#this man is so hearth coded

[outisink]

Happy Grillby Day

[erikatsu]

A MILLION DREAMS — WRIOTHESLEY

ᥫ᭡ SUMMARY: A walk around the Court of Fontaine with Wriothesley leads to an unexpected conversation.

ᥫ᭡ PAIRING: Wriothesley x Fem!Reader

ᥫ᭡ WARNINGS: Fluff. Mentions of starting a family/having kids. Self-ship coded. SFT but minors, ageless, and blanks following will be blocked. 20+ to follow.

ᥫ᭡ WC: 1.2K

❥ SERIES MASTERLIST

The warmth of the sun was a feeling that you had missed. The sounds of bustling shops and people chatting amongst themselves as you walked by them felt like home. You didn’t realize you had a void you needed filled until breathing in the fresh air. The nostalgia was overwhelming and you longed to be back on the open road with your show. Instead you settled on reminiscing as you walked the streets, your arm linked with Wriothesley’s.

The two of you got a lot of looks as you made your way towards the aquabus station. Your faces weren’t familiar, and whispers from those curious told you they were slowly piecing it together. At least, they managed to figure out who Wriothesley was. You were thankful though, since you didn’t want to be recognized. It would be rather hard to explain how you managed to escape death, after all. While everyone that mattered was now aware of your status, you could comfortably walk around Fontaine without worry of being arrested as a fugitive. There were loopholes in laws, and while you may not have reclaimed your honor in your duel, you weren’t able to fight for the same crime twice, nor could you be tried for it.

The walk around town was well needed, Wriothesley deciding to escort you. You weren’t sure if he wanted to be able to stop you from being a menace to society or if he was caught up on his work and genuinely wanted to join you. He never left the Fortress, only doing so if he absolutely had to or if children were somehow involved. You didn’t question it, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to spend time in the open with him.

The aquabus ride was calming, listening to the melusine guide point out what was what along the short trip. Part of you was sad that you were on the way back, but another part knew that you wouldn’t change how things were now. If not for the man beside you, you’d have been back above the surface a lot sooner.

It was funny to think how much he had changed for you. Years ago, you never would have found yourself finding a real place to call home other than the circus. You never would have the belief system or outlooks that you did now. Settling down, starting over… well, the sound of that filled you with more joy than one last hoorah. You could also appreciate the irony of being born for the spotlight, yet belonging to the shadows– behind the scenes.

“You know, I haven’t come to the Fountain of Leuciene before, but I have heard the tales,” you remarked as you approached the said topic choice. “If I had visited back then I would have wished for better turn out or for more tour opportunities. A normal, successful life was not something I had ever pictured for myself.”

He was intrigued by your words, “You think the life in Fortress is a normal way of life?”

“Your Grace, I do believe I get to put on a show for you everyday, do I not?” you teased, causing a soft chuckle to slip past his lips. “Aside from that, the Fortress has much potential. For some, this is all they have. After serving their sentences they lived like normal people in a normal world. Some even finding love here. I think it’s as normal of a place to live as anywhere else. But maybe I don’t understand because I’ve never had a normal life before.”

“Not even in your childhood?” Wriothesley sounded slightly surprised. He wasn’t sure how the House of the Hearth worked. He just knew it was Fontaine’s biggest orphanage and he’d never had the pleasure of being inside.

You shook your head, “My training started two days after I had been brought in from Snezhnaya. Fighting, dancing, espionage, you name it. I was never given an opportunity to ever think about a life outside of it– having a normal job, falling in love, starting a family? I was expected to carry out my orders and devote myself to the Tsaritsa and her cause. None of that has ever been within my reach before.”

“I’ve never pictured someone like you living what some could consider to be a normal life,” he commented, coming to a stop in front of the fountain. “Jokes aside, I didn’t know children was something you wanted.”

You shrugged, looking at all the coins that littered the bottom of the fountain, “They’re not off the table. Like I said, it’s just not something I’ve ever been allowed to think of before. Let’s just say, if it happens it happens.”

Wriothesley wasn’t sure what to think. He didn’t even want to keep a pet in the Fortress, thinking it was unfair if not cruel to keep them away from Teyvat’s offerings such as sunlight and green grass to play in. The Fortress definitely was not, in his opinion, a place for children. Honestly, while he did have a soft spot for kids he was terrified of his own. Apart from where lived, the only parents he had ever know were bad people. Of course, he had worked through most of that during his time as a prisoner but he didn’t want to chance any lasting trauma he may have subconsciously buried.

You could tell he was a bit unsettled, but you yourself still weren’t decided. There was a lot that went into a decision such as this other than desire. It had taken you a long time as a child to learn trust and love. It had taken you even longer to open your heart to a deeper, more intimate form of both. Being able to do that for life you created... that was scary.

You looked up at Wriothesley, gently placing your hand on his arm, “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost. Before bringing a little fish into this world, she needs a better ocean to swim in. Besides the prophecy looming over our heads, I’m not sure if marriage is right for me.”

“Well, you’re certainly full of surprises today,” he jested, unlinking his arm from yours and wrapping it around your shoulder. “Marriage isn’t a necessity for children. Steps can be done backwards to, which is fitting since you never seem to stay inside the box of normalcy. On a serious note, if we did decide to have one, it would be a boy.”

“Sounds to me like there’s really only one sure way to find out who’s right, my dear,” you laughed, reaching into your pocket and grabbing a mora coin. “To all our dreams.”

He watched as you tossed the coin into the fountain, a small smile on his face. He was no stranger to sacrifices, to giving one thing up in sake of the other. Letting go of his worries for the sake of happiness was a form of sacrifice that he’d never pictured having to do. Then again also he’s found himself in quite a few situations he didn’t forsee thanks to you. And it wasn’t like you hadn’t done the same for him.

He placed a gentle kiss on top of your head before saying, “I guess we shouldn’t waste any time then.”

[15-lizards]

Worldbuilding wise do you think the ideal woman and ideal man flickers from kingdom to kingdom? I can’t see the reach and north having the same ideals and I cannot see the Stormlands and vale or westerlands and dorne.

Yeah I mean it’s like every culture, where morals and ideals vary from place to place due to their history and surroundings etc etc. also prepare for a long tangent as I force you to listen to my sociology and psychology training

1. It’s canon that Northerners are rougher and sterner people, due to their way of living and the ever present threat of years long winters. Life is first and foremost about survival, so being frivolous and carefree is more looked down upon. Men and women have roughly the same moral standards placed on them I think. They’re both supposed to be more serious and frugal, though ofc men have expectations of dominance and strength while women are expected to be stern matrons. However the patriarchal ideas of the south are not as strong up north, bc in a place so often barren and hard to survive in, everyone is needed to put in 100% to keep their families alive. Which also leads me to thinking ab more of a collectivist culture in the north

2. Riverlander culture is also very family oriented. They are steeped in traditions of their houses, and old stories that happened centuries ago still resonate with them. Thus an ideal man is a staunchly good man, one who cares for his family and raises his children well. He is practical, he values the advice of his old advisors and he must be a father to his men, especially the ever-suffering peasants. Women are considered the hearth of the home. She is loyal to her husband, father, or brothers, and must give them the sound advice of women (when appropriate, of course). She is gentle voiced and soft, frequently gives out alms to the poor and passes down the traditional tales to her children.

3. Westerland culture is incredibly individualistic. You are fighting for yourself and your house instead of the collective good. So in both genders, ambition is positively regarded, and men and women are often expected to have sharp wits in order to survive cutthroat politics. However the patriarchy is still like. A thing. So women are often confined to the domestic sphere, but powerful ladies are definitely expected to wield their influence within it. Overall just a very harsh vibe to live up to and stern gender divides despite the opulence and decadence of the culture itself.

4. The Reach is very similar to the Westerlands in terms of morals and ideals, but covers them up far better. It still rewards ambition and cunning, but you have to be incredibly graceful throughout. Manners and courtesy are very alive here. Men are told to be valiant, courageous, and outgoing, and are expected to charm their way into what they desire. For women, it’s a standard for them to be lively and sweet, and there’s an unspoken expectation that they be able to navigate the court politics with grace. A far more charismatic version of Westerners, if you will.

5.The culture of The Vale is ruled by stuffy social codes. Tradition, honor, and frivolous rules dictate everything about a persons behavior. The ideal man is gentlemanly and noble, who is even handed and respectful in his behavior. He is friendly, but there is a certain aloofness about him that is not to be breached, as it would be a violation of the social code. The model woman is even more aloof, as too much friendliness tells one of her loose morals. A good woman must be above suspicion, withdrawn and just a little bit cold, but still empathetic and devoted (to the gods, her family, and subjects).

6. Dorne is fairly equitable in how they view their men and women, this is true in canon. Oftentimes one of the harshest places to live in Westeros, I feel like there's little time for divisive gender roles when every person is needed to work and help the collective survive. Both Dornish men and women tend to be sociable and friendly, due to their collectivist culture. An ideal man is considered to be outgoing, someone who treats their subjects and friends in a familiar manner. And they must be a least a little bit hot blooded, being seen as a sign they will defend the land Nymeria fought for. Women are supposed to be equally as friendly, frequently having guests over and creating community. They must be bold too, have a will to live in the lands. However, their customs often are mistaken for promiscuity by the non-dornish.

7. The Iron Islands ideal people probably have more of a stereotypical Norse/Viking mindset. It's not an easy land to live in, and both men and women have to be hardened in order to survive, the weak are left behind. For men, it's all a battle of dominance. If a man wants respect, he has to take it. He must be the strongest, the most violent, the man who can lead others to bloody victory. A lot of crass, stubborn personalities exist in turn. Women, even though looked down upon, still have to be as hardened as their men, despite the lack of respect they receive. A "respectable" woman is stubborn and unshakable, with a temperament that can take whatever is thrown at her. However, she is still jeered and disrespected by the men who call her a good woman.

8. The Crownlands are interesting, because there is no one defining culture, it's a real melting pot. The ideal is whatever is popular during any given time, which is dictated by whatever king sits the throne or noble whispers in his ear. So, men have to be very gregarious, able to get along with everyone, incase whoever they are loyal to suddenly falls from grace, and they must curry favor with someone else. Women are expected to be flirty and coquettish, an accomplished girl who can catch the eye of prominent noblemen that can secure their future. Basically a city of snakes and backstabbers looking for footholds into power.

[metaphoricgibberish]

hi, hello - my name is sara and i write depraved things about pedro pascal characters. i'm not super into writing one-shots (love reading them tho) so all my stories are in series format. my DMs are always open, i love talking fics, pedro, tlou, narcos, and anything at all regarding men old enough to be my father.

happy reading, i appreciate you all tremendously <3

To the Light [ joel miller ]

"He was such a greedy fuck, when had that happened? What was it about her that had turned him into this… desperate, frenzied, fucking insatiable man that had stooped to the point of planning his entire day around getting a glimpse of her. It wasn’t just one thing, he knew that, rather it was an amalgamation of everything about her, everything he could see, everything he knew, and the large cavern of things he didn’t know, but wanted to so badly it ate away at him, like a virus, like fucking cordyceps, surging through his body and altering his brain chemistry, his ambitions and intent, so that it was just her, his sole focus was just her."

summary: Joel finds a young woman being held hostage by a group of men while he's out on patrol one day. He brings her back to Jackson, where she's given the opportunity to have something resembling a real life, for the first time. The two of them orbit around each other, destined to crash, if both of their reservations don't get in the way.

pairing: joel miller x ofc / f!reader rating: 18+ mdni word count: 96.8k (completed)

see tags and warnings on ao3

____________

Joel finds the love of his life lost in the woods.

Read on AO3

Fic playlist on Spotify

Read insatiable (a To the Light one-shot) here.

Read hearth (a To the Light one-shot) here.

Dawn [ javier peña ]

"It had been wrong, back then, his feelings for her. He'd known that and that's why he'd never let anything happen between the two of them. But he'd always been weak. That first time he'd seen her after Richie had gone off to fight a war just as brutal and useless and the one he'd been fighting out in Colombia, that first time he'd really seen her— just a glimpse as she left the market, bag hoisted up on her hip, long, wavy hair bouncing behind her, shapely legs visible in that little yellow sundress that hugged her waist just right— he'd been a fucking goner."

summary: Javier Peña returns to his hometown after leaving the DEA. He doesn't want the undeserving praise everyone is trying to push on him, he doesn't really want anything at all, beyond a quiet life on his father's ranch, such a stark contrast to the atrocities he'd witnessed over the ten years away. But there's one familiar face that he can't seem to shake no matter how hard he tries.

pairing: javier peña x ofc rating: 18+ mdni word count: 71.5k+ (ongoing series) - 9/11 chapters up a.n. first chapter of my new Javi fic is up! each chapter will be named after a Lana Del Rey song with a corresponding lyric (idk Javi is Lana coded to me). I hope you enjoy <3

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Javier Peña falls for his best friend's little sister.

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Nights Like This One [ joel miller ]

summary: Joel Miller is hired by an elderly woman to fix up her home. However, in the middle of the renovations, she dies and her daughter, Lily, moves from California to Austin to live in her mother's home. Joel continues to work on the house despite the two of them constantly butting heads. Tensions rise and the two are destined to crash whether they like it or not.

(Initially takes place pre-outbreak, story spans through outbreak day, all the way to 2023).

pairing: joel miller x ofc rating: 18+ mdni word count: 3.1k (ongoing series) - 1/24 chapters up a.n. lol hi!!! i promise i will finish Dawn so very soon, and i know i just put out the To the Light one-shot, but I started drafting this the other day and i was too excited to wait so here's the first chapter! i hope you're all not sick of me at this point, because this fic is a doozy, i'm so excited to finally share it with you after it has lived solely in my head for the last five months.

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____________

Joel Miller finds the love of his life right before the world ends.

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Fic playlist on Spotify

Sanctuary [ javier peña ]

"She glanced over at him, her lips hinting at a smile as his pretty brown eyes locked on hers. She wanted him to tell her something now, not that she had taken him here as a greedy means of give and take, even though that’s all their relationship was. Give and take. Just sex. If she couldn’t know his last name or why he had scars all over his chest, then she wanted to know what he thought was beautiful, what he thought was ugly, what existed in both spaces for him."

summary: Takes place after the third season-- Javier moves to San Francisco to escape what he'd witnessed in Colombia over the past several years. The DEA is desperate to get him down to Mexico to help take down the Guadalajara Cartel, but Javier isn't so sure he wants to continue down that path. His decision only becomes increasingly more difficult when he meets a bartender named Emma, whose commitment issues seem to mirror his own.

pairing: javier peña x ofc rating: 18+ mdni word count: 93k (complete)

see tags and warnings on ao3

____________

Javier Peña meets his match in the form of a little bartender in San Francisco.

Read on AO3

[thegetoufather]

i am always here to talk about that man 🧍🏽‍♀️

ugh lem hes so dork boyfie coded i cant w him fwbs w benefits to lovers w him is eating my fricken brain!! the delicious miscommunications!!! I read this lovely little piece the other day and i cant get it out of my head so here is a gnawing thought i have inspired by that fic UGH.

warnings/premise: fwbs to lovers post sex fluff, uni au (kuroo in his 20s) cockwarming, dork kuroo, anti sex god propaganda, 18+ — the usual aman special

Your heart still hammers in your chest as you sit in the shattered remains of your arrangement with Kuroo. Yet nothing bleeds, the only thing you’re met with is the warmth of his kisses across every inch of skin he can find. The uncertainty you thought you would feel fades away, the gentle caresses of his touch causing you to melt against his chest.

Your head lifts up as he trails his fingers up your spine, a chaste kiss pressed against your forehead before he meets your eyes. He always look beautiful in the afterglow, with raven hair more mussed than usual and a flush painting his cheekbones. His eyes are always what you liked most, golden irises lit with a flame that would pool in your belly when he shows up at your door, that flame simmering to a comforting hearth when he massages your thighs after.

Except now, the look is different. Its adoration that doesn’t have to be tempered, a small smile playing on his lips when he sees you mirror the same look.

“So,” you begin.

“So.”

“This isn’t just casual anymore, is it?”

“That’s a wild thing to ask while I’m still inside you.”

“Kuroo!” You yelp, smacking him playfully on the chest. He responds in turn with one of his rooster cackles, the feel of the reverberation of his laugh in his chest making you smile even more.

“I thought we agreed you aren’t calling me that anymore.”

“Fine then, Tetsu.”

“Oh so I get a nickname now? You’re sooooo in love with me.”

“Shut up.”

A pause begins to enter in the space between you, the awkward question lingering in the air.

“So, um, how long have you, i mean, what made you want this to, y’know, be more?” You feel your heart pick up again after the question leaves your lips.

“Pretty soon after we started. I was never seeing anyone else but you.”

“What?!”

Kuroo’s eyebrows furrow at the disbelief in your voice. “Is that so hard to believe?”

You blink back him, slowly realizing he has no idea the impact he’s left on the girls on campus. All those whispers in the stands of his games, all the girls elbowing their way to talk to him at a party. All of that, meaningless to him.

“I mean, I just kept hearing people say things about you and I assumed —”

“That because everyone thinks I’m hot and sexy I’m sleeping with them?”

“Now that I’m talking with you, I’m realizing the reason you maintain that reputation is because more people haven’t seen this side of you.”

“Which is what?”

“A massive dork.”

“Correction, massively hot and sexy dork.”

You snort, rolling your eyes at his shit eating grin. “Why did you wait this long then?”

He puts a finger under your chin to tilt you towards him so you can meet his gaze. “I dunno, I guess I was scared too. I liked having you around so much and I thought if all you really wanted was sex, I could live with that. I wanted you in any capacity rather than none.”

The confession makes you warm, making your heart pick up again. But beneath your palms, his beat is steady, thrumming with the conviction in his words. You can feel your eyes start to swell, but instead you laugh, giggling at how stupid you’ve been to not see this sooner.

“So I guess we are both idiots, huh?”

“I guess we have been.” There’s a crooked smile on his face when he replies, followed by a calloused thumb coming up to wipe the tears that have rolled off your cheeks.

Kuroo clears his throat and sticks his hand out in between your bodies, as though he was initiating a handshake.

“Let’s start over. Hi, I’m Kuroo Testuro, buisness major, chem minor. Want to go out some time?”

[thevoidlands]

So you see, Fennel.. [get ready to read this all creator😭😭]

All domestic cats belong to a single species – Felis catus. This is in spite of the great variety of modern cat breeds, from the sleek blue-eyed Siamese and beautifully-spotted Ocicat, to the snub-nosed Persian and the tiny Munchkin. They all belong to the Felidae branch of the animal family tree.

The Felidae is made up of two subfamilies – the Felinae, which includes domestic cats, all the smaller wild cats, and some medium sized beasts such as the Puma, Bobcat, Serval and Cheetah. The other branch of the family, the Pantherinae, contains the big scary ones. We’re talking about Lions, Tigers, Leopards, and Jaguars.

The domestic cat’s wild ancestor is the African Wild Cat, also known as the Near Eastern Cat, (Felis silvestris lybica) – not its very close relative the European Wild Cat (Felis silvestris silvestris). This isn’t just guesswork – the evidence is all there in the cat’s DNA (the genetic coding that makes each species, and each individual within a species, unique). Domestic cats split off from their ancestor around 10,000 years ago. That’s a long history for a family pet!

And in case you start thinking your pet puss is a million miles away from all those lions, tigers and leopards, you may be shocked to hear that kitty shares 95% of her DNA with an African Lion. Not quite as close as humans and Chimpanzees (98.8%), but still very close cousins.

And, when you think about it, cats are just a small pounce away from their wild state, no matter how much they cuddle up and purr in your lap. Hunting and self-sufficiency are second nature to them, as the millions of feral cats around the world show us. The most appealing theory of how and when cats came to be domesticated goes like this. At the dawn of history, African wildcats made a choice to move in with humans, enjoying the relative warmth and comfort. And all they had to do in return was the thing that comes most naturally to them – hunting down mice and rats.

But there are other theories too…

The general ballpark figure for the widespread domestication of cats is around 10,000 years ago. The rise in their fortunes coincides with the rise of agriculture. As soon as humans were storing grain, the rodents had a field day, and the cats had their work cut out. This theory would place domestication at about 12,000 years ago in the Middle East’s “Fertile Crescent” – the cradle of western agriculture, in a crescent-shaped area of fertile land around Egypt and Syria.

The earliest evidence we have of cats being kept as pets is a 9,500 year-old Neolithic grave in Cyprus containing a man and his feline friend. So, by the time of the cat’s most celebrated early heydays in Ancient Egypt (4,000 years or so ago), they were not exactly newcomers to the domestic hearth. But the Egyptians made a particular fuss of their pets, mummifying them, and worshipping the cat goddess Bastet amongst their vast reservoir of deities. Domestic cats – all descended from those African Wild Cat ancestors – arrived in Europe with Greek and Phoenician traders about 3,000 years ago. The Romans carried cats in their baggage wherever they marched. -🌑🐮

[prettybbychim]

oh im so excited to get confirmation on arlecchino's constellation/symbol

i've seen it as common census that she is the third symbol on the right side, but i could argue that it could be pantalone instead

from the left side counter clockwise, these are my thoughts including further explanation

plague doctor mask - dottore

heresy symbol - pulcinella/capitano/pantalone (tentative)

jester mask - pierro

shaman's/healer's hand - capitano (tentative)

marionette - sandrone

narwhal - childe

crystalfly - signora

doll - scaramouche

hand holding an object - pantalone/arlecchino (tentative)

weeping dove - columbina

crucifixion nails - arlecchino/capitano (tentative)

color code: green - pretty damn confident, blue - confirmed, red - confusion

to begin, heresy is roughly defined as a belief or opinion that is contrary/unacceptable by religious doctrine, or public / official opinion.

about pulcinella from commedia dell'arte, its said "he almost always appears in contradiction." however, following that line of thought, capitano always fits the bill. "when the turks seem to be winning, he will join them. when they are driven off, he will change sides again and boast about his loyalty and bravery."

about putting capitano as the shaman's hand and/or the crucifixion nails, it's more of a vibe than anything lol putting him on heresy was only because of his counterpart's description in the play, nothing else. i have no evidence of anything. i am not ashamed. natlan pls come soon i need this man

about arlecchino as the crucifixion nails, my initial thought process also had to do with the play. arlecchino is also known as harlequin. the name harlequin came from another story about a "demon" or "devil." as i'm typing this now, i realize this does not make a lot of sense because the nails have to do with the crucifixion of jesus christ and big JC is not a demon. but he's the antithesis of them so i mean, idk

onto the ninth symbol - it appears to be a hand gripping an object. on first glance, i thought it was a vial, such as the ones used for the essential oils in game.

however, it could also be an artistic rendition of a heart. this would be a direct reference to the pale flame set, in particular the sands piece, where it talks about pantalone's backstory. "the center of the world is a heart made of gold. [...] when the moment comes, that heart shall cease beating by our will alone."

considering that constellations are tied to one's fate, as a human man without a vision, his constellation could replicate that.

however, pantalone also tracks with the heresy symbol. as its speculated he's from liyue, his goals for teyvat's flow of money and currency as a whole, it would be considered heresy against his homeland's archon - rex lapis. (side note: i will do anything to see an interaction between the two of them)

primarily, i have seen this symbol speculated to be arlecchino's due to the appearance of the hand and the state of her own hands. what i have not seen is any further explanation on the decision. now, say it is an alchemy bottle: flaming essential oil = house of the hearth ? the house is in the palm of her hand etc etc i'm just not entirely convinced on that one either.

i'm not entirely convinced on any of these four. we have next to no information on capitano, and some bits on pulcinella, and a little bit more than that on pantalone...all this to say, i am nowhere closer to an answer than i was before.

there are a variety of ways i can see this being arranged but there's always one thing that does not align.

option 1: heresy (pantalone), healer's hand (pulcinella), hand gripping (arlecchino), nails (capitano) // how does pulcinella fit with that symbol?

option 2: heresy (pulcinella), healer's hand (capitano), hand gripping (pantalone), nails (arlecchino), // how does capitano fit?

or alternatively, option 3, same as before but: nails (capitano) and healer's hand (arlecchino) // how do either of them fit? besides vibes

and finally, option 4: heresy (capitano), healer's hand (arlecchino/pulcinella), hand gripping (pantalone) // how do they fit with those? and who goes with which one?

in conclusion, i do not know. huzzah !! i might have confused myself even more than i was before starting this post, but that's okay because maybe it'll help you understand why i so desperately want arlecchino's constellation confirmed

slurping up the harbinger crumbs

[hulahoopsoupgroup]

new set of headcanons: all of the parent-coded genshin characters and their "children" going to the house of the hearth for a barbeque night

our lineup:

the parents: jean, zhongli, cyno, tighnari, nahida, neuvillette, wriothesley, xianyun, arlecchino

the children: Collei, Wanderer, Klee, Hu Tao, Melusines, Sigewinne, Ganyu, Shenhe, House of the hearth kids

1. sigewinne goes hunting with the hearth kids and they think shes all innocent and everything and they try to hunt a boar for her, and they turn away for 2 seconds to get their bows/guns ready, and when they turn back around, the boar is on the ground with a tranquilizer dart lodged in its jugular

2. wanderer decided to try to scare the kids and pretend to be a bear and make a bunch of noise. this did not work out in his favor, as sigewinne heard him, and next thing you know, you hear this big *thump* and wanderer is on the ground with a dart in his shoulder. nahida then had to keep him on a child leash to make sure he didnt act up anymore

3. hu tao also wanted to scare the kids, but she saw what happened to wanderer, so she decided to stay up in the trees. the kids seemed pretty confused hearing her jump from branch to branch like "are there ghosts in the forest? why are they singing lady gaga songs? are the ghosts gay?"

4. klee goes through her arsenal of bombs, planning to use them to set up a hunting trap, and some of the hearth kids are sitting around her, egging her on to choose the biggest bomb because they think explosions are cool, and jean hears the commotion and tells klee not to use the biggest bomb she has, or else she'll blow up the entire orphanage

5. xianyun is off somewhere tinkering with some new invention or some gadgets and some of the hearth kids are sitting around watching her. freminet joins and at first he sits and watches, but then he starts giving her advice to make the gadgets better, and they start working together on something

6. ganyu and shenhe are in the garden eating grass and flowers and tighnari comes out to get stuff for a side salad and asks them wtf theyre doing. they then help him decide what plants would taste best in a salad

7. speaking of tighnari, he tried to go out with the hearth kids and co. to forage for plants to put in some dishes, but he got too scared of their antics and went back inside to go make his side dishes in peace

8. zhonglis just kind of floating around monologuing about history and osmanthus wine, talking to whoever will listen. nahida drags wanderer (still on his child leash) to go listen to zhongli and he starts whining like "this is boring can we go home"

9. collei, lynette, and the melusines are hanging out in one room, and the melusines braid their hair while collei tells them all about being a trainee forest ranger

10. arlecchino put out refreshments in one of the main areas and a lot of the drinks are just water from different springs (because she knew neuvillette would be there) and neuvillette is chilling out but then arlecchino tries to talk about business. wriothesley then follows her and says "dude we're not here for work, chill out"

11. wriothesley and arlecchino are the ones that grill all the food. one year, the hearth kids got arle an apron that says "kiss the cook" and it came in a package of 3. she put one of them on and wrio was jokingly like "aw wheres my apron" and then she pulls out another one and this man is shocked

12. cyno is one of the people serving the food and he tells dad jokes to all the kids in line. he wont give them the food until they laugh. some people are in line for a while

[kagekitsuneoflight]

Man as much as Jason Todd reuniting with his family and learning that Bruce still loves him and that he’s still a welcomed member of the family is good and delicious and all that, I feel like it’s unrealistic? And this isn’t to say that I hate it and that I never want people to write it. Those kinds of stories are so good! Stories about how love is unconditional and that your sins do not matter because love is enough to overcome it.

I just think there should be, you know. More exploration about the opposite. Conditional love. Love that was once there that is now long gone. The hearth of love and affection has burnt out to leave only ash, with not one small chunk of charred wood left to try and rekindle it left behind.

Where there was a father and son would do anything for each other and in the aftermath of the most heart wrenching tragedy both are far too different to even greet the other with genuine warmth.

Jason is not a prodigal son because he is not remorseful about what he’s done. Bruce is not the father of the nonexistent prodigal son because he has not given his son everything he asked for. Bruce is not waiting for his son to come back with open arms. His arms are crossed and his face is stone. He asks his returned son if he will repent and pay for his sins, and his son bares his teeth in response to ask if his sins outweigh his father’s failures.

Jason asks if Bruce will accept him for who he is, and Bruce tells him that he will accept him only if he can change himself into something he can agree with.

Jason and Bruce are fundamental opposites when it comes to the question, “can murder be justified?” Bruce’s answer of no and Jason’s answer of yes form the very structure of their moral code. Neither of them will budge from their answer, and how dare the other ask for them to make such a change?

And lets not ignore the fact that both of them had come at the other with the intent to maim. To break. To kill, in some scenarios. Those beatings and maimings and murder attempts are not something that can be ignored. That can be brushed aside with a simple “I love you.”

Bruce cannot trust Jason, will not trust Jason. He will not put even the barest amount of faith in his own son to just trust him. He always assumes that Jason will always be a murderer. A killer. Someone who couldn’t be trusted because Bruce could not put aside his own bias of his son, despite the fact that Jason always followed his orders the best he could. That he never wanted to betray his father once he got that small scrap of trust that broke easier than angel’s hair.

Batman views Jason as one of his biggest mistakes. His biggest failure. Someone he regretted taking in. And how can your love be unconditional to someone you deem to be your biggest regret?

Stories of unconditional can be so good. A balm to soothe and comfort. But stories of conditional love. Of love that has long since died off to never be revived are just as potent. Just as wanted and needed.

Sometimes, the prodigal son must realize that his father does not want him as he is, and he must leave to find his own place independent of his father.

Also like. Do you guys every think about how Jason was with Bruce for like. About three years, give or take a couple months? Three years as his son, and like four years estranged from him, if him being 19 is accurate.

[jaskierswolf]

If you're still taking prompts: Dandelion giving Geralt a backrub or massage. Both sfw and nsfw are fine.

Witcher Mine

Ship: Dandelion/Geralt Rating: T Summary: Dandelion worries when Geralt is out on a hunt

On AO3

After travelling with Geralt for over two decades, on and off, one would think that Dandelion would be used to the hunts and the danger. But in truth, they worried. In fact, they probably fretted more now than when they were eighteen. Witchers aged slowly, they knew this, but they did still age, and Geralt was showing signs of slowing down. There were more injuries that lingered these days. Geralt's shoulder ached when it got cold or just before a storm. After a long day on the road, Dandelion would often notice the witcher limping slightly, and this was cause for concern. 

When they'd first met Geralt, the witcher had seemed invincible. Not anymore. Dandelion sighed, watching the fire as their curling tongs rested above the flames. They'd bathed to try and take their mind from off the witcher, to no avail, but the humidity and the steam from the tub had all but killed their precious curls. For a few moments, they'd considered going to bed without fixing their hair, but after their lute strings had broken beneath their fingers, Dandelion really did need something to do with their hands whilst they waited. Curling their hair was a perfect distraction.

The iron was hot against their scalp as they expertly twisted their hair, careful not to let it burn. Even with a potion to ease the damage from the heat, Dandelion was always cautious. The last thing they needed was a mess of burnt hair. It wouldn't do for a master bard and famous troubadour. Not even their hat would be able to save them. The minutes ticked away, the sun dipping beneath the horizon. Twist, hold, release, repeat. Each new curl bounced as they fell from Dandelion's nimble fingers, and they delighted in the way the locks glowed golden in the firelight. It was a little distracting, but that was just what they needed until Geralt returned to them.

"Stupid, bloody witcher," they muttered under their breath. "He just had to be oh so noble. It didn't matter that the villagers had no coin. Oh, ho, ho! No! I had to fall in love with the witcher with a fucking moral code!" 

They weren't being fair and they knew it. But Dandelion was worried. They had every right to be unreasonable. Having met some of Geralt's brethren, Dandelion knew that no other witcher would have taken the contract. There was no point. It would be risking their lives for no coin, but Geralt had seen a child at risk. An orphan. Lost and in danger. 

Dandelion sighed again, twisting a curl between their fingers. Of course, it had been Geralt's goodness and his heart that had captured Dandelion's own. The witcher wouldn't be the man they loved if he hadn't taken the contract. It was a dilemma, one worthy of a ballad. 

"Just this once, I'd like to see him look after himself," Dandelion said to the flames as they danced in the hearth. "I swear if I go grey, it's all his fault. Not that I wouldn't look rather handsome with grey hair, but I'd like to think that I still have a few years of colour left in me. Don't you think? Oh poppycock, Dandelion you're talking to the fire!"

Dandelion couldn't shake the feeling that they should have joined their witcher on the quest.

"Is there something wrong with grey hair, Dandelion?" Geralt called from the doorway. 

The witcher was leaning against the wooden beam, a smirk on his face. His arms were crossed in front of his chest and his swords were still strapped across his back. He looked, Dandelion thought, incredibly handsome. More importantly, he looked alive and in one piece. 

"Nothing, my dear, you look dashing as always, but I have a reputation to uphold!" Dandelion cried, setting aside the curling tongs and crossing the room. They kissed Geralt's cheek, took his hand, and pulled him into the bedroom. "Now, don't look at me like that. You know my youthfulness has become just as famous as my work. It wouldn't do to start looking my age now."

Geralt rolled his eyes, but pressed his lips to Dandelion's temple. It was a tender gesture, one that Dandelion had grown used to, but one that never failed to make their heart flutter. "No. It wouldn't do at all. Kingdoms would fall." 

"I know you're mocking me, witcher, but you're not wrong!" Dandelion laughed, gripping onto Geralt's wrist tightly. "Now, onto the bed. I want to check you over," they added with a wink and a flick of their wrist. 

It was a familiar routine by now, and Geralt went willingly. Dandelion helped to unbuckle his armour, and then pulled the witcher's shirt over his head. There were no blood stains which was a good start. Dandelion never did well with blood. Even after all this time, the sight still made their stomach turn. It was a miracle if they managed not to hurl.

"Did you take potions or were you really unharmed?" Dandelion asked, keeping their voice to a low whisper as they let their hands roam over Geralt's pale skin, tracing the scars and warming the muscles underneath. 

"There was no fight. I'm fine, Dandelion," came Geralt's muffled reply, his head buried in the pillows.

 Dandelion scoffed and straddled the witcher's hips. "You're never fine, darling." 

"I'm fine - shit!" 

Dandelion's fingers had dug into a knot just beneath Geralt's shoulder blade. "Ha! I told you so. You never listen, witcher mine."

The process was a long one. Geralt's muscles were wound tighter than a spinning top. He winced and groaned under Dandelion's ministrations, cursing at particularly painful knots, and sighing as they released. It wasn't a sensual massage, although Dandelion was plenty skilled at those too, but it would leave Geralt feeling like putty if they did it right, which they always did. As they worked, Dandelion sang a soft lullaby, one that didn't require too much skill or thought. They hoped it would soothe the pain they caused, but it was hard to tell whether it worked. 

Eventually, Dandelion decided that they were done. There were still some knots left, mostly in Geralt's calves because the whoreson had nearly kicked Dandelion flying when they tried to work on his legs. It would be a puzzle for another day.

 For now, Dandelion pressed a kiss between Geralt's shoulder blades, pausing for a moment to inhale his scent, and then they hopped off the bed. Geralt grumbled, reaching back blindly. 

"Stay," he murmured sleepily. 

"I won't be a moment, Geralt, dear." 

"But-" 

"You need a hot bath and some water. You know what happens when you don't drink after a massage," Dandelion said primly. "So stop your whining. I will be right back." 

Geralt grunted but let his hand drop back onto the mattress. It was a gorgeous sight, truly worthy of the most talented of artists, but it was one for Dandelion alone. Only they were allowed to see Geralt like this. 

Dandelion smiled brightly, brushing Geralt's hair behind his ears, and kissing his head. "I love you."

There was a muffled "You too," from the witcher, making Dandelion laugh in delight before they left to find the innkeeper. All traces of worry and fear had left their body. It was a lovely evening after all.

[madraleen]

Genshin Impact - To the Stars Shining in the Depths Act III and Act IV Commentary (full spoilers)

-Finding a quiet place to read a book?! Not me relating to Paimon?!

-I love the Furina-Neuvillette interactions.

-FATHER IS HERE! FATHER ARLECCHINO IS HERE, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

-Oh, the House of Hearth is in Fontaine? I wasn’t sure.

-”A personal relationship with the administrator” - NEUVILLETTE, WHAT! Hoyo, why you feeding us the good Wrio/Neuvi content like that

-No, I don’t want that cake, the Knave brought that cake, what are you up to, Monsieur Neuvillette?

-I also think spoilers are despicable, thank you Charlotte (*and I’m just realizing post-quests that in the end we never catch up with Charlotte??)

-I see. We are guilty of eating the cake. Neuvi, you little snek.

-Did Childe get teleported in the Abyss or something

-Wriothesleyyyy! Is he cat-oriented? Dog-oriented?

-Why is our baby Lyney in prison! Oh, he should be Arlecchino’s spy, yeah? We’re disrupting Wriothesley’s business so bad

-What Neuvillette and Wriothesley have to discuss is not for your ears, Paimon. Let them be.

-The rizz of Lyney to leave us a card, jeez.

-The two spies from the two sides, we really are star-crossed lovers, aren’t we, Lyney

-Oh, Lyney actually goes out of his way to tell us everything, good boy. Or he might be manipulating us, but you know what, eff it, I choose to trust Lyney and take him at face value.

-Lyney, your crush is showing.

-Sigewinne’s lil shoes tho.

-Childe, I love you, but investigating you is taking too long and I’m not interacting with any main characters and I’m starting to grumble

-Is Alexis’ VA Diluc’s VA…? They sound so similar (JP dub).

-How long has Childe been in prison???

-Lyney really said “We will not take advantage of my crush. Lynette! To the infirmary!”

-We are the Romeo and Juliet of Genshin, Lyney. Deny thy Father, Lyney.

-Traumatic flashbacks Lyney?? “This is not like what happened last time, the situation is different now”??? He is SUFFERING, omg LYNEY

-”A parents’ evening” hahaha

-Us to Siggie: “If you’re close with Neuvillette, why not learn a thing or two about virtue from him?” Wow, we’re going all out on protecting and standing up for the Lyney siblings, huh. Look at us go.

-FREMINET CONSUMED PRIMORDIAL SEAWATER??? HELP!

-Ah yes, patch 4.1, the “Lyney Has a Breakdown” patch.

-Wriothesley and Sigewinne are so unpredictable.

-”Lyney has finally begun to stop tensing the muscles on his face” ??? JUST HOW CLOSE ARE YOU WATCHING HIM, AETHER

-I love the siblings’ interactions, they’re so soft, and I love that we finally see more of them with Freminet. They are adorable.

-Why is Aether smiling when admitting we’ll tell our little Fatui friends everything, lmao.

-Wriothesley about to become his technical consultants’ best man.

-The siblings see us as familyyyy waaaaaahhhh :’))))

-I was like, what is Wriothesley gonna do, PUNCH the water? But yes, ofc, he’s cryo, he’s legit gonna punch the water.

-The Neuvillete-Wriothesley-Clorinde interactions are so interesting, they’re such a power group of people. Also they’re Levi, Erwin and Mikasa, THESE ARE MY PEOPLE! Also, I’m very happy we see more of Clorinde, and for some reason extra happy that she works with Wriothesley because it just makes sense, somehow. They seem to match so well.

-Furina Marie-Antoinette-coded huh

-Arclecchino is pyro? I mean, she’s not wrong with her questions at Furina. But see, this just makes me think even more that Furina DOES have a plan… but not this Furina. That she split parts of herself… for reasons. And they’re somewhere. Including in the Oratrice. And she’ll become Furina-Furina again in the next Archon Quest. Maybe she even used part of her to make Neuvillette into who he is, idk.

-Are we seriously reassuring the Knave that Lyney et al are good little Fatui? We’re so fond of them.

-Oh? Father(-in-law) knows I’m close to her son?

-Dude, it’s so cool speaking so civilly and openly with Arlecchino, especially after dealing with Dottore and Scaramouche.

-I would also be happy to cooperate with you, Arlecchino, I really would! Even Aether’s not reacting negatively, he’s not outright rejecting it.

-It wouldn’t be a Neuvillette patch without some Water Dragon tears.

-We are actually asking if he’s the Dragon!!

-And he just outright said yes?!?! WHAT! Refreshing.

-Ooooh, such interesting lore! Dragons are weaker now because part of their power is the basis of the Archons’ Authorities!

-Freminet hang-out when

-Lyney’s like, “YAAAAY, Father approves of my crush! My crush didn’t immediately clash with Father! YAAAY!”

-I love the way our relationship with the siblings is evolving

-90% of the people we’ve met in Fontaine: “This is normal human behavior, right? I’m doing it right, right?”

-Wriothesley and Neuvillette trying to flirt will be like, “Wanna bring the water… And I’ll bring the tea… And have a tea-making session…”

-AAAHH, I can’t wait for Act V, it’ll be probably be the finale, right?

[ariel-seagull-wings]

When the new neighbor tests their firework a few days early, she wants to protest. But they are kinda cute.

This is Egon and Janine coded xD

@bixiebeet @inevitablemoment @spengnitzed @janeb984 @janegon-forever @amalthea9

Fiiizz... KABOOM!

"Now who is the FUCKING PYROMANIAC?!"

Janine was just trying to enjoy her day off comunity college reading her copy of I Capture The Castle, when her attention was taken away by the sound of fireworks in the neighboring area:

SWOOSH!

"I will show them I'm from Brooklyn!"

Janine verbalized as a challenge, as she went to the room of the apartment she shared with five other friends to get her baseball bat.

When she went outside the apartment, there on the street were three man, looking between their late 20s and early 30s and wearing head phones: one was medium height and chubby, with straight black hair and a innocent face, the other was of similar height with straight brown hair and a sardonic face, and the third who was tall, lanky, with curly black hair and large round glasses, showing a more serious facial expression.

He was setting up another small piece of firework (that usually produced a bigger impact and noise than the small size made people think) with his brown haired friend, and counted to give the sign for his chubbier black haired friend to activate the mecanism:

"1, 2, 3... NOW!"

The button was pressed, and SWOOSH, KABOOM!

A firework light took the shape of a hearth in the sky...

When she saw the third man, Janine, who came out raising her baseball bat, slowly putted it down... and smiled!

Why was she angry again?

"Sorry, miss: are we bothering?"

A friendly voice took Janine back from her daydreaming: It was the chubby black haired man wanting to apologize in the name of his friends.

"I was just apreciating the early spetacle..."

"It's just a test, really: we are preparing the New Year's Fireworks for our University's Celebration!"

"Oh! So... wouldn't you all like to take a break and drink some coffee or hot chocolate?"

"Mam... we never refuse food from strangers!"

Was the turn for the sardonic man of brown hair to reply.

"I will just make sure to put the equipment in the car."

The tall and curly haired man told his companions.

"I will help!"

Janine exclaimed, running and without noticing her voice was louder and her baseball bat was left behind.

She joined the group in taking the equipment to safety inside a

[littlestpersimmon]

Posting this again! But expounded upon.

Writing a short story about a wonderfully boring disabled transmasc aged 42 who likes to appear feminine (but he is a man at heart!) a jaded but once renowned magician in a world where magical spells are copyrighted and taxed on + his whirlwind romance with a young, hotshot, asshole sorcerer!

In my notes I just called him "professor" and the younger guy "hotshot TA". I don't have any names for them yet. The professor is beautifully tanned and coded south/southeast asian and persian and has long, salt and pepper hair in very loose and soft ringlets tied back carelessly, meaning many smaller ringlets escape his hairtie.. he has cute crows feet and laugh lines and he dresses of course like A Wizard.

ANYWAY.

You guys know how like.. when people look at inventions in the past and scoff and be like "I could have thought of that.".

That's how people in the world view the professor. His written spells are weak, meek, and considered "homely, run of the mill, kitchen witch pennyspells" that anyone could've come up with; In the past, people marveled at the simple ingenuity of his spells. Now it's sneered at for being very basic, though the professor always knows how to smile and invite other people to improve upon his magic. Seemingly, never offended and always unaffected.

In my story, the professor pretty much invented sympathetic magic- he invented it to help other disabled folk make spells and magical tools that can make life easier...... like creating magically charged prosthesis, self operating earpieces and stuff like that. Buuut Because the professor is naive and Believes In The Goodness Of The World, he does not copyright any of his spells. Now, Other witches took that sympathetic magic and started using the base formula and immediately capitalized on it, mass producing low-quality tools from it.

Everyone started turning on the professor for inventing sympathetic magic, because "back then" magical tools had to be crafted painstakingly by hand, more potent and less breakable, and thinkpiece upon thinkpiece was written and scapegoating on the professor. Magicians all live in workshops, universities and ateliers, and the professor lives in one particular Special university that was an abandoned lighthouse that got towers and towers and towers built on it, to function as discussion rooms, meeting places and classrooms! A lot of the elder witches still understood the importance of the professor's work, so they let him stay in one of the towers. In these towers he holds classes under his big telescopes and orreries; though few come because his "kitchenwitch" magic is seen as emasculating and cringe lol.

In their world, their magic is drawn from many sources, but because Capitalism, some engineering witches have created fairy-veins and sun-discs and numerous receptors. These things "amplify" and "route" magic- without these amplifiers, magic would be near useless in their world. The professor uses a very old type of amplifier that draws energy from hearths (fire), and only one company maintains hearth magic, and he has to pay titanic fees and taxes for the receptor to continue to be in use- which is why he, an esteemed, 40 year old inventor.... highly respected (even though considered cringe) professor with SEVERAL awards, lives paycheck to paycheck.

Anyway he tends to mind his own business, satisfied he neither died as a hero nor lived long enough as a villain, but just someone seen as silly and overrated. Of course until hotshot TA comes along under the pretense of wanting to learn from The Professor, who is Pleasantly Surprised that such a renowned and fiery young mage wants to learn his crafting of simple, kitchenwitching.

The professor would be Devastated when he finds out that the university professors sent the hotshot TA to him to train under him and learn the ropes of the university life because they want to kick him out!!

"Twenty years of service and it didn't mean anything!!" So obviously a resentful rivalry between the professor and TA comes about, until one day, while trying to get the TA to light a candle, the professor finds by accident out that TA is unable to manipulate elements- which is the simplest form of magic one could learn. It's like. A disability in the thaumaturgy community. He'd be flummoxed at how the TA even GOT IN the university (which is sadly still ableist). It's like managing to get into juilliard without knowing how to play do-re-mi. It's like being very good at art but unable to draw a square. The professor laughs, but not because he thinks it's funny that TA was running a con, and is disabled just like him, but because, he's in so much disbelief. But then of course, an opportunity for the professor, who is the master at simple magic, arises. He will teach the TA how to "mask", if the TA could convince the board of magis that run the university to let the professor keep his job. Obviously this will only end in the soft-hearted professor, who has always fought tooth and nail for the rights of disabled magicians, to not really expect the TA to fight for him to be able to keep his job, BUT WORTH A SHOT ANYWAY. And yeah they will fall in love eventually and kiss and all that. BUT FIRST. Gay turmoil !

[metal-blade]

wait i love asher what the hell <3 <3 i'm so curious, what was the in-universe thought process behind their creation? [like was it mostly for the novelty of giving some robots a kid, or was there a specific purpose that cicada and hearth's blueprints were deemed a good combination for?] do they have a parent-child relationship with hearth and cicada or is it more complicated? as an obsesser over the 'how much are robots people' blurriness in mega man i love all the possible implications of robot masters having 'children' so much it makes me insane

HEHEHE TY!! so it's more the latter! Cicada and Hearth's blueprints were:

some of the most readily available to Asher's creator (who is presumably a descendant of Dr Samantha and inherited most of her notes), and

seemed to go the best together due to their actual ability to get along! In reality, it's mostly just luck (good or bad) that the two were chosen the way they were.

Asher was made as an experiment over rapid-development on an rm's personality/skills. One of those; put a program capable of learning through the entire life experience of two people and they come out of it with much more than a single person could reasonably code within that amount of time. So Asher's programming was mostly complete before the 'pheonix' aspects of their design were decided. And they had a say in it! Because since their programming wasn't known completely, and had developed on its own, their creator wasn't 100% sure what they would be best at!

and as for their relationship with cicada and hearth, i haven't fully decided on things! Because with their ooc creation, i imagined that hearth and cicada influenced their development like a parent/child, but it fits better in the story if cicada and hearth are decommissioned/retired by the time Asher comes around. so in-universe they're kinda like a fusion of the two? but their own person at the same time. they have bits and pieces of cicada/hearth's memories, and view them as "oh that was (kinda) me doing those things at the same time", but they're their own person. I hope I'm making sense!!

anyways- here, a doodle for your troubles :] (if cicada/hearth had been around, they probably would have inadvertently made Asher a very loud and proud person haha)

[atheliasnotebook]

Kaeya + 🦚 + Fluff (and maybe royalty au?)

prince from the frosted hearth

pairing: prince!kaeya alberich x reader

tags: event (🦚), fluff, confession, royalty au

author’s note: oh man i deadass just rushed to finish this bc im so braindead rn, but let me know if you’re interested in more of this au in the future :)

you stand there—dressed from head to toe in your most elegant garments. adorned in a rather pleasant headpiece, hair pleasantly curled and brushed, complimented by dark colors of navy—as per the dress decorum listed by the ragnvindr family.

kaeya, giving his speech—continues to give you the most cocky grin as he looks at you, glancing across the crowd before he looks back at you, chuckling in between his honey-laced words.

the young prince toasts to the crowd, and such a congregation reciprocates the action in a tumult of cheer and agreement.

and of course, you smile and toast back. yet—you’re not interested in such pleasantries and small talk with others. clearly, prince kaeya’s eyes meet and wander up and down the displayed grandeur of your clothes.

making your way through the crowd, stepping through towards the courtyard and taking a seat—inhaling the fresh flowing air of the ragnvindr family’s botanical garden, refreshing the senses much better than the stifling party atmosphere. you merely sip at your drink in your glass.

“now, what brings a pleasant person as yourself into the garden all alone?”

“the amount of fake faces put on in that ballroom equate to that similar of my own siblings.”

“ah, but you see—is that really true?” the prince smirks, leaning forward as he sips the last of his glass and sets it on the edges of the brick planter of a flowerbed. after setting down the glass, he leans over you—making sure not to trample on your fine attire.

what a sly man! it’s hard to ignore him—after all, the elegant peacock brooch fastened to the lapel of his coat is so… beautifully sheening an emerald green. and additionally, the black suit accompanied by a navy tie, along with his multicolored hair brushed and tied quite stylishly. your eyes merely wander up and down… how could a man be this well dressed? especially one who typically tends to defy the normal dress code…

“oh dear—i must be quite the view if you keep staring a hole into me like that~” he chuckles, the heat and blush in your face reaching up to your ears.

“sir kaeya—i’m afraid that your remarks do not work—“ why are you lying? maybe it’s the champagne finally getting to you?

“even if they don’t work, i’m alright with that. but now that i’ve caught you alone—perhaps you can join me tomorrow for a night out?”

it took you a second to process the young prince’s inquiry. such a comment is enlightening to the soul, yet puzzling. why you… in particular? as you both exchange saccharine smiles, it’s as though as you’ve sobered up at the request.

“i shall hold you to that, prince kaeya.”

“of course, dearest (y/n).”

for a prince of ice, his warm heart surely offers quite the pleasant residence for your troubled minds.

[aceghosts]

2 for 1 Uquiz Deal

Another uquiz post from the drafts.

Rooney Shepard

a tangled ball of red strings

Who are you without the company of others? You aren’t sure, but you know that you aren’t fond of whoever it is. You are an actor, a pretty face and a pleasant song. Many idolize you, or love you, but you can never be sure of how sincere it is. Your heart is buried under the letters they leave you, sealed with a kiss. It can’t be untangled from the red strings they’ve attached to you. You deserve to find something, someone, true and faithful to hold your heart in place. You don’t have to be everything to everyone.

The System

Driving along the milky way, catching stars in your hands. People will forever be people, travelling from and to, connected and never alone. Luminous beings, we are. The night is dark but in your eyes spins a whole galaxy, the secret of infinity. You are so much bigger than your body, your roots span the whole universe. You have learned to to trust in yourself, nourished your soul until you became more. What more means? You don't know, you don't care, you are spanning the universe, touching the lights running through the people. There is no limit, not anymore, you are in every corner, spanning wide and far, why limit yourself to one body, to one consciousness? You have looked so far into yourself that you found the beginning, the lifght where it all began, where you splintered from the whole. You are vast, so very vast, full of stars and paths and people. You are the woman in the apartement next to yours, the children playing in the street, the cats climbing the roof, the man walking home. You are everywhere. You are gone.

Hunter Delaney

iced over, out of the sun

Your heart is very lonely, isn’t it? Is your fortress of ice self-made? Are others afraid of you, or are you afraid of them? Are you afraid of hurting them, or of being hurt? Vulnerability and connection can be frightening, but that’s no reason to shy away from their light, to tuck yourself small into corners, to build up frigid walls to keep yourself from feeling. You will heal when you allow yourself to draw closer to the flames and thaw.

The Memory

Numbers never stopping, memories etched in each line of code. Are you uploading your soul or are you erasing your essence, one maintenance at a time? What makes a human? What makes a person? You have been afraid for a long time now, trying desperately to cling to your memories, your feelings and thoughts. Are you sure you need those things? Are you sure those are what makes you you, makes you human? You dream of darkness and static and wake up afraid. Are you sure you are dreaming? Or is your dream reality? Do you know? You wanted to leave your mark on this world, stretched yourself and uploaded your consciousness into the depths of the net. You are everywhere now, my dear, everywhere but where you should be. (Do you care?)

Riley Callahan

an open door, a burning hearth

Your chest is wide open, and your heart is a home. Others are welcomed in readily and asked to stay. You are comfort and love, everything you were never given but so desperately want to provide for others. You have built this welcoming hearth with your own two hands and won’t see anyone else left out in the cold. Be careful to not burn yourself out trying to keep everyone else warm.

The Messiah

Ẅ̵͉̺͈́́h̶̠̟͖̽̋ă̶̮̫͐t̸̨̊ ̵̰̔̽ï̸̜̦̦s̷͙̄̽͠ ̴̞̗̖̓ā̶̡ ̸̧̼̜̀̒̕g̸͉̏̓o̷̱͂̅͆d̶̛͕̣̤̈ ̴̭͌̅ť̴̬̗́͜o̴̘̭̥͆͗̀ ̴̛̣͒̍â̴̼̐̓ ̴̦͊͂n̸̡̞̬͑ó̵̼̽n̶̮̾-̴̠̗̾b̶̢̳͗e̴͍̤̠̍l̸̖̫̃̏̌į̸̖̿͜e̵̢̬̋͜v̴͇̜̹̽ȅ̵͙̺̆͘͜ȓ̷̼?̸͓̙̚ You gave your whole life, gave your affection and time, your skills and knowledge. Even by the end you were still rendering yourself apart, giving all of yourself away. You loved them so much. Please, you asked. Please, you begged. Please, you screamed from a throat that they ripped apart like starving beasts. (Please love me like I love you.) Oh my dear, it was never enough, could never be enough. They are hungry for life, for something to fill the void inside them. You were their god until you weren't, until you had nothing more to give, an obsolete piece no more special than scrap metal.

Emerson Wright

a tangled ball of red strings

Who are you without the company of others? You aren’t sure, but you know that you aren’t fond of whoever it is. You are an actor, a pretty face and a pleasant song. Many idolize you, or love you, but you can never be sure of how sincere it is. Your heart is buried under the letters they leave you, sealed with a kiss. It can’t be untangled from the red strings they’ve attached to you. You deserve to find something, someone, true and faithful to hold your heart in place. You don’t have to be everything to everyone.

The Wisp

A glow dancing along the moors, that what you left behind to free yourself. A twin or a shadow? A mirror? Do you know, do you care? (A moonless night, cold stars gazing down.) Do you remember, you had prayed for so long (someone, please someone help, please-)? Is it murder if you cleave yourself apart until you can’t even remember what you lost? You have left the forest, left the parts you couldn’t shoulder, behind. Sometimes, you have to break yourself apart, sometimes there is no other way.