#oops long

[stalwart-spirit]

What did they think of Hydaelyn in the beginning? Did they change their mind about her since then?

SPOILERS FOR ALL OF CURRENT FFXIV (ARR TO EW)

At the start, the beginning of everything, Saeed... Really didn't know what to think.

A man struggling to get by day by day in a nation crushed under the iron boot of the Empire, fighting so hard to care for and protect both his found and adopted family, given a greater calling beyond everything he ever expected? Surely not...

There was a lot of denial at the start, a lot of aimlessness but in turn he'd take on whatever benefits of being one of Hydaelyn's chosen to assist in his cause and beliefs.

Definitely by the time though the major events of the story, he would have accepted this role and what came with it. The strengths, the purpose... The losses. Sure, there were times where Saeed questioned why; why be given this gift when he couldn't save everyone? It felt cruel at times, he'd curse the name of the Mother Crystal for this burden that he didn't ask for... But in turn, he knew that there would be far much more suffering and loss in his life if he wasn't given this extraordinary opportunity.

Gaining the knowledge of Hydaelyn being a primal and the subsequent reveal of Venat in Shadowbringers and into Endwalker, it only got more complicated. Learning of the woman though, the remarkable, wonderful person that Venat was and the weight of her choice, Saeed certainly felt himself softening. It's not something to be taken lightly and to be honest if he was in her position? He'd do the same. Just for that slim chance of a better world, a better time, another chance.

Their parting during the events of The Mothercrystal was bitter, now knowing who she was and what she had sacrificed. There was a connection, deeper than he could understand, but still true all the same.

All in all, it's been tumultuous but at the end of it all, he cherishes her. Goddess of Light. Will of the star. Hydaelyn... Venat.

[wintervsuns]

who: @starkwhitewolf​ where: the northern settlements, dorne

there was no stopping the amount of sweat that seemed to form the minute he stepped into the dornish sun, regardless of however many times he had taken to washing in a single day or changing his attire. his clothes had reluctantly become more and more dornish style, realising that really was nothing else that would help but the cool linen that would not stick entirely to the body. the northern court had remained in some tension, especially between the king in the north and the his hand considering the impulsive move that had occurred north of the wall. brother had grown angry with brother, emotions had clouded his usual patient, sound judgement that had ensured brandon karstark was in no mood to listen.

their relationship had been strained since he and prince adam stark had returned from beyond the wall, capturing the wildlings that had involved themselves in an attack upon the prince himself, resulting in the untimely death of the lady of karhold. there was little brandon karstark would consider unforgivable, and yet this had seemingly made the last rays of sun from the warmth of winter completely extinguish. further stirring anger and resentment with the wildlings was a consequence of their joint impulsive, reckless actions; if he was a prideful man, he would claim he would never regret it.

truthfully, he did - though his concerns remained valid and legitimate regarding coordinating a proper trial for those involved considering they were not part of the kingdom of the north, he knew the way he had gone about the matter had only potentially caused a spark for further conflict. that had never been his intention, and yet, he was able to see now, weeks later, that it had been the result. thus, when finally a summons came from the stark king, the lord of karhold had long since resolved himself to setting aside his own pride for the sake of ensuring the northern court was united once again.

that, and the fact he genuinely treasured his dynamic and years of brotherhood with the man who was distant kin as well as king; adding the weight he already bore could have been dealt with entirely differently. being led into the office, brandon karstark stood calmly before the orbs of the stark king, bowing in respect as he usually did day in and day out. "your grace." he spoke, his tone low as he straightened his back once again, looking upon the facial expression of the king. exhausted, when was he not, attempting to navigate and help the kingdom of the north thrive? "i am at your service."

[calix-daesyn]

♧

3. Killing Someone

[[below cut for length]]

Calix was shaking.

Trembling.

One hand was on his red and bruising throat, his chest heaved as he drew each breath heavily - wheezing, gasping, then coughing harsh and painful, but far preferable to the pain that it was replacing. The coughing passed and he breathed - tried to slow it, to draw breath more fully as his blind panic started to subside. There were no longer hands on him, not the growl of the man’s voice, not the press against his throat, no knife...

No, there was a knife - but it was lying next to him, next to his hand - wrist turning red and purple, pale fingers splattered with red.

The bigger man had had him pressed up against the wall, leg between his, one hand had been holding the knife he had now, had pressed it to his side enough to draw a little blood, enough to give a warning. He had shouted, yelled as he tried to force the stronger man off of him, and that had earned him the man’s other hand over his throat. And its tightening had been what set him blind. That familiar feeling of not being able to breathe, of his chest burning, aching, every survival instinct screaming as the man...laughed, made some snide comment about being a ‘noisy one’, told him about all of the things he was going to do to him against that wall.

He caught a brief gasp of air as the hand released, replaced by the big man’s forearm. Then the blade had shifted, the man’s hand partially flattened against his skin - a couple of fingers still holding the knife, but tilting it a bit so the flat was against him instead of the sharp side of the blade, that end instead cutting at his shirt while the man’s fingers pulled at the pants he had been trying to be rid of when he had decided his other hand was needed elsewhere.

The knife hadn’t been easy to get, but he had gotten it - slipping his hand to the man’s breaking the hold he had on it with only those couple of fingers. Once he had it though he was fast - stabbing him quickly in the side even as the man tried to shove his arm back against the wall. Those strong fingers were back on his neck - and then on his face, over his mouth, pulled forward, then slammed him back against the wall his head hitting stone hard - once, twice. His hand was held in a vice grip, wrist twisted to try and force him to drop the blade. He twisted back, slipped his hand free and struck once more - this time at the man’s thigh - the first place he could reach. His wrist was grabbed again, twisted hard - it hurt, he dropped the knife, but that didn’t matter right then. all that mattered was the way his head swam, the way everything seemed so distant.

Finally he was released. He fell to the ground, the man stumbled back.

And now, he was sitting here, gasping for air, coughing, and looking at the bloody knife on the ground.

He looked at the still form of his attacker’s body. He just...laid there...

He had stabbed him in the thigh...in the...

Calix crawled forward quickly, his hand touched the ground and he pulled it back - his wrist screaming. There was blood - so much blood around the man’s leg, on the ground. There was an artery in the thigh - he knew that...if he had hit it...he would have killed him...Killed someone...again. killed...

“No...” the man had attacked him, was going to rape him, rob him, certainly - maybe kill him, from what he had growled, but he...Gods had he...He hadn’t wanted to...”No no no...Please - “ Calix crawled over - the man’s pantleg was completely soaked with blood - his eyes staring upward at nothing - completely still.

“No no no no-” he gasped, almost sobbed, reaching out, pressing his hand over the fatal wound on the man’s thigh as though it might now save him. “Wait - don’t - please...” He felt a sick stirring in his stomach, another rush of dizziness through his head, though he wasn’t sure whether that was from the attack itself or the nausea.

He had killed someone...again...He had never wanted to...again...never...

Gods what was he going to do?

[oldkniife]

Haptephilia

Haptephilia: I’ll write my/your character becoming aroused by my/your character’s touch. 

It didn't take much to make Jay lose his cool. He prided himself on being so level-headed and rational. Hell, you could argue his whole reputation was based on that very premise: the unshakeable Jay Shankar. He liked the sound of it. 

But fuck if Jack didn't know how to turn him with just a touch. Truthfully, it was Jay's fault for staying celibate for so long, because now he had to deal with such simple stimulation from the man he met while exploring his reckless wanderlust. Of all things he could have expected to return home with, a new lover certainly wasn't one of them.

Jack's touch was always the worst in bed, right before they prepared for a night's slumber --- given his tendency to sleep without a shirt, Jay was all but asking for the other male to touch him wherever he saw fit. Stay away from the nipples, Jay always ordered. Did Jack ever listen? Not a single time.

I'm gonna start sleeping with a shirt on, he'd warn. Maybe that would finally send the message to stop touching him so salaciously. But Jay knew he could never follow through with that threat, especially since the only way to get Jack to stop was through a solid, thorough fucking. 

I can touch too, you know. On some level, Jay was certain that he was just easily manipulated into initiating sex. And, in all honestly, he couldn't care less. 

[builtforthisworld]

"I don't want to love you, but I do." There is a passing moment before Murphy shifts. "Maybe I do want to... --I missed you."

That really isn't the greeting Shane expected when he made it back to the camp late that night. It had been two days since he left for what should have been a simple run. A day and a half of that was spent holed up in the old folks' home he'd broken into looking for medical supplies, surrounded on all sides by a sizable mob of walkers.

It took creativity and a lot of waiting to eventually get out but he'd made it back, toting a pack of supplies and wearing a few bruises and scrapes for his trouble. He looks filthy and tired, but didn't think it was bad enough to warrant the telling-off Murphy gave him at first. Now this...

Shane sets the pack down and reaches for Murphy to pull him closer. "...Good to know we're on the same page now.  I was startin' to think it was just me."

[flyntcoal]

Why do people hate LGBT+ allies so much?! It's a good thing ffs

Where is there any hate being seen by me?

They don’t need to be in the acronym. That’s all. They can be in the community, but let’s play a game: 

One of these is not like the other

L - Lesbian - Two females sexually/romantically attracted to each other. G - Gay - Two males sexually/romantically attracted to each other. B - Bisexual - Sexual attraction to two genders. T - Transgender - Someone who identifies with a gender that doesn’t match the one assigned to them at birth.Q - Questioning - Trying to decide if your sexual/romantic attraction fits heterosexual or a different form. I - Intersex - People born with external genitalia, internal reproductive organs, and/or endocrine system that are different from most other people.2S - Two spirit  - “a Native person who feels their body simultaneously manifests both a masculine and feminine spirit, or a different balance of masculine and feminine characteristics than usually seen in masculine men and feminine women.” sourceP - Pansexual - Sexual attraction towards all genders identities and biological sexes. D - Demisexual - Sexual attraction only after a strong emotional bond has been formed. A - Asexual - A person who experiences no sexual attraction. A - Aromantic - A person who experiences no romantic attraction. A - Agender - A person who experiences no gender identity A - Ally - Cis-Heterosexual male or female who supports the sexual and gender minorities. 

Which one of these has their full rights at all times in most, if not all, countries??????? 

That’s all. 

[carson-west]

A Fleeting heart || Carson and Nathan

She should have been ready by now. Her hair should have been curled, her lips should have been tinted a light pink, mascara should have coated her eyelashes, and she should’ve been wearing the dress that was currently hanging on the bathroom door in front of her. Instead, the brunette sat, staring at the clock, still in a bathrobe and hair in a towel. With every minute that passed by it seemed as if her heartbeat accelerated and the sound could be heard from miles away. She shouldn’t have been this nervous. Tonight Carson was set on meeting Nathan’s father and the days leading up to it had blurred by; Carson had been on and off with the situation, Nathan as understanding as ever, had constantly reassured her that it was a good idea. And yet, she couldn’t will herself to get ready.

She vaguely heard Nathan say he was heading out to pick something up, or maybe he went for a run; she wasn’t certain. The words flowed into her ear and out the other, her heart beat deafening any words that anyone tried to speak to her. The house was empty, except for of course the animals. Princess was lingering by the door, watching Carson as if she knew what Carson was planning. “Don’t look at me like that.” She said to the small cat, letting out a groan and walking over to the door and shutting it. She let out a small huff, and looked over at the clock. In a little over half an hour, they were supposed to head to dinner and meet Nathan’s father. She still had time.

Undoing her robe and opening her suitcase, Carson reached for the first thing she could find and quickly changed into them. Her eyes drifted to the dress that still hung on the door and grabbed it, stuffing it into the suitcase before zipping it up. Running her fingers through her damp hair, Carson shook her head, pushing whatever thoughts that told her this wasn’t a good idea to the very back. She’d deal with the consequences later. She always did. Or at least that’s how she was before she had gotten involved with Nathan. Opening the door, she ignored Princess’ hiss as she rolled her suitcase down the stairs. She was almost at the last step when she heard the door unlocking. She cursed under her breath, as Nathan walked through the door. “I’m sorry.” She blurted out; a flashback of her blurting out those exact words to him on a rooftop during New Years Eve pranced through her mind, though this time was completely different and she knew would have a different outcome. “I can’t.”

[haneuma]

D18!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELL FUCKING YES

who wakes the other one up with kisses: dino is the sap and no matter how many cracks to the head he receives for this he never learns to stop (after the first few times it happens those cracks to the head become a lot more half-hearted and eventually they peter off into glaring and huffing and just fuck off kyouya you know you like it)

who cooks for who: dino tried earlier on in their relationship without romario around and some things happened and kyouya and romario both banned him from the kitchen, so kyouya cooks out of necessity. on special occasions dino will try his very best to make something but it usually ends up burnt or drenched in his own blood so he picks up food from ridiculously expensive italian restaurants instead the useless prick (god i love him)

who is the morning person/night person: i’m pretty sure it’s canon that kyouya’s an early riser, and i feel like dino puts off his mafia-related work in the beginning to spend time with kyouya so he ends up having to work late into the night after kyouya’s gone to sleep. kyouya, of course, catches him one night and gets pissed off (“how the fuck are you gonna fight me properly if you’re dead on your feet go the fuck to bed”) so the next day kyouya just goes into dino’s office/study and lays on the couch or something and just stares dino down until dino gets the hint and gets his shit done. wow that got off topic quickly fuck i cant control my headcanons about this fucking ship

who is the romantic one: dino is a fucking sap and he likes to bring kyouya flowers and do cliche corny shit even though he knows kyouya thinks it’s stupid but also secretly likes the fact that dino wants to do those things for him because as emotionless as he tries to present himself he really appreciates the fact that dino tries so hard to make him happy despite his less-than-favourable reactions because he’s never had someone in his life before who actually gives enough of a shit about him to want him to be hAPPY AND FUCK I CANT HANDLE MYSELF RIGHT NOW

who is the top when it comes to sex: there is no top and bottom i hate that i imagine it’s like, a fight every single time (but a sexy fight)

who would lead in ballroom dancing: dino is taller so he’d have to wouldn’t he? -knows nothing about ballroom dancing- even if it doesn’t matter, any time dino and kyouya ballroom danced it would be mostly against kyouya’s will lmao as if he’d voluntarily carve up the dancefloor. dino would have to beg and plead and bribe kyouya to get him to dance

who is the more cuddly one: dino gets clingy if they’ve been separated for a while but generally i think they aren’t really the cuddling type

who is the one to most likely pick the movie they watch: i think kyouya would pick a genre but wouldn’t care enough to pick a specific movie, so dino would pick movie itself

who is the one who would pay for dates: dino pays because he’s loaded

who is the one who would initiate a quicky during classes: absolutely kyouya. when he decides he wants something he takes it, no matter where they are. dino is the more ‘give a sultry look as a promise for later’ type of guy, but not kyouya. uwu