Okay another TDP thought because I just finished my third rewatch:
AANYA AND THE “BROKEN LINK”!!!! I screamed so fucking hard when she shot Prince Kasef in the hand and then the face and the heart and I was like “YAAAAAYYYYYY AANYA TO THE RESCUE” and when I saw Gren, Markos (is that how you write his name), Opeli, Corvus, the baker and the Kingdom of Duren’s army, I was just screaming like a huge fangirl because THAT’S A BIG to Viren boom in your face sucker!!!
What also made me tear up was everyone’s “FOR KING EZRAN” scream after the Broken Links and Aanya arrive. HOLY SHIT THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL.
I can’t believe The Dragon Prince is really coming after me with goth nerd/jock brother and sister dynamic I can feel the sassy sibling banter radiating from these two already.
The final gift for the TDP Exchange @tdpholidayexchange! It was Soren’s birthday yesterday and @gwenuine requested Soren x Happiness and honestly that’s all I want is for everyone to remember Soren’s birthday and give him ALL of the pancakes.
You mentioned you liked a cute idea of everyone liking Callum’s scarf and getting their own, so I drew it for you! Hope you like it, and happy-late-holidays!
@seaglass-sunsets - Merry Belated Christmas and Happy Belated New Year, friend! I filled in for your Secret Santa and wrote you a little special something~! As it turns out, I, too, quite enjoy the found family trope so I kinda hope to play into that a bit. Hope it’s to your liking!! ^u^
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Sitting up against the wall, lilac orbs admiring the moving bodies in front of her, Rayla frowned softly.
With the fighting over, their main enemy killed, and the sudden awakening of Queen Zubeia, they were thriving in a time of peace. It was meant to be a joyous occasion, a moment of calm after all that they endured. Everyone (on their side, at least) was safe. They were together. Elves andhumans. The more she looked at it all, sat within it and absorbed it, the more surreal it all felt. Looking at Callum now, laughing and playing with both Ezran and Zym, it was hard for her to believe that just days ago, they were falling from the Storm Spire. One of them already content with the thought of dying, accepting the death that would come for her, while the other defied it. Fell with her and saved her.
He sprouted wings, and looked so happy about it too.
The thought pulled a small laugh from her, a finger gliding across the stone floor in awkward circles. She dropped her eyes to her feet, pulling her knees closer against her chest.
They were safe here and yet…something felt wrong. Like she was dressed in someone else’s skin or wearing someone else’s boots. Did she really belong here? With them? With Callum?
“Hey.”
She looks up at the voice, unfamiliar to her ears for the briefest of moments, but as soon as her eyes fall upon the blonde man in front of her, she sighs with recognition. She rolls her eyes and turns her gaze back to the boys several feet in front of her.
“Yeah,what?”
Soren had done his fair share of aiding the Xadians, despite the distrust Rayla still felt for him. Who knew when he might turn on them. Maybe this was all some ruse. Some sick, twisted plan to ease into their trust before ripping it out from under them.
Leave it behind you, Rayla.
Right. This wasdifferent.He was different. Despite their ‘history,’ he’d proven himself a worthy ally. Proven that he could be trusted.
“Sorry,” she murmurs. “Didn’t mean ta snap at ya.”
The blonde returns the words with a soft, wholesome laugh. He takes a step toward her and crosses his arms over his chest, shoulders rising and falling in a nonchalant shrug.
“Nah, man– er…uhm…well, just, don’t worry about it. I get it.”
She raises a single brow, shifting her gaze over to him.
“…Ya do?”
He keeps his eyes on the young princes, shifting onto his heels.
“I mean, yeah. I’m tired too. Beating up baddies and partying with elves and dragons is alot of work.”
She snorts with laughter, following his gaze and watching the way Callum lights up whenever Ezran calls out to him. The soft cries of joy springing from Zym fill the room, small zaps of excited electricity dancing along his tail. She supposed it was a lot of work; meeting and introducing yourself to everyone, celebrating in their newfound peace.
“You should join ‘em, y’know?”
Soren’s speaking again but this time, she keeps her gaze focused. Eyes unwavering in their current position.
“I mean, Callum would probably melt into a puddle of gushy, oozy embarrassment, but it’d be so worth it.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but the boys were moving toward them now - both pairs of eyes locked on her. A giggle came from Ezran, a sound so remarkably soft and warm that she couldn’t help smiling. Couldn’t help the calm that came over her, reassured her that things were okay.
But when Callum looked at her, with eyes so loving, shining with both ease and comfort, Rayla felt safe. She felt welcomed and serene; like returning home for the first time in ages. It was a feeling she only ever found in him. The boy that was brave enough to fight for what he believed in and kind enough to accept for all that she was, and all she had ever been.
“Hey guys. We’re going to get some food. Maybe you want to come with us?”
Ezran is the first to talk, Zym cradled against his chest. They’re both looking from their elf friend, to the guard standing beside her; both of which are giving the young prince an awkward stare. It seemed Rayla wasn’t the only one struggling to decide whether or not she belonged. Thoughts asking, ‘Should I?’ were a bit too loud in each of their heads; their hesitation recognized by those staring back at them.
“C’mon, Rayla. You haven’t eaten anything since like…what? Last night?”
She blushes at the blunt comment, shooting an immediate glare over to herprince.
“No,I had…berriesfor breakfast.”
Now it was Callum’s turn to react; a brow raised as he stares her down. She was always so unbelievably stubborn. Eager to hide her own pain or needs in an effort to appear strong. Appear brave and infallible. It never worked. Not on him.
“So like,what? Six berries?”
“Eight,actually.”
“Oh, wow. Nearly a handful.”
The response is layered in sarcasm, both of the lovers staring each head-on and attempting to break the other. Truth be told, Callum was just as stubborn as the Moonshadow. As infuriating as she was to him at times, he had the same effect. More so when he was putting his life in danger for something stupid.
“Awe, c’mon. Food is great!”
It was Soren’s turn to speak up now, shifting away from the wall and focusing his attention on the elf. He gives her a soft smile, nudging his chin toward the boys.
“And they really want you to go. Go have a good time.”
“You too, Soren,” Ezran pipes in almost immediately, earning everyone’s gaze. “We’re all going to eat now. Because…we’re a family.”
A silence lulls over them, everyone’s eyes pulling away from the young prince as they absorb the phrase. Run it through their head repeatedly and allow it to sink it. Find a place within their heart and mind and call it a home. Settle in comfortably as a reminder that things were different now, but they didn’t have to be feared.
“Yeah…” Soren is the first to speak, stretching a hand out toward Rayla. She looks to him, eyes wide and heart skipping a beat. It’s a remarkably kind gesture and she hears the words even before he finishes with:
“We’re a totally cool, totally hungryfamily.”
Callum stretches out his own hand, eyes softening ever-so-slightly, just for Rayla. For the love of his dreams and the reason his smile shines just a bit brighter these days.
“All of us.”
Ezran nods proudly, Zym yipping with glee.
She feels the sudden warmth of tears behind her eyes, but swallows down the emotions that swell in her chest. Ignores the beating in her chest and the relief that pumps through her veins.
She takes both hands, pulling herself up and stepping beside all of them; carrying herself beside them. Withthem.
Her hand slips into Callum’s, the boy giving it a tight squeeze as he offers her a gentle smile. She leans against him, finding an extra bout of strength in his warmth. In the way he leans back against her. She feels the vibrations of his laugh as Soren rattles off a joke, Ezran adding on to it and eliciting laughs from all four of them.
This was where they belonged. Right here. Right now.
So we all know Sarai, Harrow’s wife, was definitely a fighting type. While, yes, she was kinda and fair and yada yada, she was definitely some part of the army, or was at least well trained in the art of the fight.
So, I’m all here for Sarai who could lift Harrow without a hitch. Like, she looks all sweet and dainty and then she can just, bench press you if she felt like it, no problem. Like:
Some Dude: God, I could never date a woman stronger than me, imagine? Harrow, how is it, eh?
Harrow, with all the love in his eyes, currently being held bridal style by Sarai, who isn’t even breaking a sweat: Fucking Superb My Dude
Soren: I once forgot to brush my teeth for five weeks. I didn’t actually sell my last horse; I just forgot I set her free in Xadia. I don’t know who King Ahling is, and at this point I’m too afraid to ask. When they say 2% milk, I don’t know what the other 98% is. When I was a baby, my head was so big dark mages did experiments on me. I once threw beer at a swan, and then it attacked Callum.
Corvus: …I have no idea why you’re telling me this.
