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raz-writes-the-thing · 18 days

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Gaze of the Moon (HOTD One-Shot)

Rhaenyra Targaryen x GN!Reader / requests are open

Summary: You and your wife, the Princess Rhaenyra steal a moment of peace together as you prepare for the coming birth of your child.

Fic type: fluff, romance, reflection

A/N: I had intended for this to be fem!reader x Rhaenyra but it wound up GN. This is also for @hotd-bigbang's March 11th prompt.

HOTD: (send an ask to be added to a tag list!)

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Did you know of that tale?" You asked softly, brushing your wife's hair back behind her ear as she lay against you in the moonlight. "About the second moon who cracked open from the heat of the sun and let the dragons out?"

Your wife let out a deep breath, the back of her skull pressing into your shoulder as she leaned back against you to peer out at the sky- up at the full moon above. She was gorgeous tonight. Radiant, round- both wife and moon.

The silver rays caught in Rhaenyra's loose hair, free tonight from tight braids and silk ribbons. The way you knew she preferred it. She'd been a wild child who'd grown into a proper lady, though you knew she yearned for the freedom of manhood. If she were a man, things would be easier. You both knew this but didn't care to dwell on it. There was no changing what was.

Rhaenyra hummed, eyes catching in the moon's gaze.

"I'm sure I remember my father telling me such a story once," she affirmed softly, lip twitching ever-so-slightly into the ghost of a smile. Your wife spent so much time stone-faced under the watchful eyes of the court vultures that even in the privacy of your own quarters she sometimes had trouble letting the cracks through. You treasured each of them like jewels as they deserved to be. "I used to stay up late into the eve and watch the moon- waiting for her to split and for the night to grow dark save for the fire of dragon's breath,' she admitted, eyes drawing closed as she thought on the memories.

"Perhaps one day, my dear wife," you said, pressing a kiss to her head before allowing your own to lean back against the cold, stone wall behind you. "Tell me, what is High Valyrian for 'moon'?"

You'd been learning her family's language for some time now, and you were certainly getting there. It was just that you preferred to hear the words from Rhaenyra's tongue. And truly, who could blame you when her voice had such royal lilt? Her voice was a balm for the mind. Or your mind, at the very least. You could listen to her speak for an age and then some.

"Hūra," Rhaenyra replied, a soft knowing smirk on her lips. You repeated it back to her, testing the syllables on your tongue. You liked the way it sounded, the way it felt. You reached a hand around her to brush over her swollen belly, round with child.

"If we have a daughter," you said thoughtfully, "Hūra is a nice name, do you not think?" Your fingers danced over her belly, and you both let out a laugh when you felt the babe kick from within her. Rhaenyra's hand joined yours, squeezing comfortingly. You hastily added, "It is not a traditional name, but I like it."

"Princess Hūra Targaryen," Rhaenrya breathed, opening her eyes to peer at her belly. "It does have a ring to it," she agreed, "and if the little one's restlessness is anything to speak of, the babe likes it, too."

You both lapsed into silence for a while, enjoying the light of the moon, the glint of the stars and the sounds of the night. It was quiet at this hour. Your favourite hour. What else could you possibly want for than this? A loving wife in your arms, a babe on the way, a flask of wine to share and the gaze of the moon on you?

"I suppose it is only fair you get to name one of our children," she said after a while. You'd almost thought her asleep in your arms with how quiet she'd been. "Why not the first. Get it out of the way, hmm?" She teased. "What if the babe is a boy?"

You chuckled softly, flicking at her arm in reply to her jape.

"Thank you, wife. Your generosity knows no bounds. I do not think the bairn is a boy, but if he is, I am quite fond of Vēzos. Best keep with the theme."

"One has to wonder where this sudden passion for celestial names has come from, my love," Rhaenyra mused. "Perhaps we will have twins. The Maester did say it was a possibility. Hūna and Vēzos. Moon and Sun-" Rhaenyra shifted uncomfortably as the babe wriggled under her skin. "I like it."

"Strong names," you added, brushing your fingers through her hair softly, aiming to detangle the few knots that caught in your fingers. "Compassionate names. Perfect for bairns destined for greatness."

You suddenly found yourself hoping for twins. A boy and a girl. Siblings to grow up together and protect each other from the horrors that lay dormant in the realm. You could picture them, age three or perhaps four, playing hide and seek in the gardens. Ages ten and four by their mothers' side on the throne. Ages nine and ten crowned joint heirs to the throne. Ages four and thirty sitting side by side on the throne. Ruling, together. Sun and Moon, over their kingdom. Their birth-right. Protecting each other and keeping each other in check. What was best for the kingdom.

The thought filled you with pride. Oh, yes, you hoped for twins. It wouldn't be long now until Rhaenyra was due. Within a month, most likely. It was part of the reason you both were staying up late at night and enjoying the peace. Once Rhaenyra commenced and completed her labours, there wouldn't be much room for peace and quiet.

And yet, you couldn't wait. You didn't like the thought of your lady-wife in pain, but the thought of your quiet chambers filled with the sounds of a babe or two growing big and strong was perhaps motivating enough for you to bear the thought of her pain. You'd be by her side no matter what, of course. Fuck the Maesters and midwives. This was your wife, your babe. You would be there to support her until she asked you to leave.

"We should retire to bed," Rhaenyra broke your thoughts as she began shifting to stand. "We both need our rest for the day to come. I believe we are making arrangements for catering after the birth."

Ah, yes. The feast the King was insisting upon for the birth of his Grand-Sire. As the birth grew closer, more plans needed to be set. Catering, colours, floral arrangements, gifts for the babe. So many things that Rhaenyra and yourself were set to arrange. You may have enjoyed setting the festivities up, but Rhaenyra would be more than happy to sit out if she could.

You hadn't told Rhaenyra yet, but you'd made arrangements with the cooks to send for the ingredients to make Rhaenyra's favourite sweets. Ones she had not had since she were near a babe herself. The rest of the food, however, you both needed to settle on. A job for tomorrow, quite clearly.

You supported her as she stood, following behind. You stretched out the muscles in your arms and legs, creaking with complaint. You could only imagine how Rhaenyra felt. You left the balcony door open to the bedchambers as you helped your wife shift out of her gown.

Once she was settled into the sheets, Rhaenyra let out a sigh of relief. The bed took the weight off her body and allowed her to settle in. You followed, pressing up against her back to keep her warm against the slight chill of the night.

Rhaenyra took your hand and rested it against her belly. You felt any of your remaining troubles melt away for the moment and pressed a kiss to the back of Rhaenyra's neck.

"Good night, my love," you whispered softly, rubbing your thumb over the silky material of her nightdress. "Sleep well, little one."

You drifted off to the sound of Rhaenyra's soft breathing and the quiet chatter of insects out in the gardens below your balcony, dreaming of the bairns to come, and a life well lived.

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monshawolbebe · 6 months

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Mention others in the tag :)

#polls #kpop polls #wayv #nct #shinee #the rose #monsta x #infinite #got7 #ikon #btob #exo #blockb #nuest #kpop

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lihhelsing · 3 months

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Ali's Masterpost

Welcome to my masterpost! Nice to see you ❤️

Where to find me?

twitter and ao3

My Tumblr prompts, microfics and ficlets are here.

On-Going Fics

you're under my skin (burning in my bloodstream)

steddie | rockstar au | explicit | 40k+ | 3/7

Read it Here Steve's not sure why he keeps betting on things with Robin when he knows he's going to lose. Except this time the bet ends up with him getting his nipple pierced and it seems like the guy who's about to run a needle through his skin is hotter than Steve expected and he's having trouble keeping it together. But after a charged first encounter, Steve has no way to get in touch with Eddie and thinks he lost his chance until he runs into him in the most unexpected of places and finds out Eddie is a lot more than Steve initially thought. OR; Eddie gives Steve a piercing and Steve is clueless about his true identity.

If I fall for you, I'll never recover

steddie | supernatural elements | explicit | 30k+ | 7/10

Read it Here Befriending Dustin Henderson and the party come with the added bonus of weekly family dinners at Steve Harrington's house, of all people. Eddie expects him to be a jerk but he is not. He's actually... Nice? It's a shock for him, too All of a sudden, it's like Steve is everywhere. It's like Eddie fits in with them in a way he never did before, and it feels nice, even if Steve is super territorial about the people he cares about. Eddie just didn't think he would ever be one of them. He also didn't think he would care so much about Steve. On some nights he even thinks this crush of his might be something else. Something that dangerously looks like love.

Completed fics under the cut

Steve Harrington's (not so) Secret Advent Calendar

steddie | christmas themed | explicit | 19k | One-Shot

Read It Here What do you mean friends don’t make friends super elaborated Advent Calendars just for the sake of it? Or; Eddie and Steve had been fooling around for a year when Steve decided it was time to make a move and make things official in the form of 24 presents right before Christmas.

To-Do: Eddie Munson

steddie | Modern AU | explicit | 14k | 4/4

Read it Here Steve started sending his to-do lists to famous rockstar Eddie Munson as sort of an inside joke. It wasn't like Eddie would ever look at the DMs from a no-one called Steve Harrington. Right? Or; Steve's been using Eddie Munson's DMs as his personal notes up until the day Eddie actually replies to him.

The World Ends With You

Read it Here After the world ended and the undead creatures were everywhere, Steve Harrington survived by isolating himself. Completely alone in a house, he barely knows what to do when someone breaks in. Injured and alone, Eddie Munson slowly wins Steve’s trust as they navigate surviving together in the middle of the Apocalypse and their relationship grows into something Steve can’t quite understand. But just as he has his share of secrets, Eddie has some of his own and this might be enough to get in the way of whatever they were building together.

Just a Lost Boy (not ready to be found)

steddie | Stripper AU | Explicit | 90k | 12/12

Read it Here Steve desperately needed an out. He couldn't handle his own life anymore, he needed to leave everything he'd ever known behind. And yet, he couldn't. His husband wouldn't let him leave like that. Not when Steve felt like a prize to him, something to be owned. And Steve didn't have the money to leave him because he'd been dumb and trusting and in love. And then, there's Eddie. Who might be just another client but he makes Steve feels things and Steve doesn't want to fucking feel anything right now. He just wants to leave. OR; Stripper Steve meets Eddie at work and Eddie can be precisely what Steve needs. Can offer him the chance of leaving his own life behind, if Steve plays his cards right.

#masterpost #steddie #steddie fic #masterlist #Ali's stuff

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in-a-mountain-pool · 5 months

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The Dragon Boy - Chapter One

Aemond x Fem!Dragonseed OC Kaelys Waters

pronouns: She/her (afab)

rating: Teen and Up Audiences

warnings: Angst, Romance, Major Character Death

word count: ~3600+

summary: Chaos unfolds after the battle at the Gods Eye. After his defeat, Prince Aemond Targaryen is declared dead, laying at the bottom of the great lake. Upon hearing the news, Kaelys Waters, a Dragonseed from Aemond’s past defects from the Blacks, and stumbles upon a mysterious enigmatic dragon with a broken wing. Tending to its wounds and reminiscing of her childhood infatuation, she mourns the passing of the Prince Regent. Love deepens amid a whirlwind of emotions, culminating in a heart-warming tale of love transcending magic and curses, uniting two souls against all odds.

Originally posted on AO3

A/N: Hi everyone! Here it is, this is my submission for @hotd-bigbang! I'd like to give a huge thank you to @ewanmitchellcrumbs for putting together this wonderful event, and for being so understanding of my chaotic writing process! It was an absolute pleasure getting to work with @cyeco13 , who has produced some of the most gorgeous artwork for this story (I literally teared up opening her messages!), thank you so much for capturing Aemond and Kaelys so perfectly.

Thanks for reading! To begin with, this was intended to be a one-shot but due to some circumstances beyond my control, I have decided to break it up into two chapters. Chapter two will be posted this time next week!

As always likes, reblogs and comments are not a requirement, but lovely to come online to.

The nights were cold in the Dragonpit, without the loving embrace of a mother or a father to shield you from the harsh land of Westeros, where frigid winds would pierce through like icy daggers. You had been there as long as you could remember, your earliest memories buried under years of neglect, left outside the pit in nothing but a tattered moth-eaten shawl. In a twist of fate, the Dragonkeepers had taken you under their wing, the first girl in history to be welcomed into the ancient order of guards.

You, a nameless orphan, were christened Kaelys, and raised as their own. But life had been hard and food scarce. Amidst crumbling stones of the pit, life was a relentless test of your mettle, a crucible of endurance. As the only girl, the other boys of the order would revel in their power and torment you relentlessly. They were the bane of your life, their taunts and physical assaults a painful reminder of the harsh realities that defined your existence.

In the dead of night, when the hunger had finally become unbearable, on stumbling feet you’d crept into the Red Keep, hugging the stone walls, searching for a scrap of whatever you could find. Within the fortress, an eerie stillness reigned supreme, a collective hush falling over the walls as if a great secret dwelled inside. Company was sparse this late at night, save for the sporadic appearance of a Goldcloak on patrol. During your tutelage you had mastered the art of silence, moving with a grace so profound that even the most vigilant of men might mistake you for a shadow in the night. You’d had to, growing up around the majestic and terrible beasts of the House Targaryen.

The only light you had seen in the imposing halls had been a small crack under a great set of wooden doors and the smell of old parchment. Curiosity got the better of you, and you gently pushed forward to take a peek…

Inside was a small boy with silver hair, a boy you recognised…

It was him.

The boy without a dragon.

Prince Aemond Targaryen.

When the door creaked your heart froze as the child whipped his head around with an almost otherworldly reflex.

Aemond stared at you for a moment, his head tilted over slightly to the side. The boy's violet eyes held a quiet curiosity, gazing at you in the same manner you’d seen him study the dragons inside the pit.

In a small yet commanding voice, he called out to you, standing up slowly from his solar.

“... Who goes there…? What might your name be, girl?”

Not a word left your lips, your face panic-stricken and pale as the moonlight creeping through the bay windows of the library.

A quiet but exasperated huff left his cat-like mouth, and a look of dissatisfaction decorated his delicate features.

“That’s not very polite, is it? You should at least tell me your name. I promise, I won’t tell on you.”

Aemond attempted to make eye contact with you to no avail, met with a wall of silence. A soft scowl fell over his face, like he’d perhaps thought something might be wrong with you. Or like you were a puzzle that he wished to solve.

Finding your courage you shifted out of the shadows, eyes searching the halls around you for the slightest movement in the dark.

“... Kaelys, My Prince. ‘My name is Kaelys.” You croak out in a pathetic tone, giving a rather poor curtsey, copying the movements you’d seen his sister, the Princess Helaena practice to the knights at the tourney months earlier.

You wobble slightly as you ascend from the floor, the scrap of your dress hem catching under your sandaled foot.

The boy smiled and chuckled before you, nodding with a little grin like he’d finally made some progress. His curiosities were still present as he beckoned you into the warm library and eagerly offered you a seat beside him.

“Well, good evening, Kaelys. … Why, if I might ask, are you here in the Keep, all alone?” Aemond whispered, leaning forward to inspect you.

“... ‘was hungry, my Prince. P-please, don’t call the guards. I’ll leave quietly. Quiet as a mouse! ‘Won’t even know I was ‘ere!” You uttered fearfully, your hazel eyes locked to his, begging him silently.

Lilac eyes widened and peered into yours once more.

“Hungry…?” Aemond asked, like such a thing was unthinkable to him, brought up amongst such riches. After a moment, his eyes fluttered and his bottom lip trembled.

“I won’t call anyone. No Guards. C-Come with me.” Aemond extended a pale shaking hand to you, waiting for you to take it.

“T-The kitchens should have some supper for you. I’d certainly be more comfortable with you not being out here… all alone in these halls.”

“Kitchens?! I- can’t! If I’m seen there I’ll get the lashing of a lifetime!” You whispered frantically, staring down at the boy’s hand, elegant fingers reaching out to you.

How could you touch him? It felt wrong when you were so grubby and dirty, to mar something so fair and beautiful as him, like you might leave an immovable stain on his perfect skin.

The words tumbled out in a way most unnatural to you. What was it about this boy, a Prince no less, that made you feel you could trust him? You seldom ever spoke, not even to your mentors. You had only ever felt safe with your dragons.

“T'aint proper. The Dragonkeepers stay in the pit. We eat in the pit. Sleep in the pit. I’m… not a Lady. Not Royalty.” You mumble, gesturing to him and looking down at his velvet boots next to your dirty feet, remembering your place.

Not once did he ever lower his hand, almost as if he was trying to tame you like a wild animal, like one of his family’s dragons in the pit. He approached you with caution, but with an unmistakable respect and patience that made your heart anxious.

“Kaelys…? Do you have any place to rest your head at night?” Aemond questioned you in a gentle tone, peering into your tired eyes. “Does someone look after you?”

“Mother and Father are dead. Left me outside the Keep. Dragonkeepers feed me, but… we’re often hungry.”

Aemond seemed stunned into silence. The realisation that the tiny girl in front of him, of no more than 12 years, was alone. Truly alone. The longer he was silent, the more uncomfortable he became. The thought that a girl, so young and vulnerable, had already lost everything she’d ever had or could ever hope to own. She’d never really had a chance, and it just wasn't right.

The boy straightened up and stood taller, a determined resolute look in his pointed features.

“You’re coming with me. And before you say another word, I’m not going to tell on you. In fact, I won’t tell anyone. Not a soul.” His tone had changed, much softer and caring than it had been moments before.

You had heard stories about the young prince. He was lonely, and studious, the polar opposite of his raucous brother, Aegon. Perhaps he had just wanted a friend? Underneath the silver hair and the riches of his house, he was a lanky sort of boy, on the cusp of something greater than himself. So unsure, and so desperate to connect.

Ever so cautiously, you reached out to take his hand in yours. Next to him, your hand looked so careworn and grubby, unworthy. He saw the dirt under your fingernails, and the weeks of grime on your dress, yet he never faltered in his grip as he discreetly led you deeper into the Keep along lonely corridors to his chambers.

Once inside you couldn’t believe your eyes. You’d never seen such grandeur, the table filled with foods from all over Westeros, and all for the supper of one boy. There were meats piled high, roasted beef and potatoes, boiled vegetables and breads. Decadent sweets glistened in the candlelight, with mounds of delicate lemoncakes, sugared biscuits and candied fruits.

His room was filled with treasures and trinkets from all over Westeros and Essos. A dothraki sword adorned the wall above his bed, and a coin collection was scattered across his bed, with gold, silver and coppers of all shapes and sizes dotted about like stars upon his midnight blue blankets. Large shells almost as big as your head decorated a large desk near the balcony desk. You’d later discover they had been taken from a bay in Volantis by his Father, and he’d been drawing them in a notepad. Marble carved dragons were placed in order of size along his mantle, with random shards of dragon glass decorating his chaotic but organised desk. But best of all was a worn plush of Balerion the Black Dread, shoved underneath his pillow, sewn by his wet nurse when he was a child.

As Aemond stepped inside, he reluctantly set down your hand, keeping a gentle eye on your expression. Your eyes were wide with wonder taking in the lavish food he readily offered you like it was nothing.

“... D-Don’t worry, Kaelys. That food is mine, mine to give you. Made by the finest cooks in the Keep.” Stumbling a little, he stepped behind you, and it took you a moment to realise that he intended to pull a chair for you to sit on.

Almost like he would a real Lady.

“Here. We- we can eat together, if you like? Like friends do.”

Slowly he started to make up a generous plate for you, with a selection of meats and vegetables to give you back your strength. With a shaking hand, he placed it in front of you, nodding and digging into his own.

Through a mouthful of food you finally start to speak once more, stealing timid glances at the young Prince..

“... Friends? D- Do you have many friends… that you play with?”

A heavy silence fell upon the room as the boy drew into himself for a long while, the only noises the clatter of silverware and the late drafts of the night. Aemond spoke in a careful manner as to try to not let his feelings betray him. His voice began to break and the awkwardness began to seep out of him, reminding you he was just an adolescent boy, with the weight of a dynasty upon his shoulders.

“No… I rather suppose I don’t. In truth, It is… hard for me to make them.”

You felt a deep need to reach out and support him, or to at least make him feel less alone, the boy who’d let you into his world.

“Me too. I don't have any friends neither.” You whisper, brushing the pad of your index finger against the back of his hand… And then rather unexpectedly, Aemond laughed, making you retreat once more.

“Either… You don't have any friends, either.” He chuckled again, covering his cat-like smirk with his fingers.

Sensing your displeasure and discomfort he gave you a soft look and pushed a lemon cake towards your plate, resting his chin on his hand as he studied you. He watched you for a while, as you picked at the crystallised peel in awe, giggling when your face puckered at the foreign sour sensation of the citrus in your cheeks.

Your eyes danced around the room as you ate, falling upon the small collection of little wooden knights left haphazardly before the roaring fire. You didn’t have any toys. You hadn’t ever been allowed to be a child.

“Would you- would you like to play with them? I can teach you all about my knights!”

Aemond's face lit up with unabashed excitement, youthful enthusiasm radiating from his every pore as he eagerly settled onto the floor beside the knights. In that moment, his age became evident in the meticulous grace with which he handled the toys, delicately extending them towards her, all the while tenderly bestowing each with a name. The boy spoke passionately, more animatedly than she had ever seen him in the dragon pit.

“This here is Aegon the Conqueror. Do you see? Each knight has their own dragon, and they ride together into war.”

As Aemond rambled on passionately , you couldn't help but find yourself joining him there in the warmth of the fire, legs crossed and shyly tracing the beautiful handmade figurines like they were made of glass.

“... She is beautiful. The big one.” You gesture bashfully, a rare smile gracing your face as he offers you the wooden toy. “... Vhagar.”

Aemond’s eyes widened, aglow with an innocence and wonder only a child’s eyes could muster.

“Yes! You know of Vhagar? And do you know why she is so special?

“She’s the oldest dragon in the whole world.” You say almost instantly, staring at the wooden dragon in admiration. “She was Queen Visenya’s dragon.”

Aemond’s eyes flickered with a glimmer of surprise, as if your knowledge of Vhagar had caught him off-guard.

“Yes, she was!” He admitted, his words imbued with a quiet reverence. “She still soars above our world to this day, a testament to her indomitable spirit. And, you know, one day, I’m going to be the one to mount her and take to the skies.”

Aemond'sAemonds gaze fixed on you, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, as if he had entrusted you with a treasure trove of secrets known only to a select few.

“... Do you want to know another secret?” The boy asked with a small grin on his face, handing you yet another dragon.

Aemond drew in a deep breath, and his face lit up with a soft blush as he spoke the next words.

"I have a special wish, you know," he confided, his eyes locked onto Kaelys, eager to gauge her response. A hint of uncertainty lingered in his gaze, but his sincerity shone through.

"I want more than just a dragon, Kaelys. I want you to be my best friend."

And with that declaration, a unique bond was sealed. From that day forward, together you had embarked on clandestine adventures within the labyrinthine walls of the Red Keep, where you uncovered hidden nooks to play and whisper secrets to one another. Conversations had spanned countless hours, a symphony of dragon tales, and epic tales of knights and princesses that seemed to breathe life into the ancient stones of the castle and the dragon pit.

In each other, you had found your first and only true friends, kindred spirits divided by society. And when he’d finally claimed Vhagar, she had become your whole life, bringing you both even closer together.

He’d shown you what it meant to have a family.

… But if only you had known then, the horrors that would soon come to pass, dressed in colours of green, gold and black.

War had come to Westeros.

It had felt like the end of days, a tragedy painted with vicious strokes of fire and blood. The very ground beneath your feet had shaken, the winds had howled as dragons danced above the skies of the Riverlands in violent flashes of greens and reds, and clashes of razor sharp teeth. Brothers and sisters rode into war for a cause that no longer made sense, as kin marched upon kin, and dragons raged against dragons. History was dying, old magic was fading, all because one man, one King, had made a choice born from love.

But how could love ever endure in a world such as this? How could you fight for a Queen who ordered the death of an innocent child? Or a King that paraded the head of such a gracious beast as Meleys through the streets of Flea Bottom? How could hope live on here at the end of all things, where flames paint the skies, and babes were torn from their mother's arms?

… Helaena’s arms.

Since you’d heard the news from the other Dragonseeds’ on the battlefield you wouldn’t dare speak his name out loud. Bile would rise in your throat at the mere mention of him, the One-Eyed Prince, the Kinslayer, all of these names they’d given him, to the boy with violet eyes who’d captured your heart all those years ago.

He had met with his Uncle, your Mentor, above the God’s Eye only a week before. The village folk spoke of a fierce battle, with dragonfire so hot and so ferocious it was like the sky itself had been set aflame, and the Doom of Valyria had raged once more. The two beautiful beasts were said to have torn each other apart, Caraxes the Blood Wyrm sinking her teeth into Vhagar’s neck, before being disembowelled and crashing into the great lake below.

He, had always been so careful, even as a child, it was no wonder he’d chained himself so securely to the saddle. Daemon had known this and used it to his advantage. It had been you who had told Daemon so, you who had taught him how to tie the chains to keep him safe. Neither man nor dragon could have survived such a fall. Even a Targaryen Prince.

And now he was gone, it had felt like you might as well have drowned with him there in the God’s Eye. When your tears had fallen, you had insisted you had cried for Daemon, though the others who truly knew you had known better.

The smell of the summer flowers in the Godswood had filled your dreams, the sounds of children’s laughter, the warmth of his hand in yours. Braiding hair as white as snow, the flash of lilac in the candlelight of the Red Keep at night. Since you’d departed for Harenhal as a Dragonseed of the Black’s, you’d carried a piece of him in the pocket of your riding jacket, a small wooden carving of Vhagar he’d had made just for you. Every night you’d gripped it tight and wept for the loss of her… and her rider.

For you, the war was over. There was nothing left to fight for.

No one left to protect.

Under the moonlit sky, you rode through the darkness, leaving behind the tumultuous Black's encampment. The biting cold couldn't compare to the numbness that gripped your heart. The horse beneath you felt unfamiliar, its warmth offering no solace compared to the fiery passion and adventure that once accompanied your dragon, Bhaesys.

The battlefield had claimed her, just as it had claimed Vhagar and him.

Daemon, the architect of destruction, had torn apart not only your dragon but also your life, leaving the House of the Dragon in ruins and the land scarred with suffering.

With no clear destination in mind, you rode relentlessly for nearly a month, only to find yourself at the God's Eye. The vast expanse of tranquil waters reflected the sun's rays, masking the grim reality that all was not well in the world. Despite its majestic appearance, the God's Eye was a tomb, a silent witness to the ravages of war.

It became evident that you couldn't bear the weight any longer—the months of conflict, the years of hardship and camaraderie. Your love for him hit you with an intensity that felt like a physical blow to the gut.

He was gone, forever.

The memories flooded your mind—the sound of his voice, the echoes of laughter in the Red Keep's libraries, the sparkle in his violet eyes as you soared through the skies together.

Violent screams, unrecognisable even to yourself, reverberated across the still lake. Tears streamed down your face as you collapsed to your knees at the water's edge. Nettle's words echoed like a death knell, the cruel truth seeping into your soul:

"They couldn't retrieve a body."

He would never receive the burial befitting his noble lineage, never rest in the Great Sept with his ancestors.

Clutching the small wooden carving of Vhagar, you gripped it so tightly that it pierced your skin. Anything to distract from the sharp, agonising emptiness in your chest. The God's Eye, once a place of beauty, now mirrored the desolation within you—a stark reminder of the irreparable loss that had befallen your world.

It was night before you could wretch yourself away from the water’s edge, taking refuge in a large cave in the woods nearby, overlooking the Isle of Faces. Stepping into its deep interior, you were met with a pervasive dampness and bitter cold that clung to the air, accompanied by a low, wispy draft that whispered tales of undiscovered mysteries, cautioning against the disturbance of ancient stones better left untouched.

Guided by an inexplicable force that seemed to emanate from the recesses of your very heart, your feet carried you further into the cavern's depths. The very essence of the cave resonated with age and magic, invoking echoes of legends that spoke of the Children of the Forest and ancient tales of the First Men that had woven themselves into the fabric of these lands.

As you delved deeper, the surroundings cloaked you in an intensifying darkness, each step marked by the crumbling of wet gravel beneath your feet. Until suddenly, a strange warmth in the air began to prickle at your skin, humid and dank in a way that clung to you.

This was no ordinary hollow.

The pervading silence, almost otherworldly in its nature, gave way to an unsettling deep rumbling that resonated through the core of the earth beneath your feet. Turning a corner, the growling intensified, growing deeper and louder until a sudden realisation dawned upon you - a recognition etched in the core of your being.

The feeling was unmistakable, a sensation so familiar to you from a lifetime spent in the depths of the Dragon Pit.

Awe and trepidation mingled as the truth unfolded…

You stood in the majestic presence of a dragon.

#aemond targaryen #Aemond x oc #aemond targaryen x oc #fics by me #hotd #hotd fanfiction #house of the dragon #house of the dragon fanfiction #hotd angst #ewan mitchell #Aemond Targaryen x You

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hermesmyplatonicbeloved · 3 months

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Ongoing Fandom Events

Idk about you guys, but finding PJO events to participate in is hard. Here are a few, happening on tumblr and/or ao3. Feel free to participate, or just enjoy the fanworks! Also feel free to check out @/pjobulletinboard for events I might've missed.

Last Updated Feb 4th, 2024. I'm updating this post regularly, so make sure and view the original post on my blog for the most recent updates.

Edit: If you know of an event and want to add it to this list, send me an ask with the link or tumblr blog tag.

9 - 2024 Events:

Rare Love of Olympus @/percabeth4life

Date: Jan 8-12, 2024 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Rare pairs (any ship with less than 100 fanworks on ao3), open to both platonic and romantic relationships Other Criteria: No min/max wordcount

Spring Squinox Gift Exchange @/percyjacksongiftexchange

Date: Feb 16th-March 19th, 2024 Type: Exchange Ships/Characters: Any Other Criteria: Min 1000 words. No max wordcount. All fics must be completed by deadline.

PJO Equinox-Solstice Exchange @/pjo-equinox-solstice-exchange

Date: Jan 22-March 24, 2024 Type: Exchange Ships/Characters: Any Other Criteria: no NSFW, min 1000 words for fic or 1 drawing for artists etc. (see post for details)

Jasico Bingo Challenge: Valentines's Day @/jasico-challenge

Date: Feb 2024 Type: Bingo Ships/Characters: Jason Grace/Nico di Anglo Other Criteria: No min/max wordcount. NSFW allowed.

Febuwhump 2024 (multi-fandom) @/febuwhump

Date: Feb 2024 Type: Month long prompt event (29 prompts for 29 days) Ships/Characters: Any Other Criteria: NSFW is allowed. Prompts should be answered in the form of whump.

PJO/HoO Big Bang, Summer 2024 (unconfirmed) @/pjo-hoo-bigbang

Date: Summer 2024 Type: Big Bang Ships/Characters: Any Other Criteria: No NSFW. Min 8k for one-shots and 20k for multi-chaptered fics. No max wordcount.

Hades/Percy Fest @/hadesxpercy-events

Date: May 26-June 1, 2024 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Percy Jackson/Hades and Percy Jackson/Hades/Persephone. Other Criteria: NSFW allowed. No min/max word count. See post for more details.

Polympians Event @/takaraphoenix

Date: May 28-June 21, 2024 Type: Fest (14 prompts for 28 days) Ships/Characters: Percy Jackson/Any god. Rare pairs welcomed. Other Criteria: No min/max word count. NSFW and SFW allowed.

Percico/Nicercy Fest Week @/percico-nicercy-events

Date: August 18-24, 2024 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Percy Jackson/Nico di Angelo Other Criteria: No min/max wordcount.

16 - 2023 Events (Possibly Re-Occurring):

Lavinia Asimov Week @/oranglesswrld

Date: Feb 28-March 6, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Lavinia Asimov Other Criteria: Include Lavinia's Jewish heritage, any fanwork type is welcomed.

The Trials of Apollo - A Mini Bang @/toa-minibang

Date: March 19 - August 31, 2023 Type: Bang Ships/Characters: Any from TOA (?) Other Criteria: Join discord server (on the post) for more details.

Riordanverse Flash Fic Fridays @/drewtanakaweek

Dates: March 24, March 31, April 7, April 14, May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2 Type: Flash Fiction Ships/Characters: Any Other Criteria: No min/max word count.

ToApril 2023 @/plumblossom37

Date: April 2023 Type: Month long prompt event (1 prompt per day) Characters/Ships: Apollo, Meg. Other Criteria: no NSFW. Keep it toa-related.

Seafam Mermay 2023 @/seafamblr

Date: May 2023 Type: Month long prompt event (1 prompt per day) Ships/Characters: Percy Jackson, Poseidon, Tyson, Amphitrite, Triton, Kymopoleia etc. Other Criteria: No min/max word count.

Percy's DILFs Week @/percys-tits

Date: May 30 - June 5, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Percy Jackson/any father character. Criteria: SFW and NSFW welcomed.

Odyssey of Percy @/stucksolangelo

Date: June 2023 Type: Month long prompt event (2 prompts per week) Ships/Characters: Percy Jackson/Any (crack ships encouraged) Other Criteria: Min 100 words a week. No max word count.

Solangelo Week 2023 @/solangeloweek

Date: June 18-24, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Will Solace/Nico di Angelo Other Criteria: Any type of fanwork accepted.

Sapphic Summer Riordanverse 2023 @/sapphic-summer-riordanverse-2023

Date: June 28-24, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Any F/F ships. Other Criteria: No min/max wordcount.

Perpollo Week 2023 @/perpollo

Date: July 9-15, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Percy Jackson/Apollo Other Criteria: No min/max word count.

Riordanverse Rarepair Week @/them-awesome-rarepairs

Date: Aug 20-27, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Any rarepair, or canon pairing that's not endgame. Other Criteria: no NSFW, respect the characters canon sexualities, more details on post.

This or That @/chbnet

Date: September 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Percy or Annabeth, Camp Halfblood or Camp Jupiter, Percabeth or Solangelo, Gods or Heroes, Thalia or Percy or Nico Other Criteria: No min/max word count.

Seafam Week October 1-7, 2023 @/seafamblr

Date: Oct 1-7, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Percy Jackson, Poseidon, Tyson, Amphitrite, Triton, Kymopoleia etc. Other Criteria: No min/max word count.

Drew Tanaka Week @/drewtanakaweek

Date: Oct 22-28, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Drew Tanaka/Any Other Criteria: No min/max word count.

PJO Gift Exchange 2023 @/rrverseummerbang

Date: Oct 24-Dec 30, 2023 Type: Exchange Ships/Characters: Any Other Criteria: no NSFW, min 1000 words, for art 1 finished polished piece.

Twelve Days of Nicercy Christmas @/percico-nicercy-events

Date: Dec 14-25, 2023 Type: Fest Ships/Characters: Nico di Angelo/Percy Jackson Other Criteria: No min/max word count.

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ripdragonbeans · 6 months

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Look At Me // modern!Aegon x roommate/best friend!reader

I have a fic teaser for you all!!!!

Ngl super proud of myself for writing this, longest one shot I've done and I really like it 🙈

Pairing artwork that will be released with the fic is done by the beautiful @ewanmitchellcrumbs

WARNINGS: voyeurism, oral (f and m receiving), unprotected p i v, angst, physical violence

Worry pierced through your head. The door was unlocked so Aegon had to be here, right? You paced across the hall, keeping your steps as silent as possible when you arrived at Aegon's door. Pressing your ear against the door, hoping to idly eavesdrop into a conversation, yet all you could gather was silence from the other side. "Aegon?" You enquired through the wooden shield of the door. "Aegon, are you in there?" Now ardently knocking on the door a little harder than you should. "Aegon, please! Please tell me -" The door swung open to reveal a pissed off woman clad only in a matching set of lace underwear.

Coming to @hotd-bigbang November '23!!!

#bean speaks #bean fic #hotd big bang

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just-some-random-blogger · 9 months

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kpop masterlist

🍓 = fluff themes

❄️ = angst themes

🚧 = smut themes

🤸‍♀️ = slice of life / bish idek what theme this is

🚀 = crack fic themes

🎩 = dark and/or violent themes

🏩 = genre fic, i.e. mystery, horror, fantasy, etc

🍳 = slow burn

🦕 = personal favorite

back to main masterlist

A.C.E.

Memory | 🍓❄️🦕 Kim Byeongkwan x Reader + Park Junhee x Reader (University AU) [Blurb]

Ateez

Only One | 🍓❄️❄️❄️🍳🦕 CEO!Choi San x Reader

BigBang

It’s An Act [WBU I] | ❄️ Choi Seunghyun (TOP) x Reader

Smoke | 🍓🤸‍♀️ Choi Seunghyun (TOP) x Reader

BTS

Runaway | 🍓❄️🏩 Mafia!Kim Seokjin (Jin) x Reader (Mafia AU) Preview 1 2 3 4 x

Mah Boyfriend | 🍓🍓🤸‍♀️🦕 Jung Jungkook x Idol!Reader

BTOB

Hidden Heart | 🍓🍓🍓🤸‍♀️🚀🍳 Lee Minhyuk (HUTA) x Idol!Reader [Headcanon]

Day6

A University Dilemma | 🤸‍♀️ Kang Younghyun (Young-K) x Reader (Univeristy AU)

What A Joke | ❄️ Kang Younghyun (Young K) x Reader + Park Jaehyung x Reader (University AU) [Blurb]

So... Haha... I Like You | 🍓🦕 Park Jaehyung x Reader (Fake Dating AU)

EXO

Wheel Of Fortune | 🍓🍳🚀 Park Chanyeol x Reader [Headcanon]

Welcome To The Jungle | 🚀🚀🚀🏩 Park Chanyeol & Oh Sehun (Jungle AU)

Maybe We Still Have A Shot [WBU III] | 🍓🍓🏩 CatHybid!Oh Sehun x Reader (University AU)

Unrequited Attraction | 🚧🏩🍳🦕 Mafia!Kim Jongdae (Chen) x Retail Worker!Reader

Color Palette | 🍓 Byun Baekhyun x Reader [Blurb]

Brown Leaves | 🍓 Kim Jongin (Kai) x Reader (University AU)

GOT7

One Million In One Day | 🍓🍓❄️❄️🍳 Sugar Daddy!Jackson Wang x Reader Preview ~ Alternate Moodboard ~ Moodboard Teaser 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Car Rides | 🍓 Jackson Wang x Reader [Blurb]

Juice Box | 🍓🚀🏩🦕 Kunpimook Bhuwakul Bambam x Reader [Blurb] (Pre-Schooler AU)

Somewhere In Between | ❄️❄️Civil Engineer!Park Jinyoung x Reader + Architect!Henry Lau x Reader

Trading Secrets | 🍓🍓 Kim Yugyeom x WangSis!Reader

JYJ

Winning Losses | ❄️ Kim Jaejoong x Idol!Reader

Monsta X

Introspect | 🍓🤸‍♀️ Lee Jooheon x Reader [Blurb]

Letting Off Steam | 🤸‍♀️ Lee Hoseok (Wonho) x ArtStudent!Reader (University AU)

NCT

Seventeen

December Dates | 🍓🚀 bf!Seventeen x Reader [Headcanon]

The Stroke Of Midnight | 🍓❄️🏩🦕 Mafia!Kwon Soonyoung (Hoshi) x Reader

Here's My Problem: I Can't Get You Out Of My Head | ❄️❄️❄️🎩🎩🎩🏩🍳🦕 Detective!Jeon Wonwoo x Actress!Reader

10 Ways To Get Over Gyu | 🍓❄️❄️❄️🍳🍳🦕 Kim Mingyu x Reader + others (Childhood AU)

Half Of My Heart | 🍓❄️🤸‍♀️🍳 Kim Mingyu x Reader + Jeon Wonwoo x Reader (CEO AU)

On A Thread | ❄️❄️ CEO!Joshua Hong (Hong Jisoo) x Nurse!Reader

SF9

A Final Offering | 🍓🍓❄️🏩🦕 Deity!Kim Inseong & Child!Reader + Baek Juho (Zuho) x Mom

What Does It Mean? | 🍓❄️🤸‍♀️ Kim Inseong x Reader + Lee Jaeyoon x Reader (University AU)

16th Floor | 🍓🤸‍♀️ Kim Seokwoo (Rowoon) x Reader (Office AU)

SHINee

Understand This |❄️ Choi Minho x Reader I Don’t Understand [Understand This II] | ❄️ Choi Minho x Reader

It’s All A Big Joke [WBU II] | ❄️ Lee Taemin x Reader

Th-that’s Not | ❄️❄️🚧🦕 Lee Taemin x Reader Regrets [Th-that’s Not II] | ❄️ Lee Taemin x Reader

Angel Bride | ❄️🚧🏩🦕 Pirate!Lee Taemin x Reader

Noona, You're So Pretty | 🍓 Lee Taemin x Noona!Reader

Stray Kids

Professional Boundaries | 🍓❄️🚧🦕 CEO!Bang Chan x Pre-School Teacher!Reader + CEO!Hwang Hyunjin x Pre-School Teacher!Reader 1 2 3 4

Bootylicious | 🍓🚀 Bang Chan x Idol!Reader

Super Junior

The Soup | 🍓🍓🚀🚀 SuJu x SuJu Maknae!Reader [Headcanon]

Secrets Of A Maknae | 🍓🚀🚀 Kim Heechul x SuJuMaknae!Reader

The Boyz

Gentle With Me | 🍓🍓🤸‍♀️ Lee Sangyeon x Reader

TVXQ!

Pitter-Patter | 🍓 Jung Yunho (U-Know) x Reader (Pre-School Teacher AU)

The Art Of Deception | ❄️🎩🏩 Shim Changmin x Reader (Secret Agent/Spy AU)

TXT

Forget About It | 🍓❄️🤸‍♀️🍳🦕 Choi Soobin x Reader (University AU)

WINNER

I’m Not Playing | 🍓❄️❄️ Gangster!Song Minho (Mino) x Reader 1 2 3

#masterlist #kpop masterlist

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xoxoladyaz · 5 months

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Steddie Bigbang #177: Infernally Yours is HERE!

Finally, after months of work I am SO HAPPY to start publishing my contribution to @steddiebang, a post-Season 3 AU in which Hopper doesn't go to Russia, the Byers family stays in Hawkins, and Steve Harrington finally agrees to play DnD with Hellfire. Chapters 1 and 2 are up today, chapters 3 and 4 will go up on the 9th, and the last two chapters (and the epilogue) will be posted on the 16th.

Here's the link to the story on Ao3 and a preview below :) I can't wait to see what you all think!

Listen. Steve Harrington knew that he had some sins to pay for, okay? He was kind of a stuck-up shit for most of high school and while he didn’t go out of his way to, like, ruin anybody’s day – cough, cough, Tommy Hagan – he also didn’t really reach out to anyone who needed help either. He’d led on a lot of girls before Nance, too, and if judging by the fact that the only girls he dated these days wanted a good time and not a long time, well, he had some work to do on the whole “relationship” and “finding everlasting love” front. But he’s done the work to be better! Granted, a lot of the work consisted of him getting beaten up and/or tortured by other people while protecting a group of unthankful little shitheads, but it’s still progress. And, not to brag, but he got Robin Buckley as a best friend out of the whole thing, so really, Steve Harrington’s not doing so bad on the whole “redemption” thing, thank you.

So why, why does the universe continue to torment him?

“ – and that’s when Lorcan Fairwood used Horde Breaker to fire into the pack of gnolls, dealing five points of damage to Kazar, the gnoll pack leader, and then Eddie said - ”

“Dingus,” Robin hissed, knocking her elbow into Steve’s and dislodging him from his thoughts. “Get Dingus Junior to knock-it-off with this dork talk before I knock him into the recent returns.”

Groaning, Steve rubbed his palms against his dry eyes and braced for impact. “We got it, Henderson, Munson’s the best thing to ever happen to Dorks and Demons - ”

“ – Dungeons and Dragons, Steve, I know that you know that’s what it’s called - ”

“ – and as much as I like hanging out with you, dude, these multi-hour play-by-plays aren’t convincing me that this nerd shit is, like, fun or whatever,” he finished with a sigh. Robin shot him an exasperated but grateful look and then slid her newest stack of freshly rewound returns his way.

“Shelving time, doinkus.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Steve rolled his eyes and reached for the stack.

Dustin snorted and kicked at the front of his desk, which, the attitude on this kid, seriously. “Guess Eddie was right.”

Steve froze. What the hell does that mean?

“What the hell does that mean?”

Dustin snorted again before spinning to face Steve, his hands falling to his hips. “Eddie said says that jocks only care about other jocks. And jock stuff.”

“Hey, okay, first of all, there’s only one of us that’s actually saved your life multiple times and it’s not Eddie Munson, so jot that down,” Steve snapped, dropping the tapes back onto the counter (and ignoring Robin’s yelp as they tumbled everywhere). “And second, just because we don’t have the same interests doesn’t mean I don’t care about you, man. That’s a shit thing to say.”

Henderson folded inward, his eyes dropping towards the ground and voice losing its normal intensity. “Sorry, Steve.”

“And third – look, Henderson,” Steve sighed at Dustin’s drooping. (Look, he was a little shithead with the biggest ego in every room, but he was Steve’s little shithead and he hated to see him upset – even when it was his own fault.) “Maybe it isn’t like, totally boring in the moment or whatever, but getting a two-hour play by play after your game every Saturday isn’t doing a whole lot to convince me, man.”

“Well,” Dustin perked up slightly and cleared his throat, “we’re always looking for new members - ”

“Nope, no way.”

“Steve,” Henderson’s whining was out in full force now, “it would be so much fun! You wouldn’t even have to do that much work; I could help you get started and - ”

“No.”

“ – seriously, I can make you a character sheet so fast, and our party could really use another fighter anyways - ”

“No, Henderson!”

“ – besides, we haven’t gotten to hang out with you as much now that school started, and you know that Will’s having a hard time because everyone keeps calling him ‘Zombie Boy’ and he would be so excited to have you playing with us - ”

Shit, he’s pulling out the Zombie Boy card. Shit, shit, shit.

“Henderson - ”

“ – and, you know, I totally believe you and everything but Mike is pretty convinced that you’re still an asshole, especially with everything Eddie’s said, and this could be your chance to prove him wrong!” Dustin finished emphatically, his chest puffing with exertion.

Steve shot an exasperated look over the top of the Horror section towards Robin, who was pouting in mock-agreement with Dustin.

Traitor.

Sighing, Steve shoved Friday the 13th onto the shelf and dropped his gaze towards Dustin. “One game.”

Dustin let out a loud whoop, hopping in place and punching wildly at the air. “YES!”

“Just one game, Henderson, that’s it.”

“I’LL TAKE IT!” Letting out an even louder victory cry, Dustin raced for the door. “I’m going to get working on your character sheet right now – Wednesday, 3:30 in the drama room,” Dustin said, whirling around to point at Steve. “You’ll be there?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be there.”

“YES! Don’t worry Steve, you won’t regret this!” Dustin beamed and then he was out the door, disappearing into the October sun.

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie fanfic #steddie big bang #steve harrington my beloved #hellfire club

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synkverv · 5 months

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the color violet never seemed to glow (until i saw it in your eyes)

Chapter One: fly with me Art by: @ewanmitchellcrumbs Pairing: Alicent/Rhaenyra (Rhaenicent), Laenor/Joffrey Lonmouth (mentioned) Rating: mature Tags & Warnings: alternate universe - 1980s, fluff and smut, angst and humor, period-typical homophobia, body dysmorphia, declarations of love, drinking Word Count: 6,460 AO3: link

Summary: (King's Landing, Westeros, August 1986). Alicent was devastated when Rhaenyra first told her she was moving to the Vale to attend university. So to try and cheer her friend up, Rhaenyra promised to make this the best summer ever. She doted on Alicent, treating her to any and every activity that crossed her mind. But as the date of Rhaenyra’s departure approached, Alicent couldn't help but sink into a depression. She struggled to admit the thoughts that plagued her whole existence: she was in love with Rhaenyra. Perhaps on their final outing together, during all the shopping, eating, sunbathing, drinking, and dancing, she will be brave and say what's always been on her mind. But unbeknownst to her, Rhaenyra has the same idea.

Notes: this is my submission for @hotd-bigbang. and a special thank you to ewanmitchellcrumbs for the header, moodboard, dividers, and for organizing this event so wonderfully!! this was my first big bang and it won’t be my last. it’s been such a fantastic experience. thank you again ewanmitchellcrumbs and it’s been so great working with you!

anyway, thanks for reading! this was initially a one-shot but it grew too long for my liking so i’ve decided to split it up into two chapters (or perhaps more but don’t hold me to that!) chapter two will be posted at a later date, hopefully sooner rather than later.

The Vale.

Once a place that rarely crossed her mind now burrows into her every waking thought. She hates the Vale. Rather, she hates what it will take from her. Stealing away the most prized person in her life and keeping her behind its walls was a worthy enough reason to hate anything. She thinks about the people there, and she hates them, too. She hates all the new individuals who threaten to invade her friend's life. She can’t help but think of those who will replace everyone she had here in King's Landing. A new friend group, a new boy toy, and worst of all, a new best friend. Everything Alicent knows and lives will be nothing but a distant memory to Rhaenyra. Fragments of an old life. Despite her moping, Alicent accepts nothing stays the same forever. It’s life’s impossibility. Change is inevitable. But truthfully, what nineteen-year-old understands that? It’s silly to blame a location for her distress, she knows, but Alicent needs something to take the brunt of her frustration. It helps to focus her attention on the wrong thing, or so she believes it does. She convinces herself it’s easier to despise a place that means little to her than to despise her friend's choices. Or worse, to despise her friend herself.

She’s lying on her back atop her bed’s grey-green duvet. Her ankles are crossed and her fingers are laced together resting limply on her stomach. Her steady breathing conceals the torrent of thoughts racing behind her eyes. The shades are drawn, keeping the otherwise cheerful room as dark as her mood.

Alicent grimaces.

What kind of person would she be if she hated Rhaenyra for pursuing her dreams and goals in life? As her best friend, she should support her in all her endeavors. Even if it hurts. Rhaenyra wants to attend the same university as her mother. So, what? Alicent understands the need to feel close again to one’s late mother if nothing else.

Alicent hadn’t seen her mother in four years before her sudden illness last year. Her father had split up the family when he took up his current job working alongside Rhaenyra’s father in the capital. At his insistence, Alicent and her brothers came to live in King’s Landing to study and make important connections to aid their careers. Grayce, however, refused to move and remained in Oldtown with her brother-in-law, Hobert, and his sweet wife with whom she was close. Otto and Viserys had been friends for longer than either were married but it still shocked the whole family when he chose Viserys over Grayce.

Alicent wishes she asked her mother why she stayed behind. Four years is a long time to spend away from your husband and your children. Why not come? Father avoids the question when I ask , she thinks, I doubt I’ll ever know why now .

Yet though it seemed their marriage was strained for reasons unaddressed, Alicent watched her father become ever-dutiful and caring for his wife when she fell ill. Alicent, her brothers, and her father flew back to Oldtown the second they found out Grayce was sick. They lived at the hospital and Hobert’s home for nearly a full year. Grayce’s funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners from both the Hightower and Redwyne families. Alicent and her siblings stayed under their uncle’s roof for another week after Grayce’s passing before flying home to King’s Landing. It still surprises Alicent that they lasted that long. Otto had grown noticeably aimless and restless following the funeral, annoying his brother, his sister-in-law, his nieces and nephews, everyone. Gwayne later told her he suspected that their father disliked being around the family without being the center of attention, but Alicent, at the time, just believed he struggled to express his grief properly. Losing a mother was hard enough, she couldn’t imagine losing a life partner, the second half of one’s being.

" Allie, door! " her brother calls from downstairs.

She glances at the alarm clock to her right on her bedside table. Half nine , it reads. She’s late, as usual . But Alicent doesn’t care. She never does. Not on the first day of summer or today, the last. Rhaenyra promised to make this the best summer ever, and so far, it had been just that. Yet the thought of it ending lingered in the back of Alicent's mind the whole time, spoiling even the best moments. She’ll never let Nyra know though. She knows her friend feels guilty enough about moving away and she doesn’t want to make it worse on either of them. They avoid the subject.

"Be down in a second!" she shouts. She hears her brother respond but can’t make out what he said. Not that it matters. Gwayne makes snide comments all the time, and they’re so often meaningless. She checks herself out in the mirror on the back of her door, never one to leave the house unmade or underdressed. She brushes the wrinkles out of her light jean shorts and straightens her loose, sleeveless white top. Her crimped auburn hair is full and teased out. It’s almost hard to the touch from the layers and layers of hairspray, just the way she likes it. She grabs a couple of makeup products from her organized desktop and returns to the mirror, leaning almost close enough to brush her nose against it. She quickly slathers her favorite shade of pink lipstick over her lips. Next, she applies a modest amount of black mascara to her lashes, gently accentuating their natural length. Father hates if I wear too much makeup… or any , she thinks as she stares at her reflection. At least he’s not here to see it . She looks down at her hands and frowns. The skin around her fingers is red and angry, sporting more than a few scabs. She used to wear nail polish to distract the eye but she couldn’t keep from picking at the pastel colors. She grew tired of reapplying the polish day after day, so she stopped. Her picking has never been worse, never been so obvious. She hopes Rhaenyra doesn’t mention it.

Alicent snatches her crossbody purse from the hook by her door and all but runs downstairs. She expects to find her friend inside by the backdoor, like usual, but when she gets there, nobody is there. Garage . Rhaenyra never knocks at the front door, not since it got Alicent in trouble for ‘bothering’ her father. Father hates it when Rhaenyra stops by unannounced, or even when it’s planned. Despite Rhaenyra’s father being his best, if not only friend, Otto disliked her. It seems she was ever the thorn in his side, much to the confusion of both girls. He refused to elaborate on his distaste for Rhaenyra no matter how often Alicent would ask. So, the two girls agreed to keep their rendezvous and plans hidden from Otto. Alicent only ever tells her Gwayne, the only brother who still lives with her, where she is going and who she is going with (it’s always Rhaenyra).

Alicent turns from the back door and crosses the house to the kitchen. She finds Gwayne sitting at the kitchen island, a math textbook and notebook splayed open before him. Across the room is the door leading to the garage, cracked open just a hair.

Without looking up, he says, "Father won't be home until late again. Make sure you're back before then ‘cause I can’t cover for you." She nods, knowing Gwayne has plans to see his girlfriend that night. Alicent turns to leave but Gwayne speaks up again. "Hey." She looks back at him, her hand on the garage door handle.

"Yeah?"

"Have fun."

"Thanks," Alicent says, flashing a soft grin. “You, too.” She pushes the door aside and sees Rhaenyra leaning casually against her bike, parked inside the open garage. With her back to Alicent, she doesn’t immediately acknowledge her presence. Her friend’s eyes are locked on the empty driveway and road. Alicent smiles as she regards Rhaenyra. Ever the rebel, she wears a bulky leather jacket over an all too familiar, clearly favored purple tube top romper. Her long silver-gold hair runs down her jacket like a calm waterfall. She cradles a black helmet under her left arm and rests her dominant hand on top of a secondary helmet sitting on the motorcycle’s seat.

“Does it work now?” Alicent asks as she closes the door behind her, breaking the silence and announcing herself. Rhaenyra whips around, grinning.

"Of course. I made it here didn’t I?”

“You made it all the way to Harwin’s last time, too.” Rhaenyra flushed, playfully rolling her eyes.

“Daemon helped me fix it up after it broke down. It's not gonna fall apart again." She glanced at the yellow motorcycle and made a face. "Probably. Anyway, let's go." She jumps away from her bike, dropping the helmet beside the other, and takes Alicent’s hands in her own. "Fly with me," she says, a fox-like smirk pulling at the left corner of her mouth. Mischief flickers in her violet eyes.

"Why is it such a secret this time, Rhaenyra? What have you planned?"

"And spoil everything? You trust me, right?"

"Yes, of course I do..."

"So, hop on." Rhaenyra pulls Alicent to the motorcycle and drops her hands. She swings a leg over the seat and plops down onto the fabric seat. She yanks one of the helmets down over her head and holds out the second for Alicent. Alicent takes the helmet, puts it on, and sits behind Rhaenyra. The seat isn’t the largest, but neither of the girls is particularly big. They fit, but just barely. Alicent clasps her hands together around her friend’s waist as Rhaenyra fires up the engine. She held onto Rhaenyra a little tighter than was necessary, but Rhaenyra didn’t complain. Alicent hates motorcycles, especially this beat-up old thing, but Rhaenyra was proud of her tinkering skills. So, she ignores her fears. If it makes Nyra happy, it makes her happy ( it gives her an excuse to hold on to Rhaenyra ).

Rhaenyra speeds out of the garage and barrels down Alicent's neighborhood street. Anxious, Alicent leans her body against Nyra for support. She can’t help but close her eyes as they drive through the claustrophobic streets of King's Landing. She feels the wind tugging at her hair, the red mess flying behind her like a flag. Her hairspray fights back as best it can, but she knows the style is ruined. Oh, well . It isn’t something she didn’t anticipate. Rhaenyra’s antics have ruined more than a few hairdos and outfits. What’s one more?

Alicent feels Rhaenyra steering them further and further south, and then the realization comes to her. She knows exactly where they are going even without looking. She had lived here long enough. If she wasn't so terrified, she would smile.

A day at the beach, so it is , she thinks when they finally stop. Rhaenyra had parked along a residential street behind the Conqueror's Boardwalk, sandwiching them in between a gold sedan and a black SUV. The girls dismount and Alicent looks around at the buildings lining the boardwalk. She spies countless other people walking about in their swimsuits, coverups, and regular day clothes. It’s a superbly pleasant day to Alicent. There isn’t a cloud in the sky but a cool ocean breeze offers some relief from the summer heat.

“The beach then?” Alicent asks, giggling softly. “Why was this a secret?”

“It’s not just the beach.”

“What else?”

“You’ll see,” Rhaenyra says, flashing a white grin. “Let’s go!” And without another word, she dashes off towards the boardwalk.

“Wait, Nyra!” Alicent calls after her, jogging after her as quickly as she can.

“Come on! Hurry up!”

“I’m trying!” She struggles to keep up since running isn’t her strong suit. Westerosi people don’t exercise as much as they should. When she catches up, she finds Rhaenyra waiting outside a cute shop on the boardwalk. Just Seahorsing Around , reads the sign above the building. Seahorse decals cover the windows, accompanying numerous more seahorse puns. She can’t help but smile at the ridiculous place. From the exterior, she isn’t sure what they sell inside. Aside from jokes, anyway. Her friend, however, seems familiar with the shop. Just as Alicent opens her mouth to ask, Rhaenyra takes Alicent by the wrist and guides her inside the store.

Though a modest building size, she can’t say the owners don’t utilize the space efficiently. She eyes the circular racks at the front stuffed with hanging bathing suits of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Flip-flops, beach bags, coolers, towels, sunscreen lotion, umbrellas, volleyballs, and sandcastle toys for little ones occupy the numerous free-standing shelves and display tables that dot the floor. By the register, there are various snacks like bagged chips, soda, fruity hard candy, and individually wrapped Twinkies for customers. She notes that they don’t sell anything that can significantly melt in the summer heat like chocolates and cold treats. It was anything and everything a beachgoer could possibly want, and Alicent was almost awestruck.

“We’ll obviously need to change,” Rhaenyra says, still pulling Alicent along as if worrying she might get lost in the store. “Unless you prefer your underwear.” She winks with an open smile.

“No!” Alicent says. “How absurd!” She giggles as she pictures herself wading in the ocean water in her bra and panties. “You know, I have a perfectly good bathing suit at home I could have brought?”

“That old blue and cream thing? Nah, you desperately need something new. Something from this decade.” Rhaenyra drops Alicent’s arm and stops at a large rack packed with countless hanging suits, one and two-piece alike.

“It’s only two years old,” Alicent says.

“Whatever. It screams Yucksville ‘75, dude. Now,” Rhaenyra says as she begins fingering through the available options, “treat yourself to 1986. See, now these are bitchin’.” She pulls out two hangers and grins. “Here, hold these a sec’,” she says, shoving the swimsuits at Alicent. She returns her attention to the rack and grabs a few more choices. Rhaenyra looks around the store and says, “Ah!” when she spots a changing area at the back. “I’m gonna try these on real quick.” Alicent hands back the suits and watches her practically skip into one of the changing room stalls.

She laughs to herself and begins to skim through the rack herself. She wants something that isn’t too revealing nor too prudish like her old blue one-piece. Yet, she has trouble finding the one . She isn’t as confident in her body as Rhaenyra is with her perfect figure and curves in all the right places. Alicent is stick-thin by comparison. She worries that her bones are too visible, that her veins show through her skin too much, that she’s too tall, and other such silly things. Still, she wants to be confident in front of her friend. Even if she has to pretend. She shakes her head. She’s supposed to enjoy this day, the last day she’ll have with Rhaenyra, and she can’t let body image issues take any enjoyment away from her.

Alicent picks out three different swimsuits, three she would never normally wear. She thinks they would look stunning on Rhaenyra, so why not on her, too?

“So, what do you think?” Alicent didn’t hear Rhaenyra behind her until she spoke. She turns around to see Rhaenyra posing in one of the suits, barefoot. She is holding one hand on her hip while the other frames one side of her round face. Her grin is infectious as she shows off a deep red bikini with high-cut bottoms and a twisted bandeau top. Of course, that’s what she picked .

“I think it’s very you.” Rhaenyra’s brows shoot up and her grin widens.

“Good, ‘cause this is what I liked best.” Rhaenyra’s eyes drift to the swimsuits Alicent had draped over one arm. “Those look cute,” she says, that mischievous sparkle returning to her eyes. Before she says anything, Rhaenyra once more attaches herself to Alicent. Still grinning, she pulls them over to the changing rooms. Rhaenyra opens a stall and squeezes the both of them inside, latching the thin wooden door behind her. Alicent doesn’t protest, at least, not much.

“Won’t we get in trouble?” Alicent whispers.

“For what? We’re not doing anything. Mothers take their little kiddos in with them all the time, what’s the harm?” She thinks about mentioning that they are two fully grown girls, not a mother-and-daughter duo, but she gives up. Although Alicent trembles at the mere thought of getting in trouble with authority, Rhaenyra has an oddly calming effect on her. If she knows about that power, Alicent thinks she could encourage her to do anything she wants. Hmph, perhaps she already does , she thinks, looking at her friend in the stall with her. She’s a terrible influence but I wouldn’t change a thing .

“Fine, I hope you’re right.” She’ll keep her voice down all the same. Alicent slings the swimsuits over the top of the door as there are no hooks or anywhere to sit in the tiny stall.

Despite her personal issues with her body, she never is shy to change in front of Rhaenyra. Perhaps she’s a little coy, but Nyra doesn’t have anything different… down there . She’s seen her friend naked more times than she can count, and vice versa. Flesh is flesh. Alicent shrugs off her white blouse, kicks off her black flats, and steps out of her jeans. She throws the clothes over the door before unclasping her bra and pulling down her panties. Rhaenyra offers to hold them instead of adding them to the crowd of clothing. Alicent thanks her, handing them over, and takes one of the suits down to try on.

She looks at herself in the mirror hanging on the back wall and huffs. It’s not to her liking. Rhaenyra agrees, so Alicent tries the second one on. She likes it better, but the bottom sags and makes her butt look strange. Not an ideal look. She grabs the third which, out of the three, is far superior. The flounced top and skirted bottom suit her more girlish style while highlighting her bosom and ass. She loves the rich green shade against her pale skin. She shakes her head, raking her fingers through her hair to bring it all forward over her shoulders. Rhaenyra peers into the mirror from behind Alicent, smirking.

“I have an idea,” she says. “Switch tops with me.”

“Why?”

“We’ll match. Or we’ll mismatch together. C’mon, please?” Rhaenyra pouts, batting her long white lashes at Alicent. As always, she can’t seem to say no. Alicent signs and pulls off her top, Rhaenyra doing the same. They swap and admire themselves in the mirror, Rhaenyra wearing green up top and red on the bottom and Alicent the reverse. Rhaenyra shakes her breasts back and forth, making the flounced top flutter. Alicent feels her cheeks warming and averts her eyes to her own chest. The red top flatters her figure as well as the other, but the cut wasn’t something she would choose herself. The top threatens to slip down to her waist any minute. At least, that’s how it feels. It isn’t as tight and secure as the tops she typically wears. Father would despise me in this , she thinks. And suddenly a thought comes to her. She wonders if it’s always been her father’s voice in her head that says unflattering and negative things about her body. Bravely, she pushes the negativity aside. Father would never allow me to wear this . But he isn’t here . She looks at her pink lips and black eyelashes, and a soft smile comes to her mouth. What harm is one more little secret? She sighs, pulling the top up as far as she can without showing the underside of her breasts. But she’ll make do if it makes her friend happy. And she does seem so happy.

They gather up the rejected suits and their clothes then exit the changing room in their new swimsuits. Alicent tries her best to look inconspicuous while Rhaenyra does not care either way. Both are barefoot as they carry their shoes in one hand with their outfits resting over an arm.

“We just need a few more things,” Rhaenyra says, “then we can properly enjoy ourselves.” I’m already enjoying myself plenty , Alicent thinks, just being with you . She nods and follows as Rhaenyra approaches a long shelving unit that almost runs the whole length of the store. They each pick out a cheap towel and a pair of flip-flops before heading to the front where they browse a rack of sunglasses. Rhaenyra chooses a pair of traditional black aviators but Alicent picks a gold-framed pair with thin, pink rectangle lenses. They aren’t ideal for fighting off the sunlight, however, they are simply too cute to resist.

“Any snacks?” Rhaenyra says as they near the cashier’s counter. Alicent glances at the options again and shakes her head.

“I should limit my bad habits,” she answers, eyeing the chips and soda. They each place their towels, flip-flops, and glasses on the counter. The cashier welcomes them and begins calculating their items on the cash register. They take turns showing the tags on their swimwear for him to total as well. He’s a tall boy around their age, in his mid-teens Alicent guesses. He has silver dreadlocks that dust the shoulders of his teal t-shirt and an otherwise dark complexion. He smells both spicy and sweet, like gardenias or freshly cut grass. He’s nothing like the average beach bum, looking out of place and uncomfortable behind the store’s counter. She senses a longing from him. He’s familiar to her but she can’t place where they might have met before. School, probably. Her eyes lock on the lanyard around his neck clasping a white name card that reads Laenor . Hm .

“Y’know, if you’re hungry, there’s an ice cream shop a little way down the boardwalk,” Laenor suggests. His voice is calm and quiet; Alicent has to stain her ears just to hear him. “Just head towards the pier and you’ll see it on the way. Wylde Flavors. They specialize in all sorts of unique tastes… if you’re interested in that kinda thing.” The girls shoot each other a look before Rhaenyra tells him that sounds like a fine idea. She thanks him and flashes a tight smile. “Need a bag?” Rhaenyra nods her head, avoiding eye contact as she takes a tote bag from Laenor. He smiles awkwardly in return as she packs their towels, her romper, jacket, and shoes inside. Alicent shoves her own clothes in the bag and puts on her pair of flip-flops. Fiddling with her sunglasses, she looks back and forth between the other two, her brows furrowing. What’s their damage?

“So,” Rhaenyra says after clearing her throat, “how’s Laena doing?”

“Oh, she’s fine, yeah. Fine, she’s good. She’s been, uh, overseas all summer but she calls me every night.”

“Yeah? What’s she doing over…?”

“Um, in Pentos, yeah. It’s some horse racing thing. She competes now. Her mare is this beast of a thing. Scares Papa but you know how he dotes on her.” Rhaenyra nods.

“I remember her saying something about wanting to own a horse a few times,” Rhaenyra says with a genuine smile. “Glad she’s doing that for herself.”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re all very proud of her.”

“I expect she’ll be bringing the gold home.”

“Without a doubt, yeah. She’d spend all day every day on that horse if she could.”

“When does she come back home?”

“Oh, uh, two weeks from Thursday?”

“Nice. Well, give my love to her and hope you’re doing good, too.”

“I am, yeah, thanks.”

“Good! Good. See you ‘round then.” Rhaenyra throws the tote back over a shoulder, slides on her flip-flops and glasses, and takes Alicent by the arm. Laenor waves goodbye to Alicent as Rhaenyra all but drags her outside. All she can do is offer a confused expression in return before.

Sunlight splashes off Rhaenyra’s pale skin as they stand on the busy boardwalk, half-blinding Alicent. She breaks away from her friend’s grasp with a jerk of her arm. Rhaenyra turns back and Alicent says with a short laugh,

“What the hell was all that?” She poses the question in a friendly way but doesn’t hide her bewilderment from the odd interaction. She had never seen such an awkward, stiff conversation from Rhaenyra before.

“We… dated for a couple of months,” Rhaenyra admits. “But it wasn’t a serious thing.”

“What, when was this?” Rhaenyra tells me everything . Why would she keep him a secret?

“While you were back in Oldtown.” Oh . Alicent’s expression sours. Mama . She feels a knot forming in her stomach, weighing her down as her thoughts put words in Rhaenyra’s mouth. She wants to puke.

“Why didn’t you mention it when I came back? Boyfriends are usually worth mentioning,” she says. The friendliness is notably gone from her tone now.

“I don’t know… Slipped my mind?” Alicent gives her a disbelieving expression, tilting her head. Rhaenyra sighs. “He’s a nice boy and we were hanging out a lot anyway; his dad is friends with mine, yeah? I thought there was a spark, but… we weren’t the fit I thought we were.”

“That’s it?” It can’t be. A flurry of images crosses her mind and she shivers with disgust. She pictures Laenor’s soft hands all over Rhaenyra, and hers on him. Their lips touching, her head resting on his chest. I can’t stand to think of you in the arms of anyone else. To think their fingers brushed against your flawless skin and got tangled in your white hair, it’s torture. Boys always lick their lips like hungry beasts when they look at you. But you’re more than a lamb to the slaughter to me. I wish you’d take me, feed me, eat me . Rhaenyra looks ashamed, embarrassed, and a different thought grows in Alicent’s mind. Did he hurt her? But before she could ponder it anymore, Rhaenyra speaks up.

“He’s… a queer, all right? I realized maybe two months in that he was in love with his ‘best friend’ and not me. I wasn’t going to be his beard. It wasn’t fair to me and it’s not fair to him.”

“I see,” Alicent says, relief washing over her in an instant. “That was probably the best thing.”

“Yeah,” Rhaenyra says. “Don’t, like, tell people. He really is a nice boy and I’m not sure he’s… comfortable with himself yet. It’s not exactly cool to be like that, y’know?” Yeah, I know .

“My lips are sealed.” Alicent pinches two fingers together and drags them across her lips. Changing the topic, she says, “So how about that ice cream place?” Rhaenyra brightens in an instant.

“It’s a brilliant idea for such a hot day! Come.” And with that, Rhaenyra has her hand around Alicent’s wrist again and pulls her along. There’s something desperate in the way Rhaenyra clings to Alicent.

Laenor had been right, the ice cream shop wasn’t terribly far away. But although Alicent expected to stop in a similar-sized building to Just Seahorsing Around, they instead find themselves at a small stand on the boardwalk. An older woman greets them, telling them to take their time deciding what they want. The girls thank her. Alicent squints at the stand’s menu, frowning as she reads through the ‘unique’ options. Peanut butter and chocolate chip? Mint pistachio? Cookies and cream and strawberry? Lazy creativity, she thinks. She glances at Rhaenyra who seems more delighted with the choices. She rolls her eyes, smiling. At least there are still normal flavors for me.

After a few minutes, Alicent orders a medium cup of regular mint chocolate chip. She thanks the woman again when she is handed the food and a plastic spoon. Rhaenyra hums, still eyeing the menu as Alicent takes a small bite. It’s frigid! She nearly spits her bite out, worrying it will aggravate her sensitive molar. She holds the bite on her tongue, letting it melt and run down her throat. I’ll let it warm a little before I have another bite, she thinks.

“I’ll have, uh, a peanut butter— wait, no. How about a… Actually, just a double scoop of the cookie dough. In a waffle cone, please,” Rhaenyra says.

“Sure thing, kiddo,” the woman replies. She passes the cone to Rhaenyra and plops two generous scoops of ice cream on top. They pay separately and walk further down the boardwalk. Their chatter is nothing special.

Did you hear the Triarchy’s new song?

Yeah! It was on the radio last night. Even Gwayne said he liked it.

It was bitchin’. I wish Whyte Wyrm would come around, I’d kill to see ‘em live.

Maybe I’ll visit and take you to the concert when they come to the Vale.

I’d love that.

As they talk, Rhaenyra begins to scout out an area on the beach for them to set up. Their arms are interlocked, the two girls now walking side-by-side without care in the world. All the morose thoughts, all the negativity, had vanished. She’s in a true state of bliss… until she hears it. Alicent’s chest tightens as a wolf whistle pierces through the air behind them. She wishes she could drop her food and cover herself up. She wants to run away and hide from predatory eyes. She never shows so much of her body, she knows it was a mistake.

As if sensing Alicent’s distress, or acting out of her own fury, Rhaenyra whips around to face the whistler.

“Hey!” Nyra shouts. Alicent musters up the courage to look back, too. She’s shocked to see two boys significantly younger than herself perched on the wooden rail of the boardwalk. Their backs are to the beach, feet swinging below them. They are an odd couple, to be sure. She first eyes the one with dark, greased-back hair and a yellow button-down shirt. He is a large person, comically so compared to his friend. His friend, the closer of the two and the whistler if his smirk was any giveaway, is easily a third of his weight. He had sandy hair that was in desperate need of trimming as the bangs were more like curtains for his eyes. Neither looks old enough to be in high school, but people seem to retain their youth longer nowadays. Gwayne is almost seventeen, she thinks, and he still has baby fat in his cheeks. Regardless of their age, they’re too young to be acting like creepy old men.

Rhaenyra smirks at Alicent, mischief sparkling in her eyes yet again, and chucks her ice cream cone at the closest boy. It hits him square in the face, covering his face, hair, and the collar of his tee. Ice cream drips from his bangs onto his pants and shoes. He blinks through the food before wiping the rest out of his eyes. Alicent’s mouth drops open as the second boy guffaws, slapping his friend’s back. The first boy, his clothes now saturated in Rhaenyra’s frozen treat, growls at the other. He lunges for the dark-haired boy, tackling him to the ground. Alicent watches as he drives his fists into his gut over and over again. Left, right . Left, right . Left, right . The boy on the ground tries his best to block the hits with his arms, grunting as he fights off his small attacker. She can’t help but compare them to a pissed-off Chihuahua on top of an adult Pittie.

“Willie, knock it off! Willie! Stop!” the bigger boy says between punches.

“Don’t call me Willie, Jerry !”

“Fuck you! You know that’s my dog’s name!”

“Aw, named after the dog, boo hoo hoo.”

Rhaenyra cackles, invariably proud of the chaos she causes. She takes Alicent’s wrist and draws her away from the ridiculous scene. They jump off the boardwalk, landing on the sand of the crowded beach. Rhaenyra doesn’t let go until they find a spot far enough away that neither girl can still see the boys.

Giggling, Alicent says, “I can’t believe you did that!”

“Can’t you?” Her smile falters a bit, seeing a strange glint in Rhaenyra’s violet eyes. She pushes the subconscious question aside and laughs again.

“Of course. It would be unlike you not to cause a mess.” The strangeness vanishes from her friend’s features as she laughs. “But now you’ve wasted your ice cream.”

“It’s all right,” Rhaenyra says, but Alicent knows Rhaenyra wanted the food more than she did.

“Here.” Alicent holds out her cup. “I’ve got more than I can eat.” Rhaenyra grabs the spoon and takes a modest bite. “Have more than that,” Alicent says with a small laugh. They take turns with the spoon, Alicent eating much less than her friend. Before long the girls empty the paper cup, both satisfied. Alicent tosses the trash in a nearby garbage can like she had seen the guys at high school practice do a thousand times before. Rhaenyra holds up ten fingers.

“A perfect score!” she says.

“You’re not playing favorites, are you?” Alicent asks with a smug grin.

“Absolutely not. I can’t help that the cutest player is also the best.” Another smile. Rhaenyra suggests they find a spot on the beach to sunbathe for a while. As they start scouting, Alicent stops.

“Shit.”

“What?”

“We forgot to buy sunscreen. I’ll run back —”

“Nah, we don’t need it.”

“You sure?”

“Fire cannot kill a dragon.” Rhaenyra winks. But I’m not a dragon, Alicent thinks. Rhaenyra touches her arm, turns, and takes off further down the beach. Sand kicks up behind her feet like fireworks. “C’mon!” she calls back. Alicent watches the sunlight bounce off Rhaenyra’s blonde hair as it dances after her in the wind. Such impossible beauty. Her hair must be spun from a spool of silver-gold thread. Alicent shakes herself out of her daze and follows after Rhaenyra. When she finally stops running, Alicent realizes how isolated they are. She can’t see anybody else around, just the sand and the splashing waves. It’s their private piece of land, for all intents and purposes. She smiles.

“Here?” Rhaenyra asks.

“Sure, why not?” It’ll be nice to have the privacy , she thinks. Rhaenyra drops the tote bag down on the ground and pulls out their towels. Alicent takes her black and gold striped towel and lays it down over the hot sand. Rhaenyra does the same, setting hers hardly an inch from Alicent’s. Sitting down on the towel, she pops off her flip-flops and sets them next to her in the sand. Both girls lie down on their backs, adjusting to achieve maximum comfort. Alicent stretches her arms over her head, resting one arm on her forehead and the other on the towel. She crosses one ankle over the other and steals a quick glance at Rhaenyra. Her arms are lying still by her sides and her legs are positioned like thin, white mountains, knees to the sky. Alicent closes her eyes, focusing on her breathing. If she’s lucky, she’ll get a little nap.

She isn’t sure how much time has passed when Rhaenyra’s voice startles her awake.

“This is really pleasant,” Rhaenyra says with a sigh. “We needed this. It’s not too long now before I leave.” Alicent’s eyes crack open and she moves her arms down beside her.

“Do we have to think about you leaving?” she asks, her voice low. My whole world will change when I can’t see you every day.

“You’re right, it’s not a happy subject.” Rhaenyra turns her head to look at Alicent. “Hey, I’m sorry I brought it up.” She goes quiet but only for a second. “Want me to make it up to you?”

“Is that not what today is?” Rhaenyra smiles.

“Partly,” she says as she rolls onto her side, propping her head up with an arm.

“Oh? How else will you make it up to me?” Alicent asks, smirking.

“Like… this …” Alicent feels Rhaenyra’s hand sneak across her bare stomach and slip under the hem of her swim bottoms. She freezes and so does Nyra’s hand. The two girls make eye contact, and a silent agreement is made. Is this real? Alicent thinks as Rhaenyra’s middle finger glides over her soft, dry clit. It rubs back and forth, massaging gently. Alicent’s breathing starts to deepen and she speads her legs. She watches her breasts rise and fall as Rhaenyra’s movements grow in intensity.

“I love a shaved pussy,” Rhaenyra says under her breath. Her thumb rubs against the hairless mons venus as her index and middle finger continue to work Alicent’s swollen clit. Moisture spreads over her lips and spills down her cheeks, collecting at the bottom of her swimsuit. Never had she been so thankful for dark clothes before. She can feel the burning pressure building inside of her, the heat promising an explosive orgasm. Her right leg quivers and she rolls her hips as Rhaenyra plays her like an instrument. She hears the panting and the moans coming from her own mouth. Rhaenyra kisses her flat stomach and she cums.

If she could think coherently, she might have been embarrassed she came so quickly. She might have worried someone might see them. But she can’t think straight, not when it started and certainly not now. Her head is empty as her body buzzes with pleasure. Rhaenyra leaves another kiss on her stomach and pulls her hand out of Alicent’s swimsuit. Nyra smiles, staring up at Alicent, and sucks on her fingers.

“Delicious,” she says. Both giggle softly. Alicent turns on her side to face Rhaenyra. They stay like that for a time, Alicent isn’t sure how long, just looking at each other. Rhaenyra’s violet eyes seem to glow, saying everything her mouth isn’t. But what was the ultimate experience, the very thing Alicent secretly dreamed about every night, makes their situation that much harder. Rhaenyra will leave for the Vale and leave Alicent behind. She’ll cry and pray to see her at every possible opportunity. Yet, it can’t soften the sting of separation.

Rhaenyra’s eyebrows press together. “Hey,” she says. “I hate to see you in this mood. Why not liven up and party? Just the two of us, right here.”

“Okay,” Alicent agrees, smiling. As long as she’s here, she knows Rhaenyra will care for her. She has to treasure and make the most of the limited time they have left.

“I’m gonna get us some booze.” Alicent nods and Rhaenyra takes off towards the boardwalk. She lies back down on her towel, closes her eyes, and waits.

#synwrites #hotd big bang #house of the dragon big bang #alicent hightower #rhaenyra targaryen #rhaenicent #alicent x rhaenyra #rhaenyra x alicent #laenor velaryon #hotd #hotd fanfic #hotd fic #i really can't thank ewanmitchellcrumbs enough 🙌🙏💜#everybody needs to shower her with love for organizing this event bc she did an incredible job #and yes i turned syrax into a jankey motorcycle lmfao

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