#fall is so important to our younger members

[syrupgirl]

Request:

Could u write a fic ab Sully family x y /n reader? Where she lives with the sully family after her parents died, she gets taken by the colonel in the forest and is set up for bate because he knows she important to the Sully family.

a/n: the way I interpreted this, reader is taken by herself rather than what happens in the film where all of the kids get taken. I did use the rough layout of the scene for inspo but it does diverge from cannon ie Neteyam is with the kids when they get discovered. I hope that’s similar enough to what you mean. also reader is na’vi and around Neteyam’s age :p

Sullys stick together -The Sully family

“Catch me if you can!” Tuk yelled. Her little feet pattering along the branch of an enormous tree, while you and the rest of the Sully children chased her for sport.

She giggled delightedly, dodging out of the way of Lo’ak’s hand.

You really weren’t supposed to be out this far. Too close to the battlefield Jake had said. To close to where the sky people had already begun laying their claim on Pandora. Not if the Na’vi had anything to say about it.

But oh, it was such a beautiful day, almost no clouds in the sky, Kenten floated around you with the unfurled fan necks slowing their descent. Who wouldn’t want to get carried away with the day?

Suddenly, little Tuk ran into the trunk of a tree and startled back, falling on her butt. Kiri rushed forward and kneeled beside her, rubbing her back.

“Oh Tuk, are you ok? Are you hurt?” Kiri asked, ever the nurturer.

Tuk rubbed her nose and sniffed, tiny little tears blooming in her eyes. “Yeah, just got a fright, that’s all.”

Kiri helped the youngest sully stand up and continued to comfort her. Tuk reassured her sister that she was ok and Kiri relented. Tuk then wandered off to continue her little adventure.

“Wait, guys! Look!” Lo’ak whisper shouted.

Everyone looked to the direction he was pointing. Spider’s eyes widened and he even gasped a little.

“Wow, bro. That’s where my dad and your dad fought, right?” He asked Neteyam.

Neteyam didn’t answer right away, looking almost sheepish. “Yeah, bro.”

Lo’ak looked like he could barely keep still, a giddy grin upon his face.

“Well c’mon! Let’s have a look inside!” He was about to spring up when you put a firm hand on his shoulder.

“No way! We have no idea what’s in there, there could be some old tech still active, or…I don’t know, some angry beast!”

Despite not being a blood member of the Sulky family, after Jake and Neytiri took you under their wing and growing up with them for so long cemented your place among them as family. You were as much Neteyam’s sister as Tuktirey was.

Despite not being a blood member of the Sully family, they listened to you and cared about what you had to say, or that’s what you thought.

“That’s why we have our knives, skxawng.” And with that Lo’ak got you to sprint to the abandoned lab. Well, he would’ve had it not been for the tussling of the bushes opposite where you were all crouching.

“Sit down!” Neteyam gritted out, he grabbed his younger brother by the back of his neck and yanked him back down beside him. Lo’ak started to protest, talking about how it was probably some harmless animal. The sound of voices shut him down. Voices speaking in, english.

You were confused. Sky people should not have gotten this far out without drawing attention of the clan. Neteyam motioned for everyone to be still and you all watched on as the voices got closer.

Neteyam turned on his comms and started speaking to Jake. You could guess what he was saying; do not engage, retreat, stay low and out of sight. All very good suggestions in your opinion.

You kept your gaze intently to the direction of the voices, just waiting for them to pop out so you could get a good look at them and hopefully get some answers to your burning questions.

For better or for worse your questions were answered sooner than you thought.

Aside from the speaking english, the only thing that gave them away for being avatar and not Na’vi was the tactical gear. They were fully decked out. A few of them had arms decorated with tattoos and…sunglasses, Jake had called them.

They slowly approached the abandoned lab with guns raised and eyes everywhere. You all ducked down further once you realised you were way out of your league. Unarmed humans you might be able to handle. Armed humans, definitely more difficult but you had done it before, but avatar who were armed to the teeth along with the strength and speed of the na’vi made for a dangerous mix. You all watched as they searched through the building, overturning the insides of it.

“Come on, dad is on his way, he told us to fall back.” Neteyam’s urged all of you, gesturing into the forest behind him.

“What? No! This is our- my chance to prove to dad that I can help! I can be an asset to the people!”

Neteyam and Lo’ak continued to bicker when you noticed Kiri looking around, looking around desperately.

“Kiri?” you asked, “what’s wrong?”

The girl looked almost brought to tears when she looked up to you.

Her voice trembled, “Where is Tuk?”

Oh god.

She had disappeared before Lo’ak had picked up on the lab.

No one had seen her since.

Kiri clasped her hands around her mouth, she looked about as scared as you felt. God, little Tuktirey.

Abruptly, the group of avatars in front of you trained their guns on clump of trees of to your right. You had heard the sound too, a snap of a small branch or twig. Whatever had stepped on it was light.

Light enough to be Tuk.

The hostiles started to walk toward the noise. It’s like you were watching them in slow motion. Off to the side you could see Kiri��s eyes widen, horror flashed across her face. Spider had a similar expression, his eyebrows upturned in the centre. Lo’ak and Neteyam had stopped their fighting and just looked scared out of their own minds. Neteyam for once didn’t have a solution for everything.

So you did the only thing you could think of. A stupid, stupid thing looking back on it, a stupid thing parading itself as bravery. You scrunched your face, said a silent prayer to Eywa to deliver Tuk to safety and to give you strength for whatever was to happen.

You lept out from behind the log and dashed out of cover.

The avatars snapped their attention to you and raised their guns, but you kept charging towards them. Unsheathing the small knife you kept on you at all times, you cried out.

An avatar with short cropped hair on the top of his hair held out his hand and caught you around the neck. He didn’t hold you tight enough to strangle you, but tight enough that you couldn’t escape. He lifted you up into the air like you were fresh prey.

You struggled and snarled, trying to get your knife in any part of him that you could reach.

“Well, well, well, lookie here…” Quaritch chuckled darkly. He motioned for his squad to lowers their guns and the obeyed, observing their colonel with obvious amusement. It made you sick, you probably outwardly grimaced.

“I’ve seen you somewhere before.” He muttered. Quaritch made a show of ‘hmmm’ing and scratching his chin in fake thought. “Ah yes, i’ve seen your runnin’ around with the Sully spawn. You’ve been causin’ a lot of trouble, you and those other brats.”

You pretended not to understand him, opting to keep snapping and thrashing at him. It was not a complete lie; while Jake had taught you some basic english, you could probably only form the sentences of a small human child.

“The thing looks feral…” A teammate muttered from behind the colonel and the squad laughed.

“Don’t be fooled, soldier. These Na’vi can be quite clever when they put their heads together.” The colonel responded.

Thinking of your family behind you, you hoped and prayed that they had retreated back with Tuktirey.

Quaritch lowered you to the ground but before you tried to make a break for it, he wove his fingers through your hair and pulled hard.

You bit your teeth to stifle a scream and reached up to attempt to pry his hand off of your head.

“I know that there’s more of you back there, in the tree line, so you behave and my team will leave them be.” Fear flooded you at that, hearing that this man knew you weren’t alone. With a snap of his fingers he could have you all held hostages. So you stilled. You rested your hands back at your sides and begrudgingly set your gaze on him.

The avatar holding you smiled.

“Children o’ Sully! You listen here,” he spoke in english before switching into what seemed to be pretty broken na’vi, “you tell your father to come here, and this girl will be returned unharmed in exchange for his compliance.”

At least he didn’t know Neteyam had already been in contact with both Jake and Neytiri. If they just pretended to leave, Jake and Neytiri would think of a plan. Like they always do.

The bushes where everyone was hiding rustled. Quaritch tensed and the avatars behind you raised their guns once more, but the bushes stilled, no other came from it.

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. You hoped that they had gone back home or at least taken Tuk back.

“Alright everyone, I’m guessing we can expect Jake Sully and his mate getting here pretty soon.” He drawled, turning to face his team. “Get ready for an attack. Be on your guard and keep your new eyes and ears sharp.”

-

Jake and Neytiri quietly dismounted their Ikran and armed themselves. Neytiri looked as if she was shaking with rage, her mouth downturned and her eyes looking for a threat.

“Hey, I’m sure they’re all fine. They’re tough kids, they’re our kids which make them tougher.” Jake attempted a joke but it died out in the silence when Neytiri did not respond.

They hadn’t landed far from where Neteyam told them they were and they were almost silent as they crept forward into the thicket.

A flutter of motion from they’re left has Neytiri’s bow drawn and aimed at the spot.

“Mom! It’s just us! It’s me, Lo’ak!” Lo’ak revealed himself from his hiding spot, arms raised and Neytiri breathed a watery sigh.

She rushed forward, took her baby in her arms, and held him tightly. Lo’ak wrapped his arms around her neck and squeezed. From behind him, Neteyam and spider emerged too, looking a little more embarrassed. Jake looked at his eldest and frowned.

“Where are your sisters?” He asked. Neytiri finally set Lo’ak down and gasped a little, noticing the absence of three of the Sully children.

“Kiri took Tuktirey back home and..” Neteyam looked ashamed, “yn was taken.”

His mother squeezed her eyes closed. Even if you weren’t born of her, you were her daughter. The idea of you being taken, as bait no less, had her heart in her stomach and her chest alight with anger.

Jake sighed and his face turned stony. “You all stay here, stay hidden, while we clean up your mess.” He whispered. The boys wilted and sunk back.

-

Your legs were starting to ache with how long you had been standing and your scalp with how hard the grip he had on your hair.

The man who had been holding you earlier passed you off to another one of his teammates, who seemed to take liberties in yanking your hair every once and a while.

The once clear sky had filled with clouds and rain trickled down through the canopy above you. No one had spoken in a long time, like everyone was holding their breath.

Suddenly, your ear twitched and you flicked your eyes to where you had heard…something. It could just be the sounds of the forest, an animal eating a plant or a ripe piece of fruit hitting the earth, but this sound sounded out of place, made my something not of the forest.

You caught a glimpse of something blue ducking behind the trunk of a wide tree. They had been holding what looked like a bow. Neytiri!

You shut your eyes and thanked Eywa for delivering you a mother as magnificent and brave as her.

Everything was still for a while and you wondered why Neytiri hadn’t taken a shot. Had she left? In an attempt to look like you were getting drowsy, you slumped a back into the avatar holding you. Your head hit his chin as you did so. He shoved you forward again, tugging your hair as he did so.

That’s why she hadn’t taken a shot, there was too much of a risk of hitting you. You looked up to where you had seen her before and caught her eyes. She had been staring at you intently the whole time, waiting for an opening.

So you gave her one.

You hoped she understood what you tried to say in a single look.

Saying another silent prayer to Eywa, you grabbed the arm that wasn’t gripping your hair, brought it up to your mouth, and bit down as hard as you could.

The man screamed, “You little bitch!”

Thankfully, on instinct he let go of your head and you had just enough time to duck out of the way before an arrow hit him straight between the eyes.

-

Twigs and leaves crunched beneath your feet and you made a break into the forest. You didn’t dare look back behind you. Gunshots rang through the air, some even whizzed past you.

Just as you jumped over the fallen trunk of a tree, an arm caught you from the side. You fought against it, landing a blow against whoever’s face had snatched you.

They groaned and let you go.

“Be calm! It’s just me!” Spider said as he held his now bloody nose.

You gasped and reached out to touch his face. “Oh Spider, I’m so sorry. You scared me!”

He shook his head a little before standing up, offering you a hand. “It’s fine, let’s go. Lo’ak and Neteyam already left.”

You took his hand and the two of you ran through the forest together. Never daring to look back.

-

When Jake and Neytiri returned, you knew you were all in for it.

You and your siblings listened outside of their tent, listening to them argue. You held Tuk to you, you didn’t want her to hear what they were saying but she insisted, so all you could do was let her know she wasn’t alone.

Jake stormed out of the tent and you all pretended to be looking at anything else. Smooth.

“yn, get over here.” He ordered. Lo’ak patted you on the back and walked away with the others.

“That stunt you pulled!? That’s not on, okay? It was stupi-!”

You interrupted him, “What I did was stupid, but I don’t regret it. If I hadn’t, Tuk would have been in my position and I couldn’t stand by and watch that happen, sir.” Jake was silent at that. The same stern look painted across his face and his eye twitched.

You stood your ground.

He stood his. For a while.

Until he broke.

The hard look he had softened and he just looked like a tired dad. You realised how stressed he must be, knowing that an old enemy was back and would go through his family to get him. He though he had lost Neteyam earlier this week, and now his daughter? You could have sympathy for him.

You approached him and wrapped your arms around his broad chest. “I’m sorry, dad. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

It felt as if his chest buckled at that and he returned your hug.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again. Alright, soldier?”

You smiled up at him and gave him a. mock salute.

“Yes, sir.”

#i can’t tell if i over wrote #sully family #avatar x reader #sullys x reader #jake sully x reader #neytiri x reader #neteyam x reader #lo’ak x reader #kiri x reader #spider x reader #avatar 2 #avatar way of water #avatar fanfiction #avatar imagine #sully family imagine

[night-dazai]

Hi !! i got this idea while looking at a picture of dazai, i suggest you a pm dazai x reader x ada dazai smut 👀👀 i'm hungry for dazai 😭 please can you write me one? 🙏🙏🙏

Hey all I am sorry that I have not been posting for a week, college is too rough on me I have nothing done I am sorry😭😭😭 I will update all requests soon and the box is always open for more spice!

Tags: threesome, ass and pussy fucking, female reader, slapping, nipple play, rough sex, creampies .not proofread

SLAP! Your ass throbbed with pain and pleasure as both of them riled into your cunt and mouth “Bella ~~” one moaned out while the other grabbed your breasts harshly while calling you a whore. It has been hours you were sure but not one of them had any intentions of stopping “pls.. I cannot “ you whined when one took his dick out of your mouth only to get another harsh slap across your ass and a mean hard thrust “ shut it “ one said while the other kissed your passionately “ one more love ~”. His smooth voice wanted you to do more for him but the other made sure you did more for him little did you know they were opposites but one thing they had in common was that not one of them was stopping anytime soon “ Dazai ~~” your moan was horse and rough due to your overused vocals “ yes love/slut” both answers moving their hair from their face. 

FEW HOURS BEFORE : 

“This is a fucking time travel machine !!!” you shouted to your boyfriend, you both were supposed to find the criminal who stole the machine, arrest him and destroy the machine. “Not use it to go to the past !” you shouted while your lover was too excited looking at his surroundings “It sure is the past !” he exclaimed clapping his hands together like a happy kid. You wanted to punch the life out of this man but you could not plus just 24 hours after that you guys will automatically go back to the future or your present. 

For one hour both of you walked the streets of Yokohama seeing your past “That shop “ you said pointing at a candy shop. Dazai giggled “Yeah, after each mission, I would go there right ? Why not get some candy now ?” he asked. Both of you entered the tiny box-like shop but stopped dead in your tracks seeing a brown-haired in a black coat biting his nails instead of the food . “thaa…” you stammered while Dazai smiled but it was a sad one, before any one of you could act you already made eye contact with him “Port mafia executive Osamu Dazai “ you mumbled holding your lover's hands tightly. 

You did not know if it was excitement or what “Hi!” your lover said walking towards the confused-looking younger Dazai. He looked at Dazai for one second turned his head towards you and kept staring “That's rude “ you said smiling. “Marry me “ was all the younger Dazai said making your lover laugh “Yeah only after a few years, still I am yet to go there but we can get there, “ he said. 

Everyone in the shop was curious as to the twin-looking people but the executive seemed to be a bit too calm “Explanation? Ability?” he asked calmly. Dazai explained the whole situation but left out important parts like how he no longer was a pm member. You thought he would think you guys were lying but for some reason, the Dazai and Dazai had some weird way of communicating.

After listening to your lover he rubbed his chin processing the information going through his head “So, you are the future me, this girl is our lover and she is an ordinary citizen (which is a lie your lover told him for safety “). And now you are stuck here for 24 hours ?” “More like 22 or 21 hours “ you corrected putting your tea cup down “Wanna spend time together ?” you asked. 

You knew Dazai from his mafia days, you were following him ( you were a detective in ADA ) but little did you expect to fall for him and seeing his younger self made you want to know him as a person and not some living person you read from a file. 

The Executive gave you one more weird look “ wanna go to my house ?” he asked. Dazai went quiet for one moment and then agreed, you had just decided to follow them both for the day and that's how you ended up in his house, stuck between both of them as you guys watched “TV “.

Both of them squeezed you as you sat with tense muscles when you felt a hand on each of your thighs, confused you looked at both trying to remove it but they didn't budge “ Dazai …???” “Why not have some fun with me ?” the executive asked smirk plastered on his face “Well you can never be as good as me, “ Dazai said squeezing you and making you shut and open your eyes “Then Why not find out “ the younger Dazai felt challenged and you could feel the cold air but you seemed to have no say plus both are your lover right ?? (you were confused ).

That's how you ended up on the large queen size bed of the mafia executive while your lover lay on it calling you to lie on his chest “I am removing them “ the executive said pulling your jeans in one pull and dragging your panties halfway done while the other kissed you making you look at him. 

“This is something new for you right ..so wet “ he said licking your juices. That's when reality hit you “What were you doing ?!!! Your lover is okay with this ??” but you could not think or talk as a whimper escaped your mouth feeling the executive move his tongue in your cunt while your lover had your top naked making you completely naked. 

“Bella~~~” he moaned pinching and twisting your nipples leaving hot wet kisses down your neck and back. Shivering you held the hair of the executive “Slow” you said as his to slow his mean pace of tongue. 

Not did you unknowingly encourage him to go faster he had you cumming 4 mins after you said that and it was a strong orgasm. Your lover laid you down on the bed and switched positions with his past self, positing at your wet throbbing cunt “In love “ voice dripping with lust he moved his entire length in. 

Breathing hard and whimpering you moved to his thrust when you felt a hand on your jaw “Put this to use love “ the mafia said shoving it and making you choke. It was hard and rough the way both of them handled you but also felt similar and … good….

Your jaw hurts and you have cum 3 or 4 times your hazy did not know “Come on the move “ your lover hissed slapping your thighs as you stopped shaking your hips to match his rough, up shots “Can… can't” you thought crying tears which mixed with your drool and cum dripping from your jaw as the mafia executive kept abusing your poor mouth. 

“ You can and will “ the executive said one last time holding your jaw tighter and shooting in your mouth for the nth time. As he pulled out your lover pulled out of your cunt, both holes leaked white cum of his and yours mixed cum and drool and juices. 

It was nasty and wet but satisfying “Switch?” the mafia Dazai asked as your lover agreed and then again you were on all fours as they did the same after cleaning their cum from both holes. Your eyes were rolling to the back of your head when you suddenly noticed the mirror next to you. You could see yourself getting fucked at both ends, embarrassment flooded your mind and your body reacted “Don't tighten suddenly you slut “The mafia Dazai slapped your ass making you jerk from the reaction. 

The look in his eyes is animal-looking and soo predatorial, unlike your sweet lover. Noticing the path of your eyes was not to the liking of your lover who pulled his dick out of your mouth “Eyes on me Bella “ his voice was firm and stern but still warm unlike the person fucking your cunt. 

He suddenly kissed you, it was rougher than before and more harsh grip on your chin. ADA Dazai stared at PM Dazai “Oh… I see “ the executive said giving more mean thrusts making you jerk up and fall off your hands landing on your lover's lap crying and holding his thighs “ suck me off “ he ordered eyes not on you but the man fucking you. 

It felt hot, your sweet lover who had a rough fucking style was always still warm to you but suddenly became 100 times hotter as you got fucked by his past self. You eagerly sucked his tip massaging his balls while he put his head back “Yeah deeper “ he ordered pushing you a little deeper. 

Time flew like a second and you had cum thrice on both their cocks while they still seemed to have enough energy to ravishingly enjoy you two more times “Please…..no more” you begged but they were having none of that. Both were focused on giving you pleasure more than the other when suddenly one of them would make you look into the mirror and spread your pussy opening it with his fingers as his cock was in “See… see how this slutty hole is sucking me in “.

As you turned your head to stop looking from the view your lover would have your mouth used again and again as he played with your nipples like they were a toy. 

Suddenly your lover pulled you up your back in his chest as he positioned his dick at your asshole while the other Dazai got in front of your cunt “I heard this feels too good” he said and both entered you at the same time forcing you to see your fucked out messy face in the mirror asking you “ who is better ?” 

HOURS LATER : 

Kunikada sat with the most worried expression on his face you sat down panting while your lover just sat next to you smiling “Are you alright ?” he asked rubbing your back you would flinch making the blonde look at you more worried but he removed his hand. 

Yosano smiled and patted your head “ wanna rest in the office “ she offered as you nodded weakly and walked up with her help. “ Get lost “You slapped your lover's hand when he offered but he smiled and just watched you walk limping “What happened “ the blonde asked again “Nothing…..she just met me again for the very first time “ he said smiling a bit weird. 

“Dazai have you gotten a bit shorter ?” Kunida asked suddenly asking him to look at him for the first time after getting back from the past “No..why ?” Dazai asked but the blonde was gone when his phone rang “How is she ?” the caller asked “A little better but I think we should go easy on her “ the smile still plastered on his face “You should have gone easy on her “You lover shouted hanging up “ well maybe …next time “ 

#bungo stray dogs fanart #bungou stray dogs smut #bungou stray dogs dazai #dazai smut #bsd dazai #bungou stray dogs #bungo stray dogs smut #bsd smut #bungo stray dogs #dazai osamu #dazai x reader #dazai x you #dazai x y/n #dazai x chuuya #bsd #bungo gay dogs #soukoku #dazai fanart #dazai bsd #dazai x fem reader #dazai #dazai osamu smut #night dazai #dazai x reader smut #dazai x reader fluff #dazai x reader x chuuya #dazai x reader angst #dazai osamu x reader #bsd fluff #bungou stray dogs x reader

[vbecker10]

Loki's Silent Sentry (Part 2)

Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 (Part 6 in progress)

Pairing: Loki x female reader (y/n)

Summary: You are not just a soldier in Asgard's Royal Army, you are Lieutenant Y/L/N, Prince Loki's personal guard, his sentry and you are not supposed to fall in love with him. If you followed your training properly, you should never have even spoken to him. As a sentry, you are expected to remain silent and invisible as you shadow your appointed member of the royal family or member of the court protectively throughout their daily tasks.

Rumors (that happen to be true) begin to circulate through the palace that you serve the younger prince of Asgard both outside and inside his chambers. There is little you can do once word of your off duty activities spread through every maid, cook, gardener and seamstress in the palace. You soon find even the soldiers in your own company are now questioning how exactly you had come to earn your seemingly quick rise to lieutenant.

As the annual Winter Solstice Ball approaches, you come to the heartbreaking realization that your relationship with Loki must come to an end if you are both to fulfill your duties.

Warnings: Angst, arguing, Thor being an absolute ass, Odin being a terrible father (slut shaming?)

A/N: I'm dedicating the second part of this to my absolutely amazing friend @siconetribal! I wanted to get this out for your birthday but I just missed it, sorry! Also, I hope you like the part that you inspired (I have no doubt you'll be able to figure out what it is). Love you! 💚💚💚

And... I know this was only two parts but I couldn't help myself and now it is three lol, not sorry

"Have you completely lost your mind!?" the king hollers from the throne. You keep your eyes down, too fearful to look up even if your training didn't require you to kneel when in Odin's presence. You know he isn't speaking to you, not yet at least. For now, his attention seems fixed on his youngest son.

"The whole of the Royal Council, the entirety of the Advisory Council and all of our foreign diplomats were in attendance tonight! Not to mention all of their families. Do you have the slightest idea of the damage you have caused?" he questions Loki.

"What could be the harm in me sharing a dance with-" Loki begins but is quickly cut off.

"A dance? You think this is about you and this..." he gestures to you as if he is searching for the least offensive word he can find, "soldier dancing?" he says with a joyless laugh.

Loki doesn't respond and in that instant you both know what it is that truly has angered the king. It wasn't that the prince used his illusions to create a gown for you or that he danced with you at the center of the ball. Loki had kissed you where all of Asgard's most important citizens could see. He had all but announced to the kingdom that you were his and that would not be allowed.

"It is of no concern to me who you bring to your chambers at night but you must learn that there is no place for this at court," he lectures. He turns towards his oldest son who is standing at the base of the stairs leading to the throne. "That goes for you as well. Every servant in this palace knows you are working your way through the kitchen staff," he says to Thor. "I do not need or want to know what either of you do in your chambers and the people of Asgard should be just as unaware."

You don't disagree with that last part, you don't think it is anyone else's business that you are with Loki but you know now isn't the time to speak up.

He continues, turning his focus back to Loki who is still standing just a few inches from you. "You can not parade your..." again he pauses as if too angry to find the right words to describe you. "Her," he changes his mind and motions to you as if Loki could possibly be unsure who he was referring to. "You can not parade her in front of the whole of Asgard. If you want to keep her as a toy for when you are bored, so be it but this type of behavior in public will not be tolerated especially when you are to be looking for a suitable wife," he says, his anger palpable.

You grind your teeth, focusing on the tiles below you to keep from saying something that could lead to your execution.

"I have found a suitable wife," Loki fires back at his father and you lift your head quickly in shock. "Father, Y/N is-"

Odin cuts his words off with a furious wave of his hand as he rises from the throne. "This soldier is not fit to marry a prince," he declares. "And you will refer to her by her rank while you are in my presence," he reminds Loki of proper protocol.

You take a step backwards as the king begins to walk down the steps of the throne. You lower your eyes again and try to keep from trembling as you feel him come closer.

"This will end now," Odin orders and just as Loki opens his mouth in protest he adds, "Or I will transfer your little toy to the an outpost at the furthest edge of the nine realms."

"You will do no such thing," a calm but stern voice says from behind you.

"And what is your solution?" Odin asks Frigga as she walks into the throne room. "Let them continue this.... this..." he stutters in anger.

"Relationship, is the word I think you are looking for my dear husband," she says as she stands between her youngest son and the king.

"Mother, please-" Loki again tries to make his voice heard but Odin's glare stops his words from forming.

"I think I have a solution to our problem," the queen says and you lift your head slightly. She looks at you and flashes the faintest smile, it eases you just for a moment but then her smile fades and so does your hope. You hold your breath as you wait to hear your punishment for loving Loki too publicly as you know they can not punish him.

"I am in need of a new sentry," she says and your heart begins to beat faster. "Lieutenant Y/L/N will be appointed to me starting tomorrow morning. The lieutenant comes from a long line of sentries. Her mother was my sentry many years ago and her grandfather guarded my father when I was a young girl at court. The Y/L/N family has protected and served Asgard for centuries," she informs Odin of your families long and decorated history. If you weren't so terrified, you would be filled with pride that the queen recognizes the years upon years of service your family has given to the kingdom.

"We will not banish one of Asgard's most loyal soldiers because you do not like how your son behaved at the ball. I will speak to him privately about his behavior and make it clear that this is not to happen again," she gives Loki a look that sends a chill down your spine. You know how much the prince loves and respects his mother and there are few feelings worse than knowing you've disappointed someone who believes in you.

Odin remains silent and you know that means the queen has successfully overruled the king. "You are dismissed for the night Lieutenant Y/L/N," she tells you and you stand up at attention. "You will meet me at my chambers at dawn," she orders.

You nod in acknowledgment and bow to each of the royals. The king first as is customary, then the queen who offers you another small smile, the older prince who seems to have already forgotten who you are and finally Loki who looks as if his heart is breaking. You force your features to remain emotionless as you turn to leave the throne room on unsteady legs.

Neither of the two guards standing at the tall double doors make eye contact with you as they move to swing them open. You take a deep breath once you are in the hall and the doors slam shut. You know you should feel relief that you were not sentenced to an eternity in the dungeon or banished to a horrid place like Migard but you find it is still hard to walk. Only days ago you had put in a transfer request in the hopes of being sent away from Loki and now it was being granted by the queen herself. You would no longer be Loki's sentry, or his lover and there was nothing either of you could do.

You arrive at dawn and greet the two sentries guarding the king and queen's chambers. They nod in return, the shorter one even smiles a little in welcome. It has been a month since the night of the ball and it seems the rumors of Loki's favoritism for you vanished as soon as you were no longer in his service. A few of your fellow soldiers have slowly begun to speak to you again but you don't find any of them nearly as interesting to talk to as Loki.

You groan internally, it is somehow Monday again already. A day filled with the queen's seemingly endless string of long, drawn out meetings. Much like the younger prince, the queen takes the majority of her meetings in her private office, requiring all council members or other officials to come to her if the wished to have a moment of her time. This unfortunately meant you were unlikely to run into Loki unless they had meetings scheduled together which was seldom the case.

A few minutes after your arrival, the heavy wooden door swings open and the queen steps out of her chambers. "Good morning Lieutenant Y/L/N," she greets you kindly as always.

"Good morning your highness," you respond with a slight bow. You take a deep breath as you follow her down the hall knowing those will be the last words you speak until she dismisses you at the end of the day.

Monday may be your least favorite day of the week but Sunday is by far your favorite and thankfully it is here again. Meetings are a rare occurrence on a Sunday and the queen spends much of her day in the library or her chambers. You don't mind, the halls of the palace are mostly empty so you are able to relax ever so slightly but it is after dinner that you look forward to the most.

You follow her out of the palace, your boots crunching over the newly fallen snow on the path leading to the garden. Queen Frigga wraps her fur shawl tighter around herself but you keep your head up even as an icy breeze sweeps through. You don't want to miss seeing Loki even for a moment. He exits the palace from a set of doors several yards south from the ones you have come from and your body fills with warmth.

He smiles first at his mother then his eyes move past her, to you. Your lips curve into a smile ever so slightly, not enough for his sentry to notice.

"Hello mother," he greets the queen with a hug.

"Loki," she smiles back. "Shall we?" He holds his arm out for her to take and leads her through the wrought iron gates at the entrance to the garden. You and Loki's sentry, a man named Sergeant Tones, stand on either side of the gates at attention.

You take a deep breath, inhaling the chilly air and wonder how Loki never seems to mind this type of weather. You preferred winter or fall over the heat of the summer, mostly because you were always required to wear full armor but Loki wasn't even wearing gloves today. The thought makes you shiver. You close your eyes for a brief moment and try to picture a warm, roaring fire but your mind will only conjure images of the large stone fireplace in Loki's office.

You sigh quietly as your mind begins to wander, thinking of all the times you've spent with him in his office talking about everything and nothing. A smile crosses your lips as you vividly remember the first time the prince spoke to you.

You scan the hallway leading away from the prince's office, not a person in sight. The only sound you can hear is the pounding of rain and wind against the stone walls of the palace. Occasionally a streak of lightning would light up the window followed by the deafening sound of thunder. You try the trick your mother taught you when you were little to judge the storms distance. If your counting was correct, the storm was going to be directly overhead any second now.

The door next to you opens suddenly and you stand at attention, ready to follow the prince but he doesn't leave his office. You look over your shoulder, confused to see him just standing next to you. He isn't looking at you though, his eyes wander to the window and you wonder what he is thinking.

"I would like to speak with you for a moment," the prince finally says to your utter shock. You can do little more than nod as you follow him into his office. "Close the door," he orders as he walks over to his desk.

You do as your told but you are not sure what else to do. You had never been in his office or spoken to him before. The last three people you guarded never seemed interested in getting to know you and that was perfectly fine with you. Your training required you to be silent and you had grown used to it.

He waves for you to come closer as he takes a seat behind his desk. You stand at attention across from him and he sighs. "Sit," he says and you do. He looks at you curiously as you sit uncomfortably in the leather chair. Your armor was not made be to relaxed in.

After a moment of awkwardly staring at each other he asks, "Can you speak?"

You nod in response and he groans loudly as he sits back heavily in his chair. You stifle a giggle but can't hide the smile that spreads across your lips as you realize how cute the prince looks when he is frustrated. Your smile quickly vanishes, replaced by a furious blush when he catches you.

He leans forward, his arms crossed on his desk, "What's your name?"

"Sergeant Y/L/N," you answer after clearing your throat. It's well past noon but it is the first time you've spoken today.

"What is your first name?" he asks, from his tone you gather that is what he meant the first time.

You reply unsure why he would want to know, "Y/N your highness."

"Y/N," he repeats with a smile that makes you nervous. "No need to look so scared," he says with a laugh. "I simply want to talk. You can speak freely while you are in here with me."

You shift in your seat and tell him, "I'm afraid I don't know what it is you would like me to say."

He leans back again and places his hands behind his head, "Anything... I find I'm quite bored. I have an hour until my next meeting but just for once today, I would like to listen to someone who isn't a councilor or an accountant or Gods help me, my father." He is silent while you ponder his request then he sits up and says, "Why don't you tell me a joke if you can't think of any good topics for conversation?"

"A joke your highness?" you ask, your mind immediately goes blank. Do you even know any jokes, you try to think. The only jokes you've heard recently have been told by other soldiers and none of those should be repeated to a prince. They were either far too dirty or overly political and you were not about to be thrown in the dungeon for mocking the royal family.

He shakes his head at your silence and turns to face the window behind his desk, watching the rain fall steadily.

"Why can't you trust stairs?" you finally ask.

"What?" he asks, turning back to face you.

"Why can't you trust stairs?" you repeat with as much of a straight face as you can. This was one of your favorite jokes when you were a child. You would tell it to anyone who would listen, sometimes more than once.

He shakes his head without spending any time thinking about an answer, "I don't know. Why not?"

"Because they are always up to something," you say with a wide grin.

He stares at you blankly and your pride in your joke falters, your grin fading. A moment later a smile spreads across his lips followed by a short bought of laughter. He shakes his head as he slowly stops laughing and says, "Gods, that truly may be the worst joke I have ever heard."

You nod in agreement then look down at your heavy leather boots wondering if he will let you leave now that you fulfilled his request.

After a moment of silence, he asks, "Do you know any others?"

"A few," you admit with a shrug, "But I assure you, most of them are far worse than that."

He smiles and sits back in his chair comfortably. "I will admit, I have always been fond of terrible puns," he tells you. "Would you like to hear one of my favorites?"

You are snapped back to the present as Loki and the queen step out of the garden. She is still holding his arm as they walk together. They reach the gate and come to a stop, he hugs his mother and whispers something to her. She nods in response and smiles at him before telling him to have a goodnight.

You fight every urge growing in you to abandon your post and follow him as you once did but you know you never will again. He nods ever so slightly towards you as he walks past and you bow as you've been trained. His guard follows at his heels.

You stand at the edge of the garden and wait for the queen. Instead of walking back inside the palace as she typically would, she stands next to you. She turns so she is facing the sunset and you can't help but turn as well. For a few moments you both stand silently, taking in the changing colors of the sky as the sun sinks from view.

"He misses you," the queen says softly.

You look at her and instantly feel your heart beat faster. This is the closest you've come to having any communication with Loki since the night of the ball. You had gone straight to your quarters after you left the throne room that night, you never even had a chance to say goodbye. You take a deep breath to keep your composure but when your eyes met hers you know she can read you as well as Loki can.

"I will tell him you feel the same," she says with a warm smile.

"Thank you, your highness," you respond. You stand together until the sun has set completely then you follow her back to her chambers where she dismisses you for the night.

The next week drags by, the days guarding Loki never seemed this long but finally it is Sunday night again. Loki and his mother conclude their walk, hugging briefly just outside of the gates. As he steps away to leave, she stops him by reaching for his arm. She asks him something quietly and he nods in response as he looks towards you. You make eye contact with the prince and he smiles but you can see how sad he truly is, you desperately want to run to him but you stay where you are and try your best to smile back. They say their goodbyes and he heads back towards his chambers with his sentry. You bow as he passes then stand at attention again, waiting for the queen.

She stands beside you and you both turn towards the sunset, taking in its beauty. Just as you begin to wonder if Loki left a message for you again his mother looks over at you.

"He thinks about you all the time," she tells you.

You smile at her words but your heart aches as wish you could hear them from him.

"Is there anything you would like me to tell Loki?" she asks. You nod, there are so many things you want to tell him. "I promise I will tell him whatever you need him to hear," she encourages you to speak, much like her son used to.

"Can you tell him I love him and I miss him deeply?" you ask. You had never admitted to anyone before that you loved Loki but you needed him to know your feelings were as strong as they had always been.

"I will," she says, she rests a comforting hand on your shoulder and you thank her.

It's warmer today than it has been all week, perfect weather for standing guard at the edge of the garden, you think to yourself. You look up as a small flock of birds fly over head, the sky barely has any clouds.

When the prince and the queen have finished their walk, they hug as usual and you feel your heart beat speed up when he whispers something to her. You have been waiting anxiously all week to hear what message the queen would relay to you from Loki. After he leaves with his sentry, the queen turns back to the garden.

"Walk with me," she says to you and you follow her.

You had walked down every hallway and taken every staircase in the palace but you had never been in the garden. As you pass the wrought iron gates you can't help but look around in wonder. It may still be winter but the garden is in full bloom.

"When Loki was little, I used to bring him here to teach him how to use his magic," she says with a smile as she walks down the stone path. She reaches her hand towards a rose bush full of buds and the flowers open in response as she passes. "He helped me enchant this garden to bloom year round when he was still a child, did you know that?" she asks as she moves further into the garden. You can tell by her tone that she is proud of her son and it makes you smile.

"I did your highness," you tell her. Loki had told you much about his childhood during your time together.

The two of you walk further into the garden until the pond comes into view. You had never seen it of course but Loki had described it perfectly. Two stone benches sit a few feet from the water on the west side while the other is shaded by a large willow tree.

"He told me..." you start but stop yourself when the queen turns to look at you.

"Please, continue," she encourages you.

"He told me the two of you would spend hours by the pond during the summer. He loved watching you turn flowers into frogs or cast fireworks over the water," you tell her, you loved listening to stories of him exploring his magic.

Queen Frigga slows her pace so she is walking next to you and you are immediately reminded of how Loki used to walk with you, not in front of you when you were alone.

"Those are some of my favorite memories with him," she tells you. A few steps later she laughs to herself and you look at her curiously but don't ask what she is thinking about. "I was sitting just over there reading," she points to a wooden bench near a tall oak tree. "Loki was about ten or eleven. He came running into the garden holding a small snake, he looked utterly panicked," she says. "I asked him what was wrong and he tried to hand me the snake but I refused to touch it until he told me it was his brother," she fails to hold back her laughter any longer and you can't help but join in.

"He told me about that!" you tell her excitedly, forgetting you are talking to the queen of Asgard. In this moment, you are simply talking to the mother of the man you love. "Loki said Thor was bothering him, he was just trying to study and he accidentally turn him into a snake but couldn't undo it," you repeat what he had told you.

She smiles and shakes her head as her laughter dies down. "Sometimes I miss those days," she says, her smile fading quickly now as her mood shifts. "When his biggest concern was why his older brother and he couldn't get along," she sighs. "He has not been himself these last few weeks. I worry about him," she admits as she stops walking.

You stop with her and before you say anything in response she says, "I can see how much you worry about him as well."

You nod but remain silent, you feel an ache grow in your chest. All the joy you felt only moments ago is gone.

"I know it must seem unbearable but don't lose hope," she says and you look up at her. "Loki wanted me to tell you that he hasn't stopped looking for a way to be with you again."

You lose your composure momentarily at her words, all you want is to be back in Loki's arms. Hearing he hasn't given up on your relationship is everything you needed, you can't stop the first tear from slipping free. Wiping it away with the back of your hand quickly, you apologize, "I'm sorry your highness. I just..." You pause, afraid to say more. You are not used to losing control of your emotions in general but doing so in front of the queen is unthinkable.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," she says in a motherly tone. She waits patiently for you to continue but you can't seem to find the right words to express how you feel. She touches your shoulder gently and you stand together in silence for a few moments before turning back towards the palace.

You bow to Loki as he walks past you on his way back towards the palace. He is followed closely by a new sentry, a woman this time. You had only met Corporal Glasgow once before, she was fairly new to your company. You wonder why Loki changed guards and for someone with such little experience. Typically members of the royal family were only guarded by soldiers ranked sergeant or higher.

The queen stays at the entrance to the garden and you wait for her as always. She faces away from you, watching the sunset. A part of you wants to ask her if Loki has a message for you but you stay at your post silently.

"You are dismissed for the night, Lieutenant Y/L/N," she says without taking her eyes off the colorful sky.

You bow even though she is not looking and turn to walk back towards the palace. It's odd that she is letting you leave so early, part of your duty is to ensure the queen's safe return to her chambers but you are not permitted to question her orders so you obey.

As you take your first few steps up the path, your heart sinks at the realization that Loki had no words for you this week. Your pace slows slightly, you are in no rush to return to your quarters for another lonely, miserable night.

"Lieutenant Y/L/N," the queen calls and you turn back to face her. "You might want to take a left at the top of the stairs." She turns back towards the sunset without any explanation as to why.

You pause before continuing on, unsure why she would say that. The soldiers quarters could only be reached if you made a right down the hallway once you reached the top of the stairs. Taking a left would lead you further into the palace, a path you no longer needed to take.

You reach the wooden doors and pull them open, taking a step inside, you look up at the staircase in front of you. You climb the stairs, the only sound is your heavy boots against the marble and the clinking of your armor. You pause only for a moment at the top of the stairs, looking down the hall to your right. You already know what's that way, another night laying in your bed wishing with all your might that you could just have a few more minutes with Loki. You decide that can wait while you figure out what the queen was hinting at.

You turn left and move down the hall, it's lined with windows on the garden side and four tall doors mirroring the windows placement on the opposite side. You had been this way more times than you could count when you were Loki's sentry. It is the longest way back towards the royal chambers. He would always take this route back from his walks with his mother since you were unlikely to pass anyone and he could hold your hand or speak to you without worry.

You never wondered what was in these rooms but now you can't help but be curious. Most of them were unoccupied offices you imagine, they were too far from the main part of the palace for anyone of importance to work here. As you pass the third wooden door you hear it open and turn quickly.

Your heart jumps as you stand face to face with Loki. Without thinking, you wrap your arms tightly around him and he does the same.

I hope you liked this!! Please like, share and comment if you did 💚💚

@soubi001 @michelleleewise @harlequin-hangout @ace-of-gay @xorpsbane @mochie85 @sheris532 @lokiswife-dark-fox-queen @kkdvkyya @animnerd @peaches1958 @peachyjinx @theaudacitytowrite @lokiandbuckysdoll @winterfrostlovetriangle @high-functioning-lokipath @winniewings @pics-and-fanfics @cabingrlandrandomcrap @icytrickster17 @lokisgoodgirl @mischief2sarawr @stupidthoughtsinwriting @mjsthrillernp @holdmytesseract @holymultiplefandomsbatman @lulubelle814 @crimson25 @goblingirlsarah @janineb86 @chantsdemarins @foxherder @tonystank8

#hiddlestoners #loki #tom hiddleston characters #loki laufeyson #twhiddleston #hiddlesarmy #loki x reader #loki odinson #hiddlesverse #loki x you #loki x y/n #loki x female reader #loki x ofc #loki x original female character #loki fanfic #loki friggason #loki fanart #loki fluff #loki fandom #loki of asgard #loki odison x reader #loki and thor #Loki's Silent Sentry #loki angst #loki marvel #loki mcu #loki au #loki Asgard #asgardian #asgard

[akookminsupporter]

Namjoon gave a good interview to Vogue Spain and in it he said a few things that I thought I'd share with those of you who may not understand Spanish.

This was at the end of the article but I want to write it first:

One thing that needs to be made clear about this album is that, no matter how much the rumour mill is trying to spin it, it is by no means the end of the successful band. "Oh, I'm not leaving BTS. Absolutely not. This is the first time I'm launching a solo project like this, so I'm trying to stand up and take my first steps. But I'm ambitious and I have willpower. So I don't want to miss the opportunity to do both. So I will try my best not to lose control and steer these two ships at the same time. A lot of bands split up and fall apart, but I hope that doesn't happen to BTS. I just love the music, I love my job, I love the band members and I love myself. If I can keep both projects going, I think it can be something legendary in the long run".

Other important parts of the article:

"The k-pop industry hasn't stopped growing since we debuted with BTS [in 2013]. It's become a lot more complex and has brought a lot more people into its structures. I think there are a lot of lights, but also some slippery shadows. Many of us started our careers very early as a group: we slept and lived together as teenagers. We became a real family, which is great, but this culture has also affected me a lot, because sometimes I find it difficult to be treated as an adult who has autonomy in his decisions. I'm perceived as just another cog in the crew, in the context of a mass phenomenon",

Did you ever feel like you were getting completely lost in this delirium of success? "I used to think so, but the funny thing is that I am fully aware that it was my own choice to devote myself to the k-pop industry. Nobody pushed me into it. But yes, I have lost myself at times. Although perhaps saying this is an excess of 'self-empathy'. There is no answer. Except that, if k-pop is about recharging the batteries of a mass audience and I'm responsible for doing that recharging, then I have to keep my feet firmly on the ground. As an adult, as a musician and as a human being. And these ten years of my career have helped me define who I am and learn to love myself. But I'm still in that process, you know? All these internal struggles will be recorded on records and videos," he explains.

"Music is really necessary for the world, but, when it comes to my music, sometimes I feel like I'm producing something unnecessary. If I were to die tonight, I don't think anything would change. It might matter to some people for a while, but a farmer or a street sweeper is more relevant to the functioning of society. When I ask myself about the role of our generation in historical terms, when I look at all the digital platforms and communities out there, I am overcome with confusion. There are a lot of people who don't want to think. They have frenetic lives and turn to music or television to escape, so the last thing they want is someone trying to lecture them from a pedestal. In that context, I wonder how I can make my music matter. I haven't found an answer yet, but I keep trying to bring my own perspective to it.

As to whether he is afraid that the army he has on Instagram (42.4 million followers) might one day turn against him for a silly mistake or a blunder, RM answers bluntly. "Yes, it scares me. It scares me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When I was younger I tried to come across as a cool guy who doesn't give a shit what other people think, but I don't think that's right anymore. I care about the publicity dimension of my career and the influence I can have on others. It stresses me out, yes, but I think I can handle it. That's why I don't retire or do things like go out and drink the night away and then drive drunk. I'm human, I can make mistakes, but I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself. One of the keys is to treat this job for what it is: a job. I don't think artists have any special rights or status.

Note: if you would like me to translate another part of the interview, let me know.

#Namjoon #RM #vogue spain #bts #bts solo careers #bts break

[ghouljams]

nun moon and preist soap are so special to me also i LOVE the cult leader idea somethin about that man pulling one over on you

Ooh because it's such a nice churched community. It's picturesque, the stone chapel, the rolling hills, the houses that break up the landscape. It's exactly the sort of place you'd want to work, the sort of place you'd want to live, and the priest is young and kind. (He's handsome too, with a smile like an angel, but you're not supposed to notice that) Working here should be easy, enjoyable even. (cw cult stuff, religious themes)

You have a nice little room, meals, quiet company. You see the priest more often than you see anyone else, but again he's kind to you. Terribly light on his feet though. He's walked in on you fixing your habit once or twice, but made no comment on it thank the lord. There are moments... passing remarks that stick out to you, easily brushed off as curiosity(of course), but still. You're younger than most nuns, or at least younger than what most people think of for nuns, and it never escapes anyone's notice. Father Mactavish asks you if you wouldn't rather be settling down with a nice man, and you laugh. You haven't known many nice men.

"How about a bairn then, one or two on your hip would be a sight." He chuckles. Your brows draw together, unsure if the joke is that you're a nun, or that you'd be bad with children. You're in charge of the primary school, the nursery as well, it would be odd to call you inept in this way.

"I'm not sure what you mean father," You respond with a certain measure of flintiness to your voice, your bards bristling at the insinuation. The priest hums, clasps his hands in his lap and smiles.

"Meant no 'arm by it, only that you're so good with the wee ones, it's surprising ya wouldnae want one of your own."

You suppose that makes sense, glancing back at your tea you miss the darkness in his eyes, the way they rake over your body, the way the priest squeezes his cock through his robes. One or two, or five or six, keeping you pregnant like you should be. You'll give your body to the lord but not his servant? Is Soap not the mouthpiece for the divine? Does he not alter hearts and minds? You're in service to him, so get on your fucking knees and serve.

"Maybe in another life," You tell him, "but I'm happy as I am, serving the church."

"That's wonderful," [I will have you over this table, over my knee, for the sin of misusing your body- my body] "if only more people felt the same." Soap hums. Though he supposes there'd be far fewer new members of his congregation if that were the case. As it stands he's managed to convince the town of the importance of family. Even the "nun" you're filling in for is on sabbatical to cover her maternity leave. An overzealous man in town to blame for that one, they really should have been more careful, but watching the man kneel in front of him and beg for permission, seeing the so called nun fall so willingly into his arms. People are animals, sinners wrestling with nothing more than base urges.

And Soap- Soap is leading them to salvation, to paradise. Children are our future, he tells them, children guide us towards goodness. Children are the foundation of any good church, they'll know him as a prophet, and you as his wife. What's a nun that doesn't serve her lord?

"Are you alright father?" You ask. He seems distracted, he's hardly touched his tea, and his eyes are so far away you worry you've lost his company entirely. Father Mactavish blinks, and the stormy sky in his eyes clears back to that brilliant blue. He smiles, and you smile back.

"Of course hen," he draws in a breath, "just writing my sermon for Sunday."

#x oc #cod x oc #cod x reader #x reader #soap mactavish #john soap mactavish #johnny mactavish #john mactavish x reader #soap mactavish x reader #soap mw2 #soap cod #soap x reader #oc: moon #nun!reader #priest!soap #f!reader #tw religious themes

[heartsforsserafim]

petalz fucking the reader who is the 6th member of the group before a concert and they're are so rough that they rip your panties so you're obligated to perform without them and with their seed dripping from your pussy into your legs

ps. I love your works so much, they're very well written and enjoyable, I hope you'll continue to write them and most important, tysm for sharing them with us💖

Behind the scenes

pairing ; gp!petalz x fem!reader

genre ; smut

cw ; unprotected sex, public sex (sorta)

note: you are older than both eunchae and zuha in this fic, a year younger than yunjin

an - tysm anon i'm glad you enjoy my stories<3

-Sakura pov

Damn these stylists, having us wear such tight fucking pants. I mean me and kazuha both have to wear compression short and now the pants are extremely tight on us it makes the bulge visible.

It's not any better they have Y/n dressed in such revealing clothes, god i just want to rip them off her and destroy- "Kkura unnie!!" speaking of her, there she is. God the way her shorts hug her ass so perfectly. "Yes (y/n)-ah?" "How does my outfit look?" She gave her cutest smile, "It looks great"

I saw Kazuha walking behind her, the girl's eyes never leaving y/n's chest when she came in front. I have a plan.

"Hey, zuha can we talk?" "Excuse us Y/nie" , "So what did you wanna talk about?" "I saw the way you were looking at her" "I mean she has to know what her outfits do to us, right? I mean she was dancing to eve physce and the bluebirds wife with the smallest shorts on! she has to know we're looking" Kazuha turned her attention back on the older girl while she was talking to Yunjin, her cleavage being seen a bit due to her tight top.

I broke my plan to Zuha and she agreed, now to just convince Y/n. Moments later, we had Y/n down on her knees sucking us both off in the bathroom, didn't take much convincing. "I need you both inside of me, please" Y/n stated. Me and Zuha placed her on the sink, i began fucking her first, my thrust going at an insane pace, she couldn't even keep quiet, "A-ahh K-kura fuckk" her eyes rolled back as she came on my cock, my orgams coming after. I dropped my load inside of her, after i pulled out Zuha was quick to fill her back up.

A few knocks on the door, it was Chaewon, "Okay girls we have 5 minutes before the show and we need to get touch ups before we go back out please hurry!!" "Okay chae!" I yelled out, walking to zuha and gripping her hips making her fuck y/n faster "O-oh god i'm cumming do i just cun inside?" "Fill me up Zuha." Kazuha came, pretty loud, but i kissed her muffling her screams.

Another knock was on the door, this time Yun, "Guys come out. Eunchae has to use it and we only have 3 minutes for touch ups." We hurried out, y/n limping a bit. "Y/n unnie are you okay?" Eunchae asked worried, "I'm fine" she gave her a reassuring smile.

Our first song was antifragile, Y/n was struggling to keep herself from falling during the entire performance. Our concert ended with Good parts. She was able to sit down, but we saw our cum dripping down her legs and we got hard again.

It would definitely be a long night tonight.

[witchofhimring]

Loyalty (chapter 1: Loyalty)

Pairings: Aemond Targaryen x Tyrell Reader

Y/n Tyrells Profiles

Warnings: Angst, heartbreak, childbirth, emotional turmoil, death, unrequited love?, marital abuse, misogamy (internalized as well as external) Plot twist at the end!

OC's:

Vaeron Velaryon (son of Rhaenyra and Laenor)

Jaecaryon Targaryen (son of Alicent and Viserys)

Synopsis:

As the threat of war looms over Westeros you fight a battle of your own. Aemond Targaryen leaves you after promising to marry. And so the alliance between House Baratheon and Targaryen in sealed with a kiss.

Chapter summary:

You had imagined this in your dreams. The sept decked out in all its splendor. Every member of the court dressed in their best. The weather was perfect. The sun was out as if celebrating this union. Birds could be heard chirping outside. The sweet scent of early spring flowers hung in the air.

And you, dressed in white as the perfect bride.  

Except it was not you.

Instead, you were merely one of the spectators. An inconsequential accessory to HER victory. She had specifically order that you be placed near the altar. Originally you had hoped you could slip out after their nuptials, but Ellyn Baratheon had other plans. 

Lady Leana Velaryon’s casket fell into the sea. You watched as the bubbles emanating from the water below until they disappeared like the lady herself. Soon there was nothing but the waved crashing against the shore. Childbirth claimed this lady's life.

You could not fully decipher the words of Vaemond Velaryon. But what you could tell was his tone. It was deep and strong life a raging sea, barely contained rage. And his thunderous eyes set their gaze on Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. A hand placed itself on your shoulder, Queen Alicent stood over you clad in her traditional green. Your own gown was black for mourning, trimmed was green. As a member of house Tyrell yourself, therefore allies to the Hightowers, it was important to show your colours. Your grandfather Orwen Tyrell’s wife had been a Dornish woman by the name of Elia Uller. She had died giving birth to your father Owen Tyrell. Owen’s wife Lady Amilia Tarley, your mother, was heir to the Tarley lands, but was passed over in favor of a younger cousin. She had died, falling down the stairs when you were five. You yourself were supposed to be heir to house Tyrell, but were instead passed over for your grandfather's younger brother. 

It had all changed the day your father died. After your grandfather passed it went to your father. But he died and his uncle swept in. You remembered it all. It was lord Erion, your grandfather’s younger brother, who became lord paramount. His daughter-in-law Lady Jenna was quick to confiscate all of your heirlooms and send you off to King's Landing. “We need eyes and ears there. She will be useful to our cause.” She had said. And so, you were placed in the care of Queen Alicent Hightower.

Sobs could be heard and you looked to see two little girls sobbing into Princess Rhaenys’s Targaryen’s expensive black dress.  “Those must be Lady Leana’s daughters.” You thought. Pity stabbed your heart, it must be hard losing a mother so young. You could hardly remember your own, or even if you cried. She had not brought you up, had that been the prerogative of Lady Elinor who was mother to you in all but name.  Princess Rhaeneys rose up as your curtsied to the three Targaryen women. There was something cold and calculating in her look. But you had learned to compose yourself in these situations. Two years you had spent at court and were no stranger to certain houses having a distaste for yours.  “Please accept my condolences.” The slightly taller of the two gave you a small smile.  “These are my granddaughters, Lady Baela and Lady Rhaena Targaryen, trueborn daughters of Lady Laena Velarion.” There was an emphasis on the name “Velaryon”, and as if on instinct her eyes drifted to crowned Princess Rhaenyra, mother to the Velaryon heirs.  “Lady Grandmother.” You turned and saw Prince Vaeron Velaryon striding towards you. Immediately your mood soured. Vaeron was the most disagreeable little boy you had ever met. You doubly resented him for his abrasive and uncaring attitude which he forced on everyone. You had seen Vaeron berate Queen Alicent once for being rude to his mother, despite her being a formidable woman herself. You held his cold gaze before marching right passed him, making sure to "accidently" tread on his toes. As he approached his cousins you internally remarked how alike they looked. Unlike his elder brothers Prince Jaecerys Prince Lucerys and younger brother Prince Joffrey, he had the look of house Velaryon, save his dark hair. You two had never liked each other. His mother and your family were enemies. And unlike his more courteous brothers (although you were determined not to like them anyway), he was not. So away you went. By a canopy near the entrance to the castle was Helena playing with bugs. Her elder brother Aegon was drinking, as per usual. You still couldn’t understand why Queen Alicent didn’t berate her son. Aegon was only slightly less irritating than Vaeron. 

“Y/n.” Aegon slurred. Suppressing the urge to wrinkle your nose at him you curtsied. Then you when under the canopy.  “Princess. You slipped between the fabric and sat down opposite from her. Helena gave a nod of the head but otherwise remained focused on a butterfly. “It’s beautiful.” Helena’s purple eyes bore into you.  “They best beware the creature that changes coats.” And then her attention was drawn back to the butterfly. You had no idea what she meant, but what Helena said hardly made sense. You considered leaving until once again the fabric parted, Aegon, Aemond and Aeron stepped in. Of the two you preferred Aemon. Well, you just about preferred anyone (except Vaeron) to Aegon. Aemond joined a spot next to you.  “That is a monarch butterfly.” Aemond told you. Aegon rolled his eyes.  “Well if all you three are going to talk about is bugs then I shall leave.” Aemond only rolled his eyes.  “You do that brother.” You nodded, Aegon would not be missed.  “He shall not be missed.” You whispered. 

The funeral aftermath was starting to dissipate. The King had hurried to bed and the Queen followed shortly thereafter. The rest of you had stayed up, it being not yet bedtime. You and Aemond found a hidden alcove to hide for the time being. Aemond's patient with celebrations was rather short. Although you desired to stay for longer you followed him. The waves came out of the sea like large hands, snatching stray pebbles and seashells in its retreat. Your eyes were fixed on the horizon, the end of another day. A loud moan came from somewhere a bit away and Aemond leaned forwards. Vhaegar had perched herself on top of a hill a bit away. For which you were grateful as she terrified you. "She sounds sad." You wondered if dragons missed their owners. Or did that bond dissipate once the rider died? Vhaegar's great head flumped onto the sand sending clouds into the air.

Aemond got down from the perch and peaked out. "Do not go too far, she might see you!" Too terrified to move you stayed back. Thankfully Aemond did not venture further. "What are you two doing here?" Jaeceryon, second eldest son of Queen Alicent and King Viserys came into view. He was slight with messy hair like Aemond, his twin. But there was an impish quality to his face. And he had a knack for getting up to trouble. Although everyone seemed to find it adorable. Well, you had no right to judge as he boy's similarity to Aemond and his cute face always endeared you to him. He, at times, had a habit of following you and Aemond about, like a needy cat.

You dug around in your pockets for cookies which you had snuck. Jaeceryon perked up and looked eagerly at you. He was quick to take them from him with a "thanks". Aemond was not paying attention. His focus remained on Vhaegar.

Aemond woke you up. With bleary eyes you were greeted with a black sky. 

“It is late.” Somewhat grumpily you turned to Aemond. His little hand grasped yours.  “I’m doing it.”  “Doing what? “I’m taking Vhagar tonight.” Now you were wide awake. " But you can’t! Besides, it belongs to Rhaena now.” Aemond ignored your reasoning. After all, should it not the child be the one to inherit their parents possessions.  “It belongs to who takes it.” Still not satisfied, you replied.  “But it was Laena’s, and it wouldn't be very nice of you.” His eyes hardened and suddenly you were frightened by the ferocity in them. “They all laughed at me. They brought me a pig and told me I could ride it! They all think they’re so much better than me because they have dragons. Even Veron who doesn't have one! Even those bastards-” You shushed him.  “You can not say that! The King will be-” He cut you off.  “Not if you don’t tell anyone. Those bastards have no right to anything and yet they got dragons before I! Me! Well I’ll show them.” You remembered the incident. Even though you weren’t there. As you sat with the Queen and Helena, Aemond was brought in, covered in soot. He had been in the dragon pit and could have died. More than once you comforted him as he cried. It was terribly unfair, how he had no dragon. Normally as the King's son he would have a dragon by now. Only true Targaryens should claim a mount and yet his two Strong nephews had. Of all Rhaenyra’s children Vaeron was the only possible legitimate (although there was still some doubt) claimant. Spitefully you wished he had his brothers features.  “So will you come with me?” Gathering your strength, you decided. 

There was a surprising lack of guards out that night. Most were probably fast asleep, thinking no one would dare go outside. Little did they know two little children had slipped by in the shadows. It was with a sigh of relief that you reached the tunnel. No longer did either of you have to hide. You trudged through the sand.     “Look!” You could see her now. A great big dragon stretched out of the sand. She was impossibly large, bigger than you had imagined. You had only seen her from a distance earlier but up close she was massive.  “Stay here.” Aemond ordered.  “But I want to go with you.” Fear had returned. “I am a Targaryen, she won't hurt me.” He said with all the confidence of his house. A confidence you had none of. So with bated breath you watched as he walked towards the beast. 

It did not take long. As you crouched behind the sandhill Aemond went right up to the dragon. He called out in the tongue of Valyria. With an earth shaking growl Vhagar growled and opened her mouth. To your horror you saw fire building up behind those great jaws. You wanted to scream, but it wouldn’t leave your mouth. He was for sure going to die, burned alive by this great monster. 

Only it didn’t happen. The dragon shut her jaw and gave a lower, deeper crooning noise. Aemond climbed up the saddle. Your hands nervously twisted in themselves, nearly tearing apart your nightgown. Aemond gave an order. Then she rose. You fell over as sand was thrown about. By the time you got up Aemond was already beyond your reach. The only thing you could hear was him screaming.   You had run back to the castle crying. This was all your fault you should have stopped him! For sure he was dead now, thrown off and into the sea below. Aemond had never been taught to swim and he would have no chance. The tunnel was just up ahead. As you reached the entrance a shadow loomed behind. You tripped as Vhagar landed. Bracing yourself to her fire, you were shocked when Aemond descended and landed.  

Wish a shreik you launched yourself into his arms.  “By the Seven I thought you had died!” You sobbed into his coat, your tears staining the fabric.  “I did it!” Aemond turned and took you by the hand.  “You need not worry, Vhagar is mine now!” Hesitantly you allowed Aemond to place you right in front of her. Large, fiery amer eyes meet yours. Hot breath hit you, it caused your skin to heat up. 

Thats when you heard voices, at least three people were coming your way. Anxiety filled you when Rhaena’s voice drifted over the rest. She would be furious! Aemond had no intention of hiding. Before you could even stop him he strided right into the light.  “Me.” It was even worse than you had feared. Five, Vaeron, Jacaerys, Lucerys, Baela and Rhaena all stood in front, five to two. Your eyes drifted to something long, shinny and sharp in Lucery’s hand. 

He had a knife. 

It all happened so fast. One moment Aemond was trading insults when suddenly Baela raced up and hit him. He shoved her and suddenly everyone dogpilled on him. You tried to pry them off. Jaecerys seemed less willing to hit but Lucerys viciously sunk his teeth into your right arm. You shrieked as blood was drawn. Time seemed to slow down when Lucerys drew the knife. You had no time to warn Aemond as Lucery’s speed towards him. In a flash it was over. Blood splattered the sand. Your shrieked and ran to his side. 

Aemond was doubled over. Youn tried to turn him over but Aemond let out a goran, like a wounded animal. It was worse than screaming. The Kingsguard had been alerted. A knight shoved you aside and turned Aemond over.  “Gods be good.”  “Ser, what's happened!” He said nothing. 

You thought they might at least wait till Aemond got better, but King Visery’s had called a meeting. You had stayed by Aemond’s side. His ghost white fingers clung to your small hand. It hurt but you kept quiet. Everyone had gathered in the great hall. Your family on one side, theirs on the other. The only two missing were Rhaeneyra and Daemon. “Where are they.” Alicent hissed under her breath. She ran a hand through her usually immaculately done hair. King Visery’s sat on the Driftwood, a spectator in all of this. It surprised you that the King did not comfort his son. Though you supposed Kings must be strong in public. When Rhaeynera entered she rushed to her sons.  “Luke! Show me.” Rhaeynera examined her sons blood by face. Jaecerys and Veron closed in around their brother.  “Who did this?!”  “They attacked me!” Aemond’s shout echoed across the room and broke the silence. Suddenly everyone but you was shouting.  “He stole Rhaena’s dragon!” Vaeron bellowed. It was at this point King Visery’s stood up. With what looked like a great effort he shouted over all their heads, restoring order. “Silence!” 

A hush fell over everyone, awaiting the Kings judgment. The King turned to his eldest daughter. Rhaeneyra finally stood up and walked towards the King. Vaeron trailed behind her like a puppy.  “Because that's all he is. A stupid boy who takes orders from others.” You thought.  “Aemond. I will have the truth of what happened. Now.” The King rounded on his second youngest. “What else is there to hear your son has been maimed. Hers sons are responsible.” Her voice was not in its usual composure. It was the type which bordered on a storm of rage. You grasped her hand to keep it from shaking. "It was a regrettable accident." Regrettable accident? "The Prince Lucerys brought a blade, he meant to kill my son!" Your grip on Aemond's hand tightened. Was that really true? What if the boy was so jealous of Aemond's good fortune that he got Vhaegar. "It was my sons who were attacked and forced to defend themselves. Vile insults were levied against them" This seemed to have the Kings attention in a way Aemond's missing eye did not. "What insults?" "The legitimacy of my sons birth was put loudly to question." "What?" "He called us bastards." Jaecerys's voice was small, but it carried. "My sons are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace. This is the highest treason. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he learned such slanders.

Horrified, you grasped onto Aemond. Even a child of your age understood the meaning of "asharply questioned". It was not fair! It was her sons who had bullied him all those years and now he was going to be tortured. You started to silently weep, which was either ignored or unnoticed by everyone else. Everything else was blocked out.

Not until the King stormed towards Aemond. To your alarm the King turned on his son and said with such rage; “Where did you hear this lie, boy?” There was such disgust, such rage on Aemond’s face. For the first time you believed he hated his father. Never before had you seen the two speak to each other in any friendly terms. After King Visery’s accosted his son he turned on the other. To your surprise when Visery’s asked who told Aemond the “lie”, Aemond pointed right at Aegon. For a moment Aegon looked like me might deny, but something changed in his face.  “Me.”  “And you, boy. Where did you hear such calumnies? Aegon!”  But it was so obvious. Those boys with their pale skin, brown hair and soft features that resemble Rhaeneyra were not Laenor’s.  “We know father. Everyone knows. Just look at them.” That statement carried all the finality of a fallen brick.  “Shut up!” It was Vaeron, the only son of Rhaenyra to possibly carry Velarion blood.  “Hush!” Rhaenyra bent down and hugged her son close. You noticed that of all her sons Vaeron was the only one in front of his mother.  “This interminable infighting must cease! All of you! We are a family.” The last words cracked. The King tattered for a moment, breath ragged.  “Now make your apologies and show your good will to one another. Your father, your Grandsire, your King demands it!” 

Queen Alicent let go of your hand. 

“That is insufficient. Aemond has been damaged permanently, My King. Good will cannot make him whole.”  “I know. Alicent.” And for the first time you saw something akin to softness cross the Kinga face.     “But I cannot restore his eye.”  “Because it’s been taken.” The softness disappeared.   “What would you have me do?”  “There's is a dept to be payed.” Her words shook and though you could not see see her face you knew Queen Alicent was seconds from crying.  “I shall have one of her sons eyes in return.” The statement shocked all. Vaeron made to dash at her but Rhaenyra's hand was fast on his shoulder.  “My dear wife-”  “He is your son, Viserys! Your blood!” Now she was crying and you wanted to hold her. But the scene had transfixed you.  “Do not allow your temper to guide your judgment.” He walked away, but Alicent was not done.  “If the King will not seek justice then the Queen will. Sir Criston, bring me the eye of Lucerys Velarion.” You could hear Rhaenyra’s boys protest, Rhaenyra seized Vaeron and pulled him behind her.  “He can chose which eye to keep a privilege he did not grant my son.”  “You will do no such thing.”Rhaeneyra’s voice was low, deadly as her dragon.  “Stay your hand. “No you are sworn to me!” Never had you seen Queen Alicent overrule any of her husbands decisions. 

Ser Criston obeyed Queen Alicent, he had always been more preferential to her. But he was stopped. It seemed the King would have his way as he dismissed everyone.

But you could hear her breath and a sixth scent that you felt in the air told you Queen Alicent had finally broke. She leapt forth  and made for Rhaenyra, dagger in hand. You could hear their shrieks above the crowd. Out of instinct you covered Aemond. Although it was hard to discern voice you caught QueenAlicents.

“I! What have I done except what was expected of me! Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout and do all that you please!” You felt sick. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Suddenly Queen Alicent brought down the knife. Princess Rhaenerya staggered back, but did not cry out in pain. You had to admire her for that. You were suddenly pushed off. Aemond, despite his injuries, stood up. He walked a few unsteady steps towards Queen Alicent.  “Do not mourn me mother. It was a fair exchange. I might have lost an eye but I gained a dragon.” 

That night you could not sleep, even after Queen Alicent sent you to bed. So along the halls you stalked. Right now you felt numb, like this was some fever dream. But everything felt too real. The stones beneath your feet, cold air coming through the window and crashing of the sea distantly. You decided to walk upstairs, to get some fresh air. The staircase was only a few feet away. You were almost there when you heard voices. In a panic you dashed behind a tapestry. Footsteps hit the landing and you peaked out ever so slightly.  “What does he mean by bastard?” It was Rhaena. It seemed Laena’s twins were not yet asleep. “It means they are illegitimate.” Baela replied.  “Is it true?” Rhaena’s voice lowered itself.  “No. Don’t say that.” Baela said harshly”.  “But if they aren’t then wouldn’t Driftwood go to us?”  “No. Vaemond goes first. And anyway, there's a chance Vaeron is." “But why would Vaemond go before us? Corlis is our grandfather, not his.” With that final word the girls disappeared. 

Meanwhile you let out a sigh of relief. Once they had disappeared you went on your way. Luckily there was no one in the staircase. It was with great relief you pushed the wooden door open. The air was so fresh here. At Kingslanding the air was hardly tolerable. Maybe it would be worth staying here just for that. You placed your elbows on the stone and overlooked the endless sea. It was black against the night. If it weren’t for what happened tonight it might even be beautiful. 

“You there!” You leapt as Vaeron  stormed around the corner. He was wroth, hands in tight firsts. Frightened, you stepped back.  “Go away!” He ordered.  “I have every right to be here.” Your voice was not as strong as his. Vaeron walked right up to you. Even though he was shorter than you he was still imposing.  “I am the Prince and future lord of Driftmark.” How dare he. After all that he still dared approach you. You could safely say you hated Vaeron Velaryon right now. "I am glad he has a dragon how. What's your dragon again, that sickly little thing that refuses to grow?" You sneered. “ I’m glad Lucery’s took his eyes for that insult!” He meet you with matched vitriol. Now face to face with you. “ Your all cowards to fight five on two! And he shouldn’t have brought the knife!”  “Well mutilation is the only way to deal with liars.” He finished smugly. You were almost too angry to speak. Key word being almost.  “They are bastards, and you are stupid not to beleive it.” Vaeron’s hand swung towards you in rage. But out of instinct you caught it. The sting hardly hurt. You felt victorious. For once you had the upper hand.   “Its true, isn’t it. And if they are it means-” You were about to say Aegon. But then it occurred to you that wasn’t entierly true. It perhaps belonged to the angry boy in front of you. Then both of you could hear footsteps and voices. Anger was gone replaced by fear. If either of you were caught there would be punishment. So with a temporary unspoken truth the pair of you darted away, back to your beds.

The parting was of ill feeling. Rhaenyra had elected to stay behind, not wanting to deal with the Greens. You weren’t sad about this. You hated all of them, Lucerys most of all. Only yesterday you had witnessed the boy playing with his elder brothers, no sign of guilt. You hoped one day he would lose an eye too. You followed Helena onto the ship. Looking back you saw Vaeron looking out from above. You glaired at him, and with that you left.  “Where is Aemond?” Queen Alicent was looking over the tempestuous water.  “Inside.” Her voice came out of chapped lips. It held a voice of someone so tired yet still forced to carry an impossibly heavy burned. You wanted to say something to her, but your courage failed you. For what could you possibly say to comfort a bereft mother?  Aemond lay on a bed under deck. A maester was shuffling in a cabinet. You had to suppress a gag. In this small got cabin you smelt congealed blood. Ameond was letting out noises every time the boat rocked. The maester saw you, looked as though he might send you away, and then went back to shuffling through bottles. You walked over to Aemond and sat down beside his bed. There was a long bloody bandage on the side of his face. 

“Have his stitches split open? You brushed the hair out of his face.  “The ones at the end. I had to reply them. Please don’t touch less the bindings bursts.” You felt queasy on the word “burst”.  “Y/n.” It came out as a whine, like a puppy you once had. Three years ago had been given you a dear golden puppy with fluffy fur. It had been the light of your life for seven weeks until it cut itself on a sharp object. You remembered its high pitched whines before it died. Otto had been kind enough to gift you another, as the puppy, who’s name had been Fluffles, had died of no fault of your own. And as much as you loved Grandina, your current dog, it still haunted you, those last rattling breath, agony in every note. Aemond had fallen sleep by now, his hand still in yours. The maester still had his eyes on the medicine. So you placed a secret kiss on his head and swore you loyalty was to him.  

7 years later….. 

Intimacy had to be kept in the greatest secrecy, but you would take what you could get. Even if it was not much, hand holding still meant everything. There was a small alcove by the water the two of you visited. Through one of the secret passageways and down a hidden flight of stains, though one had to be careful not to fall. The water here was surprisingly clean and smelt of sea. Here the two of you could just be yourselves, uncaring of life's woes. You were now aged eighteen and nineteen. And much had changed. 

Aemond was no longer the runt of the litter, now taller than any of his siblings. His white hair was straight and silky. Since losing his eyes something had changed within him. Sparring and studying took up his time, eager to prove himself a worthy rider of Vhagar and perfect son. Of all her sons Queen Alicent cherished him the most.  You were more or less the same as a person, loyal to a fault. Though your body had changed making you a beautiful woman. But there was more going on than personal changes going on. No longer could youth shield you from the cruelty of the world. As King Viserys ailed, relying more and more on others to run his kingdom for him, fraction appeared in the court. There were those that supported the ever allusive Princess Rhaenyra and those who championed the claim around Prince Aegon. Although most who knew the Prince were aware that it would be his mother and grandfather who would reign in that case.

You giggled as cold water lapped at your toes.  “Careful, Aemond chastised, holding onto your hand. Aemond had since learned to swim, though you not so much. With a sigh you leaned onto his shoulder, he leaning into you. The sun cast golden rays across the sky, the water rippling softly.  But although the scenery was serene, you thoughts were not. Only a few days previously you received a letter from Jenna Tyrell that you were due to be married soon. You wondered who it was. She had not married you to her own son Gerald Tyrell despite some thinking it wise. "The claim we have on Highgarden does not depend on the Lady Y/n, who is a woman." When hearing those words through the grapevine your ears had burned. Although Lady Jenna had never outright antagonized you comments of this nature were not uncommon. Instead her son had married a girl from house Swan, Florice Swan. It had been a bitter pill for you to swallow. Knowing that your mothers jewels would not go to you but some stranger. You had met Gerald Tyrell and thought him handsome. For a brief time you had imagined yourself in love with him. But that had been ripped away when he married. Now at nineteen you reckoned it was better this way, as someone else had your heart.

You were fifteen when your cousin married Lady Florice. Although sad, it was not as enduring as the love that had begun to blossom for another. It all started on cold rainy day when you were huddled on an armchair near the fire. You shut your eyes and tried to block out the noise. A soft knock sounded at the door. In a hurry you turned and fell off your chair. You got up just in time to see Aemond come in. Another burst of thunder echoed amongst the heavens and you nearly fell over in your terror. Aemond took your cold hand lead you to the chair. You curled up, wrapping the blanket around you. Aemond perched himself on the chair arm. "Is the storm scaring you." "Yes." "Then let me stay the night with you." At that moment you had fallen in love. Never before had anyone shown you such loyalty before. Your parents were but ghosts in your memory, and although Queen Alicent had cared for her ward none made you feel as Aemond did. As you leaned against him you felt loved, safe.

Over the years you love had endured, not dampened by the years. As ever you leaned on him as a support. And you were sure he felt the same. Aemond rarely let his mask slip. The one he wore as a guard ever since the taking of his eye. "My Lady." Lady Elinor Tarley descended the stairs. With a groan you got up. Of course Elinor would seek you out. Aemond gently pried you off him and helped you up. The Princess Rhaenyra and her children would be coming today. It was something you dreaded as it was the boy Lucerys so called Velarion who stole Aemonds eye. Well, this time the boy, or rather her family, are who would be on trial today. Vaemond Velarion had come to contest the boys claim to the Driftwood throne. You and Aemond parted ways, despite your desire to stay with him. Queen Alicent insisted you change into a green dress with an embroidered Star of the Seven on the bodice. So you changed in your room. “You should work on getting to know the other lords, my lady.” Lady Elinor Tarley said. Normally a lady would not chastise her mistress, whether right or wrong. But Lady Elinor was fifteen years your senior, so you respected her opinion. You dressed in the typical green and gold. The cut was in a same form as Queen Alicent’s, a high neck with long sleeves. You liked the fabric trailing behind like a cape, as regal as a Queen.   

You stood beside Helaena Targaryen as the trial for Lucerys Velarion's "birthright" was being debated below. You wondered what would happen if Princess Rhaenyra lost the case. Well, surely the question of her boys clear illegitimacy would be put to question. Maybe there wouldn't be a war. Although the idea of harm coming to the younger children, you cared not for the elder Strong boys. It was odd seeing all of them once more after so long. Jacaerys had a stocky build and had a slight slope in his posture, although he was not entirely unattractive. You could hardly bare to look and Lucerys. Vaeron, although the youngest of the boys present, was taller than Lucerys. He still carried that same haughty look from all those years ago. Something never change.

Your eyes wandered to Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was. What must it be like for her, to be so close to the throne yet lose it? There was some inkling as to what that might be like. Thoughts lingered to Highgarden which had been your home all those years ago. How much of it had changed? How much of it was the same? Perhaps one day you would return home. But it would not truly be yours. Perhaps that was how Rhaenys Targaryen felt each time she set foot in the Red Keep.

The great double doors opened and a great shadow cast itself. Viserys Targaryen, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, stood on its threshold. And although withered by illness there was something striking about him. Never would the words "brave" have been associated with King Viserys, the same man who stood aside when his own son lost an eye. Yet now he shined so magnificently. And at that point in time you did not know why.

"I must admit my confusion. I can not understand why petitions are being heart over a settled succession. The only one present who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys. "Indeed your Grace." All eyes went to the Princess. This was unexpected and anxiety took over. You had to suppress the urge to grasp Aemond. If Princess Rhaenyra won this would be another armed force behind her banner when was calls. The Velarion's had generations of battle commanders and sailors within their ranks. Not to mention their dragons. Would the Princess see sense? There was nothing in it for her after all. Why let bastards sit the Driftwood throne when she had two granddaughters. Rhaenys walked in front of the King. She seemed to pause and you prayed. "It was every my husbands will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son, Lucerys Velaryon." Horrified, you did grasp Aemond, although discreetly. This felt like the final nail in the coffin. With the blood of Valyria behined her Rhaenyra Targaryen just might stand a chance.

And in the next second Vaemond Velaryon's outcry frightened you. He looked ready to kill. His voice steadily became less controlled. As he turned on his King with a fury that inspired disbelief in you. Never before had you seen anyone speak to the King like this. Vaemond Velaryon turned to Lucerys, paused. You could not see his face, but you just knew something was about to happen. And then he said the words that no one had ever dared utter in the Kings presence. "Her children......are Bastards!"

With great nauseum you were guided to a chair by the fireplace. Aemond poured you some strong drink and gratefully you accepted it. Images of Vaemond Targaryens corps splattered against the ground clouded the mind. They had always told you stories of the Rouge Prince and his many cruelties. How he rejected and murdered his first wife, mutilated the citizens of Fleebottom, mocked the death of late Queen Aemma Targaryen and conspired with the Princess Rhaenyra. Now you witnessed his cruelty first-hand, killing his second late wives uncle. And all knew how the Gods abhorred such men. Had the Prince truly washed himself of his wives kin that they mattered no more?

Otto Hightower stormed in. A moment later Queen Alicent and Ser Criston Cole followed. Prince Aegon Targaryen and Helaena were the last to arrive. Of course Aeron was nowhere to be seen, the wasterell. As a matter of fact, now that you think on it, Jaeceryon did not even bother attending the trial. "And so Rhaenyra escapes yet again." Otto Hightower snarled.

King Viserys was dead. Died in his sleep at the hour of the wolf. The morning awoke like a great slow beast. Sluggishly the sun peaked over the horizon, the shadows fighting to stay. The servants slinked in the shadows, flitting about like phantoms. A deep sigh seemed to emanate from the bowels of the Red Keep. A sigh before the inevitable storm. It was eerily silent when you woke. A sense of unease seeped its way into your body. Something was seriously wrong.

Elinor came in. Although she looked fine there was something off about her demeanor. Likely she felt the same unease you did. Her eyes meet yours and Elinor immediately understood. "You sense it too." She suddenly dashed towards you. In alarm you bounded to your feet. Elinor grabbed a cloak from the chair and threw it over you. "What has happened?!" She just grabbed your hand and lead you over to a tapestry. Throwing it aside, Elinor pushed the stone wall and a door opened. You were shoved through with her coming in after. Darkness encased you. Frightened, you made to turn back. "Silence!" Stunned, you simply allowed her to lead you down. The only guide you had was Elinor's leading hand and your hand on the cold wall.

It felt like forever until you reached the end. But even before you had reached the end you realized where she was taking you. Many times you and crept through this passage to Aemond's room. The door opened and a second later Aemond had seized your hand, pulling you through. "The King is dead." Although not surprised terror swept through you. The writing had been on the wall since the birth of Aegon. This was what every political move and been for. To place Aegon on the throne.

The thunder seemed to break the sky above, flashes of lightning revealed the tumultuous grey clouds above. In trepidation you sat by the window. Any moment you excepted to witness a dragon descend from the sky, whether friend or foe. Vhagar, Gods willing. Or if the Gods were cruel it might be Caraxes or Meleys, who only a few days ago had killed hundreds at the Citadel. Your fingers touched the scar on your right forearm. You could still taste the dust and hear the cries of the dying. The memory made the scar throb. Unbidden tears slid down your face. What if Aemond was next? Princess Rhaenyra had likely already heard of Aegon's coronation and was ready (as she could be) for war. What if he came into conflict with Prince Daemon Targaryen? While Aemond might have the stronger dragon the expertise of the rider mattered. And Prince Daemon had fought wars.

A deep rumbling later and with a relief so prominent you almost passed you, Aemond descended from the sky. Forgetting to put on anything to protect yourself you ran out. By the time you had arrived at the dragonpit you were soaked. You ran towards the cave, ignoring the look the dragontamers gave you.

The figure of Aemond was bowed over, black cloak flapping about like a war banner. His silver hair was plastered to his ghostly pale face. Stopping, you realized something was horribly wrong. Every step seemed to be taken with enormous effort. His body shook with tremors that you suspected was not from the cold. Aemond fell into your arms. His breathing felt heavy, each beat reverberating through your body. His face found its way into the crook of your neck. While Aemond was not above shows of affection behind closed doors, never had he done this in front of others. You were scared for him. Aemond seemed to be on the edge of a breakdown. His weight had collapsed itself on top of you. "I killed him."

It was only later, after Aemond had visited his mother (a meeting you were not privy to) and he sloped to bed did you figure out who he had killed. He had bid you no goodnight. You wanted to call out to him as Aemond's form retreated into the shadows. But the Queen placed a hand on your shoulder. Turning around, alarmed, you realized there were tears in her eyes. The nailbeds of her fingers looked red and swollen. "Y/n I think you might need to sit down." Her voice was chocked. Anxiously you followed her inside. Otto Hightower and rose to his feet, mouth in a thin brittle line. You shrunk slightly, Otto Hightower had always terrified you to some degree. Even when his rage, he clearly was angry now, was not directed at you, you still tip toed on egg shells. Thank the Gods he chose that moment to leave. The only other person left over was Ser Criston Cole, have hidden in the shadows. You waited until the Queen had taken a seat before taking yours. The fire highlighted the shine in her eyes, and perhaps it was just you but there was something unsteady about it. Like a bead on the tip of a knife, ready to fall at any moment.

"Aemond has killed Lucerys." A gasp came out as you comprehended the full horror or what you had just been told. The Gods hated none more so than those who slew their kin. And now that Aemond had killed Lucerys- "What did Lucerys do?" Queen Alicent swallowed and closed her eyes. "Lucerys ran from Aemond and flew on his dragon. Aemond came after him and Vhagar ate him." "But what did Lucerys do?" You ignored the bile in your throat at the idea of Lucerys being chewed up by Vhagar. The discust you felt was swallowed by your desire to push it down to a deep dark part of you were there was much shame. "Nothing. After the deal with Lord Baratheon Lucerys made to leave but my son went after him. They took to their dragons and Aemond killed him." Finally the tears breached and tears came down her pale cheeks. In another situation you might have been surprised by her tears. Never before had you ever seen Queen Alicent Hightower cry.

Instead your worries all went to Aemond. Standing up, you silently went to the door. Queen Alicent and Ser Criston Cole allowed you to leave, their minds too burdened with the upcoming war. The halls were completely silent. Even the torches had gone out. The only light were the flashes of lightning outside illuminating the way. Rain pounded the windows deafeningly. The weather itself seemed to be sounding the drums of war. Imagination made you think that the Gods were calling out in all their rage and grief for what was to come. There were no guards by Aemonds door. You knock on the door. No response. So you push on the handle but realize the door was locked. You went to bed, but got no sleep.

No sun peaked through the clouds that morning. Instead a dull grey spilled over its surface. Your mood was as a subdued as the atmosphere outside. Everything seemed to be in morning for the death of Lucerys. You threw a blue cloak over your body. Maybe Aemond was in a better mood today. Although you weren't sure. While Aemond rightfully carried hate for Lucerys you doubted he wanted the boy dead. You tried to comfort yourself with the notion that it was war. And Lucerys might have died anyway. It Rhaenyra's sons were allowed to live- Suddenly feeling disgusted, you wrapped the robe around yourself. You felt gross, although your mind refused to delve any deeper. Aemond's room was only a floor above you. Today you opted to take the secret passage given your attire. You gave the typical knock that you always gave. He did not answer. Carefully you opened the door. Aemond sat on his bed, hunched over. You could not see his face with silver hair obscuring him. You knelt in front of him and brushed the hair aside. "Aemond?" Touching his cheek you felt his ice cold skin beneath the fingertips. He looked as tired as you felt, his skin now carrying a sick grey hue to it.

Aemond leaned back. When you tried to touch him again Aemond took both your hands, not ungently, and stood up. You stood up along with him. Unlike last night he was not shaking. Something cold had settled into him, or so it seemed, from the rigidity in which he held himself. You extracted your hands from his. It was Aemond, but not Aemond. His remaining eye held a wild fire within it. And if you had stepped a few feet back and disregarded the eye you would think he was dead. His hair hung about him like a corpse. His pallid skin look stretched over his bones. An aura of fear and anger had settled over him like a storm cloud. "I know what happened with Lucerys." Aemond looked at you and you swore for a moment there were tears in his eyes. And then they were gone. Perhaps a trick of the light. Even as a child Aemond never cried. At least in front of you. Queen Alicent may know a different story. "Please leave." The words breezed passed his pale chapped lips. "But Aemond-" "Leave!" Your whole body seized. Hands clasped themselves to your chest. "Aemond, please!" You once made walked towards him, unwilling to leave his side. But Aemond gave you such a look of ferocity that you stopped, turned, and as if he was chasing you, fled.

The Next day you found out he was betrothed to Ellyn Baratheon.

Ages:

Y/n: 19

Aemond: 19

Vaeron: 17

Jaeceryon: 19

Note:

And thus this behemoth of a chapter is concluded.

I've had this idea in my head for a while and have decided to put it to paper (or rather my computer). I decided on Ellyn as my Baratheon sister of choice because she is the least known. Also because her personality is not as well known I had more leeway in terms of her characterization.

I decided to end the chapter here because it was getting long and I want the next chapter to be exciting! I think the next one is going to bring out a lot of emotions in y'all. Vaeron is the only trueborn son of Rhaenyra and Laenor, so this changes things. Vaeron Velarion, Owen Tyrell, Elia Uller, Orwen Tyrell, Amelia Tarley and Jaeceryon Targaryen are all OC’S of mine.

As you may notice I aged up Lucerys and Vaeron. While Lucerys and Vaenor are not twins they are ten months apart hence why both of them are seventeen.

If you want to join the taglist please let me known!

@daenerysqueenofhearts

@le-petit-lulu

@aemondswifeisme

#aemond targaryen x reader #aemond x you #aemond x reader #hotd fanfic #aemond targaryen #aemond targaryen x you #aemond fic #aemond x fem reader #amond targaryen x y/n #aemond x y/n #hotd x y/n #hotd x reader #house of the dragon x reader #house of the dragon #Loyalty #aemond targaryen x reader angst #aemond angst #aemond x reader angst #hotd angst #house of the dragon fanfiction #hotd imagine #aemond targaryen x reader

[onthewaytosomewhere]

WIP Wednesday

so, apparently i really need to stop saying i'm not gonna do something when it comes to fics that's how i end up writing so many things

including this thing that attempted to eat my brain yesterday - IT'S A FAIRYTALE i guess - and it's already got a title (baby, just say yes) and according to my doc is over 1500 words and just started - oh my - this is a bit rough cuz i've really just been getting it into the doc at this point - but here goes have some of the beginning (cuz it's been written in segments so far)

it's a bit longer than i thought so i'll put it behind a read-more along with some tags (like so many lol)

Once upon a time, there was a young boy, a prince named Henry – Prince Henry Fox of Windsor. Prince Henry lived what many would believe to be a charmed life - full of love and happiness. While his life did have these things, it also had loneliness, sadness, and anger. Our young prince was lucky to have some family members who would always have his back, and as he grew older, he realized how very important that was. It has been said that Prince Henry will always remember the first time he saw Prince Alexander Diaz of Claremont. He had just turned seven days before and was standing on the balcony, overlooking the garden, when he saw the sun reflect off the shiny curls atop the younger prince’s head as he ran amongst the flowers. If we could see into his mind, we would know he often thinks about the joy written across Prince Alex’s face and the mirth in those chocolate eyes that have frequently been described as the most beautiful anyone has seen. His sister, Princess Beatrice, ever his stalwart supporter, will recall to anyone who asks how Henry talked all about the mysterious boy in the garden. Even all these years later, she can remember telling him all she knew of Prince Alex and what he was there for and how our young prince hung on to her every word about him. Henry’s father, the Earl of Foxburough(?), Arthur Fox, will tell you, if you ask, how excited his youngest son had been at the prospect of getting to play with someone other than Bea - after all, there are only so many times a young boy wants to stand still while his sister dresses him up and puts makeup on him. He also will recall the devastation he saw Henry go through when Queen Mary didn’t allow it to happen. Our young prince had kept his eyes peeled, hoping to see that joy up close. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be that time; it would be a few more years before that happened.

and now i'm pretty sure i'm like first to do this so i'm a tag everyone with some no-pressure tags cuz i'm like a puppy and need to know what you're working on lol @adreamareads @agame-writes @anincompletelist @bitbybitwrites @dragonflylady77 @duchessdepolignaca03 @england-would-fall @firenati0n @firstsprinces @forever-fixating @heybuddy-drabbles @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @inexplicablymine @junebugclaremontdiaz @kiwiana-writes @lizzie-bennetdarcy @magicandarchery @piratefalls @priincebutt @sophie1973 @stellarm @sunnysideprince @suseagull04 @taste-thewaste @typicalopposite

#wip wednesday #red white and royal blue #firstprince #baby just say yes #rwrb wip #why do i do this to myself

[witchersmistress]

The road to Hell

Hello my darlings!! this man almost, ended back in the punishment room!

Trigger warnings: age gasp, foul language sassy FMC, forced marriage

Word Count: 2.7 K

Amelia’s POV

Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the most exciting days of your life. Just like my mother, I’m about to marry a man I didn’t choose and who I don’t love. I actually despise him and everything he represents—money, greed, and power are just a few of them. My mother hates my father, but there was nothing either one of them could do. Their fate was decided, their destiny sealed. Same as mine. Same as my children’s. And my grandchildren’s. We are bred for the sole purpose of power. Control in numbers. Fuck that!

Women in my world—the secret society of the Ravens—should not reproduce. I don’t want children. The cycle will end with me. It has to.  The Ravens will only find a way to use its members. They marry us off to ensure we add to their army. The next generation of Ravens and Ravenia will help them take over the world.  Phil though he was so smart and allowed me to see a  Raven approved Drs only, well the joke was on him, that particular doc, i saw his wife instead who was a fellow Ravenia and a Nurse practitioner. By the end of my first appointment, I had an IUD and that idiot was none the wiser. I’ll be damned if I allow them to have any say over a son or daughter I'll never have.

 I stand in the middle of the room, overlooking the white dress in the mirrored wall, running my hand down the mulberry silk—some of the finest silk available in the world. I take in a deep breath. It cost a whopping two million. Two million dollars for a fucking dress? My soon-to-be husband had it custom-made by a designer in France. I know this because my mother reminds me every chance she gets. Why would I get to pick out something so important in my life? That’s insane, right? Give that money to charity, or he'll let me loose in a bookstore, not that i could spend two million dollars but i'll try like hell.

 To think I should have any say in what I wear on the day I give my life to another. It’s as if she thinks his wealth will impress me. It’s blood money. I know this because it’s the same fortune I grew up with. I never did want the finer things in life. I know a poor person would roll their eyes at that statement, but it’s true. Give me a beer, a cheap hoodie, and a hat to hide my three-day old mop of bleach-blond hair, and I’m happy. But no. That’s unacceptable. The one percent aren’t allowed to look anything less than perfect. Not in public anyway. I’m surprised they even let us speak. We as women might as well walk around with duct tape over our mouths dressed in nothing but chains. A Raven needs a Ravenia but not because of the reasons you may think. It’s a way to hide who he really is. He’ll have fucks all over the world, but we’re expected to cook, clean, and spread our legs for him when he’s home. Worship him like he’s God himself and birth his children. I’ve never been religious, and I’m not going to fall to my knees and start worshiping a man now.  

My brother comes up behind me, his eyes scanning over my dress in the mirror. “At least he has good taste.” I roll my eyes. “As if that matters.” “Just pop out some kids and get fat.” He shrugs. “Then he’ll screw anyone but you. Oh! Hire a hot, much younger nanny.” He nods to himself. “Let me try her out first, though. Make sure she’s good enough.” His words just prove that all Ravens are the same. He’s been a Raven for years but has yet to marry. He has the privilege of fucking his way around the world while I’m forced to sign my life away. A cell rings, and he pulls it out of his tuxedo jacket to answer. “Hello?” Sighing, I pick up the dress and walk over to the stained glass window. You can’t see shit out of it. This place is ancient. The Cathedral is to a Raven as a church is to a religion—their sanctum. It holds a hundred years of secrets like a sarcophagus encloses a mummy. 

It was handed down to them years ago—a place to perform their sick and twisted rituals. There’s nothing fancy or special about it, if you ask me. I could be walking down the aisle in blue jeans and a T-shirt or lingerie. Doesn’t matter. Not all Ravens and Ravenia are required to wed here. But it’s where my future husband picked. Our parents wanted it to be as traditional as possible. It’s a bullshit reason. They just want to make a spectacle of handing me over to him. We might as well be standing in a courtroom with a judge sentencing me to life in prison without the chance of parole for a crime I didn’t commit. I place my hand on the cold glass, listening to the rain fall. It’s been storming for the past two days. It's like the world knows I've been destined for a lifetime of servitude to a man I'd rather kill than kneel and suck his dick. 

I blame my mother. She raised me to be strong-willed and determined. But now, I’m just supposed to turn it off and believe that I'm to devote my life to a man that will neglect me during the day but demand I spread my legs at night. I won’t accept that. I deserve more. I want more. My brother ends his call, getting my attention, and looks at me. “We have a problem,” he states. My whole life is a fucking problem. “What?” “Phil is missing.” I snort. “Don’t toy with me like that.” That’s not a problem; that’s a prayer answered. “I’m serious.” He swallows, looking around the large room nervously as if Phil’s going to appear out of thin air. “He’s not here. He never arrived. He’s also not at his house. He’s missing. No one has seen him.” “I’m not sure why that’s a problem.” I don’t want to marry the sick bastard. Phil Buxton is the highest-ranking Raven you can come by, which just makes this even worse. Ravens are like anything else in this world. You have some at the bottom, and others at the top. There are different tiers. 

But honestly, it doesn’t matter; they’re all sick fucking bastards who will kill anyone to get to where they are. Even the bottom feeders will destroy anything to get a chance at serving. He steps over to me. “Amelia …” The door opens, and my father enters with my mother. I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m guessing this good fortune has nothing to do with you two?” My mother’s injected lips seem to thin a tad at my comment. She’s told me a million times that this is just the life we live. That it’s a “tradition” and I just have to accept it. That as far as Raven and Ravenia goes, we’re royalty. Bull-fucking-shit. I’d rather be someone’s bitch than a Raven’s Ravenia. My father, however, stares at the floor while running a hand through his dark hair. “Daddy?” I step over to him, holding my dress in my hands so I don’t step on the hem. “What’s going on?” His throat works, swallowing before his eyes find mine. There’s a look of regret in them, and hope fills my chest. Maybe he’s realized that I don’t want this life. He clears his throat. “I just received a call …” “Please tell me you did this—called off my wedding?” I rush out, my words hopeful. “I’m sorry, Amelia, but the wedding is still on.” He sighs. And what little hope I had is now smothered. “But Dylan said Phil’s missing.” I point at my brother. Had my father received the same phone call that my brother did? Or was it someone else? “You are no longer to wed Phil.” He yanks on the collar of his tux. Picking up the dress so I don’t trip over it in my six-inch hooker heels—that my soon-to-be husband also picked out—I take a step back, my heart picking up speed. This is good news. Why does he look so concerned? “I don’t understand. If he’s not here—” “A new Raven has chosen you,” he interrupts me. My mother places her hand over her mouth, trying to quiet a sob. “No,” I argue. “That can’t be.” It was decided that Phil would be my husband when I was eighteen—three years ago. 

Things like this aren’t just changed at the last minute. I’ve lived the past few years preparing for this day. To be his wife. What he wanted. A Raven can’t choose to marry me, not when I’m already promised to another. “Who?” my brother demands. “Who in the hell would make this change?” He fists his hands at his sides. I reach up and grab the pearls my mother gave me. She thought they would give me some kind of comfort, and I laughed, but now I hold on to them as if they’re an anchor to a lifeline. “I—” The door swings open once again, this time hitting the interior wall and making me jump. A set of baby-blue eyes meet mine, and my stomach drops. The wind knocked out of me. I haven’t seen them in years, but they’ve haunted my dreams ever since.

Three years ago

 “Where is she?” my mother demands, entering the hospital. She received a phone call that my sister was brought in tonight, but no other information was given. “Ma’am—” “Where is my daughter?” she screams at the nurse, pounding on the check-in desk. I turn around to see my sister’s boyfriend walking toward us. His white T-shirt and jeans are covered in blood, and my chest tightens to the point it restricts my air. My mom’s legs give out when she sees him. “N-o,” she chokes, placing her shaking hand over her mouth. Walter catches her and holds her body to his, but his baby-blue eyes meet mine, sending a chill down my spine so cold, it’s paralyzing. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers. “She’s gone.” 

“Walter,” my brother growls, shoving me to the side and pulling me out of that memory, and steps in front of me.

#henry cavill characters #henry cavill x you #henry cavill imagine #walter marshall #august walker

[writerblue275]

The Heartsteel Members as Pies (with minimal explanation)

Inspiration: IT’S PI DAY, 3/14!!!! When I was younger, my math teachers would always do something fun for Pi day and bring something in, like a cookie cake. But I feel like the true sweet treat to celebrate this annual holiday is PIE (fucking duh). I love pie omg. So what kinds of pies do the Heartsteel members remind me of? Let’s talk about it. Is this headcanon a bit silly? Absolutely. Do I care? Not at all.

Genre: Mini Headcanon

Type: Silly, goofy, a little stupid, fluff.

Gender: N/A. Reader isn’t involved.

TW: None.

Aphelios

Cherry Pie

Like cherry pie, Aphelios is more complex than he might seem upon first glance. Just as cherry pie is a balance of tart cherries (not sweet like some might think), sugar, lemon juice, etc, Phel is a balance of sass, mischievousness, talent, love for his friends and family, and more.

Ezreal

Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie is bright, fun, happy, sweet (but not too sweet), and exudes an inner inviting tropical warmth (even though served chilled). Ezreal matches this sort of vibe perfectly and I can’t think of a better choice for him. Friendly, sweet, and a joy to be around, I look at Ez and just smile.

Kayn

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Strawberry rhubarb pie manages to showcase two stars without one completely overshadowing the other. A masterclass in balance, it wouldn’t be the same if you took one of those components away. Just as Kayn and Rhaast are both equally integral. You can’t really have one without the other. 🤷🏼‍♀️

K’Sante

Pumpkin Pie

One of my absolute favs. Rich, smooth, flavorful, warm and inviting, and a staple at any fall/winter holiday party. If pumpkin pie was sentient, she’d know she’s that girl. Just as K’Sante knows he is him. He’s smooth with his confidence, full of the spice of many different talents, and his personality just seems so inviting and warm.

Sett

Blueberry pie

Another absolute fav. Blueberry pie is such a staple for my family, especially since my dad is from Maine where a lot of blueberries grow. I associate blueberry pie with the warmth and cheer of summer family moments. Sett also reminds me of summer. He’s warm, kind, fun-loving, and his family is so important to him.

Yone

Apple Pie

So blueberry pie and pumpkin pie might be my two favorites, but I will gladly say that nothing completes a solid dessert selection like a good apple pie. A true classic that is lowkey the glue holding everything else together, just like our favorite all-star producer/band mom, Yone.

Thanks for reading! As I said, this was silly and a little stupid, but it brought me joy to do, so whatever! 😂 Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go run to the store and grab one of the little teeny personal pies. I made myself hungry.

#writerblue275 gremlin hours #Heartsteel #heartsteel fluff #heartsteel headcanons #headcanon #mini headcanon #heartsteel aphelios #heartsteel ezreal #heartsteel kayn #heartsteel k'sante #heartsteel sett #heartsteel yone

[austinelvisimagines]

Trouble

Austin Butler Elvis imagine

Word Count: 3.8k

Synopsis: After waiting tables at an Elvis concert you find yourself in trouble only to be saved by Mr. Presley himself. 

Warnings: There is a scene with a fairly violent assault but nothing explicitly sexual and it doesn’t get anywhere near it. 

You had been a waitress at the Cotton Club since you got out of Highschool two years ago in 1953. It wasn’t your life dream or anything, but it paid the bills and sometimes you got to meet the performers who played the club. Initially you had the night of the 6th off, but the club’s manager had asked you to come in anyways, apparently the singer for the night was expected to bring in a big crowd and the owners were worried they couldn’t handle it without all staff members being present. Oh well, all you were going to do was sit at home alone and drink the bottle of wine you’d been saving for a special occasion. You didn’t have a car but the walk to the club from your small studio apartment was only thirty minutes or so.

The club itself wasn’t very large, but with the fairly small Lubbock population, it didn’t need to be. Walking around to the back you ducked into the employee door and hung your purse on the hooks provided just outside the kitchen.

“Joe?” you called out for your manager, assuming he had to be somewhere nearby. You heard the man before you saw him.

“Y/N, is that you? I’m sorry to call you in on such short notice. I really appreciate your- fuck!” You hid your laugh behind your hand as Joe came into view, knocking his meaty hip into the corner of the food prep counter.

“It’s no problem, Joe. I had nothing better to do anyways.” You walked around the counter, tying your bubblegum apron around your waist.

“Who’s the artist anyways? Must be someone important if y’all really think we need all hands on deck.” Joe rubbed his balding head before looking you over.

“If that’s true we need to get you a better social life kiddo. Anyways, he’s a singer, real up and coming. I don’t know that we’ll need you all for sure, but I’ll feel better knowing you’re here. You’re our best girl, ya know?”

“That’s only because of my distinct lack of a social life.” You clapped your hand over Joe’s shoulder and began to move past him towards the double doors that led into the concert hall.

“I’m going to start stocking the wait station and the bar well. Let me know if there’s anything you need me for.” The man only nodded vaguely, distracted by a sticky spot on the counter.

You shook your head before making your way through the tables that surrounded the vacant stage. After stocking the straws and cocktail napkins you went behind the bar and began cutting lime and orange wedges. Technically you weren’t a barback, but the bartenders always appreciated your help and made sure your drinks were served first throughout the night. Looking up at the sound of the kitchen door you saw one of the younger waitresses glide into the room, humming under her breath. You smiled to yourself. “Hello, Lorna. You sure are chipper.”

The blonde perked up, apparently unaware of your presence until now. “Oh, Y/N!” She clutched her hands to her chest and sighed dreamily.

“How could I not be? We’re going to meet Elvis.” She dragged the unfamiliar name out wistfully and spun coquettishly, her thick skirt fanning out around her.

“Who?” You looked up at her from the table you were currently wiping down.

“Who?!” She shrieked and covered her mouth.

“Elvis!” She looked at you expectantly as if saying the name for a second time would clear things up. You widened your eyes a little and moved your chin forward.

“Elvis! Elvis the Pelvis!” She shook her head and threw her hands up.

“He’s only the hunkiest man who ever lived! My cousin saw him a few months ago and she won’t shut up about it.” Her hand was on her hip now and the other was extended conspiratorially.

“The joke’s on her though because I’m going to meet him and I’m going to make him fall in love.” She popped the gum in her mouth as she closed out her sentence.

You chuckled before straightening up and moving on to the next table. “No, I don’t think I’ve heard of him. Besides, there’s no guarantee that you’ll meet him.”

“That’s because you live under a rock. I absolutely will meet him though, Joe said I can wait on Elvis personally. I bought a new skirt just for the occasion.” She spun again and then twirled a perfect curl around her finger.

“Yes, you look very pretty. Now help me wipe down these tables and put the flowers out.” You threw a rag at her and she huffed.

“Fine, but if I chip a nail or my hair falls and Elvis doesn’t fall head over heels for me, I’m blaming you.” She glared playfully at you as you laughed.

“If he’s so famous, I don’t think either of those will be the reason he’s not smitten.” A half hour later the rest of the tables were ready. Lorna had disappeared before you had finished, but the other waitresses had steadily filed in and helped. They were all practically bouncing off the walls with excitement and you had heard more than a few of them sigh out, ‘Elvis Presley’ in between their hushed giggles.

Moving back into the kitchen you ran into Joe who was mopping his forehead with a yellowed handkerchief.

“Y/N, there you are! Is everything ready?” The vein in his neck looked about ready to burst and you wondered just how important this ‘Elvis’ was to have Joe so stressed out.

“We’re all set, everyone is here, tables are clean, bar is stocked, and I assume you took care of the kitchen delegation.” You ticked everything off on your fingers and looked at him expectantly.

“Okay good, we’ll have our staff meeting and then I want doors opened, there’s already a massive line and they’re getting restless.” The man swiveled around you and went back into the main hall, calling out for all your coworkers to meet him in the pit below the stage.

After the meeting everyone dispersed to their sections and the hostesses moved to open the main doors and let the crowd in. An hour on and you were swamped; Joe wasn’t kidding, the house was packed. There was an opening act on stage, a young comedian who had the crowd politely laughing, but you could sense they were impatient for the main attraction. Grabbing your drinks from the bar, you weaved through customers and employees alike as the lights dimmed and the comedian closed out his act. Your master of events came out on stage and walked up to the microphone.

“Give it up for the funny man, ladies and gents!” He paused for the demure round of applause before continuing.

“Now, I know what’ you’re all here for and I know you’re getting antsy. So, I’m here to tell you that the wait is over. Without further ado, give it up for Mr. Elvis Presley!” He walked offstage to raucous applause that wasn’t for him. Yet, as the singer’s heavy steps sounded across the stage the room fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even your coworkers around you had stopped moving and were instead staring intently at the stage. Then there was the sound of a microphone’s hiss; Guitar wrapped around his body the man focused his gaze and the room froze. Then, in a deep southern drawl.

“Thank you for having me here tonight; my name is Elvis Presley and I’m going to sing a few songs.” His blue eyes were ringed in soft black eyeliner and his full lips seemed to be hugging the microphone. Looking to his band behind him, he nodded and then strummed an opening cord.

“Oh, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.” Suddenly he was jerking his hips forward and throwing his head to the side. Looking around, you saw that every girl in the place was laser focused on the man. Breaking from your spot you continued walking to your next table to clear their empty glasses and see if they needed anything else. The woman at the table waved you off while the gentleman with her looked at you apologetically and asked for a water. You nodded and went off to get it, sparing only a second to glance up at the singer.

For a moment it seemed as if his eyes landed on you, and he sang.

“Come back, baby, I wanna play house with you.” You walked back towards the bar. He sprang into more evocative dance moves and suddenly there were girls screaming at the top of their lungs. You jumped as one near you let out a wail that seemed to burst out of her soul unbidden. Left and right, girls were clutching their chests and holding their faces in their hands. Some were bouncing in their seats, and you noticed a few were visibly clenching their legs together. You weren’t dumb, these girls were obviously imagining ripping the man’s clothes off. Leaning against the bar you turned your head to it’s tender, Murray.

“I see why they call him the Pelvis now.” You threw a rag over your shoulder. Murray cracked a smile.

“You’d think these girls had never been turned on before.”

You barked out a laugh.

“They probably haven’t!” He laughed along before asking if you needed anything. You didn’t, having decided to leave your tables alone since you were clearly little more than a nuisance to most of their occupants while their attention was on Mr. Presley. You weren’t blind, he was definitely attractive and his obscene dance moves did speak to some primal part of you, but you also knew that he was likely a rake and would never give a girl like you the time of day.

Later, after closing the club with Lorna (who wouldn’t shut up about her brief interactions with Elvis), you were ambling on your way home. The streets were dark and quiet, most everyone tucked into their beds at two in the morning. You were about halfway home passing an alleyway when you heard something behind you. Turning, you saw a man emerging from the shadows. He was clearly intoxicated and started shouting in your direction.

“Hey there pretty girl.” The words came slurred, and he ambled sloppily in your direction. You turned and kept walking.

“Where’re you going so late lil girl?” You rolled your eyes at the sound of the man’s voice and quickened your pace, but you didn’t get very far before you felt a hand grabbing your hair and yanking you back into a barrel chest.

Yelping, you screamed. “Get the fuck off me, creep!”

The man only laughed and leaned down to whisper in your ear.

“It ain’t polite to ignore a man who’s talking to you.” He reached down and grabbed your breast with one hand while the other wrapped around your neck. Tears welled in your eyes before you slammed your heel down into his foot and he screamed, then let you go for a moment.

“You little bitch!” You turned to run but he fisted his hand into your skirt, and you fell to the ground, scraping your arms and hands on the pavement. The man flipped you over and crawled his way on top of your body. Thrashing around, you tried to buck him off, but he was too strong. You threw your hands into his face trying to push your fingers into his eyes. You vaguely registered the sound of tires screeching and a car door slamming before a shout rang into the air.

“Hey, get off her!” Suddenly the man on top of you disappeared with a groan as a tall figure hauled his frame to the ground a fair bit away from you. You crawled backwards on your hands until your back hit wall. In front of you, your savior was pummeling your assailant and you couldn’t help but enjoy the sight. Served the scum right.

The asshole was unconscious, and the mystery man straightened and looked in your direction before making his way to you. You pulled back towards the wall and hid your face in your hands as he got closer and he stopped in his tracks, crouching down with one leg cocked a bit behind the other.

“Hey, it’s okay, I ain’t gonna hurt ya.” He held his hands up and you peeked from behind yours before slowly bringing them down to your knees. You looked at him, observing the dark hair that hung in his face. He smiled.

“My name’s-”

“Elvis.” You breathed out his name in unison with him. He ducked his head with a chuckle.

“Yeah, that’s me. What’s yours? Name that is.” His elbows rested on his knees and his hands hung between his legs.

“Y/N.”

“Are you okay?” You nodded slowly, not trusting your voice. Lorna was going to flip. He shifted his weight to his front leg and stretched his hand out towards you.

“Let me help you up.” You gently placed your hand in his very large one and his fingers curled around yours. You stood together and you winced at the small amount of force he exerted against your sensitive palms. Noticing, he let go quickly.

“I’msorry, did I hurt you?” His eyebrows flew into his hair.

“No! No, I scraped my palms up on the pavement when he-” you stopped in your tracks. He spoke softly, his deep voice obviously trying, and succeeding to sound soothing.

“It’s okay, Y/N. That piece of shit ain’t goin’ nowhere, and he definitely ain’t gon’ hurt you again. Can I see?” He gestured to your hands which you were holding gingerly to your chest. You haltingly extended one towards him and he carefully held it, palm up, to his scrutinization. He used his fingers to gently pry yours apart and lightly ran the tip of one along your palm. He repeated the action after reaching for your other hand. He seemed extremely focused when he pulled your wrists up and observed the scrapes that ran down the sides of your forearms. The action had caused you to unknowingly step closer to him and you could observe his face more closely now that his attention was preoccupied. He really was handsome, and strong. He ran his tongue against his full lips absentmindedly before his eyes flickered up to yours. His gaze was piercing, and you felt your throat close in response. He held his eyes for a beat longer before letting go of your hands.

“Nothing too bad, but we should get you cleaned up, doll.” You choked out a soft ‘okay,’ then he was turning in the unconscious man’s direction. You thought, I forgot he was even here, before focusing on Elvis who was talking again.

“-and they can come get this asshole.” He was looking at you expectantly.

“I-I’m sorry, I got distracted. What did you say?” You felt embarrassed at having missed what he said.

“That’s alright, mama.” He smiled softly at you.

“I was just saying that I’m going over to that payphone over there and I’ll call the police to come get this jerk.” He nodded in the direction of a payphone that was a few light posts away.

“Oh, okay yeah.” You looked at the man on the ground to be sure he wasn’t getting up anytime soon. Elvis noticed your glance.

“you’ll be okay, I promise. I won’t let nothin’ happen to you.” You nodded your head believing what the man said and watched as he turned towards the phone. He half jogged his way there and quickly dialed the number for emergency services. He turned and watched you as he spoke, and you were actually glad for the bit of distance between the two of you. You were suddenly processing the events of the last hour and realizing the gravity of what had almost happened. You were too busy noticing how pretty Elvis Presley really was up close to even think about the situation at hand. You were broken from your thoughts when the pretty boy in question came to a stop next to you.

“The police are on their way.”

“Thank you.” You felt stupid for not having said it earlier.

“I- I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come.”

“Don’t thank me, I was just doin’ what any man should do.” He smiled softly. You were about to reply when you saw two squad cars turn the corner towards you. They came to a stop about fifteen feet away and the officers inside got out.

“I heard you were in town today.” The officer speaking was glaring at Elvis.

“Should’ve known you’d be involved in this, boy.”

“I was just helping this lovely lady, Sir.” He spat the last word out and straightened his back. You weren’t sure what was going on but assumed that cops and Elvis didn’t necessarily get along. If all the hullaballoo at the concert was any indication, it was logical that the man had a bit of a bad boy reputation. You didn’t care though; he had saved you. You stepped forward from Elvis’s side.

“Officer, I don’t know what you think is going on here, but this man likely saved my life and did most of your job for you. The man you ought ‘a care about is layin’ over there.” You gestured over to the crumpled excuse of a man. After getting both yours and Elvis’s statements the officers put your attacker in handcuffs and pushed him into the back of a squad car. They gave you their information and said they would be in touch within the next few days. Watching the two cars pull away you turned to Elvis again.

“I really can’t thank you enough Mr. Presley. I’m sorry to have kept you so late. I’m sure you have somewhere you need to be.” You ducked your head and pushed the hair that fell in your face behind your ear. His hands were in his pockets, and he tucked his tongue into his cheek before rocking on his heels.

“I still don’t know why you’re thanking me. I should thank you for standing up for me just now.” You let out a short laugh before clapping your hand over your mouth.

“No, that was nothing. Definitely not lifesaving.” He smiled and bounced his chin.

“No, but I appreciate it. Lot of folks that think I’m evil.” He flashed a wink so fast you could’ve missed it.

“Evil?” You smirked.

“You might be a rake, but you’re not evil.”

“A rake?!” He clutched his hand to his heart.

“Ma’am, I’m just a man who likes to sing, ain’t my fault that pretty girls like the way I dance.”

“Oh, is that what it is?” You crossed your arms over your chest.

“You tell me, pretty girl.” He looked at you from under his eyelashes with a small smile.

“Oh, ho, ho, definitely a rake. Only a rake can flirt that good.”

“You’re killing me!” He took his hands out of his pockets and held car keys in one of them.

“Can the rake take you home?”

“Oh no!” You were not going to inconvenience him any further.

“That’s okay. I can walk, it’s not far.”

“Then it’ll be a short drive.” He walked over to his car that was still stopped in the street and held the passenger door open for you.

“Come on, I insist.” You hesitated, looked back at the sidewalk before turning toward the car and made your way over while his grin widened. A short time later Elvis was pulling to a stop in front of your building.

“Well thank you, again.” You moved to open your door when he stopped you with a hand on your arm. He spoke softly, his blue eyes deeply earnest.

“Let me get that.” He got out and came around to your side before he pulled the door open and held out a hand to help you. You grabbed it and let him guide you from your seat. He made sure you were firmly planted on the ground before turning to shut the door. When he faced you again his eyes were soft, and his mouth hung open slightly.

“Here we are.” He took your hands gently in his before looking up at the building. You looked up at his sharp jawline and made a quick decision.

“I could use some help patchin’ up the scrapes that I can’t see very well.”

“Careful lil mama, somebody might think you’re inviting a rake up to your apartment.” He smiled cheekily and dipped his head down. You scoffed.

“Well never mind then.” You pulled your hands away from his and walked over to the stairs that led into the building.

“Goodnight, Mr. Presley.” He ran over to you, one arm reaching for your hand.

“Wait, wait, wait. I was just foolin’ I’m sorry. May I please help?” He was a step below you when your hands touched again, and you looked down at the place they met.

“I’m sure you need to get going, you’re on a tour, aren’t you?” You knew you shouldn’t, but you really wanted to drag him up the stairs to your apartment. He looked frustrated. His eyes scrunched together, and he seemed to stall out before he spoke.

“No- well yes, I’m on tour, but I ain’t got nowhere else to be right now. I wanna be here, with you.”  Ugh, you couldn’t help it. He was a bona fide dreamboat and he wanted to come to your apartment. Rake or not, this was Elvis the Pelvis, and you hadn’t been laid since your last boyfriend.

“I’m not that kind of girl.”

“I didn’t say you were.” He was closer now, still a step below, but his hands had moved up your arms and rested on your waist. He looked up at you and the breath flew out of your lungs. It should be a sin to look at someone the way he was looking at you. “But now that I met ya, I wanna know ya, darlin’. Don’t you wanna know me?” His eyes were open wide and if you didn’t know any better, you’d believe he really thought you could say no. Your teeth worried at your bottom lip as you made up your mind.

“You’re gonna be trouble Mr. Presley.” His smile turned devilish, and he rose as if to kiss you, one hand at the back of your head.

“Call me Elvis, baby.”

“Well come on up, I guess.” You smiled before trapping your lip between your teeth. He surged forward, wrapping his strong arms around your body. His lips dominated yours as he threaded fingers through your hair.

Lorna wasn’t going to flip; she was going to slip into a murderous rage.

Okay look, this fell out of me yesterday and I definitely don’t hate it, but it’s just a jumping off point which is why I didn’t take it past the final scene. If I got to 4k I’d feel like I had to make a full length fic. Let me know what you think and feel free to send in requests. 

-LM

#Elvis #Elvis 2022 #Austin Butler #elvis/reader #elvis imagine #austin elvis imagine

[sweetmuffynsblog]

What?

This is the EPILOGUE part! To be honest, i don't want to write thd EPILOGUE but then i decided that you deserve it! So enjoy!

You accompanied your father to attend his duty as The King. Now that he grows old and exposed to the infection caused by the Swords on the Iron Throne which makes him cannot walk properly, you are the real power behind the King.

Being the Heir, you ensure your people's life comes first than anything else, you give them proper jobs, give them home, criminal rates in the King's Landing and all of the Westeros are so low, you give the men the lands to plant the seeds for agriculture and always ensured that the payement for them are not conveted by their superior, you got that help from Ser Harwin Strong, the commander of the City Watch himself always making sure that the common folks get the pays as what they deserved. Common folks adore you, you are the constant name in their lips everytime they pray to their Gods. Much more than your father nor your great-grandfather's.

Your father passed away peacefully, in his bedside, he was accompanied by both of his eldest grandsons, your sons, Aemon and Baelon, both named after two of the supposedly Kings, your sons grow up to be the most unalike yet so alike children ever, Aemon, the firstborn is a cunning and politically ambitious but so kind, he is very fit to be a ruler just like you, meanwhile, Baelon is very much like his namesake, brave, and hot tempered like his father, but exceptionally kind. Since your labor that traumatized your husband, he vows to never let you fall pregnant again, yet, Alyssa and Visenya Targaryen were born three and five years into your marriage, much to your pleasure and Daemon's freaking out.

You are crowned in fourth day of the fourth moon in 129 AC, a day and a month after the late King passed, the members of the councils want you to be crowned as soon as possible but you tell them to wait, because grieving is more important, you and your sister were already went passed this when your mother had died but they never give you a time to properly grieving her, resulting a very bad choices in both of your sides.

You are also very thankful that Aegon doesn't turn out horrible like what you saw in the fire, and your sister Rhaenyra is very sweet, a mother to three beautiful children with white hair and purple eyes, perfect combination of Velaryon and Targaryen, you somehow find it hilarious that Laenor and Rhaenyra are be able to manage for having three children together despite their same likeness towards 'Dicks'. But you are happy nonethless.

Alicent is distressed, you can see by one look in her face, you face her with a questioning look, "what's bothering you, Dowager Queen?"

"it's Aegon, Your Grace," she says, you look at her,

"what happened to him?"

"i want him to marry! Preferably to Helaena but he doesn't seem to keen to the idea?"

"Aegon is a Prince, he can do whatever he wants." you say, shrugging your shoulder, while sitting and pour a wine for her, "and for Helaena, Aemon and Daeron, are same. Especially Helaena, you should ask her opinion first before make her marrying Aegon. It is great if they love each other but what if not? They are siblings, and it will not good if they resent each other while in marriage."

Alicent looks at you with a wide eyes, "but, isn't it women's duty to marry whoever their parents want them to marry?" Alicent asks make you let out a chuckle, she sits infront of yoy and you look at the younger woman, yes, she's younger than you by a few years but still your stepmother,

"you, me and Rhaenyra were the example for a forcing marriage by our parents, and you know how it ended. Sometimes the marriage is bearable and we can find a love in it but many times it ended horrible. Especially for us, women. I guess you can understand right? I don't want any other Targaryen Women facing the same thing as us did, and one day i can chance that women can choice anyone they want. And Helaena will be the first. She is a good girl and will be a good wife and mother one day, ask her, if she has eye for anyone, and if she doesn't, then we wait couple more years, it's not like we will get poor just because we keep our daughters. And she is the daughter of the King and the Sister of the Queen, i don't think those sheeps paraded themselves as noble lords can tamed the Dragon in her." you grinned, while Alicent lets out a defeated sigh, she knows very well that your reasoning is very logical,

"well, Helaena's maid told me that she and Rhaenyra's boy are close."

"Nyra's? Which one? Jace or Luce?"

"The second." and you let out a good laugh,

"you and Rhaenyra will be In Laws..." you tease her while she lets out a huff, makes you laugh harder, "well, i know that both of you have a slightly problem at each other, but honestly, you should call it truce because maybe both your children will end up together." you bring the cup towards you and play with it, "besides, first love never die, yes?"

Alicent gives you unbelief look, while you sip your wine and enjoying her reactions,

"how?'

"i know a lot of things, i just happen to not show it." you smirk at her, she huffs again and massage her temple,

"damn you."

"i am always damn great, thank you so much."

***

Daemon finds you in a small council meetings, he is a Master of Law, while Corlys as Master of Ship, Lyonel Strong still a Hand, and his son, Larys is a Master of Whispers, and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is the Mistress of Coins, you chance Grand Maester Mellos's position and give it fo Grand Maester Gerald and you don't want to chance your Queensguard and insisted that Ser Harrold Westerling becomes your commander, many has adviced you to chance it to Ser Criston Cole but you still hold a grudge against him when he killed your bestfriend, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth. He smiles and giving you a kiss in your temple, while Corlys and others snickered. He knows everyone already used to both of you doing display of affection,

"let's begin this meeting, shall we?"

***

"I'm hungry." you tell Daemon as soon as both of you step outside of the council meeting, he smiles at you and kiss your nose, both of you walk hand in hand to the King's solar or in this case, Queen's solar. Daemon open the door and both of you are smiling when you are attacked by hugs and kisses,

"muña! Kepa!" mother. Father. You welcome the hugs and kisses then laugh filled the air, "how is the meeting?" you look at the little girl who ask, barely a ten years old but really love the knowledge.

"the meeting went smooth, thankfully, that's why we can come here and eat with you." you tell her, Alyssa, your first daughter let out a snort which make you laugh harder, while Visenya, your youngest daughter places herself in her father's lap, your older sons sit in their chair but not before giving you both big kiss on the cheek. You and Daemon always making sure to show affections and making all of them feel loved without leaving the other. That's why your children are very adored by common folks because they are not cold like others.

"is Ser Criston whines again?" Visenya asks make you laugh, Aemon shoot his sister looks but he couldn't hide the amuse smile in his lips,

"when is he never whine?" Daemon retord and everyone laugh, it's always like this, while everyone jokes around and talking shit about Lords and Ladies of The Court that the children find annoying, it happens to Ser Cole's time.

Tok tok...

"enter." your maid, Alina or now Lady Alina or Melissandre enters, "what happened, Ali?"

"a letter from Harrenhall, Your Graces." she gives you a letter with Strong insignia, then bows to you, you open the letter and instantly your mood chances, you swallowed the lump in your throat and pass the letter to your husband, after he reads it, you look at each other and let out a sigh.

"are Lord and Lady Velaryon aware of this?" you ask her, Alina nods,

"yes." you sigh again and wipe your tears,

"what happened?" Baelon asks, you give him a forced smile,

"your aunt, Laena was passed away due to the childbirth."

Laena was married to Harwin Strong and both were lived in Harrenhall, she already gave birth to a twin girls before, Baela and Rhaena, and was pregnant again despite Maester's warning, you thought she was going to be ok since you always make sure to send the best ingredients to make a tonics for her. You look at your children,

"i am going to accompany the guards to bring Laena's body back." you tell them, Daemon nods, you look at Alina and she goes to your chamber and prepares your riding dress, the Targaryen colours. After you changed, you hug your children and kisses their forehead before plant a kiss to your husband's lips, "see you, my loves."

You and your family walk out from the chamber, to find the Velaryons already awaited for you. There's unshed tears in their eyes and Rhaenys immediately engulfs you into hug, you hug her back,

"we will bring her body back, and her children into Red Keep. Here, she will have a funeral procession fits of a Princess." you tell everyone, "she is a blood of the Dragons."

***

You mount your dragon, Vanarr, while Rhaenys mounts her Meleys, Laenor mounts his Seasmoke and Rhaenyra her Syrax. While the Royal Guards stand outside and begins their ride to Harrenhall, with horses, the ride will be long, up to weeks, but with Dragons, you arrived just exact three hours later. The courtyard filled with a Lords and Ladies in Riverlands, everyone gives you bows and curtsy when you get off your dragon and let him fly. Everyone parted for the Royal Family that come to bring their member back, that's what happened to Princess Daella Targaryen when she passed away after given birth to your mother, her nephews, nieces and brothers came and fetch her body and bring along her child. You see Harwin Strong stands with his daughters, arms in both their shoulders, he gives you bows while the girls attempted to curtsy,

"no. Don't, my sweetlings." Your heart break at their sight and bring them to hug, Baela hugs you with both of her hands but refused to crying, while her younger twin clutches her dragon egg tightly and crying in your arms, "it's ok. Yeah? We will go to King's Landing, sure?"

You let go of the girls, as they embrace their grandmother, you walk to Ser Harwin, "my deepest condolences, Ser." you say while he only nods, "i will take Laena's body with me to King's Landing. And she will have the funeral procession of the Old Valyria."

"but, Your Grace-" you know he wants his Lady wife to has a funeral in the way Faith of the Seven has but you can't let it happen, no matter what, Laena was a blood of old Valyria, a Dragon's daughter, she deserved the Valyrian procession.

"she was a daughter of the Targaryen Princess. She was a blood of the Dragon, it's her rights."

***

A funeral of Laena going smoothly, you command your dragon and she light a fire to hers and her son's body. The two girls are still grieving, You have to step in and give them love they deserve. They look up on you in everything and Alyssa and Visenya treated them like their sisters.

Your children grow up well, now it's the time for them to choose a marriage partner, Your first born son wished to marry Daenaera Velaryon, despite you really wished him to considered either Baela or Rhaena but he told you that he loves both of them as he loves Alyssa and Visenya. Thus, you and your husband agreed that he will marry Daenaera, the proposal comes from Dorne, they want a peace alliagance, they proposed to marry their Princess to your second born son, Baelon and one of your daughter to them, which you agreed after considered your children's opinion, Dorne then bend the kness to you. Alyssa is the one who marry into house Nymeros Martell of Dorne, While your brother Aegon takes a Lady of the House Celtigar, an old Targaryen Loyalist of Old Blood Valyria, you allow him, it's not everyday your brother really wants something, your other brother, Aemond asks your permission to marry Visenya which you grant him because you see Visenya also smitten with her uncle, while your youngest brother Daeron opted to become a Maester in Oldtown, you want to refused but he insisted, that's why you grant him. Baela was supposed to wed Jacaerys Velaryon but she refused and wed her other cousin, Alyn Velaryon instead, while your nephew takes a Tyrell girl to be his wife, Lucerys wed Helaena as they both wished while Joffrey opted the Knight time and you offered him a position in the Queensguard, which he happily agreed. Rhaena married Ser Corwyn Cobray of the Vale, they both love each other so you let him.

Your reign is very peaceful, people call you "The God's Gift", "The Realm's Pleasure" and the "Blessed Queen". From your reign, the law changes, every firstborn child no matter wether it's male or female, he or she will inherited the Throne and no one will challenge them as long as they are not Maegor the Cruel reborn. You stop the long decades war of the Faith, and bring Dorne into the Seven Kingdoms, there's a lot of Dragons that hatches, the House Targaryen is powerful than ever. The common folks's life are better than ever, King's Landing get rid of it foul smell, criminal rate is low.

You decided to abdicate in the favor of your son and heir after he's in age, then you and your husband mount your dragons then begin your travelling, both of you release the Queen and her consort's attribute in you and become a normal Dragon Rider, you go to Pentos, and to Yi Ti, Qarth even Old Valyria, you travel as far as to the Lands of the Always Winter, becomes the second Targaryen Queen after Alyssane Targaryen to do so, you go to Essos, to the Free Cities and even Dothraki's region, the Great Grass Sea, and even to the Ulthos and Mussovy, before both of you decided to stay in Pentos and guard them against the Triarchy.

You and Daemon enjoying your stay, you miss your children, sometimes Visenya will fly to you with her dragon, but you know they will manage it. Then the legend about the two of you begins, The Sell Sword and his Lady wife who ride two magnificent Dragons, they don't know if you are noble or just a Valyrian Bastards, they only know Daemon and Y/N Of Pentos, the Dragon Riders.

End! Aaaa screaming😭❤ thank you! Btw my boy Laenor here is a Bi and his sons are true born sons, ok!

#rhaenyra icons #daemon targaryen #queen rhaenyra #rhaenyra targaryen #the house of the dragon #daemon x rhaenyra #daemon x reader #daemon au #daemon prince #aemond targaryen #house targaryen #princess rhaenys targaryen #targaryensource

[ystrike1]

Here Comes the Silver Spoon - By Portofino (8/10)

This is so specifically for me. Our main girl is a calculating bitch. The love interest develops an obsession over time until he finally decides to use magic to bind her to him. There's an obsessive side character as well, and the villainess is calculating too. It's a battle of the bitches for the position worth the most money, and the art isn't bad either.

Adelaide Sergio is filthy rich. Stinkin rich. Her father loves her, and even though he's often away for work she knows her position is secure. Women can inherit territory in this setting, and Adelaide has put in the work. She speaks 5 languages. She wakes up at 5 to do paperwork. Her childhood friend is her fiance, because he's a skilled accountant with a decent face. Everything is falling into place. Her father isn't dying, but he'll be announcing his successor soon. Adelaide has two siblings, but she is far superior to both of them.

Oops. Her fiance, Jerox, is in love with her younger sister. That sucks, but hey she was going to marry him for convenience purposes. If they're in love she doesn't feel the need to stand in the way. Jerox said Adelaide was his only love a short three years ago, but things change. Noelle is her half sister, and she's deeply insecure about her impure blood. This story takes place in a novel called "Don't Trust Blonds". Noelle was the villain, and she's a truly gifted little bitch. Those are Adelaide's words, not mine. Adelaide didn't let Noelle go to the capital city, because that's where she'll die if she dares to covet the Crown Prince. Noelle is a bully who makes her enemies disappear. She's a popular sort of sociopath, but Adelaide never hated her completely, even though she knew everything. She didn't want Noelle to die pursuing the prince, so she encouraged her younger sister to stay home. Now, of course, Noelle wants to take over the household.

Kayden is Adelaide's half brother. He also knows Noelle is a bitch. He is also willing to kill Noelle for Adelaide. He is another half sibling, that got his purpose in life from Adelaide. He is her personal assassin, and he leads a gang of men who do her dirty work. Adelaide is the daughter of the richest Count. Her hands are not clean, but she is the sanest of the three siblings.

Noelle is a smart little bitch. She stole Jerox because heir candidates have to be married before they accept the title. Kayden is unmarried because he doesn't care about anyone but Adelaide, and he doesn't want to get in her way. Noelle desperately wants to get in her way. Adelaide didn't know she had to marry. Noelle has been hiding important letters and information from her. Now she only has two weeks to find a husband. She chooses Killian, a top ranked member of the Holy Knights.

He is the ideal candidate. He's not very interested in women. He's very handsome, polite, and good with a blade. His family is unknown, so he's not a political threat. It's also acceptable for noble women to marry Holy Knights because they're highly respected. In other words Adelaide won't have to deal with annoying noble in laws if she marries him. Her plan is frankly nuts. She asks him. He says no. She knew he'd say that, so she volunteers to work in his temple. So she can get close to him, and seduce him.

I didn't expect the side villainess to be so cruel, but she is. Sister Rebecca is a devoted servant of God. She has watched many noble girls waltz into the temple looking for a trophy husband. She believes Killian is on her side. Everybody begins to adore Adelaide quickly, because she's a beautiful hard worker, but Rebecca thinks it's all fake. She genuinely thinks Adelaide hasn't been doing any work. Her admirers are doing it for her. She knows it! Sister Rebecca tells Killian to watch Adelaide, because everyone knows he rejected her. Hence, he must dislike her. Sister Rebecca is a very toxic purist who seems to love bringing others down. Killian is not actually on her side, but he can't let Adelaide seduce him. He hates it when the others praise and adore her, because he's jealous. He doesn't want to keep his distance, but he has to.

He's the bastard son of the Emperor, and he has a possessive side that he's very aware of. He has never courted a woman because he doesn't want to tempt that side of himself. Also, being the wife of the Emperors bastard is a big problem. He tries to hold back, but he starts to shatter. Adelaide manipulates him into becoming enamored with her, and she accidentally creates a monster. After less than two weeks Killian doesn't care if she breaks the rules. He'll marry her anyway. Even she is shocked. Her plan didn't even finish brewing before he proposed. Adelaide was accused of threatening the farmers who provide food for the temple. It was a false accusation. Adelaide orchestrated the whole thing to earn his pity, but he proposes before the truth comes out. He doesn't care if she's a bitch or not.

Killan doesn't tell her about the secret of his birth. He asks the head of the temple to bind them. Adelaide is nervous but he ropes her into it. It's not just a prayer. It's an actual spell. Their marriage is permanent. Adelaide cannot divorce him. The icy mask he wore begins to fall away, and he becomes more passionate when she is fully his.

(Adelaide finds a dragon baby that will be relevant in the second season.)

When Adelaide returns home with her new man her father confirms that she will succeed him. He wraps his cloak around her, and he approves of the engagement. Noelle has lost but she's still fighting. Sadly, her attempts to discredit Adelaide will not work. Kayden and Killian are both highly devoted to her. Also, Kayden particularly despises Noelle. Also, Noelle is stuck with a weak ass accountant for a fiance. Season two will probably involve Noelle's fall from grace and a big fat Imperial wedding.

#yandere #male yandere #yandere male #yandere boy #recommendations #recs #rec #recommended #webtoon #Here Comes the Silver Spoon

[fukanouna]

Bound by a Thread: Chapter Three - Conflict

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Natasha Romanoff

Summary: After Ultron's defeat, Wanda moved to America and began her new life as an Avenger under the mentorship of Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow. Wanda doesn't know what to do with these new budding feelings she's experiencing around the redhead, while Natasha discovers she still does have a heart after what happened with Bruce. However, Natasha's dark past resurfaces and comes between them, and Wanda finds out that her powers might not be strong enough to stop it.

Chapters: ( Prologue ) ( One ) ( Two )

Chapter Summary: Natasha takes Wanda to see Pietro. Later, the Avengers finally find Rumlow.

Then Natasha hears a whistle...

Chapter Word Count: 3517

---

Wanda found herself falling into a routine.

Helen informed Steve and Tony the importance of Wanda visiting Pietro. Since Tony wasn't at the Compound as much as Steve, the billionaire left the decision and coordinating-making to the blonde super soldier, and Steve made sure Wanda visited her brother once a week like Helen suggested. When she wasn't traveling to Seoul, she was doing her usual training regiment with Steve and Natasha.

It was usually Steve or Sam that flew Wanda to Seoul on the Quinjet. The one time Clint was her pilot was due to a special occasion. Wanda didn't know all the details, but from what Vision could tell her, Steve, Sam, and Natasha were following a lead to find Rumlow, and perhaps, find other leads to members of HYDRA who were still in hiding.

The three of them were gone for five days.

When the veteran Avengers finally returned, aside from the usual scratches and bruises, they returned mostly unscathed. Natasha received the worst, a second-degree burn to her right shoulder from a flamethrower, and she considered herself lucky that she was able to dodge the blast of fire in time or it could have been much worse. Wanda couldn't help but fret over the other woman's condition, but Natasha kept waving her off and insisted she was fine to resume training Wanda.

"Gotta make sure you haven't slacked off while I was away," Natasha explained, her jade green eyes twinkling playfully despite the deep, dark bags below those eyes.

"I sparred with Barnes often, practiced flying with Vision, and kept up with my cardio," Wanda defended and gave the redhead a worried look as she followed her down the hallway. "Please rest, Natasha. You've only returned no more than two hours ago. When was the last time you changed your bandage?"

"It's not as bad as you think. You're fretting over nothing, Maximoff," Natasha coolly. She reached for the door handle to the woman's locker room, but Wanda used her powers to keep the door shut, causing the redhead to shoot her an annoyed look. "Wanda, let me in."

"I will not. Please, Natasha," Wanda tried again, refusing to back down. "There is no reason why my training cannot wait another day. You can kick my ass tomorrow."

The last remark was enough to pull a smile out of the other woman. Natasha relented for the moment and let go of the door, fully facing Wanda. "Our lead in hopes of finding Rumlow was a dead end. It did lead us to finding former STRIKE soldiers who created their own faction, but they had no idea of Rumlow's whereabouts. Steve and Sam are somewhat dejected by the discovery, but I still have a lot of energy and frustration to expend, even with my burns." When Natasha looked into Wanda's eyes, it finally dawned on her how seriously worried Wanda was for her. Her expression softened and she placed a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "How about we make a deal? Help me release all this pent-up energy and I will be the one to take you to Seoul next time."

Wanda couldn't stop herself from visibly perking up at the offer. It had been long time since it was just the two of them. She dearly missed the other woman's company.

Natasha's lips curved into an amused, crooked grin when she noticed Wanda seriously contemplating. "So… do we have a deal?"

"We have a deal but please do not push yourself," Wanda finally agreed, mimicking the redhead's smile. "But if you think about breaking your promise, just know that I will be deeply disappointed and will constantly pout in your presence for months."

"Sounds like absolute torture," Natasha laughed wholeheartedly while she held open the door to the women's locker room for the brunette. "Don't worry, though. You're the last person I want to disappoint."

---

True to her word, Natasha volunteered to fly Wanda to Seoul to visit Pietro the following week.

The visits never lasted more than two days and begin flying back to the compound on the third. Wanda and Natasha shared a small suitcase for the trip, with Natasha bringing an additional emergency backpack with basic first-aid supplies.

Wanda sat in the co-pilot's chair while Natasha piloted the Quinjet. Sam taught her that the ship had an auto-pilot function that had the coordinates to Dr. Cho's lab locked into the navigation system's database, but Natasha preferred piloting on her own. The redhead said it was better to be prepared for anything, no matter how quiet the skies seemed.

Helen greeted both of them with the same warmth as she always did, even more so since it had been so long since she saw Natasha. Wanda couldn't stop her expression from falling when Helen said there was no change in Pietro's brain activity, but instead shifted her line of thinking to the fact it was also a good thing. Pietro was still fighting; he was still there.

Once Helen and Natasha left her alone in the lab with her brother, Wanda took her usual spot beside Pietro's cradle. He looked so still and peaceful every time she visited, as if he was simply sleeping the day away, when in reality his usual appearance when he slept was messy, disheveled hair sticking out in all sorts of directions, mouth agape with drool that was accompanied by light snores. Wanda took for granted those moments with Pietro, and couldn't wait for the day for her brother to be running free and alive like before.

After she was finished, Wanda found Natasha lounging in the lobby on a couch, the space that connected to the hallway leading to the lab and the elevator. The former SHIELD agent was typing away at her laptop while sipping on an iced americano in a glass.

"Working?" Wanda asked while taking the spot beside the other woman.

"Just doing extensive research on what I'd like to buy when the semi-annual sale at Victoria's Secret comes around," Natasha answered smoothly, but Wanda knew the other woman well enough to know when she was joking. She could also see the way Natasha's eyes were quickly darting left and right as she scanned whatever document she was reading on the screen. Wanda guessed the other woman was still trying to find another hot trail that would lead the team to Rumlow. "Sorry I didn't get you anything when I went out for coffee with Helen. The shop didn't have any tea lattes." The redhead entered a few more keystrokes then closed her laptop shut, turning her body so she was fully facing Wanda. "How was your time with the speedster?"

"It's as Dr. Cho said. There's no change from last week's visit. It is both a good and a bad thing," Wanda spoke her feelings truthfully. "Regardless, I will wait as long as it takes and continue to do what I can for Pietro."

"He's lucky to have such an amazing sister," Natasha remarked with a smirk then took a sip of her iced Americano.

Wanda forced herself to ignore how the praise made her cheeks feel warm and decided to shift the topic elsewhere. "You mentioned before that you had a sister." For a split second, she could have sworn a pained expression crossed the spy's face at the mention of her sibling, but the look was gone as quick as it came.

"I did, yes." Natasha tilted her head to one side. "Curious?"

Wanda nodded, nervously twisting a ring on her finger. "It was the first time you ever brought up family. I thought… Widows didn't have family."

"You're right. We don't have family. Our parents real were either already dead by the time the Red Room took us in, or we were too young to remember who they were." Natasha sighed and looked up at the ceiling, jade green eyes clouded by memories of the past. "But for a special mission, I was part of fabricated family. For three years, I had a mom, a dad, and a little sister. My little sister, Yelena, wasn't aware that our family was just part of the mission, but looking back at it, her obliviousness to the whole thing made it feel more… genuine."

"It felt more real?" Wanda asked gently, to which Natasha nodded with a distant look.

"There were times where we really did feel like a family," the redhead admitted softly, though it seemed that she was admitting it to herself than to Wanda.

"What happened after the mission was complete?"

"Our parents resumed working under Dreykov while Yelena and I were sent back to the Red Room. We were separated. I resumed my training while Yelena was of age to begin hers." Natasha shrugged her shoulders then shook her head slowly as she recalled more memories from her childhood. "Haven't seen her since."

Wanda felt her heart tightened. Hearing Natasha's story made her realize how lucky she was that she had Pietro by her since the very beginning. Even now, it dawned on her how fortunate she was to still have her brother despite everything that has happened to them since they lost their parents. Natasha didn't explicitly verbalize her feelings towards Yelena, but it was obvious how much she meant to the other woman, blood related or not.

"Why have you not searched for her?" Wanda asked.

Natasha shrugged again. "Guilt. Fear. For three years, I lied to her and made her believe we were sisters. When the mission was over, I couldn't protect her from the Red Room. I don't even know if she survived the Red Room, and even if she did, she must hate me for deceiving her. So after I defected to SHIELD, I buried myself in work as an agent, and I'm still doing the same but as an Avenger."

Wanda's gaze softened at the redhead. "Clint mentioned you were trying to get the red out of her ledger."

"I've taken the lives of countless innocent people, Wanda. I'm aware that nothing I do will ever make up for that, but I want to at least do some good for the world." Natasha's voice was barely above a whisper, but it held so much emotion.

Wanda moved closer. When Natasha didn't move away, she placed her hand on top of hers. She felt Natasha flinch and worried she pushed too far, but to her surprise, Natasha laced their fingers together and gave her hand a squeeze. Wanda met the other woman's eyes and found a smile on her face. The brunette forced herself to ignore the heat that was growing in her cheeks and how soft Natasha's hand was.

Then the sound of both of their communicators went off.

Natasha answered hers first, and Steve's face appeared on the small screen.

"Rogers?"

"Sorry to cut the trip short, ladies, but I need you both to head over to the coordinates I've sent to your Quinjet."

Wanda exchanged surprised looks with Natasha. "What happened?" she asked.

Steve's expression turned dark.

"We found Rumlow."

---

It was only three hours ago when Wanda was in Seoul with Natasha to visit Pietro.

Now they were in the middle of a mini warzone located at the northern border separating Latvia and Estonia.

Brock Rumlow, now calling himself Crossbones, cut ties from HYDRA and formed his own band of mercenaries-for-hire, taking whatever black market job paid more and picking up strays who had nowhere else to go or held no other purpose in life other than rotting away on the streets to join him. He still held a powerful, commanding presence like when he was a part of STRIKE, and his men blindly followed his orders, no matter what those orders required of them.

For Steve, it didn't matter that Rumlow no longer had any current affiliation to HYDRA; what mattered that he did at all and that he needed to pay for his crimes. A man like Rumlow was too dangerous to be allowed to do as he pleased in the world.

Wanda agreed.

There wasn't any time for a complete debrief of the situation before Wanda and Natasha were thrown into the battlefield as civilians from a small nearby village were being held hostage and contained in a bunker that was once used in World War I, now repurposed into a new base of operations for Rumlow's dealings. They joined up with Steve, Sam, and Bucky, facing the Rumlow and majority of the mercenaries. Tony, Vision, and Clint (who joined in on the rescue at the captain's request) were in charge of infiltrating the bunker to rescue the civilians.

Wanda tag-teamed with Sam and attacked from the air, while the other three fought on ground. The brunette kept a closer eye on Natasha's six compared to the guys and summoned force fields with her powers to shield the ground team from gunfire when needed. She knew Natasha was an incredible and capable fighter, but she wasn't a super soldier, a god, or a Hulk -- she was still made of flesh and blood.

Over their communicators, Clint relayed to the rest of the team that his end managed to rescue all hostages from the bunker, with Vision in charge of escorting them to safety and away from the battlefield while he and Tony fend off any mercenaries behind them.

Rumlow had new mechanical arms attached to him that put his punches on par with a super soldier, but Steve and Bucky teamed up together to take him down. The moment Rumlow was officially taken down, the rest of his men stopped fighting and surrendered to the Avengers. Maria Hill and other operatives from SHIELD arrived to take the mercenaries into custody, with extra precautions taken on Rumlow. Steve intended on interrogating the former HYDRA operative on The Winter Soldier Program, not wanting to take any other chances that could compromise Bucky again.

While Sam helped Maria's men lead the captured band of mercenaries into the carrier helicopters, Wanda turned her head towards the forest on the opposite side from them, where a fog was growing thicker, almost ominously. She heard the sound of a faint whistle coming from inside the fog. The whistle sounded both wistful and somber, almost heartbreaking, and Wanda couldn't understand why she was having this feeling. She wondered if Natasha also felt the same because the redhead also turned her head in the direction of the whistle. However, Natasha paled and her eyes widened the longer she listened to the whistle. When Natasha started heading towards the woods, Wanda called out to her.

"Natasha, where are you going? We'll be returning to the compound soon!"

"I need to check something. Go back to the Quinjet and wait for me there," Natasha answered, not looking back.

"Alone? I can come with you," Wanda offered, jogging right behind the other woman.

"NO!" Natasha snapped harshly in a way Wanda never heard before, the spy still keeping her back to the brunette. "I said go back to the Quinjet. That's an order, Maximoff. Tell Rogers and Hill I'll be back soon."

Without another word, Natasha ran straight into the fog and was soon enveloped by it. Alarm bells were ringing in Wanda's mind and Natasha's odd behavior was the reason. Was it the sound of the whistle? That's when Natasha started to act strangely. A part of Wanda knew she should go to Steve first, but her feet were already moving and chasing after Natasha into the fog.

Even with all her conditioning and cardio training, Wanda was a snail in comparison to the older woman. Wanda's lungs burned as she dashed into the fog, but she saw no sign of her Natasha. Seconds later, Wanda found herself in a clearing where the fog wasn't as thick. The forest was still and quiet. After the constant sound of gunfire and explosions for the past few hours, the silence was unnerving. Wanda tensed, immediately on edge, with her glowing eyes trying to scan her surroundings despite the fog.

"WANDA, GET DOWN!"

Everything went by so fast.

Wanda registered both the sound of several gunshots and the impact of being tackled down into the dirt by a familiar figure, a sweet scent wafting into her nose from soft red locks. It wasn't enough to distract her from the mild pain from having the air pushed out from her lungs as Wanda groaned to push herself up while holding onto the other woman.

"N-Natasha?" Even in the fog, she was able to make out the blood running down Natasha's left, panic suddenly bursting forth. "Natasha!"

Natasha hissed in pain as her arms wrapped tightly around Wanda and forced both of them to roll several times to the right as more gunshots followed them. "Wanda, take us to the sky and get us out of here! Now!"

With glowing red eyes, Wanda slid one arm around Natasha's waist and used her free arm to propel them into the air with her magic, pushing them towards the direction of the rest of the team. They were high enough in the air where they could see the top of the blanket of fog that covered the forest, but the lights coming from the Quinjets and other aircrafts brought in by Maria. Wanda held onto Natasha tightly while they were airborne, though Natasha was holding her just as tight, still hissing through her teeth in pain.

They landed right in front of the team, all of them quickly surrounding them.

"What happened?!" Maria questioned while running over to Natasha and swinging one of the redhead's arms over her shoulder.

"I'm fine, Hill," Natasha muttered weakly, a hand over her injury.

"No, you're not. You're bleeding, Romanoff," Maria snapped.

"Someone shot at us. Natasha protected me," Wanda cried worriedly.

"Impossible. I made sure the area was clear of anyone else," Tony said.

Steve turned to Sam and Vision. "Scout the area again and find this mysterious shooter. We can't let them get away."

"I'll check the ground," Clint offered.

Steve nodded. "Stay sharp, Barton. Especially with this fog."

Sam and Vision nodded and flew into air towards the direction were Wanda and Natasha came from while Clint jogged after them from the ground.

Wanda could only watch as Maria handed off Natasha to the medic team with guilt bubbling deep in the pit of her stomach.

---

Back at the Compound, the team regrouped in med bay, sans Tony and Maria.

The bullet grazed Natasha's side that caused bleeding, but fortunately none of the other shots fired hit her or Wanda directly. Natasha sat atop of the examination table, in leggings and a sports bra with a bandage tightly wound around her abdomen.

"How are you feeling?" Steve asked.

"Fine," Natasha replied tersely. Steve raised a questioning brow but said nothing.

"Natasha…" Wanda began. She flinched when Natasha snapped her head in her direction and glared harshly at her.

"You disobeyed my direct order, Maximoff," Natasha spoke with a hardened tone. "I told you to go back to the Quinjet."

"I wasn't going to leave you alone," Wanda protested.

"I can take care of myself."

"But someone was out there and--"

"Need I remind you that the only reason I was shot in the first place was because I had to cover your ass."

Wanda took a step back as her jaw hung open in disbelief while an uncomfortable yet painful feeling burned in her chest.

"Nat, you went too far," Steve interrupted.

"But am I wrong?" Natasha challenged with a cocked brow.

Wanda felt tears in the back of her throat. She hated the cold, disappointed look Natasha was giving her, and yet, it was true that Natasha was hurt because she saved Wanda.

Still…

"I don't understand why you're acting like this. Is it so wrong that I went after you because I was worried about you? Because I care?" Wanda shot back out of frustration. "But I guess my feelings mean nothing to you, Agent Romanoff."

Wanda stormed out of med bay, ignoring the cries from Steve and Clint, and ran back to her own quarters so she could allow the tears to finally fall from her eyes as she sobbed into her hands.

Somewhere…

Dreykov stepped through the automatic sliding doors and stood face-to-face with a masked skull soldier glad in blue and silver armor with orange accents. A crooked grin curled on his dry lips as he squinted through his thick-framed glasses at his creation.

"Natasha mistook your whistle for Belova's," he said slowly while circling at the mysterious armored soldier. "Good. Soon it will be time… Taskmaster."

Taskmaster stood obediently silent, obediently still.

Dreykov made a gruntled sound. Using a digital panel beside the sliding doors, an advanced image projector activated and a large display played recorded footage of Natasha fighting against Rumlow's mercenaries on the wall across from them.

"Study and learn," he ordered and left the room.

On the HUD integrated to the helmet, Taskmaster breathed heavily while it deeply analyzing Natasha's movement and fighting style.

---

A/N: Thank you so much reading :) Your support means a lot to me, and if you feel like sharing, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

#wandanat #wanda maximoff #natasha romanov #natasha romanoff #wanda x natasha #scarlet widow

[danceswithsporks]

Omg can I ask 9 with Echo??? Love your works 🖤

So sorry for the delay! I went with Bad Batch Echo for this! Please let me know if that was the wrong version to go with!

Echos disguise is based off of the ‘droid’ disguise he had in the bad batch when Hunter sold him!

Echo x Reader

"You're mine tonight, and that isn't ever gonna change."

Echo watched you flit around the ballroom in a gentle flurry of silk material. You were in your element. Born to a Senator and now following in her footsteps. One of the younger senators in the senate and one of the more outspoken against the war and the use of clones as fodder. How he’d ended up as your bodyguard was still a confusing mystery for him. One day he was working with the batch in the outer rim and the next day he was being shuttled off to Coruscant for a special assignment. That was over a year ago. Now he stood to the side of the room, disguised as a droid, watching you speak with countless other members of the Senate.

You were beautiful, a shining light in the darkness of his life. You welcomed him with open arms when Fox presented him to you. Happy to finally be working next to a clone. Cause that’s what you two were in your eyes, colleagues. Not a bodyguard and his charge, but friends. You’d told him as much in your first meeting too. Never once did Echo feel like you looked down on him, even with his special looks. He’d watched you stand up to countless sexist senators, defend him and his vod with passion, and help those in desperate need of help. Even now, when others were here at the banquet to have a good time, you were here to be the voice that so many desperately needed. While others were drinking and laughing, you were arranging medical supplies for families on the outer rim affected by the war.

Brown eyes watched as you forced a laugh at some joke spoken by the senator on your left. Echo had seen you laugh countless times and had made you laugh as well. That wasn’t a true laugh, that was your ‘I’m doing this for the sake of my program. You’re making me uncomfortable and I’d like you to go away but I can’t say that so instead I’m gonna laugh’ laugh. He watched as the man raised his hand to the small of your back and he seethed. You didn’t like being touched by people you didn’t know and seeing as this guy wasn’t moving his hand, it was time for him to step in.

“Oh, I firmly believe that this program is important. Children and families are being completely uprooted from their ancestral lands because of this war. They need our aid to help them survive.” With a shift of your weight, you tried to pull away from the man’s hand that was trying to stroke your back. You wanted to vomit from his touch.

“But do they require as much aid as you are requesting? Surely if we continue to simply give them everything, they will not survive on their own.” The Bothan senator crossed his arms as he stroked the long fur on his chin.

You fought the sigh that tried to escape your lips. This was always the hard part. So many didn’t care about those in need, they just feigned caring. “Part of the funds you’d be contributing would b-“ you coughed as a hand suddenly grabbed your ass. Did this guy really think you’d suddenly fall for him because of that? You turned to say something to him when you heard your favorite voice.

“Please refrain from laying hands on the Senator.” Echo moved the hand from your ass before sliding between the two, becoming your barrier. “Continued assault will result in removal from the premises.” He spoke in an almost monotone voice, trying to mimic the speech patterns of droids.

It made you smile the way he always seemed to perfectly time his sudden appearances. Just when you were about to go off on someone and probably look bad, he’d step in and save ya. It was hard to think about your life before him or even possibly without him now. In a way, you loved him being around. He made you smile and laugh and feel safe. Sure, safety was the main point of his job. But there was a difference between being safe and feeling safe. Echo made you feel safe and warm. You watched as eyebrows raised around the group at his remark, a few of the senators spoke to their assistants in their private languages.

The male senator seethed at the droid blatantly outing him. “And just what are you!”

“This is EC-HO. My bodyguard and assistant droid.” You patted his shoulder with a pleased smile. He’d definitely be getting thanked for this later.

The Bothan Senator tilted his head in surprise. “Interesting. I have not seen this model before. Is it new? Where did you acquire it?” He reached out to touch the droid but found his hand moved away.

Your hand went out and blocked the Senator from touching Echo. “He is a prototype designed by an acquaintance of mine. As you can imagine, he is very valuable to me.” Dropping your hand, you gripped Echo's wrist gently and squeezed it twice. The signal that you were ready to leave.

“Fascinating, I would love to discuss this droid with its creator. Perhaps you could give me their contact information.” The Bothan looked over EC-HO closely. He was very human-like.

“My creator wishes to remain anonymous until my design is finalized.” He returned the two squeezes, letting you know he understood.

Releasing his hand, you grasped both of yours in front of you. “There are still a few kinks that need to be worked out.”

Echo was so thankful for the make covering his reddening face. How dare you mention his kinks like this. “Madam, it is almost time for your call with my creator.”

You nodded, the hitch in his voice caught your attention. A smile crossed your lips as you tried not to let the blush on your cheeks become obvious. “I’m sorry, I must be going.”

“Perhaps I could escort you back to your room, Senator. It will give me a chance to properly apologize to you.” The male senator tried to live around Echo but found himself blocked once more.

“Thank you for the offer.” A hand was placed on Echo's upper arm as you prevented him from grabbing the Senator. “But I must discuss some important details with EC-HO. Goodbye.” Not waiting for a response from him, you made a speedy exit from the ballroom.

-*-

By the time you’d made it back to your room, it had begun to downpour. The balcony doors had been left open in your suite and the sweet smell of flowers and rain filled the room. That was one thing you loved about visiting Naboo. No matter what kind of weather the planet was experiencing, it was beautiful. While Echo secured your room and checked the adjoining room, technically his room, you made your way to the balcony to enjoy the rain.

The rain soaked your cream gown within moments, your hair sticking to your skin and your heels beginning to slip. You began to reach down to pull them off but found Echo already there. His real hand slipped around towards the latch on your pink heels. “Thank you, Echo.” A content sigh leaves your lips as you lean against the railing and feel your shoes slide off.

Echo ran his hand up your leg as he slowly stood, his fingers gliding across your smooth skin. “Of course, Mesh’la.” He pressed into you from behind as his lips found your shoulder. “Have I told you enough how beautiful you looked tonight?”

A shiver ran down your spine as his lips sprinkled kisses up your shoulder and onto your neck. “Just once more, my love.” Your head fell back against his shoulder when he pulled his teeth across your soft skin.

“You look absolutely stunning tonight. Especially right now.” His scomp slid forward and rested against one of your breasts. The darkened skin of your nipples almost visible through the soaked fabric.

“I bet that senator would say the same.” You felt him squeeze your side tightly, a growl leaving him as he ground the bulge in his pants against your ass. “Perhaps we should ask him to come in, so we can discuss his thoughts.” His grip became even tighter and you let out a pleasure-filled moan.

He knew you were doing this to get a rise out of him. Just like when the slit of your dress flashed his clone number tattoo that you had on your upper thigh at him while you were walking down the stairs earlier. You’d purposely bought the high-slit dress to tease him. “His only focus was fucking you because of how sexy you are in this dress.” His lips wrapped around the skin between your neck and shoulder before he sucked, a lovely mark being left behind.

“Too bad I’d rather fuck someone else tonight.” Stepping back, you rubbed your ass against his bulge. An airy moan left his lips, making you chuckle.

“Mmmm, that’s right.” His lips moved up to your earlobe. His teeth grazed against it as his voice became deeper, darker. “You're mine tonight,” his real hand snaked around your waist and dipped between your legs, playing with your clit. “and that isn't ever gonna change.”

A shaky breath left you as he began to tease you. “Wouldn’t have it…hnnng….any other way.” Your grip on the rail tightened as the rain continued to soak you two. “E-Echo.” A long moan left you as your upper body bent over the rail.

Just seeing how easily he could make you crumble sent a surge of pride through him. That was right. You belonged to him. It was his number on your thigh. His mark on your neck and on one of your breasts from the night before. And soon, it would be his seed inside your womb. “You’ve got two choices, Senator. Here, or the bed.”

Oh, fuck! You loved it when he spoke to you like this. Your room was at the back of the palace, no one else was near yours. The downpour outside was loud and muffling. “Here. Now. Please.” This could be one of your only chances to fuck outside like this, publicly. At any moment a starship could fly by and see you two together and the thought drove you insane.

“As you command, ma’am. Now be a good Senator and spread these luscious legs.” Echo fell to his knees behind you with an oomph, his hand pushing the fabric of your dress up to your hips displaying your ass and your cunt to him. “I believe you may have forgotten a piece of clothing tonight, Senator.” Leaning forward, he placed a long kick across your soaking heat. Fuck, he loved how you tasted. All hot and wet for him.

A squeak left you as you felt his hot tongue dip into your core. What that man could do with his tongue was mind-numbing. You rocked your hips back into him, loving the feeling. “I had plannnnnned” your words slurred as his thumb found your clit once more. Fuck, focusing was so hard right now. “On having…nnng… to fix my heel. Ugh!” Your mouth fell open in an ‘o’ as he sucked against your cunt. “And letting yoooouuuu.” Son of a bantha he was doing this on purpose. Your eyes screwed shut as you tried to focus on your sentence. “See that I wasn’t wearing any.” A scream of pleasure left you as his finger suddenly dipped inside of you.

“Mmm, so you planned on teasing me? You know how much I love it when you do that.” As he spoke, his hand moved from your heat and to his pocket. “I picked something up before we left Coruscant. Up for trying something new?”

“Always.” You forced the word out between ragged breaths. Echo had quickly become one of the reasons you’d started working out again. He was insatiable at times and with his enhanced stamina, you needed to train your stamina up. But even with your new workout regimens, it was hard to keep up with him. Especially when he worked you so nicely. Looking over your shoulder at him, you watched as he pulled something made out of rubber, possibly, from his pocket and slid it onto his scomp. The rain made it hard for you to see exactly what it looked like, but you could see that it was red. “W-what’s that?”

Echo smirked as he rolled the silicon cover down his scomp. “It’s designed to be a stimulating cover for sex toys. But after some research, I figured out that they also fit over my scomp.” Standing up, he moved his scomp toward your face, letting you get a good look at it. “Lick it, so I can try it in your pussy.”

Now that it was closer to your face, you could see all the ridges and textured parts of it. You let out a shuddered breath as you moved your head forward and took the appendage in your mouth. His hand found your clit once more and he began to work you vigorously. Your head bobbed up and down on his scomp until he pulled it away, an amused smile on his lips. “It’s not as big as you.” Your eyes fell on his bulge. Ugh, you wished he would just fuck you with it already. Yes, you enjoyed the foreplay and how he could make you cum with his tongue or fingers. But his cock filled you just right and you wanted to go to bed feeling full tonight.

“Mmm, couldn’t have you wanting my scomp more than my dick.” His scomp slid down your back, between your cheeks, and against your core. “Now, are you ready?” You nodded slowly. “And what’s the safe word?”

A gasp left you as you felt the scomp begin to push in. “F-Fives!” His lips found your neck once more and he peppered sweet kisses against your soaked skin while slowly moving the scomp into your heat.

“Good girl.” Looking down at his scomp, he watched it disappear into you. A groan left him as you keened into his ear. “How’s that feel?” He pulled it out slowly before pushing it back into you.

Another long moan left you as he continued to move in and out at an almost maddening slow speed. “G-good.” You weren’t sure it could feel any better until it suddenly began to vibrate and twist. “Oh, fuck! Echo! Fuck!” Your knees began to shake as the feeling rushed through you. Already that string deep inside you was tightening.

Echo’s hand moved to his pants and quickly pulled out his cock. His hand pumped in time with the chants leaving your lips. The way you were screaming his name and moaning was enough of a turn-on for him. “That’s right. Keep screaming my name. Cum on my scomp.” It was something he never expected to say but stars how he loved it.

That wasn’t going to take you long. Relaxing the railing, you moved your hand between your legs and started rubbing your clit. “C-close. Faster, please.” Your hips rocked back and forth as you chased your release. So close, you just needed that one thing to push you over the edge.

“Anything for you.” He fell to his knees and angled himself so he could suck on your clit while still fucking you with his scomp.

“Oh, shit!” That was exactly what you needed! Your head fell forward as you screamed his name. Your orgasm hitting you in a gloriously blinding light of ecstasy.

He loved watching you cum, loved hearing you scream because of him. The scomp continued to thrust into you as you rode out your high, his tongue running slow circles over your clit. After a few more thrusts, he pulled the scomp out and pushed his face into your cunt. His tongue danced against you, drinking up every drop of honey that he could. “This is my favorite dessert right here. I could eat you every day.” Sitting back on his heels, he watched as your hips sway side to side. Your slick ran down the back of your legs and he couldn’t stop from leaving forward and licking some of it away. “Ready for more?”

“Stars, yes!” You needed him to fill you up already. “Fill me and you can have me every night.” The sound of him chuckling drew your attention. Looking over your shoulder, you watched as he stood and lined himself up with your cunt. “W-wait!” He raised an eyebrow to you in surprise. “Kiss me? You haven’t this entire time.”

“How rude of me.” Echo turned you around and pulled you into a deep kiss. His hand slid into your soaked hair and gripped it tightly. Stars, how he adored you. Adored the taste of your lips and how perfectly both of you fit together. His tongue danced against yours as a happy sigh left you and you melted into his arms. A smile rested on his lips as he rested his forehead against yours. “Want to move this inside?”

“Not yet. Want you to fill me out here first.” Your hand slid down the front of him and gripped his hard cock. He was so damn big with the most perfect curve you’d ever seen. It hit that spot inside your perfectly every time.

Echo chuckled as he rubbed his nose against yours. “Keep talking like that and I might start thinking that ya me to breed you.”

You licked your lips at his words. “Maybe one day. For now, I just enjoy the practice rounds.”

His hand released your hair and fell to your ass. Giving it a tight squeeze, he listened to you squeak before turning you around once more. “Then let’s get back to practicing.” Lining himself up with you once more, he leaned over and whispered deeply to you. “After all, practice makes perfect.”

#clone wars fic #clone wars #star wars fanfiction #clone wars fanfiction #the bad batch #the bad batch fanfiction #tbb echo #echo the bad batch #echo tbb #ct 1409 #clone force 99 #echo x reader

[halfseoulco]

All My Love: A SEVENTEEN x Hogwarts AU

Published Wednesday, February 14th, 2023 — Happy Valentine's Day and, more importantly, happy Carat Day! Honestly, I really got attached to these versions of the SEVENTEEN members that I created for the Christmas AU, so I decided to continue their stories with what I hope is a cute series of events for our thirteen diamonds. ♡

As a refresher, here's some information before you start reading!

Word count: ~ 10,800

AU Ages:

Seventh years — Seungcheol, Jeonghan, Joshua, Junhui, Soonyoung

Sixth years — Wonwoo, Jihoon, Seokmin, Mingyu, Minghao

Fifth years — Seungkwan, Vernon, and Chan

AU Houses:

Gryffindor — Seungcheol, Soonyoung, Vernon, Chan

Ravenclaw — Wonwoo, Jihoon, Minghao

Hufflepuff — Junhui, Mingyu, Seokmin, Seungkwan

Slytherin — Jeonghan, Joshua

Description: It's Valentine's Day at Hogwarts and everyone has plans—or some things that go according to plan and some that don't. Romance is on the table for some, while others prefer to spend quality time with their friends—because all love is important. All you need to know is that you probably don't want to be Vernon.

Read “All My Love” on Ao3!

The Black Lake — February 14th (early evening)

"Hansol Vernon Chwe!"

The Gryffindor winced as his boyfriend's voice transcended octaves in his unbridled fury.

"You'd better have a good explanation for this!"

Gryffindor Fifth Year Boys' Dormitory — February 1st

"Vernon?"

The fifth year Gryffindor turned his head away from where he had been watching the rain fall outside the window to look at his oldest hyung over his shoulder.

"Oh, hey, hyung," he greeted him with a nod.

"Have you seen Seungkwan recently?" Seungcheol asked him, brow furrowed with concern.

"Um, not since last night," Vernon replied, face blank. "Why?"

The older Gryffindor sighed, sitting next to him on the bench seat in front of the window.

If not even his boyfriend had seen him recently, then maybe Seungkwan's situation was far more serious than anyone realized.

"I'm worried about him," Seungcheol admitted. "He doesn't really seem like himself. Not anywhere near a quarter as fussy as he normally is about everyone and everything." He glanced at Vernon out of the corner of his eye, noticing that he had gone back to facing the window. "You're usually attached at the hip, it's unusual that you haven't seen him at all today."

"Are you saying that I should know where my boyfriend is every minute of every day?" Vernon said tonelessly.

"No, that's not what I'm saying." Seungcheol tilted his head to one side, surveying him carefully. "I'm saying that as his best friend, you might know what's been going on with him."

The younger boy turned his head away.

"So you do know," Seungcheol said gently.

Vernon's shoulders tensed. He said nothing for a few moments, Seungcheol waiting patiently while he grappled with whether he should confide in the prefect or not.

Finally, his shoulders slumped.

"Last spring," he began, "one of Seungkwan's closest friends from home... passed away."

"I remember," Seungcheol said gravely. "That's why he was gone for a while."

"Yeah, he went back home to attend the funeral." Vernon sighed. "The friend... he was a Muggle... and obviously Seungkwan couldn't tell him that he was a wizard, so his friend thought that he had gotten a scholarship to attend some fancy boarding school in the UK. Seungkwan had been jumping through all kinds of hoops to stay in touch with him without giving himself away, getting letters sent by Muggle post... talking about classes that are taught at Muggle schools... They would hang out all summer when Seungkwan would go home after every end of term... but then..." Vernon rubbed at his nose furiously with the sleeve of his sweater, sniffling. "His friend was really unhappy and I think he missed Seungkwan a lot—"

"It's okay," Seungcheol stopped him. "You don't have to keep going."

Vernon nodded gratefully, wiping at his eyes.

"His birthday was last week," he said softly, "and Seungkwan hasn't been taking it very well. I feel like I should be doing something... more? Better? But he barely even talks to me, won't even look at me sometimes..." He finally looked up at Seungcheol, his eyes sparkling with tears. "Hyung, I don't know what to do. I feel like such a bad boyfriend."

Seungcheol inhaled deeply through his nose, his mind running through the memories he had of Seungkwan and Vernon, both back when they had been just friends and after they had gotten together. To anyone who didn't know the pair very well, it would seem like Seungkwan took care of Vernon in every way—because that was how his affection manifested itself—but their friends all knew that Vernon was Seungkwan's biggest supporter and that the Hufflepuff relied on his boyfriend more than anyone. At just fifteen, they had a connection deeper than most adults Seungcheol had met; and no one who saw them together could ever accuse Vernon of not being a good boyfriend.

Seungcheol exhaled heavily.

"You're not a bad boyfriend," he reassured Vernon. "The fact that you're worried about it this much is proof that you're not. All you need to do is let him know that you're here for him." He stood up, patting the younger on the shoulder. "Besides, Valentine's Day is coming up in a couple of weeks. Maybe come up with something that will really show him that he's not alone in this."

Astronomy Tower — February 14th (early afternoon)

"What took you so long?" Wonwoo asked, not taking his eyes off the book he was reading.

"I'm so sorry," Mingyu huffed, stuffing something into his school bag. "I got stopped by... Alice Pembroke... on my way up here." He dropped to the floor next to his best friend, chest heaving with exhaustion. Shoving his still-open bag away from him, he raked his fingers through his sweaty hair. "I didn't mean to be late."

"I know you didn't," the Ravenclaw said softly. "You have quite a lot of sweets in your bag," he observed, finally looking away from his book to peek inside the contents of Mingyu's school bag.

The Hufflepuff beater snorted.

"I would offer you some but after that one Gryffindor girl was sent Sugar Quills dipped in love potion, I've learned not to eat anything people give me on Valentine's Day," he muttered, zipping up his bag and leaning back against the wall, eyes closed. "It's all a bunch of nonsense anyway."

Wonwoo carefully folded the corner of the page he was reading before setting the book aside. He tried to remind himself that it wasn't because he felt inadequate and needed Mingyu to tell him that he was wrong about what he was going to say—he just wanted him to be happy. The possibility that his best friend was choosing to remain single so that he would always be able to hang out with him just didn't sit right with him, and he would make sure that Mingyu's love life no longer suffered, even if it meant he had to spend more time alone.

"You know, you don't have to keep turning down girls because of me," he said quietly.

Mingyu slowly straightened up, opening his eyes to stare at Wonwoo blankly. When he didn't say anything for a few moments, Wonwoo decided to elaborate.

"Every time I try to have this conversation with you, you refuse to talk about it," he pressed. "You like girls, or at least you liked the girls back home. I know that you want to fall in love—that you believe in love—but you've rejected every single girl that's been interested in you since we started at Hogwarts. It's okay, you know? I'm not going to become a recluse if you start going out with someone. I can take care of myself."

Mingyu continued to stare blankly at him, showing no sign that he was taking in anything that the Ravenclaw was saying. Irritated, Wonwoo waved his hand in his face.

"Is any of this getting across to you?" the usually laidback boy demanded.

Still not receiving an answer or any indication that Mingyu had processed anything he had just said, Wonwoo stood up and started gathering his things, trying not to be too aggressive about it. If Mingyu wanted to keep avoiding the subject, then he could do it by himself.

"Wha—wait, wait, wait!" Mingyu said hastily, lurching forward and tugging on his arm to stop him. "Don't leave! I... I'm not trying to be annoying on purpose, I just—" He cut himself off, exhaling through his teeth. "I don't really know how to explain it."

"Explain what?" Wonwoo asked, looking down at his best friend, who was still sitting on the floor.

"A lot of things," Mingyu replied, leaning back against the wall again, "but I promise you that I'm not turning down dates because I think that you can't function without me."

Now thoroughly embarrassed that he had even voiced that particular insecurity, Wonwoo hesitated for a moment before dropping his bag back on the floor and sitting back down next to him.

"I'm sorry I got upset," he murmured. "I just don't want to be the one holding you back from something that I know is important to you."

"You're right, it is important to me," Mingyu agreed, "but not right now." He tilted his head back, looking up at the ceiling of the Astronomy Tower. "It's funny... we're in our sixth year, we have one more year left after this before we have to go out into the world and decide what we want to do with our lives... and I still feel so... young."

"I mean... we are." Wonwoo looked up at the ceiling himself, eyes following the veins in the stone. "Sixteen is not old enough to really make any decisions, not even about girls."

"Right, so I don't really understand why everyone is trying to find their future spouses now. I know a lot of Pureblood families don't arrange their children's marriages anymore, but there are still a few Slytherins who are already bound to betrothal contracts! Betrothal contracts! In this day and age! Anyway..." Mingyu grabbed his bag and shook it, the contents rattling around inside. "This? It's all fake. These girls are only interested in me because they think I'm handsome."

"You are handsome, though," Wonwoo pointed out.

"Thanks, but my point is that they don't know me. They don't know anything about me," Mingyu said. "I'm nothing more than good looks to them—with bonus points for being a foreigner and adding to the intrigue."

"Well, how is anyone supposed to get to know you if you don't let anyone close enough?"

"I don't need anyone else!" the Hufflepuff insisted stubbornly. "I have a twelve-person friend group. For some people, that's more than enough. Plenty. A lot, even."

"Oh, you won't find any disagreements from me there," Wonwoo said, chuckling. "Sometimes I think our friend group is a little much at times, but they're very understanding about me time. Anyway, back to you, you're being very cynical. A lot of people our age date for fun. No one's telling you that it has to be that serious, it might just be nice to have someone to spend time with on Valentine's Day. That's all."

"Is that something you want?" Mingyu asked him.

"Someday," he answered. "Not today, though. Besides, no one's been asking me, but a lot of people have asked you. That's why I'm bringing it up. If you were less nice, the girls here might start calling you a heartbreaker. Even Cedric Diggory had a girlfriend, you know, before the Triwizard Tournament."

"They can say whatever they want about me, it doesn't matter," Mingyu said, shrugging. "We're graduating next year and I don't think I'm going to be looking for jobs here, so I don't have to play British wizarding politics by avoiding rejecting girls from good families. I value my time and I'm choosing to spend it with people whom I also value, which includes you. Like..." He scratched the back of his head, frowning. "I think you're the most important person in my life and I want to be with you forever, but like... in a... not romantic way? If that makes sense? Like, I think we could get a house together and split bills and go grocery shopping and I would find that just as fulfilling as doing all that stuff with a girlfriend. I mean, girls are nice, but they're not you."

"I think the word you're looking for is 'platonic'," the Ravenclaw supplied helpfully. "And for the record, I feel the same way. I think people whose friends stop existing for them once they get a significant other are terrible."

"Yeah, what is up with that?" Mingyu agreed. "Can you imagine Seungcheol and Jeonghan just dropping all of us? Or Seungkwan and Vernon?"

"Never." Wonwoo shook his head. "Our lives are all so wrapped up in each other's, the thirteen of us can never really be apart. We're going to be old and gray... and taking up an entire apartment complex building by ourselves."

"I think that would be fun, honestly. A huge high-rise in Seoul, paid for by Jeonghan hyung." Snickering, Mingyu dug through his bag, unearthing a couple of packages of kimbap wrapped in plastic from under the piles of candy and cards. "My mom sent these, by the way. She specifically told me that I could not eat your portion, so you are now legally obligated to eat it."

"Tell her I said thank you," Wonwoo said, gratefully accepting the kimbap and unwrapping the plastic. "Your mom always has really great timing, she just knows when to send food."

"See, now you have to be friends with me forever," Mingyu teased. "Otherwise, no kimbap for you."

Wonwoo punched the Hufflepuff's arm affectionately.

"I don't need kimbap for that," he promised. "We were always going to be friends forever."

"Is there something longer than forever?"

"Forever and a day."

"That's still forever."

"I know."

Hufflepuff Sixth Year Boys' Dormitories — February 14th (afternoon)

Seokmin shuffled through the pile of parchment in his hands as he trudged into the sixth year boys' dormitories, muttering to himself about moonstone properties and measurement conversions. Entirely preoccupied with trying to figure out where he might have made a mistake on his last quiz, he didn't notice that anything was amiss until a voice broke through his concentration.

"Whoa, what happened in here?"

Seokmin's head snapped up when his dorm mate walked into the room, the amazement in his tone catching his attention.

"Well, that's certainly something," he said, blinking at the grand display in front of him.

The curtains of his four-poster bed had been pulled back to reveal a large bouquet of red, pink, and white balloons floating in place with magic above his mattress. Also floating in the air was a single card in a plain white envelope with his name printed neatly on it, although it didn't look like anyone's handwriting that he recognized—especially since the person had written it in Korean and he knew what all of his friends' handwriting looked like when they wrote in Korean.

Seokmin crossed the room to his bed, dropping his bag on the floor and the parchment in his hands on his bedside table. He plucked the card out of the air, using a quick spell to break the wax seal on it without destroying the pretty heart shape. When he opened it, he saw that the person had tried to also write their message to him in Korean with the help of a translation spell; and while the words were a little clumsy, he immediately found himself touched by the effort.

"To the one and only Lee Seokmin,

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm sorry that I couldn't face you in person. I'm not ready to reveal myself to you yet, but I still want to tell you that you make me smile every single day because you deserve to know. Please accept this card and the balloons well, I worked really hard on the spells to make them work. Maybe someday I will be able to tell you how I feel face to face. Until then, please be happy and healthy, and tell some new jokes in class when you learn them. I promise I will laugh like I always do.

With love,

Your secret admirer"

Reaching the end of the card, Seokmin stared silently at the words on the cardstock paper, trying to think of people in his classes who maybe laughed a little too much at his jokes or paid him any kind of special attention. Truthfully, there were very few people who didn't find him funny, so he quickly gave up on trying to figure out his admirer's identity that way.

"Does the card say who the balloons are from?" his dorm mate asked him, breaking him out of his deep thought.

"No, secret," Seokmin replied absentmindedly.

"Oh, that's a shame. Well, good on you anyway, mate!" His fellow Hufflepuff clapped him on the shoulder. "At least there's someone out there who likes you a whole lot."

As the other boy left, Seokmin inspected the balloons with a critical eye. The card had said that his secret admirer had worked really hard on the spells to "make them work" and he was curious to see exactly what the balloons were meant to do. What could you even make balloons do with magic anyway?

Intrigued, he cautiously poked one at the front of the bunch and gasped as the shiny surface rippled, revealing the words "POP ME".

"But I'm easily startled," Seokmin muttered to himself.

Wand clutched in hand, he debated just leaving the balloons alone and enjoying the sight of them—but the thought of never finding out what kind of magic had been placed on them was too tempting for him to ignore.

Waving his wand, he then quickly braced himself for the loud pop, covering his ears. However, instead of a popping sound, a high-pitched voice chirped, "I hope your Valentine's Day is magical!"

The voice had been disguised, of course, but the realization that his secret admirer had charmed the balloons not to make sounds when he popped them because they knew he was easily startled had tears welling in the corners of his eyes. Wiping at his face with his sleeve, he eyed the remaining balloons, trying to decide which one to pop next so that he could hear a different message.

"Wow, who sent you those?" Junhui asked, peeking in the doorway on his way down the hall.

"No clue," Seokmin told him happily, "but they're pretty amazing. Look!"

The older Hufflepuff entered the room, approaching Seokmin's bed to get a closer look at the magic balloons. The sixth year tapped a random balloon, showing Junhui how the words "POP ME" appeared, then waved his wand, causing the balloon to pop.

"I must need Occlumency because I can't get you out of my head!" it trilled.

"That is some amazing charm work," Junhui praised, peering more closely at the balloons. "The person who sent them to you didn't leave a name?"

Seokmin passed him the card.

"Too shy," he informed him.

Junhui read over the contents of the card quickly then handed it back.

"Hmm, would've been nice to know so that you could thank them for their effort, but the gesture is thoughtful," he said, shrugging. "They even made it so the balloons wouldn't make noise when popped. They must have enough classes with you to know you're a big ole scaredy cat."

"Yah!" Seokmin huffed, even though it was true.

Junhui chuckled, ruffling his hair affectionately.

"I'm happy for you, Seokmin-ah," he said, his tone genuine. "I'll see you later, meeting up with Minghao."

"What else is new?" Seokmin called after him as he left. "Now, back to these balloons..."

The Whomping Willow — February 14th (early evening)

"Who do you think it is?" Junhui asked his best friend, having just finished telling him about the charmed balloons Seokmin had received from his secret admirer.

Minghao didn't look up as he answered, his focus on washing the tea leaves in preparation to brew tea for the two of them.

"Your guess is as good as mine. A lot of people think Seokmin is funny, I'm sure he has no shortage of admirers."

"Honestly, I kind of want to know just so that I can ask them how they came up with the spell," Junhui said thoughtfully. "It was really very impressive. Whoever did it must like Seokmin a lot."

Minghao hummed in agreement, still concentrating on the task at hand.

The pair had chosen a nice spot not too close to the tree to set up a small, low-rise table so that they could sit and drink their tea together. Minghao often held these tea ceremonies alone, something that he did purely for his own joy and relaxation. The activity required singular focus, which took his busy mind off of other things for a while. It's not that the others were never invited, but they understood that it was something he needed to do for himself; and he had an unparalleled collection of different teas for a sixteen-year-old living away from home.

Junhui stretched his arms over his head, looking up at the Whomping Willow looming deceptively calmly above them.

"Do you ever wonder about what it would be like to settle down with someone?" he mused. "Even if they really like you, they still might not understand certain aspects of your personality or what's really important to you. What if they don't appreciate your tea ceremonies?"

"I haven't really thought about it," Minghao replied, tone even. "I know that I'd like to settle down eventually, but that seems pretty far off. There are still so many things I want to do first—like graduate from this school that we worked so hard to get into. I'm not enduring racism and xenophobia from narrow-minded Brits to worry about whether some witch from the English countryside appreciates my tea ceremonies. Besides, I do the tea ceremonies for myself, not for other people."

"You're preparing a tea ceremony for me now," Junhui pointed out.

"Yeah, well, that's you."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning you're not on the same level as everyone else," Minghao elaborated. "You're my best friend, and I know you do appreciate my tea ceremonies."

Not even remotely satisfied by the reassurance his best friend was giving him, the Hufflepuff pressed further.

"Will you miss me after I graduate?" Junhui's eyes left the Whomping Willow, dropping back down to observe Minghao's hands as he started to steep the tea leaves in hot water. "Tell me honestly."

"Don't be stupid," Minghao told him flatly and without missing a beat.

"Hey! I was just asking—"

"And I'm telling you again: don't be stupid." Minghao didn't take his eyes off the tea leaves, even as he spoke. "No offense to our friends but you know I'd miss you the most. I can't believe I even have to tell you that."

"It wouldn't hurt you to tell me sometimes! I like the reassurance."

"All of our friends are already talking about how I'm going to try and sneak you into the Ravenclaw dorms every weekend next year. If they know it, then so do you. Now drink your tea."

His tone was not unkind, simply matter-of-fact, the way it often was. Junhui knew that Minghao was nice in his own way, and he definitely cared about him—he just communicated it a little differently.

Having already poured the freshly brewed tea, Minghao carefully slid a teacup across the table towards the Hufflepuff. Junhui simply stared at the cup for a moment, admiring the detail and craftsmanship of the emerald green and gold accent pattern. Tendrils of steam wafted up gently but Junhui knew it would be the perfect temperature. It always was.

"Thank you," he said sincerely, finally picking up his tea and bringing it to his lips.

Minghao hummed in response, picking up his own tea. The fragrance coming from the perfectly steeped jasmine tea leaves filled the chilly February air around them, almost as if they were in their own bubble.

Most days they really were.

Junhui knew that he was really lucky that Minghao had come to Hogwarts at the same time as him, even though they were a year apart. It had been a long and difficult process to get accepted as a second year; and if Headmistress McGonagall had been a less generous woman, he never would've met Minghao—or any of the others. They had been made fun of and harassed from the moment they had arrived, but now—almost at the end of his time at the illustrious school—he wouldn't have done things any differently.

Now, if he could only be as certain about what laid ahead.

"Do you think falling in love is as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be?" Junhui asked, setting his cup down.

"You're full of existential questions today." Minghao also set his cup down. "I think... that it's probably really nice in its own way... but that it's not the only kind of love that's important. Love comes in all forms and they're all equally necessary and fulfilling. People put all of their eggs in the romantic love basket and then wonder why they're still unhappy when they ditched all their friends for a new relationship."

"So you don't think it's lame that you're having tea with your best friend on Valentine's Day?"

"Of course not." Minghao snorted. "There's nothing else I'd rather be doing. Anyway, do you think it's lame for Mingyu and Wonwoo to be hanging out in the Astronomy Tower of all places doing who knows what when Mingyu has the entire female student population after him?"

"No, not at all," Junhui replied quickly. "They are each other's most important person."

"Exactly." Minghao smiled at his best friend over the rim of his teacup. "Aren't I your most important person?"

"Yes. Always yes," Junhui assured him.

"And you're mine, so don't worry about it anymore," Minghao said, reaching across the table to pat Junhui's shoulder fondly.

"Why do I feel like you're the older one instead of me?"

"Because it's my duty to impart wisdom upon you from time to time," the Ravenclaw informed him matter-of-factly. "It comes with the house."

Junhui rolled his eyes.

"In other news, my mother wrote to me this morning letting me know that one of the girls with whom I attended primary school told her parents that I'm going to a private school in the UK, and so they contacted my parents asking if they had any prospective fiancées in mind for me," Minghao told him. "My pretend pedigreed education is apparently an attractive quality."

"Ah, they're Muggles," Junhui concluded. "Your parents don't have a problem with that, do they?"

"No, definitely not." Minghao shook his head. "I just think it's much more difficult to try and be in relationships with non-magic folk. You have to hide so much, not even just because you think they can't be trusted but because you never know how they're going to take the news. It's a lot of information for most people to handle."

"I don't know, I think my father took it pretty well," Junhui said, thinking back to the story his parents had told him about how his mother had broken the news to her then-boyfriend that she was a witch. "But he is a little odd himself, so I think he was just relieved that she wasn't as normal as he thought she was."

"Your parents are a pretty strange pair," Minghao admitted, "but I like them. They're very nice."

"And your parents are hilarious," Junhui returned, remembering when they had come to the pick-up point at Hogsmeade to take a Portkey back to China for the summer just last year. "You really take after them."

Minghao shrugged.

"Superior genetics."

Junhui snorted into his teacup, blowing bubbles across the surface of the still-hot liquid.

"Don't scoff," Minghao pretended to scold him. "You have the very best best friend you could possibly ask for. You should be grateful."

Still holding the teacup to his face to hide his smile, Junhui nodded in agreement.

"Oh, I am. I always am."

The Library — February 14th (early evening)

"I knew I'd find you here!" Soonyoung exclaimed happily, weaving through the aisles as he skipped towards the study tables.

Jihoon looked up at the Gryffindor, frowning. The table that he was sitting at was covered entirely in books and parchment, a stark contrast to the other empty tables. In fact, his was the only occupied table in the entire library. Madame Pince wasn't even lurking in the shadows as usual, considering that Soonyoung was speaking at louder than an inside voice and she hadn't come over to reprimand him.

"I'm usually here," he deadpanned, looking back down at his work, "the same of which cannot be said for you."

Soonyoung didn't look the least bit offended by Jihoon's words, long since used to his particular form of communication. Undeterred, he looked down at all of the materials spread out on the table, trying to figure out what Jihoon was working on even though it was upside down for him.

"You have to be the only person in the entire school who's studying today!" he pouted, pawing at the parchment nearest to him. "It's Valentine's Day! A day for love! What are you even working on?"

"Getting ahead," Jihoon said shortly, yanking the parchment back from him. "Love can wait."

"Jihoon-ah, you'll work yourself to death," Soonyoung chided him, pulling out the chair opposite the Ravenclaw. "I think you should take a break."

"That's how I like it," Jihoon grumbled, "and I have nothing pressing to attend to tonight, so there's no point in taking a break."

"I came all the way up here, to the library—where I never am, as you correctly pointed out—to find you and you won't pull yourself away from your books to hang out with me?"

Jihoon's quill paused mid-scratch, the only indication that he had heard the seventh year's question, before he continued writing.

"You don't usually ask me to hang out," he said, his tone bordering on indifferent.

"It's not for lack of wanting to. I always want to," Soonyoung admitted. "And I always think you're going to say no, so I never ask."

He thought he could see a faint pink blush on Jihoon's cheeks but it was hard to tell from this angle.

"That's not very Gryffindor of you," Jihoon commented, scribbling away.

"It's the one thing in which I lack courage," Soonyoung huffed. "But to be fair, you're very intimidating, even though you're the cutest person I know."

Jihoon accidentally pressed down on the parchment too hard with his quill, creating an ink blot over the words he was writing. Swearing under his breath, the tips of his ears red, he waved his wand at the offending spot.

"Stop talking nonsense," he hissed, the red flush spreading from his ears to the rest of his face.

"I'm not!" Soonyoung insisted. "I think you're the cutest person in the whole school!"

"Shut up!"

Jihoon wasn't even trying to focus on his work anymore, intent on getting Soonyoung to stop talking before he had a coronary. Not that it was possible. The seventh year was actually very shy—but you would never know it by the way his mouth ran a million miles when he was around his friends. He seemed determined to say his piece and nothing was going to get in the way of him saying it.

"You're always so strict and I think it's because you like it when people listen to you, but you're always doing nice things for people while pretending that you had nothing to do with it," the Gryffindor continued, oblivious to the fact that Jihoon was now bypassing red and heading into scarlet. "Like that time you jinxed those people who had been making fun of Junhui and Minghao when they first arrived. It was so impressive, I remember thinking that you were such a cool and dependable person even back then."

"That's enough!"

"And you're so buff for such a small and cute person." Soonyoung rested his chin on one hand. "You could probably knock me out if you really wanted to. Honestly, please do it, it would be the greatest honor of my life. Anyway, it makes no sense... and yet it makes perfect sense. Everything about you is just... so fascinating."

The Ravenclaw jumped up from his chair, hurling the quill he had been using at Soonyoung, who turned and ducked just in time to watch it sail over his head.

"Whoa! What was that for?"

"Why are you saying all this?" Jihoon demanded. "Did you come up here just to embarrass me?"

Realizing that he and the sixth year were not on the same page in spite of the way he had just gushed about him, Soonyoung shook his head.

Apparently he had not been clear enough.

"Accio quill," he murmured, holding a hand out for the quill Jihoon had thrown at him before offering it back to him. "I'm not trying to embarrass you, although I am sorry if that's how you feel. I'm just trying to tell you how I feel, which is that you scare me but I like it—I like you."

Jihoon snatched his quill back, face still impossibly red.

"You have a funny way of showing it," he snapped. "You have mere months left before you graduate, your timing is nothing if not grossly impeccable."

"I know, I haven't been very brave," Soonyoung said, shrugging, not even the least bit put off by Jihoon's criticism. "I really didn't want to ruin our dynamic or make things weird for the others, but if we hadn't agreed to the no dates rule for the Yule Ball, I would've asked you."

"You said you weren't interested in anyone when Minghao asked you," Jihoon pointed out, narrowing his eyes at him.

"So I lied." Soonyoung started gathering the parchment on the table into a pile. "I haven't exactly told anyone that I've been harboring this secret crush on you for three years. I'm no good at keeping secrets but I was very good at keeping this one. And stop being so pragmatic about this, I'm trying to be romantic."

"I really don't know what you want me to say to all of this," Jihoon said snippily. "You're the last person I expected to confess to having a years-long crush on me."

"How about you say what you want to say?" Soonyoung suggested, a hopeful expression on his face.

Jihoon, having just noticed that the seventh year had compiled all his parchment into a neat stack, slid the pile away from him and across the table, putting everything into his school bag. He then waved his wand, sending his books flying back onto the shelves in their rightful places. When he had stalled enough, he sighed and turned to face the Gryffindor.

"I know we've been friends for my entire time at Hogwarts thus far," he began finally. "I know that I can trust you, that you're telling the truth—that you wouldn't confess just to yank the rug out from under me, as I believe the expression goes. I know all of that, logically, but considering that—as you said—people find me intimidating, it's hard to imagine someone being so earnest about their feelings for me. Most people think I'm too... domineering."

His hands came up to his throat, loosening his blue and bronze tie from around his neck.

"I can't even really say if I like you as more than a friend or not," he said, sounding apologetic. "I didn't think it was a possibility, so I never considered you in that way."

Soonyoung leaned over the table between them, reaching for the Ravenclaw's school bag and hoisting the strap over one shoulder. He maintained eye contact the entire time, willing Jihoon to believe him but also wanting to fluster him just a little bit more.

"But as you said, you know that you can trust me," he pointed out. "Plus, if you think about it, you're a strict taskmaster and I'm a glutton for punishment—we're perfect for each other."

Jihoon tried to wrestle his school bag back from the taller boy, his pale face gaining back the red that had just begun to fade.

"You can't just say things like that!" he hissed.

Soonyoung simply tugged the bag out of his grasp and just out of his reach, smiling cheekily.

"I've waited three years to confess," he reminded him. "Now that the secret's out, I have all sorts of things that I kept to myself that I'm going to say—including how adorable I think you are. Walk with me?"

Jihoon stared up at him for a few moments, expression unreadable. If he thought at all about refusing him, the thought didn't last. Tucking his hands into his pockets, he nodded towards the front of the library.

"Well, after you then."

Slytherin Common Room — February 14th (dusk)

"Hong!"

Joshua didn't even so much as raise his head, instead making an indifferent "mmm" sound in acknowledgement.

He didn't need to look to see who it was—the voice alone was clue enough.

William Bennington the third was an awful homage to the Pureblood Slytherins of old. With generations of English aristocratic breeding to support his claim to everything he wanted in life, he was disliked even within his own house and by many of the portraits in the dungeons; and after seven long years sharing a dormitory with him, he still said "Hong" with a certain sneer that was clearly affected by poorly concealed racism.

At this point, Joshua had been living in the UK long enough to let things roll off his back, but William could've given Draco Malfoy a run for his money with the way he paraded about the school as if he owned it.

"Pretty prince doesn't have a date tonight?" William asked him, dropping down onto the sofa across from him, his tone mocking.

"Not that I'm aware of," Joshua replied pleasantly, still not looking up from his book.

"Hey, it just goes to show you that looks aren't everything in life," the other boy commented snidely. "The girls here won't go after some foreigner with no title. And aren't you a Half-Blood?" he added as an afterthought. "Yeah, that won't do at all."

Joshua turned the page, letting William carry on the conversation by himself. The golden-haired heir to a Potions empire (or so he claimed, Joshua had never bothered to verify this) had been harassing him from the moment he had set foot in the common room first year; and he had long since learned that it was best to let him converse with himself to get everything out of his system before he was satisfied. Not only did William take issue with his race and his blood status, he seemed oddly offended by his appearance as well, referring to him as "pretty" with his tone suggesting that he did not mean it in a positive way.

"Nothing to say?" William asked him softly, noticing that his tirade was falling on deaf ears. "Truth hurts, does it?"

"If you say so." Joshua barely shrugged his shoulders.

Apparently it was the wrong thing to say.

"You think you're better than me?" William demanded, suddenly shooting up from his seat. "That you can sit there like you're royalty and I'm some sort of commoner? I'm far more important than you will ever be!"

Joshua sighed, recognizing that his night would be a lost cause if he didn't address this particular problem promptly, and slipped a tasseled bookmark in between the pages of his book before closing it and looking up at his aggressor for the first time during their previously one-sided confrontation.

"I get that certain things matter to you," he said carefully, "but they don't matter to me—and they don't matter to a lot of people anymore, not even the Slytherins here. I didn't realize that me being dateless on Valentine's Day was of such great significance to you, especially when it's of no significance to me and my evening. Maybe you should be more worried about the fact that you care so much about what I'm doing with my time, alone or otherwise."

William's upper lip curled into a sneer, his eyes narrowing.

"Listen, you filthy—"

"Oh, shut it, Bennington," snapped a voice from behind Joshua.

Joshua turned to look over his shoulder, noticing that Mira Nott had just come from the girls' dormitories and was standing just behind the sofa he was sitting on.

According to Jeonghan—who seemed to always know the latest gossip amongst the various wizarding families—Theodore Nott had settled down with a Pureblood witch from Bulgaria who had graduated from Durmstrang. They had met while Theo had been taking some time away from England and had returned together shortly after their wedding.

While she had been a cute girl when she had first arrived, Mira had grown into an exceptionally pretty young woman by the age of seventeen. Taller than most of the other girls in the school, the first thing that Joshua had noticed about her was that she had perfectly straight posture that adjusted minutely according to her movements. With long, dark curls framing her face, a warm complexion, and high cheekbones, she had the best features of both of her parents—except that she had one brown and one blue eye, both of which were cunning yet also surprisingly kind. Top of the class in at least every class Joshua shared with her, she was also the Slytherin Seeker; and he loved to watch her fly against Seungcheol during matches. Her intellect and athleticism made her a formidable opponent, and their matches were always close ones.

All that being said, Mira was obviously highly sought after—even by William Bennington the third.

"Don't mind him. Joshua," she said to him, a beautiful, wicked smile on her face as she made direct eye contact with William. "If betrothal contracts were still common practice, I would've already asked my father to request a meeting with your parents to discuss one."

Joshua resisted the urge to grin broadly at the way William's face had gone absolutely scarlet, a purple vein starting to make its appearance at his temple.

"You flatter me, Mira," he said to her instead, laying it on a little thick for the benefit of their audience, even as he ignored him. "I don't think I would be opposed to such a meeting. There's still time to write to your parents and mine."

Standing up, he offered her his arm.

"Walk with me?" he asked, every bit the perfect gentleman.

"Of course," she replied, walking around the sofa and linking arms with him.

Triggered by the events taking place right in front of him, their forgotten peer leapt up from his seat, positively quivering with entitled rage.

"Mira! You cannot possibly be thinking about entering a betrothal contract with that Half-Blood foreigner! My father—"

William's deranged bellows were cut off abruptly as the door swung shut behind them.

"I wonder what his father would have to say if he knew that the daughter of a Sacred Twenty-Eight family had filed a complaint with the school governors about the shady little deals William conducts in the prefects' bathroom," Mira said innocently.

Joshua smiled at her, completely enamored. Was there any other witch at this school more perfect than the one looking at him right now?

"You are so ruthless, I love it," he told her.

She tossed her hair over one shoulder, smiling back at him.

"Tell me more."

Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch — February 14th (evening)

"Yoo-hoo! Channie!"

Chan squinted down at the figure waving up at him, figuring out who it was based on the gleaming head of hair.

Camille Archambault, which she had told him meant "bold master"—the girl from the Yule Ball.

It had been almost two months since Christmas and he had met up with the stunning beauty from Beauxbatons a handful of times—a Hogsmeade outing here, a walk on the grounds there. They were what some people might call dating, if a little intensely for something that was supposed to be casual. Translation spells helped bridge the language barrier; and she was sweet, funny, and charming. She was quite good at spells, and she had told him that if she had been a student during the time of the Triwizard Tournament, she would have entered. She liked picnics by the greenhouses and broom rides with her arms wrapped around his waist, coffee with milk poured in delicate swirls and the feeling of his hand intertwined with hers, primrose perfume and the way he got red right before he kissed her.

Sometimes he found himself thinking that he should be a little more cautious with his heart—that he should be waiting for the other foot to drop—but so far he was having fun, and he supposed that was what mattered.

He was surprised that she could tell it was him considering how high up he was, but he did catch her staring at him from the Ravenclaw table quite often. She never looked embarrassed at having been caught—in fact, it only emboldened her and he ended up having to be the one to look away.

"That girl never gets tired of looking at you," Jeonghan had told him once, the disdain in his voice more like that of a disapproving parent rather than an overprotective friend. "I wonder how she manages to concentrate on her studies when she's staring at you all the time. I suppose she'd at least get an Outstanding in Lee Chan."

"Let them be, Hannie," Seungcheol had admonished him gently.

Secretly, Chan wondered what Camille saw in him, exactly. She had been the one to ask him to dance at the Yule Ball and the one to lead him out to the gardens that night. She had also initiated all of their dates so far, as well as most of their shows of affection, which he still hadn't quite gotten used to. After their time together at the ball, he hadn't expected to hear from her again, yet she kept seeking him out. She seemed to have memorized his schedule to account for all the classes she didn't share with him—she always knew where to find him, even when he didn't tell anyone where he was going.

It was flattering, he had to admit.

At the ball, she had asked him how to pronounce his name correctly, repeating it multiple times even after he had told her that she had down—and then proceeded to only refer to him as Channie, saying that it was her cute name for him. One of the other Beauxbatons girls, having only heard Camille call him Channie, tried to use the nickname one morning and the next time he saw her, she was missing her eyebrows.

"Why doesn't she just grow them back?" Mingyu had asked, perplexed.

"If she would, she could," Chan had replied, shrugging. "Camille's really good at spells, the other girl probably can't figure out how to reverse it."

"Wow, you'd better make sure she never gets mad at you."

Privately, he agreed.

That being said, he wondered if she felt like she had to teach him everything—where to put his hands, when to kiss her, what he should say. He had made his lack of experience known that night in the gardens, but she hadn't seemed to mind. She had simply directed him and he took direction well.

And yet... he couldn't help but think it was as though they were caught up in a race in which only she knew where the finish line was—and the thought made him more than a little sweaty-palmed.

Coming back to his senses, he Summoned the Quaffle he had been practicing with and tucked it under one arm. Although he wasn't on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Chan still liked to fly. It brought him peace and helped clear his mind, and on an evening when he figured he had no plans, it was the perfect way to spend his time.

I guess I have plans now, he thought to himself.

He circled the goalposts on the far right side of the pitch, making a nose dive and pulling up straight just as his toes skimmed the grass. He dismounted smoothly, giving Camille a friendly smile as he approached her, Nimbus 3000 broom in one hand and Quaffle in the other.

"Hi, Camille," he greeted her. "What can I do for you this evening?"

"Bon soir, Channie," she returned, smiling prettily at him. "I admit, I am a little disappointed that you did not come looking for me today. I was hoping that we could spend some time together."

"Ah, I wasn't aware that that was what you wanted," he told her sheepishly. "It's Valentine's Day and we're not, you know, official, so I didn't think you would want to do anything."

"Channie, Channie, Channie." Camille shook her golden blonde head. He caught sight of delicate pearl strand earrings dangling from her ears, a matching set with the string of pearls around her neck. "I am going back to France at the end of term, do you think I want to waste time going slow?"

"I wouldn't think it was a waste of time," he protested, cheeks growing pink. "I just... haven't really hung out with a lot of girls. You move kind of fast."

"Oh, I know, mon chéri, it is what makes you one of the good boys," she said, touching his cheek, her expression fond. "I always enjoy our time together, and I think it would be silly to not make the most of the time we have left, non?"

Chan dropped the Quaffle on the grass and placed his own hand over her hand on his face.

Being with Camille was like one ongoing surprise party. Sure, it was fun, but it also kind of gave him a heart attack. Even though he always did his best to try and read her mind before she actually executed any of her plans, he more often than not found himself unprepared. It was a little jarring to be caught unawares as many times as he had been since they had started seeing each other, but he knew that he had to enjoy the ride while it lasted.

She was, after all, leaving at the end of term.

"Let me shower first?" he asked her.

She tilted her head to the side to press her lips to his other cheek.

"Meet me at the entrance to the grounds in half an hour," she murmured in his ear. "I'll be waiting."

The Gilded Phoenix (Private Room) — February 14th (night)

"You know I really didn't need all of this," Jeonghan said, taking a sip from the glass of elf wine he was holding daintily in one hand. "We could have stayed at school and I would have been just as happy."

"I know, but it's our last year at Hogwarts. Maybe it sounds kind of childish... but I just wanted to do something to commemorate our last year as kids," Seungcheol told his boyfriend honestly, shrugging. "Life is going to change pretty dramatically once we graduate. I feel like we're never going to have this kind of peace again."

"So you wanted to live in this bubble of youthful innocence one last time," Jeonghan guessed.

"Exactly."

"We're still going to be kids when we graduate," Jeonghan said thoughtfully. "The Wizarding World in the UK moves so fast, it's amazing how anyone manages to find something stable so soon after graduation."

"Are you planning on going home?" Seungcheol asked him.

"Yes, for a while. My parents will want to see me—and they'll want to see you as well."

"I think I'll go home for a little while, too." Seungcheol ran a finger around the rim of his wine glass absentmindedly. "There's this famous producer based in London whom I'm trying to get an internship with, though. I'll need to find a job so that I can get a flat nearby if I get accepted."

"Darling, you know that you don't have to work if you don't want to," the Slytherin reminded him. "I don't have to work if I don't want to, and I'm more than capable of taking care of both of us. Besides, my family loves you. We'd be married as soon as we landed on Korean soil if it were up to them."

"Spoiled rich kid," Seungcheol teased.

"You love me," Jeonghan flirted back.

"Always." Seungcheol took Jeonghan's hand, his thumb skimming the tops of his knuckles affectionately. "Look, I appreciate you offering to support me financially, but I want to be able to do things on my own, whatever I choose to pursue."

"Your music has always been important to you. You're an artist. You could... simply think of me as your patron," Jeonghan suggested.

"Hannie—"

"I mean it," Jeonghan insisted. "You would be focusing on making music without worrying about your finances. It's not like I would be paying for you to stay idle. I'm sure I could also come up with work for you."

"I really can't accept," Seungcheol said firmly, "so please don't ask me to."

Jeonghan set down his wine glass with a huff.

"You never let me do anything for you!" the Slytherin exclaimed, eyes narrowed dangerously. "I always indulge this little... complex you seem to have about being perceived as the provider, but you know that that concept is extremely outdated. There is no hunter-gatherer dynamic in the twenty-first century."

"You think this is about my masculinity?" Seungcheol asked incredulously.

"Yes, I do!" Jeonghan snapped. "I let you open jars for me and move my furniture around because I know it makes you feel useful. The least you could let me do is use the resources I have to help you!"

The Gryffindor leaned back in his chair, staring at his boyfriend in disbelief.

"So that's how you really see me," he said flatly.

Jeonghan sighed, deflating at once.

"Cheollie, it's not that I see you as some sort of caveman," he said sadly. "You help me all the time. I just want to be able to help you for once."

Seungcheol's expression softened. He knew that Jeonghan just wanted to help—he was generous to a fault, and throwing his money at problems was his way of trying to make things better. There was some truth to what he was saying, though—his ego wouldn't let him allow his boyfriend to pay all the bills while he tried to make it as an artist.

"You do help me," he murmured, taking both of Jeonghan's hands in his. "You help me every day just by existing. I'm already taking advantage of the fact that you wake up every morning still wanting to be with me."

"You're stupid," Jeonghan huffed, eyes watery. "You big, stupid man. You're not taking advantage of anything. Sometimes I wish you would!"

"Alright, point taken." Seungcheol chuckled, gently smacking the palm of one of Jeonghan's hands. "I mean it, though. Do you know how coveted you are by most of the student body?"

"Of course everyone wants me," the Slytherin scoffed. "As they should. It doesn't mean that they can have me. I'm yours, and I always will be."

Seungcheol smiled at him.

"I know."

"So will you let me bankroll your endeavors in music?" Jeonghan asked hopefully.

Seungcheol stared at him for a moment, considering.

"I'll think about it," he said finally.

"I suppose that's the best offer I'm going to get." Jeonghan sighed dramatically, picking his wine glass back up. "Life doesn't have to be so hard, you know. If there's an easy way, you should take it, never mind your moral qualms regarding classism and the way the one percent uses their wealth to get ahead in life."

"Hannie, you're the one percent," Seungcheol pointed out dryly.

"And what about it?" he sassed back.

"Nothing, you're the most benevolent benefactor in all the land," the Gryffindor said primly.

Jeonghan reached across the table and tugged his boyfriend forward by his black tie, leaning in to whisper in his ear.

"Only for you."

The Black Lake — February 14th (early evening)

Vernon paced back and forth anxiously on the far shore of the Black Lake. He had tasked a pair of what he hoped were reliable second-year Hufflepuffs to locate Seungkwan and bring him to the Black Lake, where he would get in a boat that he had charmed to row itself across the water. He had spent more of half of the time between the day he had talked to Seungcheol and Valentine's Day panicking over what to do, then spent the remaining time trying to get everything together, including practicing the spell to make the boat row itself for several days. That morning, he had packed a picnic basket full of all of his boyfriend's favorite things, as well as a blanket, and he hoped that his sincerity would come across.

Before they had started a relationship, Vernon and Seungkwan had been friends, and even then they had done something small and quiet for previous Valentine's Days, just because there was no one else they'd rather have spent that time with—and because Vernon had spent his first five years at Hogwarts avoiding any girls who even looked at him longer than necessary. So really, he didn't need to worry. Seungkwan just happened to be his boyfriend now—it wasn't as though he needed to be impressed further.

Vernon looked down at the picnic basket sitting on the rather cliché red and gold patterned blanket and wondered if it was enough.

Maybe I should have gotten flowers? he fretted.

It wasn't so much about the fact that it was Valentine's Day than it was about how much Vernon had been worrying about Seungkwan since his late friend's birthday.

Every time the Gryffindor had tried to approach his boyfriend to try and get him to open up, Seungkwan had always come up with excuses for why he couldn't talk and would busy himself with something else. It was frustrating, of course, but it was more anxiety-inducing than anything—and more than once Vernon wondered if he was just a really bad significant other who didn't know how to talk to his partner just right in order to get him to confide in him.

"Agh!"

Startled out of his own self-wallowing, Vernon looked up to see the boat that he had charmed to carry Seungkwan across the lake rocking back and forth wildly—with Seungkwan in it.

Privately, Vernon was relieved that the boat was already pretty close to shore, but he didn't think that his boyfriend would see it that way—and definitely not after the boat tipped to one side, dumping Seungkwan into the lake that was surely still freezing.

"Oh, no," Vernon muttered, covering his face with his hands. "He's going to kill me. He's going to kill me then bring me back so that he can kill me again."

Peeking through the gaps in his fingers, he watched as Seungkwan swam the remaining distance from where the boat had tipped over to the shore, weighed down by his school robes. A fairly decent swimmer from his years spent growing up on an island, Seungkwan was letting his fury propel him forward with surprising strength. Dripping wet and looking absolutely furious, he stomped up the bank towards Vernon, who silently sent prayers heavenward and hoped someone heard him.

"Hansol Vernon Chwe!" The Hufflepuff tore through his full name. "You'd better have a good explanation for this!"

Not my government name, Vernon grimaced.

Lowering his hands from his face, he said uncertainly, "Happy... Valentine's Day?"

Seeing that Seungkwan was opening his mouth to deliver what would probably be the human equivalent of a Howler message on a Monday morning in front of the entire Great Hall, Vernon interrupted.

"Look, I didn't mean for you to get dumped into the lake!" he blurted out. "I've been planning everything since the beginning of the month and with everything else, I didn't have that much time to practice the spell on the boat. It was just supposed to bring you across the lake without you having to do anything, I swear!"

Seungkwan held up an index finger, cutting him off. Vernon shut his mouth abruptly, anxious, as his boyfriend leaned his body to one side and peered over his shoulder at the blanket laid out behind him with the picnic basket.

"Kwannie," Vernon began.

Seungkwan made a noise, his index finger still raised. He inhaled deeply—dramatically—then lowered his finger.

"You planned all of this?" he asked.

Vernon nodded rapidly.

Seungkwan exhaled.

"Okay, walk me through your vision." The Hufflepuff gestured with his hands for his boyfriend to proceed. "Tell me what was going through your mind when you came up with all this. I want to know."

"Well, it's our first Valentine's Day together as a couple." Vernon scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "And I know that you've been really sad since Binnie's birthday..." When he noticed Seungkwan had stiffened at the mention of his friend, he said defensively, "I tried to talk to you about it so many times but you wouldn't talk to me! I thought that maybe I was doing something wrong, or that you felt like you couldn't trust me to open up... so I talked to Seungcheol hyung."

"And he told you to drown your boyfriend in the Black Lake?" Seungkwan deadpanned.

"He told me that I should use Valentine's Day as an opportunity to show you that you're not alone," Vernon corrected him gently.

Seungkwan huffed, wringing the water out of his robes as he avoided looking at the Gryffindor. Vernon watched him for several minutes while he fussed over his water-logged clothes before he finally straightened up and took a few steps closer to him.

Vernon held his breath.

He's going to break up with me, he chanted in his head. He's realized how bad I am at this whole relationship thing and he is going to break up with me.

"I'm only going to say this once, so you'd better listen," Seungkwan told him sternly, holding his face securely between wet hands. "Well, not only once, because I will always tell you good things about yourself so that you're aware of your own worth, but regardless! Me not talking to you about Binnie has nothing to do with how good of a boyfriend—or even how good of a friend—you are. You are doing wonderfully, I promise. Do you understand? Nod for yes, shake for no."

Vernon nodded, face still trapped between Seungkwan's hands.

"It's very difficult for bossy people like me to let go," the Hufflepuff continued, trying to sound flippant. "We need to be taken care of just like everyone else, but we're not very good at letting other people take care of us. And it shows in our dynamic, even after we got together," he added, using one hand to gesture between Vernon and himself. "So me avoiding talking to you every time you tried to talk to me about Binnie is not because you're not good at being supportive, because you are—it's because I'm not good at being vulnerable. Understand? Nod for yes, shake for no."

Vernon nodded again.

"I appreciate the effort you put into this." Seungkwan smiled at him, the effect only slightly diminished by his bangs still dripping water onto his face. "I appreciate the effort you put into us, all the time; and I'm sorry that I made you feel as though I didn't."

"I know how hard it is for you to say sorry first," Vernon teased, his voice muffled by the squishing of his cheeks. "So I appreciate it."

"Yah!" Seungkwan pinched his cheeks gently. "But you're right, and I really am sorry. You're an amazing boyfriend and I love you." Vernon jumped, not expecting the sudden declaration when neither of them had never said those words before. Noticing this thanks to his grip on his face, Seungkwan only held on more firmly. "Do you understand? Nod for yes, shake for no."

Unable to do anything else, Vernon nodded.

"Good."

Seungkwan loosened his grasp and stroked the apples of Vernon's cheeks with his thumbs affectionately.

"Because I do. Love you, I mean. Since first year, when you told those boys off in class for bullying me," he clarified unnecessarily. "I knew then and there that you were someone I could count on, and you've proven time and time again how right I was—although, of course, I've never been wrong in my life. So I'll tell you that I love you all the time, because you need to hear it. I want you to hear it and know that I mean it, because I've never meant anything more in my entire existence on this wretched planet."

Vernon swallowed.

"Kwannie, I—"

Seungkwan stopped him, putting a hand over his mouth.

"Tell me when you're ready," he said. "I'll still love you then, even if you make me wait for a long time. But don't make me wait too long, okay? Nod for yes, shake for no."

Vernon nodded.

#GeniusLabStorytime #SEVENTEEN #SEVENTEEN x Hogwarts #TW: mentions of Moonbin from ASTRO #VerKwan is the main attraction #MinWon but like... platonically #Seokmin's admirer is secret because they're too shy to reveal themselves #JunHao but like... also platonically? #Joshua has an admirer because of course he does #Chan is still having dalliances with the Beauxbatons girl from the Christmas AU #JeongCheol #And a new pairing that wasn't established in the Christmas AU... SoonHoon! #There's all kinds of tension but everyone is happy in the end #It was so much easier to write the Christmas AU because they were more grouped together #I had to come up with something for each of them to do whether as a pair or on their own with an original character #Carat Day #Valentine's Day