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teyamsatan · 9 months

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ꜰᴀʟꜱᴇ ɢᴏᴅ | ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪ: ɪ'ʟʟ ꜱʜᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴠᴇʀꜱɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴛᴏɴɪɢʜᴛ

pairing: dilf!Jake Sully x (f)human/avatar!reader

synopsis: It took a lot of time and advancements, but, with the humans' return to Pandora 8 years ago, and thanks to the constant raids of the Omaticaya, the scientists managed to make you and Spider an Avatar. Unlike him, though, you know nothing about and want nothing to do with it, and when your struggle to adapt becomes too overbearing, Jake decided to take matters into his own hands.

this story will contain an unhealthy, co-dependent relationship, and dark themes (smut, mental health, death, violence, infidelity), so pls read at your own discretion.

warnings: 18+ minors DNI, angst, age-gap (23 vs 43), pet names.

wc: 4.5k words

a/n: hi besties, and welcome to my first jake series! i have had this series in my mind for so so long, and it feels good to bring it to life finally. i am excited to get back into writing - i needed a little time to recharge after monster in me, and take a break and actually sleep and live my life hahahaha. anyway, i hope you enjoy this story, i'm so excited to write it and see where it takes me! xx

ps: this story will move perspectives and timelines a lott, so i hope it's not too confusing but pls do let me know if it is and i'll figure something out xx

replies and reblogs are massively appreciated, i loveee to hear from you so much!

na'vi compendium: tanhi - bioluminescent freckles, tsamsiyu - warrior, tawtute - human

series masterlist (x)

I want you to know, I’m a mirrorball I’ll show you every version of yourself tonight

It was excruciating, the pain. It was never-ending, never relenting, it was enough to warrant the current position you found yourself in, curled up on your bed, knees brought close to your chest, hands grasping at your worn-down pyjamas, that much like everything else in this room, smelled like him, felt like him, was imbued with his presence and the memories he’s left that you’d never be able to forgive or forsake. Glossed-over eyes moved slowly through your room, at all the little trinkets you now had that you didn’t just a few months, all of them sharp and painful as they felt like they were digging painfully in you, leaving cuts and bruises in your already broken heart. Eventually, your gaze settled on a feather you were given the first day in your Avatar body, and it was an appropriate place to stop, as this was when it all began - this whole mess, that you were still debating whether it was worth it, worth all this, but which, at the time, was a pure and innocent new start, in a new body, in a new life.

I'll get you out on the floor Shimmering beautiful And when I break it's in a million pieces

“Come on, honey, it’s late already. You know life in the village starts early.”

The dragging of your feet did very little to make you appear more enthusiastic than you were feeling currently, and Norm sighed as he took it your deflated predisposition. It should be a happy time. You knew that. How many people can say that got a new chance, at a new life, on this planet that felt weirdly in between a home and a prison? A new chance to belong - the first one, actually. A chance to thrive and to experience this world the way it was meant to be experienced, the way that the natives experienced it. And yet, a few weeks in, you still felt like a complete stranger in a body you couldn’t recognise, in a culture that has never been your own, in a village that has never accepted you, that never ceased to look at you and see through you, right to the flimsy core of insecurities and self-doubts that plagued you constantly, that followed you everywhere you went, like a shadow in a dimly-lit room.

You looked across the room where the other neuro-link pod was being prepped, and next to it stood the only other young, human, adult on Pandora - your brother for all intents and purposes, the boy who you loved always, but hated in the moment, as you watched his lively and animated body language, practically beaming with anticipation. Spider, unlike you, settled in his new taller, bluer, shinier body almost immediately - a born acrobat, a made warrior, even before the Avatars were complete. He had no such compulsions, no shame or guilt, no embarrassment or anxiety, no feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome, just a pure, unadulterated joie de vivre and unquenchable fear of missing out. He got everything he’s ever wanted with that Avatar, and unlike you, he didn’t seem willing to squander the opportunity. You knew you should be more like him, and you were trying. The effort just wasn’t enough to overthrow the paralysing fear you felt every time you stepped foot in that village. You wondered if it ever will.

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” With a sigh and a roll of your eyes, doing your very best to ignore the racket coming from just a few pods over, you allowed Norm to close the lid on top of your caged body, doing your very best to clear your head of the screaming voice that got louder by the second, the harder you tried. You’ll never make it. You will never be one of the people.

Hush When no one is around, my dear You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes Spinning in my highest heels, love Shining just for you

Life in the village did indeed start early, and while you walked away from Hell’s Gate and through the thick forest that surrounded you, you could already hear faint sounds coming from the general direction of the Omaticaya settlement, a dead giveaway people were preparing for what the day would inevitably bring, from training in the healing practices of the Tsa’hik or the warrior skills of the tsamsiyu, it was the relentless will to improve and contribute to the overall wellness of each other and their planet that fuelled Na’vi every day.

Soon enough, the carefully crafted tents came into view, each one unique to the owner, with pieces of bone or hides that gave it a personal, intimate appeal, and it was easy enough, once you knew the people, to be able to tell who each tent belonged to. You smiled as your eyes fixed on one tent in particular, small and understated, despite who it was inhabiting it - Neteyam, future Olo’eyktan, never found any use for unnecessary embellishments, be it on his person or any of his belongings, always preferring to keep the showing off to the actual battle or training, his impressive skill set and his ability to thrive in every challenge his brightest adornment. When he came out of it, like he could sense you were near, your smile widened taking him in, in all his tall, blue, muscular beauty. He was a handsome young man, the perfect mix between Neytiri and… him. He used to look more like his mother when he was younger, but now, all of 23 years old, he was more and more Jake with each passing day, and the thought both intrigued and scared you, almost in equal parts.

It intrigued you because, well… because there was something special about Jake, there always has been. Not just because he was the first and only human to do the consciousness transfer, to be accepted into the clan, to become one of the people, or that he was Toruk Makto, one of only 6 to have ever existed; not because he was Olo’eyktan, and a revered warrior and leader… but because he was him. He was kind and patient, he was sweet and caring, he was funny and fun… he was everything.

On the other hand, it was for the exact same reasons that Neteyam’s resemblance to his dad scared you. Because every time you looked at him, you saw Jake, and the feelings you harboured for him since you were old enough to pay attention, that dwindled in time, were mingled with the deep familial affection you felt for Neteyam, who has been your best friend since you were old enough to... well, have memories. You didn’t want your relationship with him to be marred by feelings you couldn’t, wouldn’t ever feel for him, you didn’t want your history erased by the possibility of more, not when it would be wrong - not when, at your core, you would just settle for him because you couldn’t get the person you really wanted.

“Oi! A little late for the mighty warrior to be coming out of his tent, isn’t it?”

Neteyam snickered as he noticed you and Spider approaching, and shook his hand in Spider’s direction.

“Why is she this mean only to me?”

Spider shrugged and patted Neteyam on the shoulder simpathetically.

“Girls, man… Am I right? Anyway, going to find Lo’ak and Kiri. See you guys on the training grounds.”

Hush I know they said the end is near But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes Spinning in my highest heels, love Shining just for you

As Spider took his leave, almost skipping to the Tsa’hik’s tent, where he knew Kiri would be, you started walking quietly, anxiety rising in your chest with each step taken towards the grounds, where you’d once again, as you have for the past few weeks, prove to yourself and everyone around you that you weren’t made for this - the fighting, the battles, the wielding of death machines, be it a gun or a bow, none of it was yours to take, yours to concur. You were made for the labs, for the quiet, analytical lifestyle. You were made for wielding a guitar, and playing it until the strings broke, you were made for daydreams and illusions and fantasies you could only fathom yourself part of, for a happier, easier world that would allow you to be all of those things without incursions. Alas, the world was not what you envisioned for yourself when you were younger, and with this great opportunity, came sacrifices you hoped time would lessen and sweeten, and turn them into blessings in disguise.

“Are you ready for today?”

“Does that make a difference?”

Neteyam’s sigh was answer enough for you. He tried to help, he really did. He went above and beyond for you and you were grateful. He was a patient teacher and a great friend, and his determination, as always, came at a cost, the cost of another burden he had to carry, another person he had to parent and take care of, and while it was not lost on you, it didn’t matter. None of it mattered.

“You’re going to be okay. You just have to give yourself time to grow. You can’t compare yourself with Spider, who’s been in the village with us his whole life. It’s going to take you time and effort, but you can do this, Tawte. And I’ll be here, at every step, ready to catch you if you fall.”

You smiled a little, slightly distracted, as you always were, by his sweet nickname, and your thoughts flowed gently at the memories that stirred in you whenever he said it, at the way the first word he ever uttered as a babe was a slurred version of a word he heard all the time from his mother: tawtute... human. From her mouth, it was laced with poison and disdain, but not from Neteyam's, who loved you, ever since you were young, who accepted you for who you were. Tawte was a gentle reminder of how far you've come, and how the familial love between the two of you hasn't faltered through time, but only blossomed and deepened, much to your eternal gratitude.

And they called off the circus, burned the disco down When they sent home the horses and the rodeo clowns I'm still on that tightrope I'm still trying everything to get you laughing at me

Your eyes, hidden behind a sea of glossy tears settled on the next item, the broken tip of an arrow, that you kept since that day, when you somehow did so poorly in bow practice, you managed to break an incredibly sturdy arrow, much to Spider and Lo'ak's amusement, and much to your deep dismay. You thought how about your feelings of inadequacy were exacerbated by the Olo'eyktan's watchful eyes, who observed you intently the whole time, and how that inadvertently set everyone's gaze on you. So many eyes - watching, judging...fearful; so many words - whispered and snickered, and it hurt. It all hurt. But then... he changed everything, not just in that moment, so far removed from you now, but for the rest of your life, with just a few simple words.

“What?” the shock couldn't be shaken off your face, no matter how hard you tried. You knew you needed to get a grip of your emotions, but that was always easier said than done for a girl who was aptly described her whole life as "wearing her heart on her sleeve".

“Ouch, kid. You’re hurting my feelings. I would have liked to think anyone would be honoured to be personally trained by the Olo’eyktan, but I think I’ve been humbled.”

“No, Jake… of-of course I am, I just think… your efforts are better spent on someone else, someone… who’s worthy of it.”

It was minuscule, the change, but it was there - his eyes, his smile had an edge to them, that wasn't there before. He wasn't happy with your words, and yet, he remained calm and maintained the easy, outgoing, friendly nature of his tone.

“How about you let me decide what my efforts are better spent on, kid?”

That was enough to shut you up, but when he noticed the purple tinge in your cheeks, and the way your gaze dropped in shame, his expression softened. He brought a hand to your face, his thumb grazing your chin so that you'd look up at him, and you hoped the shudder that tried you went unnoticed to him, and to the rest of the clan.

“Here’s the deal. I think part of the reason you are having such a hard time is because you’re here, in this village you’ve never truly been a part of, with so many watchful eyes on you. You feel the pressure of performing well in front of the people, in front of my kids… in front of Spider. You shouldn’t have to do that. So, my solution is simple: you and I go for a few days’ hunt. I will teach you the basics, like I learnt when I first joined the Omaticaya. This way you get to relax a little, get to remove yourself from this place for a while and enjoy the beauty of Pandora, and who knows, kid? Maybe you'll find it's easier to be a part of us than you ever could have imagined. What do you say, mm?"

I'm still a believer but I don't know why I've never been a natural All I do is try, try, try

How could you have said no to such an offer? Even now, with all this hindsight, standing on the edge of a cliff with so much room beneath you to fall, with one foot on the ledge and the other on a banana fruit peel, able to look at the situation from a vantage point you only got with all the months of history you've amassed, even now... you still would say yes. Because no matter the pain and the hurt that now seeped into you like rain through the cracks in the withered, dry ground, soaking into every facet of it... just like the rain, his presence and memory also gave you life, a purpose, a way to go on. And you wouldn't give that up, not while there was still breath in your lungs.

So you said yes. And you left, that same day, on the back on his beautiful ikran, for a long ride that would take you somewhere deep in lands you've never experienced before, away from whispers and prying eyes, away from the doubt and the fear. As you were flying far above the world you've known and loved your whole life, that scared you your whole life, you couldn't help but think of what Jake was doing, and feel grateful for it. You thought about how it only consolidated the way you've always viewed him, as a great warrior, a great father, a great mentor... a great man. You thought about your crush, and how it embarrassed you as a teenager, and how you couldn't look him in the eye whenever he came to the lab and asked you a question, how you couldn't be around him without thinking you're gonna catch fire. That was long ago.

It passed, you thought. The crush, slightly weird and completely unattainable, passed through time. Yet here you stood, bare back, yet another foreign feeling you were trying to get used to, flush against his muscular chest, his palm protectively wrapped around your abdomen, and somehow, you forgot to take in the beauty of this world you’ve never seen from such a high vantage point, forgot to enjoy the fact you were literally flying, the air flowing through your luscious, thick hair… you forgot to breathe.

“You okay there, kid? Tell me if this is overwhelming, we can take a break.”

“N-no. I’m alright…Thank you.”

“Good girl.”

I'm still on that trapeze I'm still trying everything To keep you looking at me

Jake struggled to rationalise how things could have ever ended up this way. How did this happen? A few short months ago, it seemed, his life was... normal, or as normal as life could be in the middle of an ongoing territorial war with a species that was once his own, that he now disowned, that he now despised most days. Still. Normal. The same way it had been since he arrived on Pandora, since he mated with Neytiri, since he had one kid, and then another, and another...

He's known you since you were born. He took pity on you, much like he did Spider, for the cruelness of the Universe, for whatever it took for you to be born on this planet he loved, but knew was inhospitable to those who weren't made for it. Aliens. That was about the extent of your similarities to Spider, though. Unlike him, you were sweet, docile, quiet. You never came out to the village, and the few times you did, you just stood in a corner, on some tree stump, clinging to Neteyam like a little lost puppy.

How did it end up this way? It was wrong, it was all wrong. He knew it in his heart he had to stop, and he's been trying... so hard, it was all so hard. In these months, despite his mind telling him otherwise, urging him to consider all he stood to lose, he still ended up putting his life, everything he's built up on the line for you, doing things that frightened him, ashamed him, embarrassed him, but that he couldn't stop doing because it was you. And you were everything, and the way you made him feel was everything. And it all started that night.

The training was not necessarily any less painful than it had been, but he was right - it was easier. He was a good teacher, you told him. You say you understood now where Neteyam got it from, his penchant for imparting wisdom in a calm, collected and patient manner. He went through all the basics, and after a good few hours, he felt like you were almost... relaxed. By eclipse, you were hunched over food that he was preparing over fire, while practicing your Na'vi - the only thing you felt comfortable enough to call yourself good in, and for the first time since you got your Avatar, you looked... happy. You needed this and he knew it. You didn't even know it for yourself, but he knew. And thinking about it, and him, made you blurt out a secret you held in your soul for years and years, before your mind had enough time to talk you out of it.

“I used to have a crush on you, you know?” You chuckled a little, and Jake was fascinated by the sound, which sounded less like a laugh and more like bells chiming in the wind, and by the purple tinge of your cheeks as you confessed something that he couldn’t believe his ears, that were now pushed back flat in shock.

“You used to have a crush on me?”

His tone amused you even further, it seemed, because you brought a hand to your mouth to stifle the sound Jake felt a sudden desire to continue hearing for the rest of his life.

“Why do you sound so surprised?”

“I don’t know, kid, just… never thought out of everyone in this village, and the labs, people your own age, including my kids and Spider, you’d ever have a crush on an old man like me.” He chuckles his own rugged, awkward laugh and looks over at you, the way he couldn’t stop himself doing, it seemed, to gauge for a reaction that he didn’t know whether he wanted to see.

“I think that was part of the charm, actually.” As you catch yourself talking, you stop and turn, the tinge in your cheeks no longer a tinge but a splash of violent colour as you pat yourself aggressively with both hands, to release some of the heat that pooled unwelcome in your face. “I… I really should not… say things.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly amused and intrigued at the new development. “So you like ‘em older, huh, kid? Always the shy and quiet ones, ain’t that so?”

You retreat further in yourself at the way he just called you out, unconsciously making yourself smaller by bringing your knees in and wrapping your arms around them, your face buried in between your legs in embarrassment and you let out a small groan. You couldn’t believe this was happening to you. First time in your life you were fully alone with this great man, this man that is a legend, that will have history books written about him even back on Earth, this man that knew so much and achieved enough to last lifetimes and instead of learning from him, instead of doing what you came here to do to begin with, here you are, running your mouth faster than your brain could catch up, making sure you would never be able to look him in the eyes ever again.

“Are you still playing that guitar of yours? You used to drive Neytiri crazy with that thing when you were young.”

“Yeah, I still play, just, I keep it to the rec centre mostly.”

“Why?”

“I just... don’t want to bother anyone.”

You sounded sad, too sad. He saw your eyes swimming with tears and he cringed at the way he was unable to make you feel fully comfortable around him. This shouldn't be this hard.

“Ah, kid… you can play in the village. The Omaticaya love music, they’re called the Flute Clan for cryin’ out loud. They just need time.”

“It’s been 23 years.”

Jake didn’t push anymore, not when you were right. It’s been a long enough time, but some things… some things don’t get better with time. Jake’s always hated that stupid old saying anyway.

“Y’know… I play a little guitar, too.” He scoffs a little as he thinks more about it. “Well, used to play. Probably not any good anymore, but at some point, I used to be.”

Your eyes shoot to him and the glimmer in them makes Jake’s mind come to a standstill - they were so beautiful. You were so beautiful.

“Really? That’s amazing!” And just like that, your previous outburst was swiftly forsaken and forgotten, the new piece of information far too exciting for you to dwell on anything else. “How come I’ve never heard you? You should play for us sometime.”

Jake smiled a sorrowful smile that stopped short of reaching his eyes. “Just… haven’t had the chance.”

There were a lot of reasons Jake hasn’t done so many of the things that used to bring him joy when he was human. But ya win some, ya lose some, that was always his philosophy for life anyway. He had so much to be grateful for in this life, so much more than he ever thought possible for a grunt like him. The Universe has been more than generous in compensating him for a lifetime of resentment and regrets, and so if he had to give certain things up, that he did so without thinking twice about it.

“So how did you learn?”

“My old man taught me, probably the only thing he ever taught me, unless you count how to run a backdoor draw while high off your ass.” Jake lets out a humourless laugh, enjoying the look of confusion plastered all over your face, and the way your tanhì seemed to shine brighter when you ruminated over something in your head. Your nose crinkles a little, as his words register fully in your ears and they twitch, and the humourless laugh quickly evolves in a warm, inward smile.

You were beautiful, he ends up acknowledging yet again, taking in all the mannerisms that somehow escaped him all these years.

“A what?”

Jake chuckles, shaking his head. “Nevermind.”

“Did you not… get along with your dad?”

Jake finds himself, for the first time in years, too many years, thinking about his dad and his life as a young kid back on Earth, and all the shitty memories that came along with that thought, memories he’s tried to repress most of his life. He catches yet another sigh before it escapes him, a habit he’s seemed to have quickly picked up in your presence, as you asked questions most people never did, questions he didn’t want to answer, questions he wanted nothing more than to be asked.

“My dad was a mean ol’ dog, who liked women and booze more than he ever liked Tommy or me. I could never find it in me to care when he died.” That was morbid, he recognises, but it needed to be said. Something about you just makes him want to just… confess things he shouldn’t be feeling, and shouldn’t be saying out loud, and yet here he was, heart thumping and palms sweating almost nervously, and the word vomit didn’t seem like it was anywhere close to over.

“He made mean sloppy joes, though. And he played the guitar like he was born with a six-string in his hands.” There were some good memories. The memory of his dad teaching young squirt Jake Future Days, his old, cigarette-imbued hoarse voice singing the lyrics that still had the power to bring tears to his eyes… that was one of the good ones.

You smiled as he spoke, a warm, inviting smile, that made the breath catch in his lungs and begged him to spill all the secrets that he tried so hard to bury deep inside, and he feels his stomach drop when he realises the feelings you invoked in him, for the first time in his life, were no longer ones he could justify or explain, but ones that demanded to be felt.

The silence was heavy and awkward after that, or so he thought, and he watched you as you ruminated over his words, as you nibbled at the fish he managed to catch while teaching you the basics of fishing. He shouldn't have said it, any of it. What the hell does he think he's doing, going around confessing the depths of his somewhat bitter soul to a kid who knew nothing about life, and who shouldn't have to carry his burdens to begin with. Maybe coming here was a mistake. Maybe being alone with you... was a mistake.

"You should go to sleep, kid. There's a long day ahead of us tomorrow, and the sooner we're done, the sooner your life can go back to normal."

You nodded gently and obliged.

“I think you’re lying.” You say, as you turn your back to him, closing your eyes and preparing yourself to return to your human body, as soon as sleep would find you. “I think you cared. I think you still care. And it’s ok to care. Sometimes… people are horrible and they suck… and we love them anyway. And I think that’s what makes humans special… and good.”

Jake was too stunned to be able to say anything else, as he stared mouth-agape at your back.

“Sleep well, Jake.”

Maybe he did lie. Maybe life will never go back to normal again and the thought... the thought terrified him.

Because I'm a mirrorball I'm a mirrorball I'll show you every version of yourself Tonight

taglist: @yagirlheree @mashiromochi @deepdarktower @tojisleftarm @childofgod-05 @youngpersonaathletebear @cinetrix @hinataashoyos @i-live-in-a-fantasy-daydream @misscaller06 @v1l-ismissing @legendarynoodlebowl @analuw @imjustcal @the-fractured-eye @pandoraontop @sweetirilly @kouyoumarryme @blxkstar @ok-boke @myheartfollower

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blue-sadie · 9 months

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Yandere Hope

Spider, Neteyam, Miles, Jake, Tonowari x Na'vi Reader

Prt 1. Prt 2.

Them being yandere for you

Spider Socorro

His a jealous yandere your a na'vi and his a human people say it could never work but he'll make it, he gets irritated when other males try to court you even infront of him.

It all started when you became friends with him and the sullys you were one of the very few that treated him like a actually person and not some alien.

It took him a while of planning but when he does kidnap you he kinda starves you out so when he does finally feed you, you see that you need him to survive, he keeps you in a cage in a hidden cave far from the village so no one can ever find you.

If you escaped he'll become more desperate and manipulative he'll use the excuse of keeping you to himself because your the only one ever nice to him and guilt you into coming back to him.

Neteyam

He's a possessive yandere, he fought to get where he is today he doesn't want to be seen like he gets handed everything because of who his dad is and he'll do anything to get you.

When he arrived at your village with his family you where the only to smile at him and not talk bad about him and his family, you also joined in on teaching them your ways.

He brings you back to his homeland because he knows of places he can keep you and he knows you don't know anything about the forest so he hopes the fear will keep you trapped.

When you do escape and he catches you he will take drastic measures and actually break your legs for punishment and when your sobbing he'll just pat your head while saying I fought for you now your mine.

Miles Quaritch

He's a serious yandere he takes no jokes what so ever he doesn't like anyone other then him talking to you or even looking in your direction he'll take it as a threat and kill them on sight.

You were spiders adoptive mother and so you probably met when he held the sullys kids and spider hostage and he saw how spider responds to you so that also fuels his desire for you.

He probably also caught you after you followed spider down after he fell and decided you would be an excellent prisoner.

If you ever escape he'll use spider as bait and yes spider wouldn't mind it either and when you come back he'll put an electric collar on you.

Jake Sully

Isolating yandere he'll do anything to make sure he's the only one around you, friends oh they just heard one really bad rumor about you he'll stop at nothing.

You were neytiris best friend and kinda hung out in the background of their lessons making sure he doesn't try anything on her but as he became more na'vi you opened up to him.

He got a small base made so he can keep you there he'll make sure there's limited resources for you and when you run out he'll make you beg for more.

If you escape all hell will break loose he'll threaten you by saying he'll give out important info to the sky people and when they destroy most of your home he'll tell the people you were the one to give that info out.

Tonowari

He's a condescending yandere he'll make you feel low of yourself when you hang around other people and become a bit distant if you still carry on and make you beg for his forgiveness.

You are jakes sister and came with them to the village because quaritch was after you too, tonowari took it upon himself to teach you their ways.

He makes a hut further in the islands that no one knows about and keep you there but he'll still give you everything you need as long as you behave.

If you escape he'll turn into a mean yandere because why would you leave him how could you think you can live without him.

Tag.List

@sweetirilly

@greekgods15

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invisibleanonymousmonsters · 7 months

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chapter xxii – gust & flame

Eris Vanserra x Reader

Eris Vanserra has been a prisoner in his own home since the day he was born. He has done what he had to in order to survive and protect the few he loves. And he is playing the long game. Waiting, waiting, and waiting for the right time to make his move, to usurp his wicked father and become High Lord of Autumn Court. But things become even more complicated when a human girl drops into his life. Perhaps Eris can wait no longer to take his throne.

Word Count: 5,000+

masterlist

Y/N spent the next three weeks hiding in her workroom, making various potions and charms and candles – and anything else that would help the human women and children who now had sanctuary in the Forest House. Many of them could not sleep due to nightmares or anxiety, feeling like they were still in danger. Others had other mental hurdles that prevented them from even finding the will to live.

So, Y/N had been working day and night, casting remedies for it all with her witchcraft.

She had barely been sleeping. Even worse, she was barely eating.

Servants would politely knock on her door and silently bring her giant plates of food for every meal – and even small plates of snacks. But as soon as they left, Y/N would forget the food was ever brought in the first place. She would just get sucked right back into working.

But the humans weren’t the only thing haunting her.

Y/N hadn’t seen Eris since her confession in the woods.

Surprisingly, it was because he had respected her request to give them space.

But she heard the people of the Forest House, and they gossiped in whispers.

Eris had apparently been working himself to exhaustion, visiting various villages across Autumn Court, speaking with the common folk, and delegating tasks to his advisors.

The wind constantly urged Y/N to go to him. But she managed to ignore their constant torment.

Y/N now worked on making a tea for the young humans who were anxious as ever, despite now being safe in Autumn Court. She understood that the fae realm was strange and scary – especially after their first exposure to the realm was nothing but torture.

Suddenly, the door to her workshop was thrown open.

The five bloodhounds napping near it jumped to attention and growled menacingly.

Lucien came strutting in, clearly on some sort of mission.

The dogs snarled at his interruption and lunged for him.

And if it weren’t for the invisible shield Lucien had clearly conjured with a lazy flick of his wrist, his ankles surely would’ve been torn apart by their jaws.

Y/N quickly looked back down at her work, not even acknowledging his entrance.

“I’m busy,” she muttered with obvious annoyance.

“Well, now…” Lucien announced as he got into her space, forcing her to address his presence. “You are taking a break.”

He stood against her worktable, blocking Y/N from continuing her brewing.

“Lucien, I do not have the mental energy to deal with your antics today. I have work to do.”

“And it will be here when we return. But for now, you are going on a walk in the woods with me.”

Y/N crossed her arms. “Can’t you find some pretty courtier to entertain you?”

Lucien smirked. “But spending time with a woman who finds me irritating is so much more exciting.” Then his face turned serious as he studied her face, noting the shadows under her bloodshot eyes. “Come, Y/N. You haven’t left this room in weeks. The servants say you ignore every meal they bring you. And Eris…”

He stopped when he noticed her reaction from someone merely mentioning his brothers name.

“Well, we don’t need to talk about him right now,” he finally finished.

Y/N sighed, and then glanced outside.

When was the last time she’d left the walls of the Forest House? Perhaps some fresh air would do her good. And then she could get back to her work.

“Fine,” she snapped. “But the hounds are coming with and I don’t care if they bite you.”

All she could hear was Lucien chuckling behind her as she walked out of the workroom.

———

Lucien had insisted on Y/N wearing a cloak, but couldn’t convince her to put on boots – or any shoes for that matter.

“What’s the point of a walk if you can’t feel the ground beneath your feet?” Y/N scoffed at him.

“If you get frostbite and lose a toe, Eris will kill me…” Lucien muttered, barely loud enough for her to hear him.

To Y/N’s surprise, Lucien allowed a peaceful silence to settle between the two of them as they walked through the forest surrounding the property.

No guards insisted on joining them, so they must be safe enough to be unchaperoned.

However, they still had five smoke hounds surrounding them. They now sniffed the ground with precision, never straying too far from Y/N. Every so often, they would trot up to her, asking for pets or licking her hand.

“You know, they eventually will learn how to live again and without fear.” Lucien told her gently after some time.

Y/N just sighed.

“Humans are stronger than most fae give them credit for. They’re resilient and overcome such terrible things. They have to. Their lives are fleeting, to do otherwise would be a waste of a short and fragile life.”

Y/N glared at him. “Our lives,” she corrected. “Our lives are fleeting.”

Lucien watched her carefully.

“I see Eris told you of our last conversation…” she mumbled with irritation.

“Well, I had to force it out of him after he started snapping at everyone who dared look at him for longer than a second.” He looked Y/N up and down. “Believe it or not, he looks worse than you do.”

Y/N rolled her eyes. “Oh, you are always so kind, Lucien.”

“When did you start to think so little of yourself?” He countered.

“E-Excuse me?”

“Do you really think Eris cares about you being a mortal or without noble blood? I thought you of all people could see through his mask and see him for who is truly is. And does that really seem like a concern that would prevent him from loving you?”

“Do you hear how advisors and envoys from other Courts speak of Feyre? To them she is an ignorant child. Hardly unhuman. She still is learning so much about the ways of the fae.”

Lucien scoffed. “Only a fool would underestimate Feyre. She is the only reason we were freed from our curse. And she may also be the only reason we won the war against Hybern.”

Y/N stopped walking. “Why is Feyre a High Lady? She is the only female with such a title. Your mother is only the Lady of Autumn.”

“Because Rhysand wanted an equal. He values his mate's opinion and ethics – as he should. He is progressive in a way most fae will fail to ever understand. Could you imagine Beron Vanserra seeing my mother as anything more than his breeder?”

Y/N said nothing, but openly cringed at the word 'breeder.'

“And dare I say…if you truly believed yourself so undeserving of a similar title, then why do you hide away in the libraries of the Forest House, learning everything you can of Autumn Court and the politics of the fae realm?”

Y/N glared at him. “I do not wish to be ignorant.”

Lucien smirked knowingly. “Aye. That is precisely my point.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Why are you so invested in our relationship, Lucien? Recently, you have inserted yourself in a way that you have usually avoided in the past.”

Any mischievous expression that was left on his face had disappeared. He frowned and his eyes held sympathy.

“I believe my time here in the Autumn Court is coming to a close.”

Y/N’s eyes widened. “W-W-What? Why?”

“Yes, my banishment has been lifted. But this place holds far too many bad memories. My nightmares are filled with them. I don’t think I was ever meant to return. I feel as if I was never meant to be in this Court at all...”

“B-But where will you go? Back to Night Court?”

“Most likely. Being away from my mate – despite her ignoring my existence – starts to take a toll on me.”

“You ache for her?” Y/N asked him gently.

Lucien blushed and hesitated before he finally nodded.

“Well, who will I make fun of and torment?” Y/N teased.

But before she could answer, a noise caught her attention.

Y/N held up her hand, signaling for Lucien to also listen. Which was silly, his fae hearing had picked it up long before she had.

“It is just a fox cry,” Lucien pointed out.

Then a small wind passed through and he knew she wasn’t listening to him.

“Not just a fox cry,” Y/N answered and started to follow the sound.

Then she suddenly remembered the smoke hounds that were surrounding them.

Y/N whistled to get their attention. And they whipped around to face her, waiting for her next command.

“Stay with Lucien,” she ordered them gently. “And don’t bite him.”

They all started whining, not liking her to go anywhere without them being able to follow.

Y/N rushed forward following invisible directions.

She didn’t stop until she found the source of the noise. And just around a cluster of trees, she found it.

A red fox kit, shivering underneath the trunk of a giant oak tree.

Y/N rushed forward, but then slowed when she just a few feet away.

The kit eyed her, still shaking from the cold and probably fear.

“Y/N, don’t touch it.” Lucien called out, having followed her a few steps behind, with the smoke hounds at his heels.

Y/N ignored him and kneeled in front of the kit. “Hello there. No need to be afraid. I won't hurt you.”

“Its mother will come back for it,” Lucien tried to tell her.

Then a gust of wind passed through, shaking the dry leaves like a chorus.

“No, it’s all alone,” Y/N called over her shoulder to him. Clearly, the wind had told her. “His mother was killed by hunters. He’s been here for days, waiting for her.”

She turned back to the kit. “Come on, little one. I will look after you. I know those dogs over there seem big and scary, but I won’t let them harm you.”

The kit let out a little whimper.

“I know you want your mama. But she isn’t coming back. I’m so sorry. But I will keep you safe.”

Then the kit shakily walked toward Y/N.

As he did, she took off her cloak, preparing to wrap up the shivering fox in it.

“What shall we name you?” Y/N asked the kit gently, as she stood with it wrapped cozily in her arms.

The wind brushed through her hair, and Y/N giggled at what they said. “The wind thinks we should call you Ronan. How does that sound?”

The kit squeaked out a happy noise.

“Ronan it is then,” Y/N answered back with a smile.

But when she turned to walk back to the others, Lucien was staring at her strangely.

“What? What is it?”

Lucien blinked, snapping himself out of it. “Nothing. It is only…there was once a tradition in Autumn Court. High Lords would gift their Lady of Autumn a fox kit to raise. Obviously the tradition hasn’t been practiced since before Beron’s time.”

“O-Ohh,” Y/N managed to stutter out.

What was he trying to say?

“Foxes are sacred animals in this Court,” Lucien continued. “Though they are tricky to tame, once you do, they are fiercely loyal creatures.”

“So why are you looking at me like that?” She asked.

“The Cauldron works in mysterious ways,” was all he would give her. “Come. Let us get our new friend home.”

Ronan almost instantly fell asleep as Y/N carried him to the Forest House. The kit already trusted her to keep him safe.

Y/N started muttering to him as they entered the gates. “We will get you the softest bed. And I will feed you fresh fruit and I’ll sneak the best cuts of meats for you. You will be spoiled rotten, Ronan.”

“Motherly instinct has already kicked in, has it?” Lucien teased.

But he didn’t expect for her entire body to stiffen.

“I have no desire to be a mother,” she answered darkly before she could stop herself.

That was when Lucien put together a whole different argument for Y/N forcing distance between her and Eris.

His posture straightened and his mouth opened slightly. Without thinking, he blurted out. “You are worried about an heir.”

It didn’t come out as a question; it was a statement.

Lucien now looked at her as if he could read her very mind, like a daemati. He could see every one of her fears on display. And she just stood their, as vulnerable as ever.

Before Y/N could defend herself or come up with some blatant lie, the guards around them stood at attention and turned to face the direction of the Forest House’s main entrace. And they bowed slightly.

Eris stood at the open door, watching the two of them.

It was the first time he and Y/N had seen each other since the lake.

And the two of them couldn’t take their eyes off one another. Their gazes locked.

“Leave us,” Eris gently commanded without looking away.

All Y/N could do was hear the shuffling of armor as Lucien and his guards quickly made their escape from the front courtyard, leaving her with the male she had been trying to avoid for the past few weeks.

“And who is this?” Eris finally broke the silence, pointing to the fox.

Y/N clutched the kit tighter. “This is Ronan.”

Eris didn’t question her further. Instead he blindsided her with a subject change. “You haven’t been eating.”

She blinked in confusion, then recovered by glaring at him.

“I have respected your wishes to keep my distance these past few weeks,” Eris continued. “But when my guards and servants say you have not been eating nor sleeping, I will ignore such a request.”

“I am fine,” Y/N defied him.

Eris lifted a brow, challenging her.

But she was too tired to pick a fight.

“Come,” Eris gestured behind him toward the Forest House.

And she begrudgingly followed.

The two of them didn’t speak as they walked down the winding halls.

Eris didn’t stop until they were in the grand banquet hall.

There was a feast already prepared on the table. It could’ve fed a royal party. But there were only two dining chairs set at the long table.

“This is far too much food,” Y/N muttered.

“Yes, so you will not have the excuse of disliking the options,” he countered.

And before she could say anything else, he added, “None of it will go to waste. Whatever you don’t eat will be shared with others.”

For good measure, he sent her warning look and pointed at a chair. “Sit, Y/N. And eat.”

Y/N knew there was no use arguing about this. And the smell of the food alone made her realize how hungry she was. Her stomach ached from the emptiness.

She slowly sat with Ronan in her lap, who was fast asleep.

“And are you here to simply watch me?” Y/N asked Eris.

“No, I’m joining you.” He answered as he pulled out the other chair.

Y/N listened to her stomach and grabbed a few things that seemed appetizing, but also would give her fuel to continue working rigorously.

As if Eris knew she was already thinking about getting back to work, he commented. “The humans are in good health. I have my finest soldiers guarding them at all times. I even sent some of the hounds there to play with the children.”

“I know,” Y/N mumbled. Her eyes flickered up to his. “I know you will not let any harm come to them while they are here.”

He blinked. “Then why will you not rest?”

“If I can keep helping them, then I must.”

Eris sighed. “I am not telling you to stop. I am asking that you find balance. You will be helping no one if you are not taking care of yourself. Eating consistent meals and getting a full night’s rest is part of that.”

“I know,” Y/N repeated quietly.

Eris seemed taken aback by her submission. He was fully prepared for her to spend the whole meal arguing with him. But it only proved how exhausted she must be.

Without allowing himself to think of stopping, Eris’ hand reached toward Y/N’s face and cupped her cheek so gently.

“Please, talk to me.”

His words were pleading. His eyes desperate.

Her eyes teared up, but she blinked to control her emotions. “I-I-I’m just tired.”

“Yes, I know.” Eris agreed, but his look indicated that it was obvious there was something more than her general exhaustion.

“I do not like being away from you,” Y/N finally admitted quietly. “But I know it is what we must do.”

If she was less tired, she would never have allowed herself to speak such words.

Eris sighed and finally leaned back in his chair, dropping his hand from her cheek. “What I must do to convince you that it isn’t?”

But Y/N just shook her head, quietly begging him not to have this conversation right now.

As if sensing her turmoil, Ronan woke up startled. Then he took in Eris and growled as menacingly as a little, helpless kit could.

Y/N giggled as the ridiculousness of it brought her out of her gutter of emotions and cut the tension that had been building.

“Hush. None of that,” Y/N laughed before kissing the top of Ronan’s head.

Eris gave her a look, silently asking, ‘Are you going to explain this to me now?’

“I found him in the woods,” her voice sad as she explained. “His mother was killed by hunters. I’m going to look after him now.”

“You have a kind heart, Y/N.” Eris explain softly. “Any in need within your reach, you help. But when will you allow others to do the same for you?”

She couldn’t answer such a question. Instead, she stroked Ronan’s head and went back to eating.

The two ate in silence for the rest of the meal.

Eris didn’t stop eating until Y/N did, not wanting to give her a reason for finishing before she was actually full.

“I am sorry,” Y/N told him.

He gave her a questioning look.

“For worrying you.”

He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “I will always be worried about you, Y/N.”

And they both heard the unsaid possibilities with such words.

If she were to truly leave Autumn Court and Prythian altogether, how much sleep would Eris lose worrying about his mate being away from him, living a life without him? Could someone worry themselves so sick that they left the living completely?

“Come,” Eris stood and walked behind her chair to pull it out. “I will walk you to your bedroom.”

Silence once again settled between them.

But any time Eris got somewhat close to Y/N, Ronan would give him a warning growl. Clearly it hardly took any time for the little fox to grow attached to Y/N – and protective.

“Now I know how Lucien feels with my smoke hounds…” Eris muttered with a smirk.

“You don’t mind that I’ve taken him in?” Y/N finally asked.

“If it will make you happy, you could take on a dragon as a pet. However, it is not all that unusual for the ladies of this Court to take foxes as companions.”

“So I’ve heard…”

Eris nodded. “Did you learn that from your reading or from my loudmouthed brother?”

Y/N smiled. “The latter. He said the Cauldron worked in mysterious ways...but didn't elaborate."

His face turned serious. “Yes, it does.”

They were at he bedchambers just a moment later.

Eris stalled. “Goodnight, Y/N. Do try and get some rest tonight.”

—🍁—🍁—

Y/N shot up in bed, gasping for breath from a nightmare.

She was covered in sweat and had even soaked her nightgown, as well as the bedding.

Then she looked around and immediately found another reason for it: the fire at the other end of the room was roaring and none of the windows were open.

Strange. She always opened all of them before going to sleep.

No wonder she had sweat through everything, her room was like an oven. And the wind that comforted her every night while she slept had been kept out.

But then images of her nightmare flashed in her mind.

Her sister, eyes staring lifelessly up at the full-moon sky. Her dead child in her arms along with her.

Y/N had repressed the memory for so long, hardly allowing herself to think of her sister.

But Lucien bringing up motherhood and heirs earlier that day must have unlocked it from deep within her subconscious.

She shook her head as if the movement would erase the memories.

Then she slowly got out of bed to open the windows.

But as soon as she would swing one open, the wind would slam it shut.

Y/N glared at the gesture. “What are you playing at?”

She tried another window, and the wind did the same.

“Do you wish for me to roast alive?”

But the wind was not taking her sass.

Suddenly, a tornado-like gust flew into the room, whipping all the windows open.

“Go…to…him.” The wind called. “Do…not…be…alone.”

Then the windows all slammed shut in unison.

It should’ve made Y/N jump, but she'd grown accustomed to their dramatics.

And they were right: she didn’t want to be alone. And she definitely didn’t want to try to go back to sleep, fearing that she’d see more of her sister’s cold, dead body.

Forgoing a shawl or robe, Y/N tiptoed down the halls.

When she reached her destination, her fist hovered over the door.

But before she could knock, the door flung open.

“Oh,” Y/N gasped. “I…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be bothering you.”

There stood Eris, looking somewhat alarmed. He was shirtless, only wearing sleep shorts that stopped midway down his thighs. His hair was slightly messy, proving that he had been sleeping at some point – or at least trying to.

“What’s wrong?” Eris asked.

“Did you know it was me at the door?”

“Of course. I can smell you,” he explained as if it were obvious.

Eris could also feel her in his heart and his soul. She was his mate, after all. But he kept that bit to himself.

“Right,” she answered, feeling stupid for even asking.

He took a step closer to her. “Y/N, are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Her answer hurried out, not wanting to alarm him. “It was just…I had a nightmare. A-A-And the wind is being cruel, making my room far too hot.”

But she quickly shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she said once again. “I shouldn’t have woken you.”

She tried to make her escape, turning to leave.

Then she was suddenly being scooped up into Eris’ arms.

She squeaked in surprise and her arms gripped his shoulders by instinct.

He carried her fully into his bedchambers and kicked the door closed behind him.

“Eris, put me down!” But her voice was anything but stern.

“No.”

Then they were in his bedroom. And though it was nighttime, the moon still clearly displayed the giant windows taking up an entire wall. And they were all open, letting in the brisk night air.

‘Traitors,’ Y/N thought to herself.

Then Y/N realized that she’d never been in Eris' room before. Well, she stayed in his old room. But this was clearly a chamber for a High Lord, and it showed.

“This is unnecessary…” she groaned when Eris walked toward the giant bed.

He ignored her, of course, and gently placed her on the side of his bed.

Y/N expected him to jump right in along with her. But instead he took a step back and kneeled in front of her, forearms balancing on his knees.

“You have two choices: you can either tell me about your nightmare or you can keep it to yourself. But either way, I am sleeping in this bed beside you. Is that understood?”

Y/N was taken aback by his calm, yet unmoving, authority.

Realizing that he was expecting some sort of response, all she could mange was a stiff nod.

He waited a few moments to see if she would speak.

Instead, Y/N laid down in his bed, turning so her back faced him and pulled the covers high over her shoulders.

Eris sighed and stood, walking over to the other side of the bed.

He slowly and carefully joined her under the covers, making sure to keep a respectable distance between them. Which was fairly easy with how large the bed was.

He settled on his side, watching Y/N as she got lost in her head.

When he stopped moving, the room was filled with the crackling of the fire in the room that was much lower and calmer than the one in Y/N’s room.

A rumbling of thunder started in the distance and rain began to fall outside.

“I dreamt of my sister,” Y/N whispered.

Eris just waited, silently hoping his mate would keep speaking.

“She died in childbirth.”

He shifted ever so closer. “I thought your entire coven was killed by a nearby village.”

“They were,” Y/N muttered. “This was only a year before that. She had fallen in love with man from the village before the one that slaughtered us. He was smitten…but he did not love her the same way she loved him. Men were not common companions of ours. They either feared us – or wished to tame us and rip us away from our coven to take us for themselves.”

Her eyes glazed over at the memory.

“She thought he would travel with us, that she could have a family and her coven. It only took a couple of months before she was with child. But just weeks before the baby was due, there were complications and she went into labor. And even with a whole coven of magic, we couldn’t save her. They said that the man had cursed her – whether he realized it or not – and the magic was too strong to save her. He wasn’t even there when it happened."

Her voice shook as she finished. "I held my sister’s hand as the life left her body. Her baby didn’t survive.”

Tears dripped down Y/N’s face.

“We had a ceremony for her... and he didn't come. It was like he had never met her at all. He took what he wanted, and didn’t mourn my sister. But he was the only reason she was dead.”

Y/N rubbed the tears from her face.

“What was her name?” Eris asked her gently.

A sad smile pulled at her lips. “Neve. Her name was Neve.”

Eris couldn’t help himself any longer. He pulled Y/N to him, cradling her into his warm chest.

He kissed the top of her head before he whispered in her ear. “I am sorry that you lost her – and in such a manner.”

“I thought I was so alone after she died. But nothing could’ve prepared me for the loneliness when all of them were taken from me.”

Eris’ pupils shrunk as he got a dazed look. “I grew up in a home filled with servants, advisors, courtiers, my brothers. But…” His words died out. Perhaps it was selfish to compare his life to hers.

But Y/N squeezed him.

“The worst loneliness is felt while surrounded by others,” Y/N offered sympathetically. “Yes, I lost my family, my coven…but to live as you did – and for centuries! I am sorry for you, too.”

Eris pulled away from her so he could look in her eyes.

“Y/N, we do not have to be alone anymore.”

She gave him a pained look. So, Eris wouldn’t push her.

“At least for tonight,” he corrected slowly. “We will not be.”

He pulled her into his chest again. “Sleep, Y/N. I will fight your nightmares.”

And it only took her minutes of listening to the sounds of the rain mix with Eris’ soft breathing and smelling his autumn scent for her to give in to sleep.

—🍁—🍁—

The next morning, banging at the bedroom door startled Y/N awake. Either Eris had heard the interrupter long before her or he had already been awake for awhile, because he barely reacted to the sound.

Though with Eris’ magic, no one was permitted to enter without his permission.

Y/N was sleeping on top of Eris’ chest as he sat with his back against the headboard and his arms wrapped around her.

“Eris!” Lucien yelled as he continued to bang. “Y/N has gone missing! She was not in her room and she slept through her lessons! No one has seen her in the house all morning!”

Eris and Y/N shared a mischievous look, but still didn’t move away from each other.

Suddenly, Y/N couldn’t stop herself from falling into a fit of giggles. When Eris smirked down at her, she stopped, moved away from him, and hid under the covers.

With a groan, Eris got up and moved to the door.

Even just the subtle action of opening the door was done with clear irritation. “She is fine,” he growled at his youngest brother.

Lucien looked over his shoulder just in time to see Y/N peak out from the covers, her face clearly hot with embarrassment.

“Oh, good.” Lucien’s tone was sarcastic, but it was clear he was honestly relieved to see her alright. “Mother wishes to prepare you for the coronation.”

“W-What?” Y/N stuttered out her confusion as she sat up in bed.

Lucien glared at his brother. “You didn’t tell her.”

Eris rolled his eyes. “We both know this is an unnecessary spectacle…”

Lucien glared harder, then turned his attention to Y/N. “An official celebration for Eris becoming High Lord. It will be a grand ordeal, I assure you. And my mother was looking for you to get your dress fittings started.”

––––––––

Thank you thank you thank you for being patient with me. Also, thank you to everyone you messaged kind and supportive words. hope this was worth the wait. 😅

Chapter XXIII

#gust & flame #eris vanserra #eris #eris acotar #eris x reader #eris vanserra x reader #autumn court #acotar #a court of thorns and roses #high lord of autumn #lucien vanserra

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ystrike1 · 7 months

Text

Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - By 연한 (7.5/10)

They're roommates! Kidding, he's her prisoner. Waking up in the role of a minor villain has never been more inconvenient. Our protagonist has no special powers, no noble blood, and the man she lusted after thinks she's a creep. That's alot of problems to fix before love can bloom. No wonder it grows twisted, with a couple like this.

Rose is a pervert. An awful maid who covets the handsome adopted prince. The current king is infertile, so a boy of high bloodline was adopted into the family. He's great. He's perfect.

The king grows jealous of his adopted son.

So he builds a sealed magic tower, and he throws his son in.

With Rose.

He tells Rose to torment him and she agrees. She's angry. Jaded that he will never love her, because he is so perfect. She and the king are birds of a feather. They're too jealous of the next king to see how foolish they are. Albert will one day take power. His father, and his crazed fan, will be punished for mistreating him.

Rose uses a magic wand to control his body while he is inside the tower.

Luckily he has magic. He's one of the strongest mages around. He can break out of the tower. He can steal the wand. He just needs time.

He already has political support by the way.

Rose and the King are doomed.

Rose is easy to fool. She thinks her torture is breaking him. She thinks he's her toy, and she's so blessed. Thank goodness the king hates his adopted son. Now she finally, finally gets to have the man of her dreams. A submissive toy that can only move with her permission.

Albert is just acting.

His kisses. His compliments. His body??? That's all worthless. He lies through his teeth, and he executes Rose after he decodes the wand.

Huzzah!

A new king rises

....

...

Rose changes.

She apologizes for kissing him. She says she knows he has powerful magic, so she wants to switch sides. She says she knows he's too great to ever be hers now, so she will help him. She will lie to the king. No more torture. She'll report detailed torture, but he can train in peace instead. She says he will be able to escape much sooner.

She only expects monetary compensation as one of his employees.

He doesn't trust her at first...

The kitchen.

Rose suddenly loves cooking more than lust. She watches over his health. She jokes with him. She says she dreams of a normal life in the village.

He's flabbergasted.

The evil Rose has been replaced with a Korean Woman, and she's a great cook.

The Korean Woman wants to be very far away from Prince Albert. His destined love is someone else, and he's very scary.

He tests her.

She barely reacts, and she's just scared when he fake flirts now.

They...have fun instead.

Albert likes fun and cooking.

He starts to develop a little crush on her.

Why?

Well he was adopted by the king because he's an orphan. His parents died of disease. His two beloved elder brothers poisoned him. Then, they both died fighting each other for the right to succession.

Then when he got adopted his adopted dad hated him too. Oh also the king only adopted him as a joke. He wanted the citizens to hate his son. The pathetic weak sickly orphan. Albert was supposed to be a prop to make him look cooler.

...so yeah he's a lonely guy.

Joking around with New Rose makes him happy.

He doesn't even want her to mention other men. He stops caring about their contract by chapter ten. He wants her to only ever praise him. I expect more yandere nonsense.

#yandere #male yandere #yandere male #yandere boy #recommendations #recs #rec #recommended #webtoon #otome games #otome #otome game #otome isekai #Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince

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aziraphales-library · 6 months

Note

Hi! Thank you for this blog. I was wondering if you could recommend any fics where one or the other or both at once think the other is dead?I love presumed dead fics.

Hello! You can check some previous presumed dead recs here, and you may also be interested in our #temporary character death tag. Here are some more presumed dead fics...

The Empty Flat & The Burning Bookshop by probably_publius (T)

It took a lot for Aziraphale to finally give in and give Crowley the thermos of Holy Water, and when he does, he is ladden with guilt. He can only hope that he doesn't use it on himself. In this storyline, Sergeant Shadwell takes just a minute longer to run to Mr. Fell's bookshop and misses Aziraphale after he runs to Crowley's flat. Meanwhile, Crowley is driving (if you can call it driving) to the bookshop. Aziraphale finds the demon goop and his thermos of Holy Water in Crowley's empty flat, his best friend gone. Crowley finds the bookshop in flames, his best friend gone. Warnings!!! You have been warned! Heavy angst, some swearing, reference to murder , reference to discorporation, reference to stealing, mention of Nazis, themes of and apparent suicide, themes of depression, self-loathing, and self-guilt.

Fractured Heart by Blue_Sparkle (T)

Angels are sturdy beings, but rigid and changeless and not meant to endure grief or loss. When thousands Fall and many more are slain in the Great Rebellion, they either literally break apart...or forget. Aziraphale's only memories of his lost beloved are his lover's skill at creating stars. Memories he cherishes above all else. It complicates matters when his heart starts attaching to a certain demon, but perhaps his time on earth can teach him how to heal.

Stitches by CaspianTheGeek (E)

Until now, Aziraphale's family has seen fit to ignore him slipping into the village to see his tailor-turned-lover. That is until the King dies and Aziraphale's brother decides it is time he finds a proper match. Crowley is sent to prison and Aziraphale is told he has died for daring to love the prince. Love isn't so easily stopped, and Crowley is determined to return to Aziraphale however he can. (I promise, this will absolutely have a happy ending. As all my stories do.)

Anyway, Don't Be A Stranger by Juno_Sunlit (T)

It's been 10 years since Crowley died, and Aziraphale has mourned for every single minute. It's also been 10 years since Aziraphale died, and Crowley, up in the stars, has done the same. To God's chagrin, neither is aware of the other's continued existence. Sick and tired of grief big enough to end a universe, She sends them both on a trip through their old haunts, hoping they'll meet. All is as well and good as possible until something happens to Aziraphale, and a grieving Crowley must unknowingly come to his rescue. Includes musings on existence, gentle, warm flashbacks, demonic heists of a homosexual nature, God in slippers, asshole Gabriel, tearful reunions, the inherent tenderness of loving someone ever so much, and, through all the sorrow, a very happy ending.

A Beautiful Fiction by Thestarlitrose (E)

Nineteen years after having his memories of Crowley stolen, Aziraphale encounters Warlock and has everything come rushing back to him. Together; with the help of an ex-antichrist, they embark on a journey through the Southeastern, United States to locate Crowley to bring him home, where he belongs. Chapters with smut and other potential triggers will be listed in the notes.

The Ghost of Husbands Past by A_N_D (E)

Az always knew that he’d be thrown out the moment his father found out he was gay. He hadn’t expected to be declared dead though - or for his husband to believe it! But their marriage had been a foolish teenage impulse (not to mention invalid in America), so when Az moved to a small town far upstate New York to start his new life, he moved alone. The kindest thing he could do was let Crowley mourn and move on, not be shackled for life to a now disabled partner. Tony Crowley never recovered from losing his best friend, his childhood sweetheart, his better half. He’d been drifting ever since; no plans, no hope, no money - and now, just before Thanksgiving, no job either. Given the stark choice of freezing to death or accepting his sister’s invitation to join her upstate, Tony reluctantly lives out the Hallmark cliche of Recently Unemployed Person Moves to Small Town for Christmas. It’s a time of hope, love, and family. It’s time for Az and Tony to find each other again.

- Mod D

#good omens #ineffable husbands #angst #presumed dead #fake character death #mod d

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analogwriting · 3 months

Text

Childhood Crush

Chapter 13: Cobalt

Killer x gn!reader

word count: 2.4k

a/n: since i was gone longer than usual and gave a good cucking - HAVE ANOTHER AYEO cucking, i mean

When you came to and made your way out, the blizzard stopped. The night was still - no wind, no noise. Just the quiet snow and the light of the moon illuminating the glittering landscape. You stood there for a moment, just enjoying the silence. You let out a long sigh, closing your eyes and letting your head fall back. You were already exhausted. Why did Myra send only you? She had seemed pretty adamant about you going alone. She wouldn’t spare anyone else. Did she know something you didn’t?

Your mind then drifted to the crazy guy from earlier. What even was his deal? His face flashed in your mind and you groaned. That unnatural grin couldn’t be…on purpose. It almost looked as if some invisible force was pulling it - pulling it to that unnatural state. It couldn’t be comfortable. Even still, he felt familiar. You couldn’t place why.

You opened your eyes, sighing once more and watching as the clouds from your breath traveled up then to the ground. There wasn’t a lick of wind like earlier. You looked down at your arm. You needed to get that taken care of for sure. You couldn’t lose another arm. Sure, you could probably just make another armband, but you’d honestly rather not.

Thankfully, due to the still of the night, you did hear running water. You followed the noise and soon discovered a small river. At least it wasn’t frozen.

Some time later, you had a small fire going and were boiling water. You cut off a piece of your cloak, dipping it in your now clean water. You hissed softly as you began to clean up your wound, soon enough stitching it up. You were glad you always carried around a small stitch kit just in case. It was essential to you at this point.

Once you were all patched and warmed up, you set off again.

Finally, you made it to a village. The Flower Capital to be specific. You needed to gather some information about Kaido and his castle. You couldn’t just go in blind. This was a stealth mission, not a strength contest. You stood no chance anyway. You knew your limits and you weren’t dumb.

The intel you obtained was a lot. Twenty years of constant downfall. These poor people just couldn’t catch a break. When would their suffering end? Soon, you hoped.

The information that pertained to you, however, was that it seemed that Kaido was going to be throwing some kind of party for an alliance he was having with Big Mom. Great. Two yonkos in one place. Just fantastic. Not only that, all of the beast pirates were apparently going to be there. Fanfuckingtastic. Just what you needed. Though, if you just found some kind of disguise and laid low, you should be just fine. You’re just getting some flowers after all. No need to stress about fighting. No one was going to question you just picking flowers.

Make fun of you, maybe, but nothing more.

“Yeah, I heard that the prison in Udon is holding that Strawhat captain now along with that Kid Pirate captain.” Your neck could have snapped with how fast your head turned. You noticed two people talking and walked over. “I heard the same thing,” you lied, sitting on the bench with the other two. They looked at you for a moment, but didn’t seem to dwell on you for long.

“I heard the Strawhat tried to take on Kaido and was easily defeated.” The woman laughed softly. “That’s what happens when you end up too big for your britches and try to fight a yonko, I guess.” The other woman laughed and you joined in.

“Yeah, it’s crazy,” you say, trying to fish for more information. “How long has that Kid guy been there anyway at this point?”

“Oh, I think it’s been a bit at this point. Kaido captured the whole crew. My husband heard it from a Beast Pirate. Boasting about it, he was.” Your heart sank. Caught the whole crew? Panic set in. Were they alive? Were they dead? Were they being held in the same place? It didn’t sound like it. You needed more information, but you knew you wouldn’t get too much from the two ladies without drawing suspicion.

“Well, at least they’re locked up. We don’t need more pirates terrorizing us. We’ve been through enough,” the other woman said. You nodded along with them, making a little more idle chat before bidding farewell and leaving.

Well, now to figure out where the hell Udon is. And what prison they were talking about. Though, you weren’t sure how old that information was either.

As if the universe was granting you some kind of mercy, you heard another tidbit of information.

“I heard there was a breakout at the Udon prison.” You glanced over, seeing a couple Beast Pirates talking this time. “That Strawhat guy and that Captain Kid guy.” You felt your heart breathe a sigh of relief to hear your brother was able to get out of there. But…where the hell was he now? You didn’t even know where to begin searching for him. You knew he wouldn’t stay in one place long and knew the first thing he’d do is get his crew back.

The only thing you could do was just continue with your own mission. Surely you’d run into him eventually. Besides, he was your brother, he was probably just fine. With a deep sigh, you decided what to do next.

Now, you just need to head to Onigashima. Simple enough. You just…needed to find your boat…and…fuck. Which fuckin’ port you come in on? You should’ve paid more attention to your surroundings and where the hell you were going. Though, taking your own boat over to Onigashima was probably also not very smart. You should probably just sneak on one of their own ships in disguise. Yeah, that checked out. That was a better plan.

Turns out, most of the Beast Pirates were absolutely dense. They were not bright. All it took was knocking one out and changing clothes and they were none the wiser.

When you actually made it to Onigashima - things didn’t get any easier. You thought it would for a moment, only to find out there was some kind of huge fight going on. Well, shit. Now what were you supposed to do? You ended up getting swept into a crowd of rushing people heading into the castle. Well shit, that’s the opposite of what you wanted. You wanted the outside not the inside.

You eventually broke away from the crowd, grumbling as you did so. You straightened yourself out, heading towards the place where you had entered from only to suddenly feel the entire place begin to quake. You lost your footing, crashing to the ground as did a lot of other people. Shouting began and everyone started looking around.

Once the ground stopped shaking, you stood up, heading over to the nearest window. “Are we in the fucking air?” you mumbled to yourself. That was absolutely insane. What was Kaido’s plan with this one? Actually, you still weren’t even sure what the hell was going on. As far as you know a fight broke out during a party and that’s it. You had no idea who was involved or why it was happening.

“I can’t believe it either.” You looked over, seeing another Beast Pirate. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but apparently the Strawhats, the Kid Pirates, and the Heart Pirates are all here trying to take down Kaido and Big Mom, so get ready for a lot of fighting.” You stared at him. “Huh?”

“Good luck, soldier,” he called as he ran off.

You just stared after him. “He’s going after another fucking yonko?” you yelled to no one in particular. With all the commotion, no one really noticed anyway. You took off your helmet for a moment, running a hand through your hair. This was absolutely ridiculous. What the hell was Eustass thinking?

Well, at least that answered the question of where he was. It was only a matter of finding him now. At this point, you forgot about what you had originally come here for. Your only goal now was to find Eustass and demand to know what’s going on…or at least know he’s okay. You still couldn’t believe he was targeting a yonko. Was he trying to lose another arm?

With a dramatic sigh, you started to navigate the halls. Fights were broken out left and right. You did your best to stay out of all of them. You didn’t particularly care one way or another how they would end up. None of this was any of your business…well…if you rejoined your own crew then you supposed it was.

Ugh, you’d figure out the details later. You really needed to stop overthinking things - it was giving you a headache.

During your search, you stopped dead in your tracks as you saw a familiar tuft of red hair. A large smile spread across your face as you honed in on what you saw. There he fucking was - your brother. Eustass fucking Kid. And, as always, Killer wasn’t far from him. You felt a heat creep onto your cheeks as you looked at the man you’ve had a crush on since childhood. Did he get bigger? Motherfucker yoked up. Your brother too. Damn, what the fuck did they do when you were gone? Take steroids? Damn.

Your heart was pounding in your ears with excitement. So much excitement, in fact, that you didn’t exactly notice the state they were in. Now that the initial shock of seeing them had passed, you noticed the rough shape the both of them were in. You had something that could fix that - you just had to get to them first.

You moved quick, taking your enemies out one by one in rapid succession. Soon enough, all that was standing in your way was Eustass and Killer. “What are you doing?” One of the fallen pirates asked in a strained voice. “Are you betraying us?” You just looked down at him, licking your teeth. You looked back to the two in front of you, tossing them what looked like some kind of protein bars.

“Eat those,” you said.

Eustass just glared at you. “Why the fuck would I listen to someone who just killed their own men?” he demanded. You blinked, confused on why he didn’t recognize you. Then it dawned on you. The helmet covering your face. Right. Plus, what were the odds you’d be here anyway? You were about to take your helmet off when you noticed someone creeping up on your brother.

With a sigh, you threw one of your daggers, flying right past Eustass’ head and straight into the skull of the man behind him. “You really need to be aware of your surroundings, Tungsten,” you said with a dramatic sigh.

His eyes widened in disbelief and his whole body went rigid as the nickname left your mouth. You took off your helmet, tossing it to the side. “Ugh, that thing was awful.” Honestly, you didn’t know why you wore it as long as you did. Maybe to make people leave you alone? You weren’t sure at this point.

“What?” Your brother’s voice was soft, full of disbelief. You looked at Eustass, confused. “Is that all you gotta say to me?” Though, with the look on his face, you could tell that he was still dumbfounded. He definitely couldn’t believe his eyes. “What? You think I was dead?” You snorted.

“Like I said, eat those bars. It’ll take a couple of minutes, but you’ll completely recover. However, it’s the only one you’ll be able to have today so make it count, yeah?” It was something you had developed while you were on the island. Medicines were your specialty, after all.

They looked at each other before looking back at you. “Bigs?” You looked at him and nodded slowly. “...Yes? Are you still on that?” Now that you thought about it, Eustass did look pale. As if he had seen a ghost. He slowly stepped towards you before taking you in his arms and holding you tightly. “Uh…Tungsten?” you asked, patting his back. “As much as I love you and love your affection, I can’t help but feel like I’m missing something.”

“Kese said you died.” You froze at the mention of his name as your own mind started to spin. “H-He what?” You pulled away from Eustass, looking at him. You searched for a lie in his face, but there was none. There was, however, a lot of emotion that he was holding back. Probably holding it together because you were in public and somewhat in the middle of a war.

You blinked, looking from him, to Killer who hadn’t even moved so much of an inch or said anything, back to Eustass. You shook your head.

“This is something we can process and go over later,” you said, knowing you needed to move things along. “I’m well and alive, obviously. I’m just here originally for a mission for the labs, but it seems like there’s a lot of unsettled business I’ll need to attend to. So.”

You look at them, stepping back and putting your hands on your hips. Once more, you were taking your authority as an older sibling. “This is the plan, yeah?” They nodded, looking at you, ready to listen. “You two are going to eat those bars and do whatever it is you need to do. I’m going to finish my own side mission that I was sent on. This is all gonna end and we’re gonna meet up later, alright?” They nodded again, opening their bars.

“And none of us are going to die, got it?” You had a firmer tone this time and again, they nodded. You could tell they were still absolutely floored that you were before them. Why would Kese tell them that you died? What the hell was his angle at this point? Why did he want you out of the picture so damn bad? You didn’t even fucking know the guy.

You could figure all that out later, right now you had shit to do. You smiled at the both of them. “Alright. We have a plan, now quit standing there like a couple of idiots and get going.” With that, you winked and hightailed it out of there.

#chapter 13: the cuckening #man im so tired rn but i just wanted to get this out since it was also just a kind of filler chapter #the next will get better TRUSTTT #okay better is loose term but yk what i mean #one piece #one piece x reader #one piece x you #killer one piece #killer x reader #massacre soldier killer #am fics #cc

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moodcrab · 6 months

Text

Fixing Skyrim's Main Quest

Part III (A)

You're Finally Awake

You awake in your prison cell at Winterhold. You can speak to your cellmates, a horse thief named Lokir who is having a nervous breakdown and blames his misfortune on your other cellmate, Rala (girl Ralof), who will exposit about being a Stormcloak scout who got caught, and, in hushed tones, that we shouldn't worry, the Stormcloaks are coming to liberate the city soon! He will ask who you are (character creation) and how you ended up here. There are several options you can pick as a back story, one race specific one, and a "I can't remember/mind your business!" option if none of those fit your backstory.

Enter Hadvar, who seems to know Rala. From their conversation you gleam they are brother and sister and grew up happily in a village called Riverwood, before politics split them apart. Hadvar wants Rala to betray the location of the incoming Stormcloak attack, so that he can get her out of execution. She refuses, and though it saddens Hadvar he seems to respect her loyalty. During the conversation Rala will refer to Ulfric Stormcloak not only as "True High King" which Hadvar will disagree with, but as "Dragonborn" which Hadvar will treat as almost blasphemous. Rala will respond with something about the banning of Talos.

Towards the end of the conversation you see other prisoners being led out behind Hadvar. Times up. They are leading you out to the headsman's block. As you exit the dungeon you are hit by the bright, beautiful snowy land of Skyrim, you can look around you as you are led through the busy streets of the large bustling city of Winterhold. A large fantastical building, The College, looms in the skyline.

Just as execution seems imminent, the Stormcloak rescue mission erupts from hiding! But just as the two sides prepare to charge each other... Something happens that puts fear into both parties. A bone chilling roar followed by tremors in the earth. From the north, the vast black shadow of Alduin descends on us all.

Still bound, you flee from the dragon as around you the whole city is collapsing into the Sea of Ghosts. You get a close call from Alduin and a great view of the city around the College falling away leaving the College untouched. You get separated from the other prisoners, and get a choice to follow Rala or Hadvar. Together you descend into Winterhold's Halls of the Dead. "That was a Dragon! OMG!" Just inside you find the body of the Priest of Orkey and his lootable robes and healing spell tome. Hadvar/Rala remarks that the priest has been stabbed, not killed by the dragon attack. Who could have done this?

The lone draugr shambles towards you, lootable blade drawn. Hadvar/Rala will sound surprised to see one here. After you kill it, they shall explain that the odd draugr might be known to attack grave robbers or unsuspecting explorers in some ancient ruined tomb out in the wilderness, but here in a city? With a priest tending to the Hall? You continue through the Hall, there's a passage into the mountains he tells you, but crypts around you start popping open, you get a quick go at archery and stealth during draugr fights but this dungeon won't be drawn out.

Eventually you'll bump into Rala/Hadvar, whoever you didn't go with, who has arrived via a separate tunnel with some of their soldiers. They will try to hold their soldiers back and focus on escape, but a fight breaks out as the earth is still quaking around you threatening to implode the tunnels at any minute. In the chaos, the sibling you entered with is killed by the other, and you flee for the exit.

And that's how we begin. You'll exit the tunnel alone as it collapses behind you. You won't be funneled to any particular settlement or quest. There is a mountain between you and Winterhold to stop an immediate return, but nowhere is off limits either. Let's rundown the major changes and discuss why I made them.

Oh and Lokir got shot.

Location. We're in Winterhold, which is now a proper city, not Helgan. Pretty much, if we're going to destroy a settlement let's do it properly. The Great Collapse in vanilla Skyrim was undercooked, let's actually experience it first hand and appreciate the devastation on return visits. The Collapse will be big news, and people will gossip about how Jarl Korir, who lost his son in the attack, is going full Stormcloak because the Empire is not coming through with aid. He, as well as Nords in general, will be highly suspect of the College for surviving untouched, shoving a bigger wedge between Nordic society and mages (First the Oblivion Crisis, now this!?)

Hadvar and Ralof. Changing Ralof to a woman is literally just change for the sake of change. Like, why not? But making them siblings rather than vague acquaintances really sets up how divisive the Civil War will be. Making one kill the other will really set the tone here. Whichever one happens to survive your playthrough will become a fucked up guilt and grief driven character if you side with them, someone you can help or condemn, and if you side against them they'll be like a mini boss in a CW battle. It did cross my mind to make them lovers instead of siblings but I think this will be better off elsewhere, like with Jon and Olfina in Whiterun.

Ulfric and Tulius. They aren't here. It never made much sense to me why Tulius wouldn't kill Ulfric on the spot. From the Empire's perspective, no trial is necessary, he's a murderer and a traitor. Vanilla Tulius not only took Ulfric to a town (not even the nearest one) he planned to execute him AFTER a horse thief and the stranger in rags. It makes no sense.

The Halls of the Dead sequence allows you to tutorial basic combat/magic/stealth quickly whilst also putting the insane amount of draugr you are about to fight in this game into context. Draugr are a thing, but now they are rising en mas, and it has something to do with the Dragons. When a dragon attacks a city the dead shall rise, people will be unable to visit their ancestral barrows anymore.

Pacing. Above all I wanted to put the world of Skyrim into context in as short a time possible for the benefit of replayability. Playing vanilla Skyrim without an alternative start mod is torture. We've done away with the lengthy carriage ride that showcases a mechanic that doesn't exist in the rest of the game. We get into the action of the Dragon attack quickly but without sacrificing tension and the tutorial dungeon is much shorter.

For more context check out

Part One - Setting:

https://www.tumblr.com/moodcrab/713523288690802688/fixing-skyrims-main-quest

Part Two - Backstory:

https://www.tumblr.com/moodcrab/714501541554454528/fixing-skyrims-main-quest

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atlabeth · 1 year

Text

everything happens for a reason part 21 - zuko x fem!reader

Meet me in the afterglow

part 20 | masterlist | part 22

a/n: wowwwww we're finally in the happy part of this fic lol. it feels so good to write zuko and yn together after 100k words of them being on opposite sides and hating each other. it was actually kind of hard to write this because it was a lot of chill fluff and it has been a long Long time since ive written that. very sorry this took so long

wc: 5k

warning(s): some discussions of yn and zuko's pasts but overall very fluffy

chapter title comes from afterglow by taylor swift!

Silence.

That was what Y/N woke up to.

No nightmares, no guilt, no flashbacks—just… silence.

And the arms of another around her. Zuko. She reveled in the warmth he provided, sighing contentedly as she shifted to look at him.

She’d always thought Zuko was beautiful, but he was even more so when asleep. His features relaxed rather than rageful, no longer tainted by her own incessant anger. Pools of gold met her when his eyes flickered open, a gentleness held within them she’d missed dearly.

“Hi,” she whispered, a smile already tugging at her lips.

“Hi.” His voice was just as soft, his own emerging smile enough to make her melt. “Did you sleep well?”

“Better than I have in months.” Y/N moved her hand over his, and Zuko turned his over to entangle their fingers. “And it’s all thanks to you.”

“It’s the least I can do,” he murmured, and he drew her in for a soft kiss. That was what made her melt. “You know I’m never letting you go again, right?”

A light laugh spilled from her lips. “I don’t want you to.”

“Good.”

Though she wanted nothing more than to nestle back into Zuko’s embrace, she mustered enough strength to sit up, a small yawn escaping her. “When do you think we should go back?”

Zuko sighed as he sat up next to her, running a hand through his rustled hair. “We have time, Y/N. We’re in your village, the place you grew up. We don’t have to go back until you want to.”

“We are on a timeline though—”

“A timeline that isn’t close to being up yet,” he countered. “Aang doesn’t have to fight my father for a while—a few extra days out here isn’t going to hurt us.” Zuko shrugged. “You deserve a break after all you’ve been through lately, and besides—I’m sure your people wouldn’t mind hosting the savior of the village for a little longer.”

Y/N laughed and pushed him lightly, eliciting a little half-smile from Zuko. “Okay, I get it. Another day would be really nice.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay longer?”

She shook her head. “The rest of today will be enough for me to help get things moving on the repair front. We’ve already been gone two days—any longer than this and Katara will think we’ve died.”

Zuko chuckled. “Alright.”

“Besides,” she said as she stood up and stretched her arms out, “after all of this is over, I’ll be able to come back anytime I want. And,” Y/N looked at Zuko, “I’ll be able to properly introduce you. As Zuko my boyfriend, and not Zuko the evil prince.”

He grinned. “Your boyfriend? Is that official?”

Y/N groaned and swatted at him. “Get out of here. I have to get dressed.”

“Anything for my beautiful girlfriend,” Zuko said as he got up, still wearing that ridiculous grin while he walked out.

Y/N rolled her eyes as he shut the door, but she couldn’t help but smile. It felt good, joking around like this. Having a lazy morning—waking up with him in the first place.

And yeah—hearing Zuko call her his girlfriend was pretty nice too.

She’d been longing for it for a greater time than she knew, and now that she’d worked through her anger, let it go, realized that this was what she wanted?

It was too great a feeling to put into words.

That small smile remained on her lips as she began to rifle through her belongings, the minuscule amount she’d packed for this trip in a tiny satchel. She wanted to change, but the only other clothes she had were the tunic and pants she’d worn for months in prison. They were sort of the only clothes she owned now.

The smile faded as she shoved them back into her bag. Maybe she could ask Leya to borrow one of her dresses for the day. That particular memory didn’t need to be resurfaced right now.

She blew out a loose sigh as she sat back down on the bed, allowing herself a moment to really take it all in.

Though Y/N had initially planned to get in and get out, the whole ‘taking back the village’ thing really threw a wrench in her hasty excursion. After last night—after the fight, the general, the grave—she was well and truly exhausted. Lao and Leya had immediately offered up the second bedroom of their home to her and Zuko, claiming it was ‘the least they could do after all she’d done’, and in the moment, Y/N wasn’t one to deny it.

She didn’t realize how worn out she was until she laid down on the bed—true exhaustion and the warmth of Zuko’s arms around her was a deadly combination—and she was out before she knew it.

It was the best she’d slept in a long time.

Because she didn’t have a new outfit, she opted for smoothing out the black fabric and her hair, and nodded to herself before she left the room. She was surprised to see Zuko leaning against the wall next to the door, his arms crossed as he stared off at nothing in particular.

“You waited?”

“Obviously. Life-threatening fights don’t have to be the only time we stick together.” She chuckled a bit as she slipped her hand into his, pleased at how familiar the motion felt.

“Of course.”

“Besides—” Zuko cleared his throat as his eyes darted away for a moment— “I’m kind of scared of Leya and Lao. I don’t think they really trust me.”

“What? Of course they do!” she exclaimed. “You took down the factory with Lao, and you helped in the fight for our village—they wouldn’t have offered you the place if they didn’t.”

“You weren’t there,” he said dryly. “Lao questioned me the entire way to the factory about you. And he might be okay about me now, but Leya still seems uneasy. They still don’t even know who I really am.”

“Who you are is Zuko. It doesn’t matter that you’re the prince—you’re Zuko, and you helped them. That’s all they’ll care about.” She gave him a slight nudge. “Things are different out here, away from the Fire Nation. People are tolerant. You’ve seen that while you’ve been away, right?”

It took Zuko a moment, but he nodded. His lips quirked in the smallest smile and he nodded again, as if he was actually starting to believe it. “Okay. Yeah.”

“Yeah,” she repeated. She swung their hands together a bit and started to lead the way. “Now let’s go. It’s nearly noon—we’ve gotta get our day started.”

“If you say so,” Zuko mused, and she just laughed.

“I do.”

“It’s good to see the two of you are finally awake,” Leya mused from her cushion as they emerged into the living room. “I was afraid you would sleep the whole day away.”

“If anyone deserves it,” Lao said, walking over from the kitchen, “it’s them.”

“Sorry.” Y/N scratched her neck, slightly bashful. “We were exhausted after yesterday.”

“No need to apologize,” Leya laughed, and she gestured towards the counter. “Help yourselves, please—we made xiaolongbao and egg custard tarts to celebrate. There’s far too much for just the two of us.”

“Are you sure?” Zuko asked tentatively.

“Of course we’re sure,” Lao said. “We’ve welcomed you into our home. Anything we have is yours, son.” He frowned. “I never did get your name.”

He paused. “...My name is Zuko.”

The name struck them like steel, tension immediately thick in the air even if just out of instinct.

“Like Prince Zuko,” Leya said carefully, “of the Fire Nation.”

“I don’t think I’m much of a prince anymore,” he frowned. “I did betray my entire country to help the Avatar.”

Lao glanced at Y/N, the unsaid question obvious.

“It’s the truth,” she said. “Zuko has been working with us for a good while now. He’s the Avatar’s firebending teacher, and he’s going to help us end the war.”

“Alright,” Lao said, and he nodded. “Welcome to our home, Zuko. Officially.”

His brows creased together. “Really?”

“You’re clearly a good man,” he said. “Not just anyone would do what you’ve done.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is,” Lao insisted. “You didn’t have to help free our village, but you fought on the front lines with us.” He smiled wryly. “That makes a man good in my book.”

“I agree.” Leya’s smile was softer, kinder, but held the same respect. “You’re just as much a hero to our village as Y/N is.”

Zuko looked like he wanted to protest, but Y/N placed her hand over his and nodded. He deserved the praise.

“...Thank you,” he finally said, wholly genuine. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“Any friend of Y/N’s is a friend of ours,” Leya said, and her lips quirked up. “Would you like to hear some of the terrible things she did when she was younger?”

“Leya—” Y/N began, but Zuko shook his head, his own smile growing.

“Tell me everything.”

She groaned as he pulled her over to the floor, two cushions already set for them. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as she sat down next to him, Leya and Lao launching into a story together from her childhood.

(She had always been a bit of a terror, especially after she discovered her waterbending. That didn’t mean she wanted Zuko to know about it.)

((“This is no way to treat the savior of the village,” she complained at one point. She was fully ignored.))

After spending far too many hours eating, chatting, and laughing (at Y/N’s expense), she and Zuko set out for the day. Y/N asked Leya for a spare outfit and she obliged immediately, so once again she found herself in Earth Kingdom greens and browns. The soft linen was the nicest reprieve from the scratchy prison clothes she’d been stuck in, and she had to admit—it was nice being back in Earth Kingdom clothes. It was just as much a part of her as the North.

The rest of the day was busy but fulfilling, working long into the night to make up for the damage from the battle. Most of their efforts were spent architecturally, helping to repair houses that had been damaged and to tear down the Fire Nation estates.

It might have been property, but it was tainted beyond belief. South Zeizhou would never truly belong to her people again if any trace of the Fire Nation remained.

Y/N and Zuko had split halfway through the day to help with separate things—for some reason, her people were trusting her with designing. She spent the entire rest of the day running around helping various people, sketching up ideas for buildings and statues and everything else under the sun. It turned out that, when you saved an entire village of an eight year hold, they were just a little grateful.

(She denied the idea every time someone brought up building a statue of her. She was sure she heard Zuko go behind her back and tell them otherwise.)

She was kept so busy that she didn’t see Zuko again until that night, when she pushed open the door to Leya and Lao’s estate to see him sitting on the floor alone.

“Zuko,” she said, still getting used to the lightness his name brought her. It was more comforting than anything. “What are you doing up?”

“I should be asking you that,” he said with a slight smile, setting his bowl down. “You don’t have to work all night, you know.”

“I lost track of time,” she said sheepishly. “What are you eating?”

“Jook.” A faint blush tinted his cheeks as he gestured back towards the kitchen. “Leya and Lao turned in a few hours ago—they told me to tell you that you had free reign of their ingredients, but I didn’t want you to have to do it yourself after working so hard all day. So I made you something.”

Her whole expression softened. “Zuko, that’s so sweet.” She crouched down and pecked him on the cheek, warmth blooming in her chest. “I didn’t even know you could cook, being a prince and all.”

He chuckled. “Uncle taught me some things when we were in Ba Sing Se. I told him I didn’t need it, but I guess some of it stuck.”

Y/N took his spoon and tried some of the jook in his bowl. Her eyebrows shot up. “That’s surprisingly good.”

“Surprisingly?” he asked with mock disdain. “Why can’t it just be normally good?”

“Because,” she said, “I’ve never tried your cooking before.”

“That just settles it,” Zuko said. “When we’re back in the Fire Nation, I’ll ask the chefs to teach me some things. That way I can really impress you.”

“You don’t need to impress me, Zuko,” she said, and she stood up and walked over. “Just spending time with you like this is more than enough. We’ve got a lot of it to make up.”

He managed a soft laugh, but it was bittersweet. “Yeah. We do.”

Y/N filled her own bowl with jook and then walked back over, settling down next to Zuko. She placed her hand over his, smiling softly at him. “Tell me about your day.”

“It’s been… a lot,” he said. “I’ve helped tear down a lot of Fire Nation buildings. I melted a lot of metal.” He chuckled. “If only we brought Toph with us. Her metalbending would make things a lot easier.”

She laughed. “She’d become the foreman of this place. She could probably redesign everything herself.”

“What about you?” he asked.

“I did a lot of healing,” she said. “Turns out that sending a lot of middle-aged men and women that haven’t fought in years into battle against trained soldiers results in a lot of injuries.”

Zuko frowned. “Was it bad?”

“Not as bad as it could have been,” Y/N said. “Mostly twists and sprains and artificial cuts. One man got his arm broken, and I have no idea why he didn’t ask for help last night.” She shook her head. “No matter what nation I’m in, men always think they have to act tough.”

“I’m glad you’re able to help them,” Zuko said. “You know you’re amazing, right?”

She playfully shoved him. “Stop it.”

“Never.” He shrugged. “Like you said, I have a lot of time to make up for.”

“I guess flattery’s a good place to start,” she said coyly.

“It’s easier if you just accept it,” he said sagely, “because I’m not going to stop.”

Y/N laughed and leaned against his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her. “What was it like being back and seeing everyone? Did they all recognize you?”

“Maybe not immediately, but everyone knew my name.” Y/N smiled. “People don’t really forget the only waterbenders in village history.”

“Do you think this’ll ever be your home again?” Zuko asked.

“It’ll always be my home,” Y/N mused. “It’s where I was born, where I grew up. There’s a part of me in this village, and there always will be. But…” she sighed and shrugged. “I don’t know if I’ll ever live here again. I’ve been traveling all over with my friends for the past couple months, and it just feels like I’ve… outgrown it.”

“I understand,” Zuko said. “You’re different than the girl that grew up here. You’ve changed, and that’s not a bad thing.”

“I know. It just feels like betraying who I am.”

“A part of you is in this village,” Zuko said, “and a part of this village is in you. Just because you’re going somewhere else doesn’t mean you’re forgetting who you are.”

“When did you get so wise?” she asked, craning her neck to look up at him.

“Years of traveling with my uncle,” he said, and she laughed.

They spent the rest of the night idly chatting and finishing up their meal, and by the time they turned in, the village was completely dark.

It was quiet as they settled into bed together, Zuko’s arms around her setting her at ease. She felt safe next to him.

(Spirits, how she’d missed feeling safe.)

“Are you sure you have to leave so soon?” Leya questioned, her gaze watchful even as she stood in the kitchen.

“We have a war to end,” Y/N said, only slightly joking. “I’ll be back sooner than you know.”

“You’re making us all so proud, Y/N.” Lao patted her on the shoulder, and then he pulled her into a hug. “People will tell stories of you centuries from now, I know it. You’ve made history.”

“I’m just glad our people are finally free,” she said softly.

“And you, son.” Lao pulled away and looked down at Zuko, respect in his eyes. “Your path hasn’t been easy, but you’ve made it here. You’re welcome in our corner of the Earth Kingdom anytime.”

“I’m just doing what’s right,” Zuko said, but she could see the beginnings of his pleased smile.

“And sometimes that is the hardest thing to do.” Leya came over with a large basket, smile beaming down on the two of them as she handed it to Y/N. “This should be enough for your journey back and to share with the rest of your group.”

Y/N frowned. “Are you sure?”

“Of course we are,” Lao said. “Without the Fire Nation leeching off of us, we’ve got plenty to spare.”

“Thank you,” Zuko said. “This means a lot.”

“It’s the least we can do,” Leya said, and she grasped Y/N’s hands. “Promise me that you’ll be careful.”

“We’ll try our best,” she vowed, and she glanced at Zuko with a smile. “I’ve got a lot of good people with me.”

“You,” Leya pointed at Zuko, tone motherly as ever, “make sure nothing happens to her.”

“That was already the plan,” he said with a chuckle.

“So,” Lao said wryly, “what’s the next thing I should expect from our heroes and the Avatar?”

Y/N smiled inwardly. “Change is coming. That’s for sure.”

The ride back to camp was quiet, but different kind of quiet from before. Y/N and Zuko switched off on flying shifts, occasional conversation filling the gaps—more often than not, though, they just sat together. Her head on his shoulder, his arm around her, her fingers rifling through his hair.

The fresh air invigorated Y/N. She felt like a whole new person, the dread and anger and heaviness she’d been carrying with her for months steadily dissolving.

Zuko’s constant presence was nice too.

Without her inner dread, supremely thick tension, and a week of sleep deprivation, she was actually able to enjoy the trip back home. It went quicker than the ride there, and she never thought she would be so thankful to see an island.

Tiny specks in the distance turned into her friends the closer they got, and she and Zuko shared a smile. Y/N was going to have a lot of explaining to do.

“You guys are finally back!” Sokka exclaimed once they were in hearing distance. “Where did you even go?”

“You’ve got some nerve leaving like that without a word!” Katara yelled, but the moment Y/N slid off of Appa’s side she barreled over and pulled her into a hug. She knocked the air out of her completely, but Y/N laughed as she wrapped her arms around her in turn.

“I’m sorry,” she breathed. “It was something important.”

“She’s been worried sick about you,” Toph spoke up.

“So have you!” Aang piped in. “You were asking about it y—”

Toph punched Aang on the shoulder, and he stopped. “What was that for?”

“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” Toph said, cheeks flushing pink.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Sokka interrupted. “Where did you two even go?”

Y/N let out a long deep breath, and Zuko nodded supportively when she glanced at him. “We… went back to my village. The other day was the anniversary of my father’s death, so I went to honor him.”

“Oh, Y/N,” Katara murmured, and she pulled her back into a hug. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I thought it was something I had to do on my own,” Y/N said, pulling away after a grateful moment. “If I had my way, I would have. But Zuko pushed his way on.”

“It’s not my fault you’re so stubborn,” Zuko said. “Besides, it was obviously the right move.”

Sokka frowned. “You guys are being really nice to each other.”

Aang’s eyes lit up. “Did you two have your life changing field trip?”

It was Y/N’s turn to frown. “Life changing field trip?”

“That’s what they’re calling it,” Toph explained. “All the trips that they’ve gone on with Zuko to be his friend or whatever. I still haven’t had one.”

Zuko stared at her. “I woke up with rocks in my bed every day for a week.”

“Yeah, but we didn’t go anywhere,” she grumbled at the ground.

Y/N chuckled, though her expression sobered. “I thought I was just going to remember my father, but it turned out that the Fire Nation was still occupying my village. So Zuko and I pushed them out.”

Katara’s eyebrows shot up. “Just like that?”

“It wasn’t that easy—” Zuko said, but he was interrupted when Sokka patted—or rather hit—him on the back.

“Nice going, buddy! That’s how you get your girl back.”

He glared daggers at Sokka but Y/N just laughed. “It took a lot of fighting and some haphazard plans, but… yeah. We took my village back. My people are free, and I got to see my father’s grave.”

Katara’s entire expression softened. “I’m so happy for you, Y/N. That’s— that’s amazing. And… is it back?”

Y/N nodded with a smile, and she formed a ball of water out of the air. “My bending is officially back.”

Katara screamed and she nearly tackled Y/N with another hug. “Thank the spirits! I knew you could do it!”

“Life changing field trip always works,” Aang mused.

“Well, whatever you did, it worked,” Toph said. “I’m happy I don’t have to see the two of you mope around all the time anymore.”

Zuko frowned. “You can’t see.”

“Trust me,” Toph muttered, “some things transcend sight.”

Y/N smiled, and she took Zuko’s hand, tears welling in her eyes. “I really missed you guys.”

Later, once they’d unpacked all their things from Appa and properly decompressed, Y/N found herself sitting on her own by the cliffside once again. This time, though, she wasn’t trying to hide her mourning from her friends or foster the burning inside of her chest. Instead, she played with an orb of water in the air, a small smile on her lips at the effortlessness of it all. Not only were they surrounded by water on all sides, but the Fire Nation’s climate meant there would always be moisture in the air.

Oh, how she’d missed her bending.

She didn’t flinch when she heard footsteps behind her, able to see the reflection in her orb—instead, she flicked her hand and shot the water back at her visitor.

“Hey!” Zuko complained, sputtering as it struck him in the face. “What was that for?”

She giggled as she turned her head. “I had to make sure you remember who you’re dealing with.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, grimacing a bit as he wiped water droplets off his face, “my girlfriend is super powerful and can take down anyone. That doesn’t mean you have to take me down.”

“Oh, you’re so dramatic.” Y/N smiled as she stood up and flexed her fingers, drawing all the water out of his clothes. “It was barely anything.”

“This time,” Zuko said, and he gestured around them with a wry smile. “We’ve got a whole ocean around us.”

“I’m not that powerful,” she said.

“Maybe,” Zuko said, “but I don’t trust you and Katara together.”

“You don’t have to worry about that anymore.” She chuckled as she took his hand. “What’d you come over here for?”

“You’re not allowed to mope around by yourself anymore,” Zuko said. “We’re having a campfire and digging into some of the food Leya gave us.”

“I’m not moping,” she complained.

“Not anymore,” Zuko clarified, and he chuckled at her expression. “Still. You have to join us.”

“Of course,” Y/N said, and they started walking over together. “I’m excited for some actual food after the past few months.”

Zuko frowned. “I made you jook last night. That was perfectly good food.”

“You know what I mean,” she groaned. “Yes, it was perfectly good food. I’m just excited for more of Lao’s xiaolongbao. That man makes miracles in the kitchen.”

“I’ll have to get him to give me the recipe next time we visit,” Zuko mused.

She looked at him, slightly surprised. “You want to go back?”

“Of course,” he said. “It’s the place you’re from. And besides,” he shrugged, slightly bolstered, “I am one of the saviors of the village.”

She laughed and leaned her head against his shoulder.

“Of course.”

“It’s about time you guys got here,” Toph grumbled. “Katara won’t let any of us eat.”

“They’re here now,” she said, “you can—”

Katara didn’t even get to finish her sentence before Toph started digging in, and she just shook her head with a sigh.

“We’re glad that you’re here,” she offered with a slight smile.

“Katara’s mostly glad that you’re back,” Sokka said, his mouth full of food earning him a glare from his sister. “I think you two have separation anxiety or something.”

“Can you blame me?” Katara defended. “You were gone for weeks and we had no idea what happened to you. You can’t just up and disappear with Zuko.”

“To be fair, you tried to do the same thing,” Sokka said.

“To be fair, you thought Y/N was going to kill Zuko,” Katara shot back.

Zuko’s eyes widened slightly. “Uh, no. We never went that far.”

Not with him at least, Y/N thought with the smallest bit of guilt. Not for what she did, but for keeping it from her friends. That was a whole other problem she had to deal with, and definitely not tonight.

(Maybe not ever.)

“Let’s talk about something else,” Y/N said, and Zuko put his arm around her, pulling her close. She couldn’t help but smile. “What have you guys been up to while we’ve been gone?”

“It was only three days,” Sokka said. “We didn’t get up to that much.” But he wouldn’t stop staring at them, and Zuko frowned.

“What?”

“Nothing,” he said with a shrug. “I just realized I’ve never been around you two when you actually liked each other.”

Zuko’s cheeks flushed bright pink as Y/N laughed. “You really haven’t, huh?”

“Why did you have to say that?” Toph groaned. “Now they’re going to be extra gross.”

“What, you mean like this?” Zuko pulled Y/N into a kiss, but she didn’t even get the chance to enjoy it before something hit the two of them.

Y/N pulled away and picked it up, scowling at Sokka. “Is this your shoe?”

“There are children here!” he complained. “You two really are gross.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Katara said, and she hit Sokka on the shoulder. “Leave them alone.”

“I’m just trying to protect the sanctity of this place!” he exclaimed.

“I’m on Sokka’s side,” Toph piped in.

As the group devolved into accusations and conversation with occasional pauses for food, she leaned into Zuko’s side and sighed contentedly.

This was the life she’d been chasing so long. All they had to do was end the war.

And after everything she’d been through, that seemed like the easiest part of the journey.

Things cooled down after a while, and they began to go their separate ways. Sokka and Suki went off together, Aang went to meditate and clear his mind, and Toph went off to do spirits knows what. Y/N was close to nodding off against Zuko’s side—she was sure he already had himself—when she heard Katara’s voice.

“Hey,” she said, gesturing away from the fire with her head, “can I have you for a second?”

Y/N nodded, yawning as she tried to blink the grogginess out of her vision, and the two of them walked over. “What’s up?”

“This is something I’ve been wanting to give to you for a while, but it hasn’t been the right moment.” Katara grinned. “But it is now.”

She pulled something out from behind her back, and when she presented it Y/N realized it was a water skin, almost identical to the one she’d given her months ago in Gaoling.

“Both of ours were taken away at Ba Sing Se, but I was able to get a couple new ones from some of the Water Tribe soldiers when we ran into them. And now that you’ve got your bending back…”

Katara trailed off as she offered it up again, but instead Y/N crushed her in a tight embrace.

“Thank you,” she said, unable to hold back her own smile. “For thinking of me even then.”

“Always,” Katara said, returning the gesture with just as much intensity. When she pulled away, her eyes shone.

“It’s good to see you like this,” she said softly. “Happier. Lighter. You look better than you have in months.”

“I feel better,” Y/N admitted. “I know that I needed to forgive Zuko, and maybe it was the spirits’ plan to make the road so treacherous. But it feels so good to have him again.”

“It feels good to not have you two arguing all the time,” she said wryly.

Y/N chuckled. “Just imagine how I feel.”

“What do you think is next for you two?” Katara asked. “After the war is over, I mean.”

“I haven’t really thought that far in the future,” she admitted. “After everything, I’m just trying to live in the moment.”

“I think that’s a perfect idea.”

Y/N smiled. “So do I.”

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miryum · 10 months

Text

Foundling Villa- Chapter 14

Royal!Charles Leclerc x Reader. Princess Y/n is arranged to marry Prince Charles. There will be many ups and downs that the author hasn’t planned out yet, but read along to find out more! (Yes, I know that sounds super cheesy) Warnings per chapter. Hope you guys enjoy!

Tag list: @notleclerc @sunsumonner @saturnsrinqs @livster @chonkybonky @eau-rougee @champomiel @justyouraverageeverydaysimp @multifandom-loser

Warnings: Swearing, uhhhh talk of war and..... FLUFF (aka kissing and YAY we’re finally getting somewhere!!!!)

ao3 link next chapter>>

A loud banging awoke you suddenly. You bolted upright, breaths coming irregularly. “What’s happening?!” Your covers tangled around your feet and you kicked them away.

“My lady!” Sara burst into the room. “Lord Jules is requesting your presence right away!”

The clanging continued and you wanted to cover your ears. “What is that?”

“Warning bells.” Sara helped you pull on your robe. “They’re sounding from every village.”

“Why?”

“Princess, I’m not at liberty to disclose that. Lord Jules will explain everything. Please, you need to go downstairs!” Sara practically pushed you down the hall and towards the steps.

It had been three weeks since you first arrived at Schumacher Estate. You had spent your time writing letters to Charles and Prince Verstappen and conversing with Jules and Pierre. As it turns out, Jules had hilarious stories about Charles as a child and all the antics he had gotten up to. Jules also had insights into the tensions between Redull and Enza and you spent many a meal grilling him on all he knew. Jules laughed at your concerns and assured you everything would be alright. He had turned into a much needed calming presence in your life.

When you weren’t arguing with Pierre, sharing tea with Jules, or writing to your husband, you were put riding with Lando. It helped take your mind off anxieties that plagued your mind and Lando commented on your quick learning.

“Steward Jules,” you bent at the waist, quickly righting yourself. “I was told- Charles?!” Across the room, there stood your husband. His clothes were in tatters and his hair was ruffled, dirt smeared on his face. Blood speckled his clothing and a gash tore through his bicep.

A look of shock crossed his face as you barrelled into him, clutching him tightly. After a moment, he carefully wrapped his arms around you. Charles felt you nestle into him. He paused for a moment, waiting for you to break away. But you didn’t. He took the opportunity to hug you back, burying his face in the crook of your neck. He didn’t know when he'd have the chance to hug you like this again. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes. I was worried about you. And I missed you.” You stepped back, becoming aware of the other people in the room. Jules hid his smile. “What are you doing here? And why do you look so… dishevelled?” You wiped some of the dirt from his forehead. Charles made a face and jokingly pushed your hand away.

Pierre laughed. “That’s a nice way of saying you look like a piece of shit.”

“Pierre,” Jules reprimanded him. It was then that the men remembered what they gathered for. The tension grew insurmountably and tense looks were thrown around. “Now is not the time. Charles, please continue.” It was then you realised that Charles had demanded you to be in the room before his announcement.

“Enza is at war.”

It seemed as if all faded away as Charles explained how Redull troops had stormed the Enza palace and taken Lorenzo prisoner. He explained how he had barely escaped, having to fight off half a dozen men just to get to the stables and find a horse. He explained how he saw his friends and subjects fall in a haze of blood.

He explained how Williams forces fought alongside Redull.

“Y/n? Cherié?” Charles stepped towards you, cupping a hand along your cheek. “What’s wrong?”

“I- I can fix this, I promise! If I can just talk to my parents they’ll have to see- I mean they can’t just- but what of our alliance?” You shook your head and extracted yourself from Charles’ embrace.

Jules gripped Pierre’s forearm and whispered something to him. Pierre nodded, stoic for once, and followed Jules out of the room. You barely registered their exchange.

“Y/n,” Charles sighed and hung his head. “We- Enza doesn’t have an alliance with Williams anymore. I’m sorry to tell you.”

“What?” You felt your world slipping out from under you. Charles led you to a couch where your legs folded under you and you collapsed. “But how could they…? They promised. They signed a treaty, Charles!”

“I know,” Charles sat down next to you. He had his hands clutched in his lap and you desperately wanted them to be holding you- comforting you.

“Don’t they know the consequences?”

“They don’t care, Y/n. They have Redull to back them up. I… I don’t know if we have the resources to fight them.”

“But Enza is one of the most powerful kingdoms.” You felt your love for your home kingdom slipping away. Instead, it was replaced by love for your husband’s home. Enza, and its people, had welcomed you with open arms and only wanted to see you happy and comfortable. Williams had done none of those things.

“But how can we be powerful without the people?” Charles’ voice started to grow. He stood up and started pacing. Mindlessly, he ripped off his sleeve and wound it around his hurt arm. “Y/n, if you’d seen what I’d seen, you wouldn’t think a simple conversation with your parents could solve anything. I- I don’t know if my mother is alive or where they’re taking my brothers.” His voice cracked. “Helpless and innocent servants were slaughtered just trying to protect me. This cannot be settled over a cup of tea. Enza must fight back, but with what?” It was like he was having a conversation with himself. “They rampaged the villages before the castle. If they haven’t killed the knights by now, they will soon. It’ll take days before reinforcements and allies can come to our aid, and by then, Enza will be split between Redull and Williams. How they managed to get through Wolff and Haas without conflict is beyond me. I’ll have Jules send word to our allies and demand they meet here. It’s the only safe house we have left. Laren and Tauri are on our side, and hopefully Wolff and Haas. But without Williams…” he trailed off, glancing at you.

You were curled into yourself, still in your nightclothes. Your breathing was erratic and shallow. Your gaze was fixed on the opposite wall. And betrayal was written on your face. While Charles studied you, you slowly looked up to meet his eye. “Charles, what does this mean for us?”

It was not the question he was expecting.

“What do you mean, cherié?”

“We were the ones holding the treaty together. But now, with it null and void, what does that mean for us? For our marriage?” Charles hated the uncertainty in your voice, but he hated the sadness even more. The desperation.

“Y/n, I didn’t want to tell you, but because the alliance is broken, so could our marriage be. If you wish, you could return to Williams and be free of my name.” Charles couldn’t look you in the eye.

“You knew about this?” Your lips parted in shock as you stood to meet his stance.

“Yes,” he admitted. “I’ve known for three weeks.” His breath hitched, yet his voice continued to rise. “But I couldn’t bring myself to tell you-”

“Why?” You demanded, “Charles, this decides our future and I would think I should be a part of that! Why couldn’t you tell me?!”

“Because I love you!” Charles cried. “Because I love you and I couldn’t lose you.”

Oh.

“Charlie…” At the same time, it was as if your heart broke, yet filled with love. The hopelessness that rang out through Charles’ words was quickly masked by their meaning. “You love me?”

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” Charles chuckled awkwardly. He looked up to find you in front of him, hand hovering over his cheek. He wanted nothing more for you to close the distance and touch him. If you did, Charles was content staying in your touch as the rest of the world burned around him. He just needed you.

“I think it was when you showed up at the Foundling Villa for the first time?” You shrugged, looking embarrassed. “Or maybe during our carriage rides? I’m not sure.”

“What are you talking about?” Charles frowned, a loose smile on his lips. You decided that you liked the soft curve of his lips and the brown flecks in his green eyes.

“I’m trying to figure out when I fell in love with you.” You shrugged, finally letting your hand settle into his face. Your thumb brushed along his cheekbone.

Charles’ eyes fluttered shut and his breath was shaky, but his smile grew. “I like that. Wait, you… you love me too?” You nodded. “I- I never thought you would love me.”

“Neither did I,” you confessed.

Charles chuckled. “You called me Charlie. I like that.”

A deep aching filled your chest and you finally had a name for it: love that was so strong you could feel it in your bones. Little did you know, Charles was feeling the same way. “Can I kiss you?” you couldn’t help but ask.

“You don’t have to ask, cherié.” Charles smirked and you didn’t realise he could get even more attractive.

The kiss was chaste at first, but when Charles placed a hand on your waist, pulling you against him, it deepened. You wrapped your arms around Charles’ neck, desperate to feel more of him. With a laugh, he pulled away, pressing kisses along your neck. You joined him in quiet laughter as he started gently nibbling along your collarbone. You tried to hold back a moan when he ran his tongue over a mark that was sure to show in the morning. “Don’t hold back on me, cherié,” Charles’ chuckles rumbled through his chest. Heat flushed through your body.

“Wha- what of the war?” you asked. Your eyes closed as Charles started sucking on a new spot.

“Jules will- hmm, send out the letters. There is little we can do until then.”

“I guess you’re right,” you conceded.

Charles raised a brow. “Would you like to continue the wedding night?”

Your heart started beating a little quicker. “Lead the way.”

😁 😘 You’ll have to wait until the next chapter!

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mishwanders · 8 months

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So like

This one can be a little suggestive HOWEVER it can be funny too because…let me tell you the prompt first

Maybe Time and Reader were like making out or something at an inn and then one of the boys just BURST open the door, look the two up and down, and is like, “I need 500 for this”

I DONT KNOW

IT JUST POPPED UP IN MY HEAD AND I LOVE IT ABD I KNOW TGAT I ALREADY SENT AN ASK BUT- DNFHFHFHDHFH

Wrote this in a way that it’s not suggestive so we can keep these good sfe vibes goin’ 💕

Characters: Lu Time x GN!Reader

A+N/Warnings: N/A, safe for everyone. Written by Mishwanders - pls do not repost.

“Finally, some peace and quiet.”

The past few weeks had been filled with monsters and mayhem, the Shadow having kept all of you on your toes, forcing you all together in tight proximity, preferring to sleep in encampments rather than in villages for fear of what destruction might be brought on them if you all had. But thankfully, it seemed that the Shadow was laying low for a bit, recovering from the groups last encounter.

So the group decided to take a rest as well, finding a decent inn to stay in. You shared a room with Time, considering he was one of the least rambunctious ones when it came to sleep, but also because you were a pair and you wanted to take any moment you could to just be close to him without all of the interruptions that seemed to come with the others.

Time smiled warmly as he turned to you, wrapping his arm around your waist, drawing you in closer to him.

“Finally we get a moment to ourselves.” You chuckled, placing your hands on his chest plate.

“And what would you like to do with this moment?” He asked

“Honestly, I’d like a kiss without the sound of Wind screeching ‘eeewww’ in the background.” You replied.

Time chuckled at statement, the memory coming back to him as he cupped your cheek in his hand, gazing into your eyes. “Well if that’s what you want, I’d be more than happy to indulge.”

For all of Times intimidating nature, he was much different in moments like this. His touches and caresses were gentle, lips soft against yours, kisses sweeter than honey. It felt as if the two of you were frozen for a moment as your relished in being able to share it with him, but it quickly passed by when you heard the sound of the bedroom door opening, causing you to pull away and see both Legend and Warriors standing there. You scowled at them, annoyed with their interruption.

“Do you two ever knock?” You asked

“I would have but it’s a bit of an emergency. Do either of you have 500 extra rupees separate or combined?” Legend asked

Time cocked his eyebrow at him. “Why do you need 500 rupees?”

“Wild lost a bet and is now sitting in the town prison.” Warriors replied

“Wait what?! I thought you were suppose to be watching him.” You stated

“We were - we watched him do it, but granted, we weren’t expecting him to get tossed in jail.” Legend replied

You shook your head in response, mumbling to yourself. “Oh Hylia, give me patience because if you give me strength I may strangle someone.”

Time chuckled at your muttering, having heard it clearly. He kissed your cheek. “Save your strangling strength for the Shadow, my dear. We have a hero to break out of jail.”

#linked universe fanfic #linked universe x you #linked universe x reader #linked universe fic #linked universe #lu time x reader #writing: time #sfe #what did Wild do to get in jail? my bet is it has something to do with cucco a

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dingbatnix · 3 months

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I have the curiosity and wish to know about the following wips

Maneater

Dough

Untitled document (X5) the 3rd one :3

Axolotl

Hostage

Clingy

Dragon

This all peak my interest GREATLY!

Alright, finally getting to this one!! Letsa go!

Maneater: I think I've spoken Abt this one before, but y'know. Dream is a man eating giant, and he, George, and Sapnap run around collecting people who have been sacrificed to him. They start the smp (village in the mountains) that way, and try to live a happy life. The king of the country is amassing an army to hunt dream down, tho.

Dough: one shot, borrower Sapnap falls into some cookie dough that Dream is making. Whoops...

Untitled doc #3: Dream noms Tommy sometime after he escapes prison. Tommy spends his time cussing Dream out and listening to the man break down into panic attacks and general aftermath of torture stuff. Lost of snark and feels between the two of them.

Axolotl: Sapnap finds Dream, a small axolotl hybrid, suffering in the care of Quackity after the server deemed Dream too dangerous to run around on his own. Sapnap takes Dream to his house, puts him in one of his old fish tanks, and spends his time struggling to help Dream recover.

Hostage: (eddsworld) Edd gets kidnapped and held hostage by an unknown group with two other men, Paul and Patryck. Turns out they were all kidnapped because they're all close friends with Tord, who is the leader of an organization called the red army. The three of them need to escape together, but...an experiment gone wrong via the people that kidnapped them ends up with Paul and Patryck smaller than Edd's hand, and he needs to figure out how to get all three of them out alive.

Clingy: One shot, George is clingy when he sleeps, which ends up kind of dangerous for a borrower Sapnap. Oof.

Dragon: Sapnap is a dragon, and he has a human friend named George who freed him from captivity a long time ago. Well, George gets kidnapped by a giant named Dream (who just likes to troll people, really) and Sapnap spends months hunting them down while Dream and George end up bonding. Eventually, they'll form an odd trio that has all sorts of adventures.

Now, idk if any of these will be fully written, but hopefully one day.

Taglist cuz why not:

@brick-a-doodle-do @i-am-beckyu @da3dm @kayla-crazy-stuffs @local-squishmallow @skullsnbruises @munchkin1156 @gt-daboss

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ladysharmaa · 2 years

Text

Cinderella story

Anthony Bridgerton x reader

summary: Y/n lost her father when she was very young, being in the care of her stepmother and sisters. However, they started to treat her like a maid. Unable to attend the ball the Bridgerton family is hosting, Y/n tries to find ways to go, even if it is against the wish of her stepmother. There she meets Anthony who is in search of a wife, but will he continue to want to be with her after finding out who she is

a/n: i’m so not happy with this, anyway sorry for the long wait :/

part 1 part 2 part 3

"I do not care! I want to look for all the houses! For all the village! Through the ball! Anthony exclaimed to his family, who heard him for about 20 minutes with wide eyes and a shocked expression. The Viscount, the one who always swore he didn't want to marry, being dependent on someone, was losing his mind about a woman he didn't even know the name.

"Oh, he got it bad." Colin whistled under his breath to Benedict who tried to drown out a chuckle with his hand. Daphne, who was also next to Colin, gave him an elbow to shut up. Anyway, if Anthony heard him, he preferred to ignore him.

"And how are you going to do that, Anthony?" Violet asked, trying to stop her lips from turning up in a smile.

Her oldest son, finally finding someone to accompany him for the rest of his life, ending some worries of her. Although she never met the woman for whom her son was crazy for, when she saw them dance she remembered of her and Edmund. Love at first sight. It was as if they had become people around them, looking into each other's eyes with so much love that tears even came to her eyes.

"Exactly. It's not like you can break the door of all houses of town to find your mysterious woman. You'll have unwanted people's attention. Lady Whistledown has written about you, everyone is looking for her."

"Challenge me." he said to Eloise, looking at her with such determination that the family was in doubt if he would really do that. "I don't want another ball, another woman. I want her. Only her. As my wife, Viscountess and mother of my children. You can be sure I will do everything to find her."

And it wasn't a surprise when he did just that.

Meanwhile, Y/n was locked in her room for three days. Her stomach grunted from hunger since her stepmother only left her a bread in the morning and at night, already dry but that she ate without complain. Many would have worse than her, she kept remiding herself.

One of the things that had entertained her from the boredom of the days was remembering her night with Anthony. It was as if she could still feel his hand on her waist, the proximity between them. Y/N's breath was stuck in her throat every time she remembered and a flush appeared on her cheeks.

She still made a few short visits to the house, making it seem less of a prisoner, though it was only to clean or cook for her sisters. Time seemed to pass slowly. Every day was the same. Her body was sore from sleeping on the hard floor, now even more so since she didn't walk that much due to being confined to such a small space.

Her stepmother hadn't given her any further updates on what was happening in the village after the ball. Y/n knew she was naive to think Viscount had taken an interest in her, and little did she know how wrong she was. For at that moment, Anthony Bridgerton was knocking on every door in the village, rich or poor, looking for the girl who consumed his thoughts every moment of the day.

Finally, he reached the last houses where he could find the mystery girl. He couldn't deny that his hope was waning with every person he encountered who wasn't who he wanted, despite motivating comments from Benedict and Collin, who accompanied him (mostly to ensure he didn't do anything reckless or stupid).

He straightened his suit, knocking on the door of the Y/l/n mansion. Y/n's stepmother opened the doo, a shocked look crossing his face when he saw the Bridgertons before she masked it with a huge smile, immediately giving him a small bow.

"Lord Viscount, it is an honor to have you in my humble home. Gentleman." she added when she saw Anthony's brothers. "Oh, were are my manners. Please come in."

"Thank you, Lady Y/l/n. I apologize for showing up unannounced, but the matter is urgent. I would like to know if you have any daughters, maybe sisters? We would deeply appreciate it if we could meet them, again, the matter is urgent." Anthony explained with a small polite smile, despite having had enough of repeating the same conversation.

Furthermore, as people soon expected that he was talking about the woman he danced with at the ball, the young girls pretended to be her her, as if he would n't see their lie from her.

Obviously he would notice. They didn't have the delicacy that Y/n had, the flame in their eyes, the prettiest smile he'd ever seen. He would do anything to see that smile again. He soon accepted that she had him wrapped around her finger, as her siblings teased him without stopping since that night. But Anthony couldn't care less. He wanted her, her secrets, her imperfections, her bravery, her kindness. Everything. He wanted all parts of her.

"In fact I do have two daughters. I shall bring them here immediately."

Hope filled his chest again only to be destroyed when he saw two young women, with eccentric hairstyles who let out little squeals when they learned of Bridgerton's presence in their house. Y/n's two stepsisters competed against each other as they raced to try to be the first to get ahead of Anthony,

Collin and Benedict both chuckled as they watched the scene unfold, only to be silenced when Anthony sent them a murderous glare, raising their hands in surrender.

"Lord Bridgerton." the older sister bowed, pushing the other girl with her hip and showing the men an innocent smile. The two started to bicker between them while their mother spoke to the Bridgerton, telling them all about her 'talented' daughters.

The Viscount ran a hand over his tired face, offering the woman a smile before offering the excuse that it was time to leave, but that he was grateful for their hospitality. The three Bridgertons made their way out of the house, but stopped when they reached their horses and heard a soft voice sing the tune of a song Anthony knew by heart. The song that accompanied the dance between him and Y/n.

Y/n was taking up her time cleaning her room, the dust making her sneeze and preventing her from getting a full night's rest. She found herself humming the melody of a song, twirling as Anthony had done to her when they danced. A small smile appeared on her face, as it always did when she remembered her night with the Viscount.

She knew she shouldn't think about him, but how could she not when he looked at her like she was the only woman in the room. He made her feel so beautiful. It was a strange feeling for Y/n, being so comfortable in the presence of a man and wanting to be with him. Her mind navigated to different places as she swung around, continuing to hum the song absently. She was grateful for the breeze that entered her room due to the open window, a layer of sweat already covering her forehead.

But everything came to a stop when she heard the voice of the man who made his way to her heart. It couldn't be, she thought, That's it, I finally have gone crazy. However, she heard that voice again. Recovering from the shock, she bent down a little and walked silently to the window. She stuck her head out, trying to understand what was happening. And much to her surprise her, Anthony Bridgerton was at her house, talking with her stepmother.

"It seems you have another lady in your house." Anthony clenched his jaw, noticing how the woman opened her mouth but no words came out. He looked at the cat peeking through the half-open door, "Or have your cat learned how to sing?" he asked sarcastically.

"Lady Y/l/n, is any other lady living at your house?" Collin questioned, keeping his cool before his older brother got into trouble.

"Well, yes..." Y/n's stepmother admitted when he couldn't come up with a convincing enough excuse especially when it looked like the brothers were running out of patience. But she was quick to add, "But she is only a maid. You certainly don't want to talk to her. I was just saving your time, my lord."

"I can decide in what I will waste my time. Now, please, bring me the maid." Anthony asked, though everyone understood that it was more of a demand that the Lady could not refuse. She gave them an unsure smile, bowing before hurrying to Y/n's room.

When she heard the key in the lock, Y/n jumped away from the window, standing in the middle of the room confused as to what was happening when her stemother grabbed her elbow and dragged her down the stairs to the living room where the Bridgertons would be waiting. .

"You will keep your head down, not talk to them or reveal who you are. The Viscount Bridgerton wished to meet you, but you cannot let him know you are the one of the ball. You will not ruin the chance of one of my daughters becoming a Bridgerton, little girl. As your mother, I forbid you."

“You never were, and never will be my mother.” Y/n whispered but loud enough for her to hear, emotions laced in her voice as she fought back tears.

With a little push, Y/n walked into the living room, seeing Anthony standing a little farther away, his back to her. Her steomother couldn't be with her since Benedict and Collin blocked her entry, fake smiles on their faces as they asked her questions to engage in a conversation while Anthony talked to Y/n.

Hearing noise behind him, Anthony turned, her mouth opening in admiration at the sight of her. He found her, he was sure. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Y/n looked down, self-conscious of how bad her hair looked, just having brushed it a few days ago, her cheap blue dress full of dirt and in poor condition compared to the immaculate outfit Anthony wore.

But Anthony didn't notice any of that. He was focused on her eyes that seemed to look anywhere but him, her rosy cheeks, her plump lips. She was perfect for him.

"It's you." he whispered, taking a step forward, but stopped when he wasn't sure what to do next.

"Am I the one you danced at the ball? Yes, I am." she let out a nervous chuckle. She started walking slowly towards him who seemed to be stuck in place. "But I have no carriage. No diamonds. No fancy dresses. No parents. Will you accept me as I am. A simple country girl who loves you." she seemed to gasp as she realized the revelation she had made.

"Of course I will." he sounded breathless. "Only if you accept me as I am. A viscount who is still learning how to accept love. But I want to do it with you by my side."

Y/N smiled, gasping as he felt Anthony's hands on her waist, bringing her closer to him. Their foreheads touched, Anthony nuzzling her nose with his, savoring that moment knowing she finally had the woman he loved in his arms. Only their breaths could be heard although Y/n was sure Anthony could have her heart beating against her chest.

"May I kiss you?" he whispered, their lips almost touching. His hand caressed her cheek, smiling when he felt her nodding.

However, much to Anthony's annoyance, Y/n sisters ran to the room, bowing when they saw Y/n and the Bridgerton intimate position. "My sister. I'm sorry."

"Please forgive us." the other one added.

The girl looked at them, remembering all the moments they spent together. Y/n didn’t speak and that made clear how she standed. She intertwined her hand with Anthony's, the smile never fading from her lips.

"Shall we?" he questioned, pointing to the exit. He walked hand in hand with Y/n, unable to stop the feeling of pure delight and love that invaded his body. Meanwhile, the same happened to her Y/n and her stepmother, who begged for her not even forgiveness after Y/n would be the future Viscountess, could ruin her happiness.

"Welcome to the family, sister!" Collin exclaimed as he climbed onto his horse and Anthony helped her onto his. Loud laughter escaped her, her head tilting back slightly.

Anthony was in pure adoration, he was sure his heart was going to explode from love. He wanted to hear that sound for the rest of his life and would do the impossible to make it happen. Her kindness and happiness were contagious and he couldn't wait to see their future.

He then climbed onto the horse behind Y/n and brought her closer to him, if that was even possible. He finally had her, and he would never let her go.

2 years later

Nicholas Edmund Bridgerton was running happily in the gardens of the Bridgerton summer house, being chased by his uncles while Anthony's sisters tried to help to hide the little boy. Anthony watched their game intently from his seat, resting after his siblings had taken his place playing with his son.

Anthony admired his son, his laughter warming up his heart. He was like a copy of his mother. Kind and brave with a free spirit that he definitely acquired from Y/n. A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts. Anthony turned his head, seeing his very pregnant wife behind him. Carefully, he guided her in front of him, pulling her onto his lap and immediately placing a hand on her swollen belly.

"And how are you, Viscountess Bridgerton. Did you sleep weel?" he asked with a small kiss to her lips.

"In fact I did, Viscount Bridgerton. The little one seems to only wish to sleep during the day. I guess that after you speak to her at night she gets all excited." she teased him.

"It could be a boy." he remembered her.

"I have a feeling it's a girl. Either way, they will be very loved."

"We do make pretty babies." Anthony whispered starting to kiss her her neck, tracing it with her nose, satisfied when he felt her shiver under him.

"Indeed we do, my dear husband."

"Mommy! Mommy! Daddy!" a small voice called out to them, breaking their momentum. Nick's little legs moved quickly for him to get closer to his parents and show them the flowers he'd picked. "Look, I picked them for the baby."

"They are beautiful, baby." Y/n said, letting him land them on her belly and kiss it. Tears filled her eyes which she quickly dried, mumbling how the pregnancy made her so sensitive.

Anthony brought the boy into his arms, looking at the two most important people in his life as Y/n asked their son how his day had been. They were his family, and he was so damn proud of that.

"I love you, Y/n Thank you. For everything."

"I love you, Anthony. Forever."

#Bridgerton #eloise bridgerton #cinderella story #cinderella #anthony bridgerton #anthony bridgerton x reader #anthony bridgerton x you #anthony bridgerton x wife #anthony bridgerton x wife reader #daphne bridgerton #benedict bridgerton

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