I don't care who you are

[hydrates]

Interspecies Love Meme

Vampires and humans. Angels and demons. Ghosts and the living. The idea of "opposites attracting" is hardly a new one, but with the rise in popularity of supernatural creatures, aliens, and other sentient beings beyond our human understanding, the forbidden romance trope has been injected a shot of fresh blood- sometimes quite literally.

This meme does just that, taking the whole "not meant for each other" thing to it's most logical extreme. Of course, it's not always angst and depression. These days, mermaids and bird-people can have their relationships in peace to some degree.

Rules

• Comment with your character, putting any preferences you have (ie, "humanoid characters only," F/M, etc). Also, be sure to note your character's "species" for others to reference (Name | Character | OTA | Human, ghost, mutant, alien, vampire, god, zombie-catgirl hybrid, etc).
• Reply to others. If your characters aren't different species, feel free to AU or anything else like that.
• Use the rng to determine your prompt.
• Also I didn't think I needed to say this, but be excellent to each other. Dick comments and anon bullying are not on.

Prompts

1. Meeting: Did you know there were, I don't know, werewolves before this? Or maybe you thought all aliens were evil. Will this...thing change your perception?
2. Falling in Love: You know you're not the same, but your feelings don't care.
3. Self-Hate: Perhaps you're mad at the being you're in love with, yet you're more angry at yourself.
4. Can't Be Together: Whether for self-inflicted reasons or societal rules, you can't be in love with who your heart has chosen and it's putting a strain on you.
5. Pushing You Away: Things are getting too intense, and for both of your sake, you want to make friend/crush/lover hate you.
6. Beauty & the Beast: One of you is beautiful, the other hideous. Maybe, though, the beautiful one is ugly in the eyes of society, depending on where you live. Whatever the case is, you don't look the same.
7. Confession: Screw the rules, you're going to tell that sweet girl/guy/other how you feel! What can go wrong? Or this is something you've put a lot of thought into and you're scared, but you're going to do it.
8. First Time...or Not: Finally, the two of you are taking the next step and getting physical. It may go off without a hitch, depending on your...you know, or- OH GOD, HOW IS THAT GOING TO GO IN HERE. Wait, you have a...?
9. The Kinky Option: Hey, maybe being different will pay off. Think about it. A long tongue? Ghost powers? Sounds like it could be fun in the bedroom.
10. Prejudice: "What are you doing with that dirty monster?" "You know we can't be involved with humans!" "We don't take kindly to your type around here." Why can't people just leave you two be?
11. Facing Your Instinct: It's hard to be with someone when you want to suck their blood. Or eat their brains. Or possess them.
12. Because of Me: Your lover has been dragged into your fight or hurt by others of your kind. Now they're in the crossfire.
13. Standing Up For You: Hey, knock it off! I don't care what you think, he's perfect in my eyes.
14. You Don't Know You're Beautiful: The fluffy option where you're trying to make your loved one see just how much you care and how they're beautiful to you, no matter what.
15. Gifts: Show your affection with a gift from your culture.
16. Starting a Family: Can you even reproduce? Is it something you want to consider? Perhaps it's new ground to tread, so you'll have to be the first to think about it.
17. WILDCARD

Comments

[tauraran]

{Yes! Absolutely yes. I love your ideas - and of course I have to go with 2. :D }

[refulgo]

( yay! )

It was not a lilac wood where she dwelt, but a green one, dense with secrets all its own. Amalthea had come to Mirkwood's boarders seasons ago, seeking refuge with a bone deep exhaustion that had yet to leave her. Perhaps it never would. It was still at her heels, much as the regret and longing that'd followed her on that long, long road. A fragmented tale of unicorns in the sea and unruly magic, of love lost. Her kind had won their own freedom. She was left behind, tangled in this human form and heart in pieces.

Night was upon Thranduil's kingdom, and she moved like a shadow through his corridors, sleepless. It was so often the case, despite the needs of such a delicate body. Very little of her own magic lingered, the mark upon her forehead a pale reminder.

Slowing near an ornately carved window, his approach washed over her. So too did the King restlessly haunt his own halls, on occasion. A not unwelcome companionship, Amalthea would admit, when the mood struck them.

Her head turned just so, tone soft and belying her unease.

"My Lord."

[tauraran]

Even with her regret, she was a light that could easily pierce his shadows. The burden of loss laid heavily upon him and since Elves required little slumber, he was often awake to see the stars and the moon. He could never tire of his realm's splendor in the pale light of the night sky, though the Enemy sought to besmirch it with foul creations aplenty. Yet she was anything but foul. He knew her nature the moment he set eyes upon her and he had immediately ordered that she should be kept safe.

It was a shame that he did not have the magic to free her. Or perhaps that was fortuitous?

"Lady Amalthea." his voice was soft and careful. He gave her a shallow bow of respect and motioned to a balcony.

"The stars are bright tonight. Will you watch them with me?"

[refulgo]

Remnants of the grace that had enraptured a withered ruler, that brought maidens to tears. Some days she wished it gone entirely, a quick end instead of the tortuously slow claim of humanity. Others, Amalthea desperately wanted to take hold of it. Keep the tatters of her former existence close.

A whirlwind of emotions that only cemented her fate.

Moonlit hair swayed as she turned, all the better to face him, throat flashing. Welcome company, yes. A comfort she tentatively acknowledged.

Her pulse fluttered.

"As you wish," she breathed, skirts dragging the distance between them.

[tauraran]

He knew something of what she felt. He had been a different Elf once - free of sorrow, bitterness and hate. That had all changed once he had tasted the horrors of war and loss. The day his father had perished was the day Thranduil had become a harder Elf. He was a fine King - energetic in the cause of his people - but he was rarely happy or content.

However, even as twisted by pain and misery as he was, he wasn't blind. She was glorious and he offered her his arm to hold if she so desired.

"I seek to give you comfort." he did not know how, but it was a task he took seriously, "My people love the stars and underneath their light, nothing can be hidden or forgotten."

He led the way out onto the balcony, the delicate weave of his robe shimmering. He was barefoot and his golden hair was free, cascading down his back as if it had only just been brushed.

[refulgo]

The white of her hand, draped in midnight velvet, reached for him. Took that sturdy offering, groomed nails curling into the rich fabric. Thranduil bore his own brightness, and Amalthea was not without a quiet awe for it. Sometimes she even sought it, like a moth to a flame, and thought him beautiful.

"Least of all to you," she replied, not unkindly, the blue of her eyes finding his. A connection that soothed before it twisted her somewhere deep, lashes falling. "Your Majesty is a balm."

If only it could last. If only it wouldn't. She thought of Lir and felt her throat tighten, gaze leaving his.

[tauraran]

He dared not cover her hand with his. She was new to her form - she might always be - and he had no doubt that she could outpace him if she chose to run. He wished to keep her near so that he could gaze upon her without complication or distraction. The world was ugly; beauty such as hers should be cherished.

His head inclined, acknowledging the wisdom of her words. "If I were left in the dark, what good would that serve anyone?" he met her gaze, unflinching before the powerful draw between them, "A balm for what hurt?" for he would never be satisfied with simply being a cure.

"You are in mourning."

[refulgo]

A part of her wished he would. The warmth of touch, it'd been fleeting with Lir, and she'd been even more unsteady then. The stubborn decorum of a broken court had kept them at proper length, mostly, but sometimes . . .

She still felt the brush of his fingers at the inside of her wrist.

"He's gone," Amalthea managed, the words spilling from her lips. "And I don't know what to make of myself most days."

She moved from Thranduil then, bracing against the balcony. A breeze teased her hair, the hem of her gown, and she felt herself quiver with anxiety, eyes lifted heavenward. "I'm frightened, and I'm lonely."

[tauraran]

How could he deny her the warmth of his body? Elves had heat in abundance - thus why the snow often had no effect on them - and all it took was for her to shiver for him to follow her. He rested his hands on her upper-arms, leaning in ever so slightly so that he could speak into her ear.

"I too have lost many I cared for." he gazed not at her, but at the tree canopies, "I was a prince once, certain that my father would never die. Then, in one fell swoop, without a chance to mourn, I was King. I kept myself busy for I feared to face the Elf I had become. But it was inevitable." he rubbed her arms to generate heat, "You are not alone."

[refulgo]

Amalthea went still beneath him, like a deer in the growth beyond, sleek muscles tense and wanting. Alongside the weight of his words, her breath whisked into the cool night air, a needy sound softly lilting. She wanted to take it back ─ but Thranduil's sincerity wrapped her tight, blown pupils hiding behind translucent lids.

Her un-salvagable heart thrummed with life.

"I can barely see my forest," she murmured brokenly in turn, fingers trembling as they dared to raise, dangerously close to his. "My reflection in the clear waters . . . I was endless once. Now it's only the color of his eyes, the shape of his profile in the sunset."

[tauraran]

The tension was born of sweet anticipation. Thranduil was a guardian and a hunter; he knew how to tell the difference. It was easy to slide his arms around her waist and ensconce her - in part - in the warm folds of his robe. His cheek was pillowed on her white hair and he fell absolutely still.

"You are mortal now." he had known another to choose that fate and even embracing it had not made it easier, "Love is complex - sometimes it is achingly sweet and other times it is full of bitter sorrow. If he is truly beyond your reach and a Man, there is no point in seeking him."

He did not mind Men, yet it bothered him greatly to think of her pining herself after one. That could bring her close to death.

[refulgo]

She grasped at the monarch. A grip to keep him, even while she shook with uncertainty, felt the pull of something called guilt as she wordlessly pleaded Thranduil to stay. Under his sculpted cheek, her head turned, wetness beading long lashes.

"If you're human enough to cry," Schmendrick had woed, "then no magic in the world could change you back."

Did it matter now, truly? The mortal coil already had her in its grasp.

Remembering to breathe, Amalthea wilted. Slipped in every sense, his hold the only thing keeping the woman-creature from crumpling to her knees as she openly wept. Too long had she weathered this.

"I haven't the strength."

To let go of this, to hold on. Who could say.

[tauraran]

He would hold her aloft in the midst of this sea. Beads of moisture were a given and he did not think less of her for shedding them. Eru above knew he had released enough tears to water his forest after the demise of his wife. Therefore his arms were ready for her and he embraced her without comment, ensuring she did not collapse.

"You do not need it." and thus was his judgement. He would brook no argument about it.

"Healing will come with time. The quiet of this forest will serve you well."

[refulgo]

So it was. His declaration was firm, unmovable and, despite herself, Amalthea wanted to believe it true. She loathed the weakness this body had brought upon her, loved it for what it had given, even as the aftermath suffocated her so. Could she find even a sliver of acceptance, perhaps . . .

Thranduil held her, and she shed her sorrows. Felt his sympathy, the pang of his own losses as they silently mingled with her own.

She thought, perhaps, her tears weren't entirely for herself.

"Would I ask of it," Amalthea said, voice like a leaf on the wind. "It carries such burden already. As does its King."