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a-world-in-grey · 3 years

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Sola/Blood of My Blood snippet

@secret-engima I will never get over this au, it’s too awesome.

“I thought you didn’t want a Shield.”

The question comes, hesitant and quiet enough that Sola could pretend not to hear it at all. Noctis’ gaze remains on his phone, on one of the games he used to play but hadn’t touched again until Prompto stumbled into his life.

Into Noctis’ Heart, but that’s Noctis’ detail to share in his own time.

Anyone else, Sola would tell them exactly where to shove that question. She’s heard it far too often from too many nobles, all with the same sneer in their voice and the disgusted affront radiating off them so strongly they didn’t need magic for Sola to know exactly what they were feeling.

Filthy-refugees-how-dare-

But this is Noctis, magic curling in curiosity and worry. Worry for Sola, worry that the choice wasn’t hers, worry for a bond that might have been forced and the damage that would do to both her and her Shield.

Sola lets the bobbin drop against the tapestry and joins Noctis on the couch. They’re in her suite, in the sitting room she turned into a workroom back when she’d been on extended medical leave and needed something to do with her hands. The couch hadn’t come until after Noctis returned, so her brother could have a place to hang out while she worked on her current tapestry.

Sola only asked once if Noctis was truly okay watching Sola work - weaving a tapestry isn’t the quickest process - instead of doing something else with Sola, but her brother had nodded and Sola had let it be. Noctis always brought something to do, a book or a game, or simply napped, and it didn’t take Sola long to realize Noctis just wanted some quiet time while in her presence.

It made her smile fondly when she figured it out. It was startlingly similar behavior to Abyssus.

“I didn’t at first,” Sola says once she’s made herself comfortable. This... is not going to be an easy conversation. Noctis lowers his phone, darkening the screen. “You’d just disappeared. Taking a Shield felt like giving up on you.” And there’s the familiar guilt welling up in Noctis’ magic. Nope, not right now. “There’s a reason the Council chambers needed a renovation, and it isn’t because Papa decided he disliked the decor. On an unrelated note, Lord Egestas hasn’t spoken to me since.”

She grins at Noctis’ hastily smothered snort. There’s a sharp swell of anger on her behalf, but it’s under the reluctant amusement so Sola will take it as a win. Distraction a success.

Sola isn’t a nice person and her humor reflects that; it’s vicious, vindictive, and at times crude. There are few things Noctis shares her amusement on, but Sola doesn’t mind. Her brother is so much kinder than Sola. Noctis truly sharing her sense of humor would mean he’d lost most of the kindness that makes him who he is. And that would break Sola’s heart.

Neither of them like Lord Egestas though. Which means Sola gets away with a lot more than Noctis would normally tolerate.

Now for the hard part. “‘A King needs his brothers.’”

“‘A Lucis Caelum needs their Retinue.’” Noctis finishes, amusement fading. Blue eyes turn distant, turn towards memory and Sola squeezes Noctis’ hand to keep him in the present.

Three years without his Retinue. Three years in the kind of hell that would shatter most people, without any anchors to ground himself.

Six, no wonder her brother had issues.

“Galahd calls it The Draconian’s Rage.” Sola says, closing her eyes against the ache in her chest as she recalls those days. This time, it’s Noctis who squeezes her hand, wrapping her in love-comfort-safety, I’m-here-I’m-here. “Without anyone to ground me... I lost it.”

Noctis closes his arms around her, tucking her against his side, and she still hasn’t wrapped her head around the fact that he’s taller than her now. But the comfort is more than the hurt of lost years. “How bad?”

“Aracheole isn’t there anymore.” Sola says dryly. She’s not going into the details. The details would only hurt.

Just as the details of Noctis’ horrors would only hurt her. Sola knows what she’s been told by Cor and Papa, and she’s inferred a few things from the changes in Noctis’ magic and behavior.

She doesn’t need to know more. She doesn’t want to know more. Not when there’s nothing she can do.

That Sola destroyed an entire stronghold to its foundations is enough for Noctis to get the picture. His arms tighten around her, magic shuddering in horror and dawning realization.

Sola shouldn’t have been able to blow a hole in Aracheole’s wall. For all her unique magical abilities, Sola has never had power.

Noctis isn’t the only one with more magic than he had before. Even if the sheer depth to his magic, that she can only ever glimpse when they’re alone and tangling their magic together in reassurance that they’re both there, makes Sola want to weep. Because Noctis’ magic is so much deeper than her new reserves and the thought of her little brother suffering through even more of that agony...

He never should have had to endure that.

“How far?” Noctis’s grip is bordering uncomfortable, clinging desperately to Sola and the warmth-reassurance Sola wraps around him like a blanket.

“The Wanderer.” Hundreds of years. It’s why she weaves so often. None of the kings and queens before her wove tapestries, never wove at all. It lets Sola distinguish her present from past memories, lets her box it away in the back of her mind.

Lets the flashbacks and nightmares be hers.

Noctis manages to suppress his flinch, but not the sharp sorrow and guilt that spikes through his magic. Sola pushes silent acceptance and reassurance at him. It was her choice to reach so far. And perhaps if Noctis hadn’t been missing, perhaps if he’d been safe back in Insomnia, perhaps then Sola would’ve stopped at the Oracle.

But Noctis wasn’t safe. And there’s very little Sola won’t do for her brother.

She doesn’t regret it in the slightest.

“When I woke, everyone let me know what they thought of that stunt.” Even Hestia Ostium, Libertus’ Chieftess, gave her a tongue-lashing over the grief Sola’s actions had inflicted on her then-boyfriend.

From the huff behind her, Noctis fully agrees with everyone’s actions.

Brat.

“I knew Axis was an Amicitia shortly after I met him.” Sola confesses. “But I didn’t want a Shield. He didn’t want to be a Shield. So we ignored it.”

“Until Aracheole.”

Sola hums in agreement. “Axis introduced me to his kids as Aunt Sola, and told me I wasn’t allowed to die on my new nieces and nephews. And that I was terrible at watching my own back so he was going to watch it for me. Then we bonded.”

Noctis blinks, skeptical. “Just like that?”

Sola huffs. “No. I had to be convinced taking a Shield did not mean I was giving up on you or resigning as your Sword. But the trust had been there for years. Nyx and Tredd and Luche too. Took all of three days to bond with everyone. Quickest Retinue ever assembled.”

Not counting the seven years before she bonded with her Retinue, but the history books don’t count that. Morons.

“And they’re all fine being bonded to a Lucian princess?” Noctis asks, bemused.

Sola smirks up at him. “Not Lucian, little brother.” She taps the four beads at the front of her Ostium Chief braids. The shifting green and purple Galahdite, the purple-black charoite, the blue pearl, and the golden yellow citrine. “As far as Galahd is concerned, I’m their Chief. Simple as that.”

Well, not quite that simple. But she doesn’t feel like rehashing the complicated mess of being Chief to another Chief, on top of sorting out how to allow her Retinue to remain in their own Clans instead of dragging them into the Ostium.

Ladon had suggested creating a new Clan, but Sola shot it down immediately. She likes being an Ostium. Sola proposed to her husband, and she’s not giving up his last name. And she didn’t want to force her Retinue to leave their Clans either.

They’d figured it out eventually. After a lot of yelling. And a fistfight. Or two. Sola refuses to count Hestia breaking Ladon’s nose. Even Tredd admitted Ladon deserved it.

Noctis considers this for a moment. “So long as you’re happy.” He decides.

“I am.”

#ffxv #Shadow of Heaven’s Light #fusion #Blood of My Blood verse #Sola Lucis Caelum #Noctis Lucis Caelum #for those confused #Sola originally only reached as far back as the Oracle against the Diamon Weapon #but in the new timeline reached back all the way to the Wanderer #because she didn’t have her King or a Retinue to ground her #and went more than a bit off the rails because of it #which is why Noctis is feeling guilty about it #he blames himself for it happening earlier and for Sola reaching farther #meanwhile Sola’s the only one who can feel that Noctis did the same thing #but went so much farther than she did #and she doesn’t WANT to know why #knowing will only hurt because she can’t do anything about it

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nyodrite · 3 years

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@a-world-in-grey @illusorygardens @sparklecryptid @hamelin-born @secret-engima because each of you seemed interested in this idea

so.

the entire thing is 30% Nyx's fault and 70% Ramuh's fault. because a non-Lucis Caelum wielding the Ring of Lucii left it's mark and made things.... incorrect in terms of Nyx's death

the Ring kind of laid claim to Nyx's soul and, instead of going to the afterlife he was supposed to be at, was trying to drag him into the Crystal

which Ramuh decided nope, not going to happen and just pushes Nyx's soul into the reincarnation cycle somewhere outside of the Crystal's influence

so eventually Nyx Ulric is reborn in a galaxy far, far away as Jango Fett which, with Ramuh kind of... intertwining with the Manda/Force/whatever, means he'll be able to go where he's supposed when he dies this time

of course when people find out about Nyx being reborn elsewhere many decide that they have to follow him

and more were tossed into things as a kind of... rehabilitation program?

the Fetts

only Arla and Jango are reincarnations

Selene winds up reborn first because detangling Nyx from the Ring took a bit longer

she isn't born Knowing, none of them are, but when Jango is born and Arla holds her brother for the first time she Knows

Jango spends most of his childhood unaware. He finds it a bit odd why Arla seems to be both amused and oddly delighted each time he calls her ori'vod but his sister is weird so he just goes with it

then their parents are killed and, amidst blood and fire and death, he remembers

then Jaster is dragging him away and he fights because he just got his sister back, just remembered what it was like to lose her and have to live without her, he's not letting it happen again

and he warps

(Nyx doesn't have magic, not like a true Lucis Caelum, but the Ring - for all that Ramuh severed it's connection to him - left... echoes.

He can still warp, it's familiar and easy as breathing to him, and he can reach out and share magic with someone but he has no armiger, he can't make potions or elixirs, what shields and elemental magic he can do is limited

but it's enough)

Nyx tosses the blade - a kukri, like he used to have, like their mother owned and taught them to uses as children in Galahd - his sister got him and warps back into the burning house

Arla - Selene, he knows it in his bones, can see it in how she switches from shooting a blaster to using a kukri to dig into the gaps of the armor as easily as she breaths - is fighting two Death Watch, she's holding them off but more are coming they just have to wait

so Nyx doesn't

He darts in, wraps an arm around his sister - has a moment to see horror cross her face - before he is warping them both out the house

the - king - Mand'alor definitely has questions when they appear so suddenly but there are more pressing matters and Nyx has time to figure out an answer

(Nyx never has to answer those questions, the Mand'alor always has a special connect to the Manda and Ramuh makes use of this to explain enough to satisfy Jaster

and if Ramuh hints at Jaster adopting both Fetts, despite Arla being technically old enough to be considered an adult, well that not favoritism that's just logic)

Jango and Arla become bounty hunters, though it's less of a full time thing and more of a I'm done dealing with politics I'm gonna go hunt something thing, and because they've no need for subtly decide to "hide" who they are by going by Nyx and Selene Ulric when on a job

technically both of them are in line to be the next Mand'alor and there pretty much even in terms of who the people want to be the next one

however, neither of them want the responsibility - or the politics, or the paperwork - and so basically try to... talk up the other as the better candidate

Nyx neatly solves this by taking on a bounty that leads to him getting a job on Kamino. and sure, it sounds super shady but there's no way his sister will be able to find him in time to keep herself from being declared Mand'alor

this holds out until the Alphas are made and then Nyx has a moment of oh shit i am a dad of a hundred and counting now

there is much panic and flailing, the comm message is basically incoherent

Selene starts praying for Libertus to show up because she left her brother unsupervised for one job. ONE. and this happens? clearly he needs his proper braincell back

and on that topic, let's head to the other, non-Ulric reincarnations real quick

Libertus is either Obi-Wan or Feemor, it depends entirely on how much I want Obi-Wan to have a proper big brother and Libertus to fuss over Obi-Wan's self-care, self-esteem and just everything really

if Libertus is Obi-Wan then Titus is gonna be Feemor, if Libertus is Feemor then Titus is going to be Dooku

which, you know what. I like that. Libertus is now Feemor, Obi-Wan gets his big brother and Titus is Dooku

so when that mission to Galidraan comes up, Dooku goes and sees Jango for the first time and suddenly Titus comes rushing in. and he's confronted with what is clearly TWO Ulrics before him

he is a Sigh

on the upside the mission ends mostly peaceful, none of the True Mandalorians are killed by Jedi and Death Watch gets dealt with

and there is now a, kind of nebulous, alliance between the Jedi and Mando

Titus!Dooku returns to the Jedi Temple and decides to reconnect with his lineage instead of isolating himself because clearly that kind of stuff didn't work the first time

and then he meets, after much scolding of Qui-Gon, Feemor who he can already tell is Libertus just waiting to wake up

he promptly tells Feemor that he should pay a visit to Mandalore as soon as possible and meet the future - because Nyx definitely saved Jaster on Korda 6 - Mand'alor

and Feemor may have intended to do so, however begrudgingly, but then he found a padawan and didn't really have time for a side trip to Mandalore

(which is good because he definitely would have stopped the clones from happening)

as for the rest.... well Crowe is Asohka, of course. For some reason I really like the idea of Luche as Xanatos du Crion?

Sonitus is Mando, not sure if he's reincarnated as someone already, but he's the kid of an armorer. Tredd I'm thinking Pre Vizsla maybe?

Pelna I'm thinking him being over in Corellia, not sure if he's a Corellian Jedi or if he winds up as a senator. Axis... I have half a mind for him to be Maul — or maybe Feral?

anyway, everyone only remembers when they see Nyx, hence why Titus!Dooku is trying to get Feemor to meet Jango

Sonitus actually remembers before Titus does, he's the son of one of Jaster's armorers and runs into Jango when he's old enough to start helping his buir

after that, Luche is actually the next to remember — because if I recall, Jango is only three years younger then Xanatos and the year Xanatos became a padawan was the same year that a some kind of pandemic spread through the galaxy, starting with Mandalore. so that sounds like a good set up to a potential mission for Jango and Xanatos to meet

next would be Tredd, which happens because Tor Vizsla dies via two protective Ulrics and so the Maat Mando'ade take in most of Death Watch after killing a bunch of the higher ranked ones

and then the few of Death Watch who got away set up Galidraan to try and wipe out the Haat Mando'ade and Titus remembers

Pelna and Libertus actually run into each other and make friends before remembering then, shortly after Feemor leaves Corellia, Nyx arrives and then Pelna remembers

honestly, Libertus is one of the last to remember but with multiple instances of where he just almost runs into Nyx

Luche!Xanatos finds Axis!Maul, drags him to meet Nyx and remember, then promptly returns to the Jedi Temple declaring he has a new padawan

then the clones happen and Ramuh gives Selene a break and reveals that Feemor is Libertus so she goes marching up to the Jedi Order and lowkey kidnaps Feemor - and his padawan who is having the time of their life right now - to drag him to Kamino

and then Feemor meets Jango and seconds later Libertus is yelling at Nyx over dying - then he finds out about the clones and yells some more over that

Crowe is the last one to remember timeline-wise but that's just because she's born later, she basically remembers as soon as she's taken to the Temple because Libertus is on creché duty with Nyx and she sees them

thats all I remember so BACK TO THE CLONES

the clones are raised as both Mando and Galahadian, and they get to choose—

choose if they feel more Galahadian, or if the want to swear to Resol'nare and be a proper Mando'ade instead of a Mando-raised Galahadian

of course there are those who are both, who have their armor painted in clan colors and clan braids not only in their hair but on display - in braided leather strips hanging from their armor

the clones also get to choose on if their names - not just if they want to name themselves or if they want Nyx to do it (and if they'd want a Mando or Galahadian name) but also if they want to be a Fett, Ulric or any combination of the two, or even something else entirely

after Selene finds out, and drags Libertus into things, a plot is hatched to kidnap the clones

Titus gets dragged into things because he's an older and respected jedi, and might be on the council, and basically changes the "order"

so the four of them wind up taking all the clones, now into the thousands with the oldest - Alphas - being preteen age?, and just flying first to Mandalore then straight to the Jedi Temple

they head to Mandalore first so that Selene can officially declare them citizens, Jaster gets to learn he's a grandfather thousands of times over and Nyx gets yelled at again

then they take any clones that didn't decide to stay on Mandalore over to the jedi temple where they waltz up to the jedi council and inform them about the army ordered for them

eventually it winds up with the rest of the clones getting added to the creché, in their own clans though raised along the jedi younglings

things get restructured a bit since most of the clones are not Force-sensitive, though some ARE because that's cool, and there's no way Nyx is going to be kept from visiting his kids

so you got some retired Mandos now in the creche with entire clans of clones that they've adopted, doesn't matter if they're a Fett or Ulric

you also got clones that straight up adopt various jedi so there's that too

anyways, Luche!Xanatos is the one who figures out about the chips which ignites all the protective rage and an investigation over just who ordered the clones though that winds up a bit of a dead end for a while

misc.

I'm not entirely sure if the Clone Wars happen here? if it does occur then it's not gonna be Republic vs Separatists because there's no Dooku to be a puppet leader — instead I think that winds up with the Sith Empire actually being reformed?

(which, has many a reincarnations seething because they already dealt with an evil empire and now there's another)

if that happens then Dathomir gets raided at some point for Sidious and Plageuis to steal Nightbrothers to raise as acolytes to help with their war

which in turn leads to some Nightsisters to side with the Jedi/Mando side because that's their future being stolen — also so Crowe!Asohka can learn about their magic and stuff because that'd be amazing

ANYWAYS

the ffxv world, i think the planet is still called Eos in it?, does in fact exist. it's just a planet floating in wild space

it is also a very, very long time since the happenings of ffxv

not sure if there's still people on planet or not, but it's definitely wilder and less tamed, all overgrown and filled with creatures

not sure which reincarnation finds this... let's say Pelna because I barely even mentioned him

hhhhhhh

Anakin Skywalker... I am not sure — he's brought to the temple young because there's no way anyone is gonna let slavery slide and Ramuh might have noticed his birth and started poking at someone to go investigate

Shmi winds up free and adopted, Shmi Skywalker-Ulric maybe? she works with Selene and both take the Senate by storm whenever they have to visit

Anakin winds up and Ulric by virtue of being Shmi's son

Libertus, purely out of self-defense, promptly adopts Obi-Wan to braincell for the newest Ulric - or, well, Obi-Wan may already be adopted by then and Lib just yeets his baby brother at the little Ulric to braincell

.....i think that's all the thoughts i have right now

#star wars #ffxv #long post #which i am sorry for but i did this on moble and can't do the read more thing #but i tagged it so people can skip!!

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amethysttail · 3 years

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Decorum

Fandom: FFXV/ Kingsglaive. Warnings: Cussing, creepers getting their just desserts. Characters: Tredd Furia, Luche Lazarus, Crowe Altius, Pelna Khara, Crowe’s Mages.

Summary: Not much can stop Tredd Furia in his tracks. But a black mage smashing into him does. Especially if she asks for help involving an adventure to the arcade. He agrees, if Luche goes too.

Few things stopped Tredd Furia in his tracks. Very few. But a black mage slamming into him on the way home from work was one of them. Especially when said mage- Mira- squeaked, then proceeded to hide herself behind him. Tredd stood there, confused, yet docile. Best not to mess with or question Crowe’s mages- those who did often ended up on fire. Pedestrians flowed around them on the packed sidewalk. She tugged his weapon belts, urging him to turn his back to the wall, facing him to the slow-moving crowd. Tredd turned easily and stopped at the sharp tug to the back of his jacket.

The redhead felt her tap his shoulder blade, and he looked over to see her hand flashing over said shoulder. Enemy. Hold position. 11 o’clock. The larger glaive stiffened at that, searching the crowd. What could faze a black mage? This deep in Insomnia? Regular commuters and revelers making their way to their haunts this fine Friday night. Normal movement- there.

A man across the street, clearly looking for something, trying to be subtle, and obviously failing at both. Awkward movements, no target, clearly not armed in any capacity. Limp, receding hair. Sleazy businessman? Tredd raised an eyebrow. The double tap to his back confirmed the target. He leaned forward, reserve blade in his boot…

Mira tugged his belt. Hold position. The man glanced about, eyes lighting on Tredd. The glaive couldn’t help the vicious show of his teeth. The man flinched, eyes darting to the ground. He then sagged in seeming defeat and turned to trudge back the other direction in time with the crowd.

Mira leaned forward, pressing her head against the solid plane of Tredd’s back.

“Thanks. Stalker.”

“Stalker? Don’t you guys normally like your stalkers well done?”

“Drautos said if we torch any more we would be reassigned. Too much trouble to deal with. You think the fire would be enough of a hint.”

Tredd nodded, turning to face her. She sidestepped, neatly sliding into his side, pulling his arm to rest around her shoulders. He blinked and pulled her in closer to avoid the increasing foot traffic.

“Now they know that we won’t immediately use magic, they have grown bolder. Getting closer, taking pics...I hate it.” Tredd did admit to himself that the girls had it the worst. Plenty of citizens thought nothing of expressing their disdain towards immigrants, but especially to the women. Not only dirty Galahdians, but also female- the horror!

“Hey! What are you doing tonight?”

“Err...not much....”

“Please! Come with us! Please, please, please!” Mira’s puppy eyes, complete with fluttering eyelashes, may or may not have sealed the deal.

“Only if Luche comes with.”

Luche woke with a start to insistent rapping on his apartment window. The window which held a sturdy herb planter, six stories above the ground. He groaned, tossing his tablet and blanket aside, reaching to fumble with the latch. In tumbled Tredd, breathless and excited. All Luche wanted was a quiet weekend to sleep in and read. His expression clearly stated such, and Tredd was quick to explain nothing.

“We are going on an adventure.”

“What?”

“Adventure.”

Tredd manhandled a baffled Luche into jeans and a Kingsglaive hoodie- fuzzy jamma pants are not proper adventure attire, Luche!- and herded him out the door, down the elevator, and into the back of Mira’s van with a grinning Pelna Khara waiting for them.

"You guys ready for tonight? I'm not sure how much detail Mira went into." Pelna murmured, leaning back further into his seat as the van started to move.

Tredd nodded, throwing an arm around the shoulders of the increasingly confused looking blonde.

"We are making sure no creeps ruin mage night out!" Tredd flexed, earning a chuckle from Pelna and a facepalm from Luche.

"Was it really that hard to say? Just text me, call me, or hell, knock on the door like a normal person. But no. That is not what I got. Do you know what this"- he shook the snickering redhead- "goblin decided to do?"

"What did Tredd do?"

"The man warps up six stories to get his stupid feet all over my rosemary! I'm napping, hear a racket, and look over to see this freak in my planter like a deranged pigeon!" Luche groaned. Pelna cackled.

"I said adventure, and now here we are." Tredd grinned.

"What even is your friendship?" Pelna giggled..

"I don't even know." Luche mumbled.

Mira pulled into a parking spot smoothly, grabbing her jacket and hopping out. The boys quickly followed, glancing about.

"Most of the night is gonna just be us blowing our change on stupidly rigged claw games. Juno's always wanted the big axolotl squish, so by Ramuh, we are gonna get her that squish."

"And our job is to keep an eye out for douchebags?" Tredd asked, slipping on his studded knuckle gloves.

"Then what? Politely asking them to leave them alone? Or are we getting more...enthusiastic in our message?" Luche looked to Mira.

"Use your best judgement, vice captain."

Bass and flashing lights trickled out of the wide doors into the twilight air, where a group of familiar figures waited. Mira dashed forward, giving the girls hugs, with Kari, Juno, and Sabine gushing about what prizes they wanted. Luche and Tredd fell into step with the mages, watching their surroundings. Pelna slid in next to Crowe, slinging one arm around her shoulders casually.

“So I see you did manage to get the cavalry.” Crowe smirked, wrapping an arm around Pelna’s waist.

“Course I did. Gotta make sure Juno gets that Axolotl.”

Tredd had no idea that these stupid claw machines were so expensive. And very, very, rigged against the player. But the mages were addicted to the plushes inside, claiming that there was nothing softer or cuter. So he watched from his perch on a bench as they poured the day’s wages into the machines, slowly inching their chosen prizes closer to the surface-squealing with delight and disappointment at each catch and subsequent failure of grip.

The readhead glanced around, noting that nobody was paying attention to the glaives and that Juno was very close to wiggling that fat pink amphibian free. Its little eyes seemed to bulge when the claw gripped its head, and they plush lifted free for just a second, then dropped into a puddle of the machine floor. Juno hissed and hurriedly swiped her card. The other mages cheered her on, eagerly pressing against the sides of the machine, watching as the claw descended and finally delivered the chosen prize to an elated Juno. She popped it out of the prize door and immediately buried her face into the doughy surface, twisting back and forth in obvious delight. Tredd met Luche’s gaze and rolled his eyes. The blonde huffed in amusement and smiled as the mages returned, gushing about what prizes they were going to go after now that Juno had her squish.

“I dub him Bubbles the Eternal!” Juno giggled, alighting next to Tredd, pressing into his side to make room for the others.

“Bubbles the eternal?” Tredd scoffed. Juno squawked in outrage at the notion of an ounce of disrespect to her prize, immediately shoving the plush in Tredd’s face, the malleable plush easily squooshing around him.

Tredd froze, dumbstruck by the sensation. The squishiness. By the six, what was this thing made of? Dough? He had never felt anything like it. There was no resistance from “Bubbles”, even as Juno squished it back and forth along Tredd’s face. It moved like a liquid, and yet was just a plush. The mages cackled at his bewildered expression once Juno was done with the squish face noogie.

“What is that thing made of?”

“Clouds and capitalism, my dude.”

Mira found a machine a row over that held different colorations of hamster squishes, thus beginning another quest of rigged games and wasted wages. Tredd leaned against a pillar, watching Juno press her face into the glass, making silly faces. Trying to break Mira’s concentration. The claw descended on a white and orange hamster clinging to a sunflower seed. The prize lifted, to Juno’s dismay, and dropped cleanly into the slot, first try. Tredd didn’t notice the soft smile creep over his features. Mira clutched her squish close, happily bragging about her skill. Juno growled playfully, before giving her a noogie with her axolotl. Tredd felt warmth wrap his heart over their giggles.

Until he noticed the man standing behind the claw game several machines over, clearly ogling the mages, with a cell phone obviously at the ready for pics. No shame whatsoever. THe entitlement on this asshole.The glaive’s blood started to boil. He watched, hands balling into fists, as this entitled asshole slithered forward.

The readhead crossed the distance to the celebrating mages. He scooped Mira up, crushing her to his chest. She, still too elated on her win to care about the uncharacteristic affection, happily hugged back.

Tredd stared at the other man over her head, daring him to come closer. A clear challenge. The creep sneered, taking a step forward, believing that all of the glaives had been muzzled. Tredd released Mira and squared up.

“Looking for something?”

“Aren’t we all, buddy.”

“How’s about you back off before I tear you apart.”

“Stand down like a good dog. Go on.” Tredd snarled and the lights flashed with a loud pop.

“Would you look at that. All of the security cameras are fried. Must have been an electrical surge.” Luche smirked, lightning dancing around his fingers. “Would be a shame if something were to happen when the cameras were off…”

“You c-can’t touch me!”

“I beg to differ.” Tredd snorted, cleanly sweeping his legs out from under him. Luche sighed and stomped down hard on the writhing man’s back, forcing the air from his lungs.

They turned back to the mages, gesturing to the wheezing lump, wordlessly asking if anyone wanted to get a kick in before he got up. The mages shook their heads and turned away, leaving the creep to scrape himself off the garish industrial carpet.

The group ambled to the next aisle, laughing and complementing Luche’s aim with the lightning magic. Tredd chuckled at Luche’s shy smile, complete with reddening cheeks. Crowe pounced, calling him cute, trying to get his blush deeper. Mira waited until the group was distracted by Luche’s squeaks to make her move.

“Thank you.” Tredd looked down to see Mira slipping an arm around his waist.

“Anytime.” He hugged back, pausing when she tugged, urging him forward.

“Which one is the cutest?”

“Er...the seal? ...The grey one?” She pulled him forward, tucking her head under his chin, swiping her card and putting his hand on the joystick.

“The trick isn’t luck. Add a little bit of juice through your hand while touching the button, the sides are metal to the shitty wiring connections. Just enough. Let a tiny bit bleed through…” He breathed out slowly, letting a tiny spark through his palms...the claw gripped the seal tight all the way to the prize chute.

He couldn’t believe it. How long had Mira known this cheat? Did she invent it herself, or...?

It was so damned soft. Tredd could not handle the soft, squeezing that fat little seal. Neither could Luche, when Mira pulled him aside moments later, winning him the white seal that had sat next to his grey. They rejoined the group, wordlessly marvelling at the texture. Pelna nodded sagely, flashing him a pic of his collection of shark squishes. The mages cackled, and continued on.

Mages, Tredd decided, were indeed chaotic forces to not be messed with, but were definitely fun to hang around.

#squishy #ffxv #KINGSGLAIVE #tredd furia #luche lazarus #crowe altius #pelna khara #Crowe's assorted mages #Creepers be creepin #But are also flammable #Soft glaives #The squishy claw machine prizes are the best #my fic

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ertrunkenerwassergeist · 3 years

Note

Hi! Absolutely adore your work! Especially the Into the Wilds and Heart of Thunder series. The glaives just come to life in your stories. I live for nyx being cute with cor, luche trying to keep everything together, pelna being epic, and tredd being a loveable little shit. Just wanted to make sure you knew that you are awesome, cuz its not said enough. Luck, health, and peace to you!

*stares blankly at post*

*brews some tea*

SOJFGBDKJGBVDLK

THANK YOU SO MUCH ANON!!!!!

This is such a huge compliment and I can’t. Ahem. You’re getting a hug. All the hugs. Or chocolate. Or cookies. Whichever you like more.

And also:

There are stories out there on how the Furias came to be and why their hair is red. Told when the nights are long and people can’t be outside for long safely, families gather at the hearth, the children at the feet of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, listening closely.

This tale has many versions. None quite knows which of them is true, though there can be an argument made for many of them. There are as many versions as there are eggs in a basket, people say, but there are things all of them have in common.

At the start, there is Mino Lazarus. A man well liked within his Clan for his skill in cutting precious stones and not much else. It is not that he is cruel, but there is a coldness around him and he has a temper not many can deal with.

At the start, Mino Lazarus leaves his Clan.

No one knows why. Some stories say it’s because of a woman, others that he had a grave dispute with his Clan. There are also those who say there was a conspiracy to get him thrown out, but the reason to that is a mystery. No matter the reason, in the end the result is the same. Mino Lazarus renounces his Clan Name and walks into the jungles outside the Clan’s territory to not be seen or heard off for well over a year.

It is Talos Bellum who first sees him. Or sees something made by him, rather. The sculpture of a large serpent speared by a large stake, everything carved out of the trunk of a dead tree. It is borderline blasphemous, if it weren’t for the mutations the serpent has suffered.

Talos Bellum is tempted to cut it down nonetheless, but decides instead to find the one who made the sculpture. So he searches his surroundings and finds more sculptures. All made from what was there, Carved from dead wood and stone, woven out of lianas and vines.

Most of them are crude, made with an amateur hand when it comes to wood and stone carving, but the learning curve is steep, the talent obvious.

Mino, now of No Name, is found by Talos Bellum a day later, while he is carving a steep face of black stone. It shows a chained woman who seems to be eaten alive by something the artist has yet to depict. The woman is blind, her features twisted in agony, body convulsing. It is utterly grotesque and Talos has to look away.

Mino looks remakebly well, though his hair is a a filthy mess and his clothes are mostly rags. But there is something in his eyes. A manic glint, that makes even Talos Bellum, the largest and strongest man on Galahd at the time, weary.

When Mino is interrupted from his work, his first reaction is to try and murder Talos Bellum. But despite his size, Talos Bellum is fast, and so he subdued his assailant.

What happens next no version of this story is clear on, be it a fight, a talk or a dare, but result is always the same. Talos Bellum stays with Mino for a time, learning how to carve from him and in return teaches how to better work with wood.

Exactly one year and one day afterwards, when the carving on the steep face of black stone is finished, they walk into the nearest settlement, which is where Talos Bellum was born.

There, Mino too carves his disturbing sculptures and when Ratis Bellum, tries to stop him, Mino again lashes out in anger.

He kills Ratis Bellum.

The tool also wounds a sahwul, a bloodwood tree. Named so for its blood red sap. It stains Mino’s hair red and through the magic of the spirits it stays red for the rest of his life. The hair of the children he eventually adopts also stains red, but that is later.

Mino gets named Mino the Furious and he together with Talos Bellum, who had become his husband, he is banished from Bellum land.

Furious became Furia. And all who come the bear the name have red hair.

#anonymous #ffxv #I...#I don't know what I did there XD #I discovery wrote this in an hour #clan furia #ocs #how clan furia came to be #got to write this into a proper story at some point #galahd #galahdian culture #storytelling #THANK YOU SO MUCH ANON!!!#THIS IS FOR YOU #this snippet is kinda all over the place #I hope you like it anyway #worldbuilding

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secret-engima · 4 years

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In Fangs and Feathers, what are everyone else's reactions to meeting Xanxus, and vice versa? Are any other reincarnations going to pop up?

In GENERAL reactions are shock (the king has another son?), horror (he’s so VIOLENT AND RUDE), and incredulity (why does Noctis LIKE this guy???). Some more specific ones would be-

-Cor. Cor and Xanxus DO NOT get along for the longest time. It’s like introducing two cats very, very improperly. They tolerate each other at best. Cor thinks Xanxus is violent, uncontrolled, reckless, and selfish. Xanxus thinks Cor is a very, very dangerous man playing at being more calm and in control than he is and that triggers bad memories of Nono’s guardians and their trickery.

-These two will eventually come to a more stable neutrality toward each other after Xanxus stops acting like he’s going to stab Regis at any moment (ie when Xanxus realizes that Regis genuinely does love his illegitimate son and has all the snake-like qualities of a sad fluffy dog) and after many very bloody sparring matches that leave them both exhausted and in need of an elixir.

-Ignis is straight up horrified. He knows Noctis attracts strange people (look at Crowe) and forgives the dangerous ones (look at the various assassins that Noctis has converted) but .... but THIS is Noctis’s brother? Regis’s other son and Titus’s nephew? He’s so .... ANGRY. He walks around like he’s about to commit murder at any given second and yet Noctis ADORES him. It’s only the fact that Ignis can see Xanxus adores Noctis in return that keeps Ignis from trying to poison Xanxus’s tea or something.

-Xanxus, for his part, actually likes Ignis? He’s a Bby Inverted Sun who is clearly very protective and loyal to his Sky. Very smart for his age, and smart enough to be both wary and willing to throw the rule book out the window in favor of protecting Noctis (or better yet, using the rulebook to tangle someone up and trip them legally down the nearest elevator shaft). Ignis knows Xanxus is dangerous and is prepared to fight him to the death the moment Xanxus proves a threat to Noctis. Xanxus approves. He knows Ignis won’t WIN, but he approves. Finally Small Trash gains an Element that isn’t useless or suicidal and hasn’t tried to murder him beforehand.

-Xanxus’s arrival is before Gladio’s Nicked Lung incident (we’ll all just assume Xanxus was out on a Hunt or something when that happened k?) but he’s always ... been neutral toward Gladio. Neutral leaning toward negative. The kid is a brat. Arrogant brat that takes pride in his duty while also being scornful of the bby Sky in his care and THAT makes Xanxus dislike him. BUT, he’s also a kid and kids can change. Plus this is Small Trash’s Storm, he is fully expecting some kind of violent Incident to happen to turn the kid’s attitude around. This does not mean Xanxus won’t join Crowe in kicking the pants off Gladio after he gets back and hears about the Nicked Lung Incident OR from holding it over Gladio’s head for years after but it does mean he won’t outright try to kill Gladio because he knows this is ... how Tsuna-Noct always courts his Elements.

-Gladio thinks Xanxus is SCARY, but also admires him. He ... almost wishes he could be Xanxus’s Shield instead of Noctis’s at first (until the Incident) and thinks Xanxus is a “real man” for always being on the move and ready to fight and get things done. But he also dislikes Xanxus to an extent because Xanxus tends to ignore him or call him Trash instead of his name so....

-After Xanxus hears of the Nicked Lung Incident, Gladio upgrades his opinion of Xanxus from “scary but kinda cool” to “UTTERLY TERRIFYING DO NOT ENGAGE ABORT ABORT ABORT” and also becomes glad he is NOT Xanxus’s Shield because Xanxus is a feral mass of instincts, magic, and wrath tied together in the rough shape of a prince.

-Clarus always knew Regis’s reckless youth would come back to bite. He just ... didn’t expect it to be QUITE this bad. Or violent. Or magically powerful. Or CUNNING because this boy has never touched the political scene before yet he maneuvers through it with the careless abandon that only comes from knowing EXACTLY what all the rules and dangers are and just not giving a flying tonberry.

-He is ready for YEARS for Xanxus to either turn on Regis or turn on Noctis. Or both. Especially after Xanxus’s Shield shows up (more on him later). It ... takes him a long time to accept that yes, Xanxus is loyal and loving, he’s just a feral Cor turned up to 11 all the time and age is not going to make him Chill like it did Cor.

-Xanxus equates Clarus to Nono’s favorite Guardian. Specifically the one that abused Xanxus as a kid and continued to belittle him and treat him as a mad dog for the rest of his life. For obvious reasons, even if this first impression is incorrect, it sours Xanxus’s view of Clarus for years. They come to a silent non-aggression agreement for Regis’s and Noctis’s sake eventually, but not without much glaring (on both parts), snarling (on Xanxus’s part), swearing (on Xanxus’s part), and veiled comments (on Clarus’s part). Once Xanxus is wayyyyyyy older and has been around long enough, their antagonism mellows into something of a snarky frenemies thing, but it takes a while.

-Prompto thought Xanxus was terrifying for all of the ten minutes it took Xanxus to walk in glaring and then let himself get bowled over by a happy Noctis. Seeing the man lying on the floor complaining about “Small Trash get a diet you’re heavy” while absently petting Noctis’s hair went a long way to turn Xanxus from “nigh-eldritch demon” to “really grumpy cat” in Prompto’s brain. It helps that Prompto is the sweetest thing on the planet and even Xanxus doesn’t have the heart to be mean around him (plus Prom is a kid, the most kid-like of all Noctis’s friends, and Xanxus has always had a soft spot from brats as long as they weren’t threats to his Elements or the Vongola).

-Xanxus takes one look at Prompto and goes “ah. Bby Inverted Cloud. Abused bby Cloud. I will protecc.” then hides it under fifty billion layers of Gruff that fools everyone but Noctis, Prompto, and Xanxus’s own Shield.

-Is secretly ECSTATIC when Prompto shows a talent/interest in firearms and proceeds to gleefully train Prompto up to Varia Quality in them. Needless to say, Prompto is now the deadliest thing on the planet (Xanxus is more deadly, but Prompto looks like a cinnamon roll and thus is always underestimated, making him more deadly in the long run).

-The glaives are terrified. Captain’s nephew is powerful, is the King’s oops baby, AND has the general temperament of a rabid Coeurl stabbed to a chainsaw.

-Check that, all the glaives are terrified except for Tredd and Nyx. Tredd loves to antagonize despite the bruises it leaves him and Nyx wants to be friends because HUMAN COEURL. Lib and Luche are a Despair.

-Everyone is a Fear (even Nyx) the day they realize that Xanxus is Titus’s choice for Captain replacement. Which explains why Xanxus signed up the day after he turned 18 despite hating the military but STILL.

-Xanxus ... secretly loves the Glaives. These absolute morons are like his Varia but slightly less psychotic and loud. They are also his Uncle’s People so they must be protected (even if protection comes in the form of chasing them around the training ground shooting at them until they learn to dodge properly NYX). Tredd is a pest, but what do you expect of Storms, and Nyx is a blast because he can actually keep up with Xanxus’s crazy and is usually up for 90% of it. Xanxus’s favorite is actually Lib because Long-suffering Braincell Cloud but shhhh Xanxus isn’t supposed to play favorites with his future troops.

...

-To answer your last question ... yes there will be more reincarnations, but I haven’t decided which ones yet? I know that most of Tsuna’s guardians are NOT present because that makes the cast too big and risks overthrowing the Chocobro dynamic. I also have no plans to bring in any of the Arcobaleno so far and most of the Varia are also not present because I wanna focus on Xanxus and the glaives but.... There IS one member I’ve decided to bring. XDD

-Xanxus spends the three month trial run being kept secret from the world just in case he decides he hates Regis. Obviously he doesn’t, because Regis is the Best Dad™ and that means AFTER that, Regis has to man up and hold a press conference on the existence of his eldest son (who there are rumors about because even the best can’t keep Xanxus completely off the radar).

-Literally one week after the press conference where Regis did his speech and then was surprised when Xanxus actually PLAYED NICE for the camera (ie: didn’t cuss everyone out and only used the word trash ten times, even if he did scowl the entire time and ignore any questions aimed his way), all of Insomnia is thrown into a panic because someone just kamikaze ran a gunship at the Wall and used the diversion to slip through the opening that had been made to let in the weekly trucker convoy of foodstuffs and whatever. Naturally all the Crownsguard and Kingsglaive are up in arms to find the infiltrator that punched the border patrol in the nose and then disappeared into the back alleys.

-Another week goes by with no sign of the infiltrator until he once again rigs a diversion in the form of a truly astronomical amount of firecrackers set off at 4 AM right next to Crownsguard HQ. In the chaos of responding to the “gunfire”, the Nif infiltrator proceeds to careen his way through Citadel security, avoiding capture or death through truly insane shenanigans that make Crowe’s invasion years earlier look like a kitten run.

-Xanxus disobeys orders to stay in his room to instead go hunting for the Trash daring to invade his new home and, being Varia quality, successfully finds the infiltrator before anyone else does in the gardens. Xanxus pulls out a pistol, intending to shoot the Trash through his kneecaps because no doubt the king will want to interrogate him, when the Nif teenager, who has to BARELY be enlistment age and probably only four months out of Imperial boot camp, whirls around and CUTS THE BULLETS with his sword. Which promptly shatters.

-“VOI!” The teen yowls loud enough to shake the leaves of the trees and maybe a few window panes and Xanxus freezes. The teen drops his useless sword hilt on the ground and bares his teeth at Xanxus, green eyes glittering with fury and white-blond, waist length hair left to fly every which way in the breeze (noble’s kid then, no way he’d escape regulation haircuts if he wasn’t from some high noble’s spawn), “You! Get over here and let me stab you!”

-Xanxus holsters his pistol and stalks forward without a word. The teen gets nervous the closer Xanxus gets, Xanxus’s magic flaring around them to box them in with a Shield spell. Once he’s nose to nose with the teen, he reaches out with his magic, poking and prodding angrily at the soul in front of him. The teen doesn’t flinch, just glares with something feral and desperate in his eyes, something manic and NEEDY that reaches out and catches at Xanxus’s burning magic without fear.

-Xanxus takes a breath and its shaky, “Squalo?”

-The Niflheim teenage officer bursts into tears even though he’s trying not to, cussing Xanxus out in between his sobs because Xanxus DIED and he LEFT THEM and HOW COULD YOU YOU IDIOT TRASH BOSS.

-Because they are alone, and because this is his Rain that he thought was forever lost, Xanxus pulls Squalo into a hug that was almost spine breaking and shakes as he pours his magic into the gaping hole in his Shark’s soul.

-The Kingsglaive find them in the garden an hour later, no tears in sight (but eyes suspiciously red) yelling at each other and wrestling like long lost playmates on the ground. Titus, who is used to assessing his nephew’s condition via magic sensing, picks out the vibrate bond of magic between them and groans. “Xanxus, HE’S A NIF. HE’S LITERALLY THE ENEMY.”

-Xanxus hauls the boy (who’s birth certificate would tell you is Tempestas Highwind) to his feet and then pulls him protectively behind him with a snarl of, “Back off, Shark Trash is mine.” When Regis and Clarus, just arriving on the scene and already getting flashbacks to Crowe, make faint noises of protest, he grins and declares-

-“Shark Trash is my Shield, and if any of you have a problem with that you can put it where the sun don’t shine.”

-And Regis wonders what kind of horrible person he was in a previous life to deserve this. Son. Son pls, son he is AN OFFICER OF THE ENEMY FORCES YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM A SHIELD.

-Tempestas/Squalo, loud enough to shake window panes, “VOI I DEFECT FROM THE EMPIRE.”

-Titus just ... groans. Because he knows that look in his nephew’s eyes, that’s both Xanxus’s innate stubbornness AND Lucis Caelum possessiveness. The only way they’re getting rid of this Nif kid is by prying him from Xanxus’s cold dead hands.

-Also fun fact, YES, Squalo is related to Aranea. He is her older brother by a year and YES this is going to lead to the sibling spat to end all spats when she learns her brother uP AND DEFECTED TO LUCIS for seemingly no reason. Tho honestly she’s not surprised, because Tempestas has always vocally hated the empire.

#SE asks #shadowdragongem asks #Secret Engima Rambles #Fangs and Feathers verse #squalo #xanxus

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sparklecryptid · 1 year

Text

The Luche Lazarus as the (former) WoL from FFXIV fic no one wanted but here’s a snippet that will need to be cleaned up

Luche does not talk about before. He does not speak of who he was before he was born into this world screaming and with a name that feels foreign to him. The lichtenberg scar that races up from his ankle to his knee on his right leg is the subject of rumours long before Luche can walk.

Twice-born. Lightblessed. They call Luche many things and his mother stares at them blankly as she cradles her child against her chest.

He’s three months old, Tita wants to tell them, He’s not anything yet. Her words fail her and she remains silent as priests and the Assembly debate what to do with Luche. It has been ages since someone returned from the dead to wander the Isles and both the temple and the Assembly of Clans have a vested interest in Luche.

Tita doesn’t like it, but she can’t stop them if they want to watch her son. Her son is not just her son, he belongs to the whole of Galahd. Whatever knowledge and wisdom he has gained from his previous life will benefit the Isles as a whole. Tita cannot afford to be selfish.

She wants to be.

Luche grows up with rumours. With memories of a life that is both his and is not his. He remembers walking streets with buildings that reached for the sky and he remembers being fractured, shattered, torn to pieces only to have a few shards of what he once was forced together with clumsy hands.

Azem and his sundered shards. Luche remembers each life as if it were his own. He remembers Ardbert laughing with his friends and he remembers Lails fighting for this world and each shard of it and dying far from the forest and further from his home. Lails life was the last he had lived, the memories of being the Warrior of Light stuck in his chest like a curse.

Luche wishes he didn’t remember. He wishes he could have forgotten how Lails lived but he didn’t. He can’t forget being Lails. Lails is part of him.

Bunny ears and all.

So Luche puts up with the visits to the Temple. He puts up with being asked prodding questions about Galahd’s past. Luche smiles, barely hiding his disdain when he’s asked if he remembers anything.

What I remember, he wants to say, would drive you mad.

He doesn’t say that, he doesn’t know how to tell them that the world they live in is built on the ruins of others. Luche doesn’t know how the Starscourge started, he doesn’t know how there is no trace of any other of the races of Eorzea but he knows that in form the people of this world are closer to the Ancients than any other.

Luche can feel the magic running close to the surface, just under the skin, of everyone he meets.

It doesn’t make sense that they haven’t mastered it yet. It makes no sense that they don’t use it at all. Aether - magic - is still easy enough for Luche to use. He can still heal and breathe fire. It is easy enough to use aether to mitigate his fall damage so why doesn’t anyone else use it?

Unless they can’t. Unless something is stopping them from using it. It’s a question for those more invested in this life than he is. Luche sees no reason to try and get to the bottom of this.

Until he does.

(Galahd falls easy, they are a people who do not delight in warfare. They have no standing army and Lucis has long refused to maintain more than one base on the Isles for the sake of appearances.

The token resistance is crushed and suddenly Luche has a lot more problems than annoying priests.)

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ghostlyshylee · 4 years

Text

Nightmares

(Pre-story note, I originally posted this on DeviantArt back in 2016. I would love to write again and share my ideas with people. This is technically my first fiction so it may be a bit rough around the edges so let me know how you feel, any criticism welcomed!)

[Lee: Naruto - Ler: Kakashi; platonic]

———–

It was another usual day of training for squad 7, Naruto butting heads with Sasuke and Sakura getting on the blonde’s case. “Alright everyone that’s enough training for one afternoon.” Said Kakashi exhausted from Naruto constantly bickering with Sasuke. “Aw man! But I’m not even tired yet!” Naruto argued. “Hmph, you look pretty tired to me.” Retorted Sasuke sarcastically. Naruto was about to go at it again but was interrupted by one annoyed Sakura. “Naruto why don’t you just give it a rest already?!” She stressed. “Man why’s everyone always on HIS side?” Naruto pouted. Kakashi sighed at his squad while putting away his latest romance novel. “Well I don’t know about you three but I’m starving so how ‘bout I treat you all to some lunch to reward your recent hard work?” Everyone’s face lit up at the offer, Naruto’s in particular. “Alright! Can we eat at Ichiraku’s? Please??” Naruto asked eagerly. “Why does it always have to be Ichiraku’s?” Sighed Sakura. “Because Ichiraku’s is the best!” Stated Naruto like it was the most obvious fact ever. I really don’t mind where we eat.“ Added Kakashi. "I guess there’s no choice.” Said Sakura. “Whatever.” Said Sasuke not really caring where he ate either.

-Some Time Later-

*Sluurrrp*

“…ahh! That hit the spot!” Exclaimed Naruto satisfied with his third bowl. Sasuke casually wiped his mouth as Sakura finished her bowl. “Nothing beats Ichiraku’s ramen!” Said Naruto. “Here’s what we owe you.” Said Kakashi handing over the ryo. “Well I’m heading home everyone, thank you for luch Kakashi sensei.” Said Sakura readying herself to leave. “Alright then see ya, stay safe.” Kakashi said as he waved her goodbye. “Well no use for me to hang around here so I guess I’m off too.” Said Sasuke while hopping from his seat. “Thanks for the food Kakashi.” He said as he walked out of the ramen shop, Kakashi nodding in response. After a few minutes passed Kakashi began to lean back onto the bar, a bit lost in thought while Naruto patted his stomach satisfied. Kakashi’s eyes had begun to wonder and eventually ended up on Naruto’s stomach. “Hmm, the nine tails.” Kakashi thought to himself. "Wonder how that seal has been holding up.“ "Eh, something wrong sensei..? "Naruto asked curiously. "Hmm? Oh, it’s nothing.” Kakashi said while looking fowards. “Well… actually there is something Naruto.” Naruto sat up at full attention. “What is it?” Kakashi paused for a moment. “I was wondering about your seal.” Naruto looked at him a bit confused but then realized what he meant by “seal”. “Oh, it’s coming along OK I guess…” Kakashi looked at him with a questioning look. “Just OK? He asked. "Well…” Naruto started. “Do you want to talk about it in private?” Kakashi asked with a hint of concern. “Sure I guess..” Replied Naruto a little anxious. “Alright, let’s head back to the training grounds then.” Said Kakashi. They both got up and thanked Ichiraku for the meal then left for the training grounds.

Some time had passed since they went to eat for the sun was starting to set and the sky was quite orange. “So, what seems to be the problem?” Asked Kakashi as they both got comfortable on the grass. “Well, ever since that fight with Haku I’ve been having these weird dreams.” Said a Naruto, sounding a bit uncertain. “Weird dreams?” Asked Kakashi. “Not really dreams … they’re more like nightmares.” Naruto said looking tense. “Tell me Naruto, what happens in these nightmares?” Asked Kakashi. “Well it’s hard to explain but I would wake up in a cave, but I’m still asleep and some reason it just stinks so bad in there.” Explained Naruto. “And I would try to find my way out but I keep running in circles but then I’d finally find a straight path that always leads me to a cage.” Said Naruto. “A cage?” Asked Kakashi worried. “Yeah, a giant cage. It’s so weird but like there’s always some kind of monster in the cage calling my name, telling me to come closer… it’s just so creepy.” Said Naruto staring into his legs. “I wish the nightmare would stop but it’s been happening every night ever since that fight.” Naruto said with a hint of sadness and defeat. Kakashi put his hand on his shoulder to try and comfort him.

“Maybe I should take a look at your seal.” Naruto was a bit suprised by the suggestion and eyed his sensei with a bit of confusion. “Oh, uh alright.” Kakashi motioned for Naruto to stand. “Alright, remove your jacket.” Kakashi pointed out and Naruto did as instructed. “Ok now what?” Asked Naruto, admittedly a bit nervous but also curious. “Now I need you to come closer so I can examine the seal.” Stated Kakashi. “Right.” Said Naruto as he moved close enough for Kakashi to examine. “Alright I’m going to lift your shirt up a little.” He lifted his shirt revealing the seal, Naruto held it in place to make it easier for him. Kakashi then proceeded to lightly trace the seal markings. “So it seems nothing’s been changed yet, that’s a relief.” He thought to himself while continuing to examine Naruto. While thinking to himself he was snapped back to reality by Naruto suppressing what sounded like… giggles? He looked up at Naruto to see a large smile across his face. “Hmm” He mused. “What’s wrong Naruto?” Asking curiously, already having a pretty good idea. “It kind of tickles when you do that.” He replied. “Tickles, huh?” Asked Kakashi a bit mischievously. A thought came to him, giving him a cruel idea.

“This might be a bit fun.” He thought to himself, a playful look in his showing eye. In an instant, Naruto found himself in a headlocked position, bringing him to his knees. “K-Kakashi sensei?!” Stammered Naruto, uncertain of what just happened. Instead of replying, Kakashi simply glided his free hand over the seal. “Ka-hah kashi-heheheh sen-henseiheheh!!” Kakashi simply smirked and increased his pacing. “N-no! Stah-hahaha sto-hop! Pleasheheheseee!! Why are you, hahahahah!! Doing-hing thi-hiseheheh?!”

“I’m simply testing that seal of yours.” Kakashi replied casually. “Nohoho! Na-hahat like this!!” Kakashi just shruged and began to pick up his pace while tickling a bit harder. Bwahahahah!! Nahaha! St-stohahahap! Hahahahaha!“ As the tickling continued Kakashi decided to take a different direction. "Ahahahahahahaha! W-what’re youhohoho-” He cut himself off with a squeak as Kakashi assaulted his pits next. “AHahaha!! Nahahahahahah! It’s tohohoho much! Plea- *squeak* don’t!!” Kakashi hearing Naruto’s squeaks continues the rough house on his pits. Ah-HAH!! IS THIS REALLY HELPING?!“ Screamed Naruto. Kakashi being entertained and not wanting to let up, devised a new idea. Kakashi let up on the headlock, immediately after Naruto nearly doubled over on the ground from the extensive "inspection”. “I-is is over?” Asked Naruto catching his breath. “Nope.” Kakashi simply replied.

Taking advantage of his student’s exhausted state, Kakashi pulled Naruto into his lap, grabbing both of his wrists. “No… heheh no!” Naruto began to realize his situation. “Come now Naruto, it requires a great deal of inspection to make sure one’s seal is holding up.” Kakashi said trying to sound serious but coming across as a bit cheeky. “Besides, I’d say you needed bit of cheering up having such nightmares.” “But I don’t need to be cheered up, I’m fine!” Naruto forced an almost painful smile on his face. “Mmmm I don’t buy it.” Said Kakashi as he suddenly drove his finers into Naruto’s left ribcage, this of course driving Naruto into hysterics. “MUAHAHAHA!! N-HAHA NO!! KAHAHA KASHIHEHEHEH!!” “Yes?” Kakashi said speaking over Naruto’s laughter. “STAHAHAHAHAPAHAHA!! PLEAHAHAHAHAHA!!” Naruto screamed. “Hmm…” Kakashi mused while doing a spider crawl motion on his right rib. “YOUHORHOR KILLEHEHENING MEHEHEHEH!!” Kakashi looked at Naruto faking a shocked expression. “So it seems I am.” Kakashi decided to let up on the poor boy and Naruto took this time to breath some much needed air.

“Heh..heh… that was awful” Naruto breathlessly exclaimed. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.” Kakashi smiled, Naruto’s wrists still in hand. A good few minutes passed by while Naruto caught his breath, he was about to question why he was still being held captive in his sensei’s lap only to be swiftly cut off with a loud and wet sound. Naruto taken by complete surprise (and tickly sensations) shrieked. “NAHAHA-BWAHAHA AAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I C-CAHAHAN’T TAHAHAKE THIHIHIHIHISSSSS!!!” Naruto unable to form sentences right suffered through what seemed like endless raspberries. Five long minutes later Kakashi finally let up and Naruto was a gasping mess, his face had reddened with the amount of harsh tickling and Kakashi could see tears taking form. “Well looks like I DID go overboard…” Naruto looked at Kakashi angrily, or would’ve appeared that way if there wasn’t a huge smile plastered to his face.

“You… you-hoo jerherherk…” “I try.” Smiled Kakashi. A few minutes go by as Naruto’s coloration finally returned back to normal and was finally able to get up out of Kakashi’s grasp. “Man, that was still a really jerk move!” Puffed Naruto at Kakashi. “Hmm I wonder what Sasuke and Sakura would think of this?” Mused Kakashi. “WHAT?!! YOU’RE NOT TELLIN’ THEM ARE YOU?!” Panicked Naruto. “Calm down Naruto, I’m just pulling your leg.” Kakashi said, letting out a small chuckle. “Right…” Naruto said, still a bit embarrassed about it. “Naruto..” “Wh-what is it?” He asked. If anything actually does happen with your seal come and tell me, ok?“ Kakashi said while ruffling Naruto’s hair. "Yeah ok.” Kakashi made up to Naruto with some more ramen later that night for the extensive “examining” and Naruto didn’t really mind.

-Later that night-

Naruto had just gotten home from his second ramen run with Kakashi. “Man, finally home!” Naruto said exhausted from prior events. “What a day…” He said to himself as he plopped down on his bed, too exhausted to shower even, to be infact he was happy to go to sleep for he didn’t feel afraid of the nightmare anymore.

#naruto #kakashi #tickle #tickling #comfort

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amarabliss · 4 years

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Galahdian Dreams - 10 (Nyx Ulric/Reader)

Synopsis: Your father was the king of Insomnia. He was good and just. You never thought you’d meet anyone like him after he was taken from the world. Your Uncle Regis, has taken the throne and followed through on your father’s plans. It was good to see the city in capable hands.

Enter Nyx Ulric, refugee, Glaive, fighter…how is it he can see all your secrets? He knows how to set you off and he’s promised to not let you go…(AU for sure, Regis wasn’t supposed to take the throne, and our lovely Nyx has more of a past then we thought…)

Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven Part Eight Part Nine

You stared out at everyone setting up the sky sails near the cliff. You had your arms crossed in front of you, securely locked as you leaned against the van. Nyx said you were going sailing…

“Correction…I said we were doing the Galahd version of sailing.” He smiled at you, eyes twinkling.

You wanted to slap that handsome smile right off his face. You were tired still from waking up several hours earlier then you we used to. Rushing about getting ready you didn’t take your meds, and it was only just now that the sun was beginning to rise…now you were faced with a dilemma. Stay back and slightly ruin everyone’s day while they flew about…or get over it and ‘do the thing’, as your cousin Noct would always tell you.

“Hey…” You snapped out of your thoughts as Nyx walked up. He was dressed in a thick long sleeve shirt. A light grey that seemed to make everything about him pop…his skin, his hair, his eyes, “Everyone’s almost ready.”

You looked at his smiling face as he came to a stop in front of you coolly sliding his hands into the back pockets of his dark washed pants. He had a way with body language that instantly put you at ease. You actually found it a little frustrating when you wanted to be irritated with him with him right now.

“That’s good.” You nodded before you looked down to your shoes digging your heel into the red earth.

“Y/N…” You looked up again as he took a step closer concern showing through those cerulean orbs, “I know this isn’t the sailing you were thinking of…”

“Nyx, it’s not even close.” You let your arms fall as you let out a nervous sigh, “Sailing involves water…not cliffs and…heights.”

“You’re afraid heights.” He put a hand to the back of his neck letting out a soft sigh as he bit his lower lip, “I didn’t even think to ask…”

“It’s fine…” You smiled shaking your head a little, “and it’s not a terrible fear, just not my favorite thing to deal with so early in the morning.”

“Well…” He sighed looking back at the four sky sails lined up on the cliff before he looked back at you, “at least I got you outside, right?”

You laughed a little nodding at you pushed off the van. He seemed like he was taking this all really well, “That you did, thank you. It looks like it’s gonna be a nice day.”

“The best.” He smiled at you before holding his hand out to you. You made a face before he scoffed a little, “Well come on…don’t leave me hanging here…”

Maybe not so well as you thought…You swallowed a little before taking his hand. His warm digits intwined around yours as he walked with you toward the nearest sky sail, “Nyx, I’m really fine just by being out…”

“We’re not going.” He stopped you from going on, “But I am going to make you sit in one. Comfiest seats in the world. Made by the deft hands of Pelna and his dad.”

“Pelna made these?” Your eyes widened as you approached the device with him. They had beautiful designs woven in the wings and carved in parts of the frame.

“Yeah, his family had a shop back home.” Nyx smiled as you reached out running your hands over the frame, “They’re the best at it. They supplied most of the rigs for the hunts.”

“Hunts…you’ve mentioned that before. What is that exactly?” You smiled as he opened the small door helping you inside. You sank down into the hammock like seat as he ran around to the other side.

“The hunt…uh…it’s kind of a big tradition thing. Way back when Galahd was divided into tribes. Once a year all the tribes would gather and go on a big hunt.” He smiled getting in taking a seat next to you making the seat swing a little, “It was kind of like a big market day too. Everyone would gather and trade, while the hunters would go out and find a couple of big coeurl to bring back for a feast the next day.”

“And you continue this tradition today?” You shifted a little in your seat as his leg pushed up against yours, it was a pretty tight space for two people.

“Yes, we’re a bit more humane about it now. Coeurl is still pretty tasty, but they’re also beautiful creatures to respect…so we tranquilize it and ensure the area is clear of anything that could harm it. The only thing we take is a tuft of hair from their main. Total catch and release.” He tilted his head a little as he thought back to it, “Hunting one is exhilarating. Here you have this creature that is so intelligent and so evolved that if you’re not careful you go from hunting to being hunted.”

“You’ve participated in a hunt?” You watched him look at you, nodding, “Did you every catch yourself a coeurl?”

He smirked shaking his head, “Gosh, no…would’ve been pretty cool if I had though.”

“And how do the sky sails play into the hunt?” You asked looking up at the pretty design above you.

“Gliders…” You heard him as you let your eyes trace the design on the underside of the wings, “we actually call them gliders, and we use them as eyes in the sky. The hunters used to use smoke signals, maneuvers, and flags to signal where to go. Now, thanks to modern technology, we just radio down for the hunts, but we mostly use them for recreation now.”

You looked at him again and caught him staring at you. He looked away quickly down to his hands as he began chewing his bottom lip, something you’d begun to notice he did when he was thinking hard about something, “Nyx, are okay?”

“I’m fine.” He looked at you again his eyes dimming a little, “Talking about home…I get a little homesick. Nothing about Insomnia is like it…you’re surrounded by desert and mountains. Galahd is...green…so much green…”

“I’m sorry…” You relaxed next to him frowning a little, “Here I am asking all these questions…”

“I like it when you ask me questions.” He took your hand again giving it a squeeze, “Wasn’t it your dad who said, in order to understand one another you have to listen? Sometimes you have to ask questions before you can listen. So, ask anything you want.”

You felt your face get hot looking at his hand over yours. You felt stupid…you knew he was just being kind. He’d always been more physical in conversations with people. You had begun to notice them more recently though. Gentle touches to your arm when in talking in close quarters, touching your back when helping you up and down a ladder, brushing your fingers when handing something off to you…each time you had to find the way to keep your face in check.

This time was no different but being this close to him made it harder to hide. You took in a deep breath looking at him about to say something when there was a shift felt in the glider. You looked up seeing everything as if it was being hacked at, “Nyx…”

When you looked at him he had that familiar glint in his eyes as he reached over grabbing the lap belt connecting it with his side quickly and with ease, “You will thank me later, and you will not regret it.”

“Nyx…no!” You shook your head as you looked back at Libertus and Pelna releasing the tie offs holding the glider to the anchors with small hatchets, “Nyx!”

“We’re gonna be fine.” He told you as he put in an earpiece giving a thumbs up back to them.

“Have fun you two!” You heard Libertus call out to you both as he gave one final hack at the rope.

Everything shifted again as you shook your head as it rolled forward enough for you to see the bottom. You grabbed onto his arm tightly as it began diving over the cliff. You let out a large scream that echoed across the gorge.

Over your scream you could hear Nyx laughing as he grabbed the levers leveling off bringing the glider up. You felt his hand rest on the top of your head, which you had buried into his arm clamping your eyes shut, “You gotta see this view…”

Taking a few deep breaths, you slowly opened your eyes turning your head. You felt the cool morning air slip past you as you faced the rising sun. A majestic orange hue began touching everything in sight. You felt yourself tear up a little basking in the pure beauty that was Eos, “It’s beautiful…”

“Yeah…” You looked back at him, once again catching him looking at you. To your surprise he didn’t look away this time, his cool gaze holding yours until you could no longer take it.

You looked back out taking everything in again. You were still holding onto him like a vice, “That was a dirty trick Nyx Ulric.”

He chuckled a little as you felt his muscles move under your clutch pulling at levers, “Yeah…it was a little, but you gotta try everything once and you gotta admit…can’t get a view like this from your precious Citadel.”

“I do not. I do not have to try everything…” You glared at him as he laughed more, “I will get you back for this.”

That silenced him instantly as he looked at you once more, “Oh?”

“You think I won’t?” You smirked a little.

“No, I don’t.” He returned your smirk with one of his own, “I think your full of shit right now.”

He laughed as your mouth dropped open, eyes widening offended, “You just wait, Nyx Ulric! You will never see it coming!”

“Does saying my full name help with the threat or something?” He chuckled as he gradually shifted the glider to turn back.

Facing the cliffs, you could see the other gliders take off. It made your hair stand on in watching them fall and jerk up once they caught the wind, “…I like your name…”

“You like my name?” He quirked an eyebrow up smiling as he moved the glider with ease passing Luche and Kip, “What a weird thing to say…”

“You asked…” You shrugged a little trying to get yourself to relax before you waved at Libertus and Crowe. “I don’t know what to say…it just sounds nice when I say it…”

“Well…fine…if it makes you happy. Nyx Ulric me all you want.” He gave you a small smile with his glance.

You both fell silent as he caught a good breeze pulling the glider up higher. Slowly you could feel yourself relax next to him as you took in the natural splendor of your surroundings. Floating seamlessly over red plateaus and valleys. When you felt safe enough you finally leaned over the edge looking down watching a heard of Anak running below you.

From time to time he’d point something out and encouraged you to look. Comments were made breaking the peaceful silence the two of you held. It was something you both cherished with each other, the small fact that you didn’t have to fill the space with conversations. Just perfectly content with one another’s presence alone.

One other fact…There was nothing that compared to this view. And you hated to admit that to him…as he seemed the type to never let you live it down. So, you didn’t, you let your pride get the best of you, yet you were sure by the way he kept smiling at you that he knew already.

You asked him after a while, “How long can one of these things stay up?”

He noticed your worried expression returning as he gained more altitude, “Theoretically, forever, as long as you keep catching the wind and go with it.”

“And…and you know how to do that?” You watched him pushed and pulled at the levers turning the glider.

“I promise you were are fine. Just like I swore to your uncle, that I will keep you safe. It will always be true.” He gave you a reassuring smile but easily sensed that it may not be enough this time, “But to put you at ease…how about a flying lesson?”

You smiled as he started explaining everything to you. From how to turn, to catch more lift, down to the small details of the rig you were in. Everything had its place and meaning. Understanding how it worked helped put you settle down enough that your mind began to drift…

You watched as his fingers grasped around the lever’s handle seeing his bicep flex as he pulled it back. You wondered how it would feel grasping you with intent. Your mind wandered further away drifting into a daydream. You were back in the garden hanging a flower basket. You happened to turn a little quickly at the top of the ladder causing it to fall…

You expected to hit the ground but…it never came, instead the feeling of two warm strong arms catching you replaced it. You stared up into his worried face as he set you down. His calloused hands reached up to your face brush gently against your cheek trailing down your neck as he spoke…

You snapped out of it when he began calling to you. He had a concerned look on his face, “You alright?”

“Yes…sorry…” You flushed sitting back licking your lips embarrassed a little, “I didn’t take my meds this morning…I’m feeling a little off....”

“Meds?” He quirked he eyebrow at you, “I thought you handed them all over…”

“I still take some…” You told him quietly as you felt a little shame creep into your chest. You still hated that had been how he first met you, but you couldn’t change it. You were better for it, “I was really sick as a kid. The doctors prescribed me something that helps keep me in balance…at least that’s how they explained it. I didn’t question it, I was twelve…but you interrupted my morning routine by how early we had to get going.”

He nodded slowly opening his mouth about to say something when his earpiece caught his attention, “Copy…we’ll head back now.”

“Something wrong?” You tilted your head a little feeling your heart quicken as the many scenarios began racing through your mind all over again.

“Libertus picked up a dry storm in the area…we gotta head back in.” He looked at you with a bit of worry in his eyes as he turned the glider smoothly.

“Oh…well that’s unfortunate.” You tried not to smile. You were having a good time, but no matter how much you tried you couldn’t relax. You preferred the ground under your feet, but not as such a distance.

“Yeah, I can tell you’re really broke up about it…” He smirked at you tone full of tease as he leveled off. His face changed quickly as he stared at his arm. Your eyes followed his and you could see all the hairs standing up, “Y/N…don’t freak out…”

“Freak out?” Your eyes began to widen as he reached up to his earpiece. You knew how science worked…when your hair stood on end it was because there was a charge in the air. You had experienced it twice. Once when you father staved off a voretooth who wander over during a family picnic with an electric spell, the other time when Nyx was trying to protect you from those bigots…

“Guys…we might be in trouble.” You listened as his voice was calm, but his body was tense as he told them you were in the storm. You swallowed as he started shaking his head, “Don’t come back out…”

He smirked shaking his head a little as you heard the crackling of the earpiece, “Because I said so and you’re supposed to do as I say, right? That’s how it’s supposed to work at least.”

When he looked at you, you couldn’t help but feel a small bit of dread creep inside you, “Nyx, can we outrun this?”

“Ah…” He took a breath in looking forward once more shaking his head, “No, we can’t. If we’re lucky we’ll just glide through it…”

“But…” You looked at him as panic back to rise up to your face.

“I’m not lucky…” He sighed as lightening began to flash in the distance. Thick red clouds began to gather and darken in shade as the further collected energy quickly catch up to their small glider.

You winced closing your eyes tightly clutching onto the glider for dear life as winds began to swirl and rock it, “Nyx…”

“Just…hold on…” Your eyes opened and you could see Nyx struggling to keep the glider level. Then just as he foresaw their luck ran out as lightening blasted around them striking the wing. His arm lurched out across you as you both began to spin wildly out of control, “Y/N!”

Your arm instinctively went over his chest as if some how the pair of you holding each other down in the seat would some how make it all stop spinning. Your eyes danced around frantically, trying to find anything to help the both of you. Your eyes stopped seeing another glider above you, “Look!”

“Close your eyes!” Nyx pulled your head down to his chest just as water splashed over them. Both of you clung to each other feeling forces working together in unison. You looked out from cover blinking the water from your eyes seeing another glider below. You couldn’t see who was leaning out but it looked like they were controlling the wind pushing you back up.

“Shit…Y/N, hold on this is gonna get bumpy…” You followed his gaze as the other two gliders had circled back over head. You could see Luche and Pelna leaning out of them. They looked like they held a hook of some kind as they circled your glider.

Luche quickly lowered his latching it securely as lightening shook the air around them. The glider shook and your grip only tightened around Nyx. You could feel his pulse quickening as his eyes stayed glued to Pelna who was struggling to get his hook go down straight.

“Come on, Pelna…” Nyx whispered as his arms tightend around you protectively. You looked as the glider seemed to just dead weight as the spell below dissipated, “Pelna!”

You felt weightless looking up into Nyx’s eyes. He looked so apologetic as his braids danced around his face. You could see that this is not what he had intended at all…you weren’t mad…it was an act of the gods. No one could be mad at someone for that.

If this was to be your last moments before you departed this world…you suppose it wasn’t a terrible place to be. In the arms of a handsome man, who in his own way cared about you, “Nyx…”

“Got it!” A jerk brought gravity back to your bodies and you slammed back into the seats as the two gliders moved apart distributing the weight of the broken one evenly.

As soon as they were close enough to safely warp back to the cliffside you watched Nyx reach out summoning for the crystal’s power. You envied him being able to feel the rush of it. Being part of it, brought you back to a memory of when you first felt your gifts take hold.

You had been running away from your mentor at the time, no longer wanting to sit still. You had tripped on the steps. Crying out your reached forward to break your fall only to land not as hard halfway across the room on the floor. It felt like being between fire and ice all at once.

And that is how it still felt as he pulled your forward with him landing ungracefully in a pile. He groaned as he skidded on his back some until you both came to a halt. You both stayed in each other’s arms for a long time just taking in deep breaths.

Finally, he sat up looking down at you. His hand cupped your cheek as he spoke, voice heavy with worry, “Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

You stared up at him for a long moment before you sat up wrapping your arms around him, “Thank you…”

He tensed for a moment before he put his arms around you. You were thanking him. You should be yelling at him, telling him that you were right, and he was wrong. Sailing is meant to be in the water not the sky.

But you weren’t and that’s when he found he no longer just thought of you as a charge. Crowe had been right. You were becoming more then just work, and that would be a problem…

He pushed you away a little looking you over again, “Are you okay?”

“I…I was terrified…” You spoke softly before you smiled nodding as your hands drifted from his shoulders to his chest, “But…I think I’m fine…I’m just so grateful to be back on the ground.”

Nyx stared at you as he felt a small laugh escape his mouth. Before he knew it he couldn’t stop it and soon you were laughing with him. They other’s raced over to check on you as you both began to stand laughing.

“Oxygen deprivation…maybe struck by lightning…” Luche started listing of as you both tried hard to contain your laughter.

“Adrenaline…” Libertus crossed his arms with a shrug.

“Stupidity…” Crowe walked forward with a cross look on her face before grabbing you by the wrist taking away toward the back of the van.

“What are you doing?” Nyx asked as she passed by him.

“Seeing as I’m the only one trained in medicine around here, and the only female at the moment, I’m doing my duty and checking the princess out.” Crowe glared at him.

“She doesn’t…” Nyx shook his head but you beat him to the punch.

“I’m not a princess anymore.” You took your wrist back from her a weighted look appearing on your face.

Crowe realized instantly that she had struck a nerve of some kind and bowed her head, “I…apologize. You carry yourself well ma’am…if I could I’d like to examine you to make sure you’re alright…”

Nyx took a step toward you, but you nodded following her disappearing behind the van. He sighed before turning to everyone else, “I thought I told you all to stand down.”

They all looked at him small smiles on their faces before Libertus stepped forward, “Couldn’t very well let out king crash in a ravine…makes for bad press.”

“So, you’re just worried about your brand…can’t sell brews without this face, right?” Nyx smirked flashing a hand around his face.

“Yeah…sure…if it makes you sleep better at night, keep telling yourself that.” Libertus shook his head letting his arms fall before turning to the others, “Come on, let’s pack up.”

Nyx took a deep breath in as they began to turn away from him. He swallowed hanging his head as he spoke firmly, “Thank you…”

They all stopped looking back at him. He looked up seeing each of the them take a closed fist putting it over their heart muttering with a small bow, “Pro aris et focis.”

That was it…nothing else was said as they turned walking toward the gliders. Nothing else needed to be said, it was done for hearth and home.

It didn’t take them long to break everything down and load it up in the vans. He crawled in the front seat next to Libertus and looked back at you, “You alright?”

“I’m fine.” You smiled at him holding up your hands, “Believe me Crowe left no stone unturned.”

“Good…” He nodded a little before turning in his seat. He had been so scared back there. He knew he could probably have survived the fall with you by warping, but so many things went wrong…and not even thinking about how you dealt with heights…he was an idiot. He mulled that over as the rode in silence.

“Nyx…” He looked back at you a while later. You were looking out the window toward something. You had a really sad look on your face.

“What is it?” He unbuckled moving into the back seat taking a seat next to you.

“I didn’t realize where we were this morning…it was so dark…” You looked at him nose getting red, “It’s a really selfish request…”

“Ask it. Pretty sure the day can’t get much crazier.” Libertus scoffed up from making him roll his eyes.

You looked back out the window, “It’s my father’s tomb…”

He sat up straight and before he even looked at Libertus, he was already readjusting course to head down the access road. The chirp of the radio sounded, “’ey, something up?”

Libertus reached over responding, “We’re good, gotta visit some lost family for a bit.”

“Ah, got it.” Chirped back as it was nothing. Nyx smiled at his family. There were so understanding and accepting, never once questioning why things needed to happen. They knew him well enough to know that a request like this was one he would never refuse.

Nyx looked back to you as you welled up with emotion, “You’ve never been here, have you?”

You shook your head, “I couldn’t ever get someone to take me…My uncle had planned to come a little while ago, but…something came up and he couldn’t make it happen.”

He took your hands in his letting his thumb caress over the top of your wrists. Your hands were so small and fragile, perfect for planting things. Unlike his which were rough and coarse, perfect for fighting, “After today, any time you want to come here…I will make it happen.”

You smiled at him sniffing back some tears before you squeezed his hands. He wondered if you knew how much your smile made his day. He wondered if you knew how much he dreamed about you every night. Dreams that made him blush a the thought of them… He wondered if you’d even consider him…a foreigner…as someone worthy to have?

“Thank you…all of you. I can’t imagine having better friends…” You told him looking up to Libertus, “If I can call you that. I’ve only met you once, but I feel such a connection…”

“You seem alright to me Princess.” Libertus gave you a smile and a thumbs up laughing a little as you scowled, “And yea I know you’re not a princess, Princess…but the nickname suits you, so you’re stuck with it.”

“Bit cliché isn’t it?” You sniffed again as Libertus laughed louder, “I suppose…as long as it’s only you guys…”

“What don’t want the whole guard to know? I think that would be a great thing for them to know, especially Gladio.” Nyx smirked, as your mood began to improve the more he teased you, “I think I’ll tell Titus to send out a memo.”

“Nyx Ulric!” You shook your head taking a hand away from his pointing a finger in his face, “You a wracking up a serious pay back…”

“Oh…” Libertus glanced back at him, “That sounds serious, do you need a detail again, Nyx?”

“Knock it off.” Nyx rolled his eyes shaking his head as his friend laughed and you with him, “You’ve been listening to Titus too much.”

“He wants you to have a detail?” You questioned him surprise falling over you features like a mantle.

“He’d prefer it…” Nyx shook his head a little, “If he ever found out you knew about me, he’d probably pester me more about it. Probably tell me to get me to leave the Glaives.”

“He doesn’t know!?” Libertus’ voice raised slightly looking back in the rearview mirror, “Nyx, buddy…”

“Just cram it for a goddamn second…nothing’s changed.” Nyx shook his head a little, “It’s not time yet…”

“But there is a time…isn’t there? A time when you’ll have tell him and things will change?” He looked at you. Your face had become serious suddenly, as if in some way you’d already lost him.

His mouth hung open for a second, “I…maybe, I don’t know. Everything…isn’t…uh… Can we talk about this some other time?”

He nodded toward Libertus as he put a hand on the back of his neck. Your eyes flicked to their friend before you nodded falling quietly residing to your own thoughts. His eyes lingered on yours seeing the wheels moving connecting dots that he hadn’t even thought of yet.

The rest of the ride was silent. When he stepped out of the van his mouth dropped open a little seeing the massive tomb. Large columns lined the walk way leading up to a large tomb that was built into the side of the mountain, “This…this is just for King Malcolm?”

You stepped out next to him nodding slowly as you took it all in for the first time as well, “Yes…inside is not just his body…but a weapon forged with his own soul. One day he’ll pass it on to the next king…Noctis. To be used as a tool for his bidding and protection.”

The other vans came to a halt behind them as you began to step forward. Nyx watched you take each step deliberately, consciously, as if it was a struggle. He had done the same thing when he visited his father grave alone. It got easier, but…the great wall of absence was always felt.

He followed behind you slowly until you stopped outside the door. You stood there staring at it fist balled up, and after a moment he spoke quietly, “Do you need help?”

“It’s not…” You shook your head clearing your throat, “Only a person with the king’s power and key can enter…I have neither. So, I’ll…just have to make do here.”

Nyx blinked several times trying to fathom it as his gaze drifted to beautifully decorated door. How could a society so strong and advanced have such cold customs? Who would lock out one’s loved ones from visiting their resting place? It seemed like every time he learned something new about Insomnia…it was all accompanied with some condition that he found painful to uphold.

“Hi daddy…” His eyes drifted back to you, as you whispered softly looking over the door, “They did a good job…it looks nice… I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. My recovery took a lot longer then it should have…I...I’m just…”

You trailed off hanging your head. Nyx swallowed looking back to his Galahdian family. They all stood respectfully at ease waiting at the bottom steps. When you spoke again he began to feel his cheeks burn, “I made a friend…His name is Nyx. If you’ve been looking in on me you’ve probably seen him around…You would like him. He’d make you laugh, that I’m certain of. He’s been keeping me safe in your absence…He’s Queen Selena’s son…somehow fate has brought our nations together still…you were right. Galahd is a beautiful people because of its people…”

You looked up at the door tearing up as your hands unclenched. He knew what it was like wanting to say things to the people you’ve lost, things that once said aloud made them true and hurt all the more, “I miss you daddy…and I miss mama…and I’m so, so sorry that…that I can’t…”

A small sob escaped you mouth as you leaned forward placing your hands flat against the door. When your forehead met the stone, Nyx watched a shimmer ripple outward from you rushing through the veins of the doors desgin. He took a step forward only stopping when you spoke again, “I’m sorry I can’t carry out your legacy in the way you wished…but I promise I will help Noctis build a better future. I will help Insomnia become the beacon you wanted it to be.”

Nyx’s mouth dropped open slightly at what he just saw. Maybe he was tired…but…maybe he wasn’t…He wanted answers but now was not the time to just ask them. He swallowed stepping forward, “Your majesty…”

You lifted your head looking at him. Nyx smiled giving you a reassuring nod, “Nyx Ulric here…first…uh…I should apologize for not coming to meet you all those years ago, when I was supposed to. I was different then and felt I had all the time in the world to learn my place…I paid a heavy price for my negligence.”

He let out a heavy sigh as he looked at the door, he could hear his heart beating in his ears, “It’s been privilege watching over your daughter, sir. She is the apple of your eye. My mother told me you were a bright soul and I can see there is none brighter than Y/N…you would be very proud of her.”

“But…what I really want to say…is…I want to pledge before you, as I did your brother the King Regis, that I will always be by Y/N’s side.” He looked back to you seeing tears beginning to fall down your cheeks, “I swear to be whatever she needs me to be. Her friend, her confidant…her guard. I will do whatever it takes to see her plans through. She will want for nothing and in my presence only know safety and peace.”

“Nyx…” You whispered as he too placed his hands on the door bowing his head. No shimmer…he let his hands fall. It wasn’t just a show…just an opportunity. However, he did mean it, every word sworn to the memory of a dead king, “You didn’t need…”

“I did.” He placed a hand over his heart bowing to you speaking from the heart, the oath that all his guards swore to him years ago, “I am your sword and your shield…you need only point and I will go. Speak your words and I will make them actions. I do this freely and under no duress…I am yours to command.”

“I…I don’t know what to say to this…” He watched you place a hand over your stomach. You were acting as if you were embarrassed by the attention. The last time he swore to protect you was in the presence of your uncle and members of the guard, was it so different for him to do it in your presence alone, “It’s…you’ve already sworn an oath to protect me…”

“I swore that oath to Insomnia, to Regis.” He stepped toward you a serious look in his eyes. Maybe it was the near-death experience or the sudden realization that he cared for you a great deal that made him do this. At a certain point I didn’t matter why he was saying it, only that he meant it, “And I’ve made promises to you…but now before the gods and your father…I am swearing to be yours.”

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hyperionswrath--archived · 4 years

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@onepartbrave

If there was a medal for unrelenting persistency, the guy bothering him would be almost tying with Seifer. Seriously, no matter how long Squall ignored him or relented and shot a withering glare, the patron did not give up. Bothersome at its baseline but otherwise an unimportant nuisance trying to waste his time. Keeping his gaze pointedly forward, he was only aware of someone’s closer proximity over the reasonably loud music due to years of consistent training. About to snap at the stranger for clearly crossing the invisible line drawn around him, the brunet froze when hushed words reached him over the noise, and of all things, it made his form shiver. He… he’s so close, I…

Stumped, any response Squall had been forming failed to vocalise and he swallowed uneasily. Ripe with tension at the other man’s tenacious gall to approach him and being surrounded by numerous happy-hands people anyway, he felt it ascend when his brain caught up. The blond, burly and intimidating to unfamiliar faces, successfully scared off the insistent lecher—by hooking an arm around Squall’s hips and yanking him cautiously closer. Suddenly, the music was muffled, and his head felt like it was providing the thumping backdrop. Like his heartbeat had risen to reside in his throat and it smothered out everything else. Mere seconds ticking by were equivalent to hours and… time resumed only when the (defensive?) grip left him and space was given.

Bizarrely, the tension leftover from the exchange was no longer riddled with anxiety and irritation—it was anticipating.

“…What the hell is wrong with me?” he grumbled, volume just above a whisper. Sighing haplessly, his head fell forward as he raised a hand to rub at his eyes with a palm. Tonight was getting weirder by the minute and he was tired of being out of the loop with his own body. “Yeah, sure,” he concurred louder in response to Seifer’s direction. Pinching briefly at the bridge of his nose, he rubbed once at the scar there out of habit before his hand dropped and head lifted. Spotting the drinks—quick service—he took one in each hand and started off, completely ignoring the way he could feel the guidance again.

Wading passed people and furniture alike, Squall spotted the gathering they were clearly heading towards. Three more dressed like Seifer, clearly his comrades, and four unfamiliar faces. Well… three. A flashback to the picture message sent alerted the brunet to who the man was and, unbeknownst to him, the start of a frosty glare was forming and aimed solely at the poor soul he’d never met. Really, after tonight, he promised to never drink alcohol again as it evidently messed with his inhibitions far too much for his liking.

Shoulders set in a subconsciously confrontational way, Squall started to head for a vacant seat—a few were left but one open in an obvious manner next to his alleged target—but halted when Seifer encouraged him to. The cold glare melted away for earnest inquisitiveness (despite all his resilience to stop appearing the slightest bit vulnerable) and grey-blues locked intently on jade-greens. Huh… they look darker in this light. Nose crinkling at not liking that fact, preferring the colour that reminded him of life-giving Earth, he unintentionally scowled lightly. After was when he registered the words spoken.

…I don’t need protection, asshole. I’m a Hyne-damned fighter too! Pretty sure that sentiment conveyed in the flat expression he shared with the man’s retreating back, Squall was rooted awkwardly to the spot for a moment, watching from the outside as Seifer joined his friends, appearing more at ease than he had been all day. That’s—not right. He was fine earlier, even when I…

Decisively not following that thought track, he shook himself out of the immobilised state and headed for his highlighted seat. Narrow eyes studied his movements, apparently watching where he was choosing to sit, and dismay joined the keen gaze when he took his aforementioned perch next to the non-Glaive. Playing ignorant to the man’s dilemma, Squall set the blond’s beverage down on the nearest stable surface, certain it’d be safe in front of them all. Relaxing back as though he had no care in the world, he appeared all the part comfortable in the blond’s coat—obviously it belonged to Seifer since Squall wasn’t donning the uniform—and sneakily observed the mundane man from the corner of his eye.

Curious was the feeling of puzzling protectiveness he was experiencing. Seifer was big, strong, took no one’s shit and sure as hell didn’t need permission to do what he pleased. Or who he pleased, if Squall guessed the case right. Something didn’t sit right with him about it, nor the eager expression lighting up the stranger’s face every time he thought Seifer might chance a glance his way. It was downright embarrassing if you asked him, pining so obviously. Surely desperation wasn’t something his former rival was keen on?

Once more, the thoughts of why does it matter entered his mind and put Squall ill at ease. Sitting back, he sunk into the cosy cushion of the chair—big enough for two but he’d plonked in the middle deliberately so Seifer would have to sit away from the guy—and crossed one leg lightly over the other, booted foot tapping faintly in time with the music. Finally thinking it safe to not lecher-watch, he examined the fine establishment in greater detail. While he would’ve never journeyed here without reason… he couldn’t deny the appeal it held. Scantily dressed people didn’t faze him that much, it was more their fearless attitudes of trying to get in his pants.

Jokes on them, my belts stress me out at times. They have no chance.

Leaving his company for the night to his own devices for the time being, Seifer took a deliberate moment to greet his comrade Glaives, exchanging brief pleasantries over the music which, accomodating to the seats placed around the stage, seemed to not carry as loudly here as it did in the rest of the hall. He lingered with Kerr a moment longer, a couple of brief glances were shot from both men to the brunet mercenary, as Seifer explained in curt detail how they knew each other and that the other Glaive should think nothing much of the reserved attitude Squall tended to display. One of the major qualities of the man was that he was extraordinarily pleasant in that he didn't care much for people's attitude towards him, most certainly a reason why he was able to bear with the tall blond for such a long time.

Tredd and Luche had registered the unknown companion of their comrade with a brief and polite nod, much more interested in the girls they were trying to swoon than to care much if another guy tagged along - so long as he wouldn't interfere in their evenings plan of getting laid.

After a while, Kerr darted off to the bar to procure some bottles of hard alcohol for their table so they could refill their glasses at their leisure, bringing Seifer's attention back to Squall who had already found a spot to get comfortable, it seemed like. Steering his steps toward the man, his eyes then fell on the guy sitting trapped between Luche (who was already all over his date) and the brunet, seemingly buzzing with anticipation to greet him. Emerald gaze took in the appearance - not too shabby - of silverwhite hair pulled back into a lazy ponytail, eyes like dark chocolate and pouty lips. Not shabby at all. But then again, not as interesting as the vision his lifetime ice-prince was exhibiting, all comfortable in his uniform coat and shooting forbidding glances to the man next to him, probably full of resentment and judging how someone could actually want to talk to the tall blond on their own free will, looking forward to it none the less.

Seifer took a moment to register the deliberate way in which his former rival had placed himself, taking in more space than was neccessary, which in and on itself was rather unusual if he dared say so himself. Still, it didn't stop him from serving the silverhaired stranger his most charming smile, reaching over the table to shake his hand and leaning in enough so he could catch his name. "Hi, I'm Midhir!", the silvery voice spoke, earning him Seifer's name in return before the Glaive straightened up again to sink onto the only seat remaining next to Squall, shooting him a most amused sideglance. “Sure he’s not your type?”, he hummed teasingly.

In all honesty, he'd have expected to be the one shielding the man from his acquaintances, not the other way around, risking to be bothered with the intent of a conversation none the less. His eyes were drawn to the stage as the preparations seemed to be coming to a close, instruments in place and a decorative structure hanging above from which next to transparent, white drapes of silk framed the whole setting, occasional strings of crystals running along them. Lucky for Squall, tonight's act didn't seem to be one of the more vulgar sort but rather artsy.

His attention was caught when Kerr returned, placing the bottles on their table in such a way everyone could reach them comfortably, while Tredd held out a small, delicately embroidered silver box to everyone around. Inside lay an assortment of tiny squares that looked like paper, as well as some pills. Considering for but a moment, Seifer shook his head, lifting one hand for emphasis that he was out for tonight. Not that he didn't want some other kind of rush besides the alcohol, but his mind was set to keep an eye out on the brunet. Why ever he should care, he did not know.

"What, has he your balls grabbed besides your coat too?", Tredd teased with a snarky grin, shaking his head. "Careful I don't have your balls instead, Furia. Get off my back!", the blond retorted testily without a second thought, punching the man in the shoulder for good measure which earned him a snicker. What a dick. He had enough fun as it was and he damn well needn't justify himself. Muttering something under his breath, he then crossed his arms and leaned back in the plush cushions, knee accidentally brushing Squall's as he slumped there.

His moping didn't last long though when the lights around them dimmed and the music faded, signalling that the performance was about to begin. Reaching for the drink Squall had procured for him, he took a great swig of it, shooting the man another sideglance and in the process catching dark brown doe-eyes gazing at him with worship. It would have been cute if it didn't, indeed, come off so very desperate. Smirking at the thought, he turned back to the stage and watched the musicians quietly take up their places - a cello, a set of electric drums and a set of congas - followed by the graceful figure of a dark-skinned woman draped in a daring, yet tasteful white dress, revealing one toned leg, a flat belly and her slender arms. It didn't take a genius to see she was of Galahdian decent, which only promised for a most interesting show.

#onepartbrave #rp #long post #.ahsgdhagsd squall is jealous >D #.those cute beans I swear #.also I've had this performance idea in my head for the better part of a week and #.it's gonna be so good T_T #.also seifer is such a flirt my lord #tw: drug mention

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yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy · 4 years

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Magic and Miracles and BEYOND Chapter 13

ok, I didn’t mean to take...(doesn’t bother to look at how long since it’s been since I’ve posted anything for this story because the guilt will kill me) however long (feels longer than forever) to update this story. I literally had it all planned out in my head. And then when I went to write it my brain went “fuck you, I am on fumes, I need a break, I’m done.” and it didn’t matter how much I tried to restart or jump it- no go. So I moved on. I went back to school, I’m getting my licence to be a massage therapist, I’ll be doing that until July of next year which I’m currently on break with until Tuesday. But GOOD NEWS. I was going through my tumblr and I still find all these RaeLena pictures and when I went back to this- I found, lo and behold, FUEL. So I started this back up and this baby is running! Wooo! @the-immortal-marshal and @warnjai-17 hopefully you’re still here to enjoy this

AO3

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND

Chapter 13

The morning of Crowe’s wedding day was bright and brisk and the trees around the farm seemed to have come into spectacular color just for her. The sunrise was especially beatuiful and Prompto and the photographer got some outstanding pictures of it.

The horses had been washed the day before and kept in their squeaky clean stalls so they didn’t get dirty right before the ceremony. Crowe woke up feeling so happy and excited because today was the day her and her best friend were getting married and Chelsea had worked overtime in making sure every detail was perfect and to make sure Crowe only had decisions to make in a timely manner but no actual work to do through the whole process so it had been a breeze. The girls had all stayed at Sylva’s house and she had had another caterer come in and make everyone breakfast and a team of hair and makeup artists to make sure each girl shined like the jewel she was as Luca and Lilly and all the other little sisters of the those in the wedding party got to get glammed up too.

Meanwhile Libertus woke up with the worst hangover and felt like death warmed over. He had stayed up half the night, him and his friends around a campfire on Craig’s farm and drank and just talked, some of it was casual, most of it was deep though while Tredd did manage to keep his mouth shut about Ada being pregnant. But he sure did hint at it to Luche which Ravus and Nyx picked up on as Ravus was suspecting that the reason his mother favored Tredd as much as she did was because he had the gift too.

Craig Sr. and his wife Charla were already hard at work making a mountain of food for the boys and they chuckled to themselves as they watched all of them wake up to the smell of food and come in, each one’s hair crazier than the last as they all did the zombie shuffle to get the food before sitting down at the table as the guys downed pot after pot of coffee and ate in relative silence as bottles of Tylenol, Advil and Aleve were passed around.

“You boys alive over there?” Craig asked before there was a chorus of groans as an answer which cracked Craig Sr. and Charla up.

Meanwhile Hazel was sleeping blissfully away in Titus’ bed before the smell of her own breakfast woke her up only moments before Titus came in with their breakfast on a tray.

“Good morning Beautiful.” Titus cooed to her as her eyes fluttered open before she smiled adoringly at him as she stretched.

“Good morning, what do you got there?” She asked as she sat up, keeping the blankets up to cover her nakedness but moved the pillows to the headboard so she could sit up comfortably.

“Breakfast.” Titus beamed.

“Aww,” Hazel fawned as he gave her the tray and then got back into bed before they cuddled together with the extra large tray over Hazel’s lap.

“This is really sweet,” Hazel gushed as she started to dig in to the bowl of berries before she pulled the lid off of the plate to see an engagement ring sitting on top of some french toast and gasped as Titus’ heart beat so hard in his chest he thought it was going to break his ribs as his mouth felt like it was full of cotton all of a sudden.

“So, I was thinking, I know you really like your apartment and I really like the peace and quiet and space of the country, but I thought we could find a happy medium if we built a house together, Oak Creek Estates still has a bunch of lots available and if…” Titus was cut off by Hazel quickly attaching her mouth to his and kissing him as deeply as she could from her spot under his arm as his arm curled around her before his other hand went up to gently caress her gorgeous face, hoping she could understand what he was trying to say because words were failing him but actions never would.

“Yes, that’ll be perfect, a fresh new start for both of us.” Hazel beamed happily as she had already slipped the ring on before Titus moved the tray over to the floor before he really got to enjoy his fiance for breakfast which is what he really wanted.

As the clock ticked down Libertus went from hungover to happy to nervous and by a surprise, Luche was too.

“Cut it out, they’re all gonna think you’re playing with yourself.” Tredd teased as he sat down next to Luche after he came back into the house from helping the firework guys set up all the fireworks for the night before he sat down on the couch as Luche frowned over at him.

“Cut what out?” Luche tried to deflect.

“You keep fingering that engagement ring thing in your pocket, it looks like you’re trying to jack off.” Tredd chuckled as Luche frowned.

“How…” Luche began as Tredd gave him an unimpressed look.

“Really? You really wanna play dumb? Come on, let me seee.” Tredd questioned as Luche humphed before he pulled it out and handed it to Tredd.

“I do, I will marry you.” Tredd gushed in an overly feminine way.

“Oh my God, stop.” Luche rolled his eyes as Tredd opened the fancy slim ring box to see a paper flower fold out holding the ring.

“Aww, this was one of Victor’s rings for Ravus wasn’t it?” Tredd asked as Luche sighed deeply.

“Yes, I bought it off of him.” Luche admitted.

“Of course you did, you spent what? A whole dollar?” Tredd teased.

“Ravus gave me a price and I paid it, no negotiations needed.” Luche defended.

“A whole five dollars because you don’t cary singles anymore blue blood.” Tredd grinned triumphantly.

“I hate this about you.” Luche sarcastically quipped as he tried to take the ring back but Tredd pulled it out of his reach.

“Hey, hey, don’t get all huffy. I think it’s nice- a whole 20 carats just on the center diamond and that has to be...another 5 carats in the bezels and blue diamonds are coming back into fashion again, platinum?” Tredd appraised as Luche just frowned deeper and deeper.

“Since when do you know anything about jewelry?” Luche asked.

“Since mom adopted me too and has been taking me under her wing and teaching me the same shit she’s teaching you but I get the super fun hands on versions, and she is paying me in stock options now and recognizes that I have a good eye and can spot a fake a mile away.” Tredd answered casually as he gave it back.

“Wait paying you? Paying you for what?” Luche demanded.

“You didn’t think you were her only eyes and ears did you?” Tredd grinned smugly.

“How much is she paying you?” Luche pressed.

“Eh, it started off as 5k here, 10k there, now it’s stock options and percentages and 401ks and trust funds and all that which I find I like much better, especially since I’ve been reinvesting that money in said stocks. Project Recovery alone has quadrupled my money in just the last couple of months alone and Sylva says I have the same gift she has in that oracle shit. I see things with my special eyes that you don’t.” Tredd teased as he poked his finger near Luche’s ear as he batted his eyes suggestively at Luche.

“Stop,” Luche batted Tredd’s hand away. “What do you see that I don’t?” Luche questioned.

“I knew before anyone else did that Crowe was pregnant.” Tredd grinned.

“You got lucky.” Luche countered.

“Did I? Did I also get really super lucky when I knew Ada was pregnant over the summer on the cruises?” Tredd revealed.

“What?” Luche blinked.

“Yeah, I saw that before Sylva did, And that fifteen grand? That was to keep you two from fucking so you wouldn’t lose your mind when she lost that pregnancy. Which sucked by the way, but hopefully it doesn’t happen again.” Tredd revealed.

“You…” Luche didn’t know if he should laugh, cry or just go bang his head against a wall. “How? How did you know?” Luche demanded.

“There’s just a lot of subtle changes that most miss but to me they just all add up for some reason.” Tredd shrugged. “But looking back, aren’t you happy you didn’t fuck her senseless on the cruise?” Tredd asked.

“...yeah.” Luche ducked his head with a sigh.

“Well I knew the moment those two got together that it was gonna crash and burn in a matter of months. She’s always been your girl, she was just the last one to realize it.” Tredd offered which made Luche and Tredd both grin lopsidedly at each other.

“Thanks.” Luche thanked him.

“You’re welcome. By the way, I want to be a groomsman.” Tredd insisted which made Luche snicker a laugh.

“Oh do you?” Luche returned.

“Hell yeah, am I or am I not the Bro who was purposefully a douche to save you from that clusterfuck?” Tredd prodded.

“You are that douche.” Luche laughed.

“So I’m a groomsman?” Tredd prodded.

“You are the douchiest of my groomsman.” Luche chuckled.

“Good,” Tredd grinned victoriously as Ravus and Nyx came up.

“Oh is that Ada’s ring?” Nyx asked.

“Yeah, I was thinking I was gonna pull a Rae.” Luche admitted as he handed it to Nyx as Ravus smiled proudly. Happy that the ring was going to go to a “brother”. Besides that still left a few to save for his children to use when they would get engaged.

“Awesome,” Nyx smiled happily before he gave it back.

“Shower is clear.” Craig called out after he got out of his since every shower was being used on the property to get all the boys ready as Luche got the ring back as he got up and claimed the empty shower.

“So what else do you see with your special eyes?” Ravus asked Tredd once Luche was well out of earshot.

“Jesus, you have the ears of a rodent Beavus.” Tredd rolled his eyes.

“Ada’s pregnant again isn’t she?” Ravus grinned.

“Sssshhhh!” Tredd shushed him as he quickly looked around to see if anyone else had heard that.

“See? Told you.” Ravus put to Nyx who gave him an unimpressed look.

“Does he know?” Nyx gestured to where Luche went.

“No, absolutely not, and none of us can tell him either, we gotta let Ada find out on her own and have her be the one to tell him, we can’t spoil this for him. I mean you know me, I’m all for spoiling shit but that’s the special shit you don’t spoil.” Tredd urged them.

“So what do you think it’s gonna be?” Ravus put to Tredd curiously.

“Pppfff, boy.” Tredd snickered. “Watch they’ll name him something super British, like London or Oxford or something so English the Royal Family will be like ‘calm it down now’. “ Tredd predicted.

“London.” Nyx and Ravus grinned.

“Any other girl preggers?” Nyx asked Tredd.

“Right now? No. About to be? Oh yeah,” Tredd laughed.

“Who?” Ravus and Nyx asked as Tredd looked at them unimpressed before he looked over to Gladio pointedly before turning back to them.

“No way,” Nyx shook his head.

“A hundred bucks, they’re going to be expecting in the next say...four months?” Tredd offered as he offered his hand for a shake.

“Deal.” Nyx agreed as he shook Tredd’s hand as Ravus just shook his head, knowing Tredd was right and knew that Tredd had the same gift he had. Which instead of denying it or downplaying it or getting jealous, he felt a sense of relief that he wasn’t the only one with it.

Once all the girls arrived the boys got the horses saddled and ready to go as the guests started to arrive and take their seats. The weather couldn’t be more perfect, small, almost cartoonish puffy clouds rolling in the sky, it was warm enough to be comfortable but not chilled enough to be cold but that message didn’t seem to get to Libertus who was sweating buckets so much so that everyone thought he was going to lose 10lbs in sweat alone and Chelsea was grateful she had extra shirts for Libertus to change into and basically bathed him in deodorant and antiperspirant and loaded him up with anti-nausea meds as his own mother and Crowe’s mothers gave him the pep-talk of the century as Chelsea was copying that down for future use.

When it finally came time for the actual ceremony, the horses suddenly decided to shit where they stood at the back of the aisle before Chelsea and her team tried to hurriedly clean it up, the horses then tried munching on the flowers on the sides of the aisle, there was practically a whole hive of bees there to collect the nectar from all the flowers even though Sylva had a case of Epipens which thankfully didn’t need to get used but thankfully, at least- there were no mosquitoes and Libertus was thankfully laughing too hard at the horses being horses to cry too much because the sight of Crowe in a wedding dress coming down the aisle to him was overwhelming to him.

Because Crowe’s smile shamed the sun. She was radiant and beautiful and practically glowing and Libertus had never seen her look so beautiful in his life. It was perfect and after the vows, Libertus finally seemed to ease up and become himself again.

At the reception Sylva went ahead and practically glued herself to Linda, Luche’s mother as Luche was slow dancing with Ada because she had caught the bouquet in the bouquet toss, thanks to Sylva organizing her girls to guarantee it and thanks to Sylva also organizing her boys- Luche caught the garter belt and now they were dancing together, the rest of the world falling away.

“I really like the fairy lights.” Ada noted at all the twinkle lights around them.

“Would you want fairy lights at our wedding?” Luche asked and Ada didn’t give a second thought to his choice of words before she began telling him all about what she would want for their wedding.

Meanwhile on the sidelines-

“Linda, you better get used to the idea of them being together.” Sylva urged as Linda gave her a side eye.

“Look, it’s very simple, it’s either Ada or this cum guzzling gutter trash.” Sylva continued as she pulled up a video of Beth on a porn site that had Linda choking on her winecooler and looking particularly aghast. “That could have been your daughter in law who by the way flirted and eye fucked before she actually did fuck Chinese billionaires trying to get the best deal possible while Luche was sitting right next to her and would have been way more unfaithful to him than Ada ever will be again, Ada is allowed to sow a wild oat or two in her youth, and now that she’s done that and seen that the grass is indeed not anywhere near as green as it is with Luche and I can tell you that she won’t be making that mistake again.” Sylva assured Linda. “Now, count your blessings as you read this.” Sylva furthered before she pulled out a prenup and it had Linda grinning from ear to ear as she read it.

“You see the line we have to walk as mothers is to let our children enjoy life and live it how they want to, but that doesn’t mean we can’t put them in some safety gear, I’ll have Ada sign this before we go wedding dress shopping but here’s the deal-” Sylva lowered her voice. “You and Luke will be nothing but nice, happy and supportive of Luche and Ada from here on out. I have already talked with Luche and he’s ok with me paying for a bulk of the wedding expenses, all I’m asking you and Luke to pay for are the invitations and Ada’s parents will be buying Ada’s veil, fair enough?” Sylva put to her.

“That’s more than fair.” Linda nodded in agreement with a thankful smile to Sylva.

“Good, now, watch your son propose and be happy about it.” Sylva nodded to the dancefloor where Luche had gotten down on one knee and proposed to Ada as Sylva was smiling brightly while Linda plastered on a smile, happy that her son was at least protected and grateful that Sylva had adopted him and cared for him as her own because the Lord knew she wasn’t willing or ready to pay for much of anything else as Sylva offered her own winecooler over to Linda to clink with a knowing smile when Ada said yes.

After that, that’s when the party seemed to get into full gear, the moment the sun began to set they lit the fires in the fire pits inside the bale circles so people could sit on the bales and make smores since the wedding had been catered by a competition BBQ joint that had all the BBQ and steaks anyone could ask for. There was a mountain of throw blankets to keep the guests warm as they did this and then at the finale- that’s when Tredd- being a fireman and pyromaniac- set the fireworks off which everyone fully enjoyed before the party sent Crowe and Libertus off on their honeymoon which Sylva got them a cabin and a hunting excursion out in the northwest.

Luche and Ada barely made it home and in the door before they were on each other and removing the remainder of their clothes and made it to the bottom of the stairs before Luche had pinned her to the wall and started fucking her hard up against it, Ada’s engagement ring nearly getting snagged in his hair as Ada scratched his scalp roughly as the loudest and longest pleasured moan left her throat.

“Oh Luche!” Ada keened as the back of her head hit the wall behind her, knocking the picture of them hanging next to her head slightly askew as Luche’s hips pounded into hers.

Luche proposing to Ada after she caught the bouquet came as a surprise to Ada but not really to anyone else, but that was all that mattered to Luche. Ada was completely wrapped up in wedding fever and the joy and excitement of the moment to notice anyone outside of Luche. Their relationship was better than it had ever been since she came back to him and together they both worked exceptionally hard to make the other happy.

Ada was blown away by the drop dead gorgeous ring Luche proposed with.

Luche had wanted his proposal to be more eloquent but in the end, he just went for simple and straight to the point.

When Ada had said that she liked something about the decorations for the wedding, Luche found himself asking her what she would like for their wedding and Ada had answered it without a second thought and before Ada realized it she revealed what she had always wanted and fantasized about as a little girl and Luche was grinning ear to ear and when she was done Luche didn’t hesitate to just get down on one knee and offer to give her everything she had just said and pleaded for the chance to make all her dreams come true as everyone quickly gathered around them with eager eyes and ears to hear her answer and Ada didn’t even get to see the ring before she said yes and when she did see the ring, her eyes nearly popped out of her head and her jaw fell and rolled away on the floor. But she readily had him put it on her finger.

From there, it was like they were velcroed to each other and receiving all the congratulatory wishes before Chelsea made a point to make sure they had her business card and to give her a call when they wanted to set a date and get things in motion before Luche repeated, almost verbatim what Ada had just said to her as Chelsea quickly made notes, using up the last half of her notebook since the first half was already full of notes for Hazel and Titus’ wedding plans that she had gotten earlier before she left Luche and Ada to enjoy more congratulations since Ada was the last to be engaged and didn't notice how Chelsea had then gone to Sylva, Linda and Luke as well as Ada's parents who Sylva had gathered together to force a congratulatory toast between them all before Sylva informed them that she would be paying for the bulk of it if Luche's parents were willing to buy the invitations and if Ada's parents would pay for Ada's veil since wedding dresses could be so expensive, that she would take care of the rest since Luche was like another son to her and brother to Ravus which she received very little argument to.

Luche felt he smiled more that night than he had in the previous year combined. But he was so happy. Finally things were coming together. He had the dream job, had fantastic friends, supportive family and the girl of his dreams and everything was perfect and he couldn’t ask for more.

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