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SHEPHERDS OF HAVEN ALPHA PREVIEW UPDATE [3/27/24]
The Shepherds of Haven alpha preview has been updated here!
Note: This is not the same thing as the public demo, which is available for everyone and covers the first four chapters of the game: the alpha preview is the early access version available to Patrons and testers!
TOTAL WORDCOUNT: 1,101,164 WORDS WITHOUT CODE
WHAT’S NEW:
15,000 words of new content to Chapter 9!
Are your Brightburners enjoying this yet, or is this just hell for them?
More Sun Court politicking! Throw your weight around as a would-be player of the Serpents' Feast! Duel somebody or farm your recruits out as free labor! Rescue Riel from an awkward situation or let him flounder! So many choices to be found!
Please be sure to read the specific developer notes on Patreon for more info, as well as check the Incomplete Routes Guide linked in the alpha build post if you have questions about how to proceed through the alpha build! 
WHAT’S NEXT:
More Chapter 9! We'll definitely finish this part of the mission next time, and then there will be some quality time with one of your chosen teammates next, plus one of my favorite tropes if you happen to be romancing any of them... Also, when this part of the mission is done, I kind of want to run a poll to see who's everyone's favorite noble LOL
Anyway, I hope you enjoy! I hope to see your thoughts here, on Patreon, or on Discord! Have a great close to your March! And Happy Easter! 🐣🐰🪺💐🌷
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sunandsstars · 3 months
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YAWNETU
CHAPTER 9
Tonowari x Ronal x Na’vi!Reader
Summary: With her arrival in Awa’atlu, reader seeks to find a sanctuary for her family, one that she may find in two particular individuals
Warnings: Mentions war, Pregnancy, Mean dad
Word count: 5.5k
A/N: thank you for those who have been patient with me! I know i abandoned you all for a bit but here’s chapter 9, i might rewrite it since the first bit seems a bit rushed but let me know what you guys think!
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The Metkayina pair became good mates for her, they were understanding, loving, protective, everything she had ever hoped for in the past, a dream she once had that now became a reality.
Tonowari hunted for the rarest of pearls outside the reef and crafted pretty necklaces and beaded tops for his new wife, his love was more physical, he enjoyed creating new clothes and loved decorating ___’s hair with small shells and sea glass, his wives only deserved the best after all.
Ronal showed her loved in different ways though, she cooked for the growing family, took care of any wounds, accompanied ___ wherever she went and taught her all she knew about being a Tsahík in hopes that she can learn and become one herself in the future.
Together the three thrived and eventually moved into one large marui with the perfect view of the sunset and sunrise each and every day. The house had much more space for their children too, who were all growing as the years went on, there were even new additions to the family, such as Tsireya, their first daughter and Ronal’s second born.
___ often thought about having more children, but birthing twins, especially in the circumstance she was in, was enough to put her off for a while. But with her new happy family, she continues to ponder what it would be like, she now lives in a more stable environment with mates who adore her and her boys so it was only right for her to think.
“Yawnetu, what is on your mind?”
Tonowari glanced up from the net he was weaving, cocking his head to the side and blinking, usually at this time of the day his wife would be chattering away about what she has been up to while he was hunting, but alas he was met with silence most of the evening. It was obvious something else took up her thoughts, and he wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Snapping her head towards her husband, a purple hue took over ___’s pretty face “I am sorry, what was it you said? I was not paying attention”
Tonowari chuckled and put down the unfinished net, getting on his hands and feet and shuffling quickly next to her, cupping her face. “I know you were not, that is why I asked what you were thinking of” he leaned in and brushed his nose against hers, foreheads connecting.
___’s slightly larger ears twitched at his words, eyes widening, should she tell him?
Just as she was about to open her mouth loud shouting echoed from outside the marui, interrupting the couple peace. Tonowari leaned back and sighed, eyes closing and a hand coming to rub his temple, what could be causing such a racket late into the evening?
As the shouting drew closer it was clear to make out the voices and words, the concern that once appeared in ___’s yellow orbs died down into amusement.
“No! That is mine! I will tell sa’nu!”
“She will agree with me anyway, you must share! It is not fair you get to have this all day!” Two young na’vi scrambled into the hut, bickering and sticking tongues out at each other. One held an akula toy made out of mangrove wood, waving it around like a prize he had won. “Sa’nu! Tell this skxawng to share!”
Syatxì pouted at his greener brother, glaring daggers into bluer eyes, his yellow gaze fell onto his mother who hid a laugh behind her hand, frowning even more at the lack of help. “Mama, tell him off!” he pointed a finger at Ao’nung who stuck his tongue out once more.
“Now why must your mother solve all of your problems?” Tonowari stood up and crossed his arms, analysing his sons who quickly stood to attention. “You two are warriors are you not?”
“Srane!”
“Then you must fight your own battles. Your mother should not be doing so, instead of her looking after you, you must look after her” the boys were fast to nod intently, taking in the words like it was a quest they must complete, and in a way it was. “Warriors do not depend on the fight of others, you must think for yourselves, what would better the situation -“
“Tonowari” Another figure emerged from the entrance to their home, walking inside with the steps of a leader, behind her skipped in another two smaller figures, peaking out between the Tsahìk’s legs. “Must you do this now?” Ronal huffed and placed a few bowls down, squatting by her pile of herbs and sifting through them.
“Ronal, they need to learn”
“And they will, husband” the woman glanced up and offered a small smile, “in due time” she then moved to sit next to her wife, cupping the back of her head as an intimate gesture.
___ patted the space between her legs to offer her daughter a place to sit as the family talked, quickly getting to work adjusting her thick hair “my sons, fighting is not the answer. Sharing is what we do as a family, and Ao’nung, do not call your brother names”
It was Ao’nung’s turn to pout as his counterpart cackled in his face, snatching the akula toy and running away. “Hey!”
Happiness is simple.
That’s what ___ told herself as she watched her boys play, Sylwaì rushing to join in the fun as they soon decided to leave for the waters and explore before dinner.
Her family meant everything to her, she has a home now and has a life with people who appreciate and care for her as much as she does them. “I appreciate you both, I love you in ways i cannot express” she whispered, kissing the top of Tsireya’s head as she jumped up to follow her older brothers who called for her.
“And we love you yawnetu” Tonowari sat on her other side, kissing her shoulder. “You know, you still have not told me what was on your mind earlier, you were thinking very heavily”
“I want another child”
Ronal stopped poking the fire pit that was suspended above the water, inhaling a breath and turning her head to look at her mates with eyes that shined with growing glee. “You do?” her tail started swishing behind her, despite her best efforts to be calm and mellow.
“Srane. Maybe not right now, but at some point, I want children of your blood, and mine”
“It is decided!” The Olo’eyktan jumped and picked ___ up by the thighs, hoisting her up and she squealed, laughing at his joy. “When you are ready, we mate, again, and you will bear our next kin” he rubbed his nose against hers, placing her back on the floor by her feet.
Ronal soon joined and kissed ___’s shoulder sweetly, a small grin on her face “it was about time you said that, I was afraid ‘wari might explode otherwise”
“Ronal!”
Yes, happiness was simple.
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It was times like these where Neytiri most thought of her, the beads in her hands resembled the amber of her eyes and the pattern of the bracelet reminded her of her hair.
___ never left her thoughts ever since she left all those years ago. The tsakeram has physically moved on, after her search for the women was left with no progress she decided to pray to Eywa to keep the small family of three safe on their travels to wherever they go and hope for the best. Mentally, Neytiri is sad, her heart still aches and yearns for her lost mate, and if she can turn back time she would, just to change who she was.
“What are you thinking of?” Jake put his bow away, finished with cleaning the exterior and replacing the string, his head turned towards his wife and cocked a brow, noting her silence.
“___”
Jake paused, face turning to look at the ground by his feet, ears going down, just like Neytiri he is haunted by his actions, but he tried to forget about them rather than acknowledge them. He was a brute, a shit ‘mate’ and abandoned his sons before they were even born. It’s thoughts like those that push him to step down from his mighty position as a leader, but the clan needs him, so he stays.
“I have faith that she is safe somewhere” Jake replied, nodding his head to reassure himself. ___ was strong, she would have found somewhere to be.
Neytiri sighed and tied off the bracelet, “and what if she was turned away, for her sons? What if she never found anywhere safe to begin with? what if -“ large hands cupped her face and a nose bumped hers, Jake smiled a little at her rambling, but it was a sad smile, he does not know how to answer those questions, he thinks the same as her deep down.
“The twins were born looking like true na’vi, there is no way they would find out about them without ___ saying so”
The warrior nodded her head, sighing in defeat and kissing her mates cheek, for now she would get on with her other chores, later she will ponder again. It was like a cycle she can never break out of, one that leaves her dreaming dreamless nights and going about her day on autopilot.
“Sa’nok!” Kiri jumped into her mothers lap, rushing to get away from the sticky hands of her brother, Lo’ak, who was chasing her with the intent of throwing tree sap in her hair. “Hide me from him! He will not leave me alone!”
Lo’ak roared and ran up to the pair, squealing when he was picked up and dangled upside down by his father, “Dad! Put me down!” he wriggled and tried to escape the Olo’eyktan’s firm grip.
Jake chucked and continued to gently swing him, “Kehe, what did I tell you about terrorising your sister? you worm”
“Not to do it in front of sa’nok!”
“Hey!” Jake bellowed a laugh as he put his youngest down, catching Neytiri’s judging face aimed straight at him and quickly stopped his laughing, pretending to act serious for the sake of his wife. “Kids will be kids” he shrugged, trying to play the innocent husband with a coy smile.
His wife just huffed, a grin stretching onto her face as she felt a kick in her stomach, hand instantly going to soothe the ache. “Little one wants to join in the fun, it seems”
Kiri gasped as she felt the slight pound on her back, turning to face her mothers bloated stomach and leaning down, smooshing her face against it “I want my sister out, I am tired of being the only true girl, there is only so much me and Lo’ak can talk about”
“Kiri! I am NOT a girl you turd!”
Kiri just ignored her brother in favour of focusing her attention on her new unborn sibling. “How do you know it will be a girl ‘ite?” the youngling shrugged and smiled a little.
“I just have a feeling” she sung. The marui entrance suddenly flapped open with force, another little boy rushing inside, panting slightly.
“Lo’ak! Stop running away from me!” Neteyam went and tackled him, dogpiling onto his younger brother who laughed loudly, the two wrestling for fun. Kiri snorted and rolled her eyes ‘boys’
Jake kneeled next to his mate, kissing the back of her neck and sighing quietly, his family bringing him the comfort he desperately needed, but yet he still feels incomplete. His heart yearned for the missing pieces, his missing sons and his missing mate.
One day he will find them.
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A new star appeared in the sky. It was small to the naked eye, almost unnoticeable, but to someone who has studied the stars day in and day out for the past 14 years, it looked out of place, glowing brighter than the others around it, twinkling brighter and brighter as the minutes past.
“Hey” Jake nudged his wife awake from where she laid on his chest, still staring up into space. His distant look urged Neytiri to turn her head up into his line of sight, eyes widening and jaw going slack.
“No, this cannot be” In the far distance, the bright light zoomed down onto Pandora, red hot fire raging down onto the planet with a mission. Everything around the ships caught fire and the flames spread too quickly, the creatures of Pandora screeching and rushing to escape.
Neytiri ran to a higher viewpoint, jumping over logs and dodging yerik who fled in the opposite direction, a cry escaped her lips and she watched her home, once again, fall victim to the humans who once destroyed her planet in a time she thought long had past. The Na’vi crouched and sobbed, feeling the arms of her mate surrounding her who had his ears pinned back, watching the sight of the forest going up in flames.
His nightmares never seemed to end, Jake could only wonder if this was the great sorrow Moat talked about all these years ago.
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A year passed from the return of the human race, the humans and na’vi who lived near hells gate moved up to the floating mountains for safety. Always preparing for war, always going to fight.
Spider was squatted over various bowls of blue paint, redoing the stripes that littered all over his body, sticking his tongue out in concentration. Behind him, Kiri worked swiftly and accurately, painting stripes in places he cannot see or reach.
“I still don’t understand why you paint yourself like this”
“I told you, it’s to blend in” Spider turned and faced the much taller girl, looking at the stripes on her body to try and mimic on his own. “When I do this, I look like one of you, the animals respect me more. Plus, I run faster”
“Sure monkey boy. The animals probably don’t want to taste the berries when they eat you” Kiri snorted, dipping her hand in more blue paint and going back to paining his biceps.
“Hey! I am na’vi, just like you” Spider scooped a large glob of paint, although still small compared to the amount Kiri had, and launched it at her face.
“Oop!”
Sudden footsteps interrupted their playful banter, little padding of feet getting closer behind the pair. “Spider! Kiri! The war party has returned! They are back! Come on! Come on!” Tuktirey rushed over and grabbed both of their arms, dragging her sister and friend along to the edge of high camp, watching as banshees shouted as they flew by and landed.
Shouting can be heard by the cliff, the evident voice of their father talking sternly to their brothers, Kirk’s ears went down and she sighed, going behind Neteyam and looking at his evident wounds.
“You spot bogeys! That was your one job! You spot them and you report them, from a distance!” Jake got up to the boys faces, waving his hands like a madman.
“I’m sorry sir, it was my fault” Neteyam lowered his head, disappointed that he let his father down again.
“When are you gonna stop taking the heat from this knucklehead?” Jake glared at him, eyes going to Lo’ak who stood silent, feeling his little sister moving his arms around. “And you? What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Ma Jake. Your son is bleeding” Neytiri interrupted, eyes concentrated on her husband who was evidently stressed. Her tail curled in slight annoyance, heart pumping from the adrenaline she felt in the fight. Jake looked at his wife and sighed, hand going to his temples.
“Go to your grandmother. Now” As Neytiri took Neteyam by the arm and followed her daughters to her mothers tent, she turned around to observe Lo’ak who was left standing in front of her husband. “You understand what your actions caused?”
“Yes sir”
“You could have gotten your brother killed” Lo’ak’s ears went down, he hated disappointing his father. “No flying for a month. See to every ikran, get them taken care of” and with that Jake stormed off, shaking his head and muttering curses under his breath, the ringing in his ears won’t stop, and unlike Neytiri his heart pumps from fear not adrenaline.
‘I could have lost them’
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“Yawnetu” Ronal stalked over to her wife who fed the young ilu in the pen, a deep frown on her face at the news she was about to deliver. “The Omaticaya in the forest, they are at war once again”
___’s ears twitched and pulled back, she knew that the star she saw a year ago was not from any constellation she has memorised since her childhood, she had a feeling that the tawtute have returned, but has been keeping her mind occupied to forget.
Her heart continued to hurt though.
“I know, my love. I worry for my family back home” especially Spider, who she prays to Eywa every night to keep safe. Ronal rested her hands upon her lovers shoulders, sighing deeply, she knows that her wife is hurting inside, but the tsahìk can only offer comfort, not truly in the midst of war yet. Somehow Awa’atlu has stayed away from the tulkun huntings, and she hopes Eywa can keep them safe for a little longer. Sooner or later though she knows that war will be amongst their side of the reef, it was only a matter of time.
Ronal then took her hands off ___’s shoulders and stood straight, “I must continue with my duties today, join me?” the forest na’vi shook her head, she was planning to join some of the women to go into the reef to pick some plants needed for food and healing.
“Not at this moment, I must join some of the divers today” the metkayinan nodded and smiled a little, moving away from the ilu pen to wherever she was needed. ___ went back to throwing fish at the creatures in the sea, giggling when the young ones brushed against her legs. The smile she displayed was hardly genuine, but it was enough to fool outsiders who do not know her well enough.
The woman soon slips out of the water, putting down the empty baskets to be filled later and moved to where she was to meet the other ladies. The day ahead was something that she would soon come to dread, unknownst to her the past she once sought herself leaving would soon come crashing into her life tenfold.
But being unaware for the meantime was bliss.
The ladies were kind to her and the job was easy enough, she finished within a few hours into the morning, deciding to rest by the edge of the reef chatting away with her friends of a few years now. Gossiping about their husbands, as wives do.
‘’Do not get me wrong, I adore my mate, but sometimes he is just so overbearing! Why do I need to take two spears with me when I am outside the reef! I can very much handle myself’’ Tayal huffed, tail slapping the ground in slight annoyance from this mornings hunt. She was a seasoned hunter, extremely skilled and praised by the elders for her work, but her husband was just too cautious.
Sayala rolled her eyes and smiled at her ‘’your mate just looks out for you, if you do not like his actions then it is best to talk to him. I, for one, do not have an overbearing mate but he does snore very loudly when he sleeps. So loud that it wakes me up sometimes! I wish that I had your problem’’ The group laughed, ___ patting her shoulder in pity.
‘’If Tonowari were to ever do that then Ronal would shun him to sleep onto the ocean floor. I am lucky that he does not pose any problems late at night’’ She giggled, catching the interest of some of the ladies.
‘’My Tsahìk! You have two mates, what is that like?’’ The question caught her slightly off guard until she remembered that it is extremely rare for Na’vi to hold more than one lover, even then it is usually preserved for important figures of the clan.
‘’Well, it is normal for me, I have had two mates ever since I came of age, they are wonderful to me and the kids, I am just thankful to Eywa for guiding me here to them’’ ___ rubbed her swollen stomach, thanking the great mother for what has become of her, Tayal hummed, basking in the light that is ___.
But the Na’vi cannot help but wonder, her Tsahìk has become of age long before she joined Awa’atlu and she could not have been mated to her leaders since then, not to mention her two sons who were not of Metkayina blood (although she did not bat an eye at the latter, sometimes women have children without mates). Is ___ hiding something from them? But before she could ponder any longer their conversation was abruptly disrupted.
A horn sounded through the village, reaching far to the Na’vi who sat at the edge of the reef. They all yipped and cried out at the warning signal, abandoning their chores and standing tall from their crouches. ‘Visitors? What could this mean?’
‘’Look! Up there!’’ One of the woman pointed to the sky where ikran glided through the air, on top sitting forest Na’vi shouting to each other in panic, not expecting a horn to greet them as they entered. It alerted the village to the visitors, and while it was inevitable, attention was not something that they wanted to bring towards them for the time being.
___’s breath hitched at the familiar ikran colours, if these are the Na’vi who she thinks they are then- ‘’___ come! We must see who they are’’. But the Omaticayan could only sigh, already knowing the answers to the question her friend seeks guidance for, ikran are unique in their patterns, there are no two banshees who look the same. The two large creatures at the head of the formation could only belong to the Na’vi she once ran away from.
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Ao’nung stalked through the crowded beach, coming to the forefront of the commotion with hard eyes, Rotxo trailing behind him. His gaze caught the yellow orbs of the two Sully boys who watched him with slight wonder, having never seen another Na’vi race before the Omaticaya. Inwardly the boy cringed, seeing similarities between his brothers and these…people. This was going to be difficult.
‘’Is that supposed to be a tail?’’ His smaller companion laughed slightly, pointing towards the skinny appendage which curled in anticipation. Ao’nung averted his gaze towards it and scoffed, smirking when the older boy of the two brothers turned his head to look at him. ‘’How are they supposed to swim-‘’
‘’Do not, Rotxo, Ao’nung’’ a sweet voice called out, small hand hitting the back of her brothers heads and blue eyes rolling at their stupidity. They were trying to look intimidating and it was obvious, making fun of these newcomers who looked the exact same as some of their family members. It was rude, and extremely unnecessary, these people are guests here, and as the chiefs daughter, she will show them the kindness that her idiot brothers will not do.
Tsireya noted the absence of her mother and two brothers, being suddenly reminded that their presence would be appreciated, if not for the sake of her people then perhaps the sake of these newcomers. Her head moved to look at one of the boys face to face, dipping down and smiling apologetically. ‘’Hey’’ He tipped his head up and smiled a small smirk, trying his luck with making friends with the people who he would be potentially living with. Friends, or something more?
Tsireya grinned and chuckled at his awkwardness, finding it sweet that despite the predicament they find themselves in, he still shows kindness towards her.
Hoots and shouts alerted the clan that their leaders were in the vicinity, Tsireya’s father landing in the water nearby on his large skimming. He waded out of the water, eyes never leaving the newcomers and raised his brows as he got closer, it was Toruk Makto, whom he met during the great clan meetings.
“I see you, Jake Sully”
“I see you Olo’eyktan”
“Neytiri te Tskaha Mo’at’ite” they formally greeted each other, fingers to their forehead and dipping them in the accustomed manner of their people. ‘’What brings your family to our side of the reef?’’
Jake and his wife shared eye contact briefly, unsure on what to say and afraid of saying the wrong thing, they were tired of travelling, tired of war, they could not go on much longer. ‘’We seek uturu’’
‘’Uturu?‘’ a new voice called out, appealed and confused. Ronal sauntered up to Toruk Makto and sized him up with a glare, moving on to his wife who bowed in respect of the tsahik. Her blue eyes caught the sight of their children and waltzed up to them, moving around them like an akula and inspecting their aura.
‘’Srane, we seek a sanctuary for our family’’ Jake’s tail curled in nervousness, he hasn’t felt this scared since that day he had to prove himself to the Omaticaya, warning them and getting them to believe him when the skypeople were attacking hometree.
‘’We are reef people, you are from the forest, your skills mean nothing to us here’’ Tonowari announced to the family, voice strong and firm. He was wary about their arrival, it was sudden and unexpected. He knew of the war happening overseas, everyone does, but has it become so bad that they seek refuge in another clan?
Jake cringed at the harshness in the leaders gaze, so used to respect from his people back home that he forgets his place in others. His ears picked up the whimpers of his youngest as she clung to his legs, scooting away from Ronal’s piercing gaze and scalding touch. ‘’Their arms are thin’’ her voice rang through the crowd, stopping any chatter, ‘’and their tails are too weak, they will be slow in the water’’ she ignored Kiri’s small outcry when her tail was yanked a little too harshly.
But the Tsahik’s calculating gaze quickly turned to critique and panic once her eyes caught onto the girls hand, she snatched it from where it hung limp and brought it into the air to show her people, ‘’these children.. are not even true Na’vi!’’ She grabbed onto one of the boy’s hand with her free one and raised it too, to show who they truly are, ‘’they have demon blood!’’
Gasps rung out among the Metkayina, not expecting the very aliens to destroy Pandora to come across the sea to their island for sanctuary, hisses vibrated through some of them, hostility in their blue orbs. ‘’Yes we are!’’ Kiri snatched her hand back and glared, subtly moving closer to her mother who narrowed her eyes, not liking the way this woman, clan leader or not, spoke about her children.
Jake felt panic course through him at the judgemental gazes being directed to their small group, this was not going to plan. ‘’Hey..look! Look at this! I was a skyperson but now i am Na’vi! We can adapt, we will adapt right?’’ He showcased his five fingers to the Tsahik who watched his pinky finger poke outwards curiously. Murmurs of small ‘yeah’s’ rung through the Omaticayans as they agreed with him.
‘’My husband was Toruk Makto. He brought the clans to victory against the skypeople’’ Neytiri stepped forward, trying to assert herself. She will not let her family suffer once more just because she was turned away by this disrespectful Na’vi.
Ronal scoffed, glare hardening. Eywa so help her if this outsider continued to scorn her and her position in her own clan, ‘’is this what you call victory? Hiding, among strangers’’ her eyes flicked from Neytiri to her husband and back ‘’it seems Eywa has turned her back on you, chosen one’’
A sharp hiss interrupted her sentence, sharp teeth obstructing Ronal’s vision. On instinct she hissed back, ears flattening to her skull, unaware of the worried look her mate shared with Jake.
Tonowari decided to put an end to this feud before the women fought with spears, ‘’Toruk Makto is a mighty warrior, all Na’vi people know his story. But your people are at war and us Metkayina, we have stayed away from the conflict. We do not want you to bring this fight to us’’
‘’I am done with war’’ Toruk Makto picked Tuktirey up who clung to his neck like a lifeline ‘’I just want to keep my family safe, please’’
‘’Let them stay’’
The crowed parted once more to reveal a dark blue figure emerging from a sea of green, pearls dangling delicately on her heavy figure. ‘’Let them’’ she repeated, eyes darting from Tuktirey to the other children, and then to her mates, ‘’they come from a place of war, ‘wari. That is no place for children to live’’
‘’___’’ Ronal snapped her head towards her wife, tail lashing in anticipation ‘’you do not mean that, look at them. Demons’’. The mentioned woman’s ears lowered and she frowned, opening her mouth to remind her partners of where she came from, where her sons came from, but instead of any words coming out, only a puff of air escaped.
She closed her eyes and huffed, opening them once again and looking up, yellow clashing with blue. ___ stared intently into Ronal’s eyes, hoping to convey the message she so wishes to speak aloud. Luckily, the pair have known each other long enough to be able to understand one another without words, they say that the eyes are the window to the soul.
Ronal conducted a slow blink and pursed her lips, nodding her head, partly in concern to what the future may hold if she let these outsiders in her home. ‘’It is decided’’ Tonowari began, turning to face the crowd and raising his arms to gain the attention of the Metkayina ‘’Toruk Makto and his family will stay, treat them as your brothers and sisters for they do not know the sea, they will be like babies taking their first breath’’
At that Neytiri looked towards the sand, a sudden memory popping into her mind, her ears lowered and frowned, only straightening up when feeling the hand on her shoulder being squeezed. Kiri noted the sudden tenseness in her mother’s posture as soon as this third mate of the chief appeared in front of them, she was as blue and as slim as them, same tail and large ears. The girl recognised the familiar beads and weaving patterns on her clothes, despite the difference in material, this stranger was from the Omaticaya clan.
‘’Teach them our ways so they do not suffer the shame of being useless’’ the large man huffed, turning to make heavy eye contact with Jake, the rider of shadow dropping his youngest onto the ground and smiling in gratitude, patting Tuktirey on her back.
‘’Well what do we say guys? Irayo’’ The Sully’s coreoused, some more enthusiastic than others, Kiri rolling her eyes and sighing. Her father straightened up from his slight kneeling position for his daughter and nodded his head to his new chief, then turning his head to acknowledge his wives with a swallow, afraid of the Tsahik’s each for entirely different reasons.
___’s breath hitched when yellow clashed together, tail curling upright in anticipation, her old mate then nodded to her like he did her husband out of politeness and notably swallowed, averting his eyes back onto the sand, afraid that if he were to look into her eyes any longer he’ll get swallowed into a pit of shame, one that he wont ever crawl out of.
‘’My son Ao’nung’’ Tonowari gestured towards one of his boys who decided to show up, mentally going through the scalding he will carry out later ‘’and daughter Tsireya, will show your children what to do’’
Ao’nung’s ears flattened into his skull, not liking the idea of being buddy-buddy with these weirdos ‘’but sempul-‘’ a large blue hand rose infront of the boys face and he immediately paused his speaking in respect.
‘’It is decided’’
That respect was soon lost.
Ao’nung rolled his eyes and glared at the sand beneath his feet, tempted to kick it out off frustration but not wanting to embarrass himself in front of the people. Luckily, Tsireya felt the anger that radiated off of him and decided to speak up, ‘’come, we will show you our village’’ she waved them over in the direction of their new home, once they acquired their things.
This was going to be a long day.
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lucyllawless · 1 year
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Being thirsty during their entire first date is very on brand for them.
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manga-meow · 4 months
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ramonag-if · 13 days
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Chapter 9's mini update is now available to all Patrons, including the Nomad Tier. If you can't wait for the full game's release and would like to support me, consider becoming a Patron.
Play the update here.
This update includes the following:
The first 27K words of Chapter 9;
Choosing a gift for Rana (based on earlier goodbye scenes);
A farewell to Dena;
Some heart-to-heart chats with one of the four companions;
Returning to Ishari;
Reunion with the Vinia Family;
And dealing with the confrontation between Salyra and the Vinia family.
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bobauthorman · 3 months
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One Piece is a story about freedom...
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...But our hero sure gets put into a cage a lot.
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eemoo1o-animoo · 3 months
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Oh, neato, some panel parallels! (Ch.6 & Ch.9)
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tadpolesonalgae · 7 months
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Demon!Azriel x reader: Teeth and Talons - Part 9[***]
A/N: idk even know what to say about this one. I think I traumatise myself a little more with every chapter (in a good way…?)
Warnings: blood—like a lot of blood, obviously unsanitary but ✨magic✨, biting, blood play, smut, 5.7k words
-Part 8- -Part 10-
He’d breathed power into you. Power that your human body is not meant to carry. And while you can feel the tips of your fingers, the nails pressing onto your toes, and every tooth in your mouth, you know it won’t last. The sun is setting within you, and when the last ember of his magic dies in your womb, you’ll go with it.
“Where are you taking me?” You ask, padding quietly over that stone floors of the dormitories, hidden deep within the temple’s nest. Crypt is more like it.
He’s still wreathed in shadow, appearing no clearer than a reflection in muddied waters. His form ripples as he moves, keeping his gaze ahead—knowing you’re following on his heel. He’s keeping an eye out for something—someone.
That someone is waiting for you at the steps that lead out from beneath the holy building.
Robed in white and pale blue, silver circlet perched on her brow, Elain watches you with hard eyes. No—she’s staring at Azriel. He stops a little way from her, just out of reach of the carved, wooden thyrsus. Slender, pale fingers tighten around the staff, knuckles pressing out beneath the constraint of skin. “You have made your choice, then.”
It’s no question, but you nod. Cold, hollow eyes flick to you, “remember what I told you,” she says quietly, that strange glow appearing about her again. Brown melts to cocoa, mouth softening from its hard line. “You will always have a place here, remember that,” she says to you, “no matter what form you take. Do not forget yourself. Do not forget the human woman inside of you.”
————
Elain’s words are little more than a low buzz in the back of your skull as Azriel brings you to an outcropping on a weathered mountain ledge.
There’s no light in the sky tonight, the stars seemingly taking shelter within the darkness. The air is still, humid, but you’re on the wrong side of tepid. Your temperature has been rising gradually, in almost unnoticeable increments, but sweat is dampening your hair, trickling down the notches of your spine.
Azriel prowls forward to the flat rock face, canines slipping out as you hear a distinct ripping sound. He presses his taloned hand to the hewn stone, and lightening crackles in the air, fizzling in your ears, sizzling your skin. The mountain rumbles in response—Ramiel, Elain had called it—and strange symbols glow on the stone, as if lit by the light of a forge. A mix of runes and sigils that are too old to be recognised by any of your kind—perhaps even by his.
Then the wall gives way. Simply disappears. Revealing a looming passageway, sinking downward.
He turns toward you, eyes the colour of the descent that’s patiently awaiting. Why would it be eager? It know you’re going into its mouth one way or another, there’s no need for hurry.
A warm breeze licks up your spine, reminding you how your night robe is sticking uncomfortably to your skin, suctioned on by sweat. A shiver wracks your stomach, muscles seizing and spasming in the night. You take a shaky step toward him, toward the cave mouth, waiting to step foot on its cold tongue, but he stops you.
Instead, he takes you by the jaw, a razor-sharp claw presses in your mouth, a metallic liquid flowing across your tongue followed by a dull warmth. His canines press into his thumb before he pushes its pad to the incision on your wet muscle, blood mixing in your mouth. Your senses go dim, the cold biting into your feet little more than a slight pressure, the sweat on your skin little more than a light brush of misty fog, the night a little more than varying inky splotches.
A deep shadow towers over you, leaning down as you’re lifted from your feet. “Hold your breath,” he orders, softly. You follow the command, rasping in a ragged huff of night-warmed air. He steps into the rock’s mouth, and the mountain seals.
Cocooned within the damp passages, you curl into yourself, keeping air tight in your lungs. The walls press in, smelling of mildew and tilled soil. You keep tucked into him, instinctually recoiling from the passage way, the darkest grabbing at your ankles; tugging at your hair. Shadowy nails rake down the bloody chambers of your heart, eyes squeezing shut as Azriel pulls you tighter to himself.
“Release it.”
You exhale softly, feeling dizzy with the strain, like your torso will collapse with the slightest breeze. Like your ribs are full of cobwebs and dust. You head pounds the deeper he takes you, the temperate dropping steadily until you’re shivering. “Azriel…” you whisper weakly. He shushes you, fingers gently squeezing your skin, “a little longer.”
You swallow down the whimper, nestling closer, delving into his warmth as silky shadows encase your bare legs, wrapping over your arms; flowing over your chest like a thin blanket. Elain had warned you of this, had told you what to expect; how to prepare yourself for the crushing intensity of Ramiel’s stomach. How to cope with the insane pressure that’s strangling your bones of life.
Taking in a breath, you cast your mind back to the conversation, recounting the description she’d given you of her own Ritual.
————
“What happens in the Ritual?”
The tea is piping hot, almost scalding your throat as you swallow your first gulp. You gasp for air to cool your mouth, and Elain smiles softly, offering a glass of water which you take gratefully.
She sighs, leaning back in her chair, eyes going a little cloudy with memory. “It wasn’t…I struggle to speak about it,” she begins, hands cupping her mug as she peers into the milky tea. The edges of her mouth droop, shoulders sloping, “even with Lucien, it’s difficult.” She raises her head a little, meeting your gaze, something sad and remorseful flitting through her cocoa eyes.
“I thought I loved him at the time. Azriel, I mean. And I think he thought he loved me, too.” Her brow wrinkles, lips pursing as she tightens her hold on the cup. “They have a sacred mountain. It’s the only place the Ritual will work, though I never learned why. Something about a build-up of power, every Ritual performed requires a small sacrifice which infuses the mountain with magic. I don’t— I don’t know much about it, nor do I have an interest in learning.
“Even under his thrall, I knew there was something wrong with it. Like Ramiel was rejecting the very essence of my humanity. It was a discomfort deep in my bones, like something ancient and unseen was pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.” She sucks in a deep breath, straightening, taking a sip of her tea. You don’t miss the shake to her delicate hand.
“I have no time frame to offer you; everything was so distorted I have no hope of untangling it. I’m not sure what happened, just that my mind was scrambled the second he took me inside. I can recall vague impressions: some runes on the passage walls, pathways leading away—deeper into the mountain, fractals spinning in the damp rock. What I’m trying to express, is it’s unlike anything created by man. Entirely other. As if fashioned with darkness in mind; forged for the occult.
“After the descent, the narrow passage opened into a vast cave that smelled damp. Musty and unused. I can’t remember the cave in great detail—it was very dark, you see. So dark only a creature like him would be able to navigate the chamber.
“I do, however, recall being set on a raised, stone platform. It was circular, and had no end I could feel within my immediate reach. That being said, I didn’t have much control left in my body at that point so my area of mobility was severely limited.” Her eyes are milky white.
You don’t dare speak, in case it washes away the last scraps of memory she’s dredging up.
“The Ritual… As I said before, it’s not something I care for. I have no interest in understanding how it works—I’m not entirely sure any of them know what happens, or how it was set up. I remember my younger sister telling me what she knew, but it was all rumour and myth passed on tongue, predating written language.
“He warned me it would be unpleasant. He gave me a choice of how it could happen, just two options.”
You hold your breath, tea forgotten.
“I could endure it as I was, experience the change on my own. Or I could…” she stammers, features becoming a little paler. A hint of colour dusts the crests of her cheek, though she refuses to lower her head. “Or he could relieve the intensity by taking it with me.”
Your brow furrows, “what do you mean, taking it with you? I thought the Ritual…” you trail off. You don’t really know what you thought. “You said something about becoming stronger? I thought that meant being changed into one of them,” you say, swallowing. “One of you.”
She nods. “The Ritual will make you immortal, so you can live like them; exist in the Underworld and the Holy Lands.”
“What’s…? That sounds…good.” You say, slowly, considering your words. “What’s the… I mean, I can’t see an obvious reason why not to take it?” Her brow narrows slightly, and you worry you’ve said something wrong. “Living forever is not as wondrous as you might think. Watching those you love grow old while you remain young? Watching their bones crumble with the weight of the world while yours stay strong? It is not a pleasant experience.” Her voice is sharper, terser than before, and you realise this might still be an open wound for her.
You open your mouth, “exactly how old are—”
“You’re getting off topic.”
You snap your mouth shut.
She releases her grip on her teacup to take a sip, drinking daintily. “He will most likely offer you a similar choice. It is up to you which path you take. I most certainly will not fault you for either.”
You wait, fingers fidgeting in your lap, but she doesn’t continue. You shift, “is there anything else?”
Milky eyes begin to darken, returning to their colourful state of warmth. Elain shakes her head, “as I said: I remember very little. Though I would advise you to take his offer, when he gives it to you.” She shivers, but there’s no breeze. “I imagine it would be quite unpleasant without the distraction.”
————
He takes you down further, runes decorating the rock wall.
He carries you by winding passages that seem to have breezes blowing inward, as if trying to suck in wanderers. He remains steady. Fractals spin at the edges of your vision, disappearing when you try to look directly at them.
Stairs wind down, going deeper into the mountain, until you’re surely below ground level. And still you go deeper.
He carries you down until the passage opens up, revealing a vast cave, a flat stone altar at its centre. The place Elain spoke about.
You’re here.
Azriel takes a step forward, then halts. Even with your poor eyesight, you can feel the weight of his gaze. Goosebumps prickle over your skin, and you nestle into him, greedily sucking in the warmth and power that’s humming around his person.
“Isn’t this it?” You croak, feeling like death. Sweat beads on your brow, perspiration slicking your already damp skin. His eyes narrow on you, judgement weighing heavily in your stomach.
Then he turns from the altar, grip tightening on you, lips pursing.
Desperation trickles down your spine, fingers trembling as you hold him tighter. “Azriel…” you rasp, “what…? Where are you…?” Breath catches in your throat and you manage a weak cough. Shadows swirl over your torso, wrapping tighter, as if keeping you together.
“You’re weaker than the others,” he says quietly, a soft growl dragging form his throat. Shame tightens in your gut at the reminder, and you look away from him. “You’re going deeper. Where it will be more concentrated.”
Darkness writhes at his back, building over his wings as they flare, magic crackling in the air. The rock trembles, then gives way, revealing another passageway. Leading down.
You whimper, pushing into him, away from the opening. “Azriel…” you pant, “please…I can’t—” Another round of wet coughs bubble from your throat, barely enough force to dislodge whatever’s getting stuck there.
His dark eyes flick down to you, then he shifts you in his arms, lifting and moving you so your legs are tucked around his waist, arms guided gently over his shoulders. If you had the energy, you could purr. Nestle closer into him, feeling the firm press of his chest against your own, the strong muscle lining his body, the soft, silky locks at the nape of his neck.
“Hold on,” he murmurs to you, one arm beneath you to keep you up, the other around your back, pressing between your shoulder blades then trailing down to grip your waist. Your spine arches, dipping as his forearm brushes the bone, holding just above your hip.
“I just want it to be over,” you whisper onto his skin, head resting on his shoulder, tears blurring your vision. “It will be,” he replies quietly. “Just a little longer.”
Tremors skitter over your skin, limbs going limp in his arms as you weigh onto him, relaxing into his strength. Feeling each smooth step as he takes you deeper. Darker still.
The air grows thicker; more stagnant. As if previously untouched.
You shiver in his arms, only focusing on where you’re connected, the shadows soothing your skin. “How much did she tell you about this?” He asks into the darkness. You know who he means.
“A little,” you rasp, feeling weakness sink into your muscles, turning them to mud.
He nods, probably for your benefit. “This is going to be different,” he murmurs, and his hands might have tightened on you just there. You have no energy to inquire, so you wait for him to continue. He doesn’t.
“You’re going to be fine.”
It doesn’t reassure you like you had hoped.
Silence swallows your senses, and you’re pretty sure you pass out for a little, because when your eyes next open, things have changed.
No longer in the passageway, but within the mountain’s stomach—wide and cavernous. A quiet splash sounds as Azriel moves, a faint metallic smell wafting about, a suggestion of iron. Light flickers on the walls, dimly registering in your eyes as he continues forward. Carrying you to your end point.
“You’re doing this with me, right,” you whisper. Your voice breaks at the end, betraying your quiet terror. Muscle stiffens beneath you, but he continues moving.
“Yes,” he says at last, equally softly, coming to a stop. His hold lessens on you, giving you the chance to pull away. You try and sit a little straighter, weary and tired. A fatigue that’s settled into your very bones. Even sleeping forever wouldn’t get rid of it.
You peer at him through the darkness, his arms supporting you as you do so. “What’s going to happen to me?” You whisper again, tongue trembling in your mouth, feeling at once dry and like lead. Your lower lip wobbles, but you bite down, keeping it stiff. Eyes flick across his features, searching for a hint.
Something passes through his gaze, but it’s gone too quickly for you to read. Instead, one of his hands cup your cheek, pushing away the damp hair that’s plastered itself to your skin. “I’ll make sure it feels good,” he says.
Then his mouth slants delicately over yours, and you recognise the feeling it brings in.
It’s like that first time with him all over again.
Heat sings in your blood, making it boil and bubble. Scorching your skin. His name whispers through your mind, lips forming shapes of letters you’ve forgotten.
The cave is vast, a dark liquid coating the floor, and he’s taking you deeper. Red washes the stone, fire burning in tall stacks at five different points within the chamber. Humid air washes down your throat, filling your lungs, smelling faintly metallic but everything’s so dim and dark it’s impossible to tell. How bright is the flame for your eyes to pick it out?
Heart pounds in your chest, and you curl into him, needing to feel his skin. Need to feel his touch, the soft dust of fur grazing your thighs and stomach, the scratch of claws through your hair. A small sound drags from your lips, sweat beading on your brow, head twisting to bury into him.
His hands tighten around your legs, pressing your shoulders closer, tucking you into his heat, his scent wrapping around you. If you had the energy, how wonderful it would be to have him. Taste, lick, swallow, gulp. Take, need, have, own.
“Azriel…” Letters rasp from your tongue and he’s doing something—moving you. “Azriel…I need you.”
Sweat slicks your robes, dampening further as he sets you down, breasts dragging over his chest, body dragging against his own, until your feet touch that wetness. Up to your ankles. Up to your calves. Metal and iron.
Blacked out eyes find yours and breath whooshes away at the raw sight of him. Some kind of veil has been ripped off, fire and shadow burning in his pitch black gaze, an intensity thrumming beneath his skin like a heart beat, loud and clear to your ears.
The flames burn hotter, glowing brighter, pale bones holding the massive fire bowls. Blood bubbles around your feet, the cave floor flooded with the dark liquid, the vastness of some past slaughter vaguely dawning in your mind. How much life is contained within the dark lagoon, the immense strain of power that’s glittering just beneath it.
“This isn’t…?” You look at him weakly, his hands on your hips, keeping your pressed to his front. “…where am I?” He blinks, and you catch the thin layer of film that slides across his eyes just before his eyelids snap shut, and open. “Undress.”
You stare at him, too sickly to muster up a reply. You just stare. “Where am I?”
When he leans down, fingers hooking in your robe, making to pull it off, you don’t have the will to protest. The scrape of his talons up the backs of your thighs setting the liquid heat in the pit of your belly bubbling. A reminder of his touch, how it feels to have his hands on you. How it feel to have him on you. It’s what you’re craving.
So you melt.
Eyes roll to the back of your skull and you stagger, shadows winding up your legs, sliding up your spine, bracing your torso as the arousal slams your mind into a stone wall. Hands grip onto him, nails stabbing at his tough skin as you cling for stability. “Azriel…” you pant, panic twining with your plead.
His eyes gleam in the ruby light, orange and gold flickering across his skin, “yes?” Fangs glint under the flame, catching the sparks on the white enamel. Grinning.
Your vision tilts, and your grip tightens, skin pressing onto him, arms winding around him, fingers dragging over him as you begin to push yourself into his body. You nose at him, taking in his scent and you can feel him shifting beneath your finger tips. Liquid arousal gathers between your thighs as leather dissolves to soft fur, the constraint of clothing turning to nothing. Warm, sturdy muscle surfacing. Should you look up you would be met with a beast. Fangs to slice into your throat, talons to dig into your flesh, eyes to pierce into your soul.
A moan spills from your lips, breaths becoming shallow as that incessant itch becomes deeper and deeper and you need him, need him, need him.
He laughs, deep and dark, tipping you upward by a hand to the throat. Feels you swallow. “Want me?” He asks. The ghostly brush of his lips over your own. Your brows curve upward at the cruel question.
Of course you want him. Can barely think of anything else.
Eyes flutter shut, tilting toward him. Elongated fangs graze your lips. Press closer, and they slice.
You tip over the edge.
Hands slide up over his shoulders, hooked talons wrap around your waist, trapping you against him. Mouth opens up, teeth slicing at your lips but blood tastes good. Thick and rich. Aches blossom on your tongue, stinging dulling and healing then reopening as his saliva heals and his canines create those delicious incisions as you kiss him. Tongue flicks out, pressing up the razor-sharp canine, hot, spiced liquid bursting between you, dripping down your chin.
You moan loudly into his mouth, his name playing on repeat in your head as you plead for him, arousal thrumming and humming and buzzing across your sin, zapping the sensitive space between your legs.
Nails drag through his hair, pressing up onto your tiptoes to be closer. His hands slide down over your rear and you moan into his mouth, blood and pleasure mixing and his claws rip through the white robe. Skin is bare and wonderfully free. Fur soft and silky and you could cry at the sweet sensation.
Azriel snarls into your mouth and you want to give him more, want him to bite into your flesh and take you apart in the most appetising way possible. With great control, you pull away, only in favour of moving his hot lips to the soft expanse of your throat. Urging him to bite, to drink, to feed.
The wet muscle laps out, pleasure and pain singing down your spine seconds later as he buries himself in you, hot, thick blood spilling down your shoulder, saturating the remains of your dress. Head tips back, lips parting in silent euphoria. He growls at the taste, pushing deeper, drinking more and more, until you’re swaying on your feet.
Hands release you, blood swallows you.
Falling back into the sanguine pool.
You moan as the rich liquid warms your skin, coating you, bathing you in power. Darkens your hair with wetness. Spine arches at the sheer immorality of the scene. The darkest depravity as you bathe yourself in blood. Gleams on your teeth, colouring your lips as you smile, tongue flicking out as you stare up at him.
His grin is like none other he’s given you. Pure beast, pure animal. Too wide, and too eager to be anything remotely human. You don’t care.
He steps forward, and you move back, pushing away from him slowly—teasingly. It’s never a good idea to taunt a wolf, but here you are, a lamb wandering into the butcher’s hands, trotting up and pleading for the carving knife. Bowing her neck for the severing slice.
The rock shifts beneath you, blood growing shallower, beast drawing closer. Herding you to the butchering block. You follow his guide, moving to be atop the hewn stone, where the hot liquid laps at your sides instead of swallowing you whole.
Dark lines pulse beneath his skin, veins of blackness thrumming beneath the fur lining his stomach, mapping a pathway down his abdomen. He reaches the foot of the slope, and begins prowling upward, slowly closing in on you. There’s not a single part of you that’s afraid of him, every inch of skin craving to be adored and devoured. Absolutely massacred.
His clawed hand encases your ankle roughly, pulling your leg toward him, blood dripping from your calves down into the pool. Teeth open over your flesh, bitting and kissing his way up as your spine arches at his own form of worship.
When you have fangs like his, you’ll return the favour.
Dark eyes pierce into you, your legs bend at the knees, flickering with interest. Your grin doesn’t belong to a lamb. He know that, too.
Starving hunger blazes in his gaze, a quiet moan exhaling from your lips as you open wider for him. Lips pull back from his teeth in a snarl, and he pounces. One hand slams down on your shoulder, rock biting into your back as he snarls, low and viciously. Blood drips off your chest, nipples peeking beneath his ravenous attention. Teeth bite into your neck, and you know he’s hitting that first scar mark, setting it deeper, making sure it sticks.
Rough stone slices into your skin, but you don’t care. The blood from the cave seeps into your skin, but you don’t care. Something powerful and wicked, ancient and entirely malevolent claws at your insides, rendering you anew, and you just. Don’t. Care.
You moan louder when you feel the weight of his length over your slick heat, a growl rumbling through his chest, and you could swear deep whispers fill the vast cave. Chanting, speaking in tongues. He pays them no mind, so neither do you. Not even as the blood really does begin to bubble, or as the fire drips from the golden bowls, beginning to form a ring.
Nails dig into his back, wings flaring in a display of dominance and ownership as the tip of his cock presses against your entrance. Your hips wind against him, begging for him to push in, to fill you so full there’s no room for anything else. Until everything is out of you, and you’re left empty and gloriously silent.
Azriel’s fingers thread through your hair, thumb smearing the blood across your cheek, and you catch the tip of his talon on your tongue. He groans at the action, pressing the plushness of your lower lip, angling the digit so his claw can slide inside. The wet muscle flicks over the pad of him thumb, eyes latched onto his as you slice and carve yourself upon him.
The head of his cock pushes inside, and your eyes roll back with pleasure, knowing what’s coming. So caught up in his web of sin you don’t notice as the sickness burrows deeper, curling within you, painting you in his self.
“Azriel…” you pant, “deeper.”
His eyes gleam with satisfaction and something far more sinister but you have no care to examine it in detail. All you care about is how big he is, how he’s filling you up as he presses in, keeping you pinned to the bloody floor of the dim chamber. His lips twist into a hellish smile, teeth slicked in red as they gleam with golden firelight. Fire that’s still spilling from the bowls, tightening the ring until it’s trapping you both inside.
Slowly, they begin to carve a five-pointed star through the pool.
The two of you at its epicentre.
His hips press tight against your own, and whimpers ebb from your lips, flowing to his ears as your iron-tinged scent wraps around him, keeping him locked in a haze of pleasure. He basks in the wet heat of your cunt, the soft press of your thighs tightening around his hips, urging him to move. He dips down once more, mouth opening over your own in a messy kiss—messy from the razor-like teeth. A mouth filled with tiny blades.
The world spins a little as his hips drawn back, then push in.
The dark cave pool heats, steam rising from its surface as the fire blazes brighter, finally completing its symbol. Trapping you within. No matter this is nothing like what Elain described. This is so much better.
He slams in to the hilt, and fire crackles in your heart. Lightening sizzling your bones, scorching your skin. Cooking you from the inside out. Pain blares in your marrow, inner lips stinging as your gums ache from tiny lacerations, splitting.
Splitting as fangs force their way through your flesh, ripping at tissue as teeth grow. Teeth matching his. Two canines protruding from your upper lip. You can hear his hearts beat, tripping in a triple rhythm of three.
You open your mouth over his shoulder, still pounding into you, and you bite.
He howls, the roar sending ripples through the bubbling blood, making the flames flicker. He coats your tongue, spilling into your mouth, filling your stomach as your bones and muscle shift. Tighten over one another, bonding to become stronger. Other.
The cave becomes lighter, snapping from blinding colour to pitch black, until they finally settle. The smell you’d be veiled from finally hits you, and you gag. The metallic stink shoves itself up your nostrils but magic crackles in the air and it’s gone. His magic.
Azriel pulls away, and pleasure tightens in your belly as you mark the puncture wounds stamped onto his shoulder. His hips slam up against yours and claws rake down his back.
His pupils dilate, and he’s shoving you down into the pool, one massive paw splaying across your chest, talons hooking you in place. A scream rips from your lips as the transformation passes over your lower body, unimaginable pleasure crashing into you, bludgeoning your brain as it’s sizzled and scorched. Vision blurs as euphoria rips at your skin, head tipping back, saturating your hair in the liquid magic.
There’s hardly time for breath before your muscles are acting for you, guiding you to what you need.
Claws dig into him, sinking into flesh as he’s flipped onto his back, allowing you to straddle his hips. You snarl down at him, revelling in the pulse of power that’s gliding through you, filling you with life and energy and anger.
So much fury that had the cave not been cast in red before, it would become bloodied to your eyes. All the repressed rage that had been slowly building, every snap of jealousy, every burn of envy. Everything gloriously sinful, awakens.
The mountain trembles as ire glitters in your blood, keeping Azriel trapped beneath you as you finally take. You take, and steal, and rob, just as he had done to you.
He snarls in fury but there’s so much power within you now, binding and raging at the sight of freedom he remains floored.
Your hips wind over his, cock buried deep inside of you, and the snarl cuts to a blissed out moan. Hands grip your hips, talons unable to slice your leathery skin as he helps lift you up to his tip, then slam you down. He bucks upward simultaneously, spurred on by the sharp jerk of your hips as you grind onto him. Pleasure sings and your head falls back, allowing him to use you—to give you the world.
Snarls and growls rumble in your chest, tongue flicking over your blood-coated teeth. His blood. And you smile.
Wild. Feral. Unhinged.
You look down at him, the red, toothy grin on your lips as claws slash out from your fingertips. Moans flow as you bring them down upon him, slicing into his skin, crimson droplets beading in their wake before the lacerations heal.
His eyes gleam with pride as you raise your nails to your mouth, tongue flicking out to taste him, pleasure buzzing in your head, fluttering between your legs. His satisfaction curls deep in your chest, sharpening the edge you’re riding.
Your hips swirl over his and it’ll only take a few more…
A few more and then—
You scream.
An otherworldly, beastly howl.
His eyes widen with hunger and awe as your head tips back, and you come on his cock, nails stabbing into the muscle of his stomach, burying in the soft fur that trails to his abdomen.
Words once again rip from your mind, leaving only feeling and wonder as he continues slamming up into you. Overstimulation wracks your body, but you can’t summon the will to order him to stop. Spasms tense your muscles, everything going taut then supple, Flashing so quickly between the two that it’s absolute heaven for him. Pounding up into your heat as you flutter and tighten around his cock, urging him to spill into you.
Your hips move of their own accord, as if able to sense how much he wants to fill you up, how desperately he needs to pump you full of is cum until you’re unable to move or breathe without some spilling.
You urge him on as you squeeze him, hips winding and bucking even as your mind goes blank, world spinning and tripping with the overload.
The pentagram flares with power, zapping your skin until you’re tingling all over and he roars. Hot, thick cum spurts into you and you moan. Vision blurs with pleasure, fangs biting into your lower lip until blood trickles down, dripping from your chin onto your breasts, splattering across his stomach.
The muscles flex as his hand slides into your hair, dragging your mouth to his as your fangs collide, carving up one another in the frenzy. You groan as his cock shifts inside of you from the movement, body answering as you grow, fur dusting the soft skin between your legs in luscious, thick swirls.
His lip pulls back from his teeth with pleasure, matching your shift, cock widening beneath the base as you continue roughly winding over him.
You’re still so dizzy and so dumbed out—tunnel vision leading you to the next high.
You grip him back, hands brutally gripping his silky, blood-slicked hair as you eagerly devour him, breasts dragging over his chest. Nipples grazing his skin, bodies pressed so tight against one another you could pass for one single, hellish creature.
Soft snarls bounce off the cave walls that had been previously untouched for centuries, smelling slightly damp but now filled with arousal.
Claws click together as you grip and grab.
Teeth and talons snap, biting and scraping over skin.
Humanity shredded to pieces.
General Taglist: @myheartfollower @tcris2020 @mali22 @amygdtjhddzvb
Az Taglist: @thekingravkadeserves
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eureka-its-zico · 24 days
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Okay so….
I might be finished with chapter 9 of Chaos in Their Bones by tonight. Which gives me time to edit it (hopefully) to post it tomorrow. That being said,
Is there anyone who would like to be added to the tag list that hasn’t been added or would like to be added?
Much love 🖤 Jenn
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damn-stark · 10 months
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Chapter 9 Heart of ice
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Chapter 9 of Moonlight
A/N- 😙
Warning- Swearing, angst, fluff, talks of blood, death, SPOILERS, LONG CHAPTER.
Pairing- Aemond Targaryen x Velaryon!fem-reader, Cregan Stark x Velaryon!fem-reader
Episode- After 1x09, events based off of Fire and Blood
(If you want to be tagged let me know)
————
*A FEW MONTHS AGO*
“Dragon fruit for the dragon Princess?”
“Pearl necklace for the Siren of Driftmark?”
“Oranges? They’re good for a growing babe.”
You touch your 6 month old swollen belly and come to another stop in front of the stand to study the big round oranges stacked so neatly on the crates.
“How much?” You ask the vendor.
The man puts his hands on his hips and studies his fruit for a moment before facing you. “Discount for you princess. 5 Silver dragons.”
You glance at Aemond, and he hesitates before handing your pouch of money. He doesn’t find this trip necessary, he says that whatever you want can be brought right away. But, you just batted your eyelashes and told him that you needed to take a stroll because of your pregnancy, that the baby needed it, so he accepted without a fight after that.
“I’ll give you 10 golden dragons instead of silver,” you tell the vendor as you get out the golden coins that make the man’s eyes almost pop out of eyes. “Find good use for it.”
The man takes the money, but holds your hand and bows his head. “Thank you, Princess. Thank you, may the gods bless you and yours.”
You offer him a kind smile, and he lets your hand go so you can reach for a box of oranges. However, he then blocks the oranges with his hands. “No, these are no good. I have perfect ones. Juicy and sweet.” He crouches and pulls out a box from under the table and hands it to you.
Albeit before you can even reach Ser Criston takes the box for you.
“Have a nice day, sir,” you direct at the man before you continue down the busy street lively with people.
“<He ripped you off you know,>” Aemond grumbles in High Valyrian so the people around wouldn’t understand him.
You scoff softly as you hook your arm around his. “I know, but I won’t go poor by giving him something extra. Bless them and the gods bless you. Lady Stark would say that.” You sigh and rest your head on his shoulder. “Besides I actually got a craving. Or the babe did.” You grin and touch your belly again, feeling a small movement now. “Feel,” you beckon him and snatch his hand from his side to press it against your small belly. “He’s moving.”
Aemond comes to a stop to caress your belly very gently. You grin at him in awe and slide his hand to the other side. “See? He wants oranges.”
A smile breaks on Aemond’s face before he takes your hand again and continues to walk with you down the street. “You don’t know that it’s a boy,” he points out.
You giggle. “I do. It’s an instinct. When I imagine the babe I see a boy. Always. We’ll have a boy. I’ll even bet you.”
Aemond scoffs and smirks. “You can place your bets with Aegon. He never turns down the chance to gamble. I believe you.”
“Good,” you grin. “Now I wonder how many kids we'll have. Six? I want a big family. But if I can’t have so many I’ll be content with two, but we need to have a baby girl.”
“So you can name her Daenys?” Aemond finishes for you, making you look at him with awe.
“You remember?” You probe.
A small smirk spreads on his lips and he nods. “I do. You’d only bore me with stories about her.”
You roll your eyes. “I wouldn’t bore you. You’d bring me the books!”
“Because it was your favorite,” he counters softly.
You laugh softly and nod. “Still is. Maybe our Daenys will be an amazing dreamer just like the great legend that saved our house.”
“Yeah,” he agrees. “Maybe.”
You let out a content sigh.
“Spare some food? Money?” A child with his face covered in dirt asks. “Something small?”
“<He just wants to steal from you, they always have money.>” Aemond points out.
Even if he did, you don’t care, you stop and turn to pick out an orange off the box.
The kids' eyes grow curious, and they follow your hand as you move it towards him. You pretend you’re going to give him a single orange, but you then hand it to Aemond and instead grab the box off of Ser Criston’s hold.
“Take it,” you tell the kid. “It’s for you.” You put the box down in front of him and shoot him a smile before you move on.
This time Aemond doesn’t make a remark about your actions, you wouldn't care either way, so he just lets it pass and takes your hand in his again. However, before you can pass the last courtyard before reaching the castle walls, a woman with a bright red dress walks out of her house and announces something that steals your immediate attention.
“Wish to know your future, my Princess?”
“Princess,” Ser Criston interjects now. “She’s only trying to take your money. It’s a scam. Leave it.”
You flick your wrist down and take the money pouch from Aemond’s side.
“Your worry is misplaced, Ser,” the pretty lady with bright and beautiful remarkable colored eyes says. “But I understand. Patience is a fickle thing is it not, Ser Criston Cole? If only you had known it, you would be happy now.” Her eyes dart to you and then go back to him quickly as if trying to point something out.
You don’t read into it, or demand explanation, you let her continue as she looks between all three of you. “I am a humble servant of the Lord of Light,” she rebuttals, “I only mean to give the Princess insight for her eyes are covered and her soul is basked by darkness.”
You smile at her eagerly and let Aemond go to step towards her. “What is your name?” You ask first.
The woman's bright eyes meet yours and her lips tug upward just slightly. “I am Kinvara, Priestess of the Lord of Light.”
“<Y/N, let’s go,> Aemond warns.
“<I am no one to fear, fear resides in the whispers that are heard in the shadows, and from the pretenders…” she pauses and narrows her eyes on him. “You see clearly with her at your side, venture too far and you're left blind. Don’t let the shadows consume you, My Prince, or darkness is all you’ll know.>”
You glance at him and grin brightly before facing her again. “Now can you tell me what I seek?” You press impatiently.
Kinvara turns and walks inside, but you first face Aemond. “Wait for me out here,” you tell him.
Aemond holds your gaze and narrows his gaze. “I won’t get you to leave,” he mutters with discontent. “Just be careful. Don’t give her all your money.”
You shoot him a small smile and then lean in to kiss him before you follow after the Red Priestess, finding a single fire lit on a golden bowl in the middle of the elegant parlor room.
“How much will it cost?” You ask her as you slowly wander to the stand holding the bowl.
“Nothing but your attention,” she shares in such a soothing voice. “And a drop of your blood.”
You stop before the bowl and don’t question offering her your hand. Kinvara picks out a single thin needle and gently cups your hand to poke the sharp end on the pad of your thumb. When a scarlett drop of blood crawls out of the small wound she pulls your hand over the flames and turns it to let the single drop of blood fall in the flames. She then lets your hand go and throws the needle in the flames to let the fire eat away at it.
“You have fire made flesh, a gift from the Lord of Light,” she begins to say.
You clasp your hands over your belly and watch her eyes read the dancing flames with curiosity.
“You have salt littered blood. The dragon of your house sigil has three heads, but your dragon only has one. Your dragon burns fiercely and passionately. Your dragon flies high within the clouds in search of something.” She lets the words slip out, and then meets your gaze across the flames.
You should be intimidated, but you’re not, you’re just eager to know more.
“Three hearts,” Kinvara adds. “One made of ice, two of fire. Four flesh made eggs…”
Four eggs, huh?
“…and loyalty. That is easy to find when you look at the surface of clear waters.”
You shoot her a grin and pick at one thing that caught your attention. “Four eggs? Does it mean I’ll have four kids?”
Kinvara smiles sweetly. “Smart girl. They’ll grow, they’ll know happiness and long lives, hm.” She blinks and her smiles fades to a smirk. “But sins will burden them, cast over them like shadows.”
Right away your smile fades and for the first time since you saw her fear begins to crawl across your mind. “What…does that mean?” You ask quietly.
The red priestess lifts her chin and sighs. “You’ll know.”
How insightful.
“One more thing,” she interjects and moves away from her spot to reach you and grab your hands “Fire kills the girl and awakens the dragon. Follow the flames for they are sweet to you since the moment your seat was taken.”
You let out a deep breath and nod stiffly. You don’t understand completely, or at all actually, but you nod in comprehension before you return to Aemond.
“What did she say?” Aemond asks without waiting to reach the safety of the castle.
So much you didn’t understand.
“We’ll have four kids,” you share the only thing that was clear.
Aemond hums and leaves it at that. Just as you do.
——
*NOW. WINTERFELL*
Was it the flight here, or just your nerves over seeing someone, making your stomach all twisted?
You look at the tall grey stone walls, your eyes climb them to the top expecting to catch a pair of grey eyes, but there’s no one at the top this time. Not like when you first got here.
Good. It gives you time to mentally prepare yourself.
“Gods, I think I’m going to be sick,” you mutter and turn around to give your back to the gates that are getting opened. “Jacaerys cover me. I need to fix my top, it’s too hiked up.”
“They’re coming—”
“Cover me!” You exclaim.
Jacaerys groans and you feel his cloak cover the light bitter breeze that blew.
“I thought there’d be snow,” he adds. “I don’t see it.”
You roll your eyes and pull your top down after having it rise because of your long flight seated on your saddle. “It’s autumn,” you remind him. “They get dry autumns here too. It’s not always covered in snow. But who knows maybe you’ll see snow tomorrow.” You part open the shirt just a bit at the top to show more of your cleavage….it’s warmish and…you are seeing your old lover.
He can look.
“Princess,” a familiar voice calls out.
It’s not Cregan, his voice is a bit deeper, more…well, elegant in way, but not like Aemond’s. Let’s just say that his voice is one you’d know right away. So this is not him.
You turn and push Jacaerys arm down to come face to face with Ser Rolf and a few castle guards. But not Cregan.
“My prince,” Ser Rolf greets your brother by your side.
“Ser Rolf,” you greet with a a faint smile that doesn’t take long to widen to a happy grin whilst you break away and meet him halfway for an embrace. “It’s been too long,” you tell him as you pat his back before you pull away. “I’m happy to see you.”
Ser Rolf mirrors your smile. “And you. A congratulations are in order, I hear. A son. How is he?”
You smile softly and already miss Aerion. “Healthy and growing. How’s your baby girl?”
Ser Rolf nods softly. “Sweet and healthy. I’ll bring her later so you can meet her.”
You clap lightly. “I can’t wait.” You look back at Jacaerys and wave him over. “This is my brother, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon. Brother, this is an old friend, Ser Rolf. He's good friends with Lord Stark.”
Jacaerys gives a stiff nod before glancing around. “Where is Lord Stark? We’ve come to request an audience.” He deadpans.
You swallow thickly and step back to fall by his side again.
“Inside waiting for the both of you already,” Ser Rolf shares, causing your heart to begin racing. “You might want to forgive Lord Stark, you see with whispers of war the Lord's safety is prioritized. But I will take you to him now, follow me.”
Good this way you can build up your confidence between here and the throne room. You’ll hide how nervous you are by seeing him again, by the fear that you’ll lose all feeling for your husband and fall for Cregan’s charm once again. Or that he’ll hate you for being distant.
Or worse he’ll say he’s with someone else now….
Which isn’t a bad thing, at least hearing that tragic news can let you forget all about each other, but still…you can’t help but feel a flicker of jealousy.
“What’s wrong with you?” Jacaerys voice cuts through your racing mind.
You don’t even realize how deep you are in the grounds, or how close you are now to reaching the throne room and…seeing him.
“Just worried,” you avoid the truth. “About Aerion.”
Jacaerys keeps his eyes on you and narrows his gaze, but you just exhale and look at the upcoming hall door.
“He’s safe at Dragonstone,” Jacaerys assures you. “Mother will never let anyone take him. No one will.”
You bite the inside of your cheek and nod unsurely. “You’re right.”
“Besides this is our last stop and then we return home,” he adds softly as you come to a brief stop as guards slowly open the hall doors. “Just hold on for a while longer.”
Aerion’s well-being worried you, but as of now Cregan managed to squeeze himself to your first priority.
“Prince Jacaerys of House Velaryon!” A booming voice gets carried out of the softly lit hall. “And Princess Y/N of House Velaryon, wife of Prince Aemond Targaryen.”
Why do they always need to announce that you're his wife, everyone knows, and he doesn’t own you.
Regardless, with each step you take deeper in the hall, the faster your heart races, the more you feel like throwing up, and the more you feel the need to run out.
As you turn a corner and know he’s fully visible on his great throne just down the hall, you avert your gaze and fist your hands. You feel his gaze though, you feel a warmth on your face. You hear him shifting in his seat, you hear his breath hitch.
When Jacaerys comes to a stop, you don’t fall back, you stand by his side with your eyes still averted.
“My prince,” there it is, that’s his voice….gods it brings you goosebumps. “My Princess…” he hesitates for a moment, a single second longer, but it’s enough for you to finally break your gaze away from the ground and slowly lift your gaze to meet his…familiar grey eyes.
And gods it’s like a breath of fresh air, like…seeing color again…
His hair is longer now, half of it is tied back; he couldn’t do that when you were here. His face hasn’t changed though, there’s no new wrinkles, it’s the same stern one you knew, the same one you dream about. His shoulders however, his arms are bigger, it seems like his muscles want to burst out of his shirt….
Married. Aemond. You’re still married.
“Welcome to Winterfell, I hope your flight here wasn’t so cold,” Cregan says and holds your gaze the entire time.
“No,” you assure him, causing the corner of his lips to twitch to a smile. “The winds were gracious on our way North, thank you Lord Stark.”
“Good.”
You can’t help your smile no matter how hard you try to fight it.
“I hope you forgive our sudden presence,” Jacaerys manages to cut in, pulling your eyes to him and noticing he was studying you with a pointed look, so you lose your smile and avert your gaze—“And our bluntness, Lord Stark, but we come here to deliver you a message from the Queen.”
Cregan lifts his chin and glances at his maester before facing both Jacaerys and you. “Not so long ago I received an envoy from a man who claims himself to be King.”
“He’s no King,” Jacaerys spats. “He’s a usurper. We come bearing news from your rightful ruler.”
You share a confident glance with your brother and then watch the maester take the scroll from his hand to deliver it to Cregan.
When the Lord takes it and reads the neatly written words he sighs and doesn’t take long to lower the paper and face you again.
“We can't offer you anything in return for your swords, and lives, Lord Stark,” you interject with your nose in the air to present yourself as collected even if your mind is still running like crazy. You want to just maybe let your brother talk, but you know that your fight and duty is more important than your feelings right now.
“Nor have we come to beg. But we hope that the North and you are everything that your ancestors have lived up to, that your father has lived up to. Loyal.”
Cregan slightly tilts his head and narrows his gaze just slightly as he grows intrigued by the way you speak.
“Your father bent the knee in front of my mother, he swore that House Stark and the North will follow the line of succession, and in the years my grandsire, the late King, was alive he never changed his heir. The rightful ruler is my mother, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, and your Queen's throne was stolen. Stand for your Queen, Lord Stark. Or break tradition and stand against the crown.”
Cregan lets out a deep breath and taps the scroll agaisnt the arm rest. “Your words move me Princess. And truly, what Lord would I be if I break my oaths? The Queen will not see the North break faith…”
You share a relieved look with Jacaerys, but it doesn’t last since there’s still more to come from Cregan. You know it.
“But…this war feels almost like family affairs, why should we support this war?” He asks, making you scoff. “Winter is coming, my priorities should be on my people. Besides, you have dragons, why not use those? Why risk our lives for this war?”
You part your lips to argue, but Jacaerys interjects this time.
“The Queen doesn’t want to rule over lands of ash and bone. But if you don’t support this war, the Greens will retaliate and leave nothing but ash of the North. They threaten your Queen’s life, they steal from her, will you stand and see your home burnt? Will you sit and do nothing as an injustice is acted against your Queen? Or will you and your people fight for what’s right? Fight for your lands and your lives?”
Cregan’s gaze drifts to his maester and other people listening to this conversation. He sighs and leaves the room quiet, making Jacaerys and you share a quick worried look before facing Cregan.
“You’ve left me a lot to think about,” Cregan breaks his short contemplating silence. “I hope you know fighting in war is not something to accept lightly, please rest, bathe, eat. Your journey must’ve been a long one.”
You scoff and counter. “For how long? We won’t leave until we get an answer.”
Cregan’s chest rises. “Soon. Please let us show you where you can lay your heads. I will give you my answer, I swear you that.”
Jacaerys sighs, but you catch him nod in agreement with a relaxed expression. “Thank you Lord Stark. We will wait diligently.” He bows his head and shifts his stance to face you with a scolding look.
You sigh deeply and drag your eyes to meet Cregan’s. “Thank you.” You deadpan. You blink and look away in annoyance.
The plan was for him to accept, and then leave so you wouldn't have to stay here longer than you should, but no….no?! Gods.
You attempt to follow a maester to your temporary chambers, but just as you walk a few paces, the door that leads deeper in the castle perimeters opens and a servant walks out with a small toddler. It’s not hard to guess who he is, you last saw baby Rickon when he was only a few days old, but you’ll never forget him or his grey eyes that match Cregan’s.
“Gods,” you gasp softly and quickly push past Jacaerys to meet the servant halfway. “It can’t be, baby Rickon.” You smile and look back at Cregan stepping down from the small platform that holds his chair, before facing the child with dark hair.
“Hello,” you coo at the toddler. “Little Lord….” You trail off and look back at Cregan. “May I hold him?”
Cregan tries hard not to smile as he nods in agreement.
“Hello,” you tell the toddler again as you face him and carefully take him from the servants hold. “Oh you’re so big,” you laugh softly. “What pretty eyes you have…” you steal a glance back at Cregan.
“Y/N,” Jacaerys calls out impatiently.
You ignore your brother and begin to walk after the maester walking you to your chambers. “You may not remember me, but we know each other.”
“H-hello,” the little boy says, making you gush and beam.
“Hi,” you repeat. “Oh you look like your mother. Expect for your eyes,” you say and brush his bangs back. “You have your fathers eyes. Grey like a brewing storm.”
“Hello,” Rickon repeats as he now takes your pendant in his hands.
“Oh, my grandmother gave me that when I left to come here six years ago.” You let him know even if he probably doesn’t understand what you mean. “One side has a three headed dragon, and the other…” you trial off and turn the pendant. “Is a seahorse. My houses.”
“I’ve heard you have a baby of your own,” Cregan interjects as if he doesn’t know already. You wrote about it. “Congratulations, princess.”
You swallow thickly and smile back at him as he follows your brother and you to your chambers. “Yes,” you respond without expressing too much emotion. “A son, Aerion. He’s four months old. He also likes my pendant,” you direct at Rickon. “He puts it in his mouth, just like everything else he can grab.”
“Why did he not come with you?” Cregan asks.
“He stayed at Dragonstone. With things as tense as they are I didn’t want to stress him out, or risk his life. Maybe…once this is over I’ll bring him to meet the North, and see the snow. I’m sure he’ll love it.”
“Have you taken him on your dragon?”
You nod and can’t help your soft smile at the memory. “Yes, we have. He loved it, he wanted to reach out for the clouds…he wanted to watch everything. He never cried. But it’s as I tell Aemond, he was meant to fly the skies.” You grin and watch Rickon play with your pendant.
“I’m surprised,” Jacaerys scoffs. “Aemond pays so much attention to Aerion. He doesn’t seem like the father type.”
You roll your eyes. “Don’t be mean, Jace. And don’t speak on matters you don’t know, Aemond loves Aerion,” you defend your husband. “He’s a very attentive father, so leave it be please.”
Jacaerys lets out a deep annoyed breath and as to not dwell on the matters, you peer back at Cregan. “You should be thankful, Rickon is the very image of his mother.” You shoot him a smile and let your gaze linger, finding it hard to look away.
“To that I am grateful to every day,” Cregan says as he holds your gaze. “It’s a pleasure seeing you again, Princess. We didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
You sigh and glance at your other side, catching Jacaerys watchful eye, so you go serious and hand Rickon back to the servant girl. “Thank you,” you say back. “Lord Stark. It’s a delight being back…I actually missed the North.” You leave it at that and feel thankful that you come to a stop in front of the door to your old quarters.
“You can stay here, Princess,” the maester points out. “Some ladies will come and draw you a bath shortly.” He bows his head and they leave you there to take Jacaerys to the chambers next door. Which is good!
He’s close so won’t give into temptations, and you won’t sneak around. Then again…Cregan is right here.
“I hope to see you at dinner, Princess,” he mutters a bit softer, but not soft enough so as to keep appearances. “It will be in the honor of you and your brother.”
You clasp your hands together and nod softly as you hold his mesmerizing grey eyes. “I’ll be there.”
Cregan offers you a comprehensive nod as he stays close. “I’ll see you then.” He says.
“I’ll see you then,” you repeat softly. “Lord Stark.” You glance down the hall and notice that Jacaerys gaze is focused on the maester talking away, so you quickly meet Cregan’s gaze and tease him with curtsy.
A small smirk breaks out on his face, and he rolls his eyes before he walks away, leaving you giggling to yourself as you disappear inside your old quarters.
It feels like being back home. Funnily enough.
——
*LATER*
There’s so much to pray for, so much to ask for that it feels unfair to actually speak it to the gods. But how can you not ask for your family's well-being? For this war to come to a swift end?
Maybe Ser Jason is right, maybe you can leave. Take Aerion and fly away on Astraea. If Aemond wants to come then he can, but if he wants to fight this foolish war for his brother then he can stay. No matter how much you love him you’d leave without him…
But, on the other hand your mother and your brothers need you, and what kind of person just leaves their family in their time of need?
Wouldn’t it be nice though?
“Still daydreaming?”
Cregan.
You look over your shoulder and see him walking deeper into the Godswood with a charming smile on his face.
“Cregan,” you greet happily now that there isn’t anyone around.
Without an ounce of hesitation you break away from your spot in front of the Weirwood tree, while Cregan picks up his pace to meet you halfway with a mighty embrace.
It’s been so long, no matter what distance you need, you can’t help your happiness and your relief upon being wrapped by his arms again.
“My darling love,” he murmurs as he lifts you a few inches off the ground. “Oh it’s been an eternity it seems.”
You grin and clutch harder onto him. “I thought I’d never see you again,” you say softly.
Cregan sighs and slides one hand to the back of your head to press you closer to him. “How I’ve missed the sound of your voice,” he admits, making your face begin to grow warm and your heart to beat harder.
He shouldn’t be saying these things…
As soon as he puts you back on the ground you pull back to meet his gaze. However, it’s while you do pull back that he cups your cheeks and leans in as if nothing.
You’d let him just to remember his taste, but you can’t do this to Aemond. So you step back and shake your head.
“We can’t do that anymore,” you tell him with disdain to your own protests.
Cregan’s smile fades, he licks his lips and steps back as he nods stiffly. “Right…you’re married now.”
“Yes,” you whisper, “it is good seeing you again though. I have truly missed the North, the snow and…you.”
The corner of his lips pull upward just slightly. “I’ve missed you,” he redirects before he proceeds to glance back at the Weirwood tree. “Forgive me for interrupting.”
You shake your head. “It’s quite fine, I was done already. I was just…daydreaming.” You laugh softly.
Cregan scoffs softly. “I was right then…so what is it you were dreaming about?”
You let out a deep breath and shift around. “How nice it would feel to escape this war.” You look up at the sky and sigh. “To avoid facing my husband who fights against me. To avoid all of it.”
A few footsteps are taken towards you, but you don’t see Cregan by your side. You just hear his voice, “I could offer you and your son refuge here.”
You drop your head and shake your head. “I can’t just leave my mother. Or sit back while everyone fights. I would never forgive myself if someone from my family died while I was sitting here.” You pull the peach-orange pearl from your pocket and begin to fiddle with it. “But thank you. I’ll keep it in mind.” You face him and smile softly. “How have you been?”
“Better now that I can see you again,” he coos and takes a step closer to you. “You look incredibly beautiful by the way. I love that cloak.”
You giggle and pick up the red cloak hanging over your back. “It’s quite impressive isn't it? Now I’m like you. Lord Stark.”
Cregan rolls his eyes lightheartedly. “Stop it.”
Silence then follows and his eyes soften before he changes the subject. “Tell me now that we don’t have an audience. How is your son?”
Your grin brightens and you can’t help but swoon. “Oh he’s so perfect. He smiles now and he tries to laugh but he can’t quite yet so it’s like he’s gasping for air,” you giggle. “And he’s sweet, timid, but very sweet. The gods have truly blessed me. I’m happy being a mother.”
“Good, I’m happy for you,” he mutters with a very faint smile. “I only ask because you have failed to write as much as you would.”
Oh…he’s noticed. Seven hells.
Your smile fades and the glimmer in your eyes begins to go out. “Yes,” you don’t deny his claims and interlace your hands together. “I have been trying to stop writing back.”
Cregan blinks and his eyes narrow just slightly. “Why?” He asks as if he doesn’t assume already. As if he doesn’t know your relationship is forbidden.
“Because I’m married,” you explain. “We have a son and I can’t do that to Aemond. Cregan, I love you, I don’t think I will ever stop, but I love him too. I love my life,” you admit with a faint smile. “I’ve grown to be content with what I have. And I owe Aemond the loyalty and respect he gives me. I want my children to grow up seeing his parents actually in love and not at each other's throats or like strangers that have to live together.” You sigh shakily and approach him now to take his hands in yours. “And I know that if I keep this secret going we will be discovered.”
“Then I will marry you,” he argues. “I will take you.”
You scoff. “That’s if I’m not killed first, or banished and have my titles and name taken from me. I’m not a man Cregan, I can’t have lovers. I’m a woman, a princess, I would be shamed for all my life, ripped away from my son, my family. I can’t be selfish anymore.” Your voice breaks and tears sting in your eyes. “I have to let you go. You have to let me go.” You pull his hands up to your lips and press a kiss on his knuckles. “I need you to do that for me.”
Cregan averts his gaze and turns his head away, causing you to grab his chin and tilt his head so you can meet each other's gazes. “I love you Cregan. You were a blessing for me. You were everything to me. I could never forget you or the time we shared, the love we had for each other. But I…I’m letting you go.”
Cregan draws in a deep breath and meets your gaze with his eyes glimmering with tears. “Does he love you? Does he treat you good? Tell me that or I will forever be restless.”
Without hesitation you give him the truth. “He does. He’s rough around the edges, but he’s good.”
Cregan let’s out a shaky breath and nods stiffly. “Then…I can rest. I can do what you want, but just know, if this war takes him away from you I will bring you back to me. I will raise your son as my own.” He presses his forehead agaisnt yours, and you laugh softly.
“I like the sound of that,” you whisper.
Cregan lingers right there, he pulls his hand away from yours and slides them up to cup your cheeks.
“I love you, y/n Velaryon. Since the moment I saw you trying to climb that wall…”
Tears roll down your cheeks and your smile wobbles.
“I love your spirit, I love your eagerness for this world, the way you love so deeply,” he confesses to you in such a soft manner. “I love you for everything you are, no one in this world will ever compare to you, nor will I ever love someone else as much as I love you.” He closes his eyes and just relishes in your approximaty, he inhales and takes in your sweet scent that is mixed with your dragon's scent. He caresses your cheeks and leans in, but he doesn’t kiss you, you don’t let him even if you want so badly to get one last reminder is his lips. You just feel the warmth of his lips brush over yours.
You bask in this moment too, not wanting to break away, wanting to stay here forever. But you can’t, besides Jacaerys is here, it’s a miracle he hasn’t come searching for you already.
“We have to go,” you break the tension. “My brother, he'll come looking for me, and if he sees us like this he’ll…” you laugh softly. “Snap.” You pull back and offer Cregan a smile. “Besides, we still have some time left together. We still are friends.”
Cregan nods. “Yes we are, and friends can dance together.”
You begin to grin. “Aye, they can, and they can still be around each other as long as my brother is with us.”
“Aye,” he agrees with a smirk. “They can still talk at meal times.”
You hum in agreement and begin to walk past him slowly and with your hips swaying, knowing he was watching you walk away. “Friends cannot share lingering looks.”
“No,” Cregan laughs. “And they can't hold hands or sneak off the castle grounds in the middle of the night, but! They can give you flowers.”
You peer back and nod. “Especially those beautiful Blue Winter Roses.”
“They’ll never compare to your beauty, but yes.”
You roll your eyes ahead and clasp your hands behind you. “I’ll see you later for supper, Lord Stark.”
“I cannot wait, Princess y/n.”
You smile at the ground and disappear behind the wall.
——
*THE NEXT DAY*
Come to one place expecting to be somewhat entertained by all the drama, but no. No! You’re bored, wondering where the hell Cregan took Jacaerys since dawn.
At dinner the two of them really didn’t have trouble getting along. Which is good your mother did say to get along with him. Albeit couldn’t they let you know? At least with Aemond at King’s Landing he’d be with you, you’d drag him to do things you like and he wouldn’t complain. But here?
Seven hells…
You actually miss Aemond. As you lay here in the parlor room in the castle of Winterfell, here in Cregan’s halls, you miss your husband.
But…you are also delighted to be with Cregan…
Fuck! Why did this have to happen to you? Why not just love one man? Sure what would be the fun in that? But life would be simpler.
You groan and press the pillow against your face. Hopefully, death will take you and solve your hearts issues.
Alas, only mere seconds later the sound of Cregan’s laugh can be heard down the hall, along with two pair of footsteps approaching. And as always you let them know your emotions by pulling the pillow off your face and closing your eyes as the door swings open.
“Sister, I’m back,” Jacaerys announces happily. “I’ve just had the most fun I’ve had in weeks,” he laughs. “Lord Stark and I just went training and he took me to explore the lands that surround this castle.” His voice gets closer as he walks to you laying on the couch.
When you hear him stop before you, he nudges your face. “I know you are not sleeping, what’s wrong with you?”
You exhale deeply. “Boredom, it’s killed me.”
“Gods,” Jacaerys groans.
You open your eyes and sit up to rest your arm on the top of the couch, and then rest your chin on your arm, catching Cregan’s amused gaze.
“It’s so true, you know how easily I get bored, Jacaerys!” You counter and peer back to watch him approach the fireplace. “Why didn’t you let me know where you were going?” You ask.
Jacaerys shrugs. “I don’t need to, and you were sleeping.”
You groan. “Well it’s so good you had so much fun. I had to break fast alone. Which,” you shoot Cregan a pointed glare now. “Thank you for that.”
Cregan scoffs softly and holds your gaze with a small smirk.
You should’ve looked away, but you let your gaze linger and can’t help your lips from pulling to a small smile.
“Hey! Where did you get that pair of clothes?” Jacaerys asks.
You climb off the couch and stretch out your arms slowly, letting the half red cloak swiftly slide down your back. “I packed it,” you say as if it wasn't obvious. “Which reminds me I need to go back home and grab more clothes. I only packed for a week.”
Jacaerys huffs. “Return and you’ll be inprisoned.”
You shrug. “A risk I'm willing to take,” you don’t argue and look down at your tight black jumpsuit that was intended for riding. “How can I show my face if I wear the same outfit more than two times? I can reuse my riding outfits, it’s a risk I can take, but repeating my gowns?” You exclaim dramatically and approach him to grab his arm. “That is a crime worse than death.”
Jacaerys rolls his eyes and tilts his head away from you. “You’re being dramatic,” he grumbles.
You glance over at Cregan who is truly amused by your conversation, so you grin before you wrap your arms around your brother. “You should be worried baby brother, I mean how can you repeat your outfits when you’re trying to impress your betrothed, hm? You need more jewelry, silks!” You laugh and slide away from him. “Maybe grow out your hair? A man with long hair is very much eye catching.” You smile sweetly and spare a quick glance at Cregan.
Jacaerys follows your quick line of gaze and then looks back at you. Albeit you just ignore it and sigh as you begin walking to the door. “Well, I’ll go, be bored somewhere else where people enjoy my company.” You approach Cregan and bow your head. “Lord Stark.”
Cregan’s eyes lock with yours and follow you as you slowly walk past him.
“Wait,” Jacaerys interjects, making you instantly freeze and go stiff, causing Cregan’s eyes to snap off you right away. “Is this yours?”
You look past your shoulder and blink as you see him holding up your orange pearl. “Yes,” you agree and walk back to him.
“Where did you get it? It’s very pretty,” Jacaerys says and moves it around.
“Don’t worry about it,” you deadpan as you reach him. “It’s mine give it.” You reach over to take it back, but he pulls his hand away. “Jace.”
Said man begins to smile as a thought goes off behind his eyes. “It was that knight wasn’t it? Ser Jason?” He snickers and keeps moving it away from you. “You have been talking with him a lot!” He points out, making you cringe since Cregan was here.
“So what of it?” You snap back and grab his arm to yank it towards you and snatch back your pearl. “He’s my sworn protector, I can befriend him.” You turn on your heels and storm away.
“What would your husband say?” Jacaerys taunts. “He was fuming when you were dancing with Lucerys.”
“<Shut up,>” you sneer in High Valyrian.
Jacaerys snickers, and as you walk past Cregan again you avert his gaze.
“Wait,” Cregan this time interjects, forcing you to stop in front of the door and look back—“the day is clear, the breeze is calm, we should go hunting, all of us. I remember how much you enjoyed walking in the forest, Princess.”
Smart.
“Only if Jacaerys will go,” you rebuttal and meet your brothers gaze.
Luckily Jacaerys gives you a smile and an accepting nod. “Sure, let’s go.”
You grin and clap your hands, waiting for both men out in the hall before you lead them out to the armory to grab what you need.
“Y/N,” Jacaerys calls out softly. “I was telling Lord Stark, here what a good singer you are. And that maybe at dinner you should sing something.”
Singing isn’t something you do with anyone besides your family and Aerion. The name they call you, “the Siren of Driftmark”, was only given to you by your grandfather Corlys, and it spread because your father would talk when he was drunk. Aemond would always tell you not to hide your talent, he says that the gods blessed you for a reason, but, it just never came easy to sing in front of strangers.
“She brought our grandfather Corlys to tears once,” Jacaerys shows you off proudly. “And he is a very closed off man.”
You can feel Cregan’s stare, but you avoid it. “I did not know the Princess could sing,” he says. “She never graced our halls with her gift,”
You try to brush off this request quickly. “I don’t sing in the common tongue, I only sing in High Valyrian. They won’t understand me.”
Cregan scoffs softly. “We don’t need to, my mother said songs are emotions. We don’t need to understand you, we’ll feel what you’re singing. Sadness, grief, happiness, love…it’s all in the way you sing.”
You sigh deeply and shrug. “Maybe I’ll sing something small. But don’t rely on it.” You reach the courtyard soon thereafter and feel thankful that you can leave this conversation by distracting yourself by picking up your weapons.
And the moment you do begin walking out the castle grounds you pull the attention away from their request. “Okay, I need to tell you two something I got told by a red priestess when I went to town a few months back.” You hang the bow around your shoulder to skip ahead and start walking backwards to be able to face the both of them.
“A red priestess?” Jacaerys query’s. “What were you doing talking to witches?”
You scoff and counter. “She’s not a witch! A priestess! And she told me if you don’t let me talk you’ll get an arrow through your throat.”
Jacaerys rolls his eyes and you gracefully continue.
“To put it simple so you boys can understand—”
“Y/N,” Jacaerys scolds, not knowing that Cregan won’t take offense to your quips.
“I have fire made flesh, salt littered blood,” you ignore him. “I will have three more children who will all live good lives,” you grin happily, but Cregan’s smile falters at the mention. “And I’m in search of hearts, one made of ice, two of fire. I don’t know what that means but it sounds interesting. And! She said that the fire is kind to me, that fire will kill the girl and awaken the dragon, hm? Also that loyalty can be seen in the surface of clear waters.”
“Well that one is easy,” Cregan interjects with curiosity. “You see your reflection when you look at the surface of clear waters. Blurry, but it’s still you.”
“So what? Find loyalty in yourself?” Jacaerys adds on to the comment.
You nod eagerly. “Yes! I’ll find loyalty in myself.” You smirk now and shrug. “I still have yet to figure out what she meant, but I quite enjoyed getting that told to me. And I did enjoy sharing it outloud” You twirl back around and leave the conversation at that to rush towards the forest line ahead of you.
Since you know these woods like the back of your hand you don’t wait for either man to catch up, you navigate past the trees, over branches spilled on the ground until you spot a creek with fish residing inside.
They move fast. Some twirl up dirt with their tails as they swim around fast, clouding the sight of your target as you pull out your bow and arrow.
“I saw a rabbit nearby,” Jacaerys points out as he and Cregan catch up to you.
You line up your arrow and raise your bow. “I don’t hunt rabbits,” you murmur.
“She gets too sad,” Cregan says, causing Jacaerys to glance at him weirdly. “She’ll eat rabbit, but she can’t hunt it herself.”
“Mhm-mm,” you hum as you draw in a deep breath and lock your eyes on a glimmering grey fish. It moved fast by you follow it.
That is until you suddenly feel someone blow in your ear. You don’t need to loo back to know it was Jacaerys.
“Quit it,” you grumble and keep your eyes on the fish. “I’m trying to concentrate.”
“A good hunter works through their distraction,” Jacaerys taunts.
“Not if the distractions breath smells,” you quip back and let the arrow go, managing to hit a fish directly in the eye and causing it to squirm. “Haha!” You exclaim and put your bow down. You then look back at Jacaerys and Cregan, and shoot them a cocky grin. “What’s my prize?”
Cregan begins to smile, and Jacaerys remarks. “A child can do that, you’re not special.”
You roll your eyes and go and pick up your trophy out of the water. “Fine then, you do it. Hit a fish right in the eye. Fish here aren’t like the ones in Dragonstone or Kings Landing, they move fast here, use the dirt to hide.”
Jacaerys blows out air and brushes you off to now take the spot you stood on to hunt, letting you take his spot by Cregan and secretly high five over your achievement. When Jacaerys aims his arrow you begin to taunt him back by kicking a rock in the water and making the fish scurry around.
“Stop it,” Jacaerys hisses.
You snicker and wait for the fish to gather again before you kick a branch in the water.
“<Bitch,>” Jacaerys swears at you in High Valyrian.
You feign an offended gasp, but rebuttal. “<Small dick boy.>”
Now that wasn’t anyway for either of you to talk, you’re royalty, but you only talked like that to each other.
“What did you just say?” Cregan asks quietly as you watch the fish gather again.
You glance at him and smile before you pat his arm and assure him. “Nothing lady like.” You slide your hand off his arm, but let your hand brush against his.
Jacaerys then proceeds to shoot his arrow, but he doesn’t hit anything even if the fish are an easy target.
“What?” You exclaim. “I thought it was easy.”
Jacaerys glares back at you. “You kept distracting me,” he complains.
You snicker. “No excuse. You just suck.”
Your brother ignores you and marches to the water to grab his arrow.
“While you two were squabbling, a flock of birds landed not so far from here. I’ll throw a rock and we have to shoot one down from here.” Cregan suggests, making your eyes go wide with interest.
“Let’s do it,” Jacaerys quickly inputs to try and prove his worth.
Cregan shoots you both a half grin before he walks a few paces ahead to pick up a pebble. “Ready?” He asks as he looks back at Jacaerys and you.
You pull out another arrow and your brother pulls out his before he responds without checking if you actually were. “Ready!”
Cregan takes what he needs and then hurls the pebble to where the birds are. The moment the pebble hits something, the birds get startled and fly out to the sky, causing all three of you to aim your arrows up at them. Albeit as the men shoot directly at the birds, you aim to the sky and wait for a bird to approach. As it gets close to your aim, you shoot at the sky.
“That was a big fail,” Jacaerys immediately teases you, but he quickly falls flat because the bird flies directly through your aim and gets hit through the eye.
“What?” You laugh. “I win!”
The bird falls through the trees not far away from where you stand, and you turn even more smug. “Now imagine me hunting on dragonback. It’s very fun.”
Cregan rolls his eyes and then begins heading to where his bird had landed. “It’s dangerous.” He yells back.
You break away from your spot and walk to your trophy. “I’m restrained!” You assure him.
Jacaerys scoffs and follows behind you since the bird he managed to hit landed near yours. “Then how do you hunt? The restraints must hold you back.”
“It’s a lot of teamwork between Astraea and I,” you explain and look to the sky as if Astraea was flying above you. “She glides and I aim. It was hard at first, but now it’s like she knows where I want her to move.” You grin back at him. “I can show you!”
Jacaerys sighs and shakes his head. “No thank you, I don’t want your death on me, Aemond would skin me.”
You roll your eyes. “It’s safe. But if you don’t want your sister to overshadow you,” you then whisper so Cregan won’t hear in the distance, “in front of Lord Stark, then I will have to show off my skills later.”
Jacaerys playfully narrows his gaze on you. “Go ahead.”
You shoot him a happy smile and then proceed to hurry through the woods to collect your trophy. Now the rest of the day is spent talking about whatever came up, laughing and just enjoying each other's company.
Having your brother with you now felt so exciting, not like before. Sure you enjoyed Cregan’s company, and liked his friends that also became yours, but having family with you is different, it’s more relieving, you can be more yourself, it’s just better in every way. Even if you squabble a lot.
Cregan also seems to enjoy Jacaerys company, he especially finds amusement in the way you two argue and taunt one another as well. He says that it seems that Jacaerys and you really share a strong sibling bond that he envies. Maybe in a different life, one where you married Cregan—
No…you can’t feed into that thought, no matter how nice it may seem. So, pushing that aside, the day passes right under you, the sun sets without either of you paying attention; that’s how much you all enjoyed each other's company, how you forget about the war that looms. And it’s because of your long day that you fall asleep quickly without having to think about Cregan at night; and how much you want to be in his company alone in his chambers.
You didn’t wake until a knock rapped on your door with urgency.
Jacaerys? What may he want that he can't wait to tell you later?!
“Come in,” you respond to the visitor as you sit up on your bed.
The door opens and the maester comes in. He stops at the doorway and averts his gaze right away since you are considered indecent. “Princess,” he mutters to the ground. “A raven just arrived from Dragonstone.”
Your mother…what happened?
You sigh and climb out of your bed to take the scroll from his hand. “Thank you, maester.”
Said man bows his head and quickly scurries away to leave you to yourself. Once the door is closed you break the wax and unroll the scroll, realizing right away that the handwriting on the paper is not your mothers.
“Prince Jacaerys & Princess Y/N,
I write with urgency and great sorrow, your brother, Prince Lucerys has passed—”
The air in your lungs escapes with your gasp, and your heart sinks right away, but you still don’t believe the news.
“—The Greens have struck their first blow, Prince Aemond killed Prince Lucerys in Storm's End. The details of what happened aren’t clear, that’s all we know right now. But you had the right to know. Stay in Winterfell for a few more days for your safety. Be wary.
Daemon.”
No…no, he has to be lying. It’s Daemon playing games.
You begin to pace the room, feeling a weight on your chest and your mind running mad with different thoughts, outcomes, arguments.
Aemond couldn’t have done that. No it’s not possible, you told him not to act against your brothers. He couldn’t have done it.
You shake your head and face the fire lit in the fireplace. Daemon wouldn't play with news like this, but Lucerys. Sweet Lucerys can’t be gone.
Yet no matter how much you try to deny it you know, deep within that it is true. That your little brother is gone…
Oh gods…
You fall to your knees and begin to sob alone, wishing that the accused was actually here now to comfort you.
But he isn’t here, you’re in Winterfell, feeling all that joy and relief crumble and get consumed by sorrow and darkness. You’re in Winterfell away from the comfort of your mother, you’re here only with Jacaerys.
Jacaerys…That’s right, you need to tell him.
However, when you try to share the news he isn’t here, he’s out with Cregan again. So you wait in the parlor room, crying as you lose your gaze in the sky above the balcony.
It takes a while, but at long last your brother and Cregan find you.
“I know, I know I left,” Jacaerys comes in saying with nothing but joy in his tone. “But hear this, Cregan accepted to fight with us.”
You’re too grief stricken to speak, and the only one who notices right away is Cregan.
“What’s wrong Princess? You plan to ignore us?” He playfully says.
With tears running down your cheeks, and the scroll trembling in your hand you slowly turn to face both men with sorrow painted all over your face, catching them by surprise.
“What’s wrong, y/n?” Jacaerys asks with immediate concern. “Is it Aerion?”
You sniffle and offer him the scroll. Jacaerys glances at the shaky sheet before looking at your tears and cautiously approaching you.
“You can’t get upset, Jace,” you warn him. “Please don’t lash out.”
Jacaerys scoffs and snatches the scroll from you. He turns to give you his back and you finally meet Cregan’s gaze, catching the pity and the longing to comfort you now, but unable to.
“No,” Jacaerys gasps and goes stiff. “No. That can’t be…” he trails off, and he soon begins to breathe hard before he balls up the paper in his hand, and throws the vases on the table beside him off the surface.
“Jace,” you quiver out.
Your brother ignores you though and begins to stomp away, mumbling under his breath. “I’m going to kill him.”
“Jacaerys!” You yell, catching his attention now.
“You read the letter,” you mumble. “We have to stay. Please.”
Jacaerys slowly faces you with tears rolling down his cheeks, and that just breaks you even more. He sniffles before he breaks away from his spot and approaches you to immediately wrap you in an embrace.
You hug him back and cry into his shoulder while your mind also went back to Aemond.
You’ll get the truth from him. He couldn’t have done it on purpose, no he couldn���t have. He knows how much that would hurt you…
.
.
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Tagged- @namelesslosers @stargaryenx @chainsawsangel @lauftivy @winxschester @cloudroomblog @llarue @padsdarlg @sofietargaryen @gracielikegrapes @dreaming-of-the-reality @itzelpeyton @patdsinner33 @mrsdominickstark
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moonandmecomic · 4 months
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S1: Episode 9 - Message In A Bottle
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thingsthatbleedfic · 4 months
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Chapter 9 Update
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by @ghostly-cabbage, @kkachis​ and @artistfingers​
Hello everyone! Happy TTB anniversary !!! This is not the anniversary of posting, but rather, the day that Fin pitched the idea that became this fic back in 2021. Insane that it’s already been that long. Granted we talked about it for almost 7-8 months before we started writing with the intention of posting. 
Secondly, thank you so much to every single reader, and everyone who has ever done art or a fan work. We appreciate you and are honored everyday that something we created has inspired other people to also make things (and to play in this sandbox with us. The more the merrier!). 
This fic is a labor of love, but more than that, it always has been, and always will be, a large-scale collaboration <3 
Enjoy!
Fandoms: Alex Rider, Danny Phantom & SCP Foundation | Rating: M | Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence
Chapter Summary: It was only a matter of time. 
Chapter Word Count: 6.9k
Read NOW on [Ao3] 
Snippet under the cut because it’s maybe a little bit spoilers :3c 
Snippet: It emerges through the ceiling, head first, heedless of the matter.
Its limbs reflect dull lamp light, pallor skin and deep set eyes. Its weight shifts like water over rocks as it crawls, ropy muscle bunching and rolling.
There’s a part of Yassen that wishes he could be so naive as to not have seen this coming—he’d known this was a possibility since they left Venice. It just seems that he’d miscalculated how likely it would be. 
Scorpia has found them.
Dr. Three has found them.
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manga-meow · 6 months
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kelcemenow · 11 months
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Touchdown - Chapter 9.
Pairing Travis Kelce x Reader
Words 1607
Warnings Brief strong language. Heading in a smutty direction. Young'uns get outta here!
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CHAPTER 8.
CHAPTER 9.
“Can I just check one thing?”
Travis leaned back out of the embrace as he carefully studied your facial expression, “Sure, shoot.”
You hesitated, “I don’t know if this is a regular thing for you, but I don’t exactly fancy being a one-night-stand or anything.” You looked down at your feet, worried that you’d offended him but when you caught his eye again, one side of his mouth was turned up into a smile. “I just…I don’t know, you’re going back to Missouri tomorrow and I don’t know when I’ll see you again.” Your breath hitched in panic, “And I don’t mean that in a dramatic way. Oh fuck, I must seem crazy to you.” You covered your burning cheeks with your hands.
“Woah, relax.” Travis took your hands from your face and held them in his own, “Hey, I like you, okay? I do. And I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. How about if you came back with me, we get some take-out food and we just hang?”
You squeezed his hands and moved in closer to him, his scent surrounding you, “Sounds perfect.”
_______________________________________________
Unsurprisingly, Travis was booked into a much fancier hotel than you were. The room was bigger, the bed was bigger, the TV was bigger, the budget for him was obviously bigger. You stood carefully in the doorway as Travis casually walked further into the room, retrieving his phone from his back pocket and dropping it onto the bedside table. He took his jacket off, giving you a chance to admire his biceps, flexing with the action.
He turned to look at you. “You planning on standing there all night?”
Your eyes were fixed on the bed. “Would it be totally cliché if I did this?” You asked quickly before you moved into a sprint, launching yourself onto the soft mattress.
Travis laughed loudly as he took his trainers off, carefully placing them underneath the solid wood console table that was positioned next to the window.
Your hands ran along the satin sheets, “This is so nice.” You sat up, watching him as he opened his suitcase that was resting on an armchair.
“Now. Not that you don’t look hot.” His eyes seemed to darken as they travelled down your body as he spoke, “But, are you going to be comfortable wearing that?”
You shifted on the bed. Your leather trousers were quite tight and your exposed arms were speckled with goosepimples. You raised an eyebrow, “What other option do I have?”
Travis’ matched your expression with his own raised eyebrow as he lifted some clothes out of the suitcase. He smiled as he laid them out on the bed. “I don’t know how well everything will fit you, but there’s a shirt, some sweatpants, or some shorts if you want?”
You looked up at his face, watching him fluster and ramble. “This is perfect, thank you Travis.” You crawled towards the end of the bed and placed a hand on his bicep, the warm skin radiating onto yours. You gripped it lightly, your stomach fluttering at the feeling of his hard muscle in your hands. Your thoughts wandered for a moment, wondering how the rest of his body felt.
Grabbing the clothes, you stood up from the bed, pointed to the bathroom door and whispered, “I’m just gunna…”
Travis gestured towards the door, “Hey, go ahead.”
You slipped out of your heels and made your way across the soft carpet. As you turned to close the bathroom door behind you, your breath caught in your throat. Travis had already started to change his clothes, the muscles in his back heaving as he removed his shirt over his head. The door was slowing closing but your eyes were fixated on him when he unzipped his jeans and they began to slide down his hips. Blinking hard, you closed the door and breathed deeply to compose yourself. You looked around the room, attempting some form of mental focus. There was a mirror a few steps away from you, hanging over two sinks side by side. You paced your way towards it, placing both hands on the edge of one of the sinks, leaning closer to the mirror. Your makeup had smudged slightly, so you grabbed some tissue to wipe underneath your eyes and to blot your forehead. You opted for the shirt and shorts combination; each item bathed in his scent that you had quickly come to find familiar. You took one last check of yourself in the mirror before running your hands through your hair.
Opening the bathroom door, you found Travis lounged on the bed, flicking through the TV with the control in his hand. He had changed into some sweatpants but left his top half bare. He turned his head towards you and his eyes narrowed.
“You look hot.”
You looked down at yourself and fingered at the shirt that hung over your frame, “Come on now, really?”
He moved slightly on the bed, “Oh man, yeah. But you kinda look cute too. How do you manage to do both?” He reached out a hand to pull you onto the bed.
You sat next to him, still looking around the room, taking everything in. There was a large chaise longue at the end of the bed, a window that ran from the ceiling to the floor with thick luxurious curtains either side. The evening darkness had finally set in, but the city lights were still piercing through the black sky.
Travis half rolled over and grabbed his phone from the bedside table, “Okay, now. This is important now.” He turned to you with a serious expression, looking at you through his eyebrows, “Pizza or Chinese food?”
You stifled a laugh, “What?”
“Or we could get something else? Mexican? But I have to say, that wouldn’t be my first choice.” He titled his head to the side as he spoke, scrolling through his phone.
You nudged his arm with your own, “Definitely pizza.”
He winked, “That’s the right answer.”
_______________________________________________
“You cannot be serious!” Travis howled with laughter.
You placed a hand over your mouth as you ate your food.
He waited for your response but grew impatient, “Y/N, you’ve never watched a football game?”
“Wait, no hang on! I watched one today.”
Travis laughed even louder, “That doesn’t count!” He grabbed one of the last slices of pepperoni pizza out of the open box.
“Yes, it does! Ahh, and a couple of weeks ago me and Jess tried to watch one but we struggled to follow along.”
“Who’s Jess?” He asked as he took a bite.
“Oh shit, Jess! I promised her I would keep in touch. I haven’t taken any photos at all!” You swallowed down the pizza and wiped your hands on one of the napkins that were laid next to the pizza box.
“Take one now?” Travis put down the pizza slice and took a napkin for himself, wiping the corners of his mouth.
“What? Of us, now?”
“Why not?” He moved the pizza box onto the floor next to the bed and moved in closer towards you.
You paused with your lips curling into a smile. After a few seconds, your mouth moved into a full smile as you reached for your bag, pulling your phone out. As you swiped your thumb on up the screen, you saw that you had a missed call. Ignoring the notification, you tapped the camera icon and reversed the camera so that you could see your reflection on the screen. Travis moved in closer again, wrapping an arm around your waist. Your thumb hovered, ready to take the photograph and Travis peppered your cheek with small kisses, each one getting closer to your lips. You tapped multiple times as you giggled into his kisses, ending with a passionate one, long and intense. Your eyes were closed but you felt his chest push you slightly so that your back was flat onto the bed. Your hand let go of your phone, dropping it onto the mattress beside you and you reached for his shoulders, your core tightening. One of his knees pushed your leg aside so that there was space for him between your thighs and he settled there as his kisses moved down to your neck and collarbone, making your skin tingle and burn. A soft moan escaped your lips and you could feel Travis grinning against your neck, content with your satisfaction. His hips gently ground into you and you breathed deeply, feeling a hardness against you. Your hands travelled up Travis’ back, leaving faint scratches in their wake, ending at the back of his head.
Your head tilted back slightly as Travis lifted himself up, his strong arms either side of your body. His eyes were hungry and his breathing was slow and shallow. You watched as he studied your face. You felt vulnerable, laid underneath him but somehow so safe, his large frame protecting you.
“I have a bye-week coming up. I’ll see you then?”
Your eyebrows knotted in confusion, “A bye-week?”
He gave out a low laugh, “You really don’t understand the game, do you?”
You brought your hands up to his waist, gripping at his skin.
“I basically have some free time between games...” He lowered himself so he was closer to you, “…and you can bet your ass I’m gunna see you.” He pressed a firm kiss to your lips, before rolling over onto his back, pulling you in so you were cuddled into his side, your arm resting across his stomach. He picked up the television control. “Now, what are we watching?”
_______________________________________________
Phew. I honestly cannot resist this man! I love feedback and any thoughts you guys have on this story so far. And if you want to be added to my taglist, let me know!!
Taglist @rd14 @dandelionwrites8 @keiva1000 @fantasywritersstuff @caelipartem @anacarangel @she-lives-in-her-dreams @kkrenae
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kodared · 11 months
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☆ Welcome home Neighbor~! ☆
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Human Reader x Welcome Home!
A storm is rapidly approaching, are you prepared to face it alone?
Chapter 9/?
Word Count: 3,788 Out of 28,737
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At the sight of the swirling clouds, you knew a storm was coming. 
It didn't take long for the wind to pick up as you lay in your cot. The wind howled as you tossed and turned, a feeling of uneasiness taking hold of your being once more as you struggled to sleep. 
Howdy had apparently noticed your lack of sleep and being the kind soul he was installed a small night light in the corner of the room, you appreciated the thought but it didn't do much to help you sleep. 
Flopping onto your back with a huff, you looked at the ceiling as the rain pittered and pattered against the roof above. 
You just wanted to go home… But now you didn't know if that would be for the better or worse. 
Your home life wasn't exactly perfect, to say the least. Your siblings often took most of the attention, leaving you to fend for yourself most nights. You oftentimes didn't even have lunch money, with most of the money going toward your youngest sibling. 
You liked to believe your friends were much better, but they weren't. It was a sheer coincidence you ran into them to begin with. You had met them during a school field trip years prior, and you all related over your shitty homelives. 
Leading you to do not-so-great things with them. Most of which being trespassing, and it, unfortunately, led you here. 
Maybe this was the world's way of punishing you, however, you doubt hell would look so colorful. 
Howdy was nothing but nice of course, so staying with him would be a no-brainer if you so decided, but you didn't want to intrude on his personal life. You didn't exactly have an official room anyways, you were sleeping on his living room floor for god sake. 
Not to mention Homes way of making memories disappear. If you were to stay you would have to rid Home of those powers… 
…Or be rid of Home altogether. 
—------------------------
To say you woke up with a start would be the understatement of the century, you practically woke up with a scream as thunder reverberated throughout the house. 
Clutching your chest you tried to steady your breathing, you heard footsteps coming down the stairs and as you looked you saw a concerned Howdy, he was already dressed for the day. 
“Y/N!.. Ya’ alright? I heard ya’ yellin’,” 
Your tensed shoulders relaxed as you smiled at Howdy, he really was becoming one of your favorite people to be around with how caring he was towards you.
“I'm alright Howd’s, thunder scared me awake I guess,” 
Howdy sighed before chuckling warmly, moving from the staircase to the kitchen, moving his various arms in smooth and concise motions as he began preparing something. 
“No worries Dragonfly’, got any requests for breakfast..? I was meanin’ to wake ya to eat soon anyways,” 
You wiggled your way out of the various blankets, finding it odd how you had more than usual, you brushed it off however as you assumed Howdy must have given you more during the night. 
“Im good with anything Howd’s, but don't you got a Shop to run..?” 
You rubbed at your eyes as you sat on a barstool in front of the island he had in the kitchen, Howdy turned around and gave you a warm closed-eyed smile at your concern. 
“Its stormin’ terrible outside, so i closed the store for the day, not even Eddie is out in this weather,” 
You nodded and laid your head on the counter, silently wishing you had dragged one of the blankets to wrap around yourself as you realized it was colder than usual in Howdys home. Causing an unpleasant chill to wrack up your spine. 
You and Howdy idly chatted as he made you breakfast, he didn't have much since he often didn't eat, but he was able to make a pretty good toast and eggs for you.
After you finished Howdy politely took your plate and set it in the sink to be washed later, turning to you again as he leaned on the counter with a hand on his hip, still smiling fondly at you.
“Got any plans today Y/N?” 
You thought for a moment about what you had planned for the day, you never were good at keeping plans, you would often have to keep track of them on some sort of item. 
You remember that item always being in your pocket, but you find it slipping your mind what it was exactly. You knew you could also talk to people on it, but it couldn't have been a phone. The only phones here were attached to either the wall or a wire. 
“I think Frank wanted to talk more today about how to get me Home..”
Howdy let out a small sigh as he thought about your plan for the day, a concerned look on his face,  
“I don't think Frank or Eddie would be out today, it takes too long to dry out after they get wet..” 
You looked up at Howdy confused, you honestly think up until now the shock of just being here made you momentarily forget they weren't human. They were still just puppets, it would make sense they would get waterlogged. 
“I could probably head out and visit him, water doesn't stick to me like it does to you guys,” 
You smiled proudly at yourself for thinking so quickly on your feet, honestly, it was the little things that kept you going nowadays.
Howdy seemed to have no complaint with that plan, his face going from concern to excitement as he learned you don't have as nearly as bad of a reaction to water as they do.
“Well, I won't keep ya for long then HoneyBee! Oh, also Sally stopped by and ran ya over more clothes! I left em’ in the bathroom for ya’!” 
You began walking to the bathroom to get ready for the day, giving Howdy a goodbye and telling him as usual you should be home before dinner. Today he seemed very excited for you to come home later, you wondered why… 
As you got dressed you noticed today Sally had given you pants that looked… Very similar to Wallys'. You did a little spin as you looked in the mirror, Wally honestly didn't have bad style, but you were more indifferent to him after the events of yesterday. 
You knew Home had something to do with Wally forgetting, but you didn't know what you could do. Wally lived with Home, and Home had eyes everywhere apparently, you were just happy it didn't seem to affect Howdy or Frank yet. 
With a sigh you put on the shirt Sally gave you as well, it was a very loose shirt, which you were thankful for. You hated the way some shirts held onto your arms too tight, it felt weird to you. 
The shirt was a very pleasant salmon color with a daisy on it, it wasn't a shirt you would normally wear, but your others were dirty so you sucked it up and began to make your way out of the shop.
The wind howled as you looked out the windows of the Bugdega, it looked like it was a bad storm for sure, but you needed to talk with Frank more than anything. You had already been here for about a week, maybe more. 
So with a burst of energy, you quickly opened the doors of the Bugdega and began your trek to Frank and Eddies. Your arms had to shield your face as you trekked through the heavy winds and rain pellets that assaulted your skin. 
Thankfully it didn't take long to reach Franks, you ignored the feeling of Home most definitely watching you as you knocked on his door quickly, happy at the prospect of getting out of the rain. 
Despite your better instincts you looked at Home and saw Wally looking at you through the shudders. 
Something was off with him though, his eyes looked… Wider? 
Somehow his eyes were wider than usual, and his smile looked fake as he gave you a wave, you felt bad for him so you waved back. 
After all, Wally had given you valuable advice about Home, it wasn't his fault he was stuck living with him. 
If only for a moment, Wally looked ecstatic, his smile looked real and his eyes almost looked surprised before the shudders shut quickly. Looks like that's all you were going to be seeing of Wally today. 
You gave Home a glare as you heard Franks's door open finally, only to be greeted by the sight of Eddie in his pajamas. Eddie wore a loose shirt with shorts on, he looked surprised as he spoke, 
“Ah! Y/N..! Come in come in, You'll catch a cold out ‘ere in this weather!” 
Oh how you missed Eddie's southern hospitality, you entered his house with no complaints. Shivering a little as the pleasant heat hit your skin. 
Eddie quickly moved to grab a towel from a nearby closet, draping it over you as he looked a bit confused, you didn't know why he was confused until you saw he was looking at your arm that had water resting atop of it. 
You laughed a little before speaking, 
“My skin doesn't absorb water Eddie, so I can be out in the rain an’ be fine after!” 
Eddie let out a small ‘ooh’ before nodding and giving you one of his pleasant smiles again, you started to dry off as you saw a disheveled Frank coming down the hall, clearly not expecting visitors. 
Frank looked at you as he saw you standing in the doorway, clearly shocked to see you weren't soaked after being out in the rain. 
“Heyy Frank, sorry if I..-” 
Before you could apologize for intruding on his and Eddies home, he quickly walked up to you, grabbing ahold of your arm carefully and pulling it closer to examine. Mumbling quietly to himself about how you should be soaked but aren't. 
Eddie laughed a little before he put his hand on Frank's back, after a few moments Frank let go of your arm, and began speaking, 
“Don't worry about it Y/N, I just didn't Account for the Fact you could be out in the Rain. Ill be in my Study, please enter when you are ready to Converse,” 
Without wasting a second Frank walked to his Office and shut the door behind him, leaving you with Eddie, not that you minded anyways, Eddie was rather nice. 
You continued to dry off, honestly, the rain made you feel a bit refreshed. You don't know how long it had been since you had a proper shower, not accounting for the small times you freshened up with the sink. 
You finished drying off and held the towel awkwardly before Eddie took it from your grasp while giving you a smile, 
“Go on an’ talk with Frank! Ill take care of things round ‘ere” 
Without much hesitation you began walking to Franks Office, giving Eddie a smile as you walked past and knocked on his door, hearing Frank call for you to enter faintly from somewhere in the room. 
As you opened the door you saw Frank crouched towards the back of his Studio, a large butterfly on his fingers as he lowered it back into the container it was currently homed. 
“Sorry about that. Found an injured Birdwing Butterfly that needed some Attention.” 
Frank pushed himself up from his crouching position and walked to his chair, taking a seat and gesturing for you to do the same. 
“So. Am I correct to assume we will be Continuing Yesterdays conversation…?” 
You gave Frank a nod before speaking yourself,
“Yeah, i need to find a way home Frank, my family has to be worried sick by now, not to mention the fact my friends are probably still expecting me to return with those newspaper clippings.” 
You took a seat in the chair across from Franks, sitting in front of his big desk as you leaned your elbows on the table and held your head with your hands. 
“...Which of course I've gone and lost, just my luck..” 
Frank had a concerned look on his face for a moment, before sighing and leaning back in his chair. The old leather chair made a squeak that reverberated around the room, 
“Do not dwell on those facts. I am sure they will just be relieved to see you Okay. Now, I recall you mentioning interest in learning more about Homes abilities. Do you still have questions?” 
You gave Frank a nod as you lifted your head from your hands that once held it, your elbows also sliding off of the table so as to not seem rude. 
“Yeah, what's the deal with Home wiping everyone’s memory, and to quote you, if Home did do something to me, what would it do to me… long term?..” 
Frank sighed and raised his hand from where they were once crossed across his chest, holding at where his chin would be before speaking in a very contemplative tone as if he was watching what he said. 
“...Home has Connections to us, As they do with you. Our Connections however run deeper than Friendship since we have lived here Longer than you.” 
Your body felt cold. You stared at Frank as he tried to compose himself and keep a calm front on, seeming to be at a loss for how to explain it himself. 
“You thankfully have come into no Contact with Home directly. Meaning they cannot alter or warp Memories. However… Home does mean well.” 
He rested his hands on the arms of the leather chair, looking away as you proceeded to feel increasingly more alarmed, and a tad bit angry at your neighbors jumping to Homes defense. 
“It doesn’t matter if Home means well, this is wrong!.. Has anyone ever confronted them about it anyways?? Or has this just been happening with no complaints.” 
Frank saw you were getting increasingly angry, staring off at the clock on the wall that was no longer ticking. Eerily stopped at the same time Howdys was stopped. 
“It’s not that Simple. We cannot confront Home. If we do we get.. Reset.” 
Frank made stern eye contact with you again, looking very intense. 
“A Reset is the worst that can happen to us. We become the Default, reverting back into our Original minds from when we first Arrived.” 
You still felt icy hot, with anger or anxiety you didn't know or care to know. The one thing you did know however was Frank mentioned something significant earlier. 
“...You said Home needs to make contact with someone before they can alter memories..?” 
Frank nodded as he looked at you, clearly concerned that you focused on that specific detail. 
“Why do you Mention this?.. Did you come into Contact with Home?” 
You couldnt help but ever so slightly curl in on yourself, a terrible habit you could never kick returning. Frank looked at you with a concerned and somehow stern expression on his face, before standing from his chair. 
“I need you to be Honest Y/N.. Did Home make Contact with you? As in, Did Home grab you?” 
Frank put his hand on the desk as he leaned down slightly to still make eye contact with you, all you could do was glance into his eyes and he knew. 
He gave you a worried look before quickly opening a drawer to pull out a notepad, sliding it across the desk to you, and giving you a pen. 
“I need you to Quickly write everything you remember. Leave out no Details, I will keep it here so you Do not forget Those Memories.” 
Frank lowered himself back into his chair, still looking frazzled but slightly more under control, running one of his hands through his hair he spoke, 
“Why didnt you Say anything Sooner?” 
“It wasnt important,” 
     You grabbed the Notepad and pen given to you, quickly writing all you could remember, such as the news clippings, the… Whatever that used to be in your pocket, and most importantly your family and Howdy. 
“When Home makes Contact it hurts. How did you not think to mention that to me?” 
You paused your writing, looking at Frank quizzically, 
“I thought Eddie would have told you, i ran into h im right after it happ e ned, plus it didnt hurt..” 
You remember the burning hot fee l ing of your ank l es being grasped as y o u g r asp e d at the gr a ss underneath your fingertips. You coul d almost still f e el the di r t trapped underneath your nails as you desperately clung to get free .  
“...It didnt hurt that bad,” 
“You zoned out. Are you sure your Alright?..” 
Frank looked genuinely worried for you as he stood again, moving beside you and putting a hand on your shoulder. 
“...If we are going to find a Way to get you home, It may be best to speak with Home. Only do it when Wally is with Home however, it Prevents Home from meshing your memories.” 
Your anxiety bubbled at the idea of even having to go near Home again. You weren’t very fond of doing anything regarding Home, but if you wanted to go home you would have to. 
“...I guess ill go now to get it over with.” 
Frank looked shocked for a moment at your resolve, before taking a deep breath and exhaling. 
“If that is what you wish to do. I believe Wally is with Home today anyhow, Would you like for me to Accompany you?” 
If you hadnt already been gathering yourself to leave, you may have noticed the look of worry held on Franks face, but you were too occupied with standing and pushing in your chair. 
“...I think ill be alright.” 
You slid the notepad towards Frank, it contained various information about you, you also included information Howdy knew about you, just in case.
“If im not back at Howdys by nightfall give my notes to him,” 
You spoke with certainty in your voice, you were going to put an end to this. You would do it tonight if you must. 
…A small part of you however felt nauseous. The feeling of flesh melding with fabric burned your ankles as you stood, and bile threatened to spill as it tickled the back of your throat. 
You were determined to push forward though, if not for your sake for the sake of everyone in the Town who came before you. 
You gave Frank a warm smile, desperately trying to calm yourself down with fleeting thoughts of security. Frank tried to return your gesture, as you left his Office Frank couldn't help but look down at your notes, sighing before moving to one of his various drawers on his desk. 
He looked down at the small ring on his finger, fidgeting with it as he thought about Eddie. 
He hoped you would be okay. 
—-----------------
You marched out of Frank's house, feeling the wave of nausea overtake you once more as you saw the red house in the center of the neighborhood. Even though you knew what had to be done, it didn't help the feeling of helplessness bubbling inside you. 
You tried to keep on a confident face. Internally watching how you moved towards Home, making sure you didn't slouch and looked intimidating, 
In your head, you didn't know if it was actually working or not. Hell, for all you knew you could be making an absolute fool of yourself confronting Home like this. 
Before you knew it you were at Homes door. With Home going cross-eyed to look at you as it squeaked a shutter, you assumed this was Homes way of saying hello. 
“...Hello Home,” 
You said anxiously, moving to smooth down your shirt out of nervousness. 
Home, fortunately, didn't have the chance to respond before Wally opened the front door, looking more chipper than usual. You were just thankful Home hadn't done anything to him. 
“ah! hello neighbor! i was just thinking of you..!” 
Wally walked forward to close Homes door, making you back up slightly to allow him more room to exit. 
“Haha, well I actually came to speak with Home, do you think you could translate for me Wally?” 
You tried to ignore the way Wallys' eyes went glossy or the way his smile now looked unnatural. 
“why of course i can neighbor!.. would you like to come in?” 
Wally offered you his hand, and as you looked into Wallys eyes all you saw was black nothingness in them, there was none of Wallys original charm inside of them. 
And there especially wasn't any hint of the personality Wally had when you first met him. 
When you first met Wally he almost had a sense of angst in him, he looked tired, but still happy. He looked more human than the Wally in front of you. 
Before you could provide a response Wally took your hand, pulling for you to come inside to talk with Home. 
You couldn't pull your hand away. It felt hot, burning hot. 
Wally didn't let go of your hand until you were both inside with Home. He led you to a chair in his living room and practically threw you down on it, he had surprising strength for him being so small. 
He sat in a chair across from you, he folded his hands atop of his crossed knee. Looking at you with the same unchanging smile with empty eyes. 
When Wally spoke, it didn't sound like him, it sounded as if there were two voices speaking at once. 
“What did you Want to Discuss Neighbor?” 
Desperately trying to find the confidence you once had, you struggled to speak for a moment out of shock, Wally seemed to find this amusing. 
“Cat got you Tongue Neighbor? Its just me.” 
Wally leaned forward in the chair he was sitting in, looking at you with wide eyes, where you could now see the faint outline of swirls as the wind howled outside. 
“And you can Tell me anything Y/N.” 
Your chest felt tight as you struggled with your breathing, before taking a deep breath and speaking with fake confidence dripping off your tongue. 
“I want Home to stop wiping memories. This isn't right, none of it is.” 
Wally froze as you spoke, before beginning to laugh. His hand moved over his mouth before moving it and letting out a strained chuckle. 
“Oh how Silly silly… I only do it to Keep the Peace.” 
Your blood ran cold as the realization hit you like a ton of bricks. This wasn't Wally speaking, This was Home. 
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I hope you all Enjoyed<3 !! Ill hopefully have the next Chapter out soon, sorry this one took so long!!
My Ao3 is here as always!
ᕦʕ •ᴥ•ʔᕤ till next time!
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eemoo1o-animoo · 3 months
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This man is a goddamn living-breathing mother hen.
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