This part was so sad oml

Lehabah art by Whimsical Illustration on instagram

Chibi of Lehabah from Crescent City! She’ll be available as a sticker on my etsy shop soon.

Ski Lift Duty

Just a regular day on the slopes for Ruhn, Flynn, and Dec. Which, of course, starts off hungover all thanks to Flynn.

Warnings: Language; Referenced Sexual Encounters

Word Count: 2,011 | Mount Valbara Masterlist|Read on AO3

a/n: Written for a prompt that was sent into @sjmkinkmeme.

“Well, aren’t we chipper this morning!”

Ruhn turned his head slowly and glared up at Tristan Flynn. His chestnut-haired friend was grinning widely at him and Declan, the two of them currently leaning against each other as they fought off sleep.

“Shut up and give me the coffee,” Declan groaned, holding out his hand. 

Flynn handed one of the travel cups to Declan, laughing as he handed a second to Ruhn. “Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed…no, wait, table." 

Declan’s responding growl was justified. Flynn had invited a host of people to their house the night before - mostly out-of-towners traveling to the mountains for a skiing vacation - and that was all Ruhn could accurately remember. After that it was a haze of drinks, drugs, and a woman only his tongue seemed to have any recollection of.

She was gone before he woke up, his room proof of the chaos they’d wrought. Considering the crack he’d found on his chest of drawers, Ruhn really wished he could remember more of it. 

At least he’d managed to make his way to his own bed. Declan found himself sprawled on the table Flynn had painted, face down right against the depiction of a "Fae” male that bore an uncanny resemblance to Flynn. Self-indulgent, as always. 

Ruhn brought the coffee to his lips and managed to take in a full gulp before spitting the liquid sugar out onto the snow-covered ground. 

“What the fuck is this shit?” he asked, holding the cup up. 

“That would be a Cinnamon Dolce Latte. You’re welcome.” Flynn sipped his own happily as he started toward the office on the outskirts of the mountain resort. 

Declan and Ruhn locked stares for a moment and then both rolled their eyes as they dragged behind. How Flynn managed to always be so perky in the morning was beyond Ruhn. He’d never once seen his friend hungover. Considering how heavily the three had been drinking since freshman year of high school, Ruhn couldn’t understand how that was possible.

The dark wood building was designed to look like a homey cabin from the outside, welcoming to visitors who needed help or to pick up their lift tickets. Surrounded and covered by a fresh layer of sparkling snow, it would’ve looked quite idyllic with the rising mountain in the background, if Ruhn couldn’t see the massive parking lot in his peripheral vision.

“Good morning, Lele!” Flynn flashed the older office manager a heart-stopping smile as he leaned against the counter. The woman looked up from her computer, her wild tangle of red and gold curls shimmering in the light like a flame. “How are you doing today?”

Lehabah blushed softly as she met Flynn’s stare. “Oh, better now,” she sighed. “How are you three?”

“Wishing I had real coffee,” Ruhn groaned, stepping up next to Flynn. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested in this? It’s far too sweet for me. Just like you.” He sent her a wink that had the older woman blushing wildly.

“Don’t be too nice to me, Ruhn. You’ll make me fall for you.”

Flynn let out an exaggerated gasp. “What about me?!”

“My heart is already taken,” she decreed, a blush spreading. 

Ruhn let out a laugh, giving Flynn a shit-eating grin before he asked, “So, what’s on our schedule today?”

“Ski lift duty again, boys. Bottom.” They all groaned. “I know,” Lele sighed. “But we’re just not getting many ski lesson sign ups ever since Malakim Slopes opened up across the street." 

"Fucking ‘we only allow skiiers, so we’re specialists’ crap,” Flynn grumbled. “And let me guess, the boarders are packed with lessons.”

“Afraid so. I try to handle the schedule so that some boarders help with the lift, but it’s a busy time of year for lessons, since most schools are out on break over the next few weeks. We do, however, have a new ski instructor starting today, and next week we are getting some calls for ski lessons, so you’ll get more variety, at least.”

“I’d just like to get Holstrom on the lift one time,” Ruhn muttered. The idiot was one of the best snowboarders they had, and a great instructor. Since day one he hadn’t once had to operate the ski lift, always being the first instructor booked for lessons, especially by teenaged and college girls. 

Worst of all, he was dating Ruhn’s sister. 

Ruhn supposed Connor was a decent enough guy. And, yeah, he seemed to love Bryce. But, Ruhn hated Connor on principle. And he definitely didn’t enjoy watching them flirt whenever Connor was on break and Ruhn went into the store. 

They all thanked Lele and headed out toward the main lift. It was right in front of the main lodge where all the skiers and snowboarders would keep their stuff, eat lunch, take breaks, and so on. 

A few early birds were already waiting by the lift. Tharion and Ariadne were already standing there, both holding travel mugs that were steaming from their small openings. 

“They’re alive!” Tharion called out, spotting Rhun, Flynn, and Declan walking across the snow. 

“Barely,” Declan breathed as they reached the two ski instructors. “You two at the top today?”

Before either could answer, Flynn shoved closer to Declan, resting an elbow on his shoulder as he said, “Hey, Ari! I didn’t see you last night at our party." 

"I didn’t go.” Her crimson eyes were flat and indifferent as she met Flynn’s gaze. 

Of course, the idiot wasn’t discouraged. Never. “Well, that’s quite a shame. You missed out.”

Ari sighed, “I doubt it.” Then she turned and walked to the lift, fastening her skis and sitting in the chair that was waiting for the lift to be started. 

Flynn’s eyes followed her fervidly. 

“Wrong tree, my friend,” Ruhn muttered with amusement. He loved watching them interact. After years of Flynn being far too smooth with every female he met, it was an enjoyable difference to see Ari constantly turning him down. Not that Ruhn wanted Flynn to be rejected, of course.

Muttering incoherently, Flynn began to set up the guides for where the line would be. Ruhn joined him as Dec started the lift to get Tharion and Ari to the top. 

Soon enough everything was set up and they were letting the skiers waiting onto the lift. And then it was business as usual. The resort filled up over the first hour, until the line at the lift was averaging at least five minutes. Ruhn and Flynn did their best to organize the line and help people onto the lift as needed. 

“Delay on top. Estimated ten minute solve time.” Declan’s voice crackled over the old walkie talkies they all held just after the lift screeched to a sudden stop. 

So close. They were so close to lunch and making it through the morning without incident. Ruhn groaned internally, knowing he had to keep on a calm, composed face. 

“Why’d it stop?” a teenaged boy whined from halfway down the line. 

“Just a small technical issue,” Ruhn explained. It was always the answer, no matter the case. Unless Dec called them in to tell them something big had happened, the answer was 'a small technical issue’. “We’ll have it up and running as soon as possible. And we do have two other lifts that lead to other runs, if you’d rather not wait.” He pointed behind him toward where he could just see the first of the two lifts in the distance.

The boy let out an exaggerated sigh but remained in line. There was always one.

A chorus of giggles sounded behind him and Ruhn looked back to see Flynn making good use of the delay. He stood on the other side of the guides from a group of four girls who looked to be about twenty. He watched Flynn say something he couldn’t quite make out and then the group laughed again. Two blondes and two brunettes, and far too many for Flynn to handle on his own. 

Ruhn sauntered over to them and slapped Flynn on the back as he gave the girls a half-smile he’d used many times when seeking out a new bedroom guest. “I do hope my friend here isn’t bothering you, ladies. Blink twice if you need me to get rid of him.” He threw a wink to the girl closest to him, a dirty blonde with deep, chocolate eyes that were watching his lip ring with intrigue. 

The girls laughed again, Flynn joining them. It was one of the best things about his friend. He didn’t take anything seriously, which included himself. 

“Blink three times if you’re perfectly happy chatting with me,” Flynn added, nudging Ruhn out of the way.

“And four if you’d like me to stay. I’m Ruhn, by the way.” He held out his hand and watched with satisfaction as the dirty blonde and chestnut brunette raced to take it. 

The chestnut brown won. She slid her hand into his and said, “I’m Dahlia. These are my cousins, Chrysti, Calla, and Amber.” As she spoke, she pointed to the dirty blonde who’d been staring at Ruhn first, then to the platinum blonde, and lastly the girl with dark brown hair with auburn highlights. 

All four of the girls were beautiful, each with a dusting of freckles that seemed to be one of the few traits they all shared. Ruhn never would’ve known they were cousins without being told, and to be honest, he would’ve preferred they not be. It spoiled some of the plans he was starting to make in his head.

“Beautiful names for beautiful women.” Flynn flashed them all a grin. “So, tell me, do you lovely ladies have plans tonight?”

“Nothing set in stone,” the one named Calla replied, her bright hair shimmering in the light of the sun. Her ice-blue eyes were locked on Flynn as she gave him a feigned coy smile. 

Flynn smacked Ruhn on the back just as Ruhn had him and then wrapped his arm over Ruhn’s shoulder. “Great news! We’re hosting a little party at our place. Some locals, some beautiful visitors. What do you all say?" 

The girls all looked at one each other, their eyes flashing as if they were having an unspoken conversation. 

"So long as you’re both there, we’re in,” Dahlia replied, blatantly eyeing Ruhn. He probably should’ve been uncomfortable with the way she was trying to undress him with her eyes, but that wasn’t his style. He’d much rather let her.

It really was the only perk of working in this place. The regular influx of snow bunnies visiting the mountain.

Well, that and the easy access to the ski slopes. And the chance to ski for work. If anyone ever started booking ski lessons at their resort again. 

“I’ll be sure to make you all a special drink. Maybe we c-”

“RUHN!" 

The shout interrupted him, drawing his attention to a familiar colleague with waist-length, dark hair. Hypaxia was waving him toward her, which had Ruhn sighing loudly. "Pardon me, ladies. It seems I’m quite in demand.” Sending one last crooked grin to them, he pivoted and jogged toward where Hypaxia was standing, a blonde beside her.

The woman, just a year or two younger than Ruhn, turned to face him, a pair of golden eyes freezing him in place and emptying his mind completely. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. 

“Ruhn,” Hypaxia started, “we’ve got a new ski instructor starting today. I’m on vacation starting this afternoon, so you’ll be training her." 

He wasn’t certain whether he should be thanking whatever deity was looking over him, or cursing the demon who was likely hoping he’d make a fool of himself. What did he know of training a newbie? He knew the ropes of the place, sure, but typically they leaned on Hypaxia or Declan for this. He’d just have to rely on his charm. It had never failed him before.

"This is Lidia Cervos.”

@boredserpent@live-the-fangirl-life@nesquik-arccheron@sayosdreams@a-court-of-milkandhoney

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Mount Valbara

Ruhn, Flynn, and Declan are ski instructors and lift operators at the popular Mount Valbara Ski Resort, and boy are they loving life. A steady influx of visitors to their lovely mountain town are easily met during the day to keep them entertained at night. Of course, they’re stuck mostly operating the lifts now that a new “skiing exclusive” resort has opened up across the street, taking most of their customers for lessons. At least it gives them ample time to meet the ski bunnies as they keep the lines under control. Surely nothing can get in the way of the life they’re leading. Especially not a new ski instructor Ruhn’s been tasked to train.

Warnings: Language; Drinking; Drugs; Possible Eventual Smut

All pieces will be posted and listed chronologically within the timeline of the AU. If something isn’t posted chronologically, it’ll still be listedthat way.

Part 1 (Coming Soon)

Crescent City Masterlist

Key: * Smut/NSFW | ^ Fluff | “ Angst | ° Character Death

Expect long stretches of time between pieces.

Comes from a prompt for @sjmkinkmeme . First piece directly comes from that prompt.

January - read HOEAB for the first time

February - read HOSAB

End of February - going right back to the start of HOEAB like

❤️‍Nøkk, Nøkk

Happy belated release day to House of Sky and Breath! I’m planning on starting HOSAB this weekend so no spoilers in the comments please!

Characters belong to Sarah J Maas

Book series: Crescent City

Ruhn Danaan

If you want to see the painting process of this piece, head over to my brush tutorial video on my Instagram or YouTube @madschofield

Character belongs to Sarah J Maas

Book series: Crescent City

BRYCE X HUNT

✨ Who else is SUPER scared that SJM is gonna do what she always does and not make the first LI endgame? I’m SUPER super scared!

✨ HOWEVER, I’m also very excited to find out more about Ruhn since he’s my all time fave from Crescent City!

AUTHOR: @therealsjmaas

BOOK: HOUSE OF EARTH AND BLOOD