#exquisite black queen

[alwaysbewoke]

[twerktwerkers]

Having fun

[blackb0yjoyyy]

[dropsnectar]

Courting a Queen: Bee Hybrids x Reader

I’m really into @bunnis-monsters Bee Hybrid universe. While reading, I always wondered how they managed to lure the Queen into their hive in the first place, considering they are human and all. This is inspired by that.

You had been perusing the stalls at the farmers market when you, distracted by a couple with a cute dog, ran him over. The tumble wasn’t too bad, as you had landed on something soft and fluffy; Only, that soft and fluffy thing happened to be a person. 

You started cursing and apologizing profusely when you noticed he wasn’t entirely human. A plush soft face, huge adorable eyes, and two fuzzy antennas popping out of a bunch of curly hair alerted to you that he was a bug hybrid of some kind. His features were delicate, as was his thin frame. Tufts of blonde and black spilled out of the collar of his shirt, and you could see a pair of beautiful round wings behind him, sparkling in the sunlight.

You’d repeat your apology at him, as you realized you had been staring for too long. His expression, at first shocked, morphed into a big, exquisite smile. He looked positively glowing, and shook with excitement as he stared at you. He reassured you he was alright and gave you a reassuring pat on the back, hands soft. 

You couldn’t help but note that he smelled amazingly sweet. It was an addictive sort of smell, and you had to force yourself to focus back on those incredibly big eyes. It seemed he had asked you a question, your name and what you were up to. His voice had a vibrating texture to it, but the tone was innocent enough so you were at ease. You mentioned that you had been shopping for groceries, and the two of you kept the conversation going. You suggested a stroll around the market as you did so. 

You normally had a hard time talking with strangers but there was something about him that put you at ease. He was a cheerful conversationalist, revealing that he was a bee hybrid. It wasn’t often that bee hybrids came out to this area, and he had been traveling a while, going out to get special supplies for his hive. 

He asked you questions about yourself too, most of which you answered honestly. You normally weren’t so open with strangers, but this man(bee?) was so gentle and puppylike, you didn’t feel on alert at all. The whole time you talked, he listened so intensely, his limbs vibrating with excitement as he gave you a huge dazzling smile. You couldn’t help but feel affection flood your heart every time he tilted his head at you. At some point, when you couldn’t remember, he had softly grabbed hold of your arm, face leaning close as you both batted questions back and forth. You kept going until people started packing up their stalls. 

When he noticed, he stuck out his bottom lip, and clung even closer to you. It seemed he had become attached, as he asked if he could see you again. You agreed to meet up with him again the next morning, and his drooping antennas bounced back up, his wings buzzing excitedly. He flew off, his whole body alight with glee, awaiting tomorrow.

 You smiled, a warmth blooming in your stomach as you thought of how cute he had been. You tried not to linger on the feeling of his breath on your face from earlier. It seemed that bee hybrids had a different idea about what personal space was, but he was harmless. What hurt could happen from seeing him again? He’d batted his eyes at you so innocently after all. 

You went home that night, not realizing it was one of the last nights you would spend alone in a long time.

***

You found your new friend again, next to the stall selling apples. This time, however, it looked like he brought some friends, as two other bee hybrids accompanied him. The wind whipped past you and all three of them turned, seeming to notice your presence. 

Elias, the bee you had met with yesterday, gave you a running hug. You laughed as he did so, charmed by his exuberance at seeing you. A rumbling purr seemed to be filling his chest, and you met his huge adoring eyes with your own smile. Without pulling away from you, he introduced his two friends, fellow drones who had wished to meet you upon hearing him abuzz about you all night. Much like Elias, they also had thin, delicate features, and moved with a certain inhuman grace. You smiled at them, and introduced yourself shyly. 

The other bee-men were also extremely friendly, leading you through the market by the hand as they told you about their jobs in the hive. You learned what a normal day looked like for them and you marveled at their stories. One of the drones, slightly taller than the rest, but just as gorgeous, talked of once when he had been forced to defend the hive from a wasp invasion. Apparently their hive had been enemies with the wasps for some time. You were learning so much about these three, beautiful and interesting creatures that it took a minute to notice that your casual stroll through the market had brought you to the neighboring forest.

You suddenly became aware that you were alone with three bee-men, in a place where no one could hear you scream. 

They must have seen the fear on your face because their own eyes grew full of concern and panic. Elias was the first to sooth you, running his soft hands up and down your arm, asking what was wrong. Another was at your shoulder drawing calming circles and humming a soothing tune as Elias babbled at your rising panic. The other drone  was in front of you, glancing around to see if there was anything that caught your attention, putting you in this state.

You suddenly felt very silly. These bee-man had been nothing but friendly and doting of you. There was no way you were in danger, right? You looked once again, at their round worried faces and took a deep, grounding breath. You explained that you had just been a bit anxious being out of the sun, and perhaps you could all go back to the market and talk?

If Elias had had eyebrows they would have furrowed. The other drones looked like puppies who'd just been kicked. Had they said something wrong? Had it been them who made you nervous? There was a slew of apologies. The drone with black curly hair looked so pained that he hovered meekly, wings fluttering in an agitated rhythm.

You tried your best to cheer them up but they couldn’t be consoled. Thinking quickly, you told them you were curious what their honey tasted like, would they bring you some?

Suddenly, all three of the drones stilled, faces frozen. Quickly, the silence turned into loud excited buzzing from all three of them. There was jumping, elation, even triumph on some of their faces.

“Of course, you can have some of our honey!” Squealed Elias. “Let us take you to it!” 

You were then hastily grabbed by the waist and princess-carried up into the air with a burst. You screeched at the suddenness but the harsh air rushing towards you squashed all noise in your throat.

You hadn’t realized such thin lithe bodies could hold all of your weight, let alone fly you through the air at such a speed. You tried to protest and pull on Elias’ shirt to get his attention but he only smiled dumbly at you, nuzzling your neck as you shot through the air. You couldn’t quite hear his purring over the rushing wind, but you felt his pur vibrate through the skin of your neck.

When you landed, it was at a place in the middle of the forest. A large structure, probably the hive lay out, unseeingly large and wide before then. Just as Eliases feet touched the ground, your body was suddenly taken out of Elias’ arms by the two other drones. Your arms were enveloped by their grasp and their big eyes stared at you, filled with adoration and expectation.

They rushed you towards what must have been the opening of the hive, guarded by quite a few other drones. They were MUCH taller than Elias and his company, more burly and muscled. When you met their eyes, the guards hovered and buzzed with excitement. A few even twirled around in circles, bumping into the walls. You thought it strange for guards to be excited about a stranger, but you didn’t have time as the bee-men you'd befriended pushed you past quickly. The smallest drone, the one on your right, went on in a singsong tone about the quality of their honey. “You’ll just love it! We work so hard, you know. We promise you won't be disappointed!” 

The architecture of the hive was strange. There were large twisting tunnels, but the roof itself seemed to glow softly, as if the sun itself had blanketed the ceiling in soft light. 

You tried to slow down your companions, explaining that they must have misunderstood you, you hadn’t meant to go anywhere, but they didn’t listen, just chirp excitedly as they dragged you through the halls. Even still, their grip was so soft on your arms, you knew you could break free if you truly wished. They must be just so over excited to show you their home and their honey. It was their life’s work, so it only made sense, right?

It seemed you had finally reached the destination you desired. It was a bright room with a large couch-like structure, adorned in blankets and pillows. They buzzed with glee and sat you down there. Elias pulled aside a passing bee hybrid, asking for some of their best honey. They met my eyes and buzzed gleefully, before bumbling off. 

You tried your best to remind yourself to be upset. You had basically been kidnapped! But every being you met seemed so adorable and pleased to see you, you just couldn’t help being mad. There must not be any danger here right? After all, bees were very soft and friendly creatures. It wasn’t like you’d been lured into the lair of a wolf hybrid or some predator right? You were safe right?

“Oh no, please don’t be scared, we’ll protect you!” whined Haven, the smaller of the drones. He leaned forward and nuzzled your cheek, tracing soothing circles on your arm. The other drone grasped your hand and brought it to his lips. “Please don’t be upset. We will take good care of you. The best care.” He also leaned forward and started to kiss your other cheek a few times, one reaching the corner of your eyes. It seems they had started to water. 

Elias flew from the door over to your legs. He slowly laid his head on your lap and rubbed the skin he could reach in comfort. You realized your chest was shaking. You were starting to get a bit overwhelmed. Each of the drones started to purr, shushing you and calming you in any way they could. They caressed your hair, they stroked your fingers, they readjusted you on the couch so they could get a better hold of you. Haven sat behind you and messaged your shoulders, while Elias took off your shoes and started on your feet. The other drone was using his own, long and delicate thumbs? Probelike hand-limbs to massage your palms. You slowly started to relax a bit.

They were so attentive and thorough, it was almost like they could feel where you were tense. “How are you able to do that? It's like youre reading my mind or something.”

There was a laugh from them. “Not your mind silly, your pheromones”, Haven's matter of fact tone chilled you.

 “Ph-Pheromones? Like, you can smell my emotions?” 

There was a satisfied chirp from Elias. You almost groaned in pleasure as he messaged a particularly tight spot down your heel. “Our new Queen is so smart. Yes, the whole hive can smell when you're in distress or sad. Or happy. We will always make sure to make you happy.” The three of them made a trilling sound together. It must have been their way of agreement. 

Your face flushed, and a heat spread through you. Queen? You should have been horrified, but a part of you grew excited. You lower part of you. A stupid, lower part of you.

“I-I can’t be queen! I’m not a Bee Hybrid like you! I’m Human!”

“A perfect human. You smell just like a perfect Queen! You will take our eggs so well.” The drone with dark hair moved forward, humming excitedly. He started to drag his long, textured tongue up your neck. You shivered and had to stifle a moan.

“We��ve been without a Queen for too long! You're just perfect! You act and smell so sweet, you'll make an excellent mother! Don’t be nervous, okay?” Haven’s grip on your shoulder loosened as he started to nibble your ear. Your lashes fluttered and your breath quickened, coming out in labored gulps. 

“We will all take care of you so well, you won’t ever wish for a thing. So just relax alright?” Purred Elias as he got up from the floor. His black fingers traced the waistband of your leggings. Your mind was so fuzzy from all the sensation you couldn’t do anything but swallow.

All three of your friendly bee-man keened with glee as you relaxed under them. They were going to make sure their Queen was utterly spoiled. 

After all, that was their job, and joy. 

***

Part Two

I hoped you liked it. Bunnis-Monsters described the first batch of bee hybrid suitors as feminine in order to ease the Queen into her *ahem* role. At first I was imagining these siren like creatures, softly seducing their Queen, but... they are bees. They are incredibly bumbling and cute. I hc that these first bees are the more verbally talented of the bunch, best to seduce their Queen into staying with them. Should I finish this with a part two for smut? Anyways, thanks for reading!

[blasphemousclaw]

ok I keep seeing takes that shadow of the erdtree fumbled the hornsent because they made them too unlikeable and unsympathetic and enabled all those “total hornsent death” weirdos but I wholeheartedly believe that the writers have been portraying the hornsent sympathetically from the very beginning. like just because the story spends time on the darker aspects of hornsent society doesn’t mean that it’s arguing that Marika and Messmer were in the right? in fact I think it’s pretty obviously arguing the opposite? 

some of the first sights you’ll see in the Shadow Lands are the scorched ruins, which are surrounded by hornsent grave markers — wooden stakes each with a horn affixed to it, horns being seen as sacred objects in hornsent society. the victims’ shades (by the look of them, ordinary people; farmers, merchants, and laborers) can be found wandering around the Shadow Lands and are often non-hostile; they can be found kneeling, weeping, stacking small stones, or clasping their hands in silent prayer.

there’s a courtyard in Belurat completely filled with hornsent graves, and it’s also the place where Queelign invades you… the sheer number of graves here is horribly sad, and the fact that Queelign attacks here even after all those people were killed honestly makes him seem like an absolute monster

just look at this menace. knocking over the graves of the people he murdered. shame on you Queelign

further into Belurat there’s a very small, missable room where you can pick up the Dried Bouquet talisman: 

“A quaint bouquet of dried flowers, offered to a small grave. Raises attack power when a spirit you have summoned dies. The sorrow that flows from the untimely demise of a loved one is a tenderness shared by all, regardless of birthplace.” 

this description is pretty directly saying like, “hey, these people are human beings just like you who grieved the loved ones they lost, who couldn’t sympathize with that?”

my personal favorite examples here are the scorpion stews, which are given to you by Hornsent Grandam after defeating Divine Beast and wearing its head: 

Scorpion Stew: “Scorpion simmered in a black soup. Traditional meal of the hornsent. Boosts physical damage negation temporarily and gradually restores HP. Once made with love by a certain elderly woman for the family table. Having long gone cold, this soup gives off a rank, sour smell.” 

Gourmet Scorpion Stew: “Scorpion simmered in a black soup. An exquisite dish chock-full of mouth-watering scorpion claws. Boosts physical damage negation temporarily and gradually restores a great amount of HP. The thoughts and feelings of the cook melt and blend into the stew, but those who can distinguish the taste of love are few and far between. "Partake, partake, until thou art sated.”” 

how can you claim that the hornsent are dehumanized when grandma literally cooks you a traditional hornsent meal made with love!!! how heartbreakingly sweet is that!!! especially with the dialogue you get from Hornsent if you share the stew with him:

“What’s this? Do you think me in need of alms? Ah… but this dish. Tis fare o’ the tower. I remember fondly this kin-clad scent. …Brings back memories I’d all but forgot. This, by my troth, is but a dismal copy. Indeed, I think it rather plain to see… things once broken can never be the same.”

we’re presented with the image of a delicious traditional meal that hornsent families used to cook and eat together, and then we remember, Hornsent Grandam is all alone, she has no one but us to cook stew for, and Hornsent has no family anymore to share his stew with. 

before wrapping this up I want to mention Leda’s dialogue about the hornsent because I think it describes the situation pretty well (surprisingly well maybe, given what she’s like): 

“Long ago, Queen Marika commanded Sir Messmer to purge the tower folk. A cleansing by fire. It’s no wonder the hornsent holds the Erdtree in contempt. That aside, man is by nature a creature of conquest. And in this regard, the tower folk are no different. They were never saints. They just happened to be on the losing side of a war. But it’s still a wretched shame.”

the hornsent were not a perfect society. far from it. but no society is perfect, and the hornsent need not have all been saints for what happened to them to have been wrong. no person has the right to act as judge, jury, and executioner for an entire civilization of human beings. if people want to take the very worst of hornsent society as representative of their entire population and argue that every single one of them deserved to die then I’m afraid that’s their problem, because the game absolutely does not agree with them

[diaferia-dhades]

Jealousy II - Queen of Onychinus

Sylus x MC (Fluff and slightly smut, MDNI)

Warning: threatening of killing, swear words, very suggestive(MDNI)

Word Count:1360, no proofreading

Preview: Sylus isn't a man who's easily jealous. But if someone tries to get his wife's attention by giving her expensive jewelry, he feels unpleasant. His wife shows that she is only for her husband and no one else.

Sylus tapped on the arm of his chair impatiently. The auction was taking their sweet time to pull out anything interesting.

"2 million!"

"7 million!"

Sylus rolled his eyes, the current item, a small pink diamond engagement ring, on stage isn't even worth more than 5 million.

"12 million!"

"12 million! Going once! Going Twice" The auctioneer banged the gravel. "Sold to Mr. Mucker!"

Sylus checked his watch. He had been in this auction for nearly two hours and they had yet to showcase what he deemed interesting.

The lights on the stage switched. Another person walked toward the auctioneer and whispered into his ears. As soon that person left, the auctioneer spoke in the microphone. "We are suppose to have only two items left for auction. But we just received a news that there is another item being sold at this auction."

Sylus sat up straighter. A new item? It surely piqued his interest.

"We will be selling this item instead."

Someone walked onto the stage, placed a black box on the table. Then he slowly opened the box, reveling a black and red thigh jewelry. The jewelry sparkled under the light. It immediately caught the attention of the Onychinus leader.

"This jewelry contains one of the rarest gems in the world. It contains ruby, black diamond, and red diamond."

"2 million!" One immediately called out.

The auctioneer raised his hand, "This one start with 20 million."

"25 million!"

"30 million!"

Many bidders raised their number card, calling out their bids.

"75 million!" Hushed whispers around the auction room. Sylus immediately recognized this voice as Musker.

Sylus can imagine if his wife were to wear that around her thighs. He can already imagine his wife, on his bed, naked but with that jewel around her thighs. He wants to feel that jewel beside his head as he goes in between her legs, with her moaning his name. He wants to see that jewel sparkle as he pounds into her. He licked his lips and smirked. It'll look exquisite on her.

"Is there anyone else?" The auctioneer asked. "Going once!"

Sylus slightly moved his fingers and the catering man standing next to him immediately raised the bidding number card. The entire room echoed with the deep voice, "120 million."

The room falls silent. The auctioneer stammered, "O-One hundred twenty million! Is there anyone else?"

"128 million." Mucker countered.

Sylus narrowed his eyes. Someone dared to outbid him? "150 million."

"155 million."

Sylus smirked. This man clearly isn't qualified to bid. He only went slightly above his, trying to outbid his just by a mere million. Too bad for this man. Sylus is too excited to see what his wife's face would react to when he shows her this piece of jewelry.

"185 million." Some gasps were heard. This is the highest number anyone had bid tonight. Although a lot, it's simply pocket change for Sylus.

"186 million." The man bids again. Sylus clicked his tongue in disapproval.

"220 million." I dare you to outbid this. Sylus thought.

There was silence. Not one single one dared to outbid him. Sylus smiled to himself.

The auctioneer looked at the crowd in shock. "220 million! Going once! Going twice!" He then hit the gravel. "220 million to..." Then he hesitated, looking at his paper. "Going to... Mr. Skye!" Sylus smirked with that fake name.

The room buzzed with noise. Looking around the auction room, trying to see a glimpse of the so-called "Skye". Unbeknownst to them, Sylus was sitting on the third floor where the lights didn't reach. It's nearly impossible to see up here.

Sylus stood up and walked toward the door as the catering man that stood next to him walked toward the stage to receive the jewelry.

As he walked down the stairs, he heard two voices talking that were further down the stairs.

"That damn Skye!"

"Hush! You don't want him hearing you say that!"

"I don't give a shit. That son of a bitch. He stole that jewelry from me!"

"You don't need it."

"Yes, I do. Let me tell you, I found this woman. She is so beautiful. No amount of money or jewelry could ever compare to her beauty."

"I'm sure she'll be more happy with that pink diamond."

A sigh can be heard. "Yes, you're right."

Sylus smirked as he walked toward the party room. He picked up a champagne from the entrance, excited to see his wife. Then he stopped at his track.

His beloved wife is talking to another man. He isn't someone who's insecure that his wife would run off with someone else. But the fact that he immediately knew that man that his wife is talking to is that Mucker dumbass back in the auction room.

Mucker was talking to her while she is trying to back away from him, clearly uncomfortable. Sylus inwardly rolled his eyes. That Mucker boy really need to understand body language.

Then Mucker reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.

Sylus widen his eyes in surprise. That son of a bitch. He's trying to give that ring to my wife!

He stride toward her but so many people were between him and his wife that he wasn't able to stop Mucker while Mucker knelt down on one knee. "Marry me please!"

The whole room hushed in excitement, waiting for her to reply. Sylus stopped, eyes glaring, ready to murder that man in front of everyone.

But the response Mucker got was a splash of champagne onto his face. "Get off your knees. I'm married." She answered. "I don't even know who you are. Leave me alone before I bury you alive."

"It's ok, I know you're just nervous! I got you a pink diamond! I payed 12 million for it!" Mucker plead, trying to grab onto her hand while she tries to swat his hand away.

"You better watch what you say and do! If you offend me one more time, I will tell my husband to kill you!" She threatened, pulling her arm away from him.

"C'mon doll," one of the bystanders said. "He brought an expensive ring for you."

MC raised her ring finger, containing two rings, one black and one red, to show to the bystander. "My husband got me this. Each of them costs significantly more than that lowly pink diamond." Then she looked over at Mucker. "My husband is rich, handsome, gentle, patient, respectful, and loyal. If you ever think I would ever lower my standards for you, you're dead wrong. Now, let go of me."

Sylus felt like he fell in love all over again. Seeing his wife standing up for him makes him very excited.

He smirked as he walked toward his wife. "Hello, dear." His deep voice rumbled.

His wife turned around and gasped. "Darling!" A rare pet name she used, just to show Mucker. "You're back already! How's the auction?"

Sylus smiled, "It's actually good. I got something-"

"Hey!" Mucker called out, cutting him off. "I know your voice! You're the one who stole the jewelry from me!"

Sylus clicked his tongue, "I'm pretty sure I got it fair and square. It's your problem when your wallet isn't big enough."

Mucker was fuming at this point. "I saw this woman first."

Sylus mockenly laughed, "I don't care. She chose me. We've been married for nearly an year. Now, excuse us."

Sylus wrapped his arms around his wife, "Let's go."

"What is the thing you got?" His wife asked.

Just as she finished asking, the catering man appeared, handing a velvet black box to Sylus. Sylus handed the box to his wife. "Open it, dear."

MC opened it, revealing the black and red thigh jewel. Sylus kissed the top of her head. "I'm expecting you to wear this tonight."

The whole room atmosphere turned awkward, as the two lovebirds expressed their love.

His wife's face turned red and nodded. Sylus laughed and led her toward the front door. He waved his hand at Luke and Kieran, giving them an order.

Get rid of Mucker.

Luke and Kieran slightly nodded and went straight to work. Sylus took MC home, very excited to see what his wife wearing absolutely nothing but that jewel around her thighs.

Should I write a continuous one, where they are doing to do's while MC is wearing that thigh jewelry?

[1-helluva-hazbin]

˖⋆✶Kissing Him Our Colors✶⋆˖

Lucilith x Female!Concubine!Reader (Lilith x Reader x Lucifer)

Content warning: Heavy teasing, groping, marking (kiss marks/hickies), sexual themes, sexual innuendos, no smut, polyamory, minors do not interact (MDNI), fast proofread

Summary: In your relationship with Lilith, marking one another with crimson or black kiss marks had been your signature sign of affection since the beginning. What will change when Lucifer poses a hypothetical question with an obvious implicit meaning?

Author Notes: Thank you @damsel-loves-machines for the inspiration to write this one shot! I'm definitely going to be writing a follow up concubine one shot off your more recent post but, it's going to be a little while before I get to that (too many projects!). Enjoy this in the mean time!

Word Count: 5083

To be the king or queen’s lover was an achievement sought after by the masses; both sinners and hellborns. A quick claim to fame. At some point in their long lives they had both begun taking new partners to their beds. Most held the title for extended periods of time as Lilith and Lucifer were both particular with their partners and once they found someone they enjoyed, they tended to hang on for a while. Not that there wasn’t the occasional individual rumored to have warmed one of their beds.

In the centuries since the royal’s opened their relationship though, there were whispers of 3 individuals, all of them hellborn, who had held an official title of concubine. For the title, you had to win both the king and queen over and tend to the both of them; separately and together. The title was coveted despite neither Lucifer nor Lilith ever having confirmed such individuals existing.

When you had first heard of the royals taking lovers, and the whispered concubines, it had been a fantasy you entertained in your free time. You had always been confident of your body and sexual prowess -you were certain lust had been your downfall sin- but, you were never delusional enough to consider angling for the position. Considering the rate of sinner lovers was so drastically low it was basically unrealistic. You also knew fanangling yourself into their lives would come off as desperate and that just wasn’t a look you were willing to wear. No, you were happy fantasizing about the power couple and seeing them occasionally at rallies or events. 

It had been entirely coincidental you had met the king and queen one night when they came into the restaurant you served at and were seated in your section. Even more of a miracle that you not only had the audacity to question the queen’s choice of wine but, that you had enough charisma to smooth over your transgression. Promising she would much prefer your recommendation based on the snip-its of her preferences you had gleaned from her indecisive rambling at the king. Trying not to break out in a sweat as Lucifer violently glared you down from his seat, hints of horns poking from his forehead when you had challenged the royal.

You can still vividly recall her eyes rolling back into her head after having sipped the wine you gambled your life on. The lusty sound of her satisfied sigh that rolled from her lips after having left the most beautiful black lip marks on the ring of the glass. 

“My dear…” her voice low and sultry as her eyes opened to give you a half lidded look, “you have exquisite tastes.”

“Thank you, my queen.” You offer a small smile and bow, making sure you didn’t break out in a full grin or groan out in relief. You couldn’t stop yourself from adding, intentionally or not, flirting. “I’m here to ensure my guests have the most pleasurable experience possible.”

Her lips had curled in an almost cat-like grin. “I’ll keep that in mind.” The silky purr having tickled your ears as she swirled the glass of wine slowly in her hand. Her expression evolved from indifferent to amused while Lucifer sneered at the exchange.

The next time you had seen Lilith, she had come back to the restaurant for lunch a week later on her own and had requested your company as she ate. It had taken her almost 3 hours to eat the small bites of food between the almost unnaturally easy flowing conversation.

The marking had all started that day.

As she had been getting ready to leave, you had gently taken her hand in yours and bowed, bringing her hand to your lips leaving a bright red kiss mark on her knuckles. As you straightened, you had smiled at her and told her, “A promise that I’ll answer should you ever decide to call on me again, my queen.”

Every encounter after that contained one of you, or both, leaving a kiss mark on the other; Lilith in her signature black lipstick and yours had become the crimson red you had dawned that day. The playful, prominent display you both unabashedly wore. A kiss on the cheek before going out together. Sliding down a sleeve to leave a hidden mark prior to an event. A kiss to the side of the knee. There soon weren’t any areas off limits.

Some of the times making promises that you both would ensure were fulfilled. Never a promise neither of you couldn’t.

All the while, Lucifer had been slowly growing use to your presence. He had kept his distance in the beginning due to his known dislike of sinners but, the longer you stuck around the more he seemed to relax. When you once couldn’t enter a room without him slipping out, you now could hold a small conversation with him about some of the events going on that day, before he would excuse himself. He used to turn his nose up at your attempt to make him breakfast and now he would periodically make requests. The three of you had even started having dinner one or twice a week with Lilith’s encouragement.

You had also noticed that when he was around the two of you, he would watch the both of you and seemed to have taken a particular interest in the marking. You hadn’t caught on to it at first, being so smitten with Lilith your focus had been entirely on her. The first time you recall seeing it though, it had been so fleeting it almost hadn’t even pinged on your radar. 

“Say ah my queen~.” a gentle instruction as you had held up a strawberry to Lilith’s lips. She had giggled and parted her lush, ink black lips and took her bite of the strawberry. A bit of the succulent fruit’s juice slipped past her lips racing towards her chin.

You hadn’t even thought twice about grabbing her chin to turn her head. Leaning in to slowly lap up the nectar before planting a firm, red mark in its place. Your voice low as you growled out, “Delicious.”

She gave you a half lidded look, lightly biting her smirking lip. She reached over to your free hand and placed it on her knee before slowly sliding it upwards. “I have something else for your that’s delicious.”

It was at that point you caught Lucifer out of the corner of your eye observing your flirting. His lithe body, propped up against the door frame with his hands in his white sweatpant pockets. You hadn’t been able to catch his expression though, from what you could tell of his posture, he had been at ease watching the situation. As you turned, he was already walking towards the two of you. “Good morning ladies.” 

“Morning my love.” Lilith responded, reaching for Lucifer with the hand that wasn’t on yours, to kiss him. Her lipstick transferring to his pearl white lips along with a small portion of your red. She grinned seeing not only her mark but yours as well.

“Good morning my king.” You grinned and shook your head at her antics, though refrained from telling him. You loved the look of the black and red against his porcelain skin and you thought at the time, that would be as close as you would ever get to painting him in your signature color.

Neither you nor Lilith knew that after Lucifer had retired to prepare for the day, he had intentionally sequestered himself to his office upon seeing the mark, so he could unabashedly wear it the whole day. Conflicted in his excitement to have both marks on him. It had only been around dinner time that he had removed the lipstick before he joined the two of you for a meal.

Several times after that, when you had marked her -or visa versa- you caught him watching. You had tried playfully teasing him initially about wanting to watch, or join, the two of you and that had beautifully blown up in your face. He had become seemingly agitated, or perhaps flustered, and immediately left. Lilith had soothed you as best she could but, you had convinced yourself you had taken it too far knowing his disgust of sinners and newly developed tolerance for you.

The breakthrough with Lucifer had come suddenly during one of the events you had been invited to attend with them since it was being held in Pride Ring. It was a bigger event where Lilith and Lucifer would speak together in front of the citizens.

You had just assisted Lilith with a little stress relief before she went on stage. You hadn’t cleaned yourself up considering how close you two had cut it. As soon as she gotten off, you both had bolted to the stage where she immediately walked out as her name was called.

You stood there with your lipstick smeared across your face, the backdrop for a single black kiss etched across your lips, your skin glistening with her juices. Entirely too worked up, and entirely indifferent, to care if people saw you like this momentarily. In the darkened wing, most just hurried around you focused on their work as you watched her command the stage effortlessly. Your eyes hungrily locked on to the smooth sway of her hips wanting to part her legs again. Crowd be damned.

“You uh…should probably go see the makeup artists to fix your makeup. If they were able to fix up Lilith’s makeup, after seeing what you look like, they should be able to take care of yours without much issue.” you heard from beside you. 

You tilted your head to see Lucifer standing next to you, his eyes focused on Lilith despite his comment being aimed at you. You smiled and put a hand over your lips as you replied, humbled enough to make it a little less obvious, “Thank you for letting me know sir. While I don’t doubt the makeup team’s ability… they didn’t have to do much touch up with Lilith’s make up.”

His brows furrowed and he turned his eyes onto you. You couldn’t stop your quiet giggling at his befuddled expression. You had always found it amusing how when you were trying to be subtle about your sexual endeavors with Lilith it would go over his head. You stepped closer to him, your arm brushing against his, before leaning down, “I made out with her other lips sir.”

His eyes popped open and lips pressed into a thin line as he whipped his attention back towards Lilith. In the dim light, you could swear you saw the rosey tone of his cheeks spread back towards his ear. You didn’t want to assume though, especially after your multitude of botched attempts to flirt or tease him, so you bit your cheek and slipped away from him to give him back his space.

Lilith’s voice echoed around the both of you as you watched her. Filling the silence that would have lingered between the two of you so you could comfortably exist together. At least, until Lucifer cleared his throat. You turned to the king as he asked, “If you were to leave a mark on me right now, where would you do it?”

Stunned, you blatantly stared. Processing. You must've heard that wrong. He couldn’t have just asked what you thought you heard. 

“What?”

A brow perked, his eyes locked onto you as his face remained stone still, repeating himself. “Where would you mark me?” 

You swallowed hard, closing your ajar mouth only realizing now it had fallen open. Your voice, and mind, failing you as he waited. Skin crawling to reach out to answer him with action in the absence of your other voice. You slowly reached up, succumbing to the desire to show him, before you hesitated.

“May I?” A softly croaked out question.

He looked to your hand leaning away slightly, as if unsure, before meeting your eyes, courage rejuvenated enough to bob out a nod. You released a breath you hadn’t  realized you had been holding and your hand continued it’s path. Slowly, your middle finger skimmed along the collar of his jacket, slightly pulling downwards to see the untouched succulent flesh of his neck. Your eyes honing in on where his neck met his shoulder. The thought of marking him there appealing though, with him going out on stage it could be spotted very easily. 

You prowled behind him, his bent collar revealing the back of his neck. An excellent choice as well. You could imagine licking up the back of his neck to his hairline, nipping lightly before placing your firm red impression. Yet, given your current relationship with him it didn’t seem right. You did lean in though, unable to resist, to lightly blow on the back of his neck, sending goosebumps rippling across his skin. 

As you rounded his other side, your attention caught on his ear. Your hand released his collar to lightly caress it’s way up his neck with your knuckles. Gently pushing his hair back away from his ear. Your finger sliding it’s way up the lobe towards the middle ear to lightly pull it forward, exposing a small patch of skin.

Subtle. Sensual. Intimate without going too far.

You lean in, your lips inches away from his face as your eyes raked over the flesh. “Right there.” you uttered, barely audible over Lilith’s voice, the acting of stroking behind his ear emphasizing your choice while making him shiver.

It was his turn to swallow.

He started to open his mouth when his name was called by Lilith. His eyes shooting over to her and then back to you as you pulled away from him. “Good luck my king.” You grinned at him, stepping away. He cleared his throat, briskly fixing his collar and hair before joining her out on stage. His rebound seemingly effortless.

Momentarily you marveled at their ability to flawlessly recoup as Lucifer joined hands with Lilith and carried on with the show. Neither of them letting on that they had been out of sorts before walking into the limelight. 

As more guests joined you off stage in the wing, you slipped away to fix your make up. The smeared red having lightly stained your skin and despite your best attempts to remove it, the staining was steadfast. Acquiescing, you mask it with a new layer of foundation and contouring before returning to your place off stage.

The crowd roared when the royals made their exit.

You awaiting them as they approached. “You two are a marvel at getting the crowd going.” you whisper, turning to walk next to Lilith placing her in the middle as the three of you made your way towards dressing rooms.

“Well we’ve been doing it long enough.” Lilith chimed, “The real challenge is always navigating and garnering the support of the goetia at the after party.”

Lucifer let out a disgusted groan and rolled his eyes. “Some of them are so…”

“Pompous?” Lilith offered, her tone pairing well with his tone despite her own schooled smile.

“WHY do we agree to the dinner party?” Lucifer grumbled.

You smiled as Lilith giggled. “To ensure they’re doing what they need to be doing, my love, and to be available for if they require our assistance or insight.” He tsked as you all approached Lilith’s dressing room and Lilith stopped. “I’ve just got to grab something from my dressing room real quick. Lu, can you run ahead and have the car readied?”

“Of course.” he said, throwing a grin over his shoulder as he sauntered off.

You stopped at the door, watching Lilith walk over and grab her clutch. She popped it open, grabbing her lipstick to freshen it up quickly in the mirror all the while her eyes were on you. You smirked, her own grin growing in response.

“You’ll never guess what Lucifer asked me before joining you on stage.”

Her application faltered briefly before she finished and turned towards you with both brows raised. She made her way back to you, at which point you offered her an arm. She happily slid her hand along your forearm purring out, “Well, don’t keep me waiting.” 

“He asked if I were to mark him, where would I do it.” You placed your hand atop hers as her smile dropped into a stunned gape. “I know. I’m certain I had the same look on my face.”

She snapped her mouth shut and the two of you headed towards the exit. You peeked over at her, giving a lopsided smile seeing her contemplating the news. She huffed out, as if she had made a weighted decision and looked at you. “Are you interested in having the both of us?”

The fantasies you use to craft when being a lover or concubine was a far fetched dream flitted through your mind inducing a blush. You laughed out nervously and she leaned into your arm emitting a soft ‘hm?’ as if Lucifer being attractive hadn’t been something the two of you had talked about. You glanced at her half lidded eyes and knowing smile.

“I am.” you utter as you both turn a corner to Lucifer waiting at the end of the hallway.

She leaned close, lips brushing against your ear. “Follow my lead dear.”

You shivered, biting your lip hard. Excitement and nervousness twisting your stomach.

“Thank you for getting the car ready Luc.” Lilith called, pulling away from you to a respectable distance. He eyed the two of you as the chauffeur opened the car door. “Go ahead Luc.”

He stared  a moment longer before he relented and climbed in. His obedience evoking a smirk from his wife. She withdrew her hand from your arm and steered you towards the car. “Go ahead.”

You hesitated. Lilith had always sat between you and Lucifer anytime the three of you had ridden together. It had never been you in the middle. She had implored you to follow her lead though and so you did. As you climbed in, you noticed that she had started around the back of the car towards the other side.

It wasn’t going to be you in the middle.

You bit back a smile as you settled into your window seat, the chauffeur closing the door behind you just as the other door opened to Lucifer’s surprise. “Slide over love.” she cooed, waiting until he had started to shuffle before she slid in. Pinning Lucifer between you and her.

“Oh! Well, this is different!” he laughed out nervously. His knees pinched together and hands tightly gripping his cane that he had propped between them.

It made Lilith laugh out softly as the door closed behind her. “I was feeling a window seat after being stuck in the middle for so long.”

“Is that so?” he gave a tight smile.

“It is.” she angled her body towards him. “I think we all should take turns being in the middle from now on.”

You smiled, biting your cheek. Picking up where she was going with this. So you too angled your body towards Lucifer who was too focused on Lilith to notice. “Aaaaannnnd…why would we do that?”

“Well…” Lilith’s eyes flickered to you and then back. “if we are all going to be marking one another why wouldn’t we?”

Lucifer’s eyes widened and he laughed out looking back at you, “That was just an innocent question Lili.”

“Was it?” Your question pushing Lilith’s agenda as you recalled his reactions; him holding his breath, the shivers, his hard swallow, and his questionable blushing. Further proving the point though, you reached out and lightly flicked the edge of his collar eliciting a hard swallow from him.

Lilith perked a brow at the reaction, giving Lucifer a lopsided smirk. She reached out and turned his attention back on her with a single finger to his jawline. “Lucifer…” she leaned in and brushed her nose along his cheek back to his ear. “I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

“I have no idea-” he started.

“We both have your majesty.” A quick interjection from you. Gaining confidence as you push past his collar to run your fingers down his neck and then slide them into his hair. Your pinky running over the spot behind his ear.

His face began to flush. He tried to look back at you as Lilith held his face in place. “What’s holding you back my love?” Lilith posed, the hand holding his face sliding down his neck to his jacket to undo the fasteners. “Is it purely the fact she’s a sinner?”

Lucifer’s eyes shot back to Lilith as your hand stilled while lodged in his hair. “That’s not….I mean…”

“She’s been a good sinner to me, to us, hasn’t she?”

He sighed out. “She has.”

“Passed all of your ridiculous background checks and little investigations?”

Your brows furrowed and you shot a confused look at Lilith that begged the question ‘What now?’ She remained focused though, her free hand sliding across the back of the seat and to your hand wrapped up in his hair, beckoning it to move with a light push as he replied. “Yes…”

“You find her attractive?” Lilith pressed onward, the hand on his chest having freed all the clasps, pushing open his jacket to begin working at his vest.

You would most certainly be bringing up the background checks later but, you let it slide for the moment. Your hand beginning to rake through his hair again before combing it downwards, abandoning Lilith’s hand, to lightly pull his jacket off of his shoulder. You leaned in, lightly blowing on his neck making him yelp out, “YES!” He coughed, shutting his eyes and attempting to recover, “I uh do.”

“Then, can I mark you?” the words came out almost involuntarily, though you knew Lilith approved as her eyelids lowered. Lucifer sucked in a sharp breath. Your hand on his shoulder reached up to turn his head to you making his eyes fly open. His face fully flushed now and eyes saucers. 

Lilith leaned in to kiss Lucifer’s neck making him jump slightly, his attention stolen. Nothing a quick tapping to his chin didn’t correct, begging an answer with the quirk of your brow and pout of your lips.

“I…” a quiet stutter as she shivered at the feeling of Lilith pulling his vest aside before she stopped. The three of you still awaiting Lucifer’s approval. “Y-Yes.”

“So stubborn.” Lilith crooned into his neck, beginning to tug at his tucked in shirt.

An elated shiver quaked through you as you turned Lucifer’s head towards Lilith enough for you to access his ear. Leaning in, your hands brushed backed his hair and lightly pulled his ear forward enough so you could finally plant your first mark. Firmly pressing your lips to his skin, ensuring it would leave a solid imprint before pulling back to revel in your crimson work. “I’ve waiting so long to do that.” you whispered out.

“Oh why stop there?” Lilith growled as she leaned forward to paint his stomach with her own inky strokes. 

Lucifer choked and gasped out, “Hold on!” Lilith’s only response was to grab one of his hands and pin it to the back of the seat. He shot a pleading look to you, as you took his other hand, lacing your fingers with his before pressing it to the seat as well.

“Pentagram is our word if you genuinely want this to stop my king.” 

Lilith looked up to the both of you, her movement dragging his gaze away from you down to her. He nodded, gulping as his head lulled back to land on the seat. “Okay.” 

Lilith’s tongue snaked out of her mouth and slipped below the waistband of his pants evoking a moan. “Such a good boy.” you utter into his ear before you begin your own descent. His hand squeezing yours at the praise.

Your hand pulled his shirt up higher, undressing more of his torso. A pristine white canvas that you fully intended to marr, the thought alone making your chest tighten. Leaning in, your nose brushed against his chest gliding over his nipple. You slipped farther down and right where his sternum ended you landed a kiss before dragging your lips in a sweeping motion following the anatomy.

Lilith pulled back from her work, his stomach already covered in marks; both solid and smeared. Seeing your paint stroke she smirked before leaning in to mimic it on the other side as you leaned in to leave a solid kiss on his belly button. Moving downwards, you started littering his skin with light smudges. Fragments of impressions. The only other full lip mark you decided to leave was on the hip closest to you. A single finger slipped under his band to pull it down enough you could fully capture his hipbone with your kiss. 

Lucifer had slowly brought his head forward to watch the two of you. Desperately willing himself still despite desperately wanting to writhe. His breathing had sped up though and he had groaned out a few times; such as when Lilith had matched the rib mark you left or when your finger teased his pants downward to access his hip. He couldn’t stop from grinding his hips upwards towards the end, right before you and Lilith slowly pulled yourselves away to examine your handiwork; his eyes glazed over, face flushed, labored breathing, with a plethora of lip marks strewn across his abdomen tapering off on his chest.

It made you want to hike your dress up to ride him into oblivion. Obviously the sentiment was shared with Lilith who moaned out, “God you make me so wet.” A breathy moan of agreement sounded from you as you bit your lip, knowing it was turning the same color as your lipstick from the pressure.

“Such a shame we have the dinner.”

Both Lucifer and you snapped your attention to Lilith who smugly started to fix Lucifer’s outfit. Oh. What a tease. You knew he wouldn’t be able to focus. You wouldn’t be able to focus either but, few would take an interest in your presence. You apologetically looked at Lucifer who was sitting there gaping. “M-My love! I can’t go to the dinner like…like this!” he looked down at himself, alluding to the tented pants but, Lilith feigned ignorance.

“Oh my love, these marks will be well hidden beneath your clothes. It won’t be a problem.” She soothed, his shirt messily tucked in now. She released his hand to straighten it out and then started reclasping his vest. “We just cannot skip any more events than we already have this month.”

He groaned looking to you for assistance, receiving only a shrug. The idea of subtly teasing him further at the party making your core ache. “I don’t make the schedule my king. I promise on all my markings though, I’ll make your patience now worth it later tonight.”

Lucifer narrowed his eyes at you before he freed his hand from yours quickly wrapping his arm around your waist to yank you closer. With his other hand, he pulled down your sleeve before sinking his teeth into the flesh of your shoulder. You gasped, eyes fluttered closed as he began to roughly suck. The hand that had bared your shoulder sliding down to capture your clothed breast in a tight squeeze.

You heard Lilith hum before feeling a hand on your knee, slowly caressing it’s way upwards beneath your skirt. Her fingers ever so lightly skimming across your panties, ever so slightly applying pressure to the perfect spot, only to depart down your other leg making you whimper. “All in good time my loves.”

Lucifer pulled back with a loud pop to examine his claim on you. Smirking at it he leaned back down to lick it before trailing his tongue up your neck to your ear. “I’ll be damned if you get any sleep tonight.” 

You shuttered. Your breathing quivering as you almost inaudibly whispered out, “I’m here for your use.” An approving growl sounded and the hand on your hip gave a tantalizing squeeze with his claws.

He then turned his head to Lilith, his hands quickly grappling her. Draping her across the both of you; her ass in his lap and her back on yours. “Don’t think I forgot about you my darling wife.” he seethed, hiking up her dress.

“I’d be disappointed if you did.” 

She sat up, one elbow propping herself up on the seat between your legs. The other hand reached up to grab the back of your head and pull you in for a sloppy kiss; tongue slipping into your mouth. All the while Lucifer propped one of her legs up and leaned down to sink his teeth into the flesh of her inner thigh. Repeating the process he enacted on your shoulder. The sensation making Lilith moan into your mouth.

She only pulled away when Lucifer released her leg with another loud pop. The both of you panting, neither of you wearing the other’s lipstick having spent it all on Lucifer. “Such a shame…” Lilith pouted, her hand sliding around your head to brush her thumb over your lips.

You laughed out softly, “Good thing I painted your lips earlier.”

“You rake.” She playfully swatted your chin before sitting up further with your assistance. Still in Lucifer’s lap, she started fixing his jacket.

“You sure we can’t just…go home?” you ask, leaning in to kiss the back of her neck as Lucifer wrapped an arm around her waist and yours just as the car pulled to a stop.

“The show must go on.” she purred, smirking at the both of you before sliding off of Lucifer’s lap to let herself out of the car, seamlessly fixing her dress in the same motion. You and Lucifer both making your own noises of displeasure as the car door behind you opened marking the beginning of what would feel like a never ending soiree. 

[lucid-loves]

First Light ~ Simon "Ghost" Riley Part 1

Pairing: bodyguard!Ghost x princess!reader (fem!reader)

Word Count: 4.5k

CW: angst, violence, blood, strong language, scars, verbal abuse by parents, physical abuse by parents, psychological abuse by parents, opposites attract, forbidden love, slow burn, fluff, attraction and sexual tension, reader POV and ghost POV, minors DNI, eventual smut, virgin reader

Let me know if I missed any CWs.

Story Synopsis: After receiving death threats from a mysterious terrorist organization, your royal parents make a decision to reach out to the United States for help. Specifically, they want the US to send a bodyguard to protect their precious princess. When the 141 is called upon to investigate, Ghost is the one assigned to protect you. With your lack of experiences outside of your royal life and his experience with nothing but deadly, worldly affairs, opposites attract.

Chapter Synopsis: Ghost travels to the small country of Stuoca to meet the person assigned to guard for the next month. When you lay your eyes on him, you can’t help but feel scared, yet also curious. He feels the same when encountering such a precious, fragile thing like you.

Part 1 ~ Part 2 ~ Part 3 ~ Part 4 ~ Part 5 ~ Part 6 ~ Part 7

The porcelain teacup felt warm in your hands, holding your favorite blend of tea flavored to your preference. The grandfather clock in the room ticked by, filling the silence. While you normally liked to play some music to fill the space with sound, your parents told you that you must be quiet. That you had to sit pretty and be patient until you were allowed to do so. 

You stared into your cup, slowly losing your appetite for teatime as the pit in your stomach grew bigger. You felt like there was something wrong, but you couldn’t figure out what it was. Normally, your parents were eager to show you off to any guest that was coming to the palace. Right now, it is different. You were locked away in one of the many palace studies. There was your butler with you who watched your worries grow. There were a couple of guards outside the closed doors, stopping anyone from entering unless the king or queen allowed it. 

Looking out the arched window and overlooking the lush palace garden, you wished you could enjoy your teatime outside like you normally did. Feeling the fresh air, hearing the birds chirp in the distance, enjoying the subtle aroma of flowers flowing with the wind. It was really the only time you were allowed to be outside. 

Even though you were a grown woman, your parents have always seen you as their little princess.

While you sat silently in the study, the king and queen of Stuoca was meeting the man that would guard you with his life. It was jarring being in a place like this. Everything from the floor to the ceiling was crafted with exquisite, polished stone. Anything made of wood was a rich cherry. On marble pedestals along the halls held works of art behind glass. Jewelry, crowns, busts. Golden chandeliers with crystals reflecting the light hung from the ceilings that were painted with angels. 

Everything in the palace was worth billions upon billions of dollars. Standing in the middle of it all was Ghost, a man that once was just scraping by in his younger days. He still stood out like a sore thumb among it all. The skull balaclava secured over his head, tattoos revealed on his forearm, the black t-shirt that clung tight to his muscles. It was like death himself walked the bright palace halls. 

“Pardon me, Lieutenant Ghost, but you don’t have to wear that mask here, do you?” The queen, your mother, nervously addressed from her red velvet seat. The mask was making her scared. That was how people normally reacted when they saw him for the first time.

“Yes I do, your majesty.” He curtly responded, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. Ghost was just as uncomfortable as your parents were. When he heard that he was being deployed to guard a princess, he laughed, thinking it was a joke. But now, here he was being served tea and cookies with the king and queen of Stuoca. As much as being on base was a pain in the ass at times, he missed it. 

The king cleared his throat before taking another sip of tea from his teacup. When they reached out to the United States for a bodyguard, they weren’t expecting someone so. . . rough to be sent out. But, if this was the right man for the job, then so be it. As long as his princess was safe. “Thank you for traveling so far away from home in order to help us with our problem. Being a country so small, we weren’t even sure if your country would even bat an eye at us.”

Ghost shifted on the balls of his feet, growing more uncomfortable with the sudden gratitude. He just wanted to start the job already. The sooner he starts, the sooner he can end it. “You said that you’ve received threats. Anything else happened while I was busy traveling here?”

With a snap of the king’s fingers, a maid came over and presented an opened envelope. Ghost quirked a brow under his mask as he took it. Opening it revealed the original letter that was reported to Laswell. The one that he’s already seen with his 141 team. Handwritten, black ink, very articulated. The letter detailed how the royal family would burn down along with their palace. That the princess will be kidnapped and tortured if they didn’t get what they wanted, which was power to control the country. 

Ghost sighed, feeling like he got the short end of the stick on this mission. The entire 141 was working on this case. However, Ghost was the one stuck with babysitting duty while the rest of the guys got to experience all of the action. They were off investigating while he was sitting on a velvet couch in the grandest office he has ever seen. 

“That’s all we have for now to physically show you. The only other concern is the graffiti that has been popping up around the city.” The king explained calmly as a different maid brought over a manilla folder full of pictures. Pictures depicted a graffiti crow on various different buildings. They weren’t murals, but the symbols were prominent enough to be noticed. 

“A crow is a symbol of misfortune and death. A bad omen, wouldn’t you agree?” The queen spoke up, taking a slow sip of her tea as she tried to read the lieutenant’s reaction. It was impossible to do so with his mask. 

“Where is the princess right now?” He inquired. It seemed odd that you didn’t come in with your parents. He figured that they would want you right by their side at all times if they were really concerned about the threats. 

The king and queen stood as if on a cue. The king gestured for Ghost to do the same. “Our daughter is in one of the studies waiting to meet you. For her sake, please refrain from bringing up the letter and graffiti. We don’t want to startle her more than what has already been done.”

Ghost gave a curt nod before following your parents to the study where you stayed. The way they spoke about you, you seemed more like a caged bird rather than their beloved daughter. It unsettled the lieutenant, but perhaps it was just the consequence of formality. They wouldn’t have reached out to the United States for help if they didn’t care after all.

Once they approached the door, the guards saluted and opened it up. Beyond the doors was the most ornate office Ghost has ever seen. Once his eyes settled on you, you were the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. 

Every hair on your head was in place with the help of maids. There were no wrinkles in your dress and no stains in sight. Your makeup was light and only flattered your features. The gems on your necklace complimented your bright eyes. Ghost was almost at a loss for words. When you stood up and curtsied to greet them, he could feel his heart beat against his ribs.

“Good evening.” You simply greeted, your tone polite as ever as a princess should be. 

“Sweetheart, this is going to be your personal bodyguard from now on. He’s going to keep you safe, no matter where you go. Isn’t that wonderful?” Your mother gave a sickly sweet smile, her efforts to meet the status quo seeming a little more forced as she interacted with you.

You definitely knew that something was wrong now. You may have been a confined princess, but you weren’t stupid. However, you decided to refrain from asking what the trouble was. It wasn’t appropriate. Not with your parents watching you.

For now, you focused on the news that you were now going to have a bodyguard. Your eyes shifted towards the large man. Muscles clearly defined under his shirt, posture straight and strong, mask hiding his identity. Compared to him, you were much smaller and much weaker. It intimidated you a bit. It made you hesitant to accept him. However, there were expectations to meet, regardless of how you truly felt.

“Princess Y/n. It is a pleasure to meet you.” You softly spoke as you gave another sweet curtsy towards him. 

He quirked a brow. You were taking this awfully well. A part of him expected some more push-back. He honestly expected you to be a spoiled brat. Yet, here you were, taking everything in stride for now. You knew how to compose yourself better than he expected. “Lieutenant Ghost. I’ll be keeping you safe. For me to do that, there’s going to be some changes.”

You looked to your parents, looking for the explanation for this change. There was not even a bat of the eye as they faked their smiles. “You will still complete your studies as a princess should. Attend the parties as needed to keep up appearances as well.”

Ghost shook his head, authority taking over his baritone voice. “Negative. The princess will not be attending any more parties. Doing so could risk her safety.”

Something was definitely wrong. Your eyes widened at the news. A part of you, though, was celebrating. No more parties? Would your parents really accept this? The sudden shock on their faces morphed into strained smiles, telling you that they weren’t going to accept this so easily. The king cleared his throat. “Lieutenant, it is very important for the princess to still make appearances. It is essential for her.”

Ghost looked at you all of a sudden, wondering how you felt about this change compared to your parents’ obvious protest. You tried to remain unreadable, not wanting to set either party off with your personal opinion. If you had the choice, though, you would sacrifice the parties. They were more for your parents than they were for you anyway.

Ghost sighed in slight frustration. Normally, he was excellent at reading people. He did it all the time with new recruits, enemies, and his team. Their poker faces were nothing compared to yours. “One party if absolutely necessary. No longer than an hour. Just to keep up appearances.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, holding back your disappointment. Well, at least you weren’t expected to be present during the entirety of your parents’ showing off. “Understood, Lieutenant Ghost.”

At least your parents seemed happier with the compromise. Your mother grinned brightly. “Wonderful! Give him the princess’s schedule!”

Your butler hurried over and gave Ghost your schedule. He nearly stumbled back with how packed it was. Piano lessons, dance lessons, tea times, dress fittings, and independent study went on and on for pages and pages. Did you have any time to yourself besides sleep?

“The show must go on! If you have any questions or procedures to discuss, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We hope that you two get along well.” The queen concluded, eager to leave the room so that she could go on with her own daily life. The king followed close behind as they left the room, leaving you and your bodyguard to get to know each other.

You didn’t mind being civil, but you doubted that he would try to get to know you. He simply didn’t seem like the type to stray away from his responsibilities for anything. For now, you silently went back to your seat to finish up tea time. Ghost stood awkwardly for a moment before finding his own place to settle. Leaning against the stone wall, he examined you further.

The way you held your teacup was gentle. Your dress draped against your legs like a smooth waterfall. The way you looked out the window was melancholic. After a few minutes, you spoke up, curiosity getting the better of you. “Why are you my new bodyguard, Lieutenant Ghost?”

Ghost didn’t expect your question. He hardly even knew what you meant when you asked it. Still, he kept his cool as he dug further. It wasn’t like there was any malice in your tone. In fact, your tone was nothing but innocent. “What do you mean? Are you asking me why I took the job?”

You shook your head, staring into your teacup once again as you got a little shy. Lieutenant Ghost wouldn’t report your conversations to your parents, would he? But, you had to know. “Is my life in serious danger?”

Behind the mask, Ghost’s mouth was partially opened with shock. His body grew tense as he realized what was really going on. “They haven’t told you, have they?”

“My parents can be. . . protective. Their priority to maintain normalcy can cause them to make certain judgments in regards to my life.” You subtly worded, fearing that the guards outside were listening to what you were saying. Hopefully, Ghost would understand what you meant.

Thankfully, he did. Now more than before, you really did seem like a caged bird. You deserve the truth. “Your parents received a threatening letter from a terrorist organization. They seem to be after your life in order to manipulate your parents. I serve under Task Force 141 that specializes in missions like this. The rest of my team is investigating the organization while I am to protect you personally.”

Your grip around your teacup tightened slightly as you learned the truth. It seemed that your intuition was correct. This was a serious problem. You swallowed your new fears down hard before proceeding as normal. “Thank you for your honesty, Lieutenant.”

Ghost sympathized with you as he finally saw a shred of how you really felt about this entire situation. His perception of who he was protecting was completely wrong. You were no brat or clueless royalty with too much time and money on your precious princess hands. You were sharp. You were polite. You were obedient. It made him want to know the real you.

He knew that he shouldn’t get closer than what was necessary. Yet, the anxious look in your beautiful eyes as you stared out the window made him want to provide you with some comfort. Some way to break the ice while also doing his job. He opted for a simple conversation about your daily schedule. “What’s independent study for you?”

“It’s my time to study what I wish within reason. Any subject that I may find interesting as long as it is appropriate for a princess.” You delicately explained, putting everything as nice as possible.

All Ghost heard was that you were restricted from real knowledge. However, it wasn’t his place to make a comment on it. It didn’t matter if he didn’t find it fair. You were a princess and you obviously took your responsibilities, fair or not, seriously. He gave a simple hum in acknowledgment for the time being on that matter. “What are you studying?”

You looked at Ghost curiously, wondering how much of this was just workplace conversation and how much of this was genuine attempts at knowing you. The way Ghost looked at you with such resolute, cold eyes made you shiver. Something told you that this was his usual look. “I’m studying many things at the moment that would be proper for me to know.”

It seemed like subtle and vague answers were the only things he was going to get out of you, but he already picked up on the fact that you didn’t do this to be cold towards him. The tone you carried was careful. Gentle. You didn’t want to say anything that could get you in trouble. Simon knew what that was like.

The conversation was dropped for the time being. It seemed like your physical being wasn’t the only thing he had to protect. Your social reputation was at stake as well. Respecting that, he focused back on guarding you. Not without noticing every little thing about you though.

You stole glances at him every so often as well as you sipped your tea. The more you looked at him, the more he intrigued you. You’ve never had a guard that had his build. You’ve never even seen someone with tattoos in person before. He stood out against the pristine white around the palace. A shadow in the light. You were curious about what he looked like under the mask.

~

The rest of the night proceeded as normal save for your new shadow. You were ushered by your butler to your routine lessons, Ghost always close behind. He stayed silent throughout it all, but observant. You did feel like he was watching your every move. While you were used to being heavily monitored, having Ghost be the one observing you made you more nervous than normal. Music lessons, dance lessons, and studying didn’t go as smoothly as you made more mistakes under the pressure. For some reason, you wanted to impress him like you were one of his newest soldiers. 

Ghost thought nothing of it as you did what you had to do. In reality, he found your abilities to be quite impressive, mistakes or not. He did chalk it up to him being an intimidating presence. Despite it, he could tell that you were skilled. 

When bedtime rolled around, he followed into your room. A grand room with a king, white canopy bed, cherry-wood antique furniture, and large, arched windows leading to a balcony. The windows were the second problem that Ghost needed to address if he wanted to keep you safe. “You can’t sleep in here. It would be too easy to-”

Meeting your eyes made him pause. You waited patiently for him to finish as he was going to say, prepared to take the steps necessary to ensure that the next change would be as smooth as possible. Looking at you, though, Ghost saw a pretty woman that he needed to be more gentle towards. Less explicit in language. You were already afraid for your life. He didn’t want to make that anxiety worse for you.

“Is there another room in the palace that has less open windows?” He asked cautiously, minding his words this time. 

You appreciated his careful consideration, feeling more and more safe with him as he made decisions to protect you. “I believe there is. I can sleep there tonight.”

He followed you to another room in the palace that was away from any windows. He nearly sighed in relief as the new bedroom was windowless, smaller, and much more comfortable to be in. The bed was still massive and the antique furniture was polished, but the warmer palette of the decor made the room feel less like a museum display. 

You felt better too as you looked around the cozy room. The windows in your usual bedroom just reminded you of what you couldn’t have. Though, your anxiety grew as you realized that Ghost was still within the room. Your cheeks grew a subtle pink as you chose your words with precision. “I would like to get ready for bed. Is it necessary for you to be here while I do?”

“Well. . .” Ghost thought carefully, trying to make the best decision here. After a few seconds, he determined that you needed your privacy. He was already invading it enough by being your personal bodyguard. With an accepting, silent nod, he stepped out of the room while you changed into pajamas. A few maid staff passed by, gawking at the lieutenant. A glare was enough to have them scurry on their way.

While you changed, you thought about Ghost. About his real personality, his job, his friends. What kind of work does he normally do? Has he ever killed someone? It certainly seemed like he’s gotten into his fair share of fights from the scars you have seen on his arms. Was he dreading this job? At times, you thought that you could see him get antsy while waiting for you. You probably wouldn’t like waiting on a princess either if you were in his shoes. 

Once you were changed into your silky pajamas, you knocked on the door. “Lieutenant? I’m all dressed. You could come in now.”

Swiftly, he came in. For a second, he admired the way you looked in your pajamas. You looked so much more comfortable. The way you were letting down your hair in front of the vanity had him gulp too. “I won’t be watching you sleep all night. Just until you fall asleep, and then I’ll wait outside the door.”

“What about your sleep?” You asked, tilting your head to the side. The way his arms were crossed over his broad chest made you shrink within yourself a bit. 

“I’m used to not sleeping. I don’t usually sleep well either. Don’t worry about me, princess.” He responded bluntly, putting some more personal distance between the two of you. He would be lying if your concern over his own time didn’t make him melt a little though. 

“I see. My apologies, but I am unsure that I will be able to fall asleep quickly tonight. You might be waiting for a while.” You honestly admitted, feeling the anxious pit in your stomach begin to swallow you like a blackhole. You already felt enough like a burden to the maids and butlers with how strictly your parents had them wait on you. 

Ghost shook his head, noticing how lightly you scrunch your brows in concern. How you nervously bit a tiny part of your bottom lip. Subtle behaviors that no one would notice if they weren’t truly paying attention. You were so different from what he was expecting when he was first told that he would be guarding a princess. “It’s fine. This is my job.”

You turned away from your reflection in the mirror to look at Ghost. Your heart skipped a beat as you noticed how blue his eyes were. Such a deep, oceanic blue that held so many secrets. He stared right back at you, noticing how your worries couldn’t be quelled with just two simple sentences. Finally, he was able to read you.

“If it will help, you can talk to me until you fall asleep. Anything you want. I promise that I won’t tell the king and queen.” He offered, taking a seat on the Victorian-styled couch that was at the foot of the bed. 

His offer came as a complete surprise to you. You didn’t expect him to be so kind. You have learned long ago that there was a difference between being civil and genuinely kind. Ghost was being nice, which felt like a rarity given his outward personality. Quickly, you finished getting ready for bed. Once you were cozy underneath the cotton covers, Ghost turned off the main light. The small lamp on your nightstand stayed on, allowing a comfortable dim to illuminate the otherwise dark room.

An awkward silence fell between the two of you as you tried to think about what to talk about. There was still a fear in you that he would tell your parents, but Ghost didn’t seem like the type to break his promises. Besides that, you never really talked about yourself before. No one has ever been interested in what you liked and disliked. Not that you had a lot of experiences with how your parents kept you in the palace and filtered what you could learn. However, that wasn’t to say that you were curious enough to find a way to learn anyways. At the very least, you had plenty of questions about the outside. 

“For my independent study, I am focusing on classicism art. At least. . . that is what my parents think. I. . . I have been studying other things in secret. My handmaiden sneaks new books into the library for me sometimes if she can.” You confessed, feeling a weight of your chest as you admitted your truth. You didn’t like lying and sneaking around in secret. While you loved new knowledge, you still carried that weight with you.

Ghost listened carefully to your confession. His back was turned towards you, a comfortable thing for you since you weren’t keen on the idea of someone watching you fall asleep. It was enough for him to just sit at the foot of your bed. 

“What new books have you read?” He inquired, wondering what sorts of books a princess could possibly want to read in secret. 

You took a deep breath, feeling your cheeks flush as you admitted more of your secrets. Without interruption, he let you speak. He listened to your voice that lowered into a pleasant whisper when you told him about all the books you were reading and wanted to read. A couple of times, he couldn’t help but crack a smirk at some of your opinions that were refreshingly assertive. 

It didn’t take long for him to hear you start dozing. It started with quieter words morphing into sweet slurs. As soon as he heard your steady, deep breaths, he silently got up and left the room. Standing guard in front of the door, he contacted his team by phone to give an update. 

“Lieutenant, how is she?” Captain Price cut to the chase, his voice low as he investigated matters on his side.

“She’s. . .” Ghost began before trailing off. He had to think about the right words to use. 

“She's a spoiled rotten princess?” Another voice came through. The chuckle was no doubt Soap.

“Honestly, no. She’s a princess, but she’s anything but rotten.” He finally admitted, keeping his voice quiet since the halls seemed to echo. 

There was another laugh before the captain cleared his throat, regaining authority. “I’m glad that she is much more pleasant to deal with than what was expected. Just be careful not to get too personal. I know you will be around each other a lot, but the mission is our priority.”

“Of course, Captain.” Ghost promised, wondering if this particular promise would be easy to keep or not. 

[witchofhimring]

Under the shadow of the Crown

Synopsis: Your life as Princess Baela's lady-in-waiting is ripped apart. Queen Rhaenyra decrees that you marry her younger half brother Aemond. Terrified, you are in no position to object. Such are the lives of those in the shadow of the crown.

Pairings: Aemond x Y/n

Part of my Dynasty of Blood AU series, built of this concept.

You had never payed attention to the second sulky son of Alicent Hightower. If fact you had not even come to mainland Westeros to marry him in the first place. Of course marriage had always been in the cards. As heir to Blackhalt, your families ancestral seat just off of The Reach. A great match had always been in store for you. Lord Cregan Stark and Jeoffrey Velaryon had both been put forth. Only Lord Stark's had been seriously considered as the third born son of Queen Rhaenyra was not yet ten. It was only a pity the eldest two of her boys were to be wed. Well, Lucerys and Rhaena had not been wed at the time you arrived at Kings Landing. Crowned Prince Jaecerys had already taken Baela Targaryen to wife by then. Your role, until it was time to take up the mantel of ladyship, was to serve the royal family and cultivate whatever ties you could.

You were placed in the service of Princess Baela. She was around your age, born within the same year. Admittedly you were more than a bit intimidated. Use to being the second highest ranking lady in the room it was strange to be standing in front of the third greatest lady in the land. Not only that but Baela rode a dragon. Her beauty was intimidating as well, with thick silver hair and wide violet eyes. Her skin was dark and smooth, the scars she obtained in battle only giving highlighting her features. Normally scars could not be considered pretty, but Baela seemed to wear them as one would their jewels. Clad in black and red the princess looked almost like one of those Valyrian gods. Not that you had ever met one before. But perhaps this was how they were depicted.

The two of you would forge a friendship. A combination of personal liking and ambition. However it was with Rhaena that you first became friends with. The younger of the two, Rhaena was less assuming compared to Baela. That did not mean, as many mistakened her for, a wilting flower. She simply preferred to be more guarded and taken to court etiquette more easily. The two of you had much in common, a love of fine dresses, music, poetry and an ability to connive when the situation so called for it. When you were free of duties the two of you would hide under the Weirwood and read poetry.

Two years passed and a new year was upon everyone. A New Years ball was to be arranged and it was up to a team of ladies (including yourself) to organize who was wearing what. It was already agreed upon that Baela would be wearing a high collared red gown with rubies sewn into it. Not that she knew it yet. The rest of you would wear colours representing your houses to show a symbol of unity. "I think everyone should wear a red ribbon to symbolize the princess." Rhaena pulled out a silver box from underneath a tall tower of various items. Let it not be said this was an easy job. A new years celebration was nothing to scoff at. Especially as this one would be a pre-celebration to the marriage of Rhaena to Lucerys. Rhaenyra's second son had been off to learn what it mean to be a lord. This had been to the great distress of Rhaenyra. But she finally relented, unusually, and allowed Daemon to teach her son everything there was to know about being Prince of Dragonstone. Now that he had experience and was a man it was high time Lucerys married.

"Oh dear." Lady Cassandra stifled a laugh as she held up a pair of ludicrously high heels. Lady Cerelle of Casterly Rock paled and looked to Rhaena. She would find no security in her look as Rhaena sighed. "Let me see." You took the pair from her hand and examined them. They were exquisite in design and any woman would be thrilled to have them. Except this was Baela who would likely be as friendly as Vhargar when it came to overly constraining dresses.

Rhaena sighed and slumped in her seat. She looked up at the ceiling, exasperated. "Baela is going to kill me." You looked up at her. "Why you?" Rhaena sat up and stooped down to gather loose fabric. "Because I was the one who commissioned Panella to make the dress. And I swear I told her to make the dress to Baela's tastes. But the Queen ordered her to make it luxurious as possible." Queen Rhaenyra was well known for her expensive tastes. Just a glance at her dresses was enough for anyone to know. This had worked in your favour when the Queen gifted you a dress of pink silk and pearls. You had yet to wear it but the dress was truly magnificent. However, at this moment, was it worth it if Baela ripped your head off?

Deliverance came in the form a knock. One of Dowager Queen Alicents handmaidens entered. She first curtsied to Rhaena and then turned to you. "Lady Y/n, the Queen Dowager has requested your presence." Getting up you bid the ladies farewell before leaving. Hopefully you would be kept away long enough to avoid Baela's terror.

Lady Alicent had settled in the Hands Tower, much to the annoyance of the actual hand Ser Corlys Velaryon. The moment you entered green clouded your vision. On the steps of a dais sat the women serving Alicent. They mostly hailed from the Reach and Westerlands. Sitting on a throne like chair was Alicent. She looked older than her thirty and four years, a statue of regality and sternness. Had you done something to incur her ire? There was nothing you could think of. So you curtsied, hoping that if she was upset a show of supplication (even if it irked you) might mollify her. To your surprise she smiled, or at least it looked like a smile. This unsettled you to a degree.

"Lady Y/n, the Queen, your father and myself have chosen a husband for you." Several things went through your mind, excitement, anxiety and hope. You had been endlessly curious as to who would become your husband and the future lord consort to Blackhalt. "You will be marrying my son Prince Aemond. Everything dropped out from beneath you. Not literally, but it felt like someone had just hurled you down a dark tunnel. Out of everyone why him!? You could not say Aemond was well known to you. Only the stories and the looks he gave anyone attached to his elder sisters house. As you were a member of Baela's household his dislike over spilled into you as well.

Was this your fathers idea? Or your mother, who despite not being the ruling lady held great sway. Always you had known you'd marry, such was the duty of every lord and lady. Never had you though as you did now, that this was all some great mistake.

You curtsied to the third most powerful woman in Westeros and said how honoured you were. An honour it may be, but not one you cherished.

"Absolutely not!" If one though Baela had been angry beforehand it was nothing to her tirade over Aemond taking one of her handmaidens. "My Princess, I can still serve you, surely." You held her hand in your own. In the greatest state of anxiety Baela hardly seemed to notice. Suddenly she bounded to her feet. Cerelle leapt back in fright and Cassandra rose to her feet. Baela seized your hand and headed out the door. She strode forward with such a great fury you nearly tripped. You could hear the other two following, also having difficulty in catching up. It was only when you entered a staircase lined with red tapestries did you realize where it was Baela was taking you. Before there was even time to protest Baela waved the guards aside and burst through the door. Queen Rhaenyra lounged on a plush chair, surrounded by her three youngest sons, little Princess Visenya and four ladies. As usual she was bedecked in the finest robes imaginable. Jeoffrey came to his feet and rushed towards Baela. Despite the animosity between Baela and her good-mother she was fond of her husbands siblings. Once they broke apart Jeoffrey rushed back to his mother. Tention filled the room was two Targaryen Princesses stared each other down. Baela may not be Queen yet, but she had enough spirit to outdo almost any other. Rhaenyra may have been older, but the fire dwelling within her blood was no less furious. Despite their differences they both had something starkly similar. They were the very blood of Old Valyria.

"Princess Baela. Please take a seat." Baela simply stood there, not budging. Nervously you stood there. While Baela might get away with this you may suffer the brunt of Rhaenyra's anger. She was quick to anger and slow to forgive. So you hung your head in hopes that she might consider you unworthy of her anger. "He who bends may rise again", it was a Greyjoy saying, yet your mother mentioned it had a great deal of merit.

Lady Cassandra quietly entered, paid her respects to the Queen, then stood there. "Lady Velaryon, please take my daughter to her room." Lasfy Velaryon, a cousin of Baela, rose and took the hand of little Visenya who had only recently celebrated her third name day. With some fussing the princess was spirited away. Rhaenyra waited until her daughters little footsteps disappeared. When Rhaenyra focused her attention back onto Baela she looked as gentle as a dragon. They said the Queen was quick to anger, slow to forgive. You prayed her anger did not fall on you.

"Your impertinence is noted, Baela. Remember I am Queen so watch your tongue." The subject of Queenship had always been a tense, provocative one. When King Laenor died the crown passed to his wife. At the time Prince Jacaerys was only ten and considered too young to rule. Fearing a war over regency as had happened in the time of King Jaehaerys they had the boys mother become Queen. It was all wrapped up in a neat little bow. No boy kings and the succession going down the natural path. Or it would be so if it were not for the face Rhaenyra's sons were not Laenor's. Whispers floated down the halls that it was the former Captain of the City Guard Ser Harwin Strong who had fathered the boy. If the succession had gone down the true legitimate line then it would have passed to Laena's line. Baela was Laena's eldest child. But Rhaenyra was quick. She married Laena's widower Daemon Targaryen and married their children together.

Baela, who should have been Queen, stood in front of her stepmother who was Queen. Veryone else shrunk back. Even little Jeoffrey. "I hear you mean to marry Y/n Blackhalt to Aemond." She practically spat out the last words. All these years later Baela was still smarting over the injustice of Aemond taking Vhaegar from her sister. The feeling was mutual. Aemond had hated the Velaryon girls ever since that terrible fight on Driftmark. After the funeral of Princess Laena Aemond had stuck out and claimed Vhaegar which had once belonged to Aegon, consort of Queen Visenya. Words were said and Baela punched Aemond. A brawl ensued and Aemond lost an eye. The relationship between the families of Viserys Targaryen's first and second wives had never been smooth. Rhaenyra was left imbittered after her lady-in-waiting Alicent married her father. The two had never reconciled. Or so you heard.

"I am aware. Myself, Lady Alicent and your father have all agreed to it." Baela puffed up. "As a lady in my service Y/n is under my care and therefore I should have been informed." "My brother is a prince of the realm. Lady Y/n should feel honoured." Rhaenyra's amethyst eyes then settled on you. Oh Gods no.

"Lady Y/n, what do you say?" This was possibly the worst situation you could be placed in. Either way you would offend someone. Your best friend and future Queen, or the current Queen. Your mothers lessons went through your head. What would she do in this situation? Feigning calm, you spoke. "My opinion hardly counts. I will do what is best for the realm." You prayed this appeased both Targaryens. Rhaenyra had a look of satisfaction on her face. Baela's you could not see.

"There we have it. Is there anything else you would like to add?" It was not because Baela had been calmed that she turned and left. You could see the tension in her shoulders and knew Baela only left to stop herself from doing something truly rash. She had let go of you and both you and Cassandra were forced to race behind. All the way to her room the three of you ran. Rhaena and Cerelle were still in Baela's room. Rhaena opened her mouth but Baela spoke first. Once inside she immediately rounded on you. "So you want to marry him!" The fury in her voice made you cower. Unable to speak, it took everything in you not to cry. "You betray me in front of the Queen! You! Are you truly my friend or will you open your legs to any many who will have you!" Everyone gasped. Cassandra dropped the pearls, Rhaena clasped a hand to her mouth and Cerelle had silently fled.

You could not even cry. Your fear was so intense you remained rooted to the spot, stuck dumb. By no means were you a coward. Under any other situation you would have defended your honour. But not only was Baela your friend, but a Princess and future Queen. Baela's furious person glowered at you. Trembling, you only just begun to think of anything to say when Baela turned on her feet and stormed out.

There was no air in your lungs. Or at least that was what it felt like. Everything seemed to be falling away leaving you in a deep sea of despair. One by one you imagined everything being taken away, leaving only burned friendships and a disgraced name. Baela shot you one last disgusted before turning on her heel and leaving. With a bang the door shut.

Everything swam before you. Darkness began to rise and suddenly you were swallowed by it. Fading voiced echoed and drifted further and further away. A dull pain echoed in your head.

Then everything was black.

Pain was the first to greet you. The sun nearly blinded you and the world came into blurry focus. Every movement was slow and it ached. The bed dipped slightly as a face hovered above yours. "Y/n?" You recognized Rhaena through her voice. Then another joined your view. With vision clearing you realized it was a Septa. A cold hand pressed against your burning forehead and she spoke. "Can you see?" The words that came out of you sounded strange, like someone was yelling across the great hall. "Yes. But faintly, I think?" Wincing you held up a hand. Your vision was clearing and almost perfect again. "Sit up if you can." A hand behind your back helped you up. Propped against pillows a cup was placed by your lips. Cold water wetted your parched throat. It made a world of difference. Your senses were clearing and the remains of grogginess disappeared. Unfortunately it also brought pain into sharper focus. Reaching behind you felt a bump.

"Thank the Gods that is all. It could have been so much worse." Cerelle was nervously chewing her fingernails. You noticed that Cassandra and Baela were missing. "Cassandra was summoned by Baela. But she is very worried." Said Rhaena noticing your mood. "Does the Princess know what happened?" "I don't know. Not unless Cassandra told her." Defeated, you laid back. Still coming out of a haze your thoughts darted here and there. All this information, Baela's anger, the betrothal and Queen Rhaenyra's animosity made you want to faint all over again.

Cerelle and Rhaena said nothing else as you lay back down. The three of you stayed in that room, the sun setting. All the while you wondered if this was the right decision.

You should have been happy at the choice of husband. Aemond was young, handsome and a prince. But on the morning of your wedding all you felt was dread. During the early hours of the morning you lay awake, Rhaena snoring a few inches away. As a princess-to-be you got new rooms in the Red Keep. These ones opened out onto the garden, a combination of roses and salt lingering on every surface. You would rather have been in the old rooms. At least Baela had been your friend back then, and Aemond had not been your betrothed. You missed those days were you were just Lady Blackhalt. After the wedding you would be sent back with Aemond to Blackhalt island. Away from the place which had been your home since childhood.

Everyone but you seemed happy. Only Rhaena seemed aware of your mood. Cassandra and Cerelle were with Baela, they would no longer be with you. And Baela...who knew. They washed you within an inch of your flesh. Scrubbed till it hurt they finally pulled you out and lathered on a sweet smelling cream. Every inch of you were fussed over by an army of women. When that was done they dressed you, a whole new ordeal. For the first time you wore the Targaryen black and red. The three headed dragon was sewn onto your bodice with rubies glittering on silk strings. For a moment you forgot every worry when looking in the mirror. Every move sent sparkles dancing around you, and as princess you would always have such gowns. At least that was one comfort.

The dress became a burden when it was time for the procession through King's Landing. They placed you on a chariot for all of the smallfolk to see. They called out to you, blessing you with good fortune and many children. You smiled and waved, ignoring the heat and painful corset. Yet to have so much adoration gave you a warm feeling. You tried to focus on that. White petals were thrown into the air. Several getting caught in your hair. Finally you arrived back at the Red Keep. The remaining court which had not come with you was waiting. Helped off, you were delivered into the arms of your father. Lord Blackhalt was a stranger to his daughter. Having barely seen him in years it felt strange to have him hand you off. Baela might as well have done the honours. Speaking of Baela she was there. It hurt when she barely looked at you. And after this you would likely hardly see her again.

They were now closing in from all sides. Walking into the Great Hall you felt all their eyes on you. 'From now on I will always be watched.' You thought. You would go from lady to princess. A member of the royal family. Waiting for you at the end was the High Septon and Queen Rhaenyra, looking on in satisfaction. You hated the queen, her satisfied look making you want to throw up down the stairs. How dare she act all pleased! And then you saw your betrothed. Aemond stood inches from his sister. His black leather made you want to shrink away. 'Don't you it.' The warning spurred you on.

Aemond's hand was calloused and cold. It was a shock compared to the heat of this morning. For the first time you looked Aempnd in the face. As a body you feared him, as a man you nearly ran. And now you would spend the rest of your life with him. His purple eye was hard to read. No expression passed his face. It was worse than showing anger, at least you would know what to expect. Right now you knew nothing. In truth despite the proximity for so many years you knew nothing about him. Always it had been the words of Baela and Rhaena which painted a picture. Now on your own there was a blank canvas.

'With this kiss I pledge my love.' Empty words. His lips were cold against your own ones. Your black and white cloak was whipped off, replaced by the Targaryen sigil. No longer Lady Y/n. Y/n Blackhalt, Princess of Westeros. You felt naked, unprotected. And now your girlhood was ended.

Notes: I just want to reiterate that this is not a story in the sense I will organize it into chapters. It will be a collection of one shots based off of scenarios. If anyone wants to further discuss these characters I am happy to do so!

About the characters: Cassandra is much nicer in this version. I suspect that the reason she was so bitter in Fire and Blood was because she went from a possible heiress to House Baratheon and promised to a prince, then promised to a King. Only she ended up married to a man well below her station. Personally I think she was definitely ambitious, but is less malicious in this version due to being Lady Baratheon by right. So she certainly has less to be bitter about.

Now, about the readers wedding. Because this is a world were women inherit the reader will keep her last name. But because she is marrying into the royal family she wears their colours. So that is why she wears the Targaryen cloak.

Rhaenyra does come off as cruel in this one-shot however she will get more development. Her actions are a combination of spite against Baela and to show her place as Queen. Baela resents Rhaenyra for taking the place she thinks is hers. I will at some point write a one-shot from Baela's point of view.

The other ideas I have in mind:

-Rhaenyra and the reader talking about their dead ancestors

-Baela and Daenerys (reader's daughter) talks about queenship

-Reader's friendship with Baela and Rhaena

-"Monarchs of Westeros" (part 1) Covering every monarch of Westeros in this AU from Visenya the First to Rhaenyra the Second.

[alwaysbewoke]

[twerktwerkers]

[misguidedasgardian]

The Hour of the Wolf (5)

V. Fire & Ice

MASTERLIST

Summary: You are settling in your throne 

Pairing: Cregan Stark x Targaryen!Reader

Warnings: Cursing, war, death, mentions of killings, genocide and war, threats, arranged marriage, SPOILERS for ASOIAF, and Fire & Blood, also, might spoil House of the Dragon, smut! finally, I’m calling dub-con, because its their first time and we are nervous, loss of virginity, a bit of blood, and all that comes with it… nothing too extreme

+18, MINORS DNI

Wordcount: 4.3 k 

Notes: uffff things are getting heated

“I want my hair loose”, you said faintly, as the maids nodded with shy smiles, as they brushes your silver strands 

Your dress was magnificent

A black background with red and golden intricate designs, open sleeves from your shoulders that had a beautiful drop, a low neckline.

The jewelry was exquisite, your neck was decorated with a golden dragon that curled around you, your wrists and fingers with gold as well, in your heart finger, you had a ring that belonged to your mother. 

“Your grace”, called in Ser Erryk, “the Lord hand and Lord Celtigar, both want to see you”, you barely nodded.

Both men entered the room and you watched them through the mirror, as they saw you they stopped in their tracks, their mouths open, but they regained their composure quickly

“In this day your grace, we have something for you”, said Lord Celtigar, who had brought a beautifully decorated box with him. You turned around in your chair, to be presented with said gift.

Cregan stood behind him, giving him space, as Celtigar theatrically bowed, and opened the box and showed you the insides

You gasped when you saw it, tears threatening to fall as you covered your mouth

“How? Where did you find it?”, you asked, your throat in a knot

“A low-life was trying to sell it in the docks of Claw Island”, he said softly

Your mother’s… and well… Jahaerys’ crown

When your mother rebels and traitors swarmed the capital and threatened the life of your mother, she had to flee and hide all over the Crownlands… and to be able to return to Dragonstone, she had to sell the crown

A sad tale… but in the end…

They had brought it back to you

“You will be crowned with the crown of the conciliator”, said Cregan, “with your mother’s crown, and King Viserys and King Jahaerys before her”

“Thank you”, you murmured, a single tear scaping you

“You look gorgeous, your grace”, said Reysen

“Thank you”

“I’ll give the crown to the master of ceremonies”, muttered Cregan, and you only nodded

They left once more, and the maids kept brushing your hair 

“More reason to have my hair loose”, you said softly and they nodded with wide smile on their faces

You were nervous, to say the least, it had been a long, nerve-wrecking week, in which you had met so many people you barely remember their faces, they had asked much things from you

And now you were getting crowned 

Once you were ready, you asked the maids to leave, and they did

You watched yourself in the mirror, as tears started pouring down your cheeks

“Gods!”, you cried, falling to your arms folded over the dresser

You would give all of this in a heartbeat to have them back… at least one of them… only one… luke…. or Jace… or your mama

The door opened but you didn’t want to see who it was, you waiting for whoever it was to leave, but that didn’t happen

You felt two strong hands grab you and turn you, and in a second your face was against a soft velvet vest, a hand in your hair

“Shhh, everything is alright”, you whined when you heard it was cregan, hugging you tightly, “it’s all alright, I’m right here, with you…”

“I wish they were here”, you whined like a little girl

“I know, I know”, he whispered against the top of your hair

“I would give everything”, you insisted, like he was the god of death capable of doing such exchange 

“I know”, he repeated softly, “they are ready for you, my sweet queen, it’s time… to make everyone proud up there, to shout to all corners of the seven kingdoms, that you, the last dragon, are still here, in honor of your mother, and your older brother”, you barely nodded, finally raising your head to look at him

“To tell all those sons of bitches that the blacks won. and you are alive and well, and they lost…”, you smiled as you wiped your tears. “I’m going to be there, by your side, or behind you, wherever you need me, i’m here…”

You needed him, Cregan realized, and not only to help you rule the kingdom, no, you needed him in a more intimate way… you were only a young woman, who lost everything, he had agreed to marry you, appealing to the power both of you held, but he could tell, that was not enough, in the intimacy you were both going to have, you were going to need more

So he leaned in, and kissed you

Just a peck, on the lips, as he held you softly by the face, caressing your cheeks with his thumbs, you leaned in gently, softly, and when you parted, he could see it in your eyes

In your still innocent eyes

You needed more from him…

You needed a husband, and a protector, a defender, a champion, a knight in shining armor…

And he was going to pick up that mantel

When Cregan stood up and give his back to you to open the door and start the procession, you touched your lips that were still warm, and smiled gently

Your first kiss… your first real kiss…

Cregan turned back to you and offered you his hand, you took it without thinking.

He had proved once again you could lean on him with ease, he was not going to turn on you, or judge you, or tell anyone… from this day forwards, he was in this with you, by your side… as your partner, as your King consort and Hand, as your husband in a few weeks, as your everything

The very thought frightened and excited you at the same time

He released you as soon as you came into the hallway, but you walked side by side, in complete silence, towards the throne room

The great doors were closed, and he looked at you intently

“I will take place by the throne, you will enter alone”, you barely nodded, “are you alright?”

“Yes”, you said shortly, he only nodded in turn, and he left you to enter the ceremony through one of the side passageways.

You just looked at the detail of the large wooden doors, playing with your fingers ahead of you

You were getting crowned, you were getting married soon, you were ruling a country because you were already of age… It was so many things… and you were alone at the top, with no senior to guide you, nobody you completely trusted… no… father or mother figure 

Only Cregan

You took a long breath

You weren’t even nervous… you were longing to get this over with, your hands were sweaty and your feet already hurt for the shoes even though beautiful 

Soon the music started, and the doors opened slowly, to reveal you to the room, people gasped and cheered for you, as you started walking slowly towards the end… towards…

The Iron throne

It was there, surrounded by spikes, melted swords of the enemies oft he house of the dragon

The cause of such bloodshed 

The cause of the annihilation of your family.

All those plots… from the greens, all that coin and gold, armies, and at the end

You smiled widely

The blacks had won, you had won, your mother’s blood will sit on the iron Throne

Screw them

If you could, you would dance over his graves… if only there were enough remains of them to bury…

You climbed both steps of stone before the throne, as discussed, and you turned to the people, a golden cape moving behind you

“Our new Queen!”, chanted Erryk

Your small council was there, the Grand maester brought, in a red velvet cushion, the golden crown of Jaehaerys The Old King

“With the crown of the conciliator, we crown you”, chanted the master of ceremonies, he took the crown, raised it for everyone to see, and then he turned to you and he placed it gently atop your head. It felt… good… the weight rather than bother you, it felt like it grounded you 

“Queen (Y/N) of house Targaryen, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm, the last dragon, the unkillable, and like your ancestor before you… the conciliator”, he said firmly 

People applauded, cheered for you, as Cregan Stark moved forwards and took your hand softly, helping you up the treacherous steps until you sat on the Iron throne 

The throne was cold and uncomfortable under you, but you sat straight, holding onto the arm rests softly 

“Long live the Queen!”, he demanded of everyone, and again, they cheered and chanted your name for long minutes you thought were never going to end

After that was done, they paraded you to greet the people of Kinglanding that were gathered at the gates, with chants of your name, and everyone wanted to reach out to you…

There were so many people there, in the throne room, lords from houses you haven’t even heard of before, and the streets were packed, so packed, so many people screaming, reaching for you.

It came out of nowhere, you lost your footing, but before you could collapse, Creganw as there to grab you from your waist.

“The Queen, and future King consort of the Seven Kingdoms, Lord Cregan Stark!”, presented Eryk and then the people really lost it, screaming in delight, as the lords gasped behind you inside the walls of the Red Keep

Soon the doors to the exterior closed, and you were again inside the safety of the castle, With Cregan by your side, grabbing you by the waist.

“The marriage will take place in a week”, said Cregan to the new founded court, and everyone clapped once again, some of themes haring looks of concern amongst one another

Then he looked at you

You haven't discussed this, not at all

He had made that decision for you 

You didn’t know what to think or feel 

“So soon?”, you asked when you had him by your side, in the banquet for the celebration of your coronation

“Yes, everyone is here”, he said gently, “there had been rumors… of me… of us, gathering at late hours, I think is better to do it as soon as possible”, he said gently, you barely nodded

You had barely turn ten and eight a few moons ago, alone, trapped in your room

You took a shaky breath

Yes, you needed to get married, but you never thought it was going to be this soon! You talked about it, you understand the need, and that night when you summoned Cregan to your rooms, you knew it was happening

But one week?

You only stole looks at Cregan and you nodded, you then turn to your left, to your baby brother, who smiled softly at you, but the smile, just like yours, didn’t quite reach his eyes

He had seen so much

You too

Aegon didn’t even let you cover his eyes when he had his dragon eat your mother alive before your very eyes, and his eyes

Your brother was traumatized for life and there was nothing you could do to help him

One time, a few days ago, you tried to take him flying with you…

You had to hide the claw marks he left in your arms. He had scratch you to release him, in the midst of screeches and cries as soon as he saw your dragon in the distance

He was terrified of them now

“What’s on your mind?”, you heard Cregan ask beside you, you barely looked at him

“My baby brother”, you confessed, there was no point in lying 

You looked around the room and you found all of the great houses dining and feasting, all of them but two

The Hightowers and the Velaryons

You took a long breath

Corlys as Baela had requested audiences with you, and you had denied them

You didn’t hate Baela, nor Rhaena, she had a dragon egg now… but…

It was bitter

You had lived with them since you were about ten, when your mother married Daemon, they were, for some time, your step-sisters, and even that, they were… your aunts? you didn’t even know… 

But seeing them got you a bittersweet sentiment, perhaps because they were the survivors of all this madness, alongside with you… but the truth you would admit to yourself late at night… is that you would have traded them for your brothers anyday

You were resentful, that they were the ones to survive and not your siblings…

They had a life ahead of them, a grandfather that literally killed a King for them, to guide them and protect them

A man that betrayed your mother

She had grown resentful and paranoid, yes, but he turned his back on her when she needed him the most

You didn’t believe you could forgive him.

You were not a Velaryon, not by blood, and now, that you become Queen, not by name either… he never treated you as one, so that was it

You wanted to keep him at arm’s length 

But you didn’t even realized… that there was another house absent front he festivities

You were glad to see the capital boasting with life, like the days of old, like when you wee young and you were living in the good days of your grandfather King Viserys

A tourney had been organized, as competitions and festivities, and even though you found it dreadful, there you were… granting so many favoors you had your ladies and even servants braiding new ones each hour….

Perhaps all the knights in there, at least, most of them, asked for your crown of red roses and dark green leaves and golden feathers.

At the end, you were crowned the Lady of Love and Beauty by the winner, a Knight from the Vale. You watched your small council closely, and they all seemed pleased

Telling constantly how much the people were taking to you, how much they loved you even

Their new, young, beautiful Queen

The bards were singing songs about your beauty and your strength, no doubt they had been paid handsomely to do so

You felt… powerful

You sat in the most dangerous yet important seat of the realm, you had the last grown dragon on earth. 

You felt good, in control… until…

Until the day of your wedding.

Cregan had not accepted a marriage in the Sept, he did not follow the faith of the seven, and neither did you, so you accepted to be married in the godswood, by the heartree

It was going to create controversy, the small council said

But fuck the faith, the seven pointed star, and the heraldry that replaced all the dragons in the capital thanks to Alicent fucking HIghtower, and that you had already commanded to replace back to the likeness of your own dragon, and the three headed dragon of your house 

You were waiting for one word, one revolt, one bad new from the citadel to burn it to a crisp… luckily, it had been none

You thought they knew it as well, that you were looking for an excuse to do the same thing Maegor the cruel did

So the day of your wedding came quickly.

And as the maids braided your hair in a Northerner style, then, you felt nervous. Truly, nerve wrecking nervousness makes your hands shake.

You were about to be married… to Cregan Stark

A rough, authoritative man,a handsome and strong man, a man who was going to go back and forth and leave you for months at a time, perhaps years, but…

“Everything is going to be alright”, murmured the sweet maid, one that had served you since you were a child, manage to survive the Greens, she smiled at you through the mirror

“Thank you”, you whispered

“He is a kind man, and I have no doubt he will care for you”, she said with a complacent smile, and you only smiled widely 

“I know he will”

“If you’d allow me, your grace… your mother would have been proud”, she said then, and that brought tears to your eyes

“Thank you”, you cried with a smile on your face

You had married an entire continent last week, promising to give your life in service to the crown and the countries that were under your reign, and now… you were going to give your body… to another

To a man

Septas had taught you what you needed to know -according to them- about marriage, of how a woman must serve her husband, about you had to lay on your shared bed and let him do what he needed to do, bed you, breed you, how it was a woman’s job to have his husband’s children and heirs…

Of course you were nine at the time, your mother when she found out dismissed the Septa, fought hard with Alicent, saying that over her dead body she was going to allow the Old Queen to take charge of your education ever again

That was fun to watch, scary, but fun, to see your mother so protective and angry

And then you discovered “how babies were made”, by not by your mother in a nice chat or anything really, you discovered it the funny way, with your brothers and stepsisters, sneaking off the Castle in Dragonstone and going to the town, following soldiers to pleasure houses, then you were thirteen 

And then stealing racy books from the library 

But this was no time to think about that

You stood up, already dressed, your hair done, no much jewelry, only a nice beautiful white dress, yes it was the wedding of the Queen, but you had been celebrating your coronation for a week now, the Kingdoms had just been through a gruesome war, it was not fair, for them, for you to spend so much

Your wedding, a banquet afterwards, and baskets filled with food that were to be distributed through the streets of King’s Landing

And Cregan… well

He was nervous as well, more like, getting it over with already…

The sooner you settled in, with the throne and in your marriage, the better 

He fixed the silver velvet vest on him, and the large gold chain they had made him wear, it was a warm day, and his pants, he felt them too tight, as he was waiting for you in the Godswood. Was he doing the right thing?

He was going to be in the depths of one of the things he hated the most…

Politics

When he gathered his army and marched south in search of “justice”, this was not what he expected, to the the second most powerful person in all the realms

It was a constant thought, he never, in a million years, would hope he was going to end up here, waiting for…

He raised his head when they announced you

There you were

All his doubts disappeared

You looked… breathtakingly beautiful, positively godly

Not intimidating, like an empress of an old dynasty on the day of your coronation, now… you looked like the embodiment of a god of the waters or snow itself, made flesh… Dressed in a beautiful white dress, no much finery but only you, your hair arranged in a 

Northerner way that made him smile. Now his pants were truly tight

Tyland Lannister was escorting you

As soon as he had you within grasp, he grabbed your hands and accommodated you by his side, facing his commander of his army, an old man from house Mormont. 

“Who comes before the old Gods on this day?”, asked the tall man

“(Y/N), of House Targaryen”, presented Tyland, with his deep voice, summoning complete silence from everyone present. “She comes here to be wed. A woman grown, trueborn, and noble. She comes to beg for the blessing of the Gods, who is here to claim her?”, he asked almost defiantly, looking at Cregan, who took a step forward

“I Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, I come here this day before the gods, to claim this lady, who gives her away?”, he asked

“I, Tyland Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, and Warden of the West”, he said firmly, releasing you right next to Cregan, you both looked at him and smiled, and then turned to the man presiding the ceremony

“My lady, (Y/N) of House Targaryen, do you take this man?”, he asked

“Yes”, you answered, it came more gently than you expected, “I take this man”, you said loudly and almost enthusiastically, and you felt people chuckling, and bit your lip, embarrassed. But the man presiding the ceremony smiled at you, and your now husband, grabbed your hand in his big one

“So Cregan Stark, take your wife, Lady (Y/N) now, of House Stark”, he said, and Cregan was on you in a second, he cradled your face in one of his hands, you looked up at him and your eyes met his, just for a second before you closed them since he leaned in and trapped your lips into his. You tried to relax into the kiss, your second kiss ever, with now your husband

Those closest, members of courts and Lords and Ladies from the noblest houses applauded, the gardens filled with all of them, you separated from Cregan and greeted them 

“My beautiful lady wife”, he whispered in your ear, making you smile at him

Gods he was handsome, especially with hat devilish smile

And you were married to him

Despite your secret wishes, the day went incredibly fast, and before you knew it, you were being led to your chambers… not the King’s… meaning yours, but others… Cregan’s… tonight, you were not a Queen, but a lady wife, the way it was supposed to be

The small council, and others Lords and Ladies followed you closely, but as soon as you were inside the room, Cregan stood up, shielding you from them 

“Out”, he demanded, surprising you

“But my lord… the bedding ceremony…”, stammered Tyland

“I don’t care”, he said, and you then stepped out…

“No bedding ceremony”, you said firmly, and that was enough for them to leave you alone

Alone with your husband…

You looked at him nervously, he turned softly, to look at you.

You looked around in turn, recognizing these rooms immediately, these were the rooms Cregan was using now, but before they belonged to…

He moved slowly, his eyes on you, you looked back at him

“If this marriage is going to work, I need to make something very clear”, he said seriously, he came at you quickly, and grabbed you, his hand was so big against you that with only one he placed it at the side of your neck and face, he grabbed you softly but decisively, and make you look at him, “out there, you are the Queen, but here? inside this room? as soon as you step inside, you are mine”, he growled, and he smirked when he saw your pupils enlarged, “you are my dutiful lady wife, mine to command, mine to guide, mine to bed, mine to breed, am I clear?”, he asked with an authoritative voice that made your legs shake, you nodded, your eyes not leaving his, but they betrayed you. You were a bit scared of his words. He caressed your cheek, “mine”, he said, this time more softly, “mine to cherish, mine to care for, mine to love, mine to make love to…”, your eyes shined with excitement then and you smiled brightly at him 

“Love?”, you asked as you were a little girl

“Would you like all those things?” He asked, his playfulness and rough eyes returning to him as he made you tilt your head back slightly. You managed to nod

 “Your words, my love”

“Yes Cregan”, you whispered 

“Inside this room, I’m your Lord husband”, he commanded severely

“Yes my lord husband”, you corrected quickly 

“Good girl”, he leaned on and trapped your lips on his on a fervent kiss, you were barely able to catch up, the third time you had kissed Cregan… this time was different, this time, there was nothing to prevent you from… escalating the kiss

“Do you want to consummate the marriage now?”, he asked, and you barely nodded, “your words wife”

“yes husband”, you barely said, looking into his eyes, he only smile, but didn’t kiss you again, his lips instead, traveled south 

You moaned softly, feeling his lips suck on a very tender spot in your neck

“In this room, we are husband and wife only, only us, two people, joined for life”

“Only us”, you whispered, with expert hands, he undoed your dress, letting it fall to the floor, he even undressed himself, as you didn’t even know where to start. He didn’t push you, he did all the work, as you were so nervous, terribly nervous.

He laid you on the bed covering you with his large body.

He kissed everywhere he could reach, he caressed your skin, making you shiver, moan, and spread your legs even further for him… You didn’t even know someone else could make you feel like this…

You tried to caress him in turn, his upper arms, his shoulders, his side, his mouth returned to yours, as his fingers worked you open for him…

The voice of the septa wouldn’t stop resounding in your head… you laid there, let him do his things, you wouldn’t know what to do anyways… and in turn… he made you feel the most exquisite pleasure… that you had never felt before…

When he entered you, you dropped a few tears from the sudden and sharp pain, but then, after he soothed you and gave you time to adjust to his size… he fucked you slowly, delicately, gently, holding you in his arms, and kissing all over your face and neck

You could tell he was holding up… from doing more things to you… but if only that night, he was exactly what you needed.

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[lisbeth-kk]

Sherlock fandom.

Silvery Witchcraft

It is of course not a secret. Not per se. I don’t hide my true identity. It has more to do with what people observe. Or believe, I suppose. Coming to terms with the fact that the paranormal is real doesn't sit well with most people. Therefore, I always find it amusing when someone calls me a witch. Little do they know…

I took my time when I got to choose my appearance and colours. An image of an elderly, fragile-looking lady filled my mind. She fit my favourite colours perfectly. Purple and silver. 

My place of residence had already been chosen for me. 221 Baker Street, London. Such a pretty place. Victorian. Reminded me of my childhood. I immediately set about furnishing the place. 221A would serve as my quarters. I decorated it as a woman my supposed age would. Lots of lace curtains, antimacassars, velvet cushions, a Persian carpet, and mahogany furniture. I hid the modern kitchen appliances in old, almost ancient ones. My cooking and baking would not suffer because of an unpredictable oven, thank you very much!

I didn’t bother with 221C at first but moved upstairs. 221B was going to be rented out. I needed to earn a living. Keeping up appearances and all that nonsense. The flat was quite spacious and had two bedrooms. The empty space got my full attention, and I chose carefully. My intention was for it to look as if the previous tenants had left it fully furnished. 

The walls were covered with creamy-coloured wallpaper and a black lily pattern. Two mismatched chairs, one in worn, but exquisite leather, the other a faded red upholstery one, were positioned by the fireplace. Although they looked old, they weren’t. 

I used quite a few moments to get the bathroom and kitchen just to my liking. The space was scarce, but by using my silver sparks, my secret weapon, I got everything to fit without it seeming cramped. Letting the rooms expand unnoticed by the users, was quite a challenge.

***

My first tenant was Mycroft Holmes’ little brother, Sherlock. Witchcraft is surprisingly fully recognised by the British government. Not publicly, of course, and only a handful of ministries are aware of its existence.

Mycroft summoned me to the Diogenes club, and almost begged me to save his brother.

“He won’t listen to reason,” he sighed. “I have tried everything. You are his last chance, or he will end up dead under one of London’s bridges.”

Mycroft Holmes is just as much of a drama queen as his brother, but this time he wasn’t far off. I saw it in the lines around his eyes and mouth.

Arrangements were made, and I literally served my fake mafia husband to Sherlock on a silver plate. We got on like a house on fire after that.

Sherlock immediately fell in love with 221B, and he moved in the day after we returned from Florida and the execution. I hadn’t felt so alive in centuries!

“You will need a flatmate,” I told him after a while. “It’s too lonely for you. Don’t you roll your eyes at me, young man. I hear you during the wee hours. Playing your violin and pacing. A loyal companion is what you need.”

“Who would want me for a flatmate, Hudders?” he asked.

My heart nearly broke at that. Sherlock had become like a son to me, and I hated to see his loneliness. Few people were able to look behind his haughty façade. Greg Lestrade, Mike Stamford, and Molly Hooper being the exceptions. And me and Mycroft, obviously.

“Talk to Mike Stamford,” I urged him. “He will keep an eye out, and he certainly won’t pull someone like Sebastian Wilkes out of his sleeve.”

***

Before Sherlock left for Barts on January 29, I sent some silver sparks after him. For a moment, too brief for the human eye to discern, it lit him up, making him appear even more handsome. Not that he needed it. It was more for good luck, which he might have needed. It was difficult to use my magic on him due to his unpredictability and that monster of a brain.

The moment I laid eyes on John Watson, after Sherlock’s unprecedented hug, I knew he was just the one to share 221B with the genius detective. I didn’t even consider using my magic on him. He was already perfect for Sherlock. I just had to make sure that Sherlock didn’t push John away when he made his move to inquire about his romantic life and orientation. 

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Propaganda

Miriam Hopkins (Design For Living, Trouble in Paradise)—miriam hopkins had great range as an actresses, truly a woman who could play a passionate outburst for either dramatic or comedic effect and sell the ever-loving hell out of it. she's wonderful in the witty and sophisticated comedies she made with ernst lubitsch, great examples of movies that could never have been made after the hays code; the frothy musical comedy the smiling lieutenant where she plays a naive princess who accidentally gets betrothed to maurice chevalier, the polyamory classic design for living where she gary cooper and hot vintage shadow king fredric march are a throuple, and the ineffably exquisite comedic masterpiece trouble in paradise in which she and hubert marshall are sexy jewel thieves trying to con sexy rich lady kay francis, but will emotional complications ensue???? watch to find out!!

Dorothy Dandridge (Carmen Jones, Porgy and Bess, Island in the Sun)— The first Black actress to ever be nominated for best actress, Dorothy Dandridge was a groundbreaking actress who deserved better. She started her career as a singer, being put in a song-and-dance duo with her sister by their stage mother, and singing in soundies (I highly recommend cow cow boogie, it's adorable), proto-music videos. She started appearing as a featured singer in films. Her star was on the rise and she soon became a star solo performer. She continued acting, but had limited options because she refused to do stereotypical roles. She finally landed a starring role in Bright Road in 1953, but it was the movie Carmen Jones that truly cemented her as a star and sex symbol. Not to sound cheesy, but she literally sizzles on screen. You can't help but understand how poor Harry Belafonte gets caught in her trap, just look at her. This is the role that got her that Oscar nom. She didn't win cause I mean #OscarsSoWhite, but she was a sensation and continued starring in films, despite troubles in her life (including a shitty director bf who fucked with her career and a traumatizing pregnancy/delivery). Outside of her filmwork, she was also an activist, fighting against racism. She left behind an amazing legacy, and continues to inspire many actresses to this day (including also very hot first (and only) black woman to win best actress, Halle Berry).

This is round 3 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Miriam Hopkins:

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She is an incredibly charismatic and versatile actress who brings a certain captivating je ne sais quois to each and every one of her roles that makes her impossible to ignore. Her pre-code films were considered quite risqué, with her part in a thrupple in Design For Living, and some saucy scenes they had to cut from Jekyll and Hyde. She also had a strong career in early television, so good that this queen literally has TWO Hollywood Stars, TWO!! One for TV and one for Film

Also she is Gorgeous, capable of being the girl nextdoor and also a stunning blonde bombshell. She's not as well known as some golden-age Hollywood stars but she's really incredible and I recommend everyone watch her films

In Trouble in Paradise she plays a pickpocket who flirts by stealing from her criminal boyfriend and I fell in love

Linked gifset

She's got this sly slouchy confidence that just draws you in. Almost no one wore 30s fashion as well as her

queen of the pre-code era. often her roles were of carefree, flirty and lighthearted but intelligent women. famously in the movie where she was part of a fredrich march/gary cooper throuple.

We all know that Design for Living is THE pre-code movie and she is so iconic in it. Her eyes are everythingggg. Also everyone look at her in a suit in She Loves Me Not please

A Frequent collaborator of Ernst Lubistch, Miriam Hopkins like up the screen in her comic roles, as is especially sexy in her pre-code performance in Design for Living; probably one of the first movies to showcase a coded polyamorous relationship. She toes the line between adorable and sexy, and had the acting chops to back it all up.

Dorothy Dandridge propaganda:

Beautiful actress and hand-working and talented singer, she's especially notable for the number of firsts she accomplished such as the first African-American woman to receive a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and the first African-American woman to appear on the cover of Life magazine.

Dorothy Dandridge was a classic Hollywood triple threat, singing, dancing, and acting with the best of them. She was the first African American nominated for an academy award for Best Actress for her role in Carmen Jones and she was just jaw-droppingly beautiful.

this og of black film needs no introduction (star on the hollywood walk of fame anyone?), voice of an angel, heavenly features, just an overall stunning lady :)

Look at her!!! She is so unbelievably charismatic in Carmen, it’s insane. Her chemistry with Harry Belafonte is off the charts, and every time she puts another outdoor [sic] on it’s like ‘oh god this is a whole new level of stunning’ 🥵. She was so so talented, when she’s on screen I genuinely dare you to tear your eyes away from her. Deserves to be known so much better but due to Hollywood racism and a tough personal life she didn’t make it as big as she should have done. She’s incredible.

First Black actress to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress! Was the first choice for the role of Cleopatra that went to Elizabeth Taylor (we were ROBBED).

[tj-dragonblade]

[Connect 4 FIC] Promises in the Wake

Fandom: The Sandman Pairing: Dreamling Rated: G Word Count: 1301 Tags: fluff, apple picking, autumn, domesticity, feelings, alternate comics ending inferred, not retired Dream

Notes: This covers the @sandman-connect4 spaces Hands, Duty, and Breakdown which was only mentioned in passing but I'm still gonna count it. Also partially inspired by this adorable art by @monobuu. Aaaaand, here, have a song while you read, from whence the title came and whose vibes have definitely nurtured this as well: You're Still Here by Poets of the Fall

Summary: Hob and Dream go apple picking

On AO3

Dream's hand is warm in his.

Hob can't help noticing it, as they make their way through the orchard's gate. The autumn air is cool, crisp but not biting, the smell of apples and drying leaves and woodsmoke on the breeze. And Dream's hand, so often cool and otherworldly to the touch, feels warm and almost human in his own.

He's delighted that Dream reached for his hand, when they got out of the car, delighted that Dream seems genuinely happy to be here with him rather than just fondly indulgent. It's so achingly, beautifully mundane, going apple-picking for the Inn's kitchen with his boyfriend tagging along—the cosmically-powerful supernatural boyfriend who certainly has grander and far more important things to do, but who is also working hard to balance his duty and his personhood and Hob is so proud of the progress he's made.

It had taken a breakdown and an intervention to get to the point of Dream even admitting that something needed to change, and Hob is grateful every day that Dream chose to try, that Dream is still here. With him.

He's going to show Dream so many things beyond his duty that make life worthwhile, big and small and everything in between.

Dream's hand is warm in his.

Dream's chunky black boots crunch softly through the leaves underfoot as he leads Hob through the trees, Hob pulling the small cart with its three bushel baskets behind him. Dream is wearing his usual black skinny jeans and grey t-shirt, but Hob had convinced him the posh peacoat would be a little out of place. Dream, graciously, had borrowed a cozy flannel button down from Hob instead of manifesting something new, so Hob has the pleasure of seeing the warm autumnal orange and brown plaid of his own shirt wrapped around Dream's slender frame.

It becomes him, the soft seasonal look, but also. He's out and about in public, wearing something of Hob's, and the possessive primal instinct in Hob is so terribly pleased about it. Dream is not sharing that witch's clothes, nor apple-picking with the fae queen; he's here with plain old down-to-earth everyman Hob and sometimes Hob still has to stop and take a second to remind himself it's real.

But Dream's hand is warm in his, solid and perfect, and Dream does not let go.

Not even as he stops at a particular tree and steps closer to it; he simply draws Hob beneath its canopy with him. He presses his free hand flat to the trunk, gazes up into the branches, a faraway look in his dark and starry eyes.

"This one," he declares a long moment later, glancing over at Hob. "This tree dreams strongly, of sunlight and clear skies, sweet rains and rich earth, of its fruit spreading far and wide to grow new trees and nourish many. These apples carry those dreams; they will be robust and just sweet enough, well-suited for the pies Sam is planning."

"Thank you, duck," Hob smiles, and squeezes Dream's hand gently before letting it go. "Let's see—" He reaches for the apple hanging nearest, a fat round thing with a deep rosy blush over the golden undertones, and plucks it deftly from the branch. He polishes it against his jumper and then takes an enormous bite.

It's quite possibly the most perfect apple he's ever tasted, ripe and autumn-cool and exquisitely balanced between sweet and tart. It's crisp, juicy, and he can't help the almost-lewd sound of approval that leaves him. "Oh my god," he moans, through his mouthful. "You're absolutely right, love—here, try this—"

Dream looks at the apple that Hob holds out to him, something inscrutable passing over his face; then, with the smallest smile, he takes the offering and sinks his teeth into it delicately, a much more decorous bite than Hob's. Hob finds himself paying rapt attention to the smush and press of Dream's very-pink lips against the skin of the apple and the perfect white of his teeth cutting through the jucy flesh, the flick of his tongue catching a stray droplet as he pulls it away.

"Indeed," Dream says, having finished chewing first, and hands the apple back to Hob. "As expected, these will serve their purpose admirably."

Hob takes another bite, grins around it. "Then let's get picking, shall we?"

Dream works smoothly alongside him, long white fingers gently plucking apples from the branches, occasionally murmuring words that Hob doesn't quite catch to the fruit as he goes. Hob can't help watching him between picking his own apples, overfull with fondness, glancing his way constantly, and Dream of course is not blind to it.

"I am flattered by your regard, Hob Gadling, but gazing at me does not put apples in your basket." He sets another apple in the bushel he's filling as he speaks, mouth turned up in a little smirk that pairs beautifully with the sideways glance he gives from beneath his lashes, and the fact that he's teasing does nothing to discourage Hob's distraction. He wants to take Dream's hand, his warm and willing hand and pull him close; wants to spin him into a dance, waltz him about the orchard in his boots and skinny jeans and borrowed plaid on feet made light with quiet joy, kiss him beneath the apple boughs like they're in a sodding Disney film.

"Suppose you're right," he grins, and he knows it is absolutely besotted.

He is utterly, stupidly in love, and delighted to be so.

Dream's smirk softens into a smile, as if he can tell what's on Hob's mind; he plucks another apple from the tree, tosses it gently to Hob. "Apples, beloved," he admonishes, and Hob could swear the autumn sunshine grows softly brighter overhead.

There are enough ripe apples on this one tree to fill all three bushels; once they're full, Hob pats the tree kindly. "I'll be sure to plant the seeds from some of these in the Inn's garden," he says, half talking to the tree and half to Dream. "Those robust dreams won't go unrealized."

"It will be appreciated," Dream says, and his smile is a beautiful thing.

Dream reaches for Hob again as they bring their laden cart back through the orchard to weigh out and pay. "My sister is fond of apples," he says, as they walk, hand in hand. "Perhaps I should take one or two for her."

"The one who set us up?"

Dream's eyes roll the slightest bit. "Yes."

Hob grins; far easier to wrap his head around Dream's sister being Death if he focuses on how her gift has enabled what he shares now with Dream. And also, the way Dream reacts to his flippant summarization of the original deal never fails to amuse him. "I'm sure she'd appreciate the thought." He leans over, plants a kiss on Dream's cheek just because he can. "Tell her she's welcome to stop by for pie, too, if she likes."

"I shall," Dream decides, a soft happiness on his face, and Hob's heart does a grateful little trip. Dream is here, with him, smiling that little smile in his borrowed flannel shirt, alive and present and not burying himself under the weight of his duty; and Hob, Hob is so happy just to have him here, to see him thriving, to not have lost him to last century's unwelcome candor or the ordeal of Fawney Rig or anything else. He hopes, with all the fullness of his heart, that he can steal little mundane moments like this with Dream for the rest of his very long life.

Dream glances over, still with that secret little smile, as if he knows Hob's wishes and approves.

Hob smiles back, utterly content.

And Dream's hand is warm in his.

= Started: 11/4/24 Drafted: 11/6/24 Posted: 11/8/24

Leaving behind the weight vying for yesteryear Leaving promises in its wake, whispering, My love, you're still here You're still here ~ Poets of the Fall, 'You're Still Here' YouTube Spotify

Disclaimer that I have never been apple-picking in any capacity so please forgive any details that may be egregiously incorrect.

[karlachismylife]

Flutter Into the Skies

CW: fem!reader, girly reader (dresses, makeup, all that jazz), flirty banter, mentions of alcohol, Ghost is a menace as always, toothrotting fluff.

(Title from "Butterfly, Butterly" by a-ha)

You're excited.

That bubbly feeling of sincere happiness for someone else is filling your chest with lightweight foam, rising as if you're the most perfect, airy meringue that has ever graced anyone's kitchen - and it's soft too, not choking or overwhelming like any strong sensations tend to be.

You're literally beaming on someone else's wedding day. It's good.

Even Ghost and his ever so heavy, even unintentionally, presence seem to have nothing on you and your metaphorical butterfly wings of a flowing dress, fluttering behind you as you're running around to finish getting ready to head out. He considers himself already good to go, a sharp suit matching colour with your dress, grown out hair styled neatly, keeping the subtle waves it naturally has whenever he lets it go. You even got him a half-face mask that matches his tie and pocket square, no black allowed to your sweet friend's celebration. He's wearing it already, getting used to the feeling of unfamilar fabric on his face, as he stands in the hallway, leaning on the wall in a lazy manner, hooded eyes watching you with a deep satisfaction and a crooked smirk of a predator in its den lurking somewhere behind the satin mask.

You hear a distinct chuckle as you zoom past him in your festive frenzy, looking for a particular eyeshadow palette in your impressive collection - so, naturally, you turn on your heels and give Simon a mockingly stern look.

"What's so funny, huh?" You demand, pointng your eyeshadow brush at him, right between his dark, magnetic eyes. Sparkly glitter smeared on the soft hairs makes it look like you're about to zap him with some pixie dust magic. "I wanna look good, it's her special day, can't ruin it by being a mess! You could put some effort in too, Mr Riley."

That's when you get him - light eyebrows sliding upwards in a quizzical look, eyes dipping down to give himself a quick one-over before coming back up to stare at you. Daring you to tell him he doesn't look exquisitely and magnificently. He would go meet the Queen of England herself looking like this, not to mention a friend of his own little queen.

"Your tie, dummy," you giggle and put your formiddable weapon of artistry and glitter on the nearest surface, dancing up to Simon and gripping his unevenly tied accessory.

"Could've fixed it meself before headin' out," he grumbles in response, standing upright for you to adjust the tie into a straight line and tighen it up just the right way. Sure, he could, but that's what he gets for being a menace and teasing you for fussing over every detail of your appearance today.

You lift your gaze to retort with some smartass quip, but Ghost is already two steps ahead, staring at you with a heavy, sultry look he knows you can't resist - eyelids half-closed and lazy, white lashes fluttering slightly as he assesses your expression, notices the way your half-done makeup blends together into a colourful picture, bright, sparkly, not subtle at all and screaming "this is a happy day for me too!"

You must be a fairy or some other mythical creature to posess this wonderous ability to dissolve seamlessly into other people when they need your support and then emerge unscathed; complete, full and whole on our own - and yet always there to be a part of a bigger thing.

He knows, because you've seeped under his skin every time his own shell crumbled, and held the fortress for him, mending every crack with your pink pixie dust and golden unicorn fur. They are still there, still visible, still hurting - but not threatening to collapse on top of him, crushing whatever soft and alive still is kept inside.

If there is a pang of guilt prickling him for never supplying you with something this good to melt into, sharing happiness instead of a deadly burden, it disappears too quickly once Simon sees the simmering adoration in your glitter-eyeliner emphasized eyes.

Sliding the knot of his tie up and adjusting it around his collar, you don't let go of it immediately, instead opting to tug on it - an indication of your intent clear enough, you think. But of course, the mountain that is Ghost, doesn't move.

"Come on, I wanna kiss you," you murmur, yet to realize that Simon didn't misread your gesture as a part of fixing his tie.

The bastard ignored it on purpose.

"Oh, I can tell," his smugness rains down on you through the slyly narrowed eyes of his and the undeniably satisfied smirk unable to be contained discreetly with the mask alone.

It takes you a few seconds to go from charmed and adoring to scandalized and outraged.

"Fuck you, Simon Riley," in sincere wrath, you jerk your fist up, choking him with the tie, and yank the asshole's face towards you, pressing a loud, mocking smooch directly over the light fabric of his mask. It's his fault he didn't want to remove it and give you a proper kiss.

"We'll be late if ya do," unfased by the silky hanging noose around his neck, Ghost hammers in the last nail.

You're pouting at him the whole way to your friend's wedding, his poorly muffled chuckles only digging his grave deeper as you glare at him, no threat in your butterfly princess appearance whatsoever. The only thing that keeps you from elbowing the self-assured dog or telling him what a bastard he is, is the sweet revenge you're gonna get once everyone at the wedding sees him with a stupid, bright-pink, sparkly kiss print on his mask that he still hasn't noticed is there.

That's what he gets for being an ass: mighty image completely ruined, reputation of a scary, battle-worn beast shattered. Everyone will see just how wrapped around your finger and domesticated he is (as if it wasn't obvious already - or as if he didn't have you wrapped around his himself).

It's only at the afterparty, when everyone's letting loose and your cheeks are definitely tingling from the sweet alcohol you drank in the name of your friend's union with her sweetheart, when you suddenly get jumped by Ghost on your way to the bathroom. He's just leaving it himself, and you know from the look in his eyes that he finally had a chance to look in the mirror and see what a pretty sight he had been the whole day.

"Were ya even planning to tell me, ya little minx?" Somehow he growls right into your ear, already caging you against the wall. Good thing he does - your head is spinning, you're tipsy, charged with the best mood, buzzing from hearing good music at the dancefloor, full of sugar and sweet, sweet aftertaste of someone else's love wafting through the air.

"Took you long enough," you giggle, resting your palms on his shoulders - even through the blurriness of your lightweight happiness you clearly see that he's smiling, little lines crinkling in the corners of his eyes and warmth in his voice as he nuzzles into your temple. "Not so sharp-eyed anymore, Lieutenant?"

"Jus' didn't expect blatant betrayal in me own home." You roll your eyes and that's enough to miss him sliding his marked mask down. "Ya will pay for this, lovie."

"I'm shaking in my- mmph!"

Whatever you were shaking in, gets cut off by a whole tornado of smooches, light alcohol taste on Ghost's lips and tongue too. Should've known he'll get like this after a couple of glasses.

But then again, do you really mind?