#“the children shall be called fails”

[blueberryattack]

The fox and snail can be in love. as a little treat.

[taegularities]

colour me in: photograph (teaser) | jjk (m)

Summary: With both your and Jungkook's careers seemingly peaking, the future feels promising and bright. Yet, amidst the glowing hope, one single phone call dims the light in the rooms of your shared home.

➳ pairing: Jungkook x reader ➳ rating: 18+ ➳ genre: fwb/f2l, fake dating; angst, fluff, smut ➳ warnings: [redacted spoiler that shall drop with the chapter], tears, sadness/grief, doubts, tender moments, talk of jk's future and his art, support, jk's dad, surprises, (talk of) a break up oop, mention of children (i guess that's a warning lol), explicit sexual content: let-out-some-steam-sex, dom!jk, big dick!jk, he's actually insane. more details shall be added on drop day; the ending.. <3 ➳ word count: around 760 for the teaser; 25-30k for the chapter ➳ a/n: get ready, it's gonna hurt for a whiiile now :') as always, come n talk to me about this 🤍 ➳ listen to: holo by leehi | full collaborative playlist 🤍

SERIES MASTERPOST | TAGLIST MASTERLIST | WIPs

“You do know that we’re supposed to meet up with them in like,” you drop your eyes to your wrist, pulling back the sweater to unveil your watch, “forty minutes, right?”

“And you think they’ll complain about some extra time alone?”

You deliver a blank stare, not a single blink as you watch him shrug a shoulder. He sports a smirk that you would’ve clenched your jaw to months ago, but today, even if you won’t admit it right this second, it amuses you.

He laughs when you stand there unmoving, like a stick figure silently reprimanding a lethargic boyfriend. You hate to break, but when the contagious chuckle infects you, too, you feel a light wave of relief and serotonin ripple through you violently.

Jungkook hasn’t left vacation mode just yet; while the work for the gallery is still ongoing and he diligent, you catch him slouching ever so often, doodling away at times. You’ll confess, the grey outside is tiring; different from the sunnier countryside you left behind.

There’s a sort of post-bliss blues that even you can hardly shake off.

“You can’t deny that, can you?” he utters amidst his melodious laugh, and you roll your eyes, taking two big steps towards him — much like two days ago.

“I don’t have to deny it to still teach you the importance of punctuality, right? Get up,” you say, smacking his hip — and he uses the opportunity to lift his arm from under his head, reaching for you, but… failing. “Uh-uh. Enough with your tricks. Get up.”

Last night still wasn’t enough — is it ever? You’re not surprised; neither by his thirst nor by your own inner, involuntary reactions. But no time. It’s rude to let people wait.

And you know exactly what Jimin would say — tease — if the two of you arrived at the double lunch date with him and Yoongi too late again.

Jungkook’s voice turns half into a yawn, half into a sigh, tired when he responds, “Yes, ma’am.”

This should do.

But since everything good comes in three, and just for good measure, you add another laser-glance, shooting at him in warning to lift his ass and meet you ready once you are, too. A playfully sigh breathed, you amble to the bathroom, make up awaiting on the sink from when you put it there this morning.

This shouldn’t take long; you’re opting for the minimalistic approach today.

As the hues colour your lips and fill your lashes, you hum a random melody you can’t quite identify. It’s quiet in the apartment until it isn’t — and when Jungkook’s voice chimes, your hand halts mid-mascara-stroke, assuming he’s calling for you.

He’s not; you understand this much when he greets the person on the other end in his liveliest tone at first, volume decreasing as the conversation continues. He’s soon hushed enough for you to not really make out proper words anymore. Hums here and there — Jungkook doesn’t seem to say much at all.

Perhaps it’s Yoongi, or Tae, telling a story. Narrating recent occurrences, the joys and pains that emerged and shrivelled on the vacation that you weren’t part of anymore.

You don’t ask just yet, decide not to disturb.

You finish up whatever is left of your routine, setting the make up and ruffling through your hair, adding volume. When the talk he’s indulging in still remains when you deem yourself ready, you let out a breather and step back into the bedroom.

Still in the same clothes and with the untamed hair as his crown, Jungkook’s gaze is lowered, fingers barely curled into the sheets. He’s sat up now; you see his Adam’s apple bob when you walk in. Instinctively and immediately, you blurt, “Now what did I tell you just a moment ago—”

But the jest dries in your throat and then fades, as dead as Jungkook’s eyes when he looks up at you. Or maybe… maybe they’re not dead.

More so — in disbelief. As if he hasn’t really fathomed what he’s just heard, mind sprinting in circles, attempting to understand.

His chest isn’t moving as it should, and just in general, his body emits inner trouble. Distress. When he lifts his pupils and shifts them towards you, it looks as if he’s hoping that your presence could reverse reality, as if you’re pulling him out of the inevitable quicksand.

But you can’t. You get it; see it right away.

Because the watery gaze and the gap between his lips, this expression, are new to you, no matter how many of his aches you’ve mended. And you guess it has something to do with what his conversation partner just said.

Something that certainly wasn’t part of today’s agenda at all.

the way i even had to change the banner bc it'd be such a spoiler lmaoooo but yeah anyways, what do we think? y'all's thought always help immensely, and life has been so busy that writing took a backseat – getting back into it is hard. but you guys offer so many theories as well as love and always motivate me, so come and let's talk <3

[eroguron0nsense]

I have my criticisms of Made in Abyss but I will also say that I haven't seen enough people comment on my favourite aspect of it (and I may be looking in the wrong places, I haven't term searched), which is that it's a breathtaking deconstruction of settler colonialism, and of the romanticism of the weird adventure stories of Europeans plumbing every as of yet unexplored corner of the earth and finding strange and wonderful things at great risk. It is a profoundly critical piece and one of the few that while capturing the allure of that genre and the call of the void and the human search for answers, also has the fucking balls to say, "Your choice to do this is to choose death and the loss of your humanity", "This place is built on atrocity in the name of gold and glory and colonial prestige, every attempt to get further into its depths requires horrendous sacrifice, and the act of settling was fundamentally amoral", and, as of where I've read up to (the end of Faputa's story), "this capital we've built, this land and its blessings that we have, are literally built on endless suffering, it is justified for the victims of that to retaliate, and to dust we shall return". Every aspect of its world-building is seductive but shows both implicitly and explicitly the horrifying truth of behind the siren song of colonial exploration, from the implications of what happened to the native people of the island to the sickness affecting the current inhabitants to the wrecked ships and remnants of failed predecessors, to the indoctrination of children into dreaming of seeking death, and the overwhelming sense that the Abyss will always, always get its dues Intentionally or not, it's one of my favourite explorations of the brutality and futility of the search for El Dorado

[silverryuan]

TWST with an Ubuyashiki Child reader (Part 3)

Warnings: Suicide, Angst

"Thy soul... Is empty."

"WHAT?!"

{NRC – Mirror Chamber}

• What did the mirror say? Empty? What does that mean? Everyone seemed alarmed, especially that Crow Demon. What could it mean?

Crowley: "Empty? What do you mean empty?!"

Dark Mirror: "Despite their soul's sharp and clear shape, it is trapped and lacks motion and color. It does not contain anything else. Therefore, it is empty."

Crowley: "B-but...! But the carriage! They brought them here...!"

Ubuyashiki! Child: "I have told you already, Mr. Crowley. I was brought here by mistake."

Crowley: "Impossible! Not even in my years of teaching have I encountered a problem such as this... Oh, whatever shall I do?"

Ubuyashiki! Child: "Escort me back. As simple as that."

Grim: "Ff...Fuwahh!!... If they ain't got no magic, then lemme enroll instead! I got magic! Powerful magic too! Just watch this!"

Ubuyashiki! Child: "Everyone, take cover!"

• As the beast breathed in a large amount of air, your instincts immediately alerted you to protect yourself. Not everyone reacted fast enough from your shout, some students' robes became singed on the outfit's edges. A tanned boy with silver hair received the most burns as he still has his rear on fire. You took off your robe (surprisingly your kimono is still intact) and ran to the boy to use it put out the fire. He thanked you with a relieved smile that reminded you of...

• .... The boy with hanafuda earrings.

?????: "Woah... thanks for... fire.....

.

.

.

{Demon Slayer Corp – Ubuyashiki Estate}

• Suddenly, you remembered the last things your father said to you. In the estate, he called you and your siblings to listen to his final orders. You could still remember his smile...

Kagaya: "I need all of you... to listen to my instructions clearly... my children..."

Hinaki: "Yes, father."

Nichika: "Yes, father."

Ubuyashiki! Child: "Yes, father."

Kiriya: "Yes, father."

Kuina: "Yes, father."

Kanata: "Yes, father."

Kagaya: "That boy with the hanafuda earrings... Tanjiro Kamado... and the demon girl, Nezuko... The Hashiras... Everyone... Together, we can... Put an end to Muzan Kibutsuji. Never tell the others this... I will sacrifice myself as bait... The time is near when he will coming here himself... He is after me... Go far... Hide and be safe..."

• Your father has become weak. He can barely form a sentence without rasping and coughing. Your mother held his hand in a firm but gentle grip. She did the best she could to help him live this long, it was all because of her and your siblings' help that he will see the day that he can finally kill him. Your dear sisters and brother have tears welled up in their eyes, threatening to drop. Your mother was no different. Neither were you.

Amane: "... I will stay here with you, Master Kagaya."

Hinaki: "Me too, mother."

Nichika: "Me as well."

Kiriya: "Father, we want to stay with you."

Kuina: "We'll be here with you."

Kanata: "W-We won't leave you."

Ubuyashiki! Child: "Please let us join you, father."

Amane: "Children..."

• All of your siblings gathered around and held his arms delicately, desperate to be by their parents' side even in death. The sickly man smiled and opened his bloodshot eyes. You knew that look in his eye. His final decision was made. Your tears did nothing to let him make you stay. For even if you stayed, he will face an early death either way.

Kagaya: "... You're all very kind to me... If I could hug all of you one last time... I'll die with happiness... I am sorry..."

Kiriya: "Then please let us stay with you--"

Kagaya: "No, my son... I'm afraid you mustn't... For my final orders... I need you to be a good brother... Protect your sisters... Get as far away from here as you can... I need you to be a leader... To lead Tanjiro and the Hashiras to victory... Only then we can be safe from his grasp..."

Kiriya: "B-but what if I... F-fail?... I'm... I'm cowardly... I know nothing about being leader...!"

Kagaya: "Please... Kiriya... I know how difficult of a responsibility... and heavy the weight... Of the title of leader will be... but I can no longer lead... To this day... You are the Corp's only hope... To continue guiding them... In my place..."

Kiriya: "..... I... I will do my best, father."

Kagaya: "... Thank... you.... My daughters, Kuina and Kanata... Please help your brother...Love and protect one another..."

Kuina: "... We will, father."

Kanata: "... sob... We'll do our best to help."

• Your poor brother Kiriya. Barely called a boy, much less a man. He was only a child who was not ready for the task but he is still willing to try and win. Just like him, you thought that your older sisters were more suitable for being the heads of the Ubuyashiki clan and managing the demon corp. But you thought wrong.

Kagaya: "Listen... Only me... And your mother... Shall stay here... And detonate ourselves and this estate... Everything will be destroyed... For an explosion will not be enough to kill him... But it'll slow down... His regeneration speed... Enough for the Hashiras to catch him..."

Ubuyashiki! Child: "If that's how it is... then I insist to stay by your side as an additional distraction..."

Amane: "Ubuyashiki! Child...!"

Hinaki: "Yes. Since we are the older ones, we will sacrifice ourselves as well."

Kuina: "... Sister...."

Kanata: "...sob...sob...."

Nichika: "Right. Muzan will think that it's only us unguarded. He will not think that you're willing to sacrifice us children."

Kiriya: ".........Father? Mother?"

Kagaya: ".........."

Amane: "...His vulnerability will increase if he thinks that it's our entire bloodline he will kill... Master?"

• For a split second, you can almost see your father's smile falter. You knew your father more than on the surface. He secretly had an unquenchable bloodlust that rooted from the king of demons that he hid with skill. The goal of beheading that man became his entire life after witnessing the horrible deaths of his parents and brothers. But even so, he refused to involve innocent people and preferred to live humbly. If there's a chance that comes into his life to make his plan take effect on Muzan instantly, he will grab that chance. But as a father, he hesitated...

Kagaya: ".... I can never bring myself to ask you... It greatly pains me to make this choice... I had hoped that you choose to remain safe..."

Amane: "... I deeply apologize for this as your mother, Hinaki, Nichika... Ubuyashiki ! Child... Are you sure?"

Hinaki: "We live with you. We'll die with you."

Nichika: "So you and mother won't be scared."

Ubuyashiki! Child: "Yes."

Amane: ".... They are willing to stay and perish with us, Master..."

Kagaya: "... Very well then... Thank you all... My children... Remember... To never tell anyone... For the sake of me... That is my final wish... Beheading Muzan is our top priority..."

Kiriya: "Y-yes... we promise you... we will avenge you...."

Kagaya: "... Don't cry, my child... We will always be with you... Even in the afterlife... But for now... You must endure... We will see each other again... I'm glad to have all of you as my family... We love you..."

Amane: "Be strong and save the tears after victory, my dear. Please live on for us. We love you all... Very much. Farewell..."

• And with that, your younger siblings gave you a final hug and fled the estate. You, your sisters, and parents are left alone to prepare yourselves for your final moment. Your father told you to play with your sisters to face death without fear. To not mind the man who will be intruding. To spend the rest of your time in the joy of a missing childhood experience.

.

.

"..ey!.....h.....!"

.

"HEY!"

Ubuyashiki! Child: "!"

?????: " Hey,watch out!"

• The same boy with the used-to-be flaming rear snapped you back to reality by quickly dragging you to the side just before the monster breathed out another wave of flames. It seems that Grim rampage is still ongoing, no one's stopping him.

?????: "Are you okay? Your sleeve's been burnt!"

Ubuyashiki! Child: "I'm fine, thank you."

Kalim: "That's good to hear. I'm Kalim by the way!"

Ubuyashiki! Child: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Kalim. I'm sorry if this is rude but are you perhaps... human?"

Kalim: "Uh, yeah. Why?"

Ubuyashiki! Child: "I--"

Crowley: "WHY IS NO ONE STOPPING HIM?!!"

Azul: "Do not worry, headmaster. I will take care of the beast myself since no one here has the heart to capture it. Of course, I won't hurt the poor thing, that would be very cruel of me."

Floating Tablet: "That's Azul for you. Always reaping the points and showing off whenever there's a chance."

??????: "I shall also assist in handling the situation."

• A man with glasses and a short man equipped what looks like a... pen? And all of a sudden a collar appeared around the monster's neck.

??????: "OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

• The beast stopped blowing out fire in an instant when it felt the weight of the collar and the tightness around its neck.

Grim: "Fnyaagh?! W-what's with this collar!... Fnyagh...! It won't let me do magic!"

??????: "That collar is my own unique magic. You can't do magic unless I release you from it. With this collar, you are simply as helpless as a housecat."

Grim: "Fnyagh?!"

Azul: "My, my. That's Riddle's unique magic for you. Very handy... I want it... but I don't want it to work on me..."

• ... ?

Grim: "Fnyaaagh! Take it off! I ain't nobody's pet!"

Riddle: "No. But don't worry, I won't keep you. It'll be a violation against the rules and your behavior is erratic."

Grim: "Fnyagh..."

[that-weird-thing-in-the-woods]

~{ So I was listening to “They’re only human” Death note the musical and this come out of the brain so here you gremlins go! }~

🌌🌙The Solar🌙🌌

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If someone asked danny what he thought his life in the future would look like he would have said something like “Of course I will be an astronaut!” Or something to that effect

But what he did not expect was for him to have a protective and strong ass husband [Who is phantom and now the Ghost king and isn’t that something] with a little toddler who is 2 ( Dani who will be called dawn in this ) and a little protective toddler who is 4 (Dan who is called dusk) who he loves more than anything

And gain a ghost family who adores him (but for the price of another) who put up with his husband and adore him as well as spoil his Sun and Moon rotten

Now let’s see how this become as it has shall we?

====================================

Danny was having a bad day, first he almost miss class again [due to a mix of being to exhausted to get up on his on from fighting ghosts all night and with jazz being busy with college hunting so she couldn’t wake him up and his parents don’t even know what time he wakes up at for school]

Second Dash wouldn’t leave him alone and it was becoming hard to keep himself..well not really himself but recently he’s been feeling this that for a better word are not his to feel like when a ghost hit a bit to hard to feels rage and protectiveness wash over him anyway back to this.

Third Sam and Tucker were both out for separate reasons for Sam her parents had some kind of rich people thing to do and dragged her with them and tucker with his family were going to visit some relatives so yeah Danny had no one to hang out with.

Third apparently they had a test in English that nobody told Danny about so he knows he is going to fail that and some other things but it would get to long if we bought all that up but you get the point

So when Danny gets back home and all he wants to do is go to his room change into phantom and hug/chill himself out who is anyone to deny him [Like with the feeling feels that weren’t his, yeah he got the habit after a very bad day where his parents shot him in the back of the leg and it hurt bad so he hugged himself and apparently it was the right thing to do because he started to feel better! Not physically no it still hurt like a motherfucker but emotionally yes so he started to do that when ever he felt he needed comfort]

So Danny goes to his bedroom [not noticing the tall orange figure following him up] and closes the door [it was left ajar just enough for someone to look in] and changes into phantom but he hears the door open the door and he turns to see his dad looking at him

And the next thing he knows is a red hot pain coming from his side and blacks out

=====================================

It has been a week a long and painful week since his parents found out

After Jack [NEVER dad never again] he brought him down to the lab and tied him to a table and did…unspeakable things to him…have been doing this to him for a week

After two days Danny heard two more wails and he recognized the voices it was dan and Dani! [his children] and they were hurting them, Danny tired to get their attention to him to get them away from them but the damage was done and Dani and Dan went into their cores due to the damage but thank the ancients the cores were basically a undamageable and none of their weapons work on them

So that turns all their attention on him and how that would be their downfall [and the whole dimensions with them]

On day five is when Danny’s human “half” gives out due to no food or water and with the torture Maddie and Jack have inflicted on him it wasn’t really a surprise but what was when phantom and Danny unfazed and phantom was pissed they hurt Danny [his husband] they hurt Dani and Dan [his children] they weren’t getting of easy

So well they were fighting the now fully ghost Danny gets out from his restraints and grabs Dani and dans cores and pushes them inside him to heal them by essentially force feeding their cores clean ecto

Than phantom grabs him and pulls him fast to the portal and the go through and as they do they destroy the portal [not knowing that in doing that they let out all the built-up ecto and that essentially bombs the dimension taking everything with it]

And now that brings Danny here after healing and when the children cores got enough ecto that they could come out [as well as speed running a very loving relationship that is still going very strong]

And now Danny is very happy with his life now or well after-life

=====================================

~{ Now onto the DCU part! }~

When Damian got into a fight with father he expected to be benched as Robin for a few days or a week what he was not expecting was for father to assigned him to go and watch a warehouse that is known for not having been used for anything for longer than Damien himself has been alive [it’s due to a cult that hangs around there not that the bats know that]

So now here is Damien tide up in surprisingly good rope that he can not break free from in the middle of a summoning circle and waiting for the other to get here while the cultist surrounds the circle and start to speak in a language Damian does not understand and Damian doesn’t believe anything will happen

Until the summoning circle turns into a portal and Damian falls through as the others get there to help him

The last thing Damien remembers before he passes out is someone yelling after a while Damian wakes up in a bed…? A very soft large bed with a lot of space and as Damien takes in his surroundings he hears a door opening and as he turns his head to look he sees a tall man…? Woman? Person let’s go with that

They walk over to him and start cooing? At him and  fretting over him [✨Mom instincts✨] and stuff a few days? [time is weird Damian has found] and the person has started to bring him with them as they walk around [Danny wants the little child to get some air and cleaner Ecto] and he has met the person’s children who are named dusk and dawn respectively and they have taken him as their older brother he believes this is due to the person [who he now knows his name is Solar, it’s not just everyone calls him that due to his space obsession] calls him his Stars much like how he calls this children his Sun and Moon

And with meeting Solar with Dawn and Dusk it is a guarantee that Damien was to meet Solar infamous husband Phantom [who he has heard about from the whispers of some of the working staff] and it goes pretty well [not that Phantom can do shit to this child his husband has already taken him in as his own] so he lets the child stay for how long as he likes

Meanwhile with the Batfam

The Batfam are freaking TF out about where Damian is and is he safe OMG-

=====================================

~{ And that’s all I can really do with the DCU part I am very tired if you can’t tell and now onto the details! }~

Now for Danny outfit I’m thinking something like this

With this over coat

And for hair/hair ornaments

And for phantom you know the drill blue-greenish skin, white hair and pointy ears

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~{ And that is about it! Sorry if the last part is weird I am very tired and sleepy anyway I hope you guys like this and see you gremlins later byeeee }~

[greenfiend]

For those still in doubt that Will flayed/influenced Hopper in ST3…

So when someone flays another basically what happens is, as Mike states they “[take] over their mind” and “basically become him”.

Now, it’s very interesting how in ST3 we see Hopper act childish- but exclusively in ST3. The very same season Will desperately holds onto his childhood.

It’s suspiciously very meta for him to say lines like this. It’s intentional. The writers didn’t just forget how to write Hopper. We are supposed to notice this abrupt shift in his persona and overall demeanour.

As Will says, he likes to hide. Interestingly enough Will and him share that in common. Note the “only used me when he needed me”. Same is true for Will using Hopper. Hopper still has moments where he is his “normal” self.

Whenever Hopper is “serious”, it’s really him. Whenever he’s emotional and kid-like, he’s under Will’s influence.

The Clues

So, let’s start by going over some of the major clues, shall we?

Him saying this to a Byers of course. Interesting writing choice.

The original script tells us that Will wears colourful clothes. That’s his style and he stands out because of it. Now it seems to be Hopper’s style all of a sudden too. It’s even noted by officer Powell here that it’s surprising to see Hopper dress this way.

Play these transition scenes. The first one has Lucas asking Will for permission to take a shower, then we are shown Hopper showering. I suppose Will granted Hopper said permission. Then of course we have El asking “how can you tell when someone’s a host?” afterwards the first person we see is Hopper himself. A perfect example of a host. They answered her question!

We are often shown Hopper acting childish. Look at how he’s holding his pillow! We never saw him doing this in seasons prior. Then we have Murray outright calling him a “manbaby” and “children”.

When “Hopper” orders an alcoholic beverage he struggles with the pronunciation. Reminiscent of a young person attempting (but failing) to appear older and more mature.

We even are shown him being fed lines that came from a Byers.

Now for the major clue. Why oh why did they show Will while Mike explained that Hopper threatened him? Not just Will, but Will moving pieces on a board. He’s essentially controlling things! Bending to his will, if you will. I mean it makes sense. We know Will was very jealous of Mike and El and complained about them! Just like Hopper, he wants them to break up. Perhaps even more than Hopper actually does.

Then we have Mike referring to him as crazy! That’s their special word, so naturally “Hopper”/Will does not take this well. Look at his face! He looks betrayed.

The References

It’s extremely subtle, but we have another Byler/Jopper parallel here. Earlier in 3x01, we see Joyce holding Hopper’s left hand, very reminiscent of Mike holding Will’s right hand last season. Then we have Hopper communicating in Morse Code as he and Mike fight to lock/unlock the car door several times. Notice how we have a shot of his left hand doing the locking of the door? Same one Joyce held. I’ve tried to work out what he’s communicating but I’m falling short. If anyone wants to take a stab at it please let me know your findings!

Then we have the Back to the Future references. Again very subtle, but there nonetheless. As we know, Will is compared to Marty Mcfly a fair bit, ever since his very first appearance!

Do you recall the plot of Back to the Future? Marty travels to the past, accidentally changes some things, then has to bring his parents back together! Will does the same thing… through Hopper!

And just like Marty… things get a tad bit awkward…

Now keep in mind… these scenes all occur within the same episode. While trying to set up his mother and Hopper together through “flaying” Hopper, Will accidentally gets his mom interested in him (as Hopper). That is why he refers to Murray as “Freud” aka the Psychologist who created the theory of “the Oedipus Complex”. This is also why Robin drops that line about of the movie.

So… How?

If you recall back in ST2, Hopper is spat on by something and was trapped in the UD. Will is able to sense him and thus is connected to him. Hopper is a part of Will’s hive mind. I also believe they may be biologically father and son… but that’s for another post.

The Implications of All of This…

So what does this mean? I’m not fully sure, but it seems like Will has some abilities here. I have no idea if it’s future Will manipulating things, or present Will and I’m not so sure how aware he is of all of this.

But in regards to Mike… here are some funny implications…

ST3 shows us a Mike with a peculiar fascination with bears. Bears seem to be associated with Will and “bear” has a specific other definition…

Now the icing on the cake with this is the fact that Mike has made comments regarding Hopper’s weight multiple times! So, he’s well aware of Hopper’s “bear” status. Mike shows interest in bears because he’s interested in Will. Will essentially is a “bear” while he is puppeteering Hopper.

It’s also nice to know that Will actually did get that hug he yearned for from Mike. We just didn’t realize it. Mike and “Hopper” hugged a tad longer than normal too while Will was facing them of course.

To conclude, I know this theory sounds so silly and I sound insane, but I swear to you… this is real. I may be wrong about some aspects of this but I know Will influenced Hopper in some way. Remember though, it’s not a constant thing. Will only “used him when he needed to”. Will experienced being flayed in ST2, then he became the “flayer” in ST3.

If you have any questions or comments about this theory feel free to send me an ask! These things are fun to think and talk about.

[harunayuuka2060]

Leal and his sister: ...

Leal's sister: Brother, will they be okay?

Leal: Yes. Master Akihiko can handle this on his own.

Leal's sister: Hm. But... Isn't he afraid that his father will try to sabotage his plan?

Leal: I'll prevent that from happening.

Leal's sister: ...

Akihiko: What do you think, father? *smiling*

Yuurin's father: ...

Yuurin's father: The people here are welcoming.

Akihiko: *chuckles* Right?

Yuurin's father: ...

Yuurin's father: Son, are you truly going to proceed with the plan?

Akihiko: Yes. I had planned it since I was young.

Yuurin's father: ...

Yuurin's father: You have hidden your true feelings well.

Yuurin's father: Your mother and I believed you were okay with everything happening.

Akihiko: *chuckles* Well, what could I say?

Akihiko: I'm a man who's been taught the virtues of a woman.

Yuurin's father: ...

Yuurin's father: *smiles* I know I have no right to say this.

Yuurin's father: But I am proud of you, son.

Akihiko: ...

Yuurin's father: Anyway, here you go. I've signed everything. *He hands him the documents regarding the transfer of wealth to Yuurin.

Akihiko: Thank you, father.

Yuurin's father: ...

Yuurin's father: Akihiko, when your time comes, will you promise to give me one final call?

Akihiko: ...

Akihiko: *smiles* If it crosses my mind, I will.

Akihiko: Huh? You want me to get a haircut?

Yuurin: Yes. It's fair, don't you think?

Akihiko: ...

Akihiko: *chuckles* Hm. What kind of haircut do you want me to get?

Yuurin: I think any haircut will suit you.

Akihiko: Bald?

Yuurin: ...

Akihiko: *laughs*

Akihiko: I'm just kidding, bluebell.

Yuurin: *sigh* We should go together with Leona-senpai.

Akihiko: Okay~. I think we should do it on your weekend off.

Yuurin: Sounds good.

Akihiko: Alright. I'll talk to you again, bluebell.

Yuurin: Take care, Aki.

Akihiko: You too, bluebell~. *hangs up*

Leona: *sitting next to her and listening to their conversation* Why the hell would he suggest bald?

Yuurin: I'm not sure...

Leona: ...

Leona: I think Leal's a bad influence.

Yuurin: Huh?

Leona: Just think about it, did he use to have a broken sense of humor?

Yuurin: ...

Yuurin's mother: Welcome home, dear. How was your trip to Sunset Savannah?

Yuurin's father: *smiles* It was great.

Yuurin's mother: That's good to know. Oh, by the way, do you want to see my journal? I had so much fun writing on it that I failed to realize that I've written on all its pages.

Yuurin's mother: All I have to do now is pray to Goddess Mnemosyne to watch over our son Yuurin and grant my wishes.

Yuurin's father: *nods*

Yuurin's father: *has waited for his wife to sleep* *holding the journal in his hand*

The servants serving Yuurin: Master? Are you sure about this?

Yuurin's father: Yes. Light up the fire.

The servants: *do as told*

Yuurin's father: ...

Yuurin's father: Burn everything from Yuurin's childhood. Nothing shall remain.

The servants: Yes, master.

Yuurin's father: ...

Yuurin's father: *watches as everything that can remind his wife about Yuurin burns*

Yuurin's father: ...

Yuurin's mother: Men who show weakness will face discrimination, while strong women will be torn down. We cannot allow such injustice to befall our children.

Yuurin's father: What do you mean by that, dear?

*Akihiko was already born around that time.*

Yuurin's mother: We will raise this child as a girl.

Yuurin's father: ...

The servants: Master, this is all.

Yuurin's father: ...

Akihiko: Destroy the journal. By the next morning, Mother will have no recollection of Yuurin.

Akihiko: She will only remember having a daughter, who is me.

Yuurin's father: *to the servants* From tomorrow onwards, no one should utter a word about your Master Yuurin, especially not to your Madame.

Yuurin's father: Do you understand?

The servants: *bows* Yes, master.

Yuurin's father: *throws the journal to the fire*

*A figure resembling smoke emerges from it, fixing its gaze directly on him.*

Yuurin's father: *bows to it respectfully*

*The figure then heads to where his wife is.*

The servants: *looks at each other; understanding the situation*

Akihiko: ...

*The figure shows itself to him.*

Akihiko: *smiles* Thank you. Thank you so much.

*The figure nods then disappears.*

Akihiko: ...

Akihiko: I hope this will bring you joy, bluebell.

Leal: ...

Leal: Master Akihiko.

Akihiko: ...

Akihiko: I can enjoy my remaining years with Yuurin now. *chuckles*

Leal: ...

[luselih]

older gentleman zhongli thought 🤭

You always thought that you were cursed.

You haven’t had a serious relationship since forever, since who were around you mostly? some horny immature boys with no personality or respect for anyone. Even when you were dating through your school years, boys were always so immature and disgusting. With couple of them who you wanted to be forever left you when you got soul crushing news. You were infertile. infertile, you could assumed it since you had irregular and painful periods, reduced sex drive and other signs of it. After that, you weren’t interested in dating or having a family since you know you probably can’t have biological children ever and because of that man now usually avoids being with you or break up after a while since they want to have little ones that even if you try to have, you just couldn’t give them.

You were sure were thinking it would be another failed attempt of a blind date with an older man your friends reagents to you to have, they already know what is your type and are sure that you will hit it off immediately. That man was no other than good old Zhongli. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant is man of his age, he’s devilishly handsome, well dressed and knowledgeable, yet not even once did he hold his experience, age or knowledge over your head. His true gentleman though his actions even, being on spot you two already planned to meet for the date since you didn’t feel comfortable with a unknown man picking you up at your place, yet you know how he wanted to pick you up, even insisted but he didn’t make a big deal of it when you insisted given a spot to meet him instead. When you get to the not cheap at all restaurant he booked table at, his movement were very smooth and elegant, opening door for you, sliding off your jacket and pulling your chair for you to sit on, putting on napkin on your lap too.

Little is to say that you weren’t expecting everything he did, but it was so so nice.

Date was amazing, there is no words existing to explaining how amazing it was. His stories, personality traits and behavior were just perfect, not even batting one eye when you told him you wouldn’t be able to give him little ones, oh- how much were you so ignorant of who you were talking and having a date with at that moment.

He insisted to get you home after he pays for the date and you agreed to it. When he was paying, you noticed how just he looks sexy. Couple of greys in his hair, slightly signs of wrinkles on his forehead and eyes but it did fit him well, black button down that showed his collar bones since they were unbuttoned on top, veins on his hands were just so…so fucking hot for no reason at all, and he smelled amazing too.

As you two walked, his hand was comfortably resting on your lower back as you were having a genuine conversation as he walked you home, not having your “i can go alone” or “i will call taxi” at all. Who are you talking to now? To him. So there would not be any of that nonsense in this.

Even that breathtaking look from his amber eyes at your face, his hand hand picking your chin up with two fingers as he gives you a deep kiss, absolutely melting every single bit of you in a moment as he declared, not said. “See you tomorrow night at some time, sweetheart.” Before leaving you speechless and flustered at your home’s door.

Well i guess you have a boyfriend now.

And as your relationship progressed, got married if you prefer and have beautiful domestic life.

Even your eyes who bulged up from the shock as your shaky hands were holding into a stick, a positive one for that. A positive pregnancy test. You are left speechless. But your overthinking were cut short by your man, who rested his hands on your stomach almost instinctively. Even your dumbfounded expression got him to smile as you could just mutter out.

“I…i-i don’t know how this happened- i-even doctors told me i wouldn’t be able to have kids-“

“No worries about that now…now, shall we celebrate good news with a cup of tea?…and i should tell you more about…everything.”

( dragons essence is…very much good…infertility cure..;) )

[moonflower91]

Saerah and Aegon make peace.

“Aegon, get down from there before you cut yourself.”

“Do my eyes fail me? Has your hair turned brown and your name changed to Alicent? I am not a child and you are not our mother. You do not command me, baby sister.” 

Saerah scoffed, stepping closer. She paused at the base of the throne, observing her brother as he lounged over it as one might lounge over a pillowed sette. She looked towards his squire, a tall boy clutching a pitcher of wine. “His Grace must be hungry. He missed supper. Fetch him some food.” She commanded, and at Aegon’s affronted squawk, she spoke again, looking at him. “I did not command you, I commanded your squire.” He did not respond. “You know Viserys cut himself on it years ago and that led to his long, disgusting, miserable illness?”

Aegon gulped down a bit more wine and shrugged. “I’ve sat here for hours just this way, not a nic on me. Perhaps the throne approves of me more.”

“You’ve gotten drunk on the Iron Throne with your friends, and didn’t get cut?” She asked, brow raised.

She felt appalled, shocked, and a tad disgusted but all she could think to say was, “That’s actually quite impressive”.

“Thank you, little sister. Would you like a drink? I shall have someone fetch you sweet wine. I know you care not for the spiced vintage” It was, perhaps one of the kinder things they’d said to each other in ages.

“No, thank you. Don’t indulge too late though. You’re to hold court to hear petitions on the marrow. Mother and I will attend you, along with grandfather.”

Aegon scoffed, rolling his eyes and letting his head fall back with a soft thud on the melted swords behind him. “I think you’re the only one I will tolerate to attend me. At least you shall remain silent and let me speak for myself.”

“Mother means well.” She said softly, knowing Aegon had always felt the weight of her disapproval far more sharply than any of her other children. By how heavy it felt on her at times, she knew it was a heavy burden to shoulder. “Otto too, I suppose.”

“And you? Do you mean well, sister?”

“I only want everyone to be happy. Content. To receive what they need without fuss.”

Once more, Aegon took another drink. But this time, his shrug lacked the joviality of before and his fingers turned the glass in almost a nervous fashion. “You and I, I think we’ve more in common than you’d like to admit.”

Saerah felt somehow… warmed by that, and she gave him a half smile.

“Do not cut yourself. I do not want you suffering as that old fool did.”

“You did so hate the old man, didn’t you?” He observed. He found himself swinging his legs over the armrest to settle his feet on the floor. He rather liked hearing Saerah compliment him. And with his mother and grandsire in his ear, constantly complaining about him to him, Saerah was a lovely change.

“He did steal my dragon. Sent me away like a dog he didn’t want anymore. He even called me ‘Rhaenyra’ the last time I saw him.”

“Cunt.”

“I know.” She murmured, lifting her skirts above her ankles so she could sit on the first step before the Iron Throne comfortably. “But worse than that, I loved him still. Even just a little, at the end.”

Aegon continued to fiddle with his glass. “He never saw any one of us, really. He tried sometimes with Helaena, and you, I think. But he never understood how Aemond liked books about great thinkers more than anything else, how Hel liked her bugs. He never knew us enough to love us. And he never loved us enough to know us.”

Saerah regarded her elder brother a moment, letting the sad fact pollute the wine soaked air between them. But then, she smiled and decided they’d had enough sadness to fill ten lifetimes. “Is it wine that makes you wise or…?”

Finally, Aegon broke into laughter, that jovial, almost mad smile returning.

[jifanjiang0710]

platonic yandere! father x fem! reader Warnings: incest (not between yandere and reader)

Fùqīn: Father

“Fùqīn.”

Though his eyes remained shut, legs crossed lazily off the veranda (ruffling his kù), an imperceptible upward quirk of the lips spoke of his acknowledgement. One sleeve hastened to conceal the bowl beside him, but you caught it just before it disappeared behind the garment.

“Intoxicating yourself?” Your tone turned icier, if possible, and your father scrambled to redeem himself.

“Of course not, [Name]-er, just indulging lightly in the morning-” You interrupt him with a whack upside on the head, with a fan someone had gifted you, unsympathetic to his pitiful wail. He had developed a rather bothersome drinking habit as of late, though by all means far from dangerous for your father was an elegiac drunk, often accompanying a teary sort of clinginess. It was evident even for the rare visitor to surmise that he was particularly attached to you, his only daughter and child. Since your birth, after overcoming his initial reluctance to hold you, you were rarely let out of his sight, often seen trailing behind the first prince or wrapped up in his arms, a little bundle of childhood. When he had left the palace you were carried close to his chest, none the wiser.

Even then you found yourself somehow coaxed onto his lap, tugged forward by the arm until your head could rest atop his chest. He raised the wine to your lips, to which you halt him.

“Fùqīn.”

“Alright, alright,” he sighed and set it aside. “Won’t you call me ā-diē like other children do? Am I not enough of a beloved father to you?” The complaint came across as more puerile than heart-wrenching. After failing to garner a response, he tousled your hair, raking long fingers through the strands that would take you two kè to put up. He had insisted before that he could braid your hair just as well as any servant, into a style befitting of the noblest of ladies (he cannot) (he has tried).

“You… must relearn royal etiquette,” you said, shifting out of his grasp to maintain a preferred detachment. “You cannot be sitting so crassly, or running your mouth when we return to the Imperial Palace. Fùqīn, we must demonstrate impeccable manners and grace show that our time here has not diminished our values as royals.”

“My brother deserves none of my effort.” He only pulled you back into the embrace, with the excuse of keeping you warm amidst the third snow of the season. “Was he not the one who saw my exile?”

“It is not just the Emperor. What of the Queen Mother, the princess, the concubines and their children? They will seize any opportunity or weakness to scorn us for lack of refinery. We would never shake of the brand of criminals.” For the first time this morning a draft made you shiver despite not feeling any effect from the cold just now, allowing him to lean in to monopolise more of your body heat. He was sensitive to low temperatures, but would still dwell outdoors frequently in winter months, dressed in scant layers of clothing. As much as he laughed it off as an odd quirk and impulse, you recognised it as a form of punishment, self-imposed suffering he inflicted upon his skin. You dare think that it is due to the guilt he carries for being the reason both you and he were here now, abandoned in an old residence someplace near the northern border.

He had remained silent this while, as if contemplative. An unusual occurrence. The wind tore through the house with greater ardour, brushing across frosted branch and soil to deposit a perilous chill within the stone walls. Finally, he placed a palm over your cheek, a gentle warmth soft as snowflakes adorning his smile, and spoke. “You wish to become a royal again?”

The lump of saliva in your throat felt much harder to swallow. “Yes.”

“Then I shall see it through.”

“…”

“…what’s wrong, [Name]-er?”

You dismissed it as a wandering mind, but you would never admit to him that for perhaps the second time in your whole life, he had frightened you. Though his arms were gentle and eyes soft, you could not find reprieve from the sudden chill you experienced earlier.

While your father the first prince savoured the tranquillity of an early grey noon, you begin to muse on the letter that had arrived so unceremoniously the month before. A horseman handed it to you, you unfurled the scroll, he left.

It carried the official stamp and seal of the Imperial Palace, a message direct from the emperor. The Emperor! Casting his gaze on disgraced royals such as you? The contents merely spoke of a potential reinstatement of both your titles by the next Lunar New Year, in time to celebrate the spring festival. The next announcement would be of the emperor’s visit to your humble residence. What could prompt him to make an in-person trip, much less to a land so far from the capital?

You had relayed this enthusiastically to your father, who nearly gave you heart palpitations when he downright refused to accommodate his brother the emperor.

“Fùqīn! You cannot reject a decree!”

“[Name]-er.” The autumn leaves had littered the courtyard, the task of clearing them he conveniently ignored. “I know you are eager for our period of exile to end-”

“I am! I don’t want to have you live like this anymore, not when you were supposed to be the Crown Prince, not when they slammed you with baseless accusations of treason!”

“Guāi, don’t be angry. Come here…”

But you snatch your hand out of his grip, seething at the injustice of your circumstances. “Even if we have to be civil to him, it doesn’t matter. As long as we can…”

‘As long as my father won’t have to bear the burden of his punishment anymore. As long as I can have a chance to provide for him better in the future, find a proper job in the capital… for both our sakes.’ You left that unsaid.

He laughed. He laughed and it was so incongruous that you were frozen in place. “My sweet daughter. Are you worried about me?”

“No. It’s so I can have a better life. You can rot here for all I care.”

“I know you would never do that.” He tugged you down effortlessly into his arms, wooden tea table shoved aside, and like a snake constricted you so tight you had to hit him twice on the head for him to loosen up. “My daughter… tell me this. Have I ever seemed displeased with my life here?” You can feel the weight of his chin on your head.

“[Name]-er, I am content here. As long as we are together, and I have you.”

Come to think about it, that’s when his excessive drinking problem worsened. ______________________________________________________________ Meeting the Emperor

The emperor’s arrival mirrored opposite of that of the letter. A silken-draped carriage, held aloft by muscled workers from further up north, the procession led by finely-maned horses and their carts. Only the wine vessels caught your father’s interest. You clutched your fan close, the same one that had arrived enclosed within the letter. That item, you did not disclose its origins to your father. As far as he is aware you had picked it up while visiting the town market.

The emperor, with all his grandeur, still did not hesitate stepping into the estate with only two accompanying soldiers, his retainers instructed to linger just outside the courtyard, and conveniently out of earshot.

“Ye Heqing.” He addressed your father, a courteous smile gracing his attractive features. “It has been a while, gē.” Upon receiving no response, his smile only widened, and he directed the next greeting to you. “[Name]-er.”

“Who gave you the right to call her that?” You had to placate your father, and kneel in his place. The emperor’s eyes lay on the fan he gifted you with, fixed securely to your side with a wooden chain.

“Huángshàng, please forgive him, he has not been feeling very well-” Blind panic swims in your vision, from the corner of your field of view you could witness your father scoff dismissively, obviously enraged at the familiarity in which his brother addressed you.

“I was fine until you came. Leave my family alone.” Ye Heqing takes a step closer to the emperor, his younger brother, the plain thin hanfu a distinguishing contrast to the latter’s dark red robes and golden-rimmed cap, while their faces parallel an eerie similarity.

“I assure you, gē, I wish no harm. I have but one request, that is the chance to speak with your daughter, my niece, in private.”

“LIKE HELL I WOULD LET-”

Your father was dragged away by the soldiers out of his own house, thrashing and yelling profanities so blasphemous it would have a commoner executed should they attempt the same.  “[NAME]!” he howls out as a final desperate parting, or perhaps for help.

You raise an eyebrow.

“Now that that has been settled, shall we converse?” The emperor signals for you to stand, and you lead him to the tearoom, suddenly conscious of the sole shaky desk that had served you loyally for fifteen years. With trembling fingers and a chipped pot, you poured him a tea of the finest variant of leaves you owned, freshly ground.

“Thank you.” If he did not enjoy it, your uncle did not make it obvious. On the contrary his attention seemed to be fixated on something else. If not the fan you kept by your waist, then your eyes, forehead, hands, as if scrutinising.

He lifts the chains that attach the fan to the fabric. “I shall have to replace these with jade beads instead.” You still. Since when had he come so close?

“Have you considered my offer?” Another hand brushes past your hip, subtly at first, then snaking around it to grip.

In truth there was another part to the letter you had hidden from your father. A separate note handwritten by the emperor, to convey a personal request.

“So?” He inquired, savouring the hitch of your breath when his chest presses into your spine. “I have waited long for your correspondence, leaving me no choice but to advance my visitation earlier.”

“No.” Pulling away, you recall your father’s words.

‘I am content here. As long as we are together…’

“No,” you repeated. “Please forgive this niece, Huángshàng, for I am unable to accept that condition. I cannot, and will not, marry you.”

For a minute, it seemed as though the emperor were about to protest. The sharpness in his eyes began to brandish its piercing tip. He would have appealed somehow, with the title of Empress, or the solid security of your status and lifestyle, reverence of the kingdom, maybe even temptations of the flesh from a man as desirable as he (for who else would liaise with a banished royal?).

He chose to express none of those. Instead, he listened intently for another sound from outside. Surely enough, if you strained your ears, Ye Heqing could be heard through muffled shrieks. The emperor shook his head.

“I have desired you for a number of months now. Your resilience in the face of tribulation and commendable feats to keep yourself and my brother alive for this long have reached my ears. Consider me impressed. Though banished and left to die, you have established good rapport with the local townsfolk, enough to secure yourself a source of income.

“It hardly ends there. Utilising your father’s royal education and knowing he could not apply for the imperial scholar examinations; you advertised him as a tutor instead. Though lazy and idle my brother may be, he has the heart to spend his days teaching and nights studying. Two silver taels… a bargain of a price, for such a reputable teacher.” He flashes that signature charming smile, but nothing like the warmth of your father’s grin. “But,” the teacup is set down, “is that the fate you wish to burden him with forever? An unstable income with barely enough to wear additional layers of clothes in winter?”

He is referring to your father’s self-inflicted pain. You are about to raise your voice, defend him and explain the reason for such, but you understand what he is getting at. Do you want Ye Heqing to continue making himself suffer?

Sensing your hesitance, your uncle continues, taking your right hand in his. “He is not getting any younger, nor am I. I wish to settle down, with a wife competent enough to rule beside me for the maintenance and expansion of the kingdom. A wife who is, simply speaking, as gorgeous and spirited as you.” He placed a kiss on the top of each knuckle, gaze lidded and implicit.

“My father… is happy here. And he would never agree to be with the family that scorned, framed him for-”

“Framed?” The emperor’s eyebrows knitted in a perplexed scowl, though anyone could tell that it was insincere. The twitch of his eyes and repressed grin told that he had been anticipating the opportunity to bring up the topic of your father’s crimes. “Whatever do you mean, my dear?”

“He… he was innocent. He had never betrayed the former Emperor, or the kingdom! You had no evidence and only sought to exile him for the throne! Yes, he is greedy, indolent, obstinate, eats too much, drinks too much, deceptive, blur, foul-mouthed and everything in between, but he would never…”

“Never what, [Name]-er?”

“Never…” You don’t know why you faltered. “Never steal from the Emperor.”

Your uncle laughed. He laughed and it sounded just like your father, so incongruous that you have an odd sense of deja-vu. “Is that what he told you? Hahahahahaa… I,” he manages between fits of giggles, “Ye Moyao, Emperor of the XX kingdom, have never heard such a blatant falsehood in my life.”

“Wh- But he said that you accused him of stealing fifty-thousand taels, from palace reserves, to…”

He rubbed his chin. “True, we never did find out where the half a wàn silver taels had went, but he was convicted for a very different reason. Poor thing, did he not tell you?” He leaned in closer, lips to your ear. “Has he lied about it all these years?”

Seeing how dumbstruck you are, he resumes, voice somber. “Ye Heqing was found guilty of the attempted murder of the former Emperor, our father. He had kept a vial of poison in his sleeve pocket, to serve to him when he had the chance. Fortunately, it merely made him severely ill, and my father recovered within the year, by which time we had already identified Ye Heqing as the culprit and had both of you exiled.”

“You’re lying.” You would never have dared address the emperor rudely, but the news was absurd. Your father- No, that was impossible. “It’s not true-”

“I could have him executed; you know.”

The threat silences you. He chuckles. “Marry me. You --- nor he --- would have to suffer here any longer.”

You think long and hard, and nod.

______________________________________________________________

Days in the Palace

You saw the emperor’s entourage off as far as the edge of the town. Following your acceptance he had tried to lay a hand on you but was refused.

“Didn’t you notice, [Name]-er? The way he looked at you?! I’ll pluck out his eyes and scatter his remains! I’ll kill him! How dare he lay such a repulsive gaze on MY daughter? I’ll murder him, I really will-!”

“Fùqīn, you are not sober. Take the herbal tea.”

This tirade had gone on for the better half of the evening after the emperor’s departure. While you held the wine bowl high out of reach from his kneeling form, you began to consider the implications of a marriage with Ye Moyao. Surely it would be scorned and opposed, seeing as he was your uncle, but public opinion had never stopped him for acquiring what he wanted. The punishment of beatings for marrying within family or clan was a threat null and void in the face of the Emperor. You doubted he would have selected a very auspicious date for the ceremony, given how eager he seemed for the marriage to commence early.

Of course, your father was not informed of this decision.

“[Name]-errrr…”

“Tch. Do not display such disgraceful behaviour once we return to the palace.”

A sniffle from him.

Then, about eight nights before the Spring Festival, you two had ridden a modest carriage to the capital after collectively refusing the transport arranged by the Imperial Palace. Nearly immediately upon entrance you and your father had been separated much to his obvious chagrin. A band of handmaidens had ushered you off to an ornate room of dark wood and stone, and tutors were assigned to subject you to a strict series of lessons, educating you on national matters, the Lunyu, royal customs etc. Your diet had been no stranger to close scrutiny, and however majestic and grand the palace and its surrounding gardens may be, you were often confined to the spaces between the classroom and your chambers. Not that you minded that much, you still managed to interact with a great host of persons, and some childhood friends you could hardly recall.

You had not seen your father since. Word from the servants were that he had been called to meet the Emperor, by which time he would have learnt of his only child’s engagement with his own brother. Much to your astonishment there had been no news of a large fuss somewhere in the grounds; Ye Heqing was reputed for his rashness when it involved his daughter in particular. Speaking of your father, he became the favourite topic for gossip amongst the royal family and their associates. That much you could glean even with your limited interactions outside. About his attempted murder, his time in exile. It made you seethe. How could they assume so much of his character, his person when barely understood him?

In the days that followed it would be amiss to neglect the mention of the various gifts your soon-to-be husband was delivering to your quarters each morning. Whether it be your favourite mooncake flavours (how did he know??), vibrant and colourful jewellery, or intricate gadgets from the West, Ye Moyao seemed to acutely pinpoint your tastes, only selecting items that would catch your intrigue or fancy. It was mildly unsettling, as if he could pry you open and browse through your soul at will. It was lucky that your father was forbidden to meet with you for now, or else you think he would have eaten all the gifted snacks in your stead.

Until now it seemed that the emperor had no interest in meeting you until the wedding date. Your wedding was set conveniently on Lunar New Year’s Eve (appalling choice of date), and you only got to see your father on the day itself.

Your hair was done up by no other than the Queen Mother herself, who had wordlessly visited your abode and with elegant wrinkled fingers finished the job with an elaborate golden hair stick, another present from Ye Moyao. When you finally locked eyes with him at the ceremony banquet, there was an unidentifiable gleam within his gaze. The crimson red of your dress under the dark vest matched the colour of the sash over his flowing garments. From the second you were led down the red carpet you could feel the scrutiny of others creeping up your spine, nestling between the ossicles of your ears and piercing like clouds through your ribs. The traitor’s child. The emperor’s new obsession.

Strangely enough, your father was not here. Though your eyes ran many a lap over the whole courtyard you could not catch the familiar mop of brown hair floating in the crowd. Maybe it was not such a bad thing. He would have wasted no time in objecting to the marriage disrupting the progression of the wedding. You had no time to be disappointed, for the kowtowing ritual and tea-serving ceremony had begun. Even as you ate at the table, responding quite mechanically to the inquiries of the former emperor and the Queen Mother you had little rest, for Ye Moyao was gripping tightly to your hand for the most part, occasionally sliding up your knee and thigh. Expression still unreadable, you decided it tedious to do anything but entertain his whims.

Even as he carried you to the bridal chambers, you had not protested much.

______________________________________________________________

Ye Heqing's Appearance

“Dear wife, would you come here?”

After the whole ordeal of the ceremony you were spent, having little time to relish in the reinstatement of your official title alongside your new title as empress. Regardless you still made your way to sit beside him on the lavish bed.

Your uncle hums in satisfaction, pulling you close by the waist to bury his nose into your neck and inhale deeply. “It has been a while since I cared so much to indulge in a woman, much less choose to marry her.”

“Where is my father?”

He shook his head. “You needn’t concern yourself with the whereabouts of a traitor. I am all that you need t-”

“He is not.”

“…what makes you so sure? He had hidden the truth behind his banishment for a little less than two decades. Why are you so adamant on his innocence?”

It was as though the blood flow to your heart had halted. Every nerve and capillary burned with an overwhelming distaste, wanting to tear our flakes of skin where he had touched you, yet you remain pliant and silent. His hand moves to the knots on your vest, undoing them slowly, sensually. When he had reached for the hem of your dress your eyes were tightly shut, fists clenched at the side.

Expecting to feel cool air against your skin, you did not anticipate the warmth of a palm over your eyelids, and hot splatters of oozing liquid onto your skin. A gurgling and choke from Ye Moyao.

Once you cared enough to open them, you are instantly wrapped in the embrace of a familiar set of arms, carrying with them a homely, earthly scent. When you tried to pry him away to see just what he had done, Ye Heqing’s grip on you only became firmer, sword grasped in the other hand, intent on shielding you from the grotesque sight of his brother’s slit neck.

“Sweet girl, are you alright?” Your father uttered over the gasps and ruffling from his brother’s writhing. “Fùqīn is here.” He examines the ‘man’ that was the emperor, perhaps hoping to have prolonged his torment a little longer, but you came first. Once his beloved daughter was safe and secure he would go for the rest of the royal family, and then he could have his fun.

You think your father had entered through the window, or had hidden here for a while already. It did not matter; you would ask him of it later. “Your Royal Highness,” you addressed the emperor, back still turned to his although Ye Heqing had let you out of his arms to approach the dying man, “my father had not attempted to murder you and the former emperor.”

You could imagine his gaze, pupils blown wide and fixed manically on you. You only exhale and retreat. “If that was truly the case, he would have succeeded.”

A final slash of the bloodied blade, and Ye Moyao was no more.

[syndrossi]

Não sei se entendi muito bem como está funcionando os pedidos, mas vou pedir algo que estou louca pra ler.

Em Regnal, reação da família ao descobrirem que os gêmeos foram sequestrados.

Ou melhor ainda, reação ao descobrirem que os gêmeos são imunes ao fogo. Estou ansiosa pra ler sobre a reação de Jaehaerys e suas suspeitas sobre a profecia.

I decided to go with Jaehaerys reacting to the twins' fireproofness!

x~x~x

“You are certain?”

His son nodded, arms tightening around his twin grandsons, who were sitting quietly in his lap. His face was pale and haggard, as though he had not slept in days—not unlike his very brief visit to King’s Landing shortly after the twins’ birth, when he had come for the dragon eggs.

Baelon the Brave, his son was called, yet grief and loss had stolen that carefree surety. It would make him a better king, Jaehaerys suspected, but it had hollowed out the man.

“I saw their cradle after. It was burned near to ash, and yet there was not a mark upon them when Daemon pulled them from the fire.” Even the retelling seemed to drain his son, though a tug at his collar by his namesake did draw a faint smile. He kissed his grandson’s head. “I am sorry, Jon, you shall have ample time to gnaw upon your father’s hair later.”

“How did Daemon fare?” His grandson had looked hale enough when greeting him, and only half as sullen as when last they had spoken.

“He avoided the worst of it in his haste. I feared for his hands, but they seemed to suffer no worse than if the sun had burned him.”

That in itself was noteworthy. Jaehaerys’s eyes shifted to the candle upon his desk, and he saw Baelon tense once more. “I must see for myself,” he said.

“Do you call me a liar?” his son demanded.

“You knew that it would be necessary,” Jaehaerys admonished, “or you would not have brought them alone.”

“I brought them alone because my good-daughter would gut you for even suggesting it, Kingsguard or no.”

“Nevertheless,” he said, holding his arms out for the younger child, Aemon.

He truly did have the look of Jaehaerys’s second son, purple eyes alert and watchful as they returned his gaze. Jaehaerys carefully removed the babe’s shoe and stocking on his left foot, then slowly brought it toward the candle’s flame. As he did so, the babe’s twin brother let out an unholy screech, causing him to flinch back in momentary surprise.

Baelon hurriedly rocked him, but the other babe’s arms and legs were flailing wildly in protest. Jaehaerys made quick work of his task, holding Aemon’s foot to the flame. The babe showed no discomfort, other than what might have been concern over his brother’s disconsolate wailing, and when he pulled him back, the skin of his was not even reddened. Jaehaerys stared, running a finger over the skin.

It is a song of fire, for certain, but what of the ice?

Jaehaerys gave the babe back to Baelon, along with his shoe and stocking, and took his twin next. His wailing had ceased upon the return of his brother, but his brow was etched in a fearsome scowl as Jaehaerys took him in his arms. It was all too easy to see the babe’s father in him, despite his Royce coloring.

He made it as difficult as possible for Jaehaerys to bare his foot, his sticky hands grabbing and pulling at his beard while his legs wriggled. But finally, he was able to repeat the test, to identical results.

The babe’s squirming had finally stopped, his grey eyes steely with challenge as they locked upon Jaehaerys’s. His instincts failed him, recognizing too late that young Baelon was preparing to spit up, and it dribbled down the length of his beard.

“I sired thirteen children,” he informed the babe, unable to set aside the suspicion that it had been intentional. “I assure you, I have suffered worse.”

A washing basin was brought to him, and a servant carefully washed and combed his beard clean while his great-grandson watched. Jaehaerys dismissed the servant then, along with the sole Kingsguard who had remained in the room.

“What does it mean?” Baelon asked once he had finished the task of putting the other babe’s shoe back on.

Jaehaerys did not know. Aegon’s prophecy had spoken of one prince, not two, and he had no notion of what the ice in question might be. The mountains of the Vale?

But the signs were unmistakable. One or both of the children must be Aegon’s promised prince.

And yet Viserys is Baelon’s heir, not Daemon. Daemon who himself had not suffered the full effects of retrieving his sons from a burning cradle. Are there signs that I missed before?

He had been considering it regardless, given Aemma’s difficulties carrying a child. An heir with two sons was preferable to one with only a daughter. Aemon and Baelon themselves had been proof of that.

“It means that we must speak of the succession.”

[marymary-diva17]

Hello. Maybe you could write a bridgertoon story where the y/n is forced to marry an abusive partner? And, after his death, y/n turned into a really famous person as the only heir to his husband fortune? Maybe they couldn't have children because of the husband infertility?

Marriage in Ton society and regency era could either be a warm or cold. A society built on that marriage is everything and anyone should be, lucky enough to get marred to any suitors that came calling. When for one young women she had gotten a cold marriage, and a cold life away from her family and everyone else she held close.

y/n " ......." you are sitting in drawing room of your husband house in the countryside. The peace and quiet was something that made you happy, but you still miss your family and friends back in London.

Butler " my lady my lordship Alexander said he shall not be home for dinner once again" your husband Alexander was not the best of husbands, among the ton and that was very easy for everyone in the house to see.

y/n " thank you for telling me"

Maid " what shall we do about the dinner plans"

y/n " well we still have the dinner we can't let the chef hard planing go to waste, that will be rude and something I rather not have happen"

Maid " yes my lady" the maid and butler had exchange looks with each other, that had gained your attention as you soon cleared your throat.

y/n " why don't you both have a sit as it seems like you two have something, to speak and I will love to hear it"

butler " yes my lady" the butler and maid soon sat down on the couch facing you.

Maid " my lady all the staff has noticed and been talking about the lord and his family .... how could you stay with someone who so cold towards you, they have been blaming you for not having a child yet and everything else"

bulter " you are kindhearted my lady and we having you here with us"

y/n " thank you all for being worried about me and caring for me as well, I stay with him because his family is in business with mine I need to do what best for my family .... as I love them dearly and rather not have my broken marriage effect them"

maid " so what will you do my lady spend the rest of your life with the lord and his family"

y/n " yes for the sake of my family, the staff, and the towns near by as it seems like my husband and in laws have failed on their duties here"

butler " you are great at both my lady everyone has bene benefiting since you came here, and started helping around"

y/n " that brings a smile to my face"

Maid " you know you could write to lady whistle down and have her teach him something, and we know so much about him to his life here and his affairs"

y/n " I will love to but we shall stay away from that"

Butler " maybe in time a miracle might come" soon the door bell had rang getting everyone attention.

butler " I shall get the door my lady" the butler soon got up as he had went to go answer the door, as the maid had soon stood up from her seat.

butler " my lady you have some guests that have come to pay a visit"

y/n " who are our guests"

butler " your family" you eyes had soon widen as you got up to see you whole family walked into the drawing room.

Violet " dearest" Voilet soon hugged you as you looked at her and your siblings, happy to see them as well missed them all dearly.

y/n " mother siblings welcome I didn't know you all will be coming"

Anthony " well our dear mother had become worried and missed you, so we all came to see you my dear sister"

Colin " don't like you missed her as well brother"

Daphne " we hope we are not interrupting anything sister"

y/n " oh no it good to see you all here"

Maid " I will get some more sweets and tea for our guests my lady"

y/n " thank you "

bulter " I will inform the staff our our guest and the chef as well, if we have guest over for dinner"

Benedict " we will love to if our sister shall have us"

y/n " yes you all can stay for dinner"

Bulter " then I will make sure everything is ready and send word to my lordship" the butler and maid soon left leave you with your family, as everyone took a sit.

Eloise " dear sister I love the books you have here"

y/n " well I'm happy you do they are all ones from home and ones I brought as well"

Francesca " such a beautiful garden as well sister"

y/n " thank you all I and my staff have done so much work on this home"

Gregory " where is Alexander I thought he will be here as well"

Hyacinth " don't ask for anything like that Gregory that is highly rude"

y/n " it okay there have been some other matters that kept him away"

Anthony " I was hoping to have some words with him but, that can wait for later on dear sister"

Voilet " yes let enjoy our time here with your sister ... so how has married life been my dear"

y/n " it been okay there is much things to get use to mother, but it has been okay here mother"

Daphne " sister you most come attend lady Danbury ball with us, along with your husband it shall be fun"

y/n " I will ask my husband if he wishes to attend he not that much into balls"

Colin " you can still some with us sister it will be fun and maybe you can, help save us from mama trying to find us wives or husband"

y/n " dear brother I don't think I can help with that"

Voilet " well a mother most always look out for her children,even when they are married"

Maid " I have brought over some tea and sweets my lady"

y/n " thank you"

Maid " word has been sent to your husband about out guests"

y/n " good thank you we will call if we need any help" the maid had nodded her head before she walked off, leaving the family together.

y/n " well let enjoy some sweets and tea"

Gregory " my favorite sister you remember"

y/n " I always remember little brother now enjoy" as you younger siblings began to enjoy their sweets and making conversation, you are happy to have you family here but you worry about what they will see and hear.

Later that evening

y/n " It has been good to have you all here today as I have longed for home and family as well"

Colin " well maybe you can stay in London for sometime as you are no longer be away from us, and you can still attend all the social events as well"

Benedict " maybe even help antony finally found a wife where mother has failed"

Anthony " our brothers could use marriage as well sister don't forget them"

Voilet " boy nor fighting in your sister home"

Anthony/Colin/ Benedict " yes mother" there was soon a loud bang on the front door, you knew it was your husband Alexander returning home.

Butler " welcome home my lord"

Alexander " yes I'm finally home"

Alexander " y/n where are you my wife we need to talk" you soon looked at your siblings as they look at you as well. You had soon slowly got up and went to go meet you husband.

y/n " yes Alexander I'm here"

Alexander " good you can hear me and you are here"

y/n " Alexander my family is here we need to clam down"

Alexander " hello bridgertons welcome I didn't know you all will be here"

Colin " my sister had sent word to you Alexander"

Alexander " oh yes that letter I didn't have time to read your sister notes, I have more important matters to deal with then her"

Benedict " well if you most know we came here to see our sister your wife, and to talk about business as well later on"

Daphne " sister are you okay you seem overwhelmed"

y/n " I'm good Daphne I and my husband will go speak in other room"

Alexander " yes my wife correct as we shouldn't fight in front of others" Alexander and you had soon left the room to go speak into other room.

Alexander " my wife why I have been told you were paying off some bills"

y/n " well they were left overdue and I wanted to make sure all the workers got paid, for all they had done Alexander as they haven't gotten paid by you or your family it unfair"

Alexander " you are my wife you have no reason and power to go behind my back and my family as well, remember you standing in the family" Alexander was yelling at you loudly getting everyone out of their seats, as your brother and mother made their way towards you.

Alexander " when I was told I was to marry you I will get a wonderful wife who will give me children, and be good for my family but you have failed at the job time to time again ... I would of been better off I married your sister daphne or one other better ladies of the ton then you"

Alexander " now you are going around acting like you are better then me, when are you just nothing you will never be as beautiful as your sister and never worthy enough as your brothers.... I'm happy I have another women as a wife as I rather be with her then the like of you, even my family and her have asked me to divorce you and marry her ... then everything for you will be over all because of me ...." soon Alexander had gotten punch in the jaw by Colin who was standing over him.

Colin " don't you dare speak of my sister like that you fool"

y/n " Colin"

Alexander " you foolish boy" Alexander had gotten up and hit Colin back, but that when someone else had hit Alexander hard enough making him fall down.

Benedict " sister are you okay"

y/n " yes Colin" you soon went to attend to your younger brother who looked hurt.

y/n " are you okay Colin"

Colin " I'm fine sister I came to see who you were doing when I heard him yelling at you"

Anthony " Alexander" you and your brothers had looked up to see your mother, Anthony, and sisters standing there as they looked on.

Voilet "my children what has happened to you three"

Benedict " this foolish man had hit your son for defending his sister, from her horrible husband"

Colin " he was speaking poorly about her and said he was cheating on her, and wish to divorce she to be with their other women .... him and his lover family support this scandalous relationship and wish to ruin our sister"

Anthony " Alexander"

Alexander " she is failure and has failed to give me child, good mother where have you gone wrong with her" Violet glared at the man and soon walked up to him, and then she had slapped him hard in the face leaving a mark.

Daphne & Eloise " mother"

Violet " dearest you are coming with us and staying with us until, we can help you end your marriage with this awful man for good"

y/n " yes mother"

elosie " come on sister lets go we are here for you"

Daphne " I hope lady whistle down find out about this and bring ruin to your family Alexander" you family had taken you to their home that night, as you stayed up and told your mother and Anthony everything.The rest of the family soon knew and had been there for comfort you, as everything made you feel good now being with them. Soon the ton had found out about your marriage ending, as you returned home.

Weeks later

Anthony " sister I'm sorry I couldn't help you I thought this marriage will be good for you ...."

y/n " brother yo have noting to say sorry about I should to spoke up but I was scared it will all effect you in a bad way"

Violet " now we are here as a family and will shall defend you from your ex husband and his family"

y/n " thank you all"

Violet " Alexander is a cruel person but you shall not let him win, as you will move on with your life in time and live your best life my daughter"

y/n " thank you mother"

Colin " sister mother brother"

violet " we are in here dear" soon the rest of your siblings had come into the room.

Daphne " sister you have been mentioned in the newest article of lady whistle down"

y/n " what"

Eloise " yes it seems like lady whistle down had been told of you marriage, and she had dug up the truth and wrote all about it" you had read the article word for word, and saw it spoke the truth as you looked at your family. Your mother had soon read the article and pass it towards Anthony who read it.

Benedict " well it looks like lady whistle down is a fan of your sister, and see how this has so much details on all your ex husband and his family, along with that women and her family it safe to say you will have some peace"

Anthony " I will remind the staff if any of them come to send them away, if they leave any letter we will look into them and toss away any stupid gifts"

y/n " thank you brother " you had been able to find peace and happinesses back at home, making a life of your own as well. The faith if your ex husband and his family, along with his lover and her family had been well know among the ton. They had to pay your well in the divorce settlement and had kicked out from their social circles, as well many engagements had been called off as well. It seems like the ones who were saying they were going to have a better, life didn't end up getting at in the end. A perfect husband will come for you the next year and you will find the happiness, you always wanted and dreamed off at the end.

[mostly-marvel-musings]

oh my gosh, could we get to see noah meeting dum-e??? they'd love each other and dum-e would finally have someone to play with! not to mention noah deserves his own tour of the tower + meeting the avengers!

Dum-E with Noah - Christmas with you

A/N: You could see it right here right now! I’m feeling generous, haha.

Pairing: Tony Stark x Single Mom! Reader

Christmas with you Masterlist

.

Noah who was usually a fairly confident child had refused to let you go as you had entered Tony’s apartment in the Tower.

“Honey, you’re okay. This is Mr. Stark’s home. Do you want to get down and hold my hand instead?” You tried but Noah shook his head, burying his face in your neck while his little arms clutched you tightly.

Tony traipsed in upon hearing you two, greeting you with a kiss and Noah with a friendly ruffle of his hair.

“Hey kid, you okay?” Noah offered him a shy smile, acknowledging his presence but still clung to you.

“I think he’s just a little nervous. He’ll be okay.” You explained how he hadn’t slept too well last night, after having a nightmare and wetting his bed. Usually that led to him clinging to you the next day, wanting you close.

“Noah, there’s someone here who wants to meet you. What do you say? Shall we call him here to say hi?” Tony rubbed Noah’s back comfortingly, curiosity making your son lift his head from your shoulder to give your boyfriend a slight nod.

You saw Dum-E zoom in wearing a little party hat, halting in front of you as Noah watched him with wide eyes.

“This is Dum-E. Dum-E this is Noah.” Tony murmured softly, looking between his first born and yours.

He waved a bashful hello, making the bot click his ‘arm’ in response before spinning around itself, making Noah giggle - a sound that never failed to make your heart happy.

“Does he talk?” Noah asked, feeling bolder than before as he reached out to touch the robot.

“No, but he listens. I think he wants to show you around. Do you want to go with him?” Tony asked as Noah slowly got down from your arms and looked up at you for reassurance.

“Go on. Mama will be right here.” You nodded before Dum-E guided Noah around the apartment, making your child laugh some more.

Tony had a strange sense of relief watching his two ‘children’ interact; in his mind Noah was already like his own son, given how close you’d gotten over the past few months, the three of you were practically a family now.

“You’re so good with him.” You leaned against Tony, who wasted no time in wrapping his arms around you and pressing a kiss against your temple.

“You know I’d do anything to see two of my favourite people smile.” He murmured, his lips warm against your skin as he spoke.

[the-desilittle-bird]

AN- Serving you these sweet preferences is my duty... even though it means failing mathematics test, cause I can't pass it anyway 🤣

Requests are always open and well appreciated!

Thank you and Enjoy your reading!

HOTD Preferences

Defending Your Honor

Characters- Daemon Targaryen, Aemond Targaryen, Otto Hightower, Corlys Velaryon, Cregan Stark and Criston Cole.

Warnings- Slut-shaming, Curse, Murder (Daemon and Aemond), Fighting and Cutting off... something

Daemon 'Rogue Prince' Targaryen

You were Daemon Targaryen's paramour, with nothing to your name but his love and devotion. A mere dressmaker who somehow charmed the prince.

While your relationship was purely based on emotional supports and the physical attributes followed way later, the nobles didn't share the same thoughts.

Behind your back, you could hear their derogatory comments over you, questioning your relationship with the infamous prince.

"She must have a tight cunt for the prince to keep her so close."

"I am sure she is a witch and has fucked her magic into prince Daemon."

"There is no doubt that she will be ready to fuck and undress herself in front of anyone for money."

While Daemon would hear anything about himself with amusement, hearing things as such for his beloved made his blood boil.

In a feast in the honor of his own nameday, he made sure you were seated next to him with the Royal Family.

The family was welcoming but the courtiers weren't.

And he hears them again.

And goes crazy.

At the abrupt end of the feast, the Noble degrading you and your honor was taken to the Silent Sisters with a separated head or probably something even harsher.

Aemond 'One-Eyed' Targaryen

Aemond loves you a lot.

Everyone loves you, honestly. Except for some who think you are some scheming bitch, which secretly includes Otto.

During a normal session of the court, Aemond hears a member of a vassal house of Lannisters speaking rubbish about you.

Your honor was put to question and he won’t have it that way.

Interrupting the session, he calls the man ahead and when the spotlight is upon that man.

Aemond starts announcing the young lord’s “accusations”. And the whispers start.

But they are abruptly put to stop, by Aemond’s sword cutting off the lord’s head; much in a way Daemon had drove Dark Sister through Vaemond Velaryon.

And followed a long monologue about you and defending your honor and a threat of what shall happen if he is disobeyed.

All while that dead lord’s blood painted his face.

Otto ‘Hand of the King’ Hightower

You are his wife, or maybe courting each other, or betrothed to marry.

Either way, he is protective. Very. Very. Protective.

You are younger. Beautiful. Almost goddess like.

At a feast, you talk to a lord.

And there goes numerous rumours.

While Otto doesn’t believes it, others do.

And then, one day, you admit it. That the rumours were troubling you a lot.

And next, you hear that the man responsible for the rumours could never have children again, had you overjoyed and smirking. Found with the sigil of House Hightower next to him.

That was the very clear message to all.

Corlys ‘Sea Snake’ Velaryon

Corlys is possessive and protective of you, his darling wife.

You were from Dorne, and your Dornish practices aren’t quite far from your heart.

And that includes the flirtatious comments.

Corlys enjoyed that. But the other lords and ladies had a field trip, making rumours and what not.

When they hear them, he is angry and he throws a feast, intending to show what honour these people were talking of.

The feast was all normal except the wine was specifically strong and the servant ladies were all dressed provocatively.

And all of the lords were leering and everything.

Next morning, he organises a breakfast. And gives a loud and clear announcement.

All of it while the lady wives of those men were present and fuming with rage at the humiliation.

In directly, never talk bad about Corlys Velaryon’s wife.

Cregan ‘Wolf of the North’ Stark

You were of South and you arrived in Southern style.

And it made the lords of the North send you leering gazes.

And you were bold to admit it to Cregan who softly replied with:

“I apologise on their behalf, my lady. I shall see to it that it is taken care of.”

It was. But for only a few weeks.

And then came the feast before your wedding to him.

And the lords were drunk and again dishonouring sentences were exchanged.

The smile on your face was long gone and your jaw sat in a gesture of displeasure.

And it seemed to do something to Cregan. For one second, his direwolf was in front of the table; the other, that drunken lord was on the floor with the direwolf growling at his face.

“Since this day ahead, no one shall dare to dishonour my wife, your lady. Or, you shall not like what shall happen.”

And the smile on your face is sweet as you looked at your betrothed.

Criston ‘Kingmaker’ Cole

You were only a friend of his at that time.

And a Dornish lady.

A beautiful lady who was close to a member of King’s Guard.

And boom! There are rumours.

Penting up everything in his chest, Criston blasted when he heard a comment about you in the training grounds.

He challenged that knight or lord to a combat fight.

That fight ended with the lord being beaten to near death while Criston’s fists were bloodied.

You were told way later that something like that happened.

And while everyone were rather angry at his action, you were very very proud.

[handsome-wise-strong]

Jacelaena headcanons please ❤

This is a million years late, I’m so sorry! But ask and you shall (eventually) receive!

Helaena is a head taller than Jace. As children, Jace always hoped he would grow taller than her, but as an adult? He’s obsessed with their height difference. He loves when her chin dips and her eyes lower to meet his as he beams up at her, just absolutely stunned by the tall goddess. Even better when she dips down for a kiss, and his neck cranes up to meet her.

Jace brings Helaena out of her shell. She is always quicker to laugh when he is around. She is more likely to enjoy a dance, if Jace is her partner. He makes her more adventurous and more free. Meanwhile Helaena calms Jace, softening his heart and cooling his temper. They better each other!

Helaena rarely calls him by his name. She instead uses a flare of dramatic titles for him. Valiant prince and dragon-heart being among her favorites. Jace wishes he had the nerve to call her pretty names, like flower or darling, but he simply can’t call her anything but Hel, in the softest and fondest voice in the world.

Jace always shows off at tourneys, but especially if Helaena is in attendance. He asks for her favor without fail, and she never denies him. If he wins, he is sure to crown her the queen of love and beauty.

Jacaerys is a man of honor. He desires nothing more than to wed Helaena and rule alongside her. But because of his code of honor, he feels a deep need to have a good relationship with her family. He craves their approval of the match, even if Helaena insists it doesn’t matter. He tries everything in his power to get Alicent to like him or at least respect him. He knows that Helaena’s brothers are pretty much a lost cause, especially Aemond, but he never gives up on trying to win Alicent’s favor, even after he and Helaena marry.

Both Helaena and Jace struggle with High Valyrian. It is a point of bonding for them, both being slow learners of the language. They help each other and study together often, finding lessons more bearable if they’re working together.

After they wed, they both decide they want many children. Jace hopes for them to look like Hel, with her soft round face and wavy silver hair, but Hel hopes for the opposite, wishing for them to have their father’s dark unruly curls and warm brown eyes.

Jacaerys prefers dressing lavishly, while Helaena likes to keep her outfits simple. Jace often wears full Targaryen regalia, his tunics and cloaks made of fine silk or velvet, with the added addition of many silver and gold accents such as rings and brooches. Helaena prefers comfortable and light dresses, usually in pale pinks, blues and yellows.

Jace has always been uncomfortable around insects, but in an attempt to bond with Helaena, he tries to loosen up and relax around them. This backfires often, when he confidently picks up an unfamiliar insect to show off to her, and is bitten immediately. She appreciates the effort nonetheless, and explains to him how to properly handle insects as a maester tends to his bug bites.

Jace is fascinated by her dragon dreams. He writes down every riddle she says, often reading them over and over to try to unravel the words to find their true meaning. He is always careful to never push her on explaining them, knowing it’s best to leave her be and distract her with something else once she’s done speaking of them.

They both think they’re not good enough to be with the other. They’re always trying to better themselves for one another. Always trying to be someone worthy of ruling with the other, and loving the other. It takes a long time for them to realize the other feels the same way they do, and they have a long talk, reassuring each other that they’re both good enough. When they both realize they love each other unconditionally, just as they are, their union becomes stronger and more devoted than ever.

And lastly, Jacaerys and Helaena have a long, happy, peaceful and prosperous reign together. They live long lives and are surrounded by loved ones when they pass away, and countless poems and songs live on, telling the tale of the dragon king and the gentle queen, and the remarkable and deep love they had for one another.

[mllemaenad]

Seanna is ... really feeling that brand on her face at the moment.

We decided you were dangerous, so we branded your face and declared you a non-person is a very familiar idea for her.

Also, knowing what we do about the Rite of Tranquility, and about the titans, I wonder if this similarity isn't intentional.

I'm beginning to get an uncomfortable feeling about the casteless, and what was originally done to them.

We know that the Seekers of Truth used the Rite of Tranquility as an initiation test for centuries, and that they were the ones who developed its use specifically as a means of controlling mages:

We called it the Rite of Tranquility: a mind, branded with lyrium, brought to a state devoid of either emotion or sense of self. The rite was required to achieve the true peace that could draw a spirit of faith from the depths of the Fade. A difficult task, considering a Tranquil mind is all but invisible to these beings. The candidate must be pure. If the candidate proved worthy, the spirit would touch his mind… and he would be freed from Tranquility as well as made into a Seeker in truth. If he proved unworthy, Tranquility was permanent. It was only later, when the first mage attempted to join our Order and failed, that we learned Tranquility rendered a mage unable to access his magic, as well as immune to demonic possession. Thus, when the Circle of Magi was born, we gave them the most holy rite we possessed. It was a sacrifice we made for the good of all, so dangerous mages could be spared execution and yet live productive and harmonious lives. What we did not give them was the secret of its reversal. That knowledge, and our ancient bond with the spirits of faith, shall forever be solely ours to keep. —An excerpt from Cassandra's tome on the Seekers of Truth

– The Rite of Tranquility

We don't really know how the Seekers came by the ritual, however, nor how they came to realise it could bring them power. We know that in very ancient times that Solas did something very similar to the titans, using a lyrium blade. We also know from Feynriel's quest that a mage who dies in the Fade is rendered Tranquil, so there are multiple potential paths to discovery.

Maybe, though, this rite is really, really old.

The thing about casteless dwarves is that they are rejected by the Stone. From an official perspective, they do not have Stone sense:

We are the Children of the Stone. She supports us, shelters us, offers us the most priceless gifts of the earth. The worthy return to her embrace in death, becoming Ancestors. The unworthy are cast out, unable to rest, that their failings may not weaken the Stone. So it has been since the earliest memories. We live by the Stone, guided by the Ancestors, who speak with the voice of the Provings, and whose memories the Shaperate keeps forever in lyrium. We do not accept the empty promises of heaven as the wild elves do, or vie for the favor of absent gods. Instead, we follow in the footsteps of our Paragons—the greatest of our ancestors, warriors, craftsmen, leaders, the greatest examples of lives spent in service to our fellow dwarves. Our Paragons joined with the Stone in life, and now stand watch at our gate, ushering in those surfacers privileged to visit our city. We know there is no greater honor to hope for, no better reward for an exceptional life. —As told by Shaper Czibor – Dwarven Faith

All surface-dwelling dwarves are considered casteless by default, and that is because they are "stone-blind". To be casteless is to reject, or be rejected by, the Stone. And to be rejected by the Stone is to lack Stone sense.

We also know, from Harding's personal quest in Veilguard, that Stone sense is not simply a matter of being well-adapted to life underground. It is a form of magic, not wholly unlike that performed by other Thedosian races.

Solas's mutilation functionally rendered the titans Tranquil. They are cut off from their dreams. However, the titans are profoundly magical beings. It's not simply their minds or dreams that are connected to the Fade, but their bodies as well: their blood is lyrium, and lyrium is profoundly magical. One of the key things about lyrium is that it exists in both the physical world and the Fade.

In its raw form, lyrium emits a strangely soothing sound that some call the voice of the Maker. The Chantry claims the mineral is a remnant from the birth of the world, when the Maker created the land and the skies. They believe lyrium is not so much the essence of magic as the essence of all creation. Lyrium's appearance in the Fade suggests it somehow bridges the gap between the dreamer's world and the waking world of Thedas. – The World of Thedas, Volume 1

It is, I think, deliberately difficult to imagine what the world was like before the creation of the Veil. It was a different reality that operated by different rules. But whatever that world was, titans were exquisitely adapted to live in it. Their bodies existed simultaneously in the Fade and outside it, without difficulty or contradiction.

So, while the titans have functionally been rendered Tranquil by Solas's knife, despite what "everyone knows" dwarves still remain connected to the Fade (via the titans) because the titans' bodies remain connected to the Fade (via lyrium).

Dwarves have always done magic and dwarves continue to do magic to the present day. They just don't call it that.

Contact with the lyrium dagger has undeniably supercharged Harding's abilities. For most dwarves, Stone sense seems to require extremely close proximity to a titan (which is why surface dwarves don't seem to have it) and it manifests as a passive ability: they can sense things that others can't.

We also know that one must have Stone sense in order to become a Shaper.

The blessing of the Shaperate is given only to those who walk with the Stone. It is a path that cuts deep and the road is far from secure, but those who desire to work in memory must first honor it. Document the Stone, protect her, and present a new history to the Memories. Only then will the blessing of the Shaperate be upon you. – The Shaper's Life

As in most Thedosian cultures, mages perform a religious function. Not that all dwarves with Stone sense are Shapers – there's clear evidence of them among the miners, for instance – but the Stone sense of the Shaperate is what connects the dwarves to the Memories, and the true will of the Stone. I mean, unless politics intervene, but that's a whole different meta.

With all that established: back to the Tranquil.

Both casteless dwarves and Tranquil are branded. In the modern era, casteless dwarves are branded shortly after birth, and while no one in Orzammar can control what surfacers do they are expected to wear a brand if they visit the city. Both kinds of casteless are functionally marked as soon as they arrive in Orzammar – the moment they get close to the Stone. And the brand, in the case of the Tranquil, cuts them off from the Fade, damages their connection to their emotions and prevents them from doing magic.

To be clear, I don't think the brand on Seanna's face is doing a damn thing. The dwarves have largely forgotten why they do many of the things they do. It's a marking of her social status, and has no bearing on her Stone sense.

This guy's brand is very literally drawn on with a pen:

It's not real.

But what if it used to be real?

In practice, if a surface dwelling dwarf were to return to Orzammar, and they were naturally inclined to have Stone sense, they would likely develop it from proximity to a titan. But if you felt that those dwarves had sinned against the ancestors and the very Stone itself ... well, you might not want that to happen.

So maybe you mark their faces with a special lyrium brand, in a ritual now lost to time, and you cut them off from the Stone.

We know the dwarves were driven underground during the war with the evanuris. They didn't always live there.

Many of these pages are filled with sketches of elven statues matching the ones found in the area, along with notes and what look like attempts to practice Qunlat: They say the agents of Fen'Harel caused trouble in the Crossroads. I wish I knew. I wish whoever fights in the name of the old wolf was around to fight when the darkspawn took my clan. Mine is not to question. I have chosen the Qun. The Qun will protect me. Rethost: You all protect Rethadim: They all protect Rethsaam: We all protect These statues are older than anything I saw in my days with the clan. The area's dwarven, though. What were the ancient elves doing down here? Mining? Where were the dwarves? Easier to have them mine it. Not a trading post. You don't go into a friend's home, knock over their gods, and put up your own. War? I don't remember any legends about our people fighting the dwarves. Though I remember my Keeper telling a story about how the dwarves fear the sun because of Elgar'nan's fire. A metaphor for the elves of Arlathan driving the dwarves underground? The Qunari like metaphors. I should share that. – Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 2

So I'm wondering ... maybe the core of the casteless were always surfacers. Dwarves who did not go underground with that first migration. There's evidence that another option was on the table: take a ship to somewhere else.

We know that there seem to be dwarven populations beyond Thedas.

If one journeys west across the Anderfels, one will reach the settlement of Laysh. Once a sprawling port town, Laysh largely fell to ruin after the Third Blight ... but not, as one might suppose, due to darkspawn attacks. The entire purpose of Laysh was to receive ships from across the Volca Sea, odd-looking cargo vessels that would arrive laden with wares and spices of a like never seen in Thedas. The trade was lucrative enough to justify Laysh's existence even in such harsh territory, at least until the traders stopped coming in the early Black Age. According to Ander legend, these traders were called Voshai. They were also said to be hostile to the people of Laysh, completely uninterested in learning the king's tongue for anything more than barter, and almost obsessively interested in acquiring lyrium. Also of interest are the tales that said the captains of every Voshai ship were dwarves, treated with such deference that it implied dwarves held a place of profound power in their society ... or, at the very least, among the seafarers of their culture. In contrast, there are no reports of elves on Voshai ships. While Laysh was hardly a port of sufficient size to build sturdy ships, it is said that several Tevinter merchant houses banded together to mount an expedition, with the thought, "If they won't come to us, we'll go to them." The expedition did not return, and neither did the few vessels that followed, until eventually all interest in the Voshai faded. Reports in recent years suggest the Volshai ships may have returned to Laysh, supposedly carrying tales of a "massive cataclysm" in their homeland – the reason for their absence, perhaps? – though the truth of these reports is questionable at best. – The Mysterious West, The World of Thedas Volume 2

The fact that the dwarves are undertaking what seems to be a long and perilous journey in order to trade lyrium with a civilisation they specifically do not want to talk to strongly suggests to me that the Voshai homeland does not have lyrium. This, in turn, suggests to me that it does not have titans and that these dwarves are not Voshai natives, but rather ancient transplants who chose to flee across the sea rather than underground.

But that's a rough choice.

And it is clear that the evanuris settled into triumph and cruelty, and a not insignificant portion of that cruelty was directed toward the dwarves.

Many of these pages are filled with sketches of elven statues matching the ones found in the area, along with notes and what look like attempts to practice Qunlat: Trying to remember that old bedtime song about Mythal. My mother sang it the night before the darkspawn came for my clan. It's the last time I ever heard her voice. Ir sa tel'nal, Mythal las ma theneras. Ir san'a emma. Him solas evanuris. Da'durgen'lin, Banal malas elgara. Bellanaris, bellanaris. Written beside each elven line is a corresponding phrase, likely a translation: I am empty, filled with nothing(?), Mythal gives you dreams. It fills you, within you(?), Making our leaders proud. My little stones, Never yours the sun. Forever, forever. Hahren said we had lost some of the old words. What if they have changed? Durgen'lin from durgen'len? Little dwarves, never yours the sun? What did Mythal do here? Something's wrong. The lights in the walls are fading. Going to find help. It's not safe. Without light… Itwa-ost: You all fall Itwa-adim: They all fall Itwasaam: We all fall – Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 3

Well. Maybe some of the dwarves who initially picked the sea had second thoughts about that, and instead wanted to go underground. They couldn't stay on the surface, and the ships heading west were going or gone. I wonder if they arrived in the early thaigs as refugees. And I wonder if those thaigs imposed a terrible penalty upon them: they had rejected the Stone so now, even if they sheltered within it, the Stone would not take them back

I'm wondering if the casteless were Tranquil before there were Tranquil.

Okay. And then let's take this back a step further.

Where did this idea even come from? Why this, rather than killing the titans? And how did Solas have any idea what the outcome would be? It strongly implies that, while this may well be the first time something of this scale had been attempted, it is not the first time something of this type had happened.

Tranquility predates the sundering of the titans.

So where did it come from? Well, it all goes back to Isatunoll.

Isatunoll seems to have been the core, founding principle of prehistoric dwarven society.

Harding, How can anything be both all and one, together but separate? It doesn't make sense, does it? But of course it doesn't make sense. You can't make sense of an idea without a word to define it, to give it shape and boundary. Maybe "isatunoll" is a word we forgot. And then we forgot that isatunoll was possible. Think about ants. Ants know what they are. They know their purpose, and they must understand, instinctually, how that purpose fits within the whole. But what if it doesn't end there? What if their consciousness isn't just individual? What if the nest itself knew what it was? A collective sentience of some kind. Nothing says the ants don't have a collective sentience. We just assume they don't, because they're ants. Ants. Or bees. Or darkspawn. Now, there's a thought. Love, Dagna. Inquisition Arcanist – Thoughts on "Isatunoll"

So what do you do with people who transgress against that society? Well, even in the modern day exile is a popular choice in dwarven society – see the Dwarf Noble, Gorim, the entire Tethras family, and so on.

But if you have a collective consciousness, how do you do exile? Sure, you can make a guy you don't like stand over there, but if he's still connected to the Stone does that really matter?

So maybe. Maybe. You define exile as cut off from the Stone. As a people, you must be familiar with the properties of the bodies of the titans: they are your gods and your ancestors. So maybe you know that, while that lyrium is part of what grants your connection to the Stone, if prepared the right way it can also sever a person's connection to the Stone.

To a prehistoric dwarf, that would be true exile, and like modern-day Tranquility, a fate worse than death.

Maybe the casteless weer Tranquil before even the titans were.

Just a thought.