#* answered. but little do we know : the stars welcome her with open arms.

[hvlplvss]

| welcome to the moulin rouge

summary: in which colby’s girlfriend stars in the hit broadway musical, moulin rouge. with little knowledge on the musical, he’s surprised when he first watches it.

warnings: smut, dirty talk, fingering, shower sex, praise, slight degradation, cream pie, hair pulling, slight edging. lmk if i missed anything !!

authors note: for those who haven’t watched moulin rouge, i recommend searching ‘welcome to moulin rouge-west end cast’ to get an idea about it. but if you don’t want to, it’s a musical based on a cabaret club and y/n plays one of the main girls from the club. i highly recommend it if you have never watched it!

y/n had recently been casted as ‘nini’ in one of her top three musicals of all time. moulin rouge. ever since the musical had come out, she’d adored it. knowing that she would love to be in it herself one day.

and that day was here. it was the opening night for the new cast of moulin rouge. she was also performing amongst some of her most favourite broadway performers.

her boyfriend colby and his best friend sam, who she were also really good friends with, had bought tickets for the first public opening show. they decided they might as well buy the most expensive tickets, which were the ones right at the front of the stage, where you got your own little table for two.

in true honesty, y/n had barely spent any time with colby recently. she’d been so busy at rehearsals and taking promotional pictures. so the only time she saw him, was once she arrived home, which was usually later than 11pm.

the boys sat at their table at 7:28pm, waiting for the show to begin. sam turns to colby, “so you have no idea, what this show is about?” sam asked.

colby shook his head in response, “nope. i’ve watched loads of other shows with y/n, but she won’t let me watch this, cause she wants me to see her in the show first,” he explained. “have you seen it?”

sam nodded, “yeah. y/n told me to watch it before we came to see this,” he answered. colby rolled his eyes, but a small smile stuck on his face. but he was slightly confused. how come sam could watch the movie, but he couldn’t?

the lights slightly dimmed, taking colby out of his confused state. aaron tveit, who y/n had spoke about, walked out onto stage and past the two boys, where he stood to the left of them.

aaron looked around the audience, then he looked back to the bright glowing red ‘moulin rouge’ sign. aaron lifted his hands slightly and the sign lifted up, clearing the view of the stage. the music began, a low thudding noise, with a drum every few beats.

aaron disappears off of stage, and a spotlight flashes on the back wall, where there is a silhouette of four girls. colby could recognise one of them immediately.

‘hey sister, soul sister, flow sister’

the curtain they were standing behind lifted, revealing his girlfriend. colby’s eyes widened in shock at what his girlfriend was wearing.

y/n stood there in barely any clothing. it was all lingerie. black to be specific. her hands and arms adorned red velvet gloves which stopped at her bicep. she wore black stockings, which were connected to the black corset like bodysuit by a thin piece of fabric. the corset revealed a great deal of cleavage, and left little to the imagination.

as the four stepped forward beginning to dance, colby didn’t know what to do with himself. his girlfriend dancing half naked on stage in front of hundreds of people.

the dance was as sexual as you could get, grabbing onto your own waist, dropping to the floor. doing anything that was vaguely provocative. and colby still didn’t know how to react.

what really riled him up though was when another character came on stage, someone called ‘the duke’ something like that anyway, colby wasn’t in the right mind set to even focus on that.

y/n had gone over to said character, and in simple words, had to rub herself against him. colby’s eyes stared dead at y/n. he wasn’t mad or annoyed. but he was so jealous.

the interval had just begun and colby still couldn’t stop thinking about you. sam spoke up, “you good there, colby?” he asked.

colby nodded, looking over to his bestfriend, “did you know all about that?” colby questioned.

“what your girlfriend being half naked on stage?” he answered, colby nodded, “well yeah, she’s been showing me behind the scenes things for ages. she wanted all of it to be a surprise for you,” sam added. colby hummed in response, turning back to look at the stage as the show resumed.

colby and sam walked out of the theatre and round to stage door, to meet y/n after the show. when they arrived there was a slight crowd stood there, asking for photos and signatures and what not.

y/n was amongst them, signing playbills and taking photos with fans of the show. colby and sam stood back from the crowd, allowing y/n to take her time. but colby didn’t want to wait. he was desperate for his girlfriend.

after what seemed like forever, the crowd had dispersed, meaning y/n could make her way over to the boys.

“there she is!” sam smiled, hugging y/n and telling her congratulations. she thanked him and then turned to her boyfriend.

y/n reached to kiss colby on the lips. and just from that, she could tell. she knew colby was riled up. y/n grabbed onto colby’s hand, as sam led the way to the car.

the three arrived home not much later, as they opened the door, y/n spoke up, “i’m gonna go shower real quick,” the boys nodded and y/n ran off upstairs.

“i’m probably gonna go to bed now,” colby stated, “it’s already pretty late,”

sam nodded, with a slight eyebrow raise of disbelief. he knew his friend wasn’t going to sleep, he knew exactly what was going on with the boy. but he wished him a goodnight and walked off into the kitchen.

colby walked up the stairs and into his room. he could hear the shower running from the en-suite, which was connected to their room. he could also hear y/n’s light humming of some of the songs from the show.

colby began undressing himself and walked into the shower with y/n. “you know, what you did to me, y/n?” colby suddenly asked.

y/n jumped in shock at the boys voice, “shit colby, you scared me,” y/n smiled, turning to face her boyfriend, taking him all in.

“you know, how i felt? when i was sat there watching you,” he repeated, “seeing you dance against everyone,”

y/n bit her lip, trying to hide her smile. but colby could tell. it was a habit she always had.

“you think it’s funny? that your boyfriend was sat in the audience with a hard on?” he asked seductively, “it won’t be funny soon,” he said lowly.

colby grabbed his girlfriends cheeks and brought his lips to hers roughly. he held her face with one hand and her lower back with the other.

colby wasn’t playing nice at all. the rough yet passionate kiss was clear enough to say how frustrated he was.

colby’s mouth left hers and began making it’s way down her neck, biting harshly, causing y/n to let out a whimper. “come on, let me hear you,” colby said.

y/n had only seen her boyfriend like this a couple of times. usually when he’s jealous or wound up by something.

“don’t tease, baby,” y/n pleaded.

colby hushed her, “i’m taking my time. just like how i had to sit there for two whole hours, watching you dance about with barely anything on,”

colby grabbed her tit, going back to roughly kissing his girlfriend. y/n let out a moan, but it was sealed by colby, who’s mouth covered hers.

colby let go of her tit and reached down, letting his fingers cascade down y/n’s sides. she arched into his touch, “so needy,” colby spoke against her lips.

his fingers finally reached where she needed him the most. his thumb pressed firmly on her clit, rubbing in circles.

y/n moaned out, leaning her head on colby’s chest, letting the water from the shower run down her back. colby removed his fingers, causing y/n to let out a small whine.

“you’re such a desperate whore, aren’t you?”

“only for you,” y/n answered.

“only for me, huh?” colby smirked, “you’re mine, aren’t you.” y/n nodded, “say it, y/n. say you’re mine,”

y/n removed her head from colby’s chest and looked him directly in his eyes, “i’m yours, colby,”

colby nodded in approval, “good girl,” y/n’s head went back onto colby’s shoulder, as two of his fingers pressed inside her cunt, stretching her out.

y/n stifled a moan. as her boyfriend worked his fingers inside of her, she latched her mouth onto his lower neck, causing colby to groan.

she littered dark purple bruises across his neck and chest, admiring her work after each one. she knew he’d eventually get her back for the mess across his neck as he couldn’t show it all over social media, or else people would talk.

colby could feel y/n approaching her orgasm, so he removed his hand. causing y/n to remove his mouth off of colby, “what-”

colby hushed his girlfriend, “want you to cum at the same time, baby,” he answered.

he aligned his cock with her pussy, letting it glide against her folds, teasing her.

“please colby,” she begged.

“awh, you’re begging now? that’s cute,” he answered.

colby slid his cock in slowly. y/n moaned out and colby let out a low groan, watching the pleasure that washed over his girlfriends face.

he wrapped one arm around her waist and placed his other arm on the back wall of the shower.

after a few seconds, colby began moving his hips. snapping up into y/n, causing her to moan out loudly. her arms clung onto colby’s shoulders, staring directly at him.

she grabbed onto colby’s wet hair, and slightly tugged, causing the boys head to loll back.

“you getting close?” colby asked. y/n nodded, her bottom lip coming between her teeth, “thought so. feel so tight, baby,”

y/n pulled colby in by his hair to kiss him roughly, which made him speed up his hips. colby mumbled against her lips, “cum for me,” he looked at his girlfriend, who stared directly back at him.

colby felt y/n release around him. he wouldn’t last much longer himself. his hips stilled, realising himself inside of y/n.

after a few moments, he removed his cock from her. placing a kiss on her forehead and then a soft one on her lips.

“you okay?” he asked.

she nodded, “are you?”

“i’m more than okay. and i’m so proud. so incredibly proud of you,”

“well, if when you come and watch me perform and it ends up like this, you might have to come watch me a few more times,”

[sivyera]

cinnamon girl

frozen 2 elsa x fem!northuldra!reader

༺☆༻

"We are called Northuldra, we're the people of the sun." You heard Yelena say as you watched your people welcome the Queen and princess of Arendelle with opened arms after they found out that their mother was on of us.

You watched the whole interaction from afar, you didn't want to participate. You were still suspicious of them, the fact that their mother was one of us didn't change the fact that people from Arendelle once attacked you.

You rolled your eyes on this whole situation and went back to your teepee without noticing that the Queen of Arendelle saw you.

It was already dark when you were sitting next to your campfire near your teepee in the village. You had your baby reindeer's head placed on your thighs while you were stroking it's head.

You heard the kids laughing with the snowman that arrived with them and you had to admit that he was kinda funny. As you were stroking your baby reindeers head you heard someone clear their throat. You looked up and saw the Queen of Arendelle herself.

"May I?" She asked politely and point at the space that was next to you as if she wanted to sit down next to you.

You slowly nod your head and she sat down. That caught the ears of your baby reindeer who stood up and started sniffing her hand. She offered you a warm smile but your face remain stoic.

"Do you need something?" You asked her calmly as you were stroking your baby reindeers fur. She raised her eyebrow and giggled awkwardly before speaking again.

"I noticed that you were far from others when we came, why is that?"

Now that was your turn to raise an eyebrow. You simply shrugged your shoulders and continued stroking you baby reindeer. "It's simple, I don't trust you." You answered calmly to her question without looking at her.

That caught her a little of guard, because she thought that the Northuldra people are in peace with her, clearly you weren't. It made her confused and once again her curiosity got the best of her.

"Why don't you trust me?" She asked curiously as she tilted her head a bit to one side. You looked up at her with raised eyebrow, was she serious? It was obvious why.

"Your people betrayed us, attacked us, that's why." You said in a harsh tone yet still you remained calm. Elsa took a deep breath, she could have known that you're gonna say that. She still didn't knew the whole true but she understood you.

"Look, I apologize for any mistakes that people of Arendelle ever did, but I don't know the whole truth yet, like why is this voice calling me." Elsa said in a calm voice and gave you once again a warm smile at the end. You looked into her eyes for any signs of a lie but there was none. She was genuine.

You felt a bit sorry for her, you could see that she was desperate to find the truth she needed or the voice that was calling her. You also felt bad that you were judging her before knowing this.

"A voice?" You asked. You were also hearing some voice or sound but you thought it was the forest speaking or the wing singing, so you wasn't paying much attention to it.

"Yes, a voice! It's like singing or calling me, I-I think I'm going crazy." She laughed. Elsa was a bit nervous about telling you about the voice, it may sound really crazy to someone and she didn't wanna be judged or mocked.

"That's strange." You said as you looked up at the night sky. Sometimes you could find the answer in the stars but know it was pure chaos.

Elsa nodded slowly and looked down at her hand that was buried in your baby reindeers fur. "You are a strong and a smart woman, I know you will figure it out." You said calmly as you return your eyes back on her.

Elsa was shocked. This, this was all she needed. Words of appreciation. She loves Anna and she appreciates her help but Elsa needed to figure it out herself, not with Anna behind her all the time, putting herself in danger.

She needed to know that she can do this. She needed some credit and you gave it to her, which warmed her heart. She couldn't help but smile at you with a small blush covering her cheeks.

"Thank you, I needed this." She answered with the same wide smile and blush on her cheeks.

You return the smile and nod your head. She actually wasn't that bad and you now really hoped that she will find out the truth she seeks.

It was getting darker by each minute so you decided to go back to your teepee. As you and her stood up from the ground you said goodbye and good night to each other.

Few minutes after she turned and started walking to her borrowed teepee, you stopped her by stepping in front of her. Before Elsa could ask what you needed you kissed her cheek. Then you smile, wished her good night one more time and went to your teepee.

Elsa froze at the place for few more seconds before her face became red as a tomato. Her fingers touched the place on her cheek where you kissed her as her smile got wider.

She promised herself that after she finds out the truth, she will come back to you and take you on a proper date.

[riordanness]

for a moment — [w.wonka]

wordcount: 0.7K

warnings: reader has panic attack/ptsd

requested: yes! anon

Sometimes, the best things in life are free. Friends, family, laughter, chocolate.

I didn’t have a family anymore, but I had Noodle, and now I had Willy too. So I had both friends and laughter, and a lot of chocolate.

But sometimes the free things in life aren’t the best. Sometimes they’re horrible, like gut wrenching pieces of news, or an insult so severe it cuts you right to your core. Or sometimes, it’s just a panic attack.

My heart was racing, my legs felt like big lumps of air-dry clay, and my throat was tight and scratchy. I felt like I could breathe, and my body was crumpled and shaking, tucked away in a corner of an abandoned doorway.

I hear voices faintly in the distance, but they sound as if they’re filtering through many layers of water.

I feel disassociated from my own body, like I’m not even really here. I’m separated from the outside world, but also myself. It’s disorienting.

I feel somebody dropping to their knees beside me, warm, firm hands grasping my arms tightly. I blink the hot tears out of my eyes, and see Willy’s distressed gaze fixing on mine.

“Y/n?” he asks, his voice in that oddly high-pitched way it always is when he gets worried. I don’t know why I know this fact.

I can’t answer, so I don’t. I still have a completely irrational swirl of fear inside of me, spinning further and faster out of control, threatening to make me break down and cry again.

“Hey, hey.” Willy forces me to look at him again. “I’m here,” he assures. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

I try to focus on his pretty eyes. His curls are dishevelled, a few falling in the way of his eyes in a way I know he hates, but he isn’t trying to fix his hair right now. All of his attention is directly on me.

His light fingertips hold my chin up, forcing my gaze onto his. I hold it, focusing on everything about him. He smells like chocolate, all the best kinds.

“Breathe with me,” he instructs gently. “In, out. In…”

I copy him, taking the deepest breath I can, although it’s shallow and shaky. I follow his lead as he breathes out, long and slow.

“Better?” Willy asks.

I nod my head a little. “A bit.” I inhale again, but my breath catches in my throat and I almost cry again.

“Can you sing?” I ask, tears in my eyes. “Please?”

Willy nods, and his arms circle me as he sits on the floor beside me.

“Come with me… and you’ll be… in a world of pure imagination…”

His voice, soft and quiet, takes me to a special place. I close my eyes and listen, feel his breathing underneath me as his chest rises and falls slowly, feel his arms as they hold me close.

“You’re gonna be okay,” he whispers into my hair. “I’ve got you, and you’re going to be okay.”

I smile a little, burying myself further into him. I feel so safe here, safe in his arms. I take another deep breath, and I thank my lucky stars for Willy Wonka.

“Are you feeling better now?” he asks again.

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “Thank you, Willy. Thank you so much.”

I slowly pull myself up, letting myself untangle from his arms. My hair is a mess, and I have dried tears on my cheeks, but I also have a smile on my face.

He reaches up, brushes my cheek, and smiles. “You’re welcome.”

I stare into his eyes for a moment, half in awe, half in love.

But then, before I can think or say or do anything, Noodle opens the door. “Y/n? Willy? What are you guys going?”

I glance up at her. “Hey, Noodle.”

“Hey.” She plops down on the floor beside me. “Are you alright?”

I nod once. “Willy helped me. It was another panic attack.”

Noodle nods slowly. She knows about my attacks. She’s known for ages; in fact, she was the first person I ever told about them. Noddle reaches over and puts her hand on my knee. “I love you, y/n,” she says gently. I smile, and put my hand over hers.

“And I love you, Noodle.”

Willy smiles, a little awkwardly, at us both. Noodle rolls her eyes. “We love you too, Willy.”

He grins for real this time, and Noodle and I both give him a hug at the same time. He has one arm around each of us, and he presses a quick kiss on my cheek.

Noodle sees, and gives me a look, but I choose to ignore her, and to just enjoy this feeling of being safe, being loved, and being happy. Because for a moment, life doesn’t seem quite so bad.

[kaleldobrev]

Lookin’ at the Stars

Pairing: Beau Arlen x Mom!Reader

Summary: Beau takes you and your daughter out on a special family date to look at the night sky

Original Prompt: Requested by @deansbbyx | I don’t think Beau Arlen gets a lot of love so I was thinkin som fluffy family fic with him and reader

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: A whole lot of fluff

Authors Note: So this is my first time writing for Beau and I hope I was able to do his character justice! | Thanks to my lovely friend @thatonewriter15 for beta reading this for me | I hope this came out just as fluffy as you were hoping my friend! | If you liked this, don’t forget to like & reblog. I really appreciate it! Feedback is always welcome ♡

You woke up groaning to the sound of your alarm. 6am on the dot. For as long as you could remember you’ve never been a morning person; but that quickly changed once you had Amelia — your daughter who, despite being a pain in your side sometimes and thinks she’s attached to your hip, is honestly one of the best things that’s ever happened to you.

Once you had her, you had to become a morning person much to your dismay. In the beginning it was hard as prior to having her you never got up before 9am as you worked afternoon shifts — there was simply no reason to get up at 6 or 7am. But once the two of you developed a routine it became easier; the two of you working as teammates.

But today, for some reason, it felt even harder for you to get up. You felt drained, your eyes were still heavy, all you wanted more than anything was to get back to sleep. Your alarm went off again and you tried your hardest not to throw your phone across the room. With another groan, you shut off your alarm and got out of bed slowly, the hardwood flooring of your apartment felt cold against your feet. As soon as your feet touched the wood there was a knock on the door. Another groan left your lips; Amelia jumped out of bed and started running down the hall.

“Don’t worry mommy I got the door!” She beamed, her little feet smacking against the wood.

“Mel, let mom get the door okay?” You said, rushing out your bedroom door.

“But what if it’s —”

“It’s not him Sweetheart. He doesn’t come over this early you know that.” You said, and her face dropped. “Don’t be sad Sweetie. I know you want to see him, I want to too. But we’re probably not going to see him until later when he’s done with work.”

“At the Sheriffs office!” Amelia said, happy with herself that she remembered.

“Yes, at the Sheriffs office.” You smiled, slightly praising her.

Another knock came at the door and there was a part of you that was getting a little mad at the persistentness. It was 6 in the morning — who could possibly be coming at this hour? “Special delivery!” You knew that voice from anywhere, and it a matter of seconds that annoyance you had melted away.

Amelia looked at you, hands on her hips. “Told you it was your boyfriend!” She said, sticking her tongue out at you. You stuck your tongue out at her back, and she couldn’t help but giggle. Once opening the door you didn’t even have a chance to greet your boyfriend before Amelia was running past you to get to him. “Beau!” She called, and without warning jumped into his arms.

Not fully prepared for her to do that, the bag of what you assumed to be food almost fell out of his hands as he wrapped his arms around her, making sure she didn’t fall out of his arms. “Hey Kiddo,” he said, his voice in a similar joyful tone as hers was in. “How we doin’ this mornin’?” He asked, his accent a little bit more prominent than usual.

Amelia looked at him, her arms around his neck. “Good now that you’re here!” She beamed — you couldn’t help but agree with her answer.

Beau looked at you and smiled, and you couldn’t help but look at the two of them; happy that he had taken an instant liking to Amelia (and vice versa). “How about you darlin’?”

“You know I’m always happy to see you.” You grinned.

“You better be. Because I come bearing gifts.” He stated holding up a white paper bag.

“If that gift is food you are more than welcome to come inside.” You teased. “Let me take that since you’re too busy with your favorite.” You said, gently tickling your daughter in her side as she wriggled.

“Mom! Stop!” She laughed.

“Okay, okay.” You said kissing her on the cheek. “And one for you,” you said as you gave him a quick peck.

“Gross!” Amelia said.

“So, what brings you here so early? You never come this early.” You said, taking a sip of your orange juice.

“I uh, I took the day off actually.” He said, and you couldn’t help but look at him with disbelief.

“You? You took the day off?” You asked. “You never do that.”

“Yeah well, first time for everything.” He said. “Jenny insisted.”

“Ah.” Was all you said before taking a giant bite out of your breakfast wrap.

“I like her. She’s always so nice to me. And her hair is really pretty.” Amelia chimed in, mouth full of waffles. “Mommy when are you going to hang out with her again?”

“Probably this weekend Sweetheart. But we have to see, you know how busy she can be.” You stated; Amelia’s face dropped. “But I’m sure as soon as I mention you she’ll try and rush over.” You winked, causing her to smile. “You know how much she adores you.”

“Oh she sure does.” Beau let out a small chuckle. “I was thinking, you two don’t have any plans today right? Well, besides school for this one.”

“Not that I can think of. Why? What did you have in mind?” You asked curious.

“I was thinking, if you two are up for it, we could find a nice empty field somewhere, take some chairs, make some food, make a fire, watch the night sky.” He said, his voice sounding a tad nervous. It almost sounded more nervous than it did when he initially asked you out on your first date a few months ago.

“So camping without the camping?” You clarified.

“Essentially yes.” He said. “Think of it as a…family date night.”

“Family date night?” You smiled, loving the sound of that.

“That sounds like fun!” Amelia almost yelled. The only reason it didn’t come out as a yell was because her mouth was still full of waffles.

“What she said.” You said pointing to Amelia.

“Okay mommy how do I look?” Your daughter asked as she did a small spin to showcase her outfit. Like usual, she decided that she wanted to wear something sparkly for the occasion as she believed wearing something with sparkles was the epitome of fashion — reasons why she somehow convinced you to wear something sparkly on your first date with Beau, thankfully he found it cute.

“As cute as always Sweetie.” You said. “How about me?” You too did a similar type of spin as her as you showcased your outfit. It wasn’t sparkling (much to your daughters dismay), but you thought it matched her outfit well.

“You look beautiful mommy!” She said, side hugging you.

“Thanks Bean.” You said kissing her on the top of the head. “Now, I need you to make me a promise tonight okay?” You began as you kneeled in front of her, taking her hands in yours.

“No promises but I can try.” She grinned — she was becoming more and more like you each day.

You let out a small laugh. “I appreciate the honesty.” You smiled. “But, it’s gonna be a little chilly tonight so I need you to keep the jacket on okay?”

“But won’t the fire keep us warm?” She asked.

“Yes, but, we still need to keep our jackets on. You know why? Because it’ll keep us even extra warm.” You smiled.

“Okay.” Amelia said, a little disappointed.

“Can we shake on it?” You asked, now holding out your hand for her to shake.

“It’s a promise.” The two of you said in unison as you shook hands.

The drive to the field went like a blur but it was filled with song after song of you and Amelia singing to the radio as Beau chimed in during random verses. And like Amelia fashion, she found it the funniest thing whenever Beau would chime in, as he wouldn’t be as serious about getting the lyrics right like you and her tried to do.

As soon as Beau parked, Amelia went straight to the door handle trying to open the door. “Open the door! Open the door!” Her patience running thin.

“Alright alright. Don’t worry it’s not a race.” Beau said, his voice calm.

“Sorry sorry. I’m just excited.” Amelia said as she removed her hand from the door handle.

As you were about to speak to reassure her that she didn’t need to apologize Beau did it for you. “No need to apologize Bean. I’m glad you’re excited.” He leaned in. “Wanna know a secret?”

“Yes.” She leaned in too, whispering.

“I’m excited too.” He smiled, whispering back. “Alright, I’ll open the door in five. Want to give me a countdown?”

Amelia kicked her feet with excitement. “Yes! One…two…three…four…five!” As soon as your daughter said five, Beau unlocked the doors and Amelia — without hesitation, opened the door and jumped out of the car.

As you watched her get out of the car and run into the empty field you pulled into, you couldn’t help but watch her as she ran around in circles occupying herself. Turning to Beau you smiled. “Thanks for this.” You said, placing your hand on his cheek.

“No need to thank me. I wanted to do this.” He reassured you, placing his hand on your thigh.

“I know but…I really do mean it. I really appreciate you doing this for Amelia…for me.”

“I’d do anything for both of you. You know that.” He gave your thigh a squeeze.

“I love you.” You said, slightly whispering.

“Love you too.” He said, leaning in and kissing you. “Come on, let’s go get her before she burns the field down.”

You grinned. “You know she would if she could.”

“Well, I don’t plan on making any arrests tonight. Well…not until later tonight.” He winked. “And with…permission of course ma’am.”

“Permission granted.” You winked back, the two of you kissing again.

“Okay so I brought your second favorite thing besides waffles.” Beau began as he started reaching into a bag next to him. As he grabbed the bag he pointed at Amelia. “No peaking.”

“No peaking!” She repeated back shutting her eyes and placing her hands over them.

“Are you peaking?” He asked her and then looked over at you.

“She keeps her word.” You said rubbing your hands together over the fire.

“Alright. I trust you.” He said. “Quick, how many fingers am I holding up?” He asked, not even putting any of his fingers up.

“Beau!” Amelia couldn’t help but let out the biggest giggle. It was the type of giggle you hadn’t heard her have in such a long time — and that was something that genuinely made you smile.

“Alright alright.” He said. “Open your eyes.” As her eyes opened he held the bag of marshmallows in his hand and her eyes light up like Christmas tree lights.

“Thank you thank you thank you!” She exclaimed getting up from her chair and running toward Beau with her hands out. Before she asked her next question she looked over at you, slight puppy dog eyes. “Mommy can I have one now?”

You couldn’t help but smile. “Ask Beau Sweetheart.”

She turned to him, her hands still out. “May I have a marshmallow please?”

“Well, you did say please.” He said opening the bag. “Just one, because we’re going to make s’mores in a few.” He placed a marshmallow in her hand, her face continued to beam with joy.

“Thank you!” She said placing the entire marshmallow in her mouth.

“You want one?” He asked, a marshmallow between his pointer finger and thumb looking at you.

“Sure. What will it cost me?” You asked, getting up from your own chair and walking toward him.

“Hmmm,” he was deep in thought. “Kiss me?”

“I can do that.” You leaned down, your hands on either side of his face as you kissed him.

“Ewwww.” You heard Amelia say from a few feet away. “Adults are gross.” She said, scrunching her face in disgust.

The two of you pulled away and you took the marshmallow from his hands. “Sorry Mel, we’ll be more careful.” Beau said, giving you a look of amusement.

As the night went on, things started to wind down and it was finally getting to one of your favorite parts of the night: looking up at the night sky. Although it was something the three of you were doing a majority of the night between the laughing, story telling, and food eating, this was the first time the three of you weren’t doing anything but looking up at the sky.

“You know, I’ve lived here all my life and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at the sky.” You said, Beau’s arm around you now as Amelia made herself comfortable lying on a combination of not only your lap but Beau’s.

“It really is beautiful,” he agreed. “You know, as much as I love Texas, I’ll give Montana this, it does have some beautiful views.” He said looking at you as he said it.

You felt yourself blush at his compliment. “The views have definitely gotten better since you came to town.”

“Are you two going to kiss now?” Amelia said, looking up at the both of you.

“We could but, you do think it’s gross.” Beau commented.

“I’ll allow it.” Amelia said.

Beau and you exchanged looks. “You sure Bean?” You asked.

“I’m sure mommy. I’ll even close my eyes.” She said covering her eyes with her hands. “Whenever you’re ready.”

You and Beau let out small laughs. “With the permission of Amelia, can I kiss you darlin’?” He asked slightly leaning in.

“Yes you may.” You said, leaning in as well.

“Are you two kissing?” Amelia asked her eyes still closed. “Cause it doesn’t sound like it.”

Beau and you looked at Amelia, both of you holding back a laugh. “Come ‘ere.” You said, fully leaning in now and kissing him.

Tag List: @jackles010378 @syrma-sensei @k-slla @deansbbyx @justletmereadfanfic If you'd like to be added to a tag list, let me know!

[vialovesyou]

𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗬

driving to drew's apartment this late was never ideal, especially since y/n was tired after a long shift having have had to stay longer to help a student land her jumps, which was incredibly hard since the student had two left feet. y/n’s head could have used some advil, and she would have been perfectly happy to stay home and sleep for twelve hours.

but when rudy called her, groaning and saying your boyfriend is wasted and won't shut up about you and you need to come pull him him to bed, she went. it was as simple as that, partially because drew was stubborn when sober and only got worse as the night went on (code for he won't listen to anyone but her )and partly because y/n got a sweet kick out of his clinginess and extra loving.

when y/n finally knocked on the apartment door, the sound of austin sighing finally as he swung open the door doesn't surprise nor offend her. madelyn and madison scurried over, welcoming her with hugs and jokes about how sorry they were that they had to call her while chase and rudy tend to the drunken blonde.

" it's alright " y/n reassured. " i don't mind "

the tv was on playing a re-run off star wars, as beer cans and empty solo cups littered the table. pink floyds's dark side of the moon played from a speaker nearby as monica approached. drew was reclined back on the ground, an arm thrown over his eyes while his other tapped along to the song. monica crouched down next to him and could hear him humming the tune.

jd stood behind y/n, feeling a little helpless " he's been talking about you nonstop since he got, like, three shots deep "

" and as much as we love you guys together " madelyn added, leaning into chase's side. " he doesn't listen very well once he gets started "

y/n shot them a smile over her shoulder before speaking. " it's okay, i get it. you guys can go if you want, this might take a while " y/n hummed, causing everyone to bid there farewells before they left since they were exhausted. madelyn, madison, chase and jd all left to their respected apartments while austin and rudy went into their rooms as monica turned her attention back to the troublesome boy. " drew? time for bed "

" i told you to fuck off, madelyn. i just want to see my girl " he grumbles without moving an inch causing y/n’s heart to flutter at the nickname. " your girl? " she questioned, a teasing smile on her face.

" yeah, you know the beautiful one?"

" might ring a bell " she muttured, shifting so her legs were crossed in a basket beside him. " yeah, well, she's the most.... the most beautiful person in the history of... of forever. so get outta here and go flirt with chase or somethin' " he lazily waved her odd, mumbling something she didn't quite hear.

a smile fought it's way onto y/n’s face as she gently placed her hand on the smooth pane of his shoulder. " oh, but i wanted to flirt with you instead. how's that sound, hm? "

drew quickly pushed her touch away, seemingly still not recognising his own girlfriend. " it sounds like my girl is gonna come for you any second now, so watch it blondie. she might be small but fuck me she can be scary " drew slurred his words as he spoke, pulling a laugh from y/n’s lips. she gently took his wrist in her hand to remove his arm from his eyes and pressed a kiss where her fingertips touched him. his eyes stayed closed, as he jutted his chin in the opposite direction in protest.

" drew, baby, i'm not killing anyone any time soon " she spoke, leaning over his chest while running a hand through his hair. he opened one eye, suspicious of her claims but quickly realised it was her , and turned to look at y/n like he'll never get the chance to do it again, his expression swallowed by a smile. " when did you get here, darlin' " he asked, smooching kisses against the girls face causing her to scrunch her nose up.

" oh, just now " she answered, laughter lacing her words. " rudy called me over " she pressed a kiss to his forehead before sitting back up, her hand quickly engulfed by his.

" you should've come sooner " his other hand made it's way to her thigh, smoothing over her skin. " i was waiting for you by myself, and - " he abruptly sat up- " there's something i have to tell you " he whispered, casting a glance to his bedroom door. " it's top secret "

with him this close, y/n could smell the vodka on his breath. " yeah? what is it? " she asked, looping her arms around his neck as he pulled her onto his lap causing her to straddle him. her fingernails scratched at the nape of his neck, to which he instinctively responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and rubbing the palms of his hand along her back.

" this is top secret, classified information, sweetheart. you can't just get it for free. everything comes with a price !" he grinned slyly, tugging her closer. knowing drew, she already knew where this was headed but played along anyway " name it, then. i'm sure we can strike a deal somehow " y/n fed into him.

he mulled over his words before speaking " hear me out "

" i'm listening " y/n reassured, shifting her hips so she could sit more comfortably. " you " he pointed at her chest. " give me three -no, five kisses for the info up front" when y/n raised her eyebrows in suspicion, he continued. " and every follow up question is worth another kiss "

[pod-together]

Pod-Together Day 7 Reveals 2024

Love, not sedition (琅琊榜 | Nirvana in Fire (TV)) written by aninfiniteweirdo, performed by paintchipblue Summary: 'What is this, if not sedition?' The recording only shows stating as Xiao Jingyan doesn't answer out loud.

settling in (Welcome to Night Vale, The Magnus Archives (Podcast)) written by Koschei_B, performed by DuskDragon39 Summary: On his trip through America, Gerry passes an town of interest. In the end, it might not be exactly all he's expected to be, but he can't say he regrets staying in the long run. At the very least, he get to live, and all the dangerous stuff around isn't his concern to deal with. And, just maybe, he likes how friendly the people are, even if it's a little creepy. Sue him. Or better yet, Mary Keay.

Voice and Heart (The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells) written by lc2l, performed by EternalLibrary Summary: Good morning this is S9BT5, the heart and voice of your Company Substation. Please be aware that we have visitors onboard the station today from a Preservation Survey Team. Staff are expected to be courteous and welcoming, and to remember that all conversations are monitored for training and enforcement purposes.

Time May Change Me (But I can't trace time) (Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy) written by Little_dumpling, performed by Kittona Summary: Anakin’s mother is leaving for Europe and Anakin does not want to come along, thank you very much. But his only other option is to go live on his Uncle Qui-Gon’s horse ranch. Anakin will go, but he did not sign up to do chores!

the cul-de-sac on the spiritual path (The Locked Tomb Series | Gideon the Ninth Series - Tamsyn Muir) written by olive2read, performed by carboncopies Summary: stuck in a random catacomb niche, deep in the Ninth House, Wake gets to know Gideon Nav (whether she wants to or not) -or- 5 times Gideon went to visit her mum’s niche -or- why Wake didn’t take the shot

elutriate calor vulpes (All For The Game - Nora Sakavic) written by Opalsong, performed by Flowerparrish Summary: Andrew hated heats. He hated being vulnerable and out of control. Neil…helped. [4 Heats Andrew Struggled Through + 1 He Enjoyed]

Gifts of Gold (gold) (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) written by BardicRaven, performed by BardicRavenReads, audio production by OneGoldenRaptor

Two and a Half Men (Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies), The Mortal Instruments Series - Cassandra Clare, Shadowhunters (TV)) written by Sivan325, performed by Ceewelsh Summary: "Do you mind telling me why I have kid-Bucky in my apartment?" Steve asked. Tony looked at him, noticing how the man looked exhausted. "Bucky? A kid? Are you out of your mind?" "How many kids do you know who have a metal arm and long hair?" "Touché."

Blood of the Covenant (is thicker than the water of the womb) (One Piece (Anime & Manga)) written by stereden, performed by Aibhilin Summary: The little postgull drops the newspaper right in front of her and then hightails it away from Mount Corbo, and that should have been her first clue, because the bird usually likes to hang about and beg for scraps. But not this time. No. Because this time, the newspaper has her oldest brat’s picture plastered all over the front page, but it’s not the cocky grin of his wanted poster. No. It’s her kid, bruised and battered and in chains. Firefist Ace, Whitebeard Commander, to be executed! the headline proclaims for the world to see, and Dadan freezes. birds of a feather (Dungeons and Daddies (Podcast)) written by travvymybeloved, performed by godoflaundrybaskets Summary: “Oh, fuck,” Glenn said and through the windshield, Henry could see him throw his joint down onto the dashboard. He threw himself half out the window, leaning out at the waist and throwing open his arms. “Come on, Henry! Go, go, go!” Henry let out a wordless honking noise and started flapping his wings, skipping against the ground and taking off in the air for a few seconds. He hit the ground, took a few shaky steps, then took off again with more confidence. Darryl whooped, starting to rev the car, and Glenn caught Henry out of the air and yanked him into the car. Darryl slammed the stick into drive, the car lurched and shot off across the field, and Ron continued cry-laughing in the backseat as they beat a quick retreat. “You almost got your butt kicked by a bird,” Ron wheezed out, wiping at his eyes, and Henry harrumphed. “Oh my God, that was great.” --- If Henry was asked to guess anything, anything, about Faerûn, "geese act as malicious guides to your soulmate" wouldn't have even made the top 100 guesses. The Hall Pass (หัวใจไม่มีปลอม | Beauty Newbie (Thailand TV 2024)) written by Wereflamingo, performed by Annapods Summary: Liu’s comfortable relationship with her boyfriend Guy gets shaken up when Guy gets cast in a Boys Love series opposite charismatic established actor Saint. Well, Liu thinks he's charismatic. Guy thinks he's extremely annoying and can't be trusted. There's no way that hall pass will ever be needed. Or: a rookie BL actor and his girlfriend acquire a third through the power of BL and complaining about your shared real/imaginary boyfriend. A story about social and parasocial relationships, monogamy and polyamory, sexuality and lack thereof, beauty, choice, and enemies-to-lovers BL, told through voice messages and phone calls on Liu's Phone.

[mybestfriendmademe]

Title: Welcome to the Family

Summary: They've been seeing Rhys and Feyre in secret after they met them at Rita's one night. The inner circle thought it had been a one night stand. They were wrong.

Word Count: approx 1200

Warnings: None except rusty writing and no beta'ing.

A/N. This is my first Massiverse fic and my first fic in a long time, so please be gentle. I'm a slut for the men she writes. I hope I can do them justice. And I've found the wonder that is poly!feysand thanks to Tumblr (specifically @whisperingmidnights-go checkout their fic Chasing Starlight, it's unbelievable.). I thought I'd take a crack at it. I'm dipping my toes in. Hopefully the water feels fine. Likes and comments give life. Let me know if you want a part 2.

.......

They walked up to the River House taking deep breaths. Rhys thought they'd have an easier time being introduced as their partner if they were there before everyone. And they'd agreed. Unfortunately, they had quite the busy evening at work and couldn't make it until family dinner was supposed to start. They knocked on the door and it was opened by the male you knew to be Cassian. The High Lord and Lady's General of the Armies was easy to spot around town due to his loud and friendly nature.

He wore a big smile, opened his arms wide and yelled, "welcome!" They were surprised and flinched a little, however, they smiled. "Thank you, Cassian," they replied softly. They were a quiet person by nature, the yin to Cassian's yang.

Feyre's voice came from down the hall, "Cassian, please don't scare them away before they even get into the house." She reached the door, pushed Cassian-who was still grinning at them-away and hugged them. She held onto them for longer than was proper, whispering a welcome to them. She didn't care that the hug was going long. This was their coming out dinner and she'd hold onto them as long as she wanted. Cassian raised his right eyebrow and slid off to find Mor.

Once Cassian was gone, Feyre pulled away slightly and put her hands on their arms, "are you ready for this," she asked, smiling, "we know it's a big step and we know this family is crazy. You can leave now and no one would blame you."

They giggled, "I'm ready. I'm so ready. Speaking of family. Where are the boys. I miss both of them."

Feyre rolled her eyes, "Rhys was dissatisfied with the outfit I chose for Nyx for the coming out dinner so he's upstairs choosing a better one."

"He's right here," they both heard from the stairwell behind them. They both turned around to find Rhys and Nyx in matching black slacks and black button down shirts with small silver stars shining in the fae lights.

Feyre laughed. "Rhys you are so extra. When did you find that shirt for him?"

Rhys picked an invisible piece of lint off of Nyx's shirt and replied, "I had it made for a special occasion and decided tonight was it." He looked away from Feyre and said to them, "welcome to the River House precious, and to the family, officially."

They smiled at Rhys greeting them, but reached out for Nyx. "There's my boy. I missed you. Yes, I did. How are those toofers sweetie, are you feeling better?" Rhys and Feyre introduced them to Nyx before the rest of the family to make sure they and Nyx could get along. Much to the delight of Nyx and the consternation of his birth parents their bond was quick and strong. He often preferred their company on outings and was more often than not being held by them on hikes instead of one of his birth parents. Nyx had definitely adopted them as parent number three. After the initial sting of being passed over for someone else Feyre and Rhys loved seeing them holding, playing with, and talking to the baby. It was another thing that proved they belonged here with them.

"He's finally back to sleeping through the night since they popped through a couple of days ago," Feyre answered for Nyx since conversation understandable by adults was as of yet out of his grasp.

Rhys kissed them on their cheek and put his hand on the small of their back with just a bit of pressure saying, "Let's head into the sitting room before people start bringing the party out here."

They followed Feyre through the grand hall and to the large sitting room on the left. There was a fire going in the large fire place and they could see Cassian and Mor standing next to it talking quietly. Sitting on one of the sofas they could see Elain speaking with her mate, Lucien. On the sofa across from them she could see Nesta speaking with a pretty red head that they'd seen before but didn't know. Another woman was on the sofa with them. A gorgeous light brown skinned, dark haired Illyrian woman you've also never met. Azriel was standing off in a corner watching everyone, his shadows flowing around him calmly. As they entered, everyone's eyes turned to them and Rhys cleared his throat.

"Everyone, you know of our friend here. You may have seen us dancing with them at Rita's about a year ago. Or you may be a patron of their shop in the Rainbow. Either way, Feyre and I wanted to introduce you, officially, to our partner."

Cassian smirked and held his hand out to Mor who swatted it away annoyed she'd lost the bet. Elain and Nesta's jaws dropped. Lucien and the two unknown women smiled. Azriel looked disappointed. They hoped it was just in himself since the trio had successfully hidden their relationship from Az and the shadows for a year. After the initial reaction Mor, Cassian, and Lucien all started making their way toward them.

Mor smiled at them and hugged them. "Welcome to the family."

Cassian hugged them so hard they came off the ground a bit. Rhys growled when the hug lasted too long for his liking. Cassian set them down and they giggled, happy for such a warm welcome. "Thanks for making me some money, and welcome to the family."

Lucien held his hand out, "I'm Lucien Vanserra. Please come to me any time you need to vent about any of the bat boys or Archeron girls." You heard a chorus of "hey's," from around the room and thanked Lucien as you giggled.

You greeted the room, "I do know most of you either through my shop, or through the many stories I've heard from these two over the last year. I honestly feel like I know most of you much more than you know me and I'm just starting to realize how weird that is." Everyone laughed and you turned to Nesta who was just standing.

"Welcome to the family, and may I introduce my closest friends Gwyneth and Emerie." The red head and the brunette stood as well and shook your hand. Azriel finally left the corner taking Gwyneth's hand.

"I'm Azriel, Gwyn's mate and husband." You were amazed at how quiet and humble he seemed, completely leaving out the part about him being the spymaster of the Night Court. To them it seemed the only part that mattered was his connection to Gwyn.

Mor hugged Emerie from behind and said in a threatening tone, "this is mine." Emerie swatted her hand and smiled while rolling her eyes.

"Noted," they said, "I feel as if I have my hands full already, though, and won't be tempted elsewhere."

Rhys started walking out of the sitting room, "let's head to the dining room everyone. I'm sure we're all ready to eat."

Feyre put her arm through theirs as they followed the group out. They felt welcomed thoroughly and quite pleased about how that went. They took Nyx back and snuggled into his neck to make him giggle. It was their favorite sound. Well, it was their favorite sound outside of the bedroom. As they sat at the large dining table next to both of her partners and Rhys snapped his finger to bring out the food and wine, they smiled to themselves content to be a part of this family officially.

[sapphire-writes]

•Hey Saf! first of all thanks for your beautiful work. i had this idea in mind of reader being a Martell so she goes to kings landing to visit, she falls for aemond but Otto doesn’t trust her bc he believes she can poison him or something , so things go down

thank you if you take it! again thank you for your work it helps a lot

Snake in the Garden ~ Aemond x Martell!reader

word count: 1.4k warnings: none, little angsty note: loved writing this! thanks for sending and thank you so much for your kind words I'm glad you're enjoying my work 💚 masterlist HOTD taglist

“Be careful,” Otto warns his grandson, as the wheelhouse pulls into the front courtyard. 

Qoren Martell’s firstborn was arriving from Dorne, on a visit to the capital. Aemond nods, slightly bouncing on his heels as though preparing for battle, not the arrival of a lady.

“They are slippery snakes, Dornish women,” Otto murmurs, lowering his voice as the door to the wheelhouse opens. 

You appear, a cloud of red and purple silks, dark hair pulled away from your face. Eyes wide you look up at the towers of the Red Keep, before suppressing a shiver. 

“Cold here,” you say, more to yourself than anyone else. 

Aemond watches you carefully as you step down, your delicate hand draped on a knight’s arm. Aemond’s eye follows you as she moves towards the royal family, as though she is a pit viper about to strike. 

“We welcome you, Princess,” Alicent says, greeting you, “you must forgive the King’s absence, he is not faring well.”

“Of course, your grace,” you answer, “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Your dark eyes move across the members of the royal family, and Aemond can feel his grandfather stiffen beside him as your eyes glance over at him. Then your eyes rest on Aemond.

You move to stand in front of him, staring up at his face. Aemond blinks in surprise, looking down at you. You are so close he can count the individual eyelashes that frame your sparkling eyes. 

“Why do you cover it?” you ask, causing Aemond’s brow to furrow. 

Bold. 

“To spare the women of the court, princess,” Aemond answers. 

You narrow your eyes.

“You have soft women in the north.”

“This is not the north.”

You laugh, the sound much like the peel of bells. Aemond’s mouth twitches into a smile, before his grandfather glares at him, causing him to retreat to his usual stoic expression. 

“Everywhere is north of Dorne,” you answer, swishing past Aemond, skirts brushing his hand. 

Aemond moves to follow you inside, set on not letting you leave his sights. Otto reaches out, clasping a hand on his arm. 

“What did I say?” he asks, voice low.

“I only mean to keep an eye on the serpent,” Aemond tells him, pulling free from his grandfather’s grasp. 

Aemond follows the Dornish beauty, not allowing you to leave his sight. Especially during the feast that night as you converse with Aegon, who has draped himself across your lap, cup in hand. 

Aemond, though not overly fond of his brother, is his protector nonetheless. 

He watches as Aegon says something to you, earning more musical laughter that floods through the halls. Aemond feels something inside him curl up with rage at the sight of how at ease Aegon is around you. 

It should be him.

Aemond wishes to shake the thought away but he cannot. It remains like the pain that sometimes lodges itself behind the empty socket of his eye, as though his body has suddenly remembered a part of him is missing. 

Aegon is the heir. It is he who should be fearful of you. Dornish enchantress. 

Aemond should be enjoying himself in your company, have your hands stroking his hair as you do to Aegon now. It is too much to watch. 

Aemond turns and leaves the hall, taking some air on a nearby veranda. The sky is black as death, lit up with thousands of diamond-like stars. 

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a voice says behind him.

He knows it is you before you step beside him.

“You must have stars in Dorne.”

“Indeed,” you answer, chuckling, “but the northern air gives them such a glow.”

Aemond hums in response, feeling his heart beating hard in his chest, like a hammer against the cloth. 

“Drink?” you ask, holding the second goblet you hold.

Aemond looks at it a moment too long. You smile wolfishly, teeth glowing in the moonlight. You look the part of an enchantress. Temptress. Beckoning him towards an early grave.

“Scared?” you tease. 

“Should I be?” 

“If you are wise.”

An honest answer, you give him.

Aemond does not move. You bring the cup you offer to your lips taking a long sip, before holding it out to him once more. Your lips shimmer with the remnants of the Dornish red. 

“How do I know you haven’t been preparing for weeks, taking small amounts of poison to train yourself to withstand its effects?” Aemond asks, still not reaching for the cup.

You twist your mouth, as though deep in thought. 

“True,” you murmur, “but that seems like an awful lot of work, just to murder a second son.”

Aemond feels a rush of anger, it burns through his body. He meets your eye and watches the smirk that forms. 

“You jest,” he says, earning a nod. 

“I do,” you admit, “though, if I meant to kill you tonight, you would already be dead.”

Aemond is not easily frightened. Fear has not been an emotion he was familiar with, not since the taking of his eye. But something about the way you say that hangs in the air; it wraps around his throat like a tightening noose. 

He takes the cup from your hand, fingers brushing against yours. 

He lets a sip of the Dornish red slip past his lips, down his throat. You grin watching him swallow. 

“Still alive?” you tease, earning a hum. 

“You cannot fault me for valuing my life.”

“I suppose.”

You both stand in silence, staring up at the stars and taking sips from your cups. Your skin is warm from the wine, the taste reminding you of home, causing your chest to tighten. How you hate being so far from home. 

“Shall it take effect soon?” Aemond asks, draining his cup.

You laugh again, and Aemond allows himself to smile.

“You surprise me, my prince,” you tell him, “I did not expect you to be a man of humor.”

“What did you expect?” Aemond asks, curious about your answer. 

You turn to face him, becoming suddenly very serious. 

“A haunted man,” you tell him, “the ghost of a boy stretched tall.”

Aemond finds it hard to look away from you, instead settling his gaze on your mouth, still dewed with wine as though it is venom. No, the wine is not venom, but the words you speak are. They are clearly meant to incapacitate him. 

“A princess, and a poet?” Aemond murmurs. 

“I do not wish to offend you,” you continue, as he turns from you. 

“You do not,” Aemond assures, looking down at his cup, “I am not used to the directness, that's all. Most people avoid the topic.”

You wait to speak, sensing he is not finished. 

“Most people avoid me in general, I suppose.”

You bring a hand to his arm, and his chest warms at your touch. 

“Tis their loss then,” you tell him. 

Aemond purses his lips, unsure of what has made him confide in you.

“I understand what it is like, to be assumed to be something you are not,” you tell him.

Aemond feels shame run through him. He assumed you were dangerous, all because of his grandfather. He looks at you once more, your face glowing in the moonlight. 

“You must forgive me, my lady,” Aemond tells you, “we are overly cautious in the capital these days.”

You smile gently at him. 

“There is no need for apologies,” you assure him. 

“Still, you shall have mine,” Aemond says, taking your hand in his and placing a kiss atop your knuckles causing your breath to hitch in your throat. 

“Shall I escort you back into the great hall?” Aemond asks.

“I shall be just a moment,” you tell him. 

Aemond eyes you curiously. 

“You’re certain?” he questions and you nod.

“I shall meet you there.”

Aemond gives you a slight nod, before taking his leave. You stand on the veranda, leaning over the edge and peering down. You glance behind you, before pulling a small vial from between your breasts. Undetectable, small, and full of a ruby-red liquid. 

It would have been quick.

You run your fingers over it before breaking the wax seal. You turn the vial, letting the contents of the glass run down the stones over the edge like blood before smashing the vial underneath your foot. You brush the pieces away and straighten your skirts, before heading back to find Aemond.

HOTD taglist: @zillahvathek, @tempt-ress, @hangmanscoming, @bluevxnus, @thattargboy

if you want to be added to my HOTD taglist, link to google form is at the top! if you ever want to be removed, just send an ask 💚

[lovelynim]

Hello nim!! I'm truly happy for your 500 followers milestone! Since I'm also currently obsessed with honkai star rail, please consider writing a fic with "discovery theme" with lee jingyuan and ler danheng! Since danheng's memory has been "reset", It'll be fun if he "discover" what tickles is (probably from march/trailblaizer... or yanqing doing it to jingyuan), and since he's curious, he tries it on jingyuan.

I hope this idea is good!! Have a good day!

The Dragon's Lesson

Honkai: Star Rail - Dan Heng x Jing Yuan

[500 Followers Milestone Event - "Discovery"]

A/N: Hii anon, thank you so much for your support, heheh. I tweaked a little bit the prompt, so I hope you don't really mind it. I had a reaaally hard time trying to figure how to write this pairing out, but It turned out quite nicely... I think. Anyway, I hope you like it, hehe ~

Summary: After spending some time with the general, Dan Heng finds out something pretty interesting after engaging in one of his games

Word count: 1702 words

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” March 7th pouted, crossing her arms while Caelus and Welt stood behind her, waiting for Dan Heng’s answer. After the latest events in the Xianzhou Luofu, the crew was finally able to catch some rest before departing to the next destination. And, thanks to the insistence of the general and the master diviner, Welt suggested they should, indeed, spend some more time around. But…

“Yes,” Dan Heng said with a slight smile, looking down before he resumed speaking. “There are a few things I need to take care of and… I’m not sure how welcomed it would be if I walked around the Xianzhou looking like… this,” he muttered, knowing very well how much he resembled a certain person.

The girl was ready to nag him some more, but feeling Welt’s touch in her shoulder, March decided to let it be. “Alright, just call us if anything happens, ok?” The man said, looking at the other two, “let’s get going, then, the ms. Fu Xuan wouldn’t like it if we showed up late.”

Slowly waving his hand, Dan Heng said goodbye to the members of the Astral Express as they walked out the room. It was a large, fancy place, requested by no other than the general himself to accommodate their honorable guests.

The general…

Dan Heng let out a sigh when Jing Yuan’s figure occupied his mind. He wasn’t sure how to feel about him yet, nor what kind of relationship his past self used to have with the general, but it wouldn’t be right to say that there was no feeling at all. It was just… uncertain.

Letting himself get lost in a turmoil of thoughts, one after the other, Dan Heng was caught off guard when someone suddenly knocked on the door. Shooting his eyes open, the vidyadhara turned his attention to the door, as whoever was on the other side knocked again. “Just a second,” he voiced, walking over. “Who’s there?”

He could feel the hesitation on the other side, letting the silence take place for a few seconds before the other person would finally speak. “Did I come at a bad time?” A male voice chuckled, making its identity clear.

Opening the door, Dan Heng was met with the general friendly gaze. A warm, but contained smile formed on his lips. “Not at all, general, but… do you need something? May I be of help?”

“Ahaha, there is no need for such formalities between us,” Jing Yuan said, shaking his head, ���I was just hoping I could invite you for a walk. The gardens have been somewhat… lonely lately and I’d love to hear more about you.”

If Dan Heng’s tail was visible at that moment, Jing Yuan would be able to see it wagging in excitement.

“Ah… sure, it would be a pleasure.”

Taking a step back, Jing Yuan gave the other some room to step out, closing the door behind him before starting to walk side by side with the general. Dan Heng was still confused, not able to figure out exactly how he felt towards Jing Yuan and, even more, if those were his or Dan Feng’s feelings.

As they arrived in the gardens, Dan Heng couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity towards that place, but, at the same time, curiosity to walk deeper into it.

“You- I mean, Dan Feng used to come here often,” Jing Yuan said from behind, hoping to not disturb the other’s experience, “well, at least when Yingxing wasn’t around, hahah.”

Gently lifting a flower from the ground to feel its scent, Dan Heng let out a small chuckle hearing the other’s mistake. An habit that at first annoyed him, but, after spending more time with the general, he began to find it more amusing. “I see… and I suppose this was where you met him the most? What else did you two used to do when he came over?”

The general sighed in contempt, shaking his head as he chuckled softly. “It all used to happen when I was younger, hahah. You’ll have to apologize to me, but this old man’s head isn’t as good as it used to be back then.”

Dan Heng arched his eyebrow, turning his attention back to Jing Yuan, who was fondly smiling at him. “If you don’t wish to share it, general, there is no need to lie to me,” he pouted lightly, to the level where it was almost unnoticeable.

“I’m not lying,” Jing Yuan insisted, raising his hands in front of his chest. Dan Heng sighed, he didn’t seem to want to push the matter further, having a bad feeling about it, but he couldn’t help but feel a little upset. “I swear I can’t remember, don’t be mad ~” Jing Yuan mused as he walked over, watching the Vidyadhara Elder slightly turn his face away.

“You are acting just like Yanqing when I turn his spar requests down,” the general teased, noticing how Dan Heng insisted on treating him with silence. “If you keep this up, I’ll have to treat you like I treat him, then.”

Dan Heng needed to keep looking away, otherwise Jing Yuan would be able to see his lips curling into a smile as well. This playful approach of the general enticed his curiosity even further, making him wonder what he had up his sleeve.

Then, before he could wonder about Jing Yuan’s next step, Dan Heng felt a pair of hands attack both his sides, gently squeezing the spot. Letting out a surprised - and embarrassingly loud - squeal, Dan Heng quickly moved away from the general, turning back to him with an annoyed look. "What was that about?!"

"Oh, so you were listening to me, huh?" Jing Yuan laughed, wiggling his fingers menacingly towards Dan Heng. "But it seems you are pretty sensitive…"

"Don't you dare, general. Or I-"

"Or you what, Dan Heng? Come on, it's just a little tickling…" He took one step forward, making the other take one step back, trying to keep the distance between them the same despite Jing Yuan`s attempts to get closer.

"Or I will tickle you," Dan Heng said, not thinking properly before snapping back at the general. Those words, however, only seemed to amuse Jing Yuan even further, making his grin grow larger. There was no way he was letting such a discovery slip through his fingers like that.

"Oh? You'll tickle me?" He continued in a defiant tone, trying to read through him. If it was Dan Feng, he would be sent flying away in a blast of water for trying such a thing. But Dan Heng? He was pretty sure he could beat him in this kind of fight.

Tired of waiting, Jing Yuan decided to make the first move, reaching out his hand towards the other man. However, as he was merely inches away from Dan Heng, the general could only catch a glimpse of his tail moving in a defensive manner, landing a heavy - but not so strong - strike against his middle, enough to tackle him to the ground.

Letting out an audible grunt when his back hit the gardens’ ground, Jing Yuan could only let out a chuckle. “Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to ann-”

“I warned you, general,” Dan Heng interrupted him, smirking as he sat down on the other’s lap, his nimble hands already finding their way to Jing Yuan’s waist, pinching the spot through the cloth in his way. “And it seems… you are also a little sensitive, hm?”

A crooked smile quickly formed on his lips as some panicked giggles escaped. Wait, was he for real? Was he actually fighting back like that? The general tried to hold his wrists and push him away, twisting his torso as he attempted to escape. “D-Dan Feheng, wait- ahaAH!”

A louder cackle escaped right before he could say something else. The vidyadhara gave him a stern look, shaking his head in disapproval. “That’s not my name, general, how many times do I need to tell you that I’m not him?” Dan Heng said, feigning annoyance as he dug a little harder on Jing Yuan’s sides.

But there was no doubt this wasn’t the former elder, not a single one. After all, Jing Yuan knew very well Dan Feng would never engage in his “foolish and childish” games. Maybe that was the reason why his reincarnation could catch him off guard so easily.

“S-sohohohorry! A-ahAHah, y-you can stohohop now!” 

“Didn’t you say yourself that “it’s just a little tickling”?” Dan Heng mused with a smile, clawing at the general sides, making his laughter grow a little louder. If anyone from the Astral Express saw him right now, he wasn’t sure how he would explain himself - but it was just too early to stop.

With his legs immobilized under Dan Heng’s tail’s weight and his waist straddled, there was very little room for Jing Yuan to squirm - not to mention the fact that the other placed himself in such a way that he was sitting just out of the general’s reach, make it actually really hard (or impossible) to properly fight back the tickling. “I-I wahas wrohohong, Dan Heheheng!”

Jing Yuan pressed his eyes shut and laid his head back as he gave himself into the laughter, unable to do anything else other than hope to receive some mercy. “AhahAH, j-juhust quihihit it!”

Dan Heng slowly stopped moving his fingers, chuckling to himself. It was a rare sight to see the general laugh so carefreely, a much different sight from his usual self. “Guess Yanqing isn’t the only one that needs to learn… how to properly pick up a fight, huh?”

“A-ah, I suppose… I still have a few things to learn…” Jing Yuan sighed in relief, shyly giggling at himself. Just when he thought it was over, the general could feel the tip of the other’s tail tapping against his leg. Taken by curiosity, he opened his eyes, looking up to Dan Heng to be met with a mischievous grin.

“So… let’s see if you really learned your lesson, general.”

“Hah… surely, I look forward your teaching, Dan Heng.”

[pascaloverx]

Rewrite The Stars

Chapter Fifteen — Season Two

Summary: One photo changes your whole life, when you accidentally bump into a celebrity and the world starts to believe that you are a couple.

Notes:

In this chapter, we have an extra character called Enzo, whom I'd like you to imagine as the actor Enzo Vogrincic. And for those who enjoy the fanfic, I appreciate if you reblog or like. To the readers who supported a new season of this fanfic, my heartfelt thanks. I will be writing more chapters like this one or even shorter, as long as you continue to engage and enjoy what I'm writing. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

warning chapter sixteen

It's been a month since the official start of your relationship with Pedro Pascal. Until then, unfortunately, you had few moments together. At the moment your relationship is being a little more virtual than you would like. But you can't complain. Dating a celebrity is a challenge that you are very willing to take on.

"Mom, I need to talk to Pedro now. You can very well open the door." You say, trying to connect your cell phone to the internet at your mother's house. She decided to pick some apples to make a pie to welcome Enzo here at her house. You came to visit her this weekend after she practically accused you of abandonment.

"My daughter, your boyfriend can wait. Open the door quickly before I go crazy." Your mother shouts from outside. You take a deep breath and decide to put down your cell phone for a moment.

"Did I arrive at a bad time?" Enzo asks, entering his mother's house with a bouquet of flowers. He hands it to your lap and you hug him.

"Who are the flowers for?" You ask without even answering Enzo's question, who smiles pointing at your mother. You lightly hit his arm.

"Enzo, are you flirting with my mom?" You say as you put the flowers in a flower vase and put some water on them.

"Idiot of you to assume that I only present my romantic affairs." Enzo says and you look at him judging him.

"Hey, do you know why I can't make a video call here? I tried fixing the wifi but it always fails." You tell Enzo by showing him your cell phone and he immediately manage to fix the connection issue on your phone. Moments later, you were in a video call with your boyfriend Pedro Pascal. Or what you thought was him. Since he was all dressed up, looking like a cowboy, wearing a hat and all.

"Darling, did I catch you at a bad time? You seem all dressed up to reprise your Kingsman character. Agent Whiskey, right? By the way, you're a sight for sore eyes." You say, laughing a bit but also speaking the absolute truth. Even his mustache is perfectly groomed. Pedro lets out a hearty laugh as soon as he hears you say that, then he sits down on a couch.

"That's my surprise for you on our one-month anniversary. A bit cheesy, but I know my fans love it when I'm dressed like this." Pedro says, smiling, holding his phone in the most awkward way possible. You prop your phone against an object on your mother's table as you sit in a chair nearby. Unfortunately, you came in such a hurry to your mom's place that you forgot your computer at home.

"My love, you look great. If your fans see this they'll go crazy. But how's the recording going on the set?" You ask as you watch Pedro adjust himself in the tight pants he's wearing. He finally managed to put his cell phone in a position where you can see his entire body. And to your surprise, he even has a rope attached near the belt around his waist.

"Other than the fact that I'm in London and not at home with you, everything is going well. I have great scene partners and getting around the city has been nice." He says while giving you a mischievous smile, which you understand as soon as you hear music in the background. He starts dancing to the music and you can't stop laughing. "Hey sexy lady" playing in the background of a Pascal video call wasn't in his plans but it's really fun.

"What are you doing?" You ask as the music starts to stop playing and you manage to stop laughing. Pascal sits down after breaking out some of his best dance moves.

"I was challenged to dance to this song every time it comes on set. So far it's been fun. Apparently they want me to record a TikTok to the song. I wish you were here with me, you would have so much fun." Pedro speaks and you feel as if your heart is going to explode. He really misses you and you're definitely not used to it.

"Maybe next time. Oh dear, I need to expose you to your biggest fan now." You say running towards Enzo who is helping your mother make her apple pie in the kitchen.

"Hey man, you're great with that characterization." Enzo says as soon as you show Pedro to him and Pedro smiles relaxed.

"Thank you, were you helping my mother-in-law or just visiting?" Pascal asks and his mother immediately clears her throat loudly and gives a grumble.

"Tell him that if he wants to consider me his mother-in-law, he should marry my daughter. Where have you ever seen a man break up with you, then get back together with you and abandon you?" His mother speaks loudly, to make sure Pedro hears and then she leaves the kitchen, leaving Enzo in charge of the pie.

"I'm here for the pie. And if you want my advice, when you come to see your mother-in-law, bring a gift. She won't resist." Enzo speaks to Pascal and then I left the video call to go put the pie in the oven.

"When were you going to tell me that your mother is mad at me?" Pedro says when it’s just the two of you on the video call. You let out a sigh.

"My love, when has my mother not been angry with me and you since we both started dating?" You ask and he smiles but a worried smile.

"I need to win her over. How are we going to tell her that you're going to live with me if she hates me?" You find it cute that Pascal thinks so much about your mother’s opinion regarding your relationship. You remember how funny it was when he asked if he should ask her permission to date you. You joked that he should only do that if he had a death wish. The truth is, you’re still trying to convince your mother to accept Pedro. It shouldn't be difficult because he’s kind, handsome, and funny. Most importantly, he makes you happy. But the reality is that your mother is obviously not ready to get over Enzo.

"Don't worry about that, Pascal. I'll talk to her about it when the time is right. Until then, focus on finishing your filming and coming back home. I miss you." You say, and soon after, you hear someone calling for Pascal. It feels like your conversation was far too short.

"Love, I have to go. But I promise to call again when I have some free time. I love you." And with that, he ends the video call as if he didn't just say he loves you for the first time. You smile, feeling all flustered, and start humming as you walk around your mom's house, thrilled that Pedro Pascal loves you.

tag: @wanniiieeee , @hungrhay and @leilanixx

[farity]

Hidden

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen and you

Summary:  Aemond objects when a certain lady flirts during a celebration

Warning:  Smut

“Your Grace.”

Queen Helaena smiled at you, and as you rose from your curtsey, you could see her brother - not her husband - standing a few paces behind her.  “Is His Grace indisposed?”

“The king is hunting,” the prince said.

Ignoring him, you accepted the Queen’s hug and let her lead you to see the children, which was always a highlight of your visits to King’s Landing.  

Little Jaehaera immediately threw her arms up in the air for you to pick her up, and you dug in your pocket for a little sweet for her.  “I brought you some pretty ribbons for your pretty hair,” you added, giving her a squeeze.  “And you,” you turned to her brother Jaehaerys, “I got you ships!” You produced two little toy ships that you’d had carved for him and the little boy gave you a hug before both children went off to play with their nanny.

“They really are delightful.”

Helaena smiled, “they are the stars of my life.”

Well, it’s not like your husband would be.

After dinner, you were seated across the table from Aemond, who glared at you whenever you looked his way.  Out of the corner of your eye, you could see the Lannister boy headed your way, and you steeled yourself for the conversation ahead.

“My lady,” he said, taking your hand, “you are more radiant every time I see you.”

“I dare say I’ve heard you say that to a number of ladies before, my lord.”

He had the grace to look embarrassed, but didn’t stop his efforts.  “Mere practice for when I actually find a lady worthy of the words.”  He kissed the back of your hands and you wanted to wipe them off on your skirts.  “May I speak to your father, I know once we are together we will be the most splendid couple in Westeros.”

“My lord, you have had my answer on that score, and it remains the same.”  You had, more than once, refused his attempts to make an alliance, and your father, indulgent as he was, had told him that unless you gave permission, his suit would not be welcome.

In an instant, his demeanor went from syrupy to disdainful.  “Well then, I shall not waste my time any further,” he bowed, but before turning around, he said, rather loudly, “you don’t know what you’re missing.”

You stood, staring at him with a smile that did not reach your eyes.  “I am sure I do know what I’m missing, my lord, which is why I have said no.”  Your voice carried clearly across the room.  “Twice.”  You heard muffled giggles, and then decided to get some fresh air, leaving the young man frozen in place as you walked out of the room.

Down the darkened hallway, you drew a hand through your hair as you reached an alcove, but then found yourself pulled against a solid, warm chest.

“Do you enjoy ignoring me?”

Your heart began racing immediately as one hand wrapped around your throat and the other began pulling up your skirts.

“Flirting with that imbecile?”

“If you call that flirting, I wonder what you’d call insulting-”

The hand around your throat tightened, the edges of your vision blurring for a few seconds before releasing you.  Immediately you turned around and were trapped between the side wall and Aemond, who slipped one thigh between your legs, making room for his hand to begin touching you.

Your hands clung to his shoulders as his long, dexterous fingers began a slow, maddening rhythm, enough to tease, not enough to let you come. “Aemond,” you whispered.

“So wet, so ready for me.  Would you be this wet for that Lannister dog?”

“No, never,” you replied, “not for anyone else.”

He removed his hand and you whimpered, but he turned you back around, and you felt your skirts being pulled up until your ass was bare.  He spread your legs open with his foot, caressed your ass, squeezing until you were squirming.  “My beauty,” he murmured in your ear.  “Put your hands on the wall.”

“Aemond, I-”

A hard, stinging slap came down on your ass and you had to clamp your lips together to not cry out.  

“I wasn’t asking.”

Panting with need, you did as he demanded, placing your hands on the stone wall, and soon felt him, hard and ready for you, as he began entering you.  You tilted your hips back, wanting more of him, and again, a hard slap landed on your ass.

“Do.  Not.  Move.”

You did your best to stay still as he began fucking you, the force of his thrusts making your thighs shake.  You pressed your forehead on your fisted hands, the heat of tears beginning to bloom behind your eyelids.

“I should make you go,” he muttered, “make you go to your bed, alone.  Without coming.  Not let you touch yourself all night.”  

Your moan was mostly muffled by your own arm.

“But I will be kind to you,” he added, pulling out of you and turning you around.  “Wrap your legs around me.”

You obeyed, desperate now, watching as he entered you.  When you looked back up, his eye was flashing with lust, need.  

Love.

“Please, Aemond,” you whispered, reaching for him.  

This time, he let you wrap your arms around him, took your mouth with his as he began pumping into you again.  He was growing even harder inside you and the thought of this man you loved, the man who would someday be yours, needing you, wanting you, sent you over the edge.  He placed his hand over your mouth when you came, buried his face in your neck when he followed.

It was long seconds later when your feet touched the ground again.  

“When does your father return?”

“Three days.”

Aemond let out a long breath, steadying himself.  “Three more days.  And then I will ask him for your hand.”  He opened his arms to you and immediately, you sank against him, the beating of his heart against your ear.

“I cannot wait.”

You felt him laugh.  “As we clearly see, neither of us can wait.”  He pulled back to kiss your cheek, so tenderly, you closed your eyes and sighed.  “I do adore you, my beauty.  My heart.”

Smiling, you pressed a soft kiss on his lips.  “My dragon.”

* * * * * 

@arryn-nyx   @greenowlfactif  @hydrationqueensworld    @megzdoodle@melsunshine  @queenofshinigamis     @throughgoeshamilton   @travelingmypassion

@hb8301   @kaemond-zafiro    

[pretzelcoatll]

First day of @torque-witch #witchtober2024 has completed. My prompt is a little late as I got busy last night but I will be trying to do a short story for each, which I will put under a read more.

So without further ado

Day 1: Witch of The Woods

She knew this day would come. She’d prepared for it for a decade. Ensuring she had the spell correctly crafted and mastered before the fateful moment that would change a young girl's life forever.

Every fairy tale came to this point. A nasty witch living in the woods all alone. Casting spells and brewing tinctures from the land she tended, with the help of the Green Mother. Only those foolish enough, or desperate enough, for however different those two were, would ever visit her. They would wander down the ner traveled path that they had been told by their Nona’s or Grans to avoid at all costs. Get lost in the woods for what seems like days, and just when all hope is lost; when they are at the end of their rope and are close to giving up, there it stands.

A cobble and wood “hut” standing almost picturesque in the middle of the forest. Except they know, this magical abode housed a sinister being. They’ve been told so since they were old enough to understand good and evil. So why would they choose to travel to such a place? Maybe they were wrong to come here. Maybe their life wasn’t as messed up and fallen to pieces. It was all in their head. And if they headed back now they could continue with their life as they always had. Regretting knowing they could have changed it, for better or for worse, and not knowing which would truly be better.

And just as they gain the confidence to go back to whatever cruel and disastrous life they left on the other side of the woods, something calls out to them. A tug, on their soul, telling them to step closer to the house. One foot. And then the other. Raise your arm. And. Knock.

She’d gotten used to the routine. Though it didn’t happen too often. In fact she looked forward to the company. The human company that is. A life alone in the woods can tend to make the mind go a little mad. She’d even decided early on she would ease every soul that came to her. Greet them with a smile, initiate as much small talk as possible. Sometimes she would even learn the things that were going on in the old city she once called her home. Although much of the news she already knew.

Her visitors however always seemed keen on leaving as quickly as they came. So she tried to make it as painless as possible. Hear out their needs, Love affairs, ill children, lost jobs. It was always the same. She would cast a spell, or conjure a charm or two and on their way back through they would rush. She would watch every time staring down through the densely packed woods.

Today; however, was different. She knew this day was coming as if it had been divined. She had been waiting for this specific visitor for 10 years. And when the four small knocks resounded through her home she felt a wave of relief marinated in the bitter-sweet anguish that was a decade of perfecting a witches craft work just for Her.

She exhaled slowly, this was the first time she’d ever gotten cold feet on this side of the door. But like the tug on the souls of those who approached her home, she too felt a pull to answer. And so she did. Hands steady and posture welcoming she opened her gnarled wooden door looking into the face of a young girl, no older than 16. The witch knew her face well.

The girl attempted to speak, only able to get out a few soft spoken stammers and half words.

“Worry not my child,” the witch assured her. “I know why you have come.”

“You do?” the girl replied with wonder in her eyes. She’d heard the stories of witches, with their divinations, and the powers of the dark.

“Of course. Please come in and have a seat. We have terms to discuss.” The witch led the girl to a comfortable chair upholstered with old scraps of fabrics, all mish-mashed in flowers and stars of various colors. The girl sat with nerves apparent, but showing no signs of fear. After all she had been through, she didn’t think she could fear ever again.

The witch set a pot to boil before taking a seat of her own in front of the girl and began. “Your life has been. Well, some would call it interesting. Mishaps and unfortunate events from a young age. The loss of the lives of those around you. Disasters in homes you set foot in,” The girl looked away at this claim. “Worry not, my home is protected. Shadows watch you, and no one will so much as speak to you any more. Is all of this correct?” The girl nodded her head. “You have just recently discovered that your Uncle, the Duke, through trickery and loopholes, sold your soul at infancy for a deal with the devil, a deal that took the life of your parents. And now that he is about to secure control of the entire town, he chose not to care for you knowing you are no longer a necessity and cast you off into the woods to die.”

The girl’s eyes were wide. How did a stranger know so much about her life? She wanted to respond, and affirm all these claims. To plead with the witch to show her how to be cured of her curse, who she should be. How to get back at the man who ruined her life. But as she took a breath to begin her pleading she felt her head spin. The room filled with a pleasant herbal scent, the girl slumped back into her chair.

“Worry not. I will grant you everything you need to protect yourself from the malice of the devil himself. You will learn the crafts of a witch and how to help those in need instead of hurting them. And you will get your revenge on that man,” The witch looked at the girl with compassion and understanding before letting out under her breath “sooner than you would imagine.”

“Now do not fight the urge to sleep. When you wake, your training will begin. I am sorry I cannot stay with you, and thus you will wake alone. But you will find everything you need to begin learning in this house. When the time is right you will figure out the most important spell you will ever learn. Master it as if your life depended on it, and in ten years, another will approach you for help. Do your best, I know you will be brilliant.” A tear began to form in the witch's eyes.

As the young girl’s eyes faded into slumber she finally let out the words she needed the most. “How do you know?”

The witch of the woods smiled at her lovingly. “Because. I was you.” and at that the girl was asleep.

The witch let out a soft sign, stood up and placed a blanket over the girl, etched with sigils and laced with all manner of herb and vine. She performed a short enchantment before stepping away grabbing a large tome and her cloak. She swiftly exited her home, and as she shut it she whispered “I’ll be back, I have something I need to attend to. Watch over her journey,” and began her trek back into the woods.

[aritamargarita]

ATTITUDE (… CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!!)

I feel very motivated. Yes it’s 5 am

It’s December now……..originally wasn’t gonna consider this canon but it is. We’re cooking again. WE DRAW CLOSER TO 2002!!!!!!! its december 24th 2001 in story!!!

this one’s a quick one since it’s just a one off chrystler chapter.

hopefully it’ll hold u guys for just a LIITTLEEE longer while i work on other things too. by the way when i rewatched the eggnog match, it was so fast it actually made me mad LMAO, well not much you can do there anyway so i tried improvising..?

‘TWAS THE RAW before Christmas and you’re sure there’s a lot of holiday cheer. You’re excited. What’s the night got in store?

You received a blue and red envelope in your locker today.

It’s painfully obvious they were invited to Smackdown and Raw’s Christmas parties, but you think it’s only because they want you to see what each brand had in store. They hadn’t started the draft yet, but you’re sure both General Managers had their eyes on a few picks…including you.

All you can hope is that the fans don’t get tired of you. It’s probably the only way you’d be allowed to be a free agent.

Before you can leave, your phone rings. You’re a little concerned, given that you’re at work and have never ever gotten a call. You’re about to enter the room, but you take a step back to quickly answer. “Hello?”

‘Hello, sweetie! How are you? Are you working?’

It’s your mother, and when hearing her voice, you sigh. “Hey, yes. I’m working. Is something wrong?”

‘No, no at all.’ It makes you sigh again, but this time in relief. ��I watched one of your shows. That Jeff boy seems very nice. I’d like if you bring him home for Christmas!’

Oh, that’s not…

It takes you a moment to respond. “What? Why?”

‘He just seems sweet! That is a pure-hearted boy, and you seem to care for him enough. I’ll be expecting you two love birds.’ She says. ‘That is if you’re able to come home.’

“I’m not sure. I think I might, but only for a day. The next Raw doesn’t get taped until…well, next year. In January. I forgot when Smackdown was.”

‘I hope you do. We miss you very much. Give what I said some thought! I won’t bother you anymore. I love you!’

“Love you too. Bye bye.” And you hang up. You don’t think you’ll ever tell anyone what she said. You probably wouldn’t hear the end of it!

You take a deep breath and shake it off. As you walk through the door, you’re greeted by a camera and…Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco in elf outfits.

Wow, what a party Mr. McMahon has hosted…

Speaking of him, he was already at the door once he opened it. “I totally wasn’t listening to your conversation,” He clarified. You roll your eyes. But your boss is thrilled to see you, outstretching his arms.

“You’re the star of the night! I assure you, you’ve chosen the right party. You’re going to love it here.”

He tries going in for a hug, but you don’t react. Instead, he awkwardly reaches his hand out, and you shake it hesitantly. This is still your boss, after all.

“Everybody give a warm welcome to [Name]!” Vince announced. Great, now everyone’s staring.

You give a small wave as everyone in the room soundly greets you. Some of these people look familiar. Billy and Chuck, Terri, Christian, The Dudley Boyz….

And then there’s Stacy. Your eyes brighten once you see her in the room. She’s the only one you know well. She’s also excited to see you, hopping off of (who you can assume is) Bubba’s lap.

“[Name]! You came!”

“Hi.” You wave. “You look nice.”

Your voice is dry, which makes Stacy pout in return. However, your compliment puts her at ease. “Thanks!”

She then takes her hand and pulls on your shirt. “What’s with this? I thought you’d be all dressed up! It’s about to be Christmas! You dressed up when we were in WCW, remember?”

You do. It’s not because you wanted to, either. You didn’t really have a choice. Management wanted all the girls to come out in their little cute Santa’s helper costumes, and the moment you complained about it, you were told that you could just go for the day…and not be on TV.

You shake your head. “I’d rather just wear my regular clothes. Now, you may ask why again. The answer…is because I can. “To you, that reason was as good as any.

“Ugh, come on.” She whines. “I wanted to see you in something nice. I think the crowd would love it, too!”

There lies the problem. You scoff. “As if I’m showing any kind of skin in this landfill of a place called Miami. Of all the states we have to be in, it’s Florida?! Gross..” Your words incite booing from the crowd, but it’s not like you can hear them anyway. “This place sucks. I saw a man wrestling an alligator outside.”

“You’re silly. You should take a load off.” Stacy grins. Little did she know, you were dead serious. And the man was WINNING! Incredible.

You figured there was no convincing Stacy. She must’ve thought you were crazy.....if she doesn’t already.

She takes her hand and pats your shoulder. “It’s okay, [Name]. Maybe you’re just a little hazy from excitement. You should have some fun with us!”

“I don’t think I can.” You decline. “I’ve got a segment soon. So, not for long. Whatever’s going on here, I’m happy to see we’re all getting along.”

“I’m taking that you like it here?” Vince cuts in, then motions towards the other wrestlers. “See all the star power in here. That could be you. You can be involved. You sign with SmackDown, I promise you you’ll see that and more.”

You will consider. You’re not entirely sure whether or not you want to be with either brand because they have pros and cons. The problem is, which one would you rather deal with?

“Right, um..” You hesitate for a second, and Vince immediately jumps on his chance.

“Well, why don’t you come over and drink some punch? If that’s not your thing, we’ve got a lot of options.” He holds up a bottle of sparkling cider.

Man, he’s really trying hard, huh?

The arrival of Booker T grabs his attention, and you slink away to Christian instead. “Hey! Been a while.”

Christian looks around before looking at you with a grin. (Something you know he did on purpose) “If it isn’t my favorite fan! How’s it going, tiny?”

It’s been a while since he’s even called you that nickname, and it still does NOT hold true. You swear to god it’s not true. “I have definitely been fine! Just hanging in there.”

“I dunno, what you did at Vengeance was completely nuts. Are you sure you’re just hanging in there? Not gonna do the same to me, are you?” He asks.

“No. I just want to relax today! I really do.” You admit. You’re tired, and you want some time to think. This party does nothing for your racing thoughts, but the least you could do was try and enjoy it before leaving.

Which was probably soon.

“I don’t mean to butt in at all,” Terri comes over to you and rubs your shoulder. “But are you doing alright? The last time I saw you was when you mistook me for Torrie. And you had a bit of a meltdown during Vengeance.”

Wow, you really did leave a mark. Everyone must know about your little stunt. You fight a smile. “I’m just fine. I got my anger out and everything. I’m totally not mad.”

That was a lie. You are still mad and are unsure how long it’ll last, but you are still upset at Torrie. You’re still upset at Jeff and Raven as well, but the difference is that you don’t think you’ll ever forgive her for what she’s done so far.

Terri was going to speak again, but Vince loudly called everyone to attention. “You guys! Listen up, I got a surprise.” The door opens, and you don’t believe your eyes. “Courtesy of Santa himself, Santa’s little helpers!”

….Wait a second, these aren’t elves. They’re women! Did he seriously invite strippers?

They’re fully clothed, but their dresses were so short you might as well consider it next to nothing. It’s not like you’re complaining per se, but jeez. Wasn’t this supposed to be a kid-friendly show?

Haha, as if. You chuckle to yourself a bit.

Vince is introducing them as Santa’s helpers indeed. He takes “Vixen’s” hand to lead her onto a table.

“Alright,” You don’t want to stay around for this. “You guys have a good night, okay? I think I’m cutting it close. I need to get out in the ring.”

“But I’ve got a lot to show you, [Name]. You can’t just leave yet!” Vince tried to convince you, but you shook your head.

“Really can’t. But I promise I’ll consider Smackdown.”

You have to quickly exit before he can say anymore, but you can’t deny that you’re excited to talk in the ring.

Did you expect anything less from Vince McMahon? No. Hopefully, Raw would fare better.

Well, you’ll see soon enough.

It’s your turn to go out there, and you were pretty amped up about it. Sure, it’s another show of Raw, but it’s Christmas Eve, and Santa should be out and about now!

You want to show the crowd and everyone at home how excited you are for Christmas. Today’s another episode of Time Out with [Name]!

Once your entrance music plays, you push back the curtains and head down the ramp. Thanks to your stunt at Vengeance, you got a lot of mixed reactions from the crowd. 

Jerry is the first to point it out. ‘Well, she seems to be in a good mood, JR!’

‘She sure is. I’m not sure if we should be on guard or not. That woman is a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode.’

Thankfully, they had given you a mic before going out there. The moment you slid into the ring and were faced to face with thousands of people, you couldn’t help but fall into a laugh.

“Okay, I know what you guys are thinking,” You begin. “Vengeance may have gotten a little out of hand! I get it. But if you were in my shoes, you’d understand! Anyway, that’s not why I came here tonight.”

JR can only shake his head. ‘Well, I’m sure we’d all like to hear what’s going on in that mind of hers.’

“I have an extraordinary guest today..” You trail off. “In fact, you all know him very well! He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake! It’s Santa—“

The Rock’s music plays instead. He quickly storms down to the ring, and you’re actually shocked that he interrupted you like that. The crowd cheers so loudly that you can’t even hear your thoughts. You figured it was a given. You’re in Miami, after all.

You start to talk as soon as he starts climbing into the ring. “Um, excuse me? Rocky?” The little pet name you call him makes him raise that iconic eyebrow toward you. “I-I didn’t call for you. I was waiting for Santa. But you’re more than welcome to wait for him with me.”

He stares at you momentarily, then reaches over the ring for a mic. There’s still more silence, and as you await your response, you look at him expectantly.

“..No.” He finally says. “The Rock came here to share a very important message with the MILLIONS—and MILLIONS—of Rock’s fans.”

“I get that.” You say. “I’m all for it, but this is my show. Like, jeez, if you’re gonna interrupt Santa, at least let me ask you some questions.”

“You think Santa’s coming here?! Miami is hot as hell, the guy’s gonna melt!” He’s got a fair point. But it’s Christmas! Santa would make a way to get here one way or another. “[Name], The Rock came out here because he has a few questions for you. You’re going to want to hear this, sweetheart.”

You’d be almost flattered at the pet name if it wasn’t for the slight derisive tone behind it. You can’t deny your curiosity, though. “Oh, pray tell!”

“You and The Rock both hate Chris Jericho. You and The Rock also hate….Stephanie McMahon.” He says. It’s true. Very true! You hate both of them. “And because we share the same hatred, The Rock has gotten you a gift. Consider it a peace offering.”

How sweet! Can’t refuse presents. Maybe Santa could wait for a minute. Hopefully, Austin won’t get too angry that you’ve accepted this.

He reaches over the ropes to one of the stagehands, and he’s handed a neatly wrapped gift. It is handed off to you, and you’re already excited, ripping it open as fast as possible.

The camera zooms in on your gift, and it’s…

…a book with a red bull on the cover. You look at him in confusion before repeating the title for the crowd. “The Rock’s night before Christmas? Did you really just give me a book??”

The Rock ignores your comment, and the crowd laughs as he takes the book away from you.

“You sure are. Here, let The Rock help you,” He flips open the book to one of the pages. “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even….a mouse.” He pauses for a moment. “The weather was warm, not a trace of snow, just as The Rock got ready to whoop Chris Jericho.”

You nod your head. The only reason why you’re playing along is because of the Jericho line.

But he teases you anyway. “…See, there you go. That’s how you read a book. Go on, try it.” He hands it back to you.

You clear your throat. Guess that’ll be a way to pass the time waiting for Santa. “Jericho claims to be the best. The Rock has found this quite brutal. Clearly, Chris Jericho is a man who has no strudel.”

Whatever that means. The crowd goes crazy, though.

You look over to The Rock, and he nods in approval. He makes a motion with his hands for you to keep going. “I am a living legend! Y2J would sing, trembling with fear as he heads into the peoples ring…and faster, faster than Scrooge, saw the ghost of Christmas past—“

The Rock cuts you off, finishing the rhyme once and for all. “The Rock hit the people’s ring and WHOOPED Y2J’S ASS!”

Wow! What a wonderful Christmas gift. Not.

You thought it was something useful. For all you care, he could’ve gifted you a chair. A brand new kendo stick. Maybe even a steel pole. Hell, you’d even take a pair of socks over this book.

“Not to sound ungrateful, but this is my gift? No joke?”

The Rock nodded. “Well?? Do you like it?”

Your silence told a million words. The moment you’re about to speak, you can’t help but laugh once more. It takes you a minute to pull it together.

“As much as I would love to rag on Jericho, and believe me, I would LOVE to rag on him, that’s not what I expected. It’s Santa. And in the spirit of Christmas, it just so happens I have a gift for the crowd, too.”

The crowd cheers, but you already know what they’re thinking. You point a finger upward. “No, it has nothing to do with me taking my clothes off!”

And just like that, the crowd begins to boo. Aw.

Just as you’re about to spill the deets about your Christmas gift, the familiar tune of Kurt Angle’s music plays. For the love of god, you just want Santa Claus!!

“Sorry, guys..” Kurt insincerely apologizes from the top of the ramp. “All this talk about Christmas makes me think about something. What is it that you said about Santa Claus? He sees you when you’re sleeping..he knows when you’re awake?”

You scoff at the mimicking of what you said earlier, but he continues. “Well, if you ask me, Saint Nick is a pervert! I’ll tell ya what, I hope Santa isn’t watching tonight because I plan on being very naughty.”

How dare he drag Santa’s name through the dirt like that? “You can’t say those things about Santa. Most importantly, you can’t just say you’ll be naughty! You’re the pervert!” You accuse.

“You’re the only one thinking that way, [Name]!” Kurt accused back. “And boy, I am glad you’re not stripping out here tonight. Now that’s a relief. This is supposed to be a kid-friendly show!” Yeah right.

“Are you sure about that?” You question. “Earlier, there was—“

He quickly cuts you off. “As a matter of fact, you or anyone else shouldn’t be idolizing Santa. There is someone far more powerful than he is, and it’s Vince McMahon. In fact, he got your Olympic hero a very special Christmas present.”

“Vince makes little kids cry at that sight of him!” You accuse. “You think they’d idolize him??”

You’re unsure if it is true, but he’s scary. You remember when he ran towards you and Trish during that one match. A literal nightmare. “What did you get? I bet it’s not better than mine!”

“Don’t you know?” As Kurt is speaking, you can hear the crowd chanting ‘asshole’ around you. It makes you giggle. “It’s—“

“Woah, woah, woah!” The Rock interrupts. “Please let them finish calling you an asshole!”

You seem exasperated that your show has been hijacked yet again, on Christmas Eve nonetheless. “Guys, there’s gotta be a way we can settle this. You know, somewhere else?”

“No, no, you’re gonna wanna hear this,” Kurt says. Both of them have said that, so that means that you won’t like it as much..

“That present is a shot at the undisputed title. That’s right, tonight is going to be a triple-threat match. The Rock versus Chris Jericho versus Kurt Angle. Ho, ho, ho, it’s true!”

You had brushed it off when she said it in passing, but Trish really had a point when she said that the men ruin everything. This was already cutting into your time.

Kurt seems to be confident, though. “And I tell you what, Rock, your chances at winning the title in front of these sleazy hometown losers just went slim to none!”

“Let me just say,” You decide to add. “That Stone Cold Steve Austin would wipe you two off the map! Uh, no offense, Rocky.” You say, gently setting a hand onto his bicep. “If Vince McMahon had any good in him, which I doubt, he would let Austin into that triple threat and make it a fatal four-way!”

The jeering quickly turns into cheers, and you bow to your fantastic suggestion.

“Oh, absolutely not!” Kurt yells. He decides to make his way down the ramp, and you start to feel like this isn’t ending well. “I got this fair and square. Stone Cold doesn’t deserve this as much as I do. There’s a reason why Vince put the Olympic Gold Medalist into action and not some trailer park trash.”

Ouch. You wince.

“Seeing as you came out here and interrupted [Name] ’s little show..” Finally, the recognition you deserve. “Just let The Rock finish his Christmas message and he’ll tell you exactly how he feels about this whole thing—“

The sound of holiday bells fills the arena, and you immediately shush The Rock, albeit ruder than you intended to be. “SHUT UP, SHUT UP!” You yell. “IT’S SANTA!”

Lo and behold, it’s Jolly Old Saint Nick himself. Santa’s holding a red sack, which is likely full of presents.

More than likely, it was merchandise, and Santa reached in and began tossing things into the crowd. You’re giving him a standing ovation.

The Rock looks at you as if you’re insane. Even Kurt, who had just begun climbing the ropes into the ring, shoots you a look as well.

“Look! It’s Santa!” You exclaim, pointing right at him. “He’s right there! I told you guys he was coming!”

After a minute of throwing things out into the crowd, Santa chucks his bag into the ring and clambers in. You immediately hold out your mic for him to take. You’ll grab another one, you don’t even care.

“Ho, ho, ho!” Santa bellowed. This is really happening in real time. You skip over to the ropes and reach for a new mic as he continues talking. “Have you wrestlers been good this year?!”

You make haste to grab a new microphone. “I have!” There’s a giggle in your voice. “I don’t know about them, but I’ve been the nicest!”

Kurt shakes his head. “I don’t think so! You beat up poor Stephanie McMahon just a few weeks ago!” He calls back to your handicap match, but in your defense, she started it.

“That wasn’t my fault. Stephanie was trying to interfere! She even interrupted my show!” You shoot back. “You know, like you two interrupted mine?!”

He’s still not swayed. “She’s a potential business partner! You can’t just do that to a potential business partner!” Kurt then gives you a sardonic grin. “Personally, I’m just making it better.”

“A potential business partner? HA! Maybe on the street!” You laugh. “I swear to god, I will—“

Santa immediately puts a stop to your petty bickering. “Friends! There’s no need to argue. I can see how good you are in your hearts!”

That was so real. You smile, but The Rock is shaking his head. He points a finger toward him. “So, Santa, you came to The Rock’s hometown of Miami…..all the way from the North Pole? The Rock isn’t sure if he believes that.”

“What do you mean you don’t believe it?! He’s Santa!” You motion towards him.

Kurt doesn’t believe it either. “Yeah, right. I hate to agree with him, but look at him!”

All three of you turn to look at Santa at the same time. You personally see nothing wrong with him. “What’s the deal? This is definitely Santa.”

“…Well, [Name], whatd’ya want for Christmas?” Santa asks.

“See! How else would he know my name if he wasn’t Santa?” You question. You take a second to think about what you want, then bring the mic up so you can talk.

As soon as you’re about to speak, Santa Claus stands up and cuts you off. “Aht, aht, aht!” He waves a finger. “That was a test. Never tell your wish! Fret not, Santa knows all. Perhaps you’ll get what you want this year!”

You’re convinced and happy. That’s all that matters.

“Listen, ‘SANTA,’ Kurt sarcastically begins. “If you’re the real deal, I want to win the Undisputed Championship tonight. Can ya’ do that for me?!”

“I apologize, Kurt, but…. you’ve told me your wish; I don’t believe I can grant it.”

“HA!” You laugh. He’s not getting the Undisputed title for sure now. That’s one less thing for you to worry about.

“You can’t grant my wish...” Kurt repeats, nodding his head a bit. “Okay.” He shrugs it off momentarily, giving the impression that he’s about to leave, but he swoops Santa off his feet and into an Olympic Slam. As soon as Poor Santa hits the ground, Kurt angrily yells at him. “YOU’RE GONNA GIVE ME MY WISH, SANTA!”

“Wait!!” You yell. But it’s too late. “NOO! What’re you doing?! I can’t believe you!!!” You’re so distraught that your words are coming out way too fast. Kurt Angle just gave Santa an Olympic Slam!

To make things worse, Kurt pulls him right into the Ankle Lock. You’re yelling, but The Rock just stands there. That is until he decides to yank Kurt back and exchange blows with him instead.

As of right now, pain is all you feel. You kneel down to the fallen Santa, trying your best to help him up.

There’s one thing for sure. This Raw would be memorable…for all the wrong reasons.

Today’s matches are as follows…

RIKISHI VS. TEST

APA VS. BILLY AND CHUCK

TORRIE WILSON VS. STACY KEIBLER VS. [NAME] (EGGNOG MATCH)

RVD VS. LANCE STORM

CHRISTIAN VS. THE HURRICANE (EUROPEAN TITLE)

BOOKER T VS. MAVEN

BUBBA CLAUS VS. TAJIRI CLAUS

CHRIS JERICHO VS. KURT ANGLE VS. THE ROCK

You double take once you see your name alongside Stacy and Torrie.

Who put you in the eggnog match? You’re going to kill someone. This is probably one of the first gimmick matches you’ve had here, and it makes you reconsider shunning a bra and panties match…

….Nah, nothing would ever make you reconsider that. By some stroke of luck, you haven’t been signed up for one. However, you’d much rather have an actual match tonight!

Now you’ve got a bone to pick with Raw’s new owner. More than likely, he had something to do with this, so you can’t blame Vince THIS TIME. You may just start blaming him for shits and giggles, though.

“[Name]!”

You look behind you to see RVD storming down the hall. He doesn’t seem in the greatest of moods, but you still try and be friendly. “Hey there! What’s up?”

It’s a bit off-putting to see him so irritated. He seems so laid back. The moment he grabs your shoulders is when you realize that it may be serious. “Have you seen Chris Jericho? This is important.”

Seems like everyone’s looking for him. He is always causing trouble. You think it’ll only get worse now that he’s the Undisputed champion, but you can only hope someone else can beat him.

If that doesn’t happen, perhaps you’ll have to intervene.

He rubs his temple. “He attacked me on Heat before Vengeance. I know he’s performing tonight, but I don’t care. Lance Storm had a lot to say about it, so now I’ve gotta kick his ass.”

“I’m sure you’ll get it. My advice is to try the locker room. He’s vain enough to stay in there for days if he could. I’m sure he loves checking himself out.” You recommend.

RVD seems to relax a bit. He doesn’t think he can be mad around you, at least not for long. He lets go of your shoulders. “Alright, Miss Nitro. I’ll try.”

That’s like the second nickname someone’s given you. Can’t complain about it, though. It’s kinda cute!

Though you feel bad that you can only catch him in the halls, you smile anyway. “I’ll catch up with you later. I’ve gotta hit up the party. We’ve gotta hang out sometime. I really enjoyed it when we were a team.”

“Ditto.” He agrees. “Well, when you need a partner, come find me.”

You wave at him, he returns it, and you two go your separate ways. The main objective was to get to Raw’s party. Talking to Ric Flair was really important.

You could hear a distant “woo!!” from down the hallway. Yeah, he’s definitely in there.

You pick up the pace a bit to reach the door, and you quickly open it. Upon entry, you can see more people that you know. Trish, Jacqueline, Big Show, Hurricane, Tajiri, Torrie…

Seeing her sitting in Santa Tajiri’s lap, you can’t help but stare in awe. She seems surprised, too, not expecting you to be at the party. There’s a camera here, so it follows you to where you stand. You cross your arms.

They did an awful job of telling you these things.

You glance around again and notice that Edge is here, too. God damn it.

Once you and Torrie locked eyes, the room fell silent. Some of your coworkers are starting to get an idea of how unstable you are.

They just hoped you wouldn’t go ballistic on her right now. It’s a party! You’re supposed to be having fun! You get the gist, so you decide to clear the air. “I just want to talk to Ric Flair. I'm not here to fight or anything.”

Nevermind the fact you got an invitation..

Everyone seems to let out a sigh of relief, continuing their miscellaneous conversations. Were they really that concerned..?

The Nature Boy makes his way over to you. “You called for me?!” You flinch at his tone of voice. He’s so loud.

“Yeah, why’d you schedule me in that eggnog match?” You question. “I don’t want to be in it. In fact, there’s no reason for me to be in it.”

He grabs a drink from the table and raises it up toward you in offering. “I thought it would be a good opportunity, I wanna see you wrestle!”

You wave your hand at him. “You did! Remember that one match with The Rock? You fixed the match!”

“Not good enough! I wanna see some hair pullin’, eye scratchin’, clothes rippin’! Woo!” Ric chants. “You’re the only person that can deliver it! I've seen you go at it when you were in WCW!”

You can’t even get a word out before he’s yelling even more. “MERRY CHRISTMAS, FROM THE NATURE BOY!! WE ARE PARTYING DOWN TONIGHT, WE ARE LOOKIN’ GOOD!”

You really fight the urge to say: “Take your pills, old man,” but you instead decide to zip it for now. Guess you’ll have to participate.

Meanwhile, Edge makes his way over to you. He’s got garland wrapped around his neck like a scarf, and you know he’s still goofy as ever.

“Hey there, you.” He greets.

You wave. “Hi.” This is too awkward for you, so you cut to the chase. “We’re fine now, right? I saw you catch my kiss. I blew you.”

“Hah, blew me.” Edge chuckled. Ha, ha. You almost laughed, he’s sooo hilarious. “I don’t know why you came out there, but I kind of liked it.”

You’re happy. At least he didn’t seem to be mad at you anymore. He totally took things out of context. You wanted to map out a few things to say to him in your head, but it’s tough when Torrie talks so loudly in her squeaky voice.

It’s like she was doing it on purpose. Like she’s raising her voice so that you could hear. If that’s what she wants, so be it. You turn around to look.

“Wooow!!” She chirps, unwrapping a lingerie set from the box. “You want me to be naughty, don’t you?! It’s beautiful, I love it!”

God, you hate her. You swiftly turn around to leave but are stopped by Debra coming in with a tray of neatly placed cookies.

“Hey, sweetie!” She greets you with a big smile. “I’m glad you could make it! It’s not a party without my famous cookies!”

You’re gonna be honest. Those look like the sugar cookies from the store, but you’ll still eat them.

She hands over the tray to Ric. “Oh! Steve will be here any minute!” He’s coming too?! Cool! It is a little surprising to hear he’s actually gonna show up. Everyone in the room starts to cheer, including the crowd.

Alright, perhaps the night can turn itself around after all.

Eggnog shouldn’t be that bad. It's not your favorite drink, but it’s better than gravy. You bet poor Trish had to take so many showers.

It honestly reminds you of when Kurt hosed the Alliance down with milk. You won’t ever forget that night. You shiver just thinking about it.

The ladies of the night have already made their entrance. You’re the last one to come out. You don’t even bother dressing up all festive, as your gear will probably be drenched anyway.

Your music hits. Now’s the time to go out there and get this match done as quick as you can.

“And finally, introducing [Name]!”

For a moment, you stop midway on the ramp to look at the girls and the pool of eggnog.

If they said this was for a WCW taping, you would’ve believed them.

You finally reach the end of the ramp, looking over and shaking your head. You can’t believe you’re doing this. All the while, Torrie’s tossing candy canes into the crowd while you walk over toward the side. At least someone’s enjoying this.

As soon as you get down there, she turns toward you and coyly passes you a candy cane, but you slap it out of her hand. You don’t want that shit.

Stacy quickly takes advantage, yanking her over by the shoulder and slapping her. Stacy yells over to you, “Let’s throw her in!”

Absolutely. You give her a nod, and the two of you back over to Torrie. The both of you pick her up, adjusting so she doesn’t get hurt too bad when you toss her.

“One, two….” You begin to count, the two of you rocking back and forth. “Three!” And there she goes, right into the pool of eggnog. Some of it splashes on you, but you don’t care.

Cameras around you flashed and it almost blinded you for a moment, causing you to squint for a moment before rubbing your eyes.

Once you come to, you see Stacy raising her hand for a high five. You smile and give her one, but as soon as she turns her back on you to laugh at Torrie, you shove her into the pool.

What an idiot! It’s every woman for themselves tonight. While you actually start to find this fun, you foresee a messy shower in the future. Carefully, you step right into the pool. You didn’t want to slip and hurt yourself.

Of course, the first thing you do is to try and drown Torrie. Just to shut her up for a bit. You grab her hair, submerge her under the eggnog for a minute or two, and then pull her back up. She’s coughing and sputtering.

Stacy’s doing her best to regain some balance, even trying to grab on the referee for some leverage. You’re too focused on Torrie, though.

The smell of eggnog was starting to make you sick. You don’t think you ever want to see eggnog ever again.

You try to adjust to pull Torrie onto a very slippery STF, but you keep losing your grip every few seconds. You did your best to keep it on, though.

Torrie reaches her hand out, but there’s no rope to save her now. You think she’s just about to tap!….until Stacy got her head back in the game and broke up the submission.

Now, you’ll have to focus on her for a minute. There’s not much you can do in the pool, which is one of the reasons why you hated this match so much.

She drags you off of Torrie and starts slapping you around a bit. Seems like she doesn’t know what to do either.

That damn Ric Flair. What did you even get out of this? Definitely not a title match that’s for sure.

Either you do a roll up pin or you force them to tap. You’re leaning on the latter. You don’t know your time limit, so you’re gonna have to make do. You scoop Stacy up and slam her back into the pool, eggnog splashing everywhere.

Poor Torrie’s little Santa outfit was almost halfway off of her. Stacy was in the same state. You were smart enough NOT to dress in anything like that. The crowd can have them, but not you!

“You girls have five more minutes!” The referee whisper-shouted.

Five minutes, okay. That’s not bad. Five minutes…

Wait, FIVE MINUTES?! Not good. You start to panic inwardly, and Torrie is the first to catch on.

She comes out of character to check in on you for a second. That is, after she coughs out more eggnog.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine, but five minutes!” You exclaim, nearly losing your own footing, trying to adjust yourself.

You all need to start wrapping it up then. You’re almost disappointed it’s already almost over. Almost.

“Stacy!” You whisper-shout. “You’re gonna have to tap!” When you finish your sentence, you’re already moving to sweep her off her feet.

You really wish it was Torrie, but she’s too busy trying to get herself together. Man, if she threw up, there’s gonna be a problem.

Stacy desperately tries to claw at your arm to escape, to no avail. The referee circles around you two, and before you know it, she is tapping, causing eggnog to splash everywhere.

You let her go and shove her away, and the referee helps you up to raise your arm. You’re just ready to get the fuck out of dodge. You actually think that was the most embarrassing match you’ve been in.

“The winner of the eggnog match, [Name]!”

You snatch your arm from the referee and turn away to walk begrudgingly up the ramp, but don’t forget to bat your hand at the girls and the pool.

Your music blares in your ears, but it all sounds dull. All you care about is hitting the showers.

You’ve won, but at what cost? Sometimes, you really can’t help but hate your job.

As soon as you hit that curtain, Ric Flair gives you a round of applause with a smile. “Bravo!” Shockingly enough, he’s not being annoyingly loud. “Woooo! That was a show!”

“Good enough for you?” You ask sardonically. One of the stagehands passes you a towel, and you thank them. You use it to dry your face and hair. It’s gonna have to do for now.

God, you think you may have gotten eggnog in your ear…

“Hope you’re satisfied.” You have to hit your palm against your ear.

He just laughs, making you narrow your eyes.

“Listen, listen, I just have a deal for you. Because you did the favor of participating in this match, I’ve thought…how would you like to participate in the Royal Rumble?”

“What?!” You exclaim, nearly dropping your towel. “Are you serious?”

“Sure am. You see, I would like to surprise Vince. To keep him on his toes, I’m a bigger threat than he’ll ever know.” Ric explains. “There’s only 30 spots; I’m sure he will fill them quickly. So, you may want to talk to your fellow wrestlers. Maybe they’ll give up a spot.”

That’ll be hard to do. You know for a fact no man is willing to give up a spot like that. You’ll have to drive a hard bargain…

It takes a moment for you to respond. “..Well, I would love to, really! But I wouldn’t know how to get anyone to give up their spot. And I would have to just. I don’t know. I’m not sure.”

It was sprung onto you so suddenly that you weren’t sure what to do. Ric understands, luckily.

“Well, how about this? You take the rest of the night off. Go get cleaned up and think about it. Trust me, both of us are the winners.”

Now, that is an offer you cannot refuse. You’ll have to join the party next time.

For now, you just need to think.

[pipsqk-art]

Revived Once More

Cassie is finally freed after being under the Mimic's control for nearly a year, and has some harsh realizations to accept.

You're tired. You're so tired. You're exhausted, your whole body aches. You're covered in scrapes and bruises and your head is pounding. You didnt realize you were collapsed on the floor until someone started to pick you up, you groan in response. Every little movement sends new waves of pain through your skull and behind your eyes. Whoever is holding you settles on cradling you against their chest, and despite all the aches it caused you have to admit that it feels nice. You feel two warm fingers press against the side of your wrist, its such a stark difference compared to the chains that were there before.

Oh.

The chains are gone. Are you...out? Are you awake? Is it over? The muffled sounds you've been hearing begin to clarify into voices, it's still hard to make out all the words.

"...ulse is high but stea..."

You open your eyes enough to see three blurry figures looking down at you and a fourth holding something and talking into it. Your gaze lands on a flashlight pointed in your direction and you let out another groan, squeezing your eyes shut. That got someone's attention. "...ssie?" The voice reverberates through the torso you're being held to. You manage to slowly lift your hand and weakly press it against the chest in response. I'm here. I'm awake. I'm here. I'm here. The figure holds you tighter, her muzzle resting against the top of your head. Your breath hitches slightly.

You're tired. Your mind and your feelings are a horrible torrent of misery. You're finally free and you can't even be happy about it. No. Instead you're tired, you're scared, you're confused, you're angry, but above all you're heartbroken. You feel betrayed. Again. Why does this keep happening? If you had any energy left at all you would cry, just fall to the floor and sob until it all faded away.

You vaguely register that you've been brought to a different room, you take a deep breath and open your eyes, ignoring the throbbing in your head. You look around and a gasp escapes you, it's his room. Why are you here? Why did he...

The gasp you let out gets everyone's attention, they all look back at you but you can only look ahead. You open your mouth to speak, to ask the only question that matters right now, but nothing comes out. They all share glances before Vanessa walks over to you. "Hey, kiddo," she says gently, "welcome back." You don't look at her, you barely register what she says. You are gripped with a paralyzing terror but you can't look away, those piercing yellow eyes have your full attention. Vanessa looks back in realization and then takes a step to the side, blocking him from your view. She reaches up to wipe the tears from your cheeks and, oh, you started crying at some point. "Cassie, sweetie?" Vanessa asks gently, you finally give her your attention. "You don't have to be here for this, we didn't think you would wake up this soon."

Freddy pipes up from behind her, "We are going to lock this thing him back up and ensure it he cannot escape again. But, if you are uncomfortable..." he puts a hand behind his head awkwardly, "perhaps Roxanne could take you outside and we could meet you later."

Gregory nods in agreement, "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

"I know you haven't seen the stars in a while," Roxy smiles down at you.

No. No, you can't leave yet. You need answers. You have to know.

You squirm in Roxy's arms, motioning that you'd like to be put down but she holds you tighter, unwilling to let you go. You know she's just trying to protect you, but you have to do this. You look up at her and whisper, "Please."

If animatronics could sigh, Roxy does, and sets you down on your feet as gently as she can. Your whole body screams at the movement and you do your best to ignore it. You try to take a step forward and immediately lose your balance, seemingly unable to put weight on your right ankle. Vanessa catches you and looks weirdly guilty about it. You can ask about that later. She helps you limp forward until you're about 5 feet away from him.

You swallow hard and, for the first time in a long time, speak with your own voice. "Why did you do that to me..." It's almost a question, but comes out as a plea.

He looks up at you, well, as much as he can. Bonnie, Chica, and Monty have him firmly pinned to the ground. They've already removed his legs and Monty looks ready to yank his head off at a moments notice. Still, his eyes look up at you, and he responds, "I do not understand."

You close your eyes, take a breath, and repeat the question louder this time, "Why did you do that to me? I thought we were friends..." Your voice cracks on the last word.

He blinks at you, "I am your friend, Cassie." he says in his 'normal' voice, a weird combination of your voice and Gregory's mixed together with synthetic noise. For some reason him saying your name sends a chill up your spine, that's never happened before. He's been lying to me, just pretending. He's not actually my friend because...

You squeeze your eyes shut and shake your head, both as a response and to clear these unpleasant thoughts. "Micah, friends don't do that to each other. I don't know what you made me do but," you pause and look down at your left hand, at what you hope is rust under the claws, "whatever it was I would have helped you. You didn't have to...control me," you choke back a sob "and lock me away. Do you know how scary that was?" You take a step forward, almost yelling now, tears freely flowing.

He cocks his head to the side like a confused animal and says the opposite of what you wanted to hear, "No. You're wrong." You can't breathe, he must be joking. "I made the correct choice. I saw you at the electronics store, at the party with those teens, when you failed to kill that one," he nods towards Gregory and continues, "You did not make the correct choice. I helped you, Cassie, because I am your friend. I freed you from those who hurt you. I helped you when you could not help yourself."

"YOU HURT ME, MICAH!" you yell at him, "You hurt me. So now what?" You're shaking, staring him down, fear and sadness shifting to anger.

He blinks at you several times and simply responds, "No. I helped you. I am your friend."

Your heart sinks, "You don't..." the words come out as a whisper as the realization hits you. He doesn't understand and he never will. He's not my friend and he never was.

After a few moments you wordlessly walk closer, fully blocking out any pain that may come with it. Monty moves out of your way when he sees what you've pulled out, and before you can think you slam the faz wrench into the ports at the base of his it's head. You stare into the middle distance, holding it there until it stops twitching.

You pull the pins out and stare down at the device in your hand. This faz wrench that has been with you through everything. This tool that you fashioned into a weapon. Initially only used for defense and then...

With as much force as you can muster you reel your arm back and throw it at the wall with all of your strength. You hear it shatter on impact and see the floor quickly approaching as the inertia from the throw pulls you down. You barely catch yourself and your knees crack against the tile. Several people call out your name but you only hear your heartbeat in your ears. You grit your teeth, fill your lungs with air, and scream. And you keep screaming. You scream and cry and sob until your throat is hoarse. You don't know how much time passes but you look up to see Gregory crouched in front of you. He searches your eyes for a moment before reaching forward and pulling you into a tight hug. You grab at the back of his shirt and hold onto him like he's a lifeline. "You're okay." You can barely hear him through your sobs, but you do hear him. "You're okay, you're okay." He repeats gently, over and over. And you stay there like that, for as long as it takes.

[theforgottenmcrmy]

Vipers~ Part 2/3 (Ser Harwin Strong x Reader)

᯽ Please note that this is an overall part 14 of the series “Growing Strong”. The masterlist for the series and vipers part 1/3 can be found on the pinned post on my profile. Tumblr is being mean and not letting me link it here. :( ᯽

Pairing: Ser Harwin Strong x Tyrell! Female Reader

Warnings: GOT typical sexism, canon divergence, mentions of of previous death of characters, GOT typical stigmatized bastardy, hypocrisy, Daemon Targaryen is a menace, Larys Strong is a warning in and of himself, violence, blood, a man literally gets beheaded

Summary: With even just a little bit of the gods’ favor, that struggle would not come to war. But when any Targaryen ascended the throne amongst contention, how could fire not be the result?

A/N: Thank you all for the love on the first part🖤 I tried to take a different approach with Queen Alicent here, and I hope that translates alright. I hope you guys have had and continue to have a great week🖤 Part 3 will be up on Friday.

“Lady Tyrell.”

Queen Alicent folded her hands in front of herself as she looked you over. She looked much the same as you had seen her last, donning a modest grown of rich green, with long sleeves and a high collar. However, the large seven-pointed star hanging from her neck was a new addition.

You locked your knees and held your chin up, refusing to be intimidated by her scrutinous eyes. Your knuckles on the goblet in your hand likely began to turn white from the force of your grip around it. Even now, despite the two of you being well alone, one thing was expected of you.

You kept your facial expression plain as you offered her a curtsy.

“Do not trouble yourself with all of that,” Queen Alicent insisted politely. “It is I who has come calling upon you. Please forgive the lateness of the hour.”

“I am a guest in your home, Your Grace. You are entitled to come and go as you please.”

Queen Alicent’s eyes fell upon your goblet, and then flickered over to the bottle on the table. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“I suppose you are entitled to that as well.”

Thankfully, Queen Alicent spared you the humiliation of having to pour her a cup of wine. Instead, she walked over to the nearby table and filled a spare goblet for herself. You watched with furrowed brows as she took a sip of the Dornish red. Even as Queen Alicent’s stiff shoulders slumped and she exhaled a small contented sigh, you remained on edge.

“Is there something in particular that you wished to speak with me about, Your Grace?” you prompted her, quickly losing your patience. “I know it has been years since we last spoke, but I do not recall seeing you in the courtyard this morning to welcome me and my escort when we arrived. Surely any conversation you wish to have with me can wait ‘til the morrow, can it not?”

You expected Queen Alicent to capitalize on your momentary lapse of judgment and make you pay for your thinly veiled rudeness, but to your surprise, she did not. Instead, she smiled. But the gesture was not one of joy-it looked to be more of desperation and tiredness than anything else.

Queen Alicent looked to the balcony, and then back at you questioningly. “Shall we?”

The two of you, goblets in hand, wandered out of the room and out underneath the night sky. You placed your goblet upon the flat top of the barrier and rested your now open palms against it. The stone felt pleasantly warm, and it was very soothing.

You snuck a glance over at Queen Alicent. Unlike you, she looked ill at ease. One hand clutched the goblet, which never strayed far from her lips. Her other arm wrapped around herself. She did not notice your stare, for she looked out into the capital city with a foggy expression as if lost in some daze.

“What were you thinking about out here, before I came calling?”

“My daughter,” you answered truthfully. It was silent for a beat, as Queen Alicent waited for you to elaborate. “This will be the first time I have been apart from her for more than a few days’ time.”

Queen Alicent hummed understandingly, and took another sip of wine. “I can sympathize with you. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my Daeron, all the way in Oldtown.”

Prince Daeron. He was only a few weeks older than Prince Lucerys and Selwin, and yet, the boy had been in Oldtown for the majority of his life. He was the squire and cup bearer for the Queen’s cousin, Lord Ormund Hightower.

You couldn’t help the twinge of sympathy that came over you. The thought of sending any of your other children away, even to extended family, was a troubling one. To go months, years, without seeing them? Unfathomable.

You did not doubt the sincerity of Queen Alicent’s words, nor the pain she must have felt. But you also couldn’t help but wonder whose decision it was to send the young princeling away in the first place.

Before you were forced to think of what to say in response to the Queen’s somber musing, she spared you.

“What brings you King’s Landing, Lady Y/N? Business, or pleasure?”

“An envious brother means to call into question the legitimacy of Princess Rhaenyra’s son. I would imagine that should be the business of all the realm’s loyal subjects, if not at least of their concern.”

Queen Alicent smirked. Once again, it was joyless. “We are alone, Y/N. You need not keep up this facade with me. Let us speak plainly with one another that is the truth that we both know.”

Her words were an invitation to come to the table and negotiate. By her sudden lack of pretenses, you might have been swayed to believe Queen Alicent had genuine intentions. But your guard was still raised. Without a doubt, you had just begun to wander into very dangerous territory.

“And what is this truth you speak of, Your Grace?”

Queen Alicent tore her eyes away from the view. As her eyes raked over you once more, you willed yourself to remain still and unwavering. All of the sudden, her expression softened.

“Oh… You don’t believe it yourself, do you? … You don’t. I can see it in your eyes.”

You did not believe it, for there was nothing to believe. Harwin was not the father of Lucerys, or Jacaerys, or even Joffrey.

Queen Alicent breathed despondently into her goblet. “You poor, poor fool.”

But you would swallow your pride and allow Queen Alicent and countless others to believe what they might, as you always had. As you always would. It was better for them to think Harwin was the princes’ father then for anyone else to discover the real truth.

Still, you would not subject yourself to outright slander.

“Does defending the honor of my husband make me a fool? I fail to see how it could, as I know he would do the same for me, as he has always done.”

“Your loyalty to your husband and Princess Rhaenyra is admirable,” Queen Alicent praised genuinely. “I can only hope that your former mistress will never use it against you.”

“You think far too little of Princess Rhaenyra if you think her likely to turn on a faithful ally just for her own gain, Your Grace.”

“And perhaps you think of her far too kindly. Loyalties are fine and well, as long as they are only the means by which you protect yourself and those you care about.  When loyalties become one’s only purpose for being, you will be lost to the bigger cause. Your loved ones will soon be as good as dust, if they weren't already.”

The passionate way in which Queen Alicent spoke made you hesitate. Was there some truth hidden behind those misguided words? … Surely there was more to all of this madness than mere self-preservation?

“Tell me, Lady Y/N, just how long have you been blinded beyond all reason?”

Your brief moment of introspection fizzled. “What is it that you believe I refuse to see? Ser Laenor Velaryon was Prince Lucerys’ father.”

She sighed tiredly, waving away your comment with a dismissive hand. “Yes, yes. That is what we have all been told.”

“Vaemond Velaryon’s petition to upheave the succession of Driftmark is nothing but a vindictive plot. He seeks to capture power that is not and never has been his to possess.”

“And yet, the small council has deemed Ser Vaemond’s claim credible enough to warrant a hearing on the petition, Lady Y/N.”

“Which is nothing but an insult to Princess Rhaenyra’s honor and to the memory of her late husband. Is this truly what you felt was necessary to discuss with me at such a late hour? Do you revel in trying to disparage my image of my husband and Princess Rhaenyra? You may be the Queen, but you cannot command my own thoughts and opinions of those I hold dearest to me.”

Queen Alicent was silent for a few moments. When she spoke, her voice was soft, terribly so. “I used to envy you. Did you know that?”

You blinked, taken aback. The anger within you that had begun to boil quickly died down at the Queen’s sudden confession. “Why?”

“Girls like we once were, young women born to noble houses… Seldom do we ever find ourselves able to love the man our family weds us off to.”

You took a sip of your wine as you mentally braced yourself for the Queen’s next words.

“But love found you first,” Queen Alicent recalled, looking away from you and back towards the city. “And only after that did your father deem the man who had captured your affections to be worthy of your hand. I was not the only girl who envied your circumstances, I can promise you that.”

You acquiesced, “I was most fortunate in that regard, Your Grace.”

“I must admit that in the past, I have taken some small satisfaction from the fact that the seemingly perfect love between you and Ser Harwin might not have been so perfect after all.”

Patience, you reminded yourself.. Let her think what she will.

“But I do not indulge in satisfaction at others' expenses… not anymore,” Queen Alicent denounced. “Now, I only carry my own worries.”

“Is that what you’ve come to discuss then, your worries?”

“Yes.”

Her tone was so resolute, it gave you a moment’s pause.

“Perhaps our marriages are not what we once hoped they might be,” Queen Alicent conceded. 

“But I would do anything to protect my children and grandchildren.” A redeeming quality of hers, you had to admit.

She continued, “You have been in the Red Keep for just a day, although I am sure you have heard about King Vierys’s delicate health.”

And how your maesters are eager to supply him with milk of the poppy. “... Among other things, Your Grace.”

“A day may soon come where many of us will be forced to make a choice. I cannot say what my own decision may be, but I do know that I will choose the path that I feel endangers my own the least.”

You had not expected to hear such words from the Queen. You had always suspected the motivations of Queen Alicent and the rest of her faction she had crafted from her allies at Court to be far simpler in nature. Perhaps for some of them, namely, the Lord Hand Otto, they still were. Besmirching the name of Princess Rhaenya was the easiest way to discredit her in the eyes of all who still upheld the oaths they made to her father to support her as his heir. But with Princess Rhaenyra shamed into surrendering her inheritance, the path would be clear for Prince Aegon to take the throne, which is what you had suspected Queen Alicent had truly wanted all along.

But perhaps Queen Alicent’s motivations came from another place. When the fateful day came that King Viserys passed, and Princess Rhaenyra would rise to take her rightful place as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, you would support her in whatever way you could. But even you had never anticipated such a feat to be achieved without a bit of a struggle. With even just a little bit of the gods’ favor, that struggle would not come to war. But when any Targaryen ascended the throne amongst contention, how could fire not be the result?

Perhaps Queen Alicent had only ever wanted to keep her kin away from the flames.

“I will always strive to protect my own children as well, Your Grace.”

“Your youngest- how old is she?”

“Her third name day is in a few months.”

“Does she not deserve to grow in a land that knows nothing but peace?”

No such land existed anywhere. Where there were people, there would be power. And the supply of ambitious individuals who wished to grasp that power would be limitless. No sense in denying that, but that didn’t mean there was no opportunity for it to be molded to fit your own desires. You desired change for the world that had compelled your father to bring you to King’s Landing to be Princess Rhaenyra’s lady in waiting, all the while having a secondary motive of hoping you’d secure a worthy suitor. You desired change for the world that had compelled Queen Alicent to submit herself as a pawn in her father’s unrelenting ambition, and that which had forced her to marry the father of who was once her closest confidant.

“I would have my daughter grow up in a realm where she is valued just as highly as her brothers, Your Grace. I would have her seen as an equal in the eyes of those beyond my husband and myself,” you countered firmly. “I would have my daughter come of age in a kingdom ruled by a Queen, in the hopes that such a kingdom might treat her more kindly than her mother and forebears.”

Queen Alicent laughed humorlessly. “Mayhaps your ambitions are loftier than my own, My Lady.”

The conversation fell to nothing, as the mutual feeling of having reached an impasse settled between you.

“No such world will ever existed,” Queen Alicent declared darkly, finishing off her wine. “The sooner we accept it and stop trying to fight it, the better we will all be.”

When Harwin and the rest of your family arrived, he was relieved when Lord Rosby informed him that a message from a raven was already waiting for him.

But it was not until he was alone in the chambers Lord Rosby had graciously provided to him that Harwin had a spare moment to read your message.

…

You were fine. You were armed with the dagger he had gifted you. You and the escort had made it to the Red Keep without any issue. You had a moment to speak with Princess Rhaenyra, and even had the opportunity to share supper with her family. You were looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time with them over the coming days, which is all it would be until Vaemond Velaryon’s petition would be heard by Queen Alicent and the Lord Hand. With the gods’ blessing, Prince Lucerys would be reconfirmed as heir to the Driftmark throne. You would be able to rejoin Harwin and your children, and then you could all set sail for Dragonstone.

All was well.

….

So why in the Seven Hells was Harwin so worried?

His concern had been eating away at him for the past two days. Though he had suspected Derrik and Selwin of seeing past the brave face he put on, Harwin did not doubt they would soon come to see the cracks that threatened his calm composure. At least Luciya was too young to sense something was amiss with him, but as she slowly began to realize you were no longer traveling with the group, she would soon become upset of her own accord.

Silently watching you and the escort ride into the city and out of Harwin’s sight had been one of the hardest things he had ever had to do. But for many reasons, he had allowed it to happen.

Harwin was able to take some comfort in the fact that you would seldom be alone. The escorts, along with the fact that you were essentially a guest of Princess Rhaenyra’s, reassured him some. But most of all, he was glad that the Master of Whisperers was none other than his brother.

With Larys keeping an eye and ear to the ground of not only the Red Keep, but the entire realm, what could possibly befall you? Harwin did not doubt his brother’s will to keep you safe from those who would mean to harm you, so long as it was within Larys’s means to do so.

The fire in the chambers Lord Rosby had generously had prepared for the two of you had begun to simmer. Harwin had no intention of stoking it back to life.

As he thumbed the firefly pin in his palm pensively, the dying light still provided a faint enough glow for the gem affixed to it to gleam. His mind wandered…

A firefly.

They were bountiful in the Riverlands. He could still recall fond memories from his childhood when he, Larys, Lilyan, and Eyla would spend hours at night trying to catch as many of them as they could. It’d been a pastime he was all too eager to share with Derrik and Selwin the short time your family had called Harrenhal home.

Fireflies were a bit scarcer in the Reach, where the lands were dryer. But there’d been several occasions where Harwin swore he saw some faint twinkles in the distance, right near the Mander.

A firefly.

Such an odd choice for a personal sigil.

Whoever’s sigil this was, Harwin was willing to bet all his titles, holdings, and wealth that the individual knew exactly what had caused the fire in Harrenhal that fateful night.

Harwin could not recall seeing many fireflies whilst he lived in King’s Landing. But most of his nights there had been spent patrolling the streets in the heart of the city, so that did not mean much at all.

A firefly…

Was it possible that the individual who had chosen this sigil lived in King’s Landing? At least for a time? If said individual had orchestrated the fire at Harrenhal, as Harwin had always highly suspected, that would only make sense. If Harwin, his father, you, and your sons had truly been targeted that night, the person behind the plot would have actually had to know who you all were. They had to have known your doings. They would have had to have a motive, whether it was based on truth, or on false rumors.

Whoever it was, were they still in King’s Landing? Did they reside in the Red Keep? Would you pass them in the halls, completely unaware that they had once attempted to claim your life, that they were successful in claiming the life of Harwin’s father?

…

Gods help him, Harwin was not going to be able to sleep until you were with him once more.

It was a week before your Good Brother came to see you.

In the days that followed, it felt as though the Red Keep was at a standstill. The upcoming arrival of Ser Vaemond Verlaryon and his petition to be declared Lord Coryls’s successor, should the Sea Snake succumb to his injuries, was all anyone seemed to be able to whisper about. Once he finally arrived, you thought the walls of the Red Keep might have rumbled with all the excitement that ensued.

But you had other things weighing on your mind. The unusual conversation you had with Queen Alicent the night of your arrival left you feeling uneasy, and you spoke of it to no one. Despite the passing of a few days, you were unsure what to make of it. Your mind replayed almost every word she’d said as you tried to discern her motives. Were her words a warning? Were they some sort of offering of peace?

Only time would tell.

Vaemond Velaryon’s petition was to be heard on the morrow. But for today, as you had the majority of the past several, you busied yourself by spending your time with Princess Rhaenyra and her children. Once more, you had joined Princess Rhaenyra underneath a canopy in the gardens. But this time, you were not alone.

All of her children, including one of her stepdaughters, Lady Rhaena, were present, with the exception of Prince Jacaerys, who had cited the wish to study Valyrian as his excuse for his absence. Prince Daemon was also notably absent, and you could only hope he did not intend to poke the bear that was the tension amongst the Red Keep by making good on his threat to Ser Criston Cole. Lady Baela was undoubtedly with her grandmother, the Princess Rhaenys.

Despite the absences, the gathering in the gardens felt like a warm one, with all of the participants present seemingly finding genuine happiness in merely spending time with one another. It made you all the more aware of how much you had begun to miss your own family.

As you had believed, you scarcely recognized Prince Joffrey when Princess Rhaenyra had reintroduced you to him a few days before. But the third of Princess Rhaenyra’s sons was quite the charmer, and offered you a kind greeting nonetheless, citing the many times Princess Rhaenyra spoke fondly of you, Harwin, and your sons.

Prince Aegon the Younger and Prince Viserys were also joys. Despite the wariness you held about their father, you had little doubt they would grow to be good men under the guidance of their mother.

Princess Rhaenyra sat on a bench with an arm around Aegon, who had decided to seize the opportunity for a mid afternoon nap, and was slumped up against her. Meanwhile, you entertained Prince Viserys, who seemed to be in the age where anything he could get his hands on absolutely fascinated him.

As you allowed Prince Viserys to fumble with your golden rose hair pin, your attention drifted across the canopy, where Prince Lucerys and Lady Rhaena sat at a table reading. Every now and then, Prince Lucerys’s eyes would rise from the page before him, and wander aimlessly. You had noticed how the impending petition from Ser Vaemond had troubled him. With said petition being heard on the morrow, Prince Lucerys appeared to grow uncomfortable with each passing moment.

Princess Rhaenyra suddenly stretching from her seat with a small frown stole your attention right back to the present.

“Are you well, Princess?”

Princess Rhaenyra waved you off lightly, before running a soothing hand over Prince Aegon’s hair. “‘Tis nothing.”

You took her word for it, and dropped the subject. It would not do to cause a scene in front of the children, even if you were concerned.

Princess Rhaenyra immediately noted your slight dejection, and offered you a new subject to discuss instead. “I would not dare get my hopes up, but, from the way I am carrying, the maesters believe this child to be a girl.”

The thought of that made you smile. “Daughters are a blessing of their own, to be sure.”

You pitied all suitors who might try to win the hand of a young princess who had protectors of no less than five older brothers and her father, the Rogue Prince. But you still wished Princess Rhaenyra’s words to be true. You did not doubt that she loved her sons, but Princess Rhaenyra’s secret wish for a daughter was a poorly kept one at best.

“I have been most impatient to meet your daughter, Y/N,” Princess Rhaenyra said pointedly. “How old is she?”

“Her third name day is in a few months.”

“Ah,” Princess Rhaenyra remarked in a knowing tone. “So close in age to Aegon.”

You opted to politely ignore her less than subtle suggestion. You assured her, “I have told Luciya many tales about you, Your Grace. I am certain she will be just as thrilled to meet you.” Your eyes flickered once more over to Prince Lucerys, who had abandoned his reading to listen in on your conversation with his mother. “As I know Harwin and my sons are looking forward to seeing the Princes again.”

Prince Lucerys offered up a slight smile, which you considered to be a small victory.

“Prince Lucerys,” you directed then, smiling as well, “Perhaps you might be able to attest as to why my son Selwin spends more time writing to you than he does on his own studies? I asked him once what it was that he was writing to you about, and he informed me plainly that it was a subject best kept between the two of you and your elder brothers. Something about a mishap with a morningstar…?”

Princes Lucerys’s smile widened as he was reminded of something known only by himself and the aforementioned parties. At this, Lady Rhaena abandoned her own reading to look at him curiously, but kindly.

Princess Rhaenyra rolled her eyes fondly. Like you, she had given up on the temptation to learn of every little matter her sons got up to in their spare time.

“Pardon my interruption, Your Grace.”

Everyone’s attention turned to the tent’s entrance, where Master of Whisperers Larys Strong stood. Like Ser Criston, it appeared that time had changed very little of him physically. Unlike Ser Criston, you supposed that must have been a good thing.

“Lord Larys,” Princess Rhaenyra greeted him cordially. “It is good to see you. Would you care to join us?”

“As much as I appreciate your generous offer, Princess, I am afraid I must decline. I was hoping to have a word with my Good Sister, should she be spared for a moment?”

“Certainly, My Lord,” you agreed politely.

You rose to your feet, taking Prince Viserys with you. Once you returned him into Princess Rhaenyra’s awaiting arms, you followed your Good Brother from out underneath the canopy.

“I would offer to escort you on a stroll as we speak, but I fear that experience would not be very enjoyable for you,” Lord Larys told you sheepishly. He gripped the pommel of his gane tightly for emphasis.

“‘Tis no matter; I would not inconvenience you in such a way, Good Brother. The gods look like they’ve been kind to you. How do you fare?”

“The same could be said for you, My Lady. Rest assured, I have been well. Although, the duties of my new station require much time and effort from me. I hope you can forgive me for not calling upon you sooner.”

“There is nothing to forgive. Your brother and I are proud of your rise, as I am sure your lord father would be as well.”

At the mention of the late Lord Lyonel, Larys’s smile slipped for the briefest of moments. The pain of his loss must still weigh upon him, as it did to Harwin, you reasoned.

“The small council is to meet shortly,” Larys informed you then. “So I must be on my way. However, would you care to join me for supper in two days time? I am most curious about the wellbeing of the family, and I was hoping you could indulge me.”

“But of course, My Lord,” you agreed readily. “They are just as much your kin as they are mine. I would be happy to share a meal and answer any questions that you may have.”

Larys grinned. “Splendid. I shall have it arranged, and will send for you.”

“I look forward to it, Good Brother.”

You only hoped you would have cause to celebrate by then.

The following morning, every noble present within the Red Keep reported to the Great Hall in a timely manner. Not a single member of the Court dared to miss the rare phenomenon that was a petition requesting to entirely redirect the succession of a noble house.

As all the attending parties filed into the open room, two sides were silently amassed. Though there were a few outliers, it became apparent relatively quickly that a line had been wordlessly drawn.

On one side, you stood behind Princess Rhaenyra, Prince Lucerys, Prince Daemon, and the rest of her family. Known supporters and long time allies of the Princess filed in and surrounded you. You recognized many of them and made small talk whilst you waited for the proceedings to commence.

On the opposite side of the Great Hall, the Greens and their supporters grouped together. You recognized some of the faces towards the back of the room, but recognized more lingering towards the front.

There was the unmistakable mirror of his brother, Ser Tyland Lannister, now Master of Ships. 

Besides him were his great nieces, Lady Joanna Lannister and Lady Celesse Redwyne. Despite never having been formally introduced, you had needed no one to point out to you who they were. You told them as much a few days before, when you happened across them in a corridor by chance. Fortunately, the girls took after their mothers in appearance. Unfortunately, though they seemed courteous enough and were nothing less than kind to you, their fathers’ deeds made you wary. You had ended the conversation with a request that Lady Celesse give your best to her mother and grandmother on your behalf. You made no mention of her father, Lord Garrett Redwyne.

Your Good Brother Lord Larys stood in the middle of the crowd, near Ser Tyland and a few other members of the small council. You were surprised to find him on the opposite side of the room from you… But, on the other hand, his position as Master of Whisperers must have been a delicate one to balance. There would be little doubt that he would be removed from his post and replaced if the Lord Hand suspected Larys’s interest did not align with those he had for his own family, namely, his grandson Prince Aegon the Elder.

At the front of the room was Queen Alicent, flocked by her children. They were all poised, but some of them looked to be more present than others. Princess Helaena seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. The bored look on Prince Aegon’s face indicated he would rather be anywhere else at that moment. On the other hand, Queen Alicent looked about the room, offering tight lipped smiles and cordial nods to anyone whom she made eye contact with. Like his mother, Prince Aemond seemed attentive as well. His one eye that was unburdened with an eyepatch flitted about the room, surveying it and the people within it meticulously.

Ser Criston lingered behind the lot of them. … Was it just your imagination, or was he sneaking particularly prolonged glances at the Queen? Curious.

The Hand, Lord Otto Hightower, stood before the Iron Throne in King Viserys’s absence. Like Ser Criston and Lord Larys, time had treated him with gentle hands.

“Lady Tyrell, is that you?”

You turned around towards the voice that called out from behind. When your eyes fell upon the source, you genuinely smiled. “Lord Lyman.”

For all the lords of the Reach who had been opposed to your ascension to the Tyrell family seat, Lord Lyman Beesbury had never been one of them. As he finished making his way up through the crowd, you shuffled over to make room so that he could stand beside you.

“You look well, Lord Beesbury.”

“You flatter me, my dear. I turned six and seventy earlier this year, did you know?”

“Forgive my failed memory, My Lord. If it is any consolation, you do not look it.”

Lord Lyman gasped. “My goodness, Lady Y/N. You have a dark sense of humor, I shall grant you that. I suppose the gods would prefer it if I ‘book it’, wouldn’t they?”

Time had granted you leave to forget how hard of hearing Lord Lyman truly was. Louder and more clearly, you corrected, “No, My Lord. You do not look to be six and seventy. Look.”

“’Crook’?” Lord Lyman inquired bewilderedly. He looked about the room with a disapproving look upon his face. “... Yes, I am inclined to agree. These are the proceedings of a ‘crook’.”

In front of you, you could have sworn you heard Prince Jacaerys snicker as though he had overheard your conversation. But there was no doubt Prince Daemon had overheard, and found the conversation rather amusing- his shoulders bobbing with his silent laughter gave him away.

“Speaking of crooks, My Lady,” Lord Lyman continued without missing a beat, “I wish to discuss with you some of the taxes that have been imposed on House Beesbury’s honey exports as of late…”

You were grateful when the entrance of Princess Rhaenys inspired hushed whispers from those around you, effectively giving you an excuse to pause the conversation with Lord Lyman. Lady Baela was not far behind her grandmother.

When Ser Vaemond Velaryon finally entered the room, all eyes fell upon him.

Once everyone had settled in, the Lord Hand wasted no time in beginning the proceedings. “Though it is the great hope of this Court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survives his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As Hand, I speak with the King’s voice on this and all other matters.”

As Lord Otto sat upon the Iron Throne, the hushed whispers amongst the crowd ceased.

“The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon?”

Ser Vaemond stepped forward, and began to plead his case.

You tried to listen to what were most assuredly impassioned words, but your mind refused to focus on anything else than the annoyance brewing within you. When had Ser Vaemond grown so bold? You would not have been surprised if Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys had also questioned the legitimacy of Princess Rhaenyra’s eldest sons. But the Sea Snake had never dared to defend the boys as though they were his own kin- which they were. In name.

Ser Vaemond had needlessly casted doubt upon Prince Lucerys’s parentage, and in turn, that of Prince Jacaerys and Prince Joffrey. He had endangered the lives of the Princess, her sons, and by extension, your husband Harwin, all for the sake of his own greed and ambition.

And you despised him for it.

As Ser Vaemond continued to speak, you grew more aware of the eyes of other members of the Court glancing at you. Queen Alicent’s words from the previous week echoed in your ears. You poor, poor fool. A good amount of your peers probably shared her sentiments. How could they not? The wife of a man who was suspected to father three of the Princess’s sons, offering silent support of their legitimacy? What a folly that would be… if it were true.

Once more, you found yourself being scrutinized by the Court who did not, and would never, know the whole truth.

Your hatred for Ser Vaemond burned stronger.

“... I am Lord Corlys’s closest kin, his own blood. The true unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins-”

“As it does in my son, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon,” Princess Rhaenyra interjected tiredly. “If you cared so much about your House’s blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition-”

“You will have the chance to make your petition, Princess Rhaenyra,” Queen Alicent reminded her tactfully. “Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard.”

You weren’t sure what spiked your own irritation more- the fact that the Queen had publicly chided Princess Rhaenyra, or the smug look that Ser Vaemond gave her in response.

“What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess?” he posed to her. “I could cut my veins and show it to you, and you still wouldn’t recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my House, not yours.”

You had to admit, Ser Vaemond had the damndest way of dancing around something rather than saying it outright.

As Ser Vaemond continued, you looked about the Great Hall again. Many of those present were solely focused on Ser Vaemond, but for others, their attention drifted to Princess Rhaenyra, Prince Lucerys, and sometimes, even to you.

You found yourself suddenly wishing that Harwin was here. Would those around you be so bold with their judgemental glances if he was by your side? Perhaps, but you knew Hariwn would not have stood for it. One hard look from him and they’d likely find the floor beneath their feet far more interesting.

But you knew Harwin’s presence would have only made this moment worse for everyone involved. And you doubted your ability to restrain Harwin from laying his hands on Ser Vaemond if he had the gull to make any more direct implications about Prince Lucerys’s lack of Velaryon blood, and Harwin’s supposed role in it.

“... I humbly put myself before you as my brother’s successor, the Lord of Driftmark, the Lord of the Tides.”

Lord Otto looked impressed. “Thank you, Ser Vaemond.”

Whispered reactions to Ser Vaemond’s speech filled the silence that followed. Thankfully, Lord Beesbury seemed not to hear them, for he did not comment upon them or otherwise contribute.

“Princess Rhaenyra,” the Lord Hand said then, “You may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon.”

Princess Rhaenyra stepped forward. As she looked around before beginning her address, you could tell her jaw was clenched tightly. It must have taken a great deal of strength to mind her tongue throughout the rest of Ser Vaemond’s self-righteous speech.

“If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start that reminding the Court that nearly twenty years ago, in this very room-”

A loud rumbling echoed throughout the room, halting the Princess in mid speech and commanding the attention of all those within the Great Hall. Everyone’s heads turned to see the grand doors being opened by the guards who were standing post there.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

A repetitious sound reverberated throughout the room next, but your attention was drawn to two members of the Kingsguard suddenly came into view. As they stepped forward under the entryway, one of them began his proclamation.

“King Viserys of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

That was when you laid eyes upon the King for the first time in almost seven years.

A small, hunched figure hobbled into the room. Beyond his physically feeble appearance, it was apparent by the shock silently felt throughout the room that the presence of the King was both unexpected and unprecedented.

Lord Otto rose from his seat upon the Iron Throne, and began to descend the stairs. All others in the room, including yourself, bowed respectfully as King Viserys fought to reclaim what was rightfully his.

Though King Viserys trudged slowly across the Great Hall, he was no less dignified for it. The King still commanded the attention and respect of everyone else in the room. He gripped his cane like a warrior gripped the handle of his blade. A golden mask upon his face covered what you could only assume to be maladies too great for the common eyes to bear witness to.

You thought back to your initial conversion with Princess Rhaenyra, when she confided just how ill the King was. There was no denying that King Viserys was not well, and he was indisputably past his prime. But there was a small comfort in the fact that the King Viserys before you could not possibly have consumed milk of the poppy as of late. Such a decision clearly caused him a great deal of pain, and yet, he had made it anyway. Perhaps he knew that doing so would be the only way he could defend his daughter and grandson.

You could no longer bring yourself to watch the King, despite the awe you felt. You could not bring yourself to look at Princess Rhaenyra either though, as an overwhelmingly emotional look washed over her face and threatened to leave you feeling similarly.

The room was still hushed over from the spectacle, so when King Viserys spoke to the Lord Hand, his words were as clear as a bell.

“I will sit the throne today.”

You bowed your head deeper to hide the smile that toyed upon your lips.

A sudden clangering compelled you to look up. The crown of the Old King had fallen from King Viserys’s head. You watched with bated breath to see if anyone would dare to go against the King’s adamant refusal for assistance.

To your complete shock, Prince Daemon stepped forward. No one dared to intervene between the Targaryen brothers as the younger assisted the elder up the remainder of the stairs. Once King Viserys was seated, Prince Daemon replaced the crown upon his head with great respect and reverence, before he retreated and to resume his place beside Prince Jacaerys once more.

Whether Prince Daemon’s display was genuine or a show for the audience present, you could not say. But you did know that it garnered a response from you. Perhaps you had been too quick to judge the Rogue Prince. Could such a violent and unpredictable man also be capable of genuine tenderness with those dearest to him? Was this the Prince Daemon that Princess Rhaenyra became besotted with?

Perhaps there was more to Prince Daemon than the majority of Westeros would ever get to see.

Maybe.

Now seated in his rightful place upon the Iron Throne, King Viserys took a few deep breaths to recover from his exertions. As he did so, he looked about the room thoroughly, making eye contact with each and every individual present.

“I must admit my confusion,” King Viserys confessed. “I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession.”

You silently thanked the gods for King Viserys’s staunch support of Prince Rhaenyra and her children. While he protected his own kin, he unwittingly protected Harwin and your own children.

You realized after a moment that the King was looking at you, and you went still. He said nothing, and he held your gaze for no longer than a moment, but it was enough for you to discern that he recalled who you were, and he most likely knew why you were here. You relaxed.

Perhaps King Viserys knew the inadvertent favor he was doing for you and your family after all.

“The only one present who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys’s wishes is the Princess Rhaenys.”

Like everyone else, you turned to look at the woman in question.

Princess Rhaenys did not bat an eye. “Indeed, Your Grace.”

Princess Rhaenyrs stepped forward. When she did so, both she and Princess Rhaenyra’s sons were in your line of sight. The dark hair of the King’s cousin did not appear so different to the hair of Prince Jacaerys or Prince Lucerys. The visual reaffirmation both angered you and made you feel ill. How had the rumors about the Princes’ parentage taken on such monstrous lives of their own? Did no one, save King Viserys, want to believe that Princess Rhaenyra’s eldest sons were Ser Laenor’s?

Your focus returned to Queen Alicent. She was staring at Princess Rhaenys with dread, as if the elder woman was about to deliver a blow that would devastate her entire cause.

How could Queen Alicent preach to you about avoiding war for the sake of your own children, when she and her supporters had sentenced Princess Rhaenyra’s children to a certain death from the very days they were born? If she had not been responsible for the rumors of their dubious parentage, Queen Alicent had done little to quash them. She endangered the lives of three young boys in the name of a vendetta she had with their mother, and did so under the guise of piousness. She presented an image of love and forgiveness to the masses, and heartlessly condemned the defenseless out of the public’s eyes.

Princess Rhaenys folded her hands. Would she speak for or against Prince Lucerys as her Lord Husband’s successor? Princess Rhaenyra had not said much of Princess Rhaenys over the past few days, which had led you to suspect that the younger princess could not full heartedly count on the support of the elder.

Princess Rhaenys was not blind; you were certain she knew that Prince Lucerys was not of her own blood, other than what little they shared through Princess Rhaenyra. But did she truly wish for Ser Vaemond to inherit the legacy Lord Corlys had built throughout his life? What of her granddaughters? With the Sea Snake gone, would the beloved daughters of Lady Laena be at the mercy of their great uncle’s whims after Princess Rhaenys’s own passing?

“It was ever my husband’s will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son, Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed, nor did my support of him.”

You silently exhaled a sigh of relief.

“As a matter of fact,” Princess Rhaenys continued, “the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys’s granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena… A proposal to which I heartily agree.”

That was an arrangement you did not know if. But, judging by the way Princess Rhaenyra reassuringly grabbed Prince Lucerys’s hand, it did not come as a surprise to her. She must have proposed it to Princess Rhaenys, or they had at least spoken of it prior. You had to give credit where credit was due- given the circumstances, those were politically smart matches for all four involved.

And terribly convenient, since they all were quite close.

“Well,” King Vierys said, his voice breaking through the audience’s whispers that had begun to echo throughout the Great Hall, “The matter is settled… again. I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood throne, and the next Lord of the Tides.”

The room began to process the King’s declaration, and you let out an unstifled releaved sigh. Once more, disaster had been avoided. Maybe the rumors of the Princes’ legitimacy would finally cease, especially in light of King Viserys’s impressive showing of support. But you would not allow yourself to hope. Not yet.

You would never truly feel safe and reassured until Princess Rhaenyra sat the Iron Throne as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

“Thank the Seven Heavens,” Lord Lyman mumbled beside you.

Just as you were about to agree, Ser Vaemond, clearly unwilling to accept his defeat, stepped out of the crowd and before the Iron Throne once again. He would make himself heard.

To the King, he said, “You break law and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon?... No. I will not allow it.”

King Viserys’s crossness at the accusation was visible from leagues away. His next words were spoken slowly, each one of them laced with threat. “‘Allow it’? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond.” 

You and most everyone in your vicinity flinched as Ser Vaemond abandoned courteous discussion for uncivilized shouting.

“That,” he roared, pointing a stiff finger at Prince Lucerys, “Is no true Velaryon, and certainly, no true nephew of mine.”

You did not know if it was possible to despise Ser Vaemond more than you already did. But it was.

Princess Rhaenyra whispered directions to her second son before facing Ser Vaemond. “You have said enough.”

“Lucerys is my trueborn grandson,” King Viesrys reminded Ser Vaemond and everyone else present, “And you are no more than the second son of Driftmark.”

Ser Vaemond trembled with rage. “You may run your House as you see fit, but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the doom! And a thousand tribulations besides!” He whirled his head to snarl at Princess Rhaenyra and her family. “And gods be damned, I will not see it ended on the account of this-”

You froze.

Surely Ser Vaemond was not so daft as to make such an atrocious accusation before the whole Court? He was enraged, but would he truly allow his anger to consume him to the point where he felt compelled to publicly insult the King’s daughter and grandson, before the very man himself?

You hair rose on the back of your neck and you locked your knees. For a moment, you forgot how to breathe.

It was obvious the Rogue Prince was taking far too much joy in Ser Vaemond’s momentarily lapse in judgment. Prince Daemon goaded him darkly, “Say it.”

But Ser Vaemond did not look at Prince Daemon. Instead, he looked back at Princess Rhaenyra. By the pained smile that slowly formed on his lips, you fooled yourself for the briefest of moments into thinking that Ser Vaemond would swallow his wounded pride and leave while he still had legs with which to walk.

Unfortunately for everyone, that was not to be.

“Her children… are BASTARDS!”

You gasped, though you were not the only one.

But Ser Vaemond’s egregious display was not finished. He looked back to King Viserys, and with all the wisdom of a young child, had the nerve to look unashamed. “And she is a whore.”

More gasps filled the air around you, but you were compelled to do more than just react. Technically speaking, Ser Vaemond’s first outcry was rooted in truth. But the second one was not. And you would be dead before you subjected yourself to endure slander of Princess Rhaenyra from men who were not fit to cobble her shoes.

“You cur!”

Apparently, Lord Beesbury’s hearing had miraculously returned. And, even more fortunately, he was of the same mind as you. “You knave!”

King Viserys rose from the Iron Throne and unsheathed the dagger you had seldom seen him without. To Ser Vaemond, he pointed the dagger and declared, “I shall have your tongue for that!”

The diplomatic hearing had descended into disarray.

But it was Prince Daemon who plunged it into chaos.

A sickening wet swoosh was heard, and when you looked towards the direction it had come from, you saw Prince Daemon with Dark Sister in hand. In front of him was the now headless corpse of what had once been Ser Vaemond Velaryon.

The crowd around you scrambled backwards, but you and several others closeby had not been so lucky as to avoid the splatters of blood. Splotches of red littered the bottom of your dress, and the sight of them made you feel faint.

Ser Vaemond’s corpse fell to the ground, and Prince Daemon looked down at his victim with a disturbingly calm look. Amusedly, he proposed, “He can keep his tongue.”

“Disarm him!” the Lord Hand barked, resulting in the unsheathing of many swords.

The commotion in the Great Hall escalated further when King Viserys let out a groan before collapsing back onto the Iron Throne.

“Call the maesters!” Queen Alicent cried out to any and all who could hear her, as she and Princess Rhaenyra rushed to the King’s aid.

Movement on the floor nearby stole your attention from King Viserys’s sudden distress. A mass of silver braided locks rolled and rolled until it came to a slow stop a few paces away from your feet.

The lifeless eyes of Ser Vaemond Velaryon stared up at you. You threw a hand over your mouth to fight off the retch that rose up your throat.

A/N: Thank you for reading!🖤 Feel free to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you. Part 3 will be up on Friday.🖤 Larys you better watch what’s coming your way bud--

[call-me-doll-face]

These Ties That Bind

Chapter 1 / Chapter 2

Warnings for chapter: slight angst

A/N: Sorry guys, this is a rewrite of the story i posted the other day! I didn't feel like I'd done the chapter justice. This is just getting to know the characters and setting the feel for the story! It's my firs time writing for avatar so please be patient! Any feedback or constructive criticism are welcome! Let me know what you think, if you like it I'll keep updating! @jakesullyfatjuicypeen thank you for giving me the confidence to try this! ❤️

“Hey, I’m Jake.”

“Rory. Nice to meet you.”

“Right back at ya, doc.”

Jake Sully had been right about one thing, the most dangerous thing about pandora IS that you may grow to love her too much... and love her I did.

I had been filled with a sense of wonder when I'd first arrived to be grace Augustine’s assistant. I thrived on the need to learn, the need to devour the information put in front of me. Grace really enjoyed that, i dare say she even respected it.

I was there when jake Sully arrived. I was witness to all his chaos, fell victim to his cocky tendencies a time or two. We struck up an unlikely friendship (that was very involuntary on my part) and that was the end of it.

Or the beginning... depends how you look at it.

“Will you stop following me? I have work to do jake.”

“You work too much, doc. Spend some time with your favorite cripple.”

“Jake!”

I was with jake every step of the way.

When he'd gotten separated on that fateful outing with grace and they couldn't recover him before nightfall, id sat beside his link unit for hours. I'd refused to leave, even though I had been completely and utterly exhausted.

“Where is jake?” I ask as grace and the others return from their outing, eyes searching for the obnoxious man and not finding him.

“What happened, what did you do?” I instantly start accusing, fear coursing through me. Grace gently grabs my shoulders, forcing my brown eyes to meet her own before speaking to me.

“Rory, he’s going to be fine. There was an incident and he got separated. He will pick him up tomorrow morning.” My hands shove her away from me. How dare she, how dare she downplay the seriousness of the situation.

“Why did you leave him out there! How could you! Rules be damned, they can go to hell!”

I'd been the first one he'd seen when he finally woke from the link, gasping wildly, filled with excitement, and instantly telling me about where he was, who he was with. Honestly, he talked so fast I could hardly keep up.

“Jake, open your eyes. Jake, look at me, come on you stubborn ass.” I say, tapping his stubbled cheek in attempts to get him to wake from the link. My breath leaves me in a harsh exhale when his pretty blue eyes slowly blink open. “Yeah, there you are… there you go.”

Gripping the back of his neck I help him sit up, eyes moving over him with worry. He just gives me a blinding smile, laughing as his hands grip my arms.

“You’ll never believe where I am doc!”

There were nights when we’d just sit laughing as he’d tell me about the wonders of the land. He’d teach me the language as he learned it, both of us giggling as he’d imitate how Neytiri would call him names.

“The stars are so different here… I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.” We lay side by side, shoulders touching as we look up at the Pandoran sky.

“Nah, they’re the same stars. Just different perspective.” Scoffing over at him, all I can do is roll my eyes before looking back to the sky.

We lay there in silence for a little while. Every now and then his finger will lightly run over mine, seeking the warmth and comfort from the physical contact.

“Do you know which one is earth?” My voice is soft as I ask him the question, not willing to disturb the peacefulness of the moment. When the silence stretches on for another couple minutes, I start to think maybe he won’t answer.

“Yeah, its right-” Leaning up on an elbow, his big body leans over me slightly, pointing to a bright light in the sky. “-There.”

“It’s beautiful.” I whisper softly.

“Yeah… They are.” He murmurs, eyes that look like molten gold studying my face.

I got to watch how his affection and admiration of the Na’vi woman grew.

“I just… She makes me feel so alive doc!” Jake motions excitedly as he follows me, trying to get in front of me so that he could have my full attention. Needy man. “I’ve never met anyone like her. She’s fierce, proud, always keeps me on my toes!” When he once again gets in my way and interrupts my work, I glare up at him in aggravation.

“She sounds wonderful, jake. Now please, every time I try to work you make it impossible. Go. Away.”

The good also came with the bad though… I was on his side every step of the way when things went to shit. I stayed in that little trailer in the hallelujah mountains, hiding from Miles Quaritch.

Jake somehow got the clan to accept grace and I, though they were very wary of us. What had happened with the school grace and ran had a lasting affect on them… who could blame them right? Humans always have a way of destroying everything they touch.

Seeing that I was always the one to tell jake how it is, the two of us always butting heads, it was only natural I was the one to yell at his over mating with Neytiri. I love her, but she was promised to tsu’tey, they both had their responsibilities to the clan and pig headed jake had gone and fucked it up.

I’d gotten over it quickly of course, knowing how much he loved her.

Then the attack on the home tree happened. Then grace.

“JAKE! JAKE, WHERE ARE YOU?” I shout out as I stumble through the destruction. My skin in hot to the touch, some spots burnt. Soot and ash cling to my skin and hair and my throat burns due to the heavy smoak surrounding us.

The Na’vi people scream and cry around me. Some stumble around, shouting much like I am in search of their families… others sit on the ground, sobbing as they hold someone to their chest…

I refuse to let my eyes settle on the bodies... I know that if I see them, if the reality that these people had been massacred in front of me sinks in before I can find jake… God I might just lose it.

“I’m here! Doc!” I hear him before I see him, his big blue body emerging through the smoke and barreling towards me.

“Oh god, oh thank god!” a sob is torn from my burning throat at the sight of my best friend, very much alive and moving towards me with desperation in his eyes.

We reach each other at the same time. He couches down, gathering me in his arms before standing to his full height, lifting me easily off the ground. Usually, I would complin when jake uses his strength to treat me like a rag doll but right now all I want is for him to pull me closer.

“Are you hurt? Doc, focus, are you hurt?” He cups my face, hand covering the entire side of it, fingertips pressing into my hair and onto the back of my head. Those pretty eyes of his search my dirty face. Hand shakes my head slightly to get my attention on him, prevent me from spiraling out of control.

“I-I’m okay… Neytiri?”

“She’s okay. She’s safe.” Pulling me back into his chest he presses my ear to his chest, letting me listen to his heart as his body heaves under me. He’s sweaty, dirty much like I am but I just cling to him as he shushes me gently, chin resting on my head.

Devastation had consumed my very being… I felt like I was dying inside as I took in the destruction around me. Everyone had lost so much, and all for greed.

When Jake had become Toruk Makto and united all the clans in order to fight the sky people, I’d been so proud. However, when the day came, I couldn’t stop the tears from pouring down my face.

Jake had seen this, his face dropping, and confidence quickly replaced with worry.

His big hands gently gripped my arm, knowing how easily he could hurt me in his avatar body, and pulled me aside. “Hey, hey, hey. What’s with the tears, little bird?”

I can’t help but laugh at the nickname. He’d given It to me the first time he’d taken me for a ride on his ikran, Bob. He’d laughed at how happy I’d been in the sky, flying with the wind in my hair. Had said with a fond yet teasing voice that if I weren’t born a human, I would have been a bird. Probably had been, in a previous life.

The nickname had obviously stuck.

“I can’t lose you too Jake.” My voice comes out small, so unlike my normal loud self. I’d be ashamed of the way I’m acting if I weren’t so afraid I’d never see him again.

“Oh, come on. You know damn well that I’m too stubborn to die.” He laughs light heartedly, trying to cheer me up as he kneels so he can be level with me.

Even with me standing, my face is level with his while he kneels. Any other time the size difference would make me laugh… now I just can’t bring myself to find it funny.

When I don’t give him a response and continue to stare at the ground, he lets out a heavy sigh. “Come on kid, I don’t want to leave here knowing you’re upset… just in case...” He doesn’t have to finish. The words go unspoken but we both hear them clear as day.

In case I don’t come back.

His hand engulfs the entire back of my head as he pulls me forward, pressing his forehead against mine in a rare display of affection between us. I don’t fight him for once, just lean into the embrace and breathe him in.

Neither of us notice Neytiri approach, but I jump when I feel her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll take care of him, human.” she says gently.

Neytiri hated me at first, telling jake that I needed to be with my own kind. Over time, seeing how much jake cared for me had softened her. After that it didn’t take long for me to grow on her as well.

“Take care of yourself too.” I demand as I hug her tightly. Well, it probably didn’t feel very tight to her, but you know.

After that I watched them fly away.

“Come on tiri, you got this! Come on, just one more push!” Her screams fill the mauri as she tries to push the baby out. Jake and I are flanking her on either side, letting her grip our hands as the pain wracks through her.

She whimpers, head rolling to the side so her tired eyes can meet mine. I can tell she wants to give up, the labor being complicated and long, taking everything out of her. Jake is panicking, worried to death something is going wrong and that something will happen to her or the baby. Right now, I have to be her strength, so I stroke her hair out of her face and give her a stern look.

“One more. Give me one more.” Sweat rolling down her face, tears filling her eyes, she nods her head to me. Gripping my hand tightly once more I watch in amazement as she gathers her strength and once more lets out of loud scream as she pushes.

My eyes widen and my head whips to the side as a cry, strong and mighty, is heard.

I’d never seen anything so beautiful, watches as the little blue baby is cleaned and wrapped in a blanket. “You have a son… You did so good, tiri. He’s beautiful.”

“Thank you, little human.” Neytiri is wrecked, absolutely exhausted but she still reaches a hand out to stroke my cheek in thanks.

“Come here little bird, come meet your nephew.” Jake says, and my heart has never felt so full.

“Oh, I’m going to get you, you little rat!” I threaten, lunging after Lo’ak as he squeals in mock fright.

I chase him in circles around his mom and dad, both laughing at our antics.

“Oh no! neteyam, save me!” He shrieks diving to the side.

I gasp loudly as the older boy (who is damn near the same size as me) jumps onto my back, sending us both to the ground in a pile of giggles.

“Dog pile!” Jake shouts and I quickly send him a glare before all of the kids jump onto me, laughing and screaming.

“No, no! mmph!” I gasp as I try to wiggle out from under the little brats that are my nieces and nephews. “Help!... Can’t… breathe!” I wheeze out, greatly exaggerating that fact.

Of course, stupid jake makes absolutely no move to help me.

‘I hate you.’ I mouth to him, and he just sends me a cocky grin.

‘I hate you more.’ He mouths back, playfully flashing his fangs.

“What is it, sweet boy?” I ask as lo’ak walks to me, dropping his head onto my shoulder while I chop fruit. I’d grown a soft spot for the younger boy, so much like jake when I’d first met him that my heart grows with joy.

“Nothing.” Instantly I can tell he’s lying to me. Dropping the knife, I turn to him, sitting so we face each other, knees touching.

“You have never been able to lie to me. What is it?”

“Nobody sees me. All I am is a disappointment to the family. They all want me to be like Neteyam, the perfect son, But I never will be.” He refuses to look at me, but I can still see the water that gathers on his lash line. His ears fold back, tail winding around himself and giving away just how badly he feels.

Reaching out, I run a soothing hand over his ear. “I see you, sweet boy. I am so proud of you.” Scooting closer to him, I gather him in my arms, which is comical given how much bigger he already is than me.  “I promise your father is also proud of you, lo’ak. He just doesn’t know how to show it.”

---

“DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND HOW YOU’RE MAKING THEM FEEL, JAKE? HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO THEM THE WAY YOU DO!” I shout at him, hands shoving at him as he flashes his fangs in anger at me. We are standing in the middle of their mauri, all the kids kneeling on the floor while me and their father fight. Neytiri stands to the side, ears folded against her head and watching us with sad eyes, but not stepping in.

“I AM THEIR FATHER, ITS MY JOB!” he shouts back, stepping into my space threateningly as his chest heaves with rage. His hands tremble at his sides, tail whipping behind him.

“THEN ACT LIKE IT! THEY ARE YOUR SONS, NOT SOME RANDOM SQUAD! EVEN NEYTIRI HAS TRIED TO TALK TO YOU AND YOU JUST BRUSH HER OFF!” The argument is getting more and more heated, tension levels rising to an almost catastrophic level.

“Tsmuke… it’s fine, really.” Lo’ak says in a quiet voice, not wanting his dad and I to fight because of him, feeling like he’s already caused enough trouble.

“Yeah guys, please don’t fight.” Neteyam agrees, trying to play mediator.

“No boys. No.” it takes everything in me to not snap at them, take my anger out of them. Instead, my words are just stern, firm. I watch as they duck their heads and nod in compliance before turning back to jake. “Fix. This.” I hiss, before turning and storming out of their home.

---

“I got nothing. I got no plan. But I can protect this family. That I can do.” My heart breaks at his words, not looking at them as they share a moment of intimacy. “Little bird.” Jake says to get my attention and finally I look up at them.

I let him take my hand, let him gently tug me into the circle of their arms. “Wherever we go, this family is our fortress.” His words are full of conviction, and my heart breaks further as I gently pull away from them. They both watch me with confusion, not understanding why I all the sudden need space from them.

“Jake, Neytiri…I...” my voice breaks off as I try to remain strong. How do I tell two of the most important people in my life that I can’t go with them? That as much as I’m dying inside, I NEED to stay here…

Thankfully (and selfishly) I don’t have to. Much like he always does, jake picks up on the words I’m not saying. I watch as his big body stiffens. My golden eyes narrow on me harshly, ears pressing back and baring his fangs as his tail whips in anger.

“No. No, you ARE coming.” He snarls, and I raise my chin defiantly. I know he doesn’t mean to be harsh, I know he’s just scared and doesn’t want to lose me.

Neytiri senses the tension rising and presses a gentle hand to Jakes chest to calm him before looking to me, ears folded back as well. “Why, Yawne?”

My heart breaks further as the softness of the voice, the pain lacing it.

“I’ve been teaching the children here… making a difference... they need me...” I see jake open his mouth to retaliate, already knowing what he’s going to say, I need you, but Neytiri senses there’s more and sends him a silencing look. “I’m not Na’vi jake… I won’t be accepted into another clan after everything that’s happened… I can’t go... this is my place.”

Nobody says anything after my confession, a heavy silence filling the marui and suffocating us. I can see that jake is having a hard time accepting it, every bone in his body wanting to fight it, but finally his shoulders fall in defeat.

Letting out a shaky breath he pulls me against his hard chest, cradling me there. “What will I do without you, little bird?” He asks, and all I can do is hug him tightly as I squeeze my eyes shut.

----

Shortly after that, with a heavy heart, I watch as them and the children leave the clan.

Jake doesn’t look at me as he walks past, knowing if he does, he won’t have the strength to do what needs to be done.

Neytiri just sobs loudly, gripping my forearm before forcing herself to move on.

Kiri and tuktuk wrap me in tight hugs, whispering how much they’ll miss me and wish that I’d come with them.

Lo’ak is quick to pull me in, pressing his forehead to mine. “Nga yawne lu ere (I love you)” he says quietly, and I murmur it back to him before letting him go.

Neteyam is last, and he just gives me a sad smile. Taking my hand, he presses a beaded bracelet into my hand, and upon further inspection I see it’s not a bracelet at all. My eyes widen as I look up at the boy, gripping the song cord. “For when we meet again, tsmuke. (aunt)” and then he’s gone.

They’re gone…

But that’s just the beginning of the story.