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plutoslvr · 1 year

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Okay so in my last Kevin post, I mentioned I have analysis' on how Kevin isn't a coward and how his trauma still affects him and you guys wanted to read it so here!

Why Kevin Day Isn’t a Coward:

Essentially this comes down to 3 specific points in the fandom and even in the books since people are very adamant about the whole coward thing. The two things that people (in book and fandom-wise) use to argue that Kevin is a coward are:

Kevin is still afraid/ doesn’t stand up to Riko

That he left Jean behind in the nest.

Starting off with the first point. Kevin is still afraid and doesn’t stand up to Riko for the majority of the books. Firstly, we need to understand that Kevin has been abused from an extremely young age in the Nest and was conditioned into thinking that kind of behaviour was normal. And by that I mean specifically Riko’s abuse but before that, it was Coach Moriyama that abused both of them.

He was stuck in the Nest for over a decade where his only role was “property” the entire time. That was all he would ever be to them and additionally to that, he wasn’t even allowed to be better than Riko. His entire life from the very start has been about exy but it was only after his mothers death where it became life or death.

During tfc when Neil finds out how Kevin’s hand really broke Wymack says “But the day Kevin stops playing forever is the day he dies. He has nothing else. He wasn't raised to have anything else. Do you understand? We cannot lose to the Ravens this year. Kevin won't survive it."

He wasn’t raised to have anything else, exy is quite literally his everything, and without it, he has nothing and nobody. In this same scene, Wymack says, “Kevin doesn't talk about his time at Evermore, but I could tell it wasn't the first time Riko or Moriyama laid a hand on him. It was just the first time Kevin was smart enough to pack his bags and walk away.”

We never find out in detail what exactly happened to Kevin in the Nest but in TRK when Neil goes there we can see how deluded and obsessed Riko is with Kevin.

Neil moved up alongside him and regretted it almost immediately. Postcards of faraway cities both foreign and domestic were taped to the walls. Beneath each one were scraps of paper. Kevin's now-familiar scrawl listed dates and explanations for the travels. Most of them were games. Some indicated photo shoots and interviews. Books lined the shelves built into the headboard and Neil knew from skimming the spines they were Kevin's. Kevin was majoring in history for reasons Neil couldn't understand; these dry titles were the sorts of things he would find fascinating. It gave Neil chills to see his space preserved like this. It was like Kevin had gone out on an errand, not that he'd transferred to another team entirely.

Riko is so sure that Kevin is going to come back to him because he’s instituted such fear into him, he doesn’t think Kevin has the strength to stand up to him. Which he does, but people don’t seem to realise you can’t undo over a decade's worth of trauma overnight.

Anyway, during Neil’s time in the Nest, he’s treated very similarly to how Kevin would be considering he was in his place but also not as harsh because they had to send Neil back to the Foxes inevitably.

"I am going to love hurting you," Riko said, "like I loved hurting Kevin."

What follows this is Riko tying Neil down and torturing him with a switchblade. By the time Neil leaves the Nest he doesn’t remember anything from the experience- he was so traumatised by it that he doesn’t remember it at all. (It also kinda sucks how Neil gets more sympathy for being in the nest for 2 weeks than Kev did for being there for over a decade.)

Putting this into perspective, Kevin went through that for so much longer and doesn’t get nearly enough of the same sympathy Neil did. Neil returned and Kevin got punched for letting him go even though he tried persuading Neil not to. Kevin has always had Neil’s best interest at heart.

Kevin shook his head and bulled on when Neil started to argue. "The master wants to salvage you. He's going to sign you to the Raven lineup in spring. So long as you keep quiet and keep your head down he won't tell the main family he's found you." "I'm not a Raven," Neil said. "I never will be." "Then run," Kevin insisted, low and frantic. "It's the only way you'll survive."

Kevin was willing to sacrifice the only chance he had to prove his autonomy to the Moriyamas if it meant Neil would be safe. Without Neil, they wouldn’t have enough players to qualify and they wouldn’t be able to play at all. (Again: “But the day Kevin stops playing forever is the day he dies. He has nothing else. He wasn't raised to have anything else. Do you understand? We cannot lose to the Ravens this year. Kevin won't survive it.")

Not to mention the whole “Kevin was silent for an endless minute, then said, "You should be Court." It was barely a whisper, but it cut Neil to the bone. It was a resentful goodbye to the bright future Kevin had wanted for Neil. Kevin recruited Neil because he believed in Neil's potential. He brought him to the Foxes intending to make a star athlete out of him. Despite his condescending attitude and his dismissals of Neil's best efforts Kevin honestly expected Neil to make the national team after graduation.

And even after that, he promised to teach Neil, because at the end of the day, Neil was still Neil and he never gave up on him once.

And Neil understood that being on the run for 8 years was more preferable to the Nest.

“But all Neil had to do was look at Kevin to know he would have hated that life

too.”

Sorry I kinda went off track there anyway we can also see how much Riko’s presence still affects Kevin especially in scenes like the Kathy Ferdinand show.

“Any animosity Neil felt toward Kevin for forcing him onto this show evaporated. He couldn't be angry when Riko was here, not when Riko was to Kevin what Neil's father was to him. Petty anger had nothing on this full-fledged terror.”

Obviously, we all know what a dickhead Neil’s dad was to him so Neil comparing the fear of his father being similar to Kevin’s fear of Riko is so important because it just puts into perspective how afraid Kevin is here face-to-face with his abuser the first time since said abuser permanently disabled him.

But what I don’t think is that Kevin has been standing upto Riko since the start because right after this when they were backstage, Kevin physically stopped Riko from hurting Neil even if it meant getting hurt by Riko again.

A black look twisted Riko's expression into something ugly and unrecognizable. He reached for Neil, but Kevin caught his arm to stop him. Riko slammed his elbow back into Kevin's face without missing a beat.

This scene is probably the best to describe how downright afraid Kevin is of Riko but there are others when Kevin has multiple panic attacks at just the thought of Riko or being in the same vicinity as him and rightfully so! Riko abused him, manipulated him and then took away the only thing he had. And Kevin was just forced to think this was okay.

And a lot of characters and fans see his fear as cowardice instead of a normal trauma response. This is also because Neil tends to speak out more against Riko than Kevin (You know I get it…) but unlike Neil, Kevin has had direct repercussions towards him for the “mistake” of talking back to Riko which of course makes him hesitant.

He knows the Moriyamas could drag him back at any moment and he's terrified of that happening.

Which leads to the second bit of “Kevin doesn’t stand up to Riko.” when many times, he has.

The most prominent example is in TRK, just after the foxes lost their first match to the ravens.

“You have fallen so far, Kevin. You should have stayed down and saved us the trouble of forcing you back to your knees." "I'm satisfied," Kevin said. It was the last response any of the Foxes expected from him. They forgot about Riko in favor of gaping at Kevin. "Not with their score or performance, but with their spirit. I was right. There's more than enough here for me to work with."

Kevin chose the foxes over the ravens- over Riko. He doesn’t allow their loss to become something Riko can use against him but instead something to affirm his current standing with them. This is also the first game Andrew played without his meds meaning he’s crashed by the end of it.

Kevin distracted the Ravens from Andrew's unsteadiness by facing them.

Kevin willingly turned to talk to his ex-abuser and his team if it meant Andrew wouldn’t be under fire. Most people only see Kevin and Andrew as Andrew protecting Kevin but Kevin protected Andrew just as much.

And of course we have the whole tattoo removal and the last exy match against the foxes but I need everyone to understand that those are so so so important. Kevin spent the entire series save the last quarter of the last book viewing himself as Riko’s property. Riko refers to him as such and even without Riko near him, his control is still strong over Kevin.

So Kevin removing his tattoo and replacing it with something with a higher hierarchical structure than Riko’s status as king is so detrimental, it’s a turning point for him because he’s viewing himself as his own person now. And Kevin scoring the winning goal brings us full circle because the last time he did that with Riko, he ended up disabled and shunned.

This brings me to my second point about Kevin running away from the nest. Alot of people see Kevin escpaing from the nest and leaving behind Jean as an act of cowardice. This bit gets a bit complicated because in no way shape or form am I trying to compare trauma’s or anything like that.

But to continue on. The ravens had a very strict policy that we got to see during Neil's experience one of which being that no matter how injured they were, they were still expected to show up to practice. The more mistakes they made the more punishment they'd find themselves in. Not showing was practically a death wish.

Now Kevin having his hand fucking broken would mean thay either he doesn't practise and get punished or practise with his fucked up hand and further damage it. If he stayed I wholeheartedly believe he would've died.

He ran away to save his life and that will never be cowardice not once. He didn't go to Wymack immediately when he found out because he knew what kind of target he'd paint on Wymacks back.

"He was trying to protect him," Neil said. "If Coach knew Kevin was his son, he'd have tried to take him from Edgar Allan." Nicky grimaced. "They'd have never let Kevin go."

He only left when he had no other option. He had nothing left, the one thing he did have was taken away from him, he had no purpose and for once Riko didn't care enough about him to pay attention. And he used that to run.

Leaving Jean behind was something he always regretted, but it was a game of survival. Jean was a gift to the Moriyamas, he was also property to them and couldn't leave. And if the roles were reversed I strongly believe Jean would've done the same thing.

Also Kevin finds a place for him layer with the trojans because he knew that being a fox wouldn't be good for him.

"He isn't safe with us," Kevin said. "I won't give him false hope."

Staying in the nest would've been suicide for Kevin. He's one of the biggest victims in the series but nobody talks about it enough I fear and there's so much to learn about him via context clues etc.

And the saddest thing in my opinion is that Kevin knew was it was like to be loved, he was raised by his mother for a few years before going to the Moriyamas.

ANYWAY to conclude, I suck at essays and I hope I've worded everything well and what I'm trying to say gets across. Kevin is not a coward, never has been a coward and never will be. He's survived through such a damaging and abusive environment only to get moved to a separate environment where everyone just ridicules his defense tactics and he has no real sense of support.

His reasons for what he does always stems from the fact the he doesn't want to go back to being under Riko and Coach Moriyamas "care" and that he's afraid. And most of the time it's things he can't shake from the nest.

Like when he pushes the foxes its so they're always at their best and so none of them get hurt or punished for mistakes. He pushed himself the hardest because he doesn't want to directly affect his teammates.

Or the celebrity persona he was forced to develop.

Or how he makes sure everyone is staying healthy and that they don't force themselves to play when sick or injured because he knows what it's like to be forced to play like that day after day.

AND IVE GONE OFF COURSE AGAIN yeah I kinda mashed together both analysis' of how Kevin's trauma from the nest affects him and how he's not a coward into one thing AND THIS IS SUPER LONG so if ur still here thank you very much for reading I really hope this makes sense

#kevin days defense lawyer right here #this is the longest thing ive ever posted on tumblr #aftg #kevin day #aftg kevin #neil josten #aftg neil #andrew minyard #matt boyd #aftg series #aftg andrew #andriel #kandreil #kevneil #kandrew #david wymack #riko moriyama #FUCK HIM #jean moreau

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chaoticbardlady99 · 5 months

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She's My Religion (Part 1: She's Cold, She's Dark, She's Cynical) Astarion x F! Reader

Hello! I have been plagued with an idea! Enjoy! This will probably be a four part story, but I am not sure just yet!

Title from song “She’s My Religion” by Pale Waves

CW: Parental death, grief, murder, domestic violence, mentions of physical abuse, mentions of emotional abuse.

Synopsis- You are a paladin under the Oath of Vengeance. You escaped the noble life that was unwillingly thrust upon you. Now, on your way to kill your evil step-father while trying to find a solution for the parasite in your head- you find out he’s promised your hand in marriage to Lord Cazador Szarr and that he’s taken your mom’s life. Looking for some comfort- you go to Astarion, but you don’t hear the words you were hoping for.

*Gif does not belong to me- could not find original owner

Karlach whoops and cheers as she releases you from a rib crushing hug- Wyll and Gale are grinning from ear to ear. You are all elated for her that Dammon was able to figure out how to cool down her engine- even if temporarily.

You know that she doesn’t want to hear about the future and the harm not going back to Avernus will cause so you don’t say anything while Wyll tries to lecture her. You are barely listening as the two of them go back and forth, but when Wyll glances back at you with a look that screams, “Can you please help me out over here?”

You chuckle at your close friend’s distress and shake your head at him. Wyll adores Karlach- you know he would give her his own heart if he could. He just needs to let her come to her own decision- you’d like to think that Karlach might decide to go back until they can come up with a permanent solution. However, at the end of the day, it’s Karlach’s decision. You are just as unhappy with the impending doom your bubbly companion is facing, but that is not your weight to carry.

“Unfortunately Wyll, I am going to support whatever Karlach wants to do for as long as I can emotionally tolerate it,” you give Karlach a playful punch in the arm, “you’re not allowed to die on me, ya know?”

Karlach rolls her eyes and smiles- pulling you in for an awkward walking side hug.

“Don’t worry Soldier- I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

You all begin to head back to camp from Last Light Inn when Jaheira calls you from afar, waving you over. You look at your companions and they look back at you- equally as confused. You tell them that you will catch up with them in a little bit and they leave you there alone. Cautiously, you walk towards her- she did just threaten to kill you not even 72 hours ago and what an eventful 72 hours it has been.

You killed a devil, almost died killing that Devil, found out Astarion’s life is in far more danger than initially thought, watched Astarion convince a weird man to drink himself to death, watched an even weirder man be inhabited by a dead lady, fought shadows, and now, Karlach can hug people.

Life could not be any weirder, but you gladly welcome it over the mansion you had been trapped in after your mother married your step-father. The day you escaped from there had been bliss- despite how much you miss your mother. Your mother had been of noble human blood before she met your father (an elf). After one late night tryst and falling pregnant, her title had fallen significantly. She married your father and you had all lived happily together in Baldur’s Gate. You grew up poor, but Duke Ravenguard always tried to make sure you and your family had been taken care of. You grew up with Wyll Ravenguard and you have been tight knit friends almost your whole lives.

Until you were 14.

Count Bridril Von, a high Sorcerer, had not forgotten your mother nor her breaking her promise to marry him by becoming pregnant by another. After your father died, he found your mother and enchanted her to become a mindless puppet. She would break occasionally, but ultimately you were left to fend for yourself against your 9 step-siblings (5 girls, 4 boys) and Bridril Von- who enjoyed taking out all his anger and hatred for your father on you. The only times he would claim you as one of his own would be when you had competed in various competitions and won- outranking his sons. The publicity he got from having a little sharp shooter and for “raising his darling step-daughter after she so horribly lost her hero father” was incredible. You became a show pony- a pretty, malleable little thing that was forced to perform and excel so that she could be treated with basic respect.

The minute you were able to escape the Mansion from the Hells, you ran to the docks, bought a ticket to Silverymoon, took an Oath of Vengeance, and now you are here with an illithid parasite in your head. At first you had thought you were the unluckiest person in the world when you were kidnapped by a mind flayer, but your companions have quickly made the whole journey worthwhile- Astarion especially.

You had met him before in your previous life as a troublemaking bastard and you had had conversations before- nothing too crazy nor serious, just quips and flirting back and forth. Astarion had been at the mansion frequently or you at the palace because your oldest step-sister, Daisy Von, is (was?) due to marry Lord Cazador Szarr. It was no secret to anyone, not even Daisy, that Cazador wants to marry you due to your likeness of a long lost love of his, but you are not of royal blood. Cazador would lose his alliance with Bridril if he married his boorish, rebellious, and unwanted step-daughter- despite your many achievements. You were grateful. You didn’t want to marry the man and Daisy was foolishly smitten- she could have him for all you care. That was your mentality before you knew he was a Master Vampire.

Your family and Astarion’s ‘family’ spent a lot of time together. Astarion had become your escort around the palace grounds because Bridril did not want you to take the spotlight away from Daisy.

Originally, it had been Pale Petras, but you had unceremoniously kicked him in the balls after he had said something rather unbecoming towards you and had to be physically dragged away by Leon before he tried to kill you or worse. Astarion had immediately taken a liking to you for that alone.

When you had stumbled upon each other at the beach after the Nautiloid crash, it had been a little over two years since you had last seen each other. Without the watchful eyes of Cazador, your friendship and romantic relationship has blossomed.

You had been weary at first, worried that he was just getting close to you because he knew how much it would piss off Cazador if Astarion were to be with the one person Cazador could not have. Now, you are about 95 percent sure that isn’t the case, but you remain alert- just in case.

You are used to being used for an upperhand in the world and you hope everyday that you are more than an advantage against Cazador to him because he truly means everything to you.

Which is maybe why you are quite agitated with Jaheira taking precious minutes away from you that could be spent with your love. You offer her a smile as she holds out a letter.

“A letter? For me? Oh Jaheira, you shouldn’t have!”

Jaheira hides her amusement behind a scowl, “it came through here magically. Rolan was able to calm down the little portal it came flying through- I suggest waiting until you reach Baldur’s Gate to be sending and receiving mail.”

You apologize and walk towards camp, opening and reading the contents in the letter. The letter rips open your entire body and it feels like the ground is going to cave in. You read and reread the letter multiple times- standing between the edge of Last Light Inn and the edge of Camp, not even 5 feet away.

Tav,

My name is Mary, I was your mother’s lady in waiting. You were always so busy that we never got the opportunity to meet. I am sorry to tell you that I only have bad news.

The Count had received an offer from Lord Cazador Szarr two weeks ago regarding marrying you that he is not going to refuse- initially he was, but then you continued to not come home and he became bitter.

Cazador expressed urgency regarding getting you back to Baldur’s Gate. Bridril has hired mercenaries to hunt for you.

Bridril killed your mother- the whispers in the castle say it was not an easy or quick death. My understanding is that you took an Oath of Vengeance so I hope Bridril is on your list. Your mother was the kindest woman I have ever had the privilege of meeting.

I know she would want you to know that she loves you, is proud of you, is watching out for you, and knows you are off to do great things.

Keep vigilant and may Selune bless your path.

-Mary

No. This isn't happening to you. You are only days- maybe even a week or two away from going back home, killing Bridril, and freeing your mother. You were going to be a family again. You wanted to introduce her to your companions and buy a nice little home to live in with her like you used to when you were little. You were going to tell her all about your adventures, your time on the Pirate ship that took you to Silverymoon, your life there as a Paladin, and his whole fucking excursion.

She’s gone and the wail that threatens to crack open your chest is suffocating. You quickly walk to Astarion’s tent, where you have been sleeping most nights, and he’s not there. Of all the times you really need him to not be doing anything and yet! You shove the letter back in the envelope and absentmindedly throw it to another part of the tent- not looking and not caring. Your grief feels like it may kill you and you just need to be held- to know and feel like you aren’t completely alone in the world right now.

After a brief chat with Halsin, you discover Astarion is hanging out with Shadowheart behind her tent. You make haste that way- hoping they won’t be too mad that you are interrupting their wine and gossip time. You had gotten back earlier than anticipated and in other circumstances you might wait until he is done, but you aren’t in your right mind.

You approach the tent and hear them talking on the other side, facing the forest, and sitting on a log. The tears begin to manifest in your eyes as relief floods you- you are so close to feeling okay again.

“How bloody hard is it to nicely, lovingly tell someone that you’ve been deceiving them this whole time?”

You stop dead in your tracks.

No.

“Look, there is no good way to say it,” Shadowheart says, “you just need to own up to it and then be honest about all of it.”

“Oh yes because ‘I planned on seducing you, sleeping with you, and manipulating you from the start’ is such a great opener,” Astarion scoffs, “there has to be some other way to make it flow with the rest of it. A better way to tell her.”

“No need,” you speak up miserably, coming around the corner, “you just did. Wasn’t that hard was it?”

Astarion and Shadowheart look absolutely shell shocked to see you standing there. Astarion looks like he’s about to throw up as he gets up and looks at you softly, a pleading, panicked look in his eyes.

“Darling!” he says, getting up, laughing nervously“you’re back early. I- can we-”

“Whatever we are,” you say with a glare, tears now pouring and with as much hatred in your voice as you can muster, “or whatever you were pretending I was to you- it’s over.”

Astarion’s entire face falls while he’s staring at you and he looks like he might cry, he opens his mouth, “Darling, pl-”

Shadowheart looks like she is about to speak up for him too, but you are far too angry, far too hurt- far too lonely right now in the world to let yourself be tricked into staying with him. They are best friends, she’s probably in on it too.

“No! I hate you so much!,” the venom in your voice being watered down by your anguish, “I hate you more than I thought I could ever hate anyone- undead, dead, or alive! I trusted you and you used me for your own gain- so unkindly, go fuck yourself!”

You spin around on your heels, race over to your tent, and tie the flaps tightly shut. You slump to the ground and just sob- grabbing your mother’s old blanket that you had stolen before you left. You scream into it silently and all the pain in your body is threatening to make you burst apart at the seams. You wouldn’t be surprised if you did.

In less than an hour you have lost your mother, Astarion, and potentially your freedom. Astarion had used you to get one up on Cazador and he succeeded. Now that he knows what Cazador’s ritual is- he’s decided he’s done with you and every step you make has to be done cautiously because one slip up and you are going to be the consort to a fucking Master Vampire after fighting to avoid this for so long. All because Astarion just had to poke the bear.

Astarion signed your fate using your blood as ink.

Your throat is raw and your head is pounding by the time your lungs feel like they know how to properly breathe again. You hear someone knock on one of the wooden beams of your tent and you scoff.

“It’s just me Tav,” Wyll says softly, “can I come in.”

You get up and untie the tent flaps numbly. You look at Wyll, eyes puffy and red- your face streaked with tears. As Wyll walks into your tent, you get a glimpse of Astarion looking crestfallen as you invite Wyll in. You just scrunch your nose up in disgust at him before closing your tent.

Wyll is sitting down on your bedroll and you sit down right next to him- both of you looking at the ground. Wyll gently puts his hand on top of yours and smiles at you with his signature gentle, I’m here, grin.

“My mom’s dead, Wyll.”

“What?”

“Bridril killed her. She had snapped out of whatever hold he had on her when he agreed to marry me off to Cazador,” you choke out between sobs, “he killed her for trying to protect me. Now? I am officially going to be married off to a Master Vampire the minute I step foot in Baldur’s Gate if Bridril has his way.”

“Oh Tav…”

“And then! To make matters even worse?,” you look at him with disbelief and your voice sounds borderline hysterical now, “I overheard Astarion and Shadowheart prepping his ‘I’ve been using you this whole time and I’m ready to break-up’ speech. He was trying to figure out how to be nice about it.”

Wyll stares at you with bewilderment. He is absolutely silent as you break down sobbing again, but he pulls you into him and you put your head on his shoulder.

“I fe-feel so alone,” you manage to say coherently, “and so frightened.”

“I know you do my dear friend,” Wyll strokes your hair as make a mess of his shirt, “but you have Karlach, Gale, Lae’zel, Halsin, Scratch, and even an Owlbear Cub for Gods sake!”

You smile at the emphasis on your rather dangerous furry friend. Wyll had asked what you were going to do with him when you got back to Baldur’s Gate and when you didn’t have a plan- both of you were a little horrified. You both decided to send it to Daisy as an engagement present once it’s big enough to stomp on Cazador and Daisy mid-wedding.

“And besides,” Wyll says, “you’re my closest friend. I won’t allow you to be alone nor face this alone. I’m probably the best monster hunter you know.”

“You are also the only monster hunter I know.”

Wyll rolls his eyes and smiles brightly at you, “That’s besides the point, but I am going to let you sleep. You look like you need it.”

Wyll places a soft kiss on your forehead before he leaves your tent.

“Thank you Wyll.”

He turns around and smiles, “Any time Tav.”

_________________________________________________

Tag-list: @spacebarbarianweird @domainoflostsouls

#baldurs gate 3 #astarion #astarion x reader #baldurs gate astarion #bg3 spoilers #astarion x you #astarion x tav #astarion romance #bg3 #karlach #astarion x f! reader #astarion acunin #baldurs gate #bg3 tav

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treason-and-plot · 3 months

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Wednesday 10.37 am

Roy’s work day usually begins with him phoning or video-calling as many of his clients as his schedule allows; today looks like being a good day as not a single one of his flock is facing any new lawsuits, nor has anybody been cancelled on social media in the past twenty-four hours. The best news of all is that his star basketball player Otiene Henare’s groin injury is finally on the mend. Otiene sustained the injury three weeks ago in a game against the Twinbrook Tigers and has been out of action ever since, but his mother Carleen tells Roy in a voice emotional with relief that Otiene’s medical team has given him the all-clear to play this Saturday. Roy feels a little bit emotional too; Otiene is not only his mother’s ticket to a cushy retirement but probably twenty other people’s meal tickets too, himself included. He’s just finished chatting with Harrison Steiner when Celine knocks on his door. She waltzes into the room without waiting for him to answer, and announces that his lunchtime meeting with his boss Gus and several of the firm’s lawyers and accountants has been postponed because Gus woke up this morning with a bad attack of gout.

"Booyah!" whoops Roy, punching the air.

"Your concern for Gus’ condition is so touching,” says Celine.

“Hopefully the old fart will be off for the rest of the week,” says Roy. “Hey, what are you doing for lunch? Do you want to check out that new restaurant down by the waterfront? Alec reckons their smoked trout is life-changing.“

“Thank you very much for the offer, but I’m having lunch with my boyfriend today,” says Celine. A becoming pink tinge blossoms across her neck and cleavage.

“Celine! You sly minx! You didn’t tell me you have a boyfriend!” says Roy.

“You never asked,” says Celine. “Anyway, I’m telling you now.”

“What’s his name?” says Roy. “What does he do? How long have you been seeing him? Have you blown him yet?”

“Oh dear, I think I can hear my phone ringing,” says Celine. “Bye, Roy!"

After she’s sashayed from the room Roy ponders his contacts list for a few moments, then dials Joël‘s number.

“Hey, Mahogany!” he says when Joël answers on the fifth ring. “Are you allowed out of the house to come to lunch today? Or do you need a permission slip from Neets?”

#roy #joël #celine #back to bridgeport #5 years later #Brutus #Alice

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sparklingchan · 18 days

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Serendipity || Seo Changbin (Stray Kids)

Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Changbin

Word Count: 5.4k+

Warnings: Suggestive, mentions of pregnancy (the reader is not pregnant) , mentions of poison, Changbin is sweeter than sugar. Set in the Joseon Era.

Genre: Royal AU, Arranged marriage AU, fluff with very slight angst.

Description: The King of Joseon had chosen you as his queen. But there are those that wish for this union to fail. Will your love be enough to overcome the competitiveness of the Palace?

A/N: Hello everyone! Back with another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. I am genuinely in love with this one ngl. King Changbin is a rizzler y'all. Hope you guys have fun reading this <3

Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated)

Here's the link to the masterlist.

Being a woman in this country is not an easy task. Especially when one is a candidate for the position of the country's Queen.

You'd dreamt of this for years, the idea sewn into every thought by your father even since you were child. With time, you'd welcomed the thought without a complaint.

"My lady, the Royal messenger is here." Somi informs you, and your nervousness just goes up by a thousand.

Did you manage to become the Queen and make your father proud? Or did you get disqualified and were now just a daughter of some minister and free to marry any other commoner like yourself?

You run down the hallway and enter the pavillion in front of your house, the colorful banners of the Royal entourage shine under the bright sun.

You straighten your robes and kneel down, head almost touching the ground, as a mark of respect for the King's verdict.

The chief Eunuch opens up the scroll in his hands.

"Please find enclosed the Royal Edict from the King's Court:

I, Seo Changbin, the King of Joseon, have chosen Miss y/n of House Kim as my wife and, by extension, the Queen of our beloved country. I have consulted the three High State Councilors and my mother- the Queen Dowager about the same and we have all unanimously agreed that she would be the best choice for the country as well as the Royal family, owing it all to her wits, beauty and manners.

Congratulations to Miss y/n and her family.

The Royal family would also like to extend an invitation to the bride-to-be to shift into the Detached Palace at the earliest as part of the customary pre wedding ritual. "

It feels as if someone had punched out the air from your lungs, you couldn't speak nor stand, while your parents and brother continuously thanked the Royal Eunuch, accepting all the gifts sent by the Palace for you.

But you couldn't move. You just stayed there, frozen. For life as you had known it has come to an end.

And thereafter begins a new, Royal chapter of your life.

"I'm going to miss you, my child."

The days since the Edict pass by in a heartbeat. All the members of your family were busy with packing your belongings while you were busy with mentally preparing yourself to leave your family and house behind forever.

Yes, you'd always wanted to be a Queen. Yes, you'd spent years getting ready for this role. Yet when the time finally comes, it hurts you to think about leaving behind twenty three years of your life.

"I'm going to miss you too, mother." On hearing your words, your mother cries harder.

But as usual, your father shows no emotion. His face is calm.

"Remember, y/n, there are no friends in the Palace other than your husband. You cannot confide in anyone but him. The other concubines will do anything to gain his favor, but you shall always be a step ahead. Be vigilant and loyal. You will make a great Queen." He says. Like the strategist he'd always been.

"Yes, father." You reply, swallowing the lump in your throat.

Your mother clinges to your arm.

"We will try and visit you whenever we can. I'm sure his Majesty will allow."

"Yes, of course. You can visit me anytime. The Palace is only a few hours from here."

"Oh, my child! How will I ever live without you!" Another sob tears out from your mother's throat. You hug her with all the love and care you could muster up in that moment.

Your father walks out of the room, hands behind his back and face twisted into a frown.

The Detached Palace is to be a temporary residence for the bride-to-be. For over the next thirty days, you would be receiving lessons on various subjects like history, Royal Etiquette, sewing, cooking and most importantly- lessons on intimacy. The last lesson is considered most important, according to Somi, since it allows you to birth as many healthy heirs as possible.

After helping you dress up for the night and setting up your bed, your maids take your leave for the night, only Somi remaining by your side.

"Do you think I'll see the King tomorrow? It's queer but I'd like to know what my future husband looks like, at least."

Somi sighs, "I don't think it's allowed, my lady. I believe you can only see his Majesty on your wedding day. A month from now."

You're oddly disappointed. You had dreamt so many nights of seeing the King, holding his hand, being by his side, yet the King in those dreams often never had a face.

Was it wrong to yearn to look at your future husband's face? Just once?

A subtle knock on your door startles the both of you.

"Yes?"

"My lady, the King is here to see you." Your handmaid almost whispers the words through the door.

With unparalleled urgency, Somi helps you straighten your clothes and rushes off towards the door.

"Your majesty." The maids and Somi greet him with the customary bow, while you purse your lips in a line, head hanging in a subtle bow.

Your heart hammers against your chest. It's so loud, you're sure even the King could hear it.

"Please give us some privacy." The King commands.

And you heart beats faster on hearing his voice for the first time. Gentle, yet authoritative, just like you'd dreamt.

When Somi closes the door behind her, you almost regret wishing to see your future husband. The proximity makes you nervous and you could only hope you'd not faint in front of him.

"My lady, you may rise."

You'd almost forgotten you were still bowing to him. You mentally slap yourself.

"Y-yes, your majesty. " your voice comes out as an embarrassing squeak, your eyes still on the ground.

You'd prayed for this moment for years, y/n. Why couldn't you just meet his eyes?

As if sensing your inner conflict, the King takes two long strides towards you and hooks his index finger under your chin, sending a chill down your body.

"My lady, please look at me."

And you do.

And he's like everything you'd ever wished for.

Perfect, like a beautifully crafted sculpture.

His soft brown locks, his rosy lips, the subtle mischief in his eyes. Everything is perfect.

"Y-yes, your majesty. Sorry." You mumble.

The king smiles, rubbing circles into your cheeks.

"You may call me Changbin when we're alone."

You nod.

"I just came to ask if you're finding your new residence comfortable. We both shall be busy with lessons tomorrow onwards so I figured tonight would be a good time to visit my bride."

His bride? His bride?

Your legs feel weak.

"I'm finding it extremely comfortable, your majesty. Thank you for your hospitality. "

Changbin let's out a low chuckle, leaning towards you. His lips hover inches above yours. And when he speaks, you feel hot air on your lips, "I told you, y/n. Call me Changbin."

You frantically nod.

"Good. Better be careful next time, my bride."

When you wake up the next morning, you're sure you'd dreamt everything that happened last night.

But apparently not.

"The King is a dashing young man." Somi teases as she lathers a concoction of herbs into your hair. "You're lucky, my lady. He seems to be a gentleman."

But you are too caught up in your thoughts to reply to her.

Did the king of Joseon really come all the way to the Detached Palace to see you? What if he's disappointed with how you had reacted? But he shouldn't blame you at all.

You had not been expecting anyone yesterday night, especially not him. But he did come to you. And he touched your chin. If you focus hard enough, you could feel his touch lingering in the area.

"My lady?" Somi clicks her fingers in front of your eyes, "Come back to earth. We have to get you ready for the classes today."

Blushing, you reply, "What classes do I have today?"

You had three classes today: Palace etiquette, literature and what Somi insists most important: lessons on reproduction.

While Palace etiquette mostly includes lesson on how to behave with Royal elders, ministers, maids, the King, literature includes important pieces of literature that are important for a woman.

And lastly, the most dreaded time arrived.

The reproduction lessons.

The tutor shows you all sorts of obnoxious hand movements and some drawings of couples in intimate positions. You feel uncomfortable from the beginning till the end.

A woman at least five decades older than you is teaching you about intimacy? Very awkward, to say the least.

But you heave a sigh of relief when the classes end for the day and you make your way to your room in the Detached palace.

"It's just the first day, Somi and I'm already tired to the bone." You say, kicking your shoes off.

"Well, it's going to be a lifetime of time this now, my lady. And you best be prepared for it."

You reply Somi with silence. But her words make you wonder. If this palace life would ever be less tiring someday? Would it even be worth it?

Perhaps not.

But King Changbin 's face flashes in front of your eyes; his sparkling eyes, mischievous grin, his feather like touch- maybe he is what will make everything worth it.

That night, after your maids get your bed ready while Somi is combing your hair, a familiar announcement echoes through the corridors of the Detached Palace.

"My lady, the King is here to see you."

His smiling face peeps through the doors as your maids hurry out of the room. He wears blue silk robes, and you feel weaker in his presence than you did yesterday.

"Did you miss me, y/n?"

And thus begins a month of secret nightly visits by the King of Joseon to the Detached Palace.

Everyday, you wake up looking forward to the time when King Changbin would come knocking at your doors, always up to some jesting.

Sometimes, he brings you fruits you'd mentioned you liked or he tells you stories from his childhood. At other times, he tells you about that one teacher he will hate till the end of time.

But most times, he spends his time listening to you talk- about everything and everyone, about the skies and gods, about ghosts and afterlife, about favourite foods and literature. After you'd overcome the initial shyness, opening upto Changbin was as easy as breathing, almost natural. Of course, you were still nervous around him, but it's a feeling you'd come to like.

Is this what the writers and poets describe as 'butterflies'?

"Do you think I'll make a good Queen?" You ask him one night. He sits in front you on a cushion, across the room, a position you told him is appropriate for two unwed people (although he did not agree to it initially).

If your nightly shenanigans were to be ever discovered by anyone, you would not want to be found in close proximity to each other even though you were betrothed to each other. He's breaking Palace rules everyday as it is.

He hums, "Of course! I think you'll make a great Queen. You're so good at your lessons already."

"That does not guarantee anything. I might not be good at taking the responsibilities."

"Do you trust my judgment, y/n? I think you'll make a great Queen. And even if you are overwhelmed, I shall always be here."

That night he leaves earlier than he usually does, owing to the fact that tomorrow is the day where his concubines are to be welcomed into the palace. Five of them.

The thought leaves you feeling bitter and dejected, but you make sure to not make those feelings obvious. This is a rule for Kings, to take as many concubines as possible to ensure the continuation of the blood line.

"Don't worry, my lady. Your rank in the palace is above these petty concubines. They will not mess with you." Somi comforts your thoughts the next day.

"But what if Changbin favors them more?"

Somi does not reply to that question.

On your 18th birthday, your father had promised to you that he would make you the Queen of this country. He kept his promise because here you are, after five years, getting dressed to be married to the most powerful man in the country.

Your father always insisted that powerful men do not love but Changbin's sparkling eyes always contradicted everything your father had taught. Nevertheless, you know the competitiveness among the concubines for the King's affection is mad. More often than not, even the Queen gets involved in petty fights.

But you try to remove all thoughts of your father and the concubines today. Because today, you are to be married to King Changbin. From today, your name will be written in the historical logs of the Royal family. From today, a new life begins.

"Are you okay, my lady?" Somi asks, "You look worried."

"I'm fine. Just hope the ceremony goes well."

The ceremony does go well and in all honesty, you were not worried about the ceremony itself. You were worried about the aftermath.

The maids guide you to your new palace, and get you dressed in white robes for the wedding night. The night when you will finally meet Changbin as his wife. The butterflies swim around in your belly.

The bed is decorated with flower petals and a few candles are lit. Everything is perfect.

"The King is here." One of your ladies in waiting announce and you get up to greet your husband.

The maids leave the room as the doors slide open and Changbin steps in, also dressed in white robes. He looks dashing, but his signature grin is nowhere to be found.

When the doors close behind him, he walks past you to the bed, the scent of liquor evident in his breath.

"Have you been drinking, your majesty?" You ask him, worried by his odd behavior.

What was wrong with him? Why wouldn't he even bother to meet your eyes?

"Changbin." He slurs, wrapping the blankets around him, "Call me Changbin."

He turns away from you and is snoring away in no time.

The butterflies in your stomach flutter around before dropping dead.

You did not sleep that night. Even though you were sleeping next to the man you love, you felt lonelier than ever.

Many times during the night, you consider walking out of the bed chamber to the servants quarter so you could talk to Somi. But you couldn't do that. Because you were now the Queen of this country and every single step you take will have its repercussions.

When morning comes, Changbin wakes up in a haste and greets you with a subtle nod and walks out of the chamber in long strides.

You well the tears back. It's your first day as Queen and hadn't he always promised to be there when you were overwhelmed? Had he lied? Or was it Changbin's doppelganger who visited you every night in the Detached palace?

Somi comes in a few minutes later with an excited smile on her face.

When she does your hair for the day, she asks, "So, how was the wedding night?"

You want to answer her truthfully - how cold Changbin had been, how he had not even looked at you let alone touch you, how you think he had changed almost overnight. But you see the prying eyes of the other palace maids and swallow your sadness.

"It was perfect. Like everything I'd ever hoped for."

"He was gentle, I hope." She says through a grin, but it feels like someone pouring alcohol on an open wound.

"Yes. He was."

As part of royal customs, the new bride is supposed to visit the senior most female member of the family and greet her. In your case, the member happens to King Changbin's mother.

Somi dresses you in the most exquisite silks and adorns your hair with the most precious flower but you feel nothing at all when everyone compliments you on the way out of your new Queen's palace.

Your mother in law's palace is a little far from the Queen's palace yet it is as beautiful as any other palace. From inside as well as outside.

"Greetings, your majesty. It is nice to meet you." You bow in front of the Queen Dowager.

The woman-not more than sixty years of age- looks at you with a gentle smile.

"Come in, y/n. Please be at ease."

You're seated in front of her on a cushion while the Queen Dowager's maids serve you breakfast.

"I hope your first day here goes well, my child. Our family is thrilled to have you." She says.

"The pleasure is all mine, your majesty. I am honored to be a part of this family." You say.

In the back of your mind, you wonder if Changbin is thrilled to have you or not. Probably not.

The mere thought of yesterday's rejection stings.

"Y/n, truth be told, my son is a quite a troubled man. His father was murdered in front of his eyes. He was made the king when he was only 16 years old. It's been 7 years since then, but the burden only gets worse. I hope you, as a Queen and as his wife, can help him lessen these burdens. Can you do that?" The Queen Dowager asks again, sipping tea from a small cup.

"I will do everything I can to help him." If only he'd let you.

"Good, good. I'm glad. And one more thing, y/n, you know as Queen one of your primary duties is to produce an heir for Changbin's throne. I hope you're working on that, yes?"

Heat reaches your cheeks. If only the poor woman knew what her dear son had done last night. If his behavior continues, perhaps it will be long before the Queen Dowager sees the face of a royal grandchild.

"We are trying, your majesty. We will not disappoint you." You reply, sipping tea from your own cup.

"Great! I shall send all types of herbs and tonics to help you conceive as fast as possible. I shall also draw up a chart after consulting the astrologer..." the Queen Dowager's voice fades into the background as your mind drifts off to the nights in the Detached palace, when Changbin would come and spend all his free time with you, against the rules of the palace. At that time, you had been sure that producing an heir would be a beautiful process, not a chore.

But Changbin does not even treat the thought like a chore.

Did he not love you? Did his Royal duties burden him too much?

When you leave the Queen Dowager's palace, you walk past The King's palace. It is as beautiful and majestic as they say. But you wonder if you'll ever be able to set foot in the same.

As if on cue, you see Concubine Jung walking out of the King's palace, her maids behind her. The butterflies in your stomach burn with jealousy.

She has a smirk on her face when she sees you.

"Eun, did you know there's a rumor around the palace that the King refused to sleep with the Queen last night? Sad, isn't it?" Concubine Jung says.

One of her maids giggle and nod, "Of course! How could the Queen even live with this shame?"

You cry yourself to sleep that night, while Somi does everything in her abilities to soothe you.

Needless to say, nothing worked.

"My lady, wake up. The King has invited you to breakfast with him." Somi informs one morning, six months after your wedding.

"Tell him I have a bad stomach bug. I cannot go."

You'd be found dead before sharing a meal with him and that obnoxious Concubine Jung. You'd shared enough meals with them already.

The past months, the King had not visited you even once but often you'd see him walking the gardens with Concubine Jung at his side.

After the first few weeks, you had no tears left to shed anymore so when the rumor came in last month that Concubine Jung might be pregnant, your eyes do not water no matter how much you force yourself to cry.

"I do not wish to congratulate them." You say, true and plain.

"My lady, he's invited only you. Not anyone else."

So you agree. As a last attempt to make your marriage work, even if it's just for your own sake.

Somi dresses you in green robes- The King's favorite. You quickly make your way to his palace, as if someone else would take your place if you didn't hurry. It's sad your thoughts had turned so negative in just half a year in the palace.

Your father had told you the King would take in many lovers during his lifetime, and that being Queen is about having power, not being loved.

But you think he didn't warn you enough. He didn't warn you how lonely it would be to sleep on the cold bed every night, how painful it would be to see the King smile at someone else.

Even if you did wish for a child, how could you produce you a child without Changbin?

"Good morning, your majesty." You say to him when you enter his bed chamber. It smells like cinnamon, a smell he'd often carry with himself back when he used to visit you at the Detached palace. Back when you were sure the king had been in love with you.

"Hello, my Queen. Please have a seat."

The butterflies dance around for a split second.

"Did you sleep well last night?" He asks, taking a seat in front of you.

"Yes." Lies. "Thank you for inviting me over."

When the maids leave the both of you alone, his demeanor changes.

"Actually, y/n, I had something to talk to you about." He says, casually, as if he hadn't been hurting you everyday for the past few months.

"What is it?" You ask.

He sighs, "It's mother. Ever since that rumor of Concubine Jung being pregnant spread. She wants the first grandchild to be of the Queen."

His words do not faze you, "How can I help you, Changbin?"

He frowns. Since when had your tone become this melancholic?

"Um, so if I have your consent, I'd like to try for a child tomorrow night. We'll see how that goes, yeah?"

"Okay. I will be honored." You say.

You finish up the food quickly and almost slide the doors open when he grabs your arm from behind.

"Y/n, what is it? Did something happen? Are your parents well?"

"My parents are well enough, thank you for asking." You say, keeping your eyes on the ground.

"Then? What happened? Is it Concubine Jung? Really, you did not have to be jealous of her. She's not pregnant. I can assure you of that. I have not consummated my marriage with any one of the concubines."

His words seem to have an effect on you. Your heart blossoms with hope but you keep your face and voice neutral.

"I am not jealous, Changbin. If one of the concubines get pregnant, I shall wish you both well."

You force your arm out of his grip and walk out the palace, not looking back once.

Changbin's stares at your leaving figure, now worried beyond relief that he might have broken the one person he cared for the most by his pursuits of a greater good.

While the past few months for you had been filled with loneliness, for Changbin it was almost the same-if not worse.

The first night of your marriage was filled with as many butterflies for him, as it was for you.

He had fallen in love with you and he wasn't afraid to show the world how much you meant to him. He wanted to hold you, kiss you, make love to you. And he had all plans to do that on the first night.

But that was until he had overheard a secret conversation between Concubine Jung and her father- Minister Jung.

For all he knew, Minister Jung had always wanted his daughter to be the Queen but being the dim-wit that she was, Concubine Jung could not even get through the first stage.

"Father, it's been two days since I'd been in the palace and that man has not visited me once. He had not even asked for my name the day of the welcoming. What kind of man is he? And you say I am to be Queen!"

"Hush, child. In this palace, even the walls are listening. Be careful. And as far as the position of Queen is concerned, you need not worry. If the King does bed the Queen tonight and she get pregnant, we shall make sure her pregnancy terminates before maturity. I have connections with all sorts of medicine vendors in the country, be assured, she shall never see the face of a child. After we weaken the Queen, we can take her throne as easily!"

Changbin had wanted to laugh at the man's foolish plans but deep down, he was worried as well. For you.

Which is why he pushed you away for so long and kept Concubine Jung close. While she tried everything in her power to seduce him, he refused her under the pretense of keeping an oath of abstinence for a year.

Every time she tried to even hold his hand, Changbin thought of you; your innocent eyes, your talks, your wit, your hands, your beautiful hair. No woman could make him feel like you do.

Changbin's secret informants had confirmed that Minister Jung had not one but two houses full of gold and cash he'd collected as illegal taxes from the local people. He'd also sometimes force husbands to send their wives to him in exchange for money. Even the thought nauseated Changbin.

Every time Concubine Jung visited, he made sure to collect some sort of evidence through her. He even visited her every night and while she snored away, he stole some of her gold jewlery and clothes to get them checked as evidence of the illegal taxes her father had been collecting.

And sure enough, after a few months of spying on her and her father, Changbin had gathered enough evidence by now to expose both of them at the court.

But he realised quickly that Minister Jung had a few tricks up his sleeves as well. The rumor of his daughter's pregnancy would make it difficult for Changbin to expose him easily, and so Changbin waited every night that the rumors would die down so he could run to the Queen's Palace and hug you with all his might. You were not safe unless the father and daughter were deposed.

And for some selfish reasons, Changbin had hoped you'd understand the reason behind his distance. But no woman could find a logical reason behind her lover being absent and it was horribly wrong for him to expect you to do the same.

"Are you stupid?" His friend, the eccentric dancer Minho had asked him.

Changbin had told him how coldly you'd behaved this afternoon when he'd asked you if you wished to try for a child. Most women would giggle and blush. But you were like a statue.

"You push her away for months and make her feel lonely and not loved and what not and you have the audacity to ask her that?"

"Well, yes. Mother had been pressuring me for a child and obviously, even with the pressure, I would never do anything that y/n would not have wanted but I thought it would be a great way to reconnect with her. Even if it didn't end in child making or whatever."

Minho let's out a frustrated groan, "You have to learn so much, Bin. But let's start with this- be honest with her. She's your wife and you ought to tell her everything. Give answers to all her questions and hold her hand if she let's you. Small steps first, a child can wait."

Changbin nods, " Okay, should I go to her right now?"

"Yes, you idiot!" Minho says, earning a slap on the arm from The King of Joseon.

He should be glad he's not being beheaded for calling the King an idiot.

You're almost done getting ready for bed when the lady in waiting makes an unexpected announcement .

"My lady, the King is here to see you."

Your heart leaps and the butterflies come alive again only to die down once you realise why he might be there. For a child. Isn't that why he's here? Isn't that why people get married in the first place?

"Y/n." He sighs when he enters the room, almost out of relief. He purses his lips.

"Is there anything I could help you with?" You ask.

Oh, how badly he'd hurt you. He could see the hurt in your eyes, in your voice, in your mannerisms.

"Y/n, I'm sorry. I really am. I know I have caused you pain and I cannot imagine how lonely it must have been. But I hope you know that I really do love you and only you."

"Then why the distance? Why visit Concubine Jung every night?" You ask, hands on your hips.

The tears that had left you threatened to return again.

And he tells you everything. From the conversation he overheard to how insistently Concubine Jung asked him for a child to how much solid proof he'd collected over the months and how he'd sent those evidences to the Minister of Security, who in turn ensured that by tomorrow the Jungs will out of the palace and be imprisoned for life.

It all makes sense to you now, of course it does. Yet you feel guilty. He'd been trying to protect you, all this while.

"I'm sorry, Changbin. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I only-"

"Don't apologize, y/n. It's me that should apologize. I should have somehow tried to contact you and tell you about everything. I'm-"

"No, no, Please. Don't. You only tried to protect me and-"

"No, y/n, it's all my fault, please-"

Somi overhears the entire conversation through the door, her mind finally relaxing after the misunderstanding had been solved between you and the King. She could no longer stand you being this sad. And she somehow knew King Changbin had his own reasons for his behavior.

She hears soft sounds of kissing through the door and takes it as a sign to move away from the door, and join the other maids waiting outside the palace door. She smiles to herself.

The butterflies burn with passion.

"I do not wish for a child this early. I want to be here like this with you for a while, just y/n and Changbin and maybe two or three years later, we could try for a child. What do you think?"

When he kissed you initially, you half expected this to end up in the bed. But it did. And you're glad it did.

The butterflies bloom more than ever.

You're wrapped in his arms, tightly. The nakedness no longer bothering the either of you.

"I agree. I want to be this close to you every night, not as a Queen or the mother of your child. But as y/n. As your wife."

Changbin draws his face closer to you, pecking you on the lips, "And so you shall, my love."

And so you shall.

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dreamwritersworld · 1 year

Text

Once innocent. Part 2. (Sully family x reader)

Just a friendly reminder that is a mini series showing more back story of Y/n past and all her hardships in life! 💗

Her grandmother was the only one who heard Y/n’s screams and prayers to Eywa and it’s a moment she would hold dear to her. A moment so precious and harmful to Y/n’s heart. So private.

That’s how Y/n became…private. She made sure to learn how to braid her own hair memorizing the words Rey’akana told her, describing everything he was doing. She kept on practicing at the same time every day. She tried hanging out with the other kids but she stopped because when one girl had a bad day and she decided to pour her own rain of sadness over Y/n for no reason, lashing out on her telling her something that deeply hurt her, realizing other people saw what she was scared to always hear.

“Your dad is olo'eyktan and he can take of everyone else but you! Your too oblivious, weak and stupid !”

The mean girl made Y/n gasp with her words and the shove she sent to Y/n but Y/n made EVERYONE in the room gasp at how quick she was to punch and fight the girl. Y/n threw a couple of punches until she saw the girl had enough “what my dad is, what my family is, has fuck all to do with you!” She kicked the girl to the side and walked away quickly sprinting in the forest.

‘Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t fucking cry.’ There it was. Her body rejecting emotional emotions. ‘crying is weak. It should not be acknowledged.’ If Y/n was preventing herself from feeling the way she felt it would soon lead to her silent frustration. She yelled frustrated screams before realizing she left a crowd of people back there…dad was gonna figure it out. She was going to get yelled at again. This time it wasn’t even her fault, she wasn’t gonna let herself get pushed around. She waited it out, drowning in her mind. Blood sliding down her knuckles until she decided it was time to go home, preparing herself for the hits she was going to take.

Her father didn’t even allow her the chance to breathe. “Y/n. Where have you been! We have rules set for you for a reason. You are not allowed to throw hands. You broke every rule. You embarrassed this family. Stressed your mother out. She is pregnant. You’re going to need to Grow up.” I looked down afraid the next words will just prove the girl I had punched correct.

“Look at me when I’m speak to you! I swear to Eywa Y/n you’d be nothing without me because I had to go out there and cover your stupid actions.” I looked at my dad with tears threatening to come out as I was digging cuts from my fingernails into my hand. “are you crying? You better not cry. Don’t be pathetic y/n. Warriors don’t cry. You will never be a warrior crying like that.” There he goes using own dreams against me. I immediately turned away blinking my tears away

“No sir, I am sorry for causing harm to your family.” He held no remorse “You are grounded so you are not allowed to fly your ikran. You will stay close to your mother. Or just stay home for all I care. Your a mess outside by yourself. Do you understand?” I looked into my fathers eyes accepting what he had just said, to get it over with i said “yes sir.”

I walked away, walking past my siblings and mother to go towards my small kit of healing supplies shaking and searching for healing ointment to cure my wounds. I began quivering feeling like my world was closing up, my lungs struggling to breathe. I soon was drowning in my own tears, at least that’s what it felt like…drowning. I tried calming myself. Memorizing the words Rey’akana gave me. “I need you to live Y/n. I need you to that for me Y/n, that’s your job now.” Hearing his voice over and over again brought me peace, I only saw him in my dreams. He was the way a father should be. He was my father figure when I slept. I missed him until I closed my eyes. Dreaming was the feeling I searched for all the time, because suddenly the world went quiet. It felt peaceful. I was at peace in my dreams but right now my body won’t shut down and it’s making me frustrated.

Everyone just seems to be ok with it. ‘The anger, the level of anger’ it feels like everyone’s just out to make me not feel normal. Maybe this is just my punishment for always running after my dad. Never learning my lesson. Maybe I do deserve to just take the hits for causing so much harm. I’m just fucking exhausted. This is so draining. I just need a really long sleep. If I could have a different past I promise you I would…my eyes start to get heavy and I hated the the way my eyes burned when they closed but I’ll endure it just for a couple of hours of sleep.

*y/n’s dream*

“Hey sunshine. Why the forest? You always pick the forest.” (acknowledging the setting) Y/n laughs unsure as to why she always picked this part. “I’m not fully sure. Maybe it’s because this is where it all started. Where you taught me to shoot, do my hair and learn how to survive.” He agrees acknowledging how she was always eager to learn and quick at it too. “So what happened this time?” Y/n twiddled with her fingers “I’m sad Rey’akana, my dad is closing in on me, getting tired of me and I don’t know if everything I’m doing is right. His ideas go against my morals. What I taught myself, what you taught me. He’s wrong.”

He sighs “You are a handful but I didn’t ever get tired of you. Trust me Y/n, it’s not your fault. you’re father always had a difficult and frustrating idea of how life should be for you. You’ll pull yourself out of drowning. I know you get those panic attacks, sunshine. The ones where you feel like you can’t breathe. But You’re a survivor and I firmly believe that.”

Y/n looks up again and smiles “Your right. I just needed to hear you say it.” I begin crying looking at him so close yet so far…? “Why are you crying, sunshine?” I let out a sob. “I just really miss you. I wish you were here Rey’akana. He hugs me saying “Memories exist outside of time and have no beginning or end. As long as you live I’ll be with you forever.” He comforted me for a minute before saying “Eywa’s sending you a gift Y/n. You have to be strong. Remember your job, live Y/n. You can come back to me anytime Y/n but for now push through, sunshine.” Chiming could be heard “It’s time Y/n.” I give him one last hug and we say our goodbyes. *

Y/n woke up head pounding because of how many tears she let out. Time to come back to reality. I have to follow Mom around perhaps I can try talking to her.

It’s only been thirty minutes with her and I’m sitting in my own puddle of nervousness…is this normal? I can feel some type of frustration sitting within her, some type of confusion or tear is she ok…? I’ll just ignore it, if it bothered mom she’d tell me…right? She would never be mad at me and not tell me the reason, she wouldn’t hold resentment towards her own child the way dad did.

..No this just feels wrong. Why is she staring at me like that…? Whatever I’ll just ask.

“Mom…Are you ok? Is it the baby? I’ll go call grandmother or if that’s too much I’ll get my supplies I know a few things on pregnancy’s from what I’ve observed.” Neytiri gives a shocked face, her daughter noticed her concerns and Neytiri is too scared to confront Y/n afraid of hearing the truth.

“Mom? It’s ok you can tell me! What’s wrong mom?” Neytiri stumbles upon her words finally deciding to just let it out “I- are you ok my child? I know what your father said may have cause a little bit of frustration, I heard you. I was the only one that heard you my child. Why do you do that? Why do you hold your breath?”

Y/n looks up confused “W-what? No mom I- I’m fine truly. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just I ran out of oxygen in that moment it’s ok mother I- I really didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just…”

I stopped myself …if i finish this sentence right now and if mom doesn’t completely agree with it. Dad will know. But right now I feel like maybe someone cared..it’s been awhile…maybe mom can do something?

“It’s just what my child…? What’s hurting you? Tell me it’s ok.” Ok this is it I can finally get my point across gently “mom words hurt, I- I didn’t mean to get so mad at the girl but- you should’ve been there to hear what she said. How much scary truth there was lying in her words. And then Having to come home to dad not allowing me to even catch a single word in to explain myself , just yelling to no end, talking down on me. It’s not easy mom. I was innocent in this situation. I was just defending myself.” Neytiri eyes gaze at her daughter could this really be what caused her child to be in such a deep panic when she left the room..? “Oh my child I’m so sorry, I should’ve done something. I’ll defend you next time. I promise.” I breathed out a laugh and smiled. I’m happy. This is it. My mother was finally going to defend me…she heard me. I’ve been heard.

I believed that until I got ungrounded a week later from that moment. I was about to leave from training until I heard people talking about me..? “I mean all of the olo'eyktan children are good but uh…. y/n? There’s something cold behind her eyes.” I’ve never even seen this girl in my life…? Why is she talking about me? “Don’t get me wrong, shes great at everything but something happened and that makes her completely separated from the rest you know..?” I can’t hear this conversation anymore. They have no right. They don’t know what I’ve been through. They don’t know me. I’m going back to home.

“Y/n! Again? Why are you out doing nothing.? Watch your siblings! Do something for a change. Loak almost got hurt today everyone was there BUT you. Where were you. You should’ve been there to stop your siblings!”

I barley even walked through and I was being yelled at AGAIN about something I didn’t even know occurred. I was doing something. I was training. I was doing duties throughout the day what is he talking about..? I look to my mom while she’s standing next to my dad pleading her to defend me for something I didn’t even do. She just shook her head at me…? What do you mean no..? My heart breaks once more. I’m being failed by them. Again. And im left to go against my dad again by myself.

“Sir I didn’t mean to. I was doing chores around the village I can assure you I-“ he didn’t even let me finish my sentence. “I do not care. I do not want to hear your excuses. Y/n go somewhere rn and think about what you did wrong before trying to defend it.” I look up absolutely in disbelief and walk away. I can’t wait to receive the gift Rey’akana mentioned. What is it? A way out? Please be a way out.

💗!

Tag list: @noodlesfics @eywas-heir @itshype

@zatarias-pandora @yeosxxx @arminsgfloll

@abbersreads @tsireyak @neteyamforlife @aimsro

@elegantkidfansoul @goodiesinthecloset21 @nikotokitaswife @bucky1235

#jake sully x reader #neteyam x reader #loak x reader #sully family x daughter reader #sully family x reader #angst #neteyam sully #neytiri sully #jake sully

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bubybubsters · 11 months

Text

Love of My Life (Azriel x Reader)

a/n - This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic so please be patient with me. Please leave a suggestions. I’m sorry, the story might go a little slow at first. I’m not great at writing. Do you want part two? :)

⚠️- I don’t think they’re any, but please inform me if there are.

if you want to be added to my taglist. Masterlist part 2 part 3

You finished dressing just as your father swaggered in. He had a smirk on his face that you knew meant pain, in places nobody could see, would be inflicted on you very soon.

You braced yourself. Today you would meet your sister- even if she didn’t know it- and the court she loved so much. Despite the horrible stories you’d been told about them, you trusted your sisters judgement, even though you’d never met her.

“You’re looking good tonight y/n.” A punch to the stomach, a jab to the ribs. “Excited?” You didn’t answer. A slash with a knife to the upper thigh. “I asked you a question, I expect and answer.”

“No father, just wanted to look my best for you.” The answer you’d given him since you were old enough to know what a horrible male he was.

He narrowed his eyes at you, but put the knife away. “If you ever need to address me, do not under any circumstance, call me ‘father’. Especially in front of your sorry excuse for a sister. I am now ‘Keir’ or ‘steward’ to you. Am I understood?”

“Yes Keir.” He nodded his approval and soon left after leaving you with instructions.

You couldn’t wait, this was the first time Keir had allowed you to attend when the High Lord came.

*****

Fifteen minutes later, you were shaking as you felt the High Lord of the Night Court approach his rightful throne.

But then you saw her, walking before the High Lord, beautiful, a bored, uninterested expression on her face. Your sister. You froze as she locked eyes with you and despite the stories you’d been told, you could see the love and freedom shining behind the eyes. Eyes that looked exactly like yours, like your mothers. Morrigan, the light that occasionally graced this hateful, dark place.

The two of you broke eye contact as she passed you, but your eyes quickly met again as she turned to face the two-faced bitchy crowd your father called his court. Her mask of calm broke, disbelief showing for all of a second before the unfeeling face returned. You frowned about to try to enter her head with the gifts nobody knew about but were so similar to the High Lords.

But she turned away and sank into a graceful before as Rhysand and Feyre took their thrones. You and everyone else in the court followed.

“Rise. Go enjoy yourselves.” You mingled with the others but when you glanced back, you saw Morrigan making her way towards you. You shook your head slightly and tapped twice against the solid walls protecting her mind.

She just blinked at you in astonishment and returned to the High Lords side as she opened a sliver in her mental shields.

Hello Morrigan. My name is y/n. Nice to meet you.

You…you’re my sister. And to you, I am Mor.

Alright Mor. Indeed, I am your sister. May I show you some things?

At Mor’s slight nod of approval, you moved to a shadowy area near a pillar. You sent her memories of your life and in return she let you look through her. You learned the shadowy males name, Azriel. You repeated it in your head not realizing you were sending your thoughts to your sister. Azriel. Azriel. Azriel.

Don’t worry y/n, we’ll get you out of here and you can have those thoughts of Azriel as often as you wish.

Your connection was cut off as a sharp claw tapped on your shields. Rhysand, you could sense him. Hesitating, you let him in.

I’m going to send for you soon, come up and stick close to Azriel. We’ll take you back to our home if you wish. What would you like?

Thank you my lord, I would love to see your home.

Just Rhys please. He left your mind and beckoned for you with a hand. You went up and bowed, low. He and Feyre inclined their head and you were quickly introduced to their inner circle.

Mor looked like she wanted to hug you, but Rhys pointed you in the spymasters direction. You smiled at your high lord and locked eyes with Azriel.

You almost tripped as something in your chest uncoiled towards him. The mating bond stretched between the two of you. Azriel was your mate. He didn’t seem to notice the bond and when you reached him, he just made space for you to stand by his side.

But Mor, she saw something had happened, and you reached out to her when a sliver of her mind opened for you.

Azriel’s my mate. I don’t think he knows.

Before Mor could respond, Rhys called Keir over and said to him in a voice that let him know he would not take ‘no’ for an answer. “May I keep your daughter?”

“Of course my lord, you already have the Morrigan.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it. I am taking y/n for as long as I need a helping hand.”

Keir said nothing and Feyre dismissed him with a wave of her hand. She spoke inside your mind, slipping past your slightly open mental shields.

Mor told us what happened, everyone knows besides Azriel. I would suggest telling him but it is your choice, you will always have a choice here.

With that the High Lady retracted from your mind and your mental shields snapped up. You felt like you were dying, the male next to you was your mate, he didn’t know it, he seemed do be ignoring you but you could finally get out of this court and into the real world.

You weren’t sure you were ready for the real world. Mate. The word ricocheted through you, making the world you knew turn upside down and explode. Mate. Azriel was your mate.

part two anybody?

#acotar #sarah j. maas #azriel fanfic #azriel x reader #azriel x female!reader #azriel x you #azriel

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hyeque · 2 years

Text

vows [kuroo tetsurō]

notes: based off of kuroo’s background and well, my own. one of the reasons why i love kuroo sm is bc i resonate with him and his childhood. seeing how he grows beyond that is so admirable though. so this is so self indulgent yall are pretty much at our wedding so 🤕‼️

“what are you doing? get out!” you squeal, seeing your fiancé, kuroo tetsurō enter the room you're in. you quickly move to hide from his view, tugging on your dress to conceal it.

“relax, my eyes are closed.” he assures, honoring said tradition of not looking at you—his bride.

you glance from behind the wall and surely enough, kuroo has his eyes squinted shut. he curses softly when feeling his way around and nearly trips on something lying on the ground.

you don’t hesitate to run out to steady him, worried that he’ll fall over. you don’t want to explain how you need to take the groom to the hospital on your wedding day.

“what brings you here?” you ask, still grasping onto his large, calloused hands. he squeezes them tightly in return.

kuroo swallows thickly, “rumor has it that the bride is getting cold feet,” he looks down at where he presumes your face is, “is that true?”

your eyes widen with shock, “n-no, of course not!”

he seems to be waiting for something, “but?”

you’re silent for a moment and look to your feet.

“but i’m scared. god, tetsu, im terrified right now.” you tell him, your voice trembling slightly.

he pulls you closer to him, his body warmth enveloping you and providing comfort. “i’m scared too. you think i know the first thing about how any of this is supposed to work? look at my parents.” he jokes.

“and look at mine.” you say, both of you laughing.

both of you come from rough backgrounds growing up. neither of your parents remained together, the years of arguing and yelling deeply imbedded in both of your fleshes. it’s easy to think that something that happened to you when you were so young wouldn’t have an effect on your later life, but you were wrong. having rarely any sign of good relationships in your lives you wondered: is love even real?

“i don’t…what if we don’t stay together?” you blurt. “what if we hate each other so much we can’t stand the sight of one another?”

“no,” he blurts, “i could never hate you. so that’s impossible.”

“i would never hate you either, but,” he covers your mouth, stopping you.

when you look up at him you notice there are tears coming out of his eyes despite being squeezed shut. you wipe them away gently.

“i don’t know what to say, im not the best with words. but…” he leans in your touch, collecting his words.

“if you’re willing to give your all for our relationship the same way i am, what more do we have to lose? we can only do so much about the future, and that’s not to say i expect something bad to happen.” his tears wet your hands now. “but i love you so fucking much i’d die for you. i’d give you anything so i think it’s fucking impossible for me to stop loving you. if i ever do, i’ve been kidnapped and replaced with a clone.”

you laugh, tears transpiring on your eyes as he speaks. “i’d die for you too, tetsu. i’m willing to give anything and all for you as well, and even in death i would never part from you.”

“good, or i’d haunt you.” he cackles when you punch his arm.

“i know that may not be the answer you’re looking for but we’ve come a long way. i’ve waited for this day…since we were kids.” he speaks softly, his slight sternness returning. even without him looking at you, you feel the sincerity in his voice.

kuroo tetsurō is always a man of his words. you’ve seen and known that forever. despite only having a dad, he’s allowed himself to be gentle, to be caring and nurturing. to be vulnerable in a way most men struggle with. of course it wasn’t easy—it still isn’t. but he’s always said that he’s been thankful that you’d been there, just in the same way he was there for you. you didn’t grow up with the best father figure, and he was barely present. your mother worried endlessly about what type of person you’d end up with and kuroo having to plop in your lap like a present out of the sky was a gift beyond all gifts. you don’t know what you’d do without him.

“truthfully, i only want the best for you. and if…if letting you go provides you happiness then i can’t be selfish and not let you go.” kuroo says. “but, i don’t think we’ll ever reach that. part of marriage is fighting together right? never leaving each other behind?”

“right.” you whisper, snuggling into his chest.

he kisses the top of your head, his large hands holding your face gently and opens his eyes.

your face burns as he stares at you, stunned to silence. “you weren’t supposed to look.”

“i had to make sure you were okay.” he blinks and more tears fall, “and it seems you’re doing better than me.”

“barely.” you laugh, sniffling.

he smirks, sucking in his breath, “god, you’re so beautiful. have i told you that today? i don’t think i have, you’re beautiful.”

“you did in your good morning text, and on the phone with me earlier.” you roll your eyes, amused at how dramatic he is. “you tell me everyday.”

his eyes scan all over you repeatedly, eyes filled with love and adoration. “i hope you’re the last thing i see when i die so your image is forever engraved.” he says, hands fidgeting, “i would so kiss you right now, but i’ll wait until after the vows.”

“you’re not making it any easier with the sweet talking.” you pout, looking up at him. kuroo always looks handsome but something is different about today, besides his bed head being more well maintained, you wonder if the idea of kuroo as your husband makes him even more appealing and attractive.

and god, do you want to kiss him too.

“starin’ at me like you have a crush on me or something,” he jokes, cheeks flushing.

“maybe i do.” you reply, and before you can say anything else there’s a sharp knock on the door.

“crap, guess they found me.” he says, hearing yaku scream behind the door that ‘he knows kuroo is in the room’ and that he’s going to ‘kick his ass as soon as he busts down the door’.

“y-you snuck pass the security?” remembering kuroo snuck in hits you.

“if security is yamamoto and lev, then yes. kenma and tsukishima didn’t even try stopping me. they knew it was hopeless.” he boasts, puffing out his chest.

you giggle and push him towards the door. “well get out of here, trouble maker. yaku is about to huff puff and blow the door down.”

kuroo grabs your hand again, “so…are we okay?” he seems to be shy when he asks the question and it reminds you of six year old kuroo who shyly told you you’re pretty.

you squeeze his hand back. “of course. the next time i’ll see you, i’ll be reciting our vows.”

“feels like we just did that kinda, maybe we can skip that part—ow! okay, nevermind!” he rubs his shoulder where you slapped it. he looks back at you, anxious, “i’m going now. i love you.”

“love you too, tetsu.” you smile, moving back.

you both don’t really know how you’ll navigate marriage but the best part about all of that is not doing it alone. like your vows say, you two are the missing voids in each others hearts and you promise to keep it full. to love and cherish one another to the ends of the Earth.

so when you see kuroo again right in front of you, there’s no doubt in your mind that everything feels right.

#kuroo x reader #kuroo tetsurou x reader #kuroo fluff #kuroo drabble #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu!!#haikyuu #hq kuroo #hq #hq x reader #kuroo tetsurō x reader #haikyuu drabble #haikyu x reader #haikyu fluff #haikyuu fluff

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bordysbae · 1 year

Note

could you do 1. "you're the only one who can calm him down" with Alex Turcotte :)

“the fight”

alex turcotte x reader

“oh my god! i cant see, whats happening?!” you exclaim, immediately panicking as you see your boyfriend down on the ice throwing tons of punches at the opposing player. his mother is right by your side in the box. she’s freaking out as well, but not nearly as much as you. she’s seen alex get into many fights over his lifetime of playing hockey, but it’s still scary no matter what. the ref finally intervenes, and alex is taken off of the ice. as your angered boyfriend is taken off, he’s still yelling things at both the ref and the other player. seeing this, you let out a sigh, and so do both of his parents. “oh alex, what happened?” you ask under your breath, as if he can even hear you.

a few minutes later someone comes to your guys’ box, and requests that you come with him to see alex. “am i even allowed back there?” you ask meanwhile frantically trying to keep up with the man’s pace. he nods his head before answering, “yeah, especially in this case. he keeps saying something about how ‘y/n is the only one who can calm me down,’” the man says. a little smile lifts your lips after heading that statement. you then show your badge to the security and he lets you both in, leading you to where alex is. he’s pacing around the lockeroom, hands in his hair while also covering his face.

“alex? are you okay?”’you ask hesitantly, afraid his anger will lash out again. you know he would never try to hurt you, or honestly even yell at you, but sometimes people have no control of their emotions. immediately he feels a touch of relief when he sees your face, but when he senses the smallest bit of fear in your tone, a wave of guilt crushes him.

“y/n, hi,” he says, immediately pulling you into a tight hug. his gear doesn’t smell the best, but it’s not at all the right time to make a joke. of course you hug him back, and immediately feel the tension in his muscles. a clear sign something wasn’t right. “alex love, what happened out there?” you timidly ask, afraid of what he might say.

“he slammed me into the boards so hard, but when i slam him back he starts punching me!? so now i look like the bad guy cause people only really saw me punching him! but the weird thing is, i just couldn’t stop? it’s like something overtook me,” he states, clearly embarrassed at his overreaction on the ice.

“hey, don’t be embarrassed al. you were angry, and that’s okay. you’ve gotten injured too many times and you’re finally back in the nhl, so of course you’re gonna be upset if someone risks hurting you again. just maybe don’t hurt them back next time, just let it go and be cool. the last thing you need is to get sat out for the next few games,” you say, and alex groans knowing that you’re right.

“i’m probably already gonna get sat out after all that shit i pulled. god, why am i so fucking stupid?!” he angrily chuckles, pacing the room once again. you grab onto his left wrist, and roll up the sleeve of his jersey. you trace the roman numerals that are tattooed into his skin, “alex, you’re not dumb. remember what your grandfather used to say?” you ask, still tracing the roman numerals he got inked for his grandfather.

“there’s no dumb people, just dumb decisions,” he mumbles, annoyed that you’re always right.

“exactly. you’re not dumb nor are you stupid. you just made a dumb decision. that’s it. now, since you’re out for the rest of the game, why don’t you go cool off in the shower and i’ll meet you after the game, okay?”

“yeah, okay. thank you y/n. i love you so so much. you always know how to calm me down,” he smiles, pressing a soft but intimate kiss onto your temple.

“i love you more, al.”

#alex turcotte #alex turcotte x reader #alex turcotte blurb #alex turcotte imagine #hockey blurb #hockey imagine

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jboy44 · 2 months

Text

Rusted night maiden hunter

Team rwby and jnpr look to summer raven kali and willow glowing eyes and to jaune betting juniper

Yang " so ozpin infinite man oir moms are the maidens and you made them abandon us?

He mods

Ruby " jaune time traveled and went to ever after he rusted knight?

Ozpin nods

Weiss cries " 😭😭😭😭 i am ideas play boy vs knight i choice player

Pyrtha " and you cursed jaunes line so arcs have to keep there word and as one promised his line would all ways serve you jaune is your slave 😡😡😡?

Ozpin nodds

Blake " you had jaune hold back all this time

Nora has hammer " and as jaune helped his sister in law get pregnant my leaders son my nephew is technically born a slave?

Ozpin nods

Ren " and killing you is pointless so nothing wr can do matters?

He mods

Willow summer raven and kali take therr daughter's hands " that brings us to this sweetie mommy and her friends took turns riding your friend jaune

Team rwby processing there moms the four maidens banged the rusted knight jaune arc

In the evernight castle

Salem: I must save my family from that despicable man

Suddenly a portal of radiating light and darkness appears and 2 figures fall out of it fallowed by a hooded figure

G O L: ow did you have to kick us

G O D: ya even after you beat us up

Hooded figure: yes, yes I did and you both know why

Light: yes because your nephew is being controlled by my mistake

He pulls off the hood to reveal uncle briar

Salem: briar please tell me you have good news

Briar: of course Salem these two said they will deal with the infinity man and my sister will get her grand babies so she’ll quit bugging me

Salem: ahem my grand babies too

Briar: ya ya what ever

Darkness: can we go now

Briar: not till you deal with that green jack ass

Light: fine

They leave to deal with ozpin

Briar: well I must go give my regards to the blacksmith she helped me find those two then off for more adventures

He leaves

Salem: that man scares the shit out of me

Ruby rolling around crying " 😭😭😭😭the boy i like did my mommy "

Weiss hitting head on wall " guy who i turned down did my mommy " pulling hair out

Yang crying eyes out " how could you vb? "

Blake fainted

Pyrrha ".... SO YOU NEVER NOTICED ME BECUASE I AM NOT OLD ENOUGHY OR NOT MAGICAL??"

Jaune " ...... I am not allowed to comment on this take it to ozpin."

Nora " fearless leader is milf hunter

Ren " magic milf hunter

Team milf " young lady get a hold of your self right now

Team rwby jump scared

In a flash a being of light and a being of darkness appears

Light: ya no more controlling of the arcs

He snaps his fingers and a green haze surrounds jaune only for it to shatter like glass

Jaune: hey I’m free.. fuck you old man

He punch ozpin in the face

Darkness: oh and you will no longer be a body snatching asshole

A light surrounded ozpin only for it to fade away

Ozpin: no but what about humanity

Light: oh we’ll be around and her kids magic

All the girls get magic

Darkness: and you boy, you shall be vary important for what is to come

Jaune: what is coming?

Light: our sister

Everyone: what????

Darkness: while I’m destruction and my brother is creation but our sister is sort of like light here she is life but more along the lines of creating it

Light: more like the goddess of lust and sex

Jaune: and that’s bad because???

Darkness: she’s a whore and will do bad things to your world so you young man need to sate her

Jaune: what I can’t do that

Light: according to these girls and your mother, your uncle , and your sister in law, you’ll do fine

Ruby: well looks like you need practice

All the girls look at jaune with hungry gazes

Jaune: he he I’m in danger

Jaune runs as the horde of women chase him around.

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paladinbaby · 1 year

Text

i feel like it’s potentially relevant i keep track of these all in a discord channel called nettle spiralling. family portrait of nettle nolastname

@july-19th-club / my nieces is probably the reincarnation of shirley jackson, cj hauser with notes / all about love, bell hooks / where angels fear to tread, e m forster / antichrist, the 1975 / elisabeth hewer / haunted epistemologies, laura westengard / letters to a young poet, rainer maria rilke / sam sifton / the anthropocene reviewed, john green

[Image Description: Ten pictures of text.

1: “simply cannot resist what i call the little mermaid or the tin man or the pinocchio plot, the one about a character who is either inhuman or human but outside in some way, constantly searching for whatever it is that they consider to be the quintessential proof of humanity, preoccupied by it so deeply that they fail to realise the proof is in the act and fact of the search itself”

2: “”What does it mean for the structure of your life to feel menacing? To be imprisoned within it? To feel like it might kill you?”

Haunting is an act of care, care is an act of haunting. Haunting is formed between the trauma, mothers inflict on their daughters.”

3: “We can never go back. I know that now. We can go for-ward. We can find the love our hearts long for, but not until we let go grief about the love we lost long ago, when we were little and had no voice to speak the heart’s longing.” The first three sentences are highlighted in red.”

4: “I seem fated to pass through the world without colliding with it or moving it - and I’m sure I can’t tell you whether the fate’s good or evil. I don’t die - I don’t fall in love. And if other people die or fall in love they always do it when I’m just not there.”

5: “And I swear there's a ghost on this island / And his hands, all covered in blood / And my wife inquired of understanding / But of course, my dear, you can't

She said, How can I relate to somebody who doesn't speak?/ I feel like I'm just treading water

Is it the same for you? / Is it the same for you?”

6: “I want to be eaten alive. I want / to feel wanted.”

7: “cultural anxieties and desires, allowing”for a whole range of specific monstrosities to coalesce in the same form.” The excesses of monstrosity and the hybridity of the living dead help visualize naturalized oppressive structures, making those structures uncanny and therefore intervening in the architecture of oppression. Both haunting and sadomasochism appear in queer thought as expressions of queer temporality that expose a particular type of traumatic temporality. Haunting manifests the swirl-ing, fractured, intersecting temporality of ongoing low-level trauma, not just a single event popping through into the present but a disorienting and overwhelming storm of traumatic intrusion.

The traumatic gothic shadow cast on queer theory is not always made explicit however.” The initial sentence fragment and queer temporality are highlighted in blue. The penultimate sentence is highlighted in purple.

8: “You must realise that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hands and will not let you fall.”

9: “Above all, cook for someone else. Take a moment to prepare food not simply because you’re hungry, but because cooking is an act that makes others feel better. And making the lives of others better is why we are here.”

10: A photo of a page of a book, some lines are highlighted in yellow throughout. “would like that, to show it your belly. There’s something deep within me, something intensely fragile, that is terrified of turning itself to the world.

I’m scared to even write this down, because I worry that having confessed this fragility, you now know where to punch. I know that if I’m hit where I am earnest, I will never recover.

It can sometimes feel like loving the beauty that surrounds us is somehow disrespectful to the many horrors that also surround us. But mostly, I think I’m just scared that if I show the world my belly it will devour me. And so I wear the armor of cynicism, and hide behind the great walls of irony, and only glimpse beauty with my back turned to it, through the Claude glass.

But I want to be earnest, even if it’s embarrassing.”

End ID.]

#litstack #web weaving #quotes #personal #c:lensa #nettle :)#yes I am using nettle feelings to make you all read a chunk of one of my favourite papers #haunted epistemology my absolute beloved

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lamemaster · 3 months

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The Soulless One (Part 2)

Pairing: Maedhros x Reader

Genre: happy ending (Yay!)

Word Count: 2k-ish

Summary: Giving away your soul for a bloody battle? Pfft, you were fucking in for good.

AN: I tried. I'm sorry. Can we just ignore the cannon fea dynamics and roll with this? Please 🥹

Part 1 |

You pin him to the bed that creaked dangerously for an Elven creation. "Is this not enough?" You pull him closer by his collar. "These stupid braids, talking in riddles elegantly like you wanted, enchanting eyes, birthmarks right under my lips, and for so long I haven't allowed a damned curse to fall on these lips." And for once you can hear his heart clearer than ever. A skip in his beat that your human senses couldn't have caught.

But your own heart beats louder than him. "Is this not enough? Do you know how uncomfortable it is to dwell in a body my soul can never accept? And you...you never came looking for me. Did you not feel a pull in your soul?" You hold back the tightness behind your eyes that threatens to spill your tears at any given moment. "What else must I do my lord?"

Much to your annoyance, he stays quiet. And then it happens. In a flick of the moment your fist meets his cheek and you stare at the elf beneath you. A blooming bruise covers his face and a throbbing pain pulses in your fist. "Fuck!" You bunch up your gowns and rush out of the room which to run back to, just to drop ointment before running to your grandmother.

“I messed up,” you follow behind Melian who seems to be taken by the task of watering the garden, uncaring of your heart’s inner turmoil. “Can you hear me grandmother?!” You snatch her watering can blocking her path.

“You did nothing wrong,” Melian replies with her unnervingly wise eyes boring into your soul. “Son of Feanor needed that wake-up call.” Of course, she knew! Nothing escaped your grandmother’s eyes.

“I punched him!” Now you were not the one to not trust Melian, you weren’t repeating your grandfather’s mistakes. “How could he be fine with that? He probably thinks I am the same old brute.” You, much to your annoyance, find yourself watering the plants in her steed.

Melian had always known your truth. The half-human soul in your body that clung to the memories of your past life and your entanglement to the eldest son of Feanor.

Perhaps, your soul that matched that of her daughter’s endeared you to her. Or maybe it was just a simple fondness for her grandchild. But you saw it in her gaze, a longing unfulfilled by you. Luthien Tinuviel lived in her mother’s eyes even ages past.

Even now, parts of Tinuviel remain as your grandmother shakes her head fondly, “Nothing ever is unchanged honey, even the winds that brush the shores come back bearing brine in them. So how is it that you expect yourself and Maedhros to remain unchanged?” Plucking a swaying Lavender your grandmother tucks it behind your ear. “Love will come to you, General. Have faith.” Like a prophecy, her words imprint themselves on your heart.

Jumping into the blazing pits of his end, Maedhros had expected agony worthy of his crimes. It was supposed to be an end deserving of the likes of him. He did not wish for an existence beyond repenting the crimes of his acts. It was fitting for someone like him.

Yet, surrounded by devouring flames of his own choice, Maedhros felt nothing but a soothing stillness. It was wrong. He reached out his hand to feel the burn only for the cool sensation to ward off the flames with his movement.

He knew. He had known it all along. Even in death, his General would stand by him. A soul so fierce that even the flames of Earth’s chasm could not diminish it.

That could be the reason that Maedhros smiles softly before he closes his eyes. In the end, you found him. No…you’ve always had him. It is now that he can accept it free of the burdens of his life.

Surrounded by you, Maedhros closes his eyes. His death is easy. It is most peaceful. He is undeserving of it. But it is a present he accepts. A courting present, he has accepted ages later after it was offered.

All that is left is to relay his reply. To tell you, that he is yours.

Reborn, Maedhros finds himself in the land of bliss. Surrounded by his brothers, mother, cousins. All who marvel at his recovery from a death so painful.

He returns with a complete soul and a remaining fragment of you, that made it to his rebirth. All he has to do is wait. Maedhros awaits your return. Something that will come to pass no matter what. Because his General, never backs from promises.

And when you do return, he will kneel to you and beg for the affection you once vowed to him. He will offer his heart, his soul, and his body which is now unmarred from the scars of the past.

But what Maedhros did not expect was to encounter you, on the shores of Alquanlonde, dressed in finery, speaking with the tact of a skillful diplomat.

A form brighter than any other. The radiance of Maia blood was not unhidden. Such was to be expected of the daughter of Daeron, and the granddaughter of Melian herself. He knew it to be you, yet you were so different from the General of his past.

His heart stutters at the first instance of your eyes meeting his. But he looks away from the glimmer of recognition in your eyes. Even the fragment of your soul, he possesses seems to remember its owner.

But Maedhros’ heart drowns in the waves of dilemma.

His love for the General was warm, cozy, humble despite its depth. Yet, the person who now stood before him was different.

His own words of the past where he jested with you, revolve in his mind.-

"Someone more refined perhaps…Someone who restrains from cursing after every other word…Enchanting eyes, long braided hair, a beauty mark or two placed by their lips, elegant nose, supple lips-".

He remembers them well. And it was as if, his General had taken every single word and made it real.

But he is no longer worthy of a love like that. He wasn’t worthy back then and he isn’t now. A sinister part of his heart had bargained your human imperfections as a bargain for his own insecurities.

But now that too was lost to him.

That is why he reigns his heart and lowers his eyes from you. At war with his own desires, he avoids, the one he had promised to confess to.

He does well until you find him.

It is then that he sees the spark of the past. His General who pinned him to bed, who cursed, whose hands were no less than ones of Tulkas' Maia.

His General, who does not remember to offer him ointment despite even as she rushes out of his room embarrassed.

You almost cringe when Maedhros shows up in front of you with a bruise on his face. Why were you heavy-handed even as an elven princess was beyond you…but when he asks for a private conversation you, follow him thinking of ways you could make up for how you had treated him.

Trying to ignore the wayward vine that rested on Maedhor’s head, you prepared to apologize as you should have done hours ago. Closing your eyes you push yourself in a bow, “Iamsorryishoudn’t-” your words pause when Maedhros’ speech interrupts you. And for once you let him speak as you straighten from your bow.

“I did not want you to ever think that my love for you is a result of this form or beauty.” Maedhros sighs. “I may have said things…but I loved you back then, and I love you now. How can I not love you?” He chuckles as if the thought was of fleeting mirth to him.

“A woman reckless enough to give her soul to me, how could I not give her my heart?” His hand tentatively cups your face and you let him. “I was scared that my acceptance of this form would undermine the General. That it would make you feel less about the woman I have loved. But that is not true. And hurting you was never my intent.” His eyes look down in shame, you never intended to subject him to his hand falling down from where it rested on your cheek.

“I let you die without ever caring for you. I have been nothing but selfish in return for your selfless affection. I treated you poorly for a crime you never committed. I always desired you but never held myself accountable to be worthy of being desired by you. Even now my heart is full of cowardice. Despite vowing to wait for you, I could not even summon the courage to look you in the eyes once I found you.” much to your surprise, the mountain of an elf kneels at your feet with his head bowed to the ground. “I am flawed. Greedy and self-serving even in my love. How can I ever ask more of you?” His hands fall emptily next to him in defeat.

“Maedhros,” you try your best to avoid an overly sentimental choked up voice. Instead you crouch next to him gripping his slumped shoulders, that seemed unnatural for someone as prideful as him.“You are a fucking fool of an elf.” You tilt up his chin and look into his eyes. “Since when did love become a trade? When did it become so tangible as to weigh it in our actions?” Your thumb caresses the tilt of his jaw as you find yourself spilling all that had been left in your heart.

“Even as a human General, I knew that my love for you was enough. I did not need to measure it with sweet gestures or sickeningly sweet words. I knew that I was born to love you and on the battlefield, I found out that I would die to love you. It is a fate I have chosen of my free will.” It is not for the first time that you marvel at the innate Elven skill to make up the poetic declarations out of most simple conversations.

“I have forced the hand of doom itself to join me to you. So who are you to deny me?” You could not stop the smug smirk forming on your face. Arrogance, too perhaps was an Elven trait.

Like an obedient pup, Maedhros sits in front of you, leaning into the touch of your palm. “You make me into a pathetic elf, General,” much to your surprise Maedhros’ voice cracks as you swiftly wipe the tears on his face. “But I am nothing but an absolute wretch without you. How unfair is that.” With a broken sob, your beloved pulls you into a hug.

And by the fragrant gardens of your grandma’s palace, you found love again. While being pretty sure, that she could very well be listening to your idiotic words but you allowed it. She deserved the show after being a part of it.

And that is how, you a General from the East, became the first one to create a soulmate of your choice.

#the silmarillion #tolkien elves #silmarillion x reader #maedhros #maedhros x reader #angst #happy ending #please ignore the cannon

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farity · 11 months

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Let’s Pretend, part 2

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x you

Summary: The pretend engagement trope courtesy of Aemond and you

Warning: Smut.

Part 1

“Daughter, I swear I know you less and less each day.”

You were breathing hard from running back to the carriage. And from the kiss you’d just shared with Aemond. You sat on the long bench facing your father and slid down to place your feet next to him.

“Here,” he moved one of the trunks underneath you so you could stretch out. “Get some sleep. Or try.”

“Is Lord Stoughton visiting this weekend, papa?”

Your father gave you a look, but nodded. “Yes, we shall share the news with him.”

You smiled at your dear father and closed your eyes, trying to not think about the tall prince and how you would miss his kisses.

* * * * *

“She will have to be schooled on proper behavior,” queen Alicent said, walking back into the keep.

Aemond smiled to himself but said nothing.

“We will also try to inform your father, if he has a few moments of awareness,” she continued.

“I am sure he will be delighted by the news,” Aemond snapped, and walked past his mother and Ser Criston Cole.

“Brother, she is lovely,” Helaena said, walking up to him as he headed to his quarters. “I had no idea you were in love.”

Aemond turned. “I am as much in love as you are, Hel,” he said, and immediately regretted it, the look on his sister’s face turning into one of infinite sadness. “I’m sorry, sweet sister. All I mean to say-”

“You are a fool, Aemond,” Helaena whispered, “you are playing games you do not understand.” Her eyes filled with tears and she turned away, walking down the corridor and Aemond watched her until she disappeared around a corner.

He wanted to hit something, someone. Maybe he could find Aegon and goad him into an insult or two so he could punch him in the face. He considered his options, then switched directions to head out the back of the keep.

He walked and walked until he heard her rumblings, tried to calm himself so that she would fly steady and true, unburdened by his confusion and his sadness.

By the time he climbed up her side, he could feel her getting ready to soar, the anticipation in her breathing, and securing himself to her, let her fly free.

* * * * *

“Something has arrived for you, my lady.”

Your maid stood at your doorway, holding a wide, flat box, a smile on her face.

“Thank you, Milla, let’s see what it is, shall we?”

You’d practically grown up with Milla. Her mother had been your mother’s maid and when your mother had died from sickness, the daughter had become your companion until you were old enough to need a maid. Your father, never a strict head of household, had allowed you two to play together, eat together, although Milla always kept to her side of the line.

“Oh, this is beautiful, my lady.”

Most of the box was taken up several lengths of fabric in various shades of blue. The most elegant one was a shade that matched the sapphire in your pendant. It was plain silk but there was an embroidered panel for the bodice and two smaller, similarly adorned panels for the sleeves.

You noticed that aside from those pieces, everything else was plain, but the fabric itself was clearly of the highest quality and you ran your hand over each and every one. None of them would scratch your skin, none of them would be too rough or stiff or uncomfortable.

There was also a smaller box and when you opened it you knew who it was from. A small piece of cloth with an embroidered bee in gold thread.

Helaena.

“I can find a frame for it,” Milla said. “There is something else.”

A much smaller box, and you knew instantly what it would be.

“Earbobs,” you said before opening it. “He said he would get me earbobs.”

Indeed, two pretty sapphires on a gold setting, to match your pendant. “Let me, milady.”

You let your maid put them on you, let her bring the looking glass so you could admire them. “I should write to him,” you mused, “to thank him for all of this.”

“I will set out your paper and ink, my lady, and I will get the seamstress as well.”

“Thank you, Milla.”

“This is very thoughtful,” she said, “he wants you in his personal colors and he’s sent enough for half a dozen dresses. The realm shall call you The Princess in Blue,” she added dreamily as she left.

You wondered wryly if after your little pretense was over, you would have to send all the dresses back to be remade for someone else.

* * * * *

Aemond waited until the servant left before he unfolded the piece of paper.

“My dearest love,” it began, and he found himself shaking his head, picturing her writing it. “An ocean of gratitude for the very fine fabrics you have sent, as well as the earbobs, they are all too much for the humble likes of me, but I shall do my best to wear them well. Since you seem to have a predilection for the color of skies and seas, I have recently found a new dye called Yndigo that does not anger the skin, so I might try to match myself to one of the fabrics you sent. When you grace us with your presence next week, do not be alarmed when you see me fully striped in various blues from head to toe as I will wish to know which shade is your favorite. Papa has ordered the barren field to the west to be fenced in and will make it comfortable for your stay. For the dragon, not you. I must go now to console the maid as I am, of course, trying the skin dyes on her first. Faithfully, adoringly, and unabashedly,”

He traced the highly decorated script of your name, contrasting with the neat and tidy handwriting of the rest of the letter.

“Brother, brother, are you well?” Aegon rushed in and Aemond shoved the paper into his pocket.

“What do you want, Aegon?”

Aegon walked in, looking around, then pulled back a panel of curtain to look behind it. “I heard a noise.”

Aemond stood, already on guard. “What kind of noise?”

“I haven’t heard it in a long time,” Aegon said, looking under tables, “it sounded, almost, maybe, in a way-”

Exasperated, Aemond stopped, glaring at his brother. “Aegon, what noise?”

Aegon looked at him with wide eyes, “it sounded like a . . . laugh?” He put up his hands in front of him, “of course, I knew it couldn’t be you, I haven’t heard you make the sound in years, so I knew there must be an intruder,” his attempt to not smile was fading, “and I shall slay whoever it is hiding in my brother’s room!”

Aemond sighed and went up to his brother. “Get the fuck out.”

“Why were you laughing?”

“I wasn’t.”

Aegon wrinkled his nose and nodded, “yeah, yeah, you were, little brother. So tell me, why were you laughing?”

Aemond grabbed his brother by the arm and pushed him out of his room, closing the door behind as Aegon burst out laughing.

“I will find out!” he heard him yell.

He had much to do this day, but he smiled and touched the piece of paper in his pocket before heading to the lists.

* * * * *

“You look very fine, daughter.”

You smiled at your father, touched the pendant to ensure it was facing the right way. Which it had been the previous four times you had checked.

There had been a great noise which you knew was the roar of a dragon a few minutes earlier, and a servant had been dispatched with an extra horse to the field that had been prepared for Aemond’s dragon.

“Will the guest chamber be adequate?” your father asked.

“Papa,” you said kindly, “it is our best room, I would say better than the rooms we were given during our visit.”

You could see the two horses approaching, and soon caught sight of Aemond’s silver hair, glinting in the sunlight.

“I am glad he is visiting now, for our gardens are are their best.”

Guilt. There was guilt worming itself around you. How would your father feel when the betrothal was called off? You began to consider how you would feel and immediately dismissed the thought. It was what you wanted. Your plan, your idea.

“Thank you, Tommas, please take the horses,” your father said once both riders had dismounted. He exchanged pleasantries with Aemond, who then headed toward you.

As he neared you, you curtsied, smiling, and caught him looking at you from head to toe. He took your hand and kissed it, then offered you his arm to go back inside. “No stripes?”

“Not today,” you said easily.

It felt right to walk next to him, to have your hand on his arm, to feel the warmth of him. Would he kiss you again if he had the chance? After all, the betrothal was known and there was no real reason for him to bother any more.

“Helaena received your note as well, she kept telling everyone about it all day.”

You caught something in his gaze, almost a regret. Maybe he, too, was thinking of what his sister would think once the betrothal was over.

“I like her,” you said. “I know I only spoke with her a little, but she seems to be very kind.”

“She is.”

Dinner was lively, as it always was in your home. You watched your father and Aemond conversing easily and the more it went on, the worse you felt.

This plan of yours had more consequences than you had envisioned.

“The color suits you,” Aemond said casually as you walked outside, enjoying the early evening. There was still light and a gentle breeze and you smiled at him. “You would be a lovely addition to our family,” he added and then caught himself. “If this were real, of course.”

“Of course.”

You walked back to the house and then you remembered. “I forgot, I got you something. Not a betrothal gift exactly, but I thought you might like them.” Once inside you went to your father’s study, one of your favorite rooms in the house. On his desk was a stack of three books and you presented them to Aemond.

He looked through the three tomes, and then back up at you. “I have been searching for a copy of this for months, the original was said to be lost.”

“It is, but one of my sisters is married to a lord in Highgarden and she found an excellent copy for me.”

“This is very thoughtful of you.”

You smiled, “I do appreciate your help,” you said quietly.

He moved a step closer and took your hand. “Who else was on your list?” he asked suddenly, his voice low.

Did you even remember? “Does it matter?”

He closed the distance between you. “No, it does not.” He kissed you, gently at first, but when you parted your lips for him the kiss turned heated. He pushed you against the desk and you felt him hard against your belly. You wanted more, and you curled one leg around his thigh, your hands on his shoulders.

He lifted you up onto the desk. “Yes,” you whispered in between kisses. You wanted more, wanted everything, damn the falsehood and the pretense, you wanted him.

“I was told- oh dear.”

You pulled back, startled, and Aemond immediately turned, covering you from the sight of whoever had come in to the room.

“Prince Aemond,” a man stood at the doorway, bowing respectfully. “I will go . . . somewhere else.”

“Lord Stoughton,” you said, having composed yourself. You stepped around Aemond and gave the older man a hug. “It is good to see you. May I present my betrothed, Prince Aemond Targaryen.”

Lord Stoughton bowed again and Aemond nodded back.

“Aemond, Lord Stoughton is a childhood friend of my father’s, he lives close by. We consider him family.”

“You are very kind, my dear. Congratulations on your betrothal,” he added, “we thought our little one here would keep us old men company until the Stranger took us.”

“Thank you.” Aemond turned to you. “I should make sure Vhagar is settled, will you go with me?”

You smiled at him, glad to be free from the awkward situation. “I will see you later Lord Stoughton.”

You said nothing as you walked outside, the cool breeze a blessed relief on your heated face. Aemond was equally silent, and you had no idea what was going through his head. You knew, from your Septa’s more detailed lessons on the male anatomy, that the hard part you had felt against your stomach earlier could become so for many reasons. Lust, of course, but also fear or anger, among other emotions.

Somehow you did not think Aemond had been angry or afraid at that moment. He had wanted you as you had wanted him, and it added to your confusion. You did not in any way think yourself above other ladies of the court, there were certainly much prettier ladies, richer, more accomplished, from greater houses.

But he wasn’t interested in any of them.

You turned a corner and your heart nearly stopped.

“By the Father, she is massive.”

Aemond stopped next to you. “She will know you are under my protection.”

You looked at him, confused. “How will she know, will you put a sign on my forehead?”

“Yes. In blue ink.” He walked toward the dragon and you rushed to catch up. The dragon turned, and you heard rumblings deep in her chest.

“By all the hells, no,” you turned, but before you could escape, Aemond grabbed your arm. “I see your plan. Tragic accident, your betrothed is murdered by your dragon, you mourn forever, albeit very stylishly in all your black, and people will not question why you never marry.”

He merely looked at you, not letting go of your arm.

“I will admit, it is a much better plan than mine, except I refuse to be the one that gets murdered.”

“If she thinks you are fighting me,” he said calmly, “she might not look kindly upon you.” He ran a hand down the side of your face. “I would not endanger you.”

You already have, you thought to yourself.

“I will use you as a shield if I see any fire coming my way,” you said, and let him lead you closer.

The great beast’s eye focused on you and your fingers tightened on Aemond’s hand. He began speaking to her in High Valyrian, which you had heard of but were not familiar with. She rumbled back, as if responding to him and then the great head moved forward and around you.

“Vhagar,” he said, and wrapped an arm around your shoulders while the dragon sniffed and sniffed. “Look at me,” Aemond said.

You looked up in time to find his lips on yours. It was easy now, to let him kiss you, to kiss him back, to wrap your arms around him as if you would do it for the rest of your life.

* * * * *

Aemond heard Vhagar taking off but didn’t pay any attention. Vhagar had accepted his betrothed easily enough, and it frightened him. The dragon cared little for politics or games or pretenses, if there was a creature who would not conceal its impulses, it was her. Easy acceptance was not one of the dragon’s qualities.

When he finally ended the kiss, she looked up at him, and he could see the confusion in her eyes. He had no idea what to tell her, for confusion flooded him as well and instead he decided to kiss her again.

There was a rustling at the edge of the field and she turned. He was still looking down at her when he heard the sound of air cutting through the wide open space, and she screamed as her body moved to the right.

She jerked in his arms and then looked up at him. Her brows were knotted as if she was in pain and, slowly, she looked down, her breath escaping in short bursts.

Below her right shoulder, right under her clavicle, the bloody tip of an arrow protruded out, and a dark stain began to spread.

* * * * *

Tagging:

@arryn-nyx @girlwith-thepearlearring @greenowlfactif @hydrationqueensworld @megzdoodle @melsunshine @queenofshinigamis @throughgoeshamilton @travelingmypassion @watercolorskyy @zillahvathek

@hb8301 @kaemond-zafiro @arcielee

Tagging for this fic:

@shros3b @malfoytargaryen @fedeffy @randomdragonfires @issshhh @opheliaas-stuff @brianochka @devils-blackrose @wolflinkpaws

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