#My army is growing we ride at dawn

[shidraoftheworldpillar]

my mom: you're not autistic!

Meanwhile me:

[dreammfyre]

the heir's favorite ⋆ jacaerys velaryon

SUMMARY. You are the first daughter of the marriage between your mother Rhaenyra Targaryen and your father Daemon Targaryen. Always the most rebellious and difficult of all, temperamental, impulsive. However, weak before the temptation to possess your older brother, the crown prince Jacaerys Velaryon, a knight par excellence, the opposite of you. But no one in Dragonstone imagined that you shared much more than dragon's blood.

WARNINGS. +18 Jacaerys Velaryon x fem!oc. Targaryen incest (brother and sister). Jacaerys aggressive and dominant. Smut. Based on the second season of House Of the Dragon.

AUTHOR'S NOTE. This was a suggestion left anonymously in the messages, so I invite you to leave yours. Thanks for reading.

The empty room was so quiet that you could feel your thoughts could be heard all over the place. The full moon illuminated the dark sky, standing out against the stars that night where everyone was resting in their chambers, but you were unable to lie in your bed, much less fall asleep without having nightmares. The Stone Table was where everyone met daily to discuss strategies for the war that was being unleashed in Westeros, but now that empty place was strange, so much silence and loneliness. The extinguished embers did not illuminate the tabletop, you touched the stone expecting to burn, however, it was totally cold.

"Who's there?" a familiar voice entered the place. You turned immediately finding Prince Jacaerys, your older brother and heir to your mother's throne. "Sister... it's very late."

"I know, you should be resting." You replied walking towards him.

"It's a bit complex lately." He took the luxury of joking, in response you smiled without much encouragement. "May I know what you're doing here?"

"Not much. Seems to me you're not the only one who doesn't get any rest." You lifted your shoulders casually. "Any news on your rounds?"

Jacaerys shook his head in disappointment, pacing around the table resting his hands on the handle of his sword without taking his eyes off you, analyzing your presence carefully, as if silently judging you. You rested your hands on the stone of the table relaxing your body on your arms, but your head couldn't stop scheming hundreds of thoughts and bloody imaginary scenarios regarding the war.

"Cole's army is getting bigger and bigger and we don't have a damn clue about anything." You said with a tense jaw. "And about my father..." you sighed deeply without looking your brother in the face "no word from him for days."

"That's not your fault." Jace tried to make you feel better with repeated kind words, but your guilt was growing and the anguish of the approaching war wouldn't leave you alone. "Daemon is not the priority."

"That idiot should be here, on the island, with his queen and his children." You whispered angrily. Then you looked up resolute in your decision. "I'll go see him tomorrow."

That didn't sit well with your brother.

"Don't talk nonsense, Visenya." The heir scoffed. "You can't go to Harrenhal alone, it's too dangerous and we don't know if the way is clear."

"You think I'll arrive by land alongside Daemon's imaginary army?" you sneered in the same condescending manner, a brazen gesture that made Jacaerys' blood boil. "I will ride Vermithor's back at dawn and arrive before the sun peaks. I will return the same day with news before the queen."

"That's a lousy idea!" Your brother exclaimed angrily. Grabbing your arm with brute force, forcing you to look him. "How can you even think of traveling alone to lands we don't know if they are enemies or allies?"

"We need to move fast before they come for us, Jacaerys." You squirmed under his grip feeling his fingers bury into your pale skin. "Do you intend to wait for my father to return?" you managed to break free from his grip with difficulty, Jacaerys ran a hand through his wavy hair desperate not to talk sense into you. "Because you may take a seat, I will not be accompanying you."

"Visenya, please understand the magnitude of your stupidity." He begged, chasing you from side to side. Your brother knew how impulsive you were, and how hard it was for you to get an idea out of your head, no matter if it was good or bad and in this case it was a rather dangerous one. "What happens if you cross paths with Vhagar in the skies?" The prince raised his voice to you demanding and imperative trying to intimidate you, anyone passing nearby could overhear your discussion. You turned your back to him, you didn't want to look him in the face out of embarrassment because deep down you knew his words were true. "You have no business there!"

"I have no business here either!" you exclaimed with the same intensity. You were temperamental by nature and now you were blowing off steam. "I'm tired of staying cooped up on the island, waiting for others to figure things out! I'm a dragon rider, and I'm constrained by these walls."

Your brother understood that feeling better than anyone, he grabbed you by both cheeks, covering your face with his firm hands.

"I know how you feel, Visenya. Believe me, but walking out at the first impulse is not the solution, don't you understand?" You put your hands over his, looking at him intently. You wanted to nod to answer him the question he asked you, but you were mesmerized in his nearness and his breath hitting your face. "Stay here, with us." He watched you carefully without letting go, losing himself in the sense of his pleas to look at you closely, you were so beautiful in any light no matter how dim, a Targaryen through and through with bright, intense violet eyes of long white hair like your parents. Jacaerys couldn't help but stare at you, the half-open lips tempting him to taste you, trying not to lose what little composure he had left. "With me."

You possessed the ethereal beauty of your mother and the complex character of your father, Daemon Targaryen. Under your little ethics and impulsiveness you did not think if it was a coherent idea and you threw yourself to kiss the thick lips of your brother who reciprocated instantly, none of them reasoned, they only moved to the rhythm of the kiss where their moist lips brushed anxiously. Your brother's hand on your waist took you by surprise, more so when he pressed you against his body bumping you against his chest and cornering you against the table.

"Go to sleep." Jace scolded you making an attempt to stop kissing you, but you kept reaching for him. "This isn't a good place."

With a smile you ignored knowing the only way to stop the situation was for you to go to your quarters and you didn't feel like leaving. You grabbed her hair tangling your fingers in her chestnut curls, Jacaerys strength intimidated you, but it wasn't enough to stop you.

"Don't go to Harrenhal." He pleaded leaving kisses on your neck, tracing a wet path over your skin taking advantage of inhaling your scent. "Do it and I promise I will warm your bed every night."

You felt a shiver run down your back at his offering, Jacaerys kept leaving kisses until he reached your collarbones uncovered by the neckline of your dress. His warm lips made your heart beat faster, you grabbed him by the face stopping him.

"Would you do that for me?" you asked with dangerous innocence, watching his glossy swollen lips.

"Do you really doubt it?" he answered against your ear, then brushed his nose against yours slowly, you left a short kiss on his lips almost by instinct, so tender and unexpected that you heard a laugh come out of the prince.

"I'll think about it." You whispered touching his chest, playing with the textures of the fabrics, his agitated breathing gave him away, having you close was a personal challenge for the prince. It was a lie, you weren't going to think about it, you just wanted to give him what he needed to hear to stay with you.

Jacaerys' big hands began to take hold of your body squeezing you tightly making you gasp, then you lifted your chin giving him access to your neck, the kisses there unsettled you in a special way and only your brother knew it, taking advantage of your weakness, listening closely to his breathing and feeling the warmth of his breath was much better. Everything about him you liked, and you were missing him lately. The pressure and uncertainty of the war had taken your head elsewhere, you had abandoned each other for valid reasons, but at that second you just wanted to give yourself to him one more time.

You stood on your tiptoes to gain a little more height reaching for his ear, your brother tensed at the delicate touch of your hot tongue against his lobe, you licked delicately knowing that it turned him on, he confessed it to you one night and you never forgot it. A deep moan of satisfaction came from his throat, then carefully, you lowered one of your hands straight down to his pants, positioning yourself over his hard member that was pressing against the fabric.

"This is not the best place." Begged the prince resting his forehead on your shoulder. "We are in a sacred place, you know?"

You cared little for his insistence or decency when you only wanted to shout his name, though you knew Jacaerys was asking you to stop for the sake of not failing in duty, not because the desire wasn't there. No one understood the reason why Rhaenyra did not cancel the stupid engagement between Lady Baela and the right Jacaerys, no one could deny that they could become blameless kings for the history of Westeros, but there would never be the tension and burning desire throbbing as when the fire was unleashed between you. That first time with a taste of sin, you begging him not to stop, that it was going to become a one-time secret that his parents would never find out, a secret they couldn't help but repeat between your sheets and his, in the hallways and in the library.

Desperate, your brother lifted the skirt of your dress with your help by grabbing your leg and pulling it up to his waist. The mere contact made you moan from the pleasure, you clamped your mouth shut to keep from making noise, you were too sensitive and needy and Jacaerys liked to have you under his control. You were always sarcastic, upset and nasty, just like your dragon, but Jacaerys Velaryon knew how to control you.

"What are you going to do if someone finds out about us?" You asked with bated breath. Deep down it was important to keep the secret guarded to keep it. Jacaerys' fingers stroking between your legs making you jump, clinging to the heir's neck and leaning against the table. "What are they going to say when they find out the crown prince fucking his sister."

His fingers slowly moved up and down, playing with your slimy wetness between his fingers. The mischievous grin on the chestnut's face only reflected the satisfaction of having managed to have you like this, so submissive to him.

"Does it scare you?" he whispered against your moaning lips. With his other hand he gripped the back of your neck tightly, so you wouldn't move. "They're going to find out you're my spoiled sister." Two of his long fingers began to search for the perfect place to insert themselves into you. You stirred under his grip settling in for him, your desperate breathing needing him to finish his work, but he seemed very calm provoking you with his words. "Do you know what they'll call you?" he bit your lip, pulling it towards him. "The heir's whore." His fingers slipped inside you so easily, sliding into your wet insides gushing moans from your chest as you felt him move in and out of you. Jacaerys took your leg his free hand clutching his fingers to your thigh preventing you from closing before him.

At the first loud moan you covered your mouth immediately knowing you were attracting attention, the sensation between your legs was stronger. You squeezed your brother's shoulder getting used to the movement of his fingers inside you.

"Don't yell." He ordered uncompromisingly. He had to kiss you to shut you up, which served you a few short minutes. You were losing your mind, your legs wanted to close but Jace put his foot down to stop that from happening.

"Jacaerys." His name on your lips excited him more than anything else, for it was the tone of desperation that mirrored your desire. To know that he controlled you and you were under his dominion with how arrogant you were, that no knight owned you, that everyone desired you for being Rhaenyra's spoiled daughter, but you were his, no matter an arranged marriage or duty was enough. "Mmh." You ran your hand over your face, desperate to keep silent fighting against your body that was beginning to tremble as his fingers went faster.

But for an ego like Prince Jacaerys Velaryon's it wasn't enough. Listening to you enjoy yourself on the Stone Table where every day they met to discuss war strategies was the most satisfying image to his eyes and he was not going to be able to forget it. The way you moved, dragon-like, the sweetest and most desperate noises came from you, none of the whores he had been with compared to the delicacy of a pureblood Targaryen. A unique and unrepeatable privilege.

When your breathing became erratic and the murmurs incomprehensible swearing you were going to reach that peak, Jacaerys came to a screeching halt chastising you. You opened your eyes in disappointment and fury, your heart leaping out of your chest and your legs damp and trembling.

"Be a good sister," he stroked your cheek with the gentleness you deserve to be treated with. You were trying to listen to him but you were so upset you just wanted to insult him for doing that to you. "Turn around."

Your hair stood up at his tone of voice demanding and conciliatory at the same time. As obedient as ever, just for him, you turned your back to him as the prince busied himself with pulling down his pants that were pressing against the erection he was trying to contain. Your heart wouldn't stop pounding, you could still feel his long fingers inside you and the wait, however minimal, was becoming eternal and torturous. You looked sideways at the entrances of the place without finding anyone, but the truth is that you didn't care if at that moment the queen arrived and found them like that, the euphoria and adrenaline was taking over your body and your reason, the overflowing desire had taken your actions. You felt Jace's hands sneaking up your skirt, careful where to touch, looking for just the right position to enter. He stood behind you, your dress pulled up over your back, the mere touch made you moan. You were so wet it was slipping from your entrance.

"Don't say anything." He told you and you nodded, you were capable of begging if necessary, though deep down you knew he enjoyed it making you obey. "Tell me if you want me to stop."

You closed your eyes as you felt Jacaerys slowly push behind you. You took a breath and tried to relax, you both moaned slowly, the prince tensed his jaw and clenched his teeth to keep from making noise, he stayed still for a few seconds searching for your hips digging his fingers into your skin trapping you in that position, moving you back and forth to better thrust. The rubbing of his member on your walls felt warm and wet, an invasion of your body, you were so used to his size that the sensation became familiar, literally. Some of the pieces of stone you unintentionally threw away, that was going to be a problem for later, because now the noise of their bodies colliding was beginning to consume you. The control he had over you didn't bother you, he gripped you tightly taking over everything. Her hips moved with yours instinctively in a delicious back and forth.

"Like this." You gasped with closed eyes and a satisfied expression. You reached for his hand under your dress and clung to him as tightly as Jace clung to you.

His length pumped in and out of you at a rapid pace, but this time, Jacaerys made sure each thrust was deep by ramming his pelvis into your buttocks.

"What a pleasure to meet again, don't you think?" his question was punctuated by your same panting without stopping moving. You weren't able to answer, your high-pitched moans were getting louder and louder, putting both of you at risk. On the other hand, he was breathing heavily. You had to cover your mouth with your hand, biting your palm to stifle your own moans of pleasure at having him inside you.

You started to stir but you were trapped in his hands, he knew you well enough to know what to do, you turned to look at him finding the heir ramming you with force and speed, his hair fell in curls that moved to the rhythm of his rhythm, when their gazes met for a second he stared at you, your face sweating, your eyes bright with a frown of supplication and red cheeks were enough to have no mercy. Your entrance was tightening at the same time you couldn't breathe, that feeling of a wave invading your insides begging for more desperate to reach orgasm. Jacaerys took your with one hand your waist and with the other your hip, encasing his fingers preventing you from escaping, you were in this together and you had to finish it.

You moved your arm and disarranged the pieces on the board. Now you could hear your brother moaning, cursing you for being his undoing and the greatest of his sins, making you his own feeling the power to mark you and deflower you breaking any tradition that governs the Targaryen nobility. It felt so good that you could confess your love to him just so he wouldn't stop. Luckily for both of you, he didn't stop, the rapid movements and the pressure forming in your lower stomach was getting out of control, the noise intensifying from the collision of your bodies and your knees seemed to lose any kind of strength to hold you up, luckily the table was there to support your body, plus your brother who wasn't going to let you fall. Until you couldn't manage to resist anymore, your orgasm came first like a shiver throughout your body, you closed your eyes tightly and watching you exclaim his name in screams of pleasure ended the infinite torture of the heir that took a few seconds to wait.

"Shit." Your voice hopefully came out of your dry mouth. You had your chest against the weight crushing your breasts, one of your hands intertwined with your brother's who was rebounding behind you.

You both took a second to take a breath and assimilate what you had just done, you had promised not to fall into carnal sin again and that's why the last time was several months ago. You leaned on the table with both hands coming back into yourself with your chest heaving, your brother's hands were still in the same place but he was no longer squeezing you with the same possessive intensity. Your hair was falling on both sides, tousled from the movement and your legs were begging you for a rest.

Jacaerys caught his breath, but his heart had not calmed down at all. His body was still experiencing those chills and that unique tension, he took a step backwards out of your body to get dressed. You immediately felt the fluid trickle down the inside of your thighs, dripping slowly down your hot skin.

"Are you okay?" Jace asked pulling up his pants, his movements a little uncontrolled as the adrenaline was still pumping. You nodded fixing your wrinkled dress. It wasn't the first time it had happened, you both knew what it was, that meant you would have to have tea the next morning.

"Looks like I'll be staying."

Your older brother smiled, fixed his hair pulling it back and moving closer to kiss you again, this time slower and softer, trapping your lips with his so slowly that you relaxed. You took his face kissing him again, his scent, his warmth, his bearing that forced you to lift your chin to reach your mouth, the softness of his lips, it was the most comforting sensation you knew.

"Go rest." He whispered without opening his eyes. Tidying your hair behind your ear.

"Okay." You replied in the same tone, so obedient and submissive before him, kissing for the last time his mouth following your movement. "Good night"

Leaving him was complicated, but you were satisfied with the encounter. As you walked you felt the burning between your legs, a reminder that was to last a couple of days that he had made you his once more, that was the greatest secret they kept hidden, they had forgotten for a moment the war between families, the political problems, duty and order.

Jacaerys Velaryon watched you go, silently picking up the sword he had dropped to the ground. That simple symbol that he was capable of abandoning his duty as prince for you, he staked his honor and his word for taking you. He stayed a while longer tidying up the mess they had created, arranging the pieces of stone in the place that corresponded according to the figure, picking up from the floor some that fell without realizing it. It was he who always assumed the role of responsibility for cleaning up the mess and pretending nothing had happened. How was he going to show up tomorrow at this very spot knowing he had relations with Visenya, the spoiled and arrogant princess, right there?

He only hoped Daemon Targaryen would never discover that his daughter was the heir's favorite if he wished to one day ascend the throne.

[theglassofmiddleearth]

Imagine arriving at Dunharrow with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.

Y/N falls in step with Aragorn, making their way to the ledge where Théoden watches over the camp.

Théoden: 'Six-thousand spears. Less than half of what I hoped for.'

Y/N: 'Six-thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor.'

Théoden: 'More will come.

Aragorn: 'Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have till dawn, then we must ride.'

Théoden nods while Y/N sighs, turning to Legolas and Gimli. Feeling a prickle at the back of her neck, she glances at a narrow passageway between the mountain.

Legolas: 'The horses are restless and the men are quiet.'

Éomer: 'They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain.'

Y/N: 'And rightfully so.'

Gimli: 'That road there. Where does that lead?'

Legolas: 'It is the road to the Dimholt, the door under the mountain.'

Y/N nods.

Éomer: 'None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil.'

Y/N stares at the horse, whinnying in protest of being near the gap. She and Aragorn stare, feeling a slow pull into the dim valley.

They set up camp for night fall.

Y/N sits with Éomer, discussing tomorrow's ride to Gondor as Éowyn and Merry emerge out of a tent.

Éowyn: 'To the smithy! Go!'

Merry runs off and Éowyn and Y/N share a smile.

Éomer: 'You should not encourage him.'

Éowyn: 'You should not doubt him.'

Éomer: 'I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm.'

Y/N stomps on Éomer's foot as Éomer and the other men chuckle.

Éowyn: 'Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you.'

Y/N: 'Why can he not fight for those he loves?'

Éomer stands, turning to face Éowyn. He puts a hand on her shoulder.

Éomer: 'You know as little of war as that Hobbit Éowyn. When the fear takes him, and the blood and the screams and the horror of battle take hold. Do you think he would stand and fight? He would flee. And he would be right to do so.'

Y/N shakes her head and stands up.

Éomer: 'War is the province of men Éowyn.'

Y/N: 'And I suppose you have won more battles than I?'

Éomer bows his head, looking slightly remorseful.

Éomer: 'No, my lady.'

She narrowed her eyes at the blonde man before placing her hand on Éowyn's shoulder and whispering.

Y/N: 'Get some rest my lady. You will ride a long journey tomorrow.'

Y/N turns away, walking towards Aragorn's tent. She opens the tent flaps and she calls out.

Y/N: 'Someone will arrive soon.'

Aragorn bolts up with a knife in hand.

Y/N: 'Oh yes, very scary. Get up, we must go to King Théoden.'

Y/N strides to Théoden's tent, nodding at the king, waiting for Aragorn.

As Aragorn arrives Y/N sits down on the floor, cross legged.

Théoden: 'I take my leave.'

Elrond stands and reveals himself taking off his cloaked hood.

Aragorn: 'My lord Elrond.'

Elrond: 'I come on behalf of one whom I love. Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light from the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength fails. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the ring.'

Y/N: 'The shadow is upon us Aragorn.'

Elrond: 'The end has come.'

Aragorn: 'It will not be our end, but his.'

Elrond: 'You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know. But in secret he sends another force which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the south. They'll be in the city in two days. You're out numbered Aragorn. You need more men.'

Aragorn: 'There are none.'

Y/N: 'There are those who dwell in the mountain.'

Aragorn looks at Y/N with wide eyes.

Aragorn: 'Murders, traitors. You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing. They will answer to noone.'

Elrond: 'They will answer to the King of Gondor.'

Elrond reveals Andúril, Aragorn's sword.

Elrond: 'Andúril, the Flame of the West. Forged from the shards of Narsil.'

Aragorn tentativly takes his sword.

Aragorn: 'Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil.'

He unsheathes the sword and Y/N smiles proudly.

Y/N: 'The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith.'

Elrond: 'The man that can wield this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt road.

Ónen i-Estel Edain. (I give hope to men)'

Aragorn: 'Ú-chebin estel anim (I keep none for myself)'

They prepare to leave for the Dimholt road.

Aragorn: 'No jokes for us tonight?'

Y/N: 'Not tonight. This is no laughing matter Aragorn. Also I really hate caves. I hate hate hate caves...'

Éowyn power walks to the duo.

Éowyn: 'Why are you doing this? The war lies to the east. You cannot leave on the eve of battle.'

Y/N shrugs and looks at Aragorn.

Éowyn: 'You cannot abandon the men.'

Aragorn: 'Éowyn...'

Éowyn turns to Y/N.

Éowyn: 'We need you both here.'

Y/N: 'Dont bring me into this.

Y/N raises both her hands as if surrendering.

Aragorn: 'Why have you come?'

Éowyn whispers to Aragorn.

Éowyn: 'Do you not know?'

Aragorn: 'It is but a shadow and a thought that you love.'

Y/N: 'Harsh...'

Aragorn: 'I cannot give you what you seek.'

Éowyn tears up.

Aragorn: 'I have wished you joy since the first I saw you.'

Y/N pats Éowyn on the shoulder before leading her horse to the edge of camp. Aragorn following her.

Gimli: 'And just where do you think you lot are off to?'

Aragorn: 'Not this time. This time you must stay Gimli.'

Gimli: 'Hm'

Legolas: 'Have you learnt nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?'

Gimli: 'Might as well accept it. We're going with you, laddie.'

Y/N laughs and pats Gimli on the shoulder, turning to give Legolas a wink.

The group rides to the Dimholt road, Y/N stays behind to tell Théoden the plan.

Gaming: 'They leave because there is no hope.

Théoden: 'They leaves because they must.'

Gamling: 'Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor.'

Théoden: 'No, we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless.'

Y/N: 'There is always hope. You must ride at dawn. We will meet you there. Trust in him. Trust in me.'

Y/N nods at Théoden before rearing her horse to follow Aragorn in a trot.

Gimli: 'What kind of army would linger in such a place?'

Legolas: 'One that is cursed. Long ago the men of the mountain swore an oath, to the last king of Gondor. To come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled. Vanishing into the darkness of the mountain.'

Y/N: 'And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge.'

Legolas: 'Who shall call them from the grey twilight. The forgotten people. The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the north shall they come. Need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the paths of the dead.'

Y/N: 'You're cute when you monologue.'

Legolas: 'Cute?'

Y/N: 'We near the door of the death my friends.'

Gimli: 'The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away.'

They get off their horses, staring at the sign above the door.

Legolas: 'The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it. The way is shut.'

A loud gravelly exhale is heard from inside the door. It spooks the horses, sending them running.

Aragorn: 'Brego!'

Y/N cracks her neck, wringing her hands nervously. Watching their horses leave.

Aragorn: 'I do not fear death.'

Aragorn walks into the darkness and Legolas follows.

Gimli: 'Well, this is a thing unheard-of! An Elf will go underground, where a Dwarf dare not? Oh, I'd never hear the end of it.'

Gimli also trudges in.

Y/N sighs and follows.

Y/N: 'I hate this. Why do I do this.'

Legolas: 'You are the Pethryn. You have braved more than this.'

Aragorn looks at the ground filled with skulls.

Gimli: 'What is it? What do you see?'

Legolas: 'I see shapes of men, and of horses.'

Gimli: 'Where?'

Legolas: 'Pale banners like shreds of cloud. Spears rise, like winter-thickets through a shroud of mist.'

Y/N looks at Legolas as he turns to her.

Legolas: 'The dead are following.'

Y/N: 'They have been summoned.'

Gimli: 'The dead? Summoned?'

Y/N nods unenthusiastically.

Gimli: 'I knew that. Huh. Ha. Very good! Very good, LEGOLAS!'

A pale mist enshrouds the group. Gimli tries to blow away the mist.

Aragorn: 'Do not look down.'

Gimli glanced down and sees the bones and cadavers.

Y/N: 'How, homely....'

They reach a plateau and see a set of stairs leading to an unseen corridor.

The King of the Dead: 'Who enters my domain?'

His figure appears, clothed in rags, a stately crown upon his head.

Aragorn: 'One who will have your allegiance.'

The King of the Dead: 'The Dead do not suffer the living to pass.'

Aragorn: 'You will suffer me.'

The King of the Dead cackles, summoning the dead city, and all its inhabitants.

The King of the Dead: 'The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the dead keep it.'

The Dead surround the group, more and more appearing.

The King of the Dead: 'The way is shut. Now you must die.'

Legolas shoots an arrow which passes through the ghost.

Aragorn: 'I summon you to fulfil you oath'

The King of the Dead: 'None but the King of Gondor may command me.'

Y/N: 'We are in luck then.'

Aragorn draws his sword and The ghost king brings his blade down upon Aragorn. Aragorn in turn, blocks the blow.

The King of the Dead: 'But that line was broken!'

Aragorn grabs the ghosts neck.

Aragorn: 'It has been remade.'

Aragorn releases his hold on the King and turns around.

Aragorn: 'Fight for us, and regain your honour. What say you?'

Aragorn walk through the ghostly crowd pointing his sword at the dead men.

Aragorn: 'What say you?'

Gimli: 'Ah, you waste your time, Aragorn. They had no honour in life now they have none in death.'

Y/N: 'He is Isildur's heir. Fight for him and he will hold your oaths fulfilled.'

Aragorn: 'What say you!?'

The ghost cackles, fading away.

Aragorn: 'You have my word! Fight and I will release you from this living death. WHAT SAY YOU.'

The ghosts disappear one by one.

Gimli: 'Stand, you traitors!'

Y/N grimaces as the cave rumbles.

Y/N: 'This is what I was afraid of...'

Aragorn: 'OUT!'

The cave fills with skulls, all rushing down like an avalanche. They make their way out of the mountain, to face the river filled with boats.

Aragorn falls to his knees, distraught and Legolas places a hand on his shoulder while Y/N leans into Legolas's side.

She then hears a whisper, a call and turns around.

Y/N: 'Aragorn, look.'

The King of the Dead takes strides towards Aragorn, phasing out of the mountain rock.

The King of the Dead: 'We fight.'

[ramyeonguksu]

For the NPC ask game: Alphinaud!

Wrote a little ficlet from Alphinaud's POV for Post-ARR/Heavensward! Read under cut!

Note: Rifra will be referred to as Seren (her alias from ARR-SHB) for this fic.

The freezing cold of Coerthas wasn't something Alphinaud was accustomed to, and having to essentially be forced to trek through the ilms of snow made the little elezen shiver in his boots. It was all bleak; everything that he had strived for with the Crystal Braves was taken away from him, a mutiny against him planned right under his nose. He was humbled, to say the least, and for once he because acutely aware of his childish naivete that came with his young age. Which each step he thought of the Scions that placed their trust in him, that was starting to become a new family for him, left behind at the mercy of his own army and the Brass Blades.

At least the Warrior of Light Seren and Tataru were with him, and Lord Haurchefant's bottomless generosity was able to grant them refuge in the reclusive nation of Ishgard, yet what was he supposed to do at this point? Even if he wanted to clear their names at Ul'dah. what could he even do to achieve that? Being the top of the Studium students wasn't going to cut it anymore, and he no longer had his twin sister Alisaie with him.

Just where was she anyway? She had helped them, sending Brennan the peddler with a chocobo carriage to take them away from Ul'dah, but where was Alphinaud's other half when he needed her the most?

The elezen tripped as his mind wandered, landing face first into the stone floor. Hearing him fall, Seren immediately rushed to his side.

"Are you alright there?" The viera asked, helping him sit up and dust off the snow. It was a wonder how she was able to withstand the cold, dressed somewhat lighter than what one would expect in a frigid climate, but someone like her who grew up in the freezing mountain ranges would have no problem with the temperature.

"I'm…" Alphinaud muttered, hesitation in his voice. "I'm fine, thank you."

"Make sure you don't get too distracted, Alphinaud!" Tataru warned him as she slowly approached him, fighting against the strong winds. "I'm already having a hard time getting through here, can't afford to have you struggle as well!"

Alphinaud didn't respond, the feeling of incompetence that was growing in him increasing exponentially.

Seren immediately took notice and crouched in front of him with her back towards him. "Climb on."

The boy refused. "N-no, I can keep going."

"You're exhausted, Alphinaud," Seren curtly responded. "A lot has happened today, and you need to rest. I'll carry you until we make it to a shelter in Ishgard."

Her head turned to face him, a reassuring smile on her lips. "Besides, I'm used to carrying my little sister home all the time."

Alphinaud pursed his lips together, his heart twisting as what remained of his ego fought to refuse her offer. However, today was not the time to try and preserve such, and he allowed himself to climb on her back before continuing across the Steps of Faith.

As he rested against her back, the boy reflected upon his experiences from the past several moons. Riding the same boat to Limsa Lominsa as Seren before getting to know her, separating from Alisaie over differences before finding her once more at the Coils of Bahamut, joining the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, forming the Crystal Braves… A lot, too much, had truly happened for a sixteen-summers-old child.

Alphinaud laid his head against Seren's shoulder, basking in her warmth as the cold winds blew against the three of them. When was the last time was he carried like this by anyone? His father Fourchenault began to drown in his work, and he was now too heavy for his mother Ameliance to hold him on her back like this. Without him realizing, Seren had practically become an older-sibling figure that he never had, a long-lost family member that he was supposed to have known all his life. Someone he could turn to for advice. Someone he could lean on for support...

Finding comfort in her presence, warmth against the freezing winds that threatened to stop them, Alphinaud drifted off to sleep.

[annoyinglandmagazine]

Elrond and Gil Galad angst

‘My king,’ and Gil Galad felt his heart grow lighter in his chest yet ache with an inexplicable pain as a very familiar figure came into his line of sight. The army, men and elves alike parted before the two of them. Elrond greeted him with a much lower bow than was necessary, considering the great portion of the army that answered directly to him rather than Gil Galad himself. Ereinion gestured for him to walk by his side as he inspected the ranks.

Elrond took his place by his side and began to speak in that clear melodic way of his, ‘The east regiment is ready, they await on your orders.’ And for a moment it was almost like it was for so many centuries, so many millennia, but it was not quite. If they had been in Lindon Elrond would not simply be walking in measured steps like the soldier he had been in most every way since far too early in his life. He would have been balancing on some tree branch or wall and spinning around on the tips of his toes with his arms extended while humming snatches of things that weren’t quite songs to himself. He’d never seemed quite solid, moving from one place to another so quickly you lost sight of him, like smoke or the spray of sea foam at the prow of a ship.

Now he looked like a soldier, no more than that, no matter how fervently he’d deny it, he looked like a king. And that made Gil Galad more devastated than ever but still more sure that he was making the right decision. If Elrond, who had already suffered so much and was still so visibly changed from the events of Eregion, was still standing here before him now he was more than strong enough to continue without him. And more crucially he looked at his closest friend and knew that he never wanted another to suffer the way he had. He didn’t want anyone else to ever have to be this strong and he knew Elrond wouldn’t either.

‘I’m ready. We ride at dawn.’ He then took a deep breath and felt every inch of all his years at last. They say Valinor’s peaceful. Peace. He supposed he’d never really known what it was really, simply living off borrowed time ever since that crown’s cold weight had settled on his head. ‘I had something I wanted to give you,’ he slowly removed the necklace that had rested around his neck beneath his robes even longer than that crown. He held it in his palm, a simple iron pendant.

‘It’s the emblem of the house of Fingolfin. I promise it’s not some trick to try and make you king or something-’ he broke off with something he tried to pass as a laugh but was really a lot closer to a sob. Elrond looked up at him with sad eyes that had seen too much, and whispered ‘Why are you giving this to me?’ though Gil Galad suspected he already knew.

‘It is the last thing I have of my father, I have no memories of him. I have no wife, no children, nor siblings but I have you. You are the closest thing to family I have on this shores, you always have been and I want you to have this.’ He clasped the small pale hand in his own and laid the pendant in it, closing Elrond’s fingers around it while not breaking eye contact.

‘Elrond listen to me,’ he said softly while reaching his thumb up to brush a tear away from his cheek, ‘Please live. Please be happy. You deserve to be happy, don’t spend your life mourning those who you’ve lost celebrate those who you still have. You will never be alone, you’re too kind to ever not have people who love you or for anyone to ever stop doing so.’

Elrond leaned up and pressed their foreheads together and his eyes closed slowly as he finally began to weep. They withdrew after what felt like an eternity and Gil Galad shakily fastened the clasp around the pendant around Elrond’s neck. In normal circumstances he would have laughed at the sight of a Nolofinwean emblem on Sindarin style armour bearing the crests of various houses of men, by someone wearing Telerin colours, Feanorian braids, holding a Feanorian sword, and marching under Numenorean banners.

As it was he merely smirked at Elrond’s choice of attire and weaponry, ‘Felt like inducing a fifth kinslaying today?’ Elrond laughed through his tears ‘I thought it was a good show of unity. No scratch that, I just wanted to see people’s faces and maybe make Feanor turn in his grave.’ They smiled for a moment and the fate looming over them was almost forgotten. ‘I’m sorry I won’t be able to see your wedding. I’d have liked to be there for you.’ That was the last time they ever saw each other on this side of the sea.

[kaijurakunsobs]

Karl coming back to you and the baby after a successful REVOLUTION!! Cause he deserves happiness (and maybe ethans there because I want rosemary and lil maginito baby to be friends

I like how you think anon

this one is gonna be fun and LONG

Let's start by pretending Ethan wasn't just a human chia pet, but the mold made him mutate like the Lords, he has no powers but his body is just...sturdier

that being said...

after Miranda's announcement of finding the perfect vessel and presenting Rose to the Lords, you could tell Heisenberg was extremely close to start his rebellion in that moment, what stopped him? that your child is waiting for the return of their parents and you still have no way out of everything goes wrong

it feels grotesque to receive a piece of such an innocent baby in a flask

through the creep vine you both learn about Ethan being in the Village, the father of the stolen child, you can see the expression in Karl's face shift into one of hope, he knows something you don't

when Winters is brought to the church you both play your role of sadistic monsters, giving a "show" for Donna and Moreau, but you have made sure there are useful things "left behind" by previous participants of your little game

with bated breaths, you follow his progress, feeling more and more hope with each Lord he takes down

Heisenberg cheers loudly when Dimitrescu goes down, lifting you off the ground and howling harder when only Moreau remains

He knows that, Ethan won't take it well when he arrives at the factory, so you offer to be the one to welcome him, reminding Karl to keep his cool and be straight with his answers and go to the point

NO THREATENING THE GUESS WITH THROWING HIM TO THE STURM

Ethan is, indeed, shaken up when he comes into the factory and the first thing he sees is you, he saw you at the church, why are you waiting for him?

"I must say, under other circumstances, it would have been...nice to meet you, but there's no time to lose, come with me, please"

he's hesitant, which is understandable, but he follows, a hand always hovering over his gun and eyes following your every move

when you reach Karl's center of command, you are careful with asking to sit and please listen to what you two have to say

"That boulder punching guy and his people are here, right Ethan?" Karl has his back to the other man "You see...me and Y/N...we need your help"

"My help!? after everything, each and everyone single one of you psychos put through?!"

But Karl is not listening, he starts to tell his story...your story, how Miranda took you both and used you like she's trying to use Rose, but you two were defective, useless, he wants revenge and is willing to do anything to get it

There's desperation in his voice but Winters seems unmoved by it, later you will admit that what you did was manipulative but as long as it works

Both men see you leave and come back with your child in arms, the kid is a bit older than Rose, the gray hair and factions that resemble yours is all that Ethan needs to know, Heisenberg as a child

they are vastly different but, he's like Ethan, he just wants to put his family in a safe place, so he accepts with the promise of "I'll kill you the moment you try to betray me"

Involving and convincing Chris is a lot harder, the man is already pissed at Ethan and now he's besties with 2 of Miranda's underlings? but time is running out and hes desperate for help, and maybe, it could actually work

Chris gives Heisenberg coordinates of where there's gonna be someone waiting for you and the kid, and that you have to be quick in reaching the point or they will leave with out you

of course, you panic! Karl is staying behind and you have to go? you want to kick Chris in the face and make him change his mind, he already has the soldats, why does he need Karl too?!

it's he who has to almost drag you away towards where the Duke is, he knows he has a better chance of getting you there, Miranda won't spare a glance at the merchant

a hefty payment and promises of coming back to you later, you are delivered safely to the team, Karl's trench coat draped over your shoulders and a sack filled with some of your most precious items. feeling like that's the last time you will see him again.

from the helicopter's window, you see with horror how the factory gets destroyed, gasping when Karl's mechanical form appears from the rubble and his army moving to where Miranda must be

the wait is grueling, painful, the sounds of gunfire and explosions make you jump, your crying child screams for their father, but this time, hes not there to calm the not cries and make them laugh

it's past dawn when the bigger explosion shakes the helicopter and when you cry the hardest, believing hes dead, that he die protecting you both.

the entire ride back to the BSAA is spent in silence, your child cried themselves to sleep and you are...just there...heartbroken, unable to shed another tear

a group of paramedics comes to you when you arrive at the new area, asking you questions and trying to check you for any wounds, but you don't answer or hear or care

from far away you see him, limping and using Ethan as a crutch, and then you are running, harder than you have ever done in your life, a strong hold in your baby

Karl looks up to see you and he can't help but smile and cry, open arms waiting for you and catching you, not carrying for his wounds, hes just there and his family is safe...and the 3 of you are free

neither of you put up a fight when the BSAA informs you that you will be under surveillance or that wherever you go you are expected to stay close to their offices, you laugh wholeheartedly when Karl asks "But we can go anywhere...you won't keep us locked away?"

Mia is the one who insists that both families must be close to each other, and you accept

it feels like a dream when Karl comes back and bitches about something that happened in the new lab, he may not be allowed to use corpses but hes allowed to tinker around with his creations and help to contain all bioweapons

you see your child grow and little Rose comes often to play, both children laugh and run around, not knowing what life they could have had

they whisper secrets and share what they have, Mia lights up whenever your kid gives her drawings, Karl melts down a bit when Rosemary calls him "uncle Heis"

and you see him change, he no longer frowns or gets irritated, he giggles or tells jokes, you have caught him develop a true fascination in watching videos and play video games

for once in so long...everything is finally fine

[killerskillercaptain]

Embarrassing moments w/ Levi Ackerman BOOK II

I only put one incident in this one because inspiration was running wild and things got out of hand, so enjoy !

You can read BOOK ONE here

word count : 1,9K

warnings : implicit seggsual themes, slight angst.

The client incident

Erwin had put you and Levi on a special mission; both of you received one letter from the commander urging you to go meet Balkus Adomas, a businessman whom Erwin was used to work with to get funds for the SC, and god knows the Survey Corps needed that financial support lately. With all the casualties, injured horses and used up equipment you lost in your encounter with the female titan, you could definitely use some help, any help actually.

The letter instructed Levi to tie up the negotiations, as Erwin had already sent a letter to Balkus, stating the nature of the visit; the letter also instructed Levi to take you with him to officialize everything on legal documents.

Levi sent one letter back to Erwin asking the commander about the nature of the business this man held. Three days later, the response consisted of a short sentence that wasn’t very helpful, and its vagueness didn’t make Levi happy; he hated being kept in the dark about the people he needed to work with.

The letter only said « « You’ll know when you get there »

The next morning, right after dawn, you and Levi were already on your horses, heading to the small town situated in the west, where the businessman was to be found. It was a good four hours ride, but you were accustomed by now to even longer distances.

Reaching your destination, Levi followed Erwin’s instructions, it didn’t take long for you two to find the location. Heading towards the main entrance, you couldn’t help but notice the frowning faces locals threw at you while passing you by. The place was an old, seemingly neglected property, it didn’t look like a business run by a rich businessman who could land money to the military, and you could sense that levi was thinking the same. You stood there studying the poorly maintained building for a moment until the main door suddenly flew open and a little round man, probably in his forties appeared with a dangling woman at his arm, the woman was laughing uncontrollably while planting kisses alongside the man’s neck, both of them completely ignoring the accusing stares being directed towards them.

Is this a tavern ?

Wait no.

You felt your legs tremble a little, and you suddenly felt embarrassed at the realization : it was a brothel. And the cheap kind by the looks of it.This Balkus Adomas runs a freaking brothel. Slightly alarmed, as this was completely out of your comfort zone, you glanced nervously at Levi who didn’t show any sign of tension. But little did you know, the short man was infuriated and boiling under the surface.

You on the other hand, were visibly stressed out. In a moment of hesitation you wanted to grab Levi’s hand like a child lost in an adult place but you managed to hold your composure, and decided to follow him by staying as close as possible to him. Levi headed rapidly to a broad bearded man, he looked like he was the receptionist or something of the sort, Levi asked if he could see Adomas.

" You should have been notified we were coming, we’re sent by Erwin Smith "

" Yes, yes this good old’ Erwin Smith, he said he’ll send someone ! "

The way the man said « good old’ Erwin Smith » made it look somewhat suspicious, and you wondered if the commander was fond of such places as it hardly seemed so to you.

" Well Lord Adomas is not here now, but you can wait for him, he comes early in the morning to do some accounting, as you see, the business is running wild lately "

" You can spend the night here if you want " he added.

You felt Levi tense up.

" Erwin will hear me about it, making us stay the night, not even being able to get an appointment correctly " you heard Levi mumble to himself between greeted teeth. You could clearly see now that this place is stressing him just as much.

" Don’t worry, Erwin Smith has always been good to us, intervening for us every time something threatened to close this place, and get Lord Adomas out of business, so we owe him big time "

You somehow got reassured that this was the nature of their connection to Erwin.

" I’m gonna give you a room to stay in for the night for free, it’s on the house "

He dangled a golden key in front of us, but when levi reached out to take it, the man retracted his hand behind the counter, a mischievous smile contorting his lips.

" Unless you want to spend the night as a customer Captain Levi ? "

Levi snatched the key from the man who now turned to you, completely ignoring the short captain.

" Hey miss, you’re not bad either, have you ever thought about leaving the army ? We could get you a job here, you’ll see, Lord Adomas treats his employees with extra care " he ended his speech with a nasty tone that had you both in such discomfort that you could almost feel Levi’s anger and you shivered at the way he said extra care. Dragging you by the collar of your military jacket, Levi headed with you towards the stairs, in search for the right bedroom while you followed him closely. As you were afraid of; the walls were incredibly thin in this place, and discernible sounds could be heard from each door. A series of thuds, creaks and lewd voices which you did your best to ignore, while you and the captain hurried to find the right door. Being here with Levi made this whole situation so much more uncomfortable, and right now, you cursed yourself for being the only person capable (and available) to do the paperwork, you hated that you were in charge, you hated that your signature was required, you-

" Here’s the shitty door "

You looked at the door, it was situated at a fair distance from the others, but didn’t look as damaged, maybe it didn’t get used a lot, or at least you hoped.

A demanding and urgent female voice erupted suddenly, close enough that both of you could hear it clearly. You tried to ignore how shaky your legs were now, you tried to focus on Levi opening the door but your eyes met a trembling Levi having difficulties opening the door, his hand too shaky to insert the key right, obviously he was just as startled as you were. When both of you finally heard a reassuring click, he slammed open the door with a "Tch"!

" Can’t believe this mess Erwin put us in, he’ll hear me about it ! "

You followed him inside. The room seemed fairly in order, didn’t seem to be too dusty, you sighed in relief, but your relief was short-lived, it sure wasn’t dusty but it did look completely unsanitary, no wonder this place gets threatened to be closed so often.

" Tch ! I’m taking fifty showers after this, and i’m gonna scrub my feet with Erwin’s- "

" Um Captain ? "

" WHAT ? " he asked harshly, getting you a bit startled by his tone.

Hey don’t lash out at me, it’s not my fault we’re in this mess.

" There’s only one bed "

" You can have it, i’m not sleeping in this filth "

" Neither do i , Captain " you said picking up a long strand of hair from the pillow and studying it before tossing it aside. The place was filthy.

But to both your consolation, there were two chairs made out of wicker that seemed not too risky to use.

You took the one on the left, Levi took the one on the right before looking at you.

" We’ll wait here until this Adomas piss of shit shows up so we can get it done with the paperwork and get out of this filthy hell " and those were the only words he spoke to you for the rest of night.

You were already feeling a bit sleepy, all the exhaustion caused by the trip creeping back to you. You had dozed off for what seemed like half an hour before you were awaken by new sounds rising abruptly from the next room. You jolted in your seat, the unsettling sounds of moans and boastful voices filling the room quickly, followed by a string of giggles, then another string of incomprehensible moany gibberish. You couldn’t make up a single word but you understood all too well the activities taking place in the other room. Still trying to compose yourself and get rid of the embarrassment sucking you in you right now, you suddenly remembered that you weren’t alone in the room, and turned quickly to look for the captain.

Levi was still sitting in his chair, you realized he had moved it away from you, almost placing himself at the other corner of the room, his fists tightening on his knees, he had the most irritated expression you’ve ever seen on his face, he looked like he was ready to snap a neck in half. Was it possible that he has been awake the entire time while you were sleeping ? Having to listen to the most indecent events going on next door ?

He was staring right in front of him, he looked as if he was trying to avert your gaze, afraid that a single stare shared between you two at this moment would aggravate the discomfort, and he was spot on.

Now the lewd voices were joined by the most obscene of sounds. You could feel your face, your hands and everything in between grow hot, you tried your best to keep a steady composure and not look at Levi who was incredibly silent at the other end of the room. Damn it, the smutty opera next door got you so alert you couldn’t even hope to sleep it off so you don’t have to endure this unbearable atmosphere.

You stayed like this until dawn. You and the captain, sitting stiff with both your hands glued to your thighs like two Egyptian statues while the auditory nuisance went on, all fucking night.

For a brief moment you heard Levi mutter something that you deciphered as « Erwin you piss of shit, you’re gonna pay for this»

--

You did get to Balkus Adomas the next day at the crack of dawn, he did accept to continue supporting the Scouts, you did go through the administration stuff you were dragged in here for. You even had Adomas make the same suggestion to you as the bearded receptionist; offering you to leave your uncomfortable scouting uniform for something else, vaunting about how much you can get paid in one night here, nothing like you meager salary at the Scouts for sure ! At one point you literally had to forcefully take off his hand that he sneakily placed on the small of your back. At the sight of it, Levi snatched the documents, handed a copy to Adomas and hurried you and himself out of the place.

Back to HQ, you were happy to reunite with your bed, ready to recover from last night. You shared your quarters with Petra, laying on your mattress, you filled her in about what happened to you with the captain as she bursted with laughter at every detail you gave her.

The next day, Levi was nowhere to be found as you went to his office as usual. You asked one of the soldiers where if he'd seen the captain and he just shrugged his shoulders, saying that Levi left a message for you as the soldier gave you a folded piece of paper.

« Going to see Erwin for a special meeting ».

[angryschnauzer]

Henry got excited when his new running torch came. And wanted to show you that itll be good for more than just running in the dark...

Roarry you are the source of inspiration for so many stories, and for this one i’ve continued my Rugby Teacher Henry series;

Warnings: NSFW, 18+, Outdoor Sex.

Pairing: Rugby Teacher Henry x Teacher Wife Reader

Previous parts: Thigh Riding, and Jingle My Bells 

An Epic Quickie

The sound of the doorbell chiming had you pulling the pillow over your head. It was early on a Saturday morning and it had been a very long week. 

As a school teacher during a pandemic you’d had to quickly adapt to teaching ‘home learning’, and to a class of thirty 5 and 6 year olds that had the attention span of a slug, combined with stressed out parents that were trying to juggle working from home with childcare, homeschool experts, and sometimes entertaining multiple children of different ages, you had also become IT support for them too. 

Henry had it a lot easier. Not only did he teach PE which meant simply recording videos of tasks and setting it for his students, there was little to no work that needed to be submitted apart from the oldest class of his high school students that were working towards their exams. 

You groaned as the warmth of Henry left the bed and he excitedly dashed for the door as you shouted out;

“Clothes Henry, put some clothes on”

Only last week he’d given the Uber Eats delivery guy an eyeful after ordering breakfast and had ‘forgotten’ that he had ordered from the comfort of your bed, where he slept naked.

Moments later you heard him returning up the stairs, obviously taking them two at a time before he burst in the bedroom door;

“Babe, what do you think?!”

Peering out from under the pillow you took in the sight of your husband; standing in the doorway wearing nothing but your hawaiian print satin kimono that barely came to his thighs, his arms spread wide, and blindingly bright head torch.

“What… what the... why?”

He crossed the room and sat on the side of the bed;

“So i can go for a run at night, or before dawn!” 

“You can test it out tonight then… i’ve got to go up to Dad’s stables to feed the ponies as he’s on duty”

-

After a busy day catching up on chores and booking deliveries for the following week, the sun was growing low in the sky when you realised you needed to drive the three miles to your parents place on the other side of town to put their two pet ponies to bed in the stables. Both your parents worked at the Fire Station so you’d worked out a rota with them and their neighbours so that their animals were cared for in the winter months. Henry was going to go for his run and test out his new head torch whilst you sorted the animals out.

An hour later you had mucked out the stable, had loaded it up with fresh hay and water, and had herded the ponies in with the promise of apples when you saw a strange light bobbing along the road that ran alongside the field. As it turned the corner and started to come up the driveway you grinned, realising it was Henry.

“How’d you get on?”

He came to a halt in front of you, breathless and sweaty, and even in the cold winter night you could feel the heat radiating off of him. The fact that you were blatantly checking him out he didn’t miss in the light of his new head torch, and before you knew it he was pulling you flush with his furnace of a chest;

“Hen! You’re all sweaty!”

“Yeah, and i know you love it”

“At least take that torch off so you’re not blinding me!”

He quickly pressed a button and the stable yard was plunged into darkness, and whilst your eyes adjusted his lips were suddenly upon yours, a forceful kiss that had you melting into his arms. When you finally had to put away for air your night vision had returned and you could see the dark look of mischief on your husbands face;

“Hen… what are you thinking?”

“Your Dad installed that roof over where he keeps the hay, right?”

Before you could even answer he had grabbed your hand and was pulling you around the back of the stables to where there was now a small lean-to built to cover the bales of hay. Henry had you pushed up against the back wall of the building and his lips were immediately back on your body, his hands finding their way beneath your hoodie and he let out an appreciative grunt as he found you without a bra. His other hand was between your thighs, rubbing against your cunt through your leggings.

“Fuck Hen… need you…”

“Here, bend over this bale”

He quickly positioned you and pulled your leggings and knickers down, feeling around before cursing;

“Fucking dark… hang on a sec babe…”

A moment later you were faintly illuminated and you realised he’d turned his head torch back on;

“Hen! Someone will see!”

“Shhh, no-one will see. There’s no-one for miles. The whole reason you’re here is because your parents and their neighbours aren’t around… now bend over and spread that pussy for me…”

Leaning over the tarp covered bale you felt the velvet touch of his fat dick pushing at your entrance, gasping as he thrust in fully and started to fuck you hard and fast.

“Fuck… you’re so fucking tight babe… your cunt is so hot around my dick, gonna fill you with a massive load so i know you’re gonna have to hold it inside you on the drive home… you like that babe? Like the thought of me filling you up? If it wasn’t so fucking cold that my arse cheeks are developing frostbite i’d have you sucking me off after to get me ready for round two…”

You loved it when Henry talked dirty, he had been brought up in a well-to-do family and went to a posh boarding school, but when he was at his horniest his mind and mouth was worse than squaddie at a Weatherspoons on Curry night.

Back in the present you felt Henry snake his hand around to your clit, rubbing hard as his thrusts got faster and deeper;

“C’mon Babe, cum for me, let me feel that tight cunt of yours milking my dick for my cum… gonna fill you up with a massive load, got my balls so tight i’m ready to blow, not gonna cum until you do though…”

As if on cue your body knew exactly what it needed to do, and with a small cry you started to cum, shaking as you felt Henry pounding into you from behind before with one final deep thrust he came deep inside you as you felt his meaty dick pump you full of his cum.

-

Walking back to the car Henry had his arm around your shoulders as you happily chatted with your husband, pulling your keys from your hoodie pocket;

“I’ll drive”

“Thanks Babe”

Settling into Henry’s big Volvo SUV you flicked the switch for the heated seats and grinned at him;

“To defrost the frostbitten bum cheeks”

He grinned sleepily as he settled into the warm seat;

“You can warm them up more when we get home”

Returning his smile you knew he’d be fast asleep before you even pulled onto the driveway, but the thought of cuddling up to him under the duvet made up for it.

A/N: Explanations of ‘English-isms’ Squaddie = A guy who is in the Army - usually low level Weatherspoons = a cheap chain pub/restaurant know for cheap beer and having themed ‘nights’ which do combo deals such as a Curry and a Pint of beer for £5.

[horrorwineaunt]

I Want Candy Ash Williams x F!Reader

Summary: Chapter 1/5 of a mini story featuring Ash and a beautiful stripper named Candy.

Warnings: Mentions of Strip clubs, drinking, drugs, age difference, and some light sexuality.

Word Count: 3399

Request?: Nope!

A/N: Just a little something I came up with because I love Ash Williams, it’s cute, it’s something nice for Ash, and it lets our boy grow a little bit. No smut in this chapter, but there will be in future chapters!

Part 2

Part 3

Ash Williams was a simple man- he liked a good baked potato, he liked good music, a beer here and there and he liked pretty girls, so why wouldn’t he like Lucky’s, where he could get all of the above? 

He sat at a table, eating his $5.99 potato and drinking the cheapest beer they offered while some good music played and a girl they called Dawn jiggled her stuff onstage. Dawn wasn’t bad to look at, hell none of the girls here were BAD per say- but they were definitely pushing the limit for what people would tolerate as far as their strippers went. 

When the song ended and Dawn stepped offstage he smiled and took another bite of the sour cream covered goodness. If he played his cards right and he was lucky, the leftover potatoes would be coming home with him that night. The prospect of having free dinner for the rest of the week was always a good one, and as he took another bite he smiled at the waitress Lucy and tapped his finger against the beer. Lucy nodded, and went to fetch him a fresh one before the DJ got back on the mic. 

“Alright gents and germs, tonight we have a special treat for you, let’s hear it for our new girl- Candy…” the DJ introduced before the song I want Candy came on and the new girl, Candy herself came out from the back making Ash’s mouth drop open. 

Candy was everything the club had been missing, she was young, she was perky- she had no visible c-section scars and her breasts were where god intended them to be. Her hands roamed over her perky little breasts and Ash felt himself shift as the blood in his body decided to head south for the winter. He watched as she walked over to the pole and for the first time in- ever- Ash saw just how that pole was meant to be used as Candy flipped herself upside down and slowly spun down it. 

Her hair was in two pigtails and he groaned at the thought of wrapping them around his hands while he made her round ass shake with each thrust of his hips. God he was horrible- he knew that- but watching her twirl onstage, he didn’t care. 

When she was done there was a raucous applause from everyone in the room, Ash pounded his hand against his table, unable to clap with Woody screwed onto his right wrist, but he still wanted to show his support. 

That night Ash left the club with five baked potatoes in a paper bag, and the promise that he would be back next week so long as Candy was working again. When he got into The Delta the slow drizzle that had started hours before had turned into a steady rainfall, and he tossed the bag of potatoes onto the seat next to him before he started the car up. As he started to pull out of there, he noticed someone walking out of the back of the club and felt his chest (and his pants) tighten as he realized it was Candy. He watched her as she looked at her phone and then looked around and sighed, trying to huddle close to the door to not get rained on too bad. 

Well hell, he was Ash Williams, he could take on armies of Deadites, he had done some seriously crazy shit over the years, so there was no way he was going to let a little anxiety at looking like an idiot stop him- it never had before. He pulled the Delta up to the sidewalk near the back and leaned over to roll down the window. “Hey, uh, Candy right?” He asked as she leaned down to look into the window. 

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah, hey Baby, listen, I’m driving home, you want a ride?” He asked, she looked a little unsure, her eyes flickered over him with a slight frown and he shrugged as he started to straighten up. “No skin off my back if ya don’t,” he said before he reached over to roll the window back up. 

“Wait-” he had the window rolled halfway up and he waited, looking at the girl who gave him another once over before she glanced around. “I- I mean you’re not gonna like murder me or something are you?” 

“That depends Baby,” he said and she frowned. “You an unholy bastard here to ruin my life and drag me to hell?” 

“Not on Tuesdays,” she replied, making Ash grin before he straightened up in his seat. 

“Hop in.” he replied and Candy ran to the door of the car and got in, she rolled the window the rest of the way up and pushed his bag of potatoes towards the middle of the bench seat while she fished around under her ass for her seatbelt. “Who was supposed to come get you?” he asked as he watched her lift her hips and pull the seat belt out from under her and then lowered her hips, settling into her seat. 

“My roommate,” she said and he nodded. “But he probably fell asleep.” 

“Sounds like a crappy boyfriend,” he commented as he waited for her to get settled. 

“He’s not my boyfriend.” she replied as she was buckling her seat. She put her bag at her feet and he looked down at it, seeing the pink sparkle of what he assumed were her booty shorts she’d worn onstage that night and the pink shine of her pleather boots. “-But I do have one,” she looked at Ash quickly and he held his hands up as if to surrender. 

“Hey, Baby, I’m just offerin’ you a lift. You don’t gotta go telling me all about your boyfriend to make me scared, I ain’t gonna pull nothin’. I promise. You can ask any of the people in there about me. I’m just a guy who likes a baked potato and a beer and Lucky’s got both of those and a little show.” She seemed to relax at that and he nodded before glancing at the windshield and then back at the girl next to him. “So where we headed?” 

“You know the Triple Crown apartments?” she asked and he nodded. “Well that’s where we’re going,” 

“You got it Baby,” he pulled away from the stripclub and started towards the highway, the apartments were about a twenty, twenty five minute drive, and as he drove he couldn’t help but glance at his passenger. “I’m Ash by the way,” he told her and she looked over at him. He noticed that she still had her makeup on and up close he could see that under that makeup, she was definitely still a grade A stunner. 

“Nice to meet you Ash,” she said and he nodded. 

“So uh, what brought you to Lucky’s? I mean a girl with your talent, you could be strippin’ anywhere in America,” he told her and she smiled before looking at him with a raised eyebrow. 

“I’ll have to find the complement buried under all that bullshit,” she said and he let out a low laugh. 

“Oh come on Candy, I didn’t mean nothin’ by it. Just you dance real good.” 

“Well, thanks.” she said after a moment, looking at her phone as they drove. “I um, I move around a lot.” she explained. “I just moved to town, and Lucky’s was hiring,” 

“I get that,” he said. “I’ve been all over too.” 

“Sucks right?” she asked and he smiled lightly before shrugging. 

“Sure, but this place ain’t too bad,” he told her. “Triple Crown apartments are bullshit, anyone’ll tell you, but you find a good spot to hunker down, you’re real lucky.” 

“You got a good spot?” she asked and he nodded. 

“Oh yeah, I’m over at the Golden Road trailer park. Me an my friend Eli got us a good spot there.” 

“And where’s Eli tonight?” she asked and he smiled at her. 

“He’s in his tank. Eli’s a lizard.” 

“Oh,” she let out a soft laugh. “What kind of lizard?” 

“The kind that makes girls squeal in horror.” 

“Pussies,” she said and he laughed as he pulled onto the freeway onramp. “So what is he a gecko, a bearded dragon, what?” 

“Bearded dragon,” he replied and she nodded. 

“Cool.” 

“You like lizards?” 

“I used to work at a pet store,” she told him and he nodded back. 

“Groovy,” 

They were silent for a stretch and then she looked at him. “The Triple Crown really does suck,” she said and he nodded. 

“I know,” he replied. “I heard plenty of stories about it.” 

“I’m pretty sure my roommate is a drug dealer.” 

“He sell anything good?” 

“I don’t know,” she laughed and he smiled as he looked over at her. She sat there, looking at her phone resting on her lap and he looked back at the road before glancing back at her. 

“I got a couch,” he said suddenly and she looked back at him. 

“What?” 

“I got a couch. If you want a place to crash for the night. Road’s kinda slippery and all and uh, well if you don’t want to deal with some druggie loser all night. You could come check out my lizard.” 

“What’s the catch?” she asked skeptically and he shrugged. 

“I’ve already seen your tits, so no catch,” he said with a grin. “Let’s call this payment for the show.” Candy scoffed softly before she looked at her phone again and then back at Ash. 

“Okay,” she said and he grinned. “Sounds good,” 

Ash swung the Delta off of the freeway at his exit, he’d been coasting in the right lane just in case she took him up on the offer before he drove them to his trailer. When they parked outside she seemed to take in the park around them, trailers tucked away in corners, trailers out in the open. Ash was tucked away in a corner, only one neighbor, Daryl, a survivalist who liked to move around a lot to “Keep ahead of the government”. Total weirdo, but he was entertaining for a drink on occasion. 

When he cut the engine he looked over at Candy, giving her a once over before he cleared his throat. “Hey, you mind uh…” he paused for a moment before he picked up the bag of potatoes from the bar. “Carrying my taters?” Candy laughed and he grinned at her. “It’s easier to unlock the door without shit in my hand,” he explained as he pulled his keys from the ignition. 

He got out of the car then and ran through the rain, his feet splashing the small puddles that pooled though his front ‘yard’. He got the door unlocked with his free hand and he opened the door before turning on the lights in his living room and as he grabbed a towel he’d tossed on the couch he heard the door to the Delta close and a moment later the young woman from the club was running into his living room. He looked over at her as she turned away from him and pulled the door closed behind her. She turned back to him, but her eyes scanned the room around her before landing on him. 

“This place looks like the seventies threw up all over it,” she said and he laughed in response to her accurate description of the trailer before he shrugged. 

“Hey, it’s called style.” he said before tossing the towel to her. She caught it and then held the bag of potatoes out to him and he took them, his fingers brushing hers as he took the bag while she patted her face off. She looked around before glancing back at him. 

“You got a bathroom?” 

“Through there,” he pointed to it and watched as she walked to the bathroom. He sighed as her hips swayed as she walked and then he looked back at the bag of potatoes and opened the fridge. He stuck the bag in there and then pulled two beers from the door and set them on the counter. 

When Candy came back out she had washed off her makeup, and Ash realized with a small sense of guilt that she was even younger than he’d initially pegged her for. “Thanks,” 

“No problem- say, Candy, how old are you Baby?” he asked and she looked at him as she set her bag down near the couch. 

“Let’s just say this whole air stream had plenty of time to get turned into the mobile love shack way before I was born,” she told him and he chuckled. 

“Uh, yeah, I have no doubt, but uh, I kinda need a number here Sweetheart, see the thing is, I don’t want to be aiding and abetting no runaway teenager and-” 

“I’m twenty five,” she told him, exasperation in her voice. 

“Twenty five,” he said thoughtfully. “Okay, cool, definitely not a teenager.” 

“Definitely not,” she agreed before he held out one of the beers he’d opened. “Thanks.” 

“So is Candy your real name?” 

“Nope.” she popped that p when she said it as she walked around, looking at his posters, and then she bent down at the hips, looking at Eli in his tank. “Cool. Hi Eli,” she cooed at the lizard and he grinned as he watched her before he stepped up behind her. 

“You uh, you wanna hold him?” he offered and she looked over her shoulder at him before she straightened up. 

“Maybe later,” she replied. “So, I couldn’t help but notice, your couch is pretty much a bed,” she said as she looked around. 

“Oh yeah, so it is,” he said casually as he glanced at it. 

“Look Ash,” she said as she turned to him. “I don’t know what kind of game you think you’re playing, but-” 

“The table turns into a bed too,” he told her as he pointed to the table and she looked over at it. 

“What?” 

“There’s this thing underneath, I’d do it for you, but uh, it’s easier to do with two hands,” he said and she looked from his eyes to his hands, as if she had noticed for the first time that his right hand was entirely made of wood. Her mouth dropped open and he gave her a small smile before he reached up with woody and lifted her chin. “Let me get that for you,” he said gently and she looked up at him guiltily. “Look, Sweetheart, I know in your line of business, there’s a lot of creeps, but I’m just a guy. I promise.” he told her. “Plus, I’d never do anything to get kicked out from Lucky’s. They just hired this new girl, and she’s pretty cute.” he winked making her scoff slightly, her cheeks pink with embarrassment at the moment. 

“So, how do I uh make this thing into a bed?” she asked as she gestured to the table. 

Ash talked her through lowering the table top, when it clicked into place she moved the cushions lining the booth over the tabletop and the booth, making them into a thinly padded mattress and he grinned as she sat on the bed and sipped her beer. “Comfy?” he asked and she nodded. “Well, if you do decie you wanna try out the big bed,” he pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “All you gotta do is ask.” 

“Oh, I could never put you out of your bed,” she said as she looked back up at him. “I don’t think your back could handle this,” she nodded to the thin bed she was sitting on and he laughed. 

“Oh Baby, don’t you worry about my back, it’s handled a lot worse.” he assured her and she laughed before shaking her head. 

“I’ll be fine.” 

“Okay, I’m just sayin, the offer’s there,” he told her and she smiled at him. 

“Well, I appreciate it,” she told him as she finished her beer. She stood up and set it in the sink then turned to him as he finished his own beer. 

“You want something better to sleep in?” he asked and she blinked a few times before looking down at herself. She was wearing a pair of jeans, and a sweatshirt, very different from what she’d been wearing onstage, that was for sure, but not practical to sleep in. 

“Sure,” she agreed. He went to his room and grabbed a t-shirt from a pile of clean clothes and after walking back he tossed the shirt to her. She caught it easily and he smiled as she looked at it before she turned her back to him and pulled her sweatshirt over her head. He couldn’t help but watch, something that she didn’t miss. Looking over her shoulder she saw him looking and gave him a small smile. 

“I mean I’ve already seen it,” he shrugged and she rolled her eyes before tossing her sweatshirt over at her little bed. She had a tank top on underneath the sweatshirt and Ash locked his lips as she took that off, even if her back was still to him, he caught just the slightest glimpse of side boob and he wasn’t unhappy about that. But she put the shirt he’d given her on and the spell was broken. It went down to her mid thighs and she took her jeans off under the shirt. 

She climbed onto her makeshift bed and Ash knew the moment was over, so he went back to his room and found a blanket in the cabinet before he walked back out and tossed it over her. “If you need anything, you know where I am Baby,” 

“Thanks Ash,” she said and he smiled slightly. 

“No problem sweetheart.” 

After Ash got into bed he found himself having the hardest time falling asleep. For the first time in… Years there was a girl sleeping over in his trailer, and for the first time she wasn’t sleeping in his bed with him. Well, there was a first time for everything he figured as he rolled over onto his side, he let out a long sigh and tucked a pillow between his knees before he fell asleep. 

When he woke up it was to thunder booming overhead and he groaned before he heard soft rustling in the trailer. For a blood chilling moment he was tempted to grab his boomstick before he remembered Candy was there. “Candy?” he called, his voice thick with sleep. 

“Yeah?” her voice was close, closer than the table and he sat up a little when he realized that. 

“You good Baby?” 

“... Yeah.” her voice was hesitant and he sighed as he laid back on the bed before running his hand over his face. 

“Get in here,” he grumbled and she moved into his room, the curtain separator shifting to just slightly to let her into the room. He sighed and held up the edge of the blanket and after a moment of hesitation he opened his eyes. “Look, Princess, I’m gettin’ kinda cold, so, if you’re gonna get in here, just get in here, okay?” She slipped into the bed after that and he lowered the blanket around her before sighing as he wrapped his arm around her. “What’s the deal?” 

“I don’t like thunder,” she told him in a small voice and he sighed deeply before he nodded. 

“I get it.” he replied, his arm settling over her stomach. “You wanna talk about it?” 

“Not really,” the soft spoken stripper said next to him and he nodded as he started to drift back to sleep. 

“Good,” he said simply and she sighed before snuggling into his side. Ash was still for a moment as she got comfortable and he sighed face down on his pillow. It had been a long time since he had cuddled anyone, and as he held her he realized how much he had missed it. 

But he couldn’t think like that, not him, he’d kick her out of bed when the rain stopped and drive her home and the next time he’d see her she’d be topless onstage and he’d be eating a baked potato and drinking a beer. Things would be back to normal, and maybe he’d offer her a ride home, but he definitely wouldn’t be cuddling her again. 

[suituuup]

that's the kind of love i've been dreaming of

Has Beca mentioned that she hates his guts? Everything is just too… annoyingly nice. His charming smile, his messy but not too messy hair, his sense of humor, and well, his taste in women, as he’s dating the girl Beca happens to be in love with.

Word count: 2005

Rating: T

Entry for Bechloe week, day one: “Because I'm in love with you, dumbass.”

Beta by the lovely @snowonebutyou and thanks to @green-eyed-weirdo for bouncing ideas with me <3

READ ON AO3

*

The muffled giggle greeting Beca when she steps through the door makes her groan. The deep voice that follows confirms that Chloe is indeed not alone, and Beca briefly considers turning around and… going for a walk or something.

But her feet are about to fall off, she feels gross from her overcrowded subway ride home where she’s pretty sure a dude sniffed her hair, and she is really fucking tired.

She’s just flopped down face first on the pull-out couch when the door to Chloe’s bedroom opens, and two sets of feet grow closer.

“You alright, Becs?”

Beca grunts something inaudible in acknowledgment before she rolls on her back. “M’fine.”

“Hey Beca,” Chicago greets her with a soft smile, and Beca somehow manages to leash in her sneer.

“Hey,” she mumbles, the best she can muster when it comes to Chloe’s boyfriend.

Has she mentioned that she hates his guts? Everything is just too… annoyingly nice. His charming smile, his messy but not too messy hair, his sense of humor, and well, his taste in women, as he’s dating the girl Beca happens to be in love with.

Yep. It’s only been four years and a half; not a big deal.

She was this close to admitting her feelings to Chloe, still reeling with adrenaline after her solo performance, when Chloe ran to Army Boy instead. Beca doesn’t think she knew what a broken heart felt like until that very moment.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Chicago asks, setting his hands on Chloe’s hips.

“Yeah,” Chloe agrees and leans up to kiss his lips. Beca rolls her eyes, grabbing her phone from her back pocket as a distraction from the display of gag-worthy affection.

The door finally clicks shut behind Chicago, and Beca hears Chloe sigh. That kind of content sigh that has jealousy flare up within her because Chloe should be sighing like that because of her.

“I thought he was leaving tomorrow morning?” Beca asks as she scrolls through her Instagram, not really registering the photos zooming past her eyes.

“Not anymore,” Chloe says, biting on her bottom lip like she’s trying to prevent a smile from breaking through. “He’s um, going to be stationed in Brooklyn. His request just got granted.”

A huge lump forms in Beca’s throat as she registers the news and an uneasy feeling seized her stomach. “That’s--” she swallows with difficulty, swiping her tongue over her dry lips. “That’s great, Chlo.”

She soon exits Instagram, opening her safari to look for apartment listings.

*

Finding an apartment in New York City within her price range, as it turns out, is pretty fucking difficult.

You would think Beca was aware of that given the fact that there used to be one more person living in her current studio, with a simple curtain acting as bathroom walls.

(she definitely has PTSD from that night Amy had food poisoning from Taco Bell.)

When Amy moved out, Chloe took her room, because Beca is the night owl of the two, usually coming home late from work or cooking dinner after Chloe has gone to bed.

It’s pushing eleven by the time she makes it back that night, and she prays that Chloe is already in bed. The past couple of weeks following the news have been… weird, to say the least. Beca has been avoiding Chloe, coming up with excuses whenever Chloe asks her if she wants to hang out.

She makes herself a quick dinner (okay, makes might be a bit of an overstatement: she just pours some hot water over instant noodles. Don’t come at her.) and messes around on her laptop for a while, turning the lights off just after one am.

A moan reaching her ears just as she feels herself dozing off has her eyes fly open. A moan that very much belongs to Chloe, and Beca just wants to disappear off the face of the earth. Quiet laughter follows, and when the bed starts squeaking, leaving no doubt regarding what they’re doing in there, Beca ponders smothering herself with her own pillow.

She grabs her headphones instead, hastily placing them over her ears before she hears something that will most likely scar her forever. It somewhat cancels out the sounds, enough for Beca to fall asleep. She flees the apartment before either of them is awake, drowning her sorrows in a double espresso from the corner coffee shop.

Over the next few days, she excels in avoiding Chloe. She knows Chloe’s schedule well enough to come back when she’s either asleep or not there. Or at least she thought so.

“Hey.”

Beca freezes as she closes the door, looking over her shoulder to find Chloe popping her head out of the fridge.

Beca clears her throat, rubbing her nose with her knuckle as she stares down at the scuff of her shoes. “Hey,” she echoes, setting her keys down on the counter.

“Long time no see,” Chloe says as Beca sits on the edge of her bed to take her boots off.

“Yeah um, I’ve been busy,” Beca mumbles as she undoes her laces.

“Busy avoiding me?”

Beca’s spine snaps straighter at that, and she looks up to meet Chloe’s eyes. “No, just--” her shoulder lifts in a half shrug. “I figured you and Chicago might enjoy some private time together.”

Chloe hums like she doesn’t believe her. “You’d tell me if-- if something was bothering you, right? I feel like I’ve done something wrong.”

Beca swallows. “It’s not you, Chlo. I’m just--” she sighs, feeling her frustration rise as she scrapes her brain for a believable lie. “Work sucks and I feel like I’m getting nowhere, so I’ve been crankier than usual.”

Chloe nods, her lips curving in a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry you’re having a hard time at work,” she says. “We should go out tonight! It’s been forever.”

Beca’s rebuttal lies on the tip of her tongue, out of reflex. She swallows it back, because Chloe is giving her those puppy eyes she’s mastered so well, and Beca knows damn well she can’t resist. Besides, she could definitely use a drink. Or ten.

“Yeah, okay. Sure.”

That’s how they find themselves in an overly too loud, busy club a handful of hours later. Beca is definitely tipsy, and Chloe has just ordered shots, so she knows she’s likely to finish the night with her head in the toilet. But she hasn’t laughed like that in a while, and it feels amazing to be… Beca and Chloe again.

It’s ruined just after Beca downs her first shot, when Army Boy shows up.

“Hi!” Chloe exclaims, springing up from her stool to hug him.

Beca grits her teeth so hard that she’s half-concerned they might break, her eyes throwing daggers at Chicago’s head.

“Hey Beca,” he says, apparently oblivious as he slides on the vacant stool.

Beca simply tilts her chin towards him, along with a tight-lipped smile. As Chicago orders his drink with the waitress, Beca shrugs her jacket on. “I’m gonna go,” she announces over the music, not caring one bit that it’s obvious as to why.

She doesn’t wait for a reply, letting her legs carry her towards the exit as quickly as possible as tears burn her eyes. She bumps into someone in her haste and mumbles a disoriented sorry, sucking in a much needed breath as soon as she steps outside of the club.

The music gradually fades away as she starts down the sidewalk, tugging her jacket tighter around her frame when a chill rolls down her spine. She’s not even sure in which direction she’s going, set on hailing the first cab she finds.

“What the hell is your problem??”

Beca freezes at the familiar voice, swallowing around the forming lump in her throat before she turns around. She barely meets Chloe’s eyes. “I’m just tired, Chlo.”

“Bullshit,” Chloe spits out, a scoff flying past her lips as she shakes her head. Her typically warm eyes are bone-chilling icy. “You left the second he got here.”

Beca sighs heavily, her hands forming fists by her sides in an attempt to tame her growing irritation. “Yeah well, maybe I didn’t feel like being the third wheel. I thought it was just going to be you and I, tonight. But you two have been attached to the hip and all you can talk about is Chicago this, Chicago that.”

“Well I’m sorry if I enjoy his company,” Chloe fires back. “You know, the least you could do is be happy for me.”

“Oh great, the guilty card,” Beca says, eyes rolling skyward. She sucks in a sharp breath. “I can’t be happy for you, Chlo.”

Chloe staggers back as though Beca’s words slapped her in the face. “What?”

“I said, I can’t be happy for you,” Beca repeats, her tone rising along with her frustration.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Chloe asks, a mixture of anger, hurt and confusion surfacing in her features. “Why can’t you be happy for me? That’s what best friends are supposed to do, you know. I mean, are you even still my best friend? Because you haven’t been acting like one those past--”

“Because I’m in love with you, dumbass!” Beca finally blurts, a lot louder than necessary. Her declaration catches the attention of a few bypassers, but Beca is too focused on Chloe to care.

She watches as realization dawns in Chloe’s eyes, and all she can hear is her heart beating madly in her ears. She swallows, glancing down at the crack in the sidewalk. “And I’m the biggest idiot in the world,” she mumbles, roughly wiping at her cheeks when she feels a few tears rolling down her skin. “I’ll be out of the apartment by tomorrow.”

Beca is thankful Chloe doesn’t follow her when she turns around and resumes her journey home. She ends up walking all the way, too embarrassed to break down in a cab like in those stupid rom-coms. She texts Amy when she makes it back to ask if she can crash at her fancy apartment, fishing out her suitcase as soon as her friend agrees. Tears keep leaking out, and Beca wipes them away with her sleeve before she starts shoving her clothes into the suitcase, trying to ignore the way her heart aches.

A key slides into the lock just as she’s done packing. Beca straightens and hastily wipes her cheeks dry, even though she knows her bloodshot eyes will betray her.

“You’re really leaving,” Chloe murmurs, her voice barely audible.

Beca sniffles as she heaves her suitcase off the bed and sets it down. “Yep.”

“Why?”

Beca bites back a humorless laugh. “I don’t know, maybe because I’m not a masochist?” She deadpans. “Seeing you and Chicago together isn’t exactly fun.”

“We broke up.”

Beca’s breathing halts as she registers the words. Her jaw slacks. “What?”

Chloe clears her throat a little, taking a step closer. She’s fiddling with her keys, something she does when she gets shy, nervous or nervous, or excited. “Well, I broke up with him.”

“You did?” Beca croaks out.

Chloe nods, the corners of her lips upturning in a sheepish smile. “Because it’s always been you, dumbass.”

Beca’s lungs flood with oxygen, and her shoulders slump, releasing the tension at once. “Oh.”

“Oh?” Chloe echoes, raising an eyebrow as she takes another step.

Beca closes her eyes briefly, her head tilting as she frowns. “Sorry, I think my brain needs to be re-booted. Could you um, could you say that again?”

Chloe chuckles, finally closing the remaining distance between them. She cups Beca’s cheek and joins their lips in a soft, lingering kiss. Beca’s knees quake as a bunch of butterflies release in her belly, and she can’t quite believe this is really happening.

She licks her tingling lips when Chloe pulls away, feeling a bit dizzy. “Um, I’m not sure I quite got that one, either. Care for an encore?”

The first of many, many ones.

[ggukkieland]

📕CURRENT READS (2020 November)

🌹 Almost done with the list except for a few and I am excited to curate fics that are fitting for merry December 🎅❄🎄🤶 woot woot! 

I enjoyed this month’s reads - a mix of cyberpunk au, android au, werewolf aus, slice of life, exes and those on the verge of breaking up, and lots of beautifully-written drabbles which ended up in my list of favorites. 

Please send these authors some love by reblogging their content =)

✅ -  done reading   | S (smut) F (fluff) A (angst) 

🥕[Ongoing Series - to check weekly] 

Still reading the ongoing series from October’s reading list, whenever there is an update 😊.

Onyx @springbean - JJK | ABO universe, omega!reader, rouge!Alpha!Jungkook, roommates, cyberpunk au | A, F (this is so fascinating)

[2/?] years after the war, Soketh has become a bustling electric city of life and death. a world now filled with mystery, danger, and rules, y/n finds herself rooming with her old friend while trying to find herself in the city of dangerous dreams. however, her world is turned upside down when a rouge alpha enters their life seeking refuge and help…

Vulgar and Divine @yeoldontknow - JHS | elf!hoseok au, enemies to lovers, arranged marriage,  fantasy au, horror, suspense | A, S

[1/?] The Elf King buys your hand in marriage as an act of political strategy - you, the Banshee Priestess and your ability to forewarn death in exchange for your people’s return to your original home in the River Lands. You hate him for the way his kind make a mockery of death. Even before you meet him, you decide you will not grieve his death - not even a little. But then, on the day of your wedding you begin to weep - and it is not out of love or rapture.

Kitchen Confidential @glitter-kookiedough - KSJ | chef au, slow burn, enemies to lovers | A, F, S

[3/?] After years of annoying the life out of you, your rival, Kim Seokjin, pushes you a step too far and he knows it. As angry and resentful as you are, you don’t realize that something has been brewing under the surface for years. This weekend, that will change. 🌟 new chapter🌟

enemiestolovers drabble series @sincerelyourfangirl - JJK | enemies to lovers, fwb, co-workers | S, A, F

[3/?] Maybe the line between love and hate is thin. Especially when you’re in bed with Jungkook.

Challenge Accepted | What Happens When You’re not Careful | Risky Business

The Lost Luna @hobisbeautifulass - KTH | werewolf au, soulmate au, rival clans | F, A

[2/?] One Luna is born per a hundred-year cycle or so and only appears after the previous one has passed away.  This Luna was forced into hiding for seventeen years, but now she’s back, bloodthirsty, and ready to reclaim her throne.

Mutual Help @personasintro - JJK | bestfriend au, fwb au, fake dating | A, S, F

[24/?] in order for you to pretend to be his girlfriend, he helps you with your sexual desires ⏤ he calls it a mutual help

Bite Me @cheeky-kookie - PJM | vampire au | A, F, S

[1/?] Growing up, you always learned to look over your shoulder at night, hoping to never run into the catlike gleam of a vampires eyes. Yet, one night on your way home you find yourself staring into the very things you feared most. Dangerously beautiful and undeniably confident, Park Jimin was everything you knew you needed to stay away from, but he had other plans.

Nut Jobs @ironicarmy - OT7 | slice of life, crack, humor, friends au | S

[5/?] Eight friends. One terrible idea. A whole lot of trouble. Welcome to No Nut November.

Cherry Pickers @kimnjss - JJK | social media au, smau, gamer, fuckboi, vixen!reader, virgin!reader | F, S, A

[4/?] [updates daily] known for your body and surrounded by rumors about your sex life… rumors that he doesn’t think to doubt. until he’s meeting you… forced to realize there’s much more to you then the thonged shorts and lacy costumes.

(or, you’re a video vixen with an assumed identity and jungkook manages to see past it.)

Across the Board @out-of-jams - KTH | 20s, gambling, mafia au, enemies to lovers | S, A

[1/?] And now you’re indebted to the city’s most dangerous mob boss, forced to pay your dues in blood one way or another. With a gun pushed into your hands and your life at stake; once you’re in, you’re in. You’ll never get out.

🥕[Completed AUs/Series/Drabbles -  to read]

Through Time and Space @taephilia - 10.6k | KSJ | F, A, sci-fi, time travel au, adventure, doctor who au 

re: Untitled @to-star-lake - 18.8k | JJK | A, S, F, ceo au, arranged marriage, childhood acquaintance turned enemies (one of my favorites this month 🥰)  

01 02 03 04  ✅

Moral of the Story @suhdays - 7.7k | JHS | A, F, S, strangers to loves, soulmate au, OC can tell if people are telling the truth (really interesting)  ✅

In the Margins  @bonvoyagenoona - 31k | MYG | F, S, A, writer au, humor, enemies to friends to lovers, slow burn, editor!reader, writer!yoongi [also on AO3] 

01: Winter (5k words)   ✅ 02: Spring (6k words)  03: Summer (7k words)  04: Fall (13k words) 

Into my Bones @inkofyoongi - 15k | MYG | S, F, A, fwb to lovers, slice of life-ish, non-chronological (this is awesome 🌟) ✅

A Human Touch @snackhobi - 39.1k | KTH | F, S, robot au, android!taehyung 

01 ✅ 1.5  02 (will finish the rest of the chapters; this is so good)

Supply and Demand @scribblemetae - 5.7k | MYG | S, A, supernatural au, telepathic!myg, strangers to lovers, enemies to lovers  ✅

More than Us @jeongi - 11.3k | KTH | F, S, college au, roommate au, best friend to lovers

Moirai @jimlingss - 46.9k | KTH | F, A, isekai au, fantasy au, reborn as a villain in a video game

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Taking Flight @rmnamjoons - 15.2k | KNJ | S, sci-fi, post-apocalypse, rivals to friends to lovers au

Lining’s Silver @sketchguk - 14.1k | MYG | S, F, College au, idiots to lovers, enemies to lovers 

Even a Forest Fire Dies Out @9uk - 6.6k | JJK | A, F, exes au (a re-read) ✅

Southpaw @starshapedkookie - 30k | JJK | A, S, F, childhood friends, college au, boxer au, kinda e2l-ish (a re-read, that fight scene was just exhilarating) 🔥🥊 ✅

All That We Had @starlightauroras-writes - 13k | JJK | Heavy A, S, F, exes au, reunion, ex-husband!JK ✅ (author said there’ll be Pt2)

After the Honeymoon Fades @onherwings - 13k | MYG | A, S, F, established relationship (on the rocks), producer!yoongi, professor!OC ✅

Cozy Thief @bratkook - 5.1k | JJK | F, S, roommates au, mutual pining ✅

Quiet Baby by bratkook - 3.2k | JJK | S, established au, pwp, exhibitionism✅

Come Over by bratkook - 7.2k | JJK | S, pwp, neighbors au, voyeurism ✅

Tear You Apart by bratkook - 17.4k | KTH | S, pwp, slight horror, paranormal

01  ✅ 02 (to read)

Breathe @ephemeralkookie - 6.9k | JJK | A, S, F, exes au, multiple break-ups   ✅

Shield @namgukgalore  - 18.6k | JJK | F, S, slow burn, security guard!JJK, co-workers au ✅

Imitation of Art by namgukgalore - 9.6k | KTH | F, S, romance, friends to lovers

High School Reunion @btsarmy9593 - 6k | MYG | F, reunion, second chances ✅

One Night Ride by btsarmy9593 - 3.8k | JJK | F, hints of S, college!JK, noona, one night stand au ✅

Off the Table @fakeleaves - 11k | KNJ | A, F, exes to lovers  ✅

By its Cover @crystaljins - 38.9k | JHS | F, A, enemies to lovers, demon au, magic/supernatural, witch!reader 

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 ✅

Your Eyes Tell @njkbangtan - 40k | JJK | A, F, mild S, soulmate au, roommates au, enemies to lovers, slow burn, a bit sugar baby au, lawyer!reader, artist!jungkook 

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15   ✅

Popular-ish (drabble series) @hansolmates - 16.1k | JJK | F, S, A, popular!JJK, normie!reader, college au, fwb-ish

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09  10 11 12 13  ✅ 🥰

One More Time (Finale) - 7.3k | reunion ✅ 

No One @dfdph - 21k | JJK | A, extreme sports, slice of life, epistolary (in form of letters), heavy angst (not kidding! with trigger warnings; written so beautifully but angst may not be for all) ✅

Repercussions: Suspenders, Satin and Stockings @pars-ley​ - 3.1k | MYG | S, pwp, established relationship ✅

Have Faith in Me @aroseforyoongi - 6.4k | KTH | S, F, werewolf au, soulmates au, bestfriends to lovers ✅

The Art of Boxing @seokiie -  3.1k | JJK | S, pwp, boxing au ✅

Beautiful Confession @btsracket - 6.3k | JJK | S, F, fake dating, friends to lovers  ✅

Tongue Tied @btssavedmylifeblr - 12k | PJM | S, F, minor A,  crack, demon au, idol verse, established relationship, pwp  ✅

Infamous @sugaxjpg - 12.5k | KTH | S, A, secret relationship au, fuckboy au  ✅

Familiar Stranger @army-author - 7.3k | KTH | F, friends to lovers, high school au, mixed-up identity  ✅

Strangers Again @minniefilms  - 11.4k |  JJK | A, F, enemies to lovers, best friend’s boyfriend

01 02 03 04 drabble ✅

Ruin Him @kingsuckjin​ - 3.5k | JJK | S, pwp, virgin!JK, coworker au ✅

Sex Education @extravaguk - 12k | JJK | S, F, A, brother’s best friend, virgin!OC (actually came out fluffier than expected 🥰)   ✅

In your Eyes @sweetaesuga - 10.6k | JJK | S, F, A, college au, fratboy au, ex-fuckboy jk, friends to lovers ✅

Drabble Series: In Your Heart [4/11] ✅

Lunar Violence @taetaesbaebaepsae - 7.4k | JJK | S, rock band au, werewolf au, ABO dynamics, strangers to lovers ✅

A Fallen Bookmark on a Thursday Afternoon @cutaepatootie​ - 19k | JJK | A, F, S, strangers to lovers, takes the same train every Thursday 😭 ✅

There You Are @joonkookiemonster - 13.4k | JJK | F, S, ABO dynamics, werewolf au  ✅

Here I Come @jiminssthetic - 3k | JJK | S, pwp, college au, friends to lovers ✅

Morning Rush @atdawnsuga - 3.2k | JJK | S, college au, exhibitionism, strangers ✅

(in)Satiable @thatlongspringnight - 11.3k | JJK | S, F, incubus au, lucid dreams ✅

The Red Pool @ksmuttherapy - 3.1k | JJK | S, horror, vampire au, dusk til dawn vibes

inTOXICated @sugarjaee - JJK | A, S, toxic relationship, college au, fboi au  

01 02 03 04 05 06  ✅

Inebriated [Jungkook’s POV] - 7.4k, read after chapter 4 ✅

You’re so Creepy (drabble series) @whatifyoulivelikethat  - 2k per member | OT7 | F, crack, university au, creepy girl au, (actually cute) 

There’s always at least one campus creepy girl. Or seven. Part 1 (1st kiss) Part 2 (2nd meeting)

kim namjoon - part i | part ii (fave)  ✅

kim seokjin - part i | part ii (fave)  ✅

min yoongi - part i | part ii  ✅

jung hoseok - part i | part ii (fave)  ✅

park jimin  - part i | part ii (fave)  ✅

kim taehyung  - part i | part ii ✅

jeon jungkook - part i | part ii  ✅

🥕[Drabbles]

Feeling @sometimeinjoon - 2.3k | JJK | demon JJK, established relationship, a bit slice-of-life | love this so much ✅🥰

Warmth @artaefact - 306 words | JJK | fluff, fantasy au, incandesce couple ✅

Too Close @taestybae​ - 1.4k words | JJK | expecting parents au, boxer au, angst  ✅

“i’m yours, in every way you’ll have me” by taestybae - 0.8k | KTH | S, A, fwb au ✅

“Are you Sure?” by taestybae - 2k | KTH | S, F, brother’s best friend | love this!  ✅ 🥰

“The strings are attached already” @taetaespeaches - 1.8k | KNJ | angst, fwb ✅

Deep End @latetaektalk - 2.2k | MYG | angst, fuckboy au, a bit of fluff  ✅

Game Boy @suqakoo - 2.7k | JJK | S, gamer au, enemies to lovers, a bit of fluff ✅🔥

Reese’s It’s All for You @joonkookiemonster - 3.1k | JJK | F, demon au, roommate au, Driving me Wild Halloween Drabble ✅

Transparent @kingsuckin - 793 words | JJK | S, pwp, established relationship, see-through JJK shirt 😉 ✅🔥

Savage Love @whatifyoulivelikethat - | JJK | S, pwp, OC is yoongi’s ex 😬 ✅

🌹  Drabbles by @zephyoongist​  - I love the way these are written. Just beautiful. Truly fluffy (like butterflies in my stomach) and also gives off a deep/for keeps type of dynamics between the characters:

you and yoongi had an unusual friendship... - 665 words | MYG | fluff, mutual pining, friends to lovers ✅🥰

kim taehyung had only met you a few times… - 1.2k | KTH | fluff, accidental pregnancy au ✅🥰 (a fave)

there wasn’t any particular reason as to why min yoongi chose you to be his mate - his luna… - 840 words | MYG | fluff, werewolf au, slice of life ✅🥰

jung hoseok found you when you were about to make the biggest mistake of your life… - 1.5k | JHS | fluff, runaway bride, slice of life | really cute ✅🥰

[gatekeepingheartstopper]

slowly but surely my gatekeeping army grows. if we see any weirdo fetishists start stanning heartstopper once the show is released we ride at dawn

[rebeccccccaaa]

𝕲𝖔𝖑𝖉𝖊𝖓

____________________________

𝕶𝖎𝖓𝖌!𝕭𝖚𝖈𝖐𝖞 𝖝 𝕶𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙!𝕽𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝕬𝖀

𝕾𝖚𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖞: When the Queen falls sick and passes away, King Bucky must marry another, preferably the princess of an alliance kingdom nearby, in order to keep peace and order among the lands. However she is the most god awful human being anyone has ever met. Her guard however well she was definitely not what the king expected.

𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘: TRIGGER WARNING! MENTION OF DOUBLE SUICIDE!! (not graphic or detailed but just a heads up!) (part one)

𝕬/𝖓: welcome to my first series!!! there will be six parts i believe and i hope i can put out all its content soon! Enjoy!!! 

𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙: 1.2k

___________________________

Bucky sat at the window after ordering everyone to leave him be. Since the Queen’s death the kingdom itself had been quiet. The people weren’t too fond of the woman but she was manageable. Bucky wasn’t exactly in love with her either but anyone falling sick to death isn’t wished upon even one’s worst enemy.

So here James sat, pondering what’s to come for the future of his kingdom.

Another alliance kingdom too far from his own had sent a messenger to propose the hand of his youngest daughter to Bucky. The king's other daughters had already been married to princes in line for the throne of trading kingdoms and his last daughter had recently become of age for marriage.

Bucky contemplated whether it would be too soon to wed again and consulted his best friend since childhood, Steven Grant Rogers.

“I want to marry for love.”

“I know Bucky but maybe you’ll turn out like your parents. So madly in love it was almost sickening,” Steve laughed.

“Yeah but then I married Elizabeth and I just couldn’t find a connection. I really wanted to love her. But I just couldn’t.”

“I get it, man. But you’ll need to marry soon; and you already have an offer ready for you.”

“I guess. Send the king a message saying we’ll meet the girl.”

Now in little over twelve hours, King James and his closer colleagues and guards will ride at dawn to the kingdom where Bucky will meet his potential future bride, or so he thinks.

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

“Father! When will King James arrive!” Charlotte shouted throughout the kingdom. You simply breathed in to relieve some frustration you’ve been bottling up.

Charlotte is the most spoiled bratty childlike woman you’ve ever met. But the king brought you in and it’s your duty to protect her now.

When you were just a child, you were born to a beautiful couple; a beautiful couple who liked to steal. You and your parents were nomads and you were one to never interact with people. One day your parents took the stealing a little too far and the king had taken them for trial.

Your parents were found guilty and put to jail under the king’s order. You went into hiding until you found out your parents had taken cyanide to escape their inevitable fate of being stuck in a prison for the rest of their lives.

The king and queen had found out the thieves had a daughter. The king wanted to, well “dispose” of you but the queen had brought you in as a child of her own. To say you were stubborn would be the understatement of the century.

You simply wouldn’t allow any of the maids to teach you the traditional etiquette the other princesses learned. So the queen tried something else.

She ordered her finest knights of the kingdom’s army and you learned from them. Fighting, combat, archery, using a sword, and you even learned to read. The king wasn’t too fond of the idea at first because women were to learn to be compassionate and gentle, and a woman couldn’t do that if she was fighting against enemies shedding blood.

But that of course didn’t stop you because who cares what a man thinks. You fought front lines against all who invaded the kingdom winning every battle under the king’s name. Surprisingly, people admired your bravery and as a woman, your compassion and grace too.

When all but one of the daughters of the king were wedded to nearby kingdoms creating peace and alliance his army was no longer needed for battles and you became the rightful guard and protector of the king’s youngest and unwed daughter.

Who was the world’s biggest bitch.

“Father!”

One of the maids came up to you and whispered in your ear that King James had in fact arrived. You stepped away only for Charlotte to begin nagging once again.

“Hey! Where are you going?” she came up to you.

“Bringing your king, your highness.”

“He’s here!” she screeched.

“Yes. Now I must meet with him before you can.”

“But I wanna meet him now!”

“I must be sure that it is safe before we can move further with everything. This is your future husband we’re talking about.”

“Eee!” she shrieked in excitement.

“Well. Can I leave?” you asked.

“Yes! Yes. Go!” she pushed you.

You went with a few other guards down to the gates to meet this king that everyone speaks so highly of. When you met him he was with quite a few people. More than you expected considering he called for a few guests and guards.

“Good morning, I assure your journey was quite long?” you greeted the king, bowing your head.

“Yes, and I believe the king mentioned something about his honorable knight? I was hoping to have my own knight consult with him. Would be valuable to share information the king said.”

“Well you’re in luck because that would be me. The King is waiting for you in the dining hall. We’ve prepared breakfast for you and your many colleagues.”

“Oh, I… I guess I was just-”

“Expecting a man?” you raised an eyebrow.

“What’s your name?” a woman spoke up.

“Y/n. Now if you follow me-”

Bucky drowned out your voice and simply followed you blindly. He would've never thought a woman would be the honorable knight to a king. Not that a woman isn't incapable of being a knight; it  was just uncommon. Never happened to say the least.

Natasha however was eating this up. She wasn’t a profound knight but she certainly knew her way around a bow and arrow and definitely a sword. Her and Steve have been friends for a while not as long as him and Bucky but still pretty long. And during said time, she was quite interested in combat and knightly duties. So Steve taught her everything she knows.  

“So they just let you be a knight?” she asked you.

“Uh, not really. But that answer won’t stop a stubborn woman.”

“I like you.”

“Good morning, your majesty!” the king shouted when you all entered the dining hall.

“Good morning. This is too kind.”

“Well, we do the best for our guests.”

You left Bucky with the king headed to the queen to make sure she was ready for breakfast along with Charlotte. You of course didn’t leave without making eye contact with Bucky; your body growing hot as you walked away feeling his eyes on you. Such a handsome man, the most you’ve ever laid eyes on. Much younger than you expected too.

You hope you can stay professional as the king and his friends reside in the castle for the next few weeks before the king’s annual celebration.

[thedragonnerd]

we forgive ourselves last

‘We’re not going to give her a choice,’ she says, and the underlying threat is clear enough to Namaari that her blood runs cold.

‘What are you going to do?’

‘That’s no longer your concern, my love,’ Ma rests a hand on her shoulder, fully in the role of Chief now. ‘You’ve done enough.’

The finality of her words is obvious, but as Namaari watches her walk away, all she can think is: maybe I’ve done too little.

Read on ao3, or under the cut!

Namaari doesn’t allow the royal army to slow down for the entire ride from Spine back to Fang, pushing them through the night. Her mind remains in turmoil over what she has just witnessed, the logical side of her in disbelief over the fact she saw a genuine dragon, alive and in the flesh, roaring so loudly that her battle-hardened warriors staggered back in fear. The magical fog still lingers in the distance, obscuring the pathway that lies behind them.

Deep in her heart however, she knows it to be true. She knows that it was Sisudatu herself who stood before her, that it was Sisudatu who stared directly into her eyes and through to her soul. Guilt has always been an unwelcome companion for Namaari, following her through life and scratching at her brain whenever she sees a new face turned to stone. It now rears its ugly head again, as she fears what Sisu saw within.

She arrives to the Fang Palace several moments before the rest of her warriors, slipping down from her serlot’s back and striding ahead even as she hears the others come clattering to a halt behind her.

‘Mother! We need to talk!’ Namaari calls out, bowing her head and raising her hands in the appropriate gesture of respect; her distraction and growing enthusiasm over seeing Sisu making her forget to say “Chief Virana” in front of Fang citizens.

Her mother has been entertaining small children, and they all look to Namaari in undisguised delight.

‘It’s Princess Namaari!’ she hears a small voice exclaim, and then they are bowing and crowding around her even as her mother is gently ushering them away.

‘Alright, alright…now run along, kittens,’ her mother commands. Namaari allows herself a moment to wave and smile at them before her attention is directed straight back on topic with her mother’s next words. ‘I have to speak with the Princess.’

‘Mother, you won’t believe what I saw,’ she says, the excitement creeping into her voice at last. If Sisu really has returned, she would be able to save everyone, to fix what has been broken for so many years. And maybe, just maybe, the era of dragons could exist again. The child-like wonder that she always feels when she reflects on dragons for too long is beginning to awaken inside her.

‘You saw a dragon,’ Ma says, and the excitement inside Namaari dies at once in the face of her mother’s disapproval. ‘General Atitaya informed me that you’d be returning home without the gem pieces.’

The rebuke is clear.

‘It was Sisu,’ Namaari tries, desperate for her to understand. ‘She can fix what we broke – she can bring everyone back.’

We can undo my mistakes, and maybe I can be free of this guilt, she thinks, but dares not say out loud.

‘And that’s what scares me!’ Ma says, banging her staff on the ground. The Dragon Gem piece glitters in the sunlight. ‘When everyone comes back, who do you think they’ll come for? You forget; the other lands blame us for what’s happened.’

‘But we…We never meant for anyone to get hurt,’ Namaari says, and yet the reasoning sounds weak to her own ears. The image of the different leaders fighting over the Dragon Gem springs unbidden into her mind, as does Raya’s look of devastation as it smashed to the floor. Another wave of guilt hits her, and she is reminded of Sisu’s unspoken judgement.

‘Yes, but if we had the dragon and the Gem pieces, we would be forgiven. We could save the world,’ Ma continues. ‘But more importantly, our people would remain safe.’

It sounds tempting, so tempting. If they had Sisu and the completed Dragon Gem, they could save all the lands and be heroes. No more would Namaari have to see stone people in her nightmares, no more would she have to tell another Fang family that their loved one has been caught by the Druun on one of their expeditions. Perhaps even Raya could forgive her, in time. And yet…

‘But Raya isn’t just going to give Sisu to us,’ Namaari argues, and her mother sighs deeply.

‘We’re not going to give her a choice,’ she says in response, and the underlying threat is clear enough to Namaari that her blood runs cold.

‘What are you going to do?’

‘That’s no longer your concern, my love,’ Ma rests a hand on her shoulder, fully in the role of Chief now. ‘You’ve done enough.’

The finality of her words is obvious, but as Namaari watches her walk away, all she can think is: maybe I’ve done too little.

--

Later, Namaari sits on her bed and broods. Her heart is torn in two, and she cannot decide which path to take. She is desperate to save her people, first and foremost, and yet the best route to achieve that is unclear.

On one hand, her mother’s concern has awoken the same fears inside her. Even before the breaking of the Gem, Fang was perceived as a harsh land of assassins and warriors, cutthroat in business and too proud to interact much with the other lands. It’s never mattered that all the leaders had a hand in the destruction of the Gem. Everyone remembers the ‘greed’ of Fang in targeting what they thought was Heart’s source of prosperity, and the rest has slipped from people’s minds. Now, they are pariahs, a land which has survived better than most during the Druun reign due to its willingness to stand alone and close its doors as much as possible. If they don’t have direct involvement in saving the world, then when everyone returns, they could be pushed aside even more. Trade could cease to exist, and along with that comes a risk of famine and poverty. Namaari never wants her people to see those dark times again.

On the other hand, Namaari fears what her mother has in plan for Raya. She knows the other girl will never back down from a fight, and even less so if she has Sisu, the other Gem pieces, and clearly some sort of plan.

At the end of the day, she knows Raya is coming for her – or at least for Fang. There is one Gem piece left, and it sits within her mother’s staff. At the same time, Raya could be walking into what could end up being a deadly trap.

For the last six years, Namaari has lived with the guilt of what she has done to Raya, in a more deeply personal sense than her responsibility for the rest of the world. She isn’t sure she could survive being to blame for even more tragedy to befall Raya.

Just then, an animal screech comes from outside her window. Whirling around, she sees a small package dropped onto the windowsill, along with a note, although the messenger themselves is nowhere in sight, no matter how much she peers around.

She unfurls the note first, but it is little more than a crude map, with a small ‘x’ marking a spot on the riverbank across from the Palace. She can already guess who it is from, but unwrapping the package to reveal her childhood pendant confirms her suspicions.

She stands by the window, her mind at last resolved.

--

Dawn is breaking by the time she reaches the place at the riverbank marked out by Raya, but the others are not yet there. Her heart is pounding in her chest, and her hand is clammy as it clutches the piece of Dragon Gem she has stolen from her mother’s staff.

The fact that her mother lies there asleep and unprotected weighs heavily, but she is determined to see this through. If they are successful, if Sisu can really bring back everyone, then they will never have to worry about the Druun again, and her betrayal can be forgiven – or so she hopes.

She holds the Dragon pendant in her other hand, reminding her why she has really come. It keeps her grounded whenever she feels the desire to bolt back to the Palace and agree to her mother’s plan instead.

‘I see you got my gift,’ a soft voice breaks through her thoughts. It is strange not to go directly for a weapon, but Namaari allows herself to appreciate the sight of Raya standing in front of her with a small smile on her face instead. It’s been so long since they last had a conversation without it ending in a fight, and even longer still since Raya looked at her with any sort of a welcoming expression.

‘I never thought I’d see this again,’ she feels herself say, and her own voice sounds far, far away. Raya shrugs a shoulder awkwardly.

‘Well, uh…I tried to take good care of it,’ she says. ‘You’re not the only dragon nerd here.’

They gaze at each other for a moment, and Namaari emits a slight chuckle, before becoming serious. The time is now or never – no going back once she has taken this next step.

She places the Gem piece on the ground, and accepts her fate. Raya nods, an understanding passing between them, and then her concentration is broken by the arrival of none other than Sisudatu herself.

Namaari bends low into a bow, raising her hands in respect. The awe of seeing a dragon in front of her for a second time is not lessened in any way, and as she straightens up, Sisu smiles back at her. She can’t help but tuck her hair behind her ear self-consciously, hoping this time that Sisu will see something better in her than before, will see that she is trying to atone for her mistakes.

‘The final piece,’ she hears Sisu say, and then Raya is reaching down to open her bag.

‘Raya,’ Namaari finds her voice again. ‘Raya, I came her to warn you also. My mother-’

‘Is very proud of her daughter,’ her mother announces, and the sound of many crossbows being loaded rings out in the clearing. A large group of Fang warriors emerge from the forest, dragging Raya’s companions with them, Chief Virana leading the way. Namaari’s breath catches in her throat.

‘I must thank you, Morning Mist, for bringing us straight to the Dragon Gem and to Sisu herself.’

‘You tricked us?’ Raya asks, her voice shaking. It is a flashback to six years ago – Raya looking upon Namaari with utter betrayal and disgust.

‘No Raya, I-’ Namaari tries to choke out, but Raya turns away, two red blotches on her cheeks showing just how angry she feels.

‘Take the rest of the Gem pieces,’ her mother commands, and just as Namaari expected, Raya draws her sword immediately, stepping in front of Sisu.

‘If you want Sisu or the Gem pieces, you’ll have to go through me first,’ she calls out, her voice strong despite being outnumbered. The large man dressed in Spine clothing is already beginning to fight his captivity, and all at once there is chaos as the yelling starts and a brawl breaks out between Raya’s companions and some Fang warriors. The rest stay focused on Raya and Sisu, clearly reluctant to shoot towards the dragon but unsure how to carry out their Chief’s order.

Through all the shouting and fighting, a voice reaches out to Namaari.

‘I believe you,’ Sisu says, and the dragon is staring at her with a soft and open expression. ‘Namaari, I believe you came to help us.’

The tears rush unbidden to Namaari’s eyes, and she takes a shuddering breath at those words, barely able to believe what she has heard. Hope is blossoming from her chest, that she can help resolve this misunderstanding and endless cycle of mistrust.

And then Namaari watches it all happen as if in slow motion. General Atitaya’s crossbow raises slightly, wavering towards Sisu, and her finger twitches on the trigger. Raya notices in the same instance, striking out with her sword and knocking the soldier’s hand.

The crossbow swings back towards Raya, and there is a small click as the arrow breaks free, shooting straight and true towards its target. Namaari watches it aim directly for Raya’s heart, Sisu’s words still ringing in her mind.

And then she steps forward, and feels the arrow pierce her skin.

--

‘…maari? Namaari?’

Someone is calling her name.

She feels very cold through her entire body, except where there are two warm arms wrapped around her. It is difficult to open her eyes, and the darkness seems far more welcoming. She lets her mind drift slightly.

‘Namaari, wake up!’ The person is now shaking her shoulders, causing a pain to rip down her left side. It startles her into opening her eyes properly, where she has to blink away water droplets. Rain pours down around them, and when she shifts her head slightly, her cheek comes into contact with Raya’s chest.

‘Raya, the rain isn’t going to hold them back forever,’ Sisu’s voice calls from afar. ‘They’re gathering in number…I think they were attracted by the fighting.’

It takes a few moments for the meaning of the words to sink into Namaari’s brain, and when she focuses on something other than the pain, she can hear the unearthly howls above the rain. The druun are here.

‘Namaari, we have to get you to the doctor,’ Raya is saying, looking down at her with large, worried eyes and damp hair plastered to her skin. One of her hands is trembling slightly, as she raises it to Namaari’s face, and her fingers are smeared with blood.

She has never looked so pretty to Namaari before.

‘I can take her back to the Palace,’ Ma says, and she realises her mother is kneeling down on her other side, clutching her hand and disregarding the mud smeared across her white clothing. ‘Give me back a piece of the Gem so I can get us there!’

‘You won’t make it through the Druun,’ Raya snaps back. ‘Let me take her and Sisu…we’ll travel faster.’

Namaari lets the sound of their disagreement wash over her. The pain is becoming stronger now, and breathing is difficult. Even if they get her back to the palace, she is not sure there is anything to be done. She’s so tired.

But maybe that is the point, a voice whispers in her mind. It is the same voice that has plagued her nightmares all these last years. You were the one who broke the world. You were the one who brought this hatred and distrust to your people, to Raya. Maybe your ending can fix it.

‘I’m not going anywhere,’ she whispers through numb lips. Raya and her mother break off their argument to look down at her.

‘Morning Mist, you don’t have much time,’ Ma says, stroking her hair. Raya grunts in acknowledgement, and unwraps an arm from around Namaari’s shoulders to slide it under her legs. But before she can be lifted, Namaari raises a weak hand and knocks her back.

‘I’m not going anywhere until you put the Gem back together,’ she insists, trying to sound firm even as her strength is failing her. She isn’t sure that this will be enough, that their concern for her will be enough. But she plays the only card she has to left to play, and lays down her ultimatum anyway. ‘Save everyone, Raya. I believe in you.’

Raya loosens her grip slightly, clearly unsure what to do. Then suddenly, Sisu is there, dropping Fang’s piece of the Gem next to them.

‘You heard Namaari! Let’s fix this big ball of power, save the world, and then get our girl the medical attention she needs!’

Namaari feels herself being transferred gently from Raya’s arms to her mother’s lap, but the movement still makes her cry out in pain.

Raya glances her way once more, and nods in determination. She gathers the Gem pieces into her hands, slotting them together into a perfect orb once more. A bright glow seeps through her fingers, and the last thing Namaari sees before darkness takes her is Raya, lit with an ethereal blue light from the Dragon Gem.

--

When Namaari next awakens, she is in her own bed. The blankets are warm, her body is in considerably less pain, and Raya is curled up on the other side of her mattress.

Wait, what?

‘Raya?’ she croaks, her throat dry, but it is enough to disturb the sleeping figure, who sits upright with a start.

‘You’re awake? How are you feeling? I mean, I guess probably pretty bad considering you were shot by a crossbow,’ she rambles, a hand awkwardly patting her hair. Namaari laughs at her softly, and then can’t help but wince as the movement causes her wound to throb ominously. Raya leans over to hold a glass of water to her lips, and she manages to swallow a few mouthfuls.

‘Did it work?’ she has to know. She wants to see with her own eyes, but can tell she won’t be leaving this bed for a while. ‘Is your father back?’

Raya looks at her for a long moment.

‘Yes, it worked,’ she says finally, and a smile breaks out across her face. ‘Everyone has returned. Ba is in fact downstairs right now…I think him and your mother are trying to write a hundred trade deals at once. And he’s demanding a celebration for the return of Kumandra.’

Relief hits Namaari all at once, making her feel slightly dizzy and sick. She tries to subtly turn her head so Raya can’t see the tears in her eyes.

‘Of course, it would have also worked if we had waited until AFTER we got some binturi to the doctor,’ Raya adds suddenly, her voice taking on a disapproving tone. ‘Why did you insist we fix the Gem first? The doctors said another ten minutes, and maybe…’

She trails off, but Namaari understands the end of the sentence. Another ten minutes, and you might not have survived.

‘I wasn’t sure if I would make it anyway,’ she confesses, staring up at the ceiling rather than look Raya in the eyes. ‘And I wanted to make sure I made up for my mistakes before I died.’

Raya is quiet for a moment. Namaari can feel the bed shift slightly as she lays down next to her and rests her head back on a pillow.

‘It wasn’t just your mistake to atone for,’ Raya says eventually. It sounds like forgiveness. ‘I hope you’ll see that one day.’

Her hand slowly shuffles across the covers, and Namaari inhales slightly when she feels their fingers entwine.

They lie there together in silence, watching the sun rise on Kumandra through the window.

[qqueenofhades]

... Remember the Russian Revolution au? Which ended with Fedyor's sister very sick and Fedyor searching for Ivan in hopes of getting help for her from him? Fedyor finding Ivan and offering to do "anything" in exchange for his sister's medical treatment? Ivan secretly wanting Fedyor, but refusing to take what he wants like that? Soooo... I would also like the big the big 3 of your coming projects to happen, but... y'know... just.... wanted to bring this au up again... ;)

Behold, the oft-requested follow-up to the first two Russian Revolution au ficlets. Ahem.

Fedyor does not sleep that night. He does not even think about sleeping. He only leaves the army headquarters long enough to think hard about what he is proposing to do, wonder if it is worth it, and decide that it is. Katya needs the medicine, he has no other recourse, and he is categorically unwilling to return home to his family as a failure, when they have placed all their trust and hope in him. Ivan has hinted that he might be able to obtain it, and so that, no matter what it takes, is what Fedyor will have to get him to do. And for that…

He knows that he is not unattractive. He has dark eyes, dark hair, a dimpled smile, a personable and friendly manner that, in happier times, attracted the attention of many an eligible young lady who wished to ice skate or promenade around the park or take a carriage ride, as courting Russian couples are wont to do. However, while Fedyor was perfectly happy to chat with ladies, or escort them to a ball, or fulfill his essential chivalric duty, he was not otherwise interested in wooing them. It was partly for that reason that he signed up to the military, where an enterprising young man can have other opportunities in the darkness of the barracks. So long as his family was kept conveniently unaware.

For all that the Bolsheviks have overthrown the government without a clear plan as to what to do next, and accordingly plunged them all into this miserable civil war, Fedyor does secretly sympathize with certain of their beliefs on the remaking of family life. They say that marriage is outdated and bourgeoisie, that monogamy is unnatural, that women should not be subject to patriarchal systems, and that homosexuality is an equally valid state of nature. Such a possibility of sexual classification and divergence is much discussed in Europe these days, and there is even a small but growing scholarly literature, written by eminent scientists. Sexual Inversion by Havelock Ellis, published in 1896, argues that the man-loving man is indeed even a possibly improved form of human, associated with superior intellectual and artistic achievement, and that nothing about his attachment is wrong or abnormal. Two years before that, Edward Carpenter wrote Homogenic Love, and in 1900, the German Elisar von Kupffer published an anthology of homosexual poetry, Lieblingminne und Freundesliebe in der Weltliteratur. Such texts are relatively easy for an educated, French- and English- speaking young Russian intellectual, such as Fedyor Mikhailovich Kaminsky, to lay his hands on. He is not sure what can come of it, but at least he knows that he is not alone.

The question remains as to Ivan Ivanovich Sakharov’s proclivities. Unless Fedyor is very much mistaken, Ivan was at least considering the possibility of accepting his offer, and turned it down for honorable, moral reasons, feeling it unjust to sexually extort a young gentleman in exchange for his sister’s care, rather than physical horror at the idea of such a coupling. If he’s a Bolshevik, he’s probably acceptably tolerant of their philosophy on an abstract level, but it’s less clear as to whether that extends to its personal practice. If Fedyor turns up in his bunkhouse – which, come to think of it, is probably shared, curse these Bolsheviks and their dratted communality, highly inconvenient for a midnight seduction attempt – scantily clad and willing, will Ivan’s objections hold out then? Or… or what?

Fedyor doesn’t know, but the uncertainty adds to the frisson of shameful excitement, rather than detracting from it. He searches through the streets of Chelyabinsk for some bread (it does not seem in much greater supply than in Nizhny Novgorod) and waits for the sun to go down. In March, the days, though getting steadily longer, are still short and chilly, and it’s bitingly cold when it gets dark. Then he pulls up his muffler, tells himself not to be unduly precious about it, and heads for the makeshift army quarters on Kirovka Street.

The buildings in downtown are beautiful, built in the Russian Revival style of neo-Byzantinian splendor, though the onion-domed Orthodox churches have all been converted into stables and armories, and anything that whiffs of an ideology contrary to the Red one has been economically discarded. Fedyor reaches the door, knocks, and when a disgruntled sergeant comes to answer it, expecting him to be a soldier out too late and in line for a ticking-off, Fedyor raises his hands apologetically. “I’ve come to join up,” he says. “The great socialist cause of the world’s workers is the only true one for a patriotic Russian man, and I vow it my full allegiance, if you will have me. I was speaking to my friend earlier, Ivan Ivanovich, and he suggested it. Is he still here?”

The sergeant eyes him squiggle-eyed, but they cannot afford to look gift horses too closely in the mouth, or turn aside willing recruits. It takes a while, but he shouts for someone who shouts for someone else, and this finally produces the startled personage of Ivan Sakharov, who clearly thought it was for the last time when they parted several hours ago. Upon sight of Fedyor, he stops short, looking alarmed, angry, and wary all at once. “What are you – ?”

“Can we talk?” Fedyor is resolved to do this, he truly is, but he feels it best to get it over with before that wavers in any degree. Whether he wants it too little does not seem like the problem; on the contrary, he fears that he wants it too much, and if he stops to reflect on it or delude himself with any nonsensical notions of it being more than once, that can only hurt the cause. “Somewhere… private?”

Ivan hesitates, as if asking to commune out of sight of the others is tantamount to heresy (though it’s not as if these damn hypocrites didn’t plot in secret, away from their own countrymen, for months and months, Fedyor thinks angrily). Then he jerks his head. “Fine. Five minutes. This way.”

He leads Fedyor up a few narrow, creaking staircases, past closed doors that echo with snorting and snoring and coughing, the cacophony of his comrades, none of whom seem to be enjoying their glorious victory quite as much as they thought. Ivan, however, appears to be sufficiently high-ranking in the Red Guards that the room they finally arrive at, though not much larger than a closet, is at least private. It reminds Fedyor forcibly of Ivan’s room back in St. Petersburg, the one they slept in together, that first night after the Winter Palace. It sounds more intimate in his recollections than it actually was. Nothing happened, of course. But Ivan was kind to offer it, kind when he did not need to be, when a young tsarist soldier alone in the ferment of riot and revolution, such as Fedyor was, would not be likely to see the new red dawn. It is that which Fedyor keeps in mind as he shuts the door with assumed casualness, then turns around, meets Ivan’s eye in a significant fashion, and shrugs off his coat, cap, and muffler. Then, unmistakably, starts to unbutton his shirt.

He has almost gotten to the bottom by the time Ivan, who is staring at him as if he’s lost his marbles (it is unclear if this is an encouraging fashion or not) finally recovers his sense. He strides forward and covers Fedyor’s hands with his own large, callused rifleman’s fingers, sending a shock of attraction burning through Fedyor from head to toe, along with the death of any more illusion that he could continue to be casual about this. “What are you doing?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Fedyor’s throat is as dry as a bone, but he forces himself to speak. “I said that I would do anything for my sister’s care, if you would help.”

He lingers suggestively on the word anything, just as he did before, in case there was any doubt (as if the undressing wasn’t enough) what he means here. Ivan looks like a cornered bear, but as his eyes catch Fedyor’s and flick across the lean, muscled torso thus revealed beneath the shirt, he swallows hard and has to glance away. The attraction trembles silently in the air between them, tense as a piano string, tuned to snapping. In the old days, that is, when people played pianos, and did not burn them for firewood, as Fedyor’s parents were preparing to do with theirs when he left home. It chokes raw and painful in his throat. He is attracted to Ivan – desperately attracted, in fact – and yet he still hates what the Bolsheviks have done, even if the Romanovs and the Provisional Government were no better. The deposed Tsar Nicholas II is under house arrest with his wife and five children, the four tsarevnas and the tsarevich, in Yekaterinburg. Little sick Alexei Romanov, whose hemophilia opened the door for Grigori Rasputin to control the queen, the royal household, the government of Russia, and so bring about the end of their house. He was like something from a fairytale monster, that Grisha. The rumors of his death, not quite two years ago in December 1916, is that it almost did not happen, he was so hard to kill. A demon. A beast.

“You cannot do this,” Ivan says, his voice too rough, his eyes still struggling to remain decorously averted. “It is not – it is not right.”

“Not right?” Fedyor flares. “So a little spot of armed treason and overthrowing the man who, however deficient he might be, was the heir of one of the oldest and greatest empires in the world? That part was entirely aboveboard, but this, when you want this – don’t lie to me, I’m well aware you do – to help my sister? That would be a sin?!”

Ivan backs up a step, glancing around shiftily. These walls are thin, and he clearly does not want his beloved brothers-in-arms to hear this. “Fedyor Mikhailovich – ”

“Have me.” Fedyor is done playing games. “I’m here, I’m yours for the taking. You can do whatever you want to me, as long as you give me the medicine at the end.”

For a long, spellbound moment, he thinks Ivan is on the brink of agreeing. Then once again, he shakes his head. “No,” he says. “I could not in good conscience consent to this. But I will fetch you the medicine. You do not have to give me anything in return.”

Fedyor gawks at him, shocked – and, it must be confessed, more than a little disappointed. “I thought it was fair trade,” he says. “Tit for tat.”

“It is…” Ivan shakes his head, eyes once more straying to Fedyor’s bare chest. “Button your shirt up,” he says, half-laughing, not angry, breathless and soft. “It is very distracting.”

“Good.” Fedyor takes another step. “I think you deserve it, you obnoxious bastard.”

“Be that as it may.” At least Ivan has the good sense not to dispute it. “I cannot do this,” he repeats, more gently. “You are a fine young man, Fedyor Mikhailovich. Perhaps in another life… but it would not be honorable to trade your virtue for this.”

“My virtue?” Fedyor has to laugh. “What makes you think I have that?”

Once again, Ivan wavers. But to give him (loathing) credit, he will not be swayed. “Button it,” he repeats. “I will arrange to have the money and medicine sent by your lodging by tomorrow, if you give me an address in the city.”

“I don’t have one.” Fedyor folds his arms. “Only here.”

Ivan looks even more startled. His lips part, he takes a step forward, and for a brief, wild, exquisite yearning of an instant, Fedyor thinks he is actually going to kiss him. They’re almost close enough – not quite, but almost – for it to happen. Then Ivan says, “Your family must be very proud of you.”

“I…” It catches in his throat. “I don’t know. I hope.”

“I would,” Ivan says. “I would be.”

And that, somehow, is all that seems to matter. Even as Fedyor spends a night in Ivan’s narrow camp cot of a bed, Ivan insisting on taking the hard floor out of an excess of gallantry, an echo of their first night in St. Petersburg. Ivan does as ordered, gives Fedyor some rubles and some medicine and a train ticket back home to Nizhny Novgorod. He personally escorts Fedyor to the train station to make sure he does not come to grief, then stands on the platform, staring after him like Vronsky watching Anna leave one more time. The train begins to huff and puff, spitting soot and embers, and Fedyor keeps his nose pressed to the glass, leaving a smudge, until long after, as it seems he is never destined to do anything but, Ivan Ivanovich Sakharov has vanished into the mist.

[jackoshadows]

So, some speculation on how Bran Stark can become King of Westeros.

The series is called A Song of Ice and Fire and not Game of Thrones as GRRM reminds us - “ And it is important that the individual books refer to the civil wars,  but the series title reminds us constantly that the real issue lies in  the North beyond the Wall. Stannis becomes one of the few characters   fully to understand that, which is why in spite of everything he is a   righteous man, and not just a version of Henry VII, Tiberius or Louis   XI.”

It is the fight against the Others - this existential apocalyptic threat to ALL mankind - that is more important than petty wars between humans over the Iron Throne. That is the central theme of the books unlike in the show. “When dead men come hunting in the night, do you think it matters who sits on the Iron Throne - Jeor Mormont”.

The Long Night is a horrendous event and Old Nan’s description of it sounds nightmarish.

“Oh, my sweet summer child," Old Nan said quietly, "what do you know of fear? Fear is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the north. Fear is for the long night, when the sun hides its face for years at a time, and little children are born and live and die all in darkness while the direwolves grow gaunt and hungry, and the white walkers move through the woods”    

The Others … Thousands and thousands of years ago, a winter fell that was cold and hard and endless beyond all memory of man.  There came a night that lasted a generation, and kings shivered and  died in their castles even as the swineherds in their hovels. Women  smothered their children rather than see them starve, and cried, and  felt their tears freeze on their cheeks. In that darkness, the Others came for the first time … They were  cold things, dead things, that hated iron and fire and the touch of the  sun, and every creature with hot blood in its veins. They swept over  holdfasts and cities and kingdoms, felled heroes and armies by the  score, riding pale dead horses, and leading hosts of the slain. All the  swords of men could not stay their advance, and even maidens and  suckling babes, found no pity in them. They hunted the maids through the  frozen forests, and fed their dead servants on the flesh of human children.

tldr - this shit is scary.

Unlike in the show, the Long Night is not going to last for 10 minutes near Winterfell and solved by Arya jumping from behind a tree and stabbing the Night King. The Long Night will probably be the central story of the last book and cover several months of dark winter and affect the whole of Westeros. In the books, Winter has already come to the North - Snowstorms so bad that even armies in the North are finding it hard to move and Winterfell’s walls are no longer seen. No army is crossing the neck into the North. Winterfell will most likely fall and the fight against the Others will continue down south.

Dany dreams of fighting the Others at the Trident -

“That night she dreamt that she was Rhaegar, riding to the Trident. But  she was mounted on a dragon, not a horse. When she saw the Usurper’s   rebel host across the river they were armored all in ice, but she bathed  them in dragonfire and they melted away like dew and turned the Trident  into a torrent. Some small part of her knew that she was dreaming, but another part exulted. This is how it was meant to be. The other was a nightmare, and I have only now awakened.

The last time, the first men were only able to win with the help of the Children and it was the Last Hero - possibly Bran - who gets their help. Bran is the only character in the series heavily involved in this part of the story and he has already met the Children of the forest.

What if the only way the Others can be defeated is some kind of pact where Bran has to become the leader of Westeros for either the Children’s assistance or for the Others to retreat? We really need to know more about the Others and what they want - we probably get this in the next book - to get an inkling of why Bran could be king. We know absolutely nothing about them.

Similarly, the Children hate the Andals, faith of the seven, the lord of the seven kingdoms etc. considering the Andals burned down Weirwoods and destroyed them - what if they want Bran and the Old Gods in the south as a condition for help? 

Wouldn’t the whole of Westeros agree to this considering their very survival is what’s at stake? Again,  “When dead men come hunting in the night, do you think it matters who sits on the Iron Throne”.

I also very much doubt that the prophecies of Azor Ahai/PTWP are literal - they are about heroes who undertake great sacrifice to save the realm. The key being ‘sacrifice’ - for ex. Nissa Nissa. Giving up something they care about dearly. What if Dany has to give up the Iron Throne for the greater good? Wouldn’t she do it? This could be why Dany and Jon leave Westeros behind - sacrifice - and head for the lands beyond the wall.

Or it could be some kind of conflict between Bran Vs Jon/Dany?

I think Jon, Dany and Bran are the three heads of the dragon, three parts of the prophesied leader and each will play their part in humans winning the Battle for the Dawn. It would be a sacrifice for Bran as well to leave his home and the North for the south.

Will Bran as king undermine GRRM’s entire point about Aragorn and taxes? Yes, it does. Maybe this is where Tyrion comes into the picture. Without Jon and Dany, he’s the next best person to actually rule - and he does this for Bran, as Hand of the King. Maybe Bran is the figurehead and Tyrion the actual ruler - “ When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear  across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a  king”. - AGoT Jon . 

We still have two books left and a lot of story to cover and I think Bran will be getting a lot of POV chapters as GRRM delves more into the fantasy aspect of the series.

So possible character endings: Arya plays an important role being a leader of her people against the Others and ends up being the Stark in Winterfell. Bran ends up as King on the Iron Throne as a condition for either defeating the Others or getting them to retreat, Tyrion ends up Hand of the King/Defacto person actually involved in adminstration and ruling, Jon/Dany leave for beyond the wall and the rest of Westeros assume the Targaryens are dead and gone.

So King Bran is possible - this is high fantasy after all - but how GRRM gets there and whether it makes sense is indeed important and I guess we will have to wait and see if the seeds are getting planted in the next book. According to GRRM’s editor, he told her Bran’s endpoint so they could edit and plan TWoW better:

George is a very secretive fellow, and guards his secrets well. I do  know a few things from AWOW, but mainly because we had to shorten a few  elements in the book as it was already getting too long, and he had to  reveal a few secrets so I could help him redirect parts of the plot a  bit. I do know the endpoint of Bran’s story line—and Daniel Abraham, who  has been adapting the graphic novel of AGOT for me, knows where Tyrion  ends up.  - Anne Groel.