#Prince would be so 🤔🤔🤔 if he got his hands on this

[mtchacffinz]

to be loved for you

prompt!!! Dan Heng never dealt with jealousy. He learns bitterly that sometimes, he can't deal with it rationally!

content!!! SFW, gn! reader, fluff, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, first kiss, clingy! Dan Heng

note!!! I love him too much. So far, all he's been getting from me is fluff 💔 frankly, i cant muster any freaky-freaky stuff with this man 🤔 got anything? my asks are open 🩷

To be someone who relied on relations by circumstance, you would always cherish each and every one of those who cross your path. May they be old and wise, or young and restless— Greeting them with the brightest smile, they'd always find themselves enamoured by your energy. Maybe this is why you attract so many people? Dan Heng was aware of that. He never spoke up about it, though. After all, he was one of the many who was caught bulls eye with each strum of his heart.

He knew you were capable of fending off threats yourself. He knew you were somebody who could defend someone from harms way.. and he especially knew just how gentle and kind you treat everybody.

Oh, what is he doing? Sulking all by himself in the archives. Dan Heng's thoughts ran rampant the past minutes. This happens when he's alone or sitting idly by. The poor man's thoughts catch up to him leaving him disgruntled. The thing is, you could always see it in his face.

You've been out and about for a while. He misses you, you know. Not that he would admit! Dan Heng's stubborn, just like that. He's definitely not mulling over how you're attention has been elsewhere, either. He doesn't mind. You have the freedom to do what you want! Just leave him sulking here in the archives unattended, it's okay.

The teal eyed prince clicks his tongue. That chatty, flirty, touchy writer. At first, Dan Heng thought that he was quite a man. The writer guy was nice and respectful with a golden gaze for things that were held high. That said, the Author quickly took interest in you.

He was never one to be possessive. Why should he? You're not even in a relationship. But sometimes, as soon as the guys hands find their way towards yours, intertwining in a clasp, something in him dims. Suddenly, his eyes can't leave your figure. It was your smile again, and Dan Heng's not at the receiving end of it.

You're not on the express today, either. A shame. Seriously, that guys been hogging you all week! What's up with that? Don't even get him started on "(Y/n), my muse. Accompany me today?" bullcrap! It's nothing but a sappy excuse to get into your pants so bad! Seriously, the absurdity. Dan Heng shakes off the thoughts before they continue. Did you know? Just by his gaze alone, someone could freeze in their place— like daggers against their back.

"Hmm? Mr. Ferr, are you okay?"

"It's nothing, my sweet, I strangely caught a shiver in my spine.." the author, Ferr, replied calmly.

"Okay. So about your first draft.."

Draft this, draft that, can't he got an editor instead?!

Irk marks basically float up his head just thinking about what they're talking about right now. Can you blame him? He's been neglected.

Dan Heng slaps himself, hard.

Woah. He's getting way ahead of himself. Him? Neglected? In what way? Again, it's not like you're both in a relationship. It's not like he's entitled to your affection in any way. Dan Heng really needs to calm down. Lately, all he's been doing is updating the archives. He's also learned of what you will be traveling for next, and added data with a note addressed to you as well. His calloused hands were flipping through various pages all day, pulling apart scrolls and wiping away holograms.

His thoughts become strangely quiet. His presence was like frost.. constant. A little chilly. He starts to fiddle with his fingers, his gloves, and his nails.

He really misses you a lot.

Can you come back soon?

Dan Heng sighs. He stands up with his impeccable posture as usual. Those arms held scrolls and books, and puts them back where he got them from. At this point, he's zoned out. He exits the Archives, strolling near the parlor car. Light footsteps echo throughout the space with Dan Heng taking in the air of tranquility within the express; It seemed like everyone had their own agenda today.

Well, except for one.

"Dan Heng," Himeko's sweet, gentle voice called out for him. The boy turned towards her, a little surprised. She smiles, and beckons him to sit with her. Her silky locks framing perfectly on her face, she put a stray strand behind her ear. "Come, I have coffee to share."

Dan Heng was indeed in dire need of indulgence. Without hesitation, he walked over to the red head and sat down. He forgot how comfortable the sofa was.. his nerves began to relax. Himeko starts to pour the hot beverages into elegant coffee cups, befitting if her style. It was comfortable silence, the stars glistened into glass windows— reflecting the beauty of life. Himeko seems to have noticed his aloof vibe, joining him to stare at the stars. Opening her lips, Himeko starts.

"You've been busy for a while."

"Being an archivist is a lot of work, huh?"

"I have."

"It's fine." The gentle lady can't help but chuckle. He's so dry. This only confirms her hypothesis. That daunting look on his figure may intimidate some, but not Miss Himeko. Never Miss Himeko. She doesn't want to expose her hidden agenda now, but she just can't wait to run her mouth. After all, Dan Heng's been down the weather and it's very obvious as to why.

"(Y/n) wanted me to prepare these for you. Enjoy them." She takes a sip. His expression softened. Dan Heng can't help but think bitterly. It'd be lovely if they were her to prepare these herself, but the teal eyed prince quickly take back the thought.

"I'm thankful.. but why? Is there an occasion? I don't seem to recall any." He speaks in a cautious manner. The woman only sighs, a palm on her cheek.

"Be honest with me, Dan Heng." Her tone quickly changed. Now her eyes are staring into his. Like it was rummaging through his soul. Dan Heng's feet were cold. He couldn't contest her gaze, so he averts his eyes. Himeko frowns at this, but she doesn't seem to mind.

"Your eyes betray you greatly."

He was a little taken aback. His eyes? He was never expressive. He was sure he'd been called at least poker faced and stoic before.. Dan Heng's brows narrowed. "I beg your pardon?"

Himeko only chuckles, dismissing her last claim. "I'll tell you what. They'll be here soon.. and they're going to leave just as quickly." She adds the last statement with dramatic disdain before the elegant lady takes a sip once again. Dan Heng's stomach drop. Ah.. he's lost the appetite to even finish his mug. Himeko continues. "Ferr is taking them to a space station for one of his projects. Given the current circumstances, they have no reason to refuse."

His face scrunched in annoyance upon hearing the name again. Mr. Ferr this, Mr. Ferr that! He's getting sick of him. Taking (Y/n) on a space ship? How long will that take? Is it some sort of rendevous? A date?

..will you come back?

"i don't think that decision befalls to us. (Y/n) is capable of making decisions.."

"I don't want them to go."

"..on their own because— wait, what?"

Himeko chuckles dryly. "I don't want (Y/n) to go, you know? It's selfish thought, I know. But, it's good to be selfish once and a while now, right?"

That was a half baked lie. First of all, Himeko fully supports what (Y/n) wants. But Ferr.. isn't exactly known for his patience. Himeko knows full well as soon as (Y/n) steps in the spaceship— he'd pull something like a proposal! A profession, a deal! She's not stupid, Himeko is far from dense. The Scientist knows that the Author has a huge thing for you, and it shows. And knowing Dan Heng? He'd just nod along albeit against it. She can't just stand here and let them distance each other! Himeko's seen it.. that prying gaze of a distraught, pining lover.. the watchful eyes of a lovestruck persona. The only way to get a stubborn man to act, is through tremendous pressure!

Dan Heng's lips pursed.

"And you want me to.."

"You don't have to, really."

"But.. if it will benefit them, should we encourage it? After all, they're energetic and knows their way with words. There must be some sort of good reasoning behind his invitation."

"I don't know. Do you want them to go?"

"I.." Dan Heng couldn't finish his sentence. He couldn't form a response at all. Does he want you to go? If you would enjoy yourself, he'd love to allow it.. If you'd return with a smile on your face, tell him all about what happened, he'd love to receive you with utmost sincere..

Even if it took atleast a hundred years for you to return to him.

...Hundred years his ass! You will not spend a hundred years with that man!

"If (Y/n) wants to, I personally don't see why not." Dan Heng's thoughts actively contrasted his responses. A stubborn man.. Himeko sighs, an apologetic smile on her lips. Finally backing away, the lovely lady puts down her mug and sits straight.

"It's okay to be honest. After all, they.. wish for something."

Dan Heng replies quickly in a heart beat. "I will be honest, then. I want their wish fulfilled."

"Then you better greet them in tip-top shape." Himeko winks saying this, standing up to excuse herself. Dan Heng tilts his head in this, not quite sure if what the she's implying. Himeko only had that knowing smirk on her pristine face. The lady excuses herself promptly, leaving Dan Heng all by himself. The man is once again left alone with his thoughts, except this time, he has new material to work with.

"Great..." He huffs bitterly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just.. splendid." God, his head hurts. He's tired and he's drowsy. At this point, he doesn't find anything of urgency at the moment— only thinking about grasping that sudden warmth the sofa beneath him exerts. Dan Heng would like to find peace of mind at least once in a while. Both that in mind, his eyes find their way to the Parlor ceiling, half lidded and tired.

Slowly, his breathing calms down.. and slowly, his eyes drift closed, consciousness slipping away from his grasp.

Slowly.. the darkness embraced him, and his body rested in slumber.

You stand a little surprised.

After all, Dan Heng was casually sitting upright— his eyes closed. Is he napping? Is he okay? You're not sure, and you're concerned. Frankly, you were supposed to be here for him— feeling that he deserves at least an apology that you haven't been getting back to his messages in a while. But looking at the sight.. he looks like he's accompanied at the moment.

Such a hard working guard. The guard of the express, the unmatched Archivist of the Nameless.. the one who would always hold your heart gently. You swore if he blew air on your figure, you'd crumble immediately. The only one who'd sway your heart. That's how much power he holds, his whole fingers wrapped around your being with an invisible string keeping you binded to him.

You curb a grin. Strolling near your quarters, you pick up something warm. A blanket. You envelop his stature in a comfortable tuck, pausing for a moment to take in the melancholic state Dan Heng's exhibiting. The handsome prince's eyes fluttered closed, lips slightly apart. If he's sitting upright sleeping, then he must be atleast tired enough to sleep but still be on his feet.

But he doesn't know that, he doesn't need to.

"Ah.." was all Dan Heng could muster. You look back at him in a awe, but quickly recovered. You didn't remove his hands on your wrist, you held onto them instead. The archivists eyes softened, his brows relaxing. You attempt to give him a smile, defusing the tension.

Your sightseeing was cut short when Dan Heng started to stir, his eyes fluttering open. It was for a short moment, the first those greyish teal eyes found their way towards yours.. and the way they slightly widened upon meeting gazes with you, Dan Heng's slender, warm fingers slowly snuck their way toward your wrist; apprehending their movements further. Dan Heng held onto you like you were unreal, like you were unbelievable. Oh, he looks stricken. He looks.. almost as surprised as you. Dan Heng doesn't say anything yet, the blanket that was once on him fell off just a little while ago.

"Hey. Sorry. It looks like I woke you up.." You offer an apologetic smile. He quickly shakes his head at this, responding to you in haste.

"No.. no. Don't apologize."

"I have a lot of apologizing to do."

"No, you.." before he could finish, he cuts himself off. Why must he be so accepting? He keeps brushing his feelings aside, and before he knows it, he utters something he doesn't even mean. No, he's not okay. No, it's not fine. You upset him greatly. He couldn't focus on anything because you weren't answering his messages. Your phone was unreachable.

You had Dan Heng worried sick. What if something happened to you? You reckless, Trusting, thick skulled—

"Everything good?"

Your voice immediately snaps him out of his thoughts. Dan Heng let's out a small breath, his hands still clutching yours. He was still sitting down, and you were towering over him. God.. just by your gaze alone, he's already so full. If you could just stay with him a little longer, he feels like this churning in his stomach would go away soon. He wants you so bad, he needs you so bad.. he doesn't want you to let go anytime soon.

To your surprise, Dan Heng himself removed his hold on you. His movements were slow and languid, like a flow of water within the rivers. Moving in chorus, mellifluous.. elegantly. You can't take your eyes off him at all. Dan Heng clung to your waist. His warm body enveloped your lower half, nuzzling deep into your stomach. You let out a surprised yelp.

Suddenly, your face is hot. Your stomach was dancing with abundant butterflies, and you don't know where to put your hands. As if the archivist could read your mind, his hands led yours into his head, fingers entangling itself into those dark locks. They were so soft.. so warm and lovely. Your hands run through his hair gently— cherishing just how close he is to you at this moment. What's up with him? He seems to be a little more laid back.

Dan Heng shifts in his place. That's when he finally looks up at you. His arms around you, eyes looking directly at yours. You could see his expression.. eyes soft. Gentle. A slight pout— face flushed. It looks like he wants to say something, and it's still processing in that pretty head of his.

Dan Heng's hold on you tightens, you didn't fail to notice. He wants to be selfish for once. Let him be selfish for once. Just once. With a small breath and a soft tone, he finally utters.

"Don't go."

It was getting harder and harder to calm your heart down, and that didn't get any better.

Your heart immediately melts, and your knees almost gave out. What? Go where? Has the rumours already spread? Whatever it was, it's not happening. Especially if he asked you, it's already set in stone. "I won't. Not anywhere." You respond tenderly. Dan Heng's eyes lit up. You swore his fingers even twitched just a little bit. A little more after, his face suddenly scrunched. The archivists' frame was decorated with blazing hues of red. Whatever he's thinking seems to strain him so. Not even bothering to give you time to further analyze, he stands up from his seat, arms still around you. This time, you have no idea what'll he do. Dan Heng's eyes averted yours, hesitantly taking a step closer. My.. your palms are starting to sweat. This is the effect of anticipation.

When he pulled back from you, Dan Heng quickly analyzed your expression to see even a tinge of displeasure. Now you.. face decorated with the hue of peony, looked awe struck. Absolutely enchanted.. bewildered, blown. Gathering your nerves to work back up again, your eyes slowly trailed back to his nervous ones: awaiting your reaction.

"..You can hit me after this." Dan Heng suddenly says, making you tilt your head in confusion. So carefully, he cupped your cheeks. Whatever that was you were going to say was caught in your throat. There was a bubbling feeling in your chest, waiting to pop open; and as soon as his lips brushed past yours, it popped so beautifully vibrant it blinded your vision for but a moment. As your eyes fluttered closed and his eyes half lidded, he greedily drank the sight of you from his eyes.

Dan Heng's eyes widened once you grabbed his collar— smashing your lips back to his. The kiss you've given him burned with fervor, impatient, like you've been yearning for more. You were starved of his lips— like a lone hawk hunting for aeons.

Now that the opportunity presented itself, might as well make the most of it.

The archivist had a hard time keeping up with you, keeping the both of you straight by holding the small of your back. Your arms were in Dan Heng's chest— eagerly taking him in yours. By the time you both ran out of air, you were standing in amidst the parlor car— with the stars accompanying the moment being the sole witness. You could hear Dan Heng's heartbeat whilst you rest your head on his chest. Clutching his jacket, it was tempting to go for another one again.

There was silence. A lot of words hung out in the air. The first to cut through the already light air around you was you.

"For how long?"

Dan Heng breathed heavily, burying his nose into your hair. He thinks about it for a long time before finally answering.

"Quite a while."

i went a little overboard sorry! (⁠●⁠´⁠⌓⁠`⁠●⁠) edited it a lil bit

[arcadia-of-pluto]

Twist of Fate; Twenty-Six

Parings; LADS OT4 x reader

Word count; 2,819

Themes; isekai, slow-burn (eventual smut), canon divergence

Warnings; mild swearing + future mature themes

Notes; Hey guys! As I said before, this story isn't nearly close to ending soon and I think I'm going to start making chapters longer– and not editing them. And by editing I just mean using italics and bold, unless necessary! So I'm going to try to have 27 be more than 2k words, possibly pushing 3 or 4k 🤔 I'm not sure yet since it's currently being written

Anyway– hope yall enjoy this chapter and I'll meet you back here next week for another one! <3

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☆ masterlist ☆

Xavier…

He never told you what happened.

He never got a chance to.

You could only surmise a vague idea based on the bits and pieces from your last conversation with him. And, if you were correct, this incident occurred around the Gladius ceremony.

This ceremony was a tradition passed down for generations. A trial for only those who wielded the lightblade, so they could prove themselves worthy to ascend the throne.

To the south was Starfall Forest, and a wanderer had made a nest there. Xavier was to enter the forest and kill the wanderer by himself.

You were there the day he left, along with everyone else. You knew that Starfall Forest was a desolate place with an unstable protofield. At night, a heavy fog would enshroud the trees and their leaves would rustle in the wind to the shrieks of unknown birds.

When Xavier entered Starfall Forest, all became quiet. The forest itself was like a wanderer quietly observing its prey. Everyone waited with baited breath at the outskirts, wondering if the Prince would return. Many made bets that it would only take Xavier a few hours, a few days.

However, day…after day, the forest remained silent.

 They thought the wanderer had devoured the Prince and left one after another, but you?

You refused to leave.

Xavier would always leave you behind like this, leave you in the dark— waiting.

Times when he joined the expedition team without so much as a goodbye. Other times when returning to the palace with the royal messenger, but every single time you’d always ask, without fail, ‘when will you return.’

And Xavier would always come back within the timeframe given to you. Like clockwork.

Before Xavier had entered the forest, while everyone was praying for his safety, he whispered into your ear, “Seven days…” And after seven days had passed, it was a moonless night and you were the only person left waiting for the Prince to return.

Before dawn broke, a faint light appeared in the depths of the forest and then, it got brighter and brighter until you could make out a figure approaching.

Xavier emerged from the glow, his blade dissipating into countless specks of light. As he approached you, with the wanderer’s protocore in hand, you could see a grim expression on his face. There was no joy, no relief. Instead, Xavier kept his head hung low as he silently pulled you in for a tight hug.

What exactly he encountered, you’d never know. He refused to speak about that day. Killing a wanderer should be celebrated, but Xavier had changed ever since. As if a part of him was left behind in Starfall Forest.

With a shake of your head, your blurry eyes focus back on Xavier in front of you.

A flashback within a dream?

Well…weirder things have happened.

“I can’t become the man he wants.” Xavier shakes his head, lowering his gaze. “And I will never sit upon the throne he leaves behind either.”

It was as if you and Xavier were in two different worlds, two different leagues of life. It would be foolish of you to say that you understood his reasonings, so you could only offer your hand to console him.

“If you choose to sit on the throne, I promise to stay by your side.” You smile as you place your bandaged hand on top of his.

It hurts even more to be in this situation, knowing that you promised to stay by his side but he left you– left you and went hundreds of years in the past to find another version of you, and grow attached.

“The thought is pleasant to hear, yet…” Xavier trails off for a moment before he smiles and glances over at you. “Are you resolved? Is it really your wish to become the King’s sword?”

“Hmm…yes.” You nod your head, though you’ve never really thought about the ‘what ifs’. “And if I don’t wear the crown?” As Xavier said this, his voice seemed a bit choked up– as if afraid of what your answer would be.

“I…” You were unsure of what to say. While Xavier and his father didn’t see eye to eye, you never thought about the possibility of someone else becoming king. “Then, I guess I’d be someone else’s knight.” You can’t exactly do much else, afterall. You only know how to swordfight, so what else could you do?

“I don’t want you to become another’s knight…I also won’t let you be at another’s side.”

But if Xavier won’t be king…

“Xavier…” You sigh, pulling your hand back, but he gently grabs hold of it. “I can choose not to become king. You can choose not to join the Lightseekers, who answer only to the royal family.”

Your eyes dart up to meet his in surprise. Does he even understand what he’s saying? His notions were beyond you, and yet he stated it in a rather aloof manner.

“Philos is boundless. We are able to do all sorts of things.” His voice takes on a gentle tone as he lightly drags his thumb across your bandaged knuckles. “Why do you need to follow someone else’s orders, to become a Grandis Knight?”

“But…” Your brows knit together and you run a hand through your hair. “Our teacher said this is how I should live. What else is there for me? I don’t see any other options.” Your mind was spiraling at the thought of all the choices and free will you would have if you didn’t follow what someone told you.

You couldn’t even begin to imagine what you would do…

“I’ll take you to Uluru.” As Xavier speaks, you can’t help but be confused.

“Uluru?” You echo, tilting your head to the side.

“On my last expedition, I found a newborn planet. I named it.” He has the softest of smiles on his face as the breeze lightly tousled his hair. “No wanderers or people were observed. Just…flowers. In a mere glance, a person can see every planet in the universe. Blue ones, red ones, pink ones..”

“Didn’t they say Philos is slowly dying? How can there be new planets?”

Xavier lowers his head, gazing upon a yellow tulip as a flickering firefly lands on the petals. “With spring’s arrival, hope is soon to follow.”

“Spring…” A sigh slips from your lips before you excitedly turn to Xavier. “What’s spring like on other planets?”

“I…recorded the planet’s coordinates. Once I’ve settled my personal affairs, and if you ever surrender your wish to be a Grandis Knight…” Xavier trails off once more and you sit up straight, gently patting his hand as if to tell him that it’s okay to continue.

His next words were as sweet as honey milk tea, as soft as the petals of a flower…

“Let’s elope. We’ll spend the rest of our days in Uluru.”      

A few hours of talking into the night, you ended up falling asleep with your head on Xavier’s shoulder and woke up in your own bed. Xavier was already awake and dressed, planning on meeting with his father, the King. But before this, you were anxious about him leaving– if you’d ever see him again.

As you open your mouth to ask him a question, your eyes are drawn to the star-shaped tassel at the end of his sword and realize you have a better question to ask.

“So, before our duel, I mentioned having a request so…May I ask you a question?” You take a deep breath, trying to psych yourself up and Xavier rests a hand on his waist as he replies, “You can ask ten if it pleases you.”

“Okay so…Who gave you that tassel with the star-shaped charm? Your lover?” You timidly ask, almost too quietly, in fact. Your fingers nervously picking at the frayed edges of your bandages as you awaited his reply.

In response, you hear Xavier lightly chuckle and once you look back up, you notice he’s staring at you. Then, he suddenly smiles. “At long last, the time has come. Yes, it’s from the person I like.”

Of course this version of you would be sad, but…Okay, so this means Xavier likes all versions of the main protagonist– remember, you’re not her.

Gosh, this is confusing, but anyway, he likes all versions of you (her). But…What’s not clicking is if he realizes he has a chance in this life, why doesn’t he just date you (her)?

It makes no sense to play around and be best friends whenever he could stop beating around the bush and just ask her out. Why is he going the round-about way with this? He could’ve been dating you (her) in this life or when he went back to the past, he could’ve been dating you (her) then.

But he’s not.

That begs the question of why?

Why has he not tried dating you (her)? Is his father opposed to it? Is there some other reason? Does he not think he’s worthy or something?

“So…this…is she truly someone you like?” You can hear this version of yourself ask, softly. She (you) sounds so fragile, as if any sudden words could cause her to shatter like glass. “...Are you very fond of her?”

“Unlike any other, her brilliance holds a special place in my heart…She deserted me years ago, I’ve sought after her ever since.”

Even though Xavier should seem sad from the words he’s saying, he’s not– which should’ve been a red flag for this version of you but…

“I…So do you keep the tassel to remember her?”

“I’ve never forgotten her.” He shakes his head, a small smile tugs at the corners of his lips as he says, “She was the one who forgot about me.” 

“Wha– How could she?” You could feel anger bubbling up in your chest. Just how could anyone forget someone like Xavier? That seems impossible.

“We’ve crossed paths, but she has no memory of me. She can’t even remember the time she gifted me this tassel.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and it really feels like he’s talking to you, but you can’t place your finger on why exactly. 

“There’s a certain expression she uses every time we meet.” He glances over at you, seeming a bit dissatisfied. “It is one of blissful ignorance and wonder.”

“How dare she!? How could anyone forget about you?” You puff your cheeks out with an annoyed expression on your face. “You know what– Can I tell you something?”

“Hmm, what is it?” Xavier asks, his puppy dog eyes lighting up as if he expects a different response.

“You should give up on her.”

Imagine telling someone to give up on you to get with you…Talk about embarrassing, am I right?

You jump in surprise at the sudden laugh coming from Xavier and you tilt your head to the side. “Why?” You hear him ask through laughter.

“She doesn’t even remember you…Leave her and find your own happiness!” You don’t add the ‘with me’ at the end that you wanted to say, but you hope he understands all the same.

Though, you should probably be thinking why he asked to elope with you if he truly had someone in his heart…Probably would’ve been a really good question to ask, you know?

“Anyway, there’s so many other women! You know like…The Moonchasers have Lillia and Joanna. Oh, and Sarah from Starhunters! They’re all lovely ladies who admire you.” Now you were just rambling at this point.

Seriously, who tells their crush to move on with someone other than themselves?

“I see…So you want me to pursue someone else? Chasing another skirt…” Xavier has an amused tone to his voice as he rests his hands on his hips before he takes a step towards you. “Is there anyone else you’d recommend?” He slightly tilts his head to the side.

“Um…The…uh, the staff at the dining hall. The young miss at the bakery…” You trail off, counting each woman off on your trembling fingers as Xavier takes another step closer.

“Is that it?” Xavier’s voice was growing softer and more saccharine by the second.

“Are…they not enough?” You try your best to avoid looking at him, rolling your thumb and index finger together nervously, but the closer and closer he got, you were forced to look at him as the back of your legs met the edge of the bed. You had no choice but to sit on the bed as Xavier leans down, his hand resting near yours.

“They are truly wonderful, but I don’t like them.” He shakes his head and now you’re really starting to get nervous.

Why is he cornering you against a bed whenever he’s got a girl he likes and refuses to choose anyone else? 

Was he waiting for you to offer yourself up as well? Honestly, you should have.

“Well, it’s no use then.” You sheepishly avoid his gaze, trying to look elsewhere. “I…heard Jeremiah say your betrothed was selected. Have you met her yet?” But Xavier stays silent, only shaking his head as a form of response.

“But Jeremiah also said…”

Xavier leans in, closing the distance between you. He was a breath away, your noses just barely brushing against one another.

“Do you fancy Jeremiah?”

You could just barely make out the pout on his face, the furrow of his brows. “Huh—”

“You always speak highly of him…If he’s your suitor, I’ll pay him a visit before I leave.”

Would you really be sitting here, almost kissing Xavier, if you had a suitor??

“For what reason?” You raise a brow, trying to act calm, but you find it difficult to keep your heart under control with him so close to you. “He and I should have a discussion.”

It didn’t seem like afternoon tea was what Xavier wanted…but instead a duel. As Xavier turns to pull away, you grab his arm.

“Hey, don’t you dare! I asked him to inform me of the rumors.”

Xavier scoffs, “You are concerned about him.”

“I mean…he’s not a bad person. He’s foolish and always needs my help. Of course I’d be concerned if…”

“So you fancy fools who require your aid?” Xavier’s tone is a bit off and you can’t help but laugh, “What makes you think that?” Xavier narrows his eyes, then he sits down next to you on the bed before reaching up to take off his brooch.

“Put this on for me.”

“You…were just wearing it a second ago?” You raise a brow. Why was he acting so– Oh my Astra, he’s acting like he’s foolish and needs your assistance.

“I believe it was crooked. I’m not capable of putting it back on properly by myself. I need your assistance.”

You let out a sigh and take it from him. “Don’t move.” You lean forward and tilt your head to the side, head close to his chest as you try to watch the pin as you put the brooch back onto his suit. Though, it definitely wasn’t as easy as it looks.

“What if your betrothed dislikes your inability to wear your own brooch?”

“My betrothed could be as much a fool as I am. She’ll be incapable of putting on a brooch for me.” You can feel his chest rumbling as he speaks, your ear barely brushing against it and you can’t help, but shiver as you become hyper-aware of how close you are to him.

In the process of panicking, you end up pricking your finger.

“Ah–” You hiss between your teeth and Xavier takes the opportunity to continue his sentence, “She could even prick her finger in the attempt.” Xavier gently cradles your finger in his white gloved hand with a small sigh, “Why are you and injuries always a pair?”

After this, you quickly move on to the topic of Xavier becoming the crowned prince today and eventually the king.

“So…are you sending me a gift if I take the throne?” Xavier asks from his seated position on the bed and you pause in front of him, thinking deeply for a moment.

“...Can I also give you a little star?”

“A little star?” His head tilts to the side, almost like he’s a curious puppy.

You slowly walk over to Xavier’s sword, running your fingers across the tassel at the hilt. “I…believe your tassel was ruined during our duel yesterday. I’ll buy you a new one.”

“I want it handmade.” He responds instantly. His expression immediately brightens up as he looks almost…excited. But then it dims back down as he stands up to attach his sword to his hip. “I must take my leave.”

As he gets ready to leave, you decide to ask the same question you always do.

“When will you return?”

Xavier gives you the same smile he always does before he leaves.

“When you wish to see me.”   

Tbh the beginning of this chapter confused me and I pondered if I should add it or not (after realizing it was a flashback), but ultimately decided to keep it since it does add some insight to the situation. Especially the ending 😭 but anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter <3 bc it's not ending any time soon!

Taglist; @orphicmeliora , @yoongi-tunes , @mitzkooni , @hiqhkey , @tanspostsblog , @shypotatoes013-blog , @sunsethw4

[aurumacadicus]

92 or 14 maybe? 🤔

Going with 14!

--

Prince Anthony was picking his feathers out again.

Steve wordlessly set his shield aside and walked over to grab his hands, yanking them down, away from his wings. "Your highness--"

"I know!" Prince Anthony exclaimed defensively. His wrists jerked in Steve's grip, though, back toward his wings, and he wilted under Steve's stern glare. "I know," he repeated miserably.

It broke Steve's heart, but he turned to grab the picking glove, and while Prince Anthony obediently stuck his hands in so the mouth could be cinched tight around his wrists, he couldn't help but think it wasn't fair. Maybe Prince Anthony wouldn't be picking himself bald if he didn't have to choose a suitor in the next three days.

Prince Anthony had always been put off by the cock parties, as he'd called them--"cockerel balls" had always seemed to lend a layer of refinement to them that they didn't deserve, he'd said. Mostly, it was young cocks approaching and trying to impress prospective hens, and as Prince Anthony had a sizeable fortune behind him, he'd been the one most flocked to. It had made him suspicious, nervous even, of anyone's attention. Steve had watched, heart sinking with every ball, as grabby kids who barely knew what to do with a cloaca fawned all over Prince Anthony for the chance at his wing in matrimony.

It had given him nothing but a dim view on mating parties and cocks in general, which was probably why he'd gotten away with his secret for so long. He was so visibly disgusted after each cockerel ball that everyone assumed even if he was pregnant, he'd get rid of it as quickly as possible. Only when the rumors about his sudden cravings for sardines and almonds got loud enough to reach the royal court did it become necessary for Prince Anthony to undergo medical examination. And, well, when it was found to be true, that a royal hatchling was on the way, an unwed, pregnant royal was deemed a hazard to... what was it they had said? Public decency and the dignity of the crown?

Either way, it meant that another cockerel ball had been set up as quickly as possible, and Prince Anthony no longer had the choice of saying no to all comers if he wanted to keep his financial backing, even if he plucked himself bare in the meantime.

Steve watched Prince Anthony begin to pace, feeling helpless. His prince was in trouble, and he could do nothing of import to stop it. Prince Anthony looked like a caged animal as he walked up and down the carpet. He wasn't even showing yet. Was the palace hoping to get him wed immediately and lie about the hatchling being early? Someone would be bound to talk. That's what had started this mess, after all.

"I suppose," Prince Anthony began, voice halting and pained as he turned to pace in front of the window, obviously hoping the sun's rays would help him feel better. "That Lady Pepper is. Nice enough. Could pass the egg off as hers if we married."

"I suppose," Steve agreed, hoping he sounded noncommittal instead of just bitter.

"Or. Or that kind--Bruce? I think?"

"The alchemist Bruce was very kind," Steve answered with a nod.

"Or I could... I could just..." Prince Anthony stopped in front of the window, staring outside. Then, as quickly as he stopped, he turned around, eyes wide and beseeching. "Run away with me."

Steve's mouth dropped open in shock. He blinked at Prince Anthony slowly, unable to comprehend what he'd just been asked. Prince Anthony was a well-loved public figure, and while Steve was famous for his work in the war, he'd never been... someone people wanted to see running the country. In fact, if anyone ever found out that he was the one who had henned the heir apparent, he likely wouldn't be able to see him again. Prince Anthony was royalty. Steve had clawed his way up from the streets. He was only Prince Anthony's personal guard because there had been several attempts on his life, and Steve was the best at what he did.

"Run... away...?" Steve finally repeated, still not quite believing it.

"I'm just a figurehead for this stupid country," Tony spat, hope giving way to anger. "They only kept royalty on as a tradition they didn't know how to quit, as a show. I don't have any real power. And that's how they can bully me into getting married, picking a cock I don't even like all that much to be the legitimate father of my egg--So. So let's run away."

There were many reasons why Steve should say no. The country loved Prince Anthony, for one--he was only behind his late mother in terms of charity, and was quickly gaining on her record; despite the fact that he had no real power, he always did his best to influence parliament to vote in favor of the people; and the whole country had collectively swooned when a tabloid had leaked a picture of him holding a baby at the hospital with the quote 'babies need to be held' splashed under it. Steve was a nobody, come up from nothing, and most people did not have good things to say about him coming up from nothing because of the war.

Prince Anthony's gaze was steady, though, when Steve met his eyes. He was certain of his decision. That was one of the things Steve liked about him--he knew what he wanted, and if he could get it, he eagerly went through with it. And if he couldn't get it, he was a gracious loser.

"Your highness," Steve began with a sigh.

"I don't care if we're poor," Prince Anthony continued before he could voice his dissent, the determination in his voice making Steve's mouth snap shut in surprise. "You'll take care of us. And I--I have an education. I can get a job to help. You helped make this egg," he added sharply. "Are you refusing to take responsibility? And could you really just let someone else raise your chick?"

If he told himself it was for the better, to make sure the chick got everything it needed or wanted, he probably could. Prince Anthony would love it enough for the both of them, even if his new spouse only tolerated the chick. It wasn't ideal, but then, neither was getting Tony laden with egg before marriage. A marriage that couldn't happen because of who he was and who Prince Anthony had turned out to be. Steve opened his mouth to tell him in no uncertain terms that he would not be taking the spot from a more deserving rooster.

But he didn't want to. And Tony was clearly showing he didn't want to either. So he looked up at Tony and nodded sharply. "Alright, Tony."

"Tony," he repeated in a whisper, shocked. Steve only ever called him that in bed; he needed the separation of work and intimacy, and it helped to remind Tony, too, that he couldn't reach out and touch whenever he wanted. Steve watched as Tony's mouth spread into a wide smile as he lunged toward him, hooking his bound hands behind Steve's neck and pulling him down for an overjoyed kiss just bordering on desperation. Apparently, eschewing his proper name was all the real confirmation he needed of Steve's feelings.

Steve threw his wings up in a mating display just to make sure there was no misunderstanding.

[aclowntiny]

I got a bit inspired by the last post lol

But who in ateez is most likely to do a 24h challenge from YouTube (like saying yes to everything or stuff like that idk) 🙄🥳🥰😘🤔🤩

Oooooooh ok I love this! & I definitely think the order would change & they’d love doing this off camera just as a private you two thing…& just in case hehe 😏 (obvious warning: slight suggestive jokes/references)

MTL 24hr Saying Yes Challenge

Most: San, Seonghwa, Hongjoong

Middle: Wooyoung, Yunho, Jongho

Least: Yeosang, Mingi

San is practically at your beck and call anyway 🥲 man is whipped and just so in love, plus he’s naturally so giving he can forget himself. A challenge like this is right up his alley and frankly? He’s also just curious what you’re going to ask for. In his mind, the assumption is it’ll turn into a shopping trip or him getting food for you, but if the challenge gives him an excuse to dedicate himself to pleasing you beyond that? Oh darn 🤷🏻‍♀️ Seonghwa’s the same, very romantic and he’ll probably briefly turn it into some goofy role play of a butler in love with a prince(ss) 🥲 but really he just loves seeing you happy. If you ask him to do something he enjoys too he’ll melt because it’s YOUR challenge and you still want him included 🥹 so down to give you the full spa treatment so take advantage!!! He’s so giving *ahem* in every way, so saying yes to whatever it is you want will surely be his pleasure. He too imagines what you might request and gets really surprised and big eyed if he’s far off hehe~ Hongjoong is a little less ‘at the drop of a hat’ as the other two, but he’s a spoiler for sure 💅🏻 down to buy you whatever you ask for and really takes the whole concept as a challenge. He’s proving himself worthy a little in his mind, so half of him is like ‘whatever you want my love’ and the other half is like ‘come on, ask me for ANYTHING, see that I’ll do it’. Will tease you especially if you request anything you’re shy about or that you feel is too much, either asking you to repeat it or just getting a shit eating grin/smirk on his face 😏 anything he gets you will probably be the most cool/extra version and any treatment requested will be dialed to eleven on the romance, like you want a new outfit? Designer 😌 want a massage? Full candles and rose petals.

Wooyoung is also down to please, but he lowkey gets a little jealous and wants a turn! Like he’ll perform for you all day long, but would love it if you showed him something back. That’s about the only downside, though: he may try to influence your decisions or teasingly ask if you want something he just wants to do or give you, especially if it’s anything relaxing or intimate. Just let him join in and he’ll be happy! He’ll also buy you whatever and if you go out have a hand on you all the time because this day is all about showing off that you’re his! Yunho is down for this, though he jokes for you not to abuse it. He doesn’t fully understand it, asking if you’re not satisfied or doesn’t he do this already? But he’ll indulge you, especially if he gets some enjoyment out of it 😉 Being a gentleman, he likes paying for you already, so the day is a win in his mind as a chance to take you out and share only the best of meals. The best model, too, like feel free to use the outing as a chance to dress him up, he’ll work it and look great while making you laugh with his ridiculous poses! Jongho is also a bit skeptical, like it seems kinda excessive in his mind so he shakes his head at it. But at the same time, he’s very giving to those he loves and trusts when he wants to be, and you’re his exception for all the romance and affection. He can’t stop shaking his head and laughing at your requests, but he does them with no complaints…but teasing for sure! Will gladly sing for you if that’s what you want, we all know that! He considers himself a romantic, so like Hongjoong he’s going to go all out on very traditionally romantic versions of what you ask for, especially more intimate requests!

Yeosang is lowkey like why should I? Mostly joking, he just is confused why he’s becoming your butler like did he do something wrong? No, it’s just a challenge? He is very clear that he doesn’t want to get requested to do anything super cringey. Teases you if you want him to sing or dance for you, like don’t you see that enough? But ends up melting if you just ask for extra cuddles or attention, a big smile crossing his face at the thought that you could have anything and that’s what you want most. Gets softer as the day goes on and is down for whatever end to the day even if he has ideas. Mingi is highkey scared, like what are you going to make him do??? And what if he doesn’t want to do it? Secretly he likes being the one in charge, though he can’t deny his love for your smile and your pleasure. He just wants to do it on his own and not feel forced to do it. It’ll feel more real and not like he’s your butler. But how much he warms up depends on your requests, whether he’s at your beck and call or you want to spend the day in bed, dote on him back. If it’s more the latter he is sold, reverting to the total yes man and forgetting all that it has to be authentic stuff 🫡

[komotionlessqueenmm]

Imagine # 1,046

Gif NOT mine. (Found on Pinterest I think)

Year posted - 2023

⚠️Warning(s) - Pure smut... Possible murder. 🤔

📝 - Okay so we're going to pretend that when he binds his soul to you, you can see him without those goofy glasses, and we're going to pretend you can touch him as if he were still living. We're also going to pretend that me thirsting over a ghost, that's got half his head/body mutilated and burned isn't weird. Okay? Okay. 😰

Cyrus never really liked his goddaughter, (Y/n). He had nothing particularly against her per se, but she was never a valuable asset in his eyes. Even when she came to be in his care at the age of thirteen, her parents having died in a freak accident. She was always in the dark about his plans, but she knew of his growing collection of dangerous spirits. She had been present for the capture of all of them after all. What she didn't know was that those were all failed attempts of her "accidental" death. Cyrus had been counting on one of the spirits taking care of her, before he would set the final parts of his plan in motion. Eleven ghosts later, and (Y/n) was still alive and well. "This should take care of her." Cyrus mused to himself as he triggered one of the many mechanisms of his glass home. Several walls shifted creating a direct path from the main corridor of the basement, upstairs and straight to (Y/n)'s room. Simultaneously her bedroom door creaked open softly, while the glass door to the Torn Princes imprisonment slid open. Cyrus sat comfortably in his library, knowing it was only a matter of time before the Torn Prince had finally dealt with his "baggage".

The vengeful spirit stepped out of his glass enclosure, and followed the path provided. When he finally reached the end, he was careful in entering the bedroom. Observing the room absentmindedly, before his attention snapped to the bed, where a soft murmur of a woman's voice sounded. Once he stood beside the bed, he realized that the woman was the very same one that had been present for his capture, (Y/n). He remembered her name, and how sad her eyes had looked as she gazed at him in the cube. She was also one of the few that wasn't afraid of him. How her compassion stuck with him long after their encounter, and only growing with every encounter they had afterwards. He rarely saw her in the basement, but even when she did come down, she always seemed to look straight at him, even though she wasn't wearing the glasses that would allow her to actually see him again. He was enamored, hell he was smitten with her, and now here she was right within his reach. A smirk tugged at Royce's torn lips as an idea bloomed in his twisted mind. He'd sat his bat aside some time ago without even realizing it, and had now grabbed the edge of her blanket, swiftly throwing it away from her body.

A chuckle bubbled in his chest and wispped around the room like a gentle breeze. Here she lay, the woman of his undying lust, clad in a loose tank top and a pair of paper thin lace panties, as if she were expecting him. She murmured in her sleep again, but remained asleep, even as he began pulling her gently to the side of the bed. "What a dream you are doll." Royce mused as he draped her legs over the side of the bed, placing himself between her thighs and simply observing her peaceful face for a minute or so. Then that violent side of him bled through for a moment, making him rip her panties apart with little effort. He chuckled at the sight of her pussy, she was wet, practically dripping even. His cold fingers trailed from her knees up to her hips, his thumbs brushing under her shirt feeling her warm skin. While his left hand snaked further under her shirt, anchoring on the side of her ribcage just below her breast. His right hand drifted to her mound, his thumb dipping between her folds, and tracing her clit in slow delicate circles. (Y/n) sighed out a soft moan, but remained asleep.

"So good." He praised as he slipped his ring finger into her soaked heat, a delighted groan passing from his lips at the feeling of her enveloping the one digit. "So warm." Royce added another finger, an astonished chuckle escaping him as he spread her open to his greedy eyes. "And you're all mine baby." He mused as he began thrusting his fingers slowly into her tight hole. "All mine." His left hand suddenly slipped out from her shirt, and he worked quickly on his belt. "Mine." He growled darkly, having pulled his erect cock out. He pulled his fingers from her heat, smirking at the sad whine that bubbled in (Y/n)'s throat. Pressing the head of his cock against her hole, he whispered her name softly before pressing into her. She moaned in pleasure, her head tossing to the side as he continued to press further into her until he bottomed out. "Fuck." (Y/n) whined sleepily, her eyes slowly fluttering open as she was roused awake, by what she thought was a wet dream. That is until Royce pulled back and snapped his hips forward, the head of his cock kissing her cervix as he did so.

"O-oh fuck." She moaned when he did it, her eyes locked on where they were connected. The only problem was, without the glasses (Y/n) couldn't see Royce. So she stared in wonder at her pussy, which was clearly stretched out around something, or rather someone that was pounding into her mercilessly. A gasped moan got caught in her throat when he hit a particularly special spot within her heat. Her head lulling back as she relaxed and simply enjoyed the best fuck of her life. Her name slipped passed Royce's lips once more, the sound reaching her ears and making her shutter in delight. "Mine." Royce growled again, the sound making (Y/n) whine, and her pussy clench. His pace was unrelenting, fucking into her animalisticly, pushing her rapidly towards her blissful release. "P-please." She whined as her back arched, the angle allowing Royce to push even deeper. "Yes!" (Y/n) cried out at the sensation, trying desperately to keep the angle, but her back already ached. He noticed her falter and slipped his right hand around the small of her back, the feel of his cold skin against her burning skin pulled a small gasp from her throat.

His left hand drifted from her hip, and splayed across the top of her mound, his thumb finding perches atop her thrumming clit. "I-I'm I-" Her climax ripped through her as he swiped at her sensitive bud in rapid circles. Royce groaned at the feeling of her clenching around him, her pussy trying desperately to milk his cock for all he was worth. "All mine." He groaned as he came undone, his spirit binding with her body and soul, binding them as one. "Royce." (Y/n) whispered his name when she opened her eyes, to find the spirit that had been ravaging her was now as visible as a living man. He remained within her heat, leaning forward until he was face to face with her, bracing himself on his hands beside her head. "It's you." She whispered in wonder, her hands coming up to cup his face, unbothered by the damaged flesh. "You're mine doll." He stated in a tone that sounded normal for once, and not ghostly and distant. "Forever." He whispered while his eyes fluttered closed, as (Y/n) pulled in down to meet his lips in a searing passionate kiss.

"Forever." She agreed as they parted, despite knowing in her heart that she didn't have a choice anyways. Royce stood up right, and slowly eased his cock out of her tender pussy, smirking at the sounds she made as he did so. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss against her thigh, before retreating to grab her a new pair of panties from the dresser. "I knew there was a reason I was so drawn to you." (Y/n) mused when he returned to her side, slipping her panties up her legs slowly, his greedy eyes still drinking her in. "We were made for eachother sweetheart." Royce mused with a smile, kissing her knee this time. "How did you get in here?" She asked as he rose to his feet, sitting upright in the bed herself, which only placed her level with his chest. His hand cupped her jaw softly, and he tilted her head back to look into her eyes. "Cyrus led me here... He wants me to kill you." Royce was honest with her, and part of her appreciated that, but she couldn't help the bubble of fear. Would he kill her now to ensure they would be together forever?

"Help me reach him, and I'll deal with him once and for all." He explained as his fingers traced her jaw, soothing her fear and worries away. "Okay." She whispered in agreement, knowing if she didn't, Cyrus would just find another way to finish the job. It took the efforts of removing several glass panels before (Y/n) could lead Royce to Cyrus's library. "How!?" Cyrus cried out in fear when (Y/n) entered the room, a devious smirk tugging at her lips. "You should have picked someone else to kill me." She taunted as Royce stepped in behind her, not that Cyrus could see him without his glasses. "Wha-?" Before he could react Cyrus was struck upside the head with a bat, again, and again, and again. Until his head was nothing more than a grisly pile of mush on the glass floor, the sight of it made (Y/n) grimace before she cast her eyes to Royce. "I want to free the others and leave this place behind." She looked into his eyes as he approached, a smile gracing her lips when he cupped her cheek in his free hand. "I'll keep you safe from them." He promised before he kissed her tenderly, pleaded with her desire to help the others, and abandon this horrid house of glass.

Buy me a coffee sometime? ☕️

(Click the coffee for my Kofi link, IT'S NOT NECESSARY BTW.)

*Hehe you fucked a ghost. 👻 Want more with Royce? Let me know anytime! 🥰

[spotsandsocks]

✨ 2023 writing round-up ✨

Tagged by (and I might have missed some people sorry) @exhuastedpigeon @jamespearce9-1-1 @heartshapedvows @thekristen999 @jesuisici33 @daffi-990 @hippolotamus @wikiangela

Links to all 23 fics I’ve written which I’ve just realised coincidentally matches the year maybe I shouldn’t work on that Christmas fic after all 🤔 All under the cut cos that’s quite a few and your dash does not need to be bothered by that! 😆😆 I will forget to tag someone I know it, so if I do I didn’t really and you’re tagged too cos you’re wonderful

💕💜💕Thank you to each and everyone of you who talks to me, tags me, supports and encourages me, reblogs and likes. Sends asks and questions and prompts and love in my direction. Thank you for sharing your time, talents , your words and creative skills with us all. You make my days brighter and more fun. I adore you all and wish you all a happy kind and peaceful 2024. 💕💜💕

January

Home Wanted 6k established Buddie new pet based shenanigans 🐀🐁🐀

Could Have Should Have Would Have 3k my biggest hit this year angsty then sweet

Who You Gonna Call? 9k Eddie calls Buck and works out how he feels

February

This Must Be Love 5.7k fluffy valentines fic featuring pea puns 🫛

March

Just another minute 1.2k 6x10 spec

No Place 8.4k coma!buck spec fic with a few similarities to what we got actually

It's Such A Feeling 1.8k couldn’t remember but apparently hand appreciation fic that gets smutty 😉

April

Date Night 2k I got stuck on bus for almost 3 hours and this happened - surprisingly popular considering I had no plans to write it until traffic hit!

The Answer I Needed 2.4k Buck is always there for Eddie 5plus 1 across time till love strikes

Always There 1.6k Tía Pepa sees all at Christopher’s birthday party

May

Everything But (temptation) 4.7 5plus 1 of Eddie being a flirty tease and driving Buck crazy

Worth the wait5.7 same fic but from Buck’s perspective

July

Good Knight Sweet Prince 167,316k ahh my best beloved started in 2023 and finished this year. I adored writing and sharing this what turned out to be epic length fantasy au. Knights princes dragons thwarted love and a happy ending what can I say if that’s your thing give it a go.

Let me stay by your fire (for nothing warms me like you do)4.5k couldn’t let go of mediaeval theme so knight Buck this time coming home to his blacksmith friend Eddie. Oh and bees. 🐝

August

Something Worth Staying For 21k an enemies to lover (although not really enemies) small town newspaper au where Buck turns up and Eddie hates him until he doesn’t. Featuring my real life computer disaster 😆

Tied To You From The Start 13.4k a challenge I took on and did rather well if I say so myself 😆😆 paranormal mysterious shenanigans. Buck in peril and on the run Eddie trying to save him from his own self sacraments and hot sex.

September

The Comfort of Your Hands 2.9k inspired by an anon talking about Eddie running fingers through Bucks hair. No plans for this one it just happened and again was well received. Maybe I should stop planning fics and just see what happens.

October

The Price of Love (is high) 7.7k autumnangstfest drama. I put them both through it. All past traumas coming back to cause trouble.

Your heart or mine? Yours every time 3.6k a hungry vampire!Buck and Eddie get stuck in a lift … things occur

November

100 word fics added a short fic to this little collection i actually love doing these. It’s a great challenge

Only one answer 590 couldn’t remember.. had a look and went oh yeah that was cute. Proposal fic in under 600 words

In my defence I was left unsupervised 1.3k Buck gets bored with sissors Eddie likes the results … who could resist buzz but Buck… not Eddie it seems

Nov/Dec

The Lost and The Found wip 5/10 48k this was not meant to be this long but guess what.. got carried away and plot is plotting and demands around 100,000 at least in the end I suspect. 5 chapters out number 6and 7 before Christmas this counts as 2023 doesn’t it? Come join me for the ride

@daffi-990 @shortsighted-owl @monsterrae1 @rogerzsteven @hippolotamus @loserdiaz @the-likesofus @stagefoureddiediaz @yelenasbuddie @hoodie-buck @buddierights @bekkachaos @thekristen999 @ronordmann @caroandcats @spaceprincessem @disasterbuckdiaz @heartshapedvows @underwater-ninja-13 @wildlife4life @wikiangela @thewolvesof1998 @exhuastedpigeon @weewootruck @giddyupbuck @housewifebuck @honestlydarkprincess @pirrusstuff @elvensorceress @jesuisici33 @eddiebabygirldiaz @jamespearce9-1-1 @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @wh0re-behavi0r @princessfbi @jacksadventuresinwriting @ci5mates @katries @megsvstheworld @like-the-rest-of-la

[theforgottenmcrmy]

live reactions to house of the dragon season 2, episode 2

once again, these are just my opinions (about a fictional show and characters, no less). I will not engage with incendiary arguments (if there are any) , but I am always open to polite discussions or thoughts🖤

spoilers below the cut

still loving this new intro🖤

can you imagine how terrifying it would be to be a servant in the Red Keep post 🩸 and 🧀?

Aegon’s voice literally doesn’t even sound like Aegon👀

And just WHERE have you been, Aemond?!

“We mustn’t me shaken by this.” BROOO are you kidding me?!?! That was your great grandson?

“The gods punish us. They punish me.” Yes.

Tyland I can’t even with you lmao-

Paranoid Aegon here we go…

I will give Aegon major kudos for initially objecting to Otto’s plan to parade about his son’s body. 💚 his instincts are there at times, he has just always been coddled, misguided, and not reprimanded when he needed to be.

Why is Aegon the only one spared from this parade? They 110% could have had her refrain from going out in public, and it might have been more effective. “The queen is so distraught, she is unable to leave her chambers.” Where’s the lie? And you spare that poor girl even more torture.

Helaena never wanted this, never wanted to be queen.💔 She’s not a queen who lost a prince, she is just a mother who lost her son.

Helaena is seeing something, I just don’t know what…

Where are the damn guards in this show?!?! So six go to unstick the carriage, you telling me you only have a handful of guards escorting the queen and dowager queen out and about in public?🤔

Daemon’s side eye I cannot😭😂-

Even Rhaenyra knows Helaena is innocent🖤

Anyone else’s Max suddenly run into an error at this point?

The fact that Daemon actually thinks it’s humorous😅

Godssssss this argument is painful but good, and it’s needed, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it💔

“You struck down a child.” The audible HURT in her words-

Baela has had a handful of scenes, if even that, and I already feel like we as the audience know who her character is and what she’s about right away. And her and Rhaenyra’s relationship dynamic is so honestly wholesome.

Whatever brownie points Aegon gained earlier are lost for him not having the balls to say even a WORD to Helaena, who ALSO lost a child, who, unlike him, had to go be paraded about the public for HIS political advantage.

Seeing Rhaenyra with her younger sons makes me seriously wonder what if🥺

Feeling guilty, Ser Crispy? Good.

REALLY? This b*tch really out here preaching about purity rn?! Gtfo now.

And NOW he’s pointing fingers?! Is this guy 35, or 5?!

“He’s murdered, on YOUR watch-“ is he dying soon? He’s dying soon, right? Honestly his death can’t come soon enough and I doubt it’ll even be this season-

Otto and Cole are probably the two most irredeemable characters on this whole show. Literally, team black or team green, I think just about every other person you can make an argument for. But these two have got nothing. Name me one thing, one expression of care for another that was not ultimately self serving for either of them in the end. I’ll wait.

“And Ser Harwin Strong?” BAELA KNOWS 🚨 BAELA KNOWS, and she doesn’t give AF, we stan🖤🖤🖤

This little relationship Aemond has going on is 🚩 🚩 🚩 where are this boy’s parents at-?! … Oh, wait.

“Where he does, he wishes to be his own master.” Rhaenys and Daemon just get each other. Their dynamic is so interesting.

“A week, or forever I do not know.” She sounds so unbothered😂😂😂

Uh oh Alicent, Rhaenyra may have just found a new bff👀 and it only took 16+ years

Seasmoke is that you?!?!?! Wait, what does this mean for Laenor though?🥲

Errors are STILL being made in the wake of Viserys’s death I see…

The dog’s reaction nooo😭😭😭

“The king is my grandson, and my grandson is a fool. He’s worse than a fool, he’s murdered innocent men!” You can say allll the foul stuff about Otto you want, and you’d be right. But he is not wrong in this moment. This reaction is valid, and in my opinion sound council. The delivery could be tailored to better fit Aegon’s current headspace, but Otto’s reaction is still valid here I feel.

Crazy how Aegon went from wanting the small folk’s approval to scoffing at the need for it.

“Ser Criston Cole has acted.” BOY if you knew HOW Ser Criston Cole has been acting-

Also crazy how fast Aegon went from being pissed with Cole being “in bed” at the time of Jaehaerys’s murder to praising him and putting him in a pedestal.

“It’s time the bitch queen paid the price.” Could Larys have his guys cut out HIS tongue now?! Please??? Literally no one but Aegon, who’s grieving, paranoid, and a little off the rails rn, wants to hear a damn thing from him. Not even his dowager queen booty call wants anything from him rn.

I think Otto’s gonna give himself a heart attack.

Yooooo, Otto realizing that Aegon is going to be waaaaaaay harder to control than Viserys ever was😭😂😂😂 I love it. I need more. This is wonderful.

“He made me king.” *Otto laughs.*

“You will regret this.” THAT actually may be the truest words Otto has ever spoken to anyone, any king, in his life.

Mysaria is already proving her loyalty, we love to see it🖤

Moral of the story is everyone, the Greens and the Blacks, need better guards like😅

If anything happens to Elinda-

Oooo, we’re doing this here and now?🥲

Ser Erryk died with more honor than Criston EVER had. And that is a hill I will die on myself.

Hell, even Arryk had more honor than Criston.

DAERON?!?!?!?!??!!?? LET’S F’ING GO

Oh, you can ask for the Tyrell’s to help, but something tells me you won’t get it👀

It’s honestly tragic as hell how Alicent was a victim of her father’s plots in her youth, and continues to be one as an adult. (I am in no way saying she has not made her own choices throughout her life, but I still stand by this statement.)

THE NERVE OF THIS MAN-

THE NERVE OF THIS WOMAN-

Okay, team black, team green, team small folk, idc- can we please all agree that everyone is anti-Criston Cole?

Aemond was not in this episode nearly enough for what happened in the last one.

[streets-in-paradise]

Spoils of War - Dastan x (fem) Secret Assassin Servant!Reader

Prince of Persia Oneshot

Requested by Anon

" Hi OMD when I saw requests for prince of Persia I literally fell on my knees, literally anything for Dastan pls or enemies to lovers with a secret assassin servant reader 🤔"

Sure, anon! i love PoP and love writing for Dastan. Thanks for your request! Hope you will enjoy it as much as i loved writing it 😊

Warnings: Historical minded naturalization of slavery as concequence of war, prince x servant enemies to lovers with political intrigue happening in the middle ( nizam weaponizing the hate of the reader to attempt getting dastan killed.)

Summary:A persian attack destroys the home city of your arranged fiancé during your visit to meet him and the winners take you with them after the sacking. Doomed to become the servant of the man who killed him, your miserable and friendless existence as a slave in a foreign country couldn't get any worse.

Just as you are about to reach a breaking point the brother of the king offers you a dangerous way out that you take full of anger, hate and desperation. Switching your wedding night for a black widow job assassinating your master isn't the honorable first moment of union with a man you dreamed, but fate will keep surprising you as you start to discover the kind of man Dastan trully is.

Notes: This turned out loosely inspired in greek mythology and The Son of the Sheik (1926). I didn't plan it like that from the beggining, i realized midway into the writing but thought it would be cool to tell you.

Tags: @blackheart-beauty @axelwolf8109

The city was doomed and sooner or later your rank was going to become a curse. The man you were promised to was the leader of the last defensive attempt and his fate was falling in battle against the sons of Sharaman. Naturally, it was yours to become part of the loot gained on the sacking and being carried away to the palace. From then you could only expect the worst, you would be theirs to dispose. 

The persian who discovered you and got you out the hiding spot introduced you to some of the royals with the pride of a well accomplished task. He knew he just had found something they would like or, more precisely, fitting for the eye of the youngest prince. A proper reward for the maker of the feat, since you heard then he was the killer of your fiancee, making coincidence allied with the rules of war.  

Followed closely by the careless yet present surveillance of his uncle, Dastan of Persia came to you presenting himself as the needed comfort for a helpless and terrified woman. His eyes were trying to find yours staring back at him as he insisted over and over that he won't hurt you, but his attempt of checking a superficial wound in your cheek caused an intempestive reaction. 

You spat on his face, but that clear expression of deep hatred didn't stop the course of fate. You became his servant, one exclusively dedicated to him until you could be trusted near any other persian royals. Bis, the man handing you to his prince, was in charge of watching over you. 

Resistance was all that kept you standing, you refused to embrace the new identity coming from the reality being imposed to you. Despite being placed in degrading circumstances you were still a noble from birth and Nizam was the only one who seemed to understand that. 

The world was turned upside down, a vulgar man turned into a prince was master of a servant who was once about to be queen. Dastan irritated you above everyone, the parody of a royal he performed was an insult to your principles and he was always teasing you for staying tied to your manners. Nobody would ever be on your side because you were a stranger even among the people they had enslaved you with. To them you were just the foreigner once engaged to their deceased prince before marriage got to happen, but that wasn't enough to owe you any loyalty. You had no friends there and your family wasn't aware of anything so you couldn't count on them.

In that situation, the brother of the king and his sharp ironic whispering was the only approach you found relatable. Unlike Dastan, he had no interest in acting like a moral grounded hero who rescued you from the ruins. He felt to you like an exhausted nobleman, the only one still able to perceive the oddities of the context surrounding you. 

Your humiliation reached its peak when the prince introduced you with the restant members of the gang of savages he called friends. You were expected to serve them and although he wouldn't allow anyone to disrespect you and no one did. you had the feeling of being admired with vulgarity as if they were showing approval of the leader's new toy. The prideful horror you didn't care to hide caused more and more teasing coming from him. When he finally got sick of it, Dastan admitted to be testing your qualities. 

He said you were beautiful, but lacked humility and that needed to be fixed. 

It was unbearable, you would have done anything to get away from him. Feeling he was the only one you could trust, you later told Nizam about the aberration and then discovered you weren't alone. He shared your bitterness to an even higher extreme, directly feeding the flames of your hate towards Dastan. 

" Do you want to get rid of the rat? So do i. " He confessed to you as a conclusion of your common venting. " I have the power to fix your life here if you fix that for me. " 

" What can be granted to me that would make this any better? " You skeptically recalled. " I lost my life, the small privilege of the highest valued slave is nothing compared with what I once had." 

" I can make your living condition be re-evaluated. " He casually offered you,as if it was an easy task that meant nothing to him compared to other things he could do with the amount of power he had. " I would make one of my two nephews marry you. If you behave and serve my interests it could even be Tus so you would get the illusion of being a future queen again. The union would be strategic, you'll pay me when he will be crowned king. " 

Returning to nobility having only one secret owner seemed infinitely better than being a servant. You weren't bothered by the idea of becoming a political tool of Nizam if that would get your dignity restored.

" An offer like this must demand a higher price than just helping you keep your nephew controlled for you to rule through him, so tell me what it is. " 

" You must kill Dastan." Nizam ordered ríght away. " A chance like this one hasn't been presented in many years. Why do you think I have been following you so patiently? To offer you a friend?" 

He was mocking you but you were too lost thinking on the task itself to care about that detail.

" I knew from the beginning that you were perfect to provide me this service. " 

The absurdity of that claim allowed you to mock him back. 

" Couldn't you find a trained assassin? Or a man of the royal guard? Anyone could do it for a proper price. " 

" If anyone could do it, your prince should still be breathing. When battle calls Dastan is as fast as the lightning. No fíghter can catch him by surprise, he can't be taken down in an ambush. It's impossible to defeat him by force, but he is easier to weaken by passion. "

The implications on that last sentence alarmed you more than the command itself. 

" I think you are mistaken, ... he does nothing but annoy me for his amusement. " 

" He desires you. " Nizam insisted. " The persistence on his part indicates that he wants you more intensely than what he should. What you have to do is tame that wild beast, once he will fall asleep drunk of you he will not even notice the movement of the air as your dagger sinks in his flesh. " 

It offended you, that was an insult to the sacrifices you were making in that hostile environment in order to survive the way you wanted. 

" I'm NOT a prostitute, I still guard the only treasure that you persians haven't stolen from me. I will bleed over the bedsheet of my husband like the honorable practices command, not let Dastan have that before ending him for his blood to mix with mine. Find another way for me to murder him or I am out." 

The energic refusal angered him and he showed you a side of him even darker than what his command inferred. 

" You were simply lucky, girl. How long do you think that luck is going to last if you reject my offer? " He hissed in a threatening tone. " Very soon you will run out of things to loose. If you don't give it to him, somebody else will take it because being our slave means any man here has the ríght to go their way with your pretty body. I'm giving you a chance for revenge and a future reward for the stain consequential to your current condition, more than what you deserve. " 

The cruel vocab was harshly pointing out an actual truth. Once Dastan wouldn't be there and Bis would follow him to war you would remain in the palace alone without any guarantee of protection. Following the orders of Nizam was the only way for you to land a respectable position and you didn't lack motives to kill the prince. Trusting in the word of a man who wanted to kill his nephew was a dangerous move, but desperate times needed desperate measures.

The execution of the plan started in slow moves, with passive receptions of his provocations intending to generate neutral to positive interactions inviting the prince to trust you. A sudden change of mind would have been too suspicious, you only allowed yourself to act progressively more friendly with Bis.Having his best friend on your side was a good mechanism of approach, but given that was also the man taking responsibility for you it was strategical from all pointviews. 

Unfortunately, it all became counterproductive as the intimate proximity needed to be generated for the future success of the job increased. Dastan and Bis were showing true concern for your adaptation when you stopped being mean to them. The orphan made prince shared some particular details of his experience on the drastic change, details that his brothers would never come to completely understand, and the similarity on the feelings he described with yours got to shock you. Despite he was talking of gaining privilege while you had fallen in disgrace, you both knew what it was to feel out of place. Spending time with him was part of your day work and the secret mission, but it also made you start getting to know him at a personal level and doing so was placating your anger. 

The first time he made romantical advance on you he still managed to surprise you. Romantical undertones were hard to spot beyond the aura of attractiveness following his every act, his ways were flirty all the time. However, he put in some real work in making that act very distinguishable for you. 

Under the excuse of helping you avoid work for a while he took you to his favorite spot in the palace, or more precisely on top of it. His hiding place from childhood, where he would go back then when the pressures of change were becoming too much for the street boy expected to become a prince. You were sitting next to each other with little to no space in between, sharing stories of your past lives. Out of sudden at some point in one of his tales he interrupted himself off to apologize to you. 

" Gaining glory with your suffering was never my intention. I can't change the past, but I want to be a helpful part of your future. There is nothing wrong with being a servant if the royal family protects you and I am taking care of that.” 

He wasn’t completely satisfied with that and imagined you wouldn't be either if he would keep it that simple, so he encouraged himself to continue. 

“  I know what it's like to struggle for survival, but I am aware you will never get rid of the noble girl you used to be. Her virtues and flaws will stay with you, only time and use will show you how to deal with that. If I wanted to help you get rid of that tendency to judge others based on their origins, it is not only because I don't want you to hate me ... Do you think I didn't despise nobility before I became a prince? Adapting costed me some self hatred back when I was learning to emulate their ways, that's how I know that you will only be happy if you get rid of all sorts of prejudices. " 

Incredibly wise personal advice with a heartfelt touch, You never imagined he would be capable of such deep thinking. Until then he was to you a brute chosen for the potentiality the king found in his fast movements thinking of forming a fighter. The colorful tale presenting him as a noble hearted boy made a prince in an act of justice was to you an excuse hiding a military reason. It had to be the creation of an unstoppable elite soldier, a mighty weapon for the persian army with fierce loyalty for the king who dragged him out of the mud.

The man you were discovering justified the legend, maybe there was more in him to see than what surface looking would show. 

" Why do you tell me this?" 

" Because I don't want you to hate yourself seeing how everything changes around you, but you fight to stay the same. " 

He made you smile, you couldn't help it. Embarrassed as you were for that moment of weakness, you couldn't even look him in the eye. Noticing you were looking down made him follow your glance and your eyes meet in the ríght spot for something he wanted to show you. 

" See this?" He pointed at the rustic necklace he was wearing. " I keep it since those days, a reminder of the life I left behind keeping me grounded. " 

You were encouraged to inspect it and the prince secretly enjoyed some accidental caressing through your action. 

" Difficult thing for someone living in the heights, always jumping and climbing everywhere. " 

Your mock made him chuckle and the level of intimacy you were reaching encouraged him to get more personal. 

" Did you love him? Is that why being with me becomes such a heavy burden to you? The same hands bringing death to your beloved seeking to caress you... Is that what you despise and fear?" 

Dastan looked lost and regretful. It was as if he feared that any chance to get closer with you was lost forever and he would be the one to blame for that. 

" I wasn't in love with him, but I did love the idea of being a queen someday. " You admitted, wondering to yourself why you were encouraging him. " If you would have grown up in contact with more noble girls, you would understand. " 

" I can't give you a throne, but if you let me I'll make this place your new home. If I once was the one who took away all your safeties, allow me now to be your shelter. " 

The hand you still had on his chest was shaking a bit, so he took it and caressed it to calm the trembling before placing a kiss on its back.

You were absolutely speechless, no sound coming out from your parted lips as you observed him in amazement. Dastan awaited while eliminating all distance between you and once your lips were close enough he stopped fighting back the urge to kiss you. A long, mad, desperate kiss that left you gasping for air. 

You should have seen it coming, but you were momentarily swept away by his passion. Not only you didn't resist it, you enjoyed it. It was expected of you to be manipulating his passionate energy, yet you couldn't even keep the upper hand when the prince was kissing you. Heat invaded you, as if your whole body was burning of desire for your enemy. 

Those sensations were completely new to you and that overwhelmed you, keeping you far away from the calculative coldness the deal demanded. With your certainties completely shakened, you would still fool yourself thinking you were going to make it. Over and over again you informed Nizam of your excellent improvements claiming to be awaiting for his instructions, but the truth was that you were a victim of Dastan's charm falling for him without wanting to acknowledge it.

The opportunity chosen by Nizam to strike presented itself sooner than what you would have preferred. There was going to be a celebration in the palace and you would have to do more than serving food and keeping the goblets of your masters full. As the new rarity brought with the recent sacking, the local nobles could feel curious and you would have to be presented around them for their entertainment. With your beauty of past days restored and reconceptualized through suggestive dressing you were supposed to bait one of the two noble born princes to want you for themselves and lead the peasant one to his death. Your fate depended on the outcome of that night, no margin for mistakes allowed. 

While circumstances impeded your target from his gentlemanly actions taking for himself the role of your protector, Bis was still there to take his place. It wasn’t hard to see that the outstanding change in your appearance impressed him, but he admitted it in a completely harmless way. It felt as if a friend would be telling you that you looked pretty and tried to cheer you up while making you some company before the great moment. Only then you realized that you may have made your first friend among the persians and the comfort made you feel horrible. Sweet, innocent Bis thought you were nervous merely because you were going to dance for the noblemen and he did everything in his power to comfort you. His kind efforts reached unknown limits when he said he knew Dastan fancied you and he was going to convince him to marry you so wouldn’t have to go through that anymore. 

It moved you, his consideration was not what you would have once expected from the man who caused your doom. The misjudgement generated by your well justified hatred wouldn’t let you see past that and you sold yourself to the wrong master hoping the enemy of your enemies would strategically become your friend. Bis turned out to be your friend and it was most likely that Nizam wouldn’t show you any mercy. You were an easy scapegoat, he would get rid of you before you could open your mouth to accuse him. 

The crossroad you stuck yourself in didn’t have any good way out. if you would confess to Dastan the truth, he would reject you before daring to doubt his beloved uncle. However, if you would desist from obeying Nizam, he would destroy you and the prince would continue to be in danger while completely unaware of that. The only solution was evaluating what mattered the most to you and Bis gave you the answer when you felt a sparkle of excitement beneath the layers of guilt as you heard of his plan to help you. Deep down you were on board with it, Dastan awakened feelings you had never experienced during your brief meeting with your arranged fiance. There was no doubt that you despised him at first, but he kept working hard to change your mind until he eventually did it. 

Unfortunately, you realized that too late. He could only hate you if he knew of the conspiracy, Dastan would never be yours and you could only blame yourself for that. Time would come for you to face the consequences of your mistakes, but that night you were going to get your little farewell before his heart would break in front of you and yours with his. Despite you being mixed in the crowd of dancers, you were still able to make him feel like you were performing just for him. The awe in his beautiful, round eyes following your movements was slowly melting you, he was the only man that mattered to you there. Being his servant had at least one perk and that was not needing to hide for decorum, he only had to make you a sign to approach and you abandoned the group for him. 

“ Is it good like this, my lord?” You purred innocently while proceeding to sit on his lap. “ I hope you enjoyed the show. “

Dastan was fascinated, almost unable to believe what was happening knowing that it was coming from you. 

“ … I loved it, but wasn’t expecting my favorite girl to perform.” 

You chuckled and began to run your fingers through his hair. 

“ Surprise! See how well adjusted I am? I will not be a problem for you tonight.” 

He smiled foolishly, as if his mind was numbed because he was feeling you with all his senses. 

“ Well, it’s becoming difficult to focus on anything else but your ravishing looks.” He admitted, unsure of where he would wish to land his hands first but still doubting if he should do it. “ … It may be arabian perfume what I’m smelling over here?” 

Dastan reached your neck to keep playfully sniffing. Since he could be then sure you weren’t rejecting him anymore, he began to cover that sensitive spot with kisses. A shy gasp escaped from you and he chuckled against your skin, to which you were completely sure you would end up following him to his bedroom. However, your ecstatic responses ended on the way when you noticed the subtle warning look of Nizam witnessing you escape together across the room. 

It shrank your heart and you froze with fear, cursing the moment when you decided to associate with that evil man. The sweet prince was unsuspecting of anything, confusing your sorrow and regret with a fear of his touch making you doubt. Once you were behind closed doors all he did was to hold you in his arms. 

“ I value the effort that you put in for me tonight, but I will not push limits the noble girl in you wouldn’t want me to.” He was sweetly comforting you. “ Imagine this is our wedding night and I’m the husband respecting your choice of not giving yourself to me until I’ll stop being a stranger.” 

You both were laying in the bed over the sheets you changed that morning and he was trying to revive the code of conduct you were supposed to forget, bringing to you the world that didn’t belong to you anymore. Dastan thought the effects of the weight of your secret mission were signs of fear for the loss of your maidenhood to him and doing so he proved to be exactly like the husband you had always wanted. 

“ Would you do that for me?” You asked with hesitation, the tone of your voice shaking as you tried to fight tears of deep regret. “ … Even right here and now, when I am nothing to you? “ 

“ Who says you couldn’t be my wife someday? My sole existence here is a violation to many rules, don’t you think? “ He vaguely teased, also making fun of one of the many insults you proffered to him over the course of your first days at his service. “ I’m a street kid made prince, who would have the nerve to judge if I pick a slave princess?” 

Tears began to fall through your face and that time you were dragging him for a kiss, desperately trying to hush your thoughts and let him know how deeply you corresponded his affection before the inevitable would have to happen. 

“ Nizam … he will never let us be.” You attempted to explain to him right afterwards without choking on the crying. “ Dastan, I did something terrible. I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. I let him manipulate my emotions … I didn’t want you to save me if I could save myself, there was a time when I truly despise you and he took advantage of me for that.`` 

The bewilderment in his gaze was breaking your heart in advance. 

“ What are you talking about?” 

There was no easy way to say what he needed to know, but at that moment his safety mattered more than what could be of you if he wouldn’t believe you. Fortunately, you remembered you had one proof with some chances of making your story plausible. Dastan was slightly concerned when you stood up to loosen your clothes and search for the well hidden weapon that, had the order been fulfilled, you would have kept away from his sight before he would come to undress you. 

You handled it to him immediately, letting the evidence speak for you before you would have to. 

“ Do you recognize this dagger?” 

Dastan examined it carefully, but there was no doubt in his conclusion. 

“ How?” He defensively asked you. “ Who gave this to you?” 

“ I’ve got it from the hand of your uncle, he strictly commanded me to kill you in your sleep.” You informed him, much to your regret. “ He convinced me with empty promises of manipulating Tus into making me his wife so my position would be restored, back when I used to care about that … Before getting to know you and find out you are all I ever wanted."

You couldn't stand his suffering. He did believe you, but that didn't make things any better. In any case, it was a double betrayal.

" Do you loathe me so much? " He asked you, visibly hurted. " Does he loathe me this much?"

Desperate and unsure of what to do, all that occured to you was being completely honest with him.

" Dastan, i love you! I could have kept the secret and face the rage of Nizam alone, but then the truth would be gone with me and he would still be close to you planning new ways to harm you." You tried to explain him. " I don't care about what could happen to me anymore, I'm doing this for you… I can't let him hurt you."

He stood up in silence and you could tell that he was about to kick you out. Before he could get to even suggest it you threw yourself in front of him embracing his knees.

"Save yourself, my love. Please, be sensical. " You humbly pleaded. " I'm not begging you to forgive me, I know i have just lost you forever and i'm willing to accept my punishment. "

You released him and closed your eyes, still on your knees but adopting a sacrificial position. Dastan understood you were inviting him to take revenge on you if he desired so hoping that would satisfy him. Paying the price for both should stop him from recklessly confronting Nizam.

Not even at the peak of desperation when you were about to be made a war captive he had seen you like that… And you weren't even trying to save yourself, but offering him your life so he wouldn't risk his.

The prince let the dagger fall on the floor, shocked to the realization that you were trully in love with him.

" As you have spared my life, I release you from your debt. " He informed you, then gesturally invited you to rise up. " How could you possibly believe I would have the very same strenght you lacked? If love stopped your hand, so it shall stop mine. "

Inmense gratitude made you smile despite the sorrow. From that point you would accept anything he demmanded of you. Either if he needed help to expose his uncle, or if he was planning to run away so the family conflict wouldn't end in war, you would follow him.

[meigui-jin]

Hc's about yandere gyokko-i don't even know if that exist- if you are able to, how we essentially "kidnap"someone if he's the type to do that?

I couldn't see gyokko getting obsessed over someone unless they shared the same view over art and have similar attitudes,but now that I think about it,gyokko for sure would NOT like someone with a stuck up attitude (muichiro) for sure, he'd get irritated quickly

I don't think he could kidnap them into his pot...? He literally discombobulated a person doing that and they ended being all bent at different sorts of angles In the manga. So idk, maybe he just hold them hostage in a place surrounded by his pots so they couldn't escape? 🤔

I could also see gyokko def being the POSSESSIVE type,we see that attitude with his pots often. Seems like the sort of person to say "get ur slimy hands off my pots!" But with a person this time

Gyokko is hard yandere to pin point lol

I don't know why people don't write about Gyokko at all :( He is literally the DEFINITION of a worshiper yandere and it's sad that I don't see that come to fruition-

Yeah anyways- though I'd believe Gyokko would enjoy someone with a calmer personality. He sees that a a beautiful trate in his S/O.

However you wouldn't have to share the same love for art- you ARE the art ✨

Though it's a double whammy if you also enjoy the fanatic arts of pottery or just art in general. It just enforces the idea that this was ment to be.

Also no- you can't get randomly sucked into a pot your super secret admirer placed in your house. That would probably kill you- and surprisingly- Gyokko wouldn't find that to be pretty. So he would just show up to your house and dramatically kidnap you- though he thinks is more like a prince stealing away his poor captured princess/prince/majesty rather than you screaming and kicking the entire way.

Plus if your a demon slayer he just annoyingly gushes about how well you use your blade and breath style.

Also yes- you now live in a room full of around 200 pots. Just don't accidentally break any of them.

Gyokko is definitely like #4 on my 'Most possessive kny yandere' list. He will literally hiss at anyone or anything that comes near you- and he doesn't discriminate either. Say goodbye to that bird that unknowingly flew through the wooden cage- oh Yeah- your a in a cage. A nice bird cage to look at something beautiful ❤️

Yeah that bird got obliterated- rest in peace...

So escaping is nye-impossible with Gyokko as you're yandere.

[silviakundera]

Joy of Life Episode 24 liveblogging

This is my first watch, so don't tell me secrets ;)

Let's meet Noble Consort Yi! Her son is Third Prince

ML feeling a lil empathy for the consort and crown prince in their prisons (which doesn't mean he's foolish enough to trust them)

next we meet Consort Shu (I actually got the "shu" joke, very proud of myself lol) Mother of the Second Prince! She cracks me up. ('Your son likes me!' '..Sounds fake but ok.')

Lady Ning's son, who isn't in succession, is out fighting at the border. Not sure he's truly accepted his fate.

The infamous grandmaster Eunuch Hong!!

Empress Dowager has not made a good impression on our ML. But the feeling is mutual.

Royal Princess invites him over, so she can make sure he's alienated from that entire extended family lol

She's trying to set him up so obviously.

And she even admits she ordered the assassination, to try to get him to attack. BE COOL DUDE BE COOL.

He's not so stupid to assume he could take action here. (I say, pleadingly 🙏🙏🙏🙏)

yesssssssssssssssss he's staying calm. Get her later.

Masks off for both of them now. What a fantastic scene.

ML this is really really not a family you should not be joining with. Britney's Toxic is playing in the background. It's not too late, get out!

Commander Yan, I don't quite get. There's no way the emperor would approve ML's murder and he's got to know that. So he's more loyal to the Royal Princess? Or he's just protecting any member of the roles of the dynasty, whoever they are, and sees emperor as a position rather than a person whose direction he follows? 🤔

Chen Pingping is in DANGER. I fear he's not long for this world. Rebellion at hand.

The pro northern qi destruction party is plotting assassinations.

ML is aware he needs to take his time to deal with his evil MIL. Good, good I agree.

Like me, ML finds overly perky people very off-putting

Emperor, CP, and Prime Minister all want him him to be an envoy in order to prevent messy murders... Right? Those sly dogs never do anything for 1 reason.

[imjulia-andilikecats]

How would it be if Maven was the eldest brother? I'm really curious 🤔. Imagine him being crown prince but people would probably like Cal more because of his strategic mind and charismatic personality. The thing that I'm wondering is, how would Maven's personality be? How would that affect his relationship with his parents?

Jon: *moves chair 2 inches to the left*

Good question, I will now dump my mind vomit on you but in a sorta sorted kind of way.

First of all, how would Maven be the older Calore and Cal being the younger Calore play out?

In this timeline, Tiberias VI married Elara after she was selected in the Queenstrial.

Their marriage is very formal and loveless, but they don't resent each other (yet.) A year later, Maven was born. He was described as, "A small, pale child with striking blue eyes and a small tuft of dark curls sprouting at the top of his head. His face scrutched up in anger, sqealing at the hands of the midwife. The little prince only silencing once the Queen held him against her breast. "

The birth of his son brought Tiberias VI with satisfaction and relief. In addition, he could finally be with the woman he longed desired, which was Coriane of House Jacos.

It was a surprise to most of the people in court of the King's choice of consort. As Coriane was a simple beauty from a small house.

Elara did not appear upset with his choice of lover as they already have a son and heir. Seeing her as a toy for her husband to use and be bored of soon.

Coriane and Elara were rarely seen attending the same event or speaking to each other casually. Which was enough proof that neither women were fond of each other.

In less than two years, Tiberias VI and Coriane's love bloomed into a baby boy, named Cal Jacos. "Cal was a large, fat baby with cheeks as plump as apples, eyes as bright as embers and a laughter that echoed warmly through his mother's heart. The jolly child was filled with energy, his hands reaching for his father's fingers, a pround smile spread across his face."

Maven and Cal's Childhood

Crown Prince, Maven Merandus Calore, was four years old when he first meet his half-brother, Cal Jacos, who was only two years old at that time.

It was an amusing site, seeing the younger Calore follow his older brother. His chubby hands outstretched, excitedly waiting for a hug.

The young prince, awkwardly held his baby brother's hand, lightly shaking it in greeting. The awkward gesture made the young Calore chuckle in glee, wrapping his short, chubby arms around his older brother.

In response, Maven patted his head, not knowing what else to do.

Maven and Cal's childhood dynamic is something you would compare to a Leader and Follower relationship. Maven likes talking and telling people what to do and Cal was an obedient child,so he does what his older brother say, cause it makes him happy and it makes Cal happy.

Maven plans a prank on one of his teachers, he then uses Cal to do the dirty work. Since Maven was the crown prince and Cal was an adorable toddler, they only got a light tap on their wrists or no reprecussion at all.

Their relationship was not perfect but they were content.

The First Crack

As time passes, each boy started to develop their own interest. Maven under the guidance of his mother, has shown great understanding in court politics and is an eloquent speaker. Earning endless praise from his teachers and other lords and ladies in court.

Cal, although baring only his mother's name and held no royal titles, was still given the same lessons and training as Maven. Elara was not pleased with her husband's decision. Wasting time and resources on her son's little servant. Her disapproval echoed on her son, who was annoyed at his father for doing so and felt jealous that his father is more involved with Cal's education.

Cal is a fast learner. Quickly pick up the day's lesson and eagerly studying for the next. If he finds a lesson being challenging for him. He would approach his mother, his Uncle Julian and his older brother Maven for help (Maven likes being asked for answers, it makes him feel smart, but sometimes he would slam the door at Cal).

The Cracks Widen

Years past, both boys started to take on more difficult lessons, as well as physical training. With each honing their specialized skill.

Maven with his sharp wit and clever words. Could neutralize disagreements in court and set terms that were mostly favorable to him.

Cal with his strategic mind combined with his physical strength earned him praise from the other Silver elites and a satisfied nod from their instructor.

Even Prince Maven, never earned one or even a raised brow from him.

One day, Rane Arven wanted to see which was the stronger Calore. Maven insulted to be paired with someone younger and less experienced. Cal was nervous but eager, to prove himself.

Their sparing commenced, Maven taken on the offensive, throwing fireballs at Cal, nearly burning his little brother's brows in the process. Cal in turn, dodged each one with calculated steps, each move got him closer and closer to Maven, til he corned his older brother and burned his shoulder.

Maven fell to his knees with pain, his burnt suit sticking to his skin, adding to the scorching pain.

"Healer!" Prince Maven yelled to anyone.

But no one moved, even their instructor. Even Cal.

"Send me a healer! Are you deaf, Arven?" Maven hissed at his instructor, gripping his arm, covered in burns and was starting to drip blood.

"Did your little brother broke your legs as well, my prince?" Rane asked flatly

Maven fell silent. His pale cheeks turning a bright silver, as his looked somewhere else. "No."

"Then you can walk yourself to the infirmary, your highness." Their instructor motioned his hand towards the exit.

Maven stood with unsteady legs.

"Maven." Cal called out to him, his voice a laced with guilt. "Let me-"

Cal's sentence cut shot, as Maven turned towards him. Blue eyes glaring through his black curls, mouth twisting in a bitter snarl. They stared at the each other for a moment. Then Maven walked away.

"Cal Jacos." Cal looked up to his instructor.

"Yes?" His voice unsure, not knowing what to expect.

Rane Arven's usual plain face decorated with a half-smirk.

"Well done." His voice echoing through the training room. The echoes reaching Maven's ear.

Through the Years

As the Calore boys grew into their strengths. So was the distance. They barely talk to each other. Maven finding ways to prevent his brother from approaching him. Surrounding himself with his crownies from house Arven, Merandus and Samos.

Even if it was only Maven and Cal, the older Calore did little to hide his annoyance. Making snide remarks about his name, his mother and his strange uncle.

Cal, although hurt from his older brother's words, still hoped that they would still get along.

The Front

Both Calores were sent to Corvium, where they see first hand the on-going war between Norta and the Lakelands.

Maven having not much interest in war strategy, struggled in the Choke. To add insult to injury, he watched as his little brother charmed most of the soldiers and military personels with his brilliance.

His time at the Choke only made tolerable with the presence of his new found friend. Thomas.

However, due to the explosion caused by a Lakelander assassin. Prince Maven had to travel back to Whitefire palace. The king and queen, worry for their heir's safety.

Which left Cal in the front. As he grew into a fine soldier and a vital part in Norta's military strength.

Cal Jacos was given titles and medals for his contributions, but a letter was handed to him by a high ranking general.

Coriane Jacos, his mother, was gone.

The Final Straw

Consort Coriane's mysterious death cause a strong ripple of grief to those who loved her and was loved by her.

Cal stayed in his bedchamber for hours on end. Barely talking.

On the other hand, Prince Maven although was not close to the late Consort, he still visited Cal in his room. So he could talk to him, console his little brother. He knew how it felt to lose someone dear to him and that kind of grief broke him.

After so many years, they were together again, even for a moment.

A few weeks after Coriane's burial. The King held a small banquet with his family and close advicers.

Cal was seated closer to his father than the standard protocal. Which puzzled Maven and alarmed Elara.

Tiberias Calore VI, in honor to his beloved consort. The love of his life, annouced Cal Jacos' legitimacy before the small court.

In the king's drunken grief, he unknowingly severed the string he had with his older son and heir. Causing a stain in Maven's competency as future king and a power struggle between brothers.

Start of Red Queen Timeline

Over a year, since Cal becoming a legitimate son of house Calore.

The bond between brother was nearly gone. Maven shown blatant dislike towards his little brother. When they are alone together. Maven never fails to point out Cal's flaws, how gullible he is and comparing him to a lap dog who was eager to please.

In public events, Maven would pretend to be a loving and caring brother. Who under the facade of a perfect older sibling, still manage to deliver backhanded remarks that only Cal and a few of Maven's crownies would understand.

Maven's cruel words, his mother's death and his father's expectations slowly took a toll on Cal's self-esteem. Even with Cal being half a head taller than Maven and larger in built. He still moved quietly and carefully around him. Keeping his mouth shut, as he fear that he might say or do something that he might regret.

However cold Maven was, Cal never stopped hoping that they will be brothers again.

As Maven took on the role of his father's unofficial adviser. His focus gearing towards ending the growing rebel group that was slowly becoming a nuisance to the crown. His father, still in his druken grief, only cared for the war between the Lakelanders and invested more on his little brother's plans.

While Maven was busy trying to reason with their father. Cal was busy, going out at night to see the small red villages and bumping into a curious looking girl with stealthy hands.

How the First Book would play Out in this Dynamic

After Mare's shocking entrance. Mare was presented to the royal family. Tiberias wanting her dead and any footage of her erased. While Elara reasoned that Mare might be of use to them in the long run. Which spared her for now.

Maven chimed in that Cal should wed her, since he was the reason she fell in the shield in the first place. Cal only looked away, embarassed. While Mare glared at Maven for his suggestion.

In a short period, the young Prince Cal, started to develop deep feelings for Mare.

Mare felt attraction towards him as well, but knows that he can't find out that she is with the Scarlet Guard.

Maven and Elara are aware of her being part of the Scarlet Guard. Not because Maven pretended to be her friend. Elara simply read her mind and wanted to gather as much information from Mare, about the scarlet guard and newbloods.

If we are still going for a Love Triangle

Maven annoyed with his fiancée, Evangeline Samos and his father still disregarding his advices.

Prince Maven decided to take it out on his little brother, who was clearly smitten with Mare.

Maven pretended to befriend Mare, in the hopes of making his brother jealous because "he was given everything and he didn't deserve any of it."

Mare at first was cautious, given he was the son and heir to the throne and dislikes him, for his obvious resentment towards Cal.

But Maven played the stressed older brother, whose achievements gets overshadowed by his younger brother.

Mare understood the feeling all too well and they bonded over that.

Maven, overtime, started to appreciate Mare's spontaneous nature and he likes how genuine Mare is around him. He starts to see why his brother is attracted to her.

Mare and Cal got along well, and you know for a fact that they would sneak around to dance.

Mare likes Cal, enough that it made each letter, each Scarlet Guard meeting more diffucult to seat through.

Once the Scarlet Guard attacked, Mare quickly snuck away and went into hiding. After the damage done, Maven finally convinced his father into getting rid of the Scarlet Guard.

Maven would command Cal in organizing a search and arrest of Mare Barrow and other Scarlet Guard members. As well as secretly searching for newbloods like her, to turn into weapons for war.

Cal would then track down Mare, with the hopes of convincing her to leave the Scarlet Guard and come back to him.

Mare, Farley, Shade and the other newbloods manage to go as far as breaking into Corros prison where Maven held the newbloods. (No Silver Elites since Maven is the rightful heir in this timeline.)

Mare and the others manage to free most of the newbloods. However, Shade gets killed by Ptolemus and Mare gets capture, as she try to hold off the Sentinels while the others escape.

The conflict between the Calore brother rises, as the other would disagree on how their prisoner will be treated. Cal would prefer "talking" her out of being a rebel and Maven would threaten her for more information while having "tense" moments with her, since he is still attracted to her.

Mare on the other had will be stubborn and only hope that she'll get rescued soon.

[otobabe]

What are thoughts on Hakuouki boys and praise? 🤔

Praises

(to) heisuke: would *melt* at a well-timed praise, and also probably a poorly timed one. extremely embarrassed about it, but in a safe space and with a safe person (like you and y'all's sex life), would preen and blush at hearing "you feel incredible" and "you're doing so good" while engaging in illicit activities~

(from) heisuke: heisuke is REALLY good at soft and intimate praising in bed. he wants desperately to make you feel good so right up until the moment he's stuck stuttering your name as he cums, he's brushing your hair out of your face describing how beautiful you are to him, how much he loves you, and "you're doing so good love, just like that" and "hold my hand and keep going, you're perfect, everything's perfect", and especially: "we can take all night, i'm all yours, i'll always be yours, i'll give my everything to you"

(from) ryouma: ryouma is a SLEEZE (affectionate). he knows how to slime you up and get you ready for penetration with his praise (i'm sorry lol). even disregarding his one liners though, he's all about a partner who can take charge and rough him up a bit (step on him). his praises are very much along the line of genuinely praising his partner bc he thinks they are his god/goddess. think: "damn the way you do it really gets me going" or "you really know how to tease me" in honest awe.

(from) kondou: gurrrrrllllll (gender neutral) i know we sit on this man bc he's kind of dad and he's maybe got a wife if you don't ignore that part of canon, but i believe he has a Very Experienced Tongue in all manners. In a modern time, he's the kind of guy who's got it (mostly) together and will confidently text you that he's thinking about you and he "can't stop thinking about your ass" and somehow you're into it? around the canon period though, he's very busy with his whole samurai thing, so when he does come home to you he's on his hands and knees ready to make it up to you in the best ways he knows how. He's mature enough to praise "I love the way you taste" and young enough to call him commander and "lord/daimyo" in bed and use his position in your more ~playful~ sessions ("You do so well serving your lord, I should reward you well").

(from) souma: the king of baby to daddy himself! you can't imagine the things he's heard in prison! and after his years of repression, he's ready to take back control of his life and please you the way you need. He's promising "you can take it" while he brings you to your third orgasm of the night, calling you "my perfect little princess/prince/majesty", and encouraging every moan and sigh you let slip.

(to) nomura: he's almost to completion already if he hears the words "my pretty boy" come out of your mouth. he loves to hear you tell him how "sweet it is that he's so desperate for you". number 1 ready-to-please sub in hakuouki, he wants you to tell him what to do and then praise him for it when he does it.

(from) iba: he's a praised and a body worshipper 100%. this man knows All of your moles, curves, expressions, everything, and he loves you for all of it. As soon as he enters/touches you he's all about how "you're so tight/hard". His panting breaths at your ear are the only warning you get before he's biting and licking them, murmuring that "you have no idea what you're doing to me, you're making me feel so good, no one else makes me feel this fucking good". hell, before you even get to the main meal he's asking you to "wait a second, i want to savor this view".

(from) hajime: saito hajime is a man of few words, but when those words come out in bed, they HIT. a soft "come for me, you can do it" here and a sigh of a "you listen so well" there is all he needs to have his partner feeling thoroughly praised.

special mention (from)s souji & sanan: their praises are like sour patch kids. they look delicious, sound a little like you shouldn't be letting them explode in your mouth, but the sweet taste underneath is the real gem and their unique flavor is always intriguing. think praises with a bite; "I know that's not all you've got", "You can do better than that, there it is, good job", "You can handle it", "Your pout is beautiful, but I know your lips would look gorgeous somewhere else", "Show me that you're my good girl/boy/slut", "Keep going, yeah just like that darling, now faster".

there's definitely more i could say here so if there's anyone specific anyone wants to ask abt feel free!! these are just who came to mind off the top of my head, but i'm even still thinking about more from's (harada, amagiri, kimigiku, yamazaki, kosuzu) and more to's (souji in special circumstances, motoyama, yamazaki, miki)

ty for letting my lil hakuouki brain work w this ask!!!!

[skyloftian-nutcase]

I have some questions about Pippin that I was wondering

what is his favorite food

is he a morning person or a night owl

how does he spend rainy days

what is his favorite pastime

how old is he

if he could be any animal what would it be and why

what is his favorite childhood memory

how much did he know about Zelda before they married

has he and Zelda ever met before the engagement

what is the relationship like between him and his siblings

Dose he often stay up late at night

what dose the general Hyrule citizen think of him

what does Zelda think of him

what does link think of him

what does Malon think of him

Haha oh boy, here let me put the answers under the cut before this gets too long 😂

Pippin is a morning person! He likes the quiet softness of mornings, the sound of the birds and the world waking up, and the solitude and privacy that come with it. Early, early mornings feel like the only time he has to himself, so he appreciates it. (Zelda, on the other hand, is a night owl and prefers the cover of nighttime to do what she wants and unwind)

He spends rainy days generally the same way he spends sunny ones - either reading or doing whatever duty his parents assign to him. Or, after he’s married, whatever duties he has to handle as king consort.

Pippin’s favorite pastime is reading. He loves to read historical works and fiction, and sometimes can get carried away in daydreaming. He gets really invested in stories and loves to create stories for his children.

He’s around Zelda’s age, maybe a year or two older.

Hmm, what animal 🤔 I’m not entirely sure, tbh. He’s kind, shy, anxious, creative, and a daydreamer. Whatever that equates to in the animal kingdom, I suppose.

His favorite childhood memory is probably when his family went on a vacation somewhere private. It was just him and his parents and siblings, time to play and draw and sing and laugh and listen to stories with no scrutiny and no duties.

Pippin knew as much about Zelda as possible. Labrynna and Hyrule have regular trade with each other, so Pippin already had a baseline knowledge about Hyrule’s queen, but he did his best to learn everything he could about her after their engagement. None of it was by actually asking her, though, as he’s far too shy for that.

He’s probably met her a few times briefly prior to engagement, though they never had a one on one private conversation.

Pippin is closest to his sister, though he has a decent relationship with his two brothers as well. He just doesn’t have much opportunity to interact with them, especially his eldest brother, who is crown prince and therefore quite busy. There’s a ten year gap between him and his eldest brother, so for a little while they were close, but eventually duty tore them away from each other. His other brother is eight years older than him, so the same issue kind of happened, especially since that brother also got married off for political reasons.

Sometimes he stays up late, but he usually passes out shortly after sunset since he likes to get up at dawn.

The general population of Hyrule doesn’t really know what to make of him at first. He’s a foreigner, but the queen chose him and he seems harmless enough. He’s kind of just ignored initially, but the folks of Castle Town love to try and parse out what they can about him for the sake of gossip, whether it’s good or bad. As Pippin settles into his role and the years pass, the people grow really fond of him, I think. He’s a likable guy!

I’m pretty sure I talked about how Link gets along with Pippin, but essentially Link’s a little leery but trying to be welcoming because Zelda did pick the guy. But Link and Pippin are both so quiet it takes a while for them to get well acquainted. Link’s never rude or anything, though, just kind of cautious. Malon, on the other hand, is the only one with the brain cell registering that this man was forced into this marriage and so she tries to be as welcoming and kind as she can be, but they don’t see each other all that often.

Zelda thinks well of him! She knew she had to marry and produce an heir, so she had Impa help her research all the potential bachelors to find the most suitable, because Zelda always takes charge of a situation. When she heard that Pippin was the kind, sweet, quiet prince of the Labrynna royal family, she said, “kindhearted, quiet, harmless, perfect 👍🏻 ”. She steamrolls the poor guy sometimes but then remembers that she shouldn’t be doing that and tries to backtrack and be kind and understanding. As she gets to know him more she grows very fond of him and loves him dearly, whether it’s romantic or platonic I’m not sure. Probably romantic.

[airasora]

I loved the fic and the cover art!! (Though I feel I must point out because I'm pedantic like that that "Speed" is a nickname and he technically does have a title -when Odette introduces him he's Sir Lorenzo Trudgealong, and the Sir implies he's been knighted, which would explain his role in the court. Unless of course this was again only in the Spanish dub lol). I was also unreasonably happy Jean-Bob got to be a real prince, as a kid I was super pouty he stayed a frog xD

I also clocked Doppler, Pleakley, Silver and Amelia immediately, Pleakley was very in character and so cute but I can't help but wonder how Amelia and especially Doppler landed themselves there?? I was kinda expecting the aliens I didn't recognize to be background pirates from Treasure Island, lol.

And forgive me because I sound dumb, but I can't quite figure out what Thrax's black ribbon is meant to be doing? It's not fully wrapped around her neck, so not choking or leashing... Hm 🤔

I do simply adore how the pose makes Odette look like she's praying 👀

Thank you for telling me! I had somehow completely blocked that out and I must have missed it when looking at Speed's wikia. The wikia says "Mr." rather than "Sir" though, so I've changed it to Mr. Lorenzo Trudgealong :D

You do not at all sound dumb, I deliberately made the cover art to be difficult to analyze or rather, you'd have to REALLY analyze and "overthink" to figure out the extend of its symbolism, but here it is:

You're right that Thrax is NOT choking Odette as he has no desire to harm her. He is also not straight up leashing her. You see, in the long run Thrax does not wish to control Odette, he wants her to desire him out of her own free will. BUT he also wants to keep her close to him and make sure everyone around them knows she belongs to him.

So, the string symbolizes his desire to keep her close, but not completely controlling her. Odette is "safe" as long as she stays close, if she were to step away, she'd be choking on the string, but as long as she's nearby, the string does not harm her.

Odette's eyes and position of her hands are also deliberate. Odette's eyes are closed to symbolize her naivete; she knows Thrax wants her, but she doesn't know why or to what extend. She's blind to the level of his desire and how far he's willing to go for her. The hands are a bit more obvious, it's indeed to symbolize prayer cause she's, you know, not exactly safe xD You could interpret her praying both as her praying that Thrax will keep her safe or that she prays to be safe FROM Thrax!

So, yeah, the cover art is deliberately complicated as the entire relationship and story is/will be complicated :D

[ratkingdad]

You 👉 know what I’ve always hated 😡💢 about you 👉, Amethar 👑🍬? You 👉 were so damn 👿 lucky 🍀.

I mean 😪, fifth 5️⃣ in line 📉 for the throne 🪑 and the crown 👑 rests 🛏️ on your head 🙆‍♂️. And each of your sisters 👯‍♀️ better 🥇 and more clever 👩‍🏫 than you. It really makes the unfortunate 🍀🚫 minor lord 🤵 of a less ↘️ than wealthy 💵 barony feel… well, a little underwhelming 😑😴.

Oh, I’ll say 📢, your sisters 👯‍♀️ were a little less lucky 🍀. The least 🥉 lucky 🍀 thing that ever happened to Rococoa 🍫 was when she found out 🕵️‍♀️ that I was selling 💰 weapons 🔫⚔️ to the Ceresians 🍞🥯. That… that had to be dealt with ☠️. And I think 🤔 you’ll remember how odd 🤪 it was that she was found riddles with arrows 🏹 so far behind our own lines 〰️. But that’s war 💣, and strange things happen in war 💣🧨 all the time ⏰.

The Ceresians 🥖🍞, I find are very reasonable, very reasonable and you can see 👓🔎some of their tents 🏕️ out here in the field 🌾.

You know, I don't have luck 🍀 so I have to work 💪. I have to work 💪a lot. First, I had to put the little cheese 🧀 boy 🧒🏼 onto the scent of the Duchess 👸 Coldbottle 🍼, and I had to ferry ⛴️ his idiot sailors ⛵️all the way the Sucrosi road 🚗 to that little farmhouse 🏠 - I mean, had to get them there somehow, they couldn't sail ⛵️ there, could they? And they'd be so suspicious 🤨 walking 🚶‍♂️ up the road, and yet - you miraculously ⛪️ survived 🖖, when you should have died 💀. Amethar 👑 🍬 the Unfallen ❤️.

You uncharacteristically 😮 leave a fight 👊 , you jump 🐰 out of the ring 💍 rather than trying to behead that carrot 🥕- and they call the tournament 🏟️, even with all the work 🏋️ that me and Alfredi 🍝 put in to getting those watersteel 💦 daggers 🗡️ into her hands 🙌 . I - I thought 💭 I was going to fail 0️⃣.

And then, and then your friend Manta Ray Jack 🧀 mentioned a girl 👧 , at the banquet 🍱 , 'stashed somewhere in the Dairy 🥛 Islands 🏝️ ', and I thought 💭 , 'That's so interesting 🤔 . Amethar 👑 🍬 and I are best friends 👯‍♂️, war buddies 🤝 as far back as we can remember 🧐. Why 🤨would he never 👎 tell me?' And I got to thinking 🤔 , 'Amethar 👑 🍬 was never quiet 🤐 about his exploits 🏃 as a roving Prince 🫅 of Candia 🍭, so why didn't I hear 👂 about this girl 👧 ?' And I thought 💭 , 'I'd better talk 🎙️with Manta Ray Jack 🧀.'

He didn't wanna 🙊 talk, but a few fingers 👋 and pints 🍻 of blood 🩸 later we remembered your sister's book 📖 . Very useful, your sister 👩 . Very useful indeed - up until a young Belizabeth Brassica 🥦 ordered her run 🏃🏻‍♀️ down in the streets by Vegetanian 🥗 Knights ⚔️ . That - that hurt 😔 , because she had always been very sweet 🍭 to me. Well, after Manta Ray 🧀, I saw 👀 an opportunity. You know, it hurts 🤕 to have all of your plans 📒 fail, but they say that improvisation 🎭 is the better part of planning 📝 , so I was happy 😊 to take advantage 🔝 of that opportunity when 🕰️ it presented itself, Amethar 👑 🍭.

You know what happens to a man 🧍‍♂️ when he dies ☠️ ? He shits 💩 himself. So I'll be happy 😊 to watch 👁️ 👁️ you shit 💩 one last time 🕰️, Amethar 👑 🍭 .

I wonder 🧐 if they'll call ☎️ you 'Amethar 👑 🍭 the Unfallen ❤️ ' after this😤? Here's to a future 🔮 you can't ⛔️ ruin 😡.

[endiness]

okay, but can i just say, like.

‘Long live His Holiness!’ A few voices came from the crowd, obviously bribes. Novigrad’s hierarch Cyrus Englekind Hemmelfart rose and blessed the people and the army with his outstretched hands, while irreverently covering Queen Hedwig and young Radovid with the skirts of his robe. Nobody shouts, “Long live Radovid”, thought the prince covered by the hierarch’s fat ass. No one even looks at me. No one is screaming in honour of my mother. No one remembers my poor father. Even today, at a day of triumph, which he so richly deserved. After all, that’s why he was murdered. He felt a gaze on his neck. Delicate like someone he did not know - or knew, but only in his dreams. Something that was soft like a brush of a woman’s warm lips. He turned his head. He discovered the dark unfathomable eyes of Philippa Eilhart fixed on him. Wait, thought the prince, looking away. Just wait. No one could predict or guess then that this boy of thirteen years, which at that time was a person without any relevance in a country ruled by the Regency Council and by Dijkstra, would become king. A king who, after he paid all the insults that had been given to his mother and him, would go down in history with the name Radovid the Stern.

given that this is the only real information in the books to base an adaption of radovid off of, like, why is it that the show gets so much flack for what it's done with radovid's character but meanwhile it's cool that the games made radovid a genocidal, racist, fascist madman? like, where the fuck exactly did the games get that from with what the books said about radovid because, js, there's not actually enough information in the books to support that interpretation of him. it sounds like he wanted and got revenge on the people who disrespected him and his mother and his family, sure, but that's not actually enough of a basis to make him a genocidal fascist and do what the games did with him.

it's just so very mmm suspicious 🤔 to me that people will criticize the show so much for their version of radovid when, overall, he seems to be a very smart but sensitive individual and oh right. a gay man, and a gay man who's fallen in love with jaskier and jaskier's fallen in love with, too, at that. but meanwhile people are practically frothing at the mouth to defend the game's interpretation of him as if it's somehow sacrosanct and a faithful adaption of the books even though he's *checks notes again* a genocidal, racist, fascist madman in the games—despite not being that in the books at all.

and likE. i still don’t think there is really enough information in the books to base a character off of anyway and i think both the games and the show have basically done their own thing with him because of that. which is, actually, perfectly fine and okay for them to do and neither of them are wrong for that at all. but yeah, i do think it says a lot when people will trash the show for being so ‘inaccurate’ with their characterization of him and not (as of yet) going down a dark path with him—which the book information does not actually support—but then say nothing of and defend the game version of him all in the name of the books despite the games being just as ~*~inaccurate~*~ as the show.