#but elio damn your mind.

[atopvisenyashill]

Thoughts on the Alysanne is Maegor's daughter AU? I feel like it has some interesting potential, and it vastly recontextualizes different parts of Jaehaehae (I do not like him sjsjsjs) and Alysanne's relationship (such as Jaehaehae's treatment of their daughters) but I wanna hear what you think about it!

I’ve touched on this a bit before but since you actually want to hear my thoughts, allow me to present to you my Jaehaerys Is The Goddamn Worst, And Alysanne Annoys Me Too: An Essay lmao but my answer is basically “yeah all of what you just said.”

I think it makes Alysanne much more palatable (to me) as a character because as she stands, she just fixates on forcing her daughters through these fucked up marriages at too young an age bc it traumatized her to be married and pregnant at 15 too but she’d never admit that being a willing participant in her own kidnapping by her brother-husband was the single worst thing that ever happened to her, and because Alysanne doesn’t want to admit it (and Jaehaerys would never see it as wrong or a mistake) F&B really shies away from delving into the fact that Alysanne is as deranged of a mother as Cersei is. So as she stands, she’s very flat to me because she’s presented very flatly and inconsistently. She’s so in love with Jaehaerys, she’s maritally raped by Jaehaerys, she’s a loving and doting mother, she forces her daughters into marriages when they’re the same too young age she was, she accuses her teenage girls of being scheming whores then gets angry when her husband accuses their teenage girls of being scheming whores, and worst of all we are just told “Maegelle tells them to make up so they do” so we don’t know why Alysanne gets over all of this. What is the point of riding a dragon when you never use that dragon to protect your daughters from unwanted teen marriages? We’re just not given a good enough justification for why her behavior is so weird and frustrating towards her daughters.

Make her Maegor’s daughter though…most of her behavior as an adult makes more sense. Like a worse version of Rhaenyra’s childhood almost - a father desperate for a son, but lowkey obsessed with his daughter, who makes all his hang ups about his parents the problems of every woman around him, except Maegor is out here blood sacrificing and torturing and starting wars and forcing babies on wives he discards quickly and brutally. Then here comes Jaehaerys on a white horse green dragon to save her from the horror her life has become, and he loves her so much he runs away with her even though Alyssa says they shouldn’t marry because people won’t like it. And they have beautiful children, and a beautiful marriage, and build a beautiful kingdom.

Then her pregnancies start getting dangerous. Gaemon, then Valerion, die. Alysanne thinks of the shriveled up mutants she called brothers, if Maegor’s taint has passed to her. Her perfect husband ignores her no, and forces Gael on her. Alysanne remembers that he said nothing to Rogar when Alyssa died, merely wept. Then her daughters start to die. Daella, Alyssa, Viserra, all within a few years. Then Jaehaerys makes Saera watch as he murders her boyfriend, calls her a whore, and says Alysanne cannot follow Saera to Lys. Alysanne thinks of Maegor torturing the Harroways over Alys’ presumed infidelity. Jaehaerys says he’s sorry, and her daughter badgers her into forgiving him, and she remembers how she helped Jaehaerys badger Alyssa into forgiving Rogar. Not two years later, Jaehaerys passes over Rhaenys. Alysanne thinks of how she was never enough for her father, how she felt so superior to Rhaena banished to Dragonstone and resented by Aerea, yet there she is dragging Gael away from court because she can’t stand to be with Jaehaerys. How her father was surrounded by dead women and dead babies and how Jaehaerys is surrounded by his own dead daughters, but surely she did the right thing, surely Maegor was worse, surely the realm is better off? Is he right to pass over Rhaenys? Is she enabling a man just as monstrous as her father? She will never decide, because Maegelle will guilt her about keeping Gael isolated at Dragonstone, and Alysanne will do as she’s told, just like Rhaena, and Alyssa, and Jeyne, Elinor, Ceryse, Alys, and Tyanna, just like every one of her daughters.

I do get why Alysanne is Alyssa & Aenys’ and not Maegor’s. The weird Targ babies, the line not descending from Visenya, Jaehaerys and Alysanne being held up as the perfect Targaryen couple specifically because they are brother and sister and dragon riders. I do even think canon Alysanne is likely traumatized by her time as a hostage on Dragonstone, and the ensuing war, and the trauma bond that caused with Jaehaerys, and it makes her idolize Jaehaerys, and then he isolates her at Dragonstone so he can swiftly and safely marry, groom, and knock her up. It’s not like,,,, a fun time, and it’s enough to make anyone crazy and weird about their daughters, but I think having her father be Maegor makes Alysanne herself much deeper because it gives her, as the most beloved Targaryen queen, a blood tie to the most hated Targaryen king, and a marriage to the most beloved Targaryen king. It fits better with a lot of the themes of the main series (again, imo) - forcing the spotlight on the outsiders to see how the affect the story from behind the scenes. The fall of Aegon’s sons, and The Long Reign, not told from the PoV or to serve the PoV of any of the kings or princes, but of the queen that tied them all together.

[herrsherofsorrow]

Little Tempest

Sigh 😩😤, Kafka…Blade… god damn bastards stolen my mind and all I can think about it is those two. Then Kafka’s fucking banger of a trailer comes out and i couldn’t help but have a story idea. All I’ll share is if you have played Punishing Gray Raven and know about Selena, then you can get a grasp on where this could lead to.

My dumbass forgot to switch public post to draft post

Warnings, this will be taking place during and after Jarilo-VI but before Xianzhou Luofu

~

For Elio to summon everyone’s presence was rare but to express concerns about the future of the Trailblazer, Caelus, now that was new. Kafka with Blade following behind her enters the meeting where they are greeted by Elio, Silverwolf, and Sam. 

“Sorry for being late everyone.” Kafka spoke unapologetically as she and Blade moved further into the room to join Silverwolf and Sam in front of Elio.

“You two are unbelievable and learn to lock doors, next time you get them Sam.” Sliverwolf complained, gagging remembering moments before when Elio requested their presence she was sent to get Kafka not knowing Blade was there. It led to an unsavory sight for her poor eyes.

“You’ll understand once you have a partner, Silver-“ Kafka teased, her and Blade’s relationship wasn’t much of a secret since they didn’t bother hiding the fact.

“No nope, I don’t want to hear from you.” Sliverwolf interrupted looking away with red cheeks.

“Learn to knock.” Blade added crossing his arms.

“I did-“ Sliverwolf started glaring at him but he simply ignored her.

“Please save this conversation for another time, Elio has something urgent to share.” Sam intruded into the conversation nodding to Elio.

Silverwolf huffs, turning her attention to Elio who begins to speak, “Yes, it would seem the Astral Express will need to head towards Capriccio earlier than expected.”

“Although I don’t mind visiting, both Welt and Himiko personally handled the Stellaron sometime ago and it shouldn’t be active for a while.” Kafka stated.

“That should have been the case but it does confirm a theory that something or someone undetected is trying to change destiny and prevent the Trailblazer from reaching Nanook. Capriccio now contains four different fates and one of those will lead to the Trailblazer death.” Elio wasn’t going to share the other fates due to how unstable each one is nor was he going to warn them about the anomaly(s) possibly still being on Capriccio to ensure the Trailblazer death. 

“And how do we prevent this,” Sam asked.

“The Chairman of Capriccio has the Stellaron within a laboratory, he’ll be the first to come into contact and will be under its influence. All you must do is ensure that the Chairman doesn’t contain the Stelleron in a suitable core.” Elio then looked to Blade, “Worry not Blade we will reach the Xianzhou Luofu in a timely manner, the Astral Express are less than halfway through their first journey on Jarilo-VI. It will be enough time for all of you.” Elio finished before dismissing them all.

“Oh, and Kafka,” Elio called out, causing Kafka to stop in her tracks and look at him as the others continued out the door although Blade lingered. “I trust your judgment on the fate of the core.” 

“What are you hiding this time Elio?” Kafka muttered to herself walking out the door.

[theseshipsshallsail]

Summary:

The minutes soon blur in such blissful suspension, and as the unshuttered windows turn an inky black, Oliver immerses himself in the whens, wheres and inestimable hows of their blossoming reality. What he and Elio share defies definition, yet the idea of losing it is truly abhorrent. He needs this. Needs them. Everything they’re capable of being together. The promise and potential contained therein. There’s no turning back even if he wanted to, and drawing a hand up Elio’s flank he rests his chin upon his sweat-damp crown. Wonders when the hummingbird-flutter at his core became love, before deciding maybe it always has been, and he was just too afraid to acknowledge it.

The Difference Between Possible And Impossible (Lies Mainly In Determination)

He’d been dreaming, Oliver realises, as a drunken holler from the Piazza Navona interrupts the doze he had zero warning of slipping into. His mind’s eye transporting him to the villa’s orle of paradise. Elio swimming lazy laps in a set of borrowed bathers. The next day’s pages for Signora Milani all but forgotten as he apricated from head to toe; donning his tinted Persols in deference to the azure sky above. 

In all honesty, the scene mirrors memory more so than imagination, and the sluggish warmth it leaves in Oliver’s veins feels pleasantly reminiscent of the vintage scotch he’d savoured his final night in B. At Annella’s insistence, dinner was a family affair in light of his imminent departure, but with the feast devoured and dishes cleared, the professor ushered him to the study for a well-earned digestif. The pair of them discussing his varied plans for Rome, even as a sombre rendition of Debussy’s Clair de Lune drifted from the living room opposite; tearing at Oliver’s heartstrings with every mournful chord.

“Ice, born of fire, that in turn holds fire,” his mentor mused at length, swirling the mahogany liquid in his lead-crystal tumbler. “È notevole… is it not? How under the right circumstances, something so obstinate as sand itself can be transformed entirely. Reborn, one might say, to the inverse of its maker.”

In terms of subtlety it left a lot to be desired, and Oliver’d masked his quiet desperation behind a measured sip, unable to quash the hard knot of regret that threatened to choke him. Regret, that fails to exist in the liminal twilight of their Corso del Rinascimento hotel room. Banished, as it was, the second they’d watched the plastic wall clock outstrip the hour of his flight’s departure. 

He’s been damn-near euphoric ever since. 

Giddy as a ninth-grader playing truant. 

For the first time in years, he’s chosen the road less travelled, but with Elio in his corner - and sheer determination to guide him - Oliver’s certain that together they’ll move mountains if necessary, to forge a path that’s theirs and theirs alone. 

Again, a commotion starts up in the streets outside. Several joyful voices raised in concert. Oliver doesn’t recognise the song - though it’s somewhat harmonious compared to his own rendition of Fenesta Ca Lucive with the German tourist - and a helpless smile graces his lips when Elio grumbles in response; letting loose a snuffling snore alongside his collarbone.

The gossamer gleam from the balcony gilds his features in a diffuse palette: covetous swaths of rosé and gold that chase the encroaching shadows from his sleeping form. It’s grounding, Oliver finds. The steady exhalations that tickle his Adam’s apple. The rhythmic rise and fall of his shoulders; perfectly in sync with his newly unshackled lungs. They’re two halves of a whole - cut from the same cloth - and rubbing the grit from his scratchy eyelids he moulds a palm to Elio’s slender waist, sighing in contentment when the other man burrows closer, one leg inveigling itself between the snug harbour of his thighs.

The minutes soon blur in such blissful suspension, and as the unshuttered windows turn an inky black, Oliver immerses himself in the whens, wheres and inestimable hows of their blossoming reality. What he and Elio share defies definition, yet the idea of losing it is truly abhorrent. He needs this. Needs them. Everything they’re capable of being together. The promise and potential contained therein. There’s no turning back even if he wanted to, and drawing a hand up Elio’s flank he rests his chin upon his sweat-damp crown. 

Wonders when the hummingbird-flutter at his core became love, before deciding maybe it always has been, and he was just too afraid to acknowledge it.  

In due course, blunt-nailed fingertips splay across his sternum; crafting a subconscious chord above his too-full ribs. Elio’s lashes are a charcoal smudge against his cheek, and the rumbling purr that escapes his throat invokes a mental slideshow of their wanton activities earlier. Unsurprisingly, the earthy scent of passion hangs thick in the muggy air; overpowering the honeysuckle sweetness adorning the trellis outside. The salty ghosts of tears, also, shed by two star-crossed lovers who’d feared being reduced to a cautionary tale: a Grecian tragedy for the modern age.

Schmaltzy, perhaps, but their truth is inescapable, and at the first sign of Elio stirring beside him, Oliver can’t help but press a lingering kiss to the riotous curls at his temple.

No more speeches, he thinks, as Elio arches like a pampered tomcat.

“I swear I’ll make you happy,” he whispers instead, and the thousand-watt grin that follows settles deep and thrilling and forever in his soul. 

[magnificentpatrolstudent]

12:03 am

Levi drabble 

It was just past midnight on a Friday night--now Saturday morning. You and Levi were sitting on the living room floor propped up by the couch, languidly sipping on cabernet sauvignon. Levi loves moments like this: just the two of you, close, conversing freely. Being with you just felt so easy. “y/n, look at your phone. I sent you something,” Levi said, heart beating uncharacteristically fast. You grabbed your phone which was lying on the carpet beside your foot and unlocked it to see that a Spotify link had been sent to you. The link brought you to a playlist titled “to my love.” You looked at Levi, brows furrowed together. He’d made the playlist weeks ago but he was a little nervous to play it for you and didn’t know when would be the perfect time. Levi felt that something about this moment was right. “It’s from me. You can play it now…if you want.” Levi’s voice tapered off at the end of his sentence. You could sense his nervousness and now it was making you nervous. But the nervousness was overpowered by your excitement because he’d never done anything like this before. “Levi, what’re you up to?” you said, smiling as you clicked play on the first song. 

@elio.irl by ELIO

​​"I bet I'll think of you tonight

Rolling my eyes and holding onto time

And I miss you so much, I wanna die

Can you call me?"

Levi heard you play this song a couple of times, and he ended up really liking it to, finding that he related to it a lot. As you two got to know each other, he began to crave the sound of your voice, the way you touched his forearm as you laughed, your smile.

“This first song conveys how much I miss you when we’re not together. Thoughts of you infiltrate my head like a damn disease. I tried to push it away at first, but I’m glad you didn’t give up on me,” Levi said as he scooted a bit closer to you.

You couldn’t really think and no words came to your mind. You just looked at your handsome boyfriend like he would vanish if you looked away; you just wanted to relish this moment and you didn’t want to say anything that would ruin it so you just hit play on the second song. 

Diary by Alicia Keys

"Just think of me as the pages in your diary"

“I’ll protect your confessions, guard your secrets, and cherish your memories like a diary,” Levi whispered. 

Now you really couldn’t speak cause your throat was closing in and tears threatened to fall. Levi showed his love for you every day but rarely told you; it was hard for him to put it into words. Hearing him actually say what he’s feeling felt so good. 

Begin Again by Taylor Swift

“I’ve been spending the last eight months

Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end

But on a Wednesday in a cafe

I watched it begin again”

“Y/n. You taught me how to love again. And you were so patient with me. You still are.”

This was another song you had put Levi on and he felt like it was literally the anthem of his life. He gave up on love, scared to have another person leave or die, leaving him broken in their wake. But you gently showed him that he could rely on you and that you’d always be by his side.   

Look Easy by Robin Thicke

"Where did you come from? There's no way

Did I do something in another life to deserve your grace?

How did they make you so pure and free?

Living in a world where we lose our hearts, but yours still beats"

“Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve an angel like you,” Levi admitted.

“What? No! You’re everything I’ve ever wanted” you finally broke your silence, taken aback that Levi ever thought such a thing. You planted a warm kiss on his cheek before playing the last song. 

Golden by Chrisette Michele

"Let’s take two golden bands and let's walk down the aisle"

“Do you want to get married?”

“…”

“…”

“L-levi are you serious?” was the best reply your malfunctioning brain could convene.

“Of course I’m being seri-” 

“Of course I will!” You screamed as the reality of the literal love of your life asking to you to marry him hit you. Then you began to laugh--only Levi would propose without the whole getting down one knee thing. He didn’t even have a ring. He let out a soft chuckle, too, immensely relieved that you said yes. You crawled into his lap and kissed him like you’d die if you didn’t.

“Do you wanna go ring shopping?”

“Levi it’s almost 1 am.”

[preggomancer]

Some Elio facts

-he can only shapeshift to generally humanoid shit

-he pretty much just looks the same most of the time. Because he never knows what to shapeshift into. Everyone’s like “if I could shapeshift I’d look different every day!!” And elios like listen man you’re telling me I have to put brain thoughts into what clothes I wear AND what I look like?? that’s so many thoughts

-he also has to look pregnant. since the baby (or babies) aren’t technically him, he can’t shift them to look smaller 

-he /could/ start looking for a countercurse but he keeps forgetting

-he always tries to guess what he might be having and he is always completely wrong

-he never had top surgery because he can just shift em away but this means when he’s too tired to shift (or otherwise can’t be bothered) he very suddenly has like E cups. he thinks this is low key kinda hot tho so he doesn’t mind it once in a while

-he is deeply awkward. not in a cute flustered shy kinda way, in a staring at you like a deer in the headlight speaking in near-monotone way 

-he can kinda shapeshift his clothes along with him which is the great because he’ll be damned if he can find any men’s clothes that even remotely fit his bump 

-he is a top. hashtag preggos can be tops too

-he is aromantic bi but strictly t4t, if a cis guy so much as looks at him he WILL bite

-most of his mystery pregnancies end up with some strange mythological creature that’s usually handed off to adoptive parents of the same species or some appropriate cryptozoological org

-but at least once he gives birth to a baby (or babies) he actually ends up keeping, so he is a dad! I haven’t decided the exact lore 

-he fucking hates “call me by your name” don’t even ask him about the apricot scene 

[katnissgirlsmakedo]

fuckass book u say… what goes on…

hii abby i don’t even think you’ve been here to know what book i’m even talking about so i’m imagining you seeing that vague ass post and being like hm wonder what book beth read… only for me to tell you it was just call me by your name, known movie nobody on tumblr likes other than me <3 and i understand that no one here likes timmy due to the overexposure or whatever but you’re all really missing out because he really is that good. sorry i know this is the hates popular opinions website but sometimes an opinion is popular because it’s just right idk man….

ANYWAY. so we loved the book… well ok loved is a strong word. we had a fun yet tense time with the book… as we all know i like the movie a lot (clearly enough to put it in the timeless video twice never forget… and i stand by it i’d do it again and more) anyway so i am a big supporter of not getting to have real concrete opinions on things you haven’t seen/read/heard whatever. so my ass READ the text!!!! and i’m going to get into the adaptation process with helena’s ask later which none of you have seen but like. well it’s in my inbox and i’m going to talk so much about it i <3 discussing the adaptation process! i digress. the book was really good elio is SUCH a fucking freak to read about i adored him… he is literally like if nick carroway was alina starkov. he is utterly insufferable and also obsessed with that man. but in a way that is so teenage girl bipolar… the entire beginning he’s like UGH oliver is the WORST man on planet earth and he HATES me and i HATE him and somehow i’m still HORNY about it but he’s AWFUL and MEAN. and then he’s like oh wait actually i realized he’s just shy lol omg he’s just like meeeeeee fr!!!! it was crazy. And he really had me there for a minute i was like damn oliver sounds like he sucks remind me why this is a love story?…. i was like andré what are we doing… of course ultimately what he was doing was taking the reader into the character’s mind so we could experience the worst of what elio felt as well as the best. which was crazyyyyy you had to be there!! not that i’m recommending this book. well maybe i am. idk it’s hard to say. abby you’d probably like it actually i think you’d respect elio’s ever present horniness and loser energy about it. that was meant to sound friendly and loving i didn’t mean to insinuate that you’re a horny loser… but well i mean. um love you 😁🩷

i think overall i liked the writing and the only major things against it are that well. andré is still a man and as we know i rarely fuck with male authors. feels like every time i give a man a chance he lets me down and frankly. it happened again :/ must every fictional character going through a sexuality crisis get misogynistic with it? to be fair it wasn’t THAT bad i just didn’t like what he was doing with the female characters. it felt very like. you know how men just don’t see women as human beings? yeah. which is crazy because i looked it up and andré aciman has a wife. girl you HAVE to leave him i’m sorry but you need to there’s no way he’s the best you could do dear god… i understand that an author making certain characters less in a narrative doesn’t necessarily reflect how they feel about an entire group of people in real life. but i mean. i fear i just have very little faith in men. ALSO he wrote a sequel to this book. which first of all, call me by your name was published in 2007. and it’s sequel wasn’t even planned to be written until 2018. you’ll note that the film came out in 2017. capitalist ass…. anyway i read the plot summary of the sequel and it gave very Hates Women so. i’m sticking with what i feel. it also gave fanfiction a little ngl. it also made me hate elio’s dad more than i already did, which has always been a fair amount. but we mustn’t get into all that we don’t have the time. btw you’re not supposed to hate elio’s dad he’s supposed to be the jennifer garner love simon of this story. but i don’t like him and i never have even in the movie… but i do like him a bit more in the movie i’m mostly ambivalent about him in there but in the book i really didn’t care for him much. it’s not really hate so much as just dislike. but it’s enough to be worth noting!!

but i think the strongest thing about the book that really made it good was that it wasn’t so much a “love story” as it was one character’s reflection on intimacy in his life. a narrative being a Romance sort of posits that there are two characters of equal importance, but this is really just elio’s narrative and oliver exists only as an extension of elio. especially when you consider that the core part of their dynamic is that they’re so similar the edges between them blur. in a way you could read it entirely as a story about self respect and self love

but i digress. very jumbled ass post but what do you want from me you sent me a vague statement/question…..

[craftycheetah]

𝓑𝓵𝓪𝔃𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮

Pairing: Katsuki Bakugou x reader, Pining!Kirishima x Izuku Midoriya. Reader x OFC (mentioned in passing)

CW: mild violence and blood

Taglist: @pharaohanubis0

A/N: Gray (@endeavours-jockstrap) had this idea, lwk roped me into it so we co-wrote another fic lmao

The dad has strong af swimmers, so he has two wives and a LOT of kids

Hestia: Y/n(21), Agni(17F), Tyson(17M), Egan(15M), Elio(14M), Flint(13M), Shula(5F), Blaze(1M)

Ember: Eijirou(21), Hagan(18M), Udia(10F), Tanwen(10F), Stella(10F), Haco(7M), Helia(4F), Tana(4F)

The heads of the Bakugou tribe, their son, and his right-hand man head west to the mountain range to meet the Firebeards and hopefully establish some connections with the powerful tribe.

“Behave when we get there, brat,” Mitsuki warns Katsuki just before the ship docks, and men with bright red hair and tan skin tie the ship off.

A tall woman in regal green and gold robes greets them, bowing her head. “Bakugous. Please follow me and you will be taken to the castle.”

Katsuki can’t help but notice how big everyone is with the same blazing red hair with skin in various shades of brown or tan. They wave at them as the carriage passes, happy to receive visitors.

Lush rolling green hills, rice fields, and crops are everywhere with simple stone houses. They're simple people, quiet and keeping to themselves. Rarely ever going to war unless absolutely necessary, preferring to sort out their problems through trade and meetings.

The royal home is a massive open space building made of white marble with gold accents and silk curtains with the family crest. The king is waiting for them with his two wives, grinning brightly when they arrive.

“Good to see you, Mitsuki!” He booms, clasping the queen's arm in a friendship grip. “I hope the trip wasn’t too much trouble.”

“It was fine, thank you, Ira. This is my husband, Masaru and my son Katsuki. And this is his friend, Izuku.”

The three men bow their heads in reverence.

“Pleasure to meet you. These are my wives, Ember, my first wife and Hestia my second. My youngest son is Blaze.”

Ember is a gorgeous woman with skin the colour of rich bark and red locs tied up away from her face. Her red eyes are like a cat; narrow and focused.

Hestia’s complexion is a little lighter, with gold markings on her exposed arms. Her curly red hair flows freely around her shoulders. The baby on her hip looks just like her but with brown eyes instead of green.

They nod their heads.

Ira looks around expectantly. “My two oldest children are supposed to join us but I have no idea where they’ve run off to. They’re about your son's age so I do hope they’ll be great friends.”

Two sets of tiny feet patter on the ground and approach Ira, tugging his robes. “Daddy! Eiji and Y/n got into a fight!” They say simultaneously.

Ira pets them. “Thank you for telling me. Ember?”

She nods and briskly walks off towards the entrance. The twins stared at the visitors, hiding behind Ira’s robes.

“Your children are precious,” Masaru smiles, waving at them, and the girl waves back. The boy looks a little more hesitant.

The small group walks through the castle towards the throne room.

“Do you have any more?” Hestia asks Mitsuki.

“Nope, just this idiot here.” She points at Katsuki.

“Hag,” he mutters and Izuku chuckles.

“How many do you have? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Eight each,” Ember says proudly. “Hopefully more soon.”

“Damn…good for you.”

As they sit in the throne room, Ember comes back with two people in tow. The man is massive like his father with the same red hair and tan skin, and the girl looks like Hestia but with darker brown skin and red locs like Embers. She’s just as tall as her brother, with deep curves and some defined muscle in her arms.

They both look a little bruised up, and the white wrap around your chest has blood splattered on it.

“Ah, they’re here.” Ira gestures. “These are my eldest. Y/n and Eijirou. How was it?”

“I knocked that bitch out!” You grin, showing off custom gold teeth caps.

“Did you?” Ira asks, and you come over to him.

“And I lost a tooth, see?” You open your mouth to show off your missing molar.

“Did you replace it?”

“Tenfold!”

“That’s my girl!” He hugs you sideways. “Everyone, this is y/n, my first born and future queen and Eijirou, he was born a month after.”

“Nice to meet you all.” You greet.

Mitsuki looks lost. “Queen? I thought the first son is the heir?” 

“We don’t do that here. First come first served,” Ira laughs. “On with the meeting then?”

You sit next to Katsuki, towering a little over him even in the chair.

“Hi,” you smile at him, and his ears turn pink.

Katsuki grunts, turning away as his face starts to heat up.

You reach out and touch his spiky hair. “I like your hair. It’s very interesting. You’re so small.”

“I am not small!”

“If you lived here, you would be. Do not worry, it'll make you special.” You pat his head again.

“Tch, whatever.”

After the meeting between your families, you yawn and stretch your arms over your head. “That was so boring.”

“Tell me about it,” Eijirou mutters. “Wanna go back down to the village?”

“After a bath.”

You and your brother stand up and start to leave.

“Where are you two going?” Ember asks.

“Baths then village for the festival.”

Ira claps. “Excellent, you should take our guests with you!”

You and Eijirou groan. “Do we have to?” Eijirou whines.

“Yes,” Ember says.

“But the green one’s so…frail. He’ll break.”

“I’m not weak! I’ve beat Katsuki in a fight a couple times!” Izuku squeaks.

“Shut up, Deku.”

“It’ll be fun. Show them our little games,” Ember encourages. “Take Tyson and Agni with you.”

“Not the fucking twins,” you grumble. “Fine.”

“We heard that!” they shout from down the hall.

“I know, you fuckin eavesdroppers. Let’s go, Eiji.”

“And watch your mouth!” Hestia huffs.

“Mom, I’m twenty one.”

“Still!”

“Ugh, fine. You two meet us at the front gate in an hour. Tyson and Agni will meet you there. Don’t answer anything they ask you.”

Izuku nods.

Katsuki rolls his eyes and watches you and Eijirou leave, eyes drifting to your hips, ears turning pink as your butt jiggles beneath your skirt.

“Katsuki?” Masaru gently calls. “Something you wanna say?”

“What? No!”

“Mhm.”

*

Izuku and Katsuki wait at the castle entrance, watching the people do their daily business. Katsuki ignored the occasional stares from some of the townspeople as Izuku wrote notes down in his journal.

“Did you seriously bring that thing with you?”Katsuki scoffs.

“I think it’s cool,” a voice chimes in, startling the two.

“Who are you?” The girl with red braids waves. “I’m Agni. The guy about to tackle your friend is my twin brother Tyson.”

“The hu—Ah!”

A tall redhead tackles Izuku to the floor. “Hi! You guys look weird! Where are you guys from? What’re your names? Can you fight?”

“Please get off of me,” Izuku mumbles shyly.

“Sorry.” Tyson stands up and helps Izuku. “You guys are weird. Why’re you so pale?” He winces when Agni smacks him over the head.

“Don’t just ask people that, stupid.”

He punches her in the shoulder, and they start arguing.

“Hey! Stop fighting!” You shout, pulling them away by their hair. “I’ll tell Ma.”

“No!” They protest. “We’ll stop.”

“Idiots.” You knock their heads together.

“Ow!”“ You're so mean!”

“I’m not mean. I just keep you and thirteen other children in check. Stop bugging the visitors. Did Tyson make you eat bugs?”

“No, he tackled me but I’m okay,” Izuku smiles.

A small brown-skinned girl with two ruby-colored puffs in her hair runs up to you. “Bisa! Where go?”

“I’m taking our guests to the village for the festival, Helia.”

“I go too!” She hugs your leg.

“Did you ask your Mama?”

“No?”

Eijirou picks her up. “You can’t go, you’re too small.” He pokes her nose. His whole hand could probably cover her entire head. “When you’re big like me, you can go to the festival.”

“But then I no go with you and Bisa. Want go too,” she whines.

You rub her back. “Okay, go ask your Mama, and we’ll wait for you. Okay?”

“Kay!”

Eijirou puts her down, and she runs inside. “Wait here, Kay?”

“We’re waiting.”

When she’s inside, both of you sigh in relief. “Ma will never let her.”

“Now, let’s get going before the best part of the festival begins,” Eijirou smiles, wrapping an arm around Izuku’s shoulders before leading him down the path.

Agni and Tyson run ahead, leaving you and Katsuki to walk together.

“So, you’re a prince, huh?” You ask Katsuki.

“Yup! The best in my region.”

“Bold claim for someone so small.”

“Well, not everyone is a giant like your people.”

“Wait…not everyone looks like us?  I quite like that.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Tiny enemies are easy to crush.” You clench your fist in his face.

Katsuki felt the blood rush to his cheeks and his groin simultaneously. ‘Holy shit…’

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Let's just get to the festival.”

You poke his cheek. “I had no idea your people turned red. Interesting.”

“I’m not red!” Katsuki grumbles.

“But your cheeks are red, and your ears are pink. You can change colours?  Eiji, they change colours!” you shout, loud enough for him to hear.

“I know!” Eijirou shouts back. “This one’s been red this whole time.”

“I’m not red, dammit!”

“Alright. The village is just over this hill.”

After a while, the six of you made it to the village, Izuku writing furiously in his notebook while looking at the festival decor.

“What are you doing?” Eijirou asks.

“I’m taking notes,” Izuku smiles. 

“Why?”

“I’ve only read about your island in books, and there isn't much about your lifestyle on the records. I want to learn more about you, your family and your people.” 

“What are you going to use with this? Are you planning to attack us?”

“What?!” Izuku stammers, frantically shaking his head. “No, no, no! Not at all!”

“Then why write down everything about our people?”

“To learn more. I promise that no harm will come to you because of what I write.”

You snatch the book and look at it. “Weird. Look at all of the greenie’s little drawings.” Tossing the book over Izuku’s head, Eijirou catches it and reads some words. “Ooh, is that me? My name’s in here! ‘Eldest son, Eijirou, is tall and handsome. Ooohhhh!”

“Am I in there?” You catch the book again, skimming through but don’t see anything. “Ugh, nothing. What, I’m not interesting enough for your book?”

“No, your highness. I-I mean, I haven’t had the chance to write about you but I will!”

You hand him back the book and ruffle his hair. “Don’t worry about it, do whatever you want. Let’s just enjoy the festival. There’s lots of things to do. We have games, food, and the ring.”

“The…ring?” Izuku asks.

Tyson gasps excitedly. “We can show you.”

After getting tugged along by the twins, the duo sees ‘the ring’, which is just a circular space dedicated to exclusively fighting. A woman and man wrestle in the middle while the spectators cheer and drop coins on a table to place bets.

You push your way through and lean on the fence, watching the fighters. “Oh, it’s Nuria! Kick his ass, Nuria!”

The woman sees you and waves quickly before kicking the man in the face. He wobbles a bit and falls down on his back, out cold. A few people groan and cough up the money, and the others cheer, happy to have won.

“That’s my girl!” You cheer, high-fiving her. Nuria spits the blood in her mouth onto the sand and grins. “Hey, you two.”

“Nuria’s so cool,” Agni swoons dreamily.

“We have guests,” Eijirou points at Katsuki and Izuku.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Nuria.”

“She’s the best!” You smile. “Only one who’s ever beaten me in a fight.”

“I’m the reason she has that scar on her nose!” Nuria boasts.

“And I’m the reason you couldn’t fight last year,” you smirk.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m gonna go get some Flame Punch. Meet me at the stand later?”

“Definitely!”

She hops over the fence to collect her winnings and get her drink.

“I wanna enter!” Tyson begs. “Pleaseee!”

“You’re too young. You’d get thrown out of the ring and Mom’ll have my head. Go to the kids' side.”

They whine and protest but go anyway.

You hop over the fence and step into the centre. “I’m ready!”

Some fighters back up, looking away from you, but the others look excited.

“The Princess returns, folks! After abruptly leaving earlier because her mumsy, the lovely queen Hestia, had to get her,” the announcer snickers.

You flip him off. “Fuck you, Nina!”

“Oohh, scary. Who’s willing to go home with some broken bones today?”

You look around and point at a woman in the crowd. “You! Fight me!”

She hides behind a man who looks down at her with a smile, and the people chuckle.

“Nobody wants to make any money tonight?! Still scared from my earlier fight, huh?”

“Of course they are. The girl’s still looking for her teeth.”

“I’ll do it,” a stocky man with short locs volunteers, hopping into the ring. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Oh yes,” you lick your lips, holding your fists up.

Izuku watches closely, taking notes. “Will she be okay?”

Eijirou nods. “She’ll be fine. Don’t embarrass me!”

“Eat an ass!”

Nina whistles for everyone to quiet down. “Okay, you know the rules. Anything goes, just don’t kill each other and no groin damage.”

“Yeah yeah! Let’s go!”

“Everyone placed their bets? Good! Let’s get this started!” Nina rings a bell, and you spring into action.

Katsuki watches you rush the guy and side-step him when he tries to grab you. You land a right hook to his face and cheer loudly, punching him again. Swooping your leg, you knock him down and punch him in the face before he pushes you off, kicking you in the stomach. You wheeze and roll away before he steps on you, standing back up.

“Not bad,” you chuckle breathily.

“Sorry to do this to you, princess,” he smiles, wiping the blood from his nose.

Charging at you again, he raises his fist and swings as you duck and run behind him before roundhouse kicking his cheek as he turns around, disorienting him, then kicking him with the other leg, effectively knocking him out as he falls backward, and landing face first in the ground.

“One! Two! Three! Four! Five! He’s out cold folks! The princess wins again! Are we surprised?”

A couple people groan as the rest of the crowd cheers. You wipe the blood from your nose and grin at Eijirou and your audience. “Thank you, thank you. You’ve been great!” Getting ready to step out of the ring, you stop when Katsuki steps in, handing Izuku his cloak.

“What’s this?! Another challenger?! He’s kind of small, though….” Nina announces as some people in the crowd laugh.

“Oh, you have got to be—I am not small!”

“...whatever. Anyone placing bets on the short stack?”

The silence in the crowd is so loud as Eijirou walks over to Nina and silently bets on you to beat Katsuki.

“This’ll be short…alright, begin!”

The bell rings, and Katsuki springs off from the sand towards you. It happens so fast; he feels pain blossom in his eye before something grabs his neck, and then he’s looking up at the orange sky.

“That’s a new record! For the shortest match time and longest anyone’s ever lasted with the Princess! Give it up for the runt!”

The crowd erupts in cheers as Izuku rushes over after writing the details of the fight and helps you take Katsuki out of the ring.

“Kacchan! Are you okay?!” Izuku asks, checking on him.

Katsuki groans, holding the side of his head. “What the fuck happened?”

“You lost….” you chuckle.

“Was it embarrassing?”

“...no?” Eijirou chuckles, holding a sack of coins.

“You bet against me?!” you gasp.

“What?! No! I was low on pocket funds, and I wanted to play some games and win a prize.”

You roll your eyes and examine the blooming bruise around Katsuki’s eye. “You’ll be fine. I didn’t expect you to step into the ring, you’ve got balls.”

“Course I fuckin’ do! I’m the…” he trails off, feeling dizzy.

“Uh oh, don’t fall asleep.” You pat his cheeks. “Come on, I’ll take him to the castle to rest up.”

Katsuki feels you pull him to his feet and lift him onto your shoulder. “Oh my god. You’re strong.”

“Thank you,” you smile.

The whole way back, he rambles sleepily, which is good. At least he’s still conscious.

“Tired.”

“You’ve said it repeatedly.”

“Lemme sleep,” he whines.

You bounce him on your shoulder. “No, you can rest at the castle. I’ll ask my father to get the healer to check on you.”

“I don’t wanna go! I wanna stay with you!”

You laugh. “When you wake up, sure.”

“Noooooo, lemme stay with the sexy lady!!!!” he complains.

“You think I’m sexy?”

“And hot.”

When you get to the castle, Ira is in the middle of showing Mitsuki and Masaru where they would be sleeping.  The youngest triplet with him, Stella, giggles and points at your figure. “Daddy, look.”

“What happened?!” Mitsuki shouts, checking on Katsuki.

“He tried to fight me in the ring and I accidentally hit him too hard. He’ll be fine. What room is he in?”

“That’s my girl! Third spare.”

“He needs a healer though.” You carry him down the hall to the second biggest spare room, laying him on the bed. “There you go. Don’t die.”

“I won’t. Gotta kiss you first,” he chuckles before drifting off.

You stifle a laugh and leave, shutting the oak door behind you. Helia and her sister, Tana, run up to you. “Bisa! You fibbed!”

“Huh?”

Helia pouts. “You say you wait but no wait!”

“Fibber!” Tana repeats, red twists swishing.

“I didn’t fib. I knew Ma wouldn’t let you go because you’re too small. But how about I take you during the day tomorrow? You too, Tana.”

“Yah!”

Hestia rounds the corner, holding baby Blaze. “I’ve told you to stop lying to her.”

“Mom, it’s not a lie! I was gonna go with her, but I knew Ma would say no because it’d be past her bedtime by the time we’d get back.”

The girls hug her legs, giggling. “Mama, hungry!”

“Dinner will be ready soon. Where’s Eijirou?”

“Still with the twins. Shit, I have to meet Nuria! Bye mom!” You rush down the hall.

“Tell her I said hi!”

“I will!” you shout as you rush out the doors towards the village. Panting heavily, you finally make your way to the stand.

“I made it,” you pant.

“Hey,” Nuria chuckles, handing you the wooden mug. “Saw your fight, hope you didn’t kill him.”

“Nah, I think I fucked up his head a little though….” you chuckle. “Carried him back to the castle and he was babbling like a brook. Said I’m sexy. Cheers.”

Both of you click mugs and down the hot drink, wincing at the burn. “Oh wow, it gets better every year.”

“I gotta figure out how to make this all year round,” Nuria coughs, drinking the rest.

“So you can be drunk all the time?”

“It’s fun. You like me drunk.”

She brushes one of your locs back. “You’re right.”

“You want to come back to my place?”

“I thought you and Brenton were still together?”

She rolls her eyes. “We broke up a month ago, but he won’t get over himself. I don’t really feel like dealing with him. He’s kind of an ass. But we’ll deal with him if he tries anything.”

“In that case.” You smile as you link your arm with hers. “Lead the way.”

*

The following day, Katsuki wakes to a maid pulling his curtains open. The light hurts his eyes, and he hisses, pulling the blanket over his face. “Fuck off!”

The maid giggles and stands next to the bed. “It’s time to wake up, your highness. Breakfast is served and you’ll have to take special herbs for your headache.”

Katsuki peeks out at her, frowning.

“Oh that’s a shiner,” she mumbles. “Take your time.” She scurries out.

He reluctantly gets up, checking his face in the mirror. Luckily his eye isn’t swollen, but there’s already a purple bruise around it. Are your bones made of metal?

Changing into more casual trousers and a linen shirt, he steps out and nearly gets tripped by two kids in silk nightgowns. They stop at one of the numerous doors, knocking their little hands on it. “Big brother! Time to wake up!”

Eijirou opens the door shortly after, scratching his stomach. “Hey you two!”

Helia and Tana squeal in delight when he puts his arms down for them to cling to and carry them. “Wanna help me wake the others?”

“Yah!”

Eijirou finally sees Katsuki standing in the hall. “Good morning!”

“Mm.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“As best as I can with this.” He points at his eye. The girls on Eijirous shoulders giggle.

“Sorry bout that, breakfast will cheer you up. Come on.”

Katsuki follows Eijirou down the halls, watching the massive man knock on the doors. Each door is carved with the names of what child is occupying it, and the twins and triplets share rooms. Simple enough.

“Elio, wake up!” Eijirou shouts in front of one. It opens, and a skinny boy in linen sleep pants opens it, yawning. “I’m up.”

“It’s your turn to get Blaze.”

“Ugh, fine.” He slams the door shut.

“How do you keep up with them?” Katsuki asks.

“It’s actually really easy! They listen to me and y/n so we don’t have to work too hard. Of course the youngest kids have nursemaids to help out and the older ones are there to help us out so overall, it’s pretty easy.”

The dining table is long. Long enough for the whole family and some guests, heaped with different breakfast items from the kitchen. Hestia and Ember are already there, watching to see if everything is perfect.

“Mama!” “Mommy!” Helia and Tana squeal, running to the two women.

“Good morning, love.” Hestia smiles, squatting to kiss Tana’s cheeks. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes Mama.”

Ember touches Helia’s nightgown. “But you’re not dressed, did you run away?”

The girls giggle mischievously to themselves. On cue, a maid comes running into the room. “There you two are! I’m so sorry, my queens.”

Helia and Tana try to run again, but Ember holds their arms. “No, bath time. Celeste?”

“Noooo!” The twins whine.

Celeste grabs them, pulling them away with a scold.

“Eijirou?” Hestia calls out.

“Yeah ma?”

“Where’s your sister?”

“Which one?”

“You know damn well which one. Where’s y/n?”

“She went out to get flame punch with Nuria yesterday.”

“Did she come back?”

Eijirou shrugs and sits near the head of the table.

“Hello Katsuki,” Ember nods at him. “How’s your eye?”

“Hurts like shit,” he hisses.

“Oh you’ll be fine, just walk it off. By the looks of it, she went easy on you.”

“That was easy?!”

Hestia sighs fondly. “I remember her first fight. She was so cute. My little warrior.”

“So do I, cause she beat me up,” Eijirou huffs.

The rest of the kids shuffle in and take their seats. For so many people, it’s surprisingly organised. Elio brings in Blaze, handing him to Hestia.

“Aww, my baby. Sorry for waking you,” she coos, poking his nose.

Blaze yawns, softly gripping her finger before resting his face in her neck.

Mitsuki, Masaru and Izuku finally join. Greeting everyone.

“You can sit by me!” Eijirou calls Izuku over. “Get up.” He tells his brother in the chair.

Hagan glares at Eijirou. “What? No!”

Eijirou shoves him off the chair to the floor. “What the fuck!”

“Language!” Ember calls out.

“Sit next to Egan.”

Hagan pouts and stands up, going to sit in the empty seat next to his younger brother.

“Now if I knew where my daughter was, we could have a perfect breakfast.”

“Morning my loves,” Ira grins, kissing both Hestia and Ember on the cheeks, “and my baby boy.” He picks up Blaze, kissing his cheeks and smiling when he babbles softly. Silently counting the heads at the table, excluding his guests. “Where’s my little champion?”

“Sucking face with Nuria,” Hagan snickers with Egan.

“Women will be her downfall,” he chuckles, sitting at the table head.

“How do you know?” Hestia asks.

“Cause we saw them sneaking in together.” They both say.

“Us too,” Agni and Tyson repeat.

“And nobody decided to tell us?” Ember groans. “Children these days.”

“I know exactly how you feel,” Mitsuki acknowledges.

About ten minutes later, you walk into the dining hall with Nuria, chatting excitedly to yourselves.

“Nice of you to finally join us,” Hestia says, cutting into her eggs. “Hello Nuria, how’s your mother?”

“She’s doing well, Queen Hestia.” “Morning, mom. Ma, Dad, and everyone else.” You wave. “Bye Nuria~.”

She pats your butt playfully and giggles before she makes her way to the exit. You walk up to the seat between Hestia and Katsuki. “Udia, I wanna sit here.”

“But I was here first!” She whines, puffing out her cheeks.

“And I was born first, get up.”

She huffs, sticks her tongue at you, and takes her plate, sliding off the seat to sit next to Ira so you can take her place.

“I gave you a shiner!” You laugh at Katsuki. “You look cooler now.”

Katsuki scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Whatever,” he scoffs. “What’re you eating?”

“Eggs and Sausages.” You rub your hands and reach for the sausage platter, smacking Hagan’s hands when he tries to take it.

“Ow!” Hagan huffs. “Is today ‘Get Bullied By Your Older Sibling Day’ or something?!”

“Is there any left?” Katsuki asks.

“Yeah, the maids cook a lot considering there’s nineteen of us. Now twenty-three since we have your family and your little note taker as guests.”

“That’s fair,” he mumbles, reaching for a bread roll.

After he eats half of his breakfast, you ask him about Yuuei.

“Hey, Katsuki? What’s your home like? Is everyone small and cute?”

‘Did she just call me cute, or is she just saying that about people like me,’ he thinks. “Some are but some are tall. Normal people, kinda boring.”

“Do you also have dragons?”

“You have dragons?!”

“Duh. In the mountains. They’re nice to us as long as we don’t bother them too much. I found one as a child and she lives in a cave not too far from here, you should see!”

“...whatever,” Katsuki grumbles, eating more of his breakfast before feeling a small pat on his leg. “Huh? What do you want?”

Looking down at your five-year-old sister, Shula holds up a muffin cake with a smile, two of her front teeth missing.

“For me? What is it?”

Leaning over, you giggle softly. “It’s a muffin cake. The younger ones love them. Guess Shula wants to share it with you.

Katsuki takes it, inspecting the little wrapper with the cake. “Thanks.”

Shula waves at him, then runs back to her seat.

“That was sweet,” you smile. “Go ahead and try it, they’re really good.”

Katsuki reluctantly takes a bite, humming at the sweetness of it. “S’good. Is that syrup in the middle?”

“There’s more of them next to the sausages, I think. Can you pass me one?”

Taking two of the wrapped cakes from the table, he hands one to you before unwrapping and biting into the other.

As you bite into the cake, you feel a large drop of syrup spill onto your hand. Groaning softly at the sweet taste of the syrup, you’re blissfully unaware of Katsuki watching you lick your hand and suck your fingers as his ears turn red.

Agni notices and leans in. “His ears are turning red again!”

The kids all turn to Katsuki and ‘ooh’ in amazement.

“Papa, you never said people were like color lizards! That’s so cool,” Flint grins.

“Wow!” Stella, Udia and Tanwen chorus.

You giggle softly as he covers his face before Ember speaks up. 

“Alright, children. That's enough. Don’t be disrespectful towards our guests.”

They all chorus their own forms of apologies.

Hestia chuckles and rubs her stomach. “Ooh, I’m feeling nauseous again.”

“Are you still sick?” Ira asks, holding her hand over the table.

“It’s probably just something I ate, don’t worry.”

“You’ve been like this for over a week, love. Go lay down. I’ll get the healer to check on you.”

“Thank you. Behave yourselves today. Especially you, Y/n. You too, Elio.” She excuses herself and makes her way out.

Elio sighs in exasperation while you subtly roll your eyes.

“Mama?” Blaze calls, reaching for her.

Ira holds his tiny fist with two fingers. “Mama isn’t feeling well. You’ll get to see her later.”

Blaze whimpers softly and looks up at Ira. “Wa Mama…” he sniffles.

“You could spend the day with Y/n and me. I’m sure you’ll like that.”

“Blaze! Look at me!” You call to the baby, wiggling your fingers. “Don’t you wanna be with your Bisa?”

Blaze looks at you and coos softly before smiling and reaching for you. “Bisa!”

You take him from your father’s arms and boop his nose before feeding him the rest of his breakfast.

“Say ‘ahh’,” you coo.

Blaze opens his mouth for the rice porridge and claps his hands happily when he eats it, humming with you.

“Little cutie. Ahh.”

“‘Ahh!” Blaze copies and continues eating the porridge.

“Good boy,” you coo. “You’re so cute! Yes, you are.”

Continuing to feed him, you eventually burp him and tickle his stomach, smiling as he giggles.

“Bisa! Wuv Bisa!” he babbles, smiling when he makes your smile wider.

“I love you too. You get to spend the day with me. Katsuki?”

Katsuki pulls his gaze away from you and Blaze, “Huh?”

“I have duties to perform with my dad, so is it okay if we go and visit the dragon after unless you would like to join me?”

“Oh, sure,” Katsuki mumbles before his face turns even redder as Blaze curiously tries to tug down your wrap giving him a flash of your chest.

“Hey! No, Blaze, don’t do that!” You scold, holding the wrap against your chest. “Bad baby, bad.”

Blaze giggles and tries again, stopping when you tug his hand away.

“No. No. Dammit.” You take the wrap off, shake it out, and cover yourself with it again.

“I’ll meet you in the throne room. I need to go use the restroom,” Katsuki grumbles, ears and cheeks a pale flamingo pink.

“Okay then, see you—”

He’s already up before you finish, pulling his shirt down over his front as he leaves.

“Hm, strange.”

*

Dressing in your royal robes, you take one last look at yourself before tying your hair up with gold clips. It’s a red silk dress layered with a green cloak embroidered with the family crest, all held together by a wide black belt. You uncover Blaze’s head from the blanket and smile when he looks at you and reaches for you. 

“Bisa peby,” he babbles.

“You think I’m pretty? Aww, thank you,” you coo and adjust his own little green cloak and robe. “Let’s go see dad.”

Ira meets you both at the foot of the stairs and smiles. “You look beautiful.”

“I feel hot.” You let him kiss your forehead.

“Glad to know you like the robes, my little warrior. And this little menace is so handsome. Who’s Papa’s handsome little menace? You are! Yes, you are~,” Ira coos, picking up Blaze and tickling his tummy. “Shall we?”

“Yup.” You start walking down the hall.

“The Bakugou’s will be joining us but the son hasn’t left his room since breakfast so I assume he’s skipping. What could you possibly have told him?”

“I didn’t do anything, honest! Maybe he’s not used to the way we live.”

“What did you do?”

“I took off my top during breakfast to readjust it cause Blaze kept pulling at it, but that’s normal, right?”

“Not for them. Did you not notice how their son and his friend reacted?”

“No? I was focused on fixing it and feeding Blaze, why?”

Ira hums knowingly. “You realise he finds you attractive, right?”

“I figured, most people do.”

“You could use that to your advantage~” he sing songs

“True. But he’s so tiny.”

“You’ll figure it out. Let’s finish soon, I promised the twins I’d come for their tea party later.”

After the meeting between both of your families, you change back into your comfortable wrap skirt and top to wait for Katsuki to meet you in the throne room. After about fifteen minutes, he still hasn’t shown up so you take Blaze, who you’ve placed in a sling around your back and wander around the castle. The triplets door is open and you can hear loud giggles and chatter coming from it. The triplets must’ve gotten some poor rabbit again.

You look inside, surprised to see Katsuki sitting on the ground with Stella putting ribbons in his hair while Udia and Tanwen are braiding and putting glass beads in his long strands.

“Then I saw the baker man kissing the locksmith, but the locksmith has a wife !” Tanwen finishes her story.

“No!” Katsuki gasps.

“Uh huh. But—but I ran away cause they saw me. Don’t tell mama!”

“Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Wait, are you talking about the locksmith near the dock? Flint said he and his wife are di—div—hmph,” Udia huffs.

“Divorced?” Katsuki helps.

“Yes! That one! Because he doesn’t like girls anymore. Dunno why though.”

“Girls are pretty but so are boys!” Stella smiles.

“Yeah!” They chorus.

Clearing your throat, you lean against the door with a smile as Katsuki hides his face in his hands.

‘Why now?!’ Katsuki groans internally.

“Having fun, girls?”

“Hi Bisa!” Udia smiles, finishing one of the long braids. “Bakugou said we can do his hair, isn’t he pretty?”

“Mhm, very pretty. But he’s gonna have to go now, we’re going to see Mina.”

“Awww,” they whine and start taking off the beads but leave the braids.

“You can play with him tomorrow, girls.”

“Aww, whyyy?” Tanwen whines.

“Because I said so. Let’s go.”

Katsuki takes out the rest of the ribbons and hands them to the girls. “We’ll meet later today. You still owe me the ending of that locksmith story.”

Stella and Udia nod eagerly. 

Following you out of their room, Katsuki waves at them before noticing the extra wrap around your waist and chest. “What's with the extra wrapping?”

You turn and show him Blaze asleep, cheek squished against your back.

‘She’s “mean” but really cares about her siblings. Hell she looks like a mother with that baby on her back.’ Katsuki thinks as his mind slowly wanders to you both pregnant and carrying two tiny brown bundles, one with red hair and the other a ash blonde.

“How long has he been asleep?”

“Half way through the meeting until now. He’s coming with us cause Mina loves him.”

Katsuki nods as he follows you out of the castle towards the forest. “How exactly did you meet, ‘Mina’? Did you name her or was that her given name?”

“I was hunting one day and I saw an injured hatchling. It was her. She got caught in a boar trap and I helped her out of it. I nursed her back to health and now we're best friends. In our language, her name translates to Mina.”

“Oh. By the way, the little brat's up.”

“Buh,” Blaze babbles softly. 

“Good morning to you, too. We're gonna see Mina, are you excited?”

“Daga? Daga!” he giggles and you can feel his little feet kicking.

“Easy, easy! We'll see her soon,” you chuckle as you both make your way deeper into the forest before stopping at a dark cave entrance.

“Are you sure it wasn't some giant lizard you saved?”

“Dragons are real. Can you cover his ears? The call is pretty loud.”

“Whatever,” he scoffs, covering the baby’s ears.

You clear your throat before inhaling and letting out a loud, guttural growl that echoes through the stone walls, scaring away a couple birds in the trees and making Katsuki's stomach drop.

‘This one. I want this one. Fuck, I'm in love.’ he thinks.

A moment or two later, loud thuds ring through the cave and a gust of wind nearly knocks the two of you over.

“Mina!” You yell. “You bitch, get out here!”

Katsuki prepares for the worst, taking a step back. A pink head peeks out of the cave, squinting at the light. Mina’s dark eyes widen when she sees you, “Y/n!”

“Mina!”

She runs out to hug you, nearly knocking you over, surprising Katsuki considering they're roughly the same size. “Hiiii!”

“Hey! How are you?”

You headbutt Mina inn greeting and wince as your head hits one of her sun-colored horns.

“Daga!” Blaze squeals, wanting to see Mina.

“Blaze!” Mina grins, taking him when you unwrap the cloth. “You’re so big now! Last I saw you, you were a little hatchling.”

“Mimi! Buv Mimi!”

“I love you too,” she coos.

Katsuki clears his throat and you pat his head. “Mina, this is one of my dad's guests. Katsuki Bakugou, prince of Yuuei.”

“Nice to meet you!” Mina smiles at him. “What happened to your eye?”

“He tried to fight me.”

You both laugh at his expense, annoying him.

Katsuki looks her up and down, seeing the fur dress cinched at the waist by a rope.“I thought you said we were meeting a dragon?”

“Yeah, Mina’s a dragon shifter, obviously. Mina, if you don't mind.”

Mina looks away from Blaze and hands him to you as she steps away.

A large flash of pink light flashes in front of the three as smoke covers your vision. Blaze squeals eagerly, squirming in your hold.

A loud roar cuts through the smoke as Blaze and Katsuki look up in astonishment while you playfully roll your eyes.

“D-D…” Katsuki stammers as Blaze squeals eagerly.

“Daga!!!” he screams, reaching for Mina and smiling when she lowers her head to lick his cheek and nuzzle him.

Katsuki steps back again to take in her massive form. “This is insane! You’re huge!”

Mina huffs smoke at him.

“Don't be so hard on him. He's never seen a dragon before. Apparently there aren't any where he's from.”

Mina trills quietly and there’s another flash and she’s back to her human-like form. “Well then, he should have more manners.”

“Well, go on,” you hum, softly nudging him forward.

“What?” Katsuki asks, confused.

“Apologise to her.”

“For?”

“Being rude, obviously. Go on.”

“No.”

“Well I was going to give you a gift from my hoard but you're being kind of a dick so…” Mina trails off.

“Fine, I'm sorry,” he grumbles.

“That’s better. Apology accepted.”

You pet his hair again like a puppy. Katsuki doesn’t want to admit how much he likes it. 

Mina takes him inside the cave where piles of gold, jewels and fine clothes are sitting. “I’m not picky, if it’s shiny I like it.”

Katsuki sets his greedy little eyes on a gold goblet with rubies around the rim and stem. “That one,” he grins.

Mina picks it up. “This old thing? Here, I’ve been meaning to get rid of it.” She tosses it at him. Katsuki’s surprised by the weight but that means it’s solid gold. Nice.

Blaze waddles inside the cave with you behind him. He stands at Katsuki’s feet and holds his cloak for support.

“Bago!” Blaze giggles up at him. “Up!”

“What did you just call me?” Katsuki asks, looking at the bubbly baby.

“He gave you a nickname. He likes you,” you smile.

“Bago! Bago up!”

“Alright, you little brat,” Katsuki chuckles, picking up the baby and placing him on his shoulders. “Is that better?”

Blaze squeals and gleefully pulls Katsuki’s hair.

“Ow! Why is he so strong?!”

“Runs in the family. Eijirou punched me in the nose when we were half his age.”

“Damn, what did you do?”

“I got too close to him apparently. This is why our siblings have individual cribs. Kicked him in the ribs though as payback,” you snicker as Blaze pats Katsuki’s head before cooing in the direction of Mina’s hoard. 

“Peby…” he babbles.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got something special for you.” Mina smiles and picks up a large sack full of gold items and a small silver rattle with a bird charm.

You take the sack, checking the weight. “Nice.”

Katsuki watches the exchange. “Why do you need all this gold?”

“It’s her living fee. Dad charges her to stay here and protect us. The rattle’s just a gift for your little navigator.”

Blaze gasps excitedly when he gets the rattle and shakes it violently to hear the tinkling.

“Oh. Is it a lot?” Katsuki asks.

“Not really. I get to do what I want, see my best friend and protect those I care about, Seems like a good life for me,” Mina shrugs before turning her head as a horn bellows in the distance. “Looks like you’ve gotta head back.”

“Dangit. I’ll see you next week.”

“Okay, bye bestie,” Mina smiles, giving you a hug and a headbutt goodbye.

Waving to Mina, Blaze whines softly. “Mimi go bye?”

“Yes, but I promise we’ll see her again soon. Besides, you had fun with me and Bago, right?” you grin, slightly teasing Katsuki with the use of his new nickname.

“Bago buh!” Blaze pulls his hair again.

“Yes he is.”

“Ah bah bah!” Blaze continues the whole way back.

*

When you get home, the rest of your family is waiting in the throne room. You stand next to Eijirou and Izuku, handing the sack to your brother. “What’s going on?”

“Dad has an announcement apparently.”

Katsuki hands you Blaze and goes off to talk to his parents.

“I hope it’s nothing serious,” you mumble.

Ira, Ember and Hestia make their appearance, smiles on their faces.

Ira claps. “Settle down everyone. I have excellent news!”

Hestia rubs her stomach. “We’re expecting.”

All of you cheer, rushing to crowd and hug her.

“Congrats Ma!” Eijirou smiles, kissing her cheek.

“I’m happy for you!” You grin, hugging her.

“Alright, alright,” Ember chuckles, “Don’t smother her. Congratulations, love.” She smiles, hugging her wife.

“I hope it’s another boy,” Hagan says eagerly.

“Nuh uh!” Tanwen counters.

“A girl!” Stella pouts.

“Boy!” Haco and Egan shout.

“God, do they rest?” Mitsuki mutters but she’s happy for Hestia.

Ira hugs his two wives in his big arms. “We have to celebrate! Bring the festival to the castle grounds for some fun!”

“Partyyyy!” You and the older boys holler.

Blaze looks up at you confused. “Bisa? Wa go?”

“Mommy’s gonna have another baby and we’re having a party.”

“Pa-Ty!” He squeals, familiar with the word.

“Yup. Party, party—” you chant, and the older kids join you.

© craftycheetah: all rights reserved. do not edit, modify, repost, or claim my works as your own.

[autumnsup]

🌊 Slash Ships to Get to Know Me ⚓️

Discovered via open tag (thanks @sliebman10!)

**Rules**: Name at least five (no upper limit) slash (M/M) ships you love. Each from a different fandom.

OK, so this little exercise took longer than I expected, because for me, there are many different categories of ship-love. The list I've compiled below is a reflection of my discovery journey with M/M ships, in order of significance. Some of them I have outgrown but left on the list as a mark of how deep of an impression they left on my psyche. I've only written fic for a few of them, but who knows, maybe others will pop up on my AO3 master list in the future.

Harry Potter - Drarry

This was the OG slash ship for me, although I would come to discover Wolfstar many years later. Both ships are significant for me, but since I can only give one ship per fandom, Drarry it is! The majority of my fic efforts have been in this fandom, in case you couldn’t already tell. 😉

Velvet Goldmine - Arthur Stuart/Curt Wild

This was another OG for me, being one of the first films I watched that centered gay relationships in a meaningful way (in my young adult mind, anyhow). I probably started as a Brian Slade/Curt Wild shipper, but I’ve since come to realize that I identify way more with Arthur/Curt. I also wrote a fic for this ship.

Brokeback Mountain - Jack Twist/Ennis Del Mar

This film quite literally broke my heart when I saw it in the theater as a young adult. So much so that I haven’t been able to watch it since, although I did later read the short story it was based on. I am glad that media representation of non-traumatic gay relationships has improved since then, because man, this one was tragic. Not to mention Heath Ledger dying just a few years later.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Simon/Bram 

On the flip side, this is the most adorable, positive depiction of young gay love that I’ve read so far. Possibly my favorite YA high school age ship to date, at least as far as the books go (I haven’t watched the TV series yet).

Our Flag Means Death - Stede Bonnet/Ed Teach

This TV show endeared itself to me in so many ways, but I think the most enduring love I have is for these two pirate lads. Can’t wait to see what the next season brings for them!

Hannibal – Will Graham/Hannibal Lecter

This ship fucked me up in a few different ways, not least because one of them likes to snack on people. However, the sexual tension is undeniable, and I wish they’d done this ship more justice than they ultimately did in the TV series.

Kill Your Darlings - Lucien Carr/Allen Ginsberg

Speaking of getting fucked up by ships… this one had the added layer of being based on a murderous true story, although I would say the relationship between these two college students was highly embellished, and to simmering effect. I also love that this was the first film project Daniel Radcliffe dived into while finishing up the Potter series, after honing his theater chops in Equus.

Amadeus - Mozart/Salieri

And now speaking of Equus and drama based on historical characters… I don’t think I picked up right away on how intimately linked these two characters were, but I think it was a big reason why I loved this film/play so damned much when I was growing up. The final scene between them is so utterly *chef’s-kiss*, I don’t think I have a choice but to ship them now.

Dark Is Rising series - Will Stanton/Bran Davies

Like Amadeus, this ship snuck up on me, probably because I was quite young when I first read this YA fantasy book series. As an adult, I love the idea of these two besties getting together years later, so much so that I wrote a fic for them.

Call Me By Your Name - Elio/Oliver

I have mixed feelings about this one. The film gutted me, and I tore through the book, but ultimately I feel like it was more the coming-of-age and fleeting-summer-romance angles that got to me than the actual characters, as compellingly portrayed as they were. I’m not holding out for a sequel film, given the controversy surrounding Armie Hammer, but I might eventually read the sequel book.

Heartstopper - Charlie/Nick

Pure, adorable fluff. I don’t have quite as many feels over this one as Simon/Bram, but watching the first season and the development of their romance was sheer delight.

And that's my list for the moment, although I intend to continue expanding it. Open tag for anyone else who wants to hop onboard, but just for the heck of it, I will tag @mangle-my-mind and @silverfactory! ⛵️

[olivereliocorcordium1983]

I can't believe im even doing this but here we go🙄 i am perfectly aware of Timmy being in this pic with Taylor Russell. I do not deny this at all i am fully aware that Timmy has and will be put with other costars ect. HOWEVER,

When I came into this fandom it was because of call me by your name, it was because of ELIO and OLIVER, ARMIE and TIMMY came afterwards because of the beautiful relationship they have together. Whether it is as friends or more than that I really don't care as long as both of them are happy that is all I care about.

So when I do this👇I am doing it because One: I WANT TO and because I personally ship them together and are perfectly capable of separating the characters from the actors.

Two: my IG is for my stories, so there are people who want to see these two together in whatever senario be it: DD/LB, husbands, fuck buddies, what have you even if it isn't my thing personally, I do it for them because I was a musician and in college they say, you give the audience what they want. And that is what I am doing.

So if the charmies want to see them paired up a billion times with their different characters from their different movies im going to do it. And do so proudly!

I am here for THEM not you overly butt hurt haters who want to spit you negativity everywhere and want to be little tiddy babies because oh my god we pair Timmy up with fucking Armie Hammer whose a "cannibal, rapist, blah blah, blah, 🙄 sit down and shut the fuck up. And go somewhere else with that bullshit please.

There are much more important shit going on in the world than a bunch of overly enthusiastic fanboys and fangirls talking everyday about actors they don't know personally. So if you don't like the shit that I post then go somewhere else, im an adult who writes whatever the fuck I want and who is escaping my own rl through my stories because im going through a very hard time.

And trying to figure out how in the world i am going to live without someone whose life meant more to me than your stupid petty comments!

Grow the fuck up! Stop coming into the damn Charmies space and trying to get a rise out of them, its not going to work! They don't care for you stop trying to get their attention like kimber from nip tuck who wont let go. Move on! They get it they see you, now go away!

my give a fuck button about your little issues with Charmie doesn't exist for me. I dont give a damn about how pissed you are about lillothee not being a thing anymore, I dont care for your words about "Timmy is with Taylor in that picture, not with that cannibal abusing asshole" I truly don't give any fucks because the part of me that did, officially died along with my grandma.

So seriously if you don't like what i do, say, post and all that other tiny non important crap then fucking block me. You don't want to see Timmy and Armie together fine. Block me.

If you hate me as a person then fucking block me. Because I have more important things to worry about now like how im going to get my job up and running, taking care of my grandpa, dealing with my own emotions and my own life so that when everyone else dies I can survive. Writing my own will ect.

You know, the things that actually matter than sitting behind a computer all day and literally putting all your damn energy into that hate bubble you got going on and trying to get validation from people who dont give two shits about you. Because you hate your own life so much you don't know how to be productive enough to want to change it and be happy for yourself.

That is what i care about right now, not a bunch of strangers who can't let other people just live their goddamn life and mind their own fucking business and find their own happiness.

Not a bunch of strangers who dont have the fucking balls or big enough balls to take themselves off of anon and show their faces to the people who they intentionally go into their dms, their asks, just to put their two cents into an opinion that no one truly gives a fuck about.

No people with actual differences of opinion who are respectful about it. Im not talking to you.

But you fuckers who cant be an adult and have adult conversations with these charmies, go away go play in your sad little sandbox leave the adults alone.

Thank you for coming to my ted talk, mic drop, ✌️the 🖕 out!❤️🧿

[tapperhet-em]

3

Einar finds Meeri and next steps are planned

Suddenly bright light flooded the closet and a hand grabbed her, hard.  Yanked up by her forearm, she found herself wrapped up in Einar’s arms.  “Don’t you fucking scare me like that ever again.  Make some damn noise, woman!”  He hissed in her ear, kissing the side of her head.  “That closet was organized, to my eyes, so you were easy to spot.  Good job hiding, though.” Einar was shaking, he’d thought the worst when she didn’t appear after the door slammed.  He’d searched his entire room before thinking of the closet.  If she hadn’t been in there, he might have lost his mind.

“Wait, so she was here?” Tieran’s voice came from the doorway to the bedroom, incredulous.  He’d thought sure the soldiers had found her.  From the way she was shaking, he had a feeling she hadn’t been sure they were gone.  Einar was shaking too, he’d thought the same as Tieran.

“She was still in the closet.  By the gods I…” Einar swallowed, unable to say it out loud.  His arms that embraced her held her tighter and kissed the side of her head.  Words were failing him at the moment, but she was in his arms and safe, so that was all that mattered to him.

“Told you.  Too smart.”  Elio sounded smug, but looked grim.  They’d all thought she’d been found when the other soldier had said they’d found what they were looking for, just none of them were quite wanting to say it in so many words.  

“You need smacked dumbass.” Lorcan rolled his eyes. “Let me get her out of here.  Melba is in the hallway.  I’ll arrest Meeri and get her out to my Jeep.  They didn’t even look at me when they left.  With Melba in the backseat with her, no one is going to blink when I go through the gates either.  By the time it hits them I should have taken her to the stockade, we’ll be halfway to your country estate and Melba will be in heaven with tummy rubs.”  He grinned.  

Meerie looked between Lorcan and Einar.  “Do you think that will work?”  She trusted Lorcan, that wasn’t the problem.  It was the other soldiers out there that she worried about.  If they stopped him and demanded that he hand her over, it could go bad quickly.

“I’m still in uniform.  I’m an MP.  Meeri, they don’t know who is loyal to your uncle right now and who isn’t.  If you’re in the back seat with my tinting and my dog, no one is going to look too close, Melba takes faces off.” Lorcan raised his brows and looked at her more intently.  “They’ll know I have a female under arrest that I need to process, and I’ll only tell them that if they ask what my purpose is.”

He had a point, which is why Meeri nodded.  She looked over at Einar who was still holding her, as reluctant to let her go as she was to let him go.  “Okay, you guys don’t wait around too long, okay?”  She let out a breath and gave him a hesitant smile, that didn’t even come close to her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Princess, your knights aren’t going to abandon you.  We’re your friends and have been because we love ya, not because we had to be.”  Einar kissed her in the middle of her forehead, closing his eyes and tightening his hold again.  His heart ached and his chest was tight with the thought of letting her out of his sight.  He too trusted Lorcan, not only with his life, but more importantly, with hers. “Some of us love you a bit more.”  He added as a whisper.

“Be safe, bro,” Elio shook Lorcan’s hand.  He didn’t like the idea, but like Meeri, it wasn’t a lack of trust in Lorcan.  The whole kingdom was a shit show.  Meeri had a price on her head, and Lorcan having her in his possession meant so did he till they could have her in hiding.

“Yeah, keep your head down, Meeri, and trust Lo, he’s got this!”  Teiran’s face was serious and he was fighting showing emotion.  He cared almost as much for Meeri as Einar did, and the only thing that had ever kept him from acting on it was he knew that Einar loved her first.  Einar was as close to him as his brother and he wouldn’t interfere.  That didn’t mean that he wasn’t about to lose it over Meeri being out there with only one of them to protect her.  But Lorcan was right, he was the only one still in uniform.  Having Melba made it better though.  That dog adored Meerie, and she really did rip faces off.

“Hold on,” Einar thought of something and headed over to his dresser where he opened the carved wooden box on top that held his jewelry and regency regalia.  Pulling out a few things he came back over.  First he handed a ring with his family’s crest on it to Lorcan. “Put that on, bro.  No one at the estate will question anything you tell them to do.  The only way you could have it is if I gave it to you and they know I’m coming.  It will give you command over the whole of the estate until I get there.”  The men nodded to one another.

Next was Meeri and he was a lot more nervous here.  First he slipped another heavy ring on a chain over her head and dropped it down inside her shirt.  “THAT, that makes you his boss. If anyone challenges you once you’ve made it into my family’s territory, show them that and they will back down.  They’ll also probably call dad, so be prepared for a visit if you have to do that.”  His dad loved Meeri so it wasn’t something he was worried about. He looked up at the other three with them in the room, “guys, can you wait in the front room for a minute, please?”  Einar got raised brows but all three went out into the living room.

“What are you doing, Einar?”  She looked at him a little suspicious. It wasn’t that she minded a few extra minutes alone with him before she left with Lorcan, but she wondered what he had in mind that made him ask the others to leave.  She still hadn’t fully come to grips with his declaration of love from earlier, but she couldn’t deny that those feelings were mutual, even if she’d never gotten the words out herself.

“I have one more thing for you, but I wanted to give you this one with it just being you and I.” Looking into her dark eyes, Einar felt like he could get lost in them, and if it were any other time but this one, he might have been tempted to.  “That other ring will open any door in my family’s territory and get you anything you need.”  He took a deep breath, not really having given a whole ton of thought to what he was about to do, but maybe it was better that way.  “This one,” he held up a smaller, more delicate ring, “it just holds the key to my heart.”  His eyes fell down to the ring and back up to meet her eyes.

“Einar,” Meeri breathed out his name and felt like she couldn’t breathe in again.  Looking down at the most unique ring she’d ever seen, and the most gorgeous.  The stone was dark, alternating from an aqua to a deep purple as the light hit its pear shape, and the band was in a black metal that had been intricately crafted to look like tiny branches.  She was completely dumbstruck by it, and by what she understood from his words for it to mean. 

“Meeri, I’ve had it for a while.  I always thought that we’d have more time, that I’d find the right way, that we’d have that moment…but the fates have a different plan for us.”  He could see her hands trembling as she gently touched his and he knew she was just as nervous as he was.  “I don’t want you leaving here without KNOWING exactly how I feel, how I’ve felt, and I’ve tried to show you in so many, many ways.”  There was so much more his eyes were saying to her that he couldn’t put into words.  He could only hope that she understood. 

Meeri had never seen so much emotion in Einar’s eyes as she did in that moment between the two of them.  There was no doubt the sincerity of what was in his heart, and she definitely knew her own.  Swallowing, she nodded, tears stinging at her eyes, “then there’s no other ring I’d want, Einar.” 

He knew that time was wasting, but he had to do it before they left.  If Meerie and Lorcan had left, and something happened, without her knowing…he never would have been able to forgive himself.  Every time he’d wanted to say something to her in the past, he’d kicked himself when he’d chickened out over the fear that it would just fuck everything up.  But now he was putting the most precious thing in his life in one of his best friend’s hands and he didn’t want to do that with there being and doubt what she meant to him. So, as he slid the ring onto her finger, he wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her in flush against him. “I’ll see you tonight at the mansion.  Now we better go before any more time passes.”  

Their first kiss wasn’t the thing of romance novels and Disney movies, but there was more emotion in that kiss than anyone could ever put into words or convey on film.  It was their first kiss, it could be their last kiss, and both were scared to death.  Maybe that made it perfect after all.

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

Here's a great quote from long-time animation veteran John Sanford, who - in 2018 - spoke of his experiences directing the Disney Animation feature HOME ON THE RANGE on the Look Back Machine podcast:

"I remember arguing vehemently that Disney had kinda lost touch with the culture at large... There was a thing that Disney at the time did, and they finally got past it. Disney had a problem at the time, thinking only in terms of 'Disney'. Like, when we were making ATLANTIS, 'This is Disney's big action movie!' When they made TREASURE PLANET, 'This is our science fiction movie!' And they didn't seem to understand that, outside the walls of the studio, people were making action movies and science fiction movies that were like far more daring, far more interesting... HERCULES came out, and it was the very same weekend MEN IN BLACK came out. And I think it was Ed Gombert that said 'You know what? MEN IN BLACK should've been the movie we made. Because it was interesting, it was dynamic, it captured the minds of the public, it was a way of seeing the world that they weren't used to. Whereas HERCULES? Was, oh, it's another one of those. Another one of those Disney musicals. You know. And there's 5 songs, and, who gives a shit?"

I feel that's often a cyclical thing with the larger Disney enterprise...

Maybe that's what they're going through right now, if you ex out just how expensive the movies cost to make and how expensive it see to get your group together to see a movie...

A mainline Disney feature film, be it a Walt Disney Pictures "live-action" movie (or tech demo, in JUNGLE BOOK/LION KING's case) or a Disney-released animated feature from WDAS, Pixar, et al., hasn't been a profitable box office success. Exceptions were made for two 2021 releases, CRUELLA and JUNGLE CRUISE, because things weren't as back to normal as they were in 2022. If released in 2022, and they made the amount of money they made in 2021? They'd be considered big flops.

2022 only saw two "Disney" theatrical releases that weren't Marvel, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, or Searchlight... Those were the Pixar spin-off LIGHTYEAR and the WDAS picture STRANGE WORLD. Both lost money. Other films went straight to Disney+, such as HOCUS POCUS 2 and DISENCHANTED. Both of those, I reckon, could've been actual box office successes for them. The former especially... With the kind of cult following HOCUS POCUS accumulated since its ill-fated summer 1993 debut? How it plays every damn year on Freeform, Disney Channel, etc.?? I'll never understand why they didn't try that one in theaters in fall 2022...

This year... We're at... THE LITTLE MERMAID, which cost $250m to make but looks to top off at $570m... Not 2 1/2x the cost despite making nice sums for itself... Pixar's ELEMENTAL is Little Engine That Could'ing it after a dismal opening gross, it may just be their first genuine success since... FROZEN II... All the way back in 2019... Then there's HAUNTED MANSION, which posted a disastrous opening, and it will not land anywhere near doubling its inexplicably high budget...

Next up are, should the studios actually pay their writers/actors and those movies stay on schedule...

WISH: Disney Animation's new film, which likely cost over $150m. Maybe even more so because it's using technology similar to that of PAPERMAN, tech they didn't pursue for a feature because it allegedly would've cost way too much...

ELIO: New Pixar, likely to cost over $175m, par for the course for that studio.

SNOW WHITE: If it's smaller scale, it shouldn't have a problem, but Disney usually overdoes it on these remakes.

INSIDE OUT 2: Pixar sequel to one of their megahits.

MUFASA: THE LION KING: Name says it all, likely cost around the same amount as the 2019 LION KING.

WISH and ELIO are the only genuine originals on here, though Disney's marketing machine seems to think that WISH is some mighty origin story to all the animated classics, when I hear it's otherwise an original story that just happens to be about wishing stars... A wishing star only shows up in PINOCCHIO and THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, **two** Disney animated movies. You could possibly count THE RESCUERS as well, for the 'Faith is a Bluebird' scene, but... It's a stretch. ELIO is definitely more original on the surface.

SNOW WHITE's a remake of the whole enterprise's first ever feature film, and the early buzz for that one is... Going well to say the least, what with lead actress Rachel Zegler constantly reiterating that this new Snow White is a girlboss and regurgitating talking points that seemed to have been written by people who haven't actually watched SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS since they were 2 years old. Aside from that nonsense, who really wants to see a new live-action SNOW WHITE anyways? Especially since we already got two fairly recent live-action interpretations? (MIRROR, MIRROR and SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, the latter of which spawned a flop spin-off prequel about The Huntsman.) I'm thinking, at best, it performs similarly to the live-action DUMBO that Tim Burton directed. Not the re-dos of the Renaissance faves that people my age are nostalgic for.

Similarly, who the heck wants to see a LION KING half-prequel/half-sequel? Especially since this is an all-new story and not following any previous ground. I have a feeling LION KING 2 or is it 0.5 performs similar to the live-action ALICE IN WONDERLAND sequel that Disney put out in 2016 to muted turnout.

INSIDE OUT 2 is a guaranteed smash. Most Pixar sequels are, despite how much the Internet insists they largely stink. The only one to not perform too well was CARS 3, and spin-off LIGHTYEAR - as said earlier - lost money...

But yeah... Everything's either a pricey original animated movie, or a sequel/franchise extension of some sorts. Right down to HAUNTED MANSION, a theme park attraction-based movie.

And in the recent pre-COVID years, Disney did have trouble launching live-action/CG-laden spectacles that *weren't* PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN... Movies like... Let's see... G-FORCE, PRINCE OF PERSIA, JOHN CARTER OF MARS, THE LONE RANGER, TOMORROWLAND. Franchise non-starters, too, like THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA and a 28-years-later TRON sequel... They slowly gave up on smaller movies, too, like THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN and QUEEN OF KATWE. Those were relegated to Disney+ status... Only for them to be thrown into the Shadow Realm, unavailable to view, anywhere. R.I.P., movies like CRATER...

Funny thing is, movies like CRATER could've been released theatrically and they could've done okay for themselves. Disney used to do that sort of thing with live-action movies. A few comedies, a few small movies, next to the occasional spectacle movie. Like during the 20th century, for every 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA behemoth or every MARY POPPINS-type "event", there were like maybe 3-4 SHAGGY DOG and THREE LIVES OF THOMASINA-type movies.

But I go back to Sanford's statement... It sometimes feels like Disney, across most of their divisions, are trying too hard to give the public "Disney movies". Just the way you like 'em...

But maybe the public doesn't want that all the time.

Look at the first PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN movie from way back in 2003. Twenty years ago, WOW! Big budget pirate movie based on a Disney theme parks attraction. Pirate movies were deemed "box office poison" back then, the aftermath of CUTTHROAT ISLAND being a massive box office flop, and similarly watery movies like WATERWORLD being huge flops... And, the two previous theatrical Disney theme park movies - MISSION TO MARS and THE COUNTRY BEARS - flopped at the box office... So, you have a pirate movie based on a Disney theme park attraction... Get a weirdo auteur director like Gore Verbinski to helm the thing and do it his weirdo wacky way... and shoot for a PG-13 rating, which has never been given to a non-Touchstone/Hollywood Pictures Disney movie up unto that point... and... This seemed like a terrible idea on paper! But they went through with it, they didn't make a "Disney pirate action movie"... We got Gore Verbinski's PG-13 rated PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN... And people flocked to it. Then it became a gift that kept on giving: Four sequels, tons of merch, tons of other stuff, a reboot in some form of development...

And that would not have happened if Disney didn't take such a big swing and didn't just make a cool movie that seemed very "un-Disney"... PIRATES, Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones, all of it, is synonymous with the Disney name. More so than the iconic ride itself, which first opened in Disneyland in 1967, ever was...

I feel that one's in the same field as movies like 20,000 LEAGUES, MARY POPPINS, TRON, etc. Movies that didn't do the "Disney movie" thing, but rather movies that either tried new things or told stories that really appealed to people. Sometimes the batting average wasn't great because of outside circumstances. For example, a film like THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN was given good critical marks, but the film failed to find an audience in the fall of 1985. On the other side of the coin were movies like THE BLACK HOLE, films that tried to do something cool and different, but ultimately suffered in some way or another.

Universal, Paramount, and Warner Bros. don't have this problem. No new movie from them is a definite "Universal movie" or a definite "Warner Bros. movie". This allowed them to make all kinds of movies, while Disney - in a post-MPAA age - fumbled about throughout the 1970s making nothing but low-budget G-rated family films while the cinema landscape expanded and filmmakers were given newfound freedom. When they catch up, sometimes interesting experiments come out and films that deserve another look... but sometimes, even with so many tools at their disposal, they fall back on the "Disney movie" thing again.

And this applies to their animated movies as well, WDAS more so than Pixar. I feel like WDAS should try out more lower-budget, quirkier features like the defunct Orlando unit used to make, like LILO & STITCH. Not a visual rehash of TANGLED or a story/script that recalls the beats of the 2010s films. Something new, ya know? Not that what they've been making recently is bad or anything, but things are feeling a little samey, you know? Pixar, on the other hand, is in a director-driven era that's making anal-retentive pundits on the internet angry... But I like the variety and the experimenting, and so do the millions of people who had been streaming LUCA and TURNING RED. ELEMENTAL's legs say more to me on what audiences are thinking... than the hordes of people on twitter declaring it some "mid" movie that's an indicator of why Pixar has sucked for a while. (You wouldn't last 2 seconds in a studio with that attitude.)

But, yeah... Lower the budgets, find a better way to market movies than with your current "here's the thing... please clap" strategy, and... Maybe take a chance... Like Walt did...

[f4bruaryfriday]

We found the stars, you and I. And this is given once only.

-call me by your name

"CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, AND I'LL CALL YOU BY MINE" elio, oliver.

the amount of significance this damn book and movie holds for me is quite out of line actually. i found comfort here, i found home. somewhere i could hide away when things got too much in my world. the essense of this, will always and forever stay imprinted on my mind. how beautifully there were very less words spoken but the silence was way more explanatory in itself.

my heart went through phases throughout. i felt euphoric when they touched each other for the first time, when they looked at one another in a way they would never ever look at another being. and then i could never bring myself to watch the last scene of elio sitting in front of the fire.

elio elio elio elio elio. oliver oliver oliver oliver oliver. it was a summer, i won't ever forget, thank you~🍑

[theseshipsshallsail]

Summary:

Every great performer must master their composure, or so his middle school piano tutor used to say, but Elio’s stoicism falls by the wayside as he weeps openly for the man who’s more himself than he is.

According to his bleary vision, it’s 2:47 a.m when Elio jerks awake with a stifled gasp. A nebulous sense of dread looms cold and foreboding despite the muggy air of his grandfather’s former bedroom, and the phantom train whistle resounding in his ears soon grows smothered by the dull throb coalescing at his temple; it’s lub-dub thrum so thunderous it sounds like someone’s banging furiously on the bathroom’s adjoining door.

“Stai bene,” he whispers, voice cracking egregiously from the strain. “You’re fine. È finita. Just breathe…”

It’s a clichéd reassurance he’d once implored of Oliver: thumbs tracing idle patterns atop the thin blue veins at his wrists as he coaxed him to follow his lead. But Oliver isn’t here to return the favour, is he? And it’s only through sheer force of will that Elio masters the protests of his churning stomach; the galloping heart threatening to burst beneath his too-tight ribs. 

A gross overreaction, he tells himself, yet the vestiges of his dream refuse to abate, and his thoughts flash like the myriad slides on his father’s projector; unable to pick a solitary focus point amidst that which was so callously ripped from him on the crowded platform of Roma Termini.

Restless limbs urge him to run - though Elio knows not where - and kicking free of the tangled sheets he swings his legs sideways, scrubbing both hands along his scratchy jaw. Decidedly nauseous, he laces them behind his head to tug his tangled curls, and the groan he lets loose is born of pure frustration when the change in position puts added pressure on his overfull bladder. 

The Moreshi’s greyhound yaps twice from the adjacent villa.

Desiccated rye grass sings its wispy song.  

A susurrus of waves lap the rugged cliffs.

Elio’s lungs pinch tight - a lingering consequence of their stilted, post-dinner phone call - but swallowing hard, he forces himself to stand, stubbing a toe on his discarded amaretto bottle in the process. Again, something in his chest seizes - like he’s afraid to his very core - and the resultant rattle sounds suitably apocalyptic as it skitters across the wooden floorboards.

Judge, jury, and liquid executioner.

The artificial high that patched his gaping wound has fled, superseded by the tell-tale lump in Elio’s throat as he stares after it. His father’s words from earlier - you’re too smart not to know how rare, how special, what you two had was - are no less profound as moonlight glints off the slowly spinning glass, and his grainy eyes burn anew; the slick layer of sweat between his t-shirt and torso feeling damn near suffocating.

Because he was correct. His father, that is. This thing he and Oliver share has everything and nothing to do with intelligence. Which is why he’s unable to reconcile the pragmatic necessities of their separation when for Elio what it all boils down to is this.

He loves him.

Body, mind, and soul.

So it’s little wonder, then, that his broken heart doesn’t give a fuck for the bigger picture.

That Oliver has a doctorate to complete. 

A family who miss him. 

A promising career and countless responsibilities he can’t just shirk on a whim. 

Not for some spoiled rich kid unaccustomed to the wider world.

“Basta con questo,” Elio admonishes, and gritting his teeth, shuffles to the en-suite to take care of business; tremulous bottom lip flattening in distaste at the sunken, washed-out features reflected in his vanity mirror. 

There’s a half-smoked pack of Gauloises on the shelf - crumpled from his jean-shorts pocket where Oliver’d slid them prior to leaving their hotel room - and snatching up the second-hand cigarettes he goes in search of his lighter, rifling through his backpack’s inner workings then stalking through the french windows to the balcony outside; instinctively scanning the various ghost spots Oliver’s made his own.

One flick. 

Another.

An aborted third.

He’s shaking too much to spark the tip, and tossing the cardboard carton onto the wrought iron table he stares at the blinking stars instead; unable to keep from wondering if Oliver’s doing the exact same thing.

Sitting shiva for Elio like Elio’s currently mourning for him.

Just last night, they’d stumbled from an open-mic poetry session straight into a back-alley disco - debated Dostoyevsky in the shadows of the Trevi Fountain - and as a barn owl screeches eerily over the ever-present cicadas, there’s no stopping a traitorous tear at the mere thought of Oliver’s path already diverging from his. 

A sudden gust of wind ruffles the trailing geraniums within their hanging baskets, causing Elio to shiver as he scrubs his cheek with his palm. The thin material of his boxers provides scant protection now his booze jacket has worn off, and ducking inside he searches his teetering piles of clothing for a clean pair of pants, only to stop short when his gaze is drawn irrevocably to the armoire’s open door.

To Billowy; half-hidden amongst his winter coats and a gaudy three-piece suit Isaac and Mounir brought with them last spring.

He’d hung it up as a precaution - terrified Mafalda might toss it in with tomorrow’s laundry - and teetering on the cusp, Elio dares to reach out; barely containing a sob as the light blue cotton grazes his reverent fingertips. 

Wild horses couldn’t stop him from unhooking the gifted garment, but the irrational fear it’ll vanish into the ether soon turns his legs to jelly. Somewhat absurdly, the physical evidence is far from enough, and seeking Oliver’s treasured scent he scrunches the fabric around his nose, only to discover it’s essentially been replaced with his own.

But not entirely, he realises.

The faded section at the unbuttoned cuffs? The slightly discoloured patch inside the collar? They still smell of him - an elusive fragment of spicy cologne and Roger and Gallet shampoo - and Elio breathes in deeply as he stumbles backwards, his ramshackle defences crumbling brick-by-brick even as he sinks blindly to the foot of his too-small, too-empty bed.

Every great performer must master their composure, or so his middle school piano tutor used to say, but Elio’s stoicism falls by the wayside as he weeps openly for the man who’s more himself than he is. For the blankness of Oliver’s expression when the regionale pulled into the station. For being so utterly devastated his vocal cords felt crushed in a vice, leaving him too exposed - too vulnerable - to say a proper goodbye. 

For having to say any form of goodbye at all.

He’s not sorry for a single moment they spent together; their initial games of cat-and-mouse notwithstanding. It was an honour. A privilege. But there’s no finality in uncertainty, either, and slipping his arms into the damp, splotchy sleeves Elio hugs his hollow midriff before rolling onto his side. Wishing with all his might that this futile attempt at self-comfort be sufficient to fool his active imagination.

That his first love - his forever love - was tucked in close beside him.

That he was sleeping soundly, wrapped up safe in Oliver’s embrace, not lying - bruised and abandoned - sullied by the ashes of impossible dreams.

[liladiurne]

5 Movies, 4 Songs, 3 Essentials, 2 Books, 1 Quote

Oh this is fun! Thanks @bluesundaycake for tagging me!!!

5 MOVIES. 

1 - Parasite (2019): Okay, so I watched this one only last week, so I guess that’s why it came to mind. But also because it’s amazing! I’d been meaning to watch it for ages but kept putting it off, and as I was watching it I remember thinking, “You idiot, this is so good, you should have watched this ages ago!” It’s such a clever concept, so visually fascinating, and so suspenseful. I’ve never seen anything like it.

2 - Pride & Prejudice (2005): I’ve watched this countless times in the past few years, as inspiration for one of my fics, which is an adaptation from the book. But not only as inspiration, just because it’s so peaceful and so visually stunning. I think this film is sort of a refuge. A dream state. Just pure beauty (like all of Joe Wright’s films, to be fair).

3 - Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain (2001): I couldn’t not include this film, because for such a long time in my life this has been the film I would watch whenever I was depressed or lonely or prone to dark thoughts. This movie will never fail to inspire me, to give me hope, to light things up. 

4 - Matthias et Maxime (2019): I just had to include a Dolan movie on here, and I picked this one, because it’s the most amazing, endearing, touching, realistic representation of friendship I think I’ve ever seen on screen. The dialogues are so hilarious and genuine. And the movie is heartbreaking but hopeful at once. And the soundtrack was made by one of my favourite composers, pianist Jean-Michel Blais, and it’s absolutely stunning. I cannot recommend this film enough.

5 - The Princess Bride (1987): Okay so I thought I should include a movie from my childhood on this list, and I couldn’t think of any other than this one. I know this film by heart, in French and in English. Love for this movie was one of the only things I had in common with my dad growing up, so maybe that’s why it’s so precious to me. I have so many fond memories of it.

4 SONGS. 

1 - No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross by Sufjan Stevens : this song is like seeing the face of the one you love

2 - House of the Rising Sun by alt-J : one of the best covers I’ve ever heard

3 - Shrike by Hozier : this song manages to make me happy and sad at the same time

4 - The Rip Tide by Beirut : I wish I could hear this one again for the first time

3 ESSENTIALS.

1 - My darling Elio (my cat)

2 - My support system (aka amazing online friends)

3 - Wireless headphones

2 BOOKS.

1 - Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman : Yeah, yeah, I know I’m predictable. Well, sue me! I’ve read this once a year since 2017, so I think it deserves a spot on this list. I was gonna include the movie too, but I managed to settle for just the book.

2 - The Secret History by Donna Tartt : Okay, listen, I have a degree in Classics, and every self-respecting Classics student needs to read this. It’s nerdy and pompous and pretentious as hell, but it’s also a damn good read.

1 QUOTE.

“Allow your pain to be finite. Wild things bear no grudges when they are set free.” -Nikita Gill

Tagging (only if you feel like doing this, of course, no pressure!) @vulnerasanenturmyprince @darkestacademiaaa @acydpop @luendland @villain-sympathiser @danni-the-puff

[2kmps]

Your latest Elio fic reminded me of the song "The Death of Peace of Mind" by bad omens. Shit was a whole damn ride listening to it while reading said fic 🙏🗿✨

that song goes so hard! i'm really surprised i've never heard of bad omens before esp being as deep in the metal/rock/alternative spheres that I am. ty for introducing me to that song and I can totally see how fitting it could be for the story. great choice ✨✨✨✨

and, ofc, ty for reading and telling me this!❤️

[myarchivesfile]

SPOILER: I CAN’T BE YOURS

playlist linked!

You touched my face, my mind began to run / But you don't care now, you tell me it's all said and done

I Can't Relate · Two Feet

I'm not trying to be clever / I just wanna feel better / Wanna wake up and forget that you're not around

hurts 2 hate somebody · ELIO, Chase Atlantic, No Rome

You make it feel so damn good to be bad / You're the best I ever had / You're cold-blooded and I love it, yeah, yeah, yeah

Black Magic · Jaymes Young

Nobody should be alone / Please let me take you home tonight / Don't you know that I / Don't you know I want you so bad?

Don't You Know · Jaymes Young

Don't you worry, my touch won't leave you hollow / I'll never gonna let you change your mind / Oh, when I have you / I'm gonna brand you with my lips

Tied Down · Jaymes Young

Out of my sight, out of my mind / I don't wanna know about it this time

Two People · Jaymes Young

'Cause there are no secrets that I keep from you, no / And there are no lies upon my tongue / For you, I am naked

Naked · Jaymes Young

I'll never forget loving you sweetly / Your sugar still burns on my tongue

Sugar Burn • Jaymes Young

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ[background noise playlist]

★ Call Me, I Still Love You - Extended Version · Two Feet

★ F2F · SZA

★ 505 · Arctic Monkeys

★ Wondering · Jaymes Young

★ Tornado Warnings · Sabrina Carpenter