#c: l

[kindlingif]

Also, speaking of heights, this is a chart I made some time ago

[halfgclden]

“Make sure you get your blue all over the canvas!” Miss Frizzle crooned, or, the person dressed like her did. L thought the impression could use a bit of work, but the puppet lizard really put the costume over the edge for them. “Don’t forget to turn your canvas and get the sides too!”

It was L that had suggested that they and Ben go to a wine-and-painting-instruction night. They’d assumed it was going to be something along the lines of a Bob Ross tutorial with drinks, but Miss Frizzle going over how to paint Koi fish step by step was a welcome surprise. It almost sent L into giggles a few times already, and they weren’t sure quite how well they’d be able to hold it in once they’d finished a drink. They smiled at Ben as they mixed a bit of green and white into their blue. “Do you think that’s part of the job description?” They asked, their voice low, “or just how they dress?”

[kindlingif]

How would the ROs react to mc waking them up at like 2am to ask them if they still love them/if they hate them randomly? Got it from another blog!

Sorry, this is long and I ran with it, heh.

This thought nags at you, bounces around your head, no matter which way you turn. Looking over at L, you scowl.

How can they sleep as content as a babe? Aren't they feeling the same restless thing in their chest?

You shake their shoulder gently. Once more until their eyelids finally start to flutter open. Their green eyes are heavy with sleep. When they focus on you, their lips twitch into a sleepy smile.

"What is it?" They ask in a raspy voice, words slurred.

"Do you love me?" You fix them with your stare, ready to catch any lie.

They blink slowly, once, twice. Slowly, their hand raises to rub at their eyes. "Uh… yes, of course I do."

You nod, thoughtfully. This makes it clear. "You hate me then."

They sputter, staring at you with wide eyes. "What? Did you have a nightmare?" Rising on their elbow, they cup your face, eyes worried. "What got into you?"

You shrug, glancing away. Their sigh fans your face and their nose nuzzles into your cheek. "You're being silly. Nothing would make me hate you."

Those are big words. A big promise to make - do they know the future?

"Promise?"

A smile, their lips soft. "Promise."

The next time it goes the same way, until it reaches a point where they only give you a sleepy "Yes, I love you. No, I don't hate you, good night." Rune is sound asleep and maybe you should feel guilty about it, but the question bounces in your head. Your fingers aren't even long on their shoulder, their eyes snapping open. You give them a smile, one that feels more like a grimace. They glare at you, turning over to stare at the ceiling, one hand running down their face. "Is something on fire?" They ask in a husky voice, slow. You huff. "Well, good morning to you, too." "Is it or not?" "No..." "Is someone dying?" "No... as far as I'm aware." "Then why did you wake me?" They turn back to you, eyes wide awake, face twisted in irritation. You grip your shirt, squinting your eyes at them. Should you even continue? "Do you love me? Or maybe you hate me," you add belatedly. Their shoulders heave with the weight of their sigh as they rise to sit on the edge of the bed. "No, I don't hate you, but I certainly like you a bit less now." You grimace, glancing away. Spirits... They return a few minutes later, holding a piece of paper and handing it to you. "Next time, read this instead of waking me up." Sliding back under the cover, they turn their back to you. The paper is thin, and you leaf through it, taking in their writing. Sometimes you have to squint and hold it this way and that way. Even Freya can write prettier than that. "No, I don't hate you." "Yes, I still love you." "Yes, I'll still love you if you were a worm (or any other animal)."

"Go back to sleep." And so on, along with small doodles at the margins. Is that Tyr? Or Eir? The door opens, and you perk up, eyes wide and leaning close. Fenrir closes the door and the words leave your lips. "You love me, right?" They freeze, staring at you. "...hello to you too." Yes, yes, a hello that late at night - they haven't answered. "Do you?" "Well, let's see," they tick off one finger for each word, "we are having coitus, rolling in the hay, mating -" You groan, rubbing your face. "Can you take it seriously?" They give an unkind smile. "I'm tired, and you hit me with this? Not even a hello, nooo." Throwing their hands in the air, they throw themself on the bed. You bounce once, twice before settling down. After a few minutes, they speak again. "If I hated you, what are you doing there, idiot? Sure, a lay might be fun, once, but that's all. After, why are you still around, unless...?" Fenrir lets the sentence hang, staring at you. "...you have bad taste?" You try and they laugh, shoving you. "Get out of there! I have great taste." The smile lost its sharpness, and their eyes are softer.

Sometimes you envy just how well the they sleep. Once their eyes are closed, the world is all but forgotten, deep in dreams. What are they even dreaming of?

Are they even aware of your thoughts? They're restless and only their voice will help.

You shake them so much that your arm starts to tire. Spirits, you need to bring a bucket of water, and the thought of them soaking wet nearly makes you laugh. The smile still on your lips, you shake your head. This won't do.

Taking a tuft of their hair, you tickle their nose, and their face curls into distaste, batting it away. Their eyelids flutter - this is your chance, leaning closer to their ear, you whisper. "My King, please..."

Eyes snapping open, it takes them only a moment to focus on you. A sleepy, small smile blooms on their face and they reach out a hand to cup your jaw.

"Do you love me? Do you hate me?" You blurt it all out.

They blink, giving you a blank look before scoffing. "Do not demean both of us with this question." You think this is done, for they say nothing more as their fingers trail down across your jaw to tilt your chin. "I don't go for dull things, so for you to catch my attention," they trail off, capturing your lips in a slow kiss.

"Let's put those thoughts to rest, shall we?" They murmur against your lips, pressing you closer.

[kindlingif]

MC gives the RO (or Freya or Mother) a rock they found. Not a gemstone, or a geode, or a fossil. Just a rock. Maybe it has an interesting coloring or shape but it's just a normal rock. If asked why, MC says it reminded them of the RO/Freya/Mother. Reactions?

Whoa sorry, saw this and ran with it! ROs are under the cut. This is long, sorry!

You raise the rock until it covers one of Mother's eyes, squinting at it. Gaze darting between it and Mother's eye, you give a satisfied hum when it is just as you suspected. Yes, yes! It matches! The same shade, and it even has stripes! "Do I want to know what you are doing, child?" Mother asks, craning her neck so she can stare at you without the rock in the way. You give her a smile, skip to her, and put your hand out. With a confused frown, she mirrors you, and you plant the rock in her big palm. "There!" You croon, grinning at her. "It's you!" She stares at it with a doubtful look in her eyes, turning it this and that way. "How... one can be a rock?" You find it in the drawer of her nightstand.

You're not sure what made you think of your sister when you saw this rock. It isn't pretty enough. Nothing colorful or special about it, no gold veins, no bright colors. Maybe it is the shape, sharp at the tip and rounded near the end. It looks a bit like her teeth or her ears if you really squint. When you find Freya, you walk to her with a seriousness befitting this moment. She perks up immediately, gazing at you with curious and bright eyes. Drawing near, you extend your closed fist and she turns her palm up. Letting the little rock fall on her hand, you watch her face. Her face is serious too, brows drawn tight and lips pursed as if she is examining a precious stone.

She hums low in her throat, turning the rock this and that way, before nodding. "...alright." Shoving it deep into her pocket, she turns to you, ready for an adventure. Next day, she gives you an acorn, ranting how she wanted to give you a rock, but none reminded her of you. Sometimes you find her fiddling with it, playing with it between her fingers.

You found it pretty and round. It isn’t green, but it does remind you of L’s eyes; you hardly saw such a round rock. And what’s better than to show off?

When you find L, you pounce on them, wrapping your arms around their neck and showing the rock in their face. They yelp, struggling to stay upright and for a moment, you fear you will tumble to the ground along your rock.

“Get off!” They chide, but how can it sound threatening when they’re struggling not to laugh?

“I will,” you murmur close to their ear just to watch them flush. “After you see this!” Waving your hand, you redirect their attention to your precious stone. “This is you.”

“I’m… a rock?” Their tone is disbelieving and you chuckle.

“Yes, you’re my rock, my one certainty.” Your arms slide around their waist, pressing yourself further on their back.

“Oh…” They say in that voice, the one where you could tell them the sky is purple and they would believe you without a second thought.

There is a rock you found, with an interesting shape and a pleasing weight in your hand. When you went to show it to Rune, they looked at you as if you started dancing out of nowhere, barely sparing the rock a glance.

“What am I supposed to do with a rock?” They ask, raising a slender eyebrow. But they wait for no answer, already returning to their concoction. It smells foul to you, but they don’t seem to mind it. “Put it on the table,” accompanying the dismissive words is a shake of their head.

You shrug, throwing it in the air and catching it. “You could add it to your necklace?” Drawing closer, you reach to touch the nape of their neck, slipping your finger under the thin leather thread and raising it.

Their back straightens and they turn to give the stone a thoughtful look, fiddling with their necklace. Turning each bead and tiny skull with their fingers, their gaze slides to you. “Hm. Very well. I will make a hole and you can paint the rock after.”

You cock your head. “Paint?”

“Yes. It comes from you, does it not? It should not remain an ordinary rock then.” They smile, brushing their finger against the apple of your cheek.

You had an inkling of Fenrir’s reaction, but the reality is far more amusing than your thoughts. They caught it as soon as you threw your rock at them, because of course they do.

“What is this?” They ask, then immediately open their palm. Taking one look at it, they turn to stare at you. “What. Are you so lazy that you can’t throw your own trash?”

“Trash?” You gasp, outraged. “And what I told you that I picked it with my whole heart?”

Another stare, sneering. “I’d say you have shitty taste. It’s a damn rock.” Still, they play with it, throwing it in the air from a hand to the other.

A smile on your lips, you approach, fingers grapping the edges of their shirt as you draw them closer. You could say ‘It reminded me of you’ but you can already hear the answer. They raise an eyebrow, gaze lingering on your hands as they crowd closer.

“Can you keep it?” Drawing them even closer by tugging the end of their ponytail, you lean to murmur against their lips before they can refuse. “Because it is from me, asshole.”

They huff against your lips, and you think they mouth a ‘fine’, but you’re too distracted by the heat of their mouth and the weight of their wandering hand down your back.

They examine the rock you brought them. Pinched between their thumb and forefinger, they look at it as if it personally insulted them, nose wrinkled and lips pressed into a thin line. “This is all.” They say and you can feel their gaze sliding toward you.

You give the King a smile, puffing your chest.

Their gaze stays on you a bit longer, the same look of faint offense still clinging to their face, before it is replaced by a smile. “Oh my, are you so smitten with me that you see me in all insignificant things?”

You let the insult roll of your back, keeping the smile on your face. With a sincerity born from the deep of your heart, you simply say ‘yes’ just to watch their smile slip off their face a second time. It takes it a moment to slide back into place as they stalk closer, arms enclosing around your waist.

They draw you closer, dropping their face to your cheek to nuzzle it with their nose. “Such devotion… Tell me, how should I reward it? Jewelry, precious sto –“

“I want a rock.” You reply with a grin, eyes squinted in amusement as their smile becomes frozen.

“A rock.”

“Yes, that’s right. A rock you picked yourself, from the ground, just because it reminded you of me.” With each word, their shoulders sag and you give them a quick kiss before slipping away from their hold. Next time, on their nightly walks, they pay a bit more attention to the ground than usual.

[kindlingif]

Let's say MC gets really drunk. Maybe their first time.

MC is in a relationship with the RO. When the RO comes to check on them they, tell the RO that "they (the RO) may be beautiful/handsome but they can't flirt with them because they're already in a relationship with (insert RO's name), and they love them so go away."

How do the Ros react?

Hehe, that's a funny one!

L would be very exasperated and a tad confused. They never knew how to really wrangle drunks. A shake of their head, a long suffering look and they speak slowly, emphasizing each word. "I'm not - we are - ugh." Groaning, they rub their face before trying again. "I'm not trying to steal you away, no matter how pretty you are. I am in a... relationship too." It feels strange to speak like this, but you seem receptive enough, stopped glaring at least. "I only meant to," they sputter, gaze flitting around for any excuse to get you away from mead and into the embrace of a bed. "Uh... ask you to find my partner? Yeah, you seem the reliable sort!" A hopeful smile that turns victorious the moment you rise, however unsteadly and they start to prattle on the traits and looks of their 'partner.' Rune's stare drills holes through your skull, hoping to reach some flicker of intelligence, no matter how faint. Alas, you're still looking with that dumbstuck look. Sighing, feeling their shoulders slouch before they lean forward. "That's so? Then what are you doing there instead of being with your partner?" They bark out, but the words soften. "Come, let's get you presentable. Can't embarrass your partner, now, can we?" With a steady hand on your elbow, they try to guide you to a quiet place. Fenrir knows it is stupid, but they can't help themself. You claim to be loyal and to love them - just how much? They push and push, lay thick on their charm. It might be evil, but they want to see. Would you crumble? Besides, it isn't like you can cheat on them with themself. Wearing their best grin, they lean on the table. "So? I see no one there, only someone I'd like to know... very intimately." The King covers their laugh with a cough, fist pressed to their mouth. "I see." With an elegant flourish, they take a seat near you, resting their chin on their palms. "Tell me more about this so called partner of yours." You do and you go on and on, and the King merely blinks, not expecting this level of coherence from someone who looks like a stiff breeze would fell them over. A slow smile spreads across their lips as they tuck a strand of hair behind their ear. ""I see..." Voice dropping to a whisper, they lean in until you're nearly nose to nose. "That's seem to perfect to be true. This being - no flaws?" A shake of their heads, as they try to cajole you. "Surely it must have some. Go on, don't be shy."

[kindlingif]

So i thought this was cute, so I have to ask. Also, i hope you are doing well and taking breaks!

How would the RO's react to the MC tracing the words "I love you" on their skin?

Aaaah, sorry for the long wait! Got busy with.... hell...

Oooh, let's see! L could certainly ask, with the way they're buzzing to know. But no, they're rather figure it themself, as a little project to amuse themself. It takes them a bit to figure out the words, for they were too caught up in the moment to really pay attention. But once they learn, they smile and say it out loud. Every time. Sorry, Fenrir won't notice it. I mean, they feel some shapes, but they won't care much what you're doing as long as you're touching them. So, unless you tell them outright, they won't say or do anything. But if they know? Nearly every time you do it, they turn a bit more nuzzly. Affectionate. Rune is among the fastest to catch on and they will make no big deal out of it. It is true, they could reply, but it would turn exhaustive and meaningless after the first fifty times. So they will start to do it back, sometimes saying new words or phrases, but all filled with appreciation. The King would notice it pretty fast. Perhaps the first time, they would love it and you'll get a slow and lingering kiss. Perhaps the second time, you'll get something else. But regardless, after so many attempts, they merely stretch and wraps themself further around you, head buried into the crook of your neck - a leg thrown over your hips. Keep it up, and they might fall asleep there, heh.

[kindlingif]

I know you've said we don't really meet daddy but is it a spoiler to know how him and mother actually met and got together? Which of the ro's would our father prefer and why?

Hm, all I can say is that they met under dire circumstances and forced proximity got them closer and closer. Their romance was a nebulous one, I guess and they (or Sigrid) didn't have the chance/time to sit down and define before everything went sideways. She does miss him at times and wonders what he would do in her place, tho. Father's opinions on the ROs: On L: "Why do you want this one? They look like the wind can bow them over. Unless you're hungry? But I have seen fitter rabbits..." On Rune: "This one stinks. Horrible, horrible smell. You can do better than that - but I guess they might have a good head on their shoulders." On Fenrir: "One like you? Hm, yes... Kin should be close with kin - though I doubt that they really are kin. What do they know of our ways?" On the King: "Oho! I didn't doubt for a second that you had the spark to catch the eye of the King. Still...best to tread carefully, my child."