The ask about how the Primarchs would react if they lost you in a crowd was both hilarious and sweet.
So how would the Primarchs’ reaction change if it turned out you disappeared from their side because someone tried to hurt or kidnap you?
If someone tried to hurt or kidnap their lover, the reaction become a very personal kind of violence. And now let's explore it
Lion El’Jonson
The moment he realise that you're gone he would go very still first.
The sort of stillness that means he has already decided what happens next and everyone else is only catching up. Lion does not waste time on outrage when there is a hunt to begin. If someone dared to put their hands on you, he would find them with terrible precision and no patience for excuses. And once he is upon your kidnappers he will not be gentle to them at all. May The Emperor have mercy on their souls.
Fulgrim
He would be offended on a level far beyond anger. Not just because you were hurt or taken, but because someone had the audacity to mar what he considers precious. If you are harmed, he would carry it like an insult that never quite stops stinging. If you were returned to him, he still would make sure the world understood that you are not to be touched twice.
Perturabo
He would take it personally in the ugliest possible way. Not because he failed to account for it it, but because someone dared to believe they could reach what was his and live long enough to boast about it. In hes search for you Perturabo would become relentless. His hunt would be systematic, vicious, and exact. Once he found who was responsible, your Lord of Iron would not waste emotion on them. He would turn the event into a lesson. A very cruel one at that.
Jaghatai Khan
His response is swift and brutal. Jaghatai dares not not linger in outrage for long, because his first instinct is to ride out after you like a storm front. Whoever took you would learn very quickly that they had not stolen a person, they had triggered a pursuit. If you are hurt, his anger would become far worse. No one will survive his wrath.
Leman Russ
Oh, he would go feral. The moment he understands that you did not simply wander off but were taken this is no longer concern, it is wrath with teeth in it. Russ would stop being playful, stop being loud, and become a predator. Everyone involved would be made to understand that you were not a prize to snatch. You were his mate, and they made a mistake they will not survive.
Rogal Dorn
He is terrifyingly controlled. Dorn does not explode, he calculates. He would identify the breach, seal every possible exit, and then go after the people who caused it with an efficiency that leaves no room for an error. The part that makes this worse is that his anger is silent. He does not shout about what they did to you. He is simply making sure they could not do anything like this ever again.
Konrad Curze
He would be vindicated in the worst possible way. If someone tried to hurt or kidnap you, Curze would treat it as proof that his paranoia was justified and nightmares were not exaggerations. That makes him worse. He is darker, sharper, and far more merciless, especially if you were suffering because of it. The people responsible would not merely be punished, they would become examples in the most grotesque sense.
Sanguinius
His first reaction would be fear. Real fear. Because the thought of someone hurting you would hit him harder than almost anything else could. Then the fear would turn into fury so disciplined it might look like grace from the outside. Sanguinius would search with all the gentleness gone from his voice and all the certainty gone from his smile. If he found you harmed, he would still be kind to you. To everyone else, he would be feral.
Ferrus Manus
He would take it as a violation that must be answered in steel. Ferrus does not forgive attempts on what he protects. He would want the offender found, seized, and made to understand that this was not a test of strength they could survive.
Angron
This would be disastrous. If anyone tried to hurt or take you, Angron would erupt. There would be no patience, no negotiation, and very little chance for the people involved to explain themselves before they are a smear on the ground. He already struggles with control, and this would remove what little restraint he has left.
Roboute Guilliman
Guilliman moves with terrifying clarity. He does not waste time on panic. He coordinates the search, locks down the situation, and respond with overwhelming force if needed. His anger would be disciplined, but no less severe for that. The message would be simple, whoever tried to take you made a political, military, and personal mistake all at once.
Mortarion
He reacts like a man who already knowing the world to be cruel and yet it still finds ways to be worse. Mortarion would not be sentimental about it. He is grim, vindictive, and very hard to stop. If you were taken, he would hunt. If you were hurt, he would poison the lives of those responsible in every way available to him. He does not tolerate threats to what is his.
Magnus the Red
His response would be both emotional and immediate. Magnus would be furious that anyone thought they could touch you and get away with it, but he would also be desperate to find out exactly what happened, because knowledge is how he regains control. You were kidnapped, and so he uses every means at his disposal to bring you back. Nothing is to extreme.
Horus Lupercal
Horus is used to command, used to influence, used to people knowing better than to threaten what he values. So he takes it as a profound insult. Someone tried to hurt or kidnap you, and so he turns the full weight of his authority, charm, and violence on the problem. He wants you back quickly, safely, and with the matter made very clear to everyone involved.
Lorgar Aurelian
He is a holy wrath made flesh. Lorgar would see the attempt to kidnap you as sacrilege. If someone dares touch you with intent to harm or take, he would treat it as blasphemy against the most sacred thing in his life (you). He would search, pray, and punish in the same breath. And once you are returned to him, his devotion would only deepen.
Vulkan
He would be horrified first, then incandescent. Vulkan loves you in a way that makes him deeply vulnerable to this sort of threat, because he genuinely tries to believe people can be better than that. But now someone tried to abduct you, so he need to react with immediate protectiveness. Worry not, Vulkan would find you, comfort you, and then make certain the people responsible understood that they had crossed a line no sane person crosses twice.
Corvus Corax
Corvus does not need a spectacle to become lethal. If someone tried to take you, he would hunt them with patient, measured precision. If you are hurt it would be even worse, because in this case his search strips away any remaining restraint. Corvus would recover you first and punish the guilty later, but the punishment would still come. Do not doubt him.
Alpharius Omegon
Their reaction is deceptive yet absolutely unforgiving. They do not show all of their anger or distress - it would be inefficient. Instead, they would use information, misdirection, and coordinated force to find you and isolate whoever touched you. If the threat came from an organised group, they would dismantle it with great pleasure. If it was one person, they would still make it feel like an organisation fell on them. They do not like their lover being touched by anyone else.
-----------
Hey! I now have more here! (and here)
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns, @aggresivemenace, @passionofthesith, @t-boneless, @tea-ring, @nightlordlover, @lithiummoonfox, @warhorny-on-main
Can you do "If you cannot handle me at my worst you do not deserve me at my best" thing for Primarchs?
Hey anon! Sorry for the long wait, and let us get to it!
If you cannot handle me at my worst you do not deserve me at my best
If you cannot handle Lion El'Jonson hiding on the information, even if it can put you in danger, then you do not deserve him building a system that will keep you safe, even if he is gone.
If you cannot handle Fulgrim asking for reassurance at every step of whatever project he is working on, then you do not deserve him creating a masterpiece that is yours and yours alone.
If you cannot handle Perturabo petty jabs, then you do not deserve him architecting a marvel for you. Present your projects to him.
If you cannot handle Jaghatai Khan being absent for months at a time, then you do not deserve him being glued to your side for the brief moments he is willing to stay in one place.
If you cannot handle Leman Russ drinking heavily, laughing too loudly, and never asking for permission before charging into danger, then you do not deserve the fierce, uncomplicated loyalty of a man who will stand between you and death without a second thought.
If you cannot handle Rogal Dorn criticism of the design you brought to him, then you are not worthy of him creating anything in your singular honor.
If you cannot handle Konrad Curze seeing through your self-deception and still staying long enough to understand you, then you do not deserve the strange, quiet comfort of being known by someone who understands fear, loneliness, and pain too well.
If you cannot handle Sanguinius loving you with full knowledge that everything he protects may still be lost, then you do not deserve the tenderness of someone who chooses to give warmth, even while carrying the certainty of tragedy.
If you cannot handle Ferrus Manus refusing to praise what is merely adequate, then you do not deserve him forging something for you that is built to endure what should have broken it.
If you cannot handle Angron constant rage and the fact that he may never fully learn how to be gentle, then you do not deserve the fierce, brutal loyalty that remains when every softer thing has died.
If you cannot handle Roboute Guilliman correcting every flaw in a plan you made, then you do not deserve him building order out of chaos so that what you love can actually survive.
If you cannot handle Mortarion casual bitterness, then you do not deserve the grim protection of someone who endures poison, plague, and despair just to see you smile at him.
If you cannot handle Magnus the Red knowing too much and reaching too far, then you do not deserve the wonder of someone who would tear open the veil just to give you truth, power, and understanding.
If you cannot handle Horus Lupercal wanting to be adored, then you do not deserve the warmth of being chosen by someone whose loyalty once made the galaxy feel smaller and safer.
If you cannot handle Lorgar Aurelian needing to find meaning in everything, then you do not deserve the devotion of someone who would turn faith itself into a sanctuary for your name.
If you cannot handle Vulkan sorrow and the weight of his compassion, then you do not deserve a gift made by hands that would rather break themselves than let you be harmed.
If you cannot handle Corvus Corax disappearing into silence without notice, then you do not deserve the protection of someone who will do the ugly work no one else can bear.
If you cannot handle Alpharius&Omegon making you question what is real, then you do not deserve the advantage of a plan so deep it protects you long before you even understand the threat.
-----------
Hey! I now have more here! (and here)
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns, @aggresivemenace, @passionofthesith, @t-boneless, @tea-ring, @nightlordlover, @lithiummoonfox
They would be there in the morning. They were always there in the morning. They were four of the most dangerous men of the Sons of Horus and they had decided collectively with full commitment that you were theirs.
The first time you noticed something was off you told yourself you were imagining it.
It was small. Loken had walked you back to your quarters after a late briefing which was normal enough, he was polite like that, always the gentlest one. But then you'd mentioned offhand that you were thinking of requesting a transfer to a different fleet vessel, just for a change of pace and something in his face had gone very, very still.
"Why would you want to do that" he said. Not a question. Just four words, flat and quiet and his eyes didn't move off your face at all.
You laughed it off. He laughed it off too a moment later and it was fine.
You didn't put in the transfer request.
The Mournival was not supposed to have favorites. They were the Warmaster's counsel, his four sons in spirit if not in blood, the blunt instrument of his internal politics. They argued, they advised, they kept each other honest. That was the point of them.
You were a remembrancer. Technically. You'd been embedded with the 63rd Expedition for long enough that the distinction had gotten blurry. You knew the Sons of Horus better than most of the Legion's own serfs did. You'd eaten meals with them. You'd sat in on arguments that should have gotten you killed just for witnessing.
You understood in retrospect by now that was probably where the problem started.
Aximand was the subtle one.
He never said anything outright. He'd just appear reliably whenever you were somewhere you probably shouldn't have been or whenever someone else was talking to you for too long. He had this way of inserting himself into a conversation that felt completely natural until you thought about it afterward and realized he'd redirected the entire thing without anyone noticing. Including you.
You'd been getting friendly with one of the iterators, a perfectly nice man named Castor who had interesting opinions about Terran philosophy and very kind eyes. Three conversations in Aximand had joined the third one and somehow by the end of it Castor had volunteered himself for a particularly demanding documentation assignment on a different ship.
When you mentioned to Aximand that you hadn't seen Castor lately he shrugged with complete serenity.
"He seemed ambitious" he said. "I helped him find an opportunity."
You believed him. You don't know why you believed him. You think about that a lot now.
Torgaddon was the one who made it hardest to be scared.
He was funny. Genuinely funny and he'd clearly figured out early on that making you laugh was the fastest route to making you comfortable and he used that knowledge the way a surgeon uses a blade.
He'd started finding reasons to be wherever you were working. Just sitting nearby and not bothering you, sometimes reading, sometimes just existing in your peripheral vision like a very large and heavily armored piece of furniture. When you pointed this out he grinned like you'd said something delightful.
"You're the most interesting person on this ship" he said. "The others are all the same, I've known them for decades, they're boring. You're new."
"I've been here for three years" you said.
"Still newer than decades" he said and reached over and stole a piece of your food like it was the most natural thing in the world.
But you'd seen him once when he didn't know you were watching. You'd come around a corner and he was speaking quietly to two junior remembrancers who'd recently asked to spend time with you for a collaborative project. Whatever he was saying they looked uncomfortable. One of them had nodded quickly, the way you nod when you want a conversation to be over.
The project got quietly shelved. Neither of them would quite meet your eyes after that.
The one you should have been most afraid of was Abaddon and to your credit some part of you always knew it.
He was the most honest about it in his way. Abaddon didn't bother with subtlety because he didn't see the need for it. He operated on the assumption that what he wanted was simply what would happen and he looked at you with this calm, total attention that made your skin feel too small.
"You're going to stay" he told you once completely unprompted while you were reviewing some footage from a compliance action.
You looked up. "What?"
"With the expedition. You're going to stay." He said it the same way he'd say the sun rises in the east. "I've been thinking about it. The others have been thinking about it. You belong here."
"I don't think that's really your decision" you said carefully.
He looked at you for a long moment. There was nothing threatening in his expression. There was nothing in his expression at all actually which was somehow worse.
"No" he agreed and went back to what he was doing.
You had the very strong and very irrational feeling that the matter was, in his mind, closed.
The thing was that they were kind to you. That was the part that kept you off balance, kept you second guessing your own instincts. They were attentive and generous and protective in ways that felt good, felt safe right up until the moment you bumped up against the edges of what they would allow and then it got cold very fast.
You'd asked once directly and looking at all four of them because some perverse instinct told you that was safer than asking alone, whether they'd been interfering with your communications. Just your communications. Just to see.
The silence lasted about three seconds.
"Define interfering" Torgaddon said pleasantly.
"Why would we do that" said Aximand.
"Your communications are your own" said Loken and he sounded like he meant it and his eyes were steady and sincere and gave you absolutely nothing.
Abaddon didn't say anything at all. He was looking at you the way you might look at something you own.
You said never mind. You laughed a little. You let it go.
What else were you going to do? Where were you going to go?
That was the thing they understood, the thing that sat at the bottom of all of it like a stone. They were the Mournival. They were four of the most dangerous men of the Sons of Horus and they had decided collectively with full commitment that you were theirs.
You were very far from home.
And they were very, very patient.
The last thing Loken said to you that night while walking you back to your quarters again was quiet and almost gentle.
"You seem worried lately" he said. "You should tell us if something's wrong. We'd want to know."
"I'm fine" you said.
He smiled. It was a warm smile, a genuine one and that was the most unsettling thing about Loken that he could mean it completely and still be what he was.
"Good" he said. "That's good. We'd hate for anything to upset you."
He waited until you were inside with the door closed before he left.
You stood in the dark for a while and thought about the transfer request you'd never filed and the iterator with the kind eyes who'd gone somewhere else and the way Abaddon had said you belong here like it was geography.
They would be there in the morning. They were always there in the morning.
Then you got into bed because there was nothing else to do.
Got another thing off my to-do list!
It's based on a scene from Soul Hunter (iykyk), except I wanted Talos explaining it to Eurydice instead of Septimus (because I wanted that final panel). Will still need to do proper art of First Claw someday.
Tried playing around with a style I could use to render these quick, but still make it look good… for future comic projects! Used a hard brush for the linework, and went straight to colors after.
Process on my artstation!
Secondly (if you feel like answering), while we're on the subject of rejections: how would the Primarchs react if the reader was happy to flirt and maybe fool around with them but didn't want to go further than a casual relationship (since being their consort seems like a lot of stress and hard work)?
Hi Anon, thank you for the kind words, now lets get to it!
Primarchs when you are happy to flirt but you do not want to take it any further.
Lion El’Jonson
Hard to see this working for him. Lion is not one for casual contact, so if he decides to court someone, he does so with the intention that the courtship will result in marriage. So if there is even a possibility that you will not be open to reciprocating his feelings, he will not bother with it. If you flirt with him at some sort of social gathering, expect to be politely ignored. And that is the best-case scenario.
Fulgrim
Oh, please, yes. He is very open to that. He is happy to flirt back, and he is at least initially a little more than relieved that this is a game he can recognize. Fulgrim has been through enough heartbreaks, so he does not want to go through it again. However, as your flirting game progresses and he starts catching feelings, you will be forced to change your mind about him. He is persistent when he wants to be.
Perturabo
Again, he is not that open to the concept of casual flirting. Plus he will probably be suspicious of whatever hidden designs you may wish to impose upon him. So, at best, you will be roughly dismissed. At worst, you will incur his ire. So flirt at your own risk. If he is truly interested, prepare for the wedding.
Jaghatai Khan
He will flirt back, and that perhaps will be it. As long as neither party is willing to take it further, it can stay as it is, a little game that you play when you pass each other across stars. Later on, Khan will spend some time observing you. If he deems that you truly are uninterested in anything but a passing glance, a witty remark, and perhaps a feather-light touch, let it be it. Although, he will decrease the number of your encounters significantly until his own feelings have had a chance to die out.
Leman Russ
Do it. Please flirt with him, he will flirt back at you. And if there is mutual physical attraction, it may lead to bed and not to anything else after that. But hey, if you cross paths again and you are still interested and willing, he is always up for a romp. There is less chance of him catching feelings this way, though, unless of course you manage to impress him with something other than your honeyed words and hot touches. But should that be the case, well, prepare. Leman’s courtship is not for the weak of heart or stomach.
Rogal Dorn
He does not really do that? And he is likely not to make any remarks on your passing flirtations unless they bother him. If they do, you will be informed of that with all the frankness of a brick thrown into your face. If he catches feelings, though, prepare to hear a lecture on why you should mend your ways. And you will mend your ways.
Konrad Curze
Do not do that, part two: electric boogaloo. But seriously, do not. If you flirt with him out of nowhere, he will not understand. If you continue to flirt with him, he will either interpret it as a threat, in which case you will be promptly taken care of, or as genuine interest. And the thing is, do you remember The Little Prince? That famous quote from the fox? Yes, this is going to be your situation. And you will be held responsible. So take your pick.
Sanguinius
He does not really go for empty flirtations either. If he has interest in you, it will be genuine, and he will expect you to respond in kind. Sanguinius will see early on if you are not interested in anything else, and then he will back down, choosing to seclude himself from you rather than continue a game that will bear no fruit. And if you approach him first, he will see through it just as quickly, especially if he was not interested initially.
Ferrus Manus
It is hard to see him initiating this, but not impossible, especially if he has been coached by someone on how to approach you. And Ferrus is not so daft that he would fail to recognize when his efforts do not match your desire. In that case, he will simply drop the whole situation and go back to whatever he was doing. If you are the one to approach him with the sole intention of flirting, you will be dismissed. Rudely, but very directly.
Angron
Do not do that, or I will manifest in your bedroom and we will have a long and strenuous talk about how one should not play with people who have suffered enough. I will prepare a presentation for you, and you will be taking notes.
Roboute Guilliman
Kind of a similar situation to Lion, he is not much for empty flirtation, so if he decides to pursue someone, it is usually because he is genuinely interested and he expects the person to be interested as well. So if you are happy to accept initial interest, but you are not interested in taking it any further, have mercy and let him know early on. Yes, you will lose his interest and attention, but it will save you the ire of his sons if they ever understand that their Primarch has simply been strung along for too long. If the situation is reversed and you are the one who is going to flirt with the Primarch, well, if it is in social settings, it will be brushed off. If you insist on harassing him, again, expect his sons, or worse, his mother, to make their displeasure known.
Mortarion
A kind of impossible situation. Mortarion is not the one to initiate social contact, and if you try to flirt with him, he will brush you off. But if, for some reason, he has initiated and you just want to string him along, do not do that. It will hurt him. And in the end, it will hurt you even more once he is back from accepting Grandpa’s embrace.
Magnus the Red
Despite his scholarly nature, he is not innocent in the game of flirtation. So he may entertain you if there is not much else going on, but once he has something to sink his mind into, your game will be abandoned. If he has genuine interest in you, he will find ways to change your mind and change your ways.
Horus Lupercal
Please do that. He was born for this. He has charisma. He has magnetism. He has the smile. He is used to being adored, and he is very good for company. So yes, your flirting games will be legendary battles that anyone should be honored to witness. But beware, if the Warmaster catches feelings, that would be a snare closing around your neck. Because from that moment on, it is no longer a game, but a strategy that will trap you by his side.
Lorgar Aurelian
Do this at your own risk, part two. Look, Lorgar is not about empty flirtation. Everything he does has a purpose and a deep spiritual meaning, even if this meaning and purpose are obvious only to him. Plus, the moment you place yourself into his orbit, you also will be observed by his two closest "allies", and if they deem you to be a useful instrument, you will not be going anywhere. Unless they deem you a threat, in which case you will be going far, far away, very, very fast, cursing the day you laid eyes on their Primarch. Your best bet here is that if Lorgar catches feelings and both Erebus and Kor Phaeron see you as something useful. But yes, you will not be going anywhere, and there will be a very new role for you to undertake. Was it truly worth it just to see that man blush?
Vulkan
He is not one to engage in meaningless flirtations because it is simply not his area of interest. Vulkan is polite, respectful, and he does not cross the line between friendliness and perceived romantic interest. He is happy to entertain you with conversation, but the moment you try something of the more intimate variety, he will redirect your attention elsewhere. If, however, you engage in courtship and he sees that you are not interested beyond the surface level, he will end this pretty quickly and move on. You will not be forced into anything you do not want or like.
Corvus Corax
Well, another one who is not going to play a flirting game of his own volition. And if you try to flirt with him, well, good luck finding him and keeping him in your field of view for longer than a few seconds. If Corvus has genuine interest in you, he will spend some time observing you to make sure that you are indeed able to reciprocate his feelings and interest. So if, in that time, he sees you as someone who likes to flirt but not much else, he will not make his move. He is respectful like that.
Alpharius and Omegon
You know, it works for them. It is actually good to have someone who can be used as an alibi or as a convenient witness in some of those well-fabricated situations. And besides, should the heads of Hydra take a genuine interest in you, you will be taken into the fold, whether you like it or not. But you will truly believe that it was, in fact, your own decision.
-----------
Hey! I now have more here! (and here)
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns, @aggresivemenace, @passionofthesith, @t-boneless, @tea-ring, @nightlordlover, @lithiummoonfox
So, since it's actually liked and I planned continuing it, here comes some moar :3 About intimacy. I'll have more on it + on kissing in another post soon enough.
- First of all, this man has no experience. Like zero. None. The concept of intimacy is foreign to him
- Probably doesn't even realize he wants you like that at first. Just knows he wants to be closer and doesn't understand WHY
- The tension is unbearable. He stares at your lips while you talk. Stands way too close. Touches you just a bit too long
- You'd probably have to make the first move because he's too busy having an existential crisis about desire
- When you kiss him first he absolutely freezes. Blue screen of death. Needs a moment to process
- Then it's like something snaps and suddenly he's kissing you back like you're the air he needs to breathe
- There is so much hesitation. He's terrified of hurting you but also doesn't know how to be gentle
- His hands are shaking. The Night Haunter is terrified. But you're so soft and he's so NOT
- Needs constant reassurance that this is okay, that you want this, that he's not forcing anything
- Touch starved doesn't even cover it. The first time you touch his bare skin he makes a sound like he's been stabbed
- Goes so slowly at first, cataloging every reaction, every sound you make. He's studying you
- But then the control starts slipping and that's when things get interesting
- He is overwhelming. Like all consuming, can't think about anything else, devastating
- Grips you like you'll disappear. Leaves marks everywhere, fingerprints bruised into your hips, bite marks on your shoulders
- Then there's the eye contact. He watches you the entire time and it's intense and intimate and slightly unhinged
- Talks during it but it's the most unhinged mix of High Gothic poetry, threats, and desperate confessions
- "You're mine" but said like a prayer and a threat and a plea all at once
- Possessive to a level that should be concerning. Maps your body like he's memorizing it for when you're gone
- Surprisingly vocal. Gasps and groans and whispers your name like it's the only word he knows
- Starts gentle because he's terrified of breaking you but you can feel the restraint
- When you tell him he won't break you something shifts. Gets rougher, more desperate
- Pins your wrists. Bites your neck. Pulls your hair. But somehow it's reverent? Like aggressive worship?
- The duality of "I could kill you so easily" energy mixed with "I would die before hurting you" is a lot
- Gets off on your trust. The fact that you're vulnerable with him, that you're not afraid
- Control freak in the streets, loses all control between the sheets (but only with you)
- Definitely has a thing for having you completely at his mercy while simultaneously being completely undone by you
- Has definitely had visions during and had to stop for a second. "Are you okay?" "I just saw twenty-two timelines where this ends badly" "... do we need to stop?" "Absolutely not"
- Sometimes gets lost in his head and you have to ground him back to the present
- Might quote philosophy at inappropriate times. You're literally in the middle of things and he's murmuring about the nature of desire and human connection
- The lightning from outside illuminates everything at dramatic moments. It's very gothic and atmospheric
- Keeps his eyes open because closing them means visions and he wants to be here with you
- Has a thing for contrast. His scarred, bloody hands on your soft skin. The monster and the beauty situation
- Doesn't understand the concept of aftercare at first. "Why are you still here" Konrad, that's not how this works
- Once he learns, though? Clingy. Won't let you go. Wraps around you like a possessive octopus
- This is when he's most vulnerable. Guards are completely down. Might actually talk about feelings (badly)
- Traces patterns on your skin while his brain reboots. connects your freckles or scars like constellations
- this is when the soft confessions come out. "I don't deserve you" "You're the only good thing" "Please, don't leave"
- Falls asleep after sometimes (it's rarw) and he looks so peaceful it breaks your heart
- Wakes up in a panic if you try to leave the bed. "Where are you going" "Just to get water" "... come back"
- Randomly gets overwhelmed by wanting you. You'll just be existing and suddenly he needs to touch you
- The passion doesn't fade. If anything it gets more intense because he gets more comfortable
- Learns what you like and is smug about it. The bastard keeps notes (mentally but still)
- Jealousy is a whole different beast. Someone flirted with you? He's claiming you. Possessive on another level
- Sometimes it's slow and almost tender, foreheads pressed together, whispered words in Nostraman
- Other times it's desperate and rough and consuming, like he's trying to crawl inside your soul
- No in between. It's either "I worship you" or "I'm going to ruin you" energy
- Intimacy is when he's most honest. Can't hide behind the Night Haunter persona when he's falling apart in your arms
- Tells you things he's never told anyone. Fears, regrets, the weight of his visions
- Sometimes cries after and tries to hide it. Hold him anyway
- This is when he says he loves you without saying it. "You're everything" "I was nothing before you" "You make the visions quiet"
- Being vulnerable is terrifying for him but he's addicted to it with you
- You've seen him at his most human and he doesn't know whether to be grateful or terrified
- Intimacy with him is not easy. It's intense and sometimes overwhelming and emotionally exhausting
- But it's also the most intimate you'll ever be with another person because he holds nothing back
- He gives you everything, the good and bad and terrifying, and trusts you with all of it
- Possessive, obsessive, overwhelming? Yes. But also loyal and passionate and completely devoted
- This man would burn empires for you and that energy absolutely translates
Just finished The End And The Death Trilogy audiobook marathon. Dammit people. Just dammit. So much to keep up with. Appearances by everyone who is anyone. I loved Ezekyle Abaddon in these books, but Erebus… even if I didn’t hate that asshole before I surely despise, loathe and want him to suffer now. Back-stabbing bastard.
Outstanding writing by Dan Abnett (of course it is) with beautiful visuals and family drama to last a lifetime. I yelled at my car speakers more than once and stifled tears a few times, too. Many questions answered and several characters brought together for the final heresy confrontation. Heroes were made and legends were born.
we already know the way the primarchs reacted when someone got too close to you their wives, but what if the one being jealous is the wife. She begins to notice another woman getting to close their husband, the looks, the smiles the cute laugh she makes around*your* husband.
Hey @veryspecificreason, thank you for the ask! Now let's dive into it
A newly minted Rogue Trader is trying to lay claim to your Primarch, and you simply would not stand for that.
Fulgrim and Horus Lupercal
The worst thing about these two is that they actually get drunk on the attention and on people competing for them. However, there’s still a little bit of a difference. Fulgrim sees himself as universally desirable and worthy of admiration, but he also sees you as his perfect partner. So, while he’s willing to play the flirting game, he will never entertain someone’s suit as long as he has yours.
Horus, on the other hand, believes that he has the right to claim anything that comes his way, so he may go as far as to allow some less than innocent touches from this new admirer. But he will stop once you make your displeasure known to him. And while he is not going to apologize outright, he will at least try to rein it in until the next opportunity presents itself. Perhaps you should truly shun him from your bedroom for a month or two, so he can get the message that you do not share.
Ferrus Manus and Rogal Dorn
On one hand, both of them are not very affectionate in public, but both are also very quick to remind anyone who tries to lay claim to them that they are taken. Dorn, however, tries to keep it civil. He is firm in removing the admirer’s hand from his, but he does not crush it. Ferrus holds no qualms if someone tries to pull him from your side - bones will be broken, and emergency diplomacy from Fulgrim will be required.
But hey, both of them are fully devoted to you. And if a demonstration of their devotion in public is needed, then so be it. The whole Imperium will know just how happy you make your Lord Primarch.
Sanguinius and Lion El’Jonson
Both of them are trapped by the restrictions of what is expected from them in public settings, but they deal with it quite differently. Sanguinius is all about saccharine words and performances of grace and humility. He tries to redirect the other person the moment he sees your discomfort. And Sanguinius is quick to find you, to have you by his side for the rest of the evening. He will also outright refuse to talk to anyone who is not you or his brothers.
But the Lion is your stereotypical noble, offended that someone dared to talk to him without an explicit invitation. He will give the other person a public dressing‑down for even attempting to think that the Primarch’s chosen might be replaced by them. Never. They are not you, and the Lion will let them know just how short they fall.
Konrad Curze and Angron
Who in their right mind would try to approach them? Truly, who? Angron is barely contained at this event, if he even managed to make an appearance, and Konrad is simply looking at every person as if he is planning their demise in his mind right at this very moment. And you - you are a true miracle in this universe, someone who saw him for what he is yet chose to stay by his side despite all. So if anyone ever dares to make you uncomfortable, even by a sliver of a chance of questioning his loyalty to you, either one will turn them into a bloody puddle here and now. Pleasantries and politics be damned. Whatever is needed to make sure that you never doubt his loyalty - it will be done. Emergency diplomacy will need to be deployed.
Perturabo and Mortarion
And here he thought he had made himself unapproachable enough for anyone to try this stupid stunt. Yet apparently not. This newly minted nobility of the Imperium thinks they can lay claim to him! Him, who is truly, fully, and ardently yours. And worst of all, you’re somehow taking this bait. He thought better of you. You are his one and only - the only one allowed in his most inner sanctums. He will never entertain someone the way he entertains you. And if he needs to break the other person’s face to assure you of his loyalty, then so be it. Emergency diplomacy will need to be deployed as well.
Leman Russ and Jaghatai Khan
Listen, just because they are more free‑spirited or wilder than the rest of the Primarchs or the Imperium’s civilized circles does not mean that either one will ever betray you like that. Leman may enjoy the attention, but he always stops it before it crosses the line. Jaghatai is good for a laugh, but he is an expert at ending conversations before they go deeper. You know that, love.
Yet it looks like your tolerance has grown thinner these days. The moment that shadow crosses your face, he turns off all the charm that may have been previously on display and lets the other person know that he is taken, he is smitten, and you are the only one for him. So whoever this Rogue Trader thinks they are, they should apologize - but not to him, to you - if they want their dynasty to survive until the end of the next day. Because say the word, love, and they will destroy this wretch of a being for daring to offend you in their presence.
Vulkan and Roboute Guilliman
On one hand, Roboute is very used to this type of situation. He grew up among the ruling class, so he knows how others might try to solicit favors by offering their time and flesh to him. Vulkan is less experienced in this type of situation, but he was well‑adored long before you came into his life. So both of them navigate the situation almost perfectly, trying to redirect the other person while very nonchalantly saying that they are taken, that there is a person truly worthy of their time - and this person is you, and no one else will ever be able to compare.
Lorgar Aurelian and Corvus Corax
They are known as the more sensible of their brothers, so perhaps this is why this person feels free and entitled to try to take their time away from you. Yet worry not. Lord Lorgar will do nothing but sing praises to you in front of the one who thinks they can lure him away. The evening will end with the Rogue Trader swearing themselves to his Legion and to you specifically. They have seen the light.
And Corvus? He will simply disappear from their view, only to appear by your side, where he will stay until the event is concluded. You are his, and he is yours. Revel in this rare moment of the Primarch of the 19th being willingly visible, for they will not have another chance to do so.
Magnus the Red, Alpharius, and Omegon
Enigmatic ones, aren’t they? Perhaps this is why the other person thinks they’ll be able to pull your Primarch’s focus away from you for being just slightly more mysterious than everyday life allows. Fools! Magnus does not simply go for mysterious, and Alpharius and Omegon are not easily distracted by cheap tricks. You are the true key to their hearts. But seeing you so distressed by this cheap attempt for their attention wounds them. On one hand, the twins thought better of you - and so did Magnus - but they understand that sometimes people feel insecure over the simplest things. Still, they love and cherish you, so if they need to break that other person’s mind or perception of reality just to make sure that you feel secure in the relationship, then so be it. Nothing is too small or unimportant when it comes to you, dearest one.
-----------
Hey! I now have more here!
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns, @aggresivemenace, @passionofthesith, @t-boneless, @tea-ring, @nightlordlover, @lithiummoonfox
Let's say a Primarch's spouse is being used as a human shield/hostage by an assailant. Full on gun to their head or knife to their throat kind of situation.
How does each Primarch react?
Thank you! I get legitimately excited whenever I see your posts.
@beckyninja, @textuarypear938 - thank you for the asks, and I hope it is cool with combining these|?
Someone is holding you hostage right in front of your Lord Primarch. How would they react?
First of all, we need to acknowledge the difference between Primarchs who will spend time making sure that you are ready for a hand to hand close quarters combat situation and those who will not. Yes, obviously, all of them would like to see you secure, but some pay special attention to making sure that if anyone grabs you, you can make them regret it completely.
Angron is one such Primarch. Yes, he may not have trained you himself due to the Nails, but he has spent no small amount of time making sure that you can get out of almost anyone's hold on your own. So when he sees you being held with a knife against your throat, he knows all you need is a momentary distraction to get yourself free. And so he provides you with just that.
Angron plays the role of the screaming brute quite effectively, giving you the split second to weasel your way out of your captor's hold, to get a hold of the knife, and drive it straight into their neck. That will do, beloved. That will do perfectly.
The second person here is Leman Russ, who has spent months training you to make sure that anyone who grabs you will regret this decision immediately. So he taunts your captor while his sons make an advance from the back. Yes, it is far from honorable, but his foe had a chance to challenge him in combat, yet he decided to go for you.
So now the prize is being beaten by you while Space Wolves circle around them. And sons of Russ are keen to see their Pack Mother teaching a lesson to someone so much lesser than them.
The third person in this group is (perhaps surprisingly) Ferrus Manus. He has taught you how to use your own body weight and where to strike in order to disarm your opponent. And that is all you need. That is all he needs. In a matter of seconds you will break free and duck, all while he delivers the final blow. He is, after all, quite unmatched in close combat encounters.
Next there are others who supply you with every augmentation or tool needed in order for you to never be in danger.
It should come as no surprise that Perturabo is one of those. While you may oppose having augmentics installed in you directly, he still makes sure that whatever you are wearing can be turned into a weapon at a moment's notice. This is why all he needs is simply to press a sequence in his control glove and the jewelry you wear turns into a weapon that goes straight for your captor's eyes and throat. All you need to do now is fall to the ground, and he will deliver the finishing blow. At this point, he is not even mad at you. He is angry that someone dared to covet what was his all along.
Roboute Guilliman is the other person here. Yes, he has drilled into you a myriad of possible contingency scenarios, and this is simply one of them. So once he gives you a secret signal you react and he acts.
After that, it is all but the usual sequence for him and his sons to take the perpetrator down.
Yes, not everything goes according to plan each time, but worry not. Your Lord Primarch is here to make sure that you are safe, the same way you will always make sure that he is too.
Vulkan joked about overengineering things that he gives to you, but this time it comes as a blessing rather than a curse. A simple pin you wear can be turned into a short sword and thrust into your captor's eye before they can slice your throat. All Vulkan needs now is for you to be brave and make this thrust. Please do so. Once that is done, he will take care of everything he can in order to protect you.
Both Sanguinius and Konrad Curze are a category of their own due to their foresight, but they act differently from each other.
Konrad Curze is not going to fight fair. Your captor will not even see him coming before the strike is delivered, slicing their head in two. After that, he will send his sons after whomever is left on this base, all while you are wrapped securely in his arms.
Night Haunter gives no orders, but also no restrictions. Everything will go, and those who are currently alive in your immediate vicinity will dread the fact that they were born specifically to experience such pain. This one time Konrad trusts that his sons will not disappoint him.
Sanguinius tries to appeal to whatever possible noble nature is in there, but his words are hollow and well chosen. He knows the exact sequence of vowels, words, and pauses he must use in order for your captor to falter just a little bit for his sons to make this strike. Everything is preordained, everything is foreseen, and everything will be all right because he wished it so.
Magnus the Red and Fulgrim are both very full of themselves, but they also have enough knowledge and ability to back up their claim of saving you before your captor can finish their threats toward you.
Magnus will do exactly as you expect him to. There is sorcery, there are warp creatures, and there is a total melting of the mind of the man who has decided to take you hostage. It is flashy, it is loud, it is threatening to tear reality apart, yet once it is done, you are safe in your Crimson King's arms, and he will make sure that no one can ever touch you again, even if he has to install some failsafe that will open a Warp Rift should someone even try to approach you with ill intentions.
Fulgrim may be flamboyant and deeply insecure about everything, but when it is needed, he is precise and calculated.
So this is exactly what he does. He talks grandly, he flaunts himself, trying to be as noticeable and theatrical as possible. Yet in his movements, you see delicate footwork. He is closing the distance to the point that once your captor senses something wrong, it is too late. Fulgrim's blade slices the head clean off their shoulders, and you are free to fall into your Phoenician's arms. Breathe now, love. All is well, and he has saved you. If need be, he will drown this whole world in blood in order not to let the situation happen again.
Now let us get to the assorted ones.
Horus Lupercal commands attention. He leans heavily into his charms and the fact that when he talks, others listen. So he plays it to the full.
All that your captor sees is him, not the Mournival who are coming from the back. Then, when the time is right, Horus simply snaps his fingers and the blades are delivered to end your captor's life and free you back into the Warmaster's arms. All is well, you are safe. He will learn from this in order to never let situations such as this occur again.
What your captor underestimates about Lorgar is just how persuasive he can be. Even if he is not the most martial of his brothers, he is one of those who can talk and make people listen. So the strike is not delivered by your Lord Primarch. It is delivered by your captor's close aide, who has now seen the light and is ready to pledge their soul and body to the true gods, and their pledge starts with freeing you, the Saint of the Prophet. How could it be otherwise?
Khan liked to joke about his speed with you, but here you finally see how truly, terrifyingly fast he is. Your captor has not even finished his threat before his body is sliced in half, and you are far from him in Jaghatai Khan's hands. It is perhaps the first time you truly see how precisely fast and forceful he is. But worry not, this kind of force will never be turned against you, only used to protect you.
Rogal Dorn tries to make it honorable, to challenge the wretch who has captured you.
But they refuse. They try these underhanded tactics to make him surrender, to make him fall under pressure. It pains him, but he cannot do that. He is unwilling to sacrifice you. So he will push forward with a speed and force that were not previously expected of him. You may be injured, but he will make sure that for each drop of blood that you have lost, a life will be taken from the one who dared to raise their hand against you. He can only hope that you will forgive him afterward.
While Mortarion knows that you can endure and that you are ready to bleed for his cause, he still wishes you did not have to. Yet this time, releasing this scourge is safer than having you bleed. He knows that you can survive for approximately 10 minutes of this, but your captor will not last even one. So he releases a life choking cloud in the chamber, making everyone cough and choke, but you still stay strong. He has approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds to deliver the antidote to you, but he needed at least 2 minutes to exit the chamber with you, so 7 minutes and 30 seconds remain. Another minute is wasted because the automated defenses have activated. Another 2 are lost because this whole place is less stable than he would like before he can deliver the antidote. Finally, on the surface with 4 minutes and 30 seconds to spare, he will deliver what is needed to keep you by his side. Truly, your endurance is worthy of praise, and he will make sure that it does not need to be tested again any time soon.
It will take a miracle to find the real you, yet somehow that awful bridge had it on their side. It is you, the real you, who is captured and currently being held against the knife. So they have to act more quickly and more intelligently. Luckily, this is exactly their forte. If possible, they do it without you shedding a drop of blood. If not, they have a medical team on standby. After that, once you are patched up, Alpharius and Omegon will make sure that it is you who can choose the measure of justice to be delivered on each and every person in the bloodline that dared to raise their hand against you.
Lion El'Jonson tries to do this honorably, to challenge your captor to a true duel, but if they insist, he has people to take them out from a distance. It is not honorable, it is not clean, but you will be safe, and he will be free to be as wild as he was during his first years. When it comes to you, he bears no qualms about rejecting possible knightly honors. He is a wild beast, keen on saving his mate and everyone else be damned.
Did your assailant really think they would see Corvus before he was ready to deliver his final blow? Well, yes. As inconceivable this may be, your Lord Primarch does choose to reveal himself first, mainly so his sons can have a chance to deliver a strike from the shadows. This perhaps is one such situation in which calling attention to him is for the best.
But after this is resolved, he will make sure that you are more obscured than one could ever consider conceivable. No one will ever lay their hands on you, love. He will make sure of that.
-----------
Hey! I now have more here!
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns, @aggresivemenace, @passionofthesith, @t-boneless, @tea-ring, @nightlordlover
It's finally the day! All your things have finally been moved into your new husband's room and it's time to enjoy your honeymoon. Maybe you can stretch seductively across the bed and... you can't reach it. Everything in this room is sized for a Primarch. The bloody bedframe is taller than you. You might need to requisition a step ladder.
Big men, small (smaller than them) you! How will this work living-situation wise?
Lion El'Jonson
Lion subscribes to the notion that your and his quarters are to be separate no matter what. You have your own full set of rooms, furnished and designed the way your heart desires. He has his own set of rooms to be as useful as he needs them to be. If it is a matter of the two of you coming together for the task of sharing living space, he will propose using his, for yours could not support his stature or weight. But other than that? Your most noble of knights is not too concerned about having a shared space for the time being. However if you are to take flight on his ship, he will be met with reality, arranging for some, let us say, tools to make sure that you can navigate his quarters, because on his ship the most secure place for you is to be right next to him.
Fulgrim
He is perhaps the only one who is truly equipped to deal with it. He had mortal spouses before, and while those had their own separate quarters, he understands that his stature and size are not to be compared to the baseline. But if you are to share quarters on his ship, he will make sure that your needs are accounted for. There are step-stools, ladders and padding - all accounted for. And, of course, you'll have your very own hygiene suite perfectly tailored to your size and needs. Other than that, Fulgrim does find it a bit funny, yet still endearing, when you try to do things with the equipment that was always meant for his size and not yours.
Perturabo
He is quite mean about it. His living space is optimized for him, so if you do not measure inorganically - you will have to find a way to compensate for that, and he does not wish to be ever bothered with whatever issues you may encounter. Keep it to yourself and be in his space only if you are truly valuable to his lordship. That is until his wants to spend some private time with you and had to lift you to the bed. It kills the mood, but he arrange for enchantments afterwards. Look, he is petulant, but he is not truly callous.
Jaghatai Khan
Honestly, he can take it or leave it, because some things are simply things to him. While back on Chogoris, you will have your own rooms with things tailored for you, but on the move, you are expected to share his living quarters. And here Jaghatai expects you to make your own arrangements in order to make the space livable for you.
He is best at not drawing attention to whatever you need to do or whatever you want to have. Your Khan is ever respectful of your needs, but he is not going to bend over backwards in order to accommodate them.
Leman Russ
Honestly, he just expects you to get on with the things that are made to be his size: lord’s bed, lord’s furniture, lord’s table, and lord’s appetites. He pays no mind if you need any tools to reach things on his level, but he still expects you to reach them. So yes, a bed could be too large for you, you may need assistance to be lifted to a chair, and the plate placed before you at dinner is something you could eat off for several days.
Yet Leman also pays no attention to whether or not you are struggling to reach those things, and if someone does call attention to your struggles, he is sure to bash their skull against the wall. You are his mate, his spouse - so whatever tools you need to use at your discretion - are to be at your disposal, and no one is to call attention to that. But behind closed doors he all but adores your smaller stature. Mainly because seeing you taking his length the way you do - is the finest aphrodisiac this side of the universe has to offer.
Rogal Dorn
He would request your measurements and preferred dimensions well ahead of when he is ready to share his quarters with you. Thus once it is time to move in - there is some sort of hybrid space that is fitted to both him and you. Yes, perhaps you will have some sort of additional tools (like ladders) in order to be comfortable, but all in all he will always account for whatever limitations you may have that are not applicable to his size.
Konrad Curze
He will need a thorough sit down in order to make him understand how your needs are impacted by his choices. That yes, you need accommodations that go beyond him not killing you and ordering his sons not to kill you. Honestly, he is not likely to actually get it, but he is likely to simply give you free rein with the resources that are available to him in order for them to be available to you.
Once you are done with the changes to your shared quarters, Konrad does take note of that, but other than that he makes no comment. Sevatar may, but he will find himself with quite a few rearranged teeth if he ever tries to do that in Konrad’s and yours company. Lesser sons will not survive it at all.
Sanguinius
He actually gets it. His wings and stature require a lot of special maintenance, so he knows that you, a cherished baseline, will require something other than that.
Yet he is very keen on sharing a space with you. Your Great Angle allows - or rather - encourages you, to take charge of it. So yes, if you want to share space with him, you will be responsible for making sure that it is custom-made for both his wingspan and your size. But trust me on this one, he is more than happy to enter the space that you have designed with his and your needs in mind. And he will make sure to make his happiness know in most intimate of fashions.
Ferrus Manus
Originally, Ferrus has no qualms about your plea that things in his space are way too big for you. But as your relationship progresses, he may be amenable to introducing a few amendments that will make his Primarch sized space more suitable for your baseline. But generally that is it. Do not expect much from him here at all.
Angron
Perhaps a bit sad, but he has never intended to share his living space with you, so there is no accounting for your size. If you want to be in his space, you will have to find a way to compensate for it. So, yes, probably bring a ladder with you or learn how to climb.
Roboute Guilliman
Roboute likes to think that he is prepared, but in reality his detailed instructions were lost in translation, and this is how the two of you ended up with three rooms. One is built for you, one for him, and the third one is an unholy amalgam of things in between. There are two beds side by side, two chairs, two desks, and two wardrobes, all of different sizes and horribly mismatched styles. The worst of all this is discovered upon your arrival, when you are all but falling from exhaustion. Very well, tonight you will rest separately, but tomorrow he will redraw everything from scratch.
Mortarion
He is very much against sharing his resting space with you. For health and safety reasons. So if you insist on this - he is at a loss. Yet he is quick to relinquish whatever control he fathomed over it. Do with the space and him as you may. He will adapt. At your leisure.
Magnus the Red
You need not worry about it. Your shared quarters are perfectly furnished for the baseline, and when he is in them with you, he will also adjust his size to a baseline as well. So despite the fact that he can grow to truly enormous sizes, he will - in general - adapt his size to the one you are most comfortable with. Unless, of course, you want to experiment with his ever growing frame...
Horus Lupercal
Horus will pay no mind to it. You are an accessory to his lordship and the largess of the Imperium, so you will have to do with what he has provided you with. Yes, you are free to introduce your own tools, but do not ever expect him to navigate your needs with genuine interest. But all in al,l you are at least not constrained in your resources; whatever you want, whatever you need, will be created and delivered as soon as possible.
Lorgar Aurelian
Whatever you are talking about, he has commissioned a room that is a perfect synergy of you and him! There are ladders, step-stools or even ornate pedestals. This is one area in which Lorgar excels.
He is all but ecstatic to make sure that your shared living space is completely tailored to your needs and joy. Granted, you still will be subject to his daily sermons, but other than that, it is complete luxury and comfort. So be as you may?
Vulkan
Vulkan is the largest of them all, naturally. So he quite understands that things that are comfortable for him will not be that comfortable or of use to you.
And yet, he is keen to sit with you and work out whatever augmentations you may need in order to be able to navigate his space without much help or assistance. Tempting is that may be to exercise his size over you.
Corvus Corax
Corvus is actually against the idea of you and him having shared quarters, mainly because it is a security risk for him, at least publicly.
In private, he does have a number of nests across the ship in which you and he can find a moment of respite together. Those are mostly built to your size and not his, but he is willing to suffer some discomfort just to be able to hold you in his arms without having to worry what this might entail. On one occasion - when you were forced to stay in his quarters - he will you bundled in his bed, far too large for you, surrounded by his colors and draped in his cape. This alone is most cherished memory he has.
Alpharius&Omegon
There is a benefit to being the shortest Primarchs as they need not bother much with adjusting their living space to you.
Yes, some of the things may still be just a little too high for you to reach. And they do delight in being able to solve your daily struggles. To the point that they are hiding any tools that may help you to do things without them. No ladders or step stools for you, dear one, only them and them alone.
Special
Actually, this is going to be a note to another post I saw but currently cannot find (if you know what post I am talking about, please let me know, I would love to credit to them!!!). The real issue will be toilet and bathroom.
And if with the bathtub you can deal with the Primarch-sized one, the toilet is a completely different situation. So, all in all, you would likely have a different one built specifically to your measurements, because otherwise the fate of falling down a Primarch-sized toilet is worse than death.
-----------
Hey! I now have more here!
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns, @aggresivemenace, @passionofthesith, @t-boneless, @tea-ring
I just read the proposal headcanons and the Konrad ones made me chortle.
Can we please have a follow up of the other Primarchs reacting to him getting married? Especially if reader is this sincere, goodness of their heart kind to person who genuinely loves him?
Because I can see the other Primarchs just smiling and nodding while putting her through a field sobriety test 😭😂
A wedding of Konrad Curze and a stranger – how do the rest of the Primarchs react?
By all accounts, it should have ended in your death, yet there is a wedding, and his brothers are concerned!
Fulgrim is the one spreading the news, and he makes sure that it is spread like wildfire (or a plague, depending on how you look at it). He also is the only reason why Ferrus Manus is aware of what is happening.
Now, depending on whether or not Horus is already married, he takes the news differently. If he is married, he is eager to see another one of his brothers in marital bliss. If he is not, he is contemplating whether he should have a shotgun wedding with his advisor simply because he would like to be the first of his brothers to marry and have an Imperial wedding.
Sanguinius is slightly concerned and looking into different futures to see what your ultimate fate will be.
Perturabo pays it no mind initially, but there is a seed of doubt gnawing at him from within, that one of his less conventionally accepted brothers is marrying someone and he is still single. Is there something wrong with him? Or perhaps something right with you?
Rogal Dorn pays no mind at all unless he is asked to build the venue. If not, he will appear when he is asked to appear.
Vulkan, on the other hand, would like to talk to you before the wedding, just to see if you are truly doing it of your own volition or if something is forcing you.
Lorgar is beefing with Horus, as he would like to be the one officiating and, in fact, planning your ceremony. Refuse at all costs.
Mortarion and Angron have heard about your wedding and would very much like to stop hearing about your wedding, but Fulgrim’s messages come through as if they are official briefings. At some point, both simply pick out the most distant place they can go to and set off there with a single purpose in mind: to miss your wedding.
Both Leman Russ and Jaghatai Khan are always up for a party. It does not even matter to them that the party is in honor of Konrad and you. Although, Leman jokingly asks for a bride price and gets himself promptly punched in the face.
Admittedly, Roboute Guilliman did not have a set of protocols for this specific situation, but he still sends a gift in good faith and taste. And, honestly, it makes him think about whether he should have married that one person who is currently occupying his workspace. No, of course not. There should be a proper courting period before that!
The Lion is the only one who actually does a background check on you. Not because he cares about Konrad, but mainly because he cares about the integrity of the Imperium. Closeness to a Primarch, even one such as Konrad Curze, grants you access to information he is not comfortable with, unless, of course, he can audit the past ten generations of your family. Now please submit answers to this thirty-page questionnaire. Thank you very much.
Magnus, as well as Alpharius and Omegon, are very intrigued by the wedding, but for completely different reasons. And for the sake of your sanity, let us just leave it at that.
Corvus Corax is as likely as he is unlikely to make an appearance at your wedding, but he does visit you the night before with a single question: if you want out. Seeing that you do not, he is perturbed and concerned but accepts your answer nevertheless. Maybe there is something to that, although you personally will never get his answer.
-----------
Hey! I now have more here!
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns, @aggresivemenace, @passionofthesith
Yes, I'm working on requests, but I also wanted to share this.
Also this is short, sorry. I'm thinking on expanding it to a full length, but not sure just yet.
Traitors killing Loyalists' spouses during Heresy
Horus Lupercal – Never meant to kill you, planned on keeping you until the end of the Heresy and allowing you to reunite with his brother once the hard part was over. It is never going to be over now.
Lorgar Aurelian – Didn't mean to kill you. Planned on re-educating you and making you stand by his side as one of the faithful - especially if you were the one beholden to Roboute Guilliman - alas, you will be a martyr before you'll be a saint.
Angron – Never meant to kill you, was simply transporting you on Horus’s orders, but things did not go according to plan. You fought back, and the Nails… forced his hand. Oh, well, what was left of you can still be delivered.
Konrad Curze – Meant to kill you, but intended to do so in front of his brother for extra devastation. But even your corpse will have to suffice.
Fulgrim – Didn't mean to kill you, thought you would be a valuable bargaining chip - or a gift, if we're talking about Ferrus Manus. But the sword spoke, and you no longer can.
Magnus the Red – Never wanted to kill you, wished to show you the truth about the Imperium and the galaxy at large. Or, in the case of Leman Russ, just how horrible your choice was. It's not his fault your mind broke.
Mortarion – Always knew that you were likely to end up dead in his care, but wasn’t outright trying to kill you. And technically he didn't - you're still alive, just changed. Like him.
Perturabo – Was meant to kill you, but to do so himself, after letting your beloved see how futile their attempts to save you were. Having you shot by one of his sons was not the plan, but he will work with what he has.
Alpharius Omegon – Counted on killing you but keeping it a secret. Because if it’s not a secret, then replacing you with many look-alike doesn’t work. So what to do now?
Loyalists killing Traitors' spouses during Heresy
Leman Russ – He is an executioner, sure. But he was meant to capture you, to bring you to Terra. Not this… never this. You weren’t a warrior; you were scared, heavy with his brother’s child, just trying to protect them. And he killed you. How could this be salvaged?
Ferrus Manus – It should have been mechanical, but it isn’t. You were the one to bring his brother genuine joy, yet he was the one to witness the light leaving your eyes. Was it truly the only way? And can he face Fulgrim after that?
Sanguinius – He never meant to kill you - never! All he wanted was to bring you back into the fold, to keep you safe until this unpleasant situation was over. It’s just… your neck snapped so easily. How could anyone blame him?
Lion El’Jonson – He was meant to execute you as an example of what happens to a traitor to the Imperium. But for that, you should have first been proclaimed a traitor. For now you were still just a captive - but you were dead still. What has he done?
Jaghatai Khan – You’re willful, he gives you that, but that alone does not make you deserving of death. Yet you decided to make a break for it, and he reacted fast. Too fast, as your head is now splashed across the wall. Stars above and so below, he should have been slower this one time.
Rogal Dorn – You were meant to be the prisoner until your fate was decided. He bears no ill will towards you, yet his hands are now marked by your blood. Was it truly the right choice?
Roboute Guilliman – This was not a command given to him - far from it. Yet why did it all go wrong, with you choosing to detonate the charges? And now you’re dead, and he is at fault. Burning his brother’s city is one thing… but killing their beloved? He is not ready to deal with that.
Vulkan – No. He is supposed to know his own strength. Grabbing you was a necessity - squeezing you to death wasn’t. He was meant to apprehend you, to make it harder for the traitors to plan their next move. But then why is your mangled body hanging from his hand? And what will happen next?
Corvus Corax – He understood that it might be required to purge the affected as they went through this. And devastation over the loss of a loved one is an effective tool. Yet, you were always kind to him and the others. It felt wrong to just outright kill you. Yet here you are, dead at his feet - and he is lost.
-----------
Hey! I now have more here!
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns
So I've read your "Invite a Primarch to your wedding" and it got me thinking. What if you send them a proposal instead? Just a random citizen of the Imperium sending a marriage proposal to one of the demi-gods?!
So you - a complete stranger - send a Primarch a marriage proposal.
Fantastic! Let's see how would they react?
Lion El’Jonson + Fulgrim + Roboute Guilliman
(aka the three who have administrations to work through this)
They are kind of similar, so I grouped them. For Lion, Roboute, and even Fulgrim, you receive a polite, well-written response stating that your proposal is rejected. It is all very official-looking and absolutely devoid of any emotion, although Fulgrim’s is heavily perfumed. In the case of Lion, you will also be closely monitored for some years afterward to see what possible secret ploy you might have had in mind when sending this invitation. For Roboute, your proposal was the 77th one that particular day.
Perturabo
You had better be prepared for the fallout that will follow because our ever-petulant child will see this as some sort of mockery toward him. He will investigate you, and it is highly likely that he will find something not to his liking, and you will be held responsible for wasting his time and effort. In a very unlikely scenario in which he sees you and falls smitten at first sight, he will still treat this as an inconvenience, and you will be held responsible for inconveniencing him. There is no winning with this one.
Jaghatai Khan
Oh, he finds this amusing and would like to meet you in order to give you a chance to explain a bit more about why you thought that sending him a marriage proposal was a great opening move. Yes, he moves fast, but this is a little too fast even for him.
Leman Russ
He will issue you a challenge - if you truly believe yourself suitable to be his spouse, you must be fit for it. So yes, if you want to take it further, you will have to agree to a series of trials on Fenris, which will culminate in a wrestling match between you and the Primarch. It does not matter that you will not win, but if you show enough gusto, he may consider you a possible candidate. You can start courting after that.
Rogal Dorn
You will receive an official response stating that your message has been received and will be reviewed in due course. After some months, you will receive a second response stating that your initial request has been reviewed and is now denied. Please do not submit it again.
Konrad Curze
He does not get many letters, so he will read yours and then probably short-circuit. Then he will try to find you to discuss whatever possessed you to send him this. You may or may not survive this encounter, but if you do - well, there will be a wedding. So, yay? Win-win?
Sanguinius
You will not receive any response from Sanguinius because, honestly, he receives marriage proposals on the same level Roboute does. But unlike Roboute, he does not have a well-oiled administrative setup to churn out official responses. So there is a good chance that he never sees your letter - unless he foresaw it.
Ferrus Manus
Your letter will be ignored. That’s it. There is nothing else to say here. I’m very sorry for wasting your time.
Angron
You will not receive any response from Angron. And honestly, it is rather a cruel joke on your part to do so - unless, of course, you were sincere and this is simply “I have loved you from afar and now choose to make my feelings known.” But even if that is true, it’s all the same to him.
Mortarion
He also believes this to be a cruel joke. You will not receive a response, but if you by any chance meet him afterward, he will be closely watching your reaction. Was it truly a joke from your side, or was there a hint of sincerity? Either way, Mortarion is not going to act rashly - he will wait and see until you inevitably reveal exactly what you have planned.
Magnus the Red
Listen, he’s not against marriage overall, but he wants his spouse to be on nearly the same level as he is, intellect- and curiosity-wise. For now, you are doing well because you have piqued his curiosity with this letter, but will you be able to answer his riddle-three in order to progress to the next stage?
Caution advised: trying to decipher Magnus’s riddles can lead to madness, insanity, loss of self, and tears in reality - and he will not be held liable for that.
Horus Lupercal
If you are from a noble house, he may try to see if there is something to be gained from entertaining you for some time. The actual idea of marriage is not alien to him, but his spouse must be exceptional, and he is quite picky about it. If you are, however, someone of lower social standing, the letter will be ignored, like many other things in his life.
Lorgar Aurelian
Well, this is unexpected - but perhaps it was prophesied? Lorgar needs some time to sit with his thoughts and think about the whole prospect of marriage. Of course, it was always desirable, but he honestly thought it would look a little different. Still, if you are willing to make a plea for his hand, you must be almost on the same level he is. You could be a stranger now, but it does not mean that he cannot bring you into his fold to make sure that you are truly deserving of being his partner by his side. So please be ready - your training starts tomorrow morning, and yes, it is mandatory.
Vulkan
It is my firm belief that he receives a lot of marriage proposals, so it is not something unfamiliar to him. If you are from Nocturne, it is almost a given that people would like to see him as a spouse, so he is at least kind enough to send a response stating that his current work does not allow for such attachment. If you are from anywhere else in the wider Imperium, you will still receive a response, but it will be more official-looking. His sons will, however, keep an eye on you, just in case.
Corvus Corax
How do these messages keep finding him? Being hard to track is arguably his entire deal. So how, why, and who thought it would be a good idea to send a marriage proposal to him? Nevertheless, he gets to work tracking you and your family, seeing what foul play may be afoot - all while keeping himself hidden from your view. To summarize, you do not receive a reply, but you do receive a lot of his attention afterward.
Alpharius Omegon
Done! You are now married to Alpharius, who is, of course, the real Alpharius and not someone else. Please collect your things - you will be moving to live with your Alpharius tomorrow morning. And from that day, you will live very happily until the end of your days. Congratulations! Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?
-----------
Hey! I now have more here!
-----------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge, @yyourmotherr, @riokunova, @marcela2000, @f1shz , @rogalist-of-dorns, @aggresivemenace
Woke up suddenly with this scenario in my head like 3 days ago and I REALLY wanted to explore the idea but didn't know who to send it as a prompt to... Then this got very out of hand and i wrote over 4k words in 2 days.
Scenario: You're in a relationship with a Primarch and one day he finds out that your brother is one of his Astartes.
Featuring: Khan, Russ, Curze, Sanguinius, Vulkan, Alpharius
Contains: Good Sibling Relationships, Mild Bullying Between Siblings, Konrad being Konrad, Canon Typical Violence, Gender Neutral Reader, They/Them Reader, My first posting of a fic in over 10 years, My first 40k fic
Jaghatai Khan
Khan walked through camp at midday in search of you. The planet the White Scars were currently occupying was beautiful- full of windswept valleys and ravines perfect for racing through on their bikes. He had found a particularly interesting area the day before while exploring and intended to take you on a drive, but it seemed you had wandered out of camp.
In his search he came across a small crew of young marines, laughing amongst themselves, and recognized them as a group you were fond of. He greeted them, nodding as they snapped into attention, before asking if they had seen you recently.
"Yes sir, they left not long ago with a brother to go riding, headed some klicks southeast of here to a canyon," the leader of the group answered him.
Khan thanked the man, saddled his jetbike, and headed out. You were free to do as you liked, of course, and you were easy friends with many of his sons so he had no reason to distrust you- but the only person you had ever ridden with was himself. Why suddenly go out alone with one of the White Scars? His curiosity sped him forwards towards the canyon.
It was an impressive site, sheer cliff faces cut through by a rapid river some millions of years ago leaving a perfect winding course. Jagged rocks stuck up at inclines throughout the middle making for natural obstacles.
Or ramps, it would seem, as the sound of a speeding bike grew closer before it launched over the ledge of one. Both you and the driver yelled in delight as you took to the air.
The bike came down firm, a perfect landing, and skid to a stop not far from him. Khan stared, genuinely surprised at the sight of you STANDING on the back of the bike, bent forward enough to grab hold of the marine driver for stability. It was a dangerous place to be, with risk of a bump throwing you or your grip slipping. When you rode with him, you sat in his lap, back against his chest, with one of his arms holding you to him if he could spare it. He loved the intimacy of it.
You noticed him first as he approached.
"Jaghatai!" You called to him, waving excitedly.
The marine shot up on instinct to greet the khan, which had the unfortunate side effect of throwing you from the back of the bike. Khan was there before you hit the ground, supporting you in his arms.
"Great Khan, my deepest apologies!" The man said, taking off his helmet. Once righted on the ground, you did the same.
"You should be apologizing to me," you jabbed at him, but without any real upset. He turned to you, demeanor relaxing and expression a bit sheepish as he did as you suggested.
Khan put the pieces together immediately. His sons in camp hadn't just meant their brother, but your brother. No wonder you had run off with him to do stunt riding.
"I wasn't aware you had family among my people," he said, appraising the young marine. You moved beside your brother and wrapped an arm around his back, leaning against him. In return he held your shoulder, pulling you closer.
"I hadn’t expected him to get stationed with us. I ran into him the other day and we’ve been catching up and doing… this,” you gestured at the bike, “basically any moment we could get away. It’s been really nice.” Your smile said it all.
Khan nodded, a slow motion as he accepted these facts. He looked around, an idea forming. The canyon was a perfect training spot and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t interested to speed through it himself, perhaps even with you in his lap now that he knew about your daredevil side. He made a decision.
“This is a grand site you’ve been keeping to yourselves. I wish to bring the other young warriors here to test their skills. Let us head back to camp to make arrangements,” he said.
You and your brother exchanged looks, excitement filling you both.
“Would you mind if I rode back with my brother?” You asked your Khan.
There was a brief moment of disappointment upon hearing the request that he shook off. Of course you could ride with your brother. He wouldn’t deny you any of your freedoms, even if he had to deal with the anxiety of the two of you riding back in the same manner you had been before, standing on the back of the bike, throwing all caution to the wind.
One of the marines took over the next part of their tale, launching into how he stalked the beast to its lair but found himself trapped by three more that flanked him. Surrounded, he fought them off singlehandedly until his brothers arrived and-
Leman Russ
It was an average Space Wolf evening, which was to say, loud and drunk as all hell. Tonight was especially rowdy, as some new pups had earned their place among their brothers with their first successful hunt as a pack. The men were reciting the tale of their glory for all those present, often shouting above one another in their eagerness to share.
One of said brothers broke out into a rout of laughter, leaning back in his seat like he might spill himself to the floor.
“Singlehandedly?! When we arrived they had you pinned, I was the one who saved your sorry ass!” The laughing marine asserted.
Russ hadn’t really been listening much. You promised to join them once you had finished writing some letters and he was thinking about just going to get you at this point. But that laugh cut all his thoughts short. For a brief moment he had thought you had slipped in and started laughing along, but you weren’t there. The cadence was the exact same, just deeper. He’d know that noise anywhere, loved it when he pulled it from your lips with crass jokes and light touches. Why did this pup have your laugh?
He got up and approached him. As he drew closer he had to once again double check that you hadn’t walked past, because he caught your scent. It was subtle, maybe not the exact same, but close enough, and also coming from the laughing marine. He stood over the man now, the story paused as everyone looked at the Primarch in confusion.
You finally walked in then, and everyone’s eyes snapped to you.
“What in the world did I miss-”
Russ and the Space Wolf both excitedly called your name at the same time before snapping to look at one another in confusion. This caused both of them to miss you sprinting at them full tilt.
“You’re here?! You didn’t contact me as soon as you could?!” You threw yourself around the marine, who started his laugh again as he hugged you.
“Dear sibling, I had no idea you were amongst the wolf pack! I had only just earned my place here!” His hold was crushing but you didn’t care, so excited to see your brother again.
“Leman!” You pulled back, giggling and giddy and so vibrant. Russ smiled, you were so beautiful when you were like this. “This is my little brother, finally come home to the pack!”
“Little brother,” he scoffed, standing to show off his full height and strength. “Maybe as children, but you’re the little one now!” He picked you and sat you on his shoulder while you both laughed that same laugh.
Russ grinned fully, nodding in approval, mystery of the strange laugh and smell solved. He reached to pull you off the man and into his own arms but your brother jerked back, unconsciously baring his teeth at a perceived threat.
“Hey!” You snapped, slapping him up the back of the head. “That’s my mate AND your Primarch you’re growling at. Hand me over!”
“Mate?!”
Russ took the moment to retrieve you and walk back to his place at the head of the table where you stayed in his lap.
“We both have tales to tell, brother. Now restart yours, I want to hear everything.”
Russ was much more intrigued by the story this time around, especially now that you were there to react and cheer them on. The pup had a ways to go yet, but if he was anything like you he would prove himself to be one of the best. He couldn't be more sure of it.
Maybe you had run? Finally come to your senses and abandoned him? Or maybe you had been run off, hunted even, when he had left you unguarded. He could see flashes of your skin adorning armor, blood drip drip dripping down a drain, a life washed away like refuse after a storm. The only life he cared about.
Konrad Curze
He went stalking for you one night on the ship. The deck you usually kept yourself to was quiet, away from his sons, and any that approached unauthorized or without good reason were beaten or killed, depending on Curze's mood that day. You hadn't been told specifically to stay there, but the implication existed. It wasn't safe among the Night Lords for you on your own. So when he had searched the entirety of your deck and couldn't find you, thoughts of the worst started to cloud his mind.
His spiraling, by it's nature, got worse as he raged through the ship, looking everywhere for what remained of you. He found his answer in a small library hidden away down a dark corridor, the room lit by candles scattered across dusty shelves and carved up tables.
He found you alive, sitting beside one of his sons holding a blade. He could smell your blood.
"Wait- KONRAD STOP!"
He had flown into a rage, targeting the marine with the full intent to shatter the man. Flay him alive, cut his tendons, force him to crawl through the halls of the ship still alive to warn his other brothers that you don't EVER dare touch, let alone hurt, the person who belonged to Konrad Curze.
But you took up his vision first. Moving into his killing path, you took the blow of his body, wrapping yourself around him in a bear hug.
"I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm okay," you chanted into his chest as he ground to a halt, nearly falling at the sudden redirection. "He's an ass but he didn't hurt me. He'd never hurt me."
You pulled back enough from his chest to glare at the Night Lord who now stood to the side, watching the display with an inscrutable expression.
"Right?" You stared at him for confirmation.
"Depends on the day with you, sometimes," he shrugged.
Curze started growling at his answer and you sighed.
"That's not helpful, asshole. Do you WANT my man to kill you?" You looked up at the pale face of your lover, black eyes filled with hatred. "Konrad, please calm down. He's my brother- like actual from birth brother. I had known he was apart of the legion but I didn't know he was on the ship till today. We were talking here where none of the others would bother us."
"You're bleeding," Curze rumbled, grabbing your injured hand and holding it up like you weren't aware.
"He handed me his knife because he's a show-off and I didn't believe him when he said how sharp it was. I got worse from him when we played as kids, and I gave him just as much back, I promise you."
Slowly, you pulled away from Curze and stepped towards your brother. Looking at you side by side he could see the resemblance, almost feeling sick as he took in the mix of your features with his own coloring.
The Night Lord leaned down and whispered something to you with a sick grin. Your reaction was swift- a slap right across his smug face while you gawked at him.
"Boy! You are tempting fate today, aren't you! I saved you from your Primarch but that won't save you from me," you snapped.
Curze stared at the scene, not quite sure how to handle the situation. He still felt that urge to punish the man, but... in a way he had just watched you do it. As the candle light flickered across the Astartes' face, the more of you he saw in it. He even grinned the same way as you.
Thoroughly over this situation, Curze grabbed your arm and pulled you away towards the exit.
"See you later," you called back to your brother.
Curze wasn't sure about that, half tempted to throw the man off the ship later that night. But... you hummed a bit as you tried your best to match his quick pace, smiling and visibly more relaxed then you had been for sometime.
Maybe he could stay. If what you said was true, he could even be a suitable guard for you. He glanced down at you and finally slowed down to let you walk beside him, but didn't let go of your arm. You looked up, met his eyes, and grinned.
If keeping you smiling at him meant allowing one of his damnable "sons" around you, then so be it. It was worth the risk.
No, he could still save this place. He had to try.
Sanguinius
It was always excruciating to be away from you. Here, in the middle of a battlefield, the feeling was at its worst. Artillery blew past, chainswords roared through the daemons that now infested the planet’s capital, and through it all he could hear your voice clearly in his head, wishing him luck in the campaign to bring this place to compliance. His bolter turned a possessed peasant’s head into gore. A vision passed in his thoughts without fanfare of the planet being forced through exterminatus.
Pushing forwards into the city, the Blood Angels spread out between the buildings to take out as many foul beasts as they could find. Sanguinius aimed for the city center, following vox reports of a powerful daemon lurking there. The place was a maze of tall buildings that were once decorated with flags and pennants that crisscrossed above the streets to welcome the Imperium for talks, but now many lay ruined on the cobblestones. The ropes and wires left from them made it impossible to fly ahead.
Halfway there, through the gore and stink of the warp, he smelled you. He smelled your blood, here, when you were safe home in his rooms of the Imperial Palace a million miles away. Daemon trickery, it had to be, but- no, as he approached it got stronger, it was definitely your blood. The Thirst scratched at him, pushed him away from his goal and towards that scent of home.
He didn’t find you, he knew he wouldn’t. He found one of his sons, a daemon’s claws having torn through his arm, leaving it further down the alley he sat in. He was still alive, bolter trained on Sanguinius until he recognized his Primarch and dropped it.
“My Lord!” He cried, like a prayer, anguished and reverent.
“I am here,” Sanguinus answered. “I will help you.”
It was hard to be so close to the man, but the closeness also brought out the differences in the smell that he hadn’t picked up before. The Space Marine engineering process always left a smell in the blood that varied between legions, Sanguinius had found. Everyone of Horus’ sons smelled so strongly of their gene-father he was sure he wouldn’t be able to tell them apart if they blindfolded him and forced him to pick by scent alone. His own sons, somehow, just faintly, smelled like the sands of Baal.
This mixed mutely with the smell of your blood, enough to change it, enough to make it more bearable to help.
He pulled combat stims and wound sealant from the man’s kit and did his best to administer both. Neither were apothecary grade, but it didn’t need to be, it just needed to work. While he was applying the sealant to the stump of the arm, the man started to speak.
“How is… my sibling? I trust you are… taking good care of them?”
Sanguinius kept working but didn’t answer right away, processing what the words meant. His patient noticed and spoke your name.
It was a shock. You had never spoken of a sibling before, and yet here he was in his army, fighting daemons and losing limbs for the Imperium. Sanguinius turned his warmest smile on his son.
“They are doing wonderfully. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel blessed for having them in my life. I’m sorry, I was unaware of your connection,” as he spoke the man shook his helmeted head. Sanguinius itched to take that helmet off, to see if underneath he still looked like you.
“Do not apologize, My Lord. We knew on the day I was taken in that it would likely be the last we ever saw of one another. The day I saw them at your side, I knew you were in good hands,” he laughed a little, but Sanguinius didn’t consider it a joke, not after the peace you had brought him.
Your brother stood slowly, but once on his feet he grabbed his bolter. The pain blockers had kicked in fully and he was ready to return to the fight, arm be damned.
“Thank you for you assistance, My Lord. If I may be so bold to request, if I survive this, may I meet with them again?”
“You will be surviving this. I will do what it takes to get you home to them,” Sanguinius affirmed.
The battle was hard fought that day, and a glorious victory. Daemons were driven back before they could spread from the capital, preserving the planet and the billions still alive on it.
You were waiting on the docks when they arrived home. When Sanguinius and your brother stepped out before you, side by side, he wasn’t the least bit surprised when you ran into your brother’s embrace first.
You were sitting with him in a storage bay, deep in conversation over bowls of food swiped from the dining hall, when the door opened. The largest man you had ever seen stood there, a look of confusion on his features as he stared at the two of you. Your brother's ashen face paled, expression identical to when you were children and your mother caught you two causing trouble.
Vulkan
This is actually how you met. Salamanders get leave to visit their families and you were walking your brother back to the base one evening. You weren't technically supposed to go in with him but neither of you were ready to part so he snuck you in. ("Snuck" meaning he hid you behind his cloak and winked at his buddies at the gate while you tried not to laugh.)
"Lord Vulkan!" He jumped up, snapped into attention. "Please forgive me! We- I didn't-"
Vulkan at first thought he had found a romantic rendezvous between his son and a local but as he looked at the two of you he saw the similarities in your features. His gene-seed mutations were strong in his sons but it couldn't change everything about them- especially not mannerisms. The way you both ducked you heads a bit like you were trying to hide from his gaze was proof enough. A warm smile spread across his face.
"Having a late family dinner?" He asked, the impossible baritone of his voice rumbled in your chest and made your heart skip a beat.
"I... yes, sir," your brother seemed to snap back to his senses and ushered you to step forward beside him. Once in place he shared your name and formally introduced you to Vulkan, Primarch of the XVIII.
Vulkan held out his hand in greeting and when you reached out, your own hand trembling in awe, he took it gently, leaned down, and kissed the back. You felt like you were on fire, staring into his red eyes, locked into focus on you.
He turned to address your brother, still glancing in your direction.
"You are aware sneaking civilians into the base can result in some pretty severe consequences, right?" There wasn't any threat in his tone but you still jumped to your brother's defense.
"My Lord, please do not lay the blame on him, I insisted we spend more time together. I missed him dearly. I will suffer the consequences for him," you stepped in front of your brother like you were defending him from a threat, an old habit that years apart couldn't erase.
Vulkan smiled, but there was something else in his demeanor as he leaned back, an idea taking form. He was originally going to let the two of you off with a warning and have you escorted out but your protectiveness of a large and powerful Salamander, sibling or not, was endearing. Bold, even. You had so quickly gone from starstruck and nervous to determined, willing to stand in the way of a Primarch for the one you loved.
"Well, if you insist, I can think of something you can do to make up for this error," his tone was playful, stance relaxed.
"And what would that be, My Lord?"
"Join me for dinner tomorrow. I'd like to get to know the person brave enough to jump to the protection of one of my sons."
You stared, blushing and taken by surprise. Your brother stared, a mix of shock and horror at the realization his Primarch had just asked his sibling on a date in front of him. He could do nothing as you nodded, finding the terms agreeable.
Vulkan took the liberty of escorting you out of the base after that, a hand on your shoulder the entire way. Back in the base, your brother cursed his luck. His fellow marines were NEVER going to let him live this down, and honestly, neither were you.
You confided in Alpharius one night that you missed your brother. Lying was something he was so good at. He used it all the time as children to protect you. The tales he could spin were legendary, the rumors of treasure and monsters and the deeds you both had done were still retold on your homeworld, like folk stories, like myths. He lied his way right out of your life, another way to protect you, but at the cost breaking your heart. Alpharius listened intently, always, then pulled you into a familiar embrace.
Alpharius
They already knew. Of course they already knew. The person who didn’t know where your brother was, was you. They amused themselves with placing him just out of reach, however. At a fancy gala they let you attend as an info-gathering mission, they put your brother three floors up, assassinating a target. A dead drop you left was later picked up by him. The guard in your chambers, who watches you intently whenever your back is turned but says nothing, might be him, who knows?
Your brother had done a good thing, protecting you at all costs, he whispered to you. You were a rare thing in this universe, something worth protecting, worth keeping whole, something he loved. He let go and excused himself, promising to be back later that night.
Your brother lied.
----
(I also wrote most of a Perturabo one as well but I wasn’t sure if it was in character enough since I don’t know that much about him and it reads very mean, like the start of a divorce, so it’s not here)
sorry for the tag @helloitsmadamehyde but I need you to know I binged Hold Me Like A Grudge in a sleepless night and you got me into warhammer so bad that i am ass deep in those 40k lore videos and the emperor would not let my soul rest until i finished these ballpoint pen doodles
I saw you did if the primarchs defended you, and how they react if you defens yourself.
What happens when you defend THEM. Like someone is coming to take the primarch out and you give em a good krumpin before they touch your beloved giant man.
Right, first, I'm combining those, for they are similar in spirit. Second - there are essentially two components to this - (one) you are protecting him and (two) you get permanently disfigured because of it.
And so, here we go -
Lion El'Jonson
The aftermath hits him harder than the rest. He was supposed to be your knight protector, not the other way around. So he is humbled, you saw the danger before he did, and disgusted, he failed to protect you. Yet he does not let any of these feelings show on his face. As you heal, Lion is careful and attentive. He spends long hours with you talking about pride, dignity, and devotion.
Should anyone else bring attention to the permanent marks that are now left on your face, he will turn on them with cold and meticulous precision. A shiny new Rogue Trader made an offhanded remark about how you're no longer pleasant to look at. Suddenly every member of their dynasty faces a challenge from a Dark Angel Captain, with Lion going after the main offender. You are to be venerated, not mocked. And he will spend the rest of his life making sure the wider Galaxy knows it.
Fulgrim
Who bloody dared? Who bloody dared to leave a permanent mark on you? Fulgrim and you are no strangers to political assassination attempts, but this? This is anathema, an abomination, a sacrilege to have someone lay a hand on you! It's not even about the permanent damage. It is about the base violence and ugliness of others brought to light. Fulgrim will destroy them. He will destroy their life, their bloodline, their planet, their star system. Then and only then does he return to you.
Your Phoenician is shaken. Truth be told, he does suggest a lot of cosmetic and medical augmentation to restore you as you were. But he is vicious to anyone else who may mention the same. He is a snake even pre-Heresy, pouring his cup of poison down the throats of anyone who dares hint that you are no longer perfect. You are. And you are his. Whoever dares utter otherwise, well, even Curze won't be as savage as Fulgrim in delivering his own brand of justice.
Perturabo
He issues the exterminatus order before your wounds have a chance to heal. Look, you have done everything admirably. You protected him. While he feels a pang of pain over not being the one to do so, he feels nothing but quiet pride. You have truly acted with excellence toward him. You are absolute, and he makes sure you know that.
In this part, surprisingly, there is nothing of his petulance or pettiness. In his own manner Perturabo venerates you. He makes sure his sons know the example you now set. He destroys anyone even remotely connected to the one who planned this attack. He will do just about anything to make sure you do not feel any less adequate than before. He is your Lord of Iron, you are his Lady, and nothing more needs to be said.
Jaghatai Khan
His speed betrayed him. Yours did not. You were the one to stand between him and the attacker. And you paid for it in blood and loss. Yes, you can get cybernetics to restore you hand, but your Khan, your Primarch, is simply destroyed by the fact that he was not fast enough to stop it.
And thus, in years to come, he keeps you at his side, his little hawk who was the only one to see the threat before it became real. His sons revere you. You are his only one, and they make sure to spread your legend as far as it will go. No one dares disrespect you. If they do, their head will be severed from their body. Their offspring will kneel until they break and bow to the sacrifice you made and the wisdom you hold.
Leman Russ
He is a failure, and he tells you so himself. He was supposed to be the executioner, a bane of men and monsters, and he failed. He let you down in a way that forced you to act on his behalf. And yet he adores you for it. Any scars you may bear are proof of your fierce spirit, and not a failure!
Once you are healed enough to be out of medicae's hands, Leman throws you a feast to venerate you. While you getting cheers from this merry company, he leans in and whispers - His sons acted swiftly and bloodily to make sure justice is delivered. If you want, they will let you hold the executioner's axe yourself as you sever the heads from the wretched bodies. After that, his sons will once again howl in your honor, for you deserve nothing less.
Rogal Dorn
He stands unmoving as the wound is tended, but inside he wars with failure. You intercepted the blade meant for him. Now you bear scars where he should have. Duty demanded he protect all under his command, yet you acted first. This duty now compels him to fortify you. In the weeks to follow, Dorn speaks little of it. He reinforces your position with unassailable protocols. No one approaches without his clearance. It may cause a rift between the two of you for a time, adding insult to injury.
Yet the Imperial Fists see you as a being of higher valor. Should anyone dare question your altered form, their and Dorn's wrath will be methodical. He builds cases of their incompetence, strips ranks, and sentences them to endless labor on dead worlds. All things considered, it is all very orderly, if a little vicious.
Konrad Curze
If any of his sons were present when the attack occurred, he massacres the entire company. They are truly worthless scum, undeserving of another breath in this universe. You are the only one who dared to love him. You are the only one who showed him what warmth could feel like, and they dared to harm you.
It will take the Emperor's own words to stop Konrad from massacring an entire star system that hosts the homeworld of those attackers. Even then, he is still vicious. He sends his sons, the blunt tools they are, to finish individual targets. Before you are out of recovery, you will be presented with the skull throne of those related by blood or spirit to the original criminal. Know this. Your Night Haunter is happy to grow into an even bigger nightmare just to make sure no one ever dares raise their hand against you.
Sanguinius
His sons take the worst offense to it. Someone dared not only to launch an attack on the Great Angel but gravely injure you as well, and they did nothing to stop it. Sanguinius himself is aflutter with anxiety and pain. His foresight was not enough to stop the attack and keep you out of danger. Now here you are, an unmoving body full of tubes, with medicae working around the clock to salvage the life that remains. While he is useless in assisting them, he turns his focus to directing his sons to hunt down those who dared harm you.
You are the matron mother of the legion, their gene-father's partner who brings calm and peace to their lives. They dared attack this small measure of peace still. This galaxy is truly rotten, and they make sure to bring it to heel. You are the subject of every painting, every poem, and every sculpture. Should anyone ever note your altered physical state, they will be dead. Their blood is wasted, for it is not worthy to be in this galaxy.
Ferrus Manus
Your hands are soft, his are armored, and yet you sacrifice yours to protect his. Ferrus is both enraged and in awe. Unlike his sons, he yearns to be as fully human as possible once again. In your act, he sees why. His necrodermis be damned. You are perfection, everything he strives to be. You are also his great love. So Ferrus blames himself for not seeing that threat first. He hates that you are the one who bears the scars past the encounter. He sets himself to making sure this never happens again.
The Primarch is humbled by you, reverent in the sacrifice made. He will make sure no one ever utters a word of discouragement in your presence. If they do, he will cave their head into their body. It does not matter if it is his sons or some noble of the Imperium. He will crush them. You are his life and love, and no one should ever dare think otherwise.
Angron
Emperor have mercy on their souls, for Angron will not. He will decimate an entire star system if it means hunting down whomever planned his attack. He is no stranger to hate or attacks. But you? You were the only good thing in this universe. You were the only thing that warranted even a sliver of mercy. Now you lie broken in the medical bay, and he rages. He rallies his sons. This is a rare moment when he wants them to act like him.
The Red Angel sets them out to be ruthless, bloodied, and hateful. He rages until the last breath is drawn. Then he is at your side. He knows pain. He knows injury. He is here to make sure you adjust to whatever altered state you are in. He will ignore the Nails for as long as he can. If he cannot, he will send a serf with a dictated letter written in his moment of lucidity. You are divine. You are whole and are not to feel lesser than before.
Roboute Guilliman
The Lord of Ultramar calculates every variable, yet this one evades his models. You saw the threat his strategies missed. Your sacrifice disrupts his perfect order, yet he adapts with administrative precision. Should you be agreeable to it, Roboute commissions the finest augmetics, not as pity, but as logistical correction to restore you to the level only you see fit.
His sons venerate you as the exemplar who exceeded Codex parameters. Publicly, he affirms your status in decrees broadcast galaxy-wide. Privately, he confesses the flaw in his oversight. Insulters face re-education camps or worse. Their lineages are audited for disloyalty. You are his life's cornerstone, and he is ready to restructure lives to affirm it.
Mortarion
You know the life-eating viruses that could decimate a planet in a matter of hours? He will develop one and set it loose upon the world of those even remotely connected to the people who dared attack him yet left a permanent mark on you. He knows he is despicable, but you are his world. Outwardly Mortarion will spend every second of every day from now on making sure you feel as beautiful as you were before, as whole as you could ever be. Inside he is humbled, shamed, and surprisingly elated that you loved and cared for him enough to take this hit.
Yet he is also pragmatic. If you ever want augmentation afterwards, he will have it ready for you. If you want to stay as you are, he is ready to support whatever changes in your daily routine might be required. Please know this. You are loved, you are cared for, and he will be damned if he ever lets anything like this happen again.
Magnus the Red
He will make the assailant into an army of servitors who will harm themselves at your pleasure. Yes, it is unlike him, but he will decimate entire bloodlines and their ability to think if it means eradicating every possible heretic. He loves you truly, fully, ardently. So anyone else who dares make a snide comment on the sacrifice you made to save him, he will destroy them. He is a good friend with Perturabo, so he will employ his brother's tactics too. You are the most sacred saint that ever lived.
You are a fountain of knowledge, and everyone should worship you. Magnus is no stranger to exercising his mind, but this time he will put his will to work making sure no one can even conceive a thought of disrespecting you ever again.
Horus Lupercal
His father's words be damned. He will devastate an entire star system to drive home the notion that anyone who raises their hands or runs their mouth against you will be dead. Horus is no stranger to assassination attempts, but this one left a mark on the most precious thing to him: you. If his sons were present, they get a beating and perhaps a finger cut from each for failing in their duty. Should anyone, including Terra's nobility, make a comment on how you are no longer worthy of the Primarch, he will sever the jaws from their faces during an official banquet. Again, his father and Malcador be damned.
In coming years Horus doubles down on the notion that you are the best the Imperium can offer. He takes a page from his brothers' book and brings you the heads of the heads of dynasties who dared utter the offending words. Should the Mournival ever be allowed in your presence again, each one is required to bring at least ten heads before they are allowed to raise their eyes upon your form.
Lorgar Aurelian
You are no longer just a saint. You are his new deity. His father and First Captain be damned. You protected him, and you bear the marks of it. So Lorgar nurtures you and nurses you himself. He is constantly around until you are well enough to make a public appearance. Then it is time for sinners to be cleansed fully throughout their worlds until their every last babe is dead. While his sons carry out his will, Lorgar makes sure you feel venerated, divine, worshiped.
Should you ever show any signs of discomfort with your new visage or physical capabilities, he is here to provide you comforts. He is not above going to Perturabo, Fulgrim, or Magnus to find any solution that makes you feel more like you were before. You are his world right now, and everything else may burn for it.
Vulkan
His heart breaks, both over what has been done to you and what he will do now. He will set the entire world aflame if it means eradicating this strain of heresy that led someone to attack him and cripple you. His love for the small folk of the Imperium is nothing compared to his love for you. Vulkan is truly your dragon first, so let them all burn to a crisp, to ashes, so the lesson may be learned.
In years to come, he is here to tend to your every need. Should you want augmentation, he will get it for you. Should you want nothing, he will adhere to that. But should you ever make a comment about your current state that is even vaguely self-diminishing, your Primarch will drop to his knees to make sure that no, it is not true. You are as radiant as the day he met you. Yes, you bear the scars of protecting him, but if anything these are your marks of honor. Should anyone else make a snide comment, he is willing to bloody his hands once again.
Corvus Corax
Oh, the irony! Shadows hid the assassin from him, but not from you. Your intervention leaves him haunted by what might have been. The Raven Lord, master of unseen blades, now cloaks you in layers of espionage. Whispers precede your every step. Shadows cloak your approach. Corvus blames himself for failing. He channels it into vengeance, dispatching Raven Guard kill-teams to unravel the attacker's safe spaces with frightening speed.
In the years to come, you are Corvus's hidden treasure. He shadows your life with eternal guardianship. His sons immortalize you in covert litanies as the shadow that saved their sire. Mock your scars, and your entire bloodline will vanish without trace.
Alpharius Omegon
And thus begins a decades-long game of them eliminating those who could be even remotely connected to the attack that occurred. Oh, and they make sure each death is as theatrical and embarrassing as possible. The whole bloodline should be shunned.
You on the other hand will be sequestered from the world, hidden among triple the layers of doubles and fail-safes. They love you still. Of course they do. You are the best that could ever be, and you prevented the attack on them. But Hydra will now tighten its coils around you so this could never happen again. They will continue with their antics until they can see the smile on your face again. Dearest one, would it please you if the next target choked on a grape during a wedding and fell out of the window, ass first onto the bride's face?
------
Hey! I now have more here!
------
+Taglist (if you want to be added - let me know, I suck at not-direct communications): @beckyninja, @the-mysterious-detective, @celestia0473, @randomlyappearingartist, @nereidof40k, @bookandyarndragonwritesdark, @renegadesyx, @incrediblethirst, @omg1wanttidd1es-sb, @stpdeletacc, @baldieboi , @acgames, @veryspecificreason, @jackalwolfsoul, @hopefully-grimderp, @acexsmhking, @trackerkitsune, @catabibaz0n , @subtlepoisonknowledge
Note: Konrad Curze had known that his visions are dark and cruel and painful. How could he not know, after all? But this one? It's perhaps the malt cruellest of all.
Don't mind any inaccuracies to lore, I just felt like it.
Cooked up this idea while talking to @mehiwilldoitlater, without you it wouldn't have ever come to life!
Tag: @ghrgrsfdesfrfg
From the private recordings of First Captain Jago Sevatarion, recovered from the Nightfall wreckage
The Haunter doesn't sleep. That's what the Legion whispers. They're wrong, he does sleep, though rarely and never for long. What he doesn't do is rest.
I've served Konrad Curze for decades. I've seen him flay men while reciting their crimes in perfect detail. I've watched him weep over visions of Terra burning. I've stood beside him as he dispensed justice so brutal it made even our Legion falter. But I had never seen him smile. Not truly. Not like he did when he woke that night.
It was during our persecution campaign in the Thramas Sector. We'd just finished glassing another Dark Angels outpost, slow work, methodical, the kind of grinding warfare that would have driven any other primarch to distraction. But the Night Haunter thrived on it. Or so I thought.
I found him in his meditation chamber, surrounded by the usual detritus of his gift: scattered parchments covered in frantic script, walls etched with prophecies, the overwhelming stench of someone who'd forgotten that even primarchs need basic hygiene. Standard procedure.
What wasn't standard was the look on his face.
"Sevatar" he said and his voice carried something I'd never heard before. Something that made my skin crawl worse than any of his rages. "I saw him."
"Saw who, my lord?"
"My son."
I kept my face blank. The primarchs don't have sons. They have gene-sons, yes, all of us, the broken things they built from their genetic template. But children? Impossible. The Emperor's design didn't allow for it.
"His name was Nyx" Konrad continued, rising from his throne of sculpted bones. "Nyx Curze. I held him, Jago. I held him. He was small, perfect. He had my eyes but they weren't haunted. Not yet. He looked at me with such trust, such... love."
The word sounded foreign in his mouth like a Nostraman curse spoken in High Gothic.
"He called me father. Not 'my lord' or 'gene-sire.' Father. And I taught him. Not how to kill, not at first. I taught him to read. To think. To be better than what I am." His hands trembled. "There was light in that vision, Sevatar. Actual light. No screaming. No blood. Just... a family."
I should have stopped him there. Should have reminded him that all his visions end in darkness, that this was likely another prophecy of something terrible wearing the mask of joy. But I hesitated because I'd never heard hope in his voice before and I didn't know how to kill it.
That hesitation damned us both.
The obsession began small. Questions directed at Talos about genetic viability. Inquiries to what remained of our Mechanicum allies about artificial wombs and gene-splicing. Konrad even made contact with Fabius — Fabius — requesting consultation on 'theoretical procreation of primarch genetic material.'
I tried to dismiss it as another of his peculiarities. Our father collected obsessions like some men collected scars. This would pass.
It didn't pass.
Within weeks, he'd established an entire clandestine operation. He diverted Legion resources, ships, personnel, entire companies toward his project. The Apothecarium became a fortress within a fortress, conducting experiments I wasn't cleared to know about. Those who questioned him too loudly disappeared. Not executed. Just... gone.
"I need your help, Jago" he told me one night, pulling me into his chambers. His eyes were wider than usual, rimmed with red from lack of sleep he was now refusing even to attempt. "The visions mock me. Every night I see him. Every morning I wake to emptiness. It's worse than seeing Terra burn. It's worse than watching the Emperor's hypocrisy triumph. Because this could be real. This should be real."
"My lord, even if it were possible—"
"It IS possible!" His hand shot out, gripping my throat with enough force to crack ceramite. "I am a primarch. I am the sum of the Emperor's genetic mastery. If HE could create twenty demigods from his own essence, why can I not create ONE son?"
Because you're not the Emperor, I didn't say. Because you're unraveling, I didn't say. Because this hope is poison, worse than any despair, I didn't say.
What I did say was: "What do you need me to do?"
The relief in his eyes was heartbreaking.
The experiments escalated. Konrad became convinced that Nyx existed somewhere in the future, that his visions were showing him a destiny that could be claimed rather than a fate to be endured. He pored over temporal mechanics with a fervor that would have impressed even Perturabo. He consulted with Navigator houses about bloodlines. He even attempted to reach out to Magnus before remembering Magnus was currently indisposed with his own problems on Prospero.
"It's a matter of convergence" he explained, pacing his chambers while I stood guard. His skin had grown paler somehow, stretched tight over his skull. "The visions show probability, yes? Futures that MIGHT occur. But this one... this one felt different. Solid. Real. Like it had already happened in some thread of time I can't quite touch."
"My lord, perhaps this vision was meant to show you something metaphorical. A symbol of—"
"Don't." His voice went flat, dangerous. "Don't treat me like I'm mad, Jago. I know I'm mad. I've always been mad. But this isn't madness. This is the first sane thing I've ever wanted."
I wanted to argue. Wanted to shake him, make him see that this obsession was consuming him faster than any vision of apocalypse ever had. But I'd sworn my oaths. First Captain of the Night Lords, shadow to the Haunter himself.
So I helped him hunt for ghosts.
Months passed. The Thramas Crusade ground on but Konrad's attention fragmented. He'd be in the middle of strategic planning when he'd freeze, staring at nothing, whispering 'Nyx'. Battle-brothers began to question his commands. The Lion was pressing our advantage and our primarch was distracted by impossible dreams.
The Apothecarium produced results, after a fashion. They created life, twisted, malformed things that died screaming within hours of decanting. Each failure drove Konrad deeper into his obsession. He'd cradle the corpses, these genetic aberrations and weep.
"They're not him" he'd sob. "Why aren't they him? I saw him so clearly."
I started finding him in strange places. Standing in empty nurseries he'd had constructed aboard the Nightfall. Sitting in darkness, clutching toys he'd commissioned from artisans he'd normally have flayed for wasting resources. Once I discovered him trying to paint a child's room in soft colors, yellow, like sunlight, his hands shaking so badly he could barely hold the brush.
"What color do you think he'd prefer?" Konrad asked me, not looking up. "I keep seeing different versions. Sometimes the walls are blue like the ocean on Terra. Sometimes green like forests. I've never cared about such things before."
"My lord, please. You're needed on the bridge. The Lion has—"
"The Lion." He laughed, a brittle sound. "Let him come. What does it matter? What does any of it matter if I'm alone? If I'm always alone?"
That's when I realized the truth. The vision of Nyx wasn't about having a son. It was about not being alone. About having someone who could look at the Night Haunter and see something worth loving. In all his visions of the future, in all the nightmares that plagued him, he'd never seen that before.
And now that he had, he couldn't let it go.
The breaking point came during a routine execution. Some Word Bearers we'd captured, missionaries who'd been spreading their Lectitio Divinitatus garbage among our thralls. Standard procedure: public flaying then spacing the remains.
But Konrad stopped mid-peel.
"Do you have children?" he asked the Word Bearer whose screaming had devolved into whimpering.
The Chaplain, delirious with pain, managed to croak: "I... I have gene-sons, my lord..."
"No. Children. Blood children. Offspring of your own flesh."
"We... Astartes cannot..."
"I KNOW WE CANNOT!" The blade flashed, and the Word Bearer's head tumbled free. Konrad stood there, chest heaving, covered in blood. "I KNOW. But I am not Astartes. I am PRIMARCH. I am UNIQUE. The rules do not apply. They CANNOT apply. He is REAL. I SAW HIM."
The crowd of Night Lords gathered for the spectacle shifted uncomfortably. This was beyond the usual drama of our father's executions.
"Sevatar." His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Tell them. Tell them I'm not mad."
Every eye turned to me. Brothers I'd fought beside for decades. Officers who trusted my judgment. The Legion itself was holding its breath.
"My lord is not mad" I said because what else could I say? "He is primarch. His vision surpasses ours."
Konrad's smile was grateful and broken. "Yes. Yes. You understand, Jago. You've always understood."
I understood nothing except that I was watching my gene-father collapse under the weight of the one thing he'd never experienced before: hope. And it was destroying him far more efficiently than despair ever had.
It's been three months since that first vision. Konrad barely leads anymore. The Atramentar have effectively assumed command with me as their spokesman. We maintain the fiction that the Haunter still directs the Legion but everyone knows.
I find him tonight in the unfinished nursery again, sitting in darkness, holding a child's stuffed toy, a small bat-winged creature one of the thralls had sewn. His eyes are distant, seeing visions only he can perceive.
"He's not coming, is he?" Konrad says softly. "Nyx. My son. He was never real."
"My lord—"
"It was the cruelest vision yet." His voice breaks. "To show me happiness. To let me feel love. And then to take it away. That's my punishment, isn't it? Not to see horrors. I've become numb to horrors. But to see hope? To taste it? And know it was false?"
He looks at me then and for the first time I see not the Night Haunter, not the primarch but simply a broken man.
"He called it the nightmare of hope" Konrad whispers. "That's what Nyx would have called it. In the vision when I told him about my gift, he understood. He said 'Father, the worst nightmares aren't the ones that show you darkness. They're the ones that show you light then take it away.'"
Tears track through the dried blood on his face.
"He was so wise, Sevatar. My son who never was."
I don't know what to say. For once I have no clever response, no dark joke to deflect the horror of the moment. So I do something I've never done before.
I place my hand on my primarch's shoulder and stand with him in the darkness.
"Permission to speak freely, my lord?"
A hollow laugh. "Granted."
"The vision may have been false. But what it represented, the capacity for love, for hope, for something beyond judgment and pain that exists in you. It existed enough for you to dream it."
"And what good does that do me?" Konrad looks at the stuffed toy in his hands. "Except make this existence more unbearable?"
"I don't know, my lord. But for what it's worth... Nyx would have been proud to call you father."
It's a lie. A kind lie perhaps but a lie nonetheless. The son in Konrad's vision was an impossibility, a dream of normalcy that could never exist in our galaxy of horrors.
But Konrad smiles anyway, just a little and clutches the toy closer.
"Tell no one of this" he says finally, composing himself with visible effort. "The Legion cannot know their primarch is weak."
"You're not weak, my lord."
"I am the weakest of all my brothers. Because I hoped." He stands, straightening to his full height, the Night Haunter sliding back over Konrad like a shroud. "Hope is the greatest weakness. Curze's Law: better to embrace inevitable darkness than dream of impossible light."
"Yes, my lord."
As I leave the nursery I hear him whisper one last time:
"Nyx... come back. Don't be just a nightmare. Please."
The door seals behind me with a hiss of pressurizing air.
I add this entry to my private logs, encrypted with ciphers even our Mechanicum allies can't break. Someone should know what truly broke the Night Haunter. Not the Heresy. Not betrayal. Not even his visions of his own death.
But a dream of a son he could never have.
A nightmare of hope.
End Recording
Three days after this log entry Lord Curze ordered all genetic experimentation ceased and had the nurseries purged. He never spoke the name 'Nyx' again. But sometimes late in the ship's cycle when all was quiet I would pass his chambers and hear him singing. A lullaby. In a language I didn't recognize.
Perhaps one he'd learned in the vision. Perhaps one he'd made up.
I never asked.
Cuddler Of Night Lords @passionofthesith - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
