#but ah

[lvnesart]

me when my bird husband doesn't look at me

[burntpink]

will i always be an outsider in this city?

[stavosdivorcelawyer]

"Devan says I thrashed and cried out, but what does it matter? It was a dream. I was in my tent when Renly died, and when I woke my hands were clean."

Ser Davos Seaworth could feel his phantom fingertips start to itch.

Dragonstone week day 4: "a man is good, or he is evil" and (of course) favourite dynamic

[vio-starzz]

Aro Four? Casually talking among the colors (I like to think they're there even when not split.)

The smallest guy ever.. Oh and the voices in their head.

✧ Ask/Draw "Game"

[dear-leeny]

Leon as a husband and father post-canon

I've heard some people think Leon would be a bad husband to his new wife or a neglectful father which was okay ig people have their own interpretation and headcanons on the character. But like, I actually read a fic with that premise and ...well I just...I honestly just couldn't see him that way. (No offense to the writer tho! I liked the fic but it just got me thinking)

Leon honestly just doesn't strike to me as a neglectful partner and father, I just can't see it. He grew up an orphan and was raised by the church, while i think he'd be uncertain and clumsy to a child and a wife that is not Sara, I can't see him being such an inattentive man.

Personally, I feel like he'd be a family man. He loves his family, it's canon to me. It's practically CANON actually, now that I think about it.

And you may ask me why do i think that way? Well here's the reason

why I think Leon wouldn't be a bad partner or father

Let's start simple: Leon is canonically a very compassionate and deeply devoted person. Even though he was a noble knight and baron, he gave up his title and status without hesitation just to save Sara, the woman he loved deeply.

That alone should tell you a lot about the kind of man he is.

This is also someone who:

1) Walked straight into a vampire’s castle alone for the person he loved (granted it's impulsive and reckless as fuck but you can appreciate the gesture)

2) Gave up his wealth and social position without complaint

3) A humble man whom we can easily assume to have treated people of lower status as equals (he literally asked Rinaldo not to call him "Lord")

4) Carried the grief of Sara’s sacrifice and turned it into a lifelong vow to protect others from the same fate

That is simply not the personality of someone emotionally detached from family. If anything, Leon’s entire story screams the opposite. After all, his whole character is built around devotion, love and loyalty

The tragedy of Lament of Innocence isn’t that Leon is incapable of love—it’s that he loves too deeply.

Sara’s death is devastating precisely because of how much she means to him. He struggles immensely with the idea of sacrificing her, even though it’s the only way to create the Vampire Killer whip. And after that moment, Leon doesn’t become cold or indifferent. Instead, he swears that no one else will suffer the same fate and dedicates his bloodline to hunting not just Dracula but the Night itself and by that you can easily guess that he means the monsters who torment the people.

Not only that, Leon grew up an orphan under the Church’s care—raised in stone halls, under strict discipline, surrounded by duty rather than affection. He didn’t have parents guiding him with warmth or tenderness. There were no soft reassurances, no gentle hands steadying him when he struggled. What he had instead was structure, expectation, and the constant reminder that he had to become strong enough to survive the world.

While we don't know of what circumstances or how young he lost his family, we can assume it's enough to foster such a modest and compassionate heart. I'm not saying that nobles or other people can't be modest and compassionate, but it's the way that Leon's humbleness and empathy was portrayed that you can read between the lines. And this is something that’s actually referenced in his background and often used to explain why he’s humble and empathetic despite being a noble knight.

People who grow up without a family often fall into two patterns: 1) They become emotionally detach (avoidant/dismissive) or 2) They become extremely protective of the family they eventually form (hyper-vigilant/codependent)

Leon feels much closer to the second type. Because everything we see about him suggests he values the bond he has with others deeply (such as his friendship with Mathias, love for Sara, etc.). And those relationships, I imagine, would matter enormously to him.

So attempting to imagine Leon as a inattentive and neglectful partner and father is a little far from me. I can him as someone who becomes very protective, cautious, and perhaps a little overbearing as a parent. Especially for someone who knows what it feels like to grow up without that safety.

So, as i've mentioned: Leon would probably be an intense father (in a good way). Just think about the traits he already has:

- Protective instincts

- Strong sense of duty

- Deep loyalty

- Emotional resilience after loss

- A tendency to shoulder responsibility alone

Translate that into parenthood and you get a man who would probably be:

• The kind who checks every door and window at night

• The kind who hovers anxiously over the smallest things (teething, tripping, scrapped knee, etc)

• The kind who trains his kid to defend themselves (which is already expected but I'll still include it)

• The kind who worries constantly about the child about different things at once

(Note: I'll be talking about Leon also dooming his kids and descendants later. I just had an idea on it.)

People who grow up orphaned most often develop a very specific kind of instinct when they later become parents: the desire to give their child everything they themselves never had.

For Leon, that would likely manifest as being protective—sometimes even a little overbearing. Not in a controlling way, but in the sense that he would constantly be aware of how fragile happiness can be. He was a Knight who went to crusades; I'm sure he has seen too much loss, too much cruelty, too many lives taken too early. Because of that, he would probably be the type of father who worries more than he needs to, double-checks the doors and windows at night, who notices the smallest changes in his child’s mood.

So him being neglectful simply had me tilting my head a little. I like the interpretation regardless tho, people don't often react the way we expected so translating this to Leon whose life after loi is practically a mystery is fun to speculate around. For me personally, I just think he's a family man. So neglectful Leon is a bit harder for me to grasp especially with his established personality. But I don't mind it (especially with the angst that comes with it lmao).

Anyways, as i've mentioned before; Leon is someone whose entire story revolves around devotion, love and loyalty. First to his duty, then to Sara, and later to the mission that grows from that tragedy. When he loves something, he commits fully. He doesn’t do things halfway.

So if Leon becomes a father, that child would very likely become one of the most important anchors in his life.

He might not always know exactly how to express affection at first. Someone raised the way he was might struggle with certain emotional language. But the effort would absolutely be there. The presence would be there. The reliability would be there.

And when it comes to the idea of Leon eventually having a wife later in life, that’s also a really interesting layer.

Because I think that Leon’s biggest tragedy is that he wanted a family. Because remember Sara wasn’t just someone he loved casually—she was literally his fiancée. The game started because they were going to get married; start a future together, and possibly have children.

And that was ripped away from him in the worst way imaginable. Hence why Leon being the DIRECT ancestor of the Belmont Clan also mattered deeply to me. It wasn't just because he was the progenitor, but because it implies that Leon truly and somehow started a life despite what happened.

It’s true that Sara was clearly a defining love in his life. That loss shaped him in a way that can’t simply be erased. No one could ever replace Sara or the bond they had. But that doesn’t necessarily mean Leon would be incapable of loving again—it just means that the love would look different.

If Leon married again and we know that he did, it would likely come from a place of mutual respect, trust, and quiet understanding rather than the bright, youthful passion he had with Sara.

He would care deeply for his wife. He would treat her with dignity and consideration. Leon strikes me as the type of man who would be attentive to his partner’s safety and well-being, someone who listens carefully and values her judgment. Even if the emotional intensity is not identical to what he once had, the relationship could still be strong and meaningful.

In many ways, it might even be steadier.

Where his love for Sara was youthful and tragic, a later marriage could be built on maturity, shared resilience, and the simple choice to stand beside one another through life’s difficulties.

And if they raised a family together, Leon would almost certainly take that responsibility seriously. He would want his children to grow up with stability, something he never truly had. A home where laughter is normal, where warmth exists, where people are present for each other.

So the idea of Leon as a family man is something that I deeply feel for; something that actually fits surprisingly well with his character because you'd be surprised by the number of characters I geunuinely think would make a good parent.

Leon wouldn't be perfect of course no one is perfect, but he'd be a devoted one. The kind who tries very hard to do right by the people he loves, and given everything he endured, that kind of devotion would feel like a hard-earned victory.

After all, the Belmont Clan's vow started not out of vengeance but a promise to protect.

Tldr: I like Leon as an attentive partner and loving father, basically. Because it's within his established personality and consideration of his background, orrrr maybe I just like the idea of this man getting to live a somewhat fulfilling life despite the events of Lament of Innocence.

Edit: truer words have never been spoken until this 🔥

[themratts]

Memories • Alena ( 1.8k words)

mature content warning (18+)

The Ministry

2023

She remembered what it was like to meet Perpetua for the first time. The return of that foreign shyness, the kind she only felt in the presence of the high ranking Emeritus men. Even though he was brand new, it was still enough to intimidate her, to have her clasping her hands together at her waist to keep them steady.

The light bounced off of the shiny silver mask he wore, complimenting the brightness of the smile he delivered. V had entered the room swiftly, wasting not a moment in approaching Frater Imperator and his lady at his side. Despite Copia’s negativity, Alena had watched as his brother engulfed him into a hug, one Copia slowly melted into when he returned it. It was a sweet display, Perpetua having just returned from his touring after months of everyone wondering, when exactly would the long lost twins be reunited? How beautiful that the moment had finally come.

And then Papa had turned to her, grinning at Alena with the same enthusiasm he’d shown his brother. She was almost startled, by how stark the contrast between his eyes was— how much it reminded her of her husband. He extended a hand for her to shake, and only when she had did he finally speak to her,

“My brother’s wife, hm?”

“That’s right,” she couldn’t help but laugh. Alena could tell from the smirk, he was about to take a jab at C and she added, “I’m quite lucky.”

“Well now,” V had glanced between the two of them, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You as well,” How lovely was it? A new member of the family. And someone so closely related to Copia, no less. The more she examined the visible parts of Papa’s face, the more resemblance she seemed to find of her beloved.

The voices of the two men seemed to fade into the background , as she watched. She remembered when the feeling had begun to stir… a strange sense, and longer she looked at Perpetua , the odder she felt. For having never met or even seen him before, something about him almost teetered on… familiar. Enough to make her squint amidst her studying, trying to pinpoint exactly what it was.

But in the end, she’d given up, deciding it to be nothing more than her nervousness and tired mind. A strange occurrence, but not one worth worrying about. Not when there were so many other things worth celebrating.

And not another thought about it would cross her mind.

———

It was a few weeks later when it happened.

At home she was seated, one-year-old Irene at her feet playing quietly with plush animals. On the television, their movie of choice was cued and ready, while chips and dip waited on the side table for consumption. All was prepared for movie night, the only thing left was their guest.

“He’s here!”

Copia’s voice came from the other side of the room, where he switched the popcorn bowl to his other hand to grab the doorknob. Sure enough, V had arrived, waving to his hosts as he followed his brother toward the couch.

“You haven’t started without me?”

“Of course not,” Alena smiled , patting the cushion beside her, “make yourself at home!”

As Perpetua took his seat, a hand crept to the rim of his silver mask and delicately slid it from his eyes. Relaxing back into the couch, he placed it onto the arm rest. It was hard to look away from such a thing— he never took that mask off. It was, in fact, the first time Alena had ever witnessed such a thing.

His head turned when he must’ve sensed her gaze. But when their eyes locked, Alena’s heart stopped. Her soul left her body. It was a blink, a mere millisecond of recognition, and that was all it took.

Papa had a scar. An old, faded scar that carved a V shape around the outside of his left eye.

And Alena remembered it.

———

3rd Street Bar

2013

This wasn’t really her scene. Not on an average day, no— cuddled up by a nice fire with some tea and good book actually sounded wonderful right now, and yet, Alena had grown so tired with her same old habits. Too long had she been known as ‘the secluded religious girl.’ She long wanted that version of her gone , and if that meant stomaching alcohol she didn’t actually care for while bar hopping with her girls, then so be it.

Claire had been the one to convince her to come. Have some fun, get yourself laid! You may like it more than you think, she’d said. And to her credit, the night had started off pretty fun. It was hard to go too wrong when Alena was with the people she loved.

The music was loud, but not unbearable. The drunken chatter of people around them was enough to drown out the voice in Alena’s head, the one telling her she’d rather be home. All too suddenly, Claire grabbed had grabbed her arm, causing her to whip her head around.

“Hey-?”

“Look,” the blonde motioned with her head, to just a few feet away where a man was leaning against the counter. He was quite tall , lean, with short dark curls and surprisingly formal attire despite the fact that they were in a pretty dingy bar. He was definitely a little bit older too, certainly a sore thumb amidst the other patrons. She raised a brow.

“What about him?”

“Look what he’s wearing.”

Alena hadn’t noticed at a glance, but sure enough: upon her second look and a turn of his head, she realized half his face was covered by a white mask, which halted at the line of his nose. Instantly, she grew intrigued.

“Woah.” Her friend pushed her.

“Go talk to him!”

“Are you crazy?”

Claire’s laugh was tipsy, “I dare you.”

“Dare me? What are we, ten?”

“I’ll give you twenty bucks.”

Alena rolled her eyes. As childish as Claire was being, there was a part of her that was very interested in this mysterious stranger. The attire was so specific, somewhat alluring, she had to wonder how there wasn’t a flood of women around him already.

And before she could give it a second thought , she approached.

“—forgive me for being abrupt,” Alena placed her empty glass on the counter beside him, and pulled the stool out to take a seat. For a moment, when he looked at her, she felt a panic surge in her chest. What was she doing? Where was this even supposed to go? She didn’t know, but it was definitely too late to back out. “I wanted to say, I like your outfit.”

His stare was intense. Those sharp green eyes, piercing into her soul… a contrast between the softness in his smile. “Thank you,” he replied, “you look nice as well.”

“You must get asked this a lot,” perhaps she was drunker than she thought, taking such a bold move, “..but.. what’s the mask for?”

The stranger laughed, reaching up to tap the white plastic, “just a bit of a… an injury. I prefer to hide it.”

Alena nodded, “taking.. inspiration from a certain phantom?” And the man grinned from ear to ear.

“I suppose I am. Could I, ah,” he cleared his throat, “-buy you a drink?”

More forward than Alena anticipated. But after all, why not? He was friendly enough, somewhat nervous-seeming, even. She didn’t feel that same cautiousness she usually had around men in these situations. With a nod, she replied,

“That’s very kind. Thank you.”

———

With each stroke of his hips, he grunted in her ear.

Alena was pinned to the bed, eyes closed and breathing deeply as she allowed the man above her to do as he pleased . Was she a stranger to this? Not remotely. Had she expected to end up in an unknown apartment at two o’clock in the morning?

Well… yes.

Her heartbeat was loud, fingers spreading up and across his back, pale skin ridged and scarred. She was slowly losing herself in the sinful ecstasy, whoever this man was, he surely knew what he was doing.

She felt teeth trace over her neck and tilted her head back , allowing the stranger to nibble, to bite. A moan was drawn from her lips and when he lifted his head, she found her hand sweeping to cup his cheek.

One finger slid below the mask. And then another. Would he stop her? He certainly wasn’t making the effort to, simply staring downward with watery eyes and lips parted in heavy groans. Why she was even doing this, Alena didn’t know. Her every action was clouded by pleasure, numbed knowing she’d reach her climax very soon. But despite not caring much about the people she fooled with , knowing she’d never see him again— she still wanted to see his face. Just once.

He didn’t flinch when she took the mask off. He didn’t do anything about it, in fact. But he was so far gone at that moment, perhaps he hadn’t even noticed what she’d done.

He wasn’t lying about his ‘injury’. A deep scar decorated that half of his face, surrounding his eye in such a specific shape, she had to wonder what on earth had caused such a thing. But Alena hadn’t a moment to ponder it.

He suddenly bit down on her shoulder, driving his hips as hard against hers as he could, and producing a cry from the lady beneath him. In nothing but the light of the moon casting in from the window, they came together, the mask now long discarded onto the wooden floor.

There was never any mention of it. By his side she’d fall asleep, and when she awoke it was only four. She got up and dressed, passing one final glance back at her one-night-stand still resting, wondering if she might ever know why this particular man was so odd, even though deep down, she knew she never would. She took her leave, then, and never looked back.

———

The Ministry

2023

When Irene began to cry, her papa was quick to scoop her up. He patted her back and rocked her, tutting when nothing seemed to be working.

“I’ll be right back, scusi,” Frater nodded to the two seated on the couch, before carrying the baby out of the room.

The silence was deafening.

Alena stared down at the floor, not daring to look over at Perpetua in this moment. She must’ve been visibly sweating.

It just couldn’t be.

It couldn’t.

What kind of cruel, sick joke was the devil trying to play on her? Over and over in her mind, she tried to tell herself she must be crazy.

This just couldn’t be real.

Not once had she even thought of that night since it occurred. Not once until now. Beside her, Perpetua was anxiously tapping one finger against his knee.

I must be losing it, her mind ran. Utterly at a loss.

And that was when Perpetua spoke. Shallowly, quietly, hardly one level above a whisper.

“…I thought you looked familiar.”

Special thank you to my beloved @sillysillystars for coming up with the original idea for this! As always, thank you for reading <3

[hyog-blog]

Li Boze, you're asking the impossible XD