#baldur valleros

[bedtimegiraffe]

Here's my little essay about King Arlan (and a little bit about Baldur) and their complicated relationship with ruling effectively.

Arlan, the (overall) very good king

King Arlan is keeping the kingdom running well

In the very first lore tablet, you learn that, "King Arlan Valleros VII currently sits on the throne. Known as the Gentle King, Arlan has reigned over a period of great peace and prosperity."

Periods of great peace and prosperity are not easy! It's a combination of luck, delegating effectively, and putting in a ton of administrative work to make sure the laws and policies work for the unique situation your nation is in at this moment. That stuff does not happen on accident.

Based on Aerin's statements that he never really saw his father, I'm assuming Arlan keeps busy with actually running the country. We never see Arlan show interest in hunting or any vices that would take similar amounts of time. I also don't get the sense that Arlan and Baldur are always like, hanging out. And we don't interact with many administrators, making him seem pretty hands-on.

King Arlan knows how to maintain an image

When you return from the Shadow Realm...

King Arlan is very savvy. Maybe he's sincere, who knows! But publicly honoring the heroes who saved your ass is a great way to get goodwill for yourself and make it so you no longer owe those heroes. Your party puts in quite a lot of work to save Morella and King Arlan just lets you take some weapons and armor no one was using anyway. Doesn't even send a single guard to help. Unlike Book 2...

Before the battle he does a great job making it seem like he's doing you a favor. Like you asked for his help and he's magnanimously granting it, even though the Ash Empire is very much coming to destroy his capital!

Which brings us to his take on Aerin being gone (assuming he was imprisoned previously)...

This is an awful thing to say about your son! But it's actually a pretty cunning move as a king. Arlan was absolutely right- his best move was to let Aerin go and hope he got killed. He gets to eliminate a problem making him look bad to the court (his son who committed murder and treason in a very public manner) and keep his reputation as a nice guy. He's the 'Gentle King,' not the 'Strong King' or 'Decisive King.'

And in the very unlikely (in his estimation) chance Aerin did come back alive and looking heroic, Arlan could keep him imprisoned indefinitely. Or (much less likely) he could say Aerin was corrupted before and use his success as an excuse to get one of his kids back in the line of succession. That's good for your ego and can help prevent a succession crisis if there isn't a super clear heir in place (which seems to be the case currently).

Overall, (and completely separate from him being a horrendous father) it seems to be like Arlan is actually a very good king. But there is one part of the job he sucks at...

Arlan's fatal flaw is that he is terrible at reading people.

'Baldur's great, no concerns!'

Obviously, we know that thinking that Baldur is going to be a good king is stupid.

But why didn't King Arlan know that? Aerin (who does seem to be pretty good at reading people) says he's, "handsome, bold, outgoing." Those things are all great for winning people over!

But not nearly enough to actually run a country. We know Baldur's not really even trying to have any of the practical, administrative skills that requires. And this system does not seem set up to function with a figurehead.

You know that tutor must have clocked that Baldur was asleep! It was probably common knowledge at the palace that Baldur never learned a damn thing. Either Arlan didn't realize his heir was not gaining any practical ruling skills (bad sign) or he didn't care (also a bad sign).

Even monarchs who aren't invested in their kids as people are usually very invested in their education. Because that's how you make sure the wheels don't fall off once you die, ending your glorious bloodline.

Aerin tells us that Baldur would never contradict their father. So Arlan absolutely could have forced him to read a damn book. But for some reason, he didn't.

'My second son sucks...

Arlan truly thinks that Aerin is useless. Which is a wild stance to take after you watched him kill big strong Baldur in a single blow and open a portal to the Shadow Realm.

Arlan got there a little late for Aerin's full villain monologue. But the second your party disappears through the portal, the smart thing would have been to determine if Aerin did any more damage. It didn't feel like it to Aerin, but he had tremendous access to people and resources. For all King Arlan knows, this could have been just one piece of a bigger plot.

And it was! Aerin admitted to corrupting dozens of people, usually very connected people. That's a ticking time bomb just waiting to cause more damage. One it doesn't seem like King Arlan ever looks into.

Arlan seems to just assume that Aerin can't cause damage because he's... not physically imposing? Because knowledge and connections are never a threat to power?

Pre-crisis, Aerin also talks about trying to smooth over Baldur's brash decisions. Having someone to soften the blow of harsh or unpopular decisions is absolutely crucial for any ruler, but especially one like Baldur. Yet Arlan doesn't seem to have any awareness of that either.

So Arlan at least picked up some vibes from Aerin that he was... something. Troubled could be 'miserable,' but this statement makes it feel more 'he creeps me out.'

-and I'm not worried about that.'

Even if Aerin was incompetent or messed up, King Arlan should have been concerned about that! Baldur is very strong and presumably good at not dying. But he throws himself into dangerous situations all the time for fun! There is a very good reason most monarchs don't stop at one kid if they can help it.

History is absolutely littered with examples of people who inherited a throne and ran things into the ground because they didn't have the ability to manage the amount of power they had effectively. If Arlan thought Aerin could fall into that category, he should have had people working around the clock to get him up to standard just in case.

Instead, King Arlan fully ignored Aerin, letting him just haunt the archives like a depressed ghost.

'The Heroes of Morella obviously agree with me, they're important!'

King Arlan makes the assumption, based on your party's status, that you'll agree with him on the 'complicated politics' of executing your own kid. Because you're not 'commoners.' Your party includes one elven noble, one orcish (until like 2 days ago) princess, and one human with a very prominent position in the Temple. Mal is more under the radar, but he was still proclaimed a hero. And your character is the most Hero of all.

So Arlan basically does that thing some people do where they trash talk a marginalized group, because everyone in the room looks like they belong to the majority group, so why would they object? (Never a good look.)

But Mal and Nia are both, at least to you, visibly angry with Arlan for being excited his son is (presumably) dead.

Still, no effort to backtrack or soften the blow from King Arlan. Just sails right over the dude's head that Mal looks pissed and Nia is using her damn customer service voice.

Seriously, King Arlan should probably keep an eye out for Mal... Not a big monarchist, that one.

Bonus Baldur, the tremendous idiot

The fact that Baldur thinks he's the first of his name, when "Baldur Valleros" literally founded his dynasty, is incredibly funny to me. Such ignorance. Such hubris.

I am not about to give him the benefit of the doubt that maybe Baldur I went straight to being king, so our dumbass is the first "Prince Baldur Valleros." His father is Arlan VII, there's no way no other king has named their heir after the founder of the dynasty. More evidence that he has never once learned a thing.

(Don't worry about Kade- he took a shadow lance to the face but he's fine. He's mostly fine. Feel free to look at my older posts if you're curious how that went down.)

Baldur seems to make the same assumptions about people based on their status as his father. I don't think it's an accident that when Baldur wants to tell gross stories (including the phrase "slum girls"), he immediately grabs Mal, the human man. Mal isn't all that subtle about his disdain for the nobility, but he still looks like the best one for Baldur to win over. Mal is also the one who steps up and negotiates for the group, making him look like the leader- even more Baldur catnip.

[skepticalfrogcat]

Thinking a little bit about the signet ring and the implications behind the fact that Aerin has it.

So, we know from the ttrpg character sheets that the ring belonged to Queen Aurinae, so obviously it's from their family, but it could've just as easily gone to Baldur, couldn't it? In fact, it probably would've made more sense for him to have that royal seal since he was going to be king. But Aerin has it, and that got me thinking some in-depth thoughts about the Valleros family.

Imagine, with me, this: A much younger Aerin, with a close relationship to his mother, because his father has always favored his older brother. Aerin takes after Aurinae more than Arlan anyway, always having been gentler and more soft-spoken than Baldur. Whenever Arlan was with Baldur, shaping him to be the next king, Aurinae would be with Aerin, taking the time to make sure he felt just as loved as his brother. She was also practically the person who stopped Baldur from tormenting Aerin so frequently. She dies while both of the brothers are still fairly young, and when she does, she gives Aerin her prized ring so he always has something to remember her by. And once she's gone, we all know what happens next.

[number-0-iz]

Someone should really make fanart of the Valleros brothers with this idea:

Aerin standing in his brother's shadow, both looking normal but Baldur looks up and Aerin looks down and this with the text "I will always be in my brother's shadow." Or whatever the exact wording was

And then a 2nd one where its Shadow Aerin looking up, Baldur looking down. The blade of shadow is at Aerin's side with his hand on the hilt but the blade pierces Baldur and he coughs up blood.

Obviously they would be standing back to back for dramatic effect. Seeing as my drawing skills aren't all that great at the moment, I thought I'd put the idea out there.

[the-unconquered-queen]

Okay, but Aerin having some fire here… love to see it… even though he essentially just showed his hand while he was at it

[gaiuskamilah]

i think it was just one writer who said she considers him a leo and the others didn't really have an opinion so i don't consider it 100% canon, but i also agreed on the others lmao. except also i personally wouldn't assign a canon sign to mc since i see mcs as having some degree of customizability.

i agree with you that boy screams virgo to me

yep it was just one writer. seeing as how blades 2 isn't done yet i'm going to wait out and see how else he might embody leo in b2. also did they assign a sign for mc? i don't fully remember and i agree on the customizability part.

and yess aerin screams virgo to me! he's super intelligent and methodological, definitely has a virgo mercury. if we HAVE to assign a leo sun to him i'm making him a virgo ascendant so his sun is in the 12th house of prisons, confinement, and isolation. i also think he'd have a mix of leo, libra, and virgo placements.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Thank you to our creators who have submitted their Top 5 fics of 2023! I know this is a terribly difficult task. After all, I did it myself! But I've always felt this list was the more important of the two - it's not about the numbers; it's about the works that nourished their creator's souls and brought them joy. So, thanks to each of you for sharing with us! Links to all stories can be found below the break!

@aallotarenunelma ✒️

Moonlit Hearts (IL/ID Crossover/AU) - Original Characters

Childhood Memories (ILW) - Lincoln McQuoid x NB!MC

Close to the Flame (ILW) - Lincoln McQuoid x NB!MC

Another Sun Will Rise (ILITW) - Dan Pierce x MC

Indigo Blood (ID) - Cas Harlow x MC

@angelasscribbles ✒️

The DeFacto Queen (TRR) Ⓜ️ - Drake x MC, Liam x MC

A Fervid Fixation (TRR) Ⓜ️ - Drake Walker x MC

The Dark Kingdom (TRR) Ⓜ️ - Drake x MC, Liam x MC

In Your Room Masterlist (TRR) Ⓜ️ - Drake Walker x Leo Rys

Laws End (TRR) Ⓜ️- Drake Walker x MC, Liam Rys x MC

@baldwinboy5ive 🎨and ✒️

Aerin Prison Visit (BOLAS) 🎨- Aerin Valleros x F!MC

The Right Path (BOLAS) ✒️- Aerin Valleros x F!MC

Name on the Wall (BOLAS) ✒️- Aerin Valleros x F!MC

Bye-Bye Baldur (BOLAS) 🎨- Aerin Valleros

Aerin x Raine Fanart (BOLAS) 🎨- Aerin Valeros x MC

@cariantha ✒️

All He Wanted (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Hey Stranger (OH) Ⓜ️ - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

For You, I Will (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

War & Peace (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

A Solid Strategy (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

@coffeeheartaddict2 ✒️

Everybody Hurts Sometimes, Ch. 7 Ⓜ️(OH) - Ethan Ramsey, MC

Love in all Forms (OH) - Ethan Ramsey, F!OC, Tobias Carrick

Power to Overcome (OH) - F!MC, Aurora Emery

Everybody Hurts Sometimes, Ch. 15 Ⓜ️(OH) - Ethan Ramsey, etc.

Desire Ⓜ️(OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

@inlocusmads ✒️

Past Lives (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Music for the Lost (and Found) (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

The Feverish Itch (Guinevere) - Guinevere, Queen Artura, F!Lancelot

Cross Your Heart and Set it Ablaze (COP) Trystan Thorne x F~!MC

The Bow That Burned Bright (BOLAS) - F!Elf!MC, Kade

@jerzwriter ✒️

A Mother's Journal Ⓜ️(WTD) - Eli Sipes

What's Forever For Ⓜ️(OH/AU) - Tobias Carrick, F!MC

Breathe Again (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

A Bit Dark (OH) - F!MC x F!OC

I Do, Me Too (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

@ladylamrian ✒️

Welcome to the World of Night (NB) - NB Side Characters

A Meeting in Wyoming (NB) - Nik Ryder x F!MC

Towards the Future (NB) - Nik Ryder x F!MC

Duty & Pleasure (NB) - Nik Ryder x F!MC

Sweet & Tender Hearts (NB) - Original Characters

@liaromancewriter ✒️

La Vie Avec Toi (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC, Sienna Trinh x M!OC

Late Shift (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

The Reluctant Valentine (OH) - Sienna Trinh x M!OC

When the Clock Strikes Twelve (OH/AU) - Sienna Trinh x M!OC

Breaking News (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

@moominofthevalley ✒️

The Haunting, Part 1 (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Turpentine (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

The Girl With the Glass (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

I Will (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Future Days (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

@peonierose ✒️

Wildflower (OH) - Keiki Lahela x M!OC

Kintsugi (OH) - Original Characters

Summer's Kiss (OH) - Bryce Lahela x F!OC

I'm a Sucker for You (OH) - Bryce Lahela x F!OC

Rose All Day (OH) - Bryce Lahela, Keiki Lahela, OCs

@stars-are-within-me ✒️

The Rain (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Reflections (BOLAS) - Aerin Valleros

A Day Off (COP) - Trystan Thorne x MC

In the Gray (COP) - Eveline Goncharov, Maksim Thorne, etc.

The Lonely Prince (BOLAS) - Aerin Valleros x MC

@storyofmychoices ✒️

Shadows & Deceptions: A Royal Murder Mystery (Crossover/AU)

Can I Have This Dance? (OH) - Bryce Lahela x F!OC

Shadows of Hope (BOLAS) - Mal Volari x F!MC

The Quest for Daenarya (BOLAS) - Mal Volari x F!MC

Dealing with a Narcissist (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

@tessa-liam ✒️

Smoke & Mirrors, Ch. 11 Ⓜ️(TRR) - Liam Rys x MC

Cappadocia Ⓜ️ (TRR) - Liam Rys x MC

Marabelle, Ch. 2 Ⓜ️ (TRR) - Liam Rys x F!OC

Turning the Page, Ch. 5 Ⓜ️ (TRR) - Liam Rys x F!OC

Ti Amo Molto Ⓜ️ (TRR) - Liam Rys x MC

@trappedinfanfiction ✒️

Fast Break, Epilogue (OH/AU) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

What's in a Name? (COP) - Trystan Thorne

Crossroads Ⓜ️(OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

By Your Side (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

A New Neighbor (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

@zealouscanonindeer ✒️

Dangerous Games Ⓜ️ (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Naughty & Nice (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Like Whom? (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Roots (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Drunken Nights (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

[zhoras-bitch]

👑 Aerin Valleros for President: The Unexpectedly Expected Leader 👑

Reform the Realm 🌟 Embrace a leader who's done away with vain and inept monarchs. Aerin just jazzed up history by ending two millennia of royal monotony and ushering in a new era of enlightenment in one swift move!

Smart Choices 🧠 Aligning with powers beyond comprehension, Aerin is a brilliant thinker with a mindful of clever schemes. Opt for a leader who masterfully dances on the chessboard of the realms!

Defender of the Downtrodden 👊 A warrior against cruelty, Aerin has been our unsung hero! He faced the kingdom's biggest bully, and let's just say... Baldur isn't bothering anyone anymore. 

Goal Slayer 🎯 Aerin plans, Aerin executes! With meticulous craft, Aerin transformed two decades of secret plotting into a triumphant reality.

Aerin Valleros: 'Vote for me, and let's slay the competition together!'

Join the New Dawn, Stand with Valleros!

#VisionaryValleros2024

[bedtimegiraffe]

If you've never lost to the drakna queen, I kind of recommend it. You get to see Baldur have a tantrum like the big dumb baby he is.

[skepticalfrogcat]

Well, I said I'd do it and now I have. Welcome to my Blades fic writing debut. I was particularly inspired by something I said in this post, so this is sort of expanding on that. Here's the gist:

Relationship: Finch Parnassus (MC) & Nia Ellarious (Platonic)

Warnings: Some swearing

Word Count: 2,188

Summary: It's the middle of the night in Whitetower. Finch and Nia have a much needed conversation.

~~~

A few nights had already passed since the party returned from the Shadow Realm. They were still staying in Whitetower, at least for now, since they'd already been given rooms. King Arlan had insisted they keep them for a while. 

After all, what sort of a king would I be if I didn't provide a roof over the head of the Hero of Morella and his allies?

Those had been the King's words. And so they had stayed. For how long, none of them were entirely sure. Tyril or Imtura would likely be the first to leave; after all, they had their own kingdoms and families to get back to. Mal might be the next to go, surely off to some other job, some other heist, some other adventure. Nia would likely find a place to settle down elsewhere in Whitetower, although whether it would be the Temple or not was uncertain. Finch… Well, he didn't know what he might do.

It had to have been about five, maybe six days. He wasn't exactly keeping count. As the nights passed, and continued to pass, he hadn't slept much. Perhaps exhaustion had made him a little less sharp. Although, after all that had happened, he no longer knew how smart he'd ever been.

This was a night much like any other one. Finch was lying in his very comfortable bed, in his perfectly safe room, the stars glittering in the sky above, and he was utterly unable to fall asleep. Something was keeping him awake, that much he knew, but he couldn't put his finger on precisely what it was. Whenever he thought about it for too long it made his head hurt. His heart, too, like someone was prodding at it with a sharp stick.

Just as he'd resigned himself to another sleepless night, he heard a soft knocking at his door. It didn't startle him, but it did make him sit up. He slowly got out of his bed to investigate. He couldn't imagine who would possibly be coming to see him at this hour. The thought did cross his mind that somehow this was another threat, coming for him so soon after defeating the first, but he didn't want to believe that. All he knew was that the knocking was too quiet to be Imtura, Mal wouldn't waste a perfectly good night holed up in the castle, and Tyril considered himself far too dignified to be paying anyone a midnight visit. In spite of all of that, Finch still found himself surprised when he opened the door to see-

“Nia?” he murmured, rubbing at one of his eyes with the heel of his hand. “What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting?”

“I- I suppose I should, yes,” Nia nodded, speaking in a hushed tone. Her hands were clasped loosely in front of her. “But I've been unable to sleep tonight, because I've been thinking of you, and… there is something that I feel I should speak to you about.” Her eyes widened slightly. “Oh, I hope I didn't wake you. I apologize if I did.”

“No, no, it's fine,” Finch assured her, waving his hand dismissively. “I haven't been sleeping either.” He stepped aside to open up the doorway. “You can come in if you want to.”

Nia hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside. There weren't many places to sit in the room, aside from one upholstered chair and a cushioned bench placed at the end of the bed, so she chose the latter. As she sat, she fiddled with the silky fabric of her light pink nightgown. Finch sat down beside her.

“So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?” he asked, glancing over at his friend. He could tell she was nervous about something; the set of her shoulders and the way she was fidgeting said that much. He could only assume it was about whatever she had come to say, but he hoped against the worst. The possibilities flashed through his mind; was she leaving? Was she hurt? Gods forbid, was the Dreadlord coming back?

“I… I simply wanted to ask you how you've been, since we came back,” Nia explained. Was that it? Finch couldn't help thinking that it wasn't worth coming to see him in the middle of the night. He didn't know if it was really worth asking at all.

“Really? I've been fine, maybe a little tired but that's all.” Finch's brow furrowed. “If anything, I should be asking you that question. None of what happened has anything to do with me, not any more than it has to do with the rest of us.”

“Don't try to shift the conversation,” Nia scolded gently, almost sounding like she… wait, did she pity him? Why? She continued before he could ask. “Yes, I am hurting. I cannot begin to tell you how many times a day someone asks me if I'm feeling alright. But I know that you're hurting too. It may not be in the same way, but I can still see it. I need you to tell me the truth.”

“Nia, nothing’s wrong. I promise,” Finch assured her. “If something was wrong, I'd tell you, but I'm perfectly okay. I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Finch.” Nia placed a hand on his shoulder, a comforting gesture that instantly made him feel like he wasn't going to like what she was about to say. “...Have you gone to see him yet?”

Finch's body tensed. He felt his heart rate quicken. His hands gripped the edge of his seat. Nia hadn't named who she was speaking of, but he knew well enough anyway.

Aerin.

His jaw set. “No.” The truth was, he'd been trying not to think much about Aerin since they'd returned. It was no use. There wasn't anything he could do now, and dwelling on the past was too painful. Since then, he really had felt alright. He hadn't been lying about that. But now he was thinking about all of it again. Gods, he felt nauseous.

“I am not going to try to make you do anything you don't want to do,” Nia began, slowly combing her fingers through the lengths of her hair and not meeting his gaze. “...But he has been asking about you.”

Finch stood up and turned fully to look at her. He wasn't sure if he was upset with Nia, for taking that risk, or himself for being too much of a coward to do the same. “You've seen him?”

“Yes, I have. More than once,” Nia confirmed. “I don't believe anyone else knows, but I have.”

Finch took a deep breath, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. “Gods, Nia, you could've gotten hurt.”

“I recognize the risks.” Nia stood then too, her voice remaining calm and soft in a way that made Finch feel like he, in comparison, was utterly insane. “I believe in him, Finch. He's very… resistant to listening to me at the moment, but I refuse to entertain the idea that he can't be saved.”

“Nia, he tried to make you a vessel for an evil overlord.”

“I am aware.” She lifted her hands and placed them on his upper arms. “That's something I have taken the time to consider on my own, and it isn't what I want to discuss with you right now. I want you to tell me why you've been avoiding this.”

“I haven't been avoiding anything. There just isn’t anything else to say.” Finch stepped away from Nia, running a frazzled hand through his brown hair. “He was with us, and then he wasn't. Now we move on.”

“This can't possibly be good for you.” Nia took a small step closer to Finch, a divot appearing between her brows. “There has always been more to it than that.”

“What do you want me to say?” Finch threw his hands up defeatedly. “That I liked having him around? That he was a good friend? That I believed that somehow, some way, he might actually care about me?”

“Finch-” Nia lifted her hand as if to reach out to him, but he simply kept going. There was no way to stop his words now that they were finally coming out.

“I was stupid, Nia. And you know what the most idiotic thing of all is?” He laughed, but it carried no humor. His eyes held no light. “After all of this, if he still wanted me, I would drag myself back to him. Even after everything he's done, I still can't get over Aerin fucking Valleros.”

The silence hung heavy in the room. The air almost felt thick. A tense, icy moment passed where a part of Finch thought Nia was going to leave. But instead, she took a few hesitant steps forward, like someone might if they were approaching a frightened animal. Then, she did quite possibly one of the last things Finch would've expected; she wrapped her arms around him, and pulled him into a tight hug. For a moment he stood perfectly still, his brain still catching up with the action.

Before he knew it, he was beyond repair. He crumbled into pieces in Nia's arms, his posture slumping until he was able to press his forehead against Nia's shoulder. His body shook as his tears soaked into the fabric of her nightgown. He was embarrassed, almost ashamed, to be so undone over this. It was shameful. It was wrong to still have any feelings this strong about Aerin that weren't hatred. Maybe the mortification would at the very least help him regain some sense. He wished he could've kept himself together. Still, he wound his arms around Nia in return, seeking comfort even when his last shreds of dignity resisted.

They stood like that for a long time. It could've been five minutes, it could've been an hour, Finch didn't know. “I'm sorry,” he whispered, his voice uneven.

Nia took a small step back then, raising her hands and placing them gently on either side of his face. “There is nothing for you to apologize for,” she told him, keeping eye contact as she spoke. “You are not to blame for any of what happened.” She used her thumb to wipe a tear from his cheek. “And you are certainly not to blame for the way that you feel. No one can control that.”

“Don't tell them,” he pleaded. “Tyril, Imtura, Mal, don't tell them. And Kade. Please, Nia, don't tell Kade.” Something about the thought of his brother knowing that he still cared for the person who tried to kill one of his best friends - and successfully killed his own brother - felt deeply, personally unforgivable.

“I won't speak a word about this to anyone unless you ask me to. I swear it,” Nia promised him. 

Finch breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“Still, I do think that you should put more thought into what your next steps are going to be.” Nia took both of his hands, holding them between her own. “You aren't obligated to go visit him now, or ever. But I believe that if you try it, even once, it may help you more than you realize. It may help both of you.”

Finch considered that for a moment. A very strong half of his mind was screaming at him that he could never see Aerin again, or else he'd never be able to come back from it. But a quieter, more gentle part of his mind knew that what Nia was saying might have substance. Just going to see him once could help, especially if he stayed on the other side of the door. But it was still more complicated than that.

“I…” He began, trailing off as he thought about what he was going to say. “I'll sleep on it.”

“That's a very good idea,” Nia smiled up at him. “Hopefully you'll be able to rest more easily now. I'll try to do the same.”

“Goodnight, Nia.” He smiled back, but it was smaller, and with less certainty.

“Goodnight, Finch. I'll see you in the morning.”

Nia let go of his hands and touched his shoulder one last time before moving towards the door, glancing back at him one last time before leaving. Finch simply stood where he was for a while, replaying Nia's visit in his mind. He hadn't expected any of what he'd said to come out, ever. Had it been for the best? He wasn't sure.

He climbed back into bed, gazing over at the wall as he laid there. Now that the floodgates had opened, he was thinking of Aerin. He had a feeling he'd be doing that much more often now, whether he went to see him or not. There wasn't anything he could do about it anymore. He didn't know how things would turn out, and he didn't know if he'd ever truly get over his feelings. All he knew now was that he had to do the right thing.

No matter how hard it may be.

[number-0-iz]

Still can't believe there has been no mention AT ALL of a release date.

[a-cloud-for-dreams]

Here For You

Prompt: Based on this post by @malthemagnifisent

Pairing(s): Aerin Valleros/Mal Volari x Salem Nightingale (F!MC)

TW: None?

Tagging: @choicesficwriterscreations

A/N: Ok so Salem and Mal are my main pairing, I don't have a separate MC for Aerin. However, Salem being the flirt she is, did flirt with Aerin and obviously my favorite pathetic man started to have a thing for her, so I like to think in an alternate universe they might have ended up together. Maybe one where they weren't stopping the Shadow Court or one where they met in Whitetower. Perhaps one where she was a noble herself. It's just fun to think about, especially knowing she's a realm-walker. Anyways, in the main timeline, Salem is with Mal (romantic soulmates ofc) but she has a deep understanding with Aerin (platonic soulmates, like two sides of the same coin/narrative foils y'know?) Wow this was long, hope you enjoyed this lil mini fic!

"I can't believe we are still arguing about this," Tyril mumbled. "It's too dangerous and I won't let Salem endanger herself!"

"And you think I want to, Elf Boy?" Mal rolled his eyes. "You're the one who even brought it up! She practically ran to get away from you and your horrible plans."

"Say that again, Volari-" Tryil snaps.

"Come on you two, this isn't like us at all, let's all calm down..." Nia stepped between the two of them glancing back and forth.

"I'm being perfectly rational, I suggest you let the Rogue here know that we aren't back at the orphanage and don't have to play by his rules anymore."

"And I was just starting to like you..." Mal muttered under his breath.

"Are we yapping or are we gonna do something?" Imtura comes in, playfully swinging a new sword she found in the hallway of artifacts inside the abandoned elven library.

"We can't do anything until these two stop bickering! I barely got through this scroll on the Ash Empire," Kade whined.

"And I haven't received the elven honey cakes I requested ten minutes ago!" Threep frowned. Everyone else groaned.

Aerin stood back watching the whole ordeal with furrowed eyebrows. Was this the same motley crew who managed to defeat the Shadow Court as effortlessly as they did? They may have been lucky the first time around since it seems impossible to be productive around a group filled with opposing personalities like theirs.

Maybe he could have been like Nia, chiming in to maintain peace but he had a feeling they wouldn't take his words seriously. The only reason he was even out of shackles was because of Salem's request to do so. He shouldn't squander his opportunity to bond any further than he already has.

He wanted to, of course. And he felt like kicking himself for betraying the only people who bothered to be kind to him. They were willing to sacrifice Baldur to the Drakna for Light's sake! Anyone back at Whitetower would have been shocked to even think such thoughts.

He stepped away from the marble pillar he was leaning against and towards the lush gardens behind the library to check on Salem, desperately avoiding the unwanted memories blurring his mind of the night in the forest glade, the night with her.

Our kiss? That was real, Aerin. And it's still real...

He closed his eyes tightly. He couldn't let himself get distracted. Not again.

~~~

She hated this. The soft linen garment she changed into was soaked by the wet grass. The bottom edges of her leather boots were covered in mud. And her hair dampened by the soft drizzling raindrops. One would think a respectable elven library would have more places to hide in, to be left alone. But of course, she wasn't able to catch a break.

In any other circumstance, Salem always found the rain beautiful. Despite the darkened skies and messy aftermath, there was a beauty in the sorrow it evoked. Like the promise of warmth was hidden behind the tears of Light.

Even with his poetic nature, Kade thought she sounded ridiculous. But he liked that she wasn't afraid to be. Salem was honest, and she was able to look past appearances.

At least, most of the time.

Aerin cleared his throat when he found her. "Are you okay?"

She turned around quickly to find a nervous Aerin standing with his arms crossed over his chest and an unstable stance.

Have I been crying this entire time? Salem sucked in a breath, frantically clearing her face of remaining tears. "What do you think?"

"Were you crying?" his voice barely remained even. He steps closer to her.

She chuckled, a few strands of hair brushing over her face. Aerin blushes at her soft laugh, a complete shift from her confident demeanor. "I forget how smart you are sometimes." She stands up and quickly dusts off her soiled garment, turning to face him. "Did they stop fighting?"

"You didn't answer my question, Salem."

"Aerin..."

He hesitates before continuing. "No hero is invincible. You're not an exception."

"Gee, thanks."

He shakes his head. "You've gone through so much..."

Because of me.

Salem rolls her eyes. "There have been others who've lived through worse. Are living through worse." She places a hand over her forehead to quell her head pain.

"You're talking about the children at the orphanage," he says as if it were a fact he was familiar with.

"They're so young, and they've witnessed horrors they should have never seen," she shudders in frustration, her fists clenched behind her back. "And if I can't stop the Ash Empire or Valax, what good am I? I'm no hero-"

Aerin's gaze sharpened. "I won't let you talk about yourself that way."

Salem closed her eyes, slightly pivoting away from him. Aerin stepped directly in front of her and looked into her eyes, clouded by fear, worry, anger.

He wasn't thinking clearly when he pulled her in for a tight hug. Salem gasped at the sudden warmth, but rested her head on the crook of his neck. Aerin ignored how she smelled like warm spices and cedar wood. He ignored how perfectly she fit into his arms. He ignored the temptation to push away the soft damp strands of her hazel-brown hair and stare deeply into her mesmerizing eyes that made him think back to a happier time before things were so complicated.

She laughed softly. "I'm terrified, there's so many people depending on me and I can't mess anything up."

His grip tightens. "And you know that you can depend on me. I'm here for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need me. It's the least I could do."

She stayed silent for a second. He was worried for a second. Did I do something wrong?

"You know, you give pretty good hugs. Nia and Kade would be proud." Aerin sighed in relief. He reluctantly leaves her embrace and tilts his head to the side.

"T-Thanks," he runs a hand through his now wet jet black curls. "We should probably head back before we catch a cold huh?" Salem smiles, trailing slightly behind him.

"And Aerin?"

"Hm?" he turns around.

Salem smiles, feeling like a heavy burden that has been lifted off her shoulders. "Thank you."

~~~

it's a lil OOC since Mal would obvi be the first to check in with Salem immediately after she left the room but it's for the ✨plot✨ hope you enjoyed reading this!

[baldwinboy5ive]

Hmmm something something Baldur Valleros something

something about how he sealed his own damn fate

[xhelladirectoryx]

👑 Aerin Valleros (Blades of Light and Shadow) 👑

"I made the choices I did, and I cannot change it now."

GENERAL INFORMATION

Name/Alas: Aerin Valleros

Faceclaim: Alexander Vlahos

Species: Human

Birthday/Age: December 17 {21}

Gender/Sexuality: Male - Pansexual

Occupation: Former Prince - Adventurer

BIOGRAPHY

Aerin Is the youngest prince of the kingdom of Morella. But was dethroned after killing his older brother. Also he revealed his involvement with a dark secret court to revive an evil creature. Yet he was stopped and captured by a hero and they party of adventurers. After he was returned to his father, King Arlan, he was sentenced to pay for his crimes in the palace dungeons. However, he was released if he promised to help the hero who defeated him. He promises to collaborate for a while but decides to run away trying to discover his true path and purpose.

More info:[xxx]

VERSES

CANONS AND HEADCANONS

RELATIONSHIPS

Father: Arlan Valleros

Mother: Unknown

Siblings: Baldur Valleros (deceased)

Other Family: None

S/O: None

Pets: None

[hell-chronicles]

Blades chapter 8 in a nutshell