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mostlysignssomeportents · 2 months ago

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How to have cancer

THIS WEEKEND (November 8-10), I'll be in TUCSON, AZ: I'm the GUEST OF HONOR at the TUSCON SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION.

I've got cancer but it's probably (almost certainly, really) okay. Within a very short period I will no longer have cancer (at least for now). This is the best kind of cancer to have – the kind that is caught early and treated easily – but I've learned a few things on the way that I want to share with you.

Last spring, my wife put her arm around my waist and said, "Hey, what's this on your rib?" She's a lot more observant than I am, and honestly, when was the last time you palpated your back over your left floating rib? Sure enough, there was a lump there, a kind of squishy, fatty raised thing, half a centimeter wide and about four centimeters long.

I'm a 53 year old man with a family history of cancer. My father was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer at 55. So I called my doctor and asked for an appointment to have the lump checked over.

I'm signed up with Southern California Kaiser Permanente, which is as close as you come to the Canadian medicare system I grew up under and the NHS system I lived under for more than a decade. Broadly speaking, I really like KP. Its app – while terrible – isn't as terrible as the other apps, and they've taken very good care of me for both routine things like vaccinations and checkups, and serious stuff, like a double hip replacement.

Around the time of The Lump, I'd been assigned a new primary care physician – my old one retired – and so this was my first appointment with her. I used the KP app to book it, and I was offered appointments six weeks in the future. My new doc was busy! I booked the first slot.

This was my first mistake. I didn't need to wait to see my PCP to get my lump checked over. There was really only two things that my doc was gonna do, either prod it and say, "This is an extremely common whatchamacallit and you don't need to worry" or "You should go get this scanned by a radiologist." I didn't need a specific doctor to do this. I could have ridden my bike down to the KP-affiliated Urgent Care at our local Target store and gotten an immediate referral to radiology.

Six weeks go by, and my doc kind of rolls the weird lump between her fingers and says, "You'd better go see a radiologist." I called the Kaiser appointment line and booked it that day, and a couple weeks later I had a scan.

The next day, the app notified me that radiology report was available in my electronic heath record. It's mostly technical jargon ("Echogenic areas within mass suggest fatty component but atypical for a lipoma") but certain phrases leapt out at me: "malignant masses cannot be excluded. Follow up advised."

That I understood. I immediately left my doctor a note saying that I needed a biopsy referral and set back to wait. Two days went by. I left her a voice message. Another two days went by. I sent another email. Nothing, then a weekend, then more nothing.

I called Kaiser and asked to be switched to another Primary Care Physician. It was a totally painless and quick procedure and within an hour my new doc's intake staff had reviewed my chart, called me up, and referred me for a biopsy.

This was my second mistake. When my doctor didn't get back to me within a day, I should have called up KP and raised hell, demanding an immediate surgical referral.

What I did do was call Kaiser Member Services and file a grievance. I made it very clear that when I visited my doctor, I had been very happy with the care I received, but that she and her staff were clearly totally overloaded and needed some kind of administrative intervention so that their patients didn't end up in limbo.

This is a privilege. I'm a native English speaker, and although I was worried about a serious illness, I didn't have any serious symptoms. I had the ability and the stamina to force action in the system, and my doing so meant that other patients, not so well situated as I was, would not be stuck where I had been, with fewer resources to get un-stuck.

The surgeon who did the biopsy was great. He removed my mass. It was a gross lump of yellowy-red gunk in formaldehyde. He even let me photograph it before it went to pathology (warning, gross):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/doctorow/54038418981/

They told me that the pathology would take 2-5 days. I reloaded the "test results" tab in the KP website religiously after 48 hours. Nothing was updated. After five days, I called the surgical department (I had been given a direct number to reach them in case of postsurgical infections, and made a careful note of it).

It turned out that the pathology report had been in hand for three days at that point, but it was "preliminary" pending some DNA testing. Still, it was enough that the surgeon referred me to an oncologist.

This was my third mistake: I should have called after 48 hours and asked whether the pathology report was in hand, and if not, whether they could check with pathology. However, I did something very right this time: I got a phone number to reach the specialist directly, rather than going through the Kaiser main number.

My oncologist appointment was very reassuring. The oncologist explained the kind of cancer I had ("follicular lymphoma"), the initial prognosis (very positive, though it was weird that it manifested on my rib, so far from a lymph node) and what needed to happen next (a CT/PET scan). He also walked me through the best, worst and medium-cases for treatment, based on different scan outcomes. This was really good, as it helped me think through how I would manage upcoming events – book tours, a book deadline, work travel, our family Christmas vacation plans – based on these possibilities.

The oncologist gave me a number for Kaiser Nuclear Medicine. I called them from the parking lot before leaving the Kaiser hospital and left a message for the scheduler to call me back. Then I drove home.

This was my fourth mistake. The Kaiser hospital in LA is the main hub for Kaiser Southern California, and the Nuclear Medicine department was right there. I could have walked over and made an appointment in person.

Instead, I left messages daily for the next five days, waited a weekend, then called up my oncologist's staff and asked them to intervene. I also called Kaiser Member Services and filed an "urgent grievance" (just what it sounds like) and followed up by filing a complaint with the California Patient Advocate:

https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/

In both the complaint and the grievance, I made sure to note that the outgoing message at Nuclear Medicine scheduling was giving out false information (it said, "Sorry, all lines are busy," even at 2am!). Again, I was really careful to say that the action I was hoping for was both a prompt appointment for me (my oncologist had been very insistent upon this) but also that this was a very broken system that would be letting down every patient, not me, and it should be fixed.

Within a couple hours, I had a call back from KP grievances department, and an hour after that, I had an appointment for my scan. Unfortunately, that was three weeks away (so much for my oncologist's "immediate" order).

I had the scan last week, on Hallowe'en. It was really cool. The gadget was awesome, and the rad-techs were really experienced and glad to geek out with me about the way the scanner and the radioactive glucose they infused in me interacted. They even let me take pictures of the scan visualizations:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/doctorow/54108481109/

The radiology report was incredibly efficient. Within a matter of hours, I was poring over it. I had an appointment to see the doc on November 5, but I had been reading up on the scans and I was pretty sure the news was good ("No enlarged or FDG avid lymph nodes are noted within the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis. No findings of FDG avid splenic or bone marrow involvement").

There was just one area of concern: "Moderate FDG uptake associated with a round 1.3 cm left inguinal lymph node." The radiologist advised the oncologist to "consider correlation with tissue sampling."

Today was my oncology appointment. For entirely separate reasons, I was unable to travel to the hospital today: I wrenched my back over the weekend and yesterday morning, it was so bad that I couldn't even scratch my nose without triggering unbearable spams. After spending all day yesterday in the ER (after being lifted out of my house on a stretcher), getting MRIs and pain meds, I'm much better off, though still unable to get out of bed for more than a few minutes at a time.

So this morning at 8:30 sharp, I started calling the oncology department and appointment services to get that appointment changed over to a virtual visit. While I spent an hour trying various non-working phone numbers and unsuccessfully trying to get Kaiser appointment services to reach my oncologist, I tried to message him through the KP app. It turns out that because he is a visiting fellow and not staff, this wasn't possible.

I eventually got through to the oncology department and had the appointment switched over. The oncology nurse told me that they've been trying for months to get KP to fix the bug where fellows can't be messaged by patients. So as soon as I got off the phone with her, I called member services and filed another grievance. Why bother, if I'd gotten what I needed? Same logic as before: if you have the stamina and skills to demand a fix to a broken system, you have a duty to use them.

I got off the phone with my oncologist about an hour ago. It went fine. I'm going to get a needle biopsy on that one suss node. If it comes back positive, I'll get a few very local, very low-powered radiation therapy interventions, whose worst side effect will be "a mild sunburn over a very small area." If it's negative, we're done, but I'll get quarterly CT/PET scans to be on the safe side.

Before I got off the phone, I made sure to get the name of the department where the needle biopsy would be performed and a phone number. The order for the biopsy just posted to my health record, and now I'm redialing the department to book in that appointment (I'm not waiting around for them to call me).

While I redial, a few more lessons from my experience. First, who do you tell? I told my wife and my parents, because I didn't want to go through a multi-week period of serious anxiety all on my own. Here, too, I made a mistake: I neglected to ask them not to tell anyone else. The word spread a little before I put a lid on things. I wanted to keep the circle of people who knew this was going on small, until I knew what was what. There's no point in worrying other people, of course, and my own worry wasn't going to be helped by having to repeat, "Well, it looks pretty good, but we won't know until I've had a scan/my appointment/etc."

Next, how to manage the process: this is a complex, multi-stage process. It began with a physician appointment, then a radiologist, then a pathology report, then surgery, then another pathology report, then an oncologist, then a scan, then another radiologist, and finally, the oncologist again.

That's a lot of path-dependent, interdepartmental stuff, with a lot of ways that things can fall off the rails (when my dad had cancer at my age, there was a big gap in care when one hospital lost a fax from another hospital department and my folks assumed that if they hadn't heard back, everything was fine).

So I have been making extensive use of a suspense file, where I record what I'm waiting for, who is supposed to provide it, and when it is due. Though I had several places where my care continuity crumbled some, there would have been far more if I hadn't done this:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/26/one-weird-trick/#todo

The title of this piece is "how to have cancer," but what it really boils down to is, "things I learned from my own cancer." As I've noted, I'm playing this one on the easiest setting: I have no symptoms, I speak and write English fluently, I am computer literate and reasonably capable of parsing medical/technical jargon. I have excellent insurance.

If any of these advantages hadn't been there, things would have been a lot harder. I'd have needed these lessons even more.

To recap them:

See a frontline care worker as soon as possible: don't wait for an appointment with a specific MD. Practically any health worker can prod a lump and refer you for further testing;

Get a direct phone number for every specialist you are referred to (add this to your phone book); call them immediately after the referral to get scheduled (better yet, walk over to their offices and schedule the appointment in person);

Get a timeframe as to when your results are due and when you can expect to get a follow-up; call the direct number as soon as the due-date comes (use calendar reminders for this);

If you can't get a call back, an appointment, or a test result in a reasonable amount of time (use a suspense file to track this), lodge a formal complaint with your insurer/facility, and consider filing with the state regulator;

Think hard about who you're going to tell, and when, and talk over your own wishes about who they can tell, and when.

As you might imagine, I've spent some time talking to my parents today as these welcome results have come in. My mother is (mostly) retired now, and she's doing a lot of volunteer work on end-of-life care. She recommends a book called Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis:

https://pagetwo.com/book/hope-for-the-best-plan-for-the-rest/

I haven't read it, but it looks like it's got excellent advice, especially for people who lack the self-advocacy capabilities and circumstances I'm privileged with. According to my mom, who uses it in workshops, there's a lot of emphasis on the role that families and friends can play in helping someone whose physical, mental and/or emotional health are compromised.

So, that's it. I've got cancer. No cancer is good. This cancer is better than most. I am almost certainly fine. Every medical professional I've dealt with, and all the administrative support staff at Kaiser, have been excellent. Even the doc who dropped the ball on my biopsy was really good to deal with – she was just clearly drowning in work. The problems I had are with the system, not the people. I'm profoundly grateful to all of them for the help they gave me, the interest and compassion they showed, and the clarity and respect they demonstrated in my dealings with them.

I'm also very grateful to my wife, my parents, and my boss at EFF, all of whom got the news early and demonstrated patience, love, and support that helped in my own dark hours over the past couple of months.

I hope you're well. But you know, everyone gets something, eventually. When you find yourself mired in a broken system full of good people, work the system – for yourself and for the people who come behind you. Take records. Make calls.

Look after yourself.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/05/carcinoma-angels/#squeaky-nail

#cancer #medicare for all #m4a #health #socialism or barbarism #oncology #kaiser #kaiser permanente #kp

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totalswag · 11 months ago

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can i request rafe x fwb reader where reader finds out hes dating sofia and she goes to confront him that he didnt even have the decency to let her know their arrangement was over and he says "who said it was over?''

stuck in the middle - RAFE CAMERON

authors note as you guys may notice i'm finally publishing requests that you guys sent me. super sorry this was very late to publish. i hope you like what i wrote and it was what you hoped. so, thank you for sending this requests.

requests are still open so feel free to send them my way and i will get to them and put them into my docs :) if you click on the bold red ink it will take you to my ask box lovies!!!

summary you find out through people and social media sofia and rafe are together. you go to confront rafe about this since he never thought to tell you that your arrangement was over.

warnings friends with benefits, mentions of sex, cursing

Lately, you've been having this weird gut feeling in your stomach. No idea what the meaning behind it means but you want to find out what it could be. You started feeling this way whenever you were with Rafe on a random Wednesday.

Rafe and you have been friends with benefits for about three months now. When you two came to this agreement, you agreed that it was solely for your sexual pleasures and not to establish feelings for each other, and that the most important thing was to let each other know if one of you became serious with someone else so that the bargain could be broken off.

You overheard a rumor at a party this past Friday about Rafe and Sofia being together for a month. You couldn't believe your ears and wanted to vomit. Sofia works at the island's country club, and Rafe visits it from time to time.

The next day, you decided to do some research to be sure this was accurate. Even as you looked at her Instagram, the emotion returned. You checked her story highlights and discovered what you were looking for. Your stomach sank.

She had a couple pictures on her highlights that you knew were of Rafe, including one with his right hand on her thigh in his car and another with his back to her as he looks out into the distance. Based on what you discovered, they appeared serious.

What made you upset was the fact Rafe and you have been seeing each other for three months which meant he'd been with Sofia for who knows how long before he asked her to be his girlfriend.

"Why didn't he tell me?" You asked yourself, setting down your phone and running your hands through your hair, upset that you found out at random person at a party.

There's a part of you that doesn't want Rafe to be with Sofia. There's a part of you that wants him all to yourself. Regardless, he should've told you the arrangement was over.

That was the deal.

After thinking about what you should do, you decide you are confronting Rafe about this, tonight. You are gonna make it seem like you want to hookup but really you are telling him what you found out.

you- are you busy tonight? i wanna see you

rafe- funny you say that because i wanna see you too

rafe- meet me at the spot at 9pm.

"I'll be back in an hour or so," you tell your mom as you go past the living room, holding your keys. "I'm going to hang out with Samantha."

"That's fine, sweetie; please stay safe tonight, I love you," your mother adds, smiling.

When you get to the spot you see Rafe sitting in his car on his phone. You parked your car next to him so he knows it's you- when he sees you get out, he unlocks the car.

You sigh casually as you sit in the passenger seat.

Rafe says smiling "Hey pretty girl" in a tone that makes you weak in the knees, leaning over the center console to kiss you but you pull back.

"We need to have a little chat, Rafe," maintaining eye contact.

His smile fades, and he looks at you, puzzled, "What do you mean?" His response indicated that he was nervous or knew what was going to happen.

"Why didn't you tell me you and Sofia were together, Rafe? You never once said to my face, "Y/N, we can no longer meet up like this anymore because I have a girlfriend now," mimicking Rafe's voice, "we've been hooking up this entire time while you've been in this relationship that I had no idea about until I heard someone talking about it," you explain frustratedly in your voice and expressions.

In the midst of your rant towards him, he places his hand over his lips, chuckles, shakes his head, and looks down at his lap.

"Why the fuck are you laughing?" You ask, folding your arms, leaning back against the passenger door, annoyed.

He glances up from his lap, licks his bottom lip, and smirks: "Who said it was over?"

Before you could respond his lips were already on yours.

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flseur · 1 year ago

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꒰ 𐙚 memories — satoru gojo ꒱

⟡ synopsis : after a life-changing accident, yours and satoru's lives will never be the same. he's slowly beginning to forget you and soon, it will be as if your relationship never exisited.

⟡ content warning : gn!reader, angst, hurt no comfort

౨ৎ note : i've had idea in my google docs for over two years and it was originally for a genshin chara but i wanted to change it to satoru!

when you had first heard what had happened, you hardly could believe it. some kind of weird illness that he’s suffering from after the accident. you had made it out with barely a scratch while god just continues to deal the worst hand to satoru.

survivors' guilt? no, because he’s still alive and he’s still himself, but he’s not himself.

you know that soon, instead of having love and adoration swell in his cerulean eyes, there will be nothing. not a thought about who you are, not a single memory about you.

the doctor described it as his brain resetting. he’s going to eventually lose all of his memories, including the ones before you.

everyone that knows of his condition isn’t taking it well, they’re all trying to spend as much time with him before he fades, but what about you?

you’ve never left his side since, you’ve accompanied him to every doctor's appointment, listened to all the specialists say the inevitable is going to happen and it just feels like they’re rubbing salt into an open wound.

the two of you have talked about it, terrified for the near future. years of memories that the two of you took the time to piece together like a puzzle will become one-sided. each hello, goodbye, kiss shared, spending friday nights together in your shared apartment, the hours spent together with your limbs intertwined, will all be erased.

as the months progressed, the more of satoru’s memories regressed. you both decided it would be best if he moved back in with his family, leaving you alone in a once warmth filled home to be an empty, cold shell.

initially, satoru would be the one to suggest that the two of you should visit places where the two of you have been together.

the park where you had your first date, the bookstore where you had your first kiss with each other, hiding behind the dozens of bookshelves with you giggling and satoru whispering teasing words into the shell of your ear.

eventually, the daily calls would stop. you would reach out by calling or texting and asking him if he’d want to eat dinner at the restaurant that the two of you ate at for your second anniversary and the reply would always be the same,

“sorry y/n, i’m just not up for it right now.”

the next time you called after that, there was no answer. the second time, still no answer. the third time, someone picked up.

“hey, i’m sorry but i think that you’ve been calling the wrong number.” a voice that was on the other side of the line. except there was no love in his words, no familiarity of warmth laced through his words. they were cold. empty. this was not your satoru.

“what? no? satoru, i don’t have the wrong number..”

“how do you know my name?”

“how do I know your name? satoru, we’re enga—-”

“ah, listen. i don’t know what kind of sick prank you think this is but please stop calling me. seriously, this is really uncomfortable. goodbye.”

oh.

so it happened.

he forgot.

satoru doesn’t remember you anymore. you knew it was going to happen, but you still had some sick, twisted maybe even selfish hope, that if he was going to forget everything, he’d at least be able to remember you.

unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way.

“life is unfair.” is what you thought after that moment. for months after that moment. it flooded every inch of your mind, coupled with the now one-sided memories you had with satoru.

but, you’re starting to heal, you’re starting to come to terms with it after nearly 12 months.

today, your therapist said that the next step for you should be visiting the places that you’ve been avoiding. every place that you had a memory with satoru with. so you decided that you’d visit the park.

you turn the corner to enter it and come face to face with geto.

“oh? geto? how have you been?” you ask.

geto looks around nervously, like he’s trying to search for something.

“i’ve been good, y/n. i was actually just thinking about you. let’s, uh, let’s go get a cup of coffee, it’s on me. we can catch up more there and talk about sa—-”

“suguru?”

you know that voice. the voice that had once told you that he loved you over a thousand times. the voice that would whisper you sweet nothings, the voice that caused heat to run all over your body. you freeze on the spot, already feeling your eyes sting with tears.

“whose this?” gojo asks, looking towards you. his face holds no recollection of who you are whatsoever.

“shit.” geto swears under his breath. “this is, um, this is my friend, y/n.”

“hello, it’s nice to meet you. i’m gojo, suguru’s close friend.”

you purse your lips, continuing to try and hold back tears.

“oh, i almost forgot,” satoru says.

and you look up into his eyes, with the smallest glimmer of hope that he’ll remember you. who you are, what you mean to him, the love you held for each other. god, please remember me, please.

“this is my fiancée, yume.”

#𐙚 works #jujutsu kaisen #satoru x reader #satoru x you #gojo x reader #gojo x you #gojo satoru x reader #gojo satoru x you #satoru gojo x reader #satoru gojo x you #jjk x reader #jjk angst #gojo angst #gojo x reader angst #x reader #jujutsu kaisen angst #angst

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bisexualiteaa · 2 years ago

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Getting interrupted 🤭

CW: smutty 18+! Suggestive themes, light mentions of/implied smut, getting caught, possible errors and possible OOC scenarios. Otherwise, enjoy! 🥰

John "Soap" MacTavish

- he was a sucker for someone in uniform, so it was no surprise that he would come and constantly visit you down at medical where you worked. It's how you both met and got together after all, so despite the pain and occasionally bad memories that came with it, it still held a place in his heart because you were there.

- he'd never admit it, but sometimes he would get himself hurt on purpose just to visit you, he always loved to see the smile on your face as you would shake your head and rest your hands on your hips before fixing him up perfectly, always having the cure to his every injury or ailment.

- sometimes these were the only moments where he'd get a chance alone with you, enjoying the way you'd always make a little time for him to talk and enjoy each others company for a little while afterwards.

- no one knew you guys were together, everyone knew he had a crush on you because, quite frankly, he wasn't very good at hiding it, but he didn't really want to either. But for the sake of your job, he didn't want to reveal anything should it get you in trouble.

- "you never stay out of trouble, do you?" You asked with a playful grin as you'd just finished stitching up a small gash on his arm. "If I stayed out a trouble, I'd never get the luxury t' see you" he replied with a flirty tone, making you chuckle. "Just be more careful please, I need you in one piece" you replied, kissing his cheek as you sat next to him, having just patched up his arm. "I will, don't worry your pretty head lass, I'll always come back t' you" he assured, making you smile and hum in appeasement before you leaned in, pulling him into a soft, loving kiss. His hand came to cup your cheek as you held his other one in your own, fingers intertwined as you shared in your moment together. When you two were alone together, the world finally felt at peace, no wars to think about, no stress weighing down on you, all you needed to think about was your Johnny.

- So it was no shock that your kiss took a turn to something a little deeper, a sigh leaving you as your free hand rested on his collarbone. "Careful bonnie, go on like tha' and I'll be walkin' outta here with a whole different problem" he said, making you giggle. "Wouldn't half mind fixing that either, too bad you don't know how to keep quiet" you quipped with a grin, making him laugh at your remark. "Cheeky bugger" he replied with a matching grin before pulling you in again, kissing you as if tomorrow you'd be gone.

- But sadly, even the best moments must come to an end, neither of you were expecting the way it had however.

- "Sorry to bother doc, got room to squeeze in a- woah!" Spoke Gaz as he pulled back the curtain, seeing your form loomed over the side of the exam bed, kissing his comrade. You gave a short gasp as you both jumped apart, blushing wildly after being caught red handed. "Shit, I'm SO so sorry!" You spoke, bumping into your cart in your panicked frenzy as you tried to back away and button your uniform back up as to not look suspicious, but it was already too late.

- "Sorry Gaz, appointment got prolonged. Doctors, am I right? Gotta poke around an' check everywhere for some reason" Johnny spoke, nervously rubbing the back of his neck with a slight blush but trying to joke his way out of things, as per usual. Gaz gave a chuckle. "Explains why you come down here so often. Here I thought you were just trying to get a good record built up for disability, didn't know you had a Dr. Feel Good situation goin' on" he teased with a grin. "I'm gonna get in so much trouble.." You muttered, holding your face in your hands out of embarrassment. "Relax doc, your secret's safe with me. I promise. It's about time you finally went for" Gaz assured you before offering a genuinely happy smile to Johnny. "I know all to well of the draw of the uniform myself" he added, looking towards one of the other doctors, her offering a giggle and flirty wave his way. "Well I'll be damned" Johnny spoke with a chuckle. "And looks like she's got an opening, so you two just earned yourself some more alone time" Gaz said, making you and Johnny both chuckle. "I owe ya one" Johnny spoke before Gaz walked away, turning back to you as you closed the curtain again, alotting you both some privacy for just a little bit longer.

König

- You were in his room, laying in bed together, enjoying the time alone after months of him being away.

- It started out innocent enough, just enjoying a movie together, but one innocent kiss turned to two, and when wandering hands found their way down your sides to your ass, playful giggles soon turned to quiet moans and it wasn't long before things turned just a little more heated.

- You were on top of him, straddling his lap as his kisses began littering down your neck, his large, rough hands at your hips moving you back and forth against him. A quiet moan and sigh fell from you, both of you doing your best to keep quiet as not to raise suspicions.

- "How I missed you, schatz" he told you, making you smile with drunken love in your eyes. "Missed you too, Kö" you replied sweetly, your lips now trailing down his neck to his bare chest in a way that he swore injected fire straight into his veins.

- You were topless as you sat there straddling him, indulging in one of those moments of kissing one another deeply, only stopping at the feel of each other smiling before resuming. Light, breathy giggles and quiet sighs of pleasure leaving you as you both were caught up in the heat of the moment.

- That was when you both heard the knock at the door, making you both jump. "Shit" you said quietly but in a panic. "Hide" he replied, getting up to put on a pair of pants, allowing you some time to scramble to grab your shirt and any trace you were here and hide in his bathroom, staying dead silent as you did.

- You heard the sound of him talking to Captain Price as you were hidden, relief washing over you once the door had finally closed and he walked away. You peaked back out from the bathroom, seeing König look at you as the look of panic finally fell from his face. "Close call" you spoke with a grin. "Way too close" he replied as you came back to him. "Ya know, if you just came over to my place, we wouldn't have to sneak around and worry about getting caught" you mused, making him chuckle as he leaned down. "Maybe I like the thrill a little bit" he admitted, making you giggle lightly before kissing him once more, your arms draped over his shoulders as you did.

- "Just keep it down in there" Price's voice spoke from the other side of his door, making you panic once more. "König! This is why we should be at my house!" You said, face red as a beet from fluster, and König couldnt help but grin at your embarrassment. Price gave a laugh as he walked away.

Simon "Ghost" Riley

- Everyone knew you were his, he made it very clear that he would break the neck of anyone who would dare try to have a piece of you, or even look in your direction with malintent.

- He didn't need PDA to show it either, when you both were out with his comrades, or out in public, a protective arm laid around your waist yes, but even when it didn't, all it took was one look from Simon for someone to deeply reconsider their intentions with you.

- So one night, when you were both coming out to his truck for a smoke from a night out drinking with friends, the liquid courage seeping through your veins, you decided to push his buttons a little.

- There he stood, leaned against his truck, having just finished taking drags off of his cigarette before putting it out with his foot. His balaclava was still pulled up to rest on the bridge of his nose, showing off the lower half of his face, so you took the chance.

- You smiled as he grinned when your fingers slid along his jaw and up under the balaclava just a little, keeping it up so that you could kiss him. The taste of smoke, tobacco, and whiskey mixed together in a taste that was just so *him.* You couldn't help the surge of butterflies that came through you as his hands rested on your hips, the way he kissed you always left your mind reeling as they were always so intimate, so shameless.

- "Just couldn't wait, could ya?" He asked, making you chuckle as you bit your lip, your cheeks heating up from the drinks buzzing in you as well as the heat that always burned in you anytime he kissed you. "You know what bourbon does to me, and you know what *you* do to me" you replied with a playful grin, making him chuckle once more as you said it, poking his chest to prove your point before dragging your finger down some. "I'm very aware" he replied.

- Your finger looped into his belt, giving a strong tug to pull him closer to you, your lips just centimetres apart now before you closed the distance once more. "You're playing a dangerous game, lovie" he spoke in a low tone, making your grin only stretch wider. "That so? Gonna put me in my place then?" You challenged bravely, making his eyes hold a different intensity. Hunger, a predatory one at that. "Get your ass in the truck. Now" he ordered.

- Needless to say, it was no shock to him that you both managed to find your way in the back seat of his truck, music playing just loud enough in the background to add to the atmosphere as your panting from the deep kiss filled the air in the car.

- You grinned far too devilishly as you rolled your hips in time to the beat of the song, enjoying your moment of power over him. But he was there to remind you that even if you were on top and straddling him, that did not, by any stretch of the imagination, mean you were in control. His hand came to the back of your head, fingers tangling in your hair as he tugged it back, making your head dip back as he did. You gave a sinful moan as he did, roughly thrusting his hips up into you. "Your misbehavin' has gotten a bit out of hand, love. Someone oughtta teach you some fuckin' manners" he damn near *growled* in response, making you whimper as his hips stilled completely. "Gonna be good f' me? Stop bein' a fuckin' brat?" He asked, making you nod your head yes vigorously, earning another yank on your hair and a powerful thrust up into you. "Answer properly" he ordered. "Yes sir, gonna be good for you, I promise!" you let out, his hand leaving your hair as he started his pace up again. "Then be a doll and take it" he spoke, making your eyes roll to the back of your head as he continued his brutal pace.

- Anyone on the outside wouldn't have known, the music, not too loud to be suspicious, but perfectly loud enough to cover your joint symphony of moans, pants, and grunts, paired with the sounds of skin against skin. So Soap being none the wiser, thought it'd be safe to go to Ghost's truck to tease you both for being gone for so long.

- Then a hand came to the foggy window, smearing enough of the condensation away to reveal the both of you in the back seat. What he wasn't anticipating was the sight of you on top of him, fully clothed thankfully, but it was clear what was going on. "Shit!" You exclaimed when you saw Soap's eyes widen before he looked away, knowing he'd be in deep shit for catching you both. Simon's eyes followed yours to the window, catching sight of the reason why you were hiding your face in your hands. A devious grin came to his lips, deciding to roll the window down some, not too much to show too much, but enough to send you into a panic. "Si! What the hell are you doing??" You asked, making the scot give a chuckle. "Was comin' t' check an' see if you two were still alive, but clearly you're takin' more than a smoke break" he replied. "Started off as one anyway.." You spoke with a nervous look, making him chuckle once again before turning around and walking back. "Try not to kill 'er" Soap spoke before walking back inside.

- You certainly learned your lesson that night, hiding your face that burned bright red as you left the back seat, Simon of course delighted in your torture as you both went back inside to sit back at the table, getting to take in all the knowing grins from his friends as they all teased you for the rest of the night. To Simon's standards of course, he'd never let anyone take it too far. ❤️

#cod smut #cod imagine #simon riley imagine #simon riley smut #simon ghost riley #john soap mctavish x reader #john soap mactavish #soap smut #könig imagine #könig smut #könig

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lemoncrushh · 7 months ago

Text

Rain Rain

Summary: Lexie is on her way to visit her sister, and she's taking Harry on the road trip with her, planning to drop him off at his friend's house for a wedding. But the weather has other plans.

Warnings: Not much - this is pretty much fluff with just a little petting and making out.

Word Count: 11k+

A/N: This is your basic "friends with one bed" trope. Harry x Bi!OC, AU, written in third person. Originally written and posted in 2019. This was based on a request I had gotten back then (which I still had copied into my docs): no worries if you’re not down to write about this, but it would be amazing if you wrote about someone who is mostly into women but just has this love for harry like no other. (maybe smutty idk) Thank you to that original anon wherever they are now! This ended up being three short parts, but I've combined them into one.

The rain was pouring so hard and so fast, the pavement was nothing but a blur as Lexie gazed out the window at the parking lot. She was grateful she’d remembered her raincoat, but cursed herself for not bringing along her boots. Her sneakers were bound to be a saturated, wet mess even after the short jog from the car. She could feel her bare toes curling against the rubber soles, and with a bitter scowl she shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat.

“Lex?”

“Hmm?” she turned her head in slow motion to see Harry looking at her with a raised brow.

“You sure you’re okay with this?”

Lexie nodded, giving a hesitant grin. “‘s fine. No worries.”

With a short nod to the man behind the counter, Harry took the room key and covered his head with the hood of his jacket. Pushing the door open, he grunted at the volume of the rain, both the noise and the amount, allowing Lexie to exit the lobby first.

“I can’t believe they only had one room,” he grumbled as she passed.

“Harry, don’t worry about it,” Lexie assured him. “We save money this way anyhow.”

Harry lifted his head to check that she was smiling, her nearly ever-present grin lighting her face, even on a full shit day such as this. He grinned back, making his way down the sidewalk to the last room on the left. Rain seemed to pelt against them sideways despite the awning above their heads.

“Jesus, it’s cold though,” Harry heard Lexie mutter as she bounced on the balls of her feet, waiting for Harry to unlock the door.

Sliding the key into the slot, the light flickered green and Harry pushed the door open. Rushing inside, Lexie pushed her hood off her face and took a gander around the room.

“Not too bad,” she appraised, sitting on the bed and kicking off her wet shoes.

“I’ll go get the bags,” offered Harry.

“Oh shit, I forgot!” exclaimed Lexie. “Let me put my sneakers back on.”

“No, no, you’re fine,” Harry waved his hand. “Sit, relax, get warm. I’ll just be a second.”

Lexie made a face, but reluctantly took off her raincoat and sat back on the bed, watching Harry make a run for it. She could see him out the window, opening the trunk of her car to retrieve their luggage, laughing to herself as she recalled how he’d called it a boot when they’d packed it.

The trip was supposed to have been a short one. So far it was twice as long as it should have been, nothing but a string of disaster after disaster. They were way behind schedule. But if Lex was being honest, she didn’t mind. Harry had proven to be a great travel companion, entertaining her jokes and chipping in some doozies of his own. When they’d gotten a flat tire, she’d helped him change it and then bought him breakfast. When Shelby had called her cell unexpectedly, and she’d panicked, Harry had covered for her, saying she was driving and couldn’t stop to talk.

“Safety first,” he’d said, even though she had bluetooth in her car.

Rising from the bed, Lexie held the door open for Harry as he ran back inside, a bag on each shoulder. Dropping them down beside the television with a huff, he finally got his own look at the room.

“Sorry about the one bed,” he sighed, unsure how Lexie felt about having to share it. “I’ll take the floor.”

“Don’t be silly, Harry, it’s a King! And should you really be offering that with your terrible back? I won’t have you complain for the rest of the trip.”

With a chuckle, Harry unzipped his hoodie and shrugged out of it, tossing it on the nearby chair. Fingers ran through his damp curls as he stepped out of his shoes and placed them next to the door. Unzipping his duffle bag, he pulled out some dry clothes.

“Mind if I shower?” he asked, pointing to the bathroom. “Unless you were…”

“No, it’s fine,” replied Lexie, grabbing the remote. “You go. I’ll watch some TV and see how this storm’s doing.”

“No calling Shelby, right?” Harry raised a brow.

Lexie scoffed. “No! We talked about this.”

“Alright. Just making sure. I mean, I can’t tell you what to do, but if it were me…”

“Harry!” exclaimed Lexie. “Go! I’m fine, I swear. I’m not calling her.”

“Or texting.”

“Or texting!”

With a smirk, Harry turned for the bathroom and shut the door. Lexie turned on the television, finding the local weather. No surprise there was a big storm in their area, possible hurricane and flood warnings.

“No shit,” she muttered under her breath.

She was bummed she wouldn’t be at her sister’s tomorrow afternoon, but she wasn’t really in a huge hurry either. It was Harry she was more concerned about. He was supposed to be at his friend’s on Saturday for a wedding and Lexie was dropping him off on the way. If this storm kept up and they got stranded, they might not make it in time.

Getting bored with the newscasters, Lexie reached for her phone. She stared at it for a few minutes, reading the last text from her ex-girlfriend. Her fingertip ghosted over her name as she contemplated texting her back. The sound of thunder made her jump, however, and with a grumble she took it as a warning, just like she knew Harry would have done.

Setting her phone next to her, she scooted back on the bed and leaned against the headboard. She heard the squeaky turn of a faucet and the shower stopped. Moments later, Harry emerged, his hair sticking out in pieces around his head from towel drying it. Lexie couldn’t help staring at him, though she didn’t realize she was until Harry caught her in the mirror and wiggled his eyebrows. She swiftly turned her attention back to the TV where the news was on some story about a robbery at a local convenience store. She could hear Harry brush his teeth and spit in the sink before he turned for the bed.

“So how’s it looking?” he asked as he climbed onto the bed next to her.

“Huh?” Lexie half-gasped.

Harry chuckled. “The weather. How’s it look for us the rest of the night?”

“Oh. Um...possible flooding they said. Hurricane conditions.”

“Bugger,” Harry muttered as he settled himself against the pillow. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get back on the road in the morning.”

“Fingers crossed,” said Lexie, crossing her hands over her stomach.

The news broke for commercial, but Lexie remained focused on the television. Her hand itched to reach for her phone, but she resisted. Her nose had suddenly made her hyper aware of her sense of smell as she inhaled the scent of soap, shampoo and something else she couldn’t quite pinpoint. Harry smelled so good lying beside her, it made her mouth water. Her stomach did some weird flip, her face was warm to the touch, and she tried to put her focus on the 1-800 numbers flashing on the screen as she wondered from where on earth this feeling had emerged.

The truth was, Lexie had been attracted to Harry since the day they��d met. They’d had a few mutual friends, one of which had introduced them at a party for another. And while Lexie considered herself bisexual, she had almost exclusively been dating women for the last few years. In fact, she had just begun a serious relationship with Shelby when she’d met Harry at that party. They’d become fast friends which she was fine with, but she couldn’t deny there was some sort of spark there, at least from her point of view.

The sound of a hearty laugh made her turn her head abruptly, but she realized Harry was giggling at the trailer for a new comedy. Lexie watched his face for a moment, the way his eyes squinted when he laughed, the deep dimple in his left cheek. These were just a couple of things that she liked about him, though she could probably make a long list.

Seemingly aware of her stare, Harry mimicked her gaze, his eyes twinkling. Lexie smiled at him, trying to come off as casual and not like a staring buffoon.

“Are you gonna go?” Harry inquired.

“Huh?”

“The shower, love,” he explained. “Thought you were gonna go next.”

“Oh,” Lexie blushed. “Of course.”

Rising from the bed, she grabbed her phone before it slid off. Harry, however, was quick too and reached for it.

“Nope. Not bringing that with you.”

“Fine,” Lexie rolled her eyes. “Wasn’t gonna look at it anyway.”

Harry smirked as Lexie rummaged through her suitcase for something to sleep in, then stuck out her tongue before closing the bathroom door, making Harry giggle again.

Lexie let the hot water soothe her muscles as she stood under the stream. She hadn’t realized she’d been so tense, but she blamed it on the weather and Shelby’s texts. Her ex wanted to get back together, it was obvious, though she hadn’t said it directly. But Lexie knew it was over. It had been over long before they’d actually broken up. Still, she couldn’t deny that she missed her.

Lexie thought about the phone call in the car when Harry had answered her cell. Afterwards he and Lex had a deep, albeit short conversation about relationships and how sometimes things quit working because you’ve run out of road.

“You’ve just reached a dead end,” he’d said. “And that’s when you know it’s time to say goodbye, let it go and travel down a new path.”

Though she knew he was right, Lexie was hesitant about taking that detour.

As she shut off the water and grabbed a towel, she could hear singing. She grinned when she realized it was Harry in the other room singing along to a commercial. She giggled to herself as she got dressed, finding herself humming the tune as well. Harry was a joy to be around. He made every situation bearable, no matter the circumstances. Perhaps, she considered, her attraction to him was merely his light that shone from within, and not anything sexual. When she emerged from the bathroom, however, and found him sprawled out on the bed in a simple t-shirt and sweats, one arm behind his head as the glow from the television defined the lines and curves of his face, she dismissed that notion.

“Damn,” she muttered under her breath before crossing the room to her suitcase.

“What’s wrong?” Harry inquired, his eyes following her. He watched her pull out a small pouch from her bag and return to the vanity.

“Nothing,” she lied, taking out her toothbrush. “That thunder just...doesn’t sound good.”

“Yeah, I think it’s getting closer than further away,” Harry commented, shifting onto his side to face Lexie while she brushed her teeth. Resting his head in his hand, his gaze roamed down her body as he noticed her sleeping attire.

“Those are cute,” he said, not meaning to. It just slipped.

“Wha’?” she sounded, her mouth full of toothpaste. Spitting into the sink, she eyed him in the mirror. “What’d you say?”

“Sorry,” Harry mumbled. “I just...I like those pajamas. They’re cute.”

“Oh,” Lexie blushed. “They’re old. But thanks.”

She couldn’t think of any other reply. He liked her old, worn out flannel pajamas? She’d had them since before Shel-

Clearing her throat, she ran a brush through her hair before making her way back to the bed. She could feel Harry’s eyes on her as she climbed in beside him again, pulling her knees up to her chest.

“Wanna watch a movie or something?” she asked, her gaze on the TV.

“Yeah, I was gonna ask you that,” Harry replied. “Unless you’re too tired.”

“I’m not really ready for sleep yet. What is there to watch?”

“Actually, not much. Most anything I found worthwhile is halfway over and has commercials. And I don’t reckon we wanna pay for something, especially if we end up losing power.”

Just as he said the last sentence, another crack of thunder sounded and made Lexie jump.

“Um…” she muttered with a grimace, “maybe we should just pick whatever’s on and hope for the best.”

With an easy grin, Harry rose from the bed.

“While you decide, I’m gonna go get some ice and a few things from the machines, if there is any. What would you like?”

“I'd like you to stay here with me,” she blurted without thinking.

Harry’s smile grew wider as he slipped back into his jacket. Lexie bit her lip as she felt herself blush for the second time.

“I won’t be gone long,” Harry offered.

“But I just brushed my teeth.”

Harry chuckled. “Then brush ‘em again. You know you want snacks, I can see the look in your eyes.”

“Yeah,” muttered Lexie. “I guess I do.”

“Plus if we end up stranded, you’re not eating my leg.”

Lexie burst out laughing. “Good thinking. I’ll take some potato chips and any kind of cookies they’ve got.”

“Soda?”

“Juice if they have it. If not, something without caffeine. Do you need money?”

“Nah, I got it,” Harry said, grabbing the ice bucket. “Be back in a second.”

Lexie sat back on the bed and flipped through the channels before landing on a Spiderman movie. She’d forgotten if she’d seen that one before or not, but it didn’t really matter. It was more for a distraction anyway, from both the booming thunder outside and the thumping of her heart inside her chest.

Harry rushed back into the room in record time, his hands full. Dropping several items onto the bed, he left again only to return seconds later with the ice bucket. Lexie watched as the door shut behind him and he pushed his hood back, revealing his damp curls.

“Were the vending machines not covered?” Lexie asked, grabbing one of the Sprite bottles Harry had brought.

“They were, but the water was dripping between the slats right above them, so I got a bit wet. No worries, though.”

“Harry, why is nothing a big worry to you?” Lexie eyed him as she took a sip of soda.

Harry shrugged as he returned his jacket to the chair and kicked off his shoes.

“Pick my battles,” he explained. “We got food, drinks and ice. Mission accomplished. A little rain didn’t stop me.”

“A little rain?” Lexie scoffed. “Sometimes you’re just a little too Mary Sunshine.”

Harry looked at her as he sat next to her on the bed. “Would it make you feel better if I told you I stepped in a puddle and nearly hit my head on a metal beam when I heard the thunder?”

Lexie smiled. “Yeah. Kinda.”

Reaching for a bag of Lay’s, she could feel his eyes on her. Finally when she bit into a chip, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

“You’re one to talk.”

“What?” Lexie raised a brow.

“Mary Sunshine.”

“Excuse me, I am not Mary Sunshine.”

“Yeah, you are,” said Harry. “You were totally cool with taking me along on this trip. You were fine with us sharing a room here, even just the one bed. Right now, you seem perfectly fine with that soda instead of the juice you’d really wanted. Honestly, you’ve barely even said one negative thing the entire time. Except maybe regarding Shelby, and even that you seem to be taking in stride.”

Lexie considered his words for a moment before giving a shrug. “Maybe I pick my battles, too.”

“Fair enough.”

Taking another swig from her Sprite bottle, she looked down at her lap. “It might have something to do with present company, too,” she said softly.

Harry turned his head and looked at her, his eyes seeming to study her face, hoping she’d expand on her admission.

“You’re easy to be with,” she added. “You don’t judge me and you’re considerate and nice and...I dunno, I just like that about you. Rubs off on me, I suppose.”

Harry continued to look at her as she ate her potato chips, her eyes on the television.

“Oh,” he finally managed to voice. “That’s...really lovely, Lex. Thank you.”

Lexie gave him a soft, short smile before biting into another chip. The two of them ate and watched the movie in silence for a while, until the next commercial break. When Lexie rose from the bed to shake off the crumbs and throw away her trash, she heard Harry speak again.

“I like that about you, too, you know?”

“What?” she raised a brow.

“I like that you’re easy to be with. Fun, actually. You don’t complain a lot, and you almost always have a smile on your face.”

Lexie tried to hide her current smile but failed.

“I’m not sure that last part is true,” she commented.

“Oh, it definitely is,” said Harry. “I just noticed it earlier. I know you’re...still getting over...um...someone...but you still seem happy.”

“That’s a facade,” Lexie confessed. “Inside I’m a mess.”

“Really? Could’ve fooled me.”

Lexie eyed Harry with a smirk. “I guess I just did.”

Softening his expression, Harry nodded. “‘m sorry. You wanna talk about it?”

“Not really.”

Harry studied Lexie’s face for a moment, wondering if she would change her mind. But when she didn’t, he knew not to push her. “Okay.”

Lying back on his pillow, he folded an arm behind his head. Something about his relaxed state made her want to cuddle with him and tell him all her problems. Shaking away the thought, Lexie lied back too, her eyes on the TV.

“I think we just grew apart,” she finally muttered.

“What?” Harry turned his head to look at her.

“Shelby and me,” she explained. “We just...got too comfortable, I guess? If that makes sense. It became boring. And when I get bored, I start to get restless.”

“I think that makes sense,” Harry commented. “You can only spread yourself so far.”

“Exactly!” Lexie nodded. She rolled onto her side, facing Harry. He blinked at her nearness, her wide-eyed expression.

“Like I’m willing to give myself to somebody, everything I have. When I love someone, they’re my world. But after a while it felt kind of one-sided.”

“I’m sorry,” Harry said again. “How did Shelby feel about it?”

Lexie shrugged. “We would just end up arguing when I brought it up. She said she wasn’t like me, that she needs her space and time separate from me. I told her I understood that, but I still needed her to meet me in the middle once in a while.”

“And maybe more?” Harry asked.

“What do you mean?”

This time, Harry turned onto his side, so he was face to face with Lexie. “Maybe sometimes you needed her to make the full effort like you were doing, so you didn’t have to meet her in the middle at all.”

Harry watched Lexie’s eyelashes flutter rapidly until a tiny drop fell down her cheek. Without thinking, he lifted his hand to brush it away with his thumb.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he whispered.

Lexie shook her head, then reached her hand up and grasped Harry’s wrist. “No. You’re absolutely right. How did you know?”

Harry shrugged. “‘s not hard to figure out, Lex. You’ve worn yourself thin.”

“Doesn’t mean I didn’t try,” she choked.

“I know.”

“I loved her.”

“Course you did. Maybe you still do?” Harry lowered his hand, releasing it from her grip.

Lexie pursed her lips. “I dunno. I guess I’ll always love her in some way. But I think the real love was gone a long time ago.”

“You think she feels the same?” Harry asked.

“Well...she was angry when we broke up. But now she says she wants to get back together.”

“What do you want?”

Lexie sighed, running a hand through her hair as her eyes darted around the room. “I guess...I dunno I just don’t think she can change. She’s just...she’s probably gonna keep calling me…”

Harry stopped her by taking her hand, making her look at him again. “That’s not what I asked, Lex. What do you want?”

Lexie opened her mouth to speak but shut it quickly. Then biting her lip, she really considered Harry’s question.

“I just want to move on, to be honest,” she finally admitted.

“Then move on.”

A loud boom of thunder sounded then, once again timely as though it punctuated Harry’s words. Neither of them, however even made a move. They lay facing each other in silence, the movie credits scrolling up the ignored television screen.

Butterflies danced in Lexie’s stomach as she stared at Harry, his green eyes seeming to say unspoken words. Though she wasn’t quite sure what those words were, she had an idea. Swallowing hard, she loosened her hand from his grip only to thread her fingers with his. Harry dropped his gaze to their joined hands before his eyes darted back up to her face, landing on her mouth. Instinctively, Lexie licked her lips and in one split second, she felt Harry’s lips pressed against them.

They were so soft. That was the first thought that crossed her mind. The second was that she hoped he didn’t stop any time soon.

Thunder cracked once again as Harry released Lexie’s hand to cup her cheek. She sighed against his mouth, and that was enough for him to know it was okay to deepen the kiss. Lexie opened her mouth to him, allowing his tongue to meet hers. She felt something then - something more than just arousal.

Rain continued to pelt against the roof and the window, the sound so loud, one would think the glass might break and water would rush in. But at that moment, Lexie heard nothing but the beating of her own heart in her chest.

Harry shifted slightly then, resting his leg between hers as he laid on top of her. Their kisses became intense, an apparent hunger as though they couldn’t get enough. Lexie’s hands found the back of Harry’s jeans, her fingers looping into his belt at his waistband. She held on for a few moments as his hips began to buck against hers, causing a friction that drove her mad. When his lips finally left hers and dragged across her jaw, she gasped for air.

“Ha-harry…” she sounded. Swallowing hard, she blinked to get her bearings. “Harry.”

Lifting his head, he looked at her face, her eyes reading uncertainty.

“Sorry,” he breathed. “Jesus, Lex, I’m sorry. I didn’t-”

“No,” Lexie interrupted. “Don’t. Don’t be sorry.” She shook her head. “About anything.”

“Really? Then why…”

“It’s just…” she licked her lips. “I’ve never...been with a guy...before…”

Harry’s eyes widened as he tried to sit up, but Lexie pulled him back.

“I mean...not like this. I’ve dated men. Well...boys really,” she chuckled nervously. “But it’s been a while.”

“But have you…”

Lexie shut her eyes and shook her head. She heard Harry sigh and felt his body relax against hers. She felt a flutter in her chest at the idea that he hadn’t moved off of her. She liked the feeling of his body against hers. When she opened her eyes, she saw him eyeing her, his expression sweet and calm.

“I don’t wanna make you do something you’ll regret, Lex,” he said. “But you should know, I didn’t tell you to move on in hopes that you’ll sleep with me.”

Lexie giggled. “But I am sleeping with you.”

Harry rolled his eyes and smirked. “You know what I mean.”

“I do,” Lexie said softly. “I also know I like you.”

Harry’s smile grew as he brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “You do?”

“Mhmm,” Lexie nodded. “The truth?”

Harry raised a brow as Lex grazed her fingertips across his back. “You’re the first guy I’ve ever had these kinds of feelings about.”

“What kind of feelings?” he whispered.

“You know…” Lexie hesitated. “Feelings like...I think you’re incredible and sweet. And I want to touch you. And I want you to touch me.”

Lexie felt Harry shift again, his thigh nearly pressing exactly where she wanted it to.

“Yeah?” he asked, his eyes studying her face intently.

With the flutter of her eyelids, she nodded again. “Please.”

“Lexie…”

Before she could say more, before she barely had time to process how sexy and deep his voice sounded when he said her name, his lips were on hers again.

Lexie shoved her pajamas into her overnight bag as she watched the light yet steady rain continue to fall outside. The weather wasn’t as bad as it had been during the night. The thunder and lightning had stopped, and the parking lot wasn’t flooded like Harry had predicted.

Harry.

She could hear his footsteps coming up the sidewalk. Taking her eyes from the window, Lexie turned toward the sink to grab her toothbrush and other toiletries. She heard the door open behind her and the sound of feet stomping to rid of their dirt or water.

“We’re all checked out,” he announced. “So...whenever you’re ready…”

“Okay,” Lexie called over her shoulder before turning around and dropping her toiletry bag inside her suitcase. Then she zipped it up and gave a tight smile. “All set.”

“Here, I’ll take that,” Harry declared with a nod as he reached for Lexie’s bag.

Sucking in her lips, Lexie decided not to argue, accepting Harry’s chivalry as she slid her arms into her raincoat. Then she followed him out to her car where she unlocked it and popped open the trunk. Lexie sat in the driver’s seat, the engine running while she heard Harry slam the trunk and rush to his side.

“Rain’s not so bad now,” he commented, rubbing his hands together, “but the temperature’s dropped.”

“Yeah, it’s cold,” Lex agreed, immediately regretting it.

The entire morning had been nothing but short, redundant replies to his comments or questions, punctuated with tight-lipped smiles and nods. Awkward didn’t begin to describe the thick air between them.

“Breakfast?” Lexie managed to ask when she shifted the car into reverse.

“Yeah, sure,” Harry said as he buckled his seatbelt. “Don’t reckon those potato chips and sodas lasted long after…”

Though his words trailed off, Lexie looked at him with wide eyes. When his gaze lifted from the click of his seatbelt and he gave a smirk, however, she felt herself blush. A small, nervous giggle escaped her throat as she shifted back into drive and turned out of the parking lot.

Still catching a flicker of a grin on Harry’s face out of the corner of her eye, Lexie quickly found a radio station that was to her liking, and she quietly hummed along. Truth was, she was nervous as hell, though she wasn’t quite sure why. She didn’t like it that Harry suddenly made her nervous either, because he never had before. He was her friend. But now he was…

Harry.

Her mind wandered to the night before, his soft kisses, his hands on her hips as his own pressed against her. He hadn’t tried to rush her. In fact, he had been completely gentle and respectful, knowing she was hesitant. Her own brain had been spinning like a whirlwind, unsure of how far to go. She knew she liked him and was attracted to him, that was a given. And the feeling of his lips on hers only confirmed that. But it had only been a short time that she’d been broken up from Shelby, her long-term girlfriend and the only person who’d even seen her naked in two years.

She’d let him touch her. When his hand had slipped inside her pajama bottoms, she hadn’t stopped him, though his eyes questioned her. She’d bit her lip and opened her legs, a sigh quickly releasing from her lungs when she felt his fingers on her. His gaze had been focused on her face the entire time while his hands had done the magic, making her throw her head back and moan as her legs shook. She thought she might have breathed his name, though she wasn’t sure. It was a possibility it had gotten lost behind the sound of the thunder. She did remember, however, the tender kiss he’d given her when she’d come down, his hands cradling her face as though she was a china doll.

“Lex?”

“Huh?” Lexie blinked. She blushed again, realizing her focus was not on the road.

“Looks like there’s a diner up there,” Harry pointed. “Unless you just wanted to find a McDonald’s.”

“Oh! No...yeah...that sounds great, actually.”

“I know I could go for some pancakes,” Harry commented, patting his belly.

Lexie smiled at him. “Yeah. Me too.”

Pulling into a spot next to a pickup truck, Lexie put the car in park and killed the engine. Pushing her door open, she felt something brush her hand. But just as she turned to look at Harry, she saw him quickly peel his eyes away and open his own door, shutting it with a thud.

The overly chipper waitress seated them at a table by the window. After ordering coffee and juice, Lexie pulled out her phone, prepared to text her sister when she suddenly frowned. Harry caught it, his breath stalling in his throat as he waited for Lexie to say something.

He watched her silently as she typed hastily on her phone. He wanted to snatch it from her hands and throw it out the window, but instead he waited. Despite what happened between them the night before, it was none of his business whom she was texting. But he really hoped to God it wasn’t Shelby.

The waitress returned with their beverages then, and Lexie laid down her phone with a smile. They both ordered a big breakfast with pancakes, but suddenly Harry wasn’t very hungry.

“Um…” he hesitated, reaching for his silverware. “Everything okay?”

“What? Oh…” Lexie shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, it’s fine. I had a text from Shelby, but I ignored it. I was texting my sister to let her know I made it through the storm, and that I’ll text her again once I’ve dropped you off.”

Harry sucked in his lips and nodded, though he felt his insides release the tension they’d been holding.

“I’m sorry I had to tag along,” he muttered.

“Don’t be silly, Harry,” Lexie waved him off before dropping a straw into her orange juice and taking a sip.

“Well, if you didn’t have to take me to Brian’s, you could get to your sister’s sooner. You have to go out of the way.”

“Harry, it’s not out of the way. In fact, it’s exactly on the way. It’s fine.”

Harry watched Lexie’s eyes as she took another drink. He liked the way her eyelashes fluttered slowly, laying delicately against her cheeks. He thought of kissing her eyelids, her cheeks, her lips. He’d never been this awkward around anyone before, the morning after. But this wasn’t just anyone.

“Besides,” Lexie added, sitting back in her seat, “it was you that needed the ride. It just so happened that I could visit my sister at the same time.”

The waitress returned with their food, and for several minutes they ate in awkward silence. Or perhaps it was only Harry who felt awkward. He wanted to mention the night before, but he reckoned in a diner while eating pancakes was not the best place to bring it up.

“So, are you excited about the wedding?” Lexie asked, breaking the silence.

Harry shrugged. “I like weddings. But I’m not sure excited would be the right word.”

Lex giggled, making Harry look up from his breakfast. He’d come to notice that he really liked her laugh.

“Why not?”

“Well…” he began, swallowing the bite in his mouth, “Brian’s an old friend of mine. And I’m happy for him. His family’s always been great to me. Looks like he’s found a great girl. It’s just…”

Lexie looked at him, tilting her head. “Just what? You’re not jealous, are you Harry?”

“No,” he shook his head. “Not jealous. I just...he’s got a big family, lots of cousins and friends. I’ll be the only person there alone.”

“Oh,” Lexie mouthed. She wasn’t sure what else to say.

“Last time I visited them,” he added, surprising Lex, “I was seeing someone.”

“Oh,” she whispered again.

With another shrug, Harry dismissed his own thoughts, diving back into his pancakes. “Doesn’t matter, I know. It’s my mate’s wedding. It’s not about me.”

“That’s true,” Lexie nodded. “You’re just there to show support.”

“Exactly,” Harry said with his mouth full.

With an odd feeling in her stomach, Lexie managed to eat the rest of her breakfast. She mentally kicked herself for even bringing up the subject and vowed to stay quiet about it until they’d reached their destination.

Back on the road, Lexie gave Harry control of the music, letting him choose a playlist from her phone. Except for a comment here or there on the songs, the conversation was sparse. They were on a long stretch of highway with nothing much on either side but pasture and the occasional farm or herd of cows.

“So, um…” Harry hesitated a moment before deciding to just admit what he was thinking. “I enjoyed last night.”

“What?” Lexie turned her head quickly before returning her eyes to the road. She heard Harry let out a soft, deep laugh, making her weak in the knees.

“I was wondering how long it would take either of us to mention it, but it’s been hours now and...well, I reckoned I’d have to be the one to address the elephant in the room...or, um...car.”

Sucking in her lips, Lexie felt herself blush as she gripped the steering wheel.

“Sorry,” she finally muttered, stealing a glance at Harry. “Guess I’m not very good at this.”

“Nothing to be sorry for,” said Harry. He paused before adding his question. “Did you enjoy it?”

Lexie felt her lips curl up as she kept her eyes on the road. Then tapping her thumbs on the wheel, she nodded. “Yes. Very much.”

“Good.” Harry sat back in his seat then, trying his best not to seem cocky. But she’d said she’d liked it. And that made him happy.

“I um...just want you to know…” he added, “it doesn’t have to be...weird between us now.”

“Oh, yeah, I know,” Lexie agreed hastily.

“It’s just...um...I’d really like to do it again, but if you feel-”

“If I feel what?” Lexie eyed him, her cheeks still pink.

Harry grinned, looked down at his knees and licked his lips. He was kind of enjoying the obvious effect he had on her, but he didn’t want to push it.

“Just...if you don’t want to, I’ll understand.”

“Harry, I um…” Lexie shifted in her seat, gripping the wheel. “Something else you should know about me. I’m not a one and done type of girl. I don’t...sleep around.”

Harry’s lips widened, his dimples deeper. “I know that, Lex.”

“But by the same token,” she continued, “I don’t rush into things either. I mean, I just broke up with-”

She stopped when she felt Harry’s hand on her elbow.

“Say no more,” he murmured. “I understand.”

Slowly releasing her grip on the steering wheel, Lexie lowered her arm to the seat, laying her hand next to her, palm up. Taking it as the gesture it was, Harry gracefully slipped his fingers through hers. Their hands remained like that through the next three songs as they both hummed softly along until stopping at the next exit to fill up on gas.

Harry had gone inside the food market to get a few snacks for the road while Lexie pumped the gas. Paying the cashier, he pushed the door open to see Lexie with her back to him, leaning against the driver’s side. It wasn’t until he got closer that he realized she was talking on her cell.

“I just can’t do it anymore, Shel,” he heard her say. “I just...I think it’s time we both moved on.”

Afraid he was intruding, Harry started to turn back to the market, pretending he’d forgotten something.

“Harry!”

Stopping in his tracks, he turned around again. Lexie beamed at him as she pushed a strand of hair from her face. He never thought she looked so pretty. Except maybe last night…

“What’d you get me?” she asked, jogging around the back of the car. Peeking into the paper bag, she raised her brows. Then she giggled, recognizing the potato chips, cookies and juice. “All my favorites.”

“Well, you didn’t get your juice last night so-”

Lexie planted a haste kiss on his cheek. “You’re sweet. I’m going to the ladies’. Be right back.”

“Hey, would you like me to drive for a while?” Harry inquired.

“If you like,” she smiled, handing him the keys.

Harry watched her practically prance into the market. He didn’t want to jinx it, but it certainly seemed like she’d gotten the closure she needed with Shelby. He was happy to see her with a little pep in her step.

Setting the groceries in the backseat, Harry put the key in the ignition. Then reaching back, he grabbed the two juices and placed them in the cup holders between the front seats. Just as Lexie returned to the car, Harry noticed it was sprinkling.

“Good timing, I guess,” remarked Lex as she climbed into the passenger seat. “I saw the dark clouds forming a few miles back.”

Switching on the windshield wipers, Harry pulled out of the gas station. As soon as they were back on the highway, he heard Lexie open the bottles then hand him one.

“Cheers,” she said with a sly grin.

Harry mimicked her, tapping his bottle against hers. “Thanks.”

“So, tell me more about this Brian guy,” said Lex as she pulled out the bag of potato chips and opened them.

Harry looked at her and then back at the road. “You sure are in a good mood.”

“Am I not supposed to be?”

“I dunno. I just thought…”

“That I’d be sad or still hung up on Shelby?” she asked.

Harry shrugged. “I couldn’t help overhearing.”

Lexie was quiet for a moment as she stared at the chip in her hand.

“It’s over,” she admitted softly. Then turning, she captured Harry’s gaze. “I ended it. Officially.”

Swallowing, Harry set his juice in the cup holder and nodded. “How do you feel about that?”

With a grin slowly spreading across her face, Lexie popped the chip into her mouth.

“I feel good about it,” she announced. “Great, actually. Is that awful?”

Harry shook his head. “Not at all. I’m glad you got the closure you needed.”

“Me too,” Lex agreed. Then like before, she laid her hand palm up across the console. Harry took it as an invitation and with a tiny flicker of a spark, he threaded his fingers through hers.

“Thank you.”

Harry wasn’t exactly sure what he’d done, but the look on her face and the touch of her skin was enough reason.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “Now hand me some of those cookies.”

“Hurry before you catch pneumonia!” Lexie heard the woman at the door call out.

The rain had been coming down nonstop for the last couple hours. Though Lexie had been grateful to Harry for taking over behind the wheel, she felt guilty for making him drive through that grueling weather. They’d finally made it to his friend Brian’s house, or rather, his mother’s, but the rain was determined to be difficult, the wind only adding to the arduous driving conditions.

Closing the trunk of the car, Lexie followed Harry as he carried both bags up the steps of the large farmhouse, stomping his feet on the massive wrap-around porch. Lex had given Harry a short questioning glance when he’d grabbed her bag, but with the woman shouting and the rain pouring down, she decided not to argue.

“Virginia!” he shouted. “Nice to see you.”

“Harry Styles, get in this house this instant!”

Practically shooing him over the threshold, the woman wasn’t slow to notice the girl following behind.

“Hello, dear!” she greeted. “Welcome.”

Lexie barely got a thank you out before Virginia addressed Harry again. “Who did you bring, handsome?”

“This is Lexie, Virginia,” Harry answered as he dropped the bags in the foyer. “We drove here in her car.”

“Oh, I see,” Virginia beamed. “Lovely to meet you...Lexie, you said?”

“Well, it’s Alexis actually, but…”

“Oh, come here, give me a hug,” the older woman insisted. “I’m so happy for you.”

Lexie wasn’t sure if she was more embarrassed because she was wet from the rain, or because the woman obviously thought she and Harry were a legit couple. Catching only a slight twitch of nervousness in Harry’s reflection in the mirror on the opposite wall, she opted to once again leave it be. Virginia was certainly used to playing hostess, and from the aroma in the house, Lexie could already tell she was good at it.

“Styles, you made it!”

Lexie looked up to see a man around Harry’s height and build saunter down the stairs. Meeting Harry, he caught him in a tight embrace, murmuring thank yous and missed yous.

“Lex, meet one of my oldest, dearest mates, Brian Ramsey.”

“Nice to meet you,” Lexie nodded, extending her hand.

“Pleasure’s all mine.”

“And you already met his mother, Mrs. Ramsey, AKA Virginia, AKA the best cook aside from my mum.”

“AKA the one you never come to see anymore,” Mrs. Ramsey swatted at Harry with her dishcloth.

“I’m sorry love, I’ve been busy,” Harry smirked.

“Mhmm, I see,” she nodded, eyeing Lexie and then giving a wink.

“Well, c’mon, Harry, let’s go have a drink,” Brian gestured down the hall to where Lexie only assumed was the kitchen. “Pretty sure Pops, Jenny and Serena are back here.”

Eager to join him, Harry looked back at Lexie with a smile.

“Oh,” she mouthed. “Actually, I should probably get going.”

“What?” Virginia asked incredulously.

“Yeah, um...I was actually just dropping Harry off. I have to get to my sister’s.”

“Oh, honey, you can’t go out in this weather!” Virginia insisted. “It’s supposed to be raining all night, possible flooding. Maybe even a tornado.”

“Oh.”

“And the roads around here usually flood pretty quickly, so they close them off. You probably won’t be able to get out until tomorrow morning, at the earliest.”

“Oh,” she whispered again.

“Don’t worry about it, Lex,” Harry offered. “I’m sure Mrs. Ramsey won’t mind you staying over.”

“Of course not, dear!” she exclaimed. “Trust me, you’re not going anywhere in this.”

“I don’t want to put you out,” Lex started to argue.

“Nonsense! I have enough rooms, blankets, towels and food for an army!”

“Ugh, the army line again,” scoffed Brian.

“Hush, you!” Virginia said, daring him with his own swat from the dishcloth.

Reluctantly, Lexie followed the two boys through the hall and into a large open area with the kitchen to the left, and a family room to the right.

“I thought a heard a raucous out there!” announced the man sitting in the leather recliner. Rising from it, he quickly held his hand out. “Harry, good to see you, son.”

“Hey, Pops,” said Harry, giving him a big hug. “How’s life treating you?”

“Can’t complain.”

With a grin, Harry stepped back and placed his hand on the small of Lexie’s back. “Pops, this is Lexie.”

“Hello, Lexie,” the older man greeted with a handshake. Then placing his other hand on top, he leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Just so you know, he’s one of the good ones.”

“What are you telling her, Pops?” asked a young woman who’d just walked into the room.

“None of your business.”

“Lies.”

Lex eyed Harry who let out a burst of giggles.

“Hi, I’m Jenny,” said the woman. “Brian’s older but wiser sister.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“And that one over there,” she pointed to the brunette in the kitchen, “is Brian’s fiancée, Serena.”

“Not for much longer,” Serena sang, taking a cookie sheet from the oven and placing it on top of the stove. Then wiping her hands on her apron, she walked around the counter, holding out her hand. “Hi, so nice to meet you, Lexie.”

Lexie suddenly felt as if she was in a movie, one of those wholesome Christmas films that were shown on television every year. Everyone was so nice and hospitable, it seemed...unreal.

Brian emerged from the kitchen then with two glasses of wine, offering them to Harry and Lex. Lifting his glass, Harry proposed a toast to the happy couple, wishing them all the best.

After several games of cards, and a couple rounds of charades, in which Harry won both, plus far too many of Serena’s cookies, the evening had finally wound down. The wedding pair retired to their room upstairs and Mrs. Ramsey set both Harry and Lexie up with their own rooms, across the hall from each other. Lexie had already called her sister to tell her the situation, and that she would be arriving later than scheduled.

After brushing her teeth, Lexie opened the bathroom door to find Harry standing in the hallway. A smile slowly spread across his face as he took her in. His gaze suddenly made Lexie self-conscious, and she looked down at her ensemble.

“Different pajamas,” she remarked.

“I can see that,” Harry smirked. “I like those, too.”

Blushing, she bit her lip, then ran a hand through her hair. “Um, did you need the restroom?”

“Oh...yeah.”

As Lexie turned down her bed, a beautiful blue and white rose quilt, she found herself humming one of the songs she and Harry had listened to earlier that day in the car. A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth as she recalled the way he’d told her he’d enjoyed the night before.

Suddenly, a knock sounded behind her, and she looked up to see Harry standing in the doorway.

“Hey. Can I come in?”

“Of course,” Lexie gestured.

Harry stepped into the room, gazing up at the photos and paintings on the walls, then walked over to the dresser and inspected everything on it.

“The Ramseys are really nice,” Lexie remarked, taking a seat on the bed as she watched Harry.

“Yeah,” Harry nodded. “They’re like...my second family.”

“I can tell. They’re definitely fond of you.”

“Yes.”

“And it was very kind of them to let me stay. Even though it was mostly Virginia’s idea,” Lexie laughed. “I don’t think she was about to let me set foot outside again.”

Harry chuckled nervously in agreement. “She’s a tough one, that Virginia. What she says goes.”

Placing an old, framed photo back onto the dresser, he let out a sigh. Finally, turning around, he sucked in his lips. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Harry looked at the floor.

“Um...hey I know it’s kind of last minute, and you need to get to your sister’s and all…” he paused, biting his bottom lip before finally lifting his eyes to Lexie, “but I was wondering...and you totally don’t have to...if you’d like to stay...a little longer tomorrow...and be my date. For the wedding.”

Lexie’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected him to ask her that.

“Oh!” she breathed. “Oh, well...I…”

Harry shook his head. “It’s alright. It was a dumb thing to ask.”

“No!” Lexie exclaimed. “I mean...no, it wasn’t a dumb thing to ask. I mean...actually…”

The corners of Harry’s mouth quivered slightly before his lips spread into a smile and his dimples appeared. He let out a tiny chuckle, causing Lexie to glare at him.

“What?” she asked.

“You’re as nervous as I am,” he replied.

Lexie blushed as she realized he was absolutely right. With a smile that nearly blinded Harry, Lexie stepped forward and took his hand.

“I’d love to be your date,” she beamed.

Lexie stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror. While she wouldn’t call the dress exactly her style, she was grateful that Jenny let her borrow it for the special occasion. She liked the dainty blue flowers and flowing sleeves.

“I think it’s perfect,” declared Brian’s sister. “You look so pretty.”

“I do?” asked Lexie bashfully, her cheeks blushing a light pink.

“Definitely. Looks better on you than it ever did on me. Lucky we’re the same size.”

Biting her lip, Lexie ran her hands across her waist. She silently wondered what Harry would think.

“What about your hair?” asked Jenny. “Were you planning on wearing it up or down?”

Lex grinned nervously. “I actually hadn’t thought about it. This whole thing wasn’t planned at all.”

“Of course,” Jenny smiled.

“I usually wear my hair down though,” Lexie added, winding a strand around her finger. “What do you think?”

Jenny’s smile widened. “I have a great idea.”

Turning to her dresser, she opened the top drawer and pulled out a headband, bringing it to Lexie.

“What do you think of this?” she asked. The headband was simple, adorned with dainty flowers and leaves in gold metal.

“I love it!” exclaimed Lex.

With gentle ease, Jenny placed the headband on the center of Lexie’s head, allowing her soft, delicate hair to fall around it.

“Yes,” beamed Jenny. “Absolutely perfect.”

A knock sounded on the door then, and Jenny walked across the room to open it.

“Harry, you can’t see us yet,” Lex heard Jenny say. “It’s bad luck.”

“I thought that was just the bride and groom,” Harry chuckled from the doorway.

“Even so,” Jenny whispered. “I wasn’t quite finished.”

“With what?”

It was then that Harry spotted Lexie across the room, her reflection in the mirror as she looked down at her hands.

“Oh!” he sounded, his eyes wide.

With a sigh, Jenny stepped back and allowed Harry to enter the room.

“Wow, Lex, you look amazing!” he announced.

“Thanks,” she muttered, turning around to face him. Grabbing the sides of the dress, she felt herself blush again. “Jenny let me borrow it.”

“It’s lovely on you.”

Lexie and Harry seemed to stare at each other for a few moments until the silence was broken by Jenny’s voice.

“Shoes!” she squealed, nearly making Lexie jump. “What size shoes do you wear?”

“Um…” Lexie swallowed, “eight.”

“Aw crap,” Jenny scowled, snapping her hands on her waist. “I’m a nine. They’d be too big.”

“It’s okay.”

“I bet Serena’s your size,” she added. “I’m not sure if she brought any other shoes with her, but I could ask.”

“Really, it’s okay,” Lex chuckled. “You’ve done enough for me. Besides after the weather last night, I might be glad I’m in my sneakers.”

“Oh, that reminds me why I came up,” said Harry. “Your mum needs you downstairs. Something about a broken table and angry caterers.”

“Ugh,” Jenny rolled her eyes.

“Oh no, I hope everything’s okay,” said Lexie. “Maybe I should help.”

“No need,” Jenny held up a hand as she headed for the door. “When Virginia Ramsey’s involved, there is a way.”

“Send out an S.O.S. if you need us,” called Harry.

“Will do!”

Harry’s shoulders shook with laughter as his best friend’s sister left the room, leaving him alone with Lexie.

“Look at you,” said Lex, making Harry turn and raise a brow. “You clean up nice, Styles.”

Harry looked down at his suit, his hands on the jacket lapels.

“Wha’ this ol’ thing?” he smirked, causing Lexie to giggle.

Stepping closer to him, she reached for the cross around his neck, displayed in the center of his chest.

“I take it you’re not a tie kind of guy,” she remarked.

“Not particularly,” Harry grinned at her. “Why, do you think I should wear one?”

Lexie shook her head. “I didn’t say that.”

She felt his hand on her waist before he pulled her closer, his chest colliding with hers. His green eyes seemed to dance as his other hand slid under her ear.

“You look really pretty, Lex,” he said softly.

“Thanks. So do you.”

The corners of Harry’s mouth twitched before he leaned forward, his lips so close to hers she could feel his breath on them.

“Is it okay if I kiss you now?” he asked.

“I was beginning to wonder why you hadn’t already.”

Lexie gasped when Harry opened the back door, and she followed him out onto the large porch. It was trimmed with dangling lights and floral garlands that cascaded down the banisters to the large canopy in the backyard.

“Kinda magical, innit?” asked Harry, catching Lexie’s eye. She smiled and nodded.

“C’mere you two!” someone called from the yard and Lexie turned to see Mrs. Ramsey beckoning them. “I could use your help.”

Taking her hand, Harry lead Lexie down the steps and between the rows of white chairs to where Virginia stood.

“At your service,” offered Harry with a grin. “What do you need us to do?”

“Oh honey, don’t you look lovely!” exclaimed Virginia when she finally got a good look at Harry’s date up close.

“Thank you,” Lexie said shyly, looking down at her sneakered feet.

Her hand went to her forehead to brush a strand of hair from her face when she remembered the headband. Gently, she adjusted it, careful not to make a mess of it before the wedding as she caught the gleam in Virginia’s eyes when she smiled at Harry.

“If you wouldn’t mind, my dears,” said Mrs. Ramsey, “could you kindly stand outside the gate to greet the guests as they come in? Brian’s cousins are ushers, but I’d just like to have someone out there to make sure they’re entering on the right side, and no one steps in a mud puddle or anything.”

“No problem,” Harry and Lexie replied in unison.

Squeezing her hand that he was still holding, Harry gave Lexie a wink before guiding her around the corner to the large fence that surrounded the Ramsey’s backyard. Then unlocking the gate, he released her hand only to push it open.

“So, we just stand out here?” inquired Lexie.

“Yep. Guests should be arriving soon.”

Twirling around, Lexie inspected the view of the backyard through the gate, getting an idea of what guests might see when they walk through.

“This is really a great place for a wedding,” she commented.

“It is,” agreed Harry with a nod.

“And convenient, too. They probably saved a ton of money.”

“You better believe it,” Harry chuckled. “And not just because it’s the Ramsey’s house. Virginia will find the best deal anywhere. She’s kind of famous for it.”

“Really?” Lexie smiled, intrigued.

“Yeah, if she can do it herself, or get Pops to do it, she will. If not, she knows everyone within the next three towns, and she won’t let them take advantage of her. She always gets her way.”

Lexie laughed. “She’s a pretty cool lady.”

The corners of Harry’s mouth twitched as he stepped closer.

“You’re a pretty cool lady, too,” he declared.

“Stop,” Lexie playfully swatted at him as he tried to put his arms around her.

“Too cheesy?”

“Hmm, maybe a little…” she bit her lip.

“Sorry,” said Harry as he managed to pull her closer. “I’ll cut back on the cheese.”

“No, it’s...it’s cute.”

“I really like you, Lex. And I’m glad you’re here.”

A big smile spread across her face as she slid her hands up his arms. “Me too.”

Harry was just about to ask which statement she was agreeing with when an older couple approached them from the front yard.

“Don’t tell me the wedding’s started already,” the man chided.

“No, sir,” Lexie began before she noticed the twinkle in his eye.

“Harry,” he added, holding out his hand. “Good to see you, young man.”

“Mr. McRay, a pleasure,” Harry greeted.

“How’s that beautiful mother of yours?”

“She’s just fine, sir, thanks for asking.” Harry reached for Lexie then, placing his hand on her back. “Lex, this is Mr. and Mrs. McRay, the Ramsey’s neighbors.”

“How do you do,” Lexie smiled.

“I do wonderful, pretty lady,” Mr. McRay said, giving her a wink and earning himself a poke from his wife.

“Charles is a big flirt,” she scoffed. “Don’t mind him.”

Lexie felt herself blush as Harry’s fingertips dug into her waist as he gently pulled her closer to his side.

“You two look lovely,” Mrs. McRay added. “I trust Virginia’s inside, running herself ragged?”

“Just a wee bit,” said Harry, making Lexie giggle.

“I better see if she needs my help. Hope to see you two later.”

“Enjoy the wedding,” smiled Lexie.

By the time the McRays made it inside the gate, a short line of cars had formed along the curb, some on the driveway. Lexie took a deep breath as she watched guests exit their cars and begin the walk up to the gate.

After greeting at least half a dozen couples and clusters of families, Lexie noticed something. Harry’s hand had remained on her back the entire time. Perhaps it was a silent reassurance that even though she wasn’t a member of the wedding party or even an originally invited guest, she was still very much a part of the day’s activities because she was Harry’s date.

His date. Lexie let the word roll around her brain for a moment while she watched him chat with someone else he’d known nearly all his life. She liked the word. It was simple, not too formal or labeling. He’d introduced her as his date a couple of times already, a big, dimpled smile on his face as he’d said it.

“This is my date, Lexie,” he’d beamed, his hand giving her another light squeeze.

She liked that he hadn’t said “friend”. Although she certainly was his friend, she always thought that word held little romantic value. Even Shelby would sometimes introduce her as her friend, after they’d been dating for months, and it would rub her wrong to put it mildly. It wasn’t that she thought she and Harry had crossed the line into more than just friends after just one night together, but…

“Lex?” Harry asked, making her blink.

“Yeah, sorry,” she swallowed. “What did you say?”

“I was just telling Jackson about our little adventure on the road to get here.”

“Oh!” Lexie’s eyes widened.

Harry let out a gleeful chuckle and leaned into her. “Not the motel part, love.”

Lexie couldn’t help but laugh in spite of herself, and when she found she couldn’t stop, she rolled her head into Harry’s chest.

“Seems she’s gotten a fit of the giggles,” Harry explained to Jackson who’d joined in on the humor of an obvious inside joke.

“I’m so sorry!” Lexie shouted, muffled from Harry’s shirt.

“I’ll meet you inside,” laughed Jackson. “Good to meet you, Lexie.”

“You too!”

Harry’s chest continued to shake with laughter as he gently rubbed Lexie’s back. Once Jackson was out of earshot, she slowly lifted her head.

“I’m so embarrassed,” she whined.

“Why?” Harry asked, an enormous grin on his face.

“It’s not that I thought you’d told him...it’s just...it’s the first thing that came to mind, and...oh, God.”

Grabbing the lapels of his jacket and burying her face in his neck, Lexie got a good whiff of Harry’s cologne and suddenly felt her legs go weak.

“You are so fucking cute, Lex,” she heard him say.

“I am?” she asked, breathing him in. His skin was so close to her lips, she wanted to touch it.

“Yeah. I kind of always thought of you as very confident and self-assured.” Harry’s free hand found the back of her head and began to lightly brush his fingers through her hair. “And you are, I find it very sexy. But this…”

“Hmm?” Lexie sounded when he paused.

“This is a different side of you,” Harry explained. “I dunno if it’s because of me, but...it’s like you have your guard down a little bit. And I think it’s very sexy, too.”

Her legs now jelly, Lexie shifted slightly until her lips met the warm skin on his neck. She pressed three soft kisses there until she felt him hum against her mouth.

“Lex…” he whispered.

Lifting her head, she saw a deep green in his eyes she’d never seen before. He brushed a tiny strand of hair from her face before cupping her chin. Just as he was about the lean forward, however, a voice behind him interrupted.

“Harry, son, they’re getting the wedding party ready,” announced Mr. Ramsey.

“Oh yes, of course,” Harry cleared his throat. “Be right there.”

Lexie gave another look of embarrassment that only earned her a grin from Harry. Then taking her hand, he kissed the back of it.

“C’mon, I’ll take you to your seat.”

“You know, I knew you were the Best Man, but I guess I wasn’t thinking about the fact that you wouldn’t be sitting with me. Makes me kinda sad.”

“‘m sorry, love,” Harry frowned.

“It’s okay. I’m being dramatic,” Lexie teased. “At least I get to watch you.”

Harry chuckled low as they reached the end of a row of chairs where Lexie took a seat.

“Who says I won’t be watching you?”

“Please, it’s a wedding, Harry. Nobody’s even looking at anything but the bride and groom.”

“Hmm...that’s what you think.”

With another giggle in her chest, Lexie watched Harry turn down the aisle and walk up the porch steps. Soon enough, the music started and Brian escorted Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey to their seats on the front row. Serena’s mother was escorted next, followed by Harry and Jenny, serving as the Best Man and Maid of Honor.

Finally, the wedding march began, and Serena emerged from the porch and down the steps, her arm looped with her father’s. Lexie immediately felt the heaviness in her chest as Serena walked down the aisle, her face all aglow as her eyes met Brian’s. Then turning in her seat, Lexie caught the look on Brian’s face and just about lost it. No matter how strong and self-assured she sometimes seemed, Lex was no stranger to crying at weddings. Perhaps she was a true romantic at heart.

Just when the ceremony began, Lexie heard a familiar sound and realized it was raining again. However, with the party safe under the large canopy, it was almost tranquil.

As the couple said their vows, Lexie’s eyes veered toward her date who stood behind the groom. Her insides nearly melted when she realized he was looking at her too. And when the rings were exchanged and a tear made its way down her cheek, Lexie caught Harry’s lips curl up until they widened into a smile.

When the happy couple was pronounced husband and wife, the guests clapped and watched them make their way up the aisle. As Harry followed, he discreetly held out his hand to allow it to graze across Lexie’s shoulder. As if the looks he’d given her during the ceremony weren’t enough, her entire skin was now on fire.

Moments later, as the reception began, Lexie had just finished chatting with a friend of Serena’s that she’d met earlier when she felt the familiar hand on her waist.

“Did you enjoy that?” he whispered in her ear.

“Did you enjoy mocking me?” she teased.

“Mocking you?”

“Yeah, what was with the huge grin while I was clearly in tears over the vows?”

“That was not mocking,” argued Harry. “I was happy.”

“Happy I was crying?”

“Well...kinda, yeah,” Harry shrugged.

“Meanie!”

“No,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “I mean I was happy that it moved you that much.”

“Oh.”

“I told you I was gonna watch you,” Harry added.

“Glad to be your entertainment.” Lexie folded her arms and looked down at her sneakers.

“Heyyy,” he said, lifting her chin with his finger. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it was...it was a beautiful wedding.”

“It was. But it’s not over yet. We have a party.” Harry spread his arms out.

“Yeah...I can’t stay that long though.”

“Oh,” Harry dropped his arms and frowned. “Why not?”

“I just...I have to get to my sister’s.”

“I thought you had that all worked out.”

“Yeah, but I feel bad. I was supposed to be there a long time ago, and now I’ll only get like a day and a half with her as it is.”

“I’m sorry,” Harry muttered.

“Not your fault,” Lexie waved her hand. “I should...I should probably go ahead and get changed. Pack my stuff. Looks like the rain stopped, so I should get out before it starts again.”

As she turned toward the back porch, Harry grabbed her hand.

“But wait…” he pleaded. “We...we haven’t had our dance yet.”

“Dance?”

As if on cue, a slow love song began to play, and a few couples took to the dance floor.

“Please?” Harry held out his hand.

With a sigh, Lexie took it and followed him. They began to sway in each other’s arms, the music leading them.

“Thanks for coming with me, Lex,” Harry said low. “And for being my date.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I wish we...had more time.”

Lexie stared at Harry’s lips for a long while before shifting her gaze to his eyes which seemed to burn into hers.

“Me too,” she finally admitted.

“Yeah?”

Shutting her eyes, Lexie leaned forward.

“Harry…” she whispered. “I don’t wanna go.”

“What?”

“I mean...I still wanna see my sister, but...I don’t wanna leave you.”

“Lexie…” Harry breathed, lifting his hand to her cheek.

“Is that awful?” she asked when she opened her eyes.

“No.”

Harry’s face looked so serene and beautiful, Lexie couldn’t help but feel a sudden calmness, even though her heart was beating a mile a minute.

“I’ve had the best time with you,” she confessed. “I’m not ready to say goodbye yet.”

“Me neither.”

“Would it be...completely awkward or inappropriate if I asked you to come with me?”

“To your sister’s?” Harry asked.

“Yeah…” Lexie’s expression faltered. “Never mind, forget it. It’s ridiculous.”

“No, it’s not,” murmured Harry as he blinked slowly, pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers.

Rain began to pelt against the canopy once again just as the fire she’d felt before returned full force and Lexie fell into the kiss. Their bodies continued to sway as their lips and tongues collided, until the song finally came to an end. Then leaning his forehead against hers, Harry gave her another of his dazzling smiles.

“I’d love to,” he said.

Hope you enjoyed!

Please like, comment, reblog or send me a msg!

MASTERLIST | KO-FI | FEEDBACK

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nyaskitten · 11 months ago

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EDIT: THIS POST IS INACCURATE !!!

I made the assumption Olive was editing the wiki articles, and while that's a very logical conclusion to reach, it was actually someone who shares the same viewpoints as them!!! Anything including the wiki articles and Olive's involvement is wrong and that's my bad!!!

Alright fellas, I guess we did it. We have reached the tipping point. I'm going to dedicate this post to calling out one specific person, @olivescales3, and their very toxic behavior. This post will be a bit messy, and I do apologize in advance, I'm writing this from the perspective of a Ninjago fan who also thinks beyond just the petty fandom stuff, what they're doing is just not cool.

I will clarify, I do not make this post for petty fandom drama, I make this to better spread awareness on some of the bullshit they're doing, so you can look out for and understand that they're bullshitting. Without further ado, I think we should just get into it.

So, what have they done?

Now, I should say while there is no 100000% concrete link between hyenabro and olivescales, I think based on their talking points (as well and the information I've recieved from friends in the Chima fandom, who have a bunch of prior experience with them,) it's safe to make this assumption!

So, what has olivescales DONE in this case? Simple, they've vandalized the Chima wiki on NUMEROUS occasions, even after several different people have revised their revisions, so as to discredit any conenctions between Dragons Rising and Chima.

(Green is their edits, red is the ones prior to theirs, I found this while going through their contributions section on their Fandom account, HyenaBro119)

As seen here, they have (under the username HyenaBro119) edited the pages for Chima AND the Forever Rock (I have two similar screenshots of essentially the same thing, one was from the Forever Rock article, the other was from Chima) and claimed Ninjago's lore to be some alternate universe. To further validate it, they write "Ras' visit to," but Ras NEVER claimed to have VISITED these locations, just that he knows them. They also claim the Forever Rock was destroyed, a blatant lie. Only a small section of rock on the Forever Rock was actually destroyed, not the whole thing.

Now, you're gonna ask "but Raine, how can you 100000% say it's them?" and I will cite common sense. While I cannot directly tie Olive to hyena, I CAN say their wording is SO very similar.

Both Hyena and Olive call DR "a parallel/alternate universe," and again, claim Forever Rock was destroyed, WHICH IS A FULL ON LIE. They're so adamant to protect "the sanctity of Chima's pre-established, set-in-stone lore" that they can't stop to think maybe, JUST MAYBE, sometimes a story can get new lore which can ALSO be canon!

I'd also love to share this HILARIOUS screenshot of one of their many posts, which not only backs up what I'm saying, but it's like damn they really set themself up huh!

Gee I wonder why you feel alone! Maybe it's because you are! Maybe it's because you're lying and making shit up to prove yourself right! No one is as big of a hater as you!

The also LOVE saying Ninjago cannot do anything with Chima unless they get express permission from the creator of Chima, some guy named John Derevlany, but oh man what's this I see before me?

CO-CREATOR? Oh but Olive, I thought he was the CREATOR of Chima, not CO-creator... ALSO Lego owns the rights to Chima, and Ninjago, and every other theme, as said by Doc himself! If anything he wasn't really dodging the question, just giving a vague answer, because he doesn't know much about the old contracts!

From what he said, it's clear that if they wanted to use anything from the other themes, they'd have to consult folks over at LEGO, not John Derevlany or Tommy A.!

Now here's the THING, I GET where they're coming from, it CAN be annoying to have people only care about a thing you like in relation to something else, but when you're going out of your way to argue that none of it can be canon and it's all an alternate universe it's like... god it's so sad and pathetic really.

Their lies and BS don't even end there with the wiki shit, because I have THIS glorious gem.

A) They bring up that the Ninjago folk do not know who the Phoenixes are which is like, okay??? Why the fuck are they gonna know about how another universe was created??? That's like if someone told me I don't exist in the same universe as my glasses because I have no clue who made them, that is to say, that's stupid as FUCK to say!

B) OH they say something REAAALLL funny ohohohho I am actually dying. Olive says the Phoenix icon "appeared in a Ninjago episode" and "Ninjago tends to reuse assets." Yep, NINJAGO is the one who reused the phoenix symbol, mhm. The symbol that was made in 2011 for NINJAGO, which cameoed in CHIMA in 2014, was actually just an asset reuse by Ninjago. I feel like this actually goes to show how desparate they are to feel right and validated, because this? This a lie! Ninjago made the symbol, and because Tommy A. is co-creator to both, he wanted to slip in a neat Ninjago reference, so he slipped in the Phoenix symbol Nya uses for the Phoenix tribe, not the other way around!

Another REALLY funny thing they did, aside from the wiki and Phoenix symbol shit, was this hilarious attempt at being right!

Yes, the compared the WOLF Masks to BATman's cowl, and did a horribly rough comparison illustration that very much does not make sense. If you actually compared them side by side, the only similarities would be they're both angry animal themed mask with pointy ears, which does NOT go very far in the long run. The foreheads they drew aren't even the same fucking shape lol.

OH ANS WE CANNOT FORGET THIS ONE! Their using a post about the Palestinian genocide and boycotting Lego in order to complain about Ninjago.

They claim Ninjago is produced by Lego, unlike other Lego shows, which is an EXTREMELY bullshit fucking claim. Just like Chima and Nexo Knights, Ninjago is produced by Lego, it's not JUST Ninjago produced by Lego, they are all Canadian-Danish CGI action shows, and they're all known to have Tommy Andreasen involved in the creation of them.

They're using a post about boycotting for the sake of innocent people DYING to complain about a lego ninja show for... killing evil people? It doesn't glorify war, the worst it does in regards to war is like not address how fucked up it can be in regards to the Serpentine War, but that's like it. I think it's so funny they want to single out Ninjago as if it's the only TV series where villains die for trying to conquer/destroy the world.

So, what do I want the takeaway from this post to be? What do I want you to get from it? I don't really know anymore, I just don't want Olive's horrendously toxic behaviors, and straight up lies to stop. If anything I think it's beautiful that Ninjago is making others interested in revisiting Chima again, stop being such a fucking hater dude. They act like Chima is some holy grail of Lego, the greatest thing since bread, but it, just like Ninjago, Dreamzzz, Hidden Side, and Nexo Knights, have Tommy in creative roles.

To act like Chima is somehow greater than is to place it on an unrealistic pedestal as if it's a godsend, when in reality it was co-created by Tommy Fucking Andreasen.

If you read through all of this, I do THOROUGHLY appreciate it, I didn't mean for this post to descend into an angry ramble but ehhh yk how it is. And Olive, if you see this, please, just stop with the bullshit.

#ninjago #lego ninjago #ninjago dragons rising #lego ninjago dragons rising #lego chima #lego legends of chima #chima #legends of chima #callout post #long post #edited all 'she' for 'they' here !!

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persefolli · 2 months ago

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𝐍𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐲

𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞

Carlisle began to feel himself worry as you took longer than usual to get to the door. He looked inside the windows that were covered with sheer curtains and tried to make out your figure. He sighed and banged on the door a few more times. After a few moments, his worry washed away hearing your cat meow at the door. Slowly, the locks turned and you opened the door, smiling brightly.

“Good Morning Doc.” You smiled at him.

“I almost broke the door down.”

“Ah.” You let him in and slowly walked to your favorite sofa. “Not quite used to getting up this early.”

Carlisle shivered and set the tupperware on the dining room table. “It’s freezing in here.”

You nodded in agreement. “That's also why it was so hard to get up, my body is aching. Carlisle frowned and walked to the thermostat. He saw it was set to sixty and winced. “It’s October, it should be at least seventy in here.”

“I forgot.”

“Mhm” he hummed and walked back over to you, stepping over your hairless cat named chicken. “You didn’t forget to take your medicine, did you, Y/n?”

You shook your head. “Couldn't forget the bitter taste if I wanted.” Using what body strength you had, you walked to the dining table. “What's on the menu doc?”

Carlisle smiled and unwrapped the pan with foil. “Biscuits, bacon and eggs.”

“Yum.” You allowed him to help you into the dining chair.

Carlisle brought out his bag and watched you dig into the food. He took out his stethoscope and began monitoring your heart beating. After verifying your breathing was okay, he wrote some things down in the notebook.

“Everything normal?” You asked.

“Yes. I need to check your blood pressure. And you said you were aching right?”

“Yes.”

Carlisle began pressing softly into your arms, your torso, and everytime he pressed a sore spot you hissed. He frowned and continued his inspections as you ate, nodding as he came to a consensus. “You need to start icing your knees.” He wrote in his notebook again. You paused mid chew and looked at him. “Okay for how long?”

“You need an icing machine.”

You sighed, “I can't afford that.”

Carlisle closed his notebook. “Your insurance will cover it.”

“They won't.”

“You'll never know if you don't call and ask. If they cover these visits then they'll cover an ice machine I prescribe you.”

You nodded. Carlisle sensed the embarrassment. He knew you weren’t particularly fond of his visits. It was depressing having him come every week and see you rot away inside a house that was so far away from the rest of Forks.

“I'll come back for lunch. But before I go.” He takes out a glass jar and sets it on the counter. “You need to take this. It was a gelatin-like substance inside.

“What's this?” You inspected the jar.

“Minerals, Vitamins. The good stuff your body needs.” Carlisle kneeled to your height and untwisted the jar. “A spoonful. After every meal.” He took a spoon and dipped it into the gelatin and held it to your mouth.

“It looks nasty.”

“Y/n, it's no different than sea moss. ever heard of that?” You huffed and took a bite of the sweet gelatin, nodding in approval after seeing it wasn’t so bad.

“After every meal?

“I'll be checking to see how much is left, got it?”

“Yes doc.”

After he left, you spent your time curled up in a book, then began the movie marathon your cousin had sent you in the mail after discovering you were sick and alone. You had a mild form of malabsorption. It wasn't bad to the point you couldn't go outside, it was more your body was deteriorating from the inside out. Your bones were prone to breaking and your body had a hard time keeping up with your surroundings. Eventually working became too much and you had to settle down in Forks. Luckily your parents owned the home you lived in, and paid for that, but unfortunately that was it. Other expenses were paid for by the government and in Forks the aid wasn't the best.

During the movie you felt your eyelids growing heavy. It wasn’t close to your naptime yet, but you decided it wouldn’t hurt to take a nap. Just for an hour.

Hours later you slowly opened your eyes to hear beeping and muffled voices. Confusion wracked your brain as you thought you were at home alone. Your eyesight cleared up and you saw the white hospital room, a drip stand, and Max curled into your side. It happened again.

You sighed and threw your legs on the side of the bed, Grabbing a hold of the drip stand, and making your way out of the hospital room.

“Y/n!” You heard a familiar voice.

You groaned as your body ached while you were turning around. “I'm just going to check myself out.”

“You're not checking yourself out.” Carlisle scolded. “You're staying here.”

“I hate it here!” You half-yelled. “I’m not staying here.”

“You give me no choice Y/n.” He sighed. “I found you passed out again. What would've happened if I didn't come for lunch, hm? It's dangerous for you to live alone.”

You bit your cheeks as he scolded you. He was right. “So you’re gonna send me to Seattle with the loonies?”

Carlisle smiled and shook his head. He guided you back to your hospital room and closed the door behind the two of you. “This may be inappropriate. But as you know I have a house, and some land.” He started. “On that land I have an unused guest house, usually for my cousins when they visit the family.

You pondered his offer at first. You didn't want to leave your home but again, you didn't want to be sent down to seattle. “Okay.” You accepted.

Carlisle looked taken aback from your quick response. “Are you absolutely sure?”

“Don’t make me think about it. Let’s just do it.”

By the end of the week you were moved into the guest house. It was really fancy, so fancy it had no place in a town like Forks. Majority of the home was made of reinforced glass like the main house, but the plethora of trees on the property gave you more than enough privacy.

You met his son named Emmett and he helped you move all of your things in. He reminded you of someone you’d gone to college with a few years back.

"Thought you had a full house?" You asked.

"I do," Carlisle said. "They're just in Italy for an annual festival.”

“And here you are missing out because of me. Sure they’ll be okay seeing the reason you couldn’t go?”

Carlisle chuckled and shook his head. “I’ve been to Italy every year since I was a boy, one year won’t kill me.” He saw the slight frown on your face, leaned back and sighed.

"Hey..." He started." I wouldn't choose this profession if I cried over every event I missed out on.”

He noticed the expression on your face isnt letting up so he smiled at you and nudged your arm.“How about I cook you dinner. As a welcome.”

You nodded, thinking the least you could do is accept his dinner.

His kitchen was one of the nicest kitchens you'd ever seen. The ones you'd see in the movies. He opened his pristine fridge and pulled out some meat wrapped in paper.

“Fresh cut. Got it yesterday.” He commented before putting the meat in the stainless steel pan. You looked around his kitchen and home in awe. Your parents worked their entire life to afford the house they put you in, but Carlisle was only in his 40s and was able to attain a life like this.

“Feeling Asparagus or Broccoli.”

You gagged slightly, “Broccoli please.”

“Take it you’re not a big fan of asparagus.”

“Never have been.”

You watched him pull out a broccoli floret from the fridge and begin to chop it as the meat cooked behind him. “You must have a whole farmers market in there.” You said.

“I try my best to drive out to nicer grocery stores to get this stuff. One thing I had to adjust to when I moved my family here.”

“Why did you come here?” You asked curiously. His expression changed slightly and he went silent. He walked over to the stove to flip the meat. “Needed to settle. Away from a larger population.” He stated.

“Needed a peace of mind. I get it. I probably still would give anything to leave this place.”

“And where?” He smiled slightly. “Portland, if I wanted to stay close. But reaching for the stars. Colorado.”

“The city or the mountains.”

“The mountains. 100%”

After a few minutes of small talk he sliced up the steak and set it on a plate for you along with some broccoli and mashed potatoes. You thanked him and dug in, but after a few moments you noticed he wasn’t eating. “Are you not eating as well?”

He shook his head. “I ate earlier.”

You raised your eyebrow, knowing you saw him most of the day and didn't see him eat, but you decided to let it go. Carlisle walked over to the fridge and pulled out that same jar of gelatin he’s been giving you.

You groaned and he smiled at your response. “You know what time it is.” He took out a large spoon and took a spoonful of it, handing it to you.

At night in your new bed you watched as all the lights in the main house were shut off, leaving you alone in the darkness with only the trees outside to give you comfort.

You stared at the ceiling, thinking about the decision you made to live with Carlisle instead of going to hospice. It was stupid to say, but you trusted him more than most of your relatives. He could take better care of you than any nurse. Even though you trusted Carlisle's judgment, and felt comfortable being nearby, you found yourself unable to sleep in this new environment.

Hours went by, endless tossing and turning, and you still couldn't sleep. You stood and went downstairs, scoping out the house as if you hadn't done it already. You shivered and a chill ran up your spine. Turning around you saw one of the windows was left open, letting the cool air fall inside. You walked over to close the window, but paused hearing a snap and a whimper of an animal in the distance. You looked around in horror, wondering what was killed, and who killed it. Forks was known for having freakishly large wolf sightings, and the fact you were practically in the middle of the forest freaked you out. You locked the windows and went around the house making sure everything was secure. Once you got to the last window you paused, seeing something in the distance, standing in the only hint of moonlight that came from the trees.

Your heart clutched in your chest seeing your doctor…or at least someone who looked like him, standing shirtless with blood covering his chest. You stood frozen, hoping that you wouldn’t trigger the man to come running towards you. You slowly reached over and pulled the blinds down, putting a barrier between you two before dashing up the stairs. Max meowed at you as you scooped him up and went inside your room, closing and locking the door. Under the covers you curled up, hoping that maybe you were just sleep deprived and seeing things. But a lot of strange things happened in the mountains. You heard the stories of the Appalachian Mountains, so maybe the same applied in washington.

The next morning you were woken with hard knocks at the door. Max was pawing at the door.

“Sorry.” You climbed out of bed and opened the door to see Carlisle standing in his scrubs. He had breakfast on a tray.

“Heard your cat wailing so…decided to just come upstairs.”

You sighed and rubbed your head in frustration, cursing your negligence. “Sorry. I saw something last night and it freaked me out. Didn’t want him roaming the house.” You said watching your cat slip out the room.

“What did you see Y/n?”

You shook your head and sat at the desk that was on the opposite end of the room. “Probably nothing.”

Carlisle sat the breakfast on the desk in front of you and curled his eyebrow. “Probably nothing?”

“Isn’t it like a rule that says if you see something, no you didn’t and if you hear something no you didn't?”

Carlisle let out a hearty laugh, holding his stomach. You got flustered at his laughter, noting that you probably sounded even more crazy or ominous than you meant to. “I think that only applies to the east.”

You sighed and chuckled slightly, breaking off a piece of bacon. “Okay so…I think I heard an animal break…”

“Break?”

“Like…I heard this weird snap and then a small cry, then silence.”

Carlile nodded along. “Is that it? Could've been some coyotes. Wolves.”

“That's what I thought…but I think…I saw a man.”

“A man?”

“Covered in blood, it was coming from his mouth like he was eating something. And he had on no shirt so it was all over his chest too.”

Carlisle’s eyes flashed, but he smiled. “On this property? I would certainly hope not. I’ll probably have Charlie come and check it out.”

You shook your head. “You can't tell anyone. I don’t want people freaking out.”

‘“Hey.” He kneeled before you. “I want you to feel safe during your stay here. I don’t want you locking you or your cat in your room every night to feel safe. Maybe it’s one of those addicts.”

You nodded. A lot of druggies found themselves wandering from the city to Forks. Almost all of the crime in this town came from said transplants, but one massive offense and we had grounds to send them right back.

“My family comes home tonight.”

“Oh really? Well, i'll try to stay out the way-”

“No. I was going to ask you to come to the main house for dinner. And meet them.”

You felt nervous at the prospect of meeting his family.

“I'm just a patient.”

“You're not!” He exclaimed. “You are a distinguished guest, a neighbor. You deserve to be surrounded by people. It’s good for you.”

Before you could respond he stood and tapped on the spoonful of gelatin he had in a bowl. “Eat that. And I'll see you tonight at dinner, yes?” You watched him leave your room, a little taken aback by his sudden departure.

Carlisle grabbed his bag on the way out of your home and walked on the pathway that connected the guesthouse to the main house. Once he was sure he was out of your sight he went right back into the main house, kicking off his shoes and heading downstairs to the basement. He went down another flight of stairs and sighed as he stripped down to his underwear, changing into the hazard suit he had sitting next to the door. After changing, he opened the heavy door and stepped inside. Inside was another kitchen-like area, everything was stainless steel. On the table was the deer he’d killed last night. He wasn’t worried at all that you’d seen him last night. It was late, you were tired, and the way you told the story you didn’t even believe it yourself. He got to work at skinning the deer, ignoring all the blood that was beginning to make a mess everywhere. After putting elbow grease into baring the deer, he took a seat and huffed.

Hours went by, all spent in the basement, making the perfect cuts for this week's dinner. He packaged all of the parts separately and put them in the large industrial fridge, all labeled based on day and time.

He grumbled seeing he was running low on beef, his ‘vendor’ being late for the week. He took meal prepping for you very seriously. Portions and balancing out your nutrients was most important. Even if you didn't eat all the food, you were still being nourished.

Upstairs, the faint sound of his children coming back home sounded into the basement below. That was a sign that it was almost time to start cooking. He took off the hazmat suit and sat down on a sterilized chair. He used a tourniquet and rubbed the inside of his elbow with an alcohol pad. He took one of the four laid out syringes and began drawing his own blood. He never felt the effects of drawing so much blood at once, but he knew it was for a good purpose, he pushed himself so you didn’t have to. Once finished, he placed the tray of syringes in another cooler, right next to an unbonded gelatin mix.

You woke up from your nap feeling refreshed, energized enough to go to the bathroom and wash up a bit before dinner. Across the way the lights in the main house were on and you saw the figures of people walking around. You picked up your cat and stroked his head. “Looks like we’ll have some new friends soon.”

The walk to the main house was peaceful, the path lights were beginning to turn on and the sun was setting. Holding Max, you knocked on the door. A few moments went by, then a short girl opened the door. She smiled brightly and stepped aside. “You must be Y/n.”

You nodded. “And your name is?”

“Alice,” She said. She then pointed to a taller blonde man next to her. “And this is my lover, Jasper.”

You waved slightly, but he only stared down at you. You chuckled nervously, but sighed in relief seeing Carlisle making a beeline to you. “I see you met Jasper and Alice.” He placed his arm around your shoulders and guided you to his living room.

“I hope you like what’s on tonight's menu.” He reached down to the coffee table and handed you a glass of wine. You began to decline but he gave you ‘that look’ reassuring you it was okay for you to do so. In came Emmett, with a blond haired girl. “This is Emmet’s wife, Rosalie.”

You smiled softly and waved again. “Hi. I’m Y/n.”

Rosalie looked you up and down, then looked at Emmett. Emmett nodded and she looked back at you with a smile. “Nice to have some fresh meat around here.”

“Oh, be nice.” Carlisle slightly scolded.

The family was dressed in more fancy attire, which made you stand out because you weren’t from a family that took washing up before dinner seriously. Here they had on dresses and dress shirts while you had on a long cardigan, a pajama shirt and lounge pants. You sipped your wine as Carlisle caressed your shoulder in a comforting manner.

For a whole, you sat and talked with his kids, noting how similar their mannerisms were.

“I don’t really like the city.” Alice said. “I rather spend my time around nature to feel more connected.”

“Cities have parks.” Rosalie chimed in.

“Yes, but it's not the same. The air is just different. I can tell.”

The two began slightly bickering and you smiled at the interaction. Carlisle leaned over and began whispering in your ear. “They do this almost every dinner. Might have to get used to this.” He said.

“Get used to?”

Carlile nodded, “I don’t want you feeling this is some temporary stay. If you like it you should stay.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“I know you don’t want to. But look at yourself. You’re improving, getting better and you don’t even realize it.”

You nodded along. Ever since you got here you noticed slight changes in your energy levels and your appearance. The most obvious dark under eyes went away, so that’s a win in your book.

He shook your shoulder slightly. “Ready for dinner?”

You nodded.

On the menu was a medium well venison with dinner rolls, beef stew, and roasted potatoes. You loved hearty meals, so you wasted no time cutting into the venison. You looked around and saw the family hesitantly eating, their food was rare, and you shook your head. Emmett noticed and spoke up. “Never seen a family eat rare venison?”

“No. I’m not a rare girl, medium or more. I can’t eat raw bloody things.”

Rosalie began chuckling and Alice glared at her. You heard Max purring, and looked over to see your cat by the basement door. You looked back and saw Carlisle intently watching too.

“Oh is he not supposed to be over there?”

“It’s fine.” He said.

The dinner went better than you thought. Carlisle’s family was really nice and they talked to you as if you were one of their own, but all good things came to an end, and eventually it was time for bed.

“I’ll walk you back to the guest house.” Carlisle approached you at the door.

“It's fine.” You protested while holding your cat. “It's a few feet.”

“A few feet in the darkness.”

You sighed and nodded, knowing he wasn’t gonna let up. After waving goodbye to his kids, the two of you walked silently on the trail. “I hope dinner was to your liking.”

“It was.” You smiled. “I always enjoy your cooking.”

He smiled. “I thought next week we’d change it up and start giving you some seafood.”

“Salmon?” You perked up. “I can get you salmon.”

He escorted you inside the guest house and closed the door behind you two. He went to the fridge and pulled out the gelatin he always insisted you ate. At this rate you were used to it, so you walked over. He already had a spoonful and you quickly leaned forward and took it, giggling as you watched his shocked expression.

“I assume you’ll be taking me to my formal appointment tomorrow?”

Carlile nodded, placing the mixture back into the fridge.

“I’ll have to draw some blood, just as a forewarning.”

Pt. 2 coming soon....

Credits to : @anitalenia for divider

#carlisle cullen #carlisle x reader #twilight #halloween #twilight x reader #vampire x reader #vampire #twilight fanfiction #twilight saga #wattpad #persefolli #persefolliwrites

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novaursa · 18 days ago

Text

Between Pride and Fire (dragon bride)

- Summary: It was a challenge of the hunt that drew the lion to you, but it was your fire that made him yours.

- Paring: targ!reader/Jason Lannister

- Note: Be aware of unspecified time jumps.

- Rating: Mature 16+

- Previous part: to secure an alliance

- Next part: gold wedding

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @oxymakestheworldgoround @punk-in-docs @barnes70stark

The Red Keep was bustling with activity as preparations for Rhaenyra’s tour of the realm were underway. Servants darted through corridors with armfuls of gowns, jewelry cases, and travel provisions, their hurried footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Rhaenyra, however, had other plans. Clad in a flowing crimson gown, she strode purposefully toward your chambers, her curiosity piqued after hearing of your foul mood all morning.

Pushing open the door without knocking—because, after all, why should a sister knock?—Rhaenyra found you sitting by the window, sunlight streaming over your figure. Your posture was poised but rigid, and in your hand was a letter sealed with an unmistakable lion sigil. Your expression, as Rhaenyra would later tease, was a mixture of mild irritation and reluctant intrigue.

“Well,” Rhaenyra began with a smirk, crossing the room and plopping herself onto the chaise opposite you. “Is that from who I think it is?”

You glanced up at her, raising an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be busy preparing to charm half the realm?”

Rhaenyra waved a dismissive hand. “That can wait. This is far more entertaining. Is it from Lord Jason?”

You sighed, setting the letter down on the small table beside you. “Yes.”

Rhaenyra’s smirk widened. “And you’re sitting here sulking because…?”

“Because it’s Jason,” you retorted, though your tone lacked its usual sharpness. “And he’s incapable of writing a letter without trying to annoy me.”

Rhaenyra leaned forward, her grin turning conspiratorial. “Well, now I have to know what it says. Read it to me.”

You gave her a pointed look. “If you’re so curious, you read it.”

Rhaenyra didn’t need to be told twice. Snatching the letter from the table, she broke the seal with an almost gleeful flourish and began to read aloud, adopting an exaggerated, mock-dramatic tone.

My Dearest Princess,

The days since your departure have been colder than I imagined, though the weather in the Westerlands remains warm. Strange, isn’t it, how the absence of a dragon can chill even the sunniest of skies? Perhaps it is because my nights have grown unbearably quiet without the sound of your sharp tongue to keep me awake. I miss it terribly—and other parts of you even more.

Rhaenyra paused, raising an eyebrow at you with a grin as your cheeks began to flush. “He’s already off to a bold start,” she teased.

“Rhaenyra,” you warned, your voice sharp.

Ignoring you, she continued.

The Rock feels emptier without you, though I take comfort in the knowledge that you will soon return to me. The thought of you walking these halls again, wearing my colors and, perhaps, little else, is what keeps me warm at night. I trust you haven’t forgotten how I ensured the chill never reached you during your stay?

Rhaenyra’s eyes widened in delighted shock, her grin practically splitting her face. “Oh, this is rich,” she said, barely stifling a laugh. “I knew something was amiss during that visit, but I didn’t think—oh, this is better than I could have imagined.”

“Rhaenyra!” you snapped, snatching at the letter, but she pulled it away, standing as she continued reading with exaggerated drama.

I have already begun preparations for your arrival. The chamber we will share has been expanded and decorated to suit a woman of your beauty and fire. I only hope it meets your high standards—though I suspect you will enjoy it far more than you’ll admit. Perhaps we can make some... adjustments together. I look forward to your opinions and, naturally, your company in bed.

Until we meet again, my fierce little dragon, know that your Golden Lion waits impatiently.

Yours (as you will soon be mine),

Jason

By the time she finished, your cheeks were burning, and you were torn between slamming the window shut and throwing yourself out of it. Rhaenyra burst into laughter, doubling over as she clutched the letter to her chest.

“Oh, gods,” she wheezed, wiping tears from her eyes. “I knew he was insufferable, but this… this is beyond anything I could’ve dreamed.”

“Give me that,” you snapped, lunging for the letter, but Rhaenyra danced out of reach.

“I can’t believe you let this happen!” she exclaimed, still laughing. “No wonder he was so smug at the feast. You and Jason—oh, Father would be scandalized if he knew.”

“Rhaenyra,” you growled, finally snatching the letter from her grasp and crumpling it in your fist. “If you breathe a word of this to anyone—”

She raised her hands in mock surrender, though her grin didn’t falter. “Relax, little sister. Your secret is safe with me. But you can’t blame me for enjoying this.”

You glared at her, your mortification only deepening. “I can, and I will.”

Rhaenyra’s laughter softened, though her teasing smile remained. “Oh, I’ll enjoy this for years. But,” she added, placing a hand on your shoulder, “I’ll admit—he clearly adores you. In his ridiculous, Lannister way.”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands as Rhaenyra left the room, still chuckling to herself. The crumpled letter in your hand was proof of Jason’s audacity—and your growing inability to deny the way he made you feel.

King Viserys I Targaryen sat at the head of the table, his mood noticeably light. A goblet of wine rested within easy reach, though it remained untouched as he leaned forward, his hands clasped and his expression one of uncharacteristic excitement.

Around the table sat the usual councilors: Otto Hightower, his ever-serious expression fixed on the king; Maester Mellos, his pale robes neat and his demeanor calm; Lord Tyland Lannister, impeccably dressed as always, with a faintly bemused expression; and Lords Jasper Wylde and Lyman Beesbury, both attentive but quietly observing.

“Gentlemen,” Viserys began, his voice ringing with enthusiasm. “I trust you’re all aware of the arrangements for my youngest daughter’s upcoming marriage.”

There were murmurs of agreement, though Tyland’s eyes darted to the king with a hint of apprehension.

Viserys continued, “Lord Jason Lannister has been a most gracious host to us during our visit to the Rock, and his request to prepare the castle for my daughter’s arrival was... detailed.”

Otto Hightower cleared his throat delicately. “Jason’s attentiveness is commendable, Your Grace. However, detailed how?”

Viserys chuckled, waving a hand. “Oh, nothing untoward, Otto. He merely asked for a small contingent of Dragonkeepers to be sent ahead of the wedding, so they might ensure that Morrath, my daughter’s dragon, has proper accommodations.”

Lyman Beesbury, always prone to fretting, leaned forward slightly. “A wise precaution, Your Grace. Dragons are magnificent but unpredictable creatures. Morrath’s presence will undoubtedly raise questions of safety for the people of the Westerlands.”

“Exactly,” Viserys said, nodding. “Jason has suggested repurposing one of their old mines as a dragon lair, but he understands the importance of having trained Dragonkeepers oversee the process. I intend to grant this request.”

Jasper Wylde, who rarely spoke without purpose, leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. “Your Grace, this decision not only ensures the safety of the people at Casterly Rock but also solidifies the alliance. The presence of a dragon in the Westerlands will be a powerful symbol of the bond between the Iron Throne and House Lannister.”

Otto Hightower nodded slowly, though his expression remained cautious. “It is a wise gesture, Your Grace. However, we must also consider what precedent this sets. Sending Dragonkeepers so far from King’s Landing is unusual. It may lead other great houses to expect similar allowances should future alliances involve dragons.”

Viserys waved a dismissive hand, his jovial mood undiminished. “Bah, let them expect what they will! Morrath is not just any dragon—she is bonded to my daughter. This is a unique circumstance, and the realm will see it for what it is: the Targaryens strengthening ties with one of our most powerful vassals.”

Lord Tyland Lannister finally spoke, his tone carefully neutral. “The gesture will not go unnoticed in the Westerlands, Your Grace. My brother will undoubtedly ensure that Morrath is treated with the respect. The presence of Dragonkeepers will not only safeguard the dragon but reassure the people of Casterly Rock that the Targaryens are invested in their well-being.”

Viserys smiled broadly, clearly pleased. “Well said, Lord Tyland. This marriage is a cause for celebration across the realm. A Lannister and a Targaryen united in matrimony—it’s a match for the ages!”

Lyman Beesbury frowned slightly, his voice hesitant. “Your Grace, while the match is indeed prestigious, might there be concerns about consolidating too much power between the Iron Throne and the wealth of House Lannister? Such alliances often draw envy... and unrest.”

Viserys’s expression softened, and he leaned back in his chair. “Envy, perhaps. But unrest? No. This marriage will strengthen the realm, not weaken it. The Westerlands will gain the strength of a dragon, and my daughter will gain a powerful husband. House Targaryen and House Lannister will stand as one.”

Otto Hightower interjected, his tone measured. “The benefits are clear, Your Grace. However, we should be mindful of how this is perceived by other houses, particularly the Tyrells or Baratheons. They may view this as a shift in favor toward the Westerlands.”

Viserys nodded thoughtfully, though his tone remained firm. “Let them view it as they will. The union of my daughter and Jason Lannister is not about favoritism but stability. And the realm needs stability more than ever.”

Maester Mellos, who had remained quiet until now, spoke in his soothing, measured tone. “Your Grace, I can arrange for a team of dozen Dragonkeepers to depart within a fortnight. They will be briefed thoroughly on their duties and the significance of their presence at Casterly Rock.”

“Excellent,” Viserys said, clapping his hands once. “See to it, Maester Mellos. I want no detail overlooked. This wedding must be perfect.”

The king turned to Tyland, his expression warm. “And you, Lord Tyland, will see to it that your brother does not overdo himself in his preparations. Jason’s enthusiasm is admirable, but he must save some of his energy for the wedding itself.”

Tyland inclined his head with a faint smile. “I will ensure my brother’s preparations are both thorough and... contained, Your Grace.”

Viserys laughed, his booming voice echoing in the chamber. “Good! Now, gentlemen, let us continue our discussions, but mark my words: this marriage will be a turning point for the realm, a symbol of unity and strength. House Targaryen and House Lannister together will ensure peace and prosperity for generations to come.”

The councilors nodded, though not all with the same level of enthusiasm. As the discussion shifted to more mundane matters of trade and taxation, the weight of Viserys’s words lingered in the air—a testament to the importance of the upcoming union and the power it would bring to the realm.

The vast chamber of the Dragonpit was illuminated by shafts of sunlight streaming through the high, cracked arches, casting a soft glow over the polished black scales of Morrath, your dragon. She was a magnificent creature, her massive wings folded elegantly at her sides as she rested on her haunches. The faint amber undertones of her scales shimmered like molten metal in the sunlight, and her eyes, a piercing shade of amber, watched you with an intelligent, almost knowing gaze.

Morrath exuded grace with every movement. The curve of her long neck as she lowered her head to meet your gaze was almost feline, her lithe body coiled with restrained power. Her talons, sharp enough to cleave stone, tapped lightly against the ground as she shifted her weight, the sound echoing softly in the cavernous space. A low rumble emanated from her chest as she leaned forward, nuzzling your shoulder with surprising gentleness.

“Easy, girl,” you murmured, resting a hand on her warm, smooth scales. The contact was grounding, comforting even, as you tried to collect your thoughts.

Your entire world was about to change. The prospect of becoming Lady Lannister loomed over you like a stormcloud, and despite your best efforts, the weight of it was inescapable. Casterly Rock was a far cry from King’s Landing, and the idea of leaving everything familiar behind—your family, your home—left a knot of unease in your stomach.

Morrath, as though sensing your turmoil, let out a soft, trilling sound, her tawny eyes narrowing slightly.

“I’m fine,” you told her quietly, though the words felt more like an attempt to convince yourself. “It’s nothing.”

You moved to the saddle strapped securely to her back, running your hands over the leather straps as you prepared to mount. The physical task offered a welcome distraction from the whirlwind of emotions inside you. But as you placed a foot in the stirrup and reached for the saddle horn, a wave of dizziness washed over you.

The world tilted sharply, and before you could regain your balance, you fell backward with a heavy thud against the stone floor. The impact knocked the wind from your lungs, and for a moment, you lay stunned, staring up at the high arches of the Dragonpit as the sound of rushing footsteps filled the air.

“Princess!” a voice called, alarmed.

A group of Dragonkeepers hurried to your side, their expressions a mixture of concern and caution. Morrath let out a sharp, guttural growl, her head snapping toward them protectively, but a quick gesture from you calmed her.

“I’m fine,” you said quickly, sitting up with their help. “It was just a moment of weakness, nothing more.”

The eldest of the Dragonkeepers, a man with graying hair and a steady voice, knelt beside you, his brows furrowed. “Your Grace, you fell hard. Are you certain you’re unharmed?”

You nodded, though your head throbbed with a dull ache. “I’m certain. I’ve been having headaches lately—that’s all this is.”

Another Dragonkeeper, a younger woman with a soft gaze, exchanged a worried glance with her elder. “Your Grace,” she said cautiously, “perhaps it would be best if you returned to the Red Keep. Flying in your current condition may not be wise.”

You hesitated, glancing toward Morrath, who watched you intently, her eyes filled with what you could almost swear was concern. The idea of grounding yourself felt like admitting defeat, but the throbbing in your head made it hard to argue.

“I don’t need to be coddled,” you said, your tone firm but lacking its usual sharpness. “But… perhaps you’re right. Morrath and I can fly another day.”

The elder Dragonkeeper helped you to your feet, his grip steady. “Your Grace, it’s not coddling to prioritize your health. Your dragon will wait for you.”

Morrath let out a low rumble, almost as though she were agreeing, and you reached out to stroke her snout one last time before turning toward the exit.

“Fine,” you said with a sigh, brushing off the dust from your gown. “But tell no one of this. The last thing I need is my father fretting or my sister teasing me.”

The Dragonkeepers bowed their heads in unison. “As you command, Your Grace.”

As you left the Dragonpit, Morrath’s gaze followed you, the faint rumble of her breathing a steady reminder of the bond you shared. Despite your frustration at your own weakness, you couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss. The throbbing in your head, the unease in your chest—both seemed to echo the changes coming in your life, changes you weren’t sure you were ready to face.

You reclined on a chaise near the hearth in your chambers, a book resting forgotten in your lap. The persistent, dull ache in your head made it impossible to concentrate, and your mind kept wandering to the events of the day. The memory of your fall in the Dragonpit was a fresh embarrassment, one you hoped would quickly be forgotten by the Dragonkeepers.

A soft knock at the door broke your thoughts, and you sat up straighter, instinctively smoothing your gown. “Enter,” you called, your voice calm but weary.

The door opened to reveal Maester Mellos, his pale robes swishing softly as he entered. In his hands was a small tray bearing a vial of tonic and a cup of water. His expression was neutral, though his sharp eyes flicked over you with a hint of concern.

“Your Grace,” he greeted, bowing slightly as he approached. “I heard of your fall earlier today. The Dragonkeepers were most discreet, but such news finds its way to me nonetheless.”

You sighed, gesturing for him to set the tray on the small table beside you. “It was nothing, Maester. A moment of dizziness, that’s all.”

Mellos tilted his head, studying you with the quiet intensity of a man who had seen far more than he ever spoke of. “And yet,” he said gently, “your complexion is paler than usual, and your headaches appear to worsen. You’ve had these afflictions since childhood, yes?”

You nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair behind your ear. “They come and go. Today has simply been... trying.”

He poured the tonic into the cup of water, stirring it with practiced precision. “The fall, the headache, the pressure of your upcoming nuptials—it is no wonder you feel unwell. But I wonder if there is more to it. Perhaps I should examine you further.”

You waved him off, taking the cup from his hands. “There’s no need for that. Truly, Maester. I’m certain it’s nothing but the strain of the wedding preparations and the thought of yet another journey to Casterly Rock.”

Mellos frowned slightly but said nothing as he watched you sip the tonic. The bitter taste curled your lip, but you drank it down, setting the empty cup back on the tray.

“You’ve always been reluctant to linger in the care of the maesters,” he said quietly, his tone almost amused. “It is a trait you share with your father.”

You gave him a faint smile. “Perhaps, but my father would claim he has the strength of a dragon to see him through anything.”

“And you, Princess?” Mellos asked, his brows lifting slightly. “Do you not also have the strength of a dragon?”

“Of course I do,” you said, your voice firm despite the lingering ache in your temples. “That is why I do not need further examinations or treatments. I simply need to rest.”

The maester studied you for a moment longer, then inclined his head. “Very well, Your Grace. But should your symptoms persist—or worsen—you must inform me at once.”

“Of course,” you replied, though you had no intention of calling on him unless absolutely necessary.

Mellos gathered the tray and turned toward the door, pausing just before he exited. “Remember, Your Grace,” he said, his voice low, “even dragons must tend to their wounds if they wish to keep flying.”

You didn’t respond, watching as he closed the door softly behind him. Alone once more, you leaned back against the chaise, the weight of his words settling uneasily in your mind. It was easy to dismiss your headaches as a lifelong nuisance, a mere inconvenience. But something about today felt... different.

Pushing the thought aside, you closed your eyes, willing the tonic to take effect. Rest would help. It had to. The upcoming journey to Casterly Rock and your wedding loomed ever closer, and the last thing you needed was to appear weak when you arrived.

The nursery in the Red Keep was a quiet, sunlit space, filled with soft laughter and the cooing of a newborn. You sat on a cushioned stool near the window, cradling the tiny, swaddled form of Helaena Targaryen in your arms. The infant blinked up at you with wide, curious eyes, her tiny fingers occasionally clutching at the air.

Aegon, now a lively two-year-old, darted across the room with a wooden dragon in hand, his laughter bright and unrestrained. Alicent sat nearby, her face serene but tired, her hands busy with some needlework. Despite her fatigue, her eyes never left her children for long.

“It suits you,” Alicent said softly, glancing up from her embroidery to watch you with the baby.

You raised an eyebrow at her. “What does?”

“Holding a child,” she replied, her voice warm but laced with a quiet hope. “One day, perhaps, you’ll have your own to cradle.”

You looked down at Helaena, her tiny face so peaceful, and for a fleeting moment, the thought didn’t seem so foreign. But you quickly shook it off, forcing a faint smile. “Perhaps,” you said, though your voice was noncommittal. “For now, I’ll settle for borrowing yours.”

Alicent chuckled softly, her gaze softening as she returned to her needlework. “Helaena seems content with you. You’ve always had a way with children.”

“Perhaps because I’ve been surrounded by them my whole life,” you teased, glancing pointedly at Aegon, who was now attempting to climb a chair with his dragon in tow. “Speaking of which... Aegon, get down before you fall.”

The boy pouted but obeyed, sliding off the chair with an exaggerated sigh and returning to his play on the floor.

Alicent smiled faintly, but her expression shifted as her eyes moved back to you. She tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing. “You look pale, Y/N. Paler than usual.”

You stiffened slightly, keeping your attention on Aemond as you rocked him gently. “It’s nothing,” you said quickly. “Just a headache, nothing more.”

Alicent didn’t look convinced. She set her embroidery aside and leaned forward, her voice quiet and full of concern. “You’ve had those headaches for years, haven’t you? Are they getting worse?”

You sighed, meeting her gaze with a small, forced smile. “I’m fine, Alicent. Truly. I suspect it’s just the strain of everything—the wedding, the preparations, the journey to Casterly Rock. It’s all... a bit much.”

Alicent’s frown deepened, and she reached out to place a hand gently on your arm. “Perhaps you should tell your father. He would—”

“No,” you interrupted, your tone sharper than you intended. You softened it immediately, lowering your voice. “Please don’t say anything to him. The last thing I need is Father fretting over me like a child.”

Alicent hesitated, her hand lingering on your arm. “Are you certain? He would want to know if you’re unwell.”

“I’m certain,” you said firmly, shifting slightly to adjust Helaena in your arms. “I just need rest, that’s all.”

Across the room, Ser Criston Cole and Ser Lorent Marbrand stood at their posts, their expressions unreadable as they exchanged a glance. The tension in the room wasn’t lost on them, and though neither spoke, the shared look between them said enough: they were both keeping note.

Alicent sighed, clearly torn, but finally nodded. “Very well,” she said softly. “But if it becomes worse—”

“It won’t,” you assured her quickly. “I’ll be fine.”

For a moment, the room was silent except for Aegon’s playful chatter and Helaena’s soft coos. Alicent seemed to let the matter drop, though her eyes lingered on you with a lingering trace of worry.

You handed Helaena back to her, rising to your feet with a grace that belied the fatigue you felt. “Thank you for this, Alicent,” you said, smoothing your skirts. “Spending time here has... helped.”

Alicent smiled faintly, cradling Helaena close. “You’re always welcome here, Y/N. Family should look after one another.”

You nodded, though the weight of her words felt heavier than usual. With a final glance at the children, you left the nursery, acutely aware of Criston and Marbrand’s watchful eyes following you as you walked away.

Jason Lannister sat at the head of the long oak table, his expression a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation. The room hummed with the low voices of his advisors, each man waiting for his turn to report on the progress of the preparations for the wedding.

Jason leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. “Well, gentlemen,” he began, his tone confident, “we’re nearing the day when my dragon will arrive at the Rock. Let’s hear it. Are we ready?”

The first to speak was Maester Ronnel, a man with a sharp, analytical mind who had taken over many of the logistical details. “My lord,” he said, his voice measured, “the mine designated for Princess Y/N’s dragon has been fully converted. The workers finished reinforcing the walls and clearing additional ventilation shafts three days ago. It is secure and large enough to accommodate her dragon comfortably.”

Jason nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Good. And what of the feeding stations and access routes? Morrath will be ill-tempered if everything isn’t precisely as she requires.”

“Those have been attended to as well,” Ronnel assured him. “Fresh livestock will be delivered weekly, and a dedicated team of handlers is being trained to assist the Dragonkeepers upon their arrival.”

Ser Garreth, one of Jason’s most trusted knights, spoke next. “The Dragonkeepers are expected to arrive in two days, my lord. They’ll inspect the mine themselves and oversee any final adjustments.”

Jason raised an eyebrow. “Two days? Good. I want everything perfect when they get here. The princess is not someone we can afford to disappoint—nor is her dragon.”

There were murmurs of agreement around the table, though Lord Meryn, one of the older advisors, shifted uncomfortably. “Forgive me, my lord,” he said cautiously, “but I must voice a concern once again. The presence of a dragon at Casterly Rock, while undoubtedly impressive, will bring a degree of... unpredictability. There will be whispers, and perhaps fear among the smallfolk.”

Jason leaned forward, his expression hardening slightly. “Fear?” he echoed, his tone sharp. “A dragon is not something to fear, Meryn—it’s a symbol of power. Of strength. Morrath’s presence will solidify this union and make it clear to all of Westeros that the Rock is untouchable.”

Lord Meryn inclined his head, though his expression remained cautious. “Of course, my lord. I simply mean to say that we must tread carefully. The Targaryens’ dragons are both a blessing and a weapon.”

Jason smirked. “And like any weapon, it’s all about how you wield it.”

Tywin’s younger brother, Tyland, who had returned temporarily from King’s Landing to assist with the preparations, chimed in. “You seem very confident in your ability to wield such a ‘weapon,’ Jason. Let’s hope your future wife agrees.”

Jason shot his brother a grin, undeterred. “Oh, she’ll agree. By the time she steps foot in this keep, everything will be exactly as she expects. The mine, the chambers, the wedding itself—it will all be perfect.”

Maester Ronnel cleared his throat. “Speaking of chambers, my lord, the expansions and redecorations are nearly complete. The Princess’s preferences, as conveyed by her maids, have been incorporated wherever possible. The Targaryen sigil has been included alongside the Lannister lion in several key pieces of decor.”

Jason nodded approvingly. “Good. I want her to feel at home here. This is as much her domain as mine.”

Ser Garreth leaned forward slightly, his expression curious. “My lord, if I may ask... Are you not concerned about her adjustment? The Princess is leaving the Red Keep, her family, her dragonpit—it’s a significant change.”

Jason’s grin widened, and he shrugged. “Oh, she’ll adjust. She’s stubborn, but she’s also strong. And she’ll come to see that this—” he gestured broadly, encompassing the grandeur of Casterly Rock, “—is where she belongs.”

The advisors exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement while others remained silent. Jason stood, signaling the end of the meeting.

“Continue your work,” he said, his voice firm. “When the Dragonkeepers arrive, ensure they’re well-received and given everything they need. And remember, gentlemen: this wedding isn’t just a union—it’s a declaration. House Lannister and House Targaryen, united in fire and gold. Let the realm take notice.”

The men stood as Jason strode from the chamber, his confidence unshaken and his mind already racing ahead to the day his princess would arrive to claim her place at his side.

The courtyard of Casterly Rock was a spectacle of splendor, every detail meticulously prepared for the wedding that would forever link House Lannister to the Targaryen bloodline. Banners bearing the lion of Lannister hung from every high wall, their golden threads catching the sunlight. Garlands of flowers adorned the stone archways, their vibrant colors contrasting against the somber gray of the castle’s ancient stones. Lords and ladies from across the realm, dressed in their finest silks and velvets, milled about, their chatter filling the air with an excited hum.

Jason Lannister stood at the forefront of the welcoming party, resplendent in a tunic of deep crimson embroidered with gold thread. A heavy cloak trimmed with lion’s mane fur draped over his shoulders, and a golden brooch shaped like a lion’s head held it in place. His hair, meticulously combed and shining in the sunlight, was a perfect reflection of his confidence. His green eyes scanned the horizon, the faintest hint of anticipation breaking through his usual calm demeanor.

Around him stood his trusted advisors and notable figures from the Westerlands. Beside them, the Dragonkeepers—clad in their dark, somber robes—waited in formation. The air was filled with both excitement and trepidation; the sight of Morrath, the Princess’s dragon, would be a moment few in the Westerlands had ever experienced.

Ser Garreth, standing to Jason’s right, leaned closer. “You look nervous, my lord.”

Jason smirked, adjusting his cloak. “Nervous? Hardly. I’m simply eager to greet my bride.”

“And her dragon,” Garreth added with a chuckle.

Jason’s grin widened. “Ah, yes. Morrath. I trust she’ll find the mine to her liking. Though, if she doesn’t, I’m sure the Princess will let me know in no uncertain terms.”

The men around him chuckled, but Maester Ronnel cleared his throat, stepping forward. “My lord, it is not just Morrath who must be impressed. The eyes of the realm are upon us today. This is more than a wedding—it is a declaration.”

Jason nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment. “I know, Ronnel. House Lannister is hosting the blood of the dragon. Let them see our strength, our wealth, and our ambition. Let them understand that we are not just the Rock—we are unyielding.”

As if on cue, a ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd, drawing Jason’s attention to the southern road leading to the Rock. The royal procession was approaching. Carriages painted with the red and black of House Targaryen rolled into view, flanked by knights bearing the king’s banner. Armored Lannister guards moved to attention as the grand procession made its way toward the gates.

Jason stepped forward, his smile widening. “Here they come.”

The carriages were an impressive sight, but the real spectacle came from above. A shadow passed over the courtyard, and gasps rippled through the gathered crowd as Morrath descended from the skies. The black-scaled dragon, her wings shimmering with amber undertones, was the epitome of grace and power. Her eyes glowed as she circled once before landing with a ground-shaking thud near the welcoming party. The heat radiating from her was felt, and the faint scent of sulfur lingered in the air.

Jason held his ground, his heart pounding as he took in the sight of the magnificent creature. The Dragonkeepers moved quickly, bowing their heads in deference as they approached to guide Morrath. Jason’s gaze shifted upward, and his breath caught as he saw you dismount with practiced ease. Dressed in Targaryen red and black, with hints of gold embroidery tying your attire to Lannister colors, you were a vision of fire and elegance.

Garreth leaned closer, his tone hushed. “Well, my lord, there’s your dragon and your bride.”

Jason smirked, his eyes never leaving you. “And what a sight they are.”

You strode forward, your expression composed but regal, a subtle nod to the confidence Jason had come to expect from you. Morrath let out a low growl, her gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd before she settled, her massive body coiling gracefully.

The royal carriages arrived moments later, King Viserys stepping out with a broad smile, followed by Queen Alicent and their children and servants. The king greeted Jason warmly, clapping him on the shoulder. “Lord Jason, your hospitality is unmatched.”

Jason bowed slightly. “Your Grace, it is an honor to host you and your family on this most joyous occasion.”

His gaze flickered back to you, his smile softening. “And, of course, to welcome my bride.”

You met his gaze, raising an eyebrow but offering a small, polite smile. “Lord Jason,” you said, your tone cool but measured. “Your preparations are... grand, as expected.”

Jason chuckled, leaning closer as he lowered his voice. “Only the best for you, Princess.”

Viserys, oblivious to the tension in your exchange, clapped his hands together. “Let the festivities begin! Today, we unite fire and gold—two houses that shall shape the realm for generations to come.”

The crowd cheered as the gates of Casterly Rock opened to welcome the royal procession. Jason fell into step beside you, offering his arm. As you hesitated briefly before taking it, he leaned closer, his voice low enough for only you to hear.

“Welcome home, Princess,” he murmured, his grin both charming and infuriating. “The Rock is yours now.”

You didn’t respond, but the faint blush on your cheeks didn’t escape his notice, and Jason couldn’t help but smile as he led you toward the great hall, the weight of the moment settling over you both. This day would mark the beginning of a new chapter—not just for House Lannister, but for all of Westeros.

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