#helia answers

i was reluctant to answer this at first because there are none immediately on my mind i've not mentioned before, but i've sucked it up and had a trawl back thru some more recent works. so. here ya go lol. you'll recognise 'em i'm sure

✅ list one or two favorite lines you’ve written and explain why they’re your favorite

i mean tbh i could quote the entire interaction in this one between port and ned, they've got a strong relationship in this fic i really love — but in particular, i love port's voice. i love writing his dialogue. there's charm and sass and playfulness that is just so fun. and combined with that secret laugh, the notion that it's saved just for him, or only he can obtain it... oh yes. yes yes yes c:

some description for variety. but i love this particular fic, and was very keen to create a vivid image when starting it off, especially as it is the first foray into a new world i've got in the works. i can't really pinpoint why it's this bit specifically i really like... maybe it's purely for the blue luminescence... but either way, i love this descriptive opening. port and his dang water obsession. tch.

[ fic writing ask game here! ]

why of course :)

8. what they argue about

firstly, we're dealing (at least i feel) with one person whose anger shows more readily than the other's. port is one for silent anger - silent rage. if he's angry with arthur, arthur won't know about it until the last second, when port can't take it (though sometimes his face alone is a dead giveaway about how he's feeling - it depends!). i don't think they argue back and forth often - at least, not often if port is the one who instigates an argument, because arthur is so taken aback, and he knows adding fuel to the fire will only make things worse. meanwhile, if arthur starts anything, port will take it as an open invitation should he have anything to 'contribute'. he tends to be more defensive and willing to retaliate compared to arthur.

that being said, i think arguments are rare. they might have smaller disputes over things like: arthur's poor choice of words meaning port takes offense, thinking he doesn't like the meal he's cooked; arthur confronting port about him not looking after himself and his non-chalance driving him insane; and who could forget the odd little bit of jealousy? it still stands that for port it all builds up. but things can get a bit ugly. for port it comes from insecurity - knowing there have been others in the past, and that it isn't beyond the realm of possibility that there could be others yet to come - but arthur may also tire of having to constantly reassure port he loves him, because he feels he shouldn't need to. so, yes. it can be ugly in that regard. i think their worst arguments would stem from this sort of thing. the only kind of argument that could put their relationship on the line.

with all of that in mind, i think they're relatively decent at conflict resolution in most situations. sometimes they need to get it all off their chests so that they can clear the air, and then try to sort things about between them more constructively. a cuddle wouldn't go amiss. a little cry. neither of them like to go to bed still giving each other the silent treatment, so... it's quite important to them to sort things out properly, neatly, and quickly. neither of them want to spent a night alone. should they have had an argument relating to jealousy, as aforementioned, then they'd need some time apart. and then they'd realise how much being apart hurts. and they'd try to get back on the same page so that they come back stronger.

[ ship ask game here! ]

yes i do hehe c:

8. what they argue about

everything and nothing. there'll be tiny tiffs about things like: 'but it was my turn to do the washing up!', or 'you forgot to buy eggs!', or 'i'm driving, so i pick the music!'. silly things. not serious things. or maybe if arthur keeps buying more plants for the garden and there's no room. or toni buys another new pan and tries to hide it. there's a moment of 'uhh... did we really need more?' but it passes fast, because it doesn't actually matter. it's not a big deal. and if they've done something to make themselves happier, then who are they to get in the way of that?

the only times they might actually argue will be times where there's a lot of stress in their lives, and even small things will set them off. they're both good at letting things build up before blowing their lids, and it can get ugly. some time apart, or an open and honest conversation, will help. they recognise that they're similar - sometimes too similar...

oh, and of course, if they're watching football or something and are supporting opposite teams (god forbid it's an international friendly), if one of them celebrates a bit too hard then they're sleeping on the sofa that night :)

14. what nicknames they call each other

i reckon arthur has a whole arsenal of nicknames and petnames under his belt. changes on the daily. he can go from calling toni 'darling' or 'sweetheart' to later calling him literally anything whacky and wonderful, like 'pumpkin', 'buttercup', 'boss man', 'honey bunny', 'everything that is good and right in this world'... he likes the way toni will smile or laugh, especially the more elaborate or ridiculous they get. one of life's little joys.

with toni, i've always maintained that he'll call arthur 'turrón' - i think that's the one nickname he'd always use. sweet like nougat, with a bit of a bite. but on the whole i think he uses nicknames less than arthur does. he'll adopt the usual 'amor', 'querido', 'tesoro', of course, but arthur is a relentless force in that department, there's no way he can compete haha

[ ship ask game here! ]

is it the spy au by chance 👀

thing is, these are both ships i do also like, and quite a lot. so i think this was somewhat a predictable outcome, even if i don't write them as much. i mean, i also love frukspa!

i place frain slightly higher on both scales, perhaps out of my bias for toni, but also because part of me views toni and fran as being somewhat more compatible. they're less likely to clash in some ways (though it isn't impossible) and their ideas of romance i imagine to be similar, leaving them on the same page. i also think, in terms of being nations, francis and toni are probably closer, even if francis is arguably arthur's own closest friend. but then it depends i think on context; who's depicting them, and when? under what circumstances?

that being said, though, i do still love fruk and it can be very tender and sweet. i have been known to dabble in them, and some of my mutuals write such lovely things as well. but i also do so love it when they're at each other's throats! i love them as a perfectly imperfect couple! i love their rough moments as well as the soft! i just think frain has that slight edge for me :)

[ og ask game post here! ]