do not go far from me

I have like fifty ideas right now I just don't have time to write but I'd love it if someone else could. And there's a lot of wonderful Dorym writers out there.

I don't know. Kinda putting feelers out if people would be interested.

Edit: well, I did it.

When Opal and Ted come to visit, I feel like it’s definitely classic sleepover activities, doing hair and face masks and fun talk. The kids get confused why Opal calls Orym “Nancy” but when she finally manages to tell the story (she has to wait until he’s not around or she knows he’ll stop her) they all cry from laughter. Orym and Dorian also have to spend quite a while telling the kids after Opal that yelling is not the solution to every problem.

Fy’ra Rai always makes sure they know how important family is, whether or not it’s by blood. And sometimes she tells stories that seem to be as old as Exandria itself and the kids are fascinated.

Dariax is basically one of them. He gets so into the imaginary games they play and is willing to go on adventures close to their home. He’s just a big kid and he loves them.

Keyleth always comes to visit, too. Her stories always amaze the kids. Tales about vampires and betrayer gods? She also shows them the most amazing magic and will go Minxy when it’s cold and they cuddle with her.

Also, because I refuse to part with the widower Orym theory… Sometimes they go and visit Riegel’s grave. Dorian explains to them that even though he never met him, he was a great man who loved Orym very much and was very important to him. And Orym tells them about loss and healing. Since the kids came to them at varying ages, I’m sure some remember their birth parents, so so knowing that their amazing, super strong and super brave dad Orym lost someone like that too helps them not feel alone. And he helps them heal and cope.

When I’m not insanely busy with grad school, I’ll actually try to write this. Otherwise, if anyone else wants to… please do.

Like, as it is, the kids in Zephrah see Orym and Dorian as the awesome uncles who have amazing stories about their travels and can do these amazing things. The kids love them.

But then at some point, something happens, maybe just right outside of Zephrah, and a child is left without a family. Without hesitation, Orym and Dorian step in and volunteer to take the child.

Then when another Ashari comes back from traveling, they return with a child who they found that similarly lost their family. They take the child to Orym and Dorian and of course they're going to take in that child, too.

Over time, they acquire a few more.

I'm imagining something very much like The House in the Cerulean Sea, all of the magical children with the most peculiar gifts. Maybe a changeling child and maybe a shifter and maybe someone who's fey. But despite this odd combination, they're such a happy family.

They garden with Orym and plant flowers. They learn to druidcraft. They make flower crowns or braid them into Dorian's hair.

They sing with Dorian and he acts out stories for them. They put on performances and plays and concerts for Orym.

Sometimes they get visitors, the troupe that used to travel with Orym and Dorian. Fearne tells them stories and, when the dads aren't looking, teaches them how to steal. Laudna plays hide and seek with them. Imogen always wins at guessing games they play. Fresh Cut Grass always lets them talk. Ashton shows off his head injury and the kids tattle on him every time he swears. Chetney is always sure to tell the kids how long it took for their dads to realize they were in love.

Maybe sometimes, even, they get visits from the leaders of the Silken Squall. The first time Dorian tells them about his old home, they don't believe him, until Cyrus comes to check in on his brother, and they see the moving city and are amazed by it.

Status: Complete (2301 words) Rating: PG Characters: Orym/Dorian Storm, past Orym/Riegel, Fearne Calloway, Imogen, Laudna, Ashton, FCG, mentioned Chetney Summary:

“Well then, what about you, Orym?” Laudna asked, leaning forward a little in his direction, her damp hair falling around her face in a way that only seemed to accentuate her undead appearance. “You’re handsome, strong, likable… I know you’re new to traveling too, but I’m sure you dated other Ashari, at least.”

And there it was—that very thing he didn’t quite feel ready to discuss, even years later. A part of him wondered if Laudna had some inkling already, the way she had questioned him about losing someone to the attack on the Air Ashari, the way she gave him glances that were a little too knowing at times.

He gave her a smile. “I have,” he admitted. “Not a lot, and not in a long time, but… I have.”

Status: Complete (3678 words) Rating: T Characters: Orym/Dorian Storm, Dorian Storm & Fearne Calloway, mentioned Opal and Dariax, brief Chetney, Ashton, Imogen, Laudna, and FCG Summary:

“I’m sorry if we upset you downstairs,” Fearne said. “Teasing you about Orym.” Dorian looked down at his hands. “It’s not like it was completely unfounded,” he allowed. “You said you were friends. That should be enough.” A laugh escaped Dorian’s mouth, admittedly a little hollow, a little self-deprecating. “Yeah,” he said, a sad smile on his lips. “But… friends don’t look at each other like we do.”

Status: Complete (7020 words) Rating: T Characters: Orym/Dorian Storm, Keyleth & Orym, Keyleth/Vax'ildan, past Orym/Riegel Summary:

Orym stretched upwards slightly, closer, until their breaths occupied the same space, noses brushing. Dorian closed his eyes in anticipation, and Orym took just a moment to admire his long dark lashes, contrasting against blue skin, cheeks colored a shade of lavender that he could see even in the low light. He pressed a kiss to Dorian’s mouth with certainty. A chaste brush of lips—once, twice. He leaned in a third time, letting the touch linger for just a second longer.

“Come to Zephrah with me,” Orym whispered against his lips.

He felt Dorian’s mouth twist into a smile against his, felt his chest fall beneath his fingers as he huffed out a tiny laugh. “You never really had to ask,” he breathed. “You know that wherever you go, I’ll follow. For as long as you’ll let me.”

Status: Complete (2035 words) Rating: PG Characters: Orym/Dorian Storm, Keyleth & Orym, Keyleth & Dorian Storm, Keyleth/Vax'ildan, past Orym/Riegel Summary:

Dorian leaned forward, capturing Orym’s lips with his own.  It was a chaste kiss, but it lingered, sweet like the scent of the buds surrounding them.  Dorian drew back for just a second before Orym immediately closed the gap again, sliding a hand up to rest at the nape of Dorian’s neck.  It was a deeper kiss, this time—still slow and almost painfully sweet in its gentle fondness.  Dorian’s spine tingled at the sensation of Orym’s fingers against his skin, thumb just skimming over the corner of his jaw, and he found himself humming contentedly into the kiss.

After a moment, Orym slowly pulled away, and Dorian’s eyes fluttered open, certain that the soft affection on Orym’s face was mirrored in his own expression.

“I did come up here for a reason,” Dorian whispered a little breathily. Orym raised an eyebrow at this, and Dorian felt himself flush, drawing back a little more in embarrassment.  “Not—I didn’t mean—” he stammered.  “I wanted you to hear something.”  He pulled his lute around, resting it on his lap.  “If… you want to, of course.”

Orym stretched upwards slightly, closer, until their breaths occupied the same space, noses brushing. Dorian closed his eyes in anticipation, and Orym took just a moment to admire his long dark lashes, contrasting against blue skin, cheeks colored a shade of lavender that he could see even in the low light. He pressed a kiss to Dorian’s mouth with certainty. A chaste brush of lips—once, twice. He leaned in a third time, letting the touch linger for just a second longer.

“Come to Zephrah with me,” Orym whispered against his lips.

He felt Dorian’s mouth twist into a smile against his, felt his chest fall beneath his fingers as he huffed out a tiny laugh. “You never really had to ask,” he breathed. “You know that wherever you go, I’ll follow. For as long as you’ll let me.”

Seriously. The fic is also including other domestic things like bed-sharing, pastries, Orym's tattoo, and casually-dressed Dorian.

Status: Complete (6017 words) Rating: PG/T Characters: Orym/Dorian Storm, Orym & Fearne Calloway & Dorian Storm, mentions of the other characters in EXU and C3 Summary:

Fear felt like hopelessness, like admitting he had no way to push forward.  Fear made him feel small in a way that his stature never did.

“Well, that’s okay, too.”  Fearne’s words cut through the quiet of the dark room, and Orym felt his heart stutter at their certainty.  “It’s okay to be afraid.  It’s good, even.”

Orym couldn’t stop the small breath of a laugh, nothing but utter disbelief at the words.  “How is fear good, Fearne?”

“Well,” she said slowly, considering her words in that way so unique to her, as she always did just before she said something truly amazing and utterly her.  “Sometimes… Sometimes it’s good to be scared, because it means you still have something to lose.”

Status: Complete (405 words) Rating: G Characters: Orym/Dorian Storm Summary:

“No debts between us.”

The four words seemed to come easily.  They were simple in and of themselves, really.  Even once they were strung together, there was a sort of unassuming quality to them.

But the moment he said them, a gentle smile and soft eyes, such genuine earnestness in each syllable, they meant so much more.

I’ve started a graduate program to get my master’s degree in liberal arts, and I’m taking a lot of English and writing courses.  It’s inspired me to finally start properly working on my original fiction writing.

Tapas -- I’ll mostly be using Tapas as a platform to post my original stories!  If you’re interested, please click the link and check me out.  I’m currently working on two stories, both of which have LGBTQIA+ themes.  One is fantasy, one is YA fiction.  My username there is sarahvlang.  I’d love it if you checked out my stories and subscribed and liked them!

Patreon -- I’m also starting a Patreon.  I currently only have one tier, because in the future my higher tiers will have the ability to read chapters ahead, and I’m not far enough ahead on either novel to feel comfortable delivering that.  For now, you can support me for $2, and if you do, you’ll get a minor character named after you in one of the novels!  I have plenty of goals on there too, hoping to eventually commission art and even print and publish the novels.  I’m sarahvlang on there as well!

With the prompts, she asked for Marinette and Marc being bros, with MarcNath and a little bit of MariChat/Adrinette and Lukanette.  I intended this part to be about 1000 words.  JOKE’S ON ME, GUYS.  IT’S 3000.

Part One | 38. “Even though I know you’re lying, I still almost believe you.”

Marc hadn’t been invited to Marinette’s for a sleepover before.  As a matter of fact, it had been a long time since he’d been invited to a sleepover at all—probably since école primaire—definitely none since he transferred to Collège Françoise Dupont.

But, well, Marinette was one of his first friends he made after switching schools, so it made sense that she would be the first one to invite him over for the night.

“It’ll be so much fun!” she told him eagerly.

“I don’t know…” he said, a small hint of uncertainty in his voice as he looked down at his journal, slowly closing it.

“We can play video games and watch movies, and paint each other’s nails, and maybe, if you’re willing, we can share some works in progress with each other!  There’s a couple designs I’ve been working on that I really think you’d like,” she continued.  “And it’ll be all the macarons and éclairs you can eat, too.  Maman and papa will want to feed you the second you walk through the door.”

Marc chuckled a little at this, sliding his notebook into his backpack.  “All right,” he said, offering her a smile.

“Great!” she responded.  “Then you can grab your stuff after school and be over in time for dinner.  Maman was planning on making beef bourguignon since it’s been getting so cold."

“Sounds good,” Marc said with a nod, gripping the straps of his bag.

It ended up raining that night, adding to the chill in the air, but Marc and Marinette were warmly tucked away in Marinette’s bedroom, full of beef bourguignon with potatoes and toasted bread—not to mention mille-feuille made by her father.  They’d changed into their pajamas and ended up sipping hot chocolate while listening to Jagged Stone, sitting on the floor while Marc painted the girl's fingernails.  Her mother had insisted on them taking a plate of palmiers as well, just in case they got hungry, and it left her room smelling sweet from the heart-shaped bread.  They talked and laughed, passing the time by discussing things that had happened at school, especially the art room they now met in so frequently.

“What do you think?” Marc asked, releasing her hand, pulling back a little.

She smiled down at her hands, spreading her fingers out wide and examining the sleek black polish, watching as it shimmered a little silvery in the light when it caught just right.  “I think Luka will like them,” she said with a giggle.

Marc smiled in return, recapping the nail polish, screwing it shut, and setting the bottle aside.  “And Adrien?” he asked teasingly.

She blushed, glancing away.  “Adrien probably wouldn’t notice,” she admitted quietly.

Marc frowned at this.  He wanted to say something to assure the girl, but he knew that that was always Alya’s approach, and he honestly wondered if the words would just fall empty if he said them.

“I know the feeling,” he said instead, offering her a wry smile.

“You?” she responded, forcing the smile back on her lips as she looked at him again with a quirked brow.  “I’m pretty sure you’re the only one Nath notices, anymore.”

Marc felt his cheeks heat up, shoulders tensing and eyes widening.  “W-what?” he stammered.  “I—I don’t know what—Nath isn’t—I don’t—”

“Relax,” Marinette said soothingly, reaching out and placing a hand on his.  “I’m just teasing,” she assured him.  “It’s okay.”

Marc swallowed thickly, still grimacing at her.  “Is it that obvious?”

Marinette blinked at him, seemingly taken aback by the question.  Then, she bit her lip, trying to hold back her giggles.  “Now I understand what Alya means when she tells me I’m not as subtle as I think…”

Marc groaned, hiding his face in his hands.  “Oh god, everyone knows, don’t they?” he bemoaned.

“I’m trying not to take offense after the comparison,” Marinette said, poking him in the side, though her words were still amused and not angry; Marc squawked and leaned back, swatting her hand away.  “You know, I’m pretty sure Rose thinks you two are dating.”

“We’re not!” he said quickly.  “Nathaniel—he—he doesn’t—”  He swallowed, trying to gather his words.  “Nath doesn’t like me like that.”

Again, Marinette gave him a glance as though she couldn’t believe the statement.  “Has he said that?” she asked, voicing her disbelief.

“Well, no, but—”

“Believe me,” Marinette said firmly, looking at him with a smile.  “Nathaniel’s got just as big of a crush on you.  You two really are the only ones that don’t see it, huh?”

“Marinette,” he groaned, elbows on his knees and hiding his face behind his palms.

“I mean it!” she said in response.  When Marc looked dubiously at her, peeking between his fingers, she sighed, picking up a bottle of nail polish and holding out her other hand so that Marc could place his on her palm.  “All right, then let me prove it to you.”