#THE ROYALTY AU MUST BE WRITTEN FIRST

[baeshijima]

jing yuan fic where he sees you again after you've reincarnated, his words heavy on his tongue and mind racing as he fumbles to gather his thoughts and approach you. it all dissipates when you turn to him, your lips pursed and eyes shifting. your wrung hands swing slightly in front of you, a habit he notes has stayed despite this being your newly born self amidst your vidyadhara cycle.

it's only when you relay your discomfort does he snap out of his trance, hasty apologies spew forth in a show of uncharacteristic clumsiness. his pulse is loud and rapid and beats heavily throughout his whole body. it doesn't stop, only increasing when you awkwardly turn and walk away; somewhere he doesn't even know if he can reach.

how did he approach you in your past life? no, or was it you who approached him? it's been so long. he can recount every moment you've spent together — the good and the bad, the joyful and emotional — and yet his mind goes blank on how you first met. in this life, how should he approach you when you're no longer children swinging training swords atop artificial grassy planes, but rather adults who at present have no affiliation with the other?

you're so close, and yet you've never felt farther.

[just-my-latest-hyperfixation]

Eddie Munson's royal fuck-up

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles, day 11

Prompt: Royalty AU

Rated: G

CW: none

Tags: Rockstar Eddie Munson; Royal Steve Harrington; Meet cute; Flirting; Secret Identity; Sort of angsty/open ending

"So, tommorow…" Chrissy says from behind the folder they've been provided. It looks so posh with its dark green binding, the royal sigil embossed on it in gold print. Eddie hates it. It probably thinks it's so much better than the other folders. "When you're introduced to Prince Steven, you're to address him as Your Royal Highness. After that, you call him Sir." 

"What, really? Dude, at least buy me dinner before we start with the kinky shit." 

Chrissy shoves his feet off the desk, which almost makes him topple off his chair. 

"Can you take this seriously? A royal visit is an important matter. We can certainly use the publicity-" 

Eddie's hand crashes down on the desk. "I'm a fucking rockstar, Chris. That ain't enough publicity? This place is my baby, mine. What does that royal asshole know about what it's like to have a rough childhood? He thinks he can come here, give a little speech, smile for the cameras, and suddenly it's all about him?" 

"What, now you care?" 

He whirls on her, but the look she gives him makes him freeze. Chrissy sighs. 

"Eds, you are so busy with the new album and the tour, you haven't even met the new volunteers. I said I'd manage the place, and that's fine. But you must trust me. Just do it for me. Please?" 

*

The skate park has new graffiti, and he hasn't even seen it yet. Eddie exhales his cigarette smoke and watches how it curls up to the sign spelling Hellfire Youth Center.

Maybe Chrissy is right. Maybe he should be here more. Maybe he's been so caught up in the whole fame and fortune thing, he's losing sight of what's important, like- 

"Watch out!" 

Like guys on skateboards barrelling towards him. 

Eddie throws up his hands. The guy tries to swerve, completely tips his precarious balance, and goes flying off the board and right into him. They land on the asphalt with an undignified oomph. 

"Shit, sorry," babbles the guy and tries to disentangle his limbs from Eddie’s. "Couldn't brake-" 

"S alright," Eddie hears himself say, even though his ass hurts like a bitch from the impact and he can already feel the bruises forming. "You can fall into my arms any time." 

Skateboard guy blinks up at him and - fuuuck, he's cute! In a scrungly, beanie-stuffed-over-chestnut-locks, black-rimmed-nerd-glasses kind of way. 

For a second, nobody says anything. 

"For fuck’s sake," someone swears, and then little Max Mayfield is running towards them, ginger braids jumping with the movement. "I told you to be careful." 

"Sorry," cutie with the glasses says again. Eddie has never seen him around. He must be one of the new volunteers Chrissy mentioned. "Guess I'll need to practice some mo- ow, shit!" 

His hands fly up to cradle his knee. There's a hole and a rapidly spreading bloodstain in the fabric of his jeans. 

"Oh fuck," Eddie says, and whips his bandana from his back pocket to press it to the wound. "Red, why don't you hop inside and get the first aid kit? I'll stay here with …" 

He trails off expectantly. Cutie's eyes go wide. 

"I, erm … Dustin." 

"I'll stay here with Dustin." 

*

Dustin, it turns out, isn't just cute, but also fun to talk to. He doesn’t gush about what a huge fan he is or ask for an autograph once. Eddie never thought he'd appreciate that one day, but it gets really old really quick. 

Instead, they jump from one topic to the next, sitting on one of the benches and watching Max go on her board. Dustin has a quick, sharp wit and isn't afraid to counter Eddie’s jabs with his own, delightfully bitchy sense of humor. Damn, to think he almost missed this one. He really needs to be around more.

"I love this place, y’know? You created something great for these kids." 

Eddie jerks to attention. The sun has started to dip, casting Dustin’s smile and the hair poking from his beanie in a soft golden light. 

"Thanks man," Eddie murmurs, and feels the bitterness boil back up. "Some people seem to think it needs better publicity, though." 

Dustin shuffles awkwardly, winces when the movement pulls on the Care Bears bandaids Max has plastered all over his knee. 

"You mean the royal visit?"

Eddie huffs. 

"Yeah, man. I mean, what are they expecting me to do, bow and grovel while his Royal Doucheness prances all over the place with his perfect hair and fancy suit and thank him for it? It's not like he cares about these kids, it's all just a gig to him."

Dustin draws his bottom lip between his teeth.

"You can't know that. Maybe he does care. Maybe he's-" 

Eddie barks a laugh. "Oh, give me a break. All the royals are good at is looking important and spending our tax money. I can fucking do without-" 

"Steve? We gotta leave, c'mon." 

They both whip around. A fancy black limousine with tinted windows has pulled up in the parking lot behind them. A gruff looking man is holding the back door open and looking at them expectantly. 

Dustin sighs and stands. 

"Coming, Hop." 

"Wait, wait, what?" Eddie babbles as he walks towards the car, shoulders in a sad little hunch. "What's going on? Who's that guy? Why's he calling you-" 

And then it clicks. 

"Oh fuck," Eddie says. 

Dustin … no, Steve … no, Steven - Crown Prince Steven fucking Harrington - gives him a tight smile while the man ushers him into the backseat. 

"Thank you for your time, Mr Munson, I'll see you tomorrow. I'll try not to be too much of a douchebag, I promise." 

The door clicks shut. 

The car glides away. 

Eddie buries his face in his palms. 

"Jesus fucking Christ. He's the fucking Prince."

Beside him, wheels grate on asphalt as Max brakes.

"Wow," she deadpans. "You're in some deep shit." 

Eddie groans. 

Tomorrow is gonna be a long-ass fucking day. 

Part 2

All my holiday drabbles

[nicoline1998enilocin]

Love at first sight

PAIRING | Prince!Tony Stark x Civilian!Fem!Reader

WORD COUNT | 9.7K

SUMMARY | Howard and Maria Stark, the current reigning king and queen, are planning on retiring, but they aren't able to until the heir to the throne is married. Their only son, Tony, feels like it isn't the right time for him to get married, nor does he have anyone he would even think about marrying in the first place. This all changes when you walk into his life and turn his entire plan for the future upside down.

RATING | Explicit (E)

WARNINGS/TAGS | Modern royalty AU, a few mentions of 'Y/N', referenced arranged marriage, use of nicknames (Darling, Baby, Angel, Gorgeous, Babydoll)

SMUT | Virgin!Tony, Virgin!Reader, size kink, daddy kink, breeding/pregnancy kink, dirty talk, lots of praise, fingering, handjob, oral (F receiving), unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it!), cream pie, implied aftercare.

A/N | I want to wish the happiest of birthdays to @ccbsrmsf1 today! I'm so grateful for you, your love and support! Getting to know you has been the best thing that has happened to me the past couple of months, and without you I know I wouldn't be where I am today! This is one of your birthday presents from me, and I cannot wait to see what you think of this! I love you 3000, bestie! 🩷

A/N 2.0 | This one-shot is written based on this request from @ccbsrmsf1 and this Instagram post featuring the amazing artwork of @petite-madame! Thank you so much for the request, @ccbsrmsf1; I hope you enjoy what I did with this because writing was a lot of fun. This story is beta-read by @mrsbuckybarnes1917, for which I'm very thankful. 🩷

A/N 3.0 | Please note that the header for this fic has been changed as of March 10, 2024. If you see any reblogs with a different header, please note that those have been reblogged before this day, and I, unfortunately, cannot change those headers.

EVENTS Masterlist | @marvel-smash-bingo | Royalty AU

Banners: Yours truly | Divider: @firefly-graphics | Photo: Source

Main Masterlist | Tony Stark Masterlist

~ Tony's POV ~

Tony sighs softly as he looks at himself in the mirror, currently getting dressed to attend a ceremony he's not entirely sure he understands. He knows the point of the ceremony - to find a suitable woman for him to marry. The current King and Queen - Howard and Maria Stark - have been looking to retire due to their age and for Tony to take over the throne, but he can't do that without marriage.

And that is just about the last thing on his mind. It's not that he doesn't want to take over their position because he does, but he knows he's not ready for marriage yet. Tony knows that if he enters an arranged marriage, he will resent the woman he is supposed to rule the Kingdom with, and he doesn't think any woman deserves to be treated like that.

Just as he closes the last button of his shirt, he hears a knock on the door, and with a simple 'come in,' he allows the person to enter.

"Are you ready to go, Darling?" a woman asks softly and gently, and Tony meets her eyes in the mirror. Long, blonde hair flowing over her shoulders and her floor-length silver gown makes her look angelic to Tony.

"Almost, Mom. I need a moment to put on my tie, and then I'm ready to go," he tells her reassuringly. She nods before leaving the room and letting everyone know the ceremony can start. In the large ballroom, about 25 women from the Kingdom have gathered with their parents to give their daughters a shot at getting married to the heir to the throne.

Not long after, Tony can hear the loud music from the ballroom. He knows his parents are introduced, so he must prepare for his grand entrance.

His tie is quickly tied, and with one last look in the mirror to fix his hair, he is out the door and ready to head to the ballroom. However, just before he can turn the corner to lead to the ballroom, he finds a woman wandering the halls and feels he needs to help her.

"Are you looking for something?" Tony asks gently, and the woman snaps her head up at him. With big, round eyes, she looked at him, and that one look had a warmth spreading through his chest like he had never felt before. Is this what love at first sight is like? Tony wondered, and a soft pink blush appeared at the thought.

With a soft smile and a voice like an angel, she tells him she got lost on her way back from the bathroom, where she had gone to freshen up before the ceremony. She got lost on her way back to the ballroom because the palace was like a giant maze.

"If you go through that door on the side, you can get back into the room without anyone noticing; that way, you won't draw too much attention to yourself," Tony tells the woman, and she does after a quick thank you. As soon as she slips through the door, Tony feels an almost empty feeling in his chest. The woman is gone, and the warmth she brought along went with her.

Now, all he wants is to see her again. In whichever capacity that may be.

~ Reader's POV ~

Since leaving the bathroom, finding the way back to the ballroom has been a maze. Just when you were about to give up all hope and maybe sit somewhere in a corner until someone came along, you ran into a tall man with dark curls, the most beautiful dark brown eyes you've ever seen, and a suit that perfectly displays every inch of him, leaving nothing to the imagination.

"Are you looking for something?" the man asks in a deep, smooth voice, and for a short moment, you're not sure what to do. You stand there as you get lost in his eyes before your mind snaps back to the moment, and you tell him what you are doing.

"I-I got lost, actually! I'm here for the ceremony, and I went to freshen up in the bathroom for a moment, but on my way back, well- I guess it's pretty clear I got lost," you tell him with a nervous chuckle, and he gives you a reassuring smile as an answer. Aside from the smile, you noticed the soft, pink blush on his cheeks, giving him a boyish charm that made him look beautiful.

"Oh, that happens all the time! If you go through that door on the side, you can get back into the room without anyone noticing; that way, you won't draw too much attention to yourself," he says, and you turn around to look at the door he's talking about. You whisper a soft thank you before turning around and going through the door, your heart racing a mile a minute as you look for your parents.

"Where were you?! The ceremony has already started!" your mother said to you, and you apologized before sitting next to her, waiting for the King and Queen to be introduced, followed by their son, Prince Anthony Edward Stark.

As soon as he walks through the large doors that lead into the ballroom, your eyes go as wide as saucers because you immediately recognize the man you have just been talking to. You just told the Prince his palace is like a maze. However, you only get to think about that briefly because as soon as the ceremony officially starts, all you can think about is what will happen.

One by one, every daughter is brought forward by her parents, and they give a speech to the King, Queen, and Prince about why their daughter should be the one to marry him and why they are the perfect fit to rule the Kingdom. This ceremony has taken place for years and years, and it is how King Howard and Queen Maria got married, too. But it's not what Tony wants.

When they are about to call you forward, the Prince gets up from his chair and wants to make an announcement. He clears his throat before announcing to everyone in attendance that the ceremony will be over, and everyone can go home.

"I want everyone to know that this is unnecessary to continue. I have made it clear to my parents that I am not ready to get married, and even though I respect our royal traditions, this is one I can not get behind," Tony declares, and a murmur rises throughout the room.

"And the reason for that is because I have met a woman who I would like to get to know better," he finishes, and that's when a roar flies through the room. A few parents are upset that they didn't even get a chance to introduce their daughter, let alone allow them to be chosen by Tony.

His eyes are searching for yours in the crowd, but you're already ushered away within the large group of people, quickly getting lost. Your heart sinks into your stomach at the idea you didn't have a chance to get introduced to him, even though you feel the same about marriage as he does. But since you're of age, you had to join, whether you wanted to or not. And now you're rushed outside, but your life suddenly doesn't seem complete without him. Without the man who made you believe in love at first sight.

~ Tony's POV ~

Since the ceremony, Tony has been walking around with a heavy feeling in his chest as he tries to find out more about you. But there appeared to be no trace of your existence wherever he looked. From asking everyone who could know about you to even going out on the streets to see if he could find you, it was all to no avail. That all changed one afternoon when he finally ran into you in a place he never expected.

He has been looking for you throughout the town and has worked up quite an appetite. He enters a small bakery with a simple yet beautiful sign saying 'Y/L/N Bakery.' The smell of fresh bread is spread out onto the street as he walks by, and as he feels his stomach rumble, he goes in to try one of the delicious pastries on display in the case.

"Good afternoon! How can I help you?" the woman behind the counter says, but she doesn't recognize Tony as he's dressed, so no one will recognize him. For a moment, he feels a little sting that you don't remember him, but that's gone as soon as it comes when he looks into your eyes again.

It's all there: the eyes he's been dreaming about, the hair he's been longing to run his fingers through, and the lips he's been dying to kiss. The woman he had been thinking about ever since running into one another in the palace.

Before his mind has caught up to what is happening, he stumbles out something unexpected, making you laugh in response, his cheeks heating up instantly.

"I want to go out with you," he said, and as soon as the words left his lips, he could feel the embarrassment flooding his body. This was not how he wanted to approach this; he didn't even know your name for crying out loud!

"Oh! Uhm... Well-" is all the woman on the other side of the counter can say, her hands rubbing together nervously.

"Y-You seem very nice and all, but I- I don't even know your name," she tells him, and Tony nods in response. She's entirely correct, and he is making a complete idiot out of himself in this bakery. He's secretly thanking every God he can think of that there's no one else in the bakery alongside you two.

"Tony. My name is Tony," he quickly says.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Tony. I'm Y/N." Tony allows himself to let her name swirl throughout his mind, and it is by far the most beautiful one he has heard.

"Y/N," he whispers, letting the name roll off his tongue to taste it.

"Yeah, that's me! But to return to your earlier offer, I'm taking my break in about 20 minutes. If you want, I can sit here in the bakery and have a little chat with you. It's not exactly 'going out' like you asked, but I hope it's okay with you," Y/N tells him, and he nods. He'd love nothing more than that.

~ Reader's POV ~

As soon as Tony walks into the bakery, there is something familiar about him. You can't quite pinpoint what that exactly is, but something about how he moves is like you've seen it countless times before. You watch as he takes his place at one of the small tables in front of the window. His movements are graceful despite his broad stature.

The 20 minutes fly by in the blink of an eye, and your Dad walks in to take over your duties for the next 45 minutes so you can take a long break.

"I'll just take a few pastries and go sit with him," you tell your Dad as you point at Tony. He's a friend who swung by, so I figured I could spend my lunch break with him," you say with a smile. After an approving nod, you take four croissants before putting them on two plates and bringing them to Tony.

"I hope you're hungry, Tony. I brought you something to eat," you tell him as you set the plate before him. He looks up at you. He has taken off his sunglasses, and that's when you realize who's in front of you—the Prince you were supposed to be introduced to during the ceremony a week earlier.

"Thank you, Y/N. That's very kind," he says as he looks at you, drinking in every inch of your face. You're wearing less make-up, and your hair is in a messy bun, but Tony likes something about how you look now even more than when he first saw you. You look more like yourself; he can tell you're in your element here.

"So, how long have you been working here?" Tony asks you just as you're about to take a bite out of your croissant.

"I grew up with the bakery. My Dad, who is behind the counter now - has owned this for almost 40 years, and I will take over somewhere in the next few years if everything goes according to plan! I have always been here, and since my sixteenth birthday, I have worked here," you say proudly. You love talking about the family bakery because it is your true happy place.

The rest of your lunch break is spent discussing your work inside the bakery and what you like to do in your free time. All too soon, however, the time has passed, and it's time for you to return to work.

"Y/N?" Tony asks, and you look at him as you're standing up. "Do you want to go out with me? You know, on an actual��date?" He's wringing his hands nervously, and a blush is on his cheeks as he looks at you with a hint of nervousness.

"I'd love to, Tony. How about you pick me up on Saturday at 1? For a picnic in the park?" you ask, and he agrees. With one last goodbye, he leaves the bakery and returns to the palace. All you have to do is get through the next three days, and then you'll be able to see him again. Until then, you have the memory of him and his sweet words to keep you company.

The day of your date with Tony has arrived, and you're just about to step out the bakery door, so you can wait for Tony to meet you there. The sun is shining, and the temperature is very comfortable but not too hot, so you wear a red summer dress with white sandals and sunglasses to finish it off.

"Have fun on your date, Baby," your Dad says as he closes the container where he puts some pastries for you to take. He sends you off with a kiss on your head, and you're very grateful that your parents understand the situation. However, you didn't mention that you are going out with the Prince because you didn't want to put too much pressure on your picnic.

"Thank you, Dad. I love you," you say before walking to the front door, ready to meet Tony. You're a few minutes too early, so you sit on one of the tables on the little terrace, letting the sun warm your skin as you wait. Luckily, you don't have to wait long because before you know it, Tony walks your way, and he looks like a God in the outfit he's wearing.

Tight, beige shorts that reveal his legs perfectly, spanning over his thighs and hips just enough to frame his bulge nicely, too. The light blue shirt he's wearing spans tight over his upper body, the buttons looking like they're about to pop with one wrong move. Topping that with his neat facial hair, a pair of sunglasses, and his messy curls, he looks like he walked right out of the romance novels you've been known to enjoy now and again.

"Good afternoon, you look beautiful!" Tony says as you kiss each other on each cheek as a greeting. The smell of his cologne invades your senses almost right away, and it is so manly yet very clean at the same time, and there's a bit of him in there to finish it off. You have opted for a light, floral smell, which Tony takes a slight whiff of, and he immediately knows it's his favorite scent and wants to smell it every single day from now on.

"Shall we, Gorgeous?" he asks, and you look at him as he calls you that. Butterflies in your stomach go crazy as you nod before hooking your arm through his, allowing him to lead the way to the picnic. The pastries your Dad gave you are in a bag hanging over your shoulder as you two make your way to the park at a slow, comfortable pace.

"So, I know this is a bit of an odd question, but what is it like to be a Prince?" you ask, deciding to get right into it. The question has been swirling through your mind since your first conversation, and you couldn't wait to ask him.

"Going for the deep stuff, are we?" Tony asks with a chuckle, the butterflies in his stomach going crazy this time. You hum in response, looking up at him, smiling as you listen to his story.

"Well, where do I start? There's nothing extraordinary about it if you ask me. I attend some events with my parents; I am preparing to take over the Kingdom one day, and things like that. It's not as glamorous as everyone might think," he shrugs, but you don't believe him for a second.

"I'm not sure I believe that for even a second! Your life seems much more interesting than you make it out to be. Constant parties, fancy dinners, and things like that, I feel like that must be a dream!" you tell him in a teasing yet enthusiastic tone, and he can't help but smile as he listens to you talking about your perspective of his life.

"You know what, if it weren't for the ceremony, we wouldn't have met, and that would have been a real shame," he says after thinking for a moment.

"Speaking of which, were you there as a guest, or...?" he lets his question trail off, the rest of it implied as you know what he's about to ask. He wants to know if you were one of the candidates for the arranged marriage.

"I was one of the ladies who was supposed to be introduced to you, but right before we could get up, you decided you didn't want the ceremony to continue because you had already met someone. And that's kind of why I was surprised when you asked me out, to be honest. If there is someone else, why would you be going out with me?" you ask, shyness creeping in as you ask the last question.

Tony chuckles as he shakes his head, and his curls bounce playfully when he does.

"Gorgeous, the only reason I said that is because of you. You're the woman who I saw and wanted to get to know. You're the woman who caught my eye, and ever since we ran into each other, I knew none of the women in the room would compare to you and your beauty. You're the one who made my heart beat faster, and I was quite sad I never caught your name that night," he says, and that's when the two of you come to a halt.

"Do you- I mean- Really?" you ask him with furrowed brows.

"Yeah. I know it's probably way too soon to say this, but I never believed in love at first sight until I met you, Gorgeous. The moment I walked into the bakery and saw you again, it felt like my entire life fell back into place again, and I knew I wanted to get to know you better," Tony tells you as he looks into your eyes.

Even though his are hidden behind sunglasses, you know they're focused on yours as he says those things. Your gaze flicks down to his lips as you bite yours before you stand on your tiptoes, reaching for him. Your lips make contact with the facial hair on his cheek, the feeling of it scratchy against the softness of your lips.

"Thank you for finding me, Tony," you whisper as you watch his cheeks turn red. A smile tugs on the corners of his lips as you move to be flat on your feet again.

The picnic was like one straight out of a fairytale. Everything felt so natural between you, from cracking jokes and laughing constantly to some of the most amazing foods you've ever had. At one moment, Tony moved to interlace his fingers with yours, and you two have been seated like that ever since.

"Your hand is so much larger than mine, look! Mine is completely dwarfed when it's in yours," you tell him as you raise your hands, and Tony can feel himself twitch in his pants as you say that. It's something he's been dreaming about: you're so much smaller than he is, and in his dreams, he can't get enough of telling you just that and how much it turns him on.

Lucky for him, you then change the topic, and he goes to sit a little differently, so you won't be able to see the fact that he's pitching a tent already like a horny teenager.

The rest of your date goes by smoothly, and you're back at the bakery right before dinnertime, just as you promised your parents.

"Thank you for the amazing date, Tony; it was an honor to be taken out by the Prince," you tell him as he pulls you in for a hug. His strong arms pull you against his chest comfortably, and you never want to leave his hold if you can help it.

"You're welcome, Gorgeous; I'll be looking forward to seeing you again soon," he tells you before moving down to place a kiss on your cheek, and you turn red at the feeling of his facial hair - wondering what it would feel like to have it scratch the same way between your thighs. You quickly push the idea away because you've only ever been on one date with him, and it is inappropriate to think about him that way.

After your last goodbye, you walk into the bakery before letting out a small sigh, and your Dad immediately knows what's going on in your head.

"So? Did you two have fun?" he asks with a quirked brow, and you nod.

"We did. Tony's very kind and funny, and he invited me to a party in a few weeks as his date, so I think I can consider it a success!" you tell him as you walk to the back, and he nods. It warms his heart to see you this happy and to know it's the Prince making you feel like that secretly feels like a cherry on top for him. Though you don't know that he knows, and he would like to keep it that way for now.

Since the two of you shared your picnic in the park, Tony has been by the bakery a few times during your lunch break, and it is definitely the highlight of your day each time he did, but now he's dropping by for an entirely different reason.

The bakery is empty, as it's right before closing time, and you're just cleaning up. The bell above the door rings, pulling your attention to the man you're slowly falling in love with.

"Hi, Tony! What are you doing here?" you ask curiously as you see him walking in.

"I just wanted to give you a little something for our date tomorrow," he says as he holds up a large bag with what you can only assume will be very fancy and expensive.

"A little something, you say?" You walk around the counter, take the bag from his hands, and peek inside. Inside is a stunning dark blue evening gown, a pair of shoes, a matching set of silver earrings, and a necklace to finish the look.

"You got me all this?" you look at him wide-eyed. You had gotten a beautiful dress from a small boutique in town, which is nothing compared to the silky gown in the bag you're holding. It would have been fine for the gala Tony invited you to, but this will make you look like you fit right in.

"I don't even know where to begin with thanking you," you whisper as you look up at him. He has a warm, inviting smile on his lips as he looks back at you.

"There's no need to thank me, Gorgeous. As long as you wear this tomorrow, you will be the most beautiful woman there, and I know for a fact I won't be able to keep my eyes off you all night," he tells you with a wink before placing a kiss on your cheek, leaving you with a warm spot there as he turns around and heads out the door.

The next evening came all too soon for your liking, but you're very fortunate Tony was waiting for you in front of the palace, ready to escort you into the large building. As soon as you get out of the car, you see him, and the suit he's wearing fits perfectly and has a matching color to your dress.

"Wow, you look magnificent tonight, Gorgeous," Tony says as he helps you out of the car, ready to be escorted in.

"You look amazing too," you tell him with a shy smile as you look at him; his hair is slicked back neatly this time, and even though you miss his curls, this makes him look like a true gentleman and the boyish charm you fell for has never left his face.

"Shall we?" he asks, and you nod, allowing him to guide you into the palace and lead you through seemingly countless hallways and doors. Eventually, you reach the hallway where you two first met, and Tony can't help but draw attention to it.

"Remember this? This is where you told me you got lost in the 'maze' of this castle," he chuckles.

"What do you think? It's hard to forget! But secretly, I'm delighted I ran into you here. Otherwise, I most likely wouldn't have been here tonight," you tell him, but he shakes his head.

"I am sure I would have picked you even between all those women. There's something about you that feels like I'm coming home, and I cannot get enough of your presence. You make me laugh without a single effort, and I feel butterflies whenever you smile or even look at me. So yeah, I think I would have picked you that night, but I'm also glad we took the odd route here and did it this way," he says as he bends down to kiss your cheek, his facial hair tickling you again.

"I'm glad we did it this way too, Tony, but I also think we should go in because I don't want to make the King and Queen wait for our arrival!" you tell him, and he nods. The two of you walk in through the large doors of the ballroom, and he quickly guides you to the large table at the back of the room, where they are currently seated.

"Oh, Darling, it's wonderful of you to join us tonight," Maria says warmly as she looks at you, stretching her hand to introduce herself.

"I'm Maria Stark, and this is my husband, Howard. Anthony has told us all about you already, and we're honored to welcome you tonight," she says, and you feel a little chuckle bubble up as you hear her using Tony’s full name. He smiles in return as he hears your chuckle, and the butterflies in his stomach go wild at the sound. He can listen to that sound for all eternity and never get sick of it.

"That's my official name, but I usually go by Tony in casual settings," he whispers in your ear, and that's when it clicks. He has given you his nickname, which makes perfect sense.

"I'm Y/N Y/L/N, and it's an absolute honor to meet both of you tonight. Thank you so much for inviting me along," you tell them, and they nod in response. After that, Tony guides you to the chair on his left, and you look into the ballroom, which feels odd.

"Do you ever get used to being seated here? Because I feel a little awkward sitting here, knowing I'm just one of them," you tell Tony, and he gently shakes his head.

"You'll get used to it eventually, but there's no need to feel awkward about sitting here, Gorgeous. You belong here just as much as everyone else sitting at this table," he says, and you choose to believe him. Even though it's still a little bit awkward at first, you're quickly getting used to it, just like he said, and before you know it, the dinner is over, and it is time to dance.

"Did you want to share a dance with me on this wonderful evening, Gorgeous?" Tony asks as he stretches his hand for you to take, and you take it as you get up from your chair, ready to be led onto the cleared space that will now function as the dancefloor.

For the better part of an hour, you and Tony have been enjoying yourselves there, doing everything from silly dances to slow dancing. You two have done everything, and now it's time to take a little breather. Tony grabs your hand before pulling you through the large doors, the halls, and a balcony, where you have a beautiful view of the city.

"How are you enjoying yourself so far, Gorgeous? Are you having fun?" he asks as he stands beside you, his elbows on the balcony railing as he looks at you. Like Tony's, your face is flushed from the warmth and dancing.

"It's so much fun! I never knew dancing would make me so happy!" you tell him excitedly, and it works wonders for Tony, too. That's precisely why he gathers every last bit of courage before standing up straight and taking your hands.

"Can I ask you something? There's no pressure for you to say yes or to give an answer now, even, but there's something on my mind, and I have to ask you before I feel like I'm going insane," Tony tells you with a breathy laugh, casting his eyes up as he takes in a deep breath.

Your heart starts beating faster, and the butterflies in your stomach go crazy as you look up and into beautiful, deep, dark brown eyes.

"From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. You make me feel normal in a world where I never used to fit in, and you bring a smile to my face without even having to do anything. And because of that, I want to ask you something significant."

With that, he lets one of your hands go in favor of placing it on your waist and pulling you close to his body, ready to seal the deal.

"Y/N Y/L/N, will you do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?" he asks, and you answer him with a breathy yes, your arms flinging around his neck and shoulders as you pull him close to you. His facial hair scratches nicely against your neck, and that's when you get the sudden urge to kiss him.

You pull back just enough to face him, leaning in to capture his lips with yours. His lips are soft and gentle as he kisses you gently, his hand touching your cheek as he deepens the kiss. Even though he isn't your first kiss, this is by far the most memorable one, and it feels like it goes on forever.

His tongue against yours feels like velvet, and you two can't stop exploring each other's mouths as time goes on until the need for air becomes more prominent than the need for each other. This time, it's his turn to pull away, and you look at him as the realization sinks in. You're officially the girlfriend of Prince Tony Stark, and it feels damn good to be in this position.

The past few years have been fantastic as you have been by Tony's side as his girlfriend and learning everything there is to know about taking over the throne together with Tony. At first, you still worked at the bakery, but once you talked with your parents about being by Tony's side instead of taking over the bakery, you moved into the palace for good.

It has been quite a change for them, but they have always supported you. After officially meeting Howard and Maria, they were sold on the idea. Now that a few years have passed, Tony has been working on preparing a beautiful yet straightforward proposal because he wants to give you everything you want and more, but he also wants to keep it small.

And that's how you find yourself on a beach in Hawaï with the love of your life, sipping on a cocktail in the sun. Here, no one knows he's a prince, and it is a nice change of pace for once. The ring Tony has chosen is handmade by the best jewelry maker money can buy. It is a stunning silver band with a single diamond in it. Simple but perfect for you.

"Gorgeous?" Tony suddenly asks as you're in the middle of reading a romance novel. Your attention is pulled away as his voice calls out for you, and you look up at him with a small smile.

"I had something very fancy planned for tonight after dinner, but I have ultimately decided that I want to keep this very small and intimate, so here I go," Tony starts as he gets up from his chair, the ring clutched in his hand.

"I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. Over the past few years, you have shown me what true love is like, and I am grateful every single day that you have walked into my life because it wouldn't be the same without you here today," he tells you as he goes down on one knee, and you quickly discard your book without a second thought.

"Y/N Y/L/N, will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?" he asks, and you give him a loud and enthusiastic 'YES!' before swinging your body forward and pulling him into a hug. The two of you fall over together and laugh loudly as you let everything sink in that just happened. He proposed to you, and it's all you could have asked for.

"I love you so much, my Angel; of course, I will marry you," you say as you kiss him passionately, officially sealing the deal before moving away to allow him to put the ring on your finger. From that moment on, you're officially getting ready to become Y/N Stark-Y/L/N, and you can't wait for that day to arrive.

The rest of the vacation is spent enjoying each other's company and discussing what life will be like as an engaged couple.

"We have to tell our parents as soon as we're home. They deserve to be the first ones to know. And after that, I don't care who knows because I want to shout from the rooftops that I'm going to be your wife," you tell Tony as you're cuddled in bed together on the last night in Hawaï.

"I want that too, Gorgeous, more than you know," he whispers before kissing your head. And with that, you fall into a deep sleep, the ring on your finger and your hand on your future husband's chest. Right now, life couldn't possibly be more perfect.

Not even six months have passed since Tony proposed to you, but tomorrow is officially the big day. You will become Mrs. Tony Stark and marry the man you fell in love with after an accidental meeting when you got lost. It is safe to say he saved you that day and has never let you go since.

Now, you're gearing up for your last day as an engaged woman and the last night away from your husband-to-be. As per tradition, the bride and groom sleep apart on the last day before their wedding, and now it's time for the two of you to say goodbye because you won't see each other again until you're at the altar.

"I can't believe the day is almost here, Gorgeous. I'm marrying the woman I love, and I feel so lucky to have you by my side. Going through all this with someone as amazing as you feel like an absolute godsend," Tony whispers, his forehead touching yours. Tears stream down your face as he tells you that, and your eyes are shut to take in the moment.

"I can't believe it either. But the moment you and I met happened for a reason, and that's exactly why I'm so happy to be here with you today. You have turned my life upside down, but I'm glad you did, Tony. I know my life wouldn't have been half as fun without you. And to call you my husband tomorrow is the cherry on top," you tell him, and he agrees.

"And tomorrow, I finally get to see you naked for the first time," he whispers, making you laugh in response.

"And tomorrow, we finally get to see each other naked," you whisper back. You two have both been raised with the belief of waiting until marriage to have sex, which will make your wedding night even more special. Tomorrow, your life together will officially start, and you're celebrating it by giving your virginity to each other.

"I should go, Tony. I love you so much, and I will see you at the altar," you say before locking your lips with his for the last time until tomorrow. The kiss is bittersweet as it is goodbye for now, but the wait will be worth it. The two of you stay together for as long as possible, but when you officially have to go, you say your last goodbye before heading to your room.

Since you two started dating, you have barely been apart, so it is always challenging to be away from him, but it's almost unbearable on this night. You only want to crawl into your huge bed and under the sheets, ready to warm your cold feet on your fiancé's legs. His arms envelop you in a comfortable hug as you feel his facial hair scratch your face gently with the kisses he places.

All of that would have to wait for one night. Rationally speaking, you know you'll be fine, but it is still a little challenging to be away from him. However, as soon as you step into the room, that is all forgotten, as an entire team of women is on you.

They're taking last-minute measurements to ensure the gown is perfectly tailored. The last things are discussed for tomorrow, and Tony is going through the same thing in his room. Once it is all done and the dress and the suit are perfect, you're left alone, and it is time to sleep.

The next day arrives way sooner than you thought it would, and you feel well-rested as you sit up in bed, looking at the dress on your closet door. The white lace is made from the finest materials and perfectly suits your body, and you can't wait to show Tony what it looks like.

Breakfast is waiting for you, and you dive in immediately, needing to be well-fed to have the energy to go through today. Royal weddings are always a spectacle; yours won't be any different. However, the fact that you will see your parents again on this celebratory day makes it all worth it, because they have always dreamt of seeing you get married one day. 

You hear a few knocks on the door before it swings open, and the entire team of women in your room yesterday is back again, ready to make you look perfect for your wedding day.

"Are you ready to be transformed for your special day, Ms. Y/L/N?" one of the ladies, Olivia, asks you. She's the one who made the last-minute additions to your dress and is seemingly the group's leader. She's very kind and tells you everything that will happen today as you're seated in the chair.

"First, we will do your hair and make-up, after which you will put on your dress and shoes. When you're fully ready, Anthony has requested a private first look with you, so that has been scheduled first. After that, it is time for the official ceremony and the party afterward. How does that sound?"

"Perfect," you tell her, and everything is set. It takes a few hours to get you completely ready from head to toe, but your breath is taken away when you look in the life-size mirror against the wall. You barely recognize yourself, but simultaneously, you look beautiful and exactly how a royal bride should look.

"Now, we will escort you to a different room where Anthony is already waiting for you so you two can have your private first look," Olivia says. You nod before letting her guide you to the room where Tony is. Before you knock on the door, she wishes you good luck, and now it's time to see your husband-to-be again.

You knock on the door, and as soon as you hear his 'Come in!' the butterflies in your stomach go wild. The door opens slowly, and you see Tony standing in the middle of the room, with his back to you, so that the surprise won't be ruined yet.

"Hi," you say as you walk into the room, and Tony immediately gets a huge smile, though you can't see it.

"Hi, Gorgeous. How're you feeling?"

"Better now that I'm seeing you again. Your suit looks beautiful," you tell Tony as you look at the black fabric of his suit, every inch of it tailored to the Gods around his broad physique.

"Can I turn around? I am dying to see how beautiful you look in your dress, as well," he says impatiently, and you can't help but laugh at his impatience.

"Yes, Angel, you can turn around," you tell him, and as soon as he does, his mouth falls open. You can also see tears gathering in the corners of his eyes as he drinks in every inch of you, from your hair to your face and the white lace to the smooth silk adorning your body. He has never seen you be more beautiful, and he can look at you like this for the rest of his life.

"Wow..." he whispers before stepping towards you, your hands immediately grabbing his when he's close enough.

"I'm the luckiest man on earth today," he says before kissing your lips softly and ensuring your make-up doesn't smudge.

After a moment of comfortable silence, you ask him, "Are you ready to get married?" He nods, and after one last kiss, you leave again. It's finally time to marry the man you love. Everything goes by in a blur, and before you know it, you're standing before your soon-to-be husband, Tony.

"Ready?" he asks you. "Ready," you tell him.

"Dearly beloved and honored guests, we are gathered here today to join Anthony Edward Stark and Y/N Y/L/N as they unite to become one. This contract is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously, with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home," the officiant says, and you nod along in response, unable to take your eyes off Tony for even a second.

"Do you, Anthony, take this woman, Y/N, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you shall live?''

"I do," Tony says, and the butterflies in your stomach are doing constant somersaults as the words slip out of his mouth, followed by a large smile.

"Do you, Y/N, take this man, Anthony, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you shall live?''

"I do," you say with confidence. A smile tugs on the corners of your lips as you look up at Tony, knowing it won't take long for you two to be officially declared husband and wife. The moment you've been looking forward to for months is here, and it cannot happen soon enough for your liking.

After a short vow exchange followed by the exchange of the rings, it is time to seal your marriage for the rest of your lives.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," the officiant says before stepping to the side, and Tony doesn't hesitate for a second as he closes the gap between you, his lips feeling perfect on yours. Your first kiss as husband and wife is soft and unrushed, making it the most amazing one you've ever shared.

"I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Stark!" the officiant says, and Tony grabs your hand in his as he walks you down the aisle again, ready to celebrate your union and the beginning of the rest of your lives together.

"I love you, Gorgeous," Tony says before carefully grabbing hold of your waist and dipping you back at the end of the aisle before his lips descend on yours again, and the reaction from everyone in the room is overwhelming. The happiness is palpable, and you're feeling happier than ever now that you're officially married to the man you love.

The party thrown in your honor after the ceremony was impressive, and you shed your fair share of tears during the night. From the speeches to the father-daughter dance, not a single moment will be forgotten, and you're thankful to have shared it with your closest family and friends.

But now, it's time for your first night as husband and wife. It will be your first time for each of you, and it is soothing to know that you go into it without expectations and with the same level of experience. You can get to know each other's bodies and find out precisely what the other likes at a slow pace, which eases your nerves tremendously.

"Let's get out of these clothes, Gorgeous. I've been fantasizing about what you're hiding underneath all these clothes, and I'm dying to have my first taste of you," he whispers in your ear, with goosebumps erupting on your neck. His hands glide from your shoulders to the zipper on the back of your dress, pulling it down slowly.

When it's fully opened, the fabric slides down your body, and you're left in your heels and the delicate white lingerie you wore underneath it. Tony's breath hitches as more of your skin is revealed, and he can't stop looking at the perfect globes of your butt.

"You're perfect," Tony growls as his hands wander, touching every inch of your body he can reach as you lean back in his touch. Your back is plastered against his chest as his hands glide from your hips and stomach over the soft cups of your bra, your nipples instantly hardening at the feeling of him.

Your breathing slowly intensifies as he takes his time gently playing with your nipples through the cups of your bra, kneading and tugging on them to give you the perfect amount of stimulation. Your panties are ruined as you keep getting more and more aroused.

"That's it; you're doing so well for me right now," Tony says as he lets one of his hands glide down over your stomach and to the front of your panties.

"Hmm, so wet for me already, Babydoll," he says, and you nod, spreading your legs a bit as he slips his fingers underneath the elastic of your panties, his fingers gliding through the warmth and wetness between your thighs.

"Fuck, you're drenched," and with those words, he pulls his fingers back before putting them into his mouth and moaning at the taste of you. After just that one small taste, he knows he's hooked, and he can't wait to get to taste your sweetness straight from the source.

"Lay down on the bed for me, Gorgeous," Tony gently orders, and you do as you watch him strip down to nothing but his underwear, which is when you can see a clear outline of his hardening cock. He's about half hard, but it's already impressive, and you're starting to wonder if it'll fit inside you. Tony can read it on your face, and he is quick to soothe you.

"Don't worry, Gorgeous, we can take it slow. It's okay if we don't go all the way tonight, and if we do, I will make sure I will do anything in my power to make sure you're comfortable and not in any pain," Tony says between the kisses he places from your ankle to your thigh and the edge of your panties.

"But first, we have to take these off you." It's all the warning you get before he rips the panties off your body with a force that has you gushing right away from how much it turns you on, and Tony is looking at your pussy as if he's looking at the Eighth Wonder.

"You have a beautiful, perfect pussy, Gorgeous. Dripping wet and so tight, I bet it'll taste and feel amazing," Tony says, and you nod as you sit up on your elbows, wondering what he's doing.

"Lay back, Babydoll; right now is all about you, and I want you to think about nothing but me," he says before diving into your pussy headfirst. If you didn't know better, you would think he had done this countless times before because, with every movement of his tongue, you can feel your orgasm building inside you.

Your moans become uncontrollable the closer you get. When Tony moves to pay every bit of attention to your clit, he has to hold your legs open with his arms as you keep rutting up against him and trying to close them from the overwhelming amount of pleasure.

"That's it, Babydoll, doing so well for me!" he tells you as you're on the edge, and the second he wraps his lips around your clit and sucks you fall apart, writhing in his hold as he works you through your first orgasm. Your entire body is trembling as Tony lets you go, but it is one of the best feelings you've ever experienced.

"You taste even better from the source, you know that?" Tony says as he crawls over you before kissing you deeply, the arousal on his tongue now coating yours, too. It is hotter than you ever thought, and you enjoy every second.

"How're you feeling so far, Gorgeous?" Tony asks as he tucks a piece of your hair behind your ear.

"Good," you tell him with a dopey smile, and he can't help but fall in love with you even more now. This was only your first orgasm, and he is planning on pulling at least one or two more out of you tonight.

"I'm glad about that. But before we move on to the next part, I want to tell you that you can stop me anytime, okay? If anything doesn't feel right, we can stop and readjust or stop altogether, okay? Nothing is more important to me than your comfort, so I want you to tell me if anything is off, okay?" he asks, and you nod.

"I will, Tony. But... May I touch you first? There?" you ask as you point to his now fully hard cock, and he nods in response before moving to take off his boxer briefs.

"Of course, Babydoll," he says, and soon the fabric is on the floor, and Tony is fully naked, too. You swallow thickly as you look at his size, which you estimate to be around 10 inches long, if not more. It's looking like an absolute monster cock, and your mouth is watering at the sight, but at the same time, you're very worried it won't fit inside you.

First, you bring your hand to him, wrapping it around gently before starting with gentle strokes up and down, earning yourself some groans as you repeat the same motions. Precum starts to leak from the tip, and you're getting more confidence as you go on. Tony is almost at the point of orgasm when he suddenly stops you.

"That's it for now, Babydoll; if you keep going, I'll cum already, and I was hoping I could save that for when I'm buried deep inside that delicious pussy of yours," Tony says before grabbing the back of your neck and pulling you in for a deep kiss.

"Let's get you comfortable by taking off this bra," Tony says as he unclasps it before throwing it away, revealing your beautiful breasts to him. His hands immediately start to knead them, and his mouth descends onto one of them, sucking and licking it as your hips buck up to gain some friction too.

He keeps this up for both of them until he's finally moving up your body, his cock lying between your thighs as he looks into your eyes.

"Remember what I said, Gorgeous. You can stop me whenever you want," he tells you again, and you nod. With that, Tony grabs hold of his cock before letting the tip slide through your folds, your body jolting each time it rubs over your sensitive clit.

"I love it when you're so responsive for me," he tells you with a big smile, and you smile back up at him. After teasing you for a few minutes, he finally lines his cock up with your entrance, just leaving it there for a moment before pushing in.

"How're you feeling now? Do you still want to continue?" he asks, and you look deep into his eyes.

"Yes, Tony, I want to continue. Make me yours, please," you beg softly, and he shushes you with a kiss. His eyes are constantly trained on your face as he slides in the tip carefully, a moan already leaving your lips at the feeling of it.

"Oh, fuck! You're so tight for me, Babydoll, such a tight, warm pussy for me to slide into," Tony breathes into your ear as he slowly slides more and more of his cock in, pulling back before thrusting in just a little more each time. With constant time to adjust and gentle thrusts, he is slid in completely, and you're both moaning and groaning messes at this point.

"Oh my, fuck! You're perfect for me, Babydoll, nothing but perfect," he groans as he starts thrusting, building up the pace slightly. After a few minutes, he carefully adjusts his position, and with this, he has you seeing stars and moaning even louder, your sweet spot being hit with every stroke.

"D-Daddy! Harder!" you beg him, and that's when Tony stops for a short moment. His cock twitches in your heat as the word keeps swirling through his mind. A deep red blush appears on his cheeks, and for a moment, he's a little unsure if he likes it, but that doesn't take long.

"Say that again, Babydoll, call me Daddy again," he begs of you this time, and you comply immediately.

"Please, Daddy! Fuck me harder," you ask him as you're getting impatient, and that's precisely what he does. He keeps building up the rhythm carefully, but eventually, he is fucking you with so much force the mattress creaks loudly and the bed bangs against the wall, but neither of you cares for even a second.

"That's it! Such a good girl for Daddy; you gonna let me cum in this pussy of yours? Huh? You're gonna let Daddy fuck a baby into you? That's what you want, isn't it, me fucking a baby into you so you're beautiful and pregnant, carrying the baby that Daddy fucked into you," he growls at the end, and all you can let out are a string of broken moans.

"M so close, Babydoll, so close and I'll fuck a baby into you, Daddy'll give you exactly what you want," is all he says before you're both falling over the edge, and Tony can feel you clenching down onto him as he spills his cum inside of you, releasing every drop of it deep inside you until there's nothing left.

Tony quickly rolls off you and to the side so he won't crush you before pulling you against his chest to ensure you can both come down from your highs comfortably. The silence in the room is more than welcome as you're both catching your breaths and enjoying the moment.

That night officially marked the beginning of your lives as a married couple. Three months later, you and Tony have officially been crowned the new King and Queen, while Howard and Maria are enjoying their well-earned retirement.

It only took nine months after your coronation for you to become pregnant with your beautiful baby boy, the heir to the throne. And his name? Anthony Edward Stark Junior. He is a carbon copy of his Dad and the sweetest boy you have ever met. When people say they don't believe in love at first sight, it is clear they have never looked into the eyes of their own baby because when you do that, you instantly know it's true.

There is such a thing as love at first sight, which brought you to this moment. Your amazing husband and beautiful son are creating a wonderful family with you, and in this formation, you know you will be able to rule the Kingdom effortlessly, and you can't wait to give the crown to him.

But for now, Little Anthony can stay as small as he can be for as long as possible. He has all the time in the world to grow up, and you only have a short time to enjoy him as a baby. And that's precisely what you plan on doing with your fantastic husband, King Anthony Stark.

[forjongseong]

masterlist for jongseong

code: ❤️‍🔥 smut / 💛 fluff / 💗 suggestive / 💙 angst / 3️⃣ written in 3rd person POV

words of affirmation; bf!jay au (released on May 19, 2022)

summary: you’ve put on a couple of pounds and it bothers you, but your boyfriend is there to remind you that you’re beautiful. // wc: ~1.6k ❤️‍🔥3️⃣

quality time; bf!jay au (released on Jun 9, 2022)

summary: you’re on a date with your boyfriend, and you bump into your ex :/ // wc: ~1.3k 💛💗3️⃣

quiet; bf!jay au (released on Jun 20, 2022)

summary: you're helping your ex with a second opinion while a potential new love interest is waiting for you (or the two of you) right outside... // wc: ~1.2k 💛3️⃣

rolex; bf!jay au (released on Jul 12, 2022)

summary: spending absolute quality time with a potential new love interest... who seems to keep throwing questions that feel like hugs. // wc: ~1.5k 💛3️⃣

favorito; bf!jay au (released on Jul 21, 2022)

summary: you get home from a lovely dinner with your boyfriend's parents, and since you didn't get to order dessert, your boyfriend fixes something for you. // wc: ~2.1k ❤️‍🔥3️⃣

mareado; bf!jay au (released on Jul 28, 2022)

summary: you wake up in your boyfriend's arms after a long night. // wc: ~1.1k 💛💗3️⃣

la boca; bf!jay au (released on Jul 31, 2022)

summary: your boyfriend is back from an overseas schedule and you just can't wait to jump on him. // wc: ~2.4k ❤️‍🔥3️⃣

maybe baby; bf!jay au (released on Aug 4, 2022)

summary: after a pleasant dinner, you invite Jay to stay the night at your place. // wc: ~1.9k 💛💗3️⃣

taste; bf!jay au (released on Aug 13, 2022)

summary: you've been dating for a while and tonight is the night you decide to go for a taste of your boyfriend. // wc: ~2.1k ❤️‍🔥3️⃣

overworked; bf!jay au (released on Aug 18, 2022)

summary: your boyfriend visits you for his off days to find you chasing a deadline. despite this, he chooses to stay and be in your presence to support you. // wc: ~2.6k ❤️‍🔥3️⃣

jealous; bf!jay au (released on Jul 15, 2022)

summary: you attend the party of the year and you're lost because your boyfriend isn't there to keep you company. luckily you've got a surprise waiting at home. // wc: ~3.4k ❤️‍🔥3️⃣

afterglow; bf!jay au (released on Aug 26, 2022)

summary: you come home from dinner with your boyfriend and when you end up arguing, you realize you have met your match. // wc: ~2.9k ❤️‍🔥3️⃣

the archer and his queen; royalty!au, archer!jay (released on Apr 6, 2023)

summary: As reigning queen, your most important task is to produce an heir, but without a king, you must exercise your power to find a worthy man. That man happens to be your kingdom's best archer. // wc: ~8.2k ❤️‍🔥

free fall; secret agents!au, doctor!jay (released on May 1, 2023)

summary: you were tasked to eliminate a target, which should be just another day in your life, but what were you supposed to do when said target was your ex-husband whom you had left months ago? // wc: ~1.3k 💗💙

first mate; pirates!au, quartermaster!jay (released on May 9, 2023)

summary: After the passing of the Captain, you had to mourn in your own way. Your ship's Quartermaster, Jay, showed his concern for you, and it tugged your heart in a way that you never thought could happen. // wc: ~2.3k ❤️‍🔥

bite me; royalty!au, knight!jay (released on June 10, 2023)

summary: a knight stumbles upon your castle, and unlike anyone you have encountered before, this young man seems to have a scent that you somehow cannot resist. // wc: ~6k ❤️‍🔥

the reward; campus!au, student!jay (released on June 12, 2023)

summary: you teach for a living, and you had been picking up tutoring since the extra money wasn’t that bad. most of your meetings consist of essay-writing, mock tests, and speaking exercises; so when Jay became your student, you weren’t expecting the lessons to include rewards. // wc: ~9.5k ❤️‍🔥

pine-fresh; hogwarts!au, slytherin!jay (released on September 17, 2023)

summary: a dash of bickering and a whole lot of miscommunication in Potions class landed you and Slytherin’s Park Jongseong in detention. did you ask for it? no. did you regret it? also, no. // wc: ~4k ❤️‍🔥

© forjongseong 2023, all rights reserved

please do not plagiarize, translate, or repost any of the works above to any other platform.

[haesunflower]

to hell with the stars | royalty au with ricky and zhanghao

(written in the stars chapter 3)

✩ chapter 1, chapter 2 ✩

genre: romance, angst

pairing: reader x ricky, queen oc x zhang hao

about/tags: you're back in astoria where you feel love bloom again. among other things, the queen of mariposa's relationship with king hao worsens. (4k+ words)

y/n is a princess, infidelity, cursing, mentions of death, slight slutshaming, these characters live such hard lives

The sky is a beautiful orange, with pinks blendings purples to welcome the impending setting of the sun. Celeste and Citrine are busy drinking from the water trough after a long day of riding. Ricky tosses you an apple meant for the horses, but you don’t have much of an appetite. 

“I hear you’re leaving tomorrow.” The prince takes a bite into the red fruit, as he sits down next to you under the tree where you’ve been planted for the past twenty minutes. Your mind was all over the place, thinking about your sister – how you and her husband, the king, spent over an hour crying and getting closure, how you eventually shared a kiss with him. 

That would have been enough reason to leave the following day anyway. So when you received a letter from your parents in Astoria asking you to come home, you were a little bit relieved. It saves you the agony of coming up with an excuse to tell your sister. 

In true avoidance, you spent the whole day riding. You rushed to the stables that morning, without even letting Chaehyun know. Everyone was looking for you the moment they realized you disappeared with your horse. Which is exactly why they sent Prince Quanrui to look for you, and he successfully found you crying by the pond. 

With no one in sight, he hugged you, arms embracing your torso as you sobbed into his chest. His head rests atop yours, as he soothes your back trying to get you to calm down. Even in your misery, a part of him is glad that he gets to hold you like this. 

You don't want to return just yet. So again, there you were sitting under the tree. Just thinking. You haven’t said much to Ricky at all, he didn’t pry. Instead you both moved in silence. Grateful for his perceptiveness to your emotions, he deserved a decent conversation. “Yes, tomorrow morning. The King and Queen have summoned me.”

Ricky nods slowly, but he’s undecided on whether or not he wants to believe that answer. He sets the apple down, and sighs loudly. “Since you’ll be gone, I have no purpose staying here any longer than you are. I’ll leave tomorrow as well.” he says matter-of-factly. 

You can’t say you’re not surprised. In fact, you’ve suspected that he favors you more than any other royal because he likes you to some degree. And you like Ricky too, how could you not? 

You spent every year of childhood playing with him around the castle, he was your favorite guest at your tea parties, he was your escort for your first royal ball, he taught you how to paint, and he made you laugh. And you once overheard both your mothers joke around, saying perhaps their children will marry each other one day. You weren’t sure if that meant you. But if it did, you wouldn’t mind. Ricky is a friend above all things, a really good friend – who is also a welcome distraction from your thoughts. 

“You spent almost all of Spring here in Mariposa, did you not tire of my company?” you playfully nudge him, and the tip of his ears turn a little red. He breaks into a smile as he turns to you, eyes locking “it wasn’t dreadful”, he jokes back.  

“I knew it. So you do like me a little bit, Prince Quanrui?” you tease. 

“Love. I do love you Princess Y/N.”

There is no more joking undertone, just a declaration. He says it confidently, his voice unwavering. He looks to your lips, then to your eyes before he looks away – staring at the sky instead, “but I can wait, however long you need, Y/N.”

You think about what he just said, and you’re scared to ask “Ricky, you know something, don’t you?”

“Well…” he begins. “I knew there must have been a good reason as to why you didn’t come to Solaria when I invited you, perhaps you were occupied with royal matters too. And because I was at your sister’s wedding, I figured you weren’t in attendance. Perhaps you were sick, as there was no way you would have missed an event that involved your family. I also know that you were trying to get away from that dumbass King after your dance with him –” he wants to continue, but he glances in your direction. 

Your head is down, ashamed. So he was right, it is about the King. 

“I’m a horrible person. Yesterday, I kissed him.” you whisper the confession, barely audible. You check on Ricky, who is no longer watching the sky, and is instead gazing at you.  He seems unphased. 

“Do you see me differently now?” you ask, feeling hopeful that maybe he doesn’t think you’re a disgrace, a slut, a traitor. He one ups your expectations when he responds with “I see you exactly as you are. The same from when we were kids. Beautiful, terribly unfunny, but fresh like air. Nothing you do changes my love for you.”

For confirmation, you ask once again – “you love me?”

“In every way imaginable, Y/N”. You smile as you realize how easy it was for Ricky to answer that question, and compare it to how difficult it was for you to answer Hao the night before.

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—--

When you leave the next day, Ricky is the one that brings you to your carriage, opening the door for you. He tells you that he’ll visit Astoria after he gets his political affairs in order. He removes the glove that you had on, and kisses the back of your hand sweetly. It’s intimate, sweet, and in Solaria – reserved for only husband and wife. 

You want to tease him, but you don’t. Instead, you remove your necklace, a golden chain with a sun and star on it, and place it on his palm. You enclose his fingers around it gently, and your hands stay in that position for a while. You’re afraid this is the last time you’ll see each other as just Crown Prince Ricky and Princess Y/N. 

“Don’t keep waiting for me, okay? Thank you for the past few weeks”. You place your hand on his cheek, and swipe your thumb comfortingly. 

Those are the last words you speak to him before the carriage door is closed. Ricky is watching as the carriage smalls to the distance. The necklace is safely nested in his clasped hands, afraid he’ll lose the precious item you gave him. Rather, afraid he’ll lose you entirely. 

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—-- 

When you return to Astoria, the first thing that you are alerted to is that the crown prince’s condition has worsened. Crown Prince Hanbin has been sick since the middle of winter, and everyone had assumed he would eventually get better. He always does. But an entire season has passed, and his condition has only worsened. 

You enter his room, and he’s laying in his bed. Your mother and father, the queen and king of Astoria, are seated on chairs by the side of his bed. For both of them to be here at the same time, it must be really grave, you think.

You close the door gently and walk to your brother to take his hand. He’s coughing but he manages to smile when he sees you. “What took you so long, sister?” he asks, his voice is hoarse. 

“Don’t speak, I am here now brother.” You place your hand on his head, feeling his temperature and wiping away the layer of sweat that rests on his skin. “What do the doctors say, mother?” But she doesn’t respond to your query. 

“Y/N, let’s speak outside....” Your father commands.

Hanbin interrupts, “no, let me be the one to tell her.”

You’re looking at both of the men in the room, waiting for them. “Sister, listen –” a roar of coughs erupts before he gets the rest of the sentence out  “– you know that if anything were to happen to me, you’ll be queen regent right?” You’re nodding, “starting tomorrow, your official title will be crown princess.”

Your world spins, and you think you might faint. You were right, that was going to be the last time you would be seeing Ricky as just, princess y/n. Tomorrow, you duties begin as crown princess, the next in line to the throne.

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—--

In Solaria, Prince Quanrui’s mother asks how his trip to Mariposa was. And if he has already proposed to you, like he said you would. He shakes his head, and tells her that it isn’t the right time. 

“I always knew that both of you would end up together,” she says quaintly. “You begged to visit Astoria almost every year, even when we didn’t need the diplomatic meetings anymore. You studied her interests, her country, and you know the Astoria government more than anyone in our parliament. Son, you even painted a portrait for her,” she scoffs “you’ve never even painted for your own mother. And remember when you were devastated when she didn’t visit us last year?” The current queen of Solaria pauses to take a sip from her wine, watching the expression on her son’s face. “Am I right to believe you’ve loved her ever since?” 

When the prince nods, she nags at him, "then why are you in Solaria and not Astoria?"

He has a small smile on his face, and he thinks of you as he touches the gift you left him, currently clad on his neck. 

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—-- 

A letter from Solaria announcing Prince Quanrui’s intent to visit Astoria arrives a week late. Now, the palace staff are in visible panic, making last minute preparations. You haven’t seen them make this much haste since the last time a crown prince stayed in Astoria. 

It’s a bright day, and the gardens are littered with fully bloomed stargazer lilies this time around. As if timed perfectly, a carriage slows down the moment you leave the palace doors. A footman opens the vehicle, and Prince Quanrui steps out dressed in all black. On his right hand, a dozen red roses. 

As you walk down the stairs to greet him, he bows at you. And out of habit, you curtsy back. “Your favorite, Princess Y/N”, he hands you the flowers. Roses don’t grow well on Astoria soil, so Ricky has made it a tradition to gift you a dozen every time he visits. They’re usually yellow or white. You wonder if these red ones hold any special meaning, and you decide to read on it later. 

“They’re beautiful as always, Prince Quanrui.” He takes your ungloved hand, and plants a delicate kiss from his lips. It feels familiar, it feels sincere, it feels nice. 

“I hope the King and Queen are not too offended about my sudden desire to visit the Astoria palace.” You’re walking side by side, back to the grand doors. “Don’t be silly Ricky, they’re elated that you’ve come here again.” 

Ricky is glad to hear that he’s still in your parents’ good graces. Because he plans to ask for their blessing for your hand in marriage soon.

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—-- 

The palace staff are instructed to not speak anything about Prince Hanbin’s debilitating condition, nor are they allowed to address Y/N by her new Crown Princess title around guests. They have not made the royal decree public, and they only plan to do so once things have been made final. Everyone hopes that it doesn’t have to come to that point. 

Silently, you’ve been preparing to take over. Hanbin’s responsibilities have been passed on to you, along with additional education from his royal tutors. It’s exhausting to be a ruler. Thankfully, all of that takes a backseat for the first few days of Ricky’s visit. 

At first, you enjoyed your usual activities. Strolling by the garden, painting together, visiting the new museum artifacts, riding Celeste and Citrine, having meals together. You threw a tea party for fun, and he willingly participated, joking about how you must have no better company because he’s the only one present. “I’m in disbelief that your idea of fun is throwing tea parties and rotting away at the library.” 

Faking offense, “excuse me, that is no way to talk to your host.” He laughs, uninhibited, gums showing. Your favorite. He often puts on a cool and cold demeanor around strangers, but you know who he is. So in rare moments where he allows himself to genuinely laugh, even with palace staff around – you treasure it, tucking a memory of this moment.

“Let’s do something that’s actually fun. I’ll come get you later this evening.”

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—-- 

“Are you certain about this?” you ask Ricky, as he tucks the rest of your hair into your cloak. Underneath, both of you are sporting commoner clothes that you rarely use. 

“Unfortunately, I’m not taking no for an answer. Come on.” He grips your waist tightly and hoists you up the palace walls, the ones near the staff entrance where it’s much, much shorter. And therefore, very climbable. Ricky follows after you, and you’re both giggling at the excitement of sneaking out past curfew. 

The stars are littered throughout the sky, acting as a soft source of light. You mount your horses, and ride towards the central area of Astoria. The night market at the town square feels so alive. There’s a weekend festival that the tavern owners like to host, and you hear old men as they clink their mugs and cheer for the free drinks. Children are still up, enjoying the Astoria delicacies being sold by vendors. At the center, near the fountain, a traditional square dance ensues. It’s mostly old couples and young teenagers. Ricky drags you in, and you’re both welcomed into the chaos of music, laughter, and sweaty bodies. As he dances with an old lady, you can’t help but stare at his beauty that surely rivals your own. He’s holding both her hands, encouraging her to go along with the beat. He’s smiling wide, as he teaches her the steps. That damn smile that you love so much. 

You’re walking down the food vendor lanes when you buy Ricky an Astorian strawberry delicacy. To put it simply, cow’s milk that’s been pasteurized with strawberries. “Try this, you’ll like it.” you excitedly bring the cup to his mouth, and he takes a sip. He says it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted. 

You try a lot of new things. There’s a sketch artist that offers to draw the ‘lovely couple’ in charcoal, and you both pose on the chair attempting to keep your laughs at a minimum. He buys you a little doll made by a local toymaker, saying it looked like you when you were younger. Both of you even try winning a game of hopscotch against the children. He doesn’t want to, but when you tell him to lose on purpose to make them happy, he obliges.

You’re walking back where you came from when you tell him “your idea of fun is certainly better than mine.” You slow your steps, and decide to go to the railing of the bridge overlooking the lake. There are fireflies dancing around the swans. 

“Thank you. For taking me out of the palace today”. Your hands are glued to the railing, but you’re looking up at him. Ricky’s gaze is heart-stopping, and you struggle to maintain eye contact with him.

Meanwhile, he thinks that you shine the brightest at nights, with the moon illuminating your face – like you’re the only thing that matters. To him, it holds true.  He doesn’t know if it’s because he missed you, or if it’s purely from the way you’re looking at him. But he places his hand atop yours on the railing. You don’t move, not because you’re frozen, or nervous, but because it feels – natural. You look to his hand, safely enclosing yours when you notice the necklace you’ve given him, now repurposed as a bracelet that he’s wrapped thrice around his wrist. “You kept it…” 

“I treasure it as it’s from you.” And there’s an increased fondness that grows in your heart for the boy that loves you. You regret the words that you uttered to him when you gave it to him. 

“Ricky, I take back what I said.” He looks confused, “about you not needing to wait for me. I take it back. You’ll keep waiting, right?” You look up at him, desperate and glassy eyed. Ricky thinks your eyes look like they’re sparkling, but he knows it’s because you’re on the verge of tears. 

“I didn’t plan on stopping anyways.” To assure you the only way he knows how, he moves your hands from the railing to wrap it around his shoulders. As if letting you know that it’s okay to rely on him. Then, he inches down closer to you, so that your noses touch. Your lips are merely milimeters away. He searches your eyes, and asks “may I?”

You give a tiny nod, and he places his lips on yours. It’s not as gentle, it’s unlike what you’re used to. But you find it exciting, and there’s an electricity that you’ve never felt before. He swipes his tongue against your lower lip, and you slightly open your mouth to let him kiss you more fervently. Your stomach drops and you hold on to him tighter. You’re both out of breath.

And as you stand there at the bridge overlooking the lake of fireflies, you feel that you’re just Y/N and Ricky. Two people, no titles. 

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—-- 

It’s a rude awakening, to get yelled at by your mother for disappearing into the night. Work piled up over the last few days, and you’re struggling to catch up. Prince Quanrui sends you little letters or drawings that he slips under your study. Cute, you think. You start to feel terrible that you haven’t been seeing much of him anymore, so you invite him to join you in your royal duties. 

You’re in the middle of studying the star patterns, something you did weekly as a requirement in your crown princess education. Previously, you did this as a hobby. It's a sudden whiplash to start viewing your favorite activity as duty. It’s burdensome.

Ricky is surprisingly very willing and interested to participate. He’s quick to be useful, though you’ve only taught him once at thirteen years old. He seems to have taken notice of your change in demeanor though, he knows something is troubling you. So when it’s just the two of you, he asks “I’ll speak candidly, Y/N. Is something wrong?”

He’s standing by the telescope when you retract yourself from the eyepiece. You look at him, and he seems genuinely worried. His brows are furrowed, and he’s slightly biting his lip anxiously waiting for an answer from you. Ricky is never nervous. But nowadays, you have been the exception. Ricky fears you're actively avoiding him, thinking he’s scared you with a confession of love, or if he’s come on too strong since he’s arrived at Astoria. Maybe it was the kiss you shared. Or perhaps you’re still in love with Hao. 

“Can I tell you when I’m ready, is that okay? It’s not anything you did, I promise.” It’s like you read his mind. So he nods, and decides to patiently wait until you are ready to confide in him. To wait, just like you asked him to. 

This time, you’re the one that steps closer towards him to rest your head on his chest. He wraps his arms around your back, and you feel safe. You don’t want to tell him anything just yet. You’d rather stay in his arms, an ignorant state of bliss.

Because you feel that if you tell him, you’ll speak it to existence, some sort of manifestation. It scares you. Because you might be Queen of Astoria, and Ricky is meant to be King of Solaria – thus, you aren’t free to love him either. The damn stars, even at a second chance of love, there is no hope for fruition. 

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—-- 

In Mariposa, things are more dreary. Hao smells like whiskey, and the alcohol’s scent follows him as he barges into the queen’s quarters. It’s been several months since Y/N left, meaning it’s been several months where the king spends his evenings drowning himself in liquor.  

The queen has been holed up in her room since she found Hao and her sister in the second floor library. She didn’t even say goodbye to her when she left, making up an excuse about pregnancy pains. It’s been a few months, and she’s since given birth to a daughter, Yeseo. 

Amidst motherly responsibilities, Knight Jiwoong has been a distraction for her. In Astoria, he swore under oath to protect her with his life. It helps that they’ve known each other forever, and that comfort of having someone know you equally, or maybe even more than yourself has been saving grace for her. So when the queen found her husband and her sister that night, the first thing she did was run to Jiwoong. She cried, and cried, and cried – and he silently listened. 

The palace talks, and word must have gotten around about the Queen’s secret rendezvous with the Astoria Knight that guards her door. When there is a change of the guards, Jiwoong makes sure to come back outside right before anyone catches them. Sometimes, his uniform is in disarray. 

It’s unsurprising, yet terrifying when Hao makes a beeline at the Knight who is currently standing by the Queen’s window. His hands are grasping at his armored collar, in an attempt to intimidate him. “How long have you been fucking the queen?”

“Hao! Let him go.” The queen rushes to the two men, and pushes the King away. Jiwoong is silent, and he kneels down before his King, but doesn’t respond. “I demand an answer, knight Kim Jiwoong. How long has this been going on behind my back!” his eyes are fueled with rage, as he stares down at the man that’s knelt before him. 

“Do not answer him Jiwoong.” The queen puts a finger up towards him. “Hao, if you want to play ‘timelines’ we can. So now I’ll ask you – how long have you been in love with my sister?”

This time, Hao is silenced, but he breathes heavily.

“Is this,” gesturing to you and Jiwoong “the reason why you were okay with all of that? Even asking me to dance with her. Were you pushing me towards her so that you could enjoy your little play thing? You knew this whole time?” Hao is visibly angry at the story that unfolds in his head. An angry King Hao, it’s a sight that is rare to even the oldest of staff in the castle. His chest is huffed out, and his eyes are wide. 

The queen, luckily, is not one to back down. “I know that you kissed my sister while you are still married to me.” The queen walks past Hao and takes a seat by the fireplace. She’s staring at the fire when she says  “I know that you do not love me. I know that ever since we’ve left Astoria you’ve been different.”

“Do not guilt trip me. I am devoted to you, I chose you!” he’s yelling. 

There’s venom in the queen’s voice when she says “you are devoted to me but you do not love me. You are devoted to the country, you are devoted to your children. And yes, you will choose me each time because I, as queen, am also Mariposa. But you do not love me.”

He walks up behind the chair of the queen, and accusingly he says “you speak of the children, but are they even mine? – Yujin & Yeseo, are they even Mariposa blood?” His anger blends into sorrow, the thought of not being the father of his supposed heirs is more heartbreaking than anything else. 

It is only then that the knight speaks. “Your Majesty, I am impotent. There is no doubt that the young heirs are Your Majesty’s”

And just like that, Knight Jiwoong’s secret is out. Hao pours two glasses of whiskey and takes a seat next to the queen. 

—--⋆⋆☆⋆⋆—-- final chapter here

✩ chapter 1, chapter 2 ✩ ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა

A/N: these chapters just keep getting longer and longer also i'm sorry i made you impotent jiwoong TT

taglist: @en-ct @honghongbri @beomibeom @jiaant11 (and tagging other people that left comments on other chapters @cherriegyu @annoyingbitch83 @missuszabini @aleinasstuff @wtfhyuck @zhanghrt @flwrinn @xiaoting999 @xmxcris @seokmthw @kyrjnie @dimplewonie @leoonoa) @kflixnet

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[sarahowritesostucky]

📖"Alpha, Beta (& Omega)"

Story Rating: Explicit

Chapter Rating: Teen

Word Count: 1066

Pairing: Steve x Bucky

Tags: a/b/o, arranged marriage, domestic discipline, spanking, head of household, dom/sub elements, alpha Steve, beta Bucky, hurt/comfort, wedding night, alternate history, nobility/royalty au, Edwardian time period, m/f/m poly marriage, age gap (18/30), enemies to lovers

Summary: To save House Barnes from scandalous ruin, James must agree to a contracted marriage, accepting Lord Senator Steven Rogers as his Alpha, Husband, and Headship.

1. A Contract of Engagement

Chapter Summary: It’s a lost cause. His father broke the law in a massive way and got caught, and as soon as word gets out, they’ll be ousted from their Senatorial position. Bucky and his sisters will inherit nothing, and it’ll be the scandal of the century. “Please, mom” Bucky says softly. “Please don't make me do this."

Bucky sits despondently on one of the front parlor’s settees.

“Nobody,” he tells his mother, but of course she already knew that was going to be the answer to her question. Bucky hasn’t had interest in courting anyone, and nobody in society has expressed any interest in him. Not since his accident, leastways. His now-lame arm and the scarring that creeps up the left side of his neck have managed to dampen the interest he used to get from suiters. “I don’t want to marry, certainly not now. I’m eighteen for Christ’s sake.”

Winnifred sighs, the pen that she’s had poised in-hand lowering. “James, I love you and I’m sorry, but now is when you have to do it. You’re done convalescing from the accident, and thank God for that. Your finishing school is over, you need to do this.”

“Why?”

Bucky’s mother has never been one to suffer his bullshit. She shoots him a glare. “You know why. It’s only a matter of time before your father’s misconduct is made public knowledge. Once Frank Castle—”

“Don’t say his name.”

“Once that man testifies before congress, your father is sure to be ousted. Weapons smuggling, James? You’ll be completely ineligible. No one will have you.”

“No one like us, you mean. Not everyone has to marry into the Senate, mother,” Bucky snaps. “Christ, we’re probably all inbred at this point.”

“James!”

“I have plans. I want to go to university!” He throws his hands up. “Who even marries their beta first anyway? What’s wrong with this guy that he can’t find an omega?”

“Please,” his mother scoffs. “Captain Rogers is a very reputable gentleman.”

“You don’t know him!” Bucky stands up from the couch, walking restlessly over to the fireplace. “Please tell me you haven’t written to him already?” Winnifred tenses, but then she seems to steel herself and she nods tersely. Bucky curses. “Mother!”

“It needed to be done, James. There are no other prospects and Captain Rogers—”

“Ugh, stop calling him that. What’s his name?”

Winnie purses her lips. “He’s the Lord Steven of House Rogers, and you will be respectful, James.”

Bucky huffs. “Well I’m the Lord James of House Barnes and I—”

“You’re the lord of nothing!” Winnie snaps, standing up from her chair at the writing desk. She’s glaring at Bucky now. “And you never will be, if you don’t marry this man. We’re about to lose everything. Your father has seen to that. Soon House Barnes won’t exist. There will be elections—elections, James! Can you even believe it? We’ll all be common.”

Bucky looks away. “What’s so wrong with that?” he mumbles.

“Maybe nothing for you. Maybe you could manage, go off to university and make something of yourself despite it all, but think of your sisters. They won’t be able to marry well, and they’re omega, so what are they supposed to do? Take positions as shop girls? Ladies’ maids?”

Bucky’s heart lurches and his eyes shoot back to his mother, reproachful. “That’s not fair.”

Winnie’s features soften in sympathy. “I know, Sweetheart, I know.” She gets up and comes over to him, the long hem of her dress brushing the carpet as she goes. She pulls him into a hug and Bucky can’t help but to lean into her. “Oh, Bucky,” Winnie mourns, using his nickname for once. “You’ve always been such a little grownup. Sometimes I forget how young you really are. But life isn’t fair, and I’m afraid this might be where you have to start learning that.”

“Don’t make me do this, mom,” Bucky whispers into the perfumed fall of her hair, though even as he’s saying it, he knows it’s a lost cause. His father broke the law in a massive way and got caught, and as soon as word gets out, they’ll be ousted from their Senatorial position. Bucky and his sisters will inherit nothing, and it’ll be the scandal of the century. House Barnes has held one of New Jersey’s two seats since the very inception of the Senate. A hundred and twenty years of tradition, gone down the toilet because of Bucky’s reckless father. “Please,” he says softly. “There has to be something else we can do.”

“It’ll be alright,” Winnie tells him, pulling away from the hug and looking him in the eye. “I promise you. I’ve corresponded with Captain Rogers for several weeks now, and I’m confident he’ll make a good husband for you.”

Bucky shakes his head, angry all over again. “No! He won’t. How could he? I don’t even know him!”

It’s a silly argument, really, since many men of Bucky’s stature enter into arranged marriages. But even still, Bucky is beta: He’s always had this luxurious assumption that he’d be able to fool around for a decade longer than most; get educated, make mistakes, have fun. And now that he’s finally come of age and is on the precipice of actually getting to do those things, he has to go off and marry some old man he’s never met?

The reality of it is worse than a bucket of cold water to the head. “I don’t want to marry a fucking stranger,” he grumps.

“Really, Bucky. Don’t use foul language.”

“And I don’t want to marry some old man.” At his mother's raised eyebrow, he says, “Well he must be old if he’s already assumed the seat?”

“He’s young, actually,” Winnie counters haughtily. “Quite young. Thirty."

"Oh, is that all?" Bucky scowls at the carpet. Thirty, Christ. "When did he assume the seat?"

"Two sessions ago. Senator Sarah Rogers had a state funeral, James. I’d have expected you to remember it.”

Bucky waves his left arm in disdain, showing off his crippled hand. “Forgive me my 'preoccupation' these past few sessions, mother." He regrets his tone as he sees hurt flash across Winnifred's face. Dropping his hand, he sighs and looks away. "This is House Rogers of New York we're discussing, I take it?"

"The sister-seat to House Wilson, yes,” Winnie says, expression perking up as she hurries back to her desk to fetch up the stack of correspondences. “Here, I have his letters if you’d like to—”

“No,” Bucky says curtly. He straightens up and makes to leave the room. “I don’t need to read them. It’s fine. Just arrange everything and tell me when to show up.”

“Oh, Honey …”

“Don’t,” Bucky says tersely. “Just don’t. It is what it is. Guess I’m moving to New York.”

He leaves the room, and assumes that his mother writes another letter to the Lord Rogers, confirming their engagement.

Story Masterlist

Sarah-writes-Stucky's Masterlist

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[yuncheoligans]

Mistletoe

Pairing: Kim Hongjoong x afab!Reader x Park Seonghwa

w/c: 2.4k

Genre: Fluff, Smut, Fashion Agency Owners AU!

Warnings: (Minors DNI, MDNI), Language, Smut...money?

a/n: Happy Holidays from your Secret Santa @joong-of-gold I really hope you like this, I'm not the best at writing smut! I wanted to do something really nice for you so I hope this is a nice present and surprise! You're amazing and I can't wait to grow more together over this year!!

~Masterlist~

NSFW tags under the cut

soft dom! Hwa and Joong, pet names: Baby, My Love, Darling, Angel Darling, Sweetheart, unprotected sex (wrap it), overstim, they enjoy ruining you? voyuer? Exhibitionism? idk, manhandling mxm mention (they're all three dating)...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I admitted my feelings for my long time friends, I’d never thought a year later I’d actually be thinking about moving in together. Sure they were fine with it they’d been living together for years now, as co-owners of a fashion company and life partners they were used to living with another person, me on the other hand…this was new, the only roommates I had were in college, and that ended up horribly. I vowed to live alone for the rest of my life. When I had finally told them I had feelings for them it was their company Christmas party. They always took me, I was always the plus one to events. I was always the third wheel.

“Third wheel? Darling you have never been the third wheel.” Seonghwa took my hand gently after his fits of giggles.

“You have merely always been our third.” Hongjoong kissed my cheek.

“The long lingering touches, the money and time spent, Darling we don’t do that just for any silly friend.” Seonghwa kissed my knuckles. 

“We thought you knew, that’s why you were playing along.” they finished each other’s sentences.

“Thought I Knew? Well you could’ve said something before now! Geez the nerve of you two, how I could ever fall for the two of you is beyond me!” I threw my hands up exhausted by the conversation already. 

“Look up my love.” Hongjoong had motioned up.

“Seems someone got caught under the mistletoe.” Seonghwa had smiled cupping my chin and pulling me towards him.

Maybe the eggnog was a little strong at the office party this year, I feel lightheaded. Maybe it’s the feeling of Seonghwa’s lips on mine, maybe it’s Hongjoong taking my chin from the taller man to also give me a taste of what he could provide. Yes, that must be it…it’s the way I’m intoxicated by the two men who I’ve known for my university friends.

A year later and my whole world has spun upside down, first they made me leave my long time job to come be their personal assistant. 

“No no you won’t work at some stuffy boring office job.” Seonghwa said picking me up from work. “You’ll come work for us.”

“Why would I leave one stuffy boring office job for another?” I asked eyebrow raised.

“If you think working with your partners would be stuffy then you need to come join the fun, you’ll see how stuffy it really is.”

Little did I know how they saw me.

“Ah our muse is finally joining us?” Hongjoong said as I came to work with Hwa the next day. “My love you’ll be positively radiant in this piece I’m working on.”

“I thought we agreed on my piece first Joongie.” Hwa pouted. “Honestly you’re so unfair to me.”

“Oh hush down Angel.” he smiled and kisses Seonghwa on the cheek. “How do you feel about red my love?” he asked looking at me.

Their muse? I was still processing the thought, but it was true they had plenty of photos of us in parties, they had blown up photos of my outfits and written all over them to critique how it fit. They had started this whole company…for me?

“You’re our muse my love.” Hongjoong smiled.

“Everything we make with you in mind.” Seonghwa cupped my face.

Not everything was easy and smooth, sure I had started a new job, gotten treated like royalty, had two boyfriends who I couldn’t believe I got to wake up next to, moved in together and gotten everything I had ever wanted. I craved them we’d share kisses, touches, heavy touches, breathes, in the office, late nights, in bed shared breathes twisting together. I was never satisfied. Our anniversary was approaching, and I…I had a devious plan. They were working on their most erotic set for lingerie and I was going to surprise them, model it for them, just how they had always wanted. They always do a Christmas show, would that be a good start. Yes they certainly had raised one hell of a plaything. No never plaything, partner. They loved me as I loved them.

“Darling? You seem lost in thought again.” Seonghwa smiled and took the schedule for the day from my hand. “Why don’t you clear my schedule for after lunch, I’m in need of some special inspiration today.” he kissed my cheek. “Oh and clear Hongjoong’s for about 30 minutes after, he’ll wonder where we are.”

“You are the boss.”

“And you are wearing the skirt I made for you. You know I love when you wear my pieces.” he smiled. “Maybe I should take you out for lunch today, you'll need a good meal, and I should really show everyone what they’re missing.”

“You’d get way too jealous if we went out.”

“Oh so no Trivet for lunch? Shame, you love that place.”

“Oh so you want to show me off?”

“I’m not opposed to the idea darling.”

“Try not to get jealous then Angel Darling.” I smiled and peck his lips staining them a shade of plum red briefly.

Little did he know how much I was willing to challenge his idea of showing me off outside of work. He did say he wouldn’t get jealous.

“Date stick you up?” said a smooth talker from my left as I waited for Seonghwa to arrive. “Drink on me.” 

“Oh no my boyfriend is on his way, just held up at a meeting. He cleared his schedule to be here.”

“But couldn’t even be on time?”

I did clear his schedule so I would know if he was late or not.

“Well he is important.” sleeze bag rolled his eyes.

“I could buy this whole place if I wanted to.” he smirked.

“And I could buy this whole block.” Seonghwa popped in. “Sorry I’m late darling.”

“No worries, I’ve been thoroughly entertained.” I smiled and looked at him and gave him a kiss. 

“I wish you’d have better taste in company.”

“I thought you wouldn’t be jealous.” I chuckled and we went to our normal table. 

The waiter was flirting with me, how bold. In front of Seonghwa too, I could see his jaw clench slightly every time he ignored Seonghwa in favor of staring at me.

“Could you not flirt with the waiter?” he rolled his eyes.

“I thought you said not jealous hmm? Besides what about a free dessert?”

“I could buy you a dessert.”

“But it’s sweeter free.”

They have created a monster haven’t they. Perfect little monster for them. 

Arriving back to the office Seonghwa was insatiable, free dessert in one hand, my waist in the other.

“Another lunch I wasn’t invited to? How mean my love.” Hongjoong tapped on the desk. “And don’t think I missed you clearing your schedule Hwa, perhaps we should go home and enjoy an after meal show?”

“Why go home when the show is available here. She got a free dessert from the waiter.”

“And a free drink from sleezy at the bar.”

“No wonder he thought he had a chance.” Seonghwa rolls his eyes at the mention. “You minx.”

“Isn’t tonight the holiday party Seonghwa?” Hongjoong got up to lock the door.

“I guess we’ll be fashionably late this year.” Seonghwa smiled at the man.

“I don’t have anything to wear if we stay here.” I argued.

“Nonsense darling, you have everything you could possibly want here.”

“After all these are designed with you in mind.” Hongjoong finished Seonghwa’s thought.

Who really could say no when it came to the two of them. They are intoxicating in the best way possible and so very dedicated.

“Take it off….slowly.” Seonghwa nipped at my ear.

First came my blouse, unbuttoned slowly to reveal the lace bra underneath, next came the shoes, the skirt revealing the matching set I had picked for the day, and as I went to remove the stockings-

“Those stay on for now.” Hongjoong’s gaze lowered.

The desk was cleared behind me in an instant. Designs and papers flying, not that they cared, if they were important they’d be up on a wall or anywhere but the desk. Some where just doodles done absentmindedly during meetings that they had no interest in attending. 

“I’ll show you why you’ll never want anyone else.” Seonghwa lowered himself kissing down my torso stopping above the panty line, my hips bucked up to meet his smirk slightly.

“Never wanted anyone else but you and Joongie, Hwa.” I sighed out.

“Take care of him while I take care of you darling.” he smiled and Hongjoong moved closer to my face.

“You sure do put on quite the show for us my love. How perfect you are.” Hongjoong smiled down at me.

Seonghwa removed my far too wet panties before gently blowing on my wet folds, the chill making my legs close slightly.

“Already wet for us darling?” 

“She sure knows her place well.” Hongjoong smiled and began undoing his belt. “Be good or I’ll have to tie those beautiful hands up my love.”

Seonghwa’s velvet tongue entered my folds and the moan that escaped my lips was far more animalistic than I had intended. He knew every pleasure point in my body, both of them did, the way his plush lips encased my clit and the way Joong pushed his hardened length in my mouth. My senses, overwhelmed. Joongie pushed me up slightly to get the bra off me leaving me almost completely bare to the men I know as my lovers.

“That’s it darling, cum on my tongue.” Hwa moaned against my pussy becoming intoxicated himself.

The orgasm that hit me from his tongue sent my body into overdrive, my clit bumped his nose perfectly that little tingles could be felt far after I had started to come down. In my dazed out state the two men before me positions and Hongjoong made his way between my legs to my core. He licked a bold stripe up gathering the taste on his tongue. Seonghwa isn’t usually the talker but it seems they switched today, it does happen on occasion, it means one thing, Hongjoong is needy.

“My love, look at me.” Hongjoong’s flushed face came closer to mine. “Don’t pay attention to him right now, it’s you and me. Gonna fill you up.” he snapped his hips forward entering halfway, the thickness of his hard cock stretching me out. “So tight baby. Can’t believe it, like we’ve never had any fun together before.” he smiled and captured my lips with his. His tongued danced with mine as he began to piston his hips into mine pulling a leg over his shoulder to hit as deep as his could. He pulled at one of the stockings with his teeth before finally pulling them off, he always enjoyed removing the last piece of clothing I was wearing, every time it was different.

“That feel good baby?” he growled in my ear his hips snapping against me harder.

“Y-Yes.” I moaned feeling my stomach tighten again.

“Tell Hwa how good it feels.”

“F-Feels so-so good, Hwa.” I moaned and fumbled with Seonghwa’s pants to palm at his cock tenting his underwear. “So good Joongie.” I moaned louder.

“That’s right my love. Take what I give you.” he groaned and gave Seonghwa the side-eye almost as if in some possessive dance they do. “Cum on my cock.”

“J-Joong.” I moaned and arched off the desk, my back a little sticky from the slight sheen of sweat covering my body. My second orgasm hit me like a truck, Hongjoong could feel me spasming around his cock trying to milk him dry, it didn’t take long for his to let out a guttural groan and spill into my fluttering walls.

Seonghwa had turned me over his favorite was always from the back. Where Hongjoong had girth, Seonghwa had length, he could reach deeper than my wildest fantasies. I was so full, he was fucking Hoongjoong’s cum back into me I was seeing stars from the force he held me against the desk. The subtle creak was heard as he pushed into me.

“So wet and slippery darling, messy and so perfect.” he smirked.

“F-For you.” I moaned and gripped onto the edge of the desk, my knuckles already turning white from how hard he was snapping his hips into my backside. “Fuck, S-Seo-Seonghwa.” 

“That’s it baby, so sensitive hmm?”

I couldn’t respond, my brain turning into mush with every reach his cock made inside me.

“See that Joongie, a baby just for us, can barely keep her eyes open.” he smiled at Hongjoong.

“Her eyes might get stuck in the back of her head from how hard she’s rolling them Hwa.” he smirked.

I came for the third time that afternoon in a matter of minutes, completely sensitive and overstimulated from the attention of the two men as one of them lost himself behind me. 

“Darling.” a singsong voice called out, gentle hands running up and down my spine soothingly.

“Come back to us my love.” a hand moved hair from my forehead. “You blacked out a little after that last one.” he said with a smile. “Don’t worry though Seonghwa did too.”

“Did not.” the man on the other side of me claimed.

“You were seeing stars.” Hongjoong moved Seonghwa’s hair back as well.

“How…How did we get on the…couch?” I asked coming back little by little.

“Wanted somewhere soft for you to land.” Hongjoong smiled gently, come on lets get you cleaned up and ready for the party.

I was never alone in the aftercare process, one of them always in the shower with me…yes yes stereotypical CEO private bathroom, one went to get snacks, the other water, one went to fetch clothing, the other helped me get my hair in order. A gentle scalp massage and a loving smile in the mirror never far away from the taller of my two partners.

“I love you so much darling.” he kissed the top of my head.

“I love you too Seonghwa angel.” I took his hand.

“And do you love me the same My Love?” Hongjoong came into view and took my other hand.

“Always my Joongie.” I smiled. “I was right though.”

They looked at each other.

“Dessert is sweeter when free.” I chuckled and looked up. 

Mistletoe.

Bonus:

“Y/n? I didn’t know you were seeing someone!” my coworker James had called to attention.

“James whatever do you mean?”

“I mean that necklace you have on.” he winked and I glanced in the mirror finding a long chain of blossoming bruises along my neck. 

“Oh thank you James…it’s designer.” I winked.

[channieskies]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐗: 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐧

Pairing: Prince Hyunjin x Reader (AFAB)

Genre: Historical|Au, Fantasy|Au, Strangers to Lovers, Royalty|Au, Angst, Smut (Eventual), NSFW tags are below.

Synopsis: The kingdom of Volantis is in disarray; the monarch rules with an iron fist. The times of hope, harmony, and kindness were buried with the queen who passed many years ago. The people are praying for a savior, but who will be their light at the end of this dark tunnel?

Authors Note: Please reblog or leave a comment to let me know how you feel. I'd love a little feedback. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. As per usual, this hasn't been proofread. I'm posting the remaining written chapters, before I officially put this story on hiatus. I'm sorry for taking so long to update, but I hope this helps at least a little.

Word Count: [Reading Time: 11 Mins]

Disclaimer: This story does not reflect the real lives or personalities of Stray Kids. I do not know them personally. This is purely a work of fiction.

Looking for another chapter? Click here: 🇸‌🇹‌🇴‌🇷‌🇾‌ 🇮‌🇳‌🇩‌🇪‌🇽‌

Warning: This chapter contains mentions of death, slight description of bodily harm and inhuman healing.

Hyunjin chewed on his bottom lip, a habit he had formed after worrying about Venia when she returned a day later than what she said she would. Even though that was years ago when he was much younger, the habit had settled into him like rain in a cracked foundation. He wanted to help. He wanted to do something, anything, to be of assistance to you and Venia. You did save him after all. You were sent here to return him to his rightful place in the city of Solaris. But he sat there, unable to do anything to assist. Minho returned with a full bottle of something cloudy yet clear. Hyunjin had tired mead before, he’d furtively drank some during a less happy time in his life, believing that it would help like it did the character in the books he’d read. But it didn’t, it honestly made things a lot worse. He cried on the kitchen floor for hours, until Venia found him red eyed and swollen. He’d never do that again.

“Hyunjin, can you hold her hand?” Venia didn’t spare a look at the boy as she sanitized a needle. “Doesn’t matter how strong of a young woman you are, this is going to sting.” Hyunjin hesitated. His body twitched, ready to move, but his mind stopped him. He could feel your eyes on him, but he didn’t dare make contact. His eyes scanned the floor as he wiped his sweating hands on his pants. He was nervous. For a reason he couldn’t understand. 

“I promise I won’t squeeze too tight.” You smiled at him. Sweat was starting to dot your brows and you looked a little enervated. You extended your hand to him, calling to him to come closer. He nodded. His feet led him to you, without the consent of the rest of his body and before he knew it he was kneeling at your side, your hand slotted between his. You focused your attention on him, eyes watching his face intently, much like he was watching you earlier. Your hand felt cool to the touch, much cooler than it should have been.

“Minho, if you could hold her down for me.” The man moved with no hesitation or words, making Hyunjin feel a pang of jealousy. He wished he could have moved when he was told to; wish he didn’t waver. Minho was quiet, but he was sure of himself. Hyunjin wanted to be like that, he wanted to be strong. “Okay, take a deep breath for me.” You inhaled deeply, letting your eyes flutter closed as you prepared yourself for the worst. At first pour, it felt like cool water cascading over your wounds, but then the fire came. The burn was unimaginable. You squeezed Hyunjin's hand tightly as your body threatened to lift off the chair. Minho’s hands were firm as he held you in place. “I know it hurts, but you must endure.” Pain was evident all over your face, even though you tried your best to mask it. 

It felt worse than when that creature dug its nails into your skin. Your skin felt as if it was aflame, burning from within. There were flashes of white wherever you closed your eyes. You were entering another plane as you drifted in and out of consciousness. Seeing the faces of people who had died long ago, like your brother who died when you were still just a toddler. Your grandmother who helped with you during that time of mourning for your mother and again when she brought another life into the world. Your close friend who died of some unknown illness that struck the land a few years ago. Was this what dying felt like? Like the world itself had come to a stop, while you met with all the loved ones you’d lost along the way? A single tear slowly made its way down your cheek, only to drop on you and Hyunjin’s intertwined hands.

Hyunjin had never seen someone in so much pain. He could ignore the death grip you had on his hand, he just wanted you to feel better. Venia patted the wound and you tried your best not to scream. “This is a lot less deeper than I imagined it would be…” Venia spoke softly, confusion written all over her calm face. “It… appears to be.. Healing?” She asked more so than stated. “How is this possible?” You were still writhing in pain as your wounds slowly started to stitch themselves up. Venia stepped back, urging both of the young men to do the same. “Let her be.” Hyunjin was slow to move, he didn’t want to leave you alone when it was obvious you were suffering. He stood to his feet, and took a step back, letting your hand go in the process. Your back arched off the chair, your fingers dug into the wood of it, leaving deep scratch marks behind. Your nails breaking and healing in concurrence. 

Venia was amazed. She’d heard of people who could heal like this, but she thought of it as just lore. Folktales that people told to wayfarers to garner attention for whatever town they were wandering through. But if Hyunjin’s maternal side could have seer’s why was it so farfetched to think that your family, which were of first men, could also have a sort of maya. Your arm and neck completely healed in minutes, the only trace of injury left behind were these tiny scales that resemble that of a plucked bird. Your body slumped, nearly falling if it wasn’t for Minho catching you. “Get her to your carriage, Minho. We’ll head back to the keep to regroup before your voyage to Solaris.”

The trip back to the keep was silent. Hyunjin was overwhelmed with all he needed to process. It wasn’t missed when Venia said ‘your’ trip back to Solaris, as if she wasn’t going to accompany him. From childhood to now, there wasn’t a place he went or a thing he did without the support of his most trusted companion.  So just the thought of her not being in tow was damn near devastating. While yes, you’d saved his life, he didn’t know you. He’d heard of you in the letters Venia would read that your father had sent, but he did not know you.  The zeal he felt on the trip to Ironhaven did not share the same sentiment as the trip back to The Isle of Arcta. Melancholy wouldn't even be the best word to describe how he felt. His emotions were a bottomless pit of despair at this point. 

He'd usually use this time to sketch, and before meeting you and Minho, he had every plan to do so. But his fingers could do nothing more than just grip his leather bound sketch book as he fought back tears. “You can talk to me Hyunjin, you know that right?” She spoke, not taking her eyes off the unpaved road ahead of them. “What's the matter, your highness?” He sighed, it’d do him a disservice if he didn’t answer her now.

“You’re not going with us… are you?” There was apprehensiveness in his voice, his mind was trying to wrap itself around if this was worth bringing up or not. He’d hate himself if it was true that she wasn’t going and for this last conversation to be an argument. You never knew what could happen in the span of a few weeks. There were so many what-if’s that could occur and he simply did not want to try and wrap his head around them all.

“No, dear. I’m not. If I’m seen anywhere near the capitol they will know you are coming. Outside of my scheduled visits for supplies, they know I wouldn’t come into town unless it had something to do with you. And rather than alert them and get us all in trouble, I’ll stay behind.” She reached for his hand, having to pry its sweaty grip off of his sketchbook. “Hyunjin, listen to me, “ She sighed, it seemed as if she’d been mulling over this for quite some time. “If I didn’t have faith in this plan, I would not under any circumstance agree to it or let you go. But right now, with the Kingdom trying to come back together after war, and the king dealing with his sickness, as well as there being no other direct blood heir to the throne, you are needed more than ever. I hope that I have been able to teach you well, even with me not being a qualified teacher by not being royalty, a noble, or related to you-” He stopped her words by hugging her from the side, wrapping his long arms around her frame. 

“You are more than I could have asked for, Venia. Thank you for being the mother that I always needed.” His voice was muffled, but she could still hear and feel his sincere words. “I may not always show it, but know that you are a special part of me and I will never forget that.” She was touched, tears brimming her hazel eyes. She truthfully felt as if she was letting go of a part of herself. Hyunjin had been in her care from the day he was born. She was just as much of his mother as his birth mother was at this point. She was petrified that she’d never see him again. Afraid that something could happen to him and that she wouldn’t be there to prevent it or deter it. She really didn’t know how she would survive if that was the case. Her parents had died off during the war, along with her younger brother who was killed in action. She had no family left that she knew of. Hyunjin was the only family she had, chosen or otherwise.

Minho was worried. You hadn’t woken up and it had been over an hour since you’d left the pub. You seemed to be dreaming and whatever it was about it seemed to be causing you a lot of turmoil. Your brows were knit together, there was a cold sweat drenching your face and you kept shivering. He kept glancing over, checking on you, afraid that if he looked away too long that you may never wake up and he wouldn't be able to face your parents if that happened. 

Your mind was in a distant time, You didn’t know when or where you were, but you knew for sure this was not the present. You weren’t even sure if this place was real or not. You awoke on a bed of lavender and grass, the perfect breeze swaying the leaves, tickling your skin, stirring you awake. There was a purple and blue hue to this landscape. There were rounded, flooded, paddy dikes next you, the only time you remember ever seeing these were when you were around the Jade pass. But this was certainly not the Jade pass or anywhere in Volantis. Though the landscape more than favored, the sky seemed to stand still here, sitting somewhere between day and night. Both the sun and moon were out, hugged close like they were doing the tango to a beat only they could hear. It was both light and dark, stars were brighter than you’d ever seen them, and there was a thin mist that covered most of the ground that gave this place an even eerier feel.  The grass underneath you felt like the finest of silks, the blades passing through your fingers with each swipe of your hand.

You stood to your feet, looking down this stairstep-like hill you were perched on.  The landscape was breathtaking, unlike anything you’d seen Volantis and you’d traveled through most of the more breathtaking terrains that Volantis had to offer. There was no way this place could be real. If it was, how could you not remember how you’d gotten here? Where was Minho and the others? You didn’t bother screaming out for them, unsure if that would cause something that might have been lurking in the distance to show itself. You slowly spun in a circle, looking for something that showed signs of life, so you could make that your destination. There were no tracks you could see, dirt riddled or paved paths in sight. You gave up the search and just started walking, hoping to find something or someone that could help.

You didn’t know if you would get the answers you seeked, but it didn’t hurt to try. You walked through the paddy field, only for time to freeze and warp, transporting you  someplace else. Tall trees towered over the small tile roof house that sat at the end of a dirt road. It was surrounded by a clay fence that was topped with its own small roof and beautiful rows of pink and purple flowers surrounded it like a border. There were no other buildings in sight, just the ones on this property. You needed to find your way home. Making your way to the door, fist ready to rap on it, when it bursts open. You startle, taking a step back. There was no one there, just an empty courtyard. You apprehensively enter, something pulling you in, inviting you. The courtyard was just as beautiful as the landscaping outside of it. A small Korean red pine tree sat in the middle of the path. The scent of rich florals filled the air. Windchimes sang as the wind swayed them gently, their tune as sweet as the sun shining down on your skin.

“Welcome, Y/n.” You flinched, quickly turning to the voice. It was feminine and soft, like rose petals. Your eyes took in the woman before you, her beauty was like none other. But she did remind you of someone, you just couldn’t put your finger on it. Her long black hair swayed in the wind, as well as the straps from her goreum (the ties of jeogori, the top of the hanbok), Minho had taught you about this a while back, when you’d asked about his culture. You were honestly shocked you remembered. Her full skirt of blue with gold embroidering remained motionless. Her hand rested just below her chest, tucked into the sleeves of either arm. She looked like royalty, at least the monarchy that was currently reigning. They were from the same ethnic background as Minho. Was this… the queen? Your eyes widened upon realization, her face reminded you of someone, because she and her son shared a likeness. Sharp, piercing eyes, full lips, just an ethereal beauty, unlike any you’d seen. You quickly bowed. “No, no child. Please, don’t do that.” You felt warm hands on your shoulder as she helped you to stand straight, “Here, in this realm, I’m just Aeri. Born of the blood of the first men, just like yourself.”  

Studying was not your strong point. You knew what you needed to know of history and politics, math and such. But other than that, you let your studies fall to the wayside, especially when it comes to geography and ancient mysticism, neither of those things suited your fancy.. This place wasn’t in any historical text you’d read. A place this mystical would be something you’d easily remember.“I know you must be confused as to where you are or how you got here.” You nodded, “This is Elysium. It’s where the souls of the children of first men go, after death.” You’d heard of it in the prayers of your family after a member passed. You didn’t think it was real. Well at least not until this very moment.

A.N: Please reblog or leave a comment to let me know how you feel. I'd love a little feedback. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it.

[Rewrites, Reposts, and Translations are Prohibited]

[hamsteriffic]

I am very excited to finally be able to tell everyone that these past few months I’ve been working on a fic for the @mlbigbang 2023! Thank you to @burntwaffle12 , @sizzleissues and @karin848 for all their encouragement and support. The first post will appear January 6.

Queen Marinette: A Royal Engagement

Rating: M

Tags: Royalty AU, King!Adrien, Princess!Marinette, arranged marriage

Summary: Princess Marinette had always known she would marry for duty, but she had never even heard of King Adrien until her betrothal (she would know, because she had looked up all the crown Princes within a hundred mile radius).

Nevertheless, her parents were delighted at the offer of marriage and her uncle was given the privilege of escorting her to England for her wedding and the whole thing felt wrong.

Preview

“Who is this King of England? Why have we never heard of him before?” She demanded, her uncle surprised at her sudden interest.

“He is heir to the throne, he needs a queen, and he has chosen you.”

This she already knew, it was not a very good answer. “But why?” she pressed. “There are hundreds of nobles out there, with far grander titles and claims than our own. Why me?”

Her uncle looked surprised, he opened his mouth to speak but closed it again pensively.

The word Why was always one of the first, and favourite, questions asked by a child, and for good reason. Because Why are always the hardest questions to answer.

But why not?

Marinette was young, of child-bearing age, accomplished, and a beauty by all accounts. She had good graces and was well educated. She would make any country a worthy Queen.

Marinette was also very well aware of her precarious situation, her own mother was sent to a foreign country and married, a common enough arrangement. It was an auspicious match, a marriage between a Chinese Princess and a French nobleman in an effort to ease Sino-Franco relations.

“No, surely there must be other more diplomatic ways?” His sister and her own mother, Sabine, said when her own betrothal was announced.

Her mother protested as much as she did. All that consternation for nothing, for when the pair first set sight on each other they fell in love immediately. It has happened before, and it will all happen again.

Her mother of all people would know.

As Marinette’s ambassador, he was honoured to go with her to secure a friendship with the British, offering stability and prosperity. There was silk and tea to be traded, as well as porcelain. In return, they would resolve animosity held over past incidents. The East India Trading Company had a vested interest in the marriage and there was still disgruntled talk over the Flint Affair, such that war was imminent between the Chinese and British Empires.

Wang Cheng looked at Marinette with sympathy. He was very fond of his niece, and in his opinion she deserved the world. On paper everything looked like a suitable match, she was 18 and he was only 21. He spoke Mandarin, French and Latin, in addition to his mother tongue; and she knew a passable amount of English and Mandarin; as well as French, her native tongue.

She would like him. He was convinced.

However, the older gentleman himself did not know the King either. By all accounts he thought that the late King and Queen Dowager of England were barren, but then again he never paid attention to bedroom gossip.

“Why have I never heard of this king before?” The young woman insisted, her blue eyes flashing. She had the same kind of fire in her as his sister, masked by a gentle nature that lashed out when provoked like a tiger.

If you know anything about me, then you know I have written another Bridgerton AU 🫠! Queen Marinette - A Royal Engagement. Posting begins 6 January

[922skz1205txt]

the season of 1800 (skz royal au)

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information

pov: gn!reader

word count: 625 (intro)

genre: fluff, romance, historical, royalty au, sfw

warnings: none

author's note: this fanfic is inspired by the high society portrayed in Bridgerton! this is not the first fanfic I've written, but it's the first one I am posting here! I hope you enjoy!

(the images above are from Pinterest.)

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navigation

| minho | changbin | felix | seungmin | hyunjin | jisung | jeongin | chan |

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introduction

The Season of 1800 is upon the hopeful young people of the Kingdom of Isla. This season is expected to be grander than the last, with the turn of the century offering a special reason to celebrate love.

Your father, a noble expat to the tiny Kingdom of Hetha (situated where the northern lights shine all year long), believes it is time for you, his eldest child, to be wed. You only partly agree with this idea.

Part of you despises your father for pushing you into marriage. You don’t think you are ready to be betrothed. The other half of you is excited, ready to jump into the season head-first. You have heard many successful love stories that have come out of the centuries-old tradition of matchmaking. Though, you have also heard the horror stories.

You’ve never experienced true love before. You are worried you will make the wrong choice when picking a man to be your husband from your lack of knowledge in the subject matter. You have had to remind yourself that there will be others participating in the season for the first time as well. This gentle reminder calms your worries.

Your father has told you many stories of his kingdom you have never visited. He has told you of a lovely manor he is the Lord of (that may even become yours one day). It is nestled on a cozy bay with views of the northern ocean that borders your own kingdom.

The manor sounds a lot different from the bustling city you live in now. A life in the country intrigues you, but it also terrifies you. Being so removed from others outside of your own household sounds quite boring, if you are being honest.

Nevertheless, you and your father have just arrived in the Kingdom of Isla. Before you sits a bustling ballroom filled with young people like yourself in their finest clothing. They are accompanied by various families members, laughing and talking with each other.

A butler announces your name to the crowd. Those near the balcony you are standing on turn to look at you, but those in the back of the room do not hear your name. You jumped at the sound of your name, especially with your official title in front of it. Your father never uses such formalities with you. Your father links his arm through yours and escorts you down the staircase.

Once you reach the floor of the ballroom, your father takes you to a small table filled with ribbons and dance cards. From the balcony, you noticed people of similar ages to yourself wearing ribbons with their names etched onto them. A kind looking man hands you your ribbon and dance card. You pin the ribbon on the left side of your chest, just beneath your collarbone. You wrap the dance card around your wrist.

Your father smiled at you after noticing the stares you both were receiving. “You may certainly be the talk of the ball, y/n.” Unlike your father, this does not make you smile.

You hear comments from the nearby patrons. “I did not know he had a child!” “They must have come back to be married!” The comments and stares make you uncomfortable, and your cheeks feel hot from the embarrassment.

Your father then sees an old friend across the room and waves to him. He instructs you to find others your age to converse with while you wait to complete the dances on your dance card. He lets go of your arm. He walks away with a reassuring nod, leaving you in this ballroom full of strangers. You gulp and scan the room, wondering just what could be in store for you this season.

[woniebunny]

THE MILLENIAL PAIR

CHAPTER ONE- MY KINGDOM, MY RESPONSIBILITY

Synopsis: Every one thousand years a new ruler is born who will conjoin and change the eternal kingdom and mortal world forever. In present time there have been no signs of the true ruler, some believe the day will come for them to create order and peace, others believe it as a myth, a fairytale, a folklore.... only time can tell what the future holds. Y/N the future ruler of the Blood Moon Realm discovers her true lineage and will unlock newfound powers, all while trying to navigate her new responsibilities as the Millenial Queen and a soulmate w 6 brothers. Together they must join to save their kingdom and each other.

PAIRING: Royal Werewolf!Park Sunghoon x Royal Werewolf!Reader, Werewolf!Enha x Reader(Platonic)

GENRE: Fantasy/Supernatural, Romance, AU

WARNINGS: Darker themes, mentions of violence, war, blood, etc. May contain some demonic themes, witchcraft, blood bonds. Cussing. Dark Humour.

A/N: I have been super busy and had a ton of stuff happen in my personal life and haven’t really had the ability to be as frequent on here as I would’ve liked but luckily this week things have slowed down a bit so I can get some works out. The first part isn’t as long as I originally planned but will have to work for now and hopefully future chapters will be a little longer and better written as I start getting the hang of writing a complete fanfic! Hope you guys enjoy. As always feedback and Reblogs are always appreciated!😊

********************************************************************************

Long ago the god Lycoan sacrificed an innocent young child and presented him as an offering, Zeus enraged by this act of violence exiled Lycoan and gave birth to a new race, the lycanthropes, sentient beings that could shapeshift from man into wolves. A race born through ritual and dark magic creating beings with enhanced senses, intelligence, strength, and agility some of which turned into ruthless, savage killers. After witnessing the carnage and mayhem by these beings, Zeus created a new life form in order to regulate and maintain the supernatural, a being who held great power and abilities and would rule the entire eternal kingdom and would bring peace among the immortal and mortals... this being was called the millennial alpha and would serve as royalty along the true bloods, those birthed by Zeus and those who were procreated from these individuals. Every millennium a new ruler is born who is destined to conjoin and change the eternal kingdom and mortal world forever. In present time there have been no signs of the true ruler, some believe the day will come for them to create order and peace, others believe it as a myth, a fairytale, a folklore.... only time can tell what the future holds.

The palace is lively and rumbling with noise. Fighters, maids, cooks, children, and many more running around in the early hours of the morning, finalizing arrangements for the Royal Coronation to take place in 3 days. Feelings of anxiety and exhilaration for the extravagant ceremony and all of the prestigious guests arriving from the different domains, oblivious of the dark shadow creeping it's way over the kingdom.

The first thing I hear is the load chatting and laughter of the palace, everyone going about their day and making preparations for today; The royal coronation, the day the throne will be passed down to the next ruler once their time reaches. I take a moment to get out of bed and walk towards my open balcony, staring across the planes of the kingdom. So much to rule in such little time. Watching the kingdom in its natural state bringing me peace and happiness knowing these are my people, my home, my kingdom. After years of strenuous hours spent studying, and vast hours of intense and grueling training , it's finally my turn to rule. I hear a slight knock on my door as I let my mind wonder with a slight smile on my face, "come in" I call gently. "I don't mean to disturb you your royal highness, but your parents would like for you to get dressed and come down to the dining hall." I laugh and shake my head turning to him, my best friend and most trusted advisor " how many times do I have to tell you Jaemin to not call me " yOuRe RoYaL hIgHnEsS" I mocked in a funny tone. "I'll be down in a moment." "I know princess but you're gonna have to get accustomed to people calling you "yOuRe RoYaL hIgHnEsS" he equally mocked back "I know you don't like the title but it's what you are now princess, you want the throne you're gonna have to deal with the title." "I want the throne not for the title but because I want to make changes Jaems, big changes. I could care less about a title I just want to finally be able to help our people. They're not just people, they're my home, my kingdom, my responsibility... I want to make the kingdom and their lives better and safer." " I know princess and you will trust me. I know you but don't stress, I'll let mom and dad know you're coming." As he leaves I turn back to the balcony and stare out, having a strange inkling something was about to occur. Something unexplainable. I let out a big breath and turn away to my bathroom to begin freshening up and to start getting dressed in the appropriate attire for the big day.

[medusapelagia]

20 questions for fic writers

I haven't done one of those in a while so... thank you @mayalaen for the tag!

First, my AO3

How many works do you have on AO3?

135

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

965,922

3. What fandoms do you write for?

mostly Stranger Things, and a couple The Witcher

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

28 AU-gust: Royalty (Stranger Things (TV 2016)) (1,794 words) (Omegaverse, Steddie) I'm so good at telling lies (That came from my mother's side) (Stranger Things (TV 2016)) (40,216 words) (Omegaverse, Steddie) My lucky charm (Stranger Things (TV 2016)) (2,775 words) (Omegaverse, Steddie) Never Again (Stranger Things (TV 2016)) (54,847 words) (Steddie) Eddie's month day 12 + Whumptober day 12 (Stranger Things (TV 2016)) (2,312 words) (Omegaverse,Steddie)

I just noticed that all my Omegaverse fic are in my top 5... maybe I should write more of those? Lol

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Always (but I must admit that I don't have a lot of comments to answer to, lol)

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

The majority of my fic are angst with happy ending, but I wrote a very sad little Harringrove fic that's Sorrow

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Almost all my fic have a happy ending but I'll say Separate Ways (Harringrove) because it has beautiful art made by Lemon for the epilogue!

8. Do you get hate on fics?

No.

9. Do you write smut?

Yes but I'm not really good at it so I have to practice more XD

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

It's not really a crossover but I wrote a series of fics for the Metal Sandwich Movie Marathon (and Kinktober) where Billy, Steve and Eddie decide to reenact some porn versions of some scenes of famous movies. The one that makes me laugh the more it's Jurassic Park.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

No.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I translated a couple of mines. Never again, lol.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No but I'm working on it ;)

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Steddie it's my first love, but I love Metal Sandwich, and Hargrove as well (and Geraskier)

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

An Anonymous Dead Dove.

16. What are your writing strengths?

No one? Lol

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I'm too fast. I want to get to the end of the story (as a reader and as a writer) so sometimes I have to force myself to slow down a little.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Yes and I did a couple of times

19. First fandom you wrote for?

City Hunter

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Always the last one I'm working on. At the moment it's Second Chances Mixtape, because it's totally out of my comfort zone but I'm still pretty pleased with the result

My no pressure tag list:

@cranberrymoons, @spaceofentropy, @kallisto-k, @viviseawrites @ghostdeb, @applewillowstone and whoever would like to join!

[postwarlevi]

✍️ Fic authors self rec!

When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to other writers you know. Let's spread some self-love! 💛

Val!! I'm finally here for this hehe thank you for sending it to me! Now, let's see...

I must include Santa Levi one of the holiday stories I wrote the first year I was on tumblr, about Levi stepping in as Santa for kids with the help of reader and the rest of the time who make sure the kids have a wonderful holiday. I got to feature Gabi and Falco!

PCOS is one dear to my heart that I tried to make NOT sound like a PSA while writing it for myself and others with this condition and how nice it would be to have such a sweet supportive partner.

Another holiday one! Kindness at Christmas told in a large flashback of reader and Levi's first year of marriage and how things might not always go right and be hard but it's okay to accept kindness from those close to you and others who may want to help.

I don't think it's cheating to include a fully fledged outline of a royalty AU I might never get around to writing. Arg! It's an idea I had and still have about nobleman Levi and amnestic reader who fall in love only to discover she 'belongs' to another kingdoms prince. Takes place over the course of about 20 years.

And for Jean fics it's Dancing on My Own what I wrote one evening when my wifi went down. It's very friends to lovers (my favorite trope with this guy) during what starts as a night out with heartbreak that turns into one of realization and having a sleepover with someone who will always take care of you.

That was hard and it could change at any moment haha but that looks about right :)

[angst-is-love-angst-is-life]

In regards to Talk Shop Tuesday, what projects are you currently working on?

Thanks for asking! I have a lot, so please bear with me here

Well there’s ofc Trophy; the fic where Zoom wins that no one wanted but me :> I also have a few AUs for that but probably won’t post them because they’re usually just 3 am writing sessions that aren’t very polished.

Got my Coldflash royalty AU where Barry’s the {former ?} prince of a kingdom that had just been overthrown by Eobard Thawne and Len’s the son of a former Royal Guard captain but wants to stay as far away from that legacy as possible. Their paths converge when Len is invited to an event celebrating the new king’s victory where poor Barry, chained beside Thawne’s throne, is used as a sort of trophy. Len doesn’t truly know yet; but his life will never be the same. Whelp— idk why I got all dramatic but that’s the beginning/premise lol

“For every One you didn’t save” is going to be rough for Barry… (I say, as if any of them aren’t. BUT this one is going to be particularly awful for his mental health). Our favorite awful bastard Eobard Thawne will fulfill the whumper role and I think that’s all I need to say. Need to work on this more ngl

“one thing” Mm. Another one with Eobard as The Worst. Honestly I’m not even sure if this would be considered whump— it’s just. Hmm. I tried to rewrite a certain scene in Coex and something happened that I Did Not mean to happen.

Get whumped idiot (placeholder title). Coldflash fic where Barry’s kidnapped as a sort of guest of honor at a fun little party for all the worst criminals in Central City. I really really need to revisit this soon cause it’s been a bit.

Enemy of my Enemyyyyyy we gotta start tormenting Barry next chapter and I WILL— I swear—

Ah yes. The Thawne kidnaps Barry instead of Eddie AU. Instead of using him to get back to his time, Thawne decides to use the blood sample from Farooq and steals Barry’s speed. Well. The process of stealing said speed is estimated to take around a week so Barry’s time is running out fast while the team desperately tries to find him. Will they get to him in time or find Barry just too late? Knowing me, it could go either way :)

Courtesy of @shrinkthisviolet I now have a ‘Savitar kidnaps and impersonates Barry’ AU that is marinating atm but has part of a scene written and an outline in progress.

Lastly, I won’t be talking about it much because I do have some rules to keep myself from spreading too thin; and one of them is only one big project at a time. But I’ve been planning a Hurt/Comfort Flash longfic (estimated 40k; probably more) for a while now. I will be talking about it —after I finish Trophy— because I have been c o o k i n g . It’s what I like to call slow burn whump. It will take a bit to get to the whump but BOY WILL IT BE WORTH IT. And this one is specifically whump aftermath (with some flashbacks to the whump). I literally can’t wait— but first, I must finish Trophy. (I do pick favorites and Trophy is #1 while this is #2)

Talk Shop Tuesday

[intensely-reading]

To Dream in Shades of Green

Word Count: 55.7k (9/9 Chapters)

Relationship: Alhaitham/Kaveh

Tags: Pseudo-isekai, Royalty AU (kind of), Dreams, Fluff, Mutual Pining, You get a slow burn and a flash flood, we're speedrunning and slow-cooking this relationship, light angst, happy endings, feeling realization

Written for Haikaveh Big Bang!

(Note: This story will be updated daily until its completion!)

Summary:

“There are three suitors who you can romance in this game. You must complete all your requirements with one of them." “Who are the three potential suitors?” Kaveh asks warily. “Your three suitors are Tighnari, the blunt Palace Chamberlain; Cyno, the standoffish Captain of the Royal Guard; and Al-Haitham, the acerbic Duke of Vultur Volans.”

There's a new invention from the Yae Publishing House that turns a user's dreams into light novel stories. Kaveh has the (un)fortunate pleasure of being one of its first users.

Too bad it dumped him in a romance game.

Read it here!

Author's Comments:

This story has been ruminating in me for months now you don't understand they have taken over my life. Otome games were my reading blood for a good bit of time

We're in for a long ride is all I'm saying (This story is about 55k words)

There's a lot of romance, a lot of light novel tropes, a lot of royalty tropes. So many cliches. But despite all that, I hope it's a lighthearted story about what love is—not just in stories, but also in real life; what it means to care

[bytheangell]

What Matters

(Read on AO3, written for @malecdiscordserver By The Angel Bingo prompt: Royalty AU)

Tessa steps into the room, looking at the two men in front of her with so much fondness she knows it must be taking over every feature on her face. Thankfully, they’re too wrapped up in their own little worlds to notice her arrival. William and James are enjoying one another’s company in the drawing room, with Jem playing the violin softly and Will drifting in and out of near-sleep as he does, eyelids closing and opening with languid movements. These are the moments Tessa cherishes - the ones where the two of them are alone, or at least alone with her, and able to exist in one another’s presence in whatever intimate moments they choose. Sometimes it’s a warm embrace, and sometimes those moments also include Tessa, but other times it’s simply this - simply existing.

Jem’s playing comes to a stop, or at least a prolonged pause between pieces, and it’s only then that the two boys notice her arrival.

“Tess, my dear, how long have you been standing there?” Jem asks.

“Long enough to watch Will nearly fall asleep twice,” she replies with a small smile.

“I did not!” William replies indignantly, blinking the sleep away rapidly and doing his best to stifle the immediate yawn that tries to escape his lips.

“You started snoring once before Tessa even arrived,” Jem points out.

“James! Whose side are you on?!” Will demands, eyes narrowing without any true seriousness.

“The side of truth,” Jem replies without missing a beat, placing his violin down gingerly before sweeping across the room to take Tessa in his arms.

Tessa beams at the sight, noting that he must be having a particularly good day in regards to his chronic illness because there’s no falter in his steps, no hesitation in his touch. She knows better than to question the gift of a good day, which come few and far between lately, and laughs along with the movement of him grabbing hold of her and spinning her two steps into the room where Will waits, standing now, hand outstretched to grab her own in the hand-off from Jem.

It’s always like this between the three of them. Even on the bad days, the energy and understanding between the trio comes with such ease that Tessa often wonders if it’s too good to be true. Yet day after day, it proves true. Day after day their arrangement plays out in the public eye to flawless perfection, and their private lives are left to be whatever they make of them.

It’s easy to look back and see all the ways things could’ve gone wrong, and truly appreciate the way they played out instead.

Tessa’s forever grateful to have found them, and even more thankful that they welcomed her into their private lives so easily. It was just for show, at the beginning. Will and Jem wished to be together, but Jem was the heir to a throne, and coming of age to take full control of the kingdom his parents left behind in the wake of their untimely deaths. It wouldn’t do to be a King without a Queen, and it absolutely wouldn’t do to be a King with another King. At first, Tessa agreed to simply be there for show. She’d live in the palace, of course, and walk hand-in-hand with Jem in public and show off their betrothal to the world with beaming smiles, but that was to be all. She was simply a cover for her two friends to be happy together.

Until she developed feelings for both Jem and Will, and they for her, the more time she spent with them. She wasn’t certain, at first. Not certain enough to say anything and risk, well, everything. Not just everything between herself and Jem and herself and Will but between the two of them as well.

They were all uncertain, all afraid that acknowledging the truth of what their friendships were evolving into would ruin the already delicate balance of their situation, but after a time it became undeniable. It was obvious enough in the way they acted around each other that Will cared for Tessa, as did Jem, a love that was wildly different in some ways, but strikingly similar in so many others. But the care was there, underlying in every action, every word, and when they finally broached the subject it was obvious that Tessa was more important to both of them than a simple public face.

The evening they finally addressed the growing emotions between the three of them was a long, draining, but ultimately cathartic night for all of them, and it ended with an agreement: to at least give it a try. The ‘it’ in question being allowing themselves the chance to see if something, if anything, between the three of them could work. They were still worried, not that they had any reason to be - of course it would work, it already was working.

Almost nothing in their dynamics changed, with the exception of Tessa now sharing in some of the lingering touches, and then kisses, and then more. At the beginning it was always separated - Tessa would be with Will while Jem was off, or with Jem while Will had other engagements, and sometimes the two boys would go off on their own for hours before Tessa saw them again. But when they were together it was as if nothing changed. Everything simply became more, became better because there was no more hiding of smiles or longing glances or loving remarks.

Once the three of them became fully themselves, what already came so easily between them now felt as second-nature as breathing.

So when things evolved into the three of them becoming more intimate all together, not a single one of them seemed surprised by what was, at that point, a natural evolution.

Of course, prying eyes would not see things the same way. Tessa often imagined the scandal they would cause if anyone ever found out. Sometimes they ran through ‘what-if’ scenarios, partially out of excessive caution, more often because Will always finds a perverse pleasure out of imagining the faces of the other royals should the truth ever surface.

Tessa wouldn’t mind people knowing, of course, but there’s a particular sense of peace they hold now that she would sorely miss should it ever be lost.

“What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours, Tessa?” Will asks.

“Oh, nothing,” she says, shrugging off the thoughts. “Just wondering if I may also be graced with a Jem Carstairs composition tonight. I do love a good lullabye,” she adds with a wink, causing Jem to laugh and Will to exclaim indignation once more.

So long as she never loses this, never loses them, nothing else matters.