#aurelia's christmas series 2023

[valleyof-goldenlilies]

The Fuss About the Christmas Gala - Modern! Rhaenyra Targaryen x Reader

Summary: Rhaenyra faces a small crisis regarding the planning of the Targaryen Corporation's gala.

Pairing: Modern! Rhaenyra Targaryen x Fem! Reader

Warnings: profanity, angst, slight talks of Rhaenyra self harming (biting her fingernails), fingering, lots of kissing, mentions of dom Rhaenyra, slight dom reader

Word Count: 2.3k words

A/N: hoe hoe hoe! a very merry late Christmas and Happy New Year in advance from me to you :) this is for all the Rhaenyra girlies out there! I hope you enjoy :)

lovely dividers credited to @firefly-graphics !

If there was one word that was the antithesis of Rhaenyra Targaryen right now, it would be the word calm. 

For two days now, you had watched your girlfriend rush about like a madman caught up in a whirlwind. Unsure of what to do, you usually just sat on the couch, concernedly sipping a glass of water as you watched your girlfriend work herself to death. 

Today was no different, and the stress had only multiplied by a dozen. Since the Targaryen Christmas Gala was this weekend, Rhaenyra was rushing around, calling up caterers, decorators, florists, to make sure that the weekend would go as perfectly as possible. 

“Ugh, those fucking dim-witted imbeciles!” Rhaenyra raged, slamming her phone down on the couch where you were sitting. You looked up from your work, concern furrowed in your brow, as Rhaenyra sank into the couch next to you and began ranting. “Can you believe that the caterers had to cancel at the last minute? Said something about having to attend to the President’s dinner party for all his cabinet at the fucking Red Keep!” Rhaenyra was positively vibrating with fury, and if her anger could sprout wings, she would have flown away by now, probably to kick the head of the caterers’ ass. 

“Nyra,” you tried to calm her, but she continued on with her tirade. “And the florists! No one can do their jobs right.” rhaenyra buried her face in a throw cushion, making a distressed noise. “I knew I should’ve accepted Alicent’s offer of connecting me to the florists she previously used at the other Targaryen events. But I’m just-” 

“I know,” you said, hands going to rub Rhaenyra’s shoulders soothingly. Rhaenyra’s dislike for her stepmother was legendary among your social circles, and with how bullheaded Rhaenyra was, you can’t say you were surprised when she vehemently turned down her stepmother’s offers of connecting Rhaenyra to her contacts, preferring to do it on her own. 

Rhaenyra’s anger soon turned into a crack in her voice, as she felt small tears slipping down her cheeks, seeping into the velvet of the throw cushion she was using to hide her face. She didn’t want you to see her like this. But the stress was really getting to her, and she soon broke, like a dam that had caved at long last. 

Mortification and sympathy immediately filled you when you heard your girlfriend’s strangled sob, as you moved to take her into your arms. “I just-” Rhaenyra choked out, “I wanted to do this on my own. To prove that I could. This is the first event that Father asked me to plan on my own as future CEO to Targaryen Corporations, and I’ve-” Rhaenyra sniffled noisily. The snot from her tears was getting into the blouse you were wearing, but you could care less, only continuing to stroke Rhaenyra’s silver-blonde locks, trying to mollify her. “I’ve screwed it up completely. I’m such a fuckup.” 

“You’re not a fuckup, Nyra,” you said softly, heart breaking as you watched her shoulders shake with sobs. “Don’t lie to me, Y/N,” Rhaenyra spat out, though the venom in her voice was weakened by how much she was crying. 

“I haven’t finished yet,” your voice was chiding, but gently so. “A fuckup, absolutely not. Bullheaded? Stubborn? A little idiotic? Definitely so.” A choked laugh bubbled up in the midst of Rhaenyra’s tears, and you smiled at that, satisfied to have elicited a response apart from cursing or tears. 

“What do I do, my love?” Rhaenyra sniffled, her tone stained with despair. “How am I supposed to face Father tomorrow and tell him that the caterers and florists have both cancelled? I barely can keep the rest of the event’s logistics from spiralling out of control too.” Rhaenyra barked out a jagged laugh. “Seven Hells, the only thing I actually managed to get done was secure the venue and the musicians. He’s going to be so disappointed in me, isn’t he?” You hummed, softly curling a strand of Rhaenyra’s hair around your index finger. “You know, love, I did offer my help a few weeks ago. The offer still stands.” 

An exasperated sigh burst from Rhaenyra’s lips. “And I said no. I don’t need help…” Rhaenyra’s voice slowly trailed off, as the absurdity of words began to sink in. “Oh,” she spoke, voice sounding defeated.“I really am an idiot, aren’t I?’ 

“Oh, darling,” you spoke affectionately. “You are, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start amending that.” You kissed her on the forehead tenderly, wiping her tears away with your thumb. “Let me help you. Please, Nyra. You can’t keep insisting on doing everything yourself, you know.” Your voice was gentle, yet firm. “You need to let go of your pride. Capeesh?” 

Rhaenyra grumbled a little, but she melted under the warmth of your embrace. “Fine. Capeesh. But maybe hold back on bruising my ego, why don’t you?” You chuckled, kissing her on the lips. “How else am I supposed to get you to learn, dearest?” 

In all honesty, managing an event was definitely way harder than you imagined it was when you had offered your help. While the lack of a budget certainly helped, there were a lot of things the both of you had to consider. Such as the table seating arrangements, the order of the performances (who knew there would be so much fuss over whether the ballet-contemporary dance trope should come before or after the string quartet performance?), the approval of the various menus for guests with special dietary restrictions and the like. 

Rich people truly never ceased to amaze you with their elaborate whims and fancies. 

Even with your help, Rhaenyra still occasionally flew into anxious fits while the both of you were sorting out the details for the event, and you had to stop all work to comfort her when that happened. You also noticed her bitten off fingernails, an old childhood habit Rhaenyra was fond of doing. When confronted, Rhaenyra only sheepishly admitted that the stress often blinded her from doing anything else. 

While it made your blood boil that Rhaenyra was neglecting her own well-being for the sake of the godsforsaken gala, you also felt an uncomfortable, crawling sensation under your skin, and that little voice in your head, telling you that you were to blame for this whole mess. 

‘Why weren’t you more insistent on helping her out?’ it whispered, taunting. ‘How could you let your girlfriend stress herself to this point until she would mistreat herself?’ 

Still, you managed to wave the thoughts aside, wanting to just focus on Rhaenyra now. Gradually, as the plans for the gala became more and more concrete, Rhaenyra became noticeably more relaxed, the perpetual frown that was present on her lips slowly dissolving into a less tense expression. Although Rhaenyra still bristled at the thought of bringing in additional help, she reluctantly acquiesced when you mentioned asking Alicent, who was more experienced in hosting these events, to take a look at the event timeline. It was no easy feat for a Targaryen to set aside their pride, but you were very glad that Rhaenyra could. 

As the night of the Targaryen Christmas Gala rolled around, you were in Rhaenyra’s dressing room, lips pursed in concentration as you fastened the delicate clasp of Rhaenyra’s diamond festoon necklace around her neck. 

“Hey,” Rhaenyra said softly, looking at you through the mirror. “Mmm?” you hummed inquisitively, smiling widely as you finally managed to get the clasp buckled together. She grabbed your hands as she turned around, leaning her forehead on yours. “Thank you.” Love and gratitude laced her voice. You squeezed her hands in yours, leaning in to kiss your girlfriend on the lips. “It’ll be alright,” Rhaenyra felt a warm feeling seep into her muscles, extinguishing the tension she had been feeling all evening. “Don’t worry too much, hmm? It’s Christmas after all. Tis’ the season to be jolly, you know.” A light giggle burst from Rhaenyra’s lips, before she leaned in for another kiss. “I’ll do my best, love.” 

Hours had stretched on, and it seemed the gala was going swimmingly. Though Rhaenyra had roped you into attending the gala with her - her reasons being that you were her beloved girlfriend and that she wanted every single one of the Targaryen family’s business associates, as well as all her family to see that you were the woman she loved - she had been noticeably absent for some time now. 

Anxious footsteps thumped across the floor of the ballroom, as you politely manoeuvred past the gala’s attendees, trying to find the familiar figure clad in red. 

When you neared one of the endless amount of balconies in this massive building, you breathed out a sigh of relief when you caught a glimpse of white-blonde hair. Standing out at the terrace, surrounded by the night and glowing under the shimmer of a thousand stars, Rhaenyra leaned on the balcony balustrade, her back to the door, as you admired her from behind. 

“You look like a goddess from this view you know,” Rhaenyra smiled as she felt your arms encircle her waist, planting a soft kiss on her neck. “Oh no, you found me,” her tone was filled with teasing. She relaxed into your arms, seeking your warmth. “I found you,” Rhaenyra’s breathing grew heavier as you continued peppering kisses on her neck. “Why are you out here all by yourself, gorgeous? The party’s going well, isn’t it?” 

“Yeah, it is,” Rhaenyra sighed, tilting her head up to give you more access to her neck. “It just…still makes me a bit disappointed in myself, you know? That I couldn’t take charge of a simple event like this.” 

“You’re belittling yourself again, my darling,” you murmured, lips grazing along the sensitive curve of her shoulder. “This event is far from simple, and you know that. Besides, it’s alright to accept the help of others when you’re overwhelmed.” 

Rhaenyra closed her eyes, her hair falling into her face slightly as she cast her gaze downwards. “And I know. It’s just still hard to accept.” You purse your lips, wanting to comfort her somehow…

Rhaenyra felt her breath hitch as your fingers slowly made their way up her thighs, all while your lips still remained on her neck. “Where are those fingers going, hmm?” she murmured. 

“I just want to make you feel better, my dear.” You trailed your kisses to the top of her spine. Do I have your permission, love?” 

“Yes,” Rhaenyra breathed out, gripping the balcony railing tighter. “Fuck yes.” A wicked grin graced your face as she said that, as your fingers skillfully slid aside her panties, grazing them gently against Rhaenyra’s sweet spot. Her answering moan was a cry from the angels themselves. 

“Wet already, hmm?” You murmured, the pad of your finger collecting the wetness of her slit. Rhaenyra groaned, “That’s usually my line.” You smirked in response, fingers playing with her folds with deliberation. “I know you’re always on top, darling. But isn’t it nice to have me take charge for a change?” 

“Definitely no-” Rhaenyra had to bite her tongue as you plunged the first finger inside of her, pleasure coursing through her veins. “Oh, darling,” she moaned your name huskily as you added a second finger, beginning to move faster. A strangled cry rose from her throat as your thumb went to rub at her clit, her skin feeling feverish as she felt you tug off her furred shawl so that you could have access to her bare back. Your soft lips followed the curve of her spine, while your other hand went to trace patterns on her heated skin. 

“Dominance is a good look on me, isn’t it?” You teased, adding a third finger, curling it in a come hither motion. Rhaenyra felt like she was about to faint, as a familiar budding sensation in her abdomen began to bloom. “I should do it more often, love. Who knew you could be a pliant mess under all that tough exterior?” 

“Oh, you are so going to regret this later,” Rhaenyra growled, head already filled with the ideas she would do to punish you later when she got home. In response, you only rubbed her clit harder, making her let out a cry of needy pleasure. 

“Nah,” you smiled, not fazed in the least. “I don’t think I will, dear.” The speed of your fingers quickened, and Rhaenyra let out a final wanton moan as she came, legs turning weak. You had to grip on tightly to her waist with your other hand that wasn’t buried to the knuckle in her so that her knees wouldn’t give in then and there. 

“You okay, darling?” you asked teasingly, as your fingers gradually slowed their pace and you planted a kiss onto the crook of her shoulder. Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes, though her breathing was still unsteady after the orgasm she had. “Don’t act so smug just because you’re in charge for once. You’re going to get it when we get home, darling.” 

“I’m looking forward to it,” you continued challenging her with that teasing tone of yours, retracting your hand from under Rhaenyra’s skirts. “Do me a favour before that, and taste yourself, darling?” Rhaenyra looked a bit miffed at that, though in good spirit. Still, she gave in with a dramatic sigh, as you lifted your fingers to her lips, making her suck her essence off of them. A light moan burst from your lips at the sight, and you leaned in to kiss her, threading your fingers in her white-blonde locks to pull her closer to you. When she abruptly broke away, you frowned, thinking that you had done something wrong, but she only pointed up and said with a sort of childlike delight, “Look, it’s snowing, darling.” 

Caught off guard, you directed your gaze upwards, noting with wonder the white furls currently dancing in the sky. Rhaenyra laughed as a snowflake got caught in your eyelash and you let out a small yelp, flicking it off with her fingers. “Merry Christmas, darling,” Rhaenyra murmured, capturing your lips with hers again, her hand cupping your cheek. You smiled back, gazing adoringly into her eyes. “Merry Christmas, Nyra.”

let me know if you wish to be added to a general taglist for rhaenyra related works, or just my works in general in the comments or through this form! :) 

thank you for reading! if you liked it, likes, comments and reblogs are highly appreciated! merry late xmas guys 😘🎄

[brookston]

Holidays 12.2

Holidays

Armed Forces Day (Cuba)

Atomic Day

Build Joy Day

Chichibu Yomatsuri (Night Party; Japan)

Feast of Pirate Utopias

Gospel Day (Marshall Islands)

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (UN)

National Anytime Hawaiian Day

National Day (Laos; UAE)

National Mutt Day (a.k.a. National Mixed Breed Day) [also 7.31]

Oshiroi Matsuri (Face Paint Festival; Japan)

Pan American Health Day

Play Basketball Day

Safety Razor Day

Special Education Day

Walter Plinge Day (UK)

World Computer Literacy Day

World Pollution Prevention Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Business of Popping Corn Day

National Fritters Day

1st Friday in December

Bartender Appreciation Day [1st Friday]

Eccentric Day (Bell's Brewery; Michigan) [1st or 2nd Friday or Another Day]

Farmer’s Day (Ghana) [1st Friday]

Faux Fur Friday [1st Friday]

Gospel Day (Marshall Islands) [1st Friday]

International Sweater Vestival [2nd Friday after Thanksgiving]

National Salesperson Day [1st Friday]

Open It! Weekend begins [1st Friday]

Independence Days

United Arab Emirates (from UK, 1971)

Feast Days

Avitus of Rouen (Christian; Saint)

Bibiana (Christian; Saint) [hangovers]

Channing Moore Williams (Anglicanism)

Chromatius (Christian; Saint)

Cromwell (Positivist; Saint)

Fart Like a Pirate Day (Pastafarian)

Grog Guzzling Day (Pastafarian)

Habakkuk (Eastern Orthodox)

King Crab (Muppetism)

Nonnus (Christian; Saint)

Rodan Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it reminds people that Christmas is "So close, yet so far". They will hate you.) 

Premieres

Black Dog, by Led Zeppelin (Song; 1971)

Cruising with Ruben & the Jets, by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (Album; 1968)

Dreamgirls (Broadway Musical; 1981)

Giant Steps, by John Coltrane (Album; 1959)

I, Robot (Novel; 1950)

Jackie (Film; 2016)

The Naked Gun (Film; 1988)

Reasons I Drink, by Alan’s Morissette (Song; 2019)

Rick and Morty (Animated TV Series; 2013)

Samson and Delilah, by Camille Saint-Saëns (Opera; 1877) 

Tequila Sunrise (Film; 1988)

3rd Symphony in F, by Johannas Brahms (Symphony; 1883)

Thriller, by Michael Jackson (Music Video; 1983)

Today’s Name Days

Bibiana, Jan, Lucius (Austria)

Bibijana, Habakuk (Croatia)

Blanka (Czech Republic)

Bibiana (Denmark)

Aira, Aire, Airi (Estonia)

Anelma, Unelma, Unna (Finland)

Viviane (France)

Bibiana, Jan, Lucius (Germany)

Meropi, Solomon (Greece)

Melinda, Vivien (Hungary)

Bibiana, Savino, Viviana (Italy)

Meta, Sniedze (Latvia)

Aurelija, Milmantė, Paulina, Svirgailas (Lithuania)

Bård, Borghild, Borgny (Norway)

Adria, Aurelia, Balbina, Bibianna, Paulina, Sulisław, Wiktoryn, Zbylut (Poland)

Bibiána (Slovakia)

Bibiana, Viviana (Spain)

Beata, Beatrice (Sweden)

Solomon (Ukraine)

Tayler, Taylor, Todd, Vita, Vivian, Viviana, Vivianne, Vivienne (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 336 of 2022; 29 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 48 of 2022

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 7 of 28]

Chinese: Month 11 (Dōngyuè), Day 9 (Ji-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 8 Kislev 5783

Islamic: 8 Jumada I 1444

J Cal: 6 Zima; Fiveday [6 of 30]

Julian: 19 November 2022

Moon: 72%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 28 Frederic (12th Month) [Cromwell]

Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 8 of 15

Season: Autumn (Day 71 of 90)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 10 of 30)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 12.2

Holidays

Armed Forces Day (Cuba)

Atomic Day

Build Joy Day

Chichibu Yomatsuri (Night Party; Japan)

Feast of Pirate Utopias

Gospel Day (Marshall Islands)

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (UN)

National Anytime Hawaiian Day

National Day (Laos; UAE)

National Mutt Day (a.k.a. National Mixed Breed Day) [also 7.31]

Oshiroi Matsuri (Face Paint Festival; Japan)

Pan American Health Day

Play Basketball Day

Safety Razor Day

Special Education Day

Walter Plinge Day (UK)

World Computer Literacy Day

World Pollution Prevention Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Business of Popping Corn Day

National Fritters Day

1st Friday in December

Bartender Appreciation Day [1st Friday]

Eccentric Day (Bell's Brewery; Michigan) [1st or 2nd Friday or Another Day]

Farmer’s Day (Ghana) [1st Friday]

Faux Fur Friday [1st Friday]

Gospel Day (Marshall Islands) [1st Friday]

International Sweater Vestival [2nd Friday after Thanksgiving]

National Salesperson Day [1st Friday]

Open It! Weekend begins [1st Friday]

Independence Days

United Arab Emirates (from UK, 1971)

Feast Days

Avitus of Rouen (Christian; Saint)

Bibiana (Christian; Saint) [hangovers]

Channing Moore Williams (Anglicanism)

Chromatius (Christian; Saint)

Cromwell (Positivist; Saint)

Fart Like a Pirate Day (Pastafarian)

Grog Guzzling Day (Pastafarian)

Habakkuk (Eastern Orthodox)

King Crab (Muppetism)

Nonnus (Christian; Saint)

Rodan Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it reminds people that Christmas is "So close, yet so far". They will hate you.) 

Premieres

Black Dog, by Led Zeppelin (Song; 1971)

Cruising with Ruben & the Jets, by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (Album; 1968)

Dreamgirls (Broadway Musical; 1981)

Giant Steps, by John Coltrane (Album; 1959)

I, Robot (Novel; 1950)

Jackie (Film; 2016)

The Naked Gun (Film; 1988)

Reasons I Drink, by Alan’s Morissette (Song; 2019)

Rick and Morty (Animated TV Series; 2013)

Samson and Delilah, by Camille Saint-Saëns (Opera; 1877) 

Tequila Sunrise (Film; 1988)

3rd Symphony in F, by Johannas Brahms (Symphony; 1883)

Thriller, by Michael Jackson (Music Video; 1983)

Today’s Name Days

Bibiana, Jan, Lucius (Austria)

Bibijana, Habakuk (Croatia)

Blanka (Czech Republic)

Bibiana (Denmark)

Aira, Aire, Airi (Estonia)

Anelma, Unelma, Unna (Finland)

Viviane (France)

Bibiana, Jan, Lucius (Germany)

Meropi, Solomon (Greece)

Melinda, Vivien (Hungary)

Bibiana, Savino, Viviana (Italy)

Meta, Sniedze (Latvia)

Aurelija, Milmantė, Paulina, Svirgailas (Lithuania)

Bård, Borghild, Borgny (Norway)

Adria, Aurelia, Balbina, Bibianna, Paulina, Sulisław, Wiktoryn, Zbylut (Poland)

Bibiána (Slovakia)

Bibiana, Viviana (Spain)

Beata, Beatrice (Sweden)

Solomon (Ukraine)

Tayler, Taylor, Todd, Vita, Vivian, Viviana, Vivianne, Vivienne (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 336 of 2022; 29 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 48 of 2022

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 7 of 28]

Chinese: Month 11 (Dōngyuè), Day 9 (Ji-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 8 Kislev 5783

Islamic: 8 Jumada I 1444

J Cal: 6 Zima; Fiveday [6 of 30]

Julian: 19 November 2022

Moon: 72%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 28 Frederic (12th Month) [Cromwell]

Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 8 of 15

Season: Autumn (Day 71 of 90)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 10 of 30)

[valleyof-goldenlilies]

Falling of Snow, Falling in Love - Modern! Alicent Hightower x Reader

Summary: Alicent finally finds the courage to confess her feelings for you, her longtime admirer and best friend.

Pairing: Modern!Alicent Hightower x Fem!Reader

Warnings: slight mentions of homophobia, homosexual pining, Alicent angsting on the inside

Word Count: 1k words

A/N: hoe hoe hoe! a very merry late Christmas and Happy New Year in advance from me to you :) this is for all the lovers of our favourite doe-eyed queen with the reddish brown curls (and all of Olivia Cooke's simps). I hope you enjoy! :)

lovely dividers credited to @firefly-graphics !

Despite the biting chill that had been plaguing Oldtown for the past few weeks now, today, the sun hung up high in the blue sky, shining brightly, painting the portrait of a perfect, though chilly sunny day. 

Which was how you found yourself prancing along the cobbled streets of Oldtown this fine afternoon, arms linked with your best friend, Alicent, the both of you deciding to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Even though the cold had brought out the redness in your cheeks and in your opinion, made you look like someone who had just undergone a severe sunburn, Alicent still looked as dazzling as ever. Her reddish brown curls cascaded down her back, perfectly windswept by the winter breeze, and her cheeks were tinged with the sort of rosiness reminiscent in paintings of old. She looked like a vision. 

And you said as much to her this morning when she appeared at your door, bright eyed and bundled in her cosy brown trench coat and maroon scarf. She had laughed and the loveliest shade of pink had spilled into her features, a sight which made your heart beat ten times faster in your chest. 

Gods, was she beautiful. 

You had always made your feelings of admiration clear to Alicent, something that had first started as Alicent taking it as a joke, before evolving into something much more serious. More complicated. You knew Alicent never did well with complicated, and you always accepted that you wouldn’t push her on reciprocating your feelings. Having been raised in such a cloistered and conservative environment, Alicent still struggled with accepting your adoration and her own amorous feelings towards you, which were frowned upon by her parents and siblings, all deeming a romantic love between individuals of the same gender ‘unnatural’. 

As Alicent began to grow older however, she gradually distanced herself from those harmful beliefs with your help, learning to accept who she was and how she chose to love. After all, she had learnt from you, love was love, and no matter who you love, it should never stir up a sense of shame in you. 

Now, Alicent’s main obstacle was her lack of courage. As she watched you drag her from shop to shop, whether it was marvelling at the baked goods displayed in the windows of Oldtown’s finest bakeries, or excitedly gesturing to Alicent the little porcelain animals you’ve seen at the cutest antiques shop, Alicent couldn’t help but fall in love with you more and more. 

However, it was never easy for Alicent to express her feelings, much less ones she had repressed all her life. She was someone who would rather listen quietly and observe others rather than speaking out on her own. So she bided her time and waited, as you were patient and comforting with her struggles, as you told her time after time again it doesn’t matter if she couldn’t express her admiration back for you the same way that you did. It all didn’t matter, as long as she was by your side. 

But today, it did matter. Because she was finally going to tell you how she felt. How she felt the same as you did her, how she worshipped every inch of you, how she relished in every laugh elicited from you, every single one of your words that were laced with honey and everything sweet in the world. 

How much she loved you. 

Your strolling eventually carried the both of you to a square in the shopping district of Oldtown, and Alicent was absentmindedly giving out responses to your questions. She bit her lip nervously, her other hand going to pat down her curls. ‘This is it,’ she told herself, inhaling deeply. ‘I’m going to tell her how I feel. On Christmas day, just like I planned.’ 

‘I got this-’ 

“Alicent!” Your exclamation jolted Alicent from her self-induced panic, and she looked at you, trying not to display the anxiety she felt at her confession being disrupted. But then, she tilted her head up at your behest, and saw something wondrous. 

White flecks of snow were cascading down from the skies, making their soft and swift descent as all around, people in Oldtown stopped to stare and marvel at the sky. The first snowfall had arrived at last. 

“Oh my goodness,” you said excitedly, before you started shivering violently, teeth chattering. The sudden landfall of snow had made the temperature drop by a few degrees, and you hastily moved to pull on your mittens, urging Alicent to do the same. But the bone-biting chill aside, you looked positively delighted as the snow gradually began covering the ground, and as the sun’s rays reflected on it, it cast an otherworldly, magical glow on all your surroundings. It was truly a White Christmas now. “It’s so beautiful, isn’t it?” you remarked to Alicent, eyes shining. 

Only to realise that her twinkling brown eyes were fixed on you. 

“Yes,” Alicent said softly, as you felt the graze of her soft mittens on your cheek. “It really is.” 

You could feel your heart nearly beating out of your chest, a rush of epiphany and joy making your head spin a little. ‘Was this finally happening?” 

Alicent hesitated, deciding that the time was right, she leaned in, brushing her lips against yours. When she made to pull away, however, you held her face between your hands, pulling her in for a deeper, longer kiss. 

And there was nothing more perfect in the world than this, Alicent realised. Your kiss was slow, languid, but filled with emotion, with nothing but pure, innocent admiration for one another. Of love. 

Alicent hadn’t wanted the kiss to end, but when it eventually did, she took the chance, leaning her forehead against yours and whispering the words she had always wanted to say: 

“I love you.” 

And as you laughed and dipped Alicent, bringing your lips to hers again, Alicent realised again that you were right, that love was nothing to be ashamed of. 

Love was something that made her feel powerful.

let me know if you wish to be added to a general taglist for alicent related works, or just my works in general in the comments or through this form! :) 

thank you for reading! if you liked it, likes, comments and reblogs are highly appreciated! merry late xmas guys 😘🎄

[valleyof-goldenlilies]

A Night At The Christmas Market - Modern! Helaena Targaryen x Reader

Summary: You and your wife, Helaena, spend your first Christmas as newlyweds at a Christmas market.

Pairing: Modern! Helaena Targaryen x Fem! Reader

Warnings: fluff

Word Count: 1.6k words

A/N: hoe hoe hoe! a very merry late Christmas and Happy New Year in advance from me to you :) this one is for all the Helaena girlies out there. I hope you enjoy! ;)

lovely dividers credited to @firefly-graphics !

Snow was falling across the city of King’s Landing, as you and your wife, Helaena, bundled in the most comfortable winter parkas imaginable - her in pink, and you in purple - made your way to the largest Christmas market in Westeros at the heart of the city. 

Helaena thought you had never looked more beautiful, cheeks flushed and slightly puffed lips from the cold, yet eyes flashing with excitement as you took in the sight of the streets decked out with Christmas decorations. For as long as you remember, growing up in the Vale, a mostly mountainous country area, you always wanted to come to live in the city. While you did miss the rolling green fields and idyllic lifestyle sometimes, you found something way better here. Grinning, you took Helaena’s hand, and she smiled at you, eyes shining with affection. The love between the both of you was as bright as the morning snow. 

When you finally reached the Christmas market, you were so excited that you practically dragged Helaena from stall to stall, seeking some food to nourish your bellies. Helaena indulged you, wanting to see you happy. After all, she had been to the Christmas market so many times as a little girl with her brothers, Aemond, Aegon, and Daeron, that she didn’t feel the need to get excited over everything. 

She did, however, love watching you get excited. It was one of the most beautiful things in the world, aside from getting to see you wake up next to her in the morning. 

Armed with a handful of small bites that you had gotten from the stalls, you and Helaena found a table near the outskirts of the table area set aside for people who wished to dine on the Christmas market’s many edible delights. You opened the bags to be greeted by a mouthwatering smell: deep fried cheese balls, fried calamari and onion rings, steaming hot reindeer stew, a meaty slice of honey glazed ham, some roast turkey, two cups of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows, and fresh out of the oven gingerbread cookies.  

“By the Seven, how are we going to finish all this?” Helaena laughed. You grinned, opening your first packet of food. “You married a woman with a bottomless appetite, you know. If you don’t want anything, I’ll be happy to snatch it up.” 

“Okay, okay, you blackhole,” Helaena said affectionately, before unwrapping some cheese balls. She was surprised when halfway through, you slung a hand around your shoulder, pulling her closer to you. “Hey, you’re okay with all this, right?” You asked her in a gentle voice. Helaena had always had anxiety when it came to large crowds, and you didn’t want to overwhelm your wife. 

A radiant smile slowly spread across Helaena’s features, as she looked at you fondly, kissing you on the lips. You returned the kiss eagerly, tongue tangling with hers, before the both of you pulled away, cheeks red not just from the cold now. “I’m fine, my love. Really. You know, I used to come to this market every year with my brothers?” 

You tilted your head, an inquisitive gleam in your eyes. “Really? What was it like?” Helaena mulled over her response, “Chaotic.” You laughed, somehow it didn’t surprise you after you had met Helaena’s brothers. Your first question to Helaena after meeting her family was how her mother managed to keep up with all of them. Helaena had shrugged playfully as the sounds of Aegon drunk tackling Aemond to the ground while a spectating Daeron cackled in the background echoed behind you, “I have no clue.” 

“How long has it been since you last came here then?” you blew on your spoonful of reindeer stew, laden with carrots and celery, before putting it in your mouth. Helaena thought carefully while chewing on an onion ring. “I think around five years, or when Aemond moved away to further his studies at Riverrun University.” 

“Well, is it less chaotic experiencing it with me then?” you asked teasingly, leaning in for Helaena to pop a calamari in your mouth. Helaena bopped you on the nose, eliciting an indignant huff from you, before she popped the calamari in your mouth. “Nope. Just as chaotic.” 

The two of you finished your food, and continued strolling around the Christmas market. To both of your delight, they had somehow managed to invite and set up a husky-sledding rink here, and you and Helaena enjoyed being pulled around by the zealous huskies, though Helaena did complain a little about the snow that kept blowing in her face. You had won a game of toss-the-hoop-onto-the-reindeer’s-head, and you handed the prize - a stuffed octopus - to Helaena, who hugged it happily. Helaena stopped by some craft stores, buying some woodworked mini figurines and snowglobes. 

Helaena was about to go over to a stall selling hand woven mittens when she heard your squeal. She whipped her head up, initially thinking something bad had happened, but you soon ran up to her, safe and sound, and began pulling her away. “Where are we going?” Helaena barely managed to ask, too overpowered by your eagerness. “You’ll never believe what I found!” 

Helaena gave you a deadpan stare as you stopped in front of a tent. “A fortune teller? Really, love?” You rolled your eyes, “It’s not like I actually believe them. I just think it’ll be fun. Come on, pretty please?” You gave her your best puppy eyes, and she eventually relented, letting you lead her into the tent. 

The fortune teller turned out to be a kindly looking old lady, wrapped in colourful shawls lined with fur. She looked at your fresh, eager face, and Helaena’s more reserved one. “Are the both of you friends?” she inquired. You shook your head, “Oh no, ma’am. We’re married, actually.” 

Helaena was worried for some lashing out should the old lady turn out to be one of those conservative grandmothers, but to her relief, her wrinkly face lit up. “You are? How wonderful!” The old lady leaned forward, her voice dropping in a conspiratorial whisper. “You know, I used to have a wife too.” Your eyes widened, “Really?” The old lady nodded, a bit sadly. “Yes, she was the great love of my life after my husband had passed. Unfortunately, she followed the Stranger last year.” 

You clamped your hand over your mouth, a little chagrined, as Helaena said quietly, “We’re sorry for your loss.” The old lady waved it off, her expression brightening again. “Tis’ alright, child. Let me read your fortune, how about that?” The old lady took out a deck of cards, shuffling them deftly in her hands, before spreading it out on the table before you. 

“Pick two cards each,” the old lady instructed, looking at the two of you. Helaena did it quickly, you much slower, as you deliberated on which card you felt more drawn to. “Hurry up, dearest,” Helaena playfully thumped you on the arm when you took nearly two minutes to choose your second card. “I have to see which one my intuition feels most drawn to, okay!” you protested. 

With the four cards drawn out, the fortune teller observed them, before laying them out in front of you. “Well, the first one here tells of a happy marriage,” the old lady looked at the both of you, her smile turning mischievous. “Though I’m sure the both of you don’t need it.” Helaena smiled slightly at that, gripping your hand under the table. 

“Ah, the second one,” the old lady’s voice turned a bit serious. “It spells a bit of trouble in the future, especially in the workplace. Perhaps one of you will have a disagreement with your boss?” 

You snorted, “Well, it can’t be Helly, since she runs her own business. Guess that’s for me then. I’ll live.” Helaena patted your hand soothingly, “She didn’t say it’s just for bosses. Maybe it could be me having a dispute with a customer, who knows.” “I'd rather have this fortune befall on me than you though, Helly.” You said sincerely, your eyes shining fiercely. Your wife had suffered enough throughout her life. Helaena only smiled, touched. 

The old lady also shared Helaena’s smile as she moved on to the third card. “The third one is slightly more tame, don’t worry. It just speaks of travelling to an exotic place. Do the both of you have any travel plans next year?” You looked startled, turning to Helaena. “We were planning for that trip to Qohor, so that you can see the art of their hand woven and dyed tapestries. Helly, she’s got it on the nose.” Helaena stifled a small laugh at your amazement. “Yes, dear. She really did. What does the fourth card say?” The old lady’s finger moved to turn up the fourth card, and her eyes widened. 

“Oh, the fourth one,” the old woman exclaimed, with clear joy in her voice. “It says that…a child will be coming into your lives. And very soon at that!” 

“A child?” Helaena’s eyebrows furrowed. “A child!” you piped up excitedly next to her, turning to your wife. “Maybe next year we’ll finally find that dream daughter we always wanted to adopt. It’s a sign, Helly, it’s a sign!” You were nearly jumping out of your seat, as Helaena tried in vain to quell your elation, while the fortune teller looked at the young couple with a knowing smile. 

And indeed, during the next year���s Christmas market, a new addition had joined your little family, her dark eyes gleaming with impish excitement as your new four year old daughter, Irina, dashed around happily in the snow, while you and Helaena sat at one of the benches at the side of the Christmas market, smiling as you rest your head on her shoulder, relishing in your little family, and your joy. 

“Merry Christmas, my love.” 

“Merry Christmas, my darling.”

let me know if you wish to be added to a general taglist for helaena related works, or just my works in general in the comments or through this form! :) 

thank you for reading! if you liked it, likes, comments and reblogs are highly appreciated! merry late xmas guys 😘🎄

[valleyof-goldenlilies]

Aurelia's 'Hoe Hoe Hoe' HOTD Masterlist

All the imagines I wrote for my HOTD Christmas series 2023, all filed under one place for easy access :) merry late Christmas and a Happy New Year yall!

dividers credited to @firefly-graphics !

The Gingerbread Kerfuffle

Pairing: Modern! Daemon Targaryen x Fem! Reader (smut) Summary: Seeking your husband's help in baking gingerbread turns out not be the roaring success you had hoped it would be.

The Winter Formal

Pairing: Modern! Aemond Targaryen x AFAB! Reader (fluff, angst, smut) Summary: Forced to be your annoying, arrogant academic rival’s date for your university’s Christmas Formal was already a nightmare in itself. Getting drunk? Now that was just a recipe for disaster.

The Heartbreak of Christmas Eve

Pairing: Modern! Aegon Targaryen x AFAB! Reader (angst, smut) Summary: Your best friend shows up at your doorstep on Christmas Eve.

A Christmas Visitor

Pairing: Modern! Jace Velaryon x AFAB! Reader (fluff, smut) Summary: Jace takes it upon himself to cheer you up for your first Christmas spent alone.

Just One Christmas Night

Pairing: Modern! Otto Hightower x Fem!Reader (angst, smut, eventual fluff) Summary: You are disheartened when your boyfriend, Otto, once again chooses his work over you.

A Night At The Christmas Market

Pairing: Modern! Helaena Targaryen x Fem! Reader (fluff) Summary: You and your wife, Helaena, spend your first Christmas as newlyweds at a Christmas market.

A Trek Under The Stars

Pairing: Modern! Laena Velaryon x Fem! Reader (fluff) Summary: Laena brings you on a hike for a quest for something special.

Falling of Snow, Falling in Love

Pairing: Modern!Alicent Hightower x Fem!Reader (slight angst on Alicent's part, fluff) Summary: Alicent finally finds the courage to confess her feelings for you, her longtime admirer and best friend.

The Fuss About the Christmas Gala

Pairing: Modern! Rhaenyra Targaryen x Fem! Reader (slight talks of SH on Rhaenyra's part, angst, smut) Summary: Rhaenyra faces a small crisis regarding the planning of the Targaryen Corporation's gala.

Snowball Fight on the Hill

Pairing: Modern!Laenor Velaryon x M!Reader (fluff) Summary: Laenor and you end up in a bit of a not so platonic tussle.

happy reading, yall!

[valleyof-goldenlilies]

Snowball Fight on the Hill - Laenor Velaryon x Reader

Summary: Laenor and you end up in a bit of a not so platonic tussle.

Pairing: Modern!Laenor Velaryon x M!Reader

Warnings: profanity, fluff

Word Count: 592 words

A/N: hoe hoe hoe! a very merry late Christmas and Happy New Year in advance from me to you :) though the Laenor simps gang is probably a minority of the fandom, I still wanted to do something special for any male or male identifying readers of the HOTD fanfic reading community for xmas. I hope you enjoy!

lovely dividers credited to @firefly-graphics !

Heavy snowfall was descending all over Driftmark, as you and your best friend, Laenor Velaryon, made your way back to his home, straggling through the snow. 

“I don’t understand why your family lives on a fucking hill,” you huffed, pulling your winter parka tighter around you. “Seems excessive. And troublesome.” 

“Well, we have a car,” Laenor pointed out, looking less of a drowned rat than you, his posture straight as ever. “It’s too bad my dad doesn’t trust me to drive with snow tires in this weather. Too many chances of black ice, he says.” 

You sneezed, rubbing your reddened nose. “I don’t know if I’d rather take black ice over climbing up this fucking hill.” 

Laenor brushed some snow out of his dreadlocks, an idea coming to him. “Well, at least the hill is good for one thing,” he said slyly, hoping you wouldn’t notice. 

“And what the fuck is that? Catching a cold?” you sneezed again, turning to look at your best friend, only to find him nowhere in sight. “Laenor?” 

A hard, small flying projectile hit you on the back of your parka, and you shrieked from the cold. “Snowball fight!” Laenor cackled, standing behind you with his hand loaded with a handful of snow. 

“Oh fuck no!” you exclaimed, scooping up your own snowball. “You’re going to regret that, Velaryon!” Laenor continued his maniacal cackling, as the snowball fight soon evolved into more of a snowball tag. You were pelting Laenor relentlessly with snowballs, and he soon regretted making an enemy out of you, as you were faster and much stronger than him. 

You were sure that you could win this thing, easily. But then, a huge snowball smacked into your face, making you sputter as some of it went up your nose. Ow. you were pretty sure that it broke your nose from the impact. 

Laenor let out a holler of triumph, but it soon turned into one of terror as he saw you brushing off the snow, and charging straight for him like a bull seeing red. Shrieking, Laenor barely had time to defend himself or attack you as he ran for dear life. Unfortunately for him, a well-timed snowball made him slow his pace, and you took the opportunity, tackling him down onto the snowy ground. 

“Hey1” Laenor protested and laughed as the both of you began play-fighting on the ground, rolling in the snow as he struggled to regain control of the situation. “That’s what you get for starting a fight with someone, Velaryon,” you teased, soon managing to come out on top, literally and figuratively, as you pinned Laenor to the ground. 

“Gotcha,” you smiled, looking very smug. “Begging for mercy isn’t going to get you out of this.” When Laenor remained silent, you took a closer look at his face, blinking the snow from your lashes. He was looking at you with a certain sort of admiration, like you were the sun after a long, arduous trek in the dark up the mountains. Like you were pure gold. Your heart began to thump in your chest, as you reached down, hands shaking, to brush the snow out of Laenor’s face. 

“Hey,” Laenor breathed out, staring up at you. “You’re really handsome, you know.” You smirked, trying to hide your blush as you stared down at your not so best friend. “Yeah, you too.” 

“Mind going on a Christmas date with me tomorrow? I’ll buy you a gingerbread latte.” Laenor asked coyly, his dark eyes shining mischievously. 

“You had me at gingerbread latte.”

let me know if you wish to be added to a general taglist for laenor related works, or just my works in general in the comments or through this form! :) 

thank you for reading! if you liked it, likes, comments and reblogs are highly appreciated! merry late xmas guys 😘🎄

[valleyof-goldenlilies]

A Trek Under The Stars - Modern! Laena Velaryon x Reader

Summary: Laena brings you on a hike for a quest for something special.

Pairing: Modern! Laena Velaryon x Fem! Reader

Warnings: profanity, fluff

Word Count: 594 words

A/N: hoe hoe hoe! a very merry late Christmas and Happy New Year in advance from me to you :) for all dem Laena girlies out there, this is for you 💜 I hope you enjoy!

lovely dividers credited to @firefly-graphics !

“Laena, I swear to the fucking Seven,” you swore viciously, the little makeup you had put on before your hike to look good for the photos had by now been melted away thanks to the snow, and your former cautiously enthusiastic attitude when Laena had told you of her plans to go hiking wiped out within an instant. 

To be fair, you had been climbing for ages now, in the dark too, mind you. You had counted that you had been smacked by a stray branch laden with snow at least twenty times, tripped over a rock into the snow at least five times, and got spooked because the snow reflected the light of your headlamp back into the dense thicket of trees, making you think that you were in danger of being mauled by some wild animal within seconds, along with your girlfriend. 

“Gah!” Laena had suddenly materialised beside you, making you drop your walking stick with alarm. She laughed, lighthearted as always, bending down to help you pick it up. How can someone stay so perfect in the outdoors after this bloody hike? 

“We’re almost there, come on.” Laena tugged you forward, brushing away the heavy branches like they were nothing. “The view is so worth it, I’m telling you. And didn’t you always want to check seeing the Northern Lights off your bucket list?” 

“That was before I realised the extent of effort involved,” you grumbled, sighing. “And you said that we were almost there about ten times, Laena. I’m not inclined to-” 

“We’re here!” Laena’s exclamation tore you from grumpily directing your head downwards at all times so you could see where you’re stepping, and the resulting scene took your breath away. 

Laena helped you switch off your headlamp and hers as you both took in the view in the huge, snowy field you were in. Vivid swirls of green mixed with purple streaks created one huge, messy, yet ethereal painting. It was like the Gods had called upon all the artists of the known and unknown world and commanded them to release their creativity on the canvas known as the midnight sky, and the resulting imagery was otherworldly. Utterly magnificent. 

Stars twinkled faintly in the night, and the sky was thankfully devoid of any clouds, allowing you and Laena to fully absorb in the beauty of the Northern Lights. The hike up here suddenly didn’t seem so gruelling after all. If it culminated in all this, then it was worth it. A thousand times over. 

“Hey, love,” Laena turned her head to you at the sound of your soft voice. “Yes, angel?” 

“Thanks for bringing me up here,” you looked entranced at the view before you, and Laena smiled to herself. Beautiful. “I know I complained a lot, but now that I’m seeing it, it’s worth it. It’s like heaven on earth.” 

Laena leaned in closer, still staring at you with a tender expression. “Yeah…but lucky for me, I always have my heaven on earth.” Your brows furrowed, finally tearing your eyes from the view to look at your girlfriend. “Huh-” Laena kissed you, sweetly, deeply, and you fully faced her to return her kiss, putting your hands on her hips as you embraced each other, while the glow of the Northern Lights pulsed in the sky behind you, shining. It was like there were only the two of you in the world, and you wished time would just stop here. 

You finally pulled away from each, resting your forehead on hers. 

“Merry Christmas, angel.” 

“Merry Christmas, my love.”

let me know if you wish to be added to a general taglist for laena related works, or just my works in general in the comments or through this form! :) 

thank you for reading! if you liked it, likes, comments and reblogs are highly appreciated! merry late xmas guys 😘🎄

[valleyof-goldenlilies]

aurelia’s hotd and f&b masterlist

“to elude a storm, you can either sail into it, or around it. but you must never await its coming.” 

-the sea snake, the rogue prince 1x02 

Main Masterlist 

Ongoing fics: Se Zaldrizoti’ Prumia (daemon x reader) [chapter 9 is out!] , Skori Zaldrizes Ropagon (jace x reader) 

let me know if you wish to be added to any taglists for any characters in the comments or through this form! :)

Aurelia’s 2023 Christmas Series Fics

Aemond Targaryen Masterlist

Aegon II Targaryen Masterlist

Alicent Hightower Masterlist

Alys Rivers Masterlist

Cregan Stark Masterlist

Daemon Targaryen Masterlist 

Helaena Targaryen Masterlist 

Jacaerys Velaryon Masterlist

Laena Velaryon Masterlist 

Otto Hightower Masterlist

Rhaenyra Targaryen Masterlist 

Platonic Targ Fics Masterlist

HOTD General Taglist: @londonbrandcandy @justrybca @mckenziewhite2005 @syviiss​ 

those who are bolded are those who couldn’t be tagged! let me know if you wish to be added to the taglist in the comments or through this form! if you wish to be removed or if i have accidentally tagged you in the wrong taglist, please let me know in the comments. thank you for your support 💗