#but what's going on with alice why doesn't she remember it? does she remember it?? i'm so curious

[gouinisme]

what i'm most curious for now about is what's listening in. is it freddie? is it jonah or jon (or just some of them) still clinging on to their role of watcher? and how the fuck did it listen to them all the way to the pub??? this might already be obvious by people who kept up with the ARG but i'm so excited to know more

[hisfavegiri]

Queen’s Revenge - King Aegon Targaryen x Twin Sister!Reader

Summary : the aftermath for the stupidity of your younger brother’s stupid actions made your son lose his life, the anger and hatred you felt made you go crazy and act without thinking.

a/n. in this story the reader having a brown hair just like Alicent, like i want to make sure that one of her child is having her appearance tho.

You cried and screamed when you saw your son, Jaehaerys. coldly killed by Blood and cheese before your own eyes, you sat limply before finally approaching Jaehaerys' body.

"Remember, my queen, all this happened because of a son for a son" the words that came out of Blood's mouth kept repeating in your head, you shook your head quickly and continued screaming while hugging your lifeless son.

Blood and Cheese ran away through a secret passage which turned out to be at the end of the room before the guards started to arrive, seeing the condition of their queen and the prince. they immediately reported this to the King and Doweger Queen. With trembling hands you gently stroked your son's pale cheek, Jaehaera just cried and continued to hug you as she looking at her headless twin brother.

Your son's head is separated from his body which makes your heart even more broken knowing that his death was not easy and your son was in extreme pain. "I'm sorry Jaehaerys, I'm sorry I couldn't look after you. I'm sorry" on your dress there are stains of the blood of your son and your hands are stained with his blood too.

You could hear the sound of hurried footsteps before finally the door was kicked open and Aegon was standing there panting for breath, you broke down crying again when you saw your husband standing there. Aegon limply approached you and hugged your body, he looked at his son, his heir was lifeless in a very worst condition.

"I-I tried to stop them, I offered myself but they still killed him. they killed our son Aegon" you whispered weakly in his arms, Aegon just remained silent and continued to stroke your hair.

then you heard a scream from your mother who had just arrived, she hurriedly approached you "what happened? oh god Jaehaerys, what - who did this?” no one answered his question, behind him you could see Haelena and Aemond who had just arrived and were surprised to see the situation in your room.

Jaehaera was taken away by your sister, while you and your husband remained there with your mother. you continued to cry while cradling your son's head, Aegon's heart ached seeing you in this condition. Your mother took Aegon's place and you sobbed in her arms, everything you felt you poured out in your mother's arms.

“why does it have to be Jaehaerys? he's just a child, mother. he doesn't know anything, he's innocent” You cried again and hugged your mother tightly, Alicent was just silent and continued to rub your back to give you comfort. Aegon couldn't stand it and left the room, you let him. You kept crying and crying in your mother's arms until you were tired and fell asleep.

You woke up with a headache, you looked around and realized that you were in your mother's chambers. You are reminded again of your son, your first son, the jewel of your life, who was taken away by force by people who have no heart.

“how are you feeling now?” You turned around and found your husband sitting at the end of the room, in the dark watching you. your voice was choked, your breathing became heavy and your tears rolled down your cheeks again. "I'm not fine Aegon, they killed Jaehaerys. t-they behead our son, our son Aegon!"

You could see Aegon sigh before walking towards you, he took your body into his arms and there you broke down crying again. Aegon tried to calm you down by gently stroking your hair and back, he also kissed the top of your head.

The door to your mother's chambers opened and revealed your mother and Aemond walking hand in hand. Your mother immediately approached you and stroked your head. “where’s Jaehaera?” You've cried and screamed too much, which has made your voice hoarse.

“she’s safe with your sister” You just nodded in your husband's arms and closed your eyes, Aegon kissed the top of your head again and looked at Aemond.

“I want the security of this palace to be increased, I'm afraid they will come back and continue what they haven't finished” you could hear Aegon's voice shaking with anger, you knew that your husband was afraid. afraid that they will come back and kill you.

“don’t worry brother, and I will think of a way to repay them, we will win this with dignity. we will prove to them that we are different, not like them”

you broke away from your husband and looked at ypur brother in disbelief, “dignity? in circumstances like this you still think about dignity? they killed my son Aem! my fucking son!"

you are angry, you are burning with the fire of revenge, you are sad because you lost your son, you look back at your brother and pull his tunic so that his face is close to yours, your breathing was rapid with anger and you gritted your teeth.

“my love, please let him go, I know you are angry but don't be like this” You could hear your mother's voice and your husband's hands trying to release your grip from Aemond, but you didn't let go. You looked at Aemond angrily, you could see the fear on his face.

“fuck dignity, I want revenge”

then you released your grip and pushed his body until it fell on the floor, you looked at Aegon and immediately hugged him again. once again the tears you have been holding back break out again “I want them to suffer! I want them to lose everything.”

“I will make sure they suffer, for the sake of our son”

tag list - @danytar @looneytun3s @hangmanscoming @yazzzmints @julessworldd @eratosmusings @xitsemm (italic means that i can’t tag you)

[jo1sstuff]

I think I know who the Archivist is, and it's not Jon. (TMAGP SPOILERS AHEAD)

(TLDR: I think it's Celia. Read on to see why!)

So.

I know the title sounds kinda click-baity, and this is gonna be a bit long, but this is such a ground-breaking theory that you'll hopefully want to stick around.

This is just a theory, so I might be wrong, but it would explain a lot.

I listened to TMAGP 29 earlier, and since my sister doesn't listen to TMA/TMAGP but I like to talk to her about it, I was mentioning the whole "It's on the train" thing, and a crazy theory popped in my head. So now I'm here sharing it with you all, so you can discuss it and maybe prove me wrong/right.

Anyways, I'm gonna start with something that might seem confusing at first, but it'll make sense later.

So we all know Celia, right?

Well, it's pretty much confirmed that she's from the TMA universe, but there are still a few things that don't quite make sense.

For example, the 'sleepwalking' thing she does. She'll wake up somewhere with no memory of what happened.

While I've seen some theories explaining it as the TMAGP Celia sharing a body with TMA Celia, it doesn't make much sense to me. Why would the TMAGP Celia still be in there? Wouldn't TMA Celia be able to communicate with her? Why hasn't anyone else mentioned seeing Celia when she 'sleepwalks'? Wouldn't TMAGP Celia have friends that would talk to her? If so, why wouldn't they notice it's not the same Celia?

Anyways, that theory just doesn't make sense to me.

Another thing that will make sense later: We all remember Michael Distortion from TMA, right?

And how his reflection looked different than how he sometimes looked in person?

An Avatar looking different through glass; whether through Sasha's window, or in the reflection of the cafe's window.

That was the thought that made me first come up with this theory.

The other thought was the "It's on the train" bit.

Sam and Celia get on a train to 'follow' the Archivist. Alice, however, sees it on the train with them.

(technically we don't know for certain that it was the Archivist, or if it was in or on top of the train, but it context makes it seem like the Archivist was in the train with them)

Why wouldn't Sam and Celia notice it? It's a monster that's all eyes, how could they miss that? Sure, it might have been hiding, but they likely weren't the only passengers on board. So why didn't the other passengers see it?

Well, what if they do see it, just not it the right way?

Because of the whole 'avatar looking different in windows' thing, what if that's why they don't notice?

Because they're not looking through the window?

Alice is though.

Alice is looking through the window.

She sees it.

What if, the Archivist is in a human form, but Alice can only see it because she's looking through the glass at it?

But who would it be?

Celia.

It's Celia.

Who else could it be?

What if, when she's 'sleepwalking', she's actually in Archivist form?

Sam got Archived, after all. And shortly after that, Celia appeared.

Wouldn't Celia have noticed the Archivist leaving?

Unless she just came to.

And she's so used to it happening, that she isn't bothered by the time she finds Sam.

Who knows how far away she got, after all. Maybe it was only one alley away, maybe it was a few blocks.

She'd have some time to compose herself.

And after that disorienting event, she managed to find her way to the O.I.A.R. and found Sam.

She was in the same area and time-frame the Archivist was there.

It's her.

Another thing: The statement-givers. Aka, the talking corpses. Aka, people that got Archived by the Archivist.

I'll bet that every time it mentions Celia having a 'sleepwalking' episode, it was around the same time that someone got Archived.

I'm not gonna go back through the episodes to see if I'm right on that, but if someone else will, it would be very much appreciated.

How exactly Celia became an Archivist, I don't know.

Maybe when she changed universes the Eye decided to make her its new 'precious little boy girl'. Maybe (if we believe that TMAGP is Somewhere Else) the Archivist part of Jon got stuck in Celia. Maybe she even became an Avatar by herself, who knows! I certainly don't.

Another thing I don't know is whether she'd remember what happens when she's the Archivist.

She seemed surprised to find Sam, after all.

And (if I remember right) she doesn't know how she gets to places while she's 'sleepwalking'.

I also don't know how Jack fits into this, but he's a mystery of his own.

Anyways, feel free to chip in with your own thoughts and criticisms, I could be completely proved wrong next episode after all!

[bullet-prooflove]

Good People: Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @wabi-sabi1090 @lostinwonderland314 @turtle-cant-communicate @fallout-girl219

Takes place after:

The Farm - Carmy recalls the day you met.

Prequel to:

Pears - It starts when Carmy makes an order he doesn't remember.

Mornings - Carmy sleeps better with you around.

Bubble - You have no idea that you saved Carmy's life.

Crazy, Stupid, Fucked Up World (NSFW) - Carmy tells you he lvoes you for the first time.

Everyone knows that Carmy has a thing for the farm girl. It’s the way his attention shifts when your name is mentioned, the fact it’s him signs for the orders and no one else. They watch as he asks about your day and raise their eyebrows when he stands there and actually listens.

“You may as well be giving her fuck me eyes.” Richie says as he tries to wrestle The Beef t-shirt onto an inflatable hotdog in Jimmy’s backyard.

The two of them are setting up for that ridiculous kid’s party, hoping to knock a couple of grand off the debt Mikey owed him.

“I don’t have fuck me eyes.” Carmy mutters, focusing on slicing the oranges for the homemade Ectoplasm he’s made because Unc’s kid is nuts about Ghostbusters.

“Oh you do. You fucking do.” Richie argues as he pulls out the duct tape. “It’s probably the reason we’re getting such a discount, she likes the way you shake that pasty white ass underneath that little apron of yours.”

“You’re a fucking asshole.” He snaps at Richie, launching a piece of fruit at the back of  Richie’s head. It smacks him right on the dome and the other man turns to face him furious.

“What the fuck is with you?” Richie retorts, throwing it back. “Last month you got the shit kicked out of you by a guy dressed like a carrot, now you’re whoring yourself out for cucumbers. You’ve got issues man, big ones.”

Carmen really has nothing to say to that because honestly if he had to whore himself out to keep this business going, he probably fucking would. That’s exactly where his self-respect is right now, rock fucking bottom. It’s the reason he’s out here in the fucking suburbs slinging gourmet hot dogs for little monsters have no fucking clue how the real world works.

“I hate you.” He tells Richie as he throws himself back into his work the same way he always does. “I fucking hate you.”

It’s an hour later that Richie does the uncharacteristic thing and apologizes. Carmy thinks it’s probably got something to do with the Xanex he took about an hour ago.

“I shouldn’t have said that about Alice.” Richie says, rubbing his palm over the back of his neck. “She’s good people.”  

“Yea she is.” Carmy responds as he starts to make up another hotdog. “She’s helping us out in a bind because she’s a good person. It’s got nothing to do with my ass.”

Richie tilts his head from side to side as he pulls the bottle of Xanax out of his coat pocket and spills another tablet into his palm.

“It’s a little to do with your ass.” Richie tells him as he takes the pill, washing it down with a cup of Ecto.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Carmy asks as he puts the finishing touches on his masterpiece.

“It means for some fucked up reason she likes you.” Richie responds, shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know why, you’re basically a fucking mop with eyes but she does and you should really do something about that.”

“Like what Richie?” Carmy retorts, turning to face him, his hands coming to rest on his hips. “I run a sandwich shop that’s failing so badly I had to pay for our meat order with change out the arcade machine thirty days ago, I’ve got jack shit to offer anyone right now.”

“I’m just saying you deserve to be happy.” Richie says as he leans back against the fold up table, the tension in his shoulders relaxing. “Mikey would have wanted you to be happy.”

Carmy doesn’t know what Mikey would have wanted because Mikey, he’s not hear to tell him.

“That second Xanex just kicked in didn’t it?” Carmy remarks, changing the subject and Richie exhales, nodding his head.

“Oh yea, big time. I don’t feel a fucking thing.”

It’s on the way home, that Carmy starts to think about what Richie said, about you, about being happy.

Sitting in those fields at your farm on his days off, shooting the shit with you. It’s the closest thing to contentment he’s felt in years. If he was a better man, someone less mentally ill, he’d consider pursuing it but honestly he’s a fucking mess. He wouldn’t wish himself on any woman especially you.

“You’re punking out aren’t you?” Richie says from the passenger seat as he watches the world go by outside.

“No.” Carmy says, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “She just deserves better than an asshole like me.”

Love Carmy? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[teleit]

Rhaenyra would never kill her own kin? Say it with your hand on the Bible and watch the Lord punish you for perjury

Team black stans is being almost hysterical, trying to convince us that Saint Rhaenyra would never dare to kill Alicent's children, that Otto and Alicent are the second and third coming of Satan, and they are must be blame for everything, from the birth of the Night King to the end of the Daenerys arc, and if it weren't for these two, Westeros would have already installed electricity, invented penicillin and learned to wash their asses more than once a month.

As proof, you are given quotes from a book that these fans have hardly read in its entirety, their own opinion, which, of course, is an indisputable fact and, sometimes, even "well, she would have killed some greens so what, why make such a fuss about it."

These people don't know how to work with a narrative, and it shows. Stories like Dance of the Dragons require you to dive into the personalities of both teams so you can understand the tragedy of the situation - a civil war between family members that will nearly destroy House Targaryen and Westeros.

Now imagine that you, Alyssa/Baelon Targaryen, are Alicent's fifth child. And this is a fanfic (show), not a book, so we're going to base this on the events of the adaptation.

Your father doesn't care about you, and you don't understand why. Did you do something wrong? Why does your father love your half-sister and her children, but not you and your siblings? Why doesn't he protect you from your nephews' bullying?

You don't get a dragon egg because they are few and far between, and Rhaenyra has another child who needs one more. You get the egg that comes later, or you ride a full-grown dragon.

Your half-sister Rhaenyra HATES you. She shows no shame in showing her disdain, barely tolerates your existence, and never punishes her children for bullying you. She won't talk to you, won't play with you, and even seems to hate your name.

You hear rumors that your nephews are bastards. You know that having bastards is wrong and against the Faith, and you don't understand why Rhaenyra is never punished for her bad deeds. You saw Aemond being scolded for standing up to our nephews, why is no one scolding Rhaenyra?

At Laena's funeral, your brother Aemond becomes a Vhagar rider, and Luke cuts out his eye for it. When the argument happens, you are afraid, scared, and crying, because father is angry at Aemond, and instead of comforting and protecting him, he demands something from him. Rhaenyra demands that Aemond be tortured, and no one protects your brother from her. Your father yells at Aegon because Aemond said that Aegon is the one who lied about your nephews being legitimate Velaryons. You don't understand how words can be as bad as your brother's injury. No one ever scolded or punished Rhaenyra for anything, so what if her children were called a bad word? Your father declares that there will be no punishment for your brother's injury, as if a lost eye is like a broken knee and nothing bad happened. Your mother is angry at Rhaenyra and tries to hurt Luke, and suddenly she is the bad one and it's all her fault, and everyone has forgotten that Rhaenyra wanted to torture Aegon, who was hurt, as if it doesn't matter.

You are scared to get your dragon. What if Rhaena decides that this dragon was meant to be hers and you are a thief too, just like she accused Aemond? Will they cut out your eye too?

Laenor dies, and you hear that Rhaenyra has married Daemon, ignoring the mourning period. You remember this man - he laughed at Laena's funeral and frightened your mother with his presence. You have heard terrible things about him, and you are afraid to be near him - but thank the gods he does not come to the Red Keep, so you sleep peacefully. You are afraid to think about how exactly Laenor died, and whether Rhaenyra and Daemon were involved.

When your half-sister finally appears at the Red Keep, her first act is to claim Driftmark for her bastard son. When Vaemond Velaryon, your distant relative, calls her a whore and her children bastards, Daemon cuts off his head, and none of the Blacks look sad, even though he was a close relative to Rhaenys, Baela, and Rhaenyra's three eldest sons (presumably).

And that's just part of the shit that goes on in your life. If it were possible, you'd demand a refund.

If someone told you that Rhaenyra wouldn't kill you for the sake of her peaceful reign, would you believe them?

PS. not a native speaker and it shows, so what?

[blackbirdsblackberries]

Hey, Tira!! Anon that suggested Latina! Reader here. First of all, are you doing good? Remember to drink water, okay?

Secondly, for a neglected! Reader plot,(or maybe a one-shot, whatever you feel like writing) what do you think about magical girl! Reader? Like, there's this pink (or any other color) teenage girl/boy in gotham that fights some type of not really scary monster (maybe those from precure, as they don't look that frightening) with glitter and hearts and cute stuff and then the batfam is just flabbergasted because why?? Are they?? So cute?? And they become yandere because they just think reader is so so adorable and innocent

And maybe gotham villains have a soft spot for reader becuase they saved them for the monster thingys

And now reader has to deal with all the most powerful entities in gotham being obsessed over them

And IF it is a neglected! Reader they have to deal with the pain of being adored by the batfam as their magical girl persona, but not as their real self

OR MAYBE!! Star butterfly! Reader (i could elaborate if you want!)

Sorry for the long ask and any writing mistakes, and again, really self indulgent because I love love love magical girls!!

Hi! I love hearing from you again!!! I'm doing good, I just watched the Deadpool and Wolverine movie and it's taken a grip on me 😩

I love that idea for the plot! I was hoping to do a magical girl reader because my FYP on both Tiktok AND Tumblr has been magical girl batfam and I just finished watching Sailor Moon last night.

I'd love to incorporate that into the plot (as well as make a separate one-shot of it in a different instance).

I for sure think that the Batfam would have the mindset of "oh, they're dressed up in cute, bright colours and is fighting non-frightening monsters. That must mean they're an innocent teen playing dress up and doesn't actually know the truth about the real world"

Whether it's true or not is up to you to decide for now but I personally think that Reader would be in the middle, aware of the world around them but oblivious to how it affects themselves - or completely different then that, Reader would be completely aware of the world and struggles in real life but fights as a magical girl + with a smile on her face so she can give others hope.

For the villains I think for sure that the ones who have a proper soft spot (eg. Wouldn't get Reader involved in crimes, would work to protect Reader) would be Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Riddler, Two-Face and Penguin.

For the villains that will let Reader get into trouble so they can save them I think it would be Bane, Catwoman, Clayface and Killer Croc. (Possibly Mad Hatter).

For the villains who would purposefully incorporate Reader into their schemes I think the main ones would be Joker, Hugo Strange and Scarecrow (for two different reasons however).

For Joker he'd see it more so as a bonding experience, a way to "hang out" and "catch up". Even if the Reader is held hostage, in the middle of the battle field, etc.

For Scarecrow I think it would come moreso from a sense of morbid curiosity. How far will Reader go to help people? How does their mind work? How will they react to Fear Gas? What is their fear?

I'd definitely think Harley would love the outfit and Mad Hatter would start to think of you as Alice with your colourful get-up.

If we're talking Batman villains who aren't in Gotham (Talia, Ra, Deadshot, Deathstroke) then I feel it would be a different kind of attachment.

It would be more like "what is this colourful child doing in such a dark place?" (Even if you are already in your adult years).

Talia and Ra would see Reader as someone to train, Reader has great strength to wield and if Talia/Ra can train them then Reader will be a great asset.

The difference between the two would be that Talia grows attached in a nurturing way while Ra grows attached in a condescending way.

Eg.

Talia would think of Reader as a child for her to protect

Ra would think of Reader as a lamb that will be slaughtered without him.

Deadshot has his own kid, he doesn't care much for another until seeing Reader hurt/sad. Reader would be a substitute for Deadshot's daughter while she's with her mother.

Deathstroke, I really don't like him (sorry if you do, he just makes me feel icky), but I feel he'd have a mix between Talia's headspace and Ra's headspace.

"Reader can't survive without me guiding them. Reader needs a father to help them grow" it doesn't matter if you have a dad, he won't compare to Deathstroke. If it's such a big deal for Reader Deathstroke will just remove Reader's father from the picture.

I'd love for you to elaborate on Star Butterfly!

Dw about long requests, I literally squealed when I saw it!!

[chemicalreal]

Rewatching episode 1x07 in light of recent events makes Alicent and Aemond's interactions with Aegon even more frustrating to watch. The writers seem intent on portraying him as clueless and dumb, despite in season 1 there is evidence to the contrary.

You have Aemond being harshly questioned by Viserys who at some point menacingly asks him who told him about Rhaenyra's children being bastards.

Aemond knows that he can't just throw Alicent under the bus because at least he and his brother are still the king's kin, so he knows nothing will happen to them (which isn't a guarantee for Alicent despite being the king's wife) regardless so he blames Aegon.

Now Aegon, who is FAR from stupid, immediately picks up what his brother might be actually doing without knowing the context (and let's remember, the two don't have a good relationship at this point and he could simply deny thinking Aemond is trying to put him in trouble to settle a score) and immediately plays along, even deflecting the argument to how there is no need to have a planted rumour because it's plain to see.

Throughout season 1, Aegon repeatedly demonstrates a greater awareness than other characters give him credit for. In the carriage scene he keeps acting skeptical to the news Viserys wanted him as heir, but Alicent as usual shuts him down even calling him stupid for doubting her love for him. Well, considering how things are going in season 2 he wasn't really wrong about that either, was he?

Season 1 Aegon would have immediately pointed out Alicent's hypocrisy for trying to diminish him in comparison to his father simply because contrarily to expectations he is not willing to be a mindless puppet like Viserys was. Aegon has already picked up on Otto and Alicent's real expectations of him. Why would he ask Alicent if she loves him? Because he genuinely doubt that especially now that he is being dragged to wear a crown out of nowhere. Friendly reminder that not being trained and literate doesn't automatically equate to being stupid.

Additionally, portraying episode 2 as Otto's grand triumph is just completely wrong. Otto, who has been manipulating everyone like pieces on a chessboard, finally gets booted off by the person he least expected it from. This comes after he shows no respect for his son's death, shamelessly declaring that he will parade his body for the sake of their image as the silent sisters were still sewing his head to his body. But of course, god forbid we don't immediately dumb down everything Aegon does, or the audience might start thinking he could actually be a fair competitor for the designated hero of the show.

[priceyprice]

Prof!Price

Prof!Price as he's sitting on his couch, on a phone call with one of his colleagues.

On his other hand, he has a glass of bourbon that he was drinking from an hour ago. It was a late night, and the two of them agreed to make an important call so they could talk about a few students and their academic progress. Price just was at the comfort of his home listening to his friend. "Mike is failing my class. I've already called other professors, and they said he's doing fine with them. Is it the same for you?"

"Hmm... He's not my best student, but he isn't my worst either."

"Alice is failing my class, too. Is she failing yours?" Price agreed for his colleague to tell him the name of his students, and he tells him about their academic progress since he doesn't have his notebook where all their grades are (nor he doesn't care about that notebook right now late at night). He knows every student he has, part of being passionate about his job. "She's not failing my class, but she's late for an assignment that was due yesterday."

"Yeah, she always does that. It's not surprising. What about Cole?"

Price sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. "He's doing fine, too. He scored a good grade on the last exam."

"He's doing bad in my class, which is confusing since the other professors told me he's good in their classes too. Man— Am I the problem?"

Price chuckled darkly at that. "Maybe."

"My methods of teaching are great. I don't understand why I have a lot of students failing."

"Because you're teaching statistics."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Everything."

Price could hear the wave of laughter from the other side of the call, making him smile a little. "You're an asshole... Oh, right! I almost forgot. What about-"

"J-John." His eyes snapped up at the same time his friend said her name. He tapped her naked thigh with his glass as a gesture of keeping silence. She lets out a little whimper, feeling the coldness of the glass. His name rolled out of her tongue by accident, but that didn't stop her from riding him like he's the only thing she could breathe.

Her hands go up, passing his shoulders until they find his neck, her fingers caressing his short hair. She's desperate. The call is taking longer than expected, and her lover —who's her professor— doesn't have any intentions of making the call shorter so he can have his way with her.

He's doing it on purpose.

"Hm? Who's she?" Price said teasingly, looking at the one the two of them were talking about. She looked so beautiful with her full body naked, going up and down on him, trying to search for a release. The dim light of his lamp table rests on her silhouette, making her look like the most beautiful art he has ever seen.

He's pretty sure a few gods from the Olympus are envious by the beauty she possesses while riding him. It was like he's her throne while she sat on him worshipping her.

"Oh wait, I remember her..." Price said in a husky voice, the feeling of her heat embracing him is making him crazy. He puts his glass on the table beside the couch and takes a strand of her nearly damp hair between his fingers, pressing a few light kisses.

"She's doing great in my class, a very intelligent student. What about yours?"

"Yeah, she's..." She's riding me right now, trying to stop her beautiful voice from moaning. "She's one of my top students. I can say she's on top of everyone... even of me." She gasps when his fingers start caressing the mons' pubis. "Shh..." He said lowly, looking at her big, desperate eyes.

"She's not my top student, but she's one of them."

"Yeah, she's very..." She lets out another whimper clenching around him when she feels him in her favorite spot. This was driving her crazy. The thought of her riding her professor while they were talking about her was the hottest turn on she ever had.

"Wait, give me a second. I think there's someone knocking on my door." Price puts the call on mute and looks at her. "My love, I need you to calm your voice."

"I c-can't. It's too much..." He caressed her cheek, stopping a tear. Then, he puts a few strands away from her sweating forehead, a very gentle expression, in contrast with how his cock is abusing her insides. "I know, baby, but I'm in an important call. Just use my cock however you like and when I'm finished I'll promise you to fuck you and please you like the goddess you are." She moaned as a response, her head falling against his shoulder.

Price unmuted his call and put his phone back on his ear. "Sorry, a lousy neighbor. Who are we discussing again?"

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

I apologize for any misspelling and mistakes. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated. 🫶

[cbrownjc]

Spoiler for 2x02 (EPISODE 9) -- And the thing I scream out loud during one scene (and if you are a Devil's Minion fan, you know the scene I'm talking about):

"OH MY GOD ARMAND IS ALICE!!!"

Yes, that is literally what I screamed out loud when we got that quick flashback of Armand back in the 70s talking to Daniel about stealing and selling his dad's Playboy magazines . . . and then the cut back to Armand saying Alice wanted to say yes to his proposal, but didn't trust him.

Armand was basically hinting at what split him and Daniel up which is -- Armand didn't trust Daniel's love for him!

Which, you know, actually fits the book. Because Daniel so badly wanted to be a vampire and was addicted to Armand's blood, Armand would very much feel that once Daniel was turned he'd just run off or something and leave Armand behind -- that Daniel didn't want Armand at all, that he only just to be a vampire and that was it. (Wasn't that scenario in the Rice's Tulane notes, IIRC?)

Which, oh man, when Armand realizes that Daniel did really love him . . . 😩

But anyway, what I mean by Armand being Alice isn't that Alice didn't exist. I do think she does because otherwise there is something off because in Season 1 Daniel calls Alice his first wife. Meaning they did get married . . . unless Daniel has been lying all this time that he and Alice did get married because she really doesn't exist?

Gah! I need more dammit! (I need ep 2x05 now dammit! 🥺)

Anyway, I do think there are LOT of memories in Daniel's head that are truthfully about Armand but have been replaced with Alice to fill in/hide what the actual true memory was, which has been my long-standing theory about all this. But if Alice really does turn out to have never existed . . . and everything about Alice really IS just about Armand but Daniel really can't remember that . . . then what about her pregnancy? Does at least one of his kids not really exist?

. . . and as I just wrote that . . . I have long been thinking that Season 3 in Dubai was going to be very much like the play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And, if you know anything about that play -- particularly the plot point regarding George and Martha's son . . . 😮

Holy shit. . . yeah I think I now know why some reviews of Season 2 were comparing some of it to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 😧 😮

[champion-of-love]

i love cupid so much. i hate that she's so underused in the later seasons. but the few eps shes in are so wild i adore her so much.

picture this. youre a regular student at ever after high. you dont really participate in the royal rebel drama because you're too focused on your classes. a new student enters and she doesn't really have a fairy tale but the headmaster transferred her here because he can't control the students as much anymore. the girl immediately throws a secret rager with help from the resident party girl and the future frog prince against the headmasters wishes. you're like okay whatever you have eight essays to do. then more transfers students and they're from wonderland you're like that makes more sense.

the future huntsman steals her bow and accidentally roofies the entire school. okay you still have six essays. she gives out white roses to help unroofie people. she gives out their meaning. yellow means friendship, red means romance, pink means meant to be together forever. you write that down maybe it would be in a test someday. your brain thinks over the difference between pink and red. future alice gives a rose to future white rabbit and it turns pink. makes sense. future huntsman gives a rose to future cinderella and it turns red. uh oh. you decide to throw that note away and not think about it that much.

(not really an ep but a headcanon) you're falling behind on weapons training and especially on range weapons. you ask the future huntsman for help on bows and arrows because he's probably the best person to ask. he agrees and you say owe him one. you go there early and he shows up on time but spends most of the lesson arguing with his pet squirrel. you realize you're going to fail the exam. former new girl shows up with a weapons case and you gather the courage and ask her for some tips since you're not getting anywhere with squirrel version re-enactment of ratatouille going on behind you. she says she's not really good with bows but she does use another weapon.

she opens her case with a key and whips out a crossbow. it's pink and has heart details on it. you look closer. you think it's partly made of bones. you try not to judge, maybe it's greek. it has a tactical red laser light. you decide not to think about it. she gives you some tips and you ask what types of arrows she uses. she takes one from her quiver and says theyre love arrows which bounce or glide off of non-sentient objects until they hit a target. you suddenly wonder why she's at an archery range if she can't use her arrows on the straw targets. you remember the roofie incident from last month and the only other person in the archery range. you gulp.

[child-of-the-danube]

Right, it's time to go absolutely bonkers with theories. This whole episode has to be one of Lilia's visions (or Teen controlling them subconsciously) because everything was off about it.

- First Lilia wakes up knowing that the Salem Seven are there. As much as we know, Lilia is rarely ever able to so directly read her visions/premonitios, she usually just blurts them out in a nonsensical order and doesn't remember doing so, but this time she was completely sure.

- Jen was strangely VERY antagonistic towards Agatha from the start of the episode. They aren't really the best of friends but this was different. The way she shut down Rio for defending Agatha. Then "tell us more" when Agatha mentioned selflessness with the brooms.

- Alice then suggests that they have to get off of the road which was thing no.1 Agatha told them not to do and they saw the road swallowing Sharon at the start of episode 3 for straying off the path. Which later it does to all of them again, which makes me think this wasn't a real/the correct trial at all. The moment they hopped on the brooms they fucked up and the road was punishing all of them just to swallow them in the end.

- Also the road forces them down. They're falling and the world is inverted. What if the road swallowing them wasn't just Teen's doing but actually the road taking them to the proper trial which is Lilia's. We saw in the snippets hinting to Lilia's trial that there's a floating and falling down scene but the people around Lilia aren't the coven. It's the Salem Seven. Maybe that's how they get back up as later on in the snippets there's a scene of Agatha fully covered in mud speaking to Teen so they clawed their way back up.

EDIT 1: YO NEVER FUCKING MIND THIS. In the scene where Agatha is covered in mud talking to Teen, the road is still yellow so they probably clawed out BEFORE Lilia's trial

- The door of the trial house is plain wood. All of the doors before had the Moon phase fitting to the person who's trial it is ON THE DOOR. But this time they see the Blood Moon through a window. In the episodes before, the outside of the house they were in wasn't real. Also, Alice's Moon was a Waxing Crescent. By all means, the following Moon phase should have been the First Quarter (when obstacles start to rise and decisions need to be made - obstacle being Teen knowing who he is now), not a Full (Blood) Moon cause the Full Moon comes after a Waxing Gibbous. And the Moon was the colour close to Wanda's look and crown.

- Also why would the main character's trial be in the middle of the show? Makes no narrative sense. And Agatha's biggest trauma isn't her mother and the coven, even if it was very significant to her becoming who she is, it's her son. Her trial would be Nick focused. A cabin in the woods, the 80s look, Ouija board etc. are all very much staples of teen focused horrors. Besides why on Earth would Agatha's trial make Teen get his powers? The trial ends with Teen speaking Nick's name and Agatha telling Teen he's so much like his mom. Lilia even tells him to pray to the Divine Mother at the start of the episode when they hop on their brooms. Him getting his powers means his sigil is broken. He remembers who he is, who his mother is and now Agatha knows too. This was 1000% percent his trial nobody can convince me otherwise

- Lilia asks what's on the back of the pamphlet and it says "for ages 3 and up" so again alluding to kids, which Teen is the only one of there.

- They're all dressed as campers beside Lilia. She looks like a camp counsellor or a mom that went to see her kids there. Which, ok, she is the oldest, but not that significantly older than Agatha. In the trials before, she always matched the others perfectly, this time she doesn't. Why?

- Lilia accidentally lets go of the Ouija board thingy, which Teen said not to do under any circumstances but nothing happened to her. By road logic, shouldn't she have been the one possessed or hurt? Actually, nothing happens to her for almost the entire episode (and Rio, but that we know why). Agatha gets possessed, Teen is attacked by both one of the Salem Seven and possessed Agatha, Agatha almost kills Jen and Alice dies. Lilia is at no moment in true danger nor does she intervene. She's practically just a spectator.

- Then the board says Death is with them which shouldn't be a shock. Agatha knows who Rio is and they all know by song that walking the road means holding Death's hand. Lilia is constantly bringing up death. Why would it single Rio out when the rest of the trial didn't have anything to do with her and Agatha's bond or trauma?

- When the board freaks out and the screams begin, Lilia says she hated this the first time. What time? There were no spirits screaming from beyond the veil before unless we count her hearing the pictures in Alice's episode but I'd say that was just her memories as she was the only one hearing it. Now everyone hears it. And Teen says that Lilia is being weird again. I might be reading to much into it, but the screams kind of have the echo a tubular space, like a tower, would perhaps make. On the Tower card we see a blue crown at the top. I believe Teen (and Rio whom we didn't see getting swallowed by the earth end of episode as she was probably guiding Alice to the other side) are sitting Lilia's trial out next episode and it's gonna be Agatha, Lilia and Jen trying to get back to them.

EDIT 2: This one I still somewhat stand on, except the crawling back part, cause in the trailer we only see Lilia with Agatha and Jen dressed like Wizard of Oz/Wicked characters + the Salem Seven, but no Teen and Rio.

- Ok, Agatha is possessed and kind of out this episode but I'll still point out that when Evanora appears, it's Lilia asking the questions and standing in the middle protecting the coven. She works as an almost narrator this episode.

- When Alice tries to save Agatha, Lilia says "Knight of Wands" which one of the meanings is caution against hasty decisions such as Alice blasting Agatha knowing that's how she takes power.

- The door out of the trial opens upwards which it didn't do before. Both Jen and Alice's trial had them go down a door as the road seems to be a descent into further hardship/hell metaphor. The only door it would make sense to go upwards is the end of the road.

- The road turns yellow when they get back so Lilia's trial is next

EDIT 3: I just realized that Lilia repeats "punish Agatha" she looks right at Teen, not at Evanora. She could feel something was off AAAAAA

I'm begging people to discuss this with me. Give me your theories, the things I might have missed or ignored. Cause I'm going nuts about this episode

[snowblack-charcoalwhite]

" Aemond is homophobic", "Screw Aemond, he is disrespecting his mother"... Really?

As for the first statement: why does literally everything concerning Alicent have to be about her being deeply in not-so-platonic love with Rhaenyra? Nothing Aemond said implied that it is precisely "not-so-platonic" part he disapproves of.

And here we come to the second one.

For one, there is a war going on/about to begin. The lives of their entire family are at stake, at the very least due to Daemon being involved. As far as Aemond is concerned, the latter is either Rhaenyra's faithful dog who kills for her without second thought (just remember Vaemond's murder) or a mad one who can't be controlled. Either way, bad news - and Alicent still chooses to proceed with caution. To which point must the Greens do so? Till there is no one left of them to get in Rhaenyra's way? Alicent is one of my favourite characters in the saga (at this point "was" might be more suitable) but presently "Alicent holds love for our enemy. That makes her a fool" is basically a statement of fact.

As for the emotional side of the situation, just look at it from Aemond's point of view for a second. To cover her own ass and those of her children, Rhaenyra, an adult, in cold blood demanded for Aemond, a child, to be tortured - for telling the truth and right after Rhaenyra's own son maimed him for life. Alicent defended him then - and Aemond was the one who comforted her with words and with actions when the majority of the people in the room gaped at her as if she was a madwoman. He chased after Lucerys thinking not only of his mutilation having gone unpunished - he also never forgot Alicent being humiliated (hence 'a gift for my mother' line"). But when push really comes to shove Alicent, taking into consideration how high the stakes are, basically turns her back on him and his siblings - because she doesn't want her childhood friend (even if we actually count Rhaenyra as Alicent's friend) to be harmed. What about her children? Grandchildren? Her father? If you look at Aemond's face when he is asking Alicent whether she wants them to prevail, there is hurt in his eyes. And who can blame him for being hurt - and mad - when his own mother is not on his side but on the side of the person who harmed them both before? And if this happens after B&C, he is all the more justified in his feelings.

I might get a lot of hate for what I'm about to say but in the grand scheme of things it looks like as the Dance begins show!Alicent does precisely what Viserys did at Driftmark (and for years before and after) - which is disregarding her children's (in Viserys' case "other children's") best interests for Rhaenyra's sake.

P.S. There is also the fact that Aemond is not one of the most forgiving people in the world (just as book!Rhaenyra by the way). But it doesn't mean that his thoughts and feelings should be disregarded just because they happen to clash with his mother's.

[flippinpancakes64]

Hiiii can I request the cullens x reader who dose cosplay but like the reader never told them. Like they come to visit the reader and the readers just in the most extravagant cosplay.

Have a good day

The Cullens with a Cosplayer! Reader

I have never done cosplay, but I have always wanted to. That's just what happens when you have 19 dollars in your bank account I guess. And when you're scared of contacts. And when you can't stand wearing hats or anything on your head. Maybe I'm just not cut out for cosplay.

Anyway

Thank you for requesting and I hope you enjoy!

Edward:

He already knew

I mean, that's like his whole thing, he knows what everyone is thinking about

He was a little confused when he first saw glimpses of it in your mind, but through your thoughts he was able to understand what it is

He's super supportive tho

The first time he actually gets to see you in cosplay, he is not shocked

He's actually really surprised by the quality of it

Every time you're working on your outfits, all he can hear is you being down on yourself

But either way he is the main guy for this

Bring him to cons, he will protect you

Yes he will wear the wig while you style it

Yes he will spray paint things because you don't want to stain your hands

Yes he will hold your props if your arms get tired

And yes he will help you out of whatever you're wearing if you want him to

The most you can get him to do is a closet cosplay tho

He will not wear a wig and actually go outside

And he's not wearing makeup either

You gotta take what you can get I guess

Alice:

She's a little pissed off

But only because you didn't tell her sooner

She walked in on you because she heard you struggling with one of your zippers

Like this is her specialty why wouldn't you want her help

She helps you make the most mind-blowingly beautiful cosplays

And don't even worry about your hair or makeup ever again she has that covered too

And please take her to cons with you

She wants to cosplay too

She will make you guys the most intricate couples' cosplays ever

You guys have won competitions

It doesn't even matter if she's seen the media that you guys are cosplaying from, she still manages to get all of the details completely accurate

But you have to watch her at cons

She just geeks over everyone else's outfits the whole time

She's prone to wandering off

Not that she's in danger or anything

You'll just lose her

Power couple fr

Jasper:

He's confused

He doesn't remember ever seeing that outfit before

And he doesn't remember your hair looking like that

And he cannot think of a single answer for where you could possibly be going dressed like that

He's not being negative, nor is he upset

He can feel how happy you are

He just needs it to be explained to him

He's still a little confused after you explain it, but it's okay

Ultimate helper though

He just knows that this is something that you like, so he'll support you

He will hold anything you need him to hold, wear anything you need him to wear, and go wherever you want him to go

He doesn't necessarily like going to cons

But you're there so he has a fine enough time

And he likes feeling useful

Rosalie:

She comes from the time when people primarily made their own Halloween costumes

Well, they all did, but that's not relevant rn

So when she walks in on you dressed up in your full cosplay, she just assumes that you're making the finishing touches on your Halloween costume for that year

Even if it's like February or something

After you explain what it is she's just kinda like "oh okay"

Like in the way of she doesn't care

What you do in your free time is your business, and what she does in hers is hers

If this is what makes you happy then go for it

She'll help you out with little things

Holding things for you, fitting things into place if they're too tough for you, minor sewing adjustments

But her big contribution would be animatronics

If you want a pair of mechanical wings that move with your arms, it's done

If you want any little contraption as a prop it is done and fully functional

Rosalie please make me a working ICoffin I beg

Emmett:

"I didn't know it was Halloween... wait, it's not Halloween"

My guy is perplexed

He has no clue what you're doing

And even after you explain it he's still confused

Cannot grasp the concept of dressing up as a character you really like outside of Halloween

But he's the kind of guy to not understand something but still accept it

Like hell yeah you do your thing

Ultimate scary dog privileges

Like people usually don't come up to you to ask for a picture at cons because Emmett scares people away from just being there

Especially if you're wearing something that has a weapon as a prop and you have him hold it

He likes holding the weapons props

You can convince him to get in a cosplay

But it has to be something sexy, that's what he wants

He wants to be Pyramid Head

He wants to be Wolverine

You know what I mean?

Like, he wants to be a ripped guy

And yeah you could do a matching cosplay, but he wouldn't get it so just do whatever you want

He's okay with a spiderman costume from Party City tbh

Esme:

She's confused

No clue what you could be doing tbh

She likes it though

She thinks it's super cool

She knows how to sew and do basic stuff, but she's never really picked it up as a hobby or anything

She's more than willing to help with anything you need

She will model anything you need her to

She will wear every wig, every prop piece, every clothing article, anything

Wouldn't really enjoy cons

Idk

I just feel like she'd get overstimulated at everything that's going on

She'll go with you to one or two of them, but not all

Don't worry though she would be nearby

If y'all had to travel to go to a con she'd go with and go like shopping or smthn while you're at the con

Carlisle:

Yeah he's confused

I don't think even in the modern era he would be on technology that often

So he doesn't know who you're supposed to be, what you're doing, or why you seem so ashamed that he "caught" you

He honestly could care less what you do

If this makes you happy then who is he to judge

All of his money is yours

Use it all he doesn't care

He's also more than willing to help you with anything you need

And he will go with you to every con

All of the people love him too

He's so kind and inquisitive

He goes up to everybody at the cons and asks them who they are, if they made their outfit, how long it took them, etc.

It also helps that anytime someone has a medical emergency he is there and willing to help

You know those shirts that are like "Con Dad" or "Con Mom"

You get him one that says "Con Doctor"

Vampire! Bella:

She knows what cosplay is

I think I'd be more shocked if she didn't

But that's not the first thing that immediately comes to mind when she vaults through your bedroom window and you're dressed like someone from the 1800s

She's just kinda like "...am I intruding or?"

You're gonna need to show her what cosplay is actually like

Cause right now she has that stereotypical image in her mind of a neck beard anime obsessed redditor

She helps you make all of your stuff

Even if she says the whole time that this is cringe and whatever

But the first time you take her to a con that changes

She sees all of the cosplays that are super intricate and advanced and she's just shocked

She's like "people really made this stuff????"

So yeah now she wants to go every time to see all the cool stuff

[arabellasleopardcoat]

We light the way (Aemond Targaryen x Reader) 

Summary: House Hightower doesn't have dragons. But they have a magic of their own. 

Warnings: Canon typical violence and language. Dialogue lifted from the show. Strong!Reader

A/N: I intended to finish the bingo, so I prompted myself: Aemond + witness + friends to lovers. 

The magic had always been there. It was in his blood. It had always been. When Aemond was four years old, he had woken up in the middle of the night, screaming in terrible agony. Years later, with greater pains to serve as reference, he would compare it to the loss of his eye. 

The wet nurse that tended to him and his siblings had burst into the room to find him clutching his arm to his chest, but was unable to identify what was wrong with him. She had called for help, and soon, the Queen and the Maester had been roused. 

“This is most unusual.” The Maester pressed down on the inside of his forearm, and it had felt as if a thousand needles were digging on his skin. Aemond screamed. “I can't see any wound, nor has he have a fever.” 

His mother stepped closer, a grim expression on her face. Her eyes were worried.

“Aemond, love. Tell me what's wrong.” She gently cradled his face, examining him frantically. 

“Mother, make it stop! Make it stop!” 

Alicent's gaze drifted downwards. On Aemond's inner arm, in green ink, there were letters appearing in a pretty, feminine handwriting. Aemond did not know how to read yet, but whatever it said, it was not good. It wasn't normal. Words did not suddenly appear on people's skin. 

“Out! Everyone out!” She yelled, so forcefully for the normally polite Queen, that the Maester and the wet nurse scrambled to obey without questioning her decision. When they left, she brushed his hair back from his face and hugged him very tight, until the hurt went away. 

Aemond looked down. The letters had stopped appearing on his skin, and now, words in green ink remained. 

“What does it say, Mother?” 

“Stop hurting my brothers.” Alicent’s face scrunched up, as if about to cry. She took a deep breath.

“Why is it here?” Aemond pointed angrily at his arm. Like any boy of four years old, pain and tiredness made him cranky. “What is going on?” 

His mother looked at a loss for words. When he was older, she would tell him she was not too sure how to explain it, and had merely used her own father's version of the tale to make Aemond understand.

“Our family is different, love. Do you remember our words?” She gently scratched his scalp in the way he liked. 

“Fire and blood.” Aemond nuzzled his face on her stomach, hiding. 

“My words. Grandsire's words.” Her voice held a certain degree of annoyance. 

“We light the way.” 

“That's correct. We light the way, just as the Seven do for House Hightower.” She gently grabbed Aemond's forearm, and traced the letters. He shivered. “For some of us, the special ones, they light the way towards our destiny.” 

“My destiny is hurting someone's brothers?” 

“No.” Alicent laughed. “Your destiny is the person who will say those words to you. The words are how you will identify your soulmate. No one else, except us special Hightowers can see them.” 

“Not even her?” 

“Not even her. But she will have a mark like yours.” 

“And she won't be able to see it?” 

“No.” Alicent smiled. “You are very lucky, you know? Other Hightowers get less clear marks.” 

“What do yours say?” 

“I have no words, but a red thread.” And she lifted her finger, showing how a string of wool wrapped around it, and pooled, crimson red, on the floor. 

During the coming weeks, Aemond watched. His mother's red thread twisted around hallways and stairs, passing over torches and bathing rooms, like blood flowing down the walls of the Red Keep. His sister, Rhaenyra, held the other end. Aemond realized then that if he wanted his soulmate, he would have to tie her securely to him, for a mark did not ensure anything. 

Aegon and Helaena had no marks. Nor did anyone else outside his mother and Rhaenyra. 

♧

The first thing Aemond noticed about you, upon meeting you, was that you were loud. You came into the world crying. No, wailing. As he stood near the birthing chamber, by his mother's side, he felt confused. 

“Are all babies this loud?” He asked her. Alicent frowned. The cries sounded much more pained than it was normal for a babe, but Aemond did not figure that out until he was older. 

His father had ordered that every member of the family had to be present during the birth of Rhaenyra's first babe. On the floor, Helaena was chasing a caterpillar, as Aegon played dragons and knights with one of the guards. His father was silently praying. 

Aemond and his mother were sitting by a window, trying to ignore the screams. After enduring almost six hours of Rhaenyra’s agonized sounds, and now hearing the babe, Aemond had come to a decision. He would not have children once he found his woman, for it sounded hurtful to her and if she was meant to be his, then Aemond could not allow any harm to befall her. 

“Not always.” Mother answered, with a wince. And then, another wail could be heard, joining yours. 

“The Princess has birthed twins!” The midwife announced, joyfully. “A girl and a boy.” 

King Viserys stood, clapping. 

“Can we see them?” 

“Of course, Your Grace.” The midwife opened the door a bit further, allowing them to step in. Aemond, curious about the babes, was the first to approach. They were so tiny but… 

“Your hair is brown.” He said to one of them, perplexed. Aemond carefully rubbed the babe's hair, trying to get the grime out. Then, he turned towards the midwife, accusingly. “You didn't clean them properly.” 

His father's and Rhaenyra's smiles froze. 

“She is not dirty.” Rhaenyra said, shortly. “She is like that, and she is perfect.” 

Aemond frowned. He wanted to ask his mother how it could be, that the babe had hair different from her parents. But his mother squeezed his hand, harshly, and Aemond understood that she did not want him to ask that. 

He looked at the babe. At you. You were rather pretty. 

“She is pretty. Though she is tiny. I expect she will grow.” He gave a questioning glance towards Rhaenyra, who looked unsure. She didn't seem to like Aemond's questions, but he was at that age. 

The terrible twos had turned into the horrible threes, and the curious fours. Right now, he was just entering the questioning fives. It would be an affliction that would follow him for the rest of his life. 

“Of course she will. And you will protect your niece, won't you?” His father ordered, and Aemond nodded solemnly. He would. 

Aemond failed to notice then, but on your arm, in childish black letters, the proclamation of the color of your hair was plain to see. 

♧

Lady Laena's funeral had put you in a melancholic mood. Just like Jace, you were old enough to see the truth of your parentage and were mourning Ser Harwin. You thought it stupid, having to attend a funeral for a woman that you never met, while your father's charred remains were put to rest at Harrenhall without even his brother's attendance. 

If it were you burying one of your brothers, you would have been inconsolable. You didn't understand why Lord Larys wasn't. 

Watching Lady Laena's remains go back into the sea made you think of your father, and it was all so sad, you had started crying right along with Baela and Rhaela. Your uncle, Aegon, had laughed at you, commenting on your weakness for crying for a stranger, which only made you sob harder. 

It was only natural that you had sought the comfort of your other half during the night. As of late, your mother insisted that Jace and you should be in separated rooms. She had said something about how improper it was, since you were growing older. You had not understood that either. 

You had gone to him in the middle of the night, and fell asleep hugging him close. Jace was a source of comfort despite being younger than you. Your mother often said that you had to protect him, being the eldest, but Jace always said that he was going to protect you because he was going to be King. 

“Jace, Jace.” A voice interrupted your slumber, and you felt the warmth pulling away. You held it tighter, refusing to let go. 

“Jace, wake up. Wake up.” The voice insisted, and you pried your eyes open to see Baela's face staring down at you. The sight confused you, and you squinted at her. She was starting to tear up, and Jace still gave no sign of waking up. You shook him hard. 

Jace mumbled something. 

“Someone stole Vhagar.” Baela said, more urgently. It prompted your brother to sit up fully, jerking you upwards too. 

“What?” 

You did not hesitate. You jumped out of bed, put on your slippers and went to wake Luke. 

After that, it was chaos. Vhagar's roars could be heard clearly in the distance, and you ran into Aemond slipping inside the castle, fully dressed. You did not need further explanations. 

The girls and Aemond traded insults. Then, they were coming at him and they were rolling on the ground. Aemond made mention of your parentage, egging on Jace and Luke. You were too horrified to do anything but scream. You would have done nothing, four against one already seeming unfair without your intervention, if Aemond had not started choking Luke. 

“Stop hurting my brothers!” You screamed, launching yourself at him. Then there was a rock, and a dagger, and you had given Luke an opening, and Aemond was screaming in agony. 

The sight of his maimed eye made you shriek louder. There was so much blood, and you pressed your hands on it, as you had seen the Kingsguard do when someone was injured. Aemond slapped you, wailing. 

“I am trying to help!” You said, stubbornly. Your tiny hands went to grab for his eye again, but Ser Harold was entering and removing you from him. For the first time, you looked down and realized your nightgown was soaked in blood. You started sobbing harder. 

You had to be carried back into the hall, nearly catatonic. When your grandfather took in the sight of Aemond and you, he demanded answers. He started to yell, and gesture at the Kingsguards, only frightening you more. 

Finally, your mother appeared, and you rushed to her, grabbing fistfuls of her dress with blood soaked hands. 

“What happened?” Your mother picked you up, examining you closely. “Why is my daughter not being tended to?” She asked the Maester. 

“Luke and Jace are hurt.” You cried. 

“Show me.” Your mother said to the boys. Then, she scowled and repeated. “Why are my children not being tended to?”

Queen Alicent laughed. It was an ugly, grating sound. 

“Who did this?” 

“They attacked me!” Aemond complained. 

“He attacked Baela.” 

“He broke Luke's nose.” 

“He stole my mother's dragon!”

Everyone was talking at the same time, making a terrible noise that didn't allow the King's words to carry. Even the Queen was screaming, until…

“He called us bastards!” 

“Aemond… I will have the truth of what happened. Now.” Your Grandsire said, creeping towards Aemond. You felt a bit bad for him, being reprimanded by his father after losing his eye. 

“What else is there to hear?” Queen Alicent sounded exasperated. “Your son has been maimed. Her son is responsible.” 

You flinched. She sounded so angry. Your hand reached for Luke's, holding him close. You were afraid he might be hurt by the Queen. 

“It was a regrettable accident.” 

“Accident? The Prince Lucerys brought a blade to the ambush.” The Queen pointed at Luke, harshly. You whimpered. “He meant to kill my son.” 

“It was my sons who were attacked and forced to defend themselves. Vile insults were levied against them.” Your mother stepped in front of Luke, Jace and you. 

“What insults?” The Queen seemed distracted by something Aemond was muttering to her. They were too far away for you to hear, but by the way his lips moved, you thought it was something similar to “Mine… She… mine.” 

“The legitimacy of my children’s birth was put loudly to question.”

Queen Alicent was starting to turn very pale. You doubted it was because of your mother's words. It was no secret to anyone that Jace, Luke and you were not Velaryons. You did not look the part. At all. It was no wonder that someone had finally said it to your face. 

“What?” Your grandsire's eyes widened. Had he not known? You didn't understand why he was so angry.  

“He called us bastards.”

“My sons are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace. This is the highest of treasons. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders.” Your mother quickly interjected. Queen Alicent looked about to lose her mind. 

“Over an insult?” Alicent sounded odd. Her mind was clearly elsewhere, but she kept arguing. “My son has lost an eye.”

The King started interrogating Aemond, but you were focused on something else. The Queen, despite still defending Aemond, had her eyes fixed on you. At first, you thought she was looking at Luke, but then you realized she was focused on your arm. Or your sleeve. Uncomfortable, you tugged your sleeve down. She was probably looking at the blood in your hands.

Slowly, very slowly, she was creeping closer. Her hand reached forward as if to grab you when Aegon spoke. “We know, Father. Everybody knows. Just look at them.”

More recriminations were to follow. Your mother, noticing Alicent's attention was on you, shoved you back behind her. 

“This interminable infighting must cease!” The King proclaimed, loudly. His eyes darted from your uncles towards you and your brothers. Even at such a young age, you could feel something was irreparably broken between your mother and the Queen. Luke and Aemond too had broken their bond beyond repair. “All of you! We are family! Now make your apologies and show good will to one another. Your father, your grandsire, your king demands it!” 

Jace looked perplexed, as did Aegon. To them, the request sounded as unreasonable as it did to you, despite their short ages. You knew then you would never be a family again. 

“That is insufficient. Aemond has been damaged, permanently, My King. Good will cannot make him whole.” The Queen complained, her brown eyes narrowing.

“I know, Alicent, but I cannot restore his eye.” Your grandsire sounded exhausted. 

“No because it’s been taken.” Alicent answered.  You shifted in your place, ignoring Jace's hands urging you to stay as you were. You felt dirty, hands and sleeves covered in Aemond's blood. It was sticky and it smelt bad. 

“What would you have me do?” The King’s tone was exasperated, but cautious. He could sense there was something else at play, that the Queen would not allow the slight to go unpunished. Aemond, in the corner, was unusually quiet. 

You squirmed even more into place. Jace squeezed your hand in warning. The Queen looked like a wolf about to pounce, and it scared you. You feared of what she could do to Luke. 

But instead, her eyes darted to you again. 

“There is a debt to be paid.” You felt as if her words were being spoken directly to you.  “I shall have one of her son’s eyes in return.

You gave a horrified gasp. Your mother looked ready to gut Alicent. Murmuring broke out across the room, everyone speaking at once. Luke hid between Jace and you. 

“My dear wife.”

“He is your son, Viserys. Your blood.” Alicent's eyes were watery with just indignation. She was about to cry out of sheer frustration. 

“Do not… allow your temper to guide your judgment.” 

“If the King will not give me his eye, then I want her daughter. Who will marry Aemond like this? It will mean the loss of his ability with his sword, ladies will not want him.” She spoke hurriedly, as if afraid that if she let anyone get a word in, no one would listen to her. Alicent's voice raised. “I want her betrothed to Aemond. She will return to the Red Keep immediately. I do not want Princess Rhaenyra to find a way to damage that too.”

“My King, surely no one would reject a Prince of the blood.” Your mother said, weakly. Her hand clutched at your shoulder, fisting in your nightgown. You risked a look at your grandsire. He looked thoughtful. 

“Ser Criston… Bring me the girl!” The Queen ordered, and Ser Criston took a step towards you. You cowered.

“That will not be necessary.” Your grandsire said. “Girl, come.”

Your brothers cried out. Aemond's face stretched into a satisfied smirk. Aegon looked bored, and your cousins horrified. None of that you took notice, but your mother. She was making a wounded, hurt noise. It sounded much like a wail.  Her hand around your shoulder tightened. Daemon leaned in and whispered something to her, making her grip loosen. 

“Go.” Daemon said, shoving you slightly. “Go to your Grandsire.” 

And so you went. Up close, King Viserys was much more intimidating. There was a certain stench around him, of flesh rotting, that not even the medicine could mask. You lowered your eyes, staring at your slippers. 

“Do not be afraid, child.” He gently tilted your chin up with a finger. “Look at me.” 

You obeyed. He examined your face curiously. One of his hands grasped your forearm, and he looked at your hands as well. Self-conscious about the dirt and the blood, you made your hands into tiny fists, before relaxing them. 

“Why are you covered in blood, but your cousins and brothers are not?” 

“I tried to help him, Your Grace.” You answered, truthfully. You had thought you were really helping then. The answer seemed to please him. 

“You are a good girl. You wish to help, and you will.” Viserys smiled. He seemed glad to have found the answer to his troubles almost accidentally. “Your marriage with your Uncle will unify both sides of the family. Go with him.” 

Without any other choice, you went to stand beside Aemond. His eye was swollen and shut by stitches. He stared at you with his good eye, before his hand shut like a vice around your wrist. 

Like your grandsire, Aemond forced your arm up. But instead of examining your hand, he looked at the inside of your forearm. You didn't see anything, but he seemed pleased. He grabbed a handkerchief and wiped your hand clean. Then, he grabbed your other hand and cleaned it too. 

“You are mine. Mine, you understand?” He squeezed your wrist, sharply.

You nodded, eyes filling with tears. 

“Yes, Uncle.” 

“Do not mourn me, Mother.” Aemond said, slipping your hand in his. He looked at Alicent, evenly. “It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye… but I gained a dragon.” 

“This proceeding is to an end. Whoever questions the legitimacy of Princess Rhaenyra’s children again will lose their tongue.”

And then, Queen Alicent was leading you out of the room with her family, a firm hand between your shoulder blades and the looming shade of Ser Criston behind you. You tried to look back, go to your mother, but you only managed to see the desperation on her face as Daemon led her and your siblings out of the room. 

She would fight for you. You knew she would. This was only temporary.

♧

Alicent sighed, tiredly. She had just put you to bed on the loveseat inside her rooms. She was too afraid of Rhaenyra whisking you away in the middle of the night to do otherwise. You had taken a long time to settle. Poor thing that you were, you had been crying silently as the maids made you bathe and found you a clean nightgown. 

Alicent was sharply reminded of when she was told she would marry the King. She had been afraid too. Terrified, in fact. Back then, Viserys had seemed like such an imposing man, and he had not been kind to her. As the sickness got the better of her, Alicent felt a secret pleasure at seeing him humbled. She actually enjoyed doing her duty and caring for him, if only because she could remind herself he was weak. The cruel man who had hurt her now had started to rely increasingly on her. Her stomach twisted in dark satisfaction. Not so great now, huh? 

That was not the point. It was for the best, Alicent tried telling herself. You would be happy with Aemond. This was nothing like her situation. The gods had made Aemond and you perfect for one another. You just had to get used to him first. 

Alicent had been older, though. You were a girl not yet flowered. And she had her father at court. Alicent had never wanted to go to him, but she had had the option. 

You had no one. And you knew it. You had sobbed quietly into your pillow as Alicent whispered reassurances and rubbed your back. When you had finally calmed down, you had given her big pleading eyes and asked for her to allow you to say goodbye. She had felt as if she was the worst person in Westeros.

“The Hand, Your Grace.” The voice startled her. She looked up to find her father already in the room. 

“Say your piece.”

“Now, what piece is that?” Her father raised his eyebrows. 

“I’ve conducted myself in a manner… unbefitting my station. I lost composure and made a scene.”  

“All true.” But despite his words, Otto sounded amused.

“I disgraced myself.” Alicent went on, unsure of what he was thinking. She disliked that he was so difficult to read. She could never tell if he was about to reprimand her or congratulate her. “But it was necessary. The girl is…” 

“I have never seen that side of you, my daughter. I even doubted its existence.” Otto's reply was calm and measured, but there was a hint of pride in his eyes. 

“It was an ugly thing. I regret it.” Separating a mother from her daughter, no matter how wretched the mother was…. You would need Rhaenyra, in the years to come. You would flower, grow, need to be told about heirs and taught womanly things. But Rhaenyra would have never allowed you to come, if Alicent had not forced her hand. She would not understand. She was not a Hightower. 

This was best. No matter how lonely you got, you would always have Aemond. 

Yet Alicent remembered her own maiden years without a mother, and her heart hurt. You would be lost at court. You were a child. But just as Rhaenyra had not spared Aemond, she could not spare you. 

“We play an ugly game. And now, for the first time, I see that you have the determination to win it.” Her father spoke, and it was then she realized they were having two different conversations. 

“No, Father. That's not why…” Alicent sighed. Sometimes, it was better that certain things were seen rather than told.  “Get up. Come.” 

She led him towards where you peacefully slept. Her father remained puzzled. 

“Alicent…” 

And it was then that you rolled onto your side, showing the inside of your arm. In scraggly, black letters, the insult remained exactly the same as it had been spoken aloud. “Your hair is brown.” 

Otto staggered back. 

“You see, now?” Alicent asked him, voice wavering. “I had to take her. I had to, Father. Right? She is Aemond's. Rhaenyra already took so much from him, I couldn't let her have her, too.” 

“You did the right thing.” Otto squeezed her shoulder, as he bent down to cover you more with the furs. “She is his, yes. But she will also prove invaluable in the years to come.” 

“How so? Preventing war?” 

“She will sit on the Iron Throne. Why should a man rule, if she was born first?” Her father smirked. “Keep a grip on your passions. And I promise you, in time, you and I together will prevail. What that rogue Aemond has done in winning Vhagar and her to our side… The boy was right. It’s worth a thousand times the price he paid.”

♧

Aemond had found he did not like his soulmate very much. You were shy and easily frightened, and you spent most of your days crying in the corners. 

You were little, his mother said. It was normal that you were taking your time to adjust.  

This was nothing like Aemond expected. You being his seemed like a great jape. You cried at everything and managed to be more annoying than Aegon. Then, there was the fact of your parentage. Why would he be cursed with a bastard for a soulmate? Had he slighted the Seven in some way? 

“Stop crying.” He snapped at you. “You look like a fool.” 

You sniffled, quietly. Helaena had invited you to go catching bugs with her, but you had started sobbing when the first caterpillar was placed on your arm. Aemond had to intercede, pulling you aside, but you had only cried harder. If there was something in which you resembled Rhaenyra, it was in the fact that you always made your displeasure known. 

The only time you seemed at peace was with a book in your hands. His mother had noticed that particular miracle when one afternoon, upset at Aegon tugging on your dark braids, you had disappeared. Alicent had been frantic, sending servants to turn the Red Keep upside down in your search. She had found you by accident, sitting in the library with a book open on your lap, comically large for your childish body. The attempt at self soothing had been noted and tucked away to ruminate later on. 

“Aemond.” His mother said, sharply. He sighed. It wasn't like he tried to scare you on purpose. Just that Aemond was not too sure what to do with you. Girls were not his primary concern, but he supposed you were to be endured.

Later that day, his mother pulled him aside. 

“If you treat her cruelly, she will grow to resent you.” He was too young to catch it then, but there was a glimmer in Alicent’s eyes that indicated she spoke out of personal experience. “This is not how you win her over.” 

“She is mine, though.”  Aemond scowled. There was no need to win you over. His father had already ordered your marriage to him. Not even Princess Rhaenyra could oppose it. 

Besides, you were a bastard. It was obvious to anyone with eyes. You should be grateful Aemond paid you any sort of attention, even if it was negative. When you grew older, and your strong features made themselves even more known, no one would want you. 

You were the lucky one. Not him. 

“Soulmarks do not ensure anything.” His mother said, her tone turning slightly less patient. 

“But father gave her to me.” 

His mother looked up, as if begging to the Seven Heavens for fortitude. 

“Betrothals and marriages can be annulled by a King.” Aemond frowned. Why would his father change his mind? “Or a Queen.” 

“Oh.” Aemond had not considered that possibility. He would have to ensure the two of you were married by the time your mother took the crown. And hopefully, if he could manage, get a babe too. That would be much harder to annul. 

“You need to make her want to stay.” His mother had a point there. It was a much simpler solution than what Aemond was concocting. There was only the issue of how. Aemond had no clue what to do with girls, and you cried so much it was off-putting. 

“How?” 

“Be kind. She is lonely here. She needs a friend.” 

He found you crying again the next day. You had scrapped your knee on the dragonpit, after visiting your growing dragon. You were inconsolable, face covered with snot and eyes swollen from so much crying. 

Aemond would have scoffed at your weakness, were it not for the lingering memory of his mother’s words. 

He fetched water and a clean linen, and kneeled in front of you. Big, teary eyes stared down in confusion. Your dark eyelashes, clumped together with tears, and another reminder of your bastardy, fluttered. You gave a few harsh blinks. 

“The King gave me you.” Aemond enunciated, slowly. He wanted to make sure you understood his meaning. “You are mine to guard and protect. And to care for.” 

Your dark eyes, pretty for a bastard, widened.  You pulled your leg back, but Aemond made sure to hold your knee firmly, and continued tending to your injury. 

“Nothing bad will happen to you. I ride Vhagar, the biggest dragon in existence.” 

That didn't seem to reassure you much, either. You flinched as if hurt by the thought of Vhagar. Probably scared, remembering exactly how he had won her. 

Aemond tried to recall what normal girls liked. Helaena was no use, but of the few times he had crossed paths with his other nieces, he had a lasting impression of romantic gestures and delusions. 

“When we are older, we will marry, and I shall be very kind. You will love me very much and you will never be alone again.”  Aemond rubbed your kneecap, gently. 

Your jaw was hanging open, but you didn't even make a peep. He sighed, exhausted again. You were stubborn, so there was no point in expecting you to… Aemond was unable to finish the train of thought. His mind had gone blank. 

Your arms were around him and you were not letting go. 

♧

It spirals, after that. You are quiet, the consequence of a childhood spent near Jacaerys, Aegon and Lucerys. They seemed to have much louder voices than you. Yet, at the same time, you are always making yourself known. 

Be it a hand curling around his wrist to drag him to the kitchens to try the newest lemon cakes, or a swift tug to his jerkin to get Aemond to pay attention, your feelings are loud and clear. 

Aemond has never been particularly playful or fond of the outdoors. He much prefers studying philosophy and history. At two and ten years of age, it is a bit late for him to take part in childish games like monsters and maidens or come-into-my-castle, but you are younger than he by a few years, so he accepts his fate easily enough. You will grow out of it, Aemond muses, and it's not entirely unpleasant to be the one that causes you to shriek in laughter. 

Besides, it's not like the two of you only do things that please you. Often, you curl with him near the fire, a book in your hands, while Aemond studies his lessons. Aemond finds your weight against his side comforting, and he feels a vicious sort of pleasure at enjoying something you used to do with your twin. 

He might not be able to take Lucery's eye. He might never manage to hurt Jacaerys. But Aemond will take their sister, make no mistake. Soon, the day will come that they visit the Red Keep and something will happen, and you will run to Aemond's arms for comfort. Not theirs. And it will be all the vindication he needs, watching those stupid Strong boys gape at their beloved sister’s preference. 

You have been growing well. He is satisfied to notice that you have intelligent eyes and that you take well to your lessons. You curtsy and dance as well as a lady of twice your age, your manners are pleasing, and you know the Seven Pointed Star by heart. Once could almost forget you are a bastard and not a miniature copy of Alicent, with how often you have taken to following her around. 

Aemond is not a fool. His grandfather has taken an unusual liking to you, and is frequently imparting lessons. His mother pays you more attention than she does to Helaena. It may be guilt on his mother's part, but his grandsire does not have such qualms. He is no woman. They are grooming you to rule. 

“Aemond!” You run towards him, excitedly. “I want to go riding. Can we?” 

“I don't know, Princess.” He smirks. One thing he likes about being older than you is the ability to lord his knowledge over you. You get so huffy and pouty, it makes him understand why Aegon enjoyed teasing him so much. He would never be as cruel to you, though. You are too sweet for it.  “Can we?” 

“You know what I meant!” You scowl at him. Your limbs seem to be vibrating with the force of will it takes not to stomp your foot like a commoner. 

“Of course we can. You have a dragon and I do too, we are both very proficient…” Aemond teases, enjoying the way your face scrunches up in displeasure at the knowledge you will have to bend. 

“May we!” Your voice raises slightly. “Mean!” 

Aemond waits a moment, letting the suspense build. Your lower lip trembles, fighting the urge to pout.

“Please?” You say, brown eyes pleading. It doesn't bother him as it used to, your darker features. Aemond has found there is a certain beauty in your hair and eyes. Besides, Aegon has told him that the women at the Riverlands are much more pretty than those of House Targaryen. If he was not jesting, you would grow into a beautiful woman thanks to your Strong blood. 

“Fine. We will go.” He is careful to keep his tone gruff, as if he was doing you some great favor. In truth, Aemond enjoys the activity as much as you do. He has to be careful, with your dragon and you being smaller than Vhagar and him, but it is fun to race you. He even lets you win, sometimes. 

Sometimes, though, you win fair and square. It's very troubling. You have started to become distracting, and too often Aemond thinks of how pretty you look with the blue backdrop, riding a dragon like a true Targaryen. It's then that you take advantage and push your dragon further, faster, until you surpass him and Aemond shakes himself out of the spell you cast on him. 

He wonders if kissing is as pleasant as Aegon says it is. Your clever mouth looks soft, and Aemond knows you would yield to him easily. He is very curious about how your hair would feel on his hands, and how it would look coming undone from your braids. 

A joyful little sound brings him out of his contemplation. You are hiking up your skirts and breaking into a sprint. 

“Last one there carries the books for a whole week!”

“Oh, you are on.” And he is running after you, hot on your heels, as if he were a boy once more. 

♧

Alicent can't sleep. The storm raging outside keeps her awake, pacing. Viserys is getting worse with every day that passes, and she fears she is living on borrowed time. 

Will Rhaenyra kill Aegon? Even with the betrothal of Aemond to you, Alicent doubts she will stand down. The letters that have come are few and far in between, getting even more spaced out now that you are happier and Rhaenyra is having Daemon's children. 

Jacaerys is the only one who keeps a steady stream of communication with you. Alicent is guilty of reading his letters. She has committed that particular sin various times. Among the tales of your week and the recounting of how much you miss your other half, there are some troubling thoughts. Has mother replaced me? Does she not love me anymore? Will you too forget about me? 

He tries being reassuring, but he knows the truth. Just as Alicent does too. Rhaenyra hates being anything but the center of attention. She had been a regular mother to you, but she cannot stand the influence Alicent is having on your life, nor can she tolerate that you are happy with it. If you wrote tales of your unhappiness, of your unwillingness to marry Aemond, Rhaenyra would be loving and supportive. But you are too honest for that. 

At first, Alicent had taken to mothering you as a way of atoning for her sins. She had dragged you away from home when you were a child. She had gifted you to Aemond. It had been her fault that her father decided you would sit on the Iron Throne after Rhaenyra was dead. 

But now, caring for you comes naturally. You were an easy child. Sweet natured, and starved for affection. You were not like Helaena. Instead, you enjoyed placing ribbons in your hair and trying on new dresses, and you were actually interested when Alicent spoke of the Faith. 

Most of all, though, you loved Aemond with all your heart. You followed him everywhere, be it cheering for him in the stands as he trained, or helping him get to his chambers when the pain in his eye turned into a migraine. It made Alicent love you even more. 

There were times, though, when your love for Aemond turned problematic. Suspecting tonight was one of those times, Alicent decided to stop her senseless pacing and go check on you. 

The guards stationed outside your hallway squirmed in their posts when confronted with the sight of Alicent. 

“Let me guess.” She said, tiredly. “The Princess is not in her rooms.” 

“No, Your Grace.” One of them said, lowering his head in shame. Alicent fought the urge to scream at their incompetence. How could one girl, barely two and ten, manage to slip past two guards? Alicent loved you like you were her own, but you were just too much like Rhaenyra sometimes. 

“Thank you.” Alicent inwardly was cursing up a storm. She knew exactly where you were. 

It was not long before she found herself outside Aemond's chambers. This set of guards looked more grim. 

“Do not tell me. The Princess is inside.” Alicent asked, flatly. The guards only stepped aside, curtsying to her.

The bed was too small to hold both of you comfortably, so you were laying on your sides. Aemond was not wearing his eye patch, and Alicent thought him asleep. Your head was resting on his shoulder, half squeezed against his arm in a position that could not be comfortable for your neck. 

Both of you still had your nightclothes on. Alicent could have danced in relief. She had enough as it was with Aegon to add you two to the list. 

“Mother.” Aemond whispered, very quietly. He had you hugged to him, and now that she looked more closely, Alicent could tell he was rubbing your back up and down. She wondered how long he had been standing guard. 

“You are five and ten. She has already flowered. This has to stop.” She whisper-shouted. 

“I am not going to dishonor her, mother, for the Seven's sake! I am not Aegon.” Aemond whisper-shouted back, being careful not to move you. 

“What are you doing, then?” She placed her hands on her hips and looked down at your sleeping form. While it was true that you were entirely dressed, the way Aemond held you lately was less friendly and more of a lover's embrace. 

You sighed in your sleep, sweetly, and hid your face against his neck. Both of them went quiet for a few seconds. 

Only when you were settled again, Aemond dared to speak. 

“The same as always. She was scared. She used to climb in with…” 

Alicent rolled her eyes. She had heard the same excuse too many times to count. 

“Prince Jacaerys, I know. Just as I have known since you were ten, but neither of you is a child any longer.” 

“Mother…” 

“What will the maids think come the morrow? The guards? They will see her coming out of your quarters. You can't keep doing this. I have tolerated it far too long.” The guards already knew. Used as they were at keeping their King's secrets, no one had thought to speak yet. They, too, believed it was harmless behavior. But both of you were getting older and Alicent feared the day when Aemond's hands turned from consoling to groping, and your soft little hugs turned into passionate embraces.

“It's entirely innocent, Mother, I swear.” Aemond looks vaguely offended by the thought and Alicent has to steady herself because of the audacity of this child! No, she was surely atoning for all her past deeds with the two of you. Aegon was sent to taunt her with her failures as a mother, and the two of you were destined to remind her of Rhaenyra and her failures as a friend. Thank the Gods Helaena was normal, in comparison.“I wouldn't touch her like that. I don't intend to hurt her.” 

Alicent stopped her complaint before it left her mouth. Surprise made her eyes go wide. Then, with her softest voice, she tried to fix this. 

“It's… Oh, Aemond. It's not meant to be hurtful.” Poor child. Who had told him intercourse was meant to hurt? Alicent had kept her woes in that area strictly to herself. Aegon and Rhaenyra flaunted loudly that they enjoyed it very much. So why was Aemond so afraid?

“But it hurts you. It hurts Helaena. It hurts the girls Aegon…” 

She deflated. So worried had Alicent been about precocious youths, she had never stopped to think about how she had never explained to them what the marital duties were. Painful. Hurtful. Alicent could not deny that. Men did not care for the pleasure of women and were it not for the fact that she had been friends with Rhaenyra once, Alicent would think it hurtful by nature too. It was not meant to be that way, even if she herself had not experienced the pleasure people went on and on about. 

Alicent had to reassure Aemond. It was vital that once he married, he produced heirs. His grandsire's plan depended on it. That would not be achieved if he was afraid of touching you. Besides, your situation was different. You were marrying your soulmate. Your other half. 

She felt utterly unable to help Aemond realize it was not meant to be hurtful, but magical and blessed by the Gods. Her father was better suited to giving this talk than her. He was the one who had actually married his destined partner.

Sometimes, she wondered if you two were a way for the Seven to fix history. When you did willful, reckless things with no care for your reputation, she could see Rhaenyra running around the Red Keep, despite the different coloring. And when Aemond, dutiful, serious Aemond, got all uppity about the topics and scandalized himself, it was as if looking at herself during the past. 

Alicent would never say it out loud, but she liked your coloring. When she looked at you from a certain light, she could pretend you were Rhaenyra and hers. And when Aemond chased you around, long silver hair at his back, she could almost pretend it was the two of them again, racing in the hallways of the Red Keep. 

We light the way indeed. The Gods could be very cruel. 

No, Alicent thought bitterly, she had lacked the necessary parts to keep her soulmate by her side. Let her father take this one. 

“It does. But you will not be rough with her. It will feel pleasant, and that is why it is so dangerous. She will not want you to stop, you will not want to, either.” She keeps her tone reassuring. Aemond looked fully offended now, a fierce scowl on his face. As if he were being accused of a terrible crime. 

“Of course I wouldn't be rough with her. She is mine.” He scoffed, all haughty. Alicent fought the urge to laugh. Boys. Always so dramatic. She much preferred mothering Helaena and you than this. It was almost easy in comparison. 

“And you are hers?” She teased. 

“I am.” Aemond seemed amused by the reference to wedding vows, lips twitching with the urge to smile. He fought it because Gods forbid he let his mother know he thought her witty. 

“Good.” Alicent smiled. “Have you kissed?” 

“Mother!” Aemond shook his head, turning red as a tomato.“I am waiting for her to be ready. She flowered so recently…” 

“That is very kind.” More kindness than she had been afforded by her husband. Aemond must be smitten. 

Alicent decides then she will speak to Viserys about expediting the wedding. And get her father to teach the both of you about marital duties. She does not want to risk the both of you siring a bastard. Not on her watch. 

[teleit]

show!Rhaenyra is oatmeal with water and tears of book readers

My best friend was there when I wrote my opinion on Rhaenyra the Mother of Tastelessness, and she told me that I sounded like a mean bitch. I thanked her for the compliment, but realized I hadn't been specific enough.

So let me explain with examples why adult Rhaenyra kneels before young Rhaenyra's throne of supremacy, but remember that this is my opinion, which you may not agree with, but you can't convince me otherwise, so don't waste your time, okay?

Let's take two episodes of season one with adult Rhaenyra, one in which she was a morally good, boring piece of cardboard, and the other in which she gained some taste while being a disgusting person.

Episode 6 is dedicated to the suffering of noble and gentle Rhaenyra, a weak but good-natured princess who is mercilessly bullied by her evil stepmother. She meekly accepts every insult Alicent throws at her, and suffers from the weight of her obligations and duties. When Alicent demands to see baby Joffrey, Rhaenyra doesn't tell her to fuck off or to come herself if she wants to see the newborn so much. She gets up with a tragic face and crawls through the castle, leaving rivers of blood in her wake, even though no one asked her to do so. Yes, she may not want to part with the baby, and be afraid of what Alicent might do, but let's be serious, Alicent was standing in a room with the king and several guards, what would she do to Joffrey, even if she wanted to, in front of others? Accidentally-intentionally swing him like a tennis racket and slam his head into the wall?

In the books, Joffrey's birth was a joyous occasion, with everyone adoring mother and child and celebrating the arrival of the new Targaryen-Velaryon. Book Rhaenyra would never allow Alicent to treat her like that. She is the heir to the throne, not a powerless servant, and she does everything to make sure everyone remembers it.

And so it is throughout the episode. Rhaenyra is constantly humiliated, belittled, insulted - and she suffers with the face of the Virgin Mary from the icon. She has no right to snap, to protest, to complain to her father - all this is unworthy of Saint Rhaenyra, whose morality cannot be questioned, otherwise the audience will remember the end of Daenerys' arc and how the prophecy is the second most useless thing in Game of Thrones after the White Walkers themselves.

And then there is episode 7. Rhaenyra, who almost came close to my favorite version of her. She does one stupid thing after another, and become most terrible person in the room every minute of her existence, but she is AMAZING and i'm adore her.

Sleep with her own uncle while her husband tries to drown himself, grieving the loss of his sister, who, by the way, was also the wife of that same uncle? Rhaenyra, what kind of scum are you, did your crotch itch that much? Couldn't you hold it for a couple of days? Your uncle follows you around like a hound in heat, he won't go anywhere until he gets what he wants, but you, not respecting either your husband or your dead sister-in-law, abandoned your own children for a long-awaited dick. Ew.

Demanding to torture your own ten-year-old half-brother, whose eye your son gouged out, and then being a sassy bitch and thanking your father for indifference to his son's injury? Wow, even Emma theirself said that they cannot find an excuse for this level of gaslighting, you have sunk lower than ever, Rhaenyra.

Sucking on a new husband's tonsils while children who have lost three parents in a week or sum stand by and look at you two with disgust? Bottom has been reached, we are in a special circle of hell made just for you, Rhaenyra Targaryen.

But here's the interesting thing, each of these actions has a flip side. The disgusting lust? Yes, but also the yearning love that Daemon and Rhaenyra have cherished for many years, the passion and desperation that burns brighter than dragonfire within them. The indifference and agression to the crippled Aemond? Yes, but also the fierce protection of her own children, the desperation and fear of accusations that could lead to the loss of her rights and freedoms (let's not lie to ourselves, Viserys would never touch a hair on his girl's head, even if she said "well yeah, they're Strong, so what?", their lives and health were safe). The greed and stupidity of a hasty marriage? Yeah, but also the joy of connection, the awe of having your destined mate.

Just like young Rhaenyra. Troubled, ambiguous, morally gray, and existing not just to be pitied and admired, but also as a character with more than two or three personality traits, and not all of them from a list of kids' cartoon episodes about kindness, love, and caterpillars learning to wash their hands or some other dumb shit.

Writers, you need to stop praising and extolling Rhaenyra, please. This is becoming a parody of Game of Thrones, not a prequel. Give the woman a break, let her be vengeful, grieving, wrong, angry - give her something that turns a piece of narrative into someone to empathize with, rather than relying on those who read the book to automatically attribute the book character's qualities to the show!Rhaenyra. Pretend the source material doesn't exist - you'll be fine, you ignore book with the grace of a buffalo in a glassware store.

I've been pissed off for months on end about a dumb show just because the writers think I'm an idiot, my fragile ego can't handle it.

Ps. Still not native speaker and dgaf about mistakes, english can suck my imaginary dick

[accio-sriracha]

Tell me to stop.

A Jily One-Shot <3

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James watched her face, waiting for the moment it would break into that little half smile she always used to give when he complimented her.

It didn't.

He didn't know why he hoped for it anymore, she hadn't smiled like that at him in months. Something had happened between them, something he couldn't explain.

"Evans." He called later that day, trying to get her attention again, "You look beautiful today."

She didn't even spare him a glance, continuing her studying like he wasn't even there. Mary looked up and gave him a strange apologetic expression, then turned back to her own work.

Things had never been weirder.

The next day he decided to try again, he waited until she was alone this time, tired of those pitiful looks from her friends, the same friends who used to laugh and roll their eyes good-naturedly at his antics.

They knew something he didn't, that much was obvious.

"Evans." He tried to make his voice casual, "Did you write down the lecture today for charms? I must have misplaced it."

She opened her bag without replying, pulling out her notes and holding it out to him, never meeting his eyes.

"Um... thanks." He mumbled.

She simply nodded and went back to reading.

He sighed when he was back in his dorm, setting the notes next to his already finished assignment.

"Still not talking to you?" Remus asked, watching him carefully. James nodded,

"I don't know what's going on. She hasn't insulted me in ages."

He rose an eyebrow, "Shouldn't that be a good thing?"

"No, something's different. She won't even look at me anymore." James leaned back on his pillows, wishing he could understand where it was he went wrong, "She used to at least acknowledge me."

"Do you think you finally pushed it too far?" Remus' voice was as gentle as it could be. James groaned,

"Merlin, I did, didn't I?" He sat up again, "I swear everything was fine up until a few months ago, she never looked uncomfortable or I would've stopped immediately."

"I know, James." Remus stood and walked over to his bed, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Maybe you should go make sure she knows that."

"Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Moony."

Remus nodded and stepped out of the way so he could leave. He grabbed her notes and trudged back down the steps.

"Evans, I-" He froze when he saw her sitting there, exactly where she had been just minutes ago.

Only now, she was crying.

"Not the time, Potter." Alice warned him, moving to stand between them.

He nodded, setting the notes down on the table and quickly making his way back upstairs.

"What happened?" Remus asked when he caught sight of the look on his face.

"She was crying." He whispered.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

The room was silent. Remus cleared his throat after a long while,

"Sirius and Pete should be here soon. We can all head to dinner together, if you want?"

When James didn't react Remus pulled him into a sudden hug, holding him tight until he could feel James' breathing even out.

"Thanks, Moony." He whispered. Remus nodded,

"'Course, mate."

"Is something going on today?" Sirius asked when he and Peter entered the room to find James' face buried in Remus' shoulder, "Why does everyone in the tower look so upset?"

James could feel Remus subtly shake his head at Sirius. There weren't any other comments on it as they passed the girls to head to dinner.

Once they were sitting down and eating, James felt a little better, he hadn't realised how tense he'd gotten. Sirius' presence beside him made him feel a little more like himself.

"She just ignored you?" Peter asked incredulously when the events were finally recounted for them, "She usually calls you a toerag or something, doesn't she?"

James nodded, his voice a little wistful as he spoke, "I know, and she always smiles when she says it too."

"What changed?" Sirius asked, "You said it's only been the last few months, do you remember the last thing you said before things got weird between you?"

James shook his head, "It wasn't anything I haven't already told her a thousand times. I've been doing this for seven years, Pads, I can't exactly come up with tons of new material."

"Maybe that was the problem... Maybe you've done this for too long." Peter offered. Remus sighed,

"You won't find out what's wrong by guessing. She looked really upset. Maybe just try to talk with her when you're both a little calmer and see how you can fix things that way."

James nodded, "Yeah, you're right."

"Isn't he always?" Sirius laughed.

"Oh, here they come." Peter nodded towards the door. Lily, Mary, Alice, and Dorcas had just walked through, followed closely by Frank and Marlene.

"I should go talk to her." James said, standing up. Sirius' eyes went wide,

"Now?" He asked.

"Better than sitting here in awkward silence all dinner."

He walked over to the group, who stopped a few steps away from him.

"Er... Evans? Can I talk to you for a second?" He asked carefully.

Lily looked surprised, hesitating as she glanced at Marlene.

"It's important." He added.

"Sure." She whispered after some time had passed, "I'll catch up with you guys."

He walked her over to the wall, bringing them far away from everyone else, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry." He whispered.

Her eyes narrowed and she frowned slightly, he couldn't help thinking about how much he missed her smile.

"For what?"

"Everything?" He laughed, "I mean, I've been chasing you for like seven years. I know I've been annoying."

"You aren't annoying." She replied, but even he could tell it was unsure.

"You don't have to lie to me." He shook his head and took a small step closer, "I should have asked you if you were uncomfortable a long time ago. For whatever reason I always liked to think I know you better than I actually do and that I could tell when things would bother you. But I couldn't. I upset you somehow and-"

"Potter-" She started. He shook his head,

"No, please, I need to say this. I'm sorry I didn't considered your feelings. I was so absorbed in my own world I never stopped to think that maybe this was really hurting you, maybe you were just pretending to laugh or maybe you actually meant it when you told me to go away."

He glanced towards their friends, all of whom were watching them in interest. He was immeditaley greatful he had made the decision to pull her out of hearing range.

"I'm listening now." He told her, looking back into her eyes, "I won't ever take this for granted again. Tell me to stop, and I'll stop. I promise. I'm sorry I let things go on this long. I actually do care about your feelings, and I'm sorry if I made it seem like I didn't."

"Potter?" She whispered.

"Yeah?"

"I like you."

He laughed, expecting a punchline.

It didn't come.

He froze, "What?"

"I like you." She repeated, staring at him in a way she never had before. At least, not a way he'd ever seen.

He shook his head. This was a joke, right?

"Like..."

"I'm in love with you."

Nothing in that moment could have torn his eyes away from her.

"You like me?" He whispered, needing to say the words out loud, "You- You're in love with me?"

It didn't make sense. Lily Evans? In love with him?

This had to be a dream, or a prank, or a cruel, cruel version of an early birthday gift she planned to take back later.

But then... the feeling of saying the words aloud.

He kept staring at her, wondering briefly if his jaw had actually managed to hit the floor yet.

She sighed, realising he didn't believe her,

"I'm being serious, Potter." She reached out a hand to touch his arm, "I mean it."

He could feel somewhere in the back of his mind a part of him perk up at the opportunity for the Sirius joke, but it didn't come either, his whole being so totally enamored with everything about the girl in front of him.

The girl he'd been in love with for seven years.

The girl who just told him that she loved him too.

She twisted a strand of hair between her fingertips, a nervous habit he'd always adored,

"I thought it was some joke you were pulling. Pretending to like me because it was funny to you and your friends. I didn't realise you actually..." The sentence broke off and she shook her head.

He reached out and took her hand, "Merlin, Lily. Of course I meant it. Every word." He gave a quiet, disbelieving laugh, "I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember. I meant everything I've ever said to you."

She looked up at him then, and when their eyes met he swore he felt fireworks erupt from every cell in his body.

He couldn't believe this was happening.

She loved him.

And the smile she gave then, the one he'd been waiting for for months, was so bright it took his breath away.

"I am in love with you Lily Evans." He whispered, needing to say these words aloud too, "And I'm sorry that I ever made you feel like I wasn't."

He waited for her to reply, she stared at him for a moment.

And then the most wonderful thing happened.

She kissed him.

He felt his brain short-circuit for a solid few seconds before he remembered he was allowed to kiss her back.

His curved his hands gently around her face, stepping closer so their bodies intertwined.

He couldn't tell how long they kissed for, but he knew then this was a moment he would remember for the rest of his life.

"I love you, James Potter. Even if you are an insufferable toerag." She smiled.

And merlin did he love that smile.

Cheering from their table caught their attention, all of their friends were standing up, clapping and shouting their congratulations. He glanced towards the staff table to see McGonagall's approving smile.

Lily Evans loved him.

And James Potter could never be happier.

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