#and yet she still stood straight unwilling to give them the satisfaction of letting them see her as weak??

[the-artificem]

god she probably already thought she was going to die here you can literally see her life flashing before her eyes and all the regret and guilt she's been feeling. imagine her thinking that after just getting vi back she's gonna lose her again without even getting the chance to fix everything she did

[thenovelartist]

Burn Notice

AU August - Day 10 - Secret Agent AU

Chloe was as flashy as ever in her shiny, yellow sports car. But he’d never been so happy to see said yellow sports car in his life.

Until she threw open the door and started stomping towards him. That’s when he recalled why he sent off the occasional greeting. “Hey, Chlo,”

A sting engulfed his cheek, and that’s when she realized she’d just slapped him.

He was frozen a moment. “I deserved that.”

“Yeah, you did,” she spat. “You do realize that families normally keep in touch, right? Oh, I’m sorry,” she quipped, her voice turning sweetly sarcastic. “I forgot the whole spy excuse.”

Adrien cringed at the bite in her words.

With a groan, she rolled her eyes and yanked him to her car. “Come on.”

The drive back was silent and tense.

“So,” she started. “You show up after ten years of the rare thirty-second ‘happy birthday’ phone call, and you’re just like ‘hey can you pick me up from the train station?’ like the last ten years didn’t happen. You, sweetheart, owe me a serious explanation.”

Had he been able to reach Alya, he would have gladly bitten that bullet instead of this one. Unfortunately, no such luck. “Um… let’s just say that my boss decided to let me go.”

Chloe was silent for a while. “What?”

Adrien nodded.

“Let you go?” she asked. “Under what circumstances?”

“They didn’t have to give me a reason.”

“Bullshit!” she spat. “They better give you one, or heaven help me I will march to your boss right now—”

Her rant continued the entire car ride back to her home. Adrien only half listened, tuning out the points where she was just yelling aimlessly.

They pulled up to the hotel she lived in, and she tossed her valet her key. “Adrien can get his own bag,” she said, directing her voice at Adrien even though she was looking at the valet.

“Very good, Madam Bourgeois.”

“Madam?” Adrien asked, pulling his meager bag form the trunk.

“I own this place, Adrien,” she snipped. “You would have known had you kept in touch.”

Adrien tossed his head back and groaned in frustration, but he quickly tailed after Chloe.

“So,” she said. “What now? With this fired thing.”

“I don’t have anything,” he said. “I’m going to need a place to stay, a job, and time to get back on my feet.”

“You have money stored up.”

“My accounts are frozen until further notice,” he said.

Chloe quirked a bewildered brow at him.

“They think I’m a traitor,” he whispered, even though there was no one else in the elevator with him.

“What!”

He shushed her. “Voice down.”

“No! I… I don’t believe that.”

Adrien shrugged.

Chloe stared straight ahead at the elevator doors. They opened with a ding and she marched down the hallway to her suite.

“Chloe,” he said. “So… um… I mean—”

“You’ll stay here,” she said. “On one condition.”

“And that is?”

“You’ll help my friend with her work. She’ll pay you.”

“So… is that a job?”

She nodded.

Adrien’s stomach dropped. “What’s the catch?”

“That you have to help her or else I won’t let you stay here.”

“Yeah, but you offering me a job and a place to stay sounds way too good to be true.”

Chloe frowned. “Adrien,” she said. “This girl has become like a sister to me.”

Adrien quirked a brow. “Like a sister?” he repeated doubtfully.

She nodded. “And you know I don’t take that lightly,” she said. “Took me long enough to call you a brother. However, in my world, she comes before you, meaning I don’t really care about your discomfort level. 12 Rue Gotlib street.”

“12 Rue Gotli—” Adrien froze in horror. “No.”

“Yes.”

“But she hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you.”

“When we parted ways, she threw a knife at my head.”

“If she hated you, you’d be dead.”

Adrien frowned, unwilling to admit Chloe had a point.

“Grow up. Be a man and go ask for a job.”

Adrien grumbled.

“Actually…” Chloe threw a set of keys at him. “Maybe take a nap first, then shower and shave. You look like crap.”

Adrien wouldn’t argue with that.

…

He stood in front of the door to a small fashion boutique, reluctant to admit that Marinette seemed to have done quite well for herself. Now if he only had the will-power to face her.

The door suddenly swung open to reveal a scowling teenaged girl with twin brunette ponytails. “Are you coming in or not? You’re blocking the storefront.”

Well, not much backing out now, was there. With a forced smile, he walked inside. “Um…” he started. “I’m here to see Marinette Dupain-Cheng? Is she here?”

The girl stared at him. “She expecting you?”

Adrien resisted the urge to cringe. “You can just give her this,” he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a black business card with a green pawprint on it.

The teen took it skeptically yet retreated into the back. In the meantime, Adrien spent his last few moments as a living and in-tact human being looking over the shop. She was always good at this, making things from nothing. She could fabricate weapons from seemingly thin air. There was a time she almost got him with a couple shotgun shells and a lamp. Expecting to turn on a light only to have lead pellets sprayed everywhere was fricking terrifying.

The teen appeared at his side. “Boss wants to see you.”

He wasn’t sure if that was comforting or not. “Where?”

She led him to the back then up the stairs to a small apartment. She knocked on a door then opened it.

“Thank you, Manon. Let him in.”

Adrien entered, only to have the door shut immediately behind him.

The silence was tense.

“You have a nice shop,” Adrien said.

“What are you doing here?” she spat.

“Well, nice seeing you, too.”

“Don’t you have some secret mission to run, Chat Noir? One where I’m not needed?”

He cringed at the bite in her words. Seemed like all the women in his life were determined to chew him out, and bitterly, he had to admit he likely deserved it. “I didn’t want you on that mission.”

“Why?” she challenged. “Because I was a woman?”

“You being a woman had absolutely nothing to do with it.”

“Then why? Was I not capable enough?”

“I didn’t want you on that mission because it was too dangerous—”

“Dangerous?” she repeated incredulously. “Are you serious right now?”

“You were the target of a hit three different people were hired to do.”

“I could take care of myself.”

“I wasn’t willing to take that risk.”

She scoffed. “Really?”

“And you know it.”

“Do I?” she asked. “Because, if I recall, you left me. Alone.”

His heart hurt at her tone. “I had to.”

“Why?” she challenged. “What was so damn important that you had to leave me?”

The anger in her tone was now completely replaced by confused frustration. And Ladybug didn’t do confusion. Ladybug was smarts and skill and a little bit of luck. She wasn’t used to navigating the dark.

That was his strength.

“You were out of harm’s way,” he said. “I got to them before they got to you.”

“But you didn’t come back.”

The realization clicked in Adrien’s head. “I was pulled away for a mission,” he said. “And then another after that. I couldn’t exactly spend the time to look up a vigilante that the government wanted arrested. No matter if she did save my hide on ten different occasions.”

“Nine.”

“I’m counting Milan as two.”

There was a flicker of a grin. A flicker. But he’d take it.

“Chloe sent me for a job,” he said, changing the conversation back to the reason he was here.

“Oh?” she said, raising a brow. “And just what ‘job opening’ do I have?”

Adrien shrugged. “She didn’t tell me.”

She scoffed, though her smirk at least told him it wasn’t a bitter one. Seems like the anger was over. For now, anyway. “Even if I was hiring, I’m not giving you a job just so that you can have a cover ID.”

“I’m not looking for a cover ID.”

Her brow quirked in confusion.

“In fact,” he continued. “I don’t think I’m going to need one for the foreseeable future.”

She paused, staring at him long and hard. “Why?”

“I’m burned.”

Silence once again reigned. He was surprised that it was a shocked silence, though, not a tense one.

“What?”

Adrien just nodded.

“Why?”

Adrien shrugged.

Marinette turned to stare out the window. “Fine,” she growled. “For old time sake.”

“Thank you for the chance.”

“Afraid I was going to throw another knife at your head?”

“I was lucky that it was just a butter knife. I don’t want to know what would have happened if it were a real weapon in your hands.”

“You do know I could have still severely injured you with that butter knife, right?”

“You could do that with your bare hands.”

She turned back to face him wearing a twinge of a smile. “At least you haven’t forgotten that.”

“Hard to when I’m still wearing a couple scars.”

She hummed. “Swing by tomorrow morning at seven and I’ll give you the run down on your job.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I’m still deciding if I’m going to let you live or not.”

“Fair enough.”

…

A week of working for Ladybug wasn’t easy. He knew she was making his life a living hell on purpose, which he probably deserved. Still, he did everything she asked without qualm or complaint.

Well, that he heard, anyway.

And that’s when another blast from the past showed up.

“Heard you went and faced the bug.”

Adrien grinned at the smooth voice. “Well, you know what they say about cats.”

“Have you found satisfaction yet?”

“Nope, and I’m pretty sure I’m a life down.”

“Well, that’s what I’m here for.”

Adrien huffed a laugh. “Really?”

“That, and because my own curiosity has hit the roof,” Nino said. “People don’t just burn their lucky black cat.”

“Lucky?”

“Oh yeah. It’s only the people you were assigned to that were unlucky enough to cross your path.”

Adrien collapsed into the chair opposite of Nino. “Apparently, my luck ran out.”

“Nah,” Nino dismissed. “No way you were burned for no reason. You were a prime operative. Don’t tell me it’s not eating you alive?”

Adrien narrowed his eyes. “You think it’s not keeping me up at night?” Because it was. It was haunting him. But where would he even begin to start plucking away at it? And how? He had to stay in Paris or else every French government agency would be breathing down his neck.

And then he looked at Nino.

Nino smirked.

Suddenly, a flicker of hope sparked in Adrien. “You think I could, say… cash in one of those favors you owe me and ask you to start digging?”

“Just gonna take some time and patience. And turtles are known to have that in abundance.”

Adrien grinned. “Lucky I got you.”

“See? You ain’t outta luck yet. Maybe your little lucky charm rubbed off on you.”

Adrien snorted. “Can we, like, not talk about her? Can we maybe talk about you and Foxy instead? How’s she doing by the way?”

Suddenly, Nino’s smile faded.

Adrien quirked a brow. “Um… did something happen.”

Nino opened his mouth, then paused. “Honestly,” he finally said. “I want to talk about that as much as you want to talk about Ladybug.”

As curious as he was, Adrien kept his mouth shut.

“I’ll just call in some favors of my own,” Nino said. “And maybe, I’ll find a little tail of yarn for you to start pulling at.”

“I’d massively appreciate it.”

With a nod, Nino stood. “You got it, bro.” He slapped Adrien’s shoulder. “Should I call the hotel with the info?”

“Got a phone,” Adrien said, lifting up his outdated brick. He rattled off the numbers to Nino.

“Now get out of here before Chloe finds you and kicks you out.”

Nino chuckled. “Okay, okay. I hear ya.”

“Just one thing before you go?”

“And that is?”

Adrien pointed to the door. “How’d you get past the key-card entry?”

Nino just smirked. “I have my ways.” With a finger salute, Nino slipped out the door.

[askthelittleassistant]

One Little Thing...

((ok so to preface this; this is going in two parts bc I started writing so much, and also just a little warning, there is a bit of blood in this so... yeah! I hope y’all enjoy the insanity!))

Shop felt weak, weaker than she’d ever felt in her ‘career’ under Dark. What was she doing?... She laid, sprawled out on the forest floor… How… how did this happen.

No one really remembered when the first humans had stumbled across the ego’s place of residence, but it wasn’t like anyone really cared in the first place. Since Shop and her friends Pi and King had come, not much had changed, aside Pi braving the neighboring septics to befriend the Doctor Shneeplestein, and a few other folks joining the ranks of humans among literal giants… aside that, everyone kept to themselves, though paths were constantly crossed, and greetings were always exchanged.

It was nice.

And that’s not to say any part of Shop’s life was growing mundane, no no, it was always quite the opposite really. But… something always felt… off. And the worst part of it all was she knew exactly what it was, but she was always too worried to bring it up to her rather… intense friend. If she could even be allowed to call Dark her friend…

There was the obvious change in his demeanor the more time Shop spent with Dark, which was a lot, though he always seemed to cling to the past rather than let himself change, and Shop always knew better than to test the limits and patience Dark was already going out on a limb to offer her. She was always grateful, no doubt, but both could tell the girl was not satisfied with just that, growing impatient, which would work in favor of her downfall…

It happened one particularly boring day as the egos wrapped up their meeting. Shop had taken to people watching, always being the last to leave the room with Dark always meant waving and saying goodbyes and good days to egos and friends. Doc and Sal would chitter on about different cases with a cheery response peppered in, Techie and Sam may or may not be in attendance, but whether or not the cyborg mechanic would be hiding in the room always makes for a fun challenge for Shop. King and Host, they always make sure to pass by the assistant to say goodbye, and sometimes invite her for some tea and lunch, to which sometimes Shop will say yes to, but not today. There was something on her mind, and she needed to clear the air.

“Do you care about me?” The initial react was one Shop figured she would get as she held back wincing at the ringing as it grew briefly, a sign that Shop came to learn meant Dark was confused, possibly thrown off guard.

“Excuse me?” He replied dryly, finishing with his papers and notes, not batting an eyelash in his assistant’s direction.

“Do you care about me?” Shop asked more confidently, her voice as clear as her intentions.

“What kind of question is that.” Dark snarked back, clearly uninterested in addressing something that’s plagued his thoughts for a while now, largely unbeknownst to Shop.

“It’s the easy kind, the kind you can answer. Honestly.” She stepped on the edge of a notecard as Dark went to grab it. He sighed, annoyed.

“Why do you need to know?”

“Because.”

“Tsk, that is not a good enough answer Shop, spit it out.”

“If I do will you tell me?”

“mayhaps I will.”

Shop scrunched her nose up, he was being difficult and vague again. Of course, getting her to beat around the bush until she gave up. But not today.

“It’s just… I know you tolerate me- “ “this is true,” “But I just… I see everyone else… and I can tell that they’re cared about, like, really cared for…”

“Well, it would seem you already answered your own question, you are tolerated and respected, what more could you want?” Dark wanted to shut Shop down as quick as he could.

“That’s not what I mean. You know that. I know you do… we watch the same group of people do stuff…” Shop spoke softly, and Dark rolled his eyes, pfft, as if that would be enough to persuade him to come forth. The answer is no. Dark was always observant, always keeping tabs on everyone and what they did.

“Shop, I think you should go rest- “

“And I think you should stop avoiding the question- “

“That is none of your concern.”

“Just TELL me!” Shop nearly cried out, growing more and more impatient as she stood at the edge of the table, as if to face off with Dark, who was grumbling to himself.

“You had said it yourself, I tolerate you. End of story. Now get off my papers and let us leave the conference room.” Dark grabbed the rest of his things, shoving them away before he stepped out, soon followed by a disgruntled girl, who was more determined than ever to find what he really thought…

Back in their room, Shop climbed up to the nightstand next to a desk, where Dark was, working away before he cleared his throat, well aware of what Shop was trying to accomplish.

“I will not answer your needlessly nonsensical question shop.” He lets his voice linger and hiss softly.

“Oh come on! No one else will hear you-!”

“I said NO, SHOP.” Dark booms suddenly, banging a fist down in frustration, his voice loud, yet low and aggressive. “WHY ARE YOU SO ADAMENT ABOUT THIS? You already know, why do you keep demanding I tell you?”

He looks down as the trembling girl, her hands balled up into fists. His cold eyes softening for a flicker before hardening again, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of winning their little ‘game.’

“Be-because…. I need to know…. For sure….” Shop managed to stutter out, shaking in fear of Dark’s anger, clenching her jaw in resentment for even asking him if he cared…

What followed seemed to be the longest silence in either one’s life, even the ever-present ringing had quieted down, adding to the unease of it all. For once, the two were at a stalemate, neither one really able to move without the other claiming checkmate over the situation.

“Excuse me.” Dark finally spoke, though his voice was quiet, almost as if he was choked up over the conundrum he found himself in as he pushed his chair out and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him and leaving Shop to break down.

Why did she think this would be a good idea, she always knew he would never willingly give her a straight answer, but she so was tired of being tossed around and strung along with little certainty, and now it was all coming back to her in the ass. Not to mention all the pent-up emotions, all suddenly bubbling forth because she was alone.

Just as always.

Shop sat with her tears and thoughts for what seemed like forever, and when she finally calmed down, and Dark still hadn’t come back out, she made up her mind, not bothering with anything more as she climbed down and ran out the room in a blur, her tears filling her eyes once more as she half climbed, half raced down the stairs.

If she wouldn’t be treated like she should, then she would just leave. Seemed easier than trying to get through to Dark.

Of course, emotions always seemed to cloud Shop’s logical thought process, making her act on a whim. That was always something she meant to work on. Guess not today.

Shop stormed out the hall and down the corridor, passing a few egos who might’ve called out to her, thinking she would respond, but they would not get so much as a nod as Shop’s heart lurched as she stopped in front of the main doorway of the ego’s manor. She… she hadn’t been outside the manor, not since she’d come…

But her mind was made up, especially when she heard an aggressive shout call her name, ringing in her mind. Dark was coming, and in her rush, shop sprouted her wings and jumped up to the door knob, turning it with some effort, and swinging the door wide open as she pushed off and fell into a dive, flying towards the forest.

“SHOP? SHOP GET BACK HERE N O W.” Dark had screamed in her head; the good thing about having made a deal with her so long ago was that he had access to her mind. Of course, he didn’t bother peering into it all the time, since Shop was normally very vocal about her thoughts. But now, now he used it to try to stop her from running away, having been perplexed briefly when he no longer heard sobbing outside the bathroom door.

He ran out to the steps of the estate, the eyes of curious onlookers following him, not daring to speak up or question the situation. It was plain as day that something just happened, and that that something was not for them to interfere with.

Shop had never flown with so much room at her disposal, sure the manor had lots of room, and Shop could always make herself smaller to fit her needs, but it never felt quite right. Here though, in the forest, she could dip and dive, and more importantly, burn off the anger that had built up over the course of the day. No point in trying to fight fire with fire, she would just keep doing what she does and treat Dark with kindness and hope one day, he would learn from her.

Little did she know, he already had.

Someplace else, a certain bitchy glitch was practicing throwing knives at a crudely drawn dartboard he’d carved into a tree, grumbling about how unfair it was that Scheeplestein had kicked him out again for trying to mess with his little friend.

Maybe I can sneak in and fuck around with Dark and that Shop gal… Anti thought to himself with a chuckle. It was hard, but the few times he’d been able to sneak into the ego’s estate to mess with Dark and his assistant were always fond memories to him. That girl knew how to scream, that was for sure.

Anti was about to throw another knife when his eyes caught a glimpse of a flying object as it zipped by a few trees away from where he stood. Something about this figure intrigued him and he collected his knives, starting to follow in the direction he saw the creature fly off in...

[elsakey]

Summary: Daenerys tries to get herself and her brother out of an unfortunate situation. Genre: Pirate!Jon AU Note: This is an AU to my other Pirates!AU; here, Jon is a pirate captain who captured the Crown Prince and Princess of Portugal. This is my submission for the “Free Choice” prompt for Jonerys Week, which might become a full-blown story. Hope you enjoy this little excerpt~

The pirate presented the dress to her as if he was one of her own maidservants. When she didn’t make a move to take it from his hands, he pushed forward to lay it on the chipped table with a sigh.

“The cap’n invited you to dinner with him again tonight, Highness,” he said. “And he’s offered you a pretty dress to wear for the occasion.”

She kept her distance even as she eyed the dress. It was a rich, dark purple, with elaborate ruffles on the sleeves, bodice, and hem. A patch of sunlight poured through the window to highlight the telltale shimmer of silk.  “I didn’t know your captain was a connoisseur of fine clothing.”

“If you wanna pay him compliments, I suggest you do so at the dinner table,” was the pirate’s tart response. “ ‘Cuz by now he knows better than to trust any compliments comin’ from me. Now do I have your word that you will attend or not?”

One of the girls behind her shifted, reminding her that some of them still felt uneasy in the presence of any of the men onboard. “Tell your captain I appreciate his attempt to make me think I have a choice.”

The pirate grunted and turned to leave. “He wasn’t wrong about that tart mouth o’ yours.”

“I assume my brother will be attending?” she inquired.

The pirate didn’t halt. “Ya sure that’s somethin’ to be happy about?”

The captain’s quarters that night was the same as it was the week before- spacious, with the same large table spread with foods that were luxuries to have on the high seas. There were the same candles set in their silver candlesticks, the small flames adding a rosy glow to the area around the spread.

And there was the captain himself, with that same look on his face as she was escorted through the door by a couple of his crewmen-- part indignant and part pleased.

“Was the dress not to your taste, Highness?” he asked, his voice inscrutable.

“I’m afraid that our taste in clothing is quite different,” Daenerys said as she took a seat, the material of her weeks-old dress brushing against the rough wood. “Though I am flattered that you thought of my comfort.”

He chuckled. “Not at all.”

She wasn’t fooled by his outward congeniality, but decided to hold her tongue. Her brother would surely make his appearance soon, and she didn’t want to sour the captain’s goodwill even further than what Viserys would no doubt accomplish.

It seemed the captain was not satisfied with the moment of respite. ���Would it please you if I had my men bring you a dress to select for yourself, Highness?” He nodded at the two men near the door, and they exchanged looks with each other before exiting the cabin.

And leaving them alone.

“Surely your men have better things to do than ponder over a woman’s clothes.” Daenerys fought to still her panic. Why wasn’t Viserys here yet?

The captain leaned back slightly in his chair to further regard her. His fingers were tented before him and his legs crossed, looking for all the world at ease. The dark silk of his shirt and trousers seemed to absorb the candlelight that fell across his features.

Then his mouth quirked. “You needn’t worry, princess. I may be a terrible rogue, but I have my honor. You need not fear debauchery from Captain Jon Snow.”

She held his gaze, both indignant and disbelieving. How strange, she thought. He killed my men and threatens my country, and yet he acts like he’s concerned over my virtue and comfort.

The captain lifted his knife towards a large platter of fish in the center of the table. “Why don’t we eat?”

“My brother?” she inquired.

“Won’t be joining us this fine evening,” he supplied. “I would like a night of intelligent conversation for once.”

“He is the heir to the throne,” she reminded him.

Captain Snow lifted his goblet. “Then God have mercy on Portugal, for its next king certainly won’t.”

Daenerys stood from the table. Even for all the horrible and stupid things Viserys had done, he was still her brother. She could not let their enemies talk about him this way. “I demand to be returned to my quarters.”

The captain looked up at her from his seat, regarding her as he chewed. His dark eyes seemed to soften at her attempt to stand straight and tall under his perusal.

“I am sorry for any insults you have gathered from our conversation so far,” he said, surprisingly humble. “Won’t you please eat? I dislike having my guests go without.”

It still surprised her how this man could be rude and insulting in one breath and unfailingly polite in another. She almost was determined to go straight to her room anyway, but then remembered that it was now on her shoulders to discern a means of navigating her and Viserys’ current predicament.

“I thank you,” she said, nodding as she took her seat once more. Without hesitation she reached for a slice of meat covered in unfamiliar sauce. She felt the captain’s eyes on her as she took small bites, but when she lifted her gaze from her plate he was tucking in to some leafy vegetables with gusto.

For a while the only sounds were those of chewing and the clink of silver against delicate porcelain. She wondered if it had been stolen from one of her father’s ships. If she asked Captain Snow, would he give her a straight answer? Or find her concerns amusing, as he so often seemed to do?

She kept her eyes on her plate, but found her curiosity drawing their attention to the walls of his cabin. They were sparse, with flags from several different nations tucked in one corner. A small chest rested nearby, and a small table rested at the foot of the bed.

“Is the food to your liking, Princess?”

Captain Snow was staring at her again. She tried to hide her discomfort. “The food is to my liking, yes.”

He smirked. “I thought it was only your brother making you so quiet. Are you usually so unwilling to engage in conversation at the dinner table?”

She took a deep breath. “What do you want?”

The captain’s smirk was unmoved. “The same as before. The gold you two will fetch will go a long ways towards helping me and my men.”

“Surely you don’t expect me to believe that the Crown’s stolen gold and our ransoms will go towards altruistic purposes.”

Captain Snow chuckled. “And what would you know about that, lass?”

“I know that there is something you want more than gold and more than the humiliation of Portugal’s crown prince and princess.” She tightened her grip on her knife and fork as she took the plunge. “You want an end to the war.”

Captain Snow stopped chewing. He put down his knife and leaned back in his chair. Silence fell to fill the space between his contemplation and her anticipation.

“Are you trying to tell me that you know a way of ending hostilities between Scotland, England, France, and Portugal in one fell swoop?”

“I know I am but a young girl, unused to the ways of war and inexperienced besides.” Daenerys lifted her gaze. “But yes.”

“Is that a fact?” The captain didn’t bother to restrain his disdain. “Please, princess, do tell what magical solution you have that grown men twice your age have yet to come up with.”

“It’s all simple really. All you have to do is marry me.”

Of all the things Jon anticipated when inviting the princess to dinner tonight, an offer of marriage had no place on that list.

“Did I hear you right just now?” he asked, just to make sure.

The princess scowled. “Surely you are familiar enough with the implications of holy matrimony, despite your unfortunate occupation.”

“Holy matrimony usually ends in disaster for those in my unfortunate occupation, princess.” She really wasn’t joking. “What sort of madness is this?”

“The sort of madness that will peacefully end the discord between our persons and our countries,” the princess countered. She straightened in her seat, a habit Jon found to signal her attempt to be imposing. “Surely even you must consider that a better prize than gold.”

“I must consider nothing, especially when it’s a plan concocted by a lass who clearly has her corset laces too tight.” He couldn’t help his smirk at the thought. “Were you not my honored guest, I would gladly offer my services to relieve you of your obvious suffering.”

“You could relieve me of far more than that, were I to be your wife.”

His amusement stopped cold.

“Though of course there are certain things I would expect of my husband.” She stood up from her seat.

Seven hells.

Princess Daenerys wandered to a corner right to his left and began rummaging around. “Do you have a pen and paper available? It would be best to have our contract in writing.”

Seven quiffing hells, this woman was serious!

He pushed back from his seat and grasped her hand to halt her intrusion. It was slender and soft in his grip as he pulled her in to his form.

“While I’m flattered that you’re not too upset about jumping into my bed,” he murmured, his nose almost touching hers, “I think you should reconsider before we both do something we regret.”

To his satisfaction, a small quiver ran through her lips to her fingers. Those pretty eyes of hers darted to his hold, their feet, then finally back to his face. Was this her closest encounter with a man who was not that idiotic brother of hers?

“I did not expect you to regret Scotland being removed from a costly war,” she eventually said.

If demanding an alliance between Scotland and Portugal was all it would take for her to consider falling into his bed, he would’ve abandoned his plans for golden ransoms a long time ago. But he couldn’t help laughing as he stepped back to look her more fully in the eye.

“I wonder how you plan to announce your happy nuptials without all of Portugal declaring you mad,” he said. “Because I can tell you for a fact that all the houses and clans of Scotland would be bouncin’ with joy to have me kiss the gunner’s daughter if I breathe even a word of this.”

And that was the snag that the princess simply couldn’t see. Did she truly believe that either of their countries would suddenly accept a bastard lordling marrying into a house as pure-blooded as that of Targaryen?

“It is true that heads will turn,” Princess Daenerys admitted. She was looking down at her hands, clutching at the cloth of that ragged dress she insisted on wearing despite his attempts to allow her otherwise. “But I’m sure that several of my noblemen would change their minds at the betrothal gift you will bestow upon me. My father and king, most of all.”

“And what gift would that be, Your Highness?” Jon asked. The countries’ entire weight in gold? The Fountain of Youth? Or perhaps she thought a map of the city of El Dorado would not be too paltry a gift.

“Scotland’s complete and utter removal from the slave trade,” was her answer instead, and for the second time that night he could feel the wind knocked out of his body. 

May the Lord help him, how was he to resist the idea of taking this extraordinary woman for wife when she would not stop taking his breath away?

[shinaina]

Your Troubles Match My Luxuries Part 3 | NaruHina

Heyo guys! So this little thing here is “Me and my buddies vandalized your backyard trampling your mini garden in the process. Now I feel really shitty cause you’re really upset about this. Look I’ll help fix it okay just stop with the sad faces.” but with a slight twist to it. Also I believe this will be my last one of the good kid/troublemaker AU as I plan to make this an actual story! A story of Naruto and Hinata’s high school years together and if it gets a good reaction I’ll write a short sequel of them in college.

Previous Chapter | Here

Next Chapter | N/A

Couple | NaruHina

Rating | M for language and other mature themes.

It was odd.

No it wasn’t quite that, odd was an understatement when it came to those two. They were totally the opposite from one another and not in the “opposites attract” sort of way.

They certainly grabbed the attention of those around school, while the two didn’t have classes together during passing periods Naruto could be seen trying his best to get Hinata to crack a smile and laugh which was followed by a rather cheeky smile of his own. Hinata on the other hand was usually gentle with Naruto which put him at ease most times, when they were out in the patio Naruto would usually fall asleep on Hinata’s laps while she read a book.

The two seemed to be an item but whenever the subject was brought up they became bashful and denied it immediately with a slight curiosity in their minds. The question lingering on their tongue but never leaving it.

“Why? Do they think about me that way?”

Today was one of their usual days, as Naruto resting his head on Hinata’s laps and stared up at her. She was reading a book as usual and her eyes didn’t even drift to meet his. A part of him was slightly annoyed by that, granted Naruto was the type of person that always wanted acknowledgment and became rather restless without it; probably the reasoning for his antics. A part of the blonde wanted to take the book from her hands and push it down so she would pay attention to him but there were two issues there.

One, he really didn’t know what he would say or even what he would use as an excuse to pull the book away, he just wanted her to look at him but that wasn’t a good enough excuse and it would be an awkward sort of request. Two, she looked so interested in it too, and in the end her satisfaction and happiness was more important than his need for attention.

So he instead opted to lie there and ponder about their friendship.

Ever since the incident in which he had defended Hinata’s honor (which he still hadn’t told her about) and the bit of it that took the form of knocking her out, they had become close friends. Rather close actually. He knew he didn’t need to knock her out to want to become closer to her but he was slightly grateful for it. It handed him a reason to want to be closer to her and that reason came with fretting over her and wanting to make it up to her. Her response as to how he could make it up make made his heart stop.

She had stood there slightly rigid and almost reluctant, he had cursed himself for it all as he stared at the eye-patch she had over her face in which she was obviously insecure about. She probably wants nothing to do with you anymore, those things she said earlier was because she wasn’t thinking straight from that punch. The male was about to excuse himself and explain how sorry he was one last time before he regrettable walked out of her life despite the fact she would somehow always be apart of his as a thought. He didn’t know what it was about her but he couldn’t shake it, and he was gradually becoming okay with it. “You can make it up to m-me by u-us spending more t-time t-together.” Her voice was a shy stutter and he wanted to hug her but refused to overstep his boundaries, only promising her his time.

Naruto’s time was almost all the time, he was seen hanging out with her often ever since everything happened and it made those who knew of what happened mouths’ gap open in shock.

Whenever they were alone Naruto hesitantly asked to see her black eye, when she asked why he explained that he didn’t want her to hide it from him and he also wanted to remember how reckless he had been as well as wanting to care for her and make it up to her. Hinata seemed unwilling for quite some time so Naruto dropped it happily. It wasn’t until a few days after the request she had answered it by removing the eye patch. Her pale skin was horribly disturbed by an ugly brownish, purple spot taking over her right eye. The boy gently reached for it only to have her wince back at his touch which made him feel all the more guilty. It had been the afternoon that day and he held her for so long upon seeing it the girl was as red as a ripe tomato as she remained still; afraid that if she moved their embrace would end.

So here he was staring up at her as she read recalling their time of growing closer to one another. Hinata was honestly one of his best friends at this point. She still had a bruised eye only it was more so at the bottom of her eye and simply made her look like she hadn’t gotten enough sleep.

“Hey, Hinata.”

She ‘hmm’ed at this without raising her eyes to look at him which only gave birth to the reaction of him pulling at the bottom of her blouse like a toddler who was begging their mother for a toy. She finally looked down at that and held a small smile upon her face.

“Yes, Naruto-kun?”

“I was thinking…”

“Anything in particular or simply in general?”

“Well I was thinking that maybe I could invite you over sometime and we could watch a movie, we could invite friends too! Like a movie night! It’ll be fun.”

The smile in which graced the young woman’s features made Naruto pause in awe for a moment before lightly gulping. Damn what was that feeling. She seemed to ponder this for a moment as she put a bookmark to hold her place in the book she closed. “Perhaps.” Murmured the brunette which made Naruto pout. “It’s not because I don’t want to,” she quickly reassured him, “it’s because there’s something I want to show you first. Just us.”

This new discovery inside the mind of Hinata Hyuga made him curious and his eyes brightened like a toddler whose mother finally gave in to letting him have the toy. “Really?” The question made the girl nod with an amused smile. “Am i the only one who’s seen it yet?” He asked curiously. “Of course, it’s my secret place.” That statement was all the blonde needed to jump up and then offer his hand to the brunette. “Then come on! What are we waiting for?” Laughing at his response to the whole ordeal, Hinata grabbed the boy’s hand and allowed him to help her up as she began to lead the way to their destination.

With passing time they came to the forest on the outskirts of town and while they entered it they only seemed to be going deeper and deeper as if following an invisible path that only Hinata knew of. “You’re not bringing me here to murder me right? Actually now that I think of it it’ll be the perfect murder. Don’t have any family, slightly shady friends, no one would really miss me.” Naruto teased as he crossed his arms behind his head while following the small girl. Blue eyes curiously taking in the scenery. Hinata stopped dead and Naruto panicked for a moment as the girl whirled around. “Naruto-kun, if anything happened to you I would miss you. I would miss you very much.” She stated it with such certainty that young man blinked a few times at that statement in shock before slowly nodding. With that she turned and continued.

It didn’t take them long until they finally came upon a field, a field of flowers more specifically except they were organized in such a way nature itself couldn’t have done it. The flowers with complimentary colors were grown close together and strategically thought out combinations of flowers were kept close together as well. It was simply beautiful.

“Wow.”

At his lack of words Hinata turned to him and happily smiled. “Do you like it? You know when I was little, you see my family doesn’t care much for things of beauty or color. We’re a very private and dull family per say. I wanted color in my life so whenever I was given the chance I’d ask Ino for seeds since her family runs a flower shop and I found this empty field in the forest and I thought it was the perfect place for a garden. I come here in my spare time to care for it, I’ve wanted to show it to you for a while now.” Turning to the other beside her expectantly she blinked a few times as all he could do was step forward and observe every section of this makeshift garden with intent interest.

“Do I like it?” He repeated, as if he was asking himself that question. “Hinata, I love it, it’s so beautiful.” Turning around and giving her a cheeky smile she blushed and walked over to him, telling him about the flowers and why she arranged them the way she had. Little did the two know that a few pairs of eyes were watching them with contempt mixed with a mischievous glint.

Kiba walked with his hands in his hoodie pocket and an obvious scowl on his face. Him and the gang having followed Naruto and Hinata upon Kiba’s forceful request; the sight before him made him want to scream and the four left before the brunette could actually do anything. “You know he hasn’t even given us a second glance since that Hyuga girl came into his life. Also who becomes best friends with the person who decked them in the face?! It’s stupid if you ask me, maybe she’s just using him, I don’t know how but I think she is, and then he’s gonna come back to us sulking and depressed and it’s going to be a pain in the ass.”  Kiba growled in obvious contempt for the dark haired girl.

“I just think she’s using him, stringing him along until his string wears so thin she has no use for him anymore. I mean he’s buying her shit. Last time I even talked to him he was in a rush because he said she wanted cinnamon rolls.” Shikamaru paused for a minute at that, he had been there that day. “To be more specific his words were that he knew she wanted them and insisted, she didn’t command him to.” Rebutting in defense of Naruto’s newfound crush, that he idly wondered if the blonde was aware of, he earned another growl from Kiba.

Shino finally spoke up in the madness of their arguments of whether or not to leave this be. “I believe this will end in disaster. Why? Naruto is an orphan with not much going for him and the Hyuga comes from a rich family and is used to a life of luxury. Currently such a thing doesn’t bother them for they’re young and worrying about such things is useless now. As time goes on Hinata will realize Naruto can’t give her the luxury in which she wants and will move on to, perhaps, eventually be married into another aristocratic family.” Kiba perked up at this and looked to Shikamaru with a wide smirk and a gleam in his eyes that said ‘told you so.’

Shikamaru sighed putting his hands behind his head, he wasn’t gonna win this now. While he could have fended off Kiba, Shino joining the argument and taking Kiba’s side was a different story. Shino used logic and it was hard to argue with that, Shikamaru believing all would end well was out of hope for his friend, not rationality. Looking to Choji for back up who seemed to be pondering things himself, Shikamaru got nothing, Choji seemed more intent on what Kiba and Shino were saying and with a sigh Shikamaru knew it was over for him.

“Fine.” The lazy male reluctantly stated in a snappish tone. “If you want to help him and avoid his heartbreak you’ll have to formulate a plan.” It was almost in an instant that he regretted saying that as Kiba’s hand came to his jaw to scratch it while a devious glint caught in his eyes. “Already got one.” The boy with the pineapple styled ponytail visibly tensed but brought himself to ask the question either way. “What is it?”

There was a long silence as Kiba crossed his arms with a smug smile while everyone stared at him with pairs of eyes that were a mixture of curiosity and horror.

“We’re gonna frame Naruto.”

Naruto was out with his friends at his favorite ramen shop, taking a long sip of his drink after finishing his fifth bowl of ramen, usually he would keep himself to two and rarely three due to trying to save money but this was Kiba’s personal treat. The brown haired boy had approached Naruto a while ago and persuading him to come along despite Naruto’s protests that there ‘had to be a catch’ which Kiba assured him there wasn’t.

Kiba was gradually coming to regret his decision as Naruto finished his fifth bowl while Choji was on his second and the other guys were barely finishing their first. With a face of discontent he wondered how in the hell Naruto ate that much and stayed as fit as he was. Maybe a hell of a metabolism ran in the family.

Naruto was wearing his signature hoodie as the cold weather came around. It was a light one in which was a bright orange that would have been an eyesore on anyone but Naruto, somehow he made it work. Kiba knew he had another one, which made him feel less bad for what he was about to do. Reaching over abruptly to try and grab his glass of soda that was on the side of him in which Naruto sat he hit the glass roughly with the back of his hand. Hearing a gasp from Naruto and a rough shove on his shoulder he smirked.

“Shit Naruto, I’m sorry man!”  Kiba stood up trying to help his friend handing him napkins as Shikamaru stared on with a disapproving look. Naruto took off his hoodie before the soda could soak through to his plain black shirt which matched his black sweats that had an orange stripe going down them quite nicely. “Hey maybe this is payback for eating five bowls.” Shikamaru muttered obviously wanting to put Kiba in some deep shit as Naruto looked at him with angry realization in his blue eyes. Kiba had to act fast.

“Listen man, at least let me take it home and go through the trouble of washing it for you.” Offered  the brunette as Naruto relaxed and handed it over to Kiba. “I’m gonna go home and take a shower, my arms feel sticky.” Muttered the blonde before gently slapping an arm on Kiba’s shoulder and thanking him for the meal before waving a goodbye to the others. Kiba watched him go with a look of accomplishment in his eyes before looking back at his friends and smirking. “See? Told you all this would work itself out.” Shikamaru stood up and began to ready himself to leave. “I'm not gonna be apart of this.” Standing up he walked to stand in front of his messy haired brunette friend with an almost challenging posture. “When this shit hits the fan and he's moping around about it I'm gonna be the one to clean it up, I'm not gonna tell him what you did though oh no, he's dense but he's not stupid and he'll know you're the one who had that hoodie and when he comes to kick your ass I'm gonna have the pleasure of knowing I had nothing to do with this because fucking up a friend’s chances with a girl you know he likes even if he himself doesn't realize it isn't just a drag; it's a dick move Kiba.”

With that Shikamaru grabbed his coat and left shortly after Kiba. “Huh, he left money for the meal.” Choji mumbled clearly trying to lighten the mood as Kiba seemed to be steaming. So now he thinks he’s too good to eat food I payed for. Sitting down he gripped Naruto’s hoodie in his hand with a certain contempt that Shino was vaguely aware of but didn't mention when they left and Kiba went to carry out the plan he had created; not being bothered by the fact that Choji and Shino seemed to want nothing to do with it after Shikamaru’s uncharacteristically passionate speech.

Hinata was devastated, there hadn't been a single flower or blooming bud left untouched and the area in which she had cultivated a small community of flora had been reduced to smashed flowers and scattered petals. That wasn't the worst part of it though, the worst part was finding his hoodie. For whatever reason Hinata had taken it home with her and now laid on her bed curled into a fetal position holding the hoodie whose scent was so comforting but reminded her painfully that betrayal came from those who had once been comforting.

It had laid among a couple of logs and dirt clung to it, obvious footprints as if they had fled and forgotten about the discarded item in a rush. She had vaguely wondered why that was before telling herself that no, it couldn’t have been his. Perhaps it was the darkening day that made it look orange from afar and it was actually some other warm shade or color; definitely not his signature orange though. Though coming closer to it and picking it up with an index finger and thumb she began to sniffle and choke on a sob. For whatever reason she washed it as delicately as she would wash her own clothes, wanting to make some scene of giving it back to him and telling him she hoped he was happy. A scene that would undoubtedly make Ino and Sakura proud but when she took it out of the dryer and it still smelled like him her resolve wavered and crashed.

Neji came into her room with a tray of two cups of tea, setting one beside Hinata’s dresser by her bed for her to reach before pulling out the chair at her desk while he made that his personal resting area for the time being. Opening his mouth to speak Hinata stopped him. “Please don't say I told you so.” Her hair shaped her face gracefully and loose strands clung to her tear stained cheeks desperately. If it wasn't for the situation before him, Neji would have thought her an angel. “I simply never had faith in him, that's all.” Neji muttered lowly recalling having known of the boy due to his reputation at the school but didn't think him this low. Not allowing Hinata to know of that he stood up after a long silence only disturbed by the sound of him swallowing his tea and movement as he made his way over to his cousin. Wiping her hair from her face, slightly revolted by its dampness. Leaving her tea with her he left the room and allowed her to be with herself.

Eventually he called a good friend of his who had also been one of his childhood friends, TenTen, and asked her to come over for moral support. While he hadn’t talked to the girl that wore buns in her hair for quite some time due to the fact that her and his other friend Rock Lee were more so jocks than nerds, it had been some time since their last meet up. Their pool of friends had changed but they made sure to reassure each other that no matter what they would always be there whenever either one needed them. Perhaps that was why she was the one he called for the emotional support his cousin needed but he couldn’t provide. Perhaps part of it was also a selfish part of him that just wanted to see TenTen. 

She was here for about an hour cooing and humming tunes for Hinata like she was a child to comfort her before calmly telling Neji it would simply be better to leave Hinata be for now. Her coco brown eyes had given him a knowing and sympathetic look before kissing his cheek in a friendly manner and leaving. Despite her bold and at times brash personality Neji had to admit TenTen along with Hinata were two of the kindest people he knew and while Hinata was always kind TenTen was kind when it mattered which seemed to add a certain degree of importance to it. Raising his palm to his cheek he held it there, thinking as if TenTen and Hinata represented the whole population of females with their caring personalities and for a moment believed that’s how all females were; innocent. He knew at that moment that betraying the trust of of any girl with an inch of kindness in her heart was a one way ticket to hell and he wondered how Naruto Uzumaki had done it without a seemingly care in the world.

Naruto wasn't surprised when Neji seemed like a guard when Hinata walked into the school for the first time after the weekend, he wasn't surprised when Neji practically shoved him back and told him not to speak to him or his cousin; to say he was surprised was a huge understatement. Naruto was in a state of shock.

What broke his heart was when he was pleading with Hinata for some explanation and she didn't even look at him, simply walked forward to Sakura and Ino who were looking at him as if looks could kill along with the mildly interested pair of eyes that belonged to Sasuke and Sai. With hardened blue eyes he looked into the equally hardened grey eyes of Neji Hyuga and the two initiated a stare off. “Are you hard of hearing? I’ve told you to get out of here over three times already! Hinata should have never associated herself with your kind.” At that the blonde immediately flinched, so that’s what this was about. Naruto wasn’t good enough for Hinata, and from the looks of it apparently Hinata agreed. Sighing heavily Naruto brushed off his shoulders as if dusting off dirt, it felt appropriate since in their eyes he was dirt. “I heard you the first time I just thought,” his trail of thought hesitated before looking to Hinata one last time, “I thought wrong.” Turning around he began walking off with as much dignity as he could with an uncaring posture and hands in his pockets.

Upon walking up to his gang of friends Shikamaru almost had an understanding look appear on his usually indifferent face. “Turns out I’m not good enough to be seen with the school’s princess anymore. I should have figured it’d happen sooner than later.” The blonde’s shoulders dropped before Kiba came around and slung an arm around his shoulders. “Meh, who needs a spoiled princess anyway, honestly dude she was just using you as some little personal guard or charity case.” His statement received a couple of glares but Naruto’s shoulders only slumped knowing his friend had a loud and blunt mouth. “Whatever, I think I’m going home for the rest of the day, I’m not in the mood for school.” It was with that statement Kiba looked like he finally realized what he did as his friend walked to the exit of the school.

It was about two weeks of not seeing Naruto that Shikamaru decided to text him.

Shikamaru: Hey dude, you missing so much school is troublesome.

Naruto: like I care

Shikamaru: I wouldn’t be texting you if someone didn’t care :/

The blonde didn’t reply after that which only caused the dark haired boy to run a few fingers through his hair in utter annoyance before the bell rang and he walked out of class to greet Kiba by grabbing him by his collar. “Fix it.” Kiba’s eyes took a moment to process what Shikamaru said due to the dark haired boy’s suddenly blunt behavior but when they did there was immediate recognition before it vanished. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Stated Kiba before turning his face, Shikamaru simply pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not in the mood to make this more of a drag than it is, listen just fix this and make it better before I tell Naruto about your little stunt and let him come to school to kick your ass himself.” At that Kiba seemed to stiffen a little before chuckling. “He’ll hate you too if you tell him. You could have stopped it and told him at the beginning.” Shikamaru shrugged. “I can live with that, he’ll probably forgive me eventually though because if you won’t fix it I’ll speak up in his case to Hinata, not you though.” Check mate, Kiba made a move to remove the other’s hand from his collar before heading in the direction of that patio, where the preps had lunch. “Fine.” The brunette called over his shoulder when Shikamaru looked at him dumbfounded.

Kiba stopped a good distance away from them, sighing heavily as he mentally prepared himself for what he was about to do. He watched them for a long moment though, dark eyes watching them with something akin to interest. Sasuke was reading a book while Sakura leaned against him, seemingly ranting about something that annoyed him evidently. He wondered is he was annoyed because the pink haired girl wouldn’t shut her mouth or because of what she was saying; when the ebony eyed pretty boy stated something loudly about having a talk with a certain someone in a protective tone he figured the latter. Sai was sketching the leaves of the trees that gave them shade while Ino looked on in awe, complimenting him every time his pencil made some sort of stroke against paper, but he didn’t seem to be bothered by it; almost appreciative. Hinata sat with her cousin and seemed to be utterly tired as her cousin cased a few worried glances her way as he ate his sandwich. There were two new faces with them, a girl with two buns on her head and an odd looking male with a bowl cut, they sat closest to Neji and Hinata as the bun haired girl rubbed her back and the bowl cut guy seemed to try to be saying something inspirational. As Kiba got closer he began to make out words.

“Hinata-chan, every devastated flower comes back ever the more stronger and beautiful, just as you will. The flames of youth will once again burn in you! Only brighter and hotter this time!!” Kiba cringed as Neji seemed to throw him a look before asking the boy, who he learned was named Rock Lee, if such words were really appropriate. Lee went on to say that’s how he got the girl, TenTen, to brighten up. TenTen seemed appalled by this and merely snapped at him that pretending she felt better was the only way to get him off her back. Before their bickering got worse Hinata looked up at the male that approached them and all of them simultaneously looked up to stare at him. Silence was the only thing heard for a moment before Neji spoke. “Can we help you?” Kiba gulped. “I was wondering if I could speak to Hinata? It’s kind of important see we have a class together and were paired up for a project, just wanna run some ideas by her.” As he made up the story he looked pleadingly to Hinata before she seemed to understand what he was getting out. “Now really isn’t a good ti-” “It’s fine Neji-niisan, I promise this won’t take long.” Getting up Hinata followed the boy a good distance away from them.

“Listen I’m not gonna waste your time I’m just gonna tell you what happened. Naruto is a friend of mine and when you two started hanging out more I got pissed and I admit a little jealous so I purposely came up with a plan to sabotage him and that meant making it look like he did something to purposely hurt you. So I sort of borrowed his hoodie and messed up your forest garden on purpose and left his hoodie there to make it look like he did it and then I just watched it all come falling apart just, give him a chance because he’s a mess right now. I honestly tried to mess up your friendship with each other and I take the blame and Naruto doesn’t know what he did wrong just, honestly I don’t know where this is going anymore but I guess what I should say is I’m sorry.”

Most of his words came out frantically and quickly trying to get it all out before she turned and walked away after knowing his purpose talking to her but she simply stood there politely listening to him rant before nodding once she was sure he finished. “Okay.” He looked astonished. “Okay? That’s it?” The dark haired girl nodded once again. “It’s a lot to process but once I do I’ll talk to him. I won’t say anything about you either just pass it off as a misunderstanding.” Hell she wasn’t even mad which made Kiba ever the more shocked, he would have expected her to yell or be angry and immediately threaten to tell Naruto but all she did was say okay and let it go. Even promised to keep this between them and make something up. The guilt of it all made him look down and lower his head. “I get where you’re coming from.” He looked up at that. “Everyone thinks I’m some spoiled and stuck up princess, I’m not, I wasn’t using Naruto or anything. I understand if you thought us to forget of our union better than attempting to keep it, even my cousin thinks him out of my life makes it better that way but,” she trailed off and her next statement came out as a whisper that forced him to lean towards her, “I don’t want to forget about keeping him in my life, as a friend or anything else he makes me happy and I think that’s good enough.” She smiled up at him before turning around and retreating back to her friends leaving Kiba to stand there like an idiot for a few moments. Hell I am an idiot to think they were bad for each other. Shaking his head at himself he turned around and began to make his way back to where his next class would be held.

Naruto lied in his bedroom late into the night simply staring at his ceiling. Had he done something wrong? Something that proved he wasn’t worth Hinata’s time, that had to be it he couldn’t think of anything else. Maybe it was the way he held himself or the fact sometimes his uniform had wrinkles in it. Probably the lousy and clumsy way he ate or the chicken scratch that was his handwriting that made her realize how low on the food-chain he was. He should have known he’d screw up eventually, as his thoughts began to become more self-deprecating the familiar ring of his phone and the light coming from his dresser made him turn around to look it over. His eyes widened at the name that appeared on the screen, given the fact it was about to be 2 in the morning on a school night and also that he had texted this exact person numerous times trying to apologize for whatever he had dne only to be left on read so many times until he came to the conclusion they blocked him.

Hinata: Naruto-kun, are you awake?

Naruto: Yeah of course, why are u still up?

Hinata: Couldn’t sleep.

Naruto: Oh…

Naruto: …

Naruto: Listen, I’m really sorry about whatever I did to upset u.

Hinata: You didn’t do anything, it was a misunderstanding. I’m sorry for not coming to you about it.

Naruto: I’m just glad ur talking to me again.

Hinata: I’m glad you’re not mad at me.

Naruto: I never could be.

After an awkward silence as he watched the bubble to indicate that Hinata was typing reappear and disappear again he smiled gently and figured she simply couldn’t think of anything to say. He didn’t blame her, he surprised himself with that last statement. After a few minute he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Naruto: Wanna ditch school and get some lunch tomorrow?

Hinata: I’d like that.

Hinata: Maybe after that we can buy some seeds find a place where we can make our own personal garden? Mine got ruined from a storm a while back. 

His blue eyes were saucers at that point as he reread the text, not only was he upset that Hinata’s garden which he knew she put so much time into was ruined but simply by the fact that she wanted to make a new one with him of all people. It was an odd metaphor to their recent relationship almost, how things could be ruined but as long as both parties were willing there was a chance to fix it or make something entirely new out of it.

Naruto: I’m sorry about ur garden, but i can’t help but be happy I get to make a new one with u, it sound’s like a plan :P

Hinata: I’m glad, I’ll see you tomorrow then, goodnight Naruto-kun.

Naruto: Night, sweet dreams.

[laboratorioautoral]

I want to read a really dark jonrya fic. I want a jon with the same passion he has for arya in the canon, but without a moral compass. Like you know the one with ' if i can't get the girl, i'll not let her be anyone else's'

So...Since I got several requests asking for a dark Jon, mad Jon, feral Jon, I’ve combined your prompt and @amster-l “After resurrection Jon act like animal: growls, bares his teeth and etc. And he is very jealous about Arya” to make this piece. I hope you’ll enjoy it.

He hasn’t been the same since he was broughtback to life. Maybe it was some sort of side effect of being too long sharingGhost’s mind and body. His men would often whisper in fear that he had becomemore animal that human and with good reason to do so.

The North had a new king and it was his duty tosend the message that no one would ever defy the name Stark or Snow again.

Every morning he would look at the bodiesrotting at the gates. Bolton and his son stood in the middle of the arrangementlike the most valuable jewels in the North. Soon he would add some Freys to thecomposition and perhaps even have a pie made of them, just like in the storiesOld Nad used to tell him. Just the way Arya liked them.

Jon could still remember the taste of Ramsay’sblood in his tongue as Jon licked his fingers after his knife cut throughBolton’s flesh. Even the King in The North had to admit that flaying someonealive had some poetry to it. The ultimate satisfaction it could provide atevery scream in repayment for what Bolton had done to the land and for daringthreat Jon and demand him to give Arya back.

I want my bride back…

Those words had sentenced both bastards todeath in the end, but Jon was more familiar with hell and its mysteries thanBolton would ever be.

As if she has everbeen his. As if Arya has ever belonged to anyone but me.

At that thought he could help a growl. Anotherside effect, he supposed. He had became greedy and territorialist beyondrecognition.

He was so distracted that he barely registeredthe sound of steps coming his way.

“Bran insists upon an audience with you.” Hervoice dragged him back to reality and made his heart beats faster. His mouthwent dry almost immediately, even though he hasn’t turned to see her concernedface looking back at him. “We should assemble a gathering and decide it withthe lords already, Jon. It isn’t fair for us to wait indefinitely.”

“I never knew Brandon craved for a crown thatmuch.” He finally turned to face her frown. She was worried. More than that,she was having problems to deal with the man he had become to the point offearing him. That kind of thing hurt more than the scars in his body. “You looklovely, even with a frown.”

“It’s his birthright and mine, no matter whatyou have to say.” Arya replied fiercely, while ignoring his attempts of gallantry.She was just protecting her baby brother and yet it had been enough to poisonJon’s blood with rage. She should be on his side. Always. Forever.

“It wasn’t Brandon the one to drag the bastardout of this castle, or even the all mighty warg who defeated Bolton’s army. Ifwe are to talk about rights, why don’t we mention the rights of conquest?” Jonreplied while trying to keep his anger under control. “Fear not. I won’t kickyou both out of here. This is our home, after all.”

“What about Reed?” Arya finally addressed thematter he was trying so hard to avoid. “You are not a Stark and with thoseletters and the sigil…What are we supposed to do with all that? Ignore?”

“For all I care, yes!” He growled back at her,finally letting his most animalistic traces to emerge. “I don’t care about whatReed and those papers say! I am Jon and my blood is as much Stark as yours.Robb made me a Stark in his will and also his heir! If I hear one more thingabout Brandon’s rights I’ll send him to the Citadel to become a fuckingmaester!”

“Would you really do this?” Arya looked himstraight in the eyes with an inner strength that he wasn’t used to. That wasn’tthe little girl who used to be so unsure of her place in the world. That wasn’tthe nameless assassin or the orphan who ran away from King’s Landing. Arya hadfinally embraced her identity and everything that came attached to it, whichmeant she was a ferocious young woman, ready to bite her way to power if shehad to. “What about my rights? What am I, if not Bran’s legitimate heir inthis? Will you usurp me as well?”

At that she had him trapped in his own farce.How could he explain it to her without sounding as a lunatic? He had doneeverything for her and only her. If Arya was a free woman it was because he haduncovered Bolton’s plot and made of Winterfell a secure place for them to livein. She had the birthright, but the lords would be unwilling to follow acripple boy and a young woman, no matter how capable they were.

“You won’t even be considered as long as Branand I are alive. No matter how capable you are, the lords will look at you andsee a woman.” Jon tried to sound reasonable and calm, but all to no avail. “Whatis it that you want, Arya? What do I have to do in order to have your support?”

“I’m not sure if you realized, but you areasking me to betray my brother and support your claim when you are not even aStark!” She didn’t even raise her voice to confront him and yet Arya soundedmuch more like a monarch than he did. She never failed to make him proud, evenwhen they stood in opposite sides.

“There was a time you used to call me brothertoo. I suppose I’ll have to get used with the idea that we are not siblingsafter all.” Those words were knifes cutting thru his heart and yet they werethe same words that had broken him free from the guilty he felt whenever helooked at her and saw a desirable woman.

“You are putting me in a terrible place.” Shesaid as if she still cared about him and that was a sweet thing to think. “Iunderstand your side and I can even agree that you might be our best option asKing, but I can’t neglect Bran. What will be of him and what will be of me inthis scenario? Are we supposed to depend on your mercy forever?”

“Fear not, my dear.” He sighed in frustration. “Ican’t conceive the idea of a life in which you are not by my side.” His voicewas full with resolution and purpose. “I’ll make sure Bran will be treatedaccordingly to his rank and needs. I’m even considering marry him to eitherLyanna Mormont or Meera Reed. Whomever he likes best. He will be a lord and animportant member of my council. Does it sound like a terrible thing?”

“What about me?” Arya insisted as if he wassomehow depriving her of her dignity, or something just as valuable. “Am I tobecome a prisoner in my own house, so you’ll have a guarantee that Bran willnever rebel against you?”

“What?” Jon asked cautiously and slightlysurprised by the accusation. “Why would you think that?”

“You have been spying on my correspondence andeven preventing the maester to send them. Don’t even try to deny it. I’ve founda number of them in your cabinet.” She accused him bluntly. “I would appreciateif you allow me some privacy.”

“I don’t follow you around the castle or invadeyour room for you to accuse me of violating your privacy. This is ratherunfair.” Jon tried to minimize the gravity of his actions, and yet Arya lookedat him unimpressed and still angry. “Besides…There was a time in which we hadno secrets between us.”

“There was also a time in which we completedeach other’s sentences and you would mess up with my hair. It perfectly clearthat you chose to distrust us and this is something that can only weaken thisfamily.”

“So…Now I’m family? I’m confused, my dear.” Hereplied in angry disdain. “I trust no one in this world but you, Arya.” He gavea step toward her. If Arya was afraid of his approximation, she never let itshow.

Jon touched her face with his ice cold hands,making Arya shrink a bit. He cupped her cheek, feeling the warmth of her creamyskin as his thumb rubbed the faint pink shade of her cheekbones gently.

“It’s not you whom I don’t trust, but those youcorrespond with.” He said with a hint of indulgency. “Why does Edric Dayneinsist upon writing you so often? What interest could the Lord of Starfall havein you?”

“He…” Arya took a deep breath as if consideringher words. “He knows someone how could provide testimony on your trueparentage. I was trying to secure this piece of evidence just in case.”

“Yes…Wylla, isn’t it?” He smiled at her withouthumor. “It was not that what troubled me. No…I guess it had something to dowith the part in which he wrote you a poem. He has quite a talent with words, Idare say. He just doesn’t have much sense of self-preservation.”

“Why would you even bother about a poem?” Atthat Jon grinned at her like a savage beast. His bare teeth displaying all theanger and violent nature of a wolf being threatened in his territory.

Jon grabbed her chin tightly, but Arya didn’teven blink at his sudden display of lack of control.

“Do you see those bodies rotting outside?” Heasked through his teeth. His fingers relaxed a bit before he held head betweenhis hands and put his forehead against hers. “Do you know why I’ve made such amonumental display of their tragedy?”

“Because you want the world to know that theNorth is ruled by a violent mad man.” Arya replied bitterly.

“No, my love.” He whispered indulgently. “Iwant the world to know what I will do to anyone who dare lay a claim on you.”

“You are truly mad.” She answered with her eyesshut. She smelled of dried roses, pinewood and a faint note of blood. “We neverneeded this between us, Jon.” Her delicate hand caressed his face like a gentlebreeze. “I know it has been…Difficult. If you are to remain as King in theNorth, you’ll have to let go of me at some point and…” Her words trembled as hefelt her tears with the tip of his thumbs. “We must get used to the idea thatat some point we will have to say goodbye once more.”

“I forbid you to even consider such a thing!”He answered harshly. “You are not leaving me, not now, nor ever! Do youunderstand me?!”

“This simply can’t be. The sooner you let me go,the sooner we will be able to overcome this…Sickness we share.” Arya insisted.

“No. No, you won’t leave me!” He finally lostit in a scream. “You are mine and I am yours! If everything Reed said about meis truth than everything becomes too clear for me. You are afraid of what willbe of you under my reign, so let me make it simple. I will make a queen out ofyou.” His voice sounded almost feral and deranged. “All those faces and namesyou once used…Forget them all. You will be remembered forever as Queen Arya ofWinterfell. If the North demands a trueborn Stark in the Winter Throne, then I’llgive them one. You will rule by my side and protect me with your name while I’llgrant you all the power and recognition you might want. Be my wild and savagequeen. March to war by my side if you like. Give me sons and daughters to carryour names for generations to come so the world will know that ours is the Songof Ice and Fire!”

“That means that you’ll have to claim theTargaryen name.” Arya tried to sound reasonable. “This means war.”

“I don’t care.” He said in a low and desolatedtone. “I would fight my way to hell if that meant a chance of having you formyself. I won’t make excuses or apologize for loving you as I do. If anything,loving and desiring someone from my own kin is nothing but my birthright as aTargaryen.”

“What if I don’t want to be a queen? Have youconsidered that?” Arya questioned him bitterly.

Jon held her head firmly in place once Aryaquestioned his intentions. His mouth claimed hers in a voracious kiss thatcould only be described as immoral. Blindly he pressed her body against thenearest wall while trying to immobilize her arms.

Soon they were breathless, but their lips werestill so close that they could almost touch.

“I never said this was something up todiscussion.” He whispered to her dangerously. “I’m not asking you to be mine. I’mmerely informing you that you already are, my love.”

[redfieldfeer]

I think the same and I don't care about my mental health since I wrote something similar in the fanfic that will come out.

god she probably already thought she was going to die here you can literally see her life flashing before her eyes and all the regret and guilt she's been feeling. imagine her thinking that after just getting vi back she's gonna lose her again without even getting the chance to fix everything she did