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jimblejamblewritings · 5 months ago

Text

love letters and second sons | part 6.

Summary: The princess is finally ready to debut in society. But before she does, she decides to disguise herself and see the true faces of the ton.

Warnings for the Series: light sexism in line with the times, light classism in line with the times, mental health stigma, shitty doctor care, smut, suicide attempt (will get it's own warning when the time comes),

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x princess!reader

Warnings for this part: none

Word Count: 1.2k

A/N: Sorry this is more of a blurb than full chapter.

Previous Part | Series Masterlist

Dear Sophie,

What can I say about Mister Bridgerton? Colin is kind and smart and seems to have a love of adventure that I cannot help but to admire. I do wish he was ready to propose. Whether smart or not, I will continue my correspondence with him until the inevitable. On a brighter matter, I think I’ve scared off that foul old man for good. I will tell you more later.

Best regards,

Marina

Dear Sophie,

Our license has been revoked. I don’t know what we are to do. I have let Friedrich go for my sake and hos but it seems the Queen is not satisfied nor convinced. Lady Danbury insisted we take counsel with the Queen and convince her to allow the license. But Simon and I do not know how to prove we are in love. It is just something one knows, is it not? I know there is nothing you can do. I just thought I would write and inform you of the situation.

Best regards,

Daphne

You found whatever cloak was clean and put it on in a haste. Reynolds and Pandora barely got to ask you a question before you were in the carriage and requesting the driver stop at the Bridgertons. Admittedly, you were a bit confused. You could have sworn just a few days ago Daphne and Friedrich were about to be engaged. But you also believed in true love so you would help your friend.

Your eyes went wide as you entered the Bridgerton house, coming face to face with Lady Danbury. A string of curses ran through your head. It was only a matter of time before someone saw you but you were hoping for a guard. Or at least anybody easier to bribe. Lady Danbury began to open her mouth when Daphne ran towards you, embracing you.

“Oh, Sophie, I’m so glad you came… Oh, have you met Lady Danbury?”

The older woman approached you. “I don’t believe we have Miss…”

“Beckett.”

“Hmm. Miss Beckett.”

You took her hand in yours, giving it a nice shake. Agatha made a face but didn’t say anything further. Daphne explained to you the situation as she took you, Lady Danbury, and Simon into a spare office. You sat on top of the desk, letting Agatha take the last chair in the room.

“Ok, hold hands… Your grip isn’t even nice.”

“This is comfortable,” Simon insisted.

“You two are hopeless.”

Lady Danbury sat back, laughing, as she watched you try to help the couple all morning. For two people who insisted they were in love, they were very awkward looking. A sigh escaped you as you thanked the maid for bringing in lemonade. Your mother loved love. She needed a story to praise root for. A love of epic proportions. You set down the glass.

“There is nothing I can do.”

“Sophie.”

“Miss Beckett, please.”

You smiled. “Simon, you may call me Sophie. And it isn’t that I won’t help or don’t want to but there is nothing I can do. The Queen wants to believe in love. She wants to feel that you two care for each other. That is something I cannot teach and that is something that you two can’t fake. So you must speak from the heart. What I can do is request counsel for you. It won’t be denied.”

“Thank you so much.”

While you were upset that you couldn’t attend the wedding or reception, you did hope to hear about it from all your friends. Currently, you were listening to two of them tell it. You and Penelope sat on Marina’s bed, watching her pace back and forth as she told you about Colin and her. She looked like she was keeping a particular secret but you assumed it was a surprise.

“Have you seen him with the smaller Bridgertons? The perfect father. He could be the perfect father.”

“Surely he is a bit young for marriage?” Penelope asked.

She wasn’t as thrilled as you. Now, you couldn’t lie. Tricking Colin or anyone wasn’t exactly something you liked. But Marina truly seemed to care about him. Because they were both in love, you’d allow it. Marina shook her head at Pen’s thought.

“He’s perfect. Very kind and funny and surprisingly a good dancer.”

That made you giggle. It was nice to see Marina move on from George. You were shocked that the letter hadn’t been sent to you before reaching your friend. From what Marina and Pen wrote, she was absolutely devastated at him pretending to not know her.

Marina sat on the bed, taking both of your hands. “Colin isn’t like the other young men in the ton. He’s serious and mature.”

Penelope yawned rather loudly. You and Marina stood up. The last thing you meant to do was keep her up too late, especially because the Bridgertons were hosting a picnic tomorrow. It’s very important to get proper sleep.

“Pen, if I’m not back in ten minutes, go to bed, my carriage has come. Alright?”

She nodded.

“I’m so sorry for keeping you up.”

“It is no bother. We’ll see you tomorrow?”

“The princess has given me the day off. I assure you, I will be here.”

You bid them a final goodnight, all three of you with wide smiles. Putting your cloak back on, you took the back stairs that Penelope had pointed out. Just in case you ran into Varley anyway, you put your hood up. No one was on the street when you reached outside. Quickly, you scurried around the corner. It was nice to not have to climb the back gate of the Bridgerton house.

Benedict smiled as you approached, opening the door for you. He backed up a little when you pointed an accusatory finger at him.

“We are not staying up late. I would like to attend the picnic tomorrow bright-eyed.”

“Understood.”

You felt like a kid sneaking through the palace halls as you followed Benedict to his room. The other servants seeing you wasn’t a problem, nor most of the Bridgertons. You were a palace girl as far as they were concerned. You could do anything with anyone and it wouldn’t bring scandal or ruin as long as you didn’t try to publicize it. Being with a known rake wasn’t exactly strange. But you didn’t want Anthony to find you. Surely, he’d make Benedict marry you right then and there because he cared for your honor. A sweet gesture but one you couldn’t afford.

Benedict barely let the door close before kissing you. You laughed as he didn’t stop even as you walked to the washroom. He only stopped to look at you through the mirror.

“I thought I said we aren’t staying up late.”

“We aren’t.” He lifted up your skirts. “You are getting ready for bed. I am merely assisting.”

You felt your underdrawers get pulled down and breath fanned across your body. It was very hard to concentrate on washing your face, let alone the rest of your body, as Benedict went to town on you. He made good on his promise. After giving you a rest to wash his body and change, he made you come undone two times before changing into his own sleepwear.

“Which side?”

“The window.”

“That’s not a side.”

“Shut up.”

You both took your respective sides. It took all of two minutes before embracing each other. Benedict bended his body around yours, one hand above your head and one over your body. He took your hand in his and kissed your cheek.

“Sleep well.” Benedict looked down, laughing. You were already asleep.

(part 7)....

THIS FIC TAGLIST:

@fredsbetch @cherrylovers-world @chrystinaamanda @grassclippers @flyestvenustrap @spookystitchery @lovelyygirl8 @ben-has-arrived @tragically-hipp @cherrysxuya @alowint @jackierose902109 @boojaynaqueen @thesparkling-diamond27 @intothesoul @tremendousstarlighttragedy @rosewritesitout @briskesby @tulipatheticee @intothesoul @bdudette @luna-loves08

@godofstory @thatobsessedreader @ellie-x0xo @jess4rush

PERMANENT TAGLIST:

@venomsvl @peaches-n-sunscreen @summerellaz @supernaturallover2002 @sambucky8 @9daykrisr @thebitchinleo @23victoria @scarlets-widow @pagetpagetpagetpaget @lovexnatasha @awesomebooklover17 @1234-angelika @imatrisk @blackreaderatrisk @princess-jules47 @alexloveskili @a-marie-a @siriuslysirius1107 @i-have-no-life-charlie

#benedict fluff #benedict bridgerton #benedict x reader #benedict bridgerton #benedict bridgerton x reader #bridgerton

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majesticfaba · 3 months ago

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tell me about faba's lore. all of it. every single bit.

// OHHHHH let’s goooo my time has come!! My headcanons for him have changed a bit since I first started this blog, but these are my most up to date ones.

Long post incoming!

Faba is a single child and was born in Kalos to very successful parents, both who had careers in business. Needless to say, a super rich and successful household.

Growing up, Faba had the best of everything. Food… education, butlers and maids, Pokemon…. He was given a Drowzee when he was 5 as his first Pokémon, the “best” offspring of his mother’s Hypno.

Yet for all their gifts, his parents were never present. They were either working, or travelling together. The only time Faba could get their attention was if he achieved something they deemed notable. While he was born reasonably intelligent, he isn’t as naturally skilled as his high achieving parents, which always caused tension between them and left him feeling painfully lonely. Despite his parents noting his lack of natural ability, they still expected the very best from their son, even going as far to insist he is far superior to his peers and should be performing as such. (See where this is gooooing?~)

To make matters worse, they moved to Alola when he was 10, so the few friends he had managed to make before then were taken away from him, and he started highschool without knowing anyone.

After failing to make new friends due to his unique interests and shy personality, Faba instead focused on gaining the approval of his parents. He dedicated himself entirely to his studies and in doing so alienated himself even further from his peers. His sole existence was to achieve more and more, to be the very best, in order to win his parents’ affections. By his mid teens he had become a very distrustful, anxious person, and was well on the way to developing a narcissistic personality disorder as a means to cope with the pressures he felt from his parents, effectively becoming the person he had to be to win their love.

However, this mindset of his was now so warped that even when he was top of his class in everything and his parents were finally proud of him, he still felt deeply insecure and this restless urge to somehow do even better. His parents’ praise was therefore dismissed and— ironically after all his efforts to get their attention— when he finally gained it, Faba began to distance himself from them in whatever way he could.

When he got to university, he met Lusamine… the daughter of the founder of the Aether Foundation, Wicke, her childhood best friend, and Colress, Lusamine’s cousin. Faba immediately latched onto the group because of their potential to give him a successful career. Lusamine was impressed with Faba’s work, but didn’t/doesn’t particularly care for him as a friend. There’s a familiarity between them in the present, but nothing that could really be considered ‘warm’.

Wicke made/makes genuine efforts to befriend Faba, but after being used to being ignored his whole life, Faba found/finds her suffocating. Nonetheless, he… kind of appreciates her presence? In his own way. Not that he isn’t still an asshole to her (she deserves better)!!

Colress on the other hand found him very amusing and enjoyed the witty exchanges they’d occasionally have, but Faba took an instant dislike to him because he’s got the sort of natural ability that Faba always had to work his ass off to be on par with. So Faba just had this aggressive one-sided rivalry with him, lol. They eventually graduated. Colress went his separate way, whereas Lusamine, Wicke and Faba became the new generation of Aether admins. Lusamine took over the role of foundation president, and Wicke and Faba were appointed high ranking admins immediately.

One day a local school visited Aether Paradise, and the younger Faba and one of the school teachers really got along. A year later, they married. However, she couldn’t cope with Faba’s obsession with his job and they eventually divorced. After that, Faba became a full on workaholic, was quickly promoted to the branch chief of the Alolan branch of Aether Foundation, and his NPD skyrocketed.

Divorced, single, more or less friendless and not really in contact with his parents anymore, he became the narcissistically disordered, self centred, anxious and isolated, bitter asshole that we all know and love today 💛

…

(I love to explore how trauma can turn characters into awful people~

I also have ideas for that bitter rivalry to lovers arc for Colress and Faba, because if you somehow didn’t know… OTP OTP OTP they can and will make each other so much worse and I find that dynamic so fun— but I won’t put that here because this post is long af as it is).

#ooc #answered #ask blog / rp blog

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mothraantics · 5 months ago

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Crimson Born

Chapter 2

Summary: Regulus only wants to not live in his brothers shadows anymore, so what does he do? Date the enemy, the opposing prince of the Crimson Court James Potter, also known as his brothers best friend to retort and for once be in the light instead of his older brother.

Notes: This took me a while to write and I apologise.

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“Master Regulus is alive and well ma’am” says the mediwitch as he starts to gain consciousness again, “good, get him up” he hears his mothers voice before the door to his room closes. He quietly opens his eyes, “Happy debutante master, the house elves and the maids will be here shortly to give you your clothes for the breakfast ceremony” regulus groans, of course there's the ceremony first thing after a blood moon, as the doctor leaves the room he sits up, blood was splattered around his bedroom, he smelt of blood, he can feel blood.

Ew. Was the only thought going through his head as he put his feet to the floor. His own bodily matter, blood, was soaking into his socks once more. The maids will not be pleased. Regulus shuffled to the bathroom adjacent to his bedroom, it was luckily clean. He turned the water on. Put in some soap. Stripped and cleaned. The stone tiles were littered with bloody footsteps as he threw the clothes he had ruined into the bin.

The mirror above his sink was yet to be fixed. He broke it one time and they haven't changed it yet. “Lousy house elves” he scoffs, exiting the bathroom, the blood was cleaned up already, his clothes neatly placed on the bed. He will speak to his mother about it. He quickly put on his clothing before the dinner started. A man did never have a debutante, it was mostly for the ladies of the land. Alas young royals in Lissara were put up on the podium after the women to have good engagements, true many were just in it for the money or sirius, but now it would be for once, all about him.

+-+

Scratch that it wasn't, no engagements were discussed in breakfast, a word from Sirius was heard about his current boyfriend but it was shot down by his mothers icy glare. Many women asked for regulus’ hand but none were up to his mothers standards. He was dreading the outcome. Was he going to end up marrying some unknown cousin? All three of his female cousins were already wed to your betrothed, exclude out Andromeda who has been missing for almost a few years now, had run off with some muggle from the east. It was truly worrying, if the bloodline of sirius ended with him and his dreaded boyfriend, it would be upon regulus, and if not on his bloody cousins.

Having Bellatrix on the throne was as terrifying as if letting the malfoys take up the seat. He had to think of something. “Well we may always marry him off to that girl. What's her name? Pandora Rosier?” says his mother, “Isn't she studying at That school, Academe Inspire?” says Bellatrix twirling her fork in her hands ,” how will we get her to come back, on top of having the weight as an heir.”

Walburga waves the girl off, the other frowning, “We shall get her with the right ways, The rosiers are in a scandal such as ours, with their son running around with the Mindspire spawn, Crouch was it? It's a scandal really” she scoffs. Regulus perks up hearing his friends, “A scandal, well he deserves to be in that” sirius says under his breath, regulus held himself back from kicking his own brothers shin out of sheer hatred. The Rosiers and the crouches were rather close familiar friends of his, Sirius never bothered to speak with anyone from their Empire as they attended the Etiquette lessons and so it was up to regulus to bring forth the connections. “Mother” regulus pipes up as the whole table turns to him.

“I would like to correct slightly, Bartemius, is a full citizen of Lissara and one of my closest friends, him and the son of Rosier have not been, ‘running around’ as you may claim they are rather just…friends” he says as his mother gives him a cold glare. “Very well they are not being scandalous, but alas their reputation is not as bad and from the deepest depths of my heart I shall give them a visit today, see if they accept the proposition”

The table conversation ended on that, from the depths of his mothers icy heart, he was getting married off. She knew she had nothing to do against the rebel of a brother he had, sirius. One way or another the boy has evaded two marriages, one with Narcissia and one with another young lady from the Harmony dominion, and now dating a man, werewolf. Nonetheless there was nothing she could do, she would hate him for eternity. It was nothing to do with sexuality no. Many known nobles were known to be homosexual, or on the lines of, and many more from the middle class of Lissara, it was unknown to regulus how the non magical ones treated such things in different regions, it was the werewolf part that was rather iffy to his mother and that he is apart of the Crimson Court. And the fact that he was dating a man. Homosexuality was commonly frowned upon.

Breakfast was stale and gloomy after the conversation, the two princes were left to their own devices as the rest of the family scattered away. Some to their own parts of work, others to go meet old friends. “You dont think mother is angry with a man do you?” asks Sirius abruptly to Regulus. They were taking a passage in the gardens.

“she may be, you know her views on homosexuality, she almost passed a law to make it illegal brother” he says as they walk, more like he walks, Sirius was following him hoping for some honesty. “Why must you follow me?” Regulus asks, “if it's sympathy for what you are doing to the throne, it will never come.” He says turning to Sirius, “I am aware you love him, I can see it. I saw it, Remus means much to you, but mother will not allow a werewolf on the throne…no less a homosexual” Sirius sighs running his hand through his perfectly made hair messing it up, “i wish to remind you that if you do not succeed, i am for the throne. And if I do not succeed it is whom of our cousins first produces an heir. So Bellatrix or Malfoy. I wish not see mother repeated nor those malfoys crawling to the top” he Huff's.

“Fair enough…” Sirius sighs, “I'm a lost cause-” “yes you are. You're lost and for that I must be betheoded immediately. As much as I do not care for marriage, I must marry this…woman, one who's sisters with one of my closest friends to fix your mistakes. I am tired of being your cleaner, be careful Sirius, because one day I may not be there to fix what you fucked up” – Sirius audibly gasps at his language – “in this family, one day I will not be your shadow and you will have to pick up after yourself” Regulus' says before turning around and stalking off.

As much as he hated for getting angry at his stupid dumb brother, it was needed. Sirius was an airhead, he didn't think before he acted, Regulus was cunning, he thought he planned and he knew what to do.

+-+

The ball that evening was in full swing, girls were basically hanging off of his waist for the majority of the night as Sirius paraded his boyfriend around the whole ballroom, everyone knew who the werewolf lover was by now. His face was famous. Remus was a quiet guy, he was shy and reserved, nothing you'd expect Sirius would date but there he was in the flesh. Regulus can say he will like the boy as a brother in law, of course if his mother allows it…or maybe she never will and they'll marry after she passes.

The trumpets blew, four, five, three toots in a row, the crimson court. The door master called out, “Prince James Potter of the Crimson Court!” The girls around Regulus basically dissipated to crowd around the new coming prince. So much for attention. It was stolen once again by some stuck up friend of Sirius'.

“Regulus' darling come, Auntie wants you” Bellatrix says, grabbing him by the upper arm. In the few years between them, him being sixteen her turning twenty one, he reluctantly followed her, the rosier family stood around his own, evan was for once present standing next to a girl with long blonde hair. It was platinum just how the Evans came. Blondes.

“There he is the man of the hour” Mr.Rosier smiles as he and Regulus' shake hands, “Well it is lovely to hear that you have taken up our request to marry Pandora and Regulus your highness, we promise there will be no disappointment to you or the royal family. He says. The night was spent with Pandora and Evan, as Sirius once more stole the shine, as he and Remus danced in the ball, Regulus' did have a couple dances with the Rosier daughter and a few other ladies that asked him to dance.

By the end he was tipsy, his cousins were flat drunk and he could hear the activities that the couples ensued. Pandora went home.

It was sad and uneventful as the slow ball where mostly adults danced and chatted continued through the night. Most guests went to their inns, others stayed to leave last. Of course The Prince of the crimson court was still surrounded by lovely women. Muggles and magicals alike.

Or so Regulus thought, “Well isn't it a nice night tonight” he hears behind him, he almost spins around in shock as the prince of the Crimson Court leans on the railing near him, “James” he says with distaste, there weren't any adults around he does not need to respect him, “Regulus'” the prince combats back as they stare off over the forest, the lights of the village can be seen to the right of the palace.

“What do you want potter?” He asks, looking down, debating. If he pushed James Potter down from here, how long would it take for the guards to find his annoying dead body, “I want nothing, can't I hang around with a friend?” He asks coyly. “We are not friends” Regulus quickly retorts. James puts a hand on his chest, “You wound me Black” he says, how annoying. “I was just here to ask if you have found a courtship yet” Regulus rolls his eyes, as if he wished to find one, “My mother has” James frowns, “your mother? You are to say you haven't chosen your own courtee?”

“Unlike Sirius I listen to mother…so yes, I'm being betrothed to Rosier 's daughter.” He says as James nods understandingly, “you like her?” He asks out of the blue, “of course not, but i shall tolerate her for the sake of my empire” James stands quietly next to him, “I can always help you with-” Regulus cuts him off, “I wish not for one of your whores potter. As much as I appreciate you helping my brother I am not him, if it means cleaning up his mess and being forcibly married off to a woman i do not love then be it.”

He says turning and walking back to the ballroom, “You don't have to always be the fixer upper, Regulus..you can be yourself if you wish” Regulus' stops at that. “I am myself. I am the one that quietly in the shadows fixed my brother's wrong doings”

“you don't have to always be in the shadows-”

“I do as I wish”

+-+

Regulus stayed up all night thinking of what James said, he was right, he doesn't have to be always in the shadows. He stopped himself, Regulus almost wanted to puke, scream, possibly slap himself across the face. He was letting the Prince's words get to him, just like how they got to Sirius. His mother always said to never listen to the people of the Crimson Court, they aren't like Lissarians who twist their words with dual meaning or manipulate, but they get in your head. They make you feel brave to act out and not be who you are meant to be.

That's how Sirius came to become himself and there he was with a werewolf hanging off his hip like a lost dog begging for his attention. How could he let the words of James Potter get him to think other than his true destiny. He was second he could never become first, he could never find a woman to love and dote on him as one would on his brother…or a man for all he cared, Regulus' wanted attention he wanted love. Any form or kind didn't matter anymore. He felt the hunger, the need for any kind of attention. He wanted the public to look at him and call him by his name.

Not the Second Prince.

Not the Second Son.

Not the Younger one.

Or the shy one

Or the one to save them from his brother's rowdy ways.

He wanted to be known to the whole Empire of Lissara…no to the WORLD He was Regulus Atticius Black, the Prince of Lissara, and the one who can one up his brother. But this was impossible. He could marry a muggle woman, but then he would be a disgrace, he could always marry a man, but who can combat the attention his brother would get with that mutt. What was better than Remus John Lupin?

Regulus thought all night, and as the rays of the sun peaked from in between his curtains and the passing of maids and house elves arose in the halls, it hit him. It was as if the Cruciatus curse was shot at him, he hated himself for these thoughts for just a quick second, before he decided it was the best way to gain this attention he seeked. But would he agree? Would he join him? Would he help?

“I can always help you–

Regulus felt if those words had another meaning…a different meaning, one that between alcohol, the need for sleep and pure hatred he misjudged. Maybe he would be willing to help. Regulus had to be fast, the convoys did not leave until noon and it was yet to even hit the first hours of the morning, the prince did not wait for any house elf or maid to come before he threw a bath for himself and got clean. He dressed and rushed out the door as Dippy apparate within the walls of his room, looking rather stunned.

He followed his senses as he waves through the rushing maids of the morning and towards the west end of the palace where he knew the Convoys and the maidens rested. Some were already leaving, bidding them good morning as he passed, he quietly avoided the rosiers throughout all of this, lest they stop him to speak about the betrothal. At the far end as far away from his family as possible he made it to the last room. The one where he knew he was resting. He knocked on the door, and he heard shuffling from inside as the person quickly got themselves together and then opened the door. James Fleamont Potter, in all his morning glory, stood in front of him.

“Regulus? What? It's like seven am? Is everything alright?” he asks as regulus pushes past him and stands just inside the room, James closing the door. “Remember the offer you asked of me last night?” James looks at him confused, Regulus can tell the man was hung over even slightly, he looked at him as if he had three heads before it clicked in his brain and James nodded.

“I accept…But there will be my own terms”. James almost doubled over, he looked at him wearily. This was going to be one heck of a challenge.

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Chapter List here (including Ao3 Link)

Taglist:

#harry potter #james potter #jegulus #marauders #regulus black #sirius black #wolfstar #Crimson Born #Mothraantics

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roadtogracelandx45 · 6 months ago

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Current State of Affairs|4| Lee Dutton

part 3

masterlist

ao3

wattpad

Four: It’s Him or Me

The sun was just peeking up and over the mountains when Lewis stormed out of the guest bedroom and down the hallway to Spencer’s childhood bedroom, with every intention of fighting with her about her father and the other men’s behavior towards him and how Spencer just let it go on, she shouldn’t have let it go on, like that. She should have stopped it right from the start. The Spencer that he knew would stick up for him. Shaking in anger, Lewis went to the door and threw the bedroom door open. The room was empty, the robe that the bridesmaids were going to wear was laid out on the neatly made bed.

“Son of a bitch!” He shouted before he turned around and went storming down the stairs towards the big French doors that led to the backyard, barn, and fields.

“Spencer! Where the hell are you?!” “Boy, lower your voice.” Royal Abbott commented as he and his boys stepped out onto the porch.

The ranch hands were already out working on the daily chores and as far as they could tell, Leighla and most of the other women were still sleeping. And they assumed that Spencer slipped back into the house and into the room where the bridesmaids and little Amy spent the night. But seeing her appear on the small deck of the treehouse wearing a big white button-down shirt and messing with her hair, sleepiness still clear in her eyes. “What in the world is going on?” she looked first at Lewis then at her uncle, “Uncle Royal? What's going on?”

“Nothing, sweetheart, why don't you come inside and have some breakfast before the wedding people get here,” Royal answered, “and tell Lee, he can either join or get on home to do his own work.”

Spencer flushed and nodded her head before slipping back into the treehouse where Lee was still at.

“You leave that girl alone.”

“You can’t tell me what to do.” Lewis returned stubbornly as he started towards the treehouse.

“Son, you really don’t want to do that.” If Royal had learned anything in the last few years was that Lee Dutton was fiercely overprotective of Spencer. And he would kill to protect her.

Spencer needed that.

“It feels like we should stop him,” Perry commented, watching him near the tree and looking up the trunk of the tree as if he needed to figure out how to climb it. “Lee will kill him.”

“Nah, I got money on Spence.” Rhett returned, his cousin was to the point where she was done with everything that was related to Lewis. He had seen it when she came out to see them, she just needed that push in the right direction.

‘We should stop it, we don’t want to ruin Frank and Leighla’s day.” Celica, Royal’s wife commented, and if she knew her niece and she liked to think that she did.

She knew that now that Lee hopefully admitted his feelings towards her, they would be together. In more than one way.

“On it.” Her younger son said as he stuffed the rest of the Danish into his mouth and stepped off the porch.

“Is he out there?” Lee asked, pushing himself up on his elbows to look at her, his eyes trailing over her bare legs and ass.

“Yep, and he is pissed.’ She returned as she looked around for her dress and underwear.

“Let him be.’ His hand caught her hand and pulled her back on top of him, his free hand brushed back some of her hair out of her eyes, “He doesn’t deserve you at all.” She turned her head and pressed a kiss to the palm of his rough hand.

‘Did you hear Uncle Royal?” She changed the subject, as much as she wanted to stay in the treehouse forever with him, her uncle was right, they were expecting the wedding planner and the people to do their hair and makeup and since she was the maid of honor, she needed to be present for all of it.

“Yes.” He returned, twisting some of her dark red hair around his fingers. “Beth is going to bring my suit over here. Dad is insisting I stay with you.’ Spencer bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing aloud, ever since she was a little girl, John Dutton wanted her to marry one of his sons. Lee or Kayce. It did not matter.

“I think your dad still wants me as his daughter-in-law.’ Lee shrugged his shoulders and pressed a kiss to her mouth before groaning as she shifted her position on his lap brushing against his erection. “Baby.” He warned, “We don't have the time to do this.” as much as he wanted to, they couldn't. Royal was right, they had a bunch of stuff going on that day including her father's wedding. “After the wedding.” He promised against her mouth.

“I hate it when you are right.” She whined before kissing him again.

Chuckling under his breath, he squeezed her hips and stood her up. “Leave Lewis to me.” He started standing up and putting his boxers and jeans from the previous night back on. She nodded her head, not able to stop the feeling of fear that she had risen in her. She knew that Lee could handle himself and Lewis had nothing on him but it still worried her that Lewis could do something to hurt Lee.

“Hey.” He started cupping her face, ‘He isn’t going to do anything to you ever again. And don’t worry about me.” “I know.’ She knew that she was going to be perfectly safe being here with Lee and their families being around. It was just a matter of who was going to get their hands on him first.

Lewis was sitting at the table fuming when Spencer and Lee came into the dining room, him still in the suit from the night before and she was in gym shorts and a t-shirt that had seen better days. Clothes left behind in the tree house from before she left for Yale.

“Spenc!” Amy Abbott called from where she was sitting down at the end of the table, “Come sit with me!” The older Abbott gave her cousin a wink and turned to Lee who was already loading up plates for them, her hands busying themselves with making coffee for them.

Something she never did for him. She was a whole other person when she was around this Lee guy and he wasn’t happy about it.

“Grace!” Lewis snapped after they had sat next to her second cousin who tilted the piece of construction paper towards them to show them what she had been drawing. On it was a little girl sitting on top of a pony wearing a sash and cowboy hat with a crown.

“If your daddy is okay with it, I could start teaching you what I did when I was your age. I was Fair Princess Junior.” Amy’s eyes lit up and she clapped her hands in excitement. She had seen pictures and grainy home videos of Spencer winning the titles when she was her age and she wanted to do something like that.

Lewis got up from his seat and stormed over to where she was at, his hand going around her bicep. “Let go now.” She ordered as Lee stood up and pushed him back. The man stumbled and pulled Spencer with him tipping the chair backwards, causing her to smack her head on the stone flooring.

“Fuck! Spence! Are you okay?” Lee asked, dropping down next to her, his hand going to the back of her head to check it for blood. “I am okay. I am okay.” She assured him, her trembling hand grasping his wrist, he pulled his hand away from her head and was thankful that there was no blood coming from her head.

“I will get the paramedics over here.” Leighla started as she pressed buttons on her phone, this wasn’t the first time that Spencer had banged her head on the floor and it wouldn’t be the last, but every time they called the doctors or paramedics to come and check her out just in case she did some sort of damage to herself.

Celica had crossed the room and helped pull her to her feet, her worry clear on her face. “I am okay.” Spencer repeated as her knees buckled once she was upright. “No you aren’t.” Her dark eyes went to Lewis, wishing all the harm onto him, there was a special place in hell for a man like this. “What?” He laughed holding his hands up, “Not the first time, she has gotten hurt like this.”

Amy had slipped out of the dining room and returned with her father, uncle, grandfather and great-uncle. Perry went over to his cousin’s to take her weight from his mother. His own hand went to the back of her head to make sure there was no blood himself.

“You need to make a choice right now Grace. It’s them or me. It’s him.” Lewis pointed a finger at Lee, “or me.”

The girl was quiet for several long moments, her hand clenching at the one of Lee’s that was holding onto her waist. He twisted it around and twined their fingers together. Offering silent support that he was with no matter what she chose. “First of all, it’s Spencer. And I pick them.” She answered, “I want my family back.” Lee’s grip on her hand tightened. “And I want him.”

#ash writes #series: angel of mercy #oc: spencer abbott #oc: spencer dutton #lee dutton #lee dutton fan fiction #lee dutton imagines #yellowstone fan fiction #yellowstone imagines

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in-search-of-a-fallen-star · 6 months ago

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at the last stroke of midnight (pt. 6); shouto todoroki/reader

Content warnings: aged up characters, everyone is in their 20s or older. fantasy au. no pronouns used for reader, but they are described to wear skirts and are referred to as ‘my lady’.

heyyy so this literally kept me up last night. sorry the last parts are like 6 months late. hopefully the finale is worth the wait.

part 5 : part 6 (you are here) : part 7

MINORS AND AGELESS BLOGS DNI

All you know is that you need to get away.

Your mind is whirling, the snide voice of your own insecurities filling your mind with all the reasons a prince could never love you. You race out of the ballroom, startling the guards at the door. The main doors to the palace are shut, and too heavy for you to open on your own, so you make a split second decision and dart down the halls towards the servant's passages.

A moment after you make your escape, you hear Shouto's voice call out for you, and footsteps pounding down the marble hallways on your heels. You dash into the servant's passage, throwing the door open behind you. Several maids in the passage quickly move out of your way, armloads of linens hoisted above their heads to make room for your escape.

The passage opens up into the scullery, and you slow your mad dash enough to avoid the risk of falling into one of the steaming hot vats of water, topped with soapy foam, where laundry is being washed. Finally, you reach a door to the outside, and you take a breath of cool night air. You can still hear a commotion inside, and you're not ready for what that might mean, so you continue your flight deep into the palace gardens.

The gardens are dark, lit only by the arcane lamps that stand near the paths, and the shadows grow even deeper when you veer off the path and into the woods at the heart of the gardens. Left nearly blind in the darkness, your feet take you down a path you know well- and soon, willow fronds brush against your skin as you arrive at the great willow tree at the heart of the garden.

You sink to the soft grass, your skirts pooling around you. Your mind whirls, processing not just tonight, but everything that's happened over the past few days. The knowledge that your knight is the prince of the kingdom slots in like a final puzzle piece, revealing the whole picture. It makes sense now, why the queen seemed so knowledgeable, and why Princess Fuyumi had acted so strange at the tournament.

Your knight is a prince.

You bring your hands up to your face, pressing them over your mouth. Goddess above, you'd sassed a prince, and even worse, you'd licked his hand. You've been in the south long enough to begin to understand what their royalty meant, and the rules that surround people of that station. It was out of the question to talk back to them, let alone lick them, and you'd done both.

You contemplated making a break for it back to your village up in the glaciers, but then you thought about having to explain the circumstances of your return to the village elders and immediately changed your mind. You'd rather endure a lifetime of ridicule in a southern court over a moment of your elder's displeasure- they'd most likely scold you for embarrassing the village, and they'd be right.

You flopped back in the grass, looking up at the moon through the willow boughs. Absentmindedly, you stretched out a hand, watching the silvery light play over your fingers. You're going to have to face the queen, you muse, conjuring motes of ice in the air, letting them refract the moonlight. Now that you think about it, she had seemed rather excited over the prospect of you spending time with her son, and now you'll have to explain that you ran away from him during one of the biggest events of the year. Your exit definitely made an impression, and most likely not the good kind.

Shouto's face hovered in your mind's eye. He had looked devastatingly handsome in his formal wear, hair pushed back to showcase his handsome features, and a tailored coat accenting his broad shoulders and trim waist. More importantly, you remembered the stricken look on his face when you had pulled away from him in the ballroom. If he had genuine feelings for you, he definitely didn't anymore, you think. He'd looked… heartbroken.

The crunch of footsteps snaps you out of your reverie, and you snap up from your position on the grass. You can make out a figure in the trees, and you try to quietly stand up, shuffling behind the trunk of the willow.

The footsteps get closer, and you can hear the soft rustle of the willow boughs parting as the figure steps past their shroud.

"My lady? Are you here?"

You squeeze your eyes shut. Your heart races- what do you say to the person whose heart you just broke? Worse, what will he say to you?

"Do you truly not wish to see me, my lady?" Goddess above, the sound of his voice twists your heartstrings. He sounds so melancholy his voice almost brings tears to your eyes. He waits for a moment, and when you don't respond, you hear a sigh wrench out of his chest and the sound of his boots on the loam as he turns to leave.

"Wait! Please wait," you call out, pressing yourself against the tree. You clap your hands over your mouth- your words surprise you almost as much as they surprise Shouto. You can hear his sharp intake of breath as he turns back.

"What is it, my lady? Ask of me anything, and I will grant it. Just please, do not flee from me again," he begs. You can hear him step closer, the brush of fabric against the tree trunk.

"I don't want anything from you," you can't help the way your voice snaps and cracks in the dark.

"Do you truly wish to not look at me?" he asks, and his voice sounds so sad that you can feel your heart crack.

"I'm not ready," you answer, voice thick with tears. "I'm scared, Shouto."

"Why are you scared?"

"I'm just a servant from a northern village, a commoner. You're a prince," you say. "I can't offer you anything- I have no money, no status, nothing that makes me worthy of royalty."

"That doesn't matter!" he roars. Distantly, you note that it's the loudest you've ever heard him speak. "I love you. All my life, I've only wanted someone that saw me for me, who didn't see the title, the crown. You saw me, from the moment we met. You treated me like a person, like your friend. I loved you the moment you licked my hand," he lets out a dry chuckle.

You take a deep breath, hand over your racing heart, and then step out from behind the tree.

Shouto stands underneath the willow, drenched in silver moonlight. His hair has come loose from its style, a few strands draping across his forehead. You stretch out a hand for him, ignoring how it shakes a little. He reaches for you instantly, shedding his gloves so you can feel the warmth of his palm against yours.

"Say it again, please," you breathe.

"I love you," he murmurs, pulling you in by your hand. He moves slowly, letting you decide, and when you don't pull away he folds you against his chest.

You let your head rest against his chest, taking a deep breath before looking up into his varicolored eyes. He cups your cheek in one big hand, and you reflexively lean into the touch. "I'm ready to not be scared anymore," you say, steadying yourself against him. "I love you, and I'd like for you to kiss me."

"Gladly," he whispers, and leans down to slant his mouth over yours. His lips are warm and slightly chapped, moving gently over yours. When you shyly respond, you feel his fingers tighten in the fabric of your dress and he pours heat into the kiss.

He's all you can sense- the warmth of him pressed against you, his campfire-in-winter scent, the sweet taste of dessert lingering on his lips. He cups the back of your head, tipping your head up and devouring every inch of your mouth.

The kiss makes your head spin, and it's not until your lungs are screaming for air that you finally put a hand on his chest to push him away. He breaks away, and it makes something in your chest flutter to see that he's panting with a flush high on his cheeks too. He doesn't take a step back; instead he wraps his arms around you and rests his forehead on yours while the two of you catch your breath.

"We should do that again," you blurt out. Your declaration startles a laugh out of him, and you swear it's the most beautiful sound you've ever heard.

"People will talk if we stay out here for much longer, and you're already… disheveled," he says diplomatically. You look down; you know your hair is a mess, your dress is askew and the hem is muddy after your impromptu hike through the gardens.

"I don't care," you decide. "I'm a mess, and people will talk regardless. So bend down and kiss me, Shouto, before I make you."

His mismatched eyes twinkle in the moonlight. "As my lady wishes," he murmurs against your skin, obediently bending down to kiss the breath out of your lungs.

After the two of you finally separate, the moon is high in the sky and the sounds of the party have faded. You and Shouto share one last kiss before you go your separate ways; agreeing to sneak back into the palace separately to avoid as much gossip as possible.

You know that the queen has long since retired at this point, so you skip going to her chambers and instead take the servant's quarters to your little room. The exhaustion of the evening hits you as you push open your bedroom door, the anticipation of being in bed making you feel weary.

Unfortunately, you feel a frission of adrenaline spike through you as you enter your room, as the queen herself rises from her seat on the edge of your bed. "You're finally back, did Shouto-" she looks you up and down, taking in your flushed cheeks, disheveled hair, and kiss-swollen lips. An amused smile makes its way to her mouth. "It looks like Shouto did find you. Were the two of you able to sort things out?"

You can't help the way your cheeks heat, made worse by the way her smile twists into knowing. Luckily she has mercy on you, gesturing for you to turn around so she can help you undress.

"You don't need to do that, your majesty," you protest, taking a half step back.

She props her hands on her hips, the stubborn set of her face reminding you of Shouto. "I suppose you'd rather sleep in the gown, then? And," she peers down at the hem. "Get mud on your sheets?"

"You have a point," you sigh. You turn and let her fuss with the fastenings, pulling your gown over your head one layer at a time. Once you are left in your chemise, and she has an armful of cloth, she guides you to bed with one hand.

"Rest, dear one. I'm guessing you'll be very busy in the near future."

She shuts the door, the room falling into darkness behind her. You fall asleep shortly after, dreaming of princes and kisses.

#shouto x reader #shouto todoroki x reader #shouto todoroki x you #my hero academia x reader #my hero academia #todoroki shouto #ves.writes

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kmhappybunny240 · 2 months ago

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The French Nurse

Chapter 7

The French whore had an obnoxious laugh. Her head thrown back with mouth wide open cackling at Lizzie's foolish story involving Tommy , A top hat and coconuts. Grace would have enjoyed the little anecdote if she wasn't spying on the women. She did visit the florist just not the one she had originally planned to. Grace had awoken early that morning to call around florists near Olivia hotel , only a block away, then booked an appointment for pampering at said hotel.

Grace had to silence a soft moan when her masseuse hit a tender spot at the bottom of her foot. She had finagle information out of the dim witted receptionist to occupy the alcove next to the group. A thin shutter partition and thin curtains separated each private space that faced a healing mineral water pool. If it was any other day she would have enjoyed herself. Today her mission was to gather information on her target. Information that could help take Olivia down. She didn't learn any useful information. The other cackling hens did most of the talking. Olivia boasted her sons accomplishments . How she described him sounded like Tommy.

Grace's heart clenched. Oscar was kind to her and she met him with coldness. He is still young and has an impressionable mind. Easy to mold. He would mourn the loss of his mother ,if it came down to it, but he would move on in time. The perfect , loving stepmother would be by his side.

Guiding him in the right direction of his potential future. Private schooling , country club equestrian lessons, etiquette lessons, High society dinners. She would set him up for a promising and successful future. The perfect son. Yes that will be her new plan. Gain the boy's trust and love then take out that awful French woman. Grace will become his new mother. The thought made Grace smile. A sweet child to love and call her own. A child that Tommy already loves and accepts. A small fear she has had is the possibility Tommy wouldn't love their own child. He forgave her for the past but she knew the hurt was still there. Oscar was the remedy to all her problems.

She could hear the women leaving their alcove to the pool. Once they left , Grace dressed in a robe and slipped out the side.She hurried to her belongings and dressed. She had to leave before they saw her.

Grace nearly skipped in her step as she hid in the lobby of the hotel.Lying in wait for Olivia. Twenty minutes later she showed.

"Olivia!" Grace waved her down making herself look flustered as if she had ran there.

"Grace. What are you doing here?" Olivia eyes were wide. Good she caught the woman off guard.

"I had hope we would be able to have a quick conversation to clear the air. Last night didn't end very well."

"I was on my way to my room to freshen up for lunch."

"No worries. One quick conversation and I will be on my way." Grace left no room for argument. She raced towards the elevator ,bumping a few people out of the way. Olivia had no choice but to follow.

The elevator door opened and Olivia reluctantly led Grace to her room. She was impressed Olivia could afford the suite. They entered a beautiful sitting room. To the left was another door that led to the bedroom.Olivia placed her purse on the bed. From the quick glance around Grace couldn't spot any loose papers or identifying documents. She might have to bribe a maid to snoop later.

"I must apologize for my behavior last night."

Grace took control of the conversation before Olivia was able to sit down on the settee.

"Tommy and I have been through great deal in a short period of time. I'm not sure if you know all of the details."

"Polly told me everything."

Of course that witch told her.

"Well then you know how dangerous the Shelby family can be. I keep waiting for the phone to ring with dire news on the other end. Tommy telling me we need to run. Polly with news of a death. God forbid it would be Tommy."

"My son isn't bad news."

"I know he isn't."

Grace moved from her chair to Olivia. She put on her best sympathetic expression.

"We have been planing our wedding , Tommy legitimate business has been thriving. I've been secure in the stability that has provided for me."

"When Tommy informed me it felt as though a grenade went off. Another one of his messes that has crashed into my life.I felt threatened and so many other emotions that I am still processing."

Grace took Olivia hand into her own. She squeezed lightly. Olivia was hard to read at that moment.

"From the deepest part of my heart, I humbly apologize to you and your son."

"I don't like how you make my son out to be a burden or inconvenience. "

"I know , a poor choice of words. I don't want any strife between us. I wish for us to become good friends . I want to become a trusting and loving figure to Oscar."

Olivia stared at Grace unsure of what to say. She couldn't tell if there was true sincerity behind her apology. Polly and Lizzie's warnings rang in her head. She could hear Tommy's reassurance too. An angel and devil sat on her shoulders. One said to trust Grace the other said not to. Her gut was telling her not to trust. If she didn't give Grace a chance then how could Tommy and Oscar relationship grow. She would feel guilt for standing in the way. There wasn't much of a choice .Swallow her pride for the sake of her son.

"I am not a threat to you Grace. I want peace between us."

Grace leaned forward and hugged Olivia.

"Thank you for accepting my apology. Having a friendship with you means so much to me."

The lie tasted awful on Grace's tongue. The lies worked in her favor. If Tommy questioned her , she was in the clear. She was first to make the effort and should any tension happen then she could blame Olivia .

"I will leave you be now. I appreciate giving me the time to explain, I feel we have a bright future." Once again to have the upper hand , Grace kissed Olivia on the cheek and left in a flash. Leaving no room to argue.

Grace left the hotel heading towards a phone booth four blocks down the street. She opened her purse looking for the contact number. After four rings a man answered , asking for the code word.

"Bumblebees."

"Have you decided to leave that criminal yet?"

Grace heard the smirk in his tone.

"Atticus I don't have time for your antics."

"You shouldn't rolling around the muck with those pigs."

"ENOUGH!" Grace shouted.

"What do you need Grace?"

"Information and support. I have a new target."

"I thought your spying days are behind you."

Atticus felt a swell of pride Grace was back to her old ways. Grace's father was a mentor and teacher to him. Atticus wanted to emulate Philip Burgess. His storied military and police career , his stature in the community , and his loving relationship with family. A perfectly poised wife and daughter. Women that could be shown off proudly in their society.

He had hoped Grace would share that life with him. They did fool around when they were Twenty. Her father's death stopped any budding romance between them. He shed a few tears when Grace told him the news of Thomas Shelby. If his family didn't have the deep connections they did then he would have killed Tommy by now.

"I don't have time to fully explain right now. Olivia DuBois, Giverny France. She lives in London occupation is nurse . Currently visiting Birmingham." Grace rattled off more detailed information.

"She sounds interesting , who is she?"

Grace huffed. Reluctantly admitting to him Tommy secret.

"She is an old friend of Thomas's. They have a child together. A boy."

"FUCKING HELL GRACE."

"Please Atticus do this for me. I need help and you are the only one that can.I can't trust anyone else. You are all that I have."

"Alright give me a few days to see what I am able to find. Call me when she goes back to London. I will figure out how to get close and watch her."

"Thank you. I promise I will .and this up to you."

"Just stay safe promise me that."

"I will my darling."

The both hung up. Atticus poured himself a drink and got to work right away. His had only a few contacts in France so he would have to rely on ground work. His introduction would be easy. He would cut his hand or sprain his ankle. He knew how charming and handsome he was. A single woman most likely lonely with the burden of raising a child. He could play the part well. A man who loves children and well off to take care of a family. The French woman would let him into her bed in no time. She obviously had loose morals since she had a child with Tommy Shelby out of wedlock.Maybe he would get a second chance with Grace after all.

Grace arrived home in time for dinner. The day was a success. Turned out better than she thought. The plan was officially set into motion. As long as everything went smoothly Olivia would be out of her life before the wedding. Oscar would be all hers.

Returning downstairs she heard talking from the hallway phone nook. The boy back was to her so she was able to sneak the large gift bag past him and into the office where Tommy was.

"The house is quiet . It's just us now yes?"

"They left after you did."

"Good. I met with Olivia today."

"You did what?!" Tommy looked at Grace like she grew another head.

"I needed to see her to make peace and I didn't know if would approve."

She walked to Tommy , held his hand.

"I apologized and I ment it. Truly. Oscar is a sweet boy.Neither of you need me standing in the way of your relationship. I'm sorry for my coldness towards him. I hate to admit this but I was cold to him because of his mother. I know that was wrong."

She took his hand and kissed his palm.

"I love you and trust you. I'm putting my trust in you. That you don't have those feelings for her anymore. It's scary , the thought of being a stepmother. I know I can do it. I want to be a trusted figure in his life."

That line hooked in Olivia and now with Tommy. His demeanor soften. She gained an inch and would run with it.

"Papa, mama wants to speak with you."

Oscar barreled into the room. He hesitated once he saw Grace. Tommy was reluctant to leave , Grace gave him a reassuring smile.

"I bought you a gift today Oscar. Would you like to open it right now?"

Oscar felt perplexed and showed through his expression. Grace felt a twinge in her heart. Her actions caused this. Tommy kissed him on the head and guided him towards the large bag.

"I will back in a few minutes." Tommy left the door ajar.

Oscar opened the bag suspiciously. He was cautious and tried to fight his excitement. He struggled getting the heavy box.

"Here let me help." Grace pulled the box out and saw Oscar eyes light up. An electric metal train set. The engine,four cars, a caboose , and a twenty piece track.

"The shop attendant told me you can add to this set. They have stations and a switch track. More tracks , even people miniatures. You can build a little village if you wanted."

"Why ?"

"Why what?"

"You don't like me. Why are you giving me this?"

Damn he is smart. Too smart for his age.

"I am sorry for the way I acted." The apologies she had to make today made her head hurt and turned her stomach. This might be the most important one.

"I acted foolish. When you get a little older you will understand why I acted the way I did. The best way to explain is a threw a temper tantrum. My feeling were hurt and I took it out on others.I wish for us to be friends , if you want to."

Oscar contemplated Grace's apology.

"Humble pie can taste bitter." He looked up to Grace , studying her.

"That's what mama says. When you admit a mistake you eat humble pie. It can taste awful but you are better for it. Accepting humbleness will make you grow into a better person."

Grace was speechless for a moment. The kid was alarmingly smart and probably could see right through her. That could become a problem in the future. She would have to be very careful around him.

"Friends ?" Grace placed her hand in front of Oscar to shake. Since he had the maturity of an adult ,she would treat him that way.

"Friends." Oscar smiled while shaking her hand.

"Would you help me set this up in my room ?"

"Of course my dear."

Tommy had finished his call when they walked past him. He helped them to Oscar room to assemble the train set. The excitement radiating off of the little boy was contagious. The adults laughed and played along with Oscar. Grace heart swelled at the sight. She wanted nights like this. Tommy being an attentive father and husband. It would be good practice for when they have their own children. Despite her perceived cold exterior she did have a heart. She wanted children she could love. Oscar would be a good start. A sweet smart boy any mother or stepmother could be proud of.

~~~~~~Warwickshire, earlier that day~~~~~~~~

Tommy stood beside Oscar as they readied Daisy. A gentle pony he bought when he moved in Arrow house. John and Esme youngest was the most recent to ride her. A safe choice for a leisure stroll around the house grounds.

"I've ridden larger horses , I don't need a pony."

"Yes you do."

"Nooo."

"You fell off a larger horse only a week ago. If I hadn't convinced your mum you wouldn't be on that pony or anywhere near the stables. She set the rules. One month on that pony then you can go back to horses."

Oscar gave an adorable huff for a response.

"That is reasonable I guess."

Tommy leaned over and patted Oscar on the shoulder. He looked like a miniature Tommy with his Peaky cap on. Oscar was insistent on both of them wearing the caps so they could match.

"How do you fancy England so far?" Tommy asked.

"It's different." Oscar said.

"Good different or bad different?"

"Um."

"You can tell me whatever you wish my boy. It will stay between us."

Oscar looked to Tommy. He could tell his father was being sincere.

"I don't mind living here but I miss home. I miss seeing grand-père and grand-mèrjulien and oncle julien. The horses. We rode nearly everyday. I miss all of it but I know Mama brought us to England for her work. She wants to provide a good life for us."

Tommy could see Oscar was relieved to get that off his chest. He was nervous about upsetting his mother.

"Let's stop here." Tommy and Oscar approached a small pond on the far side of the property.He helped Oscar dismount the pony and they sat at the edge of the water. Tommy removed the lunch satchel that he tied to the saddle and passed a sandwich and water canteen to Oscar. They sat quietly eating taking in the scenery.

"Your mother was scared when she first left home."

"She was?" Oscar perked up. Curious.

"She cried every night for a month. She missed home so much that she bought a ticket to go back."

Oscar sipped from the canteen enthralled by the story.

"She had her belongings packed and was set to leave bright and early on a Tuesday morning."

"But mama didn't go back."

"No she didn't. You see the night before an orphanage caught on fire. She spent all night and the day after helping those children. When she returned to her apartment she forgot all about her ticket back to France. Do you know what she told me?"

"What?" Oscar had moved to his father lap.Tommy holding him. Both enjoying the closeness and warmth.

"She told me that staying in Boston was the best decision she could have made. She had a dream to become a doctor and she had to stick with it. They didn't lose one child all of them survived and she got to be a part of that. I bet if you asked her she would tell you she missed home too. You wouldn't be alone in that feeling."

"You think so?"

"I do. Life will give you opportunities that will seem to large to handle but they are meant to challenge you. Make you grow as a person. It can be daunting , you and your mum can handle the challenge. You both are so brave."

Oscar giggled and snuggled into Tommy more .

"I'm not that brave, not like you and mama."

"You left the comforts of home behind to travel by boat to a new mysterious land. Forge a path to a bright beginning. I see that as brave."

Oscar threw his arms around Tommy neck.

"The best part is we found you papa." Oscar hold tighten. He didn't want to let his father go.

"You found me." Tommy rocked Oscar lightly.

His boy felt like a puzzle piece that was missing. He loved holding his boy. Something he never felt with his own father. He had only one memory of his father physical love.

When John was born. Arthur Sr picked Tommy up and spun him around when Polly announced he had a third son.He was five years old at the time. The last time he felt he was loved by his father.When Ada was born Arthur Sr stayed for a few minutes to hold Ada then left to get drunk. He disappeared for a week when Finn was born. He didn't bother to interact with his new son at all. He gave his wife a pat on the shoulder for a healthy delivery and that was it. He left when Finn was six months old. Bastard.

Tommy had a burden lifted from his soul when he received the news of his father death. Dead from a gambling debt.The five year old boy inside himself mourned but the adult was relieved. The bastard died painfully after multiple stab wounds. Police told him he was sent to a hospital by his girlfriend. Took him three days to die. His mother deserved to of lived long enough for the news of Arthur Sr. He had sent thoughts to her. Technically he had prayed but wouldn't admit that. He stopped believing long ago. He prayed that his mother soul was at rest and brought justice with her dead husband rotting in hell.

"We should head back now" Tommy kissed Oscar on the forehead and helped him to his pony. They set off in a canter.As they got closer to the stables Oscar sped up. The little mischief bugger. He wanted to race but stay within the rules that were set. A rebellious streak Tommy loved seeing so he indulged him. He squeezed both legs signaling for his horse to gallop.

"Keep up son."

Oscar loud laughing could be heard. Tommy kept the pace for a few more feet before he slowed his horse. Oscar sped up and arrived at the stables first.

"I won papa." Oscar beamed like the sun.

"That you did my boy." Tommy lifted him from the pony and threw him in the air. He twirled him and carried him over his shoulder like a sack. Oscar couldn't get enough neither could Tommy. They spent another few hours cleaning the stalls, brushing and feeding the horses. Once they finished they headed back to the house. Tommy offered to help with Oscar bath but the boy insisted he was old enough to bathe by himself. The independent streak from both parents ran wide.

"Mr. Shelby there is a phone call for your son. It's his mother."

Tommy was shifting though paperwork while his son was being entertained by his book sitting on the winged back chair in the corner.

"Oscar." Tommy called out to him. Oscar was so engrossed in Peter Pan he had to gently take the book away. Oscar gave Tommy a sheepish and perturbed look.

"Your mum is on the phone. Follow Mary."

Oscar left and when tommy returned to his work, Grace entered the room with a large shopping bag. He had forgotten about her most of the day.

Grace telling him that she spoke to Olivia behind his back nearly sent him into a rage. She explained to him she had apologized and despite the anger he believed her. He hated her method but that was Grace. A sneak attack. It was a baby step that he wanted to work for the betterment of his family. Apologies were a bitter thing for Grace to give so since she went on her own to Olivia she must have meant it.

"Papa , mama wants to talk to you." Oscar interruption gave him the opportunity to have a brief conversation with Olivia.

"Hello."

"So you raced on a horse with my son?" Olivia sounded heated. He loved when she was fired up.

"OUR son " He punctuated our." was on a pony and it was a slight jog. Only a few feet from the house and I let him win by the way."

"Please be careful with him. He is the o of child I have."

"He is the only child I have too Livy. I wouldn't put him in danger." Tommy didn't like the insinuation.

"I know I'm sorry. I just miss him is all."

Olivia sighed.

"Grace came to my hotel today . We had a rather interesting conversation."

"I know she just told me. I'm sorry if it bothered you." Tommy wished this wouldn't tick off Olivia. He knew she hated surprises .

"No she didn't bother , well that's a lie she did bother me. I appreciate her intent. She apologized. I have to ask and please don't get mad but do you believe her to be genuine?" He could hear the worry.

A step forward for Grace. She was changing for the better.

"Yes I do. She has rough edges but there is good in her. I hope you will see that. Give her a chance."

The line was silent , breathing could be heard.

"She can not hurt our son Tommy. I will defend him with my dying breathe against anyone. Including her. You understand that don't you Tommy."

"I do and I will do the same for him. He won't be hurt."

They talked a few more moments for an agreed pick up time tomorrow then she hung up.

Tommy watched Oscar and Grace set his train set up and helped them. He saw her in a new light. A refreshed normal Grace. Not a spy for Campbell but the woman he met at the garrison. The one who sang despite his protests. The one who protected him from coppers. He was seeing the woman he could be happy with. A small tingle settled in his stomach knowing his peace could blow up any minute but he ignored it. He was choosing happiness now. He deserved it.

#peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders fics #tommy shelby x oc #tommy shelby fic #arthur shelby #john shelby #polly gray #ada thorne #lizzie stark #grace burgess #orginal character #original female character #lost son #lost love #ww1 #the french nurse #nursing

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thatbitchsimone · 1 year ago

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I love you I love you

Thank you thank you

It’s a long story of circle of abuse, I used to save her from my father hitting her and few years later I had to save myself from both of them hitting me

I truly believe she’s evil, not what she does to me but to others also, she beats and humiliates not only me but the maids too, the other siblings are not beaten, the brother sometimes rarely but he’s her worshipper so i don’t think he minds.

I will get a job soon but I don’t think I can move out, it’s not very common here you know, and my father is like a influential guy, but hopefully when I earn my own money and cut her off I’ll be happy, we have a big house so living separately is possible.

I found out something today and it made me sick to my stomach, I have my whole life faced disgusting men, but turns out my brother is also one of them, he is after all my fathers and mothers son. he is an Andrew tate fanboy btw so you can guess his entire personality by that lolllllll.

I am so sorry this is alot of stuff to hear on a site where you are supposed to have fun, I am sending you apology hugs, take care 🫂❤️

Btw have you read the bell jar by Sylvia plath? It’s so depressing it’s taking me months to finish HAHAHAH

that is fucking awful and yes, i dont even believe in the whole concept of evil (i was raised without religion in a completely secular country + im very into psychology so good vs evil is not part of my worldview lol) but some behaviors even i just have to describe as evil and ur mom fits that pretty well like abusing ur own children is fucking evil. i have empathy for her to some extent since her behavior is clearly the result of her being abused herself like u said but it gets clouded by the absolute disgust and hatred and rage i feel for her for letting herself become the abuser herself and keeping the circle of abuse going by passing it on to her children. its one thing to not have the strength or power to stop ur husband from abusing ur kids, but straight up joining in on the abuse is a whole other level of disgusting and im so sorry u have to experience this.

but i do have to say that u seem like a genuinely good person like i really feel like u have so much kindness and love in ur heart and u seem like a very strong, sensible and intelligent girl and i get a strong feeling that the cycle of abuse is gonna end with u (as in, u wont be carrying it on and u will break free from it and if u have kids in the future u will be a good and loving mom to them) and i just wanna acknowledge that bc thats amazing and inspiring and i admire u so much like i just have so much admiration for u right now like u are everything u are the moment u are the vibe

anyway, glad to hear that u at least live in a big house so that u can at the very least have some space from her even tho u live together. i get that its not as easy or simple as some ppl think to ”just move out” especially if u live in a very family oriented culture where its not the norm to do so on top of it all so i think the best thing to do currently is to just kind of try to stay out of her way and honestly just not even listen to the bullshit she says bc her insults are kinda meaningless tbh bc lets be real, if u were skinny she would just use something else to criticize u for. she just wants to put u down in any way she can no matter what u look like. u could probably look like a damn supermodel or movie star and she would still find something to pick on and put u down for, bc she has issues. shes disturbed. her words are empty and her opinions on u are just completely irrelevant. why should u care if a deranged abusive sadist doesnt ”approve” of ur body and size? this woman thinks its ok to mentally torment everyone around her, even HER OWN CHILDREN that she just so happens to not just verbally and emotionally abuse but straight up physically abuse. shes a child abuser. actual scum of the earth. like honestly next time she says something about ur body or calls u fat or whatever this psychopath likes to call u just remind urself that this woman is actually disturbed and sick in the head like shes literally a terrible human being lol who the fuck is she to criticize anyone like ok so u got a little extra meat on ur bones meanwhile she is a deranged sadistic child abuser. like girl whatever flaw u may have is nothing compared to the flaws she has like u are so far above her in every way that actually matters like ur literally so much better than her in every way like shes actually pathetic.

sorry about ur brother btw. seems like us women can never catch a break from these male parasites that are crawling around everywhere these days. they just keep getting worse and worse now with all the andrew tate shit brainwashing them. thank god we women have each others backs in this vile current climate. sisterhood is so important, especially now with all this crazy shit going around.

and yes ofc ive read the bell jar! read it for the first time when i was 16 and have reread it a few times since then. its one of those books that deeply resonates with nearly every woman who reads it even now generations later like its truly timeless in that way thats why its so good

#ur amazing i love u

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beeshouseofdragon · 2 years ago

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𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔰𝔱

saerina was 5 when they began.

as the middle child and only daughter of princess rhaenyra targaryen, she grew up in the red keep along with her parents and extended family.

the targaryens were dragonlords, meaning they were nobility who were higher than men but lesser than gods due to their ability to control- or rather, tame dragons. after the doom of old valyria, they became the ruling class of westeros with centuries of their sons sitting on the iron throne.

how are they able to do this you ask?

magic.

blood magic and usage of the dark arts allowed these mystical beings to bond closely with men that they were essentially, one in itself.

however, these practices would eventually lead to their downfall as nearly all dragon families were wiped out after a cataclysmic phenomenon called the Doom. the targaryens weren't nearly as powerful as those in the higher seats of old valyria and yet they were the only ones to survive.

again, how?

magic.

there are no records of other families possessing this ability but daenys targaryen was a dragon dreamer, she dreamt of the future and saw through what would happen if they stayed. others ridiculed their family for leaving but this saved their legacy. unknown to others from before, the mutation of different abilities caused by dragon bonding evolved into such things like dreams or precognition.

every few generations, there would be a targaryen who would posses an ability like this.

saerina became one of them.

it first seeped through when she foretold a simple phenomenon of her brother falling off a horse.

her mother chided her for cursing such luck on jace's first riding lessons.

but rhaenyra stopped when she saw her oldest child slip from the saddles and land on his back.

it could just be a fluke, right?

a coincidence.

then it became regular activities such as, "mother, we will have shepherds pie tonight. can you ask them to change it to something else?" or to "i brought a book as grandfather is visiting very soon".

they continued as she grew older and became more often.

the eve of saerina's eighth nameday, rhaenyra cradled the girl in her arms as they laid in bed together.

"you will have another sibling, rina" rhaenyra whispers while playing with her daughter's brown hair.

saerina scrunches her nose, "i don't want another brother, mother. we already have jace and luke."

the princess stops and her breath catches in her nose.

"you see it as a boy?"

the little one nods.

"he will be plain. there are whispers but there's lots of yelling so i don't know what they're all saying".

"plain?" her mother asks but the girl just shrugs.

"it's what they say, mother. but they're saying that he will be strong."

now, rhaenyra has finished her labors and out came exactly as she expected: a boy.

saerina was sitting in her room, reading, with her uncle aemond when a maid came in to fetch her.

"my lady, your mother has requested for your presence."

she scrunches her nose but nevertheless, closes her book and stands up from her chair to dust her dress. aemond watches her from the top of his book.

"tell her i wish her well", aemond states and the girl nods with a smile.

"thank you, uncle" she says and grasps his arm before she gasped and stumbled.

pain.

lots of it.

there was no injury but there was a tightness in her chest and her eyes filled with tears.

she saw a pig in a cavern.

aemond noticed she was in one of her spells again so he led her to quickly sit down while the maid quickly ran to fetch a cup of water.

"saerina" he mumbles. "what is it? what has happened?"

his voice of concern stems from her teary eyes and the shaking of her hands. he watched her violate eyes become hazy and dilate. aemond grasps her cheeks and holds her face because he knew the warmth from his hands helped her come back.

finally, her eyes slowly came to focus and she met his own.

"stay away from pigs, aemond." saerina's warning took him aback and he felt a laugh rush up at how random it was but seeing how terrified she was, he didn't let it out.

"what do you mean?" he presses but she shakes her head.

"pigs in a cavern, aemond. and it involves you so stay away from caverns."

her warnings were met with a blank stare and a confused look.

rhaenyra saw her enter the solar and opened her arms to gesture for a hug. the little girl ran to collapse on her mother's touch and harwin strong placed a hand on her head. saerina looked up at her mother.

"aemond wishes you well" she was received with a smile.

"tell him i said thank you, next time."

she turned to see harwin strong holding the baby and she reached her hands up.

"i want a turn!" she exclaims but the knight shakes his head.

"you must be stronger to hold a fragile little thing," he gently declines.

she pouts and crosses her arms.

"i am strong."

the shield and the princess shared a look which resulted in the latter to look away with a small smile.

"i heard from the maester that your septa has been chasing you around the castle this entire day, saerina." rhaenyra switches the topic and the girl flushed, slouching on the sofa.

"it's just so boring, mother! i find it more entertaining to study with aemond! his septon teaches him of war while i'm learning about herbs!" she complains and rhaenyra shakes her head.

saerina can't help but lean into the touch of her mother's hand on her head. "it is important to learn those things, my darling."

once again, she scrunches her nose.

"why can't i learn high valyrian with jace, instead?" she tries to bargain once more and rhaenyra chuckles.

"alright. hurry along to septon caryll before he departs. i suspect jace has finished with his lessons for the day."

the girl's eyes lights up and she jumps to her feet then kisses her mother's cheek as a goodbye.

"call for me if you need anything, mother!" she shouts while running out the door and rhaenyra just smiles, knowing she wouldn't hear what her mother had to say.

"i will."

septon caryll and her just finished their lesson on formal greetings and as she was walking back to her room, she saw aemond being dragged by a guard.

saerina hikes up her dress and runs as fast as she could towards the pair.

"you! what are you doing?" she shrieks, ready to defend aemond seeing as the boy was covered with dirt and his slacks were torn.

the guard looks at her before stopping and bowing his head lightly. "my lady. the queen has summoned the young prince to her quarters."

aemond remained quiet so she marches up to him and pries the big man's hands off of his collar. she recognizes the look on his face and she gasps quietly.

"pigs in the cavern," she mutters.

aemond looks to the side to hide away the tears that built up again and she notices, bringing him in for a hug instead.

"i won't ask but i am here for you."

the best she could do was reassure him and to aemond, he didn't expect anything else.

aemond avoided her for a day after the incident. he felt guilty, knowing she didn't have any part in it but they were her brothers. they were part of what she was.

a strong.

the three strong children, now four, he suspects.

but he just couldn't help himself from knocking on her door after training with criston cole that ended with his mentor and the princess' shield having a go at each other.

"come in," her sweet voice came through the door and the knights opened it.

"prince aemond, my lady" they announce.

aemond has never wanted to see her so badly.

he didn't move and watched as she glided over to walk towards him with a bright smile.

"aemond!" she exclaims and grabs his arm to drag him inside.

lavender.

the room always smelled like lavender.

his own paradise.

he stumbles into her sofa where she worriedly puts a hand on his back.

"did criston cole hurt you again?" she seethes but the boy shakes his head.

"harwin strong fended him off. your brothers took quite a hit from aegon, though."

she rolls her eyes. "aegon acts as if he's so much younger than us. i cannot for the life of me fathom what goes through his head."

aemond cracks a light smile.

"cups. wine. and women."

the girl laughs. "with that, you are right."

she picks up both of their books from her shelf and gave one to him.

"let's learn about history today," she suggests and aemond secretly hated the subject but if she wanted to, he would do it.

her and aemond bonded for reasons that they were the same.

both second in-line to the thrones so spares.

both coddled by their mother.

both without dragons.

you see, saerina was like aemond.

their dragons were dead when they hatched.

thus caused an insecurity between their siblings who were well-off with their own and riding into the sky without a care in the world while they both stayed on the ground.

but as she grew up, she found that she didn't really like dragons.

they were big, scary, and very unpredictable.

not to mention she has been dreaming of them a lot lately.

black scales.

green eyes.

large fangs.

she shivered and aemond caught it.

"are you cold? should i fetch for a maid to light the fireplace?" he asks but she smiles softly and patted his arm.

"i'll go, you stay here" she stops and stands but the boy begins to argue causing her to hurry up and run to the door.

she laughs while exiting and as she turns, she bumps into a figure.

then she sees it.

her nostrils are filled with smoke and she coughs, eyes clearing to see a castle on fire. the bright flames lit up the night sky and she could faintly hear screams that tugged on her heart but she could not recognize who it was.

before she could understand more of what was happening, her arms were being shaken and her senses cleared up with her sight settling on the worried look of her mother's sworn shield.

"saerina" he rasps. "saerina, what has happened? why are you crying, my darling?"

his soft voice brought her back to the realm of reality and feeling the wetness of her cheeks makes it evident that she has been crying.

"there's a fire," she whispers.

harwin strong's eyes widens. "in the castle?"

it is no secret to those around them of the ability the small girl possesses. harwin strong has been around for her entire life and he eventually got used to them. but this one, he rarely ever saw her cry.

"i don't know where it is. but a castle is on fire."

harwin picks her up and aemond leaves her room just to see the man carrying her away so he chases after him.

"hey! what are you doing?" the boy asks and harwin turns around allowing him to see the distraught look on his dear saerina's face.

"saerina." aemond walks up to him but she turns her head away to harwin strong's chest.

"she isn't feeling very well, your highness. but i will take her to her mother and she will be right as rain on the morrow." the shield tries his best to assure the young prince but aemond knows the moment she turned away from him, she didn't want his help.

so he just nods.

"i'll be in my quarters, rina. come to me when you're feeling better."

he prays she was listening. and she was.

rhaenyra was nursing the little baby when harwin strong barges into her quarters carrying her daughter on his arms. she hurriedly passes joffrey along to a nurse and rushes up to the girl.

"saerina, harwin, what has happened?" she frets and harwin lays the child down on the sofa.

the girl was sweating and she continues to cry. rhaenyra kneels next to her and brushes the hair that stuck itself to her face from her tears.

"my little dove. tell me what has happened, please."

saerina's lips wobble but she opens them.

"there was a fire. and ser harwin strong is involved. i saw it when i bumped into him by the corridor. i'm scared he will be hurt, mother" she whimpers and rhaenyra sits on the sofa before trying to get the girl to be in her arms.

saerina hugs her mother and rhaenyra holds her tightly.

"tell me what else did you see."

"it was dark, but the fire was so big. i could feel how hot it was. it felt like i was being burned alive."

she cries again at the thought and the shield sits next to her and pats her back.

"i will be alright, princess. nothing bad will happen to me" he reassures but she lifts her head and he sees the blaze in her eyes.

"i've never been wrong, ser harwin" her voice hardens and rhaenyra shushes her back into her shoulder.

mother and father looked at each other with worry but they both knew that saerina was always right. it would be a matter of time that her prediction will come true.

#aemond #aemond targaryen #aemond fanfiction #aemond targaryen fanfiction #aemond x oc #aemond targaryen x oc #house of the dragon #hotd #game of thrones #got

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iviarellereads · 10 months ago

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The Eye of the World, Chapter 36 - Web of the Pattern

(THIS PROJECT IS SPOILER FREE! No spoilers past the chapter you click on. Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index and a primer on The Wheel of Time, read this one! Like what you see? Send me a Ko-Fi.)

(Leaves and vine icon)(1) In which we make a new friend!

The plates Gill has a serving maid bring them are meager, and Rand wonders what will happen if a real growing season doesn't start soon. Gill asks what the real trouble is, and Rand tells a very simplified version of events, keeping Trollocs and Fades out of it. He knows there are holes in the story visible to anyone who thinks, but he doesn't want to endanger Gill.

Rand asks if Elaida Sedai, the advisor to Queen Morgase, would help them. Gill says it's unlikely, especially if she sniffed out the connection to Thom. She has a way of feeling things, knowing what's happened or what will happen. Before Rand can ask about something else, the cook calls Gill away to fix something, but first he tells them that Caemlyn is awash with rats suddenly, clogging things up and chewing through things. He mutters that he hopes it's not the drains again as he walks off.

Mat's stopped eating, and Rand says they've got to keep up their strength to get to Tar Valon. Mat snaps that all this time it's been they'll find their friends in Caemlyn, they'll be safe in Caemlyn, and now it's Tar Valon, as if Aes Sedai are any better than here. Rand reminds Mat that they're alive, and intend to stay that way and find out why they're so important. Mat gives in grudgingly and starts eating again.

They ask a serving girl to lead them up to their room, where she flirts with Rand, making him wish Perrin were here, he'd know what to do about her.(2) When she leaves, Mat collapses onto his bed, clothes and boots and all. He's grumpy and thinks everyone's dead, and Rand gives up and goes off to ask the rest of his questions alone. He asks the serving girl if there's a quiet room he can sit in, and she points him at the library. He asks her to tell Gill that he has a few more questions if he has the time, too. She chuckles and Rand thinks he's probably hiding from the cook.

He goes into the library and sees a book with a title that Tam had mentioned wanting to read many times, and the image of Tam holding the book makes him feel empty and lonely all through. Shortly, though, a throat clears behind him, and as he turns to apologize, he also has to turn his head up, and up further. A creature, almost ten feet tall, with a snouty wide nose, eyebrows that hang down like tails on the side of its face, and pale eyes the size of teacups, with tufted, pointy ears. He yells and tries to get his sword out, but his feet tangle in themselves and he falls down hard on the floor instead.(3)

“I wish you humans wouldn’t do that,” rumbled a voice as deep as a drum. The tufted ears twitched violently, and the voice became sad. “So few of you remember us. It’s our own fault, I suppose. Not many of us have gone out among men since the Shadow fell on the Ways. That’s . . . oh, six generations, now. Right after the War of the Hundred Years, it was.” The shaggy head shook and let out a sigh that would have done credit to a bull. “Too long, too long, and so few to travel and see, it might as well have been none.” Rand sat there for a minute with his mouth hanging open, staring up at the apparition in wide-toed, knee-high boots and a dark blue coat that buttoned from the neck to the waist, then flared out to his boot tops like a kilt over baggy trousers. In one hand was a book, seeming tiny by comparison, with a finger broad enough for three marking the place. “I thought you were—” he began, then caught himself. “What are—?” That was not any better. Getting to his feet, he gingerly offered his hand. “My name is Rand al’Thor.” A hand as big as a ham engulfed his; it was accompanied by a formal bow. “Loial, son of Arent son of Halan. Your name sings in my ears, Rand al’Thor.” That sounded like a ritual greeting to Rand. He returned the bow. “Your name sings in my ears, Loial, son of Arent . . . ah . . . son of Halan.”

Loial tells Rand that humans are very excitable, he had read some stories but he didn't realize how much more so they would be. His first day in the city all manner of people were throwing things at him and calling him a Trolloc. Only the guards saved him, and four days later he hasn't been able to so much as leave the inn, even discouraged from using the common room. The first night he was in there, everyone was shouting and screaming, all trying to get out of the door at the same time. They could have been hurt!

It's not until Loial says "It's not for this I left the stedding." that Rand realizes he's an Ogier!(4) How old is he? Rand knows the question is rude as soon as he blurts it out, but Loial answers, a little defensive. He's only ninety, still ten years from being allowed to address the Stump, so the Elders didn't even let him speak up for himself when he asked to leave. Rand is stunned at his age, and says at least they let him go.

Loial looked at the floor, wrinkling his nose and rubbing at it with one thick finger. “Well, as to that, now. You see, the Stump had not been meeting very long, not even a year, but I could tell from what I heard that by the time they reached a decision I would be old enough to go without their permission. I am afraid they’ll say I put a long handle on my axe, but I just . . . left. The Elders always said I was too hotheaded, and I fear I’ve proven them right. I wonder if they have realized I’m gone, yet? But I had to go.”

A village council meeting that lasted half a day left everyone jumping in frustration, Rand can't imagine a meeting that lasts years. He asks Loial why he had to leave, and Loial says that the more he read, the more he knew he had to see the Ogier-built places for himself, and the Groves. The Ogier have worked with stone, reluctantly, but they prefer to use the trees of a place to build beautiful places.

Loial mentions that working stone was something thrust on them by the Pattern, but the Groves are the work of their hearts. Rand says he didn't realize Ogier believe in the Pattern.

“Of course, we believe. The Wheel of Time weaves the Pattern of the Ages, and lives are the threads it weaves. No one can tell how the thread of his own life will be woven into the Pattern, or how the thread of a people will be woven. It gave us the Breaking of the World, and the Exile, and Stone, and the Longing, and eventually it gave us back the stedding before we all died. Sometimes I think the reason you humans are the way you are is because your threads are so short. They must jump around in the weaving. Oh, there, I’ve done it again. The Elders say you humans don’t like to be reminded of how short a time you live. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings.”(5)

Rand's feelings aren't hurt at all, though he is curious what it would be like to live so long. Loial says human lives are short, but they have the whole world to live them in. Ogier are bound to their stedding, even if they leave, they must go back eventually, and things change so much outside the stedding anyway. Cairhien's proper name is Al’cair’rahienallen, Hill of the Golden Dawn in the Old Tongue, but they don't remember, and the Grove there hasn't been tended in a thousand years or more. Caemlyn's grove should be a quarter mile from where they sit, but not a tree to be found. The same in Tear and Illian, too. All the Groves gone, the memories and dreams dead.

“You can’t give up, Loial. You can’t ever give up. If you give up, you might as well be dead.” Rand sank back in his chair as far as he could go, his face turning red. He expected the Ogier to laugh at him, but Loial nodded gravely instead. “Yes, that’s the way of your kind, isn’t it?” The Ogier’s voice changed, as if he were quoting something. “Till shade is gone, till water is gone, into the Shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath, to spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day.” Loial cocked his shaggy head expectantly, but Rand had no idea what it was he expected. A minute went by with Loial waiting, then another, and his long eyebrows began to draw down in puzzlement. But he still waited, the silence growing uncomfortable for Rand. “The Great Trees,” Rand said finally, just for something to break that silence. “Are they like Avendesora?” Loial sat up sharply; his chair squealed and cracked so loudly Rand thought it was going to come apart. “You know better than that. You, of all people.” “Me? How would I know?” “Are you playing a joke on me? Sometimes you Aielmen(6) think the oddest things are funny.” “What? I’m not an Aielman! I’m from the Two Rivers. I never even saw an Aielman!” Loial shook his head, and the tufts on his ears drooped outward. “You see? Everything is changed, and half of what I know is useless. I hope I did not offend you. I’m sure your Two Rivers is a very fine place, wherever it is.” “Somebody told me,” Rand said, “that it was once called Manetheren. I’d never heard it, but maybe you. . . .” The Ogier’s ears had perked up happily. “Ah! Yes. Manetheren.” The tufts went down again. “There was a very fine grove there. Your pain sings in my heart, Rand al’Thor. We could not come in time.”

Loial looks pained, as if the destruction of Manetheren were new, and not two thousand years ago. But he moves the conversation on, asking Rand what brings him to Caemlyn if he's from the Two Rivers. Rand finds himself telling Loial the true story, all of it though he jumps back and forth in it, and he's somehow distant and horrified at his own actions as he does. When he starts talking about dreams, he bites his own tongue to stop talking, hoping that Loial will just think he's going mad.

Instead, Loial says just one word. "Ta'veren." Rand asks what it means, and Loial explains how the Pattern is woven just so, and small changes it can accept and work with, but it won't accept big ones so easily. Rand says sure, he could live on the farm or in Emond's Field, but if he wanted to be a king... they both laugh.

“Yes, that’s it. But sometimes the change chooses you, or the Wheel chooses it for you. And sometimes the Wheel bends a life-thread, or several threads, in such a way that all the surrounding threads are forced to swirl around it, and those force other threads, and those still others, and on and on. That first bending to make the Web, that is ta’veren, and there is nothing you can do to change it, not until the Pattern itself changes. The Web—ta’maral’ailen, it’s called—can last for weeks, or for years. It can take in a town, or even the whole Pattern. Artur Hawkwing was ta’veren. So was Lews Therin Kinslayer, for that matter, I suppose.”(7)

Rand isn't sure what this has to do with him, he's just a shepherd, not another Artur Hawkwing. Loial didn't say that, but he could almost feel the Pattern weaving around them as Rand told his story, and he's not even got a Talent in that area.(8)

He rubs the bridge of his nose, then nods decisively and says he wants to travel with Rand and his friends, when they leave Caemlyn. Rand is surprised. Didn't Loial hear all of who and what is chasing them? Yes, but there's a very fine Grove at Tar Valon, well tended, and he's sure Rand is ta'veren, and maybe his friends, too. He thinks he'll see more of the world shaping itself around them if he stays close, and even his Elder Haman would want to see that.

Rand says maybe that's not such a good idea. He's not even sure if his friends will find them. Loial touches his shoulder and says he's sure his friends are well. He asks if Rand will come and talk to him, while he's in Caemlyn, at least. Master Gill is busy running the inn, and almost nobody comes into the library. Rand promises to do just that, and to see the Grove with Loial if they meet again in Tar Valon. He thinks to himself that his friends have to be all right, please.

=====

(1) Previously seen for Tuatha'an, but this is a Rand in Caemlyn chapter and they don't go to the cities. Curious. Perhaps it means our new friend is very connected to nature. (2) Rand seems to consistently quote Perrin as being the one who can talk easily to women, if this and chapter 3 can be said to form a pattern. Meanwhile, Perrin a few chapters ago wished he was as good at it as Rand is. What goobers young men can be. (3) And how lucky they did, or else Rand might have skewered a perfectly decent friend-shaped being! (4) In fairness, how many creatures does Rand know from myth, and how many more might he not know of at all? Still, Ogier! Like Ents, but not at all like Ents. RJ started from the same place as a lot of his contemporaries did, with the Tolkien riff, but he's modulating it as he goes, making sure you know this is an original story perhaps building on the style Tolkien popularized but by no means playing out the same way. (5) He's such a sweetie. Just as impulsive in his way as any of the Emond's Field youths (or Nynaeve), but he's also just as kind and open and ignorant of the world. (6) And possibly the biggest, strangest, and easiest to ignore bomb dropped: Loial says Rand looks like an Aielman. This is the first we've heard of any of THAT! Isn't it? (7) We finally have our word for hero-convenience-itis, for the reason why Rand's feet tangle when he reaches for his sword at the wrong moment, for how he knows when to keep going and when to stop for the night, and for how much trouble he gets into when he goes the wrong way despite all the urging the Pattern can manage. Ta'veren. I have a re-meme of the "Aliens" guy but it's Loial's face from the show, saying "Ta'veren." I would link it near constantly if the way I was doing these posts allowed for it. You're welcome that it's not. LOL (8) Talent, with a capital letter. So, some people have special talents? Well, we've seen Min's, and she hasn't been shuttled off to the White Tower so we can probably assume a Talent isn't related to channeling.

#wheel of time #wot #the wheel of time #twot #the eye of the world #eye of the world #eotw #teotw #wot leaves and vine icon #rand al'thor #mat cauthon #basel gill #loial

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toms-cherry-trees · 3 years ago

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A Little Slip || Tommy Shelby x Reader

Summary: Dad has been left alone with the children for the first time. What could possibly go wrong?

Word count: 2408

Warnings: cuss words, minor injuries, Tommy being a disaster

Author’s note: I honestly have no idea where did this one come from. Enjoy!

Let me know if you wanna be in my taglist

The task was easy enough. Mommy needed a girl’s day off, which she was entirely entitled to. After all, raising a three year old toddler and a 11 month old infant could be a tiring mission, and she deserved a break. Frances had caught the flu, which meant she had been forbidden from approaching the nursery until she had recovered, and Tommy didn’t trust the other maids enough. Which meant that he had been tasked with looking after the kids that Saturday afternoon. They were his children so it should be easy enough, no?

Wrong.

The first problem arose five minutes after mom set foot out the door. Their eldest son, David, demanded to know the whereabouts of his toy horse. Because none of the other eleven horses neatly stacked in the shelves of his nursery would do, he wanted the one with a missing ear and almost no tail hair left. None of the maids had seen it, and no matter how many beds and sofas Tommy looked under, the toy refused to appear. The funny thing with children’s crying is that it appears to be contagious, for the more his son wept, the more his daughter Vera pouted, until she too let the tears spill from her Shelby blue eyes, bawling like a wounded animal for no apparent reason other than her brother’s own sorrow. This in turn made David cry even harder, which got them stuck into an endless cycle of tears and despair.

It hadn’t even been an hour and Tommy could already feel a vein bulging in his temple. He could withstand many things, but crying had a particular effectiveness in fraying his nerves. So, in a desperate attempt to placate the storm, he put a child under each arm and marched towards the stables like a man on a mission. He knew from a fact that horses always solved everything, and if they didn’t at least the crying wouldn’t sound so loud in the open fields. But just like magic, the second the beautiful brutes came into view, David scrambled out of his father’s grasp and rushed towards the horses. His favourite in particular was an old one who, much like his own battered toy, had a missing chunk off one ear and virtually no tail nor crin left. His wife had saved that one, having found him abandoned on the side of the road. Tommy suggested putting him out of his misery, but she would have none of it, and she and Curly nursed the equine back to health. He couldn’t trot very well nor reach great distances, but David loved him to pieces, and for that Tommy felt extremely thankful at the moment.

His joy, however, was short-lived. It is easy to lose track of time outside, and by the time Tommy noticed, Vera had become quite fussy, being way past her usual nap time. Her high pitched wails could arouse the dead, and make the living run for cover; she could be a star of the Royal Opera House one day with that pair of lungs. But for now Tommy wished for nothing more than to soothe her and enjoy five minutes of blessed silence. But he had yet another issue at hand. The stablehands had the day off, and Vera couldn't sleep without her milk bottle and her blanket, but also David could not stay outside alone, but if Tommy took him back inside he would throw a royal sized tantrum.

He doubted in the soles of his feet, his ear ringing from the deafening wails of his little girl, while his son tried to climb the stable door to get on top of the horse, even if he was still too small to even reach the stirrups. After a few more seconds of hesitation he simply uttered ‘fuck it’ and grabbed David, hauling him under his right arm like a sack of potatoes and carrying him back inside, doing his best to ignore the screaming and kicking. An unfortunately aimed shoe kicked him right under the ribs; the kid definitely had some strength. Now more than ever he admired his wife’s ability to wrestle both kids to bed, and felt a pang of guilt at the countless times he could and should have helped her.

Thomas marched towards the kitchens with the two howling banshees, startling everyone in his way with the noises, contrasting dramatically with his stony expression. He moved like a man on a mission, seemingly unaware of the chaos surrounding him. He bursted into the kitchen, set both kids down on top of the table, and pulled out the cookie jar from the pantry. Just like magic, David quieted down the second the baked good reached his hands. Meanwhile a warm milk bottle had been prepped, and Vera had fallen asleep halfway through it, slobbering all over her dad’s fancy shirt. David got the privilege of a second cookie to keep him happy while Tommy put his daughter down on her cot, but he had forgotten a little detail; feeding sugar to a toddler was like feeding gunpowder to a cannon.

Now there was no way to stop the boy, who could run impressively fast for his young age. Now matter how fast he ran, or how long his steps were, Tommy could simply not grab hold of his son. The boy climbed over armchairs, jumped over flowerpots and slid under tables. A porcelain vase they had received for their wedding had already fallen victim to the chase, and Tommy knew he would have to give explanations for it. Just when he thought he finally had David cornered, like a hunter after a long chase, with his clothes in absolute disarray and hair sticking out in every direction, David had the brilliant idea to try and climb the staircase railing. Who knew a little boy could have so much skill? He clambered up a side table, knocking over a chandelier and another vase, and held for dear life onto the staircase railing, his little fingers barely managing to tighten around the smooth wooden bars, and hoisted himself up a couple inches. But the recently polished surface offered little traction, and the toddler inevitably lost his grip and crashed down.

He began crying before he had touched the ground.

Panic immediately bubbled in the pit of his stomach. He dashed forward, slipping on the fancy Turkish rug and crashing down next to his son. He meticulously inspected every single inch of his body, looking for any injury or sign of internal damage. But it seemed that besides the tears and an already forming lump on the back of his head, his little champ was fine. Tommy sat on the floor, rocking David to soothe him while also trying to calm his own hammering heartbeat. His admiration for his wife and mothers around the world grew with each passing second.

“Oh for fucks’s sake” He could feel the migraine throbbing behind his left eye.

David had fallen asleep in his dad’s arms, victim of the physical activity and his own pain. Tommy managed to pry his shirt away from the vine grip his son had on it and laid him down to nap on his bed. Silence fell over the house at last.

For five minutes.

While he occupied his time chasing the devil, Vera had awoken from her nap, happily babbling away at her stuffed animals. But she couldn’t take not being in the centre of attention for long. The maids rushed to her side, but no amount of cooing or soothing would distract her. The cries became so loud Tommy thought his daughter was in great peril. He rushed to the nursery, only to find his little Vee in the arms of a maid, while the other one presented her with different toys and shiny objects to distract her. But all the fuss stopped the second she laid eyes on her dad, her sobs turning into laughter as she made grabby hands at him. Tommy simply could not resist the shine of delight in her eyes.

He dismissed the maids for the evening and sat down on the fluffy rug with his daughter, surrounded by toys and stuffed animals which she showed off to him happily, clumsily stumbling with her chubby legs which had just begun to give her their first steps. Her foot occasionally got stuck into the folds of fabric and caused her to fall, always being saved at the last minute by her dad’s outstretched arm. She remained unbothered and continued to display her vast collection of toys.

“What do you get there sweetie? A teacup? And what do we have here, a teddy bear, poor lad looks worse for wear after being on nap duty for so long. And that’s an - oh fuck” Vee tripped and dived head first into the floor, being stopped and pushed back by Tommy’s quick reflexes. The girl sat still for a moment, wide eyes staring straight at her dad, before her lips parted into a joyous smile “Fuck”

His heart skipped at least three beats. Torn between the utmost joy of hearing a child’s first word, and the sheer panic of said first word being fuck. She was his child, of course her first word would be something of the sorts, but he could be sure his wife wouldn’t be too happy about it and would have his head on a platter for it. He immediately tried to clean up his mistake

“No baby, no fu- no that word, daddy said…he said..erm…duck, can you say duck?” He tried to repeat the word several times very slowly, hoping to reroute her towards that path and dodge the bullet, but Vera would have none of it.

“Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck” The child was delighted at her newfound voice, bobbing up and down and clapping her little hands with each repetition of the word. Even if it sounded strange in her toddler dialect, with the final sound being more like a G, it was still clearly understandable. Oh, nothing like having an eleven month old girl cussing out all day long, following in the steps of her family.

Tommy tried every single thing he could think of. From repeating several other words a thousand times, to reading her books, playing songs, even trying to maintain full worded conversations with her just to distract her attention. But it seemed to be causing quite the opposite effect. The more he spoke to her, the more she talked back, but all she continued to say was that word. He had already begun to pull on his hair, trying to figure out how to clean up this mess in just the 2 hours he had before his wife returned home. Maybe he could convince her that he had just taught Vera a Roma word…or he could take the next steamboat to America and disappear for a little while.

In the end, he had to dig out his last resort. He took Vera outside to the stables, let her run freely in the gardens, played with her every toy, danced with her, let her chase after David, all in hopes of wearing her out enough that she’d be fast asleep before mommy arrived, and hopefully she would have forgotten how to talk by the following morning. And it worked. After dinner and bathtime, not only was Vera fast asleep, but David was tucked in and dozed off as well. Somehow he had pulled through.

At half past ten, he had perched himself in front of his desk, with whiskey on his hand and a cigarette on his lips, catching up with all the work he had ignored that day. Stacks of paper littered his desk, waiting to be read, signed and either filed or destroyed. But he had virtually no energy left for that. His back had begun to ache, and he found himself fighting to keep his eyes open. Not even pumped full of spirits and nicotine he would be able to survive even an hour of work.

He didn’t look up when he heard the Bentley pull on the driveway, instead straightening his back and placing a pen between his fingers, hoping to achieve a laid back and relaxed posture, as if he had had an easy day. He heard his wife’s heels clicking towards his office, and he cleared his throat, placing a random sheet of paper in front of his eyes. He could almost see her gloved hand turning the handle, and pretended to ignore her as she walked to his side and placed a tender kiss on his cheek.

“How was your evening?” He leaned back to lock eyes with her, feeling the tickling of some loose hair strands on his neck.

“Good. Lizzie took us to this new pub near the Bull Ring. Of course they didn’t want to serve us, but she pulled out one of your presentation cards” His wife chuckled, the sweet sound like bluebells on his ears. Her arms laced around his neck, her chin lightly posed every his shoulder. “A guy tried to mess with her and she broke his nose with a single punch. I’m not sure they will serve us again.” She chuckled again and slid her hands down her husband’s shoulders softly “I’ll go tuck in the kids and go to bed. See you upstairs in ten?” He nodded and placed a kiss on the back of her hand. She walked off, with Tommy closely watching her elegant figure enveloped in a green velvet coat disappear behind the mahogany door. He smiled to himself, thinking about how he had almost been surpassed by the day but emerged victorious as usual, and now he got the prize of enjoying the night with his beloved.

Ten minutes later he had gone upstairs, loosening his tie and undoing the buttons of his shirt on the way there. His wife sat in front of her vanity wearing her silk robe,a silver comb in hand, gently undoing some knots in her hair. She seemingly ignored his presence, waiting until he had sat in front of the fireplace to speak

“Vera had woken up”

Oh.

“Can I ask something?”

He froze for a brief moment, but quickly regained himself “Anything”

She turned to face him, a mixture between anger and amusement in her features

“Why did our daughter just said fuck to me?”

#peaky blinders #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders one shot #tommy shelby #shelby reader #shelby wife #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby x you #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby one shot #tommy shelby fic #dad!tommy shelby #father!tommy shelby #shelby children #marsie posts #marsie writes

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dragonsfromthemoon · 2 years ago

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Sorry,but I kinda agree with that anon,George is biased and misogyny in the way he wrote Rhaenyra and Daemon, after everything she went through and being usurped he turned her into an unloved, tyrant,made her turn on Daemon who despite of being rumored to cheat on her and being a terrible man, still was a hero who died saving the poc beautiful maid and taking out the biggest dragon,singers sang about him running away with the girl,while Rhaenyra died as she did,misogyny written to reddit bros🙅‍♀️

Nonnie, you have a fair point. However, let me put some food for thought here.

1. The Dance is deeply rooted in misogyny and greed at its core. Given the narrative structure GRRM chose for Fire & Blood, as if it were a historical account, the bias against Rhaenyra is clear. It was a deliberate choice on his part, for even today, in real life, many historical accounts erase women from history, and are deeply rooted in sexism and misogyny.

Even in the main series we see different points of view about Rhaenyra. For Arianne Martell, she was Viserys I's rightful heir and a precedent for women on the Iron Throne (as she wants to crown Myrcella). For Stannis Baratheon, Rhaenyra is a usurper that died a traitor's death. And I have to laugh at him, because his only heir is Shireen, a girl; yet he thinks that about a queen in her own right, named heir by her own father.

To sum it up, GRRM is exploring history and how women are perceived by it: the unfair, biased and misogynistic accounts.

2. Rhaenyra is a tragic character. She fought against her circumstances, and they led to her downfall. We as the readers are supposed to root for her, to pity her and to rage at all the unfairness of her situation. We are supposed to grieve for her downfall and be critical of it, for it's more than only about her character: Rhaenyra's whole downfall weakened House Targaryen. Because the Greens did not want to accept a woman on the throne, the dragons died. It put in even more jeopardy women's right to inherit not only the Iron Throne, but any land in Westeros. Female heirs were passed over in favor of male heirs for good.

Now this all may sound too overwhelming. But GRRM didn't create Rhaenyra for us readers to look at her and think she deserved all that happened to her. Quite the opposity. We are supposed to come to the conclusion she didn't deserve any of that. He doesn't hate her, as that anon claimed.

3. While in Rhaenyra's case GRRM is exploring the usurpation of a woman on account of her gender and how that leads to tragedy and desolation, in Daemon's case he explores moral ambiguity. Daemon is capable of doing bad shit, and many characters expected the worst of him. Many thought he acted only moved by ambition and greed. There were quite a few biased vile rumors about him. Yet this is the man who literally dragged his body on top of Caraxes to kill the biggest threat againts his wife's claim and to avenge her murdered son. He did that for Rhaenyra and her cause, even though she was at her worst moment. It was an act of love and devotion and sacrifice, coming for a character one wouldn't expect it. and the running off with Nettles is a rumor, I wouldn't take it at face value.

You see, nonnie, my point here is that GRRM is exploring different things with Rhaenyra and Daemon. That's why their endings are that way.

4. Daemon died in an epic battle, and that was it. Rhaenyra's ending is more impactful and has ripples even on the main series, in terms of overarching theme. Now we have Daenerys Targaryen, who brought the dragons back to the world. They have been extinct on the aftermath of the Dance, yet this little girl performs a miracle. Not only that, she is Viserys III's heir regarding the Iron Throne, and a queen in her own right in Meeren. Through Dany, GRRM explores how a woman would approach ruling and leading in a violent and misogynistic society — alongside Cersei Lannister (they are foils). Dany is the culmination of Targaryen women's struggles, and with her lays the hope to overcome a bit of the unfairness her ancestors went through, including Rhaenyra.

#wow this got long #answered #thank you so much for the ask! 🥰♥️#fire and blod #f&b #a song of ice and fire #daemon targaryen #rhaenyra targaryen #daenerys targaryen #house targaryen

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rafescoke · 3 years ago

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New Girl ; Rafe Cameron

masterlist

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x reader

Summary: Just as Rafe thought his life couldn’t get any worse, a new girl moved into town.

Warnings: Straight smut! Mentions of trauma, extreme love-hate relationship, fluff

A/N: thank you so much for 600+ followers wtf ily <33

p.s; you know the drill. . . send requests!

One thing that Rafe was sure of; he was no tour guide, or anything of the sort.

Sure, he got himself into trouble; vandalising the principal’s office and destroying school’s properties, but that was it. He didn’t try to include the part where he goes to parties to get high and wake up the next evening with a painful headache, that was more to his personal life and he believed no one in the education system could have the advantage to be mad at him for it.

“I simply just won’t do it,” Rafe shrugged, sighing against the chair. “Look, why don’t you ask Topper to help this new kid? He’s good in class.”

“You answered yourself, Mr. Cameron,” the counsellor sighed, placing a file on top of the table lightly. “He’s good at school work, and you’re not. That’s why we’re going with you.”

So that was the core reason as to why Rafe was waiting impatiently for the arrival of the new student, whom he didn’t even care about to know the gender. All he wanted was to sit at the back of the school and light some joints.

“Mr. Cameron, this is Ms. (Y/L/N).”

Rafe took a look at her. He bit the insides of his cheeks, thinking how she didn’t even make an effort to dress properly for her first day in a new schoolz

An oversized tee and denim shorts. Really?

“Hi,” she smiled, extending her hands. “I’m (Y/N).”

“Rafe,” was all he said, before handing her her timetable for the semester.

She scanned the paper, nodding slightly and pointed at a word. When she realised how Rafe wasn’t listening, she cleared her throat.

“What?”

“I got Biology with Mr Garcia. Where’s Room 3?”

Rafe scooted closer next to her, and the smell of strawberry cheesecake wafted into his nostrils. He took a step back, seething.

Who would even wear a cakey perfume?

“Uh, that’s like, at the end of the hall?” He answered, but it was more like a question. He looked at the direction he was noting, and nodded again. “Definitely the one at the end of the hall.”

“You really don’t care, do you?” She asked, crossing her arms. “Where’s my locker?”

Rafe took another look at her timetable, searching for her locker number.

372.

He turned to look at his own locker, finding the number, and letting out an ‘oh’. “Yours just 4 lockers away from mine.”

“Thanks.” She muttered, and Rafe sighed before fixing the left side of his bag strap dangling from his left shoulder. “Is that it? Can I go?”

“Not so fast, Rafe,” the counsellor sighed, stopping him by his chest. “You’re supposed to stay with her for the week. Help her get around. And you’re supposed to show her around the school compound now.”

Rafe looked up to the counsellor with a pained expression and then back to (Y/N), his chest heavy. “Fine. Let’s go. What do you call yourself again?”

Right before lunch, Rafe stayed over in his class for a few minutes before going out to the hall. He didn’t want to see the new girl, and he didn’t feel like being her assistant anymore.

But the world wasn’t that fair.

(Y/N) grinned, walking towards him. “Can you show me the cafeteria?”

“How do you even know my class?” He muttered, keeping a distance between them. The last thing he ever wanted was to let the news of him being with the new girls circulating around the school, or worse, the whole island.

“My class is directly in front of yours. We parted just now.”

Of course she would remember that.

. . .

A week went by quickly, and before Rafe would know it, he didn’t see (Y/N) anymore, and he was content with it.

Until her family decided to become neighbours with his.

“What do you mean the (Y/L/N) bought the house next to us?” He groaned, watching as Rose and Ward prepared to greet themselves to the new family.

The last thing he wanted was to show her around the fucking island like he was some kind of a hotel worker.

She was in a yellow sundress, and Rafe couldn’t help but notice the way her (H/C) glowed under the sunlight. She looked similar to her mother, both bringing pastries as a way to introduce themselves.

“Hi, we just moved next door,” Mrs (Y/L/N) said, showing the Camerons her pearly white teeth. Rafe wondered if she ever got them done, because it’s not possible for a human to have such white assets.

“Hi, welcome to Obx,” Ward gushed, accepting the pastries happily. “Rafe, take the other cake.”

(Y/N) looked up at the sound of his name, and to Rafe’s amusement, began gritting her teeth. He took the cake with a smirk, happy that he got her all worked up.

He would definitely have the best time of his life taunting the shit out of this girl.

. . .

“Hey, wanna ride a boat?”

“Topper, leave her alone,” Rafe sighed, fixing his cap so it was facing backwards. “She’s not interested.”

(Y/N) perked up at this invitation, never actually riding a boat alone if it wasn’t during a holiday since she was originally from the city. She walked towards her neighbour’s deck, her skin illuminating the golden sunrays.

“Sure.”

Rafe mentally groaned, having to deal with the girl now, but he wasn’t sure if he was angry or jealous. It wasn’t him to be jealous easily, but after a week of becoming her tour guide, he guessed he deserves some kind of a credit from her. Topper didn’t do anything, but she was gladly accepting his invitation.

Their usual stroll along the stream of the island was not like usual, since the air was now filled with the annoying chatter between (Y/N) and Topper. Rafe could never relate with them, only wanting to relax his mind and sleep it off.

“So you’re a city girl? That’s great!”

“Sure Tops,” Rafe wondered, smiling delightly. Anything to get into a girl’s pants. . .

“You know what, (Y/N)?” He called from the place he was resting, and he waited a few seconds before continuing his speech. “If you’re looking for a boyfriend, Topper’s not the guy. He hasn’t moved on from his ex-girlfriend.”

Sure, he would get a lot of shit from Topper for saying that, but he was done with the pointless flirting between them.

“What about you?”

Rafe opened his eyes, watching her from behind his sunglasses. He shifted his position, “What about me?”

“Have you moved on from your ex-girlfriend?”

Has he moved on from Kie? He wasn’t entirely sure. Their relationship was brief, but she was all Rafe had. When she decided to go all full-pogue, he knew there was nothing left of them.

“I don’t date.”

“I can see why,” she said, and Rafe swore he heard some kind of mirth behind her tone.

“Have you?”

“Moved on from an ex?”

Rafe nodded, opening his eyes slightly.

“I guess.”

“Good for him.”

“Excuse me?” She gasped, pushing him lightly. “You’re an asshole.”

She leaned closer onto him, and for a second Rafe thought about letting her in his bubble, but he quickly shoved her away. “Watch it.”

“I’m just trying to tell you about that fucking fly on your face.”

“Yeah? Liar.”

(Y/N) huffed, stomping back to Topper, and Rafe laughed silently.

1-0.

. . .

Fuck.

If he would’ve known about the police raid in Topper’s party, he wouldn’t have come to his house at all. But here he was; all pushed up against the metal chair of the police station, his hair messy and his eyes bloodshot.

“We’re taking a urine test, son,” Shoupe said, sighing. “There’s always something wrong with you.”

Rafe thought about (Y/N) suddenly, and how she was probably back home and watching some kind of a rom-com. That’s totally her; all cuddled up with a pink teddy bear probably named ‘Bear-bear’, constantly wiping the tears off her face over the sad breakup scene of a movie.

Rafe was forced to strip out of his shirt and jeans before entering the small cubicle, and having to go through this same procedure for quite a few times now, he didn’t mind giving a show to the workers.

He quickly zipped his jeans bag, handing a female worker a cup filled to the end with his urine. He yawned, already knowing the results, so there was no use being nervous about it.

He was picked up by an angry Ward an hour later. He groaned, getting in the car to prepare himself for the same lecture about his future and how he shouldn’t jeopardise it, but he was shocked when Ward didn’t utter a word at all.

It was very uncomfortable, but he guessed he was just tired.

“Good morning.”

Rafe rubbed his eyes against the bright sunlight, feeling the pain from his head slowly soaring throughout his body. He squinted his eyes at the figure in front of him again, trying to blink the blurriness away.

“What the fuck?”

“Your mom told me to call for you,” (Y/N) said, looking away from him. Rafe looked down to his body, seeing his shirtless self, and laughed.

Of fucking course she would be uncomfortable with him being shirtless.

“She’s not my mom,” he grunted, removing the covers off of him and checking his phone for the time.

12.43p.m.

“Fuck,” he muttered, and his eyes turned to her again. “What are you doing here again? Leave.”

“Waiting for you.”

“I’ll be downstairs in a few seconds,” he muttered. He didn’t need her to be some kind of maid for him.

(Y/N) muttered some curse word, hoping that riled him up, but she would be stupid if she thought a random curse word would make him Rafe Cameron angry.

It would take a lot more to raise an expression from Rafe Cameron, and a curse word definitely wouldn’t.

. . .

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

His boat was not working, but he had just filled her up the night before. This was the newest model too, and he couldn’t afford asking Ward to fix his boat again. Not when he was caught with being on drugs from his urine test last week, and the only reason he got out of the trouble was because of Ward again.

“Is it not working, Rafey?”

Rafe looked up to the sound. (Y/N) was watching him with a sly grin, shielding her eyes with her hands from the sun like she was some goddamn queen that would melt from the heat.

“What did you do to my boat?” He groaned, trying to turn the ignition again.

“What did I do? Come on, why do you always think so bad of me? That’s kinda ru—”

Before she could continue her taunt, Rafe climbed the deck, inching closer towards her and smeling that goddamn cake smell again.

Hell, he’ll buy her a new perfume to stop breathing in that fucking smell.

“That’s kinda what?” He whispered. He was so close to her now, and he could hear her breath hitching. He smirked, his heart soaring.

“You’re kinda dumb for a kook, Rafe,” she sighed. She dangled a familiar key in front of him, and when Rafe took a closer look, he noticed it was the key to his boat.

She threw the key into the water and Rafe watched it plopped, moving straight towards the deep end. His eyes flared at her again, his chest heaving.

“Hope you have a spare key.”

1-1.

. . .

That should be good, he guessed, for being in a tie with (Y/N). But he doesn’t like someone being in the same league as him, so it must be 2-1.

And the 2 from him.

But that was for another day, because Kiara Carrera was in front of him. He fixed his cap so it was facing backwards again, and then putting his hands into his pockets for good measure.

“Hey,” he greeted her. She smiled at him grimly before looking back at the menu, clearly uninterested. “How’re you?”

“I’m. . . great,” she breathed. “Why?”

“Just asking,” he shrugged, “Do you wanna go out for some drinks sometimes? Like the old times?”

Rafe curled his toes, waiting nervously.

“Um, I have to check with my parents first,” she replied. “But, Rafe, you know, it’s been. . . a year.”

“Of course,” he laughed, trying to hide the sudden emotion inside him. “I meant hanging out as a friend.”

“Of course!” She suddenly exclaimed, “If you would bring (Y/N) with us.”

“Oh, I don’t-”

“You don’t?”

“I- fine. I’ll bring her with me. Is tomorrow okay?” He sighed, already foreseeing the future.

And it’s full of shit.

“Tomorrow.”

. . .

“Wow, I am not going to third wheel you and someone, Rafe,” (Y/N) laughed, resting her back against her chair.

“Please,” Rafe begged, sighing. He didn’t know how much begging he could do anymore, not when he had so many things to do. He took a deep breath again, “I’ll do anything for you back.”

“Including hooking me up with JJ?”

“Yes- no. No. What the fuck? Where did you even know this guy?” He expressed, his eyebrows furrowing. He was not going to let her a pull a Kie, though they weren’t dating.

“He helps mower the lawn.”

Of course. JJ Maybank would never pass the chance to get some money while checking out girls.

“I’m not helping you to get together with JJ,” he sighed. “Can we go for a better option? Like Landon? He’s rich.”

“I’m richer,” she yawned. “Okay. Fine. Topper.”

“No,” he shook his head. “Not going to happen.”

If she ever thought about him allowing her to date his best friend, she has to be a lot smarter than that.

He didn’t know why he wouldn’t allow it. Maybe he was scared of Topper hurting her.

Or maybe he just couldn’t imagine her with someone else.

“Then we have no deal,” she replied simply, gazing at her newly painted nails. She gazed at Rafe who seemed to be thinking hard from the top of her sunglasses.

He groaned. “Fine. I’ll help you with Topper. But I’m warning you; he. Has. Not. Moved. On.”

“Oh, he will.”

. . .

Kie was all up on Rafe.

He didn’t know what had gotten into her, because she was never this. . . strong-willed.

Kie had her hands placed against Rafe’s chest, kissing him tenderly and sometimes running her fingers through his hair.

Rafe sucked in a breath, watching as she part. Her mouth formed into a grin, and Rafe couldn’t help but grin back.

“Wanna do it?”

Did he? Of course he wanted to “do it”. He had been wanting to do so since forever. He would be crazy to say no to that invitation, and he was definitely sane.

He looked at (Y/N), who was awkwardly perched up on the sofa, tucking her legs under her and watching some kind of a movie on her phone. Her eyes looked up to Rafe, and she quickly looked away.

“In one of the rooms?”

Kie seemed to look around the boat for a while, like he was looking for someone, but there were only two of them. And (Y/N).

“Fine,” she huffed, and pulled him towards one of the rooms by his wrist.

Kie pushed him onto the bed, and Rafe wondered how she got this side of her. Throughout their 6 months of dating, she never showed him this, so this was a bit of a shock to him.

“Hey, hey,” Rafe gripped her wrists, holding her still. “We don’t have to rush.”

“I want to,” she said, and leaned closer. “I thought you wanted this?”

They began making out, his hand slipping down her back to grab her ass, only to be met with her vibrating phone in her back pocket.

“I’ll get it,” he mumbled against the kiss, and pulled her phone out.

A picture of JJ Maybank’s smiling face right next to Kie greeted him, and his name was perched on top of the screen, signalling his call.

Of course. She never wanted to fuck him. It was always to make someone jealous. That explained the gritted teeth Kie would make when he mentioned JJ earlier.

He sighed, pushing her away so she ended up by his side. “I gotta go.”

“Huh?” Kie sat up straight, looking from Rafe to her phone. She saw the caller, cleared her throat, and held up a finger to tell him to wait.

He should’ve known.

. . .

Rafe never liked the annual Obx’s drive-in movie theatre, because he really didn’t get the hype of watching a mainstream movie that he had watched with Wheezie a lot of times before in his car.

This year, it was way worse; they decided to have some kind of a horror themed drive-in movie theatre, and the best part of all; (Y/N) was going with Topper.

Rafe groaned for the thousandth time at the rapping of a clown against his car window. He gave the clown his middle finger, telling him ‘watch it, you’re scratching my car’, and moving his attention back to the screen.

Annabelle had disappeared from the room the two nurses had placed her in, and the volume quietened before booming again when the doll had appeared in the living room, perching on top of the sofa.

He rolled his eyes, and took a look at (Y/N) and his best friend laying in the back part of his jeep from the rearview window.

They were cuddling.

“Fuck off,” he grunted, throwing his hands into the air. A human-sized Annabelle pulled on the shotgun’s door now, and Rafe gave the actor another middle finger before yelling a ‘fuck you’.

“This is ridiculous,” he said to no one in particular. He stepped out of the vehicle, knowing damn well he would be the target of the ghosts now, but he couldn’t care less. All he wanted was to step away from all of this and maybe refill his soda.

He made his way to the back of the lot, getting his money out beforehand. Some type of a wannabe Michael Myers came up, to which he quickly put a hand up to stop him.

“Don’t. I’m not in the mood.”

Michael Myers seemed to get him, because he left to scare someone else.

“Refill,” he sighed, giving the worker his cup. “Coke.”

“You mean like literal coke?”

Rafe looked behind him, surprised to see a red-faced (Y/N) holding a popcorn bucket. He licked his teeth. “Why? Have you tried it before?”

(Y/N) went up beside him, muttering about putting more caramel in her popcorn to the worker before looking at him. “You seem mad.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“That’s because you’re all up in my business,” he scoffed. He turned to look at his coke, but the worker was still filling the cup up.

Good. Did the machine break or something?

“Where’s the girlfriend?” She asked. She was clearly amused by his sudden tightness, but he quickly softened, as to not rile her up.

“Where’s the fuckbud- I mean boyfriend? Sorry. It just slipped.”

(Y/N) nodded, her mouth forming into a grin. “If you’re jealous, you can just say that.”

“Wait, wait, of what, exactly?”

She shrugged.

“Yeah, exactly. No. For all I care, you guys can get married and move to fucking Antartica and have mini (Y/N)s and Christophers running around.”

The worker placed the newly refilled coke and caramelised popcorn on the counter, and Rafe wondered why she would receive her food at the same time as his when had come here first.

He rolled his eyes, grabbing the drink and walking back towards the car.

(Y/N) jogged to catch up with him, her popcorn bouncing against her chest. “You’re rude, do you know that?”

“Jesus Christ, we’re still on this?” He mumbled. He was still walking, but he wanted her to catch up so he slowed down. He guessed it would be the perfect ending to his night to taunt her until she’s all worked up.

“I just can’t think of a reason why you’re acting so fucking rude to me.”

“Yeah? Think again.” Rafe sipped on his coke, feeling the carbonated drink sloshing down his throat. He felt content, but he wasn’t sure if it was from the coke or from the girl beside him.

“This is—”

A nurse with a bloody front suddenly appeared before them, using some kind of a spray to maximise the size of the fire from a lighter. (Y/N) screamed, turning away from the heat, and Rafe quickly caught her before she could end up on the floor.

“Fuck, fucking move,” he yelled to the nurse, who seemed to be satisfied with her work. Rafe turned to (Y/N), trying to check on her state.

“Yo, yo, you good? Why are you shaking?”

She was trembling really hard against him. She had her arms around Rafe’s neck, her popcorn splattered on the ground. She jolted when a scream came from the speaker.

“Come on, let’s get you to the car,” he mumbled, helping her walk. She kept her face hidden in the crook of his neck, and Rafe had to try his best to balance both of the girl and the Coke in his hands back to the vehicle.

Topper was no longer in the back seat, perhaps looking for Sarah (Rafe wasn’t a bit surprised at this). He was glad his best friend wasn’t there, because the last thinf he needed was two people freaking out on him.

“Okay, chill, I got you,” Rafe grunted, placing the Coke in the cup holder before seating the girl beside the driver’s seat. He sighed before climbing into the driver’s seat and locked the door in case some kind of a crazy maniac tried to freak her out again.

“What’s wrong?”

She didn’t answer, not that Rafe expected her to. She looked like she was reminded by some kind of memory, but Rafe didn’t want to dwell so much on it.

If he could, he would reverse his car out of this lot back to their homes, but he was one of the first cars to arrive at the drive-in theatre, so it was impossible to get out.

He sighed, placing his hands against his lap. “You can tell me, you know.”

She finally looked up to him, and Rafe’s breath hitched from the sight of her red eyes. He softened.

Whatever it was with that fire, it had triggered some kind of a memory in her.

He placed a hand against her lap, but not moving so; just a splat of his hand against her soft skin. He had meant for that as comfort, but he realised how creepy the situation was. He pulled away, clearing his throat.

So they stayed until the end of the movie, just the two of them, and Rafe was sure she wasn’t even watching the remaining parts of the movie. He pretended to watch, but he was really just staring at her the whole time.

Will she ever let her hair down like this again? Because he liked it.

When the movie ended and the cars were starting to move, Rafe slowly reversed the car so as to not shake her awake. But she was a light sleeper, and she woke up as soon as he hit the brakes.

She rubbed her eyes, “Where are we going?”

“Home,” he answered. “You’re okay?”

She didn’t answer, and Rafe knew she wasn’t.

. . .

Two weeks after the incident, they never spoke of it again.

Rafe tried to get an answer out, but to no avail. He didn’t get why he was trying his best to help her, because he, too, needed help.

“Nah. I won’t invite her. If you want (Y/N) to come, then you’ll have to invite her yourself.”

Wheezie’s shoulders slumped, “But you’re close to her!”

“I’m not, and she hates my guts,” Rafe replied honestly. Because that was the truth, right? She didn’t even want to tell him about why she was so scared of fire.

“Invite me to what?”

“(Y/N)!” Wheezie ran to hug her, to which (Y/N) laughed before patting her on the crown of her head. “Tell her, Rafe!”

Is she fucking serious?

“Tell me what?” (Y/N) looked up to Rafe strangely.

“Wheezie wants to have a movie night, and she wants you to watch with us.” Rafe sighed, hating how he couldn’t just ignore Wheezie. She was definitely Rafe’s favourite, being so close to her brother ever since she was born.

“Oh, is that true?” She smiled, looking at Wheezie. “Should I come and wear my best pajamas?”

“You’re not sleeping over, your house is literally 5 minutes away. 2 if you run.” Rafe rolled his eyes. He went up to the counter to pick up a sandwich before biting into it, tasting the creamy eggs and ham. He licked his lips.

“She can sleep with Sarah, right, (Y/N)?”

“If she wants me too. . .”

Rafe rolled his eyes again, “Sarah won’t be with us for tonight’s movie night. She’s starting to hang out with the pogues.”

“Why are you so against the pogues?” (Y/N) asked, when Wheezie left to write a reminder of tonight’s event in her diary.

“Why can’t you just shut your mouth?” He sighed. “It’s all bla bla bla bla. Can’t you see you’ll be happier without having to open your mouth every few seconds?”

(Y/N) bit her lips, and for a second, Rafe had to look away from the look she was giving him.

Shit. Why was he even looking away?

She turned to go away, but was halted by Rafe’s fingers around her wrist. She groaned, turning her attention back to him. “What?”

“You still haven’t told me about the night of the drive-in theatre.”

“Good,” was all she said, before she went back by the sliding door to her home.

. . .

“Rafe would be mad if he saw me watching this.”

“It’s rom-com! And it’s totally PG-13. Trust me on this, okay? Anne Hathaway, yeah, that girl, yes, she’s going to get prettier throughout the movie.” (Y/N) smiled, popping popcorn into her mouth.

Wheezie sighed, placing her head against (Y/N)’s shoulders and yawned. “Like what? Princess Diaries?”

“Yes, but this is The Devil Wears Prada. You’ll love it!”

A beam of light filled the mini movie theatre of The Camerons, signalling the late arrival of Rafe Cameron. He brought two chocolate bars, a Coke (again) and some chicken nuggets.

“Move,” he said, motioning to Wheezie.

“There are more seats around here!” Wheezie hissed, crossing her arms. “I’m not leaving (Y/N).”

“You’re not leaving her, silly, you’re just scooting more to the right.”

“What’s in it for me?” She raised a brow.

“Nuggets?”

She scooted to the side, giving more space for Rafe to place himself beside an annoyed (Y/N).

Out of all 7 medium-sized sofas in the theatre, he decided to pick the one the two girls were sitting on.

Rafe handed Wheezie the plate full of chicken nuggets, looking at (Y/N) before watching the screen. He groaned, “What’s this? Trash?”

“A masterpiece, so shut up,” (Y/N) replied. Rafe huffed, amused, and unwrapped the chocolate bar.

“Want some?”

“No.”

“Come on,” he cooed, placing the chocolate before her eyes. She grunted, pushing his hands away.

Rafe took that as his final warning. He didn’t want to annoy her even more, knowing that she will probably not talk to him anymore. He decided to wait until half an hour later, just to taunt her again.

“I’m going to get more popcorn,” Wheezie suddenly said after an hour into the movie. She excused herself to the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone.

(Y/N) sighed. Great, just like how she wanted.

“What do you want from me?” Anne Hathaway’s voice blared from the speaker, and Rafe looked at (Y/N).

“What do you want from me?” He asked, repeating the dialogue. (Y/N) watched him from the corners of her eyes, not getting any delight from this.

“For you to shut up.”

“Really? That’s boring,” he sighed. “Do you want to know what I want from you?”

“Sure.”

“I’m thinking of a few things. Maybe you, on my lap.”

(Y/N)’s breath hitched, but she tried her best not to look disturb. She shifted in her seating position.

Rafe leaned closer, feeling her heat. “Your turn.”

You know what? Fuck it.

(Y/N) turned to look at him fully in his face, leaning even closer that a part of her was practically on top of him. “Do you know what I think of you, Rafe?”

His eyes dropped to her lips, and he swore his heartbeat quit beating.

“I think about you, Rafe,” she whispered. “All pressed up against me in my bed, whim-”

“More popcorn!”

(Y/N) returned to her previous position, bewildered. She fixed her hair, and her eyes were back to the screen.

If Wheezie were to hang out with a pogue right now, Rafe wouldn’t give a fuck.

“Well, the ending’s shitty,” Rafe exclaimed, clapping his hands. He watched as the end credits rolled, and took a look at Wheezie.

He nudged her, sighing. “Wake up, Wheeze. Go to your room.”

She groaned, searching for her fallen glasses. Rafe helped her to put them on, and gave her another poke.

“I want to watch the movie.”

“The movie’s finished. It’s time to sleep. Go.”

Wheezie groaned, muttering how it’s not fair that her brother could stay up with (Y/N) to watch more movies, but she guessed she was too tired for another round of movie anyways.

“What’s the next pick?”

“Horror.”

“Nah.”

“Why?”

“‘Cause you’re going to freak out on me again.”

“I won’t,” she assured him. “Let’s go with Hereditary.”

Rafe’s fingers and (Y/N)’s were almost touching. He was still bothered by her comment before Wheezie came barging in, and he was still desperate to hear her reply.

“(Y/N)?”

“Hm?”

“What were you trying to say?”

(Y/N) stopped watching, and looked at him. “What?”

“About you thinking of me.”

She blushed. “Nah.”

“Come on,” he nudged. When she didn’t move, he tried placing his hand against her thigh.

(Y/N) stood up suddenly, and for a second, Rafe thought he had fucked up. He watched as she went to the door, locked it, and went back to their place.

“You locked the door.”

“Yeah.”

Rafe licked his lips, smirking slightly. “Ah, I see the game you’re playing.”

“What game?” She raised a brow, only turning to the screen when a scream blared from the speaker.

“Hey, look at me.” Rafe tugged on her chin, forcing her to look at him, and his eyes actually looked into hers. He noticed the (E/C) colour of her eyes now, and he swore he had never looked at something more appealing. “Tell me.”

She stayed quiet, not moving a muscle.

Rafe sighed, getting impatient. He leaned closer now, this time his lips merely an inch away from her cheeks. He could feel the heat radiating from her.

“Tell me, baby.”

“You getting all close to me isn’t helping, Cameron,” she sighed, laying her head against the sofa.

“Still playing hard to get?”

“I’m not playing anything.”

Rafe slowly placed a kiss against her temple before trailing down to her cheeks. She sucked in a breath, and Rafe smiled.

“Still playing?”

She nodded.

Rafe’s lips touched hers by a bit, and she let out a moan she had been trying her very best to contain. Rafe chuckled, pulling away.

“Still playing?”

“Shut up.”

“That’s a yes? Or a no?”

“That’s a fuck you.”

“Oh,” Rafe smiled. “Thought you never asked.”

His kiss was gentle. So soft, and (Y/N) had never felt something like that before. The kiss deepened when she let out a soft moan, riling Rafe even more.

He pulled her up onto his chest, letting her hands rest against his chest before pulling her away. Her lips were red, and there was a string of their saliva hanging from both of their lips.

“What do you want, (Y/N)?”

“You.”

“Huh?”

“You.”

He smiled, tugging on her shirt. “Off.”

She wasted no time to remove her shirt, exposing her new black bra she ordered online a few days before. Rafe sat back, his eyes dark.

“Jesus Christ.”

He kissed her neck, trailing down to her collar bones before stopping directly on her chest. His fingers fiddled with the bra clip, being so used with this already, and removed the piece of clothing with ease.

(Y/N) instinctively covered her chest, her chest heaving.

Rafe looked up to her, his eyes softening. “What’s wrong?”

“Am not comfortable.”

“Oh, that’s alright, we don’t have to do—”

“No, Rafe, I want this. I just don’t think I’m perfect enough for you.”

Rafe let out a breath, placing a soft kiss against her stomach. She closed her eyes, throwing her head back. He guided her hands away, exposing her perky breast to the entire theatre to see.

Rafe was glad he was the only guy present.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful.”

“Shut up.”

He looked up into her eyes, wetting his lips. “I’ll do anything to fuck you right now.”

(Y/N) grinded against him, causing a groan to escape from his throat. He held her waist in place, not wanting to trigger his release.

“Do it,” she whispered.

The movie became a background noise as he fumbled with her shorts, grunting when he couldn’t figure out the knot.

He positioned himself before her, and looked up into her eyes again. Her chest was heaving, and she looked nervous.

“You’re okay?”

“I’m a virgin.”

Oh fuck.

Why would she even say that? He couldn’t even contain himself anymore.

He pushed himself into her, letting her get used to the feeling. He waited for her nod, signaling that she was okay and hadn’t changed her mind, and thrusted into her again.

His hands stayed around her waist to guide her, watching as her mouth slightly parted as he deepened inside her. She bit her lips, her nails clawing onto his shoulders.

“Oh my god.”

“Fuck,” he groaned, feeling his own forehead clammy. He didn’t notice her hands that had left his shoulder. She cupped his face, placing wet kisses against his cheeks.

“You’re so good for me, baby,” he whimpered, allowing her hands to guide his. She placed them around her breast as she rode him, and Rafe had never felt better.

If he has to taunt and annoy her more to get into this level again, he’ll do it again. Without any hesitation.

“I’m so close, baby, fuck,” he groaned. He gave her another longing kiss, looking down to where their bodies connect, and moaned loudly.

Just before he reached his end, he pulled her away, not wanting to plant himself into her. (Y/N) tried to wrap her fingers around his penis to which Rafe jerked at for being so sensitive. He pulled her hands away, his chest heaving.

“Don’t,” he grunted. His load shot out of his member, wetting the sofa underneath them, and Rafe quickly slapped his shaft against her core to get her to reach her end.

“Rafe, I-”

“Let it,” he whispered, watching as she tilted her head back, exposing her neck. “Let go, baby.”

She trembled slightly, finally reaching her high, and collapsed on top of the heaving boy. Rafe stroked her hair, pulling her into a lying position, and planted another soft kiss against the back of her head.

“The movie’s still on.”

“Watch the next part, it’s amazing,” Rafe whispered, still holding her close. They were both naked, still coming down from their highs, but Rafe had never felt better.

(Y/N) turned to look at him. “You’re still an asshole.”

He placed a soft kiss against her lips. “Your asshole.”

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gladerwolfstarkimagines · 3 years ago

Text

Request: Imagine being Lin Beifong’s daughter and having a crush on Iroh II

Tags: @tincdraws

Growing up as the daughter of Lin Beifong metal and earth bending were your whole life. You learnt to earth bend by the time you could walk and your mother had you in training from a young age so you graduated from the earth bending school at the top of your class with your eyes firmly set on following in your mother’s footsteps whilst also trying to emulate your grandmother’s success. You had a sharp focus and nothing else really caught your attention. You had friends but training came first and dating seemed something superficial you could live without. Republic city was your life and you would never dream of leaving it but your mother had other ideas.

Your mother thought you needed more worldly experience before you joined the police force so she sent you to the fire nation to gain some training as an officer. She claimed the fire nation had some of the best officers in the world and that they would help you learn invaluable real-life experience. You did not agree and protested the whole thing. All your training had revolved around the needs of Republic City specifically and you couldn’t see how you’d learn anything new about how to protect your city by travelling all the way to fire nation but your mother refused to change her mind and that was that.

So you were shipped off to the fire nation fresh out of the academy. Your mother had spoken to Firelord Izumi and it was agreed you’d be staying at the palace so not only would you be unfamiliar with the environment, you’d be in a place where every small look, word or action had large consequences. You didn’t know much about the fire nation and couldn’t really recall the royal family. You were aware your grandmother was very close with the late Firelord Zuko but since then things had changed. Although your grandmother’s friends (mainly Katara) had tried to keep the group close it was hard with everyone scattered across the four nations and so with each generation the group had drifted further and further apart. You knew Firelord Izumi had a daughter older than you and a son around your age called Iroh. You recalled meeting Iroh when you were younger at some event in the south pole but couldn’t remember much more than a serious fire nation child. So you arrived on the steps of the palace utterly out of your depth determined to see these three months through so you could return to your beloved city. You were shown into the palace immediately, your belongings taken by maids who refused to let you carry them yourself as you were a royal guest. You weren’t used to finery so proceeded through the palace partly in awe and partly in utter confusion why someone needed this many paintings of old men everywhere. You were finally shown into a large room. “Ah you must be y/n Beifong” a voice called and you turned to see someone who looked vaguely familiar. You knew he wasn’t Firelord Zuko or Firelord Izumi’s husband as he was too young so figured by his royal outfit this was Izumi’s second child the prince. “Prince Iroh, it’s an honour to see you again” you said bowing and he chuckled “I bet you thought that would be a winning line with any fire nation citizen didn’t you? Because we’re still all obsessed with honour like we were centuries ago?” Iroh asked and you hesitated. “If I caused any offence...” you started but Iroh cut you off breaking out in a large smile “no I was only kidding, it is a winning line we are still obsessed with honour”. You watched as Iroh laughed at his own joke surprised, you didn’t expect the prince of the fire nation to be like this. You figured royalty lacked the ability or the clearance to have a sense of humour but apparently not. “So have I really not changed since we were eight?” Iroh asked and when you frowned he elaborated “you recognised me but the last time we met was just over ten years ago”. You paused “ow no I didn’t actually recognise you, you were young, dressed in fine clothes with royal hairpins, not to mention you’re in the palace...you had to be the prince”. “Good deductions officer” Iroh said saluting you before he grinned “i’m in training too”. That piqued your interest “really? for the fire nation army?”. He nodded “yep! I’m an officer but my hope is to be general one day and to fully earn it, rather than just get it because of who my family is...hopefully in a few years i’ll get there”. “I’m sure you will” you agreed and Iroh led you into a large dining room. “Are we dining alone?” you asked confused and Iroh smirked. “Why? Not pleased with me?” he asked and you rushed to assure him that wasn’t the case when he laughed again “I’m joking again y/n, I know my grandfather told you the whole family would be dining with you in his letter to your mother but he, my parents and sister were all called away to an urgent matter and asked me to fill in as we’re similar ages”. “Ow” you nodded “that makes sense...is everything okay?”. Iroh nodded “everything’s fine just boring fire nation stuff...so shall we?” he asked holding out his arm to you. You weren’t sure if this was appropriate so averted your eyes and only took his arm lightly. Iroh smirked at your caution and led you into the room.

The meal with Iroh was nice. He was friendly, hard-working and interesting. You soon got used to his humour and learnt not to take him too seriously. You hadn’t met many other people your age who shared your passion for a military career and found it was nice, a sentiment Iroh apparently shared. He enquired what you were doing the rest of the week and when you replied nothing as training didn’t start for another week he soon had several of your days planned out with fire nation sights to show you. Iroh seemed to understand you didn’t know much about the fire nation so planned to take you to all the important sites as well as areas relevant to the army to peak both your interests. You enjoyed the prince’s tours greatly and even when training did start you continued meeting with Iroh regularly. You liked his company and were surprised that didn’t fade the more time you spent with him, if anything it grew more and more. You thought he’d be a spoilt entitled prince but he was kind and considerate pleasantly surprising you.

You didn’t become aware that you liked Iroh as anything more until one of your friends at the academy pointed it out. Since starting training you were progressing well, you achieved high grades and were held in high esteem by your fellow recruits. You had made some friends and often trained with them after the academy retired for the day. After a long training session you were heading to the palace when one of your friends called out to you “hey y/n some of us were going into town to celebrate our class’s good progress, do you want to come?”. You smiled pleased they wanted you to come when you remembered you couldn’t go “I’d love to Shani but sorry I can’t I have plans”. “Of course you do” she smirked as your other friend Aizori grinned “is it with Iroh by any chance”. “Actually it is” you said frowning at their shared look “why?”. “Ow nothing just it’s not every day your friend is dating the crowned prince”. “Me and Iroh are not dating!” you cried “our families are old friends that’s all”. “Uh...hu, if that’s true then what are your plans together may we ask?”. “We’re attending a party at the palace”. “Together?” Shani asked and you blushed “yes but he only asked me because it’s a formal event that’s apparently really boring so he wanted a friend there, trust me we’re not dating”. “But how can you resist?” Aizori asked “I’ve only seen the prince a handful of times but he seems to get better looking every single time! How don’t you get lost in those golden eyes and that chiselled jaw? The royal family has some amazing genes not even a Beifong can resist”. You paused considering it. For you looks weren’t very important so you didn’t tend to notice them. You held work ethic and determination as much higher priorities and Iroh scored very highly in both but in looks...you honestly couldn’t say. “I’m not sure I’ve noticed” you admitted and the girls rolled their eyes not believing you.

When you arrived back at the palace your friend’s words were ringing in your head and when you next saw Iroh something felt different. You took note of his looks and were surprised by what you’d found. Iroh was attractive, very attractive, how had you missed that? You stared at Iroh wondering if his eyes had always been that bright? Was his jaw always that sharp? His hair that good regularly when he frowned “why are you staring at me?”. “Nothing” you cried and he paused before shrugging “Are you ready to go?” he asked “the party has already started” offering you his arm. You nodded and took it cautiously following Iroh into the ballroom.

You could see why Iroh had wanted to invite you, everyone in the room was at least 60 years old or some stiff nobel person from an ancient line of fire nation families. All they seemed to want to discuss was old family bloodlines, territories or ancient traditions. After your fifth boring ambush by some old fire nation man Iroh pointedly headed for the gardens. You frowned as he exited discreetly, closing the door behind him, and headed away from the hall. “Iroh I’m pretty sure the party is inside” you commented and Iroh grinned “I know but I can’t take another second in there so humour me? One lap of the gardens then we’ll head back, please? I know you haven’t seen them properly yet so how about a tour?” Iroh holding out his hand to you. You rolled your eyes but took his hand happily.

Iroh led you around the gardens explaining the different flora to you and their history. “I spent so many parties hiding in here as a kid” he grinned “this place is so huge they couldn’t find me for hours”. You smiled at the thought “my mother would’ve killed me if I did that”. “Mine did” Iroh chuckled “but I’d honestly rather face her wrath than some boring commander who wants to lecture me about our family’s history and why it’s so important...they’re literally my own family and even I don’t care” Iroh cried making you smile. “I see why you escaped out here so often, I’m very grateful formal parties were not a part of my childhood”. Iroh smiled and went to comment when the smile was wiped from his face and he grabbed you, quickly pushing you behind a large fern. “Iroh what are you...”. “Shhh they’ve come for us” he hissed and you frowned when you heard a voice. “Prince Iroh?” a man you recognised as the palace coordinator called “Are you out here? You’re needed inside”. You smirked and Iroh rolled his eyes “they’re relentless”. “Master Iroh if you’re out there please return to the ballroom, your mother’s orders”. There was silence and then the sound of the butler coming closer. Your eyes widened and Iroh put a hand over your mouth pushing you further into the bushes. “Prince Iroh?” a voice called literally right beside you and Iroh smirked as you grabbed his arm in surprise. You heard a sigh and the sound of the man retreating. When the footsteps died away Iroh dropped his hold on you and you both burst into laughter. “I thought we were going to be caught and then royally punished...literally” you added and Iroh smirked “I wouldn’t let them punish you, it’s not your fault I dragged you out here”. “True but I didn’t try hard to stop you”. “You did encourage me” Iroh nodded thinking “okay it’s all your fault”. You gaped laughing “I never said that! You are such a liar” you cried pushing him and Iroh laughed grabbing your arm “okay okay maybe we share the blame 50:50?”. “No way” you smiled and Iroh paused “60:40?”. “I think 90:10?” you said grinning and Iroh sighed “fine, i’ll take 10% of the blame”. You shook your head at how wonderfully infuriating he was and smiled at him fondly. Iroh grinned back and you realised suddenly how close his face was to yours. Iroh seemed to notice too, he glanced down at your lips and you panicked moving away from him suddenly. There was an awkward tension in the air and you broke it with a cough “so want to show me more of the gardens then?”. Iroh nodded “right this way my lady” the awkwardness gone and led you further into the garden.

When you were safely hidden from the ballroom Iroh stopped walking, explaining this was one of his favourite spots in the whole garden and you gratefully took a break sitting down. “I can’t believe you’ve already been here a month” Iroh commented and you nodded “I know only 2 more to go then my mandatory 3 months work experience is done”. Iroh frowned “mandatory...so you could stay longer if you wanted to?”. “Hypothetically” you agreed and Iroh hesitated “do you think you’d extend it? Hypothetically?”. You paused “I’m not sure, I have enjoyed the fire nation far more than I thought I would but I’ve always wanted to complete my training as quickly as possible, I hope to be chief of police one day and I’ll need many years of service for that...”. Iroh frowned “isn’t the youngest chief like 41?”. You nodded “yeah so i’ve got time I guess, maybe i’ll stay for longer...is this just so you have someone to skirt your royal duties with?”. Iroh laughed “maybe...I like you being here, it’s nice not being the only person under 30 in every room”. You smiled “well i’m glad my presence isn’t displeasing to you...you’ve been pleasant as well” you added blushing and Iroh grinned. “Wait did I make a Beifong blush? That’s like a legendary occurrence, this is amazing!”. “Stop it” you cried but Iroh wouldn’t let you turn away “no, this will go down in history, Beifong blushes are rarer than dragons so I’m soaking up every second”. For the second time that day Iroh stared at you closely and you blushed more under his gaze but this time you didn’t move away. Iroh continued gazing at you before he lightly moved his hand to your cheek “y/n...” he said softly leaning in closer when a figure appeared. “There you are!” a voice cried and you both jumped away from one another. Your jaw dropped when you realised who it was and you dropped into a bow “Firelord Izumi...i’m so sorry I didn’t see you approach”. “Rise child you did nothing wrong” she said warmly “my son on the other hand...” she trailed off glancing at Iroh who paled. “Hey mom” he frowned and she raised an eyebrow “really? That’s all you have to say? No apology or grovelling”. “Erm I’m sorry for ditching?” Iroh offered and Izumi sighed. “Y/n would you please excuse us, I want to have a word with my son”. “Of course” you agreed bowing and you rushed away.

Iroh returned not long after with his mother and told you he had to stay in the ballroom for the rest of the party. You agreed to stay with him and he smiled gratefully at you making you blush and look away rapidly. The night passed and neither you nor Iroh spoke about what happened in the garden. How he’d almost kissed you and how you were going to let him. You couldn’t believe your own recklessness. What good did you think would come out of kissing the prince of the fire nation? You were obviously not an appropriate match and so there was nothing to be encouraged there. You resolved to never find yourself in that situation again and decided to just stay as friends no matter how much you got along or how attractive he was. Getting involved with a fire nation prince was not responsible behaviour. So after that night you made sure to put distance between you and Iroh. You didn’t stop seeing him you just made sure to emphasise it was a friendship. You didn’t let yourself get caught up in him the way you had in the gardens and always kept a level head. Iroh never tried anything or mentioned that night either and you supposed he picked up on your not so subtle hints. You carried on as before but there was definitely an unmentioned barrier between you which you never let fade.

You left the fire nation 2 months later. You didn’t extend your stay as with your feelings for Iroh you didn’t think it would be wise. Iroh saw you off and hugged you tightly before you got onto the airship. “It’s been nice having you around Beifong, I’ll miss you”. Iroh’s words made you hesitate and you hugged him tighter. For that time in Iroh’s arms you imagined what would have happened if you’d kissed him in the gardens that night. Iroh didn’t strike you as someone who flitted from person to person taking what he wanted, you think if he wanted to kiss you he must have felt something for you too and perhaps would have suggested dating. You imagined all the things you’d have done together but as a couple and wondered if you’d made a mistake, maybe you should have just gone for it? But then reality set in. If you really wanted to be chief of police then you couldn’t have short relationships with high ranking members of the fire nation. Other candidates could use it to show you had compromised morals and there was no way it would be a long term relationship due to your lack of fire nation heritage. Sure the fire nation was pretty progressive but that didn’t really apply to royalty. They had thousand-year-old traditions to uphold that couldn’t be broken easily so Iroh was never a long term option for you. Therefore all logical signs said you’d done the correct thing not persuing something with him...so why did it feel so shit? You finally pulled away from Iroh and he noticed your expression. “What’s wrong?” he asked and you shook your head looking away “nothing i’ll just miss it here...promise you’ll keep in touch?”. “Cross my heart” Iroh smiled “you’re not someone I intend to let slip away, expect a visit every time I come to republic city”. You pushed away the rational voice in your mind telling you to keep a distance from him and smiled “you’ll always be welcome and I’m very much looking forward to it”. Iroh blushed “thank you y/n” and you nodded back, just looking at him in admiration before catching yourself. “I should go...” and Iroh nodded “safe travels” and with a final look you walked away.

2 years later

After your departure you and Iroh stayed in regular contact and your letters only halted when he was deployed by the military but the second we was out he would write and arrange to come visit you in Republic City. You still thought about him and your feelings for him regularly and every time you saw him you knew your crush hadn’t lessened. You loved Iroh’s visits and soon they became the thing you cherished most. You told yourself all of this was fine because you’d never act on your feelings but sometimes you wondered if Iroh felt something too? You’d catch him staring at you or he’d blush if you smiled at him in a certain way. The very idea of Iroh liking you made you very excited but you also knew it would only lead to heartache. He wouldn’t be allowed to settle down with someone outside the fire nation so it didn’t matter if he liked you too. So you settled for his friendship which was more than enough for you. When Iroh was posted in republic city when he became general you were thrilled and you only continued to grow closer.

However republic city wasn’t as peaceful. There had been multiple attacks on the city from Amon’s chi blockers to Vaatu’s take over and you and Iroh were constantly pushed into the fray. Multiple times you’d faced staggering odds and every single time you wondered if you should confess your feelings to Iroh in case the unthinkable happened but every time you chickened out. You and Iroh had been safe every time but there was only so much you could push your luck.

You’d been wary of Kuvira’s take over of the earth kingdom from the very start. Your aunt Su Yin had told you all about her so you weren’t surprised when she set her sights on Republic City but that didn’t mean you weren’t terrified. The avatar and her friends informed you what you were facing and you weren’t sure how you could even think about facing a giant mecha suit with spirit cannons. Iroh shared your sentiment but as general of Republic City’s army he was forced by President Raiko to lead his troops out there. Watching Iroh take to the front line you were swept with the desire once again to be honest with him, to tell him how you felt before it was too late. You decided three was too many times to chance it and so decided to finally tell him how you felt. You made your way to the general’s tent and found Iroh with Korra discussing strategies. You greeted them both warmly before making your way to Iroh’s side “could we please talk? I have something to tell you”. You knew Iroh had a hundred things to do but he nodded warmly squeezing your hand “of course just give me one second to...” when the radio sprang into action. President Raiko had surendering to Kuvira’s demands. Republic City was hers.

The avatar was furious and you matched her sentiment. You and Iroh joined her as she met with other leaders in the city like Tenzin and your mother and they all agreed something had to be done to stop Kuvira. A plan was quickly assembled, it was agreed that airbenders would attack the suit from the sky and earth benders would attack from the ground. You didn’t actually expect to damage the suit, you only had to distract Kuvira long enough for Korra to get inside. You were agreeing fervently getting ready to leave with your cousins when Iroh grabbed your arm. “Wait Y/n are you sure you want to do this?” he asked nervously “that mecha suit is dangerous there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to stop it”. I know but it’s my home, I swore to protect it and I won’t break my oath. I have to try and help”. Iroh sighed thinking and you watched him wondering what he’d say. “I understand why you’re doing it and I want to come too”. You paused pleasantly surprised “You do...but I thought President Raiko told you to retreat and surrender?”. “He told me to surrender the army not that I couldn’t personally engage in fighting, i’m not fighting as a general but as plain old Iroh” he announced proudly and you smiled “there’s nothing plain about you even without your titles”. Iroh beamed at you “Does this mean you agree? We can fight this giant together!”. You nodded your head “okay let’s go meet up with the others”.

You and Iroh rushed after the others and found them all suiting up. “Finally” your mother said spotting you but she frowned when she saw Iroh with you “y/n tell me you didn’t bring the general who is also the prince of the fire nation into this”. “She didn’t, I volunteered” Iroh spoke up “I’m not here as a general or as a prince but as a civilian so, where can I help?”. “You know your mother won’t like this” Tenzin commented and Iroh nodded “I know but some things are worth facing her wrath for” he said shooting you a smile and you blushed.

So it was agreed Iroh would stay. Your mother thought it would be best to place him on the roof with the airbenders, she ordered him to shoot lightning at the joints to try and cause some malfunctioning. When you’d all suited up the teams said their goodbyes and Iroh appeared in front of you. You didn’t have long, Kuvira’s giant suit was already in view and the ground shook whenever it took a single step. Iroh stared at you and sighed heavily “Y/n...”. “Don’t say it like that, we don’t have time and we’re both going to be fine okay?” you said faking a smile but Iroh saw right through it. “What did you want to tell me earlier?”. You froze caught off guard and blushed “I...I just wanted to...it doesn’t matter”. The ground jumped and Iroh looked at it nervously before stepping closer to you “I think I can guess what you were going to say”. “You can?” you asked nervously and Iroh smiled “yeah...you had another Beifong blush moment and I’ve noticed you do them around me a lot”. You went bright red and Iroh chuckled “yeah like that...”. You looked down embarrassed but Iroh took your hand gently “don’t, I blush a lot around you too”. You smiled blushing more and Iroh chuckled softly. “Y/n are you ready?” your mom asked and Iroh gripped your hand tightly. “Wait I want to tell you everything before you leave” Iroh cried but you squeezed his hand gently. “It’ll be okay” you smiled “you can tell me everything later and I think I can guess too”. Iroh grinned blushing “later then...just got to get through this”. “We’ll be fine, this is what he trained for” you smiled confidently “I promise I’ll see you on the other side”. Iroh nodded and stared at your lips, he went to move in when your mother called “y/n are you coming or are we leaving you behind”. “I’m coming!” you yelled and stepped away from Iroh “mothers” you commented and he smiled “go, i’ll see you after” and with a last look you both rushed off to your assigned group.

The battle

The fight went about as good as could be expected. The suit swatted the air benders away like flies and your group’s earth, metal and even lava bending barely slowed it down. But it didn’t matter, all that mattered was the avatar and her team managed to find a way into that thing and your team cheered when you saw she’d done just that. Now the fight was Korra’s so you let your guard down when suddenly the machine began malfunctioning. Your mother yelled for you all to take cover but you were too far away from the building. The suit exploded with a blast and you saw a blinding light and then black.

After the suit exploded everyone assumed the battle won. Half the air benders went after Korra to help her with Kuvira and the other half went to the ground to make sure the others were okay, of course Iroh went with the latter. He saw Bolin, your aunt and cousins but no sign of you or your mother. They told him they were all searching for you and he rushed to join in. With each street he passed his heart began to sink when finally he spotted you! In the arms of your mother unconscious. Iroh ran forward dropping to his knees beside you. “What happened?” he cried and your mother clutched you desperately “that thing exploded and she was too far to get into cover, it hit her sending her flying through the street and now she’s...she’s...”. Iroh saw the blood seeping through your mother’s hands where she held them against you. “No” he said viciously “y/n won’t...she can’t! We need a medic” he yelled loudly before taking off his jacket to wrap around your wound. “Maybe I can cauterise the wound?” he asked “seal it to stop her losing so much blood?”. Lin paused “I think the wounds too big but it’s worth a shot”. Iroh nodded and Lin lifted the bottom of your uniform. Iroh saw a large gash across your stomach and winced. He lit his hand on fire and pressed his hands against the wound. You gasped suddenly and your eyes shot open. “Y/n” your mother and Iroh cried in unison and you blinked trying to make sense of the situation before you groaned in pain. You tensed trying to get away from the burning but your mother held onto you “please y/n just hang on Iroh is trying to cauterise your wound”. “It’s not working” you grimaced resisting the urge to scream “Iroh stop! Please!” you cried and he yelled in frustration moving his hands away from you. “No it has to work if it doesn’t then you’ll.....we need a medic down here” he yelled again but he knew everyone else was spread out and there were no healers in the group. “It’s okay” you said breathing heavily as the situation dawned on you “Iroh it’s alright”. “No it’s not” he cried sinking onto his knees beside you “it’s not y/n, you can’t...you have to fight this, you can’t leave me”. You nodded “trust me i’m trying but Iroh if I do...”. “No y/n don’t even think about it! I won’t let you go it’s not going to happen”. “I don’t think we have a choice” you admitted trying to smile but Iroh just shook his head “but we never got our shot, we never got to talk, I never got to tell you...I love you y/n” he said simply “I have for years, that’s why I never found anyone from the fire nation because the perfect person for me is you. I know there’s traditions and rules but I don’t care, I don’t want anyone else but you. I’d give up anything for you and we were finally heading in that direction and now that stupid spirit cannon”. Tears leaked down Iroh’s face and you reached out a hand to him shakily. He took it and you stroked his face “it’s okay, i’m sorry for being too scared and cautious, I’m sorry for wasting our time together but I love you too, I hope that’s enough”. Iroh nodded “It’s more than I ever hoped, you didn’t waste time you have nothing to be sorry for y/n Beifong, do you hear me?”. “I do” you smiled before coughing in pain and your mother clutched you tighter. “Y/n” your mother cried and you smiled up at her “it’s okay mom, don’t worry. It’s all going to be okay”. You clutched her hand against your chest and took Iroh’s other one. “I’m with the two people I love the most, I’m happy. This is the best way for it to...”. “Stop” Iroh said crying but you just gripped his hand tighter “Iroh look at me”. He blinked through the tears but looked at you. “It’s okay, I promise you everything will be okay”. Iroh just said your name softly and rested his head against yours. Your mother wrapped her arms around both of you and you held onto both of them the best you could when you felt the world fading away. You heard sobbing and your mother faintly saying your name until everything turned dark and it was over.

Epilogue

Following your death the fire nation, earth kingdom and republic city all paid their respects in their traditional fashions. A statue was raised by your mother in the spot of your death and every year on the anniversary of your death both her and Iroh would visit it. Iroh and your mother supported one another following your death being the only one’s who understood how monumental the loss of your life was. They managed to get through it together and although neither of them ever stopped loving you they found a way to carry on. Iroh never married, he couldn’t even consider the idea and his family never pushed him to. He still lived a long and happy life. He was very involved with his sister’s children who he loved dearly and his family never stopped supporting him. If he went quiet and got a teary look in his eye or if he struggled serving in the earth kingdom they understood. Your family also treated him like one of their own, with Lin even calling him her son on a few occasions, and he was invited to all your family’s events in recognition of your love for him. Your memory never faded and when Iroh’s life eventually ended he passed on to find you waiting for him. He knew all the suffering and heartache was over, you were finally together at last.

____

So initially I was going to write a happy ending as well but then I thought screw it, I want to cry so I killed off the reader...but I can release the happy ending as a part two if anyone wants it.

Edit: For the happy ending version click here

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tooweirdforyou · 4 years ago

Text

How ASL Bros React To Getting Married To You

A/N : well, I reallyyy want to write a nice long fic but like.. life man. I’m on spring break and have work all week and with my sleep problems 😭 just enjoy this please c:

Summary : what the asl brothers wedding would be like.

Luffy

“Woah! You look awesome, [Name]!”

So cheery and wholesome.

Zoro is his best man, ( much to Sanji’s dismay )

EVERYONE is there, every single person he’s ever met is there so it’s crowded and you basically had it outside, in Foosha Village, though he wanted it to be on the ship.

All of the girls Luffy’s met is responsible for your appearance, they all helped you on your big day.

Some of the marines were invited, of course.

Luffy’s best mans/groom mans ( idk) ( other than Zoro ) consists of Sabo, Ace, Sanji, Usopp, Franky, Brook, Law, Shanks and Koby.

Your bridesmaids consist of Nami, Robin ( maid of honor ), Perona, Tashigi, Vivi and Makino. ( shirahoshi and others didn’t have too much room to stand by you because of the guests so they just sat in their respective seats.)

Before it officially started, there was a lot of tension so separation in seats were needed. Big Mom’s crew is sitting on the left back, Marines in the front right, Law’s, Kid’s and Shanks and other pirates are put in the right back, and everyone else Luffy knows is in the front right.

Few are still in shock because of the fact that LUFFY is getting married before them.

A lot of yelling and laughter from everyone is around but as soon as the classic music is playing in the background, everyone shuts up and turns to face the back, where you’re walking with Garp.

Old man Garp is the one taking you, and even he is full of tears from the fact that his own grandson is getting married.

“You take care of my dumb ole’ grandson, you hear? If he ever becomes too much of an annoyance, just knock him a few times in the head.”

And when you finally reach him, everyone is quiet and has the proudest smiles on their faces. Their Luffy is all grown up.

His bright, radiating grin is plastered and he is pretty overwhelmed but right now, you’re distracted by his handsome look in his suit.

Of course, he has shorts instead of long dress pants but he still looked handsome regardless.

Vows are said, rings are given and you smile at Luffy as the minister ( Sengoku ) questions your commitment.

“Do you, [ Name LastName ] take this complete fool, Monkey D. Luffy, as your everlasting husband and, future pirate king?”

Chuckles are heard, and you couldn’t suppress a giggle either. “I do.”

“I see. I wish you luck on this journey. Luffy, you may now kiss the bride.”

Claps are heard around as Luffy grins. “About time!” He cheers and pulls you by your hands, quickly smashing your lips together in a kiss.

“Congrats, Luffy!”

“Not bad, Straw Hat.”

“Where’s the beer? Time to party!”

“Alright, Luffy! Woo!”

Music is quick to break out as everyone is celebrating and cheering.

You and Luffy already cut the cake, ( it took you a lot of force to make Luffy not shove his face in the cake and just CUT IT. )

The giant cake made by Sanji and the Big Mom family, was shared for everyone and there was still plenty left.

And it was just a fun time with everyone. You even threw your bouquet(?) behind you already and it seems the next to be wed was Tama!

Clearly some of the women weren’t too happy to see the little grow becoming married before them but it was a nice laugh.

The night goes on and it’s getting late. Guests are leaving after wishing the two of you well and you two head in for your suite that Nami booked as her present.

“It feels normal. I thought this was some big special thing, why is it such a big deal again?” Luffy questions, forgetting what the girls had told him the several nights before about weddings.

You smile gently and set the last wrapped gift to the side with the others, taking a glance at the shimmering ring on your left hand.

“Because,” you spin around and face your husband, reaching over and taking off his straw hat that he kept on.

“It swears our connection and commitment to each other. Why do you think Shanks married Makino, despite their long distance relationship?”

Luffy offers his gentle smile, seemingly more relaxed at the mention of the two of the most important people in his life, out of many.

“Because they love each other?” He guesses calmly, tilting his head and you nod, giggling at his black hair that swayed.

“And I love you.” You whisper, leaning closer and felt Luffy’s arms enveloping you in a tight hug, his face nuzzling into your neck.

“I love you, [Name].”

And he leans back, connecting his lips on yours.

Ace

“Oh..wow..”

Oh boy, did the Whitebeard crew go BIG.

I have a feeling that Ace would want something a little normal or smaller perhaps, just inviting his personal friends and family, and maybe a few people he met along the way of his journey.

He’s a friendly, outgoing person but for a personal occasion, it’s best to stick with the people you’re closest to.

But he wasn’t complaining when he saw the large äss party, feast and the important people in his life showing up.

Sabo, Luffy and his crew, Shanks, Makino, all of his brothers, members of his old crew, Garp, he was thrilled to see everyone!

The wedding was held on Whitebeard’s ship, of course. It wasn’t too fancy or grand but still pretty large and the ship was right in the middle of the sea.

Ace is all dressed up handsomely in his suit, with the help of Marco, Vista and Izo. His hair isn’t too messy and just styled neatly.

You were dressed beautifully in your gown/suit, with the help of the nurses, Nami, Robin and Izo.

There was a bit of trouble with seating but naturally, many people stood up anyways and were quite busy throwing confetti and other things at you, even if it was a wedding.

Whitebeard is taking you down the aisle, it’s a little bit difficult but he still did, and you can bet he’s excited to have a daughter/son that will help watch over Ace’s dumbass self.

“Rough him up real good, take good care of my stupid son. And call me Pops!”

When Ace sees you walking down, he’ll admit, he’s teary. He’s actually found love, someone like him.. and he’s about to be married to you, the most amazing, attractive, and sweetest person he’s met.

You look so amazing in your outfit, he’s in tears. He’s so lucky.. Marco has a hand on his shoulder and patting his back. “Congratulations, Ace. You deserve this.”

Wiping his tears with his finger, he nods and exhales, holding the widest, warmest smile he could muster.

He was going to love you and protect you all of his damn life, that’s for sure.

The minister is actually Vista! Ace’s best man is Marco and his groomsmans all include Thatch, Luffy, Jozu, Izo, and Haruta!

“Do you, [Name Lastname] take this young kid as your loyal, lawful and everlasting husband?”

“Really?” Ace pouts at Vista’s joke and chuckles are heard, even yours.

“I do, Vista. I’ll make sure he grows.” You giggle as Ace sighs in exasperation.

“Very well. I now pronounce you husband and wife, Ace, kiss your damn bride already.”

“My pleasure.” Ace grins and he’s quick in pulling your wrist towards him, and spinning you into a dipping motion before connecting your lips together in a kiss.

Whistles and catcalls are heard as loud cheers and applause are made.

“Go Ace!”

“Alright, Fire Fist!”

“Better not lose her, Ace!”

Ace rolls his eyes at the comments from his brothers and pulls you back up with a smile. He’s a little glad he didn’t fall asleep midway because of his narcolepsy.

Party immediately breaks out, Sanji aids Thatch in the kitchen to bring out everything and it’s a long night of dancing, boozing and more.

Ace is just off with the guys, having fun and celebrating while you are off with the women, talking about experiences and such.

And when Ace finally finds you and pulls you two away to his room for some alone time, he pulls you close.

“Well, Mrs. Fire Fist, what do you want to do first?~”

His arms are around your waist as he secures you towards him, a cheeky smile on display on his face.

“Not sure, what did you have in mind?” Playing coy, you shrug and tilt your head, turning away from his face which he pouts and uses his hand to force his back to him.

Pecking your lips, Ace smiles again and leads you to his bed. “I have an idea, if you’re up to it?” He wiggles his brows, making you laugh.

He jumps onto the bed, pulling you with him so you were on top. “Well?”

“Oh! Cuddles, I get it! Sure, I’m tired anyways.”

Ace groans at you, heaving a sigh and he whines. “Come on, [Naaamee]!”

You just giggle and sit up, repositioning yourself on his lap and straddled him. “Fine, fine. You’re lucky it’s our special day today.” You hum.

“Oh? So you don’t want to do this after today is over?” Ace muses, smirking a bit since he knew the answer.

You puff your cheeks out at the thought of not having sex with Ace anymore, but you weren’t going to back down. “..Nope!”

Knowing the truth, Ace chuckles and begins to grind upwards into you.

“Alright, I guess I better make this a special memory to remember.”

Sabo

“You look incredible, [Name]..”

The most average, normal one. It’s traditional, smaller than most would be, and it’s for personal guests only.

So close members of the revolutionary army, his brothers, Garp and Makino were the only ones invited. If Luffy wanted, he could bring his crew but that’s it!

It’s traditional, so it was held inside a chapel, of course. It wasn’t anything special, everything was set up already and prepared for a small group so it was great.

Sabo is in a dashing, handsome suit like Ace was, but somehow has a much more charming, princely appearance. He helped himself in the appearance, with smallest help of Inazuma.

Your dress too! Somehow it’s more Royal appearing and your veil resembles a crown in a way. Koala and Iva helped you out in this!

Sabo’s best man is actually Ace! The strongest brotherly bond overpowered the thought of having Kuma, Iva or Luffy as a best man, but fortunately, they didn’t seem to mind, since they were groomsmans anyways. Iva being both bridesmaid and groomsman.

Ace was pretty teary and honored, and felt so excited.

The one who takes you down the aisle is Dragon. He’s a little awkward about it at first but he is quite proud of Sabo, even if he doesn’t openly show it.

“Take good care of him, alright?”

“I will.” You assure, thanking him when you finally reach the point of Sabo’s side.

The whole time, Sabo is staring at you in awe, feeling speechless. How did he manage to get someone as beautiful and wholehearted as you?

He can’t contain his wide grin and excitement, his hands just a hint clammy from the nervousness of possible rejection. But he knew you loved him. Because he loves you.

“Someone looks handsome.” You whisper in a giggle and Sabo chuckles. “Not compared to the beauty you have right now.” He winks.

The minister is actually Kuma, of course. Kuma was the obvious choice. Kuma took the position with gratitude.

“[Name Lastname]. Do you take Chief of Staff Sabo, as your lawful, loyal and everlasting husband?”

“I do.”

“Congratulations. I now pronounce you husband and wife, Sabo, please do the honor of kissing your bride.”

Sabo is the most natural approach, taking a step forward and cupping your cheeks in his hands and pulling you forward, for a kiss.

Cheers and applause are made and heard, and Luffy, being the brother he is, pulls out a loud confetti popper and pulls it, it shooting it out everywhere like fireworks.

“Congratulations, you two!”

“Alright, time to get drinking!”

“Better not let this get in the way of your missions..”

“Luffy, how’d you even get that?!” Sabo widens his eyes and he laughs. “Franky made it for me! He said it’ll be super, for the wedding!”

“Geez..”

You can’t help the laugh that escapes your lips and Sabo finds himself laughing alongside you and the whole place is soon filled with laughter and cheer.

It’s a small family party but it was still pretty chaotic regardless, and Sabo makes sure to take you outside for some fresh air when it becomes nighttime.

“Hey, feeling okay?”

Taking a seat on the bench nearly, Sabo sits beside you and you nod, immediately leaning into his shoulder.

“It’s overwhelming, I guess..” the warm smile that spreads your lips is contagious as he does the same when he sees it. “But,”

You take a look at your ring finger, that held the beautiful silver ring and diamond. “I couldn’t be happier with today. I’m married to the love of my life.”

Sabo smiles gently and closed his eyes, leaning against the backrest and let the moonlight light against his face.

“I am, as well. I couldn’t be any luckier to be married to you now..” taking your hand in his, he intertwines your fingers and brings your hand up to kiss.

He kisses your ring finger specifically and hums.

“Thank you.. for being with me.. I love you, [Name].”

“Of course. Thank you for being with me. I love you, Sabo.”

A/N : well! This was sweet~ I feel bad for Luffy’s part because it’s not the greatest. :/ but I hope you enjoyed! :D

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