#like yeah obviously some people are stone cold wrong BUT it is our burden to bear the weight of knowing and understanding their wrongness

[baejax-the-great]

I think some of the arguments about fan interpretations of characters and OOCness forget a fundamental part of human nature which is this: each of us perceives the world and the people in it in slightly different ways based on our own experiences.

Most people have certain characteristics they consider fundamental to their Blorbo and some characteristics that are less important and could be changed, ignored, or scrapped for AU purposes. Unfortunately, which specific characteristics fall into which category are not going to be the same from person to person. Sometimes the overlap between two people's interpretations will be huge, and those two people will probably enjoy the same fan content. Sometimes not so much.

Personally, I write for a ship that were childhood friends that became lovers. In many AUs, people have them meeting for the first time in adulthood, and for me, that changes the nature of the ship and their characters so much that I can't really get into it. I consider their childhood friendship fundamental to them as people, and those authors don't. Which is fine. Many other people like those AUs. Nobody here is really in the wrong, we just have different opinions on what makes these particular Blorbos them.

In almost all cases, someone out there will find your interpretation of a character OOC. And that's fine. Hopefully they are polite and simply choose not to read your fics/engage with your HCs/whatever. But I think all of us have had the experience of reading a wildly OOC take and seeing other people enthusiastically going along with this "wrong" interpretation of the characters and thinking, "What??!?!"

It's fine. It's normal. It's annoying as hell (people are wrong on the internet), but it's inevitable. And if you find that interpretation particularly heinous to your Blorbo sensibilities, the block button is your friend.

[memetaped]

star trek: deep space 9 taken from the tv show.

come on, let’s get you home. 

looks like you need a new bandage. 

it’s good to see you got your appetite back.

you’re lucky you only got singed.

i need to know that you’re here, safe. that way, a part of me will always be safe, too.

get your hands off of me, before i do something i’ll regret.

we’ll see each other again soon. that’s a promise.

whatever it is you’ve been through has taken its toll.

that boy’s life is in our hands, and i won’t let anybody give up on him.

there are too many ways to get into serious trouble here.

get some hot chocolate and tell me about it.

you can channel your feelings of aggression in other ways.

this is important. you and i. things change, but not this.

you’re a great boy, you know that?

you have to leave me here and go on by yourself.

but the thing about dreams is, if you talk about them, they kind of go away faster.

now that kid is here under my protection, and i swear, if you do anything to hurt them, i will make you regret it. is that clear?

everyone has to have someone to confide in, someone to hear their stories.

my heart is too big.

the boy’s in a lot of trouble.

everything’s gonna be all right, but you have to try and stay awake for me.

if you were hurt, i’d leave you behind.

hold on, i’m not finished with you.

my dear, you should not be here.

it’s just a nosebleed.

hey, who said anything about being scared?

everyone went out of their way to look after me.

it takes a lot of courage to admit you’re wrong.

you run now, i won’t be able to protect you.

give me that before you hurt yourself.

i don’t need counseling, or relaxation, or time to adjust. i just want to be left alone.

get out.

and i am gonna pray, because i don’t know what else to do.

care for a root beer?

i’ve always loved you. even when i hated you.

before you volunteer too quickly, understand what you’re getting into.

do not hug me.

mom?

i’m not afraid, papa.

you’ve been so kind to me.

i’ve said my piece. sorry for butting in.

you know, why don’t we just call it a day? you obviously have other things on your mind.

i feel sick when i eat. i have pains in my head, in my chest.

you keep moving around, you won’t need any nurse.

i’ve known nothing but violence since i was a child.

what the hell has gotten into your head?

so, now you’re hiding things from me?

i think i could handle some soup.

save your strength

a sharp knife is nothing without a sharp eye.

so, my young friend, what do you think we’re looking at?

confession is good for the soul.

i’m gonna stay here, take care of the wounded. that includes you.

that’s a very personal question.

is this some kind of joke?

look at me. i need to know you’re going to be all right.

hold on, i’m not finished with you.

continually distracted, depressed, and agitated.

you always tighten your brow just a tiny bit whenever you’re about to ask a question.

it’s so small even i can’t stand up in there. look, i’m developing a slouch.

the one good thing about going away is coming home.

you don’t want me hanging around here? fine. i’ll do my thinking someplace else.

i don’t know who’s going to hear this. i don’t even know if i’ll be alive by the time this log is recovered.

we have rights, including the right to be as stubborn or thickheaded as we want.

i know it’s too difficult to speak right now. just rest.

you might say it came to me in a vision.

what are you doing up? you’re supposed to be in bed.

i’ll miss you.

and you’ve got a lot of nerve complaining about being cold when you’re the one wearing the jacket.

the last thing i want is to become a burden to you.

rudeness will get you nowhere.

okay? i’ve forgotten “okay.”

keep your eyes and ears open, follow orders, and try not to get in the way.

it’s not a trick, it’s a choice.

that’s how i think of you. and maybe that’s why sometimes, it’s hard for me to relax around you.

it’s a treatment, not a cure. it’ll prevent hallucinations, take the edge off the depression, but that’s all it’ll do.

you know, that was a very ugly thing you just said.

right now, my head is swimming in bloodwine and i’m going to bed, and so should you.

i’m a little tired. didn’t get much sleep last night.

i appreciate your concern, but i’ll grieve in my own way, in my own time. 

we’ve come to care about what happens to these people.

i know that you’ve been working with the maquis, and right now, i don’t care.

are you some kind of anarchist?

when you take someone’s life, you lose a part of your own as well.

home! i want to go home!

besides, i could never live with myself if something happened to you.

now we either freeze to death or starve to death. take your pick.

isn’t there someone you can talk to? someone you trust?

that’s right. it’s okay. everything’s going to be fine.

take my word for it, you’ll survive.

i don’t know about you, but it’s past my bedtime.

do you want to come color with me?

look, i’m not asking you to like me or to be my friend. i’m asking you to join me, to fight at my side.

sealing the entranceway was a risky thing to do. you nearly brought the whole ceiling down on yourself.

i can’t feel my legs.

“a needle in a haystack” wouldn’t do this job justice.

you ought to get some rest.

don’t deny the violence inside of you. only when you accept it can you move beyond it.

make sure to put your plate in the replicator, sweetie.

you know, it’s attitudes like that that keep you people from getting invited to all the really good parties.

i feel like someone just walked over my grave.

we need to get you to the infirmary.

enough. you’re pushing yourself too hard.

if that’s how you remember it, you must’ve hit your head harder than i thought you did.

you should take a break. you’ve been working nonstop for days.

well, you tried being alone and it hasn’t done any good. so maybe it’s time to stop brooding and start talking.

are you part of my family?

my leg is broken.

i’ve been looking all over for you.

you’re suffering from a severe form of amnesia.

speak up for yourself while you’re here, okay?

things that would send cold chills down your spine and wake you in the middle of the night.

i’m the one who should be struggling to stay conscious. i’m the one who’s in excruciating pain.

not just a bad dream – bad memories.

are you two fighting again?

i don’t want your sympathy and i don’t need your advice!

you stay a while longer if you want to, but you have to promise me, when the time comes and i tell you to go, you’ll do it.

look, i know it’s too late for an apology. but for what it’s worth, i’m sorry.

why don’t you go to your quarters and lie down for a while?

everyone keeps looking at me. they’re afraid of me.

i’d never felt more alone in all my life.

i’m half-frozen. i haven’t eaten for days. my muscles won’t work anymore!

what you experienced was an artificial reality, an interactive program that created memories of things that never actually happened.

what could be more important than dom-jot?

i’m not sleeping. i’m checking my eyelids for holes.

i’ve found that when it comes to doing what’s best for you, you humanoids have the distressing habit of doing the exact opposite.

you’re going to give yourself indigestion.

speaking of pain, this is probably going to hurt.

i never thought i would say this to you, but you are listening to your heart, not your head.

would you please go on vacation and get out of our hair?

you should take things easy for a while. 

i wish there was something i could do. some way i could promise you that everything is going to be okay.

i’ve done some things i’m not proud of. 

i want to stay with you.

my weakness is i’m too generous, too forgiving.

oh, this is one stubborn infection. how long have you had it?

just to “speak up for myself”, i’m feeling a little betrayed here.

the best way to survive a knife fight is to never get in one.

you can annoy me, bait me, question my very existence. but in the end, we both know i’ve won.

i haven’t seen one of these since i was a kid.

it’s a good weapon – solid, simple. you can drag it through the mud and it’ll still fire.

i’m sorry, i hope i haven’t offended anyone.

little children do that.

you know, eventually, you’re going to have to stop talking and deal with this.

if you come with me, you can be a soldier again.

i still wish you’d given me a little more warning.

you can’t expect me to cure it overnight.

i used to dream about you coming to save me. that’s what kept me alive.

you’ve never had those feelings. you don’t know what it means to really care about another person.

let me put it another way. i don’t want to play cards, and even if i did, i wouldn’t want to play with you.

what’s next? do you want to apologize to me? express your sympathy?

i think you went to your quarters last night and you tossed and turned in bed, because you knew some of the things you said to me concerned me.

you’ve got all the emotions of a stone. no offense.

because i have the bad habit of telling the truth even when people don’t want to hear it.

i’m always suspicious of people who are eager to help a police officer.

for as long as i can remember, i have always been an outsider.

you were wounded. try not to move around.

terrorists don’t get to be heroes.

i’ve never needed a friend more than i do right now.

i cried for you. i missed you so much.

we need to stop the bleeding. we better get you up to the ship.

i’m not afraid of you.

for the moment, why don’t you relax? try not to be so tense, take it easy.

we don’t belong in this time. we’re from the future.

you federation types are all alike. you talk about tolerance and understanding, but you only practice it towards people who remind you of yourselves.

now, i think we should concentrate on getting you comfortable with this weapon.

out there, there are no saints, just people – angry, scared, determined people who are going to do whatever it takes to survive, whether it meets with the federation’s approval or not.

yeah, i just banged my head on something.

it’s life. you can miss it if you don’t open your eyes.

i should have known you’d develop feelings for these people you’ve been living with for the past few years.

there’s nothing you can do. um, i just need some time.

i’ll teach you. it’s a very simple game.

you don’t deserve it. nobody does.

and you want to know why you don’t scare me? because i’m already more scared than i’ve ever been in my life.

oh, please. i’m suffering enough without having to listen to your smug federation sympathy.

i know what it’s like to worry about a child.

last night, it sounded like a takaran wildebeest was tromping around up there.

do you remember my face? even a little?

between you and me, those people have every right to defend themselves.

there’s a time for levity, my young friend, and a time for genuine concern.

why? why do you care so much?

i have to save you from yourself.

just because a group of people belong to the federation, that does not mean that they are saints.

life is yours for the taking. all you have to do is reach out and grab it.

no one on this station is better than anyone else. we’re all equal.

that’s why i came to you, because i knew you’d protect me. you will protect me, won’t you?

just because we don’t understand a life-form, doesn’t mean we can destroy it.

oh, we’re all very good at conjuring up enough fear to justify whatever we want to do.

it’s an expression of affection that you find difficult to accept.

look, i just don’t want anything to happen to you.

as your friend, i have to tell you i’m worried about you.

have i ever told you how much i hate that smug, superior attitude of yours?

and as for bedside manner, i’ve known nicer voles.

you’re the terrorist. you tell me.

i repaid kindness with blood. i was no better than an animal.

you don’t know what it means to care about someone, do you?

i’ll try to keep my problems more quiet next time. 

are you sure you’re all right?

oh, i slept like an alvanian cave sloth.

just watch your back. you’re in danger.

the thing i don’t understand is why you pretended to be my friend.

i have to say goodbye to you.

[gloves94]

Kingdom of the Sun [Fire Lord Zuko] 3

Chapter Warnings: Heavy petting, angst Story Rating: M Pairings: Zuko/OC

Kingdom of the Sun MASTERLIST Last Airbender MASTERLIST My MASTERLIST

"There you are!" A familiar feminine voice echoed the cave. The cold lovers turned to see Suki and Sokka creeping inside of the hole in the wall that they called an ice cave. Sokka was holding a gas lantern that seemed to glow in the darkness. It had been awfully quiet outside, the only sound that could be heard was the howling wind that blew by. Sokka looked at the couple that was inside. Specifically, at how they were sitting. Zuko was sitting against one of the icy walls slightly hunched forward. In between his wide open legs sat the auburn-haired girl wrapped in his thick wool cape, his arms were around her holding against his body, his head comfortably resting on top of hers. Sokka also noted the discarded winter clothing and weapons that had been carelessly thrown across the small space. A sly knowing grin made way to his face. Those two were freaky and he knew it. "Looks like you two kept busy while hiding out here in your little snow bungalow." He said while childishly sniggering at the red-faced girl’s expression. "I fell through the ice and almost died. Zuko's just… keeping me warm." She explained. The Fire Lord simply breathed out a firey exhale which made him resemble a dragon and shot his friend an irked glare. “Mhnn… Sure,” The Water Tribe boy arched a teasing eyebrow the knowing smirk still plastered to his face. Suki stood next to him with her arms crossed over her chest, her expression mirrored his. The Kyoshi Warrior laughed a little, her eyes drifting up eyeing the cave’s dripping ceiling “I’m surprised the place didn’t melt down.” “Get dressed and let’s get back up. Luckily nobody got hurt. We captured the one responsible for all of this mess.”

xxx The celebratory mood had definitely been killed. It was a miracle Katara’s grandmother hadn’t had a heart attack on the spot or something. It really seemed like it had all been one massive distraction, the only casualty of the several explosions being Tsai’s ship. Thankfully there was no one on board at the time.

She hated to admit it, but her mother had been right. She should’ve known this would happen. Now dressed in warmer clothes, yet still feeling cold and uneasy at the cold brush with death she stood with the group as they huddled outside of a snow building where the assassin’s accomplice was being held. Several oil lamps planted outside illuminated the space. Aang and Katara were still dressed in their ceremonial robes and Tsai couldn’t help but feel guilty about having ruined their ceremony.   “He hasn’t said a single word since we captured him,” explained Chief Hakoda who was stepping out from the holding building.

“What matters is that nobody got hurt,” Aang said a hard look on his gray eyes. “This doesn’t make any sense,” Katara said holding a hand against her mouth in a pensive matter. “Why would anybody do this?”

It had obviously all been one large ploy to distract everybody. The assassins knew they wouldn’t be able to kill anyone with the Avatar and his team nearby. A diversion to scatter the group in their separate ways seemed like the best option to then strike.

“I’m sorry,” Tsai stepped forward, eyes lowered in a guilty expression. “This is all my fault. My mother warned me not to come. It’s been happening more and more often now but it’s not rare for somebody to come and try assassinate me- “ “Or me-“ Zuko added at her side, arms crossed over his chest. She looked at him with a concerned expression. He wasn’t wrong. They could’ve both been targets. Two birds one stone. Whoever sent these assassins knew that the Fire Lord and the girl from the Republic of Nations would probably be together. “It was obviously meant to be a distraction so the assassins could strike.”

“Regardless, I’m pretty sure he’s not coming back out of the water.” An unpleasant chill went down her spine as she thought of the man’s dreadful ending. The terrible feeling of the icy water still prickling at her skin like needles. “Question is- who sent them?” Chief Hakoda asked stroking his chin wisely, slightly pacing around in the snow. Tsai looked pensive. Her head lowered with burdening shame before allowing a sigh of defeat escape her lips. “It’s my father,” She admitted. “He’s beyond reason. He’s behind the Anti-Revolutionary Movement. Wants to take the colonies himself as an absolute monarch.” “But the revolution is over,” Sokka butted. “The Republic of Nations has been well established for some time now. He can’t create an uprising, much less by-“ Suki added before her tone faltering in hesitation at the end. “It’s okay, you can say it,” she drowned out to her friend. “By killing me,” she finished her friend’s words. “It’s not the first time that one of our dads went nuts and tried to kill someone in the group.” ‘Although, hopefully it’s the last…’ She thought the last part to herself. Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose. Tsai couldn’t tell if it was either due to frustration, the painful memory of his father or just plain irritation. “So, your father thinks he will accomplish just what by killing you?” Toph asked bluntly with her arms crossed over her chest. “Many see me as a symbol of the independence of the colonies,” She trailed off holding her arm uncomfortably. “He thinks that killing me will send a message, spark a coup d’etât, a movement. We’re not fighting a man here; we’re fighting an ideology.” “What ideology?” Aang probed. “Anarchy,” Zuko responded with a sullen tone. “Your father is an anarchist. I wouldn’t be surprised if his ideals went hand in hand with the New Ozai Society.” The group shared a moment of silence. The hollow wind blowing by. The oil lanterns crackling lightly in the darkness. “So, what are we waiting for?” Toph arched a challenging eyebrow breaking the group silence. “Let’s go back to the Republic and wait for the snakes to come out of their holes,” she punched her own fist an excited grin on her face. Scattered humorous huffs were heard.

Now this was more like the good old days. “It’s not that simple Toph,” Katara butted. “All of these people, they’re underground. They’re not gathered in one place. There’s no way of knowing who’s who or who’s involved.” “There is one way…” Zuko’s eyes glinted darkly as he raised his head up to the building were the hostage was being kept. “He won’t talk.” Hakoda answered as he read the torturous idea the Fire Lord had in mind. “I’ll make him,” Zuko spat in an angry tone. Tsai looked at him with a concerned expression, she didn’t know if it was instinctual or not, but she wrapped her hands around his arm for a moment in an attempt to ground him and his infamous temper. “Zuko’s right. We have to get him to talk,” Sokka trailed off pensively. “Not here. He’ll return to the Fire Nation with me.” The group murmured and discussed ideas to make the captured prisoner cooperate. And yes, Aang’s ‘Why don’t we just ask him nicely?’ was immediately discarded. Lion Turtles, the boy had the patience of a saint.

“For now, this works in our favor. I think our best play is making your father and the other Anti-Revolutionaries think that you’re dead.” The Chief said placing a comforting hand on Tsai’s shoulder for a moment. “What?” Her eyes grew a little wide in surprise. “And then what? He’s going to attack the city again! My brother can’t hold him off alone! What about my family?” “Don’t worry,” Toph continued to squeeze her knuckles and Tsai got the impression that regardless of the situation the girl just really, really wanted to beat someone down. “We’ll lend him a hand.”   “It’s also best if your mom and brother think…” Sokka trailed off uneasily. She lowered her head a little. “Geez…” She huffed at the thought. “If my mom finds out I’m not really dead, then I really am dead,” she said dramatically at the thought of facing her mother’s wrath. “I can’t do that to them. It’s too painful,” she pleaded with the group. How could she put her family through such a painfully emotionally ordeal? It would be cruel and unnecessary. “It’s for the best.” Katara said reaching for her arm just like her dad had done a moment ago. “We’ll go deliver the news ourselves. We’ll also be on guard if anything arises.” Katara explained in a comforting tone. “I’ll have an army sent to the Republic of Nations for precaution.” The Fire Lord spoke still seeming deep in thought. “And what am I going to do?” She said frustrated stretching her arms out. “Hide away here in a snow bungalow? “You didn’t seem to mind before,” Sokka muttered under his breath laughing to himself. Earning him a punch on the side to keep quiet from his girlfriend. “You’re more than welcome to stay if you’d like,” Chief Hakoda said in a welcoming tone before retreating and walking inside of the building where Ty Lee and other Southern Tribe Warriors were guarding the prisoner. Her face turned a little blue at the thought of being in the ice tundra for another day. “It might be best if you return to the Fire Nation with Zuko,” Aang said. Her eyes peeled wide open as panic surged through her. Going back to the Fire Nation? With him… She swallowed the breath that had caught in her throat. Maybe that wasn’t the best idea. After all, Fire Nationers weren’t particularly welcoming to her…

Unconsciously her body flinched slightly at the thought. Her mind drifting to unpleasant memories of the last time she was in the nation. “Aang’s right,” Suki added. “There’s no way anyone would be able to hurt you inside of the Fire Nation.” “You’ll be safe there,” Katara insisted. All of her friends were trying to make the girl’s concerned expression morph into a more relaxed one. But how could one relax in a situation like this? Going back to the Fire Nation with Zuko… Yeah maybe they had gotten a little carried away earlier, but it had been a life or death situation. She had a terrible feeling that there would soon be a confrontation between the two of them and frankly she was dreading it. “I’ll keep you safe,” She turned to look at his golden eyes and whole heartedly knew that he meant it. His hand placed gently in the middle of her back. The look in his eyes made her blood warm her ears and she felt an unflattering patch of red form on her neck.

She turned away hoping nobody would notice the blush creeping on her face. Her hands reaching for her hard temples as she rubbed them lightly already anticipating a terrible headache to come. “My mother is going to kill me…” xxx

By the time it was past midnight everybody had once again gone their separate ways. They had all hugged tightly and exchanged their good wishes. Except for Toph. When Tsai attempted to hug her, she made a massive pillar of black earth rise from underneath throwing her off her balance and told her to go hug a snowman or something. The only hope of reuniting in the future being Aang and Katara’s soon to be wedding.

Zuko had decided to travel by airship since it was considered to be faster. Tsai was to be his honored guest and Ty Lee and Suki accompanied them as their Kyoshi Warrior bodyguards. She presently lay alone in a cold bed with her arms wrapped around herself in an attempt to keep warm. She rubbed her feet together, against each other like a cricket, as she was still suffering from the effects of having fallen into the freezing arctic ocean just a couple of hours ago. She would be very surprised if she didn’t develop a cold in the next day or so. She couldn’t sleep. She didn’t know what was keeping her up, if it was her cold body, anguishing concerns over her family, the stress over fighting all of these groups that sought to destroy her and Zuko. Horrible thoughts about the last time she was in the Fire Nation…

She couldn’t be here anymore. She wanted to talk to someone. Carefully tiptoeing out of her room, making sure not to make any noise. She was bluntly caught in the act only a moment after. She stood like a deerdog in headlights. Suki standing outside in the middle of the corridor with her arms crossed over her chest coolly. She gave her friend a knowing look. "Did you want to talk to Zuko?" She asked with a knowing expression on her features. “Me?” Tsai chuckled nervously. “Nope,” she said popping the ‘p’ in the word innocently. “I just got lost.” She lied awkwardly, a nervous grin giving away her intentions of entering the Fire Lord’s chambers in the middle of the night.

Her friend laughed a little and walked towards her shaking her head lightly. “I just want to talk with him,” she explained averting her eyes. With a smirk Suki reached for her sleeping shirt and unbuttoned the top two buttons of it, pulling the hem low to make her cleavage more pronounced. Her hands moved expertly as they reached for the sides of her head and ruffled up her hair making it messier and appear more voluptuous. She finished by pinching her cheeks hard making them turn a blushing red. “Ow!” the other protested. “I told you we’re only going to talk.” She said swatting her hand away. “Sure.” Both girls shared a light laugh. “Go get him,” Suki said nudging her on. “Have a nice talk,” she wiggled her eyebrows teasingly. Actually, causing the other girl’s face to turn even redder. Tsai walked inside of the room carefully. It was pitch black with the exception of a dim candle that sat on the nightstand on the empty side of his large bed. Quietly, she slid her bare feet across the floor hoping not to bump into anything until she reached the edge of his bed. She gathered he was probably fast asleep from the unmoving lump that lay underneath the bed’s covers. The mattress sank under her weight as she climbed on the bed and crawled towards him. She reached for his naked shoulder his name about to drop from her lips when she was suddenly jerked down, a sharp object zooming towards her.

She lay frozen, pinned under a heavy naked torso a blade hovering mere inches away from her eye.

Zuko looked down at her, a firm hand wrapped around her throat lightly pressing down, his knees bended on top of her legs keeping her immobilizing his enemy. His hair loose and undone falling on either sides of his face.

The thought of him welcoming every assassin that attempted to strike him like this made Tsai grow a little envious.

His molten golden eyes looked down at her barely illuminate face. He looked at her messy, long hair sprawled out on the pillow, her flushed face, parted open lips as she held in what he interpreted to be a shaky breath of surprise. He whispered her name in surprise and lowered the knife. “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I’ve grown used to sleeping with an eye open,” he put the blade on the nightstand next to the candle. “I never thanked you for what you did for me. You didn’t have to do any of that.” She began. If the two of them were to return to the Fire Nation together it would be best to get the uncomfortable confrontation out of the way. It wouldn’t be pleasant. This conversation was bound to happen anyways, it was best to get it out of the way and discuss, well, define, just what the hell the two of them were. That is- if they were anything at all to begin with. For all that she knew maybe the two were rekindling old emotions, burning off some frustrated pent up steam. His eyes lingered on her expression. Yet he said nothing remaining silent. His warm body still pressing against hers. There was an intense look in his eyes, a raw emotion she was unfamiliar with burning in them. The look made her feel vulnerable as he studied her. Not removing himself or his prying eyes from her he waved a hand over the candles and the two were consumed by a sudden darkness.

Guess there wouldn’t be much talking tonight. Blindless lingered in her eyes for a moment before they adjusted to the absence of light. The hand on her neck lowered and splayed over her chest, his digits tracing the flesh over her clavicles. His other reached for her side, fingers almost like snakes slipping underneath her shirt with such ease and tenderness that goosebumps became erect on her arm. He leaned in with a calculated manner, stopping only a torturous distance before her mouth. His nose tracing her features, bumping into hers. She could feel his breath warming her face. Slowly, torturously his mouth barely grazed hers. “I miss you,” she admitted breathlessly and in return he kissed her hard. He kissed intensely with longing, teeth clicking together as their lips moved against each other. “I miss you more,” he spoke gruffly against her mouth. A rough groan dripping with wanting escaped his lips. It was the involuntary king that made his chest rumble. He pressed his groin against hers grinding into her.   His other hand slid further up her body. Fingers mapping out her skin. His other hand rounded around her head tangling in her locks of hair. She held her longing breath, the girl practically dripping with anticipation. A familiar itch between her legs begging to be scratched. She reached for the other buttons of her night shirt and began undoing them. Again, his hand snaked back down to the exposed skin above her clavicles. The warm hand sliding lower and lower until it reached her breast. It lingered there for a long moment, his fingers pressing down on her skin, yet remained stiff. He remained frozen for a long moment. Long enough for her to consider voicing out a concern but didn’t. Instead, she felt the unwelcome absence of his warmth as he removed himself from her. The cold aid greeting her harshly.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized scratching his nose nervously. She saw him retreat and sit on the edge of the bed both of his feet planted on the floor as he lightly slouched completely turning away from her.

She lay still. Cheeks puffed. She wanted to be angry, she wanted to pull at her hair due to all the pent-up frustration and storm out of the room- but she wouldn’t. She had to be patient. She had to be understanding. She had to be respectful.

Just like he had been when he made his own demands to her the last time, they were together… Her pride was wounded. She knew, deep in her heart that he didn’t mean to hurt her, that he didn’t mean it like this, that he had his own reasons for being so reserved. That he wasn’t being a tease. Knowing that she had also hurt him all the same if not worse the last time they had been together in the Fire Nation made everything impossibly worse. But the ugly feeling of being undesired by the person you desire the most… It hurt. Once again… he had neglected her. She silently let out a breath she had been holding and pushed her pride and sexual frustrations to the side.

“I’m under a lot of stress,” he confessed. “I can’t sleep, I can’t think, I can’t-“ He sighed in distress, his voice trailing off and buried his head in his hands in frustration. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness. She saw his back muscles moving slightly as he hunched over. She looked at him with sadness, with guilty from wanting more of him. Her body still hot. However, those were demands she could not make of him. After all love was patient, love was kind… Zuko’s body stiffened when he felt a touch on his back, it took him a moment to relax when a pair of arms wrapped around his torso holding him in a close embrace. She pressed her cheek against his back and closed her eyes listening to his drumming heart beating. “It’s okay,” she whispered reassuringly planting a gentle kiss in between his shoulder blades and then another one on his shoulder. “Let’s try and get some sleep,” she comforted him and pulled his torso to lay back on the bed. “Come on.” She insisted when he remained still. However, after a moment he caved. He lay on his side turning away from her. He seemed distant and cold. She said nothing, swallowing her pride and respecting his space. Maybe it was best if she left. Maybe it was too painful, too confusing, not only for him, but for her too. Too many emotions for one day. She tossed the covers off her body getting ready to return to her chambers. “Stay,” he demanded. His voice soft.

She wasn’t expecting him to say anything. She froze, her eyes looking back at the Lord that had now turned to face her, slightly sitting up.

Coming here tonight had been a bad idea. Scratch that. Coming to the ceremony, specifically to seek him out had been a terrible idea. What was she hoping to accomplish? The two of them getting back together... Their relationship returning back to normal only for the two to again split when push came to shove? He looked at her with pleading eyes. He reached for her arm and despite never having felt the sensation of skin burning in her life she guessed this was probably what it felt like. Anguish knotting in her throat rendering her silent. She gradually turned and caved to his touch. Slipping underneath the bed covers and facing him. Her hand touching his face, she caressed the scar that marked him, tracing it with the back of her hand. She looked at him with an endearing expression in her eyes and a heavy heart before lightly pressing her lips against his scarred skin.

After all this time she still loved him…

He said nothing in return and leaned forward burying his face on her chest. He took in a deep breath inhaling the scent he had missed so much, welcoming the familiar touch he starved for, lightly kissing the flesh he longed for. And he still loved her… He knew they would be having the unpleasant conversation that would define their relationship soon. Their emotions, their future, their intimacy, their fall… It would all have to be painfully dissected. But for now, this would do. This unspoken sad language the two of them seemed to share. He placed a hand on her side, his fingers lightly tracing circles on the skin underneath her shirt.

She held him close in a bittersweet embrace. Love, sadness, much regret, wanting and disappointment were all in the bed with them. Not another word was exchanged between the two. It wasn’t necessary. She rested her head on top of his and she ran her fingers through his hair soothingly.

Some moments later she could feel his rhythmic breathing warming her skin, his hand still draped on her side. He had fallen asleep. She couldn’t see his expression yet felt a little relieved knowing he was actually resting. One of her legs possessively tangled in between his.

Tsai was left alone with her distressing thoughts; painful tears prickled the edges of her eyes threatening to spill. She missed him so much. She still loved him so much. How could they have allowed themselves to do this to each other? A single tear slid down her face and she pressed her lips kissing the top of his head.

Her mind drifting to an unpleasant memory. She could still vividly remember their downfall.   It had been that horrible day...   She could still remember the smell of moisture and myrrh incense in the Dragon Catacombs…

She squeezed her eyes shut tight and prayed for the dark memory to go away, but it didn’t…

xxx

AN: Sorry this took me so long, I wasn't sure in what direction to go in this chapter, but overall I'm happy with it! (of course angst because I can't just let these 2 be happy) Alright, next chapter is going to be a flashback chapter and we're about to find out what happened in the Dragon Catacombs... prev: https://gloves94.tumblr.com/post/624849870080131072/kingdom-of-the-sun-firelord-zuko-2 next: https://gloves94.tumblr.com/post/625513136018112512/kingdom-of-the-sun-fire-lord-zuko-4

Kingdom of the Sun MASTERLIST Last Airbender MASTERLIST My MASTERLIST

[mtvswatches]

Wynonna Earp 2x06 Whiskey Lullaby

Spoilers disclaimer (please read before sending messages or writing comments.)

Click here for previous recaps!

Stray thoughts

1) “Don’t talk about my partner’s ass” Hearing Doc say those words in regards to Dolls gave me so much joy!

2) So, Black Badge indeed no longer exists, at least not in the same shape and form as we knew it. They’ve cut Dolls, Purgatory and the Earps loose and they are now left to their own devices. If they’re not a government agency, then what are they? Who else would be interested in fighting the supernatural institutionally? Anyway, the dude told them that when Doc freed Dolls, other things escaped, too.

3) Who or what are these women? Are they widows? Is that why they dress in black?

4) So Wynonna is pregnant. And she’s also in denial mode. I get it, I mean this was definitely not part of the plan. I mean, she really doesn’t have a plan per se, but you know what I mean. She’s refusing to deal with this right now, but who are we kidding? That’s not something that you can really postpone dealing with. You have to make a decision either way. Also, is Doc the father? I’m trying to remember if she slept with anyone else after that, but I think she didn’t? Or is this like a supernatural pregnancy? And what about the goo? Did the goo affect the baby? Is Wynonna going to have the baby? And if she does, will it be an actual baby or are they going to turn it into a Connor? So many questions! I am really interested in seeing where this show is headed with this storyline…

5) To distract herself, Wynonna goes begging Nicole for a case, but there seems to be no supernatural activity lately. Well, except for…

6)  So, there are rings and they’re talking about wives and husbands, so they must be widows, but whose widows are they? They’re looking for the location of a seal, and they mention Bobo and the Stone witch, none of whom are available. And when they mention Juan Carlos, they mention that they’re not strong enough to face him. Huh.

7) Hypnos? And the Creepster is asking for more time for the Widows (yes, they are widows, I got it right!) Does this mean this Hypnos guy will hypnotize everyone in Purgatory? Will he turn back time? Make time go slower? He’s doing something alright…

8)

DOLLS: We are free agents. Free to make our own rules and to pursue our own objectives. DOC: Welcome to the club. I've been here a while. I'll show you what areas are off limits. DOLLS: Well, that's my point. There are no areas that are off limits anymore. ME:

Seriously, though, last time we saw them they were getting along just fine, so what happened between then and now?

 9) So, this is what was happening…

DOLLS: Hey, Wynonna. You wanna grab coffee with me? There's something I wanna discuss with you that's personal. WYNNONA: Yeah, sure.

Does this mean that Dolls and Wynonna will be a thing? I truly can’t accept that Doc/Wynonna are over? How? They were even barely started! 

10) Okay, Waverly just suggested Doc is the baby’s father… This can’t be the end of Wynonna and Doc. I’ll Calcutta bitch!

Even though I agree with Wynonna in that it is her situation and it is up to her who to tell and when, Waverly does make a great point that it’s not fair to either Dolls or Doc not to let them know about her “situation.” I’m guessing Wynonna is going to handle it in true Wynonna fashion and it’s gonna be messy.

11) Oh, Nicole and Waverly are so beautiful and hot together?

And I’m super glad they addressed this because it was kind of tormenting me not knowing whether Waverly was really Waverly when they were together while they were possessed…

NICOLE: You taste like my Waverly again. WAVERLY: What's wrong? NICOLE: I was just thinking how much of the other times were you, you? You know, because you said things, and we did things, and I don't know what was real. WAVERLY: No. It was all real. Okay? It was all me. NICOLE: How can you be sure? WAVERLY: Because I don't remember much about when it was in control. But I remember every second I was with you. Each touch. Every kiss.

12) I guess Hypno dude just put them all to sleep?

And the timing couldn’t have been more perfect for Wynonna, she was really dreading the “personal” conversation with Dolls. But why? Is it because she doesn’t see him in that way? Or is it because she truly does and it scares the shit out of her? I’m guessing it’s the latter, but I don’t want it to be. I have nothing against Dolls, but I love Wynonna and Doc! 

13) I guess the Widows did get some time. A few months, actually…

Damn, this means the choice to be pregnant or stop the pregnancy was taken away from her.

How did people survive, though? I mean, Wynonna was covered in dust, and all the food is rotten, which means that time literally went by, it’s not that they just fastforwarded…

Also, damn, their breath must be AWFUL!

14) They need to take drugs to keep themselves awake, but Wynonna obviously can’t take any… and Dolls is making heart eyes at her, and I just realized he still hasn’t seen her baby bump…

15) “The whole town has been asleep for weeks.” Okay, exactly how many weeks? I need to know! So they kept up the whole town asleep this long by threatening with hurting Poppy, who is… Hypnos’ daughter? Lover? I have no idea. But now that Wynonna is awake he can’t make her and the gang fall back asleep… She’s too strong. Damn straight she is!

16) And if people stay asleep too long, they’ll never wake up. Cool. Cool cool cool. Waverly’d better fucking hurry up and wake up Doc yesterday!

17) What are these bitches doing to Wynonna? They’d better not hurt the baby!

18) And this is how Doc fell asleep…

19) Jeremy just woke up and went straight to business. The second seal is apparently in Shorty’s, so they’d been sitting on it this whole time. The problem is that the Widows stole all their plans and research and probably know this already. 

20) And Dolls just realized Wynonna is preggers…

I’m guessing now the million-dollar question will be asked – who’s the father? Wynonna insists that nothing has changed and that she can still kick some evil ass, but… that’s probably the last thing in Doll’s mind right now?

21)  And this is everything I didn’t know I needed in my life?

A pregnant lady kicking ass? HELL YES! 

22) Okay, Poppy is Hypno’s daughter, and the Creepster has obviously taken her to rape her, so Hypno agreed to help Wynonna if she makes sure his daughter is safe, which I think it’s something Wynonna could relate to.

23) The Widows just fucking froze Waverly and Doc? Are they going to eat them up?

24) Bless Nicole, she’s been tracking the Creepster’s phone because she knew he was gross and evil. Bless Wynonna for her reaction, too.

25) Well…

Then he says she’s amazing and tries to save face or a bit of his ego by saying she’s an amazing agent, yeah, right.

26) Please let Jeremy save the day. Pleasepleaseplease.

27) He so didn’t.

28) Oh my God, the fucking Creepster is asking Poppy to role-play as Waverly before he rapes her? PLEASE SOMEONE MURDER HIM! 

29) Ugh, Nicole, why would you shoot him in the shoulder and let him run away? Straight between the eyes! And what the fuck else did he do that will get him killed? Worse than what he’s already done?

30) The Widows managed to break the seal, but there’s a third one…

31) And this is how Wynonna told Doc about the baby…?

He’s all teary-eyed, omg, is he happy? Sad? I guess there will be one relationship in his life with strings after all, and I’m not talking about Wynonna. But damn, he didn’t handle the news well, he just walked away and didn’t say anything… 

32) So… no time has really passed except for the baby… How convenient for the plot...

33) Damn, Dolls just shot Hypno in cold-blood and forced Wynonna to off him. He’s truly butthurt about the baby, isn’t he?

34) Doc wrote a note for Wynonna. And Jeremy knew Wynonna was pregnant all along hahaha! 

35) Clootie?

 Oh. This is what he did. He killed Clootie.

36) Damn, this whole scene… 

WYNONNA: Am I a screw-up? Yeah. I've also been on two types of birth control since I was 13 years old. But the universe doesn't give a damn. It's never given me a choice, it's never… not whether I wanted to be the Heir or a m… a mother. WAVERLY: I know you're overwhelmed, okay? But not everything is because you're an Earp. WYNONNA: Yeah, it is. It always comes back to the curse, Wave, always. I really, I… I can't do this. WAVERLY: Hey. WYNONNA: No. WAVERLY: Hey. WYNONNA: This poor asshole! WAVERLY: Hey I'm not saying it's gonna be okay. But I'm just saying I'm here.

I’m just, wow. There are so many things that I love about this scene and this plot and what it means for Wynonna. First of all, I’m so glad it’s not a supernatural pregnancy and that it wasn’t the result of rape – magical or otherwise. It’s the result of consensual sex, which is sadly unprecedent in supernatural shows. Think about that for a minute.

There’s the question of choice, too. Wynonna didn’t choose to get pregnant nor did she choose to remain so. I doubt she would’ve ended the pregnancy, but the fact remains, she was deprived of that choice. It’s easier to understand her initial denial and reluctance to discuss the pregnancy in light of this final scene. It’s sad but I think it has to do with the fact she doesn’t think she’s fit to be a mother. Wynonna handles herself with a lot of bravado and self-confidence, but most of the time, it feels as though she’s trying the old “fake it till you make it” strategy. She’s deeply insecure and she thinks very low of herself. On top of that, she’ll be bringing a child into this supernatural mayhem that it’s her life. She’s fully aware she’ll be putting a burden on her child, In a way, she fears she’ll be doing to that child the same thing that has been done so many times to her – depriving them of choice.

I’m just very intrigued as to how they’re going to deal with this pregnancy, and I can’t help but wonder again – will there even be a baby or are we facing a Connor situation? There has already been one time-jump, so it’s possible there’s another one…

37) Aw, Doc, this is why I love you…

He’s all fucking in!

38) Hope you enjoyed my recap, and, as usual, if you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! If you enjoy my recaps and my blog, please consider supporting it on ko-fi.Thanks!

[texanredrose]

Frost Fire (Frozen/Tangled AU)

Yang felt a smile curling her lips as she looked around, drinking in the sights of a new kingdom without the agonizing burden that her every move would be watched like a hawk. As heir apparent to the throne, the blonde had to worry about everything she did outside the castle walls- and even inside them- but now that she'd finally been reunited with her long lost sister, she didn't have to worry about the line of succession. Sure, it didn't sit well with the court, but they just hadn't acclimated to Ruby's unique style yet. And, honestly, Yang thought the monarchy could do with a little lightening up. She couldn't just do it because she didn't have royal blood, her only claim to the throne being through her father's marriage to the Queen. 

"Welcome to Arendelle, Rubes!" She threw an arm out, indicating the castle beyond the town before them, with snow capped mountains on the horizon. "Sure, it's not Corona, but it's nice, yeah?" 

"It's a lot warmer than I expected!" Her sister smiled, fiddling with the crown settled about her temples. "I thought the reigning Queen is supposed to be some sort of ice mage." 

"I'm sure that's just rumors." Yang laughed, leading the way from the docks to the castle and waving when she could, smiling at how the sun shone off her armor. It felt so good to just be a knight as opposed to future ruler. "Besides, we're here for a wedding! It's gotta be good weather for that." 

Ruby shot her a curious look. "Considering you have a magic arm, I'm not sure why you'd dismiss the idea of a magic queen so quickly." 

"I'm with Yang." Sun announced, slipping up beside his fiancé's side and throwing an arm around her shoulders, though Ruby seemed rather pleased he'd gotten off the ship despite not wearing the suit she'd laid out for him. "A magic fake arm is one thing- the spell is written right there- but the stories go that the Queen of Arendelle can conjure a winter storm with just a look! Sounds fake to me."

As the couple continued to lightly argue about the veracity of the claims, Yang breathed in deep and looked around the town square, marveling at all the decorations. Not only was the kingdom's signature snowflake on display just about everywhere she looked but so too were pretty white flowers- edelweiss, a staple of the kingdom- and the people seemed beside themselves with joy, calling out to friends and travelers alike. Beyond the square, the blonde could see where the gates to the castle stood open. 

"We should go introduce ourselves," she said, looking over her shoulder at Ruby and Sun. "Looks like we might be the first VIPs to arrive. It'd be polite to let our hosts know we're here." 

"See, Yang, you're really good at this royalty thing!" Her sister sighed. "Why can't you be Queen instead?" 

"Because it's your birthright and, honestly, I hated being 'Princess Yang’." She grimaced while leading the way, the couple and their small retinue of guards in tow. "It's all rules and being nice to people you'd rather throw through a window- you've already got more patience than I ever did." 

"That's only because I've been dreaming of finding where I belong for years; I've got a lotta motivation to do this right!" Lightly, she knocked a fist against the back of Yang's chest plate. "If you had a carrot to motivate you, I bet you'd be a better Queen than me."

"Yeah, well, too late to place that bet, sis!" They crossed a stone bridge over a little moat around the castle, passing through the gates to the courtyard. "Besides, nothing could... possibly..."

Her words trailed off as her gaze fell on the other occupants of the courtyard, halfway decorated in preparation for the ceremony. 

"I'm just saying, you should consider it." A woman just a little taller than Ruby with long white hair pulled up into an off center ponytail and a furrow to her brows directed her gaze to a cat eared Faunus, pushing off with her right foot and gliding, effortlessly, across a sheet of ice. "You're standing at the alter, awaiting your bride, and here I come, gliding down the aisle- how is that not romantic, Blake?" 

"The part when you fall down and break an arm," Blake replied, rubbing at her temple. "Look, I do like the ice theme and everything but this is... a little much. What if you hurt yourself?" 

"I've been skating since I was old enough to walk." 

"Weiss-" 

"And there's no possible way I could be injured. Watch." With that, Weiss intentionally tripped herself, only for wind, ice, and snow to combine, somehow catching her and returning her to her feet without even mussing her dress. "See? There's nothing to be worried about." 

Yang noticed all that- saw and heard it- but that wasn't what captured her attention entirely. No, what had her completely enthralled was the taller woman standing off to the side, clad in a light blue dress that shimmered in the sun, flowing white locks cascading over her shoulders and a smile on her lips, even as snowflakes danced around her hands. 

"I understand your concerns Blake but, really, you have me officiating the ceremony. Nothing will go wrong." 

"Winter's right. Everything will be-" Weiss stopped short. "Oh, excuse me, I didn't realize we had company... who are you?" 

"Weiss!" Blake sighed, offering an apologetic smile. "Forgive the Princess; she's a bit distracted by the wedding."

"Oh, that's fine! It looks like it's going to be a beautiful ceremony!" Ruby stepped up, offering a hand. "I'm from Corona! Princess Ruby at your..." she paused, lowering her voice and leaning towards Yang. "Wait, am I a Princess or a Queen?" 

"Huh?" She shook her head, snapping out of her stupor. "Oh, uh, you're a Princess still. Dad's King until you feel ready to assume the throne; he's basically your placeholder." 

"Great!" She laughed. "So, yeah, Princess Ruby at your service!" 

She then tried to curtsy, though Sun had to grab her hips with his tail to keep her from falling over. "And I'm Sun. Just, uh, just Sun." 

"Welcome Princess Ruby and Just Sun," Winter said, a twinkle in her eye that seemed to be shared in the ice crown around her temples. Then, her gaze landed on Yang, ice blue eyes somehow warm despite the chill that surrounded her. "You must be one of their knights." 

"Uh... yeah." She nodded, dumbly, while trying to get her brain back on track. "And a Princess. Kinda." 

That seemed to spark a bit of confusion in the Arendelle nobles. Luckily, Sun came to the rescue. "The normally articulate Yang here is Ruby's older half sister from a previous marriage; their dad is royal by marriage, making Ruby the blood heir to the throne." 

"Ah, the intricacies of succession. How troublesome a headache," Winter said. "Welcome to Arendelle. We're glad Corona accepted the invitation; it's been far too long since our kingdoms have spoken." A shadow of concern passed over her expression. "I'll admit, some of that is my fault. I hope to do better in the years to come." 

"You're beautiful," Yang said, not entirely sure if that's what she meant to blurt out but rolling with it. "I mean- this ceremony, it's beautiful, and you're in charge of it, so you can obviously do it, do it better- you're a very good. Great. Wonderful. Yes." 

... the blonde stood there, blushing and trying not to fidget, while everyone else stared. But then, a slick smile spread across Sun's lips, and a cloud of dread descended on her.

"You know, Yang's actually reminded me- does Your Majesty have a date to the wedding?" 

"I've only recently started talking to people outside the castle staff so, no, I'm afraid I haven't secured a date." Winter smirked, eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion. “Why?”

"Hmmm... well, that's gonna be a problem." He crossed his arms over his chest. "In Corona, we have a very old, very sacred tradition for weddings, and it's very important for us to impart good will on the wedding party by dancing with each member and their partner. But, if you don't have a date...” He sighed and shook his head. “That's just bad luck for the wedding, plain and simple." 

Yang opened her mouth to loudly remind him that, no, they didn't have any such custom as that, but Ruby gasped and quickly intervened. 

 "That's right! The couples' dance is super important! Oh, Your Majesty, would you please consider taking a date to the wedding?" 

"I'm not sure who I could find on such short notice," the Queen replied. "Unless you have a suggestion-" 

"My sister!" Ruby slapped her pauldron. "Yang's still considered royalty in Corona and it would be a great gesture to the people, showing that we're committed to rebuilding the bond our kingdoms once shared, right?" 

"That is a solid point." Winter took two steps back. "But, as I'm sure you're aware, we have our own customs to abide, and a trial must be faced before I can grant any such an honor." Then, she held out her hand and met Yang's gaze. "If you wish to be my date for the wedding, brave knight, you must take my hand before I count to five." 

Yang blinked, her first thought being that it sounded too easy and her second being that she didn't really care, she was doing it. However, she'd been so distracted by the Queen's... everything that it just now occurred to her that her feet were rather cold, and a glance down told her why: blocks of ice had formed, almost half a foot thick encasing her shins and rooting her to the spot.

"One." 

She tried to pull herself free but failed and even though she could feel the heat pouring off of her as Weiss and Blake stifled their amusement, it probably wasn't enough to melt ice like this, or do it quick enough.

"Two." 

Thinking quickly, she reached up, tugging at the straps that secured her magic arm in place. 

"Three." 

Undoing the anchoring latch, she pulled it free from her body, slapping the limp hand into the Queen's with a triumphant smirk. 

"F-..." Winter blinked, grabbing hold of the hand and twisting it left and right, until she could see the spellwork inscribed on the armor. "Well... that settles that." Her gaze shifted to Weiss. "It appears I have a date to your wedding, Sister." 

"Indeed you do." More than a little suspicion infected the woman's tone but Blake seemed rather amused, and Ruby and Sun flashed her big smiles and thumbs up. 

Honestly, the only thing going through Yang's mind was how much she did and didn't want to know what trials she'd face if she wanted a kiss. 

And the former was winning out over the latter. 

Yang reached up, adjusting her chestplate and handing off her empty champagne flute to a passing servant. The reception had started before sunset but now the moon has risen high over the fjord, and she couldn't help but step out onto the balcony to drink in the sight. After so many years releasing lanterns into an unforgiving night sky, she could finally appreciate the beauty of the moon's glow. 

It still hadn't lost its appeal. 

"Are you enjoying the festivities?" 

"Yeah!" She winced at her too loud reply, coughing into one hand as her date for the night came to stand beside her. "I mean, it's a very nice reception. The ceremony was gorgeous." 

"Thank you." Winter paused, in that deliberate way that meant she hadn't yet decided what she wanted to say. The knight probably shouldn't be able to tell that but... in the short few days she'd been in Arendelle, she'd paid its Queen an exorbitant amount of attention, and she'd picked up on a few things. "I'm surprised you didn't change." 

"... huh?" 

"Your armor- it must be stifling. You could've changed into something more comfortable for the reception." She smiled a bit wider. "Not that you don't look dashing in it, of course."

"Oh. Right." Forcing a chuckle, Yang looked away, tracing the outline of masts down at the docks. "It's just... safer." 

Worry creased the woman's brow. "I apologize; I'd hoped I'd stationed enough of my guards-" 

"No!" She quickly put her hands up, waving off the apology. "No, it's not; I don't wear armor to protect me. I wear it to protect everyone else." At the confusion and curiosity splayed on the Queen's face, she quickly continued, all the while working the straps of her left gauntlet. "I- I don't talk about it. It's... scary, and I get that, it scared me, too, but it's really for the best. But... I guess... maybe you-" sliding the gauntlet off her hand, revealing her bare flesh to another person for the first time in years, Yang closed her eyes and turned her head away, afraid of what she might find as a familiar warmth bloomed in her hand "-you might... understand." 

She didn't dare look up, even as tongues of flame licked at her fingers. The armor helped smother the flames before they began but, bereft of that barrier, she could do nothing to keep the fire that coursed through her veins in check. It had never proven useful- hadn't helped her keep Ruby from being kidnapped- so she tried to just... forget about it most days. 

But ever since arriving in Arendelle, she couldn't, the heat of her blush and being surrounded by ice a constant reminder of her own dark secret. 

"It's beautiful." 

"What?" She looked up, surprised by the sincerity in blue eyes. "Fire destroys- that's all it can do. I'm a danger-"

"I used to think that of myself," Winter said, her voice soft as newly fallen snow. "When we were young, I accidentally hurt Weiss. The scar across her left eye? I gave her that." Sadness infected her tone as she sighed. "It wasn't intentional; I was just scared. And for over a decade, I refused to so much as look at her, because all I could think of was the fear and the shame- I gave her a scar, turned her left eye completely white. Every time she looked at me, that was all I could think of, how scared I was that I might do it again." Then she reached out, slowly, lithe fingers drawing closer to the flame. "But this isn't something to fear; I learned that myself not too long ago. I doubt you'd ever hurt anyone intentionally with this gift. Not your sister or her fiancé. Or even me." 

"Don't-" 

"Hush." Despite Yang's worst fears and the flames feeding off that and growing larger, crawling up her wrist, the Queen merely threaded her fingers through the tongues of fire, steam rising up with a soft hiss. "Ice powers, remember? You won't hurt me." 

Tears stung at her eyes as Winter kept going, until she was lightly holding the knight's hand, fire and steam rising in equal measure, though the former began to calm as the fear seeped away slowly. "I... don't... it doesn't hurt?" 

"No. Fire can destroy, but it's also a light to show us the way. It cooks our food and keeps us warm." A chuckle left the woman's lips. "Honestly? I don't think I've ever felt this warm. It's rather nice."

Hesitantly, Yang closed her fingers around Winter's hand, unable to dispel the flames but amazed at the sensation of skin against hers. “It is, huh?”

“When was the last time you tried to hold someone’s hand?”

“I... really don’t remember.”

"I thought so. I was the same way. And, if it'll make you feel better," the Queen said, lowering her voice slightly. "I believe there's a custom somewhere that says a knight pledging loyalty to an allied kingdom strengthens political bonds, and I wouldn't mind having another knight around the castle." 

Bolstered just a bit by the hand in hers, she said the first thing that came to mind. "Is Arendelle officially requesting the presence of a hot knight?" 

"Only if she'll keep my bed warm." Yang's brows rose but the woman seemed intent on teasing rather than flirting. For now, anyway. "You do tend to put out a lot of heat when you blush." 

"Well, too bad I don't do that very often." Winter raised a challenging brow before quickly leaning in, cupping the knight's jaw and planting a ghost of a kiss high on her cheek and, absently, Yang had to be grateful she was dealing with the woman now affectionately nicknamed "The Ice Queen", because the amount of figurative and literal heat that that simple action produced became rapidly apparent by the amount of steam now billowing off the balcony. 

"I'm not sure if that will happen every time I kiss you... but I'm very tempted to find out." The Queen chuckled, waving a hand to fix the slight damage done to her wardrobe and turning to head back inside. "I do hope you'll stay, Yang. I'd like a little more time to warm up to you."

Yang stood in the courtyard, eyes closed as snowflakes caught in her hair and melted on her skin. While she'd gained more control in recent months, she still ran hotter than most people, and the natural snowfall in Arendelle couldn't quite stand up to it. But for the split second before they melted, she loved the feeling of them hitting her skin- her face, her bare arms, her shins. She probably looked crazy to someone who hadn't been in the castle for the past few months, standing there in nothing more than short cut trousers and a tunic, but she'd honestly never felt more alive. 

"You look ridiculous," Weiss said, waddling out into the courtyard. "You could catch a cold, you know." 

"I really can't," she replied, smirking. "Shouldn't you be resting? On top of eating for two, you should be sleeping for two." 

 "I wish it worked like that." The Princess laughed, resting a hand on her belly. "She knows it's snowing; she won't let me sleep." 

"Think she might have powers too?" Without even thinking about it, her own hand drifted to her belly, and Yang had to adjust the line of her trousers to cover the motion. "Would be kinda cute. Lil kid running around, conjuring snowstorms." 

Weiss looked at her then, in that way she did more and more in recent weeks, and shrugged. "I think my sister is more likely to pass on the powers. If she were to have kids, of course."

"Do you... do you think she'd want to?" Yang scratched at the back of her head. "I mean, hypothetically. Is that... something she'd want?" 

She watched as the Princess smiled, sitting down on a snow covered bench and hissing as the cold soaked through her nightgown. 

"She likes the cold, I think," she said, motioning towards her unborn child. "She’s not moving around as much now. It soothes her. And, to answer your question?" A sigh. "When we were kids, Winter firmly believed in soulmates. With our parents... she used to say that it's what happened when people married for station and not for love, that if we keep looking, we'll find our soulmates- the ones who balance us, complete us, harmonize with us." Apparently having her fill of the cold, Weiss got up. "I think, once she finds the person who balances her, Winter will go to the ends of the planet for that person's happiness. If they want kids, she will, too... but I also know my sister is old fashioned. Someone will have to make quite the grand gesture for her to consider them." A smile. "Goodnight, Yang." 

As the Princess left, the knight's shoulders slumped. A grand gesture? What qualified as a grand gesture to a woman whose sister literally climbed a mountain in a blizzard just to apologize? 

"I'm an idiot," she said, falling back and landing in the snow with a muffled thud. Steam billowed out around her and a frown tugged at her lips. Fire and ice didn't mix, didn't harmonize; they destroyed each other. "A complete idiot." 

So... what? She should just give up? Go home, forget the last few months? Yang sat up, a new resolve solidifying in her mind. If Winter wasn't interested, that was one thing, but she refused to give up before she'd even tried. Lifting up her hands, she called forth the fire, watching as tongues licked at her forearms and the falling snowflakes. She couldn't create things the way Winter could. 

... or, could she?��

Lilac eyes rose to the castle's tallest tower.

"This is either brilliant or crazy," she said, pushing herself to her feet and not bothering heading inside first, a lifetime of walking around in full armor imbuing her with a lot of strength. Rather than risk getting caught by the guards patrolling the hallways, she hefted herself up, scaling the castle's structure with the tower as her goal. The wind whipped at her, cold seeping into the tips of her fingers that she shook off with a flare of her fire, Yang climbed up the side of the tower while planning out what she wanted to do. If she used tonight to practice, the weather might hold until tomorrow, and then she stood a chance- 

"Yang, what are you doing?" 

"Yah!" She clung to the side of the tower, turning her head to see a rather unimpressed Queen watching her. "Oh, uh, funny seeing you here, Winter. Couldn't sleep?" 

"Watching my favorite guest scale the side of my castle in a snow storm does put a little kink in my nightly routine." A brow raised. "Now, what are you doing?" 

"Wait, how did you get up here?" Blue eyes flicked down, to the icy platform supporting the woman. "Oh. Well, that makes sense-" 

"Yang." The Queen sighed. "What are you doing?" 

"I want to show you something." She lifted herself up higher. Welp, looked like she wouldn't have a chance to practice. "Follow me up." 

"Why don't you just let me take you up?" 

"Uh, I like the exercise?" 

"Yang." 

"Trust me?" 

The Queen sighed. "Fine."

A few minutes later, they stood on the tower's balcony, and the knight took a steadying breath before picking out a spot on the slanted roof of the castle. "Now... watch." 

Brow pinching in concentration, she pulled forth her flames and set them forth, melting away the snow in a specific pattern, writing out a message in far better penmanship than she could ever effect with her hand. The words "I love you" etched out in flowing script, though with the shifting of the fire it was impossible to read it. The moment she extinguished the flames, however, the remaining snow began to slide, brought down by gravity an the absence of the snow she'd melted away. 

Yang's shoulders fell as she groaned, her plan backfiring. "Damnit." 

"Has anyone ever told you your eyes turn red when you're fire's burning?" 

"Huh?" She glanced at Winter, a blush heating her cheeks as it occurred to her that, even if she had seen it, the Queen would probably act like she hadn't to save the knight any embarrassment. "I mean, yeah. It's been mentioned before." 

"Give me your hand." Winter held out hers, lacing their fingers together when presented the opportunity while calling forth her snow and ice to swirl around their hands. "Now, your flame." 

"But-" 

"Humor me." With a sigh, she did as asked, watching as red and orange tongues licked without burning, a soft heat shared between them in that moment. Her brows furrowed, however, as the ice began to form almost... around her fire, and then... somehow moving with it, creating a blue tinted flame. 

No, not blue... 

... purple. 

"I think we go together rather well... don't you?" Winter smiled. "I love you too, Yang." 

Her heart soared, a dopey smile on her lips, yet she couldn't just accept that, no, she needed more. "But, do you think I'm your soulmate?"

"Weiss mentioned that, did she?" The Queen chuckled. "As a matter of fact... I do." She squeezed Yang's hand. "Fire and ice... we're quite the pair. I'll admit, I hoped as much from the moment we met." 

"You and me both." She cleared her throat. "Ya know... I'm pretty sure it's a custom for royal siblings to marry into allied kingdoms. Strengthen political bonds and such. Is that... something that might interest you?" 

"Yang, are you asking me to marry you?" 

"No." She laughed, squeezing the hand in hers. "I mean, not yet. I'm looking forward to courting you, honestly, but, ya know. If that's on the table..." 

"It is." 

"Good. That's- that's good." She swallowed, heart racing as possibilities exploded in her mind. "That's very ice to hear." 

And with Winter's laughter- and the way she turned to hide her face in Yang's shoulder- the blonde felt that feeling from before. Being with Winter was like standing in a gentle snowfall. Being with Winter... 

She felt alive.