#IS HE GONNA BE PROUD??? SHEEPISH??? ANGRY?? NERVOUS?? HAPPY?? SCARED?????????? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

blackhakumen · 3 years

Text

Mini Fanfic #717: Having Confidence (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

2:12 p.m. at Smash Beach......

Daisy: (Standing Beside the Changing Tent Waiting For Luigi to Come Out) You're doing okay in there, sweetie?

Luigi: (In the Tent) Y-Yeah! I-I'm good.

Daisy: You sure? You've been in there for quite a while now. (Starts Getting Worried) You're not getting sick, are you?

Luigi: (Shyly Pop His Head Out of the Tent) I'm not sick, Daisy. I'm just.....a-a tad bit worried about something is all. (Quickly Chuckles a Bit Awkwardly) B-But I'm sure I'll get over it eventually!

Daisy: (Gently Place her Hand on Top of Luigi's) Weegie, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? What's wrong?

Luigi: (Takes a Deep Breath) Well.....if you really wanna know, I'm.....kinda scared of going out there..... Mostly because my body isn't really that great compare to you guys and everyone else here on the beach......

Daisy: (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock) Seriously!? T-That's crazy talk! (Grabs Hold of Luigi's Hand) I've seen you shirtless and naked more times than I can count. Your body is beautiful!

Luigi: (Smiles a Little While Blushing) Thank you~ But if I'm being completely honest here, yours is a lot more amazing than mines could ever be. And before you ask, I promise you that no is insulting me, my body image, or anything in particular.

Daisy: I sure hope not. Cause I would be more than happy to kick anyone's ass in this beach if they do!

Luigi: (Chuckles Lightly) I know you would, dear~ But really. I thought about all of this on my own. So you don't have nothing to worry about. I'm sorry if I'm ruining the beach fun for you guys.....

Daisy: (Gently Squeezes Luigi's Hand) Sweetie, you are not ruining anything for us. I just want you to have a good time as much as rest of us here. I think I know have a plan to get you out of this funk.

Luigi: (Eyes Widened) Wait really?

Daisy: (Smiles Brightly) Totally! I mean, it might not be the greatest plan in the world, but if it means helping you gain more confidence, than I more than willing to give it try! (Place her Hands on Both of Luigi's Cheeks) Wait for me, okay?~ (Kiss the Top of her Man's Nose) ('Mmwaaah') (Quickly Make her Way to the Rest of the Gang) BRB!~

Luigi: (Blushes Some and Smiles Softly More While Watching his Girlfriend Run) I love that woman~

Hades: (Smirks at Luigi Beside Him) Ah yes. She definitely pegs you, doesn't she?

Luigi: AH-

Meanwhile.......

Dedede: (Making a Small Sand Castle) Y'all ever thought about surfing before?

Cloud: (Resting his Head onto Tifa's Lap While She Gently Rubs his Hair) Not really. No.

Tifa: (Gives Dedede a Bit of a Sheepish Smile) Can't say that I have, your majesty.

Samus: (Smirks at Dedede While Relaxing on a Bench) Why? You wanna go out there and try it out for yourself, De?

Dedede: And have my ass slip and drown? ('Scoffs') As if!

?????: Guys! I need your help!

Dedede: (Turns to see Daisy) Daisy! Where you been, girl?

Samus: Yeah and where's our precious green bean?

Tifa: (Starts Getting Worried) Is he okay?

Daisy: Yeah. Well..... Kind of, sort of, not really? He's afriad of coming out of the changing tent at the moment.

Cloud: (Raised an Eyebrow in Confusion as He Gets Up From Tifa's Lap) Why? I don't see any paranormal activities around here.

Daisy: No. It's not the ghosts that scaring him this time around. It's because he thinks his body doesn't look great compare to ours.

Dedede: (Starts Getting Angry Along With Everyone Else) No one isn't telling him all of this, are they?

Daisy: ('Sigh') No. At least that's what Weegie told me. I dunno......I hope not.

Samus: (Already Starts Cracking her Knuckles) Same.....

Cloud: So what do you need our help for?

Daisy: Simple. I want you guys to give him a butt load of compliments once he comes out. That's way his confidence can boost up.

Tifa: (Smiles Softly) That's sounds like a great idea, Daisy.

Samus: (Smiles Softly) Yeah. If it means helping out our green bean out of there, I'm down with that.

Daisy: (Smiles Brightly) Sweet! (Confidently Points at the Tent) Let's hurry ourselves over there, people!

Meanwhile.........

Luigi: (Talks to Hades While Still Having his Head Pop Out of the Tent) So how exactly did you became the biggest troll in your universe?

Hades: Well, you see, I-

?????: Weeeeegie!~ I'm bacccck!~

Luigi: (Turns to See Daisy Coming Towards Him) Daisy!

Hades: (Waves at Luigi Before Disappearing) Hades out.

Daisy: Who were you talking to, sweetie?

Luigi: Hades. He was here, but he left for some reason..... Anyways, how's the plan going along?

Daisy: (Smiles Brightly) Smooth and perfect! But it does involve you coming out of the tent.

Luigi: (Frowns a Bit While Being Nervous) O-Oh..... really?

Daisy: (Gently Grabs Luigi's Hand While Giving Him a Soft, Reassuring Smile) Hey. It's gonna be okay, 'hon. I'll be here with you every step of the way. Promise.

Luigi: (Heart Begins to Melt in Pure Happiness) You really are too good for-

Daisy: (Immediately Place her Finger on Luigi's Lips) Upupup! What did I tell you about saying all of that crap?

Luigi: It's not true and that I'm just as amazing?

Daisy: (Ruffles the Front Part of his Hair) Good boy. Now are you ready to do this?

Luigi (Takes a Deep Breath) Ready as I'll ever be......

And with that, Luigi slowly and steadily walks out of the changing tent. All while wearing a white t-shirt and a green swimming trunks. He was about to walk right next to Daisy when suddenly........

??????: Oooh-Wee! You're looking good already, boy!

Luigi: (Turns to See a Very Familiar Face) Your majesty?

Samus: (Gives Luigi a Supportive Smirk on her Face) Gotta agree with the King on this one, Weeg. The swimming trunks definitely matches your personality perfectly.

Tifa: (Happily Nodded in Agreement) Yep. Don't know about you, but we think you're already a full package.

Daisy: (Giggles While Giving Luigi a Flirty Like Look on her Face) Damn right you do, babe~

Tifa: (Gently Smacks the Top of Daisy's Head) Down, girl.

Cloud: Everyone's right. You look great already.

Luigi: (Eyes Widened in Genuine Surprised) You guys..... Really mean all of that?

Daisy: (Smiles Softly While Grabbing Both of Luigi's Hands) Of course we do, sweetie. You're perfect just the way you are and you shouldn't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Samus: Cause we'll be more than happy to knock anyone out if they dear try.

Dedede: (Wholeheartedly Nodded in Agreement) Damn. Right!

Luigi: (Chuckles Lightly) I can't thank you all enough for this. And you're right, I shouldn't be scared of how my body looks. If you guys like it, then I should be more proud it! (Proudly Takes Off his T-shirt, Causing it to Fall Down to the Sand Ground)

Daisy: (Already Starts Whistling)

Tifa: (Happily Claps For Luigi's Sudden Revelation)

Dedede: (Laughs Wholeheartedly) Now that's the confidence boost we wanna see right here!

Samus: (Smiles Brightly While Giving the Plumber a Thumbs Up) Good on you, Weeg. You're making us proud already.

Cloud: (Notice Something in Front of Him) Huh. I didn't know you have a bit of chest hair.

Luigi: (Smiles a Bit Sheepishly While Rubbing the Back of his Head Back and Forth) Yeah. I uh.....Never got the chance to shave as of late.

Daisy: See!?~ (Happily Hugs her Man) I told you your body is beautiful. (Gives Luigi a Flirty, Seductive Smirk on her Face) It makes me wanna eat you up~ (Starts Kissing the Plumber's Cheek) ('Mmmmm-)

Samus: (Smack Daisy Upside the Head with a Deadpinned Look on her Face) Quit being thirsty already.

Daisy: (Winces a bit in Pain While Rubbing her Head) Okay! Okay! Fine. I'll behave. (Pouts at the Bounty Hunter) Didn't have to hit me that hurt, you know......

Luigi: (Gives Daisy a Sheepish, Reassuring Smile) It's okay, Daisy. We'll spend some quality time together once we get back to the mansion~ (Kiss Daisy on the Lips) I promise~

Daisy: (Smiles Brightly as She Pulls Luigi into a Loving Hug) Thanks, sweetie!~ I love you so much~

Luigi: (Chuckles Lightly) I love you too, dear~ Thank you.

@keyenuta

@caleb13frede

@26shann

@ma-lemons

@albion-93

@bestpony666

@luigifan00001

#super smash ultimate #luigi #daisy #king dedede #samus aran #cloud strife #tifa lockhart #lots and lots of fluff here #body posititivity #cute romance #daisy loves luigi #luigi protection squad #pure friendship #spring break week

17 notes · View notes

hazel-writes · 3 years

Text

Summary: After a brief encounter with the mysterious Kylo Ren, you find yourself caught in a moral dilemma - one that gets you in trouble with a certain notorious General onboard the Finalizer. As you find out more about your internship and its conditions, you start to regret your decision to leave home more and more.

Word Count: 1,900

Warnings: minor canon-typical violence, blood

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

Images of broken light

Which dance before me like a million eyes

They call me on and on

Across the universe

• Across the Universe - The Beatles •

He was tall, really tall, and wore an all-black ensemble of expertly-fitted linens. His robes, like an ebony waterfall, fell down below his feet. His cape billowed behind him dramatically, almost like a prince. Your eyes drifted up to his face, or rather where his face should’ve been, as he was wearing a mask. You recognized his visor; you would be surprised if there was a single soul in the galaxy who didn’t.

You immediately knew the face that lied behind it:

Commander Kylo Ren.

As if you had said his name out loud, the Commander, who had previously been reprimanding a stormtrooper, snapped his head to the side to meet your eyes.

You froze, panic starting to build in your gut. He cocked his head to the side. You were finding it difficult to avert your eyes from the metallic twilight of his mask. After a moment, you realized that you were still staring and quickly turned your head back to the map.

You continued to feel his piercing gaze for a few more seconds as you attempted to slow your breathing back to a semi-normal rate. After what seemed like an eternity, he focused his attention back onto the anxiety-ridden stormtrooper who stood before him. With a casual flick of his hand, the Commander threw him against the nearest wall, where he crumpled down to the floor, unmoving.

Oh stars. Oh stars. Oh stars.

You bore your eyes into the piece of paper in your hands with an extreme ferocity, not daring to look up. You released a breath you hadn't realized you were holding when he finally turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the unfortunate trooper unconscious on the floor.

Now you faced a dire moral dilemma: help the injured trooper and risk being late to your meeting, or walk away and arrive on time. After going over the options in your head, you started to realize how selfish and inconsiderate you sounded. Is this what working on the Finalizer did to people, scare them into a self-preservational mindset, prioritizing duty over empathy?

You remembered something your dad used to tell you: Nothing bad can ever come from helping those in need.

Though you were aware the same may not be true for life on the Finalizer, you hadn’t lost your Lothalian morality.

Not yet.

With a newfound confidence, you made your way over to the fallen stormtrooper, proud of yourself for honoring your father’s advice. You bent down until you were on your knees in front of him. Everyone else in the hallway continued to go about their business as if nothing had happened. After carefully removing his helmet, you found he was seemingly unscathed and breathing steadily. The man who lied before you looked young, maybe only a little older than you were.

He looks so… normal.

You gently shifted his head so that he would be more comfortable, and after doing so, found your hand covered in blood. Your eyebrows furrowed in concern and you peered down to view the source of the fluid, finding a large gash at the back of his scalp.

Oh stars.

You were saying that a lot today.

You looked around frantically, hoping that someone else would see the predicament you were in and offer their help.

No one did.

You started to become angry; angry at the normalization of violence within the First Order. But you weren’t naive — you understood that violence was always going to be present, no matter where you were. You were more frustrated by the reactions, or lack thereof, to that violence. You found yourself becoming more and more uncomfortable with the idea of working on the Finalizer, surrounded by people who seemed to lack every empathetic bone in their bodies.

You decided to channel that anger and frustration into making sure the stormtrooper would be okay — a fate you knew wasn’t shared by other victims of Kylo Ren and the First Order.

I need to stop the bleeding.

After one more desperate look around the hallway, which was still crowded with troopers, various lieutenants, and droids, you spotted a man wearing a long coat that could definitely help stem some of the bleeding. You heard yourself calling out to him:

“Sir! Excuse me, sir!”

He glanced down at you as he approached, seemingly confused and irritated at the sight before him.

“I’m sorry, but I- I need to borrow this!” You gestured towards his long overcoat.

His mouth opened in protest but before he knew what was happening, you had grabbed the coat off of his shoulders and placed it at the back of the stormtrooper’s head. The man’s startled expression evolved to one of anger as he roughly grabbed your arm, bringing you up to a standing position. Not letting go of your arm, he snarled in your face.

“What is the meaning of this?” He growled.

Is he serious right now? you thought, incredulous to the man's behavior.

“I was just trying to save his life!” You pleaded, before adding, “Sir”.

“General,” he seethed.

“Right, sorry, General,” you repeated.

The unnamed General loosened his grip on your arm slightly. You stood there in a silent panic, not knowing what was coming next.

“Who are you? Where are you stationed?” the General spat.

Great, you thought, I'm gonna get fired and I haven't even started working. Mother will be real happy about that.

“Uhh… I’m a - an intern. In the Office of Imperial Promotion, Galactic Truth, and Fact Correction.” You shrugged nervously and gave a sheepish smile. “It’s my first day.”

“Obviously,” the General frustratedly sighed. He slowly looked you up and down, considering something. “You don’t happen to be from that dreaded planet Lothal, are you?”

Surprised at his knowledge of this, you replied with a twinge of shock and confusion in your voice.

“Yeah, yeah I am. How did you-”

“It seems you are late for our meeting.”

Kriff.

“You’re General Hux?” you asked, already knowing the answer.

“That is correct,” he replied slowly through clenched teeth.

“Oh.” You didn’t know what else to say. There was no way this was going to end well.

Gently extricating yourself from his grasp, you knelt again by the stormtrooper, checking on his wound. It was still bleeding, but much less than before. Your eyes drifted to his face, a deep brown color, accentuated by kind features and lips that were downturned in a slight frown.

He looks sad. You sighed.

“Is there anyone who we can take him to?” You asked helplessly, gesturing to the body next to you.

“I do not concern myself with the business of trivial trooper mishaps,” Hux spat back, irritated.

You chuckled humorously. “This was hardly a misha-”

Hux cut you off. “I know a mere intern wouldn’t dare speak back to a commanding General on their first day of work, now would they?”

If you wanted to keep your job, and probably your life, you knew you had to comply with his orders. Resisting at this point wouldn’t do you, or the trooper, any good.

“No General, they wouldn’t,” you replied solemnly, eyes downcast.

“Good. I will let the fact that you ruined my irreplaceable coat on the account of a replaceable trooper slide for now. But any more trouble of this sort, and I will see to it myself that you are executed.” His eyes narrowed and nose scrunched in a threatening glare.

“Yes, General,” you replied.

“Follow me, and don’t fall behind,” he gestured in the direction of the hallway he initially came from.

With one last look at the trooper, you stood and followed him, thoughts spinning through your head.

You remembered his words: replaceable trooper.

Surely that meant you, a young intern, were far below the status of replaceable.

Yes, that’s right.

You were executional.

———————————

You followed Hux to a medium-sized office. There was a large, sleek desk in the center of the room. On one side of the desk was an uncomfortable-looking chair with a tall, rectangular back. On the other side was another chair, this one smaller, but just as uncomfortable-looking. The lighting in the room was dark, making it difficult to see Hux’s face. His ginger hair, however, stuck out like a sore thumb, and you found yourself wondering if he was ever made fun of for it as a kid.

“Sit,” he demanded.

You did as he told, bringing your hands to your lap to fiddle with your fingers: a nervous habit.

“So…” you started.

Silence.

“Umm…” More silence.

You sighed. “This… chair. It’s nice, ya know. Sturdy. Real sturdy.”

Your nervous babbling was met by yet another bout of silence.

“And those curtains are-”

“You’re an artist,” the General interrupted. Though it was meant as a question, it came out as more of a statement. Maybe a questioning tone was too polite of a gesture for his 'intimidating' persona.

“Yes,” you replied. “Well, mostly. Kind of.” You stumbled over your words, trying to find the best answer.

He rolled his eyes. “Well, which is it? Yes, mostly, or kind of?”

“Yes, General.”

“Were you briefed on your internship duties here on the Finalizer prior to your arrival?”

“A little, General.”

“And?” he questioned impatiently.

“And I am supposed to help in the creation of propaganda posters and flyers in support of the First Order.”

“That is correct,” he replied blandly. “They will then be mass produced and distributed on planets that we are attempting to apprehend. These will hopefully lead neutral parties away from the grasp of the Resistance and into the hands of the First Order.”

“Will I have others working with me?” you asked hesitantly.

“We have assembled a small team to assist you — but should the work produced disappoint us, it will be your head in the trash compactor.”

You shuttered at his words because you knew that what he was saying was true. Thinking back to the fate of the poor stormtrooper you came across earlier, you couldn’t help but imagine what your own fate could be.

Twirling the end of your bracelet, you thought of home. You’d been doing that a lot lately too. Images flashed before your eyes: your mother, an old song whistling through her cracked lips, spiralling hair flying behind her as light whirled and danced over her body. Your father, painting in his makeshift studio, an organized chaos of antiques — rusted paint tins, bristled brushes, and half-finished canvases surrounding him. Your brother, perched on the raggedy wood fence that surrounded your home with one arm rested on his beloved speeder, eyes staring longingly at the marshy horizon, almost as if he was begging it to come just a little closer. And you. Watching everyone else as if it were the last time you would be able to do so…

You blinked and suddenly you were back in the present, however something was now clouding your vision. You hadn’t noticed when the tears had started to fall.

Hux just stared at you, and you stared right back, not knowing what to say.

Finally breaking the tense silence, the General abruptly stood. “I believe that this will be enough information for today. You will start work tomorrow. Directions to your workspace will be posted to your door.” He paused. “That is all, you are dismissed.” He gestured to the door.

Breathing a shaky sigh of relief, you stood and made your way into the hallway, not saying another word.

——————

Previous || Masterlist || Next

1 note · View note

batsintheshadows · 5 years

Text

Not the Problem We Expected

The biggest mercy is that it happened at night.

Days were crowded. Days held eyes. Truth found more comfort in the dark that night, in the hands of an eight year old girl. Hands that reached out to grasp at the storm outside.

“Waiata, it’s time to sleep.” Her mother said, exhaustion biting into the edges of her voice that she tried so hard to keep gentle.

“It’s too loud.”

“You’ll never get to sleep if you don’t try.”

“Can I have the window open? To smell the rain?”

Rain was so intense. Young Waiata couldn’t get enough of it. The sound, the smell, the coldness on her skin, it made her feel alive.

“No. You need to settle, not dance around more.”

Her tricks discovered, Waiata sniffed a bit.

“Listen. If you go to sleep now, we’ll make a day of playing in the rain tomorrow.”

“You mean it?”

“Of course. I would never break a promise to you Waiata. You’re my little girl.”

The child tilted her head for a moment, considering. “Alright Ma. I’ll sleep.”

She didn’t hear her mother’s sigh of relief, because it never came. Meraad never expected to be a caretaker of a young one, had trained to root out traitors, not care for small things. All she could do is try and remember what her Tama did for her, so many years ago.

It was difficult, but every moment was worth it. “I’ll bring your father in to say good night as well.” She shut the door with a soft smile.

Alone in her room, Waiata pressed her hands to the window one last time, staring out into the raging blackness for just a moment before wrapping herself in a nest of soft blankets. She didn’t want to sleep. The energy was too high, lightning crackling through the air.

Oh how she wished to touch the storm! How she ached to hold the clouds, to taste the lightning, ride on the thunder! She reached her hands towards the window once more.

And reached further than she realised. A cloud began to form near her outstretched hand. Friendly and thundering. Power incarnate.

Confused, Waiata leaned into the power, trying to touch a little more. The cloud grew a little bigger, drifting into a rounder, puffier shape and crackling with lightning. Those little arcs of electricity grew as easy as breathing, and Waiata couldn’t help but giggle as a few drops of rain pattered down onto her nose.

“Waiata!” The voice broke through the room like the thunder outside. “What are you doing?”

The shock of the sudden sound of her father’s voice made Waiata jump, and the electricity jumped with her, burning a splintered hole in the ground. Thankfully, it didn’t catch. Devoid of energy, the cloud dissipated.

“I was…” Waiata stopped. Not sure what she’d been doing. “I touched the storm.”

Her parents had never looked at her like this before. Never had out and out fear in their gaze. Slowly the feeling of having done something wrong came over Waiata. Something dangerous. “I’m sorry. Was I not meant to?”

The silence stretched on, broken only by the rolling thunder outside.

Kost stared at his daughter, trying to shift his perception of her back to what it had been a few moments ago but the lower parts of his brain screamed danger danger danger. With a sudden start, he realised that Waiata was picking up on his fear. Sloppy. He cleared his face.

“No you weren’t young lady. You were meant to be sleeping.”

Some of the worry dissipated from his daughter’s face, her expression turning sheepish instead of outright fearful. “Oh. Right. I’m sorry.”

At his side, Meraad fell into the deception seamlessly. Just like on Seheron. When they were partners and nameless and never dreamed of having things like daughters. “Well, I trust this was enough excitement for tonight? We don’t want your blankets getting wet after all.”

Waiata nodded.

“Lie down little one. We’ll sing you a song.” Kost’s voice felt distant. Like someone else was speaking.

“Waiata for Waiata?” It had been a favourite bedtime ritual for years. Her little voice saying the name of it still made them smile.

“Anything you want to hear tonight?”

“Sing about the ships again?”

The ships. She asked for the ships so much. Loved the tale of high seas adventure. Seamlessly, Kost started the song, his wife joining in after just a heartbeat.

By the time they were done, Waiata was drifting off.

Demons Kost thought, before shaking the idea out of his head. No. They wouldn’t have her. Not the demons and not the Qun. He had to protect his family.

The two parents collapsed at the table, breathing sighs of relief they knew they didn’t need to hide.

Meraad spoke first. “She’s a mage.” She said, voice shaking. “Our little girl is a saarebas.”

“No. Not like that.” The word felt wrong. “That’s a title under the Qun, and we don’t follow it.”

It had been hard, reminding each other. Trying to remember that what the Qun thought of them no longer mattered.

“We need to do something. Anything.”

“I know.” Kost didn’t like the thoughts in his head. He was pretty sure they weren’t his own. But there seemed to be no other option. “If we find someone that used to be arvaarad-”

“How could you-” Meraad caught her shout just in time, glancing towards the door they’d just come from. “How could you even suggest that?”

“Meraad, she needs to be safe. She deserves to be safe. We can’t do that for her. We can’t protect her from what’s inside her head.”

“Vashedan. Do you not remember the promise we made when she was born? We give her the life she never could have had under the Qun. You want to just throw that all away?”

“It’s no life at all if she gets possessed or killed! What would you have us do? Call the Templars? Fit her for a circle robe? They’d execute her on sight because they know they could get away with it!”

“There are other mages! I know there are! We need to find them.”

Kost collapsed back, relieved that there was an alternative to grasp at. “Apostates. Yes. Someone that knows enough to teach. They’ll be safe. No saarebas in the Ben-Hassrath. No love lost there.”

“Honestly.” Meraad said, sitting next to him, much more at ease now that a plan was beginning to form. “I sometimes wonder why you were made Ben-Hassrath. You cling so hard to what you’ve been told.”

The air lightened around them as they laughed, but the fear remained much like it always did.

It had taken months. Months of moving. Months of asking questions no one had wanted to answer because they were too blank. Well covered emotions betraying their old roles in an instant to eyes that had only survived this long by knowing what to look for. Months of being turned away from mercenary group after mercenary group until they finally found one that took a look at the little girl with them and decided that their story was enough.

Then it was a waiting game. And a game of getting used to the other Tal-Vashoth. To the profound relief of the parents, the rough and tumble mercenaries were on their best behaviour around their little girl, but there was a palpable fear of the two ex Ben-Hassrath.

And they feared too. Feared that their new allies would turn. Would be like those that had committed atrocity after atrocity in Seheron. Like those they had hunted down for the Qun.

Waiata had fussed about the move, but had quickly been caught up in the excitement of travel and new people. Her parents worried though. There had been few enough children for her to play with at their little farmstead, scared of the “ox-girl” that towered over them. Here, there was no one. Not even an enemy.

And her magic was getting worse. Sparks flew from her fists when she was angry. Ice crusted the ground when she was sad. Thunder rolled when she was happy, out of nowhere on a clear day. It made the Tal-Vashoth nervous. Some of them even got over their fear of the Ben-Hassrath long enough to suggest, politely, that Waiata be contained.

Her parents had, politely, disabused them of the notion. It was never bought up again.

To Meraad’s surprise, Captain Tully joined her for dinner while Kost was still hovering over Waiata

“Took me a year to even think about finding other Tal-Vashoth.” He said with no preamble.

“We aren’t Tal-Vashoth.” The words came almost automatically now. “That’s a Qunari word, and we don’t follow the Qun.”

Tully shrugged. “If that’s what works for you.”

“Why are you here?”

“You’re scaring my guys. I want you to either stop or leave.”

“We can’t help the Ben-Hassrath training!”

“That’s not the problem. You both stink of Qun, still got that guilt. Feels like you’d turn us in for a chance to get back.”

“Our daughter is a mage.” Meraad pronounced each word clearly, so they could not be misunderstood. “We love her. Why would we turn her over?”

Tully didn’t need to reply. The answer was obvious. For the good of the Qun. If they truly wanted to go back, they’d have to rationalise it, and that would be the way.

“Call yourself whatever you want, you’re the same as us. Stop avoiding us or avoid us all the way before someone starts swinging.”

Meraad mulled that over. Thought about it. It was a more terrifying idea than she expected. They needed this, they needed to be here, but to talk to the Tal-Vashoth? Like the ones they had fought?

There was further to fall, it seemed. She wanted to go back to the homestead but what would happen then? Waiata needed this.

“What works for you?”

Tully raised an eyebrow, prompting more explanation.

“You said, whatever works for me. So if you do something different, what is it?”

“I stay busy enough to not be afraid, and say Tal-Vashoth because it isn’t a bad thing.”

“The Qun thinks it’s a bad thing but we don’t follow the Qun. So it isn’t accurate.”

“Sure. But we’ve all heard it used to mean bad. Over and over. Can’t hurt if you’re proud of it. And besides, what else am I gonna call myself? Qunari?”

“Humans do.”

“Humans are stupid from six different directions. Just be a fucking Tal-Vashoth. Better than trying to be a Qunari that doesn’t keep the Qun. This way you have people.”

Dangerous was Meraad’s immediate thought. Tully seemed to catch it somehow.

She was so out of practice.

“You know why Tal-Vashoth attack people?”

“Well, if you asked me ten years ago I would have said because they abandoned themselves to madness, but obviously that isn’t true.”

“Right. Self-defence is a big one.” Meraad nodded. She could see that. If someone came for her family she wouldn’t hesitate to kill them. The idea of being a killer like the Tal-Vashoth she’d fought in Seheron made her sick to her stomach.

Or maybe you’re already like them. Maybe they fought you in self-defence. It hurt to think about.

“Then there’s the stress. You lose everything and if you don’t have something else to catch you then you just…” Tully shrugged. “Fall. Then you start thinking oh, I’m a monster aren’t I? I’m a bad person and I can’t go back. So you act like one. People help.”

“I have people.”

“You wanna know or not?” After a moment’s silence, Tully continued. “Then there are the honour types. Who want to do right by the Qun even though they’re no longer in it, and start fucking starving themselves because all they can do is rob people. That’s your first big risk. Your second is going mad from the isolation. So stop it. We’re fine here. We catch each other, we kick you in the pants if you’re getting too mopey about the Qun, and if worst comes to worst, we defend each other. So buck up, earn some coin, and stop being all Qun. This is better than living in the middle.”

Meraad scrutinised Tully carefully. He had warrior practise, probably a member of the beresaad. But his sword looked new. Dwarven make. Given his apparent enjoyment of spitting in the face of the Qun she wouldn’t be surprised to hear he sold his old one. Most importantly, he had a human name.

Asking didn’t seem right. But he did seem to be trying to help. Truly.

“You’re insightful. I thought you were a warrior, not a philosopher.”

“I can be both here. Doesn’t matter if I get too smart.”

“I’ll…think about what you said.”

“Good. Talk to your husband too. He’s never alone and I don’t wanna do this again anyway.”

The days dragged by like years, and somehow, miraculously, they were able to forge some bonds with the Valo-Kas. Suspicion turned to grudging acceptance turned to genuine friendship. Meraad and Kost went from eating with no one by their side but their daughter, to being in the center of camp, sharing stories with the rest. They wouldn’t admit it, not even to each other, but they both knew that this was a balm on a wound they had never acknowledged. The humans of the nearest village bought their food well enough, but spared few enough words for them. To have a drunken merc throw her arms around their shoulders and slur “You know, I thought the captain was insane letting you stay. Thought you were gonna kill us all. Now? I’m glad you’re here you fucking weirdos.”

If it hadn’t been for the sparks that flew from their little girl’s fists it would have been all too easy to relax.

Finally, they met Ataash. His contract with his old company expired at last. They had been half expecting bitterness. Certainly they were expecting suspicion. But they got neither. Instead they got a cheerful man as big as a mountain, stitch scars stretched out by a friendly smile.

“Hey! You’re the folks I got a message about right?”

“Yes.” Meraad was the first to find her voice. “I’m sure you don’t need to go over the why of it again.”

Kost was not so easily satisfied. “How much do you know? About magic?”

“Well, I am a mage.”

“So is Waiata.”

Ataash shrugged, conceding the point. “I learnt enough to throw fire on command and keep myself from getting possessed, which is a lot easier than you’d think. After I left the Qun I managed to get a hold of some books and an apostate tutor or two and learnt pretty much everything else. I can’t teach highly specialised skills like knight enchanting or anything, but I can teach your daughter what she needs to know.”

The years of intense training did not usually allow true emotions to shine through, but the pure relief that came over the pair was too powerful to be hid. But Ataash held up a hand.

“Full disclosure. I have had dealing with spirits that most people would find…questionable. I’m alright now. I’m not possessed or a blood mage, but it did happen.”

Meraad’s stomach churned. “Details, if you don’t mind.”

“Well you probably already know the beginning just by looking at me.” Ataash’s words were obviously rehearsed, too stiff, even under his disarmingly cheerful attitude. “Saarebas, got kinda frustrated with the limited options in my life, didn’t trust my avaraad to keep me safe once I realised all she could do was kill me and I wanted to live. That sort of thing. It’s hard enough to leave at the best of times, but for a saarebas it’s almost impossible. Most of us just give up, from what I can tell. But I was angry enough that I was going to succeed out of spite. So I did the unthinkable.”

“You let yourself be possessed.” Kost took a step back. It was all well and good to hide his emotions but this didn’t really seem to be the time for it. Not when there was a possessed man, here, in front of him, close enough to harm his family. Briefly he wondered if he’d been mad to agree to Meraad’s plan. Mad to try an untested method of keeping her safe when the avaraad seemed to work well enough.

But Ataash held out his hands in a placating gesture. “Not anymore. Turns out there are ways to reverse it. Who knew right? But yes. I was possessed for a time. Kinda makes me the expert on what not to do I’d say.”

“Tell me what happened when you were possessed.” Meraad demanded.

“Can’t remember most of it. Know it took a while. I wanted to vet possible candidates, make sure the spirit could help, but wouldn’t destroy me. Needed to understand them better so I just spent some time talking. Most of them actually weren’t interested. Had to kick a spirit of duty in the pants for telling me to stay as a matter of fact. Let me tell you, those fuckers are all over Qunadar like flies on shit. Pissed it off royally by arguing I had a duty to myself as well. Never did manage to convince it.”

“Stay on topic.”

“Right, right. Well eventually I met one that was just as pissed as I was, but wasn’t rage. Which is good because rage doesn’t tend to carry you far. Courage agreed to get me out and next thing I knew I was tearing my collar off. Avaraad was just about pissing herself, but from there I come up blank.” He shrugged, seemingly at peace with the holes in his knowledge. “Woke up alone later covered in blood in the middle of nowhere so I’m pretty sure I fought my way out. Woulda killed at least my avaraad, but Courage tells me that they had no interest in harming anyone that wasn’t in my way. They just wanted to help me do what I couldn’t alone.”

“Then what? How did you reach the Free Marches?”

Once more, Ataash shrugged. “Courage kept me going through the first bit. Did alright once I grew some myself. Stowed away, popped out in Tevinter not knowing a word of trade. Pushed through, mainly because everyone was too scared to bother me, went south. Wandered a bit until I met some Avvar. Said goodbye to Courage. Learned some Avvar magic. Wandered a bit more. Met some Dalish. Learned some Dalish magic. Joined a company with an ex circle mage. Learned some circle magic. Ended up here.”

“That’s…quite an education you have there.”

“Yeah. Biggest regret is never finding a tutor in Tevinter. Then I woulda collected the whole set!”

“I mean.” Kost glanced towards his wife, a little more at ease after the mage’s tale. “You’re certainly qualified.”

But Meraad wasn’t so easily satisfied. She took a step closer, staring Ataash right in the eyes. “Just answer me one question.” She said, danger in every syllable. “This whole possession thing, you’re done with it?”

“I’m done. I swear.” Sincerity shone through his words like a beacon in the night. “Wasn’t something I really wanted then, isn’t something I want now that I got other options.”

Finally, Meraad nodded. “It’s good enough for me then. Kost?”

He only hesitated for a moment before replying. “I can accept it.”

Ataash’s face split into a smile like the rising sun. “Can I meet my student? You can stay or not, long as you don’t meddle too much.”

“Of course. She’s by the fire.”

Waiata shuffled her feet shyly when her parents called her over, knowing by now how endearing most adults found a little timidness in a child.

“It’s okay Waiata.” That was her father’s way of telling her she could drop the act. “This is Ataash. He’s going to teach you about magic.”

Ataash waved, casually setting his fingers on fire to make Waiata giggle. “You can do it too?” she asked.

“Oh yeah. And more! Wanna start now?”

“Yes!”

Waiata’s grin never abated all through her lesson, and deep in her chest as Meraad watched what she didn’t understand, she knew it was all going to be alright.

#asks #Waiata Adaar #dai #dragon age #inquisitor

7 notes · View notes

rora-studies · 7 years

Note

hi !!! I heard you're opening requests!! can I ask you what kind of person todoroki is likely to fall for? In headcanons, unless you'd rather a one shot! thank you so much!

I am taking requests! Thank you anon!

send me a number

Boku no Hero Academia

So this turned in to a fluff thing about their relationship, but its cute still so here you go Anon!!!

So since Todoroki is pretty aloof and I think he’d be oblivious too

because of this he’s not really dated much

nor as he been around other people much

However one day he sees his future s/o…

They’re pretty bland/vanilla at first glance, but Todoroki doesn’t notice

He likes their messy, slightly wavy hair

He like their small and sheepish smile

He likes the little mole on their left temple

He likes the little things

But most importantly he likes how intelligent and kind they are

Like s/o is really good at problem solving, not just book smarts

He first noticed this on a practice mission when they were grouped together

And s/o figured out how to solve it with minimal conflict and damage as well as being time suave

They are also just a really good person?

Like they are the “brings a stray animal to school to take care of it” trope

Its super endearing and they end up taking care of *insert animal* together

They also got “points” on the entrance exam for causing minimal damage even though IDK what their quirk is

So eventually Todoroki asks them out

And they’re like (lowkey) !!!!!

Obviously they said yes though b/c Todoroki is a pure cinnamon roll

The way he asked them was pretty scary though, because when he’s nervous he projects

So s/o is like ‘Oh no… I made him angry!’

And they go try to talk to Deku and everyone why he might be angry and they’re like ?? ‘He’s angry?’

So long story short it was a disaster and eventually they figured it out and it ended up being like Violet from The Incredibles asking out that boy (Violet=s/o and boy=Todoroki)

They have a very vanilla relationship for a very ling time

like people start making bets that they won’t even kiss until after college (if heroes go to college)

It doesn’t take as long as everyone thought it would

They go visit Todoroki’s mom together

the first time Todoroki brought s/o to meet mom she was like, “My child has a s/o!?!?!?” and she was so happy he found someone that love her son for the things she was scared of

She later told him she was proud of him for being his own person

They also go travel Japan together, they’ve been to Mt. Fuji, Nara, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Nagoya, etc. (I’ve been to most of these places, they’re beautiful and romantic and cute!)

So one day they go on a date (kinda later into the relationship like they have graduated high school) s/o is like “I’m gonna take you somewhere really special”

And poor Todoroki is like???

So s/o takes him out of the city and into the country a little and they have a picnic in a field right outside a forest

And they say “You know my life, and I think I can say the same about your’s, has been like that forest…

“It was messy and confusing, but then all of a sudden things made sense just as abruptly as the forest becomes this field…

“And now I can my life makes sense even with a few ups and downs, but now I can see everything laid out before me…

“And I will admit I sometimes like the forest better, but out here, in the field, I can see you…

“Without you hiding in any shadows or behind and trees…

“That is why I like the field, you’re always in the spotlight”

Then they both blush and Todoroki, who can’t handle emotions, is like “Thanks?” like its a question

He’s also making this face cause he’s flustered

And their both trying not to cry because they love each other so much and Todoroki has had a really hard time finding people who loved him and not hating him for ___ or using him for ___

Also s/o is trying not to laugh because Todoroki is cute and adorable

Needless to say they get married and live a happy life together :)

#aurora provides #anon #request #bnha #todoroki shouto #pure half and half cinnamon roll #I hope you like it anon #i kinda went into story mode #-\_(ツ)_/-

5 notes · View notes

rosy-doze · 7 years

Text

Hold On to Me as We Go

Pairing: Gleggie

Fandom: The Walking Dead

Summary: After learning about how high risk her pregnancy really was, the doctor had insisted that she live at the Hilltop until the baby was born. Now the time has come for Maggie and the rest of the Rhee family to go home.

ao3 ff.net

“Maggie!”

Glenn’s call out startled her, causing her to jump in the rocking chair, which nearly broke Herschel’s concentration. Luckily the baby kept drinking, more concerned with nourishment than any potential dangers. Maggie, for better or for worse, felt differently.

“Glenn, you scared the heck out of me! I didn’t even know you were in the house!”

“Sorry, sorry,” Glenn said, walking around so he was in her line of sight. “I finished with Jesus a few minutes ago, he said we should slip out now while folks are still sleeping and getting chores done. Frankly, I agree. It took so long to say goodbye last night, we don’t wanna start them all up again.”

“Yeah, you’re right. He’ll be done in a minute, are you and Enid packed up and ready to go?”

“Uh-huh, we’re just waiting on you guys. The slow-pokes in the family.”

“Hey, I wasn’t the one who just strategized for an hour and a half with Jesus about what’s likely gonna be a boring, 15 minute car ride.”

Glenn shook his head and she groaned at herself, knowing she just awoke a monster. He said, “Nope, c’mon, we can’t think like that. I’m not taking any chances with this trip back to Alexandria. If I have any say, this is going to be Herschel’s only time going outside the walls until he’s eighteen. We’ve been out there before, I mean, it’s been awhile but we remember what it’s like! Danger around every corner! Walkers are a guarantee and like I keep saying, it’s only a matter of time before we run into some angry, leftover Saviors. The others did a good job catching them when it all ended but even they admit they didn’t get nearly all of them. And then what happens? Think they’ll just let us go because we’re with, like, the cutest baby in the whole world? You remember what those guys are –“

Maggie let him air out his worries for as long as she could, but there were only so many hours in the day, and she really did want to get back to Alexandria before Herschel, now almost a month old, started walking and talking. She looked down and saw he’d let go of her breast. Perfect timing.

“Hey, hey, babe?” Glenn’s eyes comically widened before meeting hers.

He stopped his pacing and shrugged his shoulders, scratching the back of his neck, “I – uh, went to that nervous, panicky Dad-place again, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, just a little bit.”

“Sorry, I’ll work on that.”

“Nah, it’s okay. Here, hold the baby,” she said, putting Herschel in his arms and positioning the burp cloth on his shoulder. The effect on Glenn was immediate: he relaxed and deflated, rocking Herschel in his arms a little while flashing Maggie a sheepish smile. She returned it before saying, “He’s about to fall asleep, I’ll go get his car seat. Hey, with any luck, he’ll sleep through the whole trip!”

“What? But this is gonna be his only car ride until he’s eighteen! He can’t miss the whole thing!”

“Ha, well, when you go to that Babies R Us next week, make sure to get him one of those toy cars he can drive around. It’ll be just like the real thing, he’ll love it!” Maggie said as she darted downstairs to grab Herschel’s car seat, a hand-me-down from Judith.

Nearly running into Enid on the stairs, her daughter asked, “Hey, I was just about to come see what the holdup was.”

“Your dad’s neuroses and your brother’s appetite. Any questions?” Maggie replied.

“Nah, that sounds about right to me,” Enid said, chuckling.

“If you wanna help me get this show on the road, you can bring the car around,” she said, handing Enid the keys. She knew it would make Enid happy and they’d been letting Enid practice driving within the walls of the Hilltop for months now.

Predictably, Enid’s face light up. “Yes, awesome! Can I drive us back to Alexandria?”

“Oh my god, I’ll give you a car of your own right now if you go suggest that to Glenn! Sweetie, he doesn’t even trust me to make this drive.”

Enid nodded and headed for the door while Maggie brought the car seat upstairs. Herschel was fast asleep, like she knew he’d be, and Glenn was considerably calmer than he had been all morning. With those two developments, the trek to the car was smooth sailing.

Glenn only looked proud when he saw who was driving the car, but said immediately, “Alright, alright, my turn now.”

For a second Enid looked like she’d tease him, but she seemed to change her mind. She moved to get into the backseat on the side opposite where Maggie was currently negotiating Herschel’s car seat, but Maggie looked up and stopped her.

“Hey, uh, would you maybe mind sitting up front, Enid?”

Raising an eyebrow, she replied with a hesitant, “Sure,” and opened the passenger door instead. As she put her feet up on the dashboard and settled in, Glenn looked at Maggie.

“What was that about?”

“Oh, you know, uh, nothing.” Maggie tried to look very interested in the car seat, tickling Herschel’s tummy as he blearily looked at her, awakened for a moment by all of the commotion.

Glenn shut the driver’s door so that Enid couldn’t hear as he whispered, “Wow.”

“What?” Maggie asked, double checking the car seat once more before shutting the door to the backseat.

“Nothing,” Glenn said, a wide smile slowly spreading across his face, “I just think it’s pretty funny that you’ve been trying to convince me that I’m the crazy neurotic parent when you’ve been worrying just as much as I have.”

“Oh, don’t you look so happy with yourself, mister.”

“But I am! I’m not the crazy one this time! Before you were all like: ‘It’s just a fifteen minute car ride, Glenn! We’ve taken showers for longer than that, honey!’ And now you’re standing here, unable to sit more than two feet away from your baby!”

Maggie groaned inwardly. Her husband was completely right, but she couldn’t very well admit how much of a hypocrite she was. Weakly, she protested, “I’m not sittin’ in the back because I’m worried, no, I just wanna sit next to him in case he needs something or gets bored…”

Leaning over to look through the window at his son, Glenn said, “Oh, right, of course, how could I be so wrong? Look at him, he’s gonna wake up any minute and demand that you sing and dance for his entertainment.” Glenn gestured to Herschel who was, predictably, fast asleep again. God, babies really were useless sometimes.

She sighed. There was no winning this one. Glenn seemed to take her expression as a surrender because he didn’t push her any further.

His smile softened at the look on her face; his eyes met hers and for a moment, Glenn and Maggie were thinking the exact same thing: we’ll keep him safe.

Glenn reached his hand out and placed it on his wife’s shoulder, squeezing it tightly for a perfectly brief moment. A peace offering, even if no war preceded it.

“C’mon,” Maggie said, “We should get out of here before the folks here change their minds about letting us leave.”

“Well can you blame them? The Rhee’s are a pretty awesome family to be around!”

“Whatever, Mr. Rhee, just get in the car.”

They were in the car and buckled up in a flash, but Glenn hesitated before starting the car, and after seeing him just staring out the window, Maggie asked, “What’s wrong, babe?”

“Nothing, nothing, I just – I think I might kind of miss this place.”

Immediately, Maggie was overcome with a bit of nostalgia for this place that she’d had to reluctantly accept as her home for the past eight months. As eager as she was to live with her friends again, she had made new friends with the residents of the Hilltop. She’d grown used to the slower, relaxed lifestyle, and she’d even miss making fun of Gregory. But more than that, this was her family’s first home: it was where she’d gone through the hardest parts of her pregnancy; it was where she’d given birth; it was where she’d truly gotten to understand Enid; it was where she’d grown closer to Glenn than she’d have thought possible. It was home, or, at least, it had been for a little while.

But there was no doubt that they had to leave. She missed Tara, Michonne, Rick, and the others like a hole in her heart. She missed her large, goofy, loud, and dysfunctional family. She knew Enid and Glenn did as well. And she wanted Herschel to grow up with all of the love her friends-turned-family had to offer.

“Alright, say bye to the Hilltop, everybody!” Glenn had recovered by now and was driving away, slowly enough that everyone in the car had the chance to take everything in. As the gates rolled open and they waved goodbye to the person on gate duty and the community in general, Maggie leaned back and waited to be home.

Except for just one thing –

“Glenn! We’ve said goodbye. It’s okay to drive faster than 10 miles an hour!”

“But what about –“

“Glenn!”

#gleggie #gleggie fic #gleggie fanfic #the walking dead #the walking dead fic #the walking dead fanfic #glenn rhee #maggie greene #maggie rhee #enid #herschel rhee #my fic

20 notes · View notes