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@soldug-thoughts
This is a blog for me to post about soldug - Skulduggery Pleasant/Solomon Wreath
I'll refer to Skulduggery as skul and Solomon as Sol pretty often.
Don't like don't interact
If you're a fan of this ship,,, consider dropping your thoughts into the ask box?
A tagging system:
all my posts will be tagged with #soldug
#canon for me is for them having an in canon relationship
#suffering au is for my au where Solomon is the Child of the Ancients and what happens there.
Happy reading!
But this is from AMFOM...
.....Derek Landy and his fucking timeline I swear.
hmm. No, you're right, he gets married earlier.. god. Hm. Well, you can always just make one change that makes it all work, and make it so Solomon was born a couple years after Skul.
Make Skul older though purely because he would be a smug ass about it.
Anyway Solomon's birth date was confirmed on twitter so it doesn't count lmfao.
should I send Soldug asks to your other blog?
Anyway, morning! I'm working out the timeline of my fic, and I had an idea about the first time Solomon and Skul might have ever met:
So what if a young Solomon was also one of the survivors? They'd both be in their thirties then. Skul would obviously be very much honeymoon-happily-married-etc, but maybe Solomon had a crush on him???👀👀👀 A crush that went unrequited for, like, several centuries, until after Skul finished being Lord Vile??
According to the timeline I have, Solomon is a full 40 years younger than Skul, as stated by Landy on Twitter. But, this meeting happens when Sol is 60 and Skul is 100 or so, so... Yeah, it works.
I think Skul would have requited that crush coming straight out from Lord Vile, because likely Vile and Solomon interacted a lot and so Skul got to see a more human side of Sol. This would have been in 1735, so a solid 50 years on from their first meeting, in 1680/81.
Anyway yeah! Oh, do you want me to send you the timeline? It's not mine, I found it on Reddit, but it's incredibly useful.
Also I'll reblog these to the soldug blog so.. you can send them here.
The First Morning After:
-------
Solomon blinked as he awoke. He could tell something was off. There was someone in his room. He could see a figure laid next to him. Horror crashed over him like a tidal wave when he realised exactly who it was and what they'd done, and he bolted upright, grabbing the skeleton by the arm and shoving him out of the bed firmly. He clattered to the floor with a satisfying grunt of pain, and Solomon felt his embarrassment and humiliation abate slightly at how disgruntled the other man seemed.
“That was unnecessary, Wreath.”
“I'd disagree, Pleasant.”
“When don't you?”
“Very funny. Get out of my room.”
“Or what?”
“Or I'll pull your ribcage apart and scatter the bones.”
“Kinky.”
“Shut your mouth.”
Pleasant was on his feet, already moving towards the door even as he argued. Solomon was convinced the bastard just argued to be a contrary ass. Just as he got to the door, he turned back and spoke.
“We don't talk about this again.”
And with those parting words, the infuriating prick was gone.
Soldug confession perhaps:
----------------------
Skulduggery pointedly didn't look at Wreath as he climbed into the Bentley, his long legs folded uncomfortably under the dashboard.
"You can adjust the seat, Wreath. It won't bite you.”
"Unfortunately, Pleasant, your protégé gave me strict instructions not to touch the seat alignment."
"...You can adjust it. I'll fix it back to her preferred position later.”
He doesn't know why he offered that. No, that's a lie. He knows exactly why he offered that, and he hates it. He ought to be taking pleasure in the other man's discomfort, and yet here they are. As Wreath adjusts the seat, Skulduggery begins to drive away from the curb, keeping his eyes fixed on the road. He has the facade up - he's noticed people tend to be less unnerved about seeing him drive that way - and he has to make a conscious effort not to look over at Wreath. Unfairly attractive bastard.
“So. What exactly are we doing, Pleasant? Valkyrie didn't bother to brief me before she told me I had to accompany you on this.. investigation.”
“Well, Wreath, I am going to track somebody down. You are going to sit there and shut up.”
“I think not. You and I both know I have the capacity to aid your little.. search, Pleasant. Tell me more.”
“Or, how about you get out of my car and we lie to Val and tell her you accompanied me.”
“Tempting offer, skeleton, but now you've piqued my curiosity. Who on earth are you pursuing?”
“...Vaurien Scapegrace. He's a wannabe serial killer who's decided he's Val's worst enemy - hence why she's not accompanying me - but he's not exactly good at what he does. He's also an utter moron.”
“Wonderful. This will be as intellectually understimulating as any encounter I have with you, then.”
“Bold words coming from someone who quotes Shakespeare.”
“A man can enjoy good literature, Pleasant, I know you're not acquainted with the concept-”
“Shakespeare is where all intelligent minds roll over and die.”
“Oh, so you're admitting I'm intelligent then?”
Skulduggery groaned mentally. He'd walked straight into that one.
“I don't believe I ever denied that fact. You were once intelligent, but that time has long since passed.”
It was moments like this, where their back and forth became something almost fond, that he'd occasionally let himself hope that maybe, just maybe, Wreath felt the same way about him-
“Well, I'll concede I certainly couldn't be called intelligent during our interactions in the War.”
Skulduggery’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. The comment was sharp and targeted, a biting reference to what he'd almost deluded himself they’d once had. He felt that hope shatter into a thousand shards once again.
“Do stop talking, Wreath. I need to focus on the road.”
It was a pathetic attempt at an excuse and he knew it, but he hoped Wreath would be generous enough to let it be.
“As your highness demands.”
The rest of the drive passed in painfully awkward silence. As they got out of the car, Wreath spoke again.
“Pleasant. Are you.. that is to say, do you feel quite alright? I'd rather avoid you collapsing or something similar, lest Valkyrie becomes convinced I'm the culprit.”
If Skulduggery didn't know better, he might almost think Wreath cared. But that wasn't a notion worth pursuing.
“I am just fine, Wreath. You needn’t worry about Valkyrie's precious opinion of you.”
“Well, excuse me for expressing a modicum of care, Pleasant. I won't make that mistake again.”
“You call that care, Wreath? I didn't know you were delusional.”
“Oh, as if you'd know what care looks like, you self-centred ass.”
Skulduggery clenched his teeth and forced himself not to reply with something entirely too revealing, instead opting to glare at Wreath mutely.
The actual capturing of Scapegrace took practically no time at all, the fool all but delivering himself directly into their hands. They bundled the idiot into the back of the Bentley and locked him in there, ignoring his lacklustre threats, complaints and pleas. As Skulduggery moved towards the driver's seat, Wreath cleared his throat.
“Pleasant. My flat is just a walk from here. Why don't we walk together, and let the moron in your car sit and stew for a while.”
Skulduggery did his best not to look startled at the offer, pretending to think about it. As though he weren't mentally leaping at the opportunity.
“If you insist, Wreath. Lead the way.”
Skulduggery could've sworn he saw the hint of a smile on Wreath's face, but it was gone before he could comment as the two of them began to walk.
“Finally conceding leadership to someone, Pleasant? Never thought I'd see the day.”
“Ha ha. You're hysterical, Wreath. You should do stand up, you'd bring about the Passage all by yourself when your audience died of boredom.”
“Oh, be quiet, skeleton. If one of us were to bring about the Passage.. well, you're the one who killed his way through Ireland.”
“At least I wasn't responsible for harbouring Nefarian bloody Serpine!”
“Oh, get over yourself. It was a war. The Temple did the politically sound thing.”
“The cowardly thing, you mean. Is that what you're teaching Val, Wreath? How to be a coward?”
“Well, I'm certainly a better mentor than you, seeing as the only feelings you can muster up are rage and guilt!”
Skulduggery went still at that, and before he could think better of it, a retort slipped out.
“I’m more than capable of mustering up feelings. You ought to know, I've had feelings for you for the last 200 years.”
The moment he realised what he'd said, he blanched. Wreath opened his mouth, seemingly to say something, and Skulduggery cut him off.
“I said nothing. Nothing at all. I think.. I'm going to go.. check on.. Scapegrace. Yes! That. I'm going to go do that.”
Skulduggery barely got two steps away before Wreath's shadows dragged him back. They wrapped around him and picked him up, setting him back down in front of Wreath but still holding him firmly in place.
“Skulduggery. What did you just say?”
Time to be brash about it, he supposed.
“That I have feelings for you, obviously. Are you getting deaf in your old age, Solomon?”
“By the Ancients, you are the most infuriating damned-”
He cut himself off with an exasperated groan, grabbing Skulduggery's shoulders. For a moment, he thought Solomon would shake him, but instead the other man's thumbs pressed firmly against the sigils etched into his collarbones, deactivating his facade.
“Much better. I prefer you like this, Skulduggery. Besides, I'm much more used to kissing the damn skull.”
Before Skulduggery could ask what Solomon meant, he was kissing him, just the same way he remembered from before. Just as he'd imagined it over and over.
When Solomon pulled away, breathless, Skulduggery finally spoke.
“You just kissed me.”
“Astute observation. I see why you're a detective.”
“Do you ever shut up, Wreath?”
“On occasion.”
“Arse. So. You feel.. similarly, I presume? About me?”
“Obviously.”
“And you're.. certain of this?”
“I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that. For both our sakes.”
“Alright, alright, Cleric High-and-mighty.”
“Resorting to playground taunts?”
“What can I say, Wreath? You seem to have that effect.”
“The sentiment is mutual, Pleasant. Now, as much as this conversation rivets me, we have reached my flat and you happen to have a fugitive in your car.”
“Dismissing me so quickly, Wreath?”
“Put that eidetic memory of yours to use and memorize my address, Pleasant, and I'll let you pick me up for dinner tonight.”
“7pm.”
“If you say so.”
Before he could consider it too much, Skulduggery leaned in and gave Solomon a quick peck goodbye.
“See you tonight, Solomon.”
“See you, Skulduggery.”
For once, it seemed they'd get the story they deserved.
how soldug actually end up talking about their feelings:
imo Val and Tanith set them up so they have to work a case together and they spend the whole time sniping at each other except their insults get progressively more personal and bitter, until Skul makes a jab about Sol being unable to mentor Val properly. Sol replies with a comment like "well, at least I'm not like you and actually know how to have feelings." And skul, without thinking, says "I do have feelings! You should know, I've been in love with you for years-" and then immediately just. shuts up, turns around and starts to walk away (entirely in character for the idiot).
sol uses his shadows to catch him and is just like. "what. you're what."
and then they talk about it.
Should I write this. I might write this.
If anyone has ideas for how people insult each other I'll take them I need some
do you still want a prompt?
In book 8 (I think it's the day after Val's birthday?) She visits China. Maybe she might ask China about them (after the whole birthday thing the day before when they visited Solomon?). China could give her some gossip. And meanwhile Skulduggery is visiting Solomon in his hotel - supposedly for something TM, but really just to see him? And the tension is 👀👀👀👀👀 and Solomon says something slightly too sincere....
And then Val and Skul meet up in the sanctuary, like in LSODM, and neither of them mention anything 😭
Just an idea!
Oooh... I wrote the first bit but couldn't think of how to write Val and Skul meet after so. this is. something anyway.
-------
Valkyrie waited as China poured two cups of tea, rolling her eyes at the dramatics of it all.
"I just came to ask what Skulduggery and Solomon's deal was, with their whole..."
She trailed off, waving her hand in the air in a gesture attempting to encompass what she was asking about.
"Like, Solomon came over yesterday - for my birthday, you know - and the two of them were so.. weird about it. Like they have some sort of history."
China smiled a little at that, and Valkyrie's eyes widened.
"Wait. Do they have- oh my god. I knew there was tension, but... China, tell me everything. Wait, I need to call Tanith, she needs to hear this."
Valkyrie ignored China's long-suffering sigh and pulled out her phone, dialing Tanith.
"Val?"
"Tanith. Skul and Solomon have history. China's about to tell me all about it."
"I fucking knew it. Hi, China. What's their deal, then?"
China groaned.
"If I tell you two, you cannot tell either of them I did so. Alright?"
"Fine, whatever. So?"
"....During the War, the two of them were... involved."
"They dated?!"
The exclamation came from Tanith and Val simultaneously.
"Oh, no. That would have been far too easy. No, it was.. purely physical, shall we say. Or, at least, that's what they convinced themselves. As I recall, the Dead Men ran a bet as to when Skulduggery would actually realise his feelings. Ghastly won, I believe."
"But they're obviously in love, right? Like, we all can see it!"
Valkyrie sounded exasperated.
"Oh, for sure, Val. Maybe.. we just need to give them a push?"
"Girls, I wouldn't recommend-"
"You're so right, Tanith! We should set them up!"
China didn't bother interjecting again as Valkyrie and Tanith planned this.. set-up.
<>---------<>
At the same time as Valkyrie began to grill China, Skulduggery stood outside Wreath's hotel room. It was fine, he was just here to warn that Necromancer bastard away from Val again.
He knocked sharply and the door swung open. Wreath sat at the desk, working on... something or other. The shadow tendril that had opened the door retracted back into his cane as Skulduggery entered.
"Pleasant. I'd say it were nice to see you, but I'd be lying."
"Don't worry, Wreath, this isn't a social call. I'm just here to remind you that if you keep trying to poach Valkyrie-"
"Last I checked, Detective, she is not your property to be "poached", she is a person capable of her own decisions."
"Not when you're manipulating her."
"Bold words, skeleton. I'm not manipulating anybody. If she likes me better, well.. I am the more.. stable choice."
Skulduggery's jaw clenched as Wreath calmly pushed his hair out of his face and turned back to whatever paperwork he was doing. How dare he ignore him like that! His temper flared.
"Don't get all high and mighty now, Wreath. You certainly weren't stable when you crawled into my be-"
His words were cut off by the shadow that suddenly clamped itself firmly over his mouth, holding his jaw shut.
"I think you've outstayed your welcome, Pleasant."
The shadows dragged him out of the hotel room, dumping him outside the door unceremoniously. As the door slammed shut, he forced himself not to give in to the overwhelming urge to apologise. These damned.. feelings. So very inconvenient.
--------------
how soldug actually end up talking about their feelings:
imo Val and Tanith set them up so they have to work a case together and they spend the whole time sniping at each other except their insults get progressively more personal and bitter, until Skul makes a jab about Sol being unable to mentor Val properly. Sol replies with a comment like "well, at least I'm not like you and actually know how to have feelings." And skul, without thinking, says "I do have feelings! You should know, I've been in love with you for years-" and then immediately just. shuts up, turns around and starts to walk away (entirely in character for the idiot).
sol uses his shadows to catch him and is just like. "what. you're what."
and then they talk about it.
okay so:
Soldug ish??👀
Necromantic rituals could be both mundane and grotesque, depending on their purpose, but they were almost always elaborate - often involving talismans, incantations, magic circles, candles, symbols, and wands. The necromancer might wear the clothes of the deceased, sit for days without moving, or even mutilate and eat corpses as a way to call out to the other side. They would choose melancholy locations that were well-suited to their guidelines - perhaps the home of the deceased subject, a ruin, or a dark graveyard.All of these morbid practices were just the warm-up for the eventual summoning of the spirit. According to folklore about necromancy, in order to raise a physical body from the other side, the process had to occur within one year of the death, otherwise, the necromancer would only be able to evoke the ghost, not the real person.
Link: https://www.ranker.com/list/necromancy-facts/jen-jeffers
Ooooh
Very cool very cool
....oh god now I'm Thinking™
How long does it take Skulduggery to come back after he dies?
because I'm just imagining Solomon knowing Skul when he was. yknow. actually alive. and skul resenting Solomon because fuck Necromancers and Solomon having just a tiny little crush but pretending it doesn't exist
And then after Serpine kills Skulduggery, Solomon steals Skuls clothing that Serpine was going to bury and, out of desperation essentially, tries to do one of these rituals.
Wears skuls clothes and sits for days in the inner sanctuary of the Temple without eating in a last ditch attempt to bring him back.
Of course, that doesn't work but Skul does come back, and Tenebrae does actually tell Wreath how Skul came back.
Wreath doesn't tell anybody what he tried to do. Tenebrae is the only person who knows.
Idk just would be fun.
Anyway maybe he ends up telling Skul someday and skul just short-circuits about it.
do you think, during phase 1, Val ever suspected? Or maybe she made a joke and Skul went too quiet and she was like....oh👀....??
Oh, Val definitely suspected.
Imo Tanith noticed first, having been around long enough to watch Skul and Solomon snipe at each other.
The first time Val watches them have their little back and forth (in Dark Days) she calls Tanith afterwards like "hey so. there's definitely- there's something there right?"
and she would be right!
it does take sol and skul another year and a bit to actually get together but that's because they're idiots.
they were fucking during the War though, they just convinced themselves the other didn't have the same feelings for them and that they were the stupid one for having the feelings in question.
Cus they're fucking stupid.
okay, what do the dead men think (during the 300yr war)? Do you reckon Erskine ever wondered if he could manipulate Solomon (and Skul) during phase 1?
Oooh
Ok so. I reckon during the War it's very "Skul ranting about how much he hates Solomon for preventing him from killing Serpine" etc etc and the dead men just looking at each other knowingly like "oh ok bets on how long it'll take him to realise it's not *hate*"
Ghastly wins the bet lmao.
Erskine probably tried to manipulate Sol, but Solomon has to deal with Tenebrae on a regular basis, he knows what that sort of manipulation looks like. Probably because of that he was really suspicious of Ravel but Skul was sure Ravel wouldn't do anything because, well, he was one of the Dead Men. When Ravel kills Ghastly all Skul can think is that Solomon was right and he should have listened. but he has bigger priorities at that point lmao.
soldug.... save me soldug...
Imagining an interaction a good while into their relationship where someone tries to hit on Solomon.
Sol being like. flattered but also very much Not Interested™ and saying as much.
Skul silently seething in the background because that's my boyfriend thank you-
Imagining someone flirting with Sol and Skulduggery being immediately angry about it.....
Solomon is jealous of absynnia and china but he's not really the "jealous one", he's just on edge.
Skulduggery, however, is very, very much the jealous one.
Luckily for him, Solomon hasn't exactly had many relationships for him to be jealous of.
what about Abyssinia? 👀👀👀 ...the jealousy, the love triangle...possibly...
ohhh *yes*. Abyssinia comes back like "oi skeleton boy this is your son" and Solomon immediately hates her with a burning passion (my jealous guy <3)
Solomon also dislikes China, for a similar reason.
Skul thinks Solomon's jealousy is touching, but makes sure to reassure him that he's the only one for him.
ok so. i reread bits of dark days today
and. id forgotten that Solomon talks about lord Vile the way he does. with reverence, as though he's going to come back and be the Death Bringer again. he's so convinced about this even as he teaches Val Necromancy.
So.
Suffering AU but Skul dons the Armour after Sols death and slaughters 3 billion people or whatever it is and becomes the death bringer because he thinks that's what Solomon would have wanted etc etc, so he brings about the Passage and then offs himself.
@thedogbard tagging you in case this interests you
@thedogbard this is probably how the winter v sol fight ends
-----
Pain lanced through Solomon's body as he lay crumpled on the ground, twisted in unnatural ways. Blood trickled from a dozen injuries. Standing above him was Winter Grieving. Child of the Faceless Ones.
He could see Valkyrie and Skulduggery behind her, their conflict with themselves visible.
A fresh wave of pain racked his rapidly failing body, and he looked up at Skulduggery with eyes already becoming glassy and rasped out one painful word.
"Please...."
He wasn't asking for his love to save him. He would never betray Valkyrie like that. He was asking, hell, begging, for his love to kill him with the efficiency he knew Skulduggery had mastered.
He let himself relax as Skulduggery stepped forward. It would be over soon enough.
And then Skulduggery turned towards Winter and the realisation of what Skulduggery was about to do crashed over Solomon like ice.
He clutched for his cane, using the last vestiges of strength left within him to summon his shadows and pull Skulduggery back, keeping him from attacking Valkyrie's sister.
And then everything went black.
