Despite Everything He Was My Brother

me, logging in to this blog just to achieve this? you bet

So... it’s come to this. I’m going to be putting all of my OUAT blogs on hiatus for the time being. This is for a number of reasons, the biggest of which is simply the fact that I have absolutely no motivation to write for a dead fandom and it’s been feeling like Work instead of Fun for a long time now.

A combination of high draft count, very few active partners and a general lack of enthusiasm has meant I avoid even looking at these blogs - I don’t even scroll the dash anymore because it’s mostly just blocked posts from multifandom blogs anyway. I’d much rather be channelling my writing energy into something I actually enjoy.

I won’t say I won’t come back, but I also won’t say I will, because I don’t know. I love my boys and I love everything I’ve created for them over the last 5 years and I especially love the friends I’ve made too, so never say never, but... I just need to take a break from these blogs and this fandom for a while. There would definitely need to be a massive overhaul before I could even think of coming back.

On the subject of friends, if you would like to keep in touch I am much more active on d/isco than I have ever been and I am happy to add you over there so we can still talk etc. Feel free to either drop your handle in a private message or ask for mine!

Part of the trouble is I’m having to follow a bunch of multifandom blogs for one or two o.uat characters which use a lot of muses from fandoms I don’t care about, so my dash is full of posts I’m not interested in, or blacklisted posts bc I don’t want to see them. It’s... really not inspiring me to be on the dash at all. The only reason I haven’t unfollowed some before is a lot are mutuals-only and/or friends, but honestly I’m gonna have to start being brutal bc if we’re not interacting, then there’s really no point in me following for no reason.

I’m also going to be going through my threads with Charlie too bc we’ve both agreed that, as much as we love our like 400 threads, the high draft counts are putting us off writing. I may also drop things from other people if I’m not feeling them. So... changes are probably coming to this blog.

despxratesouls​:

Returning the smile that was offered to him, Eric nodded alongside James’ words, reassuring David that he was fine with the contact. When he felt the hand touch to his back, he startled a little, but naturally shifted his weight to lean towards the touch rather than away from it. It was a comfort after his isolation, the simple gesture enough to let him know he was not alone. Letting his fingers trail from James’ cheek, he came to rest his hand gently upon his shoulder, gaze turning to David. 

“I suppose I will indeed…” he replied, offering a soft smile in return to the words, interested to see whether or not David was as content as James was with the arrangement. He supposed time would tell, and for the time being he would keep a close eye and take what he could glean just by watching the other and his actions. 

“Well, now that we have established that...” James grinned, the hand on Eric’s back then shifting to instead curl around his hip. “How about we give you the grand tour of the castle, hm? After all, we cannot have you getting lost in the maze of corridors and rooms, can we?” There was a barely noticeable nod from his brother, before James began to steer Eric towards the nearest door. “Coming, brother?”

hookedsurvivor​: 

Indulging in the warmth of the other’s embrace as they watched the movie, Killian was happy to keep David close to him. Every few moments he glanced at the other, unable to keep his eyes from David for too long, especially given how still they both were; a rare occurrence for sure. He enjoyed admiring his profile, and found himself smiling when he glanced down to see the other’s eyes closed and the soft breaths that indicated he’d fallen into a slumber. 

“You always were bloody terrible at staying awake during the movie…” he murmured fondly, leaning down to press lips to David’s forehead. He had every intention of turning back to the movie, of watching it and inevitably ending up explaining it back to the other, but he could not take his eyes from the other, and ended up watching his partner more than the screen until he heard the familiar sound of the credits running. 

He didn’t know what had woken him, exactly, but the next thing he knew he was blinking drowsy eyes as the room swam back into focus. He was unable to hold back the yawn that overtook him as he stretched out limbs that had stiffened through lack of movement, and he shifted to look back at Killian, still tucked comfortably at his back. “I fell asleep, didn’t I?” He asked, voice little more than a murmur.

despxratesouls​: 

“Because my father is a relic of a time long since passed who refuses to concede quietly. He still clings desperately to the hope that I might be made in his image rather than create my own identity…” Philip replied with a completely exhausted sigh. If it was not such a constant aggravation to the way he lived his life, he would pity the man. A sigh escaped him, knowing it was fruitless thinking about his father improving in such manner, he was almost certain it would be easier to convince James to be celibate for a year than turn his father’s attitude around. 

At David’s words, a laugh escaped him and he shook his head fondly. “Dear god no. I’m not that patient. I was more thinking the opposite, truth be told…” he admitted, dragging his fingers through his curls. “His mind won’t change independently, so might as well skip ahead to the battles now while I still have the fortitude to fight them with everything I have. You never know in that thirty years time you mentioned he might have finally got over himself enough to acknowledge us together…” 

He really did hate how much Percival tried to control Philip rather than accepting him for who he was. David knew he was lucky that he had a more reasonable father - helped by the fact that James was so impossible to control that George had given up a long time ago - and he wished so much that Philip could eventually reach that kind of support and acceptance. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear to be happening any time soon.

hookedsurvivor​: 

Watching the other trace his path to the sofa, Killian simply folded his arms over his chest to watch, taking the time appreciate the clear alluring intent that was being displayed before he tipped his head in a nod. “Aye, fear not, I’m not leaving you alone looking like that…” he teased, sparing a wink before he dropped his arms and narrowed the space between them to indulge in what would certainly be an enjoyable way to wile away the evening. 

Afterwards he dragged a hand through his hair and let a pleased smirk settle upon his lips as he rested against James in the tangle of limbs they had ended up in. He let his breathing even out just enough as he let himself enjoy the moment before rolling himself into a sitting position. “I’m taking a shower, you can join or order and then take one… your call…” he grinned, beginning to work himself out of the entwined position they were in, pleased by the thrum of content exhaustion he felt. 

James grinned as he watched Killian slowly untangle himself from him, admiring the view because he could. He himself made no attempt to get up, content to sprawl comfortably upon the couch for the moment. “Hm...” He considered, very carefully, about the order of things he would like to proceed with. “Go and get it started, handsome. I’ll order us in some dinner and join you in a couple of minutes. That way, it should be here once we’re done and we don’t have to wait.”

anhonourablecaptain​: 

“That sounds like a good idea, aye…” Liam hummed in agreement, thinking that the neutral ground would be a good idea and also the fact that it would be in public view might encourage both of them to simply run along with it. He knew Killian would not storm off in a huff for being set up when word could get back to his office if the wrong people were also present. At least this way he could not absolutely refuse the aid without breaking social etiquette which was something he would not do. 

“I’ll keep it to myself, but it just assures me he and Killian will get on. After all my brother pretends he has no relationships at the office, but he knows who everyone has waiting at home, when all the birthdays are and who has been spending too much time at the office. He often makes subtle hints at people to go home based on this information, though he’d deny it vehemently if you suggested he cares…” Liam chuckled. “Obviously that is also between us.” 

“Good, then we’ll sort it out and make it happen.” David nodded, inwardly hoping his brother would behave himself at a dinner. It wasn’t that James was bad, of course - he would always be the first one to fight in his brother’s corner, but he did like to play up to the image that had been created for him. Why bother to be anything else when that was what the world thought, after all? He really needed someone to show him otherwise.

despxratesouls​: 

While they had every intention of hitting him with the flat of the blade and perhaps nicking his neck for good measure, there was something about the expression the other wore that had Jack frowning. There was something off about James that they couldn’t quite put their finger on immediately. “Hardly a reaction to greet someone that you left for dead…” Stepping back gently they slipped the blade till the point rested beneath the prince’s chin and coaxed it up till their gazes locked. 

“Ah yes… for someone who aided you in the search for funds for your kingdom? I’m insulted…” Jack huffed, tipping their head to the side to observe the other. “Especially given that you left me to die up there…” they added, crouching down so they were level with the prince’s face. “So want to try that one again, your highness… Might even get an apology in there… the right kind of course,  the kind that pays…” they suggested, a smirk creeping onto their face as they watched the other carefully for his reaction.

Left for dead. David cursed his brother, not for the first time. How many more people had he pissed off in his twenty-one years of life? He wished someone had given him some notes, at least, so he could be more prepared. He braced himself as the woman crouched down beside him, trying to keep his face as neutral as possible until he could hazard a guess at how James would react.

hookedsurvivor​: 

“I thought it might…” Killian replied, waving away the idea that he might be a saint with an amused laugh. He could not help but smile at the gentle affection of David’s lips briefly pressed to his own, the expression lingering as the other pulled away. “Sounds like a plan… I’m starving after running around after the scamp…” he chuckled.  

He watched David ascend the stairs, before heading back into the kitchen, putting the kettle on and waiting for it to boil. He hummed to himself as he listened to the sounds of it and fetched their designated mugs, setting David’s up with the Earl Grey and his own with the coffee. By the time his partner was returning downstairs, he had both on the kitchen table and was casually lounging in his preferred chair, cradling his mug between his palms. 

After spending the necessary few minutes just watching his son sleep and adoring him, David crept from the room again and headed back - detouring via their bedroom to change out of his work clothes into something more comfortable and relaxed that he hadn’t been wearing all day in a classroom that was about ten degrees too hot for comfort. 

anhonourablecaptain​: 

If Liam had any doubts about the plan he had been thinking on for some time, they evaporated when he saw the look on David’s face. A smile crept onto his lips and he ducked his head in a nod of admittance, squeezing David’s hand shortly after. “Aye, it’s been on my mind for a while…” He had worked out all the paths they could have taken, looked into options of hour cutting splits and come up with the best compromise for both of their natures. 

“You will be a good father. The way you have been with James is a good indicator of that…” he replied reassuringly, leaning in the press a chaste kiss to the other’s cheek. “I think you probably ought to… when we get back from our weekend break. My old notes are still in the house, I’ll let you look through them, if you think they’ll be useful…” he smiled, knowing full well just how good his notes were. 

“I suppose you have a point there...” David laughed, thinking of the way he’d had to pick up the pieces of his brother and help him put them back together again. “I guess kids will be just as difficult as my beloved brother.” His voice was a fond tease, for he wouldn’t change James for the world. Now that the idea was planted into his mind, he found himself thinking about what their future was going to look like. 

despxratesouls​: 

What had started as the fury of anguish turned to rage, and a stony look settled on the King’s face as he looked at David. “And you would do well to remember just who is at stake should you fail to meet your end of the bargain…” he replied, words quiet but cold. It was spoken not in threat, but warning, from a man who was very capable of acting on his words should his temperament towards the other change.

Straightening up he fixed a look upon the other, dismissing the entire conversation, as though it was but a footnote on the records of one of his meetings. “Go and freshen up, there is a dinner tonight, son, and you need to be looking your finest for Midas’ arrival…” The other King was no doubt coming to try and craft further ties to his kingdom, and the more suspicious part of George believed it to be in order to gain some power as well. 

The reminder of the threat to his mother was surely intended to silence him, to put him back into his perceived place, to frighten him. All it did was further stoke the flames of hatred for the man standing before him. He would hold his tongue - for now - but he would not back down. As soon as he could secure some safety for his mother, he would be free. 

hookedsurvivor​: 

A bark of laughter escaped Killian at James’ words, knowing the truth in them, for he was far too familiar with burning the midnight oil than he had ever intended be. Somewhere between being a miscreant youth to the adult he was today he had picked up a modicum of responsibility and had picked up some of Liam’s finer qualities without taking them to excess, not that he’d ever admit to it. 

Cackling at James’ suggestive words, he shook his head at his partner and let his hand found James’ own against his chest, twining their fingers together with a smile. “Incorrigible you are… though I see the appeal. Aye, it will be a good location for the both of us…” he smirked, tipping his head to press a kiss to James’ temple before he settled into the quiet embrace they shared. Surprisingly, it was these moments that had come to be some of his favourites that they shared, where they could just be together, not necessarily needing words to pass between them. 

“Best get onto Dave soon then, love. I am sure he’ll enjoy the task of finding us somewhere suitable… he does so enjoy those little challenges…” he murmured, humming contently to himself. A yawn forced itself from his throat unbidden, a testament to how relaxed he had become, switching off so quickly in comparison to how he had before James. 

“As if you weren’t already aware.” James grinned. “And weren’t thinking exactly the same thing.” He nuzzled in even closer, content and comfortable, happy to simply lie there for as long as he could. For James, there was nothing better than bed and good company. 

“Mm, I’ll talk to him tomorrow.” He murmured, letting his eyes fall closed as he basked in the warmth and bliss of the moment. “Get him started on his hunt for us. He’ll probably have found somewhere within two days, knowing him. Unless he’s busy, then it’ll stretch to maybe a week.”