#otp: stronger than fear

[sxrosee]

tags part 2: redone

SAHAR:

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | sahar :﹙.aesthetics.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | sahar :﹙.musings.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | sahar :﹙.likeness.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | sahar :﹙.otp musings.﹚⊱

VERSES:

CANON:

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “i’ve found it. a place where i belong” :﹙.heart pirate.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “hope is the one thing stronger than fear” :﹙.pre timeskip.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “a flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all” :﹙.post timeskip.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “while the past is unchanged; the future is in our power” :﹙.morrow.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “swaddled in the thick shroud of blissful ignorance” :﹙.adolescence.﹚⊱

CANON DIVERGENT:

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “numb and broken.” :﹙.torment.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “circled in love. founded in faith. joined in love” :﹙.whitebeard pirate.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “nobody is born into this world to be alone” :﹙.strawhat pirate.﹚⊱

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE:

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “after all the sorrow; beautiful things await” :﹙.modern.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v  ; “wit beyond measure is one’s greatest treasure” :﹙.harry potter.﹚⊱

⊰ ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v ; “where there is hope; there is life.” :﹙.boku no hero academia.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v  ; “our purpose is to increase one’s quality of life.” :﹙.naruto.﹚⊱

⊰  ۞ | ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ | v  ; “pull another hand into the light from the darkness.” :﹙.jujutsu kaisen.﹚⊱

[arkiwii]

for the ask thingie!

exusiai 1 and 8, silence 3 aaand 17. 17 seems like a fun one.

the thingie!! thanks for the questions OM NOM NOM

1. Why I love Exusiai, like her or hate her.

ok, I don't do Exusiai justice. like at all. I don't do justice to a lot of my favs actually. but I swear that she's one of my favorite characters and the first character I got invested in. she was my first 6-stars, so of course! and also, fun fact, the very first Arknights fanart I did was her.

but why i appreciate her so much?? well she's silly! yeah there's not much, but it's like, she's a character i'd love to be friend with IRL. she's easy going, really cool, funny and so lively, but also very nice and generous, also very pretty!! not in an attracted way, more in a Gender Envy way. anyway, she's just so cool!! and quite a simple character to follow around and understand. big thumbs up for the apple pie queen 👍

also with my bestie we tend to joke that "ahah my bestie is literally Exusiai irl" because of how both look like each other in term of personality, so naturally I'm attached to the character pfft

8. A headcanon I have about Exusiai.

mmm but despite how I appreciate her, she's not the character who takes a whole lot of place in my head, so I don't have many headcanons about her. BUT as I mentioned earlier, I headcanon her as being in the arospec. I dunno! I just don't imagine her getting into a relationship, but more being platonically affective with about everyone she appreciates. I just can imagine that she's not interested in it, and that anyway, she wouldnt like the idea to give "more" to someone in particular. life's more about having fun and living it at its fullest rather than finding love! and she's not in need of affection anyway, she has really reliable friends around her.

but YEAH, you will probably notice that I have a lot of arospec headcanons in Arknights LMAO I just think they're as valid!

3. If I have an OTP for Silence.

is this a serious question

have you looked at my blog in the past 6 months.

obviously its silence/ptilopsis

(jokes aside, MAYBE you meant to ask the question 4? if I have a NOTP with her? unless you were genuine with the question. in that case well uh. gesture at my +40 art pieces of Silence/Saria. I think that I'm normal about them)

17. How well Silence would do if she was dropped in a horror movie.

oh boy. it will HEAVILY depend on WHICH Silence we're talking about.

Pre-Diαbolic Experiment: very bad. she would need someone stronger than her to rely on. never leave her alone, she would panic. she would mostly be that one character who will try to solve the mystery and be nerding around. but god, she would be so insecure and paranoid.

Post-Diαbolic Experiment: final girl. she will try to rationalize what is going on. she would go on on her own, or will be protecting someone. she will try to carry all the responsibilities, fear and such, but it will become way too heavy for her, and she will often show weakness when danger is not around - and no one else is around, tbh.

Post-Lone Trail: EVERYONE is getting out of there alive or else she will make it everyone's problem. she will act like a guardian or leader, will try to take every best solution and think rationally, make sure everyone is fine and safe. she wouldn't be that much scared, honestly; she's not all strong, but way stronger than before. of course, she still needs her comforting moments, and she's far from the best physically speaking, but her will is of steel.

in all cases anyway, if someone died in front of her, she wouldn't be able to take it and will be broken on the spot. especially if it's someone she was meant to protect, she will blame herself for being too weak.

[girl4music]

Never been one for “Happily ever after - The End.”

Always been one for hard work and a continuation.

But getting both together really doesn’t hurt because while it still might be a happy ending, it’s not the end. There’s more to come for them. More to happen. More challenges, more conflicts, more rocky road, more compromises and likely more sacrifices. Hard work.

Love is always hard work so I always go for the ships that represent hard work. Enduring through the drama and chaos together and coming out stronger because of it. It’s a constant retesting of their love. There is no such thing as “happily ever after”. It’s a fantasy. And even in a supernatural/fantasy storytelling, I still much prefer ships that represent the hard work. That walk through a storm and come out the other side dishevelled and stained but standing - and hand in hand. That’s far more romantic to me than any “happily ever after” ever will be because what it shows me is that their love is based on a constant devotion towards each other and not on any kind of reward that can be had in being with each other. That even if no happiness was possible for them, these two people will still stick by each other. That’s what love is. To still be around for them - totally devoted to them - even when there’s no happy end because if the happy end is all you’re there for, you’re not actually in love with them. You’re in love with an ideal of them. An ideal life with them. But that ideal life may never come to fruition. Yet, they’re still there by your side regardless.

Waverly and Nicole really go through a storm together and all the while they’re clinging to each other tightly shielding each other from the oncoming debree. They get to see the sun eventually and that’s great. But they know that that’s not what love’s all about at all. They know love is hard work and that it will always be. That’s what I’m here to watch. Not happily ever after because that’s not a real thing and I’m glad that it’s not because it’s not interesting. It doesn’t say anything about love other than that it’s an ideal to fantasize and obsess over. But the person you picture yourself in this ideal life with is right there with you now and you’ve got to decide what matters more.

That’s what WayHaught represents as a WLW ship.

Hard work with how their love keeps building and evolving through everything that they go through together - be it negative or positive - because what they’re devoted to is each other. Their love is not based on an ideal of what they could be or can get to. It’s there regardless whether they happily end or not. And all ships that represent this are worth shipping.

I mean just look at all my other OTPs. None of them represent idealism. All of them represent hard work. And none of them got a happy ending like WayHaught did. None of them end up happily married in the end. But then again - what WayHaught’s tying of the knot represents is not a representation of happily ever after. It’s a statement of commitment and compromise and equality. It’s a way of expressing and attesting to one another that the love they have for and devotion they have to each other will not make them ignore their responsibilities and obligations as Guardians to Purgatory and the Ghost River Triangle. As Waverly told Jolene. She can be a wife AND a hero and she will be and Nicole has to allow her the agency of being both. Likewise, Waverly has to allow Nicole the agency to take on the supernatural alone as the Angel’s Shield. They both have to put aside their worries and anxieties and fears of losing one another to allow this. And their vows to each other are a promising of that which is why I find their endgame so damn powerful. Because it represents trust and faith and respect and support and all the things a marital partnership should do but rarely ever is in TV art/entertainment sadly.

I cannot wait for ‘Vengeance’ to see for myself where the narratives for these 2 incredible individual female main characters leads from where they were left off because there is so much we do not know about them. What I would really want to see is how much they’re upholding their vows in their next adventure together. How much they’ve truly allowed each other all the agency of being both domestic AND heroic partners. ‘Cause vows are just words. I want to see the actions. I want to see the proof that they are truly as equals now and neither of them are being overbearing worrywarts because they truly know what each other are capable of and understand that their individual strength and power is necessary to fighting for the greater good.

That’s all I really want to see in this next adventure. The evidence that they’re truly equal forces in love and life and they don’t try step on each other’s toes because there’s nothing more unromantic to me than lovers that don’t let each other be all that they can be out of some nonsensical excuse of “protecting” them. And what you’re really doing when you subject someone to a “love story” of “Happily ever after - The End.” is you’re making them feel incapable and therefore, unworthy, of achieving an ideal of true love when an ideal of true love is not, never has been and never will be true love because hard work is the truth.

You know, I got into WayHaught long after everyone else did. After the hype of watching and shipping them died down. And I don’t regret that fact because I feel like I would have looked at them with negative preconceived notions if I was introduced to them at the same time as everyone else was. If I was watching them at the time they were a pop culture topic, I would have had my “they’re just a trend and nothing more” glasses on when watching their scenes together. So I’m quite happy that I discovered them when I did. At a time when virtually no one else was talking about them because everyone had moved on.

But now with the news of the return of them through the ‘Vengeance’ Tubi movie - I can join in the hype of shipping them and I will feel really authentic in doing so because I know that I do sincerely view them as a significant ship that teaches a real meaning of LOVE and it’s not just some pop culture fad everyone is obsessed with because it’s cool to obsess over them. There’s depth there. There’s substance. There’s truth. Because it always make me feel really odd when everyone seems to get it but I don’t and vice versa. But as I said - if you look at every single one of my OTPs or favourite ships - all of them are the same as far as what they represent as a ship. It’s hard work and constant devotion to each other because of hardship. It’s not any kind of idealistic version of what “love” is. It’s not happily ever after. It’s not whirlwind romances. It’s not even “true love” as a concept like in all those favoured childhood fairytale stories. It’s hard work. That’s what I choose to watch and ship and it’s what I always will if I even care about any TV love story at all.

[sonics-atelier]

Just One Look

Summary : Based on this post by @rabbit-hearted-girl, Kaz Brekker braves the underworld to bring Inej back to life, but must resist looking at her to succeed. When his love compels him to turn, he nearly loses her forever, igniting his resolve to defy the gods and reclaim her.

a/n : Hello Soc fandom, its my first time writing for my otp so please let me know your thoughts! Hope you enjoy this 🫶

The air was thick with the stench of death, and the churning river Styx gurgled ominously as Kaz Brekker approached the gates of the underworld. He was battered, his clothes torn and bloodstained from the journey that had brought him here, but his dark eyes burned with a determination that nothing could extinguish. Inej was dead, taken from him in a cruel twist of fate during a perilous voyage, and Kaz would not rest until he had brought her back.

He stood before the massive iron gates, guarded by the monstrous Cerberus, the three-headed hound of Hades. Kaz’s gloved hands clenched into fists. Fear was a familiar companion, but it had no place here. Not now. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding.

"Hades!" he called, his voice echoing through the cavernous entrance. "Lord of the Underworld, I seek an audience."

The gates creaked open with an eerie groan, and Kaz was led into the shadowy realm by a silent, hooded figure. The underworld was a place of perpetual twilight, its landscape a twisted mirror of the living world, filled with ghostly apparitions and sorrowful wails. Kaz’s heart pounded in his chest as he was brought before the throne of Hades and Persephone.

Hades, the stern and unyielding ruler of the dead, sat upon his throne, his dark eyes gleaming with an ancient wisdom. Beside him, Persephone, the radiant queen of the underworld, exuded an ethereal beauty that contrasted sharply with her grim surroundings. Kaz bowed low, his eyes never leaving theirs.

"Why do you trespass in my realm, mortal?" Hades' voice was a rumble of thunder, his gaze piercing, he and his brother had something in common after all.

Kaz straightened, his expression unyielding. "I have come to beg for the return of Inej Ghafa, taken from the world of the living before her time. I beseech you, great Hades, and you, fair Persephone, to grant her another chance at life."

Persephone’s eyes softened, but Hades remained impassive. "Many have pleaded for their loved ones, but few have succeeded. What makes you think you are different?"

Kaz reached into his coat and pulled out a small, tattered sack. "Because I am willing to do whatever it takes." He emptied the contents onto the ground—an assortment of small objects: coins, pieces of string, and a red ribbon. He began to perform, his hands moving with practiced precision as he executed a series of intricate magic tricks, each one more mesmerizing than the last.

He made coins disappear and reappear, tied and untied impossible knots, and finally, he took the red ribbon and began to weave a story, his voice low and captivating. "This ribbon," he said, "is the thread of fate that binds me to Inej. It is unbreakable, forged by the gods themselves. Our lives are intertwined, and without her, I am incomplete."

As he spoke, he manipulated the ribbon, making it dance and twist in the air, forming shapes and patterns that seemed almost magical. Persephone’s eyes glistened with tears, moved by the sincerity in Kaz’s voice and the beauty of his performance.

Hades frowned, his resolve wavering. "You speak of love, yet love is what brought you to this place of sorrow. What makes you think you can defy the fates?"

Kaz’s hands trembled slightly as he tied the final knot in the ribbon. "Because love is stronger than fate. It is the only force that can bridge the gap between life and death. Inej’s spirit calls to me, and I cannot live without her." It was the truth he had known all along but was a coward to not have uttered it sooner.

There was a moment of silence, the weight of Kaz’s words hanging in the air. Finally, Persephone turned to Hades, her voice gentle but firm. "Let him try, my love. Let him prove the strength of his bond."

Hades sighed, the shadows in his eyes deepening. "Very well. You may lead her from the underworld, but there is one condition. You must not look back at her until you have both crossed the threshold into the living world. If you do, she will be lost to you forever."

Kaz nodded, his heart pounding with a mixture of hope and fear. "I understand."

Hades waved his hand, and from the shadows, Inej emerged. She was as beautiful as Kaz remembered, her lithe form draped in a flowing gown that seemed to shimmer with an inner light. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes, deep and soulful, met Kaz’s with a look of longing and love.

Kaz’s breath caught in his throat, but he turned and began to walk, knowing that Inej was following close behind. The journey through the underworld was treacherous, the path winding and filled with obstacles. Kaz’s mind raced with memories of Inej—the way she moved with the grace of a dancer, her sharp wit and quiet strength, the warmth of her touch. He longed to look back, to see her face, to assure himself that she was really there.

But he kept his eyes forward, the weight of Hades' condition pressing down on him. They were nearing the exit now, the faint light of the living world visible in the distance. Kaz’s heart pounded, each step bringing them closer to freedom.

Finally, they reached the threshold. The cool air of the living world beckoned, and Kaz’s resolve wavered. He could hear Inej’s footsteps behind him, light and sure, but the need to see her, to confirm that she was truly there, overwhelmed him. He turned, his eyes searching for her.

In that instant, he saw her—beautiful, radiant, her hair flowing in the wind. Her eyes met his, filled with love and relief. But before she could step into the living world, her form began to disintegrate, the light fading from her eyes.

Kaz’s scream tore through the air, a sound of pure anguish and despair. He reached out, but it was too late. Inej was gone, her spirit pulled back into the depths of the underworld. He fell to his knees, his heart breaking as he watched her disappear.

The world seemed to collapse around him, the weight of his failure crushing him. He had come so close, only to lose her again because of his own weakness. He screamed and screamed until his throat was raw, until the air in his lungs gave out and he felt like he was drowning once again and inej had been the tether keeping him afloat, the thought was too much for his heart to bear.

As the darkness threatened to consume him, he forced himself to stand. He wiped the tears from his eyes, his resolve hardening. He knew that she was lovely and brave and better than anything he deserved. That he was twisted, crooked, wrong, but not so broken that he couldn't pull himself together into some semblance of a man for her. That without meaning to, he'd begun to lean on her, to look for her, to need her near.

He had lost her once, but he would not lose her again. He would wage a war worthy of the gods, if that’s what it took. He would bring her back, no matter the cost.

For he was a man of many skills, and would use every one of them to get his girl back. If she would have him, he would never let her go again. And so, at long last, Kaz Brekker was gone, and Dirtyhands had come to see the rough work done.

- @sonics-atelier 2024 ( do not repost or reuse in any way, shape or form )

Dividers by @strangergraphics 🫶

[fabuloustrash05]

Ramona - 3 and 25

OTP + CHARACTER ASK

3. Are they into PDA? Who initiates most?

Considering how many times they embrace and make out with one another in the show's canon proves they are totally into PDA and have no shame in it XD

And seeing how it goes in canon as well, Mona Lisa is the one who always initiates it, she's not afraid to just grab and hug and kiss her boyfriends at the most random of times. And Raph loves it.

25. What do they like about each other?

Raph made it clear in canon. He loves her cause she's "bigger, stronger and a better fighter than him". Playing with headcanons now, Raph also loves Mona because of how good of a listener she is. How she'll happily listen to him rant to her about his stressful day, and never judge him or mock him for showing her his soft side. Raph loves that he can put his walls down with Mona and be himself with no fear of being judged. Of course, he also finds her very attractive, his favorite thing about her being her muscles, her smile, and her sparkling silver spots. Sometimes when they're cuddling Raph would count all of Mona's spots for fun.

For Mona Lisa, she first fell in love with Raph for his nobleness and heroic heart. She admires him for his selflessness, always putting others first before himself, and his forwardness, never afraid to say what he thinks. Of course she loves his muscles, often finding herself staring, admiring her boyfriend while she watches him train (or do push ups lol). She also loves his bright green eyes. It was the first thing she noticed about him when they first met, before they even fell in love. Even when she first hated him, she couldn't help but think "wow, this stranger has gorgeous eyes..."

[r0b0tb0y]

scary otp ask meme: silverflint (i think a lot of the answers will be "both" though lmao)

oohoohoo

Which one is more fond of scary movies:

Silver, I think, because Flint might find them too silly. When I do modern AU Silver he's a nerd (like Luke Arnold) but in canon I think both of them have a professional appreciation of how to manipulate audiences with fear.

Which one gets the most excited about Halloween:

Flint, but it's hard to articulate why? I think he has a fondness for some traditions, and the opportunity to cut loose and play at being a monster with the assurance it's only a mask.

Which one would be more likely to survive the apocalypse:

Silver, one of life's cockroaches. Flint would make a good go of it but he's got a martyr complex.

Which one would literally kill for the other:

lmao this is the most 'both' question ever. Flint wins by a cunt-hair because Silver will at least try alternatives

Which one likes to scare or startle the other:

again both. Flint likes to scare, Silver likes to startle

Which one is more likely to need comforting when they get spooked:

Silver. They both love to bottle it up, and maybe Flint needs comforting but Silver's the one more likely to seek it

Which one always puts on a brave face:

yeah Flint. Silver doesn't mind showing vulnerability on his own terms. is that still vulnerability? Silver's a proud coward and Flint is so stoically English

Which one would be more dangerous if they suddenly became violent:

hahahahaahahaha 'suddenly' (Flint, though, has a stronger track record of impulsively murdering people)

Which one would be more likely to commit a crime:

this quiz was not made with them in mind. my god what a question. I think Silver follows rules if they suit him but Flint commits crimes on principle

Which one believes in ghosts:

WOW well. Flint, canonically. Silver doesn't believe in ghosts but ghosts believe in him

Which one likes to watch spooky show on television:

This is where Flint might have the advantage over Silver as a horror nerd. don't know why, it's like if he's going to be a nerd then he's going to do it properly

Which one would propose the idea of holding a seance:

Silver, but he's running a con and doesn't believe it'll do anything other than spook people. Flint probably would believe seances do something, but he doesn't want to resurrect the dead (on the very specific canon case where Silver successfully raises the dead much to Flint's joy, I don't think Silver expects it to work and I don't think Flint would let himself be optimistic enough to participate).

Which one has nightmares more often:

hahahahaha oh man. oh boy. Silver

Which one would want to explore a real haunted house:

Flint. the moment it becomes real, Flint wants to believe there's something more, and Silver very much does not.

[welcome-to-oslov]

See, I love me some Tilrey/Bror too, but I don't think it'd even necessarily need to be a grand romance for ages OTP thing.

Sweet Tilrey: "If we were going to have sex together, I'd want it to be special."

Bror's friendship has been so pure for him, so important and kind. He thinks Bror's cute, he admires him. He feels safe in Bror's view of him, he knows he can truly trust him - and no one else (he even feels he can't trust his Mom would love him anymore 😢).

Whether or not they're in love or a couple, of course Tilrey would want sex between them to be a manifestion of that care and genuine like between them. Of course he would never want to experience Bror following orders & pushing his cock inside him in a forced scenario, every move & breath observed by the men he hates and fears.

I hope instead Tilrey definitely gets the special time together he envisions! He's never experienced "real" sex with a man before, only coercion and rape. It was nice seeing him get carried away by physical sensations with Dhreill and Gourmanian, with Bror it would be so much more and safety too 🥹

Yes! I like the idea of Bror as a great friend with whom Tilrey can also finally have great sex and start reclaiming that part of himself. I’m such a skeptic about romance that a friend-mance almost appeals more.

Tilrey plays such different roles in his relationships with Bror and Gersha. Bror will always be emotionally healthier than Tilrey can be, stronger in many ways, more supportive. But with Gersha, Tilrey can be the strong one, the well-adjusted one; he can be the Bror. Of course he’s just pretending to be strong a lot of the time, but I think playing that role means something to him. He will always know that while it may look to others like Gersha “saved” him, he was actually the one saving Gersha from a bitter, constricted life.

Bror doesn’t need to be saved. But he did sort of save Tilrey many times before Gersha came along.

[ourflagmeansgayrights]

Thoughts on my sweet baby darling (Oluwande)

favorite thing about them: i love how he’s such a level-headed guy like 99% of the time but he got into a verbal argument with black pete in e2. like he was right, but the """mature""" thing in that situation isn’t bickering so loudly you get trapped by the indigenous residents of the island you’re stuck on. the fact that the show doesn’t make him “be the bigger person” 24/7 honestly makes his maturity and emotional intelligence that much stronger because like, yknow what? fuck being the bigger person sometimes. he deserves to bitch at this annoying tryhard who wont stop lying about working for blackbeard.

least favorite thing about them: my least favorite thing about olu is that there’s not enough of him. olu should be in every scene

favorite line: “Coming, nana! I’m coming for some cake~” because OBVIOUSLY

brOTP: i’m picking two bc i’m greedy lol.

first off: olu and stede. their vibes are SO different and i think they’d probably have a hard time like, picking a casual activity to do together, but i feel like they have a lot of core similarities when it comes to who they are as people and caring abt others. also whenever i think about the two of them being sad and lonely in stede’s cabin in e7 i want to laugh! these poor heartbroken boys!!!

number two: olu and frenchie bc they worked together SO well to pull off their scam and i want to see them just hanging out. it kinda feels like olu has more common sense whereas frenchie has more life experience and i think the two of them together can get up to some CRAZY shit but also they'd be able to do those casual activities together that olu and stede would not be able to agree on. frenchie should play songs and olu should sing to them and also i am picturing olu helping frenchie get over his fear of cats and my heart is so full of love rn

OTP: uhhh jim, obviously

nOTP: izzy. also obviously

random headcanon: he grew up in a huge family that was almost entirely women. his only siblings are sisters and his dad passed when he was young, so the only men in his family are like two or three uncles and a handful of cousins, all of whom are either way older or way younger than him.

unpopular opinion: idk if this is unpopular but i think olu should get to top jim sometimes. i always see jim topping and while i have ZERO complaints abt that i think maybe sometimes they should switch? pretty sure that for a lot of fans it's like a dysphoria thing they're projecting onto jim which is super valid. but i personally would like to see art of olu topping.

song i associate with them: ugh so like i said in this post, i don't really get Blorbo Song Associations the way a lot of fans do unless something about the show itself makes me think abt songs differently. so i don't have a fun answer it's just under the sea from the little mermaid bc of the bts vid of samson singing it

favorite picture of them: sunshine boy <3

[stormxpadme]

Okay im gonna do sth :D 5, 42, 16 for Jean and Logan

​Obligatory OTP Asks

5 - Describe their cozy night in. Lots of booze and music. Logan's metabolism demands an unholy amount of the hard stuff for at least a comfortable buzz, so there'll be a couple of empty bottles involved. Not everyone comes with a healing factor, and working in a boarding school means always getting up at ass o'clock, so Jean doesn't even try to keep up but mostly keeps to a bottle of beer or two and the occasional whiskey tasting from Logan's bottle or straight from his lips. Music's the far more important part of the evening anyway. It's an important key to Logan's past as old songs regularly trigger flashbacks to the part of his life he's forgotten. When they stumble upon such a song that Logan realizes he's heard a couple of decades ago already, sometimes Jean will look into his mind and try to keep it in that moment of blurry images to make out details and faces. It doesn't always work but it's always a very intimate practice to try. By the time of either the second sampler album or last bottle, they're mostly busy with a whole different kind of intimacy though. Sometimes they try a movie too, but they never make it through more than half an hour before being all over each other. Occasionally, Jean gives a football game a try for Logan but that shit bores her out of her mind, so by half time, she usually ends up on the floor in front of the sofa to try and distract her guy. Needless to say, watching a second half time never happened so far.

16 - Can they stay up all night just talking? In the first and second pre-Phoenix period, they were honestly too busy fucking each other's brains out for that. Since the last and final reunion, they're taking a lot more time for everything they missed back then. It helps that in the years prior, Logan's met a few people from his past who could tell him a lot about it, and he's happy to share those stories with Jean. They're also talking about her years in the Further-limbo before said last reunion a lot, to process those, and about everything Jean missed in their kid's life in that time. Her powers are finally stable and more stronger than ever at this point, too, so they also get up to the occasional memory restoration session. Since there's obviously a lot to find in a lifespan as long as Logan's, they can only do that bit by bit to not overwhelm him and provoke his instincts (they've had furniture cut to pieces by adamantium claws often enough to earn regular complaints about the yearly renovation cost cap from Director Summers). And that's alright. Just a day of carefully restored memories brings enough stuff to talk about for weeks.

42 - What's their favorite type of weather to enjoy together? (getting snowed in together, watching thunderstorms, etc.) Since they're among the most wanted persons on that damn planet thanks to their respective past, their line of work and certain ... uh ... apocalyptic events and all, everything that keeps everyone else away does, really. Vacation is always only happening in the furthest off, snowed in huts in Canada or Alaska where they have no approach from anyone on foot or by vehicle to fear. Not that a little bit of blood and destruction on a molecular level doesn't spice up every journey, but sometimes you just really want to get fucked stupid by your wife for a week without interruptions.

[rckyfrk]

OTP/Shipping positivity post! 💖

Person A has something innocuous on their face (eyelash, etc). Are they chill about Person B helping them get it off or internally/externally losing their shit?

So, my two biggest ships right now are Bethyl and Hellcheer, and I kind of think this scenario would play out in a similar way for both of them...

It would take a while for him to accept the fact that he is indeed worthy of being with a princess like her, no matter how much the world tells him that he's not. (Whatever society thinks doesn't really matter, not anymore, because she thinks the world of him, so he can finally tell everyone else to just fuck off.)

Anyway, he'll look over at her (let's be honest, he can't ever take his eyes off her for long anyway) and see an eyelash resting on her cheek. He's going to get it for her, that much is a given, but a thought crosses his mind.

He calls her princess as a cute little nickname, usually just to get her goat, because in reality, she's stronger than anyone really gives her credit for. Truth be told, she's saved his ass in ways he can barely begin to describe. Everyone else in their circle tends to treat her with kid gloves, and he's heard time and time again how they wish they wouldn't

So he doesn't.

"Oh my god," he whispers with an edge of horror in his voice. "Don't...don't move," he says in a hushed voice, his eyes wide as he carefully steps closer, fighting like hell not to laugh when her eyes are like saucers and her breathing ticks up several notches as she tries not to panic.

"What...what is it?" she says in a shaky voice, and he almost drops the rouse just to put her at ease.

Almost.

He shushes her urgently, really digging into the bit on this one. He can feel her breath, practically panting in fear, as he carefully reaches up to her cheek before swiping the lash onto his fingertip and holding it up for her to see. "Make a wish," he says, schooling his face so he doesn't crack a smile just yet.

And it takes her a beat to realize what he just did. She grabs his wrist, glares up at him with as angry a look that a sweet face like hers can muster, and blows across his fingertip angrily. "I wish my boyfriend weren't such a jerk sometimes." She throws his hand down, turns heel, and stomps off.

He knows she'll get over it. She's too good to stay mad at him for too long. Still, he's going to have fun apologizing and making it up to her over...and over...and over...

[fantastic-rambles]

Fandom: Sk8 the Infinity

Characters: Ainosuke Shindo (ADAM), Tadashi Kikuchi, Aiichiro Shindo (briefly mentioned)

Warnings: Anal Sex, Gay Sex, Brief Religious (Christian) Themes

Word Count: 1.8k

Summary: When Ainosuke goes looking for Tadashi at the mansion after an earthquake, he finds a man who's been thrown back into the past and learns about some of the nightmares that haunt him. [Year of the OTP 2023 @yearoftheotpevent. March: "make me"]

Part 1

The house staff was already hard at work cleaning up the aftermath of the earthquake. Ainosuke waved off the ones who noticed them, graciously thanking them for their work while tugging Tadashi along behind him, his hand wrapped around the other man's wrist. He felt his assistant's tension, but when Tadashi tried to carefully tug his hand away, Ainosuke tightened his grip. He didn't hesitate to lead the older man past the servant's wing, heading toward his office, but when he tried to walk past it, Tadashi stopped in his tracks, jerking Ainosuke to a halt as well.

"Ainosuke-sama, I can go back to my room," he protested softly. "If you just want me to rest, I promise you that's what I'll do. We shouldn't do this now… it's not right."

Ainosuke felt a familiar flare of irritation, but it felt even stronger now than it had before. Not right? Not right was whatever his father had done to Tadashi, leaving the broken man he'd found in the garden. Not right was sneaking around at night as if he was still afraid of the man's ghost or his sisters' disapproval. He'd accepted it until now because that was what Tadashi had wanted, but right now, he wasn't feeling very understanding. Tadashi was his, and he'd make that clear to everyone—and Tadashi most of all.

"Just follow me," he ordered, his tone more curt than he'd intended. But it got Tadashi moving as they continued up the hallway before Ainosuke pushed the door to his bedroom open. His bed had been neatly made, and he led Tadashi to it, turning the covers up with one hand. Tadashi obeyed his wordless command, climbing into the bed and letting Ainosuke tug them back up to his chin before he perched on the edge of the bed, resting a hand on Tadashi's forehead.

"Just rest," Ainosuke insisted. But the emerald eyes that stared up at him still held a glimmer of fear. He watched as a wet, pink tongue slipped past dry lips to lick at them, and he waited for the words that seemed to wait at the tip of it.

"Make me."

Rather than a challenge in the whisper, there was a plea, and Ainosuke's heart clenched. He knew what Tadashi was asking for, and there was a part of him that wanted it, too. He wanted to keep Tadashi here, to mark him as his own, to erase every last trace of the man who'd claimed Tadashi first. But how would that make him any different from his father?

"Please."

Ainosuke's hand moved to brush Tadashi's hair back, still staring into the other man's face.

"You're sure?" he asked quietly, and Tadashi nodded, pressing his face against Ainosuke's hand.

"In that case, undress."

He watched Tadashi sit up on the bed before he tugged off his jacket. As he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, Ainosuke's eyes snagged on the pale skin that was revealed. It looked warmer by the light of the day, and he couldn't resist reaching out to lay his hand over Tadashi's heart.

"You did this… with my father?" he asked, morbid curiosity getting the better of him. Unconsciously, he held his breath as Tadashi seemed to be thinking about it. That was already an answer in and of itself, but Ainosuke still waited until Tadashi half-shrugged, tugging his shirt off.

"Never in a bed," he replied softly. Ainosuke felt some of the knot in his heart loosen, even as he tried not to think about why that had been the case. Or where they might have done this, instead. As much as he hated comparing himself to his father, he had to admit that they were both performative, inclined to dramatics in their own way. Whenever he saw his father when he'd been younger, it had always come with a lesson, often one even harsher than his sisters'. He'd been Ainosuke's God, omnipotent and terrible, demanding unwavering faith and utter devotion.

And Ainosuke had given it to him, up until the moment that what he'd loved more than anything else had been taken from him. Because God would never give him more than he could handle… so Aiichiro had been only a false God. His true God was the man before him now, the one who had bestowed the Garden of Eden upon him and put him through trials to prove his love.

As slim, beautiful fingers reached out to undo the buttons on his own shirt, Ainosuke's own hands cupped Tadashi's face, his thumbs brushing against warming cheeks before he leaned forward to kiss the other man. He tried to keep it light and gentle, afraid of pushing too far and hurting Tadashi unintentionally. It was laughable: they'd both hurt each other so much for so many years, miscommunication and guilt and wounded pride widening the gulf between them. So many times, Ainosuke had thrown barbed words at the other man, trying to elicit some sort of reaction, only to be met by an unwavering wall. Even when he'd shoved Tadashi around, the other man had just accepted it… because it was Ainosuke, or because he'd been taught to by Aiichiro?

"It's okay," Tadashi murmured, pressing their lips together more firmly as he slid Ainosuke's shirt and jacket off his shoulders. "I want this. I want you, Ainosuke."

But he couldn't shake his growing feeling of guilt. Even now, Tadashi was the one comforting him, when it was supposed to be the other way around. With a soft growl of frustration, he pushed Tadashi back down, shoving the covers aside to help pull off his pants. Soon, their remaining clothes had been discarded haphazardly on the floor beside the bed as their bodies twisted together, embracing each other tightly and just kissing. Despite himself, Ainosuke was growing hard as Tadashi's warm skin pressed against his, and he was gratified to feel the other man thickening against his thigh.

"You'll stop me… if you don't like it, right?" he asked, and Tadashi sighed softly against his lips.

"I always enjoy your love, Ainosuke."

Ainosuke wasn't sure if Tadashi was repeatedly calling his name on purpose, but that was helping, too. They were the ones with each other right now, nobody else, and he groaned when Tadashi ground against him, wordlessly urging him on. Sliding his hands lower, Ainosuke settled them around Tadashi's hips, raising them up so he could press himself between the other man's legs, which wrapped around him to tug him closer.

With more care than usual, Ainosuke pressed into the tight warmth, all of his senses fixed on Tadashi for any sign of discomfort or hesitation. However, the older man didn't seem to be responding any differently than he usually did, biting his lower lip while rolling his hips up to meet Ainosuke. Gradually, Ainosuke picked up the pace, his thrusts growing longer and deeper until Tadashi's mouth dropped open, and Ainosuke sealed it again with his own, drinking in the other man's moans as his hands draped over the back of his neck.

"Ai," he breathed, his breath starting to come in pants as he writhed beneath him. "Ainosuke. More. Mark me. Make me yours."

He tilted his head back slightly, exposing the delicate curve of his neck, and Ainosuke's face lowered to the junction of his shoulder, worrying the skin with his teeth and tongue. His mouth continued to roam as he humped into Tadashi, leaving hickeys and bite marks in its wake while Tadashi moaned his name again. This was safe and familiar, and as it became easier to move, Ainosuke fucked Tadashi even harder, as if trying to pound his feelings into the other man. And Tadashi accepted it eagerly, clinging to Ainosuke and begging for more. But it wasn't like in the garden: here, Tadashi's eyes shone and his cheeks were flushed, and there was a breathy whine in his voice that spurred Ainosuke on. His own pleasure was growing, pooling in the pit of his stomach.

"'dashi," he whispered, his own breath coming in short gasps, and shining, emerald eyes stared up at him.

"Ainosuke," he whispered back, and then Ainosuke was coming with a long, drawn-out cry. He could hear Tadashi moaning, too, as he tightened around Ainosuke, and his arms reached down to wrap around Tadashi, binding them together as Tadashi spurted between them. His come was hot and sticky against Ainosuke's chest, but it felt good, and Ainosuke rolled over so that Tadashi could lay on top of him, his weight heavy and comforting as they both fought to catch their breath.

As their breathing slowed, Tadashi began to squirm, and Ainosuke reached up to brush his hair back from his face, his expression soft.

"Can you rest now? Or do you need more?" he asked quietly. He felt sated himself, but he could always go another round if Tadashi was still keyed up. But Tadashi shook his head, leaning down to kiss Ainosuke, and Ainosuke accepted it, letting the other man lead and take what he wanted. They continued to lay together until the mess between them started to grow tacky and cool, and then Ainosuke groaned, pressing another kiss to the top of Tadashi's head.

"Let's clean up, then," he suggested. "Join me in the shower?"

He would've preferred a bath, himself, but his soaks always took a while. It was more important to get Tadashi back in bed and comfortable, where he could rest and Ainosuke would know exactly where he was. But he felt Tadashi tense, and he frowned slightly as he looked at the other man, a question in his eyes.

"If that's what you want," Tadashi replied, and Ainosuke's frown deepened.

"What do you want?"

Tadashi had never bathed with him before, but… was the shower one of the places that he had been with his father? The thought made Ainosuke's jaw clench slightly while Tadashi continued to hesitate. When no answer seemed to be coming, Ainosuke tried to force himself to relax as he continued, "It's okay. You can go first, and—"

"No."

Tadashi's objection was easy enough to understand, at least, and Ainosuke sighed. The other man's devotion to his job was admirable, but he ought to take care of himself sometimes, too.

"It's just a quick shower. I'll go right after you're done."

"But… I do want to shower with you. If it's okay."

Startled, Ainosuke looked up at Tadashi, whose cheeks had turned a little pink.

"It just… didn't seem appropriate," he added, still hesitant. But Ainosuke was beaming as he reached up to wrap his arms around Tadashi's shoulders so he could pull himself up to exchange another kiss. Tadashi so rarely voiced his own desires, but he was getting better at it.

"Come on, then."

Tadashi nodded, getting up and carefully starting to gather their discarded clothes, straightening them up while Ainosuke sat on the edge of the bed, watching. And when he was finally done, both of them headed to the bathroom together.

[kitkatt0430]

goldenvibe, frostwave,  supercorp, coldflash, harrisco, hartmon and flashwave for ship opinion bingo

So, going ahead to say that since there are a bunch of ships here and I did just get another ask from an anon who also asked for Hartmon, I'm gonna skip that ship here and then answer it as part of the anon ask. 'Cause even with skipping Hartmon, this is gonna get long.

I just ramble so much. ^_^

Goldenvibe:

So I am very intrigued by their dynamic, but since I heavily headcanon Lisa as being aro (or arospec bi) I don't really read romance in their ship. I see them as having a QPR - with or without sex thrown in - and it being very sweet between them which probably scares Lisa a bit about Cisco at first.

On the one hand, Lisa doesn't get nice things so where's that shoe that's gonna drop? When will Cisco prove too good to be true after all? Or will it be that Lisa wrecks things herself and hurts Cisco?

But on the other hand, Lisa deserves nice things and nice people and given enough time she can settle in with Cisco and be happy.

I feel like their dynamic works best as two points in a polycule though, so I'm more likely to go for Hartley/Cisco/Lisa or Kamilla/Cisco/Lisa or so on.

FrostWave:

So if I'm remembering correctly, FrostWave is really Caitlin/Mick and not Killer Frost/Mick, but I'm gonna talk about both.

For Caitlin and Mick, I like the dynamic where she brings out a softer side in him and he brings out more assertive side to her. Caitlin had really retreated into her shell at the start of Season 1 and Mick definitely would act as impetus for her to step out of her comfort zone and really grow beyond the rigid box she'd placed herself in. In turn, Caitlin shows Mick that he doesn't have to put up this front all the time either. He doesn't always have to be the tough guy.

I mean, they do have to get over that whole 'tied Caitlin to a bomb' thing, but I'm sure they can do it.

With Frost and Mick, they've both done things they're not necessarily proud of and they're trying to figure out who they are when they're not being the bad guy. And finding themselves together is kinda poignant. But also they've got the fire and ice thematics with his gun and her powers.

SuperCorp:

Such an OTP for me. The fact that this wasn't made canon is so disappointing. On a show that already had one of the characters have a lesbian coming out story and the show runners ignored the incredible chemistry between Lena and Kara. I don't usually care whether a ship is canon or not, but this is one where I really think they wasted an amazing story opportunity by keeping the characters relationship platonic.

With the enmity between Lex and Clark, there's a bit of a Romeo and Juliet vibe in that Lena and Kara come from two houses at war with each other and find love anyway. Lena needs to be loved for herself so badly - to prove that she's more than just her family. And Kara wants to create a name for herself too, something that stands free of Superman's shadow.

They have this instant connection that only grows stronger over time. And while Kara's fears and secrecy damage things for a while, they come out the other side much more sure of how important they are to each other.

Honestly, by the end of the show they're basically already married. I'll never make it all the way through their ship tag but every so often I make a decent effort at trying. There's just so much and continues to be more every day, even with the show over they're still such an active and beloved ship.

ColdFlash:

If Legends hadn't wasted a perfectly good character by killing Len off, then on the Flash Iris would have been basically sharing Barry with Len. There's just so much chemistry between Barry and Leonard, it's so fascinating.

They were enemies in the original timeline too and Len showing up to monopolize Barry's time made Eobard soooo jealous. They're both such dorks and it's amazing how they can be both dorks in love and enemies to lovers all at the same time. They work together like they were meant to. They both love the thrill of the chase between them and will protect each other even when it's not in their best interests.

These two are just sooo goooooood. And I love to make them just be so silly about each other.

Harrisco:

Took me a while to really get into this ship and now I can't unsee it. I adore them so much.

They start off with having every reason to mistrust each other and become best friends anyway. And then fall in love over time. Like... seeing the way Harry gravitates towards Cisco when they're in the same room, the way Cisco gets so excited to work on things with Harry, the sniping and teasing and easy, happy smiles...

They're married. In season 4 they're just so married.

Harry always making sure that Cisco doesn't make light of his contributions, always so proud of how brilliant Cisco is... and Cisco just wants so badly for Harry to learn to like himself, to see himself as wonderful the way Cisco sees him... They both value each other so much and it's so lovely.

FlashWave:

I really see Len as being what brings Barry and Mick together, whether he's actually there or not. But I feel like the more they spend time together the more Barry would really see Mick, not the front he puts up but the intelligent man behind the dumb muscle facade. And Mick would see that Barry was kinda messed up too in a way that does kinda compliment Mick's issues.

They're both very devoted characters in their own way and what could easily start as trying to find in each other something of what they lost when Len died would become finding something new in each other.

Barry's own affinity for fire, via lightning, would fascinate Mick and Mick's buried romantic side - see all those romance novels Mick wrote - would appeal to Barry's own romantic nature. I kind of feel like they'd be able to explore sides of themselves with each other that they might not feel comfortable doing with others.

[eorzeashan]

3, 11, & 51 from the otp asks for your choice <3

Jadus x Cipher 9, because I'm feeling especially spicy today. insert booing

3. Do they wear the other’s clothes? (sweatshirt, bandana, necklace, etc.)

No. Jadus does not keep sentimentalities; everything is remade in his image. It will never be the other way around. This, Orradiz knows well. He would never ask otherwise. And yet, he stains his clothes black, for him- or perhaps to feel a little closer to the shadows they both find intimacy in embracing. When he needs to strike fear in the hearts of those larger, stronger than him, to put them off-balance for a moment, he activates his disguise implant: and together, they wear the mask that so many fear.

11. Do either try to hide their emotions if upset? Can the other still tell?

Orradiz has always kept a careful lid on his emotions, as they’re yet another liability if one exercises them too freely, especially amongst a nation of volatile empaths that feed off such negativity. He’s always dealt with it alone after exuding a facade of careful professionalism, finding some corner to retreat to and go lick his wounds rather than risking yet another exploitable weakness that few would understand, no matter how hard they try. But of course, one does not hide things from Darth Jadus, as intertwined they are body and soul, especially when it comes to conflicts of the mind and it is this constant reassurance and knowledge that he will never be truly alone again that washes over such mental wounds.

You have nothing to fear but me. Let this be your strength and salvation.

51. What’s a non verbal way they say I love you?

When it comes to being connected through a force-bond, it is as non verbal as it gets. As a non-force user, the many signals sent through their connection are difficult to parse for Orradiz; a look into the mind of the most enigmatic of Sith is not easy to describe, much less understand. He makes no reservations in pretending to interpret his Lord’s feelings and commands.

But there is a certain protectiveness, a certain favoritism that comes when he is in danger, or a lilt of the tongue in that flat voice like the echo of durasteel panes that speaks of amusement in this companion that has persisted to be by his side against all odds. In a rush of daring, Orradiz has been known to settle into his Lord’s side when he is alone on the throne, warm and soft as he is and different from everything in the Dark Side that is cold and lifeless, and perhaps in all his magnanimity, Jadus will indulge him with this favor- running his hands through his hair like one does a cat curled into your lap, reflecting on the memory of another who once dared to do the same.

Questions

[queen-scribbles]

So I close my eyes hoping you’ll appear, ‘cause it feels like grace every time you’re near ---

Pardon me while I go screech with joy at my absolutely AMAZING art of Jas and Tristian from @emegustart

[ruiniel]

Whither you go

Fandom: The Silmarillion

Characters: Aegnor, Andreth

Relationship: Aegnor/Andreth

Rating: T

Count: 1.2k

Additional tags: Spirits, Halls of Mandos, Oneshot, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Angst, Implied Relationships, Drama, Past Relationship, Canonical Character Death, Cosmic horror elements if you squint, Ghost story of a kind, Personal interpretation of Mandos inspired by canon, There is no fluff here

Also on AO3

Summary:

'Whither you go may you find light. Await us there, my brother - and me.'

- from Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, J.R.R. Tolkien

Months and months ago, tried a short ghost story about souls meeting again in a time out of time. Featuring the saddest OTP. The AU is on me (apologies).

The nightwinds are kind. They lift her above foreign lands, over sleepy forests and serpentine rivers, above hopes and dreams and old woes. The stars gleam, too bright, ancient watchers dripping light in the maw of the world, and higher still, she rises; wandering gusts lap softly at her bareness. Frostbitten and faraway the kindled ones once seemed, now so close she brushes past them, past remnants of divine luster and the touch of hallowed fingers that sewed them to barren skies.

A part of her wonders if this is a dream, but no fancy of the mind ever brought such freedom, nor such peace; like a floundering bird on swift, restless wings, she crosses paths unknown with no end in sight. There is no weariness or hunger, only depths of loneliness as the past weakens its grasp, peeling away in chipped layers that fastly shrivel like paper to flame. She could clutch at them, tuck them close and so she tries, only to find all desires void of meaning, all wishes laid to rest.

Should I be afraid?

Like a falling star, the thought dies, for the very concept of fear is unraveling and falling from her like leaves with the seasons.

Other memories emerge, flowering, wilting in rapid succession: some cherished, some best forgotten. A pull stronger than her will leads her forward, and unhoused she drifts as drowning in the thrashing waves of a cosmic river. Her frail, wayward light is cupped by great, gentle hands, like a grain of sand carried across the outer oceans.

Alone.

She stands beneath the looming arches of vast, endless chambers.

Heavy, leaden silence presses its solemn fists into stark grandeur. Fine silver dust shimmers on smooth black floors, disturbed by her wavering steps. The tall columns of jet soar into hidden heights, draped with grey vapors that float like gossamer, fluttering with no wind to stir them. Andreth sees etchings that sway and curl across their limpid surface, ever moving, ever changing. She looks closer, but for all her past knowledge, cannot place meaning to the script.

What is this place?

Stillness; no answer but the faint echo of her own voice, roiling like flickering motes inside her head. She walks on, stalked by a sudden, pressing weight of bereavement, and despair is on her heels.

Who... am I?

She knew this; she knew. She has to remember, can never forget, fighting the torpor that pools around her like a dark rippling lake, urging rest and forgetfulness.

I was a child of the earth.

I lived, I learned.

I loved.

She looks at her hands; grey and translucent. She ought to feel awe or terror, but now there is nothing.

I lost.

“Where am I?” her words arrow blindly, swallowed by quietude, trapped in the strangest of dreams. “Someone…?” Andreth sinks to her knees, curling like a shell, her forehead pressed to icy floors. “Anyone... please…”

“Saelind?”

It comes as a faraway keening, but she hears it. The word sears, stoking the flame of remembrance. Slowly she rises and stares at the figure a distance away, tall and golden amid shadows.

Saelind.

Aye, I was known by that name once. She must remember.

Andreth gains her feet and draws near, eyes widening as his features become clearer, sharper, familiar.

“You…”

The dead of winter. Snow is in her hair, melting on her burning cheek, her lashes. A firm grip rights her balance; an apology served with smiles like curved blades.

Bleeding sunsets fringe the memory detailing a cold evening, a freezing night. Her blood is hot and the stars are cold, and her face sways in the mirrorblack. Her veins sing beneath her youthful skin, craving coarse, sword-wielding fingers.

“Aegnor!” she cries, unable to believe it. She dares not speak, fearing he will disappear, that he will leave again, but he merely stands before her like a stab of regret. “How… but you left!” Andreth stumbles in her flight to reach him. “North away, long ago, to the swords, and the siege…”

He gives no answer; lowers his head.

His deep voice she remembers, soothing and warm like the hearth she curled up to on bitter nights, dwelling on what might have been. Andreth would throw her arms around him, weep and weep until the mountains crumbled, until the seas dried and the world was turned. She takes another step and another. She cares not how or why, but he is here now, with her.

Her hand reaches for his face, finding empty air. Frowning, she tries again and his eyes, once as kind as they were eager, are dark with grief, his lips a seal of misery as he says, “We cannot mingle here.”

“What is your meaning?” Andreth asks, frantic, yet trying to reach for him in vain, her hands delving through him. “Where is here?”

The Elf raises an arm, gesturing to a long corridor leading to a chilling, unworldly light. It dazes her, thrumming around them like a heartbeat, beckoning, calling. She knows.

“The Halls of Awaiting,” Andreth murmurs. “But that means I am…” she looks to her hands again, struck by the diaphanous glow of her bodiless form. “You are…” Gone. Ousted from the physical realm, come to the final circle.

She does not want to leave; does not want this gift.

Aegnor glances at a tapestry streaked with crimson, depicting lands drowning in dragon fire. “The war has ended for me.”

“You fell...” she sighs, looking up at him. Once, she would rest her forehead on the cold plate armor of his chest; his hands would twine in her hair. “So… so soon...” the truth bites with savage teeth. For all the time allotted to him on Arda, he’d gone before her. “Are you… are you alone here?”

The wraith shakes his head. “There are others.”

She does not see them. There is no one else but they, and now, at last, she is afraid. Andreth stares at his form, swaying like the lorn branches of trees caught in the storm. He is made of crumbling visions, golden and distorted, and fading. “But...” she tries, “...how?”

The spirit watches her, features breaking in dismay, and meanings flit across his face. Pain, longing, regret; acceptance. “I was allowed to see you, before...” his brows furrow, and he looks away, as though gathering courage long overdue; too late.

Andreth shivers. She remembers. Now, in this plane of thought where they are no more than whispers and sighs and broken light, she finally understands his choice without bitterness.

“Saelind, please, listen. I will—”

He struggles to speak, his hollow eyes plead meaning, but fragments of thought flutter between them like grey moths and she no longer understands him. The fleeting words rush through her like fireflies, and he flickers like a spent candle. The halls are deathly cold, but terrible and bright, blinding her vision of him. Desperate, Andreth shuns the rising command from beyond, tucking away every trait, every detail, all the memories. She faces the imperious light, “Let me linger a moment longer, no more!”

The Elf is mere gleaming outlines, his features bled away like inked parchment in the rain. Hardly Andreth fights the finger-like threads coiling as burning whips around her, and she herself is dwindling, fracturing to splintered colors. Her hands reach for him, craving his words, needing to know. Luminous waves spin like a maelstrom as the call swells unbearably loud, and her cries are lost.

Silence falls, heavy-handed. The halls are dimmed. The lone fëa lingers amid the tapestries of fate, wordless and formless, fading to a dull, mournful grey as the soft dust of Mandos falls upon him.

[shrinkthisviolet]

maiko, 8 and 17 (or whichever number "who says i love you first" is) for the otp asks! 👀👀

8. Nicknames, and if so, how did they originate?

Zuko calls Mai “firelily”! I blame @thinkingisadangerouspastime for that one 😂 it probably originated in his head the first time he saw a firelily and thought “hmm that looks pretty just like Mai,” and the urge to call her that grew stronger as they grew and he learned of her fierce temper 🥰 the first time he calls her that, after ATLA, he’s embarrassed, but she loves it and tells him so! He also calls her “my love,” “the love of my life,” “Izumi’s mother” (when he’s feeling cheeky), and “my heart’s treasure” 🥰

For Mai...honestly I think she’s not big on nicknames really. She’ll drop a “dear” or “honey,” but in terms of special nicknames, she’s more than happy to let Zuko take the lead on that.

17. Who says I love you first?

Surprising everyone...it’s Mai! Everyone thinks it’s Zuko, because he’s so expressive with her, and so in love, and he feels so much and is only a little shy about sharing that with her...a shyness he quickly overcomes because he knows he has nothing to fear from being honest and open with her.

But she beats him too it! It’s something they both have to build to, coming from families where love was scarce and came with expectations. They both are a little wary to make what they have real.

Eventually, one day, they both get the courage, unwittingly encouraging each other to do so. So one day, they’re sitting together, both of them working on their own. Mai turns to Zuko, he turns towards her...then he sees what she’s about to do.

Before he can say or do anything, Mai blurts out “I love you.”

Zuko: “oh Mai...I love you too. But I was gonna say it first!”

Mai: “You snooze you lose, oh dear Firelord husband of mine.”

Zuko: “well...joke’s on you. I’ve lost nothing.”

Mai: “is that so?”

Zuko: “yes indeed. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

Mai: “and why is that?”

Zuko: “because I’m married to someone who makes me feel safe enough to say I love you, Mai, more than words can ever express. And someone who feels comfortable telling me the very same.”

Mai: “I didn’t say more than words can ever express.”

Zuko, grinning: “but you meant it!”

...maybe I should write a fic 😂

otp ask game!