#idk if people will be interested but it sounds like a delightful puzzle for the holidays haha

[an-asuryampasya]

Get to Know Me Tag Game

[high-fives @dimplesandfierceeyes because I'm also doing this a month after being tagged, welp. Thank you for tagging me though! :)]

do you make your bed? 

Pretty much always, except when I'm in a particularly bad slump. tbh I'd happily make beds that aren't even mine when it's not weird (unless it's my sibling's, in which case the sibling-instinct to annoy them wins over). I really like mechanical, satisfying jobs like that. If I'm in the mood, I like to place the blankets and stuff at what I consider✨artistic✨ positions. It's fun for me and a delight for my mum who gladly delegates all bedsheet-changing jobs to me whenever I'm home lmao.

what's your favourite number?

Two! Discovered this fact about myself while playing The Game of Life for the first time approximately three lifetimes ago and I had to pick a number to bet on.

what is your job?

well, I'm currently in research-y career so it's mostly destroying structures and/or going ':o that was v cool but i have no idea why it happened' in technical terms.

if you could go back to school, would you?

I am in school rn!

can you parallel park?

no. I have a driver's licence but zero confidence in driving a four-wheeler so I avoid it and I'm pretty sure my minimal driving skills would've fully atrophied by now. idk why, but driving a car freaks me out (I would like it to not, but that doesn't seem to be on the cards any time soon)

I can easily parallel park a two-wheeler though, if that counts :P (I ADORE two-wheelers. I know they're riskier but they're so, so much easier and more fun to drive.)

a job you had that would surprise people?

I've had very brief stints outside academia and nothing that would particularly raise eyebrows, I think.

do you think aliens are real?

Feel like aliens probably exist but also feel like alleged alien sightings probably aren't actual aliens.

can you drive a manual car?

On paper, yes. That's what I learnt driving on.

what's your guilty pleasure?

reading soap opera-esque fics that I know will infuriate me, get infuriated, and then go yell at/about the fic in @pestobepis's DMs and send screenshots so they can suffer the full experience with me <3 (apologies, beloved. it will happen again ^_^)

tattoos?

Never got any, and since almost everything about my likes/interests/opinions changes practically every three months, that's probably a good thing. There was a time when I was kinda crushing on Pennywise and was watching a lot of HISHE at the time, so after an ep with some joke about Jar Jar Binks being in It, I decided I'd like a 'Wesa all float down here; YOUSA FLOAT TOO' tattoo, so-

favourite colour?

Don't have one, but I find myself quite partial to deep blues and greens in general.

do you like puzzles?

only as long as it feels like I'm winning and haven't run out of patience yet. So I guess I like feeling smart, not puzzles?

any phobias?

no major ones that I've discovered yet! though I may have mild trypophobia because I can get a lil uncomfortable looking at clusters of small holes - which is unfortunate, because my favourite kind of concrete is foam concrete and it looks like this:

(Image source)

[there's other forms of concrete that also contain trapped air bubbles but foam concrete is the coolest, take my word for it. We make foam concrete by mixing foam with concrete. literally that's it.

WHO takes a look at solid, dense concrete and thinks to themself 'yeah this needs some fluffy light foam :)'?? some genius, that's who. I love that juxtaposition so much!]

favourite childhood sport?

Was never a fan of sports unless hula hooping counts. But dodgeball wasn't the worst thing I had to endure, so I'll go with that.

do you talk to yourself?

Oh yeah.

what movies do you adore?

Mamma Mia! and Sound of Music come to mind. And Maryada Ramanna! (Ignore the last ten minutes or so of that one though. The rest of it is a delightful exploration of weaponising politeness and I adore it.)

coffee or tea?

I'm loyal to tea.

first thing you wanted to be growing up?

gymnast, I think?

Zero pressure tags for @pestobepis, @averythepirate and @shewantsitall! :)

[pynkhues]

still thinking about Connor saying he didn't see Logan for 3 years. What was happening?? Was Connor with his mom? Boarding school? Why didn't Logan see Connor??? I'm guessing this was a time of huge growth for the company, maybe when Logan transitioned from multi millionaire to billionaire. And it probably ended when Logan married Caroline. Ah I just have SO many questions

Gosh, I'm still thinking about it too, anon. I'm obsessed with how well thought-out all the backstory is (would literally kill to get to read the series bible - I feel like it's probably a beast of a document, haha) and every time they drop a tidbit I become the Charlie from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia meme.

Three years is such a specific period of time, I feel like it gives the impression that Logan left Connor, but then came back and got him? Something I think that's pretty supported by Connor being so involved with the golden trio and knowing Caroline's estate like he does. Surely if Logan had abandoned Connor entirely in his childhood, Connor would've said that, but to instead put a timeframe on it implies something else. A sort of contained period of time as opposed to an ongoing abandonment.

I think you're probably right in that Connor probably got lost in the shuffle of one of Waystar's big expansions, and was probably neglected in the early days of Logan and Caroline's relationship (after all, we've now seen how swept up both Logan and Caroline get with new relationships, to the detriment of everything else in their lives).

My inclination is probably that Logan and Connor's mother separated in Connor's late childhood / tween years – maybe when he was around ten or eleven – and it wasn't until Logan decided he was setting up house with Caroline, that he wanted Connor back at his side. It likely timed with Connor's mother being institutionalised and maybe even Logan's falling out with Ewan too.

It makes me curious as to how different Logan was as a father to Connor. If there's a fifteen year age gap between Connor and Kendall like Alan's said, that puts Logan at 25 when he had Connor and 40 when he started having the golden trio. It's a wildly different stage of life, and even more so when you compound it with Logan's ascension in wealth and power. He probably wasn't thinking of his legacy in Connor's childhood and adolescence in the same way he was thinking about it in Kendall, Roman and Shiv's, and having three children to groom and pit against each other with your empire and their mother's aristocratic genes and status is probably much more appealing than one adult-child you already briefly abandoned with a mother who's mentally ill.

I don't know though! What do you guys think?

[crab-in-a-pocket]

reserved farmer headcanons + meeting the bachelors for the first time!

wanted to make some generally reserved farmer headcanons to kick off this blog and bc i see a lot of very friendly farmers out there and i... am not one of them LMAO

additionally, there's reference to a supposed volatile relationship with a (former?) loved one (projection time!)

also i forgot to open my askbox bc idk how to tumblr ?? i think it's open now (i hope).

tw: drinking and alcoholism, references to past trauma, one Bad Word (sh^t!)

when you first meet everyone, it's a quiet greeting and maybe a witty remark, but you don't stay for any chit-chat

close-lipped smiles are your signature move, along with the Man Nod whenever you run into someone

you are, of course, a nice and courteous person but you don't feel the need to say hello to everyone every damn time you pass by them because, really, you're too busy rushing to Pierre's for some seeds or lugging around foraged beach stuff

okay, maybe some of them think you're a little cold and an introvert who has... problems

but you're not! you are a strong and emotionally stable farmer who gets Shit Done and prefers to observe over participate and think over talk!

mayor lewis is extremely puzzled and almost mistakes you for someone else-- it's been over a decade and people change too much, too soon. he makes a remark about a wishing well your grandfather had built long ago (remember the well? how you fell in it that one time?) and you nod along politely (i didn't fall, i climbed in because i desperately needed my wish to come true)

it's nice to meet people who aren't as temperemental as the tides. maybe, for once, you could have a proper relationship with someone.

alex

easily the most annoying and extroverted person in town what with his obsession with sports and loud, brash personality but you two get along fabulously because you had that same passion for gridball in college before you were too busy being a corporate slave

he's a little surprised that you sit next to him at the saloon but he goes along easily and the conversation flows between the two of you easily, ranging from future plans (thinking of going pro... think i'll make it?) to the weather without sounding like you're making fake smalltalk (i wanted to play pro, too, and here i am now. if you really want it, you'll have to leave this all behind)

there's something genuine about him that's intriguing and it leaves you wanting to find out and see what the real alex is like inside because you can see through that wall he's made

and there's something enigmatic about you, who is reserved and quiet and seems to be a simple open book, when in fact, you are a very attractive onion with many, many layers

sam

you think he's immature. a wildchild, a manchild, a wildmanchild, really. sam, on the other hand, is drawn in by your calmness and how in-control you appear to be-- when you offer to play a game of pool when sebastian doesn't show up, he's delighted at the opportunity to know you better

okay, so he is immature and a wildmanchild but there is a softness in him that surprises you every time he shows it-- which is frequently around you

he has a soft smile to counteract his proud one and he's so in awe of how you get so much stuff done every day (i don't know how you do it, that's gotta be tough), every week, and every month (you'd like the responsibility, i think. to me, it's one big project i need to finish)

he has instant crush on you because you're so cool even though your line of profession really doesn't evoke much awe. i mean, you're  attractive, you are so in control of your life, and you have a really cute smile whenever he compliments you-- how could he not?

shane

bit bold of you to sit next to him at the saloon because every knows he's can be a real asshole, but he glances at you with a hint of awe and more than a hint of annoyance. you elect to ignore this and choose to order a whisky on the rocks (if you don't drink, call it apple juice)

whisky: shane's a touch impressed because you look like a lightweight. well, it's nice that someone can hold their liquor. he makes a remark about it (planning on getting drunk, huh?) and you raise a brow at him, looking a little haughty and tell him that it's your drink for the week. he's annoyed at your remark and starts an argument that surprisingly, settles down into a civil conversation

apple juice: he snorts at that and makes a remark about meeting penny for your lessons the next day. you play along and sip at your drink, making witty remarks (thank yoba for hangovers. it's the non-drinker's edge, really. just like not having liver failure). he's not sure if he should be annoyed or impressed at your cool-as-a-cucumber personality, not sure if it's too big city or too closed-off

you offer to buy him a pizza if you can take a away his beer-- at any rate, he looks like he'll end up with liver failure the way he's going. shane aquiesces and devours the entire pizza. your conversation is slow and punctuated with his loud chewing but you're pleasantly suprised that he's quite smart and well-read about whatever you're interested in

the fourth time you sit next to him, he turns down your pizza and doesn't say a word. neither do you and it's almost like it's back to square one until you realize that he hasn't made a single salty remark about anything. you decide to try again the day after tomorrow-- nothing comes too quickly to people like you and shane.

sebastian

it was the necklace you wore that caught his eye. a shining teardrop stone hanging off a gleaming silver chain. he had spoken before he could stop himself and watched as you smiled and told him he was right-- it is supposed to be a Yeti's tear.

you're pleased to meet someone who is also a homebody and a touch more reserved than a lot of other people in town. he's easy to get along with (oh, you're kidding, you really have the signed edition?) and he's got pretty good taste when it comes to literature-- after all, who can refuse a good sci-fi book? (of course i do, i'm dedicated fan)

oddly enough, your conversation is quick and eager and not all reserved. instead of the companionable silence everyone assumes you two to have, you two nearly talk over each other because you finally have someone to complain to about everyone's over-friendliness and he finally has someone who understands what it's like to be trapped in a small world

you tease him about the corporate rat race and he fires back at you about being a part of it. you like sebastian and he likes you-- it's as simple as that.

elliot

he had heard of you through leah who had heard of you through emily who had heard of you through gus who had heard of you from lewis. it was a long grapevine and he's not sure how much of the truth was preserved and it's almost a relief to meet you because, to be frank, he's tired of being the town's newcomer.

first-- you're not peppy and overly cheerful at all. second, you are definitely not hot-tempered. and third, there's something so fascinating about you, something hidden under your calm, pragmatic character. he finds a kindred spirit in you, save for the flowery words and, admittedly, the vanity.

you're amused to meet a writer living on the beach. the cabin was built by one of your grandfather's old friends, a rather surly man who had taken a liking to you when you were much younger. while the hut is in no way fancy, you can't help but consider how pretentious and, contrastingly, humble the writer must be. pretentious in such a way that he thinks living in a sandy, damp shack is a way to beat writer's block (it's odd, it's rarely a choice people make) and humble in such a way that he accepts and bears with living in a worn house with little complaint (it's admirable, if not a little silly!)

you find yourself in his company late at night when you can't sleep and it's so easy to open up to him because he's kind, he listens, and most importantly, he's not embarassed to admit he's got faults, at least to you. you let him see past your collected facade and into your cracked heart far sooner than you think and elliot doesn't mind at all

harvey

you might be the most mysterious person in town simply because of the way you present yourself. he finds himself always stuttering a little whenever you're around because of the way you watch him, set in a relaxed stance, your gaze flat and cool. later, he realizes that it's your resting face. he wonders about what you'd look like if you smiled-- really smiled

he's touched at the fact that you buy him coffee whenever he had to patch you up-- which is frequently, given your liking for the mines. you're adorable when he gives you general anesthesia. he had run out of local anesthesia and you needed a fair amount of stitches and though you told him that you have a high pain tolerance (stitches are far more painful than you think. i really don't want to put you through that), he insisted and you let him (fine, fine. get on with it, doctor). you had let out several inappropriate jokes under anesthesia and your cheeks had hurt from laughing non-stop

harvey's entranced. there's no other way to put it-- he's bewitched by your bright character hiding under that collected facade. he never pries for your secrets because he's got secrets, too. you like harvey because he's sweet and compassionate and even though he has to put up a firm, professional affectation, he wears his heart on his sleeve.

you see him as a friend at first, all platonic and it seems to be the end of it. but one day, as you hand him a coffee, he laughs and smiles and hands you a coffee just the way you like it. you're falling for him so hard and fast you think someone's put a spell on you that makes you notice the minute expressions on his face and mull over the way he talks to you. you're in love with him-- you can only hope he feels the same way too

[lover-of-trash-and-people]

netflix shadow and bone s1 e5 pt3: peak darklina

the first kiss scene Alina is so beautiful Her little smile as she picks up his kefta after he hears him call out for Ivan to get it like ooh I'm gonna play a little trick on Alek Her making him smile with a joke that's not even funny The tentativeness of it all, them tiptoeing around each other, testing the boundaries Him being taken aback by her offering to help him put on his kefta but still wanting her to and immediately resorting to business voice asking questions about official sun summoner stuff And putting on his serious business face him trying to explain away the gloves by calling them a safeguard, not a sign of him not trusting her abilities the face he makes after saying spectacle either depicting his distaste for the showiness of the event or depicting his embarrassment at how he phrased the sentence, like what the fuck did I just say (more likely the first one) Her quickly turning around and walking away after the eye contact makes her realise how close they are and him pulling a puzzled look as she does so Just. Just how adorable the energy is. Both of them making jokes to diffuse the tension, her gripping the table to maybe steady or calm herself, the looks they give to each other as if engaged in a delicate dance; god-like Him straight up just blinking and looking down and gulping as she says 'we can offer Grisha and Ravkans hope' (could be multiple things he's thinking at this point, and all of them interest me) 'That means a lot to me, Alina.' *her turning to look at his face* 'You mean a lot...' *her immediately lowering her gaze and tracing where her mal scar used to be lmao* 'to everyone' *her raising her gaze to him again* The music swelling as she walks up to him, her barely grazing her fingers against his collar, his eyes looking across hers as if in disbelief, her looking at his lips, and then her closing the gap between them. Him being a little stiff, indubitably from being shocked, and yet giving into it almost instinctively as if he can't help it. The violin coming in powerfully yet softly to emphasize the tenderness of it all. This thing has been made with so much love and I can't contain myself about it. Him opening his eyes half a second after Alina, almost as if waking up from a dream and then, following a relaxing of his facial muscles as he clearly regains his composure, immediately looking inscrutable. Her doubting herself, not losing eye contact as he stands up from the desk, but her sudden fear, regret, and embarrassment clear on her face. Her sides of her lips slowly rising giving way his own self mirroring her and breaking into smile and composing himself and breaking into smile again before saying 'Not many people surprise me, Miss Starkov'. Her now fully breaking out into a smile, her face a picture of unguarded joy, she looks down only to have his gaze follow her face. Both of them giddy in the other's presence and the audience can feel it. It feels like he is leaning in for another one when the sound of the door opening makes them spring apart, regaining their composures and standing at a respectable distance from each other. Her poorly suppressing a smile, him looking at her visibly, her mimicking him with a glance out of her periphery, causing her to give in to her smile completely. Him looking visibly distracted as he attempts to pay attention to whoever came into the room. the Jesper of it all Jesper the mega idiot not being able to control his face from doing a thing as he realises the person who caught him where he wasn't supposed to be is the same person he was making sexy eyes at before and yet regaining his composure in record time The poor stable hand actually being interested in Jesper and being adorable with Jesper just being like charm itself Can you believe looking at Jesper Llewellyn Fahey in the flesh and having him make sexy eyes at you and then forgetting about it? Because I simply cannot. The line about light role play? Felt a little not right. GO OFF STABLE HAND WHO PUSHED JESPER AGAINST A WALL AND KISSED HIM, HE LITERALLY SAID IM POPPING OFF AND

THEN HE DID Zoya Zoya saying fuck off to the random racist comment made by one of the guests, but she was racist to Alina herself? (I mean South Asian-East Asian hate is not uncommon so idk) David omg the cutie pie adjusting his hair at the fete HEARTRENDER FUCKING HUSBANDS Fedyor insisting on Ivan eating the sweet and Ivan's solemn head shake like no babe im on a diet and Fedyor being like heart eyes please eat the sweet my love and then Fedyor holding Ivan's face to make him nibble off a corner and Ivan's face splitting into a reluctant grin Kaz the actor Seeing Kaz the actor instead of Kaz the master of trickery and plans is an interesting thing Kanej being Kanej cute banter interaction, would recommend, 10/10 hints at Arken being sus The look Kaz gives Arken when Arken leaves, I really should have known, I was simply being a clown Darkling and the dumb royalty We love the Darkling suppressing his anger at these otkazat'sya rulers dissing the grisha and the little palace Alina's entrance The soft hum that we hear when Alina enters but we don't see her face Alina's adorable peeking The Darkling's expression changing despite being done af with these mfers and instantaneously on catching a glimpse of Alina, she really has that power huh He really made it look like his pupils dilated and who knows maybe they did Him trying to call her out for not following protocol but him melting and saying 'you look lovely, by the way' Her saying 'you look like you needed saving' I can't breathe you're so cool ballroom at the little palace I must confess I expected the ballroom of the winter fete to be bigger

GENYADAVID looking at each other and pretending not to look at each other, my fucking heart Kanej being Kanej Kaz implying they're gonna try to trick the people into thinking that the fake sun summoner is real and Inej being done with his shit Alina's demonstration HER NAME IS ALINA STARKOV yes mfer The way people back away as he steps, god the power of this man Inej looking at Kaz omfg Okay him clapping the darkness into the room was cool af I love the shadow summoning effects so fucking much The first bit of light that Alina summons lighting up the gold parts of her black kefta, absolute perfection Alina just enjoying her power and then looking to Alek, his lips parting when she does Aw Fedyor looking at Ivan in a I told you she could do it way Genya and Fedyor exchanging glances as Alina besties THE CROWD SAYING SANKTA ALINA INEJ SAYING SANKTA ALINA WITH HALF A TEAR IN HER EYE DAMN THIS IS POWERFUL Jesper and Dima IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONING TO JESPER SAYING 'SAINTS' AS A NAKED STABLE BOY GETS OFF OF HIM AGAHSJSJSJKS I CAN'T IM CACKLING AT THE AUDACITY OF THIS SHOW HOW ARE THEY SO PERFECT (his name's dima btw) Poor fucking Dima getting frightening orders from his superior as his hookup sneaks out with horses that are definitely not his Arken the little shit Ah Arken why'd you have to go and do this I was actually amused by you before the malyen factor omg Mal's here and someone saw him getting here apparat and faith? The apparat literally jumping out of the palace walls at Alina lol man I do love the religion angle of this universe and it would have been so fucking cool if it were explored a bit better ew apparat that grab was very violent mal/darkling interaction the darkling's reaction at his recognition of mal was so funny ah yes my arch nemesis, the other angle of this teen immortal love triangle how utterly delightful someone explain the darkling's 'are you alright' to mal, is it because Alina was worried sick, is it mind games, is it curiosity, what is it Im still don't know how to feel with them attaching a literal symbol to the sun summoner, to Alina's dreams and to the stag itself 'not until I see Alina' THE LOYAL HIMBO ENERGY IN THIS ONE ISTFG I have never known nose acting until I saw Ben Barnes, he uses his nose in his acting and it is absolutely wonderful; case in point, the 'i beg your pardon' to mal with the rage making his voice shake okay but why is every mal darkling interaction like, everything the prompt answer our baby mal gives and the satisfaction it brings to his face, fucking amazing the darkling being literally struck by this, his mouth literally agape, king this is a 20 year old lmao Baghra! OMG WE GOT A GLIMPSE OF BAGHRA'S FIRE YES Genya supremacy Genya beating Arken up let's fucking go Marie's plot influence and Racism? Yellowface? again? hmm bardugo (then again, I have no authority over this, I'm south asian) Ive already talked about how I'm interested in knowing if and how changing Marie's time and place of death going to influence the plot much because in the books it caused a chain reaction doing a lot of stuff Alina, my love Alina just, laughing with other Grisha, feeling at home, ah be still my treacherous heart Mal's confrontation scene with Alina that was in the books being retconned to Mal calling out to her body double, hmm, probably to make Mal more likeable, I don't have any feelings about this particularly Nadia and Fedyor Okay the both of them, smiling and walking, hand in hand, cute mlm wlw solidarity moment that I missed during the first watch Kanej interacting with Alina Why is Alina literally so adorable The music picking up as the Inferni catches sight of the 'limping man' (what? it was funny when he said it) Blue Irises Alina's face showing a certain sense of calm when Alek shows up Alina's face after the Darkling says 'for you' and presents her with blue irises is something like gasp okay you've got game sexy shadow man mal fite time omg I thought she was taking mal to talk to Baghra or smth not to kill him 🤡 aren't oprichnikis like

otkazat'sya or am I missing smth? Because Baghra's spy is obvs a fabrikator THE DESK SCENE omg the scene hath arriveth the fact that Alina can't stop smiling gods, the flirting 'I don't recall this, being part of the schedule' him turning back and saying 'it isn't' her hiding her face through the cover of smelling the flowers and just how coy she acts, like the literal eyelid batting Ma'am how embarrassing for you to have feelings rn these two are my absolute favs of all time the camera moving as they move from their spots on which they had to stand on to get the shot of their shadows almost kissing her nodding and smiling at him saying 'she'll probably be alright' like okay I'm ready for smooches kiss me already and him going 'don't you think' trying to savour this moment IM SORRY BUT THE FUCKING SCORE AT THE MOMENT THEIR LIPS MEET YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND I CANNOT COPE the way his hand is so big that he can almost hold her entire face in it the way she grips the back of his head I'm sorry I feel so disrespectful saying this but the sounds they make+I think that's a um titty grab or maybe it's just a holding someone and the placement was um unintended but I doubt it because everything in this fucking show is so intentional+ the lift up onto the desk+ the faces they make+ um god I'm going to hell for this but when they sort of grind into each other (I understand this is acting and they're just good at their job) but god does all of this make my heart race and also makes me happy I guess LITERAL GIGGLES I can't I'm soft 🥺🥺🥺 his little head shake at the knock on the door when he goes in for one last kiss before she gets off the desk and her eyes going all oy you, go get the door, I'm not going anywhere don't make whoever it is wait is so adorable and domestic her just standing there mouth agape to herself when he walks away HIM STILL FLUSHED AND BLUSHING AND HIS HAPPINESS CLEAR AS DAY ON HIS FACE WHEN HE OPENS THE DOOR his gaze flits to her when Ivan says Alina was the target 'I'll be waiting' love, I physically can't anymore Little cheek hold and walk away Her little smile to herself nearly fading before he jumps back in again to her surprise and to ours to hold her face with both his hands and kiss her one last time, and yes, he does kiss like he's being drafted for the war in the morning Her little mouth open and close and then her little smile to herself after he leaves I refuse to watch the rest of the episode right now because no let me steep in the darklina bliss

[enchanted-lightning-aes]

In the Afternoon Hour

[ID: Minimalist photo with autumn leaves above with the Lora orange text that reads “Enchant Presents: WIP #3 Tale” below  /finish ID]

A/N: I kinda had to write this short to get to know my latest WIP and characters more. So, here’s a nice story with banter, hints of poly and light angst. If somehow people become interested in this, tell me you want to be on the tag-list or something. IDK where this story’s going except yeah. . .

Here’s the first two stories of this posted here, x, x.

Note: this WIP is in the backburner atm.

Word Count: 1642

TW: food

***

Butterflies flap their colorful wings as they glide across the flowerbeds, flying along the current of the brisk wind. The squirrels chirps, running down the trees in a race for more food. The bright light of the sun bursts through the large clouds, letting most of the land be covered in sunshine. A chestnut horse runs across the meadow on it's path towards the obstacles.

On the stables, a young woman, with dark brown skin and black hair, climbs up the grey horse. Another woman of the same age watches with a languid interest. She's picking the berries out of the bowl, removing the excessive stems.

"Are you sure, you want to do this?" Aasiya asks, her voice muffled by her chewing. "You could read another book again, you know? Horse riding's far too tedious to spend time in the morning."

"And let my older sister best me again? Ha, I think not," Zonja replies, reaching for the reins. "I'm not gallant rider, but I studied enough about horse riding to understand the process. All I have to do is let the horse take the lead while trying to guide it."

"No, you have to work with the horse." Aasiya tilts her head to the side.

Zonja raises her brows. "Oh, really? How would you know that?"

Aasiya scoffs, swallowing the berry.

"Please, I spent enough time watching your brother trying to ride horses."

"Then trust me, when I tell you I have this under my control."

"Alright. I'm not going to be very happy, if you don't make it back in one piece."

Zonja huffs out dry laughter.

"We'll see about that."

When Zonja orders the horse to ride, they set out to the glades of the grassy fields. Aasiya pulls her mouth down then resumes to her snack. They're racing down the path leading to the stacks of hay. Oh dear. Even the prince tried avoiding running into any of them. The horse gallops on the stack of hay ahead as Zonja yelps. Aasiya winces. The Princess is not usually fond of riding horses, unless she wanted to try something different.

And today's that day to try something different.

After a round of jumping and crying out, Zonja returned to the stables. She pants, dropping the reins of the horse then wipes the sweat from her forehead.

Aasiya sets down the basket of books on the marble railing, waiting for her arrival. It's a good morning for riding. The clear weather provides a magnificent view for those, who wish to travel throughout the nation.

Few strands of Zonja's wavy dark curls falls out of her tied bun. She removes the helmet than fixes her hair once more. Aasiya wishes she could reach for them with her fingers and test it's softness. Whenever Zonja's hair was loose and tumbling down her shoulders, she often swoons.

Perhaps, it's an unladylike reaction but she can't contain it. Not when Zonja's true beauty is reflected in her actions and words.

Zonja dismounts from her horse, getting on the ground with a swift landing on her feet. She carries a grace that Aasiya rarely sees in the royal guests visiting the kingdom.

Being a lady-in-waiting and kitchen girl did wonders for her. Aasiya gets the cupcakes from the basket and takes off the wrapper.

As Zonja walks over to her, she turns her head from side to side.

"Where did everyone else go? Are we only the people here?" Zonja asks, sounding puzzled.

Aasiya shrugs, licking the cream off the cupcake, raising her brows at the princess. Zonja huffs a chuckle, shaking her head. It picks up her heart rate, which she wishes she can ignore and pretend it's not there.

What good will it do if she keeps feeling like this? And around the princess, it's pure non-sense because she didn't have the opportunity to ask for her hand. Besides, the princess is arranged to get married with the prince of the neighboring kingdom. It's unwise to court her now or else she'll be damned in the process.

"Good afternoon, your Highness and fair lady."

The two of them turn around to the quiet voice behind them. A young man, one with light brown skin and long black hair reaching his shoulders, bows to them. He's in a pale green embroidered tunic with riding boots.

Aasiya's stomach lurches then she forces herself to remain still.

It's Prince Lerenzo, the brother of Zonja's suitor. To be honest, she didn't understand how she's not immune to his worldly charms. While he's a prince with a spotless reputation, she still needs to maintain caution around him.

"A great morning to you too, your Highness," Aasiya replies, curtseying to him. "Although, you look rather dashing a little too early for the day. Not that I have a problem with it, of course."

The prince tucks his dark locks behind his ear and makes a silvery chuckle.

Zonja pulls a face. "Very funny, Aasiya. Ignore her, she's only being silly."

"Apologies accepted, Princess Zonja," the prince replies with all grace. He quirks a brow at her before flicking his attention back to the princess. "I'm rather not used to receiving compliments after presenting myself to the public. I'd say the gown does wonders for you, Lady Aasiya."

"Aww, pleasure's all mine." Aasiya bestows her best smile. She catches Zonja staring at her mouth until she looks back at the prince once more.

Something's lingering in the air and she can't name it. Something stiff and quiet and close to being dreadful. She doesn't understand it, she doesn't want to try either.

Oh, to be in the company of two royals would make anyone seethe with envy. Aasiya definitely didn't want to be cause for their anger. Especially since she's a girl from the countryside of the nation.

Her attention returns to the prince as he clears his throat.

"Care to join me for a cup of tea?" The prince asks, raising his brows. "I would be honored to have your company, your Highness. As well as the Lady Aasiya."

"Of course, Prince Lerenzo!" Aasiya jumps to her feet. "I'd be delighted to share some food during a cup of tea with you!"

The prince's lips curves into an inviting smile.

Something in that smile makes her chest leap with joy. How can not just one but two smiles make her feel like that? Things similar to that remain foreign to her.

"I suppose, I shall take a break after the brisk exercise," Zonja murmurs, bowing her head.

Aasiya and Zonja follows the prince as he leads them to the pavilion, where a table's set with tea and plates of desserts. Aasiya presses her stomach at the presence of pie. Hmm, someone must have prepared this ahead of lunch. While she spends so much of her time in the castle kitchen, she doesn't get the chance to eat as much as she wanted to. Only in Zonja's company, she's offered to eat in the dinner and breakfast. Other than that, she eats after her duties of the day were over.

The prince pulls two chairs back, letting them take a seat. He pours tea on the empty teacups, the minty scent wafting in the air. He takes a seat, briefly eying Zonja.

She remembers the prince staring at Zonja during the ball, where they invited royals from all over the world. Before they were properly introduced, she didn't know he's the cousin of Prince Mauro. They're displayed differences that surprised her. Unlike Prince Mauro who preferred the company of the general, Prince Lerenzo opts to be around the other members of the royal family. Especially with Zonja. She didn't know why, however, it's none of her concern.

Zonja's more than capable of taking care of herself.

With her graceful fingers, Zonja reaches for the teacup and stirs it with a spoon.

The prince picks up a teacup. "I take it your riding exercise went well?"

"No, it did not," Zonja admits with a tight grimace. "The horse didn't maintain it's speed, almost hurtling me on the grass! Can you believe that? If I had known it wasn't going to be easy to ride a horse, the first time."

"Oh, that's awful."

"Tell me about it. And to think, I'd squash my sister's record."

With a snort, Aasiya takes a sip of her tea. Usually, she's not very quiet and does participate in a conversation. However, now that's not the case. She's too busy, distracted by the taste of the tea and the warmth of the air surrounding them.

"The next time, you try to ride

Zonja nods curtly, focusing on her tea. The beam of sunlight shining on her dark eyes.

Now this is perfect, Aasiya thinks. The sky is golden like the ocean in the afternoon light and they were sharing a decent cup of tea. She revels in the domesticity of it all, wondering how she got to be here with the most delightful people she knows.

Aasiya's stomach sinks as a realization hits her. No, this can't happen at all. For her status prevents a future to happen between her, Zonja, and Lerenzo. A mere kitchen girl getting involved with not only one but two royals? It will cause a tizzy in the kingdom for sure. She can't do this to them. For she cares for them deeply in ways they can't know.

Despite that, she'll still steal chances to be with them with each one she gets. After all, she can't let the nation's rules stop her.

While the tea brews in the air, she stays seated with her companions. The glow of the afternoon shines on the other two people on table, smiling as they share an amiable chat about the day. Aasiya's certain to enjoy this moment after storing it in her mind's memories.

***

[purrincess-chat]

A Merman’s Heart CH 2

Here is the next chapter of MeriChat May! This one is technically day 7, so I hope you all enjoy it! It’s like 4k, idk how that happened.

Read on AO3

Chapter 2

Gentle light streamed in from the window carrying the early morning caws of birds when Marinette awoke the next morning. She sat up in her bed with a yawn, running a hand through her hair and throwing off her blanket as she stood up. Groggily, she made her way to the bathroom, freezing in the doorway when she laid eyes on the giant fish creature in her tub, staring at the wall with a bored expression.

Oh. Right.

She’d forgotten that she’d brought home a fearsome sea creature last night, or perhaps part of her had thought it was all a dream. In fact, she wasn’t entirely sure she wasn’t still dreaming, but when the creature fixed his gaze on her, she felt her spine stiffen in a way that felt all too real. They held each other’s gaze for a few moments before she finally cleared her throat.

“I see you didn’t eat me in my sleep last night,” She said, awkwardly rubbing her arm.

“I’ve barely any strength to move let alone hoist myself out of this contraption and crawl across your floor,” He replied dryly. He seemed to have enough energy to sass her, so she supposed that her rough patching of his wounds had helped a little bit.

“I should change your bandages before I leave for work,” She offered, moving to retrieve her supplies from under the sink again.

She took his silence as permission to proceed, so she carefully cut away his bandaging and tossed it in her trashcan. He watched her every movement just as he had the night before, and she felt her skin prick a little as if he were constantly debating whether or not to kill her. She supposed it wouldn’t behoove him anything to kill her just yet, so she finished patching up his wounds again and put away her supplies.

“Human girl?” He tugged her shorts as she stood to wash her hands.

“I have a name, you know,” She said curtly, and he cocked his head to the side a little, eyebrows furrowing. Why did it matter to her? Wouldn’t it be better if he didn’t know her name?

“A name?” He asked with a puzzled purse to his lips.

“Never mind.” She shook her head. “What is it?”

“I’m thirsty,” He said with a wince.

“Merpeople get thirsty?” She cocked her head to the side with a laugh.

“We spend all day in the water constantly hydrating ourselves. I’ve been drying out in this bin all night. My skin is going to start cracking soon.” He said matter-of-factly, holding up a scaly arm for emphasis.

“Okay, I’ll get you some water.” She quickly paced into the kitchen to retrieve a glass of water for him, and upon her return, his eyes narrowed skeptically. “What?”

“Is that all?” He asked, cocking a brow. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“What?” She held out her arms in exasperation. “You asked for water, and I brought you some.”

“Some? This is merely a single gulp,” He hissed. “How do your people think that such a small amount is acceptable?”

“Because this is a normal amount of water for my people.” She shot back, placing a hand on her hip. “And if you wanted more, you could have just asked nicely.”

“My apologies if I have little interest in showing any inclination of benevolence toward you humans considering you’re the ones who got me into this predicament in the first place!” He shouted, baring his teeth, and she took a step back, eyes burning, before storming out of the room.

She waddled back in a moment later, carrying a bucket full of fresh water and set it on the stool next to the tub with a huff, placing her hands on her hips. “Is that enough water for you?”

“It’s a much more suitable container for my needs, yes, but I’ll still need it refilled regularly if-”

“Refill it yourself. Turn the knob on the faucet and water will come out,” She ordered, pointing. “I have to go to work.”

“Work?” He asked, lifting the bucket into his lap carefully before tipping it back and chugging noisily.

“It’s a human thing, you wouldn’t understand,” She said before stalking from the room and slamming the door behind her.

The sooner she rid herself of this stupid merman the better. Who did he think he was ordering her around and raising his voice? He should be kissing her feet for saving him. She had half a mind to grab him by the tail and drag him back down to shore if she didn’t fear being spotted by someone from the village. Mercreatures weren’t fearsome at all, but they were rather needy.

When she arrived at work, she still wore a sour expression that didn’t go unnoticed by her friend and colleague, Caline, and she spared no time in figuring out why.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so vexed, Marinette,” She said with a giggle. “Would it have anything to do with why you’re so much later today than usual?”

“Yeah, sorry I sort of had a rough morning. It’s, uh, that time, ya know?” Marinette replied, plastering on a smile. “I’ll be fine. That is, if another woman doesn’t come in today and complain that her dress isn’t pink enough or that the hem is too long even though we told her it was when we measured it, but she insisted that we leave it long because she’s still ‘growing.’”

Caline cupped a hand over her mouth to suppress her laugh, pinching Marinette’s side with the other. “You are in a mood today. Try to keep those hormones of yours in check, and I’ve got some painkillers from the pharmacy if you get cramps.”

“Thanks. I’ll let you know.” She flashed an insincere smile, but Caline accepted it jovially.

As her luck often seemed to entail, many of their problem customers visited that day, and around noon, Marinette requested one of those painkillers for her pounding headache. If only she had the promise of a relaxing evening at home, but she had that creature to deal with once she was finished for the day. Hopefully he’d have a better attitude when she got home, or so help her she’d make him wish she’d left him on that rock to die.

“A few of us are going out for drinks tonight, would you like to come?” Caline offered at the end of the day as they swept up loose bits of thread and fabric.

“Oh, I better not. I’m just not feeling the best. These, uh, cramps are really kicking my butt,” She fibbed, rubbing the back of her neck, although a drink sounded great right about now. “I think I’m just going to go home and have some tea.”

“That’s a pity, but we can go again next week when you’re feeling better.” She shrugged it off, and Marinette nodded with a fake smile.

“Yeah, sounds great.”

She felt a little bad being so disingenuous with Caline, but it’s not like she could really tell her what was on her mind. The whole village would be at her doorstep with torches and pitchforks on the hour, and it wouldn’t just be her bathtub creature’s hide they were after. As much as she hated to admit it, she was in too deep to turn back now. If she was lucky, merpeople would have some advanced healing powers, and she could dump him in a few days and never have to see him again.

Despite wanting to desperately, Marinette forwent her usual stroll along the beach, somehow not finding the same solace in it as she usually did, instead opting to rush straight home. Being around other people kept her on edge, and she’d be glad once this whole ordeal was over. Her stupid mercreature was right where she left him, turning a bar of soap over in his hands curiously, and he looked up when she entered the room.

“You were gone all day,” He stated with a wince. “Were you so angry with me this morning that you spent the whole day away hoping that I would die of starvation?”

“Sure, something like that,” She retorted with a grunt. “I’m going to make dinner. Would his royal pain like something?”

“Human flesh would be delightful,” He said with a mocking smirk, leaning his elbow against the side of the tub, but after a cutting glare from Marinette, he averted his gaze and pursed his lips. “Sorry, I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

“Well, it didn’t work,” She said coldly, turning abruptly and sulking to the kitchen.

She sighed, gripping the fridge handle tightly as she forced her shoulders to relax. Perhaps things were just different for merpeople, and she should try to be a little more patient. It didn’t mean she had to like it, but he seemed perplexed by her annoyance. If she was going to do anything to that fish, she was going to teach him some manners.

Once she got the stew going, she flopped onto her sofa with a groan. Why did she have to be so nice? All day she’d been hot under her collar about this stupid creature, and now she was cooking him dinner. She could have easily picked up a fish or something for him from the market, but she’d been too angry at the time to consider it. Did merpeople even like stew? She supposed he wasn’t going to have much of a choice. He could eat it or starve, and that was how she was going to demand her respect. If he dared to raise his voice at her again, she’d toss him over the edge of the cliff and be done with him.

She glanced at the door and sighed. If she was going to be stuck with him for several days, she supposed she should at least try to reason with him, especially since she’d have to change his gauze after dinner. Taking care of him had better earn her some good karma points with the merpeople.

Once the stew was ready, she fixed two bowls and finally opened the door to the bathroom once more, and he fixed his gaze on her the moment she entered. She ignored him as she set up her tea table and placed the bowls on top, pulling up the stool and taking a seat before even bothering to look at him.

“What’s this?” He asked, peeking over the side of the tub and sniffing the air curiously.

“A peace offering,” She said, folding her arms over her chest, and his nose wrinkled in disgust.

“I will accept your peace but not your offering,” He said, leaning back in the tub, and she felt her annoyance flaring up again.

“Well, you can either eat it or starve to death. I don’t particularly care which one you choose,” She stated flatly, taking a hearty bite, and he remained quiet in the tub. “Ya know, when someone saves your life, most people are grateful.”

“My apologies if I’m uncertain of whether to be grateful to you or afraid of you,” He mumbled, and she crossed her legs, leaning over the edge of the tub to cock a brow at him.

“You’re afraid of me?” She scoffed in disbelief. “One of the most fearsome creatures of the sea is afraid of a human girl?”

“My whole life I’ve heard stories about you humans, what terrible, heartless monsters you were with your sharpened metal blades that cut through our skin like we’re made of sand. I’ve heard the tales of encounters with human fishers and seen the scars your kind leave on us,” He said, staring off with a distant gaze. “Ever since you brought me here, I’ve stared at these walls and pondered for what purpose you choose to keep me alive, but I can’t understand it.”

“That makes two of us,” She said, pressing her lips into a firm line. “We have stories of our own about the mers. Bloodthirsty, man-eating beasts that lure you with their hypnotic songs and promises of riches untold only to devour you the moment you get close.”

“Is that what you think of me?” He asked, flicking his gaze back to her.

“I don’t know what to think of you. One moment you’re so obedient then another you’re the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen. And other moments, I want to beat you over the head with a metal pipe for being a smart ass.” She smirked, and he shifted to rest his arms on the edge of the tub.

“My people do what they must to survive, and when I look at you, I’m uncertain whether or not to trust you or to fight you for my life. Some moments you are so kind and gentle, but others you have such a fire in your eyes that I can’t help but think you’re going to leave me to die.” He said softly. “You truly don’t realize how powerless I am here, do you?”

She searched his expression, detecting no obvious hints of insincerity or deceit and shifted her gaze back to her lap, biting her lip.

“I promise not to hurt you, but…” She reached for his bowl and scooped up a spoonful. “You can’t be condescending to me for not knowing the intricacies of merpeople’s bodily needs.”

“How am I to know you haven’t poisoned it?” He asked, eyeing it suspiciously.

“How am I to know everything you just told me isn’t all a lie fabricated to make me sympathize with you so you can eat my face?” She cocked a brow, and a smirk curled on his lips.

“I suppose we will just have to trust each other then.” He leaned forward, opening his mouth to accept her spoonful of stew, chewing it intently for a moment before licking his lips in delight. “I’ve never tasted something like this before. It’s delicious! What is it called?”

“Stew,” She replied with a laugh, handing him the bowl which he immediately pressed to his lips and began to slurp noisily.

“Can I ask you something, human girl?” He requested once he’d finished, licking the traces from his lips.

“What?” She asked around a mouthful.

“What is your name?” She paused mid-chew to meet his curious gaze, eyebrows furrowing.

“My name?” She clarified, and he nodded.

“You mentioned earlier that you have one. Do all humans have names?” He gripped the edge of the tub, resting his chin on it with inquisitive eyes.

“Well, yes, all humans have names. It’s something that you are given at birth that everyone calls you. There are a lot of ‘human girls’ in the world, so we go by names to tell each other apart. Don’t merpeople have names?” She folded her arms over her chest, and he shrugged.

“Not really, at least, not the ones I’ve met,” He said, and her eyebrows raised in surprise. “It’s not like we cohabitate like you humans do. Some of the friendlier mer breeds form hunting groups, but most of my kind tend to live on our own.”

“What do you mean your kind?” She asked, resting her chin on her fists.

Chat rolled his eyes. “Other mers like me. Our species as you humans might call it.”

“So, there are different species of mermaids?” Her eyebrows furrowed, and he pursed his lips pensively.

“Of sorts. Not all mers sing songs to hypnotize people. Not all mers sing. Not all mers eat humans, in fact there’s only a select few that do. Most of us find your meat too gamey and fattening.” His nose wrinkled in disgust. “In fact, most of us are quite personable when we’re not being massacred on the spot.”

“So what do merpeople eat then?” She asked, and he simply shrugged.

“Other fish mostly. Crabs, mollusks, occasionally water fowl if we can catch them.” He listed, tapping his claws on the tub. “It’s an unfair generalization that just because a few mers attacked a ship once that the rest of us have to bear the name of man-eater. That the gentlest among us get branded as killers and are met with brute force any time they show their faces above the surface.”

Something in his expression made him seem so subdued and small. Not at all the terrifying monster she’d initially thought. It seems that there was a lot that humans didn’t know about the merpeople, and Marinette couldn’t help but wonder that if people knew the truth if they’d think differently about the mers. She couldn’t imagine how she’d feel if she were captured by a mer just as she had captured him. Would she be perfectly amiable, or would she put up a fuss just like he did? He really did have to trust her with his life, a creature he’d grown up learning to fear, and suddenly he seemed so fragile and harmless.

Marinette opened her mouth to speak, but a knock sounded on the front door. It took her a moment to process it, but when she did, her blood ran cold. Who could be here at this hour? Had someone seen her dragging him inside last night? Was the village here to take her away?

“Don’t make a sound in here. Do you understand me?” She gave him a serious look, and he nodded, shrinking a little.

She grabbed her bowl and raced from the room, pulling the door shut behind her before taking a breath and making her way to the front door. To her surprise, Caline stood outside, a cheerful smile curling on her lips the moment Marinette opened the door.

“Hey, Marinette!” She greeted, pulling her in for a tight hug.

“Caline, what are you doing here?” Marinette asked, patting her back awkwardly until she released.

“Well, you left your sweater at work, so I told myself I’d bring it by after drinks to come see how you’re doing. You really missed a good time tonight. Are your cramps any better?” Marinette pulled the door close to herself to conceal the rest of her home and smiled nervously.

“Oh, silly me. I was just in such a hurry to get home and rest, and I’m feeling much better, so you don’t have to worry. Thanks for bringing my sweater, and I’ll see you at work!” She said quickly, taking the garment and shooing Caline away.

“Marinette, I know you’re a little crabbier because it’s that time of the month, but I’m not leaving until we have at least a cup of tea together.” Her friend folded her arms over her chest stubbornly, and Marinette cast a nervous glance at her bathroom door and sighed. She knew that it would only raise suspicion if she sent her away, so reluctantly, she opened the door and gestured her in.

“Mmm, that smells good. Can I have some?” She asked, taking a deep breath.

“Uh, sure, but just so you know the toilet doesn’t work in the bathroom, so, uh, I hope you don’t have to go,” She said quickly as Caline plopped on the couch happily with a bowl.

“That must be rough. Your toilet is broken when you’re cycling. No wonder you were so irritated at work this morning.” She winced sympathetically. “Have you called to get it fixed?”

“Oh, yes, they should be coming tomorrow, don’t worry.” Marinette waved it away, setting a pot of water on to boil. “So what mischief did I miss this time?”

Caline perked up, a scandalous grin spreading across her cheeks. “Well, there was this funny little bard playing outside, right-”

Marinette feigned engagement, nodding at appropriate times and applying proper use of interested facial expressions in accordance with her tone, but the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood on end the whole time as every sense not dedicated to convincing Caline that she was interested in this story focused on the bathroom door. Her merman was doing well to keep quiet this long, but she couldn’t help but feel like it was only a matter of time before he slipped up. The screech of the tea pot, snapped her back to reality, and she stood up swiftly to retrieve it from the stove.

“-and that’s when I stole a kiss from a royal guardsman.” Caline was chuckling, wiping a tear from her eye.

“Wow, what a story. I really missed out,” She said, snapping her fingers. “Maybe next time.”

Caline accepted her cup, taking a small sip before an impish expression took over her face. “I don’t understand how you can live all the way out here. Don’t you get lonely?”

“It’s not so far from town,” Marinette said defensively, rubbing her arm. “Besides, I think the sound of the waves is relaxing at night.”

“Aren’t you worried about…mermaids,” She whispered the word, glancing around nervously as if she expected one to pop out at any moment, which, given the current circumstances, wasn’t so farfetched. “Have you ever seen one?”

“Caline, aren’t you a bit old to believe in silly old ghost stories?” Marinette gave her a chiding look. “None of it is true.”

“If you say so.” Caline deflated a little then almost as quickly perked back up. “So, did you hear the castle hired a new medic? They say his work is ingenious, and I’ve heard he’s kind of cute.”

“No, I hadn’t heard that.” Marinette tapped her fingers on her cup impatiently as Caline dove head-first into another long story.

She loved Caline. Really, she did, but now wasn’t the time for kingdom gossip. If she found out that there was a merman in her bathtub, Marinette really doubted that she’d be so understanding. Unfortunately, Marinette knew the only way to get rid of her was just to let her wear herself out talking, so Marinette continued to feign interest for what felt like an eternity until Caline was finally satisfied.

“Well, it’s getting late. I should head home. Don’t want any mermaids to lure me away.” She gave Marinette a teasing grin, pulling her in for another tight hug. “It’s nice to catch up with you. Sometimes I feel like we don’t always get time at work.”

“Not with Mme. Sancoeur breathing down our necks we don’t,” Marinette said with a grunt. “That woman has no heart.”

“Oh, I’m sure that’s not true. She just takes a lot of pride in the work we do for others. Many of our nobles attend balls at the palace, and it reflects poorly on us if they show up with uneven hemlines.” She waved it away, and Marinette had to admire her optimism.

“Perhaps you’re right. Maybe there is a heart in there somewhere. Deep down.” She patted Caline’s shoulder and opened the door.

“We’ll have to do this again sometime,” Caline said as she paced out onto the porch.

“Yeah, totally. Come back again soon!” She grinned as her friend made her way up the path back to the main road. “Just not too soon.”

Slamming the door shut and locking it, Marinette hurried back to the bathroom to find Chat reclined in the tub, staring at the ceiling. He sat up as she crouched next to the tub and dug out her first aid supplies again, remaining quiet as she began the procedure of redressing his wounds.

“Your friend talks a lot,” He remarked after a while, and Marinette let out a grunt.

“That’s an understatement,” She said, letting a breath pass through her lips.

“I think she sounds pretty cute.” He grinned, and Marinette chose that moment to spritz him with antiseptic, prompting him to hiss in pain. “What kind of torture device is that stuff?”

“It kills off germs that cause infection. Very necessary.” She stated with a satisfied smirk, feeling more annoyed by his comments than she should.

“I think you just like to cause me pain,” He grumbled as she tied off his bandages and pulled the plug on the tub to drain it.

“Only when you’re annoying me.” She flicked on the faucet and filled his drinking bucket and set it on the stool next to the tub before stopping the drain again.

“You humans have no sense of humor,” He sighed, leaning his head back again, and Marinette twisted the knob as soon as the water filled enough to cover his tail.

“Well, once again, you’re welcome for saving your life, and good night.” She stood up abruptly and headed for the door.

“Wait!” He called, holding out an arm, and she paused in the doorway to glance over her shoulder. “You never told me your name.”

She tapped her nail on the wood and pursed her lips, debating it a moment before replying. “It’s Marinette.”

“Marinette,” He said each syllable slowly. “Good night, Marinette.”

“Yeah,” She said softly, biting her lip. “Good night.”

[tandembicycles]

friends and I made an atla si verse for ourselves during the stream because we’re like that so this is going under a readmore for posterity and information gathering lmfao

@ukitakejuushiro/danie- water bender and healer @endangeredtreealligator/gator- air bender with sound sensation and bending @eraserheacl/isaac- firebender and emo @shishiduck/lucian- earth bender specializing in metal bending ME/tandem- born earth bender (avatar by everyone else’s decision??) @d-lynx/ti- earth bender specializing in crystal and lava bending @kawaiijohn/amber- water bender

PERSONALITY/BENDING/STORY QUIRKS

Gator

Hovers a lot due to being insecure about height

Soundbending connects with synesthesia

Only airbender in city and had to keep it a secret due to stigma

Can befriend nearly any small animal and child? it’s wild

flies around and gets hyper at night, confusing the piss out of us when we all wake up

fights defensively and evasively

bad at sleeping and naps at weird places by getting distracted

easily overwhelmed and hides a bit

Danie

Very oblivious to danger and things going on around

Doesn’t try hard to be funny but is

LOVES snow and uses it as much as possible

always cold though and is constantly in layers/bundled up

Isaac

Catches on fire when embarrassed

Emo

“Hello. Isaac here.”

Blows fire when sneezing

Lucian

Makes bad jokes

Loves shiny things and picks them up all the time

Moves metal bracelets/rings in hands to fidgit

has a cat

Me

Gets a tattoo for the element symbol once mastered (already have earth symbol)

Flirts badly with everyone

Clumsy and anxious

Freckles glow in avatar state

Ti

blue crystals are their signature thing 

gets overwhelmed easily/has periods of intense self isolation so they build a little isolation tent for themselves out of crystals or obsidian because it's smooth and quiet and dark and alone. 

crystal is their normal fighting element, lava happens when they're angry or very serious. 

few burn marks arms and legs from the first time they crated lava

normally really quiet and sorta stays in the background and is really protective 

pet rock snake

Amber

collects cool necklaces

fights using kicks and feet a lot/balancing and quick water moves

specializes in boiling hot water and steam maneuvers 

when agitated, steam comes out of their mouth like a dragon lol cute

okay so it starts out with us meeting each other, of course, idk what the poltpoint is necessarily is or what the kickass mission is but HERE it’s goofy but funny hopefully

SO AMBS is starting out and traveled to the earth kingdom. Comes from a family of multibenders, with deep ancestry to the South Pole making them a water bender. They’re very good and charming, and they have this habit of forming stories with the water (forming it fluidly in the air, taking a lot of dedication and concentration) for fun, but like they gonna kick your ass also for fun. SO they travel cause they wanna see the world, and they go to an earth kingdom and they’re like “o damn.” Queue meeting Ti and Ti is like “wat the fuck is up, I’m an earth bender” and Amber is :O and Ti is like “Oh I know, I specialize with crystals and lava” and Amber continues to be like :O so they spend some time there just gabbing with Ti and they become good friends but then Ambs is like “kay I wanna keep travelling” and Ti is like “hey hey hey, I would also love to travel” so Ambs is like “come be my friend and copilot” and Ti is like “oh fuck yes” and Amber is like “but I don’t know where to go to next” and Ti is like “hey hey hey… you know the avatar…?” and Amber is like “I know of the avatar, certainly” and Ti is like “well they’re in that other earth kingdom you know” and Amber is like “WE MOVIN”

So

They go to the other earth kingdom and they’re like “oh wow the avatar I wanna meet the avatar the avatar would be really cool” and then they meet the avatar and it’s me and I’m like “these powers don’t let me meet pretty girls so what’s the fucking point” and they’re like oh wow the avatar is Not As Cool as previously determined and then I’m like “hey hey y’all are cute tho” and I shimmy over but fall on my way over which continues the trend of Not Cool but I’m like “however this is my Very Cool friend also from the earth kingdom” and here comes Lucian fuckin spidermanning over on some metal fabric and is like “sup I’m Lucian” and then instant friendship, because who wouldn’t want to be friends with spiderman and so they pal around with us and then friendship and I’m like “hey would any of you three, perhaps, be a water, fire, and/or air bender” to which there is a response of “I am a water bender” from amber and I go “please teach me wise one, I’ve already learned earth and metal from this extravagant beast here” and Lucian flexes and then Ti comes up like “I specialize in lava and crystal” and I go “holy butts teach me that as well” and Ti goes “oh certainly” so the avatar not only adds the ability to water, lava, and crystal bend but also the power of friendship and they do a sick four-way high five and travel into the sunset

Continued

Amber is like “hey there is a city on over here” and we are like god DAMN IT Amber you are a FANTASTIC traveler and a wonderful friend and also so beautiful and we so very much love you please take us to this city and so they do and we love them more SO. Here comes Gator who is super shy and chill and they technically avoided us a lot but then we saw them with a bunch of cute lil animals around them as they fed them and they were just So cute and we all fell in love and went “we must protect this darling creature” and so we all looked each other in the eye, nodded, and the adoption process was underway. Gator was kind of like “holy shit this is intimidating whom the fuck?” and we were like “hey, uh, hey, we love you?” and Gator was like “well what a coincidence I love love” and we were like “[beep] yes (shouldn’t curse with the youngins)” and so Gator is like “I WILL TEACH YOU AIR BENDING and these cool magic tricks and also how to create tornados and shit… if u want…” and I was like “oh my God Im going to feed you so much good food also YOU’RE AN AIR BENDER” and Gator was like “yeah I’m the only one in the city but she it’s a secret” and we were all wowed because tat’s AMAZING and it means they’re self taught so they’re fucking smart and we were just like HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT and they’re strong because secret secret, they got a secret, and we started weeping openly and Gator was like “what” and we all just went “what” and so we all nodded and hugged Gator and Gator was a lil overwhelmed but they loved it so we all left, but this time on Gator’s flying bison and with several other new pets

Moving on

We travel and it turns out Gator gets even more delightful when they warm up to people and whenever they talk about their special interests their eyes sparkle and we love this air bending gator and we ask them to do tricks all the time because they’re so?? Cool?? And they oblige and Ti shows us cool as hell crystals and starts fires for us out of Lava and Lucian is like “I’M HARD CORE LIKE METAL” and we laugh and Amber is just so chill and lovely and it’s wonderful totally amazing we have a wonderful time on our travels and everyone teaches me stuff and it’s so cool, everyone is excellent teachers

But suddenly, when on an unhabituated island

Someone runs out of a forest and into our camp and we’re like “hey who the fuck” and danie is like “I- I THE FUCK, THERE’S A BIG ANIMAL BIG BIG ANIMAL BYE” and they just keep runnin and we’re like “surely it cannot be that big”

However

It was.

SO JUST BASED OFF INSTINCT WE START BOLTING FROM THIS CREATURE and everyone was like “hey uh ur the avatar and you’re at least somewhat trained in three elements so what the fuck” and I was like “okay but I’m having performance issues due to anxiety” and they were like “oh no oh fuck no get ur shit together” and then suddenly we were like oh yeah team work, teamwork works, so we all like. Subdued the beast and it was chill and danie was like “oh hello, avatar you say” and I was like “oh my god finally a pretty lady holy shit” and I waltz on over like “hey… sup… how you doin…. It’s me, the avatar… big deal, you know… me… the avatar…” and I go to lean on a tree but miss but she digs it and I’m like “oh fuck yes finally” So she joins our camp and chills with us and is like “yea I’m a water healer but I ran away from home because Depression Session” to which amber and danie immediately bond over the water thing but Amber is like NO WE MUST MAKE YOU HAPPY FOUND FAMILY TROPE YOU’RE PART OF IT NOW and I’m like “hey teach me healing too” and then I flirt but that’s embarrassing and Ti is like “I lava you all” and Lucian is like “spiderman” and sleeps in a nearby tree and Gator Is like “I love my new found family” and Amber, the wise one, is like “okay but hey it’s cool that you are going to learn healing, that is a very good thing to learn,” and we all looked at one another and went “truly” because we forgot Our Kickass Mission that may kill us (which is what some of us want but I digress) so Amber is like “we have to get a firemaster and a REALLY good one like REALLY good” and I pipe up like “yes, exactly, yes” and our search continues for the final piece of the puzzle

So like we were like “okay so we gotta find a cool ass firebender” everyone nodded and said “tru” but then Amber, yet again the wise one, said “ah but you know what would also be a good idea” to which someone said “loving you” and they said “yes, but also. There’s a sacred scroll within a fire nation city that we should steal that has all the dates of historical missions and also the cycles of solstices and shit like it’s smart shit I feel like we should have” and we were like “god damn it yes but we gotta do thisand be sneaky” and Gator was like “okay we need to blend in with the people, when in rome, and then we’ll sneak in”

So costume change, we all look great, it’s amazing, but I gotta hide the tattoos, but it’s great we’re all fabulous obviously. And as we go along we stumble across a guy lamenting by himself against a wall, moving fire in his hands. I squint. “Look at that emo looking fuck.” “Yes, he’s quite emo,” Lucian responds. Ti agrees, “okay but the mission” and I go “no that’s the firebender we want” and everyone was confused and I was like “1. He’s cute. 2. The more emo a firebender looks, the better they are a firebender, this is like? Common knowledge guys. 3. He’s cute.” And then everyone was like “oh yeah that’s true.”

So.

We stroll on up and he is like, “Hello. Isaac here.” And we’re like “oh hello Isaac” and he’s like “hello. Isaac here.” And danie is like “hey can you keep a secret” and Isaac is like “I can keep a secret and many others yes, but you’re really going to tell a stranger a secret” and we’re all like “we’re very loving and trusting people you seem like a good egg” and Isaac is like “well I can’t argue with that” and we’re like “hey this is the avatar and we need a firemaster to teach her” and he’s like “oh hey I’m a firemaster that can teach her also the avatar? Cool fuck this place *hair flip* smh let me train you.” And we’re like YES but we gotta steal some shit and he’s like “cool fuck this place *hair flip* smh let me steal shit with you.”

So we all have a team and we steal the scroll with some atla/mission impossible type shit and it’s wonderful and Isaac becomes the new emo firemaster And the adventure for the found family continues.

[wwe-fluff-fic]

Dean Ambrose - Happiest Man Alive.

Dean Ambrose - Prompts #20 “I’m pregnant” and #37 “You’re lying”

Request for - @ryleeroseb4

Warnings - Fluff, Pregnancy (is that warning idk)

Word Count - 2000 Words.

Today was a big day, it was Smackdown live and your long term (3 years to be exact) boyfriend Dean Ambrose had a title shot to become the 2x Intercontinental champion. You so badly wanted him to win, it would be the perfect set up to tell him about your long awaited 3 month pregnancy that you had been waiting to surprise him with. You see, you and Dean had been actively trying for a baby over the past year. Although it was hard considering you were also on the road with him as one of Smackdown Live’s make up artists. It was safe to say it was pretty early to be trying for children but you both knew you had found ‘the one’ the moment you saw each other. When you two had first started trying you were both extremely naive thinking it was going to all happen quickly, but you were both very wrong. There had been a few complications along the way - some hard to swallow and others well, they just mean’t you got more time in bed with your man

But low and behold after many months and weeks of quite literally relentless (but incredibly fun) trying; you were finally pregnant. You had been bursting to tell him since you found out when you were just 2 weeks. But you had contained yourself and waited for the 3 month ‘safe point’ now was just a waiting game of pin pointing the moment you were going to tell him. But tonight’s Smackdown match up provided that perfect opportunity - that if everything went to plan.

You were currently backstage with Dean’s best friend Roman and his daughter Jojo, you were both ‘hiding’ from Dean due to the fact Roman was still meant to be with Raw on tour but he opted to come see his brother after a long time apart and you were meant to be wrapped up in bed after a faux illness you had suddenly contracted; this morning you had told your boyfriend you that you felt deathly sick (which wasn’t a lie with morning sickness and all that) and you probably wouldn’t be able to make it to his match tonight. You must admit you felt overly guilty when you saw the dimples from his unusual morning smile disappear as you told him you couldn’t make it, but those feelings instantly went away as soon as you look at or even felt the 12 week scan in the back pocket of your jeans. Or remember that your elaborate surprise would fix a permanent grin to his features for a long long time. Roman was the only person who knew about your pregnancy and he only found out an hour or so prior to meeting him at Smackdown - but you had sworn him to secrecy, not even allowing him to text his wife or Seth, you didn’t want people knowing before the person that deserved to know the most.

~Match Time~

As soon has Maryse’s hand connected with Dean’s cheek your heart sunk - instantly recognising the imminent disqualification heading The Miz’s way obviously resulting in him retaining. You looked over to Roman who at first appeared pre-occupied with little Jojo, but you could see the same look on his features as the one you felt in your stomach. The nauseous feeling only became worse when you saw the ref raise his hand in the direction of the time keepers area, you placed your head in your hands bracing yourself for the sound of the bell - but slowly began to raise your head as the sound never came and Roman gave your shoulder a slight nudge along with a heartychuckle. Your eyes wearily glanced up to the screen to a smile formed on your face and giggle bubbled from your rouged lips as your saw Dean being as stubborn as ever arguing with ref, almost pleading the ref to not disqualify The Miz. You could see the sceptical look dousing the features of the official causing you to cross your fingers and bite the skin around your nails out of nervous habit - as soon as you saw the officials hand rest at his side signifying the continuation of the match you slowly let out a breath you didn’t even know you were holding; hearing the Samoan beside you do the same.

The match dragged on and you could see fatigue setting with in both superstars, Jojo had long lost interest but you and Roman were still perched on the edges of you seats - it seemed Ro wanted your plan to work almost as much as you did. Your eyes drifted from the screen for a mere 5 seconds but were instantly diverted back as you heard a huge pop erupt from the crowd - one so deafening it even brought Jojo’s attention to the TV. You squealed in delight as you saw Dean hook Miz’s arms ready for ‘dirty deeds’, you excitement rocketed as he successfully hit the devastating DDT and the official began the three count. You rapidly slapped Romans arm as the referees hand touched the canvas finalising the three count, you hugged Roman, your heightened emotion caused makeup stained tears to fall onto his shirt.

“Y/N you have to go hide, you know he won’t be out there long” Roman’s deep voice announced pulling away from the celebratory hug. You quickly nodded in realisation and headed to the bathroom of the Dean’s dressing room, assuring you left the door open a fraction so you could see your boyfriend the moment he walked in. It was a short five minutes before you heard the two best friends. 

“Congratulations brother” Roman quite literally screamed at Dean, you boyfriend chuckled pulling Roman in for a ‘bro hug’

“Cheers man, means a lot - happy to be holdin’ the gold again” Dean mused gesturing to the title gleaming upon his shoulder. A look of fondness adorned your face admiring how happy he was - and how he was about to become a whole lot happier.

“Where’s Y/N man?” Roman questioned clearly trying to conceal the smirk creeping to his face, as Dean scooped up Jojo giving her a massive cuddle from her favourite uncle. You heart beat sped up and a feeling of warmth swarmed your body just seeing just how much of a perfect daddy Dean will be.

“She couldn’t make it, she was really sick this morning” he shrugged continuing to hold Jojo - the small girl amused by the championship upon Dean’s shoulder. “I’m waiting on the soppy congratulations text that she’s probably been typing for five minutes already” he rolled his eyes playfully - that sentence was the perfect opportunity to reveal your presence. You made one final check of you back pocket just to make sure the scan hadn’t fallen out - as soon as you felt it that beaming smile broke onto your face again.

“What sort of champs girlfriend isn’t there to greet the champ” you announced as you walked out of the bathroom door holding your arms out. Dean promptly placed Jojo down and bolted over to you; picking you up and swinging you round.

“I thought you were ill! You little bitch you lied” he scolded playfully his scruff tickling your face as he kissed your temple.

“I did not lie, i did feel sick - but i wouldn’t miss the love of my life getting what he wanted more than anything; his championship back!” you argued defensively with a giggle, pressing your soft lips to Dean’s as he continued holding you in a tight yet comforting embrace - that was until his arms loosened around you and his face become more serious.

“Babe, i promise i will give you what you want soon - i’ll make you happy, i already know you’ll be an amazing mother” he mumbled lowly his piercing cerulean staring directly into yours as he gently intertwined his still sweaty hands with your more delicate ones. You stared at him your features perplexed in bewilderment - before you finally understood what he meant; you had to try your hardest to conceal your smile before you spoke up.

“Maybe a lot sooner than we thought” you announced twirling a strand of your loosely curled hair between your painted nails. He gave you a puzzled look and placed his hand on your shoulder - daintily rubbing circles into it with his thumb; something he often did to comfort you. 

“Babe i can’t promise anything soon or tell you when it’s going to happen but -” you interrupted him before he could finish his sentence.

“I’m pregnant” you spoke loudly over the rumble of his deep voice and the background noises of the arena that all faded to silence in that one moment - a grin spreading from ear to ear across your face as you saw, Dean’s eyes light up, something not even a title win could bring to him.

“You’re lying” his voice drawled out in disbelief as his muscled hands automatically left the go of his precious title and made their way to your only minutely, protruding belly. “I can’t - i can’t believe it” he blinked rapidly as his grin widened exposing his pearly whites. “I’m going to be a Daddy!” he shouted almost at the top of his lungs before encapsulating your small frame in his much larger, herculean like one. Your small arms tightened round his large frame as tears of pure joy spilled from your eyes and onto his vest clad chest. The romantic embrace was cut short as your remembered the scan in your pocket - he gave raised an eyebrow at you as you hastily tore yourself from his embrace and reached to your pocket.

“This is why i was ‘ill’ this morning” you said sheepishly handing him the tiny black and white scan. “Three months yesterday” you smiled as his brows furrowed to study the small-scaled image. 

“Babe... why has our child got like four arms?” you snorted knowing he was bound to ask something stupid like that.

“Dean - did it not cross your mind that, ya know - that could be two different babies...” your voice trailed off towards the end of the sentence as you saw realisation set in his features.

“Woah woah - twins? You’re telling me that you’re bring two mini Ambrose’s into the world at once? Jesus Christ someone send help” Roman spoke up from the back of the room causing you and Dean to burst out in a fit of giggles. You even heard Jojo laugh a little at her fathers comment. You quickly turned back to Dean only to be met with a wistful kiss slammed onto your plump lips.

“Twins eh? I can’t believe it. I am the happiest man alive right now - all thanks to you Y/N. I love you” he spoke solemnly after pulling away from the short but love filled kiss. 

“I love you too Handsome” you beamed up at him. “However as much as I’m enjoying this huge mushy love stuff - I’d much rather enjoy some fries and a chocolate milkshake.” Smirking as you saw the disgust on Dean and Roman’s faces you spoke up again. “C’mon the twins are hungry” you chuckled beginning to make your way out of the dressing room.

Roman and Dean shared a look before shrugging, starting to follow you and Jojo - who had already left her daddy to be with her favourite auntie.

“Hey, congrats man. This’ll be the most joyful, yet most stressful thing you’ll ever experience. But trust be it’s worth it” Roman mused as he stared at you and Jojo lightly skipping through the halls; the words left his mouth with wisdom and experience causing Dean to let out a hearty laugh. Before he spoke - almost out of earshot

“All I can say is - I truly am THE happiest man alive.”

A/N: This one was soo good to write! All the daddy dean feels!! I’m also very very sorry this one took so long to upload - i’ve been ill and it made me kinda unproductive - whoops :/ But anyways i hope you all enjoy - oh and if you enjoy this i could make it into a series? I’m not sure. But happy reading! ~ Moxxii :) x