#dragon also reminds his son to order some for his brothers too

[no1deahow]

Monster trio & Rev trio

[francesminos-tt]

cregan is married and fucks his son's nanny, jace 👀👀

I am not sure if this is what you ask for, but I tried😅

It was somewhat laughable for a graduate student to work as a babysitter, but Jacaerys found this job best accommodating to he needs. Jace was on his year of pursuing a doctor’s degree in Winterfell Institution of Technology, a renowned academic hub for science enthusiastic like him. Jacaerys came from an affluent family, but he decided to finish his education and carve a place in the world on his own, which meant no easy money from mother, no top-notch sports car from Papa Laenor, no private security from Daemon, and absolutely no private jet from grandpa Corlys. Jacaerys had a scholarship, and he worked as a part-time babysitter to help pay the rent.

“Okay, time for bed, little man.” Jacaerys helped the little boy into his dire wolf printed pajamas before tucking him in, making sure the boy was warm and comfortable.

“Can you tell me a bedtime story, Jace?” Rickon asked, his dark eyes tentative and pleading.

“Of course.” Jacaerys replied, sitting down on the edge of the bed carefully, “Which one do you prefer tonight?”

There were at least a dozen children’s book in Rickon’s room, ranging from fairy tales to folklores, all with beautiful illustrations.

“The werewolf and the dragon prince.” Rickon replied with anticipation, “That’s my favorite one!”

That was Jacaerys’s favorite, too.

“All right.” Jacaerys smiled, reaching over to pick up the illustrated book and opened it on his lap, “Ready?”

Rickon nodded expectantly. Jacaerys brushed some stray curls from the boy’s face and began to read the story of a dragon prince venturing into the dark woods and befriended a long lost clan of werewolves. Rickon was fast asleep before the dragon prince could made it to the wolf’s den.

Jacaerys gently closed the book and dimmed the light, leaving only a small light source in case the boy woke up at night. Jace would kiss the boy on the forehead if Rickon were one of his younger brothers, but he had to remind himself that Rickon was not his family. It would be inappropriate and felt like trespassing if he got too intimate with the boy.

Jacaerys closed Rickon’s bedroom door behind him with a soft click and headed for the kitchen. The house was dark, indicating that Rickon’s father had not come home yet. Cregan Stark was a busy man, and it was normal for him to work late into the night. You had to sacrifice something in order to run the biggest technology company in the realm, after all. For Cregan, he had to give up his family time, even his wife, who had filed for divorce and moved out, and that was why Cregan was in need of a nanny to look after his son when he was gone.

Jacaerys was the perfect candidate for the job. He was the eldest of five siblings, well-experienced with children, especially little boys. He lived near the Stark house, a short 15-minutes’ walk, so it was easier for him to come to the house on a short notice. Also, he was a post-graduate student, highly intelligent and extremely patient, so Cregan did not have to hire another home teacher for the boy. For Jace, the job fit him just fine. He got along with Rickon, and he could have a quiet night to study after the boy fell asleep, not having to listen to his neighbor’s ugly moan when they jerked off or the nasty curse when they lost a game.

Jace poured himself a cup of tea and opened his laptop. He really needed to finish reading the materials for the lecture next week. Jace was on his third cup of tea and second energy bar when the door was pushed open, entering a tall and muscular figure wrapped in a puff jacket, scarf and beanie. Cregan was a strong guy, so this outfit only made him more towering and muscular, more like a bear than a wolf. Jacaerys could never understand why Cregan insisted on parking his car three blocks away and ran the way home in such cold weather. Cregan said it was a good exercise for his lungs, but Jacaerys never fully believed him.

“Hello,” Cregan greeted Jace cheerfully, “I assume my son has fallen asleep already?”

“Yes.” Jacaerys replied, “It’s past midnight, Cregan. Every boy Rickon’s age should be fast asleep by now.”

“He always behaves so well around you.” Cregan shrugged the jacket off and threw it to the couch casually before entering the kitchen to wash his hands and get some tea, “He’s a total menace when you are not here. He wouldn't go to bed last Saturday and I had to promise him a vacation to Dorne in the summer and ten private museum tours.”

“Maybe he just likes me better.” Jacaerys joked. Contrary to most people’s belief, Jacaerys was not as serious as he looked. Granted his sense of humor could be considered dry in common standards, but Cregan found it charming. In fact, he found everything about Jace charming, from the young man’s intelligence, diligence, strong sense of responsibility, to his handsome features, relatively small but toned body (do not ask how Cregan knew it) and those pink lips that looked so soft and kissable.

“Perhaps.” Cregan said, pouring milk and sugar into his tea as if his life depended on it, “I like you very much, so maybe Rickon takes after me.”

Jacaerys’s smile disappeared, replaced by something unreadable.

“We talked about this, Cregan.” Jacaerys lowered his voice, as if he feared there were ears in the wall, “You are married. I am your son’s sitter. We cannot-”

“I am going through a divorce, Jace.” Cregan said, stopping at the high chair where Jacaerys sat, “And Rickon is sleeping, so technically, you are off duty now.”

Jacaerys could smell the aftershave from Cregan, fresh woody scent with a hint of musk, reminding him of a cozy cabin in the snow. Cregan always made him feel cozy, like sitting beside a burning hearth. Chatting with the Stark had become Jace’s favorite pastime, and he had grown very fond of the man, but it didn't mean he could cross the line. Call him a conservative, but it just didn't feel right to develop a relationship with your employer, no matter how much Jace wanted it.

“Relax.” Cregan said, stopping right behind Jace, “I haven’t done anything inappropriate yet.”

“You shouldn’t.” Jacaerys replied, but somehow, he didn't struggle when a pair of strong arms snaked around his waist.

Cregan chuckled, resting his chin on Jace’s shoulder, his little stubble stinging the sensitive skin on Jace’s neck. Cregan felt cold, but warm at the same time. The feeling was too complicated to describe. Jace had never felt anything like this before, the slight tingling creeping up his spine, the clench of his stomach, and the lump in his throat.

“It’s up to me to decide, isn't it?” Cregan whispered in Jace’s ear, brushing his lips against Jace’s cute earlobe.

“Cregan-”

Jace never had the chance to finish his sentence, for Cregan had sealed their lips together into a passionate kiss. It was not the first time they kissed, but it was the first time Cregan’s tongue sneaked into Jace’s mouth. Cregan tasted just like how Jace had imagined it, fresh like the fresh air of a crisp winter morning and warm like a cup of hot liquor. Jacaerys should push the man away. He really should, but his mind was too clouded by the caffeine and intense reading that he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He just placed his hand on Cregan’s strong chest, but didn’t push.

“You have no idea how long I have dreamed of this,” Cregan whispered as they parted to catch their breath, “and what kind of nasty thoughts are on my mind whenever I see you.”

“Pervert.” Jace murmured, his cheeks burning, “I am your son’s sitter!”

“You like me doing perverted things, don’t you?” Cregan’s large hand slipped into Jace’s sweater, roaming on the young man’s smooth skin and stopping at his nipple, “Or you won’t be like this.”

Cregan teased Jace’s stiff nipple with his fingers, pressing, pinching, and embedding his nails into the flesh. Jace jolted in surprise, breathy moans escaping his lips.

“Cregan, we really shouldn’t.” Jace tried again, but his words were powerless.

“Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want this.” Cregan lifted his head from Jace’s neck, and looked straight into the young man’s soft brown eyes, “Tell me to stop, and I will.”

How could Jacaerys tell him to stop? Cregan felt so warm, their bodies pressing tightly together, so perfectly matched like two matching puzzle pieces. Jacaerys liked Cregan. No, hell, he fancied Cregan, from the moment he came to the house to interview for the nanny’s job. Jacaerys tried to keep his affection hidden, for he felt embarrassed and guilty that he had developed feelings for his married employer who happened to be a guy.

Jacaerys was the first to break eye contact. He couldn’t look at Cregan’s eyes anymore, so honest and open, as if making out in the kitchen when his son was fast asleep in the room was absolutely normal. Jace didn’t struggle when Cregan’s hand slipped into his sweatpants.

“You are hard.” Cregan observed, wrapping the bulge between Jacaerys’s legs in his large palm and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“You are, too.” Jacaerys said, more like a retort. He reached down to Cregan’s pants and mirrored the large man’s gesture, amazed at how large Cregan was. Jacaerys was not some pillow princess. Once he had made up his mind, he would do everything within his power to enjoy the moment. And now, he had made up his mind to fuck Cregan tonight.

Fuck moral standards. Fuck appropriateness.

“For you.” Cregan wrapped his free arm around Jace’s tiny waist and lifted the young man up onto the counter, and settled between Jace’s legs.

Jace instinctively wrapped his legs around Cregan, pressing their groins together, their hard cocks making first contact through Jace’s sweatpants and Cregan’s jeans. Even through layers of fabric, Jace could feel Cregan’s pulsing cock so much that he couldn’t help but swallow, anticipation slowly building inside him.

They kissed again, eagerly taking off each other’s clothes. Soon Jacaerys was sitting on the counter completely naked, his butt against the cool surface, his laptop and coursework completely forgotten. Cregan had taken off his shirt and his jeans were half way down his legs, exposing his massive cock and the thick bush in his groin. Cregan’s body hair was just as dark as his hair, a little rough to the touch like his stubbles, which Jacaerys just adorned.

“Fuck, you are more beautiful than I imagined.” Cregan marveled, pumping Jace’s cock with one hand and groping the young man’s tight ass with the other.

“You are more romantic than I expected.” Jace joked, sweat dripping down his curls onto Cregan’s lips, which Cregan licked clean immediately.

“I want to fuck you.” Cregan said, always so open and honest that Jace found it cute.

“Okay.” Jace nodded, opening his legs a little more.

“Okay?” Cregan asked, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

“What? Are you backing down now, Mr. Stark?” Jace chuckled, deliberately calling Cregan by the man’s family name, as if they were nothing more than employer and employee.

“No. OF course not.” Cregan flipped Jace over and covered the young man with his large form, “You cannot get rid of me now, Jace.”

Jacaerys had no such intention, but Cregan would have to wait to hear him confess.

[underhousearrestblog]

Music To Take Your Revenge To | A.T.

(summary) Rhaenyra sent two of her children – her son and only daughter – to negotiate at the Storm’s End. Aemond takes his revenge by killing Lucerys but turns out that is only half of the revenge he craves...

(warnings) some manhandling... swear words... murder of a child... minor things like that...

(pairings) Aemond Targaryen x female!Strong!reader (main; romantic), Jacaerys Velaryon x reader (familial; arranged to be married)

(genre) enemies to lover-ish

(reminder) Y/N – your name

(word count) 4.6k

(also) reader has a dragon – Phoenix (because I said so)

(also) flashback’s in Italics

(also) I also wrote that lord Borros would be willing to marry one of his daughters to reader who is a woman in this imagine – now I know he probably never would consider that but I don’t care...

(also) I actually plan on finishing this one... in the next year or so...

HAPPY READING!

You couldn’t help glancing at your brother who flew by your side. You could tell he was giving you a smile once he caught you checking up on him but it was a nervous smile. One you give to try to give reassurance. As you neared Storm’s End, the nervous anticipation only got stronger but, against every instinct in your body and mind, both of you kept steady onward.

Rain was pouring heavily, as both of you landed. You waited up for your brother while he reassured his dragon to stay calm, while your own dragon, Phoenix, seemed unbothered. You would’ve felt proud if you weren’t feeling so anxious.

A loud roar reverberated through the air, once Lucerys was by your side. Both of you immediately looked towards where the sound came from just for your blood to freeze in your veins.

Vhagar.

And what it implied was even worse.

Aemond.

Lucerys and you exchanged glances and started moving towards the entrance.

This was not the time for cowardice. Your mother had sent you as her representatives. Your uncle being here meant nothing. It was a long time since either of you had seen him. Your brother last saw the prince at the chaotic family dinner.

You last saw him right after it.

Strong boys.

How fucking dare he?

You were fuming, and you were tipsy but, most importantly, you were fucking offended.

Drunk ‘you’ got upset over shit that sober ‘you’ would bite her tongue upon learning. But now the gates of anger were wide open, as you strolled towards your uncle’s chambers.

Armed with way too much confidence and arrogance, you stepped in front of the guard that stood before prince Aemond’s door. You wanted to fight. Fight someone. Throw a tantrum.

With your mind, you understood that fighting a trained guard was unnecessary and would end up with you losing but right now losing didn’t matter as long as you got to fight.

Which is why it made you so much more angry when the guard simply stepped aside and opened the door for you.

Your eyebrows raised, as you disregarded him as if he had grown as second head.

- You’re just letting me past? – you sounded petty, as if you had wanted to scream about not being let in.

Because you did.

- You are allowed to enter at any time, - the guard calmly explained. – Orders of prince Aemond.

You opened your mouth and shut it again. Somehow it felt like an extra slap in the face after dinner. He didn’t even thought of you as a threat. He saw your brothers as bastards and completely ignored you who was also your mother’s child from Ser Harwin Strong. He openly let you into his chambers because he had no fear of you doing anything to him.

You simply didn’t matter.

Your brothers did.

Daemon did.

Your mother did.

You did not.

- You may come in, niece, - Aemond’s voice sounded from the inside of his chambers.

Confusion temporarily had made your anger subside but now it came back full force. You marched inside his room, ready to cuss him out or something but then Aemond turned around and your words died on your tongue.

He wasn’t wearing his eye patch. You could an emerald stone where his eye used to be, and somehow it made him even more handsome than the eye patch did.

Nobody could waterboard that information out of you.

Aemond searched over your face and, as if guessed your thoughts, smirked.

- You know, dear niece-

You raised your fist and punched him in the face. In around the same spot you brother had at the dinner. Aemond’s face swung to the side.

- You do know that I’m a bastard too, right? – you had no idea where you were going with this.

Your breathing had become erratic, and you almost shook with anger.

- No doubt about that, dear niece. You all have a signature punch, - Aemond touched his cheek in an almost soft manner. – It does not live up to the Strong name.

He smiled, watching you furious. Then he leaned in closer.

- Your father would be disappointed.

You refused to step back, and so both of you ended very closely together. Your head only came up to his chest so you had to look up to see his face.

There was something sensual about the way Aemond’s emerald shone down at you, as he towered over you.

- Why would you call out my brothers like that? – you hoped your words weren’t  slurred.

Aemond rolled his one working eye and turned around, looking almost bored.

- Why don’t you ask the question you came here to ask, Y/N? – he grabbed the eye patch that was sitting on the table and went over to the mirror. – I thought you were famous for your sharp tongue...

You took a deep breath to calm down and closed your eyes.

You were drunk.

It was definitely not the time to express any feelings you had.

When you opened your eyes, you were met with Aemond quietly watching you from across the room. He had an almost understanding expression on his face. As if he felt... sorry for you.

With any and all common sense you had left in you, you turned to leave. This was not worth losing your pride over.

In your mind, it was better to be ignored than to be perceived as a petty child.

- Nevermind.

As you opened the door, the guard that had let you in, stood in front of the door, completely blocking you from exiting.

You sighed. Coming here was such a bad idea...

- Tell your dog to move, uncle, - you asked, not looking away from the guard.

- Unfortunately for you, princess, - you could feel the small smile in Aemond’s voice, - while you are allowed to enter my chambers on your own, you are not allowed to leave without permission...

You turned back around.

And immediately took a step back, bumping into the knight at the door, once you noticed how close Aemond had gotten to you.

As Aemond noticed that your back was lightly touching the man’s arm, he harshly grabbed you by the arm, dragged you back inside and slammed the door shut.

Turning around to face you, you noticed that his nonchalant mask was slipping. He looked slightly irritated.

- Don’t be a brat, princess, - he tilted his head slightly to the side. – You came here to confront me, to demand something from me. So do it.

You shook your head, realizing that this – just like everything else that involved your uncle – was planned by him, and you beautifully executed your part of his plan by voluntarily coming to see him... alone... in private... just the two of you...

- I think you came here because your fragile little pride could not take on the fact that I didn’t add you to your mother’s bastard list, sweet niece, - he looked smug, stepping closer to you. – I think you’re neglected by your own family and cannot stand to be ignored by me.

His gaze traveled down to your neck, lower down to your neckline until he found what he was searching for. His fingers wrapped around your necklace that had a key on it. He pulled you in closer by it.

- Is that what you want, Y/N? – his pull on your necklace tightened and you were forced to lift you head up.

Your lips were mere centimeters away from his, as he bent down.

- Do you want me to call you a filthy bastard who does not deserve the title of a princess? – he asked in a low voice. – A filthy bastard who’s only deserving to be my personal little whore?

You shook your head but ashamed realized that his words truly made you aroused. Your breathing had become shallow once again. This time, not out of anger.

- Huh? – he whispered. – You want to be put in your place so badly?

You turned away, disgusted.

That might’ve turned you on but that was not the reason you were offended.

- You do not see me as an equal to my brothers, - you stated, bitterly.

Out of all people, you were disappointed that Aemond – specifically him, one of your closest childhood friends – was just like all the other men.

- That was the reason my fragile little pride, - you mocked his words, - could not stand your speech at dinner.

Aemond seemed taken aback by your words, carefully examining your face. His fingers loosened from the key and he looked confused.

- Are you for real, Y/N? – he looked downright angry. – You want to be an equal in something that is used to degrade and put down you brothers?

On a purely prideful level, Aemond could understand your need for being treated equally. He had felt the same need so many times, standing next to Aegon who was the first-born son and so, by proxy, the better son. However, what you did not understand, was that the very reason Aemond hadn’t called you a bastard at dinner, wasn’t because he saw you as equal to your brothers.

He saw you as better.

- You are just like the rest of them, - you pushed him out of the way, and he didn’t resist.

The knight at the door didn’t dare to stop you from leaving.

As you entered the hall at Storm’s End and your little brother started to recite the message your mother had given you, you felt goosebumps appearing on your skin. The tiny hair on your scalp stood up, and you shuddered. Suddenly, you seemed very cold, despite the warm clothes you had worn.

Your eyes searched over the dark hall, trying to find the source of your discomfort. Deep inside you knew who you were searching for... Vhagar outside... But you didn’t want to admit it.

But there were no more excuses to be made, once your eyes found Aemond’s across the hall. He stood a bit aside from lord Borros, confident and poised.

You shared your brother’s nervousness, as he, too, noticed your uncle.

Your hand subconsciously went to your sword. Aemond’s eyes lazily traveled down your body to where you kept your hand.

He seemed greatly pleased and not at all surprised that you had come with your brother.

Perhaps, it was because he knew that in your fruitless and desperate attempts to be seen as your brothers’ equal in your parents’ eyes, you would do anything. Even die.

You had only half-listened to lord Borros’ speak but you perked up at the mention of a marriage.

- King Aegon at least came to me with a marriage offer, - lord Borros didn’t point anything further but you knew who the marriage pact involved.

Aegon was already married so it left only Aemond. You were irrationally pissed at yourself for feeling disappointment and hurt at the announcement.

- Which of my daughters will you marry? – lord Borros demanded your brother.

- Lord Borros, I’m not free to marry, - your brother sounded much more confident than you felt.

This was going awry. And fast.

- I’m already betrothed.

Lord Borros eyes shifted towards you, and you calmly stood your ground.

- Are you free to marry, girl? – he asked you in a harsh tone, addressing you for the first time since you arrived. – You are your mother’s child so you could be used for an alliance as well...

Seemed like every pair of eyes had shifted on you.

None were angrier than the ones belonging to your uncle.

Was he angry that lord Borros had acknowledged that you are a valid candidate for the marriage to one of his daughters?

- Lord Borros-

- My sister is not free to marry either, - your brother said, cutting you off. – She’s arranged to be married to Jacaerys Velaryon.

Lord Borros seemed amused at the thought, not being used to the Targaryen marital ties that never extended far outside its familial ones.

- So you come with empty hands, - lord Borros announced.

Your eyes kept shifting to your uncle, who didn’t seem very pleased. Was it because you and your brother had shown up? Was it your engagement? Was it his hatred for Lucerys? Was it his hatred for you?

- Go home and tell your mother that the Lord of Storm’s End is not some dog that she can whistle up at need to set up against her foes, - lord Borros dismissed you.

The bad feeling you had since the moment of landing was getting stronger. You felt your throat closing up.

Your brother took a step further towards the lord but your hand instinctively wrapped around his upper arm to keep him back.

- We shall take your message to the queen, my lord, - you announced, ignoring the look of desperation your brother gave you.

Both of you turned around to leave, with the guards doing the same. You refused to let out the breath you were holding until you were out the door and safely on your way back. Lucerys was few steps ahead of you when you heard:

- Wait!

It wasn’t the voice of Borros. It was Aemond’s. Cold washed over your body. Neither one of you dared to move for a split second before turning around to face Aemond. You could feel his gaze run all over your body before settling on your younger brother who was half-hidden behind your back.

- My lord Strong, - he said to your brother before his eye shifted to your form; with a mocking smile he added, - my lady Strong.

You gritted your teeth. So now he acknowledged you? Here, out of all places?

- Did you really thought you could fly about the realm, trying to steal my brother’s throne at no cost?

You knew the knights of lord Borros would not defend you. You knew that Lucerys wouldn’t be able to take on Aemond. And, no matter how proud you were of your skills in the battlefield, you were still not match for your uncle.

- We will not fight you, - your younger brother announced. – We came to deliver a message, not to fight.

In that moment you thanked every god there was that you had come with Lucerys and not your other brother.

- Fight would be little challenge, - he calmly explained, then his one good eye, again, settled on you. – Entertaining but not enough nevertheless.

Your hands were shaking so badly that you were sure Aemond could see them even from across the hall.

Surely lord Borros wouldn’t just allow Aemond to slaughter two people in his hall, right?

- No, - prince reached for his left eye and removed the eye patch. – I want you to put out your eye.

Your hands stilled, as you looked at Aemond’s face. Beautiful as ever, deadly as ever but that wasn’t what made your heart skip for a moment.

It was a sapphire.

The sapphire.

Your sapphire.

- I wanted to give you this before I left, - eight-year old you sat down next to ten-year old Aemond with a small box in your hands. – My dad gave this to me as a gift.

Aemond looked at the box in your hands and lifted the lid. Inside sat two sapphire jewels, both identical and attached to small chains for wearing as necklaces.

The little boy beside you smiled, and that made you smile.

- My dad said to give the other half to the person I love the most, - you explained, shyly. – My soulmate.

Aemond looked at you in surprise. Of course, you were his best friend and meant the world but this gift – the symbolism of your friendship – made him realize that his eternal affection is, in fact, reciprocated.

- If you don’t feel comfortable, I un-

- I’ll take it, - he pulled his jewel out and put it closer to his left eye to look at it closer.

Aemond saw the moment you realized it was your gift he wore in place of his lost eye. He looked self-satisfied with your anger.

Because that meant that you weren’t apathetic. You still felt something for him. Even if that something was hatred.

- As payment for mine.

You were known for minding your business and keeping cool in stressful situations. Perhaps, if you had been there alongside Aemond, Baela, Rhaena and your brothers, outcome of that night might have been different.

You minding your business, however, ended right when someone came after your family.

- One will serve, - Aemond threw your brother a knife but it landed right in front of you.

Nobody in the entire room moved. Everyone was frozen still, waiting. Waiting for something horrible to happen. Waiting for something irreversable to go down.

- I would not blind you, - Aemond’s entire focus was on your brother. – I plan to make a gift of it to my mother.

Even though most of Lucerys was hidden behind you, all Aemond’s eye saw your brother. You didn’t exist. Once again.

Lucerys stepped in front of you and calmly took in the knife, laying at your feet. You could feel his nervousness but, like the true son of your mother’s, his voice didn’t give it away.

- No.

Your uncle didn’t seem to breathe for a moment.

- So you’re a craven as well as a traitor.

Lord Borros seemed to understand before anyone else did what was about to happen.

- NOT HERE! – his voice boomed into the void cold that seemed to fill the hall.

You saw Aemond move before your brother did.

- GIVE ME YOUR EYE OR I WILL TAKE IT, BASTARD! – Aemond went straight for your brother, grabbing his own knife from the ground.

Your movement was almost instinctual. You saw your brother take a step backwards, so you roughly pushed him behind your back right before Aemond reached you.

Aemond’s cold hand grabbed your throat, as his knife was pushed against your eye.

For some reason – anticipation, fear or surprise – you didn’t close your eyes. Maybe you wanted to see the reaction Aemond would have once he’d realize what he’s done.

Would there even be one?

He roughly pulled you closer by the hand wrapped around your throat.

For the length of one single breath nothing happened. Then you saw a flash of sudden regret appear in his eye, as he watched his knife being placed right before your eye. His face conformed into something of a disbelief.

All Aemond could think about was how very close he had gotten to harming you. He saw what could’ve happened like it was engraved in his brain. You bleeding out, as his hand held your cut-out eye. You looking at him with surprise, disgust and eventually, coldness.

His right hand, the one holding the knife, shook.

He so very slowly pulled the knife away, his one seeing eye searching desperately for any blood or harm. His other hand, wrapped around your throat, feeling your pulse and breath, stayed where it was.

You suddenly realized you hadn’t been breathing at all. You quickly inhaled but it sounded almost like a sob to Aemond who looked at you in utter horror now.

She’s fine, she’s fine, she’s okay, Aemond tried to convince himself. She’s fucking fine!

Once his mind started to comprehend, he yanked you right into his chest by the hand that still had a hold on you. The same hand buried itself into your hair and pulled it hard.

You could feel Aemond’s ragged breathing in your ear, as he leaned down to whisper:

- You will pay for that, princess, - you could still feel him shaking. – And I’ll make sure you never do stupid shit like that ever again.

Then, once he straightened up, he pushed you backwards in such a rough manner that you almost lost your balance. All you could see on his face was anger.

Was he angry at you? For risking your life?

Was he angry at himself? For almost ending said life?

- Your eye won’t do, - he spat out venomously, before adding, - bastard.

At least he had gotten around to acknowledging you.

You had completely forgotten about your brother until his hand grasped yours. His hand, too, was shaking, and you realized that so was yours.

Were you actually scared of Aemond?

That thought had never occurred to you before.

Aemond’s gaze slid down to your intervened hands. His lips pulled into a smirk, as he put his knife back inside his coat.

- Enjoy your time with your brother, princess, - he said.

Once both of you had gotten outside, Lucerys immediately pulled you into a hug. Your breathing was uneven, and you weren’t sure whether you were actually sobbing or not.

On shaky legs, you got back onto your dragon and took off. Your brother stayed right by your side this time. You pushed everything you thought and felt in the back of your mind. You could deal with that back home. This was more important.

And then there it was...

A shadow.

It covered both of your dragons and came from right above. For a second, you thought that you might’ve flown under some storm clouds but then the clouds moved and you realized it was a dragon.

Vhagar.

Aemond.

You looked at your brother, both of you, with no words exchanged, understood each other. Both of your dragons shot up into the clouds to gain height.

Lucerys got there first and went through the storm clouds, but as you neared the same spot, the larger dragon’s wing hit your Phoenix right in the face. You were knocked to the left, and only the belt of your saddle kept you seated. But your dragon quickly went towards the water in a wayward manner.

She quickly regained balance, and you nervously looked around in the rain.

What was Aemond trying to do?

He probably knew knocking Phoenix aside wouldn’t do much harm...

But, as you watched Vhagar with Aemond shoot up into the sky while you were left below to calm your dragon, you realized he wasn’t trying to harm you. Or kill you.

He was separating you.

You flew towards the same spot both Lucerys and Aemond had disappeared just moments ago. You could almost feel the sunshine on your face, as you urged Phoenix to gain speed.

Almost there.

Almost-

Your dragon was hit once again, this time the blow was more powerful. Phoenix screeched, as you were knocked out of the saddle. Staying seated on an uncontrolled dragon with no saddle was difficult, something you hadn’t learned before, and you realized you were going down.

Only while trying to keep one of the rains in your hands for some balance, you realized what had hit you.

It wasn’t Vhagar.

It was Arrax.

Parts of Arrax.

One of his wings, now ripped off, was floating in the air right beside your own dragon, while the rest of his body free-fell into the sea. Arrax’s head and back, along with the saddle and your brother, were all gone.

Phoenix was uncontrollable, nearing the water at the same speed as the dead dragon next to you, and you grasped the rains with all your strength, waiting to hit the water.

***

Pale light sneaked behind your eyelids, as you felt your body being lifted up in someone’s arms, out of water.

Your head swung to the left. Opening your eyes, all you saw over your rescuer’s shoulder was water.

Your wet hair stuck your face and neck. Freezing coldness swept over your body, as your fingers dug into a man’s jacket, desperately trying to cling to him and seek his body heat. Your gaze slowly moved toward their head and even with the dirty water making your vision unclear as you blinked a lot, you saw long, white hair.

A Targaryen’s hair.

- Relax, - Aemond threw out carelessly. – You’re safe.

Those were the words he murmured a lot under his breath, as he walked towards the shore.

You’re safe.

She’s safe.

Safe.

Alive.

- Lucerys, - your voice trembled with unspoken question. – Is he...?

- Dead, - Aemond suddenly stopped once both of you were completely out of the water and roughly almost dropped you in sand.

Your eyes burned. Either from tears or the dirty water, or both. Your throat constricted, as you took deep breaths.

Only then you realized that it also burned when you breathed. Did that mean you were drowning? You had been underwater, right? Had Aemond saved you after killing your brother and nearly killing you?

Your accusing red eyes – either from crying or anger – met with Aemond’s, as you stumbled upright. Your entire body shook. Was it the freezing cold? Anger? Grief?

Aemond stood before you calmly with his hands grasped together behind his back. He disregarded you with what almost seemed like quiet amusement.

- YOU KILLED HIM! – it came out like a sob, even though you didn’t think you were crying. – YOU KILLED LUKE!

You pushed him back with all the strength that you had but it didn’t even move him. The negotiating with lord Borros, flying back and forth, fight in the sky and near-drowning had taken the last of your physical and mental energy.

One of Aemond’s hands encircled both of your wrists and refused to let you step back, even as you tried to walk away from him.

His eye patch was gone and with his long, blond, wet hair wild and your gift sapphire in in his eye the sight was almost ethereal.

Your eyes desperately seeked for Phoenix who might be your last chance of self-defense.

- She’s alive, - Aemond guessed. – But a bit restricted at the moment. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you back in King’s Landing...

You shook your head, as water from your hair slowly dripped onto your clothes.

- I’m not going back! – you almost screamed. – I’m going back to my mother!

Aemond shook his head too. In pity. As if he was dealing with an annoying child who should know better.

Pair of wings swept over your heads, high up in the sky.

- Rȳ mōrī, iksi hēnkirī*, - his lips pressed against your forehead. - Isse se mōris, iksā ñuhon...**

You considered digging your feet into the sand and refusing to go but that would just probably result in Aemond carrying you.

He unbelievably gently put the other hand on your cheek, turning your head towards Vhagar who had just landed.

- Come, my beautiful bastard princess, - he whispered. – I need to announce your mother of her son’s death, and you need to let your fiancé know you are withdrawing your betrothal...

* At last, we are together (High Valyrian)

** Finally, you are mine (High Valyrian)

[therealpactcommander]

CHARACTER POST: THORNE VÆTKISSON

The Pact Commander

Thorne is… different. That’s obvious enough. He’s short, has weird ears, and a tail.

That’s what happens when you’re ’wrong,’ he guesses.

He doesn’t know what’s wrong with him exactly, he just knows that it’s ruined his entire life. He had been so proud when Snow Leopard came to him as a spirit guide when he was so young. Yet, the first time he had tried to ‘Become the Leopard,’ something had gone… wrong. Transforming had been described to him as a fast, enlightening experience- but why had it been so goddamn painful? He remembers little but the agony and his parents easing him through it, but it didn’t work. And then he was stuck, some half-cat abomination that stunted his growth and pushed him to the bottom of the totem pole. He had fought tooth and nail just to even be considered a good hunter- and at that point, that’s all he ever wanted to be.

Then he killed him.

His parents had been murdered the night his little brother was born. No clue who did it- just that it was the Sons of Svanir. Leaving him and his new family member with- to be frank- a horrible excuse for an uncle, only to hear that son of a bitch call Jormag ’Dragon,’ he realized all of it. He lost himself- he didn’t realize it until blood was on his hands.

But hey, participating in the Grand Hunt should take his mind off of it, right?

Thorne left for the Order of Whispers without telling anyone but his boyfriend about his real situation- he told his little brother that he was ‘going on a hunt up north’- when he never came back, it was assumed that he had been killed by the Sons of Svanir. This lead his little brother to start actively joining the fight against the cult on the assumption that they had killed his entire family, but that’s a different oc so a different story. Thorne, though he doesn’t like to admit it, didn’t think about his family for five years, only realizing he hadn’t seen either of them when he was about to be murdered by a rouge god. That, along with the fact that he had literally died by burning alive, he started spiraling into a depression that he tried to hide from the rest of Dragon’s Watch, and this goes on until the present in the story.

(It’s somewhat alleviated when he sees his brother and boyfriend in the Icebrood Saga, but the PTSD is not)

He was fairly “””fine””” up until The Departing, but after he was violently reminded that he was mortal, Tybalt, Eir, and Trahearne’s death started weighing even heavier on him. Every new death of an ally adds to this.

Around the end of Path of Fire after he successfully kills Balthazar, he starts dealing with chronic pain that he ALSO decides to hide (from everyone but Taimi, but he only tells her after Kralkatorik is killed.) Hiding this and forcing himself to continue functioning as normal is very debilitating and often leaves him extremely weak when resting at night. He also ‘makes up’ for it by throwing himself info anything, which only leads to him being downed often. (Lore reason to hide I’m ass at the game, but lets not talk about that)

The reason for most of his issues is actually caused by the ability to absorb magic like a dragon, which he is unaware of for the entire decade until it comes up in conversation with the Astral Ward exactly why he was considered a ‘magical anomaly’ outside of being a dragon champion. Of course when he does learn, it is a little obvious in hindsight- he’s able to summon aurene’s magic as wings (glider) before she was even born after getting her egg to the chamber. He also does the whole ‘commune’ thing despite having very little skill in spells. And of course, he was around for every time a magical deity released magic- and while the other dragons got most of it, he still got a little too much at once for his body to process, leaving him with the weakness and chronic pain. (This also allowed him to absorb some of Kralkatorik’s magic when his hip was branded, meaning it didn’t spread and he could remove the brand.)

He has a theory that it may have something to do with his (and his little brother’s) inability to shapeshift, though he doesn’t have anything to back that up.

This only makes him hate himself more, of course, because he literally can eat magic like a dragon and most dragon’s he’s met have been trying to destroy the world.

His father is from Hoelbrak, where he grew up, but his mother was from up north, where a select few words of the norn language had survived, (as opposed to the south 100% losing the language and the only surviving world LITERALLY being ‘Hoelbrak’) and Thorne was taught these few words as a kid and mostly uses them to curse. Once being around the Astral Ward, however, it’s only common sense that ancient Wizards and such would have dead languages around, and he took his mind off of everything by studying it and becoming fluent because besides hunting kryptis he had nothing to do. at all.

[factorydefaultlu]

Wait wait wait. Daemon sending his daughter away and she’s already got a bump, you can clearly tell she’s pregnant, she’s hysterical, she’s terrified and after everything he’s just going to send her away and act like nothing is happening? She can’t even stand too look at him as she leaves, she takes the money and is gone.

She ends up getting a house far away from everyone surrounded by trees and greenery and she births twin sons. One day, on one of his flights Aemond lands on her little island to give Vhagar a rest (old girl needs naps now, she’s still a beast though don’t try her.) he comes across two boys playing with sticks pretending they’re swords he asks if they’re okay and need help getting home because this is basically abandoned there’s no one here. Until he hears this musical voice shouting for her sons to come in for their dinner and he walks back with them.

Now she’s shocked she hasn’t seen anyone unless it’s when she’s in the village for some things (which on it’s own is a few hours away) she notices the hair and eyepatch and immediately knows who this is. She invites him in for food to be polite and asks if he would like to stay as it’s getting dark. Now. Aemond sees these two violet eyed children with bright white hair and this absolutely ethereal woman also with violet eyes and white hair (let’s not forget she’s had two children, she’s got that mummy body, we all know he’s a sucker for a milf) he’s immediately intrigued and agrees.

It turns out to be an amazing night, the woman is lovely and her children are just the sweetest boys ever. He’s played with the children in the garden (one of them likes bugs it reminds him of Helaena) he helped her wash the dishes and talked and had tea with her in front of the fire. It was going well but then he asked about who their father is and who her father is and where she’s from, he’s not stupid he knows it’s either Aegon or Daemon he just wants it confirmed as to who. When she’s explained everything he’s shocked, fucking mind blown because what the fuck? He ends up leaving after promising her that he’ll not whisper a word about her to anyone and keep her out of the shitstorm that is the Targaryen family.

He ends up making this trip every few days, always visiting, always helping her around the house and tending to the vegetables and fruit she’s grown. Teaching the boys how to wield swords and teaching all three of them the Valyrian language. It’s become his paradise, his piece of heaven on earth, he wants this forever, he wants to marry her and have her children be his in the eyes of everyone - they already call him father - he’s helped her with them since they were 3 (let’s say they’re 5 now) it’s been two years he wants her. Say they get married in the way of the Targaryens (you can’t break them marriages (I also don’t know how they did it let’s not go there)) and he takes her to Kings Landing to introduce her and their children to everyone.

Alicent needs a heavy drink and a holiday after finding out who they are and how they came to be, she feels sorry for the girl after listening to her story. Otto had no idea what to even say, even he’s shocked at what Daemon did. Viserys, while being shocked at having a niece from his brother and great nephew who are now his grandchildren… adores them. This girl looks like his late mother and her boys his late father he doesn’t want to send them away it would break his already hurting heart. He even ordered the boys to get a dragon eggs each as a gift of good will. Helaena and her children are already best friends and Aegon is wondering if he’s been black out drunk for the past five years because he’s never seen these people in his life, also… when did Aemond get married? Was he at the wedding?

Now no one can even tell these boys aren’t his by blood and that he’s not even known them five years so to them even if she’s a bastard (who was legitimised by her uncle/father by law… (which no one will say anything about plus she looks full blooded Targaryen more than Rhaenyras children)) the children are not in their eyes and no one treats them as such. Their father is Aemond they don’t want to die. Settling in has been easy honestly besides the snide remarks from Otto even Alicent was calm, the boys are sweet and Aemonds wife helps Helaena get Helaena out and actually listens to her talking about bugs even giving facts of her own because of her son enjoying the same thing. She’s now heavily pregnant with their third child BUT! Rhaenyra is coming to talk about Luke’s claim to driftmark and with her comes her husband who’s about to find his daughter living a luxurious life with a doting husband who is in love with every inch of her and two beautiful boys with one on the way.

👀 Ohhh shit. It's about to hit the fan.

Daemon is gonna know he's fucked up, and Rhaenyra may find out

I love when Daemon and Rhaenyra fight

[klonoadreams]

From what I remember mako has already met many important characters including 2 future strawhats and a powerful straw hat ally.

Assuming that not too much changes by the time the main story starts. How would these Chracters see mako as meeting her again. Like say meeting a grown up sanji and Law along with th baroque work robin? For me I would at least think sanji and law would be like big brothers to her.

Also any spoilers on who her dad is? Or who mako would be shipped with?

Not much is really different, just that Mako has been alive and in existence for like one more year, making her a year older than what she was originally, but it's also a bit of a mess since like, idk how to tell you, but Shanks is like barely 21 when he has Mako instead of 22, so oop, some things might end up changing, but also god dang, Yassop, you barely knew your own son and now you're just taking care of this rando Shark girl with the others ahahha.

No but seriously, this just means the Red Hair Pirates have Mako longer and that means further disaster because Yassop Daddy experience only goes for like a few months and Mako is half fishman, SO WHOOPS NEW TERRITORY.

So yeah, Robin and Sanji would be ecstatic to see her again, especially since the two of them went their separate ways to pursue their dreams, since Sanji won't get good experience as a cook with Shanks, and Robin, while absolutely delighted to know she is loved and considered important, knows that she has to leave the nest because she can't do what she wants with them and try as they may, they can't help coddling her a bit because Robin mcfucking did not have a good childhood, cmere, you get a hug.

Meanwhile Law would just be happy to see his friend again after so long, to the one person that taught him, alongside Robin, that even monsters deserve to live.

Seeing her thriving and also throwing a wrench in the world government's agenda by just casual exposing cover-ups in order to let the truth shine through....yeah, he’s happy to see her. Genuinely, no joke or nothing. Especially Robin and Sanji, though how the turn tables. He would've thought Mako would've been her own captain to a crew, but nah, she's content letting Luffy do it while being the resident lifeguard cuz she can swim. And also fish. :V

Her dad isn't actually anyone we know but an OC, like a rando mako shark fishman who effectively got picked out of the bunch to pair up with a Kuja Pirate who wasn't exactly considered a good wife for a Celestial Dragon (aka, dude was sterile, or at the very least got poor kid making skills), so curiosity plus pettiness and a bet equals Mako into the mix. Which is very bad.

That said, Mako's bio dad is related to some existing characters. And I will say this, Arlong won't exactly take to well to ever seeing her, because she serves as a constant reminder in a cog to a tragedy.

(Hint: it involves Koala going home - you can figure it out there, but yeah, Mako's uncle is pretty famous :V)

(He also had a hand in how Mako's mother was able to escape and while Mama was hoping to go back to Amazon Lily, she at least was in a safe place amongst Shanks crew when she gave birth to Mako)

Originally, i didn't have romance in mind, but honestly, I'm at a whatever happens, happens, because Mako's circumstances are so unique and complicated, that her situation allows her complexity, given how 17 seems to be the age at which people are considered adults or at least allowed to drink, and being a pirate just adds to it, mixed in with being someone who has a bounty.

Romance isn't off the table for her, so keep an eye out for it. Dont expect anytjing until after the time skip tho, she’s a little like Luffy in that it's the last thing on her mind lmao.

But also she's got a storm coming her way come Whole Cake Island because Big Mom wants Shanks's daughter for connections so...

Lucky son Katakuri got picked by my friends, so that's gonna be a "bruh wtf"

Aka, we got two weddings to crash. Except Mako isn't getting killed, but she still wants out of it, nope nope nope

Anyways wedding dress mako kicking ass. :V

[benefits1986]

1 AM Brother Dear Sesh

In true love, you choose not to count the demerits and detentions; even when you can easily afford to do so.

My baby brother called me at an odd hour while I'm hyper-focusing on time-bound tasks in time for YE 2023. Since my social calendar is quite loaded until January Week 1 or 2, I timed myself to down this baby dragon EOD, Friday.

Since my phone is usually on sleep mode when I'm doing important and urgent stuff, I almost missed his call. He asked me how I was and where I was, too. Told him I'm home. He paused and took a really deep breath. I asked if he's having anxiety or panic attack. He told me that he's okay, but the sister of his MIL expired. I can't believe what I heard because I'm still grieving the loss of soul sis' MIL that coincided with this year's Immaculate Conception. Since mother dragon is Marian, too, I'm dumbfounded, honestly. No triggers but there's a hollow pain that hits hard. I tried finding peace by reminding myself that death is friend everyone should welcome.

Baby bro asked if I heard his news. I said yes. I asked about the details but just the top line ones. I asked what help he needed. He said that it's fine and that he's got it. His voice was shaky but determined. I asked again. His reply didn't budge. He asked if I can come visit once the arrangements are in order. I kidded him that I'd most likely be up all night to down work stuff. LOL. He assured me that it's okay. I told him that I'd be there, of course.

Dad went back to Manila house and called me up to remind me that we're going to the wake. I almost forgot that we'd have to go and support my brother during this trying times. Dad egged me saying that it's fine if I don't go because work is life. LOL. Ano ba naman ang pag-drive niya on a Friday back to Manila to pick up the passenger princess me, 'di ba? Maliit na bagay. LOL. I told him that I'd come and that honestly, I didn't notice the time passed today.

When he arrived, he asked if I could cook fried rice for him to go with his legit Laguna pasalubong, fried white tilapia. I actually don't want to get up and do this bit, but, I've seen dad in a wonky emotional state that's so surprising because he's always chill and go with the flow. I even added more rice so that he can indulge a bit more than my usual portions for him due to his weakening knee and his overgrown paunch. As he downed the fried rice, he said that it kind of reminds him of North Park fried rice. I laughed out loud and told him that I don't have a wok so the flavors are not as popping as the North Park OG version. Of course, he bashed me again. He asked me to join him for dinner but I already got my go-to pampagana sa deadline -- Serenitea trio + 1L pearl milktea (kakataho ko lang kasi the past days), 50% sugar, less ice. I watched him finish his food and off we went to the wake.

I saw my brother stepping up even when he's wobbly inside out. He has sleeping problems on top of looking after his almost newborn son. However, over vape, he shared that he was promoted. And I told him that my specific prayer for his interview with another company is simple: May he get the job he deserves especially at this time. Raising two kids ain't a joke. I even added na sana, macover na gatas atbp nung bunso niya para 'di na ako maabala. LOL. Poof. He was rejected by company B and bagged an overdue promotion. No merit increase yet, but, I'm trying to train him to negotiate with empathy at the core. He's proud of this milestone and I can sense and see how much validation he felt after the rejection in his latest job interview.

I told him to wiggle a decent pay bump and I am willing to sit with the panel or the HR to lobby this. LOL. Of course, he said no way. I pushed a bit more and said that it's about time he levels up his game not only RPG-speaking, but IRL, too. He also shared details of his personal life updates. I listened and ask some questions. I guess, this is me choosing to be kind rather than to be right; even when it's so easy to bash him straight up. I tried being a bit gentler even when I want to whack him right on the face, too. This ain't easy because I am my brother's wicked keeper since 1989. He asked me if I was in my element and why the hell am I not raising an eyebrow. I told him that it was just a long day and a hard night. He seems weirded out, too.

He also shared details of his fatherhood era. I can't still fathom how I'd be able to swing a formula milk that's hypoallergenic. LOL. I asked him if my pamangkin would like a Samba or formula milk. He said that he's going for the milk. I chuckled and asked if he was super sure. He said yes. He also shared that he has already computed th cost of raising two kids until college. Natawa ako e. But, let this be a reminder that while my brother is flawed and we're opposites, he is trying his best to step up.

Perhaps, I am seeing glimmers of intention. Perhaps, I'm finally sensing a stronger sense of giving more and taking less. Perhaps, it's him living his dream (to have kids and get married) along with battling its harsh realities and shadows. Perhaps, mother dragon's fervent prayer for him is finally being answered. Perhaps, this is me seeing his light, in a more forgiving angle. Maybe, a little flattering, too.

While I am full on tough love to my only brother, now, may I choose to be his partner instead of his pulis pangkalawakan. As I am keying this in, I am taking deeper breaths. This is not gonna be easy, but, seeing him emerge with growth sprouts is a milestone. Nadali tayo ng correct answer na hindi Samba for the holidaze ni bunso niya.

I'll be back to my work drawing board in a bit. Excited to finish it off, honestly; but time is always a construct and a constraint. Being the go-to elder sister of the universe and saying no more and more is something I'm learning on training wheels. I know this is gonna be tough but I'm ready for the pivot. LUH. Tapang 'yan? LELS. Or baka excited lang ako sa catch up sesh na sobrang tagal planned and 'di na talaga puwede put on hold this Saturday!

[immentallyilll]

Prevent the war

Yandere!Aemond x fem!Targeryen!reader

-Rheanyra sent reader as a messenger to Storm's End to convince Lord Borros to bend the knee, but Aemond is already there - Pairing: Yandere Aemond Targaryen x reader Targaryen  Trigger Warning: Yandere Aemond, dragon racing (i guess), fighting, threats, slapping{once}, swear words, talk of forced marriage, 

-short backstory- Reader is the fourth child of Rhaenyra and Harwin. She was included in the fight where Aemond lost his eye because he claimed Vhaegar for his own. He blames them all for his eye. Reader has a female dragon named Bantis that hatched in her cradle and they have a very strong bond (like Rhaenyra and Daemon with their dragons, I am also thinking of some sort of dark-purlpe dragon that resembles Caraxes in appearance and also size, but you can play with your imagination). Reader is a very good dragon rider and was taught how to fight to protect herself by her father Harwin and her brothers. She is known for her beauty and intelligence as well as her skill with daggers

-reader´s pov-

When you arrived at Storm's End, you expected the guards to be a little shaken by the sight of a dragon, but they stood firm. You got out of the saddle and started to walk towards the gate, but an earth-shaking roar coming from the side of the castle stopped you. There lay the monstrous Vheagar, which means that Aemond is here for the same reason you are. Millions of thoughts flashed through your mind. What if Aemond has already convinced Lord Borros about the Greens? What if there's are more of them, more dragons? What if Aemond has come to avenge his eye? By now you are at the gate and guards escort you into the hall where Lord Borros is sitting in his chair. The guards introduced you with your titles "Lord Brros, I bring you a message from Queen Rhaenyra," you confirm in a slightly trembling voice. He was quite amused and added some provocative comments, about how the house of a dragon did not know who rules it since the so-called ,,king Aegon" has sent Aemond. "What's her message?" he asked, handing one of the guards a letter from your mother. Your sight wandered through the hall and landed on Aemond, who stood there with an unreadable expression on his face. He wore a long leather coat that reached almost to his heels, and a belt from which hung a large sword Blackfyre. Aemond caught your staring gaze, but you were too focused on his handsome appearance to notice that. Aemond's towering figure seemed even more alluring and overpowering than ever. Your eyes now wandered over his face, which you were convinced was sculptured by gods. His significant jawline and prominent cheekbones. The nose and chin being the dominance of his face. You were so hypnotized by Aemond's enchanting nature that you almost forgot why you came here in the first place. But a loud voice that resounded through the room woke you up from your daydreams

“Remind me of my father´s oath?”he questioned. Now you finally realised how long you were marveling of him. Your attention was immediately fully drawn on lord Borros. He´s offended, because from his point of view, what were you to bring him a message that questions his loyalty. You had nothing to offer him, he had no son you could marry and Lucerys along with Jacaerys were already bethroted to your cousins.“So you come with empty hands, go home princess. And tell your mother that the lord of Storm´s end, is not some dog she that she can whistle up, at need to set aggainst her foes.” the lord ordered you to leave with slight anger in his voice.

"I shall thake your answer to the queen, my lord," you announced, trying not to sound disappointed, but your attempt failed thoroughly. You turn and head for the door, relieved at the thought of leaving. "Wait ... my lady Strong." Amond's voice echoed through the room, and you stopped turning to face him, anger visible on your face. "Did you really think you could just fly about the realm trying to steal my brother's throne at no cost?" You tensed, but gathered your courage and took a few steps forward. "I came as a messanger, not a warrior." But Aemond obviously had different plans, "Fight would be a little challenge." Now you actually started to worry, shifting in your place. "No. I want you to put out your eye." Asserted Aemond as he took off his eye patch to reveal the beautiful sapphire he had inserted in place of his eye. You are shocked, a little frightened by his action, but mostly angry with yourself, because the man of whose beauty you were enthralled by just a few minutes ago (who appears to be your uncle) is now the reason you are trembling because he wants to put out your eye. "As payment for mine" you are sure, if Lucerys was here instead of you, he'd be already dead. "One will serve" Aemond took a blade that was hidden under his coat and threw it among you. You looked down at it and wished that you never came here. Worry showed on your face and Aemond seemed amused by it. "I will not blind you," he said with ease, and hummed, smiling."I plan to gift it to my mother"  “No” you tried to sound as strong and fearless as you could, but in fact, it only came out as a pathetic whimper. Your fear ha staken over you. It appeared Aemond was not happy with your answer, since he stopped smirking and his jaw clenched. “Then you are a craven, as well as a traitor.” he added and his face had now no expression. “Not here” said lord Borros and your eyes widened. Was he aware of somethig or did they plan this all along? Aemond was now headed towards you, screaming ”Give me your eye or i will take it, you little bastard!” he bent down, not stopping, for the blade he trew there earlier and you instinctively took out the two daggers which were hidden under your cloak, prepared to fight even though you knew he was way more skilled. The guards were prepared to protect you, at least something positive. Aemond was getting nearer every second, with expression of a maniac.”Not in my hall.” finally, Lord Borros stopped this madness and Aemond froze in his place and grew even more angry.”The girl came as an envoy.” and he continued “ I will not have a bloodshed beneath my roof.” he defended you. Then lord Borros looked at the guards “ take princess y/n to her back to her dragon. Now” he orded, but by the look of Aemonds you knew this wasn´t over. Again, turning around you began to walk towards door while putting your daggers away.

The moment you stepped outside the castle, you ran to your dragon. Heavy rain falling from the sky, making your vision blurry. As you hurried, you looked upon where Vhaegar laid before and how lightning struck, she was no longer there and your heart sunk to the ground itself. Feeling your guts clench, tears on the verge, panic rushed over you. Bantis shared your worries and nugged her head towards your body and you rested your forehead on hers, comforting each other with this manner. There was no other choice for you, than climb on your dragon and fly home as fast as you can, because there was still Vhaegar with Aemond somewhere in the rainstorm: “Dikimarvose(focus).”  you alost screamed because of the rain muffling your voice: “Laehossa ynot, Bantis(pay attention, Bantis)”, you tried to calm her down, but more of comforting yourself. “Lykíri, ryptys!(be calm, listen!)” adding, while you climbed onto her wing and settled into the saddle. "Soves, Bantis!(fly, Bantis!)”

 She spread her wings and soared into the blizzard. Now flying through the dark night, enlightened only by lightning. Raindrops whipping your face, as were looking around yourself, convincing, that there was no monsterous dragon rode by mad dragon rider, who threatened to cut your eye out. While looking around yourself, a roaring sound rang through the heavy rain. But after a moment, hearing a loud growl above your head, was the opposite of what you wished for. You looked up, and the air left your lungs, your heart stopped beating at the sight of the giant. Lightning seems like it's calming down and Vhaegar with Aemond are no longer lingering above you but even worse. They appear right in front of you, Vhaegars jaw opening and snatching at you and Bantis. You quickly reacted by directing Bantis downwards, missing Vhaegars legs by a meter or so. Aemonds demonic laughter sounded across the air, while turning around. Aemond screamed at you "I see you." Vhaegar snatching at you, again. "Ilybonos!(bastard!)”. Now you went down again panting, as Vhaegar reached for you and Bantis with her feet claws. They were right behind you. there was no chance you could escape if you stayed under them, so you had to change your place at least, for some kind of advantage. "Aderi! Pales!(quickly!turn!)” you screamed. Bantis didn't need to be told twice, turning to the side. You were no longer high in clouds, seeing the large cliff with many gaps you and your dragon can hide, compared to Vhaegar.

You flew into a big space between the walls of a cliff, it was near the ground. Aemod with Vhaegar had to fly over the top, which was open and they could still see you so they followed you. Now you were a little further than they were, but you could still hear the psychopathic laugh from Aemond. “Jemela gelyni enka!” (you owe me a debt) Aemond yelled down at you.”Rina!” (girl!).You couldn´t see them anymore, your breath fastened. Then, Vhaegars large body appeared in front of you. You could not turn or stop, because of the speed. Bantis crashed into Vhaegars torso. She was unable to keep balance or recover quickly, which led to her falling to the ground, still with you on the back. You tried to make her settle in the air but nothing worked. gods must have prayed for you since Bantis wasn´t too high by the time she fell on the ground. She tried to soften the fall by burying her legs and wings into the ground, which seemed helpful at first, but the hard landing made her body jump. With that you fell off the saddle, rolled off on her wing and landed onto the ground. As you ,,landed” you hit your head a few times, which made you feel dizzy, but you were still conscious. Lying there, on a ground, regain your strength, panting.

Bantis is also exhausted from constant dodging, sudden descents and ascents. She huffed in tiredness, while you´re trying to come to your senses. Head still feeling woozy, as you shaked it, hoping it would help to stop the slightly blurry vision. There was a great rumble somewhere behind, the sound was layered with sea and wind. You listened to the surroundings.

You heard ponderous slow steps, Aemond is approaching you. Hearing his voice way closer than you thought, only a few feet connecting your distance. You began to get up, while he talked to you “ So you thought, that comming to storm´s end, begging for Baratheons support,trying to steel my brothers throne, will come with no punishment, Ao byka aspo?(you little bitch)”. His voice full of anger, now echoed just a few meters away from you.  Straightening up from the  one knee you used for support of your weight, you glared in direction of his voice. “ Your brother´s throne? Aegon does not deserve it. He´s nothing more is nothing more then a preverted drunk, who doesn´t even want to rule.” You gripped the handle of your dagger with your left hand as you spoke, preppared for sparring that is about to begin. “Se iksā mēre laes qogralbar”(and you are one eyed fuck). Aemonds large steps carried him to face you. Now standing straight, you draved your dagger at him, which he did not expect and just in time he brought his right forearm to yours. This movement prevented him from getting stabbed. This angerd him even more and now he lost it, gripping your chin whith his hand, almost breaking your jaw. His fingertips digging into the flesh, which you could only wince at. With a swift montion his right arm, which was till now blocking yours, clasped your left wrist with force, causing you dropped the dagger. The left one, that was crushing your jaw, is now gripping you by your hair. Which made you only hiss in pain. You kicked him in the shin, making loose his balance. But he recovered faster than you. Aemond grabbed both your arms and with the back of his leg he kicked your ankles, shoving you to the ground. 

 Aemond gripped the collar of your shirt and brought you even closer to his face.“You think these harsh words will save you?” he asked mockingly, with emphasis on the word harsh. “It´s not very ladylike to talk like this, you know?” he said and you felt scolded as if you were a child. Wiggling underneath Aemond seemed to anger him, because he pulled you by your shirt again almost to sit up. “Look at yourself, you are a pathetic little bastard. You can´t even tell if someone noticed you stare at them, can you?” The realization hits you. he noticed, he saw the way you devoured his appearance. Redness grew on your cheeks from embarrassment. Trying to look away you moved your head, but Aemond´s hand clasped your cheeks in one hand, slightly squishing your lips. “Aww you´re not getting shy, are you? Come on, tell me, what did you think when your eyes were fixed on me until you forgot where you were. It must have been something intersting.” he said in singing voice, mocking your shocked expression. Your nerves boiled, anger grew abd you started to figet in again. Aemond laughed at your squirming body, head titling back and you saw your chance not willing to loose it.

As he did not pay attention, your knee shot up, inbetween his thighs. And you hit your target, Aemond´s lips parted in yelp but the sound was more of a growl. With your legs wrapped around his waist tightly, you rolled over with him so you are now on top of him. Knees on each side of Aemond´s hips. “Whose pathetic now?” you asked him in prideful tone, looking down at him. the hair in now messy and a few strands bothered you by hangig around your eyes and as you blew it out of your sight, eyes glimpsed infront of you and faith came back in that moment, your dagger. Only a few meters away from you. Aemond realized your attention was drawn on something else than him, as he laid on the ground Aemond titled his head to look where your gaze was heading. Both of you looking at the dagger, back at eachother. Immediately you climbed off of him and headed forn the blade. Aemond turned to his knees and reached for your ankle,  which caused you to fall and he pulled back to him. Your hands clawed at the ground, mixture of dirt and sand. “Where were you going dārilaros (princess)?” he questioned and you could hear the grin in his voice. Aemond was about to turn you over but you grasped handful of the dirt and threw it into his face.”Orvorta!(cunt)” he yelled at you. Unfortunatelly for you he managed to dodge it. Aemond gripped you by your arms, but you fought, trying to get the hold of control back. After a second of fighting, you felt a sharp stung on your cheek . he slapped you across the face, harshly and you yere sure . Aemond´s hand found it´s way back to your hair, yanking you to stand up with him. You whimpered in pain, you tried to collaborate, in hope he´d let go of your hair, he did not. 

Aemond jerked you to straighten up and to face him. his expression spoke of loss of patiance and rage. his hand moved from your hair, which you reliefed for a moment but, replacing it to your throath. Squeezing hard enough to make it difficult for you to breathe, but not enough to kill you. Your eyes began to water up and you lip started quivering, pawing at his hand to release you. “Your mother has once said that conecting our families by marriege would help to prevent the war. I will not take your eye. Not only a part of you, i will take you entirely as you are, a beautiful and fierce dragon rider.” Aemond acknowledged you with his intentions as he softened the grip a little, as if waiting for you to answer. Your mouth parted in awe. What choice did you have, either die or marry him and live. you were not ready to meet your father, you want to see you mother againg along with your brothers. You want to ride with Bantis again.

“Sīr, kessa ao dīnagon nyke?(So, will you marry me?)” he asked with sweet voice, as if he was your secret lover for years and now he asked for your hand somewhere in a beatuful garden. “Skoros iderennon gaomagon eman.(What choice do i have)” you replied, looking upon his sapphire eye. Aemond seemed pleased with your anser since his firm grip was now gone and turned into a soft carese of your cheek, that felt loving and beatiful. 

[that-guy-sleepy-miles]

If you are still accepting those requests, how about something involving DBK trying to get along with Sun Wukong for the sake of teaming up against LBD? Maybe he realizes he misses when they were closer or, if you'd rather something more amusing, just barely manages to accidentally help when he's trying to mess with him? Or anything you would like really!

Words: 1196

Oh, you thought I forgot, didn't you? I didn't forget!! And you get a surprise too >:] -----

DBK was annoyed. Very, very annoyed. 

The simian was injured after being possessed by that wretched Lady Bone Demon and whatever fight he’d gotten into with Nezha prior. For some reason, his son decided to be merciful to the simian and allow him to stay in their house. Probably to win the favor of that Little Theif and the Dragon Horse Girl. Even the bull demon could see the shine in his offspring’s eyes when they called him over or offered to let him come with them to this ‘Anti-Grav Arcade’. 

His son was off fooling around with them right now and his wife was enjoying lunch at the pig’s noodle shop, which left DBK alone with- “Hey! Are you still there?” Wukong’s voice rang through the fortress. For such a small monkey, that simian sure could yell. 

DBK begrudgingly lifted himself from his couch and trudged to the guest room the simian had invaded. “What could you possibly want?”

There was a sheepish smile on the hated face of Sun Wukong. His shoulder, arms, and middle were all swallowed by bandages, and the children had given him strict instructions to not move. The Demon Bull King knew such orders were bullshit, as must the ape, but Wukong dutifully allowed the children to boss him around. 

“I’m… just kind of hungry.” Wukong’s smile wavered as he was stared down by the bull, “If you don’t mind- Y’know what, I’ll get it myself.” The ape went to get up and DBK growled, thinking about his son’s pleading eyes, “No, you will not.” 

Wukong blinked and gave DBK a look, “What?” “My son wishes to please your son-” “MK’s not my-” “Do not interrupt me, ape! As I said, my son is after your Little Thief’s favor, and you will not sabotage his efforts! So you will stay put,” DBK pointed at the ground, “and I will get you something to eat.”

Wukong went to speak again but the bull king crossed his arms in finality. The ape shrunk back and nodded, “I, uh, don’t eat-” “You do not have to remind me of your preferences, monkey. You prefer uncooked fruits, and don’t like meat. Don’t insult my memory.” DBK growled before trudging off to go get him something to eat. 

Wukong sat in silence as the bull slammed the large door, pulling his knees up to his bandaged chest. He didn’t want to be here any more than the bull wanted him here, but… he owed the kid. He owed his kid. MK wanted him to rest up, and he guesses he wanted him to rest up here- and Red Son wanted him to do what MK said…

So he was staying in the house of people who hated him. They didn’t always hate him… maybe they did. Red Son might’ve always hated him, but he was also doing this for MK’s sake. Red Son was doing it for MK’s sake and DBK was doing it for Red Son’s sake, which leaves Wukong to sit here until he’s whatever MK deems as ‘better’. He was better already, in his opinion, but MK was worried about his arms after he learned about Wukong breaking Nezha’s seal. Wukong promised that his arms were fine, but then the kid had to go and check and it hurt so he was bedridden. 

Then his shoulder and his chest and his head- MK worried way too much, but Wukong owed MK this. He could stay in place. 

The Demon Bull King thought the meal he’d prepared was adequate. He remembered how to cook for the simian from when they were younger, the intricate feasts he’d make his younger brother as a surprise. It seemed his kitchen was fresh out of tropical insects and coconut wine, though. 

He rolled his eyes to himself as he looked over the salad he’d prepared. He hoped his wife wouldn’t mind him using some of her flowers. They were wilting anyway, so hopefully, he could just replace them before she got home and she would be happier that they were fresh. DBK pulled the petals off of the flowers and then arranged the stems, chopping them with his claws. 

He eyed the salad before deciding it was done. Roots, leaves, flowers, herbs, and fruit slices. Everything a monkey wanted. If the ape somehow found a problem with his work, then he might have to pummel him once and for all. 

He stomped back to the simian’s stolen room, cradling the salad with more care than he wanted to admit. It wouldn’t do if he just spilled the damn thing after making it so well that the simian can’t complain. 

DBK slammed open the door and Wukong jumped, getting decent air from his surprise, “Oh- you’re back!” “Are you getting old, ape? I was getting you food.” DBK’s voice held a deep disdain as he set the bowl on the bed in front of Wukong. It was large next to the monkey, though Sun Wukong was not a very big creature. It looked almost as if he could curl up in the bowl and take a nap. 

“Wow- this, uh, is a lot.” Wukong frowned at the large amount of food he was given. He didn’t eat like he did when he was younger, but- hell no, he’s not getting into a fight right now. Everything still kind of hurt, and DBK made this for him! After all that stuff with the mountain! Just be grateful, Wukong- “Thank you,” Wukong rubbed the back of his head, “I know you went out of your way for this.” “It’s fine, littlest brother.” DBK scoffed. Wukong stilled. Did… Did he know he said that? Was it on purpose? He decided not to waste his good graces and began to dig into the meal, delighted to find how fresh and delicious the greens were! He popped the peach slices into his mouth and squeaked in delight, leaning forward to get some more from around the bowl. The bowl began to tilt, but Wukong didn’t take notice.

He ripped the petals off of a lotus and shoved them into his mouth, “Wow- are these fresh?” “Are you implying you expect less from me, simian?” the bull’s voice held a sharp edge that Wukong laughed off. “Of course not! Just- thank you.” with that Wukong went back to eating. And eating. And eating- GODS this was a big portion! How was he expected to eat all of this? Wukong paused his meal to calculate how much of this he could eat and still move later when-  His hands slipped on one of the large leaves and he tumbled headfirst into the oversized bowl. He fumbled in the leaves and fruits for a second before finally finding his way back to sight- and to the srnk of the Demon Bull King.

They stared at each other for a second before DBK broke into boisterous, familiar laughter. And Wukong couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

“I missed you, big brother!” Wukong beamed.

DBK looked down at the monkey in the bowl and swallowed before a chuckle left him. Maybe… maybe he’d missed little brother too.

[jackoshadows]

 “You,” Ned said, kissing her lightly on the brow, “will marry a king and rule his castle, and your sons will be Knights and princes and lords and, yes, perhaps even a High Septon.” - Eddard, A Game of Thrones

My featherbed is deep and soft, and there I’ll lay you down, I’ll dress you all in yellow silk, and on your head a crown - Arya, A Storm of Swords

“Aegon has been shaped for rule since before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. Tommen has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows that kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them.” - Kevan, A Dance with Dragons

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So this is an essay of sorts on my speculation/theory that Arya is going to end up as a leader of the North by the end of the series. I will split this into several parts:

Arya and leadership

Arya and Northern leadership

Arya and Nymeria

Skillsets

Importance of being a Warg/Skinchanger

Succession

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Arya Stark and leadership

“Know the men who follow you,” she heard him tell Robb once, “and let them know you. Don’t ask your men to die for a stranger.“  - Arya, AGoT

Arya has always been a leader rather than a follower. Just like Jon at the wall, she initially chafes at having to follow orders instead of doing what she thinks is the right thing to do. Despite Gendry and Hot Pie being older than her, she’s the one giving the orders and making the plans. She manipulates or forces characters into doing what she wants – getting Gendry to leave Harrenhal and forcing Jaqen to help her free the Northmen.

Arya took the lead, kicking her stolen horse to a brisk heedless trot until the trees close in around her. Hot Pie and Gendry followed as best they could. From time to time Arya glanced over her shoulder, to make sure the two boys had not fallen too far behind, and to see if they were being pursued - Arya, ASoS

Like most of our protagonists, Arya is ambitious and interested in being an active participant at the top. She wanted to become a King’s councilor and build castles. That entire little speech that Varys gives about the ideal candidate for ruling fits Arya to a T.

Arya has gone hungry, scrubbed and cleaned, cooked and kept house, sewed and mended clothes, bound up wounds, been hunted, been scared for her life – and done all this with limited protection. Just survived on her wits. Arya can wield a sword, is fluent in several languages and has studied with a Septa.

We also see war torn Westeros and the suffering of the smallfolk through Arya’s eyes in ACoK and ASoS. It doesn’t matter if it’s Stark or Lannister, the smallfolk suffer the same – Septon Meribald’s ‘Broken Men’ speech in AFfC embodies what Arya observes. After Arya frees the Northmen using weasel soup and Vargo Hoat betrays the Lannisters, there are reprisal killings, torture and rape enacted by Stark bannermen and the sellswords. The smith, Maester and the head maid are executed for merely serving Tywin – something on which they had no choice. Gendry points this out to Arya and she feels guilty for her part in all this.

“I hate this lot worse. Ser Amory was fighting for his lord, but the Mummers are sellswords and turncloaks. Half of them can’t even speak the Common Tongue. Septon Utt likes little boys, Qyburn does black magic, and your friend Biter eats people.”

The worst thing was, she couldn’t even say he was wrong. The Brave Companions did most of the foraging for Harrenhal, and Roose Bolton had given them the task of rooting out Lannisters. Vargo Hoat had divided them into four bands, to visit as many villages as possible. He led the largest group himself, and gave the others to his most trusted captains. She had heard Rorge laughing over Lord Vargo’s way of finding traitors. All he did was return to places he had visited before under Lord Tywin’s banner and seize those who had helped him. – Arya, ACoK

"It’s not a village, it’s only black stones and old bones. “Did the Lannisters kill the people who lived here?” Arya asked as she helped Anguy dry the horses.

“No.” He pointed. “Look at how thick the moss grows on the stones. No one’s moved them for a long time. And there’s a tree growing out of the wall there, see? This place was put to the torch a long time ago.”

“Who did it, then?” asked Gendry.

“Hoster Tully.” Notch was a stooped thin grey-haired man, born in these parts. “This was Lord Goodbrook’s village. When Riverrun declared for Robert, Goodbrook stayed loyal to the king, so Lord Tully came down on him with fire and sword. After the Trident, Goodbrook’s son made his peace with Robert and Lord Hoster, but that didn’t help the dead none.”

A silence fell."  - Arya, ASoS

"Wolves, she thought again. Like me. Was this her pack? How could they be Robb’s men? She wanted to hit them. She wanted to hurt them. She wanted to cry.” - Arya, ASoS

The smallfolk in the Riverlands are caught between the Starks, Tullys and Lannisters with no good choices. And on the ground level, Arya sees this, understands this and acknowledges this. Her actions benefited house Stark and no one else. She understands the cost of war.

Arya is also very keen on justice. In that she not only thinks that characters deserve justice, but she wants to actively participate and deliver justice. She considers the execution of Dareon from the NW as a just one.

Dareon had been a deserter from the Night's Watch; he had deserved to die. - Arya, AFfC

“Guilty!” Arya shouted with the rest. “Guilty, guilty, kill him, guilty!” …

Arya could only think of Mycah and all the stupid prayers she’d prayed for the Hound to die. If there were gods, why didn’t Lord Beric win? She knew the Hound was guilty… - Arya, ASoS

Her father beat her so often and so brutally that she was never truly free of pain or fear until she came to us.”

“Did you kill him?”

“She asked the gift for herself, not for her father.”

You should have killed him.“ - Arya, ADWD

Arya drew back from him. "He killed the slave?" That did not sound right. "He should have killed the masters!" – Arya, aDwD

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Arya and Northern leadership

I would sooner my men die fighting for the Ned’s little girl than alone and hungry in the snow, weeping tears that freeze upon their cheeks. - Hugo Wull

The North has famously never had a female leader in House Stark. So is it possible for valiant Ned’s precious little girl to become the first Lady Stark to lead the North?

In terms of personality, Arya resembles some of the other female leaders/members of Northern houses. She is bold and forward like Lyanna Mormont and Wylla Manderly. She has trained with the sword and learned how to use a bow and arrow. She proactively engineers her own escape like Alys Karstark. Characters like Ygritte and Alys remind Jon Snow of Arya.

Arya venerates Ned Stark. She follows his advice as much as Robb, Bran and Jon do. Even more so. She executes a NW brother for desertion. And that is important for the Starks.

I should kill them myself. Whenever her father had condemned a man to death, he did the deed himself with Ice, his greatsword. - Arya, ACoK

The blood of the First Men still flows in the veins of the Starks, and we hold to the belief that the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. - Bran, AGoT

“The Starks do not use headsmen. Ned always said that the man who passes the sentence should swing the blade, though he never took any joy in the duty.” - Catelyn, ACoK

“Rickard Karstark, Lord of Karhold.” Robb lifted the heavy axe with both hands. “Here in sight of gods and men, I judge you guilty of murder and high treason. In mine own name I condemn you. With mine own hand I take your life. Would you speak a final word?” - Catelyn, ASoS

The pale morning sunlight ran up and down his blade as Jon clasped the hilt of the bastard sword with both hands and raised it high. “If you have any last words, now is the time to speak them,” he said, expecting one last curse. - Jon, ADwD

Arya is one of the Starkiest Starks of the whole lot. She is also the only Stark to actually have the Stark look. She is stubborn and determined to do things the Stark way. She often uses her father’s advice to guide her way.

Her father used to say that a lord needed to eat with his men, if he hoped to keep them. “Know the men who follow you,” she heard him tell Robb once, “and let them know you. Don’t ask your men to die for a stranger.“ - Arya, aGoT

Arya had loved nothing better than to sit at her father’s table and listen to them talk. She had loved listening to the men on the benches too; to freeriders tough as leather, courtly knights and bold young squires, grizzled old men-at-arms.- Arya, AGoT

Whenever her father had condemned a man to death, he did the deed himself with Ice, his greatsword. “If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him go look him in the face and hear his last words,” she’d heard him tell Robb and Jon once. - Arya, ACoK

Now there are theories that it is future Bran who was communicating with Arya through the weirwood at Harrenhal, but she does gain strength from her father’s words when she prays to the Old Gods.

Gooseprickles rose on Arya’s skin, and for an instant she felt dizzy. Then, so faintly, it seemed as if she heard her father’s voice. “When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives,” he said. “But there is no pack,” she whispered to the weirwood. Bran and Rickon were dead, the Lannisters had Sansa, Jon had gone to the Wall. “I’m not even me now, I’m Nan.” “You are Arya of Winterfell, daughter of the north. You told me you could be strong. You have the wolf blood in you.” - Arya, ACoK

And while Arya is travelling incognito, GRRM keeps her connected to the North, house Stark and the Northern plot. She starts her journey from KL with a NW brother Yoren. She’s disguised as a boy like Danny Flint, Manderly requests a song about brave Danny Flint at Ramsay’s wedding with ‘Arya’. In the Riverlands, Arya’s plot intersects with her father’s bannermen, she participates in the capture of Harrenhal for house Stark and is there for Roose Bolton’s war council. She meets both Roose Bolton and Aenys Frey – our antagonists in Winterfell facing off against Stannis in ADwD. She meets Robett Glover – who is currently in White Harbor - when she lets him out of the dungeons. She gets Jaqen to help her father’s men.

“Vargo Hoat’s come back with prisoners. I saw their badges. There’s a Glover, from Deepwood Motte, he’s my father’s man. The rest too, mostly.” All of a sudden, Arya knew why her feet had brought her here. “You have to help me get them out.” – Arya, ACoK

Arya looked. She knew all of her father’s men. The three in the grey cloaks were strangers. Arya, AGoT

Twin towers. Sunburst. Bloody man. Battle-axe. The battle-axe is for Cerwyn, and the white sun on black is Karstark. They’re northmen. My father’s men, and Robb’s. - Arya, ACoK

Harwin?” Arya whispered. It was! Under the beard and the tangled hair was the face of Hullen’s son, who used to lead her pony around the yard, ride at quintain with Jon and Robb, and drink too much on feast days. He was thinner, harder somehow, and at Winterfell he had never worn a beard, but it was him—her father’s man. Arya, ASoS

“I bet there are Winterfell men too.” Her father’s men, the Young Wolf’s men, the direwolves of Stark. - Arya, ASoS

Arya is also involved in betrothals/marriage – first to Elmar Frey and then married off to Ramsay Bolton to hold the North. As a side note, her connection to all these bastards is indeed interesting - Elmar Frey, Ramsay Bolton, Gendry and Jon Snow. Is GRRM trying to say something here?

We now have the Northerners and Freys that Arya sees in Harrenhal transposed to Winterfell and ‘her father’s men’ rising up for Arya Stark.

Now, we can speculate and assume that these Northerners would have done the same for the other Starks, but that’s not the point here. In the books, GRRM has written this story to revolve around Arya. The mountain clans are marching for ARYA. The Northern houses are fighting alongside Stannis for ARYA. When lady Barbrey Dustin points out the anger of the Northmen at the treatment of ‘Valiant Ned's precious little girl’ she is talking about ARYA.

GRRM has Stannis wanting to rescue Arya for Jon. He has Mance trying to rescue Arya for Jon. He has Jon breaking his vows and dying trying to rescue Arya. A large part of what drives this plot forward is that it’s Arya, and her special relationship with Jon Snow influences a lot of what is happening south of the wall. The story only happens this way with Arya in the North. And that’s why it’s Arya’s story and not that of any other Stark. Superimposing this or that Stark in place of Arya to make a case for why they would be leader of the North makes no sense. GRRM writing in the marriage of Arya Stark to hold the North makes the case for why Arya is important to the North.

So, Arya has actively helped free Northmen in the Riverlands, engaged with important Northerners and Freys at Harrenhal and drives the plot to take down the Boltons in the North. With her leadership skills, her ability to wield a weapon and fight, looking like Ned, following in Ned’s footsteps and advice, her fierce personality, her loyalty to bannermen, her desire for justice and to help the weak and powerless, her huge direwolf - she would be like the Kings in the North of yore.  I think the Northerners will be fine with Arya Stark being the Stark in charge.

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

Arya and Nymeria

“What if the wolves come?” “Yield,” Arya suggested - Arya, ACoK

The direwolves are an important part of the books, and an important aspect of the Starks.They are as much a part of the Starks as Dany’s dragons are a part of her. They cannot be ignored as unimportant pets who will end up serving no purpose.

“He is part of you, Robb. To fear him is to fear you.”  - Catelyn, ASoS

Ghost did not count. Ghost was closer than a friend. Ghost was part of him - Jon, ADWD

“Part of you is Summer, and part of Summer is you. You know that, Bran.” - Bran, ACoK

“Wolves and women wed for life,” Haggon often said. “You take one, that’s a marriage. The wolf is part of you from that day on, and you’re part of him. Both of you will change.” - Varamyr, ADWD

You have five trueborn children,” Jon said. “Three sons, two daughters. The direwolf is the sigil of your House. Your children were meant to have these pups, my lord…The direwolf graces the banners of House Stark,” Jon pointed out. -  Bran, AGoT

“Roose Bolton has Lord Eddard’s daughter. To thwart him White Harbor must have Ned’s son … and the direwolf. The wolf will prove the boy is who we say he is, should the Dreadfort attempt to deny him.“ - Davos, ADWD

GRRM has mentioned several times that they are important.

The Lannisters are always likening themselves to lions, for example, and their motto “Hear me roar” speaks of a certain way of looking at life. But I think for the Starks it goes a little bit beyond that, especially in this generation, with these direwolves. It’s more than just a handy metaphor with them - GRRM, interview

"Wolves have been part of European folklore, of which America's descended, going back thousands of years. In Rome, Romulus and Remus -- there's always been this relationship between wolves and men." That relationship is seen time and again in Martin's series, and it's one that will Martin says will continue as the last two books are eventually released. Arya's wolf, Nymeria, in particular, will play an important role. "You know, I don't like to give things away." says Martin, a grin spreading across his face. "But you don't hang a giant wolf pack on the wall unless you intend to use it." - GRRM interview

The direwolves are important especially for Arya whose theme is ‘The lone wolf dies but the pack survives’ and there are constant mentions of the pack in her POV chapters. Nymeria is an alpha, a leader of her pack like Arya is a leader of hers.

“She says there’s this great pack, hundreds of them, mankillers. The one that leads them is a she-wolf, a bitch from the seventh hell.” - Arya, ACoK

Throughout ACoK and ASoS, Arya mentions the wolves in the Riverlands. They appear to be just ahead of her or behind her. In her chapters there are mentions of wolves eating people, of Roose going wolf hunting. It’s almost like the wolves are traveling with her. They even help her escape – the wolf howl giving the signal – from harrenhal. And it’s possible the pack was picking off Roose Bolton’s riders chasing Arya because they were following right behind.

She could hear the sound of her own breath, and the wolves as well, a great pack of them now. They are closer than the one I heard in the godswood, she thought. They are calling to me. - Arya, ACoK

Once, from the crest of a ridge, she spied dark shapes crossing a stream in the valley behind them, and for half a heartbeat she feared that Roose Bolton’s riders were on them, but when she looked again she realized they were only a pack of wolves. She cupped her hands around her mouth and howled down at them, “Ahooooooooo, ahooooooooo.” When the largest of the wolves lifted its head and howled back, the sound made Arya shiver.   - Arya ASoS

Nymeria keeps amassing this huge wolf pack and Arya being a strong warg can sense this

She was no little girl in the dream; she was a wolf, huge and powerful, and when she emerged from beneath the trees in front of them and bared her teeth in a low rumbling growl, she could smell the rank stench of fear from horse and man alike. - Arya, ASoS

She dreamed of wolves most every night. A great pack of wolves, with her at the head. She was bigger than any of them, stronger, swifter, faster. And her brothers and sisters were with her, many and more of them, fierce and terrible and hers. - Arya, ASoS

In her wolf dreams she was swift and strong, running down her prey with her pack at her heels. - Cat of the Canals, AFfC

The wolf dreams also helps Arya connect to Bran, Jon and Rickon. We see Ghost able to sense the other direwolves and Bran trying to communicate with Jon.

Nymeria is a grey wolf and the stark sigil is a grey wolf on a white background.

 “The rain had washed the guard’s blood off her fingers, she wore a sword across her back, wolves were prowling through the dark like lean grey shadows, and Arya Stark was unafraid.” - Arya, ACoK

“Arya had her father’s eyes, the grey eyes of the Starks.” - Reek, ADwD

What’s in a name? I have already mentioned in another post, the symbolism of the names for the direwolves and them being an indication of the future for the Starks. Arya’s direwolf is named Nymeria – a Rhoynish warrior queen who led her people to safety. Something that Arya may well do in the future when the North is under attack from the Others.

More importantly, Nymeria in Dorne changed the customs and rules of house Martell to follow those of Rhoynar and allowed for female rulers. Nymeria herself was the first female leader and was followed by her daughter. Nymeria changed the norm for Dorne and we could see the same happening with Arya Stark in the North.

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

Skills and Education

Look with your eyes, Syrio had said, listen with your ears.- Arya, ACoK

Education at Winterfell:

Arya was mainly taught by Septa Mordane and received the same education as Sansa. She would have been taught history and about the Faith by the Septa, she can read and write, and is good with sums. She’s better than Sansa at managing a household. She can ride a horse like a Northman and is an excellent swimmer. She knows some high Valyrian. Besides the Septa, Arya also hangs around Ned Stark when he is teaching the boys. Many of his words of wisdom that she remembers is from when he is teaching the boys. She mingles with her father’s men, the cooks, the stable boys etc.

Kings Landing:

Water Dancing style of swordfighting from Syrio Forel.

Harrenhal:

Being incognito allows Arya to move around like a mouse or the ghost of Harrenhal and observe and learn things. She is privy to Roose Bolton’s war council and listens to them discuss the Northern campaign against the Lannisters. We get the first inkling of the Red Wedding in these chapters between Roose and the Freys.

Arya observes the different people, analyzes their movements and figures out how to approach them.

The night she was caught, the Lannister men had been nameless strangers with faces as alike as their nasal helms, but she’d come to know them all. You had to know who was lazy and who was cruel, who was smart and who was stupid. You had to learn that even though the one they called Shitmouth had the foulest tongue she’d ever heard, he’d give you an extra piece of bread if you asked, while jolly old Chiswyck and soft-spoken Raff would just give you the back of their hand. - Arya, ACoK

And as lords and ladies never notice the little grey mice under their feet, Arya heard all sorts of secrets just by keeping her ears open as she went about her duties. Pretty Pia from the buttery was a slut who was working her way through every knight in the castle. The wife of the gaoler was with child, but the real father was either Ser Alyn Stackspear or a singer Lord Lefford made mock of ghosts at table, but always kept a candle burning by his bed. Ser Dunaver’s squire Jodge could not hold his water when he slept. The cooks despised Ser Harys Swyft and spit in all his food. Once she even overheard Maester Tothmure’s serving girl confiding to her brother about some message that said Joffrey was a bastard and not the rightful king at all. “Lord Tywin told him to burn the letter and never speak such filth again,” the girl whispered. - Arya, ACoK

She aids in the escape of the near hundred Northmen imprisoned in the dungeons and even Roose is impressed enough to make her his cupbearer. And the next time, she conceives of, plans and executes their entire escape all by herself. She plans for the logistics – weapons, transportation, people, travel route, what to wear.  She makes sure she is warmly dressed, takes the map from Roose’s chamber, uses her position of cupbearer to manipulate several men,  manipulates Gendry into escaping with her, takes down the guard and leads them away. It’s an endeavor that showcases her intelligence, cunning, determination, ability to strategize and lead.

Arya also shows a lot of restraint and keeps her secrets. She doesn’t trust the Glovers or any of the Northmen in Harrenhal - and considering the Red Wedding, it’s a good decision.

Their captors permitted no chatter. A broken lip taught Arya to hold her tongue. Others never learned at all. - Arya, ACoK

Arya watched them die and did nothing. What good did it do you to be brave? One of the women picked for questioning had tried to be brave, but she had died screaming like all the rest. There were no brave people on that march, only scared and hungry ones. - Arya, ACoK

On the road Arya had felt like a sheep, but Harrenhal turned her into a mouse. She was grey as a mouse in her scratchy wool shift, and like a mouse she kept to the crannies and crevices and dark holes of the castle, scurrying out of the way of the mighty.- Arya, ACoK

Braavos:

Arya’s education here is not limited to killing for the Faceless Men. She is also educated in poisons and languages. She improves on her high Valyrian and is now fluent in Braavosi and other Essosi languages. She learns acting/mummery. Not showing emotions on one’s face, detecting emotions in another person.

“A man does not need to be a wizard to know truth from falsehood, not if he has eyes. You need only learn to read a face. Look at the eyes. The mouth. The muscles here, at the corners of the jaw, and here, where the neck joins the shoulders.” He touched her lightly with two fingers. “Some liars blink. Some stare. Some look away. Some lick their lips. Many cover their mouths just before they tell a lie, as if to hide their deceit. Other signs may be more subtle, but they are always there. A false smile and a true one may look alike, but they are as different as dusk from dawn. Can you tell dusk from dawn?”

Arya nodded, though she was not certain that she could. “Then you can learn to see a lie… and once you do, no secret will be safe from you.”  - Arya, AFFC

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

People skills

“I will remember, Your Grace," said Sansa, though she had always heard that love was a surer route to the people's loyalty than fear. If I am ever a queen, I'll make them love me.” - Sansa, ACoK

Arya’s ability to make friends wherever she goes highlights her people skills. And Arya is able to communicate and connect with people from all walks of life.

Sansa knew all about the sorts of people Arya liked to talk to: squires and grooms and serving girls, old men and naked children, rough-spoken freeriders of uncertain birth. Arya would make friends with anybody. - Sansa, AGoT

She had loved listening to the men on the benches too; to freeriders tough as leather, courtly knights and bold young squires, grizzled old men-at-arms. She used to throw snowballs at them and help them steal pies from the kitchen. Their wives gave her scones and she invented names for their babies and played monsters-and-maidens and hide-the-treasure and come-into-my-castle with their children., Arya, AGoT

Her father used to say that a lord needed to eat with his men, if he hoped to keep them. “Know the men who follow you,” she heard him tell Robb once, “and let them know you. Don’t ask your men to die for a stranger.“ - Arya, AGoT

Cat had made friends along the wharves; porters and mummers, ropemakers and sailmenders, taverners, Brewers and bakers and beggars and whores - Cat of the Canals, AFfC

Her girls were nice as well; Blushing Bethany and the Sailor’s Wife, one-eyed Yna who could tell your fortune from a drop of blood, pretty little Lanna, even Assadora, the Ibbenese woman with the mustache. They might not be beautiful, but they were kind to her - Cat of the Canals, AFfC

She’s also loyal to her pack. She doesn’t betray Jon even to her father. She helps free her father’s men. Despite Gendry talking of leaving Lommy or Weasel behind, she refuses. And despite the odds, she tries to help Gendry.

It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was that they had Gendry. Even if he was stubborn and stupid, she had to get him out. She wondered if they knew that the queen wanted him. - Arya, ACoK

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

Importance of being a Warg/Skinchanger

She was the night wolf, no scraps of skin could frighten her. - Arya, ADwD

Since this is a fantasy series, magic is a big part of the story with a magical existential apocalyptic threat on the horizon. The North is the first bastion facing this threat. Jon and Dany both have magical pets and prophetic dreams. Bran is the 3ER. They are leaders or will become leaders by the end. Arya is a strong warg/skinchanger. Apart from Jon and Bran, she’s the only other Stark to use these abilities so far. As GRRM as indicated, having a direwolf is going to be useful in battle – we are going to be seeing direwolves involved in the battle for Winterfell for example. Arya is able to warg Nymeria from all the way over in Braavos. She skinchanges cats and sees through their eyes, when she is blind. She is deft with a sword, knife and decent with a bow and arrow (she could be better now using her FM senses). She would be an effective fighter to have against the Others and her warging skills could prove useful in battle.

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

Succession

I’m not a lady, Arya wanted to tell her, I’m a wolf. - Arya, ASoS

And finally we come to succession. This is the hardest part and entirely speculation and we need the next book to get an inkling of where GRRM is heading towards. I am also basing all of this on Hibberd more or less confirming that King Bran on the Iron Throne is GRRM’s ending.

So of the true born Starks, Arya is pretty much last in line. With the inclusion of Robb’s will, we have 5 Starks left. Bran is the rightful heir to the North. Taking him out of the running, leaves Jon, Rickon, Sansa and Arya. Assuming Jon ends up North of the wall – in his dreams the Old Kings in the North in the crypts reject him, maybe foreshadowing that he doesn’t belong in Winterfell - that leaves Rickon, Sansa and Arya.

As for Sansa, again there is a plot significant reason for why GRRM has put an obstacle in her path, allowing for Arya to jump the queue. Sansa is currently married to Tyrion Lannister, a marriage that cannot be easily annulled (With an enemy regime in KL) or ignored like the show did. Robb Stark has most likely disinherited/removed her from the line of succession and named a legitimized Jon Stark his heir and Lord of Winterfell. If he has the support of the Northern houses who want an experienced, older Stark to lead them, Jon Stark could well be the next KITN over Rickon Stark. I don’t think a 7 year old Rickon would object to Jon in charge. So that makes it Jon Stark, Rickon Stark and Arya Stark.

Does Rickon have to die for Arya to become Wardeness of the North? It’s possible Rickon dies, but it’s also possible he doesn’t.  It could be that Rickon does not want to lead the North – by the end of the book, he would be 8 or 9. Of course there’s the argument of a regent doing the job for Rickon until he’s ready. Or, he could just give way to his sister because he wants to. Something similar to Aemon refusing the throne and it passing to his younger brother Aegon.

Or we could have the traditional situation where Rickon becomes lord of Winterfell as next in line, while it’s Arya who is involved in running the day to day affairs. However, that would very much be status quo - with Rickon at WF and Bran down south in KL, it would be men ending up in positions of power everywhere once again, except maybe Dorne. If this happens, then Arya would be a leader of the North, but the Stark line would continue with the male line.  

It’s possible Jon Stark as King could change things for the North. Jon treats the spearwives the same as the brothers of the NW, he respects Val’s abilities, he trusts in Alys Karstark. If Rickon refuses the mantle, it could very well be that Jon Stark relinquishes his position to his favorite person ever, Arya Stark, to be the next Wardeness of the North.  Thus paving the way for Arya Stark to be the first female leader of the North like her hero Nymeria in Dorne.

It would be fitting for the character who introduced Jon Snow to equal rights for women.

“The Lannisters are proud,” Jon observed. “You’d think the royal sigil would be sufficient, but no. He makes his mother’s House equal in honor to the king’s.”

“The woman is important too!” Arya protested. - Arya, AGoT

Could King Jon reverse Sansa’s disinheritance after her marriage is annulled when KL is in friendly hands? Sure. But we don’t know how the Sansa/LF/Vale group will react to Jon as KITN and whether they will mount a challenge in Sansa’s name. And if Jon has to choose between Sansa and Arya as to whom he wants in charge of Winterfell, we know who it is he will think is more capable and will always choose.

I do think Winterfell succession will not be as clearcut as many Stark fans are hoping. Too many factions supporting the different Starks. GRRM loves to write about dysfunctional families and the Starks are not anything special in that regard. TWoW will tell us of whether there will be any kind of Stark civil war.

Is Arya too young for all this? I predict that by the time we get to the end of the books, about 5 years would have gone by. At 14, Arya would still need a regent – one of the many lords of the houses in the North. But I think considering her experiences, skillsets, a huge direwolf, Ned Stark’s wisdom and strong connections to the North, she will be an able leader. As GRRM said,

“[Arya is] older than some of the 40-year-olds in the book.” - GRRM

Either way, whether she gets Winterfell or not, Arya will end up as a leader in the North. Either she rules for Rickon and takes care of the day to day responsibilities or she does so in her own right as Lady of Winterfell/Wardeness of the North. She’s not going anywhere or sailing off on a boat. The show’s ending makes absolutely no sense for a character yearning for home in 5 books after going on the nightmare ‘adventure’ from hell. She will be in the North, in Winterfell, being a leader and continuing Ned Stark’s legacy.  She will counsel her brothers and build and her people will love her just like they loved her father.

So in conclusion, I think there is enough story, character build up, characterization and set up for Arya to go North and take over as a leader of house Stark to face the threat of the Others along with Bran, Jon, Dany and Tyrion.

[robininthelabyrinth]

Same universe as the one where LXC kills JGY on a boat to not-Japan. JRS-centric as he grows up in the Nie clan and deals with his reputation as an inbred son of a traitorous bastard.

so I don't think I've ever written a fic in which LXC kills JGY on a boat, and definitely not one where JRS is a character? I mean, I've written a lot of fics, so possibly I did and I forgot, but I'm pretty sure about this one.

That being said, I don't think I've gotten any Jin Rusong prompts before so I'm reinterpreting this to be a prompt for a fic about JRS growing up in the Nie clan. Fic below!

ao3

-

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Nie Huaisang reminded himself. Risk is proportionate with reward. Your spine should be made of steel, just as your saber is.

He licked his lips, thought of his brother who had loved him, and threw himself forward with tears in his eyes.

“Oh, gongzi!” he blubbered. “Can you help me? I’ve gotten completelylost, I don’t even know where to begin –”

Xue Yang blinked at him, the lids of his eyes moving slowly like a reptile.

“Maybe you know where my san-ge is? Lianfeng-zun?”

The feeling of immediate threat lessened. It seemed he’d gambled right, and the rabid dog that was Xue Yang could still be controlled by reference to Jin Guangyao.

“I’d really appreciate it if you could just give me some guidance on where to find him,” Nie Huaisang said, lowering his voice confidentially. “I’d be sure to pay you back! If there’s anything you want –”

“Do you have any snacks?” Xue Yang asked.

Nie Huaisang, who had come prepared based on the rumors he’d painstakingly collected, produced some dragons’ beard candy.

“Not bad,” Xue Yang said. “Okay, sure.”

Nie Huaisang smiled, and even meant it.

-

“Hey, good-for-nothing,” Xue Yang said, and Nie Huaisang turned to look at his least favorite but nevertheless highly useful source of information in Lanling Jin. The fact that Xue Yang had no idea that he was functioning as such just made it more satisfactory. “You like kids, right?”

Nie Huaisang blinked. “Yes?” he hazarded, not so much because he actually did – he’d never had strong feelings about children one way or the other, though perhaps he was being presumptuous in thinking that the reference did not involve goats – but because that seemed to be the answer Xue Yang was looking for.

Xue Yang wrinkled his nose in distaste, though not, Nie Huaisang thought, at him.

“Theoretically,” he said, and he wouldn’t know ‘theoretical’ if it hit him in the face, “if there were, I don’t know, a whole bunch of them hanging around somewhere without parents, you’d be able to do something about that, right? Especially if they had a talent for cultivation?”

It took only a moment to piece together what must have happened to lead to such a question, given the ruthlessness of the cultivation world and of Jin Guangyao in particular, and Nie Huaisang marveled briefly at the idea that Xue Yang might draw a moral line in the sand over something. Presumably he felt some kinship to the children, being similarly utterly infantile, amoral, and fond of sweet things.

“Oh sure!” he said, playing up the brainless idiot who didn’t know to ask questions. “My sect is always recruiting, you know. We took some losses in the war and, well, I feel like adult cultivators aren’t really all that interestedin joining ever since I took over…”

“Because you’re a waste of space,” Xue Yang said, and Nie Huaisang pouted at him. “Whatever, the important thing is that you have space for kids. Orphans. Think, like, a whole orphanage getting shut down or whatever – anyway, not important. You’d take them back to Qinghe, right?”

“Oh, that would be so wonderful!” Nie Huaisang clapped. “That would suit everyone, wouldn’t it? They don’t have to worry about the children, and we get new disciples. I should tell san-ge – no, on second thought, he might be too busy –”

“Definitely too busy,” Xue Yang said quickly. “Wouldn’t it be nice to accomplish something yourself? You could casually show him that your numbers went up at the end of the month instead so he gives you the credit, without explaining that it’s kids making up the increase.”

“That’s a great idea! He’ll be much more impressed by that, I should definitely do that. Where is the orphanage?”

“…uh, in the forest. The back forest.”

You couldn’t come up with a better lie?

“You already brought them here?” Nie Huaisang asked, batting his eyelashes. “You’re so nice, Xue-xiong! I’ll go tell my second in command to go deal with it right away!”

-

It was in the fifth round of kids getting picked up – small cultivation clans being massacred and there was nothing Nie Huaisang could do about it, because there was either no evidence or else Jin Guangyao had come up with some motive to justify his actions and, inevitably, Lan Xichen would be there behind him, soothing over tempers and providing explanations because he believed him, every time – that something unusual happened.

“Sect Leader Nie,” one of his most trusted subordinates murmured into his ear. “There’s a problem.”

Nie Huaisang found a reason to leave the party early, a reason to go to the rendezvous point, and, once there, found the reason for the problem.

“Oh, hey there,” he said with a smile fixed onto his face by sheer force of willpower, crouching down to make himself seem less intimidating. Not that he was ever particularly intimidating, though given the rage coursing through his veins right now, he thought he might be able to pull it off if he tried. “What a lucky chance! It’s so funny, finding you here, Songsong. How are you?”

Jin Rusong wiped his eyes and looked tearily at him, recognized that the person asking was his Little Uncle Nie, and threw himself into Nie Huaisang’s arms with a howl.

This was pretty typical – Jin Rusong wasn’t much of a crier, but when he did he definitely took Nie Huaisang as his model, something all the other adults in the cultivation world had a tendency to give Nie Huaisang dirty looks over.

The only problem here, of course, was that Jin Rusong was dead.

Or, rather…he was supposed to be dead.

And if Jin Rusong was here – here, in the rendezvous point where Xue Yang put those of his prospective victims that happened to be a little too young for even him to stomach killing, at least without the personal grudge that had driven him to slaughter the Chang clan in its entirety – that meant only one thing.

Jin Guangyao had ordered his own son to be murdered.

Through demonic cultivation, no less, which was a pretty nasty way to go. There was a reason everyone implicitly countenanced Jiang Cheng’s vendetta against demonic cultivators no matter where they were, even when he ignored all territory lines and forgot to not ask for permission – the things a demonic cultivator gone bad could do were just so much worse than what anyone else could that they couldn’t risk any delay in dealing with the problem.

Well, shit, Nie Huaisang thought, even as he comforted Jin Rusong, petting the toddler’s back to try to get him to calm down. What do I do now?

-

“There has to be a reason,” Nie Huaisang insisted. “He’s not rabid. Songsong was his son!”

“Sect Leader Nie, we can’t find anything that might explain it.”

“Look harder. I don’t care how minor it is, I want to know everythingto do with Songsong. Every little detail – every person who saw him – every medical report, every compliment, every good grade –”

“He placed last in one of his classes,” one of his spies volunteered.

“What?”

“He placed last in one of his classes. About two months before his ‘assassination’, and shortly before his father started collecting evidence against the other sects that were in his way, which he later used to ‘prove’ that they had been involved in the alleged murder.”

“He wouldn’t kill his son for failing a class,” one of the others objected. “The kid’s barely more than a baby. What’s he expecting, genius from birth?”

“He’s a genius himself. Why not?”

“If everyone inherited everything directly from their parents, he’d be a whore.”

“He’d be a Jin. They’ve all got that nose, every one of them…”

“I heard he’s having the other Jin bastards killed. All of them, even the women…”

Something snapped in Nie Huaisang’s hands.

They all turned to look at him.

“Investigate Qin Su,” he said, looking down at the mess of wood and paper that had once been a fan. “Come to think of it, she has a Jin nose, too.”

-

“I don’t want to go!”

“I don’t want you to go, either,” Nie Huaisang said, feeling tired and also much more in sympathy with his poor older brother than he’d ever been while Nie Mingjue had been alive. “But you disobeyed me, and that means we don’t have a choice. You have to go.”

Nie Songsong looked down at the ground, his lip quivering. “I didn’t mean to…”

“You did,” Nie Huaisang said. “You have to own your decisions, Songsong. You can’t take them back once they’re done, no matter what the consequences. Not even if you feel bad, but definitely not because you feel bad for having to pay for what you did.”

“But…”

“No, Songsong. You cannot be in the Unclean Realm when – when he’s here.”

Nie Songsong hung his head.

“He’s not your father anymore,” Nie Huaisang said. “You know that, right?”

Nie Songsong nodded.

Nie Huaisang sighed and held out his hands, and his arms were full of a teary-eyed child a moment later.

“He loved you once,” Nie Huaisang murmured into his child’s hair. “I love you now. I wish I could give you more than that – I wish I could give you an answer, tell you why he didn’t love you enough to keep from doing what he did. But I can’t. All I can do…”

Is what I’m already doing.

“You’re enough, er-ge,” Nie Songsong whispered back. “You’re enough. I promise.”

-

“When will I get to go night-hunting?”

“You go night-hunting all the time,” Nie Huaisang grumbled. “You’re a fraction my age, and already my height, my weight, yet you wield a saber like my brother was around to raise you properly. You’re ruining my reputation, you know; now no one will believe that my incompetence comes from how short I am…”

“Not night-hunting with the rest of the sect, er-ge,” Nie Songsong said, rolling his eyes. “With other juniors!”

“Not long now,” Nie Huaisang said, looking down at the paper beneath his hands. It was all finally coming together. “Not long now. Just give er-ge a little more time to finish taking care of matters for da-ge, and you’ll be able to go night-hunting with anyone you like.”

-

“Er-ge! Are you all right? You look so pale…”

“I’m sorry,” Nie Huaisang whispered. “Songsong – I’m sorry. I’m so sorry –”

“What happened? Are you injured?” Nie Songsong demanded, already starting to pat him over, looking for wounds. “Er-ge, what’s wrong –”

“Your mother’s dead.”

Nie Songsong’s hands stilled.

“I told her about your heritage,” Nie Huaisang said, his lips numb. He’d never tried to hide it from Nie Songsong, although he’d introduced the subject very gradually and only once he thought that he’d be able to handle the revelation. “About your father – your grandfather. What they did. I wanted her to be angry at him, to turn against him, to distract him…instead, she killed herself.”

“Er-ge…”

“I shouldn’t have told her. If I knew –”

“Er-ge.”

“I should have brought her in earlier – told her about you surviving – I kept her from you for years –”

“Er-ge!”

Nie Huaisang looked at the child he had raised as a little brother the way his older brother had raised him, a father in everything but name, and who he had the constant feeling of having failed.

He wondered, as he always did, whether his brother had felt the same about him.

“Er-ge, it’s all right,” his little brother, his adopted son, said, and took his hands in his. “It’s all right. You tried, remember? Time after time, you tried to talk to her, but every single time you concluded that she would’ve told her husband instead of trusting you. She would’ve ruined everything. If she did that, I’d be dead all over again, and you with me.”

That had been what Nie Huaisang had concluded. That was why he’d never told her.

But…

“She’s your mother.”

“And you’re my er-ge. As long as you don’t die on me, too, it’ll be all right. Okay? It’ll be all right. It’ll be worth it in the end.”

Nie Huaisang shook his head. He’d already done so much, caused so much chaos and strife, and yet this moment – this was the step too far.

This was the first time he realized that he wasn’t sure he believed that it would be worth it anymore.

But by now…what else was left to do? There were no ways out of the plan he’d made himself; he’d designed it that way on purpose, because he’d known that if there was a way out, that snake would find a way to slither through it. He just hadn’t thought that he would be the one looking for it.

It didn’t matter.

He had to keep going.

His older brother deserved it, even if the younger one didn’t.

-

“I represent the Nie sect,” the young man – just about their age, though shorter than either of them – said with a smile. He seemed kind, gentle and polite, easy-going, but Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui looked at each other, and then at Jin Ling, who just scowled. “Can I come in?”

“Were you even invited?” Jin Ling asked in bitten off words. He was still bitter about some of the things that had happened in the Guayin Temple a month before, and of all them the one he was most bitter about was his second uncle’s retreat into seclusion – they were all upset about that.

“But it’s a discussion conference,” the young man said, blinking in confusion. “We’re a Great Sect. Why wouldn’t we be invited?”

In the face of such profound ignorance, there really wasn’t very much they could say, and eventually Lan Sizhui stepped forward with a smile, welcoming the young man – Nie Songsong, he introduced himself – into the Cloud Recesses.

Everything seemed fine for a little while. Lan Sizhui was able to talk to the people in charge of arranging juniors into finding another place for Nie Songsong to stay, although it would be a little delayed – Nie Songsong assured them that there was no issue – and as recompense they even showed him, at his request, a few of the main landmarks.

And then they turned around and their guest had disappeared.

“I knew he was up to no good!” Jin Ling exclaimed.

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Lan Sizhui told him.

“I’m with Jin Ling,” Lan Jingyi said. “He seemed so nice and understated – just like you know –”

“Don’t talk about my little uncle,” Jin Ling hissed at him. “I know it’s true, but just – don’t, okay?”

“We should find where he went,” Lan Sizhui decided.

It took them a while, but in the end they found him in the most unexpected place: in the rooms their sect leader had chosen for his seclusion, sitting on the bed with Lan Xichen’s head on his shoulder, sobbing as if his heart had been broken.

“What are you doing?” Lan Sizhui exclaimed, unnerved even out of his own habitual politeness.

“I came to greet my uncle,” Nie Songsong said, his manner just as gentle and polite as it had been from the beginning, although it was now evident that he was as stubborn as a rock and not easy-going at all.

“Your uncle?” Lan Jingyi gaped. “How can he be your uncle?”

“You’re Sect Leader Nie’s son!” Jin Ling accused.

“I’m Sect Leader Nie’s little brother by adoption,” Nie Songsong corrected. “It’s through my father that he’s my uncle – and you my cousin, I suppose.”

“Your – father?”

“Oh, yes. My birth name, you see,” Nie Songsong said, “was Jin Rusong.”

-

“Why did you choose to reveal yourself?” Lan Sizhui asked. “Given that everyone knows – well –”

Nie Songsong finished the character he was writing and put down his brush. “Wondering if you should let it be known that you were born with the surname Wen?”

Lan Sizhui jerked in surprise, then flushed. “How did you – that didn’t come out in Guanyin Temple.”

“No, I knew it before,” Nie Songsong said. “My er-ge is very clever, you know.”

“Yes, I suppose I do...why do you call him brother? Shouldn’t he be uncle, or – or –”

“Uncle is probably right,” Nie Songsong said. “But he raised me like a son, just as his brother did for him.”

Lan Sizhui looked down at his hands.

“Why did he publicly reveal your background, knowing that you were still around?” he asked again. “Everyone will know. Who your father was, all those terrible things he did, his relationship with your mother –”

“Why shouldn’t he? He did do all those things, and he did have that relationship with my mother.”

“But what about you? What about your reputation –”

“Are you planning on sweeping Wen Ruohan’s grave?”

Lan Sizhui stared at him.

“He’s your grandfather, isn’t he?” Nie Songsong looked calmly back at him. “Who he was, all those terrible things he did –”

“That’s nothing to do with me!”

“And the crimes of my father are nothing to do with me. My er-ge gave me his surname, just as Hanguang-jun gave you his, and for the same reason – to cut us off from the sins of our original family.”

“I suppose that’s true. But – no one knew about you, just as no one knew about me until I told them, and I only told them because they were my friends. Why’d you tell us? Aren’t you worried we’d tell more people?”

“Of course I am,” Nie Songsong said. “I hope you don’t, of course, but you would’ve found out regardless – second uncle wasn’t exactly subtle in his grief. And I had to tell him.”

“Why? To bring him out of seclusion?” Lan Sizhui hesitated. “Do you care so much for him?”

“Of course not. The last time I met him, I was a small child, and my father was just about to order me murdered; that’s not much of a basis to build a relationship. But having him lock himself away like that, as if he were in mourning…it hurt er-ge. And I won’t let anything hurt my er-ge. Anything, or anyone.”

They looked at each other for a long moment.

“I understand,” Lan Sizhui said.

“I’m glad you do,” Nie Songsong said, and then smiled. “I would’ve had to escalate to threats next, and I’m given to understand that I’m too short to really pull them off properly.”

Lan Sizhui snorted. “I think we’ve all learned that that’snot true.”

-

“Should we talk about this?” Jin Ling asked, arms crossed over his chest and glaring.

“What do you want to talk about?” Nie Songsong replied.

“How about the fact that your father tried to kill me?”

“Sure. Can we talk about the fact that you got all of his affection for years and years after he tried to kill me?”

Jin Ling blanched.

“I wonder if he would’ve gotten me a dog, too,” Nie Songsong mused. “I was too young for that when he ordered his demonic cultivator to feed me to fierce corpses and have my body ravaged until it was barely recognizable…but sure, let’s talk about how he tried to kill you.”

“I was talking about Sect Leader Nie!”

“Well, then, you should have been more specific. Sect Leader Nie’s my brother, not my father.”

“He’s a whole generation older than you!”

“My little uncle, then.”

Jin Ling flinched. “That’s worse. Go back to calling him your brother.”

Nie Songsong shrugged. “Would it help if we fought?”

“…what?”

“It makes me feel better, sometimes. Besides, I may be short, but I’m pretty good with the saber. I bet I could match your sword…maybe not your arrows. But I’ve always wanted to try.”

Jin Ling looked at him suspiciously for a long moment.

“Okay,” he finally said. “Sure. Why not?”

-

“I really hate that you’re kind of cool,” Lan Jingyi told him.

“I am so cool,” Nie Songsong said, and passed him another jar of wine. “Want to see my spring book collection?”

“…yes please.”

-

“Thank you for taking care of him,” Lan Xichen said to Nie Huaisang, who shrugged. “I’m sorry that you couldn’t trust me to help.”

“It’s only what I should have done,” Nie Huaisang said, not for the first time. He’d said it so often these past few days that it felt like a new refrain, an alternative to the old I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know. He preferred the original. “I was his little uncle, remember? I held him on his first month party. How could I do any less?”

He did not say that Lan Xichen, who could be classified as Jin Rusong’s older uncle, had done much less, but from Lan Xichen’s expression, he’d taken it that way anyway.

“You never…” Lan Xichen hesitated. “Did you ever have any – concerns?”

“That he’d turn out an idiot? No. I figured he’d be in good company, with me.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“Oh, you meant whether I was worried that he’d grow up longing for his blood family over his adopted family and turn against me in favor of his real father?” Nie Huaisang asked mildly. “No, not really. The memory of your father ordering you to be mauled by fierce corpses and to make sure your face is destroyed so that there’s a reason to refuse to let your mother see the body, as it would only upset her, is a fairly effective panacea against things like that.”

“No,” Lan Xichen said, though he looked sick all over again at the reminder of how considerate Jin Guangyao could be when it came to those he thought of as people, and how monstrous he was towards those he didn’t. “No, just – your brother always took such a hard line against the Wen sect…”

“Because they were raised with the philosophy that they were superior to the rest of us and my brother purposefully made himself into the symbol of their fallibility, thereby making himself and all the rest of us the primary target for their traumatic realization that they’re just as weak and vulnerable as everyone else,” Nie Huaisang said, rolling his eyes. “Our Nie sect cultivators were always especially targeted whenever we were captured – our survival rate as prisoners of war was less than half all the other sects, and it wasn’t just because we were usually more injured when we got caught. Even the civilians surnamed Wen would pull out knives and try to stab us in the back if they had half a chance! We were in a blood feud with them, er-ge. You don’t put down blood feuds just like that, not even if you want to. That’s not how it works.”

Lan Xichen nodded slowly, thoughtful.

“Anyway, Songsong is mine now,” Nie Huaisang said. “Just as Lan Sizhui is your brother’s, and Jin Ling Jiang Cheng’s. Can’t we all just agree to not care about the rest?”

“I suppose we have to,” Lan Xichen said, bowing his head. “Huaisang…did you ever think about what happens now? I mean – what should we do next?”

“I don’t know,” Nie Huaisang said, and smiled humorlessly when Lan Xichen looked at him. “I’m not joking. I didn’t know what to do when I got Songsong for the first time, er-ge, and I don’t know what to do now, either. I just wanted to see justice done for my da-ge, and I did, and for the rest – I don’t know.”

“That’s fine,” Lan Xichen said. “I don’t know, either.”

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Nie Huaisang thought. Spine as steel as your saber.

“Would you like to come visit the Unclean Realm sometime?” he asked, pretending to be casual. “Perhaps we can figure out what we don’t know together. If you like.”

“…perhaps I will,” Lan Xichen said.

[fire-lady-ilah]

I would be fascinated in any ideas you had about how the hunt for Aang would go with 'good parent Ozai' AU!

Ask and ye shall receive! (@tiktokonaclock, here’s that part two you asked about). This continues from where I left off in part 1.

At first, Ozai says no. He has good reason to do so, Zuko is the Crown Prince, should he and Azula die then he will be heirless— he doesn’t know if Ursa would be able to bear another child, nor does he wish for another. In a less logical way, his mind protests because that is his son. Sixteen, yes, but still very much a child. That isn’t even the age of conscription.

He knows that the Avatar is a child, Commander Zhao’s report said that he appeared to be twelve, travelling with two other children that were closer to Azula’s age. He knows that his children make a formidable pair, he has no doubt that, together, they could be able to take on entire battalions of soldiers.

They are his children and they are Ursa’s children. How could he just let them go out to face an enemy such as the Avatar?

Zuko has Ozai’s charisma and awkwardness (as they come together, though few remember the way the Fire Lord used to stumble over his words as a teenager). Zuko looks so much like his father that sometimes older servants even refer to him by his name. But Zuko is equal parts his mother. He has his mother’s kinder nature, and he has her drive. Ursa’s persistence is one of the only reasons the Fire Nation is flourishing as it is now. Ozai knows that it had been suffering near the end of his father’s rule, he knows that he is an amazing military leader, just as he knows that it is better to leave his wife in charge of the majority of domestic policies.

It is that persistence combined with Azula’s carefully crafted wording that she also got from her mother that makes both Ozai and Ursa cave and give permission for their children to hunt the Avatar. Sometimes, Ozai wonders if his life would be easier if he didn’t love his family so much.

Zuko and Azula leave the Fire Nation together. Zuko is sixteen and looks the very image of a Crown Prince, even if a few hairs escape his top knot and fall across his face. Azula is fourteen and looks every bit the Princess she is. A single hair escapes it’s place and she leaves it be. She would not dare call attention to imperfections, just as Ozai himself wouldn’t. He is full of pride as he watches his children board the ship (the second newest design, as advanced as possible while having already been tested. He would not let untested technology take his children from him permanently). Captain Jee stands on the deck, greeting them. Apparently he had been demoted from his position at some point for assaulting an Admiral.

(He remembers the day he discovered the Captain’s existence well. Zuko had been eleven and helping him look over military documentation that had been sent to him to approve. One of such documents had been Jee’s demotion to lieutenant.

“I remember him. He was Lu Ten’s friend.” He heard his son mumble as he touched the included portrait of Jee. Closer examination showed that it had been drawn by his nephew himself. His son had loved his cousin, and he was not against doing things to make him happy. If Jee was loyal to Lu Ten, it only meant he would be more likely to be loyal to Zuko.

“I will have him transferred to the palace guard.”)

He proved to be honourable in the guard and had quickly been promoted back to captain after Ozai heard the true reasoning of the assault through Zuko’s horrified voice. He himself cared little for the affairs of military officers, but if it made his son happy to sign the papers for the Admiral’s dishonourable discharge and imprisonment, so be it.

That action had only solidified Jee’s loyalty to his son (and by extension, his daughter).

Now, I’m conflicted on whether or not Iroh would go with them. I’m leaning toward yes. Neither of them have been hurt by their father, but Zuko is still the most naturally kindhearted person in the royal family and he is destined to be Fire Lord. Azula has more empathy than she does in canon (although that’s not saying much), I doubt Iroh would comment that she’s “crazy and needs to go down”. After all, Ozai loves both his children here. That means that he doesn’t intentionally harm their mental health, nor does he encourage competition between them. They both want to make both their parents proud. If nothing else, Iroh would go with them so that he could stop them.

Thus, shortly after the Crown Prince and Princess of the Fire Nation step onto the ship, the Dragon of the West follows. It is filled with the best of the Fire Nation to seek the only bender of all four elements.

A stark contrast to canon, no?

The hunt progresses somewhat like in canon, though not. Lo and Li instruct further Zuko and Azula in lightning bending.

(“Only a hair out of place, Princess Azula.”

“That means I shall achieve perfection soon.”)

Iroh takes over his nephew and niece’s firebending training, though Azula is a master in her own right and Zuko is nearly a master as well. He forces them back to their basics.

Zuko yells and stomps and Iroh is reminded of his brother at the same age, back before his brother became the monster he is now. The same brother he sees glimpses of when Ozai is alone with his wife and children, the same brother that he sees none of in the Fire Lord. Azula is silent and moves to do her basics without complaint. She unnerves him, but he still loves her.

He loves them both. And he loves what remains of his brother in Ozai, even if he would choose the balance of the world over the Fire Lord in an instant.

They visit Admiral Zhao first. He declares that he has already captured the Avatar and that he would be more than willing to transfer his prisoner onto the royal family’s better equipped ship.

The siblings visit the chained Avatar. Zhao speaks of what he plans to do.

That is the thing about Ozai loving his children. Loving them means protecting them from certain cruelties, at least more than he did in canon. Zuko and Azula both see the Avatar, only twelve, and Zhao’s words overlap with Azulon’s orders to their father when Lu Ten dies. After all, Zuko had been only a year younger then.

That night, the Blue Spirit and the Dragon Emperor break the Avatar out of the stronghold with dual dao and twin daggers as the Prince and Princess sleep in their luxurious cabins. If that isn’t completely the truth, no one says anything to suggest as such. The Blue Spirit is knocked out by an arrow to the forehead. The Dragon Emperor does not allow the Avatar to remove the mask.

(“How did you not see that coming, Zuzu?”

“In my defence, you were supposed to be watching my back while I pulled the Avatar away.”)

They meet the Avatar’s companions briefly before the Emperor gestures to the rising sun and they disappear.

It is only after the escape of the Avatar that Iroh begins to consider the siblings further.

They pen a letter to their father.

Ozai reads between the lines and wonders, just once, if perhaps he had sheltered his children from the reality of war too much. He does not wonder again because he knows the alternative would have been far worse.

Instead, Ozai speaks with his wife. Ursa is a complex woman, but the Avatar is the reincarnation of her grandfather and she has an actress’s mind (and thus she has a politician’s mind).

As their children chase the Avatar, the Fire Lord and Lady put their own plan into motion. Canon Ozai may be content to lay all responsibility on his children, but this Ozai is actually a decent dad.

The siblings are free to enter Fire Nation territory as they wish and have no reason to sneak into the temple, even still they do. They watch as a Fire Sage, one of the highest religious authorities in the Fire Nation, disobeys the Fire Lord to help the Avatar.

Zuko’s quick fingers undo the water tribe boy’s restraints as Azula’s undo the girl’s. They share playful smirks, after all, neither of them are in any danger. They are a powerful team and they have their father’s unwavering support.

(“Why did you just untie us?”

“Zhao’s a dick.”)

Avatar Roku emerges in place of Avatar Aang. He pauses in front of the children, the girl that has Rina’s smile, the boy that has her hair (his own hair), always trying to escape from its confines.

They do not waver. They do, however, run when the Avatar begins to destroy the temple.

The siblings believe the Fire Nation is the greatest in the world. They believe that it is their duty to spread their glory to the other nations. But, late at night, taking tea together, they consider that perhaps Fire Lord Sozin went about it in the wrong way.

(Great-grandfather says hi, Ursa reads aloud from their children’s letter. Not for the first time, Ozai regrets sending his children on such a dangerous mission. He knew that Avatar Roku had been spotted on Crescent Island, he knew that he had blown up the temple. How close had his children come to being blown up?)

The Avatar sets course for Omashu. The siblings make a stop in the Fire Nation while they’re nearby. They have a friend to pick up.

Parts: [1] [3] [4]

[hiiro-writes]

zhongluc single dad au part 5 finale!

hiro here to bring y'all the last part of the single dad au series: a cup of you

as promised, here is the finale with a happy ending, and i hope you enjoy!

《♡》

a week passed yet it seemed like forever

the day after diluc told the principle that bennett wouldn't be able to go to school due to his injury, several of his friends and classmates came to visit him

since diluc was busy with accompanying his son in the hospital, jean, lisa, eula, and kaeya had to cover his shifts

for the first few days, zhongli tried to call him but diluc only ignored him since there was only so many things he could take right now

as much as bennett wanted to reassure he was fine he...really wasn't

the fall caused a fracture and he needed surgery (and the aftermath of the screws is...not pleasant) and so diluc was there 24/7 to take care of him and administer the painkillers

it wasn't until another week where bennett would be discharged from the hospital

when diluc expected the cafe to be closed at this hour (it was around 10pm too) he and bennett were greeted with confetti

apparently kaeya, jean, lisa, and eula wanted to welcome them back and congratulate bennett on being discharged from the hospital

kaeya also takes this opportunity to talk to diluc for a bit and tell him to relax and take it easy now that bennett is out of the hospital

he also tells him that if ever he needed some time off for his son they can take over his shifts if he gives additional pay

then diluc proceeds to smack kaeya on the head

on the other hand zhongli meets up with his good friend, venti for drinks

"good friend" when he doesn't get drunk all the time or pry into zhongli's love life so much and makes jokes about making them into songs

right now though he just wanted drinks with the company of friends 

when zhongli arrived to the bar, venti was already drinking all by himself (with around 2 or 3 glasses already) 

he is already disappointed in his friend

there was a bit of bickering on both ends at first until zhongli orders osmanthus wine and venti comments that he only drinks it when he’s bummed out

the “good friend” part of venti asked zhongli if he was still taking antidepressants the last time they saw each other

he still does but not as much as they used to these days but he feels the need to take them regularly again

as much as venti wants to asks he just drops the topic and talks about work instead

venti is a freelance songwriter for anything and everything due to his so called “musical genius”

they talk and drink for the rest of the night but venti starts to realise that zhongli is drinking a lot more than he’s used to

venti takes this opportunity to ask his dear friend a few...questions

when he asks about the person he likes nowadays, zhongli smiles and tells venti all the things he likes about him

just before he gets into too much detail, venti asks him another question

he asks if he’s happy to which zhongli looks troubled 

zhongli mentions that yes, he is happy but lately they haven’t been talking and he blames himself for it

he then becomes dejected over it and venti feels guilty for asking 

it was a good thing zhongli’s phone was out (and that venti knew the password) because it was time for them to go and he couldn’t exactly drive all the way back to zhongli’s place when venti uses a scooter

venti decides to call childe since the last message from his was saying that he made calla lily seafood soup for the kids at home

childe was surprised to hear venti’s sober voice since he’s usually the that’s drunk and needs to be escorted home

he arrives on time to see venti taking care of a passed out zhongli and take him home

he asked what happened and venti’s only explanation was that he drank too much 

as much as childe wanted to ask more it was already getting late and the bar was closing soon

on the ride home, zhongli mumbled something that childe was able to hear so clearly 

“i miss him”

there was no need to guess who it was based on how so fondly zhongli said it

this was the last straw, childe told himself, and decided to pay a small visit to angel’s share cafe the next morning 

diluc was taking a break after his shift while kaeya stayed by the cashier when childe stormed in and demanded diluc for an explanation for not talking to zhongli for nearly nearly three weeks now

all diluc could tell him was sorry since he’s still trying to process his emotions first about it

kaeya leaves his place by the cashier and stops childe before he could do anything rash

childe begins to tell kaeya that “this wasn’t supposed to happen” and “the plan was perfect” 

diluc catches on and asks what plan they were talking about to which childe covered his mouth and made kaeya sigh

he turned to face his brother and said that he will explain all about it someday 

it only took diluc a few moments to understand the whole situation and confirm with his brother if he and childe set him up with zhongli 

since the cat’s out of the bag, kaeya mentions everyone who was in on it which makes diluc even more frustrated

kaeya tries to apologies but diluc replies with “don’t talk to me” and leaves the cafe

diluc was on his way to guyun stone park and realised half-way that it will only dampen his mood even more

when he’s about to turn back he bumps into someone who spills their drink on both of them

“what a mess...i’ll remember this.” 

diluc realises that he bumped into eula and apologises immediately and offers her his handkerchief only to be turned down 

she said it was fine since it’s only cold water and will dry soon eventually 

eula noticed that something was wrong and asked if he wanted to talk about it since it’s troubling him so much

they then sit on a nearby bench just outside guyun stone park where diluc talks about what’s troubling him but only giving her vague details about it 

he admits that he’s upset since they all planned for this to happen and thinks that it’s some kind of sick joke, as if poking fun at his romantic life

eula can’t say much since she’s an outsider in all of this but suggests that he should talk to zhongli about what happened since she sympathizes with him

when diluc gives her a puzzled look she replies with “i know the feeling of being misunderstood and it isn’t a pleasant one” 

he didn’t have the right to ask her a personal question so they both just leave it at that 

diluc gives it some thought for a few days before calling zhongli again but this time, he’s the one ignoring his calls

it had nearly been a month and they still haven’t talked to each other and it kind of feels like their relationship ended before it even began 

when he was thinking of giving up after calling for the umpteenth time, a small fox, no...rabbit? was placed on the counter 

he looks up to see albedo carrying his little sister klee and mentions that she’s been meaning to give that to him since he looks sad lately and wanted to cheer him up to thank him for all the delicious treats he serves 

this reminds diluc of the gift he got for zhongli on the day he was gonna confess

he hurriedly thanks albedo and asks jean if she could take over since he needed to go somewhere important 

with the gift in hand, he bought a bouquet of glaze lilies on the way and made his way to zhongli’s apartment 

when he arrived he was greeted by xiao at the door who only closed it as soon as he saw him 

diluc tried knocking again and again until zhongli was the one who opened the door and was very much surprised to see him and realise why xiao kept the door closed 

“zhongli...”

he stopped the door before zhongli was able to fully close it and requested if they could talk for a bit

it took him a few moments to decide yet it felt like forever. in the end zhongli nods and they go down the small garden where there were barely any people

diluc decides to give the flowers first as an apology for ignoring him the past few weeks since a lot of things...happened 

before he could continue zhongli asked how bennett was as if to change the subject and diluc mentioned that his son was fine 

going back, he starts explaining what he saw that day and was really confused about it and thought that zhongli already had someone else and then the accident happened with bennett so he had to prioritize his son of course 

he also mentions that he should have asked in the beginning and told him what happened instead of rushing out of the park and leaving him to wait for hours

zhongli explained that the man he saw the other day was a dear friend of his and they used to be close 

diluc is now dumbfounded after hearing who the man was and feels stupid for being jealous about it 

when zhongli wonders why diluc didn’t ask in the first place, the other explained since he felt hurt 

“but why?” 

“because i like you”

then they both stand there in silence because...finally 

diluc confesses that that’s what he’s been meaning to tell zhongli, who cuts him short and kisses him

it was just a short, chaste kiss before he pulled away until diluc brought their lips together again with such need

when they part again, zhongli smiles and tells diluc that he likes him too, but he probably already knew that

they both laugh and zhongli comments that the flowers were lovely 

diluc then shows him a box and mentions that we he was also supposed to gift this too him that day 

when zhongli opens it, he sees a pocket watch with a mountain and dragon designs on it 

“you told me you liked antiques and so i bought it because it reminded me of you” 

this time, zhongli pulls him in for a hug and thanks him. he also apologises for ignoring his calls and messages but diluc only reassures him by saying that he deserved it 

timeskip to a year later and their relationship has been going well

they still continue to have their weekly dates together (bi weekly if they're considering the ones that they're not with the kids)

on just a few simple occasions, they would all go out together as if they were already a real family

ganyu asks them when they'll get married so she can stop calling diluc "diluc" and start calling him dad

they both blush and diluc explains that it's not their time yet since someone else is getting married

zhongli was at his usually table at the cafe when kaeya happily serves him his drink and gives him his wedding invitation, saying that he wanted to give it before childe managed to do so

he’s surprised that they still managed to print the invitation a few weeks away from the actual wedding 

childe and kaeya have been planning for months and yet somehow they forgot to formally invite everyone to the event itself, which was understandable since they were both still busy at work 

zhongli was going to be one of childe’s groomsmen while diluc was going to be kaeya’s best man

the ceremony went well and everyone was happy for the new couple 

diluc did the honours of saying a speech during the reception to the newly weds and congratulate them both on this new chapter of their lives 

when it came to the dancing part of the program, diluc invited zhongli to dance with him and said that he could only slow dance to which zhongli laughs but takes his hand 

they both watch childe and kaeya happily dance together (with a few missteps here and there but diluc is also the same) and pondered how their wedding would be like 

zhongli adds that he would rather have it at a garden instead and maybe just invite a few friends

diluc agrees and wonders how they’ll be able to share the apartment since diluc’s place was enough for him, bennett, and kaeya, while zhongli’s was the same

zhongli suggested to just buy a house instead and discussed the importance of each of their kids to have their own separate rooms since it “teaches about independence” 

they both also comment on having a nice kitchen, space in the living room in case a few guests were over, a table big enough to fit around 6 people since ganyu invites keqing a lot for dinner 

which reminds diluc, and asks if xiao and aether were together yet to which zhongli chuckles

“there’s no need to rush,” he smiles, “they’ll figure it out.” 

“like us?” diluc adds and gives him a kiss 

zhongli nods and smiles even more, pulling them closer to kiss his lover back

《♡》

and that's a wrap!

this all started with a coop with my friend and it all just...descended into this madness

special thanks to @valberryy and @chairagi for listening to my brainrot and helping me beta read this!

thank you for reading this series and i hope you guys enjoyed it as much as i did!!

there will still be a fanfic version of this that i'm gonna post on ao3 soon! and i'll post the link to that fic here as well

thank you again!

be sure to check out the previous parts here:

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4

[fandomficsnstuff]

Little Dragon - Part 11

Summary: You were a child slave of Meereen, when one day a silver haired woman sets you free. Though your master isn’t too keen on letting you go, and Daenerys took personal action to see you freed and taken care of.

(Warnings: a few time skips here and there and Jorah returns! But nothing else I think, enjoy!:D)

High Valyrian is in cursive

You watched as Daenerys followed Jon Snow into the cave, Missandei standing idly by while you were a little further back, you had come to ask something of Daenerys, but it seemed that she was busy at the moment.

“What are they doing?” if it were any other person, Missandei would probably have jumped, but she knew your voice, and so she didn’t need to look to know who nod stood besides her, “King Jon wanted to show her Grace something in the caves, though I’m not sure what” Missandei finally glanced at you, seeing your brows furrowed as you continued to look at the mouth of the cave “ ‘King Jon’… reminds me of back in Mereen, when I learnt of all the northern Kings before Aegon and his dragons conquered the North…” you mumbled, your eyes first now leaving the entrance to the cave to look at Missandei “she’s spending quite a lot of time with him, isn’t she?” Missandei only nodded at your question, knowing that it wasn’t really a question. “How was your training with Ezzo?” you blushed at the thought “he was very sweet… for now we’re not fighting just yet, not really” Missandei smiled hearing that, but your thoughts were instantly dragged back to Daenerys, the thought of her spending more time with Jon outside of court made you look back to the cave, just in time to see them both exit, and upon seeing you, Daenerys smiled brightly, unaware of the fond look Jon gave her.

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You followed as quickly as you could after Daenerys and Tyrion, a part of you panting as you tried to keep up, she was furious. You had seen Daenerys angry, first time when she found out you were still a slave back in Mereen, you would never forget the spite her eyes held, the disdain for your former master. It was like she loathed him the second she allowed herself to look at him, but you also remembered the way her look changed once he was gone, how she looked a bit sad as she looked around for you, the memory making you want to smile, but you suppress the urge, for now. As she was about to mount Drogon you quickly ran up to her “Mhysa! I’m-”

“No, you’re staying here” you were taken a bit aback at her words and her tone, she sounded frustrated with everything and everyone around her “but I-... I can help, Mhysa, I want to help!” Daenerys sighed as she stood on Drogon’s wing “I know, but you’re staying here, you’re my daughter-”

“Exactly! So why can’t I come with you?!” You had never raised your voice at her like this, but you wanted to come, you wanted to help “because I don’t want you to see any bit of war! When I’m gone, I want you to rule in peace, so I don’t want to involve you in the war now, that is why!” your eyes widened as she raised her voice as well, something she had never done either, and it made you sigh heavily as you thought over a compromise. Just as she had settled on Drogon you spoke up “I’ll see you after, then” your voice had gone back to it’s normal tone, instead of yelling, yelling wouldn't solve anything. Daenerys nodded gently at you before flying off, your eyes stayed on her the entire time, as if at any moment something could happen, it was only when Tyrion gently touched your elbow that you were brought back to reality “Princess (Y/N), we should get going…” you nodded, turning around and walking back towards Dragonstone with him “I’ll see you on the way there…” Tyrion gave you a confused look, watching as you made a sharp turn and instead walked towards Rhaegal, who was resting with Viserion on top of a hill on the other side of the beach. Tyrion sighed and looked around him “why are they both so stubborn?” he mumbled as she turned back towards the castle.

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You stood besides Daenerys, though a bit further back, Drogon behind you and Rhaegal flying in the distance somewhere, but always within your sight. Drogon let out an ear piercing screech as Daenerys took a step closer to the rest of the Lannister soldiers, the screech made Rhaegal let out one as well as she flew closer, making sure the soldiers could see him as she lazily flew about.

“I know what Cersei has told you. That I’ve come to destroy your cities, burn down your homes, murder you and orphan your children. That’s Cersei Lannister, not me, nor my daughter.” she gestured at you, making you raise your head just an inch higher at her words, a feeling of pride swelling in your chest, “I’m not here to murder, and all that I want to destroy is the wheel that has rolled over the rich and poor to the benifit of no one but the Cersei Lannisters of the world. I offer you a choice. Bend the knee and join me, together we will leave the world a better place than we found it, or refuse, and die.”

You couldn’t help the glance you cast her way, but you didn’t question her, but apparently Tyrion glanced at her as well. Your eyes found their way back to the war torn soldiers, some of then slowly bending the knee, something that made you smile. No one had to die, no one had to be crushed ever again, with these people her army would grow and the rest of Westeros would see that Cersei is a cruel woman, that despite her father and despite the rumors, Daenerys is a kind woman, a fair woman, one who will be a wonderful queen, one who was loved and respected and-

Your thoughts were cut off by Drogon roaring, seeing as only a few had bend the knee, but upon hearing Drogon, and seeing Rhaegal land behind you as well, a menacing look in his eyes, almost all of them then bend the knee, all but a handful stood, and the voice of your mother making you look to her “step forward my lord,” you watched an older man step forward no fear in his gaze or movements, he looked her right in the eye, “you will not kneel?” you had somehow found your voice, and even Daenerys looked to you, you had been so silent up until now, but you couldn’t help your question, the old lord looked to you with the same bravery he had looked at your mother “I already have a queen” his answer made you frown, but now all eyes were on Tyrion as he spoke “my sister, she wasn’t your queen until recently though, was she? When she murdered your rightful queen and destroyed the house Tyrell for all time, so it appears your allegiances are somewhat flexible” you watched as the old lord looked somewhat tired, his eyes down cast for a brief moment “there are no easy choices in war, say what you will about your sister, but she was born in Westeros, lived here all her life, you on the other hand, murdered your own father, and chose to support a foreign invader, one with no ties to this land, and army of savages at her back” his words now only made you angry, she was born in Westeros but so was your mother, it was Cersei’s husband that forced a new born baby girl and her brother to exile for the crimes of her father, all because he feared a rebellion later on, and her army was not of savages, they were people who believed in her, just as you believed in her, they didn’t care for some iron chair some people had sat on, they were here, in Westeros, because they believed in her, believed in the world she promised and because she showed strength and courage and ambition.

“You will not trade your honor for your life?” Your mother’s words brought you out of your rampaging thoughts, your eyes glaring at the lord, “I respect that” Daenerys looked to her Dothraki but was interrupted by Tyrion “perhaps he could take the black, your Grace? Whatever else he is, he is a true soldier, he’d be invaluable at the Wall”

“You cannot send me to the Wall, you are not my queen” this caused Daenerys to look back at her Dothraki, and without needing orders, they walked up to the lord, pulling him from the rest of the soldiers who had knelt, a frown rested on your face as you watched them, but it was soon replaced with confusion as a younger man stepped towards them “you will have to kill me too-”

“Step back and shut your mouth!” you watched intrigued as the scene unfolded in front of you, but it ended the same way it would have if he had not stepped forward. The young man was named Dickon, son of the Lord who had spoken out against your mother, Tyrion had tried to make him step back, but he had refused, choosing to stand with his father, Randell Tarly instead, you wondered if he knew it would mean death, but as you saw them briefly holding hands, you knew. Tyrion was baffled as they were placed in front of Drogon and Rhaegal, clearly not agreeing, and you could see why, but you could also see why Daenerys didn’t back down. If she backed down everyone asked her to, she would never stand by her word, and most of all, a ruler has to stand by their word, or else their word counts for nothing, so you watched as Drogon burned them alive, a sick feeling over taking you, you had never seen anyone being burnt alive, you had never heard anyone scream the way they did, and you feared you were about to fall when a pair of strong arms caught your elbows subtly. Turning your head you saw none other than Ezzo, giving you a warm smile, and you almost ignored the few blood spatters on his face, a part of you had forgotten that he was still a Dothraki, he had fought the Lannister army, he was still a Dothraki Screamer. But right in this moment that didn’t matter, he was holding you up as you waited for this to be done with, Daenerys turned to look at you, frowning when she saw how you seemed dizzy, Ezzo holding you so you didn’t fall, but he also didn’t make it stand out, it just looked like he stood right behind you, so the other soldiers couldn't see you weak, and Daenerys was thankful for that.

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Daenerys had forbidden you from riding Rhaegal home, due to how dizzy you felt, so instead you went home along with the others, but Rhaegal stayed near you the entire time, soaring high above you, and a smile graced your lips as you gazed at him.

By the time you had gotten back to Dragonstone you felt much better, and you hurried up the hill where you knew Daenerys had landed, just in time to see her hugging Jorah. Your eyes widened at the sight, and he smiled warmly at you as you approached slowly “Princess, you’ve grown so mu-” he barely managed to finish his sentence, your arms flung around him, your head buried in his shoulder as you tried to hold back the tears that burned the corners of your eyes. You felt his arms lock around you as he held you “I missed you too, does your mother still call you Little Dragon?” you laughed as you parted from him, drying your tears and glancing at Daenerys who also had tears in her eyes, but she was more skilled at holding them back than you. You asked him questions all the way to the castle, and he answered each one, he never even seemed to tire of your questions, and when you reached the throne room he pulled something out of his pocket, it was a necklace with a long string, it reached your mid section, the string was leather and you couldn’t help but admire the pendant that hung from it, the pendant was made of stone, but it wasn't too heavy, it was a carved dragon skull next to a beautifully carved flower, and you yet again felt tears in the corners of your eyes as you studied it, “while I was in Old Town, before I was locked away in the Citadel, I met an old woman who made jewelry out of carved rocks, I asked if she could make it and then send it to Dragonstone, I knew you would arrive eventually, but she kept it until I was cured, then gave it to me as I left Old Town.”

With tears in your eyes you put on the necklace, moving the string under your hair, letting your fingertips dance over the carved stone as you gave him one last hug.

[mythiccheroacademia]

Single-Parent!Headcanons

Characters: Kirishima Eijirou, Kaminari Denki, and Bakugo Katsuki

A/N: Inspired by y’all. Enjoy <3

Warnings: fluff overload? one tiny curse word

Kirishima Eijirou:

the day his son was born was both the worst and best day of his life

his wife died upon delivery and he almost fainted when he heard the news, bakugo caught him before he could hit the floor

it took him 24 hours before he could gather the courage to go to the nursery and see his baby. he thought he wouldn’t be able to stomach the reminder of losing the love of his life

but when he held the small boy, who instantly nuzzled into his father’s chest, sighing with relief, kirishima was hooked for life

he just continued to hold his son into his chest and cry until he couldn’t anymore

from that day on, he swore he’d be the best parent he could be for his wife and his child’s sake

bc kiri is such a youthful and loving person, taking care of his son was easy, fun, and rewarding

ofc there were hard days, but it was all worth it when his baby would wake up with an adorable laugh, smiling up at him like he was his entire world

they’re two peas in a pod

he and his son are just the cutest pair

he takes his son everywhere, strapping him on his chest with a baby carrier

you bet your ass he’s taken him on (a safe) patrol around the block

kirishima is the kind of dad that puts his kid in a laundry basket, sits them in front of the tv, and acts out rollercoaster sounds

he lives for that loud laugh of his son’s

blows raspberries into the kid’s stomach whenever he starts getting cranky

his son’s first word was “manly” and kirishima spent the entire day bothering the bakusquad about it

everyone has 12 different copies of the video—y’know...just in case

when he takes his first steps, kiri’s swinging him around the house and giving him so many kisses on his chubby cheeks

when he saw his son had one spiky tooth growing in, he almost drowned from the cuteness

the kid gets himself into a lot of trouble tho. he’s always crawling towards the edge of something and putting his hand in things that could totally cut it off. kiri has a heart attack at least once a week

calls him, “son” “bud” and “buddy”

I hc that even though he’s lively around his dad, his son is very shy with new people and in new environments so school is kind of tough for him

but kirishima is always understanding of his troubles and tries his best to let him know that as long as he’s his son, he’ll always be his biggest supporter

if that doesn’t work, they go buy their fav meats and have a random bbq (kirishima just looks like the bbq dad™️ lmao). that always seems to do the trick

when his son enrolls in U.A., he’s there with a banner, his fav meat, and a bunch of tears when he sends him off

his son wears their matching crocs only to cheer up his dad. nothing else

aka he lowkey likes them but you didn’t hear that from me!

kirishima always has the urge to ft his kid, like, every hour. but he won’t bc he knows he’s busy training to be a hero

but he does send him uplifting snapchat videos from time to time

his son still wonders how in the world his dad even knows about snapchat

he makes sure nobody knows about this

when his son calls him about his insecurities, comparing himself to his classmates, kirishima is right there to lift him up. he also dealed with those same issues and tells his son that even on his worst days, he’s strong for just facing the day and he needs to believe in himself before others can believe in him

the next day, the bakusquad is watching the tournament together

kirishima has manly tears in his eyes as his little boy places second place in the sports festival

bakugo is threatening to kill him if he ruins his shirt

Kaminari Denki:

denki becomes a dad from adopting a pair of four year old twins (one boy, one girl) that were left homeless and without parents after a villain attack

he kinda knew the parents from hero work and felt it was an obligation to at least make sure their children were okay

he wasn’t planning on necessarily adopting them. he was young and inexperienced with children. how could someone like him raise a kid when he could barely raise himself?

but after two visits to the orphanage and seeing how miserable they looked, he couldn’t leave the building without signing the papers

the transition was awkward. the twins were not only traumatized, but distrusting and scared. they didn’t really know kaminari and now he was suddenly their adoptive parent

kaminari tried everything from ice cream, to late night movie snacks, to hide n seek to get them to relax but it wouldn’t work

he almost gave up hope, and thought maybe it was a better idea to take them back to the orphanage. but that was before the night he woke up to them crawling into his bed, scared from the thunder storm that rumbled on outside

kaminari froze, scared that he’d frighten them away with any sudden movement, but he soon relaxed and hugged them close to his chest when they snuggled into his sides. he sleeps with a peaceful mind that night

although, he’s awoken to them bawling their eyes out over the nightmares they had. he panics but takes comfort in how they still grip to his shirt, face in his chest, seeking his comfort

therapy becomes a regular thing after that

kaminari finds more focus in his life

and as those helpful sessions go on, kaminari finds the twins beginning to open up more and more

they all sleep together now bc cuddle piles always scare the bad dreams away

the boy starts asking for kaminari to help him pick out his outfits

and the girl starts asking him about his quirk

it’s small things like that that lead up to things like this:

they’re in the midst of playing tickle monster when they scream with laughter, “stop! stop, daddy, you caught us!”

the twins stare at him in confusion (and slight worry) when he scoops them up and cries like he broke his leg or something

they got two huge scoops of ice cream that night so they don’t question it

dad jokes are a must

he wears typical dad outfits like hawaiian shirts, cargo shorts, and flip flops

he calls them his “little rockstars” and yes, it’s still embarrassing

kaminari is a playful dad who doesn’t really take things too seriously

his children are always laughing at his dumb jokes and are never afraid to talk to him about anything that crosses their minds

although, they won’t talk to him about love interests bc he likes to play match maker

the last time his daughter told him about some girl she was crushing on, she found out she left her a personally signed chargebolt poster for the girl in her name

kaminari called it a little boost in spirit

her brother found it funny

she was horrified

kaminari swears up and down he’s the cool dad. his kids think otherwise, but their friends LOVE how much of a jokester he is. and he lets them stay up at sleepovers

plus, he’s literally chargebolt

how could they not love him?

denki has a little trouble being serious when he needs to be, but he has good kids so it’s not that much of a problem

there was that one time his son tried to help him during a villain attack. even though kaminari ordered him to get to safety, he didn’t and ended up getting hurt

the twins had never seen their father so angry. it was kind of scary. however, in the next moment, he gathered them up in a big hug and made them swear not to scare him like that again

overall, kaminari is the sweet, fun loving, dad that everyone wishes they had

Bakugo Katsuki:

katsuki became a father the day he found a baby and a note at his doorstep

the note read: “surprise! you’re a dad. i gave you all the legal rights, but you can place her up for adoption if you want.”

least to say, bakugo was pissed

he was even more pissed at himself for getting someone so cold and unloving pregnant

however, he decides to put the baby up for adoption. he cant take care of a baby! he’s at the height of his career. he can basically taste the number one hero spot on his tongue

he’s dead set w the decision, but as he stands outside of the orphanage, he freezes. he just can’t move

bakugo looks down at his daughter as she opens her eyes for the first time. he sees an identical pair of red eyes that make his chest tight with a feeling he hasn’t experienced in a long time

he turns back around and heads back home. it’s easily the best decision he’s ever made in his life

ngl though, growing into the dad role for bakugo was tough

before the girl, he only ever had to think of himself. he was still used to doing everything on his own time and for his own benefit. so being forced to put 100% of his attention to a small helpless human being was not easy

katsuki admits that the first couple of years weren’t his proudest. he was still short tempered, angry with the world, and frustrated bc he felt like his life was ruined

one time, the frustration and sleep deprivation would hit him all at once and he’d just start going off at the baby to just “shut the hell up!” before breaking down and crying with her

it was a dark moment for him, and yet, even after that, his little girl still curled up in his arms to rest when the tears tired her out

it had been a while since he felt unconditional love like that, and so he decided to change for the baby’s sake

you cant tell me that little girl isn’t spoiled rotten

bakugo is a hardass, but he’s all bark no bite. no matter what, he just can’t resist his little girl’s puppy dog eyes

he’s a girl dad to the t

yes he played the princess that needed saving from the big bad dragon. what about it?

his daughter is a firecracker. she started sassing him as soon as she could gargle

he pretends he hates it but his daughter is lowkey funny asl

they go at it when they fight. bakugo’s learned to be a little more patient, but he still has a bit of a temper and it doesn’t mix well when his mini-me has the same explosive anger

is the kind of dad that says sorry by asking her what she wants for dinner

they totally talk mess about other heroes together. he ignores the fact that she admires deku as long as she keeps it to herself

emotional talks are...awkward, but he forces himself through it

she finds it embarrassing (yet oddly endearing) that he got kicked out of a PTA club meeting for threatening to light up some mom for saying the art program didn’t matter

his daughter absolutely won’t talk to him about potential love interests unless she wants them coming up missing

bakugo won’t admit to watching baby videos of his daughter when he sends her off to U.A. and no, he didn’t cry, he got dust in his eye

doesn’t bother her too much, but jumps for his phone when he hears her ringtone

kirishima says he getting soft, but that’s just his little princess

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

The Halfling from the Mountains Cont’d

Hey all! So I wanted to write something for Fanfic Writers’ Day, and even though it’s coming in a bit late, I decided to write a small continuation of the Mulan AU. It is almost a year exactly since I posted this little drabble, and it’s by FAR the most popular drabble I have on tumblr. Also, I really needed Kili to ask Bilbo if he “would like to stay forever.”  😆 Please enjoy.

Thorin and Bilbo had barely hobbled their way to the base of the hill before they were swarmed by allies. Healers ushered them to one of the many tents being erected on the cleanest part of the battlefield. While Bilbo only had a few bumps and bruises of little concern, Thorin was all but thrown into a cot as they tended to his foot. Bilbo was able to get one more glance at the protesting king before he was shoved down on a makeshift bench with a bowl of stew in his hands.

“Eat up, laddie. I’m afraid the hard work isn’t over just yet.” Oin instructed before leaving to tend to others.

Bilbo allowed himself the moment of peace as all the adrenaline seeped out with each bite of the bland, but very welcome food. Perhaps, truly this time, the worst was behind them.

“WHAT A MESS! WHERE IS HE?! WHERE IS THE ARKENSTONE THIEF?”

Then again, perhaps not. Bilbo’s head whipped up to see a furious Dain stroll into the camp. He jumped to his feet, the stew regrettably spilling to the ground only to invite the irate dwarf’s attention. Dain immediately stalked into his direction, and for every step forward, Bilbo took one back until he bumped into someone behind him. He startled and turned to apologize only for the person to put a hand on his shoulder and gently push him behind them. Bilbo’s shoulders sagged in relief at the sight of Dwalin. Dain, on the other hand, was flummoxed.

“Stand aside.” Dain ordered. “That creature isn’t worth protecting.”

Bilbo flinched at the sheer acid in his tone. Before Dwalin could respond, his brother appeared on his other side completely blocking Bilbo from view now.

“He’s a hero.” Balin argued.

“He’s a Halfling and a thief.” Dain scoffed.

Bilbo’s jaw nearly dropped as he was suddenly surrounded by his entire company minus the Durins. Each of them with a hard glint in their eyes.

“Listen here you pompous windbag.” Bofur growled. It was the only time Bilbo ever recalled him truly angry. “I think we know our Burglar better than any here. You owe the life of your King to him.”

Dain looked about ready to spit fire as his face changed to match the color of his hair.

“HE BETRAYED MY KING AND ANY THAT DEFEND HIM ARE JUST AS BAD!”

Well that seemed to set everyone off as the Company started to yell loudly in defense of their honor, and Dain and his men continued to besmirch the hobbit’s name. Bilbo, having quite enough of such nonsense, was about ready to find some way to shut them all up when a strong voice broke through the clearing.

“SHARZA!”

Silence rang through the camp as all eyes be they man, elf, dwarf, and hobbit, turned to regard Thorin. The king’s foot was wrapped tightly yet blood still managed to seep through the bandages. Because of this, he was being supported by his two nephews, but all three managed to look regal and proud in their grimy states. Thorin’s cold eyes bore into Dain until the other dwarf dropped his head. At that point, Thorin regarded the Company and silently demanded they stand aside. Bilbo was once more exposed to the glares and curious stares of the surrounding crowd. He could kill Thorin.

“This is Bilbo Baggins.” Thorin announced in a clear voice that somehow seemed to ring for miles without being too loud.

“He was contracted by my Company of thirteen dwarves to leave his home in the Shire and burgle from a dragon. He thinks of nothing but creature comforts of good homes and good food. He was inexperienced with a blade prior to joining us, and knew nothing of how to survive in the wild and yet…”

Bilbo blinked in shock at the warm smile that split Thorin’s face.

“He has saved us all. As King, I pardon any and all crimes against his person. Master Baggins shall only ever be treated with respect on behalf of all Durin’s folk.”

If Bilbo was caught off-guard before, the sight of Thorin bowing to him nearly had him flat on his back. What made it worse was it started a domino effect as next the Company was bowing, then the rest of the dwarves, and finally the remainder of the entire Free People’s army. Even Dain, who looked like he tasted something foul, bowed in deference to his king. Bilbo wanted to scream that he wasn’t a hero! He was just a simple hobbit from the Shire, but faced with the truly humbling sight, he couldn’t find the words. Almost as if realizing his newfound conundrum, Thorin rose with a hidden twinkle in his eye before he turned to return to his tent using his sister sons as his crutch, satisfied that Bilbo would have no more difficulties. The Company patted his back or ruffled his hair. Dori even offered to stay with him if he felt unsafe, but Dain’s hasty retreat spoke volumes about any remaining troubles Bilbo would had. In a matter of seconds, he was alone once again.

“There’s seems to be an awful lot of excitement this side of the Misty Mountains.”

Almost alone. Bilbo looked up at Gandalf whose smirk somehow managed to reflect amusement and pride all at the same time.

“He didn’t have to do that.” Bilbo finally found his voice, regardless of how awe-filled it was.

“I would think Thorin has a differing opinion on the subject. You’ve done well, Bilbo. You can go home now knowing you have gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

“Hmm?” Bilbo mused, not registering Gandalf’s words.

“Why back to the Shire! You do still plan to return to Bag End, don’t you?”

“Of course!” Bilbo snapped reflexively only to flinch at the harshness of his own words. “I mean, yes, I do...I just...”

“Well,” Gandalf offered. “We have a few days. Think about it, and let me know, whatever you decide.”

***

Bilbo thought about it, but he was no closer to an answer. He had to go back to Bag End. He was a Baggins after all, but the idea of leaving his dwarves. Leaving Thorin...it left a hole in his chest that refused to be closed. He finally decided it was just the freshness of leaving his friends. A few months back in the Shire, and the pain would leave him once he was back where he belonged. Therefore, despite how much it hurt, he told Gandalf he did still intend to go home.

His dwarves did not take the news well.

Bilbo ignored the pleading eyes of the Durin princes as he finished putting away his new clothes from Dori into his pack along with trinkets from the whole Company. Well, all but Thorin. Even Dain had come by to apologize for the way he had reacted after he got the full story and left Bilbo with a rather large and impractical shield. Remarkably, Bilbo had seen neither hide nor hair of the new King Under the Mountain since his declaration to return home. 

“You could build a new home here! You don’t have to go, Mister Boggins.” Kili pleaded.

Bilbo couldn’t help smirking as he patted the dwarf on the shoulder.

“As I have said before Kili, the Shire is where I belong."

“You also belong here.” Fili added, looking oddly serious and melancholy.

Bilbo’s smile fell as he turned his back to hide how effected he was by the prince’s words.

“Me? I’m just a silly hobbit. I no more belong in a mountain than an acorn in a window garden. Now, are you going to walk me to the gate or expect me to carry all of this myself?”

Fili and Kili had many more protests for him, but in the end gathered the ornate shield and the chest bearing his company’s treasures to be loaded on Bilbo’s pony. The rest of the Company, minus their king, was gathered just as somber as Bilbo’s companions. The wizard was ready to go, and waited for Bilbo to make his goodbyes.

“Well...” He started. “T-Thank you. Thank you all for...the most amazing adventure. If you’re ever in the Shire, tea is at four...don’t bother to knock.”

That earned a weak chuckle from his friends.

“And I suppose tell Thorin that...”

His throat closed, and Bilbo had to look down at his toes to gather his courage.

“Tell Thorin...”

“Yes?”

Bilbo’s head shot up as his heart thrummed in his chest.

“Thorin!” He breathed in delight.

The king was looking much healthier if but for the dark circles under his eyes and the saddened expression.

“You’re here.” Bilbo remarked in awe.

Thorin ducked his head with a small smile. 

“I was getting your going-away gifts together.”

“Oh.”

Bilbo should have been delighted much like he was with the other Company members’ gifts. However, he had been hoping for...well, he wasn’t quite sure what. Without further ado, Thorin pulled out Bilbo’s small sword he had been rather fond of but sacrificed in desperation to rid them of the monster orc. Sting.

“I asked Prince Legolas and Captain Tauriel to try and find it. They were more than happy to assist. I hope that it reminds you of all that you’ve done for Erebor.”

He presented it to Bilbo with a small bow, and Bilbo repeated the motion happy to place the blade back in the scabbard on his hip. Even with his limited experience, it certainly made him feel better having it on his person.

“Also,” Thorin added almost eagerly. “I want you to have this.”

Letting his braid flutter lose, Thorin tugged one of the hair beads from his own raven locks and presented it to Bilbo.

“So all of Arda will know what you have done for me, a grateful and indebted king.”

Bilbo was practically trembling.

“Thorin.” He croaked. “I-I can’t...”

“Please.” The king whispered as he carefully closed Bilbo’s fingers over the bead sitting innocently on his palm. “For me.”

It was too much. Thorin looking at him like that. His too large hands still softly cradling his hand. There was only so much a respectable hobbit like Bilbo could take. Before he could stop himself, he closed his eyes and surged up onto his tiptoes as he planted a kiss on the handsome king. It was quick and chaste and breath-taking all at once. Thorin seemed equally befuddled but hopeful. Bilbo tried his hardest to ignore the cheers of the Company and the heat in his own cheeks as he gave Thorin a single nod.

“Well then...good evening.”

He turned to saddle the pony when his actions seemed to catch up to him. What exactly was he doing?! He loved Thorin. How could he leave him now? His mind struggled to process the influx of emotional information while he remained halfway on his pony, staring into the setting sun.

“Perhaps...” Gandalf finally offered, far too amused. “We got too late a start.”

Thorin picking up on the cues rushed to Bilbo’s side.

“Would you...? Would you like to stay for dinner?” He blurted much to the annoyance of their friends.

“WHAT HE MEANS IS WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY FOREVER?!” Kili corrected.

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh including Bilbo and Thorin. The hobbit finally returned to the present turning to Thorin with a large grin.

“I think dinner would be a lovely start.”

And Bilbo enjoyed dinner in Erebor for many years to come.