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bubblegumspacebxtch · 1 year

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Melting the Dragon's Heart

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x Female Reader

Word Count: 6.3K

Summary: They say opposites attract but can profound differences really find it in them to love?

Warnings || angst but then fluff at the end

A/N: I haven't written in so long, but this man has forced me out of hiatus because he's just so dreamy. The murdering, white-haired menace that is Aemond Targaryen does things to me so naturally I had to write this long ass fic. I know it's long but I couldn't help it really. Also I was in the mood for some angst so that's that lol

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As the saying goes, hearts unalike are those most drawn to one another. Aemond thought it a ridiculous belief. He could not fathom it were possible for gentle and kind to love cold and cruel.

He was aloof and indifferent. Prince Aemond curated an image that made even the most proud of lords hesitate to interact with him. Complementary to his nature was his looks. The man stood tall and firm with his chin often upturned as if to reiterate his high status. His scowl seemingly permanent like the scar that ran across his face. Many fear what lay underneath his eyepatch that even having it covered leave people wary of the Targaryen prince.

Though he was not always this ironhearted, the young prince knew that love was an illusion and marriage a duty. Aemond believed only his mother could love him and even she could not do so fully. To some extent he understood why love for the likes of him would always sound ridiculous. Because it was far better to be feared than loved. And no one could love a monster like him.

You had.

You who is pure and spirit bright. You who is social and could sympathize with anyone regardless of status.

You were Aemond Targaryen’s antithesis. Your humility and generosity knew no bounds. Unlike the prince’s seriousness, you were lighthearted. You believed in love and never hesitated to love who you could.

Not only in nature were you and the prince contrary to one another, but also in looks. You were small and would often need to look up in order to maintain eye contact when conversing. Your head of curls the color of ink as opposed to the renowned white of the Targaryen bloodline.

You grew up with Aemond and his siblings seeing as you were the lady-in-waiting to his sister Helaena. You often left the young prince wondering how such goodness could be possessed by an individual, especially given your circumstance.

Being an orphaned bastard of House Westerling, you’ve learned to bury the pain brought by the judgment of others. You have swallowed many vile insults and hate, but never had you let it harden your heart. Your mother died in childbirth and your father you never knew. Fortunate enough, your uncle took you as his own which allowed you to be in the good graces of the king.

You arrived in King’s Landing when you were eleven and the prince thirteen. Aemond committed to memory the very moment your light filled him with awe.

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His eye was already lost and though it had already healed, the pain and anger he felt still a roaring flame.

“I want you all to treat her well.”

While his brother rolled his eyes at their mother’s reminder, Aemond simply dismissed her. In his mind, he need not be reminded because he was more or less civil and distant with everyone, especially new people.

The hinges sang lowly as the massive doors to the throne room opened to announce your entrance. A contagious smile adorned your face as you walked alongside the Hand.

Aemond could not deny that even as a child you were captivating. The grace and pureness your persona exude was what kept the room’s attention on you.

“Your Grace.”

Their mother watched with a smile as you curtsied. As you resumed standing upright, you turned your attention to each of the Targaryen children as they were introduced.

“And this is Prince Aemond.”

He seemed to snap back to attention at the mention of his name, having been admiring the dewy skin of your supple pink cheeks.

“Pleased to be in your presence, Prince Aemond.”

Your smile gave way to dimples and the prince felt his heartbeat stutter. Though you made him feel an oddly pleasant sensation between his ribs, his response was anything but. He gave only a curt nod, but your smile never wavered despite his indifference.

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With the passing of time you only became even kinder. Aemond once thought you may have been blessed to have your outsides reflect your insides. Your positivity was accompanied by beauty he has yet to see on anyone else in the entire Seven Kingdoms. He would marvel at your soft eyes and full lips before growing bitter at the thought that if you had been blessed then he must have been cursed. The misery and abhorrence he kept inside must be why he had a monster for a reflection.

Before you, it was easy for Aemond to get caught up in self-loathing and insecurity. That was until you showed him genuine affection.

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He was training with Sir Criston while you were with the princess looking to find a chrysalis she wished to take care of before it transformed into a butterfly.

Aemond was so focused on trying to dodge the knight’s advances that he failed to notice his cover had fallen to reveal his other eye. The gasps were audible but Aemond was quick to drop his sword to cover himself. You watched him storm off to the castle to his chambers. The unwanted attention had him almost in a frenzy with adrenaline allowing him so make his swift escape.

You watched the scene with a heavy heart, growing upset as the people around who had witnessed the affair started to whisper about the one-eyed prince. You noticed his eyepatch still on the ground and you took it with the intent of returning it and checking up on him.

“Princess, I believe we must be heading back. We would not want your mother to have to wait for you for tea time.”

After being dismissed, you made your way to the younger prince’s chambers.

Aemond had a tight grip on his chalice as he mulled over what had happened. By now his head felt lighter given the amount of wine he had. Drinking was his brother’s way of coping and Aemond wanted no part of him to resemble Aegon, but given the circumstance he allowed himself this bit of irresponsibility.

The sound of your knuckles against his door was so faint that he almost ignored it, but your sweet voice soon followed.

“My prince, I come returning what is yours.”

Even through his sour mood you managed to find your way past as your voice brought him a bit of peace, granting him a break from his harsh thoughts.

“May I come in?”

His mind, the sober part at least, wanted to deny your request knowing you saw his face bare. He feared the heartbreak. What if you regard him with caution or even worse, disgust?

His heart however longed for you. And so before he could decide otherwise, he said, “Come in.”

The creak of the door made him nervous. He refused to face you directly, settling on watching you from his peripheral.

You stood close to the door once it was closed, awaiting further instruction. For a few seconds you studied him. His other eye was again covered by a different eyepatch. His hair was no longer tied, leaving it to frame his face.

“You may sit, Lady Y/N.”

The prince had gestured to the seat next to him. You inhaled deeply before your small feet carried you across the room. The prince watched your every move and he noted how your silver dress made you glow, providing a contrast to your dark hair and eyes.

As you sat, you brought your hands together on your lap and only then did Aemond notice what you were holding. The sight of his eyepatch made him tense and soon an awkward tension filled the space as you sat in silence.

“You must think me a monster now.”

“Your Grace, you are no monster in my eyes. I wish you shared my opinion because it is the truth.”

Your response had him turning to face you and he felt his heartbeat pick up. Your eyes have always been so expressive and where he expected pity to lie he saw adoration and genuine concern instead.

Upon meeting his eye, your smile widened. You so desperately wanted to be there for him and alleviate whatever troubles him.

“Your eye should not be cause for judgement. It is one’s character that ought to be looked at.”

“And what is my character?”

“You are thoughtful. I appreciate how you would leave me books you believe I would enjoy or bring me pastries you’d want me to try. You are bright and respectful. The conversations you hold are of an educated man. You are immensely loyal to not only those you love but to your house as well.”

By the time you had finished speaking, the space between you two was barely there. You stared at each other for what felt like centuries before a small smile broke out on the prince’s face. You admired the way his lips curved, fascinated by the depth of his prominent cupid’s bow.

An unknown force compelled you to touch the left side of his face and your bravery raised your hand to do so. Before you could move further, the prince caught your wrist in a gentle hold.

He stared at you, beginning to feel nervous, but your will remained steadfast. Your hand landed on his cheek, caressing his scar and before the prince could react, you moved to rid him of his cover.

“Y/N-”

His protests died on his tongue as the bright sapphire was revealed to you and he watched your pupils dilate in wonder. He had never before felt so vulnerable, but your touch put him at ease.

The pair of you remained in silence like that for gods know how long. Then you whispered in earnest.

“Beautiful…”

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The sound of your laughter traveled down the hall. Aemond could feel his insides twist in delight as he drew closer towards his sister’s chambers.

“Brother? What a lovely surprise.”

Your back was facing the door when he entered. You watched the princess smile at her brother before turning to address him yourself. The sight of you knocked the wind out of Aemond.

A butterfly lay on your cheek and the other at the exposed skin of your clavicle. You looked ethereal and Aemond swore he felt giddy seeing you so lovely.

“My chrysalises have finally turned into butterflies! We opened the jar to free them but they flew to Lady Y/N instead.”

Princess Helaena was amused at how smitten the prince was with you. She had to refrain from giggling as she carefully removed the insects on you before catching her brother's attention.

“What is it you came for, brother?”

It was a physical effort for Aemond to take his eye off you and you felt your cheeks warm at the attention.

“Oh… uh mother requests to see you in her chambers.”

“Now? But I promised Lady Y/N I’d walk with her through the gardens.”

"Your Grace, we do not have to if-"

"I can walk with her! If... of course, Lady Y/N allows it..."

Prince Aemond was rarely embarrassed, but in that moment he could not avoid being bashful at how eager he sounded to spend time with you.

"I am sure you have better use of your time, Prince Aemond."

"Nonsense, Lady Y/N. I insist."

As Princess Helaena left, you and the prince made your way to the castle gardens. You prayed to the gods he could not hear the erratic beat of your heart at his close proximity.

"Let me take this time to say my thanks to you, Lady Y/N."

"What ever for, your Grace?"

"You have never failed to be kind and patient with my sister. Many see her odd, but you regard her in no such way."

Your heart swelled at his appreciation and Aemond felt his own do the same as you faced him with your wide grin and doe eyes.

"I suppose I am grateful that your kindness extends to me as well. It is rare that I am regarded with as much compassion as you have shown me."

You are taken aback by the prince's admission and he gave you a tender smile in return.

"There is no need to thank me, my prince. I only wish more people could witness how beautiful and gentle you truly are..."

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The young prince could not contain his bliss as he walked back to his chambers after his time with you. There was a skip in his step with his scowl now absent from his face. That was until he opened his door to reveal his brother waiting for him in his chambers.

Aemond slightly faltered at his brother looking at him with a sly smirk. The younger Targaryen was quick to school his features, returning to the cold expression he always wore.

"What are you doing here, Aegon?"

"I saw you with Lady Y/N and my my I could not believe what I was witnessing."

Aemond raised his eyebrow at his brother and Aegon chuckled lightly before continuing.

"I never thought a simple bastard would catch the eye of a man as proud as you, my brother."

"What are you talking about?" Aemond hissed, glaring at an amused Aegon.

"You mean to say you harbor no fondness for the girl?" his brother teased back.

"Do not dare insult me, brother. I have no intention of ever associating myself with a lowborn orphan such as her. I am a prince after all so I would be careful with implying something so ridiculous."

Unbeknownst to Aemond, you were right outside his door. You had the intent of returning a book he had lent you, but stopped short upon hearing the two princes.

You tried to hold in your tears at the offensive remarks made to your name. Your heart shattered and you felt the shards stab at your insides.

It was not easy to admit, but you had developed feelings for the younger prince. His rare smile that you thought was more common when you were around. The difference in the attention he would give you compared to any other. All these things made you believe that maybe he saw you in the same light. That maybe he too felt he could not breathe whenever you were around. At the very least, you thought he regarded you as a dear friend, just like you had him.

Only after hearing what he had to say about you did you think otherwise. You were mistaken. Blinded by your want to have your affections reciprocated, you failed to notice how different your ambitions were from the truth.

He did not love you. He may not even see you as anything more than a servant he has had to live with these past years. You had set yourself up for heartbreak by creating a delusion of loving the prince and being loved back.

The hold you had on the book loosened and before you could stop it, a small thud echoed from it falling. That snapped you out of your thoughts. As fast as your feet allowed, you made your way out of the hall and on your way back to your chambers.

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Aegon soon left his brother's chambers and the younger prince heaved a heavy exhale. Aemond did not wish to ridicule you to his brother, but he wouldn't dare acknowledge his adoration for you either. Not because he was ashamed of having feelings for you, but because he knew making it known would remind him of the rejection that is guaranteed. You could not love him, that much he knew, so he denied what he felt.

A knock on his door brought him out of his thoughts. After giving his permission, a servant had revealed herself holding the book you had dropped moments ago.

"Why is this in your possession?"

"I found it outside your door, Prince Aemond. I only wish to return what I believe is yours."

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You made it a point to avoid the prince at all costs. Your fragile heart would simply crumble to even finer pieces if you were to be in his presence again. You stopped going to the library and would now convince the princess to avoid wandering to places you knew Aemond would be. You stayed in your chambers more, only leaving when the princess was in need of you.

Almost a week had passed and Aemond thought you had vanished into thin air with how little he's seen you. He now only caught glimpses of you not often which left his heart aching. At some point he resorted to seeking you out by going to your chambers all the way across the Keep.

With the book in his other hand, the silver-haired prince raised the other to knock on your door. He waited with bated breath and his heart leapt at finally seeing you again after what felt like decades.

It was obvious you weren't expecting him and the prince's stomach dropped upon seeing how your smile faltered.

"Prince Aemond... How may I be of service to you?"

Now the confusion was noticeable on Aemond's face. Never had you addressed him with such formality.

"I thought to return this to you so you may finish reading it. You must have left it somewhere because a servant returned it to me."

"Your Grace, I am a person of no importance to have a prince make an effort to hand me books. I believe it best you no longer do so."

You made no eye contact with him as you twiddled with your thumbs and the prince could not stop his smile from turning into a frown.

"Lady Y/N, trust that I do this wholeheartedly. You are no bother to me as I am gladdened by the love of reading we share."

"Pardon me, your Grace, but there is no need for you to pretend any longer. I know what you think of me and am aware you do not want the likes of me near you."

It was a heavy task to not cry despite feeling the heaviness of your spirit become unbearable. Aemond so desperately wanted you to lift your head to face him, but as soon as you did, his heart felt like it took a punch.

Your eyes were glassy and your features forlorn. The sight of you sent the prince scrambling for a response that would comfort you.

"That could not be further from the truth. Y-You are my dearest friend, Y/N... I-"

"I believed you were a friend to me as well, but I heard you with Prince Aegon. Though I know you spoke the truth. The truth being that I am a lowborn bastard. I-I cannot deny how it pains me so to hear you regard me with such contempt."

By now the tears have flown freely down your face. The prince's chest tightened seeing you shake as you succumbed to your heartache.

"Forgive me f-for wasting even m-more of your time, Prince Aemond."

You cringed at your pathetic apology given you could not stop the hiccups from your cries. You made an attempt to close the door, but Aemond beat you to it, placing a hand on the wood and pushing to let himself in your space.

"Y-Your Grace, please... Y-You mustn't-"

His hands on your face catches you off guard, lifting it so that you may look up at him. With gentle fingers, he wiped your tears, and you couldn't help closing your eyes at the gesture.

"It is I who should be begging for your forgiveness, Y/N... I-I did not mean those words. It was not my intention to hurt you. I would never dream of hurting you, my dear Y/N. I-I simply wanted Aegon to leave me alone. I didn't want him to know..."

You raised your eyebrows as the prince trailed off. Aemond felt his heart was to burst out of his clothes soon and drop to the floor. He had to tell you now. Rejection or not, he must make it known that he would never willingly hurt you, the one person whose presence reminds him that he still has a heart and that he is worth more than his title.

"I did not want him to know that... that I care for you deeply. You have enraptured my heart and soul with the unwavering kindness you have bestowed to someone as unworthy as me."

Your eyes widen at the prince but he continues his speech as he moves to decrease the distance between you two even more.

"It is your laughter that calms me and when I close my eyes, it is the image of your smile painted on the back of their lids. When we are together and you tell me of what you've read, I find myself daydreaming of a life with you. How I would offer everything I have in exchange for your hand."

"Prince Aemond, w-what are you saying..."

"I am saying I love you, Y/N. Most ardently."

You gasped upon hearing his words and the prince moved his hands to hold yours.

"What I said to my brother was in fear of rejection for I have denied my feelings knowing they are one-sided. It was childish of me to turn to insults to reject what I feel so strongly for you and I regret having upset you. I-I understand if you wish to never speak to me again..."

With his head bowed and gaze to the floor, the prince did not see the smile that was back on your face.

"Oh Aemond, you fool!"

Before he could make eye contact to decipher what you meant, you had let his hands go in favor of wrapping them around him in an embrace as you lunged forward. The prince was quick to secure your waist in his arms. He heard you giggle in his ear before pulling back to be face to face with him.

"Your feelings are my own, my prince. I too love you a great deal."

Several emotions washed over Aemond all at once, but it was relief that was undeniable. He mirrored the bright smile on your face as your arms remained on his shoulders and his on your hips.

"I did not think it were possible for someone as beautiful and gentle as you to feel for someone like me." Aemond admitted, but you only leaned in to kiss him in response.

There was no greater pleasure than having your lips on his. Having the privilege of your love was comparable to being high up in the sky. He was in so much elation as your chest pressed to his when he tightened his hold on you.

"I love you, my beautiful prince. I am yours."

"Y/N... If you will have me... I desire nothing more than to be your husband."

#aemond targaryen #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond x reader #aemond targaryen angst #aemond x you #aemond targaryen fluff #hotd imagine

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tenaciousarcadeexpert · 4 months

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list of young actresses of color who deserve to have more recognition and opportunities as actors like Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kathryn Newton, Millie Bobby Brown etc. It would be refreshing to see more of these talented and underrated actresses of color

*Note, the list consists of actors born within the mid 90s-2000s. This might not be a complete list so whoever sees this is welcome to add more actors that I missed. I might update this post from time to time

This list has gotten so long that I have to make a separate one for male actors of color

Rachel Zegler-(she deserved way better than the hate over snow white)

Lana Condor-(aside from x-men apocalypse and the to all the boys trilogy, she hasn't done much blockbusters compared to Noah, despite her being the lead in the latter films)

Dominique Thorne-(She has her Ironheart and deserves more opportunities, both in the mcu and outside)

Halle Bailey

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Lola Tung-(same example with Lana, pretty jarring how her male co-stars are getting work beyond the summer i turned pretty and yet there's nothing from Lola)

Ashley Liao

Megan Suri-(another cast member from Never Have I Ever who also deserves all the opportunites)

Joy Sunday-(Bianca from Wednesday, deserves as much love as Emma Myers)

Iman Vellani-(Ms Marvel/Kamala Khan herself, deserves to have a thriving career and be as big like Tom Holland)

Ayo Edebiri-(2023 was a big year for her, hopefully it continues and she's not overlooked or overshadowed by her white co-stars in The Bear)

Savannah Smith-(Carried the gossip girl reboot, she deserves to have as much recognition as Leighton and Blake did after the original Gossip Girl series)

Madison Reyes-(Julie and the Phantoms deserved better than to be cancelled after one season and with a cliffhanger. Let her star in a musical and or disney film)

Simone Ashley-(One of the main leads in Bridgerton yet Phoebe and Nicola have more upcoming projects than her in Hollywood)

Charithra Chandran

Arsema Thomas

India Amarteifio

Madeleine Madden-(Carried season 2 of The Wheel of Time and if you watched the whole season, you'll understand why)

Moses Ingram-(Did not deserve the hate over the Obi Wan Kenobi series)

Minnie Mills-(She deserved to appear in season 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty)

Amrit Kaur

Alyah Chanelle Scott-(it's frustrating that both the main leading ladies of color are overshadowed by Renee Rapp and Pauline, who's related to Timothy)

Letitia Wright-(Pretty jarring how she's been in plenty of mcu projects yet it's easy to count the number of roles she's been in outside the mcu, and has been acting since 2011, longer than Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor Joy and Millie Bobby Brown. Wright has even acted as long as Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams and they've been in more projects than her)

Yasmin Finney-(She's done both Heartstopper and Doctor Who)

Imani Lewis-(First Kill deserved better than being cancelled after one season. Let her do more horror and supernatural themed

Leah Jeffries-(Deserves all the support especially once the Percy Jackson series comes out)

Auli'i Cravahlo

Erin Kellyman-(After the Han Solo film, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Willow, let her appear in more sci-fi and action blockbusters)

Sadly, tumblr has a 30 limit on adding gifs. I definitely missed so many on the list. Anyone is welcome to add more to the list. All of these talented actresses deserve all the love, appreciation and more opportunities and roles

I might do a part 2 which will include male actors

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allkordelia · 1 year

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Keep Me in Your Thoughts (15)

The celebration was already in full swing as the lords and ladies of the serpent islands drink and socialize with each other. Some even from westeros came from what Daemon saw, he remembered the surpised looks they gave him when he walked in with baelor and his little friend close by him. Before he could go over they scattered away, he frown at display but he shrugged it off and followed baelor and marra around waiting for the queen's arrival.

"Prince Daemon?"

Daemon froze at the familiar voice and turned to see lord hobert with his wife and childern, lord hobert gave a polite smile as he came closer making daemon look him up and down.

"Lord Hightower, I am surpise to see you here." Daemon look down he felt a presents and saw baelor and marra come stand to his left side.

"I can say the same for you, we heard what happened to you lady-wife, we are so sorry for your loss." Daemon clenched his jaw to keep from showing his confusion and shock.

"Thank you, lord hightower." The older man bowed his head before leaving with his family.

A feeling of relief passed through Daemon, the old harlot was dead he was free, a smile slowly creeped onto his lips. A neutral look appeared when he looked at baelor and marra giving him odd looks, he shrug it off before walking through the crowd towards the table of food, baelor and Marra shared a look before following after him. The trio made it to the table, the back of Aeron was facing them as he talked to Valaena. The princess noticed daemon and others making her smile over aeron's shoulder, making the prince turn to see what she was looking at and gave a look of disdain when he saw daemon.

"Your still here." Valaena hit Aeron's arm with the back of her hand at his rudness.

"Nice to see you too, Ironheart." Daemon slap the prince's shoulder as he pass by to go to the table.

"Don't call me that." Aeron spat annoyed.

"Why not? You should be proud of your nickname, many great kings have them." Aeron gave them eyeroll as he empty his cup in his mouth before a servant pour him more.

"King Aeron Ironheart Velfrey. It fits." Baelor said to himself before looking at his brother with a amuse look.

"Why did they nickname you, Ironheart?" Marra asked looking at Aeron, the young prince shook his head.

"It was a joke–"

"Don't lie to the child, boy." Daemon says giving a aeron a mockingly stern look before he look to the young girl, "They called him Ironheart, because when he was in the stepstones. He fought with the strength of a thousand dragons and he showed no mercy to our enemies, as he cut through them like a hot knife to butter." Aeron was gulping down his mead as he rolled his eyes at daemon, marra looked enliven at tale.

"What is war like?" Marra asked Daemon.

"Horrific."

"Thrilling." Aeron glared at Daemon as he stare back at the tongue prince.

"Now, who's lying now, cousin." Daemon gave a eyeroll.

"We all have our perceptive of war, the prince founds it unnerving while I found it exciting." Daemon smile looking Marra who was grinning.

"That's because your insane." Corwyn came up from the side pushing pass baelor who glare at his back as the green eye prince grabbed a goblet from the table.

"Rich coming from you, corwyn. You nearly killed half of our men on your ship, when you rammed head first into the enemies vassal." Corwyn grin at the memory.

"Did I not give you and my brother enough time to sail to Bloodstone, we all must make sacrifices in war, daemon. You taught us that." Corwyn raised his cup to Daemon before taking a gulp, Daemon grunt, sometimes daemon wished he never taken corwyn under his wing.

The boy was a deadly mixture of otto and daemon, he was reckless and dangerously smart. If corywn had it his way he would have taken the stepstones from daemon and turn it into an empire, the boy had ideas that could have saved them time and supplies but could have cost them too many lives.

"One of my biggest mistakes," he mumbled making aeron give a look of agreement.

The sound of trumpets caught the group making them turn their attentions over to the double doors opening, daemon dropped the tart in his hand on to the plate and walk ahead before being followed by valaena and her siblings. He pushed through the crowds not caring about the scowls they were giving him as he made it to the front to see Rhaelle, the air that was in his lungs felt like they were sucked out when he saw Rhaelle walk up to the platform.

She was breathe taking. The shining gold like gown, she wore made her beautiful skin glow. She was graceful when she walk like she was cloud floating through the sea of people, and her smiles so bright, so welcoming, so sweet and lovely. It was hard to take your eyes off of her. Daemon watched as her eyes scan over the sea of people, when her gaze caught his stare. A familial glint flicker it's way through her eyes, making her look away swiftly and put her lock of hair behind her ear.

"Good gods man. Close your mouth." Corwyn whispered as he stood next to him with his older brother and sister on his other side, a stifled giggle came from Valaena and Marra at the display making daemon snap his mouth close and caused a heat crawled up his neck.

The room went quiet at Rhaelle raised hand, "Welcome lords and ladies of the isles, it gave me great pleasure to invite you all here to celebrate the return of my boys." Rhaelle smiled as she and everyone clapped, Aeron gave a bashful smile as he nod his to the men near them as they put him and corwyn on the back, Corwyn gave a nonchalantly eyeroll as he went back to drink out his cup.

"As well as, Prince Daemon..." Rhaelle squeezed her hands together nervously as she look over at Daemon who looked surpised, "He brought my boys home, so for that gratitude." She smiled gratefully towards the prince making him bow his head towards her, she soon turn back to the crowd with a huge smile.

"Thank you all again for coming, please enjoy the rest of the celebration." She beamed to the crowd making them cheer as she step down from the platform to greet the lords and ladies waiting for her.

Rhaelle made her way through the crowd with smiles and small talk, she wanted to get to her family as quick as possible but she sensed that would be hellish with how much the lords which to talk to her about marriage.

The targaryen prince could see rhaelle getting close, he told the childern to stay with valaena without looking at them as he move to make his way through the crowd towards rhaelle. Some got out of his way as he pass through, he caught rhaelle's eye who looks to be weary of the men that surround her. She nods as she moves along as more people greet her, she saw daemon comjng through the crowd. She couldn't believe it, but she truely hope he would shove through the people to get her even though he us the last person. She wants to see after what happened earlier, even though the kiss lasted for a milisecond she could still feel his soft lips against her cheek.

Daemon was right behind a lord who was talking to rhaelle about his eldest son and daughter, he saw rhaelle tight smile making reminding him of his grandmother. The way the late monarch would purse her lips into a smile, when she is fed up with listening to men speak to her about politics or marriage. He gave a amuse smile when he saw rhaelle roll her eyes when the lord left with his wife, rhaelle gave daemon a enervated smile as the white-haired man walk up to her.

He was stopped in his tracks by a man with brown hair and a green cape, daemon glared at the back of the man' head. Who looks to know the queen very well with how rhaelle was smiling from ear to ear, and squeezing his arm with a faint smile. Daemon watch the interaction with great displeasure and when the man finally turn with rhaelle, daemon looked at the man with disdain he should of known.

"Prince Daemon, I didn't see you there, how have you been?" Gwayne Hightower spoke with sincerity making daemon want to roll his eyes.

"Ser Gwayne. I am well." He didn't spare the knight a second glance as he looked at rhaelle, who stood quiet as she watch.

"My queen," rhaelle look at daemon, "You honored me with your speech, and may I say you look gorgeous." He says, he took hold of her hand swiftly before pressing a kiss on the back of it, making her narrow her eyes at him gently as he lips stayed there for a moment before he pulled away.

"You are too kind, prince daemon." She took back her hand and use her thumb to rub over the spot he kissed, this is his second time catching her off guard at this point, she should just avoid him all together with how easy she letting him get away with these things.

Daemon grin noticing her rubbing the spot on her hand, he held out his arm for her to take after he mentioned taking her to her childern.

"You don't mind if I come with m'lady, it been ages since i seen my brothers and sister." Gwayne says as he stood in front of her next to daemon, making the prince clench his jaw and look at the knight with irritation.

"I don't see why not, they are your siblings after all." She smiled at him before moving past them as they watch, Daemon's eye wonder down to her backside with a smirk before looking back up.

He heard a sound from gwayne to find the boy doing the same thing, daemon growled making gwayne look away from rhaelle to daemon to see the older prince glaring at him. Daemon walked ahead blocking gwayne as he followed rhaelle, daemon never moved from his spot from behind her, he walk with her close like a guard dog. Whenever a lord would delay them on their path, he would shot them a hard glare making them cower away. He didn't move away when she stop in front of her childern, he still looked out for men who would bother them.

As he stood guard he could feel someone watching him, he glance around until his sights landed on a disheveled man who looks to be glaring right at daemon. He never seen the man before but than again daemon never really was the type to remember faces, he nudge rhaelle when the man started coming their way.

Rhaelle looked at Daemon before seeing Gerold walk towards her, she put on a polite smile when he walk to her.

"Lady Rhaelle." He bow his head at her making her do the same.

"Lord Royce, I am happy you could make it. I am so sorry to hear about your cousin." He reach his hand out and rhaelle took it as she squeeze it in comfort, Gerold thanked her as he squeeze her hand back but the look of sadness was soon replace with displeasure at the sight of daemon.

"Prince Daemon." Gerold lets go of the queen's hand and held his fist by his side as he stare down the prince.

"Ser Reginald." Gerold jaw tensed.

"Gerold." Daemon grunt before muttering out an 'apologies.

Rhaelle looked between the man as they stare each other down, she could feel the tension between the two making her worry.

"Do we have a problem?" Daemon finally asked as he raise his brow at the man.

"I don't know, do we?" He spits back in anger, daemon step closer sizing gerold up, he glance rhaelle who looked worried at him and gerold.

"I have no problem with you, ser royce." Daemon look back at the man as he step back, gerold didn't look to be backing down.

"No, but you did have one with my cousin, did you not." He says making daemon glare at him.

"Me and Rhea haven't seen or spoken to each since our wedding, so I can't have a problem with someone who I don't even interact with." Gerold hum nodding his head.

"Which means killing her would have been easy for you, wouldn't it rogue prince." Rhaelle's eyes widen at the Gerold's words, she looked towards the childern telling them to go to bed.

"But, mother–"

"Don't argue with me. Go." She said stern watching the childern leave, she turn to ser rewan who was next to valaena and corwyn, "Make sure they get to their rooms." Rewan nods and follow after the girl and boy.

"Are you mad?" Rhaelle turn back to daemon and gerold as he stare at the man with fire in his eyes.

"Lord Gerold, you and I know that is a drastic accusation," the older lord turn his attention to the queen.

"Is it? Your cousin does have a reputation, m'lady. I wouldn't put it pass him if he killed her for her inheritance." Daemon scolded.

"I barely like going to that boring shithole you called a home in the first place, and you think I would want to claim her lands. I rather fuck your sheep." Gerold growled and putting his hand on the halt of his sword making daemon glare at him, rhaelle stood between the man putting her hand on daemon's chest when he stepped forward.

"No! Not here. Not under my roof. No in front of my family." She snapped looking at daemon before gerold, "I understand you are grieving, my lord. I know how close you were to rhae, but daemon had nothing to do with the death of rhea royce."

"How would you know? He could easy flew that red beast from here and back within hours without you noticing." Rhaelle glance away at daemon before swallow looking at Gerold, you didn't realize your hand was still on daemon's chest making you remove it quickly.

Rhaelle motion gerold to the side making him give her a reculant look making her plead with her eyes, he look at daemon with a sharpe look before being pulled to the side with rhaelle. Daemon watch with narrow eyes as the queen and lord talk, he pulled his eyes away when he notice many people looking at him including gwayne and the triplets. He started to feel his skin crawl making him swiftly stalk away, he heard valaena called after him as he make his way to servant with a tray with wine.

@cleverzonkwombatsludge @beggarsnotchoosey @green-lxght @supermassiveblackhope @avidreader73 @stormgirlfriendd @watercolorskyy

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cantstayawaycani · 11 months

Text

Meeting Tenoch @ Comicpalooza Part One

Saturday May 27 - THE PANEL

Okay! ::cracks knuckles::

Let me tell you about my Saturday at Comicpalooza (we can skip Friday, nothing much was going on that day) …!

I didn’t go to the convention center until an hour before the panel was supposed to start, because I was getting ready and psyching myself out to wear the “Pretty Baby” shirt and the shoes. I was a ball of nerves and excitement.

When I finally left my hotel room and got to the convention center, which, thankfully, was only a five minute walk from my hotel, I felt pretty good about everything. Still needed a little help though, so I stopped and got myself a double shot of vodka and cranberry juice to combat the butterflies in my tummy.

I found where we were supposed to go to line up for the panel, and got in line. Thankfully, I had decided to purchase the VIP pass and was going to be let in first so I could choose my seat! I was very happy, because I went straight to the front of the hall and sat right under the stage, right in front of where Tenoch and Dominique were going to be sitting.

Before the panel, I was in line with a few wonderful people. I had a kiki with a few Black women and some young Latina women who also stan Tenoch, and we talked and laughed a lot. At one point we all had a very loud, very friendly debate about who was right: Namor or Ramonda? We talked about what to say to Tenoch when we met him and what poses we wanted to ask for when we got our pictures taken. I was sipping on my Vodka cranberry and minute by minute I was relaxing.

When we got in, VIP went first, then the Speed Pass folks, then general admission. I at first thought the “reserved” seating at the very front was for press or talent guests, but the attendant said they were reserved for regular VIP. So scooted my behind to the front of the room and sat right where I would be seen!

We had been told there would be a QA after the panel so we could ask questions, but that turned out not to be the case. I had prepared a question for him that morning (another reason I took so long to leave my hotel room) and was disappointed I didn’t get to ask it. But we also could not take video or record audio (so they said) but could take pictures. I snapped a few pics, but didn’t dare do anything else. Also, I was too engrossed in what was being said by Dominique and Tenoch.

The moderator came out and asked how many times we have seen the movie. I said very loudly “15 times,” and she seemed impressed! When she introduced Dominique and Tenoch, she said to them before they sat down “This lady (she points to me) has seen the movie 15 times!” And Tenoch looks at me and he goes “Oh!” surprised and he and Dominique clap and laughed. I thought that was great! He looked me in my eyes, I waved VERY enthusiastically back at him with a HUGE grin on my face, and that was how we started the panel!

When he sat down I saw him look at my backpack which is clear and he saw his book in my backpack. I wanted him to see it, so I made sure to position it so that it was in full view of the stage. He did not say anything but he looked me in my eyes again and smiled! I'm sitting in the front row with my legs crossed with these shoes on, and I feel great because, like I said I had liquid courage!

The panel was amazing! The moderator asked very good questions, and Dominique was giving very good, detailed answers. She talked about her experiences in academia. She talked about how she related to her character Riri/Ironheart, and the preparations she did for filming and the advice that she would give to young people looking to make it in the industry.

Tenoch was also talking about how he connected to his character Namor, which was through the script and Ryan Cougler's words that he was given to say and to perform. He talked about connecting to the character through Mayan/Indigenous heritage. He mentioned that he helped to find scholars to do that research and to connect the script and the characters to the actual real world existence of the Mayan people.

And he talked about the fact that the Mayan people are still alive; that they are here today, and exist as human beings, not aliens or mutants. He said that it was an insult to say that aliens built the pyramids because we all know it was Brown people who did that from Aztec to Maya to Egypt: it was people of color who built the pyramids! He also said Jesus was Black!

His message was as it always is: to tell Brown people “there is nothing wrong with you, there was something wrong with the eyes of the people who were looking at you and judging you”.

He also told us what he did to keep himself focused on his passion: "Never give up. If this is for you, if you are passionate about this and you are happy to do it even when things look like there is no hope, just keep going." He kept repeating that: "keep going, keep going, keep going!" If acting is not for you, don't do it but if you know it's for you, keep going!

What I thought was cute was that the moderator asked Dominique and Tenoch to exchange anecdotes about what they learned from one another on set. Dominique said she learned from Tenoch to be confident in who you are as a person, where you come from, your background, and your culture. He taught her to be curious and to ask questions and to be bold enough to make suggestions because you have that knowledge and you want to contribute creatively.

What Tenoch said he learned from Dominique is that she had an amazing work ethic and that she showed up every day and she was like a soldier; that she showed up always prepared, and she worked hard, and she never complained.

He talked about his daughters! He told a story about bringing one of his daughters to set and about how she was confused by his stunt double!

He said he was doing her hair and she was watching his stunt double and someone asked her “where's your dad?” and she pointed to the stunt double! Tenoch was like “Eh? I'm right here doing your hair, hello! That's not me!”

Everybody laughed and I just thought it was the sweetest!

Then at the end, the moderator asked Tenoch a question in Spanish.

I am still learning Spanish, so I could only understand bits and pieces of what they were saying but I didn't understand fully so if anyone recorded that or can remember it and understand Spanish or speak Spanish (I'm sure somebody will post what he said) please do!

All I know is, as soon as he started talking, I said “He’s gonna make us cry!” And sure enough, he's talking and some of what he said in English before this answer was: “I just want to let the children especially know that there is nothing wrong with them, that they are Beautiful, that they matter, because when I was a kid I was invisible I was treated less than and I was told that I was not going anywhere and and nothing was going to happen to me or for me,” and so I can imagine he said something along those lines but deeper in Spanish.

I was sitting in a row with a few Latino men, and it's so funny because when Tenoch came out, he pointed to one of the men and was like “That guy's from my neighborhood!” and everybody laughed. They cheered so loud when he was finished speaking.

There was also a Latina woman who was a photographer for the event, and she was on her knees in front of the stage, she had a huge camera in her hands and she was taking photos. I looked at her nails when she was on the floor and I complimented her because they were really pretty and she complimented my nails. She said she did her nails herself; they were this really colorful flower pattern.

By the time Tenoch was finished talking, I could hear sniffling next to me and I looked over at the woman who was taking the photos for the event, and there were tears streaming down her face! So I just reached over and I rubbed her shoulder and I rubbed her back and I asked if she was OK and she said yes. She was emotional, but happy and proud I could tell.

And I looked at Tenoch, and he looked at me. He looked at the Latino men in the front who were sitting next to me and I don't know if he saw the photographer crying or not but I hope he did because that is the effect that he had on the people in the room!

Dominic was great and we were all clapping and cheering for her!

But something about the way Tenoch speaks just commands attention, and he commands respect, and he gets very emotional reactions out of people. We were all so emotional just at the end of this panel and I know when I was seeing this Latina woman on her knees crying at what he was saying, it just makes me understand the depth of the impact his visibility has on his community and culture. I respect him so much.

So that’s the panel! Photo op up next!

#tenoch huerta #tenoch huerta mejia #comicpalooza #text post #long post #long text post #meeting tenoch

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blueikeproductions · 12 days

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Sometimes it seems to me that the problem with female characters in the transformers franchise is that in the end, few people need them? Sometimes, here and there on social media, you can see the dissatisfaction of individual fans who do not like the current or past state of things with regard to female characters, but there is very little response from the audience. Fans have little support for existing female characters or new ones. Fans don't actively rebel when Hasbro once again makes a bad toy of a female character. And a personal observation in a familiar to me, but not the smallest part of the fandom - many female fans are more interested in male characters anyway. And of course there is a part of the fans who want to change the gender of previously existing male characters. And again, it seems to me that there is more love for the characters here, rather than a desire to add a female character.

What should we do about it? Probably nothing, the audience of this franchise is quite established for any changes, so we can only be happy when one of the authors really tries to make a high-quality female character, namely, to make a character and personality first of all.

P.S. A separate camp of fans are those who argue about how to explain the presence of females among transformers and whether it is necessary in principle. Why didn't anyone figure out that you can just explain it through the main origin? There was a Primus - he created Cybertronians in the image and likeness of the alien races he liked, which would explain all the strange appearance in general. If we take the origin of the Quintessons, then it's even easier, they created a product that was convenient for them / customers wanted / in the image of some race that they had previously enslaved.

Yeah it’s a weird circle jerk. Theres nothing wrong with having gals like Elita, Carly, Botanica, Glowstrike, and Hashtag, but writers and fans have a bad habit of needing female bots explained leading to Shockwave’s back handed comment about thinking female Autobots were extinct and IDW’s own confusing over corrections “We never had gender until Jhiaxus rebuilt Arcee for sick kicks, no wait wait, lady bots were a thing, they’re just maybe extinct on Cybertron for some reason, no no wait we still had lady bots all along, they’re just trans women on Cybertron while biological (technological?) women exist on colony planets!” Good grief pick a lane and stick with it.

Not helped is Hasbro’s own stance now that female robots exist only because of Solus Prime, which itself is a little insulting from a “diversity” standpoint because she’s the only lady among the Primes. One could make the argument Amalgamus is gender fluid because of his (their?) ability to Transform into anything, so in a roundabout way there’s two women among the Primes if one wanted to look at it that way, with Adaptus in a similar position (as the Guiding Hand in IDW are all men otherwise).

It’s the same problem I have with modern “diversity” initiatives because all they keep doing is drawing attention to people who are female, ethnic races, or LGBT, but never organically making them actual characters people can relate to and enjoy.

Sari might’ve had Indian roots, but they never drew attention to it instead focusing on making a fun little girl character who was best buds with the Autobots. Sort of the Gosalyn to their Darkwing. They did however draw attention to her (still unresolved) Cybertronian heritage but only because it was important to her backstory and character development. I guarantee if Sari were made today, she’d be a surface level checkbox brat akin to Ironheart who waxes about her people’s hardships and her own perceived problems despite not having any because of her father’s successful company. She forces herself on the Autobots to prove a point that didn’t need to be made, creating an old Stockholm Syndrome where the Autobots love her despite not offering any reason for them to. (It’s worth noting Ironheart’s comics are at least self aware she’s kind of a dipstick because her classmates and her black teacher she goaded into treating her “poorly” were visibly confused at her behavior and hesitantly indulged her whims.)

Cyberverse and EarthSpark are also horrible about this because they feel the need to gender bend most characters like Skywarp & Frenzy, rather than just use Slipstream (which CV did to be fair), create a brand NEW female jet, or in Frenzy’s case, just use Flip Sides.

Interestingly I’ve heard that Hasbro has limits on this, as the CV and ES teams wanted to make Thundercracker into a woman, but Hasbro said no, he’s a legacy player and has to remain a boy. (Or something to that extent.) Why Skywarp gets hit with the gender stick, I don’t know, but Skybound keeps the character male anyway, despite also being a legacy character. I imagine there’s more leeway with the Rainmakers because they were one off generics, and only recently-ish got names and expanded relevancy so it didn’t really matter if they were men or women. (That said, they appear to be still all male in IDW, with only Cyberverse and Earthspark making Nova Storm into a lady bot. Acid Storm was clearly meant to be male in CV, but an animation error and Catt speaking up led to the character being gender fluid unintentionally… who then died horribly. Organic representation, my actuator…) It’s nevertheless created an odd expectation perhaps, as the Seeker trio fluctuates in cartoons now, leading to the idea it’s now two ladies & a dude, with Nova Storm a permanent member in this idea. I don’t mind this in principle since Screamer, Cracker & Warpster were never really a cohesive trio anyway. Starscream was the star, the other two were just there and forgotten in most media. That Starscream/Slipstream, Thundercracker/Skywarp, & Nova Storm came about in modern stories as a group because of modern “diversity” soap boxing and muddled storytelling doesn’t help though.

There’s no real need to explain lady bots, they’re just there and if handled correctly you get awesome ones like BlackArachnia or memorable ones like Strika. Handle them poorly and you get Eren Jaeger Windblade, RiD Ultra Magnus wannabe Pyra Magna, and Primus forbid IDW Slide.

Primus and/or the Quintessons including ladies just because is acceptable because there’s no need to dwell on it, anymore than they decided to make LGBT bots. Live and let live, don’t dwell on it is my feeling. Just have said Transformers be cool and memorable and they happen to be this or that, I don’t know why that’s such a lost art anymore.

#transformers

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cuddl3s4shur1 · 1 year

Text

Fooling Around

Riri Williams x Black Fem Y/n

VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL !

Summary:You and riri were in a mall store and noticed a camera and decided to dance .

Authors Note: HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Warning: CUTE ASF

One shot or series:One shot obvi

Taglist: @tuesdaylovesu(wifey fr) @saintwrld @letitias-fav @locoforshuri @writesbyriri @lunax0654 @xxmilli @ziayamikaelson @secretgyals @randomhoex @malltake12 @yvxmpire @2k7-sparkles @niaalove @atssukoo @adeola-the-explorer @shuriislut @shuri-my-love @womenlxver

ㅤㅤ✷ ࣭ ࣪ ˖ ☞ ࣭ ࣪ ᩠ ֗ ✦ ࣭ ࣪ ˖

Y/n’s Pov

You and riri just got to the mall and you already knew where riri wanted to go .Victoria Secret . “Come on baee “ she says as she pulls your arm inside the store . “Whateva” you say as you roll your eyes at her . You look around the store and you picked out your favorites . “Have a nice day ma,am”. You say as you leave the store “you to” the lady says .”Come on now where going to bath and body works “

You begin to walk in the bath and body works store while riri was across from you shopping at foot locker . Little did riri know you where buying her favorite scents . This whole trip to the mall was you shopping for her valentines gift.

Once you finished shopping in bath and body works you decided to go to build a bear and make her a custom hello kitty bear . “Alright recored your message “ the worker says “Hey bae I just want to know I loved and love you sense we first meet “ you end the message with a smile. “Would you like to redo it “ the worker asks as she replays that message. “No ma,am I’m good” . She put the message inside the bear .

You call riri to see where she was in this big ass mall. “Where you at “ you ask her confused. “I’m waiting in the Cinnabon line but when I’m done we can go to lush than leave “ she says . “Alright call me when you get the cinnamon rolls “

You make your way to this bomber jacket place . You made a order for a custom ironheart bomber jacket. It had comic panels from the comic book and on the back on top of the comic panels it said ironheart. Riri was still in line so you decided to put your bags in the trunk so she couldn’t see what you got her .When you made your way back inside the mall you got a call from riri .”im on my way to lush “ she says “alright love see you” you head to the lush store . You didn’t really get a lot of stuff but you got her some heart bath bombs and for you a face mask.

You and riri look up while yall wait for a worker to come to the checkout .

A random worker goes behind and scans your items. Riri hugs you from behind. You run her face before you get out your wallet . “How much is it” you question her . “50” the worker responds. “God damn” you say as you laugh. You hand her a 50 dollar bill .

You and riri had a fun time at the mall. “I love you “ you say as you give her a kiss on the cheek. “Love you to love “ she responds .

You and riri always make time to fool around but it makes great memories

#black panther wakanda forvever spoilers #wakanda forever #black panther #cuddl3s4shur1 #ririxyn #riri williams fanfic #riri williams fluff #riri williams x reader #riri x reader #riri wiliams x reader #riri williams #Cuddl3s4shur1Writes

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aimmyarrowshigh · 1 month

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What are your thoughts on Kamala taking lead with the Young Avengers?

In the MCU? I like it -- I feel like her fandom of Carol and the Avengers makes it fit to have her go out and try to create a new superhero team of other young heroes, because she would be the one sitting there thinking about it and going, "The Avengers are gone, but the world still has problems. I can't solve them all on my own/learned teamwork with Monica and Carol/can honor Monica by being a hero/love other nerds who love superheroes," you know?

And especially given Secret Invasion, it wouldn't make any sense to have Fury be the one to put together the Young Avengers. Although the timeline with him is fucky because they switched the release dates of The Marvels and Secret Invasion, so whatever.

And in the comics, Kamala was the leader of the Champions, so it totally makes sense that she'd lead the MCU Champions/Young Avengers crossover team (because they're not going to have both, let's be real. There's also so many fucking movies/shows). Billy and Tommy are currently too young AND have THE most confusing backstory in comics, so putting either of them in charge wouldn't make the most sense. Cassie is on the West Coast. Kate is, as she tells Kamala, a bit older, and also Hawkeyes tend to be pretty solitary workers. Skar is... whatever the fuck is going on there that I'm pretending isn't going on over there. Peter is busy trying to eke out a living on his own in this universe, so he's probably both busy AND too traumatized to make new connections this soon. Eli hasn't made his heroic debut yet, although we've seen him. Yelena's a Thunderbolt. Love Thorsdottir is way too young. Phyla-Vel is in space. Toussaint/T'Challa and Morgan are too young. I feel like Kamala's the only one who COULD do it in a reasonable way, you know?

I feel like I'm forgetting someone. RIRI! Riri could do it, but again, she's older in this universe (college) and my insane "the MCU could make sense if they would do [X]" brain keeps insisting that she's going to be MJ's roommate at MIT in Ironheart or SM4. BECAUSE THEY'RE BOTH AT MIT. AND MIT CAN'T BE *THAT* BIG. IT WOULD MAKE SENSE, MARVEL. PLEASE MAKE SENSE.

I want the Young Avengers to be so good that it knocks me on my ass. I want it to be so good that it knocks Trendy MCU Haters on their asses. And I want Kamala to get to have that. Iman is SO wonderful and Kamala is SO great, and I want people to love her the way she deserves, dammit.

Also, if VisionQuest isn't canceled (which, who the fuck knows) -- I want it to be exactly Vision (2015), which is just exactly WandaVision but this time Vision's the one who created a fake family out of heartbroken madness. And I want Viv Vision in the MCU. I love Viv Vision so fucking much.

Also, I want My Blorbo Nadia! It could happen!!! Hank banged a lady named Linda while Janet was boinking Bill Murray in the Quantum Realm, so Hank could TOTALLY have a daughter that was in the Red Room (WHOM NATASHA AND YELENA FREED??? IN BLACK WIDOW??? MY HEART?!!?) and is a science genius who comes to find the Pym/Van Dynes and is just like, "Hello, I am here now, I love you, family!"

I don't know how they can reasonably have Hulkling after the MCU's version of Secret Invasion AND how the MCU Kree are so unilaterally evil. But also, the MCU is homophobic af so they probably won't have Hulkling anyway. >:(

Just... ::exhale:: There are so many fucking threads open within the MCU thOH MY GOD I FORGOT AMERICA CHAVEZ ALSO THERE ARE SO MANY OPEN THREADS AND I'M TRYING TO TIE THEM TOGETHER ON MY RED STRING BOARD AND THEY WON'T TIE TOGETHER, HOLLIE, THEY WON'T TIE TOGETHER.

I just want. The MCU. To be cohesive. And make sense. And close its plotholes in ways that are narratively satisfying. And also, Steve is on the moon.

#asks #marvel #ms. marvel #young avengers #marvel champions

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p1325 · 5 months

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youtube

Song: Die For 2023

Artist: AdamMusic

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's the list of the TV Shows I used

: -Loki Season 2, Ironheart, The Legend Of Vox Machina, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, The 90s Show: Revamp, Tokyo Revengers, Poker Face, The Last of Us, Foundation, The Consultant, American Born Chinese, Squid Game: The Challenge, Sex Education Season 4, Chucky Season 3, Gen V, One Piece, Wilderness, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off - You Season 4, Freeridge, Lockwood & Co., Kings of Jo'burg Season 2, The Snow Girl, The Exchange, Velma Season 1, Night Court, How I Met Your Father Season 2, School Spirits, Succession Season 4, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Goosebumps, Lesson in Chemistry, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Never Have I Ever, Ahsoka, The Morning Show Season 3, Invasion Season 2, The Witcher Season 3, Invincible Season 2, Foundation Season 2, Special Ops: Lioness, Secret Invasion Season 1, The Lions of Sicily Season 1 -Grease: The Rise of Pink Ladies, The Chemistry of Death, Carnival Row, Shahmaran, The Fall of the House of Usher, Our Flag Means Death Season 2, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Twisted Metal, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2, The Afterparty Season 2, Black Mirror Season 6, Jack Ryan Season 4, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, The Idol, Hijack, The Crowded Room, Based on a True Story, True Detective, Platonic, FUBAR, City on Fire, All the Light We Cannot See, Bupkis, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, The Muppets Mayhem, Silo, Drops of God, Citadel, Dead Ringers, Florida Man, Angel City, Love & Death, Nolly, Only Murders In The Building, Fellow Travelers, Fargo Season 5, What If Season 3, The Curse, Cleopatra, The Morning Show

#pop #pop music #end of the year #tv shows #2023 recap #Youtube

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themculibrary · 4 days

Text

Pirate AU Masterlist

A Dreadful Bond (ao3) - jobrker (grazziella) T, 4k

Summary: After his friend, Lady Michelle is captured by a band of pirates, Peter Parker confronts the infamous pirate captain, Tony Stark. The captain isn't willing to aid him, but Peter has a secret. Captain Stark is his father.

and a bottle of rum (ao3) - starkly G, 1k

Summary: Lieutenant Anthony Stark never expected to be fished out of the water by pirates after his ship sank in a storm, but life has a way of taking highly unexpected routes.

A Pirate's Life For Me (ao3) - Summer_Sunflower steve/bucky G, 1k

Summary: Steve thought it was surprisingly easy to capture the infamous pirate Captain James Barnes.

Turns out, it wasn't actually that easy.

Cutthroats, ViIlains, and Scoundrels (ao3) - glitchmalfunctioned, ransomdrysdale, SpecialHell steve/bucky, sam/bucky, m'baku/sam T, 25k

Summary: Pirate Captain James Barnes gets more than he bargained for when he takes prisoner Steve Rogers into his protection. The Captain is far from what Steve was expecting. Will the voyage to Wakanda (and some meddling from James' friend Sam Wilson) push them closer together?

Hoist a Black Flag (ao3) - Kangofu_CB clint/bucky E, 11k

Summary: “What if,” Barton said, “I offered to spare your men’s lives and your ship?”

“I accept,” Bucky said, resigned to his fate. He dropped the sword and fell to his knees.

“Excellent!” Barton said, and used the point of his sword to tip Bucky’s chin up and force him to meet his eyes. “What shall we do with you?”

After his best friend and captain goes missing on the high seas, Bucky Barnes finds himself taken captive by an all too captivating pirate.

just another (drop in the ocean) (ao3) - lincesque steve/tony, clint/phil T, 17k

Summary: Captain Steven Rogers of the Imperial Navy had one mission: to locate the notorious pirate ship, the Ironheart, and capture her mysterious captain, a man known only as ‘Tony’.

Let's To Sea (ao3) - Ginevra_Benci steve/tony T, 8k

Summary: Samuel Wilson, Lieutenant, Royal Navy, is the newest crewman aboard the Starry Shield. The famed pirate hunting vessel, captained by the famed Captain Rogers and locked these several years in eternal pursuit of the legendary Iron Captain, is... not what Sam expects.

The legendary Iron Captain, when Sam finally meets him, is even less so.

Life In Between Fighting (ao3) - Crematosis, holistic_alcoholic sam/steve T, 7k

Summary: “Did you see that guy?” Steve asks, still a little dazed, and turns to Bucky, who stops parrying the guards’ blows to look at Steve’s face with more attention.

After a second of consideration, Bucky changes his expression to a more familiar exasperation.

“Fuck my life,” he says, stabbing the guard who was attacking him from behind in the belly as an afterthought. “Was he even hot?”

There’s really no need to be that apprehensive about anyone Steve likes.

“He kicked the hangman in the guts,” Steve says with emotion. “And then he flew away.”

Loyalty Amongst Thieves (ao3) - whatyoufish G, 6k

Summary: “Call it what it is,” said Rogers. “A mutiny.”

Loki’s smile grew. “I’d prefer,” he said, “To call it an opportunity.”

(Being an adventure of the crew of the pirate ship Avenger)

Pirate's Heart (ao3) - NotEvenCloseToStraight bucky/steve/tony E, 267k

Summary: The 1700s, the Golden Age of Piracy, and Captain Steve Rogers has all he wants: a ship, a loyal crew, Bucky at his side, and the horizon offering a new adventure everyday. But an impulsive kiss gone wrong leads to a marriage between Steve and Tony Stark, and now Steve doesn't know what to do about ANYTHING.

Steve loves Bucky, but something about Tony draws him in. Tony is too innocent for this life, but he picks up a sword anyway. Bucky is Steve's, but when he offers his hand to Tony and now the three of them are something new.

When the truth about Steve's mission to ruin the Stark name comes out, Tony runs away, leaving Steve and Bucky behind in search of answers to the secrets hidden from him his whole life-- about his company, about Uncle Obie, about his parents death.

Steve and Bucky cant abandon their mission against Stane and Tony cant deal with the answers he finds in New York. Is this the end? Is Tony gone forever? Or will he leave his old life and return to the sea and the Pirates that hold his heart?

Tell No Tales (ao3) - NamelesslyNightlock loki/tony T, 4k

Summary: Whilst preparing for battle against the most feared pirate crew in the world, Tony cowardly and treasonously hopes that the pirates will escape– but it’s not himself that he’s scared for.

together, no more to move alone (ao3) - NoRationalThoughtRequired loki/sif M, 11k

Summary: “You’ll be at my right hand, of course. Captain Loki, my most trusted commander, in charge of the second-most-fearsome ship in the fleet.”

“What if we took a different path?” Loki asks. “The kind that allows us a certain, ah, freedom that the Royal Navy typically does not provide to its officers or its enlisted men.”

Or: After a secret about Loki's past destroys his naval career before it can even begin, he turns pirate. Lieutenant Sif must decide whether to keep their relationship clandestine forever, or join him as a co-captain of a pirate crew.

together undivided (forever we'll be free) (ao3) - mwestbelle steve/bucky M, 9k

Summary: As captain's clerk aboard Ocean's Shield, Steve Rogers is not the naval hero he hoped he would be. But when his ship comes across the dread ship Winter, everything changes.

twist me a crown of wind flowers (ao3) - powerfulowl (StuckyFlangst), StillTurningOut steve/bucky E, 27k

Summary: King George has taken the infamous Dread Pirate Rogers prisoner, but as a show of power allows his prisoner to roam free across the palace grounds. His son, Crown Prince James, finds himself strangely drawn the Pirate King, whom he keeps encountering in his favorite haunts, despite being appalled by his rumored exploits.

As Bucky discovers that perhaps all is not what it seems with Rogers, he also begins to question his father's actions. Does Bucky want to rule himself one day, or does he want something else?

Up In Flames (ao3) - STARSdidathing loki/tony T, 1k

Summary: Loki is a pirate, so when he wants something, he takes it. Luckily, Anthony Stark seems more than happy to become part of his crew.

we're really bad eggs (drink up, me 'earties) (ao3) - Anonymous steve/tony G, 8k

Summary: “Your compass is broken,” he calls, and Tony leans over the railing to look at Steve before frowning.

Steve watches him as he comes down the steps, and Steve holds out the compass for Tony to take, which is uncomfortable, since his hands are tied together in front of him.

“It’s not broken, you just don’t know how to use it,” Tony says as he approaches. “How the hell did you get-”

He stops, staring at the compass.

you, me, and the stars (ao3) - icymapletree G, 3k

Summary:

Peter Parker had a plan.

Firstly, find the least threatening pirate ship in the harbor. Then, hide in a small compartment on the ship and stay there until they were far enough from shore. Finally, steal one of the crew member’s clothes, and then blend in from there.

He didn’t anticipate getting locked in ship’s storage.

#themculibrary #masterlists #marvel #mcu #pirate au #pirate au masterlist

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karimwillia · 1 year

Text

ICU

You got a feeling, a soul, that I need in my life (yeah, yeah)

And though we may grow, I don't know why we don't grow apart.

Fluff

“Rihanna Williams what are you saying? Do you genuinely not see a future for us?” “Shuri Udaku of course I do, I have seen us married with a pretty little girl who shares features of us both somehow. I have seen us on missions together as Panther and IronHeart. But I have to think practically.” Shuri is quiet as she processes what Riri is saying that future sounds AMAZING to her but is she just dreaming? A few tears well up in her eyes. “Logic would state that this could not be sustained. But what does your heart say? Do you honestly want to end what we have? Think of us over this trip alone.”

*Flashback*

“Princess your transport to Wakanda has arrived on the roof.” “Thank you Griot!” Sharon is standing at the threshold of her lab. “Good lord you down bad sister. You only leave this house to see her.” Riri cuts her eyes at her sister like she wants to kill her. “Sha have you seen Shuri wouldn’t you?” Ri’s face wears a mischievous smirk. “It’s the middle of the night so I suppose but you run to Wakanda every few days now you never rest.” Riri pauses Shuri is her soul mate. So while the schedule maybe hectic this is the sacrifice she will make. Shuri would do this in a heartbeat for her so what is her sister’s point. As a matter of fact the apartment Sharon and Riri are in is property Shuri purchased to her last year. She also owns one in Cambridge. This is so they can come and go as they please.

“Sha what do you suggest we do? I love her so I’ll do anything to make this work. You think Shuri should start traveling or something.” “No I remember when she was doing that. I just think you are just not balanced right now.” “Sha maybe so but we are doing what we can for now.” Sharon just shakes her head and looks at her sister. “I get it I do but please just think about having a conversation with Shuri about it.”

Once in the aircraft Riri is greeted by two Dora who are honestly her royal detail. Since they have been dating she is afforded certain privileges. “Nkosazana we will have you home in 7 hours.” Riri solutes them. “Thank you both. Griot status on Panther?” “The Panther is currently traveling to schools in the border tribe to give talks to the local Scholars. She will be able to meet you at the palace when you arrive.” “Thank you Griot let’s go home.” Riri’s mind is all a buzz with project ideas and seeing her Love. In the deep part of her mind Sharon’s words echo. Is their relationship too hectic to maintain? Maybe she should voice concern to Shuri.

The scientist wipes the thoughts from her mind. She is content for now. Is she jet lagged and would like a more stable schedule she would but the conversation will be had when it’s time. To be honest she travels because she can’t stand being without Shuri for long periods. They collectively decided after 6 months that only seeing each other on holidays was not going to cut it. So Shuri would make weekend trips now it is Riri’s turn.

Riri does not want to dwell on this anymore and she continues her sketches on her ipad. The flight goes by faster leaving at night. “Princess we are home.” Hasani her Dora announces as the jet crosses the border. The view of the city through the front talon window never gets old. It is so great to be home is all Riri can think of now.

While unloading Aneka and Ayo meet Riri on the tarmac. “Nkosazana seems so long since we’ve seen you.” Ayo smiles wide looking at Riri who she has become very fond of over time in working with her. “My love it was just last week…” Aneka misses the sarcasm of Ayo’s statement causing her to chuckle. “Thank you General it has been ages. Is she inside?”

The ladies gave each other a knowing look and answer. “She is indeed waiting for you in quarters. But before you go see her. We are requesting your assistance. The Midnight Angels will go out at the end of this week for a mission and we would love to have the IronHeart with us.” Listening intently Riri agreed to the mission with a nod and requests that details be sent to her beads ASAP. “Ok I will be ready.” With that Ayo and Aneka leave thanking Riri.

Riri’s escort is taken over by her Dora and she rushes to Shuri’s side. Shuri has turned off Griot in quarters ever since one night when they wanted to be intimate everyone in the world wanted to stop by. The alarms drove them crazy. So Riri is able to sneak in and catch her Lover preparing the room for a romantic evening.

“I hear you Entle you forget my enhanced senses don’t you?” Shuri allows Riri to wrap her from behind in an embrace. Kissing the exposed skin of her back Riri feels Shuri react. “I can’t forget them if I tired. You use them so well.” Chuckling low in her stomach Shuri can’t help her heart rate spike. Riri just causes it naturally. “Is this for me?” The room is dim with candles that smell of jasmine lit all around, Shuri setup a small dinner for just them and there are message oils near the bed. “Yes you have been traveling back and fourth so I wanted to pamper you today. If that is alright.”

This is why they work. They have a sacrifice and reward, 50/50 relationship. “I can agree to this if you sleep in with me tomorrow. I will make you breakfast.” “Your negotiation skills are getting better. I can’t refuse that.” The two kiss and the feeling is intoxicating.

*end of flashback

Crying Riri is turned completely around unable to look at Shuri. Realizing that logic cannot be at play here. Whenever she is with Shuri it’s like she is breathing fresh air, she needs Shuri and it’s all consuming. She hates to admit that. She hates to admit that no matter where life takes them she wants to be or have the Queen by her side. It eats at her when they are apart. Shuri walks up and wraps Riri in her arms with a gentle embrace. Placing a kiss to the back of her neck Riri instantly relaxes.

“Sthandwa please calm down. I did not mean for the question I asked to be this upsetting.” “It’s not that I just…before I left home my sister and I where talking. She pointed out how outrageous our schedules are lately and while this is ok for now. How long can we do this flying back and fourth? The thoughts started to take over. I was ignoring them but you know how my mind works.”

Shuri turns her around and holds her close cupping her face. “I do indeed know how your mind works. But you wanted to ignore it? Why not talk to me?” Shuri’s face is soft with a small smile. “Because Baby we work and I will do anything to keep you in my life. So why rock the boat? Even if I’m tired of traveling I will do it from now to the end of time if it means I’m with you. I want to touch you and see you. Distance does not work for us and breaking up is…” Shuri is smiling bigger as Riri rants. Kissing her forehead Shuri was laughing to herself. “What is so funny? I’m not a joke Baby.”

“No no you are not. It’s just that same thought has been on my mind. So I just asked you how do you see our future to hopefully surprise you. I have come up with a solution.” Holding up keys in her hand Shuri speaks clearly her plan. “I have it planned to take a year working remotely in the Cambridge outreach center. As you finish your last year in school. From there we can talk about you moving to Wakanda to head the engineering sector of the development team here. Or we can go to Chicago for sometime if you like.”

Riri could not believe it are they really that in sync? Lacing their fingers Riri places her forehead on Shuri’s “How does a Queen take a year off?” “Simple a Queen who has a trusted co leader and a very competent army.” Riri laughs dispute the tears. “I love you yo you have no idea.” Shuri closes the short distance and kisses Ri. It’s sweet and quick but it says so much. “I hope it’s enough to have my daughter. I liked that part of your dream.” Shuri has now picked up the shorter women looking into her eyes. Ri smirks with Shuri’s face in her hands. “I will have 10 for you if you wanted. You can have whatever you want.” Her tone was low. Gripping her legs Shuri commands the locks on their door be engage.

@somethingcleaverandwhitty @shuriris-stuff

#shuri x riri #riri x shuri #shuriri #fanfic #fanfiction #black panther #bpwf #Spotify

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coderedblood · 2 years

Text

Cecil: “Hey Alice! Your outfit looks good but it’d look better on my bedroom floor!”

Martin: “Cecil, please don’t hit on my wife.”

Cecil: “Oh, sorry guys. Heinz said this book works with all the ladies!”

Martin: *picks up his hammer* “Is that so?”

Alice: “Ironheart, please don’t hurt Heinz. He’s a father figure to me.”

Martin: “We’ll find you another one, Steelheart.”

Alice: “Not in this town, you won’t! All the other father figures are taken!”

#incorrect quotes #rune factory 5 #rf5 #alice rf5 #rf5 martin #rf5 cecil #rf5 heinz

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1up-girl · 2 years

Text

Reverdie, Ch.3: "the heart beats in three" (2022)

Fandom: The Legend of Zelda Pairing: Link/Zelda Words: 5k+ Chapter Rating: T for sexual references and dialogue

A string of electricity galvanizes the ironhearted veins of the castle when the evening of the ball finally arrives.

As twilight descends upon the land, Link revisits the latest avocation of waiting patiently outside of Zelda’s door, watching women of all shapes and sizes zip in and out through it as they aid her in preparation. Her maids have teased him about his patience, have insisted with mischievous glints sprinkled across dark eyes that the wait will surely be worth it. He’s unsure as to whether or not he ought to indulge in their jests; the last thing he wants is to give anyone any reason to implicate him, though he surmises they’ve already exchanged many inquisitive thoughts since the early days of his appointment. They’re a rather lovely group, and although Link cannot say that he is fully content with the notion of being the subject of such causerie, he knows that it's far better for any gossip to remain among their excitable lips than to have it creep its way into the next council meeting.

A small patter of footsteps catches his attention, and Link glances over to find Laurel approaching the quarters. She sinks before him in a small curtsy, cradling various stitchery tools in lithe arms.

“No peeking,” she beams with a timid flush. Link obliges, averting his eyes to catch sight of the penultimate strains of the afternoon bleeding away through the nearest window. In his left ear, the door creaks open, and Link has to force himself still as he hears a small, delightful squeal from the girl, her call echoed by a wave of equally enthusiastic consultation from the ladies in the room.

“Oh, Princess!” Laurel’s voice deadens as the door thuds shut. She’ll never know that she’s suddenly sparked something wild within him, giving him half a mind to break the heavy oaken door down himself for a mere glimpse of his most coveted pearl.

Where to begin?

Their last encounter has haunted Link nearly every second since its transpiration–since the moment they parted ways with suffocating desire and throbbing want. He’s lost hours of his days recalling her taste, running his tongue against the bow of his lip to recreate the sensation of her while the miniscule voice deep within him looks on in horror– after all, it isn’t merely a kiss they’ve shared; he’s laid his head between her legs, dragged the Princess of Hyrule through a fracturing climax—Gods, he knows what her orgasm tastes like — would have undone his trousers and buried himself deep within her without a second thought.

With so many engagements occupying her hours in the last week–a carousel of conversations and rehearsals with seamstresses, cooks, florists, and musicians all threaded between council meetings and her usual obligations–he hasn’t had a moment to address their rendezvous. But then, when he thinks about pulling her aside in an empty corridor to share his thoughts in the same, hushed voice he might use to make love to her with, he finds himself utterly lost; he arrives at the impasse steeped in both pain and pleasure.

When at last the moment arrives, Laurel and Mara, a pretty, heavyset brunette with an inexplicably kind face, poke their heads out to invite him in. With a thundering heart, Link steps into the room, a fist balled at his hip in dithery anticipation. When his eyes sweep across her, the knight realizes that the wait has indeed been worth it.

Zelda appears before him as a sumptuous, golden vision. Her hair has been curled gently, half of it gathered up and cascading over a second layer of lightly tousled hair. Thin, lace sleeves dangle from elegant shoulders, exposing so much more of her upper torso than any other the seamstress has permitted for her in recent memory. The bodice hugs tightly in the usual ways he loves, a bit of beading ornamenting the slight dip between her breasts. The portrait neckline, a wrap of champagne against her chest, runs the ridge of her collarbone, and from the waist, a thin gold tulle splays out above mauve skirts to create a breathtakingly elegant color. Her comparisoned form shimmers slightly, embedded flecks of gold glinting with each turn; she’s as bright as a star blazing against an obsidian night.

“And what do you think, Sir Link?” The seamstress inquires from behind the girl, voice laced with tact. The knight bites back every instinctive, indecorous thought that snaps to mind, fumbling for a moment and causing the ladies in the room to all giggle in stifled, infantile ways.

Link doesn’t hear any of it.

He cannot tell if the sprawling pink across Zelda’s cheeks is organic in nature or if he’s being taunted by a recently applied rouge. Her eyes are smoldering, a darker eyeshadow kissing her lids while a pale, golden dust has been set upon them. Her lips are painted the color of deep blush, and Link can suddenly think of nothing else besides finding a way to place his own upon them. Her assistants might enjoy such a show, he thinks.

“You look beautiful,” he finally manages, respectfully, and she awards him a superlative smile. Neither notices the dreamy, knowing glances that her handmaidens share with one another.

“And you look quite presentable yourself,” Zelda responds, hungry eyes pinning to him as though she can see right through his formal attire. “I must say, the royal uniform is really quite fetching on you.”

I’d like to tear it from you. He translates the quiet shift of her gaze and the hesitant twitch of a smile engraving its way into her cheekbones, and the heavy rise of her bosom as she inhales proves to be a bit slightly too stimulating for him in such close quarters. He burns for her in agonizingly familiar ways that the voice inside, graced with hindsight, scrambles to dispel.

A hush falls over the quarters. The seamstress clears her throat with the force of a foot against the back of his shin.

“Thank you,” Link finally remembers to speak. “Well then, do you need to warm your voice up?”

“Yes. We need to meet Sir Barto in the music room.” Zelda speaks up as she reaches for the sapphire clad arm that he offers: “Shall we, Hero ?”

She inclines just enough to tease the hint of her breasts, and the way she lingers on his sacred title causes his wick to flare. The resonance of her infiltrates his head, settles between his ears to curl up behind his eyes and peal like a celebratory bell. Zelda places her hands on him, squeezes just gently enough to make him painfully aware of her while thin fingers spread subtly to catch a hint of his bicep.

The attendants swoon, practically wilting against her furniture once the pair have left entirely. They pack up their belongings, retrieve lost pins that have clattered to her rug with fingers long grown numb, tidy up the space to keep it presentable for the Princess’ eventual return. If they move with haste, they will be able to find their own amusement in the town’s festival. The two younger girls are asked to extinguish the lighting while the older women depart first. They oblige.

In the end, Mara chooses to leave a handful of candles flickering; surely the Princess will want to be able to see exactly how–or who – she's undressing.

::::::::::

The opulent ballroom sparks with jovial energy as the dyad enters, both members bracing against waves of bewitchment.

Violins saw away at a tempestuous melody, one that evokes images of a hot, titillating summer to come. From the tall ceilings, lavish banners in hues of golds, oranges and various blues burst against the saturnine stone of the castle. Elegant gowns sweep across the dance floor, draping across dress shoes as those adorned in them glide across the room. A scintillating chandelier sparkles overhead, and still, Link sees nothing but her.

It’s a cool relief when Zelda breaks contact to descend the stairs behind her father. Link stations himself with the royal guard for the first portion of the evening, eyes trained upon his companion as though he might very well implode if he were to tear his glance away. He watches as Zelda is shared among the guests, passed along to provide individualized greetings to couriers and acquaintances and Hyrulean aristocracy. Link smirks as jealousy registers in noble, feminine faces, finds himself glowering when prospective suitors pin her beneath suggestive glances. She politely denies appetizers, settles for a glass of water—though the wine will follow after her songs, she decides. She prefaces each dive into new conversation with a quick glance back at her knight; she smiles each time she finds him, and her eyes linger on him just a fraction longer than expected that it sends a ravishing flurry through him, aching his bones and stroking the fire that purrs within.

When the hour draws to a half, King Rhoam rises and halts the orchestra, welcoming his guests with humble words of gratitude before turning their eyes to Zelda. He beckons his daughter with such warmth that the gesture causes her gorgeous brow to crease. The crowd pulls apart like retracting waves to oblige her as she glides back towards the staircase, ascending a few steps so that she stands just above the heads of her attendees. The guests bow instinctively at the sight of her palms raising skywards, and they tip their heads forward in kindred orison.

“Goddess above, mother and protector of all, you have blessed us with generous abundance. You have permitted the seeds of life to take root and have allowed them to blossom beneath our feet as novel vigor and strength. We ask that you guide us through the warming rays of the sun, in the light that greets the day and stirs the ground beneath us. As we go forward, may you shed your light and wisdom on your people. Renew our hearts, our courage, or dedication. Lead us in the thoughts that we share, in the words we speak, and in the actions that we take.”

As the prayer ceases, a soft murmur of ratification plashes from the guests. Zelda muscles a soft smile and continues, her voice committing to her texts in such a sensitive way that Link cannot recall the last time he’s ever heard such tones from her.

“We thank you for sustaining us through our trials and for showering us with your everloving counsel. For illuminating our paths in times of need and uncertainty. You continue to show us truths, unravel mysteries and lead us down the path towards further growth. Thank you for granting us companionship, wisdom and love. May we continue to serve you and bring prosperity to the land you have blessed us with.”

Link’s brow furrows. She's dictated the message to him numerous times in recent weeks, but her mentions of companionship and love are novel concepts to his listening ear. Though the thought of improvising in the midst of such an already unprecedented evening rattles him, his inhibitions soothe as he hears an approving murmur from the crowd; Link raises his head to find several nodding with optimism.

“Before the merriment continues,” Zelda’s voice sets the hushed, supplicatory tones of the prayer gently aside to gather strength. “I have a very small token I’d like to share with you all.” She says nothing further, only cues the conductor with a brief glance. He lifts his baton quietly, and the orchestra begins.

Link recognizes the opening strains– the plaintive orchestration pairs well with her prayer, he thinks. Though he strives for apathy, the chord progression only invokes heated memories of what followed on the fateful day that he’d first heard it. Zelda inhales, and the sound that she emits is just as pleasant as Link expects it to be. There is a hint of a stumble in her onset, but she recovers well; inexperienced ears shall never suspect a thing. Her knight, stationed just behind her and off to the side, is granted a view of the endearing sight of fingers twining at her back.

“In the dawn of the day, I shall sing your name…”

Link finds himself dragging his gaze across the onlookers, eager to find approval scrawled across captivated expressions. There is a murmur from the guard beside him, a soft wow that has Link’s dapper chest swelling as though he’s taught her the song himself. He can hear the new surge of assuredness in her voice, fingers untangling to outstretch arms as though ushering her people into her prayer.

“I give you every part of me.”

Zelda’s voice ascends for her final note, trembling gently as it tapers off into silence, and the violins bring about a whistling conclusion with one delicate, upwards motion. Calm relief and undulent pride coalesce to bubble up inside of the knight when the princess is greeted with thunderous applause. He catches sight of the tension dissipating from her shoulders, the subtle fall of her chest in subdued ease.

Who can say if every member of the court is mollified, but Zelda exudes a long-lost confidence that has rekindled itself at the most opportune time; Link realizes that she’s already captured some success in placating them, tempts the notion that she lingers on the precipice of awakening. Despite the lack of any formal announcement--any proclomation that yes, victory is imminent---there is a renewed sense of hope that shines upon the room.

He supposes it's just another secret she will carry with her.

When the ovation finally calms, the orchestra hums to life once more to introduce her second piece–the upbeat air in triple meter.

"In birdsong high above…”

The buoyant folk song eventually escalates into a raucous orchestral piece, just as Barto had said it would. Zelda raises her hands as the music intensifies, and soon, all of those in the ballroom, courtiers and noblewomen and invited guests, are moving about and twirling in ways that the hall is unaccustomed to hosting. Link's never been a musician, but feels the rhythm festering in his bones, aches to sweep his princess up and carry her out to the middle of the ballroom himself. When the driving piece finally reaches its final beat, guests burst into wildly enthusiastic applause in her honor. Zelda curtsies and gestures to the conductor before acknowledging Sir Barto in the western corner of the room, a drink in his hands and his glasses slightly askew from the merriment.

With her responsibilities for the evening concluded, Zelda traverses the room to reunite with her knight. Link is grateful to see her draw near–he’s been mourning the short distance between them.

“Sir Link,” she calls out.”Would you accompany me for a drink?”

He agrees with haste. His abdomen sparkles while she curls her fingers around his elbow, distracts him so fully that he forgets to compliment her. When Zelda finally acquires her first glass of wine, she sips it tenderly, taking special care to ensure that Link catches her watchful gaze from above the rim of the cup.

He chortles and leans in. “Perhaps you are not as subtle as you think you are.”

She pays the observation no mind and forces another wash of wine down her throat. “Care to dance?”

“I’d love nothing more, Princess.”

Zelda drains her glass entirely. Link swallows thickly, desirous eyes fixed upon the elegant branch of her throat.

“Shall we, then?”

They plunge into the assembly of bodies. As they position themselves closer to the orchestra, Zelda places a delicate hand upon her knight's shoulder while the other seeks his own. Link nearly shivers at the sensation of her settling into his grasp, and her body instinctively moves closer, starved for a contact she longs to recover. The orchestra paints the air around them with a sweet, excitable melody that rouses their initial steps. Link counts the rhythm out in his head, tries to ignore the way that her eyes never leave his lips. He’s anxious, he admits, at how explicit her want is, out in plain sight for all to witness. And yet he can’t stop his mind from harping on the fact that she wants him. That, not so long ago, she had been prepared to give all of herself to him.

They sweep around the ballroom, Zelda shimmering far brighter than anyone else as she inches her way closer to her knight with each pass as the strings and woodwinds grows rhapsodic. Luminiscent eyes lock as she pants up at him, a wonderfully entrancing jade against the glinting gold across her body. She leans in slightly, angles her head to whisper into his ear.

“I can think of nothing else but you these days.”

It takes everything within him–every muscle, every ounce of diligence– to smother the howl that demands liberation.

“Your mouth…” she continues.

He's grateful for the muscle memory that propels his steps across the ballroom floor.

“...and whatever else I still have yet to explore.” She closes her eyes and sighs against him, voice growing impossibly quieter. “I keep thinking of your face…when I looked down to find your mouth on me. It haunts me, Sir Link.”

Link releases a heavy exhalation that brushes against her skin to pluck another murmur from her.

“Oh, Princess… you’re gonna kill me, you know.” he whispers, eyes shining with an unbecoming whimper that riles her.

She tips her head back and laughs, the cachination deliquescing into the hues of the orchestra.

::::::::::

Dances come and go–waltzes and quadrilles and a sprightly carole dance that brings about their only separation of the night–interspersed between excursions to the refreshments for an assembly of fruits and cheeses and chocolate. The moon sails high into the sky, and the merriment swallows them so wholly that neither can recall exactly how many dances have passed between them.

“Link…” Zelda sighs his name, forgets his title entirely as she collapses against his chest after what feels like their hundredth dance. She’s alfush with alcohol, though respectably so–she carries herself with more decorum than any other guest in the ballroom, save for her knight.

“Would you like another drink?” he asks.

“It’s grown a bit late. I think I might like to retire for the evening,” she says. “Would you be willing to escort me to my room?”

Link’s stomach gives a tremendous lurch, but a wave of uncertainty crests over him as he realizes that, for the first time in months, she’s made herself perfectly indecipherable. If she burns for him still, she has taken special care to mask it. Perhaps the spark has finally dulled, trampled out by fatigue or ennui; he can’t decide how the thought makes him feel.

"It's getting a bit too loud," she comments. Link surveys the room to find that there isn’t one entirely sober face in the crowd. King Rhoam himself sits at the head of a long dinner table, boisterous and flush with mead. Their eyes meet, and the monarch greets him from afar with a besotted wave, beckons for the knight with a quick flick of the wrist.

“I think your father is asking for us,” Link tells his prized Princess, wincing slightly as he finds himself still fixated on the idea of lingering on the precipice of her bedroom at such a late hour.

Zelda retrieves one last berry and pops it into her mouth with a hum before setting off across the room, navigating the traffic of bodies with ease. Her father welcomes her presence with a shockingly warm embrace.

“Dearest Zelda,” he half slurs, “My lovely daughter. This has been a successful evening, wouldn’t you agree?”

She does. The King leans in further.

“And it seems that you have grown closer to your objective…is this true?”

Zelda scrapes the last hint of berry down with her tongue, jellying skin latching uncomfortably to the roof of her mouth. “I truly believe so, Father. I feel…something. Something is certainly different within me. It was a good plan–I’m confident we’re close.” Link eyes her carefully; he finds himself surprised at how easily she deceives him.

Rhoam cups the back of her head and grips at coiled hair comfortingly. “Good. Wonderful. Let’s pursue this avenue further…if music turns out to be the key to all of this...then every child shall own an instrument. We’ll have concerts each week…increase funding for the finer arts...” He turns to Link. “And her voice–beautiful, wouldn't you say? Just like her mother.”

Link nods. “Beautiful, indeed.” It's unlikely that the King has heard the sentiment against the cacophany of of conversation and song, but Zelda wears an expression that informs Link that it hasn't gone entirely unnoticed by listening ears.

“Father, it’s grown quite late. I’ve asked Sir Link to escort me to my quarters now.”

“And you, Sir Link, will you be returning to us?” The King asks with a glazed expression, reaching for tumble of grapes.

Link bows his head politely. “I may retire as well. But it’s been a wonderful celebration. Thank you.”

“Very well,” Rhoam muses. He places a kiss against his daughter’s crown and bids them a pleasant evening, though Link doesn't expect the King to remember their conversation come morning light.

It takes more than a few moments to extract themselves from the festivities completely. Zelda bids farewell to her guests as she crosses the room, accepting the last kind words for her performance and wriggling out from beneath drunken gazes while Link intercepts unwanted embraces. He hears her exhale behind him all the while, wrestled with admiration.

Perhaps she hasn’t forgotten about him after all.

On the way out, Link requests a detour.

“Of course,” Zelda says, head canted in playful suspicion.

He guides her in the opposite direction of her quarters, down a dimly lit hallway that they’ve frequented at least once a week all season, and Zelda soon finds herself being escorted into the music parlor. Link pushes his way in first to illuminate the space as light from the hallway spills across the entrance.

“Haven’t you had enough music for one evening?” Zelda jests, leaning against the frame of the entryway in a most beguiling manner.

“I have something for you,” he says, disregarding the fluttering in his heart to gesture towards the piano.

“Do you, now?” She slinks her way over with deliberate steps, and it only takes a moment for her to catch sight of her gift; atop the instrument is a pale vase filled with bright summer flowers. Radiant blooms of marigold pop against the dark lid, interspersed with familiar bright, blue blossoms.

“Oh, Link..” she murmurs as a finger dances around a petal. “They’re beautiful. They’re.. for me?”

Link nods. “For a wonderful performance.”

A deluge of pink tints her face. “That’s so sweet of you. I’m honored, truly. How thoughtful…” She picks a flower from the bouquet, rolls the verdant stem between fingers. She grows silent and nuzzles it against her cheek, inhaling deeply and humming into its petals.

“You sang so beautifully,” he presses on. “I knew you would. And I think…I think you accomplished what you set out to do.” Mostly .

A small laugh loosens from her lips as she places the flower back into the vase.

“I know it must have looked like I was swindling my father, but… I wasn’t lying. Not entirely.” She reasons softly. “I have changed. And I’ve discovered many things these last few months. Surely you must know that.” She raises her gaze to hold his own, and it touches something deep inside of it, wraps him in a blessed embrace as though she’s placing gentle kisses across his eyelids. “Something is different–perhaps that is what the Goddess needs. Perhaps, I just need to be… a different sort of Zelda for her.”

Blasphemy. “Anyone who demands that you change a single thing about yourself is a damn fool.”

Link seems to have developed a mystical talent in recent weeks–the once silent knight now has the ability to transform an atmosphere with just a single phrase. He hears the low, needy gasp that he wrestles from her throat.

“Do you…do you remember the last time we were alone in this room?” she finally whispers.

“I’ll never forget it as long as I live.” He watches her, steady with resolution, eyes shining darkly without even intending to. “I’ve dreamt about it every night since.” He ventures a step closer to her, and another one still, advancing further until she’s pressed up against the familiar crook of the piano, fastened against it with his own body. Zelda closes her eyes as his breath kisses her; he’s close enough to capture her mouth again. “No matter how hard I try to think of other things…all I can think about is you. And how wonderful…”

You may ask anything you wish of me.

"...how I..."

The words fail. Link's eyes flutter shut, tight and crinkled at the edges.

“...but I shouldn’t have said what I said. It shouldn’t have happened. It was wrong of me. I’m so sorry.”

The world suddenly blurs around her, like oils smearing beneath a bristled brush; he’s blindsided her, sent her plunging through turbulent terrain to crumple in shattering dejection.

“D-did you enjoy it?”

“Very much so,” he aches.

Words gnash between her teeth, desperately seeking an escape route.

“Do you…do you regret it?”

He can’t look at her as he says it.

“...yes.”

The admission swallows Zelda whole, sends the room crashing down around her, her brows furrowed as though she’s misheard him. Her gaze swaps its focus on him to linger on the bouquet before shifting back to his pained expression, wilting with confusion.

“I’m not worthy of touching you in the ways that I want to.” He explains, his voice small, yet earnest. There’s no pretense in his declaration, no bait to try and see how quickly desire will wither her. “I am your Knight.”

“You said that before,” her voice quivers with vitriol. “And yet that did not stop you from putting your mouth on me.”

“And I am trying to right that wrong now.” he exhales, masking a blissful shudder at the memory. “I am not worthy. ”

“Worthy?" she laughs, scornfully. "If the Chosen Hero is not a suitable enough lover for me then I suppose no one can be.”

Somehow, in the midst of a raging storm of hormones, he’s forgotten about that duty entirely. He’s lost in thought, his mind ruminating over that damned five-letter word she’s just used, again and again, like water washing across stone– though Zelda mistakes his silence for defeated acceptance.

“Ridiculous,” she says bitingly, blinking away tears. “You’re ridiculous, you know that, right?”

He compensates her with thunderstruck silence, his heart breaking between her words.

Zelda instructs him to retrieve the vase in a voice that he thinks might be trembling, and she soon leads him from the room, strained and taciturn. Silence shrouds them as they move, the far sound of an orchestra nearly imperceptible from their current wing. Link struggles to recall the last moment of reticence between them–she’s acclimated to their kinship so wholly that he’s forgotten how the stretches of silence from days past fill the space between them; the wound is greater now, he thinks. The guilt marrs him, though his yearning for her burns brighter than ever.

Zelda arrives at her bedroom door without a single sound once passing her lips. She pushes the heavy oaken door open and, for the first time, gestures for him to lead.

“Put the vase down on the vanity.” Her voice rings with a metallic sheen.

Link, with a racing mind and a pounding heart, obliges to set the vase a safe distance away from candles that her ladies' must have forgotten to extinguish. The slight hitch of the door locking behind him goes undetected in agitated ears.

“And here I was, beginning to think that I was more than just your Princess.” she softens, bound with disappointment. The ache in her voice is so apparent that it practically chafes against him.

“You are. ” Link asserts, stepping closer to her. “I mean to say, I’d like you to be…but…”

“But what? You are not worthy ?” she asks so acrimoniously that Link feels he might as well have struck her against her cheek. The knight inhales deeply, focusing on the abdominal muscles that she had once run her fingers along. He finds the courage to meet her eye.

“You are a Princess and I am your knight. I cannot give you what you—”

“Enough, Link. Speak honestly.” Zelda forces a deep breath. “You have full permission to reject me if you so choose. You are not obligated to feel any particular way about me…but…but I want to know. No, I must know. Would you–as you are– like me to be more than your Princess?” She’s trembling slightly in anticipation.

Link stills for a moment as he drinks in the image of her, her lips parted gently and head tilted to the side as if she's been painted into such a pose. Zelda stands tall before him, her proud chest an indication of her diplomatic pedigree betrayed only by the agonizing want that’s fought its way onto her expression. Wordlessly, taut with the furious tension of a drawn bowstring, she silently begs for a release that only he can grant her.

He manages a wounded nod.

When Zelda finds a strengthened resolve, she finally speaks:

“Then may Farore strike you down if you do no not touch me in the way you want to. The way that I want you to.”

The heat that Zelda has given off in the last few weeks of their mutual pining has been ragged and scandalous, pulsing with the intensity of a dying star whose spilling light exists on borrowed time before it inevitably vanishes, but as she pleads with him in the privacy of her quarters, it’s taken on new life; it’s tearful and impatient, shed of all composure and burning with a flame that rivals the one that Link has come to accept in his own body. In the stillness of her bedroom, away from the glamor of the festivities, it finally dawns on Link that she truly, deeply, loves him.

But not before he realizes, for the first time, that he truly, deeply loves her, too.

“Be with me. I’m yours, Link. I’m all yours.”

Chapter 4: "in the shade of my curls" ->

#loz #legend of zelda #zelink #fanfic #ch3 #fanfiction #sfw #reverdie

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