#and awesome ladyships

[frost-queen]

Travel fevers (Reader x Colin Bridgerton)

Requested by anon Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @alex–awesome–22, @ellie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve , @queen-of-books , @glimmering-darling-dolly , @denkisclown , @wildieflower , @meyocoko , @justanothercoco, @subjecta13-thefangirl , @m-rae23 , @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr , @swampything07, @melsunshine , @panhoeofmanyfandoms , @venomsvl , @the-uncoordinated-house-cat , @rosecentury , @imagines-by-her, @evilcr0ne , @vviolynn , @niktwazny303 , @avada-kedavra-bitch-187 , @markive-m, @erikasurfer

Summary: Colin and reader meet on his travels to Spain. Your father having brought you along to his travels so many times when you were young. Colin and you started to bond more, falling deeply in love. When you return to Mayfair, he introduces you to his family with the intention to make you his.

“Those barrels go in the back.” – you said pointing with your pencil in the direction. Scribbling down on the paper you were holding as the man pushed the barrel further up the ship. Another man came up the plank from the port with a barrel. – “Spices Senorita.” – he said tipping his head at you. You nodded writing down on your paper, redirecting him to a corner of the ship.

Turning slightly around to the deck of the ship, you started counting to make sure your calculations were correct. – “That’s three barrels of salt.” – you said out loud to one of the workmen by your side. – “Four barrels of pickled fish. Two with peppers and twelve boxes of oranges.” – you finished looking at him if you were correct.

“Ay senorita.” – he answered taking his hat off to you. – “Wonderful. Go take a bottle of rum, Miguel.”  - you patted him on the bac. Miguel bowed at you before taking his leave. Another one of the worker approached you, needing a signature from you. You happily signed it, gaze falling down on a man standing to stare below on the port.

“Seeing anything you like?” – you called out, catching him off guard. – “I’m… I’m sorry but did you just…” – he began running up the plank, grabbing onto the railing to get closer to you. – “Is this your ship?” – he questioned making sure he didn’t violate your property by remaining on the plank. – “Yes.” – you replied seeing him gape with curiosity at you. – “Never seen a woman own anything?” – you asked moving your hands to your hip.

The man quickly shook his head. – “No, no I didn’t mean it like that.” – he corrected himself. – “It is just admiring.” – he spoke. – “A woman doing business?” – you teased, quirking your eyebrow up. The man chuckled amusingly. – “A woman traveling the world.” – he answered making you laugh loud.

He dropped to a bow, introducing himself. – “Lord Colin Bridgerton.” – he addressed himself. You dropped into a curtsy. – “Countess Y/n Y/l/n.” – you introduced yourself. – “Would my lord be interested in the invitation of welcoming on my ship?” – you asked, gesturing behind you. – “I will gladly accept, your ladyship.”

You moved aside for Colin to step on the deck. Guiding him to a spot on the deck near the masts. Using barrels as seating. Miguel approached, placing two glasses down. – “Apologies that it is not as comfortable as you are used to, my lord.” – you said while Miguel poured the drinks. Colin smiled politely. – “Part of the experience.” – he answered making you smile. Colin and you rose your glass before drinking.

You set your glass down, admiring the man for a moment. – “What brings you to Spain?” – you asked curious what an English lord was doing so far from home. – “The culture.” – he answered, setting his glass down as well. – “I needed to spread my wings a bit before returning home.” – he added. – “I see. The women must be interesting then.” – you responded making him nearly choke on his drink.

“I…I…” – he started, trying to hide his laugh, waving his hand across. – “Oh goodness did I make you blush?” – you teased looking mischievous at him. Colin set his glass back down, clearing his throat. Throwing you flirtatious glance back. – “Is there a lord Y/l/n?” – he wanted to know, being very curious.

You shook your head. Colin looked all smug, gleaming with your response. Placing his hand on the barrel in front of him, he was intrigued to know more about you. – “What makes a countess like yourself travel so far from England as well?” – he said. You leaned your elbows on the barrel, chin resting on your hands. – “My father used to bring me along to his travels ever since I was a young child.” – you told him. – “Travelling is in my blood.” – you finished.

“My father cared so much to be present with the imports. My mother died when I was very young, so he had no other choice than to take me along. He’d rather travel the world with me around then return after so long and having missed seeing me grow up.” – you explained, leaning back to gaze at the horizon for a moment.

“Your father sounds like a remarkable man.” – Colin answered. – “He is.” – you sighed out. – “Is he…?” – Colin was curious. – “Gods no.” – you called out half in shock. – “He is simply enjoying retirement. The longs trips take a toll on his body. He is back at home managing from afar.”

Colin hummed loud. He rose his glass once more. – “To your father.” – he said to toast. You brought your glass up as well, letting it touch with his. – “To travelling.” – you replied before taking a sip. – “What is your next destination?” – Colin asked pointing at the last barrels that were loaded on deck. – “Portugal.” – you told him. –“Then it is a trip back home.” – finishing. Colin glanced teasingly your way.

You leaned closer to him. – “Care to join or does my lord have other obligations?” – you flashed your gaze down to his lips before locking them on his eyes once more. Colin came leaning in as well, arm resting on the barrel. – “I have no other obligations my ladyship than to come with you.” – he answered, eyeing your lips as well.

If he were still in England, he didn’t know if he would be so bold. But something about being away from the ton and restrictions made him act more freely. Perhaps it was also the culture not being so stiff as England that he adored.

You poured him another glass, chatting a bit more till it was time to leave the port. Taking the long journey to Portugal. Colin has been on a ship before, yet this one felt special. You had invited him that night to dine with him. Something instantly clicking. Colin and you kept throwing glances at each other from across the table. His head spinning as he felt himself go feral for you. The way you were teasing him by just being present.

The ladies in Spain were pleasant, but you were on a different level. Perhaps it was the wine or the rockiness of the waves that made him act so out of control. Colin got up going round the table to you. You blinked surprised when he pressed his hands against your cheeks. Guiding you upwards as you rose from your seat. Eyes locked on each other with the most lovable expression.

“Forgive me your ladyship.” – he breathed against your skin before smacking his lips to yours. You felt the deepness of his kiss, holding him. Retrieving your lips, you turned round, swiping your hands over the table to clear the way. Colin smirked as you hopped onto the table. Grabbing him by his shirt, you pulled him close, wanting his lips on yours once more.

It took around a month to arrive at the harbour of Portugal. Colin and you deeply falling in love with each other. You were arranging the supplies as Colin was watching you from afar. Smiling admirable at you. Feeling himself lucky that he found you on his travels. Your gaze locked briefly on him, smiling. Colin walked over, feeling as if it was his cue to come closer to you. He approached you, taking your hand to kiss it.

It made you chuckle, giving him a playful shove. – “It is nice to see husband and wife travelling together.” – a worker said with a thick accent as he helped some crates board the ship. – “Oh we aren’t…” – You told him, waving your hand across. – “Not yet.” – Colin interrupted, making you gape at him. He took your hand once more, smiling.

“For I intend to make you mine once we return home, Y/n.” – he said leaving another kiss on your hand. It made you bashful. – “I’ll be holding you onto that dearest Colin.” – you replied giving him a playful shove. Colin assisted you in the business, recounting the supplies to be extra certain. You finished up the paperwork, paying the dockworkers from Portugal.

They were preparing the ship to sail out as you stood by the railing. Colin came over, moving his arms around your waist. – “Now another month of sailing before we are on English soil.” – you informed him as he left a kiss on your shoulder. – “The only reason I am looking forward to getting back home is to make you my wife.” – he breathed out leaving another kiss on your shoulder.

It tickled making you move your shoulder up. – “What will your family say?” – you turned around in his embrace to face him. – “Leaving to travel Europe and return with a girl whom you wish to marry.” – you said teasingly. Colin smiled keeping his hands against your cheeks. – “Not just any girl. My beautiful, beautiful Y/n.” – he responded before kissing you. A month passed as the ship was on English ground. The shipment send out to other businesses as you received payment for them.

Colin and you got into a carriage, riding for him home. You were very nervous as you wondered what his family might think. Colin holding your hand gave you some comfort. The trip was long with several stops, but you were glad to make it to the mainland. Mayfair. The hometown of Colin Bridgerton. The carriage came to a stop before the house. Colin getting out, holding his hand out to you. You accepted it, getting out as well.

The doorman opened the door. Colin held his finger up to you, wanting you to wait just a moment. He entered the drawing room as you heard lots of loud voices and screams of happiness. Stroking any last wrinkles out of your dress, you prepared yourself to meet his family. Colin reappeared, holding his hand out to you. You took it as he lead you into the drawing room. – “Mother, brothers, sisters I want you to meet my betrothed Countess Y/n Y/l/n.” – Colin introduced you as you curtsied deep for them.

Violet looked with surprise at her son. – “Countess?” – Anthony said to Benedict, surprised that his brother had aimed so high. – “It is a pleasure meeting you, Viscountess Bridgerton.” – you said, curtsying once more. – “She’s pretty.” – Hyacinth said to Francesca.

Violet smiled delightful, coming over to give you a hug. – “Oh look at you.” – she said holding her hand under your chin. Smiling, she held her hand, looking back at her own children. That was their cue as Hyacinth rushed over to you. She wrapped her arms around you, hugging you tight.

“I have a new sister.” – she said squeezing you in her embrace. Colin tapped her on the shoulder, to let go. – “I have brought gifts for you all from my travels.” – you told them. You handed Hyacinth her gift as she gasped loud. You then gave everyone else their gift as they were obsessed with how wonderful it was. Colin smiled back at you, kissing your hand.

Proud that his family had accepted you and seen just how wonderful you are. Colin and you waited till the appropriate time after the social season to get married. Forever binding to each other. Travelling Europe together for business whenever it was needed. A life Colin couldn’t say goodbye to anymore.

-----------------------------------------

Read more of my fics on my Masterlists!

[liviavanrouge]

Prank

Livia: *Lays asleep, a blanket bundled around her as she slept*

Kuro: *Smirks, grabbing her bangs and random strands of hair, rubbing it between his hands giggling*

Lilia: Kuro...what are you doing?

Kuro: *Giggles smugly* Nothing~~~

Silver: He wants death I see...

~~~~

Livia: *Rubs her eyes and yawns*

Kuro: *Snickers* Liv, c-come with me

Livia: *Sleepily follows him, entering a dark room*

Kuro: *Holds a mirror up to her* Look!

Livia: *Stares at her glowing bangs and the glowing stripes in her hair*

Kuro: I expect a GLOWING review about how awesome your hair is now

Livia: *Whips around on him, gripping her bow as she nocked it with an arrow causing it to glow when her mana cloaked it* HOLD STILL SO I CAN SHOOT YOU!!

Kuro: *Runs away his eyes wide* NOOOOO!

~~~~

Lilia: *Chuckles* He had it coming

Silver: Agreed

Malleus: I hope my Beastie teaches him a lesson

Nex: Oh he's most definitely gonna learn one

Briar: Never mess with a girl's hair

Vex: Agreed

Sebek: My Ladyship will put Kuro back in his place!

Bakunawa: *Nods in agreement*

Araysh: *Sips his tea as Kuro screamed from not far, a small explosion going off*

Zakai and Anbu: *Playing with their toys, ignoring the noise*

@queen-of-twisted @zexal-club @yukii0nna @teddymochi @soulfungai

[theygotlost]

ok i already said that i miss sybil but i need to talk about it more. lady sybil is such an amazing character in guards! guards!. we get to see all these interesting parts of her: her passion for dragon rearing, her lovable mix of stern authority and a kind heart, the dissonance between her immense wealth and her hatred of having to parcitipate in pageantry, her take-no-shit attitude, the dynamics that develop between her and each watchman (the way she is somehow the only person in ankh-morprok who can't tell that nobby is a disgusting little freak is still funny to me), not to mention the very endearing meet-cute and schoolgirl crush she has on vimes. she's a fully realized and fleshed out character and i loved her and wanted more of her (i also Want Her. ahem hem). i could read about her doing literally anything shes just so awesome.

and then she is instantly and utterly sidelined. men at arms skips any kind of detail or development in sybil and vimes' relationship. they went directly from will-they-wont-they (they dont even end up as an official couple by the end of gg) to engagement as if it's a matter of course. and then she's practically absent from the whole book. she has like, 2 or 3 lines of dialogue and they're all to nag her husband. he pretty much leaves her at the altar cause hes too busy Dealing With The Plot to show up to his own wedding. and she is COMPLETELY absent from feet of clay. vimes mentions her by name a couple of times lest we forget she even exists, but they dont even have a single conversation together.

its heartbreaking to me. dgmw i still VERY MUCH enjoy these books but im just so disappointed thinking about how much i would have loved to see sybil play a role in them. her ladyship sybil deidre olgivanna ramkin i love you 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

[ao3feed-peterstiles]

White Plumes of Freedom

Read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/45851995

by MossyTreestump

Bobby sees something he can't quite believe when the circus pulls into town. A little recon, a little breaking and entering: next thing he knows he's on the run in Peter's niece's car with two mermaids, one werewolf, and an unimpressed cat. Ah, what the hell. He needed a vacation anyway.

 Or the one where everyone is sassy, especially Her Ladyship, Princess Hissington III.

Words: 7514, Chapters: 2/12, Language: English

Fandoms: Teen Wolf (TV)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, M/M

Characters: Bobby Finstock, Peter Hale, Stiles Stilinski, Kira Yukimura, Talia Hale, Gerard Argent, Kate Argent

Relationships: Bobby Finstock/Kira Yukimura, Peter Hale/Stiles Stilinski

Additional Tags: Good Peter Hale, Awesome Bobby Finstock, Mermaids, Past Abuse, Canon-Typical Violence, Enemies to Lovers, Circus, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - No Hale Fire (Teen Wolf), Sassy Peter Hale, Bobby Finstock deserves nice things, Hurt/Comfort, Healing, Sassy Stiles Stilinski, BAMF Stiles Stilinski, Evil Kate Argent, Evil Gerard Argent, Vaginal Fingering, Frottage, Hand Jobs, Stiles Stilinski is a Little Shit, Explicit Language, Bobby has a foul mouth, seriously

Read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/45851995

[museswithinx]

’ I don’t need back-ups. I’m going to Harvard. ’ { Sawyer for Mikayla }

°• ♢ ———— LEGALLY BLONDE SENTENCE STARTERS.

Maybe it was still a little bit early for them but after helping Sam with his college stuff, the sisters got to talking about their own futures. They were both due to take the SATs in the spring time and before they knew it, they'd be Seniors too. A tiny jump start on that whole college process wouldn't hurt. It'd probably save them a lot of stress come Fall.

While Mikayla was searching through a bunch of different art schools, Sawyer was reading up on just one when she looked over: Harvard. "Are you going to apply for any other schools?" She asks her sister curiously as she writes down another solid art school choice. "Doesn't hurt to have a few back-ups, you know?"

' I don't need back-ups. I'm going to Harvard. '

Mikayla smiled at her confidence, not the least bit surprised by it. It was one of the many things that she had always admired about Sawyer. She’d been dreaming of Harvard for as long as she could remember. “Well your dream school will be very lucky to have you,” she encourages. “I mean, you’re the most motivated person I know and totally brilliant. Of course you’re going to Harvard.”

Smiling, she adds, “Plus if Sam decides to go to MIT, because we both know he’ll get in, you’ll very conveniently be right near each other.” Heaven and Hell couldn’t keep those two apart, she knew that much. Distance was nothing because they’d always find a way.

“I’m a little jealous, actually. You already know where you’re going.” She says as she grabs her laptop again and leans back with Sawyer. “Since you have it all figured out for yourself, want to help me narrow down some art schools?”

[renee-writer]

Ceart-leth Arc 2 Chapter 12 Hemlock

A/N From my awesome co-writer @ladymeraud Dear gentle reader, Thank you for your patience. I have had some family issues and medical issues of my own. I will be updating more often and have another story brewing in my head. So, the show must go on.

AO3

He fumes as he watches his Lord and Lady, if that English Hor’ could be called such, walk back into the castle. His Mary should have married William and began Lady in place of.. With a growl, he grabs a bottle of whiskey and takes a big drink.

His youngest is helping his wife cook dinner. His Mary will be leaving the castle in the morrow but not as Lady. It makes him furious. He stumps into the stable where he works with Robbie, his son.

“Dad, what are you doing here?”

He rest against the side of a stall as the whisky he chugged goes straight to his head. “Your mam has dinner almost ready. I understand His Grace is going to Inverness tomorrow?”

“Yes, everything is almost ready for the trip. Her Ladyship will be riding one of the new horses.” His son replies with pride. He knows it is an honor to prepare the horses for His Grace and the new Lady of Lallybroch.

His father is feeling something else. The knowledge that the English Hor’ would be riding one of the new horses has him development a plan. There had been an incident at Castle Leoch with one of the horses. Donas, one of His Lordship’s favorite mounts had been injured and he had the saddles redone to prevent that. He would do the same thing to that witch’s horse but they would know it was him. No, it must be something else.

Hemlock. That was the answer. If given to much to the horses, they would die. No, he wouldn’t kill them, just make them sick. All of them. It would point her out as the witch she is. Perfect.

The following morning, Robbie has the horses saddled and ready for their ride to the Castle of Inverness. A wagon had already left with all the trunks needed for a week long stay. Claire’s medical kit was placed on her horse by Jamie. He sees it secured. Mary follows her Ladyship out.

“Mary, please see that all the tenants receive herbs from the garden to use in their cooking. Would you also please have the red dress hemmed. I know all the other house cleaners are busy but, please see that get around to it as I will be wanting to wear it when I return. I wish to have dinner for His Grace.”

“It will be done My Lady.” A small curtsy accompanies this.

Claire walks around her horse to give Jamie a kiss and sees something concerning in her horses eyes. “Jamie, Milord, what is wrong with Buttercup?”

“What do you mean?”

“Look into his eyes, Jamie. He looks drugged.”

“Robbie!” he calls out

The boy comes at a run. “Yes Milord?”

“What ails my wife’s horse? It is drugged.”

Robbie frowns. Drugged? How is that possible? “They were feed with the feed. I can’t see how..”

They all three walk into the stable. They exam the feed together. Claire gasps at what she sees. “This is hemlock! Who placed hemlock in his feed?”

“I did not do it, Milord and Milady, I swear it. The feed was this way when I arrived.”

His Grace walked in and asked, “Are we ready to depart for Inveness?”

“Not quite yet, Your Grace. Robbie, give Buttercup some water and something to make him sick.” She turns to Brian. “Do we have in charcoal?”

“Yes. Why?”

“It will absorb the hemlock. Robbie, can you do that?”

“Yes Milady, I will saddle you with a new horse and see to Buttercup. On my honor, she will be healthy when you return.” He bows down before her before hurrying to do as he swore.

The horses are soon saddled, with Robbie and Mary looking after Buttercup, the party leaves. His Grace rides with clansmen to guard him and Jamie and Claire ride in the back.

“I know that you told me you and Lord John have been friends for a long time. When did you first meet and how long did it take you to realize he was in love with you?”

“I have known Lord John since we were lads. We went to school together. My father sent me to a Catholic school in Edinburg. He was in my Greek/ Latin class. We became fast mates. Played sports together, mostly shinty. It can be a rough game. Well, after one match, we went to get cleaned up for the next class and,” he pulls his horse closer to hers so he can whisper, “he tried to kiss me. I hit him. We remained friends after and he never tried that again. I know that he loves me but I love only you. I am looking for someone for him.”

His wife smiles. “You Milord are a forgiven man.” She kisses his hand.

“It didn’t work! The witch knew and fixed it!” he thinks in rage as he helps Robbie burn the hemlock full feed. Murtagh watches them, seeing his eyes. He reads the loathing in them. The man will have to go. He will not be hurting Claire.

[notalittlebutalottie]

ʟᴏᴛᴛɪᴇ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ᴋʟᴀʀᴏʟɪɴᴇ!ꜰᴜꜱɪᴏɴꜱ (2/?): Much Ado About Nothing

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me,” Caroline declares with her chest out and chin raised. If she had but a single wish it would be to see his epic demise. She would find herself at peace finally.

Klaus laughs and looks up for a moment. Gravitating closer, he exclaims in mock-horror, “God keep your ladyship still in that mind! So some gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face.”

Her uncle may tell her not to take such bait but such bait is too exciting not to. Life can be so awfully dull and even an argument with a brute such as Klaus Mikaleson can remedy that. She matches his step inwards until the space between them is practically negligible. “Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such a face as yours were.“

She watches his lip twitch and his voice becomes low in his reply, “Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.” His eyes are challenging hers. Her mouth feels dry. It is nothing but a symptom of sickness, she is sure.

A scoff leaves her and she finds herself fluttering her fingers through her curls before claiming, “A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.”

It’s not quite a drabble but @misssophiachase and @an-awesome-wavve, here is my attempt at Much Ado About Nothing!

[bounce-a-coin-off-your-witcher]

Fluffy prompt: Jaskier takes Geralt to meet his parents who actually are really awesome, loving, and supportive and they don't care that Geralt is 104, they still adopt him and treat him like they're own because dammit, witchers need moms too!!

“Julian!” Lady Pankratz half-shouted, half-squealed. She flew down the steps of the castle and wrapped her arms around her son, ignoring the dirt and dried monster blood dotting his favorite travel jerkin. “I’m so glad you’ve come to visit! And that you’ve finally brought Geralt along as well! We’ve heard so much about you, Sir Witcher.”

Geralt looked mildly frightened and Jaskier stepped in to save him.

“Mother,” Jaskier smiled, blushing, “This, as you know, is my Witcher, my muse, the stars in my sky and the most stoic man I’ve ever met: Geralt of Rivia! Geralt, this is my Mother, Lady Julietta Pankratz de Lettenhove.”

“My Lady,�� Geralt bowed. Jaskier’s mother laughed and the sound was so similar to the bard’s that the Witcher’s head snapped over in his direction on instinct. She chuckled again at that and pulled Geralt back up to a standing position. 

“No such formalities between friends and family, my dear; we’re all notorious huggers!” 

Geralt’s eyes went wide as her Ladyship wrapped her arms around his waist and tightened them. She did it as if it was the most natural thing in the world to embrace a Witcher. He put his arms around her shoulders in return and squeezed very gently before letting go. Jaskier was about to pass out from holding in his laughter at the scene unfolding before him. It was like watching Geralt learn about an entirely new kind of monster: your lover’s family members.

---

“Father is still inside,” the bard explained. He and Geralt were following his Mother into the keep hand-in-hand. “But he’s going to be just as excited to meet you. There will be many more hugs yet today.”

“More hugs?”

“Oh yes. And embarrassing childhood stories,” Jaskier added. “You’re welcome, by the way. I already gave them permission to tell the worst ones.”

Geralt wove their fingers together. “Thank you, love. I’ve never...had this before.”

“Of course,” the young Lord smiled brightly, “Welcome to the family, Geralt.”

[sag-dab-sar]

Ending a Prayer to The Diĝirene

Mesopotamian Polytheism

A lot of people look for openings and endings to prayers, maybe because its nice to have a formula, maybe because of the ingrained idea of "amen", or just a desire to say "bye!" but in a formal way.

There is no codified way to end Mesopotamian prayers. Some have no uniform endings or the endings are missing from the tablet. However there is a common theme: expressing how nice it was to praise them / pray to them. This shows up in various types of Sunerian literature.

Here are some examples:

"In holy songs musicians sing of him —the dearly cherished one, the god, the man of the hills, renowned everywhere — and promote his name gloriously. Martu, son of An, it is sweet to praise you! ( in lines 49-59)

"Prominent one whose words are well established, whose command and support are things which are immutable, whose utterances take precedence, whose plans are firm words, Great Mountain, father Enlil, your praise is sublime!" (in lines 167-171)

"I am the lady who sits upon terrifying divine powers! I am she who is endowed from holy heaven with the office of incantation priestess! I am she who withdraws the first fruits from the palace, I am she who has received the divine powers from the most elevated dais. I am mighty, I am the forceful one of An and Urac, I am the great lady of the gods! My terror is fearsome as it weighs on the Land; my terrifying splendour burdens all the foreign lands. No man anticipates my commands. I am the lady, I am heroic, I am youthful, I am the powerful one of the Land! The heavens fold themselves in my presence like a mourning garment; the earth is more and more submerged as if by the water of a flood when I am present. I am the neck-stock of the Land which grips mankind. I am she who hastens like a north wind storm into the midst of the people! I am she who hears prayer and pleading!" Praise be to holy Nininsina." (In lines 121-135)

"You are profoundly intelligent, one who knows everything. You are the shining light which fills the exalted sanctuary. You are she who ...... by Enlil. [...] You are most apt for the holy susbu rites and lustration rites. Ninimma of the holy divine plans, it is sweet to praise you!" (In segment B lines 1-11)

"The just woman dwelling among the great divine powers is the lady unsurpassed in ladyship! Sadarnuna, the just woman of far-reaching and just counsel, is the beloved of An! The great authority, the majestic quay, made fitting for the Ec-mah by Enul and Ninul, the just woman has erected her majestic dais in the courtyard of Enlil. As she stands in the holy storehouse Ec-mah, [...] she conveys terrifying awesomeness. The beloved offspring of An the king, as she is worthy of the Pada-nunus. Sadarnuna, praising you is sweet." (I chopped this together to make sense because there was a lot of fragmentation Ec-mah and Pada-nunus are both temple names. Lines from here.)

"Hero who bears all the great terrifying divine powers, who covers the earth with awesome splendour like a mighty storm -- An be praised for your very great eminence! Your own father has declared your fame: immensely complex lord who has taken his seat, who perfects the divine powers, lion of the far distance, lion standing by, leader of the assembly, Nuska, it is sweet to praise you." (In lines 11-24)

They proclaim your magnificence; you are the lady ....... An and Enlil have determined a great destiny for you throughout the entire universe. They have bestowed upon you ladyship in the gu-ena. Being fitted for ladyship, you determine the destiny of noble ladies. Mistress, you are magnificent, you are great! Inana, you are magnificent, you are great! My lady, your magnificence is resplendent. May your heart be restored for my sake! Your great deeds are unparallelled, your magnificence is praised! Young woman, Inana, your praise is sweet! (in Lines 254-271)

"Holy Ereškigal-- sweet is your praise. (Ending of Inana's Descent Myth)

These are a just a few of numerous examples. But not all hymns, myths, prayers end with something formulaic so don't think that an ending is required.

I tend to use "Praising you is sweet" or "sweet is your praise"

I also use "Glory to The Gods" a lot but I don't know where I picked that up

[ficsandcatsandficsandcats]

Psstttt...I think you're an awesome writer, thank you for filling my day with Jaskier stuff! Also how about “Oh who cares what they think!? I want you!” with Jaskier and a plus size reader? x Hope you have a wonderful day!

Fandom: The WitcherPairing: Jaskier x ReaderWord Count: 1,230Rating: GTaglist: @heroics-and-heartbreak @whatevermonkey @mynamesoundslikesherlock @magic-multicolored-miracle a/n: Here you go! Hope you like it!

The life of a lady’s maid was usually very simple.

You lived in the house you worked so you just woke up, got dressed, and spent your day following around your mistress, making sure that every beck and call was seen to either by you or someone else. Today, however, seeing to her needs meant taking her place at a ball. The infamously difficult Countess de Stael’s ball. You’d tried to plead your way out of it but here you were, a note in hand from your mistress explaining her absence which apparently you had to personally deliver otherwise it was an insult. You had been trussed into a dress and sent in her ladyship’s own carriage which you would have enjoyed immensely if you hadn’t been so desperately scared.

When you arrived the ball was already in full swing. You’d hoped you could just pop in and back out quickly but there was already a long receiving line to speak with the Countess. You stepped into it and tried to just focus on your shoes or the back of the person in front of you, ignoring the whispers and odd looks you received. When you were about halfway to the Countess you heard a voice. A beautiful, lilting, happy voice that called to you. You saw him across the hall, performing a song to the great enjoyment of the crowd around him though his smile looked a little forced when he bowed to the Countess afterward. He caught you watching him and you saw him glance past and then look back again, a genuine smile alighting his face as he gave you a little nod. You nodded back and swiftly looked away, a little embarrassed at being caught staring. You slowly made your way closer and were roughly three people behind the Countess when you heard a voice say,

“What’s a lady like you doing in a place like this?”

You paled, certain that you’d been caught and that you would finally face the scrutiny you’d feared, and turned to find the bard you’d watched earlier standing close by, giving you a rogue-ish smile.

“What do you mean?” you asked. He noticed your changed demeanor and the cocky charm fell away to genuine concern.

“I only meant that… surely you should be in a higher court. Entertaining queens and kings with your beauty and grace, not a mere local nobleperson,” he said, though quietly so no one but you overheard. He’d leaned in to whisper it and you were struck by the lovely hue of his eyes, a blue that was hard to place. You could stare into those eyes forever but another person was dismissed and you stepped one closer.

“Please allow me to start over. I am Jaskier de Lettenhove, and you are?” he asked, extending a hand. The person in front of you was dismissed quickly and the one after was turned away without a word, leaving you suddenly in front of the Countess, Jaskier by your side. The Countess glanced from you to Jaskier and gave a very unpleasant smile.

“Countess de Stael,” you said, curtseying clumsily, “I come with word from her ladyship the Duchess de – ”

“And who are you?” she asked, her voice sweet but tone venomous.

“I am Y/N,” you began and before you could continue, she cut you off again.

“Just Y/N? No title?” she asked. You felt your cheeks redden as more eyes fell to you at the Countess’s loud interrogation but you tried to stay focused on your task.

“No, your ladyship, this letter expl-”

“My goodness, Jaskier, it seems you really are scraping at the bottom of the barrel. Well, if she could sink, that is. She looks rather like one who cannot but help to float.”

The Countess began to laugh, her little coterie laughing with her and your eyes smarted with angry tears. Jaskier seized the letter from your hands and threw it at the Countess before taking your hand and marching away. The Countess yelled something else, some barb that you didn’t hear due to the blood rushing through your ears but Jaskier’s hand gripped yours tighter at the words as he hauled you through the dance hall out into the backyard. He didn’t stop until you were far enough away that the din of the party was a distant murmur instead of an overwhelming chorus.

“You’re going to be in serious trouble,” you said, not knowing what else to say and not wanting to acknowledge the words she’d said to you. Jaskier scoffed, pacing angrily.

“I’m not new to being in trouble with her. I don’t care about that. Are you alright?” he asked, turning his attention fully on you with an intensity that startled and thrilled you.

“Not especially!” you answered, laughing, “I mean… that was… they are… gods I hate nobility.”

Jaskier winced slightly at your words and gave a weak laugh.

“Yeah they’re a rough bunch of pricks aren’t they,” he said. Something in his tone gave you pause.

“Oh gods, you’re a nobleman aren’t you?” you asked, your heart sinking. He gave you a guilty smile.

“Jaskier I’m cocking this all up, please go inside and distance yourself from me while you have the chance. I’ll find a way out of this whole mess,” you said, sitting on a little stone bench and planting your face in your hands. You heard him move closer and take a seat next to you on the bench.

“Distancing myself from you is actually the opposite of what I’d hoped,” he said. You sat up, pulling your hands away from your face and fixing him with an incredulous look.

“How can that possibly be true?” you asked, dumbfounded.

“Well I find you absolutely gorgeous to start so there’s that and then there’s the fact that I know next to nothing about you but what I do know so far, that you’re brave and dedicated and able to hold your head up high when being met with absolute savagery, is deeply compelling,” he said, ticking off the reasons on his fingers like a child doing basic math.

“But you heard what they said Jaskier I-”

“Oh who cares what they think? I want you,” he replied emphatically, taking your hand in his.

You laughed and threw your head back, taking a deep breath as you considered the odd turn the night had taken. You felt Jaskier’s eyes on you and you turned to face him, those beautiful blue eyes an echo of the stars above you.

“I am a lady’s maid with no prospects for the future and no great accomplishments,” you said.

“I am a viscount who has greatly disgraced his house by becoming a wandering bard with many great accomplishments but all would pale in comparison to that of receiving your good favor. And perhaps your permission to call for you in the future. The very near future. Five minutes after I escort you back home if I can, frankly,” he said, making you laugh though you saw that he was sincere.

“I would like that very much,” you said, marveling at the way his already luminous eyes grew brighter at your words. He rose, taking your arm in his, and walked you around the large manor, avoiding the crowds, lost in each other’s company all the way back to your carriage.

[liviavanrouge]

Child

"You lonely child, child, child, child"

Livia: *Hugs Carrots, her ears flattened back*

Mercy: Livia-

Livia: *Coughs up blot, her eyes wide as it stained her hands*

Mercy: AH LIVIA!!

Goldie: *Yips, looking at Livia with drooping ears*

Livia: I'm fine...

Mercy: YOU'RE NOT!!

Livia: *Coughs* It's alright...

"You are a"

Livia: *Leans to the side, her eyes dull*

Silver: *Shakes her, his eyes wide* LIV!

Livia: *Flinches the light returning to her eyes* Ah...sorry..

Silver: *Sighs, shaking his head* You scared me...

Livia: I'm sorry...

"Useless"

Livia: *Looks at her trembling hands, then looks down*

Epel: Why are you trembling?

Livia: Hah..I didn't sleep well...

Epel: *Looks at her suspiciously* Mhm, says the one who takes naps like Leona...

Livia: Ah! HEY! THAT WAS UNCALLED FOR!

Epel: Stating the facts...

"Useless"

Livia: *Coughs, falling to her knees as her vision blurred, blot on the ground*

???: HOLY MOLY! LIVIA!!?

Livia: *Looks up, her vision blurring*

Ruggie: Livia! How many fingers am I holding up!?

Livia: *Stares then falls over unconscious*

Ruggie: *Gasps, looking alarmed* AH! LIVIA!

"Useless child"

Livia: *Lays in bed, her veins turning black*

Crewel: There is no way to remove the blot, and for some reason she hasn't gone nuts yet...

Silver: Livia...

Sebek: I wish her ladyship would stop hiding things from us...she's always tried to do things on her own, barely accepting help from others

Lilia: *Grips Livia's hand and sighs* Livia, why do this to yourself...

"The most worthless child in the whole world"

Livia: *Rubs the blot out of her eyes, shielding her eyes from the sun*

Ruggie: Hey! Wear these!

Livia: *Perks up, Ruggie outting sunglasses on her that were shaped like flight goggles*

Livia: Oh, thank you...

Ruggie: *Huffs and walks away* Just don't faint again!

Livia: *Looks down silently, gripping her broom*

"You are a"

Livia: *Walks through the dorms hall, holding a lit candle* Guys?

Lilia: I hate to send her so far away, but it is her only chance...

Silver: Longg Academy...I really hope she'll be safe there

Lilia: Their learning institution is good from what I heard from Nilo

Malleus: Yes, I remember that as well, the letter he sent us and the brochure's

Lilia: I hope she'll get used to it...I know she's gonna miss all her friends

Livia: *Stares forward then turns and walks away narrowing her eyes*

"Lonely"

Vil: You want to spend the night here?

Livia: Can I?

Vil: *Glances at Rook having secretly been told about Livia's blot problem*

Golden: *Nods when Vil looks at him*

Vil: Very well, you can stay with Epel

Epel: AWESOME!

Livia: *Smiles a lightly relieved*

"Lonely"

Mercy: *Flies into Livia's room and perks up*

Livia: *Hugs Carrots, her ears pinned back*

Mercy: *Flies over* Liv?

Livia: *Perks up and smiles* Oh Mercy!

Mercy: *Frowns at her* Livia-

Livia: Haha! I'm fine, don't worry, just doing some thinking!

Mercy: *Sighs knowing she wasn't gonna open up* Alright

"Lonely child"

Livia(Overblot): *Covers her face, tears falling down her cheeks*

???: LIVIA!! YOU IDIOT!!

Livia: *Looks up startled*

Epel: *Reaches for her, his hair flying behind him when he leapt forward*

Livia: Epel...

Epel: *Tackle hugs Livia* I will protect you forever!!

Livia: *Throws her arms around him, the blot vanishing*

[darkestwolfx]

Run for the Hills

Goodness I should have written this long ago and I really don't know why I didn't! I am so pleased this prompt appeared because it has finally, finally spurred me on to write it. It's another character I don't usually write solo for – not that I know why, I think just because I haven't as opposed to any issues with writing the character.

Anyway, I would kill for a backstory series on all this you know, but hey, I'll just keep making it up to my pleasure until they choose to see so fit as to give me one.

20: Run for the Hills

Summary: He'd honestly thought it a saying, and little more. He was re-evaluating that now.

Words: 1805

Spoilers: Potential references to 'The Hexpert' [S1E20], 'Designated Driver' [S1E22]. Mentions 'Signals: Part One' [S3E14]. Nothing major.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

'e ad hoften thought habout hall this running haround: driving ha fancy car hand looking the part…

It was him. There was no denying that.

FAB One and the beautiful, kind young Lady (okay, and the mutt), he drove around were proof of all he know was.

Chauffeur, Butler, Protector.

Yes, he was all of those things thanks to Lord Creighton-Ward's faith in him.

No hone 'ad hever 'ad faith like that hin 'im.

Not even those who were always meant to have his back, those who he ran with had never had that much belief.

Safecracker, illusive thief, criminal mastermind…

Okay, well, maybe he hadn't quite made the records for the last one, but they were the things he had been, the things he thought he had left behind, so to speak.

They never left him. He couldn't forget all the things which had made up his checkered past, which formed his skill set, and had led him to this ultimate point.

This point hof faith.

Lord Creighton-Ward gave him a chance and he took it. He was already something and someone, but maybe this gave him a chance to be more than that.

*********

He'd been thinking that in the sense of… well, some kind of retribution for his past failings and run-ins with the law.

He hadn't been thinking in the sense of an ex-astronaut who his Lordship seemed to be quite friendly with.

"Parker, this is Mr Jeff Tracy."

"Nice to meet you, Mr Tracy, Sir."

"Oh, you don't need the 'Sir', Parker."

"hOh… right you hare, Sir."

When he accepted Lord Creighton-Ward's offer;

"What would hI be doing, M'Lord?"

"Just driving my daughter around, Parker. Looking out for her."

"hOh, hI can do that, Your Lordship. hI hused to be hour get-haway driver."

"Did you now?"

"Yes, Your Lordship, hand might hI say, hI was halmost has good has that, has hI was hat cracking the safes."

"Well, then I'm sure I couldn't be hiring better hands."

…He had, well, assumed it was a one-person sort of job. One person to mind that was.

But since the arrival of Jeff Tracy, it seemed more had come his way.

Much more.

Crikey ho' Riley… what 'ad 'e signed 'imself hup for?

Lord Creighton-Ward gave Mr Jeff Tracy Sir, quite ha lot hof funding for some project hor hanother.

That was what Parker worked out early on, from being stood in the room or sat in the driver's seat.

********* 

The American visited the residence quite often too.

And one day, he brought his eldest son with him for the trip.

"Ah, Parker, you remember Jeff."

A polite nod to show the answer was the haffirmative.

"This is Jeff's eldest boy. Mr Scott Tracy."

The boy seemed very confident too, holding out a hand like he was ready for a handshake. Parker obliged, after a polite bow, of course.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Scott, Sir."

"Oh no, Parker, he's definitely not a Sir."

"hOh… right you hare, Mr Jeff Tracy Sir."

He'd gone promptly to serve the tea, missing the very bright-eyed glances shared between the two men.

********* 

It was the right choice.

hAccepting his Lordship's offer.

Of course it was the right choice.

Lord Creighton-Ward rather thought so too.

********* 

"Tea, M'Lady?"

"Tea, Parker."

The young Lady Penelope, heir to his Lordship, wasn't quite one for all that sitting still at gala's and charity balls. Parker thought she was a sight worse than him, and he at least wasn't supposed to be a.. huhem… 'igh born.

She set him off half the time.

Her Father didn't seem to particularly mind either, Parker noticed. He'd spare her a cursory glance, non-interruptive to whatever or whomever he was conversing with, see he was already prepared to follow along dutifully behind her, and return to whatever he was occupied with.

Parker wondered for many years whether that was strange or just a trait of the 'igh born.

He never realised, nor had time to be told by his Lordship, that it was only because he was going to be there that the man could take his eyes off his daughter for more than two seconds.

His Lordship would rather have liked to tell him that.

********* 

Mr Jeff Tracy Sir continued to visit often.

The young Lady Penelope was rather liking getting to know his sons too. Parker supposed it made sense.

"hAh 'ello hagain, Mr Tracy Sir."

"Yes, hello Parker. Lovely weather today."

"Makes ha change from the rain, Mr Tracy Sir. hOh, there's three hof you."

"Yes, Parker, this is another of my sons. John Tracy."

"Nice to make your hacquaintance, Mr John Sir."

"Oh, I'm not-"

"And 'ello hagain to you, Mr Scott Sir."

"-a Sir."

*********

Parker had often thought of the old saying… Run for the hills.

Maybe that's what he should be doing, and doing now. Running whilst there was still some kind of chance.

He didn't. Lord Creighton-Ward had chosen him, and put his faith in him.

He owed the man a certain amount of loyalty for that.

And he'd promised to protect the man's daughter.

Even if that seemed to come with an additional family who he somehow ended up playing butler for too.

*********

FAB One had been a replacement for FAB Zero when petrol began to die out.

Lord Creighton-Ward had intended to get a black car this time around, much sleeker and more stylish, but her young ladyship had kicked up a fuss… a rather polite fuss, but a fuss nevertheless.

"Everyone has black cars."

"It's the nature of high society, dear. Chauffeurs drive the cars, the cars blend in."

"The last car did not."

"No, well, that was a favour I was testing for a friend, you see. But it is not viable to have another pink car dear."

"But I think something pink to carry on the tradition would look most fine, Father. Don't you think so too, Parker?"

"hOh… hI hum… well, yes, M'Lady."

"See Father, Parker agrees with me, and since he'll be the one driving it, I think it's only fair if we make sure it is pink."

"Yes, Penelope dear, whatever you say."

"hI ham sorry, Your Lordship. hI didn't know what helse hI could say to 'er."

"That is quite alright, Parker. She's right, after all. Why not have another pink car."

FAB One could also be black though, there was a rather handy switch for it.

Yes, Parker very much liked the new 'get-haway' car, 'is Lordship 'ad bought 'im.

*********

FAB Zero had lived in the garage for many years.

Many, many years until Parker and Scott crossed paths again. He'd been doing a spot of… spring cleaning, when Mr Jeff Tracy Sir had turned up with the boy, His Lordship and young Lady Penelope in tow.

"Good morning Parker."

"Good morning, Mr Tracy Sir."

"Yes, well… Apparently it's okay for you to take the day to teach Scott here how to drive."

"Me, Mr Tracy Sir?"

"Yes Parker, you." His Lordship agreed. "Who better."

"Can Parker teach me how to drive?"

"You don't need to drive, dear, that's why you have Parker."

"Hmm, but one of these days-"

The conversation faded away as did the figures until Parker was left very much halone with the eldest Tracy boy. He'd lost count now as to how many of them there were. It was so much easier with just her Ladyship to look after on a daily basis.

"So, how do I drive?"

And he thought her Ladyship moved fast. hOh to be young...

"This car looks awesome. Oh, why's there a button there? Dad's doesn't have one of those-"

It wasn't usual custom, but he grabbed the young man's hand before it could even reach the little impress.

"hI wouldn't touch that, hif hI were you."

"What does it do?"

"Well, Mr Scott Sir, maybe hone hof these days hI'll show you, but for now your father 'as hasked me to teach you to drive."

"So teach me! I'm ready."

"No, Mr Scott Sir. You're sitting hin the wrong car."

"The wrong car?"

"hOnly hI 'ave the 'onour hof driving FAB One."

"So what am I meant to drive."

"hI'm glad you hasked."

*********

"Parker?"

"Yes, M'Lady?"

"I'd like you to meet Sherbet."

"hOh, hI hused to love Sherbets… hOh."

"He's my new companion. He'll go with us wherever we go."

"hEven hin the car, M'Lady?"

"Of course. I wouldn't expect him to walk alongside us on the road, would I now?"

He sighed.

"No, M'Lady."

*********

"You will look after Penelope, won't you?"

"hOf course hI will, Your Lordship."

He wasn't going to dare tell the man that she was perfectly capable of looking after herself.

Or that 'e might 'ave let slip ha few hold tricks to 'er.

*********

They were saying goodbye to Mr Jeff Tracy Sir.

He'd just come for tea in the wake and told them some very interesting information.

It had made Her Ladyship rather happy anyhow.

"Well Parker, that does make things more exciting."

"Certainly, M'Lady. hI'm sure Mr Scott Sir, hand Mr John Sir, hand Mr Virgil Sir will hall be very pleased to see you hat the hIsland."

"Yes, quite, um… Parker?"

"Yes, M'Lady?"

"You do know the boys aren't Mr Tracy's yet."

"hAre they not, M'Lady?"

"No, no, no. They still have Jeff. They're Master Tracy's."

"hOh… hI see. Well, M'Lady, hI'm sure Master Scott Sir, hand Master John Sir, hand Master Virgil Sir will hall be-"

He never realised how much Lady Penelope loved the little mistakes he made with his terminology or his speech. And she never told him – too much – for fear that she would correct her source of entertainment too much.

No, she rather liked this character her Father had found for her.

Parker never told her that he rather liked her too.

*********

The little bell rang, somehow clear and shrill through the house.

Blimey! 'e no longer knew 'ow that was possible.

Back up he went. hAgain.

Master Gordon was a bound to be ringing for something.

He was in this for the long haul, certainly until that leg repaired itself.

hOh… He'd have a five in six chance of it being any of the other Tracy siblings, and he was including Kayo.

But of all the ones Her Ladyship had to take a shining too… it had to be the blonde currently laid up with a stack of injuries, one heck of an attitude and a little annoying bell.

"Parker!"

The bell rang again.

"Parker!"

"Coming! Master Gordon Sir. hOh…"

*********

Maybe he really should have run for those hills when he had the chance.

He'd honestly thought it a saying, and little more. He was re-evaluating that now. hAgain.

But of course, it didn't change a thing.

hAgain.

[melodiouswhite]

Classic literature vine compilations - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde pt. 06

(A/N: I make way too many of these chat posts.)

[Hyde trying to borrow Lady Summers' Japanese lady-in-waiting to make the girls envious] Hyde: I'm begging you. I need her. Lady Summers: What, a handsome young lad like you? Hyde: Aw, you say that, but you don't mean it. Lady Summers: No, seriously, look at you. Aw, those ladies, they don't stand a chance. Hyde: You have a very cruel sense of humour.

--

Jekyll: I'll split my soul and become a perfect man and there is no way this could possibly go wrong!  Hyde: I'm about to end this man's whole career.

--

Jekyll: *gasps* Gabriel! I didn't know you were a cannibal! Utterson: *eating a cinnamon bun* ?!?!?!?! Utterson: *gets the hint and blushes* Jekyll: ;)

--

Utterson: How is the most handsome man in the Empire doing? Jekyll: I don't know, how are you? Utterson, voice cracking: I'm fine. 

--

Jekyll: Milady, can I ask something of you? Lady Summers: I already know what you're going to ask, but do go ahead.  Jekyll: Alright, as the officially worst boyfriend in the world, I have only one thing to say-  Jekyll: *pulls out a bottle of vitriol acid* -You better make Lanyon the happiest man in the world, or else.  Lady Summers: *smiles* I don't plan to do anything else.

--

Hyde: I just felt emotion and I'm not okay with it. Jekyll: This makes me concerned. Not enough to actually do anything about it, but yeah.

--

Lanyon: Today I'm gonna teach you how to face your fears. Now the first step of facing your fears is- Hyde: *waves through the window* Lanyon: *screams like a girl*

--

Lady Summers: I didn't ask to be born perfect. Lady Summers: I demanded it.

--

Utterson: Hyde, this is a crime scene! Hyde: *gorging himself with cake* What, is this the murder weapon?! Get off my dick!

--

Hyde: Use conditioner, they said. It'll b e a good idea, they said. Hyde: *hair is a giant floof* LOOK AT HOW I WOKE UP! WHAT THE F- Utterson & Lanyon: *trying not to laugh*

--

Utterson: Dude, I got you a friendship bracelet! Hyde: Nice, put it on me! Utterson: *handcuffs him, then proceeds to dab*

--

Utterson: I sentence him to ten years in prison. Hyde: *unbuttoning his shirt* Well, your honour, maybe I can change your mind. ;) Utterson: Twenty years.

--

Lanyon: Jekyll, the building is on fire! Jekyll: *sleepy* Like, how big is the fucking fire? Lanyon: Big! Jekyll: *gets up* Okay.

--

Jekyll: *wearing a stupid hat* Check it out! Ü Lanyon: *snorts* That is the most ridiculous hat I've ever seen! Utterson: Hey, nice hat! Lanyon: Hey, that is my best friend and this hat is awesome!

--

Hyde: Oh dogs? Yeah, I love dogs! Ü *gets barked at by dogs* Hyde: They don't like me, though. :(

--

Some rando: Roses are red, violets are blue- Rando: -I thought I was ugly, until I met you! Hyde: Roses are red, pink, yellow or white- Hyde: -now stop with the blooming stereotype!

--

Other Hydes: EMOTIOOOOONNNNS!!! My Hyde: … Ew, sentiments.

--

Lanyon: You son of a bitch! Jekyll: You're right. She is a bitch. Lanyon: … Jekyll: … Lanyon: *hugs Jekyll* I'm sorry.

--

Simon Stride: How does it feel to be the worst doctor ever? Jekyll: Shut up, your mother buys you Megablogs instead of Legos! Stride: You fucking take that back, you-

--

Lady Summers: You ever want to talk about your emotions, Mr. Hyde?  Hyde: No. Jekyll: I do. Lady Summers: I know, Dr. Jekyll. Jekyll: I'm sad. Lady Summers: I know, Doctor. 

--

Hyde: Bet that I'm right! Jekyll: Bet that you're wrong! Hyde: Bet that you're a skank! Jekyll: Bet that you're a complete arsehole! Hyde: BITCH, I TRAMPLE PEOPLE!!!

--

Hyde: I'm not a jealous man. I'm really not! After all, I sleep around, getting jealous at everyone who looks at Utterson would make me a hypocrite- Also Hyde: Just kidding. You look at him, I'll fucking kill you.

--

Lady Summers: In winter I like to wear full mourning attire and walk around in a black dress, coat, jewellery and veil. In summer I wear- Lady Summers: -the same thing, because I'm a widow, I look good in black and I'm willing to suffer.

--

Hyde: *French-kisses Utterson* Utterson: *bitch-slaps him* Hyde: *rubbing his cheek* Worth it.

--

Utterson: Henry, as your boyfriend I beg you, please go to bed! Lanyon: Go to bed, you twit. Poole: Sir, you need to rest. Lady Summers: Doctor Jekyll, you need sleep. Go to bed.  Hyde, overtired and desperate: YOU'RE GOING TO KILL US BOTH, GO TO SLEEP!!!  Jekyll, a sleep-deprived, nervous wreck: SlEeP iS fOr ThE wEaK.

--

Jekyll: You must be the chlorine to my sodium, because you complete me. Utterson: ? Jekyll: Are you a newly discovered element? Because you add to my periodic table. Utterson: ?? Jekyll: You must be my oxygen, because I would suffocate without you. Utterson: ??? Jekyll: Your eyes are as blue as aluminium oxide with iron. Utterson, sobbing: Henry, please stop, I don't understand a word!

--

Hyde: Lanyon, guess what? Lanyon: What? Hyde: I just got harrassed by a pedo. Lanyon: Did you kill him? Hyde: Well, I beat him to a bloody pulp, so he might be dead. Lanyon: Good boy. Hyde: :D

--

Hyde: Hey I just met you and this is crazy, Hyde: But here’s my address, so date me maybe? Utterson: …

--

Jekyll: Sorry I'm late. I was … doing things. Hyde: *bursts in looking slightly dishevelled* HE PUSHED ME DOWN THE F*CKING STAIRS!!!!  Jekyll: "Pushed" is such a strong word! I prefer calling it … giving you a little nudge.  Hyde: Oh, I'll give YOU a little nudge, when I shove my foot up your arse! Jekyll: HEY! Watch your f*cking language in front of her Ladyship. Lady Summers: *sighs and pinches her nose*

--

Hyde: Arrogant dick! Jekyll: Spoiled sow! Hyde: Fuck you! Jekyll: Fuck YOU! Hyde: FUCK YOU!!! Jekyll: FUCK!!! YOU!!! Hyde: … My room, ten minutes.

--

Utterson: Hey, Henry? Jekyll: Hm? Utterson: I want to treat you like my paperwork. Jekyll: ?!? Utterson: Slam you onto my desk and do you all night long. Jekyll: … Whoa. *has the weirdest boner* Utterson on the inside: Just as planned!

--

Jekyll: Now you'll suffer as I have suffered! Hyde: Yes, Henry! Give in to your anger! Jekyll: I'M SO ANGRY!!!

--

Jekyll: I'm so hot! Lanyon: … Jekyll: … Lanyon: *sighs* Hotdamn. Jekyll: Call the police and the fire men!

--

Hyde: AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH- Utterson: Jekyll, eat a Snickers. Hyde: Why? Lanyon: *hands a Snickers* Everytime you're hungry, you turn into Hyde. Hyde: *eats the Snickers* Utterson: Better? Jekyll: Better. ^^

--

Alma: Hey, betcha I can hit this note! Hyde: No, please don't- Alma: *screeches badly* Hyde: *is now temporarily deaf*

[babybarrie]

Imagine yelling “Eat my ass!” and Thorin overhears you

Context: You, the reader, gets transported to Middle Earth and literally, thrown into Thorin’s arms one night. You travel with the Company and grow to love that handsome dwarf. Being the amazing person you are, you somehow convince Thorin not to go into Azog’s trap and everyone lives. You become queen and Erebor begins its long months of repairs and setups. You also manage to have Thranduil, Bard, and Thorin come to an agreement to be allies. (You’re just that awesome.)

Summary: Someone done fucked up

Warnings: Just one swear word and implied sexual acts

A/N: Yes, I only write once in a blue moon. Forgive my dawdling, because I often can’t write for shit. 

Per usual, living the life as Erebor’s queen, you have to deal with quite a bit of bullshit from “simple-minded” people. Most of the time you are with Thorin when he’s in council meetings and dealing with things such as the ongoing trades with Thranduil and Bard, managing the money and when to send any support to other allied kingdoms, such as such. But then there are the moments and tasks that piss you and your beloved off.

Thorin: “What do you mean you can’t convince him to travel here?”

Dwarf Council member: “My lord, he simply won’t agree to make the trek over here...”

Thorin: “It is only a week’s worth travel! Surely the pay for the job swayed him enough. You did make sure to mention the pay right?”

Dwarf Council member: “Of course your majesty. But he won’t budge.”

You see Thorin runs his hand down his face in annoyance. Only wanting for things to go well you decide to speak up.

Y/N: “My king, maybe I can persuade him some? I do know him and there must be a good reason why he didn’t agree in the first place...”

There's a low murmur among the members as they discuss my offer. The only opinion that you care about though is Thorin's. Not only because he is king, but because he is your husband. Your love. Your one.

Thorin: "Perhaps...Would you like to travel over to see him in person or would you like to write a letter?"

Before you even answer, there is a loud enough cough from the newest council member. Though, rudely interrupted, you expected the man to say something of importance.

Human council member: "Your grace, I do not think you need to do such things. With all respect my queen, I believe you should allow the males to handle such trivial things. We wouldn't want to bother you with such hardships as to travel that distance."

Now, normally you have much patience for stupidity. You were always the calm one, the one who was there for Thorin when he would get worked up and heated about things. But this...This is a matter that you don't take lightly. Though he was trying to be kind about it, trying to make sure that the queen doesn't have to leave the kingdom when there is still so much to do...He cross a certain line when he brought up the gender/sex card. You were not going to take that shit. You see Thorin ready to stand up and to chew that man's head off for insulting you. You immediately rest your hand on his leg to stop him. He gives you a confused look but nods and settles back into his chair, ready to hear what you're about to say.

Y/N: "What is your name?"

Human council member: "Grentin, your ladyship."

Y/N: "I see...Well Grentin, I'm going to assume that you were only thinking of the kingdom when you were saying that I don't have to deal with as you said, "trivial things". I know that the mountain still needs it's queen here seeing that there are still many things to be done around here. But even with that, I not going to keep my mouth shut about how you just placed my gender/sex lower than yours. Around here for the dwarves, they see females as precious. Seeing as though there aren't really many born. But guess you wouldn’t know that since you’re new here and aren’t a dwarf yourself. I like to hope that most of the people of men see that no matter the gender/sex a being is, that they would be treated with a decent form of respect. I may come from another world where equality is pushed more so than here, thus my views remain the same as I have always lived. So you, my good sir, can EAT-MY-ASS! I demand to be treated the same no matter my sex being female."

You hear Thorin sigh next to you with his hand covering his face. You know that he’s not disappointed in you, but rather trying not to show his ever-growing smirk of pride. Removing his hand, he stands and states;

Thorin: "Meeting adjourned."

Everyone walks out of the room almost quietly. But you definitely hear the small chatter among the few dwarven council members. Saying things like “And that’s why we are proud to have her as our queen.” and “The fire in her eyes is almost like Smaug’s flames!”

You let out a sigh as the final person left the room. You hear Thorin's chair scrape against the floor as he gets up to move.

Thorin: "Now, even though we didn't get it completely sorted out. I am pleased with how it turned out. But I'd much appreciate it that you don’t tell my council to, as you said, "eat your ass" because that is my ass and mine alone. And as lovely as it is, I'd rather be eating something else instead my queen."

Oh, you’re gonna have a fun night tonight.

[nymphl]

In the General’s Bed - Regency!Hux x Reader - Ch. 4 - To play a General

A/N - Hi, darlings! xD As promised, here I am to update chapter 4 of ITGB. This one has one of my fav cliffs ever. Sorry I do love cliffhangers xD I also quite like how Hux and Reader try to understand each other a little better here, but they’re people of their time and if couples aren’t known for talking to each other nowadays, what can we expect from people from 1815, right? Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter! 

Story Summary: The General is cornered… Upon returning from a successful campaign in Battle of Waterloo, Armitage Hux knows he has no excuses left; he must produce the much-needed heir. The problem is, when the two of you parted five years ago, it was not in the best of terms. Now, he may not find his wife, you, so willing as he first expected, nor keen on taking part in any of his political games. [Hux x Reader – Hux x You – Regency AU].

Warnings for the entire story: Will contain at times; graphic violence, sex, drugs and manipulation, coarse language and OOCness.

AO3 Tags: Regency Era; Alternate Universe; Alternate Story; Alternate Universe - Historical; Arranged Marriage; Politics; War; Napoleonic Wars; England - 1815; Married Couple; OOCness; Smut

Wordcount: 6687.

PREVIOUS CHAPTER *** NEXT CHAPTER

“MY LADY,” THE GOVERNESS BEGAN, HER TONE DID NOTHING TO HIDE HER NERVOUNESS. SHE WAS SHAKING. “HIS LORDSHIP ASKED IF YOU WOULD GIVE HIM THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY IN THE BREAKFAST TABLE.”

In other words, Hux demanded your presence. Right. Now.

You smiled in spite of yourself. You would have laughed but thought that maybe it the governess would think you were laughing at her — which was also the case, but not only nor the main cause. Bringing your cup of tea to your lips, you savored it as if you had never tasted anything so good.

“You may tell him that I appreciate his invitation, but I shall decline.”

There was a moment of silence, which you used to drink more of your tea before you lost control of yourself and laughed out loud. Then a sharp intake of breath and finally a confused, “My Lady?”

“That will be all.”

She bowed, her face contorted into a grimace of both fear and… disapproval? You did not know, and you did not care. Before she could leave, however, you said, “I see that your uniform is in… adequate condition today.”

You could have asked if Rae said something, but you thought that she would have more than enough to handle as soon as she told Hux you would not be joining him.

She blushed, visibly embarrassed with your words.

“Thank you, Your Ladyship.”  

As soon as the door was closed, you put your cup on the tray and brought both of your hands to your face. Your head hit the pillow and you finally laughed. If not for having the tray placed over your legs, you would have kicked the mattress as well.

What a day!

What. A. Day.

By now, your beloved husband probably had finished reading The Times and mainly the gossip column — only that could explain why he asked for your company when he knew you were dismissed of having breakfast at the table.

As a Marquess and a married Lady, you were actually encouraged to have breakfast alone, secluded in your own chambers. It denoted your nobility and importance in a household. And while you thought that was simply old fashioned bullshit, it never came so in hand.

You laughed again as you thought about Hux’s face right now.

Did he yell at the governess?

Did he hit the table with his fists?

Did his face get as red as his hair?

Ah, you would simply love to be in his company right now.

No. 

Actually, you would give everything you had to be a small fly, so you could spy on him without denouncing yourself.

That would be… just awesome.

You laughed some more and concentrated on your breakfast, your eyes on the world beyond those windows. Albeit closed, the curtains were opened and you could see the sun shining outdoors.

What a lovely day.

You closed your eyes and inhaled your tea. It was warm — you bet as warm as the beautiful sunrays coming through the window, it was a pity you would not go on a walking with Lux that morning.

He loved playing outdoors, but after what you did — and mainly after Poe’s funeral — you thought that was not a smart decision.

Again, how did Hux react?

The waiting was killing you.

You counted to ten, expecting him to come banging on your door. He did not. But that was to be expected. He demanded you — with polite words, of course, but that was still an order — to come to him and explain yourself — you defied him — and he would not go to you. Unless he wanted to be seen as weak he would stay exactly where he was.

Clever.

That was a very childish power play and neither of you wanted to give up. Neither of you would give up. Neither would be seen as weak.

You expected him to avoid your chambers till night, when he would have to prepare for the Ball hosted by His Grace, the Duke of Wellington, in honor of the great and well-regarded Commander Poe Dameron.

Honestly, if not for having Lady Organa — and Rae, if you could convince her to join you; she simply hated such events — you would have declined his invitation. The man was getting ahead of himself. A Ball in honor of his Commander a day after his burial? As much as Poe was a lively person, you viewed the Duke’s action as reckless and not so thought-out.

A small smile crept to your lips…

Well, even more reason to go and put a convenient smile to your face. If the Royal Family would not meet their General — as responsible for the unbelievable victory over the French as their Major General — you would make sure they heard of him.

You wondered if after his thunderous reputation after the Battle of Waterloo he talked about politics with his wife — he probably did not. There was word out there that his marriage to Catherine Wellesley was highly unsatisfactory, with the Duke pursuing other partners in broad daylight — and who were his political advisers. They were probably all old men and lacked the necessary qualities to play the politic game in the Ton.

A sigh left your lips as you thought that Hux was not that very different. Although he did not consult with old rags — he had Rae Sloane, but Rae knew about Wars, not about the Ton — he did not talk to you. It was beyond frustrating!

Well… You just had to prove him wrong.

To prove them wrong.

It was past lunch — this time you had to go downstairs, but Hux was locked in his study in what seemed to be a very important meeting with Rae Sloane and a manager recently arrived from Dublin — when you finally crossed paths with him.

You would have turned away, before he noticed you — and declared he had won your little, petty competition — but stopped at hearing his voice.

He was in the drawing room with Lux. To your complete despair, he was reading a story to the boy. Reading the same fable you did when you caught him faking illness.

If you did not think him utterly ridiculous, you would have felt some anger creeping through your veins.

And judging by Lux’s confused face, that was certainly not the fable he had been reading before you entered the drawing room. That made your need to smile even more noticeable.

Ridiculous.

And he dared calling you childish.

The smile quickly died in your mouth. If he still believed you were lying — not that you vehemently denied and dismissed his romantics about being Lux’s fathers last night, actually you merely waved him off and said that he would never know the answer for sure —, he would be very mad after tonight.

Well, he would be very mad at you for meddling in his business — he already was — but that had to be done. The announcement over Lux’s adoption on The Times was necessary. Actually, vital to his political career.

By now, the Royal Family must have heard of him. If not about his successful campaign in the Napoleonic Wars, at least about his courageous and heartfelt act after a brother in arms suddenly and tragically passed away.

You would make sure of that.

However, your actions may have seen as another of your childish attempts at driving him away from whom he thought to be his son and heir. Now you regretted your answer. If you told him — for real — the whole story he would understand, wouldn’t he?

When Lux saw you, his smile brightened, and he disentangled himself from your husband and ran to you.

A small smile touched your lips as you bowed slightly and patted his ginger hair lovingly. He giggled when you tapped his little nose.

“Mama, would you like to hear a story?”

You even opened your mouth to reply, but Hux closed the book within his right hand immediately, indicating he would by no means read you a story — perhaps another fable on why lying was a bad thing. Perhaps you should read some on why he should trust his family.

Trust you.

If you said Lux was not his son it was because he was not.

Period.

What was so difficult about that?

You barely realized you forgot to give Lux an answer and was instead glaring at Hux. The boy pulled the skirts of your black dress and asked, his brows furrowed, “Mama?”

“Oh, yes, darling,” you replied with a warm smile. “I would love to, it is, if Lord Hux would be so kind to read us another fable.”

“He was reading one about how the horse…” He touched his lips with his index finger, a pensive expression taking his childish features.

“The Horse that lost its Liberty,” Hux completed for him, opening the book in the same page of before.

This time, you were the one who furrowed your brows.

“Why?”

“I love horses!” Lux said in his place, his tone as eager and enthusiastic as ever.

All traces of that crying boy from last night were gone. He did not look as a child who had just lost his father. In fact, it seemed he did not even remember Poe and his importance in his life — which was not that great, you reminded yourself.

And Lux is just four.

Just yesterday you were telling yourself that a child his age had problems grasping the concepts of life and death, you could simply not expect him to keep on crying all day long. That was too much to ask of a child.

Besides, you loved when he smiled.

Just not when Hux was the reason.

You glared at your husband again. He shrugged, and the shadow of a smile tugged the corner of his lips. He seemed very pleased with himself for again making Lux more interested in him than yourself.

How you hated him.

“Believe it or not, Lady Hux, one can read fables without disciplinary thoughts in mind as well.”

You bit your bottom lip, not very keen on giving the answer he deserved in front of Lux.

“Will you read for us, my Lord?” you said instead.

He eyed you with those bluish eyes of his filled with some feeling you could not quite put your finger on, but deduced he was having some fun at your expense.

Lux took you by the hand and approached the couch, where they were both sitting before you arrived and took his seat between you and Hux. The boy leaned against you, as he usually did when you read him a story, and placed your hand on his hair, so you could run your fingers through his ginger locks. You kissed the top of his head and inhaled his sweet scent.

His innocent and seemingly subconscious action brought Hux’s eyes to him, eyeing him with renewed interest.

Bothered with his stare, you cleared your throat and glared at him. He glared back, and his voice was finally heard in the so far silent drawing room.    

“Will you tell him the truth?” Rae Sloane asked as if that was nothing as she the tightened your corset to its maximum.

You gasped and placed one hand over the mirror positioned in the middle of your dressing room to balance yourself. After spending the entire day reading agreements and taking Hux’s young manager, Dopheld Mitaka, to a walk in Hyde Park, she dismissed your Lady’s Maid, stating she would help you herself tonight.

Not very keen on picking an unnecessary fight — even if Rae was just horrible with your hair —, and actually eager to be in her company, you accepted her help — but you would do your hair yourself or just call your Lady���s Maid back. Rae was not touching a strand of your hair. Although proficient with the most complicated hairdos, she always left you with a bugging headache whenever she got near your head.

Right now, she was leaving you breathless.

“Gods, Rae, I can’t breathe!”        

“You have gained weight,” she changed topic as if her last question meant nothing. And in fact, given the current situation, you would say it didn’t.

“I can’t be pregnant,” you replied, fanning yourself with both hands. “We haven’t even…” You bit your bottom lip. Why were you telling her that? “You know… Properly… Well, yes and no.”

She cast a hard glance at you through the mirror. You felt all color leaving your face.

“I am not interested in your intimate life with the General, (Y/N).”

You breathed through your nose and laughed shortly.

“General…” You shook your head, it made her pull even tighter the corset strings. “It’s funny when you call him like that. It’s feels like you’re not his—

“I am not,” she interrupted you, tying the knot firmly in place. She moved away, searching for the skirt of your clothing and you finally breathed slowly. “There is a reason why I never had children, (Y/N). I am not his mother, as you are not Lux’s mother.”

Well, you told yourself that every single night before sleeping and every single day just after you woke up, but hearing those words leaving someone’s lips — someone you considered dearly — in such a crude manner always hurt you.

They felt like a slap to your face.

“You love him as such…” you whispered and bit your bottom lip. Any chance you had of saving a little of your dignity was long gone now.

She gestured for you to stay still as she adjusted the buttons of your dress and smoothed its skirt. It was a gorgeous evening gown; one you prided yourself on owning. With its bluish, black and white colors, it was surely a different piece of what everyone paraded within in the Ton.

Perhaps black was the more appropriate color, but you bet the Duke’s wife would be wearing such color and you refused to be compared to someone’s else — even if someone of higher position in the Ton.     

“My feelings have nothing to do with this mess you’ve created.”

Again, a slap would have hurt less.

“I know nothing of the Ton, (Y/N), as you well know. But let me tell you something, I do know your husband and he will not forgive you if you play him. Tell him the truth. Tonight.”

You bit your bottom lip.

What did she expect you to say? Your statement to the newspaper should be enough. If Lord and Lady Hux were adopting Poe Dameron’s son, it was because the child was not his!

“Could you do it yourself?” you asked, only to be met with a hard glare through the mirror. “You know he listens to you far more than the listens to me.”

She took her time to give you a reply and you feared for your dignity again — it is, if it still existed? When she did not, she left you agape.

“I am calling your Lady’s Maid to help you with your hair.”

If you had to use a word to describe this night, it would be hypocritical. The very same feeling of yesterday at the funeral returned.

No one was there to celebrate Poe’s life or his importance as a Commander in the War — most people there did not even know about their soldiers. On the contrary, they were eager to strengthen their alliances with the Duke and maybe get a closer look at the General and you.

At least you made a far more striking pair than the Duke and his wife, that’s for sure. As expected, everyone was dressing black and your colors contrasted to those present in the Ballroom.

The Duchess was certainly one to set fashion tendencies and every guest expected her to dress black — and she did not disappoint them and neither you. Once again, you were right. People in Ton were so predictable it hurt.

And it was boring.

You cast a glance at Hux over the shoulder of your current partner. A traditional Ball — even one taking place after a burial — required good wine and brandy, music and dances. After having dancing with your husband twice, you had two more partners.

One of them was the hateful Agent Terex — you did your best to seal your lips and prevent yourself from giving him a piece of your mind. The other was Captain Solo — he was known to be a Pirate in the past and whisked you away from a very displeased Lord Terex. Lady Organa’s husband was a sarcastic man who hated Balls and anything even remotely related to the Ton — which was actually refreshing. It was funny how a popular Duchess fell in love with him — everyone knew their marriage to be one of love, no sane woman would marry Han Solo, a poor sailor — after he decided to leave his days as a pirate behind him — the best in the whole world, or so he said.   

Their son, Ben Solo did not come with them, which seemed to please Hux greatly. You would have to know what happened between them back in the War, it seemed to affect their relationship significantly.

Lady Organa and the Duchess Catherine both congratulated you on your and Hux’s decision to adopt Poe’s son. According to the Duchess, the poor, little thing needed a family more than ever now. She even said she would adopt him herself — in spite of the fact she had two children already — if no one stepped up to take care of him.

You felt your blood leaving from your face as you forced yourself to smile and hold your tongue. Part of you was taken by an almost uncontrollable fury as she cogitated the possibility of taking Lux to herself. You never needed Rae Sloane so much in your entire life! At least Lady Organa was there and changed topics, complimenting you for your dress.

She wore white and orange — Poe’s favorite colors.

Now you were dancing with the Duke of Wellington himself. Hux’s eyes were on you as the musicians stopped playing the melody of the traditional Strasbourgeoise Cotillion and the tune of a waltz began.

A few older ladies gasped — Lady Organa was certainly not one of them — for waltz was a popular dance in France, people in the British Empire still considered it too bold — scandalous even. It was certainly a dance that demanded too much of body closeness.

After the first steps, everyone was forced to stop. Agent Terex was close to the musicians, hitting his goblet of champagne with a spoon he probably got from the dinner offered earlier.

He cleared his throat, getting everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice sounding much louder in the now silent Ballroom. “I propose a toast…”

Before he could continue, every footman filled waiting cups with the finest champagne or gave goblets to those who did not have any.

Your heart hammered in your chest as you waited for his words. That was definitely not what nor whom you had in mind when you thought about the announcement tonight.

It was impossible not to notice the Duke was tense as well.

You searched for Hux’s eyes, but he was not looking at you this time.

“For Commander Dameron.” He finished, raising his goblet.

Everyone in the Ballroom mimicked him. The Duke relaxed visibly.

“And…” Agent Terex continued, his voice denouncing how much he had drank — as if his terrible breath was not enough. “I would like to congratulate Lord Hux and Lady Hux…”

Definitely not what you were expecting — nor how you were expecting…

“…for their empathetic and wise decision to adopt Commander Dameron’s son.”

His last words were followed by a minute of silence — in which your husband finally looked at you. Your heart galloped in your chest in rhythmless beats — and then everyone repeated For Lord and Lady Hux.

A few guests, having their crystal goblets placed over trays the footmen were carrying around, even applauded the announcement.

With the help of Captain Solo, Agent Terex left the small area and the musicians resumed playing. The melody filled the Ballroom and the couples were once again dancing around you and the Duke.

He bowed dutifully in front of you and brought your gloved hand to a courteous kiss.

“It warms my heart to know such a young boy will be well cared for, my Lady.”

This time, you could not discern in his tone if he was being sincere or if that was just another mask. You narrowed your eyes, but there was no time to come to a conclusion, for Hux approached you, followed by the Duchess of Wellington.

The Duke slowly let go of your hand and instead offered his arm to his wife. A sigh of relief left you as soon as you saw them ready to leave you and your husband alone.

“We just hope—” the Duke began, his eyes fixed on Hux, “that he won’t be forgotten as soon as you finally bear Lord Hux his heir.”

With him positioned behind you, it was impossible to see his reaction — if he expressed any. Part of you expected such direct attack from the Duchess, but she seemed far politer than her husband. Another part of you tried to come up quickly with a response that would show he picked a fight with the wrong people, but Hux beat you to that. Taking your gloved hand between his and bringing it to his lips, he said,

“Your worries are groundless, Your Grace. Lady (Y/N)’s love for Lux is immensurable.” He placed a small kiss on your cheeks. “Now, if you are worried about heritage, then perhaps you should ask your own wife about her opinion.”

A small gasp left both you and the Duchess. The Duke’s face contorted in anger, but he remained silent. He would not risk his image over something that would have the entire Ton talking for weeks to come and the gossip columns in The Times making a fuss about next morning.

It did not mean you did not feel sorry for the poor woman. It was a truth universally acknowledged, that His Grace did not seek her anymore. Their marriage was one of convenience nowadays and even if she bore him two sons, everyone questioned their first offspring.

They departed in silence. Both you and Hux bowed dutifully. You had no idea how differently you could have acted. You shifted your attention to him, about to ask if he was ready to leave when he pulled you to him.         

“That was mean,” you said as soon as he placed his hand on your waist and directed your left to his shoulder. “Even for you.”

He did not give you an answer. Not that you expected one. You should scold him for saying such outrageous words to a Duke, nonetheless. And yet, you saw yourself thank him in your mind. Although you considered his reply disrespectful and even offensive, you could not blame him for defending you. After all, the Duke was the first to treat you as a mere offspring repository.

He saw that coming.

People would talk — he would talk — if Lord Hux did not defend the honor of his own wife.

Instead, you saw yourself saying, “I thought you were mad at me.”

There was another moment of silence as he guided you in light and fluid steps. He was a great dancer, you always thought that. Your heart always accelerated whenever he took you to the center of the Ballroom. As an adolescent, you would always watch him dancing with other ladies and get jealous of them for having his attention all to themselves.

In the shadows, you watched him and imagined yourself in their place, in his arms, dancing with him — you even dreamed of kissing him. It was with indecorous happiness — for no woman should take so much pleasure in such simplistic occasion — that you had your first dance with him when you debuted in the Season, when you were eighteen years old.

Seven years…

You were startled to realize so many years had gone by. After that dance, your life changed forever. With eighteen you had your first kiss with him. With nineteen you got engaged to him. With twenty, the two of you got married.

Touching his cheeks — a highly improper move that had guests all around you gasping —, you furrowed your brows. There was no time to say anything, for he began, 

“You fooled me.” His voice was cold; his eyes expressionless. “I must say I am impressed by your strategy.”

Brows still furrowed, you removed your hand from his face and moved it to his shoulder. He used that opportunity to bring you closer to him — the closeness between your bodies far more shocking for those people unused to such scandalous dances —, his mouth on your ear, so no one would hear his next words,

“You say you love Lux, but all you did recently was using him to improve your social position in the Ton.”

As if burned, you stopped dancing altogether and glared at him. If not for the guests all around you, you probably would have hit him right in the face.

Perhaps punched him.

You had never punched anyone, but the need was never as great as it was right now. Biting your bottom lip, you let your fingers slip from his hand.

His eyes were focused on yours as he ran his right hand over your face. The need to step back and get away from him was almost overwhelming but you held yourself in place.

“You say I have changed… But you are someone else entirely, (Y/N).” He ran his fingers over your bottom lip, it trembled slightly as the need to bite him — spite on him, cry because of him — took over you. “I expected so much more from you.”

When you finally found your voice, it was broken and hoarse. Your eyes were full of tears you did your best to cover.  

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Lord Hux.”

After you arrived from the Ball, you entered Lux’s bedroom and dismissed his tutoress. You expected him to be sleeping soundly, but he was wide awake. You sniffed and blinked twice to dissipate the need to cry.   

He was holding between his chubby fingers the very drawing that fell from your book when that very fateful day when Hux returned to your life.

And how you hated it.

Hated him.

Every ounce of love you felt for him was slowly dying whenever he addressed you with his cruel, unkind words.

You are a bad liar, a voice in your head said. Part of you knew that it only hurt — his words, his behavior, his coldness — because deep down — in the very bottom of your heart — you still loved him. Part of you tried to reassure you that you loved the man from the past. Not the man who came back from a successful campaign in Waterloo.

You shook your head and concentrated on Lux. He did not realize you were in his chambers. He was so engrossed with the drawing, he could not have seen a real horse trotting in front of him.   

It was Hux’s drawing. One he had made in one afternoon the two of you escaped to a picnic. Your lady in waiting was left behind — only to be harshly punished by your father later; that poor creature — and you found yourself alone in his company. As your father could not suspect any illicit nor lusty activity between you, Hux took his time to draw your horse.

Obviously, it did not prevent you from rolling in the grass — with you landing over him and wresting with him for such prized position — and kissing till your lips were aching and swollen.

Those were indeed happy days…

… and you could only regret that they were gone, and you were stuck with a control freak and pale shadow of the albeit melancholic, so very romantic man you had fallen in love with.

You recalled that afternoon as if it happened just yesterday. When the two of you were parting, he kissed your hand in a gentlemanly gesture in front of your father and handed him the proof of how well behaved while he was alone with you. In your fingers, though, there was a small paper with your face sketched and a small message written in a careless manner.

Soon, beloved.

Of that small sketch of your face there was nothing left. Your father made sure to rip it apart when he caught the two of you kissing in Hux’s study room — he had reasons to believe the worst; you were sitting over his desk and he was between your legs. His hair was disheveled and your hands were between his clothes, touching his chest. That was how far you went, but your father was sure you had disgraced yourself that day and it took you a while, and daily doses of humiliation extended to Hux as well, to prove him wrong. He tried to do the same to the other drawing, but you placed it in your clothes before he could get his hands on it.

Lux was holding this drawing close to his chest and looking at it with the innocent passion only a child could muster. 

You approached him and sat on his bed.  

“You really like him, don’t you?” you asked, running your fingers through his cheeks. It seemed to tickle him, for he giggled and slapped your hand gently away.

Offering your hand to him you helped him sit on the bed, you watched as he handed you the drawing as well, so you could place it on his bedside table.

He nodded his response.

The boy has a sweet tooth, he had said last night when the two of you talked in the dead of the night in each other’s arms. He likes toffee.

“Because he gives you sweets,” you tried, your voice a bit unsure.

His smile was so bright it could rival the very sun. Although you loved to know Lux could like someone like Hux instead of merely hating him, it worried you greatly that he could be hurt in the near future. For you knew for sure Hux did not know how to love or how to reciprocate anyone’s feelings.

He merely ‘liked’ Lux for now because he firmly believed to be his father. It was very convenient for him to father a son — the Royal Family would look kindly upon any man having a family. Once he believed you and accepted the truth, you doubted he would be so willing to give the boy even a sideway glance.

But his words…

…they mean nothing…

…they must…

You were conflicted. Part of you wanted to find excuses for his behavior — even if you knew there was none — and another part wanted to label him as Satan himself.

The mere thought made your heart break. Albeit strict, Armitage Hux was a man who exerted some sort of fascination over people. He was alluring. And people who came to know him, loved him easily. Rae Sloane, for one, did love him. Needless to mention your own feelings for the man… and now Lux loved him as well…   

Oh, Gods! You would kill Hux if he made your Little Lord suffer!

“Yes, and because he will give me his horse.” His high-pitched voice dragged you back to the present time.

You looked at him with widened eyes, surprise all written over your face.

“He will?”

Lux nodded. His smile easy on his face. He brought both hands to his eyes and rubbed them a few times.

“It’s time to sleep, Little Lord.” You helped him under the covers and ran your hands through his hair. “Actually, you should have slept hours ago.”

He shook his head.

Too tired, but too excited to give in to sleep.

So stubborn…

“He will teach me to ride too, Mama!”

His excitement seemed to die a bit as he yawned.

“When I get big and old.”

He focused his chestnut eyes on you and asked, his voice no more than a worried whisper, “will that take long?”

You laughed a bit and kissed his forehead.

“It will come soon enough, Little Lord.”

Sooner than I expect.

Or want.

You were returning to your chambers when you stopped in front of Rae’s bedroom and recalled her words.

Tell him the truth.

You bit your bottom lip and shook your head.

No.

You were not going to talk to him.

Not even if your life depended on it.

Tonight.

She would be very disappointed in you next morning.

But what could you do?

Hux made it very clear he did not believe a word you said about loving him, about Lux’s parentage. He did not believe you. Period.

It made your heart ache and you felt highly stupid for still having feelings for him. He was the last person in the universe who deserved your love.

Heavens, he did not believe you when you said you loved Lux — your most precious thing. The light of your life. 

You did your best not to recall his words, they were to cruel and made your heart sore and small.

Shaking your head, you opened the doors of your chambers, only to find him sitting in the anteroom, a cigar between his fingers and a glass with brandy resting on the coffee table.

It was very rare to see him smoking. He was not a man of vices. In fact, this current Hux in front of you was a very meticulous man, a man who controlled and was not controlled by anyone or anything.

A man who hurt and never got hurt.

His words returned to you with full force.   

You say you love Lux, but all you did recently was using him…

You cut his voice in your mind, shaking your head and walking to the bedroom. He did not spare you even a single glance.

The words continued, this time almost a chant.

You say you love Lux…

Biting your bottom lip, you removed your dressing gown and held it in your arms.

You say you love Lux…

“Enough!” It took you a while — and a confused stare from him — for you to realize you had said the words aloud. You even brought both hands to your mouth in a mortified gesture, but you shook your head.

Tell him the truth.

You were trembling.

With rage.

With disgust.

With disappointment.

With love for Lux.

…for him…

But you were also trembling with hate.

For him.

For yourself.

For his father.

For your father.

You walked to him. Stopped right in front of him. And took his glass of brandy, taking the liquid all at once.

If you were to say the truth — the ugly truth — you had to have at least some alcohol running through your veins.

“Do you want to hear the truth?”

He did not give you a reply.

His bluish eyes were focused on you. Intense. Burning with a cold flame that hurt you more than his words. In a dismissive gesture, he brought the cigar to his lips.

It was clear he did not want to hear whatever you had to say.

But now he would.

You would make sure he did.

“My father hated you.”

If these words bothered him you would never know, for he did not how any reaction to them. It was well known that your father disapproved greatly of him and his ancestry.

A bastard!

You gave yourself to a useless bastard!

He had called Armitage a bastard in countless occasions. His own father called him that every once in a while. Not every day. No. It would be the same of reminding himself he could only produce an heir — any heir — outside wedlock. It would remind him of his own failure.

You braced yourself for the next words.

“He would never allow any child of yours to live.”

That made Hux’s shoulders tense. He sat straighter in the couch and lowered the cigar to the cinder-box.

“Did he…” He let the question in the air. He could not even look at you. His eyes were cast on the floor. Your negative reply made him cast a glance at you with some relief. “I would kill him if he—

“No. But he laughed at me when my menses came.”

It still hurt to recall his happiness while you cried yourself to sleep in Rae’s arms. Your heart was flooded with fondness for this woman who took you under her care as if you were her own child.

There is a reason why I never had children.

She was a far better mother than most mothers you had met in your life — your own included.

“He was happy that it did not take root. It was not even six months after that and upon your disappearance that he decided to marry me off to another man.”

His lips were pursed into a thin line…

…And you thought that you saw some anguish in his eyes…?

You shook your head. You were reading too much into his reactions. It was only natural that he would be mad at your father — men all over the Empire considered women to be their properties. Hux was no different.

“But then, he suddenly stopped.”

He furrowed his brows.

No words left his lips.

His silence was never so welcomed before.

“It took me and Rae a while to figure it out… But he was having an affair with a village girl in Southampton.” You sat beside him and took the cigar. You had never smoked before — the only time you tried, you did it wrong and ended up with a coughing fit. He took it away from you and brought it to his lips.

“Go on.”

You bit your bottom lip, regretting the fact that you did not have anything alcoholic to drink in your chambers.

“This girl…” You looked down. “This girl had your hair… but chestnut eyes.”

He pursed his lips into a thin line.

“You know… Don’t you?” you asked, your voice broken.

He nodded.

For long, uncountable minutes there was only the sound of the cigar becoming ashes in the cinder-box. A sepulchral silence enveloped you.

Subconsciously, your hands sought his and your fingers entwined.

“I suspected it,” he finally admitted it, looking at your palms pressed together. He ran his thumb over your pulse absentmindedly. 

“She was younger than you and me,” you continued in a whisper. “But she was the legitimate daughter your father never knew he had. My father—

You did not realize you were crying till you felt his fingers on your face, wiping them away.

“Is a monster.”

He brought you to the comfort of his arms. You buried your face in the crook of his neck and cried your heart out. It had been long since you let yourself think about this story.

“Was a monster.”

He ran his fingers through your hair, trying to comfort you. It only made you cry more.

“She was no more than a child. He…”

“Forced her,” he finished for you; his voice no more than an emotionless whisper.

This made you cry harder.

He had never met his sister. He never would.

Your father was truly a monster. The worst kind of monster. Because he hated Armitage and the prospect of him having his title — even if he desperately needed Armitage’s money — revolted, sickened him, he forced himself upon your husband’s only living parent. Thus, their offspring — unlike yours — would be fit to have his damned title.

In his eyes, you were no better than a whore — the only daughter he had had given herself to a bastard.    

“Lux is my nephew,” he said, holding you by the nape and forcing you — albeit not unkindly — to face him.   

You nodded.

“And my brother.”

A/N - Well, that’s it for today, kids! Unlike BB, I still have left two more chapters of this story to update here. I’m on a tight schedule right now, so that’s why you aren’t getting ant updates from me. Sorry, but I really have to finish my thesis xD. Anyways, I hope you’ve liked it xD

[carlottastudios]

Can I just say it?

There are some really. Really. Fucking. FANTASTIC! People! On this site.

And I’m going to call out those I know right here right now.

@with-this-crownofthorns

Probably the first fellow Storm Hawker I actually chatted with on this site. And whom I swear I don’t talk to enough. In all of our interactions, you have been sweet and funny and just so nice! Please can we talk Storm Hawks sometime and scream together about how much we physically and psychologically need this show to return?

@stormageddon-101

I already called you out in a recent post, friend, but I AIN’T FINISHED! I swear to the gods, you are, in my eyes, one of the most bombastic, awesome and badass fans out there! And now I just love talking to you so much! I am legit ecstatic that I got to connect with you again after, what, years of relative silence? Yeah, we knew each other on DA and we found each other again. Not just with Storm Hawks, but also Voltron and The Dragon Prince, and maybe more, who knows?! We share many interests, but we also have our differences (as our current chat here on Tumblr no doubt proves), and I just find that amazing. You’re a mother effin storm queen, my friend. And you make me so so happy.

@melonstar21

YOU! You magical pixie of liking ALL OF MY POSTS?!?!!!! I know I’ve already thanked you before, but I’m going to do it again! Thank you! So very much! Don’t think for a second I don’t notice how your likes make up 80% of my activity page, AT LEAST. I’m shocked and touched and amazed that you keep up with my random-ass self so again, thank you!

@mx-kit

Buddy. Fren. Bruh. KIT! You already know you are DA BEST! DA! BEST! I can’t say it enough!!! Your crazy matches my crazy and our daily chats on Discord never cease to fill me with joy!!! You are incredibly generous with your drawings and your time and your sheer enthusiasm, and you are one of the kindest and most wholesome people I’ve ever had the utter joy of meeting on this or any site. I can’t even remember how I managed to luck myself into our friendship, but I’m so goddamn happy the universe saw fit to bring us together. I swear if/when we meet IRL, your ribs are going to be in serious danger because I’m gonna hug the shit out of you and just-GODS! I can’t stress this enough! You’re oodles and oodles of wonderful and I’m so grateful to you for blessing me with your presence.

@sunder-the-gold

How such a clear genius and master of common sense and logic came to view my blog as worth their attention is beyond me. I take so much joy in reading your thoughts in your many, many, MANY posts. You inspire to want to think more and type more in my comments, though your seemingly endless energy almost exhausts me just watching my dash fill to the brim with your reblogs. I don’t think we’ve ever had the chance to talk at length, but regardless, I admire you a lot and respect you and think you’ve more than earned this callout.

@mojo72400

Like Sunder, we haven’t known each other long. But it is still mind-boggling to me how we share SO MANY RWBY SHIPS! Like, it is SO uncanny! You’re very fun to talk to and I love your RWBY Husbands posts: they never fail to make me laugh or grin and they’re just a ray of sunshine! Keep doing what you’re doing, my friend! You’re doing it so well!!!

@lightning-claw

I swear to the gods, you. Yes, you! YOU are the flaming light that’s keeping the Storm Hawks fandom alive! At least on this site! I just-I just can never EVER get enough of you or your posts! You’re such a wonder and you just fill my little Storm Hawker heart with tons of joy and happiness and UGH! LET ME WALLOP-HUG YOU, ATMOSIAN SENPAI!!!

@cloudburst-paint-water

Again, we have not known each other long, fellow Hawker. And hopefully that will change!!! I’m always so happy to receive an ask from you and would be more than happy to chat Storm Hawks (or whatever other fandom we have in common) with you!!! Also, you too are a sugary-sweet magical glittery like pixie. Be proud of that fact.

@laserdog10

A new member of the like-fairy army, hmm? Except it’s not just likes for you, isn’t it? Nah. YOU REBLOG MY S**T! AND YOU MAKE ME SO HAPPY!!! THANK YOOOOUUUUUUU!!!

@maxgentlman2

Another fellow Hawker I have recently began to call friend. I just-Thank you! Thank you for existing and being here and writing and having so many ideas and sharing them and blessing me and everyone with your lovely self! I’m sorry I don’t reply to you as often or as quickly as you deserve. Because you deserve to be showered in notes and praise of all sorts! Thank you so much!

@p-r-imeday

We knew each other back on DA, and yet here we are, also on Tumblr! Also, I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I’ll be honest, I don’t even remember where and/or how our aquaintanceship (friendship?) started. But like a phoenix, it’s rising again from the ashes, and I’m so happy it is! You are legit hilarious and so very talented and I want to chat with you again!

@esperhuntress

Your majesty. Your ladyship. Your grace. QUEEN OF OZGLYN!!! I am legit blessed to have found you as an RP partner, and I lament only that we don’t speak nearly as often as I wish we did and that I no doubt strain your patience with my late late LATE LATE LAAAAATE replies. Of course I understand that you’re busy, and I absolutely will not try to force myself on you by trying to chat with you at inconvenient times, but just please know that you’re amazing and lovely and I’m so happy you are not only my favourite Glynda, but also one of my first ever friends in the OzGlyn niche of RWBY. And I’m so grateful. (And so ridiculously sorry for keeping you waiting in our thread DX)

There are more lovely, decent people I could call out, and who deserve to be called out, but my hand is getting really tired from typing, so I’m just going to tag some of you:

@ozcarpin, @tellme-professorozpin, @deeptrashfury, @ozpin-defense-squad, @ya-boi-aerrow, @luveus, @chuckles-the-jester

And to everyone who I tagged and to every decent person out there I haven’t tagged: I love you. I love you all so much! Thank you for putting up with this hellsite to grace it with your presence. Decent people like all of you really make the world a better place.