#white wolf and his niece melt my heart

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Waaaat how did I only notice now that you're continuing with the pack?? Oh my god it's already so good! Poor Bucky though! 🥺 Okay so the reason why I also noticed the new chapters is that I saw this tiktok and I was like this is the pack Bucky with his niece 😂🥺 and I had to send it to you hahaha anyway can't wait to read the next parts! 😍

That anon that looooves 🐺Bucky

Yes! I couldn't leave Bucky, Clint, Pietro, and Wanda completely in Brock and Hydras clutches. Plus I love our wolves too much to really say goodbye for good. Lmao. 

I have to absolutely agree. I can see Cassidy playing with the other kids, going about her day when Bucky randomly shows up to collect his girl because he simply needs him an uncle day with his best girl. No shits are given. They spend the day up in the mountains exploring caves and finding cool rocks for her collection at Uncle Bucks house, all her treasured rocks are kept safe there because no one would dare mess with her Uncle Buck. 

He is her hero and her best friend. 

You and Steve don't care, Bucky wants to spend time with Cassidy, you two are thrilled to let him whenever he wants. In fact, when Bucky brings her home, Steve is the first to suggest a sleepover at Uncle Bucks. “Why don't you go pack a sleepover bag Chickadee?” when she races off to her bedroom to grab her pajamas and favorite stuffie, Steve grins wickedly. 

“Thanks, Uncle Buck, Y/N and I thank you. Bring her back in the morning and we will have breakfast for ya as a thank you.” 

Bucky shrugs, absolutely happy to have Cassidy overnight. 

Uncle Bucky and Cassidy make me so happy. I genuinely cant wait to bring her into the story although I don't know when it will happen yet. 

[queenxxxsupreme]

Congratulations on your milestone! Could I request an oneshot where it’s the moment where Jaskier holds baby Charlotte for the first time when she’s born, and he goes all soft, please? Thanks so much!! 😘

A/N: I have this whole story behind Charlotte’s name which if I ever get around to it would tie into an OC x Eskel fic that has to do with a sister of Jaskier’s and this whole dad!Jaskier AU kind of dabbles into it…. But I just have to kick my own ass into gear lmao.... also this is another one of the asks that was sent in over a year ago.... yikes I'm the worst lmao

Warnings: a bit angsty but fluffy, nothing outside of canon

You hummed quietly as you moved around the kitchen, making sure to be nearly as silent as possible. One week old Charlotte was just in the other room taking a nap. You had struggled to get her to sleep but now that she was finally asleep, you could clean up where it was needed. 

As you were passing a window, you glanced outside out of habit. Your eyes caught sight of two horses coming down the path. One was Roach carrying Geralt and the other was Piper carrying Jaskier. 

You hurried to go outside and meet your husband, but made sure to quietly close the front door behind yourself. 

Jaskier jumped down from Piper’s back before she even came to a stop. He was so eager and excited to get to you, to make it to you before the baby arrived. 

But as he started to approach you, he realized your stomach wasn’t as prominent as it had been two weeks ago when he left with Geralt for a contract. 

The bard came to a slow stop, brows drawing together with concern. His lips parted as his breath caught in his throat. 

“The-The baby.” He couldn’t even form a complete sentence. 

“It’s alright, my love.” You assured him, placing your hands on his arms. “She’s inside.”

His features immediately softened. His hands came up to your biceps. 

“She?”

“Mhm.” Tears sprung from seemingly nowhere as you nodded your head. 

Without missing a beat, Jaskier pulled you in for a hug. His arms wrapped around you so tightly, hands pressing against your back. 

“When?”

“Six days ago just before sunrise.”

His shoulders trembled as he cried into the crook of your neck. 

The both of you had been told by your midwife that the baby wouldn’t be born for three more weeks, so you encouraged Jaskier to go with Geralt on one final trip before fatherhood prevented him from traveling for a while.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Nonsense.” You brought your hand up to brush your fingers through his thick dark hair. “We are both safe. I only wish you would have been here to witness her birth.”

He pulled away to look at you. His cheeks were stained red and tears dampened his skin. You reached up to brush the tears away, smiling softly. 

“Would you like to see her?”

“Of course.” 

Jaskier started to go towards the house, his hand firmly holding yours. You hesitated. Your eyes found Geralt. 

“Come on, Geralt. You must see your niece.”

“I will be in momentarily.” The White Wolf told you, a soft smile playing on his face. “I’ll put the horses up.”

***

Jaskier squeezed your hand intermittently as you led him down the hallway towards your bedroom. 

“She just laid down for a nap not too long ago.” You warned him. 

He let your hand go and began to go to the crib by himself. You remained near the door, watching your husband with teary eyes. You had cried multiple times since her birth thinking about what this moment would be like, and now it was finally here. 

Jaskier took his lute off and gently placed it on the floor against her crib. 

“Oh my gods.” He whispered. 

Inside the crib was what looked like a wrapped up loaf of bread. But the little face poking out from the off white cloth made his heart melt. 

Without hesitation, Jaskier picked her up. 

“She barely weighs anything!” He whispered, blue eyes very briefly finding you. He returned his gaze to Charlotte as he cradled her in his arms. 

“Right now, she has your eyes.” You moved to stand next to him, leaning your chin on his shoulder. “Hopefully it stays that way. You have beautiful eyes.”

“She’s got your nose.” He chuckled softly, then sniffled. “What-What have you been calling her?”

“We agreed on Charlotte. After your sister.” 

Jaskier brought his gaze back to you. 

“Thank you, Y/N.”

“We agreed on it.” You cupped his cheek and used the pad of your thumb to gently brush the tears away. 

“No, thank you for this. For-For giving me a daughter.” He turned his head to kiss your palm. “It’s more than I ever could’ve asked for.”

“My love, I’d give you the moon and stars if I could.”

Jaskier leaned his head down to rest his forehead against yours. 

You both stayed like that for a few moments, eyes closed and taking in one anothers warm breath. It was comforting to just be there with your husband and now with your daughter too. 

“Geralt is going to love her.” Jaskier pulled back, a bright and proud smile on his face. 

“Let’s go introduce him.”

Taglist: @samuraigrl89 @burningcoffeetimetravel @open--till--midnight @beautifulsweetschaos @gm_abbo @thefirelordm @here4thespice @many-fandoms-lover @one-eyed-captain-kinky @sparrowsparadise @bluscryn @blushingskywalker @buckysxgal @lady-of-glass-and-bone @super-calithehamm @invelda @eddyofthetruth @hc-geralt-23 @persephonehemingway @adhdhufflepuff @Purple-Tsuki @bitquirkydoe

If your name is in italics, it wouldn’t let me tag you :(

[seasonsofeverlark]

$1 Smooches

Author: @alliswell21

Prompt: Everlark and a Kissing Booth [submitted by @mandelion82]

Rating: G

Author’s Note: Modern AU. ~1600 words _____________

“That game was rigged!” Katniss seethed.

“Lower your voice, Brainless! Do you want the carnies to curse you? I don’t, I’m standing right next to you!” Johanna hissed, slapping a hand over Katniss’ mouth. 

“I’m sure carnival workers consider that a derogatory term,” Prim sighed, done with her companions silliness.

“Anything is offensive nowadays,” said Johanna, winded, after Katniss shoved her away. 

Katniss scowled, giving another shove for good measure, “Cut it out, Johanna!”

Prim rolled her eyes. “You are aware, this is a charity event benefiting the hospital I work for, right? all booths are operated by volunteering hospital employees, which means the ring-the-bottle game wasn’t rigged,” Prim stared pointedly at her sister, “and nobody is getting cursed!” She glared at Johanna next, “Behave!”

There was nothing Katniss hated more than disappointing her baby sister. “I’m sorry, Prim, we’ll be better,” Katniss glared at her friend, “Right Jo?” 

“Fine! But I demand a greasy, deep fried treat, and a big sugary drink to go with it!” 

“Yay!” Primrose clapped, hooking her slender arms through her sister and friend’s elbows, “Lets have some fun!”

The trio came to a food booth, Prim piped in, “I’ll ordered us a funnel cake and two giant lemonades, you guys go find another game, I don’t mind waiting in line,” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yeah…and then we can go to the booth my department set up. My favorite nurse in the whole world is manning it!”

Katniss and Johanna walked past the inflatables and the bouncy castle, trying not to bump into families with rambunctious children, and then, they saw a ridiculously loud-excuse-of-an-eyesore-shack painted in pepto pink, decked to the gills with giant red and pink hearts sprouting from every corner of the stand, and a large, white sign crowning the top, announcing: “$1 Smooches”, spelled in blinking light bulbs, with a neon yellow arrow pointing downwards.

“A kissing booth?” Johanna arched her eyebrows, curiously. 

The queue to the booth was very long and to Katniss’ surprise, composed mostly by female patrons. 

“What. Is. that?!” Gasped Johanna, pointing to the booth while fanning herself with her free hand. Without further comment, Jo grabbed Katniss’ hand and marched straight for the kissing booth line.

“What—?”

“Come on Brainless, I have two singles in my wallet and a tube of chapstick ready for the hunk selling kisses!” 

Katniss was momentarily confused, until she saw a muscular man with a boyish, lopsided smile, taking a crisp dollar bill from a very enthusiastic woman; a second later, the man puckered up his pink lips, and leaned forward, just outside the big window of the booth, forearms flexing deliciously against the sleeves of his polo shirt; a wayward curl of his ashy blonde hair fell over his forehead in just the right way.

“Oh!” Katniss gulped, falling into step with her best friend. 

The line advanced impressively fast, for how long it was. In a matter of minutes, which was truly appreciated, since nobody particularly enjoyed being sandwiched between the baking sun and the suffocating blacktop of the lot. The girls were second to next line, but Johanna started sneezing uncontrollably, thanks to the cigarette smoke of a passerby. 

“Ugh! This is a hospital’s parking lot! A no smoke zone!” Jo rasped angrily, “Here!” She shoved a balled up wad of cash into Katniss’ hands, and before her friend could stop her, she went after the smoking a-hole, to rip him a new one. 

Katniss found herself at the front of line very suddenly, and the man beckoned her forward, lopsided grin, so inviting, she stepped up without consciously deciding to.

The man studied her quizzically for a moment, “Hello, there,” he greeted, “Are you an employee at Panem General, or are you a guest? You look familiar,” he said.

“Guest,” Katniss answered, a little too fast. She stepped backwards, rethinking her situation, the woman directly behind her, gave her a weak push forward, to keep her from stepping on her toes. 

The man looked at the ball of cash in Katniss’ hands and smiled brightly. “Would you like to make a donation to Panem General’s pediatric wing? Every dollar counts,” he said softly.

Katniss nodded bashfully, not really understanding his words, too preoccupied with how velvety soft the man’s voice was. She handed him the whole wad, which apparently was $5 in crinkled $1 bills. 

The guy took only one, and placed the rest of the money on the counter, next to Katniss’ hand, before leaning forward to brush his lips against Katniss’. 

There was no telling how long the kiss lasted, but judging by the aggravated buzzing of complaints coming from behind Katniss, it had been long enough to warrant an annoyed calling out.

“Hey! Stop holding up the smooches!” 

Katniss opened her eyes, shifting down to the ball of her feet. She hadn’t realized she’d closed her eyes and stretched on the tip of her toes during her kiss. She stared at the guy, who looked slightly dazed as he admired her back; his smile seemed even more crooked than before. 

“Oh my gosh, you found our booth!” Prim cried out, startling Katniss. “Oh, and you met nurse Mellark!” 

“What?!” The crowd behind Katniss grew restless and annoyed by the second. “I haven’t met any nurses—“

Katniss peered back at the booth suspiciously, expecting to see this nurse her sister spoke so much about, but the only person currently in the booth was the kissable blonde man, watching his sister with arched brows and surprise in his deep blue eyes. 

“Hi, Peeta!” Prim waved, the guy in the booth waved back, but the next person in line stood in front of him, blocking his view.

“Wait…” Katniss pulled Prim further out, before the mob of angry women throttled them, “That man is nurse Mellark?” She asked, pointing back as discreetly as she could; the man was looking at them with badly veiled concern, while still trying to do his job, as host of the smooching booth. “You mean to tell me, the handsome man kissing half the fair is the nurse Mellark you’re always gushing about, with the home baked cookies and the cute little drawings for the oncology patients?” Her gray eyes x-rayed her sister.

“Uh, yeah,” Prim sounded a bit too nonchalant. “He’s amazing, let me tell you,” she sort of mumbled, studying her cuticles. 

“Hey! What did I miss?” Johanna came back munching on a box of nachos, swimming in melted cheese. “Oooh! Elephant ear!” She said, snatching the funnel cake Prim was holding awkwardly. 

“Primrose forgot to mention that her most favorite nurse in the whole world is a HE!” Katniss snapped. 

“What?!”

“What’s so wrong about that? Men can be nurses,” Prim shrugged.

“But you didn’t tell me he was a man!”

“Well, you didn’t tell me you were a sexist pig, Katniss.”

“I am not!” 

Johanna giggled, stuffing her face with fair food. 

“Nurse Mellark is a great care provider who loves children and does his absolute best to bring joy during the worst time of our patients’ lives…What does it matter if he’s a guy? He’s great! What did you expect anyway?” Prim countered defensively, stubbornly.

“I don’t know! An elderly lady, with lots of motherly wisdom or something… I mean, every time you talked about nurse Mellark, you mentioned delicious homemade pastries, and finger paints, and sweet bedtime stories… I never pictured nurse Mellark to be so…”

“Manly,” Johanna finished, looking at the man in the booth, dreamily, finally having caught on. “He’s more of a tall tree trunk I’d like to climb like a koala bear in heat… now where’s my cash, brainless, my lips are ready for some smacking,”

“Johanna!” Katniss growled, but her friend waved her off. A thought occurred to her just then. “Prim…” Katniss whispered into her sister’s ear, “Are you…okay with this?” She said motioning to the 20 or so women in line. “Are you okay with all these people kissing nurse Mellark?” 

Primrose’s lips twitched, “Why wouldn’t I be? This booth was sort of my idea… it was actually more about  Doctor Odair selling the kisses, but nurse Mellark was very good sport, volunteering, ” She rolled her blue eyes. 

“Mmm… I just thought, maybe you had a thing for him?”

“For Peeta?!” Prim said loudly, before laughing hysterically. 

Katniss’ eyes shifted everywhere, and to her chagrin, the man in question— Peeta, apparently— looked up at his name.

“Not so loud!” Katniss hissed, but got interrupted by a booming voice. 

“Ladies, it is time for me to take a break.” Announced nurse Mellark— Peeta— A chorus of disgruntled patrons filled the air, but the man raised his hands placatingly, “Not to worry everyone, my pinch hitter, Doctor Odair, is ready to take over!”

As if by magic, the most attractive man Katniss had ever seen in her life— besides the beautiful male nurse, of course— popped from beside nurse Mellark and a collective swooning sigh rapped over the small crowd. 

Prim laughed. “Come on, I’ll introduce you guys properly. You’re going to love Peeta!”

“Hell no! I’m paying double for the new guy! You gals go ahead,” Johanna called, wolf whistling at the newcomer, waving two dollar bills in the air. 

A moment later, Prim had dragged Katniss to meet her most favorite nurse, secretly crossing her fingers as she made introductions…she thought Peeta and Katniss were perfect for each other, and she wholeheartedly hoped they would kick it off right away, so when she was wrinkly and white haired, she could tell her grand nephews and nieces the story of how their grandma paid a dollar to kiss their grandpa for the very first time. 

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #321

i’m exploring the deepest recesses of tumblr to unearth super old surveys, so you can expect an onslaught of ‘em.

When someone is tailgating you, do you drive faster or slower? I drive the same speed, even though it makes me incredibly uncomfortable. What place outside of your own home do you spend the most time at? My sister's place. Have you ever been snorkeling? No. Do most of your relatives live in the same state/province as you? No; only my parents and immediate sisters live here. Have you ever participated in a medical study? No. Is there a food you hate that everyone else seems to like? Especially where I live, fried chicken. It's disgusting. Have you ever had to evacuate from a natural disaster? No. Do you have any family members who are cancer survivors? Numerous, actually. Do you have any licenses other than your driver's license? I don't even have a driver's license, never mind anything else. What job does you significant other have? I’m single. When you were in elementary school, what was a typical afternoon like once you got home from school? I did my homework right away; well, after having a snack. After that, I was most likely on the computer playing Neopets or Webkinz, or something on the PlayStation. Is your favorite movie part of a series? Yes. Have you ever played in a water puddle? Sure, as a kid. I loved that. Have you ever played in a mud puddle? I don't think so. Have you ever kissed someone (outside) in the rain? Yes. He did it purely to be romantic, lol. Have you ever lost control of your car in the rain? No, thank fuck. Have you ever had to attend summer school? No. Have you ever experienced a summer where the temperature exceeded 120'F/49'C? Yikes, no, not that high. The highest we usually get is below 110. Do you live in a hot or cold (normally) climate? Hot. It sucks. Has your community ever had a “smog alert”? No. Have you ever raked leaves, and then played in them? Oh, absolutely as a kid. Dad would rake a pile just for us kids. Have they ever cancelled school because it was too hot? At least once, yes. Have you ever had to shovel snow? No. Have you ever experienced “cat’s breath”, where the wind was so powerful it took your breath away, literally? Yep, especially when I visited Sara and we went on a walk. It was fucking outrageous. Safe to say I didn't last long on that walk. Has your/or have you been in a car that was stuck in a snowstorm? No. What does your MySpace profile look like? I haven't seen it since that site was still "a thing." I do remember, however, that it was COVERED in meerkats, haha. Pictures, facts, etc. And my page song was "Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Beddingfield lmao. Do you like living in the country or city better? Country, 100%. I'm not a city gal by any means. Do you have a big backyard? No, it's very small. Not used to that at all. What is your favorite Adam Sandler movie? I don't know, he's in too many to choose lmao. What was the last thing that surprised you? Apparently a rocket crashed today after launch. What color hair did your first crush have? Brown. Have you ever visited your state’s capitol building? No. I... didn't even know those existed lmao I feel dumb. Who was the last person that said something that warmed your heart? I'm not sure, but I'm quite certain my niece or nephew would be involved there, haha. What is your favorite park? I don't have one. Have you ever felt an earthquake? No. Do you believe anyone is asexual? ???????????? Yes???????????? Were you abused? No. Have you ever missed a deadline? Yeah. Can you tell Mary-Kate and Ashley apart in pictures? I haven't seen them in an eternity, idk. Describe your fondest memory: I don't really want to... but I'll entertain the question. It's hard to choose, and they just about all include Jason. I think what I hold closest though was our dance to "Stairway to Heaven" after prom in the headlights of his car in my front yard. It's something that physically hurts to remember. What song makes you cry every time you hear it? Let's set aside my "trigger songs" for this. "Terrible Things" by Mayday Parade does it very easily. How often do you break your promises? I almost never do. I don't bullshit around with promises. I've only ever broken ones I'd forgotten I'd made, if my memory serves me right. How long do you take in the shower, on average? Not even 10 minutes. Do you have your MySpace/Facebook profile set to a "friends only" setting? Yes. Did your last kiss mean anything? Why or why not? Of course it did. I care very, very deeply for her. Are your summers usually boring and relaxing, or busy and interesting? "Summers are hot and miserable." <<<< mood Tell me a crazy thing you did as a child. I don't really think I did anything "crazy" as a child, just weird. Like pretending to be a father penguin arranging rocks to mock a nest. I was fuckin weird. How many best friends do you have? One. When you’re upset, who do you wanna talk to the most? Either Sara, Mom, or nobody. Opinion on Daughtry? They're nice. "No Surprise" is positively beautiful. Do you like country music? Noooooo. What’s been the most awkward situation you've been in? Okay, possible TMI. Basically, Jason's parents arrived home way, way earlier than they were supposed to and my panicky ass couldn't find my clothes quickly, and when I finally did, I had to dress as quickly as possible in his tiny-ass closet while he distracted his mom and dad lmfao. I'ma just say it was a very close call to me melting into a mortified puddle. I look back on it and laugh now, but the absolute, throbbing fear I felt was NOT funny back then lmfao. Don’t you love that feeling when you look at someone and you just melt? <3 That is genuinely one of the best feelings in the entire world. Do you prefer male or female singers? I have no preference. So what are you planning for this summer? Nothing, really... Who knows where the Covid situation will be then. What’s a good book? In general for absolutely anyone, Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. It is a book about pacifism that is so very deep and emotional. For women, I highly recommend The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. As a woman myself, the concept of the book is terrifying, to be reduced to reproduction machines without rights, so it's something you can really feel as a female. It's a book that definitely makes you want to fight for women's rights. Is it awkward for you when your parents talk to you about boys etc… No. I'm a grown woman. Now if she asked about my sex life (if I had one), I'd feel a bit weird, but not very. Do you like it when guys play with your hair? Yeah. Ever cried when you had to say goodbye to someone? Well of course. Over multiple people. Have your parents ever hated one of your boyfriends/girlfriends? No. Have you ever dreamt of someone you barely know? Indeed. Do you have a blood donor’s card? Yep. Have you ever taken a pregnancy test? I had to before surgery. Has anyone seen you naked in the last week? No. What kind of doctor did you go to the last time you went? It was via phone, but I talked with my psychiatrist a few days ago. Does your ex still think about you? I'm sure Sara and Girt do, as they're my good friends, but idk if either think of me romantically. I would hope Jason at least remembers me with some degree of care in his heart... As for Juan, Aaron, and Tyler, idk if they do and I don't really care. What has been bothering you a lot lately? My weight. Are you trustworthy? I think so, yes. Did your parents teach that white lies were ok? Yeah, but it definitely depends on the situation. Which literary character would you dress up as, if you had to choose one? Speaking of The Handmaid's Tale, for Halloween one year, I really, really want to take some cool photos of me dressed as a handmaid with a (obviously fake) blood splatter over my stomach. What (or who) is the best thing that ever happened to you? Being born with the mom I have, probably. I have no idea. None. Of where I'd be without her. Do you miss college? Sigh, sometimes... but I'm not going back. No chance. Dropping out three times due to my mental state hints at a clear pattern. Have you ever called a teacher “mom”? Yeah, accidentally. Except with my physical science teacher in HS that eventually became my "other mom" and most recently our landlord, even. I call her "Mama" sometimes. What was the name of your first imaginary friend? It was a wolf whose name I don't remember. What color was your nursery when you were a baby? No clue. What is your favorite arcade game? I desperately wanna go to a location that has Silent Hill: The Arcade. :/ That's on my bucket list. It's very rare. Are you allergic to grass? No. Do you remember to water plants? I don’t have any plants to water. What is your favorite fall drink? I don't drink any "fall" drinks. Favorite winter drink? Hot chocolate! Favorite spring drink? There are "spring" drinks? Favorite summer drink? Gimme a nice, cold margarita. Name three creative people you know. Sara, Tez, and Mini are some of the most creative people I've ever written with. Name 3 YouTubers you aspire to be like. Mark in like a million different ways, I look up greatly to Jeffree Star's work ethic (say what you will about him personally, but holy shit does mama WORK), and Emzotic for her incredible growth after trauma that's left her more confident than ever, and she's amazing with animals and just a darling overall. Does anyone know who your current crush is? Yeah, I'm pretty open about it. Have you ever been scammed? Not successfully, no. Which song describes your life? I relate to "Get Up" by Mother Mother a lot at this point in my life. If someone dislikes you, what is most likely to be the reason? Probably because I open up so slowly/am very secretive of myself when someone might be trying to get close. People have also criticized my laziness. Where did you meet the last person you swapped numbers with? YouTube. At least I think Tez was the last person I gave my number to. Who was the last person to add you as a friend on Facebook? Hunter, my neighbor growing up. Who was the last person that asked if you were okay? My therapist. I had to leave group due to severe abdominal cramping. It was just my period, but he just wanted to check. What was the last thing you bought from a vending machine? Probably a soda back when I was still in school. Has anyone given you butterflies recently? Actually yeah; I had a memory of Sara that caused 'em to revisit me. What was the name of the first person you ever had a crush on? Why did you like them? I'm going to exclude my puppy-dog crush (Dylan) and talk about my first "real" crush, Sebastian. I liked him because we had very similar interests, he was really friendly, nice, and funny, and he clearly trusted me a lot because he actually confided in me regarding the relationship he was in that was struggling and causing him a lot of pain. I thought he was attractive, too. Ngl, I wonder sometimes where we could have gone if he hadn't been dating the girl, because I'm 90% sure he was into me, too. In current times, he very recently got engaged! Super happy for him. Which parent do you identify with the most? My ma. What do you think you cook or bake the best? Scrambled eggs, I guess. That's just about all I CAN make, haha. My family likes 'em. I always use American cheese, salt, pepper, and a bit of hot sauce. What embarrasses you the most in front of other people? Admitting I RP. If you had to choose one thing you were most passionate about, what would it be and why? Of actually important things, gay rights. If we're talkin' passionate about anything, then the answer's meerkats, duh. Who are you most envious of—real or fictional—and why? A rival photographer that lives here. I absolutely hate admitting that, but yeah, I'm extremely envious of her. She gets way more traffic than I do by a long shot, even though I, from a completely modest and honest standpoint, genuinely think I do better work than her. It's just frustrating. All about who you know in this business. How old is the most expired item in your fridge? Supposedly our milk expired on the 1st, but it smells just fine? And mind you, I am very cautious with expiration dates, and I've found milk typically starts to smell bad a few days earlier than the date to me. This jug is an outlier. What are your favorite style of underwear? I'm a fat old lady that likes high-waisted underwear. What’s the saddest song you’ve ever heard? Maybe "The Ballad of Dwight Fry" by Alice Cooper. I could name tons, though. How about the sweetest song? Maybe "Easy to Love You" by Theory of a Deadman. Another song I struggle to listen to because it was one of mine and Jason's "songs." Do you know how to play dominoes? No. Are you proud of what you’re doing with your heart and time right now? Not in the least. Why or why not? I'm just wasting time. Doing nothing with true meaning, and I seem unable to get over this low point I'm in. How many bones have you broken? One. Well, I was told "fractured," but apparently that's the same thing as broken? Have you ever won anything? Big or small? Yeah, multiple things. What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Animals like cats or dogs. Pets, basically. I would feel WAY too weird. Has anything/anyone every saved your life before? Yes. What is one thing you’re embarrassed to admit you want to try? If I'm embarrassed by it, why would I share it with whoever reads these? What is the most important memory you have and why? When I decided it was truly time to move on from Jason. Why that's my most important is obvious: it changed my mindset and life in general. Is there something you wish you had said sorry for but never did? God, I hope Jason read my apology email I last sent him. I finally accepted I did wrong, too, and I want to know that he knows that. Who was the last person you know to have a birthday? My youngest niece's first birthday was mid-February. What’s a musical instrument you think sounds really beautiful? The violin. Do you play that instrument? I wish I could. Do you have a favorite type of pasta? (like a shape of noodles, not dish) Just spaghetti noodles, ig. How many times a day do you brush your teeth? Once. Who sent the last e-mail you got? My PHP therapist sent me the Zoom link to our group session. Do you have a favorite shape? Out of basic ones, circles. What’s the last song you bought/downloaded? I don't recall. Probably something by 3TEETH. Have you ever been on a trapeze? Hell nah. Do you buy chocolate after Valentine’s Day when it goes on sale? No. Do you personally know anyone who is an author? I met a poet at the psych hospital once. I also have an old friend who had something published in a magazine, I think. Do you own a polaroid camera? No, but I'd love to to take more ~aesthetic~ photographs sometimes. What is something you think is underrated? Snakes! :( They're not scary or gross, nor do they in any way deserve to be killed. I wish the worth of snakes was seen much more clearly. They are spectacular, intriguing animals. Around what temperature do you consider it to be too hot outside? Once it hits like 65*F, I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. In what ways do you expect your life to be different one year from now? I hope beyond hope that I have a job I enjoy. And that I'm driving again. What’s a hobby you used to have, but don’t anymore? I used to loooove video editing, but I've lost all motivation for it. Do you have any exercise equipment in your home? Somewhere we have this one stretchy thing that I have no idea what it's called, then there are two sets of small weights somewhere. Where is the farthest north you’ve traveled to? New York. Farthest south? Florida. East? Well, ya can't go more east in NC unless you want to drive into the ocean... lol. West? Illinois. If you have/want children, will you raise them similar to the way you were raised? If I had kids, I would in some ways, but in a lot of other ways, no. Do you have any unusual decorations in your home? Nothing strange, no. What is the highest level math class you’ve completed? I don't know. Not very high. Do you have an ebook reader? (iPad, Kindle, etc.) No. What kind of natural disaster is most common where you live? Hurricanes. Have you ever had an animal get into your attic? No. When was the last time you started a “new chapter” of your life? 2017, ig. What is the last random act of kindness you did? I guess you could consider a loving text to Sara a random act of kindness?

[5lazarus]

Solavellan Baby Ficlet

He has not felt this rooted exhaustion, pulling at the edges of his physicality, since his first war. He is utterly overwhelmed: by the weeping, the sleeping, the being of her, and Solas looks at Lavellan and the child and feels like his heart is physically attempting to leap out of his chest. He cannot tell where the fear ends and the elation begins; it is all slumped together into the exhaustion, but by the third week Lahtaras seems to have understand how to feed, and she grabs back when he touches her, and she seems to recognize him and she squeals sometimes, and the fear is unknotting into elation. He drifts, half-asleep, with her curled into his chest.

Meanwhile, the world wags on. Lavellan is reading reports and plotting troop movements with Cullen, at her desk in their quarters, while he soothes the baby. He is taken aback by her equanimity, but of course this is her third time around, and the first time in relative physical safety. Skyhold is impregnable; he regrets the pun when he looks at his daughter. He didn’t even know he could have one, with the world so changed; it was rare for the People to have children, before he raised the Veil, and the humans of the Inquisition express their surprise at his and Lavellan’s surprise. He thought he couldn’t have one, she thought she still had another year until she had to worry--but the Breach has disrupted more than the order of the seasons and the reflections of the Fade.

“We’ll need to finish securing the Dales,” Lavellan says, “before we move onto the Korcari Wild. And I’d like Orzammar’s support secured before we engage Corypheus directly in battle. Suledin Keep was a disaster. We will not have that happen again.”

Cullen frowns. “They want you to investigate the tremors in the Deep Roads personally, Inquisitor. Are you sure you’re...recovered enough?” Lavellan glances at Solas, who looks away, trying to hide his worried expression.

“I’d like another month. In an ideal world, I’d like an entire year. But,” she looks rueful, “I decided to have a child in the middle of war. And I was raised on halla-milk. As long as we’re not gone for more than a few weeks...well, no matter. I’m certain Solas can cope.”

Can I? he almost says aloud. She laughs at the face he makes. Lahtaras is beginning to doze off. He holds her closer. “Between myself, Bull, and Cole, I’m certain we’ll be fine.” Lavellan stretches her arms out and he gently shifts their child into her arms. Mercifully, she stays asleep. Cullen is smiling at them.

“She’s getting bigger,” he says.

Lavellan hums slightly as Solas leans against the chair, an arm around them. “She’s beginning to turn into a person. What did Sera call her? A worm?”

“With ears,” Solas says drily. “A grub with ears.” He has his hand on her shoulder now, and with the baby resting in the crook of her arm, Lavellan drifts her free hand to hold his. The moment is quiet. It feels eternal. Solas hardly notices when Cullen takes his leave, but he notices nonetheless.

“She’s going to grow so much,” Lavellan says sadly, “while I’m away. Don’t you dare miss a minute of it.”

“Come back as quickly as you can,” he says. He bites back the anxiety surging through the tiredness: don’t leave me to raise her alone, foreigner in a foreign land, I have only the dead to offer her, and I cannot survive if you pass, too. I do not know the limits to my endurance. I am not like you.

She looks up at him. “I won’t die, Solas. Don’t be so grim.”

He tries to joke, “I thought you liked that....” Lavellan grimaces.

“We should go to bed,” she decides. “While she’s still sleeping. She’ll be hungry soon.”

He passes a hand over his forehead. “I...do not think I have entered the Fade in two days.” He watches her bite back her usual swear--by the Dread Wolf!--and she says, “By the Herald, Solas. No naps? I napped. I don’t remember when. But I did it.”

It takes him a second to process what she has said. “By the Herald? Really?”

“I caught Scout Harding saying it on the battlements,” she shifts the baby in her arms. “Can you take her? My shoulder’s getting stiff.” Lavellan cautiously shifts her into his arms as she rises from the chair. She flexes the hand with the Anchor. The pregnancy helped with stabilizing it, but it still aches.

“I thought you disliked these rumors of your omnipotence.”

“At this point, I’m trying to find humor where I can. Didn’t you, when Mythal elevated you?”

Solas pauses. That was so long ago. He feels unmoored in time, awash in the slight raspings of his daughter’s breath. “That was millenia ago, I don’t quite--” He remembers annoyance at the mural of the Wolf at her petitioner’s hall. The People forgot what he looked like. She needed him to be discrete, but he rarely stayed long in wolf form. “I was too harried to take a moment to laugh, I think. They forgot my name quickly.” Lahtaras stirs and they both lean forward anxiously, but she sighs in her sleep and snuggles into Solas’ chest. He feels like he is melting. There are tears prickling at his eyes. Who could reconcile Fen’Harel with this? Time is so different now: so fast, so slow. Elvhenan feels both six millennia and five years away. Lahtaras will never speak his language naturally.

“Are you alright?” Lavellan asks softly, as he cradles Lahtaras closer. She wraps her arms around them. “You’re upset.”

“I wish I could slow down time,” he says. “I wish--in Elvhenan, children were rare. We would not be expected to share our time with much else besides her. I wish I could give her--my whole self, the attention she deserves. I look back at the white nights I spent as a youth and wish I had that energy still. There was a market, in Arlathan...” he trails off, remembering the stall with the constellations dancing over a bassinet, he had purchased it for an old friend, what had been her name, Marella, one of Mythal’s guards. What had come of her child, after the fall? She had named him Adahlfenor. He hadn’t liked the name, or her mate either, why? Nuvis had not seemed a productive type of angry. “A friend of mine had a son. I bought them a bassinet that had the constellations dancing through it, to keep the baby entertained. I wonder if Dagna would be able to enchant something similar.”

Lavellan presses a kiss to his tired eyes. “We can ask in the morning. I won’t leave for another three days, at least.”

“How are we doing this?” he wonders aloud. “You’re so--unphased by this.”

Lavellan laughs, quietly. “Two nephews, a niece, and two daughters. If I stop to think about it, I won’t be able to do it at all.”

[cywscross]

Fic Recs

For @bakatora​ who - to my interpretation - asked for some heartwarming, uplifting plotty fics you can sink your teeth into and come out feeling better because reality is hard right now, which I honestly really need myself. I’ve been so busy with exams and essays for the past three weeks, I haven’t even been writing fanfic, I think this is actually the longest I’ve ever gone without writing something, and I’m still not finished. Last exam is on Friday, and then I’m gonna crash.

But anyway, I’ll list these by fandom since you said any, and most of them are complete too, hope you enjoy :)

Boku no Hero Academia

but you gotta get up at least once more by simkjrs

Midoriya Izuku does not let his lack of a Quirk prevent him from being strong. Also known as that one AU where Izuku follows the ridiculous training regimen of Saitama from One Punch Man and becomes stronger than anyone ever imagined he could be.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Welcome to the Hellmouth! Part Deux by OffYourBird

Summary: It's been 20 years since the Hellmouth closed, and Buffy has realized that awakening the Potentials has had a vicious side effect. Or rather, several. Left with the choice to either lead or follow as the current present gets erased, Buffy risks everything to go back to the Hellmouth... and back to the one being she thought she'd never see again.

Her Way by dreamweaver

After Spike burns up in the Hellmouth, Buffy demands that the Oracles send her back in time.

Changes by dreamweaver

This is fluff, a sequel to "Her Way", a romp through all the changes everybody has to go through once Buffy and Spike claim each other.

Something Redux by dreamweaver

A year after Spike’s death in the Hellmouth, Buffy is flung back in time.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The Graves Identity by Mishafied

He doesn't remember who he is or how he ended up injured in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness; all he knows is his name is Percival, and he owes his life to the shy, redheaded zoologist who saved him. But unfortunately, just because he doesn't remember his past doesn't mean it can't come back to haunt him. This is the story of how Percival got his happily ever after, and then had to fight to keep it.

Final Fantasy VII

Company by esama

Cloud stopped planning a life in ShinRa and ShinRa definitely made no plans for him.

Rock Bottom by esama

In which Cloud is so not doing this again. Except then he is.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Reverti Ad Praeteritum by Batsutousai

Unwillingly forced to serve as a human trial for a crazy alchemist experimenting with time travel, Edward Elric finds himself standing across from Truth in the moment it takes his leg from him. Armed with the knowledge of what's to come and burdened with guilt for the choices he'd made as an adult, Ed sets out to fix every mistake he ever made and save every life they ever lost, no matter what it takes.

demon alchemist by metisket

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re doin’ your best. It’s just your best isn’t quite good enough, Colonel. So while you’re doing whatever the hell it is you do, I’ll be here cleaning up after you.”

Game of Thrones

if you try to break me, you will bleed by Dialux

It had been a slash across her chest from a White Walker’s sword that finally ended her life. Sansa’d landed in a puddle of her own blood, and she’d died quickly, quietly. And then she’d awoken with a gasp, trembling, in a bed that had burned under Theon’s betrayal.

Harry Potter

The Sum of Their Parts by holdmybeer

For Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter would become a Dark Lord. For Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter would take down the Ministry or die trying. He should have known that Hermione and Ron wouldn't let him do it alone.

Gelosaþ in Écnesse by Batsutousai

Caught in the backlash of Voldemort's Killing Curse, Harry is thrown through time to a world so very different from his own.

Hikaru no Go

Watch and Learn by Trial and Error by esama

When God gives Hikaru his wish, he begins his journey again with a new goal in life, to prevent Sai from fading.

a hundred year of memories by aimichan

Sai is reborn as Shindou Hikaru with all of his memories intact.

The Relative Value of Things by rageprufrock

Touya Akira isn't the only person who wants.

Jurassic World

Pushing Boundaries by Macx

Masrani Global recruited him to train raptors. It was an intriguing, novel idea, something only a crazy or insane person would attempt. Owen wasn't crazy or insane. He knew he could do this. He just didn't know how deep he would get into it, how strong the connection to the pack would become, how close... they, the four of them, would become to him. His grandfather had always warned him: don't get too close. Don't let them connect. Well, it was too late for that now.

Kingsman

Care and Custody by esama

Eggsy takes out the medal in slightly worse circumstances, asking for a miracle.

Marvel

Run 'Verse by themonkeycabal

Darcy's not quite sure what she'll do with another dad.

Nobody's heroes by boleyn13

“This job... we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that, next time... maybe nobody gets saved.” At the end of the day Steve did save everybody. He saved Bucky from Tony, his team from the government, the world from the Sokovia Accords. Some time would probably have to pass for things to blow over, and then everything would go back to normal. Couple of days. Tops. After all Team Cap saved everybody, showing the world how dangerous the accords were, how easily they could be abused. Even their supporters had to come to their senses now. Yet five days after Siberia nobody feels safe. Things don’t calm down and suddenly it’s again Steve against the rest of the world. Only now it’s not some international organisation or government but the people. The ones he had saved. Slowly Captain America must realize that they don’t feel saved but angry, hurt and scared. The people demand justice for those who were really trying to save them and paid the price for it.

Naruto

backslide by blackkat

Naruto’s friends are gone, his lover is dying, Konoha is destroyed, and Madara’s second return has pushed the entire world to the brink. Hunted and harried, Naruto is sent back in time to upend Madara’s plan before it even starts, and sets about changing everything. Butterfly effect nothing: the world is at stake, and Naruto is hardly about to let it fall to ruin once more. Not while he’s still breathing.

Stormborn by blackkat

(The soul of a city is a hard thing to kill. Uzushio is still aware, still waiting. And now, with the rebirth of her greatest Kage, it’s time to call her people home.)

An Invincible Summer by ShanaStoryteller

When Naruto is five, he's gutted by a drunken civilian and presumed dead. Six months later a girl with ash pale hair and dark blue eyes enters the Academy.

Star Wars

Letters... by flamethrower

When Jedi Master Tahl is murdered, Qui-Gon Jinn leaves the Order, and his Padawan. Obi-Wan Kenobi isn't about to let him go that easily.

Re-Entry by flamethrower

Re-Entry is an alternate universe epic that spans time and possibility. Obi-Wan Kenobi, while still a young Padawan, suffers an injury and wakes up with all of the memories, experience, training, and Force-strength of Old Ben Kenobi. It isn't long before the Jedi discover that Anakin Skywalker, a five-year-old slave from the Outer Rim, has undergone the exact same change. Obi-Wan and Anakin bear the scars of harsh lessons learned; those who love them must learn those lessons quickly, before the mistakes of old are repeated.

Supernatural

I Melted Wax To Fix My Wings by TardisIsTheOnlyWayToTravel

After four torturous months Sam has his brother back, but Dean is accompanied by an angel with a terrible task for them both: help stop the impending apocalypse, or see the world destroyed. Sam has no idea what to do next when the Trickster turns up, blonde and female this time but as maddening as ever, promising assistance. As time passes Sam finds himself slowly coming to depend on the pagan Trickster god, but just when it looks like the apocalypse can be averted, the Winchester luck kicks in and threatens to ruin everything - including Sam's friendship with Loki.

The Laughter of Dead Tricksters by onthewaters

After Dean returns from Hell, the boys have an encounter with another Trickster and Gabriel ends up assisting. And then there is that whole Lilith thing.

Teen Wolf

Naughty Hookers (Swathed in Wool) by pprfaith

Stiles is happy with his store, his hobbies, his friends. Peter's just trying to figure out how to raise his nieces and nephew without fucking them up too badly. Paths cross.

All In A Spin by ShippersList

Stiles can't really talk anymore but, with Peter, he realizes he doesn't have to. Even if their spoken communication consists of one swear word and stuttered syllables, they understand each other. And that's what counts.

If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out by mia6363

Commander Stilinski looked like he fell out of a propaganda video, his armor still smoking as he pulled off his helmet and handed it off to First Officer Argent. He had a few bruises down his neck but his smile was bright. “Glad to see you safe and sound, Mr. Hale. I’d hate for Derek to lose a member of his family.” “I told you,” Derek snapped at his superior, “he’s not worth this, Commander.”

Out Of The East, Never See The Sun Rise by ladypigswagon

In the beginning, there are three absolutes. One. Stiles is a god, forged of starlight and collapsing galaxies and he is eternal. Two. Peter is human, fragile bone and viscous blood and he is temporary. Three. Stiles and Peter are in love; love that claws its way inside one’s heart like fish hooks; all encompassing love that is beautiful but dangerous. Stiles is a god. Peter is human. They love each other. Three absolutes.

Save Me by DiscontentedWinter

Peter is the Alpha. He's nobody's savior. Not his pack's. Not his town's. And not that kid's. But sometimes salvation goes both ways.

Kitty Quintuplets by iCheat (short but hella fluffy if you need a pick-me-up)

Prompt: Imagine person A getting home really drunk one night and they tell person B that they're pregnant with kittens.

The Unexpected Marriage of Peter Hale by moonstalker24

This is the story of how Peter gets married without technically dating anyone. “You can bring your boyfriend with you,” Talia says. Peter stops giving Henry more bits of dried fruit to stare at his sister “Boyfriend?” “Of course!” Talia gestures at Stiles who looks around behind him with wide eyes. “I’m sure the whole family would be interested in meeting your young man.”

The Sphinx of Beacon Hills by Guede

Stiles is a sphinx, and he’s winging his way to visit his buddy Scott when a storm drops him in Beacon Hills, the craziest, crankiest, coldest place ever. And somehow, he ends up with a bunch of werewolves.

Proposing To Strangers by moonstalker24

At the end of a strained relationship, crime novelist Stiles chooses to hide from the world inside a bar with far too many motorcycles outside it for comfort. Here he'll meet the man of his dreams, eat food and propose marriage, all within the first five minutes. Peter doesn't know who this kid is, but he's cute and looks like he could use a break. So he feeds him. He's not expecting a marriage proposal, but with what comes after, he doesn't really mind.

it's not the color i came in by nezstorm

Stiles is a bit of an anomaly among the Omegas he knows, or everyone on the spectrum really. For him, heats are about comfort and safety, and not at all about sex.

Whiskey is My Kind of Lullaby by taylorpotato

Peter is a simple saloon owner on one of the outer planets between the Aaru Belt and the Olympus Galaxy. He’s done with trouble. Done with adventure. So fucking done with rustlers. That is, until a cute young outlaw named Stiles wanders into his bar. Peter has this problem where he can’t seem to resist charming narcissists (perhaps because they remind him of himself). And when said narcissists turn his life upside-down, the worst part is he’s not even that upset about it.

Crossovers

Whispers in Corners by esama (HPxSherlock)

Everything started with a stumble - his new life in a new world as well as his surprisingly successful career as a medium.

There May Be Some Collateral Damage by metisket (BleachxHP)

Ichigo’s been ordered to go undercover at a magic school to bodyguard a kid named Harry Potter, and this would be fine, except that he’s about as good at bodyguarding as he is at magic. And he considers it a good day, magic-wise, if he hasn’t set anything on fire.

Of Wizards and Heroes by littlelightsinourheart (storyforsomeone) (HPxMarvel)

Centuries after that fatal day of the battle of Hogwarts, Harry Potter has fallen into legend, a bedtime story parents tell their children, a name whispered around campfires. He wanders the world alone and immortal, until one single reckless moment sends him hurtling into a parallel dimension of heroes and villains. A new enemy arises from an ancient power, and Harry must take a stand as the last wizard to protect this new world. If only SHIELD would stop trying to track him down...and someone could explain what the hell was an 'Avenger' was supposed to be. Honestly, muggles...

Cardcaptor Harry by LunaStorm (Cardcaptor SakuraxHP)

In which both Albus Dumbledore and Clow Reed would have done well to remember that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in any philosophy... or predicted by the most imprecise branch of magic...

i blinked (and there you were) by Della19 (Doctor WhoxKingsman)

The Weeping Angels, Eggsy reads on the stolen Torchwood intel. Aliens that pose as statues, and kill their victims by sending them back in time and feeding off their years not lived in the present. The politest psychopaths in the universe, a note reads, scrawled in what looks like a doctor’s chicken scratch on the edge of the page by someone who clearly had a perverse sense of humour. A one way trip, the report concludes; you get transported by the angels, and it’s the slow road back to the present for you. Eggsy lays his head back on the wall, takes stock of his situation. He’s lost 30 years - three years more than his entire lifespan up ’til now - in the blink of an eye, and now he’s stuck here, in 1988. Three years before he’s even born. Arthur, the prick, is sure to be heading up the Kingsmen, and Merlin, if he’s even there would be…20, maybe. Fuck, so fucking young. Shite, even Harry’d only be… Alive, Eggsy thinks, and finds himself sitting down hard from where his knees can’t hold him. This is 1988, and Harry’s 23, and alive. Suddenly, being stuck in 1988 doesn’t seem so bad. Or, the one where love means changing the future.

[doublehex]

A Song for Dragons: Chapter One - A Beginning

Read on Chaos Inferred

Read on AoO3

THE CYCLES OF THE SONG

And it would come to pass, just as in the age of ruin, that the weight of sin would weigh on the empires of man. The green would fade, and the crop of corn would wither. But in the wake of such evil would men cry out, and women would weep in desperation, O Lords of the Heavens, O Masters of the World, let the Dragon be born again; let the Dragon be born of the salt, let the Dragon be born to the flame. Let the Dragon melt away the coldness of the world, let the Dragon lift the darkness from men's hearts. Let the Dragon summon forth the banners, woven from their hunger insatiable. Let the Prince of the Dark call forth his courage; let the Queen of Light find her purpose. Let the mountains quiver in their coming; let them soar above all else in the world. May the Dragon ride the waves of glory to the End of Creation.

From Asyrio Topamtes, Introduction to the Second Age of Heroes of Westeros  

 SON OF WHITE HARBOR

 For any son of the Mander, nothing tasted of home like the salt-licked sea. He was across the Narrow Sea, he was standing on the Pentoshi harbors, but Wendel Manderly was only half-certain he wasn’t home. It felt same in all the ways that White Harbor would. The heavy breeze pulling at his hair, the whipping of the masts, the yells of sailors and shiphands as they load casks and crates. It was all a thousand different sounds that were music to his ears.

Wendel turned and saw Jon Snow taking his first steps off of the ramp. The boy had the Stark looks; the dark hair, the solemn face, the eyes that were gray steel in one light and silver in another. At the boy’s hand was a sword, a gift from Lord Eddard. Fine northern steel, with a thick and durable pummel. He saw the blade itself only once, and he saw the markings of a snarling wolf near the hilt. Jon Snow kept it close in hand.

If only the boy wasn’t bastard born, he would have had the prospects of the entire North. Wendel had no doubt that his nieces would have had an eye or two on him. If his name was Stark instead of Snow, Lord Eddard would need to wrestle with marriage proposals up to his shoulders. And all of his sons, it was only Jon that took on the Stark looks. Every lord in the North would want their next generation to have the gray eyes of the sons of Winterfell.

And to sweeten all that, Jon had a face to be proud of. It was a strong, sweet face that no doubt a serving girl dreamed of kissing. And maybe even some of those Southron flowers, now that Wendel thought on it. After three years, I’ll eat a clam’s shell if you don’t have a bastard of your own.

“Jon Snow, how goes your first step onto Pentos?”

Jon Snow looked around, eying his surroundings. His eyes were drawn to a man robed in green and gold astride a zorse. “Can I say unreal, Lord Wendel?”

Wendel smiled and laughed. “That you can. I can remember the first time I sailed to Essos. I thought the same as you. That this place is unreal, a place of fancy.”

“Almost as if the Night’s King will step from the shadows any moment.”

“By the true gods, let’s pray that won’t happen.” Wendel pulled at his long whiskers. “Where’s that wolf of yours?”

Jon turned towards the ship. “Ghost, to me,” he called, and from behind the railings of the Ice Wife Wendel could see the white furs of the direwolf. When Wendel Manderly arrived in Winterfell for the King’s feast, the direwolf pups were the size of a small dog. A month later, and Ghost looked like he could eat a runt. Lady Catelyn was wed to the north for near on twenty years, but Wendel doubted that prepared her for the direwolves. I don’t think any but the Starks are prepared for the direwolves.

Ghost padded to Jon, ever close to his master. Wendel could not count a moment when the two were far apart. Jon’s eyes were gazing everywhere, and Wendel could hardly blame him. Wendel had crossed the Narrow Sea half a dozen times. With White Harbor being the largest port in the North, it fell on the Manderlys to make sure trade flowed through the Stark domain. Sometimes that required a son of White Harbor to do business with one Essosi cheesemonger or another.

Wendel had seen Qartheen milk men, Dothraki raiders, dealt with the Iron Bank, witnessed YiTish in their tailed hats, and even met a shadowbinder in Qohor. It was all almost dull to Wendel by now, but Jon was like a maid here. Eddard Stark’s instructions were clear as glass: “Escort my son across the Narrow Sea. Find him a noble merchant to be a guard for, or failing that, a mercenary company of repute for him to contract his sword to.” Once Wendel had fulfilled his lord’s commands, then he could return home.

It was a tall order, but Wendel knew he was up to the task. White Harbor was not so remote as the Southron flowersuckers would believe, and the name Manderly and Stark was not so reclusive that people would look at him with bewildered eyes when he made introductions. Even if both were true, Jon had been trained by a Master-at-Arms since a boy could be instructed. He was not some lice ridden fool with a sharp blade. He was a more than capable swordsman, with the knowledge and form to back it up.

He knew the name of some of the magisters that ruled Pentos. Arelos Menartis, Julien Solarno, Alergio Turaktos. But never Illyrio Mopatis – that one had been scorned by the magisters and the Prince of Pentos ever since some scandal with his second wife. Wendel was half certain he took a bed slave as a wife, or something along those lines. Jon Snow needed a good repute, and it would not do to have him protect one who was cut off from the other rulers of the city. Even if his “crime” was something Wendel could hardly see fault in.

And even beyond all that, there was still the possibility that Jon Snow wouldn’t find favor with any of the magisters. Unlikely, for Wendel had pride in how he could sell any deal, but it was still there. If so, he would need to set Jon up with one of the mercenary companies. That didn’t sit well with Wendel. Mercenaries flew with the wind, going to which purse jingled the loudest. Jon could be fighting for a noble cause one moon, and then be killing for the prosperity of a vile man the next.

The Golden Company was ever in the back of his mind. The Blackfyre were wiped out, despite how much Aegor Bittersteel swore to put one on the Iron Throne. The Company had nothing more to fight for, no reason to cross the Narrow Sea. Well, more than a share of noble bastards had made up their ranks, so perhaps that was cause. But Wendel just could not see it. The Golden Company of today just was not the same legion that threatened Westeros a near half dozen times.

It was an option. A point of consideration. A bitter salve to swallow. The Company would not invade any time soon, or ever, but the North has a long memory. Signing Jon up with them would not sit right with anyone – least of all the bastard himself. Sending Jon into the ranks of sellswords was a last option, and the Golden Company was the very last of those options.

No, no, not the Golden Company, not today, not ever. Wendel could not see the fruits being so barren that the vineyard of Bittersteel was the only option. But even then, the idea that Lord Eddard had to send his bastard across the Narrow Sea was difficult to grasp. Had any other lord sent his baseborn son to Essos? Wendel could not find an answer.

What Eddard Stark did with his family was his business, Wendel knew that as well as any other man. Father’s ravings over him never taking a wife were the stuff of legends in White Harbor. But Jon Snow had options – he wasn’t just any lord’s bastard, he was the bastard son of the Lord of Winterfell. Wendel knew for a fact that Father had offered a squireship to Jon on more than a few occasions, and surely the other honored lords of the North gave the same offer. There weren’t even any betrothals set for his oldest, Robb – and he will be Lord of Winterfell when Lord Eddard passes from the world.

It was always said that Eddard Stark was a cautious man. Very considerate of his choices, it was said. Still, how little Eddard seemed to be laying the groundwork for his house was queer. But what did Wendel know? He was just the second, wife-less son of the Lord of White Harbor. No doubt the King’s feast had brought more than a fair share of offers that Lord Stark was mulling over.

Offers that he would be mulling over in King’s Landing. Robert Baratheon had made Lord Eddard his Hand, and if Wendel could be honest to himself, it was a long time coming. Eddard Stark was half the reason it was Robert Baratheon was on the Iron Throne in the first place, and not that raper and traitor Rhaegar Targaryen. The wolves could not howl loud or fiercely enough for the murder of Lyanna Stark.

But that was all in the past. The bones were buried, the ash was swept away by the wind, and Wendel was entrusted to guide Jon Snow into Essos. He was nothing if not a dutiful son, and a lord that remembered his duites.

There was no retinue in their stead, all to Father’s aggravation and to Wendel’s relief. It was Wyman that preferred to be surrounded by his servants and attendants. For all of Wendel’s faults, he could pamper himself just fine. And he doubted Jon Snow would have wanted to be attended to every minute he was in Essos. “Are your legs as cramped as mine, Jon?”

He nodded. “Two weeks on a ship.”

“Two weeks on a cog, as exciting as that sounds. What did my Lord Father stuff into your mouth, Jon Snow?”

There was a lustful look in Jon’s eyes. “Crabs and lobsters, clams and salmon. I never knew the sea could be so delicious, Lord Wendel.”

He smiled. “A barrel of butter will make anything delicious, Jon. If my memory serves me right, there is a little hole we can rest for the night. And on the morrow, try to figure what we do next.

For once, his memory proved him true. The Golden Zorse was right where he remembered it, a small slice of a building cramped between two larger ones. The inn had many qualities, and by far the greatest was its discretion. The serving wenches would not pester the fat man in his fine velvets what his business in Pentos was. However, Wendel had to be honest in that their cod had far too much salt for his pallet. Salt was such a delicate thing, after all. Too much and the meal is ruined, but just a pinch and you might as well be sprinkling air. Much like conversations, a delicate hand was needed.

“You’ve been quiet,” he observed as he wiped the salty grease of the honeyed chicken from his whiskers. “You speak only unless spoken to, Jon Snow. I knew your Uncle Brandon.” Jon Snow picked his eyes up from the spiced lamb. “That man was the first in everything. The first to speak, the first to laugh, and the first to bed what wench he saw, if I remember true.”

“I don’t know much of my uncle,” Jon admitted. “Or my grandfather. I know what happened to them.” The entire realm remembers what happened to them. “But Father would never speak of them.”

“In just a few years, your Lord Father lose nearly his entire family. I would be quiet too, if I were him. Or you, if I had to leave my brother behind while he was dying.”

There was a sharp look in Jon’s eyes then. “Bran isn’t dying.”

“No. No he’s not. You Starks are hard to kill. When you return home, your brother Bran will be waiting for you. Mark my words, Snow.”

“Consider them marked,” Jon said. Then he cut into his lamb.

The next morning had a faint chill to it. Even in the summer, when the snows were light, the seas drew in a cold frost in the air that would rush through your bones. There was something about the sea that gave no damns about the summer heat. Perhaps that’s how us Manderlys proved so resilient over the years. The sea made us stubborn as hell.

“Of all the Free Cities, why Pentos?” Jon ripped through the apple, and the juices flowed down his lips. “You said it a hundred times, Ser. Pentos is the most unremarkable of the Free Cities.”

“No doubt because Pentos is the closest city to White Harbor.” Of all the Free Cities, Pentos was the one that enjoyed the majority of Westerosi patronage for that very reason. It was the gate into the east for many of the merchants and nobles of Westeros. “And it is the richest. Well, behind Braavos and Volantis, but it is not far off. There are countless magisters who could use a sword of good repute. We just need to find a willing purse.”

“And just how willing will the purses be?” Jon wiped at his lips.

Wendel rubbed at his hands. His pudgy fingers were feeling stiff in the morning cold. “Willing enough. You are a noble’s son. That comes with the expectation of a capable sword. You may need to best a guard or two in mock combat, but that won’t be too hard I’m certain. Nothing compares to Northern steel.”

“Lord Wendel,” Jon spoke in a serious tone, “I can take this from here. You have already guided me to Pentos. You do not need to do this on my behalf.”

“Nonsense. I swore to your Lord Father that I would see you into capable hands, and I mean to hold myself to that oath. What is a man not for his word?”

“He is nothing at all. It was just, I have been gone for only a few weeks and I can only imagine how much you long for home.”

“And I’m sure you do as well. It is a rare thing, to see a bastard be so beloved by his kin.”

A rare smile spread to the bastard’s face. “It will be a long three years, Lord Wendel.”

“It need not be,” he smiled. “There are wonders to be seen in Essos. I have never crossed past the hills of Norvos. You could tell me of the golden woods of Qohor. Perhaps you will even return with a wife to keep you warm in the winter?”

Wendel had meant it as a well meaning jest, but a serious look had taken hold in Jon’s eyes. “No woman would ever wed a bastard.”

“Essos is not Westeros. I remember the command that Lord Eddard gave you. He wanted you to find happiness, Jon Snow. A woman could surely be a part of that. Surely he would have a place for you upon your return.”

Jon shook his head. “Three years across the sea to find a place for me? There is a place in Westeros where even a bastard would be welcomed. An honored institution.”

“The Wall,” Wendel realized. “You are a man of twenty, Jon Snow. Trust me when I say your father had the right of it. You do not realize what you would be throwing away with a vow taken so young.” Every boy in the North knew of the Night’s Watch. The sworn brothers of the black that kept the realm safe from Wildling invaders. But the Night’s Watch of today was a distant thing from the order that was visited by Queen Alysanne atop Silverwing. Wendel had amused the notion of joining the order. Briefly. Father made sure to rip that prospect from his mind forever.

“My Uncle – “

“Had just survived a war which took the lives of nearly his entire family. I imagine the Wall had some appeal. But you have a full life ahead of you, bastard or not.” He laid a steady hand on Jon’s shoulders. “Take advantage of it. Take the ripe fruit into your mouth and have a mouthful.”

Jon’s steps came to a stop. For a moment, the boy said nothing. “I want to believe your words, Lord Wendel.”

“Then do so.”

“But I will always be a bastard. Any son and daughter of mine will be a Snow.”

“Aye, that is true. But they will have the Stark blood flowing their veins, just as you do. Think on that, when some pretty Lyseni girl smiles at you. Mark my words Snow, Essos will find itself in hell and fire for slavery. But the fact that the rank of bastard does not exist here should not go pass your notice.”

In the distance, high above the walled estates and the Sunrise Gate, Wendel could make out the red temple to R’hllor. The pink walls of the city were lit aglow by the nightfires set by the red priests. Wendel could have considered their songs beautiful, if they didn’t do such a damnably good job to keep him awake. “One word of advice bastard, that I pray you heed.” Jon turned to him. “Beware those red priests.” He remembered the first time he had heard a sermon. Beware the night, for it is dark and full of terrors. The way the woman with skin like ash looked at him…well, Wendel would never forget it.

They made their way down the Street of Pedals. Wendel could hear the faint moans coming from the brothels that gave the street its name. “You will be spending quite some years in this country. Best learn of it. No better place to do so than in the Court of Baubles.” Wendel was amused to see how Jon tried to avoid the tempting looks of a woman with silver hair. No doubt she was a daughter from Lys. “It is a giant bazaar, where merchants and travelers from all over pilfer their goods and services. If we don’t hear one bit of intriguing gossip, I will swear off fish forever.”

“Ser Wendel, I cannot imagine you without a bit of lobster hanging from your beard.”

“Then it is a good thing that lobsters are not fish. Keep your wolf close, Jon. I want a keep a good pace.” With a quick command the wolf was at the boy’s side and they weaved through the shining streets. If the boy had a careful eye, he’d notice than many of the stones had a different flower carved in. Many a brothel owners used these to indicate where guests could find some more exotic and repugnant stock.

Wendel took a quick glance into the brick windows of the street. Women of pale skin, dark hair, flaming manes, blue eyes, golden eyes, they were all slaves. True, Braavos waged a dozen wars on Pentos, and by the end of it the city was forced to renounce slavery forever. But only in name. How little were these bedwarmers paid, and how much were their lodgings and meals? Slaves with collars unseen.

The Street twisted into the Court, but Wendel heard it before he saw it. The Court of Baubles may have been a yard at some point, but now there were makeshift walls of timber and shacks that has divided it. It was a whirling maze of auctions and negotiations. Wendel was almost reminded of the Deck of Seals in White Harbor, except home had the smell of the sea and fish. The only thing that Wendel could smell were spices and perfumes.

But there was more to the Court than just the stench. Jon and he walked past Tyroshis with their blue hair and golden beards, winesellers showcasing their casks of exotic arbors, sons and daughters of Lys with their hairs of silver and eyes of lilac, jewelers showcasing exotic jewels, glowing tiaras and belts of pearls to behold. Jon took in the sights, looking this way or that, catching the sight of a Norvoshi peddling his tapestries and carpets.

They heard a dozen things. The first was that the Dothraki were at war with one another. The son of a Khal Bharbo was waging war on the Dosh Khaleen of Vaes Dothrak. The Sealord of Braavos was dealing with an upstart named Tormo Fregar. The Volantanes had raised the tariffs on slaves from Mereen, and the Wise Masters had raised the taxes on all their slaves in return. A Myrman insisted that a council of the remaining Free Cities was to be joined to settle the matter.

Then they found out that the Targaryen exiles were in the city. “You are certain of this?” Wendel leaned in so close that he could smell the perfume on the Volantene. “The Targaryens are housed here? In Pentos? At this very moment?”

The man spoke in a confident tone. “Viserys and Daenerys, yes. I heard it was one of the magisters of the city that have harbored them. Can’t say for how long – perhaps a year, or less even?”

“Your Father would not have known,” Wendel said turning to Jon. “He would not risk it. If the Targaryens have the favor of a Pentoshi cheesemonger, they may demand your head.”

“If it’s true, then let’s be quick,” Jon said. “We should return to the Golden Zorse. There are other cities, surely."

Wendel placed a steady hand on his shoulders. “Calm yourself, Jon. It’s not like we lit a beacon announcing our presence. Pentos still has potential, and just because one magister has favor with the Targaryens does not mean all of them do. We should at least find out what more that we can. For all we know, the Targaryens have long since fled, and this nugget is just an expired rumor.”

He saw Jon frown at that. If there was one thing that Wendel noticed, it was that the boy never went into things head first. “And if I have a magister’s favor, then I may be able to do something.”

“Now boy, don’t be rash.”

“I’m not,” he said firmly. “But even across the Narrow Sea, I am still the son of Eddard Stark. If the Targaryens are here, I have to do what I can. Even just learning about what they intend.”

“We can decide on a course when we have something in our bellies. Come now, I smell something savory.”

As Wendel ripped through some speared sirloin, the dark pink juices rolling down his lips, the Qohorik argued that the Golden Company was bought out by Myr. “Qohor had hired them against Khal Drogo, but then the Black Priests saw only death if they went against the horselords. They sold us to the Golden Horde, and ended the contract to the Company. I hear they are marching south now. Trouble is rumbling in Myr, I hear.”

“Another quarrel in the Disputed Lands?”

“No doubt,” said the Qohorik. Wendel could not see a trace of hair on the man’s face. By all rights, Webdek should not trust a man without hair. But his appetite was too fierce a thing to ignore for long. Jon Snow took more considerable care as he nibbled on the cut.

“How are you so certain?” Jon asked.

“I have heard it a dozen times over. Once from a Lysene pleasure slave, who said she serviced a brother of Lys who served the Company. Then again from a Tyroshi that sold a decanter of wine to a Company man. My words are trustworthy. The reputation of Iargo Thoart is beyond repute.”

“Well, Jon, I suppose there are worse things than to rely on the reputation of a Qohorvik.”

“But what could the Company be doing in Myr?”

“Soldiers follow the purses that jingle the loudest.” They walked through the streets, Ghost trailing behind him. Jon took a careful look at his speared meat, then tore through a chunk of it and lazily tossed it to the wolf. Ghost ripped at it eagerly. “And Myr is always fighting over the Disputed Lands. They are the bread basket of the country, after all.”

“It’s a good thing Pentos is far off from Myr then,” Jon considered. “What if the Targaryens buy out the Golden Company?”

Wendel snorted. “I doubt it. Twenty years they had to buy them out, and that hasn’t happened yet. And the Company does not come cheap. I wonder if they came to this magister on bent knees, begging for shelter? Would be a welcome sight, and well deserved.

“No, Jon Snow, I think as far as the Targaryens are concerned, you have nothing to be worried about.”

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[rogers-senpai]

Dragon is black and red. Jon isn't called the White Wolf for nothing.

GRRM said Dany is the Fire and Ice is the stuff happening north of the wall. Think of whose plot is about what's happening north of the wall, who's fighting it and whose pov we see it mostly from.

But, GRRM also said Ice and Fire have many meanings. The show decided to make the Jonerys one the leading one, obviously.

As far as I know, the books are mostly based on the Wars of the Roses, which Henry VII ended by marrying Elizabeth of York. Daenerys is a parallel to Henry, no doubt about that.

Baelish knows Jon is a Snow.

What matters more, is not his name, but whether he'll have loyalty of the North. There isn't a doubt in my heart that he will. He, just like Elizabeth, got the unlikely claim and in the show he's keeping it. Not like there will be time to discuss it before the Great War truly starts and he's one of the two leaders who'll get Westeros through it.

You realize that a marriage between Jon and Daenerys wouldn't be anything like the typical Targaryen incest, right? Aunt and nephew marriages happened with even the Starks, same for uncle - niece marriages or cousin marriages.

There is a reason they spent their lives apart and met and fell for each other without knowing, you know?

You can say Daenerys is the enemy, but she's the one coming to save the North. She's going to fight the ultimate villain in the story, Jon's enemy.

I agree they may not end up ruling. I also think the IT will be destroyed. But they'll destroy it together. Aegon The Dragon built it with dragonfire. Now Aegon with Teats and Aegon Targaryen will melt it, as I predict.

Sansa marrying him makes no sense. Especially since we both agree Jon doesn't want to rule. And Sansa isn't leaving the North. She fought to hard to get back home.

And like I said, Jon has no power, interest or connections in the South. He can only give the North's allegiance, and he gave it to a one certain Southern Queen already.

If you expect that there are two Targaryens, around the same age, opposite sexes, with an astounding ammount of parallels and foreshadows, who both think they'll never have children, both have a good claim, since Aerys skipped Rhaegar's line and made Viserys his heir, all for nothing, I think you might be fooling yourself.

Unless all the Westerosi people will believe a crazy seeming cripple boy, only Dany making his parentage public will actually make it official.

Oh, and she's getting pregnant so yeah.

Oh, and how fortunate they're in love already.

Their house hasn't seen its end.

a part of the fandom: Jon will never be a Targaryen he’s 100% Stark and always will be stop calling him a dragon

the same part of the fandom: the dragon and the wolf applies to jon and his sister!!