#Fallen Princess Sprites

[zeciex]

A Vow of Blood - 57

Warnings: This fic includes noncon, dubcon, manipulation, violence and inc3st. Tags will be added as the fic goes on. This is a dark!fic. 18+ only. Read at your own discretion. Please read the warnings before continuing.

Summary: “You will be trapped by the obligations of love and duty, unable to escape the web of expectations others have woven around you,“ the witch said….

Chapter 57: Wisps of Smoke

AO3 - Masterlist

In the verdant sanctuary of the Red Keep’s gardens, Daenera meandered, captivated by the small form of Jaehaera ahead of her, running from flower to flower in search of the perfect one. 

The garden was peaceful, bathed in the golden light of the sun, the air warm and sweet with the scent of flowers. Vibrant blossoms and aromatic herbs stretched across this secluded haven. Bees and butterflies moved from flower to flower, busy with the task of gathering pollen. 

Jaehaera, a sprite in her exploration, flittered between the plants with a joy that belied her youth. Her dress, a cascade of pale blue, whispered along the foliage as it swayed with her movements. She halted beside a shrub, its branches adorned with clusters of small flowers, their white petals a stark contrast against the vibrant green and seemed almost like freshly fallen snow. 

With a child’s tender curiosity, she extended her fingers, delicately selecting a stem to admire up close. 

Observing affectionately, Daenera approached, her hands skillfully harvesting lavender blossoms and adding the flowers to her basket. 

“What are these?” Jaehaera inquired, her eyes wide with wonder as she gazed up at Daenera. 

“They’re called baby’s breath,” Daenera replied, crouching down beside the young princess. “How about we weave some into your flower crown?”

Jaehaera’s reaction was a beaming smile, illuminating her delicate features with the vibrancy of a summer’s day. Her eyes, as blue as the sky, sparkled with joy, and her cheeks blushed like the petals of a rose.

 Daenera ran her fingers through her silver hair as the girl grinned. 

“Oh, yes, please!”

Daenera attentively set about pruning a few sprigs from the bush, her movements deliberate and careful, ensuring the plant remained unscathed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jaehaera stand again, her attention now captured by a unique bloom that deviated from the conventional floral forms. The petals, a subtle shade, were marked with slender black stripes and a striking, solitary dot of vivid yellow. 

“These look funny! What are they?” Jaehaera inquired, blinking up at Daenera as she stood. 

“They are known as eye bright,” Daenera replied, putting away the small knife she used to cut the stems. “They can be used for alleviating swelling in the mouth and nasal area.”

Jaehaera’s small fingers caressed the flower with utmost gentleness, her words laced with wonder. “Do you think mother would like it?”

“I’m sure she would,” Daenera answered, carefully selecting one of the stems and cutting it, adding the flower to the assortment in the woven basket. When she looked up again, Jaehaera had already been lured away by another flower, a bloom of pink with elegantly ruffled petals. 

Before Jaehaera could even ask a question, Daenera was there offering up the answers. “These are known as carnations.”

She meticulously picked several, choosing an assortment of both the delicate pink and pristine white varieties. 

Amidst the dense foliage and towering greenery, Daenera occasionally caught glimpses of Jaehaerys and Patrick, their playfulness resonating through the garden. Their cheerful laughter and enthusiastic shouts added a layer of joy to the garden’s ambiance, blending harmoniously with the soft rustling of leaves and the quiet buzz of insects. 

In this serene setting, they were granted a precious respite from their royal obligations, and were allowed to be children in the most carefree sense.

Venturing deeper into the lush heart of the garden, Jaehaera’s unquenchable curiosity shone brightly. Her attention was captured by a quaint tree at the garden’s edge, its leaves distinctively lobed and finely serrated. From its branches bloomed thousands upon thousands of pale blossoms, the white almost overtaking the green of the leaves. The white petals fell like snow in the gentle breeze, the air sweet with the scent. 

“What tree is this?” Jaehaera asked, her small hand pointing towards the crown of the tree. 

Daenera smiled at her, “This lovely one is a hawthorn tree. After these flowers are pollinated, they’ll transform into hawthorn fruits. You can see they’re starting to transform, that’s why the petals of the flowers are falling.”

Jaehaera’s face was lit with both wonder and perplexity, her brow furrowing slightly in thought as she clutched Daenera’s skirt. “Hawthorn fruit?”

Bending to Jaehaera’s eye level, Daenera’s hand rested on the girl's back, her smile one of amusement. 

“Exactly,” she spoke gently. “Hawthorn fruits are akin to tiny berries, a vivid red. They’re somewhat like small pomegranates. From these fruits, we can make jams and wines, and you can even eat the leaves of the tree.”

Jaehaera’s face morphed into a skeptical expression. “Eat the leaves? Really?”

Daenera chuckled. “Indeed, the leaves. They might surprise you with their sweetness.”

Jaehaera, still doubtful, continued incredulously, “But they’re leaves…”

Rising to her feet, Daenera gently plucked a leaf from the hawthorn tree, presenting it to Jaehaera like a treasure. The young girl chuckled and shyly turned her head, only to watch in astonishment as Daenera popped the leaf into her mouth. The leaf’s sweetness was delicate, a whisper rather than a shout. 

“You ate it!” Jaehaera gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. 

“I did,” Daenera replied, amused. “As I said, it’s edible.”

Jaehaera animatedly shook her head. “I don’t want to eat leaves!”

Daenera laughed, brushing her hand over Jaehaera’s head in a reassuring gesture, “That’s perfectly fine. It was merely an offer. I won’t make you try it if you don’t want to.”

“What if there was a bug on that leaf?” Jaehaera asked with a mix of curiosity, amusement and disgust. 

“Then I guess I would have had a little meat with the leaf,” Daenera replied with a chuckle, leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on top of Jaehaera’s head, her pale curls tickling against her skin. “It’s certainly better than accidentally nibbling on you.”

Jaehaera wiggled playfully, her laughter mingling with Daenera’s lighthearted tone. 

“Let’s go find your brother,” Daenera suggested. 

In a burst of energy, Jaehaera titled around and called out with youthful exuberance, “Jaehaerys! Auntie Dae just ate a leaf, and it might have had a bug on it!”

Her voice carried through the garden, a playful accusation filled with the innocence of childhood. 

Daenera trailed behind Jaehaera as the young girl eagerly darted through the garden, her quest to find her brother fueling her swift movements. As they ventured into the more secluded area dedicated to medicinal plants, Daenera gently beckoned Jaehaera back to her side. With a tender grasp, she took the girl’s small hand, guiding her along the pathway that meandered between the rows of carefully cultivated plants. 

This peaceful section of the garden was meticulously maintained, a testament to the importance of the herbs and plants it harbored. Each species, with its distinct appearance and aroma, was a natural treasure trove of healing properties. The air here was infused with a blend of earthy and herbal scents.

Together, Daenera and Jaehaera strolled down the path.

Suddenly, Jaehaera halted, jer attention captured by an unusual plant. Its vibrant red stem was adorned with clusters of small white berries, each marked with a distinct black dot, reminiscent of an eye. She pointed eagerly at the curious plant, her eyes alight with fascination. 

“Look at that! What is it?” She asked. 

A hint of concern flickered across Daenera’s face as she observed Jaehaera’s interest in the peculiar plant with the berries like a doll's eyes. She quickly assessed the garden for any signs of danger to the children. 

“That plant is called doll’s eye, and it's very toxic. You must never eat any part of it,” she warned, her voice tinged with urgency and her grip on the girl’s hand tightening. 

Jaehaera’s brow creased in puzzlement. “But why is it in the garden if it’s dangerous?”

As they continued walking, Daenera’s eyes searched for the two boys, answering, “Sometimes the only difference between poison and medicine lies in the dose at which they are used.”

Raising her voice, she called out to the boys. “Jaehaerys! Patrick! Where are you?”

Jaehaerys burst into view, his cheeks flushed with the thrill of play and knees dusted with soil, embodying the exuberance of youth. Close behind him was Patrick, equally marked by their escapades, if not more. His hands and knees were dirty, and a streak of earth decorated his chin, clearly the one made to rummage through the dirt on the behalf of the younger boy.

Daenera’s worry was palpable as she asked, “You haven’t touched or eaten anything from this area, have you?”

Patrick shook his head earnestly. “No, we remembered your instructions. We haven’t touched or eaten anything, promise.”

“Auntie Dae, look!” Jaehaerys interjected, brimming with excitement. He held out his hands, carefully cupped, revealing a small blue beetle that scurried about in his palm. Jaehaera leaned in, driven by her inherent curiosity, but her expression soon turned to a slight frown at the sight of the insect.

“Do you think Mother will know what it is?” Jaehaerys inquired, his silver hair catching the sun’s arrays, adding a shimmering crown to his youthful demeanor. 

Daenera was about to reply when Jaehaerys, ever eager to compete, interjected, “Do you think she’ll be impressed with this?”

Jaehaera, not to be outdone, quickly added her own challenge, her voice rich with sibling squabble, “But she’ll like my flower more, right?”

Striving for fairness, Daenera offered a diplomatic answer, her smile warm but tinged with the faintest hint of exasperation. “She’ll certainly treasure both of your gifts.”

Filled with purpose, Jaehaerys declared, “I’m going to show her right now!”

He then spun around and bolted through the garden, his enthusiasm palpable. 

“Wait! Wait for me!” Jaehaera’s voice rang out, her excitement driving her to chase after her brother, only to spin around and grab Daenera’s hand, determined to involve her in the pursuit. Daenera allowed herself to be pulled along by the young princess, feeling the soft earth yield beneath her feet as they navigated through the garden. 

Emerging from the hedges, they stepped into a quaint grassy clearing. There, under the protective canopy of a robust, dome-shaped cypress tree, sat Helaena. She was perched on a bright yellow blanket, creating a lively contrast against the green grass. 

Jaehaerys was already there, kneeling beside her, attentively watching as his mother inspected the blue beetle in her hand. Helaena exhibited a remarkable fearlessness with the creature, a trait not commonly associated with princesses and noblewomen.

Jaehaera, unable to contain her excitement, let go of Daenera’s hand and rushed towards her mother, joining her and her brother on the blanket. Their younger brother, Maelor, slept soundly in a basket beside their mother, nestled comfortably in the shade. 

Daenera noticed Aemond lurking in the dappled shadows cast by the tree. His gaze, intense and enigmatic, swept over her, a flicker of amusement sparkling in the blue of his eye. She returned his look with a knowing smile, the kind shared between those privy to a secret. 

Meanwhile, Helaena’s attention was still captivated by the beetle in her hand. It skittered across her palm. 

“This is a blue ground beetle,” she explained thoughtfully. “They’re nocturnal creatures, usually hiding during the day. They benefit the garden by preying on invasive species.”

As Daenera placed her basket of flowers on the blanket, she gracefully balanced herself, brushing off any lingering dirt from her bare feet. Her focus remained on Helaena and the children, even as Jaehaerys interjected with a curious question, “Why are you not wearing shoes?”

Daenera’s response came with a gentle smile and a light chuckle, “Sometimes, it feels good to connect with the earth under our feet.”

She then comfortably seated herself on the blanket, and Patrick joined shortly after, his hands busy with  tall grass and straw, evidently crafting what appeared to be a less opulent version of a flower crown. His intense focus was evident in the way his brow furrowed and his tongue peeked out in concentration. 

Jaehaera, with a hint of worry in her voice, remarked, “Grandmother says we should never take off our shoes outside our rooms. She says it is not proper.”

Daenera responded with a soft hum, unperturbed and wholly unconcerned with what the Queen would think of her. “Well, it’s lucky that your grandmother insn’t here to scold me, isn’t it?”

Jaehaera moved closer to her mother, presenting the flower she had picked earlier. “Mother, this is for you.”

Helaena accepted it with a gentle hum of gratitude, “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

With delicate care, Jaehaera wove the flower into her mother’s braid, placing it near her ear. “Now you’re as beautiful as the flower.”

“Your mother is always beautiful,” Daenera teased, watching as Helaena’s cheeks flushed and she looked away, eyes falling back on the beetle, as if she was unsure of what to do with herself. 

Jaehaera returned to Daenera, settling herself between her legs. Daenera began to weave a crown of flowers, with Jaehaera eagerly selecting blossoms and attempting to create a miniature adornment of her own, using the straw Patrick had brought as practice.

Together, they sat in the shadows, enjoying the summer day.

Gravel crunched beneath Aemond’s every step as he ventured down the well-trodden path that meandered through the splendid gardens. His keen gaze scanned the surroundings, searching for the familiar figures of his sister and Daenera. 

In a quiet, shaded alcove beneath the sprawling canopy of a towering tree, he spotted his sister. She sat with an air of serene concentration, her delicate fingers weaving through threads of embroidery work that captured her full attention, while she gently murmured to herself. “Weaves, weaving, wove, woven. Strings and spools. Weaves, weaving. Strings and spools. Wove, woven. What is, what was, what could be, what will be. Weaves, weaving, wove, woven.”

The dappled sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting intricate patterns of light and  shadow upon her, a familiar expression upon her face. 

Beyond the hedges and the verdant barricades of the tall plants, the joyful snicker of his nephew and the hushed murmur of Daenera created a symphony of laughter and whisperings. 

Aemond, his footsteps now on the soft grass, approached his sister, drawn to the tranquil atmosphere that enveloped her. He reached the tree’s trunk and leaned against it, embracing the stillness of the moment. The garden seemed to hold its breath as his sister continued her murmurings. 

Nearby, nestled in a basket, the youngest of their family, Maelor, lay in peaceful slumber. His round face was a portrait of innocence, cheeks red, his eyelashes resting upon them. Beside him, his mother continued her meticulous work, her nimble fingers expertly guiding the needle through the fabric as she stitched down the intricate design of a spider. 

“Storm clouds are gathering,” she whispered, her voice laced with a foreboding undertone. “Do not chase the storm. Vengeance hungers with it maw wide open, its teeth gleaming. Vengeance hungers, and from the storm, death’s jaws snap shut, the thunder of war resounding.”

She tilted her head slightly, her fingers tugging at a thread, “Vengeance has its price–blood begets blood begets blood begets–in an endless cycle. Vengeance hungers, and it seeks to be fed–yet, do not feed it, lest it consumes you.”

The thread was pulled taut, causing the fabric to pucker and twist under the stitch. “Vengeance is a beast with no master, insatiable once fed.”

As Aemond ventured through the peaceful garden, his sister’s foreboding words washed over him, like dark tendrils creeping beneath his skin and taking root. They found a place to settle within him, a chilling presence lurking deep within the void where his eye had once been, nestled behind the sapphire that now adorned his gaze. The weight of the words lingered, and he was about to question her, when movement caught his attention. 

From the garden’s edge, a burst of youthful energy catapulted into view. Jaehaerys, with his pale curls that caught the sun’s radiant light and seemed to shimmer like spun silver adorned with hints of gold, emerged with an infectious grin splashed across his reddened cheeks. His nimble feet carried him over the grassy expanse, like a playful sprite on a mission. 

“Uncle Aemond! I caught a beetle!” Jaehaerys greeted with boundless enthusiasm, playing no heed to the possibility of waking his slumbering brother. 

Aemond acknowledged him with a nod, his stance unwavering as he leaned against the tree, arms folded across his chest. His gaze, however, couldn’t help but shift upward, drawn by the magnetic force. It settled upon Daenera and Jaehaera as they emerged from the garden, their silhouettes painted by the gentle sunlight. 

A sense of longing stirred within Aemond as he watched Daenera’s dark curls cascade freely around her face, capturing the light and offering an ethereal glow. She held Jaehaera’s small hand in her own, her smile radiant as she walked beside the young princess. 

Jaehaera, unable to contain her excitement, released Daenera’s grip and bounded across the grass with the same exuberance as her twin. She joined her brother at her mother’s side, as Helaena examined the beetle. 

Aemond observed the tender moment with rapt attention, lingering at the outskirts like a ghost, a shadow cast by the radiant presence of Daenera. Her smile, so gentle and warm, reached out to him, gripping his heart with an unfaltering embrace, squeezing it tightly. He hated the stirring as much as he longed for it. 

Jaehaera nestled against Daenera’s chest, her curious gaze fixed on the intricate dance of fingers weaving a crown of delicate flowers. With each plucked blossom, she passed it to Daenera, contributing to the growing creation. Nearby, the young boy, Patrick, watched the weavings with keen interest, trying his best to mimic the process using straw and tall grass. 

Meanwhile, Jaehaerys, his curiosity momentarily diverted from the blue beetle he had found earlier, had settled beside his wooden toys. His fingers traced the intricately carved figures of a dragon, feeling its wooden scales beneath his touch.

Aemond found himself caught in a contemplative moment, silently pondering whether this was what it would be like. 

Aemond’s heart ached as he glimpsed a life that he could never truly call his own–a life filled with the unrestrained freedom of emotion, the bonds of marriage, the laughter of children, and the simple joys that flowed effortlessly from a love that knew no bounds or limits. He could vividly see it all, painted with the radiant hues of light and warmth, a life where love flowed freely, unburdened by the weight of their reality. 

Yet, he was acutely aware that what he envisioned was nothing more than a dream, a wistful fantasy that danced on the periphery of his consciousness. In that dream, perhaps they could have found the happiness that had always seemed just out of reach, a life unencumbered by their differences and the constraints of their circumstances.

But like wisps of smoke dissipating into the air, the dream slipped through his fingers, leaving behind a lingering sense of longing. This was the cruel reality they faced–their existence, a mere fraction of the dream, a fragmented fantasy. It was less than what the dream promised, yet it was tangible, it was real, and Aemond clung to it with a possessiveness born of desperation, willing to grasp onto even the smallest sliver of what could have been.

He acknowledged the potential for growth, even if it would be a twisted and gnarled sort of growth, stunted and restrained. But it was his, and he would seize it with unwavering determination, a monstrous resolve to make it his own. 

She was his. 

In the depths of their complex and imperfect reality, he found that glimmer of hope. 

Aemond embraced it, for he knew that even if it never fully blossomed, he would settle for the fraction of a dream that was now within his reach. It was his, and he would grasp it tightly–grasp her tightly, no matter how twisted or fragmented it might be.

Jaehaera’s voice broke the stillness, her request carrying the sweetness of a child’s desire for storytelling. 

“Aunty Dae,” she mused, her small fingers brushing strands of hair away from her face as she reclined against Daenera’s collarbone, calling her ‘aunty’ despite them being cousins. “Tell us a story.”

Daenera’s concentration remained focused on the flower crown, her brows slightly furrowed in thought. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips as she worked, her voice echoing with the gentle hum of contemplation, “A story?”

Jaehaera, ever the enthusiast, eagerly chimed in, “Yes, a story! A story about a princess.”

Her brother, however, had his own vision of the narrative. “No, a story about knights and dragons.”

Their playful debate echoed through the garden, as Jaehera pouted and countered, “No, a story about princesses and love!”

“Death comes from above and below, shrouded in the raging storm, its maw agape with gleaming teeth. With a resounding snap, the jaws shall close, and the sea shall devour the rest,” Helaena emitted a low, haunting hum, her voice resonating an otherworldly chant. It seemed as though she was lost in her own thoughts, her words flowing as if she was unaware she was speaking. Her gaze drifted towards her youngest, her delicate hand coming to rest upon his chest, her fingers gently tracing a path along his cheek. 

The children, accustomed to their mother’s enigmatic musings, appeared entirely unfazed by her haunting words. They had grown accustomed to her moments of distant contemplation, her mind often lost in the labyrinth of mysterious omens. Daenera observed Helaena for a brief moment but chose not to press for further details, her eyes lifting to meet Aemonds, before opting to instead alleviate the tense silence with her own soothing voice. 

“Once there was a princess,” Daenera began, her voice carrying the promise of a captivating tale. 

“Was she beautiful?” Jaehaera eagerly interjected, twisting within Daenera’s protective embrace to gaze up at her with wide, curious eyes. 

A soft smile graced Daenera’s lips as she indulged the young princess. Leaning down, she placed a tender kiss upon Jaehaera’s forehead, filling the moment with warmth.

“Yes, she was beautiful,” Daenera confirmed before the girl nestled back into her comforting hold. 

Aemond felt it like the warmth of the sun, and he tilted his head in curiosity as he watched Daenera and his niece. 

Daenera continued her story, her voice a gentle cadence in the tranquil garden. “She was the daughter of the heir to the throne, but she was not the firstborn. She spent her childhood away from the castle, raised alongside her brothers. And when time came for her to find a husband, she embarked on a journey to the castle.”

“The King organized a grand tourney, a spectacle that drew lords and knights from every corner of the realm,” Daenera narrated as she skillfully wove the flower crown. She used the supple stems of the flowers to hold the delicate creating together, the soft colors harmonizing to create a crown of gentle elegance. Her voice held the children in rapt attention as she continued her tale. 

“There was the Raven Knight,” Daenera recounted, her words flowing easily. “An old friend of the princess, he was of a similar age and possessed the qualities suitable for the royal maiden. However, he was not the sole contender for her hand.”

She paused, allowing the intrigue to build before continuing. “Among the competitors stood the Antler Knight, a formidable figure known for his immense strength and unyielding pride. Truly, there were many valiant men who desired the princess’s hand in marriage, but none more fervently than the One-Eyed Knight.”

Jaehaerys exclaimed with a bright grin, “Like uncle Aemond!”

Aemond couldn’t help but smirk at the playful jest, silently awaiting the unfolding narrative. He interjected, “I don’t think the One-Eyed Knight sought her hand in marriage by the time the tourney arrived.”

Daenera playfully chided him, “Oh, please, he would have been fortunate to have such a prospect. Now, am I the storyteller here, or are you?”

Her words were imbued with a playful banter as she scowled amusedly at him. 

Aemond raised a conceding hand in a gesture of surrender before folding his arms, eager to hear the rest of how the story played out. 

“The tourney commenced with the jousting,” Daenera continued. “Knights, resplendent upon their steeds, faced each other with lances and shields adorned with their noble sigils. In that fateful contest, the Raven Knight clashed with the fearsome Black Hound. Their lances shattered upon impact, and the Black Hound was unseated, tumbling unceremoniously from his mount.”

Jaehaerys, fully engrossed in the tale, inched closer, picking up his wooden sword and placed it in his lap, ready to spring to action should it be needed. 

“While the Raven Knight displayed valor and skill, it was the Antler Knight who truly stood out.” A faint crease marred her features, her delicate brows knitting together. Aemond could almost sense her thoughts drifting towards her husband, and the memories of his brutality. 

“With ferocious determination, he unseated opponent after opponent, dispatching two knights with splintered lances and injuring a dozen more. The Princess, watching the carnage unfold, couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of unease at the prospect of marrying such a man. After each victory, the Antler Knight would point his sword towards the Princess, a macabre display to revel in the glory of bloodshed.”

Curiosity brimming, Jaehaerys posed his question, “What of the One-Eyed Knight? Did he not participate in the tourney?”

Daenera offered a knowing smile, “The One-Eyed Knight was renowned for his exceptional skill, but he considered competing in such tourneys beneath him. He believed no true honor to be won in mock battle.”

“But I thought he wanted to win the Princess's hand?” Jaehaera questioned her brow furrowed in thought. 

Daenera nodded, her gaze thoughtful. “Indeed, he did. However, he understood that even if he emerged victorious in the competition and crowned the Princess as Queen of Love and Beauty, it would not secure her hand in marriage. There was deep-seated animosity between him and the Princess’s father, and so, he resolved himself to watch the Princess and dream of her love.”

“As the jousting continued, knights unseated their  counterparts, and the contest for the princess’s hand gradually narrowed down to just two contenders–the Raven Knight and the Antler Knight,” Daenera said, her voice carrying a dramatic undertone. “These two formidable adversaries took their positions at opposite ends of the tilt, their steeds pounding the sand beneath them. With lances poised and shields held firm, they awaited the signal to charge. As the banner wavered, they spurred their steeds towards each other, intent on a collision. But just as their lances were about to find their marks, the Antler Knight made an abrasive move. He aimed his lance at the legs of the Raven Knight’s horse, causing the steed to fall and sending the Raven Knight tumbling to the sandy ground.”

Jaehaerys, his sense of honor deeply offended, exclaimed, “That’s dishonorable!”

Daenera nodded in agreement, “Indeed it was. You see, the Antler Knight was determined to claim the princess as his prize by any means necessary. He had secretly loosened his opponents’ saddle straps and fed their horses plants that would make them ill.”

Jaehaerys’s indignation flared once more. “That’s cheating! He can’t win the princess that way!”

“But no one else knew of his deceit,” Daenera continued with a dramatic pause. “So, the Antler Knight believed he had secured his victory. However, the Raven Knight, undaunted, rose from the sands, drawing his sword in a powerful display of determination. He challenged the Antler Knight to combat, who responded with laughter and taunts, warning the young knight to stand down unless he wished to meet his demise. The Raven Knight, resolute and unyielding, refused to back down, and so, the Antler Knight drew his sword and descended upon the sands.”

Daenera’s voice held an eerie hush as she continued. “The Raven Knight was indeed a skilled swordsman, but he was younger and considerably smaller than the hulking Antler Knight. Although he fought valiantly, the Antler Knight’s brutality knew no bounds. He tormented the young knight with his sword, breaking bones and spilling blood. As the Raven Knight lay defeated on the sandy arena floor, surrender obvious, the Antler Knight remained true to his word. He drew his sword through the Raven Knight, robbing him not only of his life but also his honor.”

Aemond watched with a smile as Daenera artfully condensed the story, simplifying it for the children’s understanding. Her eyes briefly met his, and he smirked playfully, savoring the subtle amusement in the narrowing of her eyes. 

“The Antler Knight crowned the Princess as the Queen of Love and Beauty and claimed her as his prize,” Daenera narrated. The children’s expressions twisted into scowls, but they remained engrossed in the tale. “They were wed, but true to his character, the Antler Knight was no honorable husband. He mistreated his wife, the Princess, and dishonored her by engaging with other women. The Princess felt lonely and isolated in her marriage, and as the months passed, that feeling grew until one night…”

“Unable to sleep, the Princess ventured into the castle’s hallways, her steps leading her outside to the starry expanse in the moonlight. Here, she encountered the One-Eyed Knight, who was training with his sword. He had been watching her from afar all these months, filled with longing.” Their eyes met again, and Aemond could sense her challenging his amusement, but he continued to wear his smug expression.

“Under the cover of the night, the two grew closer, their heart beating in unison,” Daenera spun her tale. “They knew that their love could never be realized as long as she remained married, so they contented themselves with yearning for each other, concealing their emotions. However, one fateful night, the Antler Knight noticed his wife’s absence from their bed, and concealed in the shadows, watched as the two danced beneath the moonlight. A fury consumed him, and upon her return to their chambers, he unleashed his anger on his wife.”

Jaehaera gasped, her lips pouting in sympathy for the princess. “How could he do such a thing?! What did the One-Eyed Knight do?”

Jaehaerys, ready to defend the princess with his wooden sword, chimed in, “If he couldn’t protect the princess, I would.”

Daenera chuckled and continued, “When the One-Eyed Knight learned of this abuse, he couldn’t bear to see the Princess suffer any longer. He challenged the Antler Knight to a duel. They met in the heart of the forest, where they drew their swords. The Antler Knight, blinded by his arrogance and pride, didn’t realize that the One-Eyed Knight possessed the spirit of a dragon. The One-Eyed Knight brought the Antler Knight to his knees, pressed his sword to the knight’s throat, and with a smile on his lips, he thrust the blade through the Antler Knight’s throat, spilling his blood on the forest floor.”

Jaehaerys cheered, brandishing his wooden sword in excitement, while Jaehaera turned to Daenera, her curiosity piqued. “Did he marry her then?”

Daenera nodded and answered, “Indeed, he stole her away and married her in secret.”

“What did the Father say to that?” Jaehaera inquired. 

“The Father was angered by his daughter’s actions, but he could not oppose the marriage, for it was already consummated,” Daenera explained. “In truth, he himself had done the same with his wife.”

“So, they lived happily ever after?” Jaehaera asked.

Daenera contemplated the question before responding,” What do you think?”

“I think they did,” Jaehaera replied with a wide smile. 

“One flesh, one heart, one soul,” Helaena mused quietly, putting aside her finished embroidery, one leg of the spider twisted from the pulled thread. “One funeral pyre.”

“I want to be like the One-Eyed Knight when I grow up!” Jaehaerys declared, rising from the blanket and wielding his wooden sword. “I will vanquish dishonorable men like the Antler Knight.”

“And you, Jaehaera, can become the Queen of Love and Beauty,” Daenera remarked, placing the now completed flower crown on Jaehaera’s head. “With this flower crown, I crown you as such.”

The girl stood and twirled around, her light blue dress adorned with golden embellishment shimmering in the sunlight, her curls caught in the whirl, fluttering around her grinning face. 

“Here, Lady Princess, this is for you,” the young boy, Patrick, offered, handing Daenera a delicate crown made of grass and straw, adorned with a few blooming flowers. Daenera thanked the boy and gently placed the crown on her own head, her dark curls making the pale blossoms bloom. 

“Uncle Aemond, will you teach me how to fight?” Jaehaerys turned his big eyes towards Aemond, pointing his sword at him in challenge. 

Aemond pushed himself off the tree and picked up one of the wooden swords, feeling its light weight in his hand. Although he was accustomed to heavier weapons, this one would suffice for training. “Very well.”

Aemond knelt down to give his nephew a lesson on properly gripping the sword. Jaehaerys’ small fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt, and he furrowed his brow in deep concentration. Aemond began with deliberate movements, demonstrating how to bring the sword down and parry, while the young boy tried to mimic his actions with his own inexperienced ones. They repeated these slow and precise motions for some time, with Jaehaerys determinedly honing his skills until he felt confident enough to challenge his uncle.

With a small, indulgent smile, Aemond accepted the challenge and moved to stand in front of his much smaller nephew. He couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at the determined and stubborn expression on Jaehaerys’ face. 

Jaehaerys initiated the duel by slowly swinging his sword, practicing the techniques he had just learned from Aemond. 

Aemond expertly parried and deflected the wooden sword with ease, encouraging his nephew. And as the practice continued, Jaehaerys’s movements became quicker but less precise, and he began to swing his sword from side to side with little concern for proper technique. 

With each swing, Jaehaerys accompanied his movements with a fierce roar and spirited shouts that filled the garden with his youthful enthusiasm. 

Aemond skillfully swatted the wooden sword away, sidestepping the charging boy who had almost tripped over his own feet but managed to regain his balance. Jaehaerys spun around on his heels, his pale curls swaying as he held the sword high above his head, and then charged again with a resounding “AAAHHH!” followed by a dull thud as the sword’s tip thudded into the ground.

“Stop dancing around, uncle!” Jaehaerys exclaimed, lifting his sword again, its tip scratching the earth as he lifted it and pointed it accusingly at Aemond. “Fight me like a knight! fight me like a man!”

Aemond couldn’t help but be amused by the boy’s determination, deftly avoiding the wooden sword while responding with moves of his how. 

“You are a boy.” Aemond remarked. 

“I am not! I’m the One-Eyed Knight!” Jaehaerys declared, closing one of his eyes for emphasis, only to instinctively open it again as he swung at Aemond. “I will best you and win the Princess’s affection.”

Aemond’s smile grew even wider at the boy’s determination, skillfully avoiding the wooden sword once more while playfully challenging Jaehaerys. “If you are the One-Eyed Knight, what am I?”

Jaehaerys shrugged, brushing his hair out of his face, cheeks a vivid red. “You can be the Raven Knight.”

A snort of amusement escaped Daenera, drawing Aemond’s attention away from his playful duel with his nephew. He glanced over at her, finding her smiling with amusement, a light chuckle escaping her lips. She cradled Maelor in her arms, gently swaying from side to side as she held the blond babe close. 

Aemond might have acknowledged the irony of being labeled as the Raven Knight and the source of her chuckle, but he was too entranced by the sight of her with her arms wrapped around the baby. 

Maelor nuzzled into her warmth, his lips gleaming with drool as he gnawed on his tiny hands, yet devoid of any teeth. Daenera’s affectionately smile down at the boy, her gentle rocking, and the soft murmurs she whispered to him seemed to tug at Aemond’s heart. 

The mere sight of her cradling the baby pulled at something deep within him. He felt a stirring in the pit of his stomach, an undeniable yearning. He couldn’t control this desire; perhaps, it had taken root all those months ago when he offhandedly offered to father her children. 

Now that thought seemed to grow, sprouting wildly and delving deep, strong in its presence. 

He yearned to see her carry his child, to witness her belly swell with the promise of life–and all it entails, to feel the baby’s movements within her womb, and to see her cradling their own child, nursing it with her love and care. He longed to read to their child, to teach it how to wield a sword, and even how to soar through the sky on dragonback. But this dream, this fantasy, was sharp and cruel in its realism–it was just that, a dream. 

Amid his reverie, Jaehaerys swung his wooden sword, slipping past Aemond’s defenses to strike him across the shin with a loud rap. Aemond’s attention snapped back to the present as pain radiated up his leg, throbbing insistently. Nonetheless, he managed to deftly circumvent Jaehaerys’s next attack, only to dramatically sink down on one knee, pretending to have lost the use of his leg. 

Jaehaerys, caught up in the play, ran towards him and mimicked thrusting his wooden sword through Aemond’s heart with a triumphant roar. Aemond fell backwards, feigning death as he stared up into the sky, the dream as tangible as the drifting clouds, just out of reach.

Daenera gently nestled Maelor back into his cozy basket, her fingers tenderly picking up the delicate silver rattle. The rattle, adorned with intricate dragon imprints, shimmered in the light and chimed as it was shaken. Maelor’s chubby, robust fingers wrapped around it, giving it a spirited shake before he amusingly popped it into his mouth, his tiny feet playfully fluttering in the air. 

Settling herself beside Helaena, Daenera watched the children’s lively play. Helaena, setting her embroidery aside, joined her in observing. Jaehaerys and Patrick had teamed up, brandishing wooden swords in a mock battle against Aemond, while Jaehaera was engrossed with her doll. 

“Aunty Dae, do you have any sisters?” Jaehaera inquired, sweeping her silver-gold hair back to peer at Daenera. The flower crown on her head added a splay of color to her.

“I have two stepsisters, Baela and Rhaena. They’re twins, just like you and your brother,” Daenera replied, leaning her head affectionately against Helaena’s shoulder. 

Jaehaera’s lips formed a thoughtful pout. “But do you have any real sisters?”

“To me, they are my real sisters,” Daenera responded, an amused glint in her eyes. “As for those I share blood with, I have my older brother, Jacaerys, and my younger brothers, Lucerys and Joffrey. And then there’s my younger half-brothers, Aegon and Viserys.”

“My father’s name is Aegon too!” Jaehaera exclaimed almost excitedly. 

“Yes, your father is Aegon the Second, whereas my brother is Aegon the Third,” Daenera clarified. She didn’t think elaborating on their family tree would bring any more clarity to their relations, especially given how young Jaehaera was. It was best to leave that conversation for another day. 

Jaehaera’s face crinked in bewilderment. “Doesn’t that get confusing?”

“Some might think so, yes,” Daenera mused. 

Abruptly shifting topics with the unpredictability of a child, Jaehaera then inquired, “When will you have children, Auntie Dae?”

Daenera’s eyebrows arched, and a soft, musing sigh escaped her lips as she thought about the question. “Someday, perhaps. But for that, I would need a husband.”

“Why?”

“It’s a matter of propriety.”

“But why?”

“Because that’s how things are. I need a husband to have a child.”

“But you have a husband?” 

Daenera responded gently, “I did. My husband died, remember?”

“Oh, right,” Jaehaera murmured, and Daenera couldn’t help but suppress a small chuckle at the child’s reaction. Jaehaera and her brother Jaehaerys had been present at Boris Baratheon’s funeral, participating in the ceremony. Yet, being so young, their grasp on the concept of death was as tenuous and elusive as the true meaning behind being a prince and princess. The intricacies of loss and finality were still worlds away from their innocent minds. 

Helaena reached out, taking Daenera’s hand into her own, pressing her pointy against each of Daenera’s fingers as though she was counting. She spoke softly, her words almost like a poetic musing, “The seed sown in shared blood will thrive and dream. It grows, yet not every blossom reaches its full potential, cut down before it can bloom.”

The young girl continued her inquiry as she ran her fingers through the tangled hair of her doll. “Do you want children, Auntie Dae?”

Daenera’s gaze locked firmly on the girl, even as she saw him out of the corner of her eye, lifting Jaehaerys into the air, the small boy a bundle of giggles. 

“Yes,” she affirmed, feeling a flutter of emotion in her stomach. “One day, I do want a child.”

Jaehaera seemed pleased with this answer, her face brightening. “I promise to play with them and I will show them my dolls!”

“I’m sure they’ll like that very much,” Daenera hummed. 

As Daenera and Helaena observed the children’s playful antics, the serene summer day enveloped them. Jaehaera was absorbed in her dolls, while Jaehaerys, Patrick, and Aemond were still engrossed in the mock sword fight. The day was graced with sunshine, the air fragrant with floral scents, and a gentle breeze whispered through the trees, its soft rustling harmonizing with the children’s laughter. Helaena nestled against Daenera, her fingers delicately tracing over Daenera’s hand, creating invisible patterns that sent tingles across her skin. 

“People say that the line on your palms can reveal your life’s journey,” Helaena mused thoughtfully, turning Daenera’s hand to study her palm, her fingers gliding from the middle finger down to the wrist. 

Daenera gazed at her palm, reflecting on this notion. “Perhaps they can tell stories of one’s past and present through the hands’ appearance, but I doubt they can predict the future from them.”

Helaena continued, tracing a line on Daenera’s palm. “Some believe these lines can foretell the length of your life.”

Curious, Daenera inquired softly, “What do you think my hand reveals about my life?”

Helaena pondered, carefully examining Daenera’s hand. “Your hands are soft, and indicating a life of care and attention,” she noted, running her fingers over the faint silver scars that was etched into the overside of her hand from minor cuts.

“Yet there’s a defiance in them—you’re not one to shy away from getting your hands dirty.” Helaena observed the remnants of stems under Daenera’s nails from plucking flowers and the small patches of dirt clinging to her skin. 

“These hands also speak of luxury and nurture, suggesting a life of comfort and meticulous grooming.” She flipped the hand to study the palm again. “The lack of callouses signifies a life more genteel than laborious. The hands of a noble lady.” 

Helaena traced a line gently. “Your life, as I see it, will be long, marked by challenges, struggles, and heartaches. But you will persevere through all of them. You are stronger than you think you are, and you will grow into your power.”

Her finger traced the pink scar that drew through her palm. “You are loved.”

“What do the lines on your hands reveal?” Daenera asked softly, her voice filled with gentle curiosity. 

Helaena hesitated, a hint of apprehension in her voice. “I’m too afraid to look.”

Her hand balled into a tight fist. 

“Then let me look for you,” Daenera suggested warmly, carefully taking Helaena’s hand into hers and gently coaxing it open to reveal the palm. She first examined the back of Helaena’s hand. Her fingers were long and immaculate, lacking the scars of outdoor escapades. Her nails were meticulously maintained, trimmed to the perfect length. “Yours are the hands of something with a tender touch. They’re nurtured and refined, delicate and soft.”

She then flipped Helaena’s hand over to inspect the palm. “These hands are creators, dream weavers. I can discern the tiny calluses from years of needlework, the testament of that of a skilled artist.”

Daenera’s fingers flipped over the soft lines etched in Helaena’s palm. She noted one line that was shorter, almost fragmented, while others diverted in different directions. “In these hands, I see the nurturing touch of a mother. But there’s also the strength of a dragonrider, forged for soaring among the clouds. 

Daenera pressed her own palm against Helaena’s, their fingers intertwining. 

“I wish for my children to have hands that are resilient and strong,” Helaena whispered, her voice tinged with the familiar hint of melancholy. Her grip on Daenera’s hand tightened slightly.

“They will be,” Daenera reassured her confidently. There was no reason the children wouldn’t grow up to be strong and resilient. 

Helaena leaned closer, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Had you been born a boy, I would have married you too.”

Daenera chuckled warmly. “I could always cut my hair and whisk you away to Lys or Braavos, though it seems more like you’d be the one abducting me, especially since you’re the one with a dragon.”

At that, Helaena’s laughter filled the air, light and at ease.

Alicent stood at the garden’s edge, concealed by the lush, meticulously tended foliage that surrounded the area. Her gaze remained fixed on her children and grandchildren as they reveled amid the vibrant blossoms and the verdant scenery. However, her attention was primarily drawn to the subtle interaction between Daenera and Aemond. With each passing moment, her apprehension grew, etching lines of worry and dread onto her features. 

It was not long ago she had ordered Aemond to devote careful consideration to the matter of a marriage alliance, to choose one that would best serve their family’s interests. 

Her deep-rooted apprehensions weighed heavily on her mind, a gnawing dread that kept her awake for many nights. The negotiations for marriage contracts and the establishments of alliances were slow-moving, filled with diplomatic intricacies and courtesies. It was a process that required a patience she did not have. 

Aemond had dutifully sent letters to various noble houses, including the Tyrells, the Tullys, Greyjoys, and the Reynes, expressing an interest in potential marriage alliances. His compliance with her wishes had been commendable, but his apparent lack of enthusiasm cast a shadow of uncertainty over her. 

She knew that forming such alliances took time. Negotiations were meticulous, involving delicate considerations of dowries, titles, and political implications. The future depended on these arrangements, and they could not afford to rush into ill-considered unions—nevertheless, Alicent feared more that word of her son’s affair would get out, reveal itself for what it was and ruin any prospects with Houses such as Baratheon… And worse yet, that it would see him married to her.

The information that had reached her through Larys Strong was deeply disconcerting. Aemond’s visit to the Tyrells had resulted in a meeting with a prospective bride who was described as beautiful and of the appropriate age. Despite these favorable qualities, Aemond displayed no further interest in her. 

Worse still, the Tullys, whose alliance could be instrumental, had withdrawn their interest in a marriage alliance when Aemond had left their daughter in tears. 

It was a troubling sign that had planted seeds of doubt within her heart. 

Alicent fidget with her hands as she contemplated her son’s behavior. The weight of her responsibility bore down on her shoulders, and she could not afford to let this matter languish. Her family’s future depended on it, and she was determined to guide Aemond towards the right decision. 

“Why are you lurking in the gardens, Mother?” Aegon’s voice broke through the silence, his casual demeanor belying the palpable tension in the air. His unkempt hair, a stark contrast to his princely status, irked her deeply. She wished he would compose himself with more dignity, particularly when he meandered about in the castle. 

“I am not lurking,” Alicent replied tersely, her gaze still fixated on the scene before her.

“Then what are you doing?” Aegon inquired, shifting his attention towards the garden, mirroring his mother’s intense scrutiny. 

Alicent’s eyes flitted briefly from her son, her lips forming a disproving line. Her response was curt, her eyes returning to the garden. “I am observing.”

Aegon redirected his gaze as well, his discerning eye landing on his siblings and children, and when he spoke, there was that infuriating smugness in his tone. “He’s smitten by her.”

“He is not,” Alicent countered, her fingers inadvertently digging into her own flesh as unease gnawed at her. 

“He absolutely is, Mother. Just look at the way he gazes at her,” Aegon argued, a hint of fascination in his tone.

Her narrowed eyes watched as Aemond seemed to lose himself in contemplation, his gaze unwaveringly focused on Daenera. The way he looked at her, like a boy struck with awe, filled her with dread. It seemed to swell within her chest, creating an oppressive weight that pressed against her lungs and heart. 

“He understands his duty,” she stated firmly, turning her discerning gaze towards her eldest son. 

Aegon regarded his mother thoughtfully. “He appears to be delaying, though, doesn’t he? You could have arranged his marriage by now.”

“I have faith in him,” she responded with unwavering resolve as her grip on her own flesh grew tighter. “Aemond will fulfill his responsibilities. He will marry, and he will honor his marital vows. That is his nature. And in time, he may come to genuinely care for his wife.” 

“Perhaps you should have accepted Rhaenyra’s proposal and had Jacaerys marry Helaena, and I marry Daenera,” Aegon remarked, his tone carrying an unsettling nonchalance that sent shivers of apprehension down her spine. She couldn’t quite put a finger on the source of his eagerness, whether it was a genuine desire for Daenera or simply a childish yearning for what was forbidden. Regardless, it filled her with even more dread.

Alicent turned to her son, her gaze sharp and warning. “Stay away from her, Aegon. She’s a Princess, and you mustn't forget that.”

Aegon’s response was defiant, bordering on insolent. “She’s a bastard–”

With a stern look, Alicent cut her son off, her voice laced with authority. “She’s a Princess, and you will treat her as such. We cannot afford any scandal involving you and her, do you understand?”

Aegon’s demeanor shifted, his arms folding defensively over his chest as he leaned against one of the ornate pillars. His frown deepened, and he spoke with a note of bitterness. “I am not the one you should be concerned with. I am not the one in love with her.”

Alicent let out a dismissive sound, akin to a scoff, as she refuted his claim. “He is not in love with her, Aegon. His duty will guide his actions, as it always has.”

But Aegon remained resolute, his tone carrying a sense of resignation mixed with petulance. “He is in love with her, Mother. He may delude himself, and you may believe his delusion, but he is very much in love with her. For once, he should be your disappointment, not I.”

Alicent released a slow, measured breath. “I am not disappointed in you–”

“You are, Mother. You’ve always been,” Aegon interrupted, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability that tugged at Alicent’s heart. He looked so much like the little boy he once was, wounded by a perceived lack of trust. “If only you’d afford me the same faith you have in him.”

Alicent took a tentative step towards him, her maternal instincts urging her to comfort her son. Her hand rose to brush against his cheek in a gesture of reassurance, but Aegon swatted it away. He turned and walked away, his posture that of a petulant child, leaving Alicent with a heavy knot forming in the back of her throat. 

Her gaze returned to Aemond, who was still engrossed in the playful sword fight with his nephew. She reminded herself that, ultimately, her son would prioritize his duty over his infatuation. He had always been the one she could rely on, and she would not let Daenera take that from her.

**Lavender: Happiness, love, devotion. **Baby's breath: Innocence, purity of the heart. **Eye Bright: Mental Clarity, psychic powers. (the flower Jaehaera puts in Helaena's hair.) **Pink Carnations: A mother's love, I will never forget you. **White Carnations: Sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love. **Hawthorn Tree: Hope, fertility. **Cypress Tree: Death, mourning, despair, sorrow. **Doll's Eye: Toxic/Poison.

#aemond targaryen #aemond fanfiction #hotd aemond #house of the dragon #hotd #aemond one eye #aemond x reader #aemond targaryen x oc #hotd fanfic #A Vow of Blood

[laufire]

yesterday I finally finished my ARC of ✨ "When The Stars Alight"✨, and I have now posted reviews in goodreads and storygraph ^-^

(c&p under the cut)

I had the honour to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

(this review might contain some very vague spoilers) 

The first thing that merits mentioning in this book is its prose. With an omniscient narrator and lush descriptions of the settings, the characters, and every grand or minute detail, reading it feels like being immersed in a vivid moving painting. I’d recommend the story to those of us who appreciate this kind of writing style; and to those who might be on the fence, I’d ask them to be open-minded, to take their time, and to welcome it in in order to enjoy everything else this story has to offer. I must also commend the artist that illustrated the beautiful cover, as well as the art inside the book, for aiding to the sensory experience. 

As for the book, I’m particularly enamoured with the worldbuilding. WTSA, and the universe it introduces us to as a first installment, can’t be called a typical fantasy story. If, like me, you both love this genre but tragically find yourself disappointed by how repetitive, superficial or conservative some of its examples can be, this book could be just what gets you out of that slump. The world it presents is utterly different from our own, with original fantasy species, each wonderfully distinctive. On the one hand you have Solarites: powerful star maidens fallen from the sky that benevolently rule over humans (some of them with magical abilities of their own) and other races like the sprites (another immortal race of monster slayers with a strong connection to nature); on the other you have the Occassi, a more demonic race in the artic. Here in particular the prose becomes indispensable, presenting two opposing races and their societies, constantly contrasting them with light/dark, life/death symbolism without falling into black and white thinking. From the matriarchal society lead by the Solarites, filled with more subtle (yet still dangerous) political power-plays, to the more patriarchal, militaristic Mortos; the luminosity and abundance of one setting and the more gothic, tenebrous and scarce environment of the other. As the lead travels from one to the other, we discover these differences with her. 

This leads me to the next point: this book puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to a matriarchal society, filling it with outstanding female characters and showing us women in power across all fields: diplomats, scientists, soldiers, etc. 

Laila, the protagonist, is the clear star. She’s delightful, curious, adventurous, with strong morals paired with a deep-seated insecurity. She’s also a political animal; charming, manipulative, with ambition that’s presented as a positive. Her optimism can be a sign of her youth and naivety, but born out of genuine compassion and want for progress. It all comes together into a lovely, complex lead character that I can’t wait to see grow and develop. 

Someone else I found unusual and fascinating was Amira, Laila’s mother. She’s powerful and seemingly untouchable, exacting, and the opposite of nurturing. Her influence over Laila is never-ending, both as her maternal figure and as her monarch, influencing all aspects of her life and looming over all of her relationships. 

Another one with key importance is Lyra, a sprite. She and Laila were past lovers, and in the present have a deep, sometimes difficult friendship that goes beyond most princess/lionheart dynamics. Lyra is irreverent, with a sturdy sense of justice that comes from sympathy for the underdog, and often the blunt warrior to Laila’s diplomat. 

Others that, while less prominent, still tell us a lot about the world are the Odakan scientists (whose part foreshadows what might come in future installments), full of excitement and purpose to change and explore the world; or Dr. Mielette, with a small part, but that offers insight into Solarite culture. We see less of the women in Mortos, so far, but they serve their purpose. In Vasilisa, the Regina, you can see the precarious, risky position of a woman who is ostensibly at the highest one of her kind can come in a misogynistic society. The looming absence of Serafina, the king’s former lover, or of Katerina, another blood sorcerer, both women who sought power outside society’s confines, contrasts with her. 

But Mortos’ most prominent representatives are the men in the Calantis family. Most significantly Darius, the male lead. He’s the king’s bastard and eldest son, resentful of his lesser position in court, and eager to retake the place he thinks he deserves. His more intellectual pursuits (he definitely incarnates the mad scientist archetype, a favourite of mine) haven’t always been of help among Occassi, who value brute force above all. He’s charming and sophisticated, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, which can fool others, audience included, into not fearing his monstrous nature. 

The other members of the family are Lanius, the tyrannical father and king opposing Laila’s diplomatic efforts, a poison in the family and the kingdom; and Dominus, the younger son and reluctant heir. Both brothers do take part in a love triangle with Laila, but it’s not your typical, never-ending F/M/M triangle; as someone who sometimes side-eyes such trope, I must say I appreciated how this one develops, with Laila’s differences in approach, in chemistry, and in the emotional risk she incurs in each relationship. Related to the love story, because I know this will be of interest: the book’s sex scenes are delightfully written, just as beautiful and descriptive as any other, steamy and evocative. 

To finish off, I’ll say that this story was perfectly crafted to appeal to both my baser and higher interests. Its world and its characters have raised quickly in my list of favourites, it makes me think and wonder and speculate about what will come next, and it will stay with me for a long, long time. If you enjoy this book half as much as I did, I recommend checking out the author’s page for any other related stories or materials.

#i use a different moniker on those sites but #might as well post it on main where more people might *actually* see it lol #and where i've been hyping this book already :D #books #bookblr #indie authors #indie books #book review #book recommendations #the essence of the equinox

[krizaland]

I’ve fallen back in love with the Mario RPG series (Specifically Bowser’s Inside Story)

Bowser’s Inside Story has been a crucial part of my childhood. It helped me get through some really dark times.

Behold Princess Opal!

I’ve had Opal ever since I was little and she went through a MUCH needed makeover.

From her backstory to her look, I have cleaned up Opal!

Anyway, here’s a brief description:

Princess Opal is the Princess of the Star Sprites. She doesn’t get out much and as a result she’s kind of an airhead and very naive. However that doesn’t stop her from trying to help save The Mushroom kingdom! She also has a crush on Bowser.

I’m writing a Bowser’s Inside Story fanfic that delves into Opal’s backstory as well as her interactions with the rest of the cast.

Opal is very dear to me and I’m so glad I got to bring her back!

#mario bros #mario and luigi #mario and luigi rpg

[leatherbootlace]

oh hey kinda forgot but i’ve like slowly been putting together some characterizations for the skarloey railway coaches (starting with the tv series ones cause i’m a yankee fool) so uh have at it.

of course, the irony there means that i’ve now created a plethora of ocs that i will never be able to write stories for help

Original Sprites by Princess-Muffins & Cj-The-Creator Any & All Modifications made by Myself, LeatherBootlace.

Characterizations below the cut or you can read them on my DeviantArt Here:

   Agnes (She/Her) is one of the oldest coaches on the Skarloey Railway. She is deep-voiced and proud of being a first-class carriage, and looks down on the other coaches - even her own sisters. She is the leader of the rake, and believes that whatever she says goes. Her temper can run quite hot whenever she doesn't get her way.    Ruth (She/Her) is a second-class carriage, and often finds herself peacekeeper among the other carriages. She is a quiet coach, and very close with the engines, particularly Skarloey and Rheneas. Rumor has it she has a rather sinister side to her that she keeps under lock and key unless absolutely necessary.    Jemima (She/Her/It/Its) has gone somewhat deaf over the years, and often has to understand others with the help of Ruth. It is quite silly and tends to joke, though she has a hard time dealing with stress and prefers to ignore it and carry on without a care in the world.    Lucy (They/Them/It/Its) is the runt of the rake, and has been for quite some time. They were made with weak frames, and often limp along the line whenever it goes out with the others. Most of its siblings are gone now, and they tend to get wound up in a frenzy whenever they panic. Strangely enough, Agnes is rather protective of it, and often calls them "Lulu".    Beatrice (They/Them/She/Her) is looked down on by the other coaches, who often claim they "smell of fish and cheese". Beatrice pays no attention to their words, as she knows she's very useful. They are the closest to Skarloey and Rheneas next to Ruth, and is quite fond of the Guards she's had over the years.

   Geanie (It/Its) is a Quarryman's Coach, and one of three carriages who came from Lancaster Wagon Co. during the 1860s. It is highly opinionated and prone to sulking, and often wishes it wasn't delegated to such lowly work. Skarloey & Rheneas often tell it to be careful what it wishes for, but Geanie could care less what the engines say.    Thera (She/Her/They/Them) is arguably the most colorful thing in the quarry. A highly peppery and friendly carriage, her endless optimism has helped her make the worst of a bad situation. They do their best to keep Geanie from sulking, even if it can be an endless struggle. She believes one day both of them will be able to escape their lot in life, even if that day is a long way away.

   Melody (They/Them/She/Her) was part of the second rake purchased by the Skarloey Railway from Brown, Marshalls & Co. A lively and rambunctious sort who can be rather controlling at times, they believe in preserving the 'harmony' of the railway - the status quo, if you will. She doesn't take kindly to change, and there have been times where the carriages often are in a ruckus just because she insists on having things their way.    Ariana (They/Them) is very much like Melody, and the two are very close. They carry a rather "holier-than-thou" aura to themself, which is ironic considering how much they love catching up on the gossip of the line. Though some have fallen victim to their flattery, the other coaches - particularly Agnes - believe them to be nothing more than a silver-tongued snake, biding their time for the perfect chance to strike.    Clarissa (He/Him/She/Her) is an exceptionally bright carriage on the Skarloey Railway. Smart as a whip, he carries interests in some of the more extraordinary things in life - well, extraordinary by rolling stock standards. She's one of the few truly literate members of the railway's carriages, and often asks to see the latest paper from the Guard whenever he has the chance. But for all her book-smarts, he can be rather easily outwitted, something she takes great offense at.    Kelsey (It/Its) feels a great deal of pressure to keep up appearances. For all its pride and glory, it's quite paranoid about being replaced one day by newer, more modern carriages. It can be quite fierce at times when the other carriages receive maintenance, and often insists on being the first to receive repairs at any chance, even if the other coaches are in more need of it.    Iris (She/Her) is hardly as uppity as the other coaches, for better or for worse. As Guard's Van, her importance is quiet well felt by the rest of the rake, even if she doesn't see it personally herself. A melancholy sort who gets distraught over so much as the slightest inconvenience, if anything goes wrong, there will never be an end to it with her around. Beatrice tries their best to console her, but even she can only do so much.

   Lillian (She/Her/It/Its) is one of the coaches in the Summer Rake, and is known for being a carriage with unwavering morals. A carriage known all around for her pure-heart, she believes every part of the railway is just as important as the other - from the lowly truck to the mighty engine. It enjoys her position immensely for how it gives it a chance to embrace the summer sun on her trains, though it can seem fleeting given how long the rake spends shut away in the carriage sheds.    Beverly (They/Them) is one of the coaches in the Summer Rake. They're a remarkably fickle coach, who tends to carry grudges much longer than some may consider to be healthy. Their haughty attitude often gets the better of them, which usually means receiving a stern word from the others. They have great memory, meaning they'll never forget even the smallest of slight against them.    Lenora (She/Her) is one of the coaches in the Summer Rake. She's the most social of them all by a long shot, and is often the one to greet the passengers at stations or along the way. She can be known to be talkative, and often rambles on and on without a care in the world. She tries her best not to do so, at the other coaches insistence, for fear she might come off as rude, but she'd love one day to be able to talk as much as she likes.    Ridley (He/Him/They/Them) is one of the coaches in the Summer Rake. Unlike most coaches, he's rather shy, and doesn't say much unless spoken to. As they're often marshalled next to Lenora, this can be a bit overwhelming for him on most occasions. In fact, most things tend to overwhelm them. The other coaches, the passengers, not to mention small spaces. Some days, Ridley would just like to be left alone to his own devices.

#ttte #ttte fanart #rws #railway series #skarloey railway #ttte coaches #i've had to bend lore over and under itself to justify why some of these coaches are here #i've no idea how awdry manages to do it but massive props to you old man #if only you could have actually used your rolling stock characters properly #people say a bunch of engines introduced in the hit & miller eras have no characters #but let me ask you this #what the FUCK are gertrude and millicent like hmm??? #what are THEIR characters??? #some things about this franchise just drive me up the wall i cannot wait to start branching out #my next major lorebending scheme will likely be twisting rusty to the rescue into a workable canon INCLUDING the other bluebell engines #followed by figuring out how tf to tackle magic railroad #don't even want to think about misty island rescue right now #Bootlace's TTTE AU

[clownfly64again]

Another Underground battle sprites, part 2.

In order: Ettablook and Chenara, Quanda, Freaky Mr. Fish (neutral final boss), Halnin Hopiful (pacifist final boss phase 1), Ultrannihilation Halnin (pacifist final boss phase 2), Unbroken Nisse (genocide-only boss), and Royal Redil (genocide final boss).

Chenara sorts some papers as Ettablook snoozes.

Quanda stands firm.

"I don't care WHAT I need to do. I'll flood the ENTIRE UNDERGROUND if I have to!"

Halnin glows with a strange power.

The whole world is ending.

The rivers around you are boiling.

He isn't invincible. Keep attacking.

Important lore/story stuff:

The soul effects are changed up and mixed around from Undertale. Jaydrin gives you a Purple soul, which has you move from box to box. Nisse gives you a Yellow soul, which lets you fire arrows, and you can charge a strong arrow. Ettablook and Chenara give you a Green soul, which gives you two shields, a solid shield in front and a ghostly shield in the back. The solid shield blocks normal bullets while the ghostly shield blocks ghostly bullets. Emmkay Ultra and Layla Ultra give you a Blue soul, which is affected by gravity. It can also dash straight upward once per jump, although the dash can be restored via cyan bullets.

The main character's actual name is Jordi. I've been using Carrie since you can't actually play through the game with the real name in the original Undertale. Carrie is the name of the very first fallen human.

The six human souls were hidden by Redil and Layla because someone was trying to steal them. Because of that, Mr. Fish isn't able to absorb them at the end of the Neutral route, leading to him freaking out and starting an underwater battle. He has more time to look while everyone is distracted at the end of the Pacifist route, so he finds them then.

The Gaster-like entity, the last living Demon, is what caused the first fallen human (Carrie) to sacrifice themself in an attempt to break the barrier with Halnin.

There's an item called the Savior Shell that saves the holder from one fatal hit. There are three of them in the underground. Layla has one that she found in the lab when she moved in, and you can get it during the Neutral or Pacifist routes right before the Emmkay Ultra fight. Nisse has one that he got from the third fallen human (after Carrie), and you get it in the True Pacifist route right after the date with Emmkay. Mr. Fish also has one that he found in the deepest parts of the Underground, and you get it toward the end of the Genocide route.

The fact that Nisse has a Savior Shell is important. It never comes up during the neutral route, but he brings it with him to fight you in the Genocide route, which is how he survives until the Unbroken Nisse fight, where he uses the Weapon and Armor he got from the third human.

Redil really is weaker than Jaydrin. That's why he uses the six human souls in the Royal Redil fight at the end of the Genocide route.

After the Jaydrin, Unbroken Nisse, and Layla Ultra bosses in the Genocide route, you get special armors. Jaydrin drops his crown, which decreases the attack power of all monsters who served Jaydrin when it's equipped. Nisse drops the Yellow Bandanna, which massively increases your defense, but also massively decreases your movement speed. Layla drops the Cyber Eyepatch, which decreases the defense of all technology-based enemies when it's equipped. Wearing it also lets you access the True Lab.

Upon judgement, Redil tells you about one of the six humans that fell after the death of the princess. If you've managed a pacifist run, he tells you about the first human, who tried to help the monsters but was eventually killed by the Rat King. If you've managed Genocide, he tells you about the third human, who was sent to kill the monsters. If you got neutral, he tells you about the second human, who started the town in Glacier Forest. If you only killed Nisse, he tells you about the fourth human, who managed to escape Nisse, but lost to Quanda. If you only killed Jaydrin, he tells you about the fifth human, who convinced Jaydrin that he was the one who was supposed to be king. If you only killed Emmkay, he tells you about the sixth human, who got Emmkay and Layla to work together to build Lava World. He never tells you about Carrie though.

After the Halnin battle, Ronin reveals that, through the strange quirks of succession to the throne, Jaydrin really is supposed to be king.

I've been playing around with the idea of a hard mode, started by talking to the Demon in the genocide route while using Jordi as your name. The final boss would probably be Carrie puppeted by the Demon.

The battle sprites themselves can't be used, but you can use these characters in text boxes and Overworld Mockups on the Demirramon website!

#another underground #undertale #undertale au

[pesterloglog]

Jasprosesprite^2, Rose Lalonde, John Egbert, Terezi Pyrope

Act 6, page 7669-7671

JASPROSESPRITE^2: So it just occurred to me!!!

ROSE: Noooo. :(

JASPROSESPRITE^2: I saw the spare green sprite and it is like the little blinking light on those Ghostbuster traps reminding us all it is an empty vessel in need of a lost soul!

JOHN: what??

JOHN: wait, no, time out!

JOHN: ridiculous cat-rose, i have stood by silently agog at your shenanigans, but i can't let that flagrant piece of misinformation go by unchallenged!

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Mrrr?

JOHN: that's not how the ghost traps work.

JOHN: the light blinks AFTER they catch a ghost!

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Oh.

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Mrrrreally?

JOHN: yes.

JOHN: i just wanted to clear that up, before you carry on with more of your silly nonsense.

JOHN: anyway, please continue.

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Thanks professor nerd I'm feeling a lot more knowledgeable about a fake thing now!

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Now about that sprite.

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Which one of you here was concerned with the resurrection of fallen friends?

JASPROSESPRITE^2: *Sniff.*

JASPROSESPRITE^2: *Sniff, sniff.*

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Was it you?? It was you wasn't it. :3

TEREZI: >:?

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Regardless you're the only one left on this lilypad with any vested interest in whatever deceased member of that particular legume exhibit gets to rejoin us.

JASPROSESPRITE^2: And if my tally is correct, that's four torsos, but only one kernel!

ROSE: Vriska said that kernel was supposed to be for our potential resurrection purposes.

ROSE: And so was yours.

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Vriska? Who's this now? Hmm no, can't says the name clinks a water bowl.

JASPROSESPRITE^2: In fact it sounds very suspiciously like the name of someone who probably scampered off leaving exactly this kind of moral dilemma to the those of us who stayed put!

JASPROSESPRITE^2: So who is it going to be, hm? :3

JASPROSESPRITE^2: A princely young wizard who wrought science through a wand?

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Or a fishy young princess who never spoke once to Lalonde?

JASPROSESPRITE^2: What about "other guy", the one thought half-dead only?

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Or the girl who likes ships! Cause they made her less lonely. ;3

JASPROSESPRITE^2: Meowsers what a mystery!!!

JASPROSESPRITE^2: But seriously that's all from me tonight folks, I've sincerely adored hogging all of your attention and you've been wonderful.

JASPROSESPRITE^2: *Trills into the night.*

TEREZI: Y34H, SH3'S JUST GONN4 BR1NG N3P3T4 B4CK 1SN'T SH3

#homestuck #jasprosesprite^2 #rose lalonde #john egbert #terezi pyrope #homestuck act 6 #page 7669 #page 7670 #page 7671 #homestuck act 6 act 6 #homestuck act 6 act 6 intermission 5

[aki-archive]

#fallen princess #Fallen Princess (Mobile) #akki no jikan #Snow White #Snow White (Fallen Princess) #Fallen Princess Sprites

[fallenparty]

Vanguard Princess

#vanguard princess #yui kutuna #haruka kutuna #lilith #luna himeki #kurumi mirumati #saki mitonoya #defeated #game over #KOed #knocked out #fainted #fallen #unconscious #sleepy #ryona #sprites

[mctherofdragons]

Piece by Piece | F.W.

“He'll never walk away. He'll never break her heart. He'll take care of things, he'll love her. Piece by piece, he restored my faith that a man can be kind and a father should be great.” // Piece by Piece, Kelly Clarkson

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Fem! Reader 

Summary: As a father, Fred is everything a man should be. 

Word Count: 1.1k

Warnings: Reader has an absent/abusive father, “daddy issues”, unplanned pregnancy, parenthood, but honestly this is dad!Fred fluff <3 

AN: I have a terrible relationship with my father and lots of trauma from that, and a close friend of mine on here does, too. We were chatting about it and how we dream that our future daughters are ‘daddy girls’. Thus, I wrote this oneshot. Honestly, it was so healing to write and gave me all sorts of emotions. I hope you enjoy, even if you can’t entirely relate. 

✧❁❁❁✧✿✿✿✧❁❁❁✧

You leaned against the kitchen island, holding a cup of warm coffee in your hands. You took slow sips, watching your husband, who was seated on the floor with your daughter.

Fred’s legs were practically touching his chest as he sat in the tiny, child-sized chair. He held a plastic teacup between his thumb and forefinger. Holding it out toward her, he raised an eyebrow. “I’ll have one sugar in my tea, miss.”

Your daughter giggled. “Daddy! You already has four sugars in there!”

It was something you had never known. You had hoped and prayed for your daughter, even before her conception, that this would be the love she knew. You longed to keep her from the ache of uncelebrated Father’s Days and broken promises. The hole left behind by your father was like an abyss. It swirled deep within you - its very being beckoning you to wonder about your worth and ability to be loved. 

But Fred put your fears to rest. When she was first born, he looked at her like the most precious thing he’d ever seen. On that cool April morning when Fred had held her for the first time, he was unable to control the tears that spilled down his happy cheeks.

“She’s beautiful. Oh, she’s ours. Hello, my little darling,” he had cooed, walking around the hospital room at St. Mungos, cradling her gently in his arms. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her tiny head, moving to adjust the pink knitted hat Molly had made her.

You had been so afraid the day you told Fred about your pregnancy. It was five years earlier, although the memory graced your mind as if it had been yesterday. You were so young - just graduated from Hogwarts and barely making it in your entry-level position at the ministry. You were living life as a fresh-faced and spritely witch with the world open to you, now suddenly faced with two blue lines on a pregnancy test and uncertainty about your options.

When you told him, you were seated with him on your couch. You had your eyes focused on the red, blinking ‘W’ on his Weasley Wizard Wheezes tie, lips trembling as you braced for his goodbye. Your father’s face was clear in your mind - his words dripping with venom rather than love. In your chest, your heart shattered at the thought of your daughter reaching for a ghost the way you had your whole life. Rather than a father, you had a phantom who had left you cold and lonely. His face was haunting. It was that face that caused you to shield yourself from love for years until Fred Weasley had used his humor and charm to create tiny cracks in your armor until it had fallen nearly completely.

All of the years of self-deprecation about your ‘daddy issues’ couldn’t protect you from the blow of this moment, sitting across from Fred, knowing you had turned out almost exactly like your mother. “I’m giving you an out, Fred. No harm, no foul. I won’t...ask for child support or anything. You can leave.”

But, no goodbye came. Rather, the freckled-faced, redheaded young man next to you cupped your face and promised to love you and your baby - forever.

“I’m not going anywhere. I love you. I already love our baby.”

For the first few months, things were far from easy. Fred worked tirelessly at the shop. He would return on Sunday nights, feet aching after a sixty-hour week. But your daughter never wanted for a single thing. Despite his tiredness, Fred would walk softly into her nursery, where he’d find you gazing over her crib. He would come next to you and look down at your daughter with you, thinking to himself that there was nothing in the world that could ever touch the love he had for the tiny human you had created through your love.

Now, little Molly was five years old. She loved unicorns and princesses. Often, Fred would humor her, allowing her to place her tiny feet onto his shoes, dancing with her around the living room. In her tiny blue dress and crown, she was a Cinderella, content to dance with her father all day if she could. She looked at Fred like he hung on the moon. But the truth was, to both you and Molly, he did.

You came and sat on the couch opposite them both now, content to sip your creamy, sweetened coffee as they had their tea party. “Mommy! I want to watch Punzel, pwease!” Molly ran over the television in her bare feet, practically jumping up and down. You laughed and nodded, allowing Fred to get up and turn on Tangled - for probably the seventh time that week alone. Molly had a bit of an issue fully pronouncing the princess’s name, but you and Fred only found it all the more endearing.

The three of you cuddled on the couch with Molly between you. You pulled the blanket from the back of the couch, spreading it across the three of you. Your daughter rested her head on Fred’s chest as she watched, laughing loudly and clapping during the songs. When the movie was in its final scene, Molly had crawled onto Fred’s lap. Cupping her tiny hands, she whispered something in his ear and he nodded.

She took off running like a bolt of tiny lightning. You looked at Fred confused. Just as fast as she had left, she returned with a tiny, black box in her hand. “Open it Mommy!”

Rapunzel was still singing on the screen about her enchanted flower as you opened it. Inside of the box, a beautiful yet simple ring was waiting for you. Your breath caught in your throat as you looked over at Fred. He was grinning from ear to ear as Molly jumped up and down, holding your hand excitedly.

“Daddy wants to marry you like Flynn marries Punzel! Will you marry Daddy, Mommy?!”

Joyful tears spilled down your cheeks as you nodded, allowing Fred to slip the ring onto your finger. Fred gave you a soft kiss on the lips. “I love you, y/n,” he whispered, staring into your eyes.

“Daddy! What about me?”

He lifted her up, making her giggle as he attacked her face in kisses. “And I love you, my little angel!” He had flipped her down onto the couch, attacking her with tickles now. Molly’s tiny and gleeful giggle filled the living room. The sound of your daughter made you cry more, but for once a father was causing you to weep happy tears. And for that, you were grateful.

#fred weasley x reader #fred weasley fanfiction #fred weasley fluff #harry potter fanfiction #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley x fem!reader

[creepercraftguy]

My thoughts and feelings on the Danganronpa S Swimsuit Designs.

Recently the designs for everyone’s swimsuit sprites in Danganronpa S were leaked on a preorder website here: https://ebten.jp/spchun/p/7015021110403

There’s a lot I have to say about each of these designs, so I figured I’d make a decently long post ranking each of them.

These are all my opinions and my thoughts and feelings may be a little biased, but please hear me out and respect my opinions. Also, sorry for low quality images, since that was the most clear cut I could make them by zooming in on the sheets.

7/10:

It’s a fairly plain design, but honestly, I think that’s quite befitting of the first games plucky protagonist. One of Makoto’s main traits is that he’s nothing remotely that special, so his swimsuit shouldn’t really be anything major. I do like however, that it’s colours replicate the brighter aspects of his original design.

6/10:

Of all the characters in the game who could have been stuck with the speedo look, I’m glad it was Taka. Unfortunately, this also means that his design, other than the very befitting whistle around his neck, isn’t anything major.

8/10:

This is a really good look for Byakuya. It’s really fitting with his personality and status and he wears it well.

5/10:

Unfortunately, Mondo’s outfit is exactly what I expected it to be. It’s unfortunate because I was hoping the game would do more, given how extra his 10th anniversary do was, but I was left a little disappointed with this one. It’s not bad though and it does work with him.

6/10:

It’s a pretty plain and simple design with no real outstanding aspects, but it really fits Leon’s character and he does well with it.

7/10:

This is honestly hilarious, because this wasn’t what I expected from Hifumi. I was expecting him to have a shirt or something, but I’m glad he doesn’t because that can be considered fat-shaming in my eyes. The Pretty Pudgy Princess image on his shorts was, for whatever reason, NOT what I was expecting though, and I think it looks great.

8/10:

I’ve had my differences with Hiro, but I have to admit that this design really does suit him and his character. I really love the little alien pattern on his shorts.

10/10:

This has got to be my favourite design in the entire selection of these characters! The main reason is because it really suits Chihiro’s character. He’s sporting both some very boy-like shorts but also a very girl-like crop top. The design doesn’t prioritize masculinity or femininity, but instead creates a well done balance of the two. This was probably the best that they could have done for Chihiro and I’m so glad he got his justice in this game.

10/10:

I feel like Sayaka is so underappreciated and so berated that we fail to recognize just how beautiful she is. I mean LOOK at this! She’s so fucking gorgeous!

10/10:

Kyoko is among, if not the top of, the characters in this that can sport a really plain and slightly bare bones design, but look absolutely beautiful while doing it. The dark swimsuit clashing with her bright hair, and also not sporting anything too outstanding, just like her original design, makes her look absolutely ravishing.

10/10:

I know it seems like I’m just dishing out 10’s at this point, but the DR1 girls are just THAT amazing looking with their designs, and Hina in particular is really good. One of the things that I love about some of these swimsuit designs is the subversion of the colors that I’m used to the characters sporting. Hina for instance is usually associated with red or blue, but here she is wearing a deep yellow bikini and my god does she look amazing in it. Also, it’s hard to see, but she does have some slight abs, which is something I wish to see on most of these girls.

9/10:

We have to talk about these two at once because they kind of have the same swimsuit with just one difference, in that Toko wears the skirt, while Genocide Jill does not. This makes sense and it’s pretty clever in design, since Toko has usually always worn long dresses/skirts in her previous designs, to cover up the tally marks Jill engraved in her legs from her kills. Jill obviously wouldn’t care about that, so she feels no need to wear the skirt, and given that Jill is slightly more outgoing and sociable than Toko, she wouldn’t have as much of a problem showing off more skin. It really does make a lot of sense and the design itself is overall very solid.

6/10:

I wouldn’t go so far as to say this is bad, but this style and colour is not what I expected or would have liked to see on Sakura. She’s still pretty, but I just think there’s more potential here.

8/10:

In a sense, this is a very clever design of swimsuit, since it’s almost as if Celeste’s original dress was turned into a bikini, and it’s incredibly fitting as a result. Still, it’s not out of any expectation.

10/10:

This is probably the most ingenious design out of every swimsuit in this game, so hear me out. One of the things Junko is the most well known for in Danganronpa’s world is she always defies expectations, most of the time in ways that leave people dissatisfied or unhappy. What could be more dissatisfying to a regular hormonal teenager (which most of the DR cast are) on a summer trip than a busty beauty arriving to the beach wearing a cheap, one-piece school swimsuit with nothing remarkable about it. It’s so clever and such a smart move on the designers part that perfectly encapsulates Junko’s character.

9/10:

I love this swimsuit design, and I think Mukuro looks wonderful in it, but I still stand by my complaint that she deserves to be her own person in this game and not disguised as Junko.

5/10:

Monokuma looks less like a lifeguard in this design and more like a McDonald’s drive thru employee. Still, I didn’t expect Monokuma to get a swimsuit at all, and this does fit his character, so whatever.

9/10:

Like Makoto, this outfit is fairly simple. Unlike Makoto however, it doesn’t really replicate the coloration of the original design and instead provides Hajime with something more vibrant and original, and I think it looks pretty good on him.

10/10:

I just in general think this is a really solid look for Nagito. It’s a nice diversion from his original style, while also keeping some of the things that made his original design unique, namely the pattern on his hoodie is transitioned over, but in a new, quite dashing colour. I also like how he and Hajime have a contrasting blue/red dynamic with their designs.

7/10:

I mean, it obviously has to be the same as Byakuya’s design, but the colours of the hoodie are inverted. It makes sense, but I do believe the original Togami does it better in this case.

4/10:

Is this REALLY the best you could give Gundham? This is such a simple design for someone with Gundham’s personality, he deserves something far more impressive. Yeah, I get that Makoto has the same thing, shorts of a single colour with his symbol on it, but that makes sense for Makoto given that he’s naturally quite bare bones, whereas Gundham is much the opposite. Honestly, this is kind of a letdown.

8/10:

Can Kazuichi just naturally pull off any vibrant colour? First, in DR2, his outfit was a vibrant yellow, and then in DR3, he had a deep blue outfit. Now he’s sporting this Neon Green and it looks so good on him. Please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks that this is a really good way of transitioning his original design while also adding some originality?

7/10:

I don’t think it’s anything great, but I like the rose patterns and the clash of the dark shirt with the bright shorts. Honestly, this is a pretty good outfit sporting Teruteru’s moniker.

6/10:

Again, I kind of expected Nekomaru to wear the speedo, and I like the fact that he kept the chain on, but overall, the outfit doesn’t have an awful lot of uniqueness.

8/10:

There’s really not an awful lot to this design, but I think white shorts and a gold chain are a real good look for Fuyuhiko. He doesn’t really need anything more than this to look super good on the beach.

7/10:

We did see this outfit in DR2, but it was a CG and not a sprite, and at least she’s not covered in blood this time. The colours and patterns are a little plain for Akane, but she still looks pretty good in this outfit.

10/10:

This swimsuit already has a CG and sprites in the original DR2, but now we get to see more of them. And just as well because this plain white swimming outfit looks wonderful on Chiaki. She’s just super adorable like this and I can’t ask for anything more.

10/10:

I have to give Sonia the score she deserves here. While I am surprised she isn’t showing off nearly as much leg skin as I thought she would, I have no complaints to this. The colour is a good colour alongside her hair and the swimsuit itself looks splendid on her.

9/10:

I never thought in a million years that Hiyoko would look good in green, but I’ve never been more happy to be wrong. I’m also glad, and I can’t speak for everyone here, that she’s wearing a two-piece and not a school swimsuit like Junko, because she deserves more than that.

10/10:

I’m so tempted to sing the Bryan Highland song but change the yellow in the lyrics to blue. Words cannot describe just how much I love this simple patterns design on my all time best girl. Mahiru looks absolutely angelic with this outfit, and I’ve basically fallen for her all over again.

8/10:

All things considered, I’m really satisfied with this outfit. We all know what Spike Chunsoft and DR’s writers like to do to Mikan, so I was very concerned that whatever swimsuit she got, it was going to turn out to be really skimpy and barely cover anything. I am glad that this is a lot more modest than I thought it would be, and I thank the creators for giving her something more normal. However, it is still a string piece that has a likely chance of coming undone, so I am expecting a few wardrobe malfunctions in the game. Other than that, my only other real complaint is that I kind of want more than just a plain white design. I think a deep purple or even a deep red would work very well on her as opposed to this.

10/10:

This is the design I expected for Ibuki, and it works really well for her, so while my expectations weren’t defied, this is still among the better designs out of the selection we have.

10/10:

We all need to take a minute to appreciate just how gorgeous Peko looks in a plain black two-piece, because this lady looks absolutely exquisite. Even the most simple designs can bring out the best in characters, and while we did see this in DR2, we never got the sprite we needed. She just looks great like this, that’s all I can say.

5/10:

Izuru has a different swimsuit to Hajime for some reason, but I guess it does make sense since a bright, vibrant swimsuit like the one Hajime has wouldn’t work with him. Hajime’s is still better in my book though.

5/10:

Usami and Monomi have always had the adult/child dynamic in their designs. For example, in the regular designs, Usami has a skirt while Monomi wears a diaper, and that dynamic carries over in these designs too, which I really appreciate. Still, the outfits themselves aren’t anything outstanding.

10/10:

Is it just me, or is Komaru ever so slightly chubby in this? It’s the first time Komaru’s midriff has ever been shown in a sprite, so it’s the first time we’ve ever seen her bare belly like this. It’s not a complaint, if anything, I’ve been wanting to see some chub on the girls. Regardless, this is another example of a plain design pulled off extraordinarily well, since the plain yellow outfit makes Komaru look delightful.

6/10:

About what I expected from Masaru. Like Nagito, I like how he carries patterns from his og design into this one, but he doesn’t really do it as well. His design is kind of basic.

8/10:

I like this transition. The outfit and hoodie has originality, but it still bases itself off Jataro’s original design and I like how they do it.

10/10:

She’s just way too cute! This design is just super adorable and Kotoko pulls it off wonderfully. She was honestly one who I expected to wear a one-piece, so showing off this much skin is surprising given her backstory. It really does fit her though, and I wouldn’t think of changing it.

5/10:

Honestly, there’s not much to this. The colour and pattern fits Nagisa, totally, but I do wish there was a little bit more than just whatever this is. Nagisa’s a much deeper character than this outfit gives him credit for.

8/10:

It’s a really simple design with nothing outstanding besides the skirt, but Monaca looks really cute wearing this, and I think that that alone is enough. Besides, Junko had a fairly basic design too, so Monaca having one isn’t out of the question.

3/10:

I’ve always believed, as much as I really don’t like him and wish he wasn’t in this game, that Kurokuma has always had one of the best designs out of all the Monokuma’s. But as much as I believe that, and as much as I love the addition of the water gun in this design, this is honestly kind of lazy. The gun and the glasses don’t count as part of the swimsuit, they’re just accessories. In summary, literally all they did was give him orange trunks.

1/10:

THIS however is somehow even worse, because this straight up is NOT a swimsuit! Shirokuma is literally just wearing a hat and a floatie. This is probably my least favourite of all the designs in this.

9/10:

I have to add here that I’m rather disappointed that based on the scans, it seems unlikely that Yuta and Taichi from UDG are getting in the game, since I believe they both deserve some spotlight that they’re now giving Hiroko. I also don’t consider myself to be attracting to older women, but I am forced to admit that like with Mikan, I did expect something worse with Hiroko’s swimsuit, and this was a pleasant subversion of my expectations because I think she looks great.

10/10:

Maybe I’m being a but biased with my scoring here, but had Shuichi not been wearing the hoodie, I would have been a bit disappointed. Also, am I the only one who thinks that this is a surprisingly good look for Shuichi given that the colours aren’t his typical dark, emo style? I never thought Shuichi could rock a white hoodie and dark blue shorts, but here I am being proved wrong.

6/10:

Honestly, I did expect this of Kaito’s outfit, and I am a little let down that this is it really. Sure, it does look good, as he has the space pattern that he usually has on the inside of his coat, but speaking of his coat, one thing that I was expecting was that he, like Shuichi or Nagito, would have a hoodie in his design that he hung loosely around his shoulders like he does in his original design. C’est la vie…

7/10:

He literally looks like a tiny sailor! Like they straight up ripped him out of a Popeye cartoon or something! It looks really funny for some reason.

9/10:

Call me crazy, but I actually seriously love the colour of Rantaro’s shorts. The pink/red rose colour is a wonderful clash with his avocado green hair, and while the design is kind of simple, Rantaro has never been known to have the most over the top appearance. He’s kind of just a casual guy, so he deserves a casual attire.

4/10:

Oh Gonta, there’s nothing wrong with your swimsuit, but is this really the most justice they could do you? It looks so…I dunno…plain?

5/10:

Where’s his white coat go? Like, I love the shorts pattern, but is this really it? This is all we get out our clown prince of lies? It’s not totally disappointing like Gundham’s was, and thank god he doesn’t have abs anymore, but even still, is this the best they could do for Kokichi?

10/10:

Fuck yes! Why put Kiyo in shorts like the rest of them when we could give him this extremely fitting wetsuit! Like, seriously, how come I didn’t think this was a good idea? This is quite literally the perfect direction you could have gone in for Kiyo especially.

9/10:

Fucking…Keebo oh my god…Why did I expect any differently?

9/10:

Kirumi, Kyoko and Peko have exactly the same reason for getting their scores, and Peko and Kyoko only slightly pull it off better. My only complaint I have with Kirumi sporting this is that she doesn’t appear to have the spider pattern that she had on her dress before, which was one of her most notable features in her original design. Maybe it is there and I just can’t see it due to low res, but I’m fairly sure that this is all you need to make Kirumi look damn sexy during summertime.

6/10:

I know for a fact that Himiko doesn’t like the ocean, so maybe there’s a reason her swimwear looks like this. I don’t hate it, but I think Himiko might look better in a one piece, and maybe I’d like a bit more context as to why it looks like this of all things.

10/10:

Maki is so attractive in this outfit. It’s the perfect shade of red, and it’s everything she deserves. Honestly, while a lot of these girls look stunning in colours that I’m not used to seeing them in, had Maki had anything else than this red, I think I would have been a little disappointed.

7/10:

Pink was not what I expected on Tenko. I was honestly expecting something similar to Ibuki, but with light blue and green instea of blue and pink, and I’m honestly a little upset we didn’t get that. On top of that, she’s showing an awful lot of skin, maybe even more than Mikan, since that swimsuit looks like it doesn’t fit her, which I didn’t expect from her.  Still, you won’t be hearing any major issues on my behalf, since I still like this design somewhat.

10/10:

Yes, yes, and more YES! I ADORE the yellow swimsuit with Tsumugi’s dark blue hair. I was expecting something plain and white like what Mikan got with Tsumugi, and I’m so glad we didn’t. Not even Team DR are willing to take their jokes that far. She looks so god damn sublime.

6/10:

I’m fairly sure that all they did for Angie’s appearance was take off her coat. I mean, she does kind of wear swimwear all the time, so I think that even though there’s no real uniqueness or originality to this one, it was the obvious direction to go in, so I have no real comment on it.

9/10:

Ok, this was a good one. I was really hoping that Miu in particular would fit her character to a tee, and if it didn’t I think I would have been rather let down. This is definitely satisfactory though, since leopard print absolutely works for her. Overall I think she looks superb.

10/10:

KAEDE PLEASE MARRY ME! She looks so fucking pulchritudinous! That’s not a word anyone knows, but that’s the extent of how enticing, foxy and sublime she looks! The sky blue is SO good on her, words can barely describe it! Kaede was one in particular who I set high expectations for, and I can gladly say that they were exceeded above and beyond!

#danganronpa survivor #danganronpa #danganronpa 1 #dr1 #danganronpa 2 #dr2 #danganronpa another episode #danganronpa ultra despair girls #drudg #drae #danganronpa v3 #drv3 #danganronpa s: ultimate summer camp #danganronpa s #drs

[storyofmychoices]

Into the Woods

[Mal Volari x Daenarya Masterlist]

Pairing: Mal Volari, x Daenarya (F!Human!MC) Book: Blades of Light and Shadow Setting: Beginning of Chapter 7 (deadwood forest) Word Count: approx 900 Warning: wound care (minor mention of blood, no graphic descriptions) Synopsis: Daenarya and Mal escape the Pythonas Vines but not completely unscathed. (This is a short scene that would be between the scene with the Vines in Chapter 7 and the next scene with Nia)

Prompts: @choicesjanuarychallenge2021 “travel”; @wackydrabbles: “Are you bleeding?” 

☆  ☆  ☆  ☆  ☆   ☆   ☆

A subtle, satisfied smirk pulled at her lips as the Pythonas Vines retreated. Her glance settled on Mal. The once confident Rogue, who had intended to come to her rescue, found himself also ensnared in the vicious vines. It was only Daenarya’s quick thinking and knowledge of such plants that saved them from almost certain death.  

Mal breathed deeply as the thorned vines released their grasp on his chest. He was careful not to move too much or risk its inevitable return.

The pair gazed at each other in silence, watching as the once writhing purple vines slowly fell away. Despite being freed, they winced, as thorn by thorn, the vine’s painful grip on their flesh left.

“Look at that, the Kit was right.” Mal chuckled in haughty amusement. “There’s a first for everything, I suppose.”

“I’m always right.” Daenarya winked, tossing her hair to the side as she moved carefully away from the treacherous plant. “The sooner you learn that, the better, Mal Volari.”

He raised a questioning brow; his lips tugged up in one corner. 

“Let’s go, Mr. Magnificent. Our friends will be worrying about us.” Daenarya waltzed past him, sauntering down the path they were traveling on. 

“They’re not my friends,” Mal complained. “I’m doing this for you…I mean not just for you, actually not at all; it’s for the fame and glory of defeating the Shadow Court. And the reward.” 

“If you say so.” Daenarya’s smirk returned. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were going soft on us.” 

“Never.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Kit.” The determination in his voice pulled her attention.

“What is it?”

“Are you bleeding?”

“What? Probably, those thorns were all over the both of us, but they’re just scratches.” She turned to look over herself, noting a patch of her dress in the back that had darkened with more than a little blood. “Oh, I guess so. I don’t feel it, though.”

“You don’t have to prove your bravery to me,” Mal reassured her. “Let me look at it.”

“It’s fine. Really.”

“Kit.” His voice was firm as he placed a steady hand on her arm. “Let me look. You don’t want it to get infected, trust me.”

“Fine.” She threw up her hands in defeat. You have until I count to 100, then I’m leaving.”

A look of confusion flashed on his face.

“1, 2, 3.”

Mal groaned in reply. This was why he didn’t like working with partners. And yet, somehow, even with the amount she challenged him, he still enjoyed her company. “Danearya, you honestly might be the death of me.” 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Why am I not surprised by that?” Mal gestured to a fallen branch off the path, hoping to find a moment of respite from the dangers of the forest. “Sit.” 

Daenarya pulled her long, brown hair to the side of her shoulder, tilting her head to allow him better access to the wound.

His nimble fingers loosened the laces on her dress, allowing him to pull the fabric aside. 

“How does it look?” Daenarya questioned as she heard Mal rummage through his bag. 

“It’s deep but, it shouldn’t leave a scar. You’ll be fine.”

“Oh, so I was right again?” Daenarya leaned back to nudge him. “What was it that I said earlier… oh yes, I’m always right.” 

He growled in annoyance as he dripped some water on a piece of cloth. “Hold still.”

Slowly, he pressed the wet cloth to her skin. The cool temperature and pressure to the open wound caused her to flinch, but his steady hand on her shoulder held her close. “I’ve got you.”

After cleaning the opening, he used the cloth to wash around the area. His movements were gentle, much to Daenarya’s surprise. Mal retrieved the levenfruit salve the two of them had collected on their first night together, near the Temple of Ellara. His callused fingers glided over her, painting a thin layer of the mixture on her skin. 

Daenaraya’s breathing shifted slowly. Her head fell further to the side, and her shoulders dropped as she relaxed beneath his attentive and tender touch. 

The Rogue retrieved a small patch of clean linen from his pack and pressed it against the wound, protecting the site from any contaminants. His fingers hovered momentarily above her exposed flesh as her dress pooled lower. Shaking his head, his fingers recoiled, remembering himself once more. “You're good.”

“Mal.” She turned around, finding him still closer than she had anticipated. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize—”

“Didn’t realize what?” He questioned with a raise of his brow. The Adventurer leaned forward; their faces now inches apart. 

“Nothing.” Her gaze dropped, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” His warm breath washed over her.

“We should go.” 

“We should go,” he repeated, nodding in agreement.

Despite their quiet words, whispered between them, neither moved. Both lost in the intimacy of the moment, each waited for the other to make the first move. 

Daenarya cleared her throat, fighting the impulse to lean forward and close the gap between them. “...100... Time’s up.” 

She pulled back, breaking the spell they had both been under. She relaced her dress as Mal cleaned up his supplies. 

Once more, the pair walked down the path they traveled on hoping to catch up with the other half of their crew. The silence between them, as they traveled down the path, spoke more than words ever could. 

☆  ☆  ☆  ☆  ☆   ☆   ☆

Perma tags: @lilyoffandoms ; @raleighcarrera ; @mfackenthal ; @the-soot-sprite ; @virtuallytakenby ; @zeniamiii ; @whimsicallywayward15; ; @xjustin-ethansgirliex ; @caseyvalentineramsey; @trappedinfanfiction; @anotherbeingsworld ;  @tyrils-star ; @nikki-2406

Blades Tags: @princess-geek​​​​​​​​​ ; @brightpinkpeppercorn​​​ ; @missameliep​​​ ; @mvalentine​​​; @walkerswhiskeygirl​​​ ; @nyastarlight​​​ ; @edgiestwinter

#Mal Volari #Mal Volari x MC #blades of light and shadow #blades #bolas #fan fiction #daenarya #mal x mc #Mal x Daenarya

[ao719]

Split

Split - Nothing Is As It Seems (Chapter 7)

Characters belong to Pixelberry

Title inspiration: Nothing is as it Seems - Hidden Citizens

Summary: A change in the King’s behavior becomes the catalyst to revealing secrets buried beneath the surface.

Warning: This series will contain sensitive and NSFW material. If you read, you acknowledge you are 18+.

Catch Up Here

A/N: *🍋* Huge thanks to @dcbbw for prereading!

Tags: @bobasheebaby​ @leelee10898​ @speedyoperarascalparty​ @hopefulmoonobject​ @zaffrenotes​ @cocomaxley​ @gardeningourmet​ @blackcoffee85​ @gibbles82​ @annekebbphotography​ @sweetest-marbear​ @wannabemc2​ @indiacater​ @liamxs-world​ @smalltalk88​ @damienswhore​ @classylady1234​ @kazdog75-blog​ @lodberg​ @umccall71​ @texaskitten30​ @thequeenofcronuts​ @romanticatheart-posts​ @jared2612​ @custaroonie​ @drakesensworld​ @perfectprofessorherokid​ @blznbaby​ @iplaydrake​ @be-still-my-aching-heart​ @moneyfordiamonds​ @the-soot-sprite​ @ladyangel70​ @lynne1993​ @kate-mckenzie​ @emichelle​ @zilch3​ @princess-andromeda-nazario​ @mfackenthal​ @dcbbw​ @burnsoslow​ @bbrandy2002​ @sirbeepsalot​ @emceesynonymroll​ @debramcg1106​ @gnatbrain​ @thecordoniandiaries​ @janezillow​ @caroldxnvxrs​ @silverofdreams​

Liam’s fingers were laced through Alexandria’s, pinning her hands against the pillow as his lips slowly trailed up her neck before meeting hers. The kiss was slow and deep, their tongues languidly curling together. His body was nestled between her legs which were wrapped around him. She could feel him still pulsing inside her; he could feel her still trembling beneath him as they caught their breath.

Liam drew back from the kiss, tugging at her bottom lip. “We have work to do, my king,” Alexandria reminded him

“That we do,” he smirked.

“I mean actual work, Liam,” she giggled.

“This is considered work,” he murmured against her lips before kissing her again. “It’s for the good of the country we spend as much time as possible trying to make an heir.”

Alexandria laughed as he slowly kissed his way down her chest, still holding her hands in place. “I think that you’re reaching a little bit with that one.”

“It’s in the fine print,” he whispered before his tongue swirled around her nipple. She gasped as she arched into his mouth, her eyes fluttering shut.

She could feel him swell inside her again at the sound she made. “You just … and you’re already ...” Alexandria smiled and bit her lip as Liam raised his head to look at her with a smirk. He began to rock his hips and swallowed her moan as his mouth covered hers.

****

After bathing and saying goodbye to his wife, who was still showering, Liam emerged from their shared bedroom. He was ready for his day full of meetings and phone calls, and preparing for his trip to Italy. At least I started it my morning off right, he smiled to himself as he poured a cup of coffee.

Liam walked out of the door, seeing Bastien waiting outside to escort him to his study. “Good morning, sir,” he bowed.

“Good morning, Bastien,” Liam smiled.

“You only have 5 minutes until your meeting with the Duke of Ramsford.”

“Yes, I was ... running late this morning,” he smirked, thinking back to his early morning with Alexandria. “Do we have any further details regarding the investigation? I’m certain, as he’s head of the council, that’s why he called the meeting.”

“No, sir. We haven’t found anything else that would be considered solid proof regarding Countess Madeleine. Not yet anyway. My men are still looking. More than likely, the Duke is going to ask the same thing, and he’ll bring up the video footage that Her Majesty, Drake, and Duchess Olivia obtained.”

“We can only hold her for so long without concrete evidence, Bastien. There has to be something. I don’t want her walking away from this.”

“I assure you, we’re working on it diligently, sir.”

****

Alexandria walked towards her study later that morning with a mug of coffee in her hand and a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. She thought back to that morning and how Liam had awakened her, shuddering at the memory. She was happy that her Liam was back.

It had been a week since Alexandria, Drake, and Olivia had caught Madeleine with GHB in her possession while alone with Liam in his study, and the King sent her to the cells. The drinks she poured for Liam and herself, as well as the bottles of liquor from his bar cart, had all been tested for any traces of the drug. They all came back negative. Because their video footage was insufficient, the investigation was still open. The camera angle didn’t allow them to see Madeleine actually attempting to put the drug into Liam’s drink, regardless of it being in her hand when they caught her. The Royal Council was now involved as the video alone wasn’t concrete enough to bring forth any charges. There was no evidence she had previously used it on the King, nor proof she intended to in the future.

Liam continued to have no episodes or further incidents. He was back to his old self: the loving, caring, attentive, and playful man that she had fallen in love with and married. But Alexandria still found herself concerned. If Madeleine had in fact been drugging Liam, no one knew how long it had been going on, or how often she had been doing it. Alexandria was worried about any long term effects it could potentially have on him.

Alexandria entered her study, headed towards her desk. “Finally!” Alexandria whipped around to see Olivia. “I’ve been waiting for you for an hour. You’re usually here by now.”

“I was … running a little behind this morning.” Alexandria tried hiding the smile but failed.

Olivia rolled her eyes, knowing by that smile what she meant. “Please, spare me any further details.”

Alexandria laughed before sipping her coffee, giving a slight shrug of her shoulders. “Alright … let’s call him.” She sat in her chair as Olivia took the seat across from her and grabbed her phone, dialing the number.

It rang a few times before he finally answered. “Hello, Your Majesty.”

“Hello, Dr. Patel, how are you?”

“I’m well, ma’am, thank you. How are you and His Majesty?”

“We’re good, thank you.”

“How has King Liam been?”

“He’s been great, actually. No incidents.”

“That’s great to hear. What can I do for you, ma’am?”

“I had a question I wanted to ask you and I’m trusting that this conversation will stay private and confidential.”

“Of course, ma’am.”

It was quiet for a moment as Alexandria chose her words. Discretion was paramount on both sides of the conversation. She looked at Olivia who gave her an encouraging nod. “Are there longterm effects of ingesting the drug GHB? Physically and, or mentally?”

The doctor stayed silent for a long moment. “There are a few different variables that would depend on, ma’am. How long they had been taking it. How often they had been taking it. The amount they were taking. GHB can be a very dangerous drug. The body can experience withdrawal symptoms as with any drug if they have been taking it on a regular basis. As far as long term effects … yes, there are some, but that doesn’t necessarily mean one will have them.”

Alexandria met Olivia’s gaze once again, her eyes filled with worry. “What are they ... the long term effects?”

“There is a possibility that someone could have some cognitive changes.”

“Cognitive changes?” Alexandria asked.

“Cognitive changes can range from a number of things such as memory, attention and concentration, impaired judgment. The person could also lash out angrily over simple things or just tend to seem a little on edge. I’m not saying that could definitely happen, it is rare, but it is a possibility. And sometimes certain changes can mimic the effects of the drug while someone is under the influence of it. So for example, someone under the influence of GHB can be aggressive and lash out at times, they can experience headaches, confusion, or exhaustion. They can experience all of the same symptoms while off the drug as well, but they’re usually less intense.”

Alexandria let out a breath as her mind swirled. “Ok. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.”

“You’re welcome, ma’am. Have a good rest of your day.”

Alexandria hung up the phone and she and Olivia stared at one another. “Well, he said that it’s rare. So I wouldn’t be worried unless you see signs of it. You said he’s been completely fine.” Alexandria nodded. “Has Bastien and the King’s guard found anything else on Madeleine?”

“No … not that I’m aware of.” Alexandria noticed that look in Olivia’s eyes. “Why?”

“I’m not sure … but I don’t know if I believe that Madeleine was smart enough to do this alone. I mean … ok, she’s smart. But this … something feels off. I just can’t understand what she would gain for herself by doing this, and it’s making me question whether there’s another hand involved.”

“But who? And why?”

“That’s what we need to figure out. The council isn’t relying on just the video footage. And Madeleine isn’t talking. So the only thing we have is that she had it in her possession, which proves absolutely nothing.”

****

That night Liam walked the corridors back to his quarters. He let out a breath as he loosened his tie, thankful the day was finally over. His meeting with Bertrand hadn’t really gone the way he had hoped it would. The Royal Council needed more evidence to go after Madeleine. If Bastien and his men didn’t find something, and soon, she was going to walk.

Liam was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that she had been putting something into his drinks. He just couldn’t understand the why. Liam and Alexandria had talked about it, and she had brought up Madeleine’s incessant nagging about the alliance offers, more so the one pertaining to Auvernal. Alexandria questioned whether or not that had anything to do with it, but Liam didn’t think so. This began on the Unity Tour, long before any alliance offers were brought to his attention. It didn’t make any sense.

Nothing made sense.

Bastien had attempted to question Madeleine on more than a few occasions, but she wasn’t speaking. She refused to answer any questions or even offer some form of an explanation, truth or lie, as to why she had the GHB in her possession. She was giving them nothing. It didn’t come as a surprise, however. Liam wasn’t expecting her to just roll over and admit her wrongdoings.

It just left him with more questions than answers, and that he didn’t like.

Liam was thankful that he now had answers to his behaviors and the reasons behind his headaches, blackouts, and confusion. He felt back to his old self. He and Alexandria were back to where they both needed and wanted to be in their marriage. He had spoken with Drake again, continuing to apologize for the things that he said to him that night; things that he didn’t remember saying. He was both sorry and appalled. Drake told him not to worry about it, that he wasn’t in control of himself at the time. It was now water under the bridge.

Liam entered the quarters, stepping into the living area. He could hear Alexandria in the kitchen, following the sound of her humming as he smiled. “Hello, love.”

Alexandria turned from the stove where she was making dinner and smiled. “Hey, you. How was your day?”

Liam stepped up to her and leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “It was good. I had a bit of a late start,” he smirked.

“Oh? Me too,” she chuckled as she turned back to the stove.

“That smells good,” Liam said as he wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

“Chicken Caprese pasta with sundried tomatoes,” she replied. She put some on a fork and lifted it to Liam’s lips, feeding it to him.

Liam closed his eyes and hummed in approval. “Tastes good too.”

****

After dinner, Alexandria sat on the bed in their room, talking to Liam while he packed for his trip to Italy. “Bertrand said that the video wasn’t enough and if Bastien and the guards aren’t able to find anything soon, they have no choice but to let her go. And Godfrey has been up in arms about her being held, harassing the other council members.”

“Of course he has,” Alexandria replied as she rolled her eyes. “And she’s still not talking?” Liam shook his head as he placed a few items of clothing in his bag. “Figures …” Alexandria ran her fingers through her hair as she let out a breath.

“They’ll find something, love.”

“And if they don’t?”

“Even if she does get out, once they find something, they can bring her back in.”

“But I don’t want her getting out, Liam. That gives her the opportunity to run, or worse, try something else. And I still don’t understand what the hell she’s gaining from this …”

Liam moved his half packed suitcase to the floor and stood in front of Alexandria who was still seated on the bed. “Let’s not worry about it right now. I leave tomorrow morning and I have plans on how to spend our night, and they do not include talking about this.”

“Oh? What do they include?” Alexandria’s brow arched as she smiled. Liam smirked before capturing her lips in his and guiding her back onto the mattress.

*******

Alexandria stirred in the bed feeling a warm hand brush across her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw Liam smiling down at her. “Good morning, my love.”

She smiled but it faltered. “You’re leaving me now, aren’t you?”

Liam chuckled as he leaned down kissing her forehead. “I’ll be back before you know it. I’ve already made your coffee and breakfast.”

“You’re so good to me,” she smiled. “Let me know when you get there so I know that you’ve arrived safely.”

“Always,” Liam smiled.

“And tell Francesco I said hello.”

“I will.” Liam leaned down kissing her softly. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Liam stood from the bed and grabbed his suitcase, disappearing into the hallway a moment later. It wasn’t as though this was his first trip away, but Alexandria found herself with this unexplainably odd and uneasy feeling. Perhaps it was because it was his first trip away since everything happened. She shrugged it off and sat up in the bed, running her fingers through her tousled hair.

Alexandria walked out to the kitchen where her breakfast was waiting for her. She scanned the newspaper while she ate and drank her coffee. She checked the time; she was supposed to meet Olivia in her study in an hour. She headed back to her bedroom to shower and get ready for her day.

Alexandria stood in the shower letting the hot water run down her body as the room filled with steam. Her eyes were closed as she rolled her neck side to side, letting the warmth ease her muscles.

She washed and rinsed her hair before working the conditioner through it. While that set, she turned and let the water run over the front of her body before grabbing her loofah and pouring a generous amount of her rose scented body wash onto it. She ran the sponge along her body: her arms, her neck, her chest, then her stomach.

As she washed she felt a pair of hands settle on her hips. She gasped and whipped her head back over her shoulder to see those blue eyes and that smirk. “Liam?” She turned to face him, his bare body on full display. “What are you doing here? I thought you left for Italy already?”

“It seems the pilot was a tad forgetful. He wasn’t there when we arrived and needed about an hour. I thought I’d come back to spend the time with you before we departed instead of waiting on the jet. And lucky me ... look where I found you.” He smirked before he leaned down covering her mouth with his, slipping his tongue past her lips to caress hers.

Alexandria wasn’t sure what had gotten into him lately, but she wasn’t going to complain.

He backed Alexandria against the granite wall, pushing his knee between her thighs to part them. His hand slid down over her chest, circling his thumb around her peaked bud as he cupped the side of her breast. He dipped his mouth down and took her nipple between his lips, sucking and swirling his tongue, and she let out a sharp breath. His hand traveled down over her stomach and across her hip bone before sliding his fingers through her slick lips, wet from both the water and her essence.

Alexandria’s eyes fluttered shut as he worked his fingers against her and his mouth trailed down her neck, biting and sucking her sensitive skin to mark her before placing soft kisses over the welted flesh. Then he slid two fingers inside her and she gasped as she arched into his hand. “Yes, Liam,” she whimpered.

He drew back to look in her eyes, arching his brow. “Who?”

“Liam,” Alexandria mewled as he slid his fingers in and out of her, but then he paused his movements.

“No, my love. Not Liam.”

Alexandria opened her eyes and looked at him, biting her lip through a smirk before her mouth fell open as he began moving his fingers again, curling them inside her. “Yes, my king,” she moaned.

She watched his eyes darken to a stormy ocean blue. “Good girl,” he growled before he crashed his lips against hers.

Alexandria arched further into his hand, riding his fingers as the water cascaded down over them. His lips moved back to her neck as he brought her to the edge. “I’m so close,” she moaned.

At her words, he drew his fingers out of her and her eyes flew open as she whimpered from the loss. “You’re going to come with me inside you.” He anchored his one foot in front of hers so it didn’t slip and lifted her other leg to his waist as he stroked his hard cock. Her body quivered when he slid the tip against her and lined himself up. With a powerful thrust he drove into her, his eyes rolling back with a deep groan, feeling her stretch around him. He slowly slid out and plunged himself back inside, setting a rough and steady pace. “Fuck, you feel incredible.” He slid his hand to the small of her back pulling her to meet each thrust.

Alexandria rolled her hips against him, feeling him stroke that spot deep inside her as her nails dug into his shoulders. “Liam, don’t stop!” she moaned.

“I’m your king,” he growled as he drove himself in harder and deeper. “Say it!”

“My king!” Alexandria cried out as she fell over the edge, pleasure wracking her body as she shuddered. His thrusts became more erratic until meeting his own release, spilling himself inside her.

He dropped his head on her shoulder as they caught their breath, the water running down over his muscles back. He lifted his head and looked at her as her fingers ran through his wet hair. He leaned down and captured her lips in a deep kiss.

“That was …” Alexandria trailed off, still catching her breath as she stared into his eyes. Unexpected.

He smiled wolfishly as he stared at her. “Perfect.” He stepped back and pulled Alexandria with him, letting the spray from the water run over her. “I really should go now before I’m the one who’s late. I’ll see you very soon, my Queen.” He leaned in and kissed her once more before stepping out of the shower.

Alexandria was left in somewhat of a stupor for a moment. She snapped out of it and smiled, shaking her head as she finished her shower.

*******

A few days into Liam’s trip to Italy, Alexandria sat at her desk in her study, finishing up some work after a day full of meetings, some she was attending on the King’s behalf.

She heard a knock on her door and glanced up to see Drake leaning against the doorframe. “Hey,” she smiled.

“What are you doing still working?”

“I had a few extra things on my plate today, covering for Liam,” she chuckled.

“Want some company for dinner?”

“Sure,” she nodded. “Let me just finish up this last bit of paperwork. If you want, call down to the kitchen and order whatever. It should be ready by the time I’m done.” Drake nodded and pulled out his phone, calling down and asking them to whip up a couple of burgers. Alexandria smirked and shook her head at his typical order. “Want some whiskey to go with that meat?” she snorted.

Drake gave her a mocking look and flipped her off as he hung up the phone and cracked a smile. “How’s Liam’s trip going?”

“Good! The tax incentive talks with Francesco seem to be going the way he wants them to.” Alexandria was interrupted when her cell phone rang. She glanced down at the screen and smiled. “Speak of the devil.” She answered, putting it on speaker. “Hello.”

“Hi, my love. How was your day?”

“It was busy, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Drake’s here now, we’re going to grab some dinner once I finish with this paperwork.”

“Hey, Li,” Drake called from the other side of the room.

“Hello,” he answered back. “How did the meeting with Neville go today?”

“Great for me, for him … not so much,” she chuckled. “I told him he wasn’t getting any additional funds.”

“Did he throw a fit?”

“No, but I’m sure you’ll hear from him once you return.”

“It won’t get him anywhere. I will uphold my Queen’s decision,” he chuckled.

“How did the talks with Francesco go today?” Alexandria asked.

“Very well, actually. I’m close to getting him to agree to my terms and not change anything in the process. Just need to keep him happy over the next few days,” he chuckled.

“That sounds promising,” she smiled.

“I’m getting ready to go meet him for dinner and drinks now.”

Alexandria looked up at the same time Drake turned, their eyes meeting. “Drinks?”

“Yes, just a few.”

“Liam … you haven’t had anything to drink in a while …”

“I had a couple last night with him, and the night before and I was fine, Alex. You talked to me afterward both times. We know what was causing everything. It wasn’t the actual alcohol, remember?”

Alexandria’s eyes were still on Drake’s, feeling a little uneasy. “Just … just don’t over-do it … ok?”

“I won’t, my love, I promise. Just a couple over conversation. I need to finish getting ready, but I’ll call you later when I get back.”

“Ok …”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Alexandria let out a breath as she ended the call, staring down at the now black screen. Drake noticed her expression. “Don’t worry … he’ll be alright.” Alexandria looked back up at him again. “He’s right, it wasn’t the alcohol, it was what was being put in the alcohol. And he said you talked to him the last couple of nights after he had a few and he was fine?”

“I couldn’t even tell,” Alexandria replied.

“See? So I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Bastien is going to be with him.” Alexandria gave Drake a look and he bit back a laugh at knowing why. “I’m not going there. Come on, let’s go eat.”

Alexandria gathered up the papers on her desk and put them away, all while her mind was on Liam. She already had this oddly unsettling feeling about this trip. Although, once she had heard from him upon his arrival, she felt better. But now, knowing that he was dabbling in a few drinks, it made her nervous. You’re worrying for no reason, she tried convincing herself. She needed to remind herself that the threat was currently locked away in the palace cells.

*******

A couple of days later, Alexandria sat in the royal quarters the evening before Liam was to arrive back from his trip. She had spoken to him the night before while he was getting ready to go celebrate with Francesco as they had come to agreement on the tax incentive deal. She hadn’t heard from him since.

Alexandria knew that Liam was finalizing everything with Francesco that day and would be busy while they went over the terms of their agreement and signed the deal. But he hadn’t called her that morning, nor that afternoon. She had tried calling a few times and sent a couple of messages for him to call her when he got the chance, but she received no answer. It was well past dinner time now, and she still had yet to hear from him.

Alexandria glanced at the clock on the wall above the fireplace, her brows creasing. Liam should have called by now. She could feel that uneasy feeling starting to rise inside her again, still unable to explain exactly why she was feeling that way. She reached over and grabbed her phone, dialing his number again. Again, there was no answer.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Alexandria called Bastien. “Good evening, Your Majesty. Is everything alright?”

“Hello, Bastien. Is Liam in his room?”

“Yes, ma’am. He arrived back from dinner a couple of hours ago and has been in there since.”

“I’ve been trying to reach him all day, he’s not answering, but I haven’t heard from him. Could you go check on him please?”

“Of course, ma’am. One moment.” Bastien exited his room which was situated across the hall from Liam’s. He raised his hand to knock on the door but paused when he heard a thudding sound coming from the other side. “Ma’am ... let me call you right back.”

The tone Bastien spoke in caused Alexandria to become slightly nervous. “No! You’ll keep me on the phone. Slip it into your pocket if you need, but do not hang up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bastien did as he was told and slid his phone into the pocket of his suit jacket. He knocked on the King’s door. There was no answer. He knocked again, a little harder. Just as he was about to knock again, the door opened and Bastien looked at Liam, his brows furrowing at his King’s appearance. “Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, fine, why?”

Bastien continued to stare at Liam, who for some reason was seemingly out of breath with sweat on his forehead and and neck. “You seem … a tad out of sorts.”

“No, I fell asleep. I woke up in a cold sweat when I heard you knock. I must have had a bad dream or something,” he waved his hand dismissively. As Bastien continued to stare at him, Liam cleared his throat. “Was there something that you needed?”

Bastien slipped his hand in his pocket, momentarily forgetting the Alexandria was still waiting. “The Queen, sir, she called me. I have her on the line. She’s been trying to reach you and was unable to do so, so she asked me to check on you.”

“Tell her I’ll call her in a few moments.” Bastien barely gave a nod before Liam stepped back inside his room and shut the door.

Bastien raised the phone to his ear as he turned and walked back into his own room. “Ma’am?”

“What’s wrong? Why did you say he seemed out of sorts?”

“He was slightly sweaty and seemed a little out of breath when he answered the door. But he said he was fine and that he will call you in a few moments.”

Alexandria’s brows knitted. “Ok. Thank you, Bastien. Uh … just keep an eye out on him?”

“I will, ma’am. I’ll get him back to you safely.”

“Thank you.”

Alexandria hung up, that uneasy feeling rising slightly higher. Just hearing Liam in the background on the call with Bastien, he seemed off to her, and she wasn’t even with him. And it still didn’t explain why he hadn’t reached out to her all day.

A short time later, longer than she would have assumed it would have taken him to call, Alexandria’s phone rang and she glanced down seeing Liam’s name flash across the screen. “Hello?”

“Hello, my queen.”

“Hi … I’ve been trying to reach you all day. Is everything ok?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I was busy all day with the final meetings with Francesco and then we went to dinner after to celebrate one final time. I got back to the hotel and I fell asleep.”

“Oh. Is everything alright? Bastien said you seemed a little disheveled when you answered the door …”

“I’m fine,” he replied quickly. “I need to go though. I still need to finish packing and then get some sleep, the jet is leaving early in the morning.”

Alexandria furrowed her brows. It wasn’t like Liam to rush her off the phone, but he was doing it now. “Oh … ok. I, uh … I will see you tomorrow then, when you return.”

“Yes you will. And I’m looking forward to it.”

#trr #choices trr #the royal romance #choices the royal romance #trr liam #king liam #choices liam #trr king liam #choices king liam #liam x mc #trr liam x mc #choices liam x mc #king liam x mc #trr king liam x mc #choices king liam x mc #trr fanfic #trr fan fic #choices trr fanfic #trr fanfiction #ns*w #ns*fw #lemon

[angelbaugh-writes]

There’s Something You Should Know (1/2) {Aaron Hotchner x Fem! Reader}

Summary: After a one-night stand with the BAU’s unit chief, Y/N believe that she will never have to see him again. Her plan to avoid even more heart break crumbles when they cross paths once more and Hotch sees her with a kid.

Warnings: some cursing, I think?

Author’s Note: This is going to be a two-parter! I hope you guys enjoy this. I’ve worked pretty hard the past couple days. The second part should be out later this week. Thank you so so much for reading! Xox Angel Baugh

    The first time you met Aaron Hotchner was on a case a little over four years ago. Having the BAU come to your precinct to assist with a series of murders was not something you expected to ever experience. It came as a shock when you had three killings in a month. The most you'd had to deal with was a calm robbery or domestic abuse situation. Luckily for your coworkers and you, the group of FBI agents was quick to catch the man terrorizing your city. The most memorable part of the case was not the bloody crime scenes you weren't yet accustomed to, but the attractive unit chief you worked alongside for six days.     Fresh out of a divorce, Aaron was eager to get to know you during the week he spent next to you. Lingering glances and subtle grazes caused rising tension to grow between the two of you. It became a waiting game. What happened in the hotel room once the unsub was arrested almost seemed inevitable. Shared kisses and his heavenly, but oh so sinful, touch left you dazed. The dream ended abruptly when you woke up to an empty room. No sign of him. No note. Naked and alone, you felt humiliated. The man didn't have the decency to say good-bye. He used you for a quick fuck, and that was the end of it. ***     The last thing you wanted to do was call in help from the bureau. A copycat had started killings similar to the ones nearly half a decade ago. Your team tried to find the person responsible for the deaths using the same strategies as before. Nothing you did got you any closer to catching them. With a heavy heart, you send an email with the attached files to the last person you ever wanted to see again. Nausea filled you when you got a response back saying the group will be arriving in a few hours to assist.     A phone call from the babysitter was the last thing you needed to receive. She had a family emergency and was on her way to drop off your daughter. Panic was all you felt. God was playing you. You were sure of it. There was no time to find a new sitter so late. Aria had come to work with you before, but that was when you weren't trying to catch a murderer. The secretary, Julie, would always help out on those days by spending time with the spritely four-year-old while you finished up pertinent paperwork. But she had been out with the flu for the past couple of days. You quickly cleared your office of anything grisly or sharp. After child-proofing to the best of your ability, you walked to the front of the building to meet your daughter.     "Hey, baby! Mommy has a really busy day today, and Miss Julie isn't here today. Would you be okay sitting in my office?" you spoke softly as you led her to the room.     "Okay!"     "Thank you, Aria. Maybe for my lunch break, we can go to the park down the road."     The toddler's face lit up, "Oh! Yes yes yes!"     You sat with her in the office, watching her color a picture of a unicorn carelessly. A small smile rested on your face. An hour had already passed when one of your officers showed up at your door.     "They're here, Y/N." You nodded, giving Aria a kiss on the head before exiting. Three nicely dressed agents stood just a few feet away. Straightening your outfit, you made your way towards them.     JJ was the first to greet you, giving a tight hug. Rossi kissed your cheek. Aaron gave you a curt nod. He hadn't changed much since you saw him last. The bags under his eyes gave away how tired he was. You'd heard about the death of his ex-wife. You wanted to send your condolences but felt that it was inappropriate to do so. His gaze shifted to your office, spotting the little girl perched in your big chair.     "We have the big meeting room set up for you guys. Feel free to ask for more supplies or help. My team is more than willing to help with anything you need," you spoke steadily. "I'll be all over the place today because something has come up last minute, but I'll be able to give you guys my all tomorrow." Rossi thanked you before pushing Aaron down the hall.     "She looks just like him," JJ said quietly. You choked on air at the statement. She was right. Aria had long, black hair and warm, brown eyes. She had your nose and cheeks, but her smile was a carbon copy of his. There was no denying that he was the father. Anybody would be able to see through the lie.     You turned to the blonde next to you, "Do you want to meet her?" An enthusiastic nod was what you got in response. Grinning, you strolled into your office. "Aria?" The little girl's head raised at her name being called. "This is JJ. We worked together just before you were born."     "Hi!" she greeted excitedly, going back to her new coloring page quickly. Cinderella was concealed underneath a mess of pinks and yellows.     "Hey," JJ spoke kindly, "You like princesses, too? I have a little boy that likes superheroes."     "Superheroes are cool, but princesses wear pretty dresses and shiny," your daughter said matter-of-factly.     "Baby? Mommy has to go work for a little bit. Will you be okay in here?" you asked nervously. Leaving her alone made you feel uneasy.     "I could watch her why you talk with Hotch," JJ offered.     You sighed, "Really? Thank you so much."     The walk to where the two agents would be was nerve-wracking. You didn't want to see Aaron. Knowing him, he'd already profiled you and your kid. There was no way he hadn't put two and two together. The talk that you would have to have with him was the last thing you wanted to do. Maybe you should just quit and move out of state. Knocking softly, you opened the door     "I brought some of the files from the case four years ago." The two men turned to you.     "Perfect! Is the coffee still down the hall to the left? I need some caffeine," Rossi continued to speak as he left. You mumbled a quiet 'bastard' under your breath. You turned to the tall man, unable to form any words,     He took a deep breath, "Y/N, you should know that I'm sorry about leaving that morning. I was scared and ran away instead of accepting my feelings. I want to make it up to you while I'm in town." You were thrown back by his bluntness. Sure, he was always very forward with his feelings, but you expected a simple hello first.     "Aaron," you sighed, "I'd love to talk about it. My hands are full, though."     "Oh, right. How old is she?" he asked even though he knew the answer.     "She's uh...just about to turn four in- in a couple of months," you stumbled over your words a bit as you answered. There was no use in hiding the information from an intelligent profiler.     He let out a shaky breath as your words settled in. You watched his expression change from confusion to shock.    "Is she-"     You cut him off, "Yes. I understand if you don't want to be a part of this. It's an unorthodox arrangement, I know. We've been able to get this far."     His heart broke at your words. If he'd known, he would have... Well, he didn't know what he would have done if he found out. He would have been mourning the death of his ex-wife around the time you'd given birth. There was no way he would have been in a healthy enough mental state to help you and your daughter- and his daughter. Aaron Hotchner was the father of two kids.     "Why didn't you tell me?"     "After days spent together, you left as soon as you made a move. Was I supposed to think that you would be willing to help raise a kid when we don't even live in the same state? You never messaged me, Aaron. I thought it was some fling," you mumbled as you wiped away a few fallen tears.     He stepped forward, eager to comfort you, "Y/N, I haven't stopped thinking about you since that night. I wanted to call you, but I had to put my son first. You know what that feels like. Jack and I both lost someone and I couldn't move on like that. He wouldn't have understood. How I treated you was awful, and I wish I could go back and change it."     "We should talk more about this outside of work, okay? I know you like to go over the case after hours, but Aria and I would love to have some company at our place."     "You want me to meet her?"   �� "I want her to be able to know her father, yes. I think we should take it slow, though."     "I'm okay with that."

#aaron hotchner x reader #aaron hotchner #spencer reid #jennifer jareau #david rossi #emily prentiss #derek morgan #penelope garcia #criminal minds imagine #Criminal Minds

[perriewinklenerdie]

History repeats itself  (Ethan Ramsey x MC)

Open Heart, Ethan Ramsey x MC

A/N: Hi guys! I'm on a roll (it's that high that patients that are about to die experience right before they crash. Kinda fitting, giving the fact that I'm going to die tomorrow bc of OH, isn't it? :D), like back in the old, good days. This was a request made by a wonderfull Nonnie. Thank you so much for suggesting it! I hope you enjoy it and that I didn’t disappoint :D

This fic is part of the ESIMY series (Claire and Ethan met and got married before they started working together and that’s basically all you need to know, as the fic can be read as a separate work)

Tag list: @paleweasels, @kittykatchoices, @valiantlychaoticbarbarian, @radlovedreamer , @usuallyamazinglyaverage, @awhmilkywey @palestazure, @cordoniaqueensworld, @universallypizzataco, @princess-geek, @faithhasnowords, @mightyfangirlofthefandoms, @drakewalkerfantasy, @timmagicktoad, @laceandlula, @greywitchyshots, @llamasgrl, @gingerjane15, @bucket-harrington , @marywrites-things , @ethanplaysfavorites , @mfackenthal , @betelgeusebee , @simsvetements, @buzz-bee-buzz, @owleyes374, @cora-nova, @aworldoffandoms, @l822, @cream-ray, @ughhhxjazzy, @silverlitskies, @justendlesssummerfeels, @togetherwearerapture, @desmaranj, @edgiestwinter, @friedherringclodthing, @daisy-ashton, @waytooattuned, @choicesgremlin , @lapisreviewsstuff, @the-soot-sprite, @writerapprentice, @chasingrobbie, @choicesobsessedd, @x-kyne-x, @thisperfectmemory, @drakewalker04, @rookie-ramsey, @jlynn12273, @thepinknymph @dr-brianna-casey-valentine, @a-i-n-a-a-s-h @justanotherrookie @mvalentine @starrystarrytrouble 

  Enjoy! <3

-----------

Paging Dr. Ramsey to Dr. Banerji’s office.

He looked up from the article he was reading, expecting a message from his wife. They were supposed to go home soon, finishing her last day of work before she would go on maternal leave. The page didn’t read as urgent, and yet somehow, a shiver ran down his spine. He couldn’t explain it. Call it a hunch that made him abandon his work and rush through the halls of the hospital.

Naveen was waiting for him by the door, his expression gravely. The air in the room was so thick that Ethan, who was running, stopped abruptly in his tracks, feeling weight being slammed against his chest. He didn’t know what was happening yet, but it couldn’t have been anything good.

“Naveen?” he asked, walking closer, treading slowly and carefully, as though it would save him from the approaching heartbreak he could already feel. His friend sighed heavily, stepping towards to him and laying his hand on Ethan’s shoulder.

“You might want to sit down.”

“Tell me. I need to go pick Claire up from the locker room in five minutes.” He didn’t miss how his mentor’s face fell at the mention of her name, making his stomach drop in worry. “What happened?”

“Claire is being transferred to the OR as we speak.” He said, the next words being an almost exact echo of his own words years back. “She had a seizure, full eclampsia. We’re delivering the baby.”

------------

That day, from the very beginning, was a bust. Her head was pounding, slowly but surely rising and breaking through the threshold of her pain tolerance, causing her to reach out to her OB-GYN in search of any advice, along with some painkillers. Her vision was getting blurred around the sides from time to time, making it incredibly difficult to read charts or look her patients in the eye. Esme asked her about it, figuring out something was wrong when she misread the patient’s name while they were walking towards their room, but she dismissed her with a kind smile.

“That’s pregnancy for you.” she joked, seeing in her resident’s eyes that she didn’t believe her. Sighing heavily, she nodded. “Okay, it’s not typical. I- I would appreciate if you kept your eye on me today. I feel like something is about to go south and I’d like to avoid that.”

“Of course, I’ll watch you like a hawk.”

Light sensitivity came next. Supply closets were her biggest friends that day, providing with as much darkness as she wanted, blocking out any traces of light. She couldn’t barricade herself in there, no matter how much she’d want that, so she braced herself and pushed through.

She knew all those symptoms too well. She was, after all, treating her pre-eclampsia since it reared its ugly head three weeks ago. The moment she heard her diagnosis, she felt as though she has been struck by a lightning. It was the same diagnosis she gave Dolores not even three years ago.

Ethan wouldn’t survive it if this case ended the same way.

Claire was battling with herself. Should she tell him about it and let him worry about her every second of every day until she gave birth and the postpartum eclampsia was ruled out, or should she shoulder that weight on her own, treating it behind his back and praying that he’d never have to find out that the very same complication that took away his dear friend not that long ago, now threatened to take away his wife too.

She opted for something in between. There were symptoms that she couldn’t hide from him, about which they talked and she let him ask about them on their appointments. Dr. Weland, her OB-GYN, was aware of the whole situation, carefully formulating her answers for the first-time father.

It kept her up at night. She knew he would be scared, disappointed that she didn’t tell him, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. He’d lock them both up at home for the remainder of her pregnancy, with a private doctor at hand, and treat her with extra caution. But most of all, she didn’t want to see the panic in his eyes, which she knew she’d find there. He would stop sleeping, watching over her at every moment.

Dr. Weland expressed her concerns when she saw Claire that day, hence her asking Esme to keep an eye on her. It wouldn’t be wise to send her home; she would need help in case something went horribly wrong.

Three hours later, as though on cue, she felt pain in her stomach, right below her belly button. All the symptoms she’s been experiencing that day cumulated, striking her at once with double their force, bending her in half. Esme, who was just down the hall, called out her name, rushing towards her, just in time to catch her as she crashed towards the ground, her body shaking.

“She’s seizing! Page Dr. Banerji!” the resident shouted, taking care of the fallen doctor.

“What about Ramsey?” someone asked, pager in their hand.

“Do as I say!”

What happened next could only be described as a chain reaction, its magnitude that of an avalanche. Naveen was called, OR was ordered, Claire was moved onto the bed and wheeled away. The hardest was still ahead of them.

Ethan fell against the wall heavily, struggling to catch his breath. “What do you mean eclampsia? Did she have any symptoms before that? Did she know? Who found her?”

“Dr. Ortega. She probably has more answers for you than I do. Come on, we’ll talk to her and Dr. Weland.”

His every move felt as though there were two impossibly heavy bricks attached to his feet, and another three on his shoulders and his chest. Panic began rising in his chest, fighting the overwhelming urge to let the tears fall. Esme was waiting for them by the entrance to the OR, worry spelled on her face.

“Can someone tell me why my wife and my daughter are fighting for their lives in there?” he barked the question, shaking in emotional distress. Naveen placed his hand on his shoulder, asking him silently to let the doctors speak.

“She’s been not feeling well for the whole day. Asked me to keep an eye on her; she told me she felt like something was about to happen.” the youngest doctor explained, stepping away to make space for Dr. Weland.

“Claire was treating her pre-eclampsia for the past three and a half weeks. The symptoms you noticed and were asking about were all a part of it. She asked me to not tell you, hoping that she would be able to avoid developing eclampsia.”

Never before in his life had he looked up at someone so fast. “She knew? And she didn’t tell me?”

“Ethan, I know you’re angry but-“

“I’m not angry. Right now, I’m terrified, because my family is fighting for their lives and I’m here, instead of being by their side. Step aside, I’m scrubbing in.”

“No.” Naveen shook his head, pulling him aside firmly. “And you know why.”

“Move out of the way, Naveen, I’m going in there.”

“I’m going to lock you in my office if you don’t calm down. You won’t help anyone by being emotional and reckless. Breathe, son, they’re going to be alright.” Ethan’s breathing was treading on the line of hyperventilating, panic rising in his chest even more. At last, tears fell, two trails running down his cheeks. He fell into his friend’s embrace, sobbing like he hasn’t done in a very long time. Helplessness, anger at fate and at himself for not noticing it sooner. “Claire is a fighter, so are you, and so is your daughter. They’ll pull through.”

“The last time I had to give this diagnosis to a person I cared about was Dolores, and she was dead within ours. Don’t tell me to calm down.” He stumbled over his words, holding onto Naveen’s arms for dear life.

“This time will be different.”

---------------

Not even an hour passed before the surgery ended. It gave Ethan enough time to go over the last weeks, all the pieces falling together into one tragic picture. It was all there, right before his eyes. Edema on her hands and feet, which could be written off as a pregnancy symptom. Headaches plagued her quite often even before she was married, so he didn’t even bat an eye on it, maybe except for the intensity of them. Her nausea returned long after her morning sickness phase passed, but again, pregnancy manifested itself with a variety of things.

He blamed himself. After Dolores died, he thought he’d be able to see the symptoms and prevent it from getting worse, but when it mattered the most, with his own beloved wife, he failed to add two and two.

“Ethan, you can see them now. The baby is safe and healthy, Claire’s condition is under control, she’s stable and conscious.” Naveen called out for him, a small smile on his face spelled out relief.

Jumping to his feet, he ran towards them, catching the room number from a shouting Naveen, not waiting for anyone. Nurses and doctors moved out of his way, some of them knowing what happened, others having no idea but knowing better than to stand in Dr. Ramsey’s way.

The lights in the room were dimmed, curtains closed, providing privacy and peace. Ethan opened the door as quietly and gently as he could, his stare falling onto Claire immediately. She smiled at him lazily, watching his every move in anticipation. He strode towards her, sitting at the edge of the bed and taking her hand in his, rising it to his lips and kissing it, over and over again, saying silent prayers of gratitude. Tears started running down his cheeks again, wetting her skin, his shoulders shaking as he let out all the emotions.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered, choking on her words, her face wet with tears too. He looked up at her, shaking his head.

“No. It’s my fault. I- I somehow attract tragedy. My Mother, Naveen, Dolores… and now you.” She looked at him confused, not understanding his reasoning at first, only seconds later did she remember his thought process, her eyes filling with horror.

“Ethan, that’s none of your fault. I won’t be sitting here, letting you blame yourself for something completely out of your control.” She grabbed him by the sides of his face, hauling him onto her, pressing their lips together and lingering there, connecting them, again and again. “Your Mother wasn’t your fault.” Kiss on the nose. “Naveen wasn’t your fault.” Kiss on the forehead. “Dolores wasn’t your fault.” She kissed both his cheeks, catching his tears.  “I wasn’t your fault, and neither was she.” She cried, her voice getting thick from tears. Her head crooked towards his left, pointing towards their daughter.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” his words stabbed her like a knife that she herself was holding against her heart. She knew he’d ask, but she wasn’t prepared for it, no matter how many times she rehearsed it in her head.

“I didn’t want you to worry.” She explained after a moment, biting her lip in shame. “I thought if I can get through this and not have any complications, you’d never have to find out. Especially with how it ended for Dolores…”

“There isn’t a single thing in this world more important to me than you two. Whatever it is, however hard it gets, I want to be there for you. For both of you.”

Both of them cried silently, embracing each other as closely as they dared, refusing to let the other get away even for a mere inch. Silent comfort, not needing any words, only each other, alive and well.

The soft sound of wailing pulled them out of their little bubble, pulling their attention towards the crib by the bed. Ethan stood up, walking over to look inside, Claire peaking from her position on her bed.

A little girl was staring up at him, her eyes blue and curious. She couldn’t smile yet, but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t see how at peace she was. Perfectly fine.

His whole family was perfectly fine.

“Katherine…” he muttered, running the outer edge of his index finger along his daughter’s cheek softly.

“She looks like a Katherine to you?” Claire asked, humor in her voice. He nodded, turning to his wife. “I was thinking of Isabelle.”

“We can compromise.” He embraced her, kissing her head tenderly.

“Katherine Isabelle Ramsey. Perfect.”

#open heart #ethan ramsey #mc x ethan #ethan x mc #dr. ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #mc x ethan ramsey #choices #choices fanfiction #open heart fanfiction #fic #fanfiction

[suoirallesalta]

A Masterlist of all @suoirallesalta edits!

Every edit is tagged under #suoiredits. edits are sorted acc to their books! enjoy

click here for my art masterlist!

Making Sabina in the Character without using Character’s assets style (edit challenge

Kepler, in only the harness. 

f!Adam

Jen in her dress including the lingerie

Simon Montjoy in Ava’s dress

younger Mitzi Montjoy

AVSP MC as on the cover

💫 Nia Ellarious

the perfect pair? (Nia x MC in an AME crossover)

Goddess of the Sea (Nia x Sunkissed edit)

Nia and Imtura with... moustaches

Nia with TE Alma’s hair and MTFL Ava’s outfit (#suoirandom edit)

Nia as Neisha (new avatar)

Starry Nia (#BladesAW)

Empress of The Shadow (#BladesAW)

Nia as BloodBound women: Kamilah (#BladesAW)

Nia as BloodBound women: Rheya (#BladesAW) 

the pretty young girl next door (#BladesAW)

Quartermaster Nia Ellarious (#BladesAW)

Nia Ellarious as TE MC (#BladesAW)

Nia Ellarious as Shreya (#BladesAW) 

Nia Ellarious in her dress including her lingerie

nia ellarious hot goth girlfriend

The Priestess (GIF edit) (Nia in RC outfit)

Tyril Starfury

cold and broody™ vampire elf (#BladesAW)

cold and broody™ bodyguard (#BladesAW)

cold and broody™ elementalist (#BladesAW)

cold and broody™ orc (#BladesAW)

cold and broody™ designer; feat. f!Tyril (#BladesAW)

f!Tyril (#BladesAW)

Tyril with f!Blaine’s hair (#BladesAW)

rogue-ish Tyril Starfury (with a beard)

The Mage (GIF edit) (in RC outfit)

Scream(o)s from the inside (Kade album cover edit)

Bald-ur (#BladesAW)

Damn those elves and their magicks (Mal - Aerin hairswap)

Modern Rogue-ish Mal Volari (with a beard)

StarCorp

Blades of Lust and Sensuality

Jax Tora and Robin Matsuo (face swap)

Duke Richards in the banana mascot outfit from Platinum.

Charlie Smith

A relaxing day at the waterfall! (edit inspired by Charlie Premium Scene!)

Quartermaster of the Dreadlord (DSAW)

Quartermaster of the Flotillan Pirates (DSAW)

Siren of The Light (DSAW)

Charlie as Atlas, Eli and Shreya from TE (DSAW)

Maggie

Maggie! M-Maggie? (MM and DS Maggie Crossover)

Maggie with HC Hazel’s hair and QB Poppy’s outfit. (#suoirandom request)

Oliver Cochrane

Oliver Cochrane as Luke Hemmings

oliver cock rain (DSAW)

f!Oliver (DSAW)

Distant Sores (Charlie x Edward face swap)

DS MC using BaBu2 sprite (DSAW)

Distant Couture // Hot Shores (DS x HC crossover, DSAW)

Ayna Seth

student!Ayna and professor!Ayna

Ayna as Imogen from ILB

buff ayna

Ayna as Jackie in the Open Heart 3 CG

vampire!Ayna

Ayna Seth

Ayna Seth as a Lovelink Match

Ayna Seth as Robin Tora

aynia ellarious

TA meets TA (Ayna - Aiyana Midthunder crossover)

Blaine Hayes

m!Blaine in f!Blaine’s dress

f!Blaine as m!Blaine

Blaine with PT Raleigh’s Hair and MOTY MC’s outfit (#suoirandom edit)

Blaine Hayes edit inspired by @aestheteasteria’s icon

Tatum Mendoza

John Somerset x Tatum Mendoza crossover

Tatum in Ayna’s dress / Tatum as Ayna

MC

politics reporter and student (FA mc x WT mc)

MC with ATV Pax’s hair and TNA Robin’s outfit (#suoirandom edit)

Ayna x MC

girlfriends

partners

Bodyguard Murphy (lmao)

Murphy Icons <3

I think I got the address to the wrong Murphy

Skye Crandall x Gerard Way

Dark Mage Ajay (choicedits challenge)

Power Duo (Luz x MC)

Bridgette Gardner with TRH Cedric Vescovi’s hair and PM Hayden’s Outfit (#suoirandom edit)

Luz Estrada in her dress including the lingerie

Noah Marshall in the banana outfit (edit request)

Sadie McGraw

Sadie McGraw (in the TNA MC’s Golden Dress)

A bit younger Sadie McGraw

Sadie McGraw (in casual(?) outfit)

Aislinn Tanaka

Aislinn Tanaka in QB Poppy’s outfit and diff black hair

aislinn tanaka hot goth girlfriend

aislinn tanaka hot goth girlfriend 2

aislinn tanaka girlfriend

aislinn tanaka’s v short hair

Gabe and MC as Mal and Nia

Babe Ricci with long hair

The Boys

Ava as Britney from ILITW

IGHT (NB face swap)

MC with TE MC’s hair and BB MC’s outfit (#suoirandom edit)

bryce.. lahela .. and,, uh.. bryce sterling..

Rookie Ramsey

Rookie Varma

Raleigh Carrera

Raleigh Carrera with AME Mackenzie’s hair and VOS Naomi’s outfit (#suoirandom edit)

An exclusive sneak-peek at Raleigh Carrera’s fuck-the-stereotype Vinyls look that has got the fandom in meltdown!

Raleigh Carrera with BOLAS MC’s hair and THM Eris’s outfit. (#suoirandom edit)

A Very Wilshere Christmas! (Album Cover)

The Hottest Couple of the Industry (Avery x MC)

Poppy is just angry Avery

Zoey Wade

“Besties!” (mc and Zoey as Mc and Ava from MTFL)

priestess zoey wade

zoey in floral

zoey in floral (beach-wear edition)

TA Zoey Wade

Zoey Wade as Atlas Ernhardt

Zoey Wade in TE MC’s gala outfit

zoey in the dress she gave to mc in the first chapter

Ina/Ian Kingsley

Ina Kingsley with TF Becca's hair and BB Kamilah's outfit. (edit request)

Ina Kingsley with TNA Sam’s hair and WT MC’s outfit. (#suoirandom edit)

Veronica with TNA Sofia’s hair and ACOR Sabina’s outfit. (#suoirandom edit)

MC with BP Courtney’s hair and QB Poppy’s outfit.

how (ridiculous) mc would look if she actually wore that ligerie under that dress

📰 Robin Tora

Asian Robin as Ava Lawrence from MTFL

Asian Robin as Ava Lawrence from MTFL (#2)

Asian Robin as Ava Lawrence from MTFL (#3)

Robin as Mikasa Ackerman from Attack on Titan

Jax Tora and Robin Matsuo (face swap)

Robin in an oversized baggy shirt

wait, wrong Robin- shit (Sofia TNA edit)

Robin Tora as Robin Tora and Robin Tora as Robin Tora

Robin as Cassian in Witness

Robins at the beach

robin hood

asian f!robin tora as blaine hayes

Flame the Crow & Me : One Boob (TC&TF face swap)

Annia Adairious (TCTF AW)

orc!Val (TCTF AW)

Kenna Rys with NB Katherine’s hair and HSS Principal Rivera’s outfit (#suoirandom edit)

🌙 Atlas Ernhardt

Atlas Ellarious

Atlas, the adventurous elf

Queen of Vampires, Atlas, of Clan Ernhardt

Vampire Queen Atlas (edit #2)

Atlas, the Snow Princess

Atlas, the Moon Princess

Atlas in genderfluid flag colors!

m!Atlas in f!Atlas’s Gala dress

f and m!Atlas swapped

☀️ Eli Solaris Russell (my mc)

Eli’s first (accidental) spell cast!

Eli’s momentous first day at Penderghast

⚙️ Beckett Harrington

“Small dapper Beckett… confirmed.”

Beckett as Connor from Detroit: Become Human

Shreya Mistry

Shreya “Wonder Woman” Mistry

❣️ Pend Pals

“All dressed in black.”

Pend Gals on a night out in matching black outfits (#1)

Pend Gals on a night out in matching black outfits (#2)

Magick Docs (OH crossover)

Pend Pals in Belvoire attire

Pend Gals on a night out after the Amorelia Day Gala (faceapp faceswap edit)

The Elementalists - Across the Dimension (2D art crossover)

💞 Shreya x Atlas

“your eyes, they shine so bright”

“Hey Shreya.. Marry Me”

“Wedding Day!”

💞 Beckett x Eli/MC

Beckett and Eli in a western setting

Eli x Beckett face swap

Eli x Beckett in Robin x Sofia art (lmao)

🌟 Double Trouble (Eli/MC + Atlas)

Hydrobreath (Eli + Atlas)

“my younger twin sister” (double trouble x mtfl edit)

Misc

Blood of the Sun (a spinoff movie poster)

Coolness of metal and water-atts (meme)

Alma with FA Dionne’s hair and D&D MC’s outfit (#suoirandom edit)

Sam Dalton

Sam Dalton as Sam Dalton and Sam Dalton as Sam Dalton

Sam Dalton with BB Serafine’s hair and TCTF Val’s outfit. (#suoirandom edit)

Sofia as Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil

the cake on sofia’s skirt works as floral print

John Somerset x Tatum Mendoza crossover

Vampire Harlenay

Flynn o’Malley in fem VOS characters’ hair 

Flynn o’Malley in fem outfits

Anna Koishi

Anna Koishi, at the club, with short pink hair

Anna Koishi with TE Atlas’s hair and PT Avery’s outfit. (#suoirandom edit)

Anna Koishi as Atlas Ernhardt

politics reporter and student (FA mc x WT mc)

Asian f!Dakota with Hispanic f!Dakota’s hair

Daenerys, the mother of dragons (using TRR mc)

TRR mc as Daenerys (edit #2)

the greatest witch of our time (BB mc as Hermione Granger)

me before you (poster edit with TRR Mc and AME Adam)

Aquaman (ft Cassian and Ava)

Wolf Bride wolf in Poppy’s outfit

Imogen Dragons

rip fallen books

The Crew (DSAW)

Wizards of Waverley Place (THOBM edit)

omg a hit tweet (pb meme)

Choicedits Challenges

ACOR Sabina without using her assets

OpH Jackie without using her assets

Harry Potter and Hermione Granger using Choices assets

Priestesses of the Light

Coldplay’s Higher Power album cover using only Choices assets

Asian Wolf Bride MC as TE MC

Lovelink Edits

Nicholas Adley in Pirate Outfit

Jamie Grant in multiple outfits from HERO

#choices #pixelberry #playchoices #play choices #suoiredits #the elementalists #choices foreign affairs #choices queen b #robin tora #Blades of light and shadow

[sapphic-loser16]

Whoop whoop! Chapter 8! Thanks to the lovely @s-c-r-u-f-f-y-y for beta reading for me.

First chapter

@aganhim

Summary

Chiaroscuro: The contrast of light and darkness

Hyrule has fallen, and the Yiga Clan reigns with an iron fist. A dethroned princess leads a revolution. A young man fights at her side, unaware of the role he plays in fate. The Chain is dropped into this broken Hyrule tasked with putting the pieces back together. Only with the help of unexpected allies can they dispel the darkness that has seeped into every corner of the land.

(Or, what makes a person good or evil? Is it the circumstances of their birthright, or the measure of their heart?)

Prologue 

 —

Even the sky itself seemed to mourn. The heavens, which had previously beheld the wonder of sunrise, now seemed heavy with grief. Dark clouds weighed down with rain had gathered on the horizon. The wind whipped about wildly, flinging hair into Wild’s eyes. There was no noise from the group. Each plodded on, practically counting the steps until they reached the Forest. Their thoughts were all the same.

My fault

My fault

My fault

(Heroes do tend to have problems with the burden of guilt, after all.)

The falcon had left some time ago with a mournful screech that had sounded far too similar to a cry of anguish. It shot off to the direction of the Woods, and they had been numbly following its trail ever since. If Wild had to guess, it had already arrived for some time now.

The bird travels much faster than you, I’m afraid.

Thunder rumbled above. The sky was blacker than Wild had ever thought possible, and he had lived through a Calamity. His thoughts kept pulling back to that giant pillar of stone that had obliterated the house mere hours ago. The scene replayed in his mind over and over; the ear-splitting shatter of crystal, the rumble of settling debris, the emptiness in Destiny’s eyes.

The thunder sounded again, this time louder. Wild looked up. He could smell the rain coming, the scent heavy in his nostrils. It had barely occurred to him that they had crossed the small creek hedging in the mythical Woods. Destiny plodded up to the nearest tree. He rested his hand on it’s trunk, not finding the strength to call out to the Great Deku Tree for passage. The trees seemed to understand, though, and the branches parted without question.

Wild felt a small thump on his head. A Korok had landed on his head. He reached up to cup the sprite in his hands. Even the little forest spirit seemed sad. The Korok looked up into his eyes, and rattled its small maracas sadly. They leaned into Wild’s chest, and the tears Wild had been suppressing for some time started to prick at the corners of his eyes.

The path widened out into the clearing. It had struck Wild that the forest was completely silent; no birds, no insects, nothing. There was a solitary figure in the path. The General stood utterly alone, eyes tinged red and overflowing with sorrow. She looked to the heroes, then to Destiny, then to her husband. Slowly, she raised the letter that was crumpled in her hand. Wild heard Destiny’s breath hitch at his side.

And with that, the heavens broke open and wept.

—

Part 1: On Fiddle Playing and the Judgment of Kings

The rain pattered softly on the window pane. He had been staring at the ceiling trying desperately to fall asleep with little success. He felt a soft kiss on the tip of his ear.

“You’re up early, love,” Ganondorf breathed.

“Couldn't sleep,” Sheik whispered back.

“Zelda day, or Sheik day?”

“Sheik,” he mumbled, burying himself into his arms. Ganondorf wrapped his arms under his back, and guided his head to rest on his shoulder. Muffled sobs filled the room, almost drowned out by the sound of falling rain. He picked Sheik up, comforter and all, and rose to stand. He made his way to the small seating area, where he deposited the bundle in his arms on the faded couch. Ganondorf made his way to the kitchen. He filled a mug with water, and deposited a tea bag in it. He walked back to the couch, heating the cup in his hands until the entire room filled with the calming scent of herbal tea.

“Here.” He said softly. He passed the cup to Sheik, who took it gratefully.

“How are you feeling?” He picked him up again and settled on the couch with Sheik firmly in his arms, still wrapped in the comforter.

He opened his mouth to speak. All at once the sorrow crashed over him like a wave. He sobbed into the steaming cup in his hands, unable to stop the tears.

“She’s gone,” he gasped. “Impa’s gone.” His hands shook violently. He had lost so many friends, so much family in this war. None of it came close to the pain of losing his oldest confidant. He pressed himself further into his husband’s embrace, head squashed just below his shoulder. 

“She knew it too.” Sheik sniffed. “She knew she was going to die, and I sent you there.”

“Sheik.” Ganondorf tilted his chin up. “None of this is your fault.” Sheik sighed and took a sip of the tea.

“I know that, but it doesn’t change anything.” He took another drink of the tea and looked up. “It’s not your fault either, you know.”

“I think that's quite a bit different,” he said quietly. Sheik shook his head.

“It’s not your fault, and it never will be.”

Ganondorf didn’t respond. Sheik sighed, and snuggled deeper into the embrace. They sat there for some time, listening to the rain drumming on the roof.

Sheik stood up first, gathering the comforter around his shoulders. He plodded back to the bed and threw the thick blanket over the mattress. He could make the bed later.

The bathroom floor was cold against his bare feet. He brushed his hair in front of the mirror, stopping to finger a long, golden strand.

I really need to cut this.

Maybe later. Sheik set to braiding his hair, pulling up and away from his face. When he was finished, he made his way back to the bedroom. He picked up a slightly crumpled, tear stained letter that had found its home on the bedside table.

My dear Zelda (Sheik),

How the time has flown from us. I regret that we could not see each other before I had to leave you. As I write this letter, Melora and her troops march to Kakariko, hell bent on destruction and victory. At the same time, your family and heroes reside here. Do not fret, my child. I have foreseen this day for some time now. 

I am writing this letter as my last farewell to you and Ganondorf. Please, let him know that he bears no guilt in this, and neither do the heroes. Tell Link that I love him, and that I am proud of the man he has become.

And finally, my dear flower, know that I love you. I have watched you blossom all these years. You have stepped into leadership with all the grace begotten to you as a ruler. 

I write this letter as my final benedictions to you and to my people. Stay strong.

Always yours, Impa.

Sheik folded the letter back and fought tears. He put the letter in his pocket  and retrieved his cloak from a hook on the wall. He felt a tap on his shoulder. Ganondorf was behind him, holding out a weathered and beaten case. Sheik smiled sadly, and took the case.

“‘Till forever falls apart,” he said, planting a kiss on the top of his head.

“‘Till forever falls apart,” he responded softly. He walked out the door and into the rain, flipping up his hood. 

He crossed to a small building near the edge of the cluster of houses. The house was small, but it served its purpose well. Sheik laid the case on the table, one of the few furnishments in the room. The case popped open with a soft click. Nestled into the velvet lining was a fiddle, just as weathered as its case. Sheik ran his fingers across the silver strings fondly. He unclamped the bow from its small hinge and picked up the violin. In the pocket of the case was a packet of music, yellowed slightly and curling around the corners. He rifled through them, settling on his favorite piece. The little room filled with the silvery-sweet song of the bow drawing across the strings. For a moment Sheik allowed himself to be lost in the music, and memories of days past.

—

The rain kept Wind up all night. The rain, and the overwhelming feeling of confusion and guilt that had washed over him and dragged him down like a riptide. He had stared up at the ceiling from the bed he shared with Hyrule and Four for what seemed like an eternity, until he couldn’t take it anymore. That was where he found himself now, aimlessly walking; weaving between buildings, trying desperately to clear his head. Unfortunately, he didn't have a cloak, and was soaked head-to-toe. He wrapped his arms around his stomach and shivered. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. He was about to turn back, when he heard soft music float above the drizzle. 

It sounded like Makar. That couldn’t be right, of course. He was miles and generations away from his home. But still, the haunting melody took him back to when he had first met the little Korok. Wind stood there for a moment, letting the music flow around him.

I have to find out who’s playing. I have to find that music.

Wind followed the melody, wandering around the base, listening for any growing sound. Finally, he came to stop at a small house on the outskirts of the encirclement. He opened the door quietly, so as to not disturb the musician. In the middle of the small room stood the General, with her back turned to him. She swayed with the music that poured out of her violin, like fresh water from a spring. Wind closed his eyes and swayed along with the song. It was simple and sweet, with a haunting melody that ebbed and flowed like the tide.

A sudden clap of thunder yanked him out of his peacefulness. He jumped at the unexpected sound and stumbled face forward with a yelp. The music screeched to a halt. The General whipped around, eyes wide. Wind lay crumpled on the ground, face extremely red and extremely sore.

“Oh, it's just you.” 

Wind's face deepened into a brilliant scarlet. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t sleep, and the music was really pretty.” He cringed. Saying it out loud he sounded so childish. “I’m sorry for bothering you. I’ll go now.” He rose to his knees, embarrassed.

“Well if you came to listen to the music, you should have just knocked.” The General extended her hand to Wind with a smile. He stared at the hand for a minute, then took it. She hauled him up with surprising strength. Wind took a second look at her. She seemed…different in a way he couldn’t quite place.

“How long were you out in the rain?”

“I don't know,” Wind said. He sneezed violently, then again.

“Long enough, apparently.” She put her violin on the table and opened a small cabinet. She passed a thick wool blanket to Wind, who took it gratefully. 

“Now, you said you wanted to listen to music?” Wind nodded. She smiled, and tucked the violin under her chin. The beautiful song resumed, filling the room with that haunting melody. Wind closed his eyes and sighed. It had been so long since he had actually gotten to enjoy music. Then, as suddenly as the music had started, it stopped. Wind’s eyes popped open.

“Is that it?” He asked, incredulous.

“I’m afraid so,” she said. Wind walked over to where the music rested on the stand. The sheet was obviously older, with tattered corners and fading ink. The notes had a handwritten quality to them, every stroke unique and painstakingly printed in flowing script.

“You write music!” He said. He had never met a composer before. He opened his mouth to say more, but stopped.

She looked so sad.

“What’s wrong?”

She sighed, and placed a loving hand on the paper. “I’m afraid I can’t write music. This was a gift from someone very important to me.” Wind cocked his head. She smiled softly at the paper. “My brother.”

Wind's stomach dropped. “You have a brother?” He asked gently.

She laughed, though with no humor. “Not,” she stopped and swallowed. “Not technically. I suppose it’s silly of me to call him that.” She sighed. “These were written by my best friend. I met him and his brother when we were very little. We practically grew up together. Growing up as Hylian royalty was… difficult, to say the least.” 

A thought echoed in the back of Wind’s mind. “The king,” he said, looking down at his feet. She nodded.

“That bastard made my life a living hell. Every day was war. But,” her voice softened, “he was always there for me. Whenever it got really bad he would comfort me, make me laugh, play me music.” She laughed again, this time with humorous recollection. “He was the only person who could ever beat me in a game of chess. He was family more than my own flesh and blood.”

There was a brief pause. “What’s his name?”

“Khel. His name was Khel.”

Wind sobered. “Was,” he mumbled. The General nodded.

“He was one of the first to die.” Her voice was barely audible over the rain.

Wind looked away. “I’m so sorry.” He thought hard for a minute, then clutched the blanket tighter around him. “The king,” he started. He swallowed. “The king was that bad, huh.”

The General nodded, still staring at the paper. “I'm assuming this is why you are up so early.”

Wind nodded. “I’m just,” he swallowed back another lump in his throat. “I’m just confused.” He looked up. “How could a king be that horrible?”

“What makes you think that kings are unfailable?” She asked gently.

“It’s just that the king I knew was so,” he searched for the right words, “so kind. I can't imagine a king any other way.”

The General hummed. “Your king, what was he like?”

Wind’s chest tightened at the thought of the King of Red Lions. “He went with me on my journey. There weren’t too many people who stuck around, but he was always there. When the nights would get long on the sea, he would sing me to sleep, or tell me stories.” Wind smiled at the memory.

“He sounds like a good man,” The General said. “Now your king and my king, are they the same person?”

Wind shook his head. “Of course not.”

“So, it would be illogical to judge your king on account of my king, and vice versa, correct?”

“I guess so.” 

“I don't think the actions of one should define the actions of the many,” Zelda said. She looked at Wind. “Wouldn't you say so?”

Wind nodded. He still felt funny, though.

“Do you wish to listen to more?” She asked. She motioned to the pile of music that sat in the case. Wind rifled through it with curiosity. He picked up one that was written in a script he couldn’t quite read. He passed it to The General. She set it on the stand, and played. Wind sat down, and let the music flow around him, until his eyes became droopy and he finally fell asleep.

#sapphie writes #chiaroscuro fic #linked universe fanfic #linked universe #linkeduniverse #psst #if you want to be tagged when this fic updates comment on this post