#Lord Asriel x reader

[random-imagines-blog]

Imagine Asriel always seeing you as the one that got away.

You were the last person that Asriel had expected to come walking through the door out of the cold, into his laboratory. It was even more surprising that you had Lyra with you, the two most important people that had ever entered his life, together. Marissa - Lyra looked so much like her - had only been a rebound and that’s why she hated him so, because she knew, she knew that to him, you were the one that gotten away.

Your eyes still sparkled as brightly as the day that they had when you two first met, back in the days at the college when you had fallen in love. Before Asriel’s studies took him one way, and your own another.

“Asriel,” You said, and that voice brought to mind so many things. Even if it did sound older, it was definitely you. It was like the past twenty years had barely happened. It was like you were both still in the grand libraries, sitting side by side, more focused on the fact that your legs were touching rather than what you were meant to be writing. Sneaking around beneath the Professor’s noses. Making out in the broom cupboards -

It was enough to make him forget about the arguments that you had, the ones that merely started as debates and then would get increasingly personal until you were yelling at each other and your demons were on the verge of attacking. It was enough to make him forget how you had taken a different study partner in one of your shared classes and he had stewed about it for months, thinking up plans on how to hurt him, on how to make you notice him again. It was enough to make him forget how much his heart ached when someone made you smile when all it seemed like he could do was make you frown.

“Y/N....” He said, his demon perking up when it saw yours coming through the door. They regarded each other with suspicion, apprehension. Lyra was smiling at him. Lyra looked happy to see him. But when all that he could say was your name and not look away from your face, she looked up at you as well, confusion written across her features, her very mother-like features.

“Evening, Asriel,” You said, putting a comforting hand on Lyra’s shoulder. That motion, that affection that you put upon his daughter, that made him turn away. He did not care for much in this world. But that - that stung, that brought tears to his eyes. “I believe you two have a lot to talk about. I’ll be off.”

“Wait, you’re not staying?” Lyra asked.

“I told you I’d deliver you safely, but I can’t stay.”

“Please,” Asriel said, those big blue eyes boring back into yours. “At least stay for supper.”

You debated it. The familiar habit of sucking on your lower lip. “Fine. For Supper.”

Requested by: Anonymous

#Lord Asriel #Lord Asriel x reader #Lord Asriel imagines #His Dark Materials #His Dark Materials imagines #request #imagines #lorda

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

The Golden Boy (All the Things She Said, Part 3.)

Description: After a rather unlucky coincidence, Lord Asriel is left alone on his supposed expedition to meet the king of Lapland. Thanks to Thorold's advances, he's lucky enough to get an assistant sent over from the University of Oxford.

Part Summary: Your arrival at Asriel's observatory didn't quite go as expected with Asriel revealing a crucial detail to you. Yet you as manage to find a system of sorts in living on the snowy plain, the man doesn't plan on making it all easier for you.

Word Counter: 5.7 K

A/N: So, I hope you'll agree with my presentation of Lord Asriel. It's quite hard to make him a personality out of scratch (not scratch precisely, but we do frighteningly little about him) while trying to check out the boxes presented in the show. Also, all his Wiki page says 'is highly intelligent' like... No shit Sherlock? We know that duh. I see him as a person who tends to get possessed by whatever he's working on when left without supervision; he doesn't sleep, doesn't eat and barely drinks. But, in all honesty, even though he's focused on his work and academic achievements, I'd say that he can be very passionate and emotional somewhere deep down under it. As for significant features, I'd say he can be rather defiant and tends to be stubborn, usually making it the habit for things to go precisely as he plans them to. Therefore, to get along with him and have the chance of Asriel complying with their requests, people need to be more stubborn than him, not get charmed by him and don't be worried to have a full-on argument with him if the situation calls for it.

Tagging: @emmyspov

Series master list:  h e r e   | Series playlist:  h e r e

His expression alone was saying it all, no need for words. In short, Asriel didn't have to speak out loud to make you realise you weren't welcomed in the observatory. Well, if you were worried about how you're both going to handle the situation on your hand for the next few months, this certainly didn't fail to make the dynamic interesting for all of you. To be frank, you were almost worried about being bored there, only working on editing scientific papers. This was a twist. The man was now standing in front of you with his palms on his hips while giving you one of the grumpiest furrows you've ever seen on a man. If looks could hurt or kill, you'd be beaten to a pulp by that point.

"What do you mean by 'what am I doing here'? Isn't that obvious?" "Ms Y/L/N, if it was obvious I wouldn't ask such a question." - Asriel spat back right into your face, snickering in disbelief; as if you insulted his intelligence. - "Why, for the love of God, have you travelled here all the way from Brytain? Given the nature of the said travel and the dangers surrounding it, I wouldn't suspect anyone in their right mind to just... Do it." "Lucky me, I haven't undertaken this path on a whim, isn't that right?" "Then my question still stands." - Asriel quite literally hissed under his breath, closing the distance between the two of you by walking closer, catching your shoulders into his palms, shaking you a bit with each word he asked; he was surely thinking that you're in a shock. - "Why... Are... You... Here?"

"Get your hands off me, sir, I'm neither stupid nor deaf. The journey here was lovely, thank you very much for asking. If you're finished with the unnecessary antics, it would be greatly appreciated if you helped me unpack the supplies and helped me with my luggage." - Yes, both Joy and you realized that Lord Asriel has his quirks and can be quite a nuisance on his own... But this was too much for you to handle. Who gave him the right to even touch you in such a way? What was his deal? Trying to smother all of the anger inside of you, you began to take off your coat and all of the layers you'd been strung up in. Asriel, obviously, wasn't ready to either end with the theatrics or make it easy on you. The moment you heard him take in another breath, your vision was already veiled in a crimson veil. "Why..."

"Because Dr Carne sent me here on your personal request!" - The sudden outburst visibly made Asriel straighten up, his stare now becoming more vigilant than before... And his expression was getting more and more confused. - "So I don't know if this is supposed to just be a cruel joke you're performing or if you're being serious, but I'm here because you had requested my assistance with your scientific papers. Lord Asriel, I don't know if you're taking me for a fool or..." "No. Whatever you've just said isn't the truth." - The man muttered under his breath, another of the manic moments taking over his mind, fogging it again. This one was different, though, now there was some sort of a reason behind his confusion and repeating rejection. - "What you don't understand is that you can not be here. You... You can't." "And yet, here we are. Care to explain what this is about? Why are you acting like this, Lord Asriel? You're scaring me."

"Ms Y/L/N, I don't think you'd be able to comprehend the nature of the research I'm conducting. And just reading or knowing the conclusions of such research would put you in a rather unfavourable position." - Now, he took in a long breath in an attempt to calm down, walking to one of the kitchen islands to lean his arse into it. Letting a long breath out, he put his arms over his chest, turning his head to you. "What I'm about to say is meant with the best intention, believe it or not. We live in a society driven by a supposed divine power while men are in charge and do their little silly political schemes to keep the public obedient. You are a woman, Y/N, so you're already facing many obstacles, ones I'd never bump into. The scholastic scene already doesn't take your research too seriously, let's be honest, and for the most part, simply being born a female gives the Magisterium enough reasons to flag your research as prone to be heretical. Many female scholars met such obstacles before you and there will be many that will hit it after you." - Suddenly, the frantic man in front of you was ice-cold and calm, as if he had never acted up in the first place. Asriel remained standing there, watching you with such ferocity that the hair on your back stood up - sending a chill down your back. - "And while I don't doubt your capabilities or intelligence, if there was a day the Magisterium would know that you had something to do with this research... You'd get burned on stakes in the best scenario, tortured for months in the worst."

Sighing, you straightened up as well and returned his stare with matching intensity, pushing your palms deep into the pickets of your warmers. There was a moment when you stared at each other in utter silence, the silence only being disturbed by the howling blizzard outside. The darkness outside the observatory's windows was now white as the snow reflected the dim lighting inside. "I'll call myself lucky that I hadn't been burned to death yet, then." - The shift in Asriel's expression made you chuckle. Instead of scaring you to death, you were now snickering ironically upon hearing what he had on his mind. - "My research of foxes and nightingales sure is bloody heretical, no doubt in my mind. If they'd get to know I helped you study Dust, my ticket to the biggest and scariest torture chamber in London is basically ensured, right? Lord Asriel, truly, do I look like an idiot to you?" - This being a rhetorical question, you didn't give the man any time to come up with a reasonable comeback. He'd just ask where did you find it was Dust he was studying anyway.

"Do you really think that once I'd get my hands on this, I'd then take all the papers to wave them in front of the Cardinal's face to piss him off? Do you really think I'm stupid enough not to keep this research in the utmost secrecy? And do you think I'd risk everything if it wasn't worth it?" - Now, he didn't even want to answer. He simply waited until you get everything off your chest. "I'll be honest with you if you don't mind. Yes, Thorold sent your message to Dr Carne who informed me about this research, but, Master put himself in danger as well just so you have the chance at finishing it. Anyone else in the entire University knows you're here - everyone thinks you're in Lapland. Dr Carne had to pull out big guns for me to even consider risking everything I have, such as my life, academic recognition and credibility... The university provided me with a fully funded expedition. If I go down for this, I want to go out with a bang." - Taking in yet another long breath to calm down and stay reasonable, you decided to start gesticulating as you walked around the place, taking in the scenery of it.

"As you correctly pointed out, I am a female scholar. And as such, I had to be quick on learning the inner intricacies and politics of our academic world and for my entire career, I had to be on my toes. It means, for short, that while I might be a nice and collected, respectful person to all of my colleagues and other academic figures, I need to stay within my boundaries and understand exactly when to step out of them. And after you sent the message I was excited - not only because this expedition means everything to me but because this might have the power to open the public's eyes." - Your stare was stuck on a bookshelf in the far left corner of the room, but you knew that Asriel is paying all the attention he could. "So trust me when I'm telling you I'm very reasonable when it comes to being here. I'm within a sound state of the mind, I'm not here to get in your way, I'm not here as your enemy, I'm here as your ally. And as for you, me, being a female scholar, only proves that I perfectly understand how much I'm put on line just to be here."

"Opposing such an impressive argument would be extremely difficult if only there wasn't one inconvenience, Ms Y/N/L." - Asriel said after a while, making sure your monologue had come to an end. - "Again, I'm not doubting your intelligence nor the ability to withstand oppression from the academic community. I appreciate your concern... But... Due to the risk of this research, I haven't requested anyone's presence or assistance, not anyone's and surely not yours. Therefore I don't understand why Thorold sent you here." At that, your eyes flew back to Asriel as you furrowed at him, not being sure what he was trying to get across. Lord Asriel hasn't asked for help, he didn't ask for company. And yet, there you were, standing inside his observatory. Well, this was explaining his initial reaction to your presence, in the end. It was making perfect sense.

"Well..." - You mumbled, not quite sure what to answer. - "I'm here nonetheless and my guide had already left. I don't care if you like it or not, but I'm quite literally stuck here with you - the expedition had been paid for anyway. I need to stay and conduct the research." "You're stuck here, that's right. How long will you need to finish your studies, realistically?" - The man asked quietly, turning his back to you as he started randomly picking things up; so they wouldn't fall into your possession, presumably. "Could be a month, could be three, could be all four. This isn't anything I'd be able to rush - the longer the observation, the more prominent the habits and behavioural patterns. This leads me to more conclusive and accurate results." "I suppose... Fine. You'll be conducting your study and I'll be taking care of mine. We can both do what we are supposed to without putting you at unnecessary risk." - The man mumbled while hiding his tools in a paper box next to the island itself. For a reason, this made you upset once more.

"I already told you about comprehending all of the risks and by God, I know you're Jordan's Golden boy who gets away with virtually anything and the Master clearly loves you because if he didn't, Magisterium would already be all up in your business... But if we plan on even surviving the next four months, we cannot ignore each other's presence. Surely, if you're writing down the results of research such as this, it's tens upon hundreds of pages of text that need to be revised and edited. Let me help you, Lord Asriel, I mean it. We had done it before, we can do it again." - Not expecting such an outburst, Asriel froze in place and watched with yet another furrow; this one didn't seem to be lingering with anger or fear, this one was amused. He was so amused that he scoffed while packing up some more tools, shaking his head in the process. - "What is it? What's so bloody funny about this situation we have here?" "What did you just call me?" - The man asked, snickering under his breath as if he was trying to hide it away from you. - "The Master's Golden boy who gets away with virtually anything? Wow. Gotta admit that I really dig all of the resentment that you hadn't expressed out loud... Dear. That's amusing, I'll give you that much... I quite like it. But my answer remains no. Upon hearing out your situation, you're welcome to stay here as long as you need to, but - don't touch my stuff, don't clean up anything and don't get in the way of my research. Also don't expect me to have afternoon tea with you so we could giggle and chit-chat. I'm not the one to honour this particular tradition." - And with this overly dramatic statement, Asriel picked up the paper box and disappeared back into the upper floor, leaving you confused and alone.

"Does any of that makes sense to you?" - It was after you put all of the supplies at their place when Joy asked you this. At that moment, you were sitting in a boiling hot bath. It wasn't anything luxurious but it was enough to keep you warm; in fact, the bathroom itself was pretty scary. "No matter from which direction I approach it, this doesn't make any sense." - Your voice was revealing all of the acrimony and bewilderment you'd been feeling on the inside. If Joy couldn't feel your emotions, this would definitely give her a hint... Or two. - "While I believe that Asriel hadn't asked for an assistant, I struggle to understand why Thororld asked the Master to send us here. Did Thorold even ask Master to send us here, or are we supposed to serve as a repercussion for doing all of these bullocks behind the University's back, some sort of control over Asriel's descent into insanity?" "That is pretty probable, the insanity part I mean. I told you this is tiptoeing on the very line, Y/N, remember? On the other hand, Lord Asriel might not be the teacher's pet we always suspected him to be, don't you think?" "Doesn't change bloody anything on Asriel being the Golden boy. The Master of the University learns that he's studying bloody Dust, which crossed the line of scholastic sanctum by miles just between you and me, and Carne simply... Instead of reporting it to authorities, as he should, he sends an assistant." "And... If I remember correctly, I told you so." - The daemon butted in, making you laugh from the bottom of your belly. The laugher, after a few long days, was rich and lively - which just uncovered the despair you've been truly in. Joy realized you were rather close to an overall mental breakdown. - "Now that we're here, I don't think it will be as bad. The location is nice and we can have coffee, also we'll be seeing the bloody bear king and the most beautiful auroras on the northern side of the globe. What's more than that, Y/N?" "You're just saying this because I couldn't wait to see all these things, Joy." - You dismissed with a sigh and in response, the animal slipped its head into your palm hanging out of the wooden bathtub. "At least we're still together." "Truly can't imagine you wouldn't be by my side now, Joy. I'd be so hopelessly alone." "You'd go insane here, no doubt in my mind. Our plan is just as you stated in front of Samuel; this guy is a nuisance but we've done this once and we'll do it again. Give the man a few days to accept the fact that we're staying here and then, we can try giving him the wine we got for him." - The coyote stated before laying down, closing its eyes and putting its head on top of its tail. Once more you had to admit that Joy was right.

While Asriel was sort of giving you the silent treatment, you managed to capture one of the bedrooms and mark it as yours; your luggage laid open all over the floor as you unpacked all of your belongings - ranging from expansive cold-resistant clothes, books, ink pens and journals all the way to your private collection of animal behavioural patterns that had been observed in the last fifty years. You've handpicked all of them just before your departure to match the species living in Svalbard. It was usually early in the morning when you put on a turtleneck with warmers and snow boots, walking out of the door with a cup of coffee in your palm. The mornings in the place of such high altitude were strange, to say the least; as the sun shone down on you, you almost couldn't feel the cold getting to you - so you usually walked a bit higher to look over the frozen valley below you while Joy was busy rolling around in the snow, discovering it with childish excitement.

Back in Brytain, it never really snowed; sure, the time around New Years' celebrations was notorious for being cold and the streets for being peal white, but that snow barely reached your ankles. Here, Joy could jump right in and roll around as if she was mimicking a dog - the snow was true that high, reaching your waist. The noons and afternoons you've usually spent preparing lunch (the only indication of Asriel actually eating was usually half of the meal missing when you came back) and by strolls around the observatory; when you were lucky enough, you could catch a glimpse of snow foxed living in an alcove an hour away from the building. The longer you've been watching the pair, the clearer it became that one of the foxes was expecting pups - the male tended to hunt for the female and just when the light started to fade out, they both hid into their hole and you couldn't catch a glimpse of them again.

Once you've made it back to the observatory, the air was numbingly cold by then, you prepared supper (leaving one plate for Asriel) and hid in your room where you set fire to the fireplace before sitting in a huge plushy chair to write down your observations. To be frank, on days when the weather got ridiculously bad you tended to stay in your room and sketch the animals; you wouldn't describe yourself as the best painter, but you've managed to perfect the craft throughout the years of practising it. On those days, you couldn't see anything past three feet from the window, that's how thick the storms got.

On lucky days, you managed to catch a glimpse of Lord Asriel working - sometimes, he'd simply vanish for days on end (you could hear the door's lock fall into the place as he left the observatory, coming back the following day or late in the night. Yet on said lucky days, the observatory wasn't feeling that isolating. It wasn't feeling like the last place on earth; you sat down in the resting place located behind the stairs, reading through your notes and comparing them to the journal entries while the man worked upstairs. You could hear the sounds of metal clinking in the silent building, glass objects being moved around, and oftentimes you'd hear the sound of mortar being used or scratching of a highlighter writing on a glass surface. Sure, he wasn't acknowledging your presence in the slightest, but it was these small moments which reminded you about someone else's presence.

On the eight days of your stay, the silence was becoming too loud. Your sources of excitement were rather limited and while Joy was proving herself to be an excellent company to you, you could feel you were being pushed to your limits. You haven't spoken to a soul in a week and Samuel was scheduled to come in 28 days from that point. Once again, you've found yourself sitting in the resting area with the fireplace cracking in the background. As you sighed upon finishing yet another entry about arctic foxes, Joy looked up at you; she was laying next to the footstool, resting her eyes. - "I think it's time." - You said simply, picking yourself up to walk into your room. The way there inevitably lead you around Asriel, who was once more fully immersed in his work. He was scribing something down, mumbling like a madman - depending if he was talking to Stelmaria or not. When you stopped at his laboratory counter, the man didn't even notice you watching him. By the looks of it, he was trying to solve an equation of some kind but the equation wasn't making it easy on him. If it was the same problem we tackling yesterday, he was about to go to bed late or don't go at all. Asriel seemed to be obsessed with it.

"Have you at least stopped yourself to have some supper?" - You asked, holding the bottle of Tokay between your fingers. The first time you spoke out, Asriel either didn't hear you or simply ignored you; so you tried it again, louder than before. It was at that moment the man stopped to raise his eyes at you. Since you've seen him seven days ago, he started to look dishevelled; his beard was a mess and his hair was all over the place. His blue eyes were bloodshot, the intense stare you've grown to somehow appreciate now feeling beyond horrifying. As opposed to what you've been used to, his clothes weren't properly adjusted. Asriel was completely out of it, obsessed with whatever discovery was haunting his mind. - "Are you feeling alright?"

"If I recall our last conversation correctly, I specifically told you not to stick your little nose into matters that do not include you, Ms Y/L/N. Which words in this sentence are so hard to comprehend for you?" - Asriel growled back as if you were but a nuisance ruining his beautiful evening. - "I think he lost his mind." - Joy whispered inside your head. "If I remember correctly, I rebutted your question by explaining to you how important it is to cooperate to make it out okay. What about the part where you start looking like an empty vessel of yourself walking around the observatory? When did you sleep properly for the last time? When did you have an actual dinner? You've always been such a good-looking man who made sure he is presenting himself in the best way, because you realized that your looks are your best weapon. You're looking like an asylum escapee, Lord Asriel. And not the good kind." - You spat back as an answer, putting the bottle of wine with force, creating a loud bang. - "I know you're busy pretending you're a mad scholar, but please, take a moment off and have a glass of wine with me. I've brought you Tokay, your favourite."

"I'm this close to..." "Without discussions, Lord Asriel. I'm pretty sure the great, breathtaking breakthrough can wait a few hours. Now, you need to take a shower, tame that hair of yours and meet me in half an hour downstairs by the fireplace. I'll reheat the supper for you." "I'm afraid I'll have to pass on your offer because..." "Dear Almighty, do you have to be this bloody defiant? I just need to talk to someone. Believe it or not, my brain still realizes that talking to my daemon is still passing as talking to myself. I'm not about to go insane in this snowy wasteland. Although by looking at you, I'd suspect you had already passed this point. Half an hour. This is not a plea or a discussion topic, this is an order." "Y/N..." "Don't make me lock all of your research tools up. Did I make myself clear? You need a damn break, Asriel, come on."

Whichever two dots have just connected inside his brain, Asriel fell silent for a moment, straightened up and took in a deep breath while leaning his palms into the counter. You've finally seemed to break him, thankfully - this conversation wasn't too from being a full-on argument in the next few seconds. Then, he nodded in defeat, taking off his leather apron. "I suppose you're right. One evening off shouldn't slow my progress much. As requested, I'll join you in the resting area soon. As for the supper... I'd like it if you'd heat it up for me, thank you. And the wine is also truly appreciated." "You're welcome, Lord Asriel, it's my pleasure. Meet you downstairs then."

As you walked into the small kitchen area, it was also looking kind of spooky, Joy was sitting beside you with a shit-eating grin on her face. - "What is it?" - You asked, being busy heating up the canned tomato soup. To be frank, you had tons of canned tomato soup in the infirmary. Tomatoes will be something you'll hate until the rest of your days once this is all done, you were sure of it. "That was some attitude you showed there, almost didn't recognise you amidst all of that fuming and such." "To be frank, I didn't think it would be in my power to talk Asriel down." - You hummed back at the coyote, mixing the red thick fluid with a stoic expression. - "Back then, when we assisted him for the first time, I wouldn't suspect he's this stubborn. True, we had to obey him since he was our superior... Maybe it's because we hadn't talked much during that time. I only saw Asriel as that brilliant, bright, dashing man he undeniably is, but since he didn't let me see what was under the exterior, I didn't expect... Whatever the hell this is." "You're certainly the last person I'd suspect to be directive." "Excuse you? Should I start being directive, huh?" - You mumbled as a smile broke out on both of your faces.

A little bit later, you found yourself sitting in the resting area - the wine poured into whiskey glasses (funnily enough) and Asriel's supper was served in a heat-retaining container, the fire started and you were laying on the sofa, wrapped in a warm blanket. There was yet another blizzard starting beyond the walls, only letting you know thanks to the distant howling of the wind. As Asriel made the first step down the spiral staircase, your eyes naturally flew his way to acknowledge his presence. Now there was the man you were used to seeing, stealing all of your attention away.

Now, Asriel was wearing a plain shirt which was tugged into yet another pair of comfortable but formal pants, completing the outfit with a black sleeveless vest. If anyone would tell you that a person can undergo a total changeover in the spawn of thirty minutes, you wouldn't trust shit; yet there he was, an entirely different person standing in front of you. The beard was suddenly trimmed perfectly, his eyes seemed less tired and while his hair was still overgrown, it was styled masterfully. Seemingly, Asriel truly took your advice to the heart.

"I'll be the first to admit that the shower was almost divine, I feel like a brand new man." - Asriel said as he sat down in the armchair next to you, letting out a long breath as he let his body take a relaxed position. Just thirty minutes after abandoning his research for the night, he seemingly felt much better; that was what you assumed. Yet you just hoped he won't be as snappy as before. - "This is a consistent issue with me. I tend to let myself go too far and stop thinking about my physical needs, taking myself for a machine that I surely am not." "Now I'm sort of intrigued... When did you shower for the last time?" - First, he hung his head a bit lower before giving you a warm, amused smile. As if he hadn't heard a funnier thing in weeks, months even - well, he was here on his own for weeks, in the end; presumably, Asriel wasn't the type to go out and search for any kind of company during his scientific craze. "Any true explorer knows that you shouldn't wash too often during such an expedition due to the dangers of frostbites, you see?" "I think now you're feeding me bollocks, Lord Belaqua." - You mumbled back, having his gaze wander towards you, watching you as you bent forward for your glass of wine. He repeated similarly, carefully setting the container on his knees. - "Surely, what you've said is a fact, we won't be discussing that... But in your case, I'd judge it's because of different variables, isn't it? How long?"

"I'd been rather busy with my work, make your deductions out of that piece of information." "Obsessed is the right word to use here. Which, I don't necessarily think is a wrong thing, but it's taken its toll on you... And Stelmaria." "If that's the price I have to make to bring revelations and progress to this world..." - The man mumbled quietly as if this was a topic which was rather sensitive for him; you had to sharpen your ears to hear he had spoken. - "Then this sacrifice must be made. No way around it and no compromises. Lacking personal hygiene is the tiniest obstacle I can imagine if it's for the good of all humankind." - Asriel ended in a joking manner, snapping out of whatever state he found himself in. True, you needed to admit, one shower less or more wasn't the worst sacrifice imaginable; naturally, you chuckled at his thought too. - "Now that we debated about what's of interest to you, let me bring up a topic of conversation. Did you mean what you said?" - Asriel asked, leaving you flustered for a bit.

"Which part of what I've said are we talking about? I've called you quite a few names since I arrived, I'm talkative like that. Really, you can pick - Golden boy, Mad scientist..." "The part where you called me good-looking?" - Asriel rebutted, jumping straight to the point. Oh, you thought to yourself feeling your cheeks heat up as you stared at him in silence, oh. That's what he took out of the conversation, then? Not you being stubborn about taking a break, not him descending into insanity; he seemingly focused on being handsome. "No offence, but one would assume that's a commonly known thing." - This thread needed to be approached rather carefully and both you and Joy realized that; the animal shifted on its feet as a wave of heat hit both of your bodies. Why carefully? Well, you didn't want to spill all of the beans to him; sure, you found Asriel unnervingly handsome... But did he have to know? - "If I was asked by anyone at the college about who I think can use their looks as their deadliest weapon, you'd be at the top of the list. Mr Johnson following suit, Mrs Coulter being right there with the both of you."

At first, Asriel wanted to seemingly jab back at you but dropping Mrs Coulter's name oh so casually made his expression stoic and hardened. After eating a spoonful of tomato soup, the man rose his gaze to look at you. - "You'd put Marisa up there to your top three, yeah?" "Definitely. She's brilliant and very attractive... Surely has bigger experience in seducing people to manipulate them than I do. Not that I'd necessarily deem it as a negative thing; we're both female scholars and need to do what we need to do to cling to our careers. It's a handy attribute if anything." "That sounds about right, almost as if nothing changed." - Asriel muttered, being lost in reminiscing as he stopped himself for a moment. - "Let's change the topic, Ms..." "She was asking Dr Carne about your research, Lord Asriel." - It flew out of your mouth before you could stop yourself; why he'd need to hear this sort of information was beyond you, but it somehow seemed super important. - "Just before Master asked me to assist you, she was striving for the position herself, determined to get it." - Upon hearing said information, his eyes snapped in your direction. - "I'm positive she must've heard what happened to Thorold, with his broken bones and such... Arrived at Jordan college two days later to ask about the position."

"And Carne hasn't detailed anything to her? My location or the nature of..." "When I said we're here to assist, I meant it; utmost secrecy and scholastic sanctum, remember? Master is fond of you, Lord Asriel, he wouldn't betray you... Even though realizing where you truly are and what you're up to shocked him a bit." "And he sent you instead of her?" "Is Mrs Coulter sitting in front of you?" - The sassy rhetorical argument made Asriel chuckle as he finally got back to eating his soup, sipping on his glass of wine while slipping to a different conversation topic entirely. - "Suddenly, your arrival doesn't seem so bad given the context behind it."

As it usually is, there are paragraphs of text to be said about the bad events and so little to say about the good ones; the evening conversation wasn't by no means too long, but it was swift, lively and nicely paced. Against your expectations and fears, you caught yourself chuckling quite a lot - now, when Asiel wasn't in a working mood and wasn't ready to throw tantrum over your presence in his observatory, it could appear that you seemingly get along. After talking for an hour, yes an entire hour of which none was filled by voids of comfortable silence, Asriel suddenly picked himself up and clapped his hands soundlessly.

"It's time we go to sleep now, the blizzard is intensifying and you surely must be tired. Let me take care of the dishes and go." - This time, the order was accompanied by a soft smile and a warm gaze in his eyes (you had a theory that he always warmed up and opened up after drinking Tokay) so that time, you didn't even protest. As you walked up the stairs yawning your jaw out, the exclamation of your name stopped you in your tracks. - "I forgot to mention that I'd be travelling to my other sighting spot located nearly at the geographical pole - in case you'd be willing to spare some of your time to clean up the working station, I'd be truly grateful to you. Why I'm saying that I'll be gone is in case you'd worry since the way is rough and it will take me a few days to complete... But I'll be back." - The man added almost gently, making you smile warmly back at him while nodding. - "I promise." "Good night, Lord Asriel." "Sleep well, Ms Y/L/N."

#lord asriel x fem!reader #lord asriel #his dark materials (2019 2022) #his dark materials imagine #his dark materials hbo #his dark materials #hdm imagine #hdm

[mcavoy-girl]

We need more fanfiction of the following characters/celebs:

Dean Winchester x reader

Charles Xavier x reader

Erik Lehnsherr x reader

Robbie Turner x reader from Atonement

Beau Arlen x reader from Big Sky

Soldier boy x reader from The Boys

Wolverine x reader

James McAvoy x reader

Hugh Jackman x (daughter) reader

Michael Fassbender x reader

Tony Stark x reader, preferably daughter!reader

Clint Barton x reader

Avengers x reader, any Avenger at all really.

Gellert Grindelwald x reader (Johnny Depp)

Albus Dumbledore x reader (Jude Law)

Jack Dawson x reader, Titanic

Legolas x reader

Aragorn x reader

LOTR/Hobbit characters x reader

Castiel x reader

Charlie Hudson x reader from Hudson & Rex

Lord Asriel x reader from His Dark Materials

Nick Ryan x reader from McLeod's daughters

Richard O'Connell x reader from The Mummy movies

Wade Wilson aka Deadpool x reader

Richard Castle x reader from Castle

Drover (Hugh Jackman) x reader from Australia

Ronan Keating x reader

Christian x reader from Moulin Rouge

Aidan Turner x reader and his characters x reader

James Bond (Daniel Craig) x reader

Bucky Barnes x reader

Steve Rogers x reader

Obi-Wan Kenobi x reader

Ewan McGregor x reader

Anakin Skywalker x reader

Hayden Christensen x reader

Owen Grady x reader from Jurassic World

Bucky Barnes x reader

Sirius Black x reader

Cedric Diggory x reader

Draco Malfoy x reader

Indiana Jones x reader

Cillian Murphy x reader

Tommy Shelby x reader

Harry Goodman x reader from Pokemon Detective Pikachu

I'll add here more as I remember more characters/celebs. I prefer character x female reader. The ones in bold need more fanfiction.

#dean winchester x reader #supernatural #dean winchester #jensen ackles #spn #james bond x reader #charles xavier #charles xavier x reader #erik lehnsherr #erik lehnsherr x reader #logan howlett x reader #logan howlett #wolverine #robbie turner x reader #robbie turner #beau arlen #beau arlen x reader #big sky #x men fanfiction #xmen #atonement #soldier boy #soldier boy x reader #the boys #marvel #tenth doctor x reader #doctor who #bbc #james mcavoy #james mcavoy x reader

[cantstoptheimagines]

Ribbons & Bows (Lord Asriel | His Dark Materials) 

Summary — You go last-minute holiday shopping with Asriel.

Warnings & Other Tags ➳ Fluff; potential AU vibes.

Notes ➳ ‘Can’t Stop the Holidays’ Event (13/31) ➳ Word Count is 135. ➳ Reader is gender neutral (they/them).

FAQ | Masterlist | Fandoms | Requests | Coming Soon | Schedule

“A sweater! Perhaps Lyra would like a sweater!”

You tried not to laugh at Asriel’s expense. He was completely panicked at the moment. Neither of you had gonna holiday shopping until now, both of you waiting until the last possible minute. The stress was obviously getting to Asriel. 

The shop was filled to the brim with other shoppers, all of them just like you. To be completely honest, Lyra could probably care less about receiving a gift. All she really wanted was Asriel’s attention... not that you tell him that. He was already losing his mind about which ribbons and bows she would like the most. 

For now, you would simply support him — no matter how many times Stelmaria gave you an exasperated expression, practically begging you to stop Asriel’s rants about wrapping paper. 

#2021 #ribbons and bows #his dark materials #his dark materials imagine #his dark materials imagines #lord asriel imagine #lord asriel imagines #his dark materials x reader #lord asriel x reader

[companionjones]

Triggers of Desire

Pairings: Lord Asriel x Fem!Reader

Fandom: His Dark Materials (HBO)

Summary: You stop Asriel from doing something terrible. The two of you argue about it. Things ensue (though not directly resulting from the arguing).

Warnings: Cursing, SMUT, Mommy kink, Dom!Reader, Sub!Asriel

*******

    “Don’t you dare,” you warned.

    “Dare to what?” Lord Asriel questioned. “I know what my life is for, what I was born for. She is not a part of that plan.”

    You were shaking, livid. “Say her fucking name, you arsehole! Her name is Lyra. She is your daughter!”

    “Not in any way that counts!”

    “Stop pulling that shit, and take responsibility for once in your goddamn life!”

    “Responsibility?! I was responsible when I left her at Oxford when she was born!”

    “Yes, and that’s the only good thing you’ve ever done, and that’s including all this so called ‘work’.”

    Asriel’s face twitched. “Now you’re the one who dares--”

    “Were you going to kill that child?” you interrupted. Your voice was deadly calm.

    He clenched his jaw. He stayed silent.

    “If I hadn’t stopped you and told you of the ripple that I found, would you have killed Roger to create your own doorway?”

    “...You know I would have.”

    That ripped your heart in two. “Jesus Az.” You sat down on your bed. “When did you get like this? When we were in school together, you were ambitious, yes, but you...you had a heart. I know that much.” You finished, leaving out some details you didn’t want brought up in that moment. “And when you started dating Marisa...Dammit Az, I had never seen you so happy.”

    “Don’t bring up that vile woman now.” He was facing the fireplace then.

    You furrowed your brow. “I thought you loved her. Even after all those years...”

    “She sent her daemon to attack Lyra. Hurt her,” Asriel spat.

    “See? Was that so hard? Using her name?” you almost teased. “I knew a part of you loved that girl.”

    “Now who’s not using her name?”

    If you didn’t know any better, you’d say Asriel was teasing you, too.

    He paused for a moment. Asriel sighed. He sounded tired. “I don’t think I ever loved Marisa.”

    You couldn’t help but laugh. “Then why--?”

    “Because I couldn’t have the woman I truly loved.”

    Your heart stopped. “...Why bring this up now?”

    “Because,” he turned around to face you, “It’s why I’ve distracted myself all this time with my work. It’s why I’ve become obsessed.”

    “So it’s my fault now?” You were on your feet.

    “No!” He cursed. “It’s mine. It’s just...seeing you after all this time. Thinking about how Jeffery--”

    “Jeffery’s dead,” you blurted.

    Asriel looked as if he had just gotten the wind knocked out of him.

    “Two years ago, he went out on an expedition...and he didn’t come back. His men said that he had fallen from a cliff.”

    A heavy silence filled the space between you and Asriel.

    “What are you doi--”

    Lord Asriel had been crossing the room to you, and he cut you off by capturing your lips with his.

    You moaned at the impact. Asriel’s hands went to the base of your head and the small of your backs when you were too surprised to touch him at all.

    “Az--” you tried once the kiss broke.

    But he was already talking again. “I’ve wanted to do that for...so long, but you and him were already together by the time we met. When you got engaged as soon as we graduated, I...I thought I lost my chance with you forever.” Asriel kissed you once-twice more before his lips trailed down your cheek to your neck.

    Finally, you could speak, but you weren’t sure you were able. When your gaze met his again, only one question left your lips. You thought back to all the little moments you shared with Asriel. All those times you caught his gaze lingering on your lips. You assumed he caught you in the same way many times. “You thought it was one-sided?”

    Asriel’s eyes darkened. His pupils started to dilate. His gaze shifted back to your lips with a newfound hunger. “You mean...to tell me...all this time...that you’ve felt the same?” he grunted between assaults.

    “Always,” you gasped.

    “Then why not say something? I would’ve taken you away. We could’ve had a life together.”

    “At what cost? I was already with Jeffery. If I left him and ran away with you...Do you have any idea what that would have done to our reputations?”

    He growled, “I have never once in my life cared about my reputation. Had you said the word, I would have taken you away. Damn everyone else’s thoughts.”

    The feeling of Asriel’s mouth all over you and the words leaving his mouth had caused you to not notice he had been undressing the both of you. You didn’t notice you were naked until your bare back hit the bed. Asriel was already on top of you, lips trailing down again.

    “Wait.” The word left your mouth out of shock.

    He did so. His eyes met yours again. His head was hovering over yours.

    Again, a thick silence settled over the two of you.

    “Do you want me to stop?” He swallowed, causing his Adam’s apple to bob.

    It only took you so long to respond because the word had taken so long to travel from your brain to your lips. “No.”

    Asriel took a shaking breath. It was clear to you how much he was holding himself back. “...I need to hear you say it.”

    His eyes were glued to your lips. So were yours to his. You didn’t know if you could handle what was coming. “Take me, Lord Asriel.”

    He leaned down, and captured your lips again. He breathed in the scent of you, and on his exhale, Asriel’s hands traveled up and squeezed your breasts.

    You gasped, as the action took you off guard.

    Asriel used the opportunity to slowly lick your tongue before his mouth started making a wet path down your jaw to your tits.

    “Fuck, Asriel,” you moaned when his lips closed around your nipple. You could feel his tongue rolling over the sensitive bud. His hand was tending to your other breast, his fingers pinching and tugging at your nipple there.

    At your loud moans in response, Asriel’s cock twitched. You could feel the hard member pressing against the inside of your thigh. He was only getting harder. He switched what he was doing to your breasts.

    One particular shock of pleasure caused you to call out and pull Asriel’s hair, and he reacted with moan and an involuntary thrust into your thigh. You could feel his face heat up on your tits, and made a mental note of the button you could push (or in that case, pull).

    Eventually, Asriel left your chest. His mouth trailed down your stomach.

    “Asriel, what are you doing?”

    His eyes met yours as he sucked at the inside of your right thigh.

    You almost drooled at the sight of him between your legs.

    Asriel must’ve known exactly what he was doing to you, because when his lips left your skin, he wore a mischievous smirk that you had not seen since you were in school together. “I thought it was obvious.” He kept eye contact with you as he leant down and licked a long stripe up your cunt.

    You tried to keep yourself propped up on your elbows so you could match his gaze, but you fell back and your eyes shut tight almost as soon as Asriel made contact. The strangled moan that left your lips was the most lewd sound you had ever made.

    Asriel’s hand moved up and down your leg as encouragement. He only parted from your lips long enough to express to himself, “Oh god, yes.”

    The last person to interact with you like that had been Jeffery, and...Well, the two of you had grown apart toward the end of your husband’s life. It had been a long time for you. Besides time, you had always been jealous of Marisa for having Asriel when you couldn’t, but in that moment, you were jealous of the woman for a whole other reason. Asriel had a gift. You didn’t last long with his mouth working on you.

    “Asriel-Asriel, oh god. Oh god, yes. Asriel, I think I’m gonna...”

    Vaguely, through the deafness your pleasure caused, you could hear Asriel. “Come for me. Please, come for me.”

    As your stomach and legs tightened up, you grabbed a fistful of Asriel’s hair and tightened your grip as well.

    His moan against your lips was enough to send you over the edge. “Oh, god...oh Asriel...”

    When you came to, Asriel was already making out with you again. It took you a moment to put together what he was saying. “...need you...right now.” Asriel pulled away from you. “You need to tell me in this moment if you can’t do this because once I’m inside you, I won’t be able to stop.” One of his hands was playing with your breast while the other was sliding his cock up and down your folds, spreading the slick. As if things weren’t already slick enough.

    You tugged him down to you using the back of his neck. You ordered, “Fuck me, Lord Asriel.”

    It barely took him a second to comply.

    You gasped when he entered you, and Asriel groaned, “Oh, darling.” He scrambled to find your mouth to kiss.

    While catching your breath from his thrusts, “Good boy,” slipped from your lips.

    It seemed to knock the air out of Asriel. He snapped his hips into you. The man whimpered.

    “You like that?” The corners of your mouth turned upward.

    Asriel didn’t respond. He stayed buried deep inside you. He seemed to be working very hard at keeping his breathing normal.

    You had no problem taking control. Suddenly, you flipped the two of you over.

    “Are you my good boy?” you smiled. You leaned down to kiss Asriel as you humped his cock. Making your way down his jaw to his neck, you repeated, “My good, good boy...my baby...”

    As time went on, it got harder and harder for Asriel to hold back his moans and whimpers. One of his hands slid up to the back of your neck. “Y/n...”

    Licking up to his ear, you whispered, “You think you can call me ‘mommy’?” You knew it was a risky move. Your kink wasn’t for everyone, but there wasn’t anybody you trusted more than your Asriel.

    His cock twitched inside you. “Keep going, m-mommy, please...”

    That was music to your ears.

    “Good boy,” you encouraged, “You gonna cum for me? Hm?” You gonna cum for mommy?”

    He looked so helpless as he nodded.

    “Then cum for me. Cum for me, baby. It’s okay. Let go.”

    “Oh god.” He tensed up. “Oh my god. Mommy-mommy, I gotta--” Without warning, he flipped the two of you over and started slamming into you.

    You tried keeping up with him, but you eventually fell back in ecstasy. Your orgasm overwhelmingly coursed through you.

    Immediately after you, Asriel filled you, and collapsed on top of you. As he came, “Mommy!” desperately flowed from his lips.

    Hearing it like that was enough to tighten your walls even more than they were before.

    That word fell from Asriel at least 20 more times before you two were done.

    After, as the two of you laid together, Asriel eventually whispered, “I am so sorry, darling. I shouldn’t have...I should have never even thought...”

    “I know, baby.” You pulled yourself closer to him. “I know.”

    He continued, “I think...I want to try to to be a better father.”

    That made you prop your arm up on an elbow so you could look at him. You stroked his cheek with your thumb. “Are you sure, baby? This is something you have to be sure of.”

    “I know, darling,” he nodded, “I know I want this. And...I know I want you by my side.”

    Your heart skipped a beat. You smiled. “Yeah?”

    His happy face matched yours. “Yes, darling. If you’ll have me.”

    “Of course I’ll have you, baby.” You kissed him. “Of course I will.”

*******

Author’s Note: Thank you so much for reading! Fill up that heart and reblog if you liked it. I would also really appreciate a comment, if you have the time. If you would like to read more, I have more fics on His Dark Materials over on my page. You should check it out. Have a nice day, night, or whatever time it is for you! <3 <3 <3

#lord asriel #lord asriel x reader #his dark materials #asriel #asriel x reader #asriel his dark materials #james mcavoy #triggers of desire #companion jones #watching teen wolf rn #wooooo

[halfofwhatisayismeaningless]

Can't believe the lack of Lord Asriel imagines! Send request of James McAvoy and his characters

#lord asriel #lord asriel x reader #lord asriel imagine #james mcavoy x reader #james mcavoy imagine #his dark materials imagine

[andiboyo]

Can someone please help me find more Lord Asriel x reader (His Dark materials) FanFics PLZ 😭😭

#his dark materials #his dark materials fanfic #lord asriel #lord asriel x reader

[santanicohell]

cherry pie | lord asriel x reader

tastes so good, makes a grown man cry sweet cherry pie

She is a sweetheart, the most kind and selfless to everyone who meets her, but not to Asriel.

He knows what she really is like, he knows all the filth she speaks on his bedsheets when he is between her thighs, all the moans, whimpers, groans and cries of pleasure.

And the moans she lets out when he licks her in a particular spot that makes her see stars and grind harder against his face, or when curls his fingers to reach just where you need him.

When his lips wrap aroud her clit and he curl his finger inside her just right and he does it over and over again, and she grips his hair as her moans get louder and louder, she gives him a final warning

"Fuck, Asriel, im cumming"

And she does, soaking his face and the bed in her juices.

Asriel just takes in the beautiful image of the woman in front of him

Her chest rise and fall trying to catch her breath, her hair is sticking to her face and she has a look of pure ecstasy on her face.

And Asriel would be lying if he said that was not the most heavenly thing hes ever seen.

#lord asriel #his dark materials #lord asriel imagine #lord asriel smut #lord asriel x reader #his dark materials imagine #james mcavoy imagine #this is my first writing. please be gentle #james mcavoy smut

[sgtduckybucky]

hellos and goodbyes

Genre: Hurt/comfort, romance, angst.

Warning(s): no warnings.

Words: 1426

A/N: I watched his dark materials because i love james mcavoy and decided I should write something. please note that I’ve tweaked a few things. idk if women could work as librarians at oxford during that time era but screw sexism lmao. also, idk how old asriel is supposed to be exactly but i’m imagining him to be around 37-47 years old. 

lastly, forgive me for any typos and grammar error it’s almost two am. 

»»————-　♡　————-««

A slimy creature slithers its way up your leg, moving upwards until it’s finally resting on your shoulder. Its head is brought closely to your ear as it hissed, “He’s here.”

Not stopping from putting the books in the correct order, you commented, “Oh, is he.” with one plucked eyebrow raised upwards.

The snake darted its tongue out, its smooth texture tickling your ear lobe and leaving a wet spot on it. You smiled gently at the feeling as your daemon hissed a witty comment before disappearing somewhere underneath your clothes.

As the footsteps grew louder, you finally looked up from the books in your hand and glanced to where Lord Asriel was making his way towards his room.

“Y/N.” He gasped in surprise of your appearance in his study room before clearing his throat and quickly calling you by your surname.

“Welcome back, Lord Asriel.” You greeted with a playful smile on red coated lips.

Lord Asriel rolled his eyes, “I told you to call me Asriel.”

“Can’t really,” You turned to face the bookshelf to finish your task of arranging the books that Lord Asriel had requested for, “I’m still working and I’d very much like to keep my job.” And once you’ve finished putting the books away, you turned to fully face Lord Asriel, “How was your trip?”

“It was fine.” Asriel murmured as he shrugged off his coat, “Long but fine.”

You nodded politely and began to make your way out of the study room to head back to the library. But as you made your way out, Asriel’s hand darted out and gently took hold of your arm as you passed by him, “Meet me tonight?” His voice dropped a few octaves as he whispered his question.

“Usual time and place?”

At his subtle nod, you smiled shyly and walked way.

It was around ten at night when you knocked on the heavy wooden door. Two knocks for when you were visiting Asriel with a member of the university and three knocks when you were visiting him on your own. And one knock is for when you cannot visit but want to inform him that he could visit you in your bedchambers.

“Come in.” Asriel greeted softly.

As you stepped into the room, you were a bit thrown off to see Lyra deep asleep on the armchair.

“I was just about to take her to bed. I won’t be long.”

Nodding, you watched as Asriel carried his niece bridal style and walked up the stairs. As you waited for him, you took in the room you were in.

You’ve been in Asriel’s room many times but it always felt different when Asriel returns to the university. It felt...homey. As if there was life in it and not some abandoned room that some of the students would create ludacris stories about the room being haunted.

Just as you sat down on the armchair closest to the fireplace, did Asriel finally return.

“Drinks?” He asked as he poured a glass of white wine, glancing in your direction for your reply.

“No thank you.”

As you watched Asriel pour himself a drink and then make his way towards you, you’ve finally noticed his appearance. He looked haggard. The skin on his face was wrinkled, his light brown colored hair was slowly greying and the frown lines around his lips were more prominent. He has aged. Though beautifully, you can see how his life has taken its toll on him. But due to his circumstances, you understood why.

“So how long will you be staying this time? A weekend?” Although your tone of voice was light, your heart was heavy. When every Asriel visited Jordan College, it was always for short period of times and his visits seemed to be growing shorter. The longest he had stayed was ten days and the shortest was five.

Guilt flashed in those sky blue eyes of his that you were certain would’ve charmed many people back in his days of youth, “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

You tried very hard to not slump in your seat and frown at his answer but it was very difficult to do so. Instead, you nodded your head once, twice before getting up from the armchair and made your way to the large window that overlooked the gardens.

You’ve been working at the college for the past five years, right after you’ve graduated from an unknown and surely an unimpressive all girls college. But it was all that you could afford to attend to and with the way political views were changing, you were able to land a job at Jordan College.

You haven’t worked for too long at the college, yes, but you’ve easily attached yourself with the staff working here and with Lyra and Roger. Which, naturally, led you to meeting Asriel.

At first, he didn’t so much as glance at you. Too busy reporting back from his explorations and findings before being whisked away by Lyra. It wasn’t until one of his short visits to the college and when Lyra didn’t run up to him with twinkling eyes did Asriel took notice of you.

As it happened, that one visit when Lyra was eight, she was bedridden with a terrible case of the common cold. Asriel had rushed to his niece’s room, concern poorly masked as he watched you replace the wet cloth on her forehead.

“She’s going to be just fine.” You had stated, aware of the man standing rigidly just a few steps behind you. And true to your words, just two days later and Lyra was better than before. And ever since that day, a relationship had bloomed between you and Asriel.

You blinked the unshed tears as you sensed Asriel come stand behind you. You could see in the reflection on the window how he lifted his arms upwards to place his hands on your shoulders, only to freeze just shyly above them.

He sighed deeply through his nose in frustration before lowering his hands and bringing them to his sides, “Y/N.”

Not wanting to ruin the short couple of hours remaining between the both of you, you turned away from the window and faced Asriel with a gentle smile, “I’m fine.”

But Asriel didn’t believe your words nor your smile. For he then slowly lifted raised his hands upwards and cupped your cheeks.

Your breath hitched and your heart skipped a beat. Your eyes grew wider slightly at his action, “Asriel?” You breathed his name softly, eyes never looking away from his blue ones.

“You know how much I wish I could stay here and be with you and Lyra. To stay and never have to look behind my back every two seconds to make sure no one’s following me. To live a normal and safe life, but I can’t.” Asriel spoke quietly, his thumb caressing your cheeks.

You looked away from him. Fully understanding his situation and how he’s doing all those explorations for Lyra and her safety. You were angry at yourself for falling for a man whose not only almost a decade older than you but also lives a dangerous life and is always half way across the world. You also felt ashamed for being upset at him for only staying just for the night when you hadn’t the right. After all, you were neither his wife or girlfriend.

“Y/N,” Asriel called your name softly as he gently tilted your head upwards. Expecting him to tell you about how dangerous his life is and that he will make it up for both you and Lyra when his mission succeeded, you were surprised when Asriel began to lean in until he managed to close the gap between you.

A soft sound of surprise escaped through your lips as Asriel kissed you. Slow and savory yet shy and sweet. Slowly, your eyes began to droop before they were fully closed.

The kiss soon grew intense and passionate as Asriel tried to pour all of his emotions and frustrations into the kiss. How he wished he didn’t have to leave you and Lyra behind, how he wished he could at least take the both of you with him had it not been dangerous and how he wished he lived a normal life. But he doesn’t and he probably never will.

“I love you.” He muttered, warm breath fanning over your swollen spit covered lips.

“I love you too.” You replied breathlessly.

Asriel smiled at you before leaning in again to kiss your lips one more time.

#his dark materials #his dark materials imagine #lord asriel x reader #lord asriel imagine #lord asriel #james mcavoy

[mxrlin-writes]

To whoever just requested Asriel content:

Thank you

#his dark materials x reader #his dark materials imagine #lord asriel x reader #lord asriel imagine #asriel #lord asriel #his dark materials #hdm #asriel belacqua #lord asriel belacqua

[random-imagines-blog]

Imagine Lord Asriel not wanting to admit to you that he was wrong.

“Why can’t you just listen to me?” You followed Asriel through the plane, pleading for him not to do what he was planning to do. Whatever it was, this obsession that had taken over him - there was no way that it was a good thing.

And what came next was some sort of yelling - he was always yelling. “And you’re not coming. I forbid it!” At least that part you were able to understand. He continued to pack up his transportation, but you - you sat down refusing to leave at all. You wrapped your arms around yourself and raised an eyebrow at him. He paused and sighed, already having dealt with Lyra and now it was your turn.

“If you’re going, then I’m going. You’re going to need me to keep you steady.” Your daemon, a Capybara, plopped down by your feet, it’s sweet little face eyeing Asriel’s daemon.

“I forbid it,” He said again. “I don’t need you. And you’re not ready. You’ll get cold.”

“I’ll borrow one of your coats.”

“You’ll get bored.”

“I’ll help you.”

“You’ll-”

“I’ll find a reason for anything that you say, Asriel. Just admit that you’re wrong and you do really need me there.”

It was something he was never going to do. He just groaned in exasperation and continued to pack while you sat there, feeling like you had half-gotten your way.

#Lord Asriel #Lord Asriel x reader #Lord Asriel imagines #His Dark Materials #His Dark Materials imagines #nonrequest #imagines #lorda

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

Luscinia megarhynchos (All the Things She Said, Part 1.)

Description: After a rather unlucky coincidence, Lord Asriel is left alone on his supposed expedition to meet the king of Lapland. Thanks to Thorold's advances, he's lucky enough to get an assistant sent over from the University of Oxford.

Part Summary: Being a female scholar, your resources are very limited and there is no credit to be given to you. So when an amazing academic opportunity comes your way, you won't hesitate to accept.

Word Counter: 5.9 K

A/N: I have a few things to say. Be aware that I haven't read The Northern Lights trilogy by Phillip Pullman, so my understanding of Lyra's world might be either limited or wrong on occasions. I'm trying my best to go through all of the information sources I'm able to find on the internet. I've finished The Golden Compass (New Line Cinema, 2007) and His Dark Matters (HBO, 2019 - 2022; I presume) so while my understanding of the setting might not be perfect,it isn't the worst I'd say. The story is set sometime around Asriel's expedition to 'Lapland' so it shouldn't interfere with any other cannon moments of the story since I hate altering the cannon to my liking all that much. And since both the movie and show start by Asriel coming back from the first expedition, I don't think there's a lot of other backstory in the books and the past events are giving us through the characters? (For example: Iorek Byrnison explains to Lyra and the reader/watcher by proxy the situation of the armored bears but there's not an explicit flashback, only exposition for how things went down?) So I think that events of the past are keeping vague for a reason and the author lets us fill out the blanks using our own imagination except the times he specifically lays out events that we need to take a notice of.

Shortly, I should get away with this series and while won't defying cannon.

Tagging: @emmyspov

Series master list:  h e r e   | Series playlist:  h e r e

Clickity clack. Turning right into yet another empty hall with your arms full of papers filled to the brim with your handwriting, delicately tidied due to extensive usage of various colourful pens - all the essential terms were underlined heavily or highlighted with bright, easy-to-read-through colours. Clickity clack, you thought to yourself as you listened to your high heels repeatedly hitting the stone as you made your way through Jordan college in Oxford.

How did you find yourself in one of the most renowned men's colleges in Oxford was a proper question to ask; ever since finishing your studies at St. Sophia's, you've spent most of your academic time on Jordan's grounds, working with some of the most renowned scholars of said college. Truth be told, many experimental theologists were wandering around Jordan's and yet, even through coming to contact with this specific field every day, you weren't part of this group - you devoted yourself to studying animals, their life cycles, habits, and needs. Each facet of this work was bringing you serenity, the biggest reason being that daemons voluntarily took animal shapes. One aspect there was to love about animal studies was the requirement to study outside, carry on observations, and draw conclusions. Or, as you'd say with joy, it was a rather touchy-feely field to study, letting you wander through dark forests, and fields, to set out on ocean voyages… Forcing you to work inside only when you had to write some papers. That was what you loved about animal studies.

An undebatable benefit of carrying studies based on animal observations was that… There was anything that could be deemed as heretical. No matter how much would the Magisterium tried, there was nothing they'd find. What would they find in your last paper which was published under your colleague's name? 'The mating rituals of foxes in Sveden'? Which part of it could be even a bit heretical? Not being to publish your actual work under your name was the part that really sucked. Thanks to the Authority, Jonah (that was your colleague) was a good man, and each time people showed interest in said papers, he'd send them your way to discuss their thoughts with you.

Sighing, you pulled all of the papers to your body and listened to the continuous clicking again. It was rather odd to see you dressed in formal dress, wearing high heels with your hair tidied up and a bit of make-up on your face. Most of the scholars usually saw you wearing an old jacket, bright yellow wellies, along with a beanie in the same colour, combined with comfortable oversized jeans overall with a tactical bag lazily thrown over your shoulder. You liked it oversized since you could then dress appropriately to the weather under it - you could add leggings, warm sweatpants, sweaters, cosy sweatshirts, short-sleeved t-shirts… Whatever you pleased, really. Seeing you in formal clothes usually meant that you were about to present your newest research to Jonah and Master Carne.

This research was the conclusion of your one-year-long observation concerning the nesting rituals of nightingales. It was one of your favourites yet - this time, you settled near Devon, spending all of your time in the forest, silently watching birds while taking notes and drawing sketches. "It all might've been fun for you, Y/N." - A well-built coyote running alongside you said, turning its eyes to you as you both walked up to the second floor. Before Joy even got to the other part, you already knew what was coming; so you rolled your eyes. - "I had to lay without moving for hours. You know how much I hate that." - The coyote muttered, making you chuckle at her words.

"Don't be theatrical Joy, you had your fun as well. Let me remind you of how you ran down the stream playing with the fish you found in there." - At this, Joy growled unhappily - she knew you were right, but you had to admit that to a certain degree, she was right too. - "It's better than sitting in an office all day, come on now. Can you imagine being an indoor coyote?" "Not in a million years." - The daemon uttered, shaking its head. - "What would I do in an office? Fetching your papers? In my mouth?" "I think it would suit you." - Your whisper made the daemon bray silently, that was her form of laughter. Her amusement made you giggle too. "Screw you." - Joy muttered as you petted the top of her head, making her smile at you warmly.

You've spotted Master Carne from a whole hall away - Alicia was sitting on his shoulder proudly, overseeing the hall; the man himself was standing in front ornamented black door leading to the retiring room. Carne wasn't alone, though; he was talking to a very attractive brunette dressed in a blood-red pencil skirt and a jacket of the same colour while scholars flowed around them. As usual, he was already waiting for you... But you didn't expect her to be there. This woman was someone who you'd never wrapped your head around. She carried herself with grace and undeniable beauty, ambition, and intelligence shining inside her eyes, and yet, anything you'd look in her face, something was missing. And throughout the years of knowing her, you still weren't anywhere near deciphering what the missing component was. Maybe, just maybe, you missed any sign of actual human emotion - that was just the working theory you and Joy came up with, nonetheless. Her daemon was standing next to her, holding the hem of her skirt in its palm - it was a petite golden monkey. The gesture didn't feel loving; it felt right the opposite way if anything, repulsive to both parties. Joy exchanged a quick glance with you, letting you know she was thinking the exact same thing; you didn't like either of them. Something felt... Off.

This subtle feeling didn't change anything though; as soon as the Master noticed you, you sent a big bright smile his way and waved at him. Marisa, noticing as the man turned away from her, looked your way as well, sending you a small, gracious smile. Ah yes, nothing new, nothing changed, same old shit.

"Mrs Coulter, what a pleasure." - You uttered with a wide smile, offering her your pal which she shook, her grip appearing rather lukewarm. As soon as you shot your gaze to Carner, you knew that whatever the topic was, he was having a rather unpleasant conversation with Marisa and that he is very grateful for your early arrival. - "What lead you here all the way from London? I haven't seen you here in years... You're still looking as gorgeous as I remember you." "Oh, you're being too kind, Ms Y/L/N. You haven't aged a day." - The woman winked at you with a warm smirk, her blue eyes watching you intently. Dear, it all sounded so forced and fake. - "I was travelling through the area and I thought that visiting Jordan might be an enjoyable activity to fill my free afternoon. I was hoping that I'd have to chance to... Catch a glimpse of someone."

At that, you smiled knowingly as you nodded. Marisa didn't need to specify any further; the history between her and Jordan's 'Golden boy' (that's what you called the man) was a public secret. A very tragic and chilling public secret at that. Lord Asriel Belaqua, aka Golden boy as you and Joy dubbed him simply because he was very skilful with enormous amounts of money from the university funding simply by batting his eyes at the council, was... Quite someone, you had to admit. You've known him ever since you started co-publishing with Jonah and until that day, you didn't have a conclusive opinion when it came to him.

The man, however you wanted to approach him, was very good-looking; he was well-built and tall, often drawing attention with his fashionable outfit choices. Asriel was disposing of with a fairly pronounced nose, deep blue eyes sparking with everything he hadn't said out loud, and a pair of nicely shaped lips - his hair was neatly styled and beard trimmed each time you bumped into him. He was a dashing man, no denial about that. More so, he was aware of his physical appearance. And he was aware of said looks being a powerful tool - just like Marisa was when it came to her looks. And just like her, the man was very, almost frighteningly intelligent; more intelligent than anyone you'd ever met. You weren't shy of calling him a genius. He was often directive, and just like with Marisa, you've never really seen him displaying any deeper emotion. In his case, though, it appeared as if he preferred to be private - not fake. You've never spent much time around Asriel to conclude if you like him as a person. That could be explained easily; he was an experimental theologist while you worked in a different field entirely - but you caught a glimpse of him here and there.

However, the was an instance when you spent a significant amount of time around him way back when. It was shortly after you met Jonah who agreed to be your publishing partner; Asriel was looking for an assistant and you wanted to learn about preparing scientific papers to be published. And after acknowledging the significant amount of time you've spent inside his personal office, you still didn't know anything about Asriel. You were even helping with writing down his notes and knowledge, getting it ready for publishing; well, anything an assistant would do, essentially. At that period, you never bonded or got to know each other better. Sure, you talked, debated about his publication, and consulted it, but it always seemed... Polite and very artificial. Yet, there were moments when he felt... Almost human.

It was when you both worked late into the night, he usually sat at his desk and drank Tokay wine while you huddled up in a big plushy chair in front of the fireplace, reading through the papers and writing small memos all over them. In those moments, you'd catch yourself looking out of the window, watching the snow fall behind the closed windows. And as you turned your head around back to the papers in your lap, you'd catch a glimpse of the man looking at you; quickly diverting his attention back to the papers as soon as he saw you looking back at him. Usually, after catching him, you'd see a brief smile appearing on Asriel's lips; and sometimes it almost felt that there was something unsaid hanging in the air. The day you finally managed to put the publication together, named 'Of the time and space: A guide through basic experimental theology' was one of the last that you really spoke with Asriel. The man poured you a glass of wine to toast you, chatting with you about enjoyable nonsense. As you were leaving, Asriel turned his head in your direction, opening his mouth. With your palm on the doorknob, you stopped yourself to listen.

"I..." - Was all that he said, looking at you with the known glimpse in his eyes; there was more to be said and the man himself was clearly going through some kind of emotion since even Stelmaria stood up and looked at her human with confusion. For a moment, you both stood there, looking at each other - the words were on the tip of his tongue. And then... Asriel chuckled, ran his fingers through his hair, and pushed his palms into the pockets of his trousers in the end. - "I think you're ready to write your first publication, Ms Y/L/N." - The man said with a sincere smile, walking behind his desk. - "Hopefully, you've learned enough about preparing your own works for publishing. You're a smart woman." "I'm ready thanks to you, Lord Asriel. I can't possibly thank you enough for tutoring me." - You answered with a sweet smile and for the last time, the unknown glimpse had appeared in his eyes. And then... It was gone. Stelmaria laid down once more, closing her eyes. "I'll be eagerly awaiting your first publication. I'll see you around, Ms Y/L/N. And close the door on your way out."

That was who Asriel was to you. And the romance he and Marisa had... Well, as you said, it was a public secret. Everyone knew and everyone remembered and for a long time, Mrs Coulter had to live in the shadows, marked by her romance with Lord Asriel. It was a huge scandal back when it all broke out. You were still a student at St. Sophia's and Marisa was one of the front absolvents of your college. And then it came - the infamous 'did you hear about..?'. It was safe to say that the ordeal hadn’t ended well for either of them and on top of the enormous shame and oppression from her surroundings, it took her a long time to get her life back on track... And yet, through all of that, there she was, standing inside your workplace talking to the Master overseeing all of your publications, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who demolished her life and her reputation.

“Understood, Mrs Coulter. According to my understanding, though, the Magisterium is being well-informed about all of the observations and experiments that are being conducted on the Jordan college's grounds?” - You asked as you pulled your arm back to your body, hugging the body of papers ever so tightly. Marisa straightened herself up, a frown hovering over your face as she looked at you; she pushed her chin higher, bringing her eyebrows closer. She was trying to make sense of what you just said. - “My point is that Magisterium surely has an overview of all of our studies and knows that none of them can be found or flagged as heretical. Based on that point alone, you surely must’ve known that he hadn’t set foot on Jordan’s grounds in years.”

Marisa still watched you with a frown on her face, confusion still overtaking her. The woman chuckled unknowingly, shrugging her shoulders in reaction to your question. - “Who hadn’t set foot in Jordan in years? What are you talking about, Ms Y/L/N?” - Her question was said in a gentle tone, accompanied by a sweet, wide smile; but due to the light in her eyes, you knew that she was getting who was the person you were talking about. And as you glimpsed over to Carne, he understood your point perfectly.

“I assumed you wanted to see Lord As…” “Let's say that in this case, you certainly assumed wrong. No, Y/N you don’t understand how wrong you are. Asriel Belacqua is certainly not the person I’m talking about, Ms Y/L/N. Don’t be silly now. I do not wish to see nor talk to that man. It was someone else I was hoping to see.” - Marisa gritted through her teeth, staring right into your soul as if you said something absolutely lunatic, almost condemning. She didn’t say everything out loud, but the lingering message was clear ‘keep your mouth shut and start thinking about what you’re saying, stupid little girl'.

“Understood Mrs Coulter, please, excuse the disrespectful attitude. If you’d excuse us now, Master and I have a business we need to attend to.” “Actually…” - Marisa exclaimed with some sort of excitement appearing in her eyes. “What is that you’re working on, Ms Y/L/N? All the scholars I’ve spoken with today told me that Doctor Jonah is about to present a very interesting document to the council.” - The woman asked with seeming innocence but you’ve perfectly understood what she was trying to convey. She was jabbing away at the fact that you weren’t allowed to publish your own scientific works - it didn’t make much sense since she couldn’t publish her works either. It jabbed the wrong spot anyway, you had to say. With newfound confidence, you chuckled and pulled the body of paper away from your thorax, revealing the title of your work.

Marisa’s eyes read the title multiple times as if she couldn’t grasp it - while in your opinion, it was rather understandable. - “‘The nesting habits of Luscinia megarhynchos and other Aves Passerine in Brytain?’” - Marisa asked with confusion, looking right back at Master Carne. - "This woman is studying birds, animals and... Master, therefore there is no reason to..." "I am simply hearing out a request made by one of my most successful researchers, Mrs Coulter. There is nothing more to it." - Carne cut her off before she could've gotten to the point. Joy glanced at you quickly, sharing your curiosity; what was this about? "Master Carne, her field is fundamentally different from his, therefore I think I'm better suited and don't find it appropriate nor smart to..."

"That's enough, Mrs Coulter." - The man retorted, his eyes widening. This gesture made Marisa finally accept that their conversation is truly over. - "The university is truly grateful for your concern, but this is a matter of no interest to you; the matter is not tied to any sort of research, it revolves mainly around administration and editing. On top of that, I've heard you're holding a private party in London this weekend; therefore I assume you have duties you have to attend to, Mrs Coulter." "Well, well. That's correct Master Carne, as usual, you're right. I simply hoped I might be of use." - Saying that, Marisa offered you her palm once more. The monkey sitting at her feet finally let go of her pencil skirt and stood up straight, furrowing right at you. Whatever Marisa was thinking about, it wasn't too nice.

"It was very refreshing to meet you. We'll have to catch up properly, Y/N. As soon as you're back, send me a letter and we'll arrange an intimate tea party." - With confusion, you shot a gaze toward Carne and shook her palm. - "Right back at you, Marisa. It'll be an honour, I haven't been to London in years. Has it changed much?" "I don't think so. But if you'd feel like the cultural shock might be a bit much for you... Let me know and I'll travel here, to Oxford." - She said with an angelic grin, jabbing at yet another of the soft spots - at least what they assumed to be one. To be frank, it was just plain rude of her. Sure, you loved to spend most of your time outside of civilization and its rules, but you were still very much socialized and cultured. To be frank, you loved London. With that, Marisa said goodbye to Carne, turned on her heels, and strutted towards the staircase, disappearing between the flood of long black robes.

"Dear God in heaven." - You muttered as soon as Carne closed the door of the retiring room behind you. Not waiting for much more, you chose to pour a glass of whiskey to both you and Carne - Alicia, accompanied by Joy, resorted to the corner of the room to catch some rest. - "Anytime I see Coulter wandering these halls, I just feel so... Anxious, hoping she'd leave as fast as she appeared. That woman, she's never good news." "That might be true Y/N, but she's still a very respected explorer and researcher, let's not forget that. Even though I have to agree about her tendency to be bad news." - The Master chuckled, making you smile back at him; you two liked to joke around when the no-one could hear you. Carne was a good man, even hearing you out regarding your works - he could've easily let Jonah submit all of the discoveries, yet there you were, taken as a woman of science.

"She called me uncultured, Master, and in addition to that, according to her animal research is not enough of a respectable research field. Let me jab back at her, even though she can not hear me anymore. No harm in that. By the way, I'm pretty positive she was talking about Golden boy back there. What do you think?" "Golden boy?" - Carne looked at you from sipping his whiskey, letting you set all of the photograms into the projector. His expression was lit up by a disbelieving smile as he watched you casually waltz around the room in your high heels. - "Last time I heard this nickname, I asked you not to use it in my presence, Y/N. You've been a welcomed addition to our research team for long enough to show respect for your co-researchers... Let alone the man who tutored you regarding editing a scientific paper. Lord Asriel wouldn't be amused by the nickname you've given him."

"How can you know he wouldn't be amused by the nickname? You'd have to share it with him... Which I doubt you'd do, Master. Stop dodging the question now." - Finishing up the projector preparation, you straightened up and looked right into his face, holding the photo album between your fingers. "Mrs Coulter wasn't looking here for Lord Asriel because she is well aware of his expedition leading him into the Lapland wilderness, Y/N. But to be frank, he was the main reason behind her sudden visit. Let's forget about Mrs Coulter now while you present me your newest discoveries, shall we?" - For a second, you remained watching him, thinking about what he had just said. Lord Asriel was the main reason for her to come here all the way from London?

Back when you talked to her, you were being serious. Asriel hadn't been in Oxford for ages - the last time he came was two years ago, let alone that he left right the next weekend. Anyone had spoken of him recently and his last research still wasn't anywhere near its end. So, the question remaining was... Why was Asriel concerning her and what did you have in common with the whole ordeal? As soon as you started to show Carne all of the data and as soon as you started to describe your findings, Lord Asriel and Marisa had disappeared out of your mind - suddenly, there was not much more than nightingales inside your head. Surely, it could be seen that Carne's attention was not at its all-time high, but he sat through it and asked questions to further clarify the subject, reading the rest of your research papers. When you ended the presentation, you let the last photogram be projected onto the wall while you sat down, finishing your glass of whiskey.

Just like you expected, the presentation took thirty minutes - both Joy and Alicia were taking a nap in the corner of the room, Carne looked sleepy at best and you were glad that the formalities were finally over. All you had to do now was to give the manuscript to Jonah, inform him about your findings, and then... It was done. "I know people don't find this topic very... Interesting or life-changing." - You admitted as your eyes looked at the small brown bird projection. Letting out a long breath, you sipped on the alcohol before licking your lips, letting the aftertaste burn on the body part for a bit. - "But I think it's important, it's quite life-changing to me. To understand nature and ecosystems, to understand animals as well as their behavioural pattern to ensure that humanity isn't interfering with the wild and natural habitats too much. Because if we do... May God save us all. Can you imagine not waking up to birds singing? Or bees buzzing?"

"The college understands your reasoning, Y/N, that's why I personally vouch for most of your expeditions and research. I see why you care so much and I think it's very important to have people that care. And therefore, I have a research proposition for you... Help request might suit our situation better." - The Master answered calmly, letting you know that to him, your small obsession with nature isn't just some weird, off-beat childish whim. To Marisa, your field might've not been a valid scientific field, but to Carne it was. And that was what you needed to hear. The woman made you pretty nervous. At the back of your head, you always remembered that no matter what she tells you, or the Master, no one's opinion will change. Yet for some reason, her words cut like a knife even though you've only been an academic colleague of hers. Shaking Coulter out of your head, you looked back at Carne. - "Well, let's hear it. What is it you want me to look at? To study the cat population around Oxford since I've heard Alicia is rather fond of them?"

"No, she just really likes chasing them around the walls, that's all. Everyone has their quirks, am I right?" - Carne answered your joke, chuckling under his breath. - "What would you think if I'd offer you a fully funded, four months-lasting research of fauna on Svalbard?" "Hold on... Hold on. Research on Svalbard, funded by the college? Just to be clear Master, do you understand that we are talking about researching narwhals, arctic foxes, penguins, walruses, and... Even Panserbjørne by proxy?" - Slowly realizing what Carne had just said, you picked yourself up on your legs and walked around the room for a bit, covering your opened mouth with your palm. - "If anyone would ask for this kind of funding, they'd be turned down immediately - all the proprieties, clothes, food, a place to stay in... Let alone making a pact with the king regarding even speaking to the researcher. They are very secretive, bears I mean. Master, this is an offer that I can not turn down."

"That's also why I presented this offer first. The rest of the requests won't be as enjoyable. Let's start simply - have you heard of Thorold?" "I've met him once or twice, never spoke with him for too long though. He's an elderly man, very wise and very polite. He's also the servant of Lord Asriel, am I right?" - You asked back, finishing your glass while still standing in front of Carne. What had Thorold in common with this ordeal? That was at least five people that had been dragged into it by now. "Correct. Long story short, the poor man slipped on a one rather nasty stormy night and broke his leg, his left arm, and his right wrist, and therefore, he cannot stay in Svalbard to accompany Lord Asriel during his research. Thankfully, his unfortunate injuries came with the best possible timing - the research is concluded and the only request Lord Asriel has is help with editing and preparing the study to be presented. Which is something you are very good at, Y/N."

Of course, it came with a price, this expedition was too dreamy to be true on its own. Anyone would willingly pay for a four-month-long Svalbard expedition with a permit leading your right to the Panserbjørne king, notably since many scholars didn't quite identify with your desire to explore the animal kingdom. The council would cancel your request for such an expedition as soon as they'd see its heading written on an official document. On the other hand, working with Asriel didn't seem like such an ordeal upon comparing it with everything you'd get. Without a second thought, you'd agree to take care of all of the dirty jobs just so you could go to Svalbard.

"So that was why Marisa didn't quite agree with this request. Entire four months in the presence of local legend himself, huh?" - You asked with quiet laughter, pouring yourself and Master one more glass of the spirit. This whiskey, you had to admit, was very good. "You see, finding someone who'd be willing to work for Lord Asriel was... Hard." "That's why you bribe people with the most dreamy expeditions out there, you see, Master?" "You're the first one I'm asking to help Thorold out, but trust me, I'm sure there wouldn't be a single person who'd accept the job, no matter how much money would college offer them." - Carne said seriously, looking you right in the eyes. - "What you need to understand is the fact that Lord Asriel can be very difficult to collaborate with, Y/N. Especially when he's crazed with all of these ideas that might bring our college down to its knees."

"Wait, why are talking about Svalbard in the first place, Dr Carne? How could Thorold travel here from Svalbard - if Lord Asriel is supposedly conducting experiments in Lapland? We all know he's had an audience with the king. Why being so secretive about everything, then? Why did all of you say he's in Lapland? Is he studying something... Forbidden by the Magisterium?" - You asked back, intrigued by the slight sense of danger dripping out of the idea. "Yes, that's what most scholars think, at the present. What I thought as well until Thorold asked me in a private conversation, clearly in need of help. Ms Y/L/N..." - Carne sighed and looked away from you, using your last name; he only did that when the situation got dense. - "The research which Lord Asriel's conducting is risky at least, heretical at best. I need your help because you're one of the very few people in this college that I can put my full trust in. This is also the reason why I couldn't agree to Mrs Coulter's request to assist Lord Asriel. She thinks he's in Lapland too."

"And if she'd got to know..." - You sighed, realizing that this would mean a full-on raid by the Magisterium. The academic world was run by one very simple law - when there was an experiment conducted by the scholars of any college, it was always protected by the concept of Scholastic sanctuary. Any scholar or researcher had the right to be protected from the Magisterium, even when the research got a bit... Too on edge for Magisterium's liking. Hearing that Scholastic sanctuary, the most powerful research law in existence, might've been too short for whatever Asriel was researching in Svalbard was rather concerning.

For a moment, your breath shortened and you could feel Joy waking up in the room, trying to process the information alongside you. The research must've been a straightaway ticket to damnation, something Asriel would end on the stakes for, no problem. And the only explanation for such secretive procedures could be... "The fool is trying to study Dust, isn't he?" - You asked, looking right at Carne; by the look in his eyes, you knew that your guess is correct. Truth be told, you didn't know much about Dust, but you've heard the term a few times. Nobody wanted to talk about it and most scholars refused to acknowledge its existence out of pure fear, but even amongst them, there were a few brave ones who committed to researching it. Why were most people avoiding deeper conversations about Dust? That was simple too - Magisterium had deemed it as the Original Sin and therefore, there was no conversation to be held.

"If they get to know, they will raid the college without acknowledging Scholastic sanctuary. Doesn't Lord Asriel know this?" "Of course he has. Why do you think he's in Lapland?" - Carne snickered, letting you roll your eyes. - "And it's also why you'd be going to Lapland. We'd re-label your research after you'd get back, of course, but for the time being..." "You trust me a lot, am I right? Telling me about all of this... Master..." "I trust you because I know you're worthy of such trust, Y/N. "Be honest." - You said, looking him right in the eyes. - "Do you have any other option than me, Doctor?"

The expedition to Svalbard sounded too dreamy to be true. And it was because it was too dreamy to be true - for such an amount of money, you'd be risking your life. Dear God, if the Magisterium would discover your name on the documents right next to Asriel's, you'd be as good as dead. You'd probably disappear quick, without anyone noticing. And those who'd notice would not say a word. "I do not, Y/N, you're the only one I am not afraid to ask for help. And on top of that, Thorold asked for your presence specifically due to your previous experience in collaborating with Lord Asriel." "Fine then, Dr Carne, fine. I'll do it, but promise me you'd keep it utmost secret. No one ever will get to know I've helped Asriel other than responsible scholars, okay? I've never studied experimental theology simply because of my fear of the Magisterium. I'd be glad if it would remain a secret after I get back." "Thank you, Y/N, thank you..."

At that moment, a loud bang on the window made you jump and scream upon getting freaked out. Given the topic you've just discussed with Carne, you almost got a heart attack; if anyone would hear you two talking, you'd both be dragged to London by evening and killed by the morning. Yet as you looked up, you saw a pair of dark, almost black eyes watching you and the projected photogram of a bird behind you, the girl holding the windowsill in her palms as she peeped into the retirement room. With a smile, you risen your eyebrows and walked over to the room, opening it to get a good look at the small girl. Dear, hasn't she grown ever since you left for Devon? Her hair was now much longer it seemed, and her facial features were much sharper and more profound - she was now almost twelve years old if you remembered correctly. And, just as you expected, there was also a dark-haired, blue-eyed boy kneeling right next to her. Lyra and Roger. What a surprise.

"Why am I not surprised to see you two mischievous individuals peeping into the room, huh?" - At that, both kids laughed and hugged your waist, holding you close. You've grown to like this odd pair; both of them were orphaned at a very early age and they always used to run through Oxford's halls and bring life to that sad place, simply by laughing and cheering upon the simplest things imaginable. Their free spirits were what made your mood much better at times. "Lyra? Roger? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in your classes? Both of you?" - Master Carne asked, now being his usual self; the leader of Jordan at his best.

"I was hoping to see my uncle, Dr Carne. Scholars were saying that one of the researchers is finally back, so we went to see for ourselves." "That does not excuse you, Lyra. Get in, both of you, I'll make personally sure that you'll be at your school desks immediately. Me and Ms Y/L/N are done here anyway." - Carne said, furrowing at both of the kids. - "But if you'll be good until evening and after Roger finishes his tasks, you can ask Ms Y/L/N to show you some of the pictograms she took on her latest research. For some reason, I think you'd both really like them."

They would, you thought to yourself as you watched the children leaving with a saddened smile lingering upon your face as you started thinking about the Svalbard expedition once more, they definitely would. Because these kids are free as the birds. And if Asriel manages to make a breakthrough, we might all be free one day.

#lord asriel #asriel belaqua #asriel belaqua x fem!reader #lord asriel x fem!reader #his dark materials imagine #hdm imagine #his dark materials hbo #his dark materials (2019 2022)

[rareimagine]

lord asriel headcanons coming soon!!!

#his dark materials #hdm spoilers #lord asriel #hdm #lord asriel imagine #lord asriel x reader

[mcavoy-mayhem]

James McAvoy + Smoking (2/2)

#james mcavoy #bill denbrough #charles xavier #james mcavoy x reader #atonement #split movie #lord asriel #bill denbrough x reader #bill denbrough x you #charles xavier x reader

[companionjones]

Attraction

Pairing: Professor!Lord Asriel x CollegeStudent!Reader

Fandom: His Dark Materials

Summary: You and Asriel have always been at odds during class until one day when that all changes. After that, you and Asriel are going to need some help... Who could possibly supply that?

Warnings: None that I can think of!

Author’s Note: Asriel’s full name in this is Asriel Lord. I switched it so his professor name would make more sense. Also, the reader in this story is completely of age and consenting. One more thing: There is a reference to my favorite TV couple of all time in this. Can you find it? *clears throat* My icon is a hint. *wink*

*******

    “Gravity: all around us, yet nowhere to be seen. It was first discovered when Sir Isaac Newton saw an apple fall from an orchard directly to the ground. He wondered why the apple had to fall in that direction, not sideways or upward. Professor Lord paced the front of the room, lecturing his class on the scientific principle. “What year did Sir Isaac Newton publish his first findings on the Theory of Gravity?”

    Nearly every hand in the hall went up, and Asriel Lord called the name of a boy toward the front. The boy shyly answered, “1867, Professor.”

    With the question answered, all hands went down. All but one.

    Professor Lord went on, “Well done. Now--yes?”

    “You know, you’d forget this is a Chemistry class with how much you talk about history.”

    Tension shot through the lecture hall like a junkie shooting up heroine.

    You don’t mind. You were staring down Professor Lord with a taunting smirk on your lips.

    His nostrils flared. “Right. Perhaps you should recite the dictionary definition of gravity for the class so that we can go back to our scientific roots.”

    Standing up, you perfectly pronounced, “The force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass.”

    Asriel Lord’s glare at you could’ve melted your head as he ground out, “Correct.”

    Fifteen minutes later, class was over. You gathered your stuff and headed for the door. You didn’t get to leave, however, because Professor Lord called you back.

    He growled as you sauntered up to his desk, “I would greatly appreciate it if you would stop...causing a spectacle in the middle of class.”

    “Oh, you mean making you look like an idiot? No, I think I’ll keep doing that,” you confirmed teasingly.

    Professor Asriel abruptly got up from his chair and rounded his desk while nearly shouting, “Listen here, you continue with this horseplay, and I will see to it that you are expelled from this school.”

    “Maybe that wouldn’t be the worst thing. I would look forward to not sitting through your rambling lectures every day of the week.”

    The following two seconds would be a point of argument between you and Asriel for the rest of your lives. From your point of view, you saw Asriel eye you up and down before leaning forward and capturing your lips with his. He started it, and that was all that mattered to you. Who cares if you took him up on his offer?

    The kiss lasted roughly seven seconds. They were the most passion-filled seven seconds of your life to date. Asriel had one arm on the small of your back and the other tangled in your hair. You yourself settled your hands around his shoulders and neck. A sneaking suspicion of yours told you that Asriel would’ve lifted you to sit on his desk had you not put a stop to the embrace.

    “What was that?” you questioned in an out-of-breath whisper.

    Asriel seemed like he was going to say something, but then he took a step away from you to straighten his tie. “A one time thing,” he confirmed in his usual, authoritative voice. He wouldn’t look at you.

    “Right...” You kept your face as neutral as you could as you turned from him and left the room. You also used all the subtlety you had to wipe a tear off your face while you were facing away from him.

    No words were exchanged between you and your professor for three weeks. You kept your mouth shut during his lectures, and he didn’t glance at you once as he spoke.

    You tried to forget about him. You forced yourself not to think about him every time you exited his class, but it was futile because there he was, right in front of you the next day. You told yourself you were better than him, smarter than him. But you were starting to realize the lengthy tangents you used to hate in his lectures were suddenly endearing. Your college career was quickly becoming your personal hell.

    One day, you wound up falling asleep in the library because you couldn’t focus on your work because you couldn’t quit thinking of his stupid, deep, thoughtful, lovely eyes. You were walking the empty hallways when you came across a little girl.

    “Uh, hello,” you tried at a greeting.

    She smiled, “Hi.”

    “I’m Y/n.”

    “Lyra.”

    “Are...are you lost?” You glanced around the hallway. Maybe you missed a parent?

    She nodded. “I’m looking for my father. Perhaps you know him? Professor Lord?”

    “...Of course you are,” you mumbled more to yourself than her. “Yeah, I know where he is. Follow me.”

    The two of you were actually pretty far away from his class. On your way, you ended up having some good conversation with Lyra. She was an extremely clever girl, but she was also very kind and sweet. You wondered how such a polite person could come from a man as heartless as Asriel.

    Upon reaching Asriel’s classroom, you knocked on the door frame. “Hey, Professor. Someone’s here to see you.”

    Asriel was startled by your presence. For a moment, it looked as if he wanted to say something important to you, but then he saw his daughter. You brushed off what you saw as your hopeful imagination.

    “Lyra, what on Earth are you doing here?” he asked his child as she ran to him. He picked her up and she sat on his lap.

    She answered simply, “I wanted to see you.”

    Asriel seemed a little exasperated. “So you call. You cannot keep doing this to Mr. Scoresby. I pay him to look after you.”

    “I called you three times, Dad. You didn’t answer. I got worried,” Lyra seemed concerned for some reason that she would never see her father again.

    Asriel sighed in understanding. “I’m sorry. I must’ve had my phone off--”

    “Uh, if it’s all the same to you, I think I’m going to go,” you cut in awkwardly. You didn’t know why you had stayed as long as you did. You turned on your heel and left.

    However, you had only made a few steps down the hallway when Asriel exited from his classroom as well. “Wait.”

    You did just as he said.

    Asriel must’ve been thrown off by you listening to him for once because he took a few moments to speak again. “...Er, here. Take this.” He took out his wallet and attempted to give you money.

    “No,” you refused. There wasn’t any malice in your voice.

    He tried to argue, “From what my daughter has told me, you walked halfway across campus.”

    “It was no trouble,” you refused again. You noticed that you still didn’t have him convinced. “Really,” you pushed, “She’s your kid, and she seemed upset in there. I don’t mind.”

    Things went quiet. You feared what you would do if you looked into his eyes any longer. You turned your gaze to the ground.

    Asriel admitted, “Her mother left us a few years ago. Lyra gets scared I’ll do the same, even though that’s an impossible thing. Lyra isn’t the only one affected by her mother leaving. I’m afraid I’ve grown cold and sharp.”

    You remained silent and waited for him to go on.

    He did. “...I apologize if I hurt you. I would hate to do that. It’s just I haven’t started anything since Lyra’s mother, and--”

    Looking at him again, you interrupted Asriel for the second time that day. “Do you want to be with me?”

    His eyes held a thousand emotions as he answered with all the sincerity in the world, “Yes.”

    Slowly, you stepped forward so you could reach his lips. You kissed him again.

    Asriel didn’t waste any time. He showed how much he missed you when he grabbed your hips and took control of the kiss.

    “Whoa! You two are in public!”

    You nearly pushed Asriel off his feet in your surprise to Lyra entering the hallway.

*******

Author’s Note: Thank you so much for reading! Fill up that heart and reblog if you liked it. I would also really appreciate a comment, if you have the time. If you would like to read more, I have more stories over on my page. You should check it out. Also, REQUESTS ARE OPEN. I take requests for preferences, headcannons, drabbles, and one-shots. No smut requests, please. If you’re wondering if I write for a specific fandom, feel free to ask me. Have a nice day, night, or whatever time it is for you! <3 <3 <3

#his dark materials #his dark materials x reader #lord asriel #lord asriel x reader #james mcavoy #attraction #companion jones #to prepare for this i went back and watched clips from the show and gahh i love lee scoresby

[thelonecritic]

Why Lyra is a compelling child protagonist.

[SPOILERISH]

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about HDM is Marisa, mainly due to her complexity as a character and how well fleshed out her arc is. In comparison, Lyra on the surface is a fairly simple character with clear-cut goals. Season 1 - find Roger. Season 2 - make Roger’s death meaningful to rid guilt. Not nearly as intriguing at first compared to a typical protagonist who needs to kill X antagonist for a multitude of moral reasons. Lyra’s simplistic outlook, which is quite black and white, means that she is driven by the plot more so than her character development driving the plot. Things occur around her and she must suffer the consequences, yes oftentimes she’s able to do monumental things like saving the children at Bolvangar or tricking a bear. But these were never her primary objectives but all spawn as ad hoc aims. To be frank, Lyra had no objectives in life until Roger was kidnapped as you would expect of a young child. 

So the question is why should the audience/reader care about a character who seemingly is being pushed along by the plot to a certain end point?

And this question answers itself.

It’s Lyra’s lack of choice in the things that occur around her that makes her vital to the plot and overarching theme of HDM. Lyra is the embodiment of fatalism. The mere fact that she finds herself searching for a purpose at such a tender age when purpose should be the least of her worries compounded by everyone else knowing her fate and choosing not to tell her in hope of the greater good demonstrates who - or better yet - what the true antagonist of HDM is. And at first it seems to be almost everyone, Mrs Coulter, Lord Asriel, Carlo Boreal, The Magisterium. All these adults that commit acts that have a direct effect on Lyra’s life and yet she has no say in it and must plod on towards her unknown aim. But the true antagonist takes no human form; it is the concept of destiny itself. Then it becomes clear that Lyra’s war with destiny began at her conception, her greatest antagonist was introduced to the story simultaneously with her birth as with her entry into this world she was already fated to destroy destiny. For such a complex theme to work, where Lyra’s final antagonist is demonstrated through different characters throughout the series until the climax, Lyra herself must be a simple character or it would all be too much. If Lyra had been grappling with the grave fate of her life from episode 1 and was told (as many young protagonists are) that “you are special” and “you must do this” then the whole point of the story would fall flat. Lyra would know and would have a choice, she could hypothetically at that point say no and off herself and that would be that. It is the dawning realisation throughout the series that this is all bigger than her, that how did an ‘orphaned’ child from a dusty old college find herself worlds away in the land of the dead that makes Lyra’s basic characterisation perfect. She’s like a clean slate learning the horrifying nature of destiny first hand and being given reason with each tragedy she overcomes to seek her final, true antagonist. You see a child grow as she becomes aware of the world(s) and its complexity and though it may be frustrating at times for the audience/reader to be saddled along with a girl who won’t at times quit saying Dust, seeing her grow as she continually falls prey to her fate to quite poetically in the end fulfill it and overcome it at once is what makes Lyra a very compelling child protagonist.

#given Lyra the light of day for once #lyra belacqua #lyra silvertongue #his dark materials #hdm #hdm meta #my thoughts #the golden compass #the subtle knife #the amber spyglass #hdm bbc #hdm spoilers #character arcs #protagonist #fate #destiny #phillip pullman #hdm season 1 #hdm season 2 #hdm season 3