#ashborn x reader

[straykidsnerd255]

Hey, saw you were open for request for SL.

Can i get some headcanons for Antares, Ashborn and Tarnak, falling in love with someone under their army thats super weak physically but makes it up in their skills as support. (Maybe a healer, a mage, or a blacksmith)

You sure can! I hope that you enjoy these little head canons and thank you so much for requesting!! You are also the first person to send in an ask for these 3 monarchs!!

Antares is known for hating weak members of his army, but for some reason, you were the exception to that hatred. Even he didn’t understand it. 

He always tried to figure out why he was never able to kill you off. There was just something about you that made him refuse everytime he started contemplating that idea.

Then he saw your healing abilities for the first time on the battlefield. You may not be strong physically, but your healing aptitude was beyond what Antares could believe. 

As time went on, Antares found himself watching you train. He would find himself watching over you when the rest of his army started to pick on you. 

Over time, Antares slowly began to fall for you. He didn’t understand how a monarch such as himself could fall in love or even know what love is but he didn’t question it. 

You noticed something off about Antares when he suddenly started to get close to you. 

Not minding it at all, you found it quite nice when he would brush his hand against yours, your stand to your side, glaring at members of his army that made fun of you.

Now, your hand is always intertwined with his. You notice a slight upturn in his lips as he directs his army. 

During a battle, you rushed towards a dragon to heal it, but it snapped its jaw at you, glaring darkly. Antares didn’t take kindly to that. 

That dragon disappeared and was never heard from or seen again. 

Antares commanding his army to allow you to check over their wounds and heal them if necessary.

As his feelings started to get stronger, Antares got more and more protective of you. 

Antares is not a very PDA type of person, but will hug you and press kisses to your face behind closed doors. 

During a battle, you were heavily injured causing both his dragon army and himself to go crazy. 

No one was allowed to hurt you. NO ONE.

You had been a part of Ashborns army most of your life, but you were never that strong. You didn’t have the aptitude to even fight alongside his army.

However, Ashborn seemed to really like having you in his army. You were, after all, the blacksmith under Ashborns rule. 

You were tasked with making Ashborns weapons along with a few of his shadows weapons. 

One day, while in the process of making Ashborns signature weapon, the monarch appeared before you, watching you work. 

His body language is different from the usual dark, emotionless attitude he would always give you or his army. 

Ashborn started growing more protective of you, always snapping if one of his soldiers from his shadow army got angry with you. 

He would appear when it was time for you to make a weapon for him and watch as you delicately worked on the weapon.

Ashborn noticed the way he had slowly started to fall for you. 

He tried to ignore the feeling, but everytime he did, the feeling would only come back twice as strong

He noticed the way you took pride in crafting not only his weapon, but his shadow army’s weapons. Making sure they were ready for the toughest of battles. 

He finally believed he could tell you that he liked you, and that he was starting to fall for you but something in his mind told him you would never love him back.

He still told you. Came to you while you were working, pulled you from your seat and told you his feelings.

You were shocked of course. Who would have thought the Shadow Monarch Ashborn would fall for his lowly blacksmith

But you had also fallen for him. The way he commanded his army, and the way he was so gentle when talking with you. It made your heart pound in your chest.

The way he shows you that he truly loves you, is by pressing his forehead against yours, his eyes closed, and his breathing soft. That’s how you know.

You were constantly picked on for not being as strong as some of the other mages in Tarnak’s army but that didn’t stop you from serving him with your everything.

You had been tending to something of his asking when one of the other mages played a trick on you. 

Tarnak happened to see it and killed off the mages that hurt you watching as they pleaded and begged for mercy. 

He didn’t understand why he killed those mages to begin with. He didn’t understand why it made him so angry when they hurt you like that. 

Then it clicked. He fell in love with you. Not because of your power, but because you were simple, strong in what you could do, but always caring towards him. 

The others served him out of fear. You served him out of pure loyalty. Something he hadn’t experienced before. 

What made falling in love with you easy was the fact you were only nice to him and cold to everyone else. 

The other monarchs? You couldn’t care less about them. You wouldn’t acknowledge them. Or even bow when they appeared in the room. 

The monarchs cornered Tarnak and demanded that you receive punishment for not bowing to them during a meeting. 

Tarnak rolled his eyes simply stating that you had no obligation to treat them the same way you treated him. 

Pissed, the other monarchs continued to demand before he grew angry. He shouted that you didn’t have to bow to them because you were not serving any of them. That you were his and belonged only to him. 

Tarnak refused to show up to any other meetings on account that he was just extremely angry that they demanded you to bow to them. 

You picked up on his anger and did everything to make him smile again. To see that slight happiness that filled his eyes the last time you made him laugh. 

Practicing your magic in front of him or around him always puts him at ease. Your magic was so simple yet so beautiful and delicate.

He knew you would never leave him, not with how loyal you were to him. You defied the monarchs before, even dying by the enemy to keep him alive.

[sikyulioness]

Could you do one that's reader and Ashborn, something that's kinda fluff. Where like, reader introduces Ashborn to positive physical interaction. (He's been through so much I just want to hug him! 😭)

Aww that's so cute 🥺

______. ._______

A Touch of Light

Ashborn was not accustomed to touch.

In his long existence, hands had only ever reached for him in violence. Grasping, tearing, demanding—always seeking power, never offering warmth. Even before he became the Shadow Monarch, before the heavens cast him down, he had been a god of destruction. Untouchable. Distant. Alone.

And yet, there you were.

A mere human, standing before him without fear. Your presence was as soft as the wind that passed through the ruins where he often lingered, a place long abandoned by time. You were nothing like the beings he had known before. You were not made of divinity, nor of monstrous power. And yet, somehow, you unsettled him more than any warrior ever had.

It started small.

The first time you touched him, it had been an accident—your fingertips brushing against the edge of his armored gauntlet as you reached for something beside him. He had gone rigid, shadows curling instinctively around him like a beast prepared to strike. But you had only blinked at him, unafraid.

"You’re colder than I expected," you murmured.

He did not respond. What was there to say? He had not known warmth in centuries.

The second time, it was intentional.

You had found him sitting beneath the remnants of an ancient tree, its branches long dead but still standing. He often stayed there, watching the sky, lost in thoughts that spanned eternity.

"You look tired," you said.

He did not answer. A god does not grow weary. But something in the way you frowned at him made his chest feel... heavy.

Before he could react, you reached out, resting your palm against his forearm. Not in battle. Not in reverence. Just touch—gentle, warm, grounding.

He did not move.

No one had ever touched him like that.

"You’re really cold," you murmured again, rubbing his arm absentmindedly, as if trying to bring warmth to something long since frozen. "Does it hurt?"

He stared at you. The question made no sense. Pain was an old companion, one he had long since stopped acknowledging. But this? This strange, unfamiliar warmth spreading through him? He did not know what to make of it.

And yet, he did not pull away.

Over time, it became a pattern.

Small, fleeting touches. A hand brushing against his when you handed him something. The press of your palm against his back as you walked beside him. One time, you had even reached up, brushing stray strands of his dark hair away from his face without a second thought.

He did not understand.

Why did you do these things?

Why did you not recoil from him, as all others had?

One night, as you both sat in silence beneath the ruined sky, he asked you.

"Why do you touch me?"

You tilted your head, as if the question itself was strange. "Because I want to."

He frowned. That was not an answer.

Seeing his confusion, you sighed and shifted closer, your knee brushing against his. "You’ve been alone for a long time, haven’t you?"

Alone.

The word settled over him like a weight. He had never considered it before. He had been beyond such things, beyond the need for companionship. Or so he had believed.

"You don’t have to be," you continued, voice softer now. "I don’t know what you’ve been through, Ashborn. But... you don’t always have to be untouchable."

Untouchable. That, too, had been a truth he had never questioned.

Until now.

Without thinking, he reached out.

It was awkward—hesitant, almost clumsy. His hand hovered near yours, unsure of how to proceed. He had wielded power beyond comprehension, had ended civilizations with a mere gesture. And yet, the simple act of reaching for your hand felt... foreign.

You noticed. Instead of waiting, you closed the distance yourself, intertwining your fingers with his.

Warmth.

A slow, quiet thing. Not the fire of battle, nor the blaze of destruction. Just warmth—steady, certain, human.

"You see?" You smiled at him, giving his hand a small squeeze. "Not so bad, right?"

Ashborn did not answer. He only stared at your joined hands, at the quiet miracle of it.

And for the first time in countless centuries, he felt something shift deep within him.

Something fragile.

Something warm.

---

The change was gradual.

At first, Ashborn remained still whenever you touched him, as if uncertain whether he should allow it. Then, slowly, he began to accept it. He no longer flinched when your fingers brushed his, nor did he tense when you leaned against him on colder nights.

But an embrace? That was different.

You never forced it, never pushed him beyond what he was ready for. But one evening, when exhaustion weighed heavy in your own limbs, you found yourself dozing off beside him, your head naturally resting against his shoulder.

He froze.

For a long moment, he did nothing.

Then, cautiously, he shifted—not away from you, but toward you. The movement was small, hesitant, but unmistakable. You felt the tension ease from his frame, the weight of his presence settling more comfortably against yours.

It was the first time he had ever let himself be held.

And it would not be the last.

---

One night, the stars burned bright, casting silver light upon the ruined world around you.

Ashborn stood beside you, watching the sky, silent as ever.

Then, without warning, he turned to face you fully.

You blinked up at him, surprised by the intensity of his gaze. "What is it?"

He did not answer.

Instead, he reached out—deliberately, purposefully—and cupped your cheek in his hand.

It was the first time he had ever touched you on his own.

His palm was cool against your skin, his fingers surprisingly gentle as they traced the curve of your jaw. It was as if he were memorizing the sensation, committing the warmth of you to memory.

You leaned into his touch instinctively, eyes softening. "Ashborn..."

His thumb brushed over your cheekbone. A quiet exhale left him, something close to wonder flickering in his expression.

"I did not know," he murmured, voice almost reverent.

"Did not know what?" you whispered.

"That touch could feel like this."

You covered his hand with your own, pressing his palm more firmly against your cheek. "And how does it feel?"

He hesitated, searching for the right words. Then, at last, he answered.

"Warm."

A slow smile spread across your face. "Good. Then we'll just have to make sure you get used to it."

And for the first time in centuries, the Shadow Monarch let himself believe in something other than war.

He let himself believe in your warmth.

___

The End

[monoleander]

.✦ ݁˖𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘴⋆˚࿔♡

• • •

𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗺; solo leveling

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧(𝙨); Ashborn (Brilliant Fragment of Light)/(Shadow Monarch)

𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜; a little bit of angst, mentions of betrayal

𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨; this is my first time writing for a fandom/character so it might be a little rough. I might make a few edits here and there in the future. Also Ruler reader in the first half.

• You're likely not a human if you were together before he became the Shadow Monarch. Maybe one of the Rulers? Someone from their troops?

• You knew him before he knew you. He was kind of hard to miss since he was once one of Brilliant Fragments of Light. Talks about him amongst your fellow Rulers were common as well.

• He's a busy man of high ranking, well respected and admired by many. He's not someone anyone thinks they could approach lightly but contrary to those beliefs, Ashborn would never turn down any of his companions who come to him.

• You're probably the one to approach him first. It could be anything like reporting the status of the army to him or just asking him a question out of curiosity, if you're bold enough. Either way, now he's aware of who you are.

• As your interactions become more frequent, he slowly grows more curious about you as well. Expect deeper and longer conversations too.

• Sometimes you'll find yourself training together and although Ashborn has never been one to flaunt his abilities, he'll pull off a hard stunt or move just to impress you. You can see the corners of his eyes creasing slightly under his helmet when you show your admiration or praise him.

• (Bellion has some competition)

• It takes some time but eventually the both of you grow close enough that he feels safe to share his fears and concerns to you about the wars and how much it pains him to see the others get hurt.

• He's so used to being the strongest, the reliable pillar everyone can lean on. You're the only one who gets to see him like this. Vulnerable. 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘬.

• After you cross that threshold, you can see him being a lot more open and affectionate towards you. It includes small things like asking you how your day was, waiting for you to catch up to him and asking if you need help with anything.

• Kissing isn't really known by him or any of your kind, for that matter. Instead, you'll get affectionate head bumps (helmet to helmet), nuzzling your horns or faces together, holding hands and brushing your wings with one another.

• He'll become more protective of you, especially during the wars. Even though he can't always be by your side, he'll make sure none of the more dangerous opponents come your way. Checking up on you after every fight in also a must.

• Give him your love and loyalty, he will return it tenfold. But beware, betray his trust and you will burn in the fires of his anger. Yet...

• ...He could not bring himself to hate you even as you sink your spear into his back and fly off with the rest to kill his Master.

• Whether you are a Ruler or human or anything else, you will have to have a lot and I mean A LOT of patience with this man. He has already been betrayed twice which has left him a little more than distrustful and paranoid about others.

• Unlike his Fragment self, he pushes away anyone who tries to approach him. He refuses to entertain any sort of conversation unless it's with his shadow soldiers, even then their interactions are limited to business.

• He's not taking any more chances. He's had centuries of time to build up the walls around him so it's going to take more than just a few words for you to break down each and every one.

• Lot of cold glares, short & direct answers and getting ignored. Don't take it to heart. Being dismissed is still better than ending up on the wrong side of his greatsword.

• Its going to take a long time before you can earn even a smidgen of his trust. He is constantly doubting what your true intentions are, whether you're lying to him or not or if you're just trying to exploit his weaknesses (if he even has any).

• The key is consistency and knowing when to give him space. Try not to accidentally anger the ancient being. That's how you end up as fertilizer for the World Tree.

• Don't force him to do anything he doesn't like and recognize the cues when you should take your leave. Slowly, you'll find him starting to relax around you. It's not an easy process but eventually, he will acknowledge you and respond to your greetings or small talk.

• Ashborn will likely begin observing you from afar, taking note of your behavior and intentions. When he sees you are sincere in wanting to get close to him and not hurt him, he will gradually start to open up more.

• You won't notice exactly when it happened but Ashborn has already warmed up to you and your presence. He still has his doubts but he's weaker to his emotions than he thought...

• He will remain defensive but in rare moments, his true personality shows through, revealing the weary and kind-hearted being underneath.

His fingers twitch against his sides for a split second–claws flexing on instincts before he forcibly relaxes them. You had already reassured him that the cut on your arm was an accident but he still seemed on edge. He mutters something like, "Foolish creature...you are already fragile as it is." And quickly walks about before you notice the hint of vulnerability.

(He offered to have one of his shadow soldiers follow you around to keep you safe but of course you immediately turned it down.)

• You've become somewhat of an emotional pillar for him and although Ashborn doesn't show it, his feelings of not being good enough (not only as a lover but also as a warrior and protector) haunt him constantly. Your words of reassurances mean more to him than you might think.

• He would show his affection in subtle yet meaningful gestures: He would walk close to you, slightly shielding you with his body or cloak at all times, offering you words of encouragement when you seem to be struggling and remembering small things you mentioned in earlier conversations.

• The most you'll get from him in terms of physical affection (for now) is hand holding. At first, he's hesitant but he doesn't realise how touch starved he is until his fingers curl around yours. He had almost forgotten how it felt to touch another person after being surrounded by nothing but the cold and shadows for years.

• The warmth of your hand lets him know that you're here, safe and alive.

• His love is selfless, caring for you before himself. He loves you with everything he has and he will give up anything just to keep you safe. He has lost everything else, he doesn't want to lose you too.

• • •

Here is something no one asked for but I had fun writing this. I got side tracked a few times and there was a lot more I want to include but couldn't in the end. I want to make a Rulersona one day...yes.....

[monoleander]

Things to consider before you do the deed with Ashborn (and why you should sleep with him).

If you're actually reading this, you either like the corrupted knight trope or you need help. Either way, congrats, all your life choices led to you wanting to screw a shadow. (I don't blame you, he's hawt.)

Moving on, is it actually possible to do it with him? According to my very non-biased opinion: yes, absolutely. You've probably thought about this topic before too (or not if you're not jobless like me) so lets discuss a few things together.

Things to consider:

1. His height:

This is something I'm still questioning myself about. From reading the light novel and manhwa, we can conclude that Ashborn, as well as the other Monarchs and Rulers, are TALL but we don't know exactly how tall.

In the novel, Rakan (the Beast Monarch) was described to be well over 2 meters (that means over 6'6 feet). I'm assuming that applies to the other Monarchs and Rulers as well. Ashborn definitely reaches 7 ft or close to that if you count the horn on his helmet (cheater). However, in the manhwa, Bellion was shown to be taller than that and I mean MUCH TALLER. He looks at least 10 ft tall (or over?) and just a reminder that 6'6 ft is not short, at all. I don't know about you guys but my 5 ft ahh is already struggling to just make eye contact with someone standing at 7 ft.

There was the panel where Jin-Woo (6'3 ft) and Bellion stand together and just–Look at that height difference! 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 Also look at how huge Ashborn's face is compared to Jin-Woo and I'm sure that's not just armour.

I don't know if it's only Bellion that's freakishly tall or it's just the artists giving some effects. If you don't mind the size difference though, then good for you. I pray you survive the night.

2. The armour:

Not much of a problem with this one since he can definitely take it off. I'm 99% sure his body isn't just a few hunks of metal and shadows and that he actually has a body below all that armour (If his body is the armour, he'd still be hot). It wasn't directly shown in the manhwa but in the light novel, it was mentioned that he took off his helmet in front of Jin-Woo.

The problem is, imagine you were trying to get into the mood and his stupid armour sorry Ashborn is poking you everywhere. Those edges are sharp and they will definitely cut your skin (sigh the things we do to screw Ashborn.) Another problem could be the amount of time it takes to take that thing off.

Example: You're in bed, your face is all flushed and your lips are swollen from kissing. Your body feels hot to the touch and you can already feel the moisture soaking through your clothes. You're eagerly anticipating his next move when you suddenly hear: *click* *clack* *thud* *click*

You look over and he's taking his armour off. He glances up at you, raises his hand and says 'Just a moment' before he starts pulling on the metal plattings covering his body again. He takes about 15-20 minutes to remove everything and you just sit there, waiting. I really, REALLY hope that he can just swoosh it away like Jin-Woo.

He probably looks the same as the other Rulers below his armour, just that he's made of shadow. Also, what if he took off his helmet and you're just greeted by the sight of Jin-Woo's face staring back at you (bc of that 'we are one' business). So now you're just laying in bed with a more archaic and boomer version of Sung Jin-Woo...

3. His body:

I've thought about his body and what he could do with it more times than I'd like to admit. Does he have a cock? I'd like to imagine he does. Even if he doesn't, I hope he can just manifest one using his shadows (does that count as a strap on?) The Rulers don't really have to mate to reproduce. They just burst out of the World Tree's fruit like fruit flies. So, do they even have reproductive organs?

They are identified as males though so maybe they do (??) But just don't use them. Also, if he's really 10 ft tall then...oh boy. Your first night together might also end up being your last (jk).

Why you should sleep with him:

Do you even need a reason for this? Have you SEEN how he looks? His body? The abs? Those thighs? The claws?? He'll either treat you gently (because you really are fragile compared to him) or fold you in half. In the latter case, you won't be able to walk for a couple of days.

Aftercare will be amazing though and I'm sure of it. He'd also be a very loyal partner unless you were doing it as a casual thing though I can't really imagine him as that type of person.

I won't write too much since it might get boring and I might want to write headcannons about this separately in the future. Thank you for reading my nonsense. Expect more Ashborn content from me (if I'm not procrastinating).