#hallaatme

[dayntee]

Texts Between Your OC & Their Partners

Tagged by: @fadetouchedlurker, @elfyroot

I actually just wanted to use this as an excuse to preview an exchange I'm working on for the Gym!AU, so enjoy:

And as a bonus, my favorite set of messages between Halla and Dread:

[dayntee]

[Fic] Raid Nights: Ch. 10 - Level Up*

Happy February, have some smut!

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

This fic was always going to get to this point to earn its Explicit tag. In part because I am a heathen, but also because this scene has lived in my head for at least half a year.

Teaser under the break, read the rest on AO3.

*****

What was wrong with her?

Here she was, dating an attractive, intelligent, and entirely all too considerate man and she just couldn’t move things forward. There was little more she wanted; the way he kissed her melted her from the inside out, the way he looked caused her heart to stutter erratically, and she was all too certain those long, dexterous fingers of his could do a lot more than simply pull her close or hold her hand.

Creators, how badly she wanted him.

Surely if that was what he wanted, he would have made it clear by now, right? What was he waiting for?

What was she waiting for?

Read more on AO3.

[dayntee]

[Fic] Raid Nights: Ch. 13 - Duel

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

It's been a tough time getting writing done lately for a variety of reasons, but I really wanted this chapter out today for entirely selfish purposes: today is my wedding anniversary (16 years!!) and I wanted to dedicated this chapter to my very own Dread.

Enjoy the most blurry, unflattering picture I have of the two of us from 13 years ago because anything older has been lost to the seas of time:

We're also officially coming to a close. Chapter 14 will technically be the last chapter with Chapter 15 serving as an epilogue. This is a story I could drag out, but really have no reason to do so. Halla and Dread are two I could see occasionally writing a vignette or one-shot for if the mood takes me, but otherwise their story is both complete... and yet, given their nature, will never quite be over.

Preview under the cut, but please read the full thing over at AO3.

*****

Without thinking about it, she shifted into her bear form, nodded to herself, and sent her first message.

HallaAtMe: Hi

“Yes. Brilliant, Ellana. You are a master of eloquence.”

Her hands hovered over the keyboard nervously, debating sending another message that was at least slightly less cringe, when he answered.

Dread: Hello.

“Oh, great, we’re both idiots.”

Inky mewed and stretched, almost as if agreeing with the assessment, and Ellana cast her cat a look of pure betrayal.

“That’s wholly unnecessary, Miss.”

Inky yawned, curled up into herself, and pressed her paw into her forehead as she closed her eyes, removing herself from the conversation with the finality only a cat can truly express.

Read the rest on AO3.

[dayntee]

A Fine Romance

I would like to know, from my fellow writers, their favorite romance scenes that they have written. Kisses, dramatic confessions, tragic partings, tearful reunions, I want to know.

Tagged by: @fadetouchedlurker, @elfyroot, @pooyaaaaan, @theriothag

Tagging: I'd adore seeing which scenes are @gefionne, @luzial, and @christeeenith's favorites! Please do share (though no pressure if you want to pass).

I'd like to pick one from each of my three Lavellan OCs: Prof!AU Ellana, HallaAtMe, and of course my girl Ame'lin. So they'll be in order under the cut (as this post will wind up being quite long):

From: That Year at Arlathan University, Chapter 23: The Inquisitor: (Spoilers I guess since this is near the end of the story.)

“Our history… We were so wrong about you,“ “Were you? Have I not lied to you? Deceived you? Perhaps your Dalish curse best suits the occasion,” he laughed pitifully. “‘May the Dread Wolf take you,’ indeed,” “Well, I mean, in all fairness… you did… several times actually-“ “You should know I never laid with you under false pretenses,” the intensity in his voice drew her gaze, and she had never believed any words more than those that he had just uttered. She didn’t care about any technicalities; whatever name he went by and whatever his past was, a part of her had accepted him for all he was despite missing so much of the picture. She had deliberately given him time to process and share his secrets at his own pace. Now he was just being too severe for his own good. “Is this why we’ve never done doggy style?” “Ellana-“ “You know, I thought that dick in the frescoes was familiar-“ “This is serious, my love,” his hand graced her cheek again, forcing her to meet his eye, but the slight twinge of a smirk on his lips told her she’d made her point.

The thing I like about this particular scene the most is that it hits all my favorite things about writing fanfiction: it's the core of the romance, it's a reframing of a canon event, and I still got to be silly with it with a dumb joke or two that I feel landed well. It's Ellana and Solas at their most refined essence in this story, even though it's a conversation in the Fade. It came very easily when I wrote it and, to me, that's the sign of a scene that was always going to be core to the story.

From: Raid Nights, Chapter 8: Side Quest:

Solas would have been humiliated if the whole song and dance of it all wasn't so incredibly attractive. It turned out that when Ellana was confident in her skill at something, she showed it whole-heartedly, even while making mistakes. It was a trait he’d noticed as she’d gotten better in WoW, and it was fully on display now in the arcade. He liked it. With a chuckle, he gestured to the cabinet to let her play out the bonus match against the AI. She shook her head with a laugh. “It’s okay. Someone else can enjoy the credit. After all, I’m here to play with you.” He was grateful that as she turned to lead him further down the aisle the arcade was too dim to show the flush running up his ears. Her tone clearly hadn’t meant it the way his brain had run away with it. “Come on now, it’s your turn. What do you think you can trounce me at?” Solas paused for a moment, tilting his head thoughtfully, before he moved forward with a gentle, tentative touch to her lower back to guide her to another row of machines. When he stopped in front of a pair of racing seats, she looked up at him incredulously. “Initial D? You’re a racing game guy?” “Actually,” he started, reaching his hand around her waist from behind and sliding his hand downward, pressing into the curve of her hip just long enough to draw a staggered breath from her, only to then pluck the game card from where it stuck out from her front jean pocket. When he leaned in to speak into her ear, he thought he heard her inhale. “I’m a race car guy. Or I was, once. Surely you noticed my vehicle isn’t standard?” She bit at her lip and looked up at him apologetically, slowly turning to face him. They were close now, impossibly close, and as his eyes flicked down to her lips, he knew it would only take leaning in just a little further to—

The fun thing about Raid Nights was (and is) pulling from my own personal experiences and relationship and translating them to Solavellan. I get to exaggerate some and inject a little extra romance, but I also get to hide little nuggets of real life that feel like secrets between me and my spouse (and even though he doesn't actually read any of it, he's subject to me reading most of it out loud and cross-checking his banter).

I leaned on him a lot for car stuff in this chapter because Mr. Dayntee was exactly like this when we first started dating; in fact, on our first date, he zoomied in the same kind of car I describe Solas having in Raid Nights and I spent most of the ride with my hand white-knuckled on his car door handle (much to his amusement). This was over a decade and a half ago at this point and he's chilled out a lot (much like I indicate Solas has with years past), but he's still cheeky and playful and there will always be that slightly reckless side of him I can't say isn't terribly attractive.

Plus I really murdered myself with this whole pulling-the-arcade-card-out-of-her-pocket move and I'd be lying if I said I can't stop thinking about it. 🫦

Last, but not least, we have Ame'lin, from A Cascade of Kindness, Chapter 2: To Live:

The longer his story stretched on, the quieter Ame'lin grew and in the few glances he threw her way, her face was impassive and neutral. She was listening, absorbing, taking in every word, but showing no emotion one way or another. Now, in front of the place of his awakening, she slowly stepped forward, placing her hand on the crude, worn outline of what was, once, an intricately engraved outline of a wolf’s head. Her fingers traced over it slowly, and as she reached the bottom, her hand fell away and she turned to look at him. “That is quite the tale, Fen’Harel,” she whispered, and he took in a shuddering breath. The title sounded foul, spoiled from her mouth. He did not like that. “It has been an age since I have worn that mantle. I am not eager to wear it again.” “But it is true? You’re… him?” He couldn’t bear to say it out loud, as it felt too heavy a sin, so he simply nodded. She watched him for a moment, and a scatter of emotions crossed her face. Sadness. Pity. Perhaps a bit of confusion. Finally, she sighed, stepping over to an outcropping of rock on the hill that housed the shrine, and sat. She gestured him over. Eventually, he found the will to join her. They sat quietly for a time, simply existing, little more on the air than the sound of the wind through the trees or the occasional songbird enjoying the warmth of spring that had finally broken through. The roads would be safe to travel soon. His recovery had come a long way. Solas’ time with the Dalish had every reason to end. “So what’s next?” Ame’lin turned to him and, when he met her eyes, he realized now she was truly seeing him for what he was. Everything he was. And, as far as he could tell, she had rejected none of it. “I admit that I have thought little of it since I first woke. You have been… Your clan has been a distraction, if a welcome and… needed one.” “So the Dread Wolf has no plan?” The smallest smile curled her lips, and she chuckled. “Well, at least some of the stories are right then. You are a little mad.” He couldn’t help the stretch of his lips to a self-deprecating smile. She was unbelievable. “I suppose my next steps begin with leaving Clan Lavellan.” Her smile faltered, and she turned away, looking back out over the tree line they were only just barely above. It was late afternoon; they would either need to hurry back, or camp for the evening on the way. “Then I’ll go with you.” What? “That is- There is no need-“ “There is every need. You have no one else, at least that you know of, to call an ally. You have no plan. You don’t know this age or the people that live in this world. And correct me if I’m wrong, but have I not, at the very least, become your friend?” At the question, she returned her eyes to his, and there was nothing but warmth within them. Ridiculous. Impossible. Undeniably stubborn. “You are…” He breathed a sigh and shook his head helplessly. “You are.”

This scene is special for a number of reasons. It's a very vulnerable one for both characters: they're both trusting someone utterly and totally for the first time in their lives. In all likelihood, I think this might actually be where they start falling in actual love with one another, but it takes more time for them to move to that next stage given both their hang ups.

There's also the fact that while I felt really great about this scene, I didn't expect it to be the one @ingellvarphd would pick to be the inspiration for her DABB art. In retrospect, I'm not sure why I was surprised, because like the other scenes I've discussed, this one was written so easily it was likely to always have been a defining moment. But it was a nice moment of connection for me; not just for the characters, but with my DABB partner and someone whom I'm now so honored to call friend. ☺️ That was, and always will be, very special to me!

[dayntee]

[Fic] Raid Nights: Chapter 11 - Misdirect*

Thank you for your patience, life stuff has been a bitch and a half and I needed some time with this one. Your reward is approximately 51% smut. I did the math. Enjoy!

Special thanks to @christeeenith and @opal-apparition for keeping me honest with this one, as always. 💞

Summary:

Ellana gets her mind blown (in more than one way) and there is a failure to communicate.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Snippet under the cut, full chapter up on AO3.

“What do you want to do tonight?” She leaned over the back of the couch, hair drifting over her shoulder and hanging above him, providing an ample view of her chest from below mostly on purpose. His eyes flitted to the end of whatever paragraph he was reading before he glanced up with a brief double take, his attention clearly redirected.

“I am… flexible. Whatever sounds like fun,” he reached a hand up to run his fingers through her trailing, wavy hair and she gave him a lopsided smirk.

“I’m very aware of your flexibility, sweetie. But I want to know what you’d like to do.”

“I have one thought.” His long arms afforded him the reach to brush a thumb over her cheek, and she released a breathy half chuckle, half sigh. This had become a more common conversation as weeks stretched on. She’d ask any number of questions from what to do to what to eat and received little more than a string of non-answers or redirections. Whether it was borne from true indifference or a deference to her desires was unclear. It had been charming at first, but now…

Read the rest on AO3.

[dayntee]

[Fic] Raid Nights: Ch. 12 - 1v1

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

The latest, moody Raid Nights chapter is now available for your reading pleasure.

Summary:

After a few days of stewing in stressful misunderstanding, both Ellana and Solas seek guidance from their closest friends.

---

The dining table was cleared off, efficiently wiped down and the several stray, dirty dishes that had once occupied it were moved to the sink. Josie had already unpacked the bag of fried offerings: an irresponsibly overloaded cardboard container of chicken and pork lumpia, an array of sweet and sour dipping sauces, and a hefty, oil-stained paper bag filled with fried plantains that were heavily coated in cinnamon-sugar. Now, she was fruitlessly attempting to garner Inky's affection, a hand stretched out cautiously and clicking gently in the cat's direction.

"Josie, you don’t have to—" Ellana started but she was silenced immediately with a sharp tsk from the Antivan woman.

"Correct. I don’t have to do anything. But my friend is clearly upset and needs emotional support, so I will take care of things for her because I want to. Understood?"

Ellana quirked a lopsided smile to the best of her ability, resting her towel around her shoulders. She took a deep, long inhale, resting her hands on the counter to steady herself, closing her eyes for a long moment in a mix of contemplation and appreciation.

"Alright. …Thank you."

---

We all need friends like these, don't we? Also I'm craving lumpia.

Read the rest on AO3.

[dayntee]

Ame'lin:

ODE.does your muse have a way with words?

QUESTION.would your muse ask the big question or expect their partner to?

HallaAtMe:

UNREQUITED.   has your muse had their heart broken?

WEDDING.   would your muse get married? why / why not?

OOH, fun choices!

For Ame'lin:

ODE.does your muse have a way with words?

Sort of. Not in the poetic sense, but in the no-nonsense kind of way. Ame'lin isn't afraid to speak her mind and tell you your ideas are stupid (IS SHE, SOLAS) and she's surprisingly analytical and efficient in the way she comes to these assessments. There's an intention of kindness behind it, in that she has the instinct to tell you what she thinks you need to hear, but even if she's right she may not always say it the right way.

So she has (a) way with words, it just might not be the one you wanted. 😂

QUESTION.would your muse ask the big question or expect their partner to?

Ame'lin would absolutely ask the big question if she thought it was the right time or thought that's what her partner wanted. But I don't think she'd ever ask it for herself; she's fairly content just being, so if that's enough for who she's with, it's enough for her too!

For HallaAtMe:

UNREQUITED.   has your muse had their heart broken?

Nothing so real as love to have been broken. She's had crushes that turned out sour or resulted in rejection, but has never really "clicked" with anyone before Solas for long enough she's felt really heartbroken. When your relationships only last a handful of dates at best, it's more just a sadness it didn't work out.

Even her mystery Val Royeaux man wasn't ever really love so much as it was a facade of it. When that ended, she was more relieved than anything else.

WEDDING.   would your muse get married? why / why not?

Yes, but she'd want to keep it fairly small and intimate. She's not used to being the center of attention and hasn't ever really been celebrated (she skipped things in her life like graduations or "milestone" birthdays). But she likes the idea of having a meaningful ceremony with the people she cares about most.

Thank you! These were fun to think about and I was a little surprised I had the answers so quickly, but I guess they live pretty rent-free.

[fatta-westindian]

#westicad #homedesign #hallaatme (at Marigot, Saint Martin) https://www.instagram.com/p/B01CR07hVrp/?igshid=758grovtmqlf