#Our garden was like a little forest clearing

[idontliketomatoesleavemealone]

I have rarely felt as much visceral hatred as for the people that bought the house I grew up in

[fizzyapplecandy]

Ateez as Romance Tropes

Other members

The one where you try to hate your future husband

Yeosang x Fem reader

Genres and warnings: royals, arranged marriage, strangers to acquaintances to lovers, y/n doesn't want to get married, yeosang is a sweetie, horses, horse riding, happy ending

Word count: 3.1k

You give your future husband one task - tame the untamable. It's his only chance to win you over, and he takes the challenge head on.

Little girls always dream of being princesses. Living in a lavish castle, surrounded by people who tend to your every need while they prance around the hallways in gorgeous dresses.

To you, being a princess meant being shackled down for the rest of your life.

You weren't opposed to the nice clothing and big bedroom with a view on the vast forest behind your castle. What you absolutely hated was the man sitting in front of you at the dinner table.

Another perk of being a royal meant uniting two kingdoms though marriage. This time, it was the union between you and Kang Yeosang, and you couldn't despise him even more than you did right now.

"So, your highness, how are the preparations for the wedding coming along? We hear you are clearing out the grand room." Yeosang's mother asked.

Your mom smiled, excited to share the details with her future in laws.

While they were chatting away about flower arrangements, food, your bouquet and dress, you nibbled on a piece of bread. Someone chuckled, and when you lifted your head you could see Yeosang hiding a smile behind his hand.

"What's so funny?" You whispered, not wanting to draw attention to yourself.

"Oh, nothing. Just the sour expression on your face. You're a real joy to be around."

"Likewise."

Something told him you were obviously sarcastic. Yeosang had never met a person who despised him as much as you did. There was no particular reason for your hate, he thought, but it came off in waves.

More like hurricanes, he snickered.

"Say princess, why don't we take a walk around the gardens after our meal?"

"I'd rather walk on hot coal, thanks."

He frowned. "Now, that's a bit much, isn't it?"

"I think I've made myself pretty clear, your highness."

Without another word, you patted your mouth with a napkin and stood up from the table.

"Mother, I'm going to the stables. Have a lovely rest of your day."

"Wait, honey! Why don't you take Yeosang with you? He still hasn't seen your pride and joy!"

You tried to hide your frown, knowing you couldn't say no in front of his parents. Your mother put you on the spot, and she knew it.

"Oh... Maybe the prince has other things planned."

"No, I'd love to see your horses, princess."

You wanted to shout at him, but your royal upbringing stopped you.

"Of course. I'll just go to my room and change, you can go outside. San will take you to my stables."

Without another word, you bowed to the people at the table and left to change into your riding clothes.

.

.

"So, is princess Y/N always so curt with people?"

"Only with the ones she doesn't like."

Yeosang frowned at San's answer. He kind of knew you disliked him, but you were about to get married for Christ's sake.

"Is there a way to win her over?" He asked the buff man walking in front of him.

"Well..." San gave it a good thought, but his head came up empty. He was your childhood friend, working in the castle next to his father down at the royal stables. The boy knew what a tough nut you were, but he praised prince Yeosang for his effort.

"I've been in princess Y/N's life for long enough to know that she is more impressed by simple, kind gestures, instead of anything grand. She doesn't like jewels and precious stones, she likes..." San looked ahead of him, pointing his finger for Yeosang to follow.

There you were, already saddled up on a black stallion. You looked incredible, and so powerful. Yeosang was too much in awe to say anything, and San chuckled.

"Horses, particularly Roger, are princess Y/N's passion. Try to bond with her through that."

"Lucky me..." Yeosang whispered, preparing himself for utter embarrassment.

It's not like Yeosang didn't know how to ride a horse, he was a prince for crying out loud. It's just that... Horses scared him. When duty called, he had one mare he trusted not to throw him off, but he didn't know how to ride anyone besides Locket.

"Well, prince Yeosang, grab a stallion and come join me." Y/N shouted from her place on the field. Her horse Roger kind of inherited her personality. She was connected to him on deeper levels than anyone could understand, and she loved the horse more than anything. Prince Yeosang didn't seem too keen on joining her.

"Oh, well... My mare is on the other side of the castle, maybe I should-"

"Nonsense! We have plenty of horses here! San, bring him Storm!"

By the expression on San's face, and the name of the mare, Yeosang knew this wasn't about to be easy.

After some time, San walked back out with a silvery horse tugging on the reins, trying everything in her might to run away. How did Y/N think he could... Oh.

She didn't. She didn't think he could do it, so she did this on purpose. Well, he'd rather get thrown off than let the princess have her satisfaction of winning.

"Roger and I are going to take a leap around the field, feel free to join us once you've... Well if you manage to get along with Storm here. She's a feisty one."

With that, the princess galloped away with her trusted steed, leaving a furious Yeosang behind.

"She's so mean!" He yelled, hearing a chuckle behind him.

San was lightly petting Storm, the horse already used to him, and he motioned for Yeosang to come closer.

"That's princess Y/N. I promise she's not always like this, but I think she likes messing with you. Here, come introduce yourself to Storm."

The silver beauty looked at Yeosang like he was her arch enemy. There was no chance he could get close to her without a bruise or two. However, the prince was determined to prove Y/N wrong, and he also wanted to win her over somehow. If a couple of scratches are needed, he'll gladly do it.

"Let's get to know each other, Storm."

.

.

"Ouch! Okay, I've had it!"

San chuckled from his side of the fence, watching the desperate prince as he tried and failed to get on the horse. Storm was a tough one, and princess Y/N knew what she was doing.

"Come on, just let me ride you once! Just once! Let the princess see I'm capable!"

Yeosang was downright pleading with the horse now, afraid you'd come back and see how he failed. His clothes were dirty, one of his sleeves torn, and he somehow managed to get hay into his mouth and hair. He looked like a disaster, and he felt like one as well.

"Storm, please, I'm begging you!"

"Quite silly to hear you beg, prince Yeosang."

His head turned to see you lightly galloping towards them, and he could tell the mare was getting more relaxed. Without a word, you jumped down from Roger, going over to Storm and petting her. She was silent, almost nuzzling her huge head into your palms.

"What in the... How are you doing that?" Yeosang almost screamed.

"I've known her for ten years, she trusts me. Storm has always been a fighter, and she's really tough. Unless there's an actual storm, she's afraid of those. Once, she ran away, so we had to chase her through the forest. My poor baby was frightened."

Poor baby? That thing is everything but a baby. Yeosang felt like it would be pointless to argue, but the interaction between you and Storm made him step back as well. It looked like the mare was enjoying the pets, and she was swaying her long tail happily. Roger stood next to the two of you, seemingly a bit jealous that the attention wasn't on him. Yeosang almost felt like Roger right now.

"Well... She doesn't seem to like me. Do you have any other horses?"

You looked at Yeosang, smirking as a plan came up in your head.

"Tell you what, my prince. If you manage to ride around the field, just once, on Storm, then I'll gladly give this marriage thing a try. If you don't succeed by the end of the week, you'll let me live my life in peace. We'll still be married, but it will only be a contract to unite our two kingdoms. I find you interesting, but I don't accept the way this marriage came to be."

"Princes..." Yeosang was at a standstill.

You drove a good bargain, he must admit. However, how can he possibly do this? The horse would even give him a chance to get close, let alone... Oh.

He smirked, noticing the similarities with the two situations.

"Okay, I accept. Don't be too surprised when I succeed."

You laughed, and Yeosang thought it was a sweet, bell like sound he could get used to.

"Then we have a deal, dear prince."

This had to work out in his favour.

.

.

"This isn't working out."

By day four, Yeosang still hasn't managed to come close to Storm. The horse all but ignored him, unless it shoved him away into the dirt once he stepped close enough.

"I think you need to give it a different approach." San suggested. The stable boy was of great help, and Yeosang could see himself befriending the fellow once he was done with his task.

"What else can I do? I tried bribing her with food - she almost bit my hand off. I tried taking slow steps - she neighed so loud once she heard me I almost weed in my pants. I also tried going head on - see this bruise? She kicked me in the leg."

The prince sat down on the dirt, head banging against one of the fence pillars.

"I'm hopeless, San."

The buff man jumped into the ring, sitting down next to the prince.

"Hey, your highness, sorry for overstepping if I am, but why don't you give up then? If you're not able to do it, why not offer the princess another solution?"

"Because I don't want her to think I'm a quitter. She's going to look at me for the rest of our lives as a man who couldn't complete one task to show her respect and affection. It shouldn't be that difficult to get close to a horse. The princess seemed to do it just fine."

San chuckled. "Yeah, well, do you think she had it easy? It took a lot of time for Storm to trust Y/N, because she didn't give up. She couldn't."

"Yeah, well, neither can I. I can see how special Storm is, she's a beauty as well, but I think she doesn't know how gentle people can be. She just has to give me a chance."

As if understanding them, the horse turned her head in Yeosang's direction. It looked like she was taunting him. 'Come on, don't give up.'

Determined to succeed, he dusted off his pants and made his way over to the mare.

"You're going to see the kind of person I am, Storm. I'm not so easy to sway."

From a window overlooking the field, princess Y/N smiled. The boy just wouldn't give it a rest. She watched as he fell over and over, standing back up every time. He was determined, that much was clear, but it seemed like he never lost anything in his life, so this proved to be a difficult task.

"Oh, silly prince. If he just sat still next to her, she'd sniff him out and relax. Did he bring her sugar cubes or carrots? She only eats sweets, maybe I should suggest - Oh what am I saying? Do I want him to win?"

"I think you do, my dear."

Whipping your head around you saw your mother standing in the doorway to your room. She had a smug smile on her face, and you knew she heard everything you said.

"Mother! What did I tell you about sneaking up on me?"

She shrugged. "But dear, your door was wide open! Were you, perhaps, on your way down to the field?"

"No! I was just... I don't know."

Your mother came to stand next to you, looking out the window.

"He's a determined little prince, don't you think? I doubt he would be doing this for just anyone."

"You think so?" You asked, leaning against her shoulder.

"Oh, I know so. You should take it easy on him if he doesn't manage to ride her. Storm's a difficult one."

You glanced outside again, seeing Yeosang on the ground for the millionth time today.

"For some reason, I think he'll manage."

.

.

"The sky is awful today." You said as you glanced out the window in the dinning area.

"There's a storm brewing, it will probably hit us tonight." Your father added, looking up from his book. He had a habit of reading while eating lunch.

"Do you think it will be a light one?" Yeosang asked from across the table. He looked positively exhausted. It was Saturday, and he had one day left before failing your challenge. Storm was warming up to him, no longer biting the poor man and kicking him in the knees, but he wasn't sure she'd let him saddle her up tomorrow.

"I'm not sure, your highness, it seems like it won't be pleasant." Your mother answered, glancing at you knowingly. She knew where to find you if the weather got bad.

After finishing your meal, you stood up to go to the library when you heard steps behind you.

"Princess Y/N, could I have a word?"

You turned around and looked at Yeosang, nodding for him to continue.

"Well, tomorrow is Sunday, and you know... I don't... I don't think you gave me enough time."

You raised an eyebrow. "Really? I think I gave you plenty. Do you think you won't be able to do it?"

"I... Well, I think I'm on a good path, but I need a few more days."

"Do you think it would make a difference? A day, or two? Maybe you just can't do it."

He was starting to get frustrated, and you could see by the frown on his face.

"I know you want me to fail, but I'm not giving you that satisfaction. I want you, princess. I don't think you realise how much. I won't give up."

Without another word he strolled away graciously, leaving you behind in shock.

He wanted you? He really did? It's not like you haven't felt wanted before, but this was new, and exciting. Maybe you could give him more time. It wouldn't hurt to see him succeed, and you certainly wouldn't mind celebrating with him. Somewhere along the past few days you've accepted your fate, and looked at it from another perspective. Yeosang was a good man, a man who just admitted how much he wanted you.

You could get used to that, you thought as you walked into your room. Looking out the balcony, you saw how terrible the sky became. It would surely be a rough storm.

The sky got darker as the day went by, and by nightfall it was raining so hard you thought it would flood the castle. The wind rammed your windows open twice, and you knew your horses were absolutely terrified. Storm in particular.

Without a second thought, you jumped from your bed and wrapped your silk robe around yourself. You tried sneaking out quietly, avoiding the guards at all costs.

Your escape was rather quick, but the path to the stables was tough. The rain got into your eyes, soaking your clothes in seconds and making it difficult to walk. What usually took you about five minutes now turned into almost fifteen. You failed to notice the light already shining inside the stables.

Opening the door, you shouted out for your horses.

"Roger! Storm! I'm here, my babies, I'm - Oh."

"Hi there."

There, on the dirty floor, sat Yeosang with Storm's head in his lap. He was running his fingers through her maine, and she opened her eyes to glance at you before closing them again.

"Sorry, princess. I know you said she has trouble with bad weather and thunder, so I just... Sorry if I overstepped."

You were speechless. He looked soaked to the bone, his hair sticking to his forehead and his white shirt stretched out over his broad shoulders. What was most noticeable was his concern for Storm, and the other horses. He cared enough even after she made his life hell the past week.

"You... Is she okay?" You asked, unable to think about anything else.

"She's fine. I gave her some sugar cubes, although they kind of melted in the rain. I noticed her dislike for carrots pretty soon." He chuckled, continuing to caress her as he spoke.

"Thank you, truly."

Without another word, you went to check on Roger, walking him over to Yeosang and Storm. The four of you huddled together, and the horses naturally gravitated towards each other. Like them, you also scooted closer to Yeosang, shivering slightly.

"Hey, are you cold? I doubt that a soaked robe does anything for you." He joked, but he was concerned you'd freeze. He slowly placed his arm over your shoulder, pulling you closer to him.

"Is this okay?" He whispered, noticing your flushed cheeks.

"Y-Yes. You're really warm." You said, cuddling into him.

"Only when I'm next to a princess like you."

You rolled your eyes, but the smile was evident.

"Oh, stop it. You don't have to make corny jokes to win me over."

"Are you saying I already did that?"

You looked into his eyes, lightly caressing the birth mark next to his eye. He froze, but when he saw how gentle you were, it made his heart melt.

"I'm saying you don't need to try to tame Storm anymore. I think you've proved yourself enough."

"Now, as flattered as I am, I don't back away from a challenge. Don't worry princess, you'll see how it's done tomorrow."

"You're confident you can do it?" You asked, humor in your tone.

"After tonight, I think I can conquer the world."

.

.

"He's doing it, Y/N, he's really doing it!"

San forgot his manners for a second, but you couldn't blame him. Not after watching Yeosang and Storm. She let him saddle her up, and there they were, running laps around the field. They both looked ecstatic, and the thumping of your heart let you know how overjoyed you were for them.

"San, bring me Roger, please."

"Right away!"

Yeosang looked over when he heard his name being called, only to watch as the woman of his dreams rode her trusted stallion beside him.

"Having fun?"

He laughed, reaching over to take your hand.

"Say, my princess, what do you think about riding our horses into the sunset after the wedding?"

You smiled, tightening your grip on his hand.

"I say yes, my prince."

[sleepingdiaryzzz]

I love your Yandere Dick & Kori!

But let’s say they have taken Reader, where would they put them and what would the routine be? What are the precautions taken?

Love from 🪼

Yandere Nightwing x reader x yandere Starfire

After taking you, Dick and Kori brought you to a secluded, picturesque cabin tucked away in a forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. The place was breathtaking—sunlight filtering through the trees, a crystal-clear lake nearby—but you couldn’t shake the knowledge that it was also a prison.

Mornings were a carefully curated routine. Kori would greet you with a bright, warm smile, her glowing green eyes fixed on yours as she gently urged you out of bed. “Come, my love,” she’d say, her hands brushing against yours. But if you refused to move, staying stubbornly under the covers, her smile would soften—though her tone would not. “You do not want to test our patience this early, do you?” There was no malice in her words, but the sheer confidence in her voice made your stomach knot.

Breakfast followed, with Dick waiting in the kitchen, a plate already set for you. He didn’t demand you eat, but the way he leaned against the counter, arms crossed and a sharp glint in his blue eyes, made it clear he was waiting for you to comply. If you tried to push the plate away or outright refused, he’d pull up a chair across from you, his easy smile not quite reaching his eyes. “You can be stubborn, but I’ve got time,” he’d say, his voice low and calm. And he would wait—hours, if necessary—until you relented.

Afternoons were less forgiving. Kori would coax you outside, her hand wrapping around yours with a grip that left no room for resistance. If you tried to pull away or refuse her plans, her glowing eyes would meet yours, unyielding. “You don’t get to say no to me,” she’d murmur, her voice as sweet as honey but underlined with unmistakable steel. She’d guide you to the garden or lake, her fingers brushing yours often, as if to remind you that her strength was only barely restrained.

Dick, meanwhile, ensured you never strayed too far. If you so much as lingered near the edge of the clearing, he’d be by your side in seconds, his hand pressing lightly against the small of your back to steer you back toward the cabin. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” he’d say, his voice soft but unshakable. And when you glared at him, he’d only smile. “I like the fight in you, but it won’t change anything.”

Evenings were where their love for you became most suffocating. Dinner was a shared affair, and they insisted you sit between them, their closeness a constant reminder of your captivity. If you tried to avoid conversation or keep your distance, Dick would lean in, his fingers brushing yours, while Kori’s arm rested across the back of your chair. “We’re a family now,” she’d remind you, her smile unwavering even as you refused to meet her gaze. “You’ll understand that in time.”

Their precautions were subtle but absolute. The cabin was isolated, the locks secure, and Dick always carried the only set of keys. Kori’s quiet strength was a constant presence—she didn’t need to restrain you; you already knew she could stop you with little effort if she wanted to. Any attempts to push boundaries were met with calm but firm responses, their love for you unwavering even as they denied you freedom.

Your defiance didn’t anger them—it seemed to deepen their obsession. Dick’s smirk would grow sharper when you resisted his plans, and Kori’s affectionate touches would linger, as though your struggle made you more irresistible to them. “We can do this forever, sweetheart,” Dick would say, brushing a strand of hair from your face with infuriating patience. Kori would laugh softly, her glowing eyes warm but unwavering. “No matter how hard you fight, we’ll always love you.”

(A/n: sorry for the wait! )

[perfectlyoongi]

DAD!NAMJOON who builds snow animals with your child every winter. when the crystal-clear snow covered the entire city in an innocent blanket, Namjoon dressed your kid in hats and gloves, carrying them on his shoulders to the garden, where he let the various snowflakes sprinkle on the dark clothes like stardust. on his knees, and always laughing with your child, Namjoon created a snow farm in your garden, dogs and cats mixing with very small sheep and extremely skinny cows, but all the animals made with the magic of laughter and the eternal love that Namjoon felt for your child. “you want to make so many puppies... you got me thinking about getting you a real one for christmas. hm? what do you say?”

DAD!NAMJOON who reads a fairy tale to your child every night. the only light in the room was you kid's yellow lamp which, shyly illuminating the already very yellow pages of Namjoon's childhood storybook, prepared your child for a deep sleep. allowing his voice to resonate calmly in the room, Namjoon's timbre was low, soft, pulling with it all of your kid's energy and giving them little cosmic drops of sleep that lasted an entire night. “once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a little princess who wanted to go to bed…”

DAD!NAMJOON who teaches constellations to your child since they were little. there were several nights spent in the garden of your house, where you and Namjoon lay on top of a yellow blanket, your kid resting between you. and, when the clouds were your friends and showed the whole sky to you, the various stars shone brightly in tones of curiosity and fascination; and Namjoon pointed to them, his index finger accurately drawing all the visible constellations, adorning them with their celestial names, leaving your child always dreaming of what could exist beyond this world. “and that’s aquila. the brightest point is altair. can you see how it forms wings? it's an eagle. a celestial eagle.”

DAD!NAMJOON who goes on picnics with you and your child on bike rides. usually in late spring, when the sun was shining but the heat wasn't intense, the three of you would leave the house early in the morning, pedaling your bikes through parks and forests, letting the fresh morning air whet your appetite for a late lunch. always in different places, but always far from the world, Namjoon always decided where you should have lunch, always choosing the most magical views and the most comfortable paths for the three of you to enjoy family time. “our angel wants peanut butter sandwiches. do you think you can swap the vegetable crepes for the sandwich?”

DAD!NAMJOON who replicates with your child all the paintings and statues you see in the museum. saturday afternoons were spent among galleries and museums, the various pieces of art gaining your kid's full attention. fascinated by the paintings and enchanted by the statues, it was common for you to see your child trying to imitate the various fictional people they encountered, having difficulty lifting their leg, but always having Namjoon's help to make them fly just like that painting. “hold on to my shoulder. come on. not like that. you will fall! your dami is looking here. quick, quick!”

DAD!NAMJOON who created a small garden just for your child. as soon as news of a little child was on the way, Namjoon immediately prepared your courtyard to welcome them in bright, colorful tones. various flowers and plants framed your garden in garish shades of greens and yellows; summer flowers and winter flowers, tall plants and low shrubs, your whole garden lived through the seasons, always offering joy, always hoping that your child would love and care for it. “i'm thinking about making one side just summer flowers and the other just winter flowers. i want there to always be joy in the garden so our baby can realize that there will always be color in their life.”

DAD!NAMJOON who has an album with polaroids of your family to give to your child when they turn 18. from the moment it became known that a little angel was on its way into your life, Namjoon took care to document the entire journey taken by the three of you. Namjoon wrote little reminders on the most special photos, always trying to highlight not only unforgettable memories, but also his eternal love for you, for your kid, for your family. “it is in this album that i poured all my love, and i seriously hope that each photograph can portray the fragments of my happiness.”

[darklydeliciousdesires]

A Storm of Stars - Chapter Nine.

Good morning, my lovely audience! A fresh new chapter has arrived for you all to enjoy. Huge thanks to my regular and new commentors alike!

Summary: The Targaryen twin stars. Two sides of the same coin. Aemond and Aemella Targaryen, second children of King Viserys I and his queen, Alicent Hightower, had spent their entire lives almost as one, the lines blurring where one twin ended and the other began. What started as an inseparable sibling bond eventually bloomed into a deep, limitless love.

A day would come, though, when their love story - famed for generations to come - would be tested by the one who sought to tear them apart. When the storm of stars descended, nobody who had wronged them would come away unscathed. 

Words - 3,262

Tag list - In the comments. Please DM to be added.

Warnings - 18+ content throughout. Incest, mentions of child loss through miscarriage. This chapter contains violence against a woman, plus the blended canon scene of the battle of Rook's Rest. Minors DNI.

Previous Chapters - One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight

To some, one forest was the same as any other, identical in its thick of trees and low-lying clusters of shrubs. To a person with an educated eye within the field of botany, though, the subtle differences were clear. 

All along the narrow road they took, Aemella was able to view the kinds of plants she had only seen sketches of before within the pages of her education books, remembering back to many a lesson with Gileda where she had first learned of them. The Cerseirellus flower, for example, was native to the Westerlands, the shortened name of Cersei a popular choice for baby girls, as she had learned.  

Brilliant red petals accentuated the beauty of the bloom, growing hardily beneath the thick canopy of trees, not to be deterred by the presence of the mighty evergreens reaching tall towards the sun. Among them, bluebells filled the forest floor, a sea of purple-blue and red decorating the thick carpet of lush green.  

“Princess, look aside here,” Veron spoke, pointing to his right. “Midnight Foxgloves. They were my mother’s favourite flower.” 

Those could be found anywhere, and much like the former Lady Greyjoy, they were Aemella’s favourite, too. They were also the ones her husband would arrange to be brought to her from where they grew abundantly in the gardens, having a servant fill a vase to place upon her dressing table every few days.  

Her smile was of sad longing. “Aemond would always have those sent to our quarters.”  

Immediately, Veron felt his insides tighten, wincing a little. “I am sorry, princess. I did not realise, and now I have caused you upset with no intention to do so.” 

“No, no,” she insisted, reaching to grasp his forearm softly. “You were not to know, my friend.” By that point, Veron Greyjoy truly was her friend, her only confidant in her new life, a man whom only knowing for twelve days she knew could be trusted implicitly. His kind of decency and good nature was nigh on impossible to be masqueraded.  

He was also the only one who took the slightest bit of interest in her, too. Had you asked Dalton Greyjoy his soon-to-be wife’s favourite colour, food or flower, he would not have had the faintest idea. Veron, however, would have instantly been able to answer blue, venison with roasted vegetables, and now, Midnight Foxgloves. 

With his usual concerned sympathy tracing his handsome face, Veron nodded, his smile thin. “You must miss him awfully.” 

Gods, awfully simply did not lend to the pain inside, forced into a mere shadowed existence without her darling love. Reaching into her dress pocket, she removed her beeswax balm, noting she was running low as she dotted a small amount to her lips.  

“I do. I confess to be lost without him.” Lifting her chin, she took a deep, fortifying breath. “I must be strong, though, in all which I now face.”  

Such tenacity was very in keeping with her Targaryen blood, he thought. “Your strength is to be admired, princess. I am unsure I could remain so determined, should I be in your situation.” 

If only he could see her on the inside, where the fibres of her soul rapidly unknitted themselves one by one in Aemond’s absence from her life. “You are kind, Veron. I do not know how well I would have fared, should you not have been as lovely to me as you have been.”  

His eyes flitted ahead, towards the front of the large group they rode roughly a third back within, viewing his brother with slightly narrowed eyes. “Not all Greyjoy’s are monsters.”  

“Tell me,” she asked softly, “has he always behaved so cruelly?” 

The young man winced slightly, pausing in his reply. “Yes. He was my chief tormentor throughout our childhood, teasing me mercilessly for my lack of height, my slight build, my apparent unease upon the ocean. I suffered greatly from seasickness, which naturally does not go hand in hand with the ethos of my house. Chasers of the wave, worshipers of the Drowned God; such lends no place for a short, gawky, odd-looking boy emptying the contents of his stomach over the side of a galleon.” 

His words were delivered with a shade of bashfulness, his cheeks colouring a little to have admitted his weakness to one as strong as a dragon riding princess. He had no clue that his candour only enamoured him to her more. Veron was far from such now, too, grown into a well-built, fine looking young man. The gawky boy was long behind him, yet his elder brother still sought to treat him as if he were. 

“My husband was often the subject of his elder brother’s cruelty, too. Tis’ no shame, Veron. The elder sibling, they lamentably seek to remind the younger of their perceived place, should they favour such castigation. Aegon continues to partake of his cruelty to this day, no matter how much it serves against his best interests.”  

Her elder brother had cut off his nose to spite his face, for Aemella knew, deep in her heart, that whatever Aemond was being subjected to, he would find a way out of it if he at all could. She’d felt it over the last few days, a renewed sense of hope and purpose within him, her twin not quite as dejected as he had been at the beginning of their separation.  

In turn, a staunch refusal to resign herself to her fate was all that she had, no matter how hopeless it seemed at times. It might still be, she had to remember, but how she prayed that it wouldn’t be.  

They rode the entire day, Dalton keen to move as far north as possible until darkness descended upon them, finding an inn capable of housing them all for the night. Most of the ship’s crew took the innkeeper's barn, others lucky enough to be given a room.  

Aemella, as she soon found, would have fared better in the barn.  

“Your moonsblood surely has finished now, Aemella?” Dalton spoke after she had reluctantly slipped into the bed they were to share, Dalton turning to his side to let a hand smooth over her curves.  

Bile instantly rose in her throat. Swallowing hard, she tensed, recoiling from his touch. “I do not feel it appropriate for us to become acquainted in such a way prior to our betrothal. It is not proper, Dalton.” 

He snorted, placing his hand back upon her breast through her nightdress, squeezing. “Do not bleat such rubbish, girl,” he chided, moving closer to her, lips kissing her shoulder. “I bet your brother was sticking his cock in you for moons upon moons prior to your wedding.”  

“Stop it,” she gritted, her body stiffening further. “You will not speak of him in such a way.” 

Gripping her jaw, he turned her head to face him. “Why? Tis’ the truth, is it not? Tell me, Aemella. Tis’ quite the perverse thing, letting your own twin pound you into the bed night after night. By that token, you should be filthy as a whore.” Moving atop her, he leaned to her breast, biting her nipple, grinding his hardened manhood against her hip. “Tell me what else you enjoy, and I shall please you.” 

Feeling panicked, she pushed against him, Dalton taking her hands in his, closing a grip around her wrists. “I tire of your frigid disposition. You are almost my wife, and if I want to fuck you, I will fucking fuck you, so hard that you will forget all about Aemond fucking Targaryen.” 

She needed a plan, and rapidly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something glint, the hilt of his dagger lying unsheathed upon the bedside table. “No, no, Dalton,” she began, setting her voice to a silky purr. “You misunderstand me. I push against you not to fend you off, but to show you what I enjoy.” 

The way she looked at him from beneath her lashes had his grip slackening in an instant, groaning as she began to trail her nails over his wide, hairy chest. “Turn onto your back. Let me show you how a princess rides a cock.” 

He flipped faster than a dolphin upon a wave, Aemella moving astride him. His body felt so different to Aemond’s. Thick and bulky, overly hairy, and gods, he did not wash nearly as often as he should have. She had to seduce him, though, send him mindless, so he wouldn’t see it coming.  

“There, my fierce commander of the seas,” she whispered, leaning to place a kiss upon his throat. “You lie back and enjoy yourself.” 

A filthy chuckle rumbled his throat, making himself comfortable. “I knew you could not resist me forever, my little silver haired nymph. You will be gasping and crying when I bounce you on my cock, fill you with my seed, breed some fine, Iron Born sons into your belly.”  

She almost wretched against his neck, gritting her teeth, steeling herself. “Shhhh.” she cooed, placing a finger to his lips, having him suck it. Gods, his breath could have ripped the paint from a canvas. Pressing her lips to his neck, she peppered kisses downwards slowly, her fingers running in trails over his chest, circling his nipples until they peaked stiffly.  

It made her feel sick to do it, but she lowered herself against his cock, gyrating against the solid mass alluringly, watching his head tip back as he groaned gravelly. 

“Yes, my lord,” she whispered, “I shall be on your cock soon, soaking it with my pretty little cunt.”  

Her words had him in a daze, coupled with the rhythmic roll of her hips against him, Dalton feeling like he was adrift from himself entirely. No wonder Aemond One Eye had been reluctant to give her up. If she could bewitch a man like this without him even being inside her...  

The trail of kisses moved lower, Aemella keeping a sharp eye upon him, watching his own eyes roll into the back of his head, lids fluttering shut, her hand beginning to snake down while her other reached for the dagger. Gripping the hilt, she brought it to his throat just as his eyes opened again, the blade catching him, Dalton quick enough to grasp her wrist. 

Oh, no.  

“You duplicitous bitch!” he roared, gripping her throat, overpowering her swiftly as he slammed her other hand off the side of the bed, forcing her release of the weapon that has almost been plunged into his neck. “You dare attack me, you little fucking cunt of a whore?”  

Moving atop her, both hands wrapped around her neck, beginning to throttle her, her fear surging like wildfire. No, no! Her panic pulsed so strongly that back in Kings Landing, her true husband awoke, sitting bolt upright in their bed, feeling her fear rip through him like a razor’s edge.  

There was nothing he could do to save her, though, Aemella realising her only salvation was herself, Dalton beginning to lay hard punches into her face. Bringing her leg up to kick him in the balls, her nemesis folded, grasping his aching crotch. With all her might, she gripped the wrist holding her throat, wrenching it away. He surged forward again, but before he could grip at her delicate neck, her teeth locked onto his cheek in a savage bite. 

He roared in agony, Aemella tasting copper against her tongue as she punched him in the stomach, pushing and punching him in her desperate attempt to escape. Releasing her teeth, she spat a mouthful of sanguine and spit at him, ripping her nails down his face before tearing a path from the bed, the door in her sights. 

He threw himself towards her, grasping her hair and arm, running her against the opposite wall. “If you think the beatings I have given thus far were restrained, then sweetheart, you know nothing of pain.” He smashed her face against the cold stone of the wall, the skin over her cheekbone splitting, screaming for help as she struggled against him. 

Throwing her down to the floor, he kicked her in the ribs, Aemella curling into a ball, hugging her knees to her chest to protect herself. More so, it was to protect the tiny life growing inside of her, Dalton kicking her legs, her back, stomping upon her thighs until the door suddenly burst open, the innkeeper running in, shortly followed by his brother. 

“Sir! Unhand the lady this moment!” 

“She’s my wife!” he roared, kicking her helpless form once again. “I do with her as I please, and I please to beat the bitch!” 

“You will not cause this commotion within my walls; make no mistake I shall not have it!” While the innkeeper pushed at him, Veron managed to pull Aemella off the floor, lifting the sack carrying her belongings too.  

“This is a travesty, brother. You may punish me all you wish for it come to morning, but on this night, I will not allow you to hurt her further.” Turning, he carried her from the room, the princess shaking in his arms. The look she gave to Dalton over his brother’s shoulder was one of cold, hard defiance, though. “Tis’ over, princess. I will not allow you to come to this harm.”  

In a world where she could barely predict the machinations of his sibling, she could at least count on the security of Veron’s devotion to her safety. His friendship would never be forgotten, not even after she had freed herself from this predicament. For she swore right then as she cried, trembling and bleeding, that free herself from it she would.  

Aemella Targaryen was nobody's victim.  

While she was taken to Veron’s room to be cared for, Aemond could barely rest for feeling pain and horror flooding her, pacing before his bed, having to settle himself with a few large measures of rum before he could attain sleep. He truly needed to be well-rested too, a raven arriving to the Red Keep earlier that day to inform the king of the van’s imminent arrival upon Rook’s Rest, Aemond to fly up there aboard Vhagar come the following morning.  

He saw nobody and was handed no escort to Vhagar, but took one in the form of a young squire to ferry the horse he rode back once more, approaching his ancient beast as she dozed upon her preferred mossy ground.  

Reaching for her, his hand stroked her face, her huge eyes opening as she made warm noises of greeting in her throat. “Māzigon va, uēpa riñnykeā. Naejot īlva ērinnon.”  

Indeed, he and his precious old lady would surely fly to victory, for there was not a dragon in the realm capable of defeating them. Whatever the fight happened to be. He arrived ahead of time, in the wilds of bracken growing within a vast clearing to the south of Rook’s Rest, lying in wait. That was, until soaring above, a golden dragon caught his eye. 

Aegon? 

For the love of the gods. “Mittys!” he cursed, telling Vhagar to wait when she lifted her head. Crashing down again, she obeyed, until the moment her rider gave his word for her to take to the air and join the fight. 

Once above the battlefield, she surged forward, Aemond seeing his opportunity clearly, Sunfyre and Meleys locked in attack. Sneering, he witnessed the king uneasy in the saddle, wondering how many goblets of wine it had taken for his balls to grow enough in order to participate in the battle.  

Their conflict offered him the opportunity he’d hoped to gain, joining the war effort with such carefree acceptance of his brother’s decree. He could burn the princess from the sky and take with her the man who had inflicted every single ounce of his suffering. Only a fool with no pride, no spine and no conviction would ever pass up such a chance. 

The king would be collateral. Just as he’d viewed Aemella in his disgusting ploy to harm the brother whom he so envied. If there was ever a chance to reverse the hand of fate, it danced before Aemond right at that moment. He closed his eye momentarily, and there he saw her face. His course, it was decided.  

“Dracarys!” 

Vhagar breathed forth a decimating inferno, both dragons before her hit in the gargantuan blaze, Sunfyre the first to tailspin into descent, his wings alight. Looking below, he saw the ground break into flame, a sneer curling his lip. Triumph ignited his heart, the path he had been set upon now forked off, finally leading him back to his love. 

“I warned you not to make an enemy of me, brother.”  

But what had happened to the Red Queen and her rider? Turning his head, he spotted them upon the skyline, the crimson dragon surging towards him, miraculously gone unscathed. Not for long. The dragons flew head-to-head, this time, Vhagar reaching to grasp onto Meleys, her talons closing around the smaller dragon in an iron-forged grip, blasting her with a ball of fire.  

They spun through the air, Rhaenys feeling the heat of the flames scalding her skin, fighting to pull her dragon free. For the queen who never was, though, it was her final stand aboard her beloved old girl, Meleys trying in vain to fight back with her own blaze.  

Suddenly, the grip upon her beast broke contact, Vhagar swirling to crash land upon the ground before taking off again, Rhaenys flying higher once more, assuming the gods to be on her side as they ascended. She flew over the battlefield, coming up over the crest of Rooks Rest, when like a harbinger of doom, Vhagar appeared, her jaws closing around her beloved Meleys’s neck.  

The sickening crunch of shattered vertebrae filled her ears, her dragon squealing in agony, the light fading from her beautiful eyes as rapidly, they began falling.  

All that flitted through Rhaenys’s mind in her last moments was a silent prayer to the gods of gratitude, that at least she and her treasured Meleys would be received together, crashing to the ground and exploding into wildfire. 

Aemond looked down from the sky with quiet triumph, his mission accomplished, flying then to the first dragon-erupted fire, landing Vhagar and proceeding on foot. All around, the spoils of war littered the ground, men charred, torn apart, horses lying lifeless as smaller fires dotted the landscape like beacons.  

Moving through the thick of the trees, he approached the smouldering mass of what was left of Sunfyre and his brother, sword drawn. When he took in the state of the severely burned dragon, his gravely injured brother lying beside the head of the great, golden beast, he moved to sheathe his sword once more. The job, it seemed, was done. 

“Aemond!” 

Turning, he was approached by Ser Criston, Aemond looking back upon the flaming heap, crouching to where Aegon’s dagger lay upon the floor.  

“Where is his grace?” the knight questioned. Picking up the dagger, he pointed it ahead, his face passive. Not one drop of emotion flickered through him. While Aemond stood, Criston approached, dropping to his knees in despair to witness the stare of his liege, wondering truly if the king was alive at all.  

“Where are you going?” he asked, turning to see Aemond pause in his path away from the scene. 

Turning, he tucked the dagger into his baldric, giving the answer Criston likely knew was coming. “To find my wife.”  

A/N - Now, did you enjoy what you just read? Please remember, this is not Instagram. Clicking that heart does little, but a comment? Your author will be rewarded. A comment and reblog? Your author is throwing roses at your feet! It takes less time to do this than it did for you to read the chapter, too. Please, be kind and help support the fandom! :) 

Next Chapter

[lousypotatoes]

when will the next chapter of duncans fic come out? love ur work btw!

Tonight Bring All Your Friends

"But if I just showed up at your party

Would you have me? Would you want me?

Would you tell me to go fuck myself

Or lead me to the garden~"

betty - Taylor Swift

Previous

Next

Dear Mom and Dad

I'm doing fine

You guys are on my mind

You asked me what I wanted to be

And I think the answer is clear to see

I wanna be famous

I wanna live close to the sun

So pack your bags 'cause I've already won

Nothing to do, nothing in my way

I'll get there one day

I wanna be famous

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na

I wanna be

I wanna be

I wanna be famous

I wanna be

I wanna be

I wanna be famous

I wanna be

I wanna be

I wanna be famous~

So far, this day has absolutely sucked ass.

Y/N had a massive headache, there was a rip in her skirt, Courtney was whining about something stupid, and Heather was shooting her dirty looks.

Whatever, it was totally worth it though. Y/N was satisfied when she saw bug bites all over her arms and legs. She felt proud of herself for giving Gwen the idea to put Harold's ant farm in Heather's bed.

Very satisfied indeed.

Right now, all the campers were surrounded around the campfire, waiting for Chris to tell them about the next challenge. He hadn't said a word yet, for the dramatic effect.

Damn, this guy was really getting on her nerves.

"What's got you so mad?" Duncan whispered.

"Bad morning, that's all," Y/N muttered.

"Campers, today's challenge will test your outdoor survival skills," Chris smiled, standing in front of them all. "I'm not going to lie to you, some of you may not come back alive.

Some of the campers, like Owen and Beth, gasped, their eyes wide. Y/N just rolled her eyes. How hard could it be to survive in the woods anyway?

"Just joking," Chris giggled, making everyone sigh in relief. "All you have to do is spend one night in the woods. Everything you need is at your team's campsite in the forest. You just have to find it."

Chris pulled out of a backpack (who knows where he got it), and tossed out a map and a compass to the respective teams. Y/N caught the map and Duncan caught the compass, making Courtney glare at the two of them.

"Oh, and watch out for bears," Chris added. "Lost a couple of interns in pre-production."

Courtney snatched the map right out of Y/N's hands, a frown on her face.

"Rude," Y/N muttered.

"First team back fro breakfast wins invincibility," Chris finished, pulling out an air horn and using it. "Well, off you go."

"Did he say there are bears up in here?" Leshawna shakily asked.

"I had a little encounter with a bear once!" Owen bragged. "Let's just say his head looks real nice on my mantel."

"Oh! This one time I saw a bear eating our garbage!" Izzy exclaimed. "He had old spaghetti noodles hanging from his big, huge teeth and it looked like blood and guts! It was so gross and we thought he was eating the neighbor's cat, Simba! But it turned out he was just lost for a week."

Y/N stared at Izzy with wide eyes.

"Wow," Y/N stuttered. "Wow, that's uh, that's something."

"You're telling me," Duncan muttered. "Either she got dropped on her head as a kid, or she's on some sort of drug."

"You're such an ass," Y/N giggled, slightly hitting his shoulder.

"Whatever," Duncan smirked. "You know I'm right."

"Uh huh," Y/N said, walking away from him. "C'mon let's go find that stupid campsite."

"Yes ma'am,"

The Killer Bass had been walking in the woods for about twenty minutes now. Y/N wished that she had brought a water bottle with her, because it was hot and she was beginning to get thirsty.

"Bridgette," she whined. "Do you by any chance have a water bottle with you?"

"Why would I have a water bottle?" Bridgette asked. 

"'Cause you're the best?" Y/N said, batting her eyelashes. 

"No, I don't have a water bottle," Bridgette sighed. 

"Aw man,"

"You're too much sometimes,"

"Oh, how you wound me,"

Another ten minutes went by. Now Y/N had really wished she had brought some sort of drink with her. She was used to being exhausted, being on the track team in high school, but she always made sure to drink plenty of water before she ran.

And to make things worst, it was super fucking hot and sweat was dripping down her back.

"I hate hiking," Y/N muttered.

"Don't you do track?" Duncan asked, walking besides her. "You should be used to this."

"Hiking is different than running,"

"Oh yeah? How so?"

"Uhhh," Y/N blanked out. How was running different from hiking? Both of the required you to move your legs. But also, you burned more energy from running.

So why was she so tired from hiking for only thirty minutes?

"It's not that hard of a question," Duncan chuckled.

"Well then you should be able to answer it yourself," Y/N said.

"I'm not the one who hates hiking,"

"I wouldn't be surprised if you did, since you hate everything else,"

"You're so observant,"

"And you're dumber than a rock,"

Four hours.

Four long, excruciating, hours.

That's how long it took for the Killer Bass to find the campsite.

Whoever was in charge of directions deserved to be burnt alive.

Mostly everyone was busy setting up camp. Y/N and Duncan were trying to make a fire (Duncan mostly watched though), Tyler was unpacking the backpack, and Geoff, Courtney and Bridgette were setting up the tent.

"Wow," Geoff said to Bridgette. "You pitch a tent like a guy."

It took everything in Y/N not to bust out laughing. She liked Geoff and thought he was cool but he did NOT know how to talk to girls.

"Real smooth," Duncan chuckled.

"I mean, you're not all girly about getting girly and stuff," Geoff corrected himself.

"Gee thanks," Bridgette said, a bored look on her face.

"What's for dinner woman? I'm starving," Duncan said to Courtney.

"I hope you don't expect me dignify that with a response," Courtney glared.

"Hey guys! Look what I found!" DJ exclaimed, carrying the cutest bunny Y/N had ever seen.

"Aww! He's so cute!" Y/N gushed.

"Well, I never had rabbit stew before, but what the hell, I'm game," Duncan said.

DJ and Y/N both scoffed, Y/N kicking him in the shin.

"This is my new pet! I'm calling him Bunny!"

"You couldn't find any food?" Courtney sighed. "Then it looks like we're eating grubs and berries for dinner."

"Speaking of grubs, has anyone seen tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber?" Y/N asked.

Everyone shook their heads.

"Great," Y/N murmured. "We have two missing teammates."

"They were dead weight anyway," Duncan said.

"Mhmm, I guess you're right," Y/N said. "They probably already fell of a cliff."

Duncan nodded in agreement. "You wanna go find some berries for dinner?"

"There's a berry bush over there," Y/N pointed to behind the tent, where there was indeed, a big berry bush.

"Yeah, but," Duncan stuttered. "The better berries are deeper in the woods."

"How would you know that?"

"'Cause I know everything, duh,"

"As much as I would love to go into the dark creepy woods, with a gentleman such as yourself," Y/N started. "I'm gonna have to pass. Maybe next time."

"Yeah, for sure," Duncan said, a little disappointed.

It was now official. Even though Duncan had only known Y/N for like three weeks, he was officially super down bad for Y/N.

But he would rather die than let anyone know. Especially Y/N.

Even if she did find out, there was no reason to ask her out. The two of them lived 3 hours from each other, and it wasn't like they were going to see each other again after the show was over.

So for now, Duncan was just going to bury those feelings, deep, deep, deep inside him.

They had got the fire started, which was good.

But they didn't have any food besides bugs and berries, that was bad.

The Killer Bass were sitting around the fire, talking, but mostly complaining about the challenge,

Even though surviving the night seemed easy, Chris definitely did not make it all easy for any of the campers. Y/N hoped that the other team were suffering as much as her team was.

Y/N was sitting between Duncan and Bridgette. Bridgette had a nervous look on her face and gasped when she heard an owl hoot.

Y/N knew that the woods freaked her out, so she put her arm around her shoulder to comfort her, Bridgette shooting her a grateful smile.

"Be cool, it's just an owl," DJ smiled.

"Sorry, I just get really freaked out in the forest," Bridgette explained.

"This reminds me of this really scary story I heard once," Duncan spoke up.

"Awesome, tell it, man," Geoff said.

"Are you sure?" Duncan asked. "Because the story I'm thinking of is pretty hardcore."

Courtney rolled her eyes. "Oooh, we're so scared,"

Duncan shrugged his shoulders. "All right. But don't say I didn't warn you,"

"One night, a lot like this one..."

"So suddenly, they, they heard this tap tap tapping on the side on the side of the car. The girl started to freak out, and by this time, even the guy was getting a bit scared. So he turned the car on and he stepped on it."

Everyone seemed invested and terrified of the story. Even Y/N, who loved reading Stephen King and watching horror movies, was a bit scared of the story.

"When they got back to the girl's house...she opened the door and screamed! Because there....hanging from the door handle....was the bloody hook! They say that this killer is still alive, wandering these very woods. He could be just about anywhere really. Maybe even right....here!"

Duncan pulled out a hook from behind his back, making everyone scream. Y/N (and a bunch of other people), hid behind DJ, wanting to get away from Duncan and his stupid story.

Duncan roared with laughter, holding his stomach due to how hard he was laughing.

"You asshole!" Y/N glared, marching up to him. "That wasn't funny!"

"Oh yes it was!" Duncan smirked. "I just wish it was all on camera! Oh wait, it is!"

"You are so vile!" Courtney spat, still hiding behind DJ. "Do your parents even like you?"

"I don't know Jumpy McChicken," Duncan chuckled. "I haven't asked them lately."

"Whatever," Y/N grumbled, pushing Duncan slightly. "Your story was still terrible."

"Sweetheart, you literally screamed like a goat," Duncan smirked, stepping closer. "My story was anything but terrible."

"You're insufferable, you know that?"

"Oh yeah? Well you're a dumbass,"

The two of them were in each other's faces, smirking at each other, their noses almost touching. It was then that Y/N began to realize more of Duncan's facial feature.

'Have his eyes always been that blue?' she thought. 'They're really pretty.'

Someone, she didn't know who, but one of the Bass cleared their throats. Y/N and Duncan turned away from each other to see that everyone on the team were looking at them, DJ and Harold had awkward looks on their faces, Bridgette and Geoff had smirks, wiggling their eyebrows, and Courtney had just pure rage on her face.

Y/N covered her red face with her hand. "I'm going to bed now. You guys do whatever I don't care."

Y/N went into the tent, everyone else still outside, now staring at Duncan.

"What are you guys staring at?" Duncan asked.

"What was that?" Courtney hissed.

"What was what?"

"That little moment that the two of you had!"

Duncan blushed, scratching his neck. "Yeah, what about it?"

Courtney narrowed her eyes. "You like her, don't you?"

Duncan's eyes widened, his face turning even more red than it already was. But before he could answer, Geoff interrupted. "Guys, it's getting pretty late. I think we should head to bed."

Courtney rolled her eyes before sighing. "Yeah I guess you're right. C'mon, everyone in the tent."

Duncan begrudgingly followed Courtney in the tent. He was surprised to find that Y/N was already sleeping.

'What a weirdo,' he thought, but he couldn't help smiling at her. Geoff elbowed his side, a smirk on his face. In response, Duncan rolled his eyes and punched his shoulder.

"Whatever man," Duncan muttered, laying down on the hard tent floor.

"Y/N?"

Y/N slowly opened up her eyes, seeing Bridgette above her. "Yeah?"

"Can you go pee with me? I'm too freaked out to leave the tent by myself."

"Yeah, of course."

After trying not to trip over anybody, the two of them made it out the tent. "Hey Bridge, it's okay, nothing's gonna happen to you."

"Yeah I know, it's just-" Bridgette gasped, a flock a bats coming towards the two of them, one of the landing on Bridgette's face.

Bridgette started stumbling around, Y/N trying her best to scare the bat away so it would fly off Bridgette's face. Eventually the bat did fly away, but Bridgette fell on the ground, accidentally kicking a hot coal up against the tent, which quickly lit on fire and disintegrated into nothing.

Everyone turned towards Bridgette (besides Duncan, he was somehow still asleep), who waved towards them in embarrassment.

"Great," Courtney snapped. "That's just great Bridgette! Now we have nowhere to sleep!"

"Hey you need to calm down," Y/N said, trying to diffuse the situation. "Obviously she didn't mean to, it's fine."

"Fine? It's fine!?" Courtney yelled. "Things could not possibly get worse!"

Things did in fact get worse.

It started to rain. Y/N was mad that is started to rain, but also was satisfied at Courtney's reaction to the rain, her yelling out in frustration.

Y/N barely got any sleep that night. How could you when the only shelter you had was DJ holding up a giant leaf? She didn't know how, but eventually she did fall asleep. It wasn't very good, how good could it get on the forest floor, but it was enough to keep her energized to finish the challenge.

What she didn't expect was to wake up cuddled on Duncan's chest, his arm around her.

"Woah! Get off me!" Y/N blushed, pushing herself off Duncan.

"You were the one that was cuddling up to me," Duncan said groggily, waking up.

"Your arm was around me, you pig,"

"Whatever, I've been called worse,"

"Troll? Homewrecker? Any of those ring a bell?"

"You have such a nice way with words," Duncan rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

"Only learned it from the best,"

--

~Confessionals~

"I swear that is not what it looked like,"Y/N  said, her hands covering her face. "Nothing happened, everything's fine, I swear!"

--

They ran. And they ran as fast as they could.

Y/N couldn't remember the last time she ran that fast for anything. Yeah she was fast, but normally she wouldn't run that fast.

The Killer Bass were the first ones to camp. Y/N smiled, seeing Chris mess with the fire pit in the distance.

"We're the first ones back!" Courtney cheered.

The Screaming Gophers were right behind them, all of them disappointed that they weren't the first team to arrive.

And also why was Izzy in a bear costume? Who knows. Izzy was a strange human.

"Oh no! They beat us here!" Heather groaned, pushing Owen, making Izzy giggle. "This is all your fault!"

"Not so fast, goforinos," Chris spoke up. "It seems that the Killer Bass are missing a few fish."

"Are you talking about Katie and Sadie?" Y/N asked. "I'm pretty sure they got eaten by wolves twenty minutes in."

"Damn shame," Duncan shook his head. And as if God was having a good laugh and wanted to torture the Killer Bass, Katie and Sadie came running into camp, babbling about how they got lost and how they got into a fight and made up.

Y/N wanted to drown the two of them in the lake.

"Are you two finished with your little love fest?" Courtney cleared her throat. Katie and Sadie nodded, wrapped in each others embrace and big smiles on their faces. "Good. Because thanks to you, we just lost the challenge!"

"All right Killer Bass, one of your fishy butts is going home!" Chris announced. "Gophers, you're going on an all expense paid trip to the Tuck Shop!"

All the Screaming Gophers screamed in excitement, running off with huge grins on their faces. Everyone on the Killer Bass stared after them with shock, then turned to look at Katie and Sadie with anger.

Oh yeah, one of them was definitely going home tonight.

But the question was, who was Y/N going to vote for?

They were both really nice, but they were also both really, really dense.

This was going to be very hard indeed.

"Who did you vote for?" Duncan asked, sitting next to Y/N under a tree.

There was around twenty minutes left until it was time to vote, the two of them hanging out to pass the time.

"I actually can't remember," Y/N chuckled. "It's hard to tell the two of them apart."

"Can't believe we lost because those two idiots got lost in the woods," Duncan muttered, throwing a rock in the distance. "There has to be some kind of rule against that kind of shit."

"What do you expect? This show sucks," Y/N sighed.

"Do you wish you didn't sign up to compete?"

"Sometimes. But if I didn't, I wouldn't of met you or Bridgette or anyone else here."

Duncan smirked, hoping Y/N wouldn't notice his blush. "Aww you're making me blush, princess."

Y/N smiled, rolling her eyes. "You're so smooth,"

"Yeah, I know,"

It was finally time for the elimination ceremony, all of the Killer Bass sitting on the tree stumps, the fire illuminating all their faces.

Sadie and Katie sat next to each other, fear and disappointment on their faces. Even they knew that one of them was going home.

"You've all cast your votes," Chris said. "The camper who does not receive a marshmallow must immediately, hit the dock of shame, grab the boat of losers, and get the heck outta here!" 

"And you can't come back. Ever!"

"Now, I can see you're all tired, so tonight, I'll just throw them to you," Chris said, holding up marshmallows. "Courtney, Duncan, Y/N, Bridgette, DJ, Harold, Geoff, Tyler."

"Ladies," Chris said ominously. Sadie and Katie hugged each other, nervous looks on their faces, their teeth chattering. "This is the final marshmallow of the evening."

He waited for a moment before announcing who got the final marshmallow.

"Sadie,"

"No! Why Katie!" Sadie cried. "Why her!?"

"It's so unfair!" Katie sobbed, making Y/N roll her eyes.

"I so can't do this! I've never been anywhere without Katie. We have to be together or I'll totally die!"

Katie grabbed onto Sadie's shoulders. "Sadie, listen to me, you can do this. You are strong and beautiful and like, maybe even smarter than me. You're like the funnest girl I know! You have to do this for both of us."

Sadie started to tear up. Y/N fake gagged over to Duncan, the two of them giggling quietly like little schoolgirls.

Sadie walked Katie to the dock of shame, Chris and a few Killer Bass following them.

"That was so draining," Y/N yawned.

"You're telling me," Duncan also yawned. "I'm so glad that one of those idiots is gone."

Y/N nodded getting up.

"Where are you going?" Duncan asked.

"I'm gonna go on a little walk," Y/N answered. "You wanna come?"

"Sure,"

this chapter all feels like ass

stay safe and drink lots of water <33

xoxo, Izzy

Taglist 👾

@sc4rrc @casualluminaryobject

if you would like to be added to the taglist, lemme know <33

[cailjei]

The game: you will be given a word. Then you share one sentence/excerpt from your wip(s) that starts with each letter of your word.

I saw @silivrenmiriel post of this game, so I wanted to try my luck with her word, FROST.

Frigga smiled at her sons, looking up to her from where they were sitting cross-legged on the floor. Little hands reaching for the colourful yarn, even as she told them off gently, laughing softly at their antics. The sweater she was knitting, a red one for Thor, must be ashes now, along with the rest of their house, the entirety of their crumbling world. “Mother, tell us a story, please!” Thor shouted joyfully. Frigga’s smile did not falter. She set the needles aside, gathering the both of them to her lap.

Untitled Post-Apocalyptic AU

Rustling sounds as the estate woke, the servants indolently toiling, as yet another day began. The sun was dawning, setting the world around Loki ablaze with its warm, orange hues. The large windows of the corridor allowed for a splendid view, which he utterly ignored, rushing through the shadows cast by the elaborately decorated columns between them. The archway led through Frigga’s gardens, which she so regularly tended, with or without the servants’ assistance, no matter if judgemental tongues –dripping with venom– whispered how unbecoming an occupation that was for a Lady. The air was crisp, just on the right side of cool, carrying with it the sweet scents of nearby flowers. He barely noticed them, heading to the stables with long, decisive strides, the inevitability of his aunt’s visit weighing heavily on his mind, as pressing as an executioner’s axe on the throat of a prisoner. The stables were quiet but for the soft sounds of neighing. One of the stable boys (Oscar, was it?) was tending to the horses. Wide-eyed, he bowed his head at the sight of Loki. “My Lord,” he mumbled.

Untitled Victorian AU

Odin had brought here his youngest for a purpose. Night birds sang their sweet, lulling melodies, and warmth radiated from the soil, damp with the humidity of bygone rain. Flowery fragrances permeated the air, as the breeze passed through the canopy of the trees, the leaves’ gentle murmurs lending their serenity to the forest. Small, trembling hands cupped, barely visible in the moonlight. A green flame flickered to life and died off prematurely. Odin swallowed a sigh. It was clear to him why Loki had such a difficulty calling forth fire. His Jotun heritage should mean that in elemental seiðr, his affinity laid with ice rather than fire. “Once more,” he said patiently. The youth’s brow furrowed in concentration, as his hands shook with strain. “Relax your posture. You should be casting spells with the mind, rather than the arms,” Odin corrected softly.

Second Chance (A Timeloop Fic with Odin PoV)

Something inside Loki snapped. “I won’t flee, if that’s your concern,” he replied icily. A detached part of him understood that he was being unfair, but at the moment he couldn’t care less. “I’ll do my duty to this Realm, whatever the cost.” Byleistr’s crimson eyes narrowed. “That’s not what I meant. Laufey may not care, but I do. Helblindi too, even if he is too much of a bull-headed bilgesnipe to show it properly.” A smidgen of guilt, but Loki wasn’t ready to concede defeat. He scoffed. “Our brother cares for nothing but his pride.” “I think you know him better than that.” Eyes sliding shut, Loki breathed in deeply. “I do.” “You won’t be gone for long. Not if I or Helblidi have any say in it.”

All The Warmth Held By An Icy Winter (Jotun!Loki AU)

The skies were overcast, yet no wind blew. The pale streetlights illuminated the snowflakes as they fell heavily onto the empty streets of Arkham. They built upon one an other, covering the ground like a shroud, the otherworldly silence broken only by the sound of Thor’s footfalls, a light crunch that appeared deafeningly loud in his ears. The cold was merciless, piercing, seeping through the clothes, making him shiver in spite his heavy way of dress. He crossed his arms, hands desperately searching for warmth in the crooks of his elbows, as he made his way through Arkham. Apprehension was a near ever-present companion on his journey to Arkham. Were he honest with himself, Thor would admit that he was yet unsure if there was a correlation between the... unpleasant incidents and Arkham. He only knew that, once in Boston, things had seemed to right themselves. He couldn’t shake the feeling that, as much as he had told himself otherwise, returning to Arkham wasn’t a wise choice. But it was barely even a choice, given that his job, and his distraught brother was there as well.

...And Of Those Amongst The Stars (a cosmic horror au, continuation to Of The Shadows Amidst Us...)

As a next word, I propose CROWN. I tag (with no pressure at all) @delyth88 @worstloki @black-feather-fiction in case you are interested, and of course everyone else who wants to can do so as well :-)

[stayevildarling]

could you do a hurt-comfort fic w either:

lou x tammy x reader

orrrrr

wilhemina x regina mills x reader pleaseee

Wilhemina Venable x Regina Mills x Reader- Burying our memories (AU)

A/N: I think this is absolutely not what you expected with this request dear anon. However the first thing I thought of was an AU with dark Mina x the evil Queen so I hope nevertheless you enjoy this <3 For anyone who has watched ouat please ignore how I altered the curse and changed the story

tw: dark mina, evil queen, cursing, degrading, blood, pain, angst, hurt

word count: 7k

taglist:

@lunaticwhittaker, @billiebeanhoward, @lanawinters-ily, @kenzbro, @minaslittleone, @httpfiftyshadesofgay, @whitelotus00, @ninaahs, @vintagepaulson, @isle-of-earle, @paulsonsratched, @stepintomyworld, @grilledcheeseandguavajelly, @lucyintheskywithxanax, @fanfics4world, @mymiraclewitch, @hazard-to-myself, @awritersometime, @ohrwurm26, @wastdstime

The dense greenery of the enchanted forest sways gentle in the cool breeze, casting shifting patterns of shadow and light upon the forest floor. With swift motions, you run through the tangled undergrowths, your breathing coming in ragged gasps as you glance over your shoulders, trying to see if they had gone, if you were safe.

Moments before, your day looked like it usually did, as you found yourself in the heart of the village, your heart heavy with the weight of injustice. The villagers lacking the most basic things including food, water and supplies to survive, due to the Queen's oppressive rules. And somehow over the years, after slowly losing your family and purpose altogether, you turned out to be an aid for the poor lost souls in the forest and village, their silent pleas echoing in the depths of your soul.

Somehow you had turned into your own version of a Robin Hood, wanting to help out, regularly crossing boundaries and stealing from the Queen's garden and palace grounds in order to provide for them, rid them of the poverty and pain they had endured for years now. And somehow, today you had been careless, not caring about the sound of alarms piercing through the stillness of the night. The queen's guards descended upon the village with ruthless efficiency, riding their horses, their gleaming armour announcing their presences further.

And now as you attempt fleeing through the labyrinth of the forest, trying to reach your sanctuary hidden deeply inside the forest, the branches tear at your clothes, the thorns pricking your skin and causing for blood to run down your arms and legs, leaving a crimson reminder of your foolishness before. Fear and desperation mingles in your veins as you push and push forward, occasionally glancing behind your shoulder to reassure that you would manage to lose them again, just like you had done many times. And if you were in a clear state of mind, you would have noticed that you took a wrong turn, ignoring the wanted poster with both your face on it, among other faces, like Snow White, all enemies to the queen who had been on her wanted list for quite some time now.

With a loud thud, you feel yourself losing your balance as you must have bumped into something, feeling a warm sensation before hitting your head on a nearby branch. It takes a little while for your vision to clear, before you find yourself face-to-face with a woman cloaked in darkness, her sharp features illuminated by a flickering lantern. Through a teary vision, due to the pain piercing through your body, you notice dark red hair styled in a sharp quiff, a shade of very dark purple, almost black coating her body. There's a calculating gleam in her eyes, as she finds you pathetically whimpering on the floor, her lips curled into a smirk.

,,Well well'' she remarks, her voice hushed ,,You seem to have gotten yourself into quite a predicament, running from the queens guards I presume?'' she questions and if it wasn't for the pain, you would have noticed the odd sense of familiarity you seem to feel and how you almost would have recognised her. Your heart pounds in your chest, torn between fleeing, the sound of shouting guards and horses still lingering in the air. But there was something about the woman's demeanour that stops you, a sense of intrigue mixed with caution.

Before you can respond, the older woman bends a little to place the lantern on the floor, the bright sensation causing you to close your eyes only momentarily. As you open them again, you watch as she balances on a cane before extending a gloved hand, offering assistance. ,,Come with me'' she offers, her tone surprisingly gentle. ,,I can offer you refuge, but you must trust me''.

Despite the feeling of doom and danger, you see a glimmer of hope in her offer, and so with a silent nod, you accept her outstretched hand, allowing her to lead you deeper into the shadowy depths of the enchanted forest. And it takes several minutes, for the pain to stop throbbing, the blood from your earlier wounds to stop pouring, until you can collect your thoughts. And as you walk behind her, following the sound of her cane and the light source provided by the small lantern she carries, something about the way she walked alarms you. And then it finally dawns on you, finding the familiar trees with carvings on them, where she was leading you, your secret path to the palace that you would often use in order to sneak to the grounds to steal in order to provide for the poor souls of the village.

And then at last it dawns on you who was walking in front of you, who's assistance you agreed upon. You didn't know her name, you had heard it plenty of times but you couldn't recall it, only remembering how she was the assistant to the wicked queen, the people in the village often mentioning her, how she never spoke much but was always by her side. As the forest echos with whispers of secrets, yet to be revealed, panic shoots through your veins, glancing around you to think of a quick escape and as you stop walking, you are quick to turn around, trying pathetically to begin running, however your legs give in as you feel a sharp pain, before everything goes black, having calculated your steps wrong, having put your trust in the wrong hands as the woman never had the intention of helping you, knowing you had been searched and chased for the longest time.

While you battle through unconsciousness, the woman had already alerted the same guards that had chased you before, who carried you inside the palace, the place that you had feared for years. And as the woman returns to the queens chambers in the middle of the night, not disturbing much sleep as her majesty had been awake, pacing back and forth contemplating her next steps and the secret curse she had been planning on casting for years, almost on the verge of completing it, finally having all the necessary ingredients, her peace is interrupted. ,,Busy'' she snarls as she is lost in her pacing, unaware who is standing in front of her.

,,Something demands your attention in the dungeons, your majesty'' the redhead woman announces, causing for the brunette to turn around, as her eyes sparkle with curiosity. And as her curiosity gets ahold of her, she brushes past her most loyal assistant yet, the sound of the queens heels and the other woman's cane echoing through the castle as they pass countless guards. And at last they make it to the dungeons, watching your almost lifeless frame on the floor, in restraints. ,,Well well'' the queen chuckles lowly, glancing at the other woman with a hint of excitement in her brown eyes. ,,Was she caught stealing my apples again?'' she chuckles as she approaches you a little closer.

,,No your majesty, I found her in the woods'' the other woman announces, causing for the queens head to snap in her direction, as she bites her lip in anticipation, almost a hint of lust in her eyes. As you slowly wake up, despite your body screaming in pain, you open your eyes, catching a glimpse of the woman who you had feared for the longest time, accompanied by the woman you had wrongly put your trust into hours before. ,,You lied to me'' you scream, struggling through the restrains as anger flashes in your eyes. The Queen simply chuckles lowly, seeing your pathetic attempts to regain your freedom. ,,My dear, you have no idea who this is do you?'' the queen remarks, causing you to avert your gaze in frustration. ,,This my dear is Wilhemina Venable, my most loyal companion'' she begins, her hand wandering to the redheads cheek, squeezing it a little, her eyes sparkling with pride for how she had managed to capture you after her countless failed attempts in the past.

And despite the circumstances, your eyes betray you as you watch the scene unfold before you, for the first time really getting a glimpse of both women. And you couldn't deny how utterly beautiful they were, at least from the outside, both their hair styled sharply, exposing their faces plastered in dark makeup, the same brown eyes despite the different shades. The queen was wearing one of her usual dresses, black this time, plastered in diamonds and jewels, Wilhemina dressed entirely in a dark shade of purple. While the queen is busy with admiring the other woman, feeling drawn to her for capturing you, you watch as the redheads brown eyes travel towards you, almost a sign of pity in them before she speaks again.

,,What are you planning on doing with her your majesty?'' causing for the queen to chuckle, and you knew what this meant as you had always been running from death, knowing you had deserved it for stealing and running from her for years. Closing your eyes, you wait for what awaits, waiting for her to open the bars, approach and rip out your heart, as you had watched her do it to innocent people many times. However to your surprise she begins pacing a little, thinking about what to do with you. ,,I think we'll keep her'' she announces with a chuckle, and as you open your eyes you notice the confusion in the redheads features.

,,Where she comes from my dear, people bathe in the river and use pinecones for money'' she exclaims, her eyes piercing right through you. ,,I think she can be of great assistance, considering she knows the village and forest so well'' she carries on, Wilhemina simply nodding, trying to avert your eyes. ,,She would make an excellent pet'' is the last thing her majesty says before leaving, leaving behind a very puzzled and confused Wilhemina. She looks at you one more time before following, leaving behind an ever confused you. ,,Pet?'' you think to yourself, trying to pinch yourself to see if this was all just a dream or if maybe you had already died a while ago.

The remainder of the night is spent in the eery dungeons, the restraints keeping you from moving all that much and so the only thing you can do is try and relax as much as the situation allows you, leaning your head against the cold and damp wall behind you, trying to calm the raging storm of thoughts. Eventually sleep finds you, despite it being broken as the castle was considerably loud, even in the night and sometimes you thought you heard screams from the lost souls that had found their ending in the same dungeons you are sitting in. The next morning, you are awoken by one of the guards, as he undoes your restraints, pulling you up by your arms and forcing your shaky legs to follow him as he takes you towards her majesty.

With heavy eyes from the remaining pain lingering on your body and lack of comfortable sleep, you blink a few times as he lets go of you, dropping to your knees in the process. And as you glance around, you notice an unfamiliar room, filled with fancy mirrors, a balcony overlooking the palace grounds, a large dining table and fireplace to the side. And you also notice the same two familiar faces that you had last seen last night, Wilhemina sitting in one of the armchairs by the lit fireplace, her cane resting beside her, the same shade of dark purple but a different outfit. And in front of you, you find her majesty, wearing a red dress, her hair down and despite it all looking beautiful, yet intimidating.

For some reason, you feel the urge to stand up and so with all the strength left you balance and face her as she takes slow and calculated steps around you, walking in a little circle, occasionally glancing at the other woman in the room before speaking. ,,Now now, what are we going to do with you, pet?'' she questions with a little chuckle and it causes you to gulp, wondering just why she hadn't killed you yet, considering all the wanted posters and the hatred you knew she felt towards you for your actions.

The room fills with silence before a low chuckle ripples through it, this time not from the queen but her loyal companion. ,,We can have her for supper can't we dear?''. And again they have you gulping and you could easily try to make an escape, the guards having disappeared now, despite expecting them outside this room. But your curiosity keeps you on your shaky legs, glancing at the older woman who continues circling you like prey. ,,No, no'' she tuts, shaking her head a little ,,We can't waste such a beautiful little thing, now can we?'' her voice sounds almost mocking and you have no idea whether she was being genuine or not.

Silence stretches on, before an idea pops into your mind, knowing what her majesty desired and considering she hadn't killed you yet, maybe you could truly be of assistance to her and her companion, maybe just maybe you could even continue to do what you had been doing, helping out the villagers if you played your cards right. ,,Your majesty?'' you try and her head snaps towards you, eyebrows raised as she never expected one of her prisoners to speak to her like this, adress her in the correct way, other than if she was about to take their life. ,,Yes?'' she questions curiously, her eyebrow remaining raised. You clear your throat before speaking again ,,You are trying to look for Snow White correct?'' you speak carefully, knowing this subject was more than a little touchy to her.

,,Yes, do continue'' she ushers, as her eyes lock with yours. ,,I am not the biggest fan of her either your majesty, perhaps I could be of assistance to help you find her?'' While Wilhemina chuckles, the brunette walks away sighing before she turns to you again, her eyes overtaken by anger. ,,Did she also get the one you loved most in this world killed?'' her voice is filled with venom, though her eyes filled with pain. Wilhemina averts her gaze, knowing Regina for a very long time now and knowing how much that had changed her. ,,No, of course not, I'm sorry your majesty'' you begin speaking again before adding ,,But we have met briefly and I can help you find her'' you try again.

This time the redhead woman stands up, her cane echoing through the room before she halts right in front of you, her dark brown eyes piercing through you. ,,We have our own spies in the village, what makes you think you can find her?'' she spits, almost feeling pitty at your pathetic attempt. ,,Well Ms Venable, you also have tried to find me for years and I know what it's like... to run, you know?''. Her eyebrows raise in the same way the queens had moments before, admiring how polite you are, admiring your manners despite it all and being able to tell that you didn't do any of this to be spared as she is utterly aware you could have tried to make an escape by now or even simply accept your fate.

,,If you don't like that, perhaps I could be of assistance with your gardens your majesty'' you try next, trying to think of anything to make yourself useful to them, while still seeing some of your own gain and advantage. The queen smiles then before turning serious ,,You mean those same gardens you have stolen from many times?'' she scoffs, glancing at Wilhemina who remains in front of you, her presence intimidating. ,,It's just I couldn't help but notice how some of the fruit didn't exactly look too healthy your majesty and your stunning castle, deserves a worthy garden'' you finish your proposal, assuming that she would kill you next or send you back to the dungeons.

,,Guard'' she shouts and as he enters hastily, you close your eyes, awaiting your fate. ,,Get me the gardener now'' she shouts and as he practically runs away, Wilhemina's eyes widen as she turns her head to face the queen, surprised she would listen to you, especially the possibility of agreeing as she knows exactly what is about to happen. A little while later a middle aged man enters the room, almost tripping over his feet, clearly intimidated by the presence. ,,I hear you haven't been taking care of my gardens the way you are meant to'' she tuts, and with a swift motion, before he even gets the chance to explain himself, she has him on the floor, with a flick of her wrist his neck snapped, moments later the guards carrying his lifeless body from the floor a few steps away from you.

All you can do is freeze, feeling terrible that this was the result of your words, not thinking about the consequences your proposal held for the innocent man. And despite feeling like screaming, you stay still, not daring to look up at either of them right now, the realisation slowly sinking in that this wasn't good, that you are trapped by a deranged witch and her odd companion. ,,Fine'' she finally speaks again ,,You can look after the gardens and you may be free to go to the village whenever you please and provide me with information on Snow White'' the queen speaks, before she approaches you. As you look up, you watch as she brushes past Wilhemina before taking your cheeks into her hand and squeezing them ,,But if you think for one second you can escape and not return, you are mistaken'' she warns and as your eyes lock with hers, you can't help and fight the tears beginning to swell in them. ,,Yes your majesty'' you agree with shaky breaths, before she releases you from her tight grasp.

,,Guard'' she shouts again, the same guard entering hastily yet again. ,,Take Y/N to a room, she will be overlooking the gardens and feed us information on snow white'' she explains, before he nods ,,Yes your majesty'' he speaks before he ushers you to follow him. And you do, not once looking back, your feet still shaky from the interaction that had unfolded. The walk feels like it lasts a lifetime, until he finally leads you to a door, opening it and ushering you to go inside. It wasn't nice in the slightest, a lot of dirt, spider webs, barely even a window but there was a little table and chair, a bed even and it connected to what you assume to be a small bathroom. And despite it giving you dungeon vibes all over again, at least you wouldn't be restrained any longer, regaining a small sense of your freedom. He leaves moments later, and you can't help but collapse onto the bed, it really wasn't much of a bed, more of a mattress but nevertheless, you close your eyes as sleep finally washes over your tired body and aching bones.

The next time your eyes force open, it's a few hours later and as you glance around the small room, you find some things that had been left on the small table. As your curiosity gets ahold of you, you find a few sets of clothes, a washcloth and even some papers and pens and despite unsure who had left it there, you appreciate it. Moments later you finally rid your body from the dirt and blood that the last two days had left on you, putting on some of the clothes and leaving your room. It takes you several minutes to find a guard, asking if he could point you in the direction of the gardens and hesitantly he does, leading you to what you assume to be the old gardeners shed as you find all the necessary tools and so without thinking about it, you get to work, watering the bushes, trimming some of them to get them into perfect shape, nurturing some of the fruits and vegetables and correcting any mistakes that the previous gardener had made, for whatever reason taking this task quite seriously.

It's dark as you eventually return inside, quickly having the hang of it by now and finding your room, finding a meal on your table and despite again unsure who had left it, feeling grateful as you hadn't realised until now how much you had been starving. After finishing your meal, you change your clothes again, washing the now dirty ones from working in the gardens all day, before sitting on your bed crossed leg, trying to figure out what to do as beside the day light, you had lost all sense of time a little bit. And so the only thing you can do is reach for the pen and papers, writing down the events from the past few days, sketching a little as well as it always had been your passion, unsure why but it really being the only thing you could do and several hours later passing out on your bed as sleep washes over you.

The next day, you find yourself doing the same things, her gardens were huge and as her majesty overlooks them, finding you working as you kneel on the floor, planting some flowers, she can't help but watch carefully, something about you utterly intriguing. You lose yourself in your task, unaware of who was watching before a presence startles you, causing you to drop your tools clumsily. You watch as Ms Venable circles around you, carefully observing without speaking a single word and it for sure intimidates you, having her observing and careful eyes on you. ,,You seem good at this'' she states, noticing how all the bushes and hedges had the exact same length and a part of her confused as to how you had managed that. ,,Thank you Ms Venable'' you almost whisper, after the last encounter quite terrified of them both and she can tell. ,,Have you managed to gather any information yet?'' she questions curiously and you gulp then before looking up at her as you still kneel on the floor.

,,Not yet, I was wondering whether I may be allowed to leave this afternoon to try and I was wondering whether I would be allowed to collect some seeds?'' you ask, your voice shaky. ,,Seeds?'' she chuckles then, almost mocking your words. ,,Yes Ms to plant some more vegetables and fruit and flowers you see'' you try your best to convince her. ,,I'm sure her majesty doesn't mind, as long as you return in the evening and report back to us'' she almost scolds, her features turning more serious and stern. ,,Of course Ms Venable, thank you'' is all you reply with a small smile, unsure why you had smiled in the first place but it somehow came natural. And before you know it she leaves, her cane echoing with each step before it stops altogether as she reaches the palace again.

Several hours later, you finally make your way to the village, using your secret path through the forest, stopping briefly by your hide out and gathering some of your things, putting them all in a small bag and changing into one of your usual outfits, feeling much more comfortable that way. You opted for one of your beige ones, leather trousers, boots and a vest, a shoulder bag with your belongings. On the way to the village, you had also collected some seeds, hoping if you worked briefly and hard on the gardens, you could still provide the village with food, hoping that you could somehow stuff it in your bags so no one would notice. And as you finally make it to the village, you are met with the usual families, the children greeting you excitedly as they knew you always brought them things but today you unfortunately come empty handed. ,,We haven't seen you for a couple of days'' one of the villagers exclaims, scanning your features and noticing some cuts and bruises on your face. ,,Brief encounter with some guards'' you chuckle, not wanting to go into too much detail. ,,I don't have anything today unfortunately but I should soon'' you exclaim, however you are met with compassion and understanding.

,,Have either of you heard anything about Snow White lately?'' you ask the group of villagers, before most of them shake their head. ,,I believe she has last been seen up north, by the rivers'' one of them exclaims and you simply nod, appreciating their honesty, despite feeling terrible considering what game you are playing. Noticing the beginning dawn, the sun beginning to set, you opt to return to the palace, knowing you would never be able to make the journey up north within the next few hours. And it doesn't take long until you find yourself in front of the familiar back door, some guards already awaiting you. ,,Your majesty wants to see you'' he explains before you gulp and follow him.

He guides you back into the room you had been in before, the two of them sitting by the fireplace, before you stand awkwardly, feeling as if you are interrupting their peace. ,,Tell me, any information?'' the queen questions before she stands up and walks over to you. ,,Yes your majesty, apparently up north by the river'' you explain before she signals to the guard who remained standing there before he leaves at her instructions. ,,I would have checked the information for myself but I know I needed to return tonight'' you explain yourself and she simply furrows her eyebrows before scanning you, noticing the outfit change and the bag. ,,Well well, did our little pet make a stop somewhere?'' she asks, glancing at Wilhemina who simply watches with a chuckle. The brunette is quick to take the bag from you, her eyes glancing through the contents of it, noticing some seed pouches and chuckling as the redhead had filled her in on your earlier request. ,,What is this?'' she questions, holding up your notebook.

,,My notebook your majesty'' you exclaim, averting her gaze as your cheeks grow red a little. She skips through the pages, impressed with the several sketches, some from the villages, some from the forest and even one of her castle. She slides it back into your bag, before walking back over to her armchair, leaving you confused and stranded, unsure what to do next. ,,I feel like some tea, you dear?'' the queen announces and you aren't sure whether to leave them to it or whether they still needed you. ,,Of course'' the redhead begins, reaching for her cane but the queen stops her by waving her hand. ,,No no'' she tuts ,,We have a pet now remember dear'' she instructs and Wilhemina simply chuckles before they both look at you. You glance around the room, unsure where you are supposed to get tea from, however the redhead glances towards a backdoor behind the dining table and you nod gratefully before quickly walking through the door, finding a small tea kitchen there.

And so it doesn't take long before you enter the room again, carrying a little tray, before approaching them, with shaking hands placing it in front of them. ,,Anything else I can get you?'' you ask almost obediently and if you would have looked, you would have noticed the sparkle in Wilhemina's eyes. ,,No pet, but how about you join us considering you did so well today, I heard they have a trail on Snow White'' the queen chuckles and your eyes widen at her offer, but as Wilhemina pats the space next to her, you simply obey, quickly pouring the tea for them, before glancing at the fire, softly crackling, providing you with some warmth, as you feel a little awkward, under their careful gazes. ,,So tell me Y/N, what led you to steal from me in the first place?'' the queen begins, causing you to gulp as the last thing you expected was to find yourself having small talk over tea with them. ,,Yes Y/N'' Wilhemina mockingly carries on ,,We want to hear all about you'' she exclaims, again having you gulping and squirming in your seat.

The next few weeks, carry on the same way they had previously, most of your days are spent with taking care of the gardens, regularly going back to your village, providing them with some of the food that you had grown and nurtured, in secret of course. Your nights mostly looked the same as well, spending them in your room, doing some writing or sketching in your notebooks. However lately, they had often demanded your presence in the evening as well, as you often provided them with tea, the occasional wine, and any information you had on Snow White. And you couldn't help but notice how they seemed a little less strict, they stopped calling you pet and started with your actual name. You are sure by now they know that you have continued providing for your village and they hadn't killed you yet, not even mentioned it. And so, ever so slowly, your life at the palace felt almost normal as you had quite the freedom now, not having to let the guards know where you are going as they and her majesty knew you would always return in the evenings. And so it almost felt like home, appreciating the fact that you don't have to sleep on the wet and cold forest floor anymore but you knew there was something off, you should be terrified, trying to run from them after seeing all the horrible things they had done in the past but something about being around them so much, you started to understand more about the queens pain and the reason for her actions.

,,Where on earth is she?'' she paces around her large chambers, the anger flaring in her eyes as her magic sparks, her emotions bubbling out of the brunette.

Her loyal companion, sits by the fireplace, trying to keep her composure, before balancing on her cane, the sound echoing through the room. ,,I'm sure she just lost track of time'' the redhead tries calming her down, placing a hand on the queens shoulder but she is having none of that, quickly escaping her grasp. ,,She always returns, we were foolish to believe that she wouldn't betray us'' her raised voice rings through the air again, startling the redhead a little.

And Wilhemina wasn't sure whether the queen was actually concerned for your wellbeing, or simply considering whether to kill you, having noticed how Regina had almost gone soft since bringing you to the castle, still plotting her curse that she had worked on for a while but considerably softer with the people in the villages, especially your village. She knew all about you still providing them with food and yet Regina hadn't kill you and so Wilhemina had began wondering whether the brunette may feel the same way about you that Wilhemina had started, despite never talking about it.

The silence is interrupted when a guard enters ,,Your majesty'' he begins but she was having none of it. ,,Not now'' she shouts, waving her hand, getting ready to send him flying out the door. ,,Your majesty, we have finally found her'' he announces, the sound of more guards filling the air before her head snaps towards him. ,,Snow White?'' she questions, despite your best information and efforts lately, they still hadn't managed to capture her. ,,No your majesty'' he begins, before Wilhemina's heart stops in her chest.

They watch as another guard, drags your body inside, your face filled with blood as it pours from your mouth, your clothes stained and bruises beginning to plaster your face. Your eyes are closed as they throw you on the floor, in front of both women, smiling at themselves thinking they had captured you. ,,Are you both out of your minds?'' she shouts and the smiles quickly vanish from the guards faces. ,,Your majesty, Y/N has been searched for years'' he tries to justify his actions. ,,Didn't you two fools get the memo? she hasn't been searched for months, she belongs to this palace'' Wilhemina shouts, usually keeping her composure but unable to in this moment.

,,Pathetic idiots'' the evil queen shouts, in a swift motion making them turn into dust, wiping them from their existence quicker than either of them can take their next breath or justify their pathetic actions. Wilhemina is quick to rid you from the chains, her hand brushing past your cheek, the blood staining her leather gloves. Almost helplessly, Wilhemina turns to Regina, who simply stands frozen, before turning on her heels, abandoning you both as she leaves towards her balcony, trying hard to keep her emotions and rage at bay.

The battle of unconsciousness wins in the end, barely aware of the encounter that took place and so when you wake next, you find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings, a dark room, the only light sources some candles. As you try and force open your eyes, you notice the interior almost entirely a dark shade of lilac and your eyebrows furrow, trying to recollect the events from before. All you remember is trying to make your way back to the castle, stumbling upon some guards who clearly had no idea who you were and how they didn't listen to your pathetic attempts of explaining. How they beat you, hurt you and dragged you back to what you assume to be the castle. The last thing you see before sleep washes over your tired and beaten body is the lilac large sofa you are laying on before everything goes black and quiet.

Meanwhile Wilhemina had returned to the queens chambers, opting between getting you back to your room or a little closer to them and so she decides for one of her rooms in the end, needing the help of a guard to get you there, yet she trusted that same guard, having helped her with some of her secret missions in the past. She watched over you for a while, gently ridding you from the blood and changing your clothes for you, unsure why she was doing it but ignoring the thought for now, wanting to check on Regina. She finds the other woman still standing on her balcony, overlooking the gardens, despite the darkness of the night surrounding them. The cane echoing announces the redheads presence, as she stands beside her majesty, silence surrounding them.

,,How is she?'' the brunette asks, not averting her gaze from the dark night sky for a moment. ,,Fine'' Wilhemina mutters, still unsure how to read Regina's actions so far regarding you. And as the redhead catches a glimpse of the other woman's brown eyes, she can see something unfamiliar in them, something she couldn't read. ,,She's causing me to go soft'' she suddenly speaks, taking Wilhemina by surprise. ,,Is that such a bad thing?'' she questions in return, the queen averting her eyes again at the redheads statement. ,,Where is she?'' Regina asks after a moment of silence before Wilhemina speaks again. ,,She's safe'' and the statement causes for the queens eyebrows to furrow as her eyes draw towards the redheads again. ,,Where is she?'' she speaks again before Wilhemina swallows hard ,,In my room''.

,,Your room?'' her eyebrows raise now, surprised at the statement. ,,You are going soft too my dear'' she chuckles before giving her companion that nod, that nod that indicated she was tired and would retreat to her own chambers for the night. ,,Good night your majesty'' Wilhemina speaks before giving her the space she had silently asked for and retreating to her own room. In her room, she finds you still asleep and a wave of worry washes over her, having seen some of your wounds when changing and washing you before, concerned at the severity of them. ,,Y/N?'' she speaks almost softly, almost lovingly, so unlike the usual stern and intimidating woman. And her soft voice draws you from sleep instantly, as you open your eyes. And then it kinda dawns on you, who's room you are in and you instantly jolt, thinking you didn't belong there, unaware of who had put you there in the first place.

,,I'm so sorry Ms Venable'' you try, your voice still hoarse from sleep. ,,I don't know how I got here'' you apologise, trying to balance on your feet, however a sudden wave of pain washes over your body, causing you to tumble forward but a steady body forces you to remain still, stopping you from falling over. ,,It's okay dear'' she speaks so softly yet again and as you look up, you catch a glimpse of her brown eyes and how they sparkle, how suddenly she seems so much nicer, so much less intimidating and just a person, not the evil queens loyal companion. ,,Come on, let's sit you down'' she tries and you quickly obey, not wanting to cause any discomfort for her, unsure why she used a cane in the first place, but often sensing how uncomfortable she was whenever you caught a glimpse of her.

,,I put you here'' she confesses, causing your eyebrows to furrow in confusion but when the realisation sets in, your cheeks growing red a little, feeling silly for your earlier panic. ,,Is the pain quite bad?'' she asks, her features filled with concern but you quickly shake your bed. ,,No Ms Venable'' you assure, the pain much better now despite the remaining feeling of unbalance whenever standing up. The room fills with silence as you catch a glimpse of what you assume to be her chambers, the large wooden wardrobe in a corner, a large mirror, a desk with several books on them, two armchairs and a fireplace in the corner. As your eyes meet hers again you can't help but notice how she is staring at you, looking at you up and down as your eyebrows furrow in confusion, mirroring her actions to check if there was something wrong with your appearance.

,,You are quite pretty for a peasant'' she speaks quietly and now you are definitely contemplating whether you are awake, whether this was real. ,,Tha- Thank you Ms Venable'' you stumble over your words, unsure what to reply before she speaks again ,,You may call me Wilhemina'' she offers ,,But only when we are alone'' she instructs and you quickly nod your head, feeling a knot form in your stomach. The room fills with silence again, as you feel yourself relaxing in her presence a little, trying to think how you had gotten here in the first place, how being captured after all these years got you to a first name basis with her majesty's most trusted person. ,,What happened to you tonight?'' Wilhemina asks, drawing your thoughts and eyes back to her.

And then without hesitation and the usual composure you have around them, you fill her in on what had happened with the guards, and she listens intently, her jaw stiffening a couple of times when mentioning some of the more violent details. Before she can reply, the door bursts open, and your eyes widen when seeing the queen enter, in a dark nightgown, her hair down, the makeup gone and for the first time feeling like actually seeing Regina. ,,I can't sleep'' she sighs before noticing your presence and tensing her shoulders, not expecting you to still be there as it had been hours since Wilhemina mentioned having you in her room and assuming by now that you had left to your own room again.

,,And what are you still doing here?'' she questions, more to Wilhemina than yourself really. ,,We were just talking'' Wilhemina informs, her features remaining neutral. ,,I'll leave you to it your majesty'' you speak, quickly on your feet and ignoring the pain and dizziness as you brush past her and return to your own room. That night you have a hard time finding sleep, equally to the queen before, as you toss and turn at first, before eventually giving up on the idea of sleep and retreating to the comfort of your words and sketches as the pen flies over the pages of your notebook.

The next morning you return to your usually tasks, going on about your day, finding an odd sense of peace and quiet in the gardens. Unaware who was again looking over you, observing quietly from her balcony. And the next few weeks continue just like that, you going on about your usual tasks, having your evening encounters with both women who stopped tolerating your presence and started appreciating it, as you bring an odd sense of calm around them, some life into their monotone lives. And within those weeks you feel yourself increasingly drawn to both women, especially after they had taken you to your village a few days ago in the queens carriage, how you assumed Regina was going to bring her usual wrath of violence over people but instead her carriage brought food and supplies for your people and you couldn't believe your eyes, just as stunned as the poor people who feared as soon as they heard the queens guards and carriage arrive.

And you wondered whether maybe, just maybe the queen was going soft, unaware of the events that had taken turn behind closed doors, of how the queen had casted her spell and how it was slowly brewing, unaware of what it would bring, chaos, forgetting and what she had always desired most- her own version of a happy ending. And so tonight, you were unaware that the upcoming day would bring just that, unaware that tonight was your last with them. You had been confused about the queens unusual cheerful mood, how she had invited you to join them for supper, how Wilhemina could barely stand your gaze. How silently Wilhemina had pleaded for the queen to stop her curse but she couldn't stop it as it had been brewing silently for months and how nothing could stop it now, despite her beginning to silently regret it, despite her never admitting that to no one, not even herself really.

You find yourself sitting beside Wilhemina by the fireplace, how her eyes linger on the dancing flames, not having said much all night. ,,Wilhemina, is everything okay?'' you question silently and as her eyes meet yours, you see the pain, the doubts in them and so many unspoken words. However, your peace is interrupted when the queen enters, the door banging shut in the process and your heart stopping in your chest as you notice what she was carrying in her hands. Your notebook slaps against the table as she throws it on it, leaving behind a very confused and startled Wilhemina.

,,What is this?'' the redhead questions, her eyes meeting the angry queens eyes.

,,Ask her'' Regina spits, her angry eyes meeting yours. Wilhemina's eyebrows furrow in confusion as she looks at you. You can't do anything but stand, taking a step towards her majesty, knowing if she had read it, you would be beyond screwed.

,,I can explain your majesty'' you pathetically try but before you get the chance to, she takes a step closer, the echoing of her heels matching her inner turmoil as her eyes shoot daggers towards you, before you gasp as a hand extracts your heart, watching in shock as she holds it in her hands, the sound of it beating steadily filling the room.

,,Regina-'' Wilhemina shouts, quickly on her feet and her eyes travelling from you to the brunette.

,,I have had a feeling this carried your secrets'' she speaks, her eyes wandering towards your notebook. ,,And I wasn't surprised to read all your little confessions, find all your little sketches'' she speak almost mockingly, her eyes filled with both rage and pain.

,,Regina- what is it?'' Wilhemina tries again, her heart beating fast, her hands trembling with fear.

,,She loves us dear, both of us, the pages are filled with it'' she informs her companion, who simply stands there with a shocked expression as the room begins spinning a little.

,,Regina stop'' Wilhemina demands, her eyes pleading with the queen, her cane banging on the floor twice.

Regina's grip on your heart tightens, her gaze cold as she holds it in her hands, causing you to gasp for air. ,,Stop?'' she repeats, her tone dripping with disdain. ,,Why would I stop? when I have finally uncovered the truth about our little pet?''

Fear courses through your veins as you watch the scene unfold before you. Wilhemina's eyes widen in shock, her features mixed with disbelief and anguish. ,,Regina please'' she pleads again, her voice barely above a whisper ,,This isn't necessary''

,,You know that she loves us, you have known for a while now, we both have'' she pleads again as she steps forward, her voice filled with desperation.

Regina's eyes flicker with anger but Wilhemina continues, her words gaining strength. ,,Love should triumph over revenge'' she argues, her gaze never leaving Regina's.

The Queen's expression softens slightly at Wilhemina's words, a flicker of doubt crossing her features. For a moment it seems as though she might relent, before she senses that her curse almost reached you, knowing it was too late, that she couldn't fix this, before her eyes harden once more, her resolve returning.

"Love is a weakness, Wilhemina," she retorts, her voice cold and unforgiving. "It blinds us, makes us vulnerable. We cannot afford such weakness in our world."

Before Wilhemina can respond, having heard those same words fall many times from the queens lips, Regina reaches out and places your heart back in your chest. The pain is intense, causing you to drop to the floor, and as Regina leaves the room, Wilhemina rushes to your side, abandoning her cane, pulling you into her arms as she braces for whatever comes next.

As she glances towards the door where Regina stands, a thick cloud of purple and green already surrounding her, the dark curse finally having reached you, she is quick to press a tender kiss to your lips, causing your eyes to open. ,,I love you Y/N'' she murmurs against your mouth, her voice filled with emotion. ,,No matter what happens, remember that''

Then, as the room fills with smoke and darkness, Wilhemina shields you with her body, trying to protect you from the curse's effects. As the world fades around you, you cling to her, unaware of what is happening, unaware that in a matter of seconds you would forget everything, forget them, forget your life and the woman still trying desperately to hold you close, despite it being useless.

[mimisempai]

Oh Christmas tree

Summary

Aziraphale manages to drag Crowley out to look for a Christmas tree in the small woods behind the cottage. But Crowley's bad mood disappears when the search turns into a snowball fight and ends in a couch cuddle in front of a roaring fire.

Notes

First festive season in the South Dow

On Ao3

Rating G -  1255 words

"You sure you don't like this one, Angel?"

Crowley flipped the catalog over to Aziraphale and showed him a page.

"No, no, no, it's a real Christmas tree or nothing!"

The demon replied in a coaxing tone, "How about a little miracle?"

The angel continued as he pulled on his boots, "No, we've got a forest right behind our house, it'd be silly not to make the most of it."

"But it's been snowing and it's cold and-"

"We'll move, so you'll warm up quickly."

Seeing that he'd lost the argument again, Crowley shuffled to his feet, then pulled on his boots and winter coat, grumbling to make his disagreement clear.

"Why put up with the cold... a snap of the fingers, a wave of the hand, and it's all over. Besides, it's almost dark."

Dressed to go out, he turned back to the angel and almost stumbled because Aziraphale was right next to him. Crowley didn't have time to react as the angel placed a woolly beanie on his head and, after planting a light kiss on his nose, said in a soothing tone, "Come on, stop grumbling."

The demon had never been able to resist the angel's happy, excited expression in several millennia, so of course he would stop grumbling.

But a little later.

He wasn't going to let the angel win so easily.

He followed Aziraphale outside with one last desolate look at the fireplace.

They stopped at the garden shed to pick up the axe and headed for the small wood at the end of the garden.

As they went deeper into the woods, it grew darker and the path narrower, forcing them to walk one behind the other. Crowley felt his bad mood dissipate as he followed Aziraphale, who whistled Christmas carols, the tassel of his bonnet swaying in time with his stride.

A better mood meant the return of mischief, and the demon wasn't about to be denied.

Aziraphale, unaware of anything, kept walking forward when he was suddenly startled by something that hit him in the back. 

Turning around, he had just enough time to see Crowley hiding behind a tree.

"Oh, I see..."

The angel placed the axe against a tree, then, with a determined look on his face, bent down to gather some snow, formed it into a ball, and hurled it at the demon. Crowley stepped aside, thinking it would be easy to dodge, but Aziraphale moved his hand slightly and the snowball made an odd curve before landing smack in the middle of the demon's chest.

"Angel, you're cheating!"

Aziraphale, looking smug, retorted with a smirk, “Who says it's not my innate talent?”

"Oh, you'll regret that."

They continued their impromptu snow battle, where all tricks were allowed, for a few moments before resuming their path to a small clearing surrounded by pines of various shapes and sizes.

"This is it."

"Oh, I see, you've already done your research."

Aziraphale replied sheepishly, "Yes."

"It's okay, Angel, I feel better now. Especially since I won the battle."

"What? It was a dra-"

The angel had to interrupt himself because Crowley had just thrown a snowball at him and said in a smug tone, "Not anymore."

"Oh, you little..."

"All right, Angel, give me the axe and tell me which tree to cut down."

"Do you even know how to use it?"

"I may have been the nanny and you the gardener, but I think I can handle it."

Crowley struck a pose, one hand on his hip and the other on the axe, looking victorious.

Aziraphale chuckled and shook his head. 

"You make a good lumberjack, I must say. Come, it's time to find the perfect tree."

The angel moved among the trees, and each time he pointed to one, Crowley commented.

"It's a little crooked."

"Too wide."

"Too tall."

"Too bushy." 

Suddenly, Aziraphale turned and, seeing the demon's expression, realized that Crowley was mocking him.

"Crowley..."

He slowly approached Crowley and, without warning, dripped snow down the demon's neck. It was his turn to laugh, and Crowley squirmed as the snow trickled down his back.

The angel stood in front of him, striking a victorious pose.

"Now that it's a draw again, do you realize what a mistake you made?"

Voice slightly shaky from the snow now reaching his lower back, Crowley replied, "Y-yes.... The third was perfect."

Aziraphale chuckled and motioned to him, "Get busy cutting it, it'll warm you up."

He watched as the demon took the first swing of the axe, then raised his hand, made a small motion, and with the next swing of the axe, the tree fell.

Crowley, not fooled, said nothing and stepped forward to grab the trunk of the fallen pine.

"So, my dear, I won't be accused of cheating this time?"

"In this case, it's not cheating, it's using common sense."

Aziraphale chuckled as he approached, grabbed the trunk a little farther away, and lifting the tree in pairs, they began to slowly make their way back to their hut.

Some time later, after the tree had been hung to dry in the living room and a hot shower had been taken, the two of them were on the sofa, Crowley lying with his head in the angel's lap.

Two steaming cups of hot chocolate sat on the coffee table in front of them, spreading a pleasant aroma throughout the room.

Aziraphale, stroking Crowley's hair with one hand, said teasingly, "Well, it's much better than one of your artificial horrors, isn't it?"

Crowley chuckled and replied, "See what you say when it starts to dry out and you have to sweep out the thorns every day."

Aziraphale replied, "First of all, WE will have to sweep the thorns every day, and secondly, that's part of the charm of this time of year."

Crowley grumbled but did not respond.

After a few minutes of peaceful silence, however, the demon grasped the hand with which Aziraphale was stroking his hair and asked softly, “Why were you so adamant on the subject of the tree? I sense there's more to you than your love for old, traditional things."

He felt Aziraphale freeze slightly before the angel replied, "Actually, it's because it's our first Christmas here, our first Christmas as... us. I don't want anything that's artificial, almost not... real, you know. I know it's just a tree and-"

"I understand, Angel, and I agree."

Crowley straightened and, taking the angel's hand back in his, said gently, "But give me a little heads-up next time. I wouldn't have protested so much if I'd known the real reason in the first place."

"Sorry, some habits die hard."

"Okay, let's put that on the list of good resolutions for next year. For you and for me."

"What?"

"Dare to say what we really want."

Aziraphale, realizing what Crowley meant, nodded.

"That's a good resolution."

"I think so too."

Aziraphale then asked, "And what do you really want right now?"

Crowley brought his face close to the angel and playfully replied, "How about I show you?"

Without waiting for an answer, the demon closed the distance between them and kissed Aziraphale's lips tenderly.

Then he pulled back and added in the same tone, "And while we're at it, I think we should add another resolution to the list right away."

"Which is?"

"Increase the kissing quota for next year."

Aziraphale chuckled.

"Idiot."

The angel's laughter was quickly interrupted by Crowley, who hadn't waited for the New Year to implement this new resolution.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[icedoatlatte29]

read the first part here

exchanged letters between lord morax and lady (y/n)

Dear Lady (Y/N),

I hope you have been well since our last conversation. Please accept my sincere apologies for not having said goodbye to you after Monsieur Neuvillette’s ball. Maybe you have already acquired from your father that the peace talks many people had been wishing for are in motion, which of course not only benefits the lords, but rather the people of all nations affected. Because of this, my duties as the leader of Liyue hasn’t allowed me to think about other things. Alas, our conversation in the garden of Palais Mermonia linger in the back of my head throughout the day. During these difficult times, I like to replay our conversation in my head and the thought of a young Fontainian lady being so immersed in the world of literature never fails to make me smile. My personal library consists of many amazing Liyuen works and I hope that you do not mind me sending you some of my favourites – after all, I am a man of my words.

This first one is called Moonlit Bamboo Forest and has four volumes, but I am only sending you the first one to see whether you enjoy it as much as I do. I am eagerly waiting for your response, Lady (Y/N).

Yours sincerely,

Lord Morax

____________________

Dear Lord Morax,

Thank you for your letter, I received it in one piece and I am especially happy about the book! I have been doing great, thank you for asking. How have you been? I know that these past few months have been extremely busy and difficult, my father constantly updates me about the affairs of the court. But the thought of peace being around the corner because of your hard work warms my heart, so do not worry about not reaching out to me, I wholeheartedly understand. I consider myself lucky for crossing the mind of someone like you on a daily basis, but to be honest with you Lord Morax, I have been thinking about our curt conversation ever since that night. At first I was a little heartbroken when you disappeared without a proper goodbye, but that did not fail to erase the memory of our conversation from my mind. The book you sent me was such a delightful read, I cannot wait to read the next volume. That is, if you are willing to let me borrow it from you. Do not think that I would accept your books without returning the favour. As a Liyuen, I can only assume that you enjoy drinking tea, correct me if I am wrong. If everything goes well, you should find a bag of my favourite tealeaves attached to my letter.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Lady (Y/N)

____________________

Lady (Y/N),

First and foremost, thank you for sending me these tealeaves. Drinking a cup brewed from these in the morning became my favourite way to start the day. I feel like this really is a proper exchange for the books. Hearing that the book was to your liking fills me up with joy, since it is one of my favourites. Do not worry, I will not keep you on the edge of your seat, I will send the remaining volumes along with this letter, please enjoy them Lady (Y/N).

Yes, it has been quite a difficult time lately with peace talks upon peace talks, but it looks like the battlefield is going to slowly clear up and the meadows will be lush once again. There are only a handful of things which need to be arranged, mainly some negotiations in Liyue where the delegations of all nations will make their appearance. Since your father is a highly respected court member and have been involved with peace talks, I assume he is to be arrive in Liyue with the delegation. If that is the case, I would be joyous if you could accompany him here. I feel like you deserve a proper apology after me not saying goodbye to you properly. A tour of my personal library and some tea will be to your liking, I hope.

I will be awaiting your response, as per usual.

Yours,

Lord Morax

____________________

Dear Lord Morax,

My favourite tealeaves bringing you this amount of joy makes me incredibly happy! Worry not, you will have some more soon. You are right, my father is part of the Fontain delegation which is to arrive in Liyue for the last of the negotiations. Upon my request, I will be accompanying my father, so I hope you will be true to your words. The mentions of a library and a nice cup of tea are enough to warm my heart, rest assured. I am looking forward to seeing Liyue for the first time, I have heard and read many amazing things about the region. The local cuisine intrigues me, so please during my stay there, do recommend me things I cannot miss out!

After everything will be settled, I hope that both you and the rest of the people responsible for the peace talks will be able to take a step back and enjoy the peace you worked so hard for. Once again, thank you so much for your efforts, Lord Morax, without you it would have been impossible. You really are a capable leader, but besides that, one of the most interesting people I have ever met. I cannot wait to see you again.

Until we meet again.

Yours,

Lady (Y/N)

____________________

hello everyone,,, first of all thank you so much for your support, it means so much to me<3333

this is not exactly a part 2, i would say it is more of an interlude???

anyways, please enjoy<333

[josefinejames]

My analysis of What was that by Lorde and what this new ear might bring

When I do lyric analysis, I try to look at the whole picture. Since I’m a writer, I have a strong sense for details, and I love connecting things—threads, symbols, recurring lines.

Disclaimer: This is just my personal analysis, based on what I’ve picked up, so be nice! I’ve got a wild imagination, and I’m not afraid to use it ✨

Let’s start with the aesthetics: Lorde chose a red shirt and a splashed face—instantly transporting me back to the Pure Heroine era in 2013. I found this picture in one of her newsletters—credit to @lordeemailarchive here on Tumblr.

Lorde said in a recent post about her MV:

“My new music video What Was That. As little between us as possible. Aliveness over prowess. Naïveté over disenchantment. I LOVE YOU WE START HERE.” 

Lorde Drops New Single "What Was That." Did We See You In The Music Video? - GO Magazine

This new era is about rebirth and chance.

Lorde Is Reborn in the Streets of New York with “What Was That” - V Magazine

So I think this time, we ll see the real Ella. She already teased this with her keychain and "ELLA" on it (dont get me started on that :P)

Now let’s get into the lyrics…

As always, I’m looking at both the words and the world around them—context, era, visuals, mood. So here’s what stood out to me:

A place in the city A chair and a bed I cover up all the mirrors I can't see myself yet

This is a direct reference to Melodrama – Perfect places / Liability

What the fuck are perfect places anyway?

So I guess I'll go home Into the arms of the girl that I love The only love I haven't screwed up She's so hard to please, but she's a forest fire I do my best to meet her demands, play at romance, we slow dance In the living room, but all that a stranger would see Is one girl swaying alone, stroking her cheek

I wear smoke like a wedding veil Make a meal I won't eat

“Girl, so confusing” verse with Charli XCX: “I tried to starve myself thinner, but then I gained all the weight back.”

Step out into the street, alone in a sea It comes over me

This part catapults me right back into her Pure Heroine era. I want to point out how this section—taken from her newsletter for the 10-year Pure Heroine anniversary—adds weight to those lyrics. It underlines the same themes.

[Pre-Chorus] Oh, I'm missin' you Yeah, I'm missin' you And all the things we used to do

This part feels like a direct reflection of her post-Solar Power era. It reads like a quiet confession—an acknowledgment of distance. Not just from a person, but from a version of herself, or maybe even her fans. After Solar Power, which marked a huge shift in sound and public image, a lot of listeners felt disconnected. And here? It’s like she feels that too. The nostalgia, the longing, the absence—it’s mutual.

Lorde reflects on "painful, confounding" reaction to Solar Power - triple j

[Chorus] MDMA in the back garden, blow our pupils up

Melodrama ref

Lorde Reveals She Was on MDMA While Making 'Melodrama' - Business Insider

We kissed for hours straight, well, baby, what was that? I remember sayin' then, "This is the best cigarette of my life" Well, I want you just like that Indio haze, we're in a sandstorm and it knocks me out I didn't know then that you'd never be enough, oh Since l was seventeen, I gave you everything

This is such a clear Coachella reference—Indio haze = Indio, California, where the festival takes place. Lorde first performed there when she was just 17, and it launched her into the stratosphere. These lines feel like a reckoning with that moment: the glamor, the chaos, the overwhelming rush of fame.

The “sandstorm” knocking her out reads like a metaphor for how disorienting it all was. And that “you”... maybe it's fame, maybe it’s the industry, maybe it's the version of herself she gave away.

She gave it everything—since she was seventeen. And now? It’s like she’s waking up, dazed, asking:

Now, we wake from a dream, well, baby, what was that?

Which hits even harder knowing how reflective Solar Power and the Pure Heroine anniversary newsletter both are.

Here is the setlist.... I will come back to it later. Track NO 4 :P

[Verse 2] Do you know you're still with me When I'm out with my friends? I stare at the painted faces That talk current affairs You had to know this was happenin' You weren't feelin' my heat When I'm in the blue light, down at Baby's All Right I face reality

This sounds like a breakup—& yet... there's something more here. A duality. She's physically present in the now (Baby’s All Right, a literal NYC venue), but emotionally tied to a past version of love—or maybe even to the version of herself from those Pure Heroine / Melodrama / years.

All About Lorde's Ex-Boyfriend Justin Warren

[Pre-Chorus] I tried (I tried) to let (To let) Whatever has to pass through me Pass through, but this is stayin' a while, I know It might not let me go

[Post-Chorus] What was that? 'Cause I want you just like that (When I'm in the blue light, I can make it alright) What was that? (When I'm in the blue light, I can make it alright) Baby, what was that?

This entire section feels like a direct echo of “Green Light”—but flipped. In Green Light, she couldn’t let go. She was waiting for that metaphorical green light to move on, to finally be free.

"But I can't let go." "I wish I could get my things and just let go." "I'm waiting for it, that green light..."

But now, years later, the tone has shifted. She’s not waiting anymore. She’s processing. Letting it pass through her. And even if the feeling “might not let her go” immediately, she’s not resisting it. She’s sitting with it, instead of trying to outrun it. That’s growth. That’s healing in slow motion.

The question “What was that?” hits like a final realization. Whether it’s about love, fame, youth, or the version of herself she used to be—it’s gone. And this time, she’s not clinging to it.

Which brings me to the final part:

And now the song makes sense in so many ways.

The music video:

It ends with Lorde crawling out of a sewer and stepping onto a stage—after running and biking like she’s escaping something, or maybe returning to herself.

It all comes full circle with this quote:

“As little between us as possible. Aliveness over prowess. Naïveté over disenchantment. I LOVE YOU. WE START HERE.”

So yeah, I’m excited for L4. Back to Pure Heroine roots, a possible Gracie Abrams collab (If you wanna know why i belive this, comment and I will do a post on that), and a Lorde summer

Last but not least: I love alliterations. What was that. White teeth teens.

I know you love it when the hairpins start to drop

so yeah... hope u guys enjoyed :D

[avengerscompound]

The Tower - A Quiet Afternoon

The Tower - A Quiet Afternoon

Series Masterlist

Pairing:  Avengers x OFC, Bruce Banner x Bucky Barnes x Clint Barton x Wanda Maximoff x Steve Rogers x Natasha Romanoff x Tony Stark x Thor x Sam Wilson x OFC (Elly Cooper)

Word Count: 1805

Warnings:  none

Synopsis:  Hulk and Elly spend a quiet afternoon exploring the forest with the twins.

Author’s Note: Requested by SabrinaAlexis29 on Wattpad. You can send in your requests too.

A Quiet Afternoon

Takes place between Unexpected and The Queen of Asgard.

It was one of those perfect fall days, a pleasant cool on the tail end of a sticky and uncomfortable summer, but not yet cold.  The Avengers Compound was the perfect place to experience fall.  Almost every tree had turned shades of yellow, red, and orange, making the forest's canopy surrounding the base look like it had been set on fire.

I was making the most of the day, playing outside in the garden with the twins.  Pietro and Riley were two and toddling about everywhere.  It was amazing how similar the two children were considering they had different fathers.  Both had wispy blonde hair and clear blue eyes and were about the same height and stature.

Riley was the louder and more precocious of the twins. She had no problem making herself heard when she wanted attention, and we had to keep an eagle eye on her because if she got out of sight for a second, she would get into something she shouldn’t.  With Riley, you had to worry when she suddenly went quiet.

Pietro was the opposite.  He was quiet and sensitive.  He loved cuddling up to his parents, being read to, and being carried around so he could ask what everything was.  His first words were; ‘What’s that?’  With Pietro, you knew he was in trouble when he got very loud.

So far, they both seemed to be happy and loving children.  If there were any negative effects to being raised by ten people - Avengers at that - they weren’t showing it yet.

I was sitting on the grass with them, blowing bubbles as the twins toddled around trying to catch them when there was a huge bang followed by a roar from the direction of the labs. Both the kids froze and we all looked in the direction of the sound.  A moment later the Hulk came crashing out of the canopy and landed on the lawns behind, sending a flock of birds flying out in a cloud behind him.

He kept running, bounding along in our direction looking wild and angry.  Something big must have just happened in the lab and set him off.

“Hulk!” I called.

“Hulg! Hulg!” the twins echoed.  Hulk screeched to a stop leaving large divots in the lawn.  He looked over at us with his head tilted and as soon as his gaze settled on us, his features softened.  “Babies!” he said, breaking out into a huge smile.

He jogged over to us, stepping over the fence into the backyard.  He crouched down as low as he could and the twins toddled over to him with their hands up, repeating the word ‘Hulg’ over and over.  When they reached him, he sat down and held his hand out for them to come and hug.

“What happened, Big Guy?” I asked, approaching him.  “What was that bang?”

“Fire,” he grumbled.  “Hulk burned.”

I furrowed my brow and looked him over.  He looked fine, but there was a chance Bruce got burned and that turning into Hulk healed it.  “That must have been scary.”

“Hulk not scared,” he huffed.  “Never scared.” 

The sound of thrusters caught my attention and I looked up again.  Tony flew over the top of the trees and arced down to us, stopping just out of Hulk’s and hovering in the air.  “Oh good,” he said, his voice a little tinny over the speakers of the Iron Man armor. “You got this, El?”

“Yeah, we’re good.  You blow something up?” I asked.

“Something blew up.  Whether it was me that caused said explosion will be up for the lawyers to decide,” he said.  “I better go clean up though.  DUM-E is terrible at that sort of thing.”  He turned to the kids and waved at them.  “Bye, kiddos. Love you.”

They both waved at him.  “Lub, lub!” they shouted.

He mimed blowing kisses to us all then shot off again, leaving the four of us alone.  I turned my attention back to Hulk.  “Shall I get out the harness so we can take a walk?” I asked.

He grinned at me. “Walk!”

The harness was something that Tony invented.  It was hard for the Hulk to physically interact with the children.  He was so big and they were so small, and dexterity was not one of Hulk’s strong suits.  So Tony had created a special harness to fit him that worked as a baby carrier for both children.  That way he was able to carry them both in front of him without risk of them wiggling out of his grip or him squashing them.

I left him alone with the kids for a moment while I ducked inside and grabbed the harness.  When I returned, Riley had managed to climb up on Hulk’s leg and Pietro was putting flowers on his hand.

It was a precious sight.  It was amazing to think that here was this guy - the personification of Bruce Banner’s rage and hurt that had been doled out to him by his father - a guy that many thought of as a monster, and he was as gentle as a lamb with his children.  People were always so quick to judge, and I felt like that judgment was part of what set the Hulk off.

I put the harness on Hulk and set the twins into their spots.  They clapped excitedly and began to wiggle.  “You all ready?” I asked.

“Go, go, go!” the kids squealed.

Hulk lifted me onto his shoulder and when I had a good hold of him, he took off at a jog.  The twins squealed and giggled as Hulk jumped over the fence and ran into the forest and down the side of the Hudson River.  Any time their laughter got particularly loud, it set Hulk off too and his deep booming laugh would echo through the trees.

I couldn’t stop smiling.  It had always been fun to be carried around by Hulk like this, but adding the laughter of Hulk and the twins to the mix, it was like chugging pure serotonin.

He jogged up the river’s edge for a while and when he reached the border of the compound, he turned and ran deeper into the forest, until we got to a clearing that we sometimes visited together.  There was a little waterfall and the kids loved watching the fish gathered in the pool at the bottom and collecting shiny pebbles.

Hulk stopped and set me down.  “Explore,” he said.

“Of course,” I agreed and got the twins down.

I supervised as the three began to walk around the area.  It was such a pure and wholesome sight watching Hulk with the kids.  He followed them around as they explored the area. Anytime one of them stopped to examine something, he’d crouch down low and look with them.  If they picked something up to show him, he would hum, nod, and make a comment.  ‘Pretty rock,’ ‘Cute bug,’ ‘Good flower.’.  Every time he did it they cooed and squeaked and then would toddle on to the next thing.  It was absolutely precious.

They stayed at it for quite a while, but the twins had been up for a bit and eventually, they both started yawning.  Hulk turned to me and furrowed his brow.  “Babies tired.  Bedtime.”

“I think you’re right.  We should head back home.”

I put the kids back in the sling and Hulk hauled me back on his shoulder.  The squeals and giggles started again, but they weren’t as full of energy as they had on the way out.

When we got back to the house they’d mostly gone quiet, and the four of us went into the main family bedroom and I took them out of the slings.

“Story?” Hulk asked.

“Sure.  Let me just change their diapers.  You want to get comfy?” I asked.

He curled up on the mattress, and I lay the twins down side-by-side and changed them.  They were so tired now that not even Riley put much effort into wiggling away on me.

When they were both changed, I grabbed one of their picture books and climbed up on the bed.  The twins lay down next to Hulk tucked under the blankets, and the Hulk put his head in my lap.

“Alright, let's see here,” I said.  “Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare’s very long ears…”

I read ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ to the trio, my fingers scratching back and forth through Hulk’s hair, massaging his scalp.  The twins were so tired that it was barely two pages in before Pietro fell asleep.  Halfway through Riley had stopped wiggling around and drifted off too.  I kept reading until the end, and Hulk relaxed more and more as I read.

“Like that one,” he said, his voice a soft sleepy rumble.

“Yeah, me too,” I agreed.  “It made me cry when I first read it.”

He chuckled softly.  “Puny, Elly.”

“Hey now!” I laughed. “Be nice.”  I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his temple.  “I had fun with you today.  Thanks for helping with the kids.”

“Hulk had fun too,” he said.  “My kids.”

“Yeah, they are,” I agreed.

He turned his head up to look at me.  “Hulk loves Elly.”

“Elly loves Hulk,” I replied, leaning down and kissing him softly.

He hummed when I pulled back, and his body began to shift, twitching and shrinking in on itself, the green fading from his skin, until Bruce was left lying in my lap and looking very confused.  I gave him a moment to figure out where he was and that he was safe, just continuing to stroke his hair.

“You okay?” I asked softly.

He nodded.  “Yeah.  Are you?  I didn’t hurt anyone, did I?”

“Nope,” I said.  “Hulk found me and the kids and we’ve been hanging out ever since.  Everything’s fine.”

He let out a sigh of relief.  “Tony blew up the centrifuge. I have no idea what he put into it.  Scared the life out of me,” he said.

“Sounds like Tony,” I agreed, and leaned down and kissed him softly.

He smiled into my lips and reached up and cradled my cheek.  “I am grateful for every day I’ve known you, El.  Who knows what would have happened before you came along.”

“I’m sure they would have got through to you.  Nat had the lullaby after all.”

He shrugged.  “Maybe.  But this is different.  He really loves you and the kids.  Me too.”

“Well, the feeling is mutual, B,” I said.

I kissed him again.  My partner with two souls, constantly laboring under the belief that his love was a burden.  It was far from it.  It was easy to love them.  One day I hoped he’d really understand that.

~ END ~ 

[daedalverselore]

When (And why-) did Ludustella disappear ?

The Garden of Infinity was created by Queen Natura. All matter of flowering flora filled the garden in what seemed like endless fields and forest, arranged to delight instead of overwhelm the eye. As the War raged on, Princess Harmonia and those who didn't wish to participate proposed that it would be a neutral ground, safe from sneak attacks and straight on destruction.

So of course, this became a favorite date spot for Ludustella. As a young draconequus just trying out to see what they liked in relationships, Ludustella found the most fun in partners that could help them add more chaos into the love lives of the mortal creatures. That fear that so many get over just confessing their feelings was specially fun for many teasing scenarios.

Still, Ludu wasn't having as much fun as he hoped when the tiger paw belonging to Phoboira took his orangutan hand.

"Do you know what would make this date perfect?" Phoboira murmered into Ludu's ear.

"Teenagers who are afraid to confess their feelings that we could mess with?" Ludu replied, hoping that his date wouldn't say what he knew he would.

"No- if you were female, like last time."

"I'm male today."

Ludu wondered if there was a newly made draconequus of arguments following them around. This wasn't the first time they'd fought over this.

"But you're so much prettier as a girl!" Phoboira proclaimed defensively.

"What, because I have eyelashes and my wing positions are reversed? Really not much of difference."

"It's just better overall when you're female."

"You told me you didn't mind me being genderfluid when we started going out," Ludu pointed out. "Did you lie?"

"No," Phoboira huffed. "I just thought eventually you'd settle on one."

"You thought I'd decide to be one gender? I love my male times, and I love my female times. I don't want to permanently be either one- although this attitude of yours is making my girl side feel gross."

"WHY CAN'T YOU JUST STAY A GIRL FOR ME? ISN'T SACRIFICE A PART OF LOVE?" Phoboira screamed.

"LUDUUU!" a sing-songy call interrupted the argument. Megrim, draconequus of whimsy, was currently the size of an elephant- carrying their wife, Princess Harmonia, and Ludu's sister Cherish along with a picnic basket and blanket. "Are you ready for our family picnic?"

The two alicorns fluttered off as Megrim shrunk down to the size of a leopard. As the alicorns began to lay out their picnic blanket, Megrim leaped into their son's arms for a hug that was joyfully accepted, Ludu spinning their mother around.

Phoboira grunted, which prompted Harmonia to settle her eyes on the draconequus.

"Phoboira, it's good to great you in peace," the princess said while she bowed her head politely. "Are you here to join us?"

"No, Momma. He was just about to leave- forever," Ludu spat.

"Ludu, try to be a little nicer to your friends-" Harmonia started to say, but Phoboira steamed at the alicorn's mere presence.

"You see, Ludustella? Alicorns are all control freaks. Fighting is only natural for chaotic beings like us!"

"Control freaks? My family, draconequus and alicorn both, love me for who I am- no matter what gender I am! You're the one who wants to control me!"

"These Alicorns must be using their love and friendship magic to manipulate you! It's clear that you won't see reason until they're gone!"

Before anyone could move, pure energy burst out the Phoboira's mouth and blasted at Harmonia. In the last second Megrim leaped in front of the blast, taking it head on. Harmonia was safe, but Megrim dissolved into nothing.

"Mommy!" Ludu and Cherish called out in despair, but the draconequus no longer existed to hear them. Harmonia sobbed at her loss, trying to hug her children, but could only get a hold of Cherish. Ludu was flying away.

Breaking the sanctity of the neutral grounds called down all the alicorns to punish Phoboira. Other draconequi came to his aid, and the war continued. While Harmonia pleaded that no more fighting continue here, in the end the garden became a desert.

When the battle settled, Harmonia and Cherish searched everywhere for Ludustella, but the draconequus could not be found. They could only conclude that Ludustella had gone to their own personal pocket dimension. While this fight finalized some decisions for Harmonia about the War going forward, they never stopped hoping they'd see Ludustella again.

[oncewhenalongtimeago]

"sorry, but i think i lost your plot" where toothless notices hiccup admiring our protagonist often and follows her around one day while she's working? basically toothless being a wingman of sorts

Sorry, but I Think I Lost Your Plot pt 17

Pairing: Onesided!Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III x Modern!Fem!Reader

Words: 1,006

You and Toothless rendezvous.

Tags: Time Travel, Reader into Movieverse, unedited

<Previous - Next>

You hurried down the steps of the Ingerman home, basket in tow, a warm, clean cloth wrapped steaming loaf of bread sitting on top of a basket of dirty laundry.

Each step tapped against the wooden stair, your worn boots doing little to soften your footsteps.

You walked with quick strides through the clearing, running across damn dirt and a forge that hadn’t yet been lit in the early morning darkness, only pausing briefly to glance at a shadow at the corner of your eye.

When you looked back, there was nothing there.

You shrugged it off, despite the chills running down your back, intent on quickly getting down to the wells before anyone else could. 

You held a rag in your fists, braced against your hips, staring at your work, at the many, many shiny weapons lined and mounted against the wall, some patterned, most not, all sharpened to the highest degree.

As you polished to the highest degree, soot and other things caked onto your clothes and the apron you’d borrowed from Mrs. Jorgenson. 

Your attention was drawn, for a moment, to the half open window, where you caught a glimpse of a large green eyeball just as it disappeared from view.

You didn’t mind it, instead looking away and taking a few more moments to admire your work. 

You knew the Jorgenson head didn’t much care for polished artifacts, though Mrs. Jorgenson insisted on it. Something about utility and pride, nothing you learned from anyone but the head lady herself. She has some very strong opinions on it.

You looked outside a window to your side, half covered by wooden shutters and a wood frame to match the wood everything else, admiring the yellow, rising sun.

The Head should be back from his early morning training soon off in the forests. You found that he trained like every day was Thorsday Thursday.

You fled quickly as the morning got just a bit brighter, willing yourself out before the fresh dewy feeling left the air, grabbing your coin and your effects, before either one could come home and they could start arguing. 

Sitting by the well, on top of the built stone wall surrounding the hole, you looked down at the nice cloth wrapped gift you had gotten earlier that day.  

Off to your side, a terror danced and pounced around, following a bug. 

Animals, dragons mostly, crowed and lazed in the warming noon light. 

You unwrapped it, revealing a nice loaf of bread. 

You were sure you were going to save it as much as you could before it started to mold. You needed to finish it before it went bad. 

But you thought it wouldn’t hurt to take off a few slices. 

The poor woman, Mrs. Ingerman, had gotten up extra, extra early to bake you a loaf which was impressive considering you were up in the earliest of hours, so early it had only been a few since the last night. The last midnight, that is.

You stared out at the place around, at the occasional person bustling past, most vikings heavily involved with their tasks for the day. 

You spotted something in an alley, large and slinking and nearly black, it’s body language cautious and yet not.

A Night Fury. The only Night Fury you knew, crouched around the corner, observing you.

If he shifted just right, you could see the glint of a metal buckle attached to his strap. You wondered where his rider was.

You bit into the bread loaf, still staring at him.

Had he been following you all day?

You looked at the sheep in front of you, shears at your side. 

It was a dusty white one, slightly overgrown, white fur and gray face very fuzzy. 

You considered cutting its wool into a shape like you’d seen gardeners do to bushes. 

You stood on a floor of hay in the gentle shade of a barn, one by the open fields sort of close to the coast-cliff line overlooking the sea and the craigs. 

It had been a long while since you’d shorn a sheep, yet it felt like just yesterday you’d learned.

You stared out at the open stall towards the light of the afternoon where the fields were open and the sheep were wandering free.

The grass was tall and green and looked incredibly fresh, something nice to lay in. 

You would do that after your task and the retrieval of your coin when it was colder and you could better appreciate the fresh earth freely.

You blinked.

It looked like you had a friend for the day.

You didn’t see anything, but you did hear a light purr, the kind you could perhaps brush off as one of the sheep’s, before you heard a loud thump. 

You brushed it off.

You wondered if he had a task for you?

You stared down into the open barrel, slightly smelly, damp with seawater and slime, ready to be hung and dried and maybe pickled, filled with fish of many different sizes.

You wiped your hands on the towel by your side, shifting your rolled up sleeves further up your arm as you stared down at your work. 

And then you looked off to the side, where Toothless peered out at you, the green of his eyes a bit more difficult to make out, washed over with orange. 

You reached into the barrel and tossed him a fish.

It landed against the ground with a smack, and he jumped back into the shadows slightly, before creeping forwards again, eyeing you curiously. 

He sniffed it curiously, looking up at you with big, suspicious eyes all the while, large, draconic shoulder hunched before grabbing the tail delicately by the teeth.

Quickly, he threw it up into the air and gulped it down before quickly turning around and bounding away, leaving vague imprints of his paws in the dust layer resting over the hard, dry dirt floor.

 Whatever brought him to you, the fish seemed to treat pretty well.

[iphigeniainaulis]

Background paintings in Ikevamp and why they matter

...even if you are not familiar with art.

Warnings: minor spoilers for all routes, though I tried to keep it as vague as possible

Time to talk about background paintings in Ikemen vampire because…why not?

First, let me warn you that the following is nothing but a theory based on some visual resemblance. While it may occur that Ikemen designers wanted to hide a few Easter eggs, it's also fair to mention that sometimes the sky is blue just because it's Sunday morning, and that’s all. 

Nevertheless, one detail may hint at the former statement being true. And this is because there’s a significant difference in how different paintings are shown in the game. 

Some of them are blurry, overdark or too bright. While we can distinguish some unclear silhouettes, the rest is on our imagination.

For example, it seems that the first picture is the natural landscape (probably, sunset in the forest) as well as the second one with the Ionic style columns being placed in the center of a garden. Still, we’re not sure.

But the thing is it doesn’t matter. The amount of details the viewer is given is too small for us to make any art-historical assumptions. Based on these mere images we can figure out neither the artist who painted them nor the narrative. Therefore, these paintings have only a secondary function of background decorations and proof of demonstration of their owner’s wealth. 

On the contrary, there are paintings that we can easily detach because their creators are too famous to be unfamiliar with. But even within this scope of paintings there is a slight differentiation due to the way they are incorporated in the game design. 

Some of them have been revived by the hands of geniuses who once created them. This is the case of Leonardo’s Study of a woman’s head and Study of Hands

 or Vincent’s Sunflower and the Olive trees

While it’s easy to reduce the meaning behind this design decision to simple hype, I think that it also serves as a visual representation of the suitors' character traits. What is the point of redrawing the painting that was already brought to life a long time ago? For Vincent it means years, for Leonardo - centuries. My guess is that for artists like them it's never enough. Life is too beautiful to be captured once and forever. A woman’s face is never a mystery solved. While for many people it’s okay to achieve a goal and forget about it the exact minute they are done, for geniuses like Leonardo and Vincent it’s always different. You must improve. You have to work further. There is always something new an artist’s eye can capture. That’s why they painted it again, again and again. 

Let's move to another group of paintings. Spotting The Starry Night in Theo’s room is not a surprise because we know that, first of all, they’re brothers with Vincent, and, secondly, Theo is an art dealer.

What deserves to be brought into focus is that this work is regarded as the elder Van Gogh’s magnum opus. Sure, you can argue that the real Theo and Vincent thought little of this painting, calling it “a failure”. To which I reply that, again, this is a game for numerous people across the world, including those who are not familiar with art history. For many of us The Starry Night is viewed as one of the most popular art works, a special work, a valuable one. Therefore, by omitting historical accuracy Ikemen writers and designers try to achieve something more contributing to the plot - they try to evoke certain emotions. Putting the art of such great significance in the room of one of the brothers should be a clear indicator of the amount of respect and love the two of them share. Describing the emotional bond between them is mainly the prerogative of writers. But sometimes game design plays no less if not more meaningful role in the process of us as readers getting familiar with characters. The painting here becomes a subtle part of the plot as it highlights certain prerequisites of their relationship and prepares us for what is going to come next.

The latter is especially relevant to Vlad's route. The female portrait in the pureblood’s room is what takes background paintings in Ikevamp on a fundamentally new level - the level of plot-forming core.

Unlike those paintings I mentioned at the beginning, these ones are no longer a substitute for the room decor. Instead, they serve as a device that pushes the plot forward. It accumulates three major points that are relevant to the plot:

It adds the mystery element for triggering our curiosity. The portrait is ‘faceless’, and even though we all see the resemblance in features, there is this ‘if’ element. What if they decided to go with a classical Dracula plot? Eternal vampire loses his lover and waits for her to be reborn? Is this MC? Why can’t he remember her face?

The portrait itself allows us to get for a second into Vlad’s head and understand his feelings towards the mysterious woman. Vlad drawing her portrait is caused by the act of kindness she showed him. His entire motivation is connected to the single painting. She was the one who he wanted to be with. In order to do so, he had to become strong, to accept his tragic loss and move forward. The portrait serves as a silent reminder about what was his goal and why he chose the path he chose. 

It circulates the narrative. At the beginning, MC faces the challenge of being the third one in the relationship with Vlad and his unknown lover. She questions the identity of that unknown counterpart of hers and secretly wants to learn more about her. By revealing the truth of Vlad’s past and their connection, MC figures out who was the woman in the painting which in some way pushes her to find enough strength for making a certain groundbreaking decision. 

Finally, there is the third group of paintings that possess what I call ‘potential meaning’. These paintings maintain the main features of the two previous groups, namely, vague silhouettes combined with a rather clear narrative that somehow increases the possibility of them being more than a decorative object.

Take a look at the two paintings in Vincent’s room. In comparison to all other paintings these ones differ not only in terms of shape but also in terms of color. The lines seem to be more fluid, and the color palette is dominated by ochreous, blue and black which is typical for East Asian classical ink art. By taking a closer look, you can actually see the vague outlines of the sea and shrouded in mist mountains in the background. Personally to me such landscapes together with a specific composition angle remind of Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji which can be a great allusion to Van Gogh’s obsession with Japanese prints and their role in his artistic career. 

The huge painting in Comte’s living room has been haunting me for years, I shall admit. It portrays a marine landscape with a single boat chasing the wild waters in the dark or right before the sunrise. When talking about marine art, the first person that comes to my mind is Ivan Aivazovsky. Yet, it is evident that Aivazovsky’s style was pure romanticism with heavy realistic elements, whereas this painting looks like it's more about light and colores rather than clear and precise lines. And also this sun, this strange orange sun..that can be spotted only in Claude Monet's Impression. Sunrise. 

The mansion’s copy is a darker mirrow image of the original work. Nobody knows why Comte chose this painting for the mansion, but isn’t it a bit of irony that the painting that praises France, the country that suffered from the war with Prussia and was on its way to revitalisation, is located in the house that is about to face the battle between the lesser vampires and their haunters or rather the figurative war of two different morals (we are yet to know about it, though)?

Another version is that the painting serves as a metaphoric description of the character. In various routes MC mentions how Comte reminds her of the sun that made manifest, and everything supports this claim to be true, from his golden eyes and hair, to the brightness of the room and..paintings that symbolize the master of the mansion.

Finally, I wouldn't forget about the massive backlash Impressionists had to face at the early stage of the movement’s existence. It was only until the 5th Impressionist exhibition in 1880 that the artists finally got praised by critics. Just a bit more than 10 years before the MC’s appearance. However, we know that the creation of the mansion had taken place before this event. So, my point is that probably Monet’s painting was purchased by the greater vampire during the times when Impressionists were still harshly criticized by the Salon. And if so, the display of the painting that represents the les misérables of the art world speaks so much volume about Comte’s character and devotion to fulfill what he perceives as his noblesse oblige - to support those in need, to help them reveal their talent no matter what social class they belong to. 

The game room’s central painting is another amusing detail as it’s completely out of mood. Playing cards, watching chess games or taking any other light leisure activity with a glass of brandy in your hand, you rarely expect to raze your gaze from the table only to stare at the image of ruins. Yet, this is what we get here - a typical capriccio painting like those of Alessandro Salucci and Leonardo Coccorante.

Capriccio artists dared to do something new in the history of art - they put real archeological signs into fantasy surroundings, sometimes from the same time period that the artists lived in. To an extent, they brought the ancient past and allowed it to live in the future, which is not a bad allusion to the original purpose of the mansion’s creation.  

And here is what we can spot in Shakespeare’s room. At first, I didn't think much about this painting in Will’s bedroom but something felt odd. And then I understood. 

You see, there’s this famous Vincent’s work named Cafe Terrace at Night. The painting is created from the north eastern corner that allows us to see the starry night without facing an obstacle in the form of the cafe's roof. 

But this is how the modern cafe looks from a different perspective. Yellow elongated building with two wide niches that serve both as windows and entrance. 

Do you see it, right? RIGHT?

I headcanon that Vincent was so eager to spoil his new friend with a present that he decided to redraw his favorite work and  give it to the bard. But being an empathetic and observant one, Vincent immediately figured out Will’s admiration of everything unique and rare, so he decided to create a completely new version of his own painting instead of just redrawing it from the same angle as he did with sunflowers. 

Aaand this is what we get in the living room. Random at first sight, the composition of various unrelated pictures actually makes sense. The most evident one is, of course, the image of theater curtains. What else should we expect to see in the manor of the great Bard of Avon? The same curtains, by the way, appear in almost every scene where MC and her suitor are invited to Shakespeare’s play.

Just a small detail, but I think this is one of those rare occasions when we can actually name the place Ikemen writers took inspiration from (apart from, of course, Louvre and the University of Paris). What helps us here is the curtains over which we spot golden metal lambrequin with a cartouche that imitates the image of the sun.

Such a prolonged lambrequin with the sun image (in honor of Louis XIV, the Sun King and also the father of the Paris Opera) in the center actually exists only in one Parisian theater - Opera Garnier, where in 1888 Shakespeare’s  Roméo et Juliette was staged.

Just to make sure, look at the curtains in some of the most popular theaters that existed during the historical period in Ikevamp -  Théâtre du Châtelet or the Opéra-Comique. You won't find a similar one.

Two last possible Easter eggs may be related to the two historical objects that existed during Shakespear’s era. The first one is still connected to the curtains for as you see, there were rumors (modern archeological findings prove them to be true) that the first venue of Shakespeare’s plays was called ‘the Curtain Theatre’.

And the second thing I want to point at is two images of the chair. Honestly, I highly doubt that a person like Will who has an almost narcissistic obsession with expensive staff would put a painting of such low value in his private apartment. But I can understand it, if this is not an image of  some random piece of furniture but the well-known Shakespeare’s Courting Chair, wherein, according to William Henry, ‘the bard was used to sit, during his courtship, with his Anne upon his knee’. 

Anyway, I hope it wasn't too much. Thank you for reading!

[f4iryt3a]

New Beginning - Blackwall*Inquisitor (+18)

Warning : Explicit

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The silence of the forest was soothing, broken only by the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze and the crackling of the campfire. The stars, scattered like a handful of jewels on black velvet, illuminated the clearing with a soft, diffuse light. The air, cool but pleasant, carried the scent of damp earth and surrounding pine trees. Ellana adjusted the blanket around her shoulders, her gaze fixed on the sky. Her daughter slept peacefully a few steps away, wrapped in thick fabrics, her steady breathing blending with the whisper of the wind. Blackwall, sitting silently by the fire, watched her with quiet attention, as if afraid to disturb the stillness of the night. 

"It’s strange" Ellana murmured, finally breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant "We spend our days fighting to save this world… and sometimes, I wonder if we’ll ever truly get the chance to just admire it." 

Blackwall nodded, his gaze following hers to the stars. "We often forget the beauty of what we’re fighting for. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the battles and sacrifices. But moments like this… they remind us why it’s worth it."

A sad smile touched Ellana’s lips "Do you think there will ever come a time when it all ends? When we can finally lay down our weapons ?"

He remained silent for a moment, thoughtful "I’d like to believe so. That we’ll all have a second chance… a life where we don’t always have to look over our shoulders."

She turned her head to him, her gaze shining with restrained emotion "And you, Thom? What would you do if you had that chance ?"

Blackwall smiled faintly, caught off guard by the use of his real name "Maybe a little farm, far away from all of this. With animals, a vegetable garden… nothing grand. Just… peace."

Ellana nodded, her eyes drifting back to the dancing flames "That sounds nice. A simple life." Her voice wavered slightly, and she pulled the blanket tighter around herself "But it feels like such a distant dream."

Without a word, Blackwall rose and approached her slowly. He crouched beside her, resting a warm, reassuring hand on her shoulder "It’s not a dream, Ellana. Not if you still believe in it."

Their closeness brought forth a gentle yet palpable tension. Their eyes met, and in the silence, something profound passed between them. Ellana felt her throat tighten, but she didn’t look away. Blackwall, for his part, seemed to wrestle with his own reservations, his gaze flickering between her lips and her eyes.

"Thom…" she whispered, uncertain but not afraid.

He gently caressed her shoulder, his thumb tracing soothing circles "You’re not alone." His voice was husky, imbued with the raw sincerity she had always found comforting "You’ll never have to be alone again—not if I can help it."

A single tear rolled down the Inquisitor’s cheek, and he wiped it away with his fingertips. Then, slowly, almost reverently, he lowered his head until their foreheads touched. Her breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, savouring the closeness. They lingered like this for a few moments, balanced on the fragile edge between comfort and desire. The fire crackled softly, bearing witness to this moment suspended in time.

Ellana felt her heart quicken as Blackwall remained close, his breath gently brushing her skin. She had never noticed how warm his brown eyes were, almost golden in the firelight. This closeness stirred something within her, something she hadn’t felt in a long time—a mix of vulnerability and desire, mingled with a quiet fear.

She turned her face slightly, breaking the contact “I don’t know if I can…” she murmured, her trembling hands clutching the blanket tightly.

Blackwall pulled back a little, but not too far, respecting the space she seemed to need without retreating entirely “You don’t have to say anything ” he said softly “But if you want to talk, I’m here. Always.”

Ellana lifted her eyes to him, hesitant “I think about him… about what he would say if he saw us like this.” She cast a fleeting glance at her daughter, fast asleep near the makeshift shelter they had set up “She’ll never get the chance to know her father, and I… I feel guilty for being here, for thinking…” She trailed off, unable to finish.

Blackwall remained silent for a moment, letting her words fade into the whispers of the night. Then he slowly sat beside her, his movements patient and deliberate “It’s not a crime to want to move forward, Ellana. Wanting to live doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten him.” She drew in a deep breath, trying to steady the storm of her thoughts “I know, but… it’s hard. Sometimes, I wonder if I even have the right to be happy again.”

A faint, sorrowful smile touched Blackwall’s lips “If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s you. What you do, everything you carry… it’s more than most could bear. But even you can’t carry that weight forever.”

Ellana looked away, moved by his words. He was right, of course, but accepting that truth felt like another battle. She felt a tear roll down her cheek, quickly followed by another. Blackwall, ever attentive, raised a hesitant hand, giving her time to pull away. When she didn’t, he gently wiped her tears with his fingertips, the gesture tender and full of care. “You’re not alone” he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper “And you don’t have to face everything on your own.”

Those words, simple yet powerful, broke something within her. Ellana placed her hand over his, her fingers curling around his calloused palm. She looked up, searching his eyes for permission—to continue, to let herself embrace this moment without judgement.

Blackwall’s response was unexpectedly gentle. He leaned in again, but this time, he didn’t hesitate. Their lips brushed in a light kiss, a silent promise. Then, as the tension they had long ignored grew stronger, the kiss deepened, becoming more urgent. Ellana let herself fall into it, her hands instinctively finding their way to his neck, while Blackwall cupped her face in his strong hands. The outside world seemed to disappear, reduced to the crackle of the fire and the warmth radiating between them. 

He pulled back slightly, his eyes alight with an emotion he made no effort to hide “Tell me to stop, and I will” he murmured, his voice rough. She shook her head gently, a spark of confidence in her gaze. “Don’t stop, Thom.”

Her voice, carrying his name with such sincerity, seemed to unlock something within him. He kissed her again, more fervently this time, and gently laid her down on the blanket spread near the fire. His movements remained careful, as if he feared breaking her, yet his desire was palpable, almost tangible. The night breeze drifted gently through the clearing, but neither Ellana nor Blackwall seemed to notice. Their world had shrunk to the warmth of their bodies and the flickering firelight casting a golden glow across their features.

Blackwall, ever attentive, looked at her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. He leaned down to press a kiss on her collarbone, tracing a languid path to the inside of her wrist, which he held tenderly. His lips, rough yet deliberate, explored her skin as though it were sacred ground. Ellana responded by wrapping her legs around his hips, pulling their bodies closer together. She was acutely aware of every touch—the heat of his hands, the firmness of his chest against hers, the reassuring weight of his presence. Her fingers slid over the buckle of Blackwall’s belt, brushing it deliberately to elicit a low, ragged sigh from him. 

“Are you sure ?” he murmured again, his eyes filled with a devotion so tangible it nearly took her breath away. She answered by gently tugging at his belt, a playful smile gracing her lips. “Stop asking questions, Thom.”

That was all the reassurance he needed to let his restraint slip. He helped her shed the layers of fabric separating them, his movements still imbued with a delicate care, as though he feared she might break. When their bodies finally met without barriers, a wave of heat seemed to envelop them both. His hands slid over her waist, tracing lazy yet searing circles against her skin. Ellana arched her back beneath his touch, her own hands finding their way to the breadth of his shoulders and then into his tousled hair. Her lips captured his in a deep kiss, their breaths mingling in a symphony of sighs and whispers.

As he moved above her, Blackwall paused for a moment, his eyes locking onto hers “You’re perfect ” he murmured, his voice low and husky, as he placed a hand against her cheek, his thumb tracing a gentle line over her flushed skin. The first moments were slow, like a tentative dance where each movement was an exploration. But soon, their rhythm synchronised, the motions becoming more fluid, more intense. Ellana lost herself in the sensations—the weight of him against her, the heat pulsing between them, and the raw exhilaration of this shared moment. 

Every sigh, every soft moan, seemed amplified in the stillness of the night. The starry sky watched over them in silence, an infinite canvas bearing witness to their union. Their bodies moved in harmony with the flickering flames, at times urgent, at others slowing to savour the moment. When the tension finally crested, Ellana felt a wave of warmth wash over her, leaving her breathless and fulfilled. Blackwall followed soon after, his ragged breath mingling with hers as he buried his face in the curve of her neck. 

Their world stilled, suspended in perfect tranquillity. Blackwall, still resting partially atop her but careful not to crush her, pressed a final kiss to her shoulder before rolling to the side, drawing her gently into his arms. “I told you, you’re not alone ” he murmured, his voice still rough but filled with tenderness. Ellana, her head resting against his chest, listened to the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat. She looked up at him, a genuine smile lighting her face “And neither are you.” The wind carried their whispers into the night, and beneath the celestial canopy, surrounded by the glow of the stars, they drifted into sleep in each other’s arms, the outside world forgotten for a few precious hours.

The soft song of birds heralded the arrival of dawn. The fire had long since died, leaving only smouldering embers and a faint trail of smoke. The gentle morning light bathed the clearing in a golden glow, making the moment almost surreal. Ellana slowly opened her eyes, awakened by the warmth of the sun on her face. She was still nestled against Blackwall, his solid and reassuring chest beneath her head. He was still asleep, his breathing calm and regular, one hand resting on her waist as though afraid she might disappear. 

She smiled involuntarily, her fingers tracing the contours of the scars on his chest. Each told a story of courage, survival, and sacrifice. But this time, what she saw wasn’t just a man broken by the past—it was someone who had chosen to live, to protect, and to love. “Are you already awake ?” his deep voice murmured, still heavy with sleep. She lifted her gaze to meet his. He looked at her with the same tenderness she’d seen the night before, but in the light of day, he seemed different—calmer, perhaps even happy.

“It’s too beautiful to sleep” she replied, smiling with a soft yet teasing tone. Blackwall gave a half-smile and tightened his embrace slightly, as if unwilling to let her go “You say that because you didn’t have to move all night. I was the pillow.”

She laughed softly, enjoying the lightness of the moment. But her laughter quickly gave way to a more serious expression as she reflected on the night they had shared. “Thom” she began, searching for the right words “What happened…”

He placed a finger on her lips, silencing her with disarming gentleness “What happened is real. Nothing more, nothing less. If you have doubts, tell me. But I don’t regret anything, and I don’t want you to either.”

She remained silent for a moment, studying his face. The sincerity in his words, the warmth in his gaze—all of it comforted her. She nodded “I don’t regret anything either. But I’m afraid. Afraid of what this could mean for me, for…” She turned her head towards her daughter, still asleep in the corner of the cabin. Blackwall followed her gaze, his expression softening further “Your daughter is a blessing. Not an obstacle. If we do this—me and you—she will be a part of everything I want. I’m not here to divide, Ellana. I want to walk beside you, and her. If you want me to.”

These words, so simple yet so full of meaning, brought tears to her eyes. Ellana took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her fears lift, replaced by a certainty she hadn’t known in years. She placed a hand on his cheek, her fingers caressing his rough beard “I want you, Thom. But promise me you won’t sacrifice yourself for me. I don’t want to be a burden, not to you, or to anyone.” He took her hand, pressing it against his cheek before placing a kiss on her palm “You’re not a burden, Ellana. You’re my light.”

Their exchange was interrupted by a soft cooing. Ellana turned her head to see her daughter waking up, her little hands rubbing her sleepy eyes. The sight made Blackwall smile, and he got up slowly, offering his hand to Ellana to help her rise. “We should break camp before your little explorer decides to go on an adventure” he joked, his tone light but affectionate. 

Ellana smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in years. As they gathered their things and prepared to leave the clearing, she felt a new warmth bloom inside her. What had happened beneath the stars was so much more than a shared moment—it was a step toward a future she had never dared to imagine. And as they left the clearing, Ellana with her daughter in her arms and Blackwall walking beside them, the rising sun seemed to promise a new beginning, illuminating their path with soft, hopeful light. 

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