk’s reaction didn’t help calming the girl’s nerves.

Lance head instantly turned towards Hunk, “Wait, you already knew about it?!”

Keith simply nodded is head, so his assumptions were true.

Pidge could only turn to glare at Coran for his mistake, causing the man to take a step back for fear of facing the girl’s wrath, “I didn’t know it was supposed to be a secret!” He said it while holding up his arms.

“PIDGE YOU HAVE GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!!!” Pidge sighed at Lance’s overreaction.

It took three whole months for the case to finally be resolved after figuring out who they were dealing with; surprise surprise, the Galra household’s main branch. That involved meddling with the intimidating Zarkon, the insidious Lotor and the terrifying Haggar; all three family member’s plan involved nothing less than world domination.

During that time, Pidge was also able to find her brother and father and returned home promptly after her long goodbyes were settled with Team Voltron— another stranger idea suggested (and ironically accepted among everyone) by Coran.

Life was peaceful again for Pidge, despite receiving a year’s worth of chores as a punishment for what she made her poor mother go through when she ran away.

A couple of days later, a parcel arrives at the Holt’s doorstep and on top of the package are several letters attached to it for Pidge.

By opening the parcel, the young lady was able to find a beautiful green dress with hints of gold on the edges. It was simply the most beautiful piece of clothing Pidge had ever seen. Not even the dresses that the queen had offered her could compare to this one— technically she didn’t dare wearing any of those dresses even after her secret was out, she still had to hide her cover among her contacts.

Pidge next opened the biggest and the most heaviest letter first, inside she was surprised to find £50 that came rolling out so suddenly. The girl stared dumbfounded at the large sum before her attention shifted towards the other letters.

Lance’s letters promised many future visits, some even claimed Queen Allura and Coran might join as well. The queen and her advisor offered her the best wishes for her future; the former even asked if the two could converse like close friends and meet from time to time. Hunk asked her if she was willing to come back to London any time soon, he wanted to show her the latest factory mechanism he was working on as well as some new dishes that made the girl’s mouth water. Shiro wrote about his recovery going well with time but complained immensely about a brilliant but obnoxious scientist, Dr. Slav, who was willing to build him a new prosthetic arm.

Keith’s letter felt more like a telegram,it only seemed to acknowledge Pidge’s fee for completing her job by finding Shiro; nothing more, nothing less.

Pidge was a bit disappointed seeing how despite the partnership, Keith probably didn’t want anything else to do with her.

After a moment she gathered all her letters and put them safely in her chest before she picked up the dress to show it to her family. Suddenly, a secret letter fell off from inside the dress on the floor; it was from Lance. After reading it’s contents, Pidge couldn’t help but smile through a whole week’s worth of chores— she was practically glowing in her mother’s eyes.

It was Keith who asked for Lance’s advice on dresses.

It was Keith who blushed as red as a tomato when he chose and bought the green dress for her.

It was Keith who was now often joked around with for frequently asking everyone else about her well being.

And it was Keith who was ‘secretly’ making plans for a party or two— even though he despised the very idea of social gatherings — so that she and her family could visit London again.

‘... He practically wrote the longest letter out of all of us combined but suddenly turned shy and decided against sending it. Lucky for us Pidge, I managed to get my hands on it!’

Pidge could practically feel his excitement from the letters.

‘Who knew Mullet head could be such a romantic sap; I bid you good luck with him Pidge.

Your partner in justice and fantastic sharpshooter,

Lance

P.S. the cats miss you, especially Green’

[b-kitsune]

Many ways to say I love you: Day Four.

Kidge-a-palooza 2019 Prompt: Fireworks. Pairing: Kidge (VLD) Universe: Supernatural! AU Status: Complete. 

''You know? Definitely green is your color.''

''Do you think?''

Pidge looked back at the mirror in front of her suspiciously, with the fabric of two kimonos around her shoulders to decide which of two choices for that night. After several hours deciding along with Shiro, that had been the only ones who had truly called her attention away from too flashy colors and extravagant designs that carried some. But at that point, she couldn't decide which of the two to use.

She wasn't good at deciding her own clothes from day to day. Many times, Pidge chose to use the first thing she found. The specialty of her work often meant that only a dress and a good suit of armor was enough to get through the day. And on special holidays, her family used to take care to dress her correctly to follow the established protocols of her maternal race.

How could she do it with a garment that wasn't even related to her culture?

But she had to do it, for Shiro. Pidge had agreed to bring something consistent to the situation, excited to Shiro as soon as she let him know she wanted to wear one of the traditional Japanese and visually comfortable outfits, to accompany him to the temple while they enjoyed what awaited them that night.

It wouldn't be fair to repent now when she had him almost all morning helping her choose a good kimono.

Damn it, even Curtis had been depressed (and somewhat jealous) as soon as Pidge got Shiro's full attention even before they got off the ship.

One of the clothes she had chosen was an Italian red with a sophisticated pattern of black sparrows around them, while a disgrace of the same color began at the beginning of the knees. Although it was stronger than the others, Shiro had considered it elegant, also, in case of encountering mud while walking through the sanctuary cause of the recent rains, the spots wouldn't be noticed as much.

The other was green, the same light green that she loved to wear in her adolescence, before meeting Shiro and her friends, when she was kept hidden under the protection of the trees and her family. The white degrades began to the middle of the torso and had lovely patterns of cherry branches stamped around it, which contrasted quite feminine.

Both were really beautiful.

When she turned around to see Shiro, she could see a slight tremor in his feet when his gaze moved towards the door, as if he were slightly nervous.

''Shiro?''

''Yes?'' He put his attention on Pidge as soon as she called his name, somewhat disoriented. ''Sorry, what did you say?''

''I didn't say anything ... Is everything all right?'' Asked worried, it wasn't normal (nor good) to see Shiro anxious about an issue, especially if he remained silent. ''You look altered.''

''It's not that ...'' Shiro stopped a few minutes to think while covering his mouth with one of his hands. After a few seconds, he sighed loudly. ''It's been many years since I've been here ... It's just, weird.''

''Do you feel okay?''

''Something like that.'' He shrugged, grieved. ''It's just ... I never expected to return to my native country, not after a war that took us so long to stop it. I have forgotten my own language a bit. It just feels weird, see all this.''

Pidge smiled in sympathy for his words when she saw Shiro's metal hand take one of the embroideries of the kimonos that were scattered around the room, with a look of nostalgia over his eyes. She could understand what he was referring to.

They had been fighting a war for many years and reestablishing the balance of magic in the world, which took, perhaps, the best years of them with them.

Returning to normality has been an odyssey for everyone. Maybe even more for Shiro, who has trained all his life as a warrior in the face of what was coming, losing his right arm.

Everyone's future would have been different if things hadn't become so dark over the years.

Allura would surely have married Lotor in different circumstances before he became corrupt and perished in the power of quintessence.

Lance would have continued to flirt with girls around him while making great fortunes with the search for unknown treasures.

Hunk and Romelle might never have met. And surely, they would have led normal lives around their villages and families.

Shiro may have inherited the title of kami as it was predestined from birth, protecting and guiding young souls from fatal fates.

And Keith ... Surely, he hadn't even known his supernatural heritage, or her.

But everything was finally over, even at the cost of many sacrifices in the process.

Like her own wings, for example.

It was a strange feeling, a sense of belonging faded by the passage of time and multiple experiences beyond comprehension. And for Shiro, it could be even worse considering that he had no family to return to the place he had called home. They had all perished before they sent him away to foreign lands to save his life.

But he had wanted to show them a habit that he remembered with longing in his childhood days, and go back to reliving his forgotten roots. For that reason, everyone had decided to accompany him to Kyoto and see the Tanabata festival, together as a family.

''We'll have a good time, isn't it?'' Pidge said, at last, Shiro smiled affirmatively after a few minutes of reflection. Rising from the ground to stand in front of her. Pidge looked at him expectantly, his kimono had opened slightly, showing part of his chest. Although Shiro didn't seem to mind.

''Yeah, everything will be fine. Although ...'' He touched her neck uncomfortably. ''I hope that Lance and Keith get to behave like adults who are, and not cause problems.''

''Well, they haven't been fighting as they did in the castle of the lions if that's what you mean. It is rather a friendly competition.''

''I wouldn't trust so much in them. Besides ... "He turned her back so Pidge could see herself in the mirror again, placing the red kimono on his shoulders and ordered it with his hands. ''Keith has been especially active in recent months as if he was demonstrating something ... Or for someone. Can you know the reason, Katie?'' The mention of her name caused a bad feeling to travel on her back, Shiro was insinuating something.

''Keith is weird, I thought you were the one who knew him better than all of us.'' She looked away nervously, without letting go of Shiro's inquisitive tone. Nor his penetrating gaze that could feel her even through her reflection.

''Speaking of which, Krolia told me that dragons usually have quite interesting rituals about the courtship of a couple.''

''Oh yeah?'' Pidge tried to look casual while Shiro approached one of the furniture to take a cloth that worked as a belt. Deciding on the black that matched her kimono. ''Like which?''

''Call attention through fighting, obviously.'' Shiro laughed lightly. She would have, too, if she weren't so nervous, remembering the last controversies Keith had been having with any male entity that was in his way. Especially, around her. ''She also said that it usually happens in later stages of adolescence. Because of course, they are very busy demonstrating how impressive their first years of life are.''

''That would explain why Keith didn't court any nymph when he was young.''

''You're all still young Pidge, you're under twenty-five.'' This time, it was her turn to laugh. Shiro sighed with regret. ''Out of games, don't think I haven't seen what you two are playing since the war ended. You can cheat the coalition, Lance or Hunk, even your parents with some care and a few charms of altering reality ... But I would like you to be truly honest with me.'' Pidge swallowed lasted for the sincerity of his words. ''Keith and you ...''

''I don't know, Shiro.'' She vomited, finally, rolling the kimono with her fingers, she felt a little nervous about the situation. Pidge didn't expect to be talking about that kind of thing with him, for Pidge, Shiro was like an older brother. ''I ... Sometimes it seems like yes, we go out, we spend time and all that. He is kind to me and always lets me go behind his back to have the feeling of flying again, but ... He always ends up going for months on a humanitarian aid mission across the continent. And he returns as if nothing had happened between us.''

''I don't understand ... You two didn't fuck when I was missing?''

''Who told you that!?'' Pidge's face achieved a furious red, similar to the folds of her kimono. Shiro snorted funny.

''Allura told me, she always knows everything.''

''Of course, she always knows everything ... Meddling Elf ...'' Shiro smiled faintly when he saw the frustration on her face. It was understandable, Allura was always very irrelevant to personal space. And the hereditary side of Colleen came to light in Pidge of being extremely reserved with her private life.

''You don't have to worry about that, although I'm a bit funny that you're doing things the other way around. You know, usually you know the person, talk about your interests, then start a relationship. And after that, you start-

''We were in a war, he had lost his only remaining family, and I had lost my wings to save him from Zarcon's attack.''

Pidge stopped for a moment, touching one of her shoulder blades subtly, where the unmistakable characteristic of her father's inheritance was supposed to be. But she knew that if she took off her clothes, there would be nothing there except for big scars that sometimes resented the cold.

She had sacrificed her identity for the greater good at a time of which Shiro's voice had sounded so loud in her head that she doesn't doubt at any time.

She hadn't blamed Shiro for ordering something so risky. If she went back to that moment, would have done it again without hesitation. Pidge would have returned to save Keith from devastating death.

''After you disappeared for months ... Keith and I were broken in different ways. We simply complement each other without thinking too much about it. We needed to keep going at all costs, looking for you in the process.''

''I see ...'' Responded Shiro reflexively. It sounded like something Keith would do.

''With respect to his attitude as adolescent emo reinvented, I don't know where it came from, honestly.''

''Don't worry about that, it's possible that it's because he has spent too much time with Lance and something ... In his genetics, it could start to take sides in his decisions, it may happen over time. You may not even be aware of it. A few years ago, he knew where he came from, who his mother was and who he really was. Give him some time, I'm sure you're important to him Katie, even long before you could imagine.''

''I hope so…''

Pidge looked up once she heard Shiro sigh contentedly for his work. The kimono had been placed on top of her clothes, but he felt a strange sense of pride as it shone on her body. The Asian females were naturally thin and without pronounced curves, so the traditional clothes fulfilled the function of not accentuating anything, but hiding and giving an elegant harmony to the female body.

For the first time in many years, she felt pretty with herself. She turned to see Shiro who was as happy as she was.

''The red will be then.''

''It's good that you say it, do you know what is another of the courtship traditions that Krolia told me?''

''Which one?''

''That the dragons add the color of their scales to their suitors as a sign of acceptance.''

 ...

 Keith was somewhat anxious about that night. Rather, quite anxious, enough to keep moving while Lance gave a few touches to his hair before heading to the event that night. So much so that Lance grumbled in frustration when Keith looked up at his hand clock, completely ruining his work in a few seconds.

''You know what? I'm done with you; I don't want to continue with this if you're going to squirming all the time.''

''Sorry, Lance ...'' He answered tired, reaching before he got up and left the room. Keith looked down at the ground, saddened by his behavior. ''It's just, it's kind of hard to keep quiet tonight.''

''Is it cause of the people? Keith, nobody in this country knows us, everything will be fine. Also, there are more rare things than a fire dragon around the streets. They will not try to hunt you down.''

'What? No, it isn't that.'' Keith snorted when Lance returned to his place and again felt his hands in his hair. ''I want ... Ask Pidge to be my partner.''

''Cool! For what?'' Keith watched him confused through the mirror for his relaxed attitude to his open statement. Usually, Lance was extremely protective of Pidge, treating her almost like a younger sister. ''Will you go on a distant trip? Or are you in a kind of scientific research that requires some nymph?''

''Lance, I want to marry her, not to accompany me somewhere.''

''You what!? Who told you could do that !?''

''Oh, there it is.''

''This it's serious Keith! If it's just another one of your transient dragon things, I'm going to-''

''It is not.'' Responded determined, stopping Lance's verbiage. ''I've been thinking about it for many years, and I know it's the right thing to do. I ... I want to be with her, I'm sorry. Pidge is the only one I need on my way.''

''Wow, you're serious.''

''Of course, I'm serious, it's Pidge!'' He shouted frustrated, but Lance didn't allow him to turn to face him.

''Really? I never saw you as a romantic couple, when we were together, it seemed rather that you took care of her by Shiro's orders.''

''At first, if it was like this ... But when I started talking with her, I felt strangely understood. She is a hybrid, just like me. And when I found out who my mother was, Pidge was the one who supported me most to accept me.'' Keith smiled wistfully; it had been many years since then.

''Well in that case ...'' He took his hair again, handling it in a different way while he was taking out small ornaments through the drawers of his shelf. ''I want you to know, that, although this is all very strange for me, I love you both, and I know from Allura that you have been shooting each other since the war ended.''

''Meddling Elf ...'' Whispered with annoyance, and found it strange that the mice came to them every time they were alone. Lance tugged at his hair when he heard it, but he smiled quickly.

''Do the best you can Keith. I will be supporting you in the shadows.''

When he looked at himself in the mirror, Keith could see something curiously interesting. His hair had been collected in a simple braid, which fell on her right shoulder. He could see small rows of smaller braids coming together across the road, and silver ornaments that shone beautifully around him.

It was a flashy hairstyle, but simple in turn, that reminded him momentarily of the one used by the fairies in ascension rituals, and it looked vaguely like Matt's when they first met him.

Something of the heritage that Pidge so longed to connect with.

Keith smirked, giving Lance a big hug for the gesture and moral support. He really needed it. After that, they decided to go with Shiro to choose the ideal kimono for that night.

 ...

 The night quickly fell in the foreign sky, with a magical air around it that enchanted everyone when they descended the stairs of Shiro's house. The roads were full of people who wandered from the temple and back, looking for snacks that the stores had to offer and one or another daily game for the moment.

Keith and Pidge were at a safe distance while the others came forward talking about the news they were watching. Pidge was leaning with Keith's arm at the difficulty of walking in sandals that she didn't use, and Keith was trying to do everything possible not to die of a shame since he saw her leave Shiro's room.

She wore a beautiful kimono of sparrows taking flight to the surroundings, which were lost in the sleeves, which accentuated wonderfully to her body giving her a much more elegant image, and her hair taken in a simple hairstyle with a hairpin at her side, gave to Pidge the maturity that used to be lost in its fine features most of the time.

But what caught his attention was the color so gloomily similar to his scales that she wore with pride. Wondering if maybe it had been Shiro's work since he was the only one who knew about the courtship rituals of his race.

He tried to take a deep breath as he followed the path his friends led as soon as they entered a much more agglomerated sector while attending to what Pidge used to tell him when something caught her attention.

Everything would be fine; Lance had assured him before leaving.

''Hey Shiro, why are there papers in the trees?''

Pidge took a few moments away from Keith to touch the papers that hung on the top of the bamboo at the main entrance to the temple. Giving them a pretty colorful appearance. They could see more than one person that they were hanging while away with some happiness on their faces. For what Shiro decided to explain.

''These are desires that people hang for them to come true, written in the tanzaku, the small papers they see there. Whatever you want, you hang it here, and after the festival, they are burned to reach the gods.''

''What a curious tradition.'' Coran approached while he saw other ornaments that accompany the wishes around the branches.

''Can we try?''

When Allura asked a little excited about the idea, Shiro nodded amused and guided them where they could find some tanzaku to start writing what they wanted in the bamboo. When they finished, they went to the highest part of the temple to wait for the fireworks that would appear in a few minutes more.

In the bustle of conversation while Hunk and Coran tasted some candy they bought on the way, Keith took Pidge's hand and asked her to follow him to a desolate part of the forest that surrounded the temple, quietly so that no one would notice at the time. She nodded curiously, holding his hand tightly, it's not as if it was the first time Keith had acted so mysteriously. Her heart beat with anticipation.

They walked many minutes in silence, observing the wonderful fauna of the place so different from their own home, and similar at the same time. The noise of the festival could still be heard from above, along with the lights that adorned the streets warmly. Their clothes gave them an air of comfort that they appreciated enough when moving around the earth.

They were far enough away until Pidge stopped to sit on a wooden chair at the end of the road. Keith approached her worriedly.

''Something happens?''

''No, it's just the sandals. I'm not handled using something like this for a long time.'' Pidge put them aside while massaging the contour of the instep. ''Still a lot to where you want to take me?''

''No, I think that's fine here.''

Keith approached her to remove the strange sock on her feet. The skin looked slightly red and somewhat swollen by the use of sandals. So, he continued to do a light massage to calm the pain of the area. Pidge complained weakly but didn't move away from his touch.

''Fairies shouldn't bring that kind of stuff on their feet.'' Keith said sympathetically, making Pidge grumble with a crooked smile.

''Well, I also have nymph blood thanks to my mother, and we wear shoes even inside the house.''

''But you're not used to this, besides ...'' He kissed one of her fingers as soon as he stopped, making her jump by surprise. Pidge was embarrassed when she felt his lips on her bare skin. ''Your kimono looks better with bare feet''

''Oh yeah?'' Pidge replied with some coquettishness in her tone of voice, taking the foot that Keith had in his hands to his chin, making him look up at her. His eyes seemed to pierce her soul. ''I can read your thoughts, Keith. You know I would look much more beautiful without the kimono.''

''Pidge ...''

Keith's tone warned her that she had lit the fire inside him, approaching her like a hunter on his prey, feeling his breath close to her lips, expectant. Pidge had a big smile on her face, she had pressed the right button.

''Why did you bring me here, away from all our friends?'' It surrounded the neck of Keith to approach it towards her in a slow movement. His lips resting on the outline of her neck. ''Are you trying to stain the precious and innocent date that Shiro organized for all of us? What a cruel dragon you are ...''

''Just me?''

He said funny, walking away from her before he couldn't think correctly. Pidge could be seen as someone completely oblivious to worldly desires, which was a complete lie. The lust of that petite nymph competed with his. He gave her a soft kiss on her lips, demonstrating all the sincere love he had for her. Pidge looked at him expectantly, reflecting the stars on her beautiful golden eyes, that red color highlighted her beauty in a way that Keith’s heart beat wildly, like a teenager in full swing.

Any questions he might have before while talking with Lance had disappeared. He was completely sure that he loved that woman.

He didn't know at that moment, or in what second, they heard an explosion so strong that both turned their eyes to the sky. There they could see the fire consumed in multiple colors that painted everything in its path.

So that's what Shiro meant with the fireworks.

It was truly a wonderful image.

While Pidge was distracted watching the explosions, Keith whispered those important words in her ear. To be sure that she heard it the first time.

Pidge looked away slowly, forgetting the spectacle, then nodding frantically as she hugged him with a smile he had never seen since he met her in that war.

The heart of both couldn't feel warmer that night while watching the fireworks explode over the sky and their hearts were filled with intense love. They didn't need the tanzaku, their wishes had come true.

[mizu-writes-kumo]

Its my birthday today and I was hoping you could please do more for that shance Tarzan au. That one is my favorite.

Happy belated Birthday, my dear!  Sorry this took me a few days to get back to you, so sorry I missed your birthday.  (But admittedly I was lazy and didn’t write when I should have).  I hope you enjoy this!

You can also head it here on AO3!

--

Shiro didn’t like lying to his family and friends.

But he liked seeing Lance a whole lot more.

Lance had so many interesting things to teach him.  Had so many things Shiro had never seen before.  He could do so many things Shiro never thought possible with all the things too.  And he would calmly help Shiro understand how to use them.  

It was like he had a whole other world he was showing Shiro.

And it was great.

Shiro was learning so much.

Like how to communicate better with Lance, and his group.  He learned things called words and letters, and how to do a thing called reading from a thin little book.  Something Lance had seemed excited to find one morning in his weird nesting grounds.

And he learned about their diet and how to eat certain things.

And was shown pictures and drawings and other things of Lance’s world.

And about things called stars.  He looked at the dots in the sky closer than ever with a device Lance’s friend Coran had.  While Lance told him stories about the stars and the pictures in the sky.

It was great and wonderful.

The only not so great thing, was Sendack.

Who huffed and puffed about impatiently at just about everything.

He didn’t seem to like Lance.  

Shiro really didn’t seem to understand how anyone could not like Lance.  Though Lance didn’t seem to like him back, so…

Sendack was always seeming to grow angry or frustrated whenever Shiro would find something Lance was doing more interesting.  Or glare at Lance whenever he didn’t seem to press Shiro for what he wanted to do.  Stomping away into the brush sometimes when Lance would refuse to budge on something.  The two seemed to get in a lot of arguments, and Allura and Coran seemed to favor more towards Lance in terms of what the two were fighting about. Which never seemed to help Sendack’s mood.

But it wasn’t the worst.

Shiro’s lying to his family was probably the worst.

His mother asked every morning and every evening what he was doing with his sunlight.  His brother, Keith, and friends all seemed to have an idea of what he does.  Just not the extent perhaps.  Because Keith always tells him to be careful and not to get too close.  Hunk worries about a whole array of things.  Pidge and Matt don’t seem to overly care, but Shiro knows they worry in their own ways.

But as long as Shiro returns as the sun falls away, he is fine.

No one questions him too much when he says he just went about exploring.  

He had always been a curious young one, and as long as he returned okay, there was no need to worry.  Sometimes Shiro’s wonders had led their group to newer better things. And rarely did anything bad come out of it since Shiro had grown and matured.

So it was fine.

And it gave Shiro all the time he wanted with Lance.

Who Shiro couldn’t currently find as he looked around the nest area.

Allura was standing by a table, hunched over a bit as she looked at something on it.  Occasionally drinking from the cup she had beside her.  Not once looking up from what had her attention to grab it...a skill Shiro had yet to understand how to do.  Of course he was also still learning how to hold a cup properly from Allura...but still.

Coran was fluttering around his nest structure.  Doing something with the things he wore on his feet.  Boots...Lance had called them or something.  He was using something to wipe at them with, before examining them, then repeating the processes.  Occasionally stopping to scribbling something down in a book.

And Lance….

Lance was…no where...in sight…

No!  Lance was sitting on a large fallen branch of an old tree on the edge of camp.  His back to Shiro as he slowly moved to curl up.  Moving carefully with his personal book, just so, as to not startled the bird that was settling on a branc--

“Pay attention!”  Sendack huffed sharply as he yanked Shiro’s face back to the book he had, and the large paper called a map.  “Tell me where the gorillas are.”  The larger man demanded as he pointed and a picture of an angry gorilla.  “I know you know where they are, so tell me!”

Shiro grunted as he wiggled out of Sendack’s hold.

Pushing and shoving the book and map away as well.  He slipped just out of Sendack’s reach as the larger man tried to grab both him and the papers.  And he ignored Sendack’s annoyed sounds as he hurried over to where Lance was curled around his book.  Moving with short movements and the familiar scratching sound of his pencil.

Lance turned a bit at the sounds behind him.

He smiled instantly as Shiro made his way over to him.  Almost instantly shifting for Shiro to have a space to beside him on the branch.  And he held his blank book out for Shiro to look at when he curiously tried to peek around Lance’s shoulder at it.

On the page was the bird.  

A drawing of it, as Lance had explained to him once.  It was something he could do.  Both to record the things he saw in the jungle, and just for fun or a thing called relaxation.

The drawing looked very much like the bird’s head.

But it was still missing the body.

Lance turned pulled the book to do more.  Turning away from Shiro and back to where the bird had perched themselves on the branch for a rest.  Only….

It wasn’t there any more.

“Dammit.”  Lance huffed as his shoulders drop.  Before he sighed heavily to himself as he closed his book.  “They always fly away before I’m done.” He stated as he put his cheek in his hand and turned to Shiro.  “Mostly because Sendack is a loud oaf, but I’ve seen one that close before.  I thought if I hurried...”

 Shiro tilted his head at Lance.

He half understands what the other was saying. But…

Lance sighed.  “It doesn’t matter.  I am sure there will be another...eventually.”  He looked wishfully at where the bird last was.

Shiro didn’t understand was Lance was so saddened by the bird being gone.  

Shiro saw those birds all the time in the jungle.  Countless amounts of them flying around and nesting.  He also knew which fruits and seeds they liked so they weren’t afraid of him, and trusted him as he swung about.

Suddenly an idea hit Shiro.

He quickly moved past Lance and a bit into the jungle’s open.  Turning back to look at Lance who has blinked at him in surprise, before he glanced at a device on his wrist.  It was something that kept a thing called time for Lance.  But Lance raised an eyebrow at Shiro when he looked back.

“You leaving me too?”  Lance asked with a small sign.

“No, Lance come.”  Shiro huffed in Lance’s ways, as he moved to reach out for Lance.

Lance looked at him oddly.

“Lance come with Shiro.”  Shiro stated more clearly as he bounced a bit closer to Lance.  “Shiro show.”

Lance looked back at the nesting area and the others.  

Seeming unsure of what to do.

“Just Lance come.”  Shiro said as he gently took a hold of Lance’s arm.  “Lance come with Shiro.  Shiro show just Lance.”  He added as he carefully pulled Lance along.

The other still resisted.

“Shiro show Lance the birds.”  Shiro stated confidently.  “Shiro know where.”

Slowly, Lance started to follow.

----

Shiro could feel Lance tightly gripped on to him.

It’s frightfully tight hold where Lance managed to grip him.  

And totally unnecessary, before Shiro has Lance well gripped with his legs.  He even looped his toes through some loops on Lance’s pants as well. Not to mention Lance had tied done something with one of his clothing items to insure he didn’t slip out of Shiro’s hold. Muttering something about how Allura would kill him if he died falling to his death.

But Shiro knows he won’t drop Lance.  

He had carried Keith, and Pidge in similar manners up some of the jungle vines.  And at least Keith was heavier than Lance, but Pidge could be a wiggler.  He had no problem with either.

Shiro just carried on hosting them both up the vines into the treetops.

Occasionally he would peek down at Lance. 

Just to see if he was okay.

Most of the time he just seemed rather frightened by the height.  Or maybe it was just the fact that they could just drop.  Because Shiro knew Lance could climb rather descently up a few jungle trees on his own.  And he always seemed to panic when Shiro would just jump off something.  

Yet there were other times where there was a dusting of a red color to his cheeks.

“How much longer Shiro?”  Lance asked gently.

“Close.”  Shiro answered back as he looked up.

Only a few more grasps up before they reached the branch the vine hung from.  Then Shiro could host them up onto the larger branch that would lead to where he was taking Lance.  It really wasn’t far or much longer.  

He couldn’t wait for Lance to see.

Which was probably why it took them no time to get onto the branch.

It was slower to get to the protective bush of the location.  Mostly due to Lance being slow to move along the branch with him.  He was wary of where he stepped, and his balance wasn’t as perfect as Shiro’s.

But they got there, and Shiro pulled back the brush to reveal…

Countless birds flying and existing in the green space.  Completely unbothered by Shiro’s sudden presence, and kept on with what they were doing.  Like some continued nesting, or grooming their feathers, or cuddling up to their buddies.  All chirping and chattering away.

Shiro smiled as he turned back to look at Lance.

Find the other’s eyes widening with amazement.

“Oh...wow....Shiro…”  He said slowly as he blue eyes scanned the sight before him.  “There are so many of them.  So close, I could touch them.  I’ve...I’ve...I’ve never seen anything like this.  This is amazing.”

Shiro carefully guided them in.

The birds know Shiro, but they could still be frightened by a sudden movement.

Lance just kept looking around him.  

Gasping every so often the more he looked around.

Shiro grabbed Lance’s right wrist, and holding it up in the air.  He carefully adjusted Lance’s hand to be just the way he knew the birds like for a landing point.  And instantly one flew to land right on Lance’s hand and peer at the two curiously.

“Oh...my…”  Lance whispered beside Shiro, before two more birds Lance on him.

Lance held up more of his arm to accommodate the two new birds.  And instantly a few more flocked to land on him, all the way up to his shoulder.  Lance stilled a bit, before holding out his left for the process to repeat and he was well covered in the colorful birds.  Shiro could feel the birds perching on him as well, and chirping happily.

Lance turned to Shiro with a small smile on his lips.

Before he shorted and started laughing.

“Oh this is so amazing.”  Lance stated with a joyful sounding bark of a laugh.  “I...how...Shiro, this is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”

“My world.”  Shiro said simply as he scratched at a bird’s underbelly lightly.

He turned back to look at Lance covered in birds.

With an expression Shiro didn’t know what it meant.

“Thank you, Shiro”  Lance said softly.  “For showing this to me.”

Then he leaned forward towards Shiro and put his lips to Shiro’s cheeks for a moment before pulling away.

Shiro didn’t understand gesture.  

Not in the way Lance properly did.  

But it made Shiro feel warm inside and out,  As well as fuzzy and light, with a feeling in his stomach he couldn’t really describe.   And as he reached up to touch his cheek it was like he could still feel Lance’s lips there.  

He turned to ask Lance what he done.

Only the other’s attention had turned to laughing at a bird that had landed on his head and was curiously peering down at him.  He made a face as it chirped and squacked down at him in protest.  It was too precious, Shiro didn’t want to ruin it..

The question could wait for another time.

For the time being, Shiro just wanted to show Lance his world.

--

AN: So I did this from Shiro’s POV, since that technically like the only way to do Strangers Like Me.  And I specifically did the bird scene in that song, cause like I always think it’s so cute.  But like I give it my own little flare with Lance giving Shiro a kiss, and Shiro being excited but not understanding, cause it just seemed cuter.

To me, this is great, mostly because it’s a little rush, and I think the tone is different than the other parts...but they have also been from Lance’s POV so.  I don’t know.

Also pretty sure tumbr got rid of my italics...and I just don’t want to go back.