#It may have started as an arranged marriage but *she* is *choosing* what her heart wants. JC sees that. WWX cannot. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

penkura · 4 months

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last forever [7/13]

Summary: Zoro only offered to marry you to keep you out of an arranged marriage with a man much older than you. You agreed with the caveat of ending it via annulment once you received word from your parents regarding the original engagement, despite your growing feelings for your close friend.

Pairing: Zoro x Fem!reader, mentioned Sanami later (like epilogue later so chill)

Warnings: Marriage of Convenience, Fake Marriage, referenced sex (waaaaaay later on), mutual pining, Zoro is bad at feelings but what's new there, eventual romance I promise, mention of past attempted assault (I'll warn in that chapter), creepy older dude later on

Note: I apologize for glossing over and skipping fights and so much of this arc. Writing violence is not my forte, and I'd rather focus on the main relationship. We all know how One Piece goes anyway. I had to go back and refresh myself on some of the details, it's been a while since I read/watched Water Seven and Enies Lobby.

But also, I was SO NERVOUS writing a certain part of this, its NOT my usual style omg. But I needed to write what I did when it popped into my head. Just wait until a bit later, though omg. This stays SFW, I swear.

Taglist:

@misfits1a

[Ch. 1] ● [Ch. 2] ● [Ch. 3] ● [Ch. 4] ● [Ch. 5] ● [Ch. 6]

When you finally make it to Water Seven, after your run in with the Foxy Pirates and Admiral Aokiji, it’s nice to be somewhere you recognize. Having only been here a few times when your dad had business and he chose to bring you and Elias, it was always your favorite trip to take when your mother would let you tag along.

The only person who knows this at first, apart from Zoro, is Sanji, when you choose to go into the city with him as Zoro watches the ship; Luffy, Nami, and Usopp go to exchange the gold for actually money, and Chopper goes with Robin to find a bookstore. Sanji laughs a bit when you tell him you’ve been here a few times, give or take.

“You may have been a bit sheltered, but you were well traveled!”

Laughing in return, you tighten your arms around Sanji, laying your head on his back as your Yagara ride continues down the water street, watching all the people. It’s been so long, you forgot how lively this city was.

“Mom would always try to make me stay home with her, but I’d cry and throw a tantrum until she let me go, normally because my brother asked for me to. I was a little spoiled back then by Elias.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” Sanji looks over his shoulder to give you a smile, “You were the baby, that’s expected.”

“Tch, yeah,” scoffing, you don’t look up at him, “The baby no one but my brother really wanted.”

He doesn’t say anything, instead just patting one of your hands, which makes you fist his shirt in your grip for a moment before relaxing again. Sanji knows more about your life growing up than most of your crew, only Zoro really having the nearly full story. Even then, you’ve kept somethings to yourself, not because they were painful memories, but because they were some of the few good times you remember, they were more precious to you than any other memories.

The two of you quickly find the shopping district and purchase copious amount of local foods, Sanji reeling off different ideas for dishes as he catches sight of Robin, grabbing your hand to drag you along and around a corner he swears to you he saw her go down, but she’s nowhere to be seen and neither is Chopper.

Your doctor does find you both a few moments later, apologizing on your way back to Merry for losing Robin, but you tell him not to worry, she can take care of herself, she’ll come back later.

When you get back to Merry, the update Zoro gives you feels like a knife in all your hearts.

“What do you mean Merry is unfixable?!”

“Just what I said,” Zoro doesn’t fully look at Sanji, instead making sure you’re all right with the news, though the frown and starting of tears tell him you aren’t, “A shipwright came to check and said so.”

You hate the idea of having to give up Merry, whether that’s what Luffy’s decided yet or not, you aren’t sure, even as Nami returns and the situation gets worse with Usopp having been beaten by the Franky family and the two hundred million beri being stolen from him. The money didn’t matter, what mattered was Usopp, the rest of your crew going to find him and Luffy but Nami clinging onto you to stay with her, which you do to keep your friend safe.

The rest of the day is a blur, after Usopp is brought back, his fight with Luffy over Merry, and how quickly the rest of you leave to a hotel in the city. Some would probably think it’s strange that you’re holding so tightly to Zoro the whole time, rarely letting go of his arm, but you feel like you need some stability with how things have changed so much in just a day. You all still don’t know where Robin’s gone, you plan to go with Sanji and Chopper later the next day to try and find her.

For now, Zoro doesn’t mind you holding onto and staying by him. He tries to understand, it’s likely you’re thinking back to your parents, having told him of how they’d argue regarding you mostly, Elias being your safe haven who would remove you from the situation for safety.

Part of you doesn’t want to sleep that night, but Zoro makes you, forcing you to lay down. Really you’re worried you’re going to wake up and everything’s been a dream, none of your friends will be there, but Zoro, who you fully are coming to believe can read your mind, pokes you in the forehead before sitting by your bed with his back to you.

“Just sleep. I’ll be here in the morning.”

Every part of you believes him, you’ve got nothing but trust in Zoro.

+!+

With everything that’s happened involving Robin, your crew, Galley-La, and the Franky family, you’re surprised you’re even still on your feet as you follow everyone into Enies Lobby. You’d barely slept the night before and have been awake since early the previous morning, ending up following Sanji to the sea train that was taking Robin from you all. You fight alongside him, Franky, and Usopp, er, Sniper King, to try and reach Robin, only to lose her again in exchange for your own lives.

After the Rocketman train catches up to you and the four of you board it, Nami throws a towel over you since you’re sopping wet from the rain, and you start to draw yourself back from everyone for a few moments. You just need a bit to catch your breath, to keep yourself from crying due to how tired and upset you are. It’s going to be another sleepless night as you listen to everyone try and plan how you’re all going to attack the government island, you want to rescue Robin as soon as possible, even for the selfish reason of being able to sleep properly. Zoro tries to keep you out of the plan discussion, making you sit down and rest as much as you can, giving you water and sending you the slightest of glares if you try to get up too soon.

“Stay there, wife,” he’s quiet while he tells you to stay where you are, trying to keep his slip up of calling you his wife from those who don’t and shouldn’t know, “Rest until we get there. We’ll get Robin back.”

A slight smirk hits your face as you look up at him. “Trust her now?”

Zoro shrugs a bit, leaning on the wall beside you. “I guess. I trust you and Luffy more. But if you don’t rest, it doesn’t matter who I trust.”

Ah, that makes sense, why he’s trying so hard to make you take a break, other than you’re being up for so long now.

You’ll be useless in the fighting if you aren’t as prepared as you can be, if you haven’t had any kind of rest and keep worrying over Robin and everyone else. Even when you get there, convince Robin to let you all rescue her, most of your body wants to give up and stop, but you keep going, keep running to save her with everyone else.

You don’t really mean to get separated from everyone when you go to find the CP9 members who have keys that could open Robin’s sea prism stone cuffs, but it happens and you’re left defending yourself.

A few Marines get a little too close for comfort, but you cut them down fairly quickly, before going the other way from where you came and laughing to yourself at the same time.

I’m starting to take after my husband after all.

+!+

You’ve all returned to Water Seven after rescuing Robin from the government, you’ve maybe given her numerous hugs since even though its only been a couple of hours, and your unfortunate burial of Merry that’d left most of you in tears but all of you heartbroken. So much had happened that you had to step away from everyone for a bit, while there were discussions of what to do next although Luffy had once again fallen asleep from overuse of his powers.

Truthfully you wish you could go to sleep, you’ve been awake for well over twenty-four hours at this point, it would be nice to curl up in a bed and sleep the next several days. Its times like this that make you really wonder if you’re meant to be a pirate, maybe you should just go home and do what your parents want.

“Hey, you okay?”

Then Zoro finds you like always, quietly speaking to keep the others from eavesdropping, though Nami tries, a hand on your shoulder, this time he seems to grip a little tighter than before. You know him well enough at this point, there’s just the slightest hint of worry on his face as he looks at you, brows furrowed just a bit. Zoro knows you just as well, you step away like this when things start to get to be too much, you just need a few moments to clear your head and breathe, and since you’ve had that, you give him a real smile.

“I’m okay.”

“Are you really?”

You nod, Zoro doing the same in return as he knows to believe you, before surprising you by gently taking you face in his hands, as if he’s making absolutely sure that you’re telling the truth.

Having lost track of you while he’d gone on to fight the CP9 members to get Robin’s key, his mind kept wandering to where you’d gotten off to, if you were safe, if you were fighting someone or multiple marines, he really hoped you weren’t against a CP9 member. You had to stay safe, no matter what, you and Robin were his biggest concerns at the time. When you randomly ran into him, Sanji, and Usopp, he was surprised by the relief he felt to see you were a little banged up but otherwise perfectly fine. He’d made you let him carry you on his back the rest of the way, until you got to the ship and were able to safely be on the ground again. He’d barely let you out of his sight since then.

Zoro doesn’t make whatever worry he had about you obvious, only looking like he’s fighting to find something to say while he holds your face and you continue to smile, tilting your head.

“Zoro?”

“Glad you’re okay.”

Giggling a bit, you nod before wrapping your arms around him in a tight hug, your exhaustion and the fears and worries you’ve had the last few hours finally coming to surface while you hug Zoro, making him do the same lightly, to keep you from embarrassing yourself in front of the others while you cry quietly, though you know they wouldn’t care or judge you.

You’re glad Robin is back, everyone is safe and alive, you all may have lost Merry but you’re coming to terms with it.

But most importantly to you, Zoro is safe, and to him, you’re safety is just as important, even if he barely voices it. The last thing he wants is for you to be harmed, in anyway by anyone.

He'll be especially damned if it’s by his hand so he comforts you the best he can, until you’re calmed down enough to rejoin your crew, staying beside him.

He doesn’t make you release his hand as you grip onto it, instead squeezing it back whenever you do so. When you lean into his arm later on, he lays his head against your own, telling you to go ahead and sleep, he’ll get you to a bed. You make him promise to stay with you that night, and he does once everyone goes to turn in, not leaving your side for even a second.

He’ll make sure you stay safe.

+!+

Zoro isn't sure how you two ended up away from the rest of the party. Too much alcohol, yes, but his tolerance is higher than a normal person's. He knows better than to wander off like this, but you took him by the wrist and walked away with a new bottle of sake in your hand, convincing him that it would be good to get away from the noise and everyone else.

You don't normally drink as much as he's seen you do today, he wonders if it's the alcohol that's causing you to giggle incessantly and steal glances at him every bit. Not like you had to steal glances, if you two had been talking you'd be looking at him.

But you'd barely said a word apart from when he asked why you were dragging him away from everyone else.

“Just want some quiet time, husband.”

Zoro never stops you from calling him husband, he's not sure why. Your marriage wasn't real, he should stop you from calling him that.

He should, but he never does.

He doesn't now, even as you lean against him and say “my husband” over and over again. It's only the moment you crawl yourself into his lap that he feels the need to stop you, despite knowing you're drunk or at the very least tipsy enough to not know what you're doing.

“Get off.”

He still doesn't push you off, he's not that heartless.

“Nooooo…” You whine and start to nuzzle your face in his neck, sighing happily after a moment. “My husband~”

“Ain't actually your husband, you know that.”

“But you're my husband still.”

“Stop it before someone sees.”

You pout, but lift your head up to look at him. Zoro can tell more so now that you're definitely drunk, you're more emotional than he thought you'd be. He always expected you to be a giggly or chatty drunk, not emotional to the point you're pouting but also looking like you might cry.

“You should...kiss me.”

“What.”

You nod, leaning closer and touching your nose to Zoro's, making him glance away from you just the slightest bit from the proximity despite the bit of pink across his cheeks that you can see. This is the closest you've let yourself get to him ever, even the nights you sneak into his bed from nightmares, you've never placed your face so close to his.

“You didn't kiss me…when we got married.”

“We're not actu–”

“I'll kiss you then.”

You close the gap for the quickest of seconds, kissing Zoro so fast it's like it didn't happen. Despite your drunk state your face burns with a blush and you apologize, you're not sure why you did that. Must've been the alcohol controlling you or something, that's your excuse. You're both quiet but neither of you moves for a moment, before you decide to get up only to have Zoro hold you in place by your shoulders. His brows are furrowed and you're not sure what's going on in his mind, before he pulls you back into a proper kiss, none of this tiny peck of the lips thing you'd just done. He kisses you fully and for more than a brief second, it's several seconds before he pulls away, leaving you both breathless and you personally shocked.

Shocked for just a moment before you take his face in your hands and kiss Zoro a third time, which he returns, surprising you when he wraps his arms around your waist and brings you closer to him (how you could even get closer when you’re already on his lap, you don’t know). You refuse to let him be the one to end this. You don't want this to end, it needs to continue, even if just for you. Even if all it does is make your feelings for him stronger, even if Zoro later tells you it was a mistake and he still held no romantic feelings for you, despite that fact he's so willingly returning such affection.

Even though, a moment later, Zoro pushes you away gently by your shoulders, neither of you able to breathe properly for a moment, catching your breath as your slowly sobering mind tries to play catch up with what the hell just happened.

You kissed Zoro, and he actually kissed you back. He didn't shove you off or yell at you or anything like that. He accepted it and reciprocated without a single word. You figured he would fight you about this, that he wouldn't accept it so easily.

Is this the progress you've been hoping for?

Once you've both caught your breath, Zoro doesn't even look at you, instead moves just enough that you get the hint and get off his lap finally. It's a few minutes of complete silence between the two of you, that has you confused. You thought things were changing, that you two were getting closer than you had been even before Luffy brought you along.

The fact he'd just kissed you back for several minutes it felt like, you thought maybe Zoro was going to confess to you, but when he still doesn't look at you, you attempt to bring him back by taking his hand, which he lets you for a moment before gently pulling his arm back to himself.

“Zoro…I…I'm sor–”

“I think…you should go to bed, [Y/N].”

“Do you,” you gulp a bit, looking away before you finish, “do you want to come with me?”

“No. That's not a good idea.”

You know this, who knows what trouble you'd bring to yourselves or the crew if you two went to your room together? Whose heart would be broken the next morning if you took things too far when you weren't fully sober? You didn't know, the thought of either of you being hurt made your heart ache and you couldn't bear the thought.

So, instead of trying to convince him things would be fine, you really just wanted to sleep with him next to you, you nod, standing up and dusting yourself off, grabbing the bottle you'd brought with you and looking at Zoro again.

“Are you–”

“Gonna stay here for a bit.”

It's all you can do to nod again, apologizing for pushing things too far before you turn and leave, doing your absolute best to keep your tears to yourself as you return to the party, giving Nami a small smile when she asks where you've been, promising her you'd just gone off to spend some time alone.

She doesn't believe you and intends to get all the information she can later, but she does give you a hug that nearly pushes you over, and says she'll beat up whoever made you sad, especially if it's Zoro, earning her a laugh before you return to your room at the hotel.

I wish he had come with me…

Truthfully you don't regret kissing Zoro, not even a bit. Despite his rejection of your feelings, the fact he so willingly kissed you back made you believe that maybe things were changing in your favor.

Perhaps it was because he was drunk, or maybe he was sober enough that he knew exactly what he was doing, especially when he denied returning to your room with you.

Either way, even with your heart aching from another rejection, it feels like you're making progress with Zoro and your relationship with him, little by little.

For his part of it all, Zoro stays in the same place you'd left him for nearly an hour, trying to calm his own racing heart after that exchange with you.

How he never thought of kissing you before, but now he didn't want to do anything but kiss you (it's the alcohol talking, he swears it is). You tasted like the sake you'd shared and whatever sweet wine Nami had convinced you to take several drinks of. A combination he never expected to be so nice, something he didn't think he'd want to taste again. The moment he thinks about it again his heart skips a beat, and Zoro puts head in his hands in an attempt to stop such feelings.

No, no, shit I gotta stop this.

He sighs and runs his hands through his hair, pulling it slightly to get those thoughts out of his head. Any focus on romance, on you he wanted out of his head. There's been too much of it lately, the want to stay close to you, to pull you away from everyone else, to give in and indulge himself in you alone. He'd told you nothing was going to happen and he had meant it.

But then you had to go and kiss him. The most innocent of kisses, a quick peck on the lips but he'd gone and pulled you back for more almost instantly. Then you made it worse by returning it again and holding his face this time, he didn't know why he enjoyed that so much. This whole thing was ridiculous, there's no reason for these feelings!

The only thing he could do to get some time to think was to push you away, refuse to join you when you went to bed. Who knows what would've happened if he had gone with you? Of course, he knew your thoughts were innocent, you'd shared a bed multiple times when you turned to him after nightmares, it was highly unlikely you were expecting anything more than to just go to sleep and wake up with a hangover, Zoro by your side in case of alcohol induced nightmares.

And he had made you go to bed alone.

That realization, for some reason, causes his heart to ache and Zoro has to finally admit what he's been trying not to, over the last several months, even with the more domestic thoughts he's allowed himself to entertain at times. Something he was hoping would fade away, would disappear over time like it always did for others, the feelings he's finally realized were going to be more long term than he expected.

Damn it all…I'm falling for my wife.

+!+

Contrary to what many may think, Sanji doesn’t particularly like being privy to romance gossip, not the kind involving his crewmates especially. He thinks that such things should be kept between a couple, so when he accidentally hears you telling Nami and Robin how you and Zoro finally kissed the other night, he’s less than pleased to hear it ended with your swordsman pushing you back, not taking you back to your room, or even staying with you for the night.

How unbelievably rude of him! To steal your first kiss, and not even walk you back to your room!

That’s what Sanji would’ve done. If any woman kissed him, he’d walk her back to her room or home, at the very least, to ensure she was safe and nothing happened. Zoro not doing that, when you were inebriated, when you could’ve been hurt or worse, it angers Sanji more than anything Zoro has or hasn’t done thus far. He views you as his best friend, he hates the way you and Zoro seem to get closer to a real relationship, only for something to happen or someone to intervene and ruin your progress. He’s been cheering for you from the start, ever since you confirmed your feelings for the swordsman, only to now wonder if it’s worth it for you.

If Zoro really is what you want and makes you happy, why does it seem like all you do lately is suffer?

Sanji doesn’t fully mean to give Zoro the cold shoulder this time, or even the suspicious looks he throws at him, but Zoro noticed quickly, before anyone else, and confronts him.

“What the hell is your problem, cook?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit, you’ve been giving me worse looks than normal.”

Sanji bites down on his cigarette, finally dropping the knife he’d been holding to face Zoro with a scowl.

“I heard you and [Y/N] kissed the other night—”

“Damn it.”

“—and you didn’t bother to take her back to her room?”

“What, is that my job now?”

“As her husband it should be!”

“I’m not really her husband! Damn it, this is stupid.”

Zoro goes to leave, but Sanji stops him by grabbing his sleeve, holding on and telling him to stop.

“Look, asshole. I could care less that you two are married, real or not, or that you kissed her,” Sanji grits his teeth, finally letting go of Zoro’s sleeve, “But if you break her heart, I’ll never forgive you, mosshead.”

While Sanji turns back to continue prepping for dinner, Zoro stops for just a moment. The two have had fights before, that’s obvious to anyone with a brain, but they’ve yet to fight about you. And he wonders why it's only now, after you kissed him, that Sanji seems so hell bent on protecting you, or maybe he's always been like this, it's just more on display as you and Zoro start to get closer.

“What’s your deal with her?”

“She’s my best friend, mosshead. I just want her safe and happy, even if it’s with you.”

He doesn’t say anything in response, leaving the kitchen to find you lounging with Nami and Robin, the three of you in some conversation when you look up and see him, giving a slight smile that Zoro returns with a nod, before heading off to the crow’s nest. What Sanji last said is stuck in his head, partially wondering if you told your cook what happened that night in Water Seven or if he was good at guessing, but that’s not the biggest thing he wonders about.

Would you really be happy with me, of all people, [Y/N]?

+!+

“All right, wait, so, you honestly kissed him?”

“Nami don't make me repeat myself.”

Nami laughs while Robin smiles, both amazed you got up the courage to kiss Zoro of all people. Yeah, you were tipsy at the time, even though Zoro still believes you were fully intoxicated, but you couldn't help feeling bad about it afterwards, just for a bit.

“I didn't fully think it through. I just…I don't know, I wanted to kiss him so I did.”

“I don't think he's too upset about it then,” Robin nods a bit, taking a sip of her wine, “You said he kissed you back, if he didn't push you away right off the bat, it sounds like he was positively receptive to it.”

“Yeah,” Nami quickly agrees, giving you a grin, “Sounds like you're getting yourself a boyfriend.”

“I don't think he wants that.”

“Well, what do you want? Maybe you guys could talk it through.”

What did you want? You thought you knew, to be a world renowned swordswoman, to help Luffy become King of the Pirates.

But what did you want from Zoro? Just to be with him, to stay married to him? Do you want to maybe have a family of your own with him one day? You'd had those thoughts when your feelings first started surfacing, after your impromptu wedding at that backwater courthouse. You'd stopped entertaining thoughts for quite a while, but now, they're coming back more often.

More importantly, does Zoro want any of that with you?

“I…think… I want to be with him forever…”

Hearing Nami choke on her own drink, you give her a concerned look before she looks at you with wide eyes.

“You sound like you're in love with Zoro!”

You don't say anything for a bit, even with Nami and Robin looking at you like they're expecting you to deny such a thing. There was no way you were in love with Zoro, not at all. You two hadn't dated, your marriage was only temporary, it was meant to end as soon as you had something from your parents. You two weren't going to last forever, you weren't going to have kids together, live out your lives as a married couple. It wasn't happening.

No matter how much you may want it to. That's what Nami and Robin have come to think over time, from the things you've said to them.

“I am, Nami.”

Despite Nami's new outburst and saying she knew it with Robin laughing, you don't feel any kind of worry or fear about admitting your real feelings for Zoro. Neither of them would tell, your secret was safe as could be.

But for you, all you do is smile to yourself.

You love Zoro, more than anything. You've thought so for a while now, but finally voicing it aloud gives you a sense of peace and happiness. Whether Zoro ever returns your feelings or not, whether you two come to act as a married couple or not, you're more than happy to even stay by his side as his crewmate and friend. Even if you have to love him silently, you'd do so.

You'll hope he comes to love you back one day, but you won't force anything on him.

“I'm in love with Zoro.”

Note 2: Me writing this: now KISS.

After writing: omg they kissed

#zoro x reader #one piece x reader #reader insert #last forever #fem!reader #roronoa zoro x reader

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dragons-and-handcuffs · 8 months

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Imagine Aemond and niece!reader. It has always been evident that Aemond likes his niece. Some people can see that he even loves her, Rhaenyra and Daemon being two of them. You however are unaware of his actual feelings.

Imagine your mother sending you to King's Landing on a mission. To get close to Aemond, even get married if necessary, to spy on him and gather as much information as you can. You couldn't say no. It's your mother, your future Queen's orders.

You have always carried guilt for everything that happened with Aemond, but now the guilt is growing heavier and heavier as you started obeying your mother's orders. Aemond is no fool. He knows there is a hidden agenda behind Rhaenyra sending you to King's Landing and letting you stay there, but he would be a bigger fool if he doesn't take advantage of it and spend more time with you.

Imagine your guilt getting worse as you spend more time with Aemond. Sending secret letters to Rhaenyra and Daemon. Imagine you taking a stroll in the garden and Aemond joins you. He pluck and tuck your favorite flowers in your hair. Imagine Aemond seeing the conflict in your eyes. He just knows you too well.

Imagine one day you come to your room and find Aemond there, hovering over your desk. You immediately got worried that he might have read a letter or something (he did) but he showed no signs of it. Instead he asked you to join him for a dragon ride since you have been stuck in the castle for a few days.

You started to develop feelings or figured out your feelings for him. You love him and it scared you. How can you choose him over your future queen?

Imagine moments like you two alone at the library late at night. Or Aemond angrily watching you dance with someone else. Or you calming angry Aemond after he got mad at something.

Imagine Aemond asking you to marry him. When Rhaenyra heard of the proposal she agreed to it. Marriage to him means you will be able to get more valuable informations.

But you rejected his proposal. You love him but you won't be able to marry him. You can't give him this big of a betrayal. Aemond knew what you were doing. He knew you were spying but he didn't expect you to reject his proposal, especially since Rhaenyra agreed to it. His first thought was that you love someone else.

When Aemond angrily asked you why you rejected him you only replied that you love someone and you can't betray him by accepting the proposal. Imagine angry and heartbroken Aemond. He loves you so much that even after knowing everything he wants to marry you, but you love someone else.

Then imagine that family dinner where everything blew up. Imagine Aemond overheard Rhaenyra scolding you for rejecting the proposal. Imagine going to your room and finding Aemond there with all your secret letters. It was clear that he knew what you were doing but you had no idea that he knew for months. That bit of information was a shock to you. Aemond demanding you tell him who you actually love. You just put on a mean facade and said you would never marry Aemond and hurt the person you love

Imagine you leaving King's Landing with Rhaenyra and your family. Aemond extremely angry and sad, not because you spied on him.

Imagine Aemond getting the news after a few weeks that you are now arranged to marry Cregan Stark. No doubt it's to secure an alliance but he can't help but wonder it's the Lord of the Winterfell who has won your heart.

Imagine Alicent putting some sense in his head and telling him why you may have rejected him. Aemond realized that it's hin you love but it's already too late. You have already married Cregan Stark and the war has started.

Maybe you two will reunite again. Or maybe you will learn to love your husband...maybe more than you love Aemond. Maybe the next time you see Aemond it will be at the battlefield.

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precious-little-scoundrel · 8 months

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Twenty Songs Challenge, written after being so lovingly inducted by the powerhouse that is sweet Mey, @the-ugly-swan . Challenge being to choose twenty favorited songs and write one shots based off of them with any pairing or fandom of my choosing. Being a weirdo and a little burned out in my own created universes beyond the fics already in works, I chose what currently inspired me most, obscure as it is.

Pairing: Henry “Hotspur” Percy and Lady “Kate” Mortimer Percy -early 15th century

Fandom: RPF, Shakespeare? Tom Glynn-Carney’s 5 magnificent minutes of a performance as Hotspur in <The King 2019> the armor alone was amply inspiring. The Hollow Crown fans feel free to imagine whoever, as you like. I love this historical pairing in about any iteration and the plot is drawn from both Shakespeare’s play and real history, the timeline, plot and politics being pretty self explanatory through the incorporated dialogue. NOTE- wordplay ahead with “cur” and “Kerr”, the latter being a Scottish clan holding great enmity with the Percy Family and charged with holding the Scottish side of the border. Also I kept Lady Percy’s name as “Kate” even though it was technically Elizabeth in the records.

Dynamic: a rough northern lord and his too good for him lady -a lady who has, through years of an arranged marriage gone horribly well, come to find his homespun gallantry and blunt ways more than a little intoxicating when knelt before her in amused deference. She could almost find it in herself to be gentle with him -if he hadn’t just started a rebellion whilst away from her at the Capitol.

Dedicated to my wifey @prompted-wordsmith who I did proselytize into the Percy cult one fevered evening with inestimable results, including her contribution of a few choice lines herein.

🕯As it Was ~ Hozier

“There is a roadway, muddy and foxgloved

Never I'd had life enough

My heart is screaming out

And in a few days I would be there, love

Whatever here that's left of me is yours just as it was”

Warnings: 18+ to be safe. a small amount of sexual content, flirtations, a husband and wife touching in public, verbal sparring and talk of making children and use of the word “bred”, swearing, use of the words “cock” and “cunt.”

The sound of hooves in the courtyard rouses Kate from her anxious stupor by the hearth, toilsome grain list forgotten on her lap. The scroll swishes to the floor at her abrupt standing, wafting out of her path as she rushes to the window.

First the clatter of a single, foremost, over-eager rider, followed at a lag by his retinue, skilled riders all and armored as befits the guard of a nobleman. They make such a clatter in the yard when they come in after him. Some petty part of her briefly considers the tactic of staying here in their chambers in protest, a quiet sign of disapproval with his errand, of discontent with his brusque leave taking two weeks agone.

Her Harry would find her anyway, and like it better that she were in their chambers. He would like it well she were so near the bed and like it ill she slighted him in her dutiful welcome -but he would not speak of that. Not one for speaking much, her husband, not on matters that plague her these days, weeks, months. Kate might have it out with him in the old way and slap him about and toss cold quips and get from him little more than the same benign aggravation and good humored laughs between, a couple dozen kisses to her neck and a grapple in the sheets.

That is what talk they would undertake were she to stay up here.

It is that lone, eager, forerunning clatter of his horse that speaks to her, speaks for him. Just as his sword and his reputation and his gruff graciousness has spoken well of him across these northern lands, his eagerness to return to her, to outstrip his men in haste to be back from his fool’s errand and into her embrace -it is all the declaration of devotion she may expect from him. It is the truest form, without jape lacing his tone or tonic of lust clouding his confessions.

Harry Hotspur, as fast to return to his wife as he is to meet a fight.

It is love, of the sort she has grown to be grateful for, and it is that and fear of losing it besides, that rushes her out from their chambers and down the polished steps, out to the great hall and past the giant outer doors, cursing a lousy servant or five and ordering a bath and commissioning supper and refreshments as she goes. The torch flames bend from her flight, a whoosh and a shadow stalking Alnwick Castle’s stone passageways until the gray light of evening pours into her sight from the opened great doors. Squires and stable boys clutter her path but they part as she dashes, nay, only a dignified hasten now, out into the courtyard where nearly all of this fool’s troup have dismounted.

There are doffed helms to the Lady Percy, the jangle of chain mail crinkling with bows and scraps of deference all around them, but she sees only him, with mist dripping on his nose and a face too boyish for the insolence he has returned from discharging.

“Kate.” he utters.

Will ever he say her name lazily? She hopes not, for that alone she will endure the unwarranted cheerfulness with which he greets her on this dire occasion. She has heard it said in anger, in jest and in passion, vows and quips, praise and warning. And now in cheerful pleasure as evening mist soaks her gown and the heavy clunk of her husband's footsteps clang ever near her on the paving stones.

“Lord husband.” she greets, hands folded over her freshly healed womb.

His stride falters and he rocks back on his spurred heels, an arms length away, an embrace so tangible she can see his jaw tick from the watering of his mouth. “Lord husband is it?” he repeats thoughtfully, eyes drifting down to the paving stones for a brief moment as if to recollect some forgotten crime, they flick up soon and in them is jesting scrutiny, “My lady wife rushed all this way, down five corridors and a furlong of Keep only to greet me thus?”

Did her rising breath betray her eagerness? Could he see her in the hall despite his business dismounting?

“Your cheeks are red.” he shows her mercy, some form of it. His form. “But -Lord husband, it is, nevertheless?”

“Unless you would prefer ought else?” she inquires, he had once thought this smile quite chilling, he had admitted after their first babe, now he finds it rousing, he has admitted after their third.

“If it please you.” his shifting stance is noisy, his tabard and sword and still clutched helm a racket of accouterments in the pattering rain.

“I have any number to offer,” she concedes, stepping nearer, a lady’s step, covering one third of the ground between them that he might vanquish in a single stride. Still, he waits. “Knucklehead.” she whispers, her breath a fog and her insult as lost as vapor in the ears of his watching men, her bearing alone must satisfy their curiosity, as must his growing smirk and rising color, “Jackenape.” Another step until each little scar on his face is visible and the little canyons each raindrop make of them. She saw his finger twitching where it grasped his visor “Cur.”

There was the slightest flinch between his brows at that, a furrow that smoothed as his mirthful lips flattened out. “Careful now, lady wife, with words like Kerr* thrown about, my men might think you presumptuous, their lady gone and married to some other, a Scottish laird at that. So sure of my death already, sweet Kate, that you must speak of Kerrs in mine own yard? Ha, ‘pon my word you are qu-“

“Hush!” Her hand, fresh warmed as it was by recent hearthside and rich velvets pressed frimly to his lips, a tingle shooting straight to her toes at touching him at last. He was silent then, only the puff of breath against her fast chilling fingertips. “Tease me not so,” she begged, her own mirth gone out in her eyes, her arch look turned to grief, “not when you are just returned from an errand all but ensuring such an end. It is too cruel, even of you. Handle me kindly, Percy, as you always have, in words this time, if not in embrace.”

He seemed to ponder this before raising that hand not occupied with his helm, clumsy and clad in gauntlet as it was, to her wrist, wrapping the chilled and layered steel round her pale flesh and gently tugging her hand from his lips, only so far as to press it to his cheek instead, their audience of men at arms unheeded. “I betook myself to London,” he enunciated, as if it were their first night all over again and his thick borderland drawl too strong for her courtly ears to decipher, “to remind a king of his debts.”

“And tell me!” she cried fiercely, a choked, barely quieted protest as her hands dug into the wet leather of his jerkin, wrist twisted from the steel grasp, “What errand is that but a fool’s? Have you no fear at all left in this bruised carcass? Do I patch up an animated corpse time and again from your wars only for it never to have soul and feeling and wisdom in it? Do I, Harry? Gone to remind a king? How do you dare such?”

“It is he who has dared too much!” he cried back, loudly where her’s had been choked, a ringing and rebauld defense, worthy of a man who would chastise his monarch in full view of council. “First his debts, and now my son’s land! We did not make children so as to watch like blithe cowards as their birthright is bequeathed out from under our feet -piecemeal!- to a courtly cunt whose only recommendation is his alacrity to pucker and bow.”

Kate glanced about her at the men making show of industry, piddling at harnesses and armaments, walking horses in circles. Her husband's words could be no worse than what he had said to the King’s own face, anyone without stomach to become a rebel would have stayed behind in the Capitol, sensing dissension brewing. Lady Percy could perceive none missing from his number. So, a war it was to be, then.

“So, a new generation of Percys is to play at kingmaking.” she summarized.

“We make no boast of it.” Harry protested in turn.

“No,” said she, “why would you with how poorly your last choice has served you?”

That caused a start from him, a step forward that was neither gallant nor eager but angry as man to man. Kate, still with hands fisted in the crooks of his armor, stepped with him, backwards to his hall. “It is your brother with the better claim.” he showed his plan at last, a slow and conniving admission, one not common for his brash ways and straightforward mind.

Kate gasped at the implication. “Edmund?”

“He was proper heir, all along.”

“Your father-“ she chose her wording carefully, “-did not agree.”

“My father’s preference is not law.”

“It is mistaken for such, often.” Kate smirked in reply. “And Edmund is not suited-“

“-Edmund is not the turd now stealing from his vassals!” her Harry rejoined, his helmet pressed to her chest, “Edmund will do.” he reiterated once more.

Kate stared at his temper, the signs of it in his flaring nose and his wild eyes, the cure was between her thighs but watching mist drops fall from unblinking lashes was sweet prelude indeed. “Edmund,” she replied quietly and in a manner to be heeded, “is not willing or suited, he prefers instead to listen to welsh bards and lay upon the lap of his savage wife.”

Her Harry rolled his eyes at her truth, an admission, or the closest to one, she would ever receive. As if battling some great inner turmoil she watched him purse his lips and heave out a sigh before in a sudden movement the helm was tossed to the ground -much to the scramble and reaction of a half a dozen squires who ran to pick it up from its puddle- and suddenly steel hands were upon her hips, tugging her near to him even as she shied away, her face turned in a pantomime of demureness. “Strange,” he said and his tone suggested he still pondered her report of her brother's amorous preoccupations, “-and her lap so less Devine than mine own wife’s.”

“Then why do you haste from it so often?” she whined, delivering a smack against his belted tabard, right where the lions paraded across his right breast.

“Only a man dying of thirst appreciates that water has a flavor.” he reasoned and Kate allowed the open mouthed kisses that crept down her neck, her face turned stubbornly still to the south wall. The blacksmith's roof will be in need of new thatching soon, before spring. Before war.

She feels stubble against her tender skin, bracketing those pretty lips she once derided him for. No warrior ought to have lips like that, it was not seemly, not when maidens were denied such richness, such fullness, such rosy hue. But there is roughness about his lips and on his jaw as it tucks into the juncture at her shoulder, that show of clavicle her dress allows drawing him in like a siren’s song. He must’ve rode hard the entire way, no inns or refreshment, no shaving or baths, straight to her as from a battlefield. The King’s city is just as loathsome as any field of carnage, but he went to free her brother, to get a ransom, to reclaim their stolen land, to remind a king.

He did it for her, and the babes she gave him.

Kate turns her face from the blacksmith's thatch and raises her hand to his face, tenderly stroking the three days' beard that's grown as he's been on the road, riding hard to get to her. They have backed nearly to the hall’s mouth, the drip of rain off the gutter patters behind her on the threshold, Kate knows he can smell supper and hear the clatter of their children racing to meet him on still chubby legs. How different is the love of home, man to woman, Harry would sooner fight for it and she would cower within. Her thumb swipes at the raindrops making farce of tears upon his cheek.

"Princess," he breathes against her palm as he crushes her into his chest, still half armored and agonized for it as he cannot feel her softness with the cuirass, the leather, the chainmail. There are curves and bosoms and soft flesh he knows too well just on the other side of this awful barrier.

Princess will be her title if his treason succeeds, if her brother wears that cursed crown. “Princess”. It sours her mouth, but it is kind of him to wish it for her.

"You will come back, Harry.” she commands of him, she declares the outcome of this brewing war, “Soaked in the blood of feckless scum, you will come back and put another babe in me. A little prince or princess," she hisses in his ear, and she can tell he freezes at that, her concession to his treason, still as stone in his metal casings.

His eyes are ever so blue as they search hers.

"So I forbid any recklessness, my Lord Husband. Because I want this - " and her hand slips beneath his jerkin and the hem of mail to squeeze his cockstand most assuredly, as assuredly as she was that he would be sporting one for her, gripping it as one might grasp a chalice of wine during a toast "- and the rest of you, in one piece." Harry slumps against her shoulder, panting into the chilled hair and too heavy for her little frame. "Or so help me God." she intones, sharper than any steel he wields. "Swear it, Harry." She gives him another punishing squeeze, and he groans, agonized, as his mouth meets with the softness of her bound bosom, his knees the hardness of the stone cobbles. If she hadn't promised a use for his cock, he'd think she was liable to geld him herself at his presumption to seat and unseat a king, but now that he is out of her grip, for a moment, and looks up at her with such longing he fears his soul has left his chest for hers.

"So help me God." he agrees, it is in providence’s hands, after all, and in Kate’s clasped one’s atop his head.

“Fool.” she says once more as she bends over him, gently pressing a hand to the back of his head, pressing his face to her belly and her chilled fingers to his sopping hair, “It is not my brother these men fight for, nor for me. Not when it is you that calls them to it.”

“For what then?” He mumbles into her womb, hands heavy on her hips, the courtyard’s occupants dispersed into the shadows of the eaves, but a couple dozen peering eyes twinkle towards them in the twilight’s gloom.

“How often have I heard it said here, in this very courtyard.” Kate scoffs, observing the strength knelt so adoringly before her, “Have I dreamed each cry of ‘no prince save he be a Percy?’ Ha, to think they fight for a Mortimer, indeed. Ha!”

Harry staggers to his feet at this poke, it is, as are so many of his Kate’s wounds, half torment, half praise. His blood pounds with the elixir of her acknowledgment of his capability. “It is well then, Kate Mortimer,” he recites, daring now to put his lips very near her own, to nuzzle his strong nose with her hawkish one, to tip a chin and bat an eyelash against her wet cheek, “it is well that you are Percy now yourself, through and through, wed-“ his lips meet hers in a brush she chases after, “-and bred.”

🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯

Hope all five of you who read that enjoyed it. 😆 I know it’s a fragment but as I’m nothing but hyper fixated when some interests resurrects in me, I’ll probably be back with more of them. Drop a note below if you’d like to be on a taglist for such developments.

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chloe-spade · 1 month

Text

Prince and the Pauper Prologue: I'll be Free

Long ago, in a seldom-lived kingdom nestled in the lush greenery of the countryside, a King and Queen lived in relative harmony. They longed for a child to call their own, an heir to the throne, so that the kingdom would live on. The kingdom, though small, was prosperous, and its people were content.

One day, it happened. The kingdom was blessed with a baby boy named Amore, and the kingdom rejoiced as a new heir was born. However, the king died soon after, leaving the Queen in a world of loneliness, heartbroken, and the only person to take care of her son. Her heart ached with the loss of her beloved husband, and yet, it swelled with love for her newborn son.

In fear of the evil that is the outside world, The Queen keeps Amore inside, never leaving the castle, regardless of the situation, and never leaving unless he wants to get hurt. Isolated and alone, Amore chooses to study, and he does as he learns more about science and spends his time doing experiments. Though he would want to go outside, he already knows how to have fun inside.

💙

In the bustling village below, a retired knight named Lilia, with his weathered face and kind eyes, adopted a young boy he dubbed Silver, seemingly born on the same day as the prince. He was Lilia's joy, and he adores his son with all his being, even though he now lives under the cruelty of Lady Eliza, a seamstress he worked under.

Lilia taught Silver to be brave and loving to the less fortunate and always chose Silver over everything, despite his now poor lifestyle. Silver was always kind, though soft-spoken, and always chose to help, not harm.

As he grew, he started working as a seamster for Lady Eliza. Despite her harsh words and treatment, he never let her words damage his spirit or slow him down. He always did what she asked, never complaining—at least not to her face. But he always wanted a better life for himself and his Father and planned that one day they would leave the place and live a more peaceful life. His determination was unwavering, his spirit unbroken.

💗💙

Both of these men, with the aspirations of freedom, have never met. Little did they know, their paths were destined to cross, their fates intertwined in ways they could never have imagined.

Until…

🩷

The Queen, Serena, was told some terrible news. The royal mines seemed to be dry of jewels to make royal coins, and without that, the kingdom had no more money to support the village and its people. If the public found out, it may cause an uproar.

She had to speak with her royal advisor, Duke Divus Crewel, about the solutions. He kindly suggested combining the matrimony of another kingdom, which could help their kingdom flourish brightly.

But to do that was for his son, Amore, to wed the prince of the kingdom of the kingdom of his choice.

After a long week of discussion, Serena took a moment before she broke the news to her son.

"Amore," called Queen Serena, walking into the throne room, "Amore? Are you here? I have an important announcement to make."

Amore looks up from his book and looks at his mother in confusion. "Yes, Mother?"

"I have a special announcement to make." Amore nods, letting her continue. "As you know, our kingdom is going through a horrible money drought, and I have asked the next kingdom to order any help they can offer, and they have a solution for us."

"What is it, Mother?"

"Marriage."

Amore paused for a moment. "Pardon."

Queen Serena took a soft breath. "Yes, the Queen has asked us if you could marry her grandson, Prince Ruggie, and we could share our finances. Amore, think of this as a way to help our people, to help those who can't help themselves!" Amore silently put his book down and looked at her with disappointment.

"So, you're saying that you basically offered me up for marriage, without my permission and I'm basically in an arranged marriage because of our kingdom's lack of wealth?"

"Don't be like that." Queen Serena sighed.

"Mother, I am not ready for marriage and even if I was, I don't think it's a solution for a wealth issue."

"Then I suppose you don't want to help your people then?"

"Mother, don't be like that, "Amore sighs, "Of course I do, and I…I will marry Prince Ruggie for the kingdom."

Queen Serena smiles happily and hugs Amore, "Thank you, my darling. You'll be helping everyone so much with this."

Amore sighed and hugged his mother back, trying to fight any negative emotions he had within. But she was right; he had to do it for the kingdom, as it was his duty as the prince.

"Splendid," Serena grinned. "Crewel is on the way to get a wedding suit just for you. And he's going to your favorite seamstress, Ms. Eliza."

Even that news didn't make him feel better.

But he faked a smile and walked away, his book in his hands.

💙

"Excuse me," Silver squeaked as he carefully walked around town, carrying stacks of silks and fabrics that Eliza had demanded him to get. But it was one of those days when everyone was in the village, and no one cared to notice him. Luckily for Silver, he walked inside the dress shop without scratching the fabrics or himself. He let out a sigh of relief as he entered.

"Ah, Silver," Lilia greeted. "Have you got everything?"

Silver nodded and carefully put the items away. "Yes, Father," he looked down. "Rush hour on the village today."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lilia sighed, "I would've gone if it wasn't for my horrible back. Thank you for helping your old man out."

"You're welcome, Father," Silver nodded and continued stacking.

"You two, come here immediately," demanded Eliza, "We have a guest! An incredibly special one!"

"Who?" Lilia asked as he went up the stairs, followed by Silver.

There was a man, one Silver didn't recognize, but with his attire, he knew he was one of the few rich people living in the village. Behind him were two Dalmatians glaring and growling at Lilia.

"Ah, Advisor Crewel," Lilia smirked, "how many years has it been since we've seen each other?"

"Many," said Crewel, "still look as young as ever I see. What sort of witchcraft you worked on this time?"

"Oh, this is my natural beauty, unlike yourself, as the last time I saw you, you had a few wrinkles. So, I may ask what kind of spells you've used on yourself?"

"Lilia, enough," lectured Eliza. "He's a guest from the royal palace."

"Yes," Crewel clears his throat. "I would like you to create a wedding suit for the prince."

"For the prince?" Silver wonders.

"Yes, the wedding's in two weeks and we need everything to be in order before the big day."

"Ah, of course, with all the news of bankruptcy, of course, I understand where this is coming from, so let's see what we can do."

Silver nods along with Father's prideful words and sighs. "Another piece of work."

"And I expect it to be done by tomorrow, at the very best," Crewel demanded. "Please do not be tardy with this. The Queen can be rather impatient as you know Lilia."

"Oh, do I," Lilia muttered to himself.

"And pardon me for being intrusive," Crewel chuckled. "But I did not know that you had a son. And what is your name, my dear?"

"Silver, sir," Silver nodded toward the man.

"And polite, unlike your father," Crewel laughed, examining Silver. "And such beautiful eyes. I must know, what color are they?"

"Uh, aurora-colored," Silver answered politely.

"Thank you," Crewel smiled. "Oh, I must be going, the queen hates it when I am gone for too long."

With that, Crewel departed, leaving Silver confused and uncomfortable.

Silver looked at Lilia and said, "Our work is never finished, hmm?"

Lilia laughs and leads Silver downstairs, "Oh, don't I know it."

🩷

A day has passed since his officially arranged marriage to Prince Ruggie, and this was the only thing he could do: Hide.

Amore hid as he heard the footsteps of the royal scheduler, listing so many of his duties for the day and how bad they were. He didn't need this, as a wedding was already a stress on his shoulders.

"Oh, we're late, late, late, "Cried the royal scheduler, "We have twenty, maximum twenty-two minutes for your royal fitting. And then it's move, move, move to your speech at the Historical Society. After that, we have to rush, and I mean rush, to the Horticultural Society Tea. And then there's your math lessons, your geography lessons, your science lessons…"

Amore was careful as he passed him. He sighed in relief as he walked down the hallway.

💗

All my life, I've always wanted

To have one day just for me

Nothing to do, and for once, nowhere I need to be

💗

Amore looks around before entering one of the hallways, watching how they were decorated and polished for the wedding. He sneaks by to watch the clouds swoop, looking down at the gardens in dismay.

💗

With no lessons, lords, or lunches

Or to-do list in the way

No one to say when to eat or, read or leave or stay

That would be the day

💙

Meanwhile, Silver sets up the mannequin with many fabrics for his wedding suit in the village. He starts to daydream as he cleans up the mess, humming and singing.

💙

All my life, I've always wanted

To have one day for myself

Not waking up with a pile of work on every shelf

💙

Silver walks by the window let a bird land on his finger and enjoys how the bird begins to sing along, as birds do.

💙

With no hems in need of pressing

And no sleeves in disarray

No wedding gown with a thousand stitches to crochet

And no debt to pay

💙

Footsteps alerted Silver out of his daydream, and he immediately started to work, trying to act less suspicious when she came around.

"What do you think I'm running here? A cabaret?" Eliza scowled.

"I would've said a debtor's prison." Lilia chuckles towards Silver, "How much do I owe you again?"

"Father," Silver hushed.

"Keep laughing, you'll be working for me for another thirty-seven years," Eliza sneered towards Lilia, " since you think this is funny to you."

"But he's already paid off more than half!" Silver protested.

"But there's an interest, isn't there? Your Father should have thought of that before he borrowed so much," Eliza scoffed, walking back up the stairs.

"He did it to feed me!" Silver argued.

"His mistake." And the door slammed hard.

💙

What would it be like to be

What would it be like to be free (Free)

Free to try crazy things

Free from endless IOUs

Free to fly

Free to sing

💗

Amore gazed at a romance book and sighed, thinking of meeting someone, not just by marriage but by meeting up and getting to know them more realistically, as he dreamed about it.

💗

And marry whom I choose

💗

Queen Serena walks over and pats his shoulder, alerting him to a hug, "I'm so sorry, my darling. But as you know, you must marry Prince Ruggie. It is the only way to take care of our people."

"I know," Amore sighed. It's my duty."

The maid walked in and handed Amore a gift, carefully wrapped in stings and ribbons.

"Oh! And look!" Queen Serena cheered, "Another engagement gift!"

Amore sighed and faked a smile as he walked away. Looking at his unopened gift, he almost ripped out the strings.

💗

You would think that I'm so lucky

That I have so many things

I'm realizing that every present comes with strings

💙

Silver hums as he dances with a long fabric, followed by many birds as he gets more for the wedding suits. Lilia couldn't help but smile at the sight as he sewed the cuffs of the wedding suit.

💙

Though I know I have so little

My determination's strong

People will gather around the world to hear my song

Can I come along?

💙💗

Amore finally found his way to his room, looking around for anyone not to disturb him as he rushed to his balcony and sighed in the afterglow of the fresh air. The only way he could be alone was to get rid of all the stress he had because of the wedding.

Silver opens the small window, helps the birds out, and watches as they fly into the air, going to whatever they want, and no one can ever stop them. Silver knew someday he could be free as the birds that fly high in the sky and go somewhere else, away from this forced work.

💗💙

Now I fear I'll never be

Soon I will forever be

Free

I close my eyes and feel myself fly

A thousand miles away

I could take flight, but would it be right?

My conscience tells me "Stay"

💙💗

Amore watched and looked down at the village below them and knew that he couldn't be so selfish and that the town should matter to him. He wanted to save his people from a future of debt forever, and he could not forgive himself if he could not.

Silver watches his Father struggle, only for a short while. He knows that Lilia can handle himself, but he hates that he has to watch his Father struggle, not only physically, but with the debt that he had caused by him. Silver never tells Lilia, but he feels guilt for being the reason Lilia is in debt and does odd ways to make money for them.

💗💙

I'll remain forever royal

I'll repay my Father's debt

Duty means doing the

Things your heart may well regret

💙

Amore found a pink rose resembling admiration, happiness, and love. It's a sign that things will get better, even during the most challenging times, and that he may find real love and happiness if he continues to hope and believe. He smiled before putting the rose in his hair and looked at the sunsets.

Silver found a blue rose resembling aspiration and admiration. He knew that he could keep going and that helping his father and his Father was his goal. Even when he was abused and belittled, he never backed down or gave up, like his Father before him and what Silver inspired him to be now.

🩷

But I'll never stop believing

She can never stop my schemes

There's more to living than

Gloves and gowns and threads and seams

In my dreams

I'll be free

💙💗

💜

The night shined brightly as Amore looked out his window, watching the stars shine brightly above him. He watched the knights travel around the castle, guarding. But he wasn't happy.

"Why?" He pondered, "I don't know why life has to be surrounded by sadness and loss…after this, what should I expect from life afterward? Being a wife in a loveless marriage? I don't want that, and I don't want to be stuck here. Maybe, I could have one day of freedom, even if I have to wait, just one day is what I want."

Amore's eyes noticed Crewel walking out, his Dalmatians following him out, and walking out the balcony, watching him leave. "That's… odd," Amore muttered. "Why would Crewel go to the forest? At this late at night, too."

Amore sighed, closed the door, and walked inside. "I can ask him in the morning," he yawned and lay on his bed, his eyes slowly closing.

💟

Two men were inside the royal mines, codenamed Dee and Dum, as they were associated with bad business, i.e., finding and stealing gems so the kingdom could stay bankrupt, until…

"Dum?"

"Yeah, Dee."

Dee grabbed a rock from one of the carts and held it out to Dum, "What is this?"

"Oh," Dum chuckled, "I put that there."

"You idiot! We are supposed to find gems, not stupid boulders!" Dee hissed and threw the boulder away, "Do you even remember the boss's plan."

"Yes?" A tremble was heard, like a rock slide, alerting both men.

Thinking that someone had found their location, they rushed inside a cart.

A light went closer and closer until Crewel entered his head, grinning wickedly. "Hello."

He whispered. "Ah, boss," Dee gasped, "We thought you were someone else."

"Who did you think I was? The Queen?" Crewel sighed.

"Of course not." Dum laughed, "We knew it was you."

Crewel's face palmed, and they looked over at the duo.

"What did you find?"

Dee smiles and hands Crewel a golden nugget, which is big enough for Crewel as he snatches it. "This is perfect! This will be enough to save this kingdom and make me richer than the Queen herself!"

💟

I've been bowing, I've been scraping

I've been lying like a rug

And for ten long years,

I've had to pay my dues

But today, I am escaping

For the last, gold has been dug

It was waiting there, so how could I refuse?

💟

Crewel imagined himself delivering the gold, getting praise from everyone around him, especially the Queen and Amore, and becoming the king in progress.

💟

I'm returning home a hero

Who's discovered mighty wealth

And what better husband could a prince to choose?

I'm the suitor who will suit him

Bring the kingdom back to health

And I'll wear the crown, for how could I refuse?

Raise every glass and rouse every cheer

Praise that the reign of Crewel is here

Master in charge of all that I see

All hail me

And by marrying the prince

I get all that I desire, Like a moat, an ermine coat, and palace views

Even though he treats me coldly

It's a sign of inner fire

For inside, he's thinking, "How can I refuse?"

💟

"Does he know about the.." Dum mumbled to Dee.

"What are you two muttering about over there?" Crewel demanded.

"Well, the engagement," Dee answered, "Remember? The prince is destined to marry Prince Ruggie? In two weeks?"

"Hm, oh…that was happening," Crewel snarled.

"Yeah, I mean, the queen is a queen, she had a crown, a specter, and has a big fancy chair, and-"

💟

Silencio! No! I won't let go!

This peasant son won't turn and run because some reckless royal chose another beau!

Ah!

💟

He smirked and clutched the gold as a plan soon entered his hand.

💟

It's a temporary setback

It's a momentary lapse

But conveniently, my ego doesn't bruise

And the moment that I get back, I will show them who's the boss

You can bet your bullion there'll be no "I do's"

💟

"What's the plan, boss?" Dum asked, tilting his head.

"Oh, let me explain." Crewel laughed.

💟

Yes, suppose the boy goes missing

So the prince says "Au revoir"

Then I find him, bring him back, and make the news

Then the Queen will be so grateful

That she'll pledge the heir to Moi

And I'll humbly tell her

"How can I refuse?"

When our ceremony's over, I'll arise and take the throne

And that nitwit Amore can kiss my shoes

For the kingdom and the castle Will be mine and mine alone

If the crown should fit, then how can I refuse?

💟

"So you two, kidnap the prince by the end of this week, hide him in that desolate cabin in the woods, and keep him there until the prince leaves and the wedding's off," Crewel ordered.

"Of course, boss!" Dum proclaimed happily.

"Happily!" Dee added.

"Then I'll be king, and no one can stop me!" Divus cackled.

💟

So get ready with the roses (So get ready with the roses) And stand by with the champagne (And stand by with the champagne)

When you've got a brilliant plan, you never lose (When you've got a brilliant plan, you never lose)

Yes, before this chapter closes (Yes before this chapter closes)

I'll be big as Charlemagne (He'll be big as Charlemagne)

It's a thankless job, but how can I refuse? (It's a thankless job, but how can he refuse?)

How can I refuse? (How can he refuse?)

💟

Crewel laughs echoed within the caves, causing bats to fly out into the dim night above.

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst silver #silver vanrouge #amore delia #lilia vanrouge #original characters #twst au #barbie au #princess and the pauper #princess and the pauper au #prince and the pauper #original works #divus crewel

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queenshelby · 3 years

Text

Gypsy Bride (One Shot)

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Virgin!Reader

Warnings: Angst, Violence, Mention of Self Harm, Arranged Marriage, SMUT, Loss of Virginity

Total Words: 8,083 (both parts below)

Parts:

· Part One – Husband and Wife

· Part Two – Consummating Finally

Notes: I will be writing another One Shot which will be called ‘Goodbye Marie’. This One Shot will follow on from this story but can also be read on its own.

Part One

It was 9am on a cold Saturday morning. You had been awake for several hours already and barely managed to get any sleep at all the night before.

It was your wedding day and you were nervous to say the least. This was a wedding you didn’t want, a marriage doomed from the beginning.

Your father had recently taken over the business of importing heroine into the United Kingdom from his brother who, due to unfortunate circumstances arranged by your father, was shot during police interference.

In your culture, it was customary to only form alliances with people you trust, mainly family. But, since you and your mother were both only children as a result of a curse impaled on your family decades ago, your family was much smaller than other gypsy families.

In cases like this, alliances were formed by expanding family through marriage.

You had no say in the matter and your father was determined to expand his business through such alliance.

So, today, you were to marry Thomas Shelby, the leader of the Peaky Blinders.

You knew that Thomas Shelby was shipping heroine to the United States and had recently lost his supply from the Chinese. The deal your father was offering Thomas was lucrative and allowed the Shelby Family to reinstate most of their fortune which they had lost in the stock market crash earlier this year.

Your father, however, did not trust Thomas Shelby and insisted on a traditional bond between the families.

Thomas Shelby agreed and, since he was the only unmarried Shelby man of age, it was him, a man almost twice your age, who was going to be your husband.

You never met Thomas Shelby and you wondered what he was like.

You heard terrible things about him and you knew that he was both, a politician and a gangster. You knew that he was involved in drug trafficking, running brothels and killings. He was no better than your father who you despised.

You always wanted to turn a leaf on your life, get away from the illegal dealings and make an honest living. But, this dream of yours was now shattered. You were about to marry into the most notorious gangster family in the Small Heath and Birmingham area.

In the weeks leading up to your wedding, you considered ending it. This was the only way out. But then you met a man who was a priest. Every day you remembered his words. There was a purpose for you, you just may have not discovered it yet.

You never believed, but turned to God for advice after your encounter with the priest. You even began to volunteer at the local church community hall to help you keep your mind occupied.

After weeks of volunteering, you requested to be married to Thomas at the church. The priest was reluctant but agreed after you begged for long enough. Your request was granted.

And there you were, in the back rooms of the small church in Birmingham, preparing for your wedding.

As you stepped into your white wedding gown, tears were building up in your eyes. You were not ready for this, but you had to be strong.

You wiped your tears away with the white cotton tissue your mother had given you and pinned up your hair.

A maid was assigned to assist you, but you enjoyed to do your own hair and makeup.

Shortly after you sent your maid away and while you were applying your mascara, you heard a knock on the door.

You hoped that it was your mother, wishing to provide you with emotional support, but, to your surprise, it was a woman who you had never met.

She had dark brown hair and dark eyes. She was attractive and well dressed.

‘I am Polly Gray’ the woman said as she walked into your room.

‘I am Y/N’ you said nervously.

‘I figured’ she said with a laugh as she handed you her flask of whiskey.

‘Drink up Love, I think you need it, you are about to marry my nephew’ Polly said sheepishly as she stepped behind you and tied up your dress.

‘Thank you’ you said before taking a large sip from the flask.

‘You didn’t want your maid to help you with this?’ Polly asked surprised as she wiped away some of the smudged make up beneath your eyes which were still wet and teary.

‘No. I don’t like to appear weak in front of strangers’ you explained.

‘Showing weakness can sometimes be your strength Y/N’ Polly said before she asked you how old you were while she proceeded to help you with your make up.

‘I am 20’ you responded, your hands shaking.

’20?’ Polly said as she stopped what she was doing and sat down across from you.

‘Did you think I was older?’ you asked.

‘Your parents are older than me, so yes, Thomas and I did not expect you to be so young’ Polly said before she lid herself a cigarette.

‘Do you think that Thomas will be disappointed?’ you asked.

‘No Love. Let me tell you something about Thomas’ Polly said before taking a pause.

‘He has not shown any genuine interest in a woman since his late wife passed away. Whilst I disliked her, she was the only woman he ever loved. He didn’t choose you and he will probably not love you, but he will provide for you and ensure your safety. He expects loyalty in return, nothing else. So long as you are loyal, you do not need to worry about disappointing him nor do you need to be afraid of him’ Polly explained, causing you to feel some relief.

Despite the fact that you had never met this woman, she was able to provide you with the reassurance you needed.

‘Now, let’s hurry’ Polly said, standing up and finishing your make up.

‘Thank you, Ms Gray’ you said as she took your hand and smiled at you.

‘Please, call me Polly. After all, you will be family soon’ she said just before she disappeared to the hall.

Not long after Polly had left and you finished getting ready, your father arrived.

‘It’s time Y/N’ he said impatiently, not even bothering to compliment you.

You hooked into your father’s arm as he walked you towards the hall.

The Church was packed. You had many guests, mostly gypsies from different families.

Your heart sank into your stomach as you observed your future husband waiting for you at the altar.

He was wearing an elegant navy-blue suit which matched his deep blue eyes.

His hair looked immaculate and he had his hands crossed in front of him.

He was very attractive and you could barely believe that he was in his late thirties already.

Despite this, shivers ran down your back as you approached the altar. He showed no emotion at all. There was no smile on his face. In fact, there was no expression at all, just coldness.

As you took your place across from him, you observed him gazing over you for a moment, almost like he was assessing you. But his expressions didn’t change. There was no warmth.

You weren’t sure whether he liked what he saw or whether he was disappointed, possibly by the fact that you were much younger than he had expected or perhaps he preferred a different hair colour or larger breasts.

There was an awkward silence between you as you both starred at each other until, finally, the priest began to speak.

‘We are gathered here in the presence of God, family, and friends to unite Thomas Shelby and Y/N Y/LN in holy matrimony’ the priest went on to say before speaking a prayer, as per your request.

Then, it was time for the all-important question.

‘Do you Y/N Y/LN take Thomas Shelby to be your lawfully wedded husband?’ the priest asked.

‘I do’ you said nervously, starring at Tommy.

‘’And do you Thomas Shelby take Y/N Y/LN to be your lawfully wedded wife?’ the priest asked.

‘I do’ Tommy said, his hands still interlinked with each other.

‘Then, by the power vested in me by God, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride’ the priest said, but Tommy made no attempt to kiss you.

‘We might save that one for later, ey?’ Tommy said as he saw the nervousness in your face. You responded with nothing but a simple nod as you reached for his hand.

‘Are we done here?’ Tommy asked before he obliged and took your hand into his as you both stepped down from the altar and walked towards the exit of the Church.

Your families and guests were cheering as the Church bells began to ring.

You couldn’t help it but feel apprehensive and thought that, if the reception was going to be as awkward as the ceremony, this would be a long night.

Outside the church, you and your families posed for a picture before Tommy took you to his car.

There were no white horses and carriages as you had imagined on your wedding day. There was nothing romantic about this at all.

There was an awkward silence as you stepped inside his Silver Bentley. He started the car without saying a word.

You didn’t know what to say yourself and couldn’t even bare to look at him.

Just before you arrived at the reception venue, he looked over to you.

‘I am sorry you’ve been made to do this’ Tommy said, just as he stopped the car.

‘So am I’ you said as you pushed open the car door and walked inside. The weather was dreadful and you didn’t wait for Tommy.

The reception was barely a reception at all. There was nothing but business talk and your husband ignored you for the entire evening.

By that time, you were certain that he disliked you. He didn’t want this marriage any more than you did.

After several hours of easing your pain with champaign while you engaged into meaningless conversations with Arthur Shelby’s wife Linda, Tommy told you that it was time to go home.

You couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like, your new home.

You were hoping for it to be big enough so that you didn’t have to see your husband very often and endure this awkwardness and silence between you.

The drive home was as silent as the drive to the reception venue. Tommy didn’t speak a word to you, again.

At least this gave you time to think about the task ahead.

Your mother had spoken to you about marriage and what it entails.

She had also spoken with you about consummation of your marriage, which was something you were nervous, almost fearful, about.

Whilst, in your opinion, Tommy was very attractive, you have never been with a man before and you wanted your first time to be with someone you loved not someone you just met.

You told your mother exactly that, but she explained to you how important it is to fulfill your wifely duties and keep your husband happy from the beginning and always thereafter.

The truth was that you were afraid of the pain it will entail. You knew it was going to be painful and it wasn’t as if you didn’t already have to endure enough pain on your wedding day. Your mother explained to you that you would get used to it, the pain will fade and, eventually, it becomes nothing more than a chore.

As you finally stepped out of the car and inside Tommy’s house, you were emotionally prepared for what was to come and were probably drunk enough too.

The house was larger than any other house you had ever seen. You couldn’t believe that Tommy was living in the house by himself.

Tommy took the time to personally show you the house and introduce you to the maids. That was probably the most he had spoken to you all day.

It felt somewhat surreal. This is where you were going live now, with your husband, a total stranger.

Tommy told you that you could use every room in the house as you pleased but that you were not allowed in his office or his bedroom.

‘Your bedroom? Will we not be sharing a bedroom?’ you asked, causing Tommy to chuckle.

‘No Y/N, we will not be sharing a bedroom’ Tommy said before showing you your bedroom. You were relieved to say the least.

‘You can redecorate it if you like’ Tommy said as he opened the door.

Your bedroom was large, with a study desk and your own bathroom attached to it.

It was well decorated and felt warm and welcoming.

‘Thank you’ you said turning around, causing Tommy to nod.

‘I have some work to do now. If you need anything, please call for one of the maids’ Tommy said as he excused himself.

‘Goodnight Thomas’ you said, receiving no response.

After Tommy left, you changed into your nightgown and lied down on your bed. But, there was no way that you could fall asleep just yet. You still felt uncomfortable and out of place.

After about thirty minutes, you decided to get up and make yourself a cup of tea. You weren’t used to be served by maids and enjoyed doing things for yourself.

As you wandered through the house towards the kitchen, you heard noises coming from one of the hallways.

Intrigued, you followed the hallway and observed that there was light shining from the reading room which was also where the noises came from.

You carefully approached the room, glancing in from the distance.

This when you saw Tommy, still wearing his suit while being intimate with the young blonde maid Marie to whom you were introduced earlier that evening.

Keeping quiet, you couldn’t help but stare at them.

Marie was being bent over the big oak study desk while Tommy was behind her, thrusting into her harshly and almost emotionless.

He held onto her hips tightly while she was moaning, digging her nails into the solid oak.

After five minutes of observation, you had enough and quietly walked to the kitchen where you boiled the kettle and made yourself a tea.

‘Mrs Shelby, I could have done this for you’ Francis said, startling you as you poured the hot water into the teapot.

‘That’s quite alright Francis. In fact, I enjoy being in the kitchen. Perhaps, if Thomas allows it, I could cook dinner one night?’ you said, waiting for some kind of approval.

‘That would be lovely Mrs Shelby’ Francis said before you excused yourself.

As you returned to your room you couldn’t help but think about Tommy and Marie. By no means did you blame him. But you also couldn’t help it but wonder why he didn’t take any desire in you. Did he rather want to sleep with his maid than his wife?

Was it that he disliked you or was it that he was trying to be kind, not making any advances towards you because you were forced into this marriage.

The next morning you woke at 7am after spending most of the night pondering about your future as Thomas Shelby’s wife.

After you got dressed, you walked downstairs and joined your husband for breakfast.

‘Good Morning’ you said as you sat down.

‘Good Morning Y/N’ Tommy said, glancing up from his newspaper for a moment to make eye contact with you.

‘Have you slept alright?’ he then asked.

‘Yes, thank you. The bed is very comfortable’ you said shyly.

‘That’s good’ Tommy said before continuing to read the paper.

This was all you spoke as you quietly ate your breakfast.

The next few weeks were just as quiet.

Tommy ignored you for the most part and continued to engage in sexual encounters with Marie. The worst of it was that he didn’t even bother to hide it from you.

Sometimes they would do it in the reading room, sometimes in one of the guest rooms and occasionally even in the stables.

You couldn’t help it but ask Francis about her and Francis told you that she had only been employed by Tommy for the past eight weeks. She was French and her breakfast was terrible. Clearly, she had other talents which kept your husband happy.

Just as you were in the reading room yourself, looking for a particular book, Tommy approached you.

‘Do you play chess?’ he asked.

‘Do I play chess?’ you asked surprised, closing your book. He didn’t talk to you for weeks and this was the question he wanted asked you? You were in disbelieve.

‘Yes, do you play?’ Tommy asked again as he poured himself a glass of Whiskey.

‘Yes, I do, would you like a game?’ you asked.

‘Yes, I’ve been learning. It’s somewhat boring but also extremely satisfying’ Tommy said, making you laugh.

‘It’s strategic, that’s probably why you enjoy it’ you said while you brushed your hair out of your face.

‘Please’ Tommy said as he turned around the chessboard on the coffee table, indicating for you to make your first move and begin the game.

You made your move and noticed that Tommy’s eyes wandered over to you rather than the chessboard, causing you to blush.

You played for about twenty minutes and began to make conversation, which is when you realised that Tommy had been observing you and taken an interest in what you might like.

‘I am thinking about getting another race horse’ Tommy said. ‘Perhaps you could help me choose one’ he added.

‘Me? Choose a horse?’ you asked surprised.

‘Yes. I noticed that you have taken an interest in the horses and I would like you to accompany me to the upcoming auction’ Tommy said. ‘It would be in my best interest to attend this event with my wife’ he added to justify his request.

‘I would love to attend with you’ you said with a smile.

‘There will be other members of parliament attending the auction and there will be a function afterwards. You will need to buy yourself a dress. Elegant, but simple’ Tommy said as he handed you some money.

‘Alright’ you said before moving your queen. Tommy clearly hasn’t been paying attention to the game.

‘Checkmate’ you grinned.

‘Well well, you just beat me at chess’ Tommy said as Francis walked in to the room with some tea for you.

‘Your wife is a smart woman Mr Shelby’ Francis said, giving you a wink.

‘I’ve noticed. Now would you excuse me, I have some more work to do’ Tommy said, smiling at you for the very first time.

The next day you drove into town to buy yourself a dress. By that time you had already done your research on the horses available for auction and the one you had your eye on was called ‘Emerald’.

It won two races quite recently and was slightly more expensive than the budget Tommy had given you.

With that in mind, you considered it to be fitting to purchase an emerald green dress, elegant but yet simple, just as Tommy had requested.

Over the next week, leading up to the auction, Tommy and you played chess almost every day. He hated losing and was determined to eventually beat you.

Even before the auction, he demanded a game and you made sure that you were ready for him.

A gasp escaped Tommy as you entered the reading room wearing your emerald green dress.

‘Is that alright for the auction?’ you asked shyly, wanting to ensure that Tommy approves of the dress.

‘Just missing one small detail Mrs Shelby’ he said as he handed you a box covered with black satin.

You opened the box and, inside, there was a diamond necklace with matching earrings.

‘Thomas’ you said, being stunned by the pieces of jewellery.

‘You will need to fit in Y/N. After all, you are my wife’ Tommy said as you turned around and he placed the neckless onto your neck.

After you looked at yourself in the mirror, you and Tommy played a quick game of chess before making your way to the car and drive to the auction.

At the auction, Tommy introduced you to everyone as his wife but, as usual, he kept his gestures to a minimum. He held your hand once, maybe twice, for show.

You were well spoken and engaged with the other politicians’ wives. The topics that were spoken about were of no real interest to you, but you played along for Tommy’s sake.

Later, at the function, you mingled with the same women while Tommy engaged in pollical discussions with members of parliament and judges.

You couldn’t wait for the night to be over, you were bored beyond belief.

Finally, Tommy told you that it was time for you to leave. He had further business to attend to at the Garrison and you requested that he take you along.

He reluctantly agreed and, as you arrived, the Garrison was packed with drunk men.

You were glad to see Polly and Ada again as you arrived and engaged into conversations with them before their business meeting with Tommy.

But just as Tommy turned his back on you and gave some instructions to Arthur, you were approached by another patron.

‘Good Day Love’ he said, not receiving any reaction from you.

‘Woman, I am talking to you’ he said harshly after you tried hard to ignore him.

‘Sir, please leave me alone’ you said patiently as, all of a sudden, he grabbed your wrist harshly.

‘Love, I can pay well you know. So, whatever offer you have for tonight, I will double it. It is rare to find a whore as pretty and clean as you’ the man said.

‘Get your hand of me. I am not a whore’ you said as, all of a sudden, you heard Tommy approach.

‘Ay, this is my wife you are talking to’ Tommy said harshly, pointing his gun at the man.

‘Mr Shelby’ the man said with a scared voice.

‘Now apologise to her and then fuck off before I blow your head off’ Tommy said angrily.

‘My apologies Mrs Shelby, I didn’t know’ the man said with embarrassment, his pants wet before he made a run for the door.

‘Did he just piss himself?’ Arthur said with laughter as he gave Tommy a nudge.

‘Fucking hell…this is no place for woman like you Mrs Shelby’ Arthur laughed but you weren’t in the mood for jokes. The man had grabbed your wrist harshly and you were somewhat scared by his determination.

‘Are you alright?’ Tommy asked, his hands running over your upper arms.

‘I am fine Tommy. I am sure it was just a misunderstanding’ you smiled.

‘I don’t care. No one speaks to my wife like this’ he said.

‘Now let’s get you a drink, ey? What would you like?’ Tommy asked.

‘Whiskey please’ you responded.

‘Irish or Scotch?’ Tommy asked.

‘Irish’ you responded.

‘Well, we have something in common then’ Tommy said with a smile as he asked you to join him for the business meeting.

‘Perhaps we are yet to discover a lot about each other’ you said, causing Tommy to chuckle.

‘Most people do this before they get married’ Tommy said as you followed him.

You stayed at the Garrison for another hour before you made your back to the house.

The drive was much more pleasant than before and, even though you may never be lovers, you had now found things to speak about with each other.

‘Will you have another glass of whiskey with me?’ you asked Tommy as you arrived at the house and he handed Francis both of your coats.

‘I suppose why not’ Tommy said as he walked you to the living room.

Tommy poured each of you a glass of whiskey before sitting down on the lounge next to you.

‘I enjoyed today, thank you’ you said.

‘And I enjoyed your company. You did well with all of these arrogant bastards’ Tommy smirked, causing you both to laugh.

‘You don’t like politicians much do you?’ you asked.

‘No, I fucking hate them’ Tommy smirked, causing you to laugh again. After all, he was one of them.

You talked about politics and horses for quite some time until you changed the topic.

‘Tommy?’ you said all of the blue, before pausing.

‘Yes?’ he asked curiously.

‘It is none of my business but, do you love her?’ you asked.

‘Love who?’ Tommy responded.

‘Marie. I know you have been sleeping with her’ you said.

‘No, I do not love her. I do however enjoy her company, although not so much for making conversation’ Tommy said with a chuckle.

‘Do you enjoy my company?’ you asked shyly, looking down at your glass.

‘In a different way, I do’ Tommy said.

‘In a different way, but not in the way a husband enjoys the company of his wife’ you said.

‘Listen, Y/N, neither of us have asked for this marriage. It was your father who insisted and the business between me and your father is extremely lucrative as you know. If I would have known that you are…’ Tommy said, and before he could finish his sentence, you interrupted him.

‘That I am so young?’ you asked before pausing, causing Tommy to sigh. ‘If you would have known, you would have forgone the deal?’ you added.

‘I would have asked your father to consider a more suitable match, a trusted man of mine closer to your age’ Tommy said.

‘Well, it is what it is Tommy. There is no turning back now’ you said, taking another sip of your Whisky, before standing up.

‘I think Marie is waiting for you’ you smirked before excusing yourself.

As you walked to your room, tears were running down your face. You couldn’t help it but, for some reason, you wanted Tommy to be a husband to you.

Were you falling in love with him, the man you were being forced to marry? Are you asking for the impossible? Being loved by a man like Thomas Shelby?

You were devastated by thoughts that he would rather be with his maid than with his wife and wondered why he didn’t see you the way you now wanted to be seen.

First fearful about being with him, you now wanted to be with him and you certainly didn’t want him to be with your maid.

As you went to bed that night, you remembered what your mother had told you about keeping your husband happy in order to achieve a fruitful marriage.

You also remembered that, when your mother and father were in disagreement about matters or your mother was worried about your father’s indiscretions, she would add a little spark to their marriage with a nice meal and paying her wifely duties.

With that in mind, you decided to take things further the following week after Tommy returns from his business trip.

Part Two

‘Good Evening Mr Shelby, how as your trip?’ Francis asked as Tommy arrived back home.

‘Fine, thank you’ Tommy said, handing Francis his coat while Marie grabbed Tommy’s bag.

‘Mrs Shelby prepared dinner sir’ Francis said.

‘She did?’ Tommy asked surprised.

‘Yes, sir. She is waiting for you in the dining room’ Francis said.

‘Do we have guests?’ Tommy asked, causing Francis to shake her head.

‘No sir, just you and Mrs Shelby and she said that you do not wish to disturbed’ Francis said, causing Tommy ponder before he excused Francis, allowing her to finish some of her chores.

‘Will I see you later Thomas?’ Marie asked, causing Tommy to nod before walking to the dining room.

As he entered the dining room, he saw you sitting at the table wearing a beautiful but yet revealing black satin dress and the diamonds he had bought for you to wear at the auction.

Your hair was open, long curls falling over your shoulder.

You were wearing dark eye shadow and red lipstick and your skin smelled like musk and flowers.

‘Good Evening Thomas’ you said with a smile.

‘Is this a special occasion?’ Tommy asked, causing you to shake your head.

‘No, I just thought I would cook something nice for my husband’ you smirked before calling Marie for some wine and telling her that she may serve dinner.

‘You know she will probably burn whatever you prepared’ Tommy said jokingly. He knew that you were very well aware that serving food and food preparation wasn’t one of her chores.

‘I am sure she’s got other qualities’ you said cheekily.

As you talked and ate together, you discovered that Tommy had a pretty bad week.

Amongst other things, he told you about a man called Mosley whom he had met in London two days ago and problems with one of the judges. After that, you moved on to discuss more pleasant matters.

‘Would you like a game of chess and a whiskey to end the day?’ you asked as hours had paused.

‘Alright’ Tommy said and it wasn’t until you got up from your chair and walked with him towards the reading room that he saw the entirety of your dress, which complimented your curves.

‘You look beautiful in this dress Y/N’ Tommy said, not sure what else to say in that moment.

‘We have been married for 6 weeks now and this is the first time you have complimented me’ you said with a smile.

‘I didn’t consider it to be appropriate’ Tommy said as he sat down next to you, handing you a glass of whiskey.

‘I am your wife Tommy’ you smiled. ‘Do you not find me attractive?’ you asked.

‘I do. But, considering the circumstances surrounding our marriage and your age, making any advance towards you would have interfered with my conscience ‘Tommy said.

‘And I am grateful for that Tommy. But, whilst I can be in a loveless marriage, I cannot be in a marriage without any emotion at all’ you said suggestively.

‘So, what do you suggest?’ Tommy asked.

‘I suggest that we consummate our marriage and give it the chance it deserves’ you said, causing Tommy to chuckle.

‘Consummate our marriage, ey?’ Tommy said. He was surprised by your proposal.

‘Yes, unless you rather fuck your maid than your wife’ you said sheepishly and with a smirk. It was clear to Tommy that you were being sarcastic and he began to like this mischievous side of you.

‘Well then Mrs Shelby, shall we go to my room or yours?’ Tommy smirked.

‘Mine’ you said determined as you stood up and offered him your hand.

As you and Tommy arrived at your bedroom, Tommy closed the door behind you while you crossed to the bed to turn on the bedside lamp.

The light was just enough to show him all that he needed to see and no more than you wished to reveal.

Tommy walked over towards you as you stood next to the bed.

Leaning in from behind you, he swept your hair over one of your shoulders and pressed a kiss against the back of your neck while one of his hands dragged the zipper of your dress down tooth by tooth.

Slipping his hands beneath the fine satin, Tommy pushed the dress downward and letting it fall to the ground.

Taking a step back, he admired you, studying every tiny detail of your entire body.

Watching you turn, Tommy reached out and a smile flitted across his lips when you slid your hand into his before stepping up flush against him.

‘You haven’t even kissed your wife yet’ you said shyly before leaning in and pressing your lips on Tommy’s lips.

His lips were soft and tasted like Whiskey. He was a good kisser and it wasn’t long until his tongue found its way into your mouth.

The kiss soon became urgent and heated while Tommy’s hands moved behind your back, unclipping your bra. It landed on the floor right next to your dress.

His hands were urgently exploring every part of you and you could feel his erection press against you.

As he ran his hands over your firm breasts and breathed deeply, it was clear to you now that he desired you.

‘Tommy?’ you said with a hasty voice as his hand wandered lower, wanting him to slow down. Your heart was pounding by that time and some apprehension had set in.

‘Yes’ Tommy said while he took off his shirt, letting it join your dress in holy matrimony.

‘I haven’t done this before’ you said with some embarrassment as you rested your hands on his bare chest while your eyes were exploring his tattoos.

‘You have never had sex before?’ Tommy asked with slight worry in his voice, causing you to bite your lip and shake your head.

‘Are you sure you want to do this tonight? Tommy asked, running his hand gently over your cheek.

‘Yes Tommy, I am sure. I want to be yours’ you said.

‘You are mine regardless Y/N’ Tommy said with a slight laugh as he caressed your face. In his mind, he had already claimed you. You were his wife.

‘Please Tommy, I want you’ you said with a smile.

‘Alright, I will take it slow then but you must tell me if I hurt you’ Tommy said concerned, causing you to nod. It’s been over 20 years since he had been anyone’s first and this was not something he expected having to encounter again.

Tommy’s touch became gentler almost immediately and you loved the softness of his fingertips on your skin.

His fingers were exploring every corner of your body, for now steering clear from your most intimate parts, while your tongues danced in sync with each other.

After some more passionate kisses, you let your eyes rove over the expanse of his chest and down the ridges in his torso, which was an area of his body you didn’t dare to look at until then.

You bit the corner of your lip shyly as you pushed the zipper of his pants down with a single fingertip, the fingers of your other hand relieving the button.

You almost let out a soft laugh when Tommy let out a sigh of relief as the pressure lightened considerably around his bulge which was now hidden only behind the thin fabric of his briefs.

Even through the fabric, he seemed huge and for a moment you doubted your decision but then you looked up at him and every ounce of niggling doubt was erased from your mind as his blue eyes gazed into yours.

Tommy stepped out of his shoes and let his trousers nose-dive to the ground as he stepped forward, guiding you back to the bed that stood center stage in the gigantic room.

Brushing his fingertips across your cheek, Tommy rubbed the curve of your side and laid you gently back on the bed.

‘I think I got lucky, having such a beautiful wife’ Tommy said as he lowered himself onto the bed and before exchanging another passionate kiss with you.

Tommy’s lips soon made their way from your mouth to your neck and then over to your breasts.

Every little kiss or touch made your heart gallop within your chest, your blood pounding through your veins, soaring through your body at speeds greater than that of light or sound, or so it felt.

Brushing your fingers through Tommy’s hair as he explored your body, you caressed his cheek and stared down at him, your hips rising subconsciously as Tommy teased the soft skin of your abdomen with tiny kisses and nibbles.

There was a fleeting moment of second guessing when Tommy’s fingertips edged beneath the lacey edge of your panties but as soon as he kissed the skin he revealed it was gone.

Your hips were again rising as Tommy removed the scrap of dark fabric from the apex of your thighs to reveal a silky smooth mound of flesh and the now engorged rosebud of your clit.

Hearing him gasp at the sight, you blushed but followed it with a moan as Tommy leaned down and kissed it once, the length of his tongue sweeping out to take a taste of your secret delicacy.

This was something you didn’t expect. What on earth was he doing?

As you were completely naked before him and he was so close to your most intimate parts, you felt more vulnerable than you had ever been in your entire life but you didn't regret it.

Everything that Tommy did to you in that moment made you jump out of your skin in the most wonderful ways possible.

After he gently ran his tongue over your slit a few times, Tommy told you to relax as he pulled gently at your leg and you slowly let them fall open.

You tried hard not to tense up and, even though you didn't know what he was planning on doing, what he did so far felt good so you were willing to give all of yourself to him.

‘That’s it’ Tommy said after you took a deep breath and relaxed your body.

Tommy took this moment to dip his tongue inside of you gently, causing a loud moan to escape you.

His tongue was skilled, moving in and of you slightly while his hands pressed your legs apart gently.

Tommy then moved his tongue over your clit, flicking it slightly and causing you to make a high pitch noise of some sort.

‘Tommy’ you moaned at the sensation. It was almost too intense.

You closed your eyes as waves of pleasure coursed through your body while Tommy kept pleasuring you with his tongue.

When Tommy's fingers finally brushed against your entrance to join his tongue, you gasped and jumped.

‘Tommy’ you moaned but were also slightly worried about what he might do with his fingers.

Tommy’s erection was throbbing from within his briefs but he knew very well that he would have to take it very slow. As much as he wanted to be inside of you right then and there, he was aware that there was some preparation to be done.

With trembling fingers Tommy gently spread your virgin lips open and let his finger brush against your clit while his tongue continued to run through your folds.

He heard her sharp intake of breath from you when he guided his finger inside of you carefully while his tongue played with your clit.

By that time, you were soaked and he could feel the juices coating his finger.

As he pushed his finger deeper inside of you, he could hear your soft cry of surprise and you arched your back up suddenly.

‘Just relax’ Tommy said as he could feel no resistance inside of you.

He pressed you gently back to the bed and dropped more kisses against your virgin lips before circling against your clit again.

You closed your eyes tight and held your body completely still.

‘Tommy, oh god’ you moaned as he moved his finger in and out of you slowly, over and over again.

You were tight around his finger and had no idea how he would possibly fit his cock inside of you.

It wasn’t long until you moved your hips upward, showing Tommy that you were enjoying what he was doing to you.

Tommy sucked hard at your clit, loving it with his tongue as he slid a second finger inside of you carefully and started sawing it in and out.

‘Tommy’ you cringed at the pressure, causing him to slow down again and holding his fingers steady until the pressure eased.

When he could feel you relax, he began moving his fingers in and out of you again and it wasn’t long until you felt a very unfamiliar tightening in your belly.

‘Tommy, oh my god, please don’t stop’ you begged as your breathing started coming out heavier.

Unlike you, Tommy knew that you were close to having an orgasm and he increased the pressure of his tongue around your clit while continuing to move his fingers in and out of you.

Still unsure about what was happening inside of you, you grabbed onto the sheets as, suddenly, a feeling of ecstasy rushed through you.

‘Tommy, fuck’ you screamed, not being able to control yourself while your orgasm washed over you.

Tommy couldn’t help but smile against your flesh as you coated his fingers in your juices.

After you had come down from your high, Tommy slowly pulled his fingers out of you and moved up the bed to kiss you passionately.

You could taste yourself on Tommy’s lips. It was strange, but you enjoyed it.

‘I don’t know what just happened. I hope the maids didn’t hear me’ you said totally embarrassed as your lips drifted apart.

‘If they didn’t then they are clearly deaf’ Tommy laughed.

‘Oh my god, how embarrassing’ you said. ‘I didn’t expect…’ you said, and before you could finish your sentence, Tommy interrupted you.

‘You didn’t expect it to feel that good?’ Tommy asked, causing you to shake your head.

‘Well, Mrs Shelby, I will make you feel good every day from now on’ Tommy grinned before kissing you again.

‘Is that a promise Mr Shelby?’ you asked in between more passionate kisses while your hand moved in between his legs and beneath his briefs.

‘It’s a promise’ Tommy said as he let out a small groan as you began to stroke his hard cock.

He was thicker than you had expected and your nervousness returned in an instant as he took off his briefs.

‘We can wait if you want’ Tommy said as you continued to stroke his hard cock with your hand.

‘No Tommy, I want to feel all of you’ you said with a gentle voice before Tommy ran his hands lovingly over your legs, pushing them apart all the way, much further than he did earlier.

You took in a deep breath as you gazed into Tommy’s blue eyes while he rested himself in between your legs.

He smiled and kissed you softly. You knew that, what was about to follow would hurt. Nonetheless, you wanted him inside of you so badly.

‘We will take it slow, alright?’ Tommy said with a reassuring voice.

You brought your arms up around Tommy’s neck and pulled his lips to yours, kissing him softly once again.

‘I trust you’ you said, looking deep into his eyes after your lips drifted apart.

With his look fixated on you, Tommy reached down between your legs and grasped his cock in his hand before rubbing his tip against your soaking entrance.

You moaned softly as you felt the head of his cock pressing against you. But, as soon as you could feel him push inside of you, you inhaled roughly.

‘Tommy’ you moaned as he slowly pressed forward with his hips.

You couldn’t help it but gasp as you felt him start to enter you.

You dug your hands into his shoulder and held onto him tightly as you felt yourself being stretched.

‘Fuck’ Tommy groaned lightly, trying to force himself to go slow. It took more willpower than he had expected not to simply plunge into you as you were incredibly tight around him.

Pushing into you slowly, inch by inch, he finally felt your barrier. He stopped and looked down at you.

You gave your husband the look of approval as you tightened the hold on his shoulders and wrapped your legs around his waist.

Tommy leaned down, pressing his lips onto yours just before he nudged forward and slipped past that barrier.

As your fingernails dug into the flesh on his shoulders, Tommy swallowed your moan that was different from all the others you let loose earlier that night.

It was indeed painful and some small tears escaped your eyes as he filled you completely.

Tommy kissed away your tears before cradling you against him as he paused once more, giving you some time to adjust.

It was killing him to hold still but he wanted to wait until you were ready.

As you adjusted to him inside of you, the last sliver of pain disappeared and was overtaken by pleasure.

Tommy could feel you starting to relax and move beneath him as he continued to place small kisses on your neck.

He moaned as he felt your small movements and it tugged on his cock.

It wasn’t long until he began to move himself, small and gentle thrusts to start with.

Your thighs clenched and your toes flexed, your hips rising in vain to meet his again only to be pressed back into the bed when he sank back into you.

‘Oh god Tommy’ you moaned loudly. You could've screamed right then and there, from the highest point on the face of the earth, from the insane amount of pleasure you felt.

‘You are so god damn beautiful’ Tommy said as he continued to thrust into, picking up in speed and force.

Your nipples grazed his chest every time your hips collided as your movements became syntonised with his.

Every movement he made, no matter how small, brought a new sound out of you, your voice cresting and dropping to new highs and lows that you never even thought you would reach let alone soar passed regularly.

His thrusts soon became more urgent and you pressed into him firmly, wanting him to burry himself into you over and over again.

By that time, you had lost count of how many times the pressure had built within the cradle of your hips only to explode like a weapon of mass destruction, bringing copious amounts of toe-curling, eye-clenching amounts of pleasure so great that it seemed impossible that the next surge would ever top its predecessor.

By the sounds of your moans, Tommy knew that you were getting close to another orgasm and he was getting so close himself.

He held tight to your hips as he drove hard and fast in and out of you, making you whimper with need.

‘Oh my god Tommy, yes’ you moaned and begged slamming back against him the best you could.

Your body was wound so tight you felt like your body was going to come apart any second.

Your legs began to shiver and your walls were tightening around him as your orgasm came at you like a freight train.

‘Tommy’ you screamed at the top of your lungs, sending him over the edge also.

You came in sync with each other and, with the next thrust, he filled you with his warm cum and coated your insides, flooding you just as you did the exact same thing to him.

‘Fuck Y/N’ he moaned as his thrusts became sloppier while you both came down from your highs.

Moments later, Tommy collapsed next to you before pulling you closer for a kiss.

‘Are you alright?’ Tommy asked, running his hands over your cheek.

‘Yes’ you said quietly but with a big smile on your face.

‘The next time will be easier’ Tommy said, causing your eyes to light up.

‘You know I will hold you to the promise you made me earlier Tommy’ you said.

‘I was hoping that you would’ he grinned before wrapping his arm around you, pulling you onto his chest.

‘Will you stay with me tonight?’ you said as Tommy was brushing through your hair with his fingers.

‘Yes. Tonight and every night from now on if you want me to’ Tommy said gently.

Your body felt relaxed and at ease and, for the first time in six weeks, you felt comfortable in your own bed with your husband right beside you.

That night, he showed you a side of himself you hadn’t seen before, a side you were seeing yourself fall in love with it.

With Tommy holding you close, it wasn’t long until you drifted off to sleep.

But you weren’t the only who felt relaxed and at ease.

Tommy watched you sink into your dreams and a smile emerged on his face. He felt a familiar warmth washing over him, something he thought he wouldn’t be able to feel again.

As he turned off the bedside lamp, he felt a happiness that he hadn’t felt in a long time. Unlike other nights, he wasn’t afraid to drift off to sleep because he knew that, tonight, there would be no nightmares and no memories of Grace, there would only be you.

#cillian murphy #cillian murphy smut #Cillian Murphy x Reader #cillian murphy imagine #Tommy Shelby #tommy shelby smut #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby imagine #thomas shelby #thomas shelby smut #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby imagine #Peaky Blinders #peaky blinder imagine #peaky blinders fanfic

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wangxianslillotus · 2 years

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I say... Wei WuXian started to use his black robes after he'd come back from Gusu, an au.

....

As a Jiang disciple he'd stuck with the uniform unless he had a day of, but he didn't have any black robes then. He used the comfortable dark purple ones from the sect that had taken him in as a ward. The place where he belonged to. This and his Clarity bell were a part of him, and he was happy and proud to show it.

Madam Yu had not have a real reason to prohibit him from his chooses in clothing, since even if the people spoke wide and at length of the boy the Jiang Sect Leader had taken in, and what his origins may be, she couldn't bring the matter to her husband without causing further harm in their already stumbling household. Wei WuXian was not worth the effort and the sacrifice, so she didn't complain. She still glared plenty, but never voiced her mind.

Of course, the perfect excuse arrived with her patience, to finally put an end and a division between the dirty ward and her children.

When Wei WuXian came back from Gusu, alone, she struck him with Zidian until he couldn't sit straight anymore. Jiang Fengmian allowed Jiang Cheng to stay in the Cloud recesses, as he allowed Jiang YanLi to stay too. He thought making friends was still necessary for his children, and so, he only picked up Wei WuXian to sent him back home to Lotus Pier.

"You filth! How dare you think yourself an equal to the Jin Heir!" She screamed, her voice bouncing to an stunning volume inside the discipline hall walls. Zidian sparked alive, the electric power in it showing the power and the bad humor of its wielder.

Wei WuXian remained in silence, head pressed down to the floorboards. He just hoped she would stop before whipping him to the next life.

"You just ruined my daughter's marriage arrangement! Don't even dream of getting out of here by feet! I should've dropped you to the streets right back the same day Fengmian brought you here! And yet, after I feed you, clothe you and raise you, you repay the kindness of my heart with..." She paused her wording, her arm raising in the air dangerously and then dropped down with a scalding aim, "this!"

Zidian found its target, making Wei WuXian's skin burn and bubble under the thunderous whip. The boy bit his lips until they bleed, but he was not going to make a sound of complain, were it to rise the woman's anger.

"A-Li's future has been compromised because of you! And I will not permit you to bring future harm to my home! You will learn, or you will die!" The marks in the back of the boy kept appearing as she spoke, Zidian making a quick work of him.

At the beginning, he restrained his voice from spilling, but as the punishment proceeded, he found he didn't have the strength to make a sound. His body was trembling in pain and exhaustion, eyes filled with unshed tears because his body didn't want to keep losing any more fluids. He was dangerously close to passing out now, but Zidian had never been kind to him. Or so he had thought.

Numbed, his mind compared the last times he'd been punished with the spiritual weapon, and he found it had never been to this point where his vision had started to fill with dark spots everywhere, and his back just ached as a whole. Each strike, he used to differentiate. Now, he couldn't tell how many had fallen upon his spine.

"You're nothing but a nuisance! You do not deserve to wear anything that relates to us! Since you only bring disasters to our home!" She spoke clearly, the purple, the feeling of home, the dread, the purple whip finally receded. She sent one of the maids to pick up his clothes from where he'd been made left them besides his now fallen body.

The girl gave him a pitifully glance, but did as she was told. No one, not even her husband or children would go against her word.

"Take those and the spares, burn them. He can wear whatever he wants, but nothing of mine." She stated dry. He stared from the small space that formed between his folded legs as the girl disappeared swiftly from the hall. He hoped she didn't find his father's clarity bell.

The Madam left him there, not even a candle was lit once everyone else poured out of the room.

The moon was full, high in the sky when he finally made it back to his quarters, after many falls and a lot of silent screams and pleas. No one had come for him, and with no purple left, he found himself wishing for the feeling of a long lost home, of his mother's laugh and his father's kind smile.

He passed out on the threshold.

....

When he woke up, he was still alone. Back hurting under the restless sunlight who beamed like no bad thing had ever happened in the world. Wei Ying crawled inside and closed the paper and wood doors with great difficulty.

Whatever small movement he made, his back complained with a thousands needles strength. He hissed and stumbled his way to the bed, and he fell asleep instantly after laying in his chest and stomach.

...

"Wei-gonzi?" A voice called from outside, making the boy startle awake with his heart stammering inside his ribs. Moments later, the person who was outside took the silence as an invitation to come in, probably aware of the state of the inhabitant of the room... maybe to check if he was still around. "Ah, Wei-gonzi. This one apologizes for the intrusion... but after your punishment, I was sent to clear your room... and I happened to notice gonzi wouldn't have much to wear with all the purple being taken. I do not wish to impose, but I have brought a set, so Wei-gonzi can wear until he can get more."

Wei WuXian stared at the girl, recognizing from her words that it was the one servant that had been sent to take his clothes away. He merely blinked as an answer, mildy reminding himself of the one Lan boy that used to give responses like that too. Maybe now, he could put his knowledge about non-verbal responses to use!

She smiled at him pitifully, knowing he probably wouldn't be able to do anything but rest for a while, and let herself walk further inside the chambers. The girl silently arranged the set of clothes in the correct place, and even served him a cup of water that he stared at helplessly.

She didn't ask. He didn't ask either.

She helped his head up until he sipped the water away, and then other cup, and one more.

As the days passed, she aided him the best she could, sneaking past midnight into his chambers and bringing him food, water and medicines for his injuries. He spoke softly when he opened his mouth, and she listened to anything he might be needing.

Jiang WanYin and Jiang YanLi arrived from Gusu three months after.

His back, thanks to the girl that had helped him, was far better than it would've been if not for her help. He still couldn't lean his entire weight into his muscles, nor sleep on his back, or make many movements with his arms over his head. The skin had torn one too many times by accident after the first two weeks he'd been told he had to get back on his feet and duties as a head disciple.

He didn't disobey his Madam's words.

At the end of the two week's time, he'd asked the girl to bring him more sets of robes, black outer robes and red inner ones to match his ribbon. He gave her money, and she came back with what he'd asked for.

Wei WuXian only started to use black robes after coming back from Gusu, and to his martial siblings puzzlement, he also has started to act too weirdly!

He wouldn't play around with Jiang Cheng anymore, nor look at any of them whenever their mother was around, which happened to be almost always.

Madam Yu started to give him more and more duties to do, such as training the younger disciples instead of the older ones, or even doing the transcript of the accountable books of the month. Many of the duties were not for him to do, most were from other sections of the sect, and even some of them were done by the house servants, but Wei WuXian didn't complain of this treatment. Even when Jiang Cheng did.

"How can a Head disciple do s servant's job, mother? This is nonsense. He's just losing time!" He stated a bit roughly, already worn out by the weirdness of the Lotus Pier he'd come back to. It was almost as if a ghost had taken upon the household and enchanted it to appear a different reality!

Madam Yu sneered at her son, "he ought to know his place! A-Cheng, you've got it wrong because of the negligence of your father towards this matter! It's not that he's a Head disciple doing a servant's job, but that he's a servant doing a Head disciples job!" His mother said as an ultimatum, not leaving space for any complaints.

Jiang WanYin was left speechless, regardless of the space his mother left for further discussion on the matter. He felt the coldness inside his body for the first time since he'd nursed a Golden core. He stared quietly the scene in front of him, and understanding sliced his throat, making it impossible for him to make any other sound, chocking him.

When he retired, he finally allowed himself to tremble, eyes wide and teary.

His brother's future in the Lotus Pier would never be what they had hoped for. His mother had called him a servant's son before, but never him. She had regarded Wei WuXian as if he'd been a mere servant receiving a prize and a recompense for being promising. She said he should be grateful for being given the chance to cultivate, to be an acting Head disciple when he could be as well, cleaning the kitchens.

His brother, his right hand, cleaning kitchens and attending the main family instead of standing beside him. His mother had stated clearly how Wei WuXian was bellow. And this had made Jiang WanYin feel angry, at first.

Then, he realized how his brother wouldn't complain, wouldn't look up, wouldn't say a thing and obeyed... he felt dread. And he needed to do anything, something, to prevent this situation from getting worse.

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hawnks · 2 years

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if you have yime, could you recommend some romance novels to read? (you can answer this private or public, idc 💗)

snkdkxkckckc i read almost exclusively historical romance. every sub-genre has its like…. reason for existing and this one in particular is about repression of desire and struggling to fit into a really unforgiving society. YES they all have very funny names. Romance writers understand the inherent ridiculousness of their own tropes, and we all just have to live with that.

a note: romance series are organized in a way that you should be able to pick up from basically any point in the series without having too much trouble. Choose a premise and a heroine you like, and go from there.

my all time favorite is the Rescued from Ruin series by Elisa Braden (but DONT start with the first or second book, Braden gets better as she continues to write I SWEAR). it focuses on female leads who are distinct outcasts, anything from being fat to having ptsd.

Recommended starting point: The Devil Is A Marquess

A marriage of convenience between an impoverished Marquess and a wealthy but incredibly awkward heiress. He wants to be able to pay the bills. She wants her freedom. This is purely a business relationship — until it isn’t.

Personal fave: A Marriage Made In Scandal

A murder plot. A footman kissing heroine. A whole lot of horticulture. Social pariah Eugenia saves a family friend from being thrown in the slammer. The only catch? She told the cops they were sleeping together as an alibi, and now they have no choice but to tie the knot. While evading a cold blooded killer, no less.

Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels gets dark, but the tension and pacing is wonderful. No pearl clutching here. The trade off is a lot of murder though. Check for triggers.

Recommended starting point: The Highwayman

Childhood friends reunited under less than pleasant circumstances. He wants her back. And now that he’s a crime lord he doesn’t really see any reason he can’t just… take her. That’s how good relationships are formed, right?

Personal favorite: The Duke With The Dragon Tattoo

Yeah yeah the title I know. This one is about a pirate and his first love but I can’t say anything about it without spoiling the big twist of the first novel :’)

Lisa Kleypas the Wallflower Series is what got me started on actually liking romance novels. It’ll always have a special place in my heart.

Recommended starting point: The Devil in Winter

Evie needs to get away from her abusive extended family before they kill her for her inheritance. Sebastian Lord St. Vincent…. also wants that inheritance, but at least he won’t try to off her. In fact, their arrangement seems almost perfect — neither of them cares about the other, so she’s free to look after her ailing father, and he’s able to go gamble or sleep around or whatever regency bad boys do. That is, until he catches feelings.

Personal favorite: Scandal In Spring

The last book in the series. Daisy is… eclectic. She’s a dreamer (and a reader), and always has her head in the clouds — to the dismay of her strict father. The one thing she could do to get in his good graces is tie the knot with the man of his choosing, his business protégé Mathew Swift. So of course he’s the one man Daisy will never ever ever marry. Unfortunately for all parties involved, Mathew has been wildly in love with Daisy for years. Doubly unfortunate? He can never actually get married (not that anyone bothered to ask).

More authors (your mileage may vary): Sarah McLean, Tessa Dare (if you’re looking for Bridgerton-esque start here), Eloisa James, Scarlet Pehkam (bdsm themes)

#none of these are like Bridgerton btw there’s a ton more attempted murder and a lot more s*x :/#mint talks #romance recs

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marvelouslytrekking · 3 years

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The Escaped Bride {1/?}

Ch 1: The Arrangement

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader Summary: An arranged marriage to your childhood best friend isn’t exactly how you imagined it but you also couldn’t say you were too upset to be marrying James Barnes. Word Count: 1741 Warning: arranged marriage, maybe a swear word? A/N: Alrighty folks so I got this idea in like December and have been working on it since. I have quite a bit of it written and am not longer capable of keeping it to myself. Updates on this probably won’t be very consistent but I have most of it plotted so that might help. Please let me know what you think!! Feedback fuels my soul!

Series Masterlist | Marvel Masterlist

“There is no getting out of this.” Your mother told you sternly. She was not having your fits about the marriage.

“I don’t understand why I can’t choose someone to marry myself!” You huffed.

“This was set up while you were just young. You cannot back out of it now.” Your mother told you, “You two have been inseparable. I don’t know why you are fighting this so much. You aren’t going to find anyone better than James.”

“I want to have a say in my life!”

“Enough of this.” You heard your fathers voice boom from the doorway. It caused you to cringe. “You will marry James, and I will not hear another complaint from you about it.”

“Yes father,” You sighed.

“Now, James is here to see you. You will go, and be civil with him.” He informed you.

You just nodded, walking past your father to go meet James. While you were mad about this marriage, you were excited to see James. Your mother wasn’t wrong, you and James were inseparable. You truly loved James, but you couldn’t stand the idea of having to marry him, and him to not love you. You couldn’t stand the idea that he may one day resent you.

“Hello James,” You smiled, “It’s good to see you.”

“My dear,” He smiled as he saw you walking up to him. “Care to go on a walk?”

“I would love to.” You were relieved at the idea of getting out of your house and away from your parents.

You followed him down a path that the two of you had taken many times. There was an awkward silence that had settled between you. This was the first time you had seen each other since your parents told you the news of what was to happen.

“I have been made aware that you are not exactly happy about this arrangement,” James was finally the one to break the silence and you could hear a small amount of hurt in his voice at the statement.

“I am not thrilled with the idea that my whole life was planned out by someone else,” You told him, “But if I was to be promised to anyone, I guess I am glad it is you.”

James sighed at that. As teens you had spent many days talking of your futures, there was a point where you even talked of marrying each other, but one thing that was always consistent was your anger at watching friends and the older girls in your social circle getting married off without their say.

“I wish it wasn’t being forced on you either,” Bucky admitted, “But I do not care about the fact this was arranged by our parents, I want to marry you. I love you and wouldn’t want to be with anyone but you. If it hadn’t already been in the works, I would be proposing to you myself”

You stopped in place hearing him admit that to you. He stopped as well, turning to you with a look of hope in his eyes.

“I’ve loved you since we were children,” You told him truthfully, “I just couldn’t bear the thought of marrying you if you did not share those feelings. It would have broken my heart.”

“I would never break your heart,” James said with a seriousness in his voice, reaching out and cupping your face in his hands. You place your hands over his, trying to ground yourself so you don’t get lost into the love in his eyes. “Can I kiss you?”

He already leaned down, inches away from your lips but he paused, waiting for your answer. When you nodded, he closed the distance quickly, kissing you slowly.

While it may not be the first time you had shared a kiss, this was different, it was slow, meant to translate the love felt between you two. You pulled away with a smile, finding yourself suddenly very excited about being able to get married. Your marriage was now the freedom you craved and not the prison you feared it to be.

“You know the only problem I have with this?” You asked as you continued to walk, now hand in hand.

“What’s that?” James asked you curiously.

“I have to go back there and admit to both mother and father that they were right.” You groaned. You could already see the smug look your mother would have when you suddenly became happy about the ideal marriage. James laughed at your admission. “Don’t laugh at me!”

“I’m sorry love,” He raised his hands in surrender but still had a smile on his face, “I just thought you’d have a critique about me going back to sea or the church or something. I should have known it was just you being as stubborn as ever.

“You’re going back to sea soon?” You asked, suddenly worried he was going to be gone for a while again. You hated that he had joined the Navy, but you had not been able to convince him not to.

“Not until we’re married.” He told you.

“And then you will leave your new wife alone in a big house by herself?” You gave him a frown.

“I am sure she’ll find plenty of things to occupy her time.” He rolled his eyes at you, “I have been working very hard to complete a library for her.”

Your eyes lit up at that. James was always gifting you with books and the idea that he was creating a library for you had your heart swelling. “I guess she’ll survive the time without him.”

You had unfortunately made it back to your house. “See I told you, look at that smug look.” You whispered to James as you saw your mother watching you reenter the house with him.

That was the last you were able to talk to him as you were quickly whisked away after entering the house. Your mother and his were already starting to plan things and they wanted your opinion. It was all very overwhelming but you were at least now wanting this wedding, so you were able to give your opinion much more freely.

This was how the next few weeks went. You would barely be able to sneak a few moments with James before you were swept away for a fitting, or to pick flowers, or to decide on bridesmaid’s dresses. Everything was a whirlwind but you were just happy to know that in only a short time you would be Mrs. Barnes.

You were currently at your final dress fitting. The wedding was just a week away and you couldn’t be more excited to finally be marrying your childhood best friend.

“Excuse me ma’am,” One of the handmaids interrupted, “James is here and he requested to speak with you, he says it’s urgent.”

You frowned at that. You had no idea what he would deem as urgent to interrupt your last fitting.

“We are basically done here.” You told her, “Tell him I just need a moment to change and I will meet him in the drawing room in a moment.”

You took one final look at the dress before quickly signaling for everyone to help you get undressed. You got back into your normal clothes as quickly as you possibly could.

“James, what is it?” You asked as you finally entered the drawing room. He was pacing around the room which only made you more nervous.

“I am so sorry, my love,” James sighed as he walked up to you, “We must postpone the wedding.”

“Why on earth?” Your frown deepened.

“I have to go back out to sea,” He told you.

“You promised you weren’t leaving until after the wedding, James.”

“I know, and I wish I had a choice, I truly do.” The look in his eyes told you he was sincere, “There are pirates threatening a major port that we cannot lose, they need all the help they can get.”

“How long?” You asked.

“Shouldn’t be long at all,” He told you, “I will be back before you know it, and we will then get married and finally be together, I promise.”

“You better come back to me,” You said softly. The idea that he was leaving to fight off pirates left you terrified for his safety.

“I will, I could never leave you.” He leaned down and gave you a brief kiss.

“I love you,” You whispered against his lips.

“I love you too,” He replied “I can’t wait to get back to you and get married.”

“Be safe,” You told him as he broke away from you to leave.

You hated the pit you felt in your stomach as you watched him leave. You felt it every time he left to go to sea. He assured you that he knew what he was doing and he would always make it back, and so far he had but it didn’t make it any easier.

You didn’t sleep well in the nights that followed. Your mother and father had to deal with getting everything delayed but make sure it would be ready when he returned. Not only were they antsy to marry you off, they knew that is what you wanted.

You were relaxing under a tree, reading a book, trying to distract yourself when you noticed a carriage in your driveway. You watched as a man in a uniform stepped out, and you felt your stomach drop. You knew that James’ parents were over visiting with yours and discussing more wedding arrangements. You had a feeling that whatever the man was saying it was not going to be good.

You were quick to get up and rush to the door as well. Whatever news he was going to give you wanted to be in the room to hear it.

You made it into the house quickly and made your way to the study.

“I am sorry to inform you, but James Barnes was killed in action by Pirate Roberts.”

You couldn’t help the sob that slipped past your lips. You could barely comprehend the thought that James was gone. You had even been able to start your life with him and he was just dead? You felt yourself collapse but were caught by your handmaid before you hit the ground.

“No, he can’t” You sob into her side, “He promised me he would come home,”

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spasmsofthought · 4 years

Text

rituals. (zuko x water tribe!reader)

+This turned out to be far longer than I anticipated it to be, but I couldn’t get this idea out of my head. I’m sorry if Zuko feels out of character; I tried my best to not make him so. I wrote him in my mind to be older than 16 and with, at least, a year of Fire Lord experience with him. All of the things he says in this fic may not be completely on point, but I hope I made sense of his character in this situation and kept an accurate frame of reference for you to hold onto!

I’ve been thinking: What would it have been like to marry the Fire Lord if you were an outsider, from another nation/element? And where that question led me is what produced this.

I tried my best to have accurate research, but if something’s off or wrong, please kindly let me know! I’m not an expert about the fandom here.

Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this mess of fluffy Fire Lord Zuko and a Water Tribe OC just trying to navigate the way between two different cultures.

Read Part II here!

Like, comment, reblog!

“Thank you.” You smile softly as some Fire Palace officials make their way out of the giant, ornate room. Their faces are more stoic, but there is one older man who gives you a slight quirk of his lips before they are back in a thin line. He’s been the only one who has been semi-kind to you. The rest of them have just been rigid and downright insufferable. It takes a few moments before their footsteps recede and you are surrounded by silence.

It turns out that the Fire Lord asking you to become his wife comes with a lot more than you thought it would.

And of course, you had never been blind to the fact that Zuko is of royal lineage. His family has passed down the title and office of Fire Lord for generations. The people of the Fire Nation have known this family for over a century.

The blood definitely feels thicker than water here, though Zuko’s own familial situation may testify against that.

How naïve of you to think any of this would be simple and easy. Nothing about this past century has been.

You press your head to the solid table beneath you, hand-crafted and polished so that it shines like the stars you remember seeing at night back home. Frustration and stress knit your shoulders together, your arms curling in towards your midsection.

Deep breath in, the voice of your mother reminds you. You can barely remember her face now, lost to time, but her voice still somehow stays clear. You hope it stays that way for a long time. Now let it go, she says, too.

If you close your eyes, you can almost picture your little family’s home. The sea squid hanging out to dry so that it can be prepared for supper and her bed disheveled but lined with furs that keep you both warm at night and during the coldest days. It’s probably empty now, a home to no one.

You exhale, forehead still pressed against the table. You repeat the process a few more times, trying to somehow expel the tightness of your shoulders. The weight stays. Despite whatever you may lose, being with Zuko is the closest to home you will ever feel now.

You get up from your seated position at the table and move to a window, looking down at the picturesque landscape of a quiet pond garden. You lean against a pillar supporting the ceiling and try to absorb yourself in the peaceful scenery. You close your eyes and try to listen to the sound of the soft breeze rustling the leaves of the tree. You just want it all to go away for a second.

“Have they exhausted you yet?” A gravelly voice behind you asks.

You turn to see Zuko standing in the open doorway. He’s dressed in all his formal attire, of course, but he seems to carry his own weight on his shoulders today.

Idiot, you think, of course he looks stressed and weighed down. He’s trying to re-establish peace among four nations after the 100-year war his ancestor started.

“Yeah, sure.” You mumble and smile softly.

The moment doesn’t last long before you turn back to the pond, stomach churning now. The grief and the stress mingle together. You miss home, you miss the weather and wearing your furs. You miss your parents, who have been gone for four years; your father to the war and your mother to sickness. The ache never seems to go away, but it dulls when Zuko is able to be around.

Zuko makes his way to stand beside you, saying nothing as he directs his gaze also to the peaceful pond, undisturbed by people or the noise of the outside world.

Despite what you had been told about the Fire Nation your whole life growing up, and what you’d been told about Zuko during the War, you’d always appreciated when he did this. Despite his title and the lineage he carries, he’s always treated you like an equal. You are no less to him because you are female, and you are no less to him because you come from the Water Tribe.

If it had been a few years ago, you wonder if he would have thought differently. Or perhaps he has always been able to understand honor more than most since he was a child, and that was part of the reason he was the one who was destined to be Fire Lord all along.

You take in the side profile of his face for a moment, trying to gather the strength you’ve always had inside you.

“I don’t want to worry you,” You begin, turning back to the view of the pond.

It’s still and quiet and sounds like a great place to escape to in this present moment.

“I’ll let you know when I can’t handle it,” His sardonic tone answers back.

You know he means it as a joke, but there’s a stark truth to his words. He’s handled much more than a trivial conversation about what may be bothering you.

You take a moment to organize your thoughts so that you don’t come across as an emotional train wreck. Zuko has always seemed to have infinite patience with you while you express your emotions, but emotional intelligence is new to him as well. You don’t want to burden him with trying to figure out your emotions while he’s trying to cope with and understand his own.

“I just... I didn’t know how difficult this would be.”

“What?” He sounds a bit surprised.

“Adopting your culture as my own,” Zuko opens his mouth but you stop him before he can even begin. “From a shallow frame of reference, I had always known your culture and your people would be different than mine. And the time I spent traveling back and forth from the Water Tribe to here when I was only your girlfriend gave me some exposure, but I didn’t know. Not really. Most of your people have been so indoctrinated by nationalistic propaganda that our union wouldn’t have really even been conceivable a few years ago.”

There’s another moment of silence as you take a breath and exhale it. In and out. Zuko doesn’t try to interrupt the moment with platitudes or words of comfort, and that’s another thing you’ve grown to love about him.

He doesn’t say something he doesn’t mean. It’s not in his nature to do so.

In allowing each of you to struggle with the weight of your words and emotions, he honors your emotions without dismissing them. Sometimes, it leaves you speechless because the practice is so ingrained in him, there are times he doesn’t even notice he does it.

“I can adapt. That’s not what I’m worried about. My people are strong because we are so willing to adapt to change, just like the ocean: strong and flexible. I can belong here without losing myself. I just don’t have anything to bring with me. There is no recognition of my culture, and since these meetings have started a few days ago, I get shut down every time I try to bring something into what should be the happiest day of my life.”

You turn to him also and take a step closer. His expression remains neutral and you can tell it’s going to take some time for him to digest all of this. For a moment, you place your hands on his chest, clothed with the finest robes available in the Fire Nation.

“When I said yes to your proposal, to the reality of a life with you, I meant it with all of my heart. I still do. But I have nothing tying me to my homeland or the place of my birth like you do here.”

He looks like he has a thousand things to say, but then the words fade away before they even make it out of his mouth. Zuko’s face turns back towards the outside, looking out at the pond as a soft breeze again disturbs the tree by the water. He always gets this look in his eyes when he’s in deep thought. The dilemma is less with him and his position as Fire Lord and more with how to integrate you in his world without making you “fit in” in ways you were never supposed to.

“If I’ve learned anything over the past few years,” He begins, still standing straight and looking outside. “It’s that nothing in the world is right if there is no balance.”

He reaches inside his formal robe and pulls out a box. Your brows furrow in confusion, because Zuko is not one to give gifts.

“I was going to give this to you later, but it seems like the right time now.” He shrugs and hands you the box while a hand goes to rub his neck.

He always does this when he feels shy or flustered. It’s kind of cute to see the “decisive Fire Lord” act like a teen aged boy. He had rare opportunity to act like one before.

The box is like a square and a silk ribbon is tied around it. Your fingers work at the knot while you raise your eyebrow at him. You place the ribbon on the windowsill once it’s unraveled and gently pull the lid off the box. It may have looked inexpensive, but you never truly knew in the Fire Nation.

The thing inside almost takes your breath away. It’s all blue, every single bit of it.

It’s a betrothal necklace.

You didn’t even know Zuko knew they existed, let alone what it would have meant in your culture if he gave you one. (Granted, he’s already asked you to marry him, but for the moment you dismiss the thought.)

It’s true, most marriages are arranged by parents or parental figures in the Water Tribe. Most people at home are not as lucky as you have been to freely choose a partner, whether inside the Tribe or outside of it. Sometimes it seems a more hollowed out gesture when neither party is truly looking to get married for love. But the ones that do always give the necklace its meaning and purpose.

“I asked Katara for some help,” He began to explain as you stare at the necklace. “I didn’t know what I was doing or where I should go, so she was the one who guided me. She gave me some ideas of what the carving in the stone should represent, but in the end, I came up with the design by myself.”

Zuko rubs the back of his neck again as you glance between him and the necklace.

The choker is dark blue as always, but the color gives you some semblance of peace. Blue isn’t a very prominent color displayed in the Fire Nation. Indeed, the stone fastened to the choker has already been carved into. The design is somehow intricate and simple at the same time. It is intimate without being gaudy or overdone. It is all blue and reflective of the culture you grew up in and the one you still carry with you.

“You carved it yourself?” You whisper, not doubting the answer but still needing to ask it. Zuko just nods and your eyes well up with tears. He doesn’t even know how sacred this necklace is to you in a place where no one else will ever understand its full importance and meaning.

“Will you put it on for me?” You hand the necklace to him as you also discard the box on the windowsill and turn your back to him. You’re thankful your hair is already tied back (still adorned with various blue beads from your background) as you sweep it to the side so Zuko can clasp the necklace around your neck.

The weight of it is unfamiliar but grounding. It anchors you to the truth. It reminds you that no matter what marrying Zuko looks like, you carry your culture with you wherever you go. The way you treat others, hold yourself, and what you, hopefully, pass down to your children is far more important than what traditions you do or don’t adhere to in a ceremony.

“I’ll talk to the officials,” He offers as he clasps the choker together. “You should be able to have all the customs that are important to you when we get married. You have always been my equal, but this time it will be a fact and not just an assumption.”

You touch the stone with your fingers as you turn back to face him. The tears are already sliding down your cheeks, but you also give him a sweet close-lipped smile. He knows but he doesn’t. And that is what makes him so beautiful.

You cup his face between your palms and feel him relax a little. Physical affection had never been a priority in his childhood or adolescence, but you can tell he’s starting to understand why you think it’s important to give and receive it.

“Thank you,” You say, smiling wider.

You close the distance and bring your mouth towards his. The kiss is steady and soft but also full of unrestrained emotion. Zuko gives you a second one before you both pull apart. He just shakes his head.

“I think I’m the one who should be thanking you.” He whispers back as he brings you to his chest.

He is home now, and that is what matters.

#avatar the last airbender #avatar: the last airbender #atla #atla zuko #zuko x oc #zuko x reader #prince zuko #fire nation #water tribe #avatar the last airbender one shot #zuko one shot #zuko imagine #zuko #avatar: tla #fire lord zuko

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writingwife-83 · 3 years

Note

Hello!! I saw your post regarding sending dialogue prompts if we come up with it, so here's one :)

"I love you but we can't keep going like this."

Can you please write a Sherlolly fic for this one? I absolutely love your writing and look forward to your Sherlolly fics all the time! Cheers ;)

Hi, anon! I hope this one isn’t too much of a stretch, but this is just what came to my mind when I thought about the prompt. I tried to squeeze it all into a one shot and it started to come out weird, so I abandoned that plan. Hopefully I’ll be posting part 2 soon! Anyway, hope you and everyone else enjoy this bit of Regency AU angst and romance! 🎀

We Can’t Keep Going Like This

“Shall we dance the next set as well?” Sherlock asked as they exited the dance floor, Molly on his arm.

She shook her head, giving him a tight smile. “Thank you, no. In fact, I would much prefer some fresh air.”

Molly had been especially quiet all night, and she seemed flushed and jittery. Something was on her mind and it was only a matter of time until it came out. He could only assume their impending wedding was weighing heavily on her.

They stepped out into the late summer air which was just beginning to feel a touch cool. It was clearly a welcomed change from the stuffy confined of the ballroom as Molly shut her eyes and breathed in deep.

“Dreadfully crowded,” Sherlock commented, leaning against one of the columns of the vine shrouded veranda. “The Watson’s always seem to insist on inviting absolutely every family in the entire countryside. I hardly see the appeal. The noise and heat put quite a damper on the pleasant time that might be had enjoying music and dancing. I myself would never choose to-“

“Mr. Holmes, I shall be going away soon.”

Sherlock halted, his gaze shifting to her as he tilted his head in confusion. “Going away where?”

Molly fiddled with her hands, pacing a bit in the moonlight. “I have a great aunt in Scotland. I’ve written to her and asked if I might come and stay for a while, and just today I received her reply that she’d be happy to have me. I plan to depart in another day or two if I’m able.”

“But with merely a fortnight before our wedding?” Sherlock questioned with a little laugh. “You would scarce arrive and unpack before you’d have to return. It hardly seems worth the effort.”

“That’s just it, Mr. Holmes,” she replied quietly. “There will not be a wedding.”

He stared at her in silence for a moment, absorbing her words as best he could.

“But it has all been…arranged,” he argued, the words sounding weak, even to him.

“And it never should have been arranged in the first place.” Molly’s voice became firmer and she stopped pacing, turning to him and regarding him seriously. “I love you, but we can’t keep going like this.”

I love you.

She hadn’t said those words since…well, since that fateful day a couple of months before.

“I know there was hardly anything else for your family to do after what happened with your sister,” Molly went on.

Yes, she did rather force everybody’s hand, Sherlock thought. A crowded London ball was an inconvenient time for Eurus to go completely mad, especially since the incident included threatening Molly Hooper’s life and insisting that she and Sherlock confess their love for each other as the only way to keep her safe. It was a chaotic and heart stopping moment that he, and likely everyone else in attendance, wouldn’t soon forget. Once things were handled with his sister and the dust had settled, it went without saying that some days later an engagement simply had to be announced.

“But regardless, I cannot allow this marriage to take place.” Molly shook her head, resuming her pacing. “It is happening for all the wrong reasons but I know that neither you nor your family would ever put a stop to it, which is of course a credit to you all! So I find that I am the only one who can do what must be done. I can make a home in Scotland with my aunt, where nobody knows me. A broken engagement will be left far behind, and I can do my best to start fresh…just as you will be free to do.”

Words failed Sherlock. Not only had this completely taken him by surprise, but it also felt so very wrong.

“Forgive me, but that is quite an upheaval to pick up and move your life so far away. You needn’t make such a decision so hastily,” he finally voiced.

Molly’s lip quivered when she spoke again. “Mr Holmes, I have wrestled with myself and considered all possible options since the very moment our engagement was announced! There is nothing hasty about this decision. Surely you can see this is the most logical option.”

It was at that moment that Sherlock realized he hadn’t considered any other options. Since they’d become engaged, he’d simply accepted the fact and carried on.

“For whom is this the logical option?” Sherlock found himself questioning, stepping closer and eyeing her curiously. “Forgive me, but only a moment ago you stated that you love me, and this time it was under no duress. And yet you plan to uproot your life and flee from our impending marriage. Why?”

Molly tilted her chin in the air, squaring her shoulders as she spoke coolly. “I take no pleasure in a union that is rooted in little more than obligation and pity.”

Sherlock’s brow furrowed. “Obligation and pity? But you are my friend, Miss Hooper. We are friends, are we not?”

“I did like to think so, yes.” She smiled softly, then hesitated, blushing a little. “But, Mr. Holmes, before all of this, tell me truthfully…had you ever thought to propose?”

Air caught in his throat and he had to swallow thickly, knowing full well that a lack of response would be just as clear to her as any spoken word.

Molly’s lips twisted and she looked down for a moment before meeting his eyes again. “I shall leave a note,” she explained, a little hitch in her voice. “I will explain that I am sorry for any hurt I may cause but that I simply have no wish to marry. That will surely free you from any guilt in the matter.”

She moved to leave but Sherlock caught her wrist, causing her to whirl back and face him, eyes wide in surprise.

“And that is to be the end of it?” Sherlock asked, his voice half desperation and half confusion as his thumb moved unconsciously over the silk of her glove. “You’d truly leave England?”

“Can you not see this is for the best?” Molly whispered, a sheen reflecting in her eyes. “I beg you not to make this any harder than it already is.”

And with that, her hand slipped from his and she hurried back inside the ballroom. Sherlock watched her as she made her way through the crowds, his feet frozen in place even as he felt the urge to rush after her.

He stayed outside, replaying the words they’d just exchanged over and over, and he realized that he was about to lose Molly Hooper. The reality of it was a revelation that rivaled even his public declaration of love.

A declaration which, now more than ever, he was very sure he meant.

#sherlolly #regency au #regency sherlolly #dialogue prompts #glad to be writing something again lol

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i-have-a-wonky-eye-too · 3 years

Text

A Princess. A Queen. A Wife. A Mother.

Medieval Au

Princess Y/N Stark of York New must marry a man chosen by her brother, by the time she is 21. Her brother's council have the perfect man in mind, one that is terrifying and hell bent on having his Queen. But Princess Y/N's heart belongs to another, and luckily so does her hand in marriage.

'A princess is far more powerful than a king, my love. You have the power of merging families and kingdoms. You have the power of carrying hopeful heirs to the throne. You have more power than you know...'

Bold italics are flashbacks.

Series warnings: swearing, medieval views on women, arranged marriage, smut, bloodshed, violence, 18+ readers only

Part warnings: talk of arranged marriage, light swearing

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

<Part 6<

Part 7

Almost a full month had passed by since you returned home and things had not been the same. Life in York New felt different.

Tony had found out about the attack in Brook (you were sure Peter had something to do with it) and ordered for extra guards to be around you at all times. That was no fun at all. You couldn't even go into the gardens without spotting someone watching you.

Tony had also started searching for the perfect husband for you. He had asked for your opinion on the matter but what could you offer, you hardly knew any of them. The only concern you had voiced was that to do with King Brock. 'I would rather slit my own throat than marry him.' You thought Tony was going to pass out right in front of you when you spoke those words.

"We're what?" Your brow pinched together in confusion as you looked up to your brother.

The two of you were walking through the castle halls, making your way towards the great hall to join Pepper and Morgana for lunch. Tony had been in a meeting the whole morning and as soon as it was finished he had you sent to him so the two of you could talk.

Tony rolled his eyes dramatically. "Having a ball."

"For what?"

"Don't you listen to anything I say?" Tony let out a frustrated sigh as he came to a stop and effectively stopping you as he tugged on your arm. "I'm close to making my decision and I thought, this would be a good way for you to get to know the men who may become your future husband." You scowled at him like a petulant child. "... And it's also a good way for you to meet King's from the neighbouring kingdoms. Strengthen ties with those that you one day will have alliances with."

"... Oh," You let out a soft sigh before you chewed on your bottom lip. "Very well. You, for once, make sense." You grinned playfully at him.

"Enough of the cheek, Princess," Tony smirked and offered his arm to you once more so the two of you could continue to the great hall. "There's also another reason I thought I'd let you know." He smiled softly at you, "You'll need to start designing your ball gown, won't you."

Your eyes widened with excitement, "But, you or Pepper usually have the final say to make sure it's 'to proper standards of a princess'," You rolled your eyes.

Tony sighed, "Yes, well... you're twenty-one in a few months, and you will be marrying, and leaving me, so... it's time you made your own decisions," You opened your mouth, a hint of hope shining in your eyes. "About gowns, Y/N." Tony quickly corrected. He chuckled as you scoffed and pouted once more. "C'mon, I'm sure Morgana will be excited to help with your ball gown."

You nodded trying to hide your grin. If you were being honest, you were looking forward to it. You never had free rein over anything like that.

You cleared your throat after a moments silence, "I'm sorry," You whispered looking up to your brother.

Tony frowned at you, "For what, Y/N?"

You sighed softly. "For the way that I have been acting towards the 'future husband'... thing." You furrowed your brow, "I've been behaving like a child, and I should be more adult about the situation." You let out a small breath, "I know you... must do this for the kingdom."

"Y/N," Tony let out a sigh as he placed his free hand over the top of yours that laid on his arm. "You have every right to be upset. If there was anything I could do to stop this, I would."

"You're King, you could change the law." You spoke in an optimistic tone.

Tony let out a regretful sigh as he shook his head. "Not with matters like this. The council have to have their input too and-" He sighed deeply. "Well, we both know how they can be." He frowned deeply. "You know, I will choose who I know will treat you kindly. They're all good men, Y/N."

You pouted, "Even Prince Loki?"

"I only put him on the list to please his brother," Tony chuckled softly.

You nodded, "And... King Brock? Who did you have to please there?" You whispered.

Tony could hear the fear in your voice. "The council wanted me to be fair to all kingdoms and demanded I made it look like I was trying to put the effort in to strengthen ties with kingdoms such as East Lower." He grumbled the last few words. "Please, believe me, Y/N, when I say that man or any that are like him, will never hurt you."

"But, East Lower is the weakest tie we have... King Brock is the perfect 'future husband' for the council. We'll strengthen ties and he'll beat the respect into me, just like the council have always wanted." You gulped as tears formed in your eyes.

Tony sighed as he once more stopped before you came to the doors of the great hall. He reached up and placed his large hand over your cheek and ran his thumb under your eye, catching the tear that fell. "I may not be able to change the law, Y/N, but I have the final say. I promise you, Y/N, you'll be safe from harm when I make my decision. Okay?" He nodded giving you a gentle, reassuring smile.

You breathed in a shaky breath and nodded, "Okay..."

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

Taglist: @fckdeusername @vxidnik @coffeebooksandfandom @flowery-mess @inumorph

#king!steve rogers x reader #steve rogers #steve rogers x reader #chris evans #marvel #Steve Rogers x reader #King!Steve Rogers #King!Steve Rogers x Princess!Stark!reader #Medieval au #Steve Rogers x reader smut #King!Steve Rogers x Princess!reader smut

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forever-rogue · 3 years

Text

Camisado 1/2

A/N: Hey, hi, hello! Here is first part my little Frankie Royalty AU, written for @its--fandom--darling ‘s follower celebration. The second part will be here soon, but for now enjoy some pain and angst!

Pairing: Frankie x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 4k

Warnings: language, angst

PART 2

MASTERLIST

FRANKIE MASTERLIST

»»————-　♡　————-««

“Francisco?” your voice was low and gentle as you stepped into kitchens and scanned the room for any sign of life. A frown crossed your features when you thought he might not be here at all, but he quickly popped up from behind the counters with a smile gracing his features and a dusting of flour on his nose.

“Hello there,” he beamed as you bounced over to him, quickly reaching up and wiping the flour away before kissing his nose.

“Hello there,” you repeated, quickly looking around to make sure no one else was there before pulling him in for a quick kiss, “I’ve missed you.”

"Feeling cheeky today, Princess?" Frankie's hands found your face as he pulled you closer to him and stole a handful of kisses. You were left breathless and yearning for more as eagerly grinned at him. He stopped for a moment and studied you gently playing with a lock of your hair, in awe of your beauty as always, "you are so beautiful, my love."

"And just who is feeling cheeky now, sweet Francisco?" you teased, running a hand through his dark curls as his hands found purchase on your waist. You giggled as he picked you up and set you down on the kitchen counter. He grinned as he pressed his forehead against yours.

"I think its you, Princess. Coming in here and openly kissing the kitchen boy?" he asked before kissing along your jaw and down your neck, causing you to bite back a moan, "so brazen. Where anyone could see us...my oh my."

"Shut up," you pulled him back to your lips, "its because I happen to be in love with you, you absolute fool!"

“Are you?” he must have been feeling extra cheeky because he slowly started to lift your skirts and trailed a hand along your calf, a juxtaposition of calloused hands and delicate skin as he kissed you till you were breathless, “I happen to be in love with you too, Princess.”

“Call me by my name,” you whispered in his ear, knowing there was nothing better than hearing it slip from his tongue. There was no need for formalities when it was just the two of you, there was no barrier, no difference, just two people in love, “please.”

And then it came forth, delicate and gentle as he trailed his lips along your neck, stopping just before the shell of your ear. He nipped lightly at the soft skin, making sure to leave no marks; if any were seen you’d both be dead. One day, you’d always promised, one day he could mark you as he pleased for the world to see, to let everyone know you were his. But he was no fool - he knew one day would never come, despite your honeyed words and saccharine promises. He was a servant, no more, no less, and you were a princess, everything he was not.

But he did love you, truly, deeply, and completely, and you loved him. That was no lie - but you could never be together. It was just...the way the world worked. People like Francisco Morales didn’t get the opportunity to be with royalty. People like yourself were not allowed the liberty of love and choosing your own happiness and destiny.

“Francisco,” it was a heady whisper as you started to tug at his shirt, slowly un-tucking it from the waistband of his trousers. His hands were roaming your frame as you closed your eyes and lost yourself in him.

Before it could get any further, you heard your name shouted from afar. Both of you froze immediately, a sense of terror bubbling up inside as Frankie pulled back and you hopped off the counter and straightened your skirts while he tucked his shirt back in. Deft hands help to smooth your hair back into place as you both took a few steps apart to appear as if you had been engaging in polite conversation, rather than about to have one another on the kitchen counter.

“Princess!” you rolled your eyes dramatically at Frankie before he shot you a quick wink as your father’s guard stormed into the kitchen.

“Calm down,” you huffed with a sigh that you didn’t even bother to cover up as you waved him off, “no need to alert the cavalry, I’m right here.”

“What are you doing in the kitchens?”

“I fancied a snack,” you lied, reaching for an apple in the bowl that was thankfully right in front of you, “and I came into the kitchen to look for something, as one normally does when it has been some time since they’ve eaten.”

He scowled, somewhere between annoyance and not quite believing you. You swallowed nervously, praying there was nothing to prove what the two of you had actually been doing. There was no evidence that anything happened, so he couldn’t do anything, “your father and mother request your presence in his study. Immediately.”

“Immediately?” you scoffed, “I’ve got plans for my afternoon - anything important can surely be handled by my sister, no? She’s to be the Queen after all, not me. I’m nothing to them, except another burden. Surely they meant Helena and not me.”

“They asked for you specifically, Princess,” he was quick to grow weary of your attitude. Normally you were polite, and mostly kept to yourself, but this particular guard was nothing but pain. Everything with him had to be by the book and he refused any levity, “you’re to come with me.”

“Fine,” you agreed, you took a loud, crunching bite of your apple as you walked over to him. Waving a hand at him, you ushered him along, “let’s go then, and get this over with. I have a multitude of things I’d rather be doing.”

He was silent as he led the way, allowing you to steal one last look at Frankie, who was almost red-faced as he tried not to laugh. You blew him a kiss followed by a wave as you put on your most neutral and disinterested face. You’d come back and find him later to finish what you started; if nothing else, you at least would get to spend time with him. There was nothing better than that.

»»————-　♡　————-««

“Ahhh, there she is,” your father stood up as soon as you walked into the room. Confusion marred your features as you look behind you to see who he was talking about. He walked over to you and put his hand on your shoulders and studied you, “I’m talking about you, of course. My youngest, my sweetest-”

“I’m not your youngest, father,” you reminded him, “I have two brothers, or have you forgotten about them? I’d also wager that-”

“Must you always talk back?” your mother’s face was set in a stern expression as she was perched on the edge of your father’s desk, “it’s unbecoming of a young lady. Husbands do not want a wife that’s always so haughty.”

“Bold of you to assume I want a husband,” you insisted as you crossed your arms over your chest, causing your father to sigh, “and if a husband does not want to listen to me talk or engage in conversation, then he is not a husband I want.”

“You don’t get a choice in that.”

“I refuse to marry a man I do not love.”

“You are not in a position to argue,” your father held up his hands, silencing the two of you, ever the neutral ruler. Rolling your eyes you waited for him to go on, “it is your duty, by birth, to marry a man of our choosing. You’re a Princess, you do not marry for love. You marry for relations, to produce heirs, for your people.”

“I am a second born,” you huffed, trying to understand what he was saying, “and a daughter at that. What does it matter? I’m not going to Queen, I’m just...me.”

“It does not matter,” your mother insisted, “you are a part of this family and you will do as we say. Your marriage is just as important as those of your sister and your younger brothers.”

“Fine,” there was no point in trying to argue, “should I ever find a man that I love that meets your standards, I’ll let you know. May I be excused now? I have other things I’d like to attend to -”

“That’s why you’re here,” your brow furrowed in confusion, but suddenly you felt like there was a lump in your throat, “you will get married and you will have a husband of our choosing. It just so happens that we’ve chosen one for you already.”

“What? No, no, no, no,” you eyes widened in shock as panic set deep in your bones, “you can’t just do that. W-with no warning-”

“We can and we have,” she raised an eyebrow, “you’re already older than you should be. Luckily, we’ve found a wonderful husband for you, the Lord of Easterly.”

“Easterly?” you repeated as you felt the life leave your heart, “he’s so much older, and he’s terrible! Everyone loathes him, surely you can’t be...you can’t be serious.”

“He’s a good match,” your mother insisted firmly, “and frankly are better than you could have hoped for. You should be thanking your lucky stars your father is king and could even arrange such a match at your age. You’re not getting any younger and you should have been married years ago.”

“Please,” your mind was already racing with hundred million thoughts, but they all went back to Frankie. You couldn’t get married, not to this man - a man you’d barely met and certainly didn’t love. No, no, no, this was all wrong. Suddenly your attitude went away and you were ready to beg and grovel, “please don’t do this. Please, you can’t force me to marry him...I beg of you. I will do anything, just don’t make me marry him. Please.”

“It also already done and settled,” her voice was cold and ice and if you didn’t know any better, you’d swear there was a pleased little smirk tugging on the corners of her mouth, “you’ll be married by the end of next month and then you will go to live with your new husband. You may be unhappy, but this is your duty. This has always been your duty.”

“No,” your lip trembled with effort as you tried not to cry, “I won’t do it.”

“There is no won’t, you will do this,” she crossed her arms over her chest and your father remained silent. You looked between the two of them, hoping, wishing, praying, that one of them would say something else. One of them had to be on your side, right?

“And if I refuse?”

“You will not,” her glare was cold as ice as she stared you down. You swallowed thickly but willed down all the ugly, vile things you wanted to say. You’d already angered them, and you needn’t poke the bear further...you didn’t want to know what else they could be capable of, “now go. An official announcement will be made at the end of the week and then we will plan your wedding.”

“I hope you know that I hate this,” it was the only thing that came to mind, “I will never forgive you for this.”

“We have nothing to be sorry for,” your father finally chimed in as he looked down at you, “you have always known that this was your duty, and now its your turn to fulfill that duty. Now run along and learn some manners and respect.”

You offered them a mock bow before storming out of the door, without waiting for it to be opened. Tears of anger and frustration rolled down your cheeks as you tried to still your racing mind. A month, you had a month. A month to figure out how to get out of this situation once and for all.

»»————-　♡　————-««

You watched as rain poured outside your window, tapping on it gently as you cried and cried. At some point, you weren’t sure if it was the raindrops obscuring your vision or your own tears making it cloudy. As soon as you’d stepped foot back outside that afternoon the skies had opened and rain had poured down, covering the earth as if it was weeping with you. You’d been so caught up in your sorrow, you’d forgotten about anything else - including meeting Frankie at your secret spot in the gardens.

You clutched the small stuffed bunny in your arms as you cried and hiccuped, wishing that this would all go away. You’d had the little stuffed animal for some time, a secret little present from Frankie because he knew how much you loved the small creatures. No matter how long you’d had it, it still managed to smell of him - a sweet, saccharine smell.

A soft knock came from the windows, startling you as you wiped away your tears and started at the large window. You weren’t sure if it had been your imagination or if you’d actually heard something, but as soon as you’d seen the shadow moving about, you were sure it was someone.

Slipping out from the soft blankets, you padded over and slowly opened the window. You immediately spied Frankie as he finally looked relieved to finally see you.

“Princess,” he whispered as he reached out and gently touched your face, grounding him in the fact that you were okay. But his heart wrenched when he realized that your face was wet, but not from the rain, “you’re crying - what’s wrong? Y-you didn’t come to our spot.”

“I-I-I’m sorry,” you sniffled as you took his hand in yours and pulled him inside the warmth of your rooms. It was silent while you made quick of pulling off his jacket and laying it on the back of your chair. Pulling him gently, you took him towards the warm, crackling fire, flopping down on the floor next to it, “I forgot, Frankie. I…”

And then it was silent for some time. Frankie sat next to you, silent as he warmed up and wanted for you to carry on with what you had to say. After some time, he pulled you in his lap as he studied your face. He brought a hand up, slowly, delicately as he traced over your features before pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead.

“What’s happened, my sunshine?” he whispered as you wrapped your arms around him and buried your face into his shoulder. Before you could get out any proper words, you ended up crying again, tears quickly soaking through his tunic as you cried. He held you gently, rocking back and forth as he tried to get you to quiet down so you could speak to him, “shhh, my sweet love. It’s okay, it’s all okay...I’ve got you.”

"Frankie," you finally managed to pull yourself together enough to spot the tears from spilling, "I received horrible news today...the worst thing that could possibly happen occurred today…"

"Whatever could it be?" he reached up and gently wiped away your tears from your cheeks and pushed a lock of hair behind your ear.

"I am to be married," you finally said the words out loud for the first time, shocking you both are vile they sounded, "by the end of next month. To Lord Easterly of all people."

"Oh."

“This is the worst thing to happen,” you whispered softly, “I-I don’t know what to do. Francisco, I love you - you’re the one I want to m-”

“You must marry him,” he stated; there was no emotion, no hesitation or anything. His voice was neutral - calculated to show no trace of emotion, “if your parents arranged your marriage to him, then you must marry him.”

“Frankie,” you pulled back, your face colored in hurt and shock, “I-I don’t love him, I don’t want to marry him. I love you…”

“It doesn’t matter,” he insisted, “it is your duty to marry him.”

Inside, his own heart was breaking into a million tiny pieces, mere fragments of a whole. He wanted to cry - to scream and argue and hurt everyone that had brought this upon you. But instead he just...shut down. In some ways, he’d spent the last few years preparing for this moment, knowing that eventually it would be inevitable. He was a stupid, foolish man to fall in love with you in the first place. He had no right, no reason to - he was of one world and you were of another. You could never be together. Never. And even though he’d always known that, locked away in the back of his mind, this didn’t make the crushing blow any easier. He was so in love with you, it was hard to believe that his love could ever die; sometimes it left him breathless just to think about how much he was enamored by you.

But you could never be his.

“Francisco,” you shook your head as you grabbed his face and turned his chocolate eyes towards you, “what on earth are you saying? I thought you...I thought you loved me? I can’t marry him, I will never be happy again if I do. It’s supposed to be you, my love. No one else.”

“Don’t be foolish,” his voice cracked as he took your hands and pulled them away, “we can never be together, we both know that. It was only a matter of time...we’ve always known it would come to this. You must do as they say.”

“I-I-I don’t understand,” you shook your head, blinking back tears as you pulled away from Frankie. He stared at the fireplace as he refused to make eye contact with you, “you want me to marry him?”

“I don’t,” he admitted quietly, “gods, of course I don’t. But there is no choice, no other way. We both know that. If I could, I would marry you right now, and take you away from this forever. But I can’t do that...we would never work. I know it’s not what you want to hear, and we’ve both been blissfully ignorant of that fact, but it was always bound to come to an end. That will never change how much I love you.”

“You want me to marry a man I do not love because I’m being told to,” you were crying now, fully bawling at blatant denial of...you, "you want me to subject myself to a life of unhappiness? You can't...you won't be able to go with me."

"You know your duty-"

"That is such shit!" you shouted at him, "you love me, right? We'll run away together - we can get married and live happily far away from here."

"And what? You'll just be found and brought back and I'll be jailed if not hanged," he threw his hands up in frustration, "or worse yet, we'll both be hanged. I can't...I can't give the life you deserve."

"We'll go far away," it was a meek protest as you contemplated dropping to your knees to beg him to stay and fight for you, "no one will know who we are. I swear it - please, Frankie. I don't want anything else but you. That's all I want - you. Just you. Please."

"I'm sorry," he stood up and crossed his arms over his chest as he deflected from the situation, "I can't do that. You have to do what you're told to do."

"So you don't love me...has this all been a lie then?"

"I do love you."

"It doesn't feel like it. Stay with me then!"

"I can't do that. You know that - we don't have a choice."

"Everything is a choice!" you shouted angrily, "everything!"

"Do you have any clue how hard this is for me too?!" you'd never heard him raise his voice this loudly before and took you aback for a moment as you pouted at him, "to see the woman I love every single day but not to be able to be with her? Having to see her in secret? I want to show the world I love you, I want everyone to know! But I can't - for your safety and mine. It pains me every day not to be able to love you as I want!"

"Then go with me," you reached for his hand but he quickly pulled out of your grasp, "we can run away together. Please don't leave me. Please."

"You know it has to be this way," his voice shook as a tear rolled down his cheek, "you know how it has to be. I will always love you. You have my heart, always and forever."

"Don't go," he started walking back to the window, refusing to look back over at you. You chased after him but he turned away, "please, Francisco. I'm begging you, I will do anything to get you to stay."

"Please don't…"

"W-we still have time," you were grasping at straws, but it was all you could think of doing, "we'll figure something out. What if I tell my parents we plan to marry? Or that I am with child?"

"They'll have me hanged before you could finish telling them and they'd force you to marry to cover up your pregnancy," you knew he was right.

"We can...we can make the most out of our time together," he turned to face you, and you met those eyes you'd fallen in love with one last time, "there is time...we can…"

"I don't think that's a good idea," he whispered softly, "we shouldn't make it harder than it already is. We can just end it now…"

"Please," you tried to grab his hand as he sidled along the ledge. Your soul felt like its light had been extinguished as he shook his head, recoiling from your touch as though it was laced with venom, "Francisco. I love you more than anything. You are my heart, my home-"

"Don't do this," his words cut like a knife at your throat as you realized he was serious. He wasn't coming back, "this ends tonight. If we keep going its only going to hurt worse. We'll cut our losses now. I love you, Princess, so damn much it takes my breath away. But this is the way."

"I love you," it was a strangled cry as you watched him go, "I will never love another. Only you."

»»————-　♡　————-««

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#frankie morales #frankie morales x reader #pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal #frankie 'catfish' morales #fem!reader #catfish morales x reader #frankie morales x you #pedro pascal x you

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yazthebookish · 3 years

Text

Hello all🧡

Today's post will be a tad heart-wrenching

I'll analyze the story of Helion and Lady of Autumn and their forbidden romance.

There is so much we do not know yet, but I stand by with my assumption that they are 99% mates.

So.. let's get into it!

The first time we learn of their story is in ACOWAR pg. 452.

Helion had looked at the Lady of Autumn repeatedly during the meeting.

The conversation starts out with Hybern and the War. It begins to gradually shift towards Beron and the Autumn Court.

“Will Beron choose to listen to reason, though?” Mor mused. Helion tapped a finger against the carved arm of his couch. “He played games in the War and it cost him—dearly. His people still remember those choices—those losses. His own damn wife remembers.”

So we get the impression that Beron messed up pretty badly in the War 500 years ago. It's what led him to send his children to their other relatives while the Lady of Autumn was sent to stay with her sisters at their manor.

Helion folded an ankle over a knee. “The Lady of the Autumn Court’s two older sisters were indeed …” He searched for a word. “Butchered. Tormented, and then butchered, during the War.”

Helion’s jaw clenched. “The Lady of the Autumn Court was sent to stay with her sisters, her younger children packed off to other relatives. To spread out the bloodline.” He dragged a hand through his sable hair. “Hybern attacked their estate. Her sisters bought her time to run. Not because she was married to Beron, but because they loved each other. Fiercely. She tried to stay, but they convinced her to go. So she did—she ran and ran, but Hybern’s beasts were still faster. Stronger. They cornered her at a ravine, where she became trapped atop a ledge, the beasts snapping at her feet.”

And this leads Feyre to this conclusion...

He didn’t speak for a long moment. Too many details. He knew so many details. I said quietly, “You saved her. You found her, didn’t you?” A coronet of light seemed to flicker over that thick black hair. “I did.” There was enough weight, anger, and something else in those two words that I studied the High Lord of Day.

“What happened?” Helion didn’t break my stare. “I tore the beasts apart with my bare hands.” A chill slid down my spine. “Why?” He could have ended it a thousand other ways. Easier ways. Cleaner ways. Rhys’s bloody hands after the Ravens’ attack flashed through my mind.

Here is a significant evidence that Helion and Lady of Autumn are mates. The way he killed those beasts reminded even Feyre of Rhys's bloody hands after he killed those Ravens.

Helion didn’t so much as shift in his chair. “She was still young—though she’d been married to that delightful male for nearly two decades. Married too young, the marriage arranged when she was twenty.”

But it was Mor who said coolly, “I heard a rumor once, Helion, that she waited before agreeing to that marriage. For a certain someone who had met her by chance at an equinox ball the year before.”

The fire banked to embers and Helion threw a half smile in Mor’s direction. “Interesting. I heard her family wanted internal ties to power, and that they didn’t give her a choice before they sold her to Beron.”

“Too bad they’re just rumors,” Rhys cut in smoothly, “and can’t be confirmed by anyone.”

Here is some history. Helion and Lady of Autumn likely met at an equinox ball a year before she married Beron. Mor mentions a rumor that Lady of Autumn waited a year before agreeing to marry Beron. Helion seems not to believe that rumor, and simply said her family gave her no choice and they wanted powerful ties.

This here seems to me as if Helion may found resistance in trying to pursue her or got the wrong information about Lady of Autumn. He might not believe that she waited for him. He might believe she simply followed her family's orders.

“Does Beron know you saved his wife in the War?” He hadn’t mentioned anything during the meeting. Helion let out a dark laugh. “Cauldron, no.” There was enough wry, knowing humor that I straightened. “You had—an affair after you rescued her?”

Helion shrugged. “On and off for decades. Until Beron found out. They say the lady was all brightness and smiles before that. And after Beron was through with her … You saw what she is.”

After being married to Beron for 20 years, her and Helion's affair started sometime during the War after he rescued her. It was an on and off affair for decades. We can assume that she had already had her six children by then or was still giving birth to her other children despite her and Helion's affair.

Though my question here is:

How did Helion know where Lady of Autumn was that he had to move and rescue her? Aren't her sisters' mansion is located within the Autumn Court's borders? Where did they go after he rescued her?

“What did he do to her?” “The same things he does now.” Helion waved a hand. “Belittle her, leave bruises where no one but him will see them.” I clenched my teeth. “If you were her lover, why didn’t you stop it?” The wrong thing to say. Utterly wrong, by the dark fury that rippled across Helion’s face. “Beron is a High Lord, and she is his wife, mother of his brood. She chose to stay. Chose. And with the protocols and rules, Lady, you will find that most situations like the one you were in do not end well for those who interfere.”

We do not know whether Helion was already a High Lord back then or not (likely). Feyre hit him with the hardest (why didn't you stop it?). His answer emphasized on the word "Chose". We could assume that Helion offered her to live with him, but instead Lady of Autumn chose to go back to Beron for her children. She was also pregnant with Lucien at the time so thag also might've prompted her to go back and not cause a political conflict while she's pregnant.

If they are mates it's likely that Lady of Autumn rejected the bond? That explains Helion and his endless supply of lovers. He might've went mad because of the rejection and I can sense anger and hurt in his answer to Feyre.

I didn’t back down, didn’t apologize. “You barely even looked at her today.” “We have more important matters at hand.” “Beron never called you out for it?” “To publicly do so would be to admit that his possession made a fool of him. So we continue our little dance, these centuries later.” I somehow doubted that beneath that roguish charm and irreverence, Helion felt it was a dance at all.

Beron knows about the affair. He made Lady of Autumn suffer. He would've killed Lucien if he couldn't pass him as his own son.

Beron must have discovered the affair when she was pregnant with Lucien. He likely suspected, but there was no way to prove it—not if she was sharing his bed, too. Rhys’s disgust was a tang in my mouth. I have no doubt Beron debated killing her for the betrayal, and even afterward. When Lucien could be passable as his own offspring—just enough to make him doubt who had sired his last son.

But it doesn't end here because...

“What does this mean, though?” “Nothing—ultimately nothing. Other than the fact that Lucien might be Helion’s sole heir.”

There is no doubt that this story is far from over. I believe we will learn more of it through Lucien's POV.

I would love to read a novella about Helion and Lady of Autum's forbidden romance. I can feel theirs was full of love, longing and passion.

#acosf #acowar #lucien vanserra #helion #lady of autumn #helion spell cleaver

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seyaryminamoto · 3 years

Text

Underneath Starlit Skies: Sokkla Saturdays 2021

Day Two: Meeting the in-laws

On FF.net//On AO3

(This week's prompt is a direct sequel to my last year entry for the day 3 prompt of "Arranged Marriage." Feel free to reread it first before checking this one out, or read it for the first time, as the case may be!)

The ship's gentle, swaying motions carried them back to the very island they had escaped from. Tension and uncertainties alike arose in Azula's heart upon glimpsing the silhouette of the Fire Nation Capital ahead… she swallowed hard, tapping the railing of the ship with her fingertip, the nail scraping the smooth wood.

She noticed footsteps behind her, but only turned her head slightly before confirming who they belonged to. A light redness crept over her cheeks as a smile spread over her face, inevitably: her future husband stepped up to stand beside her, placing a hand on her lower back as he released a deep sigh.

"The city's pretty beautiful, I can't deny that," he said, smiling at her. "You don't begrudge me for taking you away from this, or do you?"

"You? If I should resent anyone for it, it should be our families for setting us up to marry each other, as you already know," Azula returned the smile. "And I'm not quite sure that I do resent them for it anymore, although, well…"

"Although?" Sokka raised an eyebrow, nudging her gently. Azula grimaced as she glanced over the water.

Many ships traveled to and from the Capital on any given day, but at the moment, more of them were docking in rather than sailing away. So many guests, and surely countless lurkers, wanted to witness a royal wedding… people were traveling to the Fire Nation from all over the world. Her soon-to-be husband had proven a far more agreeable match than she had ever anticipated… the fuss, however, seemed poised to wreak havoc on her nerves. Marrying someone, in front of so many people, especially someone she did like…?

Yet her main concern, right now, wasn't the massive crowd, or the rumors and talk that her escapade with Sokka might result in. Instead, she raked the nearby ships with her gaze, failing to recognize any longboats like the one they currently rode on, or the royal ships of her family's private use…

"Aren't you a little worried about, well…?" Azula started, grimacing. Sokka sighed, already having suspected the path her thoughts had taken her to.

"Our respective mothers? Yeah, well… yeah," he admitted. Azula groaned, dropping her head against his shoulder.

"No idea what yours is like. Guess I'll find out soon enough, but mine…" Azula sighed, shaking her head. "Part of why I looked forward to running away and never coming back was the chance to flee from her."

"Did you really mean to never see your mom again…?" Sokka asked, softly. Azula shrugged.

"Maybe not never, but… not until she stopped hating me for disrupting her plans for me, at least," she said. "I guess, now that we did choose each other, I feel differently about things… but I'm not sure I'm ready to face her yet."

"Well… hopefully she's the type who likes to save face and act fancy in public," Sokka suggested, with a light smirk. "If so, as long as we're in public places, she won't be able to shout much at you, if that's what you're afraid of."

"Hmm… I'm not sure if afraid is the right word, but I'm certainly expecting to hear 'you disappoint me, young lady', or something along those lines," Azula said, faking a deeper, pompous voice upon imitating her mother. Sokka chuckled and shook his head. "Is yours less dangerous than that?"

"For sure. My mom was… well, almost on my side, I'd say," Sokka whispered. "She didn't think it made a lot of sense to force me into a marriage I didn't want, but she agreed to cooperating with this whole scheme as long as I was allowed to back down if I really didn't want to do it. I had the feeling your dad and my dad would end up getting their way, though… so I ran away anyhow. She might not be very happy I did that, but she shouldn't mind it much, since we're coming back together…"

"I'll have to hope you're right about that. I can't pretend I have a clue as to what I'll do to impress my in-laws, and it's more urgent for me to do so than for you to do the same thing, right?" Azula pointed out, glancing at him nonchalantly. "I'll be moving to the South Pole with you and your family, after all…"

"Well, yeah, I guess that's the plan," Sokka bit his lip. "Are you uncomfortable with it?"

"Not sure. Not really. No idea," Azula admitted, with a shrug. Sokka chuckled, and Azula's heart jolted pleasantly upon hearing him laugh.

"We'll live in a palace too, you know? Just, an ice one, but I promise it's not as cold as you probably think it will be…"

"You promised you'd do something about it, if it was," Azula said. Sokka chuckled: his arms encircled her waist, and Azula angled her head back so her lips would be a mere breath away from his. "Though you also said we could travel often, if the cold got to me…"

"And I stand by that. I know we've barely known each other for a few days, but… is it too forward of me to say I want to make sure you have the best of times throughout our marriage?"

"Hmm… depends on what, exactly, you mean by that," Azula taunted him, with a growing smirk. Sokka chuckled, and before he knew it, he had succumbed to the urge to join her in another bright, blissful kiss…

A kiss that was interrupted, just when it was heating up, by the sound of a clearing throat.

Azula flinched, recognizing her father's voice. Her cheeks were alight with a blush as she turned her face away from Sokka, who was newly bashful now, too. Before he could turn around and beg Prince Ozai not to fling him overboard for kissing his daughter without permission – a ridiculous notion, considering not only that he'd already done something far more damning than kissing her, but that they were meant to be married within a week, too – the laughter of Chief Hakoda drifted towards him, and Sokka could only grin awkwardly as his father stepped up first, throwing an arm around his son's shoulders.

"Romancing your soon-to-be-wife again, I see? Not bad at all, Sokka! Just… you know, don't do it too often when Ozai's around," he said, in a hushed voice, by Sokka's ear. His son grinned awkwardly but nodded.

"I wasn't really… well, we weren't quite trying to… uh, well, never mind," Sokka mumbled, shyly.

"Oh, don't be all coy with me, my boy! I'm happy for you two, I always knew you were the perfect match!" Hakoda declared, patting Azula's shoulder gently next. "I guess we should've had you two meeting at much younger age, maybe that way we wouldn't have had to arrange a marriage at all, and you would've chosen to marry each other anyway…"

"Or maybe we would have butted heads since we were children and decided we would never so much as consider marrying each other…" Azula said, with a taunting smile directed at Sokka, who scoffed dismissively.

"No way! Not unless that was just a cover for our obvious feelings for each other, and we would just keep acting like idiots because we thought our affections were unrequited…" Sokka rambled, dramatically: Hakoda laughed at Sokka's acting, and Azula smiled too as she glanced over her shoulder in the direction her father's voice had come from.

He and Hakoda had been at the other end of the longboat's deck, arguing about the logistics of the wedding, when she had stepped out of the cabin to watch as the Fire Nation mainland came closer. As much as she hoped she'd grow used to the Water Tribe, she certainly would miss her homeland, or so she expected… but maybe she'd miss her father, most of all. He had watched over her since her childhood, shielded her from many expectations, taken care of her even when he didn't need to – while there were servants and nannies available, Ozai had often wanted to take a personal role in looking after his daughter. From what little Ursa shared about the past, it seemed he hadn't always been this way… but finding Avatar Aang in his youth and becoming a main factor in helping the world change, alongside his friends from the Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom, had affected Ozai considerably, making him a much more affectionate man than he had been in his youth, if still reserved and difficult to approach.

His discomfort over her relationship with Sokka was amusing in its own way… but Azula's heart couldn't help but ache with uncertainty, as she wondered if she had let him down, to some degree, with her choices. Perhaps he had hoped for better from her… perhaps she had disappointed him. Or perhaps he would miss her too, every bit as much as she would miss him.

"Alright, then, alright…" Hakoda smiled, squeezing Azula's shoulder and bringing her back to reality. "If things go as planned when we set out to find you kids, your brother and my daughter should greet us at the port. I believe Katara will be in charge of escorting you both back to the Palace, and I think Ozai will go, too? Isn't that right, Ozai?"

The Prince had approached along with Hakoda once he had noticed his daughter and her future husband were, once again, far too cuddly for his tastes. His intent to make them uncomfortable would go nowhere, he suspected, but if he could avoid watching that boy sticking his tongue down his daughter's throat, he'd be all the happier for it. He hummed a positive response to Hakoda, staring at Sokka intently.

"Hakoda says Katara is the more responsible member of the family. All the better, if so: she shall keep you in check, Prince Sokka, while I do the same when it comes to Azula," he determined. Azula sighed but shrugged in defeat as Sokka grinned awkwardly.

"And Zuko will stay with Chief Hakoda?" Azula asked, puzzled.

"Yes, we will await the returning ship that was meant to carry your mothers to Fire Fountain City," Hakoda said, nodding sagely. "Prince Lu Ten and Bato ought to be returning too, we sent birds to everyone, so… as long as everything remains on course, the two of you shall meet all your in-laws by tonight!"

Azula offered Hakoda a tight-lipped grin in response: she wasn't sure why she felt so nervous about this prospect, though she was relieved to find Sokka shared her apprehension, and far more visibly, at that.

"You mean… even Fire Lord Iroh will be there?" Sokka asked, with an awkward smile.

"Oh, yeah. I know you'll think he's some daunting big bad guy, but he's not nearly as intimidating as his little brother," Hakoda smirked at Ozai, who scowled in his direction. "See?"

"I'm not sure that he won't be intimidating if he's upset because I, well… took off with his niece when I wasn't supposed to," Sokka pointed out, with a grimace. "In fact… I bet everyone's bound to think we're idiots."

"A risk you exposed yourself to from the beginning of your amusing scheme," Ozai blurted out, shamelessly. Sokka winced. "Had you thought twice of it, nobody would be judging either of you."

Azula sighed but nodded in agreement, as Sokka shrugged, lowering his head in surrender. Hakoda shot his best friend a meaningful glare, only for Ozai to respond to it with a dismissive shrug.

The longboat sailed smoothly through the waters of the bay, finally docking in a privileged, golden pier intended for the Royal Family's use. The busy port didn't help Azula's confidence much: being in the spotlight might not have been a problem if only she hadn't felt as though the entire nation would judge her for her completely ridiculous choice of eloping with the very man she was meant to marry. Her brother's judgmental and amused stare didn't help at all in those regards after she and Sokka disembarked, following Hakoda and Ozai.

"Ah, we made it, you two! It's all fixed now, all plans are back on track," Hakoda laughed, stepping up to clap Zuko's shoulder gently and hug Katara to his chest. The waterbender's attention, however, was set on her brother, who smiled awkwardly as he waved at her.

"You're… you seriously couldn't have done anything more stupid!" Katara roared, pulling out of Hakoda's arms and stomping up to her brother. "Sokka, you dumbass, you…! Were you seriously trying to get away from all this?! You know how much work went into all this planning and everything that…!"

"Now, now, Katara, you don't have to be so harsh…" Hakoda started, but Ozai huffed.

"By all means, let her. You were right to say she's the more reasonable of the four of them, so far," Ozai declared. Zuko, meanwhile, smiled at the chagrin on his sister's face.

"No need to be so upset, Azula: I'm the one staying behind with his judgmental comments after the wedding's done, not you," he said, stepping up to her. Azula scoffed in his direction. "Why so defensive now?"

"Why else? You're never in such a good mood. Clearly, you just want to poke fun at me," Azula said, with a dry grin. Zuko smirked and shrugged.

"Can you blame me? You've spent all our lives being the perfect daughter, and now you're breaking out of that mold in the flashiest way you could think of…"

"Hey, now…" Sokka said, stepping up to wrap an arm around Azula's shoulders: Zuko's brow drew together, surprised by the unexpected closeness between the two. "What's the big problem if she runs off with her future husband? I can't see how she's any less perfect for that. If she'd been running away with someone else, now, that would be a worrisome thing…"

"Or if you had," Azula pointed out, with an awkward grin. Sokka nodded solemnly.

"Can you even imagine?"

"Perish the thought!" Azula responded dramatically to Sokka's own exaggerated antics. Before them, Katara and Zuko seemed utterly clueless over what they were witnessing.

"Uh… wow. Okay, then. My condolences, Princess Katara, seeing as you'll have to endure this sort of stuff in your home for much longer than I will…" Zuko said, with a courteous smile at Katara that she couldn't seem to reciprocate.

"You two… just a minute, now. You two ran away, together?" she asked, eyes wide. "You… what?! Why?! That doesn't make any sense…!"

"Isn't it perfect?" Hakoda smiled, clapping both Katara and Zuko's shoulders gently. "Who'd have thought your siblings were so well-suited for each other!"

"Not me… but he does have a look about him that suggests he's as crazy as she is," Zuko admitted, staring at Sokka pointedly. The Water Tribe Prince grinned madly, squeezing Azula against himself: she wasn't entirely sure why she let him do so, but she didn't protest against the gesture anyway.

"Well, then… we're not about to stay in this pier forever, are we?" Ozai said, pointedly. "Princess Katara, Prince Sokka, Princess Azula… off we go."

"Zuko and I will wait for the others here, promised thing!" Hakoda said, smiling brightly as Ozai led the way to the carriages that awaited them.

Katara didn't move right away: her gaze settled on Azula now, and the firebender felt weighed and measured by her sister-in-law. She wanted to return the favor, she really did… but her position, right against Sokka's flank, surely lent Katara every right to be utterly judgmental.

"You seriously ran off with Sokka, then? You didn't run on your own, and our dads found you each in a different place, somehow…?"

"Uh, no," Sokka answered, as Azula shook her head.

"We happened to be reckless enough to flee at the same time, not knowing we were becoming co-conspirators when we were, in a manner of speaking, running away from each other," Azula said, with a dry smile. "I know this isn't the best first-impression, but…"

"Well, it doesn't have to be. You're marrying Sokka, not me, so whatever first-impressions we have don't really matter," Katara pointed out, with a weak smile. "Still… I hope you guys won't do anything like this again. Seriously, mom was so worried, Sokka, and… and your mom was, well…"

"About to set the whole nation on fire over my great choices? Heh. I can imagine." Azula grinned dryly. Katara shrugged.

"In her defense, she was very gracious when she retired after hearing the news and found a room in which she, uh, may have screamed into every pillow until your dad went to soothe her," Katara explained, as the three of them started on their way down the pier. Azula grimaced, and Sokka squeezed her shoulder gently. "But, hey, she'll be happy enough to know you two get along so well now. What's there to protest over if you're both apparently perfect for each other?"

Sokka smiled warmly at Azula, who returned the gesture a lot more shyly. Katara caught them from the corner of her eyes, and she smiled subtly, too. However furious she was at Sokka, she had mainly been distraught over how difficult it would be to live with a chaotic, forced marriage where both sides were utterly disgusted with each other. A firebender would struggle adapting to life in the South Pole already, and it would only be worse if she had to cope with a bad marriage, too… but it seemed, if anything, that in running away, they had started off with the right foot. If anything, Katara worried now about wholly different things: just how happy were those two, truly? Was her father right to say they'd be perfect together? Would she become an aunt far faster than she anticipated she might? It was entirely possible that she would…

Ozai scowled from his seat as the other three climbed on the carriage quickly: his hand darted to catch Azula's, pulling her to sit by his side, ensuring that Sokka would share his seat with his sister instead. The Water Tribe Prince smiled awkwardly but accepted the Fire Nation Prince's conditions, hoping to avert his gaze from the firebender throughout the whole trip. Meanwhile, Azula shrank in her spot beside Ozai, shooting occasional glances in his direction.

"When… when you said Uncle Iroh was up in arms about this, what did you mean, exactly?" she asked, softly, once the carriage was already in motion. "Did he blame you for this, or…?"

"I may have… exaggerated matters, slightly," Ozai confessed. Azula's eyes narrowed. "It seemed the right thing to say, at the time."

"Because that way you could punish me further for disrupting all your plans for my future?" Azula asked, pointedly. Ozai shrugged.

"I had the feeling you would show no remorse otherwise. Though you showed none anyways. It makes no matter in the end: he seemed irritated that the strengthened alliance with the Water Tribe might not come to pass, but he had other things to focus on regardless. I'm in no trouble, not beyond wondering if I may have made a terrible mistake by listening to Hakoda. Which, as it happens, is a mistake I've made countless times, over and over, for as long as I've known him."

"Well, Dad speaks really highly of you," Katara said, with a good-mannered smile. "He kept telling Sokka he would have a great father-in-law, and I bet Sokka can see as much already! Right, Sokka?"

Katara's words, whether truthful or not, seemed to open a dangerous door: Sokka grimaced, trying to smile at Ozai, but failing to do so. The truth was, he could certainly appreciate that the man cared about his daughter, but his relationship with Prince Ozai, he feared, would never be entirely positive. Cordiality was, in all likelihood, the best he could ever aspire to.

"I would be surprised if that's so. Surely he must have given you a list of conversational topics to bring up just to annoy me," Ozai said, bitterly. Despite herself, Azula smiled as Sokka shook his head eagerly.

"He didn't, if that makes you feel any better," Sokka said, grinning weakly. "Look, I know we acted out, but… I think we'll be good now. Right, Azula?"

"Well, as long as they don't come up with any ideas more twisted than the ones they already have, I believe so," Azula nodded. Ozai raised an eyebrow, judgmentally, and Azula smiled in his direction.

"As it is, you'll be joining the Water Tribe upon marrying this boy. You'd best grow used to changes and learn how to adapt quickly. Otherwise, you may not be prepared for the challenges that loom ahead of you, Azula."

"Well, we'll do our best to make things easier for her," Katara reassured Ozai, though he only grunted softly in response.

"I'll do my best, Father," Azula said, nodding in his direction.

"In a sense, I'd like to ask you to honor the Fire Nation once you're gone, and to ensure to garner their utmost respect…" Ozai said, glancing out of the window. "And yet, when I consider it will be Hakoda handling whatever mischief comes to your mind, instead of me, I wonder if I should be encouraging you instead…"

Sokka laughed awkwardly, and Katara grimaced as she weighed the Prince's words with uncertainty. While she had heard Hakoda talk about Ozai in a teasing manner, it never had occurred to her that he might have a kindred spirit, in a way, in the legendary firebender who had helped end the war. It seemed theirs was a friendship cemented in shared experiences and relentless teasing of each other, as far as she could tell.

Azula eyed her father intently too, surprised by his nonchalance. He had seemed quite furious when he had found them in Ember Island, and he certainly had said some things that had brought her to fear she had disappointed him, for the first time ever… yet now she found that, perhaps, he wasn't quite that disappointed after all. Her father, it seemed, was resigned… maybe he didn't want her to go at all, even if he had been convinced that it would be necessary and better for everyone. Maybe he wanted to be upset simply to hide the loneliness he'd feel when his youngest child was gone…

Azula swallowed hard, letting her gaze travel out the window too. She would miss her father for sure… she would miss her nation, too. She had never been that outgoing, and she certainly hadn't experienced the city's more casual days the way many other people did. Right now, for instance, the Capital of the Fire Nation was in the throes of celebration over her impending nuptials. Where she might have been displeased about it a few days ago, finding it ridiculous and distasteful that they would celebrate her union with a total stranger, today she caught sight of their enthusiasm and she realized there were many remarkable experiences she had missed on, so far. Maybe, she reasoned, what she'd miss the most would be the chances she'd wasted throughout the years she had been here. She'd do better, hopefully, once she lived in the Water Tribe… something told her Sokka wasn't the type who would sit out in occasions of revelry, to name one thing. He had presented himself as a man of action, and if he truly was one, she would be sure to have an eventful life by his side, once they were properly married… it was an exciting enough thought, now that she truly had a relationship with her future husband. Even so, being torn away from the only world she'd ever known wouldn't be easy for the Princess.

The Royal Palace welcomed them once their carriage finally wheeled into its premises: Katara appeared delighted with the magnificent building, though Sokka found it eerie, befitting the old rule of Fire Lord Azulon, rather than that of his son. Still, he kept his thoughts to himself – the Seventy-Five Years' War had left behind a complicated legacy already, but the Fire Nation was well on its way to making amends for the harm it had caused all across the world. Even if he hadn't witnessed those days directly, his father's stories and many books had painted a vivid enough picture of the darkness that had enveloped the world until Avatar Aang had reappeared.

Ozai ensured they followed him through the Palace's corridors. Sokka watched his surroundings with interest as Katara politely asked Ozai a few questions regarding the ornate vases that she found so quaint, or the embellishing paintings that decorated the walls. Distracted as he was by the waterbender's chatter, he couldn't realize the young couple behind him walked hand-in-hand.

"Is… your Palace back home anything like this?" Azula asked, almost shyly. Sokka blinked blankly but shook his head.

"I mean, it is a pretty big place, but it's a lot brighter than this. Doesn't have that strange, ominous feeling that… u-uh, not trying to say it isn't cool, Azula, it's just…"

"Oh, it was designed for that purpose. Don't sugarcoat matters just to appeal to me," Azula smirked, and Sokka chuckled at her honesty. "Then I take it your Palace wasn't designed to scare anyone away?"

"No, I don't think so. But it is pretty beautiful, I think…" Sokka said, biting his lip. "Though, well, if you want to redecorate it and make it more intimidating, I'll support you through it, for sure…!"

"What a dutiful husband you'll be, if so," Azula smiled, squeezing his hand gently: Sokka's cheeks flushed with delight, dazed by the prospect of soon calling her his wife, too.

They had to let go of each other quickly, though, once they reached Sokka's intended room: he smiled awkwardly at Ozai, who leveled him with a pointed glare.

"You two will behave yourselves now. No more strange escapades. Like I said earlier… it won't be within my power to stop you from doing anything foolish once you're husband and wife," Ozai said, raising a finger as he eyed both Azula and Sokka meaningfully. "But until then, you will do as you're told and not cause unnecessary trouble. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Father," Azula said, dutifully, as Sokka nodded promptly. Katara eyed them both with a crooked eyebrow as Ozai sighed, hands on his hips.

"Wait in your respective rooms until your mothers arrive, if you would," he said.

"Will you go back to the port to fetch them, or…?" Azula asked. Ozai shook his head.

"No… I will go take a nap," Ozai said, bluntly: she hadn't noticed the light bags under her father's eyes, a most unbecoming feature that certainly didn't seem suit the man who typically groomed himself to perfection on a daily basis. "Your amusing escapade cost me a few hours of rest. Send for me once your mother arrives, Azula."

"Yes, Father," Azula nodded, bowing her head respectfully in Ozai's direction.

He walked away without another word, leaving the three young adults to watch him go. Once he was out of earshot, however, Katara turned a suspicious gaze to her brother and his fiancée.

"Not that it's any of my business… but this story of your little attempt to flee from the wedding only gets weirder and weirder by the minute," she said, eyeing them skeptically. Sokka grinned awkwardly. "I don't know what that warning was about, but…"

"You have nothing to worry about," Azula said, with a smile that Sokka found suspicious immediately. "I'll do as my father said and go to my room. In truth, we could use more sleep, too."

"Yeah… won't be very nice for us to look tired at our own wedding ceremony, heh," Sokka smiled. Azula grinned back at him and nodded before glancing at Katara.

"You know the way to your room from here?"

"Oh, yeah. I had a chance to settle in yesterday, before I found out about, well, all this," Katara answered, with a shrug. Azula nodded.

"In that case… I'll see you both later, I suppose," she whispered: her gaze lingered on Sokka's for a moment, and she offered him a quick, earnest smile before walking away.

Sokka could only watch her, enthralled and entranced, a slow smile spreading over his face too. Oh, she was beautiful. He didn't want her to go anywhere, not at all, but her dark hair flowed elegantly in the wind as she walked away, too…

"Ehem. Still there, big brother?"

"Woah! Uh, yeah. I'm… yeah," Sokka swallowed hard, blushing as Katara eyed him skeptically. She huffed, shaking her head.

"I don't think I dislike her, just so you know. I expected much, much worse. I was ready to hate her on your behalf, even?" she said, with a shrug. "But you… you seem to be completely smitten, so I guess I have no reason to despise her anymore, do I?"

"U-uh, well, um… you don't, no," Sokka said, with a nervous grin. Katara's eyes narrowed.

"Sokka? What happened while you two were on the run, exactly…?"

"What? Uh, heh! You know what? I just realized I haven't bathed at all since I took off! I smell of ship cellar, haha! What'd you know! I'll be off to my room now, yep, bye!"

"Sokka! Are you serious?! You literally just met her…!"

"And I was going to marry her even before I met her, so what's the big deal?" he said, smiling far more earnestly as he pushed the door open and entered his room. Katara smiled disapprovingly, arms folded over her chest as he grinned back at her.

"You two are either the worst combination ever, or the best one. Guess I'll only know for sure once we're in the South Pole…" she determined, smiling as she took off, down the corridor.

Sokka sighed as he closed his bedroom's door. A giddy feeling seemed to bound and twirl inside his gut at the thought of returning to the South Pole as a married man. They would have a second ceremony there, of course… but the first one would happen in the Fire Nation as a manner of courtesy towards Princess Azula, as she would be the one relocating to a new nation after their wedding. Perhaps Sokka shouldn't be so eager to think about the great days that should await them by the time they returned to the Water Tribe… perhaps he was being stupid, idealizing Azula beyond reason because they had hit it off wonderfully over the past few days. Maybe she'd have weird habits, or worse yet, maybe she'd find his habits weird and decide he was a completely unforgivable husband for that. He should ground himself, stop being so foolish and giddy and needy and…

Oh, but he really liked her. She had been thrilling from the very first moment, and getting to see her, to know her better, this time as their real selves, only spurred his excitement further. He wanted to understand her… and he hoped she'd want the same with him, too. It was a true miracle that their parents had the sense to suggest a marriage alliance through the two of them… had Hakoda chosen to have Katara marrying Zuko, or even the much older Prince Lu Ten, instead of Sokka and Azula, he would have likely fallen in love with the Princess anyway upon first meeting her, and then they would have had to elope for real…

He chuckled, guessing he ought to appreciate that reality had turned out as it had. He marched into his room's bathroom, delighted by the sophistication of the facilities – he made a mental note to ask Prince Ozai, or even Fire Lord Iroh, to let him know who was responsible for the shower system. Implementing something like that in the South Pole might be tricky, but he hoped it could be done…

He took a proper shower, rinsing off the filth of days on the road, and he felt much more refreshed upon getting out, tying a towel around his waist, meaning to return to the bedroom to find a spare set of clothes…

He yelped upon opening the bathroom door to find he wasn't alone anymore.

Azula stood in the center of his room, and she had her back to him again, though in this case, it seemed it was a deliberate, conscious choice. Her shoulders shook softly, as her hands settled on her hips.

"I'm only facing the wall because I don't think I should be quite so bold as to walk in on you wearing nothing, which, going by your little squeal, might just be the case…"

"Well, I… I have a towel around my waist? But hey, weren't you supposed to wait in your room? Weren't we both supposed to behave ourselves now…?" Sokka asked: on one hand, he wanted no trouble with Fire Lord Ozai. On the other one, though… oh, he did want to be alone with Azula for a few hours, perhaps for whole days if he could do so. He had so much he wanted to talk about with her, so many questions to ask… and then there were many things they could do that required no words, too. His throat ran dry when that thought materialized in his mind.

"We were, but… I didn't really want to," Azula admitted, with a careless shrug: by the tone of her voice, he could tell she was smiling. "Would you rather I left?"

"No! I mean… well, only if you want to, of course. Which I guess you don't, or you wouldn't be here in the first place," Sokka smiled a little. "Just, uh… wait while I dress up again. I guess you can break your father's rules only to a fault, right…?"

"Heh, well, I wasn't planning on pouncing on you as soon as I could, if you were worried about that," Azula responded. Sokka snickered.

"Worried? Looking forward to it, is more like it…"

She bit back a smile that still slipped past the corners of her mouth. She heard as Sokka rummaged through his bags, as the rustling sound of fabrics indicated he was getting dressed. She waited patiently until he cleared his throat, nervous.

"You can turn around now. No need to be scared of my very manly body anymore," he said, smirking. Azula huffed, turning indeed as she smirked at him.

"Scared? Enthralled is more like it," she admitted shamelessly, and Sokka grinned at her words.

Her enthrallment became even more apparent now that his hair wasn't tied up anymore. No matter if his wolf's tail suited him perfectly, the way those deep brown locks framed his face gave her pause immediately, and her heart picked up speed at the sight of him this way, no matter if he was dressed again, in far more elegant clothes than the ones he'd worn before.

"Well, uh… I figure you had a reason to visit me so suddenly?" Sokka asked, smiling a little as he stepped closer to Azula. "Is it to warn me about your mother again, or…?"

"No, well… I guess I could prepare you better for facing her, if need be," Azula admitted. "But I just… I wanted to ask if your father ever seemed, uh, a particularly smart man to you."

"What? Well, sure! Why do you ask? Did your dad say he wasn't smart?" Sokka pouted, and Azula shook her head.

"That's not it, and well, clearly our fathers will badmouth each other in one breath and defend each other to death with the next one," Azula said, with a shrug. "Theirs seems to be that kind of friendship. But I mean… my father is acting strangely. It's just… hard to believe he'd be so mellow about all of this, considering I could have been running off with a total stranger who could have proven to be a lot less agreeable than you…"

"Oh? So… wait, are you wondering if maybe my dad pulled the strings behind our escape, somehow?" Sokka asked, puzzled. Azula shrugged.

"I can't imagine mine coming up with a scheme like this one, but… I don't know about yours," she admitted. Sokka hummed, tapping his chin with a finger.

"To be honest… he could have. He might have," Sokka admitted, biting his lip. "You think maybe he always meant for us to try to get away together…?"

"At least, to a degree," Azula said. "Maybe they wanted to give us a chance to meet for ourselves and see… well, what they had already suspected could come from a relationship between us?"

"Huh. Well, I'll say it was a good plan, if that's really what it was," Sokka pointed out, with a growing smile. "We weren't aware of it at all, and even if they led us to each other, it's not like we were pressured to make the choices we made. In fact… your dad seems pretty pissed that we went that far after knowing each other for a very short time, heh."

"He does, but if it bothers him, he shouldn't have agreed to letting me marry someone at all," Azula smirked. "What, exactly, would he have expected would happen between a husband and a wife, anyway?"

"As far as I can tell, he's just always going to see you as his kid, so maybe that makes things harder for him," Sokka smiled sympathetically. "But yeah, I do think my dad could have come up with this. Does it change anything for you, though, if that's the case? Because, well… I don't think it does for me. I still like you… way more than I ever meant to like you."

"So do I. Way more than I ever meant to," Azula agreed, grinning. "I just wanted to run the idea by you, anyway. Wasn't sure if you'd be happy about it or not, but to be frank, I had no idea how to react to this possibility anyway. If we're that predictable for our parents… well, it's our own fault, I suppose, isn't it?"

"One way to look at it, I guess," Sokka smiled. "I do wish we'd had a chance to do things the right way, though. Your parents were arranged to marry too, weren't they?"

"They were," Azula admitted, nodding. "Though it definitely seems they fell in love at some point throughout the end of the war, long before they married properly."

"Well, then, that means they ought to understand this feeling anyway," Sokka smiled, reaching out to take Azula's hand gently. "I suppose we can have everything we've missed out on after the wedding, like going out on dates in places a lot less uncomfortable than the cellar of a cargo ship, for instance…"

"That wouldn't be a bad idea," Azula mirrored his expression as Sokka chuckled. "Though… well, if you think about it, we still have a little less than a week ahead. Don't you think, maybe…?"

"Maybe what?"

"We could try doing it, to a fault? Dating, I mean… like other people do," Azula shrugged. Sokka's eyes widened at her suggestion.

"Uh… wow. How?" he asked, puzzled. "I'd be all for it if it's possible, but… isn't your dad going to be mad if we try doing anything other than staying in our rooms and reflecting on our misdeeds, or whatever he wanted us to do…?"

"Well, he did say he was going to take a nap until our mothers returned, right?" Azula said, a devious spark glinting in her eyes. Sokka's reluctance and caution went up in flames at the sight of such a delightfully wicked expression on his future wife's face. "As long as we come back here before he wakes up again, we should be safe enough…"

"You sure…?" Sokka said, with a playful, growing smile. "Won't we be playing a very dangerous game if we do this…?"

"Now, now, are you really scared of your father-in-law?" Azula smirked, stepping up to Sokka, hands falling over his strong arms. Sokka gulped, cheeks aflame again as he wanted nothing but to kiss her until they were breathless. "Not like you'll have to see much of him after this week ends anyway. By then… well, you'll have me to yourself, as far as I can tell."

"I will, won't I?" Sokka smiled, dazed. "Goodness. I… I can't believe I actually look forward to this. How did this go from the worst idea ever to the best one in a matter of days, Azula?"

"Beats me, but I find it perfectly agreeable, don't you?" Azula asked, teasingly. Sokka chuckled, pulling her in by wrapping his arms around her waist again.

"Alright, then. We'll be careful… maybe we can hide our identities, to a fault?" he suggested. "And we could go check out that festival, right? The one we rode past on our way here?"

"They're celebrating our upcoming nuptials, if you must know…" Azula explained, smirking. "Which makes me wonder… shouldn't we be there to celebrate with them, just as well?"

"A very good question for sure," Sokka grinned. "I can think of a good answer for it, myself."

"So can I," Azula replied: she leaned closer, and Sokka did the same.

Their lips met in the middle, in a delightful, enjoyable exchange that only seemed to be the appetizer for the countless kisses they would exchange in the future… even the countless kisses they meant to exchange throughout the rest of that day. It had become so easy, so natural to do this… if they disguised themselves properly, they would be able to do it too, as many times as they cared to, through their second date, since their initial escape counted for the first one, it seemed…

They exchanged a teasing smile, a genuine laugh once their kiss ended: they had much to prepare for, many stalls and presentations to see, and they would do best to get started with them soon, if they didn't want Ozai to catch them doing anything out of bounds until it was already done…

Zuko heaved out a sigh as he watched Lu Ten's carriage vanishing in the harbor's many busy streets. He had known his cousin and Bato, Chief Hakoda's right-hand-man had taken off a few hours after the first two ships – those carrying either of his parents – had set sail. Yet he couldn't help but be astonished, even now, over the remarkable speed and versatility of the Water Tribe longboats, as opposed to his nation's more mechanic means of travel: he had genuinely expected his mother to arrive well before his cousin did, and yet the opposite thing had happened, instead.

"Well, they shouldn't be long now, Prince Zuko," Hakoda said, with a reassuring smile and a few claps on the young man's shoulder. "There's some incoming Fire Nation ships there, right? Surely Ursa and Kya are in one of them."

"Yeah, I can't tell yet from this distance, but I hope so," Zuko nodded. "I'm impressed by your people's ships, though. Guess it wouldn't take Azula too long to come visit, if she ever wants to…"

"You'll miss your sister, won't you?" asked Hakoda. Zuko smiled and shrugged.

"Maybe. But don't tell her I said that, though. It'll go up to her head," he said, with amusement. Hakoda laughed, clapping his shoulder again.

"Oh, siblings and their clashes…" he said, shaking his head. "I never had any siblings, myself, but Sokka and Katara are much like that, too. They'd protect each other fiercely against anyone that tries to harm them… but two seconds later they'll be at each other's throats over whatever ridiculous reason you can think of. Uncanny relationships, I'd say… kind of like mine and your father's, come to think of it! But as long as you still care about each other, you can butt heads all you like, I say."

"Seems about right," Zuko smiled: he focused on the scenery again, though, and his eyes brightened upon recognizing the prow of an incoming ship. "Oh, I think that's them!"

"Ah, finally!" Hakoda grinned, patting Zuko's shoulder again as they stepped deeper into the pier.

After around ten minutes, the ship had docked safely: Zuko smiled brightly, waiting for Ursa to disembark, but the first regal woman to do so wasn't his mother.

"Oh, you waited for me!" exclaimed Kya, in a dramatic voice, when her eyes locked on Hakoda's, just as the sailors were setting up the ramp for her to disembark. The Water Tribe's Chief spread his arms in a gesture as dramatic as his wife's words, and Zuko watched their strange exchange with increasing confusion and amusement alike.

"I swore I would! For as long as we were apart, you would never leave my mind, not for a second!" Hakoda responded, and Kya gasped as she placed a hand over her chest.

"Oh, my brave, handsome Chief…!"

"And my beautiful, powerful Chieftainess, returned to me at last, after… two days!"

"And what long two days they were!" she continued, before finally sprinting down the ramp in a hurry.

Zuko stepped back instinctively, still surprised and amused by the playful demeanor of the Water Tribe couple: Kya raced as fast as she could, leaping into Hakoda's arms, and he spun her in circles, hoisting her up as he laughed in blissful delight.

"Ah, I do want to joke around, but it's true that I did miss you too much," Hakoda admitted, between laughter, burying his face in Kya's shoulder. She laughed too, her arms wrapped around Hakoda's neck.

"Well, now I'm back and you don't have to miss me, dear. Finally, this wild, mad ordeal is over," she declared, with a bright smile. Hakoda pulled back, finally setting her down, beaming just as proudly at her. "And…?"

"And I'm pretty sure he fell in love with her at first sight," Hakoda answered, at which Kya snorted and laughed harder yet.

"Oh, unbelievable!" she pressed her face to Hakoda's chest, chuckling powerfully as he laughed with her. "I was ready to defend that boy from his father's wicked schemes, I was…! But I guess there's no need for it now, is there?"

"Fortunately, it seems so," Hakoda answered.

The sounds of new, certain footsteps upon the ramp caused Hakoda and Kya to step back, instinctively: Kya's traveling companion stepped down the ramp too, and this time Zuko moved closer, grinning at his mother.

"Mother…" Zuko was delighted to find that, while she seemed exhausted, Ursa still had the strength to offer him a smile of her own as she embraced her son gently.

"Ah, there you are, Zuko. Thank you for receiving us," she said, squeezing him tightly before pulling away. "And thank you as well, Chief Hakoda. Though I do wonder if I should thank you at all… Kya has implied all of this may have been your doing?"

"U-uh, well… eh, maybe so," Hakoda acknowledged, with an awkward grin. He kept one arm around Kya's waist, though he was inevitably nervous under Ursa's scrutiny: handling Ozai was one thing, but Ursa somehow had an even more regal atmosphere to herself than her husband did, despite he was the one born to royal blood.

"Your doing?" Zuko repeated, puzzled, as he pulled out of his mother's embrace to stare at Hakoda. "I thought… didn't they run away? Did you send them away together?"

"Oh, not quite. I directed them, you could say, set the stage so that they'd find allies in each other, realize how much common ground they might have, all that," Hakoda explained, with a shrug. "Then things did get slightly out of hand, true… but I'm fairly certain they're getting along better than anticipated by now."

"Well, it's good news if your son fell for my daughter on first sight, if true," Ursa said, evidencing she'd been able to hear their conversation even when she had been aboard the ship, still. "But do you have any idea if my daughter feels the same way?"

"Oh, I'm pretty sure she likes him more than she wanted to," Zuko blurted out, surprising Ursa. "He hugged her when they disembarked, right in front of me, and yeah, maybe she was self-conscious about it, but she didn't seem uncomfortable. They joked around kind of like… like you two did, just now."

Hakoda and Kya exchanged a cheerful, complicit grin when Zuko gestured at them. If the young couple resembled them at all, there was no doubt to be had that their future would be full of happiness, perhaps beyond what either of the two future spouses could imagine.

"Are you certain of this, then? Isn't it some sort of second ploy to escape from their responsibilities and the arrangement of their marriage?" Ursa asked, with a weary sigh. "I know I may sound paranoid, but when it comes to Azula… I just can't ever let my guard down. She outsmarts me even if I don't let it down at all… it's worse yet if I take things for granted."

"Uh, well… I suppose you'll see for yourself just how well-matched they are, once we get a move on," Hakoda suggested, with a shy smile. Telling Ursa that her daughter had spent two nights with his son, and that Ozai already had strong suspicions regarding what had happened between them, wouldn't be a good idea. Perhaps it would be best for Ursa to learn the truth after she saw the surprisingly strong bond between their respective children… that is, if she learned of it at all.

"Ah, you're right, of course," Ursa said, nodding positively: another regal carriage awaited them, and Zuko guided his mother towards it gently. "We shall not waste any more time. We must go to the Palace, at once. Though, Chief Hakoda, if you could catch us up regarding how you found them, I would certainly appreciate it."

"Oh… sure," Hakoda grinned, though the expression on his face soured once Ursa and Zuko took off down the pier, leaving him behind with an amused Kya.

"You're keeping something to yourself, my dear… aren't you?" she asked, with a sing-song voice. He grimaced.

"Well, let's just say… if anything, Princess Ursa might just be cross upon discovering her daughter likes our son a little too much, if anything?" Hakoda said. Kya raised her eyebrows.

"He's not the only one infatuated, then?" she asked, amused.

"Ozai probably has a massive migraine after catching them kissing far more times than his heart was prepared to witness," Hakoda admitted, and Kya giggled as she covered her mouth with a hand. "Like I said… they like each other. Maybe more than I expected them to. I thought it would take them some time to warm up to one another, but… damn. At this point it seems this wedding will be a guaranteed success."

"I certainly hope so," Kya smiled, taking Hakoda's arm as he led her down the pier, to the carriage Ursa was already climbing onto. "With any luck, we have already seen the most chaotic moments leading up to this wedding, and we'll have nothing but smooth sailing in the days ahead…"

Hakoda nodded in agreement, pressing a quick kiss to Kya's head. Yes, he wanted to believe she was right… though now, when the sun was setting, the streets would be a pandemonium all on their own, even if the kids behaved themselves. Had Crown Prince Lu Ten and Bato even made it through the thickening crowds, upon heading to the Palace shortly before they did…?

"Wow, I can barely believe we made it past the gates," Lu Ten laughed, casting a glance at the Palace walls once he and the Water Tribe Chief's advisor climbed off their carriage. "I had no idea people were this wild over royal weddings…"

"I suppose you must have been far too busy with preparations for your own to see the celebrations?" Bato asked. Lu Ten shrugged, turning towards him.

"More like sulking in my room because I didn't want to do it?" he answered, with a weak grin. "Ah, well, that's not important anyway. I'll go check on Azula, hopefully she's already come to terms with having to marry your Prince… though, knowing her, she might just be furious that she couldn't outrun her father."

"I suspect Prince Sokka may feel similarly… but as much as that may worry me, I'll be retiring to my own rooms for now," Bato sighed. Lu Ten offered him a sympathetic smile.

"You're a very skilled sailor, if I'm allowed to say so," he said. "Thank you for your hard work at captaining our ship, even if it turned out the trip was for nothing, after all…"

"Thank you for accompanying me," Bato said, smiling reassuringly. "I'll see you by dinner, I expect."

Lu Ten nodded, and Bato walked away. The Crown Prince glanced at the wild crowds outside the Palace walls anew, a slow smile spreading over his face as he listened to the music that drifted through the air, at the scent of fried food and spices, the laughter and cheering voices… perhaps that these occasions brought such joy to their people should be a silver lining to be found in the unpleasantness of being forced to marry someone you didn't love, or someone you didn't know at all.

"If only we were allowed to have fun with them, though, the silver lining would be all the better," he reasoned, pouting a little as he marched into the Palace. "Bet Dad would agree with me…"

Fire Lord Iroh faced an uphill battle in his tenure at the head of the Fire Nation: while he had to implement change, he couldn't do so as freely and easily as he would have liked. The end of the war had been chaotic for their people, and even now, Fire Lord Iroh struggled, at times, with setting apart right and wrong upon choosing what course to follow. A very careful, delicate balance had to be kept in order to maintain peace between all nations, and within the Fire Nation itself… and so, Lu Ten had seldom asked him to subvert expectations, or to fight back against tradition, even in small and simple ways. Doing so could indeed break that balance… so it would be up to Lu Ten to take advantage of his father's hard work, one day, to build a stronger balance while letting go of countless outdated precepts, such as marriage arrangement, that might just do more harm than good, in the long run.

He hoped that wouldn't be the case this time, considering the marriage in question symbolized a step forward in the direction of peace and growth… even if it came at the cost of his cousin's happiness. He wasn't sure he could condone the stomping of Azula's will, even if he feared he had no choice but to accept it, in the end…

He breathed out slowly upon reaching his cousin's room: he knocked gently before calling for her.

"Azula? It's me, I'm back now," he said, biting his lip. "I know you're bound to be really upset about how things turned out, but… if you want to talk, I'm here. Believe me, I know how you must be feeling…"

"Ah! Prince Lu Ten?"

A voice he'd only grown acquainted with only recently cut across his words. Lu Ten turned quickly to find Princess Katara was approaching him down the corridor, her blue eyes glinting with hope. He raised an eyebrow at the unexpected expression on the young woman's face.

"Is everything alright?" he asked. Katara slowed down upon reaching him, breathing heavily after having raced across the Palace corridors in a hurry.

"She's… she's there, right?" she asked him, with a weak smile. "Princess Azula, I mean. She's in her room, right?"

"Uh… I suppose?" Lu Ten said, frowning as he glanced at the door again. "I was talking to her, but… she didn't answer, actually."

"She… didn't?" Katara repeated, and her hopefulness suddenly shifted into dread. Lu Ten grimaced.

"Is your brother missing again, by any chance?" he asked, an awkward smile on his face. Katara's own, joyful grin had faded into a frown instead… and then a snarl.

"Those… those two! Ugh! I don't understand anything! I thought they were getting along! Was it all an act?! I…! I don't get it. Oh, I don't get it, and if Prince Ozai finds out they ran away again…!"

"Okay, okay, just a moment now… maybe she's just napping! Maybe Prince Sokka is just eating in the kitchens…!"

"I checked there first. Nothing."

"Huh. Damn. Okay, well, I'll check my cousin's room first, anyhow," Lu Ten smiled awkwardly.

He'd never open the door without permission, under any other circumstances… but if Azula was in trouble again, it wouldn't be good news for anyone. So, he turned the doorknob, pushed the door inside, and called her anew…

"Azula? You in there, little dragon?" he asked, his voice high-pitched in his nervousness…

He spoke to nothingness, however. In a matter of instants, it was plain and clear that the room was deserted.

"Oh, shit," he gave up quickly, rushing inside the room as Katara vociferated all sorts of curses in the corridor.

He checked the bathroom, the adjacent dining room, the closet… and he found nothing. She was nowhere around: his cousin, clever and devious, had escaped from her wedding, yet again.

"Okay… okay. Let's take it easy, alright…?" Lu Ten told Katara, biting his lip. "We'll go find them. It won't be easy, especially today… the people are a little enthusiastic about their celebrations. But we'll track them down before my uncle wakes up again, alright?"

"I'm going to be sick" Katara grimaced, shaking her head before nodding quickly in Lu Ten's direction "Yes, please. The sooner we track them down, the better. Ugh, why does he have to be such an idiot…?!"

Lu Ten smiled awkwardly, guessing this wouldn't be the best way to bond with the girl who would likely become his in-law within the next week. Yet the situation was urgent and complicated, and… well, maybe there was a part of him that wanted Azula to get away with it, to run away again now that her father had neglected to keep an eye on her. Maybe letting her do this wouldn't be that terrible, all around…

Maybe he could even help her with her grand escape, if he took Katara on a likely goose chase that would yield next to no results, if it yielded any at all.

"She must have taken advantage of how busy the streets are right now, actually," Lu Ten reasoned. "They both must have thought about that. It won't make it easy to find them… but I think it's our best bet, Princess Katara."

"Then lead the way. If we track them down quickly, we can put this mess to rest and make sure they DON'T do anything stupid ever again," Katara huffed. Lu Ten smiled and nodded.

"Alright, then! Follow me!"

The older prince guided his new acquaintance through the Palace's corridors skillfully: Katara still cursed under her breath as they ran, but Lu Ten's eyes gleamed with hope. Surely his cousin had a much bigger, better plan in mind than anything he could anticipate…

The colorful sights across the city took the two young adults by surprise as they entered the main streets of the Capital: Azula had cleverly devised a perfect route through which they escaped the Palace, avoiding all detection so far. Hand-in-hand with Sokka, the pair had marched casually through the streets, clad in servant uniforms at first – then, Azula had guided Sokka into a nearby clothing store, and they had changed into less suspicious attire before their date began properly.

"There's so many people, damn…" Sokka laughed, glancing around himself in amazement: it was dusk already, and the bright lanterns only seemed to enhance the beauty of the scenery before them.

"Too many, maybe," Azula said, inching closer to Sokka so she could avoid a pair of boys, rushing around, playing at chasing each other and disregarding the people they'd bump into in the thick crowd.

"If you really think so, the Water Tribe should sit well with you. It's definitely not this crowded," Sokka said. Azula smiled fondly at his words.

"Sounds about right for me, then," she whispered. Much like a lot of things about the Water Tribe seemed just about right for her… especially the man whose hand she held, still.

"Do you want to do anything in particular, or should we just look around?" Sokka asked. "I figure you'd know what the best sorts of games would be, or the best foods…"

"Well, hypothetically, I should, but… as you may be able to imagine, princesses aren't exactly allowed to partake in the fun of commoners," Azula said, with a dry grin. Sokka scoffed.

"For real? That's nonsense. What's the point of being a royal if you can't have fun whenever you want to?" he huffed. "I mean, I've been away from home for long periods, true… but I remember playing with all the kids of my tribe without caring if they were royal or commoners. Would've meant I would be stuck with my sister alone, otherwise… and that would have been a mess, for sure. She already lacks patience to deal with me on any given day, worse yet if I happened to be the only person our age she could meet…"

"Heh, well, guess that explains to you why Zuko and I don't get along so well," Azula smiled a little. "Though… I do get along with cousin Lu Ten. The Crown Prince, I mean…"

"I've only seen him a few times," Sokka said, intrigued: the Crown Prince was the direct heir to his father, much as Sokka was the direct heir of Hakoda. If Azula got along with him, Sokka suspected his own opinion of the older prince would be favorable too. "Hmm, come to think of it, you and I get along, too. Looks like you'll always have good relationships with heirs to thrones…"

"Huh," Azula scoffed, looking at him skeptically. "That makes me sound like some sort of gold-digger, purposefully building bonds between myself and those with the most power…"

"What? Hey, now, I didn't mean it like that!" Sokka flinched. "I mean, if you were a gold-digger, you'd definitely be better off staying here! Me and my family, sure, we are royals, but I bet you guys have at least twice as much money as we do…"

"That so? Then are you the gold-digger, for marrying me?" Azula asked, with a growing smirk. Sokka's jaw dropped.

"Did you just take offense only to… to turn that offense around right back at me?" Sokka asked, eyes wide "Why, you… you clever, devious lady, Princess Azula…"

"You had your perfect chance to make fun of me for being a gold-digger too, not my fault you didn't take it," Azula chuckled, her previous, feigned outrage well and truly gone by now. Sokka smirked slightly, bumping her hip with his own.

"I see how it is, then. Next time I see a chance to make fun of you, I'm taking it. You've been warned," he said. Azula snickered.

"Good. Now we're on the same page, for sure," she smiled, squeezing his hand and dropping her head gently on his shoulder.

It wouldn't be easy to poke fun of the young woman by his side, Sokka reasoned, for his heart raced whenever she came any closer to him, and he wanted to do nothing but hold her, right then and there… but they were supposed to be on a date. They would have chances on top of chances to cuddle and hold each other in the future, if he was lucky… for now, they were meant to enjoy this festival properly. Thus, he did his best to focus on their packed surroundings… until his attention was caught, not by anything within sight, but by the odor of a delicious, meat-based dish he couldn't pinpoint immediately.

"Wow, that smells amazing…" he said, eyes wide.

"Guess you've been in the Fire Nation for a while, but you haven't had your fill of Fire Nation food yet?" Azula asked. Sokka shook his head rapidly.

"You guys have amazing stuff here. I'm going to make my dad import lots of Fire Nation food once we go back home, I vow it," Sokka declared, and Azula laughed at his very agreeable decision. "Now, though… can we go find out where that scent's coming from?"

"It might be tricky to narrow it down… but something tells me you wouldn't be opposed to trying out every single food stall in this festival," Azula smiled. Sokka grinned wildly.

"Is that a challenge?" he asked. Azula shrugged.

"Not originally, but if you mean to make it one…" she said, smirking. Sokka snickered, and he ferried Azula towards the nearest food stall, at once.

She had brought plenty of money for their escapade, perhaps more than necessary, yet now Sokka was determined to taste every possible kind of traditional Fire Nation food in existence, and she would be happy to fulfill his wishes. They saw as much of the festival as they could, trying out each dish, enjoying the various, intense flavors that left Sokka dazed more often than not. It seemed to him that the Fire Nation cuisine was devoid of all understanding of moderation, always seeking to draw out the very best out of each dish, as well as each drink they tried out. They wandered across more than just food stalls: they watched a few games, participated in others, laughed at the results, and carried on basking in the best the Fire Nation could offer in that festival. Sokka's smile warmed as he held Azula against his chest while they watched a firebending display together, enjoying the show as well as the accompanying music, a fast-paced rhythmic tune that played on par with the illusionist's work.

"Guess you're going to miss all this, huh?" he asked, softly. Azula snorted, glancing at him with amusement.

"I'd miss it all the more if I'd actually experienced it more often than I actually have. It's the first time I've seen all this, like I already told you…"

"I know, I just thought… well, it is your people," he said, softly. Azula hummed, closing her eyes as she let her head rest gently against his shoulder. "And this is the only world you know."

"It is… but I think I'd like to know more about what extends beyond this archipelago," Azula admitted: his arms held her from behind, and she clung to his embrace blissfully. "Might be I will miss it more than I imagine, but for now… for now I'm willing to broaden my horizons. Ready for you to broaden them for me, even."

"You sure?" Sokka asked with a playful smile. Azula smiled back, pecking his lips quickly.

"No idea why you're even asking, when you already have done exactly that," she whispered: his warm smile sent the most delightfully fuzzy sensations through her own system too.

To think that now she wanted this wedding to be finalized solely so she could get to know Sokka properly, thoroughly, taking her time just as he took his to understand each other perfectly… how things had taken such a turn so quickly, she had no idea, but Azula certainly thanked her luck profusely upon finding her future husband would prove to be an ideal match for her, just when she had dreaded the exact opposite thing…

"And now, for my next trick, I need a volunteer from the audience!"

The voice of the firebending illusionist broke the tender moment shared by the young couple. Both Azula and Sokka glanced at the man with sharp features and long dark hair: he scoured the audience with his gaze, ignoring most the people who jumped and cheered, raising their hands as high as they could in hopes of catching his attention.

"Is he really that good a firebender?" Sokka asked, amused. "I can't say I know a lot of firebenders, myself… though I guess I do now that I'm going to be part of your family, huh?"

"You do. You're holding one now, as you may have been told," Azula teased him. Sokka grinned brightly. "This is entertainment, though. Firebending in this sort of situation is safe, perhaps even too tame and simple, I'd say…"

"You'd do much better, then?" Sokka asked, amused. Azula smirked and shrugged.

"Guess I'll show you one day, it's probably a crime that I haven't given you even the slightest firebending demonstra-…"

"Aha! You there, young lady! Care to join me onstage?"

Sokka tensed up, and Azula turned her head towards the performer once more: indeed, the man's eyes were set on her. She had to hold back the urge to laugh as she responded:

"Oh, I don't think you want me to…"

"Don't be shy! Come on, come on up! You'll be safe and sound, you'll see!"

Sokka grimaced, but Azula no longer contained her amusement. She glanced back at Sokka, smirking slightly.

"Guess I'll give you that firebending demonstration a little earlier than expected, huh?"

"Azula…" he called for her, biting his lip. She smiled fondly at him, patting his chest before climbing onto the stage, among cheers and clapping.

Couldn't anyone recognize her? Was it perhaps so dark already that her features weren't so easily discerned by the audienceonce she climbed onstage? Or was it most these people didn't know what their Princess looked like, to begin with? Sokka was mystified upon pondering as much. He gazed around himself, puzzled, hoping nobody would be able to recognize her indeed… otherwise, word about her presence in the festival might reach the Palace, and then Prince Ozai would have even more reasons to be cross with them. The less attention they garnered, the better… and yet the idea of witnessing Azula's firebending prowess was undeniably appealing. Oh, was he a fool for looking forward to this…?

"This next trick is called 'taming the dragon', and this young lady shall be the captured princess." the man explained, leading Azula to a chair and fastening a fabric around her body, tying her to the backrest. "I've done this thousands of times, all throughout the festivals in the Fire Nation and beyond! So, rest assured, I can handle the heat!"

He roared the last words, and right afterwards, the fire burning in the four tall torches that lined his stage flowed out of their containers, joining together to form, indeed, what appeared to be a wingless, fire-based dragon. It was the performer's best trick, and it caused countless people to watch, amazed and dazed, as the dragon danced elegantly in the air. Even the carriage that currently attempted to find its path to the Palace was privy to the extraordinary sight, and Zuko raised an eyebrow as he watched it intently.

"That looks pretty neat, eh?" Hakoda smiled at him: the woman by Zuko's side, however, wasn't in the mood to be impressed by firebending.

"Goodness, there's far too many people. We won't make any more progress, at this rate!" Ursa exclaimed, frustrated. Kya smiled sadly, reaching out to clasp her friend's hand, across their seats.

"There, there. Maybe we should forsake the carriage and go on foot…"

"On foot?" Ursa repeated, surprised by the rather simple and natural conclusion Kya had reached. The Water Tribe woman shrugged, offering her a casual smile. "Well, that… that could be somewhat troubling. It is a lot of people anyway, so…"

"You needn't worry, Zuko and I can ensure nobody squishes you and Kya," Hakoda smiled.

"Oh… oh, if you're all sure, then I suppose it may be for the best…" Ursa said, glancing at her fellow passengers with uncertainty.

Before she knew it, she had joined the masses in the middle of the road, after night had fallen. The Palace loomed ahead, not that far away at all, and that firebending display stood at a short distance from its gates. They made their way through the thick crowds, hoping to reach the doors… when a speck of blue fire, blazing brightly in the night, caught Ursa's attention.

"What was…?" she blurted out, freezing on the spot, just as Zuko shielded her from the oncoming hordes of people.

"Mother? What is it?" Zuko asked.

He recognized the glacial expression on Ursa's face immediately: something was wrong. And in all likelihood, it had something to do with Azula.

"Zuko…?" she said, raising her hand towards the firebending demonstration. Her son turned around, just as the Water Tribe's chief and his wife stopped beside them. "Am I seeing things… or is that blue fire?"

In the center of that stage, a young woman in casual robes had burned effortlessly through the fabric that had contained her in her chair: now, to the absolute shock of her audience, she had wrestled the dragon out of the firebending illusionist's control, and she twirled it in an incredible, impeccable display of skill that saw even the showman gawking in utter amazement. Enthralled, Sokka's voice was the loudest among the cheers, and he clapped and hooted while watching the elegant, extraordinary motions of his future wife. Her control over firebending was uncanny, and Sokka could only admire her further for it…

After several twirls, after even better developing the dragon's shape and features, Azula finally had her fill: she cast the dragon into the sky with a powerful blast and, when it was overcharged with firebending, the dragon seemed to explode. Confetti rained upon the stage and its public: people cheered even louder now, as she bowed in the most pompous way possible while nodding graciously at the shocked illusionist, as though thanking him for the opportunity he had offered her, without his awareness. The man had fallen to his knees, slack-jawed, and he couldn't say anything at all as Azula climbed down the stage and rushed into Sokka's waiting arms.

"Hell, you didn't tell me your fire was blue! Wow! That was… wow!" he exclaimed, as she laughed with delightful abandon. "Girl, you're incredible!"

"Am I, really?" she laughed, pleased by his positive reaction. He grinned wildly and nodded.

"That was beautiful. You're beautiful," he determined, beaming as he leaned down to kiss her willfully.

Azula relented, wrapping her arms around his neck as she laughed into their kiss: she had always taken pride in her bending, but knowing Sokka had been dazzled by her ability, by the power she could wield… it sent shivers of the best kind down her spine, and she swayed in his arms as the sounds of music nearby instensified. It was a drumming rhythm, one with which she felt an overpowering need to join Sokka in a dance… for he was already starting to shift at its beat. Their kiss only broke so they could surrender to that new, unexpected urge, laughing again as they twirled together underneath a sky dotted with countless stars, as their feet moved rapidly together. Even if the illusionist remained dazzled – as did many people around them, who had only heard occasional rumors of the Princess's uncanny firebending abilities and couldn't quite be sure if this girl was, indeed, the Princess herself –, the music had continued… and some people even joined in on the dancing, thrilled by the invigorating firebending trick they'd witnessed moments ago.

And so, they danced, and laughed, and spun in circles before winding up completely wrapped around each other again: Prince Sokka and Princess Azula, devoted to each other completely, were once again caught in a kiss as impassioned and powerful as the bending Azula had shown moments ago, as the flavors of each meal they'd tasted… as the remarkable spirit of the Fire Nation, which Sokka matched perfectly with no shortage of passion and strength of his own. In that moment, whatever doubts Azula could have felt faded to the background: this was what she wanted. This was the future she would choose, even if she had a thousand choices ahead. This man, his willful affection, his relentless passion for her…

It was probably too soon to think she might love him, but the thought came to mind, all the same.

He was smiling brightly when they parted, dizzy after the excitement over Azula's hijacking of the illusionist's performance and after the long, fulfilling kisses they had exchanged…

Then his smile faded quickly, and the beautiful brown of his skin paled suddenly when his eyes rose above Azula's head.

Even before turning around, Azula's stomach sank at the not-so-agreeable expression on her lover's face. Had her father caught them, by any chance? Had his nap ended so soon, and her display of blue firebending had drawn him to their position easily? Or would it be anything worse, such as Fire Lord Iroh himself, determining she had shamed their family with her behavior, or…?

None of the possibilities that crossed her mind could have prepared her for the sheer panic she felt upon turning around and finding that the most daunting adult figure in her life was the one standing behind her, with a flabbergasted Zuko by her side, as well as Sokka's apparently approving parents, a few steps behind them.

Yet the steel glare of Ursa's eyes bore into her daughter with such power the Princess almost staggered into Sokka's arms. Frozen where they both stood, they dreaded they had just gotten themselves into a worse sort of trouble than the one they'd stirred up when they ran away at first…

The Palace room seemed to be moments away from becoming the perfect setting for a monumental catastrophe: the arguing voices flinging responsibility left and right –predominantly pinning it on both the frequently escaping prince and princess – could probably be heard even past the walls of the Palace, where the festival continued to rage and increase in excitement and intensity. How Azula wished she could be there now, rather than here… Sokka's hand slipped into hers, and she watched the gesture with hopelessness as she held her head up with her other hand.

They sat together on one couch, silently awaiting judgment as everyone discussed the happenings with changing spirits so far. Lu Ten and Katara had returned to the Palace just when things had seemed to be about to calm down, and then their voices had joined the others, too.

Yet what worried Azula the most was Ursa's uncharacteristic silence. Ozai couldn't seem to stop blaming Hakoda, at which Kya frequently intervened to scold Ozai promptly, and Lu Ten and Katara were more and more confused at every turn. Zuko attempted to explain and, from his words, Azula managed to gleam that her earlier suspicions had been accurate: their parents had engineered things to give her and Sokka a chance to escape, initially… or, rather, Hakoda had, with Kya and Ozai's knowledge. Ursa had been kept out of it, and it seemed the only thing that could get Ozai to stop growling at Hakoda was realizing his wife would surely turn her rage on him for neglecting to explain the situation to her, despite having known what was going on all along.

"So… okay. They ran away together, and just now they weren't running away but just… having fun?" Lu Ten tried to recap, glancing at the two culprits with uncertainty. "And you two don't hate each other after all and aren't against getting married, in the end?"

"Well… no. Not anymore, we're not…" Sokka mumbled quietly, speaking for the first time in what felt like hours.

"Oh, please… and now you'll hold hands and act all civil and proper, you two?" Ozai scoffed, his eyebrow twitching persistently. "I already had warned you: you could do whatever you pleased after this wedding had been finished and your choices were no longer a potential danger for either of our nations! And yet you still acted out, like fools, and ran amok in that festival when you said you would stay put…!"

"If it's any help, we did intend to go back to the Palace afterwards, but… come on. What's the point of them holding that sort of big fun festival if the very people they're honoring won't even get to be part of it?" Sokka blurted out, unthinking. He only regretted the words when Ozai's twitching appeared to worsen, and yet…

"Hey, now. He has the right idea, actually," Lu Ten said, with an agreeable nod: Ozai shot him a disbelieving glare. "What? I thought so too, you know? If I'd had a chance to go out and have fun the way our people did, maybe my wedding wouldn't have felt like such a drag. If these two had the guts to do it when I didn't, well, all the more power to them, I say."

"All the more power? Really? As it is, I'd sooner say they should be stripped of all power altogether after these sorts of stunts," Ozai scowled. "Hakoda should pass over his son and make his daughter his heir…"

"Well, great, because that's what you wanted to do with yours and make Azula the heir, meaning, you'd be stuck with Azula and Sokka here while I…!" Hakoda pointed out, with a vicious smirk that garnered Ozai's horrified fury once again.

"That's not what I…! Hakoda!"

"You wanted to WHAT?!" Zuko exclaimed, eyes wide: Ozai winced and eyed his son warily. "Really, then? You were just going to pass me over…why, exactly?"

"I wasn't going to…! I never said I'd…! Hakoda, I'm going to murder you!"

"The thousandth time you say those words and it hasn't happened once. Your track record of believability sure leaves much to be desired, Prince Ozai…" Hakoda said, playfully, as Ozai raised a fist, coated with fire he couldn't seem to suppress…

"Ozai."

The whole room fell silent, immediately, when Ursa's voice rang in it.

She sat opposite to Azula and Sokka, though at a fair distance from the two. Everyone else remained on their feet, though Kya stood behind Ursa, a placating hand on the Princess Consort's shoulder. The thunderous rage in her eyes earlier had seemed to recede, somehow… and yet Azula only found that even more terrifying than before, just as Ozai did.

"Ursa, I know I failed you, I should have done better," Ozai said, gritting his teeth as he bowed his head in her direction. "From this point on, I'll ensure the two of them are watched, day in and day out, until the wedding ceremo-…"

"No need for that. We are all adults here," Ursa said, so coldly Ozai felt as though he'd frozen over under her dismissive words. "As far as I can tell, all your arguing and bickering will get us nowhere."

"I… I'm sorry," Ozai said, bowing his head even lower yet.

Ursa held complete control of the atmosphere in the room right now, and it seemed she had chosen to make it as oppressive as possible. She scrutinized both Azula and Sokka intently, but where the soon-to-be-married couple felt the urge to cower from her glare at first, they soon responded to it with earnest stares, instead.

"I suppose it is my turn to try and reason with this situation," Ursa said, crossing her legs elegantly. "You… ran off, upon finding a golden opportunity to do so. Upon escaping, you bumped into each other right when the final carriage, or what you believed was the final one, arrived at the carriage stop. You traveled together to the port, and in the process, you forged an alliance to help each other run away… while unaware of each other's identities?"

"We… had our suspicions, since our situation was so similar," Sokka admitted, and Azula nodded. "But we pretended to be different people anyway, yes."

"Then, you stowed away on a ship, without knowing where it would take you? And by sheer chance, it wound up in Ember Island?"

"They stopped a few times before reaching Ember Island, but that was where it docked when the sailors found us," Azula confirmed.

"And so, the two of you were later found in our family's villa in Ember Island on the second morning since your escape, by Chief Hakoda and my own husband…" Ursa said, with a dry smile. "By then, you had bonded so strongly across two days as to change your mind about your upcoming nuptials and no longer wished to run away… and when you seemed to have fled the Palace once more, it was only for the sake of enjoying yourselves in the commoners' festival?"

The two of them nodded again. Ursa breathed deeply and released the air in a very slow manner. While that form of breathing suggested she was relaxing, Azula knew better than to assume as much blindly… as did everyone in the room, it seemed. Even Zuko, ever in Ursa's good graces, seemed nervous of his mother's reaction next…

"Just to clarify, then… you two no longer have any objections to this marriage?" Ursa asked. Sokka swallowed hard and shook his head.

"After getting to know Azula… I don't think I could ever object to it again," he said. "Had you guys just brought us together without any plans to arrange us in marriage, I probably would have fallen for her on first sight anyway and whisked her away to elope with me, if she wanted me too…"

"And I would have wanted you to," Azula said, squeezing his hand gently. Sokka smiled fondly at her as Azula turned to her mother, her heart drumming in her chest. "I… I know I've said things. I know I protested, and I found it unfair that you wanted me to marry someone I barely knew… I still think I deserved the chance to choose, as did he. But even if we had no idea Chief Hakoda had set things up for us to escape as we did… even then, we did choose each other, in our own way, when we thought we were escaping together to freedom. It's still, I guess, not the best way to go about this… the same result could have been achieved, like Sokka said, without arranging our marriage at all, as far as I can tell. But even if I'd have liked to have known Sokka better, and for longer than I have so far, I… I accept your work to arrange our marriage now. And… I apologize, too, for the trouble we caused. If it's any good saying as much anymore…"

"You… apologize?" Ursa repeated. Azula's eyebrow twitched, much like her father's did. "Now that's new… here I thought you were proud of your choices. Of having escaped, since it meant rebellion against a system you don't believe in, of having determined this young man is worthy of you by your own standards, rather than by abiding by what's expected of you…"

"I… I'm not sorry for any of that," Azula huffed. "But I am sorry for causing that much trouble anyway. Granted, I did want to cause trouble, in a vindictive sort of way, when I first ran away, but… that wasn't our intent today. We really meant to go back to the Palace before anyone important realized we'd escaped…"

"Anyone important, meaning… not me?" Katara asked, with a dry grin. Azula grimaced.

"Well, I did hope, if you or Lu Ten or even Zuko realized we were gone, you'd have tried to find us without alerting anyone else…" Azula pointed out, at which Sokka chimed in.

"Which is exactly what you did, so she wasn't wrong to expect that," Sokka raised his head, as good as proud of Azula. His pride seemed to freeze once Ursa raised an eyebrow judgmentally in his direction. "W-well, for the record… I'm sorry we caused trouble this time, too. But, uh, we'll… try to behave ourselves. From this point onwards."

"You won't try: you'll succeed," Ozai growled, glaring at Sokka. "No more reckless escapades of any nature. Both of you will be kept under watch for the next few days until…"

"Oh, please. I already said you don't need to exaggerate like this, Ozai, really."

Both Azula and Sokka froze in place when Ursa waved a dismissive hand in Ozai's direction. Again, the woman had effortlessly directed everyone's attention to herself, commanding such authority her regal husband fell silent immediately.

"E… Exaggerate?" Azula repeated, staring at Ursa with unease. "Is this the part where you blow me away by… by deciding I didn't do anything unforgivable, despite I thought this would be the very last straw for you, or are you about to say you have even worse plans in mind than what Father just said…?"

The smile that spread over Ursa's face almost made Azula's heart stop… the laughter that tumbled from her lips seemed poised to do so, just as well. Her mother… laughing? That couldn't be right. That couldn't be happening. Surely, she was moments away from saying she was disowned and disgraced, and this marriage wouldn't be happening at all because Azula was no longer part of the family after her many misdemeanors…

"Oh, you are impossible, child," Ursa chuckled, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. "How have you managed to weave a net of mischief so intricate and complicated that, once it comes down to it, it seems you've done nothing wrong at all?"

"I… what?" Azula blinked blankly. Ursa sighed, gazing between the two young adults before her.

"I wanted you to accept this marriage. I believed Hakoda when he said you two might be a good match. I pressed Ozai to accept the arrangement," Ursa recited, raising her eyebrows. "Then, of course, you retaliated and rebelled. And yet now… you're not simply agreeing to marry this young man out of a sense of responsibility and duty, but it seems you actually have developed affection for each other. Perhaps you are much too reckless, but if I really think about it… why should anyone be upset when you're not only doing what we wanted you to do, but doing it out of your own volition and convictions, too?"

"T-then you're… you're not angry?" Azula gasped: her whole world seemed to fall apart and, just so, rebuild itself upon hearing her mother's unusually sensible words. This had to be a joke of some sort, it just had to be…

But Ursa's smile had seldom been so warm in her direction before. She wasn't disappointed, she was… she was pleased with this outcome. Maybe she was proud of her, even.

"Now then, this being said… do make sure to notify the Palace staff if you decide to go gallivanting in the festival again," Ursa said, raising a hand pointedly. "At the very least, take a few guards with you…"

"But…! It's not appropriate for a Princess to partake in that sort of revelry," Ozai interrupted, and Ursa eyed him skeptically. "The festival is for the commoners, she should be…"

"She should be preparing to marry her husband, yes. As far as I can tell, they're simply going about it in a different way than most of us did," Ursa finished, startling Ozai. "Is it untraditional? As were all your actions during the war, as is the very notion of arranging a marriage between a Princess of our lineage and a Prince of a foreign nation. Maybe I'm simply too tired to be up in arms about this anymore, Ozai, dear… but I see no point in arguing or fighting about who's to blame over what, or what's the appropriate way to do anything, when we're finally getting the outcome we were in pursuit of all along."

"Besides… Water Tribe people aren't that uptight about mingling with commoners," Azula chimed in, startling Ozai. "Sokka told me so. Therefore… if I'm to prepare for living my life in the South Pole, perhaps this is a proper way to do so."

"A good point," Kya said, smiling fondly at her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. "And that they keep escaping together can only be a good thing, right? Not to mention they appear to be perfectly happy with each other, too."

"Perfectly…? Ugh," Ozai scoffed, folding his arms over his chest. Ursa rolled her eyes.

"I'm getting the feeling the biggest protestor to this whole scheme is actually you, Ozai. If you didn't want your daughter to marry your best friend's son, you should have refused the match in the first place."

"Wouldn't have mattered much, though. The minute we'd met, even if under other circumstances…" Sokka said, grinning at Azula, who smiled warmly, if bashfully, in his direction.

"I didn't…! I'm not…! Oh, curse you all…" he scoffed, marching to the door in a clear sign of surrender. Ursa raised her eyebrows with a proud smirk, letting her husband march off without making the slightest move to stop him.

"I'll handle him later, never mind your father, Azula," Ursa said. Her daughter eyed her with uncertainty, and Ursa smiled with unusual fondness at her. "Maybe you're right to say we should have gone about it differently, child… but if you are truly happy, then I can take some form of relief in knowing I didn't make a terrible mistake by approving of this engagement, altogether."

"Hell, you're damn lucky all around, Azula," Lu Ten laughed, hands on his hips. "My wife would never want to escape into the city festivals with me, not even if I begged her to. All I can hope for is that we'll learn to live with each other… while you two seem to be pretty damn happy already and you've only known each other for three days, now?"

"We really are lucky, if you think about it that way…" Sokka said, smiling at Azula. She bit her lip and shrugged.

"Guess it's not that bad, letting others have a say upon which path we should follow," she said. "Though, admittedly, if you guys suggest anything that sounds really stupid, we're not doing it."

"Yeah, we're not doing it," Sokka snickered in agreement. Azula smiled in complicity, and Ursa sighed, though she smiled too.

"You may wish to make us regret this match by tormenting the rest of us in whatever ways you may think of but, just so you know…" she said, rising to her feet. "As long as you're both happy, any consequences that might befall the rest of us will just have to be dealt with when the time comes."

Her words, and her surprisingly agreeable reactions, had taken Azula by surprise completely. She raised her gaze towards her mother, an unusual burst of gratitude blooming inside her heart…

A noisy sound of stumbling footsteps outside the room revealed that Ozai had just returned, and a most unbecoming scowl graced his face. The reason for it, of course, stepped through the threshold moments later, with a grin so joyful it seemed to glisten just as brightly as the five-pronged crown on his head.

"Then it is done?! There will be a wedding?!" Fire Lord Iroh exclaimed, with a ferocious smile across his face.

"Yes, Fire Lord Iroh. We will have a wedding, as agreed upon by the bride and groom," Ursa said, turning to her own brother-in-law as Iroh cackled, stepping inside the room and making his way towards Sokka.

"Magnificent! Oh, I can't wait for the party…!"

"Of course you can't…" Azula grumbled under her breath, as Iroh shook Sokka's hand most excitedly, causing his arm to wobble awkwardly in the process.

"Have you met all of your in-laws yet, young man?! I'm Iroh, the bride's uncle! Also the Fire Lord, but that's secondary here, isn't it?"

"Right," Sokka smiled awkwardly, as Iroh yanked him to his feet, forcefully.

"And this is my son, Lu Ten! Your, uh, cousin-in-law! Lu Ten, welcome the young man to our family!"

"You're seriously introducing him to a lot of people who have been in this room with him for hours, now?" Azula asked, skeptical, as Iroh huffed in her direction.

"Come on, now, Princess Azula! You should introduce yourself to your own new in-laws, too!"

Azula buried her face in her hand as the Fire Lord's jolly mood shifted the tide of the arguments and agreements alike. Before anyone knew it, the room was alight with laughter, much as the festivals outside had been… and as much as it was quite ridiculous, in Azula's opinion, to get proper introductions at such a late stage, she eventually succumbed to it, and just as her family welcomed Sokka – albeit most begrudgingly, in Ozai's case –, his own welcomed Azula as well. When Kya embraced her warmly, and Ursa did the same with Sokka, the eyes of the two future spouses met again, and they shared a complicit smile: their worlds, their lives, had suddenly grown much larger when they had collided together… and now they were ready to face all the changes, grow together and learn everything they needed to, in order to become the best lifelong partners they could hope to be for each other.

#sokkla #sokka #azula #sokkla saturdays #sokkla saturdays 2021 #this is one of my 'everyone lives' AUs #so we get to have lots of fun with lots of dynamics and relationships we could never see otherwise *sobs*#I know maybe this isn't my typical take on a lot of things BUT #*flings it into the universe*#here it goes and I regret nothing!#(funnily enough it ended up working for both prompts in the end just like last year what weird concidences...)

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