I need to catch up with daily tumblr quests, so I want bring the Sharing Sunday again. Not the one that @biowaredisasterbisexual makes [theirs is A LOT better] but a bit more focused on my doings because well, it's-a-me, and I want to be a bit of showpony. Also I encourage you to do the same & ofc send your works to the official Sharing Sunday!!
Today I shall bring you some of the shots I'm making. Hope you like them ^^
Lovingly tagging @doctormur @adhd-riddled-crow @pixiedurango @superk191 @hedgiestail @ofcrowsanddragons @beachhotdog @wickedadaar [who I know has done some wonderful drawing hehehe] and @theantivancandlehop
As @theantivancandlehop kindly reminded yesterday, today is WIP Wednesday! [I forgot what week day was.... but I should recall it with the weekly WoW restart]
As the terrible writer I am, I bring you today one small tiny fragment of the pre-veilguard Cuervolecto fic "The only exception", featuring as usual our always loved Velasco "Cuervo" de Riva by @adhd-riddled-crow. I confess I'm a bit stuck with the plot, but also admit this is me being overly distracted!
WIP after the image!
When she opened her eyes again, she had to blink a couple of times. It was practically pitch black, though after a few seconds she realised that through a tiny crack, not only was a little light coming in, but also fresh air and, even better, sounds.
“What the hell?” growled Cuervo, trying to figure out what had just happened. “Tell me you haven’t done what I think you’ve done.”
Alecto couldn’t suppress a giggle, despite the unpleasantness of their situation.
“We needed a way out and it was the only idea that came to mind. Be grateful that at least we’re alone.”
Velasco's snort told her that he hadn't even considered that possibility. It had been a desperate but effective measure, at least for the moment. It had been years since Alecto had cast a teleportation spell, let alone one involving two bodies at once, but it had worked. The space was suffocating, especially since there were two people in a place designed to fit one—or what was left of it—but at least they wouldn't be discovered there, or so she hoped.
The voices reached them rather muffled, all the more so given that the woman’s hysterical sobs were echoing throughout the room. They heard the sound of one of those hatches opening, and then something sliding. The screams and wails grew even more shrill and over-the-top. It was too good an opportunity for Alecto to pass up.
“Come on, even I can be more convincing than that, ” she whispered, receiving an offended huff from her companion in reply. She struggled to stifle a giggle: it was hard not to feel optimistic again now they were working together once more, even if it was in such a mess.
Silence fell abruptly, as if someone had cast a spell. All that could be heard were slow, calm footsteps, from some feet shod in heels.
“So this has been your last fucking affront,” said the woman who had been screaming her head off just seconds before, her tone now different—icy and full of hatred.
Almost forget to tag! @wickedadaar @sleepingtodream @teamtakagi @jupi-tercreates @pandorazlost @doctormur @pixiedurango [I miss you a lot!!] @theantivancandlehop and my ever loved @adhd-riddled-crow [sorry extra pressure bcs i'm a bad friend - joking obviously]
As Velasco waits for his ride out of this hell he meets a new friend.
You can read it here below the cut, or you can read it here on ao3
Word count: 1,366
Warnings: Smoking does happen and is mentioned.
(Alecto belongs to the lovely @alystrin03 )
He could hear the crunching of the gravel beneath the feet of another as they approached him from behind.
A pair of well-worn black baseball shoes came into view in the corner of Velasco's eyes as the owner leaned against the cold metal railing of the service ramp.
“You got a spare one?”
Velasco exhaled the smoke held in his lungs, pulling the cig away from his lips to flick the ash to the gravel below his feet. He moved his free hand from where it rested against the top bar of the railing and into his inner jacket pocket.
“Cheers,” the other replied as they took a cigarette out of the offered box and moved to sit beside Velasco, sticking their upper half through the bars.
Velasco could finally get a good look at his unexpected companion. The guy — the kid more like — was no younger than his early twenties, clad in ripped jeans and a thick flannel shirt, and a baseball cap sat backwards and adorned with safety pins atop a head of cropped brown hair. His pointed ears pierced in multiple places.
“Y'know these things'll kill you,” Velasco muttered, voice rough with lack of use over the past few days.
The young man hummed with mirth, “Hypocrite,” he brought his hand up, cigarette between his fingers as he scratched lightly at the scruff growing in on his jaw, “You're the one who gave me one, you didn't have to.” The kid was smirking at him. It made Velasco genuinely let out an audible laugh, the kind of one he hasn't done in a long while.
“Plus,” he placed the cigarette between his lips and lit it with only the click of his fingers. Taking in a deep breath and enjoying the feeling of the slight burn now present in his lungs, “I'd rather have one of these kill me later down the line than whatever's in those disposable things. And nothin’ beats the warm feeling you get deep inside on a night like this.”
Velasco had long finished his own, putting it out against the concrete of the ramp beside him as he listened to his companion. “The name's Samael, by the way, but everyone calls me Sam or Sammy.” The kid — Samael didn't hold his hand out or anything in greeting, but Velasco understood the sentiment nonetheless.
“Velasco.” He responded in kind, adjusting himself where he was sat; ass growing numb on the cold concrete. “That was a neat trick, wish I could do that. Wouldn't have to waste time trying to get one of these to light.” Velasco chuckled to himself as he wiggled his lighter between two fingers.
“What brings you to a place like this anyway?”
Sam scoffed, “What? A hospital? Dude,”
Velasco's eyes widened in fear, shit reel it in de Riva, Maker, “Sorry, that was invasive of me. I—”
“I'm just messin’ around, big guy. Chill the fuck out. It's actually nice of you to ask.”
Velasco chuckled nervously, “So?”
“Just a checkup on my scars healing progress, nothing major. How ‘bout you?”
Velasco straightened up, a little too quickly — his back protesting at the sudden movement, and turned to look at the young man. “I…” No one had ever asked him why he was here. It was always: ‘Hope you come back to work soon.’ ‘Sorry you missed this contract, man, it would have been great!’ ‘Hurry up and get your shit together. I need a functional member of this unit. Not a liability and an incident waiting to happen.’
That last one stung the worst.
“Eh, boss said I had to get mandatory therapy and clinical trials for my mental state or something. He's a real asshole. Even more so than your average boss.”
“How so? Don't think anything could top the guy in the fancy office ordering the lessers around.” Sam focused on the latter, completely sidebarring the part everyone tends to lean towards. Oh, Vel could get used to this kid.
“You would agree with me if your boss was your brother.”
“Shit. Yup, that'll do it. Man, that's gotta suck,” he stubbed his cigarette out the same way Velasco had, making sure there weren't any stray embers left behind.
“You betcha,” Velasco sighed, “Well, I better get going. My girlfriend will be here any minute now.” He untangled his legs from beneath the bars and hopped the railing out of laziness to walk the three feet down the ramp where it met the tarmac.
“Wait, before you leave,” the other pulled out his phone from his jeans pocket — struggling a little due to his position, “Give me your number, we could shoot the shit sometime when we're not in this hell hole, yeah?”
Sam looked up just in time to see a dusty, second-hand looking Peugeot 107 pull into an empty parking space. The elf whistled low with an appreciative “damn” as presumably the girlfriend in question leaned out of the car door, raven-like hair drifting in the breeze, to greet Velasco with a sweet smile.
Velasco quickly entered his number, labelling it as Velasco with a crow emoji next to it before handing it back over to the kid.
The mysterious woman beeped the horn to get his attention and shouted across the tarmac, “Hey, you coming or what cariño!?”
“Of course, Trouble! Wouldn't want to keep you waiting!” Velasco blew a kiss in her direction. Sam chuckled at the display as he watched Velasco get further away.
“Maybe we could get coffee or something!?” Velasco shouted across the car park with a smile, walking backwards as he cupped his hands around his mouth.
“Y–Yeah! I'd love that!” The kid yelled back with a suddenly nervous energy that was absent just moments ago.
As Velasco turned back around, he met his girlfriend with a lingering kiss to her painted lips, “Who's that?” She asked.
“A new friend, I reckon. Cute kid. Bummed a cigarette off me whilst I was waiting for you. Had a little convo. Gave him my number. Nothing huge.”
She glared at Velasco with a disappointed edge only to soften it out with a sigh. She'll no doubt deal with him later. Oh boy was he in for a scolding just from that gaze alone.
Nonetheless, she asked, “Does he need a ride home or anything? I'd be happy to do so.”
“I shall go and ask him.”
“Perhaps less shouting across the car park this time, yes?”
Velasco sheepishly rubbed a hand along the back of his neck with a nod. He placed a kiss on her cheek before he jogged across the tarmac, reappearing before the young elf who was now gazing intently at his phone screen.
“Kid, you need a ride or anything? My darling Alecto insisted that she is willing to do so if you're up for it?”
Sam jumped slightly at the sudden closeness of the other, hitting the back of his head on the railing above him. “Oh, um, sure. If it's not too much to ask. That would be cool…” He trailed off at the end.
Velasco just smiled to himself. He kept his thoughts well and truly in his head for him and him alone. “Come on then, let's go before it gets any darker.”
And with that, the young man struggled as he untangled himself from the railing and followed closely behind Velasco, a shy smile in his face as they got closer to the car.
Alecto greeted the elf with a smile and offered him a seat in the back before she herself began to climb into her own.
Velasco rounded the car and settled into the passenger seat, adjusting the seat belt comfortably before gently patting her thigh as she settled back down into her own seat, “Let's go home, amor. I think there's some leftover ice cream in the freezer with my name on it.”
“Not if I get to it first, de Riva!” Alecto challenged with a playful grin.
“Oh, it's on, sweetheart.”
Samael watched them laughing to themselves from the back seat as they pulled away, leaving him alone with his lingering thoughts, “Fuck me, if I wasn't a bisexual disaster before… Maker—”
Just got in my mail this beautiful comm from @byc0n3j0 !! Velasco and Alecto enjoying a happy moment with her piano ^^
Hope you like this art as much as I do!
She nodded very slightly, still not daring to change position. Who was she kidding? She didn't want to. Feeling his embrace, the warmth of his body against hers, feeling protected and yet so cared for, had a magic greater than any of her spells. The right word was not "cared for". It was "loved". And yet it was impossible. With a sigh and closing her eyes for a second, Alecto decided it was time to stop daydreaming.
"Do you still want to follow me in all this madness?" she asked Cuervo in a whisper. "It's not too late to back out, and of course I would never blame you for this. You've already risked too much for me."
Velasco, now awake, frowned and was looking at her from deep within his dark eyes, clearly reproaching her the mere idea that he might abandon her. He slid his fingers through her dark hair, and Alecto shuddered at the mere touch. Inside, she yelled at herself for the missed opportunity, for not realising how happy he made her.
"Alecto," he said, somewhat exasperated. "Suggest something like that again and I promise I'll chain that wrist of yours to mine. We're in this together, whether you like it or not, because I'm not abandoning you."
He placed a finger under her chin to lift her face, and for a moment Alecto thought he was going to kiss her, as he had done so many times before, but he didn't. Instead, he sighed and got up, shaking his head in disapproval. She pursed her lips slightly, not knowing what to say, and got out of bed as well. There was a tense silence for a few minutes, and her stomach seemed to shrink until he put his arm around her shoulders.
"Come on, Trouble. The sooner we start untangling the mess, the sooner we'll be home." Cuervo's smile was so sincere that she couldn't help but smile back.
Long time ago, @adhd-riddled-crow started a fic about how Velasco & Alecto changed their situationship to the relationship they have now. "The only exception" is being written painfully slow, but still is a work in progress!
Last chapter we had left Cuervo and Alecto reunited, in a failed contract that could mean the death of her. They need to start the research about who killed the diplomatic - and why.
So this is [sadly] a shorter chap than usual, but with the same Cuervolecto content! Full episode on ao3
One again.. i forgot what day it is, so I skipped @hyperions-light WIP Wednesday.
BUT I have some kind friends as @theantivancandlehop who remind me week days keep on existing 😂
Another jump my brain is taking me is the interlude between the two Cuervolecto fics (The only exception & Birds of a Feather) in which we (sadly) do not have Velasco but instead I can bring you a devastated Alecto blaming herself for his boyfriend's latest bad choices. And Illario taking advantage of it, of course 👀
"It’s nice, isn’t it?” Illario’s velvety voice caught back her attention “Sometimes I need to remind myself there are still things worth cherishing in this world. It seems I’m not the only one.”
Alecto felt the blood rush to her face. She was somewhat clearer-headed after the walk, but those moments of lucidity were not usually associated with peace, but rather with shame and self-pity. Illario placed a hand on hers.
“There’s nothing to blame yourself for.” She felt like he was reading her mind. “It’s just not possible to be strong all the time.”
“It’s just that I’m not,” she said then, speaking for the first time. “I’d always managed to numb the pain, more or less, but now—” Her voice threatened to break.
Illario withdrew his hand from hers and picked up the cup of coffee the waiter had brought them. “How is Velasco? Have you had any news from him?” His voice betrayed genuine concern, but he didn’t look up to her. He knew - or assumed - Cuervo had told his girlfriend everything.
“Fine... he’s fine,” she replied, feeling miserable all over again. “He sends me a word whenever he can, or so he says.”
A faint smile touched Alecto’s lips for the first time in weeks. She knew that Cuervo was sincere and faithful to his word; he wasn’t just getting in touch because he missed her, but to let her know he was all right. How she wished she could say the same.
What will I bring next week? All I can say is I'm plotting something about a pirate, a tall & frustrated Crow and a deep scar on someone's cheek 😉
Tagging @adhd-riddled-crow @doctormur @teamtakagi @tevintergallus @pandorazlost @jupi-tercreates and @dragonagegayz 👀
