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atopvisenyashill · 10 months

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patterns of abuse with jaehaerys

this post made me deeply depressed and i reread f&b which was my first mistake.

tldr i’m making the argument that jaehaerys definitely sexually abused saera and alysanne, and likely viserra and gael, and also i hate this man. if you disagree and want to say so *nicely* that’s cool but if you hardcore love jae and don’t want to hear criticism, maybe just scroll past bc i’m not nice to him at all (obviously, i’m accusing him of csa lol).

breaking this down by each woman, so there’s 6 sections: saera, viserra, daella, gael, alysanne, and alicent.

saera targaryen

If she were the king’s firstborn, or better still his only child, she would be well content. Instead she finds herself the ninthborn, with six living siblings who are older than her and even more adored. Aemon is to be king, Baelon most like will be his Hand, Alyssa may be all her mother is and more, Vaegon is more learned than she is, Maegelle is holier, and Daella…when does a day go by when Daella is not in need of comfort? And whilst she is being soothed, Saera is being ignored. Such a fierce little thing she is, they say, she has no need of comfort. They are wrong in that, I fear. All men need comfort.

that’s septon barth’s opinion on her and barth is always right. simply put, she’s a deeply neglected child who acts like a brat to get her parents attention because she’s learned the only way they’ll pay attention to her is if she’s causing a problem.

Before she was eleven, she was stealing wine and ale instead. By twelve, she was like as not to arrive drunk when summoned to the sept for prayer.

The king’s half-witted fool, Tom Turnip, was the victim of many of her japes, and her unwitting catspaw for others. Once, before a great feast where many lords and ladies were to be in attendance, she persuaded Tom that it would be much funnier if he performed naked. It was not well received.

stealing alcohol at 10 and being a committed alcoholic at 12 is not normal behavior. it is a sign of something deeply at wrong at home. also, the way she kind of, sexually humiliated tom, someone who is too “innocent” to even realize she’s sexually humiliating him…gives me the ick re: how she views sex.

Saera had learned the art of getting anything she wanted from her father: a kitten, a hound, a pony, a hawk, a horse (Jaehaerys did draw a firm line at the elephant). Queen Alysanne was far less gullible, however, and Septon Barth tells us that Saera’s sisters all misliked her to various degrees.

i don’t like this. nothing wrong with giving your child gifts (see ned going above and beyond to get arya not just instruction on how to fight but also a specific style that would gel with being smaller than your average opponent) but in conjunction with “jaehaerys ignores saera unless she’s pressing him for an expensive gift which he immediately gives her and alysanne doesn’t get why he caved so quickly” its an alarming dynamic.

also speaks to how isolated saera specifically was, that the only siblings that like her (aemon and baelon) are usually out and about, and there’s a clear wedge between saera and her sisters, even viserra.

The screams were coming from Tom Turnip, who was lurching helplessly in circles trying to escape from half a dozen naked whores, whilst the patrons of the house laughed uproariously and shouted on the harlots. Jonah Mooton, Red Roy Connington, and Stinger Beesbury were amongst those patrons, each one drunker than the last. They had thought it would be funny to see old Turnip do the deed, Red Roy admitted. Then Jonah Mooton laughed and said the jape had all been Saera’s notion, and what a funny girl she was.

again with sexually humiliating tom.

it continues with her friends. it’s not unusual for a 15 year old girl to want to fool around with other 15 year olds but alys and perri are all guilt ridden and upset and alys is with child. it reminds me a lot of cersei sexually abusing taena in affc. when she’s caught (now, mind you, she’s been marched in front of her parents sitting on the throne and not brought to them in their private rooms. she’s being treated right off the bat as if she’s guilty of a crime and not guilty of being a shitty teenager):

“She went from denial to dismissal to quibbling to contrition to accusation to justification to defiance in the space of an hour, with stops at giggling and weeping along the way,” Septon Barth would write. “She never did it, they were lying, it never happened, how could they believe that, it was just a game, it was just a jape, who said that, that was not how it happened, everyone likes kissing, she was sorry, Peri started it, it was such fun, no one was hurt, no one ever told her kissing was bad, Sweetberry had dared her, she was so ashamed, Baelon used to kiss Alyssa all the time, once she started she did not know how to stop, she was afraid of Stinger, the Mother Above had forgiven her, all the girls were doing it, the first time she was drunk, she had never wanted to, it was what men wanted, Maegelle said the gods forgave all sins, Jonah said he loved her, the gods had made her pretty, it was not her fault, she would be good from now on, it will be as if it never happened, she would marry Red Roy Connington, they had to forgive her, she would never kiss a man again or do any of those other things, it wasn’t her who was with child, she was their daughter, she was their little girl, she was a princess, if she were queen she would do as she liked, why wouldn’t they believe her, they never loved her, she hated them, they could whip her if they wanted but she would never be their slave. She took my breath away, this girl. There was never a mummer in all the land who gave such a performance, but by the end she was exhausted and afraid, and her mask slipped.”

What does Jaehaerys ask after all of this? “Have you given any of these boys your maidenhead?” Her response:

“True?” said Saera. It was in that moment, with that word, that the contempt came out. “No. I gave it to all three. They all think they were the first. Boys are such silly fools.”

Now mind you, Alyssa and Daella have both died of childbirth recently and her parents are mad she had sex as a 16 year old bordering on 17 year old, and not the fact that she like, at best peer pressured her besties into having sex and now one of them is pregnant. jaehaerys has only asked if she’s still a virgin.

“I will be married,” the princess said. “Why shouldn’t I be? You were married at my age. I shall be wedded and bedded, but to whom? Jonah and Roy both love me, I could take one of them, but they are both such boys. Stinger does not love me, but he makes me laugh and sometimes makes me scream. I could marry all three of them, why not? Why should I have just one husband? The Conqueror had two wives, and Maegor had six or eight.”

i keep trying not to give my opinion and just lay it all out but the thing is i’d just be reposting the whole scene because it’s just filled with so much weird sex stuff. if you don’t remember it, go reread it. it doesn’t feel (to me) like regular “george is bad at writing sex” vibes but “george is purposefully trying to skeeve you out” vibes but i am willing to admit i could be wrong and he really just doesn’t understand what he wrote.

anyways remember how i said saera acts out to get attention from her parents? all she’s done here is act out, her “crimes” are basically nonexistent; beyond how alys feels about being pregnant, saera consensually had sex with boys around her age who aren’t married, and then blithely compared herself to some asshole relatives. if your teenager idolizes dick cheney that’s probably worrying but not a crime! this is not how jae treats it however.

When the princess heard his words, she rushed toward him, crying, “Father, Father!” but Jaehaerys turned his back on her, and Gyles Morrigen caught her by the arm and wrenched her away. She would not go of her own accord, so the guards were forced to drag her from the hall, wailing and sobbing and calling for her father.

The king was angry and unyielding, for his shame was deeply felt, and he could not forget Saera’s taunting words about his uncle’s wives. “She is no longer my daughter,” he said more than once. Queen Alysanne could not find it in her heart to be so harsh, however. “

saera tries to escape.

This time the princess was not allowed to return to her own chambers. She was confined to a tower cell instead, with Jonquil Darke guarding her day and night, even in the privy.

Princess Saera watched from the window of her cell. Jonquil Darke, her gaoler, made certain that she did not turn away.

that’s as her dad is murdering stinger btw. is he a creepy 19 year old? yeah. but like, making your 15 year old watch you murder her 19 year old trust fund baby stoner boyfriend sure is something.

so then they sent her to the silent sisters where she’s beaten all the time and has to pray all the time and she runs away, becomes a sex worker and literally never looks back.

The truth did not come out until a year later, when the former princess was seen in a Lysene pleasure garden, still clad as a novice. Queen Alysanne wept to hear it. “They have made our daughter into a whore,” she said. “She always was,” the king replied.

“You need her as a Dornishman needs a pit viper,” Jaehaerys said. “I am sorry. King’s Landing has sufficient whores. I do not wish to hear her name again.”

but before we move on, let’s look at one more related ick, when saera’s sons show up to the great council:

From Essos came three rival competitors, grandsons of King Jaehaerys through his daughter Saera, each sired by a different father. One was said to be the very image of his grandsire in his youth.

after her drinking, acting out, and jaehaerys’ focus on calling her a whore, explicitly pointing out that one of her grandsons looks just like jae is a choice. i know they’re super inbred. it’s still uncomfortable in context.

viserra targaryen

alysanne makes no sense here but i’m just gonna quickly explain instead of lay it out or we will be here all day bc viserra’s engagement is completely nonsensical. theomore manderly is old, ugly, has a shitton of heirs, and viserra clearly doesn’t want to marry him. also if she wanted to be queen, why is she going after baelon, aemon is still alive. anyways jaehaerys is no help here, then she goes to baelon for help, but she’s also super drunk.

Frustrated, Viserra next turned to her brother Baelon in hopes of rescue, if court gossip can be believed. Slipping past his guards into his bedchamber one night, she disrobed and waited for him, making free with the prince’s wine whilst she lingered. When Prince Baelon finally appeared, he found her drunk and naked in his bed and sent her on her way. The princess was so unsteady that she required the help of two maids and a knight of the Kingsguard to get her safely back to her own apartments.

she gets drunk with some friends again, goes riding, breaks her neck. i wanted to point out this pattern of drinking and acting out at a young age. as well as this pattern of targaryen daughters who aren’t “meant” for a brother and are promised to men who are old and with heirs

daella targaryen

i wanted to add daella because her getting married at 15 makes as little sense as viserra, and her match to a old man with several heirs is equally nonsensical. but also this:

“I would never marry her,” the boy said, in front of half the court. “She can barely read. She should find some lord in need of stupid children, for that’s the only sort he will ever have of her.”

where did vaegon get that mouth.

Daella was not clever, even her septa had to admit. She learned to read after a fashion, but haltingly, and without full comprehension. She could not seem to commit even the simplest prayers to memory. She had a sweet voice, but was afraid to sing; she always got the words wrong. She loved flowers, but was frightened of gardens; a bee had almost stung her once.

Jaehaerys, even more than Alysanne, despaired of her. “She will not even speak to a boy. How is she to marry? We could entrust her to the Faith, but she does not know her prayers, and her septa says that she cries when asked to read aloud from The Seven-Pointed Star.”

The queen always rose to her defense. “Daella is sweet and kind and gentle. She has such a tender heart. Give me time, and I will find a lord to cherish her. Not every Targaryen needs to wield a sword and ride a dragon.”

so daella is 12 at this point.

Her sixteenth nameday was fast approaching, and with it her womanhood. Queen Alysanne was at her wit’s end, and the king had lost his patience. On the first day of the 80th year since Aegon’s Conquest, he told the queen he wanted Daella wed before the year’s end. “If she wants I can find a hundred men and line them up before her naked, and she can pick the one she likes,” he said. “I would sooner she wed a lord, but if she prefers a hedge knight or a merchant or Pate the Pig Boy, I am past the point of caring, so long as she picks someone.”

i just don’t like this. other “simple” targs are not required to marry, like vaella and aelora, two of daeron ii’s grandfaughters so i don’t get why daella is pressured into marrying before she’s even of age. at least jae 2 forced rhaella and aerys because of a prophecy? what is jae’s reasoning for so sexualizing his daughter?

gael targaryen

this one is definitely a reach but i’d like to point out that this is basically all we know about gael:

Princess Gael, a sweet, shy child of seven, became the queen’s constant shadow and support, even sharing her bed at night.

and our information on how she dies is so shady:

A sweet-natured girl, but frail and somewhat simpleminded, she remained with the queen long after her other children had grown and gone, but in 99 AC she vanished from court, and soon afterward it was announced that she had died of a summer fever. Only after both her parents were gone did the true tale come out. Seduced and abandoned by a traveling singer, the princess had given birth to a stillborn son, then, overwhelmed by grief, walked into the waters of Blackwater Bay and drowned.

how does gael get pregnant by a traveling singer when she never leaves her mother’s side? why doesn’t anyone in court know gael got pregnant and killed herself until after aly and jae both die and how was this even found out?

am i implying that jaehaerys sexually abused all four of his daughters? yes because he literally sexually abuses his own wife.

alysanne targaryen

“I am forty-two years old,” she told the king. “You must be content with the children I have given you. I am more suited to be a grandmother than a mother now, I fear.”

King Jaehaerys did not share her certainty. “Our mother, Queen Alyssa, was forty-six when she gave birth to Jocelyn,” he pointed out to Grand Maester Elysar. “The gods may not be done with us.” He was not wrong. The very next year, the Grand Maester informed Queen Alysanne that she was once more with child, to her surprise and dismay.

he uses the birth that killed their mother and that is condemned by rhaena and alysanne as reckless and cruel of rogar to force on her. that birth.

at this point as well, he had abused saera and daella, then they’re gone, then viserra starts drinking and dies, then jae marital rapes aly into having gael, giving him access to another young girl to abuse…i’m aware this is a very uncharitable reading of him but…

alicent hightower (and kind of alyssa targaryen)

Ser Otto’s precocious fifteen-year-old daughter, Alicent, became his constant companion, fetching His Grace his meals, reading to him, helping him to bathe and dress himself. The Old King sometimes mistook her for one of his daughters, calling her by their names; near the end, he grew certain she was his daughter Saera, returned to him from beyond the narrow sea.

saera is the one he fixated on yet again but notable that he’s fixated on his daughters as he dies and not his sons, despite jaehaerys turning to drink after aemon died bc he was so upset.

He announced his intention to wed Lady Alicent of House Hightower, the clever and lovely eighteen-year-old daughter of the King’s Hand, the girl who had read to King Jaehaerys as he lay dying.

The Hightowers of Oldtown were an ancient and noble family, of impeccable lineage; there could be no possible objection to the king’s choice of bride. Even so, there were those who murmured that the Hand had risen above himself, that he had brought his daughter to court with this in mind. A few even cast doubt on Lady Alicent’s virtue, suggesting she had welcomed King Viserys into her bed even before Queen Aemma’s death. (These calumnies were never proved, though Mushroom repeats them in his Testimony and goes so far as to claim that reading was not the only service Lady Alicent performed for the Old King in his bedchamber.)

i know it’s just mushroom being a perv but a rumor that 15 year old alicent “serviced” jaehaerys existing besides rumors that he mistook 15 year old alicent for the daughter he last saw when she was 17 - and viserra was 15, gael 19, and daella 15, all around alicent’s age and all died before age 20. all the targaryen girls that weren’t born “for” a brother exit the narrative after some sort of sexual abuse that centers around jae, as teenagers; daenerys was born for aemon, alyssa for baelon, and maegelle for vaegon before they both fucked off and maegelle was too pious (and too old). this idea of being “for” a brother leads directly to alyssa’s death before 30:

“You were made for battles, and I was made for this. Viserys and Daemon and Aegon, that’s three. As soon as I am well, let’s make another. I want to give you twenty sons. An army of your own!” It was not to be. Alyssa Targaryen had a warrior’s heart in a woman’s body, and her strength failed her. She never fully recovered from Aegon’s birth, and died within the year at only four-and-twenty.

and alysanne being “for” jaehaerys is how he excusing sexually abusing her into a risky pregnancy. essentially what i fear is that because saera, daella, viserra, and gael aren’t “for” someone, jaehaerys gets it into his mind that that are for him. even without him raping them tho, that subtext is there! he is entitled to saera’s virginity and calls her a whore multiple times, even decades after she’s left, and murders her boyfriend in front of her. he claims a weird sexual ownership over his neurodivergent daughter daella and his alcoholic, depressed daughter viserra, and we get zero information on gael’s pregnancy or his reaction to it. but jaehaerys deciding his daughters are “for” him certainly has a basis in canon just judging from the erratic and worrying behavior of his younger daughters.

jaehaerys is a creep and i hate him and i don’t know how much of this is on purpose (like, will aegon vi or dany find out jaehaerys was a shady pedo and it shatters their world? will dunk and egg find it out and it affects their plot somehow? did george just put it in there to make a comment on power and monarchy and misogyny, similar to aegon iv raping the bracken women? or is just there for window dressing creepiness, like “i will pepper in the fact that jaehaerys is sexually obsessed with his daughters” thing?) or if george just made jaehaerys sexually obsessed with his daughters on accident?

on the one hand, it seems out of character for george. he romanticizes drogo thru dany’s eyes but it’s clear he’s meant to be seen as a creep (dany talking about being pregnant followed by “she had just turned 14” is sickeningly jarring for a reason) and also, drogo dies bc of his own pride. sansa doesn’t like any of the old dudes touching her; she is at least marginally freaked out by her wedding night, the unkiss, and lf & dontos taking liberties with her, and rightly. the story that’s told about the mountain raping a girl and making the father pay him is meant to disgust us. the walk of shame is a harrowing chapter to read, because whatever cersei’s crimes, this sexual humiliation is not something she deserves. on and on. yes, we all hate the way arya is sexualized in the mercy chapter, but crucially, she’s not blithely and happily seducing these pervs, she’s going hard candy on their asses. is this just messy set up for something like that?? i think, given how little dany knows about her family’s crimes that somehow learning jae sexually abused (and maybe even impregnated) his own daughters after she herself experiences sexual abuse would be huge. the same goes for aegon vi learning that sexual abuse runs rampant in his family tree; would he empathize with saera hiding out in essos to escape the sexual abuse of her father, see some of elia and his own plight in her? in gael?

or did george really just. not realize how sexually obsessed jaehaerys was with his daughters?

idk how to end this. where’s the winds of winter george i need answers.

#anti jaehaerys targaryen #anti fire and blood #valyrianscrolls #saera targaryen #viserra targaryen #gael targaryen #debated the vs tag bc i know it’s probably gonna annoy some people but. i do actually wonder if this will be a plot point in the books #or if it was an accident #rani attempts meta

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nicoline1998enilocin · 5 months

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Flufftober Day 14 | My favorite piece of art

Pairing | Avenger!Best friend!Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Best friend!Fem!Reader

Word count | ~ 780 words

Summary You've been trying to get Bucky to model for you for the longest time. When he finally agrees, you decide to go all out and make a beautiful painting of him to highlight everything you love about him. When he sees the end result, he can't help but joke about it, but deep inside, he's very moved and touched that you did this for him.

Warning(s) None.

A/n This one shot is written for day 14 of my Flufftober 2023 Challenge! I want to give my undying love, thanks, and firstborn child to @ccbsrmsf1 for proofreading this on such short, SHORT notice. You're an angel, and I appreciate you more than you know. 🧡

Events Flufftober 2023 | 14. ''I hate it'' - ''No you don't'' | @flufftober

Banners: @vase-of-lilies | Divider: @firefly-graphics | GIF credit: the owner

Main Masterlist | Bucky Barnes Masterlist

Drawing and painting have been your passion ever since you were a kid, and before you were on the path of becoming an Avenger, you were supposed to go to art school to live your dream.

Now, it is something you enjoy doing between missions in your downtime, and because of this, you have found a great friend in Steve. You two often chat about new supplies you got, or you give each other inspiration, and it's something you two have bonded over.

What you didn't expect, however, is that you would become the best of friends with Bucky. He was permanently closed off and didn't let anyone in besides Steve.

But when he joined the Avengers after you, you were constantly paired on missions together, and one thing led to another.

Right now, you are trying to convince your best friend to sit and model for a painting because you've been dying to put his beautiful features on a canvas.

''C'mon, it won't take long! Just one afternoon, and then it's finished. You would help me out if you did it! Pleeeeeaaaaaseeeee?' you said with the most prominent puppy eyes you can muster.

Bucky has always had a soft spot for you, and of course, the man can't say no to you. He's not made of stone, after all.

''Alright, but it'll stay between us! I don't want to see it anywhere other than your studio,'' he says with a sigh, and you pull him into a big hug while you squeal excitedly.

''Thank you, thank you, thank you!'' you say, excitement dripping from your voice. You quickly let him go to find Steve so you can tell him the good news.

A few days later, you're in your shared studio, which is basically at the top of the Avengers tower, which Tony gracefully lets you and Steve use for all your artsy needs.

Bucky sits on the couch, clad in black jeans, a tight black t-shirt, and boots. His Vibranium arm glistens beautifully in the sunlight as it falls right onto it, making it almost look glowing.

Between painting, you and Bucky talk about everything and nothing, and you keep looking at him to ensure every single line, feature, and shadow is laid down correctly.

All in all, it takes you about 5 hours, but you're thrilled with the result so far. But he's sitting too far away for you to get the details of his arm right.

''Bucky? Could you come and sit next to me for a little bit? I want to make sure I get everything correct,'' you say, and with a groan, he gets up, stretching out his muscles after sitting in the same position for so long.

You have gotten your gold paint out, and all you need to do now is replicate the intricate pattern laid out all over the Vibranium.

''Wow…'' he says softly as he sits on a chair next to you, deeply impressed with your work so far.

''All I need now is to replicate the golden pattern on your arm, and after you're all done!'' you say with a smile, but Bucky can't stop looking at himself on the canvas.

You captured every little detail of him and made him look angelic despite the dark colors you used for most of the painting.

''So? Can I see it?'' you say softly, and his head shoots to you before he finally realizes what you're asking of him. He extends his metal limb, and you look it over a few times before replicating it.

From every single line on his fingers to the more significant lines on his arm, nothing escapes your skilled eye, and with the precision you would expect from a trained assassin like yourself, you finish it.

''All done!'' you say with a big smile, and you turn to Bucky to see his reaction to the painting; he's trying to fight back a few tears because he is so moved by it.

''What do you think?'' you ask as you grab his Vibranium hand, rubbing his knuckles softly with your thumb. You're not sure if he can feel it, but you often like to do it just in case he can.

''I hate it!'' he jokes, a teasing laugh coming from his body.

''No, you don't!'' you tell him, and Bucky shakes his head. He couldn't hate it even if he wanted to. You have captured him perfectly; for a moment, he doesn't see his past.

He sees the man he has become after all his hard work; he sees himself through your eyes. He sees the man he has always wanted to be and couldn't be happier.

#flufftober 2023 #day 14 #MCU #bucky barnes #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes fluff

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historianthesecond · 9 months

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Hello ^^ I hope you're doing alright c: I would rlly rlly love if you could do a fic with (dad) Nikolai maybe, and a f!reader that is an artist? Perhaps she draws or paints on her free time hehe

Thanks!

Hi! I'm doing well, thank you :3 I wish you're okay too, Anon And sure thing! I did something jkhjfjkf, I hope you like it ✨

Also I swear I'm working on the ongoing fics 🙈🙈 sorry for being like this it'll happen again

Masterpiece

Nikolai Lantsov x Fem!Reader---2.3K----SFW

Summary: Nikolai visits your atelier to see the latest painting you're working on.

Tags: Established Relationship| Domestic Fluff| Very much plotless fluff tbh| I did put a baby in there so watch out

Bouquet in hand, Nikolai thought he was silent enough while entering the queen’s atelier.

His boots were muffled by the carpet dotted with painting stains through the years, the wind moved the branches of the cherry trees outside, carrying a sweet essence of summer and growth.

Your soft hums flooded the still room, lulling your firstborn, Prince Dominik, his tiny figure laid on the automated rocking crib that Nikolai had still to improve with the way it squeaked when the baby grabbed the bars during his first attempts to sit all by himself.

But it seemed Nikolai wasn’t that good at sneaking around anymore, because he was barely closing the door as slowly as he could manage to not startle you on your diligent work, when he heard the excited gurgle of his baby, a tiny hand reaching upward as the other one was busy grabbing the fox plushie Nikolai had proudly commissioned to a toymaker in one of his business trips to Os Kervo.

You turned your stool, palette cradled on your hands, a brush hovering midair dangerously close to the canvas.

“Oh! Hi,” you said, leaving the brush aside to quickly stand up, your figure so conveniently covering the painting. With your hands clasped together, he could read that his surprise had worked to get you all flustered and shy.

Nikolai had always tried to sneak around when you were painting, even when you were embarrassed by the enthralled gaze he'd sent your way as if you'd been crafting stars and galaxies instead of just mixing colors together to paint landscapes and people.

In those times, Nikolai had wished to be better at artistic activities besides his mastery of storytelling. He loved the way how the little prince giggled, legs kicking happily as he switched his voice’s tone to match the characters in the pop-up books; and how you snuggled closer to his side, gaze glued to his face as if somehow, he could be much more marvelous than the story he was narrating.

He wanted to paint you like this, with your back relaxed and a beam so delighted that made your eyes squint, the golden light of summer days bathing you in a heavenly sight around your ivory and deep green dress that made you look like a fairy. Nikolai made a note to thank the seamstresses to help you customize your old summer dresses with new cuts and additions after his baby's birth.

It made you feel more like your old self at the same time your mind accepting your new role as a mother, just as you slowly took on your place as a ruler.

"I didn't mean to interrupt, my love," he said, finding himself sheepishly handing you a tiny bouquet he had picked from the garden on his way to his workshop. “I missed my two stars, so I thought about visiting.”

You smiled, hugging him by the waist to pull him close enough to steal a kiss. “They’re so pretty,” you said, looking at the tulips and carnations between your hands.

He caressed your cheek with his thumb. “They must have tried to imitate the queen’s beauty at the best of their capacity.”

"You're so cheesy," you said, and he felt the warmth of his cheek increase under his touch when you put the flowers in an empty vase you’d used to practice your still lives.

“Glad I haven’t lost my charm.” He winked at you, turning to greet his child. “Hi there, little pup,” he cooed, quickly picking Dominik up, the familiar weight of the baby against his chest. “How is it that you grow so much every day, hmm?” The little prince smiled, showing him a toothless grin, though Nikolai could see the baby’s gums starting to swell. “I will get you a teething ring for you to chew tomorrow, little one.”

Dominik gurgled, hands bouncing up and down against his arm.

“Now, why don’t we see what mommy is doing?” Nikolai muttered, turning to look at the canvas and the table tucked in a corner of the room, in a perfect distance and light from the windows.

You were standing between him and the painting, your overall open so Nikolai couldn’t see the work quite yet, eyes averting his.

“How come you’re hiding something from me,” Nikolai joked, his voice tinted with fake hurt, trying his best to send you his best puppy stare. “When your husband has shown you his bare soul.”

"Oh, you mean on the honeymoon?" You answered because you couldn't help it. You pretended to frown; lips pressed in a line to stifle your growing smile. “I can’t show you because it’s not finished.”

“Let me tell you that if my pup weren’t here, I would’ve answered about that honeymoon of yours,” Nikolai said in a mutter. “But we’ll talk later about that. For now, I’ll settle with saying that it’s not fair because the pup has already seen it.” Nikolai looked down at the baby, swaying him gently. “What do you say, little one? Do you like it? You must have such a refined taste already," he added, seeing how the baby tried to grab his father's rings to inspect them closer to his mouth. “My little magpie, aren’t you?”

“You’re just too curious for your own good,” you nagged at Nikolai, allowing him to take one of your hands, his fingers poking the spots where some drips of paint had fallen as you worked. A hand gently took yours toward his lips, where he kissed each fingertip. "Hmm… are you trying to convince me?"

“Is it working?” he asked, eyes twinkling with the same mischief you’d seen in your child’s gaze as he grabbed one extra handful of carrot cake from your plate this very morning.

“No,” you said, and Nikolai changed his strategy to tickle your sides, grinning at seeing your figure wiggling around, careful not to topple over the canvas behind you. “W-wait! That’s cheating!”

"It's a strategical move, my lovely," Nikolai chuckled, hearing Dominik laugh copying yours. "But can you blame me? Your work is always as breathtaking as yours."

You huffed, feeling your cheeks hot despite all the years you'd been hearing him throwing compliments at you as if he were still wooing you. His hand on your hip moved you aside slightly, letting him peek at the canvas.

Eyes drawn to each careful brushstroke that could tell so much without having a word on it, soft taps and gentle sways of painting overlayed in an uneven texture Nikolai sometimes had the urge of touching. Each one of them built the image of how you had imprinted him inside your heart; with bright eyes and a soft smile, hair perfectly accommodated except for some curls that had started to fall on his brow, without the royal badge. Only him.

He liked this view of himself, the closest he could share with someone besides the royal persona he had crafted ever since returning from his life as Sturmhond.

That’s why Nikolai had taken several of your paintings to put them around the places he spent more time in, as a reminder of who he really is. His office, with the double of both of you portrait you helped the court painter to finish when he hurt his hand in a horse race, with the both of you side to side, dressed in your wedding attire. Another one in the meeting room, a portrait of him during his coronation—seemingly egotistical, with a deeper meaning embedded in each brush stroke that he did not wish to share with many people.

His favorite was a self-portrait of you, with loose, free strokes of painting and barely any sketch underneath. You were smiling, with a hand against your cheek, elbow propelled over a desk. You had painted it when you were still unmarried, and Nikolai had to ask you for that painting as a wedding gift. By that point, you were incapable of telling him no, even if part of you still felt slightly embarrassed by the place of honor your self-portrait had on his chambers aboard the Volkvolny, right in front of his bed.

“So you can be with me every night,” Nikolai simply said when you asked him about it, on your way to your honeymoon.

“I don’t want to imagine what my poor painting had seen in this chamber,” you said before thinking, which made him burst out laughing.

“You have a very dirty mind, my queen,” he muttered with a knowing smile, his hands pulling you toward the bed.

The one you were working on right now was to celebrate his upcoming birthday. Another portrait of himself in casual clothes, with Dominik sitting on his lap as both father and child gazed at each other in awe, eyes sparkling with love and curved lips in the purest expression of joy. You had to try and capture such a moment, quickly sketching in the far end of your accounting book—and you had done so.

Nikolai held his baby tighter at seeing the painting, feeling his heart melt at the realization that his hands were already used to carrying Dominik that way, he was so used to being a father that he hadn't stopped to consider how it would look, such class of love pouring out of him every time he got to hold the little prince.

"I have to say this is your best piece yet, my love," he said in a faint breath, feeling a knot on his throat he tried to clear. “You managed to picture me all fatherly and handsome.”

You chuckled, wiping the painting off your hands with a wet towel to brush away the messy locks of hair off the baby’s forehead. “You say that as if you’re not always handsome.”

He clicked his tongue, amusement dripping from his tone. “Ah, yes. My bad. Sometimes my wife doesn’t say it that often, so I tend to forget.”

“Your subjects say it every time they see you printed on the money,” you muttered. “I can’t risk stroking your ego too much.”

“Is that jealousy I hear?” Nikolai teased, stepping as close to you as he could with the baby against his chest. Dominik looked up at you, trying to grab the myriad of dry-painted stains in your overalls. “Don’t you worry, my sweet, my heart is only yours.” Nikolai kissed the baby’s head. “And yours, of course, little pup.”

You tried to stare at him. “I said it because if you get too cocky, you’ll get misbehaved, and if you get misbehaved, you’re going to teach Dominik your ways.”

He laughed, making the baby in his arms giggle along. "I couldn't dream my lovely queen won't scold me if I ever overstep,” he said, eyebrows arched to accompany his teasing.

“Hmm,” you said with a soft smile, slipping out your work clothes. “And what do you plan to do now, Your Majesty?”

“I thought about reading a book here while my pup takes a nap. Maybe we can be your models again,” he added with a smirk. “We know who your favorite subjects are, after all.”

You helped him settle on the couch, moving the cushions away to make space for the both of you. “You want to read a book with me in here?” you said with a chuckle. “I thought you get distracted too easily?”

Nikolai nodded. “I will have to focus very hard not to be distracted by my stunning wife, but it’ll be worth the effort.”

You smiled, leaning against his side so he could embrace you with his free arm. “You better not distract me too, because I have to finish the painting today, or else it won’t dry for your birthday party.”

He kissed the top of your head. “If I weren’t holding him, I would have dared to disobey you, my queen.” Nikolai looked deep into your eyes, gaze sweeping down to your lips as by custom. “Because there’s no need for a present—you had already given me the best gift that could ever exist.”

Your eyes went down to the baby that was starting to doze off, eyelids heavy as his head rested against Nikolai’s arm.

He followed your gaze, a gentle smile drawn on his face, every word muttered so close to your ear that his breath moved some tiny locks of hair there. "I'm referring to your love because without it none of this would've happened." Nikolai leaned in to kiss your lips, a gentle caress that poured all the adoration he felt for you, one of his hands cupped your waist as the other cradled the beautiful masterpiece that was the product of such shared devotion. “I love you so much, my sun. Words can’t properly describe it.”

You cradled his cheeks with your hands. “I love you, too, and I hope you can see it in my paintings, but you can’t use the pet name I’ve given you for myself.”

Nikolai kissed your lips. It was still just a peck, but he lingered, tasting the remnants of apple juice you’d been drinking. “My sunflower,” he corrected, which earned him a kiss, a real one this time, because baby Dominik had fallen asleep between his father’s arms as he usually did every night. “My queen. My love.”

You folded your legs next to your body, to propel yourself closer to him, your head against his shoulder, one of your hands woven with the one that had you embraced. “I think you’re wrong in one thing,” you said after a while, hearing the deep mix of rhythmical breathings of both your husband and your child.

He looked at you from the corner of his eye. “A very bold statement.”

You nudged his arm with your hand, softly enough not to wake up Dominik. “I think my best masterpiece is right there,” you whispered, your hand hovering over the messy locks of hair swirling atop his baby’s head.

Nikolai kissed your forehead, and you could feel the outline of his smirk. “Ah, but he’s more of a collaboration, don’t you think?” You gazed up at him, head tilted to meet his lips midway. “Still, I’m curious of knowing how our next masterpiece would be,” he commented, his tone non-committal.

You laughed silently, your giggles muffled by his kisses. “Me too.”

#nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov x you #shadow and bone x you #nikolai lanstov x reader #nikolai lanstov x you #nikolai lantsov imagine #shadow and bone x reader #shadow and bone fanfiction

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itsgameofthronesimagines · 1 year

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Could I request a Cersei x f reader where the reader is Cersei’s secret lover but Jaime (Love him but needed a villain) found out and made up lies about reader so Cersei herself throws the reader to jail. When she’s finally freed after the allegations were proved wrong, reader is now cold hearted, avoiding Cersei who tries to talk to her. Go heavy on the angst. You can decide if it’s happy ending (at least as happy of an ending as you can get with Cersei) or not. Thank you! You don’t have to write it if you don’t want to

(Gif not mine but can I just say that I hate myself for loving how beautiful she is?)

Title: Lioness Roar

Fandom: Game of Thrones

Pairing: Cersei Lannister x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 4,719

Summary: Cersei’s brothers could do whatever they wanted with little to no consequences all because of their gender. Now as the Queen, Cersei believes she can do more.

Warnings: vulgar language, daddy issues (guess who), homophobia, angst, mentioned wlw smut, and I will admit it does kind of read like yandere.

Author’s Note: God I love writing about Lannisters. They’re so complex (and I know I’ve said that before so sorry if you’re sick of hearing it but I’m not sorry for saying it) and I think this might be the first time I’m writing a Cersei x reader so this was exciting!

(I do not consent my works to be reposted/copied)

~~~~~~~~~

Cersei always believed that if she were born with a cock, her world would be a lot different, but for the best.

As a child, she drew pictures of herself on the back of the dragon, and as she got older, her father kept promising to marry her to the prince, so then she began drawing Rhaegar Targaryen in those same pictures.

Before she grew into her female qualities, she was able to dress as her twin brother and attend sword fighting lessons without anyone able to tell the difference.

While Jaime had no interest in listening to his father about the importance of their history, their finances, and the running of the keep, Cersei listened intently. She knew that if she were Tywin’s firstborn son and heir, he’d be proud of all of her accomplishments, and this was just one of many ways she tried to gain his approval.

She did all these things to prove that she can do anything her brothers did possibly even do more than Tyrion but Lord Tywin always stamped down her ambitions other than the one that involved her getting married to the prince. No matter how hard she tried, Cersei could never get her father to actually see her aside from what she already was.

One look and Lord Tywin would’ve seen his daughter holding a sword better than Jaime ever could and reciting old text better than Tyrion could ever pronounce. If Tywin could only see past her gender, Cersei would truly be his golden child.

Alas, she was nothing but a bargaining chip; a pawn he liked to move around the board. When her marriage proposal to Rhaegar fell through and all the Targaryens were killed off, Cersei was married to Robert Baratheon and she became his Queen Consort. She gave him three children, despite the two of them being unhappy from the start. Even if her children didn’t look like the King, she didn’t care. She did her duty to the realm, to her husband, and to her father, securing the legacy Tywin always wanted for his family. Cersei did her part and now she felt inclined to her own right of freedom to do whatever she wanted.

That freedom came in the form of Lady Y/n.

As a wedding gift, Lord Tywin sent Cersei the daughter of one of his bannermen to act as her handmaid and confidant. Y/n was possibly the only truly kind gesture Cersei’s father ever made toward her, but the new Queen was bitter from the beginning. She did not confide in other women. Cersei felt as though she was above gossiping and hand-sewing, even when she was a little girl. With her father’s praise and boasting of her being the most beautiful woman in all the Seven Kingdoms, Cersei even believed she was above all the ladies of the country, including Y/n.

Y/n was a quiet young woman. Dutiful towards her Queen and tending to her every need without question, the handmaid was smart to never speak openly to Cersei. She kept her thoughts tight-knit in her mind and only replied to the Queen if Cersei spoke directly at her. Even where Y/n was from, she heard certain rumors about Cersei and how the Lady Lannister’s best friend, Melara Hetherspoon, mysteriously fell into a well and only Cersei lived to tell the tale. Y/n’s mother was secretly concerned when Tywin Lannister sent her daughter away to tend to Cersei, knowing that the Lioness of Casterly Rock was always troubled and strangely devoid of any emotion other than anger.

Even Y/n believed this, and in fear, she never spoke a word to Cersei unless spoken to so as not to draw attention to herself. Tending to Cersei was like awaiting with anticipation for a barrel of wildfire to ignite. All it took was one tiny flame.

However, once Cersei’s children were born, it appeared as though that flame was tameable. Y/n often tended to her Queen’s children more so than the wet nurses. Many wondered if the wet nurses were just lazy, but one maid, in particular, had the bravery to whisper about the Queen being behind this, how Cersei ordered the wet nurses to do their duty to feed her children except Myrcella but to leave all other care to Lady Y/n and herself.

If this rumor was to be taken seriously, no one knew why Cersei would do such a thing unless she full-heartedly trusted her handmaid. But this was Cersei Lannister of all people, and no one, not even King Robert, was allowed to be near the princess and princes without Cersei’s presence.

And yet, Y/n could be found with all three children, alone, holding them to her chest when they cried or laughing as she chased them around in the gardens. If they weren’t with Cersei or their teachers, the royal children were likely to be found with Lady Y/n, who they lovingly nicknamed their aunt once they began to speak. Perhaps the children truly thought Y/n was part of their family and if so, Cersei had allowed it to appear that way.

The truth is Cersei grew to care for one other person besides her children and Jaime, but kept that close to her heart and locked it away, not even Y/n could reach it. At first, Cersei was disgusted with her thoughts and her feelings. There was a time in her inner turmoil when she would lash out at her handmaid even though Y/n did nothing wrong. Despite all this, Cersei blamed her for everything and was even tempted to send her away. But young Myrcella, barely able to write her own name, cried one night when Y/n was not there to tuck her into bed and told her mother how much she loved Y/n. Feeling defeated, Cersei never exiled Y/n and refused to look at the other woman for many months.

Cersei’s demons came to a head when she heard Jaime tell yet another story about Tyrion finding another whore to bed with... but instead of her usual disgust, another thought struck her. There was a time when Cersei could act like a boy all she wanted without anyone batting an eye. She could do whatever she wanted and even though she was now Queen, Cersei had yet to take full advantage of that. As long she remained married to the King and gave him children, her father could not tell her what to do and her husband cared very little about what she did as long as Cersei kept him out of it. Hearing Jaime’s story of Tyrion’s new woman, Cersei thought if her dear little brother could take any common whore to bed without scandal, why couldn’t she?

Lady Y/n was already her handmaid. It was already the perfect disguise. If Tyrion could do it and hide his lover as a servant girl, so could Cersei. If Robert could openly bring whatever woman he wanted into his bed, so could his wife.

Of course, Cersei could order Y/n to kiss her and bed her if she liked, but she was a clever woman and felt the excitement of playing the long game of convincing Y/n to love her. So as not to scare her, Cersei started off slowly, starting by subtly nodding her thanks to Y/n when she helped her dress and undress because yes, Cersei has never once thanked anyone before. When Y/n didn’t appear put off by this, Cersei slowly began to openly thank her, then slowly progressed to subtly touching her arm or moving Y/n’s hair off her shoulder.

This slow progression is successful in many ways. Y/n doesn’t notice how much Cersei changed because Cersei had slowly done so without any red flags rising. Before Y/n could remember the story of Melara Hetherspoon, Cersei had her wrapped around her finger, practically brainwashing her handmaid into believing that she had always been a kind and loving queen towards her loyal subjects. Cersei’s patience paid off when Y/n began to openly talk to her about her hopes and dreams, even her opinions, without ever flinching of fear or repeal.

And, in a way, her patience also brought Cersei to love Y/n even more than just for lust. Listening to Y/n talk made Cersei wonder why she had suppressed the young woman from doing so in all the years she’s known her. Everything sounded exciting when Y/n spoke, her voice forcing Cersei to listen to every syllable.

That is... until eligible suitors came searching for Y/n’s hand in marriage. When Y/n talked about her suitors, Cersei would immediately order her to speak of something else. She couldn’t bear to hear about the men trying to take her new interest away from her. She wouldn’t allow her brothers to steal a toy from her as children, why would this be any different?

It was the talk of the decade. Throughout King’s Landing, people whispered about how Lady Y/n must be cursed. Ever since her father announced opening a proposal for her, many of Y/n’s suitors have mysteriously disappeared or been found dead in their beds, sometimes even before they could meet her. Over time, several men have gone to King’s Landing in hopes of winning Y/n’s hand. None have returned to their homes and some houses were on the brink of extinction because of this curse.

It didn’t take long before men stopped asking for Y/n’s hand in marriage, and Cersei had never been happier to have her handmaid remain at her side.

By the time Jon Arryn mysteriously died, Y/n was more than just a confidant or friend. She became Cersei’s secret lover, and Cersei didn’t feel any shame or disgust the first time she kissed her. While making plans for the royal family to travel to Winterfell, Y/n shyly and breathlessly confessed her love for Cersei. Before she could escape the Queen’s chambers in her shame, Cersei roughly held Y/n’s face in her hands as she fervently kissed her. The victory going on in Cersei’s mind was all too sweet, hastily taking Y/n to her bed then and there, finally claiming her as no one but the Queen’s.

Cersei had begun to feel like a god with what she had taken as her own. With Y/n secretly under one arm and Jaime under the other, she began to believe and reminisce about the young girl she once was, a Lady Lannister who took no prisoners and always got whatever she wanted. As Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Cersei felt as though she held the world in her hands and was believed to be untouchable.

This god complex would continue to fester and grow as several events play out. While in Winterfell, Young Bran Stark mysteriously fell out of a window. When the royal family left the North, they brought Ned Stark and his two daughters with him as the new Hand of the King. When Cersei arrived back in King’s Landing, Y/n was waiting for her in her chambers with open arms and a hot bath. Cersei had never felt such power secured tightly in her fist before.

That is until it slipped ever so slightly out of her grasp and Cersei lashed out and nearly lost her mind. Under Lord Stark’s orders, his wife Catelyn took Tyrion as her prisoner and this prompted Jaime to attack the Hand of the King before escaping King’s Landing. Cersei could feel her power and influence slipping when, even as Ned Stark admitted to her accusations, Robert still refused to punish his old friend.

Madness slipped through, for a split second, as Cersei snapped, “I took you for a king!”

“Hold your tongue.”

“He’s attacked one of my brothers and abducted the other. I should wear the armor, and you the gown.”

King Robert spun around and hit her before Cersei could say more. She proudly claimed she would wear this mark on her face like a badge of honor before swiftly leaving the room. She retreated to her chambers to lick her wounds and fester in her rage. When Y/n was summoned, she was horrified by the angry bruise on Cersei’s face and tended to it immediately. Unaware of what had happened, Y/n barely even blinked when Cersei ordered her to stay with her the whole night.

War began to brew after that and Cersei received word of Tywin and Jaime raising an army to bring back Tyrion. Sensing it was time to make her move, she had her cousin Lancel bring an armload of wine for Robert when he fled to the Kingswood to hunt. Of course, everyone knows that wine and hunting don’t mix, and when Robert returned to Cersei, his guts were spilling out of him. It wasn’t long before Joffrey was sitting on the Iron Throne after that, his mother sitting beside him.

Cersei had Ned Stark arrested and his daughters confined to the Red Keep. With her son as king, she now had all the power with no one to tell her otherwise. She still felt her self-control slip, however, when she heard of Jaime’s capture and then Tyrion returned to King’s Landing as Tywin’s Acting Hand of the King. When she heard the news of her twin brother, Cersei retreated back to her chambers and once again, kept Y/n in her bed all night long. Y/n was none the wiser, believing Cersei was only grieving her brother’s capture by taking her anger out on her lover. This anger got even worse when Myrcella was sent away to Dorne.

When Jaime returned, Cersei was still an angry woman and nothing was ever the same again. Cersei retreated from Jaime’s embrace whenever he reached out to her. At first, he thought it was because of his missing hand, but then Cersei gifted him a golden prosthetic as a replacement. When she didn’t appear disgusted by him, Jaime kept a watchful eye on his sister.

He suspected Cersei had another lover but failed to find any man entering his sister’s chambers, no matter the time of day. He did, however, always noticed Y/n freely walking around wherever she wanted. Even when Cersei was not around, Lady Y/n would enter her room and the guards standing outside wouldn’t even question her. Sometimes, Jaime even witnessed Y/n ordering the guards around as if she were speaking on the Queen’s behalf, and they listened to her. Jaime’s affronted thoughts came to a halt when one day, he noticed Y/n out in the gardens with Tommen, the young prince indulging the lady with a book he read out loud. Cersei was nowhere in sight.

Jaime was not the smartest Lannister, but he knew Cersei better than anyone, and he knew that his sister would not trust their her children with anyone unless she had complete faith in them.

He confronted his sister that night when he knew that Y/n was sent away after helping Cersei undress. With the Queen now alone, Jaime snuck in and didn’t hesitate to speak his mind, “You love her.”

Cersei froze, her back turned to him, refusing to say a word or even look back to face him. Jaime scoffs because that was enough of a confirmation for him. Cersei was never one to hold back her tongue; this would have been no exception if it wasn’t true. The emotions that began to build within Jaime were rage and disgust. He pushed a boy out of a window for Cersei. He kept their affair a secret for Cersei. He killed his cousin for Cersei. He even lost his hand when trying to get back to Cersei. How is it that he went through all that trouble the gods have cursed him with for Cersei, and she had already moved on and fallen in love with another? How could he live with this knowing that Cersei had pushed him aside for none other than a woman?

“As hateful as you are... you love her,” he seethed between his teeth, “All those years you made me believe you kept her around to keep all eyes away from us... when really you just wanted us both. You have always been a selfish woman.”

A wry smile curls over his lips, the brewing anger slowly turning malicious, “But I wonder how selfish? Or are you just too blind by love to see it?”

Cersei turned to face him, her expression sour and voice dripping with venom, “See what?”

“That she has fooled you,” Jaime lets the words spill out of his mouth like water, fluid and graceful, even he believed the deceit he spoke, “Lady Y/n’s father may be our father’s bannermen, but she is no ally to us. I intercepted a raven before my escape, one that was addressed to Robb Stark. It was sealed with your sigil but not your handwriting, so I knew it wasn’t yours. However, seldom few have access to your seal and your desk, so one could only wonder who had the means of contacting the King of the North bearing your mark?”

Cersei stood still, eyes locked onto Jaime’s as her expression slowly twists and turns corrupt with barely restrained rage and madness in between the flicker of the candle flame. For a moment, a brief moment... Jaime thought that rage was directed at him.

~~~~~~~~~

Y/n was roughly woken by a few of the Queen’s personal guards, binding her and muffling her screams with a rag. Tediously, they bring her all the way down into the dungeon before throwing her into the deepest, darkest cell. With her bonds and gag loose, Y/n finally has a moment to yell and plead, her hands gripping onto the iron bars for dear life as she begged for someone to help her.

Her pleas stop, however, when from the shadow emerges Cersei, regal as always, dressed in her usual red and gold fabrics without the help of her usual handmaid, now trapped behind bars. The moment Y/n caught the light on Cersei’s face, she knew who to place blame for her arrest.

“Why are you doing this?! I deserve an explanation!”

“You’re a traitor,” Cersei hissed even with a sly smile on her beautiful face, “You betrayed my son, your king. And worse of all, you betrayed me. Did you truly think I wouldn’t find out about your secret little messages to the King in the North? Were you praying that Jaime would never return so that he wouldn’t be able to inform me of your treachery?”

Y/n was initially shocked by these accusations before turning to defend her honor, “Surely he’s mistaken! Your brother has been away from home for far too long. His mind might be sick from being Robb Stark’s prisoner all this time. Why would you believe Ser Jaime over me?”

The question dies in her throat, her face crumbling into fearful realization as Cersei continued to stand still, as quiet as a cat while smiling down at her mouse. Y/n’s voices drop down into a whisper as she tries to hold back her own emotions, “... Unless it’s true. The rumors have all been true. You and your brother...”

Y/n’s fear slowly reverts to anger as her thoughts spill openly from her lips, “I refused to believe the whispers. I was loyal to you from the very beginning. I stuck by your side through everything and yet-- How could you?” She finally snapped, voice rising once again as her grip tightens around her bars, “I sacrificed everything for you! I gave you all I had and it still wasn’t enough, wasn’t it? I loved you... with all my heart, but not even love can cure you from this madness.”

Cersei’s eyes bore into Y/n’s own, the two women standing in the silence of the dark, cold dungeon. The Queen doesn’t acknowledge her actions for not even she knew why she quickly decided to imprison her former lover. She herself felt disgusted. Cersei had been able to round up each of King Robert’s bastard children and slaughter them for the sake of Joffrey’s legitimacy, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to have Y/n executed even though the woman was accused of betraying Joffrey. Cersei once believed she would do anything for the sake of her children, and now she felt disgusted knowing that she couldn’t even kill a woman to uphold that silent promise.

Cersei held her chin high, her voice was as cold as the day she first met Lady Y/n, “I love my brother. I will only ever love my brother. How could I ever love someone as lowly as a servant girl?”

~~~~~~~~~

It didn’t take long before Tywin noticed his daughter had a new handmaid and not one who was trusted enough to tend to Tommen when Cersei wasn’t around. Without questioning the Queen, Lord Tywin conducted an investigation and quickly discovered Y/n in the dungeons. After briefly talking to her and investigating Jaime’s accusations, Tywin was able to concur that Y/n was innocent of such treasonous actions and set her free. When Cersei heard of this, she was enraged and immediately went to her father with demands of executing her former confidant. When Tywin brought his evidence to her attention, Cersei refused to believe it, turning a blind eye and cursing her father’s name. Even in disbelief, Cersei couldn’t help but internally feel the ache and anger in her heart. Deep down, she knew Y/n had done nothing wrong, yet she listened to Jaime anyway. The last nail was wedged into her coffin when Tommen asked Cersei where his Aunt Y/n had gone. Only then could she truly admit she made a mistake.

But it was too late. With Y/n no longer being Cersei’s handmaid, the lady avoided the Queen like the plague. Y/n was no longer the woman everyone once knew to be kind and compassionate. She was cold and calculating to everyone, including Cersei, if the two women ever had a brief encounter in Joffrey’s court.

Y/n couldn’t even find it within herself to feel sympathy towards Cersei when Joffrey was murdered at his own wedding. Long after Tommen was crowned King, Y/n continued to avoid Cersei and never once shed a tear for the boy she once loved as her own. As long as one bore the face of Cersei or sported any sort of Lannister trait, Y/n avoided them at all costs and even felt disgusted if she had to share a room with them. A moment of opportunity arrived for her to be rid of this Hell when the High Sparrow became a big influence on King Tommen and his people. Cersei had the High Sparrow annointed as High Septon with the belief that he would work under her rule, and Y/n watched this unfold from a distance until finally, she made her own calculated move.

In time, Loras Tyrell, Queen Margaery, and even Cersei had been thrown into various cells of the Great Sept when none of them confessed to the sins they were accused of. Cersei had felt the cold breath of karma ghost down her neck the moment her cousin Lancel entered the room to stand beside the High Sparrow. Weeks dragged on and Cersei was miserable in her cell, hair matted and body covered in filth, tongue dry from her thirst. The cell door opened one miserable morning and Cersei curled in on herself instinctively, ready to refuse the water when offered in exchange for a confession... but the septa never said a word. Slowly, Cersei looked up from her arms and found Lady Y/n standing there instead of a septa, dressed in travelling clothes and holding a small pouch of water in hand, devoid of emotion as she looked down on the former Queen she served.

Cersei didn’t look pleased or impressed, turning her away to lean against the cold wall of her cell, “This is what you wanted, isn’t it? The one thing you have always strived for; craved for... You have always wanted to see me suffer.”

“I don’t know if there is anything I can say or do to convince you otherwise,” Y/n scoffed while setting down the pouch of water, “I gave my life to you, yet you still believe I betrayed you somehow in some shape or form. Even when I was proven innocent, you despised me. Why?”

Cersei blinked slowly while staring off into space, trying to swallow her spit to relieve her thirst, “You were just some lowly reminder of a time when I was unfaithful.”

“To who? King Robert? Everyone knows you despised him. That is no secret. Everyone knows that you would have done anything to hurt him. But to hurt Jaime... I think most can suspect that at this point, you would have done anything to keep him at your side. You can’t fool anyone, Your Grace. Not anymore.”

“I have fooled no one.”

“No one but me. You had me fooled the moment you kissed me,” Y/n’s voice broke, ever so slightly, cracking her mask, “You had me believe what we had was love. And yet you threw it all away the moment you decided to believe whatever you wanted to hear.”

“I didn’t want you to betray me.”

“And I never did. But you didn’t exactly care, did you? Instead of just asking me, you threw me in a cell and left me to rot. Because it was Ser Jaime’s word against mine.”

“Why are you really here?” Cersei rasped, watching her finger as she absently traced shapes into her cell wall.

Y/n composed herself, hardening her heart again and quickly blinking away the tears before they could be shed. She straightens up her vest as she confidentally spoke, “I came to say goodbye and to pray we never see each other again. What happens to you is no longer my concern. King Tommen has granted me leave from your service and is sending me home today. My only wish... my only wish is that we part with our truths laid out to one another... the way it always should have been.”

Cersei finally turns to look up at the woman standing over her, feigned smile spreading over her filthy face, “What truths, pray tell?”

“The truth is you were right, Queen Regent. I did betray you,” Y/n carefully watched as Cersei’s face twisted with several emotions before continuing, “I betrayed you to the High Sparrow. I confessed my sins to him and thus revealed yours. I told him everything, from our affair to yours and Ser Jaime’s. It wasn’t your cousin who turned you in. It was me.”

For years, Y/n has watched Cersei play the game with eager eyes and thin smiles and it wasn’t until recently did Y/n want to see the smug smile wiped from her former Queen’s pretty face. In her dreams, Y/n could imagine this and feel satisfaction bloom in her stomach, fulfilling her without food or water and lasting her till she is old in age. Now, finally succeeding in making Cersei lose at her own game, Y/n doesn’t feel that satisfaction she desired. All she could feel was guilt and shame.

Cersei’s face crumbled until it was laid bare for Y/n to read her as a childrens’ book, the Lady Lannister’s voice becoming accusatory, “So I was right. All you’ve ever wanted was to see my downfall.”

Y/n felt as though she had been slapped in the face, hating herself even as the words fell out, “No... never. Not when I loved you.”

Cersei looked back up when she heard Y/n kneeling down to her height, meeting her shining eyes as her former handmaid whispered as though she spoke a secret, “You might not see it as I do, but if I were to recall... you were the one who betrayed me first. I only returned the favor. Farewell... my lioness. I will pray for the next whore you decide to take to bed.”

The way Cersei’s face fell only made Y/n feel worse as she stood, turning to leave. The former handmaid wanted this woman to beg for her life as she once did in her own cold cell. She wanted Cersei to squeal and cry and feel her heart break as she once did, betrayed by the woman she loved. In a last ditched effort, Y/n kicked her pouch of water close to the cell door, far from Cersei if she even tried to reach it.

“No-- wait, Y/n, please-!”

Y/n hastily made her exit, slamming the cell door behind her to shut out Cersei’s pleas. As she walked down the hall, Y/n could feel a tear slip past her detection... as well as a smile of freedom.

~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Hi I’m back on my bs again. It’s been a busy couple of weeks and now that I’m caught up on House of the Dragon and no longer working nights, I feel fueled to write again. Please support and leave a request in the ask box!

#cersei lannister x reader #cersei x reader #cersei lannister imagine #cersei lannister #got #got imagine #game of thrones #game of thrones imagine #asoiaf #asoiaf imagine #a song of ice and fire #cersei lannister fic #lena headey

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importantchaosgiver · 2 months

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The Griffin And The Dragon:

In The Queen's Stride

Summary: What is to become of a Griffin and a Dragon? Well, it appears that was foretold before they even realised...

Warnings: Fluff, mentions of smut, slightly nudity, takes place after 'A Big Day'

******

No One's POV

"Many years ago, back when Concordia was founded and its cities were built, there came a prophecy," (Y/N) began. "Isn't there always?" Viserys chuckled softly, stroking her bare back. She gave him a playful look, sitting up and lighting a few candles. "The prophecy of a queen who birthed kings. For centuries, Concordia has only known queens. Firstborn heirs were daughters. But, it was said the very first Queen of Concordia spoke a prophecy on her deathbed. A queen of her line would birth a son on a stormy night. One such night no one would have ever seen," (Y/N) explained, keep the covers around her naked body.

"A land built on queens? How intriguing," Viserys said, also sitting up, his bare chest visible, but still covered from the waist down. "As is the way of Concordia," she said with a shrug. "But, the prophecy also said the son promised would be born not just to a Queen of Concordia, but to a king whom is from a distant land," (Y/N) added with a playful tone of mystery. Viserys chuckled, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her onto his lap with her giggle. "I always admire the dreams and prophecies of others. And should you give birth to a son, they so be it. However, I think we need to do a bit more to ensure you carry my child," he said, gently kissing her neck. (Y/N) bit her bottom lip, running her other hand through his long silver-blonde hair. "Perhaps," she said, before Viserys pulled her back down to the mattress with a laugh, pulling the covers away from her, wanting to see skin, wanting to see her once again bare before him, whispering and begging for his touch...

******

Birds chirping and the soft, warm rays of the morning sun was what (Y/N) felt first thing in the morning. Well, that and an arm around her waist, her back against the chest of her husband. Gods, even the phrase was so unfamiliar but felt good to say. Viserys was gentle, kind and peaceful. As most would call him in comparison to his younger brother. It was clear that Viserys was awake before her as he softly caressed her stomach, drawing circles and lines. At one point, she was convinced he was writing something in High Valyrian upon her skin.

"Good morning, my dear," Viserys whispered into her ear. She smiled softly, turning to lie on her back and face him. "Indeed it is," she said with a soft chuckle, her voice still tinted with tiredness from having just woken up. "One could get used to seeing this sight every morning," he said, moving his hand up to stroke her shoulder and cheek. Before (Y/N) could answer, there was a knock on the door, making Viserys sigh. And the day begins...

To say her day went interestingly would be the correct thing to say. All she could think was; thank the gods. Because she was educated on her duties, what was expected of her and what to and not to do. And, of course, she had to abide by more Westerosi customs whilst justifying Concordia's customs also. One thing that seemed to be reoccurring was the need for a male heir. That got her befuddled. Viserys already had Rhaenyra. And the young girl was more than capable of handling future responsibilities. Speaking of which, (Y/N) and Rhaenyra were taking a stroll through the gardens to discuss as such. "You will have to forgive my ignorance and any offense I may inflict. But, why is it vital to produce a male child? Your father has stated his desire for you to ascend to the Iron Throne after him," she explained, her hands linked in front of her as they walked. "I believe it is because men are stronger. They are considered the pillars of Westeros. They are what keeps it up," Rhaenyra said. (Y/N) thought back to a conversation her parents had one night when they didn't know she was eavesdropping. She was only 14 at the time.

Maximus and Galene had spoke about how King Jahaerys had chosen Viserys to succeed him instead of Princess Rhaenys (who had a stronger claim as she was the oldest living descendant of Jahaerys). "How incredibly stupid," (Y/N) huffed. That made Rhaenyra snort. "Forgive me. But truly you must see the folly in this. Concordia has thrived with women upon its throne for almost two centuries. Women are every bit as capable as men," she said, giving Rhaenyra a soft smile. "And if any fool were to protest it, they can answer to my griffin," (Y/N) added. Rhaenyra looked at her step-mother, feeling a little emotional at her support and kindness. "And what if you birth a son?" Rhaenyra asked. It was only a matter of time until the queen grew pregnant. "If I birth a son, Concordia will have a king. Fulfilling an age old prophecy of my people. You are the king's first-born, the natural heir. This is the way of Concordia. And my first-born child, be it a boy or a girl, shall succeed me also," she said, putting a hand on Rhaenyra's shoulder. "There is no need for conflict when the answer is clear. Now, why don't you go find Alicent. I am sure you two will find something to do in your spare time," (Y/N) said. Rhaenyra smiled brightly, curtsying and jogging away. She watched with a fond smile, putting a hand to her flat stomach, wondering when she will birth a child. She loved children. And always dreamt of when she would birth her own. Perhaps with her love and kindness, Westeros could become less of a dark place...

******

Okay, I hope this isn't too OOC. But don't worry, because I have a very good idea for when this series ends. I hope you enjoy. Oh, and the next part will skip two years later. See you soon.

#alicent hightower #daemon targaryen #daemon x reader #house of the dragon #otto hightower #rhaenyra targaryen #viserys targaryen #viserys x reader #fantasy

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scribble-dee-vee · 3 months

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Writeblr Intro circa 2024

Hi writeblr!! Sooo, I've been around here since about 2014. (Yes, I am ancient.) However, I've been dormant for the past 4-5 years. Blame college and a brief stint on Twitter. Now that I'm active again, I thought I should make an updated writeblr intro so ppl know my Deal. Basically, I want to engage with other folks who write fiction (esp original SF), and that's a little easier if I have a clear post that outlines what I do. Here to make connections and hear about your blorbos :)

About me

Hi, I'm Vee! They/them, 23, 💖 🤍 🧡

I do journalism/comms in western New York

My literary jam is feminist/adult SF and gothic lit (OG or modern) 🥀 ⚔️ 🌙

Enthusiastic about gay people, body horror, and sociopolitical allegories

I cook, run, play tabletop games, and occasionally draw. Other than that, I'm mostly writing (for work and for fun)

If you were on pre-2020 writeblr, you likely know me from my eight billion daily tag games. (I still like tag games and appreciate u for tagging me. I have also gained adult responsibilities and better mental health, so I respond very slowly now. <3)

Always happy to get asks or dms, tho as I've noted: I may reply slowly.

Sometimes open to beta read! I only read one longer project at a time, but it's always super fun :)

I tag very consistently – happy to tag triggers for followers/moots

Fun fact: I love mushroom hunting and worked as a mycology TA. #cottagecoreera 🍄 🧚‍♀️ 🌱

About my creative writing

I write,,,, feminist/adult SF with gothic leanings (surprise!)

Longform and short! Trying to do more short writing this year, and I'll likely share a bit on Tumblr. It's easier to clip a short story than a 150k novel, god bless.

The Aesthetic: moral g(r)ays, Victoriana, androids/cyborgs, Women™, monstrous femininity, incessant Hamlet/Frankenstein motifs, extremely boring socioeconomic worldbuilding, evil queens and/or dilfs, psychosexual witchcraft, probably a cat. Also, an ominous, plot-relevant letter laced with anthrax from your unhinged and brilliant ex-wife. Open if you dare.

Major projects

I'm going to be writing some short work this year, but these are the longer projects that I have going in the background. If I reblog blorbo-related text posts, they probably have something to do with these.

Let me know if you want to be added to any project-specific taglists 😎

Heart of Lead – Series

The big one

Perpetually evolving

Never ceasing

Pls send help I can't stop adding shit

5-book gothic fantasy epic that I'll definitely publish one day but probably no time soon! My bastard child, my wicked firstborn, my greatest love <3

Character-oriented political drama set in a pseudo-Victorian, dystopian oligarchy where everyone's heart is made out of metal. It's about coming of age and discovering queer identity in a world that is absolutely fucked. God is an extraterrestrial lesbian who gives ppl very traumatizing magic powers. There are cyborgs, shapeshifters, and morally gray women in STEM. It's tight as fuck idk what else what to tell u.

Book 1 is about achillean monarchists, and book 2 is about sapphic anarchists. There are only two genders, I guess.

At this point, I've drafted most of the books at least once. Working to refine a lot of raw material atm!

Tag: "heart of lead tag" or "hol tag"

Lost Letters – Book

Aka the current active HoL WIP, and book one in the revised series structure

Length: 80k as of now; around 120-140k when the first draft is finished, I presume.

Genre: adult fantasy, gothic, noir detective drama?? um?? If you want me to frame it in BookTok terms (why?) it's a dark academia villain x villain tragic romantasy. Hrgh.

Summary: Cyborg soldier goes to college, joins a shady socialite frat, and falls in love with the jilted heir-apparent to the throne. Hilarity ensues.

(By "hilarity," I mean a militant revolutionary faction and a tragedy of Greek proportions.)

POV characters: Charles (the cyborg), Dale (the heir), and Cecelia (Charles' sister, a junior detective, the love of my life and potentially the Chosen One???)

This book is twisty and dark and immensely fun to write.

I'm about halfway through the first full draft! Hoping to share snippets and vaguepost about my children here.

Tag: "lost letters tag" (also "hol tag," tho that one's less specific)

The Last of Mortal Tourists – Book

The next longform project on the docket!

Length: a standalone work that will hopefully fall on the shorter novel/novella spectrum.

Genre: literary SF, cyberqueer, psychological space quest

Summary: The consciousness of a dead coding genius, trapped inside a spaceship, seeks a new planet to sustain their sister, the last surviving human, after the destruction of Earth.

If you're here to get wildly philosophical about gender and the myth of essential self, this is the story for you! That's why I'm writing it, lol. 🏳️‍⚧️ 🚀 🤖

This one started out as a short story (100% finished) which I want to expand.

POV: Archer Alto, the coder. Spaceship? Human? Soul?

Supporting Cast: Pandora, the last human, and Abby, a holographic impression of Archer's childhood consciousness

Tag: "the last of mortal tourists tag" or "tlomt tag"

If you read all this way, you get a whole bouquet of flowers that are certainly NOT poisonous: 🌸 🌹 💐 🥀 🌺

#writeblr #writing #writeblr intro #for my mutuals #scribble-dee-vee #project intro #hi writeblr!#original post #hol tag #heart of lead tag #lost letters tag #tlomt tag #pls feel free to tell me abt u in tags/replies!!#would love to expand my active writeblr connections #and yah like I said lmk about those tag lists #I def want to post more snippets/tags this year

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angel-of-hunky-doryness · 15 days

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The Conflicts of Disney's Hercules (Part 3): Hades vs Zeus

Brother vs brother- talk about a tale as old as time, huh? From Cain and Abel to Hamlet and Claudius to the more modern examples of Mufasa and Scar to Thor and Loki, what's not to hate about about two brothers at odds with one another? Well technically its more of an angsty, brooding guy who's had it up to here with their perfect golden retriever brother getting the throne, daddy's attention, and/or the girl. While our bootiful no-thoughts head empty golden child becomes intimately aware at the last possible second of their brother's treachery as they're falling into your proverbial wildebeest stampede.

That's right y'all.

May I present to the surprise of no one.

THEM:

Finally we come to the conflict that sent the proverbial Sisyphean boulder into motion that is Disney's Hercules.

Part I: And now a word from our IV pound sponsor:

Before I begin my analysis on the relationship between Disney's Hades and Zeus, I thought I would provide a bit of background to the established canon Disney presents us. Mind you, dear reader, we have the 1997 film and the Hercules animated TV show (1998) to look towards. However, there are minor conflicting information between the two, but as always, the movie is always more canon than what the TV show gave us.

Zeus is older, Hades is younger. Weird I know.

But I'm gonna go out on a limb here and support Disney on this one. Because while in the grand scheme of things Hades is most definitely NOT the youngest child of the siblings in Greek Myth, there is a small technicality that cements Zeus' authority to rule over his older siblings as if Zeus was the firstborn child this whole time.

That technicality being: Kronos

Kronos gets the big bag prophecy/curse from Gaia that one of his children will overthrow him like he did with his dad, so Kronos starts baking his cake and eating it too.

Hades was the first male born (hestia is traditionally firstborn but patriarchy or whatevs) so that also made him the first to be swallowed by Kronos. Thus, when Zeus freed the rest of his siblings, Hades was the last son to be up-chucked since he was ingested first - that made Hades the last "born."

And this "second birth" of Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, Hades, and Hestia is what cements the order of authority in the 6 siblings hierarchy. Therefore, Zeus was made firstborn and had full authority to claim the sky if he so desired.

But Zeus was a chad in those days and still gave his brothers a chance to draw lots and all that b/c even he saw how unfair the Fates had been to his brothers. Yet still, destiny favored Zeus and Mr. High and Mighty got the kingdom with a view.

Which is a perfect segway to the next set of rules I'm working with here:

2. Zeus is a good guy.

Okay, I know it hurts to accept this, buttercups, but we have to muscle through it. The version of Zeus that we got in Disney's Hercules is a sanitized, lovable goofball who loves his son, his wife (is that allowed?), and his brother who's going through a phase.

BTW I would like to draw attention to the fact this is the first time in an adaptation of greek myth where Hera is Hercules' bio mother. This is clearly outlining to the audience- hey! Zeus is faithful?

So Zeusy's worst flaw (infidelity, Don Juan, insatiable sexual appetite- pick your poison) has been erased. That's wild, but we have to accept this to better understand the context of Hades vs Zeus. We have to establish who has morality in this equation. Earlier parts of my Hercules Conflicts series had obvious good guys vs Hades, but for this one I have to build it up because of the history of these mythological figures.

However, before I roll into it, I would like to dig on Mr. Thunder Dunder Head once.

This man violated the Geneva Conventions doing this to Danny DeVito:

Talk about some Zeus ex machina- yeesh.

Part II: And Then Along Came Zeus

With the introduction out of the way, now we can talk about the central conflict that kickstarted this movie into gear.

From the get-go, Hades establishes that he doesn't reciprocate his brother's affection. What should've been a good ol' fashioned family reunion turned into a neon flashing sign that Hades is very uncomfy around his brother. Hell, even when Zeus is trying to be friendly he ends up ordering him around.

And I don't think anyone's mentioned this before, but doesn't it seem like Zeus is just as touchy-feely here as Hades is with those beneath them? It makes me wonder if Hades learned this behavior from Zeus.

Now, we also get the idea that Zeus is clueless. Not just to how Hades is purposefully keeping him at arm's length, but also to how the other party guests, the gods, get very quiet and passive aggressive the second Hades showed up to spoil the party.

And you better believe this three-minute scene is the basis for this entire post. And there is a lot to digest here.

First off, we get Hades' motivation, his goals, and the receipts. You better believe this babe is writing in his little black burn book as soon as he gets back in his chariot.

From Zeus, to Hercules, to the rest of the gods, home boy has a lot to update after popping in after a long time. And I hate to be that guy, but a show of hands on who felt more sympathetic for Hades here?

Like I've mentioned in Disney's Most Sympathetic villain post already, but Hades' villain entrance is not intimidating in the slightest. If anything, it quickly establishes that Hades is kind of a loser in these circles.

To recap, while on Mt Olympus for two minutes Hades is:

Manhandled by his older brother

Manhandled by his nephew (ok i get this one, he nearly hurt a baby, those are spikes after all)

Ignored. Nobody but Zeus makes eye contact/or acknowledges him. More than likely this is b/c they can't stand the guy and out of respect for Zeus they've elected to just ignore him and hope he goes away.

Zeus gaslights him - yes, the guy who gave him the underworld job is telling him to slow down and live a little. That's like your boss gives you a crap load of work and comes by to ask you why he never sees you take time off. I will die on this hill that's positively diabolical.

And lastly, Hades gets laughed off the mountain.

Not once in this entire film did Zeus ever check up on Hades after this. Not to apologize, not to make up for lost time, bring up an opportunity for a party you could come to, or perform a wellness check. That would've been so hilarious seeing Zeus pop into the underworld and the entire scene is just Hades shenanigans of trying to cover up evidence of his plot to murder this guy.

Although to be fair, Myth!Zeus had the same issue!

BUT to Myth!Zeus's credit, he made an attempt to improve his brooding brother's mood. And he did it in the worst way possible by immediately fixing him up with Persephone. So you really can't say that Myth!Zeus isn't trying.

Now since I've bashed Zeus I will give him some credit on his first scene. Hades isn't there to stay and chat, he's on a recon mission. And he evades all his brother's attempts at conversation. He cuts bolt boy off, uses humor as a defense mechanism, and he deflects every time Zeus tries to get cozy. Why?

Homeboy found out a new godling was born.

And the way the movie presents Baby Hercules- from Zeus being awkward and kind of scared to hold him- I get the vibes that the writers are making Zeus out to be a first time dad.

Yeah, apparently we're ignoring Athena, Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Bacchus, Hermes, Hephaestus, etc

Wild I know, but there is a purpose to it.

@persephoneflowerpetals made a very interesting blog post about this particular aspect that deserves a look and got me to thinking.

So not to steal their thunder, but Hades showing up to Hercules' Amphidromia (ancient greek family festival where newborn babies are given their name in front of their family & friends on 5th or 7th day of life) was for him to see who his competition was - whether or not Hercules sided with Zeus or not when Hades' own uprising happens.

And by not siding with Zeus, I'm talking about Hercules having his own type of uprising and usurping his father as all the previous kings had done before him.

Which is really cool! It's taking the Lion King/Hamlet story from a different angle. The nephew is just as much of a threat as his father if not more.

You see age doesn't really factor for Greek gods (Artemis was born minutes before her brother and she helped her mom deliver him & the food of the gods aged baby godlings quickly) so it's a very smart move for Hades to see what he was up against very quickly. Hell at this point in time he had no idea he just needed to wait 18 more years for his uprising.

And that's why Hades was more concerned about the sunspot than his own brother. It could very well be that he wouldn't be fighting Zeus, but Hercules for the ownership of the Olympian throne.

This puts Hercules on equal footing with Zeus in terms of level and power and establishes why Herc is the main protagonist- not Zeus.

Hell, if anything, Hades knows from experience that posterity can easily overtake the previous generation. He did that once despite the odds being stacked against him and his siblings even though Gospel Truth claims Zeus stopped the Titans on his own.

Part III: Olympus is That Way

The Titan Jail break will never not be funny to me. We see 5 giant Titans stomping around in the woods, the seas, the fields, cities, etc in what I am assuming is about sunrise?

You mean to tell me there wasn't a single person- or god, we have to remember there are gods in this universe that didn't want to- I don't know- let Zeus know what was coming? I mean it's not like Poseidon would know they were freed from their underwater prison, or Apollo as he's driving his chariot- it is a bit cloudy after all, or any others to notice their cities with mortals actively praying to them are under a massive attack.

Horses were killed, Poseidon. Your descendants. My sibling the horse girl is very disappointed in you.

Now I know this is touched upon in my series Hercules Conflicts Part II, but it does merit a mention since ultimately it is Zeus' fault / laziness that the Titans were able to show up on their front doorstep without anyone realizing until too late.

And Zeus is absolutely torn apart when he realizes it was his brooding baby brother who gave him the ol' Judas Kiss.

I couldn't find the gif of Zeus' realization face that maybe what his brother was going through was not just a phase. However, just like Mufasa before him, bolt boy realizes too late of his brother's treachery.

And what's the last line, Hades delivers to Zeus:

Oh?!

Is- is Hades bitter about the job Zeus gave him? Of being ordered around while the rest of the pantheon got to play around and have some fun?

Jokes aside, but Hades' whole plot, all his animosity and antagonism towards Zeus came because of the lot he was given by bolt boy over here. And while Hades does call Zeus his greatest rival it's because Zeus put him in that position in the first place.

Zeus created his worst enemy.

It's like one of my profs commented once in my classes back in my uni days. The oil spill that happened in the Gulf of Mexico didn't happen because of one mistake. It happened because of several mistakes, several oversights, several safety overrides for the sake of not losing money were made over a period of years that eventually lead to a disaster that no longer could be ignored.

And that is ultimately what became Zeus' fatal flaw in this movie.

His negligence.

We can blame the other gods for not being as committed as well, but it's like Hopper says in bug's life:

Zeus is at fault for his brother's betrayal, his son being turned mortal, and the mess the Titan's left in their wake.

So at the end of the movie when the Muses deliver another absolute banger, the system doesn't change. Things go back to the way they were just minus the one guy at the bottom most rung of the cosmos' ladder.

If change is to happen it starts at the top.

Not to end this on a downer- although we all know how screwed this world is after the credits roll, but I am happy to report, dear reader, that change does happen.

It's small, but it's still resounding.

Hercules chooses not to join his father. Just as Hades predicted in the opening scene if you go along with my theory from earlier in this post in Part II. And this wasn't even with the assistance of prophecy, it was because Hades knew his brother too well.

Zeus has a very exclusive club atop Olympus and he would never let someone like Meg, despite all that she's sacrificed and redeemed herself for. Because Meg is a representation of Hades here. Something I was very vocal about in Part 1 of my Hercules Conflicts Series.

And before you argue, remember, Zeus is the one who told Hercules that only gods can live on Olympus. Bolt boy knew Hercules was about to ask for a freebie for her, but his stance was made very clear on the matter.

So, Hercules refuses. Hades was proven to be correct.

Now, Hades just didn't know why Hercules would defect. And Hercules goes back to being a mortal because of Hades. Because Hades put Meg in the right place at the right time. Sure, it's because of Meg that Hades loses. But Hades got someone to realize Olympus isn't all its cracked up to be.

Through mortality.

The very aspect Hades himself represents as lord of the dead and god of the underworld.

Maybe Hades did win after all.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading!

Till next time, my dear readers

~Angel

#disney #disney hades #disney hercules #disney megara #disney villains #my rambles #greek mythology #greek myth #hercules #zeus #disney zeus #hades #disney persephone #disney movies #hercules 1997

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inkdemonapologist · 1 year

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I often see that people don't want to include Joey in the process of Bendy's creation which makes me a little sad because i love Joey's character.

Bendy usually portayed as Henry's son from the point of being a drawing and to the point of the ink demon himself

Judging by logic,it would be impossible for Joey to lie about being involved (Tiol was released physically and Abby was around)

Personally i think that it's so important for Joey's character. The way he calls Bendy his "firstborn" in Tiol,the way Nathan said that Bendy was Joey's child and him having drawing in his apartment of two other toons holding Bendy's hands.

Maybe i should really stop talking about Joey in this fandom bc it always ends with "Joey has nothing to do with Bendy/ There's no importance of his involvement to the plot"

(I'm joking,not dropping my man lol)

What do you think about Joey being involved in Bendy's creation?

IDK Anon, last I checked there’s still some complex-Joey-likers in this fandom!

Anyway, I disagree that it would be impossible for Joey to lie about this, given other things we are PRETTY CONCLUSIVELY SURE that he’s lying about in the same book (Sammy’s hiring being an entire year off? As though nobody at JDS is going to remember that Sammy did music for cartoons before October of 1931?? Or, even worse, Joey giving himself two entirely different birthdays in the same book????????) -- I don’t think Joey’s lies are like, logically sound or carefully calculated. I think he just says things that create the story he wants to create in that moment and expects the sheer force of his personality to carry the story, so that people believe him even when the facts don’t quite line up (and I think writing things down created a bit of a handicap for him, since he is not actually good at keeping his story straight, just good at making people accept the story he’s telling in this moment). Joey doesn’t hesitate to just make things up.

HOWEVER THAT SAID.

I’ve talked about this before, but I think the thing with Joey’s telling of the creation of Bendy in The Illusion of Living is that if Joey wanted to invent a story… this just doesn’t seem like the story he would invent. He’s so off-balance and unsure in all his interactions with Henry, while Abby and Henry are much more confident and orchestrating this whole thing. Henry’s the one who gets the design Joey can’t. Abby’s the one who sees Henry’s potential when Joey can’t. If Joey wanted to lie about Bendy’s creation….. I just don’t believe that this is the lie that the terminally insecure Joey Drew would tell, which makes me more inclined to believe that there’s truth there. Why wouldn’t he just say he came up with it, that he doodled Bendy on a napkin one day like he did with Bendyland, that he passed his doodles to Henry and Henry was inspired and just touched them up a little? It’s not like Henry’s around to challenge that narrative.

Thread once suggested the idea, and I really like it a lot, that this one moment, a moment with his two best friends sitting on the floor with him and brainstorming the character who would become his absolute favourite together, was actually too special and emotionally meaningful to Joey for him to change it. He claims full credit afterwards, to a hilarious degree, but it’s still the one thing he couldn’t bear to unwrite – him and Henry making Bendy together. So… it's possible he could be lying. But in this instance, I’m inclined to think Joey’s mostly telling the truth.

#i know you have questions you always do #joey drew #the illusion of living #the canon crew

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thefandangos · 5 months

Text

I've been mulling over the thought of a new legacy style challenge to do now that For Rent has released (in addition to my premades gameplay). So I jotted down a few notes and before I knew it, a legacy was born.

I wanted something with a bit of randomness in it and so this wheel when spun, will decide which generation will be played in which order.

Spin once before creating your founder, then spin again when your legacy heirs are pregnant with their firstborns or deciding to start a family. You may wish to use the generation colours as name inspiration or names inspired by the generation theme. Reroll any previously played generations, or copy and edit the wheel to remove them as you progress.

Only one mandatory trait per generation, the others can be randomised or chosen. But all children of that generation must have the mandatory trait, not just the heir. I mean, you never know when you might lose an heir, right?

Your founder sim may start with the full 20,000 simoleons and buy or rent their first home. Outside of the mandatory trait and allowed aspirations for the rolled generation, they can be entirely of your own creation. The legacy family are not confined to one lot, they may move to any neighbourhood that makes sense for the story you are playing. You can keep other family members on the lot, or not, as you wish.

RED - Generation Love

Romantically minded since your teen years, you feel incomplete without another sim on your arm, whether that is your Mr/Ms Right or your Mr/Ms Right Now!

Aspirations - Serial Romantic, Soulmate, Villainous Valentine

Trait - Romantic

Career - Either one of the GTW careers or the WFM careers. No rabbit holes for you.

Goals

Follow your sim to work every day or work from home

Attend every Romance Festival from when your sim is a teen and onwards

Leave at least one sim at the altar

Complete the message in a bottle collection

Woohoo in all possible locations (animal shed, boardwalk ride, photo booth, observatory, sauna, hot tub, bed, tent, shower, waterfall, closet, pile of leaves, sleeping pod, coffin, party bush, Brindleton Bay Lighthouse, Rocketship, Money Vault, Dumpster, hot spring, ice cave, treehouse)

Either lose your soulmate early in life (to death or affair) which turns you into a Serial Romantic or Villainous Valentine, or sow your wild oats in your teen and young adult days before finding your soulmate as an adult/elder.

Have at least one unplanned child via risky woohoo (MCCC) and fight for primary custody if the baby is not born within your household.

Create a paternity test situation if using the paternity module from lumpinou’s RPO mod

Incur Agnes Crumplebottom’s wrath at least once

VERMILLION - Generation Create

You yearn to create something extraordinary and live the kind of bohemian lifestyle you've always dreamt of.

Aspirations - Painter Extraordinaire, Musical Genius, Bestselling Author, Master Actor, Master Maker, Lord of the Knits

Trait - Creative

Career - You can make your money from any creative pursuits, career or freelance.

Goals

Complete Artistic Prodigy, Creative Genius or Slumber Party Animal child aspiration

Complete the Holiday Crackers and Decorative Eggs collection

Set up a stall as either the Flea Market or at a Community Space (or sell online on Plopsy) to sell your wares

Hang out at Thrifttea regularly throughout your teens, attend at least one Fashion Show, Amateur Comedy Night or Poetry evening

Marry another creative sim

Have three children over the course of your life

If completed Bestselling Author aspiration, write a Book of Life and bring someone back from the dead

If completing the Musical Genius aspiration, get to lvl8 in handiness and craft your musical instrument on the woodworking table

Max three of the following traits: handiness, painting, violin, guitar, piano, pipe organ, DJ mixing, singing, knitting, cross-stitch, juice fizzing, fabrication, acting, writing, photography, nectar making

Create a creative club (book club, life drawing club, punk band, improv club etc) and hold weekly meetings

Let one of your kids’ friends move in

ORANGE - Generation Food

Food and drink are your raison d'etre.

Aspirations - Master Chef, Master Mixologist, Expert Nectar Maker, Appliance Wiz

Trait - Foodie

Career - Food Critic, Culinary, own your own restaurant or food stall, maybe even an online cookery vlogger. If it’s food and drink related, you can do it.

Goals

Work as a Fast Food Employee or Barista as a teen

Complete the Experimental Food Photos collection

Win the Spice Curry Challenge at the Spice Festival

Marry a sim who works in a restaurant you have visited, or a food stall you’ve frequented, or who is in someway connected to the food industry (pizza/grocery delivery person or food critic all count)

Unlock and complete the Grilled Cheese Aspiration

Max at least three of the following: Baking, Cooking, Gourmet Cooking, Nectar Making, Mixology, Juice Fizzing

Quit your career as you become an adult and open your own food or drink related business (or if you already owned your own business, sell it and get a new food related job)

Kill someone with Pufferfish Nigiri (on purpose or by accident)

AMBER - Generation Travel

You have been bitten by the wanderlust bug and spent most of your childhood dreaming of all the simlands you wanted to visit. Now that you are older, you just can’t seem to stay in one place.

Aspirations - City Native, Beach Life, Mt Komorebi Sightseer, Fount of Tomerani Knowledge, Jungle Explorer,

Trait - Dance Machine + (optional) Child of the Islands

Career - Freelance or Part time jobs only or errands and odd jobs to make money. For example, a freelance travel photographer would be a great idea.

Goals

Marry a sim you meet on your travels in a destination wedding

Complete all the above aspirations

Retire to your favourite travel destination

Complete Buried Treasure, Seashells, Omiscan Treasures, Ancient Omiscan Artifacts, Snow Globes, Posters collections

Live in each sim world for at least two days each and visit both vacation worlds before you retire.

If you have Child of the Islands, perform the summon Island Elementals, befriend one, invite them to move in and have a child with them for the sulani mana inherited trait

Max Photography and have a collection of photos, one from each world

Visit Sylvan Glade and the Forgotten Grotto

YELLOW - Generation Animal

You can’t resist making friends with all animals everywhere and in fact, you prefer them to other sims. Your love for animals was ignited the day that your parent bought you your first pet.

Aspirations - Friend of the Animals, Country Caretaker, Championship Rider

Trait - Animal Enthusiast (or Dog Lover/Cat Lover/Horse Lover/Rancher if they are more appropriate to the storyline)

Career - Own either a farm, ranch or a veterinary clinic

Goals

Own a Hamster, Rat, Pygmy Hedgehog or Bubalus as a child

Make friends with the monster under the bed

Always have at least one animal in the house from child age upwards

Complete Village Fair ribbons collection, if your sim owns their own farm, alternatively win at the Finchwick Fair

Complete the Feathers collection

If on a farm play with the simple living lot trait

Have only one child because you are more interested in your animals (other risky woohoo offspring are also ok)

Have higher relationships with your animals than the sims in your life

Have your spouse leave you/cheat on you because they feel neglected and immediately adopt three cats

Create an evil chicken and a golden chicken

CHARTREUSE - Generation Nature

You find an overwhelming sense of peace in the great outdoors and could never stomach an indoor job.

Aspirations - Freelance Botanist, The Curator, Angling Ace, Outdoor Enthusiast, Eco Inovator

Trait - Loves Outdoors

Career - Civil Designer, Conservationist, Gardener,

Goals

Become a scout as a child and teen

Befriend birds or rabbits

Romance the Hermit from Granite Falls

Become a Plant Sim temporarily

Complete frog, fossils, fish, insects collections

Take a vacation every summer in Granite Falls

Max flower arranging and kill an elder sim with a death scented bouquet

Have an outdoor wedding and marry someone you met in Granite Falls

Max herbalism skill

Use Elixir of Fertility before trying for a baby

GREEN - Generation Wealth

Money is what excites you - earning it, spending it, keeping it in vaults safe from other sims are all hobbies you enjoy immensely.

Aspirations - Fabulously Wealthy, Mansion Baron, Market Magnate, Five Star Property Owner

Trait - Materialistic

Career - Business, Criminal, Tech Guru, Salaryperson, Military, Own a retail business

Goals

Work two part time jobs as a teen

Marry an elder, rich sim

Have a butler

Complete the Simmies collection

Conceive all your children in a money vault

Invest in property that you rent out

Build a community lot for every child you have and name it after them

Donate to charity weekly

Have at least one divorce

Start a Super Secret Rich Club for Rich Sims (simBilderberg, s’illuminati, the Sims Templar, the Freesims, the Rosimcrucians) and build them a super secret Bohemian Grove community lot.

TEAL - Generation Family

You’ll never be happier than when you are surrounded by family. Parents, children, spouse are all doted upon equally.

Aspirations - Successful Lineage, Big Happy Family, Vampire Family, Super Parent,

Trait - Family-Orientated

Career - Any (Education, Law for example)

Goals

Complete Voidcritters collection

Work as a babysitter as a teen

Marry your childhood sweetheart

Have either twins or triplets

Always attend the Festival of Youth

Adopt a sim

Volunteer as a family every weekend

Have a family reunion social event once a season

Renew your vows as elders to celebrate your ridiculously long marriage

Win a Karaoke Contest

BLUE - Generation Body

Your body is a temple and that’s why you leave the boots on the outside. Alongside your wish for bodily perfection you have always cultivated a keen interest in space. The rigors that the body must endure to cope with space travel, as well as alien physiology, fascinate you.

Aspirations - Bodybuilder, Extreme Sports Enthusiast

Trait - Active

Career - Astronaut, Athlete, Secret Agent, Military

Goals

Complete Rambunctious Scamp, Mind and Body or Playtime Captain child aspiration

Learn to ride a bike as a child

Attend either Cheer, Football or Soccer Club as a teen

Max out the rocket science skill - who said athletes were stupid huh?

Build yourself a garden rocket

Marry an alien

Conceive all of your children in space

Complete the alien, space print and space rock collections

Workout every day and max the fitness skill

Start a jogging/power walking club and meet weekly

Complete the fire challenge on the climbing wall without getting burnt

Go Rock Climbing, Skiing and Snowboarding at least once

Visit Sixam

VIOLET - Generation Friend

You want to be everyone’s friend and whether you are the life and soul of the party, the kindest, sweetest soul or just the sim who is scared of being alone, people tend to flock to you.

Aspirations - Joke Star, Party Animal, Friend of the World, Neighbourhood Confidante, Leader of the Pack, Good Vampire, Discerning Dweller

Trait - Outgoing or Cheerful

Career - Any (Politician, Athlete, Business, Police or any other charisma based careers)

Goals

Complete the Social Butterfly or Slumber Party or Playtime Captain child aspiration

Make a childhood best friend who must stay a best friend throughout your life

Join the Cheer team as a teen or have a Lifeguard part time job.

Complete the Postcards collection

Never live alone

Romance the Statue Busker

Marry one of your best friends

Throw one of every party type that is possible on the lot you live on

Throw a social event weekly

Have more than three children

PURPLE - Generation Paranormal

Growing up you always had a vague feeling in the back of your mind that the world held secrets from you. And now you are older, you are determined to find out what they are!

Aspirations - Purveyor of Potions, Vampire Family, Master Vampire, Spellcraft & Sorcery, Strangerville Mystery, Good Vampire, Werewolf Initiative, Celebrity Psychic(custom career by adeepindigo), Master of Mysticism (custom career by adeepindigo)

Trait - Pick one from Paranoid/Erratic/Geek/Loner/Nosy

Career - Freelance Paranormal Investigator, Fortune Teller or Mystic(spellcaster only), Military

Goals

Move into a haunted house or apartment, or make your house haunted

Solve the Strangerville Mystery

Marry an occult sim

Have an occult baby

(optional) Become an occult sim yourself

Befriend a vampire, alien, werewolf, mermaid, spellcaster, ghost and the Grim Reaper

Complete Moonwood Relics, Magical Artifacts, Sugar Skulls collection

Summon Bonehilda

If a werewolf, find and marry your fated mate and have a dormant wolf or greater wolf blood child

Start a Council of Occult sims

MAGENTA - Generation Deviance

Is there something inside you that is broken? Or are the other sims just soft, weak losers? You delight in subverting expectations and going your own way. You can’t seem to help hurting others or poking your nose in where it isn’t wanted. Will you get your comeuppance?

Aspirations - Public Enemy, Chief of Mischief, Villainous Valentine, Seeker of Secrets

Trait - Evil or Kleptomaniac or Mean. Pick at least one.

Career - Police and Criminal

Goals

Complete Live Fast teen aspiration

Complete the MySims collection

Start your career in the Police

Romance and marry your boss

Fall in love with a criminal, divorce your spouse and marry the criminal

After the wedding, quit the police force and join the criminal career

Attend the Humour and Hijinks Festival and win for the Pranksters

Have a lifelong nemesis and get that sim eaten by a cowplant

Start a bowling team and bowl weekly

WHITE - Generation Health

Early on in life you realise the need for a calm mindset despite it not always coming easily to you. You prioritise a holistic approach to health and feel that mind and body are equally important to sim well being. You are especially motivated to share this revelation with other sims you meet.

Aspirations - Inner Peace, Self-care Specialist, Zen Guru

Trait - High Maintenance or Vegetarian

Career - Doctor or run your own spa/yoga studio

Goals

Complete Rambunctious Scamp, Mind and Body or Playtime Captain child aspiration

Complete the Gardening collection

Have a Father Winter baby

Have a Lighthouse baby

Meet the Tragic Clown and woo them by wearing a tragic clown outfit to cheer them up. You must marry wearing matching tragic clown outfits, photos are mandatory. You can then both change out of clown clothing for the remainder of your lives should you wish to

Make a stockpile of jam for future generations

Become a yoga instructor and hold weekly classes

Meditate daily

Max the wellness skill

BLACK - Generation Brain

The pursuit of knowledge is all important to you, whatever your chosen field and you are certain that no life can be well lived unless you graduate from university and continue to learn throughout life.

Aspirations - Renaissance Sim, Nerd Brain, Computer Whiz, Master Vampire, Archeology Scholar, Spellcraft and Sorcery, Academic

Trait - Genius

Career - Scientist, Tech Guru, Engineer, Law,

Goals

Complete Whiz Kid or Mind and Body child aspiration

Complete Goal Orientated teen aspiration

Must attend Chess Club or Computer Club as a teen

Must go to University

Marry a fellow university student

Max Robotics and make a servo

Have a science baby

Get abducted by aliens

Complete geode and microscope collections

Always help your children with homework and school projects

Visit Sixam, if working as a scientist

GOLD - Generation Fame

You just know that one day, you are going to become a star, winning awards and adored by everyone you meet.

Aspirations - World Famous Celebrity

Trait - Self Absorbed or Ambitious or Overachiever

Career - Provided it gives you fame, you can do it for money! (Athlete, Entertainer, Freelance, Painter, Style Influencer, Tech Guru, Social Media, Actor)

Goals

Must attend drama club as a child and teen

Complete Drama Llama or Admired Icon teen aspiration

Can only marry another celebrity

Have one celebrity baby

Be involved in a celebrity scandal/drama

Win a Starlight Accolade

Complete Crystals, Metals and Elements collections

Create and sell a trend on Trendi

Start an exclusive celebrity club focused around a hobby of your choosing

You can do as many, or as few generations as you want just so long as you let the Wheel of Fate decide each and every time!

#simblr #ts4 #sims 4 simblr #sims 4 challenge #sims 4 legacy

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presidenthades · 8 months

Text

I am doing very minor revisions of Daemon’s Handbook (mostly formatting and continuity errors), and I wanted to do some behind-the-scenes commentary before too much time passes and I forget my original thoughts. Here’s Chapter 4!

(Note that these commentaries aren’t canon to the verse until/unless the author writes them into the series. I might change my mind on a few points later, but these are the thoughts I had while writing.)

I originally wanted to write about Jace entertaining a slew of suitors while Aegon is jealous, but if you’ve read the whole fic, you know I saved that plot line for Luce and Aemond instead. (You might notice that I recycled some of the suitors on Jace’s list for Luce too.) But it makes me wonder what this verse’s jealous!Aegon would have looked like. 👀 I like to think he would have gotten on Sunfyre, stolen Jace from Driftmark, and run off to Lys.

Daemon’s commentary about the suitors shows how poorly he thinks of pretty much everybody who isn’t his family. 😂 Also, his fleeting scheme to marry Jace to her hypothetical much younger half-brother is *the same thing* that Otto proposed re: Rhaenyra and Aegon, which I find hilarious. Great minds think alike? Maybe?

Daemon’s thought about his potential son superseding Jace as Rhaenyra’s heir is controversial. In the show, when Viserys proposes the Rhaenyra/Laenor match, he says that their firstborn child, regardless of gender, will inherit. But later, when Rhaenyra proposes the Jace/Baela match to Rhaenys, Rhaenyra says that Baela’s sons will inherit. I’m inclined to think this is a writing discrepancy, considering the many writing issues during S1. I’ve seen people interpret it as Rhaenyra being less progressive than Viserys (she’s reverting to male primogeniture while Viserys supports absolute primogeniture), but I don’t think this interpretation matches what we’ve seen of the show characters. For the purposes of this discussion, let’s say Daemon thinks male primogeniture is still the de facto method of inheritance, with Rhaenyra as an exception. But what Daemon thinks isn’t always what’s right/true, so maybe Rhaenyra herself would strongly disagree. We won’t know until/unless I write her POV.

I think it took readers until Chapter 7 to realize that the tipsy dragonseed guard who lets Luce escape the castle is Ulf White. I intentionally refrained from name-dropping so it wouldn’t distract people, and I don’t think Daemon would know the name of *every* man-at-arms on Dragonstone.

Likewise, the village blacksmith who points out Luce to Daemon is Hugh Hammer. Hugh doesn’t have much of a reason to get involved, except to potentially curry some favor with Daemon by helping him out.

The ship that Luce is trying to board, the Violande, is the ship that, in the book, Rhaenyra takes to Dragonstone after she flees King’s Landing after the Storming of the Dragonpit.

Daemon’s fears about what Otto might do if Jace married Aegon aren’t completely unfounded. In Episode 9 of the show, Otto is willing to assassinate Rhaenyra and her children. Whether Otto would find that necessary in this verse is a different question. But, as we see later, Daemon is off in his assessment of Aegon; there’s no way this verse’s Aegon would do anything to hurt Jace. But Daemon doesn’t know that, so as far as he’s aware, he’s right to distrust Aegon.

Daemon kind of forensically pieces together Luce’s papers to get an idea of what she was doing the night before, but for clarity, here’s roughly what happened. First she has a nightmare, which involves being eaten by Vhagar (Luce does not have dragon dreams; I just wanted to allude to Lucerys’s canon death). She wakes up, stuffs her face with jam tart, and scribbles a cathartic letter that she has no intention of sending. Then she calms herself down by drawing some knitting patterns and transcribing Aegon’s song (that he wrote for Jace) for the lyre. Finally she writes a letter that she actually wants to send to Aemond, which she WOULD have sent the next morning (so he could hopefully show up in time for her nameday) if they hadn’t received news that Aemond lost his eye. 😢 There’s probably a lesson here about not holding onto grudges for too long.

In an early draft of this chapter, I had Daemon flying to King’s Landing so he could personally mess with Aemond, but then I remembered ravens exist. 🙃 Ultimately it’s better this way, because Aemond would have gotten suspicious if Daemon hand-delivered the Bad Letter. Also, the original version just doesn’t make sense anymore. Daemon was supposed to go to the Red Keep’s black cells to find the cutpurse who attacked Aemond, which would lure Aemond from his sickbed because Aemond doesn’t want his uncle to deal with his attacker before Aemond gets the chance (murderous preteen 🖤), then Daemon teaches Aemond some creative knifework before handing him the Bad Letter; the “door opens” part of Helaena’s prophecy was originally referring to the Black Cell door. But see how nonsensical that scene sounds now? This is why we edit and revise and murder our darlings 🥴

#my writing #hotd #house of the dragon #hotd fanfic #meta #hotd fic #house of the dragon fanfic #daemon’s handbook

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its-kinda-snowy · 11 days

Note

I just wanna say that I love your art so much, and I feel so blessed that I happen to like so many of the same things as you so I get to see your artistic interpretations of so many of the things I love!! I would give you my firstborn child if you asked. okay bye

This is genuinely such a sweet thing to say, and I am incredibly honored to be able to draw what you love! The art I make always comes from a place of immense appreciation for the works they are portraying, and so seeing other people experience that same sense of love from My work is absolutely insane and is truly humbling to feel, thank you

But please do not give me your first born child, I am not a responsible father, I will try to explain the complex lore of lotr to it

#asks #we are crying in this chilis tonight

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lost-in-sokovia · 2 years

Note

Please can you do a short summary of the Dano babies and which character they’re for I’m so invested!

yes i can!! thank you for asking!!😊

august edward nashton - auggie, the most popular dano baby so far, is edward nashton’s son from the batman. he doesn’t need much explanation, he’s all over my blog and easy to find under his tag :)

peony - peony is jay’s daughter from “okja.” she’s soft spoken like her daddy, has long dark locks that look like his, and is his absolute princess. sometimes when jay is on missions she doesn’t get to see him for a few days or even weeks, but jay always makes up for lost time. p likes to play with animals and dance. she’s a little sweetheart, and jay is constantly proud and thinking of her. (peony doesn’t get a full name because jay doesn’t have a last name, so she just gets a first name)

scout marigold dolarhyde - scout is percy dolarhyde’s daughter from “cowboys and aliens.” what more do i have to say about this baby? she’s percy’s pride and joy, he’s in love with his little baby girl. she’s nicer than her daddy, but she’s just as spoiled. everybody in town knows who scout is, considering percy always parades her around and always buys her the most expensive things. she wears her gingery hair in braids and her daddy calls her “goldilocks.” scout likes to draw and ride horses. she’s got her daddy’s wit and she’s a little charmer

thomas david sunday - tommy is eli sunday’s oldest son from “there will be blood.” he’s quiet and polite, very much like his uncle paul. he’s kind, helpful, and is always willing to help his daddy out. tommy looks like eli just alone by genetics, but he likes combing his hair the way eli does too and eli is so proud of his little boy. tommy likes to sing and build things. tommy often follows eli around and is very good at keeping up polite conversation with members of his daddy’s congregation when they shake his hand and ask him how he’s doing.

alexander eli sunday - alex is eli’s youngest son and middle child. he’s two years younger than tommy. he’s a sweet boy but he’s a little more rambunctious than tommy (and slightly insane like eli is but that takes a bit more diving into for a different post😀). alex looks like eli as well, but his hair is less unkept and he’s often covered in dirt of some sort. eli is kind of a mischief maker. daniel plainview likes alex, thinks he’s funny and has got good spirit, and that drives eli crazy. alex isn’t afraid to drive his father wild sometimes. he enjoys spending time with hw and his aunt mary (jesus christ that’s weird to say). alex enjoys mischief making and helping you do things around the house. despite how wild he is, he’s a momma’s boy

daisy elizabeth sunday - daisy is eli sunday’s only daughter and youngest child. she’s fifteen years younger than alex, seventeen years younger than tommy. daisy is a quiet little girl and the gem of the sunday family. the congregation absolutely adores little daisy, and eli capitalizes on that by often involving her during his services (which you hate and get on to eli about often. she’ll clutch onto her daddy’s leg as he goes on and on about being a prophet and you just shake your head. whether or not you believe what eli has to say is a different conversation for a different post as well😀). daisy has the same color hair and eyes as eli, all the sunday babies look like their daddy. she likes putting flowers in her hair when you braid it and put it up all pretty. daisy loves nature, reading, and baking. she’s a mommas girl

yelena peotrovna bezukhova - pierre bezukhov’s firstborn. she’s lively and outgoing, a bit tomboy-ish, and can get herself into trouble among the society quite easily. she’s got pierre’s curls that she likes to keep at shoulder length and refuses to grow out any longer than that. she has your eyes, however. she loves playing the piano and running about. lena finds the high society boring and that amuses pierre. every time she stirs up trouble he simply cannot stay mad at her or even get mad at her at all; he wishes he had her confidence and carelessness. yelena loves to mother her younger siblings, and she can be sort of a brat sometimes.

dimitri peotrovich bezukhov - pierre’s second born and oldest son. dimitri is much like his older sister in personality, for the two are only one year apart. he’s a bit more timid, however, just slightly enough that he questions things a bit more than yelena. he’s very good at riding horses, an area lena is not good in. dimitri is a carbon copy of pierre; eye color and shape, hair color and texture. dimitri is a bit of a klutz like his father, which annoys lena whenever they stir up trouble together. dimitri enjoys hanging about with his older sister.

novel peotrovich bezukhov - pierre’s third born. novel is much more quiet and reserved compared to his older siblings. he’s two years younger than dimitri, three years younger than yelena. he likes curling up with a book in a quiet place. he also enjoys writing poetry and stories, for he has quite an active imagination. he often tells stories to pierre at bedtime rather than pierre read to him, and pierre adores to hear just what his son comes up with. novel looks like his father as well. he’s the most welcomed child by the society, the rest of pierre’s children are a bit more looked down upon for their personalities. novel is naturally a polite and quiet young boy, which makes him favorable. he’s a sweetheart and loves his siblings even though they aren’t quite the same.

evva protrovna bezukhova - evva is pierre’s fourth child. she’s three years younger than novel, five years younger than dimitri, and six years younger than yelena. evva means “life,” and she was named that because there were troubles not only trying to conceive her, but when she was born as well. she looks like a little porcelain doll with her curls, big green eyes, and long eyelashes. she’s quite small having been born a bit earlier and weaker than usual. she is strong, however, and would eventually grow up to be a fine young lady. evva loves animals, always coming home with something new and begging you and pierre to let her keep it. she also enjoys the water, mermaids are her favorite mythical creature. she loves sleeping alongside yelena rather than in her own bed, and yelena loves to take care of her younger sister when she’s not being the rebellious child she is.

tatiyana peotrovna bezukhova - pierre’s fifth and youngest child. she is four years younger than evva, seven years younger than novel, nine years younger than dimitri, and ten years younger than yelena. her name means “fairy princess” and that’s exactly what she is. she’s the smallest bit of a brat, but not much. she enjoys dressing up and being treated like royalty and pierre absolutely indulges her wishes. she always has her chestnut hair done to perfection (she has learned how to do hair quite well) and adores using the title “countess.” she thinks high society balls are exciting and loves to go out and dance by herself or with her father on the floor. she doesn’t care for the interaction with the adults much, but she knows how to be polite like novel. she likes walking arm and arm with pierre which makes you giggle, giving up your husband to your daughter. pierre calls her “princess.” tatiyana also adores singing when her oldest sister plays the piano, and the two put on shows for the family very often.

annie hendrix taylor - joby taylor’s second daughter, only daughter with you. annie has dark hair and serious green eyes like her daddy. she was born four years after joby’s divorce from claire took place (so she’s probably around 9 or 10 years younger than ellen). annie is a bit quiet like joby. she’s very laid back but she’s shy to strangers. she understands his humor and her daddy can easily make her laugh. she’s just as clingy to him as he is to her. joby wants to make sure he’s there for annie and is better dad than he was to ellen, so he spends every minute possible he can with her. he still performs and when he does sometimes he brings her onstage at the end (if she’s not passed out in your arms, headphones over her little ears) and let her sing or just say goodnight to the crowd. joby started annie on guitar when she was little and annie also likes drawing.

ariel ivy klitz - ariel is klitz’s baby from “the girl next door”!! she’s got brown hair like her dad, but she’s got your eyes and most of your facial features. ariel loves watching “the little mermaid” because she knows that princess ariel is her namesake. ariel is more outgoing than her dad, and klitz just thinks she’s the cutest thing alive. ariel loves doing makeup and dressing up. she loves when auntie danielle does her hair and puts on fashion shows with her for uncle matt, uncle eli, and daddy. ariel is spoiled with attention by her family and is the funniest little girl ever.

peter matthew freeman - peter is matt’s son from “too young to be a dad.” essentially @spicedchaiandromeda and i took matt and like, made him older and talked about him in college. peter is genevieve’s little brother, he’s ten years younger than her. peter is very smart, just like his dad. as peter gets older he likes hanging around his sister, even though she’s way older than him. (sometimes, if she lets him, he’ll sleep in her bed because he just loves his older sister.) peter like playing video games and trying to explain them to you and matt. peter also likes making up little stories and telling them to you and matt. he’s such a sweet little boy and your little family loves him.

juni mae hoover - juni is dwayne hoover’s oldest daughter from “little miss sunshine.” you and dwayne had juni right after college. you got pregnant and told him on graduation day that you were pregnant. juni is quiet around people she doesn’t know, but she is so bubbly and smiley always. she’s a little firecracker when she gets to know somebody. she is more outgoing around her family, but she’s so quietly kind to everyone around her. she’s got dark hair like her daddy and green eyes just like his, too. juni likes making crafts. she’s very creative, and your house is filled with art by her. dwayne is a phenomenal father to her and has support from his dysfunctional yet loving family, and juni loves every single one of them.

luna jay hoover - luna is dwayne hoover’s youngest daughter and juni’s younger sister. she’s nine years younger than juni. luna is much quieter than her sister. she’s a dancer, growing up doing dance recitals, and when she’s older she learns french (to later on become a french teacher). juni looks after luna so well and is basically attached to her when she’s born. where juni was a daddy’s girl, luna is yours. she loves to be held by you. luna has the personality of her father, and she’s the sweetest little thing. she has an amazing bond with her older sister, and surrounded by her loving family she’s just sweet as can be.

benjamin thoreau weir-fields - ben is calvin’s first born from “ruby sparks.” ben wants to be exactly like his father… so. he wants to be a writer just like him. he wants to dress like calvin. he wants to look like calvin (even though he already does). he’s a lot more sensitive than calvin, which is saying a lot. he’s got the biggest heart and looks after his little sister with such love. ben likes spending time with calvin, he’ll sit on the floor of his daddy’s office while he writes and just stare at him because he loves the atmosphere. ben is full of love and wants to make everyone he meets happy.

eloise alcott weir-fields - eloise is calvin’s daughter, ben’s little sister. she’s a big ball of energy and constantly keeps calvin on his toes. calvin wants both of his kids to be writers, but el will just smile at her daddy and go “hmm, no! i want to be a singer!” and she will sing all around the house and just act like she’s the main character. el likes to do calvin’s hair when he’s too tired to tell her “no.” it’s very fun for her. she’s got a big heart like her brother and loves playing with him and singing songs for him.

that’s the rundown on all my dano babies!! thank you for asking about them because i really do put time into developing them and i hope to introduce more of them soon!😊💕💘💖👼🏻

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azzys-secret-kink-blog · 2 years

Text

Dealings with the Fae

Cw: tmpreg, birth (non graphic)

A boy summons a fae to get some money, and ends up giving birth to his child.

I placed down the last object to complete the summoning ritual. I had been planning this for ages, and knew the price I would have to pay. I wanted riches, enough to be comfortable for the rest of my life and open the shop I'd always wanted to. After leaving my hometown, unexpected situations had left me destitute, and I figured if I was going to go to the fae to ask for money, I might as well go all the way. Plus the price I expected to pay wasn't something I'd be entirely opposed to paying.

I finished the incantation, and a mist began to seep into the circle from the surrounding forest, swirling into the center as a form began to appear. A tall, masculine figure stood in the circle, arms across his chest, with skin the color of blueberries and long white dreadlocks flowing from his head. His green-tipped ears twitched in the cool evening air and his similarly colored hands came down from his chest. He wore nothing but a brown cloth tied around his waist that hung to his mid-thigh, and a cord holding a small bag around his neck.

His bright yellow eyes stared into my soul as he stepped out of the circle.

"Why have you summoned me, mortal?" He said, with a voice like dark chocolate, deep and rich.

"I summoned you for a wish. I want enough money to open a small shop, and be comfortable the rest of my life," I said, tilting my head up to look into his eyes. He was a full head taller than me, although I wasn't the tallest around, so that wasn't terribly unexpected.

"There will, of course, be a price for your wish. I will give you the riches you desire, but in return, you must give me your firstborn child," he said. That was the price I had anticipated, and had a plan to pay.

"I will pay that price," I said.

His eyes began to glow as he opened the pouch on his necklace. He stuck his finger in, and it came out coated in a silver powder. He gently grabbed my chin in one hand, and used the other to draw a sigil on my forehead with the silver powder, thus sealing the deal.

"When you return home, your wealth will be there. I shall return when your first child is born to take it to my realm," he said, letting go of my face and stepping back.

"Wait!" I held out my hand. "I was actually going to pay the price right here and now, if you don't mind. I will have your child."

The fae chuckled. "Clever boy. Well, I suppose I can humor you. What is your name?"

"I'm not entirely sure I should tell you."

"I will not steal it, you have my word," he said, smiling softly.

"My name is Jacob. May I ask yours?" I hoped to know the name of the man who was about to impregnate me.

"I am Malachite. It is a pleasure to meet you, Jacob." He took my hand and kissed it. "Now, shall we get started?"

I began undoing my belt, but Malachite shook his head. "No need. I only need to draw a sigil, and the pregnancy will implant magically." He lifted my shirt and dipped his finger into the powder pouch once again. He drew a different sigil on my belly, just above my womb. He pulled his finger away, and I felt a warm presence between my legs that made my knees buckle. It shot up into my womb, and the warmth spread from there into the rest of my body. A warm pleasure flowed through me like a tidal wave as I fell to my knees. I repositioned myself, sitting against a tree for support as I felt a pressure in my stomach. I watched as my belly began to expand, pushing down my jeans and riding up my shirt. It was an amazing feeling, my womb stretching and growing around the inhuman baby inside me.

As my belly expanded to look about five months pregnant, I felt something new. A kick! Malachite knelt beside me and rested a hand on my ever growing belly. The baby continued to kick and roll, causing my skin to stretch and move around the hyperactive child inside. The pleasure only got more intense as Maachite rubbed my belly. My belly button had popped at some point, and I now looked eight months pregnant.

"Look at you, swollen with my child. You knew the price you'd have to pay, didn't you?" Malachite laughed, seeing my face full of pleasure.

My belly continued to surge forward, looking well overdue now. It almost touched the ground between my legs. Suddenly, I felt a wetness between my legs as a tightness began in my belly.

"Was- was that a contraction?" I asked, frantically undoing my belt and struggling to pull off my jeans as another contraction hit. They didn't hurt, but they didn't necessarily feel great either. It felt like the baby was pulling all my insides in at once.

Malachite helped me get my jeans off as I felt my cervix widen, ready to give birth. The baby continued to write and squirm as I pushed, Malachite waiting between my legs to catch the baby.

"Push on three, okay Jacob?" He said as I felt the baby begin to spread my birth canal. "One, two, three, push!"

I felt the head pop out of me. It didn't hurt nearly as much as I'd expected it to. I kept pushing, feeling the rest of the baby slide out of me, my belly left flat as it had been ten minutes earlier. The whole pregnancy had only lasted about nine minutes, and two of those had been the birth itself.

Malachite stood, holding a baby the size of a three year old in his arms. It was a lighter blue than him, the color of the late afternoon sky, with white hair and lime colored hands, feet, and ears. It didn't cry, only looked at me with grey-blue eyes, the same color as mine. Malachite leaned beside me and handed me the baby, still wet from birth.

"Her name will be Azurite," Malachite said. "I will take her back to my realm, and if you ever need another wish, or simply want to see your daughter, you know how to summon me." He took the baby and walked back to the circle. "Goodbye, Jacob."

Azurite waved to me and smiled as mist once again seeped into the circle from behind the trees, obscuring the two fae as they returned to their realm.

I felt empty, missing the feeling of the baby inside me. As I walked home, I thought of potential future wishes, opening my door to find a bag on my kitchen table full of emeralds and rubies. I smiled. Maybe next time, I could ask for even more . . .

The end

I hope you guys liked my first short fic! I've never written anything like this before and I'm still learning, if anybody has any constructive criticisms or future writing requests feel free to send them!

#mpreg #tmpreg #magical pregnancy #rapid pregnancy #rapid preg #mpreg birth #mpreg fic

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antvnger · 7 months

Text

Blood Brothers AU - Moon Superdome

Based off this post where Scott wrote Tony a letter and Tony wrote one back.

((For those wanting a bit of angst and some baby Stark boys, here you go. I highly recommend reading the original post first, especially the addition by my dear @stxrksarc off which this post is based))

Eight year old Tony Stark didn’t want to be a Stark anymore. The problem had to be because he was a Stark, had to be.

There were a lot of things that came with the name he was learning about at too young an age.

Things like socializing as a child prodigy wasn’t easy. Socializing as a child Stark was impossible. Either kids didn’t want to be his friend because of said socialization issue or would be his friend because their parents told them to be really friendly with the Stark boy as if the boy was a genie would grant wishes of those who let him out of his bottle.

Things like everything he said and did was under unfair scrutiny. From Grandpa Howard to teachers and even other kids in school, everyone watched what he did and had some kind of comment about it.

He was in the 2nd grade for crap’s sake, let the boy be a boy!

He wanted to run and hide every time Grandpa Howard came to visit or would be the one to pick him up from school (only because he took the boy straight to Stark Industries instead of home because exposure to the company would be good for him.)

(This was why Charlie Stark made sure to work in his office once he found out his dad was doing this. First chance he learned Tony was there, he would swoop in as fast as he could to rescue him from Grandpa Howard. Sometimes he could get there quickly. Most times he could not.)

Things like because he was a Stark, everything about him was exposed to people he didn’t even know. Every childhood milestone was publicized despite his mother’s attempts to keep him shielded from such.

But the Starks were always under the ever watchful, ever judgmental eye of the public, especially the paparazzi.

Things like how everything would be his responsibility someday. Because he’s a Stark. The firstborn Stark at that.

And all the fights between Grandpa Howard and Dad over Tony, and then even Mom and Dad about Grandpa Howard’s treatment towards Tony…well that poor boy figured that was somehow his fault too and just part of the unfair scrutiny that came with his name and his position.

He liked the name Tony. He wasn’t so sure about Stark. It was Mom and Dad’s name. It was Scott’s name. And he wanted to keep it because it was theirs too, and he loved them with everything in his body.

But it was his grandfather’s name, and that hurt in a way Tony didn’t understand.

Maybe, he tried to reason, it wasn’t the Stark name…or just the Stark name. It was the strangers who thought his name held such power yet ironically stripped him from the power of anonymity.

Maybe it’s the paparazzi and the news and the people who point at him and his family when they’re out in public.

So he decided the best option would be for him and his family to leave and find some place far far away so they can be Starks and not be Starks.

Where could such a place be? To the imagination of this little boy, the answer was obvious: colonize the moon.

This sweet boy, eager and hopeful, drafted actual schematics for a moon superdome that would house him and his family where they could be safe. Self-generating power, protective shields for the occasional meteorite, a self-sustaining aquaponics system, and temperature regulation for those scorching days and freezing nights.

The materials and transport would cost his entire inheritance, but once they made it over, at least property tax would be nonexistent. For an 8 year old to know that much already, that still blows Ant-Mun’s mind.

But the boy’s schematics were discovered by the Stark patriarch while he was still drawing them out, and poor Tony got a verbal lashing over wasting time on foolish dreams and worse - heaven forbid - wasting human capital.

So he hugged his schematics close to his chest and kept his ideas close to his vest. He was bound and determined to prove to himself that people outside of the house would not get to know everything about him. Not even his mother would get to know these secrets.

It would be really tough to convince his parents to go to the moon with him though for, of course, the boy never considered the possibility he would be grounded from the moon.

There was one he wanted to share the idea with though, one who was honestly the best option for going with him, one he refused to leave behind: his four-year-old shadow.

Tony quickly led his little brother to the backyard the first opportunity he could. “Scotty! How would you feel about us living on the moon?”

The little one’s mouth dropped in awe. “Duh moon, Tony? How come?”

Not wanting to scare his baby brother, Tony avoided the question. “Don’t you think it would be fun? We could build it ourselves and we could see stars all the time! You love seeing stars. And we could float because there’s no gravity and we could eat what we want and everything!”

Actually, Tony suspected they’d be living on fish and vegetables, which would be difficult to get Scott to eat, but he’d keep chocolate on hand to coax Scott to eat. That’s what their nanny did anyway.

Scott looked up at the sky, seriously considering his big brother’s idea. Tony would never lead him astray after all. And living on the moon really did sound so cool. “Can we eat Oreos there?”

“Absolutely! Oreos and peanut butter and you can have your own room if you want.”

“I don’t know if I want that part,” little Scott shook his head, which made Tony look back at his schematics and move the orange sticky note with Scott’s name on it and set it right beside the sticky note with his own name on it. Tony might prefer it that way anyway.

“How we gonna build it, Tony?”

“Well ummm…” Tony looked at his blueprints before he looked around the backyard before settling on the big oak tree. “We can build a model of it here! In the backyard! Just to make sure my plans will work before we actually launch into space.”

Tony beamed excitedly as Scott cheered at the idea before they ran to the garage.

An hour later, Maria looked out the window to the backyard, eyebrows raised when she saw her babies running around the oak tree like mad, odd-end objects scattered all around the grounds.

On the tree’s trunk was a construction-paper sign that Maria could barely make out the words on it from so far away: “Moon SuperDome Construkson”

#ant mun’s thoughts #stxrksarc #scott lang #ant-man #ant mun #iron mun #tony stark #iron man #moon superdome #blood brothers #blood brothers au #ant man #antman

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bedofthistles · 11 months

Text

Unforgiving

Sir Benjamin: I keep all my emotions right here. And then one day, I'll die

Sir Benjamin Merryweather was a pathetic little creature. The once proud and dignified Lord of Moonacre, had fallen in love and had his heart shattered, and chose to let his bitterness and melancholy consume him.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely his fault, after all, he had been handed catastrophe after catastrophe for the majority for his thirty-five years. One had to adopt a hardened heart in order to survive.

The first of the many tragedies he had to endure was his birth. He did not remember his birth, but his birth was tragic nevertheless, and he lived with the consequences of being the firstborn.

Now, one might see this as complaining, to be born into a wealthy family? Born into power? Many would give their left hand for that draw, but with all that luxury came responsibility. Came a heavy burden.

Came a curse.

Benjamin was then promoted to Sir Benjamin at seventeen, with the passing of his father. Oh, now you see, now you know how hard it was for him! At naught but seventeen, thrust into such a position of power!

Or, you may be a critical thinker, thinking: that’s a child that they’ve just placed in charge of a whole county, they can’t do that!

But they can! And they did. And he was.

Sir Benjamin, however, had prepared himself endlessly for the day he would take his father’s place. He just happened to imagine that step happening years down the line.

But that was what happened in Moonacre.

Deny the curse Sir Benjamin did, but that did not mean it didn’t have an almighty effect on all who lived in the valley.

The next calamity was that of the birth of his brother George.

Beloved by all! The happy-go-lucky-spare to the all-too-serious-heir, everyone preferred George Merryweather. Even their father.

Even their mother.

Even Benjamin preferred his brother.

Oftentimes, Benjamin thought it was George who should be given the Lordship, not himself, but before he could even broach the topic with his father, the old Merryweather died.

And Benjamin was fitted for his crown.

(Figuratively speaking, of course, Lord’s don’t get crowns.)

Then of course came George himself!

Sir Benjamin had always believed he was a good older brother, but when George turned twenty, he left.

It was all rather dramatic, as Merryweather’s tended to be.

“Eliza and I are going to London.” He said, his copper curls shining in the sunlight.

“London?” Sir Benjamin bit out, they had long jested about the proper city folk, and how they much preferred the freedom of the countryside. To Sir Benjamin, it was unbelievable.

“I have joined the regiment. I plan to make something of myself.” George said, his mouth thin and set, there was a harsh gleam in his eye that Benjamin could not help but identify as being one of resentment. But that was odd, as his whole life, Benjamin had been the one to resent George.

“No. I forbid it.” Benjamin said, his hands folded behind his back, he issued his brother a stern glare. “You are not to leave Moonacre-“

“Moonacre is dying! I have-“ George swallowed thickly. “I have a chance to do something worthwhile! I can no longer stand and watch Moonacre crumble! I do not have the heart for it. And, I do not have the heart to live in your shadow.”

“My sha- George, what ever are you talking about?”

“What am I but the spare! What am I but scrap? No, I refuse to let that be my destiny! Not any longer.”

George turned and left, his feet stomping against the crackling stone.

“What of Maria?”

George slowed to a stop. His hand fisted at his side. “Or Matthew.”

Sir Benjamin clenched his jaw, and perhaps he should have hoped for his brother to have produced a son, but in his heart, he knew that was not true. Eliza, Benjamin, even Digweed and Marmaduke referred to her swollen stomach and the babe within as Maria.

George did not even have the grace to spare his brother one last glance as he said, “What of her?”

“I‘ll- she’ll-“ Benjamin shook his head to dismiss the choking emotion rising in his throat. “Shall I not even hold her?”

“Come to London when he is born, and you may.”

And that was the last Sir Benjamin ever saw of his brother.

Communication was sparse, and any news of Maria was shared to him by her mother, Eliza.

It was safe to say he did not hear much after her passing.

Then, of course, was his greatest tragedy.

His parent’s passing, his lord hood, and the estrangement of his beloved brother all paled in comparison to how Loveday Minette ruined him.

De Noir

Loveday De Noir was her name.

He had met the young woman on his way into Silverydew, recklessly and foolheartedly digging her way under a fallen cart to save a small child that had gotten trapped under it.

“Madam, please! Stand back!” Sir Benjamin leaped from his steed, Atlas, and knelt down beside her, elbow deep in mud.

“If I do, she will suffocate!” And her voice rang clear and strong like a church bell on a Sunday morning.

Sir Benjamin whipped into action - after a moment of slack jawed awe in the presence of this woman - and fell to his knees as he lifted the broken cart.

“Almost there! Keep going!” She encouraged, her voice low with effort, and with a mighty heave, Sir Benjamin was able to jack the cart, and the woman tugged the child into her arms, falling back into the mud.

The child - sticky with mud, and crying gross tears - clung to the woman’s neck and she graciously petted the child’s back.

“Shh! It’s alright little one!” She said, and Benjamin had been confronted with her face.

Carved by Angels, he was sure, so struck was he by her beauty and her eyes, like the full, blue moon, that he did not realize she had stood and walked away.

“Ex- excuse me! Madam-“ and he cleared his throat. He had run - run - to catch up to her and was now trailing at her side like a lost kitten. “I do not believe we have met, and as Lord of Moonacre I do my best to know all of my people.” A boldface lie, as Sir Benjamin did his best to avoid all of his people.

“You’re Sir Benjamin…” She brought her muddied hand to her mouth, the result being five beauty marks added to her countenance.

“You know of me?” He asked, shocked and surprised despite the fact that it was well known who he was. Being a Lord and whatnot.

“Oh! Please do forgive me!” She curtsied lowly to him, her head bowing as she did. “I- I had not known-“

“Please, madam-“ and His hand was electrified as he touched her shoulder, utter joy shot through him as he found her skin was soft as he believed it to be. “Never have I seen such a selfless act, I would like to invite you to Moonacre Manor, to show my gratitude.”

“Moonacre Manor?” She said, just as breathlessly as before, and she nodded.

Her name was Loveday. And Benjamin, for the first time in his twenty-five years of life, had never felt such a fool.

She was radiant, and kind, and selfless as he so well knew, and loving.

Above all she was loving.

And when she loved him, it was as if all of the world did not matter.

He did not think he was worthy of such love, of such a woman, and yet he had been blessed.

At first, he had felt betrayed.

She had lied to him.

Next, he felt something akin to awe.

She had been the Moon Princess, and he had held her in his arms.

Third, he felt the heavy guilt one only feels when they realize they had just made the biggest mistake of their lives.

He had loved her, and it wasn’t enough.

Last, was a sudden panic that overcame him like ocean waves.

He tore out of the Manor and searched for her.

But, wherever she had gone, was not a place he could follow.

In his heart, he let bitterness convince him she had crawled back to her family, that she had always planned on tricking him. And despite this falsity - that became truth - Sir Benjamin still loved her.

For ten years, he lived as one might expect a sad, broken-hearted man to live.

Then, came the news that his brother was in debt.

It was not George who wrote him - strong with Merryweather pride - but one Ms. Heliotrope.

Dear Lord Benjamin Merryweather,

If I may introduce myself, I am Jane Heliotrope and am in the service of your brother, Colonel Merryweather -

Colonel Merryweather, Sir Benjamin’s brows lifted in surprise and pride, only to furrow with the rest of the letter.

- Governess to his young daughter, and your niece, Maria Merryweather. It has come to my attention (and Sir, I would like to impart to you that I am no gossip! And quite discourage it in the house, but I digress) -

Benjamin rolled his eyes, annoyed that this woman would choose to blather when there was obvious a great matter to be discussed!

- that the Colonel has found himself indebted to many-an-officer! I know to ask for aid is quite beyond him, as he suffers a great deal from pride, but I believe it would be in his best interest if you reached out a hand, and offered your help.

Ms. Heliotrope continued on for a page and a half, but Sir Benjamin had read the important information and disregarded the (of course, if he had kept reading, he would have received his first update on Maria Merryweather for the first time in years).

Sir Benjamin wrote countless letters, written in anger and love, sometimes offering his brother the funds to pay it all off, or offering his home if he needed a place to return. George never wrote to him, and the next letter he received was to notify him of his brother’s death.

Death, they said, as if he was not murdered! Murdered for his copious amounts of debt.

And, that Sir Benjamin had received custody of Maria.

Joy should not have been his main response from the letter, but one could hardly blame him. After all, he had never met his niece, on account of Moonacre always being on the verge of collapse, he was constantly busy, and never had any time to step away. That, and George had never returned to Moonacre, he had never brought Maria home.

But now, she would be coming home.

Sir Benjamin needed to prepare.

He had sent Digweed to clean the rarely used tower, once a nursery for himself and his brother, he knew it was the perfect place for a budding young woman. He instructed Marmaduke to alter the menu so that it was more fitting to the tastes of a young woman. He had even gone into town to purchase her her own mare.

Then, he anxiously awaited her arrival.

Only, she never arrived.

The De Noirs.

Those bloody De Noirs!

They were the bane of his existence! He despised them! And he would see them all hanged!

Sir Benjamin rode hard and fast to Castle Black, and the Coeur De Noir appeared before him.

Sir Benjamin shivered in disgust, that man was almost his father-in-law.

Sir Benjamin demanded his niece, but just as he thought, the Coeur denied even knowing of her existence, and, surrounded by hundreds of armed men, Sir Benjamin could do naught, but turn away in defeat.

When Sir Benjamin came back to Moonacre Manor, alone and without his young niece, Ms. Heliotrope burst into tears, and shuffled off to her rooms.

Mr. Digweed rubbed his hands together and gave his Lord a questioning look.

“I inspected that wretched place from top to bottom!” Sir Benjamin huffed. “Every door, every nook and cranny! And… She wasn’t there.”

“But Sir!” Mr. Digweed’s eyes widened. “Who else-?”

Sir Benjamin held up a hand. “No one else could have taken her, they must have hidden her somehow.”

“So, what now Sir?”

Sir Benjamin shook his head, “I’m not sure, it may be that there’s nothing to be done-”

“Certainly that must not be true!” Ms. Heliotrope cried out, as she had returned from her rooms, upset with herself for her weakness, and refusing to turn away when her dear Maria was in need. “We could contact the authorities-”

Sir Benjamin scoffed, tucking his fists onto his hip bones. “Ms. Heliotrope, if you may give us a moment? So we can figure this out without your sensibilities getting in the way!”

Ms. Heliotrope gaped at him. “Well, I never-! Tell me, Sir Benjamin, what was your plan! Besides running off without a thought about going blindly off into what sounds like enemy territory! Why, Colonel Merryweather would have never been so foolish!”

She was wrong of course, Colonel Merryweather had been rather foolish, up to the point of his death, which had also been over a foolish matter. However, in her defense, Sir Benjamin was also being quite foolish, as he disregarded her completely rational suggestion. Albeit, what Ms. Heliotrope did not know was there was very little the authorities could do when the De Noirs were involved, for two very practical reasons.

Practical reason number one: the authorities feared the De Noirs. Really, who wouldn’t? The De Noirs did not care about the law, or those who carried them out. Sometimes committing atrocities in front of said authorities.

Reason number two: the De Noirs kept the forest clear of other outlaws and criminals. Truth be told, the De Noirs guarded the forest, and kept it safe better than any policeman could have ever hoped to.

Fear was a strong motivator, a good ally, and a proper reason to stay out of one’s business. Even if that business was illegal.

Nevertheless, Sir Benjamin could not go to the authorities for this matter, as the most he would get would be men too afraid to do the right thing. So really, this was something he had to take into his own hands.

But he wasn’t about to explain that all to Ms. Heliotrope.

“Hmm.” Marmaduke hummed, the fact that he was out of the kitchens at all boasted to the seriousness of the situation.

“‘Hmm’ what?” Sir Benjamin asked tiredly, used to his chef’s meddling and, more often than not, good ideas.

“If they choose to remain unhonorable, perhaps we can try their method.”

Sir Benjamin and Digweed’s eyes met and while Digweed shrugged, Sir Benjamin merely turned back to Marmaduke with a single nod to continue.

“I suggest, in order to get Miss. Merryweather back home, we do not ask, but simply take.” He smiled at them proudly, before: “There is one who has lived her whole life in the castle. One who has it in her blood.”

Sir Benjamin glared at the little magic man. “Loveday? Why- No, I will not ask her for help! Besides, I have no idea where she even is!” He had long since buried his feelings deep down inside of his chest never to be seen or touched by sun or moonlight ever again. All he felt was bitterness and anger.

It was that, or unbearable sadness. Sir Benjamin chose the more manly of the options. So, he crossed his arms and furrowed his brow in a frustrated expression.

To bring her up in a moment such as this!

“I do, sir.” Digweed said, lifting his hand like a young man volunteering for war.

Sir Benjamin’s heart leaped, but he fought it down. Besides, he was quite surprised that Digweed knew where she had ran off too. “Very well then, where is she?”

“In the forest, Sir! And, if you ask nicely, I’m sure she’ll say yes.” Digweed smiled, something close to evil and conniving. In Sir Benjamin’s opinion which was of course wrong.

“I will consider it.”

“Oh!” Ms. Heliotrope scoffed, “Sir Benjamin, surely if this is the only option-!”

“It is not the only option!” Sir Benjamin countered.

“Then give me another!” Ms. Heliotrope put on her best Governess stare, the kind that made the most rowdy of pupils obey. “Then we must contact this woman!” She declared, after Sir Benjamin could not think of another option (and how could he, under such a glare?)

Loveday De Noir, the retired Moon Princess.

One might ask how a Princess could enter retirement, but it was simply a matter of her heart. A Moon Princess was pure-hearted, good, loving, kind, honest; her goals, in addition to breaking the curse, were keeping Peace in the Valley.

This is where many a Moon Princess failed.

No matter what family she came from, no matter how hard she tried, the family feud was always too powerful, and hatred eventually entered her heart.

Loveday in no way hated the Merryweathers as a whole, but she had never been able to offer Sir Benjamin forgiveness. She, like Sir Benjamin, remained bitter and angry, unable to move on from the one who had ripped everything she had ever held dear away from her. And in pettiness, remained in the forest, until her eventual death.

For the first few years, Loveday had been comforted by the silence of the forest. By her animal companions, and the lack of men.

For the middle years, Loveday began to miss her old friends from Castle Black, she began to miss the wonderful food from Moonacre Manor, but she never allowed herself to admit that missed Sir Benjamin.

For the last few years, Loveday gave in to resentment, allowed herself to hate Sir Benjamin (despite how much she still loved him, a feeling that went unacknowledged) and banished the idea that she would be the one to find the Pearls and break the curse.

Loveday worked hard on herself - as one must do when one’s hopes and dreams are shattered so completely - grew used to the solitude, and accepted the fact she would die, forgotten and alone, in the forest with only her rescued pets to mourn her (and eat her remains, most likely).

She plastered a smile on her face, sang her songs, shared stories with her hedgehog, and brushed her hair, as she pretended to be quite well.

Loveday was also not a witch, as she had not been blessed with magic, but she did the very best she could to use Nature’s energy to fulfill her needs. Despite hanging up her Moon Princess crown, Nature still seemed to favor her as a daughter. Loveday had a healing hand, a knowledge of herbs that greatly surpassed what was typically known, and she was apt at dealing with wild animals; she had never once been bitten or scratched.

Loveday had spectacular senses, and while she shouldn’t have, she always knew when someone drew near to her cave.

It was a bit surprising, as most people couldn’t even find her cave, but she pulled her cloak over head and snuck out to the mouth.

“Miss. De Noir! Are you there?”

Loveday rolled her eyes before she removed the hood of her cloak and gave Mr. Digweed a forced smile.

“Mr. Digweed! How are you?” She asked.

The poor man jumped, as he had not seen the woman, hidden in the shadows as she was, and clutched his chest. “Miss. De Noir! A bit of warning, there!”

“I do apologize, my good sir.”

Mr. Digweed cautioned a smile before handing her an envelope. “That’ll be a letter for you, Miss. De Noir!”

She looked at it, forcing her hands to remain at her side rather than take it, as she so wished. “What is that?”

“It's from the master, Miss.” Mr. Digweed bent his head down. “I promise, it shan’t hurt you to read it.”

Loveday very much doubted that, as that was all Sir Benjamin had ever been able to do, but she took the letter. Snatched it from Mr. Digweed’s hand, and turned her back as she broke the wax seal.

“Who is Maria Merryweather?”

☾

Maria set the bowl, empty of strawberries, back on the ground, and brushed her hands clean of any juice.

The room, in the daylight, was nearly white with the layers and layers of dust blanketing it. It was disgusting, and if she knew how to use a broom, she would have asked for one.

Maria took a turn about the room, careful not to touch anything, as it was all so dirty. There were booklined shelves, a vanity - complete with a brush and comb set, as well as a bowl of powder - a wardrobe, and another door.

Maria supposed that there were three doors in total in the room. One that, clearly, led out into the hall, the secret door in the floor, and a small, slim door that, if she had to guess, led to a restroom.

She hoped.

The door, thankful, was unlocked, though it didn’t budge without her ramming her shoulder into the wood. She fell into a cobweb, and sputtered as she tried to spit it out, and scratched at her face to rid herself of the disgusting, sticky mess.

Maria groaned low in her throat as she eyed what must have been the bathtub and toilet. The bath was little more than a hollowed hole in the ground, and she wasn’t quite sure whether or not this medieval castle had plumbing at all.

Maria turned sharply on her heel and slammed the door as best she could behind her. But, that sent another cloud of dust into the air. Maria sneezed, and tried to brush the dust from her dress, only to see how utterly ravaged her travel gown had become.

She stifled a scream, and worried over the dust, webs, dirt, and - oh god - what could only have been stains from the gruel they had tried to feed her, as she came to the conclusion that she needed to change lest she developed a dangerous rash.

Maria crawled at the back of her gown until she dug the bow out of her skirt and untied it. She threw it onto the floor, her bustle joining it not too soon after and she made her way to the wardrobe.

“Oh dear.” Maria grumbled as she looked at the outdated dresses. “Things just keep getting worse, don’t they?”

Maria ran her hands over the various gowns, mostly white or other pale colors, and at least counted herself lucky that there were any dresses there, and that they weren’t all black. The De Noir’s took their name too literally, there was a whole host of colors she could personally introduce them to.

Blue for one.

Maria picked a gown that was the same pale pink of a seashell just as the secret door popped opened.

“Princess-”

Maria sheriked, and shut the wardrobe door on herself. “My word! Is the term knocking unfamiliar?”

Robin lifted himself up onto the floor, so his legs dangled down the tunnel, and he leaned back on his hands, disturbing the dust even more. He had the audacity to smirk at her.

Maria’s hand curled around the door and she peered around it. “Well?”

“Knocking? Sure, and I did, you must not have heard.”

Heavens above, she was going to murder him. “When you come next, please knock loud enough so that the occupants of the room may hear it! Now please leave.”

“I have to take you back.”

“What?” And Maria threw the wardrobe door away from herself, fully revealing her stays and bloomers. “Back where? The cell? I’d rather die.”

“That can be arranged.” He grinned, as he removed his dagger from his belt. “My father is looking for you, and he can’t know you’re in this room. I’ll take you back as soon as we’re done, promise.”

“Do you tend to make a habit of making promises?”

Robin shrugged as he sheathed his dagger. “I’ve kept them, haven’t I?”

Maria crossed her arms and lifted her chin to stare down her nose at him. “You’ve kept one. So far. And it depends on how you look at things, my wrists would consider your promise broken.”

His grin faded and his eyes flashed to her arms, where he could see the fading marks. “You’re not dead, you have all your limbs, and you're not starving.” He shrugged. “Promise kept.”

“So far!” She reminded.

“Well, put your clothes back on.” Robin reached out and grabbed the edge of her skirt before he tossed it to her.

She caught it reflexively, before she threw it to the floor and kicked it. “Absolutely not! I would burn that thing before ever letting it touch my skin again!”

“I think he’ll notice if you’re in nothing but your under things, Princess.”

“I shall wear this.” Maria held up the pink dress. “I’m sure a man like him won’t notice the fact that I’ve changed my dress.”

Robin chuckled, “You’d be surprised about how sharp my father can be.”

“Then I shall lie and tell him he is mistaken.” Maria almost stuck her tongue out at him, but resisted, because that was childish and she was more well-mannered than that.

As Maria pulled the dress over her head, she came across one major issue: it was not made for her. The dress was too long, clearly tailored for a much taller woman, and as tightly as she pulled the strings, it still hung loosely on her ribs.

“Would you like me to-”

“If you touch me, I shall-”

“Alright! No need to get upset.” Robin held his hands up in surrender. “You’re struggling.”

Maria looked towards the heavens, trying to keep her decorum. Yes, she was struggling.

Up to this point, someone had always been there to assist her as she dressed. A maid, or even Ms. Heliotrope at times. She had been warned that the Countryside would not hold these comforts, and she would have to learn how to dress herself.

Maria was a quick learner, and had she been on her own, she would have been able to figure it out.

But, she had an audience, so her hands were timid as they tightened the laces of her bodice. She didn’t want to struggle in front of him, but as he had so kindly pointed out, she was.

“I just- argh! - I can’t tie it.” She huffed in indignation, and stomped her foot against the floor. She let go of the ties in favor of crossing her arms. “But I do not want you to tie it for me!” Maria turned sharply as Robin stood up.

He held up placating hands, as if she were feral, and laughed. “Princess, you’re being ridiculous-”

“I’m being ridiculous!”

“-if you’d just let me help…” He began to walk in a slow circle around her, but she followed him, always facing him. He lunged forward and grabbed her arm.

“Let go of me! You- you-!” She beat her open palm against his arm, but the thick leather cushioned most of the blows.

“Bastard? Bully? Oaf?” He grabbed her wrist before she was able to land another blow. “How about this? You turn around. I tie your strings. And you stop hitting me!”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Maria attempted to tear her hand away, but his hold was firm. “Let go of me.”

“Stop hitting me.” He lifted his brows.

“Fine.” Maria bit her tongue. He let go of her wrist and she hit his chest as soon as he did. “Last one.”

He shook his head, very much struggling not to smile. “Now, turn around.”

Maria pursed her lips. “That- that would hardly be-”

“You can go parading around in your under things, would that be preferable, Princess?”

Maria shook her head, but turned anyway, very much against herself.

“What do I do?”

“For the love of all- A knot! Tie it into a knot!” Maria buried her flushed face in her hands. “It needs to be tight so it won’t come undone.”

She could feel the strings pulling at her back, the bodice tightening around her chest.

Robin, for his part, tried to think of it like his boots. He tied his boots every morning. Double knotted them, tucked the laces in, and went on his way. The main difference was that his boots didn’t have Maria in them.

She had her hair swept over her shoulder, and her back presented to him, the pale pink of her dress just a shade darker than her skin. He wasn’t thinking when he brushed the back of his fingers against her spine.

She inhaled sharply and walked away from him, nearly tripping on the over long hem.

“Th-thank you.” She said, a hand pressed to her heart, in the hope of getting it to calm down. “I’ll be down in just a moment.”

“You don’t want my help-”

“No! No, thank you, I do not require your help any longer.”

Maria looked over her shoulder. Caught him muttering to himself in a seemingly condescending manner, before dragging his feet to the secret entrance and disappearing down below.

Maria breathed in relief once he was gone, before gathering the skirt in her hands. Underneath the hem were two bustle ribbons, which she tied to the small connecting ribbons at her bust. She adjusted the skirt until it laid properly, the hem now falling just above the toe of her boots, and went to meet Robin down in the tunnels.

☾

The Coeur De Noir paced recklessly in front of the empty cell, his guardsmen watching with wide eyed expressions, none brave enough to offer explanation.

“So.” He growled out, his deep voice echoing over the empty hallway. “She has not returned at all?”

“Well, you see sir-”

“It wasn’t our fault!”

“-that’s right! It was your rot-”

The Coeur quirked a brow. “Rotten what?”

The two shaking guards paled and looked close to an early death.

The Coeur rolled his eyes as at their cowardice, what had happened to the De Noir Clan? How had they fallen from some of the worst men (allegedly) in the country to the pathetic sods that couldn’t keep track of one blasted girl.

And the disrespect!

The Coeur De Noir knew the relationship he had with his son was far from stellar, that boy still had a long way to go if he were to make a worthy Coeur for the Clan, but for his own men to insult his blood?

That was unacceptable.

“My rotten son?” He asked, reveling in the way they shrunk. “Perhaps you would like a rotting tongue!”

“Oh! Mercy! Mercy, sire! I meant nothing by it!”

The Coeur sneered, “You meant every word, no doubt! It would be wise to keep your opinions to yourself! Now go! Both of you! I’m tired of your excuses! The next I see your faces, it had better be to inform me that the Moon Princess has been secured!”

The two guards bowed in quick succession before running down the hall, but not before bumping into each other like the blithering idiots they were.

Dulac stepped away from the wall, “Should I find Robin?”

The Coeur began to shake his head, but stopped, as his ears registered two voices coming down the hall.

The sound of laughter.

“I think not!”

Robin was laughing. Robin. A genuine laugh, and not the harsh laugh he forced when a De Noir made a crude joke. It was light and airy, and reminded the Coeur so much of his daughter-

“It’s not poison-”

“I don’t care! You may call it whatever you wish! I will not eat it.” The haughty voice of a Merryweather.

The Coeur met Dulac’s stupefied expression with his own confounded look.

A sharp, feminine gasp, and the Merryweather girl was laughing too. “Stop that right now! Stop-”

Then, the two came around the corner.

The Moon Princess gasped sharply, and her expression of mirth molted to one of fear, before she adopted the stony appearance of forced confidence.

Robin’s hand - which had been at her ribcage - fell sharply to his sides. “Father!” He said, voice wavering.

Ah fuck.

Two.

Two of his children falling for Merryweathers! It was unthinkable! It was dreadful! And of course the Coeur De Noir would be dealt this hand.

The Coeur De Noir knew that Robin didn’t care much for women - not like his little whore of a friend Richard, who flirted with everything that walked and could bat eyelashes - but he recognized flirting when he saw it.

Or at least, the flirting style of a teenaged boy who didn’t know how to flirt properly.

And, when the Coeur looked back at the Moon Princess, he recognized the pale dress she wore.

The Coeur De Noir recognized it because he had been the one to give it to his once beloved daughter for her eighteenth birthday.

“Dulac,” He said at last. “Take some guards and remove the boards across the eastern chamber, it would appear that those chambers have a new occupant.”

“Father-”

The Coeur turned a falcon sharp gaze on his son, and the boy was silenced. “Did our dungeons not suit your tastes, Princess?”

The Moon Princess pursed her lips. “Nothing in this Castle suits my tastes.”

The Coeur bit his tongue to stop himself from smiling. “Robin, I’m giving you and the boys a new duty.”

Robin straightened, his face twitched in agitation, but there would be no punishment. Yet.

“The Princess is not to be left unattended, and as there are four of you, I’m sure you can create an easy rotation.”

Robin’s eyes widened. “Father, what of our other responsibilities-”

“I expect those to be finished as well.” The Coeur turned his back to them and began to walk out of the prison tower, before the Merryweather called out to him.

“You can’t keep me prisoner forever!”

The Coeur De Noir smiled as he glanced over his shoulder. “My dear, I can do whatever I’d like!”

“Maria, wait!” Robin called out, and he heard a muffled scuffle as he walked away, no doubt the girl was attempting to attack him.

At long last, the Coeur allowed himself to laugh.

The De Noir Clan was properly, and royally doomed.

#moonacreweek2023 #tsom #the secret of moonacre #im having so much fun with these #of course this is the last of the prewritten ones #now its time to bust ass #my writing

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