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buckrecs · 1 year

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2022 Bucky Barnes Fic Rec Wrap Up 2

part 1 | masterlist

favorite fics from 2022 series fic recs

All of them are COMPLETE Series.

1. Fatal Attraction by @gayouijaboard

Bucky x Assassin!Reader

Bucky’s quite the flirt, even when you’re in the middle of trying to murder him

2. Lost Without You by @angrythingstarlight

Mob!Dad!Bucky x Reader

Soft Mob Bucky Series

3. should’ve been you by @classylo

Bucky x Reader, past Steve x Reader

a Stark gala, a cheating boyfriend, an upset reader, and her boyfriend’s best friend...let’s begin shall we?

4. kisses, cookies and such | candlelight & cuddles by @stevebabey

Neighbor!Bucky x Reader

Something had... shifted. Yet somehow, nothing had changed. You can’t put your finger on it, but sometime between then and now, there’s a difference. Well, that much was obvious — a lot of things had changed since Bucky and you became friends.

5. Something More by @tellmealovestory

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

After a bad breakup you ask your best friend to take your virginity. It’s just friends with benefits. What could possibly go wrong?

6. The Contingency Plan by @dilemmaontwolegs

Bucky x WOC!Reader

Bucky had promised he would find you after the war ended but you were planning on keeping your own promises to him, for better or for worse, so you were heading to Italy and to the front lines. Life in the war was fast, it was living moment to moment because you didn’t know how much time you had together. Then Bucky went missing and for a moment you had him back, all thanks to Steve, and despite your pleas Bucky went straight back into the fray of the war never to be seen again. When Bucky got his mind and body back in the 21st century he finds your name on a memorial for women who lost their lives or were missing in action during the war. He never had any idea you were still waiting for him.

7. Something Domestic by @fandoms-writings

Ex-military amputee!Bucky x Reader

Needing an escape from the loud and busy city life, Bucky comes to stay with you on your little farm. He didn’t expect you, a hardworking and beautiful woman with struggles of your own, to take his breath away and make life a little less dreary.

8. we’re fools. by @achillieus

Bucky x Reader College AU

for all bucky barnes knows, he hates clichés. and this thing between you two, happens to be the biggest one.

9. The Bienville by @indyluckycharlie

CEO!Bucky x Reader

Bucky is the young CEO of his family’s publishing house. A year into the role and working his ass off, he’s finally taking a much needed vacation (upon the advice of his well-meaning family and friends).

10. Greatest Hits by @lunarbuck

Bucky x Reader

You work at your family's record store, and Bucky lives next door. He comes into your store and asks you for some music recommendations. You soon realize that he has a lot to learn and make it your personal mission to show him the world he missed out on through music.

11. Obey by @waiting4inspiration

Bucky x Hydra!Reader

An assassin is brought in by Fury because he thinks she has a connection to HYDRA. Bucky recognizes her and knows how to handle the programming installed in her mind (much like his Winter Soldier programming). Things become challenging now that he is her new Commander and has the responsibility to look after and protect her from HYDRA.

12. Playing With Fire by @beccaanne814

Fireman!Bucky x Reader

What happens when two people who have nothing in common suddenly have to pretend to be in a relationship? Will the sparks between them ignite into something more, or is this romance doomed to crash and burn?

13. Strange Times by @/beccaanne814

Bucky x Reader

You have a certain type - smart, charming, and handsome as sin. For years you’ve been in love with the only man you thought possessed all of those traits, but a chance encounter with a Strange individual sends you and a certain ex-assassin on a journey of self-discovery. As you try to find a way back home, will you also be able to uncover the perfect man hidden beneath layers of guilt and self-loathing.

14. Invisible String by @oitommothetease

Mob!Bucky x Reader

James Buchanan Barnes, the owner of the most expensive-looking club in town and your new apartment. He was a dick and you hated him. What could possibly go wrong when you, the new girl in town, start bartending at his club to pursue your dreams?

15. A Weapon No More by @empyreanwritings

Bucky x Mutant!Reader

You made a promise to retire from the life of being used as a weapon after you escaped the Facility, but what’s one more mission? You wanted revenge on the doctor that created and tortured you for all those years, and S.H.I.E.L.D was giving you the opportunity to do so. Would it be worth breaking that promise?

16. Scars by @tokoyamisstuff

Bucky x Reader

Based on the Soulmate Prompt where whatever you write on your skin, it appears on your Soulmate’s.

17. Stepping Up by @i-am-a-closet-fanfic-fiend

Bucky x Reader

When Steve can’t go with you to your cousin’s wedding, he sends Bucky in his place. What happens when more than one person assume you’re dating?

18. Bucky’s Bistro Dates by @wonderlandmind4

Bucky x Reader

A Bistro owner is witness to Bucky Barnes bad dates.

19. Better by @captainscanadian

Doctor!Bucky x Doctor!Reader

Dr. James Barnes has it all: a loving family, caring best friends, and a successful career as one of the best heart surgeons in New York. He has everything he ever wanted his whole life… well, almost everything. One thing he never thought he could ever have was Y/N Y/L/N. She may have been a lot of things, but he loved her because she made him better.

20. Under Pastel Skies by @redgillan

Writer!Bucky x Artist!Reader

Bucky doesn’t need anyone, especially not a sugar baby. He isn’t that desperate... but she smiles so sweetly and she's endearingly awkward, and he’s so lonely. She’s an artist, a painter, the type of person who always puts others before herself. Throwing caution to the wind Bucky offers her a place to live, a place where she can finally paint whatever her heart desires. He doesn’t need much in return; a friend, a muse.

21. Save Me by @espinosaurusrexex

Bucky x Reader College AU

Bucky Barnes has never had it easy, which ultimately turned him into a caveman-like introvert with no desire to see the positive side of life. But what happens when the clumsily charming art student, Y/N, stumbles to his rescue, determined to show Bucky how truly wonderful the world is?

22. Summer Plans by @notimetoblog

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

Planning a trip with Bucky takes a turn when someone new comes into his life. Will it all change or can you still manage to have the perfect summer you planned?

23. i hate you but by @buckybarnesthehotshot

Bucky x Avenger!Reader

bucky and y/n can’t stand each other, but y/n needs help with her sister’s kids (enemies to lovers au)

24. Hello and Goodbye, by @sweetascanbee

Bucky x Adopted Wilson!Reader

You are Sam's adopted little sister, and he brings home a mysterious friend.

25. Dreaming of Better Days by @wizardofrozz

40s!Bucky x Reader

Steve always manages to find a fight no matter where he goes and Bucky is always ready to defend his best friend, until one day someone beats him to it. Bucky isn’t prepared to find you standing up for his best friend and he definitely wasn’t prepared to be so swept up by you. But most of all, he didn’t expect you to have such an important place in his future.

26. Grease Lightning by @language-rxgers

Bucky x Reader

You’re on the hair & makeup team for your school’s production of Grease, and Nat has signed you up to do the makeup for the lead role of Danny Zuko- played by none other than Bucky Barnes.

27. Snow by @delaber

Bucky x Agent!Reader

Tired of your constant bickering, Sam sends you and Bucky on a mission alone. When the worst possible outcome happens and you’re forced to spend several days together in a small cabin, you finally get to see a different, more pleasurable side to the man whose flesh you’ve always had a thorn in.

28. How to Make Small Talk in Five Simple Steps | How to Make the Right Decision in Five Simple Steps by @certifiedskywalker

Bucky x Reader

When people meet, they often use small talk as a means to negotiate and define the start of a new relationship. When you and Bucky meet, you both struggle to find the right words.

29. Next to Me by @sgtjbuccky

Bodyguard!Bucky x Reader

After an attempt on you and your identical twin’s life, your father calls in the Avengers for protection. Bucky soon realizes your father’s goal is solely to keep you sister safe, and decides that the times of doing the bidding of others are long gone, and takes your protection into his own hands.

30. Money, Power, Glory by @sergeantxrogers

Criminal!Bucky x Informant!Reader

James “Bucky” Barnes, New York state’s most infamous organized crime leader since the 1980s. With Bucky weaving through the fingers of local police and the federal government for far too long, they decide to go with plan B: you. Your job? Simple. Relay inside information back to the FBI, slipping through the cracks of Bucky’s fortress of a crime ring as an unknown imposter. The Bureau, however, has no idea you and Bucky are much more acquainted than you let on.

31. Blue by @softlybarnes

Bucky x Reader

James and Y/N take a road tip across the country to help Bucky’s recovery process. A question Y/N asks at the beginning of the trip sets Bucky searching his memories for an answer, one he finds he needs if he can move forward.

32. It’s All Fun and Games by @yikeswtfmate

Bucky x Reader MCU AU

A glimpse into Bucky and Y/N’s relationship, where they’re not together, but every single one of their friends would beg to differ.

33. A love that never leaves by @bitsandbobsandstuff

Bucky x Enhanced!Reader

Sometimes when you go looking for the past, you find things you never expected. When an accident brings him face to face with something he never knew he lost, Bucky Barnes begins to understand an age old truth – it’s so easy, sometimes, to love the things that destroy us.

34. Heart to a Gunfight by @lailannajacobs

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

You didn’t want to help Bucky Barnes make it through the party by pretending to be his fake girlfriend, after all, you had just met him. You also didn’t plan on the charade lasting as long as it did.

35. Café Crema by @wonderlandmind4

Bucky x Reader

The first time was an accident. The second time was coincidence. The third time is just unlucky. The fourth time is getting out of hand and the fifth may or may not be with intent. Otherwise known as The One Where He Spills Her Coffee.

36. If Only You Were Mine… by @bbgem329

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

You’ve been in love with Bucky Barnes since the moment you laid eyes on him. That was five years ago, when your older sister brought him home for a Sunday lunch and introduced him as her boyfriend.

37. желание by @sebbytrash

Bucky x Agent!Reader

Steve had drafted Bucky in to help with your training, not knowing you had feelings for him. Feelings? Ok, you were attracted to the man. Insanely so. And he hated you. Or at least that’s what you think, but is there more going on than you realise?

38. Awake My Soul by @foreverindreamlandd

Bucky x Reader Zombie Apocalypse AU

It's been five years since zombies first started walking the Earth, destroying anything and everything in their wake. Now, in this apocalyptic world, fighting for survival comes as naturally as breathing. The one thing you've learned ever since they arrived, though, is that the living can be so much more dangerous than the undead. When you stumble across two young, scared boys lost in the woods and being chased by walkers, you go against your better judgment and help them to safety. Little did you know that helping them would lead you to Bucky - an angry, grumpy, distrusting member of the camp Shield. Bucky has zero interest in having you enter his life. He's been hurt before and lost too many people to risk experiencing that kind of pain again, and he knows that there are secrets you aren't telling the group. Yet, when push comes to shove, and you're put at risk, he'll stop at nothing to keep you safe.

39. Fatality by @moonlight-prose

Bucky x Reader

After being dusted for five years he was back, except so were the memories he never had a hold of before. No longer did they sit dormant in his mind, but instead they attacked him day in and day out. Moments in time he didn’t believe were him. Until one returns to him and brings with it a piece of himself he thought he’d lost for good.

40. pretty woman, this is me trying by @captainsimagines

Bucky x Sex Worker!Reader

Bucky Barnes does not like to be touched. He’s completely ready to live a distant life and give up when the time is right. Until Stark hires him his own personal pretty woman. Over time, Bucky Barnes begins to learn how to touch again. How to feel again. How to love himself again.

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bunnakit · 4 months

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last twilight ep 10 thoughts, feelings, etc

back at it again at the krispy kreme friends. i cried this episode for so, so many different reasons. i'll also show you guys my raw reactions at the end of this, the insanity you guys don't see because i want you to respect me a little.

i didn't make one of these last week because i felt like that episode didn't need any words. some things you just need to feel and to talk about them cheapens what it truly is. that's not to say i didn't absolutely love everyone's posts and meta, i just thought anything i had to say could be felt in the episode itself and i didn't need to fumble my way through it.

Day is so at peace with what is going on and it's so beautiful to see, but the fact that he has to comfort his mother, that she's held onto this delusion that magically everything is going to be okay, is pretty irksome. she's had bare minimum a year, i think nearly two at this point, to accept the truth and she just hasn't and now it's biting her in the ass. but once again, this is something so realistic. i literally JUST dealt with this myself with my mother-in-law in October. once again P'Aof captures the truth of people and our natures.

and it's no wonder things have been so strained between Day and Night. she constantly forces Night to be Day's jailer, to escort him to his cell because the warden said so. it's a horrible position for her to put Night in and it's no wonder he feels so alone and abandoned by his family. it's no wonder Day resents him. Night is trying so hard to make them both love him again and he's been trapped in the middle of a war of attrition and paying penance for something that is in no way shape or form his fault. and then to later learn she HAS blamed Night? it's a horrible situation for him to be in, something he never deserved.

this was so sexy of Mhok, as most things are. you should have been there. it should have been you doing that for your SON. you should have taken the time to be there for him, to see that sight with him, to give him what he wants. but you weren't. you never are.

Day's mom stresses about Day's safety but safety is about so much more than a physical state of being. Mhok has done so much to ensure Day's mental safety and well being, he's done so much to improve Day's every day life. but that doesn't matter to her because she always refused to acknowledge things had gotten that bad. in another life Day never met Mhok and i wonder if things took a dark turn. i don't think Day was on a good trajectory.

here we reach bunn cries phase 1. i was so worried here that Mhok meant their entire relationship but i'm glad to see he just meant this chapter. they've started a new book together; no longer one about a caretaker and his charge but a man and his lover. what a gorgeous way to convey that journey. P'Aof i love you, do you know?

Night, i know i wasn't sure about you for a long time but you've really become one of my favorite people this episode. even Night can see his mom taking away Day's agency, can see her taking away everything Day has become this last year. he doesn't want his brother to disappear again, he just got him back.

god Day's bravery here. he's become so confident, so self assured, because Mhok taught him that he could be, that his blindness didn't make him weak. i know i say it every week lately but i'm so PROUD.

FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS IT. the way she took his phone away INFURIATED ME. you're taking away an important tool of freedom and agency from your FULL GROWN ADULT SON. where the fuck do you get off? and talking about doing things her way under her roof. if it was me i would be out of that house so fucking fast, staying with literally anyone else. the tragic thing is Day doesn't have that option. his disability has left him a victim of his mom's bullshit, given her a huge way to control him. it's disgusting, i'm sorry. i've tried to give her the benefit of the doubt for so long but she went way, way too far this episode.

even Night is sick of her shit and knows this is fucked up. Night once again i'm so sorry i doubted you. he knows how good Mhok is for Day and how good they are for each other. Mhok has only ever been kind to Night and i think that has gone a long way in Night's defense of him as well - not that i think he wouldn't have done it without that but i certainly think it has helped.

and what a fucking breakthrough this was. Day once again telling someone 'i see you.' Day is so good at seeing people once he lets go of his preconceived notions an biases. i can't imagine what a relief this was to Night to know it wasn't just his perception of the situation but something other people see and acknowledge. and he brushes it off, says it's because Day's a crying baby, but they both know that's not all of it.

bunn cries phase 2 is here. i BURST into ugly tears at this moment. it wouldn't be bunn meta if i didn't share a personal anecdote so here we go.

ANECDOTE START ->

i mentioned in my last post, prior to episode 9, that my dad was shit. i'm talking had me, an infant, in the middle of a meth den, in the middle of a raid level of bad. one of my earliest memories is a police officer kneeling down and talking to me while i colored in a coloring book and they searched the apartment. (my mom had no idea until a few years ago when a family friend shared this story. he protected me, thank fucking god.) my real dad went on to get clean (as far as i know) but was emotionally abusive among a whole slew of other issues.

when i was two years old my stepdad came into my life. he would've been just 27 at the time. he fell in love with my mom but wasn't sure if he wanted the responsibility of a kid. my mom said okay and broke up with him. they spent months miserable without each other (they've both told me their sides of this story) until my dad said okay, i can do this, and came back. and you know what? he was amazing. he didn't always get it right but he tried. he stayed up and read me The Hobbit and did silly voices for the dwarves and sang the songs and tucked me into bed and he loved me. (we have matching tattoos from that exact copy of The Hobbit, which i still have tucked away safe.)

we butt heads SO MUCH my teenage years. he had a temper and i was depressed and angry and dealing with so much teenage bullshit. but he still took me to breakfast every sunday, just the two of us, and we'd go see movies together. sundays were our day. he always called me his kid and people joked that somehow magically my mom had his kid before even meeting him. we even look alike. we have all the same tastes.

now as an adult we get along really well. (we still butt heads but it's bc we're exactly alike.) he and my mom have been together almost 30 years. he recently came into my office, a little tipsy, and hugged me and spent almost an entire hour telling me how much he loves me, how proud he is of me, how grateful he is that he had me as his kid, how having me is better than any blood child they could've had. (they tried for years but my parents were never able to have any kids.)

<- ANECDOTE END

some of the best family in the world is those that choose to be your family. i was never his responsibility, not really, but he put everything into being my dad. from just this little statement from Night i see so much of my dad in this moment and i couldn't fucking take it.

Night, i love you. i love you so much. he says it so effortlessly, so confidently. what a man.

so i acknowledge here that their mother is finally starting to get it. she's starting to get things right. she even makes Night's favorite food and makes sure he knows he's loved. she takes the time to try and understand Day, to blindfold herself like Mhok did, etc. and i acknowledge it takes people their own time to come to terms with things, to accept things, and maybe her journey of acceptance was a little longer than others.

however.

this scene shows that she always had the option to cancel. she could have always done this for Day. she could have been there. she could have taken him to the mountain and seen the sunset with him. i have to wonder if Mhok's comment really got to her, i have to believe it did. i think she finally realized that she can no longer be the one that's blind. she has to see reality. it's a big step for her and i'm happy but i'm still so annoyed it took this long for it to happen. but hey - parents fuck up. they do. they fuck us up, even if they don't mean to. once again it's something very, very real from P'Aof, even if i don't like it.

my first knee jerk reaction to this moment was wow, she's infantilizing Day again, but then i sat and really thought about it. in the context of this moment, i think this is okay. sometimes it's just nice to be cared for and Day seems completely receptive to it. fuck, i'm 31 and sometimes i just go curl up with my mom and let her pet my hair, sometimes she makes me my favorite food because she knows i had a bad day, sometimes she babies me a little because she knows i'm having a bad day with my disability.

not everything is infantilization. sometimes it's love and care, the only way they know how. sometimes all you want is a parent's familiar love from years ago. so in the context of everything, i think this was a really nice moment to see, Day taking comfort in his mom's love again.

and despite everything Day still managed to see Mhok, to show him he cares, he thought of him, and wouldn't leave him alone. and then he gives him an oven mitt he made himself, he painted himself, because Mhok took him to learn to paint without his sight. they're so fucking beautiful, so kind and gentle and loving to each other. they're so fucking considerate. Day says you're my sun, i believe in you, i'm proud of you, i support you all in one seemingly simple gift.

i'm reserving my thoughts from the preview for next week but i highly doubt things are going to turn out the way they seem to be teasing. i'll wait to see what happens.

as always thank you so much for reading my rambling bullshit. smooches, take care of yourselves, drink water, take your meds, eat something.

tag loves: @nutcasewithaknife @benkaaoi @callipigio @infinitelyprecious

oh yeah here are my raw reactions before i take the time to really think about everything i've watched.

#bunn meta #last twilight #last twilight the series #mhokday #morkday #userjamiec #I'M BACK BITCHES

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thedocs-in · 2 months

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Cecil's Family

So let's start at the beginning, I should also disclaim, that I'm absolutely bullshitting this timeline. As I see Cecil in his late 50's or early 60's so I'm using that as the basis for all of this. In my personal fic I have it that he's 58, so I'm sorta using that as my base line. But feel free to put him at whatever age you want.

And buckle up, this is rather long. I can't condense things to save my fucking life.

Oh, I do also have another young Cecil fic planned that has his dad in it. Sorta basing it off a story my grandpa told me involving his own dad when he was younger. I will also get more headcannons out about Cecil's dad, and other family members if people want them.

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

Cecil was actually named after his grandfather who died in 1944 during WWII.

Now widowed, Susanna ‘Sue’ Stedman was left to look after their two kids, Cecil’s aunt Sarah, and his father Lyle.

Now, Sarah and Lyle are only a few years apart, with Sarah being the older of the two as she was born in ’35, while Lyle was born in ’37. Making them 10 and 7 at the time of their dad’s death.

A year following the death of her husband, Susanna would marry another man in 1945 by the name of Peter Briggs. And he… was not the best father/husband.

And he wasn’t a fan of raising another man’s kids

But a year after being married Susanna and Peter would have a kid together, this being Sarah and Lyle’s half-brother Ollie Briggs

Unfortunately, there were complications when Ollie was born which led to Susanna’s death. Leaving all three siblings in the care of Peter. Who was certainly not thrilled to be taking care of three kids by himself, especially if two of them weren’t his own.

Because of that, the three ended up in an orphanage. And thankfully, they were never separated, due to the help of a pastor who ran the orphanage. But as soon as Sarah turned 18 she had already been working for awhile and found a way to help her brothers and be there for them.

And as soon as Lyle was able to, he quickly got a job to help take care of his younger brother. Landing a job at a mechanic shop in the town they lived in.

(I kinda like to think that Cecil was born in Alabama, mostly cause that’s where his VA is from and I swear, if you listen carefully when Cecil talks you can hear a slight southern accent.)

Now, Lyle had built a bit of a reputation in town. While he was a good man, he certainly didn’t take bullshit from anyone and would kick someone’s ass in a heartbeat if they were doing something wrong.

Cough cough, this is where Cecil learned it from cough cough

This man had an extremely strong moral compass. If you were being a jackass, harassing anyone, being a bigot, you best hope you don’t do it in front of this man.

Because of this there were a few times he wound up in jail, with the pastor who helped him growing up or his sister having to bail him out.

Eventually when he turned 20, so in 1957, Lyle would be drafted and have to serve in the Vietnam war, getting discharged in ’65 when he was injured and lost a lung.

Ironically this man chain smoked like there was no tomorrow, while serving and after he was discharged. Resulting in Cecil picking it up sometime in his late 20’s.

A month after getting back, Lyle did go back to his job. And would meet Cecil’s mother, Bonnie Lynch.

Bonnie is a little bit of a bitch, and you’ll understand why in a moment.

Now, she was born in 1940. I don’t exactly have anything in terms of her family or her own history. I think the only thing I had was that she came from a well off family.

Those two got busy and a couple months later, surprise, she’s pregnant.

Now, Lyle is a good and honest man. And he tries to do the right thing and proposes to her.

However, she turns him down. And straight up tells him, “I’m not interested. I’ll have your kid, but as soon as they’re born. They’re all yours.”

She is the deadbeat mom.

(I have this little headcannon that Lyle kept that ring he proposed with and eventually gave it to Cecil for when he finally settles down.)

cut to cecil saying he’s married to his job

But regardless, Cecil is born sometime in late ‘65 and his mom just straight up leaves after like a month or two.

Now Lyle isn't alone in taking care of Cecil. As his sister is willing to help. Considering by this point she's married and has at least two kids with a third on the way.

Ollie on the other hand was off at college, thanks to the help of Lyle and Sarah putting money towards his education.

But Lyle is still a single father raising a child and it wasn't easy.

Bonnie would go on to be an even bigger dick, because 10 years later, she would end up having two more kids who she would actually raise. Well, "raise". She let those kids do whatever they wanted.

So somewhere out there Cecil has two half-brothers he’s met once and then never talk to again.

The one time they met with him was when their mother died, in like 2012, and he just didn’t want to get to know them. He thanked them for telling him and sent them on their way.

By this time, he was already director of the GDA, so, it’s not like he has a lot of time for family stuff anyway.

But he tries. Especially to see his aunt Sarah who is getting up there in age, and suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Though, by time we see Cecil in the show his dad has long since passed, having died from lung cancer in '96.

Cecil's family isn't overly large. And it's certainly not the happiest story. But his family is a loving one, and looks out for one another.

He does have a lot of cousins though.

#cecil stedman #invincible #invincible show #image comics #invincible comic #headcannons #i had to go digging in one of my discord servers for this #i forgot about some of this stuff #and sorry its so long #i tried to condense it #but i failed

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quicktosimp · 7 months

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Kinktober Masterlist 2023

Day 01: Exploration - Lo'ak

A simple joke brings up interesting questions about your boyfriend's anatomy and maybe some answers for what's under his tewng.

Day 02: Warmth - Aonung

There is always work to be done in a village, and a little bit of rain will not stop me from my duties. Unless a certain Metkayina boy convinces me to go home.

Day 03: Happily Ever After - Spider

Despite meeting during parlous times, Spider and I are now happy, with us being mated together and with a little one on the way. This is our happily ever after.

Day 04: Something New - Jake/Neytiri

Life after the war has been good, although my mates have been overprotective of my human body. When the truth is, I just want to be ass up over their laps.

Day 05: Daddy's Good Girl -Jake

Alone by ourselves, Daddy said I finally get to have his cock.

Day 06: Trials - Tonowari/Ronal (Part 1)

A tawtute has never mated with an Olo'eyktan and Tsahìk before. One must go through a series of trials in order to prove themselves worthy.

Day 07: It Could Be Worse - Spider

Spider and Lo'ak got themselves stupidly injured again, and while Lo'ak is in the loving care of Mo'at. Spider is your responsibility.

Day 08: Watch Me- Aonung&Lo'ak

Aonung has always wanted you, jealous that Lo'ak got to you first. But he will take anything of you he can get, even if you don't know he's there.

Day 09: To Become One - Neteyam

Date night with Neteyam is always a dream come true, but tonight it's more than just my dream; it's our dream.

Day 10: Complete - Tonowari/Ronal (Part 2)

I'm half way finished my last trial, but already worn from the first half, the second half is looking much more daunting than before.

Day 11: Make Me - Lo'ak

Lo'ak is acting like a brat again. It seems he needs to be put in his place again.

Day 12: When the Kids Are Away - Jake

Jake and I are left alone in our marui... whatever shall we do???

Day 13: I Must Please You - Tsu'tey

Tsu'tey is a loving mate who will never let you go without, but that also means he'll take care of you no matter where you are...

Day 14: Make it Fit - Aonung

Aonung somehow learned about the 69 and is now determined to do it.

Day 15: Forever - Spider

No matter who is against us, Spider and I will become one.

Day 16: Well Fuck Me - Jake

Jake has yet to explore his new body, so I decided to lead him in it.

Day 17: Lesson Unsuccessful - Neteyam (Part 1)

Talking out of turn has consequences; arguing with your dom has more.

Day 18: Look at You - Quaritch

Just you, your husband, and a mirror.

Day 19: Under the Sea - Aonung/Rotxo

Who said work has to be boring? Now when you have two mates by your side.

Day 20: Lesson Learned - Neteyam (Part 2)

Spanking didn't work, but this seems to.

Day 21: Chivalry is Dead - Jake/Quaritch

You died years ago, only to be brought back in an avatar form. You have no memories of your mates Jake and Neytiri, let alone your kids. Waking up, you were told that Jake was killed by the leader of the Na'vi. Obviously, you believe it. Why would Quaritch lie to you?

Day 22: Our Time Alone - Lo'ak

The sea is beautiful, but leaves some unwanted affects. Thankfully a trip to a hot spring fixes everything.

Day 23: Girls Night - Neytiri&Ronal

Jake and Tonowari beg me to sleep with their wives, hoping that it will bring them together or maybe just lessen their fights.

Day 24: The Hunt - Tsu'tey

Pandora is not meant for humans. Especially when the natives hate your very existence.

Day 25: I'll Take it All - Spider

It seems my little mate broke the rules again, but I finally got the answers to why.

Day 26: Yes, Olo’eyktan - Tonowari

I have been trying to get pregnant for a while, and it seems Tonowari is determined that it will happen tonight.

Day 27:Not So Little Present - Aonung

Aonung has been interested in some "special" play. It's finally time to give it to him.

Day 28: I'll Give You the World - Lyle Wainfleet

A slow tale of how Wainfleet and I did not get together... fuck it, we tried.

Day 29: Daddy Says - Jake

Slumber party for the kids, a long time of pleasure for us.

Day 30: Teach Me, and I'll Teach You - Neteyam

A curious boyfriend and girlfriend sitting together on one bed, what do you think is going to happen?

Day 31: Doomed From the Start - Tsu’tey

Humans have no rights without a Na'vi mate; that is a fact. Yet there we are on another choosing day, whereas an omega human, I will be sold to the Na'vi.

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syrena-del-mar · 11 months

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La Pluie meets Nora Roberts

This week we open up with a shot of Saengtai (who is slowly learning to believe that maybe having a "soulmate" isn't all that bad) reading Nora Roberts.

Now as a former teen Nora Roberts aficionado, I immediately clocked that Tai was reading the first two books of her MacKade Brother quadrology. For those that are unfamiliar with Nora Roberts and this series, it revolves around four brothers, with each brother having their own, separate novel. So it's a little on the nose that Saengtai would be reading this series out of the numerous ones that Nora Roberts has published, especially the books that are based on the oldest and second oldest of the four brothers.

All four novels of the MacKade brothers takes place in Antietam, which if you have any knowledge on the American Civil War, you will likely recognize for being home one of the bloodiest battles of the war. While each brother and their lovers attempt to forge a connection, there is a supernatural element with the restless souls that still haunt Antietam.

The one that Tai was reading was one Robert's bundles, which included only the first two novels, centering around the first two brothers, Rafe and Jared.

I'm going to give a brief synopsis of both books below, before doing a bare minimum dive of the significance I think La Pluie was attempting to draw.

The Return of Rafe MacKade

Here, the main protagonist is Rafe MacKade, who had left his hometown years prior after making a name for himself as the handsome, hot-headed, rebellious, good-for-nothing second-oldest MacKade brother. He's the black-sheep out of the four brothers, yet the incident which drove him away from Antietam, 10 years prior to his return, was one where he was attempting to protect a woman from her abusive boyfriend so he turned to punching the crap out of the man; but y'know how rumors develop in small towns. He returns to his hometown after 10 years as a successful businessman, something that townsfolk couldn't believe which shut them up about all the gossip they used to spread about him. He buys the local haunted house to turn it into a B&B, which in doing so leads him to meet his heroine, Regan, an antique dealer that is helping him decorate the B&B.

At first glance, Rafe and Regan seem to be complete opposites, with Rafe being a 'rough-around-the edges' type of guy and Regan, an elegant and classy dame. Rafe, while being the typical loud-mouth 'alpha-male' guy that is stereotypical in 20th century novellas, you come to find out is just a guy that is unable to fully articulate his own emotions and understand his developing feelings for Regan. Regan, on the other hand, for all her elegance, is a bit arrogant and unapologetically opinionated and definitely not looking to get into a steady relationship, much less with Rafe. They're both two incredibly stubborn individuals that are always butting heads, which leads to both miscommunication and a lack of communication, but they slowly start to learn that they actually need each other, even if they try to deny it.

The Pride of Jared MacKade

The second book revolves around Jared MacKade, who currently works as an attorney who, unlike his hot-headed brother Rafe, is much more level-headed and collected, yet just as prone to being purposefully ignorant to his romantic emotions. Jared is the oldest of the four brothers and had previously been married but ended up divorced, which lead to his distaste and shrewdness when it came to love. His story with his lead, Savannah, first starts when he meets her to let her know that her father had left her some inheritance. Savannah, having been disowned by her father as a teen and kicked to the curb due to her pregnancy, understandably pissed and initially wants nothing to with Jared.

Both Jared and Savannah are stubborn as mules, but their instant connection was undeniable. Jared was a traditionalist in love, which created some conflict due to Savannah's past and what she had to do as a teen mom to survive. The connection between them was palpable, within their second meeting they were already all over each other, making out. Yet, for all their connection, they're both initially a bit skeptical of doing more than toying around. Both Jared and Savannah had to overcome their own obstacles, Jared and his prejudice and Savannah and her hidden insecurities (that arose when she started to work alongside Regan), but despite their rocky road with love, they find a way to make it work.

La Pluie in connection to Rafe and Jared

There are some very obvious parallels that I believe La Pluie is attempting to draw with having Saengtai reading the MacKade tetralogy, but I also think there are some running themes that may be hinting at the future development for our Saeng brothers and their love interests, Phat and Lomfon.

First, the obvious parallel of the four MacKade brothers with the four Saeng brothers.

Second, the first novel, I'd like to argue, seems to hint at the future for Lomfon and Saengtien. From what we've seen so far, much like Rafe MacKade, Saengtien is perceived by almost everyone in his life to be brash, hot-headed, and rather incompetent. We've seen this from how Tien's own mother treats him and even from how Lomfon treated him in the first couple of episodes. Similar to Rafe's brashness, Tien's own brashness tends to spill out either in protection of his family, particularly Tai, or in the midst of his own confusion regarding what he wants. And just like Rafe, Tien is only starting to learn to comprehend the feelings that he's developing when he's with Lomfon. Tien has taken it upon himself to be the backbone for Tai and his family, that in turn he has sacrificed a part of himself. Instead he turns to his brashness as a mechanism to appease everyone, a shield and a distraction of the pain that he is also incurring while caring for everyone.

Lomfon on the other hand, while he seems to have a good grasp of his own self, seeing how he works independently but never seems to be ostracized, rather (seemingly) he chooses who he surrounds himself with, he also hides himself. Lomfon, similar to Regan is opinionated, especially when it comes to the idea that the one you hear during the rain is your soulmate. I'm sure in a society that has attempted to find reasoning to the deafness, that sentiment is likely taboo to express, yet he's willing to against the norm to create his own happiness, much like Regan did in opening her antique shop.

If Rafe's story is anything to go by, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lomfon strongly denying his developing feelings regarding Tien, as he's still primarily focused on Tai. Lomfon's seems to be developing some kind of feelings towards Tien, if the small head caresses and playing with Tien's hair is anything to go by. His feelings towards Tien seem to be slowly developing, even if he doesn't fully realize it. Meanwhile, I think it'll take Tien something big or in the heat of passion to get him to confess to Lomfon his growing feelings, especially once he realizes that Lomfon wants to get in between Tai and Phat. Tien, the ever-sacrificial loving brother that he is, will always put Tai and his happiness over his own, even if that means that he has to argue and destroy his budding friendship with Lomfon.

Tien let's himself be still, let's go of his prickly exterior, only when he's around Lomfon. He needs Lomfon, to provide the quiet energy that allows Tien to just exist for himself and nobody else. Now it's time for Lomfon to figure out how and why he needs Tien as well.

Frenemies-to-lovers is sometimes an even longer slow-burn than enemies-to-lovers, but it's okay, we can play the long game. I have hope that they'll get there.

Thirdly, the parallel of Jared and Saengtai, really comes to their demeanors and their anxiety that develops from impressions of failed love, yet they are still classic romantics at heart. Saengtai, similar to Jared in the beginning of his book, has been burned by the illusions of love. Yet, both, once they meet their soulmates, instantly feel some level of attraction to them. Their attraction is palpable to both of them, but attempting to overcome their own fears and prejudices, even when everything seems to be outwardly alright, can rock the boat.

It's going to be interesting here to see if Phat has some hidden insecurities that arise when he realizes that he has some potential competition. That just maybe Saengtai could be swayed by the man who shares the same interests and that solely being his soulmate may not be enough, even if, for all intents and purposes, he may be the right person for Tai.

Phat and Saengtai obviously feel a spark and found an immediate connection, but it'll be interesting to see if their relationship will end up in shambles, like Tai's parents, or will their bond only serve to be strengthened beyond the idea of just being soulmates.

#la pluie the series #phat x saengtai #phat x tai #la pluie #title tanatorn #thai bl drama #saengtien #lomfon #lomfon x tien #tien x lomfon #lomfontien #thai bl #i really don’t know where I was going with this in analysis my head was just screaming parallels #also I read all these books like a decade ago so apologies if I misremembered some parts of the MacKade books lmfaooo #also i like to add this series was one of the trashier series of nora roberts where there's like suggested r*pe and abuse so like....#don't go into those books expecting to come out happy because i remember being infuriated at many parts #i may not know color theories but I know my trashy romance novels #la pluie meta #nora roberts

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fabuloustrash05 · 9 months

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My Review of Mutant Mayhem

Warning: SPOILERS

The animation was AMAZING!! From the colors to the facial expressions to the fight choreography, it all looks so good!

It took me a while for me to get used to the Turtles designs and voices but after finally seeing the movie and watching them talk and move, I can say now that I do love them, though I'm still not crazy about Raph's design…

If you know me then you know I'm not too big of a fan of the idea of Splinter not being a human at all, but for this movie it makes sense as to why he was always a rat and never human. Him being a rat from the start and hating humans ties in with the movies message about being accepted and even has a little connection/parallel with the main villain Superfly. I am still kind of upset that Splinter has no connection to Hamato Yoshi (that we know of rn).

Another reason why I don’t like the idea of Splinter never being a human or Hamato Yoshi is because I feel like it takes away the ninja aspect of their story, but the way they explain why they’ve ninjas was actually hilarious. Splinter and the boys learned how to be ninjas through YouTube tutorials, which makes so much sense for this day and age with how many people claim they are experts at something simply because they read or watch something online.

Leo was my favorite turtle in this movie, I loved his personality/character and how serious but dorky he was. He’s trying so hard, I love his hopeless romantic side, and how he wants to listen to his dad but also have fun with his brothers, so he’s stuck in a tug or war with himself. He was precious and I love him.

Leo having a crush on April actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. His crush on her was genuinely sweet and it wasn't shoved down our throats like in other versions *cough* 2012 & Bayverse *cough* I like that he asks her to prom, which I thought was very cute and a nice ending for Leo.

I'm surprised how quickly they killed off Baxter Stockman, but his "son" Superfly was a really cool villain to take his place. Ice Cube did an amazing job! But I’m not full convinced Stockman is dead. There’s no evidence that he’s still alive but knows. Maybe they’ll pull an 03 Stockman and make come back as a robot in the sequel.

The other mutants were also really fun, but I wish they had more screen time. And truth I felt like they added too many Mutants and I felt like a few of them could've been removed from the film but overall they were a fun cast!

Mondo Gecko and Mikey instantly becoming besties was nice. And I loved Bebop and Rocksteady's Bromance.

Mikey twerking was NOT needed in this film.

I like how the "milking" joke actually came full circle when the turtles were kidnapped by Cynthia.

Splinter vs the TCRI soldiers was my second favorite part of the movie, The animation was so well done in the choreography of the fight was amazing and had great detail.

My overall favorite part was the sequence of the Turtles confronting each one of Superfly’s leads. How the scene would sync up and cut back-and-forth to each brother fighting different gang members. The music during the scene was so well done and the animation with how it tied in with each brother was peak cinema.

April’s little arc of getting over being camera shy was cool and actually helped save the Turtles and NYC. But the April puking joke went on for too long. The fact they showed it longer than I excepted felt wrong.

I’m happy that Splinter got a girlfriend by the end but please don’t ever show us him making out with Scumbug ever again. *flashbacks to 2012 Raph making out with an ant*

My favorite joke was when the Turtles were like “Eventually Superfly will run out of cars to throw at us, right??” *Superfly turns to see he’s right new to a parking garage* LMFAO XD

There was a lot of modern day references and slang in this movie and a lot of people say this movie is gonna be outdated in 5-10 years but I feel that’s gonna be part of the movies charm. We’ll have to see in 5-10 years…

Superfly’s mutant army (Mondo Gecko, Bebop, Rocksteady, Leatherhead etc) got redeemed way too quick. All it took was one heartfelt speech and suddenly they weren’t down to kill all humans. Like they seemed really excited about it during the bowling scene?? Gave me Shrek 3 vibes. I was confident that Mondo Gecko was gonna change but all of them was unexpected but I’m happy regardless by the end that the Turtles have a bigger family.

I loved the sequence of the people of New York helping the Turtles and their mutant friends stop Superfly. I feel we’ve never seen that done before and in truth, New Yorkers ramming their cars into a giant kaiju Superfly IS something New Yorkers would do! XD

The ending I did not expect, the Turtles actually being excepted by all of New York, and actually getting to go to high school. This was so new and fresh, and I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to see more of it in the TV show and the sequel.

Also there’s a mid credit scene.

It starts off very cute with the Turtles doing high school shenanigans: Mikey in joining improv, Donnie with his “people” (lol), Raph joining the wrestling team, Leo and April starting a conspiracy vlog, and finally them at prom, but then it cuts to Cynthia, who it’s revealed she is secretly watching them. She talks to her second in command about wanting to catch the Turtles and get revenge. She then basically says that she “knows a guy” that can help and it cuts to a shot of someone outside the city….

SHREDDER IS COMING

But sadly no Casey…

#FabTrash review #my thoughts #review #tmnt #teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt: mutant mayhem #mutant mayhem #tmnt 2023 #Nickelodeon #tmnt leonardo #tmnt raphael #tmnt michelangelo #tmnt donatello #april o'neil #master splinter

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ladystoneboobs · 4 months

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A memory prodded at Theon. In one of his rare curt letters, Lord Balon had written of his youngest brother going down in a storm, and turning holy when he washed up safe on shore. -Theon I, aCoK

this little glimpse of balon/theon's strained long-distance relationship kinda fascinates me now. can't believe i'm going to defend balon as a father to theon in any way, however small, but i feel like hindsight has kinda blinded fandom into thinking balon gave up theon for dead and gone the moment he gave him away as hostage. this also carries the underlying assumption that balon was always going to rebel again making theon's life already forfeit to him.

thing is, while balon undoubtedly called his banners before theon came home, that also coincided with robert and ned both being recently dead, making that 2nd war seem really opportunistic. as if the only thing balon learned from his first rebellion was that king robert was strong enough to defeat him, the only man capable of defeating the great balon. so when that enemy dies, balon's crown is all but won in his mind, and with the death of ned too he could use his next war to take revenge on the (dead) man who took his son from him. maybe with robert's lifestyle he could have hoped to outlive him despite being older than robert, but robert and ned together? that must have seemed like a miraculous chance straight from the drowned god himself, a chance to rise up and take revenge that it was his duty to take for his people, even if it meant risking the life of his youngest child who'd been gone for 10 years anyway.

but before all that, even if robert being still alive was the real deterrant keeping him from warring again, he was, in effect, not only keeping theon safe by paying the hostage-ransom of keeping the peace, he was also keeping up a bare minimum connection with theon through rare and curt correspondence updating him on family events like aeron getting born again (and i'm assuming that's also how theon knew what asha's ship was named). idt we should so easily ignore that this is a society which views kinslaying as a grave offense regardless of circumstances or personal feelings, and one which greatly values male heirs over female heirs. i doubt balon was so much a feminist girldad that he just switched 12yo asha into the son slot right away as soon as all her brothers were lost. imo it was more likely a gradual process done not so consciously as asha proved herself worthy growing up and theon's time in the north stretched on and on. all until such point as asha had achieved son status and only son status at that, (maybe also coinciding with alannys leaving him so he had even less reason to keep up with her baby boy?), and then theon could be written off as belonging to the enemy, no longer ironborn or a son of balon, so sanctity of greyjoy life no longer applied to him. (real ironborn greyjoy son already killed by darth greenlander theon, from a certain point of view.) only then could balon be a not-father to theon, not welcoming him back home or even giving him a chance to prove his loyalty by providing intelligence on the northerners and the lands they were about to invade. (which could have made balon's war plans a touch less stupid. see, it all comes back to criticizing him in the end.)

in fact, come to think of it, i wonder if one thing ned and balon had in common is just not thinking of the danger of theon being executed as a hostage, not taking ownership of that possibility bc it hadn't happened yet. and hey, if it ever did come to that they could each tell themselves it would be the other guy's fault really, i was just doing my duty to my king/as a king to all my proud people. and that meant their actions didn't have to be obviously at odds with ned's view of himself as a good man opposed to killing children or balon's view of himself as great greyjoy patriarch and victim of the greenlanders (who could ofc prevail against them all if given the right chance).

#valyrianscrolls #asoiaf meta #asoiaf #theon greyjoy #balon greyjoy #unclear to me if balon would rebel if ned had survived robert's death #like hed obvsly still be stewing in resentment hankering for that great victory in his head #but ned and robert both dead w the north seemingly undefended was the impetus in canon and not a chance anyone could anticipate #and balon didnt even fight in that 2nd rebellion #so maybe not actually so bold anymore or eager to put his fantasies into practice if it meant fighting ned again actually in the north #taking kids hostage is fucked up and inherently abusive imo #but from a self-preservation standpoint why keep taking hostages if enough distance obvsly made them worthless?#ie the majority of people would still value heirs for the sake of inheritance and family honor if not love #thats a reasonable thing for people to assume including theon #(c)lsb

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allkordelia · 1 year

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Keep Me in Your Thoughts (10)

A/N: here's we go, i'm writing the next chapter right now which means i'm getting close to writing rhaelle and daemon reuniting. ☺️

Word Count: 8.5k

❧

My eyes moved boredly between my hand and the master of law as they talk about the stonewall problem back home, I shouldn't even be thinking about this shit right now. I finally don't have a war up my ass and here are these two ruining my trip talking about time delays and restructuring on the wall surrounding the serpent islands, the stonewall was what kept men from Westeros from continuing beyond the mountain of the wall. No one knows how long it has been there or who created it but what they do know is it is hard as shit to knock down and it helps a lot during the war.

"Can you both take a beat, please? Their no need to talk about this now, we're on vacation, so enjoy yourself. Drink. Gamble. Get your cocks wet..." My eyes go over to Banneth making the middle age white man go pink, "I didn't bring two big ass tents for you to just stand and talk about things that are being handled already back home, so please enjoy yourself. Have some fun." My hand hit both their arms before I walked over to the table of food and took some cut-up strawberries to my comfy little blanket pallet that I had the servants make up before I could go and relax and get in some reading, marrio, and valaena walked in.

I look at her and notice something wasn't right, even though she had a smile on her face as she look at baby adrielle, it didn't reach her eyes like it usually does. There was something off about her. I smiled when she caught me staring at her, and she came over with the sweet smile that I haven't seen in a well, note to self when I get back home valaena and I require some mother/daughter bonding.

"Hello, my little water nymph. How did the queen like the blanket." I asked before scrunching up my face so my nose would move as I made sounds making the baby giggle.

"It was a shawl and she liked it very much, even though it was hard to get a proper answer from her since I was bombarded with questions about the stepstones situation." I turn to her with a look of pity knowing that it was hard for her to talk...for anyone for that matter, even though I sent ships with supplies and men to help out. We have yet to hear about the war ending.

"Those old hags can never learn to keep their mouth shut, I swear...but don't let what they say get to you. They are just jealous." I grin when she giggled and shook her head, I move some of the white out of her face before resting my hand on her cheek. As I look at her I grow a little sad, she looks exactly like me when I was her age, and the thought of her getting married makes me want to hide her away from the world.

She looks at me with a puzzled look and asked me what I was thinking about, "Oh, nothing, just trying to figure out, how tall I should make your tower when men start asking for your hand." Valaena rolled her eyes with a smile before slapping my arm, I removed my hand from her face and smiled.

"You sound like thoros." She said making me smirk.

" That should tell you all you need to know, his fatherly intuition is never wrong and neither are mine." I look at the toddler and moved to feed adrielle a small slice of strawberries.

"Unrelated topic of fathers, otto wanted me to tell you the king wishes an audience." I let out a groan not wanting to talk or even see anyone, I spent three years in exile spending my time fighting a war and tending boring meetings. All I want is to be left alone with my family and relax. Is that too much to ask?

"I can never get a minute for myself, " I said under my breath walking away after I kissed my daughter's head. I looked over at Vogero and Banneth and motioned to them to follow me, I walked out of the tent first before being followed by my guards and my advisors.

As we walk I could sense people staring, I snap my eyes around the camp making some of the men look away and go back to work. I shook my head continuing with my business, I finally make it inside the king's tent and looked around. The people inside stopped and got out of the way as I and my men walkthrough, we find viserys in his chair with *surprise* *surprise* otto whispering in his ear.

"King Viserys," I called out catching both man attention, they looked surprised and probably thought I wasn't going to show up.

"Queen Rhaelle." He acknowledged making me nod my head to him, "I am surprised to see you finally presented yourself, we were worried you were going to miss out on the hunt."

"Oh, no no no, I don't do hunting. I more skin and gut the beast rather than hunt, I leave that to the brawns." I smirked as I cross my arms, viserys had a polite smile as he nod.

Otto reminded viserys of the reason they brought me here, making viserys give a look of grimace before lacing his fingers together and resting them on his stomach.

"Well, Rhaelle, the reason we called you to join us to celebrate Aegon's second nameday is–"

"Is it for baelor to spend time with his siblings and you?" I asked, I truly hoped he didn't take me out of exile and bring my son here to talk about me delaying the trade.

"O-of course that and also...." I watched impatiently as he tries to me the other reason.

"We want to know why your exports have been getting delayed and our goods have been getting cut down, while the rest are still getting their full share of stocks," Otto said, I stared at him blankly trying to figure out how he became hand to the king, I mean you have to be either stupid or have no common sense to ask me that.

"Because of the war happening in the stepstones." Otto looked callous at me while Viserys gave a look of confusion, it seems I have to dumb it down for them, "Some of your goods are getting split in half to go your brother and his men, so they won't die of starvation." I said before smiling.

"We didn't agree to that when we sign our agreement."

"No, but I couldn't spare men or food for the stepstones, so I had my advisor write a letter to king viserys about his goods getting cut down for a while just until the war is over and he said okay." I smiled wider seeing otto's eye cheek twitch.

"I don't remember–" viserys said slowly as he looks to be trying to remember what he wrote.

"I do. Banneth." I look at the man as he took a scroll from under his arm and gave it to me, viserys and otto look at me speechless, as I opened the scroll and read out what viserys wrote me.

"Dear Rhaelle...how is baelor...that is all fine with the goods anything to help with the war, and will you and your family like to join us on celebrating aegon's secondname day." I scan through the letter before turning the scroll for them to read, viserys squints as otto let out an annoyed sound as he stood straight after reading it.

"Oh, I apologize I must've been drinking while writing it and forgot." He said looking at otto who looked unimpressed.

That and you're slowly becoming senile, I thought.

I gave banneth back the scroll before slapping my hands together and rubbing them, "So if we're done here. I would rather go back to relaxing and enjoying my free time away from my responsibilities." Otto held up his hand as if that was going to shut me up.

"No, you can't go. We still have to work out about our half of the goods–"

"That's not my problem, if you want your fair share back then help out and send food and supplies to the stepstones. I can't do everything on my own I have my people to worry about." I turned on my heels and walked out with my men in tow, we headed back to the tent to find the tent with more people in it.

I sigh going over to my pallet of pillows and flopping down, I leaned back with my arms behind my head and my right leg over my left. Let's see how long I can relax before someone ruins my mood. I closed my eyes trying to block out the sounds around me and try to find some peace in sleep, but it seems my brain is in a foul mood as the images of dead bodies occupied my mind making my eyes open. I hate when it does that, sometimes I wish I can take it out and scrub it clean, and make all the bad thoughts go away.

I look around me and took the book I had left and opened it, maybe reading can give me some peace. I heard the curtain of the tent move and footsteps, I heard the sound of baelor's voice making me look up at him with a sweet smile. I abandoned the book as he tells me about going over to viserys tent to see him, I could see it on his face he didn't want to go, but I know I can't keep viserys and he separated. He is my son's father and I don't want baelor to regret not having a relationship with his father because of what happened to me.

As we let go of each other. I moved to ruffle his hair before giving him one last kiss on the head, I gave him a small smile as he drag his feet and walk away leaving me. I look down at the pallet and the book deciding that it wasn't going to give me some peace, so I called for a servant, and like a drop of a cloak two appeared.

"You called, my queen." I moved to sit crisscross on the floor before turning my gaze back to the man and woman, I noticed a bowl of uncut strawberries in the man's hand.

"Where is everyone." My eyes turned to the honey skin woman with brown, long layered hair with a long, lively face, and lidded hazel eyes.

"In the woods finding more food for dinner, my queen." I quirked a brow asking about my daughter, "....she went along with lady adrielle and marra for some fresh air, it will be a while until they get back." I hummed before I leaned back getting comfortable.

"Hmmm, good that gives you two enough time to make your queen feel relaxed....undress." I look at the girl, and she gave a smile as she slowly peels off the straps of her dress from her shoulders, "I'm feeling a bit famish...come, boy." I turned my eyes to the tanned man with silver, fluffy hair that hangs over his strong, warm face. I can see his clear amber eyes scan over my body with lust and hunger, he took steady steps toward me before taking a seat next to me.

He feeds me a strawberry as the girl moves to sit on her knees in front of me, she pushes my long skirt up my legs to rest on my thighs. I grunt softly feeling her warm tongue against my folds, I move my hand to her head to guide her before turning my face to man. His lips find mine and our tongues swirl together tasting each other, I sat up slightly as the boy removed my black vest and tunic.

His lips went to my beast kissing and sucking leaving love bites in his wake, I let out a moan feeling the woman's fingers pump inside me slowly as her tongue swipe up my clit making me move my hips a bit to grind against her face. My fingers gently scratched at her scalp as she was bringing me close to my release, the man's lips released my nipple and kiss me as my hand rub his cock through his trousers.

My hand gripes his side as the other clenches the woman's hair, my mouth falls open against his mouth and my back arches as I came as the woman kept sucking my achy cunt. I breath heavy watching the girl come from under my skirt to lick her lips and her two fingers, I gulp as I sat up a bit making the man pull back, my feet tingle and since no one from my group made it back yet, why not continue the fun.

"Now, your turn," I said motioning between the two, the man peel off his clothes piece by piece with the help of the girl. I watch as their bodies molded together as they kiss and grope each other. As they moan, my left arm went behind my head and my right hand slid down my stomach to my wet cunt eager to be played with more.

❧

My arms stretch above my head wearing a dark red gown, my head turns slightly at the two servants as they walk out behind me. They gave me sly smiles making me watch them walk away to continue their chorus with a small grin, I know I shouldn't be doing it especially here of all places, but thoros did say I needed to find an outlet for my stress, and besides it not like I'm doing anything wrong. If my husband says it's okay to have a few paramours, who am I to say no?

I glance around before seeing the deer that ser keagan brought from his hunt laying on the bench table still not skinned. I tsk to myself forgetting to take the knives out like valaena told me too, I move towards the chest that was at the end of the table and opened it taking out the knives and an apron. After I put on the apron, I started to sharpen the knives I'm going to use to skin the deer, as I was examining the blade, a man with dirty blonde hair and a scruffy beard walked up to my camp.

"Queen Rhaelle?" I glance at him looking him up and down, I nod my head before I made a long incision along the stomach of the deer.

"I am Janas Mormont. I was the one who sent the raven about House Lash and House Farman." I hmmed as I kept on cutting, I remember them they were two of the eight houses that tried to take the serpent islands from me.

"Yes and thank you for that you saved me and my men some time to prepare for their attack." I stop what I was doing and turn to look at him, he smiled at me before bowing his head.

"Which leads me to ask, how did you know they were going to attack?" I watch him carefully as he moves closer before telling me.

"...against my father's wishes, I sent you the raven, and let's just say he wasn't too pleased with me." I look at him for a minute before looking away from him to rip the furry skin from the deer before laying it on the bench.

"I'm sorry to hear that, but why did you help me? Not to sound cynical but you gain nothing from helping me. We don't know each other." He nods.

"We don't. But, you knew my brother, Liram," My brows shot up at the name, "He fought in the Battle of Aegean, and before he passed he wrote letters telling me about new life in serpent isles." I look away from him, I didn't know liram personally but whenever I visited Aegean with Thoros, he was always the first to greet us with a bright smile. He was sweet. When I was first told about the attack on Aegean, I flew there immediately to find the enemies are gone and the kingdom and town burn to ashes. There were few survivors. The Lord who takes the island was dead along with his entire family and manpower. It was a dark day.

"I remember him, I'm sorry for your lost, he was a good man and a great soldier." Janas gave a sad smile before thanking me, "I know this might come off a bit rude, so you don't have to answer if you don't want to...but even though I didn't know your brother well, we did talk a little about his life before Aegean. I'm surprised someone of your stature would still talk to him since his...you know."

"A bastard?" I nod my head, "This might come as a surprise m'lady, but not all of us think the same. He was my brother, we grew up together, and we shared the same blood even though my father refused to knowledge him. He was still my family." I gave sympathetic look at the pain in his voice.

"I meant no disrespect–" he shook his head.

"I know." He cleared his throat before squeezing his hands to his side, "My father has no use for me, I have four older brothers and two sisters. I refused to go to The Wall and pledge myself to the Night's Watch, so I ask you, my queen. If I can accompany you back to magonsæte and serve you and your husband as a knight." I look at him taken back.

"You do realize what you are asking for lord janas, you could bring dishonor to your family and be painted as a traitor–"

"If serving to protect you and your family makes me a traitor then so be it, I rather die a traitor protecting a ravishing woman like yourself than die in an icy secluded hellhole." My eyes widen and my face heats up a bit at his compliment before glancing away from him when he smiled coyly at me.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, lord Janas." He let out a deep laugh making me look back at him.

"I don't know, my queen. The ladies back home say otherwise." He said hinting at the woman in question, I scoff with an eye roll as gave him a teasing smile.

"Whores would say anything for money, especially to a lord from a high standing." Janas made an "oof" sound as his hand went over to his heart making me shake my head.

"That hurts, my queen." I let out a chuckle before thinking about his request, he could be of use to me since he knows a bit about the man who's been sending others to take magonsæte from me.

"It will be an honor to have you join my royal guard, lord Janas. My people and I will be leaving morrow at dusk," He nods his head before holding his hand out for me to shake, I planted the knife into the wood of the table before wiping my hands on the apron. We shook hands after a second past we let go and he told me he will grab his stuff before coming back, I nodded before watching him walk away.

I look down at the dead animal before calling a servant to preserve it, my head turns after hearing a horse and saw baelor throwing a rock at the princess. I hurriedly took off the apron and made my way over to janas and baelor, I stalk towards him looking at him angrily. I shook my head at his words as he told me what happened, I did not believe his words knowing that the princess would not do such a thing. As he tried to plead his case, janas stepped in telling me what happened, baelor argued otherwise making me shush him and told him to go to the tent. When he tried to argue again I didn't want to hear it and snap at him to go, I watch as he stalk away before looking at Janas.

"Are you sure you're alright, I can have someone look at you." He shook his hand declining saying he was fine, I look at him for a moment before letting go.

I excused myself and went to the tent to see what had gotten into baelor to make him behave like that before I walked into the tent I looked down the pathway towards the king's tent to see viserys stumble out as he look up and down for someone. I narrow my eyes at him.

What the fuck did he do now, I thought.

I walk in to see baelor on the pile of pillows that were in the far back corner, I could see his body shaking slightly making me frown and worried. He finally moved his face from the cushion for me to see his wet face, I walk over to him before taking a seat, we were both quiet for a minute before I ask what happened. After, some pushing he finally told me what occurred between his father and sister.

I am not an angry person and there's already too much darkness in this world to be such a thing, but there have been two occurrences in my life that made me fervent. One was a long time ago with my old handmaid, Magatha, which didn't end well and now. I should have known better than to trust viserys to try to keep level-headedness with my son, that is on me, I had been more worried about not being the reason our family breaks apart knowing that jaehaerys wouldn't have wanted that he would have wanted viserys and baelor to bond to be a father and son.

But, no more I have kept my mouth shut and allowed him to do what he wishes, I allow him to take baelor in while the war was happening and have baelor visit every month. I even told baelor to forgive that little bitch about her comments against me, I can take being called names, fuck I'm used to them by now, but calling my son a bastard to his face and telling him such things you heard from your father is going to fucking far.

My eyes go over to my valyrian bastard sword, Dreamcatcher, maybe a little talk with the king and princess will do them some good. The sound of the party coming brought me out of my thoughts as I turn to them, I look back at my son with a reassuring look as I wipe his fave with my sleeves. I told him I will have a long hard talk with his father and sister to make sure something like this will never happen again. I kissed his head before getting up and walking over to the corner to put on the belt that has the sheath on it before sliding my sword inside.

"I'm going out for a walk," I said walking past the table.

"Don't be late for dinner," Valaena said looking at me and making me nod, I turn my eyes to my son giving him a comforting smile before leaving.

❧

I poked my head out of rhaenyra's tent to find her not there, I was planning on talking to her first since she has so much to say about me and my son why not confront her.

I really wanted to fuck her up, I thought to myself as I walk over to the king's tent. Before I could go in I was stopped by the guards, I told them I needed to see the king. One of the guards shook their head saying the king wasn't seeing anyone due to his "intense headache" making me roll my eyes, I turn my back to them glancing around before looking back.

"Well, once his over his hangover tell him I need to talk to him. It's about our son...." I told them I'll be over at the bonfire before walking away.

❧

The sun finally fell into the trees and the moon was hanging in the sky with all the stars, the wind blew gently against the trees and the fire that stood before me. My fingers twisted with the ring on my left hand as I was in deep thought, it had been standing out here. So long that my anger is subdued for now anyways, I hoped viserys got my message, what am I saying the guards probably didn't tell him anything, no one in these parts listens to me. I'm a joke to them. My neck jerked slightly making me drop my hands to my sides with a sigh.

His not coming, I thought.

I move to walk away from the blazing fire when I see viserys standing there looking at me, I furrow my brows looking at him oddly, he started to come closer making me step back a bit when stood in front of me. I look at him as he looks down at me, sudden a dream I had long months ago came back making me turn my head away from the fire.

"Please, don't say it. I already feel bad as it is." I side-eyed him seeing him see he was looking at the fire with a somber look.

"Imagine how my son feels." Viserys look at me with an exasperated look.

"I had too much to drink. I'm sorry–" I stopped him from continuing.

"Did you know that rhaenyra called baelor a bastard and told him, the only reason you want him around is that you pretend he baelor the younger?" I turn my body to look at him and I saw the guilt all over his face.

"So you knew...about all of it?" I questioned, the anger that I let go moments ago resurfaces as he nods his head.

"For fuck sake, viserys." I hissed looking away from him.

"Rhaenyra is still getting used to not being the only child, it is not her fault." I snap my head at him.

"Like hell it is. She is ten and eight picking on a child that she use to beg to hold not too long ago, and now she despises him." I move my hand to my mouth before taking it off, " How could you let this happen, how you could allow her to keep tormenting him? After, what she said." He looks at her with a look between guilt and anger.

"Do not look at me as if it is my fault if you didn't air out our business to the entire court out of spite. None of this would have happened." I look stare at him staggered, how dare he blame this on you, I thought.

"You think I did that out of spite of you." I walk up close making him look down at me, "I didn't do it because I was angry at you, viserys. I did it for me. I told my truth so everyone would know I wasn't some heartless whore who let some man impregnate me for the fun of it." I spit angrily as I stare up at him.

"I can never forgive you for what you did to me and your sorries won't take away the shame I bear, it won't take away the nightmares, or the touches and erase your smell from my senses." I shudder as my arms around my chest in dismay, viserys looking back at me with a frown.

"....I never meant to cause you so much...pain, rhaelle." he muttered, "I just wanted a son." I scoffed softly looking down at the patch of green grass, I slightly kicked the dirt under my feet.

"Well, you got what you wanted."

We stood there quietly nothing but the sound of the people in the distance, and the crickets and birds that surround us. I look up when he made a sound, he hesitated for a moment before saying what he needed to say.

"His bright our boy, sometimes when we talk I forget I'm talking to a child with how much knowledge he holds." I hummed in agreement while nodding.

"It feels like not too long ago he was babbling and crawling around, ignorant to the world outside the red keep," I stated thinking fondly about those days when everything felt normal.

"I wish I could stop thinking of him as mine and aemma's baelor, my fears of having to let him go so he wouldn't be affected by it. Seems like the only choice for him to be happy." I could tell the revelation that came over viserys pained him to say it, and as much as you want to agree you can't cause you know that baelor and viserys deserve to have a bond.

"When I was little jaehaerys told me the only thing that can tear down the house of the dragon was itself," viserys eyes lift to meet mine as he waits for me to continue, "And I wish not to be the one to do it, I can take the blame for baelor hating you and I'm making it up by forcing him to spend time with you."

"But, I can not do it alone, viserys. If you truly want a relationship with your son you must make some sacrifices, one being stop drinking around him." I emphasize the last sentence making him frown before nodding, "and the second is listening to your children, especially your daughter, if she feels like you're not hearing her, she will act out and baelor will be the one paying for it." Viserys sighs as he nods.

"I know and I will speak to her about her behavior as of late towards her brother, I promise." I nod, I was still going to have a small talk with the young girl but her father didn't need to know that.

"Good, so we agree no more drinking while baelor is visiting, right?" He nods making you give a satisfied look, "...alright, it is getting late and you must be getting some rest for the hunt tomorrow, so I wish you a goodnight, king viserys." I walk back slowly before turning away to walk away. I stop when he called my name making me turn back to him as he walk up close to me.

"I found something in your old chambers, and I hope to this as a truce between us..." I furrowed my brows as I watch him take something from his pocket, my heart crack a bit when I saw the little knitted bonnet I made for my child.

"It was stuffed in the corner behind the wardrobe, it still smells like her..." My eyes begin to water as I took the bonnet from his hand and held it between my fingers feeling the fabric, "I wanted to give it to you when you first came back, but..." He trailed off making me give a sad smile as I look at the bonnet in my hand.

"Thank you," I look up, and he nodded as he too stars at the bonnet, I could see his misty eyes cloud with sadness making me realize this was probably the only thing he had left of her too, "but I already have a token of her." I reach to my neck and pulled out a silver locket, I opened it to show a drawing of my daughter and a piece of dark hair stuck inside.

"You can hang on to it...if you like." Viserys looks up from the locket as I put the bonnet back in his hand, he gave me a grateful smile and held it tightly in his fist.

"The gods give just as the gods take away," I pause for a second at what viserys said, before closing my locket and putting it back inside my dress.

The gods had nothing to do with taking away my baby girl, I thought, but vengeful hands who underestimated my love for my children did.

❧

The next morning, I waited in rhaenyra's tent for her return, I sat on a chair as I flip through the pages of a book that was laying on the table across from her mirror. My eyes drifted up as the curtains to the tent were thrown aside by rhaenyra, I look at her with a raised eyebrow seeing her neck and chest covered in blood.

"What are doing in my tent? Who let you in." She asked as I abandoned the book on the table in front of me, I move out of the chair to stand.

"You said something to baelor to make him upset, I want you to apologize." Rhaenyra scoffed as she stepped further in with an indifferent look.

"Whatever he says is a lie. Now leave before I call my guards in here to have you removed." She moves making me move to block her way, she glances at me taking back at my movements.

"It seems you have a death wish, cousin." Rhaenyra snap.

"I can say the same for you, you little bitch." Rhaenyra's jaw dropped at my words.

"I have you completely gone mad? Have you forgotten who your talking to–" My hand went to her throat backing her into the table, she looked wide-eyed at me as her mouth gaped open.

"You call my son a bastard and I want you to apologize before that blood on you will become your own," Rhaenyra's small hand grasps my wrist as she tries to get my hand from around her neck.

"M-my father will have your head, whore." She struggles under my grip making her nails dig into my skin.

"You're not listening to me, so let me say it slower..." My hand tightens causing rhaenyra to grunt as she tried her best to pull my hand off of her, "I want you to get on your knees and beg for my son's forgiveness, and hopes he accepts because if he doesn't..." I took out my dagger and held it in the corner of rhaenyra's eye gently pressing the blade against her pale skin.

"I'll give you something truly to mourn and be pissed about, " rhaenyra watches me and the blade carefully, "So, now that I got your attention. What are you going to do."

Her face was twisted in a frown as she glare at me, I move the blade under her eyes and down her cheek.

"I wonder if the men of the seven kingdoms would still want you if you were missing a tongue and an eye, hmmm, " The sharp blade pressed against the flesh breaking the skin and causing a sprinkle of blood on her cheekbone, she tensed and clench her jaw.

"You will kill me over a word." I leaned my face close to her.

"I'll kill you for just looking at him funny, you have no idea what length I would go for my children, princess." I could see the uneasiness in her eyes making me smirk a bit, "Tick Tock, princess." She let out a disgruntled sound before opening her mouth.

"I'm sorry for calling baelor a bastard," she grits out, I loosen my hand off her throat and pulled her off the table.

"That wasn't so hard now was it, princess." The blade was put away making rhaenyra snarl at me after she pulled her hand away from her cheek to have her finger have a bit of blood on them.

"I leave at dusk so you will have until then to come up with a sincere apology for my son. Okay?" Rhaenyra just stared at me as I walk back to the spot that I crawled from to get in there.

"How about I just tell my father what you did to me," I turn to look at her.

"I won't stop you. I can't stop you. But, know this if you don't apologize to baelor before we leave, I'll tell your father about you and daemon's inappropriate alone time on the throne all those years ago." A mixture of shock and confusion appeared on rhaenyra's face.

"We did nothing–".

"Sure you didn't. But, he doesn't know that and your uncle does have a habit of taking things that don't belong to him, and besides who can ignore the looks you two give one another." That leaves rhaenyra dumbfounded and speechless, I smirk before bidding her goodbye and leaving from where I came.

❧

Rhaelle watches from her seat on the bench as rhaenyra and baelor talk from a distance, baelor looks reluctant while rhaenyra stood awkwardly as she talks to the boy. Rhaelle tilts her head to the side as she watches her son starts talking and something shifts between them, rhaenyra looks taken back at the young boy before baelor moves to wrap his arms around her waist making rhaenyra slowly do the same. Rhaelle hummed to herself happy, viserys soon walk out going over to the two siblings causing them to break apart.

Viserys looks to his daughter before looking at baelor, he said something before moving his arm out for baelor to walk ahead inside the tent. Rhaelle caught viserys eye giving him a small bow of her making the older man give a small smile before going inside to talk to baelor, rhaelle's eyes shifted over to rhaenyra to catch the young woman looking at her. Rhaelle raised her hand wiggling her fingers making rhaenyra scoff and turn on her heel to walk away, rhaelle smiled to herself as she make her hand fall to her lap. She soon got up and went inside to help pack up to head home, even though she didn't get the needed peace she wanted.

An hour or two passed, the tent was empty and everything was packed for travel, rhaelle was talking to banneth and vogero when baelor ran up to her clinging to her side. The two men walked away giving some time with the queen and her son, rhaelle smiled down at baelor and asked about the conversation with his father and sister.

"It went well, I'm still upset with the king, but rhaenyra and I found some common ground together." Rhaelle look down at him with a proud smile happy to hear such things, four huge carriages with engravings of house velfrey sigil on them came making the servants and knights start gathering up their stuff.

Rhaelle walked with her son still clinging to her hip when she was stopped in her tracks by baelor who looked into the opening of the woods.

"What is it, sweetie." She asked looking at him, he looks at her before looking at the woods again. She look where he was looking and saw a white stag standing there in the sunlight, she furrow her brows in awe at the beautiful creature.

"It's real," Baelor whispered making him look up at his mother with a grin as she look down at him with a puzzled look. They heard a crack and look back to where the stag was and it was gone as if it was never there.

Odd, rhaelle thought.

She pulled baelor along to the carriages where her people were waiting with viserys, alicent, rhaenyra, and otto.

"Thank you, again. King Viserys for the invitation I hope to have many more in the future," she said standing with her family and friends behind her.

"Of course and I hope you will do the same, I am curious to see the serpent islands. Maybe we can celebrate baelor's nameday there." He smiled looking down at his son before looking back at her, she nods with a kind smile.

"That's a great idea, my king."

Viserys and Rhaelle sensed the many eyes on them as they stood across from each other, viserys look at rhaelle as her eyes were looking at the servants putting things in the carriage.

"Safe travels, queen rhaelle." Rhaelle look back at viserys, she was shocked to hear him address her as queen but held it in.

"Thank you, cousin." Viserys held out his hand for rhaelle to shake, and she grasp his hand before shaking it.

Rhaelle moves to wish the queen and the other two goodbyes before removing her hand from viserys grip, rhaelle and her family bowed to the royal family making viserys and the others do the same. Rhaelle and her people piled into the carriages, as the door shut baelor and valaena waved out the window as the carriage moved to take them back to king's landing.

❧

I yawned rubbing my eyes as I finish the rest of my painting, after visiting King's Landing and Diftmark, I still had a ball of energy in me. I blew out the candles and walked out of my art room to wander down the halls of Stonehold, sometimes it baffles me how I, valaena velaryon, became a princess. I shook my head lightly as I traveled down a corridor with huge portraits of old kings and queens with their children on the wall, I stop for a moment to admire a portrait of thoros and his sister-wife, they look so youthful and happy, something you never imagine seeing in a married couple.

I continue down the hall, my mind shifting to my brothers, urging how I could kill those two, I know in my heart that they're still alive but my faith in them coming back soon is decaying and I wonder if he is still mad at me. I never told my mother this or anyone for that matter the reason me and Aeron stopped writing to each other, when I told Aeron of my marriage to boremund, he was livid and wrote me bunches of the letter telling me how bad the idea it just like my mother did.

But, I was stupid then I changed now that I understand, why my mother was against it. But, back then I was adamant about my decision, and some harsh words were exchanged as a result. I leaned against the wall, and the large windows that sat on the other side bathed me in the moonlight, I closed my eyes feeling my chest tighten. What if that was the last thing he read and his now on the beach covered in sand and crabs, and the last thing thought was that I hated him?

"...valaena?" I got off the wall and look up to see my mother in the distance, I sniff and realized I was in her part of the wing.

"My sweet girl, are you alright." She asked walking up to me in her nightgown, her hair was long passed her shoulders and she held a candlestick in her hand.

"I-I'm sorry, I must have got lost in my head and led me here, silly me." I watch as she gave me a worried look as she reach her warm hand to wipe at my cheek.

"Have you been crying, my dear?" I didn't have the strength to lie to her, so I nodded before glancing down at my bare feet.

"Come on, sweetie." She takes me by the hand and pulls me to her room, I look around at the decor in the room before being pulled to the fireplace where it looks like she has been sitting with a packet of letters and a ball of yarn.

"You couldn't sleep either." I look over at my mother as she took a seat in the armchair where her yarn was laying before she grabbed her wooden needles.

"Knitting gives me peace of mind before I go to bed, how about you why aren't you asleep yet? I know you have a busy day tomorrow?" She asked starting back knitting as I took a seat by her side before putting my left leg over my right.

"I couldn't sleep so I stood up to finish my painting, I have a lot on my mind," I whispered the last part making my mother glance at me before stopping what she was doing.

"You want to talk about it." I turn my head to her look at her, I could tell my mother had the world on her shoulders with threats of more wars to come for our new home, and the familiar feeling of not wanting to be a burden burn in my chest.

"It's nothing, mama. I just worry about the boys." A look of realization made it to my mother's face before she started knitting again.

"From what my letters say, the boys are fine still fighting that damn war, but fine." My eyes glance at the multiple letters on top of each other on the small table between the chairs, I move to pick up an envelope and saw the targaryen sigil, this was from daemon.

"When did you and daemon start writing to each other," I asked looking at my mother, she gave an annoyed look probably thinking about him.

"He writes to me." I raised my brow.

"And you don't write back?" She shook her head.

"Nope. Most of those letters in there are him telling me sweet nothings, while the others are updates on the war." I nod my head moving to get another envelope and opening it.

"How do you know which ones are love letters and which ones are not," I asked with a small smile making my mother kick my foot.

"The targaryen sigil in black is for an update, while the one is red ones are for 'my eyes only' " She made finger air quotes making me giggle, before taking a red sigil envelope and opening it.

My eyes scan the page expecting crude words spread across the letter but were met with sweet words that I never expect could come from the prince known as the rogue prince.

"By the gods, mother, these are beautiful," I look at her, but she didn't look at me as she shook her head slightly, she didn't look impressed.

"I never knew daemon to be such a poet," I say as I move to open a new letter to read, another heartfelt letter that speaks of memories on the beach with each other back at king's landing. I move to pick up another and another and another, before dropping my hands in my lap as I look at my mother.

"I don't understand how your not fawning over these...these are amazing, look what he wrote here...." My mother looks at me as I read out the words of her once-former lover, I look over at her when I finish seeing her staring at the fire, an air of melancholy surrounded her. My mother didn't tell me much of her and daemon's relationship only that they were friends who ended up in the most unforeseen affair.

"Why are you sad, mother? Do these make you miss him," I asked without thinking, my mother look at me with a mixture of emotions in her lilac eyes.

"These letters...make me angry and confused, because I do not know what his purpose in writing these is."

"It sounds like he declaring his love for you," I said looking down at the letter.

"If he wanted to declare his love for me, he would have ended this war a long time ago, he knows I know he can, I feel there is something else at foot." I shook my head at her and her paranoia, but I'm used to it when you have people trying to kill you and your family, and you begin to expect everyone to be out to get you.

"You're being paranoid, mother. For all you know, this is daemon's way of saying he wants to be with you again and..." she looks at me with furrowed brows, "I think you give him a chance." Her furrowed brows shot up near her hairline.

"Valaena, I am a married woman–"

"With multiple paramours, I know what you do in your free time when everyone else is busy. I have eyes." A look of guilt and fear wash over her making me put my hand over her own, "I'm not angry with you, thoros already told me the situation between you two before I started noticing." A faint look of relief passed through her eyes before it was replaced by worry.

"No, I can't. I made a promise long ago that I leave what we had in the past, and I will stick to that til the day that I die, the only important to me is my family and my kingdom." She stated I could tell that she was done talking about and meant what she said, but the thought of your mother not getting the love she deserves didn't feel right to you.

I moved to grab another letter, this one is a bit older than the other and longer, as we sat in silence and read over the letter. My eyes sparkle with an idea after reading what daemon wrote and from what mother said earlier, I glance at her from the corner of my eyes to see her yawning.

"Mama, can I sleep with you tonight, I don't feel like walking back to my chambers." My mother gave a bright smile before nodding.

"Of course, my love. I'm about to head to bed now, you coming." I shook my head making up an excuse and making her nod again, she picked up her yarn and needles putting them away before coming back over and kissing my hairline.

"Goodnight, my love."

"Night, mama," I said back watching her walk to her bed and get under the covers.

I waited a bit and when the sounds of her soft snoring came I got up and went over to her to double-check check, she was out before leaving the room. I headed to her mother's studies that were just down the hall from her chambers, I slipped in before lighting a candle to see. I went over to her desk pulled out a parchment from her bottom drawer and dip the quell into the ink in front of me. I look down at the blank parchment thinking, what would her mother say to daemon, my hand moved as I wrote on the paper. When I was finished I reread my work back to me, after I thought it was convincing enough I found it and put it in an envelope. I used the sigil for our house to stamp it to keep the envelope close.

I quickly walk out to tie it to a raven before sending it off, I made it back to my mother's chambers quietly before gently getting into bed next to her. Now, all I have to do is hope that daemon takes the bait and ends this war.

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

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blondie20000 · 3 months

Text

SPN Season 14 Recs

Season 14, the season that had so much potential. As I am in an SPN mood, I'm going to recommend some season 14 fics that I love! Links are in the titles of the fics. Fics are from both Ao3 and FF.

I also added my fics because while I do have a masterlist in my pinned post if anyone is looking for a specific season, they can look here.

More fics may be added later on.

The Bringer of War by MadisonTheGeek

Summary:

"Now that the archangel Michael has made it to a new world and taken possession of Dean Winchester, he can begin to put his plans in motion for a new world order. Meanwhile, the rest of the Winchester group search restlessly for the missing Dean and slowly being to unravel Michael's plans."

Not All Good News by trevelies

Summary:

"Michael is caged inside Dean's mind for now. But there's grace leaking from the cracks, banging on the doors, and Dean knows what happens at the end of this story. With borrowed (and confusing) Archangel abilities, a group of mistrustful Apocalypse Universe Hunters, and too many Michael Monsters to deal with, Team Free Will 2.0 is ready to clean up the mess that Michael's left behind and stop another apocalypse. Not all the danger is locked inside a bar's walk-in freezer, though - and the Winchesters need to watch out for old and new enemies around every corner.

And at the end of it all, Dean needs to decide how far he'll go to get rid of Michael once and for all."

Gonna Leave a Scar by trevelies

Summary:

"Michael repossesses Dean in Kansas City, and Team Free Will 2.0 isn't exactly on board. It doesn't matter that their only weapon and chance at defeating Michael is currently broken into pieces - family never gets left behind. And that goes double for Winchesters. Sam does a deep dive into Dean's head because he's not letting Dean disappear on his watch, even if it means facing an Archangel on his own turf."

All On You by trevelies

Summary:

"The Spear" speculation. Dean's vision is swimming - literally. But Team Free Will 2.0 has much bigger problems. The angels have finally located Michael, and the Winchesters have Kaia's Spear, an angel and a half, and about three weeks of bad memories to take out on Michael's feathery ass."

The Abyss Gazes Back by Water_of_life

Summary:

"Dean was able to convince Sam to go along with his plan of locking Michael (and Dean) away in the ma'lak box and dumping it in the Pacific Ocean. Sam gave in to Dean then, but he never gave up searching for another way to save Dean and the rest of the world from Michael. Now that a group of deep sea researchers have stumbled upon the box, Sam is about to find out if he put the reprieve to good use, and if they are all ready to face what is coming."

Omission, Lies, and False Truths by GalaxyThreads, SpiritClusters

Summary:

"In the wake of Lucifer's death, with Dean missing, Sam falling apart, and Cas struggling to keep everyone together, Jack realizes there are a lot of things he doesn't know about the Winchesters and Cas. Things he should know. Things he's going to fight to learn."

10 Years Gone by cayuga

Summary:

"What if Nick had kidnapped Mary before she'd gone into Donna's workshop and saw the Ma'lak box in Damaged Goods? What might have happened if Dean had managed to go through with his trip to the bottom of the Pacific without telling Sam."

the lies I tell myself by randomfills (spnfanatic)

Summary:

"Alt. take on season 14, episode “Nihilism”. Sam and Cas have a plan to bring Dean, literally, out of his head, but Michael is ready for them and once they enter Dean’s mind, they quickly realize they’re in Michael’s playground and Dean has been hiding things...things that even Sam didn’t know. (mentions of abuse, flashbacks)."

The Room by Fantasticly_Anonymous

Summary:

"Sam learns what it is that Dean’s been doing up at Donna’s cabin and he doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like it enough that he thinks up his own solution to their little Michael problem. A bit of a bottle episode, a ‘What If?’ scenario, and a character exploration between the different members of Team Free Will and the archangel thorn in Dean’s mind. In which, nobody, not even the entire world, needs to die."

Rather be the hunter than the prey by vrskaandrea (MalicMalic)

Summary:

"The story takes place in S14E15 Peace of Mind , only instead of Dean, Cas is the one to take Jack to Donatello to try and find out if he still has his soul. Sam and Dean take on a simple salt and burn where they meet up with Ketch. Upon their return, they are welcomed by a sight that has Sam experiencing Deja vu. Forgotten plotlines."

Match made in Heaven by vrskaandrea (MalicMalic)

Summary:

"Two people the world forgot about find each other by accident. Their love is so strong, so powerful when they run into an army of monsters, this unlikely couple ends up being a bigger threat their leader ever anticipated. Michael just couldn't let something as powerful slip thought his fingers and he will end up biting off more then he could chew. Set during season 14"

Roles Reversed by vrskaandrea (MalicMalic)

Summary:

"What if when Dean got hit in the head and the doors of Michael's cage opened, something happened that made them reverse their roles? That made Dean an archangel who could just snap his fingers and instantly kill demons? That made Michael nothing but a pitiful soul that kept drowning in his own nightmares? Come and see."

It's all in the blood by Becciehill1976

Summary:

"Faced with recurring fears about Michael returning as well as trying to fit back in to life in a busy bunker, Dean needs time away from everyone, so he can get his confidence back and find his place in the world Sadly, being a famous hunter has it’s draw back as Dean finds out the hard way when kidnapped whilst on a hunt. From there, Dean gets to find out that there are worse things than being the Archangel Michael’s vessel, as he battles powerful vampires. Will he be able to escape his new prison or will his family find him in time?"

One of a kind by MalicMalic

Summary:

"Someone told me that someone told them there aren't enough of Michael/Dean fics out there. Let's change that. While we're at it, why not add another Michael to the mix and see what happens."

Passenger by moonlightsdean

Summary:

"With Michael having escaped Dean's mind and caused destruction in the bunker, Jack took the initiative to end things once and for all with Michael. Now with Michael dead and Dean freed of having Michael trapped within his mind, he'll be able to relax and have time to deal with the aftermath of what happened with the AU hunters. But what if Michael's relinquish from Dean's mind wasn't as clear cut as it was made out to be? When things start going awry for Dean he's left to wonder what really happened during the time he was unconscious, and why he just can't catch a break."

The Price You Pay by Jadeys_World

Summary:

"It was a miracle that Sam survived taking on the Archangel Michael. Team Free Will is going to find out what it takes for a miracle like that to happen and what it costs when a Reaper and unreliable Rogue Angel each decide to help in their own way. There are secrets and betrayals, a world that needs saving once again, but at least they have each other."

An Alternative Ending by AnotherWriterWhoWrites

Summary:

"Michael isn't sure how long he's been in the cage, time is meaningless to him. But as his sanity slips further and further away, resentment to his father sets in. And once Lucifer takes Sam and Jack away a desperate Dean is more than willing to let what should've happened years ago, to happen now."

Of All The Burdens I Must Bear... by Jadeys_World

Summary:

"Chuck constructs the perfect punishment for Sam after the events of Moriah. Lucifer is given a new life to make amends for the burden his father placed on him when they defeated The Darkness. Sam is adrift and alone in his new life, left to find a new strength to cope without his new reality as the enemy."

At What Cost by Jadeys_World

Summary:

"Mary is gone, taken beyond any Winchester deal or pleading, but there's one option left to them. They can get her back, but it will come at a price, a price that might be too much for Dean to pay. A story of family, betrayal and the things you will do for the people you love."

Burned Away by AnotherWriterWhoWrites

Summary:

"In which Sam is the one with Jack at S14E17 Game Night and as a result, a different person dies."

Testing by AnotherWriterWhoWrites

Summary:

"Mary takes a pregnancy test. Post Episode 13 Lebanon."

Peace When You're Done by kittenofdoomage

Summary:

"Dean puts himself in the box in S14 when there’s no other way to defeat Michael. Canon divergent from the end of “Ouroboros”."

Dean in the Box by Secretwrittenword

Summary:

"The box came to a rest on the deepest floor of the ocean. The pressure pushing down on it caused the structure to creak and groan... Set in Season 14, with no other option, Dean seals himself into the Malák box and sinks to the furtherest depths of the ocean. Once there he has nothing but time to kill and an Archangel to annoy."

Dog Dean Afternoon by Secretwrittenword

Summary:

"Sam and Cas go on a hunt leaving Dean and Jack alone in the bunker to recuperate. After going for a walk Jack finds something that just might be the key to help Dean recover from his ordeal with Michael."

Escape of the Archangel by themodernteen

Summary:

"Adaptation of the 14x14 episode "Ouroboros" when Dean is unconscious after getting his head slammed into the wall by the demigod. My own interpretation of the episode, what goes through Dean's mind in his internal battle against Michael, and a worried Sam and Castiel watching him endure it."

Nemesis of the Mind by TiTivillus

Summary:

"In an attempt to save Dean from Michael, Sam delves into Dean's mind. Things don't go as expected."

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by TiTivillus

Summary:

"Dean is back… or is he? Coda to 14x02 "Gods and Monsters".

Consequences by Jadeys_World

Summary:

"Season 14 AU. Sam is determined to free Dean from Michael and turns to Rowena and the Book of the Damned for help. She finds a spell that will work, but, of course, there will be consequences, and this time, Sam will be paying the ultimate price unless Dean can find a way to save him in return."

Consequences by Blondie2000

Summary:

"For some reason, Lisa found herself drawn to him. She reaches out and places her hand on his cheek. As soon as she touched him, she felt a jolt of electricity go through her. The touch it felt so familiar. The buzz it gave her felt familiar."

"Dean." She repeated his name. "Dean."

Black by Blondie2000

Summary:

"AU of Game Night. Jack wanted Mary to leave him alone. He gets what he wants and accidentally sends Mary to a place where no humans go. Now with Mary gone Jack has to get her back before the Winchesters and Castiel find out and Mary has to survive the dark forces that lurk in the Empty."

Snow Day by Blondie2000

Summary:

"Jack experiences his first ever snow day."

One Time Deal by Blondie2000

Summary:

"Sam and Jack have been kidnapped by Lucifer. Time is running out. What if Dean never said yes to Alternative Michael but instead says yes to our Michael. It is a risky deal but Dean will do whatever it takes to rescue his family and beat the devil once and for all."

The French Mistake 2: An Archangel Nightmare by Blondie2000

Summary:

Dean is gone, Michael has retaken control, and his army is outside, ready to come in and tear everyone apart. With no way out, Sam seeks out help that causes everyone to be sent to a world where their lives are a T.V show and they are actors. Not only do they have this world to worry about, but they still have Michael riding around in Dean's body on the set. Can TFW 2.0 get back home?

The Road to Hell by Blondie2000

Summary:

"The Winchesters find a way to save Dean from Michael. This results in Michael becoming the thing that he grew to hate. He ends up going on the road to Hell. Will he make it to the end? Read and find out."

Who is a Wee Cutie Pie? by Blondie2000

Summary:

"To stop Michael, Rowena puts an adorable curse on him. Set Season 14 Episode 14. AU where Michael never possessed Rowena but stays in Dean instead."

We are One by Blondie2000

Summary:

"Dean confronts Michael. It leads to unexpected results."

#fanfiction #fanfic #supernatural #supernatural fanfiction #angst #dean winchester #sam winchester #castiel #jack kline #au michael #michael!dean #season 14 #anael spn #sister jo #mary winchester #nick spn #fic rec #reader

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vodika-vibes · 6 months

Note

Round 6 *ding ding ding*

(This is where I stopped last time...)

Tup and "No one's ever going to hurt you again. I promise you that on everything I believe in."

Please and thank you, my love 💚💚💚

Never Again

Summary: You make a promise to Tup that he never asked for.

Pairing: Clone Trooper Tup x Reader

Word Count: 1745

Warnings: Reader is shot, Tup is Angry/worried, reader celebrates Diwali though I don't attach any specific ethnicity to them

Tagging: @trixie2023

A/N: I have an AU problem, I can't not make AUs they're so fun. Anyway, this was fun to write, and I think I'm happy with it. Also, I kept my description of Diwali very vague since I researched for five minutes rather than a deep dive.

Divider by Saradika

Alright, let’s do this one more time.

10 years ago, when you were just a little teeny-bopper from Manhattan, you were bitten by a radioactive spider, and you became the one, and only, Arachne. You saved some people, like your adoptive mom and your grandma, but you weren’t able to save others, like your adoptive dad and your brother.

The most important thing you learned in 10 years as Arachne is to always, always get up. No matter how hard you get hit. No matter how much pain you’re in. Staying down means death.

Three years ago, while in the middle of a fight with Kingpin, something weird happened.

Well, weirder than usual for New York.

A portal opened beneath you, and you fell. And when you landed, you weren’t in New York anymore.

Hell, you weren’t on Earth anymore.

It took you three months to determine where you were (Coruscant), and another two months after that to determine that there was likely no way to return to New York.

You’ve always been pretty good at adapting to new situations, so within a year of arriving on Coruscant, you had a new identity (well, the same identity, just all your documents claim you’re from Coruscant now, rather than New York) as well as a pretty good job (ironically, the tech in your world is more high tech then the tech here, which is so, so depressing-), the the friendly neighborhood Arachne is officially retired.

After all, Coruscant has the Jedi, it doesn’t need a web-slinging superhero.

And then the war starts.

And at first you weren’t going to get involved. Not your monkeys, not your circus. Plus, you’ve read enough science fiction about tampering with things that are supposed to happen, and the last thing you want to do is make things worse for people-

And then you met Tup.

Sweet Tup. Kind Tup. Gentle Tup.

Tup, who smiles at you like you confuse him a little, but laughs at your bad jokes.

Tup, who you teach to bake cookies in your too small apartment with your side pressed against his.

Tup, who’s destined to die.

You remember the day when you realized you had to get involved like it was yesterday. It was Diwali, and it wasn’t your first time celebrating it here, in Coruscant, but you invited Tup because, well, celebrating Diwali alone is just depressing.

You cooked all of your favorite foods, or, well, as close as you could with the food available to you on Coruscant, and you sat across from Tup and you watched him try all of the food, while you regaled him with the stories you grew up with, the stories your mother and grandparents told so enthusiastically-

And he grinned at you, a lopsided smile, and asked if he could invite some of his brothers next year. He asked if you minded if the Clones adopted this holiday for themselves-

And you remembered that Tup was meant to be dead within a year.

So you smiled at him, and told him that of course he could, and that you’d be more than happy to share other holidays from your culture. And by the time Tup left at the end of the night, with an entire tote filled with leftover food, you had come to a decision.

Tup will not die. You won’t allow it.

And, well, you’re from a world where all of this stuff was a movie. You know what’s supposed to happen. You know when it’s supposed to happen. And you have the ability to stop it.

So you pull your suit on, and strap your web slingers to wrist, and you pull your hood on, and for the first time ever, Coruscant meets the one, and only, Arachne.

Of course, back on earth you had a team of people who helped you. And the people of New York loved their spider person.

You don’t have that support network here.

And it only took a few days before you were listed as a threat to the people of Coruscant.

It takes three months.

Three months of hard work. Three months of skipping sleep in favor of investigating to find proof that Palpatine is as evil as you know he is. Three months of anxiety that you don’t have enough time to save Tup.

And then you have it. The proof of the chips. The proof of Palpatine’s plan.

And then you’re shot with a slugthrower.

Not your first time getting shot, but it’s not like you develop an immunity to bullets. You use a web to stop the bleeding, and you make your retreat. You stick to the shadows, clinging to walls and only swinging from building to building when you know it’s safe.

And you eventually make it back to your apartment.

You zip through the open window, and land on the ceiling, your hand pressed over your side, where the bullet ripped a hole in you, and then your spidey sense pings.

You lift your head and your gaze locks with Tup’s.

“Oh. Shit.” You breathe out under your breath.

Tup grabs his blaster and immediately takes aim, and you swear, “Wait! Waitwaitwait!” You say quickly, and then you rip your mask off, “It’s just me, Tup.” You say, “Please don’t shoot me. I’m already holy.” You giggle at your own joke, “Get it, because I was shot?”

Tup’s jaw is slack, “What the actual hell, cyare?”

“Because I have a hole in my sid-”

“Not about that! What is this?” He gestures to you and the ceiling and the suit, “Are you wearing spandex?”

You look down at your black and purple suit, and then look back at him, “I look amazing.”

“You…” Tup takes a deep breath, and folds his hands in front of his face, “Cyare. Get off the ceiling. Now. Please.”

You flip off the ceiling, and land lightly on your feet, “Ta-dah?”

“You realize that every single member of the GAR is hunting you, right?” Tup demands.

“Yeahhh-”

“There’s a shoot on sight order!”

“That does explain why the Corries shot me-”

“Cyare! What’s going on? What is all of this?”

You fold your hands in front of your face, “Uh…okay.” You smile brightly, “Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord who is orchestrating this entire war from behind the scenes. You and your brothers have biochips in your brains that are designed to overwrite your free will. Palpatine’s plan is to use those chips to order the clones to murder all of the Jedi, including the babies, and create an empire where he’s the absolute ruler.” You say, very quickly, “I have proof.”

“...what.”

“Oh, also,” You add, “Your chip is degrading. You’ll get decommissioned for the murder of a jedi, and I refuse to let that happen, so I got involved.”

Tup’s complexion has gone a little gray, “What?”

“I spent the last three months looking for the evidence I needed. And I was worried that I was going to run out of time, so I asked Rex to keep an eye on you-”

“Is that why my brothers have been hovering around me so much recently?” Tup demands.

“Yeah. Sorry.”

Tup closes his eyes, and sighs again, “You said you have proof?”

“I’m bringing it to the Jedi as soon as I finish stitching myself up.” You reply.

Tup stares at you, “You’ve lived on Coruscant for over a year, but you only recently got involved…why?”

You hesitate, and then you flash a small smile, “No one’s ever going to hurt you like this. I promise you that on everything that I believe.”

“You’re doing all of this…for me? Why?”

You meet his gaze evenly, “Because I love you.”

Tup’s hand falls to his side, “Oh.”

“And I want you to be alive more than anything else.” You continue, “Even if you don’t feel the same. Even if you hate me because of the whole…Arachne thing. That’s what it means to love someone.”

He stares at you for a long minute, and then he laughs, “You’re so…stupid.”

“Yeah…I’ve heard that before.”

He crosses the room in several large strides, and he brings his hands up to cup your face, “You could have asked for help.”

“Didn’t want to get you involved.” You admit as you close your eyes and lean into his touch. “Didn’t want you to get hurt.”

“Well,” He replies, “I am involved, and I don’t want to see you get hurt either.” Tup gently strokes your cheeks, “You said you were shot?”

“Yeah,” You gesture to your web coated side.

“Let me call Kix-”

“I have a fully stocked first aid kit in my bedroom, Tup. I can stitch myself up. I can’t…he’ll recognize a bullet wound, Tup. I can’t risk that. Not when I’m so close.”

“...fine. But I’m helping.”

“Deal.”

You allow him to help you into the bedroom, and you gratefully sit on the bed as he vanishes into the bathroom to grab your first aid kit. You strip the top part of your costume off, and you grimace as you poke the hole in your side.

“Cyare-” Tup pauses when he sees you sitting on the bed without your top on, “This is a full trauma kit,” He continues.

“Yeah, I know. There should be a sterile needle and thread at the bottom.” You reply.

Tup sets the box next to you, his gaze darting from scar to scar on your torso, “Cyare…some of these injuries-”

You smile at him as you dig the needle out of the crate, “At some other point in time, I’ll tell you about some of my greatest foes.”

“Including the one that tried to skewer you?”

“Which one?” You ask with an amused smile.

“Babe-”

“Sorry, sorry. Not funny, I know.” Your smile becomes soft and warm, “Thank you for staying, Tup.”

“Yeah, well…” He takes the needle and moves behind you, “I’m still angry. This is stupid and reckless, but…well, you do what you have to when you love someone, right.”

“Yeah…wait-” You crane your head to look at him, “Tup?”

“Hold still, I'm trying to give you stitches.”

“Yeah, I get that, can we talk about-”

“Absolutely not.”

“But-” You stop when you feel his lips, warm and soft against the back of your neck, and you feel your entire body heat with sudden embarrassment.

“Later.” Tup promises with a small laugh, “Now. Hold still, this is probably going to hurt.”

#star wars #tcw #clone trooper tup x reader #tup x reader #star wars fanfiction #x reader fanfiction #answered asks

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numinousmysteries · 3 months

Text

Dancing the Tandava (9/10)

[on Ao3] @today-in-fic

Princeton, New Jersey 1993

On the drive up to Princeton, Scully listens to Mulder and William discuss classic science-fiction movies and their 21st century reboots. She wishes she could share their easy connection but her shock and disbelief intervenes. It feels unfair that William has this intimate knowledge of her as a mother but she knows so little about him. He is the product of her body and years of her nurturing and yet she feels a gap separating herself from him that she can’t quite bridge.

William is intelligent, kind, and curious. He’s soft-spoken and patient, but confident with a sense of humor. He’s exactly the type of young man she’d be proud to have as a son thirty years from now. The DNA test she ordered and reviewed herself proves William is her son and Mulder is his father, which means that at some point in the future, she and Mulder get together. And, since it seems like they’ve been parenting William as a couple, they manage to stay together. It’s a possibility that intrigues and terrifies her.

On the highway, she closes her eyes and tries to imagine Mulder as her husband and William as their grown son. As William describes the expanded universe of Star Wars prequels and sequels to Mulder who peppers him with questions, she can see the three of them naturally easing into these roles. But she and Mulder have never even kissed, let alone done anything that would result in the conception of a child. As much as she finds herself drawn to Mulder, she can’t imagine this single-minded man leaving his quest behind to live a quiet, domestic life.

“Scully, can you believe this?” Mulder asks, calling her back into her body. “George Lucas bastardized the entire metaphysical beauty of the Force with these, what are they called, William?”

“Midi-chlorians,” Williams says from the backseat.

“Midi-chlorians,” Mulder says, shaking his head dismissively. “You sure you want to go back to the future? It sounds pretty grim.”

“It has its ups and downs,” William says. “There’s someone I want to see.”

“Oh, yeah?” Mulder asks, flashing William a grin in the rearview mirror.

“My friend, Hannah. I mentioned her,” William says shyly. “I just miss her I guess.”

Scully peeks in the mirror and sees a blush spreading across William’s cheeks. He may have Mulder’s nose and lanky frame, but with her light coloring he can’t hide his embarrassment any better than she can. She turns to smile at Mulder and finds he’s already giving her a toothy grin. He’s proud of his son, she thinks, and she’s starting to feel pride bubble up within herself.

***

A flash of their badges grants Mulder and Scully access to the building that houses Princeton’s physics department. Scully catches William smiling, clearly impressed by how willingly the building’s security guard yields to his parents’ authority.

As soon as the elevator opens to the floor of Bellona’s office, they hear a man and woman arguing. Mulder raises a hand to hold Scully and William back from stepping forward so they can listen without being noticed.

“This is insane, Samita,” the man shouts. “Why would you want to give up the research you’re passionate about to work for the government on something so secretive they can’t even tell you what it is?”

“That’s exactly why I need to do it,” the woman responds. “This is the cutting edge of quantum research. What I learn on this project could revolutionize the entire field. It could be detecting dark matter, or even finding ways to utilize it. We’re making such small steps now, imagine if we could take a giant leap forward—what we could possibly learn if we had unlimited resources.”

“Resources from the military-industrial complex! You came here to unlock the mysteries of the universe, the origins of why we’re all here. And now you want to leave to work on what’s most likely a weapon that could kill millions?”

Their argument continues but their voices are lower now and Scully can’t hear what they’re saying. She looks to Mulder but he’s just as focused on trying to make out what Bellona and his wife are discussing. Scully wonders what line of questioning they’ll actually take once they get to Bellona. Knowing Mulder, he’ll probably come straight out and ask if he has plans to craft a time machine thirty years from now.

“I’m not going to let you hold me back,” Shah cries out. Her shout is followed by the sound of a door slamming.

Ballona huffs and heads toward them in the hallway. He’s a slight man with dark hair and glasses. As he makes his way to them, Mulder whispers to William, “Is that him?” and William nods.

“Dr. Bellona?” Scully says. “We’re Special Agents Scully and Mulder with the FBI and we have some questions for you.”

“Samita,” Bellona calls back. “Your friends the feds are here!”

With an exasperated sigh, Shah reopens her office door and comes to meet them in the hallway.

“Dr. Samita Shah,” she says, reaching out her hand to Scully. “How can I help you?”

“You don’t know them?” Bellona asks incredulously. “I assumed these were some of your government pals.”

Shah glares at him with ice in her deep brown eyes.

“Are you working on a government project?” Mulder asks.

“I’m considering it,” Shah says guardedly. “I was offered a contract by the department of defense. Are you here on their behalf?”

“No, Dr. Shah,” Scully says. “We’re actually here to speak with your husband.”

“Well, this will be a quick conversation,” Bellona snaps. “No, I’m not interested in collaborating with you.”

“Dr. Shah, do you know the nature of the project you’ve been asked to assist on?” Mulder asks. “Or where you’d be stationed?”

“I haven’t been fully briefed yet, no,” she says. “But I’d be working at Camp Hero on Long Island. It’s an older military base that’s being recommissioned for this project.”

Scully freezes and locks eyes with Mulder. She can see William looking at her wide-eyed in her peripheral vision.

“We need to visit that base,” Mulder says. “Would you be able to get access?”

Shah squints. “I believe I could. Let me make a call.”

She turns around and walks back to her office, leaving Mulder, Scully, and William with Bellona in the hall.

“Dr. Bellona, are you familiar with the Hindu god Shiva?” William asks. Scully looks at him nervously, unsure where he’s going with this.

“You’re better off asking Samita than me. Her family is Hindu,” he says. “But I’m familiar with the broad strokes. Lord Shiva is one of the religion’s three primary deities. He’s known as The Destroyer, but he’s associated with creation as well. You’ll often see him depicted dancing the tandava, a brisk choreography that has the power to create or destroy the universe.”

“I’m sorry,” he pauses. “Who are you? And what does this have to do with me and Samita?”

“Um, my name is William,” he says. “I’m…assisting on this case.” Bellona gives Mulder and Scully a questioning look but they don’t dispute William’s claim, so he goes on. “Is there any connection you can think of between Shiva and your research? Or with the project Dr. Shah is working on?”

“No, not really,” Bellona says. After a pause, he adds, “Well, in a very abstract sense, the tandava mirrors the dynamic movement of particles in quantum mechanics. Heisenberg even said quantum physics will make more sense to those who’ve read the Vedic texts. But, in practice, no, there’s no link.”

“What about if you were working on a particle accelerator? Would it be relevant then?” William continues.

“I suppose you could make the leap to connecting an accelerator’s capability to recreate the original conditions of the universe’s formation to Shiva’s role in the cyclic creation, destruction, and re-creation of the universe, but it’s quite the leap. And even the world’s largest particle accelerators haven’t even been able to confirm, yet alone re-create, the existence of subatomic particles such as the Higgs boson that are essential to that theory. Besides, it would take a real megalomaniac—or someone with nothing to lose—to want that kind of power for himself.”

Someone with nothing to lose. The words echo in Scully’s mind. “Dr. Bellona, could you give my colleagues and I a moment?” she asks.

“Sure,” he says. “I’ll go check on Samita.”

Once the three of them are alone in the hallway, Mulder turns to Scully and asks what’s on her mind.

“William, you mentioned in the car that Bellona and Shah aren’t still married in 2023, right?” she asks.

William nods.

“And have you heard of a Dr. Samita Shah working in the field? She already has an impressive resume and it’s hard to believe that she wouldn’t be leading a world-class quantum mechanics lab thirty years from now.”

“No, I’ve never heard of her. And I do follow this stuff pretty closely,” he says.

“Then I wonder if something happened to her at some point, something terrible that led Bellona to become the very type of megalomaniac he’s describing. With the advantage of an additional thirty years of advancements in the field of quantum physics plus a far more powerful particle accelerator, he could be dangerous.”

Mulder and William both stare at her and she can see them processing her theory.

“So you think Bellona, in 2023, either sees himself as a modern-day Shiva or is trying to harness Shiva’s energy to destroy the world?” Mulder asks tentatively. She realizes it’s typically the type of theory he would posit but the pieces are starting to fall into place. Besides, the results of the DNA test can’t be denied.

“I do,” she replies. “And I think our best hope for stopping him is making sure nothing happens to Dr. Shah.”

“How can we do that?” Mulder asks. “What do you think happened to her?”

“I don’t know,” she admits. “It might have to do with William, or Camp Hero. There must be a reason he appeared when and where he did.”

“I think we all need to make a trip to Camp Hero,” Mulder suggests. Scully and William nod in agreement.

They hear a door open and Shah and Bellona return from the office.

“Okay,” Shah says. “I spoke to my contact at Camp Hero and I can go up and meet with them today. I didn’t ask about bringing any visitors, but I can try to get you in.”

Mulder, Scully, and William follow Shah and Bellona downstairs. “Follow us,” Shah says before they separate and head to their cars.

Scully trails behind Mulder and William, watching them walk in step. Nearly equal in height, their strides match and their mannerisms are almost perfectly mirrored. The doubts she had about William’s origin are evaporating, even if she didn’t have concrete DNA evidence to prove his parentage. She’s desperate to know what changes in her life over the next thirty years lead her to becoming the mother of this bright young man—and Mulder’s partner in more ways than one. Learning that information, though, she knows, won’t replace the experience of living through it all. Her only hope of getting to see firsthand what the future holds is to ensure William’s safe passage back to his version of 2023, even if it means having to say goodbye to him now.

***

As Shah’s guests, Mulder, Scully, and William get a much warmer reception at Camp Hero than they did on their first visit. As they drive through the gate behind Shah and Bellona’s car, Mulder smirks at the guard in his post. Scully smiles but keeps her eyes focused in her lap in embarrassment.

They follow Bellona and Shah to a squat, square building next to a taller one that’s capped by the radar dish. The walls of both buildings are tagged with bubbly graffiti letters and it appears as if the site hasn’t been active in years. Except for a few military vehicles, the parking lot is abandoned. Weeds poke through gaps in the pavement.

A uniformed man in his 50s greets them at the door. He’s stocky and solid, built like a refrigerator, with a thick, but neatly trimmed mustache.

“Dr. Shah, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says. “I’m General Jenkins, we spoke on the phone. You’ll have to excuse the desolate atmosphere around here. We’re just starting to get the base up and operational again, but we should have everything you need to begin your work.”

They follow Jenkins through a concrete hallway with a lingering mildew smell. Switch boxes and rusted-over equipment line the walls. Jenkins leads them to an unmarked door that he opens by keying in a four-digit code. Inside are rows of workstations with computers, but no people.

Jenkins guides Bellona and Shah to one of the desktop computers, booting it up to demonstrate something to them while Mulder, Scully, and William survey the scene.

“That’s the door I came through,” William says, pointing to a thick, metal door with a round vault closure at the other end of the room. “There’s a tunnel behind there.”

“The Phoenix III tunnel,” Mulder says. “That must be the entrance to the wormhole.”

Mulder and William glance at Scully, waiting for her to debunk the theory. In light of everything she’s seen, though, and as much as she doesn’t want to admit it, Mulder’s explanation makes more sense than anything else she can think of.

“Any idea how we can reopen the wormhole?” William asks.

“There must be a localized disruption in spacetime,” Scully thinks aloud, trying to reconcile her understanding of the laws of physics with William’s unbelievable appearance. “Two, actually. One here caused by whatever military technology—”

“Extraterrestrial technology,” Mulder interjects.

“—whatever technology they’re using, and one at CERN in 2023 that Dr. Bellona created with the large hadron collider. If they’re both activated at the same time, the wormhole will open and William, or whoever is in the tunnel at that time, will be able to travel between the two locations.”

“Bellona is going to try it again,” William says. “I just remembered he said he was doing a ‘test run,’ so it must have been for another experiment, possibly even a more powerful one.”

“Then we have to get them to activate the time tunnel here,” Mulder adds.

“But how?” William asks.

“Dr. Shah,” Scully says. “They want her to work on this project. She can ask them to demonstrate the technology before she commits.”

“It’s worth a shot,” Mulder says.

They agree it’d be best for Scully, as a scientist, to appeal to Shah and ask if she’ll go along with the plan. She takes a deep breath, then goes to pull Shah away from Bellona and Jenkins. Without explaining her time travel theory—she doesn’t want the other woman to think she’s insane—she manages to convince Shah to request a demonstration from Jenkins.

“I don’t know what you’re expecting to see,” Jenkins says after listening to Shah’s request. “I’ve seen the technicians run the experiment a few times and it just looks like gibberish on a computer screen to me. Of course, we can’t declassify any sensitive information until you’ve signed the necessary paperwork, but if you want to watch a technician press a few buttons on the computer, be my guest. Let me get our technician.”

Jenkins leaves the room and returns a few minutes later with a tall, thin man with a goatee. The man nods at William, who gives him a look of recognition in return.

“You know him?” Scully asks.

“He was here the night I turned up,” he says quietly to her.

“How can I help?” The man asks.

“Whatever experiment you were running the night William appeared, I need you to recreate those exact conditions and repeat the coordinates,” Scully instructs him.

“I just push the buttons,” the goateed man says, resigned, and takes up position at one of the desktop computers.

“And I’ll go in the tunnel,” William says.

“No one goes in there,” Jenkins barks.

“Sir, with all due respect,” the technician says. “I think it’d be in our best interest if he does go. He’s the one I told you about who turned up here the other night? If your concern is maintaining the secrecy of the project, I don’t think you’d want him hanging around.”

Jenkins nods. Scully thinks that it ultimately doesn't matter whether the technician truly cares about William’s return or only in hiding any evidence of time travel. Either way, their only chance of getting William back where he belongs is getting him in that tunnel.

William heads toward the vault door and Scully instinctively walks beside him. Even if she can’t understand or explain how he came to be, she’s suddenly acutely aware that she doesn’t want to lose her son. She feels the need to hold him in her arms and protect him.

When they’re directly in front of the door William turns to her and says, “You have to convince Shah not to work on this project. She has to stay at Princeton or else something will happen to her and it’ll send Bellona down the path to destroy the world in 2023.”

“I don’t know if I can do that,” she says.

“Yes, you can, mom,” he insists, taking her hands in his. “Explain to her that she isn’t going to find any answers here. These researchers only want to use her for her abilities and then they’ll dispose of her to keep their work secret. You and dad told me you’ve seen things like this over the years. Shadow government projects with no respect for human life. I have a feeling that’s what’s going on here. She’ll listen to you.”

“I’ll try,” she says, squeezing his hands. Even though his eyes are as blue as her own, she sees so much of Mulder in his gaze—his desire to believe, even in her, and the trust he puts in her.

William lets go of her hands. He twists the vault door open and peers into the darkness.

“Wait,” Scully hears herself say the word before she thinks it.

She feels both William and Mulder’s eyes on her now. Mulder crosses the room to stand beside them.

“What if something goes wrong and you end up not returning to 2023…or never existing at all?” She steps closer to William and grabs onto his hands again. “I don’t want to risk losing you.”

“Mom,” William's voice catches in his throat. “It’s going to work. You figured everything out yourself. I need to get back. I’ll see you…in the future.”

She takes him into her arms and hugs him tight, closing her eyes to allow the smell and feel of him to surround her. Her son is brave and loyal like his father. For the first time since she saw him, she senses a deep bond between them that transcends time and logic. It’s an instinctual love like she’s never felt before. Like a birth she has no recollection of, she feels a physical pain as their bodies separate and she releases him from her hold.

She watches as Mulder hugs him next, knowing the link between them is just as strong. “You’ve got this, buddy,” Mulder says to his son, tapping him on the back before letting him go.

“We’ll see him again one day,” Mulder whispers to Scully, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. His weight feels warm and safe against hers, and she eases into him.

“I can’t wait,” Scully murmurs. Despite her fears, she smiles. Tears stream down her face as William disappears down the tunnel.

#xfiles #txf #xf fanfic #msr #xfiles fanfic #x files #the x files

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