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sourcherryandsprinkles · 3 years ago

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A Song of heart and blood - part one | Daemon Targaryen x Targaryen!Reader

Summary: After an horrible prophetical dream, you find yourself traveling through time to try and save your sister, Daenerys, from her fatal ascension to the Iron Throne. During your mission, your heart derives you from your duty and you fall in love with your ancestor

Word count: 2.3k

masterpost

A/N: The time-traveling part was heavily inspired by Outlander

While most of Valerian descent are born dragonriders, very few have been dreamers.

The first known dreamer had been Daenys Targaryen, known as 'the Dreamer'. She had foreseen the Doom of Valyria in a dream twelve years before it happened, causing her father to relocate the family and its dragons to Dragonstone, thus securing House Targaryen's future as the last known dragonlord family in the world and the rulers of the Seven Kingdoms.

Then, Aegon I Targaryen, Viserys I Targaryen, Helaena Targaryen, Daemon II Blackfyre...and you.

The castle in King's Landing was completely destroyed, except for the Iron Throne. Your sister, Daenerys, was walking toward it, the new queen of the Seven Kingdoms. She touched the throne, a faint smile curling on her lips. Behind her, a man with dark hair had entered the room. They began talking – arguing – about some matter you couldn't hear. A kiss was shared and, as the two kissed, the man stabbed her in her heart with his dagger.

Had you told Dany about your dream, she would've laughed and said it was just that: a dream. Deep down, you could feel that it was something more. A dragon dream, as they call it in the books. A prophecy.

You had to do something to prevent your sister's tragic end. Talking her down to go after the Iron Throne was a losing battle. Dany was strong-headed; she would never accept to give up what was rightfully hers, even if you told her about your dream.

She didn't believe in that sort of thing, anyway.

The days following your dream, you found yourself in your head a lot. You couldn't look at your sister without seeing the blood leaking from her mouth and nose after that man had assassinated her. It had become difficult to close an eye at night, knowing what would happen to her in the end.

You had to do something.

A few days later, you packed your bag and went on your own to know more about prophecies. Leaving her with the Dothrakis worried you, but Ser Jorah had sworn protection to her. He'll keep her safe while you'll be gone.

After seven moons doing some heavy research away in the Free Cities, you found a woman of old age who knew about Dreamers and prophecies. She told you the only way to keep a foretelling event from happening was to fix the mistakes that led to it – albeit it being close to impossible. Prophecies always find a way to come to pass.

''Time traveling?'' you repeated with a doubtful furrow of your eyebrows.

The woman nodded. ''There is this old tale about a High Priestess who practiced different sorts of sorcery using the power of R'hllor. According to the tale, she has revived a man who had been stabbed enough times to empty himself of his blood, and knew details only someone who had lived in the past could know of. She is rumored to have lived hundreds of years, all thanks to her magic.''

''How may I find her?''

''Unfortunately, the High Priestess has been burned to the stake many decades ago, but her grimoire has not been found. She lived in a crept in Volantis, where I assume her grimoire still is. You might find what you need in it.''

''Would it save my sister? Going back in time.''

''Possibly.'' The woman

''You got to find the exact moment, the trigger time-stamp that started the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty.''

Was she talking about your father's descent into insanity? Had he not been held prisoner for half a year by a rebellious lord, perhaps he would not have let his paranoia cloud his judgment or let his cruelty grow. Perhaps Ser Jamie Lannister, a member of his own Kingsguard, would not have killed him.

Unless the prophecy went back longer ago? When did House Targaryen begin losing its power?

According to Maester Yandel, the biggest losses of House Targaryen happened during the Dance of Dragons, a major civil war in the history of the Seven Kingdoms. It destroyed many cadet and lesser branches of the Targaryen family - thinning the Targaryen bloodline –, and also eliminated almost all of the surviving dragons at the time – seventeen dragons died during the Dance.

Had the Dance not happened, had Aegon II not been born, it would've made a massive difference in the future of House

''Before you go searching for the grimoire, I shall warn you my lady: any minor change can have a ripple effect that could harm innocent bystanders.''

The crypt had taken you weeks to locate.

Each page of the grimoire was made of human skin and written with blood. It was quite gnarly to touch - or smell. The spelling was difficult to decipher. No offense to the High Priestess, but her handwriting was not the greatest. Some of the pages were in High Valyrian – which must've been the High Priestess's first language. Fortunately, you had been taught the language growing up.

Inside, you came across resurrecting spells and fertilization rituals, a handful of curses and poisonous brews, and a time-traveling ritual. They were all using blood magic, which was one of the most dangerous magic, but after seeing your sister ascending her rightful title as queen, to then be killed by her lover – which was somehow not Khal Drogo –, you were willing to risk the danger and consequences of blood magic.

The ritual sounded complex, but was relatively simple. You'll need a gemstone, fire and blood – and a solstice in a specific location. Fortunately for you, the summer solstice was only a moon away. You also needed an object that belonged to the time you wanted to go back to. The dragonglass dagger in your bag will be perfect. It had been given to the princess Rhaenyra by Viserys himself while he was king.

On the week of the Solstice, you began your journey to the ancient stone circle located on a mountain in Volantis. According to the grimoire, one of the stones was large and cleft, through which a time traveler may pass.

Come the Solstice, you waited until the moon was at its highest and started a small fire in the middle of the stone circle while reading a few High Valerian lines. You then added a few drops of your blood to the fire and threw the dragonglass dagger – the fire crackled and the flame grew in height, almost touching your forehead.

You immediately stepped back, startled. This was your first time dabbling in magic. You didn't know fire could be so powerful.

Lastly, you walked up to the large cleft stone, pressed your palm against the cleft.

Approximately 170 years before your birth

Since your arrival in King’s Landing, you have tried to be discreet and keep to yourself as much as possible.

As the woman of old age warned you, time-traveling was delicate. Each change – even the smallest – will have a direct effect on the future. A sliver of change done wrong, and the whole future could take a turn for the worse, the Targaryen lineage could be extinct sooner. You and your sister could…not exist.

All you needed to do was prevent Aegon II from being born. That alone should have a huge impact on the Targaryen dynasty – on the future.

You had no idea how you would execute your plan. From what you knew, the queen was expecting and the babe would be born in a couple of weeks from now. That didn't leave you a lot of time. The main issue was, Queen Alicent lived in the Red Keep and there was no way you could sneak in unnoticed. There were guards all around the castle. One was probably posted at the door of her chamber for extra safety.

Every time you took a stroll in the city, you were pestered by sellers. Seafood when in Fishmonger's Square, brewers in Dragon Square, baked goods on the Street of Flour. Everything looked delicious, but the coins in your pocket couldn't be spent on treats.

A brewer was being insistent tonight, trying to get you to try his liquor. You shook your head, politely declining. The bearded man was not taking no for an answer, claiming you must have coins on you because of the jewel around your neck.

The small quarrel grew in volume, catching some citizens' attention, notably a man in a hooded cloak. You wanted to run, but when you took a quick look around to evaluate your options, you caught the man with the hooded cloak's eyes. His eyes were purple and, under his large hood, you saw a glimpse of his silver hair. He was a Targaryen.

When you teleported through the stones, you vowed to yourself to minimize your social interactions and to not directly interact with any of your ancestors to not disrupt the future in times where it wasn't necessary.

You recognized him as Daemon, also known as the Rogue Prince. His dark gray hooded cloak was doing a mediocre job at shielding his identity – at least from the front. Or, perhaps you were just too good at recognizing those who shared your blood.

‘’The woman seems not to be interested.’’

Daemon’s voice cut the brewer's word spitting, making the bearded man raise his head in his direction. Although there was no threat in the prince's words, his tone itself held an authority. It felt commanding.

Had he been a regular man of the city, you would've thanked him. Instead, you ran off.

You didn’t want to be impolite, or come off as not thankful – you were thankful for him stepping in. Without him, the brewer would probably still be pressuring you to buy his liquor. You needed to remain unnoticed during your travels. Thanking Daemon would’ve broken your rule.

You took a left on the Street of Silk and felt eyes on your back. Had the bearded man followed you? No. It was unlikely. After Daemon’s interruption, he had to have given up. Someone was following you, though.

You snaked through the bodies and ran as fast as your legs allowed you.

A few buildings down, the street was splitting. You took another left and hid inside the closest building, which turned out to be a pleasure house – a brothel – , of all places. Just like the streets, it was packed.

You had never been to one of these places before. There wasn’t any around where you grew up. It was…was…uncomfortable. There were naked people – men and women – all around; some were dancing sexually, some were moaning and performing sexual acts of all genres.

‘’Silver hair are difficult to hide, are they?’’

You whirled around and came face to face with the Rogue Prince himself. His hood was still on, but his eyes bore right into yours. Just like yours, they were a shade of purple. His were a lighter color, but no less piercing.

He reached out to twirl a piece of your hair between his fingers, a frown settling between his eyebrows. Your alluring beauty, long and braided silver hair and the Valyrian steel necklace around your neck – a piece of jewelry that once belonged to your mother – were a straight-teller of your Targaryen roots.

‘’Where did you get this?’’ His eyes fixated the jewelry, as if he had seen it before.

‘’My mother.’’

''Valyrian steel, right?’’ You nodded. ‘’I brought the same one to my niece two years ago. I was told there was only one.’’

‘’Perhaps the person you bought it from was mistaken – or they lied to you.’’

Daemon looked at you with wary eyes. ‘’Who are you?’’

The dreaded question. You gulped, nervousness bubbling in your stomach as you tried to think of a quick fake-name. Using Targaryen in this era would stir too many questions.

‘’Y/N. Y/N…Stormborn, my Prince.’’

The last words felt strange on your tongue. It was the proper way to address him, though.

‘’Stormborn?’’ Daemon’s frown deepened, the name unfamiliar. In fact, it was the first time he heard it. ‘’I’ve never heard. Although, you must be of Valyrian blood. Only those with Valyrian blood have silver hair.’’

You shrugged, playing your part. ‘’I would not know. My father lost his life in battle and my mother died during childbirth. I was raised by my brother in Essos.’’

That part wasn’t all false. You only omitted small details…like your father being the Mad King and escaping to Essos after your birth so you, Daenerys and Viserys – your brother –’s lives would be spared.

The man before you hummed. He didn’t know if you were bullshitting him or telling the truth, but he’ll take your words for now.

‘’Have you ever been in Essos, my Prince?‘’ you asked.

The prince didn't get to answer you. Behind you, one of the curtains lining the hallway opened and a drunk man got thrown out of the private room, his erected cock out in the open. A naked woman – assumingly a working whore from the brothel – followed and threw his pants and tunic at him.

‘’No money, no fucking,’’ she spat at him, then walked off.

He bent down to pick up his clothes and tipped forward, visibly too drunk to have any sense of balance, and limply falling against you. His heavy, dead weight caused you to fall forward, your hand reaching for something to grab onto but only finding air.

In good reflex, Daemon firmly gripped your arm, catching you before your face would meet the filthy floor and pulled you against him in a knightly gesture. You ended up with your face in the prince’s chest, the mix of sandalwood, pine and a tinge of red wine seeping through your nose and invading your senses. Gods, he smelled nice.

Had he not been your great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, perhaps you would have taken advantage of the close proximity and stayed there a little longer.

A light flush creeped to your cheeks and you pulled away. ‘’My apologies.‘’

Taglist: @taylorDaughter @gillybear17 @liltimmyst @eos-princess

House of the Dragon/Game of Thrones taglist: @anastasiaxsworld @lollypopcrazylover @fin-never @dkathl @ayamenimthiriel @nerdy4itall @rraindrops @glors3 @beelanie @hc-geralt-23 @sweetybuzz25 @uniquenightsheep @kaywsworld @i-yam-awesome @caspianobsessed @kelssssxd @dilfsarebetterthanyou

#daemon targaryen #daemon targaryen x reader #daemon targaryen imagine #daemon targaryen x y/n #house of the dragon #house of the dragon imagine

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piscesvenus12h · 2 years ago

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ASTROLOGY OBSERVATIONS: SUN THROUGH THE HOUSES - 7th-12th

7th house sun: relationship oriented. Doesn’t like to be alone. Probably a people pleaser. “If not it’s ok” - text message sender. Would rather do it themselves. Caretaker and homemaker. Maternal. Excellent fashion sense. Interior design. This is the friend you go to when you want to throw a party or have a big extravagant plan that you need help with. You’ll end up with a party or event planned with excellence. They strive to make you smile. To the natal owner: don’t ever forget that just as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. People may walk all over you if you let them. Place boundaries where you need them and don’t feel responsible for other peoples emotions.

8th house sun: magnetic. Alluring as FUCK. People either love you or they hate you and there’s no grey matter here. Mystic at heart. Sensitive. Connected with the occult. Manifests easily. Should definitely major in psychology or philosophy. Good with money. This is the friend you find when you need to express your power and need help establishing how to do that best. This friend will help you find who you truly are and help you express your fullest potential. To the natal owner: being a hermit is OKAY & NEEDED desperately by you. You cannot survive out in the open world forever, you NEED to retreat and care for yourself first and foremost.

9th house sun: SMART. Book and street smart. Creative in the arts. Idea giver. Divinely inspiration. Book nerd. Low key adrenaline junky. Excellent at languages. Probably doesn’t need a GPS much/remembers locations and directions really fucking good. This is the friend you study all night with for midterms and then hit spring break travels with! They know how to bust out an A+ then party their asses off. To the natal owner: pick one or two passion projects and pursue them with all you have! Anything you set your mind to will take effort and your undivided attention. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed right away, persistence is key!!

10th house sun: girl boss/boy boss. Class president. Probably gets upset with themselves when they don’t get an A on a test they prepared for. random fact giver. natural born leader. Management. Color coding. Probably irons their clothes before work or school. This is the friend you want to seek if you have a new business or club or anything in that area. They will help you set everything up and even serve as a leader if you need one. To the natal owner: it’s ok to take a nap. Productivity does not make you a better person than anyone else. Don’t convince yourself otherwise.

11th house sun: miss/Mr. popular. committed as fuck. Most people love you and if they don’t, it’s because of a projection. Chatty. Should be a podcast owner. Makes a new friend every week. Really good at social media. open minded. Wants to save all of the animals. “if we don’t have earth, we have nothing.” This is the friend you seek to help take your mission statement up a level. To the natal owner: you can’t save everyone!! Not everyone is worth your genuine love and support. Learn boundaries.

12th house sun: WWJD? Loner. Spiritual or religious. Sees in between the lines. You can’t get anything past these people. They intuitively know all. Fertile. Creative. Powerful when they put their mind to it. Day dreamer. This is the friend that you want if you to transcend and take some magical mushies. They will take you on an adventure of a lifetime. To the natal owner: be careful of escaping your reality too much. I know earth sucks, but you’re stuck here. Ground yourself and find your tribe.

(Houses 1-6 also posted!)

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yuri-is-online · 2 years ago

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When He Sees Me: Azul Ashengrotto

a/n: this is supposed to be part of a series about the boys who start out with a less than good opinion of Yuu falling in love with them anyway. Azul wasn't supposed to be first he was just the most cooperative. I will add a link to the rest when they become available, but it will take a while because this is really fucking long. Like 6,261 words long.

notes: SPOILERS FOR CH. 3 AND AZUL'S BACKSTORY. Azul is thirsty for Yuu, nothing explicit just mild mild spice. They/them pronouns used for Yuu, but there is a reference to things "girls find attractive" that isn't meant to be aimed at Yuu and discussion of the myth of Princess Kaguya. Morons in mutual denial/pining, references to the events of Azul's labwear and Ruggie's ceremonial robes vignette. Edit: other fics can be found on my masterlist here.

Azul has always been a dreamer, in both senses of the word. When he wants, he wants with intensity that borders on insanity, it is only natural for those thoughts to invade his dreams. When he was younger his subconscious would engage in a painful loop of equally impossible scenarios, sometimes positive but mostly extremely, horribly negative. They read more like memories being played on a sickening repeat, harassments and insults that he can’t run or hide from because his dream won’t let him move at all. Now that he’s older he seldom has those dreams, tucking the hurts away behind mountains of successful plans for the future. Tucked away but not dealt with, his overblot clearly proved that. Azul is no stranger to having dreams, no, but lately he has been experiencing something new. A dream that plays on repeat, never changing but with an underlying feel to it that makes him think if he just had a bit more imagination he could direct the flow. It is a memory, sort of like those other, painful dreams though this one doesn’t hurt quite the same, less painful and more… pining.

He’s standing in front of the photos at the Atlantica Memorial Museum, eyes steady on the photographs. “You have talent.” the Ramshackle prefect says with such enviable confidence. “You are amazing as it is, even without stealing anyone else’s powers.” He looks at them, he searches desperately for the lie, for so long he misses the timing for his line but the dream keeps playing yours. “You work so hard, determination is much harder to master than magic.”

“You think that?” he asks, begs really because in this dream he gets to wrap himself up and live in this moment where someone sees him as his subconscious plays your words on loop.

“You have talent… You are amazing… You matter…”

He rises from slumber, but doesn’t wake.

“Nyaaah who does Azul think he is!” Grim whines and you sigh, for what feels like the eight hundredth time but is probably just the third. “He can’t just scam us outta money like that!” You give a noncommittal grunt and Grim takes his grumbling to under his breath where it belongs while you ruminate on the morning’s events on your way back to Ramshackle. You had woken up to Azul knocking on your door with a photograph of Grim… fighting with Lucius? You weren’t entirely clear on the details, Grim stole some food or something you couldn’t really care less, but Professor Trien certainly would, which was the point Azul had made with a smile on his face and an outstretched hand. He needed a “small favor” he said, just follow him to Ignihyde and help him and Idia out with a project Idia was working on. He tried spinning it to you as helping out Ortho, which hey you did care about, let it not be said that the prefect of Ramshackle did not care about sweet little Ortho Shroud. You just… didn’t trust Azul as far as you could throw him, so when the part he asked Grim to retrieve was revealed to be worth a gajillion thaumarks you were not surprised and you did not care. Grim, of course, freaked out and the two older students laughed at him. Laughed at you both really, and sent you back to your dorm with a can of tuna for Grim’s trouble and a coupon to the Monstro Lounge for yours.

That you decided as you stared down at the little golden ticket, did piss you off. You were tempted to light it on fire, but that stupid part of your brain that got excited when you heard laundry detergent was on sale at Sam’s wouldn’t let you. Like you would offend and be permanently cursed by the gods of couponing if you did; so you tucked it away in your wallet and ran through the list of students you didn’t currently want to beat with a steel chair for someone who would actually use it. “Hey prefect, you got a moment?”

“Ruggie.” You snap out of your thoughts to see an angel standing outside Ramshackle’s door. He looks at you a little confused, but still peppy.

“That’s my name! Now as I was sayin, you got a moment? I’ve got an opportunity for you.”

~~~~

In a game of chess the player who moves first has an inherent advantage. That advantage, however, is not absolute which is something Azul is cruelly reminded of when RUGGIE BUCCHI waltzes into his restaurant, whistling, with his carefully played opening in his hands. “Hey, is this thing real? Prefect said you gave it to them but that sounds fishy. Why would Azul be giving out things for free?”

“That’s confidential.” he pushes up his glasses and Ruggie simply leans back on his heels, hands behind his head grinning like a well fed cat. “What I am anxious to know is why you have it? It was not meant for you.”

“What’s it to ya’?” he has enough sense to keep his annoying laugh to himself but it’s echoing in Azul’s ears anyway. His gaze flickers to Floyd, weighing the pros and cons of involving the twins in this… admittedly private affair but that seems to be enough for Ruggie. He drops the easy going act, “No seriously what is it you’re trying to do, they seemed seriously pissed.”

“Who says I’m trying to do anything?” Anger was… not the reaction he was expecting but the look on Ruggie’s face is making him feel especially like he should have. Like there was something incredibly obvious he was missing here. His sigh just punctuates that.

“Because you're Azul.” He says flatly. “Look it’s not my business and I don’t want it to be, are you gonna give me a free drink or not.” Azul takes the coupon with his best customer service smile and tries to make another plan.

~~~~

“You are amazing.” He gets to look at them this time, see their honest admiration. He wants to reach for it, hold it up to the light and admire it from every possible angle. His hand moves, agonizingly slow like he’s reaching through jelly, desperate for purchase as it lands on their cheek, running his thumb along the curve. Azul is a merfolk, utterly unaware of what it feels like to drown. But he surrenders himself to the tide as he guides them closer, closer, to him and the realization he never wants to let go.

Azul wakes up alone and upset, a good thirty minutes before his alarm which just adds to his frustrations. He fumbles for his glasses and goes for the safe next to his bed, if he’s awake he can work, he should work it will take his mind off of… whatever this is. It isn’t important, his bad dreams always fade away over time, he will conquer this, he has to. A notification lights up his phone. It’s from magicam, from Cater who he usually ignores but he opens it anyway. The post is a dump of short videos of Heartslabyul students messing around in the maze, there was an unbirthday party yesterday complete with pastries and those weird games he never understands the appeal of no matter how many times Riddle explains. There’s Trey posing like a middle aged man with his flamingo, Cater running around conducting mock interviews with the flowers, and a number of students making nonsensical toasts with admittedly nice looking china. And in the final video, if he pauses it at exactly 7.23 seconds there’s the prefect. They look clueless, disappointed even as they watch Grim demand he be allowed to play croquet, it’s cute but that’s not where his gaze goes. Tiramisu. It’s difficult, painful even to make, but they seem to be enjoying their slice. It really would be an excellent item to add to the Monstro Lounge’s limited time menu for numerous reasons completely unrelated to… whatever this feeling was. If he keeps the paused video up and next to his paperwork while he draws up his plans, no one needs to know.

~~~~

You wake up with a sneeze a good two hours before your alarm and if you were actually awake you have no doubt the timing would fill you with righteous fury. The moon still peaks through your window, soothing your hypothetical temper slightly as you meander out of your bed towards it. Ramshackle has always been a good place to watch the stars, at least according to Tsunotarou. You’ve always been more partial to the moon, there was something comforting about its constant presence. No matter where you went in your old world, even if the constellations changed the moon would always stay the same. If you focus on this one’s shape, if you ignore the snoring monster in your bed or the shape of the window you’re looking through, you can almost trick yourself into thinking that things are still the same. That you will get back to sleep and see your loved ones when you wake up tomorrow. A strange bile builds up in your throat and you turn away from the window towards your desk. The photographs that decorate it are filled with things that should be impossible. Leona standing on a flying broom somehow bored out of his mind, Jack and Deuce posing at a track practice, Ace trying to teach Grim a card trick, but if you were giving awards for the most out of place… There’s eight people in the photo, three humans, one monster, one beastman, and three merfolk, but only two sport tails. Azul looks exactly the same as the day you met him, dressed in a neatly pressed dorm uniform with that stupid hat covering his beautiful, perfect hair. You can’t decide what’s more unreal to you, the Leech twins' appearance or the location of the photograph, but well they sort of go hand in hand don’t they? Your eyes settle on Azul. He had refused to show his true form during the trip, if you didn’t know any better you would assume he was human like you but not like you. There’s something undeniably magical about him, beautiful even. He belongs there, in that photo under the sea, in this world. The moon illuminates the photo with her gaze, cold, distant, completely out of your reach but oh so very beautiful.

You take a deep, shuddering breath and try to throw away your thoughts.

~~~~

“Hench-human! Look at me look at me!” There are many days you feel like Grim’s parent as opposed to his… dorm leader? Classmate? Fellow traveler? Whatever you were actually supposed to be.

“I’m looking Grim, I promise!” You cheer him on, waving up at the monster who is happily flying above you on his little broom. “You’re doing great!” Coach Vargas had gone out of his way to find it for him so he could “train his muscles” with everyone else in flying class. It was cute, soothed the wound of not being able to participate yourself just a bit. The list of exercises Vargas handed you certainly didn’t.

“Slacking doesn’t build muscles!” You knew it was stupid to want to participate in a class that’s literal purpose was to teach students to channel magic, but it still sucked to be expected to do yoga in the corner of a field while Ace, Deuce, and now Grim get to zoom around above. At least you know Deuce isn’t making fun of you and will give you a ride if asked. “Hey while you’re at it would you mind keeping an eye on Azul? He’s supposed to be practicing over next to the bleachers.” You blink, stupidly at Vargas.

“I’m sorry?” Vargas points towards what is usually your exile corner and see- a sight. One you can immediately tell Azul would probably rather you never have ever seen. Your beautiful merman, rival? Acquaintance? Object of affection? Is pathetically hopping up and down with a stern look of determination on his face like he’s trying to negotiate with the broom rather than fly it. Your heart beats uncomfortably close to the front of your chest. Cold. Out of reach. And yet so blindingly pathetically beautiful you have to choke down bile as you make your way over to your little corner and begin clumsily stretching and keeping your gaze firmly on Grim out of habit. You hear rather than see him notice you.

“Prefect!” he splutters, chokes really and you have to physically bite your tongue to ground yourself enough to speak normally and completely lose it when you turn to face him. Azul’s winded, the tentacle waves of his hair are shimmering in the late afternoon sun with what’s probably sweat, but he doesn’t smell bad at all. His glasses are slanted and he’s clinging onto his broom so tightly his knuckles are turning white.

“Azul! Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” It comes out as a squeak and you break eye contact immediately. “I just-” you don’t want him to think you’re spying on him. “I usually-” well that just sounds like an excuse. “I can’t fly!” The smile on your face has got to look stupid but when you look at Azul he doesn’t seem to mind. If anything he relaxes in both posture and expression.

“I can see that.” He smiles and his eyes shimmer for a brief second before reaching to push his glasses and his persona back into place. “Does Coach Vargas always have you exercise during flying class?”

“Pretty much.” You don’t feel like you should complain really, it would be a bit unfair on paper if you were the only one relaxing during a class filled with physical activity. “Crewel convinced him to let me do yoga because I ‘need to relax more’ or something like that.”

“Do you not find exercise relaxing?” It’s a relatively simple question but this is Azul asking so it feels like the start of a survey that ends with you agreeing to sign away your immortal soul. So naturally,

“Not when everyone can watch.” you answer as honestly as possible because according to the dark mirror you don’t have one anyway. If Azul notices your skepticism it doesn’t stop him from plowing on ahead.

“I can understand that.” He lets out what you think is his best performative sigh, hand over his heart in a manner you are sure even Vil would compliment as well crafted showmanship. “Really there’s no reason for this school to force us to participate in activities we simply aren’t meant for.” You have to swallow a giggle at his use of “we,” that earlier display must not have been a one time thing. Sure would be a shame if you asked Floyd about it, he definitely wouldn’t tell you embarrassing things about his best friend. “Do you not find the lounge relaxing?” He asks the question with the same tone as his previous monologue, but it catches you off guard. You had expected this line of questioning to go in a different direction. Maybe he wanted to know just how close you were to the staff and see if he could use you as an in, not a google review.

“It’s very relaxing.” You aren’t just trying to flatter him, though you won’t object if he decides to puff up with pride from your praise. “There really is- well I certainly haven’t ever seen another place like it, I just have other places I should be spending my money.”

“You know I can help with that right.” You must look extremely unamused because he deflates slightly but doesn’t falter. “The National Track and Field Meet is coming up relatively soon, and I’ve been making some… changes to the menu. It’s meant to appeal to a different clientele than we typically serve. As a human from a completely different world your perspective on such a switch could prove invaluable.” You stare at him, hard, trying to figure what angle he’s working and can’t really hit on one. Well beyond the obvious; he thinks this will make him money.

“Are you sure you don’t just want me to wait tables during the event?” Azul’s offered you work before, usually through Floyd dramatically arriving at Ramshackle unannounced to slack off in your guest room because “Azul will never find me here. Not if I close my eyes and hide behind little shrimpy.” But you weren’t too sure if that arrangement could apply to an event.

“I’ve already secured Ruggie’s assistance with that, but if you’re interested in a paid position Jade will certainly need some help in the kitchens, well assuming you’re better at washing dishes than Grim.” You both have a bit of a laugh, though yours is significantly less mean spirited. “I can give you more details about the menu tomorrow night, assuming you are free.”

“I suppose I could find some time.” you give your best impression of Azul’s own shrug and hope he isn't too insulted. “Any fine print I should be concerned about before I completely agree to this?” He pauses, you are tempted to say because he didn’t expect to make it this far, but realistically he’s probably just trying to pick out what part of his plan is safe to tell you.

“The waitstaff will all be wearing their ceremonial robes as a special uniform for the event, but since you would just be washing dishes I would recommend-”

“I’m sorry, do you mean those things everyone was wearing at orientation?” You don’t mean to interrupt him, really you’re just confused. “The Octavinelle dorm uniform looks just fine.”

“I’m pleased you like them.” He means it, you can tell by how he stands just a little bit taller, stopping your heart for what you tell yourself is the briefest of seconds. “Our school's ceremonial robes are extremely popular with the local girls, so I am hoping they will draw more outside attention to the lounge.”

“The ceremonial robes? Seriously?” Not that you could ever have been considered an authority on what types of menswear was objectively attractive but you were a person with preferences and the ceremonial robes looked a bit difficult to take off. Not that you have thought extensively about them or anything else you’ve seen Azul wear.

“Do you not find them attractive prefect?” The fact Azul’s asking you seriously, with a touch of distress doesn’t register until you’ve inelegantly vomited up your response.

“Not really. I mean from what I remember from orientation you looked good in them but I can’t say I like them better than your dorm uniform. You even make the stupid hat work.” You physically bite down on your tongue to keep from saying anything else incriminating but the damage is already done. The poor man looks like a boiled octopus, red from the tip of his ears to the point of his nose. “Azul?” He coughs into his hand.

“Well, disagreements about fashion aside, I take it we have a deal?”

“Sure. Just send me a message on magicam when you need me and I’ll be there.”

~~~~

The location flickers in his peripheral vision, his focus wholly consumed by them. He’s never touched them like this, they’d never let him hold them like this but those thoughts fizzle in the face of your memory. “You are amazing.” He kisses them slowly as he gently cradles their face. Closer, he wants them closer but tauntingly, agonizingly they pull away as the scene settles. He’s on land, in the vip room of the lounge arms wrapped tightly around their waist while they’re sitting in his lap. Closer they’re not close enough to him they can still move away, but they show no sign of leaving. They just stare down at him, into him seeing him for who he is and not flinching at the sight. Closer. They lean back into his kiss and he pulls, surprisingly strong, into a tighter embrace. Closer. In dreams you don’t need to breathe, he’s free to move his hand behind their head and maneuver them down. Closer. He pins their hand next to their head, intertwining their fingers. Closer. “You look good, you look beautiful.” He shudders into them, and-

Wakes up dry heaving into his pillows with a scream. He’s panting, desperately trying to convince himself it’s out of disgust but he knows that’s not the case. Azul’s known for a while now just how he feels about them, he finds it ugly. Not them, sevens never them, he doubts he could ever truly find them as insignificant as he did before losing his contracts ever again. He untangles himself from his sheets and reaches for his glasses and phone, searching for the picture they’d taken at the museum. They look so happy, in awe even, and if he wants to lie to himself he can pretend that’s his doing and not the allure of the sea working its magic on yet another human. But Azul is a merfolk, he may admire the sea witch but he knows the tale of the mermaid princess just as well. The love between her and her prince was always portrayed as pure, innocent, devoid of things like thirst and greed. That’s the sort of love he thinks they deserve, the kind that’s not burdened by insecurities or possessiveness. Who would love someone who constantly lies?

“You are amazing as it is, even without stealing anyone else’s powers. You work so hard, determination is much harder to master than magic.”

If he closes his eyes he can still see your face as you say it. You meant every word, he knows you did. Even now you don’t really treat him all that differently than you do your other friends, his efforts are appreciated and respected according to the work he puts into them just like he’s always wanted. A wry smile works his way to his lips. How poor and unfortunate he is.

~~~~

“When you need me” came sooner than you expected. As soon as you made it back to Ramshackle you had two messages from Azul, one letting you know it was him and the other saying he had a space available for you to buss tables tomorrow if you were still available.

“I haven’t forgotten about my original request, once closing tasks are complete you can expect a truly unique reward.”

He texts like he speaks, professionally. If you didn’t know he was still a student you’d assume he was twice his actual age and already established in an office somewhere. Part of that was true you supposed, he did own the Lounge and was probably texting from his office.

“(* ^ ω ^) I’ll make sure to be on time!”

“Hench-human.” You look up from your phone to see Grim sitting on his favorite armchair, he sounds deathly serious and his face is bent into a look of disappointment he usually only reserves for Ace. He’s even crossing his arms like a disappointed parent. “We need to talk.”

“Did you puke on the bed again?”

“No!” He drops the act for a brief second before remembering he’s supposed to be “the one in charge” or something like that. “But if you keep gigglin’ like that I’m gonna!”

“Like what?” you attempt to mimic his energy by folding your hands across your chest.

“Like you got a crush on that stupid octopus.”

“Oh.” Oh. You hadn’t really thought much about that. On purpose really. “Well you don’t have to do that.” You had thought many things about Azul, felt a lot of things too. Frustration, no one got to treat your friends that badly and then laugh about it. Disappointment, someone so talented shouldn’t be wasting his time bullying others to feel better about himself. He should be secure in his own successes. Pity, but then again how else could he be expected to feel with his childhood having been what it was? Anger, that made his actions all the more inexcusable, you didn’t really regret putting him in his place even if the method was… less than ideal. Awe, you were aware most of your friends were still stuck firmly in anger. Sure, Ace and Deuce didn’t have much of a problem buying things from the Lounge or using their point cards, but there still was a bit of a sting to the whole arrangement. Grim might not have been capable of much but he could hold a grudge. Especially when someone hurt you, it was exceptionally sweet. You however…

It started with his overblot form. Floyd never should have told you that’s what he actually looked like, you swear you forgot how to breathe for a solid minute. Azul was beautiful, ethereal, and awe inspiring. You didn’t even mind that he was actively trying to choke you with his tentacles, you were that tempted to let him. Once he came to and came back to his human form, you were forced to swallow those feelings. Tuck them away in the hopes that Azul would go back to being that distant pretty face he had been since he ran down Grim at orientation. You told yourself you were content being friends with Riddle and the Heartslabyul gang, you didn’t need the acceptance of other dorms.

But he hadn’t. The trip to the museum apparently made the twins decide you were a friend; Floyd would follow you around when he got bored and demand you play with him, and if Jade had your schedule memorized no he didn’t prefect him ambushing you with an invitation to check out his club was completely coincidental. Azul remained distant, only ever really approaching when he needed something or to make an offer. It hurt that small part of themselves they’d been beating away with a stick, it hurt even worse when he reached out harder when they ignored him. This world’s already hurt you enough, you don’t need to be pining over an emotionally unavailable guy who viewed everything in the world through material value.

“Mmmmm.” Grim’s staring at you, clearly unconvinced and trying to not come off as worried.

“Really Grim. I promise, no kissing fish for me.” your phone pings and you see another message, from Floyd this time, and swipe to unlock just as the front door of Ramshackle nearly cracks off its hinges to announce his arrival.

“Shriiiiiiimpy, I’m so bored and Azul’s makin me work.” A loud obviously fake whine rings through the foyer and you sigh.

Looks like you will be seeing Azul a bit sooner than expected.

~~~~

The lounge is chaos by the time you sprint through the mirrors into Octavinelle. You scan the lounge frantically for Jade and settle on his retreating form heading towards the back office. It would be undignified to sprint towards him so you force yourself to speed walk through the waves of customers towards Floyd’s usual section. Another first year, one that actually belongs in this dorm, is floundering around trying to figure out why he’s even alive and nearly jumps out of his skin when you tap him on the shoulder. “Sorry I’m late, can you let Azul know I’m here?” He abandons you faster than a sinking ship and you barely resist the urge to scream at him to show a little gratitude. The Monstro Lounge is a “gentleman's establishment.” It doesn’t employ howler monkeys, but it sure does serve them. You snap your best customer service smile into place and glide over to one such cherished customer whose glare is threatening to freeze you to the floor. “I’m sorry about the wait, how can I serve you today?”

Meanwhile, back at the office, Azul is attempting to convince himself that he isn’t mad. Really, he’s just disappointed and really how could he be that when Floyd has been such a cherished friend for so long and-

“Oya, Azul, you’re starting to resemble a boiled octopus, are you sure this hasn’t complicated your plans at all?” Jade is usually, key word being usually, just as inconvenienced by his brother’s mood swings as anyone else. But this time, this time, Azul thinks while his left eye threatens to spasm out of its socket, he has a slight feeling that Jade might have encouraged this one. He’s smiling way too wide.

“Nonsense, I always have back up-” Jade doesn’t let him finish his thought.

“Ah but we can’t just go calling the prefect for this can we? Not when things aren’t perfect yet.”

“Just what are you getting out of this?” He really shouldn’t have to beg, Jade seems surprised he’s even trying.

“Maybe I’m just a bit better at reading things than you are.” And before Azul can try strangling Jade for that comment one of his students bursts into the back room panting as if he’d just run a marathon.

“Dorm leader! The prefect came over to take Floyd’s section. Said to let you know they were here.” He doesn’t respond immediately, he can see his plans going up in dust around him while Jade laughs beside him.

“There you see, Azul? No need to worry.” And as if the night couldn’t get any worse that damn moray bows to whisper in his ear. “They came for you after all.”

It really is a good night for unagi.

~~~~

The walk back to Ramshackle is quiet. If you just keep your eyes on the path in front of you, the only thing you can hear is the chirp of an occasional cricket. The sigh of an owl. And of course the light click of the footsteps beside you, if you were extra quiet, you could maybe even hear Azul breathing. It’s soft, if you could bring yourself to look at him maybe you would see that he’s just as nervous about this as you are.

Not that “this” is anything special really. You’ve worked closing shifts at the lounge before, and someone always walks you back. Usually it’s Grim, he never actually helps with the work but he’s more than happy to show up at the end and claim some share of the reward for shepherding you home. But this time the little weasel had decided not to show and, for some reason, Azul had asked to accompany you. “For my sanity if nothing else.” You hadn’t been able to speak since hearing that for fear your heart would leap right out of your mouth, you aren’t even entirely certain how you managed to nod an approval. Not that Azul’s been much better, he hasn’t made eye contact with you since you started the walk back. Or spoken. You’d almost think he’s annoyed, or angry, if not for how the closer you get to your dorm the slower his steps get. Maybe he doesn’t want things to end so soon either…

“The moon is beautiful tonight.” He breaks his silence with a sigh and you choke slightly, eyes darting towards him warily even though you know for a fact that phrase doesn’t hold the same meaning here.

“Ramshackle always has a great view of the night sky.” you look up at the moon to avoid Azul’s quizzical gaze. “It looks almost exactly like the moon in my world.”

“You enjoy watching it then, I take it?” You don’t answer immediately, the question swirling up a myriad of contracting emotions and answers.

“Sometimes.” You settle on a thought, haphazard as it feels. “It’s funny, the longer I look at it the more it makes me think about a story I used to really like.”

“Used to?” You don’t have to look at Azul to know he’s doing the thing he always does while probing for information. Yet you do anyway, the little unnecessary push he gives to his glasses is too cute.

“It just feels a bit too close to home now.” It feels silly to say that, but then again, this is Azul. He could also technically be considered to be from another world, so maybe he’d understand. “There’s this bamboo cutter who finds a baby in one of the bamboo stalks he cuts and raises her as his daughter. There’s always something just a bit off about her, when there’s a full moon out she stares at it and cries a whole lot, like there’s something up there she misses. She’s extremely beautiful though so everyone kind of brushes that off, and after finding her the bamboo cutter starts finding gold in every bamboo stalk he cuts.”

“That’s unrealistic.” scoffs Azul. “There has to be a catch.” You can’t help but laugh, of course this is where he’d choose to interrupt.

“It’s a story, Azul. And besides you literally live in a world where magic exists calm down.” He snorts and you quickly start talking before he can begin his protests. “Anyway he starts finding gold inside the bamboo and becomes wealthy enough to be considered important. His daughter grows up to be an otherworldly beautiful woman and gets a bunch of attention from all over the country, people call her a princess. She’s so popular the emperor himself comes to see her and they get to talking. The two of them find they have a lot in common, so when the emperor proposes he’s sure she’ll say yes.” Azul’s smart, you’re pretty sure he’s figured out the plot twist already by the way he’s set his jaw, but he makes no attempt to stop you. Almost like he’s hoping you will prove him wrong. “But she doesn’t. She says she can’t marry him because she isn’t from his country and can’t be his queen. He’s heartbroken but the princess agrees to keep in touch so he thinks that maybe he could one day have a chance, but then the princess’s strange behavior’s start getting more erratic. She starts spending every night outside looking at the moon, and when her father finally asks her why she tells him a secret. That she is from the moon, and that soon she’s going to have to return.” You look back at Azul, expecting his eyes to be on the moon only to find them centered pointedly on you. It’s a heavy gaze, suffocating almost.

“I can’t imagine the emperor was accepting of that.” He’s trying to make a joke, at least you think. The words fall sort of flat.

“When the princess tells him that, he tries to send soldiers to her house. To prevent the moon from taking her back. But it doesn’t work, when the time comes for her to return everyone in the house falls into a deep sleep while the princess is swept up by the moon people.” You both stand in silence for a moment before you think to add. “That’s not really why I started disliking it though. There’s- when she goes back to the moon they wrap her up in this cloak that makes her forget everyone she met on earth.”

“Do you think that’s what will happen to you?” There’s an emotion in his voice you can’t quite place. If you had to describe it you’d say he was teetering on the edge of desperation, over what you can’t quite tell. “Do you want that to happen to you?”

“No!” You surprise yourself with how forcefully you shout. “I don’t think the lady from the moon did either. Pretty much every version of the story I ever read really made it seem like she wanted to stay, but-”

“Why didn’t the emperor go himself?” He’s getting closer to the edge, similar to how he sounded when his contracts got turned to dust but thankfully not yet that desperate. “If he was in love, why didn’t he demand they stay?” And that aura from flying class is back; he’s talking but he isn’t saying what he means but this time you think-

The way he looks at you has changed. Azul’s smiles have started reaching his eyes, you belatedly foolishly realize, and now his carefully concealed doubts have too. “Maybe he was afraid.” you don’t have to phrase it as a question, there’s no real question about what’s keeping you both silent here. He flinches, trying desperately to steady himself. You take a deep, shuddering breath as Azul squares his shoulders and steps closer to you. “That they wanted to leave all along and he couldn’t bring himself to deny them.” Closer. “Maybe he thought somethings were more important than taking a risk on someone from another world.” Closer. Not quite yet as close as he could be but firmly within reach, but he doesn’t dare move any more.

“He’s a better man than me.” It’s a warning, or at least it should register as one. Make you reconsider the smile that escapes your lips and settles firmly into his poor unfortunate heart. “I don’t think I could let such a rare person go if they shone so clearly against the night sky.” You want to laugh. Really you do but you’re too busy reveling in the newfound light in his eyes to do anything other than choke back a sob.

“Then I guess you’re lucky I’m not from the moon.” And finally, finally, finally you move to close the gap so you’re standing chest to chest under the light of the moon, warming the cold beat of his heart into something far less shallow. Finally, finally he sees you, and knows he doesn’t have to look away.

*Jade encouraged Floyd to ditch so Azul wouldn't be in control of the conversation. Partially to mess with him and partially because I think someone as obsessed with perfection as Azul should be forced to realize love isn't something you can plan every aspect of and I think Jade would agree with me because I am the author and I say so.

**In the original translation I read everyone is blinded by a light. I changed this for correlation to chapter 7.

#twst x reader #twst x yuu #azul ashengrotto x reader #azul x reader #azul x yuu #azul ashengrotto #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland x yuu

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asumofwords · 2 years ago

Text

Smoke, Fire and Ash

Warnings: This fic includes noncon, dubcon, manipulation, violence and inc3st. Tags will be added as the fic goes on.

This is a dark!fic. 18+ only. Read at your own discretion. Please read the warnings before continuing.

Summary: You are the eldest daughter of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen. You are forced to navigate the difficult surroundings of your upbringing and the eventual disintegration between your family and the Hightower's relationship. What will happen when your older and estranged uncle suddenly takes a more sinister interest in you? (Dark!Aemond x Reader)

Characters: Aemond Targaryen X Reader, HOTD characters.

Note: This is my first time ever writing fanfic. I have been reading fanfic on this godforsaken app since I was 12, and have been encouraged blindly by my best friend to post this. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3: The Feast

Pushing yourself forward, you continued along the cold stones towards the more intimate Dining Hall. You remembered that as a child you would play with your siblings there, chasing each other around the table and hiding behind the warm toned drapes, clutching at the soft threads whilst giggling madly waiting to be found by Jacaerys. Your younger brother Lucerys was always fond of hiding beneath the table, believing the heavy dark oak would hide him, but you could always see him there; covering his mouth to prevent the peals of laughter that threatened to overflow and give away his hiding spot.

You thought of the days you had spent with your aunt Helaena, sitting on the stone steps or on the window seats, listening to her describe the newest bug she had discovered, letting them crawl over her hands gently.

Helaena had always been what others called strange, but to you, she was one of the kindest and wisest people you knew. You believed she had Dragon Dreams; for sometimes her ramblings foretold a future event that was unexplainable. You remembered as a child, your mother telling you stories of Daenys the Dreamer, who foretold the destruction of Old Valyria.

Yet beside all of this, she had been nothing but kind to you and all the creatures she collected, holding them gently, never once being bitten or stung. Helaena had a kind and pure heart that not many possessed. You had missed your aunt dearly, and wished that she hadn't turned against you, much like her brothers Aegon and Aemond.

A sharp breeze blew through the open arches of the corridor, blowing your loose hairs softly across your face. The knight beside you kept silent. You don’t remember him from your time in the Red Keep before, and assume that he may be new to the Knights Watch, surely poisoned by the whispers of the Queen. As you turned to look at him he bowed his head, and although he was keeping a respectful air around him, you sensed that he did not wish to engage with you, and so you looked forward as you reached the large doors.

They were higher than your chambers, arched and rounded at the top with intricate swirling carvings along the border with two more Knights of the Kings Guard standing besides them. The deep wood had two golden handles; both dragons poised to look like they were ready to fight. The two knights grasped at a dragon each and pushed open the door.

The room was gently lit by a multitude of torches that lined the walls, and tall standing candelabras that lined the entrance way. You held onto your long skirts as you walked up small steps to the elevated room, looking towards the long table you remembered fondly.

This room and all within it, were oddly unchanged by the Queens redecorating. Perhaps your Grandsire wished to keep some semblance of normality for his sanity, or perhaps they simply didn’t use this room any longer, forgetting of its existence entirely.

Looking up, you caught the slanted smile of your Grandsire. He looked pale and gaunt. Your father was correct in saying that the gods had not been kind to him over these years. His once thick white hair, now lay limp and thin upon his head, barely reaching his shoulders, and only few strands remained upon his scabbed head. Half of his face was covered by a golden mask, a mould of his younger self. You wondered what could be hidden behind the shining plate.

He cocked his head, sighing lovingly, “My dear child, how you have grown.”

His one eye softened and that small smile spread, revealing a mouth full of missing and rotting teeth behind his cracked lips. He swept one arm wide open. The other appeared to be missing or tucked away, the material of the arm of that side pinned back so as to not flail around.

A low chuckle emanated from him and you felt your heart soar. King Viserys had always been a strong advocate for your mother and siblings. His fierce love for you irking his younger wife.

You quickly walked towards the table. Two large candelabras sat halfway in the middle on each end, casting a soft light, with dancing shadows on the sides of your family's faces.

“Grandsire, I have missed you dearly.” You sang, as you walked around the table, holding your head high and ignoring the heat of the eyes stuck to your form.

Walking towards the King, you let your sight wander to Alicent, who sat beside him. Her eyes watching you closely as you stepped forward to clutch gently at your Grandsires outreached hand. Leaning forward to kiss his cheek gently, you pulled back to gaze at him once more smiling.

You looked back down towards the Queen, who wore a tight lipped smile and unsurprisingly, a dark green gown with gold trim. It had a conservative high neck and tight sleeves, and around her neck lay a large golden 7 pointed star, a promise and projection of her suffocating devotion to faith.

You lifted your lips softly towards her, lowering your head letting a polite, “Queen Alicent.” acknowledging her presence.

She held her head high, eyes unwavering from yours.

“Princess y/n, it’s wonderful that you could join us this evening.”

She smiled, but it did not reach her eyes, as she looked down at the plunging neckline of your dress and your chosen colour black.

Returning your attention back to your Grandsire you gently squeezed his hand grinning, and leant forward to place a kiss upon his uncovered cheek before walking back around to your designated seat.

As you walked you bent down to kiss your mother, softly resting a hand on her shoulder. She too adorned a dress of black, with red embroidered flowers that softly wound along one side. Her silver white hair lay delicately atop her head in a series of braids and twists.

Your father Daemon leant back to place a heavy and calloused hand upon yours that still rested on your mother, “Y/n.” he spoke casually and lowly, so that only your mother and yourself could hear. A comforting sound; his own reassurance that this would be okay.

Taking your hand off of your mother, you finally let your eyes roam over the table. Your uncle Aegon looked as though he had been bathing in wine and whores all evening. His eyes sunken and lazy, with a drunken smirk sat upon his pale face. His hair was disheveled and short, wild waves flicking in different directions, and the top lay heavy on his head from oil and grime. He, like his mother, was dressed in deep green.

Dark leather pants and a white undershirt was tucked messily into them, half creased from drunken movements. He looked as though he had been recently woken out of an intoxicated stupor.

Over the top of his white shirt, a dark green silk coat was unceremoniously unbuttoned at the front, gold detailing wound along the cuffs and neck having small seven pointed stars adorn them. Half of his undershirt lay unbuttoned at his throat, as if it was a hot summer's day and he was trying to get a reprieve from the sweltering heat. Lifting his goblet towards his mouth he smirked at you and took a large sip.

To the left of him sat your aunt. She too was in green, but of a lighter shade, almost yellow. This gown was more whimsical than strict like her mothers. It had lighter green detailing of leaves from the godswood, and her hair lay loose down her back, tucked behind her ear by a few braids.

Her hands sat in her lap, twisting and turning. A nervous habit she had not lost from her childhood that she inherited from her mother. Helaena lifted her eyes from her hands and looked at you, giving a shy smile before quickly looking back down. You knew in that moment that she did not hate you and it made your heart race that you had not lost your aunt.

Your brother Jacaerys sat beside Aegon, wearing all black with hints of red and beside him sat his betrothed Baela. She too dressed in a deep black, with her curled white hair sitting delicately atop her head.

Both smiled at you as did your younger brother Lucerys and Rhaena. Your seat sat at the head of the table, on the end, whilst the chair on the opposite side with the Greens was vacant. You wondered if your uncle Aemond was going to jump out of the shadows to scare you once more, or perhaps he had fallen off of Vhagar and sunk to the bottom of the ocean like you had prayed.

Maybe the Gods favoured you after all.

Your brother Jacaerys stood to pull out your chair for you and gently sat back down in his, taking Baela's hand in his own. You were proud of both of your brothers. They were kind and clever, raised perfectly by your mother to treat women well.

You could not say the same about Alicent's children. Aegon, though married to Helaena, still whored about, fathering many bastards and was rumoured to be a cruel and childish prince. Your uncle Aemond did not have any rumours of bastards, but more than enough proof of his cruelty towards others when provoked.

If Aemond did not show for supper, it would make the night a lot easier to suffer through.

You could cut the tension with a knife. Your father Daemon sat picking at his fingernails in boredom whilst your mother spoke softly to her father.

Queen Alicent sat stiffly beside him, staring daggers at her drunken son Aegon, who had slumped further into his seat and let his wandering eyes stalk one of the maids that was refilling his cup.

The Green Queen was clearly becoming more agitated whilst waiting for the arrival of her son Aemond. Her eyes continued to flit towards the door, hoping that her gaze would suddenly summon him into the room.

Helaena seemed to become more anxious and turned further into herself, not uttering a word to anyone except murmuring beneath her breath. Your Grandsire obviously sensing the rising tension pulled away from his conversation with his daughter Rhaenyra.

“Let us not wait any longer.” He said with a slight chuckle. Prince Daemon let out a huff of a laugh and reached for his goblet.

The Queen's hands fidgeted in her lap.

Lifting her head, Alicent summoned the maids and servants to begin the feast. Small conversations littered the table as you waited, but the Greens for the most part kept to themselves.

The table soon began to be filled with a large feast. Poultry and meaty legs of ham were placed along the table, dripping in gravy and juices from the meat. Steaming vegetables of all shapes and colours were placed surrounding, the herbs and rich butter wafting through the air.

Reaching for your goblet you lifted it towards you lips and took a long sip, knowing that you would need more wine in your chambers after this dinner and made a mental note to get Saria or Aella to fetch some before bed.

By now, Aegon looked as though he was falling asleep in his chair and Helaena seemed to be relaxed by this, occasionally lifting her gaze to steal short and shy glances at you.

Daemon reached forward and began to serve himself before everyone else, Queen Alicent interrupting his movements as she began a loud and obnoxious prayer, stopping him for helping himself further.

“May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love,”

She began, curling her hands together,

“May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long”

She continued, you softly scoffed and looked up to see your mother looking exacerbated,

“And to Vaemond Velaryon,”

Your father Daemon letting a sharp snort through his nose at the mention, throwing his head back to roll his eyes up in disbelief and amusement.

“May the gods give him rest.”

As she finished the prayer, Daemon reached forward to take a large sip of his wine, hiding his smirk behind the goblet, whilst Alicent looked angrily at Aegon who seemed to have finally nodded off during her prayer.

As she opened her mouth to chastise him, the heavy wooden doors pushed open, revealing the neatly brushed and pulled back silver hair of Prince Aemond.

The doors clunked shut, rousing Aegon from his drunken stupor, and Helaena shifted in her seat.

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ten-shi-fandoms · 2 years ago

Note

Hi hi! I wanted to know if you request are still open. If they are i wanted Wally Darling comfort where reader is having a hard time and wally comforts them

Sure no problem :) this actually made me feel a lot better having a pretty hard past few days so thanks for this request.

_______________________________________

"Everything will be fine"

__________________

Cw: Wally Darling x Reader, gender neutral reader, reader had a bad week, Wally being supportive bf, pre established relationship (dating), kissing (very mild and soft), first person pov, reader cries, minor angst to fluff, tooth rotting fluff, short like Wally-, kinda sucks srry

___________________________________

Why?

Why did everything have to go wrong?

It felt like everything was against you.

Like the world was turned against you.

It all started earlier that week when Howdy asked you to help out around the shop which you happily agreed too. You ended up falling from a stool, dropping all the items you were holding and landing on your hand which caused you to sprain your wrist. Howdy apologised profusely but you reassured him it wasn't his fault that it was yours for not being careful. But things seemed only to get worse.

Later that week you went to help Sally with one of her plays only to forget all your lines during the performance. Sally told you it was fine and that the play was still fun especially when you both had to improvise but it left a sour taste in your mouth. You almost burnt the cookies you were baking with Poppy. Almost fell out a tree while watching butterflies with Frank. Almost made Eddie fall after tripping over your own feet. And even dropped fruit punch all over yourself when you were setting up for a tea party with Barnaby and Julie.

It was like the world hated you. Like it was out to get you just for existing. Tears gathered in your eyes as you sat on a couch in Wally's house. Wally had invited you over a few minutes ago to have a painting date. Mainly he would paint and you would pose. It was always a lovely arrangement but the events of the week begun to make your emotions act up forcing tears out of your eyes. Tears slowly slipped down your cheeks as you choked back a sob.

As more tears fell down your now wet cheeks you heard footsteps walk into the room and closer to your area. You didn't have to wonder who it was when you felt arms wrap around your shoulders. Wally said nothing as he held you, allowing your body to shake with each sob that racked your body. You heard Wally hum gently. He was humming "Beautiful Dreamer" a song Barnaby had introduced him too. It always seemed that Wally loved that song often humming it to you or singing it to Home.

The soft sound of Wally's humming alongside a gentle hand rubbing through your hair helped you calm down a bit. You were still a mess. Your eyes red and puffy, tears still rolling down your face onto Wally's cardigan, (h/c) haid stuck to your face but your breathing was a bit more steady and you weren't sobbing as much. Wally gently leaned you back, just enough to roll his sleeve down wiping the tears from your face even as new ones fell with such gentleness you felt like you were going to melt.

"Everything will be okay." his soft voice rang through your ears as you stared at his half lidded eyes. He gazed at you like you were something so precious that he couldn't look away. You could feel the warmth in his eyes. The love that constantly swirled around in dark iris everytime you looked at him. Before you could speak Wally leaned forward placing a soft kiss against your lips. More tears welled up in your eyes as you wrapped your arms around his waist pulling him as close to you as you could. You felt Wally smile at against you before he pulled back. His eyes were glossy like he was in a daze. A expression you had come to love.

"No more crying now, I don't want the apple of my eye to become soggy" he teased, placing gentle kisses against your cheeks and under your eyes effectively kissing away your tears. You couldn't help but giggle. The soft kisses, the corny joke, the warmth that Wally provided all of it made you feel better. You always felt better in Wally's arms. He made you feel safe and loved with little effort. It was one of his many charms. You sniffled a bit, a small broken sob leaving your quivering lips. "Okay.. No more crying." you muttered, your voice hoarse. Wally smiled once more, the warmth that seeped out of his smile warming your heart from the inside out.

"Good, now go wipe your face. I'm only going to paint my lovely honeycrisp if their smiling." you smiled at the apple themed nickname nodding as you got up walking off to get cleaned up. As you were walking you heard Home make a few creaking noises and Wally sigh.

"I know Home, (Y/N) is beautiful even when they cry."

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starogeorgina · 2 years ago

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Children of the dragon

Warnings: Incest, minor violence

Pairing: Aegon II Targaryen x Targ reader, Minor Aemond Targaryen x Targ reader

Notes: In this story, Aegon and Helaena aren't married, and Aegon isn't anywhere near as bad as he is in the show (he hasn't SA or raped anyone)

1.01

You picked at the food on your plate, uninterested in the festivities going on around you. Many great houses had gathered to celebrate your marriage to Aemond, but you felt nothing but sorrow. Targaryen weddings weren’t something to be missed as they were grand events, but you wanted nothing more than to disappear away from the crowds of people who meant little and less to you.

Looking to your left, a tight smile pulls on your lips seeing your father laugh while talking to his brother, Prince Daemon. It was the first time in a while you’ve seen him look genuinely happy. King Viserys had been sick for many years, and his health didn’t show signs of improving. You just hoped you’d be able to bear a child before he passed away since he ceaselessly reminded you that your only duty as a princess was to provide more heirs.

The thought sent a chill up your spine.

King Viserys had hoped such a large event would help close the gap between your two families, but you didn’t have much faith. Despite the distance between you, you did hold some love for Rhaenyra, as she is your kin and secretly found her sons adorable. You had found it disheartening over the years watching your own mother and her sworn shield continually slander your oldest sibling, calling her a spoilt cunt and her sons bastards.

Fast-paced music accompanied by roars of laughter fills the room while everyone enjoys themselves. Noticing Helaena and Jace dancing in the middle of the hall, you smile. You had worried Helaena would find the wedding overstimulating and disappear into herself again, but the young boy had made her feel at ease. Jace was always kind to your sweet sister, while most people, including your three brothers, mocked her for being different.

You and Helaena weren’t so different; you too were haunted by the visions in your dreams, the voices that spoke in riddles, giving you clues to the past, present, and future.

Wasn’t it ironic that King Viserys desperately wanted a dreamer in the family, then ignored the two that came from his own line?

Your mother sits in the empty chair beside you with the usual look of disapproval on her face. Letting out a dramatic sigh, you bring the cup of wine to your lips and take a large gulp, already knowing whatever she was planning on saying would turn into a lecture of some sort.

“Where did you get that from?” Your mother's fingers trace over the jewellery hugging your neck as she inspects it.

Your mother had suggested you wear a star-shaped necklace similar to the one she wears to show your commitment to the Faith of the Seven. The queen had chosen your dress, which was a modest design and made from an uncomfortable lace material. Your hair was braided so tight it hurt your scalp.

The necklace in the design of a black dragon was a perfect replica of your dragon, Dallax the Dark. It even had a red jade stone to match his red eyes.

“It was a gift.”

“A gift?” Your mother asks; her voice is low and lingering on a scolding tone. “An unusual gift to give a bride to be.”

Smirking, Aemond leans forward and rests his elbows on the table. “It was Aegon. He knows how much our sister cares for her beast and thought it would be the perfect wedding gift.”

You resist the urge to roll your eyes. Aemond wasn’t a fool, and tension between your mother and eldest sibling had become more tense over the last year.

“I’m going to go mingle with our quests.”

—

Not feeling a spark of enjoyment while speaking with the ladies or dancing with the lords from various houses that were invited, you excuse yourself and return to your seat beside Aemond, mainly so you can drink more wine and nibble on what remains of the fruit and miniature cakes.

“Oh, what a delight! He’s finally decided to grace us with his presence.”

Your mother tries and fails to hide a snigger behind her hand. You don’t even need to look up to know who Aemond was referring to. Only moments after you and Aemond exchanged vows, Aegon disappeared and missed the fine feast being served, which infuriated both your parents. Queen Alicent was telling people her eldest son has overindulged by breaking fast with food that doesn’t agree with him.

The table falls quiet when Aegon walks up; he stops directly across from you; the look he gives you causes a fluttering feeling in your stomach.

”I’m glad you are feeling much better.”

Aemond scoffs, “Yes, what a miraculous recovery.”

Ignoring the comments being made, Aegon walks around the table with a goblet of wine in hand; by the time he reaches you, he’s finished the drink. He puts the empty cup down, then offers you his hand. “May I have the next dance?”

“You don’t dance.”

“Neither does your husband.”

He wasn’t wrong; aside from the first dance, Aemond had not shown any interest in socializing with you, his new bride. You accept Aegon's hand and let him lead you to the middle of the great hall to dance. Looking over his shoulder towards the high table, you see your mother whispering in your grandsire’s ear while narrowing her eyes in your direction.

“I’m surprised you're still sober. I thought you would be passed out in the street of silk with one of your whores.”

Aegon spins you, then pulls you in close, his arm wrapping around your waist. “I always knew you’d make a beautiful bride.”

His words make you blush. You knew Aemond wouldn’t use a word like beautiful to describe you.

“This dress is hideous.”

The white puffy sleeves were over the top, along with the rest of the outfit. Your chest was noticeable underneath most clothing you wore, so your mother made it her mission to conceal it.

“Gods, I’ve never seen such a miserable bride.” Aegon lets go of your waist and begins spinning you again. “Do you trust me?”

No.

Yes.

Maybe.

“It depends on what it is I need to trust you with.”

Aegon suddenly stops dancing and grips your face, forcing you to make eye contact. His breath was warm on your face, and you pushed back the desire to kiss him. “I’ve got an idea. Follow me outside.”

“I can’t leave my own wedding.”

Aegon sighs, irritated. “Tonight you will be his. You will perform your duty as a wife and hate it; you might as well spend the next few hours enjoying yourself. Besides, Aemond won’t even notice you are gone.”

Looking back over at the table, you see Aemond’s eye glued to someone else, the one person he desired to marry instead of you. If things were different, you wouldn’t dare contemplate leaving your own wedding, but seeing your own husband pine for another was embarrassing.

“Fine, but we’ll need to run before our mother has someone drag me back.”

—

“Dracarys!”

You hear Aegon laughing as Sunfyre dodges Dallex’s flames. Growing up, you and your brother often got into trouble for playing the dangerous game while dragon riding, but your mother could never understand the exhilarating thrill that came with it. You both knew that it was only in jest, and the dragons never posed a real threat to each other. You enjoyed watching Aegon on edge. Dallax was so dark that he blended into the night sky, making it harder for anyone else to see him.

Reluctantly, you return Dallax and Sunfyre to the dragon pit. When you reached the top of the staircase, you were greeted by your mother and her sworn protector. “Ser Criston, please escort my son back to the red keep,” she said sternly. When both the knight and Aegon disappear from your view, she turns and glares at you and says, “On your wedding night?”

You look down at the ground, not knowing what to say.

“Y/n!” She snaps. “Do you have any idea how many people saw you leave with Aegon? What will they think? Your recklessness has caused this house great shame. Why must you do this today? Of all days.”

Anger boils inside you. “Nobody wanted this marriage except you!”

Aegon had begged your mother to allow the two of you to be betrothed; she refused and declared only when she was cold in the ground would such a union be able to happen. Your father then suggested a betrothal between you and Prince Jacaerys, which wouldn’t have been terrible. You weren’t in love with Jace, but he was always kind to you, and you wouldn’t have minded waiting a few years until he was older. Your mother refused and said it would be better to stick to the Targaryen custom of marrying you to one of your brothers, crushing you.

“You are punishing me.”

“I didn’t do this to punish you,” she attempts to comfort you by placing her hands on your shoulder. “This is your duty, and where there is duty, there is sacrifice.”

You push her hands off you and say, “You did it because I remind you of Rhaenyra.”

“Where would you get an idea like that?”

“Father says it all the time, and I see the way you look at me when he does,” you say, blinking away tears. “I don’t see any other reason why you fight so hard to keep me and Aegon apart. Both you and grandsire told my father if I wasn’t married to Aemond soon, he should expect another scandal of his daughter being in a brothel.”

Your mother rolls her eyes, obviously uninterested in the slightest how any of this made you feel. “You are a hypocrite.”

“I have done my duty to my husband, my king, and made sure I never brought shame upon him.”

Your mother pretending to be a saint infuriates you further. “I may sneak out my bedchamber during the night to go dragon riding or to the library when I cannot find sleep, but I don’t summon my sworn shield into my bedchambers. The same honorable knight who the king’s oldest daughter lost her maidenhood to, how shameless.”

The sudden sting across your cheek wasn’t completely unexpected; you had crossed a line.

“How is it that you can be so shortsighted?” your mother scoffs. “If Rhaenyra comes into power, she will cut off any challenge to her succession, and Aegon is the king's firstborn son.”

“So you keep saying,” you say with a hint of sarcasm, earning a scolding glare. “Even if that were true, Rhaenyra wouldn’t just come for Aegon; she would come for all of us, regardless of who he is married to. You prevented me from marrying a man of my choosing because you never got that choice.”

“You poor clueless girl. Aemond would continue to fight for his family with you by his side, but Aegon? He would give it all up if he thought that’s what you wanted.”

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accirax · 2 years ago

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Mr. Showtime 2DMV Theory

The release of Mr. Showtime full and its 2DMV... oh my god. I’m back on my Tsukasa bullshit, so please allow me to talk about what I thought was the most interesting part of the 2DMV:

This part, with the jester boy on the moon with balloons. Please ignore the YouTube time bar I don’t know how to get rid of it While the entire 2DMV is gorgeous and bears rewatching one million times, it’s this part that stood out to me in conjunction with the lyrics. Specifically, the strings of the balloons stood out to me, after reading and participating in this post by @/getwonderhoyd. It discussed the symbolism of Tsukasa and the marionette strings in comparison to Mafuyu, and how their tight wind around his fingers implied the tight grasp he has on controlling his situation.

He has that same winding grasp on the balloons. But what are the balloons?

While not all of them are direct depictions of the Wonderland Sekai, many of them also are. The ones that aren’t all seem to be related to stories Tsukasa is featured in, specifically a lot of the girls’ events for some reason? The presents seem to be from On This Holy Night, I Sing; the mermaid tail from Mermaid Adoration; and the tropical climate from A Desperate Situation?! Island Panic!. The plane, I would imagine, is from their travels abroad in Popping In My Heart, and the candy clouds balloon could either also be that event or resemble the clouds in the Smile of a Dreamer cards. I don’t remember where the scary face could be from-- I would posit either a spooky Halloween face for It’s On! Wonder Halloween or the checkered pattern could imply the phantom thieves of A Gentleman Thief’s Thrilling White Day?!.

Anyways, Tsukasa is clutching on tightly both to the sekai and his memories with his friends. Typical. But could it go deeper than that?

Again, the balloons are his memories. It’s good that he has them, considering his past history with memories. But here, we get some more interesting insight-- these memories are carrying the travelers. The travelers/stars are surely his troupemates, and Tsukasa believes he is carrying them with his memories. Sure, he’s carrying them with him through what he remembers, but as the leader, I think he believes that he’s the one carrying them forward. Not in a totally vain way, of course-- he loves his friends and thinks they’re all super talented, too. But there is one way that he specifically is undeniably carrying them... and that’s through the existence of his very own sekai.

That’s why his memories of prior events and the memories of the sekai are so combined. This other post which I adore by @/wondahoiii discusses how sekais are based off of repressed feelings. This makes the Wonderland Sekai, and the fact that it’s a neverending paradise based off of solely Tsukasa’s childhood memories, kind of terrifying.

Wonderlands x Showtime has had a lot of events recently about how much they don’t want their time as a group to end, even though it inevitably will. All four of them have lyrics here about wanting to avoid an ending, while Tsukasa is the only one shown acknowledging its arrival. But, down to the name, Wonderlands x Showtime and the Wonderland Sekai are connected. Since Tsukasa and Rui would have never made up without Kaito and Miku’s help, you could argue that Wonderlands x Showtime couldn’t exist without the Wonderland Sekai. So, in a way, when the members say they don’t want “it” to end, they could also be talking about how they don’t want the Wonderland Sekai to end.

What happens when true feelings are resolved?

If Vivid Bad Squad becomes a tight foursome without envy and insecurity and surpasses RAD Weekend, would they need the Street Sekai to practice in anymore? If Kanade really does write a song that can save Mafuyu, and all the members of Nightcord become mentally healthy, would they need advice from Miku, Meiko, or anyone else anymore? Someday, More More Jump will retire from being idols, right? Would the Stage Sekai still exist, even then?

And what about Tsukasa? If he became a mentally healthy person, one who could retain and potentially regain all of his memories, and make people like Saki smile... what would happen to the Wonderland Sekai?

There’s a certain fear in being the one-man show that fuels an entire universe.

Tsukasa will do anything to make the people he cares about smile. It’s literally the basis of the Wonderland Sekai itself. So, if the Wonderland Sekai makes Emu, Nene, and Rui smile, of course he would keep it open with all his power. Not to mention that, as reminded by the event story balloons, the Wonderlands Sekai is making his friends better people. Emu has people who unshakably care about her, Nene is overcoming her stage fright, and Rui feels understood and appreciated for the first time ever, thanks to the Virtual Singers inside the sekai. The Wonderland Sekai is making them better.

But at the same time, there’s a problem. As stated, the Wonderland Sekai consists of every happy childhood memory Tsukasa has repressed. For the Wonderland Sekai to exist, Tsukasa has to repress these memories, or else they wouldn’t be “emotions never expressed.” While I would never say that Wonderlands x Showtime was unhealthy for Tsukasa, it’s possible that, to a point, the Wonderland Sekai is. If he wants to reclaim his memories, he has to let the Wonderland Sekai go.

He has to be the one to bring about the catastrophic end.

It’s not just that Tsukasa wants to keep up a happy attitude so that no one will worry about him, or through some sense of pride at being the unshakable leader with masterful skills of pretending. It may be that Tsukasa is worried that if he shows even a crack, so will the world they’ve come to love. You know-- the one that Hasn’t Even Started Yet.

Which is why Tsukasa will never let go of those balloons. The ones that only contain memories of recent events; nothing about elementary school, or middle school, or even Saki and her heart-wrenching hospital trips. Living in the present, keeping things going, ignoring the past, is the only way to keep the Wonderland Sekai alive in his mind. Until closing time comes, Tsukasa and virtual singers like Luka will share this secret. Just like how Luka is constantly falling asleep, Tsukasa, too, will fall asleep on his own needs to ensure that he’ll keep the never-ending merry-go-round spinning. He’ll give up his own happiness for the betterment of others. He refuses to express his memories in words so that he can bear the burden of carrying the travelers by his side.

For the ultimate sacrifice... the show must go on!

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kunikame · 2 years ago

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¡ ! ❝ REDAMANCY . . ❞

╰┈➤ ❝ [27] collapse ❞ | m. list | prev. | next

natsume sakasaki x reader smau

warning(s) : cussing, death mention, sakasaki natsume is a simp, rip mao im sorry ill write a mao fic as an apology for what i put him through one day i promise

w/c : 1.1k

wataru hibiki has, in his time at yumenosaki academy, seen many dreams crumble. he's witnessed many dreamers fall apart, give up and leave, become a shell of who they once used to be. he's familiar with this particular feeling of loss, of not remembering who you once were; who you wished to be.

it's a common experience and he has long accepted it strikes when least expected, to the ones you least expect it to happen to, because their dreams are simply too precious– too pure, yet they're still thrown into such a distressing situation.

he wishes he could keep that view, keep looking at the world in black and white, see the evil in the good and the purity in the bad. perhaps it would be easier, less taxing on the mind.

and yet, he hesitates, finds himself looking for an exception; a fault in his theory. he feels his gaze wandering around the ballroom– black and white, filled with fraudulent faces– only to be met with the smiling face of the one who so dearly refers to him as his 'master'.

he protected natsume once, he can do it again, and yet as he truly focuses on his expression, wataru finds there is nothing to protect the boy from.

he's smiling– truly smiling, with his entire being, because natsume has found his safe place.

wataru thinks he is okay with that. as his gaze slides to the person natsume is looking at so fondly, he finds himself relieved she's looking at him the exact same way, like he himself hung the stars and the moon in the night sky.

perhaps, perhaps some dreams won't crumble

contrary to the flourish in natsumes speech and movements, he hates social events that include the higher classes. he’s been trained for them, taught how to behave, move, interact, stand, lift a glass,.. he knows it all. he has always, always hated these. so then why does he find himself so at ease at this specific event?

because it celebrates his mother? his friends are here? the color scheme makes him feel at ease? no.

you laugh at something kohaku says and suddenly he has the answer to all the questions running through the back of his mind, and he knows it’s you and it’s always been you and it always will be you.

because natsume sakasaki gazes down at you like you are his sun and his world revolves around you; he wants to be yours– he is yours, but only if you want him to be. he thinks he would continue being yours even if you didn't desire it to be so, he simply couldn't stop following the predetermined route he is meant to take; following the course mapped out for him, much like the planets you hold so dear orbit the sun (and he hopes you hold him dear, too).

he finds himself desperately wishing soulmates were real because then his feelings would make sense because now he just feels and he doesn’t understand why.

and yet as you turn his way when you notice him walking towards you with that breathtaking smile of yours and something akin to sparkles in your eyes, his heart starts racing a mile a minute and he’s not even sure he can walk properly anymore. is this a curse? is he dying? what have you done to him?

“natsu! you were so great! i wish you would’ve seen yourself! err, well, i suppose performing was better but- not the point! ahhhh, i wish i had recorded it.. actually i think tsukasa said–”

you went on animatedly explaining whatever it is you were saying while he just stared. he wishes he could listen but he’s gonna be absolutely, brutally honest, he can’t bring himself to. his ears are ringing and his palms are suddenly sweating and holy shit has it always been so hot in here? where’s all the air from his lungs gone? why is his throat so dry? oh god you’re looking at him and what were you even saying oh go-

“natsu? are you okay? would you like to sit down for a bit? i’m sorry, i should’ve known you were tired– come, i’ll go get you some water,” you grab onto his elbow and pull him along with you universe knows where and he just lets you.

suddenly he’s sitting in a chair and you’re fawning all over him; checking his temperature because apparently his ’forehead is too warm’ and sending mao to get some water (which he, to everyones surprise, does) while kohaku and tsukasa keep the other guests away from your unsuspecting corner and natsume just dazedly stares up at you while you gently push his bangs back with a look of genuine concern for him.

suddenly, air re-enters his lungs and his throat opens up, but the ringing and the fuzz in his brain remain. he doesn’t think you’ve ever been so close to each other before and frankly, it’s making him lightheaded. his amber eyes trace the curves of your face and he’s late to realize he could probably count your lashes if he really wanted to (he does, god does he want to) and, makeup be damned, even without it you put all beauty standards and so-proclaimed “most beautiful women in the world” to shame.

despite the fuzz there is a singular coherent thought swirling in his brain, he thinks you’re beautiful. no, gorgeous. no, that’s not quite good either.

“you’re ethereal..”

and yet, that still doesn’t fully capture your essence. heavenly might be close. breathtaking? heartstopping? not quite.. they need to come up with a new word for you specifically because whatever high natsume is riding on, he can’t find a word good enough for you.

you’re looking at him in the eyes with an adorably flustered face and your hands are no longer messing with his bangs or touching his forehead and he’s a little slow to realize he accidentally voiced his thoughts when he sees you give him the softest of smiles; his face now feels 10 times warmer than before.

“thank you, i would say the same about you. ethereal, breathtakingly so,” your hand slides from his forehead to cup his cheek and natsume sakasaki thinks he might short circuit.

“i think i’m in love with you..”

your hand freezes and natsume begins to regret every life decision that’s led him up to this point but then he feels the soft press of your lips against his and, perhaps, he should give himself a pat on the back instead.

mao isara, however, regrets agreeing to come along the moment he walks past the curtain separating you from the rest of the guests just to see you kissing his “arch nemesis” and he’s forced to accept there is nothing, no deal, no faking; you love natsume sakasaki and he can’t do anything but watch. he turns on his heel and walks away, leaving the glass of water with kohaku and with the excuse of needing some fresh air, he exits the ballroom.

╰┈➤ synopsis ❝after yumenosaki academy resident magician and eccentric sakasaki natsume asks you to “go out with him”, you immediately shut him down. so why is he dedicating a song to you at a switch concert? and why are people whispering about you being the cutest couple?❞

✩₊˚TAGLIST : @myunghology @shionszz @ikasaeki @zephestia @1072v @drihihihi @homonatsume @lialibrary @hugs4shizu @mikctp @emikoisdead @ara-arashi @disa-ster @tjjjrsj @solemn-soliloquy @bxkugzo @buns-inhiding @calxrein @gxwesn @kzmeru @valeriele3 @444neapolitain @theloverofscaramouchie @thelocal-idiot @lunalightlyy @promisedswords @gabirii @booklover-valkyriep @mahouwoageru @kazemiya @yellowdialover @engurishu @ttsukipi @6ellyache @anndangtramcam @pocchapoccha @stxrgxzxr @tamayoris @dexocore @zhenyuus @lunavixia @taruruchi @momomijileaf // ask/comment to be added/removed! (if you’re in bold i can’t tag you)

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mochinek0 · 2 years ago

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Daminette December 2022: 31-New Beginnings

Damian sighed. He was already loathing the thought of school. It wasn't the thought of the girls who threw themselves at him or a test he hadn't studied for; No, he had lost a bet.

Jon was already smiling as Damian exited the car.

"As per the rules of the bet," Jon announced, "had I lost, I was to sneak into Pa's sanctuary and take a picture as proof. Since you lost,-"

"I have to make a 'flirty comment' to the first girl I see." Damian continued.

"Once you are inside the school." Jon stated.

"Right." he grumbled.

'Let's just get this over with. Whatever stupid girl that becomes infatuated with me and follows me, I can just tell her it was part of a bet. That should get her to leave me alone.'

Damian and Jon walked into the school. Damian quickly turned around to see what girl would be coming next up the stairs.

"How was Heaven when you left it, Angel?" Damian questioned.

'That should suffice. It sounded like some ridiculous thing Grayson would say.'

Damian already opened his mouth to mention it was just part of a bet. He expected her to throw herself at him, ask him about when they could date, but he never expected to see her glaring at him. He hadn't remembered seeing a girl with eyes this blue before.

She pointed at him and jabbed him in his chest, "I will snap you like a twig. Never speak to me like that again."

'An accent?'

Then, she was gone. Damian quickly turned to see her walking towards the Dean's office.

"Damian, please don't hurt her." Jon whispered, grabbing onto his arm, "I think she's new."

The Wayne heir closed his eyes and exhaled.

'She doesn't even know who I am.'

Damian Wayne was trained as an assassin. He trained with ninjas. It wasn't hard to follow the new girl around. He needed to explain what happened this morning. Usually, he wouldn't bother to explain himself, but he had to!

Damian spotted her in the hall. He walked quickly behind her and touched her shoulder, to gain her attention. He didn't expect her to grab his wrist, twist his arm, and bring him to his knees. Damian saw Jon freeze near him. He could see panic cross his face.

"Can I help you with something?" Marinette questioned, "You've been following me all day."

'She noticed me?'

"I wanted to apologize for my comment this morning." Damian began to explain, "My friend and I had a bet; I lost. I had to make a flirtatious remark to the first female I laid eyes upon once I was inside the school."

Marinette let go of his arm, but glared at him nonetheless. She watched him warily.

'Green eyes. Why do green eyes always start off being honest?'

Mari sighed, "Thank you. I'm sorry if I was too rough."

"You defended yourself admirably." Damian replied.

Everyone that had been watching, let out a breath of relief.

"I tried." she smiled, "Probably not as good as someone born in Gotham."

"I moved here seven years ago." Damian answered.

Jon couldn't believe he was hearing Damian's heart race.

"I want to apologize. I have been on edge and I promised myself I wouldn't be the same person I was back in Paris." she spoke.

"Same person?" asked Jon, unconsciously.

"A spineless nobody." Marinette frowned, "Thank you for apologizing."

Marinette turned and began to walk away.

"I didn't get your name." Damian called out.

"Marinette." she spoke.

"Damian." he answered.

"Oh." Mari spoke up, "Just for future reference, puns are horrible and aren't cute. Never use a pun to flirt with me, unless you want to be punched in the face." and walked away.

Damian gulped.

'She really is an angel.'

TAG LIST: @maribat-calendar-events @animeweebgirl @a-star-with-a-human-name @meme991001 @vixen-uchiha @abrx2002 @alysrose-starchild @fandom-trapped-03 @dood-space @moonlightstar64 @saltymiraculer @marveldcedits20 @09shell-sea09 @icerosecrystal @animegirlweeb @insane-fangirl-of-everything @blueblossombliss @nickristus-dreamer @megawhitleycalderonpaganus

#daminette december 2022 #daminette december #damian wayne #jon kent #bet #new student #crush #marinette dupain cheng #damian x marinette #daminette #marinette x damian #marinette in gotham #marinette deserves better #mochinek0

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moodymelanist · 2 years ago

Note

Cassian admiring the curve of Nesta’s back on a sleepy morning

y’all are all over the soft and fluffy and I love it🥰

also shoutout to @c-e-d-dreamer for the headcanon. you know the one👀

In a rare turn of events, Cassian found himself awake before Nesta for once. They’d fallen asleep last night without bothering to put their clothes back on, so he was treated to the sight of the skin he

There was plenty to love about the way his girlfriend looked, but strangely enough, one of his favorite things about her physical appearance were the freckles that dotted her skin. She didn’t have as many as Feyre did naturally or Elain did from working so much outdoors, but he considered the ones Nesta had as more of a gift because of that.

His favorite freckle had to be the one that was on her left shoulder blade, just prominent enough that he always told her he must have kissed her there too much in a past life. She would always roll her eyes before telling him that he should make sure he got enough kisses in so it would roll over to the next one, too, and then neither of them would be stringing coherent sentences together for a while.

Cassian was glad the way Nesta had fallen asleep and tugged the covers around herself left it on display for him. He was just thinking about leaning over to kiss it when he could tell she was starting to wake up, and he couldn’t help but smile to himself as he wondered what she’d say to him.

“I can feel you staring at me,” Nesta mumbled without turning to face him.

Cassian grinned even wider at the sound of that sleepy voice. He didn’t think he’d ever get tired of how adorable she was when she got up in the mornings. “I can’t help admiring you, Nes.”

“Do it quieter,” she said back. It didn’t make a lot of sense, but he knew what she meant; he could feel when her eyes were on him as intensely as she could probably feel the reverse.

“Whatever you say, sweetheart,” he replied, leaning over to press a kiss to his favorite freckle before snuggling back up to her. “Sorry for waking you up.”

“Shhh.” She reached backwards and awkwardly patted his arm. “Less talking, more sleeping.”

Cassian didn’t think he’d be able to go back to sleep after that particular display of cuteness, but that was okay. He was more than happy to be Nesta’s human pillow if it made her happy.

#acotar #acosf #Nessian #nesta archeron #cassian #moodymelanistwrites #anon asks #Nessian prompts

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7-wonders · 2 years ago

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Christmas Traditions

Morpheus/Dream of the Endless x Reader

Though you haven't been to very many Christmas parties before, you have to say that the New Inn's staff Christmas party is setting quite the bar for all proceeding parties you might attend in the future.

Morpheus found it very important that he introduce the two humans closest to him in his Endless life. Lucky for him, you and Hob Gadling got on like a house on fire, so it was really no big chore when Morpheus told you that you and he had been invited to this event.

The New Inn is all decked out for the holiday season, but it's not the gaudy commercialism of modern Christmas decor. No, Hob's chosen to channel his over six hundred years of experience to decorate his pub. Dried fruits and winter foliage are strung up in festive lines across the ceiling, while the cinnamon smell of a simmer pot wafts through the building. A menorah sits in the window, candles light for the proper night of Hanukkah, and festive music plays lightly on the speakers.

Everyone that works at the pub is just as warm and hospitable as their boss, and you find yourself quickly welcomed into their group. You're more than happy to socialize a bit, and they're all very eager to ask you questions about Hob's "mysterious stranger" that they were shocked to see here tonight. You try your best to keep Morpheus an enigma, but you can't resist letting slip the (vague, of course, you're not about to mention years or anything) tale of their fight when Hob dared to call Morpheus his friend, only because you think it's cute.

You're pleasantly buzzed from the holiday sangria that's making your body feel nice and warm, so when Morpheus finally leaves the table that he and Hob always occupy whenever they meet here to come over to you, you're happy to lean into his chest and allow him to hold your weight.

"Hi," you say, looking up at him and smiling.

Morpheus kisses the top of your head. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Of course, Hob throws a great party! Are you two having fun...I don't know, talking about the wonders of electricity, or whatever old people talk about?" He shoots you a withering glare, and you laugh. "Sorry, I saw the opportunity and I had to take it."

"No, we were not talking about electricity. Rather, we were reminiscing on Christmases past."

"But you don't celebrate Christmas?" At least, you think he doesn't. Why would he observe this sort of holiday when he's quite literally as old as the first living thing that ever dreamed?

He shakes his head. "Dreamers tend to shape the Dreaming, especially with holidays that are so prevalent in the dreams of so many. For a couple hundred years now, the Dreaming looks like a Christmas village in the weeks leading up to the holiday."

You imagine the most picturesque Christmas movie you've ever seen, with fluffy white snow falling and blanketing the fir trees and lights strung up on all the houses. Carolers go from door to door, and there's a large town square with ice skating and Santa visits. With this in mind, you assume the Dreaming's version of this is a hundred times prettier.

"So while I do not celebrate Christmas, I am aware of certain traditions."

He looks up before smiling at you with just the slightest twitch of his lips, so naturally you follow his gaze to see what you're now competing against for Morpheus's rare smiles. Surprisingly, a sprig of mistletoe is tacked on the eave above you, one that you're pretty sure was not there just five minutes ago. The bright red berries shine in the dim lighting, nestled among the green plant.

"Mistletoe?" you question.

"So it seems." Oh, he's not subtle at all. Even with this lack of subtlety, you still find yourself flushing at the proud look on his face and the knowledge of what's to come from being under this plant.

"This is one of those traditions you're aware of, then?"

Instead of answering you with words, Morpheus kisses you. It's little more than a peck, Morpheus not being too fond of any PDA, but he's kissing you under mistletoe. Considering you've never had a mistletoe kiss before, you're pretty pleased you're experiencing one in the first place. By the look on his face when he pulls away, he's pleased as well.

And if you return to the Dreaming tonight to find a suspicious amount of mistletoe hanging up in the castle and the surrounding grounds, with a smirking Morpheus somehow under each and every one and ready to kiss you much more passionately than he did in the Waking, then surely it's just a happy coincidence.

#dream of the endless x reader #dream of the endless imagine #dream of the endless #morpheus x reader #morpheus imagine #morpheus #the sandman imagine #the sandman

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uraniumnm333 · 2 years ago

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Tsukasa is so fun to me because LISTEN. Unlike Mafuyu who KNOWS she’s elbows deep in dissociation and mental illness, my boy Tsukasa doesn’t !!! And bro will actively brush of his own struggles in pursuit of making others feel better !!!!

and I’m worried because obviously he had SOME form of neglect as a child (88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88) [also I just realized 8 also looks like an infinity symbol possibly symbolizing how Tsukasa wants WxS to last forever even though it can’t {what sort of ending are you wishing for event}] and that probably fucked him over a good bit !!! And that’s not cool !!! AND this is the person who made a whole sekai out of his feelings ??? Erm

I want tk see WxS finally confront him on this. Maybe it happened in his last focus event and I’m just repeating a broken record. But I’m talkin like WxS sits him down, talks to him, yknow the whole shabang. Like smile of a dreamer but for my little blonde boy

#Typed this one out on my phone browser soooo #Anyways #ran thoughts :thumbs up:#project sekai #pjsekai #wonderlands x showtime #analysis #tenma tsukasa #tsukasa tenma

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elena-mayfair · 3 years ago

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Back in the dream

Paring: Morpheus x f!reader, Sandman x f!reader Warnings: swearing, blood, nightmarish images Summary: As a sorceress and exorcist you got used to the nightmares in your life, creatures that you fight fearlessly. But there is one place where your fear overcomes you, your dreams. Every night you dream nightmares and every night you see him. One night he decides to reveal himself changing your life in the process forever. Word count: 3.3k Note: Gifs are not mine, credit to the authors.

Part one of the story: Lost in the dream

***

"I am Morpheus. Dream of the Endless. Lord of the Dreams." these were the last words that you heard before you drifted away into the dream. These were also the first words that you thought of after you opened your eyes. "Dream of The Endless..." you looked around your bedroom and outside of the window. It was a beautiful, sunny morning, the kind that brings a smile to one face, that promises a beautiful day full of joy. You scouted your bedroom once again and to your disappointment concluded that everything was normal, mundane even. The only unusual thing about this morning was the way you felt, you felt good, well rested, happy even. Like you slept for the first time in ages. There was no sand under your eyelids, no headache, no pain in the back, you felt wonderful.

"Lord of the Dreams." with that thought you got up from the bed, made yourself a large cup of coffee, and hit the books. You had plenty of them in your apartment, shelves full of old volumes binded in leather, with gold and silver letters on the spines that fade out over time. Occult books, grimoires, journals, and memoirs were filling in the shelves, piles and piles of mythology and legends books were filling in every smallest space of your apartment. Everything you could find, buy, steal or trade, your priceless possession. You were determined, you were curious, you needed to find an explanation. There was a part of you doubting that the events of the last night even happened "I must have dreamt it all," you thought to yourself while browsing through a particularly interesting volume about dreamwalking.

A lucid dream is one in which the dreamer is aware of dreaming and may be able to exert some degree of control over the dream's characters, narrative, or environment. Early references to the phenomenon are found in ancient Greek texts.

Nothing that you wouldn't know already. Has all of it really happened? Have you really got lost in the dream so much so that you ended up in a different, "different what? World? Reality? What exactly?" the thoughts were bothering you. "Was he really here? In my bedroom? Was it all a part of a dream?" The part of you, the one responsible for instincts and your ability to do magic knew that it indeed all of it was real, but that part was relentlessly fighting the other part, the logical one more grounded.

"I am Morpheus" flew though through your mind, chills went through your whole body on the recollection of that deep, dark voice, and his endless starry eyes. You decided that you could not have dreamt that and with that thought you switched from occult books to Greek Mythology. On the floor on which you were sitting books were surrounding you from every side. You grabbed a beautiful brown leather volume with gold embellishments and started browsing. "Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes, Hestia, Dionysus... where the fuck is Morpheus?!" you were turning page after page sipping a second cup of coffee "there you are..."

Morpheus, son of Hypnos, the personification of Sleep, was the god of Dreams. His name reflects his role in Greek mythology: the Greek μεταμόρφωσις (metamorphosis) translates as “transformation”, which can be broken down into μετα- (meta-) meaning “after” and μορφή (morphe) meaning “form”. Μορφευς (Morpheus) means “form” or “shape.” He could form and shape the dreams of the sleeping.

“To kings and chieftains these at night display their phantom features; other dreams will roam among the people, haunting common folk. All these dream-brothers the old god passed by and chose Morpheus.” Ovid, Metamorphoses

"I'm wasting my time," realization hit you. You knew Greek Mythology, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norsk, Slavic you knew them all. In every mythology there were similarities. You could find a similar description of other entities in other mythologies that you were sure of. None of this was of any help to you, none of the information you could find in your books would explain last night's events and you refused to believe that he was a Greek God.

"Dream of the Endless." you reminded yourself of his last words to you. "Endless...." you knew that there was no point in hitting the books and searching for that word. You knew exactly what you would find, jack squat. There was only one person you knew that could have any useful information, but involving him was not something that you were eager to do. After all, last time you talked you didn't exactly finish up things on the good terms.

After a brief moment of contemplation and two cigarettes, you decided that you do not exactly have any other choice in the matter. You grabbed your phone, lid up the third cigarette, and waited for the signal to end...

"Y/N Wha''s up love? I''s bin a while, I assume 'ha' you've go' some'hin faw me. You would no' call me 'o check 'ah I'm doing." you heard in the phone distinct cockney accent.

"How you doing John? Seems to me you're alright, you picked up the phone after all. I would assume that there is no signal in hell" you replied with a sarcastic grin on your face.

"Ah love, 'o 'ell i'm goin faw a cha' an' a glass ov whisky. I''s good 'o be ou' ov reach ov annoyin calls once in a while."

"I'm gonna agree with you on this one," you replied "but honestly, you good?"

„S'ill live an' kickin. Wha' do you wan'" the courtesy was over, time for the business came.

"Listen, I came across this thing, and since you are in the business way longer than I am I thought you might have some information" you explained, but the fact that he did not ask you about your wellbeing did not skip your attention.

"Wha' 'hing?" he asked.

"What do you know about Endless?" you asked with no hesitation. Even though you really didn't want to get in touch with John Constantine again you knew that you needed answers.

"Time is endless love, air, space, an' bo''le ov bloody whisky af'er par'icularly good spell."

"What about Dream of an Endless?" you continued.

"Mee' up faw a drink in 'wo 'ours. We 'aven'' see each o'her faw a year. We goin 'o ca'ch up"

"You are in town?" you got surprised.

"Yes, 'ad some business 'ere. Same place as always." he replied "An' love, don'' you be la'e."

***

Two hours later you were sitting at the Smokey Joe pub, one of the best places in your town, if you were dark interior, old dusty furniture, smoking indoors, old British rock, and good whisky served in not so clean glass. You order yourself a glass of whisky and waited, waited for your old friend to show up. You couldn't help but wonder about all the times you were sitting here with John and agreeing on the terms with clients in need. You reminded yourself of all the drinks you drink with him after the job well done. These were good times. You would not admit that to him but you've missed these times.

"'ello love! you look 'roubled as usule." blond man in the tan trench coat seated himself on the opposite side of the table. Facing you he smiled at you.

"Hi John," you replied with an honest smile, despite everything you were happy to see him "it is good to see you"

"Tell me love, wha' kind ov mess you go' yourself in'o?" he did not waste a time for any small talks.

"I hope none, but something happened," you started but realized that you do not exactly know how to describe last night's events "Can you tell me something about Endless?"

"Why do you wan' 'o knah?" he asked

"John, just tell me..."

"I' does no' wawk like 'ha' love. You ei'her goin 'o 'ell me aw you goin 'o ge' jack on 'he pla'es ov fucks from me." he interrupted, "You 'ake me faw a plonker? folks don'' walk around 'own 'alkin abou' endless! I'm doin 'his gig way longer 'han you do. You've mee' one 'aven'' you."

"I..." you took a sip of an amber liquid from your glass "I think so."

"Which one ov 'he bloody endless you mee'?"

"Dream." you replied shortly. The image of the pale man dressed in black holding you by your arms and looking at you with depthless starry eyes flashed in your mind bringing chills to your body for a second time today.

"Bloody 'ell" John took a sip from his glass "So i' is 'rue. 'e is really back."

"So he is real!" you almost screamed from the excitement, after all it was not a dream, it was real "Who is he!? John tell me!"

"'e is a bloody Sandman, fuckin kin ov da dreams!" he replied with a scoff.

"Sandman is a fairytale John, a bedtime story. He does not exist" you argued yet you felt doubt in your own words.

John looked at you from behind the glass of whisky with amusement in his eyes.

"He is real..." you said to yourself "Holy fuck...." you stared down at the table, shocked in disbelief "Who is he? What is he? Is he a God?"

"no, 'e is no' a god. Awer no' a god in 'he way you 'hink ov god. 'e is endless, bollocks 'ah 'o explain 'ha'..." he started looking at your child-like curious face "they are an an'hropomawphic manifesta'ions ov an idea, ov concep'. Always bin 'ere an' always will be. Da one you've me' is a kin ov dreams, as far as i knah 'e rules dreams, every single one ov 'he dream an' nigh'mares belongs 'o 'im an' is 'is crea'ion"

"Unbelievable... " you said to yourself "Wait, you said they"

"'e's go' siblings. Desire, Despair, Dea'h, Destruc'ion, Delirium, Destiny." he replied

"How do you know all of this?" you questioned.

"Bein on a good 'erms wi'h Lucyfer 'as i''s benefi's love." he replied with a cunning smile. "Listen love, wha'ever you 'hink ov doin don''. They are dangerous beings, beyond any'hin you have ever seen aw faced before. You come across any ov 'he bloody endless you run opposi'e direc'ion."

"I know how to take care of myself John," you replied "I don't need your concern"

"Yes, you do! because you are a bloody plonker followin emo'ions no' your fuckin brain! you goin 'o ge' yourself in 'rouble an' i won'' be savin you! fuckin don'' coun' on i'!" he hit his glass on the table spilling a bit of whisky.

"Don't worry about me," you stood up rapidly "I'll be fine." you gave him a small peck on the cheek and before he could stop you run towards the door "Thank you, John! Doing business with you is always a pleasure!" you said loudly and closed the door behind you.

***

You couldn't hope for the night to come quicker. You muted your phone to avoid John's calls, tidy up the apartment, put all the books in order, and even did some dusting just to waste some time and not think about Dream. But as soon as the night fell you took a sleeping pill, turned off the light, and got to bed. Your were breathing slowly trying to calm down your heart beating. Inhale and exhale, inhale and exhale... you were waiting for the familiar spiking needles to start in your feet and put your body into paralysis. It did take long. Half an hour later your body was numb, blood was pumping in your ears, but fear was nowhere to be found. You drifted into the dream...

You've found yourself on the dark wet street standing in front of the hospital. It was raining. White and red lights or the emergency room were flickering ominously. You knew this place, you knew this hospital. You've been here before. You desperately didn't want to get inside. You knew very well what you will see in there. But it had to play out, you had to go through it. You took one small step and felt your heart rushing in frantic fear. "Why here? Why this? you questioned. You took one more step and suddenly you were standing right in front of the entry. You looked back and all you saw dark parking lot covered in rain. You looked back into the hospital and you saw it. Doctors and nurses running through the hallway next to the hospital bed. You looked closer and you saw it, you saw your dad... lying lifelessly, surrounded by doctors, tubes, and cables. He looked at you, "My daughter" he said soundlessly and you felt your eyes filling up with tears. "Dad..." you took one step inside "Dad...it's me." you rushed inside...

And suddenly everything was gone...

...

"Dad...," you breathed out loud but the nightmare disappeared. You looked around and noticed that you were back in the dying land. You looked up on the small hill, excitement was building up in your veins. Your heart was beating fast but not out of fear and all of a sudden it skipped a beat. He was not there. "What the hell," you thought to yourself. For months you saw him in this exact place, standing in the distance like a still statue, but this time was different, he was gone.

You took two careful steps worried that somehow moving too fast will break the dream and you will wake up in your bed, alone. But when the dream did not end you started running. Not walking fast, but running with all the speed that you could master. Running towards the hill on which he was always standing, running to see if perhaps you will find something there, running to see what he was looking at all this time. You stood up in the same place where he stood before and saw nothing, absolutely nothing. Just endless plains of dust, debris, wind howling lifting into the air dead tree branches and leafs. The landscape in front of you was somehow beautiful and sad. You felt sorrow in your heart, it must have been a beautiful place once, full of life. You imagined green fields everywhere within eye's reach. Forests blooming with life. Sky blue as in the fairytales, wind gentle and soothing. It must have been a beautiful place once. Now everything around you was dead. And he was not here.

You slowly turned around, you thought it would be best to return to the same place where you always appeared in this land. It was gone...

From one side of the horizon to the other there was a wall reaching way up to the sky itself, endless, neverending. And right before you, there were gates made of horn and ivory, shining in the remaining light of the dying sun. You tried to gather it all with your eyes but you couldn't, it was so beautiful, you forgot how to breathe. You could just stand there and stare at the view in front of you. You didn't even notice him standing right in front of the door, reaching out his hand towards it.

"Morpheus..." you whispered quietly yet in the dying lands every noise stood out like the loudest scream. He slowly turned to you and you could swear that you saw surprise on his face again. Even standing in front of the endless magnificent crafted gates he looked so unreal, like a marble statue dressed in black. You smiled unconsciously partially because you were happy to see him and partially because you just proved to yourself that you weren't dreaming last night. Yet you didn't have a chance to dwell on that because within a blink of an eye you found yourself standing right in front of him.

"You have a habit of wandering in places where you should not wander to," he said calmly.

"So you are real," you whispered. You could see him for the first time up close in the light, looking at him made your heart slow down dangerously. His skin was even paler than you thought, raven hair black as the night sky on a starless night, and his eyes endless, like the universe itself.

"I am." he replied. He spoke every word slowly, with care, like he was tasting it on his lips before speaking it, like he knew exactly what to say, what you will say, like there was no point of saying anything more or less.

"Thank you for the good night's sleep," you said with a slight smile.

"You are welcome."

"This is unbelievable," you whispered again "forgive me, I don't mean to stare but, this, all of this" you took two steps away from him and pointed at the gate "this is...my god...it's so beautiful."

"These are gates made from horn and ivory," he followed your hand gesture with his eyes "I carved them myself many eons ago."

"You made these?! Unbelievable..."

"Every Dream that passes through the gate is my creation, my responsibility, " he stated "But no one guards the gates anymore, there are no Dreams in the Dreaming anymore." there was sorrow in his eyes.

"What happened?"

He didn't reply to your question. Instead, he looked at you, he looked through you with his endless black eyes, like he was trying to find an answer to the question that he did not ask.

"You are not a Vortex," he stated more to himself. "What are you? How did you get here?"

"I don't know," you replied quietly.

"Mortals cannot wander into the Dreaming," he stated.

"I really don't know how I get here," you tried assuring him "all I know is that for the last couple of months every night I was dreaming a nightmare, and every night at the end every nightmare I was ending up here." you tried explaining.

"Here?"

"I mean not hear, like hear hear. I mean in this land," you looked around you "and every time I saw you in the distance, standing on the hill, looking over the horizon" you added.

He did not say anything. All he did was look at you trying desperately explain to god like being why and how you got to his land.

"Morpheus, I am not lying to you," you tried to sound confident.

"I know." he cut you off. He turned his eyes towards the gate "It used to be a beautiful palace here, and the land was green, blooming with life," he started slowly touching the gates "Everything died during my absence." he pushed gently onto the gate and they opened, commanded by his will. He turned to you and reached out his hand "Come, Y/N. I invite you to join me in the Dreaming."

You took his hand and suddenly you felt calm, at peace. You straightened your back and follow him inside the land.

"We have much to talk about..." he added quietly.

Part three: Through the Dreaming

~~**~~

Authors note: Damn, so I did write a follow-up! :) I'm kinda surprised because consistency is not one of my strengths. But Sandman inspired me so much, swallowed me whole. I am not quite ready to let it go yet. While I'm writing I'm listing to the soundtrack and images are painting themselves. Regarding John Constantine, I decided to go with John even though I do love Johanna's character simply because I know and love John's character for a long time, and he was a part of the original source material. Also, I wanted to express in the writing his distinct British accent, I do hope it wasn't too much. My apologies to all the Brits out there, English is not my first language, I am no British, it was a purely stylish thing. In the end, as always, Dear Reader, thank you for reading :)

#morpheus x reader #the sandman x reader #the sandman #Morpheus imagines #the sandman imagine #Morpheus x you #Morpheus fanfiction #Morpheus fic

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