#Good night sweet asshole prince

[pheavampire]

Epitaph for corrupted magistrate Astarion

The more I think about it, the more I’m disappointed with Astarion’s plot. Which kind of hurts a bit, because he was the first and main reason I was so hyped for this game.

I’m aware that this in unpopular opinion and everybody loves to help him with his trauma etc. Don’t get me wrong, this is one of the best narrative parts of the whole Baldur’s Gate 3 - if not the best. Well written, nice, interesting psychology and objectively very good.

But I really, really hoped for corrupted, disgraced nobleman who lost everything because his own greed and who now must deal with it - if you didn’t hear about it, this is what Larian’s CEO said 3 years ago about Astarion:

„A disgraced nobleman who used his position as a local magistrate to serve a vampire clan by feeding them prisoners, he was eventually too corrupt even for them and was effectively sent to serve as the personal slave of a powerful vampire.”

I wouldn’t even mind to be able to „fix him”, but I imagined it would be rather letting him understand what a hypocrite he is. I wanted to see a powerful, selfish person in the place of those who he harmed. A person who slowly realises he kind of deserved what he got.

I also wanted Cazador to be more interesting. Cruel, evil - sure, but not that one-dimentional and pathetic character who’s only function in the game is to be a punching bag the player can joyfully kill with nothing but pure satisfaction. I imagined he particularly enjoys tormenting Astarion, because he understands his ironic position. An abuser who abuses another abuser.

Just imagine you and your party breaks into his palace (or crypt) only to learn from Cazador, that Astarion isn’t only the victim. You’re angry, maybe a bit confused, but your vampire companion already changed, at least partially, and the choice to help him isn’t as obvious as it is now. I suspect it could look like this in the earlier phase of game development - lines like „So Cazador was around just when you were bleeding to death on the street? What a coincidence” or „Some Gurs attacked me because of my decree” strongly suggest some cut content the player was supposed to discover later.

My guess is Larian observed players’ reactions during early access and decided this approach is too risky and made Astarion much more sympathetic. It’s not controversial to feel sorry for the innocent victim and it’s not controversial to adore him, even as a fictional character. But giving to such a popular companion an evil past? That wouldn’t be a very popular decision.

Also, I bet they realised they overscoped some storylines and had to make them much shorter and less complicated. Quite typical for gamedev actually.

So yeah, I’m happy I finally have a tormented elven male vampire spawn I wanted for so long in a (kind of) mainstream story, I’m happy he is so popular. But at the same time… sigh.

#astarion #baldur's gate 3 #larian studios #Good night sweet asshole prince #I will miss you

[moorishflower]

Apropos of the Addams family post from a few weeks back: Hob meeting Gomez and them immediately vibing. Freak4freak friendship. Taking one look at the horrific sublime and wanting to kiss it with tongue

GOD yes like I have trouble imagining writing Hob meeting Gomez Addams actually because the IPs are so different but if he ever did it would be IMMEDIATE recognition. Same hat vibes. Have you beheld my big beautiful spouse? Behold them and despair (the despair is lovely this time of year)

Like can you imagine Hob attending ANY function in the Dreaming, either as the Dreamlord's husband or his consort? Normal McNormalman wandering around amongst gods and fey and nightmares and angels and being so painfully ordinary and HUMAN that he loops back around to being just. The cryptid in the room. Everyone whispering to each other, "Does anyone know that guy? Who is that? Did he sneak in?"

Hob just happily chatting away eating canapes and mingling and discussing footie with satyrs and shit, and finally some asshole god or demigod strolls on up to him and clears their throat, and demands to know "Who are you? Why are you here? You're just some human."

And Hob blinks his big beautiful brown cow eyes and he says "Oh! I'm here with my husband! Here he is now!" And just simp mode activates IMMEDIATELY. Dream standing there in full nightmare regalia glowering daggers at whoever has dared to impugn the honor of HIS husband, visibly bleeding shadows while the unfortunate guest contemplates how swiftly their mortality is about to be ripped from their still-conscious body, and Hob tucks his arm through Dream's, "How's your night been so far, baby? Good party, the brownies seemed very interested in the latest scores for Manchester, think they might be close to setting up a league of their own, dunno who they'd play against though. Christ, you look fantastic tonight. Doesn't he look fantastic? We should definitely dance later, imagine how you'd look on the floor with all these shadows around you. Phwoar. Are you thirsty, darling?"

"Wine will suffice."

"Sure, love, be right back. Nice talking with you, mate!" And off he trots to the refreshments table, and meanwhile Dream has expanded to roughly 1.5 times his normal height and living darkness wreathes him in an aura of cold sweat and midnight shivers, and he has to lean down almost at the waist to address whoever this unfortunate SOB is. Blinking slow and deliberate, like a lizard eyeing a mouse.

"You are lucky. My husband is in a charitable mood. If you ever speak ill of him again. It will not be his mercy you must seek."

And Hob comes back with two glasses of wine right as Dream is straightening up, and the unfortunate god or demigod looks like they're about to simultaneously weep and piss themselves, and he gives Dream his drink and then in a smooth and seamless motion gets his arm around Dream's waist and dips the 8ft tall nightmare man. Logically, and based on their respective heights, it should not be that easy, but Dream is visibly enjoying it.

"My sweet," Hob is murmuring into Dream's clavicle, "my darling, my Dream. Have I told you how beautiful you are tonight?"

"Yes. But tell me again."

And at this point Hob's would-be detractor takes the opportunity to flee, just as Hob is planting a line of smacking kisses up the Dreamlord's neck. "Beautiful," he's saying, "ravishing, stunning, awe-inspiring."

And after that there's a sort of flyer or pamphlet that gets circulated through a bunch of supernatural circles, with Hob Gadling's name and description and picture, THIS IS THE PRINCE-CONSORT OF THE NIGHTMARE KING, HE IS ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED TO BE HERE.

#ask response #the sandman #dreamling

[rowritesstuff]

Avoidance (Nikolai Lantsov x Female Reader)

A/N: Heyyyy... it's been a minute... soooo, I could just drop this without saying anything about my disappearance from Tumblr (I mean, I've still been active, but I haven't posted anything), but I figured I should say something. I'm fine. Life's good. I just didn't have the motivation to write. Anyways, this probably sucks ass, but here ya go.

Ro's Masterpost

WORD COUNT: 2.3k words

WARNINGS: SMUT, friends to lovers, argument/yelling, oral (f receiving), unprotected P in V (please use a condom), fingering (kinda).

You laughed while Nikolai told the story of a shared childhood memory he had recalled earlier in the day.

You had been seven years old and it was Nikolai's eighth birthday. Another noble boy, the son of a count, you believed, bullied Nikolai throughout his entire birthday party, and you had made it your sole mission to ruin the boy's life, or day at the very least.

You had actually succeeded. You had known that his parents didn't allow him to eat sweets, so you managed to convince him to have one of every pastry served at the party, of which there were quite a few, with it being a young prince's birthday party.

"The poor boy's parents were fuming when they caught him with his face covered in frosting," you cackled and Nikolai threw a pillow from your sofa, which you were both sitting on, at you, which only made you laugh harder.

"I believe they banned him from any social events for a month because of that incident." Nikolai took a small sip of his whiskey.

"I still think he deserved it."

"Oh, of course."

You settled in a comfortable silence, sipping your drinks, chuckling every few seconds. Nikolai scooted closer to you on the couch, moving the pillow he had thrown at you off your lap and next to him.

You leaned your head on his shoulder. He took a deep inhale before wrapping his arm around your waist and pulling you a little closer to him as he took a final sip of his whiskey. Noticing that you had also finished your drink, he took your glass and placed both yours and his on the table in front of you before settling back into you.

"For the record, I would do the same thing for you," Nikolai said, breaking the silence.

You snorted. "You have done the same thing. Remember when we were sixteen? We had just enlisted and that stupid asshole-"

You were interrupted by Nikolai's lips crashing onto yours, pulling you into a kiss. You tensed up for just a few seconds, but before you could return the kiss, he pulled away and turned his body away from you.

"Nik."

Nikolai gathered his coat from your couch and stood up, leaving your room without another word.

Your jaw dropped at the shock that he just left right after kissing you without even giving you a chance to say anything.

Nikolai avoided you for two weeks. Anytime you tried to speak to him he would walk away as if he had somewhere to be. Which, with him being a king, he very well may have had somewhere to be, but it was still rude.

Since he wouldn't come to you, you would go to him. No matter if it was the middle of the night.

You banged on his door, aggressively knocking until he finally opened the door.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed. "It's late. You should be sleeping."

"So should you, but you're not even dressed for bed," you slipped past him and entered his room, stopping at a small table covered in piles of documents of work and you picked one up, "and you're working."

Nikolai closed his door behind you and leaned his back against the wall. "Well, you're dressed for bed." He gestured to the robe that was wrapped around you, covering your nightgown. "Why are you here?"

You dropped the paper back on the table. "I'm here because you kissed me two weeks ago and you have been avoiding me since." He lowered his head to avoid your gaze. "I deserve an explanation."

"I shouldn't have kissed you."

You stomped over to Nikolai. "Says who?"

"Me!" He pointed to his chest. "I shouldn't have put you in that position!"

"If you had waited one more second I would have kissed you back! I was just shocked because I didn't think you returned my feelings for you!"

Nikolai shook his head. "We're not doing this."

"Why?"

He gripped your arms, not nearly enough to hurt you, and pulled your body closer to his. He lowered his lips to your ear. "Because if we start, I won't want to stop," he whispered.

"And what if I don't want you to stop?"

He pulled back from you a little, looking into your eyes. E/C eyes that showed your love for him, your desire for him, and your anger toward him for ignoring you for two weeks.

He swallowed and moved his hands from gripping your upper arms to your lower back, covered by that damn silk robe. He had seen you in it many times before and he considered each moment a blessing. It was your favorite color and it suited your body perfectly.

"Are you sure?"

You nodded. "Yes."

Now having your permission, he spun the two of you, you now pinned against the wall he was previously leaning on. He captured your lips against his, pushing you even closer to the wall while one of your hands landed on the nape of his neck, curling into the short hair there, and the other went to his upper back, pushing him closer to your body.

He obliged your hand's desire, pressing himself against you. His lips wandered from yours to your jaw, then down to your neck. You let out a sigh as you moved your head to the side to give him more access. In appreciation, he sucked a hickey into your neck.

As Nikolai kissed down your body, your hand gripped his hair. Once he was fully kneeling in front of you, he looked up into your eyes as he untied the tie of your robe. He opened the silk fabric, giving him full view of your nightgown-covered body. He pressed a kiss to your clothed hip bone and looked up at you again. "Can you please take your robe off, darling?"

You pushed the robe off your shoulders and let it fall down your arms, dropping it into a pool of silk at your feet. Taking advantage of the robe on the floor, Nikolai placed it under his knees to protect himself from kneeling on the hard floors.

Nikolai dragged his fingers up your leg into your nightgown, pushing it up to your waist. You took the nightgown off and threw it off to the side.

You were left in only your underwear that blocked the one thing Nikolai had on his mind in that moment.

"Can I take these off?" he asked.

"Yes," you whispered.

He dragged the small garment down your legs, lifting your feet to completely remove them from your body.

He took a moment to drink in the visual of your completely naked body. You were perfect. You were the only Saint that he would ever worship, and he intended to do just that.

He nudged your right leg a little bit away from your left, giving you the hint to spread your legs. Once you were where he wanted you, his hands went to your hips and he gave them little massages as he moved his face closer to you.

You took deep breaths as you watched him move closer until he finally placed a kiss on your clit. You gasped, one hand returning to his hair and the other holding onto the doorframe next to you for support.

Nikolai kissed wet, open-mouthed kisses around your pussy, leaving you gasping and moaning while he kept looking up at your face. He kissed and licked and sucked at your entrance and your grip tightened on his messy blond curls.

He licked from your entrance to your clit, closing his eyes as he sucked at it. Your hand moved from his hair to the back of his head to push his face closer into you. After a little fluttering of his tongue on your pussy, then your clit, a high overcame you, making you lean your head back on the wall. One of Nikolai's hands came up to your side to massage it as he worked you through the orgasm, greedily licking at all of your wetness until you pushed his head away.

He smiled as he fell to the floor before he stood back up, holding you against him as he kissed your cheek, whispering praises into your ear while you recovered.

"I've got you, sweetheart. I've got you."

You pulled him into a kiss, tasting yourself on his lips. Slowly, you began making your way to Nikolai's bed until you hit his mattress. You fell down onto the bed, Nikolai following, placing himself on top of you.

You broke the kiss and scrambled to unbutton Nikolai's shirt. Your hands were still shaking, making it difficult to undo the buttons. Noticing your shaking hands, Nikolai took hold of your hands, stopping you. He pressed light kisses on your fingertips.

"Go ahead and lay on the pillows. I'll be right there."

You scooted yourself up his mattress, laying your head comfortably on his pillows as he had asked you to. Only a moment later, Nikolai was crawling above you, completely bare. You looked down his body from his chest, and lower, and lower.

Nikolai gently lifted your chin, forcing you to look him in the eye. He pressed a soft kiss in between your eyebrows. "Have you done this before?" he asked.

You nodded. You had had a few flings in your lifetime, as you were sure Nikolai did too, especially during his time as Sturmhond. He had his own flings on the Volkvolny, as did you.

"Good. I'll give you as much time as you need to adjust and if you ever need me to stop, you let me know. I don't want to hurt you."

You gave him a quick kiss. "You could never hurt me. Except for when you avoided me for two weeks, but- Saints."

His cock entering you interrupted you, though it was quite the pleasant interruption. He filled you slowly and perfectly. Nikolai kissed your cheek as his hips met yours. You took some deep breaths as you got used to the feeling of his cock inside of you. Finally, you gave him a ready nod.

Nikolai started off slowly and it wasn't until you asked him to go faster that he sped up. He kissed you deeply as he fucked you. You moaned into those kisses, the feeling of his cock sending you into euphoria.

"Fuck!" you cursed. "A little harder please?"

He obeyed, going just a bit harder, but enough to have you seeing stars. Your hand started moving down your body to rub at your clit, but Nikolai swatted your hand away and rubbed your clit in small circles himself.

Your hands returned to his hair for the millionth time that night, gripping the blond tufts. He gasped.

"Shit, can you pull it harder?"

You tugged on his hair, making him moan loudly. You smiled as you continued pulling on his hair, loving the sounds that escaped him at the feeling.

He began thrusting into you rougher, bringing you closer and closer to the edge of orgasm.

"Nik, fuck! I'm so close!"

Nikolai rubbed at your clit harder. "Me too. Where do you want it?"

"In me! Just-" You groaned, your orgasm overcoming you.

Nikolai wasn't far behind you. It was only a few seconds after your orgasm when you felt his cum shoot into you. He stilled, peppering kisses on your forehead and cheeks.

After you recovered, he slowly pulled out of you, rolling off you and onto the bed to your right. He opened a drawer in his nightstand, grabbed something, and closed it before rolling back to face you and handing you the Alkemi contraceptive. You drank it and he took the empty bottle, placing it on top of the nightstand.

He pulled you closer to him, where your side was tucked close to his torso. The both of you rested in this position for a few moments, you laying on your back, him on his side.

"I'm an idiot," Nikolai said quietly.

You smiled. "Congratulations, you've finally caught up with the rest of us."

He gently pinched your side before lightly laughing.

"What I mean is I shouldn't have avoided you. I shouldn't have left your room that night without letting you say or do anything. I'm sorry."

Your thumb rubbed his cheek. "Apology accepted. On one condition. You tell me how long you've been in love with me."

Nikolai groaned. "My eighth birthday party is when it started. When I saw how determined you were to ruin that idiot's life over him being mean to me."

You laughed. "Wow. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't that."

"Now it's your turn."

You shook your head. "I'm not the one who owed an apology."

Nikolai raised his brows. "Fine. Since you don't want to tell me..."

He moved his hand from your side to your clit, rubbing small circles again. You threw your head back on the pillows, cursing.

"Shit, Nik."

He didn't stop. He kept rubbing your clit, occasionally dipping into your pussy for more moisture. He sped up his motions until you came once again. He gathered all of the wetness on his fingers and licked it all off.

"When we were 16 and had just enlisted. That asshole Novikov was harassing me. You punched him in the face one day. Three times. You broke his nose. That's when I fell in love with you."

"Awww. We both fell in love with each other when we harmed other people." He kissed your forehead. "Should we be concerned about that?"

"Probably, but right now, I want to sleep."

Nikolai hummed in response, pulling the blankets over the two of you. You turned to lay on your side as he got up to blow out all of the candles. When he finally got back in bed, he pulled you into him, your back against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around you.

"I love you," Nikolai whispered.

You closed your eyes. "I love you, too."

"Good night."

You softly smiled to yourself. "Good night."

#nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov smut #nikolai lantsov #shadow and bone #grishaverse #rowritesstuff

[allkordelia]

Lost in the Moment

Daemon was sitting around in a random brothel with a cup of ale in his hand, he sulked in his seat thinking about his brother and his dilemma. His brother's words made a little nest inside his head as he wondered if he took it too far with his neice, he begin to get a headache thinking about all this he wondered where will he go now. He certainty wasn't going back to the vale and he can't go back to dragonstone so where could he go to lay low until his welcome back. He looked up seeing a red haired woman walk towards his table about pouring more ale in his cup only to be stop by daemon's hand covering the rim of the cup.

"where is your garderobes." Daemon asked putting a couple of coins on the table after downing the rest of his drink standing up, the red head pointed up the stairs.

" up the stairs take a right before going left past the rooms, my prince." He nodding stepped away leaving.

He followed the path as instructed past many rooms before he stopped hearing a soft voice down the hall away from all the moaning and groaning of whores and their patrons, he looked behind him before walking down the hall to his left where he heard a light humming like a melody come from a room. He peeked inside seeing a woman on the bed with her exposed leg and arm hanging off the edge of the bed while her other arm rest on her stomach, she was wearing a sheer white dress leaving little to the imagination and her dark curly hair that reminds him of the night sky spread across her pillow like waves and her skin was copper-brown like a autumn leaf.

He admired her beauty with awe as she looked like a goddess and her voice sounded like one too, but once he saw her pale white eyes daemon stepped away from the door accidentally knocking his feet against something on the ground. Her sweet humming stopped as she sat up looking at the door in curiosity and unease, even through the darkness was hiding him she sensed that someone was watching her.

"Hello?" She called out moving to cover her body with a blanket, daemon didn't say a word as he stood there in the shadows.

"Is anybody there?" She calls out again as she slolwy move to plant her feet on the floor standing up making daemon swallow thickly as his heart was racing feeling a bit unsure what to do, before he could leave the door to the girl's room was wide opened causing daemon to stay frozen in his spot.

"There's no use in staying quiet I can hear you breathing, asshole. " She said, her eyes were trained on the ground but her head was tilted a bit to the side as if using her hearing to detect someone.

"I apologize, my lady. I didn't mean to disturb you." She sigh exasperating.

"If your looking to steal. We don't have anything of value here." Daemon chuckled putting his hands behind his back rocking on the balls of his heels.

"I wasn't looking to steal....I heard you humming and saw you. You have a beautiful voice." She hmmed moving her head slighly up and down.

"Thank you for the compliment, now if you don't mind I am tired and I wish to sleep." She was closing the door but daemon stopped it with his hand.

"How much for one night?" He asked.

"I'm not a whore." She said flatly.

"Noted, but I am willing to play you a good sum to just....sing to me." He said quietly, she pulled a face at his request.

"Are you a eunuch or something?" She asked ill-mannered leaning her hand against the doorframe.

"No, I'm not I have all my bits."

"Than the answer is no. Goodbye." Daemon stopped her again from closing the door.

"Wait! Please, I don't...I haven't had the best couple of days. All I wish to do is hear you sing nothing else." Daemon watched her for a moment as she contemplate.

"Give me your sword." She command, daemon looked at her with furrowed eyes, "If you wish to come inside my room, you must give me your weapon." She held out her hand for it, daemon let out a huff before sliding dark sister from out of his sheath and place the handle in her hand.

"Be careful. It's very sharpe." The girl hummed turning walking further inside her room, daemon looked at her in surpised as she swing his sword skillfully.

"Valyrian steel? Very rare for someone to have one, how did you get it." The woman let the light sword drag behind her as she moved her hand to the wall next the window and place it on the cushion seat on the windowsill.

"It was a gift...from the prince daemon." She walked over to her bed taking a seat.

"You must be part of his kingsguard than, so tell me...now that your prince is back will you and your fellow brethern start your killing spree again?" Daemon looked taken back at her words before rubbing his neck.

"The king was not pleased with the last one, so no." She made a noise as she slowly move to over to the wall before laying down.

"Maybe his not dull-witted, after all." Daemon glared at her as he stood in the middle of her small room.

"Watch the way you speak of him, he is your king–" she let out a obnoxious laugh cutting him off.

"My king? No, his your king. My king died thirteen years ago and left us with a stout who spends all his wealth throwing fucking parties while his subjects are starving and are barely scraping by." The woman glares up at the roof, daemon let out a soft scoff even though she's was right he couldn't help but defend him even when they were anger at each other.

"Do you still wish for me to sing to you or what, I don't have all night to argue with you about your precious king." Daemon looked at her before he slowly removed his vast and took of his shoes off before laying in bed with her, he rest on his back with his hand linked on his stomach.

"Any recommendations?" He looked at her before shaking his head.

"Not really, you can sing that song you were singing earlier."

"The one that lured you into my neck of the woods?" She asked with a hint of a smirk.

"Yeah." he chuckled softly before moving to rest on his side as he listened to her sing, his gaze on her started to slowly faltered little by little as he fell asleep he felt like he haven't slept in ages since the war in the stepstones and now being exile again it was getting hard to found peace I'm his chaos.

So, when he woke up the next morning with his head resting on the girl's chest and his arm thrown over her stomach, he couldn't remember the last time he felt so tranquil in last two years. He leaned his head up at the beautiful stranger even in her sleep she looks breathe taking, he groan lowly as he moved off her and sat at the edge of the bed he moved off after putting his shoes on and getting dark sister.

"I hope your not leaving without praying, gold cloak." Daemon was midway button his vast when he turned to see the girl on her side with her eyes train somewhere else.

"Of course not, m'lady." He took the bag of coins from his pocket and put it on the bed, she grabbed weighing it before giving a satisfied nod.

"A bit light but I guess it be enough to eat." Daemon frowned a bit.

"Oh, I'm sorry I could always go get more it may take a while through but–" she sat up criss-cross on the bed stopping him.

"I was jesting, gold cloak. This will do just fine." Daemon sighed.

"Right...," he looked at the door before looking back at her, "...may I ask you something, my lady." She said something causing him to furrow his brows.

"I'm sorry?"

"That's my name, so stop with the my lady its too formal and makes me feel old." Daemon smiled and nodded.

"Your nodding, aren't you?" Daemon wince forgetting.

"Yes, apologies–"

"And stop apologizing I swear if I didn't know any better I would have thought you weren't from around here, gold cloak." He chuckled softly.

"You said you wanted to ask me something, what is it?" She asked looking down in her hands as you opened the bag of coins and started to count them.

"I was wondering if the lady–I mean if you would allow me to come back...later tonight for another song." He asked anxious, he needed her to sing to him again he needed her voice to lure him back to that peaceful place within his mind that he didn't know he had the young woman in front of him shrug nonchalantly.

"If you got the money, than sure but you have to pay extra since your going to be spending the night." She rest her shin on her balled fist waiting for him.

"I can do that."

"Good. But, before we can shake on it, may I ask your name....just in case if you were to murder me I can alert my brothers of the intruder." She gave him a humorous smile causing daemon to laugh.

"I'm...Daeron. Daeron Stone." She raised a brow at his name but didn't question it and reached out her hand for him to shake, he looked at it for a moment before grabbing her hand shaking it.

"Well, now we are acquainted, I have to ask..." daemon let go of her hand as she rest back under her chin, "....is it true that men from the vale fuck sheep?"

~

After that first night, daemon been staying in mysaria's brothel and every night he stayed she charged him, she gave him a month to figure out his next move and as he did he been spending his time with you. Within weeks of knowing each other he and you have become good friends and lovers in their ambivalent amour, he got to know a lot about you and your family he learned more about you in a week than he did with his own wife in a month. He learned that you lost your mother and father early in your teen years just around the time you lost your sight, he learned that you wanted to become a blacksmith and live in Qohor, he knows that you love your brothers even though you don't say it when you talk about them. It reminds him a little about how he treated his own brother. Viserys. The King.

Daemon laid on his side facing you with his thumb gently caressing your cheek as you laid on your back with your lips moving along his own, he somehow got lured back into bed with only his pants on these were one the days that he enjoyed most with you. In deep down it pains him that it have to end so soon, daemon pulled away resting his head against hers as her hand were gently running her nails up and down his arm giving goosebumps.

"Why you stop?" Her lips grazed his lips before pressing a small kiss at the corner of his mouth, he sighed his nose bumping into hers.

"I have to tell you something?" She pulled back a bit with furrowed eyes, nod motioning for him to continue.

"I am leaving to pentos...morrow..." Daemon watched her as she sit up following suit as she leaned her back against the wall.

"I can't say I didn't see this coming, I always knew we were going to have to say goodbye one these days." she exhale.

"Maybe we don't... you can come with me." She looked taken back by his offer before letting out a nervous laugh.

"You know I can't–"

"Because of your brothers I know...." Daemon crossed path with one of her brothers this morning while he was sneaking out from her room, it was a hysteric morning for the brothers as they argued with daemon.

Her brothers were beyond furious when founding out that the man their sister was infatuated with was the young prince, daemon pleaded to them not to tell her yet wanting to do it himself. He had planned long ago to take her away with him, but he knew had to come clean about who he was and get your brothers blessing.

"That's why I talked them."

"My brothers. As in mine two brothers who you barely know and haven't meet since now, told you yes you can take our blind little sister far away to a place she never been before." Daemon made a noise causing to tilt her head to the slide slighly.

"Not in those words, but they did say if you wished to leave with me than they won't stop you it is your choice to make and your life." She cast her eyes to the side with a sincere look knowing that is something her brothers would say, daemon looked at her as she was in her head he could see that she was conflicted between choosing to leave the only place you know with the only people you who protected or staying and never truely living the life you always dreamed for yourself.

"You don't have to decide now," daemon's hand move over to hers linking them before pressing a kiss to the back of her hand.

"I feel like I do. I truely wish to go to pentos with daemon, it's just..." she trailed off feeling a bit unsure how to him.

"What?" He asked moving his hand to cup her face, she leaned into his touch trying to found the words to say.

"I...I believe I am not just infatuated with you, but..." she moved her hand to overs his on his cheek before pulling it away and kissing his fingers making daemon's heart flutter.

"But." He whispered.

"But in love you and I tried so hard to make it go away cause I knew you were going to leave, and...I just wanted you to know." She said sheepishly waiting for him to answer, she liked to think she knows him after only knowing each for a couple of months, she likes to hope that the time they spent togther had something more to it.

Her ears perked when he said her name pulling her out of her thoughts, "...I be lying if I said I didn't love you either, and I be a bigger liar if I didn't say I never felt this way about any woman in my entire life." The young girl smiled at his confession, she couldn't help but grab hold on his cheeks and pull him forward into your lips.

"That's all I needed to hear, i'll go with you to pentos..." she said, he hum happily pressing his lips against her cheek before he did the same thing with her lips.

"I want to marry you...and...see you carry my childern...." He said, pressing wet kisses against her lips and jaw.

"I will for you, my sweet knight," she moan softly when he bite and suck on her neck making crawl on his lap, "...I love you." He whispered against her lips.

"I love you too, daeron." She whispered causing daemon to pull back from her, he frown as he forgot the one of the promises he made to her brother. Tell her the truth. The woman he loves more than anything wore a confused looked as she wondered why he pulled a away.

"Daeron?" He snapped back to reality and grabbed her hand holding them.

"There's one more thing I have to tell you..." you furrowed her brows before nodding.

"Okay." Daemon looked down at her hands squeezing them gently.

"My name isn't daeron stone, i'm not a bastard from the vale nor am i a knight of the kingsguard..." he truely didn't want to tell her who he was feeling that this might end things before it even started.

"Do I need to scream for help?" She asked waiting for him to speak.

"No, please don't. I-I just don't want anything to change between us when you find my true name." She sigh putting her hand on his cheek caressing him tenderly.

"It easier to pretend to be someone else but it's not easy to fake who you are inside whoever you are I will still love you." She said gently giving him a small smile

"Even if I'm the dishonorable rogue prince." He said hesitatedly making her giggle.

"Yeah, even if your are...I'll still love you." She said kissing his head before his lips.

"That's a relief to hear. For so long I hated lying to you about who I was, and now that you know we can leave to pentos morrow at first light. I can't wait for you to meet caraxes." The young woman let out a confused laugh at the mention of the rogue prince dragon, she didn't understand what he was talking as he spoke of a dinner party at the red keep for the princess.

"By the gods, your serious." She said stopping daemon mid-sentence, she slide off his lap as she stands holding on to her bed post.

"Yes, I thought that was clear?" He asked a bit confused.

"I thought you were jesting." He furrowed his brows at her before getting off the bed.

"Issa dōna jorrāelagon..." he said in valyrian. (My sweet love)

The young woman shook her head, "No, you can't be daemon targaryen, your jesting because the man I know knows that I don't sleep with married men." She hissed, he looked at her with desperate look knowing her standards since being hurt in the past by a already taken man

"Technically, we did not consumate our marriage so–" she scoffed throwing her hands in the air.

"Oh, yes. Because that makes it so much better, fine that one problem solved. What about the other?" She asked.

"We can marry in pentos and live out our lives there..." he said moving to planting a gentle hand on her shoulder, she turned her head at the feel of his hand on her before moving her head away.

"Your brother won't allow such a thing–"

"What I do in my life is none of my brother concerns, I love you and I want to be with you...fuck everyone else." Her heart fluttered at his words, but it seemed she really did need the tike to think this over and think about her future with daemon.

"I'm happy to hear that, but I think I need to take another day to think," she said sadly, daemon looked at her hurt before he nodded.

"Of course, I'll come by morrow afternoon, sounds good?" He asked, she nodded before feeling his soft lips against her cheek.

"No matter what your decision is...I will come back to you and still love you." He whispered in her ear before walking out, the young girl exhale before falling bsck on her bed before putting her face in her in distress.

~

The young woman was on the windowsill with her head leaned against the cold glass window, she listened to the horses and the people down below as they past under her window. She sigh exasperating hearing another knock at the door, she leaned her head off and turn to the door.

"My dear brother, I swear it on our parents grave if you ask me how feel one more time, I will throw myself out of this window." She chided.

"Good thing. I'm not your brother." Her ears perked at daemon's voice, she stood up quickly as her hands helped her to reach for the bed post.

"Daemon..." she heard him take a step forward feeling his hand on her waist, "...or should i call you prince daemon," she asked jokingly making him chuckled.

"Daemon is fine." He said with a small smile, "...I bring news." She quirked her brow.

"My late lady wife has died." He said softly, the young woman looked shocked and draw back a bit.

"I'm sorry for your lost," he hummed in agreement.

"Thank you." They stood quiet for moment before daemon spoke up dying to her what choice she made, "...have you decided what you wanted to do." He asked, she sighed leaned her head against his chest inhaling his scent. He smelled of leather and fire.

"Yes, I have it to say it's very concerning how much the cons out weigh the pros." Daemon arms were wrapped around her shoulder as he hug her to his chest, he knew deep down that she might say no and he couldn't blame her and no matter how many times he tried to accept that and imagine a life without her it made the pain twice as agonizing to bear.

"And yet I still wish to choose you and go with you to pentos, and hopefully start our family there." She could could feel his heart beating fast in his chest and before she knew it he picked up with her legs clinging to his waist as he spin them around.

"I do not deserve you or your love, and I will forever be eternally grateful to you for choosing to love me." He said ecstatic, she smiled widely at his action and words causing her to kiss him passionately.

"I hope your not afriad of riding a dragon." He said finally putting her down, she had her arms lazily around his neck with a coy grin.

"I'm pretty sure I'm already use to it by now."

#daemon targaryen x you #daemon targaryen x oc #daemon targaryen x reader #daemon targaryen x y/n #daemon targaryen smut #daemon targaryen x black!reader #hotd imagine #daemon targaryen imagine #hotd fanfic #house of thr dragon imagine #asoif fanfic #asoiaf #asoif/got #black!reader #black oc #x black reader #black reader #blackoc #xblack!reader #x black!reader #x black fem reader

[accio-victuuri]

OCTOBER READS 📚

Another productive reading month for me! Manhua/Manhwa binge again and for those who are interested in what titles I tried, then this is the post for you. I don’t know what the next months will bring but I wanna get back to reading novels… we will see how that goes. for now, I just feel thankful that these works are out in the world for people to enjoy ^^

• The Tyrant Prince’s Last Promise ( Chapter 74 ; Ongoing )

Adapted from the novel, “the wife is first” so I see why there are alot of people following the manhua. Jing Shao ( MC ) is a prince who is good at battles and was made to marry a male concubine Han ( ML ). He didn’t treat him well for years but Han stayed by his side even if he was sentenced to death and was accused of so many things. Right before they died, he promised to treat Han better.

So his wish gets granted and he goes back to their wedding night. Then the whole story focuses on their relationship and how Jing Shao pays his dues and tries to be the best husband for Han. He also tries to make different decisions to prevent him from falling from grace like before. This story is just so fluffy and sweet <3 and i love their chibi versions! ☺️☺️☺️ I might read the novel to see where it goes but i have to say it’s a standard trope — and i will never get tired of it.

Guilty Affection ( Chapter 47 ; Ongoing )

Esper/Guide trope but this one is more problematic. LOL. The MC, Han Yoonjae is an undocumented Esper and living his life as a normal person. There is some mystery from his past because you can tell that he is strong but decided to leave his life as an Esper. Then here comes the ML, Cha Minhyung. A popular & strong guide who comes to his life and offers to be his guide and make his life better. These two have a shared past and the story tries to uncover that. Also what will happen to Yoonjae and his power. I really like his power, and I understand why he will be someone that everyone will want to control. The relationship between them is not really the “romance” type but more co-dependence and lots of smut.

Crushing Jade & Catching Pearls Chapter 51 ; Ongoing

This one is very unique, I have never read something with this plot. It is modern era, but the MC/ML both work as apprentices for an old art of sculpting. Tho the ML ( Ding Hanbai ) is much older and is more accomplished in the field. It’s really more of the relationship between the MC & ML and less “romance” so far. I feel like some people will find it boring, but there is something about it that draws me to it. and it doesn’t hurt that the art is pretty. Ding Hanbai starts off as an asshole who bullies the MC Ji Zhenzhu — but then they slowly become closer. The MC who is the goodest boy with puppy energy melts Ding Hanbai’s heart 💕

No arguing with Mr.Mo Chapter 71 ; Ongoing

The trope of Mr. Cold hearted CEO who is actually a simp for the MC is not new and I usually like it — I often root for the MC and hope they get together. But in this one, I find myself liking the ML ( Mr.Mo ) waaaay more than the MC. To the point that I don’t think the MC deserves Mr.Mo at all. I get that Xiao Nuo have some trauma and baggage of his own but his drama over nothing just irritates me. Mr.Mo is straightforward and clear with his intentions, but MC takes advantage of him, willingly or not, is not my cup of tea.

I won’t be continuing on, or if i do, maybe it’s to see Mr. Mo’s panels.

Hard Boiled Love Chapter 93 ; Ongoing

I only finished up until Chapter 40 cause I felt like there is nothing else for me as a reader to see, plot-wise. I could be wrong but maybe I will pick it up again when i’m in the mood. This is popular, and i understand why, the trope is catchy : Rich kid and his Bodyguard, then add BDSM into the mix. Boom! There is just no way that people will not click and read. It is a good read and enjoyable but I wasn’t in the headspace for that type of smut, the interaction of the MC/ML tho are sweet!!!! 💕

What captured me tho is the ML. Hwayoung Yoon. He is a lovable psychopath. He gave off so much Hisoka vibes ( from the anime hunterxhunter if you didn’t know ) and this type of character would do so well if done in live action. How he seems to be this sweet boy that his family dotes on but is secretly a sadistic bastard. I mean, look at him as a kid:

A master manipulator.

The MC too, Gyuwon, is well written. He is an ex mercenary who really wants to be someone’s sub ( in a sense ) but he doesn’t think that will happen because of how he looks. People have expectations of how he should be but lo and behold, he meets the fucked up Hwayoung. 😂😂😂 it’s more light and funny considering the subject — they could make the plot really dark, so i’m glad they didn’t.

Campus Trap Chapter 24; Ongoing

AHHHHHHHHHH! My new favorite. The omegaverse hoe in me is screaming! 🤍 too bad there are only a few chapters out. I honestly want to read the novel which is already completed but i’m still trying to figure out how to navigate korean sites. The plot of the story may seem dramatic to some, because it’s all about the MC (Chaewoo) who is an Omega and trying to make ends meet. He was once this kid who lived a pampered life but things changed and now he is a struggling student. One day, his Uncle, told him about the concept of a reset partner, which is kinda like a surrogate. So a dominant omega like him will be a surrogate to a rich dominant Alpha. He agrees and finds out that the Alpha is someone he goes to school with — Mister popular, Euigeon. It doesn’t help he doesn’t like the guy and Chaewoo is even jealous of his “success” cause he feels like he will be the same way if unfortunate events didn’t happen to him.

I LOVE IT. I LOVE THEM. The campus setting and the two being music students is also a bonus, it’s only beginning to be explored and I wanna see more. They have great chemistry and the way I squealed during the car scene. 😱😱😱 it’s also the type of story where I can’t wait for the ML to fall for the MC. I’m reading about Euigeon being this arrogant bitch to Chaewoo and i’m like— can’t wait to see you fall head over heels and regret your actions. It’s nothing abusive, if anything, I feel like his actions are reasonable cause he doesn’t want to make their relationship complicated. It’s supposed to be a business transaction. I wanna know more about ML too cause i’m sure he has so many issues that caused him to be this way. I have spoiled myself a by reading comments on the novel but i will surely keep an eye out on this till it’s completion.

Miss you, Lucifer 15 chapters ; Completed

A short Manhwa that is full of uwu and love! 🥹🥹🥹

If you want something to lift your mood up then this is the best pick. Honestly! It had everything: romance, comedy, angst and some plot in there even if it’s only 15 chapters. The premise is an “idol” from a boy group that’s not popular x A-list actor pairing. I don’t wanna spoil too much cause it’s better to just dive into it, and like i said, it’s not that long.

Business as Unusual 15 Chapters ; Completed

Another short one that I enjoyed. 💕

Tho i’m not a believer of getting back together with your ex. Lol. That’s the story here. MC/ML were a thing back in college and because of a misunderstanding they “broke up”. Years later, they meet again as office mates and rekindle their romance. I’m happy for the characters because they had a second chance at love and are now at a better place to stay together.

Considering the length of this, there was one scene that really stuck with me. The two are walking on the street late at night and ML is chasing the MC, he wants to talk but the MC won’t listen so he shouts:

“HEY! MY FIRST LOVE KIM MINJUN!” 🗣️🗣️🗣️

It’s so funny considering why it was said, to get someone’s attention — but also so romantic. It is like a scene in a k-drama.

Tied To You 64 Chapters ; Completed

I feel so lucky that I found this title in it’s completion cause i would absolutely go nuts if I had to wait, to find out what’s gonna happen next. As soon as I started, I couldn’t stop and took me 5 hours to finish the whole thing. So worth it. This kind of Manhwa is the reason why I keep reading, hoping that I will find something like this. It’s really something special. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

the synopsis is as follows:

It’s only sleeping together while holding hands, nothing else. That’s what Shin Wooseo tells himself when a red ring that ties a person to their soulmate appears on his finger one day. Once two people get tied by the ring, they cannot fall asleep unless they’re physically together. However, his destined partner isn’t his long-term friend and secret crush, Kang Jiseok, but rather his older brother, Kang Jigeon! And so starts the tragedy of loving one brother but having to share beds with the other. Although, it might not entirely be a tragedy, as Kang Jigeon doesn’t seem so disappointed about being tied to his younger brother’s best friend…

I don’t usually go for love triangle tropes, but this one is not really that kind of love triangle. The strength of this Manhwa is the storytelling. Every panel & interactions served a purpose. As a reader, you are pulled in and can’t help but want to know more. I also appreciated that we can see the perspectives of 3 different people, but moreso on the MC/ML. I liked the concept of “love” that was portrayed too — it’s something that you have to work and fight for. It’s a conscious choice and not all sweet gestures.

Now i wanna spotlight the ML, KANG JIGEON 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 If I was to rank my fave MLs from all the stuff I read, he would easily be in the Top 10. He is manipulative but in the best way because all he does is for Wooseo to pay more attention to him. I have to say that he ultimately sets up the “scene” but most of the time the choice is still with Wooseo. His devotion is very real and his approach to fighting for his love is ( to me personally ) admirable! GO GET YOUR BOY! I’m not even mad at him.

I’ve been wanting to read a character like him, a chaotic good if you will, and that’s probably why this made such an impact on me. It was hilarious seeing the comments of readers in the early chapters being sus about Jigeon and thinking he is gonna be an asshole ML. In the middle, they were confused whether to love or hate him and the schemes. Towards the end, everyone was cheering for Jigeon and applauding him. Lol. I guess he was successful in making the readers fall in love too. ❤️

The King and Me Chapter 36; Ongoing

The story is very unique, atleast to me, cause I haven’t read anything set in Ancient Egypt + Time travel. There is also some heavy plot aside from the romance and every character here is just beautiful and badass!!!! The first few chapters broke my heart. I swear. It was effective in setting up the MC’s quest and why he is so stubborn when he goes back in time. What he is after is so important. 💪🏼

I adore the MC (Zhang Li)!!! He is so smart and determined to find out the truth about his “Rocky” and the tyrant king. His circumstances are not the best, but he tries to adapt and is not some love sick fool. Even if the main reason that he is there is because of love. This story is still in it’s early stages and I feel like it could easily go up to 150++ chapters because of the plot and well, the progression of MC/ML relationship. It’s also a slowburn so if that’s your thing, you would enjoy this.

Manhattan Romance Chapter 40; Ongoing

This reads like the kind of novel set in a specific city, in this case, NY, and two people meet each other and fall in love. Of course there are challenges and issues between the characters and their environment but the central story is their relationship. I think people who will read this would want to be the MC (Hyeon), in a way, all because of how much the ML (Luwan) dotes on him. Hyeon has his own issues and he is a precious bean that is too good for this world! I’m so happy that Luwan is the person who “caught” him and not some toxic shit. Let them live in their penthouse and be happy, Let Hyeon paint more masterpieces and the two of them to travel the world. ❤️

Ordinary life of a Universal Guide Chapter 61; Completed

Because i’m a sucker for esper/guide universe I had to pick it up. There is really nothing “special” with the plot, it’s the usual for the trope. My comments sounds like i hated it or something lol but the truth is — it’s alright. I picked this up after reading really good ones ( tied to you & the king and me ) so this was an in between read. I can’t always be that lucky.

The Third Ending Chapter 67; Completed

OMG how do I even begin to describe this perfection. I’ve been seeing this on other people’s list but for some reason I kept putting it off. Funny how I always manage to “start” reading something really good just before bedtime — which delays the “sleeping” I should be doing 😂😂😂

First of all, I love the art. It reminds me of Omega Complex that was so pretty so that helped a lot. 🫶🏼

Synopsis:

Suh Yoonseul has had life easy—everyone likes him, he’s good at his job, basically everything has always worked out as smooth as butter. However, there’s something that brings all of his good luck down, and it’s the infrequent dreams he has of Kang Joon. Who knew that rejecting a guy once would hang so heavy on your life? To make things worse, after he runs into Joon the dreams keep on coming daily. At his wit’s end, Yoonseul takes some advice from a friend so that he can free himself from this jinx. It’s simple. Make Kang Joon think that he’s a nice person. That can’t be hard, right?

Yoonseul is one of my favorite MCs. He’s a chronic people pleaser and has this perfect facade that he presents to everyone. So when he remembers being mean ( showing his true self ) back in high school to someone who confessed to him — he can’t let it go. It was so fun to see him suffer when it comes to winning Joonie over ( AHHHHHH Joonie is the most precious and can do no wrong!!! ) because tbh his intentions weren’t good. He is selfish. The entire season 1 was such a treat. Seeing their relationship progress and I— I don’t wanna spoil anymore but this could easily be a kdrama. There was that scene in the snow. AHHHHH! I was screaming while reading it! Lol. Season 2 is sweeter and more on fluff, by that time, you’re already so invested on them that you don’t care about any plot. Personally, what I loved about this is their mutual obsession towards each other. I’m a fan of that. I like tropes that are about “fated pairs” or something similar.

Between the Lines Chapter 20 ; ongoing

Not gonna say too much about this and I encourage people to wait for more chapters but it has a solid start. The MC/ML are both likable. Especially the MC. The premise is also hilarious, cause MC is a bl writer who is having a writer’s block and needs an inspiration for his protagonist. Here comes ML, who acts like Mr.Perfect ( but he isn’t ) and inspires him. There is so much more going on here that I feel like will be explored more as the story progresses so i’ll definitely come back to it.

Necromancer Survival 79 chapters ; 2 seasons completed and s3 is TBA

I had no idea what was in store for me when I decided to pick this up. I have a thing for necromancers and this one has the whole “dungeons” concept to it so I was down. But like — this probably ruined every other story for me. In a good way. Now I want a plot-heavy type of story with the romance as a bonus only. All I’ve been reading so are heavy on the romance & relationship, this has that element too but you get really invested with the plot.

Synopsis:

When the weak and unconfident Choi Yikyung first found out that he was a user, he thought he had finally hit the jackpot. In Yikyung’s mind, Necromancy seemed like the ultimate mix of cool and interesting. Back then, he had no idea that the Necromancer class was the weakest of them all! But as Yikyung enters the newly reopened Tower of Spirits in search of enhancement materials, he is sucked into a mysterious area of the dungeon where he encounters a frightening corpse. “Ding!” A quest window pops up, and it says… “You have made a pact with Seo Dawon, a vengeful spirit.” When tackling quests, it doesn’t hurt to have a companion or two, especially if one of them is the spirit of an ultra powerful and handsome young man. After all, “it’s dangerous to go alone”!

Don’t let the art fool you. It’s not some bright and shiny story. I made the mistake of thinking it’s gonna be some g rated adventure story lol It’s literally a necromancer whose goal is to make a master/slave pact with all the members of a dead team. He has to fulfill their wishes and help them get their revenge— which means killing a lot of people. It comes with a price, because every summoning is making him weaker in some aspects. Also no one knows what the true power of a necromancer is so whatever it is he’s doing — they don’t know what will happen to him in the long run. I freakin love the concept and how it’s mixed in with the romance. Is Seo Dawon only attracted to Yikyung because he is his master or are these real feelings? How will this relationship even work when one of them is Dead? A huge bonus too are how likable the other characters are. Especially Jung Garam!!! 🫶🏼

I hope the Manhwa continues cause I wanna see them get that revenge! 💪🏼 I wanna know too if Yikyung’s power will allow him to resurrect people and if so, what’s the payment?

I see lots of comments that say this adaptation does not live up to the novel & source material. Which i get it — a Manhwa will have restrictions, especially on the themes. The novels seems more gruesome and explicit ( not the sexual kind ) which usually has to be toned down for a Manhwa to get a license. Plus from what I can tell, the Novel is like 500 chapters ++ with a concept so niche and is for a specific type of reader. So yeah… I’m not sure if I will pick up the novel. I don’t have that urge yet, tho I am very interested in the censored scenes and if it’s really as dark as people are saying it is. I have a feeling it’s right up my alley. && I read some comments that Yikyung gets more dangerous as the story progresses ( getting corrupted by the summoning and the practice of necromancy ). I’m very curious! 👀

If anyones decided to read this, lemme know what you think. 💕

Black Mirror Chapter 64 ; Completed

This is the perfect spooky + sexy read for the season we’re in right now. From the first page down to the end, I can’t stop reading and wanting to know what happens next. It perfectly captures that eerie feeling, even if there are a lot of explicit scenes, it’s still there. The author really planned this well and the artist perfectly executed it. I don’t explain more because it’s best to go into this blind and experience the story for yourself. Highly recommend ✨✨

====================

See you all next month ^^ & feel free to recommend me some titles! 💕

#danmei novels #novel recommendation #novel recs #danmei recs #mlm recs #accio victuuri reads #black mirror #necromancer survival #between the lines #the third ending #the ordinary life of a universal guide #manhattan romance #the king and me #tied to you #business as usual #miss you lucifer #campus trap #hard boiled love #no arguing with mr mo #crushing jade and catching pearls #guilty affection #the tyrant prince’s last promise #manhua recs #manhwa recs

[nessinborderland]

V-E-N-U-S (02)

Pairing: Rafe x plus size!Reader

Genre: smut, dark-ish fic

Word Count: 6 ,2k

Warnings ⚠️ Mildly Dubious Consent, Enemies to Lovers, more like Enemies to Enemies That Fuck tbh, Rafe Cameron Being an Asshole, mentions of bullying, Vaginal Sex, Oral Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Rough Sex, Mentions of death of a parent, Drinking, Drug Use, Rafe needs therapy asap, fatphobia, Other Additional Tags to Be Added

Summary: The nickname he had given you in 8th grade was supposed to be ironic. In Rafe’s defense, he used to be a pretty stupid and cruel fourteen-year-old, as most kids that age are. So yeah, nicknaming the fat and nerdy chick Venus – like the goddess of sex and beauty – had been pretty hilarious in young Rafe's opinion.

What he would've never guessed was how much that name would fit you now as a grown woman.

Notes: This chapter ended up being an over 10k words beast, so I had to split it in two lol. Enjoy 💖 and please reblog and leave me a comment if you like, I would love to know what are your thoughts on this ff.

AO3 | Masterlist | Part 1

Leaving that room after you fucked Rafe Cameron had felt a lot like your ‘walk of shame’ debut. It was like a beam of light shone down on you, following you as you rushed down the stairs into the foyer and out of the house. You could feel the stares of partygoers – at least the ones sober enough to realize what had transpired between you – and the whispers and giggles as you passed by them couldn’t be ignored.

You cursed Rafe for the hundredth time that night – knowing how gossip went around the island, it would be common knowledge by the next day’s afternoon that something had happened between you and the Kook Prince.

Something you had instantly come to regret.

It had all been your fault.

Your first mistake was thinking that teasing Rafe Cameron would be a good idea. The furtive looks, the coy smiles, the light seducing – it had all been part of your plan. You wanted to watch him squirm, to have him pay in some way for all he had done to you in high school. He would never apologize, and you would never forgive him, but having at least some power over him would be enough.

Or so you thought.

Nothing was supposed to come out of it besides the blond’s frustration and the sweet taste of revenge on your tongue as you rejected his advances again and again. You wanted to make him mad with want and, in a way, you suppose you had succeeded.

You just never expected to fall for your own game.

You couldn’t deny it though; sex with Rafe had been amazing. You were no sex goddess by any means – despite your nickname – but you knew for a fact that none of the guys you had sex with before could ever compare to the dick that had quite possibly ruined your sex life.

The intensity in his eyes when he had fucked you hard and deep, the way his big hands had smoothed over your curves, the way he had filled you up and touched that magical spot just right, how he had kissed you… it was like you could still feel it all, from your trembling legs to your still racing heart.

A flush of heat crept up your chest and cheeks at the memories, making you open up your light jacket despite the chilly night air.

Your legs felt like jelly, your hair was a tangled mess, your skin was no doubt starting to bruise from his love bites, and you knew for a fact that you would be sore the next morning. The wet mess between your folds was hard to ignore, and you would have to say goodbye to your cute – but now ruined – bikini bottom as soon as you got home.

You shook your head at your own stupidity; why the hell had you let him get inside you without a condom on? You knew better than that! Thank God you were on the pill, though. That was one less thing for you to worry about.

You moaned in discomfort as you sat on the curb right in front of the house, refusing to look back despite the heavy feeling of being watched.

Fucking perv.

When he asked you to see him again, the look in his eyes made you wonder how much longer you would regret this little adventure. You weren’t even that drunk, to begin with, so what demon had possessed you to do something as foolish as getting in bed with Rafe Cameron?

A text notification made your phone vibrate, and you opened it to read your cousin’s text.

‘omw. u ok?’ it read. You texted him back a thumbs-up emoji, already knowing he would probably ask you several questions when he finally arrived.

John B had called and texted a few times after Rafe had taken your phone from you, asking what was going on and if you were okay, with – obviously – no response. But your baby cousin wasn’t one to dramatically worry over you, and you were glad for that. His last text had been a simple ‘call me back when you can’ followed by ‘or I’ll send the rescue team’.

Thankfully for you, you were done with Rafe before John B worried too much, and you were sending him a text asking him to come get you as soon as you were dressed and with your phone back in your possession.

You bit the nail on your thumb as you wondered how your cousin would react to the exciting news of your rendezvous with Rafe Cameron.

In one word: badly. After everything the blond had done to him, his friends, and Sarah – done to you – there was no doubt in your mind that John B would go berserk over it. Not to mention JJ, you thought with a grimace. That boy would gladly try to kill Rafe with his bare hands any day of the week if he could get away with it; but after hearing about this?

Absolute chaos.

And that was why you sincerely hoped that the rumors of tonight’s activities never reached their ears. Wishful thinking, you were well aware. You and Rafe just tended to draw too much attention when you were in the same vicinity, for some reason, and even your family knew you didn’t get along. The downside of always fighting him in public, you suppose.

Like on cue, a honk and a flash of light broke you out of your thoughts, and you stood up as the Twinkie rolled down the street till it stopped right by the house, your cousin in the driver’s seat waving at you with a tight smile on his lips.

“Thanks for picking me up, Bibi,” you said in greeting as you opened the door and sat on the passenger seat, reclining against the leather seat with a wince that your cousin thankfully didn’t seem to notice.

The van was empty besides the two of you. Good, you thought as you glanced back at the house – where music and loud voices could be heard even from outside, the party still going strong despite being almost three in the morning. You didn’t think you would be able to face Sarah Cameron right now; or any of the others, for that matter.

“No problem,” John B said as he started driving away. “Why didn’t you answer my calls, though? Got worried when that guy took your phone.”

“Sorry,” you said with a grimace, hoping he would just accept your apology without asking further questions. “I just got busy talking and didn’t notice your calls. You know I can’t shut up if someone brings up my favorite series.”

He hummed, not sounding totally convinced. It made you nervous just a little. “As long as you’re okay…” He sent you a side glance. “A Kook party, though? Thought you didn’t do those, with the chance of running into him and all that…”

“Oh, you know me, just trying to broaden my horizons and find out how the one percent lives.” You snorted, set on ignoring his last sentence. “And they live pretty damn well. Heated pools, bathrooms bigger than my bedroom, and, not surprisingly, a whole lot of coke. Not gonna lie, might do just like you and get me a Kook. Is Sarah looking for another sugar baby?”

John B chuckled at your words, lightly punching you in the arm.

“Ha ha ha, Sarah is not my sugar mommy.”

“Of course, keep telling yourself that,” you laughed, playfully pulling at the collar of his shirt. “But I know good clothes when I see them, and I also know you can’t afford them, so…”

“Fine, this was a gift, okay?” He swatted your hand away, and his expression slowly returned to one of mild worry. “So, nothing happened, right? Was it a fun party? You do look like you had a good time…”

You couldn’t help but notice that it sounded more like a question than a statement, and you wondered if he could notice you had fucked his nemesis not even fifteen minutes ago. You shook the thoughts away; he couldn’t possibly know already and, hopefully, he never would.

You looked at him with a raised brow.

“Is this your attempt at an interrogation, cuz?”

He scoffed, but his ears started turning red. “Of course not, I’m just asking.”

“If you really want to know, yes, Rafe was there, and yes, he was an asshole the whole time. But I can’t resist a good fight where he’s involved, so what was I supposed to do? Leave?” You scoffed like it was a ridiculous option. “Someone got to slap that smug smirk off his face, and it might as well be me.”

“Damn right,” he laughed, the sound sounding forced. Then his brow furrowed, and his smile dropped. “Hmm… was he the guy that took your phone, by any chance?”

You froze, meeting his eye through the rearview mirrors.

“What?” you asked with an awkward chuckle. “What makes you say that?”

“Well, I was with Sarah when you called and she could swear it was her brother on the phone,” he clarified with a shrug. Then he hesitated, unsure of what to say before adding, “So, was he?”

“Yeah,” you confessed in a nonchalant tone. “He was just messing with me, though, nothing out of the ordinary for him.”

“Okay, cool, cool.” He paused for a moment, then spoke again, “He hasn’t been too bad, right? We all know what he’s capable of, and sometimes I just worry he will get too far. He always had this weird little obsession with fucking with you.” Oh, you have no idea, Bibi. “You know you can tell me and the guys if he ever crosses the line, right?”

“You got nothing to worry about, B,” you eased with a pat on his arm. “We both know he can’t hurt me anymore. Besides, I can fight.”

He laughed at your words, visibly relaxing, and you let out a deep sigh as he reached for the radio, Bob Marley’s voice filling the van with the lyrics of ‘Could You Be Loved’ and finally putting an end to this conversation.

«»«»«»«»«»

Working at The Island Club was usually a bearable affair. The money could be better, but the team was good, the hours weren’t bad, and the work – although exhaustive most days – was doable. The clients – mostly Kooks and tourists – weren’t that bad either and, more importantly, tipped well.

All in all, a job was a job, and you liked this one for the most part. You had mouths to feed and bills to pay after all, so it was not like you had a choice in the matter. You needed to work if you wanted to finally get into college sometime next year. You were thankful this job even let you have enough free time to focus on writing your novel.

However, today was turning into a rather hellish shift.

The party had been almost a week ago, and you had come to realize something.

Sleeping with Rafe Cameron had been a mistake. Not just a simple one, no – but a huge fucking mistake. One that would haunt you for the rest of your life (like a part of you knew it would). You could see that now. You had never regretted a stupid decision as much as you did at that moment, trying to do your job with the devil’s gaze burning your back.

To put it simply, your night together had changed something between you, while simultaneously changing nothing at all.

Rafe had barely said a word to you all week, but his heated stare as you professionally greeted him and Topper while setting their way-too-expensive prime ham sandwiches down on the table, said plenty. It was like he was expecting you to fall into his lap if he looked at you hard enough, blue gaze following your every move as you worked.

It was driving you crazy, and he knew it.

You had seen him almost every day since that Saturday night and, without fail, the blond made sure to make you as uneasy as he could until he either left or you clocked out.

And that wasn’t even the worst part.

People knew.

You hadn’t heard any rumors yourself and – by some miracle – neither John B nor any of his friends had mentioned it in any way. But you were aware that people knew if the hushed whispers of your and Rafe’s name said in the same sentence was any indication.

Like right now, you could feel the curious glances of the familiar-looking girls you were serving virgin margaritas to alternate between you and the men you had just served, their whispered giggles a good indication of what their conversation was about.

You didn’t dare turn, but you hoped that Rafe was keeping his eyes to himself right now; the last thing you needed was to make people even more curious about the both of you.

“Hey, Venus, can I ask you something?” Claire, one of the girls, asked in a conspiratorial whisper before giggling as she exchanged a look with her sister. The brunette didn’t wait for your answer before proceeding, “Is it true that you and Rafe Cameron had like… a thing at Allan’s party? Because we’ve heard some rumors…”

“I don’t know what–”

Does that mean you don’t hate each other anymore?” the other sister interrupted, nodding in Rafe’s direction just two tables away “Oh my God, are you guys dating?”.

“How is he in bed though?”

“Did you actually–”

“Okay, look, girls,” you said in a firm tone before any of them could utter another word. “I don’t know what you heard, but I’m glad to inform you that our mutual hate for each other is still very much alive. So, if that’s all…” you sent them a tight smile and moved to walk away. “Enjoy your drinks.”

You let out a deep sigh as you made a beeline for the kitchens, urging for a break and a cold glass of water. The kitchen was hot and loud, the sound of dishwashing machines and people talking just what you needed to zone out for a bit after the lunch hour rush, and this conversation that was about to give you an anxiety attack.

This was the first time anyone had actually asked you something about it, but you doubted it would be the last. The worst of it all was the fact that you were pretty sure that Rafe and his friend had heard every bit of that awkward convo, given their proximity and the girl’s apparent difficulty with speaking quietly.

You were on your second glass of water, leaning by a counter out of the way of the kitchen staff when the unthinkable happened.

“Hey, V.”

“Hey, JJ,” You greeted the blond boy back – still deep in your thoughts – as he leaned on the counter right beside you.

And that’s when he asked the forbidden question.

“Did something happen between you and Kook Prince out there?” he asked in a curious tone. “And I don’t mean you guys fighting – you do that all the time – I mean… you know… fucking.” As if his words weren’t enough, he added an obscene gesture as he said the word, his expression serious despite the question.

Your mouth dropped open in a scandalized scowl, the glass in your hand almost slipping from your fingers as the words registered.

If he knows, John B knows, was your immediate thought.

You fully turned to face JJ, his baby-blue eyes fixing you with a probing look that also seemed just a tad bit judgmental like it was actually his business who you were or weren’t fucking. But you knew that your sex life wasn’t the problem; who, specifically, was the problem. And you couldn’t really blame him, or anyone, for that; not when the who in question was Rafe fucking Cameron.

A beat passed where neither of you said a word, and you knew then that – didn’t matter whatever you said from now on – would be annulled by your initial silence. JJ had always been too perceptive for his own good, and you weren’t helping your case by just staring at him like a fish out of water.

But you still had to give it a try and save your remaining dignity; even if that meant lying with all your might.

-Excuse me?” you asked in your most offended tone, pinning him with a raised brow and a hand on your hip. “Do you even hear yourself? Do you really think that I would ever let a Kook – especially that one–- touch me like that?”

But JJ was harder to intimidate than most boys his age, and his eyes widened as he exclaimed in a tone loud enough to attract the kitchen staff’s attention: “Holy shit, are you fucking kidding me, is that a yes?! Did you and Cameron actually–”

You hurried to press a hand against his mouth, muffling his next words.

“Don’t. You. Dare,” you threatened, carefully intonating each word. “Say another word and you’ll never get a taste of my special brownies ever again. That’s a promise, JJ, I’ll make you regret it.”

His wide eyes relaxed, his surprised gaze turning into a playful one before you felt his tongue on your palm, making you drop it from his mouth with a sound of disgust followed by a slap on his shoulder.

“Ugh, you’re unbelievable! Where the hell did you even hear that, anyway?”

“So, you know the twins right – I had this thing with Claire, doesn’t matter now – but she just asked me if I knew anything about you and Cameron and no, I fucking did not! She told me people saw you fight and lock yourselves in a room. Like, what is that all about?”

“Those are rumors, and I’m honestly quite upset that you believe them.”

“Well, I didn’t until you looked at me like that,” he said, gesturing at you. “You always get wide-eyed when you’re lying. C’mon, you know you can tell me,” his expression turned deadly serious in an instant. “Did Rafe do anything to you? Did he–”

“Oh my god, JJ, no, Rafe didn’t hurt me or anything like what you’re thinking about, chill!”

“Oi!” A voice made you jump in place, and both yours and JJ’s gaze turned to the kitchen entrance where your boss stood, staring down at both of you with a raised brow. “I don’t pay you two to gossip around, get to work!”

“Yes, Raz, sorry!” you said, sending your boss an apologetic wave before turning to the blond. “Whatever you think you heard or saw, erase it from your mind, you understand? I’m serious, JJ. You don’t have to worry, okay?”

You went back to work after that, now under the gaze of not just Rafe – who was still following you with his eyes as he sipped on his drink – but also your cousin’s best friend, who alternated his watchful eye between you and the other man. This was exactly what you needed: just one more thing for you to worry about.

JJ would without a doubt tell John B, who would inevitably – and reasonably, if you were being honest with yourself – want to have a serious talk with you about it. If that happened, you would do what you always did when people got up in your business and shut that down. You loved them for caring about you, but you were as much a damsel in distress as they were your white knights.

But that was a problem for future you. Now you had orders to take and tables to clean and, fortunately, your shift was almost over.

A glance at your watch let you know that you only had to endure another forty minutes of work before you were free to go home and get back to that chapter you had been stuck at for some time.

You worked on autopilot, mind conjuring ideas to add to the plot line of your book as you filled a tray with empty glasses and beer bottles, so unaware of your surroundings that you didn’t even notice him approach.

“Hey, Venus.”

You jumped in place, your heart skipping a beat before you looked over your shoulder at Rafe Cameron, the Kook Prince himself. He was standing a few feet behind you, in some beige shorts and a dark blue polo shirt that clung to his torso just right, arms crossed at his chest. You tried not to think about his muscular arms, knowing damn well how strong he was and how they looked and felt around your naked body.

You quickly averted your eyes to his face, hoping that he would take the faint blush on your cheeks as just a consequence of working outside in the warm weather. He was staring at you with a satisfied little smile on his lips, like scaring you had made his day.

Asshole.

“Hey,” you greeted in a cold tone.

“How’re you doing?”

You took a moment to answer, filling the tray with the last of the glasses before turning to him, the full tray expertly balanced in your hand despite its weight.

“You know what?” you said as you walked by him to make your way inside, smiling to yourself as you heard him follow you; just like you knew he would. “I was having a nice day until I saw you walk in. After that, it got kinda shitty.”

“Bitchy today, aren’t we?” he said to your back, bite in his tone.

“With you? Always.”

“Been thinking about me when you touch yourself at night? Because I have.”

You set the tray on the bar counter with a little more strength than necessary, glasses and bottles clinking dangerously as you started to discard the bottles in the trash. It was, gladly, a slow day and there were no customers inside to hear your and Rafe’s conversation. The last thing you needed was for more people to wonder what was going on between you.

“Pig,” you spat at him.

“What, you don’t think of my cock inside you?” he asked, leaning closer to you. “Of my mouth on your tits? ‘Cause I do. All the fucking time.”

“So go fuck someone and leave me alone.”

“But I want you.”

“If only I cared.” Then you added, almost as an afterthought, “By the way, I’ve been spitting on all your drinks.” You sent him your best customer smile. “If you were wondering why they tasted sweeter..”

A moment passed where you just stared each other down, Rafe clearly annoyed, if the scowl on his face and the way he was sucking on the inside of his cheek was anything to go by. You were no stranger to that expression on his handsome face.

“You can be really fucking annoying, you know that?” he said, brows furrowing as you chuckled.

“That’s rich coming from you,” you retorted in a tone that clearly indicated you were done with the conversation, your boss watching you from outside making you nervous that he would think something of you two. You couldn’t lose this job. “Now, can you leave me alone, some of us actually have to work for a living, you know?”

You could feel his anger emanating from him in waves as you walked away, but you couldn’t care less. He was like a pampered little kid being denied an extra sweet, all pouty and red-faced because mommy wouldn’t give him what he wanted.

Someone had to make him understand that he couldn’t have every little thing his dark little heart desired.

«»«»«»«»«»

“So, are you gonna tell me what actually happened or nah?”

“Oh, my fucking God JJ, I swear to Jesus Chris– You can’t be here!”

It was finally the end of your shift, and you had really thought that your workday had come to an end until you walked into the locker room followed by none other than JJ, who had looked at you throughout the day like he wanted to keep talking about it. But you didn’t want to talk about it, thank you very much. You were more than glad to forget all about it.

But it was obvious that the blond had other ideas. At least he had waited for your coworker Ana to leave the room before getting in.

“Hey, hey, relax okay – no one will know I was here – plus, you can’t blame a guy for worrying. How could I hear about this and not ask you? I hear all kinds of crazy shit about you two all the time, but this one takes the cake.”

“Okay, so you can ask, and I can blame you for being an idiot asking idiot questions,” you said as you changed out of your uniform into a non-sweaty shirt. “Just mind your damn business, it’s as simple as that.” You grimaced at your words, before adding, now in a softer tone, “You got nothing to be freaking out about, okay?”

He sat down on a bench with his back to you as you changed, foot tapping on the floor in what you knew was one of his nervous tics. It almost made you feel bad for worrying him. JJ meant well, and you knew that.

You ruffled his hair as you passed by him to watch yourself in the mirror by the sink, freeing your hair from its ponytail before massaging your scalp with a sigh of contentment.

“So, you’re telling me you’re good… right?” he asked, your eyes locking through the reflection. “All is good?

“All is good,” you repeated with a faint smile at his reflection as you passed your wrists under a cold stream of water.

“John B will freak out when he hears about this.”

“Oh, please,” you grunted, turning off the faucet and crossing your arms as you leaned against the sink. “Like he’s one to talk…”

If your cousin could date Sarah Cameron – a super sweet girl who was nothing like her brother, you would give her that – then you could fuck Rafe Cameron in what was a single occasion of drunk and horny impulsivity.

“What?”

“He won’t freak out because there’s no reason to freak out,” you said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “And even if there was – which there isn’t – is none of your business whom I sleep with or not. I’m older than all of you, so who the hell are you to scold me like I’m some little girl?”

“I just think it’s weird, that’s all,” JJ said with a shrug. “After everything he did to you, why would you even – why would he –” he interrupted himself, shaking his head. “Nah, you know what, you’re right, it’s none of my business.”

Was that… bitterness in his eyes? It almost made you throw your hands up in the sky in frustration.

You didn’t need anyone to look at you with anger, judgment, pity, or anything resembling those emotions. You weren’t a scared little girl anymore and Rafe wasn’t the big bad wolf. Your decisions – even if you regretted them – had been your own.

“Don’t you dare look at me like that,” you grumbled in a threatening tone, finger pointed at him as you stepped closer.

JJ didn’t look the smallest bit intimidated as he looked up at you, mouth set in a straight line like he was forcing himself to not say anything else that would upset you. Then, his lips curved into a tight smile, and he stood up with a sigh.

“Well, I gotta go so…” he muttered, nodding at you as he squeezed your shoulder for a quick moment before walking towards the door. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow then, yeah?”

“Yeah, you will,” you confirmed with a sigh, accepting the change of subject like it was some kind of truce between you. “Goodbye, JJ.”

«»«»«»«»«»

Walking home after work was like a meditation of sorts. You would put on your earphones, shutting off the world around you before pressing play on your favorite playlist, letting your thoughts wander as you walked the few miles to the home where you lived with your family.

You glanced at your old leather wristwatch, checking the time through its lightly cracked screen. It was a little past six in the afternoon, and the sun would set soon. At this hour, your brother David would probably be sitting at the kitchen table finishing his homework, while little Kevin watched cartoons in the living room and your mother finished cooking dinner, everyone waiting for your arrival so you could enjoy a meal together.

Being home with your family after a tiring day of work was both a pleasant and chaotic experience, but you loved it all the same.

You took a deep breath of the late afternoon air, the nice sea breeze filling your lungs and cooling down your sweaty skin. It made you want to go to the beach; you missed swimming. Surfing had never been your thing, but being in the ocean, moving your body in tune with the currents and the waves, made you feel a special kind of peace. Or used to, anyway. You had barely set foot in salt water since you were fifteen years old.

With a sigh, you ignored the path that led you to the beach and continued walking home.

You were more than halfway there when a strange feeling took over you. It was an all too familiar suspicion; like you were being watched. Taking the earpiece from your right ear, you listened attentively, head slightly tilted. The sound of wheels rolling on gravel and the rumble of a motor made you sure of it:

You were being followed.

With a glance over your shoulder, you saw a black truck, eyes going wide as you halted and fully turned around, recognizing the vehicle.

“So, you’re a stalker now?” you said loud and clear, hands on your hips as you stared down at the driver’s tinted window.

As you expected, the car stopped right beside you, the window sliding down with a smooth electric sound to reveal none other than Rafe Cameron.

Shocking.

“Just wanted to offer you a ride home, that’s all,” he said with a nod at the passenger seat like he was telling you to get in.

He stared at you with a look you couldn’t quite decipher, those blue eyes of his pinning you down like he was challenging you to a fight, to say something that would inevitably escalate – as all your conversations did. Which, being who he was and who you were, was most likely the right interpretation.

“Right,” you said with a pronounced eye roll. “And the best way to do that is following me like you’re some damn kidnapper. What next, should I wait for you to gag me and throw me in the trunk?”

His lips twitched at that, and he averted his eyes with a sniff before looking at you again.

“Don’t be giving me any ideas…”

He said it in a playful tone, but his narrowed gaze could be described as anything but playful. It instantly made you regret your words. It was not that you thought he would actually kidnap you but, when it came to Rafe Cameron, nothing was out of the realm of possibility.

You looked up and down the street, noticing how empty your surroundings looked with no one in sight, either on the road or on the sidewalk. There were houses ahead though, so if he tried something you would make sure to show him how piercing your high notes could be when you felt the need for them.

“Relax,” Rafe said, most likely noticing your tense shoulders and your wandering gaze. “I’m not thinking about doing any kidnapping today.” Today. “Just wanted to give you a ride, that’s all.”

“Yeah sure, like I would fall for that. What do you really want, Rafe?”

The telltale signs that showed his growing irritation manifested themselves in the flush of his cheeks and the furrowing of his blond eyebrows, which always made his blue eyes look darker and threatening. Most people feared Rafe and his temperament, but you were more than desensitized at this point.

“Haven’t I made it clear enough?” he asked in an even tone that clearly didn’t match his emotions.

“As much as I’ve made it clear that I don’t want anything else to do with you.”

You took notice as his hands tightened around the steering wheel.

“And why not?” he asked, almost indignant like he couldn’t possibly understand you and your constant refusal of his request. “I’m not asking you to marry me, just to have fun once in a while. I had a good time, you had a good time… so, what’s really stopping you from saying ‘Yes’?”

“You know what.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, please tell me it’s not–”

“Okay, shut up and listen!” You raised your hand to stop him, feeling your temper get the better of you. “This might be news to you, but you really made my life hell in high school. I was a teenage girl with no friends, going through hell, and you just came out of nowhere to make it all so much worse. Unprovoked! Do you think that’s easy for me to just forget? To throw all those years you hurt me behind my back just because – what – you suddenly realized you want to fuck me? Your feelings about me change nothing when I’ve hated you for so long.” You let out a deep sigh. “And that feeling really hasn’t diminished over the years.”

“You say you hate me, but you still fucked me,” he asked eyes narrowed as he locked under his hard gaze. “So, what does that say about you?”

“It says I make mistakes,” you retorted, shaking your head at his words. “One of my biggest regrets in life, if I’m being honest.”

Hurt flashed in his eyes, his jaw clenching as he averted his gaze, and for a moment you didn’t know if you should feel vindicated or sorrowful. It all mixed in an uncomfortable knot in your stomach.

A moment passed, and you were about to walk away when he spoke again.

“I said I was sorry, didn’t I?”

You scoffed, shaking your head at the simplicity of his words. You knew Rafe was far from stupid, but the way he was being obtuse made you wonder.

“And you think that apologizing like you’re doing changes things? After what you’ve done to me?” you bit your lip, feeling your eyes sting as an unwelcome memory resurfaced. “Do you remember what you did to me when my father died?”

Silence. Rafe said nothing, avoiding your gaze as he stared at his hands, knuckles whitening as his grip on the wheel tightened, the leather scratching under his palms.

“Do you even remember?” you pressed him on, slowly stepping towards the car until you were so close you could touch the door. “Do you remember how cruel you were? My father died, I almost died, and you still thought it was funny to tell me that I was the one who drowned him. That it was all my fault. Your stupid jokes… I almost believed it.”

“That–” He hesitated, glancing at you for a split second before looking away again. “I shouldn’t have– I know I shouldn’t have–”

“But that didn’t stop you, did it?” you asked, voice wavering as you tried not to cry; not in front of him. “You saw me going through the worst chapter in my life, and you still decided to make me miserable. Honestly… I’m not sure who hates each other more, but if your father died I wouldn’t be making jokes about it or blaming you for his death, that’s for sure. When your–” you stopped yourself before you mentioned his mother, avoiding his gaze as his brows raised. A part of you really wanted to hurt him back, but that was not a can of worms you wanted to go near.

You moved away from the car instead, sniffling as you tried to ignore the lump in your throat. You were about to walk away when Rafe called your name, a slight tremor in his voice.

“I’ll make it up to you. Let me–”

“Nah, don’t bother.” You didn’t even turn to him as you started walking away, feeling suddenly more exhausted than you had been ten minutes ago. “I’m not about to take part in your redemption arc just because you feel bad. That’s something between you, God, and a therapist.”

Without another word, you put on your earpiece, turned up the volume of your phone to the max, and pressed play, rushing to get home and forgetting that this conversation ever happened.

«»«»«»«»«»

Part 3 ->

#outer banks #rafe cameron x reader #rafe x reader #rafe cameron smut #rafe fanfiction #outer banks fanfiction #rafe cameron #rafe x you

[shadowed-dancer]

I watched the Netflix atla and I have thoughts

I will break them down into positives, negatives, and assorted, but if you want the short version: it's better than the M Night Shyamalan film.

Positives

I like that Zuko's crew is the 41st division. It's a cute detail, and honestly I had always wondered how they chose soldiers to accompany an exiled prince

I actually liked Suki's characterization. Like yeah, I believe that girl has never had contact with outsiders. And I think her chemistry with Sokka is great! I can't wait for her to come back and see more of the world (her "thank you for bringing the world to me" line is cute when you consider he brought her an air, water, and fire bender... less cute that her village almost got destroyed but still)

Hot take: I don’t mind that they cut Sokka’s sexism arc. It was minimal in the original series to begin with, and with the pacing of the Netflix series it would have been pointless and rushed. I truthfully believe that if they hadn't mentioned the cut beforehand, 5 people at most would have noticed it was gone

Wow Koh the Face Stealer is SO MUCH WORSE in live action. So gross. His face BLINKS. 10/10 to whoever designed that, I hated it and recognize that it was perfect. I look forward to seeing it in my nightmares (also I don't mind the change of "don't show any expression". It still works)

Gyatso telling Aang that it wasn't his fault and that he wouldn't have been able to do anything was so sweet and important to me, especially with all the other adults in this series being turned into Grade-A assholes. It’s been a while since I watched the entire original series but were the adults THIS mean about it in the original? I know the occasional random townsperson would say "you abandoned us" but I don’t remember people like Bumi or THE OTHER AVATARS blaming him like that (I know this is the positive section but just to be clear, the positive is the Gyatso scene. Turning everyone else so mean will be touched upon in the negatives)

All of Gyatso's scenes were actually amazing. I cried. Also finding his body hit so much harder in live action.

Leaves from the Vine playing during Lu Ten's funeral and then again when Iroh chose to go with Zuko... I tearbended HARD at that one

I think they did a good job merging three story lines into Omashu. I know it may bother some fans, but for the time they had I thought combining all of those together within the city was clever. Plus, since we see the city get taken at the end of the season, we feel more invested since we spent more time there! (I'm also glad they didn't destroy the Northern Air Temple... that always bothered me)

The sets are lovely. They look so similar to the original show and it makes me happy to simply see these places come to life. I got so giddy seeing Omashu you don't even understand

I like the interpretation of Aang’s tattoo. That was actually the one thing I liked from the M Night Shyamalan film (intricate designs rather than a straight blue block) and I feel this is an even better interpretation (the designs are more subtle until he lights up)

The wink and nod to the great divide (and other episodes like the pirates) was cute. I do wish we got to see some adventures of the kids bonding, but boy am I glad they didn't feel the need to adapt the great divide

I liked that they sang secret tunnel a little early. The second the mechanist brought up the secret tunnels I burst into song on instinct, so it's only fair the characters do the same

I liked Zuko having a notebook on the avatars. Of course he would have made that. And I liked that Aang used it as a reference

I liked how they teased the "my cabbages!" line before giving us the real thing. Just a fun thing for fans of the original

Negatives

The first episode had so much exposition it actually felt exhausting. Also Zuko really came out of the gate swinging with his motivation, eh? No nuance or slowly unveiling why he wants to capture Aang? Ok...

Ozai confused me. After finishing the season I believe Ozai's motivation was "sacrifice the weak to become strong, use Zuko to fuel Azula to be better" but it felt so confusing to get there. There was a point where I thought he genuinely wanted to see Zuko grow and find the avatar, and while it's fine for Zuko to think that, it felt weird for us to be jerked around like that (especially the in-between point where it feels like he prefers his banished son to his spy-catching daughter).

I also don’t like the way he acts with Azula (again, I know it's an act, but it's a bothersome change). He calls her performance below average. What happened to "she’s a true prodigy, just like her grandfather for whom she was named"? When characters like Mai and Zhao have to tell us "he's just playing games" it feels like they are telling rather than showing. "She's a true prodigy" SHOWS US he has a very obvious favourite. "He's playing with you" TELLS US that he's lying, and we therefore need to just accept that Azula is actually his favourite even though nothing he has done supports that

I don’t like that Aang was heading North due to a premonition from Kyoshi. I always liked how "the avatar must travel the world and find their own teachers in order to care for the world". Why not let him look for teachers? It enforces the idea of the avatar needing to care for all nations in order to protect all nations. I feel like it was supposed to go for this new direction of “the avatar must do it alone” but unfortunately I don't like that message as much

I mentioned in the positive section, but so many of the characters are weirdly mean (specifically the adult characters). I feel like they are trying to go for a message like "childlike mentality isn’t bad and it’s this innocence that will succeed where adults failed" but it just comes across as every grownup but Gyatso being the worst. Why are Kyoshi and Kuruk yelling so much and blaming Aang for everything? I feel like the goal will ultimately be to prove them wrong, but I do not like this characterization

Zuko’s scar needed to be SO MUCH WORSE. Something I love about the original is that every time we look at Zuko, we get a horrific reminder of what kind of person the Fire Lord is. It didn't just make his skin a little red, his eye is stuck in a permanent squint. His ear is shrivelled. You can tell that it was BAD. Here? He could cover it with makeup if it bothers him that much. Where's the texture? Where's the ear and eye damage? Sometimes it looks more like a birthmark than a serious injury. At the very least, take away his eyebrow!

Sokka and Katara’s being trapped in the spirit world was lowkey a little dumb but I get what they were going for (it's more urgent than them needing to suck on frogs). It just makes it seem worse when Aang is sitting there chatting with Zuko about his brushes. Like I loved the conversation but the fact that Sokka and Katara's lives were in danger (along with the villagers) makes Aang seem weirdly dismissive in that moment

Also... I just realized while typing this, but did they give us an ending to Hei Bai being in pain? Did I completely forget the resolution to that or was it not shown?

I don't like that Zuko chose to fight in the Agni Kai. Seeing him on the ground begging forgiveness and THAT'S the kid Ozai scars and banishes is way more impactful than "he fought but didn't go all out"

This shit went off the rails in episode 7. Why is Yue a fox who just chills in the spirit world? What happened to Tui and La? Push and pull? Yin and Yang? I got confused somewhere along the way

Am I the only one who felt the Yue and Sokka kiss came out of nowhere? She literally said she called off her betrothal when she was 16 (before meeting Sokka) because that dude wasn't the right guy. But then the kiss immediately after implies Sokka is the right guy??? The guy you didn't know existed??? Or are we supposed to infer that she fell in love with him in the spirit world? Either one is so bad pleasssseee

I infinitely prefer Zuko trying to save Zhao and Zhao choosing to die out of sheer stubbornness, compared to Iroh killing Zhao to save Zuko. Like yeah, he'd do anything for Zuko, but I felt that crossed a line (and was less impactful)

Assorted Thoughts

They mentioned the mother of faces, are we gonna see Zuko’s mom get addressed at some point? Or was that just a wink and a nod for fans who know?

The kids are pretty good actors but Katara’s sometimes feels like she's… in a school play. For lack of a better description. She's not bad, it just doesn't always feel natural or as expressive as she could be

Yue's actress on the other hand... look I don't like insulting child actors but her performance was not my favourite

Meanwhile, I loved the casting for Zuko and Aang. I like this slightly-less-angry Zuko, and Aang's actor has such a sweet face that it hurt me to see him sad

I wish we got to see an Agni Kai between Zuko and Zhao. Simply because establishing it early helps introduce us to this idea. It makes it more impactful when Ozai declares Zuko must fight, since we now know what that entails

I feel like the series is at its best when it's doing it’s own thing (the Gyatso scenes, Suki's new characterization, Lu Ten's funeral) and is at its weakest when it's trying to copy the original

#atla #atla live action #natla #zuko #aang #sokka #katara #azula

[riveranova]

Could I request general nsfw hcs for the Ikemen Prince boys pls?

(A/N): Hellooo! Yeah, of course you can - hope you enjoy!

IkePri NSFW Headcanons x GN! Reader - Part 1

Warnings: Smut | minors DNI, i put a lil crack in here too dw

Character: Gilbert, Silvio, Keith, Sariel, Rio, Clavis, Notko, Ikemen Prince

Word count: 1.014

Gilbert von Obsidian

i will sit here forever and say: this man is not a top

no, no dont say it - no he isnt

will act like he'll top you only to fucking bend at the slightest bit of pleasure

literally just touch his chest in a slightly sensual way and watch the magic happen

hes absolutely whipped for you so it doesnt take long for him to get hard

also happens at really unfortunate times

,,hello rhodolite, are you sti- ...oh''

i think over half of the fandom hcs him as German

so, because i'm German too, i can FEEL the German words sipping out during sex

just cute little grunts and a little ''verdammt...'' in between

yeah hes the scary man that threats the entire kingdom but in bed - hes the actual little rabbit

i will die on that hill btw

i think he likes aftercare but doesnt want to admit it

just wordlessly cuddle him afterwards and let him be the big spoon and everythings fine <3

Silvio Ricci

cocky bitchass

hes a tease and he knows it

is a big edging fan

like to bring you close enough to almost feel the sweet release - only to stop and ask you whats wrong

WHAT DO YOU THINK; SIR ASSHOLE

he toys with you, yeah but he can be sweet to

CAN be

when you've been extraordinary good that week, he'll consider letting you cum a little sooner than usual

with his cock buried deep inside you and his low voice right next to your ear

i think hes not big with the praise but slips in a little ,,you're doing so fucking good...'' here and there does the trick

wants to have total control, so i think he likes bondage quite a bit

you once ripped the rope in two and this mans ego was up in the sky - he made you do that after all

a dog on the streets and a... even wilder dog in the sheets

Keith Howell

okay so, this ones a little bit different

we have two choices here

cute, shy bottom keith and uh, fucked up top keith

means: mans def a switch

shy keith is really careful not to hurt you

you've got the beeeeeest of both worlds

he is BIG and he has a lot of strength

so when you're on top of him and he grips your thighs - mans leaving marks that wont leave for days

hes just so lost in the pleasure, hes a brabbling mess

is a little too shy to moan loud but after some time hes getting VOCAL

now, alter! keith is completely different

i think hes not into bondage, he'll just hold you down himself

pressed into the matress while fucking you like you're nothing but a toy

he doesnt fucking care if you make too much noise

scream and let everyone know you're his and his only

oh yeah, hes a lil bit possessive. just a lil bit.

Sariel Noir

has a whip and is not afraid to use it

i feel like hes less in for the sex and more for the foreplay

also big on bondage

he ties you up nice and pretty and just watches

hes slowly letting his whip explore your body - not hurting you but also not letting you feel too much pleasure

oh no, this is for him

he loves to watch you struggle agains the ropes or shudder because of his cold whip

he isnt too mean of course

youre not leaving until he fucked you

doesnt bother to untie you, but that doesnt bother you either, right?

hes slow but precise, hitting all the right spots

i swear he could go all night, he just has it in him

hes dealing with eight princes daily, his stamina is from another world

Rio Ortiz

service top, service top, service top

hes just like a dog fr

he'd do anything for your pleasure

against the wall? yes. in the middle of the room? no problem. a quicky behind a fricking pillar? whatever you want.

100% has your name on his dog collar

will eat you out while you pull on his leash

100% knows what to do based on how strong you pull

feels accomplished when you moan his name while cumming

just moan his name in general

hes big on aftercare

whenever its cuddling or taking a bath together, he'd do everything

im so sure that he would slip out of bed (or.. from behind a pillar lmao) to get you some tee or cake or whatever you need

you just need to snap your fingers and he turns into an obedient little dog who would do anything to please you

Clavis Lelouch

this one was a bit hard, tbh

i think hes the kind of guy that would finger you a lot

but just fingering you in bed would be boring, right?

right, thats why sexy time with him is almost always when you're not alone

on a banquet? he sure as hell is going to slip his hand inside your clothes

hey, hes a leg guy! surely the guests will understand that he wants to rest his hand on you thigh!

because thats what they think hes doing

100% exhibitionist

we all know how much he loves showing off his lover

would also fuck you on his balcony at night

theres no chance someone would see you two, but he doesnt tell you

loves to see your face go from ,,fuck, they could see us!'' to ,,fuck it if they see us.''

Nokto Klein

royal whore #1

definetly a top, and a fucking sly one at that

memorized the entire kamasutra

sex with him is never getting old, this man has new position every time you two sleep with each other

his sex drive is h i g h

has no shame either, whenever hes horny he just goes to fetch you

youre cooking? well, now youre not anymore

acts like he would fuck you in public but really doesnt want to

you body getting railed is his sight alone and no one elses

it a fucking tease

much like Silvio, it takes some time before he lets you cum

loves the faces you make and sometimes teases you with them

would 100% counter anything with ,,sure, but last night you didn't seem to mind that much~''

even in public

someone rip out this mans (talented) tongue please

#cybird ikemen #ikemen series #ikemen prince #ikepri #nokto klein #clavis lelouch #rio ortiz #silvio ricci #sariel noir #keith howell #gilbert von obsidian #ikepri headcanons #ikemen x reader #gn! reader

[your-garden-rose]

SELFISH

Note: Hey yall, I’m so glad you all liked the first part of it!!!! I’m sorry this took so long as I was stuck on developing the plot :’D I hope y’all like this part <33

TW: Minor cusses, minor verbal abuse, mentions of Whipping, if I left something let me know please <33

Taglist: @crystal-yukio , @ruler-of-hades , @onigirinchanowo , @ellie3467 , @k1ngan0n

Ch 2 : What a pathetic waste of space

You clutched your cheeks in pain, the sound of the slap still ringing in your ears as you sat in the party that day. You merely held back the tears forming in your eyes as you tried to distract yourself, you drunk more and more and continued to get wasted throughout the night to get your mind off of it. You focused on your friends and it helped, for a while, that is. It was then you got a notification from your DDD. You opened it to find a text from Lucifer and the prince.

[LUCI]: Don’t bother coming home brat, Cecilia is crying, she’s going to spending the rest of her year in your room. I really don’t care where you will be staying at.

[PRINCE]: I heard what happened to Cecilia today, I’m really conflicted here between both you and Cecilia Mc. Do better.

You immediately slammed the DDD in anger as you dangled it from a balcony. It was then a succubus joined you as you grabbed a bottle from her. “Heard about what happened today.” “Mmhm.” You nodded. “Does it still hurt?” “The slap?” “Not as bad as it did earlier. The mark is still there though.” The succubus inspected it and placed a cooling spell on it. “Those guys really are assholes. Aren’t they?” “I thought you all liked them?” “Nah. I dated one of em for a while, they really think they are all that.” “Damn.” “I liked you better you know” she stated, you turned to her, surprised. “Didn’t you act rude towards me Lamia?” “Yea but that was before you know. You’re so much cooler now, fuck them. You know, most of RAD likes you. Like literally wants to date you.” “I knew that.” You chuckled and drunk more. “Say, you gonna go back to the HoL after this?” “Fuck no. I’m never stepping foot in that place.” “Where will you be staying then?” “I was gonna as you if I could stay over” “sure Mc, I’d love to have you over as a housemate.” “Thanks Lamia” she smiled brushing a stray hair off your face. “Mc?” “Yeah?” “What about revenge?” “Oh I know exactly how to get revenge on those beings.” “And what’s that?” “It’s easy. No one likes them that much, people are only leeching off their popularity. In short. They are NOTHING when you strip off their popularity you know. And that’s where I come into play.” “What exactly will you do?” “Lamia? You are an editor right along side Mephistopheles, right?” “Yea?” “Circulate this to everyone, except the demons and the angels and that sorcerer.” You stated as you handed her some mildly controversial photos. “Spread this as much as you can, but this should not fall into the hands of those bastards. Am I clear?” She nodded as she went through the material carefully. “I’ll make sure Mc.” “Thanks.” You smiled. Lamia was one “friend” who you were sure of that she would be of use to you due to her influence and wealth and status. “I’ll be giving you material over the days. They will slowly go from mild to extremely controversial gossips and rumours and sometimes even video footages.” “I understand Mc.” “Good.” It was then someone called you both to play a game of spin the bottle which led to you both being paired up in almost all games. It was, during, truth or dare, however, that she confessed to you which led to a sweet kiss between you both. The night ended with you both stumbling to a near by room and spending the night together. However, it was the next day that was actually enjoyable.

You purposely went late to RAD, so you could see the starting humiliation those bastards would face. You calmly walked to class and didn’t bother greeting the prince as you used to, leaving him stunned yet a little bit angry at your behaviour. Not even Lucifer’s angry glare could stop you from walking calmly to class. You went in and the professor excused you in the class immediately much to Satan’s and Cecilia’s surprise. “Professor?” Spoke Cecilia which erupted some “ugh” and groans around the class. “What do you need?” “Why are they here?” “They attend this class?” “But they are late! Shouldn’t they be whipped or something?” She asked, as the mood in the class darkened as Cecilia shifted uncomfortably in her seat, unsure of what she had just started. It was then the professor, while glaring along with the others, spoke up“Cecilia, mind your business. It will be good for your own safety around here.” Warned the professor due to which she immediately piped down and looked like she was about to cry at any given moment. You only smirked as you made your way up to your seat. The rest of the class, you noticed as the students now snickered at Satan. All you heard was “did you see that?” “What a loser really.” And “didn’t expect from Satan himself you know” you immediately smiled as you noticed Satan shift uncomfortably in his seat as he balled his fists to prevent another outburst. Cecilia was not any better either. The rumours surrounding her was way more vicious. You heard as everyone called her a “slut”, a “cheap whore”, and whatnot. It was then the bell rang and you immediately ran and joined hands with Lamia who was equally excited as she too returned your enthusiasm. “Mc! You’ll never guess how the entirety of RAD reacted!!!” “How?” “Everyone is talking about those pictures you know? Mephistopheles was happy considering he finally had something against Lucifer after a long long time. He really owes you one!” She smiled as she explained. “Also, I kinda missed you a lot you know…” “I did too. Let’s go home and cuddle shall we? You have worked hard for me after all.” “Okay!” She skipped and walked off. It was then you passed by Lucifer, who seemed on edge too, seems like the rumours were affecting him too. You let go of Lamia’s hand and grabbed his tie and forced him to kneel. His angry expression was fun to see. You then leaned closer and whispered in his ear

“What a pathetic waste of space…”

You whispered and left, as you noticed Lucifer widen his eyes in anger, you did note that there was some noticeable sadness in his eyes, you only smirked as you dropped his tie and walked away with Lamia while laughing and thinking about your next scheme. Their days were only about to get a lot lot worse after this. They had no idea the things you had in store for them and you smiled, excited about the days to come. Seems like this was going to be one hell of a year you won’t ever regret

<- ->

#obey me replaced mc au #replaced mc au #obey me x mc #Manipulative! Mc au #obey me oc x mc #𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣 ❣︎

[everlastlady]

Jesse X Reader: The Confession.

☕┆ Author's Note: Hello! My little imps, demonic sinners, & powerful overlords. Here is finally some content for Jesse that isn't Striker. Honestly Jesse may not be a major character but he was my absolute favorite character in Helluva Boss and the one thing I can appreciate VP does with her show. That she gives some of the background characters name. Also fun fact the VA for Alastor, also voices Jesse and now Striker. Anyway I hope you enjoy don't forget to comment, like, or reblog if you like this story. My request are open! 📖☕

☕┆ Story Contains: Silly Goofy Wholesome moments.

☕┆ Fandom: Helluva Boss

☕┆ Word Count: 2279

You sat on the couch watching tv. You were sung in the black blanket while your eyes bored into the TV, and you listened to the rain outside while you waited for your roommate Jesse to get home. You two had been living together for a while. This is because you two had grown up together and you two always had a place, never leaving each other side, the two of you were inseprrable and secretly had feelings for each other. But of you didn’t dare to tell the other how you felt. You heard the door open and saw Jesse taking off his bowtie while walking in. You smiled and psaused the show as you gave him a sweet smile. “ How was work asshole? “ You asked with a goofy grin. Jesse sighed and sat down next to you. “ It was great until some ass kept trying to sneak in but then he shows up with the fucking goetic price. So I had to let him in and then that dumbass has the nerve to give me the finger if he wasn’t with the price. I would have broken that annoying fuckers, fingers. “ Jesse said while crossing his arms and mumbling. You placed your hand on his legs. “ I’m sorry that asshole had ruined work for you, but hey don’t let him ruin the rest of your night. “ You said and stood up to go get Jesses a drink. “ But something interesting did happen I guess karma is real. “ Jesse said while following you into the kitchen. “ Oh? And what was his karma? “ You asked while pouring the bottle of wine. “ My boss and his little friend put not only him but the prince on blast. Both of them looked miserable and embarrassed. Watching him leave the club with the prince made my night. I hope he doesn’t show his face at the club, him and the prince. “ Jesse said as he grabbed the glass of wine and started to drink.

You weren’t really a fan of the royals in Hell especially with how they treated Imps like you, so you didn’t really go out for work. You worked from home as a writer which you made good money to help pay bills. You took a sip from your wine and set it down. “ I wish I was there to see it. “ You said. “ I’m sure you will people were recording everything with their phones. “ Jesse said while washing his glass out. “ Maybe next time, I’ll take you to work with me. I’ve been wanting to take you to the Lustful Lounge, I mean if you are up for it. “ Jesse cleared his throat when saying that. “ Of course, I would love to go with you, but isn’t it couples only? “ You asked with a smirk and a playful tease in your voice. Jesse chuckled and rubs the back of his neck. “ It is but hey a little lie wouldn’t hurt and hey we are basically like a couple we live together and when we shop some people assume we are dating. “ Jesse said as he wished the last part was true. He wished he could tell those people that assumed you and him were dating. That you were dating and that you were his. You smiled and nodded your head. “ Great! When should we go? “ You asked standing in front of Jesse. He closed his eyes, Jesse usually did this when he was in deep though. He opened his eyes and looked at you. “ We can go next friday since that is my day off. I can hook us up good with better drinks. “ Jesse said with a smirk. “ Sounds good I’ll be ready friday, so do you want to order a pizza? I don’t have the energy to cook and I’m sure you don’t cause of work. “ You said as you grabbed the wine bottle and head back into the living room.

“ Yeah, lets order a pizza. I don’t feel like cooking, I’ll probably just grab a couple of slices then head to bed. “ Jesse said. You nodded your head and grabbed your hpone as you place an order. Jesse stood there looking at you. He sighed to himself. He wished everytime he walked in from work that you would jump into his arms and give him a kiss. He did enjoy that you asked him about his day or work. But he wanted it with more affection. He wanted to be able to hold you in bed and talk about the people he loved and hated working with. To feel you kiss him and tell him about your day. To fall asleep next to you and then wake the next morning to your beautiful sleeping form. “ Jesse yoohoo, you okay? “ You said while standing in front of him. Jesse snapped out his thoughts. “ Y~Yeah! Sorry was thinking about work stuff, sorry. “ Jesse said while looking flustered. “ Its fine, I was asking if you are fine that order bacon and sasusage pizza? “ You asked. “ Oh, I also order two chocolate lava cakes since I know you love chocolate. “ You said. Jesse smiled and nodded. “ Yeah thats fine, thanks for ordering those delcious treats. “ Jesse said with a smile. The man did love his chocolate. After awhile the pizza finally arrived, both you and Jesse had paid.

The two of you sat on the couch eating and talking. “ Hey Jesse, Is there anyone you like at work, you work at the Lustful Loung and I see the attire you have to wear so is there anyone you had a crush on because I’m sure that place is full of love and sexual shit. “ You said while resting your legs on his lap. “ No, I don’t really like anyone at work and if you like someone at work then best to not talk about it so loud if you don’t want to get mocked. “ Jesse said while taking a bit of the chocolate lava cake. “ I mean people there have sexual partners or just lovers in general but when it comes to love its not something we just openly talk about espically when Asmoeus is around. “ Jesse said with a chuckle a nervous one. You nodded your head. “ Makes sense. “ You said. Eventually you and Jesse finish off the pizza and bid each other goodnight. Jesse walked into his bedroom and closed the door. His heart pounding as he thought about the date he was going to have with you, but he had to remind himself this was just a friendly date not nothing romantic which hurt him a bit. But he promised to make this the best night for you and maybe he’ll build the confidence to confess to you.

Before you both knew it friday had rolled by. You stood in front of the mirror and admired the outfit you had picked out. You smelled amazing and looked amazing. You walked out as you seen Jesse dressed up in some black ripped jeans, a black button up long sleeve, and his white hair looked nice. He kept in his gold piercing and looked at you, he stood there admiring how breathe taking you look. “ Are you ready to head out? “ Jesse said as he offered you a helemet which was for his motorcyle you knew how much this man loved riding his motorcycle. “ Yeah, I’m excited lets go have fun tonight. “ You grabbed the helmet and walked out with Jesse. When on his motorcyle with him, you made sure to hold onto him. Both of you flustered and having butterfiles. This wasn’t your first time riding on his motorcyle with him. You remeber when he used to work a lot of jobs just to get this thing and named the bike Kyle. When arriving at Ozzie’s, Jesse was able to get you two in quick, you took your sit and a little demon walked up. “ Can I get you two off, I mean started. “ She said. “ Rebecca… “ Jesses said annoyed and sighed. “ Just get us the Cupid special. “ Jesses said. The demon woman nodded and grabbed the menu then left. You chuckled and looked at Jesse. “ What an interesting co worker, you have. “ You said. “ Yeah just ignore her, she says that to everyone. “ Jesse said with a grin while he watched the waiter come with the drinks. You watched the pink smoke come out of the drinks and the light pink liquid was glowing, you loved the touch of the heart shaped ice cubes. When taking a sip of the drink, you had to set it down it was strong. You saw that Jesse had no issues knocking back the drink.

Jesse saw your reaction and chuckled. “ Too much for you? “ He asked. But you smirked and took another sip this time you were used it. The drink tasted like strawberries and vodka. You were starting to enjoy the drink. Jesse chuckled and the two of you took a picture while holding up your drinks. Jesse was going to cherish this memory with you. Once the perfomance started. You watched with wonder and was shocked to see how big the man himself, Asmodeus was at the end of the show, you clapped and cheered. You and Jesse split the bill, and walked out of Ozzie’s while walking to the motoclye. “ Wanna go to the diner we used to go to when we were teens? “ Jesse asked. You grinned and nodded your head. “ Sure, I could use something to eat after drinking. “ You said. You got back on the bike with Jesse and wrapped your arms around his waist. Jesse drove you both to this flashy yet old school diner, the two of you stepped inside the diner and took a seat in the booth. “ Remember after gradution we came here and just ate everything in the breakfast section. “ Jesse said with a smirk. “ Yeah, I also remeber you threw in the alley right after. “ You said giggling. Jesse groaned and hides his face in embrassment. “ Oh, come on we both promised that part would go in the vault. “ He said and shook his head chuckling.

The two of you order a big hot skillet dish to share while just drinking some coffee. Jesse could see how happy you were being back in this diner. He always wanted to see you happy. To see you smile, laugh, and be happy. Because being happy in Hell was rare even with how Imps were treated. He took a deep breathe the more he thought about this. “ What’s on your mind? “ You said as Jesse snapped out of his thoughts. “ I’m just thinking about… “ Jesse sighed. He couldn’t lie to you anymore, if you reject him that is fine, he just wanted to get this weight off his chest but not here. “ Lets go home and I’ll tell you. “ He said in a serious tone. This made you nod, whenever Jesse was ready to speak his mind you were ready to listen. So you paid the bill and you both left. Riding back to the place you both shared. You were quick to sit on the couch and slip off your shoes. Jesse was pancing back and fourth while mumbling something. You stood up grabbing his hand. “ Jess, come on sit down what’s wrong? “ You said in a soft endearing voice and lead him over to the couch. Jesse took a deep breathe. “ Ah shit, (Y/N), I have feelings for you. “ Jesse said while looking at you. This made your heart feel aflame every part of you was aflame, you stared at Jesse. He had a nervous look on his face. “ I-It’s fine if you don’t feel the same way (Y/N), I just needed to tell you. “ He said with a sigh and looked away.

But you place your hand on his cheek and turned his head towards you and smiled. “ I love you too, Jesse. I do feel the same way. “ You gave Jesse a kiss and he had pulled you closer to deepen the kiss with you. His tounge slipping into your mouth, as he fell on top. Careful not put all his weight on you. The two of you having your passionate makeout session. He his hand rubbing your inner thigh and your fingers running through his white hair. The two of you pulled apart and were breathing heavily and staring at each other. “ I’ve been wanting to do that since we moved into this place. “ Jesse said with heavys breath. “ Me too but not on the couch? “ You said with a devlish smirk. Jesse knew what you met and grab your hand. You both ran to his bedroom and closed the door, the night didn’t end but you both had fun so much fun~ After few weeks, you and Jesse had a lovely realtionship. Jesse soent time with you on his days off and you would always give him kisses or massages when he came home from work.

The two of you had fun dancing at home, going on rides on his motorcycle, going out to eat, or just watching , movies at home. Jesse was glad he had confessed his feelings to you and he was glad you felt the same. Eventually you and Jesse soon got hitched. You both agreed to have a small wedding with your friends and family. Jesse was glad to be your husband. And that didn’t stop him from being an amazing partner. Jesse will always love and appericate you, And you will always love and appericate him. Hell may not be sunshine and rainbows. But you both made each other happy and feel special in different ways.

#helluva boss #hazbin hotel #helluva jesse #helluva jesse x reader #jesse x reader #helluva blitzo #helluva moxxie #helluva millie #helluva loona #helluva striker #helluva fizzarolli #helluva asmodeus #fan fiction #fandoms #request ☕📖

[bookshelf-dust]

A stranger thing fic with blk!reader being like Will from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Like Blk!reader knows Billy but Billy leaves California. Blk!Reader convinced Uncle Phil to go visit Billy. (Neil let’s blk!reader be friends with Billy cause They’re rich). Maybe they play some basketball and blk!reader wins. -🪨

is that so?

billy hargrove x blk!gn!reader

word count: 1,623

warnings: swearing, neil being an asshole, allusions to trouble before reader moves, friends to lovers type beat, me trying to write basketball, smoking

a/n: this is literally the second request i have received in my entire life and i swear i get flustered every time. i haven't ever written anything like this before and i did my very best to make it good! and i won't lie, i've never seen the entirety of fresh prince, just parts of episodes when reruns are on, but my parents used to watch it, so i know basic things, but i definitely did research before writing this to reassure myself. i try my best to make all my fics inclusive and i hope they come off that way, but i appreciate that you trusted me with this specific one, anon! i quite like the idea of billy with a partner of color. thank you for the request my little rock friend! i hope you enjoy this. <333

————

1983

You could take care of yourself, you knew that. But your mother didn't care--she wasn't losing her baby, not like that. So you got shipped off to California, all on your own, to live with your disgustingly rich aunt and uncle, to go to a new school, to meet new people.

That's also how you ended up throwing yourself onto a bench across from this pretty, pretty boy you'd seen smoking in the courtyard during lunch. He had an earring and these tight dark jeans and he was sitting alone. You were determined to fix that.

He'd furrowed his brow at you, confused at your assertive manner. "Can I help you with something?" Billy thought you were gorgeous, and no one had ever looked at him like that before, like he was this precious thing.

"You looked lonely," you told him, catching how he turned his head to blow the smoke away from you, since you clearly weren't going anywhere.

He chuckled. "Is that so?"

"Sure is." You brandished your checkered lunch box, unzipping it. "So, you want a pretzel?"

He'd held his hand out after stubbing out his cigarette, and the two of you had been attached at the hip ever since.

Billy had slowly, slowly let you in. He was a sarcastic asshole most of the time, sure, but he could be so fucking sweet. And you reveled in the perks of that.

Reveled in the all enveloping hugs, where he held onto you and everything else disappeared, the nights sitting in his car talking about nothing and everything. His ability to know when something was bothering you, his willingness to put up with your shit. In the plethora of times spent trying to beat the other in a supposedly friendly basketball game.

But letting you in meant more. It meant Neil. Neil Hargrove was a piece of shit. He had a big mouth and an opinion on everything, a bigger taste for alcohol and treating his family like shit. And when Billy had brought you over after school the first time, he'd been worried. If Billy thought the things his father called him were bad, he was terrified that Neil would disapprove of your friendship just because of the color of your skin.

But Neil hadn't said a word, despite Billy knowing he wanted to, knowing he'd said horrible shit before. But Billy had told Neil that you were new around, told him your aunt and uncle's names, and that had been it. Neil knew they were rich, and that was all it took. He'd approved because he knew about the money that his son could be sitting on. That was all he cared about. And otherwise he left the two of you alone.

Billy was your best friend, and you were his. He thought you were the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he told you as much, after awhile--the first time in his room late one night as you finished making flashcards and he went through his own.

"You wanna know somethin'?" He'd started, and you'd hummed, waiting for him to continue.

"You're my favorite person in the whole world. Think I'm gonna keep you around forever." You'd laughed, ignoring the way your stomach flipped and blood rushed to your ears.

You sat up, trying to reach for his forehead. "You feelin' alright, Hargrove?" He'd caught your wrist gently and looked at you with lose stupid ass blue eyes.

"I mean it." And you'd believed him, tackling him in a hug.

————

1984

"You're leaving me?" Your nose tickled with tears and you blinked hard.

"A fresh start," he'd told you. Billy's parents wanted out and they were dragging him along, forcing him to lose his entire life in California in trade for one in fucking Indiana. Forcing him to leave you.

Billy brought a hand to your cheek, leaning over the center console in the Camaro. "Hey. Baby. I don't want to, you gotta know that. I would never leave you. But I'll call and maybe we can work somethin' out, you know? I'll drive fucking hours away for you, I swear."

You grinned, but he'd never called you baby before. And it hurt, knowing you might not hear it in person for a very long time.

"I know, Billy. I just don't want you to go. Gonna miss you." You looked up at him, and he was crying. Crying over you. Shit.

————

1985

"Please. I swear I'll be safe. It's Indiana! I don't think you have to worry about me. I'll be with Billy. And I'll only stay a few days."

You'd begged your uncle to let you fly out to see Billy. It had been five months and the phone calls, the letters, they just weren't cutting it anymore. The both of you were going too graduate soon, and you'd gone far enough to think about applying to to schools in Indiana just to be closer to him.

Your uncle let up, and you had the go ahead for the proposal you'd made to Billy a few days prior. You'd been sitting on your bed, phone in one hand, a letter in the other, trying to feel for him through the page, running your fingers over the letters, the scrawl of his name.

"I wanna come see you. Would that be okay? I don't want to intrude or anything." Billy's breath hitched at the idea of you being in hugging vicinity. You'd offered to go to him, knowing he couldn't afford a plane trip, and he just hadn't had time to drive that far to get to you.

"You really have to ask me that? Of course that would be okay."

And here you found yourself, stepping out of the car and watching Billy barrel down the sidewalk to you. He picked you up, hands wrapping around the squish of your tummy, squeezing you like he wanted to meld your body to his.

He put you down, mumbled a "Baby," into the soft skin of your shoulder. He pulled back, both hands coming to grip your cheeks, his eyes scanning every inch of you, trying to take you in. "Missed you, gorgeous."

"Missed you, dipshit."

————

"What you wanna do tonight, sweetheart?" Billy was laying on the couch, the Hargrove-Mayfield household free of anyone besides the two of you, hand propped up against his neck.

"There a court anywhere around here?" Billy stroked over the deep brown of your skin, bare where there were rips in your jeans. He grinned, eyes glinting in the shitty yellow lighting of the living room, getting ever darker as the sun set.

"Yeah, a shit one a little ways away. But we could always sneak into the school gym. Doors are never locked and it's not like there are any cameras. Could play a little, if that's what you want."

You nodded excitedly, ready to beat his ass, even though that wasn't a guaranteed ending considering he was quite well off with the sport. And so you'd ended up parked behind the school, out of the main lot, holding Billy's hand as he led you to the gym doors.

He wrenched the green painted metal open, reaching around for the switch on the wall. You blinked against the fluorescents, waiting for your eyes to adjust as he moved further in, walking towards a rack of basketballs by the bleachers.

Billy shrugged his coat off, leaving him in a half-buttoned shirt. The two of you played just like you used to, running circles around one another, you watching him do over-the-top and dramatic tricks, tossing the ball under his leg, just to be a show off. Watching his tongue stick out, his brow furrow as he got his footing.

And he watched you, feeling over the moon. Laughed at each one of your wraparound passes. He felt like he could fucking faint looking at you. So fucking stunning.

After the two of you had been playing a while, he took the whole shirt off, leaving himself just in jeans and worn out sneakers. He caught you eyeing his chest, the muscles of his back as he jumped a little, the ball catching the net, chain clinking the edge of the backboard.

"See something you like?" Flirty bitch.

You caught the ball as he bounced it to you, dribbling around him as you moved closer to take your shot. You were going to beat him, if this worked. "And if I did?"

His hand brushed the pudge of your side, but you moved away, catching him off guard, shooting and scoring. Ta-da.

"You little shit." Billy crossed his arms, looking at you.

Your warm umber skin shone in the bright lighting, sweat glistening on it. You were winded, breathing heavily, but now doing a little victory dance.

"Suck it, Hargrove."

He jogged over to you, grabbing the fat of your thighs and tossing you over his shoulder, helping you in a victory lap that made you squeal.

Billy put you down again, taking in your smile, the way you looked at him. The way you'd always looked at him. Like he was the only good thing in the world.

"You're so fucking beautiful."

You smiled, eyes softening, and he leaned in, capturing your lips with his. It was short and sweet, but fuck if he didn't put everything he was feeling into it.

Billy pulled away. "I'm in love with you, you know." He started to get shy, afraid he'd gone to far, but you pulled him back in.

"I know. And I love you more."

He grinned against your mouth, moving to kiss the corners of your lips, your cheeks, the center of your neck. "So beautiful, baby."

————

please let me know if you liked this! feedback is always appreciated!! comments and reblogs mean more than you know. <33

#billy hargrove #billy stranger things #billy hargrove x black reader #billy hargrove x blk!reader #billy hargrove x gn!reader #billy hargrove x blk!gn!reader #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x you #billy hargrove is a sweetheart #billy hargrove fic #billy hargrove fanfic #savannah’s fics

[achaotichuman]

AU where feyre is the high lady of the night court b/c she was born into but b/c of society, she decided she would disguise as a male. All the guys are questioning their sexuality, all the women wanna be with her. Feyre is basically that guy and she actually fixes the problems in hewn city and illyria thru brute force or diplomacy.

My apologies anon for this taking so long, this was supposed to be a short and sweet little five-hundred-word one-shot and somehow it has turned into 16,400 words with a lot of plot and world-building. I don't know why I'm like this.

Yall just want me to genderbend every acotar character and I am living, breathing, existing for it. One actually good-at-ruling Masc!Feyre Archeron coming right up!

The black, jewelled crown of Night was heavy on her head. Crushing the careful hairstyle Elain had weaved it into. Elain didn't mourn the loss of her hardwork as she helped to tie up the laces of Feyre's corset. Nesta watched from the door, her silver eyes tracing her youngest sister's form. Feyre expected resentment, she expected outrage and anger from her eldest sibling. Nesta was the one who deserved the position of ruler. Between the three sisters, both Elain and Feyre had promised their allegiance to Nesta when she took the throne, to them it was never an if, never a question.

They were both planning to stand beside her when Nesta inevitably took the crown, when inevitably she faced discord and rage from the arrogant assholes that objectified and opposed any female in power. Feyre was prepared to stand by her sister wearing Illyrian armour and a sword in hand. Elain was prepared to stand by with her head held high and a courtier's tongue ready to smooth over the anger that would be faced.

But no, Feyre stood with the crown on her head and a midnight dress adorning her frame. Muscle pressed against the soft fabrics. She was too toned, too bulky for this beautiful, skin-tight silk. She had begged and pleaded since the day she was old enough to hold a weapon to join the Illyrian War Bands, to fight in the War. It was only through Elain's gentle coaxing that their father allowed her to go.

Through it she had fought, killed and fallen, gotten back up and swung her fists again. The males of the Hewn City called her a waste of a woman, and the Illyrians called her a witch. The females whispered and pointed, the Princes of the other High lords said she was only half a woman.

She wasn't made for this.

"You've studied, Feyre." Nesta said with that cold voice of hers. In Feyre's five hundred years of living, she hadn't ever heard Nesta speak with a warm tone. Yet somehow it had always been comforting.

"You've studied hard, you know this Court, you know the ins and outs." Nesta assured her, walking further into the room.

Feyre whipped around to face her sister, her dear sister, "Not as well as you! I don't have a courtier's face or tongue, I'm not cold or capable of being cruel like you! I'm not soft and I don't find it easy to lie or manipulate others like Elain! I'm fit for this."

"Leave the courtier tongues to us, Feyre." Elain said softly, "You focus on what you've always set out to do."

"And what is that?"

"Fight for what is right." Elain told her, smoothing a hand over Feyre's arm, "You've always fought for those in need, hell you were the one to convince father to fight for the human's right to freedom."

Feyre sucked in breath, feeling too constricted in this corset, "That was only because Baile helped." Baile the eldest Prince of Spring, now the High lord.

"There! You have an ally in Spring already!" Elain pointed out.

"See," Nesta replied smoothly, "You've already started to work for this position, even if you didn't know it."

"It should be you wearing this crown," Feyre whispered to Nesta.

"But it's not, the Mother chose you for a reason Feyre and..."

"And what?"

Nesta closed her eyes, "You can build the Night Court a better future than I can. Your ambitions and your motives are purer than I."

"Nesta no-"

"I fear if I take that crown I will be consumed by the power. I will stand beside you, always, but... as I am now, I will not take such a responsibility, such a high power when it has been granted to another."

"That's not true Nesta, give yourself more credit than that." Feyre said.

"Oh, I give myself credit. With the right words I am capable of bringing this entire continent under my own rule, but I do not know what I would do after that. What I would bring about. You however, do not wish for mighty amounts of power, you just want peace. You are patient, kind and honest."

"All terrible qualities for High lord of Night." Feyre said.

"High Lady," Elain corrected.

Feyre threw her hands up in the air, "Another problem, High Lady!"

Nesta shrugged, "So what? If I took the throne, I would be High lady."

"That is so much different."

"How?" Nesta pressed.

"Because Nesta, I would've been by your side! I have a foot in the Illyrian camps, and you have the Hewn City twisted around your finger! The second I take this crown; the Illyrians will revolt! At least as a warrior amongst them, they've learned not to care. If I, the one they call a waste of cunt and a witch, am the one ruling them, they will call for my head. And neither of you have the connections necessary to stop them. The Hewn City will for once in their lives, side with the Illyrians! At least with you Nesta the Hewn City will listen, however reluctantly. And I could command the Illyrians under your guidance."

Both her sister's were silent. They knew she was right. Feyre may have had the experience, she had taken the High lord's training alongside both Nesta and Elain. She had watched and learned, she may not wield a courtier's tongue as well as her sister's, but she knew how the politics worked and how to spin them to her advantage. They were equal in that department.

But Feyre didn't have the influence needed, she didn't have the command nor the loyalty of the people. They would call for her immediate execution, and while they were at it, there was a good chance Elain and Nesta would follow.

"I have an idea." Elain said.

"What's the idea?" Feyre said, all out of any of her own.

"You remember Tamlin right?" The middle sister asked.

"The shapeshifting witch? Didn't he run off with your mate?" Nesta asked.

Elain rolled her eyes, "He didn't run off. Lucien and I broke the mating bond all on our own and those two fell hard, it was inevitable."

"Isn't he Baile's youngest brother?" Feyre asked.

"Yep! Their father called him the beastly spare son at the first High lord meeting we attended, remember?"

"Oh yeah." Feyre remembered now. That 'beastly spare son' hadn't been in attendance for any of the High lord's meetings, Feyre met him briefly at the War Camps. Before he was kicked out for witchcraft.

"Didn't he try to access the shadow-side or something like that?" Feyre questioned, remembering the rumours that spread about.

"Tamlin was trained by his mother, she was a witch from the Middle. But he wasn't thrown out of the War Camps for witchcraft, he was just in love with another male." Elain murmured, knowing exactly what Feyre was thinking about.

"Those godforsaken bastards." Nesta grumbled.

Elain hummed her agreement, "He and Luce live on the border of Spring and Autumn-"

"Oh, it's Luce now." Nesta said.

Elain narrowed her eyes, "He is my friend, so yes, it is Luce. Anway, like mentioned earlier, Tamlin is a shapeshifter and a powerful one at that. He can shift not just himself but others."

"What are you insinuating?" Feyre asked.

"If you can't be High Lady for the risk of people rising up against you for what's between your legs, we have the magic to... change that."

***

It was Tamlin himself who opened the door when Elain knocked. The second Feyre saw him, every memory came bounding back. He looked healthier than when he had been in the War Camps, no longer was his skin pasty or littered with bruises from his father's abuse. The first day Feyre saw him he had been a scrawny little thing, then over the course of two years he grew into a more bulking frame.

Now, not having to use the War Camps as an escape from his household, he had grown into his natural frame. No longer did he have hulking muscle, nor was he too skinny. Tall with long, lithe limbs. Golden waves that weren't matted with blood or dirt flowed down his back, touching the ground, nearly dragging along it. Bright emerald eyes that weren't dulled with exhaustion. And a light tan on his freckled skin.

A Spring Faery through and through.

The little cottage they had found on the border of Spring and Autumn perfectly matched the essence of both Courts. Half of the building was covered with the colours of Autumn, then it melded into an ombre of reds and greens before it turned into Spring. The woody smell of smoke and the fresh smell of rain and pollen drifted together, pairing perfectly. Birds, deer and foxes could be spied wandering through the deep forests surrounding the cottage. Feyre had never seen a place so... peaceful.

Certainly not where she imagined a witch living. From the stories she had heard, she expected a dark, twisting house in the middle of a cursed woods or something along those lines.

Tamlin smiled brightly when he laid eyes on Elain, "Elain. What brings you to this part of the woods?"

Elain laughed, "I come bearing gifts!" The sister lifted a basket. Feyre had watched her pack dozens upon dozens of sweets and pastries, saying it was an offering. Tamlin may be her friend, but he still abided by the general rule of Fae and Witch. If you wanted a favour, you would need a sacrifice.

Tamlin's eyes flashed in the same way metal did when it reflected the sun, he kept that bright smile and happy expression, but Feyre knew he knew they wanted something.

"Why thank you." He said, taking the basket from Elain's hands, he turned and began to head inside, calling over his shoulder he said, "Please come in."

Feyre and Nesta looked at each other, wondering if it was a safe idea to enter under the roof of a true witch; they didn't get to ask as Elain walked in. Neatly taking off her boots and leaving them near the threshold. Nesta and Feyre quickly followed, neither shut the door, wanting an open escape should this turn ugly. Feyre herself didn't think Tamlin, the boy who had been so adamant that people, no matter who, all deserved rights and freedom, would trap or attempt to harm them.

Still, it had been a while since they last met.

They followed Elain and Tamlin. Turning a corner and entering what looked to be a kitchen, connecting to a sitting room. Tamlin placed the basket of baked goods on an isle in the centre of the kitchen, then spoke to Elain.

"It's been a good long while since I last saw you, how is everything?" Tamlin asked, even his voice was bright, bright in a way that reminded Feyre of the sun shining through a dark storm.

"Actually, things have taken a slight... turn." Elain said.

Again, his eyes flashed, he knew they were about to ask something. Tamlin discreetly lifted the top of the basket, his tongue darting over his bottom lip when he saw what laid in there. Neither Feyre nor Nesta were stupid, he was weighing up if the offering would be equal to the favour.

"That isn't any good, may I ask what has turned?" Tamlin asked, turning his eyes back to Elain.

"Tam..." Elain's eyes flicked back to Feyre, "Feyre has been chosen by the Cauldron for the crown of Night."

Just like that the slight mischief and excitement for whatever Elain was going to ask winked out, his eyes widened as he looked over at Feyre. The same recognition that had no doubt been in Feyre's eyes when she saw him flashed on his face. He too was no doubt thinking of the consequences of Feyre being in such a position of power.

"Oh fuck." Tamlin said, running a hand through his hair, "That is a problem."

"We've tried to establish peace where we can throughout the years, but with our father's rule, contempt for females is still extremely high."

"I don't doubt it." Tamlin murmured in a low voice. That was a voice Feyre recognised, she had heard Tamlin speak in the same low voice when he rebuked some males who were speaking of enslaving humans once again. It seemed some things never changed, and Tamlin's hatred of injustice was one of those.

"What do you need me to do Elain?" Tamlin asked.

Elain finally made her request outright, "I need you to shapeshift Feyre into the form of a male."

Tamlin lifted a finger then quickly opened up the basket, rifling through it. The three sisters blinked, looking at each other with confused expressions before Tamlin exclaimed, "Ahah!"

He lifted a mini lemon meringue tart from the basket. He turned to Elain and laughed at her confused expression, "Eye for an eye Elain, I was checking if you had these little things, just one of them would be worth a spell to keep Feyre in a male's form, Lucien loves the damn things."

"Where is Lucien?" Feyre asked. The Fox boy and her had been drinking buddies two centuries back, before Jesminda, the poor girl, was executed and Lucien ran from Autumn. Only to find Elain as his mate and then staying as far away from the Archeron sisters as he could, his trauma still raw the mating bond chafed it.

"Out with Helion for the day." Tamlin said, placing the tart carefully back into the basket.

"Helion-steal your man-Spellcleaver?" Elain smirked, "Watch out Tamlin, you might have competition."

Tamlin gagged, "Don't worry about that Elain, as of recent we have found Lucien may be of Day descent."

Elain went red immediately, "Oh- Oh!"

"Wait, Lucien may be a Spellcleaver?" Nesta asked.

Tamlin lifted his hands and shrugged, "Don't go spreading rumours it hasn't been confirmed yet. But since Beron kicked it and Andrea left Autumn for Day, she sent Lucien a letter, telling him it might be the case."

"Oh I remember that, Andrea's affair with Helion... That was the hot underground gossip a good four hundred years ago." Feyre said. Head tipping back as she thought back on the drama that had arisen from that particular affair.

"Was more than that now. How old's Lucien?" Nesta asked.

"Four hundred and eighty." Tamlin replied, taking the basket and moving it to sit beneath a hanging cabinet.

"Four hundred and eighty years now, wow we're getting old." Feyre whistled.

"When's he getting back?" Elain asked.

As if on cue, the door of the cottage opened, and assured footsteps could be heard.

"Darling! I got those herbs you wanted. Thesan also said for you to visit him. He found records of some spells he thought you might- Oh! Afternoon to all." Lucien turned the corner, holding a white linen bag Feyre assumed contained whatever herbs Tamlin had asked for.

"Afternoon to you too Luce." Elain smiled.

Lucien smiled back, walking further into the kitchen, he opened his mouth presumably to ask why the three Archeron sisters were gathered in his home. Then his eyes found the basket, Tamlin lifted a pastry from it and Lucien seemed to catch on.

The thought came to Feyre that this was most certainly not the first time Elain had asked favours from Tamlin. She mentally noted to ask her sister what else she had bargained for with the witch.

"Is there anything new with you three?" Lucien asked as he placed the bag of herbs beside the basket and stood beside Tamlin. Feyre watched as Lucien took Tamlin's hand in his, stepping slightly in front of him. Protective.

"We were just discussing that Feyre has been chosen by the High lord's magic." Nesta revealed.

Lucien's smile dropped, he quickly looked to Tamlin who gave a slight nod. The Fox dropped his head to whisper something in Tamlin's ear. Feyre longed for the two to openly discuss whatever it was they were speaking of.

Dark voices began to whisper in her head, shadows wrapped around her mind and slithered past her mental defences, reaching, searching, finding.

Found.

Tamlin's mind looked like spider's silk and vines. So easy to press against, so easy to draw back, like a curtain made of the most delicate of silks. It was nothing for Feyre to reach in and-

Something dragged her in. Claws wielding the sharpest of blades pulled her kicking and screaming into the darkness that lurked beyond that soft silk. Down and down, she went until Feyre could no longer hear her own mental voice, nor feel her body. Hands with knives for fingertips wrapped around her, pushing in and stinging her.

Then she was tossed from that place, thrown through the silk and back into her own body.

When Feyre could see through her own eyes again, she was on her knees on the floor, gasping her breath and tears of pain streamed down her face.

"Rule number one, Daemati, never go into the mind of a witch, it will not end well for you." Tamlin hissed in a voice so dark Feyre shivered.

When she looked up Tamlin's face was carefully blank, no true feeling in his eyes. Lucien's, however, was of fury and anger. He had pulled Tamlin closer and glared at Feyre. Funny, Feyre had been under the expression he would be the even-tempered one.

"Sorry, sorry I'm sorry." Feyre shook her head forcing herself to her feet, "I... I don't know what overcame me."

"Your magic will want to stretch its legs, but please, experiment on people who give you explicit permission to enter their minds. Or work on rats or something of the like." Tamlin told her.

Feyre nodded, eyes on the floor, "Of course, of course. I am... I am so sorry."

"Just be glad I am used to dealing with Daemati." Tamlin told her, he then turned to Elain, "I will honour your request, on one condition."

"What condition?"

Tamlin gestured to Feyre, "She keeps her magic on a tight leash and does not go wandering into people's minds."

Looking back and addressing Feyre directly again, he said, "If you wish to turn the tide of your Court and remake it so you don't have to appear as male, you cannot go into other's mind, not even if your magic begs and pleads with you too, and it will."

"How do you know that? You have never experienced the High Lord's magic." Nesta said, her eyes narrowed at Tamlin.

Tamlin sucked in a breath, it was tight, and his eyes widened just a fraction. Lucien gripped his hand tighter, in a tense voice, Tamlin said, "Just listen to me. Do you want me to accept your request or not?"

Nesta leaned back on her heels, her arms crossed, she slowly released a breath. Tamlin then spoke to Feyre again, "I will do as you ask, but I do request something of you."

"We've already given you an offering." Elain said, her voice slightly snappy.

"That was before your new High Lady decided to enter my mind."

"I've never experienced the pull of the magic; I didn't know what I was doing!" Feyre tried to plead.

"But you knew it was mind, I heard you thinking so loudly around the entrance of my mental walls. You knew you reaching out for me, and you went in. For that, you owe me, your sister's gifts will suffice for my giving you the form of a male. But I ask something of you as payment for intrusion."

Looking to Elain, Feyre tried to ask her sister with her eyes on what to do. Elain just bit her lip and looked to the floor; Feyre mentally slapped herself. One moment of weakness, now she owed a witch a favour.

"Fine, what is the request?"

"There is a fungus in the Hewn City, it grows on any life it can latch onto and sucks the nutrients from it, draining it until its host is nothing more than a hollow shell for it to reside. From what I've studied it only grows deep in the Hewn City. I want it. Bring me that fungus and I will consider the debt repaid."

When Feyre looked at Elain, her eyes were wide, and her face had gone pale. Nesta swallowed hard. Feyre knew that fungus, had heard of it but never seen it. True it occurred naturally deep within the caverns of the Hewn City, but it was strictly forbidden for any to gather it.

It latched onto any life, including people. Not to mention the spores were invisible, once inhaled it would suck the life from a person from the inside out.

Why would Tamlin want it?

Did Feyre even have a choice but to give it to him?

The glint in his green eyes said she had too. Lucien kept a carefully neutral expression but the confused look in his eyes when he heard Tamlin's request didn't escape Feyre's notice.

Feyre decided that it was just one fungus, and Tamlin had never been a malicious male. So, she finally nodded, "Okay, okay fine, we'll get you your fungus."

Tamlin's lips tilted up, "Good."

"First you shapeshift Feyre." Elain said.

Cocking an eyebrow up, Tamlin watched Elain out of the corner of his eye as he let go of Lucien's hand and approached Feyre. The natural urge to run as fast and as far away as she could when in the presence of such ancient power nearly overtook her. But Feyre forced her feet to be still as Tamlin laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"The changes I will make are not permanent, however you will not be capable of shifting back to your regular form on your own. You will require my assistance for that."

Feyre's heart was in her throat, "What is the price for shifting me back?"

Tamlin smiled and this time it was that genuine boyish grin, "More lemon meringue tarts."

"There's lemon méringue tarts here?!" Lucien exclaimed, hands immediately going to that basket Elain had brought. Elain laughed quietly under her breath and Tamlin chuckled.

Glancing around Feyre noted her sisters were far enough away that she could whisper without them hearing, so she craned her neck closer to Tamlin and asked, "Why be friends with her? Elain is your husband's mate."

Tamlin just shrugged, "Mates are a predetermined melding of two people, I don't blame those that are shackled against their will."

Emboldened by his causal reply Feyre asked, "Why do you want the fungus?"

A tingling feeling spread across her entire body, Feyre barely noticed it as she watched Tamlin's green eyes flash again, "Just get me the fungus, High Lord of Night."

High Lord?

Feyre looked down at her own body, and sure enough. She had shifted. Now more focused on how she felt, she noticed the changes and differences.

There were no longer an weights on her chest pressing against the fabric of her black shirt. Now her sides were more tightly constricted by the satin. Her shoulders were pulling her shirt taut, and the hems of her pants were riding up higher, now too short.

There was also a noticeable weight sitting in between her legs. When Feyre noticed that particular change, she, no he now, blushed furiously. Tamlin smirked, "This form can be... customised. I just shifted you based on the genes I found within your body already, this is exactly how you would look if you had been born male."

"I'm sorry, customise?" Feyre said, she nearly jumped at how much deeper her voice sounded.

Elain, Nesta and Lucien all snickered. Tamlin just gave him a sympathetic smile, "I get you some clothes that will fit your new body better."

With that Tamlin slipped away from the group. Elain and Nesta looked him up and down slowly, Elain tilted her head to the side and Nesta narrowed her eyes.

Nesta said, "You look like our grandfather."

Elain hid a smile behind the back of her hand, "You do, just better looking."

"Thanks." Feyre said deadpan.

Lucien leaned back against the counter behind him, placing his palms on the surface, "You are pleasing to the eye, that's good, beauty is power in the Courts. Though Tamlin certainly wouldn't make you ugly."

"Good to know, Lucien. I am hoping to a achieve a Court where looks are not what people seek in courtiers, lords and ladies." Feyre said with that same deadened voice.

Tamlin came back into the room, holding a white shirt and dark brown trousers. Feyre glared at them, "Whose clothes am I stealing?"

If they were Tamlin's Feyre might owe him something. He already owed this male a Fae-eating fungus, he didn't need to give up any more dangerous plants or herbs to him.

"Mine, but relax, I will take nothing for this."

"Why?" He asked, Tamlin tried to shove the clothing into Feyre's arms, but he refused to take them.

Tamlin rolled his eyes, the light shone through the window in the kitchen, making his eyes appear like green-tinted sea-glass, "I am a witch, not an asshole, just bring them back washed and not torn."

Feyre glanced over at Elain, who simply nodded. Tamlin sighed, "Take the damn clothes Feyre, you look ridiculous in the ones you're wearing."

Feyre glared at him again as he snatched the clothing from his hands, Tamlin jutted his head in the direction of a hallway leading away from the entrance to the house, "There's a bathroom before the staircase down that hallway."

The High lord of Night just gave a low grunt of acknowledgement before heading for the bathroom. As he turned down the hallway, he heard Elain saying, "I don't know how this will go."

Tamlin answered her, "Baile will be on your side."

"You hate Baile." Elain pointed out.

When Tamlin replied, a chill ran down Feyre's spine, "I really do."

***

A week passed, a week for Feyre to get used to the body he was in. Before he had to finally see his Court.

Feyre spun in the mirror, looking himself up and down, side to side. Trying to convince his mind that the reflection staring back at him was indeed his own. It was... difficult to say the least.

His hair was still long, spilling down his back. Elain had asked whether or not he wanted to cut it, Feyre refused. His hair was an important part of him, for a while, during the War, it had been the only thing he could control, and he chose to let it grow long. He braided it and had let that long hair billow in the wind once they won.

It wasn't like he needed to cut it to look more male-ish, Tamlin had done a good enough job with that. He looked every part the High Lord of Night.

A sharpened jaw, with narrow eyes. Broad shoulders and a muscled chest. Feyre had chiselled muscles along her abdomen to begin with, but now everything seemed sharper, bigger. Elain had turned his hair into a single braid that fell down his back. A suit of black and silver hugged her body, a black shirt underneath a fitting waistcoat. Black trousers and knee-high boots. A jacket matching his waist coat fell around his shoulders. And black gloves adorned his hands. Everything was decorated with whorls of silver that glowed in the moonlight.

A knock rapped at his door, Feyre took a deep breath, then he turned and headed for the door.

Upon opening it, he was faced with Nesta, who lifted her eyes to his. Feyre always had a bigger build than Nesta, but it was her that possessed the height in their family. But now... now Feyre towered over his eldest sister.

"It's time." Nesta said, her voice emotionless. Her eyes a silvery blaze.

Feyre nodded, "I know," He held back the urge to wince at the low, rumbling sound that escaped his throat.

Nesta drew in a breath, crossing her arms. She moved away from the threshold, allowing Feyre room to walk beside her. They accompanied each other through the hallways, heading for the entrance of the Palace. Prepared to winnow to the Hewn City, prepared to finally face his Court.

Feyre heard Elain's voice, speaking with someone in low hushed tones, before they turned the corner to see her, Nesta held out a hand, stopping Feyre in his tracks.

"I need you to promise me something, Fey." Nesta murmured.

Fey... He hadn't heard that nickname in centuries.

Now Nesta had all of Feyre's attention, he turned to face his sister fully, "Anything Star."

Nesta's own eyes widened just a fraction, just for the smallest of moments, when she heard the nickname Feyre had given her when they were children.

"And I need you to promise that..." Nesta looked down at her feet, for the first time in her life she looked... uncertain. Unsure.

Feyre took Nesta's hands in his own, "Tell me."

Nesta swallowed as she stared at her hands, conjoined with her sister, her, publicly, brother, "I need you to free our people, Fey."

Free them...

Feyre unconsciously loosed his grip on Nesta's hands. Noticing the slight change, Nesta ripped her hands away and balled them into fists at her side. Staring up at Feyre, at the crown on his head, with such a cold, icy gaze that Feyre was certain frost was appearing on the black jewels.

"Free my people, Feyre Archeron, give them the power over themselves that they can't on their own. With the way our own people live outside of Velaris we... we're a third of a fucking Court, Feyre. And the former High lord was a third of a fucking male for governing them like this."

Feyre was silent. Silent as his heartbeat began to race. Silent as his muscles tensed and his jaw clicked. Silent as Nesta took a step back. Silent as he realised darkness had begun to collect around his feet, around his hands and climbed over his shoulders.

Silent as he realised Nesta was afraid of him.

Silent as he near fell to one knee, head held low, near to the floor. Silent as he bowed to his sister, to her sister, to the female who had been by her side, and would be by his side.

Silent as he lifted his eyes to meet Nesta's. Nesta said nothing as she placed her hands on his shoulders.

Finally, it was the Princess of the Night Court who broke the silence, "Feyre Archeron, High Lady of the Night Court."

Nesta then took her hands and lifted them to the back of her neck, she pulled a silver chain from where it had been hidden under the high neck of her black dress. Unfastening it, she pulled a necklace off her throat. It was beautifully polished, with one dark gem at the centre of the chain. When the light hit it in just the correct way, a streak of silver with a small spot of white in the middle of it appeared.

Nesta gently wrapped the necklace around Feyre, she clasped it and returned her hands to her youngest sister's shoulders. Youngest brother's shoulders.

"Raven Archeron, High Lord of the Night Court." Nesta said.

The name had been decided, the name of their grandfather, Elain thought it fitting given how alike him and Feyre appeared.

It also may put Kier in an early grave considering how hateful he had always been of the male. And Feyre found that thought amusing.

Finally, Feyre, no, Raven, lifted himself to his feet.

"It's going to take some getting used to." A voice said, Nesta and Feyre turned to see Elain leaning against the wall. She gestured to Feyre, "That name. Raven, very different from Feyre."

"It was your idea." Nesta pointed out.

"I know." Elain smiled prettily before turning and pressing herself against the wall to reveal a person that was behind her.

A female with soil brown eyes, long locks of golden blonde, plush red lips and a red dress with high slits and a low neckline showing off her cleavage was stood before them. She smiled and bowed low when her eyes met Feyre's.

"Raven Archeron, or shall I say Feyre Archeron? A pleasure to meet you." The beautiful female said, in a low seductive voice.

Feyre was about to insist this stranger simply call him Feyre, when Nesta cut in.

"High Lord shall suffice." Nesta drawled, when Feyre turned to see her, Nesta was jutting her nose in the air. Her eyes were cold and hard, yet a light flush of red was patchy across her cheeks and nose.

The female's smile widened into a grin, her brown eyes met Nesta's and Feyre felt the fiery spark of this stranger meeting Nesta's cold flames. Something exploded in their gaze and Feyre nearly took a step back.

"A pleasure to see you as well, Nesta Archeron."

"The pleasure is all yours and none of my own." Nesta snapped back, taking a slight step forward, crossing her arms.

Elain stepped near completely in between the two females, as if preventing them from reaching each other. The middle sister clapped her hands as she happily said, "Feyre, meet Morrigan, she is the Steward's daughter."

"Exiled daughter," Morrigan mumbled, then she grinned at Feyre once again when she caught sight of her confused eyes, "My father attempted to kill me when I refused the marriage, he tried to force me into. My would-have-been fiancé met me broken on the border, after he pretended to leave me for dead, he sent a sentry to collect me and take me into a hidden place within his Court. Once I was older and capable of defending myself, I made contact with an... old connection within your Court and returned to Night."

"Where have you been living since?"

Morrigan shrugged, "Many places, mostly Velaris, at times in Autumn, sometimes in Winter."

Elain spoke, "Morrigan is an incredibly courtier, Viviane Lady of the Winter Court is a close friend of hers, she has friends in Illyria, Vallahan and her ex-fiance is Eris Vanserra."

Feyre met Elain's eyes when she said Eris' name. When he looked back at Morrigan, he finally remembered her. The Morrigan, the promised fiance to the then heir to the Autumn Court, now the High lord of Autumn.

Feyre had been in the War Camps during the time of Morrigan. Nineteen when she was set to be in a marriage to a male, a boy, ten years younger than herself.

"Eris Vanserra was nine years old at the time of your engagement to him." Feyre stated.

Morrigan nodded, "His father is not what I would call the greatest example of what a father should be."

"Are any High Fae fathers?" Nesta huffed.

Morrigan gave her a half smile, "You're more dressed up than the last time I saw you Nesta."

Nesta tensed, she once again curled her hands into fists, until her knuckles were white, otherwise her face remained blank, "We are going to Feyre's formal coronation, we are all dressed up."

Nesta looked Morrigan up and down, "Though you wear the same dress you did when... I saw you last."

At those words Morrigan eyes darkened, her lips darted over her red lips, "I didn't wear this dress for long then, did I now? Though you were able to wear the dress you brought the entire... encounter. It was quite fun to look at when I-"

"Now! We must be heading for the Hewn City in less than five minutes!" Elain cut the conversation off.

Feyre quickly looked at Nesta, then Morrigan again, then back to Nesta. Nesta's face had gone considerably red. Morrigan was just grinning at the reaction.

What had happened between them? And why didn't Feyre know about it, yet Elain seemed to have some sort of a clue as to what was happening?

"Morrigan will be joining us, she has offered her services to our Court and tonight we shall put them to the test!" Elain said.

Morrigan met Feyre's eyes with a flirtatious spirit but cold cruelness seeping into the edges, "If that is alright with you, High Lord?"

Feyre looked at Elain, then at Nesta, then back at Morrigan.

Over the course of the week, Feyre had been trying to convince himself he was chosen for a reason, that he had the knowledge for this.

Yes, he had much to learn, but he had lived here all his life. Had been given the same chances Nesta had, no he didn't have her cruel coldness, but he had his heart, he had his honor, and he had the same knowledge she did.

So Feyre forced himself to take in a deep breath, facing Morrigan, "Your services will be tested, however I will have the final word on if you will be needed in the future. You will not answer to either of my sisters, you will come to me for any and all requests. Understood?"

Morrigan blinked, taken aback by Feyre's quick harsh words. Feyre watched as her brown eyes began to slide to Elain, looking to find confirmation with the middle sister, but Morrigan caught herself and looked back at Feyre. Keeping her eyes only on the High lord.

With a short bow, Morrigan said, "Yes my Lord."

"Good, then we must be off to the Hewn City, the time has come."

With no other words, Elain and Morrigan turned on their heels and headed for the entrance of the Palace, which was built into the side of the mountain. Half connected to the Hewn City, half connected to Velaris.

Nesta and Feyre began to follow the two, Nesta whispered to him, "Well done, Morrigan is pushy, don't let her shove you around."

Feyre nodded, then he asked, "Where do you know her from?"

Again Nesta' face went red, she quickly shook her head, "Forget it, we met at a bar and I learned of her former position after a few drinks."

Feyre didn't believe her, or at least didn't believe she was telling the full story. It didn't matter though, because they were heading into darkness. Into the hallways that would lead to the High lord's quarters in the Hewn City. From there they would winnow to the coronation party thrown in Feyre's honour.

"This is going to be difficult." Feyre said.

Nesta smiled a little, her thumb brushing the back of Feyre's hand, "It will."

***

The coronation ceremony went off without a hitch. Morrigan, Elain and Nesta went in first. Even from behind the closed doors, Feyre heard the hushed gasps and whispers at the appearance of the long-lost daughter of Keir. Morrigan was going to be a problem, Feyre already knew it, but he supposed he didn't have much of a choice but to at least trial her out. After all, his Court at the current moment was just her two sisters.

After Nesta and Elain took their places standing on either side of the throne and Morrigan joined the front row of the crowd, standing just an inch in front of everyone, Feyre walked through.

Raven walked through. He forced into his mind like he had forced referring to himself as 'he' into his mind.

It was Raven who stepped out into the crowds. Raven, whose darkness poured out in front of him, curling over his shoulders and around his hands.

His braid swung behind him, whipping like a vicious tail, the long trail of his floor-length black jacket dragged behind him across the sea of darkness. His cunning eyes grazed the crowd. Everyone was gathered here, everyone except the people of Velaris. Even Illyrians were mixed in amongst the High Fae of the Hewn City.

A female with unruly black curly hair and clipped Illyrian wings raised her hand in a wave, her dark skin making her stand out amongst the pale of the Hewn City.

Raven nearly waved back to her, but forced himself to face ahead, that female was Feyre's best friend, not Raven's, Feyre's partner, not Raven's.

Not for now at least.

He approached the throne and the Priestess standing before it. She had long black hair that reached down to the floor, her robes were of black and silver, a jewel of blue was hanging from the crown of her head. She held the formal crown of Night in her hands, tonight Raven would wear it upon his head, then come morning it would return to its place in a chest hidden deep in the Hewn City. Not to be touched until the next Heir was crowned.

It was Elain who walked over, removing the smaller crown from Raven's head. Then Raven went down on one knee. The Priestess lifted the crown and began her speech.

Was he to be on his knees the whole time? Nesta had said he would, he thought it would be easy, he had underestimated how long the speech would go on for.

Finally once she was finished, she placed the crown upon Raven's head. Raven lifted his eyes, lifted his body and turned to face the city before him.

He was met with terrified eyes, the trembling hands of children and women. The greedy look of hunger in the faces of the males.

The males of Illyria looked stoic and uncaring, but Raven spotted the younger males, who looked... exhausted, no doubt counting the days before they would be sent to their dooms in War, not given a choice on whether they wished to fight or not.

"They say we're brutes born to kill." Celvin had said, "I didn't want this, I don't want this.

"What would you do if given a choice?" Feyre asked.

He had slumped his shoulders, his wings dragging along the dirt, a dejected, saddened look in his eyes, "I would have painted."

Raven wouldn't allow this any longer.

Free my people, Nesta had said.

'Oh I will free them, I will free every last one of them.' Raven and Feyre thought.

The rest of the ceremony was nothing but formalities. Raven lounged in the black, sharp cut throne, gazing down at the people mingling amongst each other. The prejudices were plain to see, as the Illyrians snarled at the High Fae, and the High Fae sneered at the Illyrians. 

Kicking one leg over the other, Raven rested his head on his knuckles, trying to not appear as bored as he was. He had asked Nesta over and over to go and join his people in the celebrations, but was told to sit still and be quiet. 

Was this all his ancestors had done? Look pretty on the big, bad throne then disappear to dance the night away in Velaris? 

That would change. 

This would change. 

Starting tonight. 

Raven couldn’t even believe it, Feyre couldn’t believe it. How could he ever just sit idly on a throne? Sitting up here for the entire duration of a celebration with his people and not joining in on the celebrations? 

Raven would never do something like that. Feyre refused to ever be like that. Idle. 

So he stood. The coat he wore slipped off his shoulders and fell onto the throne behind him. Then he walked down into the crowd. 

Eyes went wide and mouths moved quickly in hushed whispers, but Raven ignored them. Feyre ignored them. He let the mask slip. Mentally he had tried to remain in character, Raven, Raven, Raven. 

Now, in the youth of the night, when many were too drunk to do any more than simply whisper and point. Feyre let the mask of Raven slip. 

She wished to turn back to her own body, the one she knew and felt comfortable in, but that wasn't possible. So she settled to stay in this body as she moved through the crowds, no real purpose in her stride. 

Then a hand slipped down her arm. Feyre turned and her breath was caught in her throat. 

A beautiful female smiled at her. Her hair was black as midnight, her skin glowing like the moon, her dress was long, barely touching the ground. Her sleeves covered her arms, her neck was almost entirely covered, but her dress was so tight around her frame that Feyre couldn't help but feel like it was a mockery of modesty. 

Her mouth was painted with shimmering black. She leaned in close and those plush lips were so close to her neck. Feyre could hardly breathe. 

“Greetings, my High Lord.” She said, and oh good Gods even her voice was filled with a soft seduction that drew Feyre closer. 

“Greetings, Lady.” Feyre forced her voice back into that of Raven’s. Forced her shoulders to loosen even when they wanted to remain tense. 

“I don’t suppose the newly crowned would care for a dance.” Her eyes twinkled like stars, she lifted a soft hand, Feyre was helpless but to take it. 

“Why I don’t think-”

“Lady Kathleen. A pleasure to see you once again.” Elain appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Feyre’s hand and reeling her back. 

Kathleen’s eyes simmered but she forced a smile as her back straightened, “Lady Elain Archeron, the pleasure is all mine.”

Elain laughed sweetly, but there was something strained in the sound, “I’m sure it is. I hate to interupt however, Lord Raven, there is an emergency that requires your immediate attention.”

“There is?-”

“Well we best be off, do take care Kathleen.” Elain said, before near dragging her sister away. 

“Elain what-”

Elain pulled Feyre close and whispered in a harsh voice, “You are now the High Lord, they think you to be male, that means that every Lady here that is looking for marriage is going to want to carry your children.”

“Elain!-” 

“I am stating it how it is. Don’t accept dances from random females. Keep to yourself, and keep yourself on the throne. There is a reason we place the Court so high above the rest.”

Feyre ripped her arm from Elain’s. The mask came back on and just like that Feyre, became Raven Archeron, “I have promised to free my people, if it starts with dancing among them, so be it.”

Elain’s eyes softened, “Fey I know you want to do the right thing, but we must do this slowly-”

“This is my Court, not a school, I do not have to treat my people like children that need lessons to be taught. Elain, all changes are to be implemented immediately from now on and you know what… it starts tonight.”

***

Months passed, months of terrible, terrible days and sleepless nights.

Feyre was currently in his study within Velaris, still in the form of a male, he didn’t wear a shirt, it felt nice to not be restricted to such modesty, no one had even batted an eye at his appearance, except Nesta who had nearly stumbled back. But ultimately she just nodded her approval. 

 Elain was sitting in a black velvet chair by the fire, helping by reading reports and checking the budget.

"Nearly eighty percent of taxes taken from the Hewn City and Illyria go to Velaris." The middle sister sneered with such disgust in her voice that Feyre nearly flinched.

"Eighty percent?" Feyre baulked.

All of that money... going to a city that didn't need even a third of that.

Elain nodded, "And get this, most of it just sits in that treasure hoard of ours. We have slums in our city Feyre, slums and yet we're taking eighty percent of our other cities’ money just to keep it to ourselves."

Elain threw the papers down onto the coffee table before her, "How has our Court survived this long."

At that moment Nesta walked in, "Many of the Lords in the Hewn City evade paying their taxes, they use the money they manage to stow away to keep the Court functioning, as for Illyria... Illyrians are capable of bearing children far quicker than that of High Fae. If it weren't for the fact they are so many they would've died out a long time ago."

"Fuck." Feyre mumbled, he knew of the hardships in Illyria, had faced them when he went there for training. Yet still, he had a warm bed and hot meals. Some of the boys and girls he had befriended they... he never saw them again.

Whilst he hoped everyday they simply went to other parts of Illyria. He knew in his head that they simply didn't make it. Couldn't make it through the freezing nights, nor the starvation.

"What do you wish to do first?" Nesta asked Feyre.

Feyre turned his eyes to the view of Velaris behind him. He saw the twinkling lights and the shine of the sun upon the city.

"Start with Illyria. Hire as many healers as needed, bring hot food and clean water, any children without shelter are to be brought to the Hewn City. Any females with clipped wings are to be given the choice to leave their homes or turn in the males who hurt them. And as for the Hewn City... open the borders."

"Feyre-"

"Open all the doors, all males, females, children should be given free access to Velaris and given the proper care needed. If any are found to be injured they are to receive health-care free of charge."

Feyre stood from his and walked to the window. Staring down at the blissful peace below.

All beautiful, it was all peaceful.

His mind went to Celvin, and his dream to paint. His head then turned to the wall opposite to him, where the beautiful landscape of the mountains of the Night Court was hung. A painting Feyre herself, himself, had made.

“And military training for males and females will be completely optional.” Feyre added. 

“What will be optional?” Morrigan asked as she flounced into the office. Over the course of the months Feyre had grown even more wary of her. She was too bright, and too easily turned cold and cruel. She was perfect for Night in every way, but only for the former way the Court was ruled. If Feyre wanted a Court that respected the ones that ruled it, were loyal out of their own will, and lived happily and in peace with one another, she couldn’t have people working for her that didn’t support that. 

Either Morrigan needed to change her tactics, or she needed to go. 

Nesta’s eyes widened a fraction when she saw the blonde, she unconsciously stepped closer to Feyre. And Feyre stepped closer to Nesta protectively. 

It was Elain who explained, “Feyre is implementing change within the Court, from now on the borders between the Hewn City, Illyria and Velaris will be completely open. More money is going to be put into Illyria and the Hewn City.”

Feyre went on, “The resources that were hoarded by my ancestors will all be put back into the people. And military training will become completely optional to both male and females. Elain are you writing this down?”

Elain smiled as she lifted a notebook and paper, “Been writing it down.”

Feyre gave his sister a grin. 

Morrigan, however, did not look so pleased, her eyes had gone wide and her pretty smile had dropped, “The borders are being opened?!”

Now Feyre scowled at her, in a low tone he said, “Yes they are, do you have a problem with that?”

Morrigan spluttered for a moment then she cleared her throat and met Feyre’s hard eyes with cold ones, “I have no problem with the final decision of my Court, however in my professional opinion-”

“Are suggesting my opinion is not professional?” Feyre asked, beginning to take steps forward towards Morrigan. 

“No! No my Lord, but you must understand,” Morrigan laughed as she spoke, it only served to piss Feyre off even more, “These borders have not been opened for well over five thousand years, to open them now, especially with the nature of the Hewn City and the Illyrians-”

“What nature, Morrigan?” Nesta seethed, crossing her arms. 

Morrigan’s eyes flashed an almost golden colour as she looked over at Nesta. Feyre stepped in between them, “No, you look at me, you respond to me, don’t look at her, don’t talk to her. Don’t. Go. Near. Her.”

Morrigan’s jaw dropped, then it snapped shut as finally anger came forward, “I see turning you male also gave you the self-entitled possessiveness of one of them.”

Feyre nearly lost his fucking mind. Then he took in a deep breath, forcing himself to be calm. 

Forcing herself to be calm. They weren’t in front of the Court right now, she didn’t have to put up the mask. 

Over the last few months, it had all been training, training, training, since five seconds ago this conversation had been one of diplomacy. 

Now it was about her sister and this godforsaken Morrigan. 

So Feyre allowed herself to slip away from the mask and approach Morrigan as an equal, as a bitch getting on her own and her sister’s nerves. 

“I am no possessive person, I am in a disguise. You know this very well. You know why I am doing this-”

“Because Illyria and the Hewn City would have you killed!” Morrigan shouted, “You have to do this because they are monsters-”

“You will do well not to refer to my people as monsters, Morrigan. I understand you came from there, I know very well the horrors my people go through, but I have the power to change that. I have the power to make for certain no more teenagers and little girls get tortured for not being virgins and end up being dumped on Autumn Court borders! I have the power to make for certain that no Illyrian boys end up dying from the freezing weather or lack of food! I have the power to make for certain that no Illyrian girls lose their wings just for the sex they were born with! And if you are against that then you are no better than your father!” 

At Feyre’s accusation angry tears welled up in Morrigan's eyes and Feyre knew she had gone too far. 

“You accuse me of being like my father,” She whispered in a low, angry tone. 

“No I do not, I apologise for my choice of wording. However, I do accuse you of condoning abuse within my Courts,” Feyre said, “Now either get on board with this or get out, I will not allow a near stranger to warp my thinking.” 

Looking back at Nesta, Feyre added, “Or bring mental strain to my eldest sister.”

Nesta sucked in a breath, Morrigan tried to find her eyes but Feyre took a step forward, forcing Morrigan back. 

“Leave, and once you have your act together, then come find me.” Feyre ordered. 

The voice that left her throat was not her own, it was her speech, her thoughts, but a power was in those words that sent Morrigan skirting back and out of the room. 

“You just used your High Lord’s power on her.” Elain said. 

“I did.” Feyre whispered, “Wow that’s powerful.”

Nesta stumbled back into Feyre’s desk, hands gripping the edge like her life depended on it. Feyre was in front of her in a moment, desperately trying to find a way to help. 

“There’s something between you and Morrigan isn’t there?” Feyre asked. 

Nesta swallowed hard, she scrunched her eyes closed and nodded, “She’s… she’s better when she’s not in Court, but when she is, she’s… almost destructive.”

“It’s what makes her the perfect courtier, she’s apathetic in the face of a Court. The Hewn City though she harbours resentment for.” Elain said. 

“I know.” Nesta whispered, “I just wish she was able to get past what happened to her and see how others are going through the same thing.”

“Are you and Morrigan…” 

“How much will you hate me if I say we are?” Nesta whispered. 

“Hate you?!” Feyre nearly snorted at the idea. She could never hate her sister. Not in a thousand years, not a million.

Nesta’s eyes turned cold and Feyre quickly added, “I could never hate you, Star. I love you. I just… I don't like Morrigan.”

“I know.” Nesta said, she straightened, letting go of the desk, “I can’t say I necessarily love her either, I just…”

“You don’t need to explain your feelings to me, Star. If you see something in her, try to find it, but know I will always be behind you. If she ever does something to you, I will-”

“Rip her throat out and feed her skin to the wolves?” Nesta asked deadpanned. 

“I was going to say something a little more painful, but that works too.” Feyre smiled. 

“You are more cruel than you think, Feyre Archeron.” Elain said, “Not a good quality.”

“Ah yes, kindness will always prevail.” Feyre moved away from Nesta, heading for the lounge beside Elain. Nesta followed and fell gracefully into a spot beside Feyre. 

“It does, and especially in this case, we are going to need a whole lot of kindness and patience when dealing with the Illyrians.” Elain stated, rifling through some paperwork. 

Feyre’s face suddenly went grave, “Get me Devlon. Immediately.”

***

The last time Feyre saw Devlon was a year ago now, six months before their father had succumbed to the brain trauma inflicted by the former High Lord of Spring when he attempted an assassination himself on the High Lord of Night, after his previous hired assassin was killed single-handedly by the Night Lord himself. 

They had torn each other to shreds, returned to their homes on their death-beds and died from various injuries. 

The months before that Feyre had returned to Velaris to help with various jobs and to explore her own hobbies in painting. The guilt now ate away at her, how was she hidden away in Velaris whilst her people suffered daily? 

His people, right now, in the face of Devlon, Feyre was Raven Archeron. The High Lord of the Night Court. 

He sat before Raven in his office in the Hewn City. Devlon, like many of the high ranking officers of Illyria, knew of Velaris. Still Raven did not take him in, not yet. 

Not yet. 

Devlon’s eyes had always been hard towards Feyre, always glaring, but as Raven, they were more downcast, more respectful. 

Raven to Devlon was his High lord, Feyre to Devlon was a waste of a pretty female. 

It fueled Raven’s anger that much more. 

Silence had encompassed them, whilst Raven examined every inch of Devlon. He knew the Illyrian was squirming under his High lord’s gaze, but was attempting to keep still. It was dark down here, with no sky to escape too, that would be taking a toll on him as well. 

“My High Lord, is there a particular reason you wished to meet with me today.” Devlon finally caved. 

“There is. You and your men have one week to gather the names of every female with her wings clipped, every boy and girl who has died from the conditions in Illyria, and every male or female who has been mistreated by their superiors.”

Devlon blinked, his mouth dropped open, he began to stutter, but Raven cut him off, “One week, I expect those papers to be dropped on this desk before the final second of your deadline. Else consider your title and power completely stripped from you.”

“Your Majesty, that is just not possible-”

“Oh it very well is,” Raven hissed. He then leaned forward, and in a far, far darker voice he murmured, “Unless you believe I will be angered at the results you gather.”

It was when Raven brushed the dark claws of his mind against Devlon’s mental shields that the Illyrian snapped. He stood up and leaned over the desk, beginning to shout, spitting on Raven’s face as he did, “You will not order such a thing from me! I have kept Illyria running for centuries! I have trained generation after generation! You have appeared out of nowhere and are going to ruin our country with your-”

Raven threw him back against the door so hard a wing bone was crushed under Devlon’s own wing. The Illyrian screamed in pain, but it was nothing compared to the onslaught of agony that ripped through him as Raven curled his hand into a tight fist. Darkness whipped around his wings, wrapping around the limbs and tearing. 

Blood sprayed from his back, Devlon writhed and screamed and cried, until he was covered in just red. 

Finally his body was just laying on the floor, twitching whilst small cries left his throat. 

Raven leaned back into his chair as he watched the male finally still as the life ebbed away from his eyes. 

A few seconds passed, and the doors tentatively opened. Morrigan could be seen through the crack, she shoved the door fiercely to push Devlon’s body out of the way. When she entered she stared down at the broken wings of the now dead Illyrian. 

Then she lifted her eyes to Raven. None of the sly intrigue was in them this time, just a blank nothingness. 

“What do you want, Morrigan?” Raven drawled. 

Morrigan put her hands behind her back. Raven’s eyes trailed up her body, today she wore a black dress, the same slits ran up her thighs, each pane of fabric loosely connected by silver chains. 

“I wish to ask for your blessing to court Nesta.” 

“No.” Feyre came through now, the face of Raven dropping. Feyre let the protectiveness she felt for her dear eldest sister shine through in her eyes. 

Morrigan didn’t react much, like she expected that to be the answer, but she did ask, “Is there any way I can earn your approval?”

Standing up from her chair, Feyre walked to stand before Morrigan. If she was in her regular female form Morrigan might have two inches on her, but as it was, in the form of a male, Feyre had enough height over Morrigan that the blonde had to look up to meet her eyes. 

“We can start with you learning the new ways of this Court. We can start with you accepting that there will be change implemented.”

Morrigan sucked in a breath but she nodded all the same. Keeping their eyes locked, Feyre said, “I see good in you Morrigan. Elain is right, you have the born skill of a courtier, but you, like many of the other courtiers, cannot see how this change will benefit the Night Court. You can only see how it will disrupt your peace.”

Morrigan, for once, didn’t try to defend herself, she cast her eyes down and took what Feyre gave her, “I think you will be a valuable asset to this Court, but you need to move past your own resentment. I think I know where to start with that.”

At that Morrigan lifted her eyes and scrunched her brow in confusion, “Start where?”

Feyre straightened her back and put the mask back on. In a blink it was Raven that glared down at Morrigan, “Morrigan, by order of your High Lord, schedule the execution of Keir.”

*** Keir’s execution was nothing to look twice at. The male knew what was happening the moment he saw his only daughter walk into his office with two guards beside her. Neither spoke a word. Feyre watched as the male was brought out in chains, wearing the finery of Night. There was no emotion on his face, he said nothing as he was brought deep into the Hewn City, as his head was placed on the butchering block. 

The only words he said were when the axe had been lifted, his eyes were cut into Feyre’s, into Raven’s. He spoke quickly, in a voice so quiet that without his daemati abilities, Raven would not have heard him. 

“Free them all.”

Then the axe went down. 

Keir’s eyes were open when his head rolled to the floor, his face looking up at Raven’s. 

At Feyre’s. 

Somehow, Feyre knew that Keir knew who she truly was. Somehow, she knew that in these final moments there hadn’t been judgement. 

Morrigan threw up. She vomited onto the stone floors until she was dry heaving and sobbing. It seemed even her father being her torturer wasn’t enough to tear away the deep childish love that a daughter had for a parent. 

Feyre wondered if Keir knew how much his daughter had secretly cared for him. 

Feyre didn’t look at Morrigan as a guard helped her to feet and led her out. The executor and the rest of the guards left, following Morrigan. Leaving Feyre alone with the dead body of Keir. 

Feyre told the cold stone, told the soul that may still be lingering in this place.

“I am going to remake this Court, so that no more boys end up like you.”

She could have sworn there was a deep answering hum of approval. 

Feyre left, and she didn’t look behind her. 

***

“Here they are.” Morrigan said as she snapped her fingers and piles upon piles upon piles of paper appeared, filling every conceivable surface in Feyre’s office. Filling the floor, near blocking the door. Piles reaching so high they almost completely blocked out the window. 

Feyre nearly threw up. She pressed herself back into her chair, beginning to breathe heavily. Her body began to shake. 

“No.” She whispered. 

Morrigan’s eyes were red, deep circles were underneath her eyes. Her skin was pasty, near grey. She had visibly lost weight. 

After Devlon and Keir’s executions. Morrigan took over in the Hewn City and helped Feyre organise parties in Illyria to gather the names of those lost to the climate. 

“I…” Morrigan looked as though she had been crying, she looked like she might start again. 

“All these people…” Feyre couldn’t breathe. It took all of her might and strength to lift a paper from the closest pile and read the names. 

“Dead, they’re all dead.” Feyre whispered. 

Morrigan said nothing. She said nothing as Feyre began to drag in shaking unstable breaths. She said nothing as the High lord stood up, nearly knocking over her desk, beginning to rifle through every paper, every name.

Feyre read them aloud. Read every single one aloud. The sun set and night took over, but Feyre read and read and read and didn’t allow Morrigan to leave. 

Once she finished, she and Morrigan were sprawled across a couch. Morrigan was staring at the ceiling with her head tipped back. And Feyre was clutching a piece of paper like her life depended on it. 

“We make this right.” Feyre whispered, “We can’t get back these lives, but we can prevent the list from getting longer.”

“How?” Morrigan whispered, her voice downcast and dejected. 

With anger seeping in, Feyre forced herself to her feet and with a deep breath, Raven came out to play. 

“Healers to Illyria now. Any children you find starving or without shelter are to be brought ot Velaris and given the proper emminties-” 

“There are thousands of Illyrians, Velaris is only so big-”

“We start construction tonight. Bring down the walls of the Hewn City. Build housing and provide temporary shelter for the time being. We are going to connect this Court forcibly.”

*** They experienced hiccups along the way. Mostly from judgement coming from the elders of the Hewn City, and Illyrians not wishing to let go of the ways they were stuck in. That was until their families were given proper facilities and access to fresh clean water and food without having to hunt, fight and kill for it. 

Feyre watched with her sisters as the walls of the Hewn City were brought down and for the first time in their life, Hewn City folk saw the night sky. Everyone agreed to do it at night so the harsh sun wouldn’t blind them. 

What wasn’t expected was how the people cheered. 

Then it was about building. Feyre sent males and females into that treasure trove, money was taken and given back to the people. The taxes of Illyria and the Hewn City were reduced by almost more than half. 

Then the biggest challenge came along, getting the people to work together. 

Hewn City people refused to work with Illyrians, Illyrians refused to work with any High Fae. And the people of Velaris refused to work with any outsiders. 

So Feyre called in… reinforcements. 

“Your dashing knight in shining armour has come to the rescue Feyre.” Baile announced as he waltzed into Feyre’s quarters in the Hewn City. 

Feyre was sprawled across a dark lounge by the fire, just out of sight from the door. 

“Feyre?” Baile asked, venturing further into the room. 

Then Feyre responded, not getting up, “Glad you could show up, Baile.”

Baile seemed to startle at the deep voice that responded, but before he could say a word, Feyre sat up. Looking over the back of the lounge at Baile. 

He looked near nothing like his youngest brother. Short brown hair and hazel eyes specked with gold, a broader stance and more blocky features. Baile looked like his father and Tamlin looked like his mother, Feyre mused. 

Baile’s eyes turned confused before he could question who he was speaking with, Feyre smiled and stood up to her full height. It was after Baile took a small step forward, observing Feyre carefully, that he noticed the tinge of magic on her. The magic that held her in this form. 

It was with no fanfare that he said, “You went to Tamlin.”

Feyre clenched her hands into fists behind her back, “I did.”

Baile seemed to glower at that, “You could have come-”

“It was Elain’s idea, and I trust her judgement.”

“You shouldn’t, not if her judgement involves making deals with witches.” Baile crossed his arms, gritting his teeth. 

Feyre leaned back on her heels, now regarding Baile with suspicion, “Why is it that you and Tamlin hate each other so?”

“None of your damn business, Feyre Archeron.”

“Raven Archeron in the face of the public.”

Then Baile’s eyes went wide, he looked Feyre up and down again, opening and closing his mouth before it curled into a grin, “So you’re the new High lord?”

“You see why I chose to go to the witch? Tamlin doesn’t really belong to one Court, and I didn’t need another High Lord, especially one who in the face of my people I am supposed to loathe, to be the one tampering with my body through magic.” Feyre fell back into the couch and Baile joined her. 

They met centuries ago, during the War. Feyre had been cornered and Baile came out of nowhere to help her. From then on they stuck together. Once the War’s conclusion came about, and relations between Night and Spring were more strained than ever, they began to only converse via letter. 

And Baile never really spoke of his brothers…

“Alright, what do you owe him?” Baile murmured, voice dripping with venom, wondering what his youngest brother had asked of his friend. 

“Elain gave him and Lucien some baked goods for the shapeshifting… however…”

“However, what?” Baile sat up straighter, now appearing concerned. 

Feyre scrubbed her face with her hands, “I… may have gone into his mind without permission and tried to see his thoughts.”

“Feyre!” 

“I know, I know it was stupid.” She stared into the flames flickering in the fireplace, resting her forearms on her thighs, “Him and Lucien were whispering to each other, my magic pleaded to just have one look and I caved.”

“What happened after?” With a glance at Baile, Feyre saw how his eyes were trained on her. Watching her face closely. 

“Some form of Tamlin’s magic dragged me into his mind, I had no escape, if it weren’t for him then tossing me back into my own head, I don’t believe I would have been capable of leaving.”

“Sweet Mother’s tits Feyre.” Baile pressed back against the lounge, running a hand through his thick hair. 

His mental walls looked like a spider’s web, I didn’t think that-”

“He would be strong enough to do something like that. Gods did your mother teach you nothing abotu witches?”

“No Baile, unlike yours, my mother was not a witch herself.” Feyre snapped. 

“Most of the warnings of such creatures are passed down through families. Though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, Night always seen such beings as powerless in the face of their own magic.”

“Are you saying I’m cocky?”

“I’m saying your family is cocky.” Baile stood from the couch and walked over to Feyre’s desk, picking up one of the papers and beginning to read it. Feyre had half a mind to believe he was simply up and walking about to ease some of his own anxiety.

“What do you owe him?” Baile asked with resignation in his voice. 

Feyre then snapped in a breath and Baile looked right into her eyes, slowly repeating, “Feyre, what do you owe him?”

Feyre winced, “Do you remember that… Fae-eating fungus?”

Baile slammed his fists down onto her desk, “The one that killed nearly three hundred men in the span of eight days?! Yes I remember that one! Please don’t tell me-”

“He demanded it to repay the debt.” 

“Cruel Mother in Heaven and Cauldron on Earth, what the fuck Feyre Archeron?!” Baile gripped his hair, squeezing the strands until his knuckles turned white. 

Feyre finally stood, “It's not like he’s malicious! I don’t know why he wants it, but I mean, Lucien is a good person and Tamlin has never wanted to hurt others-”

“He is a witch Feyre-” 

“Is that your only reason for hating him?!”

Baile stood there dumbstruck, he blinked then shouted, “I would be against you giving any-fucking-body a Fae-eating fungus!”

“Okay! Okay! I get it! It was stupid! Still, how can you harbour so much hatred for your brother! What has he done to you that you don’t trust him so!”

Baile then held onto the edge of the desk like it was the only thing stopping him from losing control. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep, tense breath, then said, “Do you want me to help you or no?”

She did. She really needed him to help her. So Feyre threw her hands up in the air, turned around and fell back into the lounge, “Yeah… yeah I need your help.”

“Then we’ll focus on what I’m here for then.” Baile mumbled as he walked back over to the lounge. 

“We’re going back to that though.” Feyre promised. 

“Fine. Later.” Baile waved her off, “What do you need me for?”

“How can I get my people to work together?”

***

Baile was a lot more help than he looked. 

It took months. But Feyre expected it to take years so she supposed this was good. 

Baile helped her to organise training for the Illyrian girls that wished to participate. Brought in wood and other building supplies from Spring in return for Velaris silk and Hewn City herbs, plants that only grew in the damp, dark underground. 

With her father gone, Morrigan began to improve. From what Nesta had told her, the female’s mental health had been slowly spiralling for years, now with the memories she kept locked up released she began to make a slow, but sure, recovery. She reunited with her mother, step-mother and two younger half siblings. 

Some families from Illyria moved to Velaris. After buildings became available in Illyria and the economy began to pick up, plenty of Velaris citizens began to move out to the mountainous regions. 

The rivers running through Illyria were accessed and clean water quickly became freely available. Food was being shared equally. For the Illyrians in further villages, regular shipments of bread, flour, sugar, yeast, meats and spices were being sent out near daily, along with the onslaught of people moving into the further villages, the economy was blossoming. 

That didn’t mean the complaints weren’t regular. Villages Feyre hadn’t even heard of sent word. The Illyrian males still stuck in their ways were the most against the new changes, but Morrigan and Baile both worked together to create patrols of willing Illyrian females and males that did rounds all throughout Illyria, if a female was found with her wings freshly clipped the males of that household were arrested and brought before the court. 

Feyre didn’t need to fake her disgust and anger when she saw them. 

Eye for an eye was the punishment. Any male found guilty of clipping their daughter, sister, mother or wife’s wings were clipped and sent back to their villages disgraced and humiliated. 

Many females did not leave their households if they were given the choice. Many had children, or relatives they had to look after, but they were all put on a list to be checked up on regularly. 

Soon the decline of wing clippings and deaths too young was evident. If the decline continued by a decade from now, it would be almost non-existent. 

For the most part the Night Court was running more smoothly, more equally, and more fairly than ever before. 

It did mean that Feyre was working day and night. 

“Feyre go to bed!” Elain flicked the back of her head, jolting Feyre up, it appeared she had fallen asleep on her desk, drool had dried down the side of her mouth and the ink on the letter underneath her was smudged. 

“Alright! I will, I just need to-”

Elain was having none of it, the older female took Feyre by her arm and dragged her up. Elain was surprisingly strong, Feyre supposed that came with her constant gardening, hauling large bags around, wheelbarrows, constantly working under the sun and never asking for help. 

Still Feyre was stronger, she stopped in her tracks, Elain nearly fell back. She turned and glared at her younger sibling before attempting to pull her forward, “Come on Fey, you need rest.”

“I know, I just need to finish writing this letter.” Feyre insisted. 

Elain glanced over at the letter then back at Feyre, “You mean the letter that is smudged and covered in drool.”

Feyre gritted her teeth as she ripped her arm out of Elain’s grip and went back over to her chair. Elain put her hands on her hips and glared, the normally sweet sister incredibly frustrated at how the younger female was behaving. 

But Feyre ignored her and turned back to the letter. Most of the words didn’t make sense and she had forgotten who she was sending it too exactly. But she wasn’t about to admit that to Elain, so she simply plucked another paper from the pile in the open drawer beside her and set about attempting to rewrite what she had written before. 

“That’s it.” Elain said. Feyre furrowed her brow and finally looked up at her sister who was storming out of the office. 

“What are you doing?” Feyre called out. 

“Resorting to desperate measures!” Was Elain’s answer. 

Feyre sighed and shook her head, turning back to the letter in her hands. 

Not two minutes passed before there was a shout that made Feyre go wholly still. 

“Feyre Darren Archeron!” 

“Oh… shit.” Feyre said as the door to her study flung open with such force it slammed into the wall. 

Nesta stood in the threshold, hair in a silk bonnet, her nightgown practically falling off one-shoulder, red, sleepy eyes and dried drool staining the corners of her mouth. 

And she was pissed. 

Nesta Archeron didn’t need to say a word, only had to meet Feyre’s gaze with her cold, silver eyes. Feyre slunk away from her desk and headed for the door with her head down. 

“What have I said about staying up so late so many nights in a row?” Nesta hissed as they walked down the hallway. 

“I’m scared, Star.” Feyre whispered. 

Nesta just took her youngest sister’s hand in hers, “I know, so am I sometimes.”

Feyre huffed, “You’re never scared.”

Nesta just squeezed her hand. 

***

“Good morning… What is all this?” Feyre asked as she walked into the dining room. Nesta and Elain were… attempting to eat breakfast, though it was difficult due to the sheer amount of letters strewed across the table. 

Elain and Nesta ripped open each one, looking them over them scrucnhing them up and tossing them away, before Elain could toss another, Feyre grabbed it from her hands and unfurled it, “What is going on?!”

“Relax, Fey, you don’t want to read them.” Elain said as she sipped on her jasmine tea. 

Nesta hummed her agreement, as Feyre read over the letter now in her hand, her features reduced from anxious to annoyance. 

“A marriage proposal? Really?” Feyre scoffed, scrunching the letter up and tossing it in the same manner Elain and Nesta were. 

“However, what are the rest?” Feyre asked, pointing at the piles upon piles of piles. 

“What do you think, Raven Archeron?” Nesta asked, waving a letter above her head, “They’re all marriage propositions.”

Feyre’s mouth fell open, she stared at the letters, they had to be more than a few hundred here. All… all for households to marry her?

“These are all…”

“Snakes trying to wriggle their way into our family, yep!” Elain said, her voice deceptively sweet. 

“These… This many people want my hand?”

“Well they want you to take their daughter’s hands.” Nesta said, a sly smile on her face, “Flattered Feyre?”

More than flattered. Perhaps it was cocky for her to think such, but… many had thrown Feyre aside when she attempted to court, she was the bastard daughter, and the disgrace of the family. Whilst she wasn’t a true ‘bastard’ many regarded her as such anyway. How could a Princess of the Night Court wish to fight in the War. Want to fight for humans of all things?

To see so many wishing for her hand… It boosted her confidence. 

“We need to burn all of them.” Elain stated. Those words snapped Feyre’s attention to the present. 

“What?”

“Everyone here is wishing to slither into our home and disrupt what we’ve worked hard for. We cannot let them. We must ignore these propositions.” Elain stated, tossing yet another proposal over her shoulder. 

“Now, now hang on-” Feyre attempted to stop her normally sweet sister from destroying every single proposal of marriage, “Lets not be so hasty.”

“Disagreed, I believe we should make haste even more so.” Elain said. 

Feyre sighed, Nesta raised an eyebrow, “You aren’t actually considering any of these proposals are you, Fey?”

Feyre let out a lourd ‘hah’. Not in a thousand centuries. Marriage was something so far down on her list of things to do it may as well not exist in her mind, it was simply seeing how many people desired her that… stroked her ego a bit. 

So what?! She’s spent nearly five centuries dealing with every single one of her own people looking down and ridiculing her. Maybe she did want to read of the same people who bullied her near begging her hand in marriage. 

Feyre shook her head “I… These are the same people that made my life hell more times over than not. I… seeing them so desperate for a marital alliance with me is… satisfying.”

It sounded sadistic. God’s above, what was happening to her? How oculd she even think of such-.

Elain read, “Dear Raven Archeron, I give my household congratulations for your smooth transition to the place of High Lord. You may remember my name from the time you spent in the Hewn City with your dear sisters. We have passed each other a great many times and I do hope many more are in store. As of recent times my daughter River Haveen has come of martial age. She is a delightful young female with vigour and diplomacy in her very veins. She wishes to meet your acquaintance at your earliest convenience. We would be more than grateful to house you over supper, if it is not of any trouble. Sincerely, Lord Haveen of the Haveen household.”

The room was silent, then Elain said, “He was also the male who called you a waste of ‘good cunt’ at a meeting.”

More silence, a heartbeat, then another. 

Feyre nearly fell to her knees laughing. Nesta threw her head back and had to clutch her torso. Elain nearly doubled over. The three laughed until tears streamed from their eyes and their stomach’s hurt. 

Feyre gripped the side of the table to stabilise herself, once in control of her laughter once more she straightened and wiped the tears from the sides of her eyes. 

“Oh Good Gods.” Feyre half laughed. 

“He couldn’t even be discreet about his intentions.” Nesta noted, a bright smile on her face. 

Elain answered them both with a cheeky grin, she lifted another letter, “Who wants to read Lord Taren’s letter?”

Feyre quickly snatched it from Elain’s fingers and flopped down into the chair at the head of the table. Kicking her feet over the armrest, she opened the letter with a grin.

*** “Chin up, eyes forward, back straight, you are the High Lord. Even if you are trying to establish an equal rule, you are still their Lord. They still owe you respect.” Elain said as she braided Feyre’s hair, “Be kind, but keep conversations short until Starfall begins. Don’t go off with other females or males who try to take your hand. Offer the first dance to Nesta, then Baile as he is our guest, then me. Then you may frolick and fuck as much as you please. Oh! But do wait until at least half of the party is too drunk to care, so if you go off with someone stupid they won’t notice-”

“Yes! Yes okay, Elain, I know.” Feyre said, feeling her sister beginning to ramble. 

Elain sighed, smoothing Feyre’s shirt, “I know you know, I just…”

Elain cupped Feyre’s face, furrowing her brow as she looked up at her, “You’re all grown up now.”

Feyre grinned, “I am.”

Elain swallowed hard, “I… I haven’t always been a good sister to your, Feyre.”

Feyre was silent for a moment, before she murmured, “Not always.”

Not always at all. Some days when they were younger Elain would allow the children she befriended to bully the much younger Feyre for being so ‘tomboyish’. She would be silent and allow them to kick her until she was down, then hurt her some more, not just in words. 

“I was silent when I should’ve stood up for you. I’m… I’m so sorry Feyre.” Elain cast her eyes down. 

Feyre took her sister’s wrists in her hand, “Hey now, I get it. You were trying to fit in, we all were-”

“I was older, I should’ve-”

“We were both still children, even if you were older.”

Elain was quiet, then she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Feyre whispered, “I forgive you.”

“You shouldn’t, I have done nothing to deserve it.” Elain said.

Feyre nearly laughed as she pulled her sister into a tight hug, “You have done everything in your power to help protect me since those days, between you and Star you both have done more for me than any other person in the world. I’m so happy you’re both going to be by my side tonight, I wouldn’t have this any other way.”

Elain hugged her back, wrapping her arms around Feyre’s waist and burying her face into her chest, barely able to hold back tears. 

Elain whispered, “I know Nesta finds it… difficult to express her feelings but I’m telling you Fey, she feels so guilty and she loves you so much-”

“I know Lainy, I know.” Feyre murmured, stroking her sister’s hair, “I know, Star shows me, I don’t need her to tell me how much she loves me and regrets being silent to know how she feels.”

Elain sobbed into Feyre’s chest, ruining her makeup but she didn’t care, “I’m so sorry, Fey.”

“I forgive you, Lainy, I love you.” Anybody else might find the nickname stupid or childish but Feyre loved it, she loved remembering the good times she had with her sister when she was younger, even if they were few. 

“And I forgive Star. I love you both and nothing either of you have done centuries ago will take away from that.” Feyre added. 

Elain took in a shaking breath, then she steeled her expression as she adjusted Feyre’s collar, “Don’t trust anyone with a moustache okay?”

Their father had a moustache. 

Feyre forced herself not to laugh, “Okay, Lainy.”

Elain took in a deep breath, tears nearly falling down her face, “And don’t take any drinks that stranger’s offer you!”

“Okay, Lainy.” Feyre was struggling more and more to control her laughter. 

Elain finally began to cry, “And don’t make bets or bargains you can’t win!”

“I won’t, Lainy, I won’t.” Feyre pulled a sobbing Elain back into her arms. 

Feyre stroked her sister’s hair and back, letting her cry. Holding onto her. Keeping her close. 

It was Morrigan who knocked on the door, saying it was time. Elain pulled away, looking up at Feyre like all she reemmbered was the scrawny little girl who could barely lift a rock over head. 

“You are a great High Lord.” Elain said. 

“I hope I will be.” Feyre replied tightly, looking out the window towards the Night Court. 

“No.” Elain’s hands in Feyre’s forced her sight to the middle sister, “You are a great High Lord, keep doing what you’re doing.”

Feyre nearly broke down crying, “Thank you.”

“Anytime. Now we best get going before Nesta and Morrigan beat us there.”

*** “Hello High Lord.” A girl with red curls and blue eyes smiled at her. Feyre nearly allowed her slender hands to lead her to the dance floor, to lead her to a private room where she’d pull up her skirts and let the High lord-.

“Evening.” Feyre forced her mind to focus on the present. Like Elain had said, she could take anyone to bed once Starfall had commenced and the people were too drunk to care who she fucked. 

A male then stopped her, he had short black hair and eyes like violet amethysts. He wrapped his arms around the High Lord of Night and mouthed for him to come closer. Feyre nearly fell for it, nearly followed the male into the private rooms not far from the ceremony. As the male kissed Feyre’s neck, Feyre felt herself, himself tonight, nearly fall to pieces. Then a female with long golden hair and golden eyes pressed against her back, caging her against the violet eyed male. 

“Come with us, High lord.” The female whispered seductively. 

Feyre nearly fell for it, then a male came out of nowhere. He was an Illyrian, larger than any Feyre had ever seen, with seven red siphons, he whispered hardly in the violet-eyed male’s ear, who rolled his eyes before waggling his fingers in a wave goodbye and strutting away. Feyre, no Raven tonight, found himself missing his presence. 

But the female didn’t leave, she began to grind against Raven’s ass. He nearly flipped her around just so he could feel his length pressing against her undoubtedly wet core, but his plans were ruined by. 

“High Lord! Starfall is about to commence!” Elain appeared and once again ruined his fun. 

Tonight, Raven was prepared, he turned to the female behind him and before Elain could drag him away he said, “I have to be off, my lovely, perhaps later tonight I’ll see you again?”

She seemed pleased with that answer, she smirked and whispered that they would in fact see each other tonight before slithering away. Elain grabbed his arm and pulled him towards where his Court was gathered. 

Elain hissed in his ear, “What did I say?!”

“But she-” Raven attempted to justify himself. Elain silenced him as they approached the balcony watching as the stars grew bright in the sky. 

Elain and Raven, Feyre, stood beside Nesta. 

The first star fell. 

And Starfall began. 

***

Raven did as Elain had told, he offered the first dance to Nesta, who accepted with a bow and a smile. Nesta had been the hardest to dance with, as her talent far outmatched that of Raven’s. Next was Baile, who didn’t visually react except for a dark blush that spread across his face. He was the least coordinated, but it served to make Raven feel better. Next was Elain, who matched Raven in talent and nearly challenged him to a duel with how competitive she became during the dance. Eventually Elain released his hands and Raven was allowed to slip back into Feyre. 

The night went on and females approached her. Many running their hands down her chest, over her biceps, feeling up her back. Feyre shooed most of them away, some she allowed to stay, to whisper in their ear and talk in dirty language that she wouldn’t dare use outside of this. 

She watched the Hewn City folk, how they were captivated by the star show. Feyre wished she had shown it to them earlier, as she watched how they cheered and clapped at almost every star something warmed her heart. It almost burned her up. How dare she enjoy this show for centuries but never share it with all her people?!

Males approached her, more specifically they approached Raven. Near all of them were discreet, trying to pull her away to dark corners where they wouldn’t be seen. All of them insisted they wouldn’t do this with any other male. 

Yet all of them tried to get on her. All of them tried to get her away to their households, trying to spend a night with the handsome High Lord of Night. 

Only one male got her away from the crowd. 

Feyre spotted him a mile away. Golden hair braided, wearing a suit of green. Tamlin caught her eye from where he was leaning against a marble pillar. Feyre didn’t offer the females and males nearly climbing on top of her an explanation as she slunk away to where Tamlin stood. 

When she was right before him, Tamlin simply jutted his head towards a private balcony, then he walked over to it, disappearing from the crowd and Feyre followed. 

Once they stood alone, Feyre watched as Tamlin clasped his hands behind his back. She copied the motion, waiting for him to speak first. 

When he didn’t speak, Feyre accepted her loss and asked, “I assume you’re here for the Fae-eating fungus?”

“I’m here to see how you’re doing.” Tamlin said, starting Feyre. The idea that this witch might care how her court was doing was more than absurd, still he continued, “the Night Court has been suppressed for years, I wanted to know how the new management was handling it.”

That choice of wording made Feyre straighten her back, “We are fine. The Night Court has flourished.”

“Good.” Was all Tamlun chose to say. 

After several minutes of intense silence, Feyre asked, “Why are you really here?”’

Tamlin sighed, “To see how the girl who opened her heart to those that didn’t have ‘pretty’ trauma is faring. Feyre you… you were the first person I had ever met that didn’t care that how I reacted to my trauma wasn’t the standard cute version and I… I wanted to know that girl was still there.”

There it was. 

Feyre smiled at the male, “She’s right here.”

Tamlin smiled back, it was a small smile, but a smile nonetheless, “I;m glad.

“Was there anything else?” 

“Actually yes.” Tamlin turned to face her fully, “That Fae-eating fungus-”

Feyre sighed, “Have it right here.”

Pulling a small linen bag from the pocket between realms, Free handed it to Tamlun. Who took it with intrigue in his eyes. 

“Please don’t use that to kill all of us.” Feyre near begged as Tamlin inspected it. 

“Now why would I do that?” Tamlin asked. 

“Because you're a witch?” Feyre said, with an eyebrow raised. 

Tamlin near sneered at that, “We are not as evil as the High Fae paint us to be.”

She figured that to be the case, considering how Baile acted vs how Tamlin acted, “Then what are you planning to do with that?”

Tamlin took in a deep breath, “If you really wish to know… Lucien has a friend in the Human Lands, who is dying from an incurable sickness. I swore I would find a cure and… from what I’ve researched this could very well be the cure.”

“A Fae-eating fungus could be the cure?”

Tamlin glared half-heartedly at her, “Mixed with other herbs and spells, yes it could be.

Feyre hummed, then she smiled, as small as it was. She rubbed Tamlin’s head who ripped himself away, again glaring but with that softness in his eyes, “What are you doing?!”

“You’re still the same. But… all grown up.” Feyre murmured, feeling like she was repeating what Elain had told her. 

Tamlin rolled his eyes, then put the bag in between the realms, “that's what happens when years pass.”

“I know you dimwit.” Feyre crossed her arms. 

“I;m sure you do.” Tamlin crossed his own arms, then looked out at the night sky. 

They seemed to stay there forever, then Feyre forced herself to ask, “What happens next?

A wave of magic shocked through the land. What looked like glowing golden light fell from the sky, heading down and down and down. Feyre and Tamlin watched, shocked. It gained speed, going too fast. Far too fast. 

Tamlin wrapped an arm around her arm, “It starts with slowing down her.”

Feyre didn’t know how Tamlin knew whatever that thing was, was a her. She didn’t ask questions either, Feyre simply sent out a wave of power to counteract the force of whatever or whoever was falling, to slow her down. 

Feyre could have sworn there was a glimmer of something grateful shinning back at her. 

Then the golden glow was gone. 

And all that was left was the Night Court. 

“You did it.” Tamlin said. 

“We all did.” Feyre murmured. 

#Buff!Feyre Archeron #Masc!Feyre Archeron #pro feyre archeron #High Lord!Feyre Archeron #feyre archeron #feyre don't need no man #she is the man #pro nesta archeron #pro elain archeron #acotar #tamlin #pro tamlin #lucien vanserra #pro lucien vanserra #elain archeron #nesta archeron #tamcien #i can't help myself but add tamcien #witch!tamlin #acotar au #acotar headcanons #acotar fanfiction #acotar fanfic #badass feyre archeron #Courtier!Elain Archeron #the ic with brains #mornesta #nesta archeron/morrigan #this was supposed to be short and sweet #nothing more than five hundred words

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 30

Cw: refrenced murder, haunting, scheming

Gif by @alicentloyalist

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @darylandbethfanforever9 @aemondx @watercolorskyy @ewanmitchellcrumbs @sweethoneyblossom1

The news of little Ellyn’s death should surprise her more.

But Alicent cannot seem to feel anything enough to convincingly lie after last night.

She had held the dragon glass knife as she slit the little girl’s throat as she slept.

“Who could have done such a thing?” her nurse asked in tears knowing everyone will blame her for the child’s death.

“I do not know, the king has too many enemies. Princess Aemma has too many supporters willing to do anything to protect her son’s claim.” The queen shook her head and hoped her words were believable. “Prince Daemon has many spies and cutthroats willing to do anything to prove their loyalty, perhaps he did this out of revenge.”

Best to blame someone like Daemon for this than let the world know Rhaenyra was right about her.

Her righteousness was a mask now, perhaps it always was, and it took Alys for her to realize she turned into the last person she wanted to be.

Alicent had become the man who damned her to the seventh hell, Alicent had become her father.

“We will have this matter investigated; we will not rest until her murderer is punished with all the weight of the law.” The queen lies, looking at the corpse of the little girl she murdered.

First Rhaenyra and Viserys and now sweet little Ellyn.

Deep inside, the queen knows this will not be her last murder.

“They will see you as you are, do not think we will not be avenged.” Rhaenyra whispers in her ear and Alicent sees her former friend hold little Ellyn’s hand in the nursery’s mirror in front of her.

“Are we losing?” He asks Cole and Aemond because they won’t lie to him.

Aemond because he is an asshole, Cole because he owes him his new position.

“Yes. The short answer is that Cole believed the Blacks would bend the knee for Aemma’s sake and instead they found a reason to fight for.” Aemond answered looking out the window.

He avoids looking at him when he’s been with her.

Ashamed or angry at knowing Aemma still belongs to him at the end of the day, Aegon thinks.

“Long answer?” The king asks knowing it is worse than he has heard when he has half dead.

“We lost the Riverlands to Daemon, we don’t have enough men or dragons to besiege the Vale, the Lannisters realized they cannot fight on two fronts without losing both, the North is amassing their army to come rescue Princess Aemma and there are rumors of Ser Addam of Hull taking the third of the treasury we gave to the Iron Bank at sea.” Cole answered that one, there is a tell-tale sign of his shame, at having promised the world and come back shorthanded.

Not that it matters anyways, once he is recovered, he will crown Aemma as his queen, simply queen not queen consort, little Aenys will he named Prince of Dragonstone they will fold as they won’t have a reason to make her queen thrice over.

“Don’t worry about it, once I am good to go, we will crown Aemma beside me and they will drop their weapons and beg for mercy which we shall give them.” The king said in response, so generous and merciful to his enemies because Aemma is merciful and generous and will like him if she sees this side of him.

“Now for the next matter we must discuss, how do I get my wife to love and forgive me for killing her granny?”

There is a desperate look Cole gives to Aemond and one Aemond has in his eye that says he’d rather jump out the window than answer that.

“Don’t you have your friends for that?” His brother asked embarrassed and angry at his question.

Aemond hated sharing since they were children, Aegon as well, but Aemond was always far more selfish with things he claims to have earned.

Aemma is one of those things.

“Their advice led us into this mess and she hates them because she thinks they are brainless sycophants.” the king begged pathetically because that used to works so well on him. “You, however, are so pathetically in love with my wife and she with you, you know how to reach her soft womanly heart and that makes you the perfect man to tell me how to woo her.”

“Have you tried being her friend first?” Aemond said with a blush creeping up his neck like a little boy.

He had been red as a beet when he took him to the brothel, shut his eye when he had the whores disrobe for him and asked him to choose one.

Of course, Aemond was too embarrassed to choose and Aegon chose the madam because she had experience with little boys.

Aemond never touched a woman after and became an unbearable prude.

Then Jena Mertyns came and fixed him up.

Fixed him up so good he stole Aemma’s love and desire from right under his nose.

No matter, Aegon will win. He always does.

Aemma is reading in her hot bath when Jena is brought in.

She needs a court, one to take over Alicent’s and begin the plans for her coup.

And for that she needs Jena.

Her ladies were wed to loyal lords, made wards and forbidden from attending her.

Even Teora was kept away from her.

She cannot have people who will help her overthrow them around her, she cannot even see them unless both are in public and watched and if she were to do anything they would all be dead.

Aemma knows Jena is the last person expected for her to choose given her history.

“I’m surprised your books were not burnt when you left.” Jena said, coming to sit on the stool beside the tub.

She is dressed in black, ready for little Ellyn’s funeral later today. It will be a public thing, especially because they seem to have pinned it on Daemon. Daemon who didn’t give a rat’s ass about the bastard little girl because if he’d sent a knife in the dark for someone, it was obvious who he would kill.

The Tower of the Hand was not as protected at Maegor’s Holdfast, it was a testament to Daemon’s restraint that Otto Hightower still walked amongst the living.

“I didn’t think you would come.” Aemma closed her book and put it back on the little stand used for that exact purpose.

“You apologized for your cruelty, no one’s even bothered to ever do that before.” Lady Wylde smoothed her skirts as she got comfortable.

“I need allies here.” Aemma wastes no time on this. “I need someone I can trust in my court.”

“And I am glad to say you have found the right woman for the job. Give me a day and I will fill your court with like minded ladies, your grace.” The Stormlander smiled, a genuine sort of thing one would give a new friend.

Gods, had she made her first friend here?

#aemma velaryon #aemond targaryen x velaryon!oc #aemond targayen x oc #aegon ii x oc x aemond #oc:jena wylde #all is bliss(in the court of aemma the great) fic #ewan mitchell #tom glynn carney #all is bliss fic

[tinfairies]

I think that something that would throw aegon off is like…not punishing him after you’ve set a precedent of doing so. Like he’s being a terrible bratty Asshole for days, trying to get your attention and have you spank him or slap him around or SOMETHING, and you just have this endless condescending patience with him. And it drives him nuts. Until one night, maybe four or five days in, when he thinks he finally gonna get what he wants, get a good hard domming, but you’re sweet and soft with him and he’s whining and complaining while you touch him, and it’s not until you have his wrists bound to the headboard and are climbing off does he realize what’s happening. THIS is his punishment. You’re gonna go sit by the fire and read your book (not leaving him completely alone bc that would trigger an actual breakdown) and he’s gonna lay there, achingly hard, and think about what a nuisance he’s been all week. Now that’s a punishment befitting a prince

For sure. He'd whine and cry and try rubbing his thighs together for friction. Then torturing him further by fingering yourself while you straddle his thighs, so close yet so far from his cock

#tin talks

[princesshillaryellaworld25]

Remake of Comic: Sick Senpai stalks Sick Boyfriend(Full comic script)

Sick BF: *groans*

Penelope: Hey Sick Boyfriend!

Sick BF: Hey Penny, *sits on the couch* I don't feel like playing video games today, I'm not in the mood.

Penelope noticed Sick Boyfriend's necklace turned red( red means angry/Bad mood)

Penelope: Wanna talk about it?

Sick BF: Yes please....

Penelope: Okay so who made you angry this time? Was it Sick Girlfriend?

Sick BF: No, it's not her this time. For once.

Penelope: Then who?

Sick BF: SICK SENPAI!

Penelope: Sick Senpai? Who's that?

Sick BF: My stalker, the one who is madly in love with me.

Penelope: Ohhhhhh him.....what did he do this time?

Sick BF: He's been stalking me the whole week!

Penelope: The whole week?

Sick BF: Yes the whole week! I'm getting tired of it! Like for example this one time,.

(Flashback~)

Sick Senpai: Hi Sweetheart~

Sick BF: *mind* Oh great it's him. *sigh* What do you want Sick Senpai?

Sick Senpai: Please go on a date with me?

Sick BF: Ewww what the fuck?! No!

Sick Senpai: Come on please!

Sick BF: No way!

Sick Senpai: Please!

Sick BF: NO!

Sick BF: (narration) Then the other time he broke into my bathroom!

Sick BF: *Humming Money Machine and opens the shower curtain*

Sick Senpai: Good Morning My sweet prince!

(Sick Boyfriend screams)

Sick Senpai: So How's about that Date, huh?

Sick BF: HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET IN MY HOUSE?!

Sick Senpai: Well you left the window open last night so I snuck in here, so about that date?

Sick BF: NO GET OUT! I'm about to take a shower!

Sick Senpai: Oh you are? Well How about I wash your back for you?

Sick BF: GET THE FUCK OUT!!!!

*Sick Boyfriend throws Sick Senpai out of the house*

Sick BF: AND STAY OUT!!!! *slams the door*

Sick Senpai: Okay, We'll talk later!

Sick BF:(Narration) There's also that other time he stalked me when I was at school!

Sick Senpai: Hi Darling~

Sick BF: What the fuck, Sick Senpai?!

Sick Senpai: I just came to see how you're doing today.

Sick BF: Dude! I'm at class right now.

Sick Senpai: Oh come on, it's not like I'm driving attention to everyone.

Ms. Apple: Uh excuse me sir, but You're not suppose to be on campus right now.

Sick Senpai: Excuse me, can't you see I'm talking to my boyfriend right now.

Sick BF: Ewww I"M NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND, FUCK OFF!

Sick Senpai: But I wanna ask you a question.

Sick BF: If it's to date you, it's an automatic HELL NO!

Sick Senpai: Oh come on, just one date?

Sick BF: NO!

Ms. Apple: Okay sir, you have 5 seconds to leave before i call campus security.

Sick Senpai: Not until he dates me!

Ms. Apple: Okay that's it! *pulls out a walkie-talkie* Security, we got another one.

Two security guards show up!

Security BF: Okay Come on buddy! Let's go!

Sick Senpai: Hey what the?!

Security Pico: Let's go buddy! You're not suppose to be here!

Sick Senpai: No let me go! I wasn't done talking to my sweet prince!

Security BF: Well you're not suppose to be here, let's go!

The two security guards took Sick Senpai out of the classroom.

Sick Senpai: No let me go! Let me go!

Sick BF: *mind* Finally he's gone....

Ms. Apple: I feel bad for you, Sick Boyfriend...

Sick BF: *sigh* I know....

Sick BF: (narration) There's also another time he stalked me when I was with either Nick or Boyfriend.

Sick Senpai: Hey Sweetheart!

Sick BF: Oh my god, fuck off Sick Senpai!

Vincent(BF): Uh Sick Boyfriend, who is the heck is this?

Sick Senpai: I'm his sweetheart~

Sick BF: NO YOU'RE NOT! *to Boyfriend* Don't listen to him, he's a asshole in school's clothing!

Vincent(BF): Then why did he call you-

Sick BF: BECAUSE HE'S OBSSESED WITH ME!

Vincent(BF): Oh. *mind* Damn, Even OG Senpai doesn't around Girlfriend like that?!

Sick Senpai: I love you Sick Boyfriend!

Sick BF: Well I HATE YOU! FUCK OFF!

Sick Senpai: Aww you're playing hard to get~

Sick BF: OH MY GOD!

Sick Senpai: Please Date me, Sick Boyfriend~

Sick BF: HELL NO, I'M NOT DATING YOU!

Nick Files: *mind* Ayo what the fuck? Who's this clown?

Sick Senpai: Come on, just one date?

Sick BF: *gag* STILL NO!

Nick Files: Dude, can't you take a hint?! He doesn't like you!

Sick Senpai: He does like me, right Sick Boyfriend?

Sick BF: EWWW NO WAY!

Nick Files: Bruh, this dude has gone coo coo crazy, he needs to be put in a asylum!

Sick BF: *To Nick* Tell me about it...

Sick BF: (Narration) And there's also that other time he was at my massage place, he had the audacity to ask me for a massage!

Paradise BF: Thanks for the massage!

Sick BF: No problem, Come again!

*Sick Senpai shows up*

Sick Senpai: Hello darling~

Sick BF: *groans* What do you want now...

Sick Senpai: Oh wow, I see you have your own massage place now, huh?

Sick BF: Uh yeah, I own a massage business, Wait how the hell did you know I give out massages?!

Sick Senpai: Oh Senpai told me!

Sick BF: *sigh and whispers* Of course he told me...

Sick Senpai: Anyways, I heard you give out free massages so can I get one?

Sick BF: WHAT?! HELL NO!

Sick Senpai: Oh come on please?

Sick BF: There is no way i'm putting my fingers on your nasty shoulders!

Sick Senpai: Then at least let me give you a massage instead!

Sick BF: Still no!

Sick Senpai: Oh come on, I promise i'll be gentle~

Sick BF: Do not come close to me!

Sick Senpai: Oh come on please?

Sick BF: I rather get eaten by a shark or piss myself than let you massage me! OR ME MASSAGE YOU!

Sick Senpai: Come on! *comes closer to Sick Boyfriend*

Sick BF: I SAID NO! *Kicks Sick Senpai in the pee pee, went inside and locked the door*

Sick Senpai: Aww you're so cute when you're mad~

Sick BF: GET OUT, YOU'RE NOT GETTING A MASSAGE FROM ME EVER, YOU'RE BANNED!!!!!

Sick Senpai: Okay, I'll talk to you later~

Sick BF: He's been doing this ever since I was 3 years old! I wanted to call the police on him but I couldn't because I didn't know he was stalking me until now!

Penelope: Damn Gaming Buddy, I feel so bad for you.

Sick BF: I know. I just wanted him to fuck off and take a hint.

Penelope: Well let's hope he does try to pop up from nowhere.

Sick BF: Yeah, I gues-

Sick Senpai: Hi my sweet prince!

Sick BF & Penelope: *screaming*

Sick Senpai: Let's go on a date together!

Sick BF: OH MY FUCKING GOD, I SAID I DON'T WANNA DATE YOU!

Sick Senpai: Come on please~

Sick BF: NO, I'M NOT DATING YOU PLUS I'M MARRIED YOU BASTARD!

Sick Senpai: I know, Married to me!

Sick BF: OH MY GOD, FUCK NO! WHY CAN"T YOU TAKE A GODDAMN HINT?! I DON'T LIKE YOU NOR LOVE YOU!

Sick Senpai: Please love me~

Sick BF: NO!

Penelope: Jesus christ, I think you should file a lawsuit and a restaining order aganist him!

Sick BF: I know.....

The next day:

Drugfriend: Thanks for coming with me to the police station, Penny.

Penelope: No problem, I wanted Sick Boyfriend to come with us but I think he's too paranoid to come outside due to Sick Senpai following him everywhere.

Drugfriend: *sigh* Yeah, Let's get this over with, I'm getting sick and tired of that bitch stalking my husband.

Penelope: Amen to that.

They got inside the police station to have a word with one of the officers.

Police Officer GF: Hi, welcome to Parodies town police station, How can i help you two?

Drugfriend: We like to file a lawsuit and a restraining order against someone.

Police officer GF: Oh okay, who are you filing against?

Penelope: Sick Senpai.

Police officer GF: Sick Senpai?

Drugfriend: Yes, He's been stalking my husband and it's starting to piss me off and scaring my husband.

Police officer GF: Oh shit, that's serious. Don't worry, I'll let my partner know so we can arrest Sick Senpai.

Penelope: Thank you.

Drugfriend: Thanks, Officer.

Police officer GF: Your welcome.

#friday night funkin #fnf spongebob parodies #fnf mod #fnf headcanons #fnf au #comics #sick boyfriend #sick senpai

[estoniacobaltpayne]

Goodnight, Sweet Prince

Goodnight, Sweet Prince

Pairing: Bruno Madrigal X GN! Reader

Warnings: ANGST ANGST ANGST, cursing

A/N: ok so you know how they announced that Bruno was like... the golden child when he was younger? Well I like to imagine that that lasted through his teenage years and o f . c o u r s e that level of power and popularity would go to a teenager’s head so I like to imagine that Bruno was a Grade A Asshole as a teenager, all cocky and maybe a lil smarmy, who had lots of cronies and partners and friends. I feel like it makes his fall from grace even sadder and gives his personality by the time we meet him in the movie more of an impact. I hate that Bruno is always portrayed as this little “uwu 👉🏼👈🏼” boy in fics. Like I get it after 10 years of isolation in the walls, because that’s kinda how he is sometimes in the movie, but I like to think he was a little less clinically insane before his isolation. Anyways, enjoy :D

Your friendship with Bruno Madrigal wasn’t normal; at the very least, in comparison to your other friendships.

You didn’t spend most of your waking hours with your other friends.

You didn’t braid your other friends’ hair.

You didn’t write dramatic love scenes with your other friends.

You certainly didn’t act out said love scenes with your other friends.

You didn’t have distinct speech patterns and banters with your other friends.

You weren’t as much of an asshole to your other friends, nor were they to you.

And you absolutely did not spend 4 nights or more out of the week cuddling all night as you watched shit TV shows and movies with your other friends.

Those were such things only reserved for Bruno. Such things only reserved for someone you were undeniably in love with.

You hadn’t always felt that way towards him, though; in fact, when you were younger, Bruno Madrigal was someone you absolutely avoided at all costs. The Madrigal triplets were always at the center of attention, and why wouldn’t they be? With their magical abilities and their tireless efforts for the Encanto, how could anyone not love them? And as a teenager, you agreed with those sentiments- at least towards the sisters, Julieta and Pepa.

You weren’t friends, per se, with the sisters, but at least they were kind to you. They’d engage in lighthearted conversation when seated next to you in school. They’d invite you to the soirees hosted at La Casa Madrigal for the older girls in school. They wouldn’t flinch away from you when you spoke to them like the other girls higher up on the food chain than you, and they wouldn’t bemoan having to work with you on assignments.

But Bruno, the prodigal son, on the other hand, was not your biggest fan, nor were you his. As an adolescent he was infinitely popular, with his strange yet unbelievably powerful gift of foresight, his attractive features, and his party trick of glowing neon eyes. He was constantly surrounded by peers trying to obtain his favour; constantly surrounding himself with friends, lovers, partners, significant others, admirers, acquaintances, and lower lifeforms trying to claw their way up the totem pole by praising him and adhering to his every beck and call.

Bruno Madrigal was popular, and he knew it. He was cocky, and a bully. But admittedly, he was a good actor, and adults often bought his feigned niceness and innocence, and he knew this, too. And something about him knowing all this allowed him to think he had the go-ahead to be asshat no. 1. Especially to people who didn’t spend their time sucking up to him.

People, like you.

Bruno never missed a chance to make your life miserable, and every time he failed to get a rise out of you, he doubled his efforts on his next attempt. Never dismissing an opportunity to make rude comments about you in front of the class when your name was mentioned, or when you unashamedly gave your best effort to answer a question, even if it was wrong. Never giving up a moment to belittle you, or tease you, or try to make your life a living hell.

Your mama always told you that he was just insecure; that he was jealous that you were confident, your own person, and not afraid to defy his need for control over the populous of your peers. But it didn’t change the fact that years of his torment took its toll on you.

And in your early twenties, when Bruno Madrigal fell from his pedestal- when he started giving out darker and uglier visions that people couldn’t stomach and he lost his power over the Encanto- you were relieved. You laughed, even, when your peers turned their backs on him and realised that people like yourself weren’t as bad as the fallen prince had deemed. But the charm of being out of the hot seat only lasted so long. No matter how badly you wanted to, you could never be as much of an asshole to him as he was to you. And in the instances where you passed each other in the street, and he waved out a timid hello with a wiggle of his slender fingers with eyes peering out from behind shaggy curls, you couldn’t help but nod your head in return. When your peers descended on him to deplore him in front of his family, you couldn’t help but defend him. When others would see him coming and duck out of the way or suddenly turn a corner to avoid him, you couldn’t help but frown, and raise your eyebrows and give him an apologetic smile.

It all changed one night at the cantina. Your friends were late meeting you there, and so you sat yourself down at the bar to start your night of drinking while you waited for them. As you went to take a sip from your drink, you had to do a double take as you saw at the very end to your left, the fallen prince hunched over a glass of what you could only assume was mezcal añejo on the rocks. A stubborn frown adorned his face, eyes hazy and plastered downward, trained on what must be some fascinating details in the wooden bar top. You argued with yourself for a moment about sliding down to talk to him, and you figured you probably looked like an idiot doing so, with your head bobbing back and forth as you mentally debated. Finally, you decided to bite the bullet. He just looked so… pathetic down at the end of the bar, all by himself. What’s the worst that could happen, you asked yourself. If he was a jerk to you, you could turn around and never give him the the benefit of the doubt again.

You opted to not sit on the barstool directly to his right, instead skipping it and taking the next one over. He didn’t look up as you did so, but even from one seat over and without him facing you, you could smell the smokiness of the liquor and the lime wafting off of him.

“There’s no gusano, if that’s what you’re coming over here for,” he slurred out before you even had a chance to fully settle into your seat.

“What?”

He just shrugged and continued to stare into his glass, swirling the ball of ice around. “I dunno, just seems like you’d be the type to eat it.”

You looked at him incredulously and immediately realised that this was a bad idea. And yet your mouth acted without your consent anyways. “You know, most mezcal doesn’t actually have one in it- it’s just a myth,” you stated defiantly. “And what makes you think I’d want to eat a grub?”

His nostrils flared as he laughed through his nose, his lips pulling into a tight smile. “You’re the weirdest person I know.”

Your eyes widened and your head turned towards him in a tilt, “you little-“

“And you’re the most fearless person I know.”

Now that shut you up; took whatever words that were growing in your diaphragm and killed them before they even reached your tongue.

“I was nothing but a dick to you all throughout school, and yet you’re the one approaching me because I probably look like the most miserable piece of shit in the entire joint.” He paused, before furrowing his brows and shaking his head. “That’s bravery. Courage. And honestly, more kindness than I deserve.”

You let out a single, hearty ‘ha’, your head thrown back as you added with a roll of your eyes, “yeah, you’re right about that last part for sure.”

At last he finally looked up at you, his brows risen and his face scrunched into a disbelieving smile as he chuckled through his nose again. As you looked into his green eyes, you realised that this was probably the most domestic and tranquil encounter you’d ever had with the fortune teller. He must have realised it too, because all too quickly his eyes widened and he shot his head back down to his drink, his hair curtaining his entire face sans the tip of his round and freckled nose.

You sat in semi-comfortable silence for a few more minutes, sipping your drinks, before he opened his mouth again.

“Eres el milagro que necesito pero no merezco.”

Your eyes widened. You figured that the liquor had finally replaced all the air in his head, because there was no way he just said that, right?

Something about Bruno’s drunken honesty must have sparked something within you that night, because after that, you slowly but surely became acquaintances with him. And your unexpected kindness towards their strange brother gave Pepa and Julieta more of a desire to talk to you, and you became better friends with them. Alma Madrigal, the head honcho of the entire Encanto started to look upon you with more favour. They invited you round to casita more often for lunches, and as such, you became closer friends with all of them. But the more time you spent with them, the more time you spent with Bruno, and eventually, the younger, chagrined part of you found yourself surprised to find that you considered him your closest friend.

And soon enough, you found yourself doing all the things with Bruno Madrigal you wouldn’t find yourself doing with anyone else.

It came as much of a shock to your mama as it had to you, after all he was an ass to you as a kid and she did not fail to mention that that was “without mentioning the fact that he’s a bad omen.” But one look at you and Bruno together told her everything she needed to know. Things neither you or Bruno even knew yet.

Alma noticed it, too. Julieta and Pepa noticed it, and after the sisters pointed it out to them, their fiancé and husband, respectively, noticed it too.

You didn’t notice it when you spent one too many nights over at each other’s houses, staying up all night to watch bad telenovelas and drink wine.

Bruno didn’t notice it when he’d show up to family dinner with flowers poorly braided into his hair and his sisters and mother would give him confused but knowing stares.

Neither of you would notice the wide-eyed glances and the “they’re together? They always hated each others!”’s as you walked through town during market days.

To everyone else, it took an embarrassingly long time for you to notice each other. The years spent watching your obliviousness towards each other was excruciating for the Encanto.

Bruno knew he loved you much earlier than you realised your feelings for him. You were in his room, the both of you sitting propped up against the headboard of his bed. You had been helping him revise his writing, nothing new. It was somewhere around 4:30 in the morning and in the midst of his reading out loud you had fallen asleep. He hadn’t even noticed, too engrossed with finding any mistakes in his work, until he felt your head fall into his shoulder. He just quietly laughed, changed his position so the both of you might be more comfortable, and thought to himself, “so this is what love is like.” Secretly, deep down, he realised he might have always wanted your approval and that’s why he was so mean to you as a child, because you wouldn’t give it to him. And now that he finally had it, he knew he’d never let it go.

It took longer for you to notice, but eventually and inevitably, you did. And when you finally noticed your feelings for the fallen prince, it hit you like a ton of bricks. It was Julieta’s and Augustin’s wedding day. You and Bruno had been together since the early hours of the morning. Not like he was your date, as you adamantly explained to your mama, and your papa, and Felix, and Pepa (multiple times with that one), and Julieta, and Augustin, and the priest, and… everyone. No he wasn’t your date, he was just… picking you up that morning. You were just sitting together, in the front row, with the rest of his family, at his oldest sister’s wedding. You just exited together, arm in arm, trailing out after the newly married couple. You were just eating together at the reception. You were just dancing together, all night, not letting anyone cut in to steal either of you away from each other. You were just staring into his brilliantly green eyes during the couple’s dance. You were just thinking. You were just… in love with him.

And it hurt, in some ways, because of course it had to be Bruno fucking Madrigal, and you knew deep down your 18 year-old self would’ve killed you had you known that this was what was to happen. Had Bruno himself given you a prophetic vision of that very moment of the two of you dancing at Julieta’s wedding, you would’ve locked the both of you up in fear you’d both gone crazy. But another part of you knew that this was the most ‘right’ you’d ever felt in your life. Never had you felt anything stronger for anyone else and never in your life would you ever want to attempt to feel like this for anyone else.

But lord knows the both of you were cowards.

And as long as it took for you and Bruno to admit your feelings to yourselves, it wouldn’t even compare to how long it took you to admit them to each other.

It wasn’t for a lack of opportunities, either.

You could’ve told him the night Julieta invited you over for dinner, because she was announcing that her and Augustin were having a baby, that the first of the grandchildren would be arriving in La Casa Madrigal in 8 months or less. It wasn’t like you didn’t go upstairs and hang out all night long afterwards. Feelings and impressions of intimacy were running rampant all evening with the announcement of a baby, and you desperately wanted to tell him, but you didn’t.

Bruno very well could’ve told you the night of Dolores’ gift ceremony, because all throughout the night you were there, grounding him, keeping him from going berzerk amongst the crowds of people celebrating the arrival of a new door. Your shoulders bumping his every so often comforted him as his social anxiety coursed through him. His eyes never strayed too far from your form for too long, only looking away long enough to acknowledge whoever dared to speak to Bad Luck Bruno, before quickly reverting back to you. You didn’t notice him staring, and thank god you didn’t, because he wasn’t sure what he’d do if you did. When his family forced him away from you to stand at their side as Dolores walked up the stairs to her door, all he could think about was you, down amongst the masses of people. All he could think about was how he desperately wanted to run to you and tell you how badly he needed you, how in secret he thought about what gift his child might receive should he ever have one, and how if he ever did, he’d want to have one with you. But lo and behold, as he watched you dance with his sisters in Dolores’ new room, he resigned himself to the fact that he was a wallflower; he didn’t have the unashamed arrogance he once possessed as a teenager, and the thought of telling you and risking losing altogether you was so much worse than having you at the excruciating distance you were at. And so, he didn’t tell you then, either.

Bruno should’ve told you on your 32nd birthday. You were all gathered in your house for a small dinner, with the Madrigals, your parents, and a few of your other friends. Bruno had been sat at your left all night, a perfect view of you as you commanded the party from your spot at the head of the table. All eyes were on you, and Bruno figured he had the perfect excuse to stare at you all night. You had just finished dessert and presents were now being passed around. You were too kind for your own good, Bruno thought, as you expressed genuine “thank you”’s with every gift, even the shitty ones, a bright grin on your face. And yet you had no idea just how much of a gift your smile was to Bruno. You were so much better than any gift his family ever received from the miracle. You were the gift he needed but didn’t deserve. You had already opened the present from the Madrigal family, but he had one for you that was just from him. But he’d only give it to you once all the others had been opened and everyone returned back to their respective conversations. He wanted you all to himself when he gave his gift to you. And slowly, as everyone dispersed their attention away from the gift opening and back to their conversations, he leaned over and whispered in your name in your ear, pressing a small box into your hand underneath the table. You looked at him confused, before pulling the box up to examine it. You tried to tell him that you already got a gift from the Madrigals but he just smiled and shook his head, urging you to open the box. You gave him the most beautifully giddy smile he’d ever seen you produce before you ripped the ribbon and the paper off and opening the little box. Inside was a necklace on a short but durable chord carrying an emerald flower. It wasn’t dainty, but neither were you. He told you he had the pendant made from the only vision he’s ever had of you; that he was in his late teens when he had it, and it came to him accidentally from the midst of another vision. But it was a vision of you nonetheless, older and happier than you had been at the time he had the vision. He told you that he never could get rid of it, and it sat on a shelf for years and years and years before he had recently thought to turn it into a necklace. You noticed your face faintly displayed in the necklace, distorted by the shaped details in the glass, and when you held it in a certain way, the bumps and ridges of the flower lined up perfectly and your face was clear as day. It nearly brought tears to your eyes and the smile you had on your face etched itself into Bruno’s core memory. He so badly wanted to press his own smile against yours and just melt into you, and for moment it was just you and him in the room and he almost did. But the sudden silence broke through to his consciousness and that’s when the both of noticed the rest of the room regarding the two of you. Bruno’s confidence instantly died away, and he didn’t tell you after all.

You should’ve told him when you saw an angry villager marching out of his vision cave as you entered for your near-daily visit. As the villager passed by you, he regarded you with a look of distaste and anger, but you paid it no mind, you knew how these readings of the future went for both the giver and the receiver. But Bruno had been so badly degraded by the man who hadn’t liked what future he’d been shown for his life. He knew the risks- they all did when they asked for a vision, Bruno never failed to express to them what they were getting into- and yet, he blamed him. He shot the messenger. And as you climbed the stairway leading up to his vision cave (which you swore had more stairs in it every time you climbed it), you could only imagine what Bruno’s face might look like. He never liked you to see him after a day filled with delivering prophecies. He always said he was tired; always said you might not find him as handsome as you normally would (to which you’d laugh, both at his joke and secretly at the fact that you’d never not find him attractive). When you reached the top of the stairs, all you saw was the door to his vision cave gently swinging back and forth, and an eery green glow emanating from within. You tentatively peaked your head in and called his name.

“Go away,” was all he managed. His back was towards you as he sat with his legs sprawled straight out in front of him in the sand, his back slouched and his head trained forward at the wall.

“Bruno, it’s just me-“ you started, but you didn’t have the chance to finish before his shoulders heaved and in a voice darker than you’ve ever heard him use repeated, “I said, go away.”

But you were one stubborn idiot, and you didn’t go away. Instead you sat to his left in the sand. Ever so gently you took his hand, tracing the lines in his palm with the pads of your right thumb. The room was dead silent for a good while, save for the squeaking of the door hinges, but you weren’t keeping time, and you certainly weren’t going to rush him into talking.

Finally, the fallen prince broke his silence. “He wanted to know if he had a shot at romance, but it’s always more complicated when they set their mind to one person, to one outcome. He wanted to know his future with one person and I told him it might not end well, I fucking told him to be open and reasonable to all outcomes but no, he wouldn’t listen.”

You were having a hard time listening to his ramblings, but you didn’t want to break the fragile moment by opening your fat mouth and asking for clarity, so you just waited for him to continue.

“He had his mind dead-set on one person, I’m guessing he’s wanted this one person for a long time.” He chuckled dryly. “I don’t know, and I don’t care, but it was cruel of him to ask it of me. Knowing what he does, what they all do and yet, he asked anyways. And when he didn’t like what he saw, well, you know the rest.”

You turned your head to the right and looked at him for the first time since entering his cave. You pointed the thumb of your free hand back towards the entrance to his room in reference. “Armando Alvarez? Why not just ask if he’ll ever be happy and in love? Who did he want to know if he ends up with?”

Bruno stiffened next to you before shaking his head. At last, he turned his head and looked deep into your eyes, which still swirled with dying bits of glowing emerald. You swore they were the most beautiful things you’d ever seen, but the upward draw of his brows and the grimace etched into his lips were a more pressing matter than his pupillary aesthetics. His eyes flitted back and forth, unconsciously trying to decide which of your own he should focus on.

Finally he opened his mouth, but he had to push to get the word out.

“You.”

You stiffened in surprise, a sharp intake of air entering your lungs before you shakily let it exit your body. You? Really? It was certainly flattering, but surely Armando Alvarez must surely know you have no interest in him. You’d talked to him what, maybe 6 times in your life? You knew you could count the number of times you’ve encountered the man between your two hands, that was for sure. At the very least, Armando Alvarez was a kind man, an honest man even, but he was not the brightest. You didn’t think, should you ever decide to settle for him, you could endure a lifetime of no intellectual stimulation. Bruno had spoiled you there, with his endless witticism. Regardless, you press on.

“Well, does he?”

“Does he what?”

“Win me.”

Bruno scowled. “You’re not a prize to be won. And even if you were, you’re certainly not one that that oaf could ever win.” He huffed a breathy laugh out from between his teeth. “Well, maybe in a wood chopping contest, but certainly not in the chess game that is romance. You’re too good for him.”

It was sweet to know that Bruno thought so highly of you. But one thing still didn’t make sense. What did Armando know? What did “they all” know?” You asked Bruno this and he tensed and turned away from you, finding intense interest in the sand beneath him. He was stock still and silent for a while, gathering and arranging his words.

“I don’t want to do visions about you. Not intentionally. Occasionally they just happen, they just slip out from beneath somewhere in my brain, but you’re too important to me to go around setting your life in stone. I won’t…“ he shuddered out a breath, “I can’t do that to you. You mean too much… no. No, you mean everything to me.”

Suddenly, you’d never been so sure that you knew exactly what your future would look like. You didn’t need one of the fortune teller’s visions to confirm. You just knew that it would involve him. You just knew you’d never spend another second without devoting everything you had in yourself to him.

And yet, even as he noticed the silent tears rolling down your face, even as he took his other hand- that is, the one you weren’t currently holding and he was now lacing his fingers through- and swiped his thumb across your cheekbone, trailing back and forth under your eye, down your cheek and across your lips, you couldn’t say it. You couldn’t just open your mouth and tell him that he means everything to you, too. And you almost thought about forgoing the words altogether and just kissing him for christ’s sake, but you were too shocked to move.

Suddenly, Alma Madrigal’s commanding voice rang out amongst the cavern walls of Bruno’s room as she called for her only son in disappointment of his ‘failed’ vision for señor Alvarez. You both shook yourselves back into focus, breaking the reverie, and you avoided looking at each other, all physical contact ceasing at a moment’s notice.

As you exited the cave together, you weren’t sure how to proceed as Bruno’s friend anymore. He would never be just your friend again, but at the same time you weren’t sure if that’s all you were to him or not. What if you had interpreted that moment wrong? What if he just cared about you, and that was that? What if he wasn’t in love with you like you were in love with him?

And as more time ticked away, you felt yourself falling further and further away from the idea that you and Bruno would eventually grow to be romantically involved. Surely, you thought, if something were to happen, it would have already. Too many years had passed. The of both of you were nearing 40 at this point, something should have happened between you. And yet, at the same time, you thought if he hadn’t loved you, at least a little, why hadn’t he gone after someone else? As much as he sometimes frightened the town with his visions, Bruno wasn’t completely hopeless in the love and sex department. He was an attractive man, and there were certainly plenty of people that would still want to be with him. Unlike Bruno, you weren’t oblivious to the attention he’d get from admirers, you knew he could find a partner should he want one, so why he hadn’t found one was a mystery to you. Unless…

He was in love with you too?

It was the night of Mirabel’s gift ceremony. It was a joyous night, with lots of laughter and food and drinks and dancing. Camilo’s ceremony had gone so well, and the Encanto was ready for another night of success. You were ready for success too. You were ready to tell Bruno, no matter the outcome. Should he love you too, great. Should your feelings go unrequited, well, you figured you and Bruno were good enough friends at that point that you could recover from that and move on from your awkward confession. You laughed with Pepa and Julieta so vibrantly before the ceremony; they told you they hadn’t seen you so open and carefree in so long. When they asked you as to why, you told them the truth- you were going to tell Bruno you loved him after Mirabel opened her door (you didn’t want to take Bruno’s attention off of Mirabel before her big moment). Smiles broke out onto their faces as they hugged you and welcomed you, finally and fully into La Familia Madrigal. They assured you that Bruno had been wanting to confess the same to you for so long, they were sure of it. After all, you did things with Bruno you didn’t do with your other friends.

As Alma called for the masses to gather round the staircase to begin the ceremony, you found yourself in a state of peace. A weight was being lifted off your shoulders with each step the young Madrigal took towards her new door. All she had to do was open it, and you’d be able to come clean to Bruno. But interestingly enough, Mirabel didn’t open the door. She couldn’t, as the door blackened and withered away to ash. And the weight came crashing right back down on top of you in an instant. The people around you scrambled and talked and worried and through it all you were numb to it. You thought it was selfish of yourself that your only thought that bounced around your head was, this is a bad omen for me, even as the Madrigals rushed to console a teary-eyed Mirabel, ushering her back into her old room and sending her sisters and cousins to bed. Alma wasted no time descending down the stairs in an attempt to ease the minds of the citizens of the Encanto that “the magic was strong.”

A sobering statement, considering that for the first time since its creation, the miracle failed. The guests around you started trickling out a handful at a time, after placing their worries and grievances with Alma. But you couldn’t move. You knew you should’ve just headed home, that this was a family matter, but something in you rooted you to your spot. The matriarch didn’t seem to mind; in all your time with Bruno, you’d spent more than enough time with her 3 children and her 5 grandchildren to be considered family. She’d known for long enough that one day she’d be able to call you her in-law, and she offered you a sympathetic smile and a pat on the shoulder as she passed by you and back up the stairs to discuss the night’s events with her children waiting in her room.

They talked for hours, or at least, that’s what it felt like, as you sat in the courtyard. The night sky above you was growing darker and darker, until the only light left was that of the stars. At last, Julieta, Pepa, their husbands, and Bruno left Alma’s room, abuzz with the meaning of the night’s scandal. They were too wrapped up with what had happened, and rightfully so, to notice you curled up at the base of the stairs. You didn’t know why you hadn’t left yet, but something had told you to stay; something deep inside your conscience was telling you to wait for Bruno, that you needed to talk to him before it was too late. Too late for what, you didn’t know.

But this something was telling you that if you don’t tell him tonight, you’d never get the chance again. And so you hurled yourself to your feet, and lingered at the bottom of the stairs a minute, gathering and preparing yourself. Was it the right time to tell him, after everything that happened earlier in the evening? Casita seemed to think so, as it pushed your feet up gently with the tiles beneath you, a small encouragement to urge you up the stairs and towards Bruno’s room. With one final deep breath, you started your ascent. You took your time, as with each step you grew more and more nervous.

As you neared the top, the door to Bruno’s room quietly opened as its owner stepped out and down the little hall preceding it. He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw you 3/4s of the way up the stairs, concerned and confused as to why you were still here. Not that he wasn’t happy to see you- he was always happy to see you.

“You’re… still here. It’s late, you should’ve been in bed hours ago,” Bruno nearly whispered as he approached the top of the stairs.

“I know, I know, I need my beauty sleep, but you know me, I’ve never been an ‘early to bed early to rise’ person,” you remarked with a small chuckle. Bruno just let his eyes roam your face, letting the silence wash over him. He was about to leave, but maybe you were a sign to stay? No, he had to leave. He had to protect Mirabel. He had to protect the Encanto. He had to protect you.

Finally, with no amount of joviality or pretence, Bruno spoke.

“You need sleep, but not for beauty.”

Your eyes widened in shock.

“Bruno-“

But he didn’t let you finish. He also had something he needed to tell you; he knew if there was anyone he could trust with the knowledge that he was leaving his family, it was you. It would always be you.

“I’m leaving.”

A beat of silence filled the air.

“What?”

You were flabbergasted. Leaving? To where? Why? Had he had a vision?

“Mama asked me for a vision, and what I saw… it wasn’t good. So I have to go. To protect Mirabel, the Encanto. You.”

You took another step up towards him in disbelief. No. No, this couldn’t be happening. Not when you had been so confident at the start of the evening. Not when you still had so much to say.

“Bruno whatever it is, I’m sure we can figure it out, between you and me we always figure everything out! Or at least take me with you! And your family- oh my god your family- I’m sure-“

“No. No one can know what I saw in that cave. I smashed the vision, I destroyed the bridge at the top of the cavern stairs. No one can find it. No one. I won’t let that happen. And no, I won’t take you with me and uproot you from your life like that. I can’t.” He took a few steps down towards you, and suddenly the two of you were chest to chest as he stood on the stair above yours.

All your breath had been stripped from your lungs, your brain eating up every cubic inch of air as fuel to process what was happening. Eventually, Bruno cupped your face and encouraged your fleeting eyes to focus on him.

“I need you to promise me something.” You couldn’t speak, so you just nodded your head.

“I need you to know- god, promise me you’ll remember- that not a day will go by that I won’t wish you were with me; that everyday, I’ll wake up and plead to skies- the miracle, anything- that you’ll be in my future. No matter what happens, I’ll pray that I’ll get to see you again. In this life or the next. Please, I need you to know that. I need you to know that I-“

But he caught himself before he could say it. Before he could say “I love you.” Even now, when he knew he’d most likely never look into your eyes again, he was too much of a coward to say it. But so were you, and so as his hands dropped to where your shoulders and neck conjoined, all you could do was nod your head, up and down and side to side in a frantic figure-eight motion. You were in too much shock to cry. You were too busy coming to terms with the fact that you were about to lose everything. With one final squeeze of your shoulders, Bruno released you and walked back up the stairs, turning to look at you once he reached the top, before turning and slowly walking away. Your eyes froze on the spot where he had just been. You knew your brain had to do some major catch-up, and as slow as it was it was no where near as lethargic as your heart. But you also knew that you’d never get another chance. You had to say something. You couldn’t let him leave without knowing. You’d never be able to live with yourself if you did. You just had to unfreeze yourself and call out to him before he left. Luckily your body took the wheel from your foggy head.

“Bruno wait!”

When your eyes finally caught up to his form, he was halfway down the hall. He turned his head first towards you, before rotating his body around and walking back towards the top of the stairs.

“Bruno, if this is the last chance I’ll get, I… I have to tell you. I’ll never be able to sleep another night in my life if I don’t.”

Bruno, ever asshole with unrelenting wit, dismally smiled and retorted, “in which case, you might have to start calling it ‘beauty sleep.’”

You shut your eyes in belief. God he was funny, but for once you couldn’t let yourself be distracted by his banter.

“Bruno I-“

You were angry. Why couldn’t you just say it? Why must the words fall short every damn time?

Bruno stepped down one of the stairs, tilting his head forward and to the side, a silent plea for you to continue. You knew he knew what you wanted to say, and lord knows you’d smite him if this was just a plot to toy with you. It wouldn’t be the first. But at that moment, something inside you snapped. All the annoyance at both yourself, him, the world, everything, vanished, and you were left with a sense of blissful emptiness.

Fuck it.

“I love you, Bruno Madrigal. I love you with everything I have. And if this is the last chance I’ll ever get to say it, at least I’ll die knowing that I told you. Because you mean everything to me, too, and you deserve to know.” As you confessed, Bruno once again descended the last few steps towards you, his gaze only once leaving yours to glance at the emerald flower around your neck that reflected the moonlight back into your eyes, a permanent branding that reminded him that you had allowed yourself, all these years, to belong to him.

“I just.. I do, I love you. I can’t say with certainty that I know many things, Bruno Madrigal, but I’m satisfied with the knowledge that no matter what, I’ll always love you, Bruno, and there’s never going to be anyone else that I’ll feel this way for. I don’t need a vision from you to know that.”

Bruno’s face held almost no emotion, only a slight raise to his brows and his lips slightly parted in silent disbelief. As much as you could stare into his eyes, you needed to hear him say something. And finally he did.

“I knew it.”

Wow, you thought as the annoyance flooded back, what an asshole. Hot, ugly tears start to escape from the confines of your eyelashes and they burned with embarrassment. Serves you right for giving him the benefit of the doubt all those years ago. But he continued.

“I knew you were weird.”

“Bruno, fuck off. I-“

“You are! After all, how could a miracle like you love a harbinger of bad luck like me?” He bemused. Once again, he brought his hands up to rest his warm and calloused palms on the base of your neck.

“But I also knew you were fearless,” he smiles as one of his hands cups the back of your jaw, wiping a stray tear away. “And I’m so, so, fucking glad you are, because if you weren’t, you wouldn’t have loved me, and I don’t know what I would have done with myself all these years.”

“What are you talking about?”

Bruno leaned his forehead against yours, pulling you as close to him as he could without sending the both of you tumbling down the stairs.

“I think… I’m talking about how I’ve won this game of chess?”

And suddenly, all the puzzle pieces throughout the years clicked together, 35 years worth of annoyance and indifference and friendship and love all coming together at this moment to propel the both of you into each other. And as your lips met, for the first and last time, nothing and everything mattered, all at once and not at all. As your lips parted and his tongue met yours, you knew that you’d never be able to let anyone kiss you again. Not after this. After all, you didn’t do this sort of thing with your other friends. It would only ever be Bruno’s shoulders and hair that you held onto for dear life, as his hand on your shoulder fell downward to allow his arm to scoop you impossibly closer into him. You knew you’d never love anyone else, ever again, as his tears mixed with yours and your lips and tongues held onto each other for dear life, as to suck every last ounce of adoration and devotion out of each other before you had to say goodbye.

But unfortunately, the future doesn’t wait. Bruno’s gift never would allow him to forget that. And after a few more wet kisses peppered across each others lips, you and Bruno pulled apart, taking one last moment to memorise each other’s eyes.

“If you’re ever in the Encanto again, look me up,” you quipped, and Bruno offered you one of those blissful and contented smiles he always seemed to have when the two of you would banter. But this one, you knew you’d never forget, because while his lips offered joy, his eyes protruded devastation, and you knew you’d never be able to erase his face in that moment from your mind, and you were okay with that.

“I promise if I ever see you again, I’m taking you to the father to have us married,” he says with no lace of pretence.

“After one kiss? Not one to waste time, I see,” you chortle.

He only shakes his head before pulling away from you completely. It left you feeling empty and cold, despite the humid air and the heat of his body still lingering on yours.

“I’ve already wasted enough time loving you on my own, I refuse to waste a second more.”

And with a pair of heartbroken smiles, casita gently rolled the stairs beneath your feet, carrying you down to the courtyard. You took one last look up to your fallen prince.

“I love you, Bruno.”

“I love you too.”

As your tear ducts finally ran empty, you turned around towards the front doors of La Casa Madrigal and opened them.

“Goodbye, Bruno Madrigal.”

Had you looked back as you left, you would’ve seen the fallen prince open the portrait in the walls. But you were one stubborn idiot, and you didn’t look back.

#fanfiction #angst #bruno madrigal #bruno madrigal x reader #Encanto #Disney #disney+ #encanto fanfic #disney fanfiction