#and she was kept saying the queen would be unhappy

[the20thangel]

The Vow

Summary: Request: I was wondering if you could write something with Benji and Targaryen reader. She's like the apple of her parent's eye and nervous about marrying Benji and if he would be good to her. And loyal, like she's very scared that he would go and have bastards or mistress. She doesn't want an unhappy marriage. She's very insecure, and Benji reassures her that he will worship the ground she walks on and she will be the only one he ever beds.

word count: 1.9K

Masterlist

As you stood before the mirror, your fingers fidgeted with the rings, a nervous habit inherited from your mother. You gazed at your reflection, a vision of beauty. Your luscious white hair was elegantly pulled into a loose bun, with a few strands delicately framing your round face. Your eyes, a mesmerizing shade of lilac, were accentuated with light makeup that made them stand out. You were adorned in a stunning, vibrant red gown with golden accents. Despite the maids' admiring sighs, you couldn't muster any excitement. 

 On the day of your wedding, your nerves were in a frenzy. Despite your parents' attempts to reassure you, you couldn’t shake off the worry. You knew little about the man you were about to marry. Lord Benjicot Blackwood, the young lord who fought bravely alongside his aunt Black Aly and Lord Cregan Stark during the war. You knew your mother owed her throne to them, and in gratitude, she had betrothed you to him. But all you heard were stories of Bloody Ben, a monster on the battlefield, and armies trembling at the lad's name. The weight of this uncertainty was a heavy burden on your heart. 

You were shocked when you heard the stories and the news of your betrothal. You couldn’t understand how your parents could ever give your hand to someone described like that. Then your father, King-Consort Daemon, explained to everyone in the public how he was known as the Rouge Prince, but they didn’t know his true self. He asked you if you believed in all the stories spread about him, which you vehemently denied. Your father was brash and rude when he talked to his enemies, but he was a protective dragon to his family, making sure his family was happy and safe. Your father smiled and said, then do not believe everything about Benjioct. Speaking in favor of the raven lord. You nodded, saying how you would try. 

Now, you weren’t worried about him being cruel. No, you were worried about him being unfaithful. Dragons, like your family, don’t do well when people try to steal things belonging to them. You were the same, and you worried that Benjicot would only see your marriage as a duty. Finding happiness, pleasure, and companionship in the arms of another. This fear of an unhappy marriage, of not being able to handle such a betrayal, was something that kept you awake at night, a constant source of anxiety. 

As your maids and handmaidens finished, your mother, Queen Rhaenyra, walked in. Gracing you with her beautiful smile, she walked behind you, embracing you as she kissed your cheek chastly. Holding you close to her made you smile and close your eyes in contentment. Your bond with your mother was stronger than any of your siblings. She could know your millions of thoughts from one glance at your face, so she held you tight to her, giving you the comfort you desperately wanted. 

“He’s a good lad, my sweet girl. Honorable, fierce, and just. He would rather feed himself to your dragon than betray you.” she whispered, trying to erase your fears. 

As you nodded, you didn’t know if you were a way to assure her or yourself into believing the statement. You wanted to believe in your parents' statements, but you were still worried. You hardly knew this man, and in a few minutes, you would be his wife. You would not only be a Princess but the new lady of House Blackwood. The pressure was building inside of you. As you finished readying yourself, a servant came in, letting the Queen and Princess know that the wolf's hour had arrived and it was time to start the wedding. 

Taking a deep breath, you wrap your arm around your mother’s arms as the two walk into Godswood, where the ceremony will be taking place. Today was a more intimate ceremony, since House Blackwood followed the ways of the First Men and Old gods. Your family decided to honor the Blackwoods by having a ceremony in the old ways, marrying infront of a hearttree. 

As you walked down the corridors to reach Godswood, your family slowly started coming together, each holding a torch to light the way. Once entering Godswood stood your future husband, bringing you a first surprise. Instead of wearing red and black, his house colors. Benjicot Blackwood stood infront of the hearttree wearing pure black with gold accents, completing your dress beautifully. As the Blackwood members turned to the Targaryen family, they couldn’t help but gasp at the sight, power, and beauty of the Valryians. 

Your family took the other side of the aisle while you and your father, Daemon, waited for the signal from Cregan Stark, who would officiate the ceremony. Once you saw the slight nod from the wolf lord, your father took your arm, giving your hand a light squeeze as you both began your trek down the aisle, meeting your betrothed in the middle. 

“ Who comes before the Old Gods this night?” 

Daemon straightened himself, presenting the daunting regal Targaryen he is; Princess (Name) of the House Targaryen comes here to be wed. A woman grown trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessing of the Gods.” 

Cregan nodded as he turned to Benjicot, who grinned at his beautiful bride. “ Who comes to claim her?” 

Benjicot inhaled as he stared at his future wife and good father, “Benjicot Blackwood, of House Blackwood, lord to Raventree Hall. 

“Who gives her?” asked Cregan, looking at both a Daemon and Rhaenyra. 

“Daemon Targaryen, Her father and King- Consort of the seven kingdoms of House Targaryen of Old Valyria, ” proudly stated Daemon. 

You smiled slightly, turning to look at your future husband. He was quite handsome and lean, but you can see the outline of muscles around his body. Benjicot noticed your staring and gave you a smirking grin, causing your face to heat up. 

Your staring is broken by Cregan asking you, “Name, do you take this man?” 

You gulped, feeling the nerves coming back. Glancing behind him, you saw how intently House Blackwood stared at you, causing the nerves to worsen. Benjicot, noticing this, frowned slightly. He knew his family could be intense and wished that he could glare to ease them back. You took a shaky breath, smiling wryly at Cregan first before turning to Benjioct, reaching out with your hand as you stated. 

 “I take this man.” 

Benjicot reached to take your hand, giving it a slight kiss, gracing you with a warm smile as Cregan asked the the Targaryen princess and Raven lord to kneel. Then asking for the group to stay silent for a few minutes for prayer.  As you and Benjicot kneeled in front of the hearttree, you stared at the crying face, asking the Old gods to please bless her marriage, that Benjicot remained loyal to her and her only. After a few minutes, the couple stood as Aly Blackwood stepped forward, providing the marriage cloak. Benjicot removed your maiden cloak passing it off, before he took the marriage cloak, cloaking you with the proud Blackwood sigil of the weirwood tree and ravens. As Benjicot stood infront of his beautiful wife, he took your face into his hands, caressing your reach as he leaned in. Kissing you with sweetness and softly sealing their union in the eyes of the Old gods. 

As the rest of both Blackwood and Targaryen families went back inside, Benjicot held your hand firm, singling you to stay. Tensing, you turned to your husband, trying your best to give him your best smile. 

Benjicot smiled, kissing your cheek, trying to ease your tension, “I was hoping that we could speak before heading inside, my princess.” 

You nodded, biting your bottom lip, wondering what he might want to speak about. 

Benjicot stared at you, trying to memorize your beauty under the moon light, his breath being constantly taken away. 

“I know our wedding came as a surprise to you and so quickly…we might not know each other, but I’m hoping this coming moon, we take the time to understand each other and what we expect from this marriage.” 

You froze, was this it? Was he going to tell you now that he was going to have a mistress in the marriage?

Benjicot seeing your demeanor, quickly comforted you. 

“No, sweet girl, I meant that I want this marriage to bring you happiness just like I feel.” 

These words confused you; tilting your head, you asked, “What do you mean, my lord?” 

Grinning, he brought a hand to your cheek, “Ever since I saw you during the war, I have been taken by you. You are beautiful and cunning. Your sharp wit and fearless dragon-riding skills made me admire you from afar. When your mother made the betrothal between us, I felt immense joy at the chance you be married to you. Alas, though, seeing your tension and nervousness around these past few days, I fear the rumors about me have made you weary of me.”  

You quickly shook your head. Taking his other hand and holding it close to your chest, you defended yourself. 

“No, my lord, I- the rumors are just that, rumors; my mother and father assured me that you are an honorable, dutiful, wonderful young man. I believe my parents would never agree to our marriage if you were not kind and respectful. I…” 

You paused, unsure how to go on the way to ask..command..plead for him to always stay loyal in your marriage, no bastards, no mistresses. Benjicot, seeing you hesitate again, placed his forehead on yours and took you into his arms. This caused you to gasp, having such an intimate gesture.

“Go ahead and ask my princess; I shall not get offended,” Ben requested, staring at your beautiful eyes. 

As you, too, stared at his stormy eyes, you saw the softness in them, “I- I only have one request, my lord, which I feel will make this marriage a truly happy one. I ask that you always stay loyal to me and our marriage. That you forsake the thought of mistresses.” 

Ben smiled at you, leaning down to place a kiss quickly before whispering for your ears only. 

“That is an easy promise. No other woman can ever compare to you, my beautiful dragon-riding wife. I would rather feed myself to all of your family’s dragons than ever think of betraying you. I will stay with you entirely until my last days, living with you, respecting you, comforting you, and fighting for you. I swear this on the old gods and new and the fourteen flames…So much I promise this, it was meant as a surprise but I want you to believe in my vow fully. I ask your parents that tomorrow we have a Valyrian ceremony, blood-bonding us together. Like your dragons usually bond one rider at a time and mate with one mate forever, I want to bind myself to you. That I may become yours forever.” 

As he finished his vows, he studied your shocked face. Hearing his vow to you made your heart beat faster, and you finally allowed happiness to bloom in your chest. Giggling, you leaned up to kiss him, wrapping your arms around your husband. Benjicot smiled into your kiss, continuing to kiss you a few minutes more before you stepped back a bit, staring at his eyes as you reached to trace the scar on his lip. You made your vow to him.

“I vow to love you and only you, Benjicot Blackwood, until the end of my days. I want to be blood-bonded with you.”

[hopefulidiocy]

Perfect

Prince!Aemond x Pregnant!Reader

Warnings: fluff, angst, HARD LABOUR, BLOOD, SLIGHT SLIGHT SMUT IF YOU SQUINT

A/N this is filler whilst I’m away

~

The baby pulled on your back as you waddled through the Gardens of the Red Keep, listening to the birds swimming through the air with their happy tunes; which was a complete contrast to how you were feeling. You knew your ultimate goal was to give your husband a baby, you knew that you had only married each other for the financial gain to give at least one male heir that can be in the line for the throne. Your family owned most of the North, all being Lords and Ladies and owning the biggest castles and palaces. Something King Viserys couldn’t let go. You had wondered, often, why you were the chosen one and not your sister, who was Aemond’s exact age. You were two years younger than him.

Your pregnant belly served as a reminder of who you were to the Keep, Queen Alicent came in every evening after supper to check on you but not to see how you were, to see how her grandchild was. She would constantly refer to the baby as a he and it would further enforce a worry that was so overwhelming you were often worried that your own baby might die before you get to meet them. If this baby wasn’t a boy, she didn’t know what she would do, she would be a failure and Aemond would probably take on another wife; but it won’t be his own decision, it’ll be his mothers. In the last three years you had been married, you broke all rules and fell in love. Aemond treated you like a precious jewel despite being cold hearted and strong headed, he would demand respect for you when you were unable to demand it for yourself. He was the one who stuck up for you when his mother had a doctor check that you could bear children as it was expected to be pregnant within a year of marriage. But you and Aemond made the secret decision to wait to try for a child, your sex had been as protected as it could be and it was still just as amazing. Sometimes, though, you wondered whether Aemond would be unhappy at the birth of a daughter. You hoped he wouldn’t be but you already had a happy marriage unlike most of the world; it would be tedious to hope for a man that would be happy at the birth of a girl. Somewhere inside of you, you harboured that childish wish, hidden and deep.

“Princess Y/N.” Helaena was by one of the stone arches, leaning against it with a spider in her hands. She didn’t look up when you approached her. “He’s unhappy.”

“Who is?” Helaena had always been a little weird, always playing with her insects and you hated to admit that you kept a distance because she always seemed to be staring. However, as you were around, you both warmed to each other to a nice conversation in the Keep hallways.

“My spider.” She pouted, opening her palm to big, spindly, black thing that made you shiver and step back. “Got a broken leg.” She pointed to one of the front legs which was wonky and stopped him from walking normally across her palms.

“Ah, I’m sorry.” You didn’t know what else to say until a small, sudden dull ache shot across your body. It wasn’t pain enough for you to groan or shout, just a quick wince and a palm on your stomach was enough. You stroked it up and down, feeling your stretched skin and the hardness of your baby curled up. Suddenly, Helaena reached out and placed her milky hand on your belly, a smile stretching across her lips. “What is it?”

“You’re going to be so happy.” She whispered, almost to herself, she removed her hand and disappeared down the hallway without a goodbye. Your back began to pulse, it usually did this if you walked around too much, the baby was almost ready so it wasn’t a surprise that your body began to shatter away after a ten minute walk.

~

Two guards posted outside of your chambers highlighted that Aemond was behind them, your heart still pitched whenever you were around him and you wished that blissful feeling would never end. The guards nodded at your arrival, opening the doors and revealing your grand, dark oak decorated chambers with high ceilings that depict your House and the Targaryen House. That familiar smell of polished leather wafted from the open balcony doors, the white silk rippling in the breeze. You waddled towards the doors, seeing the back of your husband leaning his hands on the iron fence.

“Aemond?” You questioned, walking out but before you got to his side he turned around. Without a word, he smiled, wrapping his arms around your waist and even though hugging these days was much harder; he always made it work.

“Y/N.” He breathed, kissing your cheek and his arms still clasped around your waist. You looked up at your beautiful husband with one eye, your hands softly resting on his forearms. “Are you okay? You’re looking flushed.” He hand cupped your cheek, stroking it softly before planting a soft kiss on your forehead.

“I should really stop going on these walks, Aemond. They’re causing havoc with my back.” You rubbed at your lower spine which was twisting in pain. He hummed in response, his eye looking over you in worry. “What’s that look for?” You questioned.

“I want a doctor to see you.” He said, removing his arms and placing his wide palms on your stomach; a feeling you absolutely loved.

“No, I don’t want a doctor. It’ll be the same one your mother had. I’m happy with my midwives, they’ll take good care of me, Aemond. I promise. You need to stop worrying.” You cupped his face, stepping on your tiptoes and kissing his soft lips.

“Baby, I know you don’t like him but do this for me? Just to keep my mind rested?” He questioned, playing with your hair net that kept your long hair in check. You groaned, leaning your forehead against his chest.

“Fine but make him bring a tonic for my back, okay?” You shifted back and walked towards your four postered bed, climbing on it on all fours before you melted into the soft pillows and silk sheets; your back instantly mended.

~

You must’ve slept for around forty minutes because a dull pain thundered in your back, you whined as your eyes pulled open to see Aemond and the doctor just arriving. The doctor was a stout, round little man with a face like a smacked ass most of the time and probably thinking that he didn’t want to be anywhere near a pregnant woman and was best at mending wounds on the battleground; you thought the same.

“Help her up for me.” He demanded, Aemond wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her gently to a sitting up position but you were too busy groaning with the twisting pain in your back. “Legs spread.” He clicked his fingers at you, as he opened his toolbox of very scary and sharp items that made your legs shudder.

“Is he going to use them on me?” You asked Aemond, who was now sat by your side, he shook his head but his face was lined with worry. The doctor struck his hand between your legs, making you hiss, the pain suddenly there than in your back. He grunted to himself as his fingers roamed around, you twisted around to fight the embarrassment of this moment in front of your husband.

“Damn you, Doctor. What is it?” Aemond basically shouted, shocking you.

“It’s time.” He said nonchalantly, shrugging and packing up his toolbox. “Get your servants to fetch the midwives.”

“I’ll have your fucking head for that attitude! This is my fucking wife, who you have just said, is in labour! She’s giving birth weeks before she has to! And you just say ‘it’s time’!?” Aemond was towering over the doctor now, as you wept into the back of your hand. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. You hadn’t prepared for the actual birth yet and you certainly hadn’t taken the tonics made for a healthy birth, you hadn’t offered anything to the gods because you simply weren’t to give birth yet. You would’ve done all of this next week, it was next week’s plan and then the week after would be your birth.

“Aemond!” You shouted, he came right to your side. “Please, please just get my midwives.” He was gone in an instant.

~

You were flat on your back within twenty minutes, your dress completely vanished and you left in your underclothes as your legs spread, your feet dangling in the air as two midwives hold them aloft, your forehead drenched in your salty sweat and cold water as Alicent kept soaking your head in some cold water tonic. Your stomach groaned, your organs shifted as you screamed; your spine splitting vertebrae by vertebrae just to make you suffer for longer. The head midwife was between your legs, checking your dilation but at this point, you had no idea what was going on. Your lower back sawed in half and the feeling went trembling through your legs, hitting at every nerve as fat tears began to soak your cheeks.

“There is no movement.” One midwife whispered to the Queen, you looked to your left to watch the conversation with blurry eyes, your face growing hot and the sweat perking up on the crown of your head. Alicent looked tense for a simple moment before turning to you, with a soft smile on her lips.

“What’s happening?” You whispered, your voice raw as she shushed you like mother, stroking your hairline as she wet your head once again. Little did you know, the midwives were readying to have the doctor cut you open with one of his sharp knives. Alicent kept stroking your head as the pain awoke inside of you, your uterus feeling split open by the muscle contractions.

Outside in the hallway, Aemond waited with King Viserys and his brothers; picking at the tips of his nails as he leaned nervously on the wall. The sounds of your screams echoed throughout the hallway, creating a cold film across Aemond’s skin as his mind couldn’t rest from not being in that room and by your side. He should be the one to wet your head and hold your hand, he was the father after all. But this was how it was done.

“Are you excited to fuck her again?” Aegon smirked, his short brother was opposite him with his disgusting piglike face. Viserys audibly scoffed and rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything. He never said anything when the boys would say some horrible shit to each other. Aemond looked at his brother with disgust.

“Shut up, Aegon.” He wouldn’t lose his temper, not today of all days. He would beat the shit out of him at the next military training day. He would show him, again, that he was the stronger brother.

“She’ll be fat though. You alright with fucking a fat woman?” In a flash, Aegon was up against the wall with Aemond’s forearm hard across his next, pushing harder and harder.

“Don’t ever talk about my wife again. Never again should she come out of your mouth unless you don’t want your tongue. I can rip your tongue out with my bare hands.” Aemond hissed, spitting in his face before a familiar sound screeched through the hallways.

Back in the room, you were squirming with pain and your poor back was now completely snapped from the lightning that kept shooting through your body. You knew that the baby wasn’t moving, you were crying with fear of delivering a dead baby, of failing the one thing your body was made to do. Your back arched towards the ceiling as your nerves ignited and your hands growing numb from the pain that bounced off every bone in your body. You felt yourself begin to slip away, your eyelids heavy and your jaw slacking to one side and before the darkness enveloped you, you screamed out one word.

“Aemond!”

Instantly, Aemond was in the room, his chest heaving up and down as he scanned the room. His heart stopping at a halt when he saw the blood, the clots, the sweat that surrounded your legs; your calves and feet completely coated in deep red blood that was already dried by the time Aemond had made it into the room. Then his eyes travelled from your feet, up to your knees that were spread either side of your body to your rounded belly that hadn’t deflated yet and you. Tears sprang to his eyes as he saw your eyes closed shut, your mouth open like you had just been screaming but now frozen in time. His mother clutched at the wet rag, watching you with grief stricken eyes. The midwives had stopped doing their work and now stood around to look at you with tears streaming down their faces. Aemond’s boots clicked as he made his way to your side, your face serene and peaceful, he kneeled by you and stroked your hair out of your face.

“Aemond.” Alicent placed her elegant hand on her son’s shoulder but he shrugged it off without taking his eye off his beautiful wife, the one woman he loved with his entire being. He shifted his gaze to your chest and saw that it was still moving up and down.

“She’s still breathing.” He said, with little urgency because he suspected they knew this. Alicent looked towards the midwives to answer.

“We must persevere to save your child.” One of them said, Aemond scoffed.

“I want you to save my wife as well.” He demanded with a soft tone, trying not to lose his temper.

“It is either one or the other, my son. Both will not survive.” Alicent said softly, whispering towards the end as if to sound upset. Aemond couldn’t handle this for much longer.

“MY fucking wife!” He shouted, jumping to his feet and marching towards the midwives. “My wife, the only woman I have ever loved and you are letting her die! She’s young, she’s beautiful and you are leaving her to die in fucking pain.” They winced at his anger as he marched back to his mother. “And if it was my mother who gave the orders to murder my wife then I want her fucking gone. Out of my sight and away from her.” He spat at her feet before turning to you, your eyelids fluttering as he was instantly on his knees, he ignored the sniffles behind him as Alicent silently exited the room.

Your eyes opened slowly, peeling your eyelids from each other and you saw, behind the blurry curtain of your eyesight, your husband with his hand stroking your cheek so softly it was like he wasn’t doing anything. His face had tear streaks and his lips shuddered a little as he watched you open your eyes. For a moment, there was no pain. Only him. And you kept your eyes on him as he brought his lips to your nose, pressing on the tip gently.

“Aemond.” You croaked, reaching out for his hand in slow motion. He met you in the middle, bringing your fingers to his lips.

“Hello, baby.” He whispered. “You fell asleep for a few minutes but now it’s time to have the baby and I am here, I will stay by your side forever and you will never have to scream for me or cry for me ever again. I promise.” Tears rolled down your face as he softly kissed your lips. “Are you ready for this, my love?” You nodded, unable to speak because that twisting pain came back and you tried to haul yourself up with the one arm that was free but the midwives kept you down. The head midwife checked between your legs and nodded at Aemond.

“Keep breathing for us, Princess. You’re almost there.” You breathed in through your nose and exhaled through your mouth, your body relaxing with every exhale as if you’re letting go of all the pain and suffering you had gone through. Between your legs, you felt a stretch unlike anything else and a sharp pain that tore through your body and made you cry out in pain. “Lift up her torso for me.” She commanded, two midwives came at either side but Aemond stopped them.

“This is my child. Let me be a part of it.” He climbed onto the bed behind you, shifting his legs so you were settled between them before pulling up your body so gently it was like you were floating and now you were hitched up against his chest, your legs being held by the midwives that were going to lift you up. “Push for me, baby.” He whispered, holding you and you felt the strength to push down against your pelvis, feeling a slight movement as you breathed in and on the breath out, you pushed down; grinding your teeth until you were groaning. “Come on, baby.” He squeezed your forearm and you pushed again, until you felt something the size of a ball exit your body and for the last time, you pushed until a new cry splintered the room. The midwife pulled the crying baby from you and held it up to determine the sex. Her face dropped.

“A beautiful, healthy, baby girl.” You would be lying if you said you were ecstatic at the reveal, but you weren’t too disappointed either. You worried more about Aemond’s reaction so you looked up to find him crying, his eye patch lifted onto his shoulder as he squeezed his real eye and sapphire eye with his index finger and thumb.

“Bring her to me.” You said, your body now in a dull ache. Wrapped in silk cloth and cleaned and beautifully pink, your baby laid in your arms, her little fingers clutching on her blanket as you looked down at her. Your breath was taken from you when her eyes opened and reached for her mother, a sob emitted from your throat as the realisation that this perfect baby was yours to love and nurture. She was yours to admire. She was all yours.

“Gods, she is perfect.” Aemond whispered, bring his hand to the top of her head. He held her head gently, his thumb stroking the tiny strands of hair that she came out with. He reached down and kissed her forehead, kissing your cheek as he made his way back up to sitting. “Well done, my love. Well done.” He placed butterfly kisses on your neck and both of you relished in this silence as you both looked upon the most precious jewel you made. A little tiny human that shared both of you, she had no idea about the world she was born in. But that was okay. Because her mother and father would protect her until she didn’t need it anymore.

~

The church filled with people up and down the Red Keep as the baptism waited to take place. Behind a curtain, you stood draped in a most magnificent white gown and white headdress with your wonderful husband at your side, dressed in white as well. It had been four weeks since the birth of your daughter and four weeks in confinement as your body mended after the trauma of the birth, you still ached down below but you had to make an appearance at your daughters baptism. This would be the first time anyone other than your husband and child had seen you, so you wanted to make an impression with this massive gown.

“Congratulations.” King Viserys croaked from behind, he came limping in on his wooden walking stick with his Queen by his side. He had been ill straight after the birth and was kept hidden away until he got better. “I have seen my beautiful granddaughter and isn’t she just marvellous? I’ve always favoured girls.” He smiled before looping around you to get in the official formation. It would go the High Septon in front, then King and Queen with the baby and then you and Aemond behind. To be blessed properly, the baby had to be in the arms of either monarch. Before the doors opened, Aemond took your hand.

“How are you feeling?” He questioned, you looked up at your handsome husband.

“A bit sore, but I’m okay. You?” He brought your hand to his lips and kissed them.

“I’m always fine, my darling. Always fine if you are.” He kissed again, before pinching your cheeks. “You look beautiful.” You blushed like a teenage girl, your heart beating as you breathed in. He reached down and kissed your cheek.

“I’m actually nervous for this. No one has seen me in forever.” You said, wringing your hands.

“Cut yourself a break. You just gave birth and you look fucking beautiful.” A thought passed his mind, it showed in his eyes and he leaned down to whisper. “You’re so beautiful, I would fuck you right here, right now. Harder than I’ve ever done before.” He smirked, whisper kissing your neck. “If you weren’t still in pain, of course. So once you’re better, wait for what I’ll do to you.” You inhaled as he straightened up, as if he hadn’t just said all that in a room full of people.

A few moments beat by and a cute gurgle caused both of you to turn around and see your bundle of joy in the arms of her nanny, Aemond smiled instantly and took her from the nanny. You watched as your husband cradled your daughter, bouncing her gently in his arms as he stalked towards you, his eyes stuck on his stunning daughter.

“I’ll never get over her beauty.” He said to you, you met him in the middle and stroked the top of her head with your fingers. Her features were becoming more shaped like yours, her little hands still grasped at her lace outfit and white silk blanket that was the same cut as yours. You leaned down and kissed her button nose. Aemond never looked away from her and you wished you could freeze this moment of Aemond and your baby; him looking at her with great love and admiration and her looking up at him with saucer eyes full of wonder and curiosity.

“You’re so good with her.” You whispered, nestling your index finger in her tiny fist. She squeezed hard on it and you smiled like she had recognised you were her mother.

“Thank you.” Aemond looked up suddenly, tears welling in his eye.

“What for?” You cocked your head to the side.

“For giving me our daughter, Hope and for showing me that love wins every time. Thank you for being the most perfect jewel of a woman in the entire world. Thank you for giving me a beautiful family.” Both of you were crying, silently as the tears stream down your cheeks and you rested your head on his chest, looking at your daughter with pride blooming in your chest. Stroking her tiny hands and watching as she dozes deep into a sleep. You and your perfect family. Safe. Loved. Prideful. Grateful. And most importantly, happy.

[hyperactively-me]

Hi! I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your series of King! Ghost x princess AU.

I'm watching Bridgerton right now and I wanted to ask if you could write something like them planning a big ball and when it starts, Ghost seeing reader in beautiful dress, all pretty, going down the stairs, all eyes on her, looking at her in awe. (Main character vibes, yk what I mean.) Like him falling in love with reader again!

king!ghost x reader -- ball

warnings: none

The fabric of your gown rustles as you settle into the seat of your vanity, the strings of your corset being pulled from behind by a helpful maid. As she secures the last knot, she takes a step back, bows, and leaves you to finish getting ready. 

You shift in your seat, trying to even out the feeling of the corset pressing into your ribs and abdomen where you were stabbed a month and a half ago, sighing with relief when it eases into a more comfortable sensation. Turning your attention to your hair, you sweep it away from your face, adjusting the tiara sitting proudly atop your head. 

Standing up from your vanity, you look in the mirror for a final inspection. You trace the delicate patterns on your gown with your fingertips, the golden threads and intricate embroidery garnering your gown seemingly glittering with a life of their own, embodying the glory fit for the queen of Kastron.

The idea of hosting a ball in your honor was daunting to you, to say the least, but many members of the royal council insisted on it. They wanted to commemorate your first year as queen of Kastron, and while you could hardly believe that you’ve been here for a year, the reflection in the mirror tells a different story. You’ve grown and learned so much from Kastron, and without it, you’re sure you’d be extremely unhappy back in your home kingdom. Without Kastron, and without Simon’s guidance, you would’ve never thought that you would be this educated, this aware of the world. At home, being kept in a protective bubble for the sole reason of being a woman, was destructive and insulting to you. 

As you stand before the mirror, your gaze lingers on the place where the corset conforms to the contour of your healed wound. The memory of the stabbing is a reminder of the strength and courage coursing through you. The discomfort is a small price to pay for the contentment you have with yourself.

With a small breath, you turn away from the mirror, ready to step into the grand ballroom.

A footman standing outside your door ushers you to the double doors guarding the grand staircase you are supposed to enter. As you stand behind the doors, doubts creep in, and you find yourself hesitating. The bustling sounds of the ballroom makes you realize that all of these people are here just to see you. You know that Simon is down there, waiting for you, but the mere fact that this is something you have to do on your own is a little scary. The whole prospect of your grand entrance suddenly feels overwhelming.

The footman notices your hesitation and offers a reassuring smile. “Your majesty?” 

You don’t turn to look at him, fingers digging into the fabric of your dress. 

“I just… walk down the staircase, right?”

“Yes, your majesty.”

You nod, taking a breath.

“Okay… but what if I fall?” you ask, twisting your hands in your grip, looking up at him.

The doorman pauses and his gaze softens.

“Your majesty, a fall is unlikely. Stand tall, proud. You’ve done so much for our kingdom. Take each step with confidence, just how you’ve led Kastron alongside His Majesty. I believe in you.”

You didn’t expect your eyes to get a little watery from his words, but his genuine encouragement strikes a chord deep within you. A small, grateful smile forms on your lips as you blink back the unexpected tears. 

“Thank you,” you whisper, and the doorman bows with reverence. 

With newfound resolve, you straighten your posture, shoulders back, and take a final deep breath. You focus on the supportive words from the doorman and on spotting your husband.

In the ballroom below, Simon stands as stiff as a board beside the end of the staircase, hands clasped behind his back. He’s dressed head to toe in his military and royal regalia, a perfect blend of his identity. He scans the ballroom with an air of impatience, just dying to catch sight of you at the top of the staircase. Simon hasn’t seen you all evening, much to his dismay. You had giggled about wanting it to be a surprise for everyone, including him. He had grumbled at first, saying how it wasn’t fair to him, but he relented with an infatuated twinkle in his eye. 

Simon finds his thoughts drifting to you, lost in a little daydream, when suddenly the doors at the top of the staircase slam open. A blare of trumpets sound, and your full name and title is announced by a guard. 

As the doorman opens the doors, revealing the anticipation of the grand staircase, you step forward into the light cascading from the crystal chandeliers in the ballroom. Your hesitation transforms into a purposeful stride, each step guided by the realization of how much you’ve truly done and accomplished in the past year. The glamor of the ballroom unfolds before you, and the collective gasp from the attendees echoes in the cavernous room. The ballroom, now in full view of you, welcomes you with thunderous applause. But in that instant, all he sees is you—radiant, confident, and a symbol of exultation.

Simon swears he blacks out the moment you catch his eyes, his breath catching in his throat. The applause is deafening, but the only sound Simon registers is the rapid beating of his heart. His gaze, usually commanding and unyielding, softens into an expression of pure and unadulterated adoration. All around him, the court and guests might see a king, but in that moment, he feels like anything but.

As you descend the staircase, the eyes of the court, nobles, and dignitaries are fixated upon you. The rich fabric of your gown trails behind you, and the golden threads reflect like liquid sunlight, catching the glinting chandeliers above. 

Simon watches you intently, his eyes fixed on you with an intensity that could rival a forest fire, each step you take closer to him causing his heart constrict in his chest, threatening to burst. In this moment, you are not just the queen of Kastron; you are the center of his whole universe.

His mind races, replaying the past year he’s spent with you. The memories of challenges and blossoming love flood his thoughts. Simon thinks about the times you stood by his side, the strength you showed even in vulnerability, and the unwavering support that gave him new purpose, an anchor of his rule. He’s overcome with gratitude for having you as his wife, his confidante, and his love. The responsibilities and trials of his status fade into insignificance compared to the depth of emotion that resting his eyes upon you elicits.

As you reach the bottom of the staircase, and your hand finds his, Simon feels a surge of warmth engulf him. You stand before him, a vision of resilience and beauty. Simon bows deeply and reverently before you, nose brushing against your knuckles as he presses a delicate kiss to your hand.

You smile, cheeks warming at his revere. Simon lifts his gaze to meet yours, his eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and profound love. “My queen,” he murmurs, his voice a low, resonant timbre that resonates intimately between the two of you.

“Simon,” you reply, your voice a soft utterance that only he can hear. 

Simon straightens, a proud and genuine smile gracing his features. “Shall we, love?” he asks, offering his arm. You accept it with a graceful nod, and together you make your way to the center of the dance floor, leading the opening dance. As the music envelops you both, Simon leans in, his words meant only for you. “You look absolutely stunning tonight,” he compliments, his eyes never leaving yours.

You chuckle, the intimate moment lighting up your insides. “Thank you! And you are the epitome of regality. This uniform suits you well.”

Simon’s quiet laughter echoes in your eardrums, the sound blending seamlessly with the music. “Only because I have such a remarkable queen by my side.”

The courtly dance begins, and Simon guides you with practiced elegance. As you move in tandem, whispers of admiration from the onlookers fade into the background. It’s just the two of you, caught in a lovestruck dance. 

As the opening dance nears its end, Simon pulls you closer into him, his gaze unwavering. “To think,” he muses, “a year ago, we were at odds with one another. And tonight, we stand here together.”

You smile softly, the shared sentiment passing between you, unspoken yet deeply understood. “And look how far we’ve come since then,” you reply, your voice soft yet resolute.

Simon guides you into a twirl, your dress rippling across the floor at your feet. When he pulls you back in, you don’t hesitate leaning against him unabashedly. 

“Do you remember our first dance at the first wedding?” he whispers, a hint of nostalgia evident in his eyes.

“Vividly,” you reply, an amused smile playing on your lips. Your first dance was definitely something; you were scared out of your mind, and Simon had promised that you wouldn’t trip, and he made sure of it. You think that it was one of the first moments that you had felt a slight emotion for him other than disdain. 

Simon’s expression softens, his eyes holding a hint of humor. “I remember thinking I had never seen someone so captivating. Even then, you held a grace that inspired me. And, I have to admit, your spirit was quite something. Made me appreciate the fact that you were so combative to begin with, that you’re someone who’s unafraid of standing up for themself.”

You laugh at his admission, the memory of your initial clashes and the unexpected turn of events that brought you to this dance. “Spirit?” you tease, “I prefer to call it determination.”

Simon grins, his fingers gently tracing patterns on your back as the music slightly shifts. “Determination, then. It’s one of the things that drew me to you. You never backed down, not even when faced with this idiot of a man at times.”

“As if I could back down,” you reply, squeezing his hand in yours. “You weren’t exactly making it easy. Your jawline is what really sold you to me.” 

Simon’s laughter resonates through the room, a rich and genuine sound, his fingers tracing circles on your back as you continue to sway with the music. “My jawline?” he repeats bewilderedly. “Well, ‘m glad it worked in my favor.”

You chuckle, reveling in the lighthearted banter. “It was a contributing factor, let’s say that.”

Simon’s gaze deepens, his tone turning earnest. 

“In all seriousness, though,” he begins, the mirth in his eyes giving way to a more vulnerable expression, his voice a soft murmur meant for your ears alone. “There was always something about you. Through every challenge you’ve stood strong. And in your strength, I’ve found my own. Just knowing you has changed me for the better, and for that I am grateful, not just as a king, but as a man who found his equal, his partner. I’m so proud of you.” 

You don’t know what to say, getting choked up by the tears pricking the corners of your eyes. Simon notices the tears welling up in your eyes, and he cups your cheek tenderly. His thumb brushes away a stray tear, and you bite your bottom lip. Your love for each other, immeasurable and boundless, spills over into every glance, every touch, and every step of the dance. Your heart swells at his words, and you find yourself staring into his eyes, captivated by the depth of emotion reflecting in them.  

“God, Simon. I love you so much,” you finally manage to whisper, the weight of your feelings breaking through. Simon’s eyes soften even further, and he leans in to press a gentle kiss to your forehead.

“I love you too,” he murmurs against your skin, his hold on you tightening. As the dance concludes, the courtiers erupt into applause. Simon guides you off the dance floor, his arm wrapped around you protectively. You exchange glances filled with unspoken understanding, squeezing his hand once more. You lean into him, moving to rest your head against his shoulder, a serene smile gracing your lips. The warmth of Simon’s embrace, the quiet hum of the music in the background, and the knowledge that you’ve found your person makes you forget all about your anxieties. At that moment, it feels like the two of you are the only people in the universe.

- - - - -

(masterlist)

taglist: @analyseeeesworld @dragonstoneshortcake

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 13 (A Landgraab Curse?!)

For an uncle she didn't know she had until she was in her teens, Heather's Uncle Karl had become one of her favourite people. He'd been there the day she first met Malcolm in the park, and she could trust him with her insecurities about love and relationships.

"It was so uncomfortable, Uncle Karl! She was awful! And he can be so much like her!" she complained, shoveling a spoonful of yogurt into her mouth between breaths. "And she looked so excited at the prospect of selling my clinic!"

Karl and his husband Mortimer listened, waiting for a chance to interrupt. Finally, she took a drink of orange juice long enough to get a word in. "If he doesn't make you happy, you don't have to stay with him," Karl said.

"He doesn't make me unhappy," she argued. "And it's his mother I really can't stand."

Karl and Mortimer shared a wistful glance. "His father doesn't sound so bad," Karl offered charitably as he stood. Heather groaned. "Sorry, sweetie, I've got to run to work. Mortimer doesn't need to leave just yet, so don't feel like you need to rush through your breakfast."

He embraced his niece quickly before he threw on a tie, kissed Mortimer, and raced out the door. Mortimer smiled, fiddling absently with a brick of clay while he considered Heather's night with the Landgraabs. "Can I tell you a story?" he asked.

Mortimer, the writer, a lover of stories, would never think of telling his husband's niece what to do with her life, but Heather was all too eager to hear what he had to say. "Is it a good story?"

"That'll depend on your perspective," he admitted. "My great-grandmother, Lady Ravendancer, died in an attempt at magic gone wrong. Before she died, she passed down a story of a Landgraab ancestor, Lord Demetrius Landegraab, and his bitter feud with a pirate queen named Clarissa Darktide. Demetrius and Clarissa clashed over shipping in the Simlandia Sea, and their hatred grew with each passing season."

Heather listened intently as Mortimer recalled his great-grandmother's tale. "Clarissa had a daughter, Misty, and Demetrius had a son, Dacian. These two didn't care about their parents' constant feuding and fell in love, but they kept their relationship from their antagonistic parents. Lord Demetrius had Clarissa banned from half the ports in Simlandia, and Clarissa had enough. She couldn't compete with Demetrius' growing empire, so she sought out a pod of mermaids who placed a curse on Demetrius and his descendants."

"But the pirate queen didn't know her daughter was dating the lord's son!"

Mortimer nodded. "Misty was pregnant when the mermaids laid the curse, and as long as Demetrius and Clarissa's descendants have survived, as the story goes, so has their cursed fate."

Heather smiled. "It is a good story, but I don't believe in curses." As she said it, Malcolm’s own words at the Romance Festival – that his name was a blessing and a curse – flashed through her mind. "No...it can't be true." She forced a laugh.

"My great-grandmother was a lover of tall tales," admitted Mortimer. "But you should still be careful with the Landgraabs. My family has nothing to do with them today, but our histories are littered with conflict."

"Sounds like an even longer story might be in order for another time," said Heather with a grin.

"I could write a book! The only reason I don't is the Landgraabs would sue until Bella and the kids lost the house. Your life is your business, but your uncle would never forgive me if I didn't at least warn you they can be trouble, with or without a curse. The Goth x imprint and its board refuses to do business with the Landgraabs for a lot of reasons."

Heather wished she could say the same about her clinic, but she shook off the story and returned home. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: My Landgraab family tree plays on Sims lore and tries to connect known canon Landgraabs. Demetrius and Clarissa and their children are supposed to be from The Sims Medieval but to simplify the tree for this playthrough they're colonial era pirates and nobles.

NOTE 2: Quick recap on Karl and Mortimer. I gave Neal (Heather's dad) a long-lost brother late in Gen 1 who had been a random townie tossed into the world by the game and given the last name Nesbitt. Felt like fate, had to use him. When I put Karl onto a residential lot and checked his stats he was friends with Mortimer and they had a romance bar. So I invited Mortimer over, had them flirt, and suddenly the notification pops up that they're soulmates (thank you @janesimsten's Soulmates mod!)

So I played out Mortimer having an affair, telling and leaving his wife and remarrying Karl at their penthouse in the city, but Bella was never all that bothered by the divorce and they're still great friends. His kids are also cool with it (Cassandra, Alexander, and a third son Bella had when the older two were teens named Dexter) but he doesn't get to see them very often since they're in Brindleton Bay and he's in San Myshuno.

[dreamgirllz]

Dark Red

Roses are red, your ex’s blood is to, I know because I killed them for you (I got this quote from someone yandere pick up lines on Reddit)

I love fluff so much but I can’t lie on how much I love yanderes 😍

This is for muzan, sanemi, Gyutaro, and zenitsu

Muzan

It’s one in a million chance Muzan would ever find a human beautiful. His first option was devouring you but instead he chose to make you his ‘wife’. After winning over your parents he was aloud to move you away from your home. You didn’t know him well because the marriage process was quick.

For the first months of your marriage he spoiled you with clothes jewelry and anything you could ever wish for. But he kept you from your family. Every time you’d asked to at least send them a letter or visit them, he’d make you feel bad for trying. ‘I’m so sorry If I’m making you unhappy, you want to leave me because I haven’t been good to you.’ You try reassuring him you just want to visit but he always makes you feel ungrateful so you stay home miserable.

One day your parents decide they want to visit you. They could have gotten away with it only if they didn’t send a letter saying they’re coming. Of course Muzan got the letter then destroyed.

And that same night Muzan heads to your parents home and walks in uninvited. They were in the middle of packing their things for travel. ‘You should have never considered coming over’ He says in a hash tone scaring your parents.

They were confused on how he got in their house and why he was there. ‘She’s doing just fine in my care, she’s happy and she doesn’t need you’. After saying that he turned your mother into a demon because she tried to protest against his words. Right after your mother turned she quickly devoured your father.

‘I was going to let you live-.’ His words were cut off by your mother trying to say your name. Even as a demon you were on her mind. Her eyes filled with tears as she yelled your name. Muzan killed her, his rage was visible. Was it to much to ask to keep one human to himself.

Muzan was back home in seconds, but the door appeared right in front of you. He did this on purpose just to have your attention. ‘Love I think it’s time I take you where you belong.’ His eyes were red yet his expression was filled with love. You tried to run but he had you cornered in your room. ‘Let us go to my real home where you’ll be well respected, and treated like a queen.’

You shivered in fear as he proceeded to lift you and walk inside of the mysterious door. It was like a nightmare stepping into some other dimension. It was cold and the atmosphere had a haunting effect upon you. ‘Your real life begins here.’

Another door opened up and led you both to a stage like setting. Where he sat you down at. ‘You’ll meet your loyal subjects, they’ll devote their lives to you. And serve you to no end.’

[butterflypeatea3456]

Yandere! Alicent x Yandere! Rhaenyra x Reader x Yandere! Criston

Part 2 (There will probably be a 3rd)

As the years went by it’s be a lie to say it was all smooth sailing. Though in the present you lived a more than comparable life. Between the lavish gowns of emerald green and ruby red. All gifts from Alicent and Rhaenyra, often they loved to personally dress you in. And a large chamber right between theirs. That you and Ser Cole often shared.

When Alicent and Viserys married, you ended up spending more time with Rhaenyra. As Alicent became more busy with matters of the kingdom, that concerned the young Queen. As much as you tried to mediate the tension between the two. It pushed you further into Criston’s arms. Not that he minded, using the situation to his benefit. Often you spent time with him, especially during meals. He tried his hardest not too bad mouth Rhaenrya in front of you. After she rejected his plan of the three of you running away together.

Little did you know you are a big chunk of what caused these tensions. As a married woman, Alicent was not permitted to spend as much time with you. Always in the corner of her eyes, she saw Rhaenrya you around without her. She and Ser Cole agreed that you were getting too far away. More and more often you started being called to the Queen’s champers. With Alicent’s reasons stemming from only liking the way, you brewed her tea. To help her dress for the day. During these times in her chambers, she’d send all the other servants away and Ser Cole would be the only guard present.

The ever going rift between the three disheartened you. They were really the only people in the castle that made your stay enjoyable. But the issues they had with one another were things you couldn’t remedy from your perspective. You were growing ever aware of how close by the Queen, Princess, and Knight kept you. Not you minded, as odd as the behaviors struck you at time.

They made you feel important, more than a mere Lady could ever dream of. But it also made you afraid, if you lost favor between them it could very well be a factor. In when your maidenhood would end and you would have to wed. If you no longer seemed to wield influence to your family or proximity to the throne.

It seemed like one day the problems between Rhaenrya, Alicent, and Cristion came to a full stop. Much to your confusion, one day the two women were icy towards each other. And the next you all walked the Red Keep arm in arm. With Alicent on your left, Rhaenrya on the right, while Cristion followed closely.

What you didn’t know is that Rhaenrya overheard a conversation between her father, your's, and Otto Hightower. She was simply going to speak with her father at another time till your name was mentioned. She already had a strong dislike of her father’s hand. But his suggestion made her want to feed him to Syrax as a mid-day snack. He was trying to convince them to betrothed you to his son. Her only friend left under the control of that man. She was convinced that you’d be treated terribly, so much so that she immediately went to tell Alicent.

When Alicent heard the news she felt a flurry of emotions. You were one of the only things untouched by her father. But in a sense, you’d be closer to her. But what if your marriage made you as unhappy as she was? Rhaenrya put a comforting hand on her old friend’s shoulder. An olive branch, Alicent realized, that you would be soon be married off. If not to her brother then some other lord. That would surely keep you away from her, and Alicent could not stand this, she wouldn’t.

Ser Criston was then brought into the conversation. She was aware that he, she, and Rhaenrya felt strongly about you. And that Criston and Rhaenrya had spent some ‘time’ together. Alicent never held any of those feelings for her guard, or men in general. But she felt a growing need for you. Rhaenrya devised a bold plan to keep you with them. That Ser Cole would ‘convince’ your suitors or betrothed to change their mind. While Alicent convinced the King to allow Criston to marry. In particular, marry you. And you would continue to live in the castle between the three of them.

Criston could almost not believe what he was hearing. That he could continue to be a knight but have you forever. Granted he knew that he wasn’t the only one between the Queen and Princess. But you would be his to love, worship, protect, sire children with. All he had to do was get his hands a little dirty, but Criston was sure the mother would forgive him. After all, it was out of duty and protection.

[t4transsexual]

have you ever dated cis women? when did you decide to be t4t?

i have dated a couple of cis women, one for a little while and we didnt get on because she was one of those fems who doesnt want their butch/masc/transmasc partner to have feelings and needs and also didnt want me to say no to sex and we didnt last long because i was deeply unhappy with her

as for when i decided to be t4t, i guess its probably about time i open up about the specific instance(s) that lead to me deciding to be exclusively t4t, because i havent actually talked about what pushed me to make the shift into exclusively dating trans people. i was trying to run a more positive page and frankly i wasnt really ready to talk about this so publicly, especially with the terf/transphobe interaction i get almost all the time on this account, but i figure i can now and ill probably turn off replies if i can figure out how

tw for graphic description of sexual assault and transphobia under the cut

when i started medically transitioning, i decided to try dating guys again. keep in mind i had a lot of comphet before deciding i was t4t; i basically only really beat that around 2022 when i turned 20. and i matched with a cis guy on tinder, who looked like he had a lot of personality judging by his photos i was 18, almost 19 at the time

literally the first thing this man says to me, after i tell him im trans, is "oh, cool, i love femboys." red flag #1. i said, "im not a femboy, i present masculinely, dont call me that." he apologized, and we moved on

at some point, we're talking about sex. he says hes very subby and a size queen. all fine, i told him i was a stone top/dom, i didnt really like experiencing penetration and it was painful for me due to a condition i had at the time. he says thats fine, everythings good. this will be important later

later, he tells me he told his parents i was trans. i asked him why, given that he both didnt ask me first and said his parents were transphobic. he says "my mom asked, was i just supposed to lie?" i say, yes. he apologizes, i /really/ want to call the whole thing off at this point but he seemed nice enough that maybe he just didnt know trans dating as well as i did

the entire relationship, he just says transphobic shit. he told me that he "understood why people didnt want to date trans people, because its a lot of baggage." he was an active alcoholic by the way. and also dating a trans person. he would neg me for being trans and then turn around and say that i was such a hot guy. he even misgendered me one time, and got upset at me for getting pissed about it, and made me believe i was overreacting. he made me believe that he was doing me a favor by ever dating me

at some point, we're at my parents house, and he tells me he wants to fuck me with his penis. i tell him no, that i dont want to, that i dont know about it, that im scared, pretty much anything i can say to get him to reconsider, but he argued and said itd be good for me and that i can choose which hole but it became very clear to me that i had no choice. so i said he could fuck my pussy

it was excruciating. it hurt so bad, but i knew i couldnt say no. he couldnt stay hard unless he was degrading me and i didnt want him to, so he kept making me jerk him off so he could keep raping me

eventually he stopped, and i wasnt even really aware i had been raped at first. ive been sexually abused by several people in my life and generally it has taken me a while to accept when ive been sexually abused by a person. so we kept dating like normal, long distance btw, but my mental health was deteriorating. i was suicidal for the first time in a while. i was self harming again. i couldnt stop thinking about killing myself.

eventually, he breaks up with me for being suicidal. he says im guilt tripping him or something, i dont remember. and that was december of 2021

we go no contact. i still dont realize he raped me. but i knew that there was something deeply wrong in the way our relationship was

right after him, i dated a trans woman who we went to the same high school. just the difference in how i was treated by her than by him, with her she treated me like i was an actual equal in the relationship. with him, he felt he was superior to me; like he "owned" me, or something

we broke up, we werent really compatible, but when i got with her, she taught me what being t4t was, and the implicit understanding and the comfort and safety i felt. after we broke up was when i decided i didnt like men, and still remained t4t after

i realized what he did to me was rape nearly a year later. he correctively raped me for being a stone top, more specifically, and i dont think he wouldve been "empowered" to rape me if i was a cis man, or even a cis woman. i understand that the "off" feeling i felt throughout that relationship was because he, as a cis person, felt superior over me as a trans person, and felt that if he wanted to fuck me, i shouldnt get a say. he talked about doing other actions to me that i didnt want done at the time, certainly not by him, and if we werent long distance, he probably wouldve raped me several more times

being with my current girlfriend, we click in a way that i havent felt with any cis person, the women included. she definitely isnt going to rape me for being trans. ive undergone physical therapy so that if i ever got raped again, it wouldnt hurt as bad, and it worked and ive actually enjoyed bottoming (consensually) with my girlfriend. she makes me feel very safe, and we understand each other and each others needs as trans people very well, and being with her has helped me process the time i was raped, and the several other times ive been sexually abused by other people

now that ive had time to process these things, i would say that i dont feel the same way around trans people (including me) dating cis people anymore. when i first started this account, i wouldve never admitted this then btw, i fully did not think trans people should date cis people, because i had fostered such a deep distrust of cis people as a result of that whole relationship and assault. i believed cis people would always be bad partners to trans people, but i dont believe that anymore. in the very unlikely circumstance i find myself single again, i may even consider dating a cis woman again. but probably not, because ive grown to really like the implicit understanding that we as trans people get with other trans people

thats why im t4t, and when i became t4t was around the beginning of 2022

[book-of-baba-fett]

New tag game. Pick 5 songs you think would be used for fancam videos if your OC was canon and tag 5 people

@purgetrooperfox tagged me in this like months ago but I kept remembering it and thinking “oh I want to do that” but I didn’t realize it was months ago until I just looked for it 😂

1. Boss Bitch - Doja Cat

* This one is the ideal action fan cam. it’s one of my favorite songs to hype myself up on my gym playlist, and I feel like this would be used for action scenes with Talia, especially the bounty hunter chase scene from chapter 5 where she’s fighting in her going out dress.

2. I am not a woman, I’m a God - Halsey

* I could go on for hours about how criminally underrated If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power is as an album, tbh so many of these songs were background writing/brainstorming music because they’re so well written and the sound is so good, if you haven’t listened I totally recommend. This song in particular is amazing, and I feel like it would be great for those kinda female rage edits, or angsty ones showing off Talia’s power in juxtaposition with how she’s feeling left out of the Order.

3. Unknown Soldier - Breaking Benjamin

* Taking a break from Talia to show Storm a little love, and this is a bit of a cop out because i’ve talked about this song in general for the clones before but I think it works very well for Storm’s character because what was all his fighting for? He was originally in the wolf pack, and only missed abregado because he was promoted to a captain and just moved to the 412th to miss the event that killed most of the men he had just served with, and he has some guilt over that. Then with the 412th, he wasn’t on the ground when Maul attacked and massacred the men, leaving Talia injured, so that’s another realm of guilt he has.

He’s the soldier that always pushes on, even when the galaxy moves on around him. I don’t know if i’ll ever get to write much of his and Rhys’s story, but he has a chance for life outside the army but it’s complicated and he’s the type of noble man that couldn’t leave his brothers behind even if his own happiness is lost. and he does make it to the end of the war, but for those that read IA you know that his ending is not happy, no matter that outcome of the unknown.

4. illicit affairs - taylor swift

* I know, a shocker. BUT I actually was debating for awhile if I would include a taylor song here and which one, and this did really feel like the right one because I could include why i titled the fic this, because rex and talia’s relationship doesn’t totally mirror the relationship in the song, because that definitely seems like a more unhealthy and unhappy affair. but the passion of the bridge is what spoke to me (which is why I linked a video of taylor singing the bridge on tour), and I think there is an argument to I healthy aspects of Rex and Talia’s relationship on both sides, but I think that’s due to their environment and also they’re both young people who’ve never loved before. but the bridge really speaks to the passion they feel, and would be used so much for edits particularly around the breakup chapters and flashing back to happier times.

5. Good Luck, Babe!- chappell roan

* ok I had the throw this in here because @queen--kenobi and I have tossed this around as being used as an edit for Talia and her OC Kau’ra. i have to preface this as saying both Talia and Kau’ra do love their hetero partners, BUT if they were canon you KNOW how fandom would treat them and their creators even talk about it lmaoo so you KNOW good luck babe edits of them would be all over the feed.

no pressure tags; @enigmaticexplorer @rexxdjarin @ulchabhangorm @galacticgraffiti @certified-anakinfucker @eternal-transcience @queen--kenobi

[leafkingofbirds]

Title: Clearing the Air

Book: The Cursed Heart book 2

Word count: 2,500

Warnings: none.

Spoiler warning: none.

Summary: Kieran learns about Oleander's use of magic against Ella. And he is not happy.

Tagging @valiant-noble-soul as requested! I hope you like it!

I'm not 100 percent confident it's as good as it was in my head, but continuing to mess around with it probably isnt helping soo here it is!

~~~

Kieran didn’t make a sound as Ella changed the blood-soaked bandages throughout the night and the next morning after the attack. Even as she peeled the bandages from the sticky mess of blood and cleaned the long, jagged tear in his flesh that spanned from shoulder to hip as best she could, he bore all the pain in complete silence. 

Almost like he was paying penance.

It had been a whirlwind few days. The frolic, the attack, the funeral…navigating Kieran’s complicated grief and his terrible wounds. So much tragedy in such a short time had taken a toll. And it had been enough to push that terrifying moment in the hallway with Oleander out of Ella’s mind completely. The horror at being frozen against her will, the gnawing panic of being helpless which lasted mere moments, but in her memory felt endless. Absolute powerlessness in the face of capricious Fae. Even if Oleander was Kieran’s friend, they were very obviously not hers. If they had kept her there much longer, she wouldn’t have been able to keep herself from begging.

In light of everything else that’d happened, that fleeting incident seemed unworthy of mention. Kieran was already shouldering so much; there was no reason to add to it.

But this morning she’d awoken with a sickening dread, memories of Radiance's cruelty brought fresh the surface. That moment of helpless fear, frustration, and revulsion at having her bodily autonomy stolen once again, just as Radiance had done, weighed on her like a sodden cloak as she dressed and readied herself to travel to the Sun Palace. 

“It will be different this time,” she told her reflection firmly, even as her insides quaked.

Oleander had been somewhat gentler to her since the funeral. Ella couldn’t be sure, but she wondered if they harbored some amount of guilt.

“There’s no reason to be afraid,” Ella reminded herself. 

The Moon Source had healed Kieran, thank goodness. The fresh new power he’d siphoned directly from the Source had renewed and reinvigorated him, deepening his already intense aura of power.

It was a relief – and at the same time, frightening. The Prince of Night was always a sight to behold, his presence overwhelming even when he was loving and gentle with her. But this morning the air around him felt almost electrified. He was on edge, as unhappy about returning to the Sun Palace as she was. When he entered her room, he seemed to carry shadows with him.

But now, with Kieran’s hands comforting and strong at her waist, the intense strength of him at her back, his power felt like reassurance. Ella gazed at their solemn reflections in her floor-length mirror. The midnight-blue dress speckled with stars that he had conjured made her look like queen, but it didn’t change how she felt about herself inside. 

“Do you feel ready to face the Sun Court now, beloved?” came his husky voice in her ear.

He clearly expected her to say yes.

Fae high society is all about perceived power, she tried to tell herself. And you look powerful. Even if you don’t feel it.

All at once, the memory came back, as if to remind her just how powerless she was. Forced to her knees by a simple, off-hand command from Oleander. Control of her body stolen in the span of a breath. 

How easy it would be for Kieran to do the same. 

He would never hurt her. She knew that. 

But he could. 

And so could Oleander.

Even when she thought herself safe, within the walls of the Moon Palace, with Kieran’s oldest and trusted friend, wearing Kieran’s magic protection around her neck, she had still blundered into that trap so easily.

Oleander had driven home their point quite thoroughly: Nothing would truly keep her safe here. Not even Kieran’s magic. 

“What is it?” Kieran’s eyes narrowed, his hands clenching her waist as he sensed the shifting of her emotions. “You had a very grave look just now.”

Ella sighed. “I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”

Kieran smirked at her in the mirror, but his eyes still held a grim, anxious quality. He reached out and curled his hand around her forearm, gently. “It’s unnerving that you feel the need to hide something from me at all, beloved. Tell me. Please?”

She smiled at his attempt to soften the order. He was trying to stifle some of his bossier instincts for her. 

“The dress is stunning, and will certainly help with my confidence. It’s simply that…after what happened with Oleander…”

His pupils narrowed to sharp black points, suspicious, the heavy energy in the air growing thicker. “After what happened with Oleander?”

Ella’s eyes widened, and then she was looking at her own shocked face in the mirror before she broke away from Kieran’s arms and faced him, abashed. “I never got a chance to tell you…Everything happened so fast. But please don’t be cross with them, you’ve only just rekindled your friendship, and I–”

Now there was a flare of alarm in Kieran’s eyes along with the suspicion; his brow furrowed even deeper. “I make no promises as to being angry. But I will make an attempt at restraining myself. Now out with it.”

“The day of the frolic, after you left me alone with Oleander…They were just trying to make it plain how important it was that I’m careful to be specific with my words.”

“What did Oleander do?”

She had to look away from the fiery power of those eyes. “They demonstrated how…they could still order me to my knees and keep me there against my will, despite your charm. That it’s not foolproof, so I had best keep on my guard.”

The temperature in the room dropped. Kieran’s face drained of color; then something in his eyes went dead – became black and hard as chips of flint. His hand dropped to his side.

Without another word, Kieran turned and left the room.

“Kieran!” Ella chased after him down the hall, but he was already out of sight.

She followed the trail of cold air and ice-frosted windows, his newly-strengthed power breaking free of his control. Even the candles had been snuffed out in his wake. 

“Oleander!”

Ella broke into a run. The voice had come in the direction of Oleander’s private parlor.

She rounded the corner and came up short. 

Kieran had Oleander pinned up against the stone wall, his fist twisting at their collar and black shadows rolling off him like swirls of snowfall. 

Ella shivered, her breath fogging in the unnatural cold. “Kieran, don’t.”

Oleander met Kieran’s fury with a placid expression. Unsurprised and unafraid, their hands held up in surrender.

“Hello, Kieran,” Oleander answered, utterly calm. “I was wondering when we might have this discussion.”

“You will answer for what you did to Ella,” Kieran growled.

“Kieran, stop this” Ella reached out to grab Kieran’s shoulder, but Oleander’s eyes slid past Kieran to give her a look of warning. 

The message was clear: this was between the two of them.

“Kieran has every right to demand recompense,” Oleander said mildly. “I did, indeed, trespass against the royal consort. I accept that I must answer for it.”

“You swore to become a member of my court. My subject,” Kieran growled. “And the very next day, you force my consort to her knees against her will and in defiance of my very own magical protection.”

“As a lesson,” Oleander replied. “As you entrusted me with your consort’s education.”

Kieran practically growled. “And her safety.”

“Ella was entirely safe, as my intentions were solely instructive. You would not have entrusted me with her if you believed otherwise.” 

Ella held her breath as the Kieran glared and Oleander gaze calmly back, Kieran’s power swirling unabated and fierce. Oleander appeared not to notice. They made no move to fight back, but nor did they surrender. 

Kieran loosened his hold on Oleander’s collar, so that they could breathe a little easier, but did not let go. “I don’t quite care as to your intentions. It is in your actions that I find fault. You compelled Ella to her knees against her will. No matter how old our friendship, I cannot overlook a transgression so egregious.”

“I’m aware my actions were likely to displease you. But if I may remind you, Ella came to no harm. Twas but a momentary inconvenience. And you were about to throw Ella to the proverbial wolves, taking her to Opulence’s manor before she was properly prepared. I did what I believed was best, as I always have done. As you knew I would when you brought me into your court, Kieran.”

Kieran’s hand tightened once again, bringing Oleander’s face minutely closer. “You will address me as your prince.”

Oleander’s eyes flashed open with surprise. “Yes…my prince,” Oleander said slowly, as if to an angry animal poised to bite them. 

Ella was impressed not to detect even a hint of sarcasm. Ella herself had not always had the self-restraint not to infuse a bit of mockery into that exact phrase in the past. But then, Oleander knew at this moment they were not being held at the throat by an old friend, but by a High Prince of Fae, with all the expectations of that title, and ruled by ancient laws that they all must abide. A Ruler of All Fae.

And a very angry one, that.

“Apologize,” Kieran snapped. 

Ella stiffened. This was far too similar to the story Oleander told of how their friendship soured long ago. Oleander acting on their own, according to their own particular morals, and Kieran demanding an apology they would never give. 

She held her breath, not wanting to once again be the woman who came between the two friends…but how could she put a stop to this?

The skin around Oleander’s eyes tightened ever so slightly with annoyance, but they wisely didn’t voice any complaints. “Apologies, my prince. I overstepped.”

“Apologize to her.” 

Oleander’s eyes flicked over to Ella, breaking their contact with Kieran for the first time, and their eyebrows rose incrementally. 

“Do you know what I did to the last Fae who enthralled her?” Kieran growled, quiet and low. 

“I know enough,” Oleander replied.

Kieran’s voice was cold. “No, you don’t. So allow me to elucidate. In the Sun Palace, Radiance stole Ella’s voice. Controlled her body, just as you did. He compelled her to deliver unto me a curse that nearly destroyed me, not to mention our realm – via a confession of love. Unable to speak a single word of warning. You may know something of hardship, Oleander. But you do not know what my Ella has endured. That she remains here in the world of Fae of her own volition is a sacrifice I strive to be worthy of. Here, in her own home, under my protection, is the one place in this realm she should feel entirely safe. And I will suffer no one – not even dear old friends – to take that sense of safety away from her under my roof ever again.” 

Behind the stiff collar, Oleander’s throat moved on a swallow. There was a moment of grave silence. And when they spoke, their voice was thick, unusually sincere. “Understood. My prince.” 

At long last, Kieran released Oleander, the heavy cold air of his furious magic giving way to soft, warm sunshine through the windows once more. His jaw was still set.  “Apologize to my consort, Oleander. For it is she that you have wronged, even more than myself.”

Oleander straightened their vest with a dignified tug. Their pride unaffected, Oleander crossed one arm in front of them, the other behind, and executed a sharp, contrite bow. Then straightened and met her eye with bold respect.

Ella was rendered quite speechless. Silence reigned, until Ella realized Kieran was looking at her expectantly, waiting to see if she would accept.

“Allow me to offer my sincerest apologies at having compelled you, Your Grace. At the time, I believed the risk of angering Kieran was a small but worthy sacrifice to best impart my warning; but now I see my mistake. I did not consider the distress it would impart upon you, and that I truly regret. We Fae may be all too accustomed to thoughtless cruelty even amongst ourselves, but certainly we grow callous to it. And give far less concern to magicless mortals who have no power to protect themselves from us. No matter my ultimate purpose, Kieran is quite correct. You should not need to fear members of your own court in your own palace. Such a mistake will not happen again. This I swear."

“Of course,” Ella said somewhat breathlessly. “We perhaps got off on the wrong foot, Oleander. But I do appreciate that you risked Kieran’s wrath to try to protect me, in your own way. ”

One corner of Oleander’s mouth tugged upward just slightly, and Oleander shot Kieran a look of smug victory, as if they were silently saying, “You see? Ella understands.”

“Don’t be too angry at them, Kieran,” Ella said, smiling and winding her arm through his. “I expect most Fae wouldn’t understand how much worse it is for mortals to be inflicted with magic. I imagine you all likely get rather accustomed to cursing each other at a young age.”

Kieran huffed, unamused. “Something like that.”

“Well, they seem sufficiently contrite. And we can’t afford to chase off your one and only friend.”

Ella and Oleander shared a look then. Ella, a small smile of forgiveness and understanding; Oleander, a gleam of amusement mingling with newfound respect.

Kieran sighed shortly. “Fine. You are forgiven. But do not think to impose your will upon her again, no matter how good your intentions. For though Ella may be a singularly lenient person, this will be the one and only time I offer forgiveness.”

“Then we are again on equal footing, my old friend,” Oleander said.

To Ella’s surprise, Kieran broke into laughter, clapped them on the shoulder, and the tension was gone like snow in sunshine.  

“Come on, then,” Kieran said to them both, tightening his bicep to tuck Ella's hand more tightly into his side.

Oleander raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You mean for me to accompany you to the Sun Palace? My reputation has barely recovered. I'm not certain now is the best time for me to–”

Kieran took hold of Oleander’s shoulder and bodily steered them in the direction of the carriage, escorting Ella down the hall. “Enough of your dithering, Oleander. Now is as good a time as any. I shall need both of you to fortify me as we face those golden gates again.”

Kieran would hear no more complaint, and so Oleander acquiesced with a sigh, shooting Ella a look behind Kieran’s back. Ella hid a giggle into her palm, feeling somewhat better than she had before.

Together, Moon Court rode out toward the Sun Palace, each of them bracing to return to a place that held bad memories for them all, ready to face their demons as a united front.

[lucy-water]

HEAD CANNON ABOUT PRUSSIA x FEM AUSTRIA

I just discovered that King Frederick William III of Prussia did marry an Austrian noble lady, Countess Auguste von Harrach in 1824.

So now I cannot stop a headcanon that at one point in history Mr.Prussia married Ms. Austria. (Or Mr. Austria to Mr. Prussia. Or Ms. Austria to Ms.Prussia. Or Ms.Prussia to Mr. Austria. Whatever floats your PruAus boat).

However, the marriage between Countess Auguste and King Frederick was a sad one. As Auguste was a Catholic (she later changed to Protestant) the marriage was kept a secret at first and when the Prussian court knew about this, not many of them welcomed her. Auguste also came from a small noble house which unfit to marry a King so she was never regarded as a queen in her own right. In the Prussian court, she was ranked after all the princes and princesses of the royal family. She had to sit behind them in the opera theater and at the meal she could not sit beside the King but had to sit in the last row of the table, far away from her husband. Even King Frederick treated her coldly, never spoke to her nor looked her way when they were in public.

But despite all of the humiliation, Auguste still composed herself with kindness and kept her warm nature to everybody. Soon, she gained the respect of the court and was allowed to attend her husband's funeral. According to some accounts that I could find, she was usually sick and had frequent travel to France and Italy to visit her relatives. But some suspect that the true reason for this might come from the way she was treated at the Court. When she wrote to her family, she always tried to hide all the suffering she faced but one still can feel the sadness in her letter. Auguste did not have any children and passed away when she was 72 in 1873.

So my head cannon for the marriage between Gilbert and Annaliese would be the same as Auguste and Frederick- an unhappy kind of marriage. But I don't think Gilbert treated her badly as the King of Prussia did with his wife. I think they married a few years after 1824, and to be able to do so they did it as humans rather than as countries. Countess Auguste had tried to warn the sad fate of an Austrian marrying a Prussian to her friend, but Lady Annaliese Von Edelstein was head in the cloud for the Cavalry Colonel- Gilbert Beilschmidt, who rescued her from Paris when the Revolution happened. One could say Colonel Beilschmidt and his lady wife were a happy couple. He truly cared for her and did not give a damn about the protocol, he proudly introduced everyone to his musically talented and beautiful wife at the Prussia court, he sat with her, danced with her at the balls, and held her hand while they walking in public. Although was neglected and being treated with coldness in the Court when Gilbert not around, Annaliese still thought her life was happy like a fairy tale for the first time after many centuries of political marriages.

But everything changed around 1848, Gilbert was busy with the Schleswig war so he usually left the house. Without Gilbert's appearance, Anna was not welcome at the Court nor even in her own house. The servants listened and obeyed Lord Beilschmidt rather than the lavish Lady Beilschmidt. Some whispered she was too much like that Queen in France, spendy and only cared about herself. While her husband was on military campaigns, risking his life; she traveled on her own whim. Some even rumored that she had love affairs behind her husband's back. This put many strains on Gilbert and Anna's relationship. Every time he came home, Gilbert could not find his wife sweetly waiting for him like she used to as she was on her trips, and the rumor about her "love affair" came to his ear. So when Anna returned, both of them started to fight. He demanded to know why she kept leaving. "I just want some fresh air", Anna would only answer him like that. (Truthfully, she felt neglected and disrespected that why she ran away.)

Of course, he knew she lied, so he ordered the servants not to let her leave the house without his permission. Anna started to develop serious illnesses (mental problems were not a thing back in those days) which required her to be bedridden for many days. As countries, this is really strange as they do not usually fall ill like this. But Gilbert did not have time to dig more on the matter, he had a war to worry and the best thing he could do for Anna at that moment was brought her to the countryside for resting. She tried to run away back to Austria but the servants always guarded her carefully so Anna was never successful. Gilbert kept her there most of the time between 1848-1864 and only brought her back to Berlin or Vienna when ordered by his King. At this point, Prussia and Austria were in alliance, Anna was being told to make Gilbert feel more at ease with her so Austria would have more advantage in the political situation. In short, even when stayed in Vienna, Anna could not find any help and had to return back with Gilbert. Life with Gilbert in the countryside could never be said horrible, he spoilt her to the root every time he was around her, but Anna felt suffocated. She knew that once Gilbert back to his campaign, the people around her would treat her with coldness and she would be left alone again. She missed the time when she could gather all the ladies at the court and had a small music concern, she missed the walk in the Vienna woods, she wanted to see the newest opera and discussed with all her lady friends, stay up late at night read books in the library, or just wandering around Vienna and admire the beauty of Cathedrals and Palaces. Anna missed her freedom.

The situation between Austria and Prussia got worse by the end 1864. Austrian Court demanded Anna to be returned but Gilbert decided to keep her closer to him to make her a bargaining chip if the situation called for. He moved her to a more rural area and made sure she could not hear any news from Berlin or Vienna. Even put soldiers to guard her instead of normal servants. The Austrian Government sent men to rescue her, but since Gilbert hid her too well all the attempts had to be abandoned. Anna decided to plan her escape on her own. Somehow she succeeded this time and ran far away as best as she could just to realize, she lost. When Gilbert found her again, she already passed out from hunger and dehydration. He took care of her, but she refused to talk to him nor eat anything, only drank a little bit of water. A lot of drama happened here, but in the end could not see Annaliese suffering like that, Gilbert agreed to let Anna back in Vienna. A few months before the Austro-Prussian war happened.

Ludwig at first did not know much about his brother's relationship with Miss Austria except big historical event between them. However, during a summer holiday, while staying at the Beilschmidt country's house. He heard the people around told about a story of a Colonel and his mistress, the previous owner of this house. That the mistress was a noble lady from Austria, being kidnapped by the Colonel and locked here. Passed away while being held captive, the ghost of the Austrian lady was still full of hatred and haunted the place. When Ludwig asked his brother about this, he laughed and told him that just a silly old wives's tale. But Ludwig could sense that his brother was lying and when Miss Austria came to visit him, he saw the peasants nearby were afraid of her. That woman, she shared the same face as the Mistress. The peasant whispered like that and the rumor about the Austrian ghost returning to take revenge on the Colonel's descendants spread among the whole area and made Ludwig's vacation end sooner than planned. Back to Berlin, Ludwig did some of his own research and found out about his brother's marriage with Miss Austria. But until recently, Ludwig discovered that this marriage was still valid as his brother nor Miss Austria had never requested to annul this marriage yet. Now he understands why his brother can stay at Miss Austria's house without any of her protests about this.

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

Credit to Aguste Von Harrach. Here a picture that I really like about her. (Thank you lady for inspiring me to write a whole fanfic plot for my OTP. Truly hope you got your own happiness right now than the previous life you got).

[julietwiskey1]

Have you ever thought of a Brave AU with Ursa and Azula?

I haven't. Or at least not until you sent this ask, which prompted me to watch Brave for the first time. It definitely would work well for an Azula and Ursa AU with some significant changes.

Assuming that you want it to be kept mostly Canon compliant and after the war when Ursa and Azula have found there place in the Fire Nation again it could be interesting. Though it could also work for a no war AU and stay more true to the original story.

For those who don't know in Brave Princess Merida is being set up for an arranged marriage by her Mother Queen Elinor. In all Merida and Elinor clash quite a bit over the Mother training her daughter to be the perfect lady and princess. A lot of demands and Merida is not that type of girl. She is tomboyish, would rather shoot arrows from a horse then command a room. Not wanting to go through with a wedding Merida is given spell by a witch to change her mother and therefore stop the wedding. But also changes her mother to a bear and the pair have to work together to change her back. Ultimately requiring them to repair their mother daughter bond. Just the type of thing that I love in my stories about Ursa and Azula.

So emotionally and story wise I would love to see Azula and Ursa experience something likes this. And come on, Ursa is just asking to be turned into a bear with her name. Ursa I think works quite well in the slot of Elinor, she wants the best for her daughter but making Azula the perfect princess is important. It also allows them to have tender moments like Merida and Elinor did.

The real issue with making this AU work is slotting Azula into the role of Merida. While they both are forced to be the perfect princess they react to the role in opposite ways. Merida chafes at the demands and requirements, outwardly rebels and seems to do a rather poor job. Azula excels at being the prefect princes and makes it look easy while enjoying it, but is also a rather submissive character to her father and mother. Azula also represents duty above own desires, the aspect of her character that makes me love character. And one that makes this AU difficult.

For Azula an arranged marriage isn't unexpected, but rather her duty to her nation. Such notions as a marriage of love probably wasn't a thing she grew up expecting or desiring. It just was never going to happen. And quite frankly I am the wrong person to talk to about "true love" and other such babble.

So I think changing the conditions Azula finds herself contacting a witch would change. Its most likely something that comes up in a moment of weakness and seeks her out, knows what she wants even if Azula would never indicate it. And in that weakness Azula takes the witch up on the offer and Ursa is turned into a bear. And the inciting incident is a lot more subtle then an arranged marriage, these character would be better served by it coming about by a ton of just inconveniences that build up unresolved.

The story would also change what needs to be fixed between Ursa and Azula. Most importantly its communication more than anything else. Why Azula used a spell wouldn't be anything she outright admits or says, at least not for awhile. It also requires Ursa to pause and push Azula to talk and to really listen to what Azula wants and the hints that she drops. For Ursa it would be putting together the clues to know and understand why her daughter is unhappy.

[joachimnapoleon]

“This even seems a bit like pimping.”

But the princely couple in which he will be most interested is that of Joachim Murat and Caroline, the most ambitious of Napoleon's sisters with Élisa. “Impressive in her pretensions,” Claire de Rémusat says of her, still dreaming of a throne as the Grand Duchess of Berg at the beginning of the Empire. At odds with Talleyrand, she very quickly sensed the services that Fouché could render her and entered into his intimacy. "She bound him to her by a host of little confidences," Madame de Rémusat goes on to say. Fouché allows himself to be approached with pleasure and does not miss an opportunity to be useful to her by placing his proteges in her service: "I am too zealous to do what can be useful to Your Imperial Highness,” he wrote to her about one of them. “[…] I will eagerly seize the first favorable opportunity.” There are a thousand of other such examples like this. He flatters the wife, but he also flatters the husband. We will never know how far this man's indulgence went when it was useful to his interests. In August 1805, he certainly acted as intermediary between Murat and the beautiful Juliette Récamier, Madame de Staël's friend, who turned all heads and in whom Napoleon's brother-in-law took a close interest. Lucien had already fallen in love with her at the start of the Consulate. It nearly became a family affair. We find in the private letters of Fouché to Murat sentences of this kind: “I have undertaken to fulfill the mission that Your Highness has entrusted to me. I presented my compliments to Mme R[écamier]. She sent me a letter in reply, which I have the honor to address to you.” This even seems a bit like pimping. At the same time, the former member of the Convention did everything to persuade the beautiful Juliette to enter the service of Caroline Murat, who at the time already had a court and "ladies for accompaniment." It would have made the husband's business easier. He would not succeed, despite the arrangement of a timely visit by Juliette Récamier to the Château de Neuilly where Caroline Murat was then residing. It never ends with Fouché. For years he would shower Caroline with praise, especially from 1808, when she became Queen of Naples. "She is further embellished on the throne and she knows how to spread charms, even in the circles of her court," he wrote to her husband in 1809. “We hope she does not quite become Neapolitan, and keeps a memory for the Parisians who think a lot about her and who will miss her all their lives.” As he moves away from Joséphine, he gets closer to the Murats, who detest her. They took his side strongly in the divorce affair, and Joachim did not miss an opportunity to support him with Napoleon. Caroline will be flattered to have as sister-in-law a descendant of one of the great sovereign houses of Europe. This will bolster her ambitions. In Fouché's eyes, Murat is popular and easy to maneuver. From 1807 and again in the last months of 1808, he was for him the ideal candidate, if by chance Napoleon were to die in Spain. When Murat came to the throne of Naples in August, he orchestrated a veritable propaganda campaign to his glory in the press. This will also be complained of in the entourage of Napoleon. “Fouche said loudly that he alone could succeed the Emperor, that he alone would inspire the necessary fear in Europe; that he alone enjoyed the confidence of the military.” For his part, the new King of Naples has every reason to be unhappy. He wanted to be king in Poland in 1807, then king of Spain in 1808. Naples is for him only a last resort, at worst a measure of separation. He also complains of being kept on the margin by Napoleon, who does not let him govern as he pleases, and Caroline continues to stir up his ambition. But Murat is only one card in Fouché's game. He is a joker in the event of a hard blow.

—Emmanuel de Waresquiel, Fouché: Les silences de la pieuvre, 2014.

[jihyocentric]

cant stop thinking about daddy nayeon… i noticed that jihyo got a size kink so may i please request something a long the lines of nahyo bought a new toy that’s the thickest jihyo ever tried (maybe it’s a knotted toy 😳)

but anyways, nayeon is filming the process of preparing jihyo to be able to take the entire toy and when jihyo finally hilts the entire thing, nayeon is praising how pretty jihyo looks stretched around the toy and how proud she is of jihyo being able to take all of it. saying that she’s a dirty girl being all messy and unable to speak coherently

maybe jihyo squirts around the toy or is extra sensitive, up to you or you can totally ignore this. i just needed to share this bc that most recent nahyo post got me 🥵

jihyo is really the number 1 size queen, nobody likes a challenge more than her. based on this fill.

-

"hyo, talk to me!"

nayeon is nearly whining when she grips jihyo's arm, making the wolf in sheep's clothing that was her girlfriend turn her head around.

jihyo had been a pragmatic and unapproachable to nayeon ever since they've met. later on, nayeon realized that jihyo was only like that to her, and nobody else. to others, jihyo was a total sweetheart, the type of person to share big smiles and light up the room, but nayeon was an exception. and if nayeon was an exception, in her mind, that could only mean that she was special to jihyo. (she wasn't all that wrong.)

after jihyo gave nayeon a chance, an actual chance that was not only corresponding to her flirting but really making things official (and nayeon made sure jihyo wouldn't go back on her decision of becoming her girlfriend by making her sign a fake contract that she quickly wrote down on a napkin), nayeon came to the conclusion that jihyo was not that threatening or unapproachable. jihyo became a soft girlfriend who loved to be in her arms and hear anything silly nayeon had to say, and it really took nayeon by surprise.

it was when they had their first fight that nayeon realized that, despite being adorable, her so called 'babygirl' could look scary at times. it happened mostly when jihyo thought nayeon was being too much and gave her the cold shoulder, or when nayeon fed bbuyo more than what he needs and makes her cat look huge with the amount of canned food nayeon gave him (in her defense, he kept asking for more and she couldn't resist his cuteness because he was just like his owner), or when nayeon didn't stop girls from flirting with her and it made jihyo's blood boil under her skin.

that look of displeasure on jihyo's face was hot, but it was particularly scary and nayeon didn't know if she loved it or if she wanted to hide, afraid that if she said anything jihyo would get even angrier.

"you want us to make a sex tape? is that what you're suggesting?" jihyo asks, her voice low and eyes focusing on the tv nayeon had back in her room. it was smaller than the one at the living room, but it was a perfect setting for when they wanted to cuddle and watch movies.

jihyo didn't look happy to hear what nayeon had to say, but she didn't look unhappy either. she was frowning just like she did when she was angry, and had her arms crossed. unfortunately, nayeon didn't know how to explain what she wanted in a better way.

"i-i'll be away for two weeks, hyo... i just want to have something to remind me of you when i'm touring. i even bought a new toy for us to try out!" nayeon tries to sound serious but it comes out more like a blabber, and jihyo looks at her with a straight face that makes her shiver.

being clearly more mature than her girlfriend, despite their two year age gap where jihyo is the youngest, jihyo thinks about the possible consequences to nayeon's wish.

"aren't you worried about it leaking? what if someone finds the video and posts it online? nayeon, we need to be careful with those things." she says it softly, sighing because suddenly the idea of getting recorded while nayeon went down on her sounded way too appealing.

"i won't have it on my phone!" nayeon is quick to reply. "nor the computer. i bought a camera for this, and the video is staying there. it'll be even less likely to leak, you can trust me on that," she says, then clears her throat, knowing that if she showed jihyo the other item that she'd bought, maybe the younger would change her mind. "wait, i'll show you the toy."

before jihyo gets a say, nayeon gets up from the bed and runs towards her wardrobe, getting a box from there and then placing it on the bed. jihyo gets curious, sitting on her knees as she watches nayeon untie the ribbon on it, in order to open the box.

"i thought about giving it to you as a gift," nayeon says, taking the toy from the box. "it's why it's baby blue! so you'll think of me when i'm not here!"

jihyo wants to slap her own face when she sees nayeon holding a dildo while acting as if that was just a regular gift. nayeon smiled like a cute bunny, and jihyo didn't have the heart to find it ridiculous. instead, she found it precious. it doesn't even look like nayeon is the same person she calls daddy and makes her see stars in bed, but jihyo was used to that contrast already.

"is that a..." jihyo's eyes widens when she realizes there's a bump at the base of the toy. "is that a knot?"

nayeon nods. "it is! i thought you would like to... you know... get knotted by daddy."

instead of slapping nayeon anywhere her hands can reach, because nayeon does sounds ridiculous now, jihyo blushes at the dirty thought of getting that thing inside of her. all of it. it looked bigger than the biggest toy they owned before, and jihyo didn't know if she'd be able to get it in deep enough for the knot to fit, but she was definitely going to give it a try.

if it is a challenge, then jihyo won't say no.

"okay." jihyo says, taking nayeon by surprise when she seemingly agrees to indulge her.

"really, baby? can i record us?" nayeon asks, and if she had a tail it would be wagging fast at that point.

jihyo nods. "okay."

it's all jihyo says, and nayeon takes it as a permission to go get the camera. she places the box somewhere else and sets the camera in a place where it would get the bed in a good angle, where she was sure they would appear clearly and nicely.

as nayeon knew that the new toy was considerably thicker and lengthier than what jihyo was used to taking, and that jihyo always wanted to start with fingers first (it was the better way to stretch and get jihyo wet enough), she helped jihyo take her clothes off and went straight to her favorite place, eagerly placing kisses across the valley of jihyo's breasts.

that was truly what nayeon loved the most. watching as jihyo lost composure and became a person no one but her knew about was delightful in many ways, even more so when the younger was already writhing at the slightest touch on her tits — nayeon found it endearing even, and she couldn't help but get wet with the fact that the same girl who was making her quiver in fear just minutes ago when she looked slightly angry, was now calling her daddy as she sneaked a finger inside of her dripping pussy.

jihyo was stiff at first, she couldn't help but be extremely conscious at the fact that they were being recorded. not only could that video leak, but if nayeon wanted to watch it when she wasn't supposed to and any of her band mates saw jihyo as that whimpering mess, entirely submissive to nayeon (or, as jihyo herself calls, daddy), she'd dig her own grave and bury herself alive.

nayeon seems to notice it and she stops, keeping her finger in jihyo but taking her mouth off her nipple. "relax, babygirl. what's going on? do you want to stop?"

jihyo shakes her head. "it's okay. one more finger, please."

nayeon complies, sliding another finger in her slick entrance, placing a kiss on jihyo's neck. "if you want to stop at any point, tell me and i'll stop recording..."

"no, it's alright. i want to give you something to remind of me when you're away, too. just promise me you won't show it to anybody. and that you'll be careful with that camera." jihyo says while looking into nayeon's eyes. she trusted her, obviously, but she wanted nayeon to give her reassurance.

"of course i promise," nayeon pecks her lips softly. "i'd never let anybody watch my girl getting fucked."

jihyo sighs and pouts. "there you go ruining the moment."

nayeon smiles and kisses her pout before she dives back into her tits. nayeon could never get satisfied, latching on jihyo's nipples hungrily as she thrusts her fingers in and out, feeling proud when jihyo moans and her narrow walls tightens around her fingers, knowing she was doing a great job.

without pulling her fingers out, nayeon inches away from jihyo's breasts, placing gentle kisses over her tummy and then her thighs, then looks up at jihyo as her mouth finally went to where jihyo needed. nayeon was way better than jihyo had originally thought — her ego was too big and jihyo thought she was all bark no bite, but then she found out about how talented nayeon was in bed and everything changed.

jihyo's back arched, closing her eyes tightly when nayeon kisses her just right in her most sensitive spot, she was already too sensitive and they hadn't even gotten the toy yet. all it took was nayeon's command for jihyo to come and the younger's thighs were suddenly trying to close, despite nayeon's head being right there to prevent that from happening.

"there you go, babygirl. did that feel good?" nayeon asks, placing a kiss over jihyo's tummy.

jihyo hums. "more than good." she touches nayeon's face and brings it closer, letting her hands on nayeon's cheeks as she kisses her deeply. "i'm ready now, daddy. give it to me."

nayeon nods, almost eagerly, taking her fingers out and sucking them dry as jihyo watches. she takes the strap, placing the new toy where the dildo should go, and jihyo flushes at the thought of really taking it all. the reality finally hits her and she finds it too big. perhaps her need to win had taken her too far this time, and maybe she should give up. but then she saw nayeon happily lubing it up and she didn't have the heart to tell nayeon that she was chickening out.

jihyo took a deep breath, reminding herself that she was no coward.

"i'll go slow." nayeon reassures, placing the bottle of lube at the nightstand where she could grab easily if needed, although jihyo was wet enough by herself and the amount she'd spread across the shaft should work just fine.

"you better," jihyo hisses, letting nayeon settle between her thighs.

"feisty kitten." nayeon coos. "i should get you ears and a tail when i come back. you'd make a pretty kitty."

nayeon is such a sweet talker that jihyo almost doesn't feel the tip of the toy sliding inside of her. almost, because it's impossible to ignore it when it was that big, and the first reaction she has is to sink her nails in nayeon's shoulders, making the aspiring rockstar whimper at the stinging pain.

"this is too big... i can't," jihyo whines, part of her enjoying the intense stretch, but she also felt pain. nayeon lets jihyo discount the pain on her shoulders, moaning at the way the harness brushes against her own clit, pushing it further in despite jihyo's disbelief in herself. "daddy!"

"it's already halfway in, babygirl. you look so pretty," nayeon inches closer, brushing their lips together before she takes jihyo's lips in hers briefly. "even prettier when stretched around my cock."

the sensation of pain jihyo feels at first becomes more bearable and she starts to enjoy it. nayeon doesn't try to sink deeper, keeping short and slow thrusts that makes jihyo moan huskily against her lips, until she feels jihyo's legs wrapping around her waist as a sign that she should keep going and stuff her more.

"want more," jihyo asks, almost pleads, feeling vulnerable at nayeon's mercy. "think i can take it."

"of course you can. my pretty girl can take anything i give her." nayeon praises, moving her hips forward tentatively and reaching deeper, watching closely as jihyo's eyes start to water. "crybaby."

"faster!" jihyo asks, hands getting lost on nayeon's back.

nayeon doesn't refrain from putting more effort behind her thrusts, she knew just how jihyo liked it — intense and rough. slow and passionate could wait for some other time, because all jihyo wanted was to keep getting more of that shaft inside of her and nayeon complied, loving the way jihyo cried out whenever she pushed in deeper, until jihyo could feel the bump at the base of the shaft prodding at her entrance. the same one she'd seen earlier.

the feeling made her legs tremble, finally acknowledging that she had managed to take the entire shaft inside of her. jihyo even dared to take a look between them, cheeks getting red when she noticed the slight elevation on her tummy. that toy was that thick and jihyo took it proudly.

jihyo started to love the way it stretched her sooner than nayeon would've thought. it was intense and left jihyo breathless, but she kept wanting more. nayeon was evidently more than happy to give her anything she asked, holding jihyo's waist with both hands as she sped up, almost drooling at the sight of her girlfriend's pussy being greedily stretched by the toy, wanting to know what would be jihyo's reaction if she slipped that knot in.

it was certainly tempting and nayeon would love to see her messy girl cry and struggle to take it, but she wouldn't do anything jihyo didn't want. yet it seemed as if jihyo had read nayeon's mind, tapping nayeon's big hands that secured her hips, asking for her attention.

"i want you to push it inside me." jihyo asks, needy and all flushed, making nayeon slow her thrusts down. jihyo whines at the lost of pace, walls clamping around the thick shaft, one of her hands slipping between them so she could rub her swollen clit.

"ask politely." nayeon says, almost growls, feeling as if she was losing her sanity by seeing jihyo trying to fuck herself on the very same shaft she had thought she wouldn't be able to take.

looking up at nayeon with her eyes dark with lust, jihyo licks her lips, knowing exactly what she should say to absolutely break nayeon.

"please knot me, daddy."

"fuck." it's all nayeon says before she takes off, kissing jihyo deeply as she speeds up.

jihyo doesn't have to wait much, gladly, because nayeon forces the knot in soon enough, and it makes her moan loudly.

she cries, her cheeks get wet from the painful stretch but it feels better than anything she'd ever experienced, guiding her into a strong orgasm that makes her sob into nayeon's neck. she stops rubbing her clit and hugs nayeon as she comes down from the edge, nayeon's sweet words muttered close to her ear helping her get back to normal.

"are you alright, hyo?" nayeon asks softly, pressing kisses down jihyo's shoulder.

jihyo lets go of nayeon and lays limp on the bed, regaining her strengths ever so slowly. she can't answer with words, so instead she nods.

"can't even speak, huh?" nayeon coos, moving away so she could gaze at her well done work. "just one time won't be enough, though. it's two weeks that i'll be away. you better get ready, hyo."

jihyo can only shudder when she feels nayeon nibbling at her neck.

[this-is-a-name-dont-worry]

21/08 - Tell the baby a story about warriors

drawing was done yesterday, but it was night so I waited daylight for the pic

"Uhm, so.... Once upon a time, there was a peasant. He was the seventh son of a seventh son and seventh daughter, which immediately made the king interested in him. Deciding to become his godfather, the family of the peasant lived well, and their seventh son was able to learn with the princes and princesses.

The second prince, third princess, and the seventh son became best friends, and because the seventh son was charming, cunning, and quite well mannered for his origins (and because a third princess is not much to worry when you have five of them), the king and the queen offered their third daughter's hand to the seventh son.

Back then, it was well accepted that the first son becomes the heir, the first daughter becomes the one with the good wedding, the second son becomes a warrior, the second daughter weds the son of an ally, and the third children become religious. The others, they don't matter as much, even if more hands to work is always good. Because of these well thought rules, the first son of the peasants became quite upset with how his little brother would be marrying in the royal family, by doing nothing but being born, and the fourth princess was frustrated to realize she'd become a nun instead of her sister. And so, the first son and the fourth princess started to scheme together.

Strangely, the second prince, the third princess, and the seventh son seemed quite unhappy with the arrangement too. Indeed, the third princess didn't want to marry, and preferred the company of other ladies that the covenant would offer her; and the seventh son fancied the second prince more than he fancied the third princess.

Unfortunately for them, their jealous siblings heard of this, and pretending to help them, tricked them into being found out. The third princess was sent to the covenant to punish her, the second prince was told to leave and never come back, and the peasants stopped receiving gifts from the royal family, even showing harsher judgement of them. The seventh son, knowing his family's problems cane from him, decided to leave.

The seventh son and the second prince, who kept in contact through letters, arranged to meet outside the capital city, and live on the road together; after all, the second prince was trained to lead armies since childhood, and the seventh son received lessons to fight in the same way the other princes would. As such, they could be traveling warriors, maybe even become heroes, and never have to leave each other's sides again.

And so, they went together, happy."

Ai stares at xir mom.

"What?" she asks with a smile, looking just a tad bit too wide to be only comforting. "It's a story about warriors! Well, warriors in the making, but it still counts!"

Ai quickly writes on their tablet.

"Where's the rest?"

His mom chuckles, and pats her hand on the top of his head.

"I guess you'll have to imagine it!"

Ai stares.

"Fine, I'll tell you the rest next time. But for now, it's late, so I think we should both go to sleep, ok?"

Xe is not fully satisfied with this, but Ai says nothing, knowing she's right. Xir mom laughs again, seeing xir annoyed face, and gives xem a good night kiss.

"Next time I can, I promise," she tells him.

Ai nods, impatient already.

"Sleep well, pitchoune, and may your dreams be filled with warriors, princes, and princesses."

[doevademe]

Slightly angst idea: during a fight, Nico is injured during the battle, it looks worse than it actually is, but Nico (who isn’t dating Percy right now, Percy has already confessed but Nico rejects him because he doesn’t take Percy’s feelings seriously) watches as Percy goes into what I playfully calls “Hurricane Perseus” where he is just going across the battlefield, wiping out everything in his wake, other people have to get out of the way to avoid being dragged into his path of carnage. After every monster is dead, Percy goes to Nico and cries tears of relief that Nico is okay. Nico can’t tell if he is touched that Percy loves him that much, or he slightly concerned considering that put other campers lives in danger. One thing he is certain of, he doesn’t doubt Percy’s feelings anymore and gives Percy a little kiss on the cheek saying the need to talk once he gets looked at.

Blood can be a bit of a drama queen, Nico had found out.

Some places, like anywhere near the head, tended to gush with blood at even the slightest scratch, despite it being superficial.

There was just no way to know for certain how bad an injury was until an expert looked at it.

The only thing Nico knew for certain was that his head hurt, there was blood flowing into his eye and blocking his view, and that he felt a little dizzy from the cyclops that had whacked him, but that he would ultimately live.

Try telling that to Percy Jackson, though. The young man was holding him up in pure panic, even ripping his shirt to try and wipe the blood from his face.

"Nico, just... just hold on, all right?" He asked desperately. "Help is on its way!"

"Percy, it's not that bad," he tried to say, though his speech was a little slurred due to the hit and came out more like "Purshy, izzon't sabbat."

"D-don't force yourself, okay?" he said softly. Behind them, the other campers kept fighting the small army conjured by some big name monster general that had returned from Tartarus after a few years trapped down there. "Help's on the way."

"...Not Will," he managed to say. Having his ex-boyfriend take a look at him in the middle of a battle was not high on his list of priorities.

Percy chuckled.

"I'll take any medic right now," he said. "And hey, better him than me, right?"

Nico winced. It hadn't been even 24 hours since Percy had asked him out, and the awkwardness had been palpable.

Nico knew that Percy was on the rebound. His break up with Annabeth had been relatively recent, and that in his state he would have asked out anyone who was available and made him feel not alone.

It was not that he didn't like Percy. It was that he knew that it would be a short-lived and unhappy relationship.

Taking his history with Percy into account, Nico felt they deserved a real romance, if it ever happened, not a temporal thing to get the son of Poseidon back on his feet.

"I'll take care of him," a girl, Kayla, said. "You need to go back there. Kampê is slaughtering us!"

"But Nico—"

"I expected more of the generals who felled me the last time," the half-dragon woman screeched as her whip snared a child of Hermes's sword. "I guess the Hekatonkheir was the reason they won."

About five demigods threw themselves at her, but Kampê just cracked her whip again and sent them all flying.

"Even one of their champions fell to a hit from a lowly foot soldier," she gloated, looking straight at Nico. "I'll enjoy torturing him as payback for what his father did to me!"

Percy's eyes darkened. He gently placed Nico on Kayla's lap and turned, drawing out his sword.

"You won't ever touch him again," he said in an eerily calm voice.

The monster laughed.

"And how do you plan to..." Kampê stoped herself as rain started pouring heavily, the raindrops hitting her and then going to Percy, making the water gather around him like a typhoon. "Troops! Focus on that one! Destroy him!"

The cyclopes, dracanae and hellhounds barely had time to register her order, as Percy jumped and started slicing the monsters apart.

The strength of the winds and water around him dragged the monsters to him, leaving them open for slaughter.

"Florian!" She gasped, as the small son of Demeter who followed Kayla around was sucked into the maelstrom along with the hellhound he had been fighting.

"Clossmy woond," Nico slurred, Kayla turned to look at him. "Now! You... can sheck me laterrr."

Terrified, the daughter of Apollo nodded. Nico felt the itch of his wound disappear as Kayla sang a hymn to her father. Nico thanked her and ran towards the newly formed hurricane.

"Retreat!" Kampê shouted, but it was too late, her whip had been caught in the storm, and it was dragging her into Riptide's bloody path.

"Your stupid revenge scheme hurt him," he heard Percy say coldly. "Everything that happens to you now, you deserve."

Nico gulped as Percy slashed like a madman. Due to Kampê's dragon skin, the slashes weren't deep enough to kill her, but they all bled, and the half-dragon woman cried out in pain as Percy continued his assault.

The campers were shouting, about three of them had joined Florian inside the maelstrom, and at least one of them had lost consciousness.

"Percy!" Nico shouted, making Percy look at him. "End this now!"

Percy nodded and waved his hand. Kampê screamed as a flow of water came out of her, dehydrating her and making her so fragile the next slash cut her in half.

The storm stopped, and the campers caught dropped to the grass like dead flies. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kayla and Will rushing to help them.

"Nico, how are—oof!" Nico hit Percy with the hilt of his sword in the stomach. "What was that for?"

"That was for endangering the campers!" He said, glaring. "Control your powers better! You can't just... are you crying?"

"I'm just... so relieved that you're okay!" Percy sobbed, hugging Nico. "I... I thought I would lose you!"

And Nico couldn't help but wonder, was he really so sure that Percy was just rebounding, or was he... too scared of finally having him?

Nico hugged him back and separated himself a little, giving him a experimental kiss on the cheek.

Percy lit up like a christmas tree.

"N-Nico?"

"My head's still pounding," he announced. "I need to have a full check-up."

"Uh... right, right," Percy said dumbly. "I'll take you to the infirmary."

"After that... we need to talk."

"About what?"

Nico smiled and tightened his hug as Percy picked him up.

"About yesterday," he said softly. As the adrenaline left his body he felt more and more exhausted. "I think we owe each other an actual conversation."

[missgoldberry]

What do you mean that the show doesn't know what Whistledown is? Could you explain?

Tbh I find it hard to put into words which is why I haven't expanded before, and I haven't yet found a good post to reblog that would summarize my points. I just think the show didn't know what it was or how to approach it. Obviously it's a complex thing - it's a huge success and Pen is amazing for achieving what she did, but inevitably exposing people's secrets will cause some upset. And it absolutely makes sense for Eloise and Colin to be very hurt. She kept this huge secret, lied, wrote about them. Eloise spent two seasons trying to figure it out and got in trouble for it and Pen still didn't tell her. Colin was about to marry her, repeatedly said how much he hated Whistledown and she didn't tell him! Very very valid to be upset. That makes sense.

But in the wider world of Bridgerton what actually is Whistledown? What is published there? Those papers are long as fuck, and she publishes multiple times a week. We rarely see her writing anything horrible or hear about her ruining people (except when it serves the plot like with Marina, Eloise and that creep who wanted to marry Daphne in season 1 but all those instances had some kind of explanation). There is even a point made in this season that she only writes the truth (as opposed to Cressida's attempt), and the truth she did write wasn't anything horrible. People seem to enjoy Whistledown, Eloise was excited to find and meet her. We see the Queen eagerly await the publications, she genuinely enjoyed her writing and their sparring. People loved the gossip she provided; people also naturally held grudges because who likes to hear gossip about themselves but it was never shown to be malicious. She even reported on herself. When she wasn't publishing for a bit we see people comments things like "oh I wish she would write about my dress", "I was hoping to see my engagement in there" (I didn't go back for actual quotes so not exactly this but it wasn't anything serious). And in this season we see people admire her, we see Pen being proud of what she did and own it. But at the same time we have Portia equating what she did - literally scamming people of their money - with Whistledown. When Cressida pretends to be Whistledown someone calls her the devil?? Colin says to Cressida "…it doesn't excuse what she did". But like… what did she do really? She wrote a gossip column. I'm not denying she caused problems to people but like should (credible) tabloid writers issue public apologies for reporting the truth? So was it just witty harmless gossip? Or was she drunk on her own power, writing nasty things about people because she was unhappy and bitter (as I think she implied in that public speech)? Should she be proud or repent? It tried too hard to be both and it didn't work. It leaned too hard into both sides, and it just ended up being confusing. If it was as bad as what Portia did, she should've given it up and closed that chapter for good. And if not, why didn't she explain herself more, defended herself? Again it makes PERFECT sense for her loved ones to be upset and hurt, that conflict is very clear. I'm just confused how it was handled in the show overall.