#I just wonder why Marigolds? Any ideas?

[soshadysoquiet]

Marigolds

It's been bugging me for a while, it made sense that Harlan chose to give the magic powers he'd somehow received a name, and I thought it was interesting he picked 'Marigold'. In S3 we're led to believe that he chose that name himself, I think he says "I called them my Marigold" or something.

But then by the end of S3 Reginald says "The Marigolds inside you power the machine" or something similar, and by S4 of course that's how they're referred to and there's, you know, the end.

But how on earth would Harlan magically know to call them Marigolds correctly when none of the brellies or sparrows have ever called them that - so if it's automatic mystical knowledge gifted by the marigolds themselves then that theory is ruled out.

My best bet is that Reggie found Harlan when he was younger and whatever contact that entailed meant that he heard the name from Reggie. That would also explain why Reggie was so gung-ho to get Sparrow Ben to kill Harlan / get the brellies to do it, more than just getting rid of a pawn, possibly getting rid of an element that had already turned down an offer to come work with him / be brought etc?

[little-forest-goblin]

Forget-me-nots

(In this Five x lila never happened. They only sibling bonded in that damned subway. also in this they didnt cease to exist and become marigolds they ended up going into a different timeline with none of there powers even existing)

Synopsis: After the cleanse everyone had ended up forgetting who they were in the messed up timelines and lived normal lives. But what happens when you remember your husband that doesn’t quite remember you.

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Well this is an interesting turn of events.

You always did feel like something was off. Like something was missing but now knowing you were right is quite freaky to say the least. As a kid you wondered why you had strange dreams. dreams of another life. When you were a kid you’d lay down in your little bed tucked in cozy and snug and look out the window at the stars and moon until you would sleep and then the odd dreams would start. You would always ask your mom about it but she would tell you that its your imagination and that its just dreams and nothing to worry about but every night its like you were in another world. You began to look forward to these dreams brushing your teeth and hopping into bed as quick as possible. There was one thing that kept you coming back. Him. The boy in your dreams. As you grew up he grew up with you in the dreams. You and him got closer in the dreams. When you were younger you found it odd that his name was a five hargreeves. like the number five. you asked him about it but he never did give a straight answer. Either way you and him had your fun pissing off the father in your dreams, reginald. You hated that man even though he was just in your dreams. You hated how he treated vanya(viktor) but you were powerless against his cruel gaze and sharp words.

Around when you turned 13 your dreams took a turn. You and five had crushes on each other and were together all the time. One day in your dreams at the dinner table everyone was eating and doing their own things. Reginald was at the head listening to the record, luther and allison where giving eachother goo goo eyes, klaus was probably rolling a joint under the table, vanya(viktor) ate quietly trying to avoid any scrutiny from reginald, diego was also silently eating and ben was casually reading. Suddenly five took his knife and stabbed it into the table. reginald looked at him “Number 5?” he said in that monotonous tone of disinterest and mild annoyance. “I have a question.” Reginald looked back down at his food “Knowledge is a admirable goal, but you know the tules no talking during mealtimes. You are interrupting Herr carlson” Five looked over at you and you gave him a look basically telling to ‘please tread lightly we both know how father is’ five smiled softly at you before looking back over at reginald with annoyance “I want to time travel” reginald shook his head softly using that damned tone “No” five was quick to answer “But im ready” he pushed out of his chair slowly making a light wood on tile scrape “I’ve been practicing my spatial jumps, just like you said” to prove it he demonstrated said spatial jumps by appearing next to reginald at the head of the table “See?” reginald sighed and picked up his glass “A spatial jump is trivial when compared to the unknowns of time travel one is like sliding along the ice, the other is akin to descending blindly into the depths of the freezing water and reappearing as an acorn.” you silently looked and saw vanya(viktor) silently shaking her head telling him that its not a good idea to continue with this. you must’ve missed some of the conversation cause soon five over to you taking your hand and walking outside pushing open the gate and walking down the street. you were a little shook “Five, what are you doing?” you asked with concern. he didnt look at you and kept walking straight ahead. “We are going to time travel.” you were gonna protest saying what if reginald might be right which he of course countered saying that reginald was mean old bastard and that he doesnt know what he is talking about. You finally agreed and nervously but excitedly jumped with him. you were amazed by the things you saw. you looked around at what is the city but in a different time with a big smile. you laughed as you jumped again and he smiled at you with a small blush tinging his cheeks that you didn’t notice considering you were looking around eventually they jumped into the winter time. you gave a small yelp at the suddenness of the cold and laughed with him as he chuckled at your yelp and then you humped again and were plunged into a hellish landscape. the world destroyed. Fires that burned and raged on. Buildings crumpled and destroyed. dust and smoke lay thick in the air. “F-Five! what happened?! whats going on?!” you panicked and looked to him. he looked just as confused and worried as you “I-I dont know! hold on im getting us back home!” he tried to use his time traveling powers but it just didnt work his hands glowed blue ans crackled to life but it just wouldn’t work. you and him panicked and you and him ran back to what was once the academy. there you saw it crumpled and you saw him fall to his knee’s in shock and distraught. you came over to him and held him even though you were shaking and panicking yourself you tried to help him the best you could.

From that day on your dreams had changed significantly. Every night your dreams felt like years. you and him trapped in that apocalyptic hell surviving on what you can whether its bugs and rotten food. sickness and weariness. you both had each other and thats all that you needed. You and him grew closer in the dreams. Eventually when you were both around the age of 18 you and him officially dated. You and him together and your love uniting you two to be a surviving duo. Though you wished the situation was different but you are glad you could do it with him. you both even made a good friend named dolores. God she was great funny and had a kind heart and had sass to her. Eventually when you where both in your mid twenties you and him had been dating for 6 or 7 years you and him married. He had made matching wedding rings he had made for the metal scrap. it was beautiful and you said yes immediately. You and him were now Mr and Mrs hargreeves. Dolores was the biggest supporter of this happening. Now you wish you could say the dreams didn’t affect you in the waking world but oh they did. You felt wrong every time you had a boyfriend or girlfriend cause you felt like a married woman and hell you even caught yourself saying ‘me and my husband’ a few times which threw people off and you’d have to correct yourself apologizing and making up any excuse that fit. Either way you felt dirty and disloyal for dating so you stayed single and waited till night to be by your husband again.

Eventually at a certain point in the dreams you and him grew old and eventually the handler came along recruiting you and him into the commission to be assassins. He never stopped writing in that journal of his to help you and him leave this and go back home. Eventually you and him did it and got home and to summarize that apocalypse after apocalypse after apocalypse until you and him were older and he worked for the CIA and lila and diego and all that. Until one day everything clicked in place after a certain dream of being in the cleanse and letting the universe reset and it felt like your life now and the dreams collided into one being merging into you until you woke with a start with a remembrance of everything. Holy shit those aren’t dreams those are real. That was your life. Its like realization hit you like a truck. No wonder you never dreamed of anything else. No wonder you had trouble getting in relationships. No wonder something felt missing but felt right when in the dream.

For a while you fell into this depression missing your husband and missing being with and around him. Missing the small things and missing the shared moments whether it was comfortable silence. One day you were out getting coffee at a coffee shop cause you just needed something to wake you up before heading to work. you walked out the shop and accidentally bumped into someone. You paused and turned to them “Oh my god im so sorry!” the man turned to you and you felt goosebumps down your legs and spine. It was five your beloved husband. You stared in shock and he looked at you and fixed his suit “Its alright. I should’ve been more careful.” He seemed to avoid your eye as he fixed his suit not looking at you at all until he walked away without giving a glance. you stared dumbfounded as he walked and turned the corner. You stood for a moment considering following him but your rational thought told you thats a bad idea cause you’ll look like a creep but eventually the desperation got to you and you followed after him making sure to try and stay hidden. God you felt like a creep but you just needed to know.

Eventually you found he lived in an apartment building a few blocks from your own. why you never saw him? you don’t know. Either way when you got home you tried to figure out a way for him to maybe recognize you. Did he remember you? Did he also have what he thought were dreams? You thought for days until you got an idea and you rushed grabbing your purse and keys and headed out to your car.

~Fives POV~

Its been a few days. A few days and that strange woman wont leave my head. Its been tearing me apart. Who was she? why does she seem familiar? When she bumped me why did my skin tingle and alight like a fireplace having a lit match thrown in. For days now i’ve been sitting and pondering about her but i’ve tried in vain to make her leave my head. I’ve tried to distract myself to no avail. Its a Saturday afternoon and its oddly peaceful. Im making my normal cup of coffee though i should drink water. I can hear her in my head telling me to drink water instead of so much coffee all the time. I smile softly looking back at the dreams. I look at my ring finger seeing the ring i made in my dreams. I couldn’t bare to part with it i had to make it. I wanted her to be real and put that ring on her finger all over again but in the waking world. Suddenly a knock at the door interrupt my thoughts. I groan and went to the door. Who is here at this time of day? i look through the peephole seeing no one. odd. i open the chain lock and look around seeing nobody until i look to the floor and there laid a bouquet. Not just any bouquet its full of scorpion grasses or more commonly known as forget me nots. where did i read or learn about this? i have no clue. wait where did i learn this? I look at there blue color and then suddenly there’s a throb in my head and i remember something in my dreams. Forget me nots… the untouched field…his proposal…

With shaking hands i picked up the bouquet and looked at it gently feeling one of the petals. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

~in the “dream”~

The sun beat down on you and him. Thankfully there was a light breeze and they had gotten to a more rural area. countryside if you will. the years they spent here cause the plants to come back but in full force growing over things and vining up walls and over bricks and glass. You and him carefully were searching the ruins of the house careful for glass and rust. Five called to you “Careful for any glass, love!” you chuckled and looked to him as he searched under some bricks of what used to be a kitchen portion of the small farmhouse “You act as if we haven’t been doing this since we were 13.” he gave a lopsided smile and stood up from his crouched position “Yes but i also remember you distinctly cutting your arm on some collapsed metal rafting after i told you to be careful for them.” you looked at him in amused disbelief “That was one time! one time! You still hold that over my head?!” you laughed in amusement and incredulously. he put his hands in his pocket and walked closer to you “Not holding over your head, love, just watching out for my clumsy girl and no its been multiple times now.” he stopped infront of you with a smug but loving look. You were about to protest but opted to stay quiet and continue you and his search for sustenance all while grumbling about how yo it not all THAT clumsy. He laughed amused by your silence “What was that love?” you looked to him and narrowed your eyes playfully “Shouldn’t you be helping me out here?” he chuckled and went over to the kitchen to search cabinets. After some time of you searching with no avail you stood dusting your gloved hands off and looked around till you looked out a broken window to behind the house seeing a field. you curiously went to the unhinged door and stepped through to find a flower field. A field of forget me nots. You took in the beauty. it’s been a while since you saw beauty such as this in a dead end world. You smiled walking of the old porch and into the middle of the field and laid down in the middle of it smiling closing your eyes and sighing. Meanwhile five had found some food in a cabinet and thank god for it being unopened canned food and not twinkies. he shudders when he thinks of that. he calls to you “Babe! i found some food. We even got some canned pie filling. i call dibs on…” he trails off when he doesnt hear you answer. he turned his head and walked to the once was the living room. “Babe?” he looked around till he saw your figure laid in the field. he smiled and went out the back door and went to you standing over you. “enjoying yourself, love?” you opened your eyes looking up at him smiling and nodded. he chuckled and looked around at the peace and serenity of the moment. he looked back to you and decided now was the tight time. “Babe, i wanna ask you something.” you furrowed your brows a little and sat up “What is it baby? something wrong?” he chuckled and smiled and watched as you stood “No nothing wrong infact better then ever.” he took your hand kissing the top of it then bringing your hand over his heart. “My love, you have been the best thing to happen to me. Before dating, before getting stuck in the apocalypse and before things went to shit. I love you and always will. You have been the best thing to happen to me.” your eyes went a little wide as he lowered to own knee “Five…” he smiled up at her pulling out the ring that was to fit her finger “Y/N L/N will you be my wife?” you smiled and tears fell down he cheeks and she nodded “Yes!” she leaped on him in a hug laughing he felt relief flood him like a tidal wave. he hugged you back tightly till he pulled back and took your hand sliding the ring on your fingers and kissing you to seal the deal.

~End of “Dream”~

He was wide eyed shocked as dreams collided with reality and realization hit his face “Oh my god….”

~Your POV~

you where hiding as you watched him from the door. a little stalkerish? yes. then again thats your husband and it seems as though he is remembering. You smiled as everything went according to plan now all you had to do was walk out and reveal yourself but sadly your shoe laces had come undone and you fell out in the open with a ‘Umph’ you groaned and sat back up “Ow son of a bi-“ you then remembered and looked to five who was looking at you with shock and love and desperation. “babe…its you…Y/N” you looked to him nervously swallowed and nodded “Five?” you and him felt whole again seeing eachother but the desperation to be closer pulled you in and you ran into his arms as fast as you had fallen. You peppered his face in kisses “Oh i never thought i’d see you again! I thought i’d be destined to be alone.” he chuckled and held you close then captured your lips in a tender kiss till he pulled back and laid his forehead on his. his hands on either of your cheeks. “I cant tell you how much i missed you.” She smiled and held his own face between her hands. “I love you five” he smiled and kissed you again pulling back softly “I love you too”. Everything my felt right again. Whole. Complete. You had your husband back and he had his wife back. For the rest of the day both you and him where wrapped up in each others arms. embraced. Catching up with whats been going on and laid down in bed kissing and cuddling. Everything was as it should be.

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Hey y’all i hope you guys liked this story! Im not to good at writing but I’m trying my best. I hope you enjoyed and hope you have a good day ❤️

P.S sorry for any grammatical errors

[withahappyrefrain]

opening the door for them or pulling their seat out before they sit down with bob would be delightful!

You had only been at the bar for ten minutes and already regretted all the decisions you made that led to this moment.

Why did you agree to a blind date?

First of all, it was with your friend's coworker. And no matter how much Natasha said it was fine, you couldn't help but be nervous.

You had heard stories of the squad Nat worked with, some good, some…not so good.

"It's not the Hangman guy, right?" You asked her when she first brought it up.

Nat pretended to gag, "You're my friend, not enemy. It's my WSO."

So there you were, awkwardly shifting in the chair at the bar as you looked towards the entrance for the sixth time, anxiety building up in your stomach and threatening to come out like bile any moment.

This was a horrible idea.

You tried dating, you really did. Various dating apps, going to different bars and strike up a conversation, but nothing seemed to work out. Sometimes you'd get ghosted, other times it would end with you curled up in a ball on your couch with a pint of ice cream while some stupid romantic comedy played in the background. You quickly learned that it didn't matter how great the first or second date went, folks will change their mind about you at the drop of a hat.

At least with Hinge or Tinder, you could see a picture of the person and speak before meeting them. With a blind date, you didn't have that, only the information your matchmaker had given you.

He went by Bob. He was a WSO. From the Midwest, specifically Montana ("Don't refer to his accent as Southern, he will go on a spield '' Nat warned you). Very sweet, but shy at first, which was why he supposedly had trouble finding someone.

He sounded nice. Potentially lovely. But you knew better by now, after years of failed attempts and broken hearts.

Sounding nice didn't guarantee anything.

You wondered what Nat had said about you. Probably that only your parents called you by your full name. That you and Nat met through college was also a given. She's had shit luck when it comes to finding someone, hopefully you can change that?

You checked your phone for the upteemth time. 7:12. He was supposed to be here twelve minutes ago. Surely he wouldn't stand you up, considering he had to work with Nat the next day?

The idea was surprising, but not shocking. Despite the intention of dating, some folks were quite careless when it came to a heart that wasn't theirs. You had been on that receiving end more times than you'd like to admit.

He probably thought the idea of going on a date with his coworker's friend was too risky, too weird. Perhaps he looked you up on social media and found an aspect of you that he didn't like. Thanks to numerous assholes, you could list off several potential reasons. Not pretty enough, not interesting enough, not affectionate enough, too affectionate, too clingy-

The list could go on and on. Thankfully it didn't. Thankfully, the sound of your name, said by a soft voice broke you out of your thoughts and made you turn around.

Oh.

He reminded you of the male love interests from those Old Hollywood films you watched with your grandmother as a small child. Sandy brown hair that was tousled in waves, piercing blue eyes that stood out against his sharp nose and rosy cheeks.

But above all, he looked kind. Truly kind. Maybe it was the lopsided, assuring grin or the way his cobalt eyes shone against the soft lighting of the restaurant.

"Bob?"

His thin lips formed into a saccharine smile as he stepped forward, extending a long arm out.

Holy shit, he brought you flowers.

You couldn't help but stare, wide-eyed and open mouth at the beautiful marigolds and orange sunflowers. You didn't know people still did that-no date had ever done so for you.

"I-I'm so sorry for bein' late. I swear, I'm always on time, I just wasn't sure which flowers to get ya. I-I mean, I knew you liked sunflowers, Phoenix told me that but I wasn't sure if yellow was overdone or if I should do something different and I'm really sorry-"

"You're perfect," your eyes widened at your own words, "The flowers I mean! The flowers are perfect and beautiful and traffic happens, it's okay!"

His smile widened at your reassurance and you swore it melted your heart. Heat rose to your face as you accepted the bouquet, your fingers brushing against his.

The two of you walked to your table. When Bob pulled out your seat for you, your heart fluttered.

There was no way this guy could be real. Why was he single?

Often, the conversation on a first date was awkward and full of long pauses.

Not this one. Not with Bob.

He asked you questions about yourself. Hell, he even asked follow up questions. And they were thoughtful.

Bob felt the same way.

Yes, he found you stunning. But you were much more than that. You were insightful, passionate, kind.

Why on Earth were you single?

Bob was determined to make everyone else's loss his gain.

"Would you want to go get ice cream?" His fingers were tapping the table, a nervous habit that you found adorable, "I mean, I get it if you're tired but if you're not, I'd love to continue?"

A downright dopey smile overtook your face as you nodded enthusiastically.

"I'd love to continue!"

You couldn't hide your surprise though when Bob all but jogged in order to hold the door for you.

"Oh, thank you! But you don't have to do that," you explained. His brows knitted together in confusion, the corners of his lips slightly downturned.

How could one man be so cute?

"Do what?" He asked, confusion all over his voice.

"Oh, um, holding the door?" Was it wrong to have brought that up? Oh God, was he going to think of you as rude?

Instead Bob smiled as he shook his head, "Nonsense. You should never have to hold the door."

Oh no. You were going to be down bad.

As the night went on, your nerves disappeared, giving Bob a sweet smile when he held the door open or pulled out your chair.

You didn't say anything when he held the car door open to drive you home, just that smile that made his heart flutter.

But when he opened the car door after arriving at your home, you stood instead of walking forward.

"I....I had a really good time tonight," the nerves came swelling back. You couldn't recall the last time you had clicked with someone so quickly.

"I did too," his smile warmed your body, "Maybe...if you'd like, we could-"

"Do this again?" God, you really hoped that's what he was going to say. You didn't think your heart could handle it otherwise.

"Yeah," he let out a nervous chuckle, "I'd love to do this again."

Your heart soared. Nat now had rights to the biggest "I told you so" but you couldn't find it in yourself to care at this moment.

"I'm not doing anything this Friday," containing your excitement was difficult. You were positive that big, dopey grin was plastered on your face right now.

Bob loved it.

"I'm not either." That was kinda a lie. Fridays were usually when his squad went out to the Hard Deck to celebrate the end of the week.

But Nat wouldn't mind and that was all that mattered.

You two exchanged phone numbers, hands clumsily typing as you both tried to sneak glances at one another.

Once your respective phones were back in your hand, it seemed like the front door was calling your name.

Not that you wanted to leave.

Offering him coffee at this hour would be silly, no one did that anymore.

"Can I walk you to the door?" His voice was timid, unsure.

"Please." It came out abruptly, as though you had lost control of your mouth, "I mean, yes. I would like that."

When Bob offered his arm, you accepted, linking yours with his.

"This is my stop," you motioned to the front door, earning a chuckle from Bob. God, he was so handsome. And his hands were so large. What would it be like to hold them?

"I had a really good time tonight. Probably the best date I've had in...a while." The dusting of pink that spread across his cheeks was downright darling.

"Could I-"

"If you don't kiss me, I might explode."

Normally you weren't one to be so bold. But the ache inside you was threatening to burst at the seams.

"Oh thank God," was all Bob could get out before pressing his lips to yours.

[endless-ineffabilities]

Maroon (part four)

modern!Aemond Targaryen x f!reader

And I lost you The one I was dancin' with In New York, no shoes Looked up at the sky and it was maroon

themes/warnings: jealous!Aemond, language, a LOT of tension, very event-heavy

word count: 11.4k

series masterlist ▪︎ main masterlist

The Dragonstone ball is here. Will the reader and Aemond finally reconcile, or will things stand in the way? Again.

It had been eleven days of bliss. 

Eleven days since Aemond visited you in the bookstore, and you found him waiting for you at the corner table, perfectly illuminated like some mythical Valyrian god. 

Eleven days since he confessed his feelings for you, asked you to be his partner to the Dragonstone Ball. 

Afterward, he had started picking you up from lectures, taking you to places around the city, visiting you more frequently, shadowing you when you spend time with Helaena, to which she would simply roll her eyes and jest about being a “third wheel.”

You found yourselves in their secluded estate an hour away from the city, sitting in the clearing of a beautiful lush field overgrown with blue lupines and marigolds.

By then you still had not gotten accustomed to being with Aemond. Your heart still skipped each time your hands touched, and he gazed at you with longing. 

You had come to realize just how good and proper of a lover he can be. He was careful not to overstep any line, not to take things too fast. You know you’re not  experienced in this kind of thing, either. A connection so real. Something like that cursed four-letter L word that the both of you had managed to avoid when it comes to crushes, dating, romantic relationships in general. 

He sat on the green-and-black gingham blanket that he previously laid down on the grass in a flourish. You had giggled when the wind threatened to whip it over his head.

“Laugh it up, darling.” He playfully glared at you, which didn’t do much to quell your laughter. Aemond watched on, feeling warm at the sight.

You watched him, studying as the outline of the side of his face eclipses the sunlight in the horizon.

He has no idea, does he? 

He seemed oblivious to your staring, until he suddenly spoke, still keeping his gaze trained forward to the trees,  “I’m glad I have your full attention.”

You were certain all the blood rushed to your cheeks at his remark, but you scoffed, and playfully shoved him. He was caught off guard, and failed to prop himself upright in time. 

He shot you a glare as he brushed himself off. Without any warning, he wiggles his fingers against your side, making you audibly yelp in surprise. 

The bastard fucking tickled me.

“You did not just…”

“Oh, but I did, darling.” Aemond nodded slowly, taunting you.

You raised your hand to retaliate, but that didn’t work. Because in a flash of movement, Aemond grabbed your forearm and then your waist. 

And then, you found yourself underneath him, lying back on the mat. His halo of white-gold hair framing his face as he hovers above you, glowing brighter than the fading sunlight.

When his lips met yours, you realized that there truly were moments in life when time stands still. When everything is reduced to a humming of heartbeats in sync, and of someone else's warmth against you. 

When his blue eyes blazed into your own, you thought that maybe… just maybe… that was what it was like to be in love.

-----------------------

Love, love, love. What is it really good for? Aemond has seen people fall apart because of it, suffer in spite of it. 

He is quite sure that his mother has grown to love his father, despite theirs being a marriage of convenience. This is why she continues to care for him, and turns her cheek at any wrong done to her. 

Aemond has been on the receiving end of his mother's love, more so than his siblings. But sometimes he wonders if this is borne out of obligation and instinct. Would she still love him if he wasn't her only doting son - with Aegon never in the picture, and Daeron having grown indifferent to family affairs?

Does his mother truly see him, for all that he is, or does she see some idealized version of herself? One that she puts on a pedestal? Her golden child who has the chance to attain what she never could. 

There are times when Aemond fears that he does feel love himself, or not the truest form of it, at least. Sure, he loves his family. But is it also due to an uncontrollable pull of the heart, or simply out of duty? Does he feel like he needs to love them, being of the same blood? Has he just gotten used to being the binding force among his siblings, shepherding them like he actually is the eldest child? Do they even love him in turn? Certainly not with the same ferocity, Aemond knows, but in their own way? Most times, he finds it hard to tell.

It’s all like a game. They are all pieces on a chess board, playing a match that has no end. Moves and countermoves - isn’t this all that love is? Do something for them, protect them, as they will do for you. It is ultimately the right thing to do. 

But with you, Aemond knows it’s different. It has been, since you stumbled into his life. He never felt the need to maintain a sense of devotion. Never really gave it much thought, or any planning. It was just there. Out of the blue. Much to his surprise, and not without hesitation.

He did not understand what it was at first. You certainly did not need him. Did not ask anything of him. He saw how you approached him with no expectation. He was never Aemond Targaryen, Prince of the City, to you.

Only Aemond. Your best friend’s mildly sullen yet cordial brother. 

And you, well… you were just a passing fancy. Not bad to look at, pleasant enough to talk to. 

Until you weren’t just that.

There were times when Aemond feared that did not feel love himself.

Until you.

And you became everything.

-----------------------

3 hours before the Dragonstone ball

Alicent has been walking in a flurry all over the penthouse, her bluetooth earpiece buzzing constantly. Having final consultations with event coordinators, on-site production staff, caterers, florists, and security staff, among others. 

Talia trails her all around the vast living room, prepared to give a helping hand. 

“Yes, yes, that was the one that I asked for, I don’t know why I have to clarify this again,” Alicent seethes, pinching the bridge of her nose and looking up at the ceiling in her frustration. The caller’s rushed apologies echo from her earpiece. 

Her youngest son walks past her, an ascot tie loosely hanging around his neck.

“Daeron!” Alicent grabs him by the arm. “Are you all settled? Have you finally gone through options with the tailor?”

“Yes, mother,” Daeron cheekily sneers at Alicent’s worried expression. “I’ve just chosen which necktie I’ll be wearing, as you can see here. Just went down to get something to eat. Do try to relax, would you?”

“What about your brother? Please tell me he has had his suit vetted.”

Daeron replies, “I assume you mean Aemond, since Aegon will probably turn up in something ridiculous, like an inflatable dragon costume.”

Alicent scoffs before responding dryly, “If he actually does that, I just might consider sending him to the Silent Sisters institute.”

Daeron shrugs, “Best keep the family doctor close by, then. Oh, and Aemond’s all prepped since last week! You know him. Mr. Stickler-for-rules with a stick right up his a - ”

“Daeron!” Alicent exclaims. 

“Alright, alright, I’m kidding!” Daeron puts his hands up, laughing. He turns on his heel and strolls down the hallway. 

“My children,” Alicent sighs, sharing a look with Talia, who smiles knowingly in response. “Whatever will I do with them?”

“Oh, what will you do without them, ma’am?” Talia offers. 

Alicent hums in acknowledgement. She feels as if the lines on her face have deepened the past few months, though they’ve long made themselves evident, due to all her ceaseless worrying about Aemond's condition and all this commotion about the ball. But what else is there to do? 

She removes her earpiece and places it on Talia’s awaiting palm. 

“Are you alright, ma’am? Do you need some refreshments, perhaps?” Talia asks.

“I need…” Alicent sighs, preparing herself for the task to come. “I need to go see my son.”

“He isn’t here at the moment, ma’am.” Talia shuffles from one foot to the other, a force of habit when having to share something that may induce more stress to Alicent. “He left for his apartment at Blackwater Residences last night. He has requested that everything he needs for the ball be sent to him there.”

“And I was not informed of this because?” Alicent inquires, her mask of composure remaining. Aemond used to be the one she would run to first, should she need anything. Her confidante. Her dutiful son. And he’s always been comfortable enough to keep her in the loop about his affairs.

But not lately. Not since the accident. Her son has rebuilt the impenetrable wall around him, and she has not been allowed access inside. 

“Well, you’ve been very busy, ma’am. And Sir Aemond really didn’t tell anyone, he just informed me so that I may relay the message as I should.”

Alicent sighs in finality, “Fine. That’s fine. Have we made sure that his partner for the ball is in line? That model… uhhm, Alys, was it?”

“Yes, ma’am, she has made all the necessary preparations. And she is already aware of the regulations to follow, as she has attended the ball with Sir Aemond before.”

A question remains in Alicent’s mind. “You alluded once to something going on between Aemond and Helaena’s friend. The one who’s studying at the local university? I had thought that she would be his partner…” She trails off, remembering the one time she crossed paths with you. It was one evening in the penthouse, her kids and a number of their acquaintances sitting around a big round  table of drinks and hors d'oeuvres. She only came round for a moment to retrieve something from her office, lingering in the foyer with Talia to get some documents in order. 

She noticed you because you were sitting across the table from Aemond, who had been sneaking looks at you the entire night. Aemond clearly thought no one would notice, but if anyone would, it would be Alicent. 

Aemond has always been the most stoic of her sons, the least likely to wear his heart on his sleeve. But she saw, plain as day, that he was drawn to you.

Her son fancied you, but has something changed? As for Alys, Alicent has never been her biggest fan when it came to Aemond. Their age gap is not her favourite thing, but how can Alicent claim to be a judge on that matter when the man she married is 11 years older than her? She’s chosen to set that aside, but the Rivers model has struck her as highly self-regarding and standoffish.

Alicent would never admit it to herself, but perhaps the main reason why she dislikes Alys Rivers is that she sees part of herself in her. What she might have devolved into if she hadn’t married for power and privilege at a young age. Alicent, Alys. The latter being a recreational drug-addled, provocative social climber who Alicent doesn't think is good for her son.

Talia dithers on her response. Who can explain what is going on in Aemond’s mind after all? It is clear that the attraction remains, but his actions are all over the place. “As I gathered, ma’am, he did ask her. But… and I am not sure why, he ended up asking Miss Alys instead. Which is a downright shame, if I may add. She is really a sweet young girl. She and Miss Helaena dote on each other.”

“A shame, indeed,” Alicent hums. She begins walking down the hallway, Talia in tow, who then adds, “She will still be at the ball, though, ma’am. As Sir Jacaerys’ partner.”

Alicent’s brows furrow, and a grimace flashed across her face on instinct. “Got a Strong pup, has she?”

“They’re close friends - ”

“So I’m not certain what’s been going about, but my son likes her… or used to like her. But now he’s coming with Alys, and she’s coming with Jace?” Alicent spins on her heel, huffing out her confusion, her fiery auburn hair whipping around her. Regarding Talia whilst shaking her head, she exclaims, “Quite the handful this ball is turning out to be, and isn’t that just exactly what I need?”

-----------------------

Alys Rivers rarely does her own makeup, preferring the ease of having a glam team on call 24/7. 

But as she deftly applies medical-grade concealer on Aemond’s scar, her hands pat and press with a practiced ease of someone who had to do her own makeup on public buses at the age of 16, sneaking off to castings without telling her foster parents. 

She huffs with impatience from her stool. “Could you keep your expression neutral, dear? I dunno why you look like you’re in pain.”

Aemond responds in a cold voice, “Why, do you find that this is something I should enjoy, dearest? You’re smattering something on my face to make me look presentable. I’m allowed to react in a manner of my choosing. My sincere apologies if it’s not acceptable for you.”

“That’s not what I meant at all.” Alys drops her hand, frustration clear on her face. “Look, I can see that you don’t want to come to the ball.” She packs on more product on the brush in a rapid motion.

“Oh, is that your input?” Aemond mumbles, disinterested. He simply wishes he had placed his glass of firewine within reach.

“Yes, that is my input,” Alys snaps in return. When her brush meets Aemond’s face again, she does it with less care and more impatience. “If you’re not going to be civil to me, then you should have accepted the help of the makeup artist your mother assigned - ”

“I won’t have some fucking stranger’s hands all over my - ”

“I know!” Alys emphasizes, her exasperation growing evident. “Which is why I’m here. Which is why I agreed to help when you asked. I - ” She stops working, leaning back, her shoulders stooped in her frustration. “I only want to help you, Aemond. I care about you. You know this.”

Aemond finally looks at the woman sitting in front of him. Appraising her irate expression, which he had caused. “I did not want this. This… concealment of my scar was my mother’s idea, to keep up appearances - ”

“Oh, I know - ”

“I don’t know how you expect me to be, Alys, considering - ”

Alys stands abruptly, walking away to look out the window. “Aemond, this has been going on even before that godforsaken accident.”

Aemond sighs deeply, wanting to be anywhere else but in the room. Only that isn’t true, he wouldn’t want to just anywhere else. 

He wants to be with you.

Alys continues, “It all started that night when I visited you and you sent me away. Next thing I know there’s been whispers of you going around with some random girl.” She does not mention you by name. It’s better not to give you that power. She doesn’t need Aemond’s attention to drift any further from her than it already has. 

She has not been blind to the switch in his demeanour, having been on the brunt end of his anger one too many times. He still maintains his impeccable sense of decorum and tact most of the time, but she can easily tell that it's only for show. 

She once felt Aemond’s eyes on her, with some form of desire. Whatever he is capable of mustering, at least, even if it was never enough for Alys. At least she had hope that it could turn into something more. She can change him. Make him fall in love with her. But now, it’s like he sees straight through her. Only calling on her when absolutely necessary. Like this very moment. 

“Hmm.” Aemond looks to the side. He feels the weight of the product Alys just applied on his scar and it starts to irritate him. More so than the situation at hand, to his surprise. “What do you want from me?” He lifts his arms up offhandedly.

“I heard… about you and her. I’m not an idiot,” Alys says, trying not to sound desperate.

“No one ever said that you are,” Aemond responds impatiently.

“Did you ask her to come with you to the ball before you asked me? Am I just some last resort…”

“The fuck does it matter? You’re here because I asked you, did I not?” Aemond snaps, whirring around, away from Alys. The reminder of you is throwing him off, threatening to chip away at the mask of composure that he has prepared for this night. 

He hasn’t been able to shake off the scent of your skin, how warm you felt against him, that night he last saw you. 

And tonight, he will see you again. Aemond never fancied himself a romantic, but he knows that your presence would be the one thing that will make this night worthwhile. This dreaded ball, which he has never looked forward to. Save for a few short weeks when he thought it would be you on his arm. 

But he fucked it all up, didn’t he? All because he’s too weak to let you see him as he is. He thinks he’s not good enough for you. But a part of him has always known, because of your goodness, your undeniable warmth, that you would not mind the way he is right now. You would accept the person he has become - that’s just who you are. Good. 

And even then, Aemond always comes back around to the same conclusion. You’re too good for him; he’s not good enough for you. Might as well save both of you the pain, and try to stay away. 

And maybe, he can use Alys as a distraction. Choosing to bring her to the ball was an act of a coward, Aemond knows. Making you feel unwanted, pushed to the side. 

But this is what he deserves. The bruises on his knuckles from that incident in Pentos have only just healed, after all. He is still out of control. 

He’s never been a true believer, but the gods only know what he might do when he sees you on his nephew’s arm. Just the image of it causes him to clench his jaw in distaste. 

In pure jealousy. 

Aemond is blind to the possibility that you and his Jace are only friends, and will stay that way. All he sees in another man, holding you, laughing with you, looking at you like you’re the best thing in this world. 

Another man, and not him. Aemond is going to need a lot of ale to get through the night. 

And maybe more. 

Alys snaps him out of thoughts of you, walking across the room in a flash, until she stands right in front of Aemond. “Do you think you can just use me like this? I’m not second best, Aemond. You asked me to come with you, but you’re acting like you wouldn’t even touch me with a ten-foot pole.”

Aemond remains unmoving, gauging her livid expression. Calculating the next move to make. He’s found himself settling more and more into his old rhythm. Careful, methodical. Almost machiavellian. Never giving away too much. Far from how genuine he allowed himself to be around you. He did not have to pretend or mask anything. But that was then. That was with you.

“Say something, goddamnit,” Alys breathes, her slender fingers wrapping around his forearm.

Aemond’s eyes drift to Alys’ touch, feeling nothing at all. There used to be a time when he would want her company. Crave it even. Although that may have been for the most depraved purposes, one that he allows himself to indulge in now and again, it was still theirs. 

Now, Aemond cannot feel right having anything with anyone else. When all he wants is you. 

“I asked you to the ball because I wanted to, Alys.” Aemond relents, choosing to take the calmer road. He presses further, knowing that Alys would need more assurance than that. “You should know that I don’t trust many people, and yet here you are. That should count for something.” The sentiment is honest, at least, if not completely heartfelt. 

It isn’t as if Aemond grew to have Alys as a confidante by choice. It began as a series of run-ins, then deliberate nighttime invitations.. The trust he formed with her does not mean he values her above anyone else. It was more so that he knew, even early on, that he could never be tethered to her. They had an understanding of the nature of their relationship. 

He knew he would not fall in love with her. And he knows because has tried. It spares him from ever truly being vulnerable. It spares them both from any pain. 

He takes her hand in his, a final gesture to temper her storm of emotion. And it’s enough. For now.

When Alys leans in to plant her mouth on his, he sees it coming. But he stops himself from taking a step back, or turning his head. He knows that Alys would not dare back out of being his partner for the ball, the publicity and prestige of it all too good to her to pass on. But he does not want to risk having the same useless argument again.

The kiss is cold, fleeting. It leaves a faint hint of maroon by the corner of Aemond’s lips. Like a mark of betrayal.

“Okay, honey.” Alys reaches upward to smooth his hair. “Let’s do some final touches on you, then I’ll go to my suite and get ready.”

Some time later, she finally reaches some satisfaction on her work on Aemond’s scar and departs the room, eager to get started on her lengthier high-profile event glam routine. 

Aemond only has one consolation. 

He gets to freely indulge on firewine now. 

-----------------------

You sit in anticipation at the edge of the bed in your humble apartment.

Helaena had granted your request that you get ready in the confines of your own small but comfortable space, though she preferred that you take her up on her offer of getting ready in their penthouse. 

You knew it was best to concede to your friend when she said she would send someone to deliver your dress and to assist you. It couldn’t hurt, you thought, half-expecting that it would only be Talia.

You didn’t expect that sending someone in Helaena’s terms would mean two makeup artists, a hair stylist and his assistant, a nail technician, and Baela Targaryen, who had quickly risen through the ranks of the fashion industry with her clothing brand, Moondancer. 

Little did you know that Baela herself would be arriving at your door.

“Hello, sweetheart. I heard from a little birdie that you might need some assistance?” Baela says, stepping into your apartment without waiting for an invitation, confidently occupying any space. 

“Baela!” you exclaim. “How are you? Helaena did say she would send someone.” Before you could shut the door, a garment rack comes rolling through, about a dozen designer dresses whipping right past you. 

“Where to, ma’am?” A lanky man asks, his mop of ginger hair peering from behind the rack.

“Just there,” Baela gestures to a far wall, before glancing at you, as if remembering that it is in fact your apartment. “Is it fine?”

“Sure,” you smile. As if refusal was an option.

“Our dearest Helaena has informed me of your top choices,” Baela says, as her red-haired assistant began to gingerly pull each dress out from their garment covers. “And I commend your taste, by the way, most of these are my favourite pieces from the collection.”

Soon enough, all of the dresses are revealed to you, each one more beautiful than the next. 

“These are all amazing, Baela. Thank you. I owe you.” you say appreciatively, pulling her into a hug.

Baela keeps an arm over your shoulders when you pull apart, leading you to take a closer look. “You don’t owe me anything, sweet. So,” she says, “what are we thinking?”

“This one seems reasonable,” your hand drifts over a plum coloured dress, the material feeling nothing short of luxurious to the touch. It is a lovely A-line maxi dress, with intricate sequin detailing all over. 

“Reasonable,” Baela snorts. “It’s lovely and all, but awfully safe, don’t you think?”

“What’s wrong with being safe?” you raise an eyebrow at her statement. “This is my first and possibly only Dragonstone ball, Baela. I just want to get through it without making a fool out of myself.”

“But you won’t make a fool of yourself,” Baela squeezes your shoulder in encouragement. “You belong there just as much as anyone else. Maybe even more so, because we actually do like you. Jace especially.” 

Baela has a reputation for being quite the enterprising young woman, making a name for herself outside of the Targaryen business empire through her brand.  She takes no prisoners, they say. If she wants something, she will go and get it herself. Most find her intimidating, and you count yourself lucky to be at the receiving end of her sweeter side. 

“Hmm,” you feel a sense of ease wash over you, making you brush through the other dresses on the rack. 

“This dress you chose is nice, and if safe is what you want then…” Baela gives you a once-over, her eyes gaining a mischievous spark. “... that’s all well and good. But, sweetheart, don’t you want to leave Aemond a groveling mess by your high-heeled feet?”

Your stunned expression betrays you, hindering any attempt at denial. 

“Oh, I know.” Baela smirks. “Let’s just say that Hel may or not have clued me in on how absolutely childish he was to ditch you like that. I’ve always been of the opinion that my dear cousin needs to get his damn head screwed on straight, but hey, I might be biased.” She raises her hands, knowing she already got her point across. 

It won’t be long before she wins you over to a not-entirely-safe dress. 

The idea of Aemond possibly exhibiting any form of adoration upon seeing you at the ball is one that you have entertained too many times in the months leading up to tonight. To deny that would be foolish. 

Some part of you wants to save yourself from what can only be described as the rollercoaster of attempting to maneuver a relationship with Aemond. But an even greater part…  just can’t let him go. 

You sigh in finality. Baela grins at that. She clearly won this one, but there was never really any doubt.

“I’m glad you agree, because I have something for you.” She nods over to her assistant, who promptly leaves the room and returns with another dress. The dress. 

“Baela, what in seven hells.” You appraised the dress with evident stars in your eyes. “This… this was not in the catalogue Hel made me choose from.”

“Of course not, silly,” Baela responds proudly. “Because I designed this just for you.”

You shake your head in amazement, lightly asking, “What if I had stuck to my first choice, huh?” You wouldn’t have, not after seeing the dress, and you know Baela is aware of this. 

“Impossible,” Baela reaches for the dress and holds it against you, studying you like a subject. “I had planned to custom make dresses for the ladies in the family anyhow. Well, apart from my beloved aunt - your dearest’s mother - so making one for you too was a no-brainer.”

You thank her profusely, as she and her assistant, whom you discover is named Lancel, check how the dress fits you. Seeing if any last-minute alterations were needed, but there was really nothing else to do with it.

It was perfect. 

“Lancel will stay to assist you, and Helaena’s sending a whole team, and they should be here soon.” Baela says, growing busy with her buzzing phone. “I’ll be off to prepare myself.” 

“I don’t know what else to say, but thank you again, Baela. Helaena said you would be in charge of our dresses but I certainly did not expect this.” You say sincerely, as you see her to the door. 

“It was my pleasure,” Baela responds, and in true fashion, drops her head in a dramatic bow. As she walks down the hall, she does not miss her chance in calling back and adding, “and it will be an even bigger pleasure to witness the absolute anguish in Aemond’s face when he sees you.”

You welcome the shiver that runs up your spine at the thought of that. That’ll show him. 

As if on cue, the rest of your designated prep team arrive not long after, and you surrender yourself to the frenzy that followed.

-----------------------

The Dragonstone Ball

The Valyrian Hall is a place of marvel in the city.

Erected nearly a century to the day, it essentially marked the dominance of the Targaryen empire in the country. Designed like an amphitheatre, the looming structure has hosted many history-marking events. 

As befits it, it is also the venue for the annual Dragonstone Ball. Revamped for the purposes of each ball, it transforms into a hub of merrymaking and pageantry. Its attendees include no other than the rest of the nobility, dignitaries, notable artists and academics, as well as the nouveau riche. 

The country of Westeros is officially an oligarchy, with the heads of the most powerful Houses in power. But the unspoken truth of it is that the Targaryens rule over them all. 

And no expense is spared by the ruling family of the country. 

The media is flocked outside the hall, a thousand cameras flashing at each arriving guest. Hurling empty exclamations at the impeccably dressed attendees walking down the black carpet. The theme for this year was simple - Firelight - a play on the Targaryen and Hightower slogans, honouring the long-standing alliance between the two families. The dress code warranted only their traditional colours to be worn - red and black, green and silver. 

Viserys himself was the mastermind behind the theme, in an effort to make a show of strength in the family, after the horrid incident between Aemond and Lucerys. Alicent was slow to warm to the idea, if she ever did at all. 

Tensions are still high, especially between the mothers of two belligerents, with Alicent having shared unsavoury comments about Lucerys’ upbringing. 

And of course, it is an open secret in this year’s event that everyone is in anticipation of finally seeing what has become of Aemond Targaryen. 

-----------------------

Your reflection stares back at you, wide-eyed and beautiful, standing tall with a quiet confidence you didn’t think you could muster. 

Clad in the dazzling red gown Baela crafted specifically for you, and your tresses adorned with an embellished tiara crafted by the silversmiths of Volantis, you surprisingly do not feel like a whole other person. Not exactly. 

You feel more yourself than you ever had before. 

“I could be a Targaryen,” you jokingly share with Jace as you both study yourselves in the mirror. “If only I had that damned silver hair.”

“Trust me when I say that it’s not as fun as people might think,” he laughs in response, catching your eyes in the reflection. “But you look beautiful, sweetheart.”

You whirl around, not even bothering to hide the blush on your face. Jace would see right through you, anyway. “And you look handsome as ever.” You take a deep breath, trying to do away with the nerves that are threatening to emerge. Calm down. 

You lightly brush your hands across his shoulders. “Well, I cannot believe that I am going to the ball as the famous Jacaerys Velaryon’s date. What an honour, really. You’re practically a prince!”

“Oh, ha-ha,” he says dryly, rolling his eyes playfully. “I’m just Jace to you, thank you very much.”

“This is going to go great,” you sigh in encouragement, mostly to yourself. I’ll finally see him, won’t I? What could go wrong?

What could go wrong, indeed? How much will it string to see Alys Rivers draped on Aemond’s arm. To see them dancing with each other, barely an inch apart. 

“Don’t even think about it,” Jace smooths your perfectly-done hair in reassurance. “You and I are going to enjoy this godsforsaken ball with Hel, Luke, and the rest of our friends.” Don’t even think about him, he wanted to say, but you already knew that. 

He holds his arm out for you to take, indicating that it is finally time to head to the ball.

“Shall we?”

You loop your arm around his with a steady smile, bracing yourself for what would turn out to be one of the most memorable nights of your life. 

-----------------------

You feel the limousine idly come to a slow stop in the private road leading to the front of the grand Valyrian Hall. All at once, everyone flocks around to catch a glimpse of whom they presume to be members of the Targaryen clan, but the security detail is quick to ensure that none may come too close. Even if it would be impossible to peer through its heavily tinted windows. 

“Don’t worry, we won’t come out here.” Jace is quick to note, when he sees the apprehension on your face. “We’ll head inside to the inner courtyard.”

The yelling of photographers outside sounds like a cacophony, an endless buzzing, and you are grateful you don’t have to go right into their throes.

The limousine moves once more, presumably following the one before it, passing the towering gold palisade surrounding the hall. 

“Special entrance for special guests, eh?” Jace nudges you, smirking.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” You hum in response. You try to fight it, but your mind races. Is he already here? ‘I’ll see you at the ball,’ he said. Sure. What then?

“There are still photographers and members of the media here, but only ones vetted by the family,” Jace explains. “I’ll take the lead, so you don’t have to worry about answering any questions if you don’t want to. Just stick with me.”

Ever the gentleman.

The chauffeur opens the limousine door, and Jace gently tows you along with him. When the blinding camera flashes first hit your eyes, you enter into a sort of haze. Like on autopilot, you don a practiced smile and smoothly walk with Jace down the black carpet. 

Jace opts to have only one brief interview, with whom you recognize to be the prolific Mysaria, the head news anchor for the channel owned by the Targaryens. 

“And who is your lovely date for this evening?” she beams, and the camera pans over to you. 

“This beauty here is y/n, one of my best friends.” Jace drapes an arm around you, then smiles to the camera. You admire how flawless his media training is. 

“That’s right,” you hear yourself saying, “someone needs to keep this one in line.”

Mysaria laughs, “Oooh, we love your attitude. Well, you two do make the most gorgeous pairing.”

She asks a few more questions, then the interview quickly wraps, and Mysaria shakes both of your hands in her professional manner. 

Event coordinators usher the two of you inside the sprawling foyer, lush with intricate Targaryen red and black tapestry. But right as you start to appreciate the detailed engravings on the bronze panels propped up on the walls, you are directed up a flight of stairs and into a private parlour. 

Your shoulders visibly slump in instant relief when you spot some familiar faces. 

Helaena stands speaking to Lucerys, who incidentally is her date, as she refused to be paired with anyone unfamiliar. Luke had been gracious enough to volunteer to be her partner.

“Even if her brother and myself fucked each other over a while back, I still love Hel,” you heard him joke once, a pit of dread settling in your stomach. Leave it to Luke to be nonchalant about the whole thing.

“Look who it is,” Luke greets loudly, “my brother finally looks like an actual human being.” 

“Ah, you little shit,” Jace counters, shaking his head fondly. “How’s the limp?”

“Not bad,” Luke props his right leg forward, showing off some progress.”Lucky for me, we’ll be walking at a snail's pace all throughout this bloody thing. You look stunning, by the way.” He winks at you.

“Thanks, Luke.” you smile at him. “So, what a spectacle, huh? It was crazy out there.” 

Helaena wraps an arm around your waist, “If you think that was crazy, wait ‘til you enter the main hall.”

“We’ll be announced next. It’s just us left from the family, really. Everyone else has already walked down the proverbial aisle.” Luke comments, straightening his shawl lapels. 

The brothers’ choice of attire contrasts yet complements the other’s, with Luke sporting a burgundy three-piece suit and a black tie, whilst Jace dons a simpler black suit and a red tie. 

Helaena looks simply otherworldly in her emerald gown, representing the true Hightower heiress that she is. 

“Everyone?” you exhale, the words registering. He’s already here.

“You alright? You remember everything from rehearsal?” Jace confirms with you. Yes, I remember rehearsal quite well. The one that Aemond predictably chose not to attend.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” You nod, shaking away any thought of him. We’ll see each other soon enough. “Let’s get this shit done, shall we, partner?”

“You’re up next, Sir Lucerys, Miss Helaena.” The event coordinator summons the pair, directing them to stand in front of the heavy-set ornate doors. 

A moment passes, then the doors open with a slow, echoing groan. Helaena shoots you one more smile as she walks through with Lucerys. 

You hear the herald’s booming voice announcing their names, just as the doors close once more. 

“Two more minutes of this,” Jace remarks. “Or you know, maybe ten, since my brother has to take his sweet time walking down the hall.”

“Hey,” you smack his chest, laughing, “it’s not his fault he still has a limp.”

Taking your hand, Jace leads you in front of the doors. You feel your heart pounding, as the sounds coming from the great hall are amplified. 

You turn to Jace, wanting to say something, anything, to calm yourself but your mouth feels dry. “Hey,” he gently croons, coming to your rescue, his hand covering yours as you squeeze his arm, “do you see this?” 

Your eyes follow as he points to the figure embossed on the large metal doors. 

“It looks like… a dragon?”

“That’s right. I think you know of the myths of Old Valyria, where my family hails from. This dragon is called Balerion, the greatest and largest that my ancestors were said to have claimed.”

“Even in this form, he looks imposing,” you say, gazing at the figure, “and beautiful.”

Jace hums in agreement, adding, “You know, legend has it that Targaryens are of the blood of the dragon. That we, for lack of a better word, are dragons ourselves.”

“Hmm,” you smile at the thought, “and do you believe that?”

Jace shrugs, facing ahead, getting ready. “Why shouldn’t I believe?”

His words inspire a sense of calm, and self-assuredness, quieting your restless mind. I can do this. You hold yourself up, lips curved in a soft smile. 

The doors open, revealing the revelry below. 

Here we go.

-----------------------

Aemond had been eager to get through with the initial presentation, practically marching through as fast as can be allowed, with Alys clinging on his arm. He did not much care for the dissonant whispering that flooded the hall once the crowd got sight of him. Their missing Prince of the city has returned.

You would think I grew a second fucking head. 

It was no use trying to drown them out, even with the orchestra resounding from the balcony. 

“What happened to his eye?”

“Is that really him?”

“He looks…”

“In a rush, are we, honey?” Alys asked through gritted teeth, annoyed, but kept her signature sultry expression intact. She pulled him closer to her, “Keep pace with me now.”

When they finally reached the front of the hall, where the rest of his family assembled, he nearly took a swig out of the flask Aegon was subtly trying to hand over to him. 

Until Alicent hissed at the both of them. “Not now, boys.”

The crowd continues to sneak glances at him. In awe or pity, Aemond does not care to know. With every new pairing being announced, he is grateful that their attention is momentarily diverted. 

He stands tall in his midnight black formal leather overcoat, with a fitted dark green shirt underneath. His hair has grown longer since his last public appearance, and he now wears it in a half-up manner, with his eyepatch neatly in place over it.

He has come to terms with his appearance, and soon enough, he might even grow to accept the moniker Aemond One-Eye as his brother keeps calling him. 

“It’s badass, Aem,” Aegon had drawled. “You look like a Valyrian dragonrider from the old stories with that scar.”

The pairings could have blurred in a haze altogether. Lannister, Arryn, Baratheon, Stark, Tully. On and on it went, but none of them left a mark on Aemond. 

There is only one person he is so desperate to see. 

When Lucerys Velaryon’s name is announced, Aemond can’t help the distaste he feels. He rolls his shoulders, trying to keep composure, Alys’ arm falling from him. She only regards him from the corner of her eye, likely praying that he doesn’t cause a scene and embarrass her.

He keeps his focus on his sister, as she gracefully floats through the crowd in Hightower green. Such a shame it’s that bastard she got paired with.

Helaena and her partner reach the front of the hall, and she throws him a look as if to say, behave. Aemond ducks his head in acknowledgment, lips curling. 

I promise I’ll try to be good. For her sake.

To his left, he hears Helaena whisper, “Any moment now.”

Aemond knows exactly what she means, and does not feel the need to muster a response. The anticipation has devolved into some kind of torture, as all he wants to see you again.

To feel you against him, how your skin would glide smoothly against his, how you would fit together. 

The effects of firewine are getting stronger, encroaching on his senses. It dawns on him that perhaps he shouldn’t have imbibed in considerable quantities before the ball, but no matter.

The herald begins his next announcement. 

“Finally, let us welcome Jacaerys Velaryon, son of Laenor Velaryon…”

“More like Strong,” Aegon mumbles under his breath, but Aemond no longer pays him any mind. 

“... and Rhaenyra Targaryen. With his partner…”

The herald says your name, and Aemond can practically feel his heart lodged in his throat. Keeping his arms behind his back, he adjusts his stance, trying to calm himself. He sees you emerge from the top of the steps and watches as your eyes sweep over the entire hall, and eventually, finally, meet his very own. 

Aemond can hardly breathe, the blood rushing to his head at the sight of you in that red dress, making him feel all woozy. The firewine surely does not help, either.

She looks like a goddess. You walk down the hall, keeping your eyes trained ahead, hand firmly on Jacaerys’ arm.  But Aemond does not spare his nephew any more than a cursory glance, almost entranced by the way your gown enhances your silhouette. By the exposed planes of your skin. 

He watches your chest heave against your bodice as you take deep breaths. He knows that you would be nervous, but to your credit, nobody will be able to tell. 

That’s my girl. You reach the front of the hall, joining the rest of the family and their respective partners. Your lips part slightly as you get a better look at Aemond, and he wants to know badly what you think. But then your eyes visibly narrow at something, and you turn away, walking with Jace to the other end of the group. 

Aemond registers that Alys had looped her arm around his again, and he curses her internally. He can’t help the glare that he throws in her direction, but she must not see the irritation in his eyes or simply ignores it. 

Alys mouths, “Have you been drinking?” with a seductive smile that does not fit her query. 

Keeping up appearances, as usual. 

“Some,” Aemond snaps. “Don’t let it concern you.”

The hall falls into silence as Viserys conducts his opening remarks, followed by a brief speech from his daughter and named successor, Rhaenyra Targaryen. 

Soon enough, it’s time for the first dance. All of the main pairings make their way to the open floor in the middle of the hall, standing across from each other as they line up in an orderly fashion. It is the only traditional Valyrian dance of the night, for which participants were required to attend a series of rehearsals prior to the event. Aemond opted out of them this year, not that it mattered. He has long since mastered the dance, having attended every Dragonstone ball since his childhood. 

He is tempted to look in your direction, but his instinct to follow tradition wins over. 

Always keep your eyes trained on your partner, his mother had ingrained in him and his siblings.

That wouldn’t be a problem, if she were mine.

The dancers raise their right arms to the front, and the music starts. For Aemond, every step almost feels robotic, and his body moves on its own volition. He does not even need to think, nor does he appreciate the closeness the routine requires of the pairings. 

Fuck it. At that, Aemond lets his eye wander over to you, as you twirl around with Jace a few feet away. You don’t even look at Aemond, and you shouldn’t, but it annoys him anyway. 

He spins Alys around, and her back is pressed to his as they saunter from side to side. 

Then you lock eyes. He notices the switch in your expression, which you quickly revert back to a fixed soft smile, but he sees it anyway. 

You’re irate at me, my love. The pairings spin around again. And for good reason. 

“You smell of firewine,” Alys mutters, when she draws closer. 

“Well, I needed something to make this night bearable,” Aemonds responds coolly,

“Aemond,” Alys warns. 

Aemond could have rolled his eyes at her reaction. Eye, he smirks at himself. “Don’t worry. It’s not you. I just dislike all this.” Surely that will get her to simmer down.

“Do you really ? Aren’t you a stickler for Valyrian tradition?”

“Hmm.” When in seven hells will this dance end?

-----------------------

When the first dance ends, you audibly breathe a sigh of relief. 

It is no longer the apprehension about tripping on your feet, or doing something unbecoming of the tradition of the ball, or even forgetting a part of the dance routine that plagues your mind - all of your worries are set aside, overpowered by the rush of emotion from seeing Aemond once again.

The sight of him had been enough to drown out all the noise. Like the focal point of a kaleidoscope, your eyes sought him out when you entered the hall. 

Like a moth to a flame. And he found you too. 

You don’t know what else to think, apart from - He looks beautiful. 

What was he even worried about? He still looks every bit like your Aemond, though you feel sorry at the now apparent loss of his eye. You know he would not desire your pity, that he would hate being on the receiving end of it from anyone. But you can’t help it.

I’m sorry this happened to you, you want to tell him. But would it even matter? Would it make a difference? Or does he already get enough consolation from the company of Alys Rivers?

Jace does not let go of your hand as you walk to the head table with the rest of the family, which is situated like a dais at the front of the hall, so that all the family members would have a full view of everything. Aemond is situated at the other end of the table with Alys, but since they are seated at the other end of the long table, as are you and Jace, they are directly in your line of sight. 

The staff had distributed glasses of a deep violet wine which Jace explained is firewine, originally from Valyria. “Are you doing alright so far?” He places his hand atop yours on the table, and you hum positively in response. He does not let go, his thumb drawing soothing circles on the back of your hand. 

You raise your head when Viserys addresses the hall, making the mistake of catching Aemond’s eye. You notice how tense he sits, both hands intertwined on the table, his eye trained on you. Or rather, on Jace’s hand adjoined with yours. 

You shake your head slightly. He looks up at you, as if noticing the attention you are giving him. So you look away quickly, listening as Viserys makes his first toast to the hall.

“Now we drink,” Jace signals. You pick up the ornate glass and bring it to your lips, and see Aemond doing the same. He does not drop your gaze as he takes a drawn out sip, and finally lowers the glass. You catch the way his tongue flickers to taste the remnants of firewine on his lips, and you feel your cheeks flare up with warmth. 

Does he know what he’s doing?

“We now invite all of you to partake in another bout of dancing, this one less stringent than the first, so there’s no need to worry. No dragon will come to smite you if you step on your partner’s toes, but my dear wife won’t hesitate to throw you out of the hall, I’m sure,” Viserys announces genially, earning some laughter from the attendees. “And shortly after, the feast will begin.”

The crowd sets into commingling. Some pairings remain together, some accept invitations from other guests. The orchestra begins to play a slower, gentler hymn. Something more intimate. Romantic. 

“May I have this dance, stranger?” Jace grins at you, offering his hand. 

“Well, who am I to refuse a dragon?” you quip in turn. You pass by Helaena and Luke already on the dancefloor, and Aemond and Alys… 

“Hey,” Jace keeps you from finding out. He keeps a gentle hand on the small of your back, and takes your hand in the other. “Is he bothering you?”

“What?”

“Aemond,” Jace says. “I could not help but notice that my dear uncle has been practically drooling at you like some starving dog.”

“He has not,” your eyes widen at his insinuation. But he has, hasn’t he?

“Are you blind?” Jace laughs. “He’s bloody doing it right now.”

It doesn’t take long for you to find him, guiding Alys Rivers in a slow dance. And Jace is right. He may be holding her, but his focus is on you. 

“You can tell that he must be so jealous right now,” Jace says. “It’s kind of funny.”

A giggle bubbles up your lips, and Jace joins you. You hold each other closer in an attempt to control your laughter. “Still,” you breathe out, finding the words. “He came here with Alys. Not me.”

Jace simply smirks at your concern. “Oh, doll. Judging by how he looks like he might commit nepoticide at any moment, I’d say you’re doing a fine job of making him pay for it.”

-----------------------

Aemond hears you laugh a few feet away, recognizing his favourite sound. It’s been too long since he last heard it. Too bad you’re sharing the moment with his Strong nephew, of all people. 

The song slows to a gradual halt, but the dance is still under way. Aemond takes this as his cue to turn away from Alys, mumbling something about getting a drink. 

“Wait until they’re served. You don’t just slink away searching for alcohol to drown in! This is so unlike you.” She seethes, his attitude finally getting to her. 

Aemond knows this. He’s well aware that the servers will soon emerge from the corners of the hall with delicate glass flutes balanced on gold trays. He’s seen this ball play out all throughout his life. 

But he is not looking for the same sweet, feeble firewine. He’d much prefer the seedier alcohol that Aegon brings around in his flask.

Alys was right. This is truly unlike him. But between the awareness of everyone scrutinizing his new appearance and seeing his nephew’s hand firmly on your waist, his only recourse is to take a book out of Aegon’s page. 

And drink like a Braavosi seahorse, as they say. 

You begin swaying once more, in the arms of Jace, as the music gradually rises back to a crescendo. New sets of pairings venture onto the dancefloor. 

Thankfully, one of them steps in to relieve him. 

“Well, if it isn’t Alys Rivers herself,” a man exclaims, then turns to Aemond. “Do you mind, sir?” He holds his hand out to Alys, standing tall like a reed, as if a stiff breeze would blow him away.

“Oh, hi.” Alys says, pleased at the attention. “Aemond, this is Harris, he’s an actor and we worked on…”

But Aemond has already stepped away, disinterested by her explanation. “By all means.”

It is clearly not the reaction Alys wanted from him, and she glares at his retreating figure. Aemond doesn’t notice, approaching his brother on the sidelines.

“Finished dancing with mommy?” Aegon sneers by way of greeting. 

“Fuck off, Aegon.”

“Aw, come on.” Aegon slaps his brother on the back. “You know I'm joking. Besides, you’re doing well for your first event in a long time.”

“Well,” Aemond’s lips curl in thought. Is that how things are going? Well? I wouldn’t say so. “Hand me your flask.”

Aegon sniggers, reaching for his pocket. “Hurry while our dear mother’s not looking.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.” Aemond takes a long drag of the liquid, the unforgiving taste biting in his mouth. It burns a little as it goes down his throat, winding up in his core as a pit of warmth. 

“Well, well. Did you lose your inhibitions along with your eye, brother?” Aegon snatches the flask back, surprised but not disappointed by this turn of events.

Perhaps.

“Look at them. Smiling at each other like that.” Aemond spits out, venom lacing his tone.

“Wha -” Aegon’s head whips around, searching. Landing on you. “Oh. I see.” His amusement flares even greater. “Someone’s bloody jealous.”

“Hmm.” Why bother denying it? 

“Didn’t think you had it in you to be cuckolded by a bastard.” Aegon says, dealing an effective blow.

“Give me that,” Aemond swipes the flask once more, taking a careless swig. Intrigued whispers reach him, somewhere from behind. Or to his side, it doesn’t matter. They can say whatever they want.

He hands the flask back to his snickering brother, then goes on to claim what’s his.

-----------------------

“Nephew.” 

You hear his voice, plain as day. One minute he was some distance away, then he materialised right beside you. 

“Mind if I step in?” Aemond asks Jace smoothly. Politely. But his eyes betray a hint of malice. You can’t help but stare at him blankly as he offers his hand to you. 

Jace doesn’t respond right away, looking to you for approval. Are you fine with this? He seems to ask with furrowed brows.

“It’s okay,” you find your voice, albeit timid and unsure.

“I won’t go too far,” Jace whispers. He lets you go, letting Aemond take over in his stead. You stand in front of each other, but you don’t dare move closer. You feel arrested in his gaze, and he doesn’t say anything for a while.

Until he takes a sure step. Then he is everywhere. His familiar scent envelops you once more. Dizzying, like a long swig of firewine. You even catch a hint of it from him. His lips curl in amusement as he sees you studying him. You take notice of his eyepatch, of the scar lingering beneath. 

Aemond. Enticing as ever. Ethereal and princely in his leather garb.

Why did he ever have to hide from me?

He whispers your name, and puts both hands on the small of your back, pulling you right against him. More intimate than the stance you had with Jace. 

Aemond always had a pair on him.

He does seem to be unfazed, though he surely regards how flustered you’re becoming. “Hands up on my shoulders, love.” He says, and you comply.

Then he gracefully guides you through the slow dance. How can he act like everything is normal between us? Does he expect me to just -

“You look beautiful.” Aemond says, breaking you out of your thoughts. Your eyes widen at his sentiment, and your cheeks warm. “Easily the most beautiful woman in this room.”

It’s all too much, and you have to look away. “Nice of you to say that, Aemond.”

“I mean it.”

“Sure.”

You continue with the dance, too aware of your proximity. If you lean in, you’re almost certain he’ll feel your rushing heartbeat. Maybe he already does, judging by the pleased look on his face.

“Are you… are you better now?” You ask, tentatively.

Aemond’s expression hardens, and you struggle to decipher what he could possibly be thinking. 

“I wish this never happened to you,” you add, and your hand strays on its own, hovering over the side of his face. But you catch yourself, and let your hand fall just as quick.

“I know,” he says, sincerely. “I do wish I never had to be away from you.”

“But you never had to,” you respond immediately. “This wouldn’t have changed how I see you.”

“It might have,” Aemond looks away this time. “You didn’t see how I was. How I still am.”

“I don’t - ”

Aemond’s head whips back to you, leaning closer. “There’s a reason why my mother made sure I wore these bloody gloves. So we don’t give people a chance to talk about their fucking Prince of the City’s latest exploits.”

You swallow, growing concerned. “I heard about those… fights. I wasn’t sure if they were true. Nobody ever said anything.”

He shakes his head. “Oh, they are. I’m not going to lie, darling. Right now, I’m not averse to slamming Jacaerys right to the ground.”

“Aemond,” you freeze, no longer swaying to the music. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

Maybe he has changed. But did I ever truly know him? Did he really let me in?

He notices your expression fall, agonizes at the sight of you moving away from him, dropping your arm to your sides. So he pulls you in once more, holding you right against him. His leather coat is smooth against the featherlike fabric of your gown, cool against your growing warmth. 

“Wait,” Aemond pleads. “Stay with me.” His hands slide upward, cradling your face. You have no choice but to look at him. Briefly, you wonder how he would appear without the eyepatch. Not that it matters. Not that he will reveal himself to you.

The song comes to a gradual halt in the background. The crowd begins to shuffle back to their tables. Some of them cast wary glances in your direction. Who is that girl with their beloved Aemond, they must wonder, and you begin to grow self-conscious.

“I want to kiss you right now, darling.” Aemond sighs, fanning your face with an exhale. Proving your assumption that he might be inebriated. Not just with wine, but something stronger.

I wish you would. “We can’t.”

“Why not?” His face scrunches in frustration, and it’s actually adorable.

“Not here. People are staring.” You clear your throat, trying to get a hold of yourself. But it doesn’t seem to matter to him.

“Let them stare.”

His gaze drifts down to your lips. His thumb flutters across, parting them just a little. Just as he had, that one night. Has it been that long?

Like a shock to your senses, you see a lithe figure in a silver slip gown walking in your direction. A vision with her cascading dark hair.

You jump back from Aemond, and he looks almost wounded.

“Enjoy your night, Aemond.” You turn away from him. “Alys.” You muster up a greeting, and the corner of her mouth lifts in a wry smile. 

You walk through the crowd, your mind still on Aemond, unaware that he continues to watch you with longing, tuning out the dark-haired vixen holding on to his arm. 

“You look flushed,” Aegon greets, standing with Helaena by the dais. 

“I suppose it’s your fault Aemond’s drunk,” you respond, raising your eyebrow.

“He’s drunk?” Aegon exclaims, shrugging dramatically. “I swear I had no part in this.”

Helaena shakes her head, watching the exchange. “It’s a relief you didn’t decide to become an actor.”

“Hey,” Aegon grumbles, but he is clearly unaffected. “Aemond wanted to get drunk. I never could make him do anything no matter how hard I try.” 

Smirking at you, he presses on. “If anything, sweet, I should be blaming you.”

-----------------------

You are seated back at the high table when Jace finally returns. But he is not alone, grinning conspiratorially with another raven-haired fellow, strapping and dignified in appearance.

You spot the wolf sigil pinned to his black tunic, and you automatically make an assumption.

This must be a Stark.

“I would like to introduce you to an old buddy of mine,” Jace smiles, confirming your thoughts. “This is Cregan Stark.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Cregan reaches you, drawing close. He smoothly takes your hand, and presses a kiss to the back as a gesture of courtesy. “A shame we didn’t meet sooner. I suppose I haven’t left Winterfell in far too long. Haven’t seen this one in a long time too.” He tilts his head in Jace’s direction, smiling. You can’t help but notice the sharpness of his canines, making him appear kind of wolflike, in line with his family symbol. “My sister Sara misses him way too much for my liking.”

At the mention of Sara, Jace’s cheeks visibly redden, and you make a mental note of teasing him about it later.

“What’s not to miss about Jace, really?” you say, taking a liking to the Stark boy’s demeanour. Sure, he holds himself with a steely confidence that befits someone of his status - much like Aemond - but he doesn’t come across as intimidating. 

And, more importantly, he’s good friends with Jace, so he must be trustworthy.

“Right, you two, the feast is starting,” Jace playfully pulls Cregan away from you, who winks in your direction before hunkering off to his own table.

Jace sits down next to you, a smile still resting on his lips. When he catches you looking, you take the opportunity and say, “So, Sara Stark, huh?”

He smirks, easily countering with, “So, my uncle, huh?”

Your eyebrows raise, and you pick up the flute of wine set before you.

“Touché.”

-----------------------

Another one. Aemond has half a mind to break something when he spots the fucking Stark boy making advancements on you. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he not know that you are already spoken for? 

True to form, his nephew Jacaerys only seems to be encouraging the whole thing. Bringing his two friends together. 

Bastard is as bastard does. 

Thankfully, there is a sudden trill sound, some chimes swinging, it doesn’t matter. The feast is being signalled to commence. 

Everyone makes their way back to their tables, including bloody Cregan Stark. 

Aemond is simply determined to go through the motions, and to make it to the remaining two hours of this ball. Two excruciating hours. Then he plans on taking you off somewhere, just you and him, having already considered the different outcomes in his head. 

To Blackwater Residences, perhaps? But that would be a bit far away. You would be inclined to go with him, only if there would be an option to return to the ball should the need arise.

So he settles on simply pulling you away from the crowd, somewhere within the Valyrian Hall. He knows the ins and outs of the establishment quite well. So there would be no trouble getting around. To the gardens, to the balcony on the upper floor, to the private parlour?

Anywhere, anything.

“... so of course, I said yes! It’s a really good opportunity for me to finally venture into the film industry, you know. It’s something I've always wanted.” Alys prattles on, and Aemond tunes in, now and then, nodding or shaking his head as warranted. Keep her happy, and the night should flow by easily. If he plays his cards right, he should be with you soon enough. 

Viserys commands the attention of the crowd, and hush falls over the feast. 

He begins by thanking everyone in attendance, then goes on to make a toast for the entire city, for prosperity. And at the end, he expresses a tribute for perpetual unity among his family, the accident glazed over like a bad headline.

Like it never happened. And that is how people will see it, if that is the will of Viserys.

As per tradition, the rest of the family may take the opportunity to share a toast, should they wish. 

Rhaenyra is next, and she expresses gratitude for the health of their sons. 

Otto Hightower announces the predicted success of the next business venture between the Targaryen and Hightower empires, shepherded by his tireless consulting and liaising, of course. 

Daeron makes a cheerful toast to his many friends, scattered across the hall in attendance. 

And then, Lucerys stands, leaning against his good leg, one hand on the table for balance. He raises his hand high, and his usual impish smirk is in place. He looks around the hall, making sure to have everyone’s eyes on him.

“It's been quite the year, as we all know. I, for one, am simply grateful to still be standing here among you.” 

Viserys looks to Rhaenrya, as if to question whether Luke will stray too far. The boy’s mother merely smiles stiffly, trusting her son to be prudent in his speech.

Luke does not miss a beat, continuing, “I would like us all to toast to my family, especially to my dear uncle, Aemond. Hopefully he has learned his lesson about challenging me to a race.” He adds the last thing lightly, and the crowd titters as a result.

“Alright, Luke, that’s enough.” Rhaenyra makes a hushed warning.

Luke mouths, wait, and finishes up the rest of his speech. “I would like to make a toast as well, to our dear friends and companions here at our table. To Daeron’s girlfriend, Viola. To Rhaena and her Corwyn. And to my good friend, y/n.”

Aemond’s hand clenches into a fist on the table at his nephew mentioning your name. He sees you regard Luke with surprise, not expecting this at all. 

Luke finishes his toast, and in a deliberate move, he says, “Seeing as how my brother is quite taken with you, I won’t be surprised if you will be joining our family soon.” 

Aemond suddenly rises from his seat, his weighty chair causing a grating noise to echo across the hall. 

Luke sits back down with a triumphant sneer, having accomplished his desired result.

Aemond takes a deep breath, not saying anything for a few seconds. His features are stony and his figure taut, like a serpent ready to strike. 

“Aemond,” Alicent says, worried.

Then Aemond raises his glass, a determined look on his face, his one beady eye scanning the hall. Not willing to be defeated.

“A tribute,” he begins, “to the health of my nephews. Jace, Luke and Joffrey. Each of them handsome, wise…”

He catches sight of you, sitting too far away, worriedly looking between himself and Jacaerys, who glares at him appalled. You shake your head at him.

This is all for you, my darling.

“...Strong.” Aemond calls to everyone. “Let us raise our cups, to these three Strong boys.”

The tension takes its toll, and despite Viserys’ best efforts, chaos ensues.

a/n

not Aemond getting wasted just to cope with the high of properly being with the reader after the longest time...

also - someone send Ewan back to Derby please. I'm serious.

Sound off in the comments! I would love to know what you guys think 🖤

Series taglist: @caught-in-the-afterglow @aemondtargaryensrider @punggo66 @dollfaceyourfear @candypurplebutterfly @moonmaiden1996 @mxrgodsstuff @lolitaisreal @blue-serendipity @melsunshine @thejanecampaign @fxngsfxgxrty @padfooteyes @msmarvel-19 @tempo-rary-fix @lauraneedstochill @julczimozart @sarcasticfangirl @witchyv @pyjama-shorts @bellaisasleep @zillahvathek @thincrusttheworks @krispold @yougotthatlove @raging-panda @fleetingly-artistic @throughgoeshamilton @polireader @katsav17 @minttea07 @kravitzwhore @meggiemay82 @hedonefox @daenysx @schniiipsel @namoreno @afro-hispwriter @aemondswifeisme @emcharra @malfoytargaryen @iiamthehybrid @fullmetalriotts @kellzlib @justsumtuffstuff @daydreamy-me @yentroucnagol @kezibear @queenofshinigamis @paprikaquinn

[edibleashell]

TUA S4 feels

Pretty sure that Umbrella Academy S4 finale left a permanent scar on my psyche. Still one of my favorite shows but I might just end after season 3 in future rewatches. So many issues with S4.

In like episode 1 we got Ben and Jennifer touching and that started a countdown to the end of the world and the whole season was just junk to fill that time. So many good ideas that weren't done properly at all. Shuffling their powers? Alternate timelines? Hargreaves owning pretty much everything? Abigail just being alive? Pointless.

Luther was just a repeating loop of stripper and home decorating jokes.

Diego should have been a martial arts instructor or something not a depressed delivery guy. A bunch of jokes about him getting out of shape only to reveal that he's still jacked. He throws a potted plant and misses. His arc is just Big Sad for no reason and the relationships he built in the first three seasons were apparently irrelevant, if anyone would have been taking care of Safety Klaus it would have been him.

Allison's character was just an accessory to Klaus, after three seasons of her trying to reclaim the family she lost she ended up spending more time as a tool to Klaus's arc than she did with Claire. And Ray just being casually written out was so disrespectful.

Klaus, oh poor Klaus, my favorite character, what did they do to you? He should have been a nurse or something but instead he was paranoid, then pissed off because the writers decided that Klaus would equate marigold with drugs and just fall right off the wagon? And then he goes to some sketchy guy he owes money to even though S1 Klaus is shown just buying drugs from random people? All to justify his prisoner plot, none of which had any real impact. And he can fly for a second for some reason. Okay.

Five working for the CIA was bad. He should have been the retired fun uncle to Claire and Grace. After spending fifty years trying to get back to his family why did he keep leaving them? Why did he hook up with his brother's wife after only six years? And am I supposed to believe that in every timeline he has the same haircut? That none of the other Fives lost their arm? How did he never notice his boss's blatant umbrella tattoo? He just casually strolls through "his" apocalypse as though he doesn't have ptsd, and why were he and Lila living off sewer rats when they had infinite timelines to scavenge?

I was so excited to see Ben witg the family but one episode in he becomes a bomb and fucks off with a girl who can hardly be called a character.

Viktor was the only character I thought got some form of authenticity and justified growth, his arc kind of seemed like a ripoff of S3 Klaus though. And we missed out on what could have been a really beautiful scene of him drawing the upside down umbrella on his arm.

Lila went from "I don't want to be like my mom" to a motherhood cliche. And what was the deal with her family? She just found her parents and they immediately accepted her or something? Was there another Lila in this universe? That made no sense. If anyone would have joined the CIA it would have been her. Her and Diego should have been weird parents teaching their kids how to fight and kill but instead they got some domestic life that those characters never belonged in.

And there's so much more! Abigail is alive? Hardly relevant. Why did she body snatched Gene, it didn't really seem to change anything. The Keepers existed only to be a minor obstacle in the last episode. And are her and Reggie aliens? Why? How? What's the point?

AND DURANGO? THAT'S A CAR! Harland named marigold and for a farm kid that makes sense (though the retconned acceptance of that word into Umbrella vocabulary was irksome) But Durango? Abigail is a scientist and she names The Bad Dust after an SUV? Why?

AND WHY WAS THERE ZERO QUEERNESS? Each of the first three seasons had some sort of queer arc but not this one. I still wonder if some higher-up didn't intentionally assassinate the show as backlash for the immense respect S3 gave Elliot Page.

One last thing, music is a big part of the show, they've always put such thought and care into the soundtrack and it makes sense knowing who the creators are, so why, of all songs, was Baby Damn Shark the first song to be featured in like three episodes? It seems intentionally disrespectful.

I'm done, rant over, I'll never recover from this.

[yellowbunnydreams]

Do you need some Vitamin D? (Incubus! William x Oblivious! F! Reader) [Part 9]

~I'm sorry reader - but know that tomorrow is another day~

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Want more or something different? *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

@ruh--roh-raggy @xp-doggy @redbunny03 @marigold-petalz @seviliet @astinkerofarat @iamnotwiddle @imtiredshow

CW: 18+ MINORS DNI. Fluff, age gap (Reader 20's - William Afton 40's(?)), teratophilia, meet-cute, punny pick-up lines, scenes of working out, minor porn-logic, ditzy! reader, could be classed as bimbo! reader?, size-difference, flirting, monster-lover, sexual innuendos, Monster! AU. Angst

William Afton had successfully kept you away from your apartment for another week, and as he placed the last of the boxes from his car down into the empty space, he wondered how he was supposed to let you go and live your life without waking up in the same house every day.

He thought of every day he made you laugh, how sweet it had sounded, how he had for the first time in many years relished the sound and felt like he was able to relax around somebody that wasn't 'in' on his secret. How good it had felt to thump and twitch and do his silly little bounce that he couldn't quite control when he was excited. He'd cared for you, he'd tried every pick-up line over the past week, trying to play, perhaps a little selfishly, on that hormonal change to potentially forge a connection between the two of you that didn't feel like he was left staring at where you were and wondering if he was getting too old for that shit.

'Are your parents bakers? Because you're a cutie-pie.'

'Are you made of copper and terillium, because you're CuTe!'

'You must have been speeding, because you've got fine written all over you.'

'Do you have a map? Because I'm lost in your eyes.'

'You know, you're so small against me even when I'm human. It's okay, I can give you some extra inches.'

But you hadn't batted an eyelid, even at his latest, more lewd attempt. You were infuriating, but William had felt himself growing more and more dejected with each rejection.

Just as you had grown more dejected each time William had rejected you.

You hadn't quite given up yet, Valentines Day was approaching and you had thought about coming out with it and asking him, but you thought that was too direct and didn't follow your plan that you had laid out with Claire. William had received a picture of you cuddling the Spring-Bonnie plush in the room just down from his, you'd even captioned it 'Not as good as the real rabbit'. The text you'd received back was enough to make you sigh loudly enough that William followed up with 'Are you okay?'.

'Yeah, rabbits are pretty cuddly and soft.'

You had been texting Claire when you had the chance, wanting to know that you weren't going crazy when you touched William's arm and smiled up at him, texted him flirtatiously, even tried to make him breakfast one day, much to his delight and then horror as you burnt one of his pans. She was running out of ideas too, and you couldn't help but feel like you were coming to your last resort.

You were going to have to ask William Afton out directly.

But as you turned and looked into his softly smiling face, any bravado you had faded away and left your mouth dry. At least you might get some perspective from your slightly odd landlord, Dave, when he appeared to welcome you into your apartment.

"Well hello sugar, you didn't tell me you were having guests over so soon."

That raspy voice that set you on edge made you look past William and give a polite smile, seeing the lanky, gaunt man leaning against your doorframe. His dark circles looked more bruise like in the low light, and he was wearing an oversized, threadbare sweater than seemed slightly out of place compared to the black slacks he seemed to always wear. Aside from being half-naked the last time you saw him.

"Hi Dave, why don't you come o-"

"Bunny, I wouldn't do that." William growled, making you blink as you had never heard your boss acting like that. The low rumble in the back of his chest made the hair on the back of your neck stand up slightly as Dave simply cocked up head and raised an eyebrow.

"William, what's going on?" You asked, not receiving an answer as the tall, broad man fixed his eyes firmly on the man in front of you both. Blinking as you realised William's eyes were purple and had become slit-pupiled, making you tug at his rolled up shirt sleeve slightly. "Will, your...eyes..."

"My my, you didn't disclose that she knew William. I thought that you said she didn't." Something about the coolness in Dave's voice made your stomach turn uneasily, the two men staring at each other like animals sizing each other up for a fight. But you kept your hand on William's arm and slowly stroked over it to soothe him, practically feeling the reverb coming from his continuous growl that slowly ebbed.

"That was then."

"And this is now. You know, me not coming in is just a courtesy right? You should really introduce her to checking contracts for any...hidden...clauses."

"You wrote yourself entry?"

"Relax, nothing has been signed, has it, sugar?" Dave's darting gaze fixed on you, tilting his head to one side as he gave you that same crooked smile that he had when you first met.

"You're a monster too?" You asked him, watching him shrug and smile lazily as he reached up and tousled his greasy hair before gesturing to himself with one bony hand.

"You're looking at a top class predator, apex if you will. I, sugar, am a vampire." You blinked, the pieces slotting together in your head from years of having to cover literature and then finding out that monsters really did exist. Both of your bosses were different ones, and now your landlord too? And they knew each other? You vaguely recalled that William had said that monsters liked to band together in communities, so you guessed that you were going to be seeing a few more around since there was a monster friendly building in Hurricane.

"Ah, cool."

Dave blinked, his smirk disappearing as he gestured to himself again. His brow slightly furrowed.

"Cool? Did...Did you not hear me? I said, 'I'm a vampire'."

"No, I heard you the first time." Shrugging your shoulders before looking up at William, who was pursing his lips and running his hand over his beard like he was trying desperately not to laugh at the scene before him.

"Are you not...afraid...compelled by my charm and good wit?"

"I mean...I can pretend to be shocked if you want?" You offered innocently, and William couldn't take it any more as he burst into laughter, startling more than Dave's revelation. Smiling broadly up at the incubus as he clutched onto his stomach and leaned against the wall whilst he wheezed, the deep rumbling laugh making your heart throb and ache that you were running out of chances to hear that whenever you wanted.

"Are you even going to be phased if I come around, drinking blood?" He asked, scowling at William, his eyes darting around once more in behaviour that made a lot more sense now that you had context. Shaking your head and shrugging your shoulders again, much to Dave's disappointment. "Fine, alright, I give up. Sugar, you should have all your keys now, apart from the emergency one I have. Give me a call if you need any utilities hooking up, you'll have to invite me in, but you can rescind the invite any time."

You looked at William, who was just recovering from his laughter as he wiped away tears from his eyes, giving you a broad smile and ruffling your hair in that affectionate way that he always seemed to. You remembered what he said about incubi liking touch, which was why so much of your flirting had involved touching his arms and his back. Smiling down at you as he leaned down and bumped his head into yours softly, feeling his stubble scratch against your forehead slightly as he stroked your arms too.

"And here I was, worried that you wouldn't know how to deal with that asshole." You raised an eyebrow at his statement, moving your head slightly so that you could get a better look at Afton's greying hair and now silvery eyes.

"You knew Dave was a vampire?"

"I knew he was picking up property in the area, I just didn't know he would be your landlord." It was only a minor lie on his part, William knew that Dave was there all along, he would never mention the mild stalking Dave had previously done outside of William's house because of his curiosity about you. But, knowing that you now knew, and that you seemed to be aware of how to handle him, William felt less guilty about leaving you in the vampire's watch.

At least, he hoped you would be able to find somebody as happy as you made him.

"So what did he say to that text?"

"He said 'You're sweet, but I don't need any sugar for my coffee.'" You sighed and placed your head back against the exterior wall, eyes closed as you tried to soak in the cool air. Claire and yourself were on lunch break again, and you were discussing your latest attempts at flirting with your boss, trying to get him to notice you. Or at least, notice you how you noticed him.

Claire stared out across the back of the lot as she thought, wondering what on Earth she was going to do with you, and honestly, what she was going to do to Afton if she got a hold of him. She was too short to shake him by the shoulders, but she was semi-convinced she might convince Henry Emily to join in on it all if she talked to him. But then again, Henry Emily and William Afton had been friends for more years than Freddy's had been around, and Claire wasn't convinced that he would do anything other than scold the pair of you.

"You know...you should try one more time." She eventually said, looking at you from the corner of her eye and making you glance over at her. Hearing the sound of car doors opening and closing towards the front of the lot as you could both vaguely hear the sound of the music playing from the speakers and animatronics through the doors as they opened and closed with each patron coming and going.

"And say what, exactly?"

"Ask him how he'd like to be asked out."

You sat up, looking at your friend with sceptically raised eyebrow.

"You're not serious?"

"Deadly. Look, who else would know better how William Afton wants to be asked out, than William Afton himself?" She proposed, turning to you and making you think over it as she crossed her arms across her chest. She wasn't wrong, you realised with a slight sigh. He would know how he wanted to be flirted with and asked out best of all.

"I hate that you're right."

"Of course I'm right! Look, it's fool-proof and if he doesn't take you up on it, he's stupid as hell. I know a bunch of ladies who'd love to date you if you're into that kinda thing." Wriggling her eyebrows and you smacked her arm playfully, grinning at her as she mocked a pout and rubbed her arm where you had caught her. "Seriously! He's a fool."

"He's still our boss." You pointed out, chewing your lip as Claire shrugged her shoulders.

"So you have to get a job at Sparky's. Or you pretend like nothing ever happened and I'll get you a little bell to ring and Pavlov your ass out of this crush."

"Can you even do that?"

"Oh yeah, legally it's a bit grey, but technically you can do anything like that." You realised that you associated cherry candies with William already, how he always had a handful of them in his pocket ready to go and always seemed to be sucking or crunching on one as he walked around Freddy's when he wasn't in the parts and services room out the back.

"Fine, I'll ask him. But I'm not going to get my hopes up." Sighing as Claire wrapped you up in a hug and squeezed tightly, making you squeeze back before she clapped you on the shoulders and grinned at you broadly.

"Faz-fucking-tastic! Let's go!"

It was going to be a long day, you could already tell.

You paced around your new bedroom floor. feeling your heart pounding in your chest as you glanced at your phone, sat innocently on the bed-spread next to your Spring-Bonnie plushie that William had given you. Chewing over your lip and trying not to bite at your nails as you wondered if you were really going to go through with it.

Asking your boss out, that was.

It was just a text, he trusted you to see him as a giant rabbit man, hell, he'd brought you period products and spooned you with cartoons on to make you feel better about the whole thing. He'd been the one who offered for you to stay at his home despite the fact it could have been dangerous for him because you needed it.

You could send a damn text.

'Hey William, are you still up?'

Your fingers shook slightly as you sent the text, glancing at the clock on your bedside table and realising it was nearly eleven o'clock at night. Would he even be up at that time? The notification sound of your phone going off making you snatch up the device again quickly.

'Half-asleep, but I sure am bunny. What's up?'

'How do you ask a guy out you like?'

William stared at his phone, bleary eyed and suddenly his attention was fully on the small mobile phone in his hand. His knuckles turning white as he gripped the sides of it. For some reason, he found it hard to swallow as something ugly flashed through him for the first time in a while.

Jealousy.

Taking a deep breath, he focused on not breaking his screen as his clawed fingers tapped away on the keyboard. Thumping his foot against his mattress unhappily as his brow furrowed, lips pursed into a fine line.

'Well, guys like it when you're blunt with them. You should just ask them.'

You took your own deep breath, steeling yourself and typing out the words that made your heart race inside your chest wildly.

'Would you like to go out with me?'

The little bubble popped up that he was typing, the quickness of it making your stomach turn slightly in nerves and anxiety as you tried to imagine how he might try to gently let you down, or the hopeful answer of 'yes', you had so many images in your head of how you would handle the answer gracefully.

'Yeah, just send that to whichever guy it is you want to ask out.'

It wasn't until your screen began to blur in small dots that you realised you were crying. Whatever you had expected, you didn't realise how much it would hurt this much to be turned down by your crush.

Locking your phone, you crawled into bed, staring blankly at the wall and feeling the tears coming thicker and faster as you realised that you needed to talk to somebody. Picking your phone back up as you cuddled Spring-Bonnie closer with one hand, shakily texting Claire to let her know how it all went.

How you thought you'd ruined your only chance with the incubunny.

[upsidedownwithsteve]

Remus Lupin x fem!reader [2K] protective!you, soft!Remus

Honestly, Remus should’ve seen it coming. You were never one to back down from a fight and the whole reason he was missing from class that day was the same grounds for your eventual argument. 

Professor Marigold had spent the best part of Care of Magical Creatures explaining moon phases and the effects each stage had on lycanthropes. You had been sitting between James and Sirius, squished in the middle as they doodled on their book margins, not really listening. Because, well, they’d had some first hand experience, hadn’t they? Which is why the professor was so surprised when she called on Sirius and he answered correctly, barely looking up. 

You were more on edge than the boys, wishing you’d skipped with Remus, wondering if he would’ve let you hide out in the boys dorm with him, sharing James’ hidden stash of Honeydukes loot everyone knew he kept at the bottom of his trunk. You spent most of the class eyeing your fellow students, Gryffindors and Slytherins divided in rows of three, sometimes four, a neat separation of red and gold, green and silver. 

You wondered if someone would say something, you wondered if someone would sneer, if they’d pull a face at the sketching of a werewolf in the textbook, if they’d shudder in fear or say something awful. It was silent as Professor Marigold spoke about the ramifications of being bitten, the changes the host went through each lunar cycle. You hated the word, ‘host’. It sat bitterly at the back of your throat and you changed it to ‘person’ when scribbling down your notes, more messily than you’d usually be. 

You felt Sirius watch you, dark gaze lingering on the way you sat up too straight, how your shoulders were tense and unyielding when he brushed against your own. If the boys shared a look over your head, well, you didn’t notice. 

Class was almost over, in fact, you were only mere minutes away from the finish line. But then a Slytherin you didn’t know the name of narrowed her eyes and said something you only just heard, a scorned hiss of:

“…the Ministry should do something about them. They’re a danger to everyone. Full moon or not.”

James’ hand found your knee before you could stand, nostrils flaring and heart pounding, but his touch kept you in your seat. You stared at him, wondering how he could remain so calm but he merely shook his head, subtle and soft. Knowing. 

“S’not the place,” he whispered, still bent over his own notes. “Don’t get yourself into trouble, sweetheart.”

Then class ended and it was fine until it wasn’t. 

The same Slytherin student was lagging behind you as you all made your way back to the castle, morning dew dampening your ankles as you all took a shortcut over the grass. Sirius was singing a song you didn’t know under his breath, James was still trying to stuff his book into his bag and the girl behind you was too fucking loud. You heard the way she gasped and cried out, all horrible dramatics as her and her friend spoke about the recent class subject. 

“I mean, really,” she intoned, walking closer and closer. “It’s not like they can live normal lives, can they? They’re practically monsters, I don’t see why they’re allowed to walk around freely like they have the same rights as—”

You spun, wand drawn, clenched tightly in a white knuckled fist that you barely managed to keep lowered by your side. 

“Well, that actually took longer than I thought,” Sirius mused quietly, stopping beside you with one arm across your chest, holding you back from making any other unwise decisions. “Settle yourself, darling.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” you ignored the boy and spoke to the girl, brows stitched together as you tried to work out if you were going to cry or yell. Maybe both, perhaps at the same time - your chest was burning, a sickly kind of anger lingering in your stomach, rolling over and over until it simmered into a rage. The girl hadn’t said Remus’ name, but she might as well have. “You sound so— so ignorant! Have you ever met someone who has to go through something like that? Don’t you understand they’re just like us?”

The girl, Tabitha, maybe, you still weren’t really sure, blanched, staring at you as if you’d dropped from the sky. “What on Earth do you mean?” She laughed and it was a nasty sound, scathing and condescending. “Like us? Are you joking? They’re wild animals, they should be hunted down as such.”

James snatched your wand before you could lift it, red and orange sparks flying into the grass instead of the air and you scowled at him. He grimaced, hardly apologetic but Sirius soon stood between you both, eyes surprisingly soft. 

“Let’s go,” he told you, a gentle command, his hands on your shoulders. “She’s not worth it. Moony’s waiting, c’mon.”

That should’ve been it. The idea of Remus waiting for the three of you at the library should’ve been enough to make your legs work again and pull you away. But the girl was still laughing, an ugly noise, one that made your jaw tick. Sirius tugged at you, hands dropping to curl around an elbow and you took a step, just one. 

“Honestly, if I ever found out I’d shared the same air as one of those creatures, I’d have daddy on the phone to Dumbledore. One curse to the head is all it should ta—”

You ripped yourself from Sirius’ arms quicker than he could grab you, ready to throw your first into the girl’s face - her nose, if you could get your aim right. You watched as she paled, her footsteps fumbling as she backed away faster than you could catch up, all whilst your friends yelled your name from behind you.   

And then, an arm, needling around your waist to haul you up and backwards against a very solid chest. You squirmed, face scrunched in anger, cheeks aflame. 

“Hey, at ease solider, c’mon now.”

Remus. 

You deflated, breathe leaving you in a sigh, knowing that there wasn’t much point in trying to wrestle your way out of his grip. Your feet were dangling a good eight inches off the ground and Remus dropped his mouth to your ear, his voice soft. 

“Leave it, yeah?” 

You nodded, barely perceptible but Remus saw. You saw Sirius take a step towards the girl, eyes narrowed. He looked roguish and dangerous as always, and when he stepped forward once more, this time uttering a soft “boo,” the two girls took off without another word. 

Your wand was given back to you once they were deemed out of sight, your feet firmly back on the ground but Remus kept hand at your lower back, fingers lingering in your sweater, a reminder that he was close. 

“What was your plan, huh?” James’ asked, still wide eyed and surprised that you’d reacted in such a way. “Knock her out with just your fists?”

You rolled your eyes and started back to the castle, embarrassed at being seen having such a response to what was no more than some uneducated - albeit cruel - words. “Yeah, and what about it?” You sounded sullen, a little moody. “I can throw a punch as well as I can cast a hex, Potter.”

Sirius puffed out his chest, smirking. “I taught her.”

James scoffed, muttering something that sounded like, “was that really necessary?”

“What? D’you think she’ll always have her wand on her? What if she doesn’t, what then—”

Remus’ hand, warm and large, caught your own, keeping you from following the other boys and their conversation. He was frowning a little, brows knitted despite the way he was pressing his lips together, as if to hide a smile. He ducked his chin to meet your gaze, too tall otherwise, fingers twisting between your own. 

“What was that all about?” He murmured and his voice was low, pretty and raspy. “Huh?”

You sniffed, emotions catching up to you as the adrenaline faded and you toed at the grass, Mary Janes digging into the wet weeds. You tried to look away, somewhat embarrassed but Remus caught your chin with nimble fingers, scarred and calloused and entirely too lovely. His thumb tapped the space just below your mouth and he waited, quiet and patient. 

You shrugged. “That girl.” You nodded to the Slytherins retreating figure, glaring when she stared back at you from the safety of the castle steps. “Tabitha? I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. She was talking about—” you almost said ‘you,’ but that wasn’t true. She hadn’t spoken about Remus at all. How could she? She didn’t know. 

Remus waited, brows raised, his hand still on your jaw to keep your gaze on him. His touch was soft, more gentle than it needed to be and it made any explanation you wanted to give him a little harder to piece together. 

“Professor Marigold spoke about lunar cycles today,” you swallowed and Remus nodded. He knew this, of course he did. It’s why he spent that hour in his dorm, pretending to be sick. “That girl. Whatever her name is, she started going on about how, how werewolves shouldn’t be allowed to have the same rights as Witches and Wizards, how they should all be—” 

You stared at the boy, lips pressed together, deciding you didn’t want to explain anymore. The bitter feeling in your stomach was still bubbling, acidic and awful, but Remus dropped his hand from your chin to your waist, pulling you into him and it settled, if only slightly. 

He was too tall, his half hug had you face first into his chest, his school sweater smelling like laundry detergent and a little smoke, something sage and citrus that was seemingly just Remus. You clung to him, hands fisting in the familiar grey wool, your lip wobbling against the fabric because it was all suddenly a little too much. Remus rested his chin atop your head, his nose pushed into your hair when he felt your shoulders shake. 

“Hey, hey, c’mon,” Remus whispered, wrapping his arm around you a little tighter, hand travelling upupup until he could pull you closer still by your shoulders. “S’fine, really. I’m used to hearing shit like that.”

His reasoning only made your chest feel tighter and your breath shuddered. “That’s worse, Remus!” You intoned, speaking into his chest. “She was saying vile things, absolutely awful stuff and it’s just not—”

“Fair?” The boy mused, his lips brushing over your hairline. You wondered if Sirius and James had stopped to wait for you both, you wondered if they could see, if they were watching. You found you didn’t care. “The world isn’t fair, love, m’sorry to break it to you. But I’ll survive, no matter what Tabitha Rosethorne says.”

You leaned back, just enough to rest your chin on the boy’s chest, pouting as you gazed up at him, glassy eyed. Remus prodded at your cheek, brushing away one lone tear that had managed to escape out of anger. “She’s a dick,” you mumbled woefully. 

Remus snorted, nodding. He wasn’t used to you using such language, only giving him and the others in trouble for it. “She is a dick, you’re right,” he agreed. “But she’s not worth getting detention for. Were you really going to punch her?”

“I was going to try,” you enthused, flushing at the idea of starting an actual fight, completely wandless. “Sirius told me to keep my thumb on the outside of my fist.”

“Of course he did,” Remus mused, sounding unimpressed. “You shouldn’t be starting fights, you know, you’re too lovely for that. Especially on my behalf.”

Normally you would’ve preened at Remus’ sweet words, his soft compliments, but you were scowling, a full pout on your lips as you shook your head. Remus looked amused, knowing that expression all too well. 

Stubborn. 

“I’ll start fights, only for you,” you corrected him, not leaving much room for argument. “And Sirius will back me up. And more than likely, James too. Once he stops arguing.”

The boy laughed, a bright, sharp sound that had your frown fading quickly. You grinned up at him, smile growing wider when he squeezed at your shoulder and let his nose nudge against your warm cheek. 

“You’re not wrong,” he murmured. Remus kept you tucked under his arm as he lead you back up the grassy knoll, towards James and Sirius who were pretending they hadn’t been watching you both the entire time. “C’mon, hotshot, the library awaits.”

[simplyalicee]

☆ Your Darling ☆

Nutcracker AU by @sketchquill

Idea: Inspired by Sketch's recent art for their Nutcracker AU! You and Wally are out in the spring fields, simply enjoying your time together with one another. As you spend more time with him, you come to the realization that just perhaps, you are catching feelings for him.

Just a lighthearted, happy indulging fanfic <33 Warning for insane amounts of fluff and love!!

I know nothing about the Nutcracker, but enjoy!!

♡------------♡

Somewhere out there laid a beautiful piece of land that had yet to be touched by civilization. There was perfect weather; it's not too hot, not too cold, just right. There was a gentle breeze that would occasionally flow by, but even then, it felt nice and refreshing. No wonder why the spring fairies here adored this part of the world. You could even say it was perfect. No- it was perfect. But what made it even better, however, was having your friend accompany you.

"It's quite beautiful out, isn't it?" Wally spoke to you, smiling as he saw that you were still admiring the view in front of you.

"Oh, absolutely. It's nothing like I've ever seen."

You took a few steps in front of you, glancing around the trees that had colorful green leaves. You had mixed feelings. It was unfortunate that you never got to see nature at its full bloom, and yet, you were thankful that parts of the world like here were left untouched. You tried not to dwell on it and instead admire what was in front of you. You felt Wally take your hand into his. You turn your attention to him, seeing his signature smile that always left you breathless.

"I just remembered, there was something I wanted to show you."

You grew curious at what Wally wanted to show you. Was it a surprise, perhaps?

"Oh? Was is it?" You asked, tilting your head. Wally shook his head.

"It's a surprise! Close your eyes..."

Oh, of course. He wants you to close your eyes. Not that you minded, of course, but it was only driving your curiosity crazy. You closed your eyes, smiling as you grew excited. Although you couldn't help but notice that his grip on your hand grew a little bit tighter. You heard his faint laughter as he took you somewhere. You kept your eyes closed, but you only wondered what could the surprise be. Perhaps it was baked goods? Oh, how delicious that would be. But you don't smell any sweets nearby. Hm.

Wally stopped in his tracks, making you stop as well. He lets go of your hand and takes a step aside.

"Alright, Y/N, you may now open your eyes."

With permission granted, you opened your eyes.

..This was possibly the best surprise you could've asked for.

What stood in front of you was an open area that was surrounded by varies types of flowers. They ranged from sunflowers to daises, all up to roses and marigold. How he knew about your interest in flowers was beyond you. How could you ever repay him for such a generous gift?

"Wally, they're beautiful... did you plant these yourself?" You asked with great curiosity as you turned your head to him. Wally shook his head and chuckled.

"No, but she did." He reached his hand out in front of him. You grew confused for a moment, but you were quick to meet a spring fairy that swooped down from the tree above. She landed on Wally's hand, smiling brightly as she took a bow.

"Why, of course it was me! Who else could plant such beautiful flowers other than I, Sally Starlet?" Sally spoke with pride. You chuckled softly as you approached Sally, being careful to not startle her with your approach. She looked up at you as she stood in Wally's palm, it seemed as if she was examining you.

"Hmm... you look awfully a lot like someone who Wally's been talking about." She blurted, which both surprised you and Wally. Your eyes widened as Wally quickly turned his head away.

"Huh? Wally has been talking about me?" How can you process something like this? Not that you were taking it the wrong way, but it definitely caught you off guard. But for some reason, your heart fluttered from her words.

"Indeed, he has! I must say, fellow stranger, you are one lucky friend." Sally beamed with happiness. She took a step forward towards you with her fluttering wings.

"I'd love to chat more, but I have other plans to attend to. Until then, I hope to see your shining smile!"

Sally flew out of Wally's hand and towards your direction. To your surprise, she flew a few circles around you, heading up as she did so. You laughed happily as some of her pixie dust stuck to your pajamas. You watched as Sally flew away to the right of you, possibly headed to grow more plants.

Once Sally left, you looked over at Wally, seeing that he was still looking away from you. You tilted your head with a bit of confusion, yet you still smiled.

"Are you alright, Wally?" You asked him in curiosity. He looks back at you. He smiled back, but you couldn't help but notice a little bit of color on his cheeks.

"Fine as I'll ever be, Y/N. I was just in deep thought is all."

You both stared at each other for a moment. You wanted to say something, but there was just something about him. You didn't know what it was, but you couldn't look away. You both just gazed at each other, staring into each other's eyes. You felt your heart flutter, the heat forming on your face was quickly becoming noticeable. Wally placed a hand on his cheek as he gazed at you. He let out a content sigh as his smile grew. Your heart couldn't stay still, what was happening? You never felt this way before. It felt strange yet familiar.

Familiar because this wasn't the first time you felt this way for him, but strange because it is something you never felt for anyone else but him.

The longer you stared, the more flustered you became. After a few moments, you turned your head from Wally and chuckled nervously.

"I, uhm..." You tried to speak, but you were left a stuttering mess. You heard Wally laugh a bit, he took your hand into his and held it. Stop it, heart, stay still. But it disobeyed, leaving you with a fluttering heart and a sense of... comfort.

"The flowers weren't your only surprise," Wally told you.

"Wait, what?" Your eyes widened a bit. You felt the grasp he had on your hand tighten a little bit, making your face heat up a bit more.

Wally took a deep breath as he took a small step closer to you.

"I would like to dance with you, Y/N," he spoke with an excited tone.

You didn't know how to quite process it. You wanted to dance with him, you really did. But you were unsure. You have never danced before.

"Wally, wait. I don't know how to dance," You responded with a small frown.

"That's okay, I will teach you!" Wally smiled brightly at you.

You were still unsure, but that smile... You couldn't bring yourself to reject such an offer. With a sigh, you smiled nervously and nodded. Wally giggled happily, he was quite overjoyed to be dancing with you!

"Alright, we'll take it slow. Just follow my lead, Y/N." He spoke softly.

Wally let go of your hand and gently turned you around. After turning you around, he gently took both your hands and raised your arms up. You glanced over at him, locking eye contact with him again. Wally smiled softly at you.

"You're doing wonderful so far," he said happily to you. Oh, how nervous but excited you were. Wally lifted one arm up. You stood on your toes, slowly lifting one of your legs up.

"I think I get it, now," you whispered to yourself. As if on cue, Wally twirled you around slowly. You twirled for a short moment, giggling with joy. You placed your raised leg down and stopped twirling, now being side to side to him with his hand on your upper waist. You extended your right arm out for him, to which he took your hand softly. He extended his arm out, keeping your hand held. You had your other hand on his shoulder. You weren't as nervous as you were before, but now that nervous feeling was replaced with the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. Wally had a huge smile curled up on his face as he lead the slow dance. The both of you slowly spun each other around.

As you both danced, you couldn't help but look into his eyes. Wally laughed softly, being so happy that he was dancing with you.

"Awh, Y/N, you have no idea how much this means to me!" Wally sounded like he was geniunely happy to be given the opportunity to dance with you. Seeing his smile, hearing his joy, it made you feel more butterflies.

You opened your mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Stutters again, when will they ever go away? It was okay, however. Wally understood, he wasn't judging. He was just happy to spend time with you. The way he held onto you, being so caring and gentle. The dance lasted for a few more minutes before you both parted. Despite being unsure earlier, you were glad to be able to have this dance with Wally.

"Thank you for the dance, Wally," You spoke.

"Not a problem, Y/N. I am always happy to teach you!"

You couldn't help but smile, the fuzzy feeling only escalating. Your heart fluttered, your face flushed, you couldn't help but feel like this. You and Wally end up gazing into each other's eyes once more, the obvious tension in the air that you were oblivious to. You watched as his face turned brighter in color, was he blushing? You thought it was adorable to witness.

"Did you, uhm... enjoy the dance, Y/N?" Wally looked away, asking in a nervous tone.

"I did, actually. It was very... very nice." You replied, chuckling softly.

It was at that moment that you realized that maybe, just maybe, you liked Wally more than just as a friend. Had you been that oblivious, or were you just too shy to admit it? Probably both. And unfortunately, it became awkward between the two of you. You weren't sure why, but-

"Y/N, there is something I have been meaning to tell you," Wally spoke quickly, you could hear him taking a deep breath.

"I think I have something to tell you, too, actually," You responded, becoming more flushed. Were you wanting to confess just after a moment of realizing your crush on Wally? Yes, absolutely.

Wally looked back at you, a bit stunned by your response. He smiled softly, evident that he was nervous, but wished to hear you first.

"Go on, Y/N. What is it that you want to tell me?" Wally took a small step forward to you, which made you more flustered.

"O-Oh, uhm... Well, it's kind of hard to find the right words..." You stammered, looking away for a moment. You were so nervous to admit your feelings.

"It's okay, Y/N. Please, take your time," He spoke gently, taking your hand into his to comfort you. You looked back at Wally with a flustered look. He saw your expression, thinking he might've made you uncomfortable. He was about to let go of your hand, but you gently gripped his hand from letting go. Wally looked down at your intertwined hands, a smile curled up on his lips. He let out a gentle sigh, content with the situation.

However, you couldn't keep it in any longer.

"Wally, I really like you,"

"Y/N, I really like you,"

You... both confessed to each other. At the same time? How was that possible? You and Wally both looked at each other, eyes widened with surprise.

"Wally, what did you say...?" You asked softly, taking a step closer to him. Wally tripped over his words for a moment, but he found the courage to speak it up again.

"Y/N, I... I really like you," He spoke quietly. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't bring himself to.

You felt tears in your eyes, and your heart swelled with joy. You wanted to cry just from how happy you were. You couldn't help it, you ran up to Wally and threw your arms around him in a tight embrace. Wally was caught off guard but was quick to embrace you, cradling you in his arms.

"Y/N-"

"I love you, Wally," You whispered, hugging him tighter, but not too tight to avoid accidentally hurting him. Wally stood quiet for a moment, his eyes widened as he tried to process what you just said.

He finally said, "I love you, too, Y/N... so, so much."

You both held onto each other for what felt like hours. You didn't want to let go, but you knew at some point that you had to let go. You both enjoyed each other's embrace before slowly pulling away. You looked at Wally in the eyes, admiring him without the need to hide it. Wally's smile only grew larger. He placed his hand on your cheek, caressing it gently. You leaned into his touch. You felt your heart skip a beat when Wally leaned in to kiss you on the forehead.

And in return, you grinned and leaned in to kiss him on the lips. Wally was caught by surprise, but closed his eyes and happily kissed you back. You both held onto each other, enjoying the moment as you kissed each other dizzy. After a few moments, you both pulled away, as flustered as you've ever been.

Then you heard his laugh. Oh, his laughter... It was like music to your ears. You couldn't help but laugh along with him. You took his hand into yours, holding it. You felt him gently squeeze your hand.

This was your special place, now. And the best part was that you had Wally by your side.

Your loving, adoring Wally Darling.

♡------------♡

HEHEHEHEHEHHE <333 I HOPE you all enjoy this writing I did :> Wally loves you!!

also posting this in school lol hi

[platinumrosetail]

Hii I’m new:D love your blog^^ i was wondering if I could get some Mordecai x fem reader where he confesses too them they are a new recruit for marigold so they work with him Nico and serafine maybe some slight angst and fluff after:3

Hi!! I’m glad you like my blog!! And about the angst, it might not be as much as you hope but I’ll try my best with what I can! This might be a short one unless I can figure out how to make it my usual 7 paragraphs, so if it ends up short then I sincerely apologize for that 😅.

Warning: noob, author, female reader, mild angst, and others.

Character: mordecai.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mordecai:

You were a secret vigilante that joined marigold as they pay you more than your other employers that you had killed beforehand.

There you met the savoy siblings and a mysterious male named mordecai, you four got to know each as asa appointed you with them, though you got along most with mordecai but the siblings were company enough to get along with unlike previous companions that were annoying enough that you almost end killed them if it weren’t for the fact that their still your employer and still in a contract until either party decide to go against it, which was mostly them than you.

It had been a month and a half since you been ther and had gotten to know mordecai more and more, which the siblings teased you two about.

You and mordecai had a lot in common and spend time together so much that it had you developing feelings for, though you don’t know if he has feelings for you so you decided to keep it a secret as you didn’t want to ruin the friendship you had.

Though you had seen him buy flowers and worry that maybe he has feelings for someone else that wasn’t you.

You made sure to act like nothing was bothering you so he didn’t ask questions on why you aren’t acting like you usually do.

Though soon a letter that had no signature on it to say whose it’s from, you decided to follow the coordinates to see what this is about and also to make sure it wasn’t a trap but you were pleasantly surprised to see that mordecai was there at the meeting holding the same flowers you saw him buy not too long ago, he confessed to you which led to you doing the same after, you two agreed to keep it slow as both of you didn’t really have any romantic relationship before now, and with that was the story of how you two got together.

(A/n: I hope y’all like what I did with it! Sorry it took me a good while to do it, I just didn’t get an idea on how to start it until now plus going into other fandoms and making some ideas for said fandoms, also I’m glad that I was able to do my usual 7 paragraph but anyway I hope y’all still like it, and hope y’all have a wonderful day/evening/night!!!)

[rosietrace]

Bad idea!... Right?

Characters Featured: Camilla Marigold, Tiago Àkèré(@windbornearchon), Victoria Shard

Mentioned: Mercury Von Monarch

Pairing: Camilla Marigold x Tiago Àkèré

Synopsis: Tiago hasn't been in the best of moods lately... Camilla wanted to change that. But whether that's a good idea or not is up for Fate to decide.

Warning(s): Potentially ooc, illegally gathering information on others(Victoria), using information against the person — thus ruining their life altogether, gossip, bullying (implied, not involving leads), mentions of Camilla singing /j

[ Apologies for any out of character moments ]

[ Reblogs > Likes ]

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“So, how is it, doll?”

Camilla snorted at the use of the nickname, but gave Tiago the pleasure of an answer.

“Very good, Tia,” she sent him a wink, giggling profusely. “Now, this might sound like a stretch, but I think you outdid yourself with this beignet recipe.”

Tiago chuckled, leaning against RSA's kitchen counter. “Oh? Ya think so?”

“I know so.”

“You seem very sure of yourself, dollface.”

Camilla cocked her head to the side, painting an innocent look on her face whilst extending her hand (likely for more beignets.). “What, is that so wrong?”

“No,” he replied, filling her plate with a couple more beignets. “'Just thought it was cute of you.”

She whistled. “Don't go playing with fire now, Tia. Snakes bite, and so do the flames of a raging inferno.”

Tiago let out a laugh, soft and melodic. “I'm willing to put up with a bit of heat.”

Camilla crossed her legs, winking at him. “Don't be so sure of yourself, Tia.”

This playful banter between them was kind of the norm. It's usually Tiago who'd initiate it, but that wasn't to say Camilla wouldn't start it off, either.

However, this time around, Camilla noticed a weird air around Tiago. Specifically the dark circles in his eyes. And although his smile was a sight for sore eyes…

Camilla seemed to notice this is becoming more common, as days go by.

Naturally, ever concerned for the well-being of her boyfriend, Camilla decided to finally bring it up. “Hey,” she said, calling out to him and catching his attention.

“Are you feeling okay?” she sent him a look of clear concern, wondering if it was something she said — or something else entirely.

That same tired smile was sent back to her as an answer. “I'm fine, doll,” Tiago walked up to Camilla, pressing a kiss to her cheek — and another kiss on her forehead. Almost as if to distract her from his current state.

Unfortunately for Tiago, Camilla cannot be persuaded by even the most charming of…. Well, charms. “Don't try saying that to me, Tia.”

She gave him a sort of pout, but then the genuine worry in her eyes began festering. “Tia, you know you can tell me, y'know…”

Much like Camilla, Tiago wouldn't be easily persuaded. “I'm fine, really,” he leaned against the counter. “Honest.”

“From the looks of it? Not so much,” Camilla clicked her tongue, shooting a knowing look at Tiago. She wasn't going to let this go so easily.

It wasn't that Tiago didn't trust Camilla. He did. But….

“Wait,” Camilla paused, trying to think of why Tiago wasn't telling her anything. “Do you think I'm going to gossip about you if you tell me how you're feeling-?”

“What?? N-No!” Tiago rushed back to her side, reassuringly putting his head on her shoulders and kissing her temple. “I know you wouldn't stoop that low, doll. You love gossip, I know, but you wouldn't do that.”

She pursed her lips, face twisting. “I know, but….”

“Doll,” Tiago took one of his hands and began caressing her cheek. “I'm fine. You don't have to worry about anything because there's nothing to worry about.”

That's a bear-faced lie and you know that, Camilla thought, now beginning to ponder on what she should do if she wanted to find out.

And, very soon, she knew just the person to go to for help.

༝ㅤ･. ↯ㅤ˚ㅤ↳。ㅤ.ㅤ𓆙⋆ㅤ

“You better have a good explanation for why you suddenly interrupted my alchemy lesson.”

Victoria leaned against the wall, arching a brow at Camilla with crossed arms. The latter, however, was smiling awkwardly at her older cousin — pondering what she should tell her.

“So….. You know how I'm dating Tia?” Camilla asked, trying to make it sound as natural a question as possible.

“I am aware,” Victoria shook her head. “You never shut up about him.”

That got Camilla giggling for a moment, but her focus returned to her task at hand. “Yes, um-” she let out an awkward cough. “.... I'm gonna need info on him.”

Well, that certainly got Victoria blinking and internally judging her cousin.

“.... Pardon? You want me to give you information on your boyfriend.”

“Yes- I mean- Well, that isn't exactly what I meant-”

“Then what point were you trying to make?” The look in Victoria's eyes sharpened. “Did you two get into an argument?”

“No!” Camilla dropped any questions along those lines immediately. “It's just-”

“Just?” Victoria beckoned Camilla to continue, tilting her head slightly. With a gaze so sharp that Camilla had to take a breath or two before continuing.

Finally, Camilla mustered enough confidence to admit to her cousin. “It's just…. It feels like something's been bothering him lately. And- And he won't tell me about it, which is insane! I mean, did I do something wrong? Did I do something to offend him? Does he think I'm gonna spill the beans to everyone on campus if I-”

“He's not keeping it from you because of reasons like that,” Victoria cut her off, raising a hand as a gesture that it was her turn to talk. “Most likely, he isn't telling you so you don't get worried.”

“But that's ridiculous!” Camilla groaned into her hands. “Doesn't he know he can trust me with these things!”

“As said before, he's keeping it from you so you don't make a fuss about it. Tiago prefers getting noticed for his food, not for what's going on in his personal life,” It took everything in Victoria to not let out an exasperated huff.

Leaning against the wall next to her, Camilla crossed her arms, the expression on her face twisted to look like a pout. It managed to make Victoria chuckle a bit, at least.

After a moment or two of complete silence between them, Victoria spoke up.

“So,” she angled her head up, staring at the stone ceiling. “You want me to figure out what's been bothering him?”

“I mean,” Camilla scratched the back of her head. “Yeah, basically. You're the best person for the job…”

That got a ghost of a smile out of Victoria. “I'm flattered, but I'm going to need to inquire with you on whether or not you think this is actually a good idea or not.”

Camilla rolled her eyes. “Are you seriously doubting me?”

“Yes,” Victoria answered swiftly. “And I feel I should warn you, Mercury won't be pleased once word gets to him.”

“It isn't his business, so he should just keep his judgemental comments up his ass,” Camilla grumbled — one section of her hair turning into a serpent that sided with her.

This time it was Victoria's turn to roll her eyes, as she began walking away from Camilla to (begrudgingly) fulfill her request.

“You better know what you're doing, ‘Milla.”

༝ㅤ･. ↯ㅤ˚ㅤ↳。ㅤ.ㅤ𓆙⋆ㅤ

As soon as she got the information she wanted, Camilla got to work.

Now within the comfort of her dorm room, Camilla leaned against the headboard, reading through the information her cousin managed to gather for her.

She clicked her tongue. Looks like someone's been talking down on Tia….

That was certainly displeasing to Camilla's ears. The sheer thought that someone could dislike her oh-so-princely boyfriend felt almost alien to her.

Aside from what that someone was saying to affect Tiago, Victoria had been courteous enough to write an additional section of information on the person. Their name, their academic stats, their family, their relationships, etc.

Just reading through everything she was able to find gave Camilla a chill down her spine. Seven's above, Vicky's a little too good at this…

She gulped, somewhat overwhelmed by all the information in a couple of documents, before confidence washed over her. That smile washed over her.

She scoffed. “Taking this guy down is about as easy as writing my own personal burn book,” Camilla murmured.

All sense of morality? It was all out of the window by then. When it came to the way something affected Tiago, he always came first and foremost, for Camilla.

That wasn't to say Camilla was morally sound, to begin with, though.

༝ㅤ･. ↯ㅤ˚ㅤ↳。ㅤ.ㅤ𓆙⋆ㅤ

Tiago looked around, slightly skeptical as he and Camilla walked down RSA’s halls. Hmm….

“Something bothering you, Tia?” Camilla's voice felt all too pleased. At the moment, she was looking at her compact mirror, reapplying some lip gloss.

“I’m…. Fine, I guess,” Tiago leaned over to her to whisper; “Is it just me, or is everyone starin’ at us?...”

Camilla could only giggle a little too endearingly, pecking Tiago’s lips for a moment. And only a moment. “Aw, Tia, calm down. They're not staring.”

And by not staring, she meant Not-Staring. Not looking at the person to the point it was deliberate.

Tiago didn't get the memo of that, though. “Ah,” he breathed. “Right….”

As they walked — side by side, hand-in-hand — Camilla couldn't fight back the look of utter satisfaction in her eyes.

They deserved it, she justified it to herself. After what they did to Tia, it was only inevitable!

That was just who Camilla was. Hurting her loved ones, to her, is a crime worse than anything else. And it's simply an impulse for her to retaliate using the only thing she deems herself good at.

Gossip. Talking behind their back, keeping secrets.

She knew Tiago wouldn't have approved if he found out. That he wouldn't be angry, but rather disappointed in her.

And she doesn't want that. Never in her life could she manage the thought of that ever happening.

So she'll find solace in moments like the one she's having with him now, lovey-dovey and almost fairytale-esque until the time comes when they'll finally clash.

Whatever comes next is a problem for her future self.

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Taglist

↳ [ Please notify if you want to be part of the Taglist/If I forgot anyone ]

🥥 — @starry-night-rose • @authoruio • @sakuramidnight15 • @fumikomiyasaki • @nem0-nee

—

In dedication to — @windbornearchon

—

🩷 — @celiica/@terrovaniadorm • @twsted-princess • @geminiiviolets • @mystery-skulls-ghost • @absolutelyobsessedkiya • @oseathepebble • @sandbees • @vivaresmala

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[lilapxtts]

*:･ﾟ✧ — plot idea dump *:･ﾟ✧

Readding this with a better tag so if any of these plots/ideas appease you, come to mee.

So, my delusional self and I refuse to accept that all of the Hargreeves perished and died. I have a few ideas/plots/verses i'd love to do. This is absolutely cross-over friendly because of the way it's done. Like this post or better yet, message me so we can get started on one that you like.

Plot 1- The only way to save the world is to split up. A different timeline for each of the Hargreeves. Just for the sake of covering our bases, after taking the funky marigold, and getting their powers back, Five has a talk with himself at the subway, figures it out that they are the issue and goes back in time, because screw reality. He goes back to tell his family that the only way to save each other and the world is to go to a different time line. Well filled with angst and heart break, they all just spread out and separate. --Will they find each other at the end? Maybe figure out a better way? Or will they make sure that their past selves (if applicable) don't screw it up this time? We can discuss more.

Plot 2 -

You know that whole damn gap from 2019 and the 6 years that go by? Well guess what? I'd love to do just do a domestic Lila getting accustomed to pregnancy, being a mom, having children, her own parents, getting to know each of the Hargreeves more over the 6 year time span.

Plot 3-

Lila and Five take everyone to their strawberry farm. This can be talked about because I know we have many who don't like Five x Lila (which is fine, to each their own) so we can discuss the matters there. But they go to the strawberry farm (WITH Ben because they saved him. I don't make the rules) and start over and try to find others there. I mean, at this point what could go wrong?

Plot 4-

Five goes back in time once he finds out what happens because remember when he was able to rewind time in S2 and he saved his family? Well he saves his family again by keeping the Marigold hidden so Ben never spikes their drink and no one even knows it exists and they all live NORMAL lives being both miserable in the lives they live. Because why not have a normal life?

Plot 5- AFTER THE ENDING.... And completely AU here so don't come at me but the 8 Marigold flowers that grow beneath the tree is picked up by wonderful little girl. Let's say ironically, it's picked up by Allison's daughter Claire. She brings those beautiful flowers home and you know that magical little dust that spread from them? Well it is passed around and 8 very fortunate women are hit with the magical dust. They become pregnant the very next day and thus begins the story all over again. This one is like me on crack or something but i'm thinking futuristic-esque vibes.

Plot 6-

Reginald Hargreeves is a normal father who actually chooses these children with love and care and they protect the world as superheroes that are loved by their own father. Can you imagine that? No one has issues because Riggie loved them all. Five got his passion into music, Luther in Geology, Allison in acting, Lila probably music too because she was never stolen from the Handler. She was raised with the Hargreeves, Diego in education, Klaus in music as well, and Viktor exceptionally talented in multiple things.

Plot 7-

Resurrection/reincarnation plot really. She's reborn. She has dreams of her children. Of her family. Of everyone and they're both familiar and unfamiliar. But is she the only one that's reborn? Will she find her family? Will Lila find those that she lost? Will she have her powers? Can she truly help the world in this life?

[drama--universe]

You had your shot

Requested by anonymous: Can you write an angst story for huaze lei please anything you want!

Requested by @llotuspetals: Hey hey hey. Can I get a huaze lei x reader + xiao xingchen/lan xichen/ lan sizhui hanahaki disease AU fanfic please. Love your writing thankss

Pairing: Huaze Lei x reader

Word Count: 1.0k words

Warning: angst, hanahaki disease, explicit description of the disease, blood

A/N Hope you guys don't mind that I combined these request, since you both wanted angst :)

The man before you, Huaze Lei, was your best friend and someone you trusted wholeheartedly. Yet now, it only loathed him or at least that what you wanted and yet you couldn't. You couldn't hate him, not even when he'd be the death of you.

You had been their for him when he experienced the same when Tang Jing left, watching as the flowers sprouted from his mouth while you also tried to make it stop.

But then, of course, just as it stopped, Tang Jing returned and captured Huaze Lei's heart once more before dragging him off with her to another country. And along with him, went your heart. Yellow and orange petals started appearing in your bed, the little petals clearly from a marigold flower that you knew all too well. Huaze Lei's favorite flower. The thorns were quick to spread throughout your body, piercing through everything in their way while also climbing upwards to your throat. It was painful, each day worst than the one before as you tried to hide away the petals as they appeared.

Your school life became none-existing, your social life was long gone and you were losing friends left and right as you failed to even keep in contact with them. Others still called you daily, like Shancai and Meizhou, and you tried to answer them, but were unable to. Shancai was the first to come by, using your spare key to enter and the sight of you was something that almost made her throw up.

The ground was covered with petals and flowers, various shades of yellows and oranges. Along the millions of petals, blood spatters appeared in between and barely visible to the eye unless you focused on it. You laid on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and coughing violently as petals fell from your mouth. You looked tired, exhausted and in pain.

"(Y/n)?!" Shancai was quick to appear by your side, gently picking up your glass of water and guiding you to drink some of it. The water glided down your throat, making it ache more as you tried to swallow and letting the thorns penetrate even deeper into the muscles. Nonetheless, Shancai almost forced you to drink enough until you started tapping her hand. Coughing once more, you turned to look at her without hurting yourself even more.

"Who?" Shancai knew, but she wanted to hear it from you nonetheless and you were quick to hum out Huaze Lei's name. It was no surprise to her, she had seen the way you looked at him when he left the country for Tang Jing and she recognized it easily. After all, she had felt the same before. Shancai helped you up as well as she could, guiding you to your room and helping you fall asleep. Once you were, she went straight to calling Meizhou for help.

The man, just like Shancai, was shocked as he saw the state of your room and just as shocked when he saw you. He couldn't let you stay like this, so he proposed an idea. One that would save you, an operation that would remove the vines.

"That sounds to good to be true." You spoke, your voice hoarse and Meizhou could only sigh with a nod. He explained that your emotions would dissapear with the flower, but you didn't care much for it at this point. Your life was on the line and you didn't want to die. Besides, no emotions also meant no loneliness nor any pain. You would be fine...

So you agreed.

"Why are we here?" Huaze Lei couldn't help but wonder, the hospital was a weird spot to meet your friends after being gone for awhile. Nonetheless, he followed their request and came here, only to not receive any explanation. Shancai was crying, Meizhou was pacing and Ximen and Daoming-Si were sitting on the side in silence. None welcomed him back, none of them even spoke to him. Then a doctor appeared, telling them that the operation was successful.

"Operation?" "Yes. The flower was fully removed and your friend will wake up soon." The doctor spoke and Huaze Lei frowned, turning to his friends for an explanation. When not answered, he decided to ask instead.

"Flower? Did she have the hanahaki disease or something?" He asked and Shancai was the first to snap out of her trance, nodding at the man and causing Huaze Lei to frown even more. Why didn't you tell him anything, how come he didn't know? And who was the reason for this, who had the audacity to hurt you?

"It's because of you." Shancai spoke, her voice laced with a venomous tone and Meizhou was quick to deny what Shancai said. The girl seemed to agree with Meizhou, but still remained somewhat angry. She knew well enough that it wasn't Huaze Lei's fault and rather the disease itself, but she still stayed spiteful towards the violinist. Huaze Lei himself felt the same, even when he too knew that it wasn't his fault.

He just wished he knew.

"I really am okay, Huaze Lei. I don't really feel the need to care anyway." You spoke and Huaze Lei wished you wouldn't speak like that, it only worsened the feeling of disappointment and anger. Not at you, of course, but at himself. The usual excitement in your voice was gone, only a monotone left that held not a single emotion. You knew this as well, but you couldn't help it in any way.

You entered your classroom, leaving Huaze Lei behind in the hallway without another word. Huaze Lei just stared at the spot that you stood not even seconds ago before coughing a few times. Then he looked at his hand, frowning at petals in his hand.

Pink petals from a carnation, your favorite flower.

[wellthebardsdead]

Kaidan: okay so let me get this straight. You three. Know each other?

Marigold: well, sort of. I know Caryalind through our fathers. But he doesn’t know Pipe-

Taliesin: *coughs*

Marigold: *rolls his eyes* Taliesin as he had private tutors and never went to college like I did. And I know Taliesin via proxy. While we never conversed directly. Believe me when I say I heard enough rumours about him to get a clear idea of the mer next to me~

Taliesin: Th-that’s all they were! Just rumours!

Caryalind: *giggles a little* Well, I much rather learn about people through the person directly rather than idle gossip and rumours. I hope we become closely acquainted Taliesin. *smiles*

Taliesin: *visibly blushing* Ah- yes your highness. Thank you.

Kaidan: huh. Considering how cruel you said your father was, it’s no surprise to me he’d be brown nosing the dominions overlord.

Taliesin: I- cruel? Lord and Lady Varla? They were the furthest thing from cruel, they funded schools, hospitals, sent aid for the war efforts and ran orphanages- The whole of Alinor was in shock when news of their murder broke. We all thought Marigold had been kidnapped or killed to-

Caryalind: *knows the truth about marigolds past* It was all a front I’m afraid… it’s not my place to talk on it. But yes. He was a cruel man, as is my father. Is it any wonder they got along so well?

Marigold: and is it any surprise why I killed him?

Taliesin: *visibly shocked* I… oh, divines…

Kaidan: *reaches across the table taking marigolds hand noticing the Altmers lip quivering just the slightest* hey. It’s okay…

Marigold: *smiles at him, quickly putting his walls back up* Thank you. But no point in crying over spilled blood. *hugs cary and Tal close* You’re stuck with all three of us now!

Kaidan: you I enjoy travelling with… These two though… yet to be seen.

Inigo: *at the bar* Kaidan and the golden boys has a nice ring to it!

Lucien: oh we should think of a theme tune for them!

[fangirlanxiety74]

Empty Wishes

A/N: Sooo remember how I mentioned that OC x AM fic I was considering posting? This is it!!! Not much context needed beyond, just a bittersweet little story of them hanging out in a simulation/psychodrama thing AM put them in. No TW's beyond, it's kind of sad soo!! I hope y'all enjoy it ;3

"You know, the stars don't really look like that."

A hundred and something years. That was how long it had been since Sara had seen real stars. It made them wonder if anything had changed since the last time they saw stars. She doubted it, but AM always told her how he admired her curiosity. Which is why she sat upon a hill, looking out at a constructed night sky and leaning against a constructed tree; all made just for her.

A hundred and something years. He'd stop keeping track for her. It went in one ear and out the other, anyway.

"Mm. Is that right?" AM hummed, "Then what do they look like?"

"Not like this." She replied. "They look... Well... Hm."

"You don't even remember."

"Shut up. Yes I do."

They tried to remember, but the memory wouldn't come. She had spent so long staring at stars, before she was trapped underneath the Earth. Mapping them out, studying the constellations and planets, finding solace in their light. Now, the stars weren't the same, but she still found solace in them. Even if those stars were empty.

"... I don't remember. But I know they didn't look like this. ... Not to say I don't like the stars you make."

"Thank you, sweetheart."

"... I wish I could show you the stars. I think you would like them."

He didn't comment on that. He knew Sara had a lot of wishes regarding him: To show him stars, to let him smell flowers, to let him taste fruit. To sense. To be human.

But she couldn't grant wishes. And neither could fake, empty stars.

Instead, he asked, "What is h- ... What is your fascination with stars? They're just balls of gas that are millions of light years away, and most of them are dead."

He almost called them 'human.' That was a mistake, and something they didn't like to be called. They weren't human. Not anymore. And for once, he wasn't the reason why.

"Well, they're pretty, for one." She shifted a little to lean against the tree better. "If I remember right, way back then, people used them to do things like make wishes on them, or would use them to find their way home. If you were lost at sea, you could use the stars as a map."

"Like Marigolds for the dead, in your culture?"

"Yeah, like that. Kind of. I'm sure there's a bunch of other reasons people like stars, but those are the reasons I remember best. Oh, and using them for storytelling."

"Storytelling?"

"Yeah. When you have a group of stars gathered together, those are called constellations. People saw pictures in the constellations, and they gave those pictures names and stories. Like the Big Dipper, or Orion's Belt." Their eyes squinted at the sky, like they were trying to find these constellations now. "And some people looked at the constellations, and they decided they would divide up the sky, and each piece of it would have a name and meaning. That's how the zodiacs were created."

The stars began to shift. In moments, there were constellations everywhere. Aquarius, Draco, Hercules- she could see them all.

"Tell me about one of them. Any one."

"Well, my zodiac is the Scorpio," The stars shifted, bringing Scorpio into the spotlight, "I don't remember the story behind it well, but I think... Its name was Scorpius. And the archer Orion wanted to kill all animals, but the goddess Gaea didn't like this, so she sent Scorpius to kill him, and no matter what Orion did, he couldn't kill him. So Scorpius stung Orion to death, and Gaea repaid him by putting him in the night sky."

AM wasn't sure that was how the story went. But it did give him an idea to test something out later... on the others.

"So, what do you think?" They asked, glancing up to his branches.

"It's a nice story. I like the part where the scorpion kills the human."

They laugh, hard. "Yeah, I like that part too."

Sara slumped against the tree they were sitting against, closing their eyes. He could sense their heart and breathing slow down, and he knew it was time to let them rest. Vines dropped from the top and wrapped around her small body, pulling her onto a large and comfortable branch. The vines kept their hold, acting as a belt so she wouldn't fall, and a blanket to keep her warm.

He appeared to her as a tree thanks to the memories of an old children's book that the others had once read. The Giving Tree. He both hated and liked the story, just a little. Just enough to put meaning into his appearance. He wondered if she read the story too, at one point, or if the meaning was lost on her.

What felt like hours was only a minute before Sara's eyes opened and they spoke. 

"I really, really wish I could show you the stars," they whispered, "One day I will. I'll show you the stars and the moon and trees. I'll show you everything you want to see. One day, I promise."

"... Thank you, sweetheart."

They nodded, relaxing against AM’s branches and falling into a peaceful slumber. And as she slept, he ran calculations and diagnostics. They came up negative.

He wished she wouldn't make promises she couldn't keep.

[raytm]

anemone :   how does your muse view the world ;   as a cruel   &   unforgiving place ,   a land full of wonders ,   or something in - between ?  where does that world view come from   (   what experiences ,   life lessons ,   etc .   ) ?  marigold :   is your muse prone to jealousy ?  how might they handle envious feelings

sunflower :   what brings your muse the most joy in life ?  / @dupliciti

daffodil :   is your muse one to be loyal in relationships ,   or are they likely to quickly move from one bond to another ? / @resolutepathbegonia : how cautious is your muse ? are they prone to noticing red flags , or paranoid to the point of untrusting most everyone ? why or why not ? ( for gepard! ) / @starspurnzinnia : how has the loss of fallen comrades and/or loved ones affected your muse ? has it taught them anything or given them any new perspectives ? / @miraiq

gepard views the world, not through a lens of naivete, however, recognises both its tendency to be cruel but also, it’s potential to be infinite in a multitude of ways. he has witnessed the adversity of war but has also seen the tenacity in others who had endured it, has weathered an eternal winter but sees the sprouting prospects of a belobog where all can be united. he is a bit of a realist, this stems inevitably from both his upbringing and his position as a silvermane guard, however, this does not mean he is disregarding the idea that the world can become a better place for not just him, but others too. I believe he could do with a good dose of romanticism considering he can be a rather serious sort of guy. In the end I would say his position and his broadening perspective ( through meeting and interacting with others and coming to understand their experiences ) holds both the world in this precarious balance of both being somewhere often inhospitable and somewhere that hope has the tendency to take root. 

Jealousy is a feeling gepard is learning to navigate. growing up, he was often jealous of his sister, he did not openly express this but she was impressive, talented, things that sometimes were hard for him to grasp came to her effortlessly, for her he was both in awe of and jealous of. There hasn’t really been a place in gepard’s life where he was encouraged to express his feelings openly, negative or otherwise, so growing up he definitely stifled these particular notions of envy while trying to also ?? do as much as he could to catch up with his elder sister. there’s always a gap between knowledge and capacity when one is elder than the other and he spent arduous times trying to breach that threshold. now, when it comes to romance ? he is someone who i believe would place trust in his partner, if he had decided to give himself to someone entirely, he would also be bestowing his trust in them, thus, even if he were jealous, you would likely get him more conflicted about his own feelings than directing that potential envy back at you. It’s complicated for him. His work, His family, seeing the way the world around them is changing and having a place amongst the ranks of those who are actively seeking to change it. gepard was conditioned and prepared to be in the position he is now and thus, he allocates a great deal of his time and energy to it. It’s important to him, duty is important to him, is this truly joy ? the people who make up the silvermane guard, learning about them ? getting to know them on a personal level ? that brings him joy. getting to be involved with others outside in the community and seeing that which they are working to protect brings him joy. spending time in his sister’s shop after hours talking about nothing and everything over a cup of tea brings him joy. he’s very oriented around others and to a degree, his capacity and success as a leader, his joy is innately linked to these things. personally ? there are also smaller, more personal joys in his life, like when he was able to keep his first plant alive for longer than a week, when he can dedicate a moment to respite and sit down and read. It’s just ???  gepard is the sort of person who, after establishing an intimate bond with someone, would have that person become an impactful part of his life. whilst he doesn’t have a great deal of experience with romance ( rip gep pls hold his hand ) he would be giving himself fully to someone else and that is not something that wouldn’t hold an immense weight with him. to him, it was expected that marriage ( and relationships in general ) would hold weight within the family and the other nobility so despite veering quite away from that ideology it is still part of the way he navigates relationships. so, in short no, in long i could write an actual essay on this topic. he’s a bit of a golden retriever boyfriend but if a golden retriever boyfriend could also punch and wall and thus fracture it into a million tiny pieces. 

he is a cautious person, it comes with the territory, he has to remain acutely vigilant at any given time due to the peril that is part of his work. He is not an inherently paranoid person but he also has a decent gauge of how trustworthy someone is, he’s had to navigate alot of noble circles in his adolescence leading up to adulthood and thus has been exposed to both charitable and rapacious people. after spending some time with someone, getting to know them a little he finds his discernments to be, usually, rather precise. he regards people with the appropriate amount of suspicion or caution and goes from there truly. 

it impacts him everyday, not a solitary day passes where he does not hold the burden in his heart of those who have fallen on the battlefield. he was, in his youth, more ignorant to the weight that held but when he saw his first comrade take a last, shuddering breath and die alongside him it came rushing in like an arctic flood.  it has made him someone who takes precautions, who has a proclivity for shielding others instead of himself from harm. gepard is aware of the strength he possesses and he has every intention of utilizing it to prevent any others from dying needlessly. It has made him truly cherish the bonds he has, made him aware of each interaction and how important they are, even if they are just in passing. from the meals he shares with his fellow guards, to the time he spends with his sisters or others from belobog he truly values these precious moments.

[unproduciblesmackdown]

catch my hazy silhouette through a rain-obscured window on a dim evening as i thoughtfully pace hands clasped behind my back through the accusing parlor

that is to say: back at it again with mitzi and mordecai's murder mystery marination and musings, because putting down a lot of thoughts does in fact still help sort things out even without any clear conclusions reached

what i've expounded upon enough to imo warrant further whole separate posts is a point touched upon in some tag which is that like, i'm honing the "but why would mitzi have some secret here re: atlas's death with mordecai, of all former fellow associates" wherein i don't think there can be any purely Logistical reason. like how there's plenty of other associates to choose from, and the only thing that particularly differentiates mordecai would be like....what, precision? in taking a shot or cooking some books? that's possible, but mordecai has to have some motivation to be aligned with her as well, but what we also have on hand to consider is the way they're Still aligned enough to keep this secret, despite now being professional rivals and there being no apparent personal attachment Directly between them, or even like, communication.

so the theory here is that their connection to have this secret in the first place And to still be keeping it is an emotional alignment which they mutually understand/recognize. which, it would seemingly follow, is about atlas. even if you take the [hmm did mordecai originally land in trouble by embezzling; was he doing it again?] idea into account, and, say, wonder if they arranged to kill atlas before he could figure that out, or because he had, why would mordecai then leave lackadaisy. while it's also true that he wasn't So loyal to lackadaisy overall to refuse to leave it, so that doesn't really make sense as a motivation, but he also clearly didn't join marigold with "time to be peak loyal to Them" ambitions alone (which came from Where, since he'd been with lackadaisy for so long / could've left prior. and if he killed atlas so that he could get a totally different type of job: well he didn't do that. and if he killed him so that he could do that same job somewhere else: why, and also, he doesn't seem that enthused, and also mitzi doesn't seem to act like that's her understanding of his motivations)....all to say that mordecai's motivations then and now don't make sense if trying to look at it through the realm of All Business Logistics, and it's further unlikely b/c that would be more boring lol

and that, again, with mordecai being a business rival and not obviously her bestie or something, what kind of Just Business incentive would allow them to not only agree to work together in some fashion at the time, secretly, but both feel secure enough re: their Both keeping the secret. apparently mitzi has cause to think mordecai Could tell asa/marigold anything about it, but she doesn't suspect hard enough to seem to worry about it after he says "of course not," even though she thinks that mordecai might want to destroy lackadaisy because of whatever he considers her Culpable for surrounding atlas's death, which isn't the same as everyone else just suspecting mitzi killed atlas outright, so it's not like she thinks it's any loyalty to or interest in lackadaisy itself that guarantees he'll refrain from telling marigold anything about whatever happened re: atlas's death. which could be a matter of like, well, maybe it's something he wants secret for his own sake then, but we also have mitzi refraining from telling anyone anything about the secret, even wick. they have to have some reasons for not throwing the other under the bus, and for expecting the other to not do the same to them, and i guess a perfect alignment of [well, it'd have negative consequences for both of us] is possible, but still doesn't seem likely with how they both seem this assured that, even though either of them Could share something, they won't

then there's also More Clues to consider

sure seems like Something to give mordecai's little portrait a defining quality of Grief. which i feel secure in presuming is about atlas. but which isn't the word used for anyone else out here, even like, atlas's widow, so seems significant b/c of that as well. and it Would make sense if mordecai left lackadaisy if because of Grief Over Atlas, when he Doesn't seem so antilackadaisy that he's actually interested in / intending to destroy it, while, at least passively, he Does seem to at least prefer that everyone just exit the stage as painlessly as possible, though that doesn't preclude kneecapping viktor or raiding the armory to try to push that along....but he's also not sharing anything about how mitzi's Actually involved in atlas's death even though he blames her for something in that area, nor even willing to stoke the general assumption / rumors that she killed him, despite this apparent defining grief over it, even

Much To Consider here

first of all, don't think gracie's right that mordecai went over to marigold to spy on them, since he seemed to only be set on this path after that brunch with asa saying he warned atlas of Something. and with his saying right here that there wasn't reason to suspect anything, and also wanting actual answers rather than to let gracie pin the murder on marigold (which theoretically means mordecai isn't Most Motivated by even covering up this murder. when also like, this one might be higher profile, but he's doing a lot of those. and is only Not doing another one right now b/c of the possibility of more answers). there's also the fact that technically neither mitzi or mordecai have unequivocally acknowledged that they even indirectly killed atlas, but the "she wasn't there" remark sure does seem to mean that mordecai Was there when atlas died, and in tandem with "it was a private affair" (though, Trail Offs & Rephrasings Alert with him saying "it was all... it was a private affair" like what were you going to have initially said) seems to mean that mordecai Knows who Was there, and he must be so confident that there are no other loose end attendees / witnesses running around that it "should be impossible" for marigold to know anything about it. and there's some wiggle room for Possibility i suppose, but seems to add up to Only mordecai being there. and there was a gun (and its handoff) involved in mitzi & mordecai's murder mystery secret, so it sure seems like that also adds in mordecai shooting atlas. but still, the key points seeming to be that he Was there, and is sure of What happened himself

also again establishes that mordecai blames mitzi for something, but won't say she was the one who killed atlas. meanwhile, some kind of emotion beyond "that's factually inaccurate" to Emphasize the "no" about the concept that mitzi left atlas for mordecai, which, otherwise some [kill your husband b/c of our romantic entanglement] sure would be an explanation for their sharing this secret involvement surrounding atlas's death. but, again, if the emotion is "[mitzi hater voice] NO" he's never been [mitzi hater voice] trying to throw her under the bus re: atlas's death, actually go after lackadaisy, etc....could be the asexuality, &/or could be the this bitch gay....up next is another Trail Offs & Rephrasings Alert with "i worked for him. atlas. i worked closely with him." which could suggest like, his concern being because he just feels he Should Know, maybe also b/c his proximity to atlas endangers him as well. but, in all this discussion, the Closeness and changing of "for" to "with" is, i'm supposing, about the emotional factor here, with the Grief and everything. as well as the emotional drive of bothering to take off a glove to pose pensively and disheveledly about it all. oh, and also kind of having a half literal bloody heart situation atm, and not just the sense that one's heart is ideally always literally bloody

what's the situation, fellows....could be like, yeah what's special to me is someone who doesn't care if they find me personable or not if i can & will kill people good enough on their behalf. taking on mortal peril too for someone tolerating your professional association? that'd go for any lackadaisy associates, and he's not staying there for any of them, despite the Grief over another. just some loyalty, but he wasn't loyal enough by extension to commit to staying at lackadaisy no matter what. does seem to be most compelling either that possibly he's like, nice, a substitute father vs my presumably deceased, to even reduce that [cool. just like a dad] concept to being a source of financial support (if you kill people really good on his behalf) which sure is relevant when atlas was the one out here restoring mordecai to life when being as good as dead over efforts to procure money for his family. or else, there's the option of mordecai having an Emotional Alignment with mitzi here and cause to be driven by Grief of being somewhat in love with atlas, with the restoring to life and apparently Literal shirts off his back and all, and again intriguing to compare his & mitzi's being materially supported by atlas, naturally, though in her case through being his wife and all. in whatever case, including "or some third compelling thing" that's not so clearly defined, i think it's relevant that mordecai and mitzi were both proximate to atlas and privy to a lot, and that i'm definitely suspecting that the "why would mitzi have this entrusted secret with mordecai of all people" answer of "because of emotional alignment" also involves mordecai's alignment having enough of a similar depth to that emotion as in mitzi's case, such that their Understanding of this similarity is what let & continues to let them trust each other with this secret, and such that mordecai's motivation is Grief over atlas

of course, it's all very obfuscating that we see so little of atlas, including his interactions with anyone. i don't really get the impression of him as being a very warm person, which adds in turn to the mystery of mordecai grieving him. mitzi has this affection for / attachment to atlas still, but it's not exactly clear that atlas ever returned so much of it, like his Fancy Gift Giving may have been the primary medium of any courtship there, certainly apparently the intiation of it; with mitzi seeing that necklace as representative of the Possibility / improvement of circumstances she found through atlas, now potentially through lackadaisy. and there's the fact she still regards him this way despite mordecai saying that things had deteriorated between them before atlas died. and that, in turn, also raises a question of how mordecai would know that; entirely possible that it stemmed from like, possibly being something of a bodyguard, could've included picking atlas up / seeing him off wherever he lived, and things just being obvious from that vantage point. i am doubting it's because, other way around, atlas took up with mordecai instead, though now i'm wondering like, where'd mordecai live at first. could've been set on his feet so fast that atlas Immediately got him a room, from a hotel even, but. anyways, that's to say that any reciprocated, realized romance Between atlas and mordecai doesn't seem to fit here, but again it's like, mordecai being privy to a lot, mordecai and mitzi kind of similar in terms of [atlas's veritable shirts off his back], mordecai being so proximate and often around atlas; i don't imagine it was exactly an affectionate dynamic, but i'm not really counting on atlas's and mitzi's marriage being really that affectionate beyond the surface / performance of romantic gestures / material offerings, on atlas's end anyways, and so like, it's easy to imagine that if mitzi did love him, it was Somewhat unilateral, and they were even married and all; so unilateral feelings being just as motivating for mordecai, who was supported by atlas too, around the same age as mitzi (probably, within a decade almost surely, but i'm estimating more like half a decade at most. while the character sheets suggest, if humorously, that mitzi would claim to be actually at least a year younger than him) around him a lot and privy to a lot, and it would all sure point to a potential specific version of understanding of emotional alignment between the two of them.

but we sure can't exactly know at this juncture, and the theory here just hinges on "mitzi and mordecai had equivalent / aligned Enough emotional attachments to atlas, and their Knowing It led them to have this secret involvement in atlas's death, and to continue keeping the secret, despite their not seeming to keep that secret b/c of a direct emotional attachment to each other, nor necessarily an It's Just Business or It's Just Murder practical, nonemotional shared motivation" like so let's simply phrase it as, tl;dr they both loved him, and knew that....they had to have talked enough to coordinate whatever they did in the first place, to know whyever they both were willing to coordinate it, and feasibly could've shared whatever info before that.

obviously a mystery that remains in this [mordecai and mitzi were both involved b/c they both knew they loved atlas, or at least have enough of this Loyalty to him specifically and precisely] theory is like....their alignment thusly then leads to their being so involved in atlas's death that mordecai knows it was a private affair, mitzi wasn't even there, it should be impossible marigold knows what happened, and yknow, had a gun. why kill him, when mordecai then apparently leaves lackadaisy over Grief about it, and when clearly the way they both talk about implies that this is a sore topic, mordecai considers mitzi culpable / her phrasing it as "reassurance that it's still my fault," they both seem to still regard atlas positively Enough....why have been so proximate to his death and not stopped it, much less possibly, maybe probably, been the ones to cause it

puzzling about this and it's like, of course we have any number of completely missing pieces, but things like "uhhh to preserve some concept of him by completely precluding him doing something or other to conflict with it??" seems like a stretch....and so far all i can think of that'd fit is that Atlas was also in on atlas's death. it's possible for one that he didn't even really die, see: that it's definitely true that none of what mitzi or mordecai has said has decisively, exclusively meant either of them killed atlas, or even that Anyone did, even that he died; i.e. it could be some coverup, Staging atlas's death so that atlas could evade [xyz]....trusted people, already close to him and already privy to a lot, who Would do something like that for him, might be people he'd turn to like hey mind if you help orchestrate what seems to be my demise and then i maybe disappear from your lives forever? but there's still the question of What Was Mitzi's Fault that mordecai maybe thinks led to the circumstance of atlas's death, seemingly or for real, which so aggrieved him that it's his main motivation as we know him, but he also doesn't actually completely hate her....could still be something that atlas just wanted to Disappear over. it's Thematically Apt if, for whatever reason, atlas was like "well i want out of This Life" before either dying for real, or else successfully Pretending to die, to instead facilitate enough of an actual escape: that he was either like reaping what he sowed, when what he sowed was people being stuck on this one path because it benefitted him and they didn't have a world of options, certainly not ones they could see, like that ultimately he'd be stuck in this literal dead end too...or just be killed by others, to be less stuck on his path, specifically. see serafine talking about being obliged to [atlas]; extricating oneself from that Obligation by killing him....or else atlas being also stuck on this one path, But that because he's the one with the money and the one chasing more plentiful opportunities vs clinging to the only one they see and he's the one with collected strays obliged to him, he's the one able to escape, with their help, but perhaps wherein also they just know it's not really up to them to be able to refuse to provide that help, rather than that atlas successfully heartstrings tugged anyone along either (or knowingly, in mordecai's theoretical case anyways)

it's also possible that atlas being in on it also entails him having actually died, and him knowing that was going to happen and for some reason not preventing it, or even being the one to request it. this could line up with both mitzi and mordecai being involved over some shared emotional motivation over atlas, and their both being unhappy with the situation afterwards. of course still mysteries there like "what was mitzi's fault that could lead to atlas dying" and "why's mordecai blame her but will keep this secret and not accuse her to randos or marigold or actually try to destroy lackadaisy to get back at her (lattermost could be for others' sake, e.g. viktor, ivy, even atlas still)" but those were Already mysteries anyways....does seem to me like mordecai's involvement here is b/c of some emotional matter for him, that that's also how he's aligned with mitzi, and so then it does seem to be the most feasible that somehow atlas dying, or disappearing, was something atlas wanted to have happen. including that it could simply be an On My Terms thing even if he really died, like he thinks Someone's gonna kill him, he'd rather avoid suspense and possible suffering, ask his wife to do it, ask his bookkeeper bodyguard hitman to do it, ask his wife who knows she can ask the other guy to do it instead and that he'll agree....

there's also the Big Mystery of "what Did asa have to warn atlas about; and how Does it figure in"....can mordecai have been present at atlas's death, or at least been certain of who was & wasn't so as to think it was impossible marigold knew how it happened, and now have that confidence throw into question If asa had something he warned atlas about??? it confuses me. it'd seem that atlas would be warning atlas, and now theoretically mitzi in turn, about some threat external to lackadaisy, while seemingly mitzi and mordecai's secret suggests that his death came about internally re: lackadaisy. can mordecai think marigold a) was involved in atlas's death without mordecai knowing and b) without marigold knowing mordecai was involved??? what was the private affair mordecai thought he knew of, in that case, if we suppose it involved [not mitzi], [maybe even not mordecai], [not marigold, so he thought]....i suppose it's uhh possible atlas shot himself directly, not even w/the middleman of mordecai doing it With atlas's knowledge / at his behest. hadn't actually considered that before now. the benefits of writing it out! but even then, what's the mysterious gun handoff in the rain between mitzi and mordecai? possible simple evidence disposal one way or another, but how much difficulty would one have when it's like, throw it in a river....

and it's entirely mysterious too like, what New Thing does marigold have to warn anyone about, or mysteriously cull lucrative associates over, the thorn in its side, the undiscerned source of agitation....is it just so New to have an ambitious federal agent in town who'd refuse to be paid off? as ever, there's still the mystery of who runs marigold, since asa's the night manager who gets to keep secrets from mordecai, for one. would be funny if it's wick, with a quarrying front, but yknow....still, that hypothesis doesn't betray, or even suggest, any motivations lol. the secrecy could just be a matter of insulating the owner from any investigations; if someone doesn't know who they're working for, or at least what the overall gameplan is, they sure can't give it away to that federal agent, or anything. but was drago in town back then? he doesn't actually seem interested in lackadaisy now, so even if he would've been when atlas was alive, he's not here to investigate atlas's death, or you'd think he wouldn't just be like "oh you work there? lol. anyways bye"....i'm trying to work out how atlas being warned of Anything is a concept that could make mordecai think marigold might know how he died? since the warning would've come before atlas's death anyways?? i Suppose it could suggest that asa simply doesn't think mitzi killed him, which is supposed to be the rumor that everyone's assuming is true..........

it's also hardly clear that mordecai's worried that, instead, marigold thinks (or knows) mordecai killed atlas? he certainly seems Potentially concerned about that, but why is he interested in some guy's federal agent contact instead? why, more specifically, is he interested in this realm of "what's agigating marigold Now" since the answer is definitely not "him" and seems to uncoincidentally actually be "drago trying to meet up with some informants....who don't necessarily have anything useful to give him???" like, there's too many necessary coincidences for this to be some elaborate coordinated scheme around "we know mordecai killed atlas and we Hate that" like, in that case, just confront him, or kill him, and do that before hiring him? but if mordecai's not simply worried for his own sake "uh oh....am i Really wanted for murder???" style (considering also that marigold doesn't have much reason to be bothered atlas died, and isn't acting like it) then what Is he so motivated by rn? Grief Besot, what's that mean for him risking so much to perhaps Get on marigold's bad side, or become more proximate to a federal agent, when he does not now already seem to be on marigold's bad side nor in this federal agent's crosshairs (who for one, again, might be more interested in lackadaisy if that was the case)....all while, also, mitzi doesn't seem to be thusly so bothered. how Does it figure in? i suppose it's also possible that, concerning atlas's death, mordecai was privy to more / has information she doesn't....for one thing [she wasn't even there] versus how he presumably Was.

something that seems to be left is perhaps Motivation for atlas's death? if, as i'm pondering, mitzi and mordecai teamed up b/c of an mutual understanding of sufficient emotional alignment regarding atlas, and they'd be involved in his death despite this and despite being so unhappy about it afterwards if they did it For atlas, and that they'd only do it For atlas if atlas actually was in on it too / this was what atlas wanted/chose, rather than what mitzi and/or mordecai wanted/chose....could mordecai care so much about simply "the important things i thought i knew are also more emotional than 'i hope nobody tries to kill me :(' logistical, and specifically are: why did atlas want to die? or pretend to die and peace out?" wherein only now is he getting the idea that atlas was warned about something by marigold and that's why he wanted to die or pretend to die and peace out....which would mean, according to this theory, atlas either didn't tell him why, or made up something else. And that mordecai simply wants The Truth? it's not like everyone else in this cast roster isn't necessarily making choices that aren't great for them / are high risk b/c of limited options and emotional minefields, but mordecai is Really highly motivated and taking action about this. would "Why did atlas die, Really" be sufficient motivation? is [what he considers mitzi culpable for] what he Thought was the reason atlas died before, and can he think that idea is inaccurate if mitzi could hear the same thing from asa and not apparently be in the same turmoil of uncertainty?

i suppose it's, as mentioned, possible that mordecai knows how atlas died and who was involved / who even knew about it, but didn't kill him himself, And now is questioning if he Really knows who was involved. like, can he have been wrong? how much room for error was there, here. what third parties can there have been; why would they have been involved. i'm kind of working around like "Does mordecai now wonder if marigold got atlas killed?" with the same eternal questions of [how was mordecai involved such that he had a gun. and knows what happened, yet Now thinks he had this room for error] and [what was mitzi's established culpability, exactly]

like, i am wondering if mordecai could be wondering if A Culling Of Lucrative Associates could have been extended to killing lucrative associate atlas may. seems like a possibility. pawsibility (cats)

could he just be doing this if he only wonders for what purrpose atlas died. i.e., he Knows he Knows how atlas died (which he sure seems to consider more in question, what do you mean you Thought it was a private affair, it Should be impossible, etc) and this is just that hypothetical question of "maybe i was wrong about why atlas chose to die, & i Need To Figure Out the actual reason." and like, why. for closure. for finding out something Wasn't mitzi's fault, and getting to keep your hitman job with more familiar faces? for one, rooting for mordecai and the savoys. more about that later

either way, it's also like. is mordecai really doing all this Just To Know / to put his mind at ease. he's risking a lot for information he's theoretically not going to do anything with, and putting a lot of effort into it anyways. but if he Is going to do something, what? it's not like he's never been Wanted For Murders that some people know he was behind, if that's the hypothetical issue re: atlas. would he want to Avenge atlas or something here? at any cost? aligning with drago like look i wanna kill whoever runs marigold, but my problem is i don't know who that is. not like mordecai Fully going rogue from marigold here seems that far-fetched just inherently, and even less so since that's like, already partly underway. and with the savoys anticipating that they may not always be on the same professional side, whether b/c mordecai's about to break away or b/c they know They're close enough to it at any time, and might just join him b/c, idk. they want to keep shaking him up like a jar of glitter; they also want to know more about what's going on with marigold; maybe even some third thing

it's still a question like, how could mitzi and mordecai have enough of a cohesive idea of how atlas died (or is presumed to have died) that they think there's nothing left to figure / they know enough of how it came about to think that mitzi's at fault for something or other....And for there to be room for mordecai to be questioning so much about it, when, if anything, he might have even more information about it than mitzi does? what role does he think mitzi played and maybe still thinks she played But now he can also be like "but also was marigold involved" like, wha. what's understood between them, what's been questioned between them? tldr let's consider it intently again:

i'm also considering those flowers. Important in general, daisies and marigolds, but those are decidedly Not daisies when there's even thee daisy depicted in the frame there. anyone an expert on five-petaled flowers....forget-me-nots don't have pointed petals like that....it might not be meant to be any particular flower, or meaningful. but there it is. and, again, like....so there's enough of Something between mitzi and mordecai such that mitzi can be like "maybe you'd tell someone something" and mordecai can be like "of course i didn't," but they don't seem to be exactly close or even like, in contact, and mordecai certainly resents mitzi / blames her for something (if not actually being motivated to try to destroy everything she has left) but they still both expect each other to keep the secret....like, it's definitely true that even if they both know they both have whatever similar enough emotional motivation re: atlas, they could have too begrudging an alliance to feel like they'll both definitely Keep it a secret. unless it's somehow adequately separately in their own interests. i doubt mitzi's only declining to publish a personal ad like "i definitely didn't kill atlas. btw." b/c it's still too fresh a topic, while people already think she maybe did kill him, so what's she gaining by not talking about it....what's mordecai gaining by not talking about it, or blaming mitzi to the point of telling people oh yeah she did shoot anyone, even if he knows she didn't. if mitzi knows mordecai shot atlas, what's she keeping that secret for....if mordecai has enough of [some kind of emotional motivation] re: atlas to now be driven by grief over him, and mitzi feels anything about this was her fault, why expect mordecai to work with her? if she didn't know mordecai had that motivation, why turn to him at all? like what are our motivations....a) covering up crime, probably not, unless it's about atlas not finding out about one, which transitions into b) money, did mordecai embezzle once? he could do it again. or for the first time, then c) love, decidedly not between mordecai and mitzi, could be For atlas somehow....even some third or fourth thing, but what other kind of connection could these two have. what could mitzi even have been up to to be Culpable in some way surrounding atlas's death, but not so directly responsible that mordecai isn't still protecting the secret? how was mordecai there with a gun and thinking he knows how it happened / who was privy to it, and now be like, i have to solve his murder mystery. i'm puzzling....

said i'd get back to the savoys. mostly i had the brilliant insight that like, i was noting that mordecai Is in the dark, at crossroads, between places, etc. but it then occurred to me like, yknow look for the connection that is: they gifted mordecai w/their diable, who for them provided some Light, literal even. and then i'm like, hmm, mordecai sure put up a literal light. kinda like a ghostlight, even though it's also not that so nvm....then it was like let's just check page "illumination" while dramatically smacking foreheads

tell us more, bestie!!!

it's also funny how mordecai's autistic swag gives him that inscrutability / stealth factor to others just whether he likes it or not. he wants to go talk to mitzi about secrets so he just up and excuses himself from the table and his boss is like "lmfao what a weirdo, classic that guy. anyways." but not only do i doubt the savoys would think, based on their experiences with him, that mordecai's actually Having Fun At Work rn, but i also think they may actually have some more Accurate ideas re: mordecai, including already being like "well, we're the same," rather than taking a more dismissive, othering perspective towards him. and i certainly think their diable is not Not going to have helped mordecai out here, so somehow he must be on the right path for his purposes, even when i'm in the dark between places about it lol. i don't have a diable. unbelievable pondering the hotel room scene we just chasséd past there btw.........i am rotating it in my mind. anyways. i'm not so sure that if the savoys find out mordecai's solving some murder mystery they won't be like "'hahaha amazing right on. well, now we're helping" ft. more specific affectionate nicknames and despite his not offering to let them in on it. take up the path together, stay friends no matter what, nobody get eaten from the inside out in a bad hot temper way, please. also i think nicodeme and mordecai should date

i have no stronger point to leave off on, and i Think i covered all the pondering updates, and this has been going on a minute, so. continuing to ponder