#Olivia Cunning

[dargeereads]

Sinners at the Altar by Olivia Cunning

 4 stars

I was a little bummed this didn’t have a story with Trey, Reagan, and Ethan. I skimmed Brian and Myrna’s story, mostly because it was nothing new, and we already had the story of their marriage. I did really enjoy Seb and Jessica and Eric and Rebecca’s wedding stories. A bit of a repeat of things they already worked out in their stories, but not too bad. Aggie and Jace’s story, much like their original story, was the winner of this quartet, no question. It had a bit of the paranormal, I know, completely unexpected, but an integral part of them getting their marriage and continuing on with their HEA <3

#Olivia Cunning #Sinners at the Altar #Sinners on Tour #rockstar romance #TBR reads #series binge #am reading #reader #romance #romance books #bibliophile #book love #book blogger #audiobook #Scribd #read romance #romance reader

[demifiendrsa]

Dune: Prophecy | Official Teaser | Max

The Dune prequel series, Dune: Prophecy, will premiere on Max in Fall 2024.

#Dune: Prophecy #Dune #Emily Watson #Olivia Williams #Jodhi May #Sarah-Sofie Boussnina #Shalom Brune-Franklin #Faoileann Cunningham #Aoife Hinds #Travis Fimmel #Mark Strong #Jade Anouka #Cunning Hand #Annabelita Films #Legendary Television #Max #television #live action #live action television

[milliondollarbaby87]

Marry Me (2023) Review

Music superstars Kat Valdez and Bastian are due to get married before a global audience but moments before this was due to happen she finds out he had been cheating on her so marries a random person in the audience who just happened to be Charlie Gilber who was a a Maths teacher. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Continue reading Untitled

View On WordPress

#2023 #Brady Noon #Chloe Coleman #Comedy #Diego Lucano #Harper Dill #Jennifer Lopez #Jimmy Fallon #John Bradley #John Rogers #Kat Coiro #Kat Cunning #Maluma #Marry Me #Michelle Buteau #Music #Olivia Chun #Owen Wilson #Review #Rom-Com #Romance #Romantic Comedy #Ryan Foust #Sarah Silverman #Scarlett Earls #Tami Sagher #Tristan-Lee Edwards

[7s3ven]

… [ MASTER LIST ] ༊*·˚

↓

who i write for ,

Harry Potter - Slytherin gang (fancast too), Golden trio, Tom Riddle, Cedric Diggory

Hunger Games - Cato Hadley + The Careers, President Snow, Peeta, Finnick O'dair

Maze Runner - Minho, Thomas

Percy Jackson - Luke Castellan (<3), Percy Jackson, Clarisse La Rue, Stoll brothers

Miscellaneous - Gilbert Blythe (AWAE), Tristan Dugray (Gilmore Girls)

HARRY POTTER…

- Tom Riddle

OBSESSION

IN WHICH… Tom Riddle is partnered with a Gryffindor for potions. He expects them to crush every assignment sent their way, but what he doesn’t expect is him falling in love.

- Theodore Nott : most popular !!

ONE CUP OF COFFEE

IN WHICH… Theodore Nott can’t stand the idea of actually falling in love but he finds himself questioning his choices after a rather comforting conversation with a Hufflepuff.

- Christmas specials featuring,

Tom Riddle,

LAST CHRISTMAS

IN WHICH… Tom can’t fall in love, he shouldn’t fall in love. So why does he love Y/N L/N with her yellow robes, doe eyes, and her obsession with snow so much that he’d kill anyone in his path to get to her?

( last christmas - wham! )

Harry Potter,

BUY ME PRESENTS

IN WHICH… Y/N L/N’s situationship, Matteo Riddle, isn’t the best boyfriend material and when he forgets to buy her a Christmas present, she finally breaks it off. Luckily, she knows someone who’ll do everything Matteo didn’t.

( buy me presents - sabrina carpenter )

Oliver Wood,

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

IN WHICH… Nothing would make Oliver Wood happier than getting a new broom as his Christmas present. That, or Y/N Malfoy finally noticing him. When the two collide at Hogsmeade, Oliver is overjoyed. Perhaps this Christmas, he’ll get two gifts.

( all i want 4 christmas is u - mariah carey )

Cedric Diggory,

CINDY LOU WHO

IN WHICH… Y/N L/N helps her crush and longtime best friend, Cedric Diggory, get with another girl. Deep down, she knows she’ll never be the bright and bubbly girl Cedric wants. She’ll always be the cunning snake with a knack for starting fights.

( cindy lou who - sabrina carpenter )

Draco Malfoy,

SANTA, TELL ME

IN WHICH… Draco Malfoy no longer enjoys Christmas, especially not when he has to stay at Hogwarts while all his friends are gone. But a certain bright-eyed Hufflepuff is glad to keep him company.

( santa, tell me - ariana grande )

Theodore Nott,

THE IDEA OF US

IN WHICH… the saddest thing in a relationship is knowing you met the wrong person at the wrong time yet you still can’t let them go.

˗ˏˋ ´ˎ˗

HUNGER GAMES…

- Cato Hadley

LACY

IN WHICH… Clove Kentwell can’t help but compare herself to Cato’s ex. They may have dated a year ago, but she sees the way he still looks at her.

( lacy - olivia rodrigo )

JEALOUS GIRL

IN WHICH… Y/N L/N grows jealous over Cato and Glimmer’s new bond yet denies any sign of anger despite it being obvious (part of a book)

( jealous girl - lana del rey )

DANCING WITH YOUR GHOST

IN WHICH… Cato Hadley and Y/N L/N accept there can only be one winner. The Capitol watches as one falls and the other leaves the arena with a furious heart, not quite moving on.

˗ˏˋ ´ˎ˗

MAZE RUNNER…

- Minho

IF WE GO DOWN, WE GO DOWN TOGETHER

IN WHICH… Minho firmly believes in the saying ‘if we go down, then we go down together’ especially when his long-time crush, and best friend, gets stuck in the maze.

( paris - the chainsmokers )

˗ˏˋ ´ˎ˗

PERCY JACKSON…

- Luke Castellan

NOBODY’S SON, NOBODY’S DAUGHTER

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4

IN WHICH… Y/N L/N, after spending a decade at Camp Half-Blood, still remains unclaimed. Luckily, Luke is there to keep her company as her good friend. And to, perhaps, provide a bit more.

( chemtrails over the country club - lana del rey )

HELL-FIRE

part 1 / part 2 (in progress)

HELL-FIRE SPIN OFF

IN WHICH… Y/N doesn’t want to admit it, but perhaps she and the mischievous son of Hermes have more in common than she originally thought.

( hellfire - the hunchback of notre dame )

POPULAR

IN WHICH… Y/N is tired of being bullied her whole life so she makes a deal with Luke. As long as she does his bidding, he’ll make her popular.

( popular - the weeknd )

THE GRUDGE

IN WHICH… Y/N L/N can’t forgive Luke for his crimes despite loving him more than she loves herself.

( the grudge - olivia rodrigo ) UR MY LOVER

IN WHICH... Camp Half-Blood has its very own band to entertain themselves. Most of the campers aren’t sure where they get their electricity for their instruments but one thing they are certain about is that the substitute lead singer and lead guitarist definitely have a thing for each other.

( lover - taylor swift + shawn mendes ) POISON & TOXIN

IN WHICH... Luke commits the unthinkable and Y/N no longer wants any part in his life. Unfortunately for her, Luke isn’t ready to let her go.

( mad woman - taylor swift ) DRIVING LESSONS

IN WHICH… Luke attempts to teach Percy how to drive and, in the process, almost crashes into Luke’s long time crush. But maybe he can spin it in his favor.

MY LOVE

IN WHICH… the half-blood campers live in a world where everybody is granted a soulmate. Everybody but the favoured child of Aphrodite, who was always destined to live a life without true love.

( my love, mine, all mine - mitski )

EVERY1 WANTS HIM

IN WHICH… Y/N L/N realizes she didn’t the only girl hopelessly in love with Luke. And when she finally lets him go, that’s when he decides to reciprocate her precious feelings.

( slut! - taylor swift )

PEN PALS - trailer

pt 1 / pt 2 / pt 3

ATHENA'S GIRL - trailer

part 1 / part 2 / part 3

( warrior of the mind )

- Connor Stoll

UNBEARABLE

#minho tmr x reader #hunger games x reader #x reader #masterlist #percy jackson fanfiction #percy jackson series #percy jackson x reader #percy jackon and the olympians #luke castellan pjo #cato hunger games #marvel hunger games #thg series #president snow

[imtryingbuck]

Prologue

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x OFC!Theo

Summary: Bucky has to marry a woman who surprises him more and more as their story goes along.

Word count: 726

Warnings: angst? forced marriage. Bucky's dads the worst.

Masterlist   Series Masterlist

Of course Bucky has thought about marriage, dreamt about coming home after a long day at work to his wife cooking dinner or happily playing with the kids, slow dancing with her throughout the house whilst the children are tucked in bed. Sharing his dreams, fears, stories and life with his other half, a wife who he can spoil with gifts and love.

A wife he can hold during the night.

Another dream he's always had, having children, he's not picky about the gender (not like he can control it) as long as they are healthy, and he's happy to have as many as his wife wants.

So yes Bucky has thought about marriage.

The dream of having a wife will be coming true sooner than he anticipated however being forced to marry a complete stranger is something he's very against, all he's ever wanted was to marry for love.

He's furious and feels betrayed by his father who just told him he has to marry one of the daughters of another mafia boss, that in marrying her it will secure an alliance.

Michael Murdock who's notoriously known for being ruthless and cunning. A man who happily gets his hands bloody, a man who rules his empire with an iron fist. From what Bucky knows of the man's family is that he has a wife Eliza and from what he's heard is that she's just as bad as her husband. They have two sons Brandon and Matt, and four daughters Carla, Olivia, Marie and Lucy.

Then there's Theodora, the daughter that he had with a mistress who died after the baby was born. However no one has ever seen her or even heard about her, most people think she's a myth. A story that gossipers had made up to keep people entertained.

The thought of being married to one of Michaels daughters made him feel physically sick. He had seen photos of them in magazines or on the internet of their latest trip to the plastic surgeon, or of their lifestyles.

Don't get him wrong he lives a lavish life but has never once flaunted it and he likes his women more natural.

The idea of being married into the Murdock family and having Michael as his father in law makes his skin crawl despite his father telling him that he'd always be protected.

Reluctantly getting into the car, muttering under his breath as he goes.

"James you need this, you've taken over the business now and you need a wife by your side. Stop acting like a child" his father George speaks from the other side of the Range Rover.

"I don't know her. She's not even going to want this."

"It doesn't matter what she wants son, you are the man of this marriage. Marry her, keep her wallet full, and have your mistresses and if she steps out of line just smack her back into place" he chuckles as he continues to text on his phone.

Instead of responding Bucky pushes himself further into the leather seat.

As the car pulls up to a huge manor that sits behind large steel fences, the double gates have an 'M' on each sides. Bucky notices that there are many high branded, expensive cars all lined neatly on the grey stone gravel. There's a marbled fountain in the middle that had neatly placed flowers circling around it.

The last time Bucky was nervous was when he was nineteen, it was he first official meeting he was holding on his own. No matter what situation he found himself in he was always calm and confident, but still sitting inside the warm, matte black Range Rover he's doing everything in his power not to be sick.

"Dad is this really necessary?" He tries, he knows it himself that it's pointless but he's still going to try.

"I swear you should have been born a girl with how much you bitch and moan."

"But dad this is my lif-"

"Stop crying it's your wedding day" George smiles sarcastically as the car comes to a stop in front of the many steps.

Bucky, his father and bodyguards are lead up the steps and into the high ceiling hallway, their greeted by Michael, who's standing there with a large grin on his aging face.

"Welcome to my home and family".

Next>

Tags: @sapphirebarnes

#marvel #bucky barnes #Bucky x OC female #Bucky x oc #Bucky Barnes fluff #Bucky x ofc #Bucky Barnes angst #Bucky fluff #Till Death Do Us Part #Bucky ofc series #Bucky Barnes mafia au #Bucky series #Bucky Barnes x angst #Bucky angst #Bucky Barnes x fluff #Bucky Barnes ofc #Bucky Barnes series #tw rape #tw child abuse #bucky female original character

[kennysflowers]

girl i’ve always been (roy harper x batsis!reader)

this is my first fic!!!! AHHH!!!!!!!! vv nervous posting this rn 🤞 it’s based off olivia rodrigo’s song ‘girl i’ve always been’ which i was listening to while writing… hope u enjoy! 🫶

warnings: toxic relationship, reader is rude, sex mention, pretty sure that’s all

roy didn’t know what it was about you that had him as infatuated as he was.

was it your face? yes. your intellect and superb intuition? also yes. maybe it was the sex?? definitely yes. god, he’s not that shallow is he?

maybe it was your bitter and cold personality. your hurtful comebacks during arguments, or even minor disagreements. or it could be all the times he’s woken up to an empty bed after a night spent with you.

as much as he’d like to say it’s not the latter — he loves it and you know that, of course. the back and forth, the fights that last anywhere from an hour to several months. hell, he even loves your sharp words, but only because they’re coming from your beautiful mouth.

you knew you weren’t the nicest person, actually pretty much everybody knows that. i mean, your cunning remarks and bitterness are what have gotten you this far, after all. to be fair, you’ve admitted to being sly and rude many times before. sooo maybe its his fault..?

of course you’re working on it tho (as you have been for years), he knows this. he keeps this in mind as you try to get the last word in, slamming his door immediately after. it’s times like those where he feels he doesn’t know you anymore. where he feels the need to ask who’ve you become.

but when it was good, it was really good. late nights and early mornings spent with you might be worth all the trouble.

even though you were a bit of a bitch, you knew how to love. you knew exactly what to say and when to say it. you’re affectionate and loving and sweet and caring and god, he’ll never feel anything like it ever again.

and that’s why he feels the need to keep trying to make it work with you. why he’ll always try to make it work.

i am open to (kind) constructive criticism! let me know how i can improve my writing 😁 also would like to note that my writing will probably never line up with the actual dc timeline!! bc i’m awesome and sexy and make my own rules ok bye

#roy harper #roy harper x reader #roy harper x you #roy harper fanfic #screaming and crying why is posting so god damn scary #dc #dc fanfic #roy harper x f!reader #not sure what else to tag this as hmmm #divider: cafekitsune #batsis #batsis fanfic #roy harper x batsis #ok leaving now

[velvet-brain]

bad idea right?

Yae Miko x Reader

You were out in a bar with your friends until you received a text from a person you hadn't thought of in months. Yes, she’s your ex, but can’t two people reconnect?

Tw: alcohol, exes, implied sex.

---

Hello! This one was inspired by the song of the same name by Olivia Rodigo. Give it a listen, it's great.

The mood was light and fresh as you raised your glass to a cheer.

“For us!” Lumine said followed along by the clink of your glasses. You were out with your friends drinking yourselves under the table in celebration for surviving another grueling day of work.

You watched your friends with a warm smile as they messed around the table, Lumine holding her brother in a chokehold as she downed her drink, Sara going on another rant about how great their boss, Ei, is to a half conscious amber. You couldn’t help the warm bubbles of laughter that came out of you, you wouldn't ask for a better group even if they were all a little weird.

Bzzzt—

Then your phone buzzed. Odd, who’d message you at this hour? All the main culprits were with you right now so you hoped it wouldn't be work.

You look at your phone screen and raise an eyebrow, an unknown number? You would have passed it on as spam if it wasn’t for the actual content of the text.

‘Hi Darling~’

Huh. A wrong number situation? maybe someone thought you were their partner or maybe someone managed to give your number to an unwanted flirt.

‘I know what you’re probably thinking right now but don’t go blocking me just yet! I just changed my phone recently so you won’t recognize it.’

You dropped your head on your hand with a lazy smile as you watched what this mystery messenger had to say, maybe it might be someone you know and if not then it would make a fun story.

‘So here is a picture to refresh your mind~’

Ding!

Ah.

The moment the image came through all the booze that had clouded your mind completely disappeared.

Long soft pink hair, eye-catching golden accessories, soft fair skin, plump and teasing red lips pulled into a smirk and sharp purple eyes that threatened to swallow you whole.

You could never forget her.

‘It’s Miko!’

Your ex.

Lumine is the one that notices first.

“Y/N, what’s wrong?” Dammit, the siblings have always been really perceptive.

“Uh, n-nothing!” You try to stuff your phone into your pockets but somehow Sara swipes it out of your hand much faster than a drunk person should and stares at the picture with intensity.

“Who is this?” Sara was actually a new addition to the group so she wouldn't know much of your own romantic life, actually the only ones that would are…

“YAE MIKO!?” Lumine screamed the moment she saw the sly woman’s face, while you could only cover your face with your hands. The twins are your oldest friends so they know about her.

“Why is that fox texting you!? What does she want!?” Lumine immediately enters protective mode at the mere sight of her.

“I don’t know…” You drag your hands down your face. “She just suddenly started messaging with a new number.”

“Ooooh, she’s preeeettyy!” Amber coos which stuns Lumine.

“No! Amber, don't fall for her face!” Lumine pulls her girlfriend back. “She’s a sly and cunning liar who will tear you apart!”

“I think I’m missing something here.” Sara states.

“Yae Miko was Y/N’s girlfriend through almost all of university, prettiest girl in school, super popular and came from a rich family. She basically had it all.” Aether explained as he took a sip from his glass while Sara nodded along.

“But in our final year that woman left after her family got an opportunity to branch out in Inazuma, she dropped our beloved Y/N like an old rag in seconds and disappeared without even a goodbye!” Lumine ranted as if somehow she had been the one who got dumped.

You sank into your seat as you recalled that day. It was a completely normal day so you didn’t expect anything of what happened.

First Miko completely disappears from campus, she doesn’t answer any of your texts or calls and only when you were about to fall asleep did she send you a single message.

‘We’re done.’

The last thing you heard of her for months. You spent the last few months of university like a zombie and only recently started getting back on your feet so this sudden message is a real gut punch to you.

You carefully take your phone back from Sara and stuff it back in your pocket as you force yourself to smile. “It’s no big deal, I don’t know what she wants and I don’t care to find out, so if you’ll excuse me I need the bathroom.”

You walked through the busy bar between drunk people and rowdy tables until you reached the, thankfully, empty bathroom and slumped over the sinks. Your reflection in the mirror didn’t look any better than how you felt and you couldn’t help but let out a sigh, of course something would happen to ruin the mood.

Bzzzt—

You groan once more as you feel your phone vibrate once more and reluctantly pull out your phone, planning to black her number to get it over with.

‘Aww, leaving me on read is so mean! Has my little Y/N entered their rebellious stage?’

Even through text you could hear the teasing tone she always had when trying to fluster you and you hate how it’s working!!

You glare at the red faced reflection on the mirror, you shouldn’t feel like this to your ex! She left you! Just block her!

‘Or maybe you need more proof?’

Ding!

Ah.

Your brain turns to mush at the new image, your thoughts turning into a mess as your face heats up even more.

It’s a selfie of her laying on her bed, a loose black shirt that hugged her in the right places and raised just high enough to let you see her slim tummy and just tantalizing enough to leave whatever was lower to your wild imagination and her wide hips hugged nicelly by a pair of gray shorts that stuck to her figure.

God that is so unfair and she knows it!!

‘Well, I’ll be waiting my little treasure~’

She even dares to use the nickname she had for you before sending you her new address, only a few minutes from here.

You push away your phone and use the sink to splash some water onto your face to try and fail to erase the raging blush on your face.

If it was anyone else you would laugh at their attempts but this is Yae Miko you’re talking about. Seeing her tonight would be a bad idea.

But your brain has already started to go over the moment you spent together. The monet at school where you would sit together and chat as you waited for class to start. The little dates after school to small restaurants or even just for coffee where she would hold your hand, her delicate and perfectly manicured fingers interlaced with yours.

Seeing her tonight would be a bad idea.

The nights you would spend together either talking to each other or just enjoying the other's presence until the sun rose. The way she would rest her head on your shoulder, humming out a tune on the bus ride to school.

Seeing her tonight would be a bad idea…

The way her hands would touch you so softly as if you were something precious or holy and she’d call you her treasure. The intimate and soft smiles that she would save only for you.

Seeing her tonight would be a bad idea… right?

You glance again at your phone…

…

You walk out of the bathroom and back to your table. “Well, I think I am done for the night, so I’ll be going to sleep now.” Lumine booed but couldn’t do much with a sleeping Amber on her shoulder.

You leave your part of the bill on the table and go for the door.

“You’re not planning to go meet her, are you?” You stop at Aether’s voice,worried that he might have figured you out. This guy can be really dense in most big situations but annoyingly perceptive to the smallest things.

“N-no?” Oh you blew it! Why did you say it as a question!!

Aether stares at you for a few seconds before he hiccups and his face turns slightly red, the alcohol taking over once more. “Alright, good night Y/N.”

You let out a sigh of relief as you leave the bar and wave a taxi, you think about it for a second before giving him the directions that Miko gave you.

It’s fine, it’s fine. You are just going to… talk! Yeah, talk. You are just going to reconnect, maybe be friends…

God what a bad lie…

And suddenly, even in the dark of the night, you spot her.

The same pink hair, black shirt and shorts that she had in the picture she sent you. And she’s nervous.

After such a long time you still have her mannerisms memorized. The way she picks at her nails would seem like she’s bored but you know she’s tense, her body rigid and an arm wrapped around herself in comfort.

Her eyes immediately lock onto the taxi, her eyes wide and expecting. The moment you step out her face brightens like a little kid on Christmas, her eyes sparkling as if she just looked at the brightest star in the sky. That’s not the way you would usually look at your ex right?

But you aren’t any better, your heart threatening to jump out of your chest at the mere sight of her.

“Hello, my treasure~” And that does it, like the last nail in the coffin.

You said you were going to sleep but never specified where so… under her sheets should be fine, right?

#genshin impact #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin #yae miko #yae miko x reader

[batskulldrag]

TF2 Theory time

I will begin by stating that many people who speculate about Olivia Mann assume she is a clone. And some of those people speculate that she is a clone of the Administrator. You know, same black hair, same megalomaniacal desires, same we never get to know how the story ends for them.

But that got me thinking about Miss Pauling and her relationship with Helen. Helen trusts her with all kinds of information and treats her as a right-hand man more than she does an assistant.

And there is one odd thing in the comics that I can't stop thinking about

Administrator tells Miss Pauling that she's proud of her. And I know that this could just be a manipulation tactic, a standard tell the kid what they want to hear method. But there's a hesitation there, like she doesn't want to admit it. So, what if she is proud of Miss Pauling?

What if the Administrator is training Miss Pauling to take over for her once she's gone? We learn through a contract line that Helen invites Miss Pauling over for dinner and has her chased by assassins, and while this can be seen as a test of loyalty, it could also be a test of strength and cunning. She's preparing Miss Pauling to be ready in deadly situations.

Which brings me to my point. If Miss Pauling is meant to be Helen's heir, why her? Who is Miss Pauling?

We know that she's a good leader with many and varied interests. We know that she can handle herself in a fight and think quickly. We know that she's ambitious, being fully aware of what Helen is capable of and planning to be a part of it once it's done.

But what is her past like? What made her this way?

Miss Pauling doesn't seem to have a family or any close friends. When she's not working we see her spending time with the mercs. Her dogged loyalty makes one wonder if she's ever had a place where she was just accepted without having to prove herself.

So, what if Miss Pauling is a clone of the Administrator?

Like with Olivia, same black hair, same ambition. And unlike with Olivia, we see that Miss Pauling shares and afterlife with Helen.

And if Helen was to train a successor, then what better way than to create a biological clone?

And it would line up with the running theme the comics have going, parent reveals.

A cloning machine seems like something Engineer could make for the Administrator. So, it doesn't feel too far out of the realm of possibilities.

#tf2 comics #tf2 theories #tf2 miss pauling #tf2 administrator #tf2 engineer #tf2

[witheredoffherwitch]

some hatred towards alysmond is coming from people with weird moral indignation i'm afraid. how do i know? cause in 9 out of 10 aemond×oc fics reader is soft, submissive, boring as hell and aemond is possessive, jealous and control freak. certain people will never like alys cause they can't relate to her. she is cunning, knows how to survive and make the best of it, and she is immediately labelled as dangerous seductive famme fatale. i don't care what they say, i knew for many years that really strong women don't put down those who clearly are confident and smart because they don't feel threatened by them. even if that's about the fictional character but you see those people can't tell a difference between real person and fictional character as they proved when telling olivia they hate her cause she plays a cunt and insulting gayle looks just because they expected eva green of katie mcgrath so they can get the confirmation she seduced him with her looks. sorry to disappoint you but even maesters noticed aemond in harrenhall didn't choose some younger ladies to bed but alys. they can't understand aemond fell in love because she was smart, witty, resourceful? maybe to him looks didn't matter but i dunno, something like personality? but they don't know what personality is so what to discuss here? now having oc with no personality bland as fuck is sign of genius. you know you can't write smart character with personality because then people won't self insert. they only can self insert into complete idiots. good to know they are impressed by someone nameless and faceless and personalityless. fools can only identify with fools.

not gonna lie helaemonds have a part of trashing alys cause they can't get over their disappointment she would be casted when they were sure alys would be cut cause her powers went to helaena. i have ss of their comments or posts so if they piss me off i would public it. they also can't comprehend why aemond would leave capital to begin with he was to fuck helaena during the war. huge bunch of helaemonds openly admitted they don't care about aemond, all they care about is helaena being with someone better than aegon. they don't understand aemond and his motives, they constantly trash aegon as worse than daemon and viserys combined so best to ignore them, their brains don't work anymore.

alys suffers from both teams cause both teams need a punching bag. tb does want every woman to uphold the patriarchy to just call them karens and they will be hugely disappointed because alys doesn't support the patriarchy so this argument works only with alicent and even helaena. tg is full of people with parasocial relationships with ewan and aemond as if any of them would ever have sex with them. they are jealous alys gets to have sex with him and they have to self insert into bland copy paste oc.

i feel really sorry for these writers who think writing alys as bad bitch will make their uninteresting self insert bland oc great or more shippable with aemond. how they are stuck in their black white thinking of the world when they write alys as smart, ambitious=bad bitch and oc naive, innocent, soft, submissive=great girlfriend material. it must be so boring to feel threatened by fictional character who isn't brainless like most of their ocs. so they need to cope by writing blushing virgin for aemond and that's how they convince themselves they'll find their aemond is real life. imagine how sad their life is!

Hi nonnie 🤗

This ask has been sitting in my inbox pile for ages; but fear not, I have finally unearthed it 😭

And honestly, there's not much to add - your words ring true and I couldn't agree more. Keep spilling that pipin' hot tea!

#anon asks #hotd fandom #aemond fanfiction #alys rivers #aemond targaryen #alysmond q #fandom bs

[lovelykhaleesiii]

So idk if you feel the same way but if you’ve read the book fire and blood like you might . I feel the writers destroyed the green side of the dance of dragons . It upsets me so much . I get that the book is conflicting reports and that no pov ( which is a mistake in my opinion) but I digress.! I also feel that they ruined Aegons character yet made Aemond so much more palatable. In the book he’s unhinged and crazy yet in the show he’s not now perhaps season two will change it but I’m just not holding out much hope . They already made Alicent not as much against rhaenyra as the book , they ruined Aegon , his coronation and character , made Aemond have sexual assault issues and not really wanna kill luke. Didn’t even include daeron and probably won’t in season 2 . I just wish they had actually maybe read the book and you know written it better . Guess my question is what do you think ?

I think it was inevitable that they would change things up from the book in the show…. it’s how it’s always been unfortunately! I’ve written a bit more under the cut, if you wish to read my perspective ☺️ happy to have these discussions!

I think from memory GRRM is working alongside the producers for the s2 and hoping his input was stronger, and more to the book with certain characters.

they could potentially redeem Aegon’s character (and I am optimistic in that sense) considering he will have a much larger role to play, since he is the King…

in the books the whole turning point for Aegon was brilliant and I really wished they’d showcased that in the show, but alas they did not deliver. the whole discrete conversation between him and Ser Criston, how he almost even manipulated Aegon into believing Rhaenyra would come after his family, and something snapping in him, I know for a fact TGC would’ve 100% killed that scene…

considering we have endless battles coming up, I’m hoping they showcase that protective side of Aegon more. we only got very minor details that showcased that, more so in adult!Aegon ii. like that whole dinner sequence where he defends Aemond without hesitation, he definitely learnt his lesson the first time and some might even consider that maturing but it’s a very fine detail, that can easily be missed.

I totally agree with you, they butchered a lot of characterisations and dynamics between certain characters. For instance, Nyra’s relationship with her half-siblings would’ve been so interesting to have a foundation on rather than what we saw… I think it would have made it more moving if we saw something.

as for Alicent’s character also, I mean I am not 100% against how Olivia plays her, and I don’t mind that they aged her down to be more intimate with Nyra. But she is much more cunning and cut throat in the books and I am hoping they delve into that side a bit… she’s a very cold character from time to time, and I think we deserve to see that.

these characters are flawed, and I think they tend to exaggerate that more with the Green side than Black, for obvious reasons.

Mind you, I do lean more towards Team Black, but it’s not like they’re 100% perfect either!

The key is to hold no expectations, I’m sort of just going with the flow at this point.

#HOTD #HOTD asks #aegon ii targaryen #aegon ii targaryen asks

[birdkeeperklink]

10 characters 10 fandoms

I was tagged by @salsedine ages ago (thank you! 👋🥰) and finally getting around to it!

So these are in no particular order even though they're numbered, but here we go:

1. Leonard McCoy from Star Trek: The Original Series

I love his gruff exterior coupled with how much he cares really deeply. He's passionate and full of fire, but he's also so compassionate and caring. He's a healer, but instead of embodying the "saint-like" version of that trope, he's all too human and flawed. I adore him.

2. Joan Watson and Sherlock Holmes from Elementary

Yes, I am cheating, but they are sold as a set do not separate 🤷

I just love both of them. I love the way they interact, and their partnership in every sense of the word. They're funky and unapologetic about it, and they can be sharp and vindictive, but they can also be so, so soft and caring, both to each other and to others.

3. Jaime Lannister from Game of Thrones

He's slick and snarky and talented. He's in a nasty codependent romance with his sister. He's incredibly insecure yet incredibly cocky. He's so so brave and stupid. He's in love with Brienne and shows it by giving her a sword. He's a hot mess. Just a complete disaster of a human. I love it. I want to study him in a jar.

4. Sam from Lord of the Rings

He's a cinnamon roll, does this need more explanation? 🤷

5. Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec

She never, ever gives up, and she believes so hard in making the world a better place, and she loves her friends so much, and.... She's just inspiring. She's a character who gives me energy and makes me feel like things can get better and good people can make a difference.

6. Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit

My boy 🥹 He is fierce and loyal and cunning, and he's got a temper and can somehow get away with scolding people twice his size. The bitch energy is at epic levels, and yet he's also somehow so caring. He is an icon, a legend. We can only aspire to such sass and love as is packed in this tiny man.

7. Basil from The Great Mouse Detective

He's ridiculously cute and smart. I love how he pretty much adopted Dawson as His within like 5 seconds of meeting him. He's also a secret softie, getting all testy with Olivia only to pretty much immediately cave when she starts crying. Plus he's Sherlock Holmes as a mouse. Only wins here.

8. Richard from Galavant

He's a pathetic noodle of a man who's committed horrible atrocities by his own admission, yet he still manages to make you want to give him a hug. What a disaster man. I adore him.

9. Alan Grant from Jurassic Park/World

He's got a PhD but can't figure out a seat belt. He's clearly madly in love with Ellie but takes like 30 years to admit that he'd rather have her than his career. Yet again, a complete disaster. Are you sensing a pattern?

10. Bek from Gods of Egypt

Yes, I know this movie has problems, first and foremost the whitewashing, but I can't help it 🙈 Bek in particular is just 👌 He's so determined and spunky. He says cheesy one-liners to himself while stealing from literal gods. He's blasphemous to the gods' faces. The love of his life is killed and his immediate response is to blackmail a god into bringing her back to life. He's lucky and brash. I love him.

No pressure tagging:

@the-chickenshit-oddity @lassiesspanishaccent @lenievi @figsandfandoms @51kas81 @mourningroutine @underture @lovethistoomuch

You don't have to if you don't want to, but if you do - tag! You're it!

#tag game #characters #fandoms #why are so many of mine men? #huh

[storyofmychoices]

Shadows and Deception: Parts VII & VIII

[Series Masterlist] [My Choices Masterlists]

Books: The Royal Romance (post-TRF), Crimes of Passion I, Desire & Decorum, Blades of Light and Shadow I

Characters: Trystan Thorne (M, no race mentioned), Marguerite Thorne, Olivia Nevrakis, Queen Amalas, Maxwell Beaumont, Daniel, King Liam (no race mentioned), Tyril Starfury, Nia Ellarious, Prince Hamid

Pairings: Olivia Nevrakis x Queen Amalas ; M!Trystan Thorne x (no gender given) MC (mentioned) ; King Liam x Riley (mentioned)

Rating/Warnings: Teen, mentions of blood, stab wound, knives/daggers (no graphic descriptions)

Word Count: Part VII: ~400; Part VI: ~1,500 : total ~1,900

Summary: Olivia makes it her mission to figure out who is trying to frame her and why, but what she finds isn't what she ever expected.

Catch Up: [Parts I and II] [Parts III and IV] [Parts V and VI]

These are the last two sections of the story. You should only read the "reveal" if you're caught up! I hope you enjoy the ending of this little mystery.

VII. When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. (Sherlock Holmes)

Despite the evidence against Olivia, the King released her from custody, trusting his friend would not be so careless as to leave her own knife lying around as evidence of her wrongdoing.

Adrenaline filled Olivia as she returned to the ballroom, her mind racing with theories and suspicions. Stares fell upon her, filled with curiosity and uncertainty, yet she wouldn’t let them deter her from finding answers for herself. 

Ever the stealthy observer, she listened discreetly to hushed conversations, her keen ears capturing every piece of information that floated in the air. Some clues she already knew, like the red hair and her dagger, but others were new and intriguing, like whispers of coded letters and sightings of a cloaked female figure. 

Amalas slipped through the crowd with ease, making no waves as she passed, her focus entirely on her Duchess. "I see you've managed to evade their grasp," she teased, her voice filled with amusement.

Olivia's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "You know me, always one step ahead." 

Amalas leaned in, her voice low and intimate. "It's good to see you enjoying yourself," she whispered, her fingers lightly caressing Olivia's cheek.

A flicker of amusement danced in Olivia's eyes. "I must confess this party has become far more interesting than I expected. The year has been too quiet. I've missed the exhilaration of murder, treason, and deception that have come to be a staple of these gatherings."

"Why am I not surprised?" Amalas chuckled softly in admiration. She leaned in closer, brushing a kiss on Olivia's jaw as she whispered, "Perhaps we can make this night even more memorable." Her hand slid down Olivia's form, settling on her thigh as her teeth grazed the tender skin beneath her ear. "What do you say?"

As Amalas's words hung in the air, Olivia's thoughts were momentarily distracted by the events of the evening. Her calculating gaze shifted between Nia and Marguerite, contemplating their possible involvement. While pointing the finger at both was easy, she couldn't reconcile how either could have lifted her dagger without her notice. Nia wouldn't stand a chance even with magic, and while clever and cunning, Marguerite couldn't best Olivia. There was only one who stood a chance at that—

Olivia's gaze fell to her thigh, where Amalas's hand had been resting naturally above her collection of ornate daggers, Olivia not even giving it consideration until now.

VIII. It is not the past that matters, but the future. (Poirot)

As realization flashed across Olivia's face, Amalas knew it was time. The ruse was over. She swiftly withdrew her hand, but not quick enough to evade Olivia's hawk-like precision as another dagger found its place against Amalas's neck. 

The Spy Queen smiled in amusement at Olivia's discovery. "I knew you'd figure it out. Only you could."

"Why?" Olivia questioned, her voice filled with both curiosity and vengeance.

Amalas's fingers reached into her purse, her movements deliberate. "To keep you distracted so you wouldn’t figure out what comes next," she explained, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "And, I know you appreciate a good murder."

The tension in the room grew palpable as Olivia processed Amalas's words. Her dagger trained against the Queen's neck never wavered. "You killed Daniel? Why?"

"Oh, no." Amalas shook her head lightly. Her gaze drifted to the back of the ballroom, where she discreetly signaled someone. "You can call it a charade."

Confusion washed over Olivia as Maxwell called out to her, his expression filled with pride and excitement. 

He waved and smiled, his double thumbs-up a triumphant gesture. Standing beside him, far more alive than the last time she had seen him was Daniel. "I told Amalas I could trick you," Maxwell announced, pumping his fist in the air and dancing to celebrate his win.

"I had my reservations about his involvement, but he was very excited… and quite persistent, so I let him assist in my plot," she insisted.

Olivia's mind raced as she pieced together the puzzle before her. How could they make a fool of her? And who else was in on this ruse? Not the guard; they were too inept to even handle a fake murder. 

Clues and revelations swirled in her thoughts, forming a coherent picture of the events that had unfolded. The tense exchange between Maxwell and Daniel in an area sure to be overheard was the opening act, setting the stage for deception. Her mind flashed back to a particularly heated moment between her and Amala in the hall outside the ballroom just before the start of the event, their passionate embrace enough of a distraction for Amalas to lift her dagger without her questioning the placement of her hand. 

Her eyes widened as she continued to connect the dots: an evident stab wound and a pool of blood, but neither could explain his apparent lifeless form. And then it hit her—the syringe. It must have contained a substance to slow Daniel's heart and breathing, making him appear dead at first glance. But the blood—it still didn't make sense. She knew real blood when she saw it! 

Her jaw dropped slightly, her gaze settling on a certain Lord still celebrating his victory—Maxwell! She remembered an earlier quip she had directed his way, ‘I didn't know you were auditioning for the next Twilight movie. You've nailed the pale aesthetic. I'm sure you'd enjoy the glitter, but I don't think vampires dance.’ She shook her head remembering the interaction; there was a bandage on his arm. If it wasn't for her absolute fury at his participation in this deception, she would almost be impressed at his dedication to the game. Giving his own blood showed real commitment. Olivia's mind spun with the intricacies of the scheme, leaving her reeling as she processed the depths of deception that had taken place right under her nose.

Olivia took a step toward Maxwell, vengeance filling her gaze. "That was your blood?" she questioned, her voice dripping with accusation.

"Yup," he announced proudly, relishing in his deceit. 

She tightened her grip on her dagger, a scowl filling her face. "Since you're in such a giving mood, perhaps you'd like to donate more?" 

"If looks could kill—" he jested, a hint of hesitation creeping into his body as he took a step backward. 

"Oh, I promise it's more than looks," she sneered in amusement. 

"Time to go, Max," Daniel intervened, pulling his friend's arm. 

"She wouldn't…" Max offered, analyzing her face with a mix of uncertainty and concern. "...would she?"

"Let's find out," Olivia teased, her eyes fixed on him as she stalked forward. Much of the ballroom that had been listening in turned away themselves, hoping to avoid the Duchess's wrath.

"Yup, okay, time to go!" Maxwell conceded.

She would deal with him later, but for now, there was a much worse betrayal to confront. 

Her gaze flickered back to Amalas's hand, still concealed in her purse. "What else are you hiding?"

"The reason for all of this." She took a step closer to Olivia, despite her raised weapon. "You have captured my heart in ways I never considered possible. I can't imagine a path without you by my side. No secret or knowledge is as important and valuable to me as you." Amalas's usual confident voice faltered with a hint of nervousness. "Olivia Nevrakis, will you marry me?"

A storm of conflicting emotions washed over Olivia as she locked eyes with Amalas, her mind still reeling from the revelations of the night. The chaos and deception had led them to this pivotal moment.

Sensing her hesitance, Amalas continued, "I couldn't have you figure out my intentions, so I needed you distracted. You're too clever for your own good, my love."

"You never cease to amaze me," Olivia marveled at how Amalas was able to orchestrate the night's events, leading here with her none the wiser. Olivia's gaze narrowed on hers. "I could have killed you."

"I would have loved to see you try." Amalas nodded to the knife still in her hand. "You're welcome to make the first move... unless you prefer to wait until we're behind closed doors."

"This is the weirdest proposal I've ever seen," Trystan whispered to Marguerite, unable to turn away. 

"Don't get any ideas," his sister replied. "Rose won't find you as amusing."

"Are you sure?" His charming grin filled his face. 

"Yes," she nodded firmly. 

"But—"

"No." 

"It could be fun."

"It could lead to another international incident!" Marguerite reminded him. 

"What would life be without a headline or two?"

"You're lucky I like you!" 

"You love me!" Trystan wrapped his arm around his baby sister, his attention turning back to the happy couple, who were now settled in a passionate embrace, the ring happily settled on Olivia's finger. 

"You'll come up with something entirely your own," Marguerite decided, her head tipping to the side in consideration. "Unless of course… Rose proposes first." 

The proposal. His mouth opened as realization set in. His face contorted in dismay. “Wait, so the key, the locker, the notes, my whole investigation was for nothing?"

"Perhaps they deemed you a worthy adversary, one who might've detected the deception too soon, and so they gave you your own little distraction."

Trystan let out a dramatic sigh. “I can’t believe I’ve been played,” his chagrin evident in his tone. "I was a pawn? I'm at least a knight," he sulked.

Marguerite smiled at his disappointment. “It seems your detective skills failed to notice the biggest mystery of all—love.”

After a moment of feeling sorry for himself, he straightened his jacket. “Well, at least, I wasn’t alone. No one else figured it out either.”

“That’s not quite true,” Marguerite teased, a satisfied smirk filling her face. 

“You did not see this coming!” He vehemently protested.

“I had my suspicions that more was at play than met the eye,” she reported. “Amalas seemed distracted, her focus on Olivia, even though there was no way Olivia would be so sloppy or that Amalas would suspect her. Then, there was her clutch; she kept it close like it held all her most precious secrets.”

“That’s it?”

“Well, there was that look too—”

“What look?”

“The one you wear so well—” she began, her voice filled with awe. “The pure admiration and adoration for the one you love and couldn’t spend a day without.” She pressed a kiss on his cheek, her words quieting. “It’s how I know your appreciation of this proposal isn't just in good fun and how I know you already have a ring of your own waiting for the perfect moment.” 

Before Trystan could respond, Marguerite slipped off into the once more lively crowd. She checked the time on her phone and headed to meet her contact with whom she'd exchange the flash drive she'd been concealing for secrets in an entirely different matter with everyone none the wiser.

The ballroom buzzed with a combination of awe, amusement, and adoration as the guests realized they had been unwitting participants in a grand charade leading into a moment they would never forget, the engagement of The Duchess of Lythikos and The Queen of Monterisso—a union that promised to be an adventure that surpassed even the captivating events of this extraordinary evening.

The mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death. (Oscar Wilde)

Hi! If you made it this far, thank you so so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this mystery and the twist ending. I know not everyone likes twists, but I hope I did this one justice. This was not the ending I had intended but as I happened to write it, I couldn't see it ending any other way. Olivia deserves someone who would go to the ends of the earth for her and isn't afraid to push her. I hope I did her and Amalas justice... especially since I've never actually met Amalas in canon... This fic was never supposed to be this TRR series heavy but here we are.... I hope I did everyone justice.

I do feel for Maxwell, while Olivia can forgive Amalas, she might take some pent up frustration out on him in the near future. He better watch out!

Thank you again for reading and supporting this story. ❤️❤️❤️

Giveaway Information: complete details here

3 winners will be chose for minimalist portraits with @bayleedrawsx

Any one who comments on or reblogs with a comment with their theories, thoughts, ideas, ect. on any and all sections of the story will be entered in the giveaway. (1 entry per section)

Prompts: For @choicesbookclub COP ; @choicesmonthlychallenge Private Investigator Event

Special thanks: to JenBeaumontJones (IG) for beta reading

#playchoices #choices game #the royal romance #blades of light and shadow #crimes of passion #desire & decorum #choices fan fiction #tyril starfury #trystan thorne #marguerite thorne #nia ellarious #maxwell beaumont #olivia nevrakis #queen amalas #prince hamid #lovealexhunt #choices book club

[sarcasticsweetlara]

I can't help but have another image vibe of Alicent's book depiction.

All my respect to Olivia Cooke, but Book! Alicent is slender and graceful to Show! Alicent who seems to try to hide herself, and Book! Alicent is so witty, sassy (a trait she passed down to all her children) and unafraid to use the power she has as queen consort and then queen mother in a manner that Show! Alicent could never be.

Whether you prefer her book version or show version is up to you, but you can not deny Book! Alicent is indeed more powerful and less maleable than Show! Alicent, the show runners wanted to make her more sympathetic but they didn't have to strip her of her agency.

Book! Alicent would have never showed Larys her feet, she would have made him give her information whether he wanted or not as Book! Alicent was in more control of her power, and the thing with the Green Council is that she initiated it! Alicent wanted to protect her children, yes, but that scene should have portrayed her power and control of the Council not this meek woman who everyone kept in the dark about their plans for her son that she believed in.

Also, Book! Corlys is far more proud than his suck it up version in the show - again my respect to Steve Touissant, but I feel like they failed in portraying that Corlys was not only ambitious but highly cunning, proud and clever that Show! Rhaenyra would have to do more than offer a random proposal (that actually was made by Laena when the children were toddlers) to get him back to her side, she made him her hand in the end.

In both the show and book versions House Velaryon fought for everything they have and Book! Corlys would not let himself and his family be humiliated.

And Book! Rhaenys is brave, witty and with a no-nonsense attitude that she would never let Corlys go over her like Show! Rhaenys.

I know all of them are complex and flawed but it's like the show is refusing to really portray that.

#house targaryen #awoiaf #asoiaf #a world of ice and fire #a song of ice and fire #house hightower #fire made flesh #fire and blood #westeros #we light the way #book!alicent #alicent hightower #book!alicent hightower #hotd #house of the dragon #book!rhaenyra #book!rhaenys the queen who never was #book!rhaenys the queen who should have been #book!rhaenys targaryen (daughter of aemon and jocelyn) #house velaryon #book!corlys the sea snake #book! corlys velaryon #the old the true the brave #book!corlys #book!rhaenyra targaryen

[godling-jesse]

taylor zakhar perez, homosexual, cis-male + he/him, fighter «—◦—→ well met, jesse diaz! the godling born child of godly apollo. it’s been twenty-nine years and now they have answered the song in their veins. can he change the course of history with his passion, courage, and cunning? or will their pride, spontaneity, impulsiveness hinder them? only time will tell before this godling’s name is sung into myth and legend!

name: jesse alejandro diaz nicknames: jess date of birth: july 28th age: 29 face claim: taylor zakhar perez godly parent: apollo height: 6'2 dominant hand: right education level: bachelors occupation: record producer

parents: Olivia Diaz (mother) siblings: n/a pets: moxie (jack russle)

astrological sign: sun: leo, moon: gemini, ascending: sagittarius positive traits: charismatic, passionate, loyal, courageous negative traits: impulsive, proud, stubborn, brash habits: paces when he's deep in thought, cracks his knuckles when he's anxious, physically fixes people's appearance without their consent. If your collar is messed up, he'll fix it, if you've got lint on your back he'll brush it off, if you have something on their mouth, he'll wipe it away, etc. You're welcome. quirks: has an almost debilitating fear of clowns. has a very short attention span if not directly engaged. makes inappropriate jokes/comments to ease tension, hates saying "no" and will take on more jobs and responsibilities than he can handle just to make everyone around him happy. pet peeves: Slow walkers, people who interrupt him when he's speaking, people insinuating he isn't capable of doing something he knows he can do, unwarranted advice. hobbies: guitar playing, piano playing, racket ball, soccer, swimming, singing, jogging, yoga.

sexual orientation. homosexual sexual position. verse

clothing style: It depends on the vibes. His fall back is always athleisure, but he does love designer. If he's dressing up, expensive three piece suits are a favorite. prominent features: Aside from his tanned skin and dark hair, he's known for his angular features. Sharp jawline, pronounced nose, big brown eyes.

what were they doing when they hear the song of their godling blood? Sitting in a music booth listening to one of his performers record a track.

class: fighter inspirations: sun drake warden, radiant ranger, fighting beside the sun incarnate, being inspiration incarnate

#godlingintros

[kingmaker-a]

Ecdysis | Yoohyeon

Hogwarts AU

Slytherin!Reader x Slytherin!Yoohyeon

Main Cast: Yoohyeon, Yoongi, Ryujin, Jackson, Yeji, Olivia Hye

Warnings: Implications of reader not being a good person when they first met Yoohyeon, reader still isn't a good person technically, violence both mundane and magical.

Word Count: 14.6K

Genre: Fluff, slight hint of angst and slice of life

Premise: An exploration of a friendship built on a rocky foundation as it slowly blossoms into something more.

A/N: I was supposed to take a break after Minutes Before, but somehow @sanccharine and @foolish-sparrow managed to infect me with a heavy amount of hogwarts brain rot. This was only supposed to be a drabble at best, yet here we are. Also Happy Yoohyeon Day! Even if I only managed to slide this in on the last hour for me. Half of this was written in the last 36 hours, don't mistake that for a symbol of pride, but a warning label.

You do it almost without thinking, hands soft and gentle. There’s a cunningness to your ruse, a pressed almost genuine smile.

The sound of music echoes distantly so, muffled and restrained in the alcoves

“Come now, there’s plenty of time to bully the muggle snake later,” arms wrapped over foreign shoulders. “We should be enjoying the festivities.”

You offer a hidden wink, to your dear muggle

You huddle closer to the troublemakers, a hushed whisper. “I heard there’s a stash of alcohol hidden in the boy’s dormitory.”

You hear the giggle of excitement, a step ever closer to a trap. You make your way through the Slytherin common room, a melting pot of elation and disregard. The music slowly bounces with the tide of dancing snakes.

A snake den by any other name.

Off key singing rings through your ears as you guide the flies to the trap.

Yoongi catches your gaze, a subtle nod is all it takes to ensure his silence and his protection, there’s a glimmer of a smirk on his lips as he mouths his room number.

Still there’s a slight tremble in their shoulders, a hesitancy.

A little more honey to sweeten the pot.

“Rumour has it our lovely prefect Yoongi is the one who snuck it in,” a smile lined with poison.  

A carrot to hide the stick.

You watch as the gears turn, mumbles trail between the two of them.

There’s the glimmer of cunning caught in their teeth, “-that way he gets in the real trouble.”

You roll your eyes, cresting the border of Yoongi’s dorm room. Their eyes linger on you expectantly.

A faked laugh, “it’d seem I forgot my wand in the heat of the moment,” your hands pat idly at your pockets.

“You’d truly be a godsend if you could get this door open,”  a honeyed smile.

You watch as they fumble quickly with their wands, twisted and rushed chants of “alohomora,” unlock the door.

Two wands, you note. 

Easy enough.

Still your brain tosses with the idea of less harm, tossing them into the boys dorm and simply locking the door.

But then the message wouldn’t be sent.

You peer into the dark abyss, this was their last chance to escape your wrath.

Though you doubted they realised how much danger they were in.

Light pools on the tip of each of their wands.

“Where did you hear he hid it?” One of them asks.

“On the far end over there,” you gesture, wand hidden but at the ready. They skulk slowly to their prized location, you can’t help the smile that dances across your lips.

Redeemed though you might be, there was pleasure to be had in punishing the unsavoury.

“Colloportus,” you whisper aided with the swish of your wand.

The door slams suddenly and violently, there’s a startled snap of each of their necks. 

“Expelliarmus.”

Blood crusts your knuckles, compounding on each strike, yours or theirs you didn’t care, there was something satisfyingly personal about using your hands.

Every witch or wizard worth their salt was decent at wand work… Well not as good as you.

That was beside the point.

A wild swing brings you back to the present, clipping you square in the jaw. Pain radiates as a trickle of blood lingers on your lips. 

Your hand brushes away such distractions, a real genuine smile etches itself on your lips. “Huh, here I was thinking all purebloods sucked without their wands.”

There’s a flash of fear in the dimly lit room, muffled groans from their accomplice.

There was no student among the populace that could match you, wand or fists. 

At least among Slytherin, after all pride comes before the fall.

“What do you even want, Sly?” There’s a wince as you approach their hands nursing various bruises. 

Your hand grips tightly against their locks tugging ever so tautly. There’s a glimmer of anger as you peer down at them. “Kim Yoohyeon?”

There’s a hint of lingering confusion, “the mudblood snake?”

Your hand grips your wand, a scowl lingers on your lips. 

A piercing red light slowly flutters through the air, held aloft by your wand, you speak barely through clenched teeth. “I will curse you within an inch of your life, if you ever call her that again.”

Your teeth flare at the thought as your grip tightens, “or if you’re anything less than cordial… Do I make myself clear?”

There’s a weak, almost whimpering nod.

“Then you only get one more for the road,” your fist collides with their stomach, a soft muffled groan is all the release as your grip loosens as they crumble to the floor.

“Leave in about five to ten minutes, can’t have anyone thinking we got up to anything illicit,” there’s a crumb of laughter at the edge of your lips.

It almost feels like a different dimension when you leave Yoongi’s dorm room, assailed suddenly by a sudden heat and echoes of music.

The acts you committed seemed foreign and distant, enacted by hands that weren’t your own. 

You truly wonder how a younger you would react.

Your father would just be glad you finally had a passion, even if it was in a direction that he’d consider less than ideal.

The old wand pusher could up and croak for all you care.

Actually that would be a little far, you wished the old bastard nothing but good health.

Lest you be saddled with actual responsibility.

You part through a sea of jubilant youth, eyes burn into you with each, a shrug is all you can afford for such a common occurrence. 

Still there's a subtle difference you can't quite place your finger on. 

You needed a drink, well not that kind of drink. 

Violence is a tiring affair after all. 

You're able to find a smattering of your dear friends, the quidditch team. 

“How’s my favourite beater?” Jackson Wang, team captain and keeper. 

A roll of your eyes, as your eyes linger on Ryujin tugging at Yoongi’s sleeve. “You say that to both of us I’m sure of it.”

A smirk lines his teeth, an offered wink as he pats your shoulder. “But only my favourite notices.”

You watch a flash of concern knit his eyebrows, yet he’s pulled into the sea of merriment before he can voice any of his concerns.

The sea parts with a wide berth for a brief moment, a scowl hangs thick on Yoongi’s otherwise neutral face. 

Yeji hangs behind him this time, your eyes glimmering across her prefect badge, a matching pair with Yoongi’s own.

The pair of chasers were often welcomed in your company.

“No Ryujin?” You taunt.

There’s a roll of his eyes, a look of can we please have this conversation later. You were always one to push the envelope, though for the sake of merriment you’d cut him some slack.

“As long as you get it sorted before finals,” you shrug, still there’s a glimmer of a smile on your lips.

He shuffles on his feet, switching from foot to foot. His fingers drum along his chin, a twisted smirk. 

“You know,” his smirk deepens, “I wouldn’t mind having you protect me instead of Ryujin. Being best buds and all.”

The drawl of his voice is suddenly irritating in its low cadence. “I think I’ll stick to Seeker protection duty thank you~ As tempting as your offer is.”

His smile sours ever so slightly as Yeji taps his shoulder, thumb pointed to the throngs of Slytherin behind her.

“Speaking of our dear Seeker, why don’t you keep her company? I’m busy with…” his eyes dance over the ceiling. “Prefect duties.”

You knew a lie when you heard one, however, lucky for Yoongi, Yoohyeon was your priority.

Still his hands work quickly, a hidden language known only between the two of you. A relic from a shared youth.

His eyes linger in the directions of the dorms. 

“Trash taken out?”

“For now? It always piles up.”

A brief but sharp chuckle, as he’s pulled towards his duties. 

You dance ever so slightly through rough seas, making your way over to your favourite snake.

A stray drink manages to find its way into your hand, probably by Jackson’s will.

Her smile is deep and warm as you catch her eye, her arms raised for a hug before her arms falter and crumble. There’s a concern clouds her features, her fingers point to her lips.

Oh, how you wish it was here asking for a kiss.

“What happened to your lip?”

You laugh a soft chuckle, “got into a fight.”

You couldn’t lie to her. Eyes narrowing as she moves closer, inspecting every detail of your face.

Even someone as cold-blooded as you struggle under a microscope. A smile bristles across her lips.

“Trip down the stairs again?” Her fingers gently graze across your lips, focus furrows her brow as she draws her wand. 

Normally unease would crawl across your skin, battle hardened nerves reduced to mush at her gentle caress. 

Her wand moves with defined grace, a subtle whisper shared between the two of you, “episkey.”

A cold-hot sensation bubbles through your bottom lip as it slowly stitches together. Her thumb traces over your repaired wound.

You have to fight the urge to press a kiss into her hand.

A pleased smile dances across her lips, “Good as new,” she beams, “don’t go fighting any stairs again though~”

“I fall down one flight of stairs in my first year,” you pinch your nose, the tiniest lick of a frown. 

Her smile deepens before shifting over the crowd, “Where’d Yoongs go?”

A chuckle bubbles across your lips, “He’d be less than pleased hearing you call him that,” your head lists to the side, a bored expression and a shrug, “where do you think?”

She leans back, taking a swig of your drink. Worries linger at the edge of your breath. 

“Duties.”

“Duties,” the bite of a familiar voice, Olivia. There’s the briefest flicker of a smile as she settles opposite the two of you. 

Yoohyeon places your drink against the counter, you notice a familiar inkling of worry on Olivia’s face, “Butterbeer?” A hushed whisper.

She swipes the mug before you can even answer, a pleased hum as she imbibes. 

“Sure,” a sigh and a roll of your eyes. “Everybody help yourself to my drink.”

She quickly returns the vessel to the counter, eyes wide in a hint of panic. 

A rare look for your junior, “sorry…” Her eyes flicker to Yoohyeon, busy entertaining Jackson, hands keeping him grounded in his hype. 

“Didn’t realise it was a you and Yoohyeon thing.” she gulps back, hand wiping back a stray trail of amber liquid, her tongue flicks over the liquid.

A frown, though you suppose it was more of a neutral expression for her. Her eyes bounce back towards your dear Seeker, “looks like we don’t have to worry about her getting drunk at least.”

You release a held breath, not to say Yoohyeon was a particularly bad drunk. It was just easier to protect her when she was sober, she was as manic as a pixie otherwise.

Fun nonetheless.

A scoff lines your throat, “it’s not a me and Yoohyeon thing,” you quickly point out, a twitch of a smirk on Olivia’s lips. 

Her eyes narrow as you pull out your wand, a flick of your wand refills your cup, a soft sip against your lips.

“Help yourself,” your lips smack with your own wry smirk. “Not that it stopped you earlier~”

You feel the grip of a bear clasp over your hand, was she always this strong? 

Your brain instantly runs through the scenarios of a fight, old gears begin to work. Normally, you’d win any fight under the sun and moon, with or without a wand. But as her grip tightens, her free hand slowly draws her own wand. You’re left to consider some potential exceptions.

Your free hand teases your own wand, if she disarmed you there was a small chance you’d actually lose.

Her eyes however aren’t focused on you in the slightest, they’re embedded deep in Jackson’s and Yoohyeon’s conversation. His smile dances much like it had with you.

You roll your eyes, still his eyes shift over to Olivia for the briefest moment, her hand stiffens against her wand, hidden out of view.

Your survival instincts instantly silence, she was certainly up to something to say the least. 

As soon as Jackson’s gaze returns to Yoohyeon, Olivia’s wand moves in a hushed flurry.

“Muffliato.” 

Not what you expected, she was hardly the one to have a hushed conversation, still her eyes snap to you in the instance she’s sure it’s worked.

Your eyes knit together, there’s a thrum of frustration that dances in her eyes. 

A soft cough pushes her words forward, “Sly?”

She winces slightly at the sound of her own voice, “What do you do on a date?”

Your brows bubble with surprise, a hand pressed to your chest. You weren’t particularly close to Olivia, your focus mostly held by a combination of Yoongi, Ryujin and Yoohyeon.

Yoohyeon had climbed to the top of that pyramid in recent years.

You choke on your own breath, sputtering ever so desperately for each breath. 

Still you remain focused even in spite of the surprise, you quickly clear your throat.

“You’re asking me?” Your eyes shift to Yoohyeon. “Yoongi’s pretty popular and so is Jackson. Hell Ryujin is a good bet.”

She rolls her eyes, teeth grazing against her tongue. She huffs ever so softly.

“I’m asking you for a reason Sly,” her arms cross vehemently, there’s a stickle of a frown, deeper than her usual expression. “I care about this person a lot and I don’t wanna screw it up.”

Ah, your tongue clicks with the realisation, her eyes shift over Yoohyeon, a knowing glance at you.

Well that definitely removed Jackson and Ryujin from the forum of advice.

“Still, I haven’t made any progress with her,” you already spy the laughter at the edge of her lips as the words leave your lips. “I’m sure Yoongi would be a good confidant.”

An annoyed scowl settles across her lips, pitched with a roll of her eyes, “and get the protective older brother routine as an only child? No thanks.”

“Right, right.” You nod, pushing the cup towards her. Your brain flutters with ideas, alight with the grace of the night sky. “Did you ask them or?”

There’s a soft shake of her head as she takes a swig. “No, they asked me.”

“Then, I don’t know what the problem is?” your head tilts to the side, “it’s their job to impress you.”

She pushes the drink back to you, still anxiety dances in her eyes. Maybe there was something you were missing.

Your fingers dance along the edge of the cup, “when’s the date?”

“We agreed to sometime after finals.”

Sensible, you didn’t want her brain clouded or upset before the game.

“What house?” An innocent question, a deep swig of your drink.

She frowns, softly and cute. A rare look for sure. “...Gryffindor.”

You choke once again, liquid spilling past your lips and out of your nose. 

Far from a good look, you were just glad Yoohyeon hadn’t caught sight of the incident.

“I can see why you didn’t want Jackson to know?” You wheeze between coughs, “Aren’t you worried more about the outcome of finals affecting the date?”

She shrugs, taking another drink.

Your eyebrows knit together, there’s the slight wince of utter confusion laced underneath, “do you not understand the gravity of the situation?”

She cocks an eyebrow.

“Have you been on a date before?” The question is a simple one, soft and supple.

Her features dance at a slow pace, you catch the very moment she considers lying before it slowly glimmers into dust, “...no,” her features deepen akin to a cobra before they strike. “But I doubt you’ve been on one.”

The bite belies vulnerability, still there was that one date with Karina at Hogsmeade. 

You needed to focus, bile fills your throat. It was to go against your nature to be soft, vulnerable and kind. 

Even Olivia is surprised by the way your fingers dust her knuckles. “I don’t matter in this equation, any ravenclaw would tell you that.”

Your words drift slowly through the air. “But just be yourself and if they have a problem with that I’ll sort them out.”

There’s a slow soft drag to the roll of her eyes, delicate like snowflakes, her tongue teases the glimmer of a smirk hidden also barely to all except for you.

The charm fades as Yoohyeon’s attention returns to the two of you, there’s almost a knowing glint in her eyes, knuckles pressed to your knee, her thumb tracing circles.

Still, she keeps up the ruse. “We were talking about Yoongi weren’t we?”

Olivia’s finger traces the rim of your cup, “are we still stuck on the Ryujin vs Yeji debate?”

“I’m personally on team Ryujin, maybe she’s turning over a new leaf?” you offer, but Olivia is having none of it. “I mean she’s also been my homegirl since we were kids.”

She gives you a reluctantly understanding nod, “they’ll make a hufflepuff out of you yet,” her eyes flicker over to Yoohyeon. “You?’

A frown dances slowly across Yoohyeon's lips, “I’m sorry, I’m with Sly on this one.”

Her fingers drum along her temples, “why am I not surprised?”

There’s an exasperation to her tone, “still a cop out.”

“Then why is your side of the coin so much shinier?”

“Well I’m glad you asked,” a smile saunters across her lips, a dancing glimmer of mischief lingers in her eyes.

You half expect her to pull out a highly detailed journal of notes or you suppose a muggle powerpoint as Yoohyeon would say.

Yoohyeon’s eyes tell you, you’ve opened a can of worms.

Still, she notices the silent exchange between you and Yoohyeon, a frown settles once again. “Friends to lovers is good but what about opposites attract?”

Yoohyeon’s eyes narrow for the tiniest microsecond, before a smile flares across her lips. “Opposites?”

“Quiet nerdy person and the popular jock, cats and dogs,” she muses, her eyes drifting like clouds in the sky. 

A wry smirk lines your lips.

“Slytherin and Gryffindor.”

Her eyes snap to you instantly, knife-like with their edge, eyes narrowing with focused precision. 

“Violent troublemaker and the golden retriever,” she bites back.

You weren’t one to back down from a fight, your own eyes narrowing against Olivia’s like cowboys at noon.

“Chaser and Keeper.”

Her tongue clicks with the slightest tinge of frustration, yet a smirk still dances across her lips.

“Pureblood and Muggle.”

Touche.

Yoohyeon pouts in thought, the slightest hum trickles through her lips, “wouldn’t that encompass Ryujin and Yoongi too then?”

“Wel-”

“Flirtatious and Aloof,” her hands clap together, the flurry of an epiphany a light by a gasp. “Wouldn’t that make them the best of both?”

“I guess?” Trailed by a defeated sigh.

Her lips drum up a warm, gummy smile, her eyes soften over Olivia, “Any particular reason you like opposites attract so much?”

It's in these rare moments that you realise why Yoohyeon is a Slytherin, her warmth pulls the truth with questions crafted with her smarts.

You attract more flies with honey rather than vinegar.

“Well, uh,” she hesitates, eyes dancing over the crowded common room. Her head cocks to the head slightly. 

“I think Jackson is calling me,” she mumbles departing from the table.

There’s a pleased smirk on Yoohyeon’s lips as she settles into her seat, “crush on a Gryffindor kid?”

“Date actually,” her features dance the briefest flicker of surprise, a slow impressed nod.

She smiles, “I’m excited for her.”

Still your eyebrows knit together,curiosity takes the wheel. “How’d you know it was a Gryffindor kid?”

An all too pleased smirk lines her lips, if it was anyone else you’d enjoy the prospect of knocking it off, instead there’s a brief flutter in your heart.

“There’s a muggle spell called lip reading,” she mocks with a radiant chuckle, her lips running over the edge of your cup. A pleased hum as liquid touches her palate.

There’s a glimmer of a frown as she places it back on the table, thinly-veiled annoyance. “I’ll go grab some mo-”

A flick of your wand and the cup bubbles and fizzes with more liquid. 

Joy hums through her throat, you had no doubt that her tail would be wagging if she had one. 

She imbibes once again, a refreshed ahh, crests her lips. “You really gotta teach me that charm.”

“You teach me something, I’ll teach you something,” normally you’d try to skew things more in your favour, but Yoohyeon was an obvious exception.

Actually the entire quidditch team you mused.

She nods slowly before her gaze twitches suddenly caught on a hook by a stray thought. “How’d you know it was the keeper?”

Your eyes narrow, “Lucky guess? How’d you know?”

Her own eyes narrow against yours, a smile curves the edges of her lips. A chuckle.

“Lucky guess? More intuition I guess,” she muses, there’s a twinkle of a story in the edges of her eyes. 

“You haven’t seen how frustrated she gets whenever we play against Gryffindor?”

“What?” A twist of your neck. “No?”

Too focused on your job, too focused on her in general. 

“Well you know Olivia… She’s usually so on to it, but something about the Keeper would always unravel her,” her fingers caress her chin. “I don’t think she scored a single point in our last game against Gryffindor?”

Well at least you both knew the course.

“Huh,” you slump deeper into your chair, a resigned sigh. “I’m surprised she came to me for advice.”

Her eyebrows knit together, a dash of something more lingers in her eyes. “Why?”

Your mouth opens but nothing follows suit, nothing but a tensed breath. 

Her hand trails across your hand, a gentle reassuring caress, it's a tender comfort. 

Her thumb skirts dangerously close to your knuckles, lingering spots of pain remind you of your earlier deeds. 

Your violent tendencies made you a bad choice, the thought that echoes as you slowly, reluctantly remove your hand. 

"I'm just sure there's a better role model,” your words were hardly self-deprecating, more an announcement of fact.

Your own pained knuckles were a fact of that.

Her lips falter into the briefest hint of a frown, “you’re not a bad person, Sly”

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Her hand tugs at your fingers, narrowly avoiding your knuckles, a wide smile plastered on her face as the music picks up slowly. 

Her favourite song. 

“Come on, let’s dance.”

“Am I a good person Professor Kwon?” His quill stops instantly at the utterance, lit only by a single lamp.

He removes his reading glasses, pressing his fingers into the bridge of his nose, a resigned sigh lingers in the air. “Sly, what on earth brings this up?”

Lingering shades and snapshots of sleepless nights linger at the tip of your tongue. 

He takes another deep breath, slowly striding to you, at your desk. A safe spot from the hustle and bustle of the other students.

It had also allowed you on occasion the rare treat of one on one lessons from the ex-auror. 

Something Jiyong didn’t usually indulge in.

His glasses clatter against the wood of your desk as he peers softly. “Because I could tell you, that I wouldn’t teach you otherwise.”

There’s a soft melted ice cream of a smile, “even given some of your rumoured personal activities.”

Still it lingers tickling at the edge of your heart, she deserved someone good.

The door to the classroom creaks and groans with a hurried shuffle, “there you are Sly!”

You feel a spark of joy as her hands rub over your shoulders, a giggle plays on her lips. “-Psy was about to do a love reading for Yo-”

Her eyes snap to the professor lingering at the edge of your desk, a feigned cough. “-Professor Park, I mean.”

Jiyong shrugs, a swaying sea of nonchalance as long as he was revered with respect.

“What were you two talking about?” She quickly shifts gears, more focused on the mystery in front of her.

Jiyong’s eyes quickly shift from you to her, “the Patronus charm,” he smiles, gaze flickering back to you. “Believed to only be capable by Witches and Wizards with a pure heart.”

An invitation to test your luck. 

Yoohyeon’s eyes quickly narrow across you as she shuffles into a seat next to you, “is this how you randomly got so talented?”

You were always talented.

There’s a tickle of a smile on Jiyong’s lips, a chuckle as Yoohyeon scoots closer to you peering deep into your eyes.

It’s been years since your arrangement started.

Duelling club in your second year, he’d seen the unfocused edge of anger, muddled spells and lazy wandwork. 

Countless visits to the hospital wing biting off more than you could chew.

Your pursuit of strength was unrefined, lazy at best.

It had been him who had guided you to Professor Byun, for charm mentorship. Even if Baekhyun disliked your preference towards violence.

You roll your eyes, “what do you mean randomly?” a chuckle ruffles past your lips. “As if I wasn’t from the outset?”

She smiles, pleased with ruffling you ever so slightly. “So how do we do it Professor Kwon?”

“I didn’t realise Miss Kim would be joining us,” he teases, placing his glasses into his coat pocket.

“I didn-”

He hushes her with a wave his hand, mockery a form of fondness. 

“Now,” he draws his wand. “I can teach incantation, the wand movement and the theory but it’s truly up to you to grasp it.”

His wand dances under his command, “you need to focus on a happy memory, the happier the better.”

There’s a subtle grumble in the back of your mind, happy memories were few and far between.

“Expecto Patronum,” wisps of trailing glowing mist echo from the tip of his wand, dancing as it drifts through the air, it coalesces brimming with life.

A dragon.

Regal and powerful, soars, glimmering wisps of silvery-white dancing through the air. 

One thought lingers through your head, otherworldly even for an act of magic it brims with majesty and power.

Still Jiyong dismisses it with a flourished bow.

His eyes flicker between you and Yoohyeon who is still lost in awe. You'd gotten so used to her presence that you forgot what being a muggle entailed.

Complete wonder and enthrallment when it came to the Wizarding World. 

Truly you wished to see everything through her lense. 

"Who would like to try first?" Jiyong smiles, yet it's Yoohyeon's hand that shoots up. 

"Me!" She beams. 

Still Jiyong's eyes linger on you, "Sly?" 

Echoes of your father drift in your ear, "A skilled wizard needs nothing but the dark arts."

Your fingers thrum over your temples, he tried to transfer you to Durmstang. 

"I'll just watch," Jiyong’s eyes narrow against your own, even you had to admit it was uncharacteristic of you. "I have the slightest hint of a headache."

A bold faced lie. 

Still the charm flickers on the briefest edge of fine mist, incorporeal.

Frustration scowls at the edge of your finger tips, digging deep into the wood of your wand, even the mist falters under the weight of your mental collapse.

“Fuck,” soft, muffled against your own sleeve as you scream out into the night, your grip weakens amidst your lingering feelings.

Your wand slips and falls into knots of grass and tangled roots.

A deep breath echoes past your lips, the ghost of Jiyong’s instruction. 

"Anger and frustration leads to the dark arts," you feel like he was referencing a muggle movie. 

The dark arts weren’t inherently bad, even if your father employed them where he could.

You crouch down amidst the dirt and grass, searching for your wand. 

A soft clatter echoes beside you, a disc with three smaller discs linked to the centre.

A fidget spinner is what Yoohyeon called it.

“Lumos,” light blooms to life behind you, stretching your shadow across the nearby lake. 

Boots crunch across dried leaves, the gait balanced yet cautious not to trip on anything.

Familiar to you like the fidget spinner in your hand.

A memento of her.

“It’s not like you to stay up past curfew,” you tease, the dance of a wry smirk.

She grumbles at your voice, “I was sneaking out long before you.”

You turn to her, your fingers dancing across your lips, “Why was that again?”

She’s as beautiful as ever, worn knit sweater, holes torn by early misadventures. Magic would fix it, but she enjoyed the reminders.

There’s a fleck of a smile on her lips, “Because someone wanted to practise Quidditch.”

You roll your eyes playfully, each footfall a playful dance number before prodding ever so softly at her collarbone. “Gotta say you have to be the first Slytherin, that snuck out for the equivalent of studying.”

Her smile falters for the briefest of moments, a fragment of a frown. There’s the glimmer of some hidden burden in her eyes.

If only you were a legilimens.

She shivers slightly, no doubt a result of her attire. Shorts and stockings were no shield against the cold nip of a Hogwarts night.

“It wasn’t all bad, at least it was Jiyong who snapped you,” the first domino to fall in the chain reaction that had you joining the Quidditch team.

Though there were worse deals for silence, let alone cooperation.

“Most people don’t avoid detention, let alone become Seeker for it,” you add, as you remove your jacket, offering to her in a lone hand.

Your wand was somewhere, you dread the thought of it landing in the lake. 

Though you don’t recall hearing it drown.

Still, you feel the weight of your jacket in your hand, your eyes peer back to her, cold like steel.

“Take the jacket.”

It wasn’t often you spoke to her like that.

Her hands are tentative and cautiously, even still the weight leaves your grip, “what about you?”

A smile dots your lips, “don’t worry about me, I’m cold blooded.”

Confusion etches itself onto her features, there’s the slightest tilt of her head. “But don’t cold-blooded animals need heat from an outside source?”

Huh, probably? 

You shake your head, “that’s besides the point Yooh.”

She bristles with a tender smile, “I’m trying to be cool here.”

Where the fuck was your wand?

Her arms loop around you, pressing a hug into your back, “you’re always cool to me Sly.”

You have to fight every urge not to melt right in her grasp, when did physical contact with her start to elicit such a reaction from you?

“Hate to ruin the moment and all, but do you maybe want to help me find my wand?” A grumble from your own lips.

The light glimmers against the fidget spinner in your hand.

You hear the hum of a pleased smile grace her lips, “you kept it.”

A small subtle whisper, you doubt she meant for you to hear.

 “Of course.” Just loud enough for her to hear, you remain focused on the task at hand. 

Thunder booms through the night air as you grasp your wand, a job made easy thanks to Yoohyeon’s appearance.  

“Thanks Yooh,” an offered smile.

Her head cocks to the side, a lingering gaze and a cocked eyebrow. A habit when she was trying to work something out.

Her hand tugs at yours, you feel a brief shard of panic settle in your chest. 

Your eyes flicker over your knuckles, fine and healed.

“You were practising the patronus charm,” her eyes narrow with a blemished pout. “Without me.”

You couldn’t lie to her.

A resigned sigh, “yeah.”

Soft like a mouse.

Her eyes flutter like she’s been hit with a flashbang, unsettled.

Her grip tightens, “...Why?”

You’re surprised at her brashness, worry lingers in her eyes like rain drops after a storm.

A deep, slow breath, “I’ve never struggled with a spell this much.”

An incorporeal patronus wasn’t good enough, it only helped to heighten the lingering dread of being an imposter.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Yoohyeon’s eyes twist and dance over you, a soft ballet. “Is this about your dad?”

A frown plays and tugs at the edge of your lips, “kind of?”

He wasn’t the same after your mother.

Her lips bounce under the pressure of her teeth, she pulls you to the edge of the lake, “I’m sure you can-we can do it.”

You follow her lead lackadaisically, still your mind is primed and ready.

The Quidditch pitch, the sweet rush of the cool evening air. 

Family.

“You’re not too bad when you finally stop complaining and get on a broom," Yoongi chides, hand patting your shoulder. 

The roll of familiar eyes, "You're the reason the last beater quit especially since you need my full attention to even be a halfway decent chaser."

"Yeah, yeah," he relents, yet a smile lingers on his lips. "How do you want me to make it up to you huh?" 

Ryujin stretches tired stiff muscles, rolling her shoulders from side to side. "A massage would be great."

Her eyes linger with the glimmer of mischief, "but a date would be even better~" 

His eyes roll before dancing over Jackson giving tips to Yeji, "What was that Jackson?" He feigns. 

A wisp of a frown lingers on her lips, a feigned smile. "It's good to have you on team Sly, it's been awhile since the three of us hungout," a flicker of a scowl as she gestures towards Yoongi. 

"What with him being a prefect, me being on the quidditch team and you being leader of the duelling club," her head cocks to the side. "You don't get any benefits from that do you?" 

A shake of your head, "no just responsibility and having to deal with the first years."

She winces in pain at the idea. "Fuck that noise."

You hear it before you see it, you're moving before you can even think about it. 

Your fingers steal Ryujin’s beater bat in a split second.

You catch the briefest glimmer of surprise in Ryujin’s eyes as a bludger screams through the air, focused on Olivia, entranced in her own practice with Jackson.

You tear through the air as fast you can, pure adrenaline bouncing in your veins. 

Not even a fragment of doubt lingered in your brain if you’d make it in time.

Even if time slows to a crawl, panic whips across Olivia’s face, mixed with wisps of annoyance. 

The bat crackles like steel meeting thunder, your muscles flex as your anxiety dances with the idea of it being Yoohyeon in danger.

Suddenly the wind ripples and it’s gone.

Gone gone.

Ryujin comes to a halt next to you, like she watched a fly use one of the unforgivable curses.

“Nice… reflexes?” Her words are soft and genuine, too busy inspecting her bat. She turns to you as you pass her bat.

Worry sears deep into her brow, you’d never seen her make such an expression, she tests the weight of her bat. Only now did you notice some almost microscopic splinters in the back.

“You didn’t happen to disenchant my bat… or the Bludger did you?”

She shakes her head, focused on the smallest critique she can, “Regardless of how nice that was, putting that much power into a swing will leave you or worse yet.” Her eyes shift over your potential teammates. “Leave them wide open.”

Perhaps it’s the brief look of fear that causes your patronus to sputter and stay incorporeal, wisps of silvery-white fold out of your wand, forming a misty shield.

There’s a dance of emotion in Yoohyeon caught in a briefest window. 

First, a sense of relief, a heart warming smile as rain slowly begins to drizzle. Rain dances down her picturesque skin.

Second, the briefest glimmer of melancholy and worry for a reason you can quite decipher, until it falters, broken by her words.

You almost can’t make it out in the slight pitter patter of rain. 

“What memory?”

“The day I tried out for the Quidditch team.”

A surprised smile, “I’d never seen Olivia become… so trusting of a new person before. I was almost jealous.”

Almost.

Still even if a sense of bittersweet relief dances in her eyes, they soften noticing the lingering weight on your shoulders.

“Professor Kwon said most wizards were lucky if they could even produce an incorporeal form of the charm.”

It still wasn’t good enough for you, what if a Dementor or a Lethifold came for her? Even under the face of good intentions your core ached.

What if you weren’t good enough for her, would she still look at you the same on top of your throne violence?

Just because it was for her, doesn’t make it justifiable.

Worse yet would be to wear off on her in all the wrong ways.

“Well Jiyong sai-” Maybe you were wearing off on her. “That the memory helps determine the strength…”

Her eyes coyly linger on the fidget spinner in your hand. Her lips open and close, mulling over her choice of words. 

Her jaw clenches tensely.

Her hands toy with her hair before finally pulling it into a ponytail, a determined look. “I almost forgot about that christmas.”

Thunder booms once again, calling forth a heavier downpour.

Her voice falters, “but…” A frown, lost in thought. “It’s my happiest memory and…”

Her eyes snap to yours, serene and piercing like moonlight. You’d fall for her a second time if it were possible.

“Since you kept the fidget spinner, maybe it’s a happy memory for you."

You smile, "on the count of three?" 

"One." 

"Two."

"Three."

"Expecto-" your eyes linger on Yoohyeon, a trailed smile and focused eyes. 

Your grip tightens on the fidget spinner. 

Ecdysis, a noun used in Zoology, the process of shedding old skin.

Your first year at Hogwarts, well your first four months to be precise. 

You'd delved on various classes long enough to know your favourites… And the ones you abhorred. 

Despite Ryujin and Yoongi's predilection for flying lessons, they were something you truly despised. 

As a result you naturally drifted away from childhood friends ever so slightly. 

Enough so to enjoy a new pass time. 

Though it mattered not, originally you had plans to return to the estate and hopefully spend time with Ryujin and Yoongi. 

However, by some truly cruel twist of fate, the Min and Shin families had become preoccupied with their own familial activities. 

Yoongi was charged with looking after younger relatives, while Ryujin was happily brought along on one of her father's business trips. 

You didn’t even have the luxury of your own father fulfilling a promise he had laid. 

He too was busy with one thing or another. 

The Slytherin common was devoid of any life in the weeks leading up to Christmas. 

Disgruntled, Christmas was a joyous occasion when your mother was around. You didn’t even bother checking the foot of your bed for presents.

The only gift you’d receive would be disappointment.

Unfocused, your heart leaps into your throat as your feet miss a step. 

Your ankle folds painfully inward, a surge of white hot pain before your face even meets a step. 

Let alone multiple, each collision dazes you slightly with the force of each impact. 

Before you meet the cold hard floor. 

You swear you hear the smallest echo of a chuckle bounce through the common room. 

You probably had a concussion you reasoned. 

However unlikely. 

You groan against the floor, mortification sears through your veins. 

Still, you're thankful no one was around to witness it. 

Bruised pain lingers in your ankle as your hands push against the ground, you’re unsteady at best but you manage with the slightest yelp of pain.

You’re greeted by hurried footsteps, a flush of worry etched into distantly familiar eyes. Her hand traces your tender ankle, a flare of pain.

You grimace, venom ready to spell from your mouth.

“Episkey.”

The pain folds away into an eerie cold-hot sensation, before slowly fading away altogether.

So too does the venom.

A pleased smile teases the edge of her lips, until her eyes catch yours. 

There’s a molten mixture of panic, surprise and the slightest hint of fear. Her words tumbled out of her mouth in a flurry as she moved in a haunted gust.

“Sorr-I mean you’re welcome-sorry?” She lingers for the briefest of moments, awkward and unsure. “Bye.”

She was surprisingly quick on her feet, scampering out of the common room, you're left alone in the tender warmth of lit braziers and the cool dancing lights of the lake.

You stand with a new found ease, pain no longer licks through your veins.

It would seem the muggle had a proficiency in healing magic.

An odd fit for a Slytherin, though in this rare instance you were thankful.

What would your father think? 

Consorting with muggles? Perish the thought.

You’re surprised when Headmistress Boa stops you before the Great Hall, her eyes sharp and pointed, yet her voice is soft and delicate.

“You and Miss Kim are the only students who have chosen to remain at Hogwarts this winter,” her lips pursed and her eyes narrow. “I expect you to be on your best behaviour… at least for today, it is Christmas.”

Her eyes pin you to the spot despite her soft words, "very well Headmistress."

As if you were the one offering her a concession. 

There's the slightest tug of a smirk, "I hope to see you in my office less in the coming year or at the very least for differing reasons."

Your footfalls echo through the mostly empty halls, festive decorations dance through the air, alight with joy. 

You spy Professor Kwon dancing with another member of the staff, someone who had yet to teach you, or you were far too distracted by the bonnet on his head. 

Still, you hesitate on the boundary, even as your stomach grumbles. 

Your eyes settle on the muggle, happily stuffing her face. 

Surely, you could get away with sitting as far away from her as possible?

Professor Kwon's humming pulls you out of your machinations, the bright pink bonnet clashed terribly with his professional attire and his 'cool guy' vibe. 

A stain on the Auror name. 

He offers a Christmas cracker, as he nods towards the object of your avoidance. 

"Come on, it's Christmas."

You roll your eyes as you accept the cracker. 

"Fine," you grumble. 

Everything moves in a stir, you hardly remember what happened when you sat down opposite her aside from the brief smouldering embers of awkwardness.

An offer, or a suggestion on what food was best. 

Ironic considering you were the wizard, however she was faultless in her approach. The Christmas cracker lay forgotten in the wake of your shared hatred of flying lessons.

“But why does she have to be so… intense,” a nicer word than you intended to use.

Still her head sways side to side in thought, “I heard Instructor Gong used to play a wizard sport, that’s why.”

“Quidditch.”

An eyebrow arcs, like she expects the sharp edge of another word.

It doesn’t come.

Shadows stretch in the Great Hall, surprise twinkles in her eyes as the cracker rewards you both with a chess set.

“Wait… so they move by themselves?” You bite back the urge to point out the obvious, it stings like bile in your throat.

Strategy was never your forte, often left to the realm of Yoongi. Still, you’re surprised at her eye for openings and gaps, even then you can tell she’s stalling her victory.

Giving you a chance.

There’s a weird lull, eerie and silent as her eyes tremble over yours. “Why are you being so nice?”

Your eyes avoid hers, choosing to move your pieces by hand, you’re surprised when your brain flickers over your brief encounter in the common room.

She was cute.

“Consider it,” your lips scrunch, lost in thought. “A thank you, a gift or a Christmas miracle. You decide.”

She smiles, dorky and all teeth but it’s endearing all the same.

Only now do you catch the vomit green sweater that hangs loosely against her shoulders, an ugly colour, a couple sizes too big and an overall visual travesty. 

Still there’s a loving glitter hand stitched in each strand that even your dull eyes can’t miss, the sweltering warmth of Yoohyeon’s family even if they weren’t here.

“How come you didn’t go home for the holidays,” off-handed small talk. Still she notices your lingering gaze.

There’s the slightest pout to her lips, crested with the dew of kindness. 

“To save money.” 

Oh.

There’s a hint of worry in her eye, a subtle frown nested in your silence. 

Her eyes jitter over you, the anxious tick of her mind. “Ah,” rancid with hesitation. “What’d you get for Christmas? Anything cool?”

You can’t help the scowl that settles on your lips, the tip of an iceberg of disappointment. Her eyes wide with panic, another misstep in what you hoped wasn’t a long dance number.

Maybe it's the Christmas spirit, maybe muggles aren’t as bad as your father says, your words are soft, vulnerable even.

“Forgotten like always.”

You remain focused on the game despite her floundering, even if you know it’s a losing battle, brief vulnerability was one thing.

Prolonged conversations on your personal wounds was another thing entirely.

Your gaze lifts, from the board and your opponent is nowhere to be found, perhaps she’d grown bored of your predictable stratagems.

Though, if she left surely that means you won by default?

While you loathed the idea of winning in such a way, it was better than the alternative, which was losing to a muggle.

Moments trace by without even a whisper. 

That’s when you hear it, heavy foot falls and haggard breath. An exhaustion akin to prey on their last legs, an oddly shaped item in her hand.

“Here,” she mutters between desperate clutched breaths, your knotted eyebrows remind her of her place.

An awkward gulp for air, her eyes dodge yours but still she speaks with a cradled weak voice, “I know it isn’t much.”

Her hands clasp over yours with a hidden strength, “please take it, as a thank you, if you must.”

 “Just because I’m  a pureblood, doesn’t mean I’m above accepting a gift from a m-... from you.”

She smiles, a deep well of warmth despite your tentative hands. 

You toy with the odd object as it rests in your palm, “it’s a fidget spinner, it’s for… well, fidgeting.”

It was also the first present you’d gotten in years, a foreign bloom of warmth gathers in your chest.

It’s nice, if a bit unsettling.

Still, a question lingers on the tip of your tongue. “What’s it thanks for?”

There’s a glimmer of frosted sadness at the edges of her lips, a despondent glass sheen to her eyes.

A lingering sheet of bittersweet melancholy, “For being my friend.”

She forces a smile despite the knife that twists in your gut, a paper cut compared to her pain. Her eyes dance coyly away from yours, lingering on the chess game. 

A soft, sweet chuckle lines her lips, “you’re probably my first friend here,” still she smiles.

It dawns on you, the drawn out game wasn’t to appease your ego, a soft sadder truth. 

To delay what she believed was inevitable, “It was nice, even if it was only for today.”

Perhaps that was the first moment that started it all, your own ecdysis.

“Come on now, you have to annoy me at least until everyone comes back.”

“Patronum,” your voice calls silvery-white light blooms from your wand much like it had before, your eyes dance over Yoohyeon, as she struggles

The boom of thunder and the crackle of lightning, a warning, a timer.

The rain grows heavy with each passing moment, your hand clenches tight against the fidget spinner, even as the rain threatens to tear it from your grasp.

Slowly but sure, through gritted teeth, Yoohyeon’s blooming light slowly knits together into strands.

You weren’t one to be outdone.

Your jaw clenches tight as you focus on the days following Christmas, filled with nothing but mischief at the staff’s expense.

The bounce of her laughter fills your ears, you catch a fractured glimpse as her strands slowly knit together.

She was on the precipice.

Yet, you hear it in the way her breath hitches, so close, yet so far.

The building blocks of a mammal, four legs and an excited tail, a dog of some sorts? It almost fades and whimpers back into a shield, still you feel power in it despite it’s small size.

A puppy.

It was fitting for her.

Your own strands slowly circle around hers, dancing in their own way, strands pull, tug and knit together before devolving into a ghostly semblance. 

You're so close, it's almost like tasting fresh air for the first time, or feeling the warmth of the sun after years in the cold. 

A single hand that reaches out, an escape from your family's dark legacy. 

You catch Yoohyeon's pained frown as slowly her Patronous melts away into nothing but mist. 

Suddenly your heart races, sinking with each moment. Your own Patronous begins to melt away, dark thoughts ambush your weakened mind. 

Your brain scattered under the weight, that maybe regret lingered in her. 

Your brain cracks like a whip, as the downpour deepens. Rain pelts your skin harshly and soaks through your clothes in seconds. 

Yet her frown lingers in your mind, sobbed whimpers echo and leak bouncing dangerously in your mind. 

"Mudblood," trickles easily past your younger, more ignorant lips. 

The smattering of laughter as you hid her wand during charms class, the tear stained panic and mortification grips and haunts you. 

You were her first friend and bully. 

Blood caked, bruised fists and that still wasn't enough. You remember claw-like hands tearing into your dress shirt. 

The trembling terror in her eyes, fighting desperately to pull you off Kris. 

"Sectumsemp-"

No amount of blood spilled by or from you would be enough. 

A snake is still a snake even if it sheds its skin. 

Your hand claws deep into your wand, as if some hidden fortitude would reveal itself. 

You feel a soft comfort roll over your knuckles, a tender kindness that could only be Yoohyeon. 

Torrential rain batters you both, the flicker embers of each of your patronus the only light. 

A single weak candle in a storm. 

Even as the rain soaks through the both of you, she smiles that soft dorky smile. 

The flag you'd follow to the ends of the earth. 

Even the howling wind grows silent under her soft velvet gaze. 

You feel a desperate pang in your chest, still in these little moments your patronus lingers in a state in between. 

Silvery-white wisp like embers dance around the both of you, beautiful and iridescent. 

Your heart leaps in your throat as she pulls you, the briefest caress of her hand against your cheek. 

Every fibre of longing blooms tenderly accompanied by silvery wisps. 

A forceful tug brings your lips crashing into hers, a smile pressed against your lips. 

The deep caress of her lips, soothes every heart-wrenching ache of longing. 

Still, she pulls tighter. 

Scared you'll fade away with the howling winds, muffled under the heat of her tender warmth. 

You feel it like a mirror onto yourself, the deep-seated hunger and want as she melts against you in the surging rain. 

You could be washed away now and you'd have no regrets. 

Her hands cling desperately to you, rolling through your hair, peppering your skin wherever she can. 

The boom of thunder and the crackle of lightning is what finally separates the two of you. 

A silvery-white serpentine shape dances gracefully around Yoohyeon, you command it instinctively with the flick of your wand. 

It doesn't obey, instead it moves at Yoohyeon's beck and call. 

An Occamy.

Swaddled in its embrace, a silvery-white pomeranian. 

Your patronus. 

There's a rare child-like happiness that settles in your chest, it's a soothing comfort to have something so innocent despite your violent nature. 

You watch as Yoohyeon tries to command the pomeranian charm, a twist of lingering confusion as her eyes follow the silvery trail to your wand. 

The Occamy evaporates in an instant, as pure unbridled panic settles in her eyes. 

Wide eyed like an owl, there's a tremble in her wand hand. 

A look you're not quite used to. 

"Yoo-" An unspoken spell hits you like a slug, your breath is torn from your throat as you collapse to the floor. 

Your head throbs and dazzles with stars. 

Stupefy. 

You were thankful it was non-verbal, even as you fought to stay conscious. 

She's already gone by the time you get to your feet. 

Yoongi is the only one that visits you while you're in the hospital wing, Olivia only offers you pointed glares and the threat of death from the hallway. 

You'd been so caught up with your own stuff you forgot about her whole date conundrum. 

"I told you I'm fine Madam Lee," you groan, annoyed by her over concern. "It was a non-verbal Stupefy."

Her eyes narrow, "well until you tell me who did it, I believe it's within our best interests to keep you under observation."

You roll your eyes, "fine, fine. Yoohyeon told me there's no point in arguing with you."

Her lips pursed, focused on a great multitude of things. "You wouldn't happen to know where Miss Kim is, would you?" 

You click your tongue, "in case you haven't noticed I've been here for the last day and a half."

You shake your head, "so no, I haven't."

"Odd, I thought she'd at least visit you, she's seemed strangely distant as of late."

You really hoped it wasn't a you thing. 

You shrug, "finals is coming up, so maybe that's taking up all her attention?" 

You couldn't tell if you were trying to convince her, or yourself. 

As long as someone felt better you suppose. 

"Maybe," her words drift off upon noticing Yoongi, "Ah, Mr Min keeping out of trouble I hope?" 

"That's what the badge is for right?" Emblazoned by his signature gummy smile.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," her eyes patrol the wing, "I'll leave you two to it." 

You notice a familiar glint of metal dancing in his hand. 

"Geez, I stay in the hospital wing for longer than an afternoon and you're already helping yourself to my stuff."

A flick of his fingers conjures a non-magical flame. 

A muggle zippo lighter, one of Yoohyeon's many Christmas gifts over the years. 

"Still no Yoohyeon?" 

"Nope, I'm getting more love from Olivia than her at the moment," you offer her a wave. 

She scowls back with a simple gesture, I have my eyes on you. 

A smirk teases across Yoongi's teeth, "Geez what did you do?" 

"What did I do?” Why does he assume it’s you? “It was all her.”

“We are talking about Yoohyeon right?”

“Well we’re certainly not talking about you, even  if your lovelife is far more glamorous.”

He quickly pockets the lighter. Still his fingers poke and prod, an anxious tick, a hankering for a cigarette.

He seethes ever so slightly, with bubbled stress. Fingers, still ticking aways as his eyes dart from side to side.

His tongue rolls over his teeth, lost in thought.

“Fine.”

“Fine, what?”

You can’t help but notice the strained scowl akin to a wet cat. Still underneath it all you can tell he's troubled.

“We’ll talk about me and my… issues.” You fight the absolute primal urge to clap like a seal, or any sort of hoopla. 

After all, you didn’t want to ruin such a rare experience.

“Alright.”

He grabs a nearby chair, placing it with the back to you. Still he ticks nervously as he sits, arms crossed on the backrest.

The silence is all consuming, like a hungry void.

“So…”

He rolls his eyes, “I’m sorry did you wanna do the muggle thing, and paint our nails and twirl our hair?”

A chuckle rumbles through your lips, “honestly maybe?”

His words catch at the edge of his lips, ‘tch.”

You roll your eyes, “fine, how about I help you. Yeji or Ryujin?”

He muses to himself ever so slightly, it’s like every other time you’ve seen him do smart guy shit.

Though, love shouldn’t be a formula or an algorithm to solve.

There’s a glimmer in his eyes, almost like the beep of a microwave. “My personal preferences aside, don’t you think they’d suit each other better?”

Not what you expected.

Still, you lean forward, “why?”

“Well I remember Olivia’s obsession with opposites attract,” his lips scrunch together. “Which is honestly vaguely close to enemies/rivals to lovers?”

Olivia’s interest in a certain Keeper definitely comes to mind, though you bite your tongue.

You hush the calculations with a wave of your hand, “who cares about semantics? Get to your point already.”

“Well, Ryujin has known Yeji for nearly as long as she’s known us,” he adds, fingers padding his chin. “They’re also distinctly different.”

You roll your eyes, “same thing applies to you dumbass… or me for that matter.”

“I’m surprised Ryujin hasn’t tried hitting on you act-”

“She has, she only stopped after the fight I had with Kris,” you quickly point out.

“Ah, right, right.”

“So?”

“So? What?” There’s an expression of lingering confusion.

“Ryujin or Yeji?”

He sighs, “I mean I had a crush on Ryujin when we were kids.”

You’re not surprised, most people did… Most people still do.

Still, you were banking 50 Galleons on Team Ryujin.

As long as he didn’t say both of them, someone from the Quidditch team was winning a decent pot.

“But Yeji’s a comfortable person to be around, it’s calm an-”

“Oh, come on. Don’t be a loser Icarus.” Plus that’d mean Jiyong would win the whole goddamn thing.

He rolls his eyes, “we both know I’m not like that.” Territory solely of one Mr Jackson Wang.

“There’s just pros and cons for both,” you had to admit he had a point.

“Fine, list them off… but make it quick.”

He rolls his eyes, a flare of a grin.

“Well, instead of reducing people to pros and cons, I’m just gonna limit it to my potential problems.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever Prince Charming.”

“I don’t know Yeji as well as Ryujin, so I don’t know if we’ll clash.”

“Right, right. What about Ryujin?”

“Well, I’m not sure if she’s actually into me or not?” Your eyebrows knot together.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, maybe I’m just overthinking it. But what if she’s only interested in me because I’ve denied her so far?”

“Ah, I getcha,” a soft nod, until eventually you shake your head. “Why don’t you just talk to her about it?”

“Well, I mean there’s another issue,” surely Jackson’s hail mary bet wasn’t gonna work.

Your face meets your palm ever so ungracefully. “Don’t tell me.”

“Don’t tell you what?” Wood carved confusion lingers on his features, a true curiosity dances in his eyes.

You take a deep breath, “I’m Yoongi-bear, but I sadly have to let you down gently.”

His response, a solid punch to the shoulder. 

“Ouch, that almost hurt.”

Despite the punch, a smile lingers on his lips. “First of all, don’t you dare call me that, second of all I have to fight the urge to vomit everytime I look at you and finally this is serious.”

You wave him off once again, “fine, fine.” You were just glad Jackson was out of the running.

As far as you could tell.

Your eyes narrow.

“I’m not like everyone el-”

“You’re werewolf?”

“What n-”

“Vegan?”

“What the hell does tha-”

“Oh you’re a Jonas bro-”

He does his best to scowl at you, even if he’s a bumbling mess of laughter, “would you fuck up?”

“Fine, fine whatever you say Mr Jonas.”

“I don’t know if I’m able to…” His tongue struggles against his teeth, there’s the briefest flicker of torment in his eyes and almost self-disdain. “Be intimate with anyone.”

Your brain struggles ever so slightly, not on the topic but rather… on what to say. “I can see why you’d worry about Ryujin in that case.”

“Yeah.” There’s a deep billow of a sigh, like a tire slowly letting out all of its air. Still you feel like some amount of pressure has fallen off his shoulders.

Your brain lingers on what his family would say… He’s been through enough today. 

“Still, I think it’s worth talking to her about,” he grimaces slightly at the idea. “You gotta remember that despite her nature, she does have very real feelings, if anything I’m surprised she didn’t get sorted into Hufflepuff with how tenacious she’s been.”

His lips purse in thought, “what I’m trying to say is even Ryujin will give up one day. So you should at least talk things out and that’s not my 50 Galleons bet talking.”

He scoffs at the mention of Galleons, “You’re a scoundrel.”

You give him a wink, “now did you wanna hear about my end of the stick?”

He instantly peeps up, “completely forgot about that.”

He shuffles desperately close, like you’re about to tell him about a secret entrance into Gringotts. “So spill.”

Suddenly he holds up a hand, “wait, let me guess.”

You roll your eyes, always a guessing game with him. “Fine.”

He places two fingers on his temple and one hand out in front of you, “You guys were out past curfew… I’m seeing pictures of the lake… or the forest?”

“Anyone could’ve guessed that moron.”

His hand tenses at your words, “a dark wi-”

“Already wron-”

“Let me finish at least.” Still he continues with the act. “He launched an attack at your dearly beloved, and you dove in front taking that attack, now she can’t bear to look at you because it’s a reminder of pain she put you through.”

You scoff, a smirk tickles your lips.

“Honestly I would’ve preferred your version, but also not at all.” You smile, “Can I talk now?”

“Oh, yeah of course.”

“I was out late practising the Patronus Charm, when Yoohyeon found me.”

You watch as Yoongi’s eyes slowly glaze over as if he’s working on Arithmancy homework. “So you started practising together.”

“Yeah, it still didn’t go too well until we both remembered that first Christmas,” he leans closer, inspecting every inch of you like the twitch of a smile could predict the lotto numbers.

His eyebrows knit together, “how’d that go?”

“I can show you if you’d like.”

He shakes his head. Though you hear the briefest mumble, “so they know the Patronus Charm now.”

It seems he was already picking apart the strands. Hoping to spoil the outcome.

“So how’d you do it?”

You let the silence slowly sink in around him, drowning him in anticipation.

“She kissed me.”

“Shut up,” you’ve seen feigned surprise on Yoongi before, that’s why it’s all the more surprising watching his eyes bulge out of their socket.

“Not able to deduce that, were you Sherlock?” You can’t help the simmering grin on your lips,to give Yoongi credit he gives a slow clap.

“Didn’t think she had it in her,” there’s almost the smile of a pleased older sibling on his lips. However, slowly the smile fades, gears clicking into place with a haunted look. “Wait a minute.”

“What?”

There’s a cocky smirk on his lips. “That means your Patronus is a fucking pomeranian.”

It’s your turn for your eyeballs to bulge, as Yoongi laughs a hideous cackle. You hear sobs slowly begin to emanate from him. 

“Oh my god… the best duelist in our school has a pomeranian as a Patronus,” he wheezes between desperate laughter-riddled breaths.”Fuck, you can’t make that up.”

You seeth at his laughter, a friendly scowl is all you can offer as he slowly recovers.

“How’d you know?”

He smiles that irritating gummy smile, “because that would’ve been Yoohyeon’s obviously.”

Well you couldn’t argue with that.

It made sense.

“But then why is mine the pomeranian?”

His smile still taunts you, though you all had a field of strengths. 

Yoongi’s just happened to come up more often than everyone else’s

“Same reason her Patronus is an Occamy. Do the maths.”

The Patronus is meant to represent your hidden strength, a faucet of yourself hidden, unknown but necessary.

Did that mean you were both necessary for each other? Like yin and yan-

“Judging from the way your face is scrunching, you’re thinking too hard,” he jibes, a trickle of laughter. “Not that I need to explain this to you on your end at least. But she’s in love with you, too moron.”

Still he hums with a thought, “though you two have been rubbing off on each other too… So I guess they also represent the faucets of yourself you don’t often bring forth.”

“But that’s the boring part,” he continues.

Part of you hates to admit that your penchant for violence might just be due to the simplicity of it all, because a question lingers at the tip of your tongue.

“Wait? If she’s supposedly in love with me, why is she avoiding me? Riddle me that Sherlock?”

He shrugs, “I dunno… Probably something muggle-related? Give her time, maybe she’s going through her own Ecdysis.”

You can’t help but roll your eyes, “way to go Yoongs, you know how to read a dictionary.”

“At least I know how to read unlike a certain duelist~”

“Fuck you,” still there’s a glimmer of a smile underneath the venom.

“That’s what I thought.”

Days stretch into weeks as seasons take their time in the limelight, a dance with spring in the eves of march before an easter intermission. 

Yet you’ve seen hide nor hair outside of Quidditch practice, she’s been accommodating for the most part, yet any attempt at a prolonged conversation fumbles and sputters like muggle technology on school grounds.

Still you catch her escaping past curfew most nights.

There’s an uneasy edge to you even without the nerves of ‘finals’. 

Slytherin’s last game of the year, though you suppose it’s also Gryffindor’s as well.

Quidditch wasn’t really your circus, flying in general wasn’t your thing.

Though as your eyes scan over your team, you realise they are certainly your monkeys. Excitement hangs thick in the air for most of the team.

Only Olivia seems to share the same harsh edge, a mounting dread.

Though your reasons differed, there was a unique solidarity.

“You wouldn’t happen to have your lighter on you?” There’s a slight tremble in her hands.

“How would your Keeper feel about that?” A smirk tugs at your lips, if only to hide your own worries.

She scoffs, “I’m not a loser like Yoongi… plus Jackson always keeps his eye on me.”

A frown tugs at her lips, she chews anxiously at the bottom lip. A scowl settles in its place.

“If you must know, I want to light some scented candles… to relax or some bullshit,” she paces ever so slightly despite her efforts.

“You don’t have your wand on you?” Your eyebrows  crease, “wait when were you into scented candles?”

There’s the slightest grumble in her throat, like a cat ready to pounce. “Well, Professor Kwon and Jackson seemed to agree that I’m prone to violent outbursts, before, during and after a game.”

She attempts to prod at you with a glare, an attempt at intimidation that is sub-par at best, instead she was more akin to a grumpy cat.

More adorable than threatening, though you wouldn’t say it to her face.

“Have you considered being sneaky? It’s kind of Slytherin’s thing.”

She just rolls her eyes, as her nervous pacing only intensifies.

“As for the scented candles thing? It was suggested by a… friend.”

“Your dearly beloved Gryffindork? Gotcha,” you tease, you watch as her muscles wind up to hit you. However she stops when notices the shimmer of your lighter. “Take care of it.”

“Of course,” her words are surprisingly soft, as she takes it into her grasp. A soft treasured touch that you didn’t expect from her. 

You feel Jackson’s palm crest your shoulder, the glimmer of his confident smile nearly blinds you. “Speech in five-ten minutes, then game time alright?”

“Yeah, sure, sure.” His eyes soften over you, almost able to sense your anxiety.��

His grip tightens, massaging all the good vibes he can into you. “There’s nothing to worry about chief, you wouldn’t be on this team if I thought you’d screw up.”

He wrestles himself into almost a baseball stance. “You have a good arm on you, so just channel the bad vibes and go for broke.” His invisible bat connects with what you assume is a ball, you can almost see how far he hits it. “Plus I think you’d be able to pull off the legendary two for one special.”

A smile bristles past your anxiety and onto your lips, “thanks Jackson.”

There’s a flash of a sudden idea on his face, “Oh, could you gather the team? I have to sort some things with Professor K.”

It was a rare thing for Jackson to thrust any semblance of responsibility on you. “Yeah, sure Cap… But Olivia is,” you poke a thumb behind you as the smell of jasmine and lavender saunters through the tent.

He shrugs, “leave her it’s hard being Romeo or Juliet when your families have to fight… I dunno, I've never read it.”

“Wait, you know?”

“It’s my job to know things,” he smiles, flourished by his devil-may-care attitude. “Though if you’re wondering who found out first, that honour is yours alone. Pom-pom.”

He gives you a wink punctuated with the click of his tongue.

The click, Jackson’s true mark of favouritism.

Not an honour you were actively looking for, especially if it meant being called Pom-pom.

There’s a soft tender almost tentative tug at your sleeve.

Yoohyeon.

She waves awkwardly, eyes avoiding yours. 

“Hey.” It’s almost like speaking to a mouse. She chews anxiously against her bottom lip.

Hey stranger, is your first thought, a joke to ease the strained atmosphere. But as you watch her almost shrink in your presence, you decide against it.

You muster what warmth you can, “what’s up?”

Her mouth opens for the briefest moment, words on the tip of her tongue. “She raises a clenched hand revealing a familiar broom.

A coy smile.

“Uh, thanks for the broom by the way…”  Her eyes still dance away from yours, you're almost tempted to kiss if it would get rid of the awkward tension. 

Too bad it was game day, you didn’t want to rattle her.

Still Christmas had long since passed, you remember her almost unending thanks. 

One of the few times she’d managed to actually get on your nerves.

“I’m sorry all I got you was an electric guitar you can’t even use.” 

“I appreciate every gift you get me, it’s just enough to be thought about by you.” You swear she almost halves in size despite her reasonably tall stature.

Her cheeks a slightly rosy pink, still her eyes finally bore into you like cold steel. 

“...We’re still friends right?”

Sadly.

“Of course.”

Her mouth pretends to work again before failing to make any noise. “Jackson told you to gather the team right?... I could do that if you want.”

“Uh yeah sure?” Having extra time to centre yourself before game time would be invaluable.

She takes a couple of steps before pausing, there’s another gentle tug of your sleeve. “We need to talk after the game.”

Great. 

Any confidence Jackson managed to instil in you is thrown and torn asunder in the wake of Hurricane Yoohyeon.

Maybe Olivia had the right idea with scented candles?

Deep breaths.

Your lungs burn with each deep breath, the only consolation was they didn’t hurt as much as your arms.

Your arms weigh heavy at your side.

You knew Quidditch games could go on for a prolonged period of time, it was truly different to play for that amount of time.

Amber embers stretch over the field, shadows towering at their highest before sunset, it’s beautiful, almost picturesque like a family outing before the holiday. 

Well, if there wasn’t a trophy and bragging rights on the line.

Olivia’s broom shakes and sways under her exhaustion, she was a beast in her own right. But stamina was her greatest weakness.

If anything you’re surprised she’s still flying. She fights desperately even soaked in sweat and sapped by exhaustion. 

You remember when the game started it exploded like crashing thunder and lightning. Every minute an exciting uproar of cheers and chants.

You still remember the smile plastered on Olivia’s face when managed to score three times in a row.

That meant mocking her sucking during practice was on the table.

Still despite her stellar performance at the beginning of the game, exhaustion quickly sapped her strength.

Even Yoongi’s broom trembles ever so slightly, a symptom of a larger problem.

His pride.

Ever since you were kids he’d push himself past his limits, it’s thanks to the trifecta of Ryujin, Yeji and Him that you guys were still deadlocked.

Ironic really.

320-320 

For how much longer you wouldn’t be able to tell, your strength as a team were the quicker games. 

All you can think of is how cosy your bed would be right now, soft and comfy.

Your own broom begins to shake even as you conserve your energy. You’re just thankful the teams are evenly matched for the most part.

Even still you notice Yoongi’s scowl aimed at Jihyo, a begrudging respect. Even with her own haggard breath she offers a soft radiant smile.

No doubt she considered him an equal to some degree.

You watch as Yeji and Lisa zip and dance almost like fireflies. You hated to admit it but Lisa was a decent amount faster than Yeji, even if the latter was craftier.

It’s hard to be sneaky when someone finally notices you.

You hear a whistle from Jackson to Jihyo, “Time out?”

She nods softly as he flies over, a hushed conversation that you can’t quite make out, perhaps it was the tiredness leaking into your bones?

Their mini-meeting is quick and succinct.

There’s an oddly serious edge to Jackson, “Olivia.”

Her broom shakes and stirs like she’s been woken from a nap, her eyes glazed over. “Hm? What?”

“Go to the changing room and have a rest?”

There’s the flicker of a defiant ember in her eyes at those words, “bu-”

“Please,” his face softens. “You’ve done well, you don’t need to worry they’re also benching one of their players alright?”

The ember is snuffed out with his gentle entreatment.

She slowly makes her way to the changing room. “Yoongs?”

“Yeah, boss?” You can hear the dry crack of his throat.

“We’re going on the defensive,” he returns a soft nod. 

His eyes shift to Ryujin, “guard me and Yoongi, if you can aim the bludgers away from the seekers alright?”

She wipes a sweat soaked brow, “Are you sure, because if a nail the seek-”

“What if they redirect to Yoohyeon? She’s our ticket out of this soaked hellhole and to the party of my dreams,” you’d never seen Jackson force a smile before, but there was a first time for everything.

“Alright, no guarantees. “

He turns to Yeji, “I trust you to help out where you can alright? If you think you can score some points to keep us in the game, go for it.”

“Alright, chief.”

He turns to you and Yoohyeon last. “My dynamic duo, I need you to kick things into overdrive alright?”

You raise your fist as high as you can, still you feel your muscles slowly descending into the muck of lethargy and pain.

Yoohyeon turns to you, “we got this.” Her fist collides with yours. 

Still you notice she’s still springing with energy.

Probably all those late night training sessions.

Slowly everybody assumes their positions as Instructor Gong readies her whistle. Still you feel the bristle of Jackson, “Protect her with your life, you got me, Pom-pom?”

You roll your eyes.

“It’s what I always do.”

As the whistle’s wail pierces through it awakens something almost primal in you, the last of your reserves.

You cling desperately to Yoohyeon’s side, as close as you can manage. She’s a blur just out of your reach.

How she managed with one of the school’s brooms was beyond you.

Each second at top speed stretches and feels like a minute, each minute feels like an hour.

Still you hear the roar of the Slytherin crowd, either a successful defence effort or a sneaky goal by Yeji.

Your muscles ache and beg for you to stop, you’d hate to imagine the pain of hitting a bludger right.

Bile builds in your throat as your head whips around, keeping track of Yoohyeon and any bludgers, a dangerous strain on your neck. 

You can’t even see the snitch.

Still, you fight the burn the builds in your throat, your eyes catch the shadow of another person, J.Seph one half of Gryffindor’s beater duo.

He lingers not too far behind you, laboured sweat-soaked breaths. There’s a glimmer of surprise creased in his brow.

Yoohyeon must been on the right track, Jungkook probably wasn’t too fa-

That’s when you see him, Gryffindor golden boy and seeker supreme. Sweat soaks his hair as he pushes his broom slowly inching ahead of Yoohyeon.

That’s when you see it, the fluttering golden wing, almost like a hummingbird, it’s hard to make out the finer details.

Then you hear it, the sound of a beater bat crash like thunder against a bludger. You almost snap your neck, unsettled panic rattles through your bones like chimes on the wind. 

Your eyes lock with J.seph’s, the flurry of worry in his eyes mirror your own.

You hear it tear through the air with a ravenous hunger, howling for Yoohyeon.

Yet her eyes don’t tear from the snitch, you can’t tell if it’s a lack of awareness or complete and utter trust in you.

You’ll shortly see if it’s unfounded.

Your body shakes as you slowly try to stand on your broom.

A risky manoeuvre for sure.

Your legs shake like jelly at the briefest of the ground, you’d probably just become a pancake from this hei-You see it, you truly do as everything comes to a crawl.

The legendary two for one.

Jihyo and Lisa.

It’s almost like you’re safely on the ground, steady and solid as your hands grip strong against familiar wood and leather. 

The game was as good as over so long as Jungkook didn’t get the snitch.

Your eyes don’t falter, they don’t linger on Yoohyeon. 

An almost serene calm comes over you, like an undisturbed lake.

That’s why it’s all the more disturbing when something feels off, you almost can’t place your finger on it.

The bludger makes a sound a fraction of a second before you hit it, your eyes widened. Still everything is tranquil and slow, despite the panic in your heart.

No one else hits your bludger, it sails straight and true, pain ripples through every muscle fibre as your arm swings wide.

Your grip falters for a second and a second is all it takes for it to flutter out of your hands, you curse through gritted teeth.

A mistake, yet the unease still lingers even as you watch your bludger connect first into Jihyo and then Lisa.

Really putting the L in Lisa huh?

The other bludger.

Your eyes snap to Ryujin as she watches in horror.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, a saying by some muggle.

Still you hear it before you see it, the crack of J.seph’s bat against cold bludger metal, you react almost without thinking.

Your eyes snap to her for the briefest microsecond, her fingertips mere millimetres from the snitch, unaware of the danger she was in.

You could give up the snitch and the game. 

No danger would come to her, you’d be the last person who hurt her.

A simple promise to yourself.

You couldn’t deflect it, your bat was gone. Hopefully she won't get too mad at you.

You were too slow on your broom to take the hit.

You draw your wand, fluttering memories linger, mostly lectures from Yoohyeon, what was and what wasn’t considered a foul.

Wand usage was considered fair game on your team and on your brooms.

J.Seph looks at you like you’re insane.

All you can offer is a toothy smile… while you still had them

“Flipendo.” Your broom splinters against the sudden force, for the briefest moment you feel like a bird, sailing through the air.

Too bad falling was very much on the menu.

J.Seph moves in a panicked frenzy, attempting to strike the bludger again to alter its course, but it’s far too late.

It hits you like a steel wall, launching the wind out of you. Still, it keeps pushing, crushing your ribs slowly but surely.

There’s an apologetic worry in J.seph’s eyes that mounts with each strike, it rings deep in your skull like a bell.

Slowly your vision darkens at the fringes as you fall.

Muffled distant sounds as your consciousness fades.

“Rennervate.”

You awake suddenly and violently on the pitch, somehow not worse for wear, you catch a brief glimpse of Sunny running to various players healing what she can.

Your hands clutch a nearby person, you almost expect it to be Yoohyeon by the tremble. However it’s Yoongi’s tired, lethargic eyes.

The smell of martial magic hangs thick in the air, who the fuck was dueling on the pitch?

You groan involuntarily, pain grips at every vestige of your being, still you move.

Only now do you hear the… arguing? 

Was that Yoohyeon?

“Sectumsemp-”

Where the fuck did sh-“Expelliarmus”  you cast with a practiced graceful ease.

Her wand flitters through the air, discarded in the grass, you can feel the smouldering anger from here.

Her eyes burn a hole in her hand, her eyes snap to you and for a moment even without her wand fear for your life.

Her eyes soften, even as your legs give out beneath you, still the grass is soft and bouncy.

An odd comfort.

Her panicked run, a sweet reminder of where you began as she slides next to you, checking you over.

“You think you’d never seen someone get hit by a bludger before?” You give her an almost disappointed look. “Seriously? Sectumsempra over a scratch?”

“One minute you were right behind me and the-” Her voice cracks, only now do you notice the tears that well the edges.

“Tch, next you’re gonna hit people with an unforgivable for looking at me funny,” you tease, maybe an Occamy wasn’t too far off for her?

“I was worried oka-” her fist slams against your chest.

You do your best to muffle a grunt of pain, as you take a deep breath in.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologies quickly.

“I mean I had it coming, shouldn’t have been a dick.”

A pout lingers on her lips.

“Where’d you learn Sectum anyway?” 

Her eyebrows crease as if it’s obvious. “From you, duh.”

“Hold up,” you wave your hands in front of yourself, “I did not teach you that.”

She rolls her eyes as her hand pats your cheek, “Geez you purebloods act like magic is hard or something.”

You feel her smile as she presses a kiss into your forehead.

She smiles that sweet dorky smile and you’d wish for nothing else in the world.

“-Oh,” suddenly she freezes, “ah.”

Your wand is already in your hand, a rushed “Protego.” Glimmers to life in front of you.

She looks at you with a heavy weight of confusion.

“Hey!” Your eyebrows knit together, “you hit me with a Stupefy last time.”

“...You know I completely forgot about that,” she laughs awkwardly, her hand caressing the back of her neck.

You watch as she contemplates laying down on you before she tugs you softly into her embrace.

Even still there’s a tender shyness she has under your focused gaze, you’d easily forget that nearly maimed poor J.Seph.

Her fingers play absently with the grass, her eyes never quite meeting yours.

You poke her nose softly. “What was the freeze about?”

“Oh,” her face blooms with a cheeky smile. “Close your eyes.”

“Fine,” you roll your eyes, still a smile lingers on your lips.

“Hold out your hand,” you offer an open palm.

You feel a soft almost magical warmth, finely detailed grooves and a metallic sturdiness. 

“You can open your eyes now,” you can hear the small pleased hum of a smile.

The golden snitch, you hadn’t really bothered to look at one up close before.

“Oh, shit that means we won!” A smile tugs at your lips as you balance it between your fingers.

Before you finally offer it back.

“It’s yours.” Her fingers trail through your hair. “A real present instead of a re-gift or a hand me down.”

You smile softly, as you fight the tears that well up. “Are you sure?”

Just her comforting presence was enough. “Of course, I just wanted you to know you’re worth all the effort I can muster.”

“Even if you’re fine with less.”

Your fingers dance along her cheek as she stares lovingly at you, you fight through the lingering aches and pains to press a kiss into her velvet soft cheeks.

She feel her basically melt against your touch.

“I’m surprised you caught it and still had time to cause a commotion.”

“Well…” her gaze diverted away from you, her tongue dancing along her teeth. “I didn’t know I had it.”

“God damn it Yooh,”  

A cheesy smile bubbles across her lips.

Still a question lingers in the back of your skull, you lean up gazing directly at her. “What was the thing you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Well,” she starts and never quite finishes. 

Her eyebrows crease followed by a deep breath. “What are you doing over Easter?”

“You already know the answer to that, Yooh.”

“Well… I was,” her eyes hesitate even if her mouth doesn't. “...wonder ifyou’dliketocometomyplace.”

There’s the slightest scoff that parts your lips, an act of surprise. “I didn’t realise muggles were so forward.”

She rolls her eyes, “It can’t be helped when Purebloods don’t make a move, you and Yoongi are as bad as each other.”

“I get it, I get it.”

“You’ll get to meet my mum,” she beams at the thought.

“Should I be worried?”

“...No? I mean I’ve told her all about you,” still, her gaze avoids your ever so slightly.

Your eyes narrow, “....wait, is that why you were being so… confident.”

She shrinks ever so slightly at your words, “...Maybe?”

A chuckle tickles past your teeth.

“Hell, if we have the chance you could even meet my Dad.”

Her expression falls ever so slightly, replaced with pointed surprise. “Really?”

“...Yeah?”

“Damn you must really like me,” you feel the ever so soft nudge of Yoohyeon’s elbow against your ribs, a cheeky smile on her lips.

It’s cute and endearing.

It doesn’t stop it from hurting, a grimace tightens across your face.

Still you wouldn’t have it any other way.

#happy yoohyeon day #kim yoohyeon x reader #kim yoohyeon imagines #kim yoohyeon #yoohyeon fluff #yoohyeon imagines #yoohyeon x reader #yoohyeon #hogwarts au #dreamcatcher imagine #dreamcatcher fluff #dreamcatcher au #dreamcatcher oneshot #dreamcatcher #dreamcatcher imagines #dreamcatcher x reader #dreamcatcher scenarios #girl group imagines #girl group scenarios #kpop x reader #kpop imagines #kpop scenarios

[allyriadayne]

why do you think alicent is afraid of aemond? i didn't get this vibe from their interactions so far, but after the storms end i expect her to say I raised you better than that. i think she will wonder where aemond got this bloodthirstness from because neither she nor viserys were like this. listen, i love alicent but she has misconceptions about her children. just like dumbledore said to snape regarding harry. you see what you want to see. the thing is alicent overlooks aegon good traits like cunning (he convinced people living for years at dragonstone to follow him without bloodshed so itmeans he convinced them. My headcanon is: aegon is far more diplomatic than aemond even though aemond brags about studying history and philosophy so one can expect aemond to be more polished, diplomatic, but guess what all his knowledge goes out of the window when he's angry) and resourceful while she is too preoccupied with aemond not causing problems compared to aegon that she paints aemond as some sort of golden child. this, and aemond actually never comes back. aegon does. alicent was so wrong about both of her children. had alicent really understood aemond she would have never loved him because he represents everything she despises thirst for blood, war, violence. had she really understood aegon she would have truly loved him because they are very similar doing their duty and fighting till the end. alicent never understood her children. that's all. she was stuck up in childlish fantasies about both of them

why is alicent afraid of aemond? i agree this is not the vibe of their interactions but olivia cooke has a good nose on this characterization. the thing is, the studious, quiet, dutiful aemond is a cover for the real aemond, this is how he wants people to see him, esp how he wants his mother to see him because it means he gets recognized above his siblings, esp aegon. but he's not like this at all lol and i think in some level alicent understands this and it's afraid of this unleashed self (like she is of herself!). we saw a little bit of this dynamic in ep 8 when she tries to stop aemond from hitting jace and he snaps and snatches his arm from her. it's the moment she realizes she can't stop aemond anymore and it frightens her. and it's funny because she more or less makes aegon keep peace with rhaenyra on eps 9/10 by sending terms instead of an army but her favorite son is going too out of her reach. i don't think it's necessarily the violence but the lack of control she fears, esp when aemond is such a dangerous weapon.

i agree alicent overlooks aegon's good traits but only because aegon was uncontrollable since the beginning. what good is aegon's charm and charisma if he's not doing what alicent and otto tell him to? he's worthless because he can't follow instructions or at least pretend to, to me aegon has always been an honest kind of character and that kind of....let's say transparency is what disgusts alicent because she herself has learnt to suppress her own. the fantasy of difference is very strong with these two.

not loving her sons is something that was never in alicent's cards, i don't agree with what you say about that if she knew the real aemond she wouldn't love him or that she's "stuck up in childlish fantasies about both of them". she does love aemond knowing it! he razes the riverlands and executes the strongs and she's still wishing he was back in KL; she loves otto in spite of all the things he's done to her and the same happens with aegon. it's not a childish fantasy, i think alicent is just maybe too well versed in loving this sort of men, she does see them but wishes she didn't and wishes they were different.

#ask #anonymous #aemond x alicent #aegon x alicent #she parentifies aemond lol this is not the child she's casting out