This is the final part in The Hidden Path mini series. I started planning this moment 4 years ago. I've had this art for over 3 years. I've drafted at least a dozen versions of this and it never felt right, because I realized recently, it was never just about this moment, it was about all that came before and all that will come next. Having the mini series to explore that elevates this moment even more for me. I really hope you enjoy this art and the fic. Thank you for supporting these two for the past 6 years. I am eternally grateful.
Art by ArtbyAinna (instagram)
Read on AO3
Pairings: Mal Volari x Daenarya
with Rayden (OC), Lydo (OC)
Book: Blades of Light & Shadow (Book 1 AU)
Word Count: < 700
Rating/Warnings: General, no warnings
Synopsis: The map that sent them on their latest adventure has brought them home. This is part two of "The Hidden Path" mini series.
Background: This is the final chapter in The Hidden Path series. It also comes after previous attempts at Mal proposing: A Proposal (of sorts) and To Have and To Lose.
Her pulse quickened as she lifted the key, questions racing through her mind. She carefully traced the dark metal of the lock, the corner of her lip tugging upward at the familiar design.
For a moment, all she could think about was her family—her boys... and Mal.
Her hand shook as she slid the key in place, twisting it until she heard a faint click. She chewed her lower lip, not sure what waited on the other side. The wooden gate eased forward with a comforting soft squeak.
She stepped forward, her breath catching.
Red rose petals were scattered delicately at her feet. Candlelight flickered on either side of her, inviting her to follow their light. She took a slow step forward, the petals shifting softly beneath her feet.
The yard was quiet except for the giggles and excited squeals from the boys trailing just behind her.
"Mal." His name was a wordless whisper on her lips as she approached a floral arch illuminated with lanterns at the center of the space.
He held his hand out, guiding her forward. His other hand rested on her swollen stomach. "I love you both." His voice was quiet, just for her. "I'm sorry things fell apart today."
Rayden and Lydo moved behind him, checking their mark to make sure everything was perfect.
Mal leaned forward, brushing a lingering kiss on her forehead before lowering to one knee in front of her.
"Daenarya—" his voice cracked as he said her name. He opened his mouth, but his words failed. He shook his head. "I practiced this so many times, but with you, I lose what I thought I knew."
"There hasn't been a moment since I met you that I've wanted to be anywhere other than by your side," he continued. "When you paused this morning outside of the city, talking about home, I had to fight against myself to propose on the spot. That moment may have been beautiful, but it wasn't our home. When the rain fell, and you were once again in my arms, I was reminded how far we'd come since that first dance and how I never want that dance to end. I thought about asking you then, but it wasn't where I wanted to grow old together. But then—" his gaze fell, his head shaking. "—Then I hurt you... I never meant to make you feel like I didn't trust you. It took everything in me not to tell you. To know I hurt you today—Daenarya." Tears filled his eyes, slipping down his face. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she mouthed, her eyes glistening. She offered a gentle nod. "It's okay."
"If I had, I could have spared you so much pain. I'm sorry... but it's not just about us anymore. It's about our children and the home we share. It's not just about where we are now, but where we've been and where we're going. There is no greater treasure in this world or the next that compares with you.
Daenarya, will you marry me?"
Her breath hitched at the question hanging between them, her hands clasping over her mouth. A soft laugh broke through her tears. "Mal..." Her gaze flickered between him and the boys bouncing excitedly behind him. Her heart swelled. She nodded before she could answer. "Yes!" Her voice trembled, but her smile never faltered. "Of course, yes! I'll marry you!"
Mal slipped the golden ring onto her finger, his hands steady and sure.
He rose swiftly, pulling her into a kiss, his arms wrapping around her as he held her close, never wanting to let her go.
The boys' cheer broke their embrace. Their small hands tugged at them, waiting for their time to celebrate. The newly engaged couple fell to their knees, gathering their boys into their arms. Their shared laughter broke through the last of the tears as they held their family close.
This was just the beginning of their greatest adventure.
Thank you again for reading! I hope you enjoyed this and hope that it feels earned and worthy of all they've been through.
Huge thank you to the incredible @oh-so-youre-a-nerd / @ascindio for this incredible piece! I am in complete and utter awe! It is simply perfection and exactly how I pictured it!
Pairing: Thomas Hunt x Alex (F!MC)
Book: HWU/RCD — Golden Age Hollywood AU
Word Count: ~ 1,350
Synopsis: Hollywood newcomer Alexandra Spencer is working on her first picture at a major studio. Veteran Thomas Hunt is going through the motions. Despite being from different studios, their paths continue to cross. Is it coincidence or something more?
A one-shot AU told through a series of vignettes.
Read on AO3
[All Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer] [Red Carpet Diaries] [Hollywood U]
The flash of the cameras danced around her, each lens begging for her attention. Camera shutters echoed in her ear. This was the moment she'd dreamed of—imagined a thousand and one times. She tilted her chin and turned her shoulder.
Everything was perfect.
It should have been enough.
It wasn't.
Her practiced smile didn't quite reach her eyes. For a moment, she almost turned, as if someone had called—though no one had. They'd never noticed. The studio had been sure she was media-ready for today. Nothing would challenge her their big moment.
Not even him.
i. chance
Her heart fluttered as her fingers delicately traced the golden Art Deco door handle. She was finally here. Inhaling deeply, she lifted her head, straightening her shoulders, before opening the studio door.
The space was dark except for a few soft stage lights, the set not yet reset for the day. She lingered near the door, her gaze tracing over the space. If these walls could talk. She inched closer, a typewritten script held in her arms.
He walked swiftly across the stage. He paused only long enough to retrieve his blazer from the director's chair, then continued on.
The sound of footsteps pulled her attention. She caught only the silhouette of a man retreating. The echo of his step faded, leaving the space emptier than it had been before.
ii. thread
Muffled voices seeped through the wood-paneled walls as he navigated the narrow hallway. He passed Studio A on the way to the next. He’d always thought interviews were little more than promotion—advertisements for the latest picture, disguised as a conversation.
The on-air light was dim. He reached for the silver door handle. A soft laugh sounded from the other side, light and honest. He opened it slowly. A brunette woman met him. He stepped aside, holding it open for her.
"Thank you."
She stepped past him.
He let the door close behind her.
He almost looked back.
iii. glance
Her fingers curled around the white porcelain cup. The familiar notes of the freshly brewed coffee brought a smile to her lips. She listened to the quiet hum of the cafe. Her days had been filled with rehearsals and filming. Unscripted moments had become rare.
Her gaze lifted.
He sat at a table opposite hers. His pen scratched across the surface of the pages in front of him.
He looked up.
For a moment, their eyes met. She smiled over the rim of her cup, taking another sip before looking away. Her gaze turned out the window, watching those walking by. His reflection lingered faintly in the glass as he returned to his work.
iv. interruption
He moved with purpose through the lot. A call for quiet from a nearby set drew his attention. He turned toward the set. A familiar face caught his eye. She moved gracefully across the scene. Her voice was light, touched with optimism.
"Cut."
Her gaze met his as she turned away from the production.
Recognition flashed in her eyes. A slow smile spread on her lips.
He took a step forward.
"Alexandra."
A production assistant guided her back to her mark.
He lingered a moment longer before continuing on his way.
Alexandra.
v. choice
The scent of stale tobacco mixed with the sharp coffee aroma as she entered the cafe. She glanced around the space, making her way to an empty table. She took a seat and opened a small black appointment book, reading through the notes for the day.
She turned her attention out the window. A familiar reflection caught her eye, drawing her gaze to the table across from her.
He sat still, a book perched in his hands. His face gave little away, his expression unreadable.
She almost turned back to the busy street.
But she didn't.
Not today.
"Hello," she greeted.
His gaze lifted from the page, over the top of the book.
His eyes met hers.
vi. pull
"Alexandra, is it?" He closed the book and set it on the table.
"Should I be impressed Thomas Hunt knows my name?"
His eyes narrowed, the corner of his lip lifting slightly. "Many would be."
"You'll find I'm not," she challenged.
He studied her for a moment. She was more direct than he anticipated, her smile still unguarded. That was a rarity. "Indeed."
"My apologies if that disappoints."
The book remained closed beneath his hand. His attention no longer on it, his gaze fixed on her. "I'm not certain you could disappoint."
vii. bond
It had become effortless, spending time like this. The placid lake stretched out before them. Strands of golden sun kissed the water, scattering like diamonds across the surface.
Her fingers brushed over the soft fabric of the picnic blanket. The wind shifted, lifting a strand of her hair. He reached up, brushing it back.
"I like it here," she decided.
"It's quiet," he agreed.
"It's easier out here." Her gaze fell to the sandy shore.
His hand settled over hers.
"It's easier with you," she added.
"I've found the same."
“Careful, Thomas... You almost sound agreeable.”
The smile that tugged at his lips reached his eyes. His gaze drifted back over the lake.
viii. dream
The ballroom glowed beneath the ornate chandeliers. Voices around them blurred into the music.
She rested her head on his shoulder, his hand warm against her lower back. Her silk dress shifted with each gentle movement as they swayed slowly together. Nothing beyond them seemed to exist. When she lifted her head, her eyes met his. The smile that greeted her was unlike any the public ever saw. It was entirely hers.
"Alex." His voice was tender.
"I know."
As the song quieted, neither of them moved. He drew her closer, the distance between them fading. His lips found hers in a soft, almost fragile kiss.
The final notes faded into applause, but she didn't move.
Neither of them did.
ix. interference
"Miss Spencer." The steady voice stopped her before she could go further. "A word, if you please."
She drew in a deep breath, her body reluctant to follow. "Of course."
"Have a seat." The studio executive gestured toward an emerald green leather chair.
"You're still new to all of this, Miss Spencer, so I'll be quite clear. There are expectations that come with representing the studio. The image you present is not solely yours—it belongs to us. Personal associations are not without there consequences. If and when changes are required, they will be made in accordance with the studio's interests. I trust you understand."
"But—" Her mouth opened, though the expression that met her across the desk gave her pause. Her hands tightened. "I understand."
"I trust you'll attend the premiere of your upcoming picture in a manner consistent with these expectations."
She rose to her feet, smoothing the fabric of her dress before turning away.
x. destiny
Her smile never wavered. Each step down the red carpet had been choreographed for her. Who to talk with, who to pose for, when to hesitate, when to move on. It was another scene for her to play, far from the empowerment she thought it would bring. She was their Alexandra. She hadn't thought she'd miss being Alex.
With careful precision, she executed every look they wanted. The bright lights of the cameras started to dim as she neared the theater.
"Thank you!" She waved, posing once more for a final display.
The doors opened, welcoming her into the screening of her picture. She ascended the steps of the theater, slipping her gloves off. She'd been offered a private box. The first thing that had gone right. At least there, she would be free from the performance.
She paused outside of it. Her fingers caressed the green velvet curtains separating her space from the hall. Quietly, she slipped in, disappearing from the world outside.
She stilled, her eyes not trusting what they saw.
It was him.
Of course, it was him.
"How?"
"Does it matter?"
He stood to meet her, guiding her down into the seat beside him. He drew her in, and this time, he kissed her without hesitation. Nothing could pull them apart.
A/N: Initially I was going to do a kismet mini series on this but readership is so low in the fandom that I didn't think anyone would follow that long. So I compromised and tried to write 100 word drabbles for each "chapter" and make a mosiac one-shot instead.
If you read this, I hope you enjoyed it! It was a lot of fun to write. It's very different than my normal fluffy writing style. It's much more controlled and restrained. It was very hard especially when the finally got together not to revert back lol
Well, how about that? It appears that Stink Bugs weren't the only variety of robust insect to recently become active as the warmer weather returns to Toronto. And yet, it's inside the home that these insects were found, rather than the sunny outdoors. Such is sometimes the case with an insect like this one as throughout my life, I've found many insects who have lost their way and stumbled into my room. Conifer Seed Bugs are very much included in those findings and they have always made their presence known time and time again with their noisy flight and the occasional release of a green apple-scented odors. While startling in the moment, when the shock of finding a notable and interesting-looking Bug passes, it's good to know (in this instance) that the insect you've stumbled onto is a harmless vegetarian and tends to not jab using its rostrum unless absolutely certain of a threat. For ascertaining such threats, and also navigating an urban environment, Conifer Seed Bugs will make use of their relatively large eyes, secondary ocelli, and their long 4-segmented antennae. From my own interactions, Conifer Seed Bugs tend to hide away if they sense danger, or turn themselves around an object in order to avoid direct visual from a perceived threat. Other bedroom visitors looking to avoid the outside cold, such as the Masked Hunter, can be more predaceous or defensive and can thusly be more inclined to bite within a bedroom.
The similar body shape and overall proportions have anecdotally led the aforementioned hunter to be confused with the Conifer Seed Bug if the encounter was very brief. Looking at them more closely, a Masked Hunter is all-black Assassin Bug (Reduviidae) with uniform legs, whiplike antennae and a curved rostrum, while the Conifer Bug is a mottled Leaf-Footed Bug (Coreidae) has a mottled appearance with thickened hindlegs with a notable, leaf-like projection near the termination of that leg on the tibia. With regards to that projection, always take note of the shape and size of that structure when you observe it on any insect. That one observation can make all the difference when identifying Leaf-Footed Bugs which are similar in appearance. At least among the Coreidae members which actually have those protrusions; the family is quite diverse in terms of form and appearance, and some of them have rather skinny hindlegs. They will, however, tend to have a narrow head, and today's specimen certainly showcases that. I would've loved to share more angles of this Bug's head and overall form, but interior lighting conditions were not suitable for photography and the moment this individual made it to the rim of the glass (which it was caught and transported in), it flashed its bright yellow abdomen and flew away in the direction of a pine tree. And so, its springtime objectives begin/resume.
Picture were taken on April 23, 2026 with a Google Pixel 8a.
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