Quid Pro Quo

*'I’m enjoying myself. You don’t really seem to do much of that, huh?’ - Ash Glashtyn*

## Quid Pro Quo

Fanart of Gwyn ap Nudd and Ash Glashtyn by plucky-anh https://plucky-anh.tumblr.com/post/80667809353/jesus-dont-bail-you-cant-just-hang-out-for-a

### Link

https://archiveofourown.org/works/1466731/chapters/3090928

## Summary

Gwyn ap Nudd - War General to the Oak King of the Seelie fae - is in the human world to escape the pressures of the fae world; but it turns out Ash Glashtyn - Unseelie waterhorse - is looking for a place to drink and lands on Gwyn's bar. Seriously, can Gwyn not get away from the fae for five seconds?

## Characters

#### Ash Glashtyn

Ash is an underfae Unseelie waterhorse. His brother is the Each Uisge. Ash often frequents the human realm 'hunting food or sex'. While Ash and Gwyn were together, Ash realized Gwyn was abused in the past. This was later confirmed when Gwyn revealed his parents abused him.

Ash's 'hair was short and curly, a mix of red, brown and even streaks of blonde. His hazel eyes glittered with a predatory warmth'. He's shorter than Gwyn, but muscular, with the upper arms of a wrestler, and wore human clothing when he first met Gwyn at the White Cow.

He doesn't enjoy killing people, 'which makes him 'eat less than [he] probably should', and have to make up for it with other foods. He has strong dra'ocht that is also 'warm and soothing.' He can use his dra'ocht on people to do what he wants them to, including Gwyn. He also has compulsions, but Gwyn noted that he's immune to them.

#### Augus Each Uisge

Ash's brother. The latest incarnation of the Each Uisge.

Ash called him serious and quiet. Ash also noted that he's very good at keeping secrets.

#### Crielle

Gwyn's mother. She calls Gwyn a 'brute'. She tortures servants who help Gwyn.

#### Gwyn ap Nudd

Gwyn is Court status, the War General to the Oak King of the Seelie fae, and was born into the nobility. When he was younger, he wanted to be a scholar, but as the only child of his parents, he had to follow in his father's footsteps. Gwyn had a male lover in his past who was important to him, and hasn't had a similar relationship since. Gwyn's parents abuse him. He also nightmares.

When Gwyn first appeared in the story, he wore 'brushed buckskin pants and his linen shirt', and used his dra'ocht to otherwise blend in. 'He was tall and broad and stood out in a crowd, not possessing the lithe and lissom grace of many of the fae.' He has white-blonde curly hair. Ash said he smells like 'a metalworks' and tastes like static.

Ash called Gwyn serious and dour. Gwyn likes praise. He has a heartsong of triumph. He can teleport. He generally avoids being reached by others.

#### Lludd Llaw Eraint

Ash noted that Gwyn's father is some 'god of the navy or the sea or something'.

Before chapter 4 starts, Lludd beat Gwyn severely. Gwyn noted that Lludd doesn't think of Gwyn as family.

#### The Oak King

Gwyn's boss. The Oak King offered to make Gwyn Inner Court, and Gwyn refused, because he would have obligations to the Court and the King.

## Locations

#### An-Fnwy estate

Located in Wales. Gwyn grew up here. The lake where the Glashtyn and the Each Uisge lived was nearby. Gwyn's room was not very inviting.

#### Ash's apartment

'Ash’s apartment was a mess. Clothing, thin plastic containers, cushions and blankets strewn everywhere.' It also has a fridge, which contains beer and water. There's also a hallway leading from the main area to Ash's bedroom, which has a small lamp and a large bed covered in cushions and pillows. It has a bathroom with a shower.

It's possible Ash has two apartments, or the only apartment he uses in the fic is located in Prague.

#### Gwyn's cabin

Where Gwyn resides most of the time when he's not campaigning. His bed is covered in cushions and pillows.

#### Human realm

The primary location for humans to reside.

#### The White Cow

A bar in the human realm that Gwyn picked to be drunk in. The bartenders are homophobic.

## Quotations

* Gwyn ap Nudd: 'He just wanted to be alone, without...being alone.'
* ‘You’re that General, aren’t you?’ the Glashtyn said, sliding onto the empty stool next to him and sipping at his whiskey. ‘You know, the one they all talk about? All golden and light and shit? What on earth are you doing over here? Or does the fae world get to you as well, sometimes?’
* Ash to Gwyn: ‘Yeah, you kind of are. You’re lonely, and you want to be alone. It’s a bad combination, you know. Besides I’m not looking for anything with strings attached. It could be nice, you know? A night where someone could take care of you.’
* Ash: 'Gwyn, hey, why don’t you believe in your own power, man? You’re way stronger than I am. You’re *letting* this happen. I’m underfae and I’m like small potatoes, compared to you. You’re not a slave to your heartsong'.
* Ash to Gwyn: 'Man, my brother would probably adore you.’
* To Gwyn: ‘I don’t stop,’ Ash said, ‘but I like the road less travelled.’
* To Gwyn: '‘I like a little danger,’ Ash said, his voice turning rough.'
* To Ash: ‘You still push,’ Gwyn said. ‘You push at boundaries.’
* Ash: 'I generally think war is pretty pointless.’ ‘It is, for the most part,’ Gwyn said.
* To Ash: ‘I don’t have fairytales,’ Gwyn said, lacing his boots up viciously. ‘I kill people. The end.’

## Trivia

* Chapter 2: Brontide of *Tumblr Prompts - Fae Tales AUs* is set in the same story universe.
* 'Fae that could turn into white cows were considered auspicious amongst the Seelie'.
* Gwyn doesn't wear a helm in battle, and fae gossip that his blonde hair is a good luck charm.
* Gwyn was propositioned a lot during his first introduction to the Seelie Court.
* Ash calls Gwyn a 'fluffy puppy'.
* Ash likes tropical fruit.
* Gwyn 'once ate the fae species blue-wick durian', because he didn't know that common fae are allergic to it, and was sick 'for two days. Even at Court Status.’

## Image Gallery

Fanart of Gwyn ap Nudd and Ash Glashtyn by plucky-anh https://plucky-anh.tumblr.com/post/80667809353/jesus-dont-bail-you-cant-just-hang-out-for-a
## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 not\_poignant. “Quid Pro Quo.” *Fae Tales - AUs, Oneshots and More.* *Archive of Our Own,* 15 April 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1466731/chapters/3090928. Chapter 1.
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 not\_poignant. “Quid Pro Quo.” *Fae Tales - AUs, Oneshots and More.* *Archive of Our Own,* 28 April 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1466731/chapters/3251039. Chapter 3.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 not\_poignant. “Quid Pro Quo.” *Fae Tales - AUs, Oneshots and More.* *Archive of Our Own,* 16 October 2017. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1466731/chapters/28168140. Chapter 4.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 not\_poignant. “Quid Pro Quo.” *Fae Tales - AUs, Oneshots and More.* *Archive of Our Own,* 21 April 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1466731/chapters/3168782. Chapter 2.