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#my grandfather and my friends sister and everyone else and i just wish i could trade in my life for his. he actually had something going &
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As You Wish, Chapter 9
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Summary: When arriving at Camp Silver Star, Abby Floyd was anticipating a summer of adventure with an ocean separating her from the three people she loved most: her mom, her Uncle Bob and her Aunt Natasha. But after a run in with Charlie Seresin, an extremely familiar looking and irritating camper in a different cabin, her summer plans take a turn that neither girl ever could have expected.
Trigger Warnings: reader's children are described as being blond with green eyes because genetics are wild and Jake's genes are strong, reader is canonically Bob's sister (but biological relation is never discussed), reader goes by Buttercup and is tattooed, poor military references, references to cancer and chemotherapy, cursing, preteen shenanigans, anxiety
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32nd Street Naval Station, 13 years ago
Jake’s gulp was the only movement he made as he lined up amongst the other aviators and sailors, on solid ground again for the first time in six months. It was sweltering hot in San Diego and even the lightweight material of his khaki uniform did nothing to prevent the sweat from dripping down his neck. All he wanted was to get changed into some shorts and a t-shirt and grab a beer at the Hard Deck, knowing he would be reuniting with the other members of Dagger Squad after half a year away.
He, Javy, Bob and Phoenix had been deployed together, thank god, but he was anxious to see everyone else, a thought that would have rocked him back on his heels even a year ago. He still wasn’t known as the greatest team player they had, but he had surprised even himself when he had bonded with the other aviators he was stationed at Top Gun with. Payback’s wife had been expecting when they left, Fanboy’s mom going through chemo, while Rooster was left to run training simulations with Maverick, and Jake wanted to hear about all of it.
Yet, he was left standing in formation as those around him started to disperse, their family members and friends tapping them out. Jake allowed himself a little sigh as he saw people searching left and right for their loved ones. Once upon a time, his parents would have made the journey out to release him from his duties, but they were older and more hesitant to fly now. He knew his grandfather would have made the trip from Texas, but he hadn’t even mentioned it to the man. Jake straightened his shoulders. Hopefully, Javy’s mama had made the trip. Auntie Thea loved Jake almost as much as he loved her, and he knew that she would tap him out if she saw him standing there.
His shoulders almost drooped when Stella, the tattoo artist Javy had been seeing for a few weeks before deployment, approached and nearly tackled his best friend. Shit. There went that plan. Natasha’s sister had already tapped her out, the two of them smiling back at him teasingly as they strolled away, leaving Jake and Bob standing there amongst the other crewmen who hadn’t been found by their loved ones. While it wasn’t necessarily a big deal, and while he knew that Nat would feel like shit and apologize if she found out he was the last one standing there on the tarmac, a heavy weight settled over his heart. There was nothing more disheartening than to realize you had nobody to welcome you home after six months at sea.
“Bobby!”
Jake almost winced. Even shy, quiet Bob Floyd had someone there who cared about him. He watched out of the corner of his eye as the woman—the beautiful woman, too beautiful for Baby On Board Floyd to be able to pull—hugged the WSO tightly, officially releasing him from his duties.
“Hey kiddo,” he heard Bob say softly, hugging the woman gently. “How’ve you been?”
“Excited to have finally finished my masters,” she shrugged. “And looking forward to getting to spend some time with my big brother before diving into the post-grad job search. So, how was it? I know you can’t tell me much, but how was it?”
Bob chuckled softly. “Let’s just say, I’m glad to be home.”
“I’m glad you’re back too,” she replied, giving him a slight nudge as he bent to pick up his gear. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”
“I think the squad is planning on getting drinks tonight at the Hard Deck,” he offered as he shuffled his bag onto his shoulder. “They’re probably already there. Well, most of them, anyway.”
“Why most of them?” she asked as they slowly started to walk away. “Did some of your other friends get deployed too?”
Bob shook his head as they passed in front of Jake, lowering his voice. “I don’t think so. Some of us are still waiting to get tapped out, though.” Bob shot Jake an apologetic glance, and his friend followed his gaze.
“Is he one of your friends?” she asked quietly. Jake’s eyes strained against the sunlight as he stared dead ahead, trying to look as nonchalant as possible as the tarmac grew more and more empty.
“I guess you could say that,” Bob murmured. “That’s Hangman.”
“Ohhh…” Jake could almost imagine the dawning of realization on the woman’s face as she remembered the less than flattering stories Bob had undoubtedly shared with her. “I’ll be right back.”
Jake blinked as the woman appeared right in front of him, smiling softly. “Do you not have anyone to tap you out, Hangman?” she asked quietly, eyes soft and bright. Jake couldn’t bring himself to look away. “Oh right, you’re not supposed to break formation or talk or anything until you’re tapped out, right?” She placed a warm hand on Jake’s shoulder, and he allowed himself to relax. “There. That’s better.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” he murmured, bending to grab his bag.
Bob stepped closer. “Hangman, this is my sister.”
She rolled her eyes and offered him her hand, stating her name with a smile. “I’m pretty sure introducing me as his sister was supposed to be some sort of warning for you not to mess with me,” she whispered slyly to him, sticking her tongue out at her brother as he sighed.
“I would never, ma’am,” he smirked over at Bob and lowered his head over her hand, kissing the warm, silky skin softly.
“I already regret everything,” Bob muttered as the three started walking towards the parking lot.
She grinned at him, and Jake felt something inside himself stir. It wasn’t often that the mere sight of a pretty smile gave him that feeling in his chest, but something about Bob Floyd’s sister smiling at him made his heart feel like he had just run back-to-back marathons.
“So, Hangman, do you have a ride to this Hard Deck place?” she asked as they approached a rental convertible.
He found himself smiling back at her. Not his signature smirk or his flirty grin, but an actual Seresin Smile. “No, ma’am, I don’t. And please, call me Jake.”
“Jake…” the sound of his name on her lips made something in his brain short out, and he found himself wanting to get to know everything he could about this woman beside him.
The dopey smile on his face must have given him away because Bob groaned again. “I really regret everything.”
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Hotel Zaza, Downtown Austin, Texas, Now
The days after their Zoom call had been hectic, to say the least. Bob had been able to coordinate flights that would put them in Austin Friday night, so they could be ready for their meeting on Saturday afternoon. Rooster had kept in contact with Natasha and given her the name of the hotel that Savannah had insisted they stay at, because it was her number one choice for a wedding venue. Buttercup’s agent had been able to get them adjoining rooms in the hotel, pulling the ‘fairly famous and well-off author’ card when the hotel had balked at the last-minute reservation.
Charlie was immensely grateful for her aunt and uncle organizing their trip, because she had spent the days between the call and the flight getting to know her mother, as Charlie this time, not as Abby. It was even more wonderful than getting to know her the first time, and she felt a bit silly about her fears that her mother wouldn’t love her if she wasn’t Abby. If anything, Buttercup’s adoration for her had only grown once Charlie had started acting more like herself. They had spent the whole flight to Texas chatting and giggling, watching old movies and sharing stories about their lives. By the time they disembarked in Texas, Charlie felt even closer to her mother than she had before.
Now, however, she was seeing a brand-new side to her mother, one that she wasn’t even sure Abby had seen before.
Buttercup’s hands were folded tightly under her chin as she surveyed the contents of her suitcase, her weight was shifting back and forth, and her breath was coming in short gasps.
“I-I don’t see why it matters what I wear, Nat,” she murmured, her wide eyes scanning over the clothes that had been neatly tucked into her rose gold case. “It’s just my ex-husband, his new fiancée, and my daughter.”
“Because it’s your ex-husband,” Nat replied with an eye roll. “Pull a Princess Di and revenge dress the shit out of him!”
“Language,” Buttercup murmured, though there was no real heat behind the warning. “It doesn’t matter anyway, Nat.”
“Then why’re you shaking in your boots?”
Buttercup backed up and slumped into one of the armchairs in the suite. The room was sheer opulence, large and clean and beautiful in a way that Charlie had never seen before. She had to hand it to her, Savannah sure knew how to pick her potential venues.
“Because I haven’t seen him for over a decade and he stopped answering my calls about the custody arrangement and now he’s getting married to someone who is arguably way too young for him and here I am, still single and unable to recognize that our daughters swapped places!”
Natasha sighed, but Charlie stepped in front of her mother before her aunt could say anything. “It’s going to be okay, mom,” she said. “Abby and I will be there, and so will Uncle Bob and Auntie Nat, and Uncle Roo and Uncle Javy.”
Buttercup chuckled tearily. “Look at you, Charlie. Talking me down.” She sniffled. “I’m sorry, honey. I need to pull myself together. You don’t need to be parenting me.”
Charlie giggled. “I’m not. I’m just telling you what you told me when I was freaking out about the lecture I’m probably gonna get from Dad.”
Buttercup giggled and pulled Charlie into a hug. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, mom,” Charlie pulled away. “Why don’t you pick something that makes you feel good to wear? That way you feel confident when you see dad again?”
Buttercup grinned. “I like the way you think, honey.”
Standing up, Buttercup moved to her suitcase and dug around, eventually pulling out a lacy green dress with a gold chain belt.
“I wore this to my first book signing,” Buttercup grinned. “Forest Windows won a Women’s Prize for Fiction that year, and I’ve considered it my lucky dress ever since.”
“I think it’s perfect,” Charlie smiled.
Nat grinned. “It’s no LBD, but you look hot in it, and that’s all that matters.”
Buttercup rolled her eyes and stepped into the bathroom. “Thanks, Nat. I’m going to shower and get dressed. Did your father text you to say that he had arrived yet?”
Charlie shook her head. “No…he didn’t. I’ll check in with Abby and see what their ETA is.”
“Sounds good,” Buttercup smiled, the tug of her lips still strained but not as stressed. “I’ll be out in a bit.”
Once the door had clicked shut and they could hear the water running, Natasha turned on her.
“Your dad still has no idea, right?”
Charlie nodded quickly. “Abby, Javy, and Rooster have kept him and Savannah in the dark. Dad still thinks he’s with me, and he has no idea that we’re waiting for him here.”
Natasha nodded grimly. “Your mom’s gonna be in there for a bit, hyping herself up. What’s Abby’s ETA?”
“They’re five minutes out,” Charlie confirmed, checking her phone again to check Abby’s shared location.
“Okay. You go down and meet up with Abby, away from where your dad can see you, okay?”
Charlie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know, Auntie Nat. That was my part of the plan.”
Natasha playfully shuddered. “You’ve got so much of Hangman’s attitude in you, it’s spooky sometimes. I’ll go let your uncle know to keep your mom occupied in the room until we give him the signal, then I’ll head down and be ready to run interference if I have to. Ready?”
Charlie’s heart leapt. “Ready.”
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“…and then we have a meeting with the florist at 4 pm, and they’re a high-class place, so no mucky cowboy boots and jeans, okay, Jakey?”
Abby held back her gag as Savannah droned on about her wedding itinerary. She had been talking about it since they left the ranch over 3 hours ago. What should have been a 2-hour drive at most had stretched on because Savannah had to keep getting out and taking pictures to ‘document the experience’, and each time, Abby had to control her eye roll. It wasn’t worth it, and, besides, there were three things keeping her Zen.
1. She’d promised her dad that she would try to be accepting of Savannah. As upset as she and Charlie were about how he had handled things, and as much as Savannah turned her stomach, she wanted her dad to be happy, so she had agreed to grin and bear it for the duration of the visit.
2. Rooster and Javy were there, and while Rooster might have fallen asleep within minutes of hitting the road, Javy was awake and keeping her entertained with dramatic eye rolls and faux gagging every time Savannah opened her mouth. She wasn’t sure if her father had caught on to their antics or not, but Abby was sure having a good time.
And, most importantly, 3. Her family was waiting for them at the hotel. She would finally get to hug her mother and tease her aunt and uncle about all the stories Javy and Rooster had filled her in on.
Jake sighed and pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. “Yes, Savannah. I promise I will be dressed appropriately.”
“Thank you, sugar,” Savannah flounced and exited the car, leaving her two suitcases for her fiancé to unload.
“Dude, I—”
“I know what you’re about to say, Coyote, but don’t. Okay? Just…don’t start.”
Rooster yawned and sat up. “Sure, Hangman. Whatever you say. C’mon, kid. Let’s let your dad and Javy deal with the suitcases while we go check out the pool.”
“Is that okay, dad?”
Jake smiled tiredly and waved his hand at them. “Yeah, you two go have fun. I’ll catch you for dinner, which we are having with Savannah’s parents, okay?”
Abby smiled through her held back groan. “You got it, dad. See you in a bit!”
Grabbing Rooster’s hand, Abby practically dragged him through the lobby and into the elevator.
“Abby says they’re in room 513,” she said excitedly, and watched as her uncle jabbed the round elevator button with an elegant 5 painted on it.
“Are you sure Javy will be able to keep it together?” he asked her as the glass elevator sped upwards. “Dude’s been acting jumpy since we left.”
“He wouldn’t dare tell dad anything! He was trained just the same as you were, Uncle Roo. I’m sure he can keep it together for a little longer.”
The elevator came to a rest on the fifth floor and Abby practically sprinted through the slowly opening doors, hanging a right and skidding to a stop at room 513.
“Here goes!” Abby chirped as she knocked on the door. Her heart leapt as the door creaked open, revealing Bob, his phone pressed to his ear.
He smiled brightly when he saw her, and held up a long finger. “Yeah…yeah, I’ll call you back when I can, okay? Okay…me too. Bye.” He tapped the red button and crouched, Abby falling into his arms. “Hey kiddo.”
Abby’s chest expanded as she clutched her uncle. “Uncle Bob, I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too, kiddo.”
He stood, Abby still hanging onto his neck as he nodded over her shoulder at Rooster.
“Bradshaw.”
Rooster nodded back. “How’s it going, Bob? Where’s Nat and Charlie?”
“Downstairs, keeping a lookout for you.”
Rooster nodded as Bob finally put Abby down and reached out to shake his hand.
“We must’ve just missed ‘em,” Rooster mused, watching Abby as she ducked around Bob to glance around the room.
“Where’s Mum?”
“She’s in the adjoining room, kiddo. She might be having a bit of a panic attack right now, but I’m sure the sight of you will calm her down.”
Abby grinned up at the two men and bolted over to the door, tearing it open with a loud call of “Mum! It’s me!”
Bob chuckled as Rooster shook his head. “And I thought Charlie was high energy.”
Bob nodded as he pocketed his phone. “She is. I guess they both are.”
Rooster nodded and leaned back against the closed door, a heavy silence weighing over the two men. Once upon a time, they had been friends, allies, partners. Now, they were little more than strangers, two people roped into a scheme by two preteens.
“So, Nat’s downstairs?”
Bob nodded. “She and Charlie are trying to find a way to separate Hangman from this fiancée of his. Is she really as bad as Abby is making it out to be?”
Rooster shuddered. “Remember all the girls who would hang around the Hard Deck and try to flirt with anyone in a uniform?”
Bob nodded gravely, his skin crawling at the memory. “I do.”
“Savannah is about twenty times worse than that. Javy can’t stand her either.”
Bob blinked. “Is Javy downstairs too?”
Rooster nodded. “Yeah, why?”
“Do you think it’s a good idea to have him and Nat bump into each other downstairs?”
Rooster’s eyes widened, but, before he could speak, Abby raced back into the room. “Uncle Bob, Mum’s not in there.”
Bob blinked again. “Are you sure?”
Abby rolled her eyes. “Of course I’m sure, Uncle Bob.”
Bob’s cellphone was back in his hand, pressed to his ear after a quick dial. “Yeah, it’s me. Where are you? I thought you were still getting ready?...Really? Buttercup—” Bob pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it. “She hung up on me.”
“What did she say?”
“She went to go get a steamer from the lobby for her dress. She didn’t want to wear something wrinkled.”
“And she couldn’t have gotten someone to deliver it to the room?”
Bob shrugged at Rooster’s question. “She probably needed some air.”
It was Abby’s turn to dig her phone out of her pocket and dial. “Charlie? Yes, we’re here with Uncle Bob, but Mum is heading down to the lobby right now! You and Auntie Nat need to run interference!”
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A/N: Oooh, a cliffhanger! Maybe I'll be able to get the next chapter done in one week instead of two. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Tags List: @mamachasesmayhem @jessicab1991 @waltermis @buckysteveloki-me @allepaula @yuckosworld @bradshawssugarbaby @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @kim-stark @high-speed-r @starsrfun @tomanyfandomstrash @averyhotchner @the-blueatlas @dashes-dizzydisaster @a-girl-who-loves-disney @boiolay @djs8891 @tgmreader @kmc1989 @landpiranha-blog @sydthekid1518 @lynnevanss @mackenzieblair @minejungwoo @starset21 @tgmavericklover @dempy @starkleila @magical-spit @whatislovevavy @simplyreading96 @vivalas-vega @itsdesiree86 @inky-sun @books-are-escapes @abaker74 @mrs-perfectly-fine @inthestars-underthesun
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myfandomprompts · 1 year
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𝐀𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 | 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞 - 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖
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Warning: Possessive behaviour, smut, explicit Masterlist (Part 7 - Part 9)
Summary: A feast is held, and you find yourself in a difficult predicament as Aemond reveals to be very... himself.
Your dress was not the most beautiful you owned, but it was still a pretty one. Green, bare shoulders and long sleeves embroidered with your house sigil, a silver badger surrounded by brown threads, the rest of the green merging into your dress. You certainly will be blending in among the expected sea of green clothes at the event tonight, but you liked it.
You were seated at a long table alongside the counsellors' families, your own father and brother two places away from you, as the King's table was raised above the others at the edge of the room, presiding over everyone else.
Aegon II was already seated when you arrived. He seemed tired, his usual dark eyes were even darker and his movements were slow. You almost went to him to congratulate him on his victory and to wish him a quick recovery, but refrained yourself as you were unsure of Aegon's mood, considering his reputation. You would not risk it for now.
His mother and sister wife were at his side, Otto Hightower standing not far from there and talking with whom you knew were Larys Strong and another Lord you assumed to be a recent addition to the Greens.
You searched for Aemond across the room, but you saw no traces of him. People were dancing and conversing happily for the time being and so you went to talk to ladies of the court you knew, under your father's watchful eye.
At one point you were so deep in conversation with your friends about tales of the battle that had recently taken place in the Riverlands, eager to finally hear more about it, that you didn't notice Aemond entering the hall and stop at the nearest pillar, instantly landing his gaze on your form as if you were the only one in the room.
Unlike your failed attempts to notice him before, Aemond certainly could not miss you. You were beautiful, and your dress made him smile proudly. You were harbouring his colours, your hair was finely braided and the sight of your skin that was not hidden by the cloth did things to him that he wanted to explore later that night.
Otto Hightower called for an honorary speech soon after, so you returned to your seat with the other guests in order to hear the King who would speak afterward, but you heard nothing of what was said, rather you didn't listen to a word. Once settled in front of your plate you eventually noticed Aemond already placed next to his grandfather, glaring right at you. You froze as you saw him give you a satisfied smile, so wide that you even thought he was laughing, your heart making leaps in your chest. He didn't let go of your eyes until, still frozen and unable to react to this, you averted your eyes from him and tried to look interested in Aegon's words. He would not like that, you thought, being ignored.
When Aegon's speech received rounds of applause and everybody began to eat and drink, you risked a glance at the Prince, who was, of course, still staring at you, although his smile had disappeared.
Thinking back to your realisation of the last days, on how you would handle your feelings for him, you congratulated yourself in managing to not stare back and just ignore him. At least you thought you were, because your eyes seemed inexplicably drawn to him every two minutes.
Cups and plates were emptied and refilled, while the guests began the traditional dances in the middle of the room, sometimes even waltzing alone in a corner. You spent a nice time despite your anxiety at the feeling of Aemond's eye always on you. As you were watching the dancers quietly, you felt someone take the empty seat beside you.
"I did not see you dancing my Lady."
Addam Vance, stunningly dressed and a smile on his face, looked teasingly at you, cup in his hand. Happy for the distraction, you answered laughing, wine also in your system.
"It is because no one will see me and people would step on me at every move!" you said over the music. "You see, I wear green, thus it makes me invisible among all of those performers." 
He laughed at that.
"I see your point," he said, looking at the green mass on the dance floor. "It seems fashion is risky for a lady such as you, but rest assured, I will not let anyone step on you for your dress is the nicest one I've seen thus far."
You blushed, although you were sure it wouldn't be noticeable because the wine already reddened your face.
"You didn't dance either, my Lord. Are you perhaps only skilled with a sword?" you asked playfully.
"Ah, I fear that my inaction is only the consequence of my lack of a partner, as I am neither married nor in courtship," he sighed, glancing at the room as if to point out its uselessness.
"I do not doubt for a moment you'll not find a lady to please tonight. Most of them are waiting all year for this sort of occasion!"
"And what about you?" he asked, more serious.
"Me? I only dance when I'm forced to," you joked. It's not that you didn't enjoy dancing, it's just that you didn't like the attention.
"Then I shall force you if I may," he concluded with a sweet smile. "Would y-"
"Lady Y/N."
You turned at the newcomer and stopped laughing.
Aemond was standing behind Addam's chair, an unreadable look on his face. He only watched you for the shortest moment before staring straight at Addam, taking his place between the two of you.
"And... I do not believe I've met you," he said in an exaggerated politeness.
Addam seemed taken aback for a while, surprised at the sudden interruption.
"Addam Vance, son of Denys Vance," he introduced himself, as Aemond kept staring at him. "I fought with you in the Riverlands, a glorious victory."
"Yes. Vance of Atranta. The Vance of Wayfarer siding with my traitor of a sister, correct?" Aemond said as if talking about nothing but the weather.
"Yes, we could say that House Vance is as divided as House Targaryen," Addam stated, lightly enough not to appear offensive.
Aemond seemed to consider if Addam was serious for a while, daring to say such things in front of him, but you saw his usual grin appear, the one he used when he was being cruel, and you swallowed.
"Indeed," Aemond spoke. "And what of you, Addam Vance of Atranta, are you proud of your House deeds in the battlefield? I heard your father did a great job in safeguarding the provisions."
You tensed, and so did Addam. You did not know Addam's father's reputation, but you were sure that Addam took Aemond's words as a provocation on a certain level. However, you saw him handle the pressure surprisingly well.
"It was not our main task, but I don't expect a dragon rider such as you to be aware of the footsoldiers movements my Prince, as you were so high up in the sky during the battle."
Aemond's nostrils flared slightly, and you felt like you should make your escape from the conversation as soon as possible. You began to shift in your chair when Aemond answered, still harbouring the shadow of the cruel smile.
"I do not believe you were enough forth in the battle to see me land and fight among my men, only departing when my brother's dragon was under attack, Lord. " He emphasised the last word strongly, a menacing glow in his eye.
"I fear that speaking of such matters is making me dizzy," you chose to interject suddenly, faking a laugh and directing your words at Addam in an attempt to stop him from taking the conversation further. "Perhaps a dance would make me feel better!" you concluded as you stood up, attempting to do just the opposite and leave the two men to maybe join your lady friends who were looking at the cakes not far away from you.
"Actually, this is exactly why I came," you heard Aemond said, his lips curving, stopping you from walking away. "May I have this dance, my Lady?"
You stared at his extended hand for far too long, and when you looked upon Addam who was clearly annoyed at the Prince now, you took the latter's hand. You let him take you far from Addam, relieved that these two were now at a safe distance from one another.
When your hands parted to bow to each other, beginning the dance, you realised that you were finally seeing him properly for the first time since your time in the garden. You felt your body warm up as your bodies turned around each other in graceful movements, mirroring the other guests on the dance floor, his scent overwhelming you.
"I would never have thought green would suit you so well, my Lady," he lied as you met your hands in the middle before stepping away again. You scoffed.
"Surely you don't intend to comment on my clothing while there are better and more interesting things to be said."
"I find the state of your wardrobe quite interesting if it allows me to see more of you," he retorted as you passed by him and felt his finger graze your shoulder momentarily.
"You've already seen much of me, my Prince," you whispered, and you felt out of your bounds, but it was fun as you saw Aemond's eye shot at you at your words with a wide grin. "But I certainly did not see as much of you."
He made you twirl, and you rested in his arm for a short time as the music shifted to a slower rate.
"It can be arranged, you will not find me arguing over this matter," he said, his eyes looking down at your lips and your form before meeting your eyes again and turning around you once more in rhythm.
"It depends. Do you plan to leave often without telling me of your state as you come home from battle? At least I am glad to see you unharmed, I could not be certain you see. From your absence," you accused, not teasing any more. He was less joyous as you kept on.
"You leave for days and the first thing you do is interrupt the loveliest conversation I've had for a while and show rudeness to one of your allies." Aemond's eye lost all of the amusement it harboured a moment ago, only to be replaced by a deadly stare.
"Indeed, my absence surely was a mistake, as I find you ignoring me plainly and then talking to a runt who would not survive more than ten minutes on the battlefield," he said through gritted teeth, his dancing movement forgotten. "Is he courting you?"
You opened your mouth in shock, aghast at his words. You stopped in the middle of the dance floor as well, making the other guests bump into your form, but you didn't care.
"Does it matter? As a woman I am expected to marry and bear children. To him or another, would it be any different?" you replied as anger emanated from you. You hadn't thought about marrying Addam but now it seemed very plausible, he was a very respectful man.
Aemond had closed the gap between you in one step and had grabbed your wrists so strongly that you feared he would snap them. He was furious, and somehow you felt proud that you managed to rile him up like that. However you were already regretting it.
"It does matter. You are not just anyone, you cannot marry to this sort, I will not have it," he said dangerously low, his breath hot on your face. "You will never be his."
"Who will I belong to then, if not this sort?" you said in defiance.
You felt him tense, his gaze lowering to your neck and lingering there for a long while. You could feel him struggling with his emotions.
"At least I would choose this betrothal, and not be bound to someone only for political reasons," you continued, deeply implying his own situation.
Aemond was recovering his senses quickly at your provocative words and you felt his anger grow wider, only to be saved by the music who had stopped to allow the guest to take a rest in the dance still happening around you.
Aemond, not covered by the music and the crowd any longer, was forced to let you go as the dance floor emptied. You massaged your wrist unconsciously, making his purple eye look at your gesture and his features softened a little. But you just stared furiously at him and turned away, leaving him biting his cheek in frustration.
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You went back to your seat for the rest of the evening, carefully avoiding the royal table and always ensuring you were not alone. You felt uneasy because now your father was constantly watching you with a side eye, but you stayed patient, eating the cinnamon cake you've been served and listening vaguely to the conversations.
Addam was nowhere to be seen, even Hugo had seemed to disappear from the hall, and you wondered where they went. You were almost tempted to take a walk around the castle grounds, maybe you'll find someone to talk to outside of the loud room.
"Poor Helaena," you heard your friend say.
"What?"
"The King is so drunk that I would think the wine cellar empty by now. Helaena just retired, it seems, she appears to have one of her episodes, seeing the King in this state. I just saw her leave."
You glanced at the door and started to worry. What if she had no one to take care of her, having escaped without anyone but your friend's notice. Sometimes she struggled so strongly to breathe that you feared for her life. You should go after her.
So you left the table and passed the doors to the inner courtyard, the moon shining on the sleek stones, but you saw no one. You shall begin your search on your way up to Helaena's chamber, hoping to find a maid on your way to inform her of the Queen's predicament.
When you made it to the first floor, you felt a hand grab your side and you screamed, if not for the hand on your mouth blocking any sound from escaping. You were shoved against a wall, and Aemond's eye appeared in your vision, waiting for you to calm down. You tried to hit him as hard as you could at the realisation of his doing, and he was forced to remove his hand from your mouth in order to stop your punching.
"Aemond you-!" you said as he took hold of your wrist again, pressing you into the wall further to prevent you from moving. "I almost went into shock!" you reprimanded him, still furious.
"Sshhhh. Be quiet," he commanded, and you could not see his eye in the dark, only discerning his aware features.
"You expect me to be quiet? After acting this way with me?" you kept on, but he suddenly took your chin roughly and repeated.
"Be. Quiet."
You silenced yourself instantly, the force of his command and his touch like a switch that turned off your boldness. As he considered that you would obey him after a while, he took your elbow and led you to an empty room, only letting you go in order to close the door behind you. You stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed.
"What are we doing, Aemond? Is this your way of apologising for your behaviour? If so, you are failing, your actions already speak loudly for themselves," you said harshly.
He took a deep breath and walked slowly toward you, stopping before he could get too close.
"You are the one who should be apologising, as you are the one who is making me so infuriated that your behaviour could make me forget all about honour," he stated, attempting to control his voice.
"I did no such thing. It is your jealousy that is making you behave like a proper idiot. Am I acting the same way when you are the one who is actually getting married soon?" you exclaimed.
His fingers curled slightly at his side like he was unsure of what to do. You uncrossed your arms and took a step forth.
"This is wrong, Aemond. Whatever this is. Lady Baratheon is due to arrive in a week short and I will not be the one to cast shame on my family name," you said, and you struggled to prevent tears from coming into your eyes.
"Stop this. I know you are not being honest, you don't want to say those things. You don't believe in them."
His face was a mix between anger and resignation as he said that. You kept on.
"It is only a matter of time before-"
"I said stop," he repeated, more violently. "I will not hear this. I will not hear of marriage, of honour, and I will not hear about this dull boy ever again, and of you refusing me, do you understand?" He had advanced on to you in this short time and was now pulling you close, your chests colliding and his lips inches from yours, his scent invading your senses.
"Because you are mine Y/N," he whispered into your lips, grabbing the side of your head.
His tone was threatening, but his touch was soft, and you felt yourself surrender to him at once, unable to refuse him.
" Yes," you said in a breath, closing your eyes and sending everything you stood only moments ago to hell, completely lost and overwhelmed by his presence.
You grabbed his shoulders as he kissed you the next moment, slowly as first, then harder, his hand digging into your hair as he pulled, a moan escaping from your mouth at the gesture.
"Mine," he said while he made you back up against the furniture behind you, making you slam into it in a thud. He worked his tongue over you, entering your mouth and devouring your neck as his hand began to undress you. You felt his manhood hard against your lower half, causing you to arch your body unexpectedly, making him groan of surprise into your ear.
After a while he grew more frustrated at your dress, unwilling to come off, so he grabbed his dagger at his belt and cut it open, ripping it over the front, making you gasp in shock. The cloth unceremoniously fell at your feet and your surprise over the cold feeling of the blade between your breasts was soon replaced by pleasure as he began his ministrations on your chest, the weapon thrown next to your dress on the floor.
You tried to unclasp his jacket as well, so you could touch his skin, feel his warmth. But you were struggling in your haste and you felt flustered, his movements preventing you from properly undressing him.
"Aemond-, I want you, please..." you moaned, and he came to a stop, pulling back up to face you, his mouth slightly open, if you were correct, in surprise. Pure lust was emanating from him now, and you felt overwhelmed by the feeling of him, waiting for him to act.
"What did you say?" he asked in a husky voice, and it was suddenly easier for you to answer.
"I need you, Aemond. Please, just-" you whimpered. He watched you for seconds longer, like he couldn't believe what you had just said and when his lips finally crashed onto yours again, your hands directly went for his belt.
He groaned at your touch and didn't leave you any space to continue as he lifted you from the floor by your waist and carried you over what you gathered was a sofa that you have not noticed before. He looked at your naked form while he was getting rid of his layers, and you couldn't help but sit up to help him, resuming your work over his belt.
The next thing you knew, he was on top of you, breathing heavily, his bare skin against yours, and you felt your inside throb in expectation.
"Fuck," he groaned, biting the skin over your collarbone and sucking it lightly. "Do you want this?" he pressed his shaft against you. "Do you want to feel what it's like? So soft and responsive..."
You let a whimper escape you as he put his hand over your parts, drawing slow circles over your sweet spot.
"So ready... Would the runt make you feel this way? I doubt it, I'm sure he is so ungifted by the gods that any woman he will bed won't be able to reach even the half of what I will make you feel," he said mischievously, grinning and panting as he rubbed his fingers over your wetness more quickly.
And you believed him. Surely no one else than Aemond was as good, and at this moment you wished for nothing else but for it to last.
You arched your back against him as he reached a sensitive spot, and he began to like what he was seeing and hearing, far too much. He just kept going, tracing kisses from your ear to your shoulders, leaving love bites all over your skin.
"Aemond, please, I need this," you confessed within a desperate moan, and he groaned in response, positioning himself over you as he put his arms at your sides.
"Don't move, love," he commanded as he lowered himself onto you.
When he entered you you felt uneasy at first, but because he was watching you so closely, inspecting every move you made, you soon felt like you needed more, and began to move as well.
Aemond didn't expect this and hissed loudly, digging his head into your neck at the action. "You're going to be the death of me," you heard him say, so low that you almost didn't catch it.
He stayed still for a moment, unable to move as you were the one shifting into a more comfortable position, as if he was trying to take control of himself. Then he lifted his head, kissed you deeply and began to thrust, slowly at first, making sure you responded well to the movement of his hips, then he moved faster and faster.
From that moment you didn't register anything any more, just knowing that you had to keep quiet and that Aemond was everything that you needed right now. He kissed you harshly, swallowing your muffled moans as you tried to hold yourself a little longer, but it was becoming more difficult as Aemond went on, hitting every good spot inside of you. Then you finally reached your release, your insides clenching around him as he followed you shortly after, biting the skin where your neck and your shoulder met in an attempt to keep his pleasure quiet.
You felt utter bliss at first, Aemond limp body over yours, keeping you warm as you caressed his back tenderly, panting. Then you felt dirty and panic slightly came, as you realised that he did not withdraw. He felt you tense and looked at you curiously, stroking your hair.
"What's wrong?" he inquired, brows furrowed, and the last thing you wanted to see was hurt in his eye. So you smiled softly as you replied.
"Nothing. I wish this moment could last forever," you said as his hair tickled your face.
It was far from a lie, you did wish this, and you decided that the issue of being with child would be dealt with later.
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-0- Part 9
@let-love-bleeds-red @crazylokonugget @jeyramarie @ephemeralninon @mrswhitethornbelikov @dudfahsn @missusnora @queenofterrasen418 @honeytrapsblogp-graham @heathclifftragedyy @discowizard88 @ivartheblessed @xceafh @bubbletae7 @omgkatherine97 @tzipora-art @signyvenetia @ml0103
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juggalomary · 1 month
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She’s here and just sent off to my beta reader (ugh thank you again). I’m excited to announce the unbetaed "of scars and silence"
content warming! violence, mcd (technically), described injury ig? Enjoy
“John Elias Mactavish was an honored soldier and a loving uncle. He did not however live long enough to become a husband, father or grandfather. He had the ability to light up a room, literally and figuratively, and had never failed to get every possible man out of any situation. You may not know him as a soldier, but I did, and so did the men sitting in the place of his parents. That fireball of a man was once one of my closest friends. I wish him the best in whatever death may bring.”
Gaz has shed a tear, and Price is smiling reassuringly and sadly at once. Ghost clears his throat and blinks back a single tear. Losing comrades was the sad truth about the military. He watched his best men get gunned down and there was nothing he could’ve done. This was different.
Ghost had watched, and had seen Price get hit. He could’ve made a shot, but they were just moving too much to risk it. He attempted to go over to them, but a Konnie got a hit onto his temple, knocking his steps to a halt. He felt a single wave of darkness fly over his vision and leave, simultaneously with a gunshot. The thunk of the body on the floor was met by silence as he regained himself.
Johnny, lying dead on the concrete, active bomb being defused, no Makarov. He doesn’t remember shouting out to him, but apparently it happened. There was an exit wound. There was an entrance wound. There was no shot of him getting up.
Price and Gaz had the bomb defused by the time the initial shock was wearing down. His pulse was zero, his breath was zero. Everything was zero.
Soap was dead. He couldn’t come back. Goddamit ghost still had the the killing bullet in a box in his room. He didn’t actually admit that to anyone.
His ashes (most, soaps sisters and the task force, as stated in his will, were to receive some) were spread in the wind and water off the Scottish coast. His dog tags are worn by Mari Finch-Mactavish, his Irish twin.
The world kept revolving after his death. Makarov's heart is still beating after his death, not for long, if Price had something to do with this.
x/x
Waking up from a coma is a jarring experience, especially when you wake up with a massive blind spot in your left eye, and extremely obnoxious tinnitus in your ear.
As far as he can remember he shouldn’t be awake. A loud noise, likely a gunshot was his last sensation he can remember. He can’t remember much else. That seems like an issue for a later moment, he was tired.
He dreamed for the first time since being shot that night. He dreamed of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse. Conquest, a blonde woman, late thirties, strong souled and confident. She was his adoptive mother, after his parents had left. War, a tall man with a hat and mutton chops, he spoke rough but cared deeply. In this he was a father, his source of advice. Hunger was a tall, young, lanky man, a cap with some flag sat atop his head. A brother and a friend, a lover, but not to him. He could make any man, even the strongest yearn, hunger, and beg, for his approval, but John (?) didn’t need to beg, he already had it.
Finally, if not the most important but the most scary was death. 6’4, shoulders wide as mountains. His muscles had to have been the size of his head. He wore a human skull across his face. He was feared by most, not his 3 other horsemen, not soap (?), but everyone else. He told jokes, he showed emotion, he smoke cigarettes as well as vaped, at least on the field. He would sneak onto the roof with john and watch as mars, named after the god of war, aligned with earth.
These horsemen were familiar. The dream brought him comfort in times of terror.
He woke up officially to a nurse changing a bandage on his head. An IV was jammed into his hand and his arm was in a sling. His whole head hurt, waking up from such an experience like this one, this dream was bound to give him a headache. The nurse walks in front of him, he only knows this when she walks around to his right and notices his stare.
He can hear what she says but she does say something. Then out of nowhere a man guarded by two burly armed men and a doctor.
“Good morning six. I hope you can hear me. We will get you a hearing aid soon. We’re wishing you a speedy recovery.” The man spoke with a thick accent, Russian likely. He didn’t know who he was, he knew he could barely hear him and couldn’t see his right side.
“Thank-“ he was hit hard across the face. He hadn’t done anything yet to deserve it.
“The task force is not to speak unless asked a direct question. You will learn over time.” And with that he's gone as quickly as he appeared.
He, who was referred to as six, which seems dehumanizing, was left to think.
He had to think about this task force. How was he qualified? Is this military? Is he military? He was six, so who were the other five? Who is soap, and why dies he refer to himself as it.
x/x
The nurses came in once every hour and a half. He only had a tv with Russian sitcoms playing. The nurse would chuckle, check and change his IV, every 3 nurses they would feed him through a tube in his nose.
That tube itself was a problem, he would throw it up nearly every night. And then gag and tear up when they put a new one in. He stopped being audible when he received a clean cut across his collarbone.
The injuries received after he got there just added onto a list of things wrong. The most notable ones include, puncture of the frontal lobe, entrance and exit wounds, deafness (cured by aids), complete blindness in his left eye, titanium plate in his head, and a shattered collarbone.
He quickly realized that those were just the things he was told because they were operated on. He had a vertical scar across his forehead, eye, and cheek. These cosmetic things did not bother him because he was not allowed to look.
Six was released into light training after about a month of recovery in the hospital. By this point he was completely silent, never asked questions so he never spoke. In light training he met another guy, one who used bsl, which six understood without ever learning. He learned he was called eight and had a steel rod in both his legs.
These two were only one apart in formation so they were also one room apart. Eight was ever the luckier of the two, knowing he was in the British Royal Navy, but had his legs shattered with an ied in Kyrzakhstan.
Six tried to remember but was only met by the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Death called him Johnny, sounding increasingly stressed and worried with each call until he was screeching in agony. He disliked dreams with death.
Still that man, death himself must’ve been important if his damaged mind remembered him. The other horsemen were there often enough that he didn’t fear sleep. Only one actually riding a horse, which was famine, on strangely enough, a chestnut thoroughbred racehorse. He would pet and brush this horse. When he showed up in dream he’d know it’d be a full night's sleep.
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bluegarners · 3 months
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What drives me crazy with Dick Grayson is that literally he's only " " canonically " " like what? 24? 23? He was an only child at least until he was 18 and within literally the time of a bachelor's and masters degree he went from just starting as nightwing never had any siblings but a team who loved him and now he has no external support and is supposed to be the "glue" for a ginormous family that's developed faster than he could blink. Honestly I think while Dick loves and enjoys all his relationships with his family half the time he still feels like he wishes they were all friends and a little closer in age instead of him suddenly being in charge and cleaning up Bruce's problems not just for Bruce, but now cleaning up Bruce's problems which cause everyone else problems which cause more problems which inevitably he has to fix because no one else will
And 6ish years ago he didn't have ANY siblings! The whiplash is crazy. I think the fact that Dick would resent all this proves how much he loves them all bc he still goes to such lengths for his family despite his frustration and aggravation
hiya anon! i think right now, dick is in his mid-twenties, say 25 or 26... which is CRAZY bc in my head i am always picturing him as 29 or early 30s... but canonically i think he's stuck with the mid-twenties just like tim is stick at 17
also, i get the impression that all my posts about dick being in a kind of limbo of "eldest daughter" and also estranged brother-son figure to bruce has kind of given the perspective that i think he bemoans his position in the family, but i think he honestly greatly enjoys it! there really hasn't been many instances in canon, if any at all unless looked at with a severe magnifying glass, that gives off the impression that dick more or less begrudges the amount of pseudo-siblings and other family members he has come into quick possession of. if anything, i think dick probably takes a lot of comfort in being able to have so many people around him again, as i think what a lot of people miss out on is that dick didn't come from an "only child family" but a village (haly's). we get glimpses of his family life before bruce, and ultimately it forms a picture of one where, yes, dick was the center of attention because he was the baby of the troop, but also he was more or less raised in a huge family that consisted of people entirely unrelated to him- aunts, uncles, people he looked to as sisters or brothers, grandfather figures, cousins, friends; all of these more familial lens people that he grew up with until his parents were murdered, and he was suddenly taken away from
i imagine the shift to being surrounded by many to being surrounded by exactly two would have been very startling. and, like you said anon, it wasn't until he fully integrated with the titans did that sense of a bigger family really come into perspective for him. however, it is interesting that you bring up how fast it all happened, as i agree, dick essentially got- what? four or five new "family members" within the span of five or so years? like, that's a pretty big shift from being a trio (dick, bruce, and alfred) for ten years, adding very few people (excluding the titans) that he could sincerely count on or even recognize as family (barbara, for example), and now all within the span of a bachelor's degree, he's had to hand off his robin legacy to three different people. damian came a bit after everyone else had more or less settled, but he's a wholeeee other topic of conversation considering exactly what had to happen for him and dick to even meet the way they did
but, going back to the quick new additions, again i don't think dick has ever for a moment thought to begrduge or resent the influx of people in his life. i think a really defining part of his character is his love of people, his love of being around them. while bruce loves people, he loves them in a kind of distant way, where he sees gotham itself as akin to a person he can love- a person composed of a million other individuals, but an almost singular entity. the same goes for bruce's love of the world, i think. but dick, dick loves people as individuals, as persons he can speak to, hold, comfort, cry for, touch, embrace, etc. dick likes the physical presence of people, as well as the whole of humanity like bruce, and i think the defining line of separation for the two and how they love people, is how they grew up
circling back to dick's early childhood, he was raised not only surrounded by the performers, but also the crowds, the fans. dick grew up loving being loved, and though that may come off as superficial or a purely egotistical thing, i interpret it as something that is a soulful, very human thing. bruce can love humanity without being loved, and so can dick, but dick is also willing to embrace the love he gets in return. it's why, i think, dick is also known for having so many lady friends (donna, kory, and barbara being the most outstanding examples). dick loves to be loved, and he also loves to love, so to me, dick suddenly feeling trapped because of a couple new additions to a family that has been so small for so long doesn't make complete sense- i'm not arguing with you however anon!! just making my case that, even though i do think it's an interesting thing to meta-textually analyze, with dick being in that eldest position as well as the next "bruce" (oof, that's shudder inducing), it doesn't quite follow his character for him to wish that things might be different in their circumstances
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soul-lime · 1 year
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When I was younger, my friends would sit and talk about what names they wished they had. Or about how they hated their names. They'd ask me what name I would have if I could choose. I always responded with I like my name.
And it's kinda true.
I do like my birth name. I love the feeling of being known. I love the names people create out of it. I love the identity it's given me. I love hearing it come from my mother and my friends.
But I also kind of resent it.
This name, this name was chosen for me. This name I hear every day. This is the name that I have been called since birth. I will never be able to get away from it. It's stagnant, unchanging.
So I use different names. I give others my full name and allow them, encourage them, to give me a name based off of it.
I have fifteen names. Each one was given to me by someone else. Aside from one.
Soul.
Soul is the name I chose for myself. I love it. It put work into it. I thought of it. I found it for myself. The first person to call me Soul was Spi
That isn't to say I don't like my other names, I'm very fond of a few of them.
Bean.
Given to me by Door, it's a name I've become attached to. I love it too, and I love being called it. And it's funny, similar to a name my mother and sister call me.
Angel.
A name with a long history for me, originally my grandfather's, then feminized into part of my middle name, then given to my dog, and then became part of my twitch handle.
Apokuna was the first person to call me Angel, but it only became Mine after V used it for me.
Bee.
My sister calls me this, and my mom uses it as a part of a nickname. We used to have bees, my mom was a beekeeper. But it's also the initial of one of my many names.
Thank you everyone, for helping me create myself.
@hail-is-just-dippin-dots @idontknowhowtodoor @voidfxcker
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nataliekabra · 18 days
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my grandfather lived a rich, long life, but the last year and especially the last month of his life was extremely painful. his heart was beating at 30% efficiency. his lungs were in terrible condition. his stomach was in terrible condition. he'd broken his hip and he completely lost his memory. he couldn't recognize anyone anymore, he could barely open his eyes and say anything. he was plugged to life support that kept beeping 24/7. my entire extended family showed up in the last two weeks of his life to be there when it happened.
my dad didn't want me to go into his room and see him in that state. my sister didn't want to see him in that state. there was no point, they said. it's not going to help anyone and it'd be unbearable to see him that way. but I couldn't accept that. I traveled 1.5 hours back and forth from college every day during my exams week so I could sit next to him. so I could sing to him. so I could be with him. I wasn't ready to let him go. I didn't think I'd ever be, even if I'd made peace with the fact that he was practically gone already weeks back.
I'd been through this with both my maternal grandparents once already, but this was definitely the hardest. he was my idol and favourite person growing up, the first person id greet in the morning and the last person I'd say good night to before i went to bed every single day. and one thing everyone seemed to agree on every time was...they wished he would just go. it's okay. he's suffering. it'll put him out of his misery. the rest of us will be okay. we'll live.
if someone's suffering that much, isn't it best for them to leave? kinder? how long will we keep clinging to them, forcing them to suffer with less and less to live for every day?
my best friend has been extremely suicidal for at least the three years ive been close to her. she's miserable. it's constant and it's every day and everything about her life feels terrible to her. has felt terrible for years. I love her so fucking much, but it feels like I've been dragging and unintentionally guilting her to live for so long now. I know she really doesn't want to. she hasn't wanted to for a long time. she doesn't know I know but I know she cuts every day. she thinks about killing herself every day. and every day she doesn't. only for me and for her family. she constantly feels like a burden. she's lost interest in everything. she's on meds and has been going to therapy - switched therapists multiple times even - for two years now, but it has only gotten worse. she's been dragging on, just for other people, for years, she's been trying so hard and for so long.
I'd do anything to take away her pain, and I've tried. I'm not someone who lets go easily. I'm selfish. I cling on until I can.
but I know better than anyone else how bad it is. I'm the only one who knows the full extent, probably. and every day I silently ask her to stay alive feels like asking too much. I've been promising her that it'll get better for years, but it feels so empty. I got better. I know it's possible. but it's been years. I won't admit it to her, but I can't see a way out. I don't believe myself anymore. I don't know what to say anymore.
isn't it the same thing as hoping my grandfather would stay with me forever in his misery?
I don't know. a part of me wants to tell her she can let go. I don't know.
I don't know.
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i wish i had a best friend again
i could tell her about everything happening with my parents. about their separation, again. how exhausting it is to tell people about it, again. about how much of their chaos and dysfunction is so familiar to me yet not any more comfortable, and how i am just as tired of living with it as she is probably tired of hearing me talk about it. about how talking about it with my girlfriend makes me feel both relieved and scared of what shes gunna think about who i am and where i come from and what i know about love. that i don't.
i could talk to her about about how my grandfather is starting chemo and no ones told me except in passing. and how it didn't come from my mom or my brothers who are making a special trip to go visit him. and how my relationship with my grandparents has never really existed but it still really hurts me every year that they've still not learned how to correctly spell my name. and that my younger sister is a much better granddaughter than me because she actually calls, but i think its easier to check in on people who call you first and also when they've written you cards for the holidays and also that they've proven they can spell your name right.
i could tell her that my relationships with my siblings have started to feel less strained over the years but also a little more hollow. and no one has time to reach out anymore but everyone has an opinion or a chip because of who was the last one to reach out. how its like pulling teeth to spend any time together, and when tragedy strikes its like they're gone with the wind. how i am not the oldest but I'm the one who must corral them together or else they suddenly forget how they each like to be talked to. how tiring it is to not be the first born but to be the first born and to be seen as the bad parent all the time with no biological children of my own.
i could tell her that my living situation might be killing me slowly but also that i have no other choices but to die slowly because no one can help me out more they can. and by can i mean for the good majority is spotting me $20 every 9 months and telling me they would let me know if they hear anything but seemingly go deaf for the next 9 months. how tired i am of what I'm going through but there are no choices of what else to go through unless i want to force an out.
i could tell her about the wishes and dreams and fantasies i still have, despite feeling further from them every day. how much i wish i had just a portion of the life that i used to have, and not understanding how much more pleading i must do with the universe for it to just go my way for a little while. how much i cry for the smallest accommodations in this world, how much i weep for a little more empathy and understanding. how much noise i am subjected to. how much silence i am tortured with. how heartbreaking it is to witness apathy be chosen over and over and over and over and over. how much better i want for so many people beyond myself.
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trillionaireminds · 2 years
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This is one of the days that I will never forget, August 12th, 2012. I was in Indianapolis for Tunechi concert and my sister @olarotimi.ponder called me at least 50-60 times no exaggeration and when I called her back I just heard tears and crying I didn’t know what was going nor what happened. She then began to tell me that my best friend, my grandfather had left us and I didn’t know what to do because I was out of town, I couldn’t be there to comfort her nor my other siblings, not even my grandmother. I was always the strongest person for everyone and not realizing that I’ve never got the chance to really grieve my grandfather death. I still have questions about it that I feel like is unanswered. I’ve gotten over the fact that he’s no longer here with us and I’ve came to terms with that, but I’ve never grieved my grandfather being gone fully. I miss my grandfather a lot and especially on certain days when I just need someone to talk to and vent to. It took me a while to post this because I didn’t know how to put what I was feeling into words. I woke up this morning to go to the gym just so I won’t feel sad today, but as the day is progressing I’m starting to feel sad about my grandfather not being here physically. I didn’t even get a chance to see him in the hospital or talk to him for that matter because I thought I will see him again but I was so mistaken. Granddaddy I miss you so much and every day I strive to be as great as you because you were the greatest person and man ever. No one else could ever duplicate you at all, I miss you a lot and I wish you were still here with us. (at The Bradley Estate) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChLa3IhgPaT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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peepo · 3 years
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#ok one last post#i wish my mom would see all the complaining i do about her sometimes#but like with her shed probably beat me half to death or kick me out so like i can’t do that#it’s kind of funny like i keep wishing she hit me more because only ONE TIME she made me bleed. she’s hurt me woth slaps and belt whippings#but only one time she hit my face so hard and so repeatedly it made my nose bleed. i wish she’d do it more!#physical abuse hurts less and is easier to explain than emotional abuse you’ve had to deal with your whole life. i wish she died as well as#my sexually abusive step dad numerous time.#s. him more but i genuinely think about how happy i would be without her in my life. i’d cry and maybe kill myself because now i have no 1#to live for but like... at least it would be most of my issues solved! plus i didn’t kill myself whdn someone else died but IG he didn’t#have as much of an impact on me as a woman who’s been here my whole life. yet i still think about sawyer more than#my grandfather and my friends sister and everyone else and i just wish i could trade in my life for his. he actually had something going &#i’m just a waste of space do nothing accomplish nothing idiot who has no family to feel guilty for#i wish i were dead i wish i weee dead i wish i wew dead i wish i were dead#sorry but i genuinely do and i can’t deal with it anymore. i won’t do anything but it hurts so much and k can’t#i can’t. i canr. i can’t do this i just want out of here and o know if i took all my pills i wouldn’t overdose and just be sent for more#FUCKING bills at the ficking hospital because they want me to be indebt to them for my entire life#i hate it i hate myself i hate my life there’s good things but the bad outweighs the good i have to deal with the bad everyday and wake up#to it and cook for it and do it’s taxes and work and cleaning and resumes and job applications#i have to take cate of its cat and make sure to not step on any toes and cry silently so that it doesn’t feel responsible#it’s very painful. goodnight. my head hurts.
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lily-drake · 3 years
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Death
Death was nothing new in Marinette’s life.  In fact it played a large role.  Her friends and city had died a hundred times over.  Her brother.  Her funny, smart, loving, dramatic brother had died at the hands of a mad man.  She didn’t think it was wrong for her to use the horse miraculous to visit her brother's grave.  It was officially five years after all.  He would be 20, he would have loved to plan out her 16th birthday this year.  She sat down and read Pride and Prejudice out loud, only a few tears falling as she glanced at the grave every so often.  She had also brought a bouquet of white lilies, statices, red carnations, and white daisies.  Soft grass laid over the dirt, the sun gleamed above, and sometimes when she would lean against the grave it was almost like she could feel him.
Dark storm clouds began to cloud the sky, and she knew she would have to leave soon, though she didn’t want to.  Dad would be upset if he caught her, though considering how many weeds she had to remove from the grave and how abandoned it looked, she doubted anyone had visited any time soon.  Suddenly the rain began to pour down and it felt like the earth shook.  She felt a great imbalance, but where, and how?  She touched both of her ears and she could feel her miraculous still there, Tikki even poked her head out from her bag with a look of fear.  A shiver ran down Marinette’s spine as rain came pouring down soaking everything in sight.  She looked around, and she kept spinning searching for something, anything that could have caused or been affected by the imbalance.  She waited there for many minutes just waiting, when she felt the dirt beneath her feet begin to shift a little.  She quickly moved away and watched as the dirt slowly moved and shifted.  She felt sick, because the dirt moving was directly where Jason was lying in eternal rest.  This couldn’t be right, this must be some mistake!  Her brother had died, she had seen the body, it haunted her nightmares for so many nights.  He’s been gone for five years!  This can’t be possible without some type of wish.
The grass began to move and shift away, and a fleshy mud covered hand raised from the ground causing a scream to rip from her lungs.  Her body sprung into action before her mind caught up to her beginning to help dig up her brother's grave, and when she saw the jet black hair covered in dirt and mud she knew that it was him.  She heaved him out from the hole and stared in shocked horror as he just sat there staring at her.  His eyes were the same blue she remembered, but they were so clouded.  Fear, confusion, and nothing shown in his eyes, like he wasn’t even truly there.  This must be a dream, it has to be, no, a nightmare.  Her brother shouldn’t be back, he died, she saw his limp body in dad’s hands, even if Alfred and bluebird tried to stop her.  But the imbalance was real, she could tell, and he was affected by it.
Slowly she raised her hand and hesitantly placed a hand on his cheek.  He leaned into her hand, though his eyes were still clouded and void.  He may be alive, but he wasn’t fully…alive.  She tackled her older brother into a hug and began sobbing onto him, but just sat there, head leaning against hers.  Pressing her ear against his chest she could hear his gentle heartbeat, and just for a moment everything seemed like it would be ok.  Then she felt a sharp prick in her neck and the world faded to black.
________
Marinette awoke to darkness.  She tried to sit up and felt her hands held behind her back being held together by something cold and thick.  Memories flooded back into her mind and she snapped into awareness and looked around.  It was dark, though there was a small light coming from a window far above where she could not ever reach.  The walls seemed to be made of thick stones and there was a heavy iron door a few feet in front of her.  Jason wasn’t there though, he wasn’t in the room, she didn’t understand.  Suddenly the door opened and she looked up and saw her mother’s green eyes.  Her panic grew again, how did she get here, was she captured too?  She had visited her often in Paris.  She was very vague about her job, and she knew it was probably sketchy, but could it be bad enough to be captured?
“Marinette, My Darling.  I apologize for your treatment, I did not realize that you were part of this.”
Talia rushed towards her daughter and unlocked the chains.  She was pulled into a tight hug that Marinette quickly returned.  After a few moments she pulled away but held her shoulders gently.
“I must show you something, come.”
Talia quickly stood and helped her daughter to her feet and walked swiftly through the calls of Nanda Parabat.
“What is mom?”
Talia smiled at that, she had always loved when her daughter called her that.
“It’s a surprise, My Flower.”
A few more twists though hallways and they stopped in front of a thick wooden door.
“I want you to meet someone.”
The door was pushed open and there sat a small baby in a crip with dark black hair, tanned skin, and dark green eyes.  Marinette gasped and covered her mouth,
“Meet your brother, Damian.”
Marinette slowly walked over and stared at Damian through the top of the crib.  He silently watched and studied her without making a sound.
“He’s about 3 months old.”
Talia said, smiling happily as she watched her daughter run her fingers through Damian’s small tresses of hair.  With a snap of her finger one of her shadows stepped next to her.
“Bring Jason.”
And with that order they were gone returning a few minutes later with a boy who was alive physically, but was mentally gone.  She could fix that though, it would be the last resort if all else failed, but she could fix it.  Marinette looked up when she heard Jason’s footsteps and her bright smile fell slightly into a small sad one.
“Jay-Jay.”
She whispered softly as she took slow steps towards the boy.  She quickly ran and hugged him again.  He no longer smelled like mud and he wasn’t wearing his suit, and he was….he was alive again!  Tears fell down her cheeks, because she missed him so much.
________
Marinette stayed with her mom in what she learned was Nanda Parabat.  She trained with Jason, but he was catatonic, just going through the motions blankly.  It worried her, especially as she watched her mother grow more anxious.  She cared for her little brother, and wondered if her dad knew, or if he would even care.  She often looked at Paris news for when she needed to go for Akuma attacks, but if her host parents even realized she was gone.  They hadn’t, nor had any of her “friends” apparently as they hadn’t sent her a single thing from the weeks she’s been gone.
Marinette knew that Nada Parabat wasn’t a good place, knew that the people were bad, knew that her grandfather was the head of it.  He didn’t seem to care who she was, he just thought she was some nurse for Damian, and she was thankful for that.  She knew that the Lazarus Pits were here, what they did, how they were made, how her grandfather used them for selfish purposes.  She didn’t do anything though, she was mad at her father for sending her away, mad that he adopted a bee kid only a year after he sent her away, mad that he never talked to her, mad that Dick never fought for her or looked for her, mad that Jason was forced to wake up and climb his way out of his grave only to be practically brain dead, mad that her classmates believed lies over her, mad that her host parents believed them and treated her like dirt or an invisible object meant to seen and not heard, mad that Chat Noir would leave her during battles because she didn’t return his affections, and mad that no one cared that she was gone!  So she trained as hard as she could, made sure that she perfected everything her mother threw at her.  Took care of her family and made sure they knew how thankful she was for them and loved them.  Then when she finally got a text from someone it was insults for being a horrible person and hurting Lila when she hadn’t been there for weeks!
She threw her phone at the wall and the crack echoed around the room.  Her breathing was harsh and ragged and then the tears she had been holding back finally fell.  Sobs wracked her body as she bit her lip to keep silent.  She tried to take in deep shuddering breaths, but it was no use and the sobs came out.  Her knees felt weak and she crumpled to the ground.  The door burst open and she saw her mom there knife in hand looking around the room with swift deadly eyes.  When she didn’t see any visible threats she kneeled in front of her daughter and looked directly into her eyes.  Eyes a storming blue that flooded with tears and made her heart ache and her want to murder whoever made her precious daughter look so broken.
“My Flower, what’s wrong?”
“N-nobody cares ab-about me!  No one cares that I’m g-gone.  Everyb-body hates me, and I’m so tired of it!  I’ll n-never be enough for an-anybody and I’m t-trying so h-hard to do wh-what everyone needs or exp-ects me to be!”
Marinette stuttered out between sobs.  Talia glared at that and felt anger at Bruce.  She thought that he at least checked in with her every once in a while.  She had guessed wrong then.  She pulled her daughter into a hug and let her cry against her shoulder.
“Shh, shh.  It’s okay.  You are perfect the way you are Marinette.  You don’t have to prove anything to me.  You’re such a good sister, you train so hard, and you have so many amazing skills and talents.  You are enough, don’t let anyone say anything different.”
Marinette gripped onto her mom and they both just sat there in silence as Marinette finally just cried.  After who knows how long Marinette gently pushed away and looked her mom directly in the eyes with complete seriousness said,
“I want you to help me fake my death.  If everyone wants to pretend I’m gone or wants me to disappear, then fine.  I will.  I don’t want to be seen anymore.”
Talia stared at her daughter in shock for a moment then gave her a small smile.
“It will be done my dear, you will be free.”
“Thank you mom.”
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chimchimsauce · 3 years
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Fairest
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Is beauty a blessing or a curse? All of her life, princess YN was told that her beauty was the greatest gift her late mother ever gave her. But when her looks attract a man cruel and bloodthirsty, YN begins to think that her greatest asset is the beginning of her demise.
“Checkmate.”
YN cannot help the grin that spreads across her face as she utters the word, watching as her older brother groans with disdain.
“You always win!” he complains, acting very much like a child.
“That’s because you always get too caught up in the current move, dear brother. The future decisions are the most important ones.”
YN’s older brother, first in line to the throne of their small country Ameris, huffs and crosses his arms over his chest.
“Chess is like war. You get too focused on winning battles that cause you to lose the war. I certainly hope that won’t be the case for our kingdom . . .”
YN is only jesting. Her elder brother is an excellent leader and will make a wonderful king. He’s just really impatient with games. 
“I’m sure I can beat you next round!” her brother says playfully.
They both know it’s unlikely, but YN clears the board and begins to set up another game. As she’s placing the last pawn, a knock comes at the door. One of her handmaidens opens it, revealing one of their father’s special guards. 
YN’s breath catches ever so slightly before she schools her expression back into one of unbothered royalty. It’s always so hard to ignore her secret lover when other people are around, but she knows she must. A relationship between her and her father’s most trusted guard would cause a scandal that would undoubtedly get Wonho’s position revoked. He’s worked his entire life to get good enough for a spot on the King’s royal guard and there’s no way YN would do anything to sabotage that.
“His majesty has requested your presence,” Wonho says, not even looking YN in the eyes.
He’s much better at keeping his emotions in check.
YN’s brother stands, tapping his finger on the chessboard.
“Lucky thing I’m being summoned, or else I would have absolutely destroyed you in this game.”
YN laughs, maybe a little more politely than she would if Wonho wasn’t standing at the door.
“I’m sure of it,” she says, “Feel free to come back anytime to play again.”
YN’s brother nods and leaves her quarters, following after Wonho. Being the heir to the throne means that YN rarely gets to see her brother. He’ll be gone for weeks, sometimes months at a time as he tours the neighboring countries to learn everything he possibly can, as well as maintain a positive relationship with their allies. Ameris may be a small country, but it is located in the perfect spot for transcontinental trade and filled to the brim with valuable resources. One could dig in a mine for just a few moments and emerge with a diamond the size of a robin’s egg.
Thankfully, Ameris has not had any problems with its neighboring countries in hundreds of years. The last war was ended by YN’s great great great grandfather and peace has blanketed the region since then.
Well, for the most part. In the last several years, the Eastern kingdom of Moonbyss has been steadily expanding and taking over small, unclaimed villages. They have not breached any borders or broken any treaties, however, so there is no cause to worry quite yet.
YN sighs as her thoughts shift back to Wonho. Their secret love affair has been going on since they were teenagers. At first, Wonho was just an attractive boy who was willing to indulge her wanton fantasies, but soon enough an affection bloomed between them. It’s so hard to pretend not to be in love with him, especially when he grows more handsome by the day.
“Thinking about him, my lady?” YN’s lady in waiting, Irene, asks her.
Irene is YN’s closest confidant and friend. She knows almost everything about the princess. Ever since she arrived in the castle from abroad two years ago, they have been inseparable. 
“Of course,” YN says, standing and walking over to the window that overlooks her private gardens. 
She opens the glass door and steps outside, her skin warmed by the sunshine. It’s an absolutely beautiful day, cloudless and blue. Birds chirp sweetly and the scent of flowers wafts on the breeze. The princess stops at the fountain in the middle of the garden, sitting on the bench and looking into the bubbling water. YN often made wishes in this fountain when she was younger, tossing in coins that reflected the sunlight back at her. More recently, though, she’s only wished for one thing - to be with Wonho. Her father, although he loves her, would never allow a union between them. Her older brother, however, has promised to allow YN to marry whoever she desires once he takes the throne on his thirtieth birthday.
He does not know that someone already has her affections, but no matter. YN is not worried about being married off. While her brother is the only prince in the kingdom, the king was blessed with twelve daughters and YN is the youngest. Every available man of power in the kingdom and the surrounding countries have already been wedded. 
YN has Irene bring her a book to read and she settles in, getting comfortable in her garden. The hours pass by quickly as she is sucked into the tale, but soon enough a shadow blocks her reading light. 
The princess looks up and is shocked to see Wonho standing in front of her. Alarm flares up inside of her. The two of them have agreed to never be seen together in daylight.
“Won-”
“Your Majesty,” Wonho says stiffly, “The King requests an audience. I have been asked to escort you to the throne room.”
YN hesitates a moment. She can tell that something is wrong by the strain in his voice. Something must really be bothering him for the guard to allow it to leak into his words. She wants to ask him what’s wrong, but she never knows who is watching so she simply stands, handing her book off to Irene who stands beside her.
“Very well,” YN says, trailing after him and back into the castle.
He walks three paces in front of her, leaving her to stare at his back. So much about him has changed in the last few years. He’s gained an immense amount of muscle, something that YN has really grown to appreciate during their midnight endeavors. It’s a shame that everything is covered up by his uniform, but she must admit he looks dashing in it.
As they walk, YN notices that Wonho isn’t the only one acting strangely. The various maids and butlers who usually flit around and chatter pleasantly amongst themselves are dead silent, walking with perfectly straight backs and zipped mouths. The princess notices a few pitying looks tossed her way and something cold settles in her stomach.
What’s going on?
Wonho knocks on the throne room’s closed doors. They are ever so carefully opened a few moments later and Wonho leads YN into the grand room.
Her father sits on the throne, a smaller one empty next to him. It always makes YN sad to see her father by himself. The Queen passed away only a year ago and was her father’s closest friend. The late Queen was kind to everyone, even YN’s mother - a poor girl her father discovered in one of his hunting trips. Apparently, YN’s father was so taken with her mother that he simply had to add her to his harem and rarely visited any of his other concubines afterward. But it didn’t last long - YN’s mother died shortly after her birth. Everyone says that she left YN her ethereal beauty, a fact that led YN to being hidden away in the castle for the majority of her life.
“You’re the most valuable diamond in all of Ameris,” her father told her once, “It’s important that few people know of your existence.”
It had saddened YN when she was younger that she could not attend the lavish parties and balls like her elder sisters and brother, but she came not to mind once Wonho came into her life. It mattered not if other people thought she was beautiful - as long as Wonho desired her, that was more than enough.
Standing to her father’s side is YN’s brother. The jolly air that had surrounded him mere hours ago is gone completely now. He looks furious, an expression YN has rarely seen on his face. He’s looking at a man who stands before the throne, a crown placed perfectly on his head.
Visiting nobility? 
The man turns as the click of YN’s heels sounds out against the marble flooring. YN’s step falters as a large, nearly terrifying grin spreads across his face. He is incredibly handsome, but the smile on his face does nothing but creepy the princess out.
“There she is,” he says, quickly extending his hand towards her.
YN, uncertain, looks at her father who gives her a stiff nod. Hesitantly, YN places her hand in the stranger’s grasp, making sure to school her expression as he places a cold kiss that lingers too long against her gloved hand. The princess has never been more glad to be wearing gloves.
“And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?” YN asks, careful to watch her throne. 
“King Seokjin Moonbyss, your highness. I must say, the rumors of your beauty do you no justice. You’re much more radiant in person.”
YN’s blood freezes in her veins. This cannot mean anything good.
“Thank you,” YN says, a slight tremble in her voice.
The man has still not released her hand.
“YN,” her father says, giving her an excuse to look away from this man - no, this monster - beside her, “King Seokjin has asked for your hand.”
YN barely squashes the shout of protest that so desperately wants to escape her throat. There’s no way this can be happening! No way! Her eldest brother is just three years shy of taking the throne, three years more of having to tiptoe around with Wonho. No way she can get married, especially to someone from so far away.
“Excuse me,” Wonho says, speaking up from his place behind YN, “I thought King Seokjin was already married.”
Relief flows through YN. If Seokjin is already married, then surely this is an error.
“She failed to provide me with a male heir, so I had her disposed of,” King Seokjin says simply, glaring at Wonho, “Do not question me again.”
There is not a trace of remorse in his voice at all, nothing but anger.
YN begins to tremble.
“Father -” she begins.
“King Seokjin has made us an offer I cannot refuse,” he says, cutting her off, “And besides, YN, you’ll be able to be Queen. You never would have had that opportunity here.”
YN’s father would normally never make this sort of decision, especially not for the daughter he tried so hard to keep hidden.
“Of course, sweet YN,” King Seokjin says, “You are free to reject my offer if you so desire. I would, however, be forced to declare war on Ameris. After all, this country is the most resource rich of all the lands. It’s a shame. It would have been so much nicer to make a positive connection with this beautiful country. I wonder how much of its splendor will be left once my troops march through it.”
The threat is crystal clear. YN has to marry this King or her country will suffer for it. YN glances at her father and brother, seeing the fear that’s in their eyes. Ameris is much too small to fight Moonbyss and win, especially since the eastern country has been gaining a lot of territory very rapidly. YN swallows. In a matter of hours, her perfect daydream has been shattered.
“I would be honored to marry you, King Seokjin,” YN says, trying her hardest not to cry.
She can release her tears once she’s in the safety of her own chambers. She cannot show any weakness in front of this man.
“Beautiful and smart,” King Seokjin says, “It will be my honor to have you as my bride. After all, the most handsome man in all the world deserves the most beautiful bride of them all.”
YN never really thought much of her beauty. She’s always heard it was a blessing, the only one her mother ever left her, but right now it feels like a curse. 
“I pray that you’ll join me for dinner this evening, my betrothed,” King Seokjin says.
“I would love to,” YN says even though the thought of having to spend even a single moment more in this man’s presence makes her want to hurl.
“You best retire to your quarters, my love. Your father and I have much to discuss before this evening. I’ll send someone for you when I’m ready.”
The dismissal is clear. YN turns swiftly and leaves the room, Wonho following closely behind her. She walks much too fast to be considered ladylike, but she does not give a damn, wanting to be as far away from the throne room as possible. 
“YN, wait!” Wonho calls out to her.
He grasps her wrist, uncaring of who will see, and pulls her to his chest. As soon as the warmth of him touches her, YN loses all composure, breaking down and sobbing into his pristine uniform.
“Wonho,” she cries out, grasping him as close as she can, her fingers creasing the silk he wears, “I don’t want to be Queen! I want to marry you!”
YN feels something wet fall against her head. Based on the way his shoulders shake, Wonho is also crying. She hasn’t seen him shed a tear since one of his best friends was murdered on a mission.
“What are we going to do?” YN asks into his chest, her voice muffled, “I don’t think I can bear being apart from you, especially with someone as cruel as the King!”
“We’ll figure something out, YN, I promise,” Wonho says, pulling away just enough to give YN a salty kiss.
“At least once more,” YN says once their lips part, “I must have you at least once more.”
“Your wish is my command, princess,” Wonho says, pulling her along to her chambers.
The two fall into the sheets, both knowing that this is the last time despite desperately wanting to spend eternity together.
On the other side of the castle, Irene makes her way through the hallways, stopping at a grand door and knocking three times. No one answers, so she swings it open, prepared to wait for as long as it takes. 
Maybe half an hour later, King Seokjin opens the door, looking quite pleased with himself. He doesn’t greet Irene, instead instantly walking over to her and pinning her against the wall, his lips meeting hers passionately. Irene barely has any time to catch her breath, but she doesn’t mind at all, too enamored with this man she knows is only using her.
When he was only a prince, Seokjin was infamous for being a womanizer. All too often, he lured servants and noble girls alike into his chambers, whispering promises and pressing kisses against their skin only to leave them abandoned like trash when he grew bored of them. Irene was one of those servant girls, but Seokjin has kept her around for longer than most. A part of Irene is convinced it’s because she’s special to him, but she knows it’s really not true.
Seokjin has been obsessed with YN, the secret twelfth princess of Ameris for five years now. Ever since he spotted her while visiting Ameris with his late father, he wanted her - needed her. After all, she’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, trying as he might to find another. His late wife was incredibly beautiful as well, but she didn’t compare to YN. No one else was worthy of her but him. It was YN that drove him to murder his own father and take the throne before he was supposed to. After all, Seokjin has never been a patient man.
Seokjin pulls away from Irene, looking unbothered as ever.
“No good,” he says, “Simply imagining that you’re YN does nothing. I’m tired of waiting.”
His words sting Irene’s heart. She tries not to be bitter, but jealousy is a powerful emotion, one that overshadows the genuine affection she feels for princess YN.
“Well,” the King asks her, “Who is it? The one YN claims to be in love with.”
The King rolls his eyes, gripping his fists tightly. How dare YN love another when he’s already claimed her.
“It’s Wonho,” Irene says, pushing down her feelings, “the guard that accompanied her today.”
“A guard huh? How dare he think he deserves someone as beautiful as YN!” he says, furious.
Seokjin is terrifying when he’s angry. Irene tenses, preparing for the worst. Instead of gripping her hair and tossing her to the floor like he usually does, Seokjin grabs a decorative vase and tosses it against the ground, watching as it shatters into a million pieces.
“You didn’t strike me,” Irene says, shocked.
“I have been practicing,” the King says, “After all, it would be a shame to make a single mark on YN’s perfect body.”
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Much too soon, Irene is knocking on YN’s private chamber door.
“Your majesty,” she calls out softly, “Your betrothed has requested your presence.”
YN rolls over to Wonho, tears in her eyes. He blinks them away, wanting to remember this moment clearly.
“One moment,” YN calls out, listening as Irene walks away.
“Run away with me,” YN pleads, her voice desperate.
“You know we can’t,” Wonho says, his eyes sad.
“Yes we can!” YN insists, “You know this country better than anyone. We can get up right now and flee and -”
“YN,” Wonho says, “What about the country? You know we’ll be forced to go to war if you disappear.”
YN sniffles.
“I don’t think I can live without you,” YN confessed, “And if I can, I don’t want to find out.”
Wonho is silent for a moment before he sits up, an idea in his mind.
“What? What is it?” YN asks him.
“What if you didn’t?”
“What?”
“What if you didn’t have to live without me? I’ve heard rumors amongst the staff of a poison you can take that will put you in a deep slumber for a fortnight. If some was mixed into your dinner tonight, it can seem that you’ve been poisoned and passed away. Then when you awake, you and I can disappear together.”
YN brightens. Even though being unconscious for a fortnight doesn’t sound pleasant, anything will be better than having to marry KIng Seokjin. Besides, she trusts Wonho with her life.
“Okay,” YN says, agreeing right away.
“Are you sure, YN?” Wonho asks her, “You will end up getting rather sick for a few days before the slumber.”
YN nods eagerly.
“Yes, anything,” she says.
“Very well.”
Wonho hops out of bed, pulling on his clothes as quickly as he possibly can.
“I’ll get everything ready. YN, go to dinner with the king, alright? I won’t be able to see you after this so as not to arouse suspicion. I love you, princess.”
He leans down to kiss her.
“I love you more,” YN says, watching as Wonho slips out of a glass door and into the gardens.
Unbeknownst to the lovers, King Seokjin is outside the door, his ear pressed against it to hear everything. He had come to escort his beloved like a sweet fiance would, only to hear his to be wife scheming to get away from him.
He’s never been so angry, but he suppressed it, not wanting to let YN know that he’s been here. He grabs Irene by the arm roughly and leads her out into the hallway, bending over to whisper in her ear.
“Make sure to add enough of the poison to YN’s food to keep her under for longer than a fortnight. Put as much of it in as you can without bringing her to the brink of death.”
“Are you sure your -”
Irene’s question is cut off when he backhands her, one of his elegant rings drawing blood.
“Do NOT question me!” he says, “Do as I order!”
Irene rushes off to do as the King says, tears brimming in her eyes. She’s never regretted being Seokjin’s spy until now, too blinded by love. She should have warned YN, should have helped her disappear with Wonho - someone Irene knows truly loves the princess. King Seokjin is just obsessed with her beauty and determined to own her like she’s some sort of object to be bought and sold.
Peeking around the corner, Irene sees Wonho pouring a liquid into the soup bowl meant for the princess. When he leaves and when the coast is clear, Irene snatches the vial from the counter and empties the rest of it into other dishes reserved for the princess before refilling the vial with water and placing it back where Wonho left it.
“YN, I’m so sorry,” she whispers to herself before fleeing into the night, never to be heard from again.
At dinner, YN pretends not to notice the odd taste in her food. It’s obviously been tampered with, but YN doesn’t let it show at all, eating properly and conversing with King Seokjin as much as she can bear. YN misses the look of glee in his eye as he drinks from his goblet, still believing that everything is going to plan.
YN starts feeling ill once the final course comes around. She quickly asks to be excused and King Seokjin offers to walk her back to her room. YN accepts, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to make it on her own with the  way the room begins to spin.
For the next three days and nights, YN is in and out of consciousness, the world swirling around her in a nauseating mix of bright colors and fuzzy shapes. When she closes her eyes at midnight of the third day, her thoughts are on Wonho and the fact that the next time she opens them, she’ll be free to be with him.
But YN does not wake up. Not for a fortnight, not ever. Seokjin, furious, intends to find Irene and hang her for murdering his beloved before realizing that she’s nowhere to be found. It’s easy enough to frame Wonho for her murder and a matter of hours after YN dies, Wonho follows her from the gallows.
At his request, YN is preserved and dressed in a wonderful white wedding gown, still looking very much alive. He marries her anyway and has her crowned, determined to have her even in death. She’s too beautiful to be buried underground, so he commissions a glass coffin to display her in, putting her corpse in his bedroom where no one else can see her. King Seokjin finds that he does not mind YN being dead. She’s much less bothersome in passing, much easier to fall to his will.
King Seokjin stands before her, placing his hand flat against the cool glass of her coffin. Even in death, YN is the fairest of them all.
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linkspooky · 3 years
Text
Shigaraki and Dabi
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Heroes hurt their own families in order to help complete strangers. Words said by Shigaraki, and lived by Dabi. If you haven’t noticed, there’s quite a lot of parallels between the two of them. Especially their childhood selves, dark haired hero hopefuls whose hair turned white due to stress and eventually fell and became villains. They were the children closest to the heroes, the son of Endeavor, the grandson of Nana Shimura, and yet both of them fell through the cracks the hardest. Let’s talk about the foiling of these two, under the cut. 
1. Father Says No
Both Shigaraki and Dabi are characters who grew up in a strict, patriarchical household where the father was the head of the household and determined all the rules. 
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The Shimura household was built by Koutarou, who held all the money, and therefore determined all the rules. The same can be said for the Todoroki household, which only came into being to fuel Enji’s ambitions. This is something Enji literally thinks, his first priority when having children was not to love and raise them, but to raise heirs that would carry on his quirk and make up for the weakness in it.
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Enji also literally used his financial wealth and status to pressure her family into arranging a marriage. In the households, the patriarch is the ultimate authority and cannot be questioned. Koutarou sets the rules of the household because he has all the money. Endeavor sets the rules of the household because these children are there to be his heirs. Toya and Tenko both break the rules in their father’s households in some way and become scapegoats. 
Ironically, they break the rules in opposite ways. Tenko, because he wants to become a hero. 
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Toya, because his flawof the flames being too harsh for his flame constitution and burning his own skin makes him unable to become a hero and carry on his father’s legacy.
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Quick tangent to explain what I mean with Toya. This is speculation, because we haven’t been shown the exact details, so feel free to point and laugh at me if I’m wrong. Endeavor says (incorrectly) that if Toya had reached his goal for him, that all of his pent up negative emotions would have disappeared just like that. (They wouldn’t.)
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Which means, Endeavor once again projected himself on his child. Toya was supposed to fix all Endeavor’s hurt feelings for him. So, when Toya failed at the training. When Toya wasn’t good enough. When Toya was flawed. 
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Which means it’s likely, Toya went in Endeavor’s mind from being the one who could carry his dreams, to being the one that Endeavor could scapegoat to blame for his negative emotions. Which meant, at some point he tossed Toya aside. At that point he started treating Toya differently. Toya probably pushed himself more and more to try to go back to the way things used to be, which is probably why his hair turning white, he started to crawl to Natsu every day. 
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There’s also a lot of similiarities and differences between their households. 
Enji wanted his children to be born heroes.  Koutarou’s rule was no heroes allowed. 
Shimura and Toya both had a sibling they would run to and confide in. For Shimura it was Hana, and for Toya it was Natsu. 
Shimura Tenko is the youngest sibling in the household. While Touya Todoroki was the oldest. 
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On the surface, the Shimura household seems more comfortable than the Todoroki household. Shimura receives a lot of comfort from his other relatives, his grandparents, his mother, his sister. However, none of them really confronted the problem in the household and at the end of the day Tenko was still getting beaten. 
The Todoroki household also doesn’t seem like it was a place of much comfort for Toya. It really does seem from flashbacks that all he had to confide in when things started going wrong was Natsu (again feel free to taunt me cruelly if I’m wrong). 
So, you have Tenko who is quietly and gently denied by his family, and Toya who suffers all alone in his household, either getting beaten himself, pushing himself too hard in training, or hearing his father beat his mother and Shoto. 
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However for both of them, it’s a gradual accumulation over time. The stress of the household overtakes them. Their hair turns from its original dark coloring to white from the sheer stress of it alone. They, as children, are made to bear the stress of their entire unhealthy household, because they are the scapegoat. 
Endeavor genuinely believes that if Toya had somehow lived up to his promise he would never have turned abusive. 
Kotaro believes that it was Tenko who was upsetting the peace of the household, because he would just not stop it with the hero talk. 
They both soak up all this stress until it explodes outward. However, the incidents that turned them from Tenko -> Shigaraki, and from Toya -> Dabi are entirely different. 
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Toya committed what was essentially a suicide. He either staged his own death, or failed at his own suicide and survived. Tenko didn’t kill himself, he killed everyone else around him. Shigaraki destroyed the household that was denying him. 
To simplify the manner in which they lash out. Touya destroys himself, Tenko destroys other people, especially the ones he believes are oppressing him or his friends. 
Well you say, Dabi is trying to take down endeavor. However, Dabi still sees Endeavor and himself as one in the same. His flames are Endeavor’s flames.
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One last thing, Dabi and Shigaraki are both marked by their father’s abuse. Dabi was burned by Endeavor’s flames. Dabi literally lives with third degree burns, looking like a living zombie. Then makes his burns even worse by using his flames in the self destructive manner Endeavor taught him. 
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Not only does Shigaraki still carry the lip and eye scars from being beaten up with a gardening tool, but Kotaro’s hand reaching out to his face is a symbol that Shigaraki keeps on him literally to this day by wearing a hand over his face constantly. 
2. Friendship and Ideals
So I think all the subtle differences in their backgrounds is what leads to them expressing themselves differently as adults. There are several similarities between them, but I think hardcore Shigaraki fans can tell you all the reasons they prefer Shigaraki, and hardcore Dabi fans can do the same with Dabi. 
I think a lot of it has to do with their relationships to their families. Families define how you connect with other people.
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Shigaraki was instructed to always keep his family close to him. He’s always confronting his own feelings about his family, his pain from his family, that’s why when he lashes out he also takes his own personal feelings and pushes them outwards. Shigaraki isn’t concerned with right or wrong, moreso, these are my feelings. I reject the society that rejects me. What Shigaraki is concerned first and foremost, is feelings. His own feelings of being rejected, and also the feelings of people who were rejected just like him. 
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Shigaraki is the heart of his group. He’s the person they all rally around, because they gave him a place of belonging. And, Shigaraki has also expressed several times murderous monster that he is that he cares about the individual feelings of those closest to him. I won’t let you trample on Twice’s feelings, his first thing to do when waking up is order the league to be close to him. 
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Unlike Dabi, we’ve also seen Shigaraki directly confront the feelings of his missing family once more. He forgives his sister, he tries to comfort his mom. He destroys his father again. He tells his family that he denies them. He tells his grandfather that he still hates her. 
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I would say that Shigaraki carries those feelings with him, while Dabi dissociates himself from his feelings.Shigaraki directly confronts those feelings because Shigaraki is the heart, feelings are what matter more to him. 
Dabi has feelings, obviously. Dabi has feelings even if he processes them in a way that’s not easy and palatable. Everyone in fact has feelings (though sometimes I wish I didn’t). Everyone expresses things in their own way if not in the typical way. 
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Dabi is completely closed off in regards to his own feelings. He’s not like Shigaraki who is open enough about them he’ll tell his backstory to the whole league on the spot. In fact that’s another difference, the league generally knows Shigaraki’s issues, when they had no idea about Dabi’s. 
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When really there was no good reason not to tell them. What are they not going to be up for murdering the number one hero? 
Friendship is a priority for Shigaraki. Individualism is a priority for Dabi. 
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Dabi’s feelings towards the league are a messed up jumble, but his behavior towards them is pretty consistent. He takes every oppurtunity he can to insist that he’s not a part of them, that they’re all crazy and he’s the only sane one, that he doesn’t care about their feelings. This can’t all be Dabi just being tsundere or whatever, it’s physical steps taken for Dabi to distance himself from others. 
Dabi’s individual goals are more important than his connections to other people. Shigaraki has no distinct goal besides empty lashing out and therefore connects to people with similiar hurt feelings than his. 
Remember, Dabi self destructs. It’s likely, Dabi sees himself as a martyr. An individual willing to burn himself to take down the society with him. He’s trying to die for some cause like stain. 
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So before I develop on this tangent one more difference in similarity between them. Shigaraki’s family is dead. He can’t really do anything but carry on their feelings with him. Tomarau means, to mourn. 
Dabi on the other hand, his family is still alive.He could have before the whole killing spree just shown up on their front doorstep. The reason he hasn’t, is because he can’t forgive Endeavor’s sin.
Whatever pushed him this far, whether it be a strong sense of justice, or a desire for personal revenge. Dabi values that, more than he values his connections with other people, even his own family who is still alive. This is once again the complex way Dabi handles his feelings, it’s likely he pushes his family away, the same way he pushes the league away and doesn’t process them. That’s why he says I thought about it so much I went crazy. He just insists he doesn’t care, and doesn’t think instead. Shigaraki lives constantly confronting his own feelings, Dabi lives by avoiding them. 
Dabi is impersonal, aloof, and only ever thinks of himself as an individual. He will cooperate with others if it suits his needs, but the bond of the league hasn’t quite reached him yet. There’s a consequence for this. 
So twice dying was Hawks fault. Because Hawks you know, stabbed him. 
However you could say, Dabi’s planning centering all around himself, and what he can accomplish as an individual, meant he failed to accomplish that Twice might get hurt as a result of him letting Hawks into the league as a Spy. It’s an unintended consequence, but still a consequence. 
Dabi showed up to save Twice but couldn’t. Then afterwards Dabi uses Twice’s death in the most gratuiotious way possible. Dabi insists once again he doesn’t care, that he never cared about Twice except as a tool that would have made fighting the heroes a lot easier. 
Shigaraki destroys everything around him. He destroys for the sake of the people around him. Dabi destroys himself, his own feelings, he self destructs. When people get caught up in his flames they’re sacrifices for his cause. 
Their priorities and the way they lash out are different. Dabi cares more for ideals than people. Shigaraki cares more for people than ideals.
However, they don’t have to destroy each other. Shigaraki trusts Dabi. Shigaraki of all the members of the league (with Toga as well) is the heart, is the best at sympathizing with the pain of other people because he is constantly in pain himself. 
Dabi made a mistake and as a result Twice got killed. He gambled with too high of circumstances. Twice let a secret slip and invited the heroes to the League’s compound. Twice brought Chisaki for a meeting and because of that Magne died. This kind of scenario has happened before. Of course Dabi insists that his motivations were less pure than Twice’s, he didn’t care what happened to the rest of the league as long as he got the dirt he wanted for his big reveal.
I’m not suggesting that Dabi is secretly a sweetheart, or a misunderstood angsting teddy bear. Just that Dabi is currently closed off from all of his feelings, that’s why he denies too the feelings of people around him and their attempts to reach out for him. Dabi has refused the compansionship of the league. 
It doesn’t have to be like this. Characters can develop. Shigaraki especially has been shown to reach out to people multiple times. Kurogiri is fond of him. Himiko and Twice in their moment of weakness, are convinced to stay on Shigaraki’s side because he shows their face to them. Spinner basically questioned why he was even staying with the league at his lowest point when he thought they had no reason to be there, and it was Shigaraki who he found his cause in. 
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Dabi is lacking something. He’s burned off and emotionally stunted his ability to develop connections with other people. 
Shigaraki is lacking something. He is, again and again, told that he needs a plan besides destroy everything. Shigaraki is very observant of the world, and understands the truth, but he can’t get people to listen. Unlike Dabi who planned to such an extent, that he literally made a live public broadcast to turn public opinion against Endeavor because that was more important than winning a fight. 
It’s true Dabi and Shigaraki could turn against each other, because Dabi doesn’t value people, because Shigaraki considers his lashing out more important than his ideals. They could also be the ones to balance each other out. We’re at an important turning point now, Dabi can either break off from the league now that his individual mission is compelte, or he can finally be reached by the league. 
I think Shigaraki might reach him, because even though they’re grown up so differently they started in the exact same place. They were both boys who wanted to be heroes, and just wanted one person to tell them it was okay, that they could be heroes too. 
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theunreliablewriter · 3 years
Text
Always On Your Side
Parings: Loki x Fem!Reader, a tiny bit of Natasha Romanoff x Platonic!Reader
Warnings: Sibling Fight/Rivalry, Cussing, Self Doubt, Very Minor Threat of Violent, Fluff
Word Count: 2.5k
Request: Could you do a Loki comforting you after you've had a fight with someone important in your life/everyone important in your life is fighting and you're caught in the middle? I feel like Loki would genuinely understand this most and would be the best supporter ever for anyone who's going through it <3
Author’s Note: This is so self-indulgent, I’m disgusted, and I profusely apologize. I also am sorry if this sucks because I’m still trying to find my footing in this whole writing thing again. Please comment, like, and share, if anyone enjoys this! Thanks! :)
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Your childhood—it was normal, you supposed, but once you got older, there was always some level of strain inside of you. You were one of the youngest of the entire group, meaning you watched your sibling and cousins grow up and begin their own lives in whatever manner they chose. Some stayed close to home; some moved thousands and thousands miles away.
You weren’t unhappy for them; you were quite the opposite, actually. You believed everyone should be free to make the decision on what to do with their futures without a single drop of guilt. And that is where your issue lied because that is what everyone else in your family got—guilt free freedom.
So, unhappy? No. Envious? Yes.
You had more of a friendship with your parents, which you cherished beyond words, but that only made it indescribably harder when college rolled around the corner and it was time to begin making a life for yourself. Of course, they encouraged you and said their only wish is for you to do whatever makes you happy.
Their famous line was, “If you’re happy, we’re happy.”
But, at the same time, they also would make comments about how sad they were going to be when it was time for you to go. They’d quickly say they were just joking, whenever you’d express how you wished they didn’t them because of badly they made you feel.
When you finally moved out the house, you lost count of the number of times you mentally repeated that quote to yourself—desperate to find comfort in the midst of making your parents empty-nesters.
The issue was, only a fraction of you truly believe in that line. The rest always feared they just said it in order to not make you feel so bad.
Thankfully, with time, being away from them became easier. You called often. They would come visit you. You would go stay a couple nights when your classes permitted and for holiday breaks.
No issues arose until a handful of years after graduation, when your degree and field experience landed you a place on the universally famous Avengers.
You had no powers. You had no supersoldier serum. You had to work your ass off, mentally and physically, to get to where you were. But you absolutely loved it. You loved everyone on the team—even Steve and his constant, grandfather-like reminders not to cuss. There was even someone in particular who you had developed a significant bond with.
There always has to be a downfall, though, doesn’t there? Or at least, that’s what it felt like.
You knew you were away a lot. Hell. You were away from the country a lot, let alone your parents. That didn’t mean you didn’t call as often as you could. And to you, they sounded fine. If anything, they were exceptionally proud of you.
But, soon, you would learn that was not the case with everyone in your family.
You and your sister had an immensely complicated relationship, to say the least. Since you could remember, it was either hot or cold. You two would go through periods where you were each other’s greatest friend. Then, like a light switch, it would all change, and you couldn’t stand even the sound of each other’s name.
When she called you on a day off and insisted you meet her in the city for coffee, you couldn’t help but wonder which would be the case today. On your way inside the bustling New York cafe, you silently pleaded it would be the former.
The second you approached her small table, anticipating her to greet you with a smile, you knew your pleads had fallen upon deaf ears. She barley looked up at you, and for the few seconds that she did, it was an obvious glare.
Hesitantly, you forced yourself to sit across from her. “What’s up?”
“‘What’s up?’” she repeated incredulously. “I haven’t seen you in months, and that’s all you have to say?”
“Well, it was meant in the sense of a conversation starter, not as an entire conversation,” you replied, trying to hide your signature smirk that went along with your sarcasm.
Your sister scowled. “I’m not the mood to put up with your smart ass.”
Immediately, your thoughts flashed to someone who not only put up with your said smart ass, but actually loved it since they were one themselves. For a split second, you felt to urge to smile at the thought of him, but it ended quickly.
“You need to put an end this ‘I’m off to save the world’ crap,” your sister told you. “You are killing mom and dad.”
Your brows rose at her ridiculous over-exaggeration. You’d be lying though, if you said her words didn’t sting. You loved your parents, and for anyone to say such a thing hurt. “I’m killing them? If you insist my job is me saying ‘I’m off to save the world,’ those two things don’t really go hand in hand, do they?”
Again, she glared. “You are killing them by never being around.”
“Just because I’m not with them every single day, doesn’t mean I’m never around. I work; I’m busy. They understand that.”
“You work? That’s what you call what gallivanting around with a bunch of freaks, reeking havoc wherever you go?”
“I would watch your tongue,” you warned. “They are not freaks; they are my friends.”
She released a laugh loud enough to earn glances from the surrounding table. “‘Friends’?!” she mocked, making your jaw tighten. “You really think you’re one of them, don’t you? You—a random girl from a small suburb—thinks she genuinely fits into a group of spies, superhumans, geniuses, and gods? You are spending so much time with them—desperate for their acceptance and approval—that you are sacrificing the relationship with your family. It’s sad, (Y/N). Pathetic.”
“I’m pathetic?!” you snapped. You didn’t care if eyes of strangers were still on the two of you. “You know what’s pathetic? You coming here, lying about mom and dad in order to guilt me. And I know why.”
“Oh, do you?”
“Because you’re jealous. You’re fucking jealous. I don’t know why; you have your own job you are great at, but this how you’ve always been since we were kids. Anything I do—anything I have—that you don’t, you’re jealous of. You don’t even have to want it for yourself; you just don’t want me to have it.” You stood, as she could only blink in shock. Before, you would defend yourself, but only long after reaching a breaking point. Your mother hated conflict between the two of you, so too often you bit your tongue, even at your own expense. But, now, after not only insulting you, but your friends as well, you decided you would take it no more.
Without another word, you stormed out of the cafe with rage pumping through your veins. You were so infuriated you felt as thought you could knock a building over with a single punch.
But, eventually, we always have to face what the rage is masking. In your case, that was hurt and even betrayal from your sister because of how she could never be happy for you—how she could never let you have anything without tainting it in some way. And above it, was the guilt sparked by her accusations involving your parents.
You mulled over the short, yet weighted conversation for hours, including the drive back to the compound. You weren’t sure what time it was when you got there; all you knew was that the sky had gone from a bright blue to a cloud covered black.
“You good?” Natasha—one of the night owls of the group—questioned with concern as you moved through the common area.
“Yeah…just thinking,” you just barely muttered.
“Let me know if you want me to beat someone,” she offered with a half smile.
Knowing she was serious usually would have made you laugh, but there was too much on your mind. “Thanks, Nat.”
You dragged your feet the rest of the way to your room. You wanted to be alone, but you were also dreading spending the night with your anxious thoughts.
When you opened your door, all was forgotten because a sudden burst of fear shot through your nervous system.
“Good God!” you exclaimed after seeing a figure sat in a dark corner of your room.
“Your taste in literature is quite…odd,” Loki nonchalantly stated.
“You scared the hell out of me!”
He chuckled and stood from the chair. “I noticed.”
It wasn’t a surprise to find him in your room, nor you in his. After he reluctantly joined the team, it was you who he quickly took to. You were the only one who didn’t judge him without getting to know him. With that being said, it was a surprise to find him in the dark. “Why are you reading without any lights on?”
“My sight is exceptional in the dark, of course,” he spoke proudly, making you roll your eyes. “You are also late for our film night, so in turn, I wanted to give you a bit of a start.”
Even now, the pleased grin on his face made your heart flutter. But that wasn’t obvious in how you flatly said, “Well, you succeeded.”
Loki’s expression abruptly fell. Your voice, how you careless tossed your jacket to the side, everything about you revealed you weren’t okay. In his mind, after how close you two had become, if you weren’t okay, he wasn’t okay. And there was literally nothing he wouldn’t do to rectify that.
“What is the matter, (Y/N)?”
With a sigh, you sat on your bed. “I made the mistake of meeting my sister for coffee today…or at least, it was supposed to involve coffee.”
“What did it involve instead?” he asked, gently lowering himself beside you.
You scoffed. “Arguing.”
“Over what?”
The two of you were far beyond the point of tiptoeing around each other. Whenever either of you sensed something was wrong, you’d give each other space if requested, but otherwise, you were there in an instant.
“She insists I’m hurting our parents because of how I’m not around twenty-four seven. But, I think that was just a coverup to be mad at me and start a fight.”
“Of course it is. You are in contact with them several times a week,” Loki said, supporting you. “What was her true reason for being angry?”
“Pathetic” and “sad” echoed in your head, as it fell to look at your hands. The loudest was “desperate” because it was tied to your sister’s belief that you weren’t a part of the group. Before, you viewed the Avengers as a found, second family, but, now, you couldn’t help but worry you had been lying to yourself.
“Be honest with me.” You glanced up to meet his unwavering gaze. “Does everyone view me as an outsider?”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, his confusion obvious. “No one does, nor have they ever. Why would you consider such a thing?”
“My sister…she pointed out that I’m not anything special, while everyone else here is. I don’t have a special ability; I’m not the world’s greatest spy; I’m not a god. I have always thought of myself as one of you, but in reality, I’m just…me.”
The sadness and disappointment in yourself evoked pain in the Frost Giant’s chest. Until he met you, he could have sworn what lived inside it was as frozen as the planet he was born on.
“And what if I really am killing my parents by not being around enough?” you continued. “What if I have been lying to myself about all of this—about them being perfectly fine and happy for me, and about me being an essential part of this group? What if my sister is right?”
No one more than Loki understood what it was like to be belittled by a sibling. For his entire life, he lived in Thor’s shadow. No matter what he did, he never seemed to be enough to even come close to comparing to the God of Thunder. Eventually, that pain and self-hatred lead to him breaking and, ultimately, taking it out on others. And to see you experiencing something so similar hurt him to the core.
“She is not right, (Y/N). I’m certain your parents miss you, but they knew when had you that you wouldn’t live with them forever. You have accomplished so much that it would be impossible for them to not be proud of you. You speak so highly of them, so I know they would not be the sort to wish you home for their own selfish reasons. You need to trust them when they tell you they are happy in their lives, even if you aren’t present every minute,” Loki said to you. His blue eyes bored in yours, as he went on to say, “And you are an Avenger. There is no one more dedicated, more caring on this team than you. No, you don’t have any preset advantages such as powers, but you should find extra pride in that. What you have accomplished, you have done entirely on your own. You have worked for your knowledge; you worked for your strength. Everything you have, you earned, and that is more special than anything. You being you, (Y/N), is what makes you special.”
For the first time that day, you smiled. It was the type to make your eyes crinkle from how broad it was. In turn, it caused Loki to smile as well. Early on, he hated how he had no control over the response, but it wasn’t long before he came to terms with it since it meant you were happy.
Although the weight on your shoulders felt much lighter, you still had to say, “But she has never been happy for me. Whenever something makes me happy, she always has to mess it up, even if it’s in the smallest of ways. I don’t do that to her. She’s gotten things I have wanted, but I’ve always tried to keep that to myself and be her supporter. Never has she wholeheartedly done that for me; never has she entirely been on my side… And all I’ve ever wanted was someone to be entirely on my team.”
“I am,” Loki said immediately. “I am on your side.”
So slowly, as though he would scare you away if he moved any faster, his hand reached for yours. The beating in your chest became rapid at the sensation of his long, cool fingers lacing with yours.
“You mean it?” you asked softly.
His stare held you in a near trance as his brought your hand towards his face. Your breathing hitched in your throat as he left the gentlest, most reassuring of kisses on your knuckles.
In a near whisper, the God of Mischief, your best friend, and now, possibly something much more, promised you, “Always on your side.”
| Masterlist |
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ravennm84 · 4 years
Text
Marinette’s Family Court Circus
I got this idea from a post @unmaskedagain and decided to put my own little spin to it. It’s a bit sad and does have my usual Lila-Salt spin, but I really loved writing this. Warm-Fuzzies and please enjoy!!
The day of her greatest triumph was also her greatest tragedy. Hawkmoth had finally been defeated, the butterfly and peacock miraculous back in the miracle box where they belonged, and Paris was finally safe. 
However, when Gabriel Agreste was revealed to be the magical terrorist and his assistant, Nathalie, his accomplice, Adrien had been devastated. When the Paris police sought to find out the extent of Adrien's involvement, he had no choice but to reveal in a private interrogation room with only the mayor, Officer Roger, the chief of police, and Ladybug herself, his identity as Chat Noir. After which, Adrien said a tearful goodbye to Plagg and surrendered the ring of destruction to Ladybug. A press conference was held within an hour, absolving Adrien of any crimes in relation to his father, and his bodyguard would also be absolved four days later.
That night, after Ladybug had returned home and tearfully placed the ring, broch, and pin back in the miracle box; her parents and Grandma Gina had told her that they were going out to dinner to celebrate; Gina had even rented a car so they wouldn’t need to walk or take the subway. How Marinette wished that they had just gotten on the subway.
She woke up the following afternoon in the hospital. Apparently, her family weren’t the only people celebrating Hawkmoth’s defeat, and a car load of university students had celebrated too hard and T-boned their car while running a light. The doctors told her that her grandmother and father had died on impact and her mother passed away during surgery. Marinette had been extremely lucky to survive without any life threatening injuries; a broken leg, arm, collar bone, two cracked ribs, and a few lacerations across her body. 
She was hardly paying attention to what the doctors were saying. Too shocked by the whole situation. There was no Miraculous Cure that could fix this. In the span of a single day, she had defeated her enemy, saved Paris, lost her partner, lost her grandmother, and her parents. She was alone.
When her family’s lawyer, M. Contere came to talk about custody, it was revealed that her grandmother was supposed to take custody in the event of her parents' deaths. Her grandfather would have been the next logical choice, but he had recently suffered a stroke and had been placed in a nursing home. This left the lawyer scrambling to find someone to take the girl or risk having her surrendered to the city of Paris.
Going through the Dupain-Chengs’ contact list, M. Contere made phone calls to numbers listed as family friends or emergency contacts. There were three that particularly stood out to him, all listed under the title of ‘uncle’. 
The first was to an ‘Uncle J’; a woman answered the phone, introducing herself as Penny. When Contere told her it had to do with the Dupain-Chengs, the phone was handed to a man with a distinctly British accent. He sounded devastated to hear that Tom, Sabine, and Gina had all passed away before going into a panic and asking if Marinette was alright, showing absolute relief that she had survived the crash. When Contere mentioned the custody hearing, the man practically demanded to know the date, time, and place before promising that he would be there.
The second contact that stood out was labeled as ‘Uncle Tony’. That call was answered by an assistant named Jarvis before transferring the call to Tony. Again, Contere could hear the surprise and hurt at hearing that his friends had passed away before asking if Marinette had been in the car. When told that she had survived, there was relief and he mentioned that Peter would have probably cried for a week if he’d lost his childhood friend. Tony then offered to take custody of Marinette and Contere quickly told him the details.
Although M. Contere was relieved that at least two family friends/possible relatives seemed more than willing to take Marinette, he knew how fickle and difficult the courts could be and wanted as many options as possible for the girl, which led to the third contact labeled ‘Uncle Bruce’. 
The phone was answered by an older sounding gentleman named Alfred before transferring the call. Contere could hear multiple voices in the background, most sounding like young men, and when he told Bruce about the passing of Tom, Sabine, and Gina; it went very quiet for a moment before all the voices began speaking at once demanding to know what happened, who was responsible, and if Marinette was okay. M.Contere answered the questions that he could and told them that Marinette was in need of a legal guardian. Bruce said Gina had been a great friend and mentor to him when he was younger and that he would be honored to care for her granddaughter. So he told him the details of the court hearing with the promise that he would make sure that Marinette was taken care of until then.
After hanging up, M. Contere had a strange feeling that he couldn’t shake. A feeling that told him that those three ‘Uncles’ were either going to make his job of getting Marinette into a stable home a lot easier… or it would be a total nightmare.
~oOo~
The day of the hearing was a Monday and Marinette's case was the first on the docket, which was a relief. If things went smoothly, she could be placed with one of her respective uncles by the end of the week and be taken care of. When the two of them stepped into the room, with Marinette rolling beside him in her wheelchair, M. Contere was surprised to see multiple familiar faces in the courtroom that he had not expected. Jagged Stone, Bruce Wayne, and Tony Stark were glaring, arguing, and puffing out their chests at each other; ignoring everyone else in the room. He also noticed how each man seemed to have an entire team of lawyers backing them up.
The tension and glaring match only broke when the two women; Pepper Potts and Penny Rolling, and the four Wayne boys; Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damien, noticed Marinette’s arrival. 
“Marinette, sweetie, how are you feeling?” Penny asked as she walked away from Jagged to kneel beside Marinette’s wheelchair.
“Been better, but I’m glad to see some familiar faces,” she said with a weak smile.
Pepper leaned over a bit to give the girl a gentle hug while minding her injuries. “We’re here for you, Mari. No matter what.”
Then the four boys were almost surrounding her, offering to hunt down the people that took away their family and pile so many lawsuits on them that they’ll die of papercuts. This made her chuckle and grimace a bit from the pain, telling the boys that was sweet but unnecessary.
Jagged, Bruce, and Tony immediately put their argument on hold as they hurried over to check on the girl as well. Contere found it to be a good sign that Marinette seemed familiar with the three men, that they all asked how she was and if she wanted anything, as well as promising that they would take care of her. That last one, the three said at the same time and got them glaring at each other again. This caused Contere to sweat and Marinette to give her head a resigned shake.
What followed would probably go down as the most intense, well argued, and most headache-inducing case in the history of the Paris Family Court System with all three men vying for custody of the teenage girl. 
Being able to provide financial stability wasn’t a concern as Jagged Stone was currently the most successful rockstar in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas; while Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne were two of the wealthiest businessmen in the entire world. All three even offered to completely cover Marinette’s tuition to any school she wanted, so long as she was accepted.
Her safety turned out to be a large factor with all three men, and they were willing to hire their own private security to make sure that she stayed safe at all times. However, the three men also argued how the others lived in unsafe environments. 
Jagged mostly lived in tour buses and out of hotels, which was a factor; but he was willing to call off his tours during the school year and only go on tour during school breaks so Marinette would never be without her guardian. Penny was also willing to help Jagged at every turn, stating that she loved Marinette like a niece and would make sure that she had a strong female role model in her life as well.
Tony’s reputation as a playboy and his identity as Iron Man brought up the possibility of attracting a dangerous element. He argued that his homes were equipped with the most advanced security systems on the planet. As well as being friends with an actual “God-Alien”, who had met Marinette and liked her a great deal. Tony was also willing to make Marinette her own personal Iron Suit that would be programmed to protect and fly her to a safe location at the first sign of danger. Pepper also offered to share custody as she already took care of Tony’s daily life as his assistant, taking care of Marinette would be easy and she was looking forward to having her around.
Bruce’s residence in Gotham, the most crime ridden city in North America, was a big factor. Bruce made a point that he already had experience as a guardian of his three adopted sons and his biological son, and they were kept safe. That he also had a top of the line security system at his home, which was located outside of city limits. Dick, Jason, and Tim also commented that they thought of Marinette like a little sister and that Wayne Enterprises had locations all over the world. If the judge decided that Gotham was too dangerous, one of them would gladly take up residency in a city that the judge approved and would stay there to watch over Marinette while still working and providing for her.
After two hours of listening to the back and forth of the three men and their lawyers, the judge decided that he’d heard enough for the day and set the next meeting for the following Thursday after lunch. He also recommended that the men bring proof that they have the mental capability of caring for a teenage girl, lists of schools near their homes to show that she will continue her education, and character witnesses, if available. 
The three men wanted to take Marinette out to get something to eat after the court was adjourned, but M. Contere was forced to tell them that it would not be appropriate during the legal proceedings. He also recommended that they follow the judge’s instructions and make sure that they had everything needed, otherwise they would likely not qualify. Hearing that got all three men, their assistants, family, and lawyers moving at top speeds to get everything they needed for court in a few days. 
Once they were out of sight, the lawyer couldn’t help but let out a stress induced sigh as he raised one hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. This custody battle had the potential to turn into a total circus, and although it could do great things for his career in the long run, he was more worried about how this would affect Marinette. 
Speaking of, he was brought from his thoughts when he felt her small hand gently pat the hand that was holding his briefcase. When he looked down at her, she gave him a kind, though slightly amused smile. “You had no idea about the can of worms you were opening when you made those phone calls, did you?”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “How was I supposed to know that Uncle J, Uncle Tony, and Uncle Bruce would turn out to be three of the most influential men in the world? How does your family even know all of them?”
“Uncle Bruce was raised by the family butler, Alfred Pennyworth, after his parents died. Grandma Gina and Alfred were best friends when they were younger. After the Waynes died, Gina would go check on them in Gotham, she liked to brag that she helped get Bruce back out of his shell. Uncle Tony knew my parents back in university, he was a lot younger and smarter than the other students and you can guess that didn’t go over well with some of them. My parents looked out for him and they became friends, and even after he got busy when he took over the company, he always made time to be there for the big moments in our lives; my parents’ wedding, their baby shower, and when I was born. I’ve actually spent a few summers in Gotham and New York visiting them.”
“And Jagged Stone?”
“He’s the most recent of my honorary uncles. I’m his personal designer, but he got unofficially adopted into my family after the tv show that took place in my parents’ bakery. Uncle Jagged made a bread guitar and sang rock songs with my dad. Once the show was over, Mom invited him and Penny to stay for dinner. During the course of the night, Dad claimed him as a new little brother. Jagged was so happy that he started calling my parents big brother and big sister, and started calling me his niece. Since then, he’s come over at least once a month to just relax and be a family with us.”
M. Contere couldn’t help but smile at that. From the sound of it and what he had seen, all three men truly cared about this girl and were willing to bend over backwards for her. That was a good thing, but he still worried that a custody battle between these three men could go for a long time and possibly cause mental distress for Marinette. Although the final decision was ultimately up to the judge, he was allowed to make recommendations if they were in the best interests of the child. 
With that in mind, he knelt down beside Marinette. “You know the three of them and what they’re living situations are like better than I do. And even though you’re not 15 years old yet, I could petition the judge to factor your opinion. Which of them would you like to have guardian status?”
When Marinette gave him a knowing smile, he just knew that things might get more complicated.
~oOo~
It got a lot more complicated.
The media had caught wind of the custody battle, causing a giant crowd of paparazzi to stake out the courthouse to catch a glimpse of the rockstar, billionaire, and the self proclaimed “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” who was also a superhero. To their credit, the three only said that they were devastated by the loss of the Dupain-Chengs and wanted to do what was best for Marinette and left all the other questions at the door.
In the courtroom; all three men, as well as their assistants and Bruce’s boys, had done mental evaluations that their lawyers submitted to the judge. They also provided lists of different schools that Marinette was free to choose from; including public schools, private, and even schools that specialized in fashion. But the absolute kicker was the character witnesses.
Jagged Stone had brought other music stars, movie stars, and production mega stars that made Contere wonder for a moment if he’d accidentally walked into an award ceremony. Tony Stark had brought the Avengers, The Avengers, as his character witnesses. Contere wasn’t too proud to admit that he was a bit starstruck when Thor himself came over to great Marinette and complimented her on her ‘battle scars’, saying that they were a testament to her strength. If that wasn’t enough, Bruce brought multiple members of the Billionaire’s Club as character witnesses, many of whom had been suspected of being members of the Justice League. 
The judge looked just as surprised, though somewhat irritated, by the people crowding his courtroom. He quietly looked over the mental health evaluations that had been provided, as well as the lists of schools; finding that everything was in order and that any of them would have been wonderful guardians to the girl. He was tempted to call another recess and pick this back up the following week until Marinette’s lawyer raised his hand.
“If it would please the court,” the judge motioned for him to continue, “although Mlle. Dupain-Cheng is not yet of legal age to make a final decision on the matter of custody, I felt that she was old enough to state her opinion. We have discussed it over the past few days and I believe we came up with a proposal that will satisfy all parties involved while still being in the best interest of the child.” M. Contere presented the four copies of the proposal to the bailiff, who handed one to the judge, and the three lead lawyers.
The judge read the summary at the top before looking at the lawyer in surprise. “You’re proposing joint custody?”
“Yes, your honor. My client and I feel that due to the influence that these men hold, as you can see by the character witnesses that have come here to speak on their behalf, that this custody hearing could be drawn out for a long time, which could have mental repercussions on Marinette.” Contere didn’t miss the ‘you ain’t kidding’ roll of his eyes, or the looks of shame that the three men shared at the thought of hurting Marinette.
“Keeping that in mind, my client came up with an outline for a possible custody agreement. M. Stark would retain custody during school as he has listed one of the top fashion schools in America, which would further Marinette’s future career. The weekends would be spent with M. Wayne, as Wayne Enterprises has connections to the fashion industry and would be able to give her training to help her successfully run her own business. M. Stone would have custody during summer breaks, so Marinette may continue gaining experience as his personal designer, a position she has held for close to a year and has already earned her recognition in the industry.”
The judge grew quiet again as he contemplated the proposal and read over the details. He didn’t want to deal with these three powerful, and in a lot of ways eccentric, men for the next few months while attempting to figure out the best placement for the child. Nor did he want to deal with the media frenzy that this case had already brought on. If anything, this was likely the best option, if he could get the men to agree to the terms.
“Do you have any objections to this proposal?”
There was a moment of silence as the lawyers continued to look over the proposal and spoke to their clients. Jagged’s lawyer was the first to respond. “No, your honor. M. Stone believes that this would be best for Marinette, but we would like to add a clause that M. Stone be permitted to call and visit Mlle. Dupain-Cheng so long as it does not interfere with her school work.”
“My client would also like that clause added to the proposal, your honor,” said the Wayne lawyer. “As well as the clause that Messieurs Stone and Stark work together with M. Wayne in securing Mlle. Dupain-Cheng’s safety. As previously stated, all three men could be considered high-priority targets and normally require bodyguards. M. Wayne has proposed that any potential bodyguard be vetted and approved by all parties involved before being hired.”
The judge looked to Stark’s lawyer. “And do you have any stipulations you would want to see added to the proposal?”
“Only that there be an open line of communication between Messieurs Stone, Wayne, and Stark at all times in reference to Mlle. Dupain-Cheng’s well being and any possible travel. As all three men are known to travel the world for business; there will be occasions for the child to travel as well. When this occurs, the other guardians should receive notice of the country, city, and address that she resides; so, in case of an emergency, they will be able to be present to assist and protect her.”
“My client has no objections to these clauses,” said Jagged’s lawyer.
“And you, M. Wayne?”
The Wayne lawyer nodded. “The clauses are more than reasonable and are in the best interest of Mlle. Dupain-Cheng. Although I only speak for my client, I do not believe that I would be out of line to say that is the main focus of Messieurs Stone and Stark as well.”
The lawyers hid their relief when the judge nodded in agreement. “As the proposal was presented by the child and the three of you are in agreement, I’m scheduling a meeting in my chambers for next Tuesday to go over the finer details of the custodial agreement. I will allow your clients and one lawyer each to attend; this includes you and your client, M. Contere.”
“Yes, your honor.”
“And as for you, Mlle. Dupain-Cheng,” Marinette’s head snapped up to meet the judge’s gaze. “It seems that you have gained three extremely powerful, influential, and in many ways crazy guardians. I don’t know if I should congratulate you or give you my sympathies. What I will do is wish you the best of luck and hope that you are prepared for the future. Court is adjourned.”
There was a hum of surprise and joy that spread through the courtroom as Jagged, Bruce, and Tony stepped up to each other and shook hands before approaching Marinette and M. Contere. 
“Of course, my niece would come up with a way to keep everyone happy, she’s so rock n’ roll that way.” Jagged beamed with pride as Tony and Bruce nodded in agreement.
“Would it be alright if all of us went to dinner to celebrate,” Bruce asked Contere, indicating the ‘all’ to be himself and his boys, Jagged and Penny, and Tony and Pepper; along with Marinette and Contere.
“So long as there’s no discussion of custody and everyone stays civil, I don’t see any harm in it.”
Everyone smiled in agreement while Pepper mentioned that she’d just finished making reservations for all eleven of them at a nice restaurant that had the best view of the Eiffel Tower.
As the others began filing out of the courtroom, Marinette patted his hand and gave him a sympathetic look. “You just opened your second can.”
M. Contere wasn’t sure about what she’d meant until after the meal was over and the waitress brought the check, and then watched as the three billionaires fought over it. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he only hoped that this would all be over on Tuesday and he could go back to his normal, boring cases.
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vdlest · 3 years
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Definition of Heaven
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Characters:
Husband!Bucky Barnes x Wife!Reader
Summary:
You found out you were pregnant with Bucky's baby when the blip took place. You keep the baby and raised him by yourself. You have always believed that Bucky will come back to you and your son, Gabriel. Five years later, the Avengers won, Bucky came home to you and Gabriel.
Warning:
Fluff
For the past 5 years, it has always been just you, your son, Gabriel, and the rest of the Avengers like Nat and Steve. You found out you were pregnant with Bucky's child when the blip took place, and during that time, Bucky was in Wakanda and that's where he vanished in thin air just like everyone else who got snapped out because of the son of a bitch creature, Thanos.
It was Steve who told you that Bucky vanished as well, so you told him about your situation, about your pregnancy. He and Nat suggested that you stay with them in the compound to make sure your safe pregnancy and to help you as well throughout your journey to motherhood, which you happily agreed on. You stayed with them and they helped you a lot, they made your journey easier, however, the thought of Bucky is still in your mind and your heart. You always miss him, and you told yourself you'll always love him.
After nine months of nurturing and sheltering your baby inside you, you finally gave birth to a handsome healthy baby boy. When you saw your baby's blue eyes, you knew he got it from Bucky. You ended up naming him Gabriel, the name of your late grandfather who raised you after your parents died. Gabriel gave light to your darkness, not just to you but to everyone else like Nat and Steve. You did everything to raise him well, a strong and brave one, who's not afraid to do what is right and good. His first crawl, first step, first walk, first word, you witness them all, and you wished Bucky did too.
Five years later, Steve and Nat had a strong belief that they can actually bring everyone back but it's high-risk. With the help of the remaining avengers, Clint, Thor, Bruce, and the shrinking guy, Scott or he calls himself the Ant-man, they were able to retract all the infinity stones in the past, but like what was mentioned, it's high-risk. Nat risked her life to be able to get the soul stone. Losing her broke your heart, she's like a sister to you. But she's not the only avenger who fell, Tony Stark did too when he snapped his fingers to save everyone.
Despite the pain of losing two important people in your life, Bucky came home to you and your son. When he found out about Gabriel, he instantly kneeled in front of your son as he introduces himself as his father. You could still remember how Gabriel answered him, I know, I always see your picture on mom's locket. Then, your Gabriel opened his arms to give Bucky, his dad, a hug of a lifetime. You can't help but feel emotional while watching them meet each other. Bucky may not be able to see him for the past five years, you know, he would make it up to both of you, especially to Gabriel.
•••
The morning breeze embraces your body as you go out on your room's balcony to have your morning coffee. The two boys are still sleeping in the master's bedroom of the house that you and Bucky bought after the blip. Your view is the sun shining above the small village you are living in, just like how the sun shines on the world again after five years of darkness.
After Tony's funeral, everything happened so fast. You, Bucky, and Gabriel reunite as a family, just like everyone else did with theirs. Bucky did everything to make it up to you and Gabriel, he worked hard and you both finally had the means to move into your dream house and here you are now, living in the life you wanted for so long.
"Perfect view, isn't it?"
You turned around and saw Bucky about to join you on the balcony. He's wearing his white shirt and his favorite pajamas.
"Good morning," you greeted him, "I thought you are still asleep with Gabriel inside, I didn't want to wake you up. You two are like snoring machines," you joked.
He chuckled as he makes his way towards where you are standing.
You and Bucky were able to pick up where you left off everything before the blip. You two became inseparable after the blip, both of you are scared of losing one another again. You haven't talked about getting married yet but you are already happy and contented with the life you have right now, it's like you're living in heaven already beside your two angels.
As he comes closer to you, he grabs your mug and placed it on top of a table, afterwards, he put both of your hands around his neck and his hands are on your waist. You two almost look like dancing.
Being five years away from him was like living in hell, you always miss him and there were nights when you'll just cry yourself to sleep. But when Gabriel came into your life, you knew you had to be strong for both of you. You just silently hope that one day, Bucky will find his way home to you. And he did.
He stared at you, a smile on his face, "Did I ever say thank you to you?" he suddenly asked.
You frowned, "Thank you?" you chuckled, "For what?"
"For being the love of my life, for choosing me, for bringing Gabriel to our lives, for living this life with me," he put strands of hair at the back of your ear as he cups your cheeks, "Thank you for being so brave all these years. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally," he said while staring at your eyes wistfully.
There he is again. Being sentimental about the time he lost and the time he could've been with you to support you.
He always feels so sorry for not being there for you when you found out that you're having a baby, for not being there when you're experiencing morning sickness, for not being by your side when you are screaming at the top of your lungs as you push Gabriel out of your womb. You understood his regrets but you have always believed that he may not be physically there, he is there with you, he's inside your heart.
"I could've been there for you when you found out that you're pre--"
You put your finger on top of his lips and shushed him, "Stop it, will you?" You removed your finger on his lips, moving your hands on both of his cheeks, "How many times do I have to tell you that you should stop saying those things? Bucky, we are here and you'll never lose us again. We'll never lose each other again," you vowed. "And you don't have to thank me for those reasons you mentioned because I did those things out of love, out of my love for you," you rested your forehead against his chin, "I did those things because I love you."
"And I love you too," he murmured, feeling his kiss on your forehead, "I love you and Gabriel more than my own life."
Bucky being a father to Gabriel is amazing. You could see his eagerness to make it up to him not just by giving him toys or any tangible things, but by giving him the attention, time, and love your son deserves. There were times you'd see him reading books about fatherhood and how to be a good father. You could really see his great effort to get to know fatherhood even more.
"Dad, Mom?"
You and Bucky slightly pulled away from each other as you both hear Gabriel behind the two of you.
"Hey, munchkin," you detach yourself from Bucky, as both of you make your way towards to doorframe where your son is standing in his pajamas. You and Bucky kneeled in front of your son, "Had a good sleep?" you asked him, fixing his messy brown hair.
"Yes, I had a good dream too!" Gabriel excitedly said, switching his eyes between you and Bucky.
Bucky pulled Gabriel in between the two of you, "Can you tell me and your mom about your dream?" he asked.
Gabriel nodded, still smiling from ear to ear, "I dreamed of seeing mommy in a beautiful white gown, and you're wearing a white suit, daddy," he said while excitement is still in his eyes. "I also saw Uncle Steve, Uncle Clint, Uncle Sam, Aunt Wanda, and the rest of your friends!" he added.
You and Bucky exchanged glances when you both heard what Gabriel's dream is about.
"What else did you see?" Bucky asked while his eyes are still looking at you.
"You and Mommy kissed," Gabriel continued then he sighed, "Then Daddy said he will take care of you forever, he will make you happy every single day."
You and Bucky kept on staring at each other while Gabriel is talking about his dream, that you two are getting married in his dream. The two of you haven't talked about getting married just yet, but Bucky already gave you his word and you have faith in him.
Gabriel went inside again to brush his teeth, leaving you and Bucky on the balcony again.
Bucky stood up and helped you next to stand up as well. He held both of your hands once you are both standing in front of each other.
"Our son's growing nonstop," Bucky reflected.
You nodded, "I know," you playfully pouted your lips, "Our baby is growing too fast."
"So what do you say about giving him a little sister or a little brother?" he teased you, then he planted a kiss on the back of your hand, "Or should we plan our wedding first?"
"Are you really sure this is what you want?" you asked him, your smile slowly fading away.
Bucky's brows furrowed, "What do you mean?" he seems puzzled. "What do you mean if I'm sure if this is what I want?" he added.
You took a deep breath, "Bucky, I just want to be sure you really want this whole thing, me as your wife, us as one family. Not that I don't trust you or I don't want you to, but I just want to make sure that I'm not forcing you to do this," you stuttered.
"Y/n, you're confusing me."
"Okay," you sighed, "Bucky, before the blip, we are together, right? It wasn't really our plan to have a baby, but it happened anyway. Gabriel is the biggest blessing for us, I just don't want you to think that you have an obligation to me, to marry me just because you have a baby with me. I want you to marry me for the right reason, not because I have your child." Your hand moved on top of his, "Bucky, I love you. You know that, right? But I don't want to pressure you into enteri--"
"Look, y/n," he said, stopping you from finishing your sentence, "I know this wasn't our original plan, this wasn't I had in my mind five years ago when I thought of us and our future, but I couldn't think of any best way of having a future with you. Before the blip, I kept on asking myself why I had to go through those pain all those years, and when I met you, I finally understood why. Those pain will bring me to you, my lightbringer. Now, I have more reason to let go of my past, I have you and Gabriel now. I have both of you as my family," he walked closer to you and cupped your face, "And don't think that I am marrying you as an obligation or what because it would be my pleasure and my honor to marry an amazing woman. I will marry you, not because you are the mother of my child but because I want you to be my wife, I want to see you every single time I wake up and before I go to sleep. I want to grow old with you and it may sound cliche as it is, it's true. I want to spend my life with you."
His words made your worries disappeared. His words made you believe that he's the guy who would make all your worries and doubts vanish in thin air.
"So I gonna ask you now," he let of your face and he removed his dog tags around his neck, "Will you marry me?"
It was a spontaneous proposal. He doesn't have a ring with him, but all he could offer and give you are his dog tags. It may not be the usual way of proposing to women, but you couldn't think of any best alternative for that one. Anyway, you like uniqueness.
You smiled at him, "Yes, I will marry you, James Buchanan Barnes."
Bucky pulled you towards him and kissed your forehead, "I love you," he said before kissing your lips next.
After he kissed you, he puts on his dog tags around your neck.
"I knew it will look more good on you," he said, staring at his dog tags on your neck.
You chuckled, "I love you, Bucky."
He pulled you towards him for a hug and you knew at that very moment, you have everything you'll ever gonna need in your life.
Having Bucky and your son, Gabriel by your side forever is your definition of heaven.
-v.dl
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bluebellhairpin · 3 years
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The Kings Queen
King!Erwin Smith X Queen!Reader
A/N: It came to me in a daydream; I was MC; and certain British actor was he. And now it is no longer dream, but reality - if only because now in ink. - Nemo
Summary: In order to get his politicians off his back, Erwin needs an heir. The problem is, he isn’t even married yet. An arranged marriage is set, and his new queen is surprised at how compliant he is at waiting until she is ready. 
Warnings: Misogyny is a major one here guys. Arranged Marriage. Age gap (he’s in in forties, and mc is in the twenties area). Talk of pregnancy, and children. 
Listening to: ‘Once Upon a December’ from Anastasia (piano version) 
Series Masterlist 
Masterlist
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A month ago it scared you, and scared you now. You stood next to a man you didn’t know, vowing your life to him, and all you could think about was how uncomfortable your corset was, how the headpiece dug in behind your ears, and how much you would rather be anywhere else.
Doing anything else.
Being with anyone else.
You wanted to be curled up on the armchair your grandfather made, your younger sisters at your feet next to the fire, as you read aloud to them from a book they probably didn’t understand. Your mother would be on a couch across from you, needlepoint in hand, and your brother and father would walk in. Your father would kiss your mother’s temple, and your brother would join your sisters on the floor, handing them two small, handcrafted, wooden figures. 
But instead you were here.
Standing under a chapel steeple, holding a bouquet that was too heavy, in a dress that had too much fabric. Almost half the city was crammed into the pews behind you, eyes hot and boring right into the back of your skull. Your almost-husband at your side. Your king at your side. 
You were getting married to Erwin Smith, and he was the monarch of the land you grew up in. 
You knew what was to follow. You knew why you were taken from your content life and thrust into the much higher end of high society. You were to give him a child tonight. An heir. And if it were born a girl, then you were to keep giving until it became a boy, and then some. 
You weren’t sure if it were that which scared you most, or that you never got the chance to have found a love of your own. You weren’t giving anything up aside from your family in marrying your king. There was no farm boy or baker's daughter that you were leaving behind nor betraying by speaking the vows that came from your mouth. 
No others lips had touched yours, and no one else’s fingers had grazed your wrist as Erwin’s did now. You marked off your shivers and incapability to meet his eyes as nerves, and nothing else. 
Before you were taken away by your uncle, your mother told you something. She told you to notice things. Notice the people. Give them what they want, graciously, so that they have want for nothing, and then want of their own to spare. 
So when you turned around to face those people, the crown which now held both allies and enemies, with your new husband’s arm wound around your waist, you noticed the people. You saw their smiles and cheers and decided to take your mothers words to heart. They were your people now, you were their queen. 
So you fought down the nerves, painted on your best smile, and sent greetings and waves to as many as you could as you made your way to your new home.
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You had to admit, like most children, you did gaze upon the castle and it’s stone walls, wondering what life behind them was like. 
You had been once before, a garden party when you were younger and your brother was only a tot. It was one of the few parties the lesser and higher nobles alike were invited to. As equals. It was the first Erwin held after he was crowned king. He hadn’t had one like it since. 
You remember wandering off into the rose maze with your brother's hand in yours. Being only ten years old, your mind made the brush of thorns and baby-pink blooms into a lot more than what they really were. Whether it were to comfort yourself or to keep your brother calm, you made up a little game. 
Somewhere in the maze was a dragon; blood red scales and teeth as long and sharp as kitchen knives, a belly full of flames, and a smell for human flesh. If you stayed stagnant too long, it would find you around the next corner and swallow you up in one gnash of it’s jaws. 
But there was also a Prince in the maze; brave, gallant, and knight-like in every way possible. With hair golden like fresh cut hay, and eyes as clear and strong as ocean waves. He would wield a sword with a blade so sharp that one blow would send that dragon straight to its death.
Of course you didn’t tell such things to your brother. They were a bit intense for a four-year-old, so you dulled it down a number of notches. 
Imagine your surprise when you ran into someone, with hair the colour of fresh-cut hay, and eyes of the clear blue. He offered you his hand, and told you he’d keep you safe from that ‘dragon’ who was chasing you. 
And he did stay true to his word. You did get out of the maze safely, even if there was no dragon he was protecting you and your brother from. 
You remember that boy, a man really, and how he was handsome with his youthful features. Back then you didn’t know who he was. Namely that not only a few months ago he really was a prince, and that now he was the king hiding from most of his own party guests. 
That was around fifteen years ago, naturally things were a little different this time around. 
This time the party was inside, with tables stocked with foods - some you’d never even seen before - and candelabra’s. The room was already filled with guests, chattering and laughing, some even dancing with did bring a smile to your face. There was a group in the corner, playing instruments in all forms available. You had been changed before you joined your husband in a chair slightly smaller than his. Apparently being seen in your wedding dress at your wedding reception wasn’t proper, and that you needed to wear a more dulled-down version to eat. 
The corset was just as tight.
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You’d barely said more than a few words to him, and now here you were. 
You excused yourself early from the celebrations, and no one batted an eyelid. ‘Preparing’ yourself might be proper. 
There was a lady, a bit older than yourself, named Nanaba. She helped you out of the stifling corset and the wads of white fabric. The putting on of the night slip and it’s robe was a lot nicer. It did not require a corset, as nice as it might make you look. She sent in for some tea, and once it arrived she excused herself. 
You wish you’d spoken to her more. She was nice. And it may have calmed your nerves a little. But you didn’t and you couldn’t will yourself to do anything except cling to the bedpost furthest from the door and wait. Luckily you didn’t have to wait long. 
The door opened, and in stepped your king. You found yourself sucking in a breath, nails grazing into the polished wood, and you cast your eyes down to put yourself in check before looking up at him. He looked over at you, smiling lightly and shed his outer layer of clothes before sitting down at one of the chairs near the fire Nanaba lit earlier. 
You wondered what he was waiting for. 
“Come sit, please.” he said, shuffling a little to set up two dainty tea cups. “This is your home too now, the last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable.” 
You let out a quiet puff of air, playing with the new ring on your finger before making your way over to the chair opposite him. 
“You are quite timid, aren’t you?” he mused, offering you a steaming cup, “I supposed though anyone would be all things considered.” He sat back, and you finally took a moment to notice how much he had to be admired. ‘Handsome’ was barely a word to describe him, but those blue eyes, and his hair looked like it would be soft to touch. It made you think of that ‘prince’ from the game you made up in the rose maze outside. What luck would bring you both to meet a second time. 
He caught your eye again as he took a sip of his drink. 
“You can take comfort in knowing nothing will happen tonight, nor any night in the foreseeable future.” he said, voice hushed and quiet and indeed comforting. “We are barely acquaintances, let alone friends or lovers.” 
You couldn’t help but gape at him, letting your tea get colder. 
“B-but why? You need a child, I… I-I’m here to give you one -”
“- no, that what all those lords want. The child that they want me to have is going to be yours too. It’s not my body that will be their home for the first nine months of their life. I admit,” he said, setting his cup aside, “I will need an heir eventually, but it’s no matter or urgency to me.” 
“Not until I’m ready?”
“Not until you are ready.” he nodded. 
“That’s very kind of you, your majesty.” 
“Call me Erwin,” he said, taking to his knee as the glow of the fire reflected off his face, “At least when it is just us. Please?” 
You let out a laugh, light with nerves and giddy fluttering in your heart, and brought a hand up to your mouth as you turned to compose yourself. You turned back with a smile to see his face matching yours. 
Who knew you were seemingly fretting for nothing. 
“Only if you also call me by my name.”
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It was a well-known fact to even the ‘commoners’ that there were not many men in the kings court who were good people. 
Within your first week of living in the palace you knew Erwin was one of them. 
Despite his often off and rough ways of getting to and around things, he was a good man. He did have a good heart. 
Another was a much older man named Dot Pixis. He had an odd manner of speaking, and his ways were not always perfect. But he always went out of his way to treat you kindly - something many others viewed as easily brushed aside - and he had a loyalty and trust to Erwin that you sensed not everyone had.
You also took kindly to Levi Ackerman and Miche Zacharias, both head guards set to protect Erwin and yourself, respectively. They both did marvelous jobs, for you nor Erwin had been hurt by someone will ill-intent yet. And despite both their quiet natures they were nice. At least Miche was. But they weren’t really ‘in parliament’. 
Nile Dok was the only other of those men that didn’t send your gut reeling in some way. He had a family on his own, too, and you’d seen how he treated them the morning after your wedding night. He truly loved them, and a man who loved his family like that was one who you trusted. Your own father was like that with you. 
Many other new friends were found in your new home, too. Hange was the head librarian, and with the help of Moblit the rows and rows of books were kept - not organized per say - but everything did have a place. 
There were those in the kitchens, and the gardeners, maids, and military personnel. You made sure to greet them all when you could. You were more than happy when they returned the gesture, even if a little more than some of them didn’t. 
But there were people you didn’t trust at all. They made your skin crawl. You knew you didn’t come from a lot, and didn’t expect the same respect that Erwin had, but what they showed towards you? Even Nanaba commented how you should be treated better. 
However they would never treat you any less than a queen unless you were with Erwin. Unless you were with your husband, the most powerful man in the country. As much as you liked Erwin, and come to even love him in some very small way over such a short amount of time, you didn’t like that. 
You didn’t like how you couldn’t get their respect unless you were standing next to him. 
So you made up your mind.
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