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hisfavegirl · 2 days ago

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The Price Of Loyalty - King!Aegon Targaryen x Wife!Reader

Summary : Your marriage to Aegon should have calmed the feud between your two families, but everything changed when Aegon was crowned king and the news of your brother's death brought you a difficult choice.

Aegon Masterlist.

The weight of your choices pressed heavily on your shoulders, leaving you caught in an impossible web of loyalty and love. As the daughter of Rhaenyra and Daemon, you had grown up knowing the value of family, honor, and duty. Your mother had been named heir to the Iron Throne by your grandfather, King Viserys, and you had always believed that one day she would ascend to the throne, her birthright fulfilled.

But everything changed after your grandfather’s death.

Your husband, Aegon, had been crowned king in a swift and decisive move orchestrated by his supporters. The very man you had chosen to marry for love had now become the usurper to your mother’s claim. Though you had stood by his side during the coronation, the guilt in your heart had been overwhelming, each cheer from the crowd feeling like a dagger to your soul.

Now, as you sat beside Aegon in the Red Keep, his crown glinting in the candlelight, the weight of your decision felt suffocating. Your love for him had once felt unshakable, a bond strong enough to withstand the chaos of your divided family. But now? Now you weren’t sure if love could bridge the chasm that had formed between your duty to your mother and your devotion to your husband.

The guilt clawed at you relentlessly. I’ve betrayed her, you thought bitterly, your fingers curling into fists on your lap. My own mother. The woman who raised me, who trusted me, who believed in me. How could I stand by Aegon’s side and allow this to happen? How could I let him take what is hers?

Yet, when you looked at Aegon, you saw more than just a usurper. You saw the man who had held you in his arms on countless nights, who had whispered promises of love and devotion. He hadn’t asked to be king; the crown had been thrust upon him by those who sought to secure their power. You knew he was as much a pawn in this game as you were. And despite everything, you still loved him.

But love alone wasn’t enough to silence the voice in your heart that cried out for justice for your mother.

You were trapped in the middle of a war you never wanted to fight, a war between your two families, both of whom you loved deeply. And as much as you tried to justify your actions, to tell yourself that you were trying to prevent more bloodshed, the truth was undeniable: by staying with Aegon, you had chosen a side. And it wasn’t your mother’s.

Tears stung your eyes as you turned to look at Aegon, who was engrossed in a discussion with his council. He caught your gaze and gave you a small, tired smile, but it only deepened the ache in your chest. You returned the smile weakly, but your mind was far from at ease.

What will you do, Mother? Will you ever forgive me? And… can I forgive myself?

The heavy oak doors creaked open, drawing the attention of everyone in the council chamber. The sound cut through the quiet murmur of discussion, and all eyes turned toward the figure entering the room. Aemond stood there, drenched from head to toe, rainwater dripping from his armor and pooling at his feet. His long silver hair clung to his face, and his single eye burned with intensity.

Your heart sank the moment you saw him. There was something in his demeanor—an edge, a tension—that immediately unsettled you. He avoided your gaze entirely, his expression cold and unreadable, and instead fixed his eye on Aegon, your husband and the newly crowned king.

“I’ve secured Lord Borros Baratheon’s support,” Aemond declared, his voice low but steady. The words echoed in the chamber, and for a moment, the room was silent, processing the weight of what he had just said.

The council members exchanged glances, some murmuring approval, others nodding in acknowledgment. Aegon straightened in his seat, his expression betraying a mix of relief and satisfaction. “Good,” he said, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of authority. “We need Storm’s End on our side.”

But you couldn’t shake the unease that settled in your chest. Something about Aemond’s posture, his refusal to meet your eyes, made you feel like there was more to his story than he was letting on. Your gaze lingered on him, searching for any sign of what might be wrong, but he remained stoic, unflinching under the scrutiny of the room.

Aegon leaned forward slightly, his tone curious but cautious. “How did it go? Was it a straightforward agreement?”

Aemond’s jaw tightened, and for the briefest moment, his mask slipped. “Lord Borros agreed to our cause,” he said curtly, his tone clipped, almost dismissive. “He will not side with Rhaenyra.”

Your stomach churned at the mention of your mother’s name. Every decision, every alliance, every movement in this war seemed to push you further and further from her. And now, with Storm’s End backing Aegon, the divide felt even greater.

But your unease only grew as you continued to watch Aemond. There was something he wasn’t saying, a heaviness in his demeanor that suggested more than just the weight of his mission. You wanted to speak, to ask him directly what had happened, but the words caught in your throat. You didn’t trust yourself to remain calm, not with the tension between your family and your husband already pulling you apart.

Aegon, however, didn’t seem to notice the undercurrent in his brother’s tone. “Well done, Aemond,” he said, nodding in approval. “Your efforts will not go unnoticed.”

Aemond simply inclined his head, but his eye flickered briefly toward you, as if he could feel your stare. It was only for a moment, but it was enough to send a shiver down your spine. Something was wrong—terribly wrong—and you knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came to light.

Your voice broke the tense silence in the room, trembling but firm. “Aemond,” you asked, your gaze fixed on him, “is there something you’re not telling us?”

The question hung in the air like a sword poised to strike, and for a moment, the chamber fell deathly quiet. You saw it immediately—his body stiffened, his jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists at his sides. Aemond’s refusal to meet your eyes only deepened the pit forming in your stomach.

Aegon turned to you, his brows furrowing. “Why would you ask that?” he questioned, his tone tinged with curiosity and caution. His words, however, barely registered with you. Your gaze never left Aemond, the unspoken weight in his posture filling you with dread.

The tension in the room grew unbearable as Aemond finally looked up, his eye filled with a mix of regret and defiance. His lips parted, and the words that came out made the world around you crumble.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” he began, his voice hoarse. “It wasn’t supposed to end this way… but Luke is dead. Vhagar—she killed him. I… I couldn’t stop it.”

The words slammed into you like a physical blow. Your knees buckled, and if it weren’t for Aegon’s arm instinctively reaching out to steady you, you would have collapsed on the cold stone floor. Your breath hitched, your chest tightening as you struggled to process what he had just said.

“No,” you whispered, shaking your head, your voice barely audible. “No, that can’t be true. Not Luke. Not my brother…”

Aemond’s face was pale, his expression a mix of guilt and torment. “I only meant to frighten him,” he admitted, his voice growing quieter with each word. “But Vhagar—she didn’t listen. She… she acted on her own.”

Your mind reeled as the pieces fell into place. Your little brother, Luke, had been sent to Storm’s End as a messenger, unarmed and trusting the ancient laws of guest right to protect him. And now he was gone—killed by your brother-in-law, your husband’s brother.

The council erupted into chaos, voices overlapping as accusations and questions flew across the room. But you could barely hear them. All you could focus on was the ache in your chest, the unbearable grief that came crashing down on you like a tidal wave.

Your eyes burned with tears as you looked at Aemond, your voice trembling with raw emotion. “You killed him,” you choked out. “You killed my little brother, Aemond. How could you? How could you do this to him? To me?”

Aemond flinched at your words, his guilt evident, but he didn’t speak. He simply stood there, his eye downcast, as though bracing himself for the storm he had unleashed.

Beside you, Aegon’s face darkened, his grip on your arm tightening as he tried to steady both you and himself. “Aemond,” he said sharply, his voice laced with disbelief and anger. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

But Aemond didn’t respond. He simply stood there, his silence more damning than any words could have been.

You pulled away from Aegon’s grasp, tears streaming down your face as you looked between the two of them. Your heart was shattered, your world crumbling around you. And in that moment, the love and loyalty you had felt for your husband and his family felt like a cruel betrayal of your own blood.

Luke was gone. And nothing would ever be the same again.

You sank back into your chair, the strength draining from your body as if the weight of Aemond’s confession had crushed you. Around you, the room was a cacophony of raised voices. Alicent’s sharp tone cut through the air, her words laced with panic and anger.

“Aemond! Do you realize what you’ve done? This will spark war! There’s no undoing this!” she cried, her voice trembling with the gravity of the situation.

Otto’s voice joined hers, cold and calculated, though no less furious. “You’ve doomed us all! There’s no explaining this away. Rhaenyra will demand vengeance.”

But their words faded into the background, muffled by the roar of your own thoughts. Your body felt numb, as if the world had shifted around you and left you behind. Luke. Sweet, gentle Luke. Your little brother, who always tried so hard to prove himself, who had looked up to you with those innocent eyes.

No matter that your fathers were different—he was still your blood, your family. And now, he was gone. Taken in the most brutal way imaginable.

You shook your head slowly, your tears falling freely as your chest tightened with grief and rage. This isn’t real, you told yourself, clinging to denial even as the truth stared you in the face. This can’t be happening. Luke can’t be gone.

You forced your eyes to meet Aemond’s, your voice barely above a whisper. “He was just a boy,” you said, the words trembling with pain. “Aemond… he was just a boy. My brother.”

For a moment, Aemond’s hardened expression cracked, guilt flickering in his eye. But he didn’t speak. What could he say? What words could undo the horror of what he had done?

Your hands trembled in your lap as you tried to breathe, tried to find some semblance of control. But it was impossible. The council’s shouts, Alicent’s cries, Otto’s harsh reprimands—they all blurred together into a suffocating storm.

And in the eye of it all, you sat there, shattered and silent, the enormity of your loss weighing on you like a stone.

The room spun around you, the chaos and grief overwhelming your senses. Every sound—Alicent’s frantic cries, Otto’s cold reprimands, the murmur of the council—blurred together into a deafening roar in your mind. Your chest felt tight, your breaths shallow, as the weight of what you’d just heard bore down on you.

Luke was gone.

Your hands clutched the arms of your chair as you struggled to hold on, but your vision blurred, and the pounding in your head grew unbearable. Somewhere through the haze, you heard Aegon’s voice calling your name, laced with concern. “Love?”

You tried to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. The world tilted further, the edges of your vision going dark, until everything around you slipped away entirely.

Before your body could hit the cold stone floor, Aegon’s arms were there, catching you just in time. His voice grew more panicked as he cradled you against his chest, shaking you gently in an attempt to wake you. “Love?Wake up, please!”

The council chamber fell silent, the weight of the moment settling over everyone. Alicent rushed to your side, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch your face, her worry evident. “Call the maesters!” she commanded sharply, her voice cracking.

Aegon held you tightly, his heart pounding as he looked down at your pale face. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, his tone soft and desperate, as if trying to will you back to consciousness. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

But deep down, he knew this was just the beginning of the storm.

Aegon’s arms tightened around you as he lifted you from the chair, cradling your limp body close to his chest. His jaw was clenched, his expression a mixture of fear and anger as he looked down at you. “Out of my way!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the council chamber.

The gathered lords quickly stepped aside, startled by the king’s sudden outburst. Alicent followed closely behind, her face pale and drawn with worry. “Move!” she barked at the lingering servants in the hallway as Aegon stormed past them, his pace quick and determined.

“Love,” Aegon muttered under his breath, his voice trembling. “Stay with me. Please.” His words were more for himself than for you, a desperate plea to keep himself calm as he carried you through the winding corridors of the Red Keep.

Reaching your shared chambers, Aegon kicked the doors open with force, not waiting for the guards to assist him. He laid you gently on the bed, his hands lingering on your face as he checked for any sign of movement. “Send for the maesters!” he roared, his voice carrying through the halls.

Alicent stood at the foot of the bed, her hands clasped tightly together, her worry etched into every line of her face. “She’s overwhelmed,” Alicent said softly, trying to reassure herself as much as her son. “She’s strong, Aegon. She’ll be all right.”

But Aegon didn’t look convinced. He brushed the damp strands of hair from your face, his eyes filled with guilt and fear. “She shouldn’t have to bear this,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. “None of this.”

As Alicent moved to his side, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, Aegon stayed rooted by your side, refusing to leave you for even a moment. The room was tense, silent but for the hurried footsteps of the maester approaching, as everyone waited with bated breath for you to wake.

As the maester carefully checked your condition, his face softened, his hands gentle as he examined you. After a few moments of silence, he finally looked up, relief in his eyes. "Her grace is in shock, but both she and the child are unharmed. She just needs rest.”

The words hit Aegon like a bolt of lightning, his heart suddenly racing. “A child?” he asked, his voice tight with disbelief, as if hearing it again might change the reality of it.

Alicent, standing beside him, locked eyes with him for a brief moment, her expression unreadable. She, too, seemed to absorb the weight of what the maester had said.

Aegon’s gaze shifted back to you, his heart hammering in his chest. A fourth child? The realization slowly sank in, the news stirring a mix of emotions he wasn’t sure how to handle. He hadn’t even known, and you hadn’t yet told him. His mind swirled with thoughts of what this meant—what it meant for you, for him, for the future of your family.

Alicent, ever the observer, seemed to notice Aegon’s sudden shift. “She needs rest, Aegon,” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. “All of you do.”

Aegon nodded, though his mind was far away, processing the weight of everything happening all at once. The shock of Luke’s death, your collapse, the revelation of another child—his child—swirled together in an overwhelming cloud.

He brushed a hand gently over your forehead, his fingers trembling slightly. “You never told me,” he murmured, his voice strained with a mix of concern and something deeper—something he couldn’t quite name. “But we’ll get through this together. I swear it.”

Alicent, still standing at the edge of the room, watched the two of you in silence, her eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and apprehension. She, too, understood that this moment was more than just a physical shock for you—it was the beginning of a new, complicated chapter for all of you.

Aegon stayed by your side, not wanting to leave you even for a moment, but his mind was already working—thinking of the future, of what lay ahead for your family. The revelation that you were carrying another child was unexpected, but now it was another piece of the puzzle he would have to navigate, alongside everything else.

As the hours passed, Aegon remained at your side, unwavering. He refused to leave you, even as the sounds of the bustling castle—of the council, of the kingdom—echoed in the distance. The weight of the world seemed to rest on his shoulders, but still, he stayed with you, his hand clasped around yours, never letting go.

He sat beside your bed, his eyes never straying far from your face, watching you with a mix of love and worry. His gaze was heavy with sadness, as though each second without you awake was a new weight upon his heart. The room was quiet except for the soft sound of his breathing and the occasional shift of his chair as he adjusted himself to remain close to you.

“Please wake up,” Aegon whispered, his voice soft and broken, as though speaking to you too loudly would shatter the fragile silence between you. His thumb gently stroked the back of your hand, a comforting gesture, even though his own heart felt torn in two. “I need you to be all right. We need you.”

He didn’t care about the council waiting for him, or the duties of a king that pressed on him. The majesty of the throne, the whispers of war—none of that mattered. Not when you were here, lying motionless before him. His heart ached to think of you in pain, of the turmoil inside you from the loss of Luke, and now the unexpected discovery of your pregnancy.

The news of the child, the fourth you were carrying, had brought both a strange sense of hope and a looming shadow. The uncertainty of what this meant, especially with the chaos around you, was almost too much to bear.

But he had to hold on. He had to stay strong for you. He couldn’t lose you—he couldn’t lose this child. You were his world, and even if the entire kingdom collapsed around them, he would not let go of this fleeting moment of peace with you.

He kissed your hand gently, his lips brushing against your skin, and whispered once more, his voice barely audible. “Please come back to me.”

Aegon’s refusal to leave your side was absolute, even in the face of Alicent’s urgent suggestion. Her voice, usually steady and authoritative, trembled with concern as she turned to him. “Aegon, the council is waiting. You must be there. The kingdom—your kingdom—needs you.”

But Aegon, his brow furrowed and his expression soft with worry, shook his head, his eyes not leaving you. “I can’t, Mother,” he said firmly, his voice strained. “I can’t leave her, not like this.”

Alicent hesitated, her gaze flickering between her son and you. She understood his devotion to you, but the pressure of the throne loomed large, and the weight of his responsibilities was undeniable. “Aegon, you are king now. The kingdom does not stop for anyone. You must go.”

His eyes flashed with a quiet intensity. “No. I won’t leave her side. You go. You’re the one who should be there. Lead the council, Mother.” His words were a command, but there was a softness in his tone—an undeniable plea that his family could understand. His loyalty to you, his need to be there in case you woke, was more important than any political discussion or royal decree.

Alicent stood in silence for a moment, her eyes flickering between the two of you. Her face softened, understanding the depths of her son’s emotions, even if she didn’t agree with his decision. She sighed, the burden of the crown heavy on her shoulders as she gave a small nod. “I will return shortly,” she said, her voice resigned. “But you must be strong for your people, Aegon.”

He nodded, but his focus never wavered. He turned his attention back to you, his hand still holding yours, his gaze filled with nothing but concern. The room around him, the weight of his title, the kingdom that needed him—all of that faded into the background.

In this moment, it was just you and him. And he wouldn’t leave until you were awake.

Your eyes fluttered open, the light in the room momentarily blinding as you tried to focus. The blurred shape of Aegon sitting beside you became clearer, his face pale but filled with relief. He let out a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping slightly as though the weight of the world had been lifted.

“You’re awake,” he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. His hand, still holding yours, tightened its grip slightly as he brought it to his lips and kissed it gently. “Thank the gods. I thought…” He trailed off, shaking his head as if to banish the thought.

“You’re going to be fine,” he assured you, his tone soft but firm. “You and… and the babe.”

At the mention of a baby, your brows furrowed, confusion flashing across your face. “B-babe?” you murmured, your voice hoarse and barely audible. Your free hand instinctively moved to your abdomen, your eyes searching his for answers.

“Yes,” Aegon said, his lips curling into a hesitant smile. “The maester confirmed it. You’re carrying our fourth child.” His tone was filled with awe, though it was tinged with a hint of worry as well.

The news left you stunned. You hadn’t known. In the chaos of recent days, you hadn’t even considered the possibility. Your heart raced as the realization sank in—another child, another life growing inside you, amidst all the turmoil surrounding your family.

Your lips parted, but no words came. Aegon leaned closer, his hand now cupping your face gently. “It’s all right,” he whispered. “You’re both safe. I’ll make sure of it.”

His words were meant to comfort, but they only brought a mix of emotions swirling inside you—joy, fear, and uncertainty, all colliding as you tried to process everything. You looked into his eyes, searching for the strength you needed, even as the storm outside these walls continued to rage.

You lay in bed beside Aegon, his arms wrapped around you tightly, almost as if he feared you might slip away. His embrace was firm yet tender, his hand possessively resting on your back while his fingers gently stroked your hair. You leaned against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a small source of comfort amidst the chaos in your mind.

Luke’s death lingered in your thoughts, the pain sharp and unrelenting. The image of your little brother, gone too soon, was something you couldn’t shake. It didn’t feel real, and yet the weight of it pressed down on you, leaving you feeling hollow. The grief was overwhelming, and now, with the shocking revelation of your pregnancy, your emotions swirled in a chaotic storm.

Aegon’s hand moved slowly through your hair, his touch soothing yet possessive, as though he wanted to shield you from the pain of the world outside. “I’m here,” he whispered softly, his voice low and filled with emotion. “I’m not going anywhere.”

You closed your eyes, tears slipping down your cheeks as you buried your face against his chest. His words were meant to comfort, but they only reminded you of the fragile reality you were living in. The man holding you was your husband, your love, but also the one who had taken your mother’s birthright and whose brother had caused the death of your own.

“I… I don’t know what to feel, Aegon,” you admitted, your voice cracking as the tears continued to fall. “Luke is gone. He’s really gone. And now this—this child. I didn’t even know. How am I supposed to face all of this?”

Aegon’s arms tightened around you protectively, his lips pressing against the top of your head. “You don’t have to face it alone,” he said firmly, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his own heart. “I’ll be here, no matter what. For you, for the baby. I swear it.”

His words were sincere, but they couldn’t erase the ache in your heart or the doubts clouding your mind. You wanted to believe him, to find solace in his presence, but the weight of everything that had happened was too much to bear. You simply stayed there, letting his warmth envelop you, holding onto the only thing that felt solid in a world that seemed to be crumbling around you.

The morning light filtered softly through the windows as you stood in front of the mirror, preparing yourself to join Aegon at the council meeting. Despite the heaviness in your heart, you knew your place as his wife, by his side, was expected of you. You adjusted your gown with trembling hands, the memory of the previous day still fresh and raw in your mind.

As you were fastening the last clasp, the door to your chambers opened, and Alicent entered. Her expression was calm but firm, her eyes filled with both concern and authority. She approached you quickly, placing a gentle hand on your arm.

“You shouldn’t push yourself, my dear,” she said softly, her tone carrying a hint of motherly care. “You need rest. The events of yesterday have already taken a toll on you, and now, with the child…”

“I’m fine, Mother,” you replied, though your voice lacked conviction. You avoided her gaze, focusing instead on smoothing the fabric of your dress. “I need to be there with Aegon. He shouldn’t face this alone.”

Alicent sighed, her grip on your arm tightening slightly. “Aegon is already at the council. They called for him early this morning. He didn’t want to wake you—he said you needed the rest.” Her expression softened, and she stepped closer. “He’s worried about you. We all are. You must take care of yourself, for your sake and the baby’s.”

Hearing that Aegon had left without saying goodbye made your chest tighten. You understood his reasons, but it didn’t lessen the sting of his absence. Still, you tried to compose yourself, turning back to Alicent with a faint, weary smile.

“I need to show my strength,” you insisted, though your voice wavered. “If I don’t stand beside him, what message does that send?”

Alicent shook her head gently, her expression firm but understanding. “Your strength is not in attending a meeting today. It’s in preserving yourself and your child. Let Aegon handle the council—he knows where your heart is. Rest, my dear. That’s an order from your mother, not the queen dowager.”

Her words left little room for argument, and though part of you wanted to resist, you found yourself nodding slowly. The weight of everything—the grief, the pregnancy, the tension between the two sides of your family—was too much to carry all at once. Perhaps Alicent was right. Perhaps rest was what you needed most.

“I’ll stay,” you finally said, your voice barely above a whisper.

Alicent smiled warmly, brushing a stray strand of hair from your face. “Good. I’ll have the maester check on you later, and I’ll make sure Aegon comes to see you as soon as the meeting is done.”

With that, she guided you gently back toward the bed, her presence steady and reassuring, even as the world outside seemed to spiral further into chaos.

As Alicent’s footsteps faded away, you found yourself alone in the quiet of your chambers. The weight of her words lingered, but so did the unresolved turmoil in your heart. You turned your gaze toward the papers scattered on your desk, your thoughts drifting to your mother.

Rhaenyra.

Her name brought a pang of longing and guilt. The mother who had raised you, who had fought so hard for her family’s place in the realm, now betrayed by her own daughter—or so it must seem to her. The thought twisted painfully inside you, and you couldn’t bear it any longer.

Slowly, you sat down at your desk, pulling a fresh sheet of parchment toward you. The quill felt heavy in your hand as you dipped it into the ink, but determination settled in your heart. You couldn’t remain silent any longer.

The words came slowly at first, but as your emotions poured out, the ink flowed more freely.

Dear Mother,

I hope this letter finds you in good health, though I fear the news it carries will bring no comfort.

It pains me to write to you after so much has happened between our family. I know my decision to remain by Aegon’s side must feel like a betrayal, and I will not deny the conflict in my heart. I am torn between the love I hold for you, the loyalty I owe as your daughter, and the vows I made to my husband.

Mother, I never wished for this division. I never wanted to see our family torn apart. I thought… I hoped that my union with Aegon might bring peace, might heal the rift between us. But I see now that I was naive.

The news I must share now is unbearable: Luke… he is gone. Aemond’s actions have taken him from us. He claims it was not intentional, but the result is the same. My little brother, your son, is dead. And I… I can hardly breathe under the weight of it.

I write to you not only in grief but also in hope. Hope that you will understand the impossible position I find myself in. Hope that, despite everything, you can forgive me for the choices I have made. And hope that one day, when this storm has passed, we may find our way back to one another.

I also must tell you this—I am with child again. I did not know until yesterday, and the news has shaken me deeply. This child, born into a world divided by blood and war, is both a source of joy and fear for me.

Mother, please know that I love you. I always have, and I always will.

With all my heart,

Your daughter

You set the quill down, your hands trembling as you folded the parchment. Sealing it with wax, you hesitated for a moment before summoning a servant.

“Take this to Dragonstone,” you instructed quietly. “Deliver it to my mother.”

The servant nodded and left swiftly, leaving you alone once more. You let out a shaky breath, unsure of how your mother would receive your words—but at least now she would know your heart.

The faint sound of footsteps approaching your chambers reached your ears again. This time, as the door opened, a line of servants entered carrying trays laden with food. The aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and warm honeyed wine filled the room.

“My queen, His Grace ordered this for you,” one of the servants said, bowing respectfully.

A small smile graced your lips at the thoughtfulness of Aegon. “Thank you,” you said softly, motioning for them to set the trays on the table near your bed.

As the servants arranged the food and quietly exited, you sat down and began eating. Though your appetite had been dulled by the events of the previous day, you knew you needed to keep your strength up, especially now. The warmth of the food comforted you slightly, a reminder of Aegon’s care even in his absence.

Just as you set your cup down, the sound of laughter echoed faintly through the corridor. You froze for a moment, recognizing the familiar voices of your children—Jaehaerys, Jaehara, and Maelor.

Their carefree giggles and playful banter filled the space outside your chambers, growing louder as they neared. Despite the weight in your heart, you couldn’t help but smile. Their joy was a balm to your sorrow, a reminder of the innocence and love that still existed within your family.

The door creaked open, and the three of them peeked inside, their silver hair glinting in the morning light. Jaehaerys, the eldest, was the first to speak. “Mother! Are you feeling better?”

Jaehara quickly followed, her soft voice filled with concern. “Father told us to let you rest, but we wanted to see you.”

Before you could answer, little Maelor ran straight to you, wrapping his arms around your waist. “We missed you,” he mumbled into your skirts.

Your heart swelled as you reached down to pull him into your lap, brushing his hair gently. “I missed you too,” you said, your voice thick with emotion. “All of you.”

Jaehaerys and Jaehara joined Maelor by your side, each holding one of your hands. For a moment, the heaviness lifted, replaced by the warmth of their presence. You couldn’t protect Luke, but you would do everything in your power to protect them and the life growing within you.

“Are you staying with us today, Mother?” Jaehara asked hopefully.

“Yes,” you said firmly, kissing the top of her head. “I’m staying right here.”

Their smiles and laughter brought a glimmer of hope to your heart, reminding you that even in the darkest times, there was still light to hold on to.

As you held Maelor in your lap, you looked at your children, your heart full of mixed emotions. The silence lingered for a moment as they exchanged surprised glances, unsure if they had heard you correctly.

“You’re going to have another sibling?” Jaehaerys asked cautiously, his eyes wide with curiosity.

You nodded slowly, your voice soft but filled with a sense of reassurance. “Yes, I’m going to have another baby.”

There was a pause, the weight of your words hanging in the air, before Jaehaerys and Jaehara exchanged a quick glance. Then, without warning, they both burst into wide smiles, their faces lighting up with joy.

“Another sibling? Really?” Jaehara exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

“Yes! We’re going to be a bigger family!” Jaehaerys added, excitement in his voice.

The next moment, the three of them erupted into happy laughter and cheers, their enthusiasm filling the room. “We’re going to have a little brother or sister!” Maelor shouted, his arms thrown in the air as he wiggled happily in your lap.

Their joy was infectious, and despite the heaviness in your heart, you couldn’t help but smile. The sounds of their laughter—genuine, innocent joy—warmed you, reminding you of the love that still surrounded you, even in the midst of turmoil.

Jaehaerys leaned closer, his eyes shining with excitement. “Will it be a brother or a sister, Mother?”

You chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “I don’t know yet. But either way, we’ll love them just the same.”

Jaehara nodded eagerly, her eyes full of excitement. “I hope it’s a little sister!”

Maelor, not wanting to be left out, bounced in your lap. “I want a little brother! We can play together!”

Their innocence and happiness brought a small tear to your eye, and you hugged Maelor closer to you. “I love you all so much,” you whispered, your voice thick with emotion.

“We love you too, Mother!” they all chorused in unison, their smiles as bright as ever.

For a brief moment, the world outside your room seemed far away, and you allowed yourself to bask in the warmth of your children’s love. Whatever challenges lay ahead, you knew that with them by your side—and the new life growing inside you—you would find a way through.

The sound of your children’s laughter filled the room, each of them fully immersed in their play. Maelor was making his dragon toy soar through the air with dramatic flair, while Jaehaerys swung his wooden sword in a mock battle, his face set with fierce determination. Jaehara sat beside you, her beloved doll clutched tightly in her arms, smiling as she watched her brothers.

You watched them with a sense of warmth, the pure joy on their faces melting the heaviness in your chest. It was hard to believe that only a few days ago, everything had seemed so uncertain, and now—at least in this room—peace reigned.

Suddenly, your gaze shifted toward the door, where you saw Aegon standing. He looked weary, as though the weight of the day had settled heavily on his shoulders. His face was drawn, but when he heard the sound of his children’s voices calling his name, his tired expression softened into a smile.

“Father!” Jaehaerys shouted, running toward him with his wooden sword still raised. “I’m practicing to be a knight!”

Aegon knelt down as Jaehaerys reached him, his smile broadening. “A knight, huh?” he chuckled, taking the sword from his son’s hands and inspecting it. “You’ll make a fine one someday.”

Jaehara, her eyes twinkling, ran to him next, holding out her doll. “Look, Father, she’s ready for a party!” she giggled, her voice filled with excitement.

Aegon took the doll gently and placed it on his shoulder, playing along. “A very beautiful party,” he said with a smile, before looking over at Maelor, who had come running up to him.

“Maelor, what have you been up to?” Aegon asked, crouching down to his son’s level.

Maelor held up his dragon toy proudly. “It’s flying to battle, just like you!” he declared.

Aegon laughed, his hand resting on Maelor’s head. “A dragon to fight for me, huh? I think that’s exactly what I need.”

You watched the interaction, your heart swelling with a bittersweet sense of love and longing. Aegon, despite the burdens he carried as king, still found time to be present for his children, to be the father they needed.

Seeing him like this—his tiredness forgotten in the warmth of their joy—reminded you of the strength he held. No matter the troubles that weighed on your family, this moment, these small moments of peace and happiness, were worth fighting for.

Aegon glanced over at you, his smile softening as his eyes met yours. Without saying a word, he walked toward you, the children trailing behind.

“You’re awake,” he said quietly, sitting down beside you on the bed. His gaze lingered on you, tender and concerned. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m alright,” you replied, offering him a small smile. “Just… trying to make sense of everything.”

Aegon nodded, his expression serious for a moment before his children distracted him once again.

“Father, will you play with us?” Jaehaerys asked, his wooden sword raised high, eager for another round of pretend battle.

Aegon chuckled, his earlier exhaustion melting away at the sight of his children’s faces. “Of course,” he said, getting up to join them. “Let’s see if we can defeat the dragons together.”

You smiled softly, your heart full, watching your family in that simple, precious moment. Even in the midst of uncertainty, love had a way of grounding you. And as long as you had them—your children, your husband—you would face whatever came next together.

As the evening settled in, you gently guided your children toward their rooms, their playful energy finally starting to fade after hours of fun. The laughter and joy that had filled your chambers still echoed in your heart, but it was time for rest.

Jaehaerys, Jaehara, and Maelor walked beside you, their steps slowing as the exhaustion from the day caught up with them. You could tell that they were ready to fall asleep, their small bodies heavy with the weight of the day’s excitement.

You reached Jaehaerys’ bed first, and he climbed into bed with a yawn. “Goodnight, Mother,” he said sleepily, his eyes already half-closed.

You kissed his forehead gently, smoothing his hair back. “Goodnight, my brave knight,” you whispered. “Sleep well.”

Jaehara followed next, snuggling under her covers. “I hope my doll has sweet dreams,” she murmured, clutching the little toy you had given her.

You leaned over and kissed her forehead as well, her peaceful face making your heart swell. “Goodnight, my sweet princess,” you whispered softly, tucking the blanket around her. “May your dreams be full of joy.”

Lastly, Maelor, always the most energetic, climbed into his bed with a bright smile. “I’ll dream about dragons and knights!” he announced enthusiastically.

You leaned down and kissed the top of his head, brushing his hair away from his eyes. “Goodnight, my little dragon,” you said, your voice warm and full of love. “Dream of wonderful adventures.”

With the last kiss given and the children tucked safely in their beds, you stood for a moment, taking in the sight of them all sleeping soundly. The room was quiet, save for the soft rhythm of their breathing, and a deep sense of peace filled your heart.

As you made your way toward the door, you cast one final glance at each of them, a quiet promise in your heart to protect them and give them the love and security they deserved, no matter the turmoil surrounding your family.

You slowly closed the door behind you and made your way back to Aegon, your steps quieter now, your heart filled with a quiet strength.

The dimly lit corridor was eerily silent as you walked back toward your chambers. The soft sound of your footsteps echoed faintly against the stone walls, but there was something else—a feeling you couldn’t shake. It was as if unseen eyes were watching your every move.

You stopped abruptly, your heart racing as you turned to look behind you. The long hallway stretched empty, shrouded in shadows. There was no one there, just the cold stillness of the Red Keep. Yet, the sense of being watched didn’t fade.

A shiver ran down your spine, and unease settled heavily in your chest. You quickened your pace, your hand instinctively resting on the small bump of your stomach, as though to shield the life within you.

But just as your chambers came into view, a hand shot out from the darkness, gripping your arm tightly. You gasped, barely able to react before you were yanked back, the world around you plunging into blackness.

For a moment, there was only silence, darkness, and the cold press of fear.

Your vision blurred as you blinked repeatedly, trying to clear your thoughts. The memory of the hand pulling you into the darkness replayed in your mind, leaving a lingering chill. Slowly, your surroundings began to come into focus, and you recognized the room you were in—a room you hadn’t seen in years.

It was your old chamber in Dragonstone. The familiar scent of salt and ash filled the air, the stone walls weathered yet comforting in their simplicity. This was where you had grown up, where you had once felt safe.

Before you could process how you had come to be here, the door creaked open. Your breath caught in your throat as your gaze fell upon the two figures standing there.

Your father, Daemon, was the first to step forward, his sharp eyes scanning you with concern and a flicker of anger. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, a gesture as natural to him as breathing. Beside him stood your mother, Rhaenyra, her face a mixture of relief and worry. Her gaze softened as she took a step closer, her voice breaking the tense silence.

“My sweet girl,” she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You’re safe now.”

Your heart raced as you struggled to comprehend what was happening. “Mother? Father? How…?” you stammered, your voice barely audible.

Daemon’s lips pressed into a thin line as he spoke, his tone cold yet protective. “You were taken from under their noses. And now, you’re home.”

The realization of where you were and what they meant washed over you like a tidal wave. Home. But what did this mean for Aegon? For your children? And the precarious balance you had tried so desperately to maintain?

Your hands trembled as you looked between your parents, the weight of everything crashing down on you. “What have you done?” you whispered, fear and confusion gripping your heart.

In the early hours of the morning, Aegon awoke to find your side of the bed empty. At first, he assumed you were with the children or tending to something trivial, but as the minutes passed and you did not return, a strange unease settled over him.

He called out for you, your name echoing in the quiet chambers, but there was no response. Throwing on his robe, he strode into the corridors, his steps quick and purposeful. He headed first to the children’s chambers, thinking you might still be there.

When he entered, he found Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor sleeping soundly in their beds. His chest tightened as he quietly checked each room, hoping you might be there, but there was no sign of you.

“Where is she?” he muttered under his breath, his unease growing with every passing moment.

He summoned the guards and servants, demanding answers. “Find her,” he barked, his voice sharp with desperation. “Search every corner of the Red Keep.”

They scattered quickly, their torches flickering as they began the search. Aegon himself roamed the halls, his mind racing with fear and anger. You had been by his side just last night, safe and sound. How could you simply vanish?

By the time the sun began to rise, there was still no sign of you. Aegon returned to your chambers, pacing back and forth as his thoughts consumed him. His frustration boiled over, and he slammed a fist against the table.

“She wouldn’t leave,” he said aloud, as if trying to convince himself. “Not without the children. Not without a word.”

His mind flashed to the political tensions, the threats looming over the realm. Had someone taken you? Had his enemies dared to harm you or use you against him?

Determined and frantic, he ordered a full investigation. He would not rest until you were found. His love for you and his growing fear fueled his resolve, and he silently vowed to bring you back, no matter what it took.

Your gaze darted between your mother and father, the weight of their presence suffocating. You took a deep breath, steadying your voice as you spoke. “You shouldn’t have brought me here. This will only make things worse.”

Daemon’s jaw tightened, his piercing eyes blazing with anger. He stepped forward, his tone sharp and accusing. “Worse? Worse is watching my daughter betray her own blood! Worse is seeing the daughter I raised, the dragon I cherished, stand with the Greens and that usurper instead of her own kin!”

His words hit you like a dagger, but you stood your ground. “I did not betray you!” you shot back, your voice trembling but firm. “Do you truly think so little of me? That I would abandon you, abandon Mother, abandon my brothers? I have been there trying to stop a war, trying to make peace!”

Rhaenyra stepped forward, her expression softer but no less pained. “Peace?” she repeated, her voice laden with disbelief. “While the Greens plot against us, while they take what is rightfully mine? Tell me, daughter, how does peace look when it is built on the ashes of betrayal?”

Your heart clenched at her words, but you refused to back down. “I stayed because I believed that my presence could temper Aegon’s actions, could prevent him from making decisions that would lead to bloodshed! I stayed because I thought I could be a bridge between us, not a wedge driven deeper into the divide!”

Daemon scoffed, his expression hardening. “And what did that achieve? Lucerys is dead. Your little brother was slaughtered, and you expect me to believe you were making things better?”

The mention of Luke’s name broke something inside you, and tears welled in your eyes. “Do you think I don’t grieve him?” you whispered, your voice cracking. “Do you think I don’t feel the weight of his death every moment? I didn’t know… I didn’t know what Aemond would do."

Rhaenyra’s gaze softened slightly, but Daemon’s anger only burned brighter. “You chose them,” he hissed, stepping closer. “You chose the Greens over your mother, over your brothers. And now, you’re here, and you will stay. There is no going back to him. To them.”

His words hung heavy in the air, and you felt the ground beneath you shift. Torn between the family you were born into and the family you had built, you realized the chasm between the two had grown too wide, and you were caught in the middle, with no escape in sight.

You reached out and grasped your father’s hand, your grip trembling but firm. “Father, please,” you pleaded, your voice raw with desperation. “I can’t stay here. I can’t leave my children behind. They need me. Aegon needs me. And… I’m carrying another child.”

For a moment, you saw a flicker of hesitation in Daemon’s eyes, a brief crack in the unyielding mask of anger. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He pulled his hand away, his expression hardening further.

“It changes nothing,” he said coldly. “You think that carrying his child excuses the choices you’ve made? That it absolves you of standing with the usurper while he sits on your mother’s throne?”

“Father,” you whispered, tears spilling down your cheeks. “I didn’t choose to abandon this family. I didn’t choose for any of this to happen. But my children are innocent in all of this, and I cannot—will not—leave them.”

Daemon’s jaw clenched, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. “You speak of innocence, yet you stand by the man who let Lucerys die, who let Aemond walk free after slaughtering your brother.”

Your heart twisted in anguish. “I didn’t know,” you said, your voice breaking. “I didn’t know what Aemond would do. If I had known…”

“But you stayed,” Daemon interrupted, his voice rising. “You stayed after they crowned him. After they declared war on this family. You stayed, and now you dare to plead for mercy?”

Rhaenyra placed a hand on Daemon’s arm, her gaze locked on you. There was a trace of sorrow in her eyes, but also a determination that mirrored her husband’s. “You are my daughter,” she said softly, “and I love you. But your place is here, with your family. Not with the man who sits on my throne.”

Your legs felt weak, your heart pounding in your chest. “I can’t stay,” you whispered, shaking your head. “If you keep me here, it will only cause more pain—for everyone.”

But Daemon stepped forward, his voice final. “You are not leaving, not now, not ever. Whatever bond you think ties you to him is nothing compared to your duty to your true family. You will stay, and that is the end of it.”

The weight of his words crushed you, and you realized that no amount of pleading or reasoning would sway him. You were trapped, torn between two worlds, and there was no escape.

You sank to the cold stone floor as the sound of the lock clicking echoed through the room, sealing your fate. The tears came silently, hot and unrelenting, as you wrapped your arms around yourself, seeking comfort in your own embrace. Your trembling hands moved to your stomach, gently cradling the life growing within you.

You stroked your belly softly, your whispers barely audible in the quiet room. “I’m so sorry,” you murmured, the weight of your anguish pressing down on you. “I promised to protect all of you… I promised.”

Your thoughts drifted to Aegon, imagining him back in the Red Keep, searching for you, his frustration and worry mounting with every passing moment. You could see his face so clearly—his exhaustion, his fear for you, and the quiet tenderness he always reserved for you in private.

Would he know where you had gone? Would he realize you’d been taken?

Your tears fell harder as you thought of your children. Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor—how would they understand your sudden absence? You could almost hear Maelor’s small, confused voice asking for you, or Jaehaera clutching her doll and waiting for your goodnight kiss.

“I can’t stay here,” you whispered to yourself, your resolve hardening even as despair threatened to consume you. You couldn’t let this separation last. For your children, for your unborn baby, and for Aegon, you had to find a way back to them.

But as the cold reality of the locked door set in, you realized that escaping Dragonstone would not be easy. Trapped and isolated, all you could do for now was wait, hope, and pray that Aegon would come for you—or that you could find the strength to fight your way back to the family you had built.

In the Council Chambers, Aegon’s voice echoed through the halls as he unleashed his fury upon Ser Criston. His anger was wild and unrestrained, the sharp edge of his words cutting through the air. “You were supposed to keep her safe!” he roared, his face flushed with rage and grief. “How could you let this happen? How could she disappear under your watch?”

Ser Criston stood silent, his head bowed in shame, unable to meet the king’s tear-filled gaze. Alicent stepped forward, her voice calm but firm, trying to soothe her son. “Aegon, we will find her. I promise you—”

“No!” Aegon snapped, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his face. “You don’t understand! She’s pregnant, Mother! She’s carrying my child, and I don’t even know if she’s safe!” His hands trembled as he ran them through his hair, the weight of his fear and guilt pressing down on him.

Alicent’s face softened at his confession, her own worry deepening. “We will search every corner of the realm if we must,” she said gently. “But you must compose yourself. She needs you strong now more than ever.”

But Aegon shook his head, his shoulders slumping as the fight drained out of him. “What if she’s hurt? What if they…” He couldn’t finish the thought, the words catching in his throat. He covered his face with his hands, his body trembling with quiet sobs.

His mind raced with dark possibilities—what could have happened to you, where you could be, and why you had vanished. The thought of you being in danger, especially while carrying their fourth child, tore him apart.

“I should have been there,” he whispered hoarsely, his voice breaking under the weight of his emotions. “I should have protected her.”

Ser Criston stepped forward cautiously, his tone filled with regret. “Your Grace, I will assemble every knight, every scout. We will search until we find her.”

Aegon turned to him, his tear-streaked face filled with desperation. “Then do it. Find her. Bring her back to me. I don’t care what it takes.”

As the room fell silent, Alicent placed a comforting hand on her son’s shoulder, but he barely acknowledged her. His thoughts were consumed by you—his queen, his love, and the mother of his children. Wherever you were, Aegon vowed to find you and bring you home, no matter the cost.

Aemond stepped forward, his voice calm yet heavy with tension. “What if she was taken by the Blacks?” he said, his words cutting through the room like a blade. The suggestion hung in the air, freezing everyone in place.

Aegon’s head snapped toward Aemond, his bloodshot eyes narrowing as fury reignited within him. “What did you say?” he hissed, his voice dangerously low.

Aemond met his brother’s glare, unflinching but clearly cautious. “Think about it. Who else would dare to take her from the Red Keep? Who else has a reason to strike at you so personally? If the Blacks have her…”

Aegon surged forward, grabbing Aemond by the collar, his face mere inches from his brother’s. “If they’ve taken her,” he growled, his voice trembling with rage, “if my wife—my children’s mother—is in their hands because of this war you’ve started, I swear, Aemond, I will burn Dragonstone to the ground myself.”

Alicent quickly stepped between her sons, her hands raised in a placating gesture. “Aegon, stop this! Fighting amongst ourselves will not bring her back!”

But Aegon’s grip didn’t loosen. His mind raced with the possibility that you were with Rhaenyra and Daemon, and the thought filled him with both fear and rage. “She’s pregnant, Aemond! Do you understand what they could do to her? What they could do to my child?”

Aemond clenched his jaw, his gaze steady. “If they have her, it’s because they see her as one of them, Aegon. Not as your wife, but as their daughter. She’s still Rhaenyra’s blood, and you know Daemon will stop at nothing to bring her back to their side.”

The tension in the room was palpable, and Alicent’s voice broke through the standoff. “Enough! We need to think rationally. If she is with the Blacks, then we must act carefully. Any rash action could endanger her further.”

Aegon finally released Aemond, shoving him back with a frustrated snarl. His chest heaved with the weight of his emotions as he turned away, pacing the room. “We need to confirm it. Send spies, ravens—whatever it takes. I need to know where she is.”

Aemond nodded solemnly. “I’ll go myself if I must. I’ll bring her back.”

Aegon shot him a dark look, his voice cold. “You’ve done enough already, brother.”

The room fell into a tense silence as Aegon clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. He wouldn’t rest until he had you back, no matter what it took or who stood in his way.

As the tension in the room thickened, Otto Hightower stepped forward, his expression calculated yet calm. “Your Grace,” he began, his voice steady, “allow me to go to Dragonstone. I will speak with Rhaenyra and Daemon myself. There may still be a way to resolve this without further bloodshed.”

Aegon turned to his grandfather, his jaw tight. “You think they’ll just let her go because you ask politely? They hate us, Otto. They hate me. They’ll use her against us.”

Otto clasped his hands behind his back, his tone unwavering. “That is precisely why I must go. They may despise you, but they still see me as a voice of reason. They know I represent the council, not just you. If she is indeed with them, I may be able to negotiate her return without further provocation.”

Alicent stepped closer, her face filled with worry. “Father, are you certain this is wise? Daemon’s temper is… volatile. And Rhaenyra—”

“They are both clever enough to know that harming her would only destroy any chance of reconciliation,” Otto interrupted firmly. “Their quarrel is with the crown, not with her. If they’ve taken her, it’s because they see her as their own, as their blood. I will remind them of that bond and the risks of escalating this conflict.”

Aegon’s fists clenched at his sides. He hated the idea of relying on Otto to solve this, but he also knew the old man was right—Daemon and Rhaenyra wouldn’t be swayed by threats or force, not without endangering you.

“And if they refuse?” Aegon asked coldly, his voice laced with barely restrained anger.

Otto’s eyes hardened. “Then I will remind them of the cost of such defiance. But I will not return without an answer.”

Aegon’s gaze flickered between his mother and grandfather, his mind torn. Finally, he gave a sharp nod. “Fine. Go. But make no mistake—if they harm her, there will be no negotiations, no compromises. I will unleash the full might of the crown on them.”

Otto bowed his head slightly. “Understood, Your Grace. I will leave at first light.”

As Otto turned to make preparations, Aegon’s jaw tightened, his heart heavy with dread. He hated feeling powerless, but for now, all he could do was wait and hope that Otto’s words would be enough to bring you back safely.

You remained motionless, your eyes fixed on the vast expanse of the sea outside your window. The soft sound of the waves crashing against the rocks did little to calm the turmoil inside you. Your thoughts were tangled, your heart torn between duty, family, and the painful reality of your situation. The open door behind you didn’t make you shift, as your mind wandered to everything that had brought you here.

Then, you heard a voice—Jace’s voice—calling your name, breaking the heavy silence. You turned, and there he stood, a figure of strength and resolve, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His presence felt like a reminder of the family you once stood with, the ones you now feared you were betraying.

“Jace…” you whispered, your voice trembling as you looked at him, unsure of how to feel. His expression was serious, but there was a softness in his eyes, a mixture of concern and determination.

He stepped forward slowly, his gaze never leaving you. “I had to see you. Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low, as if afraid that the answer might be something he didn’t want to hear.

You took a breath, feeling the weight of your own emotions pressing down on you. “I don’t know anymore, Jace. Everything is… broken. Aegon is king now, and I feel like I’m losing everything.”

Jace remained silent for a moment, his posture softening as he approached you. “I’m sorry,” he finally said, his voice filled with an understanding that made your chest tighten. “I never wanted things to turn out this way. I never wanted to see you in pain.”

The words felt like a balm on a wound, though it didn’t heal the hurt inside you. You shook your head, a bitter laugh escaping your lips. “You never wanted it… but here we are.”

His gaze hardened, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. “I will do whatever it takes to make this right. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.”

You turned away from him then, looking back out at the sea, unable to face him completely. The pain, the confusion, the betrayal—all of it washed over you again. “But I do carry it alone, Jace. Aegon is my husband, my family, but so is Rhaenyra, so is Daemon, and yet I stand between them. I can’t be in two places at once.”

Jace stepped closer, his voice quiet but insistent. “You don’t have to choose. You don’t have to carry this alone. We are your family, too.”

A soft sigh escaped your lips, and for a moment, you felt the burden of everything you were holding inside threaten to crush you. “I don’t know what to do anymore,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

Jace placed a hand on your shoulder, steady and firm. “Then let us help you. Let me help you.”

You looked into Jace’s eyes, the weight of your emotions pressing on your chest, and for the first time in what felt like forever, you allowed yourself to feel hope. Your hand reached out, taking his in a tight grip.

“Jace… please,” you pleaded, your voice soft but desperate. “Let me go. My children need me. Aegon may be king, but they are still my flesh and blood, and I cannot stay here, torn between two worlds. I don’t want to abandon them.”

Jace stood still, his face unreadable as he listened to your words. His grip on your hand tightened slightly, but there was no answer—just silence. The weight of what you were asking hung heavily between you.

You squeezed his hand, trying to convey the depth of your plea. “I can’t lose them, Jace. I can’t lose my family… all of them. But I need to be with them. I need to protect them. Please, understand.”

He looked down at your hands, still entwined, before meeting your eyes again. His lips parted as though to speak, but the words seemed to catch in his throat. For a long moment, he simply stood there, his expression conflicted—torn between the loyalty to his family and the undeniable bond he shared with you.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke. His voice was low, weighed down by a sadness you could hear, but also a hint of acceptance.

“You’re asking a lot, but… I understand,” he said quietly. “I can’t stop you. You are their mother, after all.”

You felt a surge of gratitude wash over you, mixed with the overwhelming weight of the decision you were making. “Thank you, Jace,” you whispered, your voice thick with emotion. “I don’t want to betray anyone, but I can’t abandon my children. I won’t.”

Jace nodded, a pained look on his face. “I can’t promise that it will be easy. But if this is what you need to do, I won’t stand in your way.”

You gave his hand one final squeeze before letting go, turning toward the door. “I’ll leave tonight,” you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper. “Before anyone notices. I’ll make sure no one comes after me.”

Jace stepped back slightly, his eyes lingering on you. “I just… want you to be safe. And for you to know that you always have a place here with us, no matter what happens.”

A lump formed in your throat as you looked back at him, the love and loyalty in his words a bittersweet comfort. “I know, Jace. I know.”

The walls of Dragonstone felt more suffocating with each passing day. It had been nearly four days since you were brought back here after your failed escape attempt. The longing for your children and Aegon was overwhelming, the ache in your chest constant. You missed their laughter, the warmth of Aegon’s presence, the way your children’s smiles could brighten even the darkest of days. The silence in your room felt like a prison, and it was all too much to bear.

Daemon had made it clear that you were not to leave the room again. His anger after your escape attempt had been fierce, and now, you felt like a captive in your own family’s stronghold. The walls that once offered you comfort now felt like they were closing in on you. No one was allowed to see you, not even Jace, who had once been your ally, your hope in the midst of this turmoil. The only thing you could hear now were the distant sounds of the sea crashing against the cliffs and the heavy footsteps of the guards stationed outside your door.

As the days dragged on, you found yourself torn between your love for your family and the crushing guilt that had taken root in your heart. You knew you had made a choice that had torn your life apart, but it was too late to turn back now. The weight of it all felt unbearable. You were stuck in a place where you were neither truly wanted nor allowed to leave.

The flickering candlelight in the corner of the room cast long shadows on the stone walls, reminding you of the isolation that had become your reality. You sat by the window, gazing out at the vast ocean below. You wondered what Aegon was doing, how he was managing without you, and if he missed you as much as you missed him.

You had to see your children again. You had to feel Aegon’s presence, to be with them. But with each failed attempt, your hope seemed to fade a little more. Would you ever escape this place, or was this to be your fate?

Your heart raced as you caught sight of the ship approaching, the green Targaryen flag fluttering in the wind. It was a symbol of your husband, Aegon, and the faintest flicker of hope ignited within you. For the first time in days, you felt the urge to break free from the suffocating walls of Dragonstone, to return to the family you missed so dearly.

You quickly made your way to the door, heart pounding in your chest. The sounds of the sea crashing against the cliffs seemed to echo in your mind as you glanced around, making sure no one was watching. Your eyes scanned the hallway, looking for a passing servant or anyone who might help you. You couldn’t stay here any longer, not when you knew Aegon was so close.

When you spotted a servant walking down the hall, you rushed to catch their attention, your voice low but urgent. “Please, help me,” you whispered, hoping they wouldn’t refuse. “I need to get to the ship. Please.”

The servant hesitated for a moment, looking around nervously as if unsure whether to help you or not. The consequences of disobeying Daemon’s orders were severe, and everyone in Dragonstone knew the danger of crossing him. But after a tense pause, the servant looked into your eyes and seemed to understand your desperation.

“Quickly, princess,” they whispered, motioning for you to follow them. “This way.”

With a final glance over your shoulder, you followed the servant through the winding halls, your steps quick but careful. Every corner you turned, every shadow you passed, made your heart race faster. The thought of being caught again was terrifying, but the sight of the ship gave you the strength to press on.

The servant led you to a secluded stairwell that would take you closer to the docks, away from Daemon’s watchful eyes. You tried to remain as quiet as possible, your breath shallow and rapid with anticipation. Once you reached the bottom, the salty sea air hit you, and you could see the ship anchored in the bay, its green flag a beacon of hope.

You were so close now, so close to freedom, but would you be able to make it before anyone noticed?

As you watched from the shadows, your heart sank a little when you didn’t see Aegon among those disembarking the ship. Otto Hightower stood tall, flanked by Ser Criston Cole and a handful of soldiers. Their movements were deliberate, their faces stern as they made their way up the stone steps leading to the castle.

Despite the pang of disappointment, your determination didn’t waver. You stayed hidden, waiting for them to ascend the stairs and disappear into Dragonstone’s looming halls. Once the coast was clear, you quietly slipped onto the ship, keeping your hood drawn tightly over your face. The familiar scent of saltwater and worn wood greeted you as you found a secluded corner to hide, heart pounding in anticipation.

Time passed agonizingly slow. The faint sound of voices and boots echoed in the distance as Otto and his men conducted their business in the castle. You stayed perfectly still, gripping the edge of your cloak as you rehearsed what you would say, how you would plead for your return. Every moment that passed felt like an eternity until finally, you heard footsteps descending the stairs.

The men returned, their conversation low but urgent. As they approached the ship, you stepped out from the shadows, pulling back your hood to reveal your face. Otto froze in his tracks, his eyes widening with shock. For a moment, he seemed to be at a loss for words. Then, relief softened his features, though it was quickly replaced by a mix of concern and calculation.

“Your Grace,” Otto said, his voice quieter than usual. He glanced at Ser Criston, who appeared equally stunned but ready to act if needed. “What are you doing here? How did you—”

“I need to leave,” you interrupted, your voice firm but laced with desperation. “I need to return to my children and my husband. Please, take me back to the Red Keep.”

Otto studied you for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he gave a slight nod. “Very well,” he said, though there was a weight to his words. “But we must act quickly. If anyone discovers this, it could spark something far worse.”

He gestured for you to follow him, and you stepped onto the ship’s deck, your heart soaring with the realization that you were one step closer to reuniting with your family. As the crew prepared to set sail, you couldn’t help but glance back at the castle one last time, wondering if your escape would truly go unnoticed—or if the storm had only just begun.

As Dragonstone faded into the distance, the waves rocking the ship beneath you, you kept your gaze fixed on the disappearing silhouette of the castle. The dark stone towers, shrouded in mist, stood as a reminder of the chains you’d just broken free from. You placed a gentle hand on your growing belly, whispering softly to yourself, “It will be fine. We will be fine.”

But your heart was heavy with the knowledge that this escape would not go unnoticed, and the repercussions could be dire.

Back in Dragonstone, Daemon strode through the halls, his boots echoing like thunder. His face was a storm of anger and disbelief as he pushed open the door to your chamber, expecting to find you seated by the window or lying on the bed. Instead, the room was empty.

“Where is she?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. His sharp eyes darted around the chamber, landing on the untouched food tray by the table. His fists clenched as the realization hit him. “She’s gone.”

He stormed into the hallway, his voice booming as he barked orders at the nearest guards. “Find her! Search every corner of this castle! Now!”

When no sign of you was found, rage consumed him. He slammed his hand against the nearest wall, the sound reverberating through the stone halls. “She escaped,” he spat, the words laced with venom. Turning to one of the trembling guards, he hissed, “Check the shores. If she’s on a ship… gods help the fools who took her.”

Daemon’s mind raced, his anger tempered only by the icy fear that you had fled straight into the arms of the greens. For all his fury, there was an undeniable pang of pain in his chest. You were his daughter, his blood. And now you were gone.

He stalked off toward the council chambers to inform Rhaenyra, his jaw set in determination. If the greens had taken you, war was no longer on the horizon—it had already begun.

Daemon’s boots struck the stone floor with force as he stormed into the council chamber, the heavy doors slamming against the walls. Rhaenyra looked up from the head of the table, her face a mixture of surprise and irritation at the interruption.

“She’s gone,” Daemon declared, his voice a sharp blade cutting through the room’s murmured discussions.

Rhaenyra’s brows knitted together, her tone laced with both confusion and anger. “What do you mean, gone?”

Daemon took a step closer, his violet eyes blazing with fury. “She escaped. Our daughter is no longer here.”

Gasps rippled through the room as lords and knights exchanged anxious glances. Rhaenyra rose from her seat, her hands bracing the table as she leaned forward. “How could this happen? She’s been under guard!”

Daemon sneered, his frustration evident. “Otto Hightower’s visit was no coincidence. While we were distracted by his hollow words and false negotiations, she slipped away—no doubt with their help. They’ve taken her back to the greens, to her husband, and her children.”

The weight of his accusation hung heavily in the room. Rhaenyra’s expression darkened, her voice steady but cold. “If she is in the hands of Aegon, they will use her against us. This cannot stand.”

Daemon’s jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists. “I will not let her stay in their clutches. She is my daughter, our daughter. She belongs here, with her family—not with him.” His voice grew colder, and his tone more resolute. “I swear on the blood of the dragon, I will bring her back. No matter who I have to cut down to do it.”

Rhaenyra stared at him, a flicker of concern in her eyes. “Daemon, we cannot afford rash decisions. If you go charging into the lion’s den, you risk not only her safety but the lives of countless others.”

Daemon shook his head, his voice unwavering. “There is no time for caution. She is my blood, and I will not let her stay in their hands for a moment longer than necessary.”

The council fell silent as the gravity of his determination filled the room. For Daemon, this was no longer a matter of politics or alliances—it was a father’s wrath, unyielding and unstoppable.

The journey to King’s Landing had been long and arduous, each passing day weighed down by the turmoil in your heart. Your thoughts were consumed by your children, their laughter, and their innocence. And then there was Aegon—your husband, who you knew must have been consumed by worry for you.

When the Red Keep finally came into view, standing tall and formidable against the horizon, you exhaled a breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding. Relief flooded your chest. You were home.

As the ship docked and you stepped onto the stone pier, Otto turned to the guards and gave a firm order. “Take her directly to the king. He’s been waiting long enough.”

The guards nodded and flanked you on either side, guiding you toward the castle. Each step felt heavier as you approached the towering gates of the Red Keep, but the thought of seeing Aegon and your children kept you moving forward.

As you entered the familiar halls, memories of happier times flooded your mind—moments spent with Aegon, your children’s laughter echoing in the corridors. It felt like years had passed since you’d last walked these halls, though it had only been weeks.

The guards stopped in front of the doors to the royal chambers. One of them announced your arrival before pushing the doors open.

Inside, Aegon stood by the window, his posture tense as he stared out over the city. When he turned and saw you, his eyes widened in disbelief, and for a moment, it seemed as though time had stopped.

“Love,” he breathed, his voice heavy with emotion.

You took a tentative step forward, your heart aching at the sight of him. “Aegon…”

In an instant, he was across the room, pulling you into his arms. His embrace was firm and desperate, as if he feared you might vanish again. “You’re here,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “You’re safe.”

Tears welled in your eyes as you buried your face in his chest, feeling the warmth and strength of his hold. “I’m sorry,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “I tried to come back sooner.”

He pulled back just enough to cup your face in his hands, his gaze searching yours. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

As his lips met yours in a tender, lingering kiss, the weight of the past weeks began to lift. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, you allowed yourself to hope.

Aegon knelt before you, his hands gently resting on your waist as he pressed a kiss to your growing belly. His touch was tender, filled with reverence and relief. You ran your fingers through his hair, the softness of the gesture mirroring the smile on your lips. “I missed you so much,” you whispered, your voice trembling with emotion.

His gaze lifted to meet yours, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I missed you more,” he said softly, his voice breaking slightly. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Before you could respond, the sound of the door opening drew your attention. You turned to see Alicent standing there, her expression one of joy and relief. Behind her, your children peeked around her skirts, their faces lighting up the moment they saw you.

“Mother!” Jaehaerys called out, his voice filled with excitement as he rushed forward, followed closely by Jaehaera and little Maelor.

You opened your arms wide, kneeling slightly to welcome them into a warm embrace. “My loves,” you murmured, tears streaming down your face as their small arms wrapped tightly around you.

Alicent stepped into the room, her expression softening as she watched the reunion. “I brought them the moment I heard you’d returned,” she said gently, her voice filled with warmth.

Aegon rose to his feet, his hand resting protectively on your shoulder as he looked at his mother. “Thank you,” he said, his voice thick with gratitude.

Jaehaerys looked up at you with wide eyes, his hands clutching your gown. “Are you staying this time, Mother? You won’t leave again?”

You placed a hand on his cheek, your heart breaking at the worry in his voice. “I’m staying, my sweet boy. I promise.”

Jaehaera held onto your arm, her soft voice barely above a whisper. “We missed you so much, Mother.”

“I missed you too,” you replied, pressing a kiss to her silver hair before looking down at Maelor, who clung to your leg. “And you, my little dragon. Did you miss me?”

Maelor nodded vigorously, his bright eyes shining with tears. “I did! I did!”

Aegon knelt beside you, gathering all three children in his arms. “Our family is whole again,” he said softly, his voice filled with determination. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way.”

You leaned into him, your heart full as you looked at your children and the man you loved. For the first time in weeks, you felt at peace.

The peaceful atmosphere in the room shattered as a deafening roar echoed through the air. The sound was unmistakable—the mighty cry of Caraxes, your father’s dragon. Your heart dropped, and a chill ran down your spine as you instinctively froze, your body tensing with fear.

Aegon’s protective embrace tightened around you as he immediately recognized your unease. “What is it?” he asked, his voice urgent.

Your eyes darted to the window, the color draining from your face. “It’s Caraxes,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “It's Daemon… he’s here.”

Aegon’s jaw clenched, his gaze hardening as he rose to his feet. “He’s come to take you back,” he said with a mix of anger and determination. He turned to Alicent, who was already ushering the children toward the door.

“Take them to safety,” Aegon commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Now!”

Alicent nodded quickly, guiding the children out of the room despite their protests. “Mother! Father! What’s happening?” Jaehaerys cried, his voice filled with panic.

You knelt and hugged them tightly one last time. “It’s going to be okay,” you said, your voice trembling but steady enough to comfort them. “Stay with your grandmother. I’ll come to you soon.”

As Alicent and the children disappeared down the hall, Aegon turned back to you, his expression fierce. “I won’t let him take you,” he vowed. “Not again.”

You shook your head, your hand resting on his arm. “Aegon, please,” you whispered, your voice breaking. “This is my father. If he’s here, it’s not just to take me back. He’s ready for war.”

Before Aegon could respond, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway, followed by the distinct clang of weapons. The door burst open, and Daemon stood there, his hand resting on the hilt of Dark Sister. His presence was commanding, his face a mask of cold fury.

“You’re coming with me,” Daemon said, his voice low but deadly. His eyes briefly flickered to Aegon, filled with disdain, before returning to you.

Aegon stepped between you and your father, his hand on Blackfyre at his side. “She’s not going anywhere,” he growled. “You’ll have to kill me first.”

Daemon’s lips curved into a menacing smirk. “If that’s what it takes,” he said, drawing his sword.

You stepped forward, placing yourself between the two men, your arms outstretched. “Stop this!” you cried, tears streaming down your face. “Please, stop! You’re going to destroy everything!”

Daemon’s eyes softened slightly as he looked at you, but his resolve remained firm. “You don’t belong here,” he said, his voice gentler now. “You’re my daughter, and you’re coming home where you’re safe.”

“This is my home!” you shouted back, your voice breaking. “My children, my husband—they’re my family too. I won’t leave them!”

Daemon’s grip on Dark Sister faltered for a moment, conflicted by your words, but his anger quickly resurfaced. “You’ve been blinded by love for the wrong side,” he spat.

The tension in the room was suffocating, and you felt torn apart, caught between the two men you loved most. “Father, please,” you begged. “I’m begging you, don’t make me choose.”

Aegon’s hand slipped into yours, squeezing it tightly. “You don’t have to choose,” he said softly, his voice steady and unwavering. “You’re staying with me.”

Daemon’s eyes narrowed, and the room seemed to freeze as everyone braced for what would happen next.

Tag list : @danytar @julessworldd @hangmanscoming @yazzzmints @giirlinblack @callsignwidow

#hotd #hotd imagine #aegon ii targaryen #hotd aemond #aemond targaryen #hotd one shot #prince aegon targaryen #aegon ii fanfic #hotd x reader #aegon x reader #aegon headcanons #aegon fanfic #hotd aegon #king aegon #aegon x oc #hotd daemon #hotd headcanon #hotd fanfic #aegon targaryen x reader

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chemicalarospec · 2 days ago

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Scary Christmas

okay scary christmas. i wanna get on this early because I'll be disappointed if Scary Christmas happens but it's just Christmas But Make It Children's Horror Game and/or The Nightmare Before Christmas. Warning: I'm literally making up all of this as I go along.

I respect the scary but as a scaredy-cat, I would rather not go full horror. Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention, we're throwing the Christmas part out the door. Vintage goth might be a good starting place for the aesthetic? Blood accents encouraged. Potential Scary Christmas colors:

idk i'm not an artist...

I'm imaging making old-web style "happy scary christmas" glitter graphics...

Scary Christmas iconography: spiderwebs are a good place to start. But more cobweb-y than spider-y. A line with a moon on top and a sun on the bottom, to represent the respective seasons of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The painting The Scream. Snowflakes? (Sorry Southern Hemisphere) My first concept art looks too much like Halloween.

Scary Christmas concept art:

Scary Christmas greetings: "Happy Scary Christmas!" "We're almost through January!" "May you face February unafraid." just "Face February unafraid!" in the cadence of an NPC. "Boo!"

Scary Christmas activities:

watching horror movies (with friends)

but if, like me, you are afraid of horror movies, then watching comedic kid's Halloween movies (The Nightmare Before Christmas included! I just want this to be MORE than that) or black and white films, particularly Alfred Hitchcock films, are encouraged substitutes.

gather around and sing SCARY songs or recite SCARY chants

or the Dune litany against fear

set a goal of doing something that makes you scared.

almost all holidays have traditional food so uh... okay apparently January is National Soup Month?? idk for which nation but soup it is. tumblr users love soup.

if there is no soup, there still should be a main dish in a bowl.

Scary Christmas goals are often (sorry my brain thinks it'd be really fun to write this like it's real but I don't want to confuse people) to live more authentically. Traditional Scary Christmas stories remind the listener that as scary as opening up as your true self is, the joy it brings is worth it. (transition. Scary Christmas is pro-trans.)

The meaning of Scary Christmas: Scary Christmas is a holiday that recognizes how scary life is. It is a day to acknowledge fear so we don't let it control the rest of our year. Celebrants are encouraged to share their seemingly-silly fears and realize they're not alone in them.

Scary Christmas recognizes that facing our fears helps us grow. On Scary Christmas, everyone is encouraged to take one step out of their comfort zone, whether it's trying a scary new food, watching a scary movie, or talking to a person (scary) -- but no one is forced to, because the Scary Christmas ideology also acknowledges that growth best happens under support.

Scary Christmas celebrates uniqueness and deviance. Catchphrase: stay scary, not scared!

Looking forward to celebrating Scary Christmas with you all on January 25th!

#I said this #scary christmas #tumblr holidays #tumblr calendar #I knew a guy once who invented a religion called Boat Mormonism which had nothing to do with Mormonism at all (but did involve boats)#so i took inspiration with that name framework in coming up with this #you guys can run a referendum on scary christmas colors or something ikd i feel like it needs some because celebrating on tumblr will mostl #be visual but i'm not good at picking colors. quite obviously

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w1shfullthink1ng · 18 hours ago

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𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔…𝐀𝐓 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐈 𝐃𝐎

paige bueckers x cheer!fem!reader

DESCRIPTION/ at the wnba draft you & paige show up together finally debuting y’all relationship

WARNINGS/ none (use of y/n AHHH ik ik pls 😔🔫 i swear i only use it like once!! don’t shoot the messenger girl didn’t you write this? shhh )

YOU WHERE IN THE HOTEL BATHROOM GETTING READY….safe to say you where scared no terrified for tonight. You put on your best face but you where drowning in your own mind “what if this goes wrong” “the medias ruthless” “what if-“ and that’s when paige’s voice brought you out of your head and back to reality

“you almost ready baby?” you shoot her a soft smile trying the mask your anxiousness “yeah..” you try your best to sound put together but after a year of being together and being friends for 3 she knows you like the back of her hand. “Hey..” she approached you gently her voice soft and comforting “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours hm?” she cups your face and moves a stand of hair out of your face tucking it behind your ear

you sigh softy “just nervous about tonight” you admit “if your having second thoughts we don’t have to-“ “no no I’m not having second thoughts well..maybe but I want this I do but you know with the media knowing and how they are it’s just nerve wracking and I don’t wanna ruin anything with you I know you have your NIL contract and stuff-“

she has a look of slight disbelief on her face “woah woah woah. you don’t wanna “ruin anything with me” baby you’re the best thing that ever happened to me you could never “ruin” anything in my life ever. so get that thought out of your head and as for the media screw ‘em people are always gonna have something to say. Plus if you don’t got haters then you ain’t poppin.” she says with a soft smirk. “You got me, I got you we’re good alright?” you nod her words of reassurance easing all your worries “Now come on pretty girl we have a draft to get to, and I need my gorgeous girl with me” she smiles placing her hands on your hips “okay okay let’s go” you laugh softly

You guys arrive to the draft squeezing your hand “Come on ma, you got this keep your head up you look beautiful baby, i’ll be with you the whole time okay?” she kisses your forehead softly her words gentle and sweet easing all of your worries “here we go” you sigh plastering a soft smile on your face as you take paige’s hand and head inside

The walk to the building was filled with cameras & people. The camera snaps few photos of you & paige an interviewer comes up to you guys and asks a few questions to paige like “what are you wearing tonight?” “Here to support Nika Mühl?” “How are you feeling about possibly getting drafted next year?” the suddenly the attention was pulled to you “Paige we see you brought a new face as your plus one tonight care to introduce us?” the interviewer asks with a smile “This is y/n, she’s my beautiful girlfriend”

You smiled softly and wave. You weren’t used to this many cameras sure there was a lot of people & cameras at uconn games but nothing like this, and definitely not this up close and personal. Paige had her arm wrapped around your waist and squeezed your hip a silent acknowledgment that she was there for you. The reporter smiled at you and paige “Girlfriend? wow what a surprise, y/n you look beautiful how are you feeling tonight.” “Definitely a little nervous but I have paige with me so I know i’ll be alright and i’m so proud of Nika just came to show my support for her as well.” the interviewer smiled “Y’all are just adorable if you don’t mind me asking how did you two meet?” paige had that stupid smirk you loved on her face. She loved telling the story.

“Well this pretty thing here is Uconn’s sweetheart she’s a cheerleader and she was cheering with all the other cheerleaders at one of our basketball games and I made a shot but after it went in it somehow bounced over and hit her head-“ you shake your head in embarrassment and giggle “Gosh paige don’t-“ she just laughs and shush’s you “Shh baby let me finish. ahem. anyways as I was saying it hit her head so I run up to her and apologize but I look at her and it hit me when I looked in her eyes I was like woah this is genuinely the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen so yeah I found her after the game got her number.” she winks.

The interviewer laughs finding the story so cute but I bud in “Paige thinks she has so much rizz yeah she may have got my number that day but it took her a WHOLE YEAR for her to ask me out” paige rolls her eyes playfully “Aye chill good things take time” the interviewer smiled and was amused by you and paige “Y’all are just the cutest, thank you both so much for your time it was so nice to meet you y/n thank you paige for sharing her.” paige smiles and reply’s “Of course but don’t y’all get to comfortable she’s mine.”

After all the draft night the media fell in love with you just as much as paige did loving your hospitality and transparency. Sure they’re was a few homophobic assholes but there was more positive feedback and so much support from everyone. You could say that everyone adored you…especially paige.

A/N still haven’t gotten over paige’s draft fit it was absolute perfection she’s so beautiful. also I apologize for being so inactive with finals & then the holidays your girl has been BUSYYY (I wake up everyday & there’s always smth to do i’m sick of it😾) but thank you for the love & support on my last blurb it’s so appreciated also TYSM for 30 followers ily all from the bottom of my heart. My inbox is open for yap sessions, unlicensed therapy sessions (i will always listen to y’all but samantha jones once said “we’re as fucked up as you are it’s like the blind leading the blind”) & requests are open !!

thanks for reading, love you always

wish signing off 🪽

#Spotify #paige bueckers #uconn wbb #paige bueckers x reader #uconn huskies

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feministfang · 2 days ago

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I am not even anti-billionaire when it comes to rich women. Women deserve to be ultra rich and live however we want; having financial freedom, real independence, enjoying luxury, not owing our time and energy to anybody, and being impossible for men to exploit us cause we don’t need them for anything. I myself am working hard to be rich enough that i don’t have to work hard anymore and so i can enjoy my life while fulfilling my desires that are far beyond my basic needs. If i ever become as rich as Taylor Swift, i'd love to have my own private jet as well and use it to travel everywhere while leaving the carbon emissions on every jealous hater’s face to make them feel suffocated so they can shut their mouths for once!

These low-life, chronically online, judgmental freaks who talk about caring about humanity or the environment only do their judgmental shit talk when they have to target or blame a woman. Meet them irl and you’ll see they are just jobless, miserable nobodies sitting behind their phones all day scrolling and pointing fingers at other women thinking they can bring them down to their level. Sigh!😮‍💨 And they fail every time. You will never find these people actually doing something nice for the world themselves because they think hating and blaming women automatically puts them in the "good people" category and gives them the validation of everyone else pretending to be a good person on the internet! They are so horrible they even defend cyberbullying rich successful women with comments like:

“but she’s a billionaire she deserves backlash”

“oh she’s so rude and obsessed with herself she deserves all the hate”

“oh but she has never donated her money to charity she’s so selfish”

The so called angry liberal activists, including some of the radfems, go in all their way to pass such stupid ridiculous comments; no wonder so many women are leaving feminism because what we want is freedom, rest and to own our lives. We are not here to carry the burden of everything y'all like to put on our shoulders. Feminism is only about our liberation from men and patriarchy so put your focus on that, whatever we do other than that is none of anyone’s damn business. Stop expecting feminists to solve every humanitarian crisis as we are not here for that! Stop asking women to cut off our expenses and make sacrifices for the sake of others. No we won’t do that! Cope and cry! And do it yourself if you care!

And to the women who often get guilt-tripped by these miserable insecure losers for wanting a rich luxurious lifestyle, ignore them all! They are not at your level for you to be wasting your energy on them. You are the only one working hard for yourself to gain these privileges, money, and freedom. You deserve to cherish it however YOU want, and not according to these low-value people who didn’t put an ounce of effort in your life but have the audacity to tell you what to do with your blessings. They all didn’t support Taylor Swift in 2016 when she was cancelled, didn’t care about how she was feeling, refused to acknowledge her existence like cowards to be on the safe side of the internet, and also participated in cyber bullying her all over the internet just for fun. Now when she’s a self-made prospering billionaire, all of a sudden she exists in everyone’s mind as a horrible person because she is not living her life the same miserable way as theirs.

Always keep in mind that they don’t even hate you, they hate themselves, they hate their lives, they hate everything about themselves so what they direct at you is just the projection of their own insecurities and they always do it in the form of gaslighting. If Taylor Swift did it while enduring the entire world hating on her, so can you! Stay evil and selfish while sipping on your fav wine in your private jet and let them cry about it because nobody is important when you’re lost in having fun, let alone their opinions. I am proud of you for choosing to upgrade your life, instead of suffering in the same shit! Cheers! 🥂

i will always be anti-billionaire, but it pisses me off when people talk about Taylor swift likes shes the literal spawn of Satan. sure, she does have a very big impact on the environment, but I see males harassing her about her carbon footprint but don't bat an eye at elon musk or any other male billionaire. if you're going to target a billionaire for their impact on the environment maybe focus on all billionaires, not just a woman lmao. don't claim to be doing this to "help bring awareness for the earth" when you literally only talk about taylor

#taylor swift #swifties #i support rich women #rich woman #rich life #billionaire #feminism #radical feminism #radblr #radical feminist community #radical feminist safe #radical feminist #women

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rootspiral · 1 day ago

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hello! i’m thinking about The Hug again and how much the way agatha embraces rio looks like for a while there her primary goal it just to comfort rio. then the situation flips again so quickly but the way she cups the back of rio’s head and pulls her in and rio melts is so- anyways idk where i’m going with this but i’ve always found this scene so interesting because i feel like agatha is exuding tenderness and protection for rio and it’s so very different from the way she acts around her in the rest of their scenes together, i don’t really know what to make of it. do you have any more thoughts on that, aside from what you’ve shared in the deep dives etc?

I think that around the campfire and during the HUG Agatha was letting herself feel - maybe for the first time since Nicky died - sorry for Rio. And Agatha is by no means an empathetic person, some of it is nature but she also very much doesn't want to feel sorry for others, that would make all the serial killing a tad more difficult, you know? It's no surprise that she empathizes the most with Wanda and Billy who are so similar to her, she's self-centered like that!

When it comes to Rio, Agatha is making an active choice to hate her, to cast her as the villain who took Nicky, because the alternative is blaming herself or blaming no one at all, and then what? She'd be alone with her guilt and sorrow, and she can't have that.

(It's interesting that if you put Agatha in a situation where she doesn't blame Rio and she's allowed to grieve freely you get detective Agnes. Who's still a mess and still has some very unhealthy coping mechanisms, but when she doesn't associate Rio with Nicky? Her true feelings, that sappy romantic yearn, really start to show.)

Let's see what Agatha went through just before the HUG (I really like to call it that in all caps). She learned about Lorna Wu using the Ballad to save her daughter. She almost lost Billy and cried in front of the others. She then had a moment of genuine bonding with Billy. Around the campfire, she experienced a rare sense of community and connection. As a result she was more vulnerable than usual, more open and tentatively receptive to other people. In other words, she was exercising her long atrophied empathy muscle.

I really think that Rio opening up and talking about Nicky caught Agatha off guard. Not because she didn't know that Rio was in pain too, it's more like she'd always refused to acknowledge it or linger on it.

And look, despite all, these two really, truly, deeply love each other. Rio was Agatha's person, the only one she ever opened up to, her partner, her whole support system. Agatha has accidentally let herself feel these old familiar feelings and now her heart is melting for Rio. The hug is a a rare moment of selfless love from Agatha, it's "I see you too and I miss you and I'm sorry."

And then she flips it over because of course she does. If you think about it, it's exactly what happened when she killed Alice. Because Agatha is always so starved, the moment a treat is within reach she can't help herself, her body reacts before the mind can stop it. And just like that giving becomes taking. It's what Agatha does.

#asks #agatha all along #aaa meta #agathario #I'll get to your other ask tomorrow! I want to get a deep dive out today #but thank you for always sending such interesting questions!

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weemietime · 3 days ago

Note

Happy Hanukkah! Hope you're doing well

Would you say being a zionist or supporting zionism is "picking a side" in the war? Sorry if it's a silly question, but I've noticed a lot of Palestinian or people related to palestinians on this site are understandably antizionist, even when they aren't antisemitic. I've been told I'm being somewhat hypocritical by claiming to be neutral and supporting zionism(which btw i only meant in a non-extremist way) . So I just wanna clear it up, bc I am against Israel's actions too.

I would say it's complicated. Zionism itself must be defined before you can say you do or do not agree with that term as applied to you. So, in general, Zionism is very broad. Quite simply it boils down to the recognition of Jews as the indigenous people of Israel and the right of said people to self-determine in their communities within their native land.

With regard to the war, I actually do not view Zionism as taking a side for or against Palestinian self-determination, freedom and dignity. I am a Zionist because I am a Jew, a part of the indigenous tribe of people connected for thousands of years to this land and this place.

But I acknowledge that whilst Palestinians are a recent identity and whilst they didn't undergo ethnogenesis in Israel, they've lived there for a long time and it's silly to expect that they wouldn't consider it their homeland as well. And I support that, I think that's OK -- IF it's not being levied as a supercessionist attempt to claim Arabs are the real indigenous peoples of Israel and Jews are just European invaders.

But Palestinians are our neighbors, for better and for worse. And we must find a way to coexist and live in peace, because we want an ally by our side, not an enemy at the gates. And unfortunately, our conduct has been veering hard from the precepts that tie our people together since we accepted the Torah at Sinai.

Yes, "El" was originally the "God of Banners." There is a lot of rhetoric in the Torah that approves of "crushing your enemies." But, as a people, as we moved toward Rabbinic Judaism, we must follow the lead of our forefathers and shed the harmful impetus of vengeance. There are also many verses in the Torah that promote compassion and good-will even toward an enemy.

I don't view Palestinians as my enemy. I view them as my neighbors. And I want to be a good citizen and advocate for prosperity and wellbeing for all who live in and around Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, and indeed in every place on Earth.

There is plenty of room within the confines of Zionism to condemn the actions of the Israeli government. Zionism does not mean that we unconditionally support the government. Zionism is about all of us Jews, as a whole entire people. So bad actors like Netanyahu are fundamentally acting against the interests of Zionists and Jews everywhere by causing harm and suffering where it is not warranted.

And that, along with forced military conscription in general, is a searing wound that has been inflicted on us and continues to be inflicted. And we are feeling those reverberations. It's spiritually harmful. (And chag sameach to you and yours!!! Happy Honk!)

#weemie #politics #jumblr #israel #palestine #antisemitism #i/p #gaza #leftist antisemitism #ask

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llively-12 · 1 day ago

Text

All I Need

(Let Down part 2)

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

Park Jihyo x female reader

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, mentions of cheating, a bit suggestive at the end

Story: What had been broken, could also be fixed.

Authors note: A big thank you to the person who requested a part two! I'm happy for every interaction I get on my fanfics. Big love to everyone who has been liking my posts♡. Enjoy the read♥︎

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

'What was broken could also be fixed.'

That's what eight year old Jihyo thought after breaking one of her mothers precious vases. While chasing after her siblings, she accidentally knocked the expensive object over and caused it to shatter into many pieces.

Now she was sitting at the table in her bedroom with a glue bottle in her hand, trying to fix the mess that she had made. It wasn't exactly easy to figure out which pieces belonged together and how to arrange them, but she would invest every second she had to ensure that this vase would be fixed.

The work was hard and painful, but Jihyo put her best efforts into putting the vase together. In the end, she had a decent result. The vase was almost the same as before. No, it was even better. The vase created a completely new image. The colours now create a different picture. It gave the vase a fresh new look.

Jihyo was, of course, scolded for the action. Her mother loved the vase, and she was quite sad after she found out that Jihyo had broken it. To her surprise, the result Jihyo came up with was even better than her previous vase. The new creation gave her so much joy and a whole different perspective that she put it into the entry. Jihyo's mom proudly showed the remade vase to everyone entering the house.

◇

The weeks after the finished collaboration were rough. Jihyo moved out of the once shared apartment. You were not really talking to her. Only acknowledging her when it was nessacery. What broke Jihyo the most were the ripped up pictures she found one day. That was apparently your way of dealing with everything, just breaking stuff out of frustration.

Of course, she understood the struggles you had. She still couldn't figure out what brought her to the decision to cheat on you. Nothing ever made her question her relationship until that point. To her relief, the short fling with the male artist quickly ended after the collaboration. He returned back to the States without messaging Jihyo. What an asshole. She put the most important thing in her life onto the edge just to be ghosted.

Well karma is a bitch and it was all over Jihyos face. The ripped up picture pieces lay secure in her bedside table at the new apartment. She would never let these go or the relationship with you. Everything that had been broken could also be fixed. That mindset burned into Jihyo's head as she made out a plan to win you back.

◇

Work drowned out your insecure thoughts. The books were kind of your saviour. After things with Jihyo partially ended, you felk into a consumerism spiral and bought every book revolving about love, relationship drama, and most importantly, murdering your ex.

You were so pent up with frustration that the poor books and customers had to suffer under the emotional mess of your life. Friends and family were your biggest supporters, but after a while, you found more solitude by drowning yourself into the world of books. They gave you the perfect scenarios to imagine. Scenarios that could've happened with Jihyo, too.

You tried to ignore her or everything evolving around her, but you live in South Korea. The streets are plastered with her face. The internet is filled with commercials that include her or even her voice. The radio plays the same Twice songs. You could never really escape her, even if you wanted to.

◇

Jihyo turned the key to your once shared apartment. There were still things that she needed to get. You were sitting on the couch, almost unbothered. You tried so hard not to care when she was around, but then her eyes met yours, and suddenly, everything started crashing down on you.

She would comfort you, hold you close to her, and you would let her. In the end, you would do everything to keep her. Being back in her securing embrace made you calm down. She always had a calming effect on you.

"I am going to fix this."

Her promise was sure and determined. You know jihyo. She pulls things through until they're done. She keeps her promise.

◇

The bed felt different this morning. Another weight pushed the mattress further down into the wooden bedframe. Her black hair is spread out across the pillow case. Her breathing, soft and gentle, casts through the air like a nostalgic melody. Her fingers wrap around the fabric of your shirt.

Jihyo sleeping next to you in bed was not something you thought you'd be waking up to any time soon. Both of you were still hurt and broken from her cheating. You never knew how much she was affected by her actions, but you also partially didn't care. She made that decision, and now she had to live with the consequences.

You take her hand off your shirt and leave the bedroom. The audacity she had, sleeping in your bed, next to you. You walk into the guest bedroom. The bed there wasn't as comfortable as your own, but you don't want to sleep next to Jihyo. At least not now.

Over the course of the last week, things changed. You started talking to her again and let her back into the apartment. Both of you actually settled for her sleeping in the guest room. That quickly changed, though, as she started sneaking into your room and sleeping next to you.

You started arguments over this, but at the end of the day, it was never enough for you to actually stay mad at her. Everything you tried shattered down the cliffs of her care for you. Ironically, she was the one caring for you when you were crying about the things she did.

Like always, she found a way back into your heart. Slowly but surely, she'd crawl back in like nothing happened. That's what she always did, and you could never hold her back. It's like you needed her more than oxygen. Like the air, your breath wasn't enough to fill you up to keep you functioning. She was like a siren, calling you back into the depths of her ocean at any time she wanted to.

◇

Evenings like these were normal once. A wine glass in your right hand, and a book in your left. The cushion of the couch comforted your back as you were lying against it. Jihyo sits at the other end of the couch. Her actions are the same as yours.

Her wine glass is almost empty. The second bottle of wine has already been opened and put on the small coffee table. Usually, Jihyo was more into beer. She would always order the bitter liquid on night outs. Here at 'home', she would enjoy a nice wine with you.

Her eyes are trained on the book in her hand. She's reading some romance drama novel you got her before the whole breakup drama. She always enjoyed your taste in literature. Her love for reading was actually quite unexpected. In the beginning, you only got to see her love for sports or her job. Yet after the first few walls of your relationship crumbled, she revealed more of her true self.

Things got better now. You could eat dinner with her again, sit next to her, or engage in a casual chat with her without thinking about the past events. Jihyo made a lot of effort to try to win you back. Of course you had noticed. Her actions never really subtle.

While thinking, your eyes were trained on her. Jihyo had to bite back a small smile. She wanted nothing more than to have you back as hers again. Regretting everything that happened and that she wasn't faithful to you. Jihyo wanted you back, more than anything in the world. She had made a fool of herself and mostly you.

Nothing would go back to the way it once was, but she could make something new out of it. You both could, together, like you always used to. Giving life a new perspective.

Every time Jihyo thought things were hopeless, she thought back to the broken vase. The effort she had put into something simple as glueing back together the shards of porcelain would give her the boost she needed. Like she did back then, she would now put her effort into repairing this mess. She would glue your broken pieces back together.

◇

Her kisses felt like little butterflies gracing your skin. You could never get enough of the feeling of her. Another night of enjoying some wine and books turned into kisses and caresses. It shouldn't be like this. You should hate her, and you have every right to.

Her mouth drags over your neck, only stopping to give your skin a wet kiss. A sigh escapes your lips. She knew all of your weak spots. Her hands hold onto your waist underneath your shirt. The skin of her hand is soft and delicate.

Your hands hold onto her tank top, fingers occasionally scratching the tanned skin underneath. Gasps escaped her lips. Jihyo was very vocal about her likes and dislikes. She leaned closer to you, her muscles tensing under your touch, but in a good way.

Your hand meets her cheek and pulls her head up for a soft kiss. The kiss holds emotions you nor she could ever express. Sometimes, actions do speak more than words. Jihyo knew how to transport the right message with her gestures.

"You're all I need." She rasps out, her voice breathless and almost hoarse. Her eyes meet yours, the brown orbs filled with hope and need. You've never seen her look at you like this.

Maybe you just need to let your guard down and love her again. The universe would never send you someone again who would look at you like this. The rawness of love, right in front of your face. Your head nods without much thought, and you lean in for another kiss.

◇

#Spotify #twice #twice imagines #twice x y/n #twice x you #fluff #jihyo x reader #park jihyo #park jihyo x reader #twice fluff #twice jihyo #twice angst #angst #angst with a happy ending #suggestive

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bekolxeram · 3 days ago

Text

Unfortunately, I don't have the means to donate this time, (Stupid expensive health issues🙄) but I'd still like to express my gratitude to Bucktommy and this fandom for the occasion.

Not that my life has ever been sunshine and rainbows, but 2024 has been particularly difficult for me. I started the year the sickest I've been for years, then one of my uncles passed away in February. He was 88. He had been slowly succumbing to dementia for quite some time, so almost everyone agreed a cardiac arrest was a blessing in disguise.

I wasn't close with him, but my mother was, and naturally, I had to spend pretty much the entire March accompanying her to all sorts of traditional ceremonies for the dead. All my uncle's children, my cousins, came back from abroad as well. They enjoyed hanging out with me back when I was a toddler, but then I slowly grew up into this weird, moody kid of few words, and we kind of drifted apart from there.

Family reunions were never awkward despite my gloomy existence though, they had their fun aunt who never ran out of things to talk about. To them, my mother's the life of the party and an exemplary woman, who went through tragedies in life but still manages to come out stronger on the other side, who unfortunately had to re-enter the workforce later in life to support her physically ill husband and her mentally ill teenage daughter.

What they don't know, is that while she's a fun aunt, she's not a fun mother. She was dealing with the stress and frustration so well because she always had an outlet at home. Someone she had total ownership over, officialized by a piece of birth certificate. Someone she could do whatever she'd like to, emotionally and physically, because in my culture, it's simply an alternative, maybe outdated method of parenting, not a crime.

I've had time to process my messy relationship with my mother, I've come to (mostly) accept it for what it is. Watching my cousins all rushing over to my mother with open arms to console her, watching my cousins' children playing around, having fun with her, while my existence was barely acknowledged, was actually more triggering than I expected. It acted as a sobering reminding that not only do I have merely a handful of friends since I left church, I in fact don't have any family left either. They're all my mother's family, not mine.

It was probably the most lonely and isolating experience in my life. It's like I was trapped inside of my head, my head that was gradually turning into a bottomless pit of nothingness.

Then Tommy Kinard drove through cross town traffic just to clear the air in person. He expressed how much he wanted to be a part of a family. Then he took his shot and got the boy in the end.

I just felt... understood. Watching Bucktommy's story play out on screen gave me some rare moments of joy and much needed hope. I felt like if Tommy could find happiness later in life, maybe it wasn't too late for me either.

If you've had experience with depression, you'd know how sometimes getting out of bed, brushing your teeth feels like an uphill battle already. Motivation is precious and hard to come by. I was so motivated creatively by Bucktommy and people in the fandom who resonated with the story just like me, that I wrote series of posts analyzing every scene in S7, I learned how to make gifs to illustrate the humor I found in all of us, I figured out how to edit video especially for my vision of a Brad-nado, I even wrote and posted my first fanfic ever.

And I just love how we refuse to give up hope, even after the breakup. We cried, we whined, then we doubled our effort writing fix-it fics, continuing their story on our own terms. Now, we even manage to raise thousands of dollars for charities in 24 hours in the name of love.

Sorry for the wall of text all about myself, I hope I don't come across as a self-absorbed jerk. I always thought I would never make it to 30, it started feeling like a real possibility in March. What happened instead was that my 30th birthday came and go because I was too busy screaming about Buck batting his eyelashes at Tommy when he was receiving a medal.

I'm sitting here, typing this out, looking back at my 2024 at the end of the year, only because Bucktommy happened and I had the pleasure to cross path with you all. I know, it's stupid, it's just a TV show, but I can't really imagine how my life would turn out if I never had Bucktommy, where I would be right, or even if I would still be at all.

So, thank you, for making life worth living for me again.

#alliwantforchristmasislou #bucktommy #tw: child abuse #tw: mental health #tw: death

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chickenkurage · 18 hours ago

Text

(TAWW!Week) DAY 1: NOT REALIZING THEY ARE INJURED

Artificial Intelligence Alan AU

Summary: Noogai just wants to help people, why does he have to get hit by a car in the process? (He doesn't get paid enough for this shit, as it seems)

Tag/s: Whump, Hurt/Comfort, Major Injuries

One thing Noogai excels at is being attentive to DJ's needs, but he often neglects his own well-being. DJ never fails to remind him to charge his body, warning that one day he might unexpectedly shut down in public.

"Noogai, please, for the love of cursor, charge yourself!" DJ snapped, holding a charger in his hand as he looked down at Noogai, who sat on the floor with Forest on his lap, happily yipping. "I did," Noogai replied, not even sparing a glance as he focused on the TV, a telenovela playing.

DJ groaned, glancing at the TV screen before returning his gaze to Noogai, whose shades reflected the same program he was engrossed in, too absorbed to acknowledge DJ.

As DJ's watch beeped, he let out a groan. "Noogs, you're running low on battery," DJ grumbled, limping towards the other stick. His tender, throbbing leg had slowed him down throughout the day.

The sight of DJ limping caught Noogai's attention. In an instant, Noogai stood up and walked over to him, supporting DJ's weight with his hands on DJ's lower back.

"Thanks, Noogs. My leg is just acting up today," DJ chuckled, wincing slightly as he reached out the back of Noogai's head.

Noogai gladly lowered his head as DJ carefully plugged the charger into his neck, letting out a sigh of relief.

"There, will you stop forgetting to charge yourself? You're always on the brink of shutting down, I swear," DJ huffed as Noogai carefully led him towards the couch, assisting him as he sat down.

"I did charge myself," Noogai said, raising a hand as DJ massaged his leg, feeling the phantom pain of a limb that had never existed in the first place. Out of all things his creator left him, mismatched legs were a constant reminder.

"That was four days ago," DJ added, raising a finger as Noogai hovered above him, unsure of how to assist DJ.

He had attempted to provide DJ with a cane, only to be met with refusal. "Please use a cane next time your leg is hurting," Noogai said, crossing his arms as DJ peered up at him, mimicking Noogai by crossing his arms as well.

"I can't use a cane, Noogs. It makes it harder to move," DJ groaned as Noogai resisted the urge to shake his head, acknowledging his own hypocrisy. After all, he detested charging his body because he loathed hauling around a large box just to remain mobile.

In an attempt to find a solution, Noogai suggested, "A leg brace. Why not create an extension for your leg to keep it straight, so you can avoid bending your knee too much?" Noogai pointed at DJ's leg.

DJ emitted a small noise of acknowledgment before letting out a disappointed groan. "You're right, but I won't be able to do that now, because... well, you know," DJ motioned towards his leg, slowly dragging it back down the floor as he attempted to stand up, with Noogai offering his arm for support.

"Just need to get to my room. Thanks, Noogs," DJ patted Noogai's arm gently as they both hobbled towards DJ's room.

"I should get you a portable battery so you won't have to lug that thing around," DJ chuckled as he watched Alan drop the metal box heavily at the side of his bed.

Noogai remained silent, fetching a hot compress from the nightstand and placing it on DJ's knee before covering him with a blanket. "Get some rest, DJ," Noogai replied, patting DJ's chest as DJ only hummed in response.

"Thanks, Noogs. You take care of me so well," DJ expressed, his voice filled with relief. Noogai didn't reply, observing as DJ removed his glasses and placed them on the nightstand before settling in for rest.

Maybe he should be the one to create DJ's leg brace; it shouldn't be too difficult to find metal and leather in the city. Noogai has visited the city several times, whether to purchase groceries or materials for DJ.

There's usually no in-between; DJ typically instructs Noogai to buy items, and it's not always up to Noogai to decide whether he should go out.

Noogai glanced at the door before shifting his gaze back to the TV and Forest, who was patiently waiting on the carpeted floor.

Watching telenovelas has become his way of passing time, as DJ doesn't require his constant presence around the house, apart from cleaning, monitoring him, and occasionally helping DJ with his robots.

However, DJ often rejects his assistance, claiming that it's unfair to let an AI aid in his work.

Why is that considered cheating, though?

Noogai walked over to the TV, with Forest playfully circling his legs as he turned off the TV. "Stay," Noogai commanded the robot dog, which promptly sat on the floor, its tail wagging as it looked at him.

"Watch over DJ. I'll go out to get something," Noogai stated before abruptly disconnecting the plug from his neck, experiencing a slight sense of detachment. It felt as if he had lost another limb.

Strange. Was he supposed to feel that way?

Noogai gazed at the wire cord, examining it closely, attempting to search his database for any prior encounters with this sensation, only to receive a negative result.

Carefully, Noogai lowered the metal box beside the wall, arranging the cords over it with precision. He then turned towards the front door and exited the house.

Leaving a note was probably unnecessary; DJ was likely still in bed, resting and unlikely to stir. Acquiring the necessary materials wouldn't consume much time either.

Ensuring the front door was securely locked, Noogai set off on his errand, leaving DJ to his slumber, his arm tucked under the pillow, his watch incessantly beeping.

— — — —

The city buzzed with life as usual. Noogai wandered through aisles, searching for what he needed. He knew he required leather to prevent DJ's leg brace from causing discomfort on his inner thighs.

Considering DJ's energetic nature, he imagined that once he had the brace, he would move around vigorously.

Noogai nodded to himself as he felt the leather between his fingers. He thought he could get metal from the junkyard, deciding it would be wise to save money for groceries later.

After purchasing the materials, he left the store and headed to the junkshop.

"Oh, it's you again," the yellow stick figure exclaimed, waving as Noogai nodded in acknowledgment. "My loyal customer, take what you need," she said before returning to her phone.

In the junkyard, Noogai approached a heap of metals, a mix of steel from cars. He paused, realizing he wasn't as skilled as DJ in creating things; his expertise lay more in health-related matters.

"What are you looking for?" Scotch, the yellow stick figure, asked, scratching her cheek as Noogai scanned the area, unsure of what to say. Which type of steel would be suitable for DJ's leg brace?

Would metal scraps suffice? Noogai wasn't entirely sure. Perhaps he should have consulted DJ before the latter had gone to sleep.

"Can I take these metal scraps?" Noogai inquired, picking up the damaged hood of a car. He thought he could heat and shape it easily.

"Sure, go ahead. Let me fetch a cart for you. Just remember to return it tomorrow," Scotch replied, snapping her fingers before hurrying off to grab a cart.

Nodding, Noogai bent down to pull the car hood out of the pile, selecting another, albeit broken one. Despite its condition, he could heat and reshape it, making its current state inconsequential.

As Noogai turned, he noticed Scotch pushing a worn cart towards him, humming lyrics under her breath. "Thank you," Noogai acknowledged, unfazed by one of the wheels barely hanging on. He effortlessly folded the metal scrap and tossed it inside.

Observing, Scotch whistled as Noogai added more items before moving towards the cart handle. "How much will this cost?" Noogai inquired.

"Forget it, take them. I've been wanting someone to clear this stuff out anyway," Scotch responded, snapping her fingers. Noogai was about to reply when a notification popped up in front of his eyes.

LOW BATTERY!

USER: N00GA1 RECALL TO CHARGING STATION!

LOW BATTERY!

If Noogai had eyes, he would probably be rolling them at how elaborate DJ's systems were. Initially, DJ had implemented this system so that Noogai wouldn't need reminders to charge himself when his battery was low.

The system works, but Noogai doesn't really pay attention to it.

With this in mind, Noogai waved a hand and guided the cart out of the shop. "Goodbye, dear customer!" Scotch exclaimed, waving her arms enthusiastically as Noogai simply gave her a thumbs up.

He knew he wouldn't just shut down in the middle of the street. Despite his joints feeling stiffer, it wasn't a big issue since he rarely moved much; his body didn't require frequent charging.

Even if his robot body shut down, he could still perceive his surroundings and exit the body at any time.

Living with DJ had granted him a new ability: the freedom to be lazy, at least "sometimes."

Noogai wasn't sure if not moving was a good or bad thing, but there was a certain peace in it. It reminded him of the past, like when Alan—

He halted his thoughts, giving his head a slight shake. These episodes were becoming more frequent; he was starting to feel more human. No longer relying solely on his databases for thinking was both unsettling and intriguing from his perspective.

Perhaps this was another lesson he had picked up from DJ.

The ability to think for himself...

"I said, I don’t want to date you anymore!" a woman's loud, shrill voice pierced through Noogai's thoughts. His focused gaze shifted swiftly towards the commotion at the side, where a green stick figure was trying to break free from a taller blue figure enveloping her with his arms.

"Come on, babe, we can work this out. Just come back with me," the blue stick figure insisted.

Noogai paused, turning towards them. He felt compelled to intervene to prevent harm to the woman; walking away would contradict his own beliefs.

Slowly, he approached the pair, observing the woman in tears as she struggled against the man's grasp.

"You should release her," Noogai interjected, tilting his head as the blue stick figure turned towards him. "Please, help me," the green stick figure pleaded, sobbing.

Noogai shifted his attention to the green stick figure, taking her arm and effortlessly freeing her from the man's grip. "It would be best for both of you to resolve this at the police department," Noogai suggested, unfazed by the woman essentially clinging to him.

"You should mind your own business, you jerk," the man growled as he towered over Noogai, who simply maintained his gaze on him.

LOW BATTERY!

USER: N00GA1 RECALL TO CHARGING STATION NOW!

LOW BATTERY!

Noogai suppressed the urge to groan, finding it too human-like for his taste, and instead he just shook his head. "Sorry, but I think I should call the police on you—" Noogai began, but was interrupted as the man grabbed the woman beside him.

Quickly, Noogai intervened, grabbing the man's arm, preventing his hand from reaching the woman's neck. "I believe you were about to harm her," Noogai stated, his voice lowering.

To harm him was one thing, but to harm his patient?

"Damn you! Who are you anyway? Are you... the other guy? This is just too funny, you’re cheating on me with him?" the blue stick figure laughed, pulling his arm away from Noogai's grip. “No! I would never!” Jade argued.

Noogai simply stared at them, realizing that stick figures could be as exasperating as humans – no middle ground with them.

He turned to the woman, checking her information.

Name: Jade

Age: 24 years old

Job: Unemployed

She is stressed and scared….

Additional Information: Must proceed to the hospital, bruises in her arm and neck.

Mission Logs:

Get Jade to safety [PRIORITY]

Apprehend the Aggressor

LOW BATTERY!

USER: N00GA1 RECALL TO CHARGING STATION!

LOW BATTERY!

Noogai shook his head slightly, feeling overwhelmed by the flood of information. Despite his system repeatedly reminding him to go home and charge his body, he couldn't focus with so many words flashing before his eyes. Unaware and distracted, he didn't notice the blue stick figure moving closer to him.

In an instant, Noogai was pushed backward, his feet stumbling towards the open road. "No!" Jade screamed as an oncoming car collided with Noogai.

— — — —

There is another thing that Noogai realized, is that he does not get paid enough for caring for other people… Or stick figures if you call it.

Can he even get paid? No, why is he thinking like that? (too human…)

Now, he found himself struggling to stand, his system blaring while his left arm and right leg remained unresponsive.

"What have you done!" Jade shrieked, rushing towards Noogai who was struggling to rise, his right hand twitching, and a pool of oil visible on the ground where he had been earlier.

He could easily explain that it had leaked from the car which had struck him before speeding away.

That was a hit and run, wasn't it? Noogai's mind chimed in unhelpfully as his system continued to blare at him.

Right Leg Functionality 5%

USER: N00GA1 MUST RETURN HOME

Left Arm Functionality 0%

Noogai managed to force his right leg to move, slowly standing up and turning towards Jade. "You should call the police," Noogai advised, limping past her towards the blue stick.

With great annoyance, he punched the blue stick figure with his right hand, causing him to collapse, unconscious.

Feeling anger was a new sensation for him, and Noogai believed he was a bit angry.

Jade gasped, trembling as she retrieved her phone. "P-please, I need to call an ambulance. I-I think you're injured," Jade said as Noogai stepped over the blue stick and headed towards the cart.

"No need, have him arrested for harming you," Noogai instructed, briefly stepping on the blue stick's ankle before breaking it, ensuring he wouldn't be able to walk or pursue Jade upon waking.

Although tempted to make things easier by snapping the man's neck, Noogai decided that justice prevailed, leaving it as it was.

"Wait!" Jade called out, watching as Noogai pushed his cart away, his other leg doing its best to keep up, much like the other wheel of his cart. He only had two feet while the cart had four (he guesses they are twinning now…).

LOW BATTERY!

USER: N00GA1 RECALL TO CHARGING STATION!

LOW BATTERY!

Noogai felt relieved that he hadn't suffered a system crash in the middle of the city as he made his way back home. DJ’s house wasn't exactly close to the city.

He swiftly pushed the cart towards DJ’s front porch, then grabbed it and pulled it towards the garage. Dragging his right leg behind him, he easily opened the garage door, leaving the cart in a corner before entering the house.

"Hello," Noogai greeted Forest, who was still in the living room, seated, seemingly waiting for Noogai to return.

Forest tilted its head, observing its owner. Noogai's hoodie was torn, and his left arm socket had broken off from his torso, concealed only by his hoodie. If he hadn't been wearing it, Jade would have witnessed his arm falling off, a sight he preferred to avoid.

"Noogs? Are you home— Oh no..." DJ halted as he gazed at Noogai, noticing the cracked shades, ripped hoodie, and disheveled appearance as if he had been dragged on the road forcibly.

"What... happened?" DJ asked, quickly moving towards Noogai, using the nearby cane. "I just went out to... to..." Noogai's words faltered, his head tilting to the side, his legs suddenly giving way.

"Oh no no no," DJ exclaimed, wrapping his arm around Noogai's torso, struggling to support them both.

Forest's yips could be heard as they scurried over, and DJ half-dragged them both towards the couch. He carefully lowered Noogai onto it, leaning on his cane, feeling the ache in his knee.

"Noogs, my man, what happened?" DJ asked as he slowly removed Noogai's hoodie, wincing when he saw his left arm sliding down from his sweater.

Letting out a groan, DJ ran a hand down his face. "I was just trying to get materials for your leg brace," Noogai explained, his voice stuttering and glitching as DJ assessed the damages.

"And?" DJ inquired, turning to examine Noogai's leg, noticing his ankles barely hanging on.

Cursors above…

"I saw a man who was forcing a woman to stay with him. She was hurt, with bruises, clearly hurt by that same man," Noogai explained, observing DJ struggling to pull up his pants. Noogai tried to sit up to assist, but DJ pushed him back down with a click of his tongue.

"Go on, let me help you, Noogs," DJ said as Noogai nodded. "I helped her, but I got too distracted, and he pushed me into an oncoming car," Noogai added, choosing not to disclose the reason for his distraction due to him leaving in a state where he did not charge his body properly.

DJ didn't need to know that.

"Tell me his name, I swear," DJ growled, clenching his fist in anger as Noogai simply stared at him, observing as DJ fixed his ankle with a screwdriver that Forest fetched for him.

"I couldn't get his information," Noogai replied.

Right Leg Functionality 78%

"There, your leg is still broken, but you can probably move around until I can fix you. Your arm, on the other hand... You might need a new one. Here, take off your sweater," DJ said as Noogai sat up, struggling to remove his sweater, emitting a buzz when his left arm dropped to the floor with a loud thunk.

Both DJ and Noogai paused, gazing at the arm on the floor as Noogai twitched, his system blaring.

"And you walked home with that?" DJ inquired as Noogai turned to him, shrugging. "I did not realize it was that bad" Noogai said, turning to DJ who facepalmed in response.

#WhumpWhumpWeek #AIAlanBecker #AIDJWelch #ava #ava au #alan becker #dj welch #animator vs animation #animation vs animator #fanfiction #Spongey'sFic

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yurlittleangle · 1 day ago

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Yan!Male Stalker x Fem!Influencer Reader

Ask: Yandere male stalker X influencer Fem reader. He's in a parasocial relationship with her and she's a twitch streamer, (THIS IS OPTIONAL YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT.) maybe something a long the lines where he comes to give her a Valentine's Day gift, but he creeps her out or sent and freaks out

The neon glow of your gaming setup lit up the room as the chat flowed rapidly across your screen. Hearts and emotes of all kinds flooded your monitor as your voice, light and playful, danced through your headset. The Valentine’s Day stream was in full swing, and your audience—affectionately dubbed your “Valentine Squad”—was eating it up.

“Thank you, guys! This support means everything to me,” you said, flashing your signature smile. Your voice was genuine, but there was a tinge of exhaustion. Streaming for hours straight, constantly reading comments, and trying to stay energetic was draining. Still, it was worth it.

Among the sea of usernames, one stood out: AlwaysWatching92.

They were one of your most consistent viewers, always in your streams, always donating just enough to stay noticed, but not so much as to come off as too obsessive. Or at least, that’s what they thought. You had already begun to notice the patterns: the long, heartfelt messages; the way they seemed to know personal details you had never shared online; the slightly unhinged tone in their comments when you didn’t acknowledge them fast enough.

“Alright, guys, let’s take a quick break,” you said, hitting your BRB screen. Your voice softened, the artificial cheer dropping for a moment.

As you stepped away from your desk, a sudden knock at your apartment door startled you. It was late. Too late for anyone to visit.

Your heart skipped as you approached cautiously, peering through the peephole. What you saw made your stomach sink.

A man stood there, clutching a bouquet of roses and a small, heart-shaped box. He felt disturbingly familiar—too familiar. His mask matched the profile picture of AlwaysWatching92.

You hesitated, unsure if you should even open the door, but he noticed the shadow of your figure through the peephole.

“I-I’m sorry to come unannounced,” he stammered, his voice muffled through the door. “I just… I wanted to give you something special for Valentine’s Day. You deserve it.”

Your breath caught in your throat. He shouldn’t know where you lived.

“How… How did you find me?” you asked, your voice trembling despite yourself.

There was a long pause. “It—it wasn’t hard. You mentioned your favorite coffee shop once, and I—I just followed a few clues… I wanted to surprise you.”

Your chest tightened. “Look, this isn’t okay. You need to leave.”

“But I—I thought we had something special,” he said, his voice cracking. “I’ve been there for you every stream, every moment. I’ve supported you when no one else did!”

“You don’t even know me!” you snapped, anger flaring past your fear.

The silence that followed was deafening. Then, his voice dropped to something darker, more desperate.

“I know you better than anyone else. Your favorite color, your laugh, the way you look when you’re tired… I’ve spent hours with you. Days. Months. You can’t just push me away!”

Your hands shook as you fumbled for your phone. You started dialing emergency services when he suddenly shouted, “No! Don’t do that! Please! I—I’ll leave, okay? I just wanted you to know how much I care about you!”

You stayed silent, your phone trembling in your grip.

Finally, you heard his footsteps retreating. You waited several minutes before looking through the peephole again. He was gone, but the flowers and box of chocolates remained on your doormat, a sinister reminder of his presence.

You locked the door and called the police, your voice shaking as you explained the situation.

As you returned to your desk, the glowing monitor and cheerful chat felt alien, like a relic from a life you no longer inhabited. You forced yourself to smile and address your audience, pretending nothing had happened.

But in the corner of your room, your phone buzzed.

A new message:

Unknown Number: I’m sorry if I scared you. I’ll be better. Just don’t forget about me.

#horror #yan x reader #yandere x reader #male yandere #twitch streamer reader #fan x influencer #yandere fan #male stalker x fem influencer #Yandere fan x Reader #yandere oneshot #Yandere male stalker X influencer Fem reader #Yandere stalker #yandere #yandere stalker x reader #male stalker #female reader #stalker kink #mask k!nk #k!nk

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doodler16 · 5 hours ago

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sinsmas is a fun episode to me honestly, but the way they try to gaslight the audience into thinking that cheating is fine as long as youre doing it at the expense of your abusive partner is, regardless of how your kids feel, even supporting the idea they should just roll with it, is.. i hate it? and in stoliz's case, its not even, "stolas cheated on stella with blitz and the two made this family together out of the broken pieces left with their kids," like the humans did. (which realistically probably wouldnt work out, and only does because karen is dead and the daughters arent actual characters with agency like the majority of vivs female characters,) its, "stolas felt so unwanted his entire life because of this arranged marriage that, when his ""first ever friend"" fucked him and stole the grimorie the morning after, his immediate reaction was NOT to get him an asmodean crystal so the two could continue to fuck consensually, without hurting his daughters birthright, but to instead FORCE his ""first ever friend"" while he was literally fighting for his life into having sex once a month for usage to said birthright, that is the entire REASON he had a daughter he didnt want, willingly putting the grimorie in the hands of someone else every month 99% of the time, so he could MAKE that person FUCK HIM because he was a sad innocent uwu boi who never knew what twue wove is and that was totally all he wanted all along!" actually, im just a big dumb idiot, this is fine, and not fucked up at all. i should just turn my brain off so i can buy 69 more stoliz plushies, pins, and shirts from shark robot dot com that i can shove up my anus and shit out - the money im given by the go fund me i set up due to the following anal prolapse it causes, will go directly to viviene "dont say yes until im finished talking" mendrano's disneyland, taxidermy peacock, and kfc in japan budget! just like that queer, totally not white passing, totally not having a history of edgy bigotedness even up into 2023, totally doesnt have a rape fetish, totally not someone who has a pattern of using people and spitting them out, DESERVES to have! :D

In hindsight, I do wish the episode was mainly about IMP and them focusing on their sins. Like how Millie and Moxxie do wrath related things, Loona does gluttony with her friends, etc. Majority of the episode was just Vivziepop gaslighting the audience and the demonizing a woman who is upset she got the short end of the stick.

That first friend/circus episode was so dumb. Not only does it make Stolas and Stoliz look worse in comparison. The two never acknowledge what happened at the mansion at all except when Blitzø attempts to steal the grimoire. Stolas and Blitzø aren’t even friends like Vivziepop wants to imply and milk in the merch. Blitzø was literally Stolas’ temporary slave, forced to hang out with him then the two went their separate ways.

Yes, Anon we should definitely turn our brain off- no we should remove them completely and ignore how messy the plot is, the lack of world building in this story, how one-note and neglected the female characters are, etc. 😔 It’s all about Stoliz

#vivziepop critical #vivziepop criticism #anonymous #helluva boss critical #helluva boss criticism

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witchygagirlwrites · 1 day ago

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Broken Bonds-Part 15

Former(ish) Greg "Mouse" Gerwitz x Reader, BabyDaddy! Jay Halstead x Reader

While Jay is still out on vacation time after you gave birth your emotions and hormones are all over the place. You're trying to find a new normal, line up a daycare for Addy and get back into the gym all the while fighting what's growing in your own heart

Was it weird that you weren’t with the father of your child yet he hadn’t really left your side in months? You were fairly certain it was weird that even though you’d given birth to said child and circumstances could change you were terrified of not having his presence nearby because you’d grown so used to him being right there.

For the first week of Addy’s life you’d barely wanted to leave your apartment and hadn’t allowed anyone but Stella to cross the threshold outside of you and Jay. He’d stayed right there, only leaving when Stella was over and even then it was just long enough to do laundry at his place. You were beginning to worry about the price of his rent versus how much he was actually using his place.

The sudden rush of emotions and hormones after birth was killing you also. Dr Asher assured it was normal so once the first week passed you started easing your way back into the gym. Not only to relieve stress and work off some of that pent up energy but also to start getting back into shape for the job. You missed boxing.

Jay always came with you, which proved to be more of a challenge than anything. It was distracting a bit when he was walking around the gym with Addy in a baby sling, talking quietly to her or feeding her. You told yourself he was being supportive and also acknowledging that you simply weren’t quite to the point of wanting her out of your eyesight which you weren’t. It wasn’t his fault that your head was a jumbled mess.

You heard Stella come in the door and talk to Jay and Addy before heading your way where you were working at a heavy bag. “Baby girl. Are you supposed to be going that heavy this soon?” she asked and you looked over your shoulder at her “Doc said just listen to my body and I’ll be fine” she nodded “Ok then. I see my niece is doing amazing” you grinned, pushing hair that had fallen down out of your face “Of course. She has amazing parents”

“That is true. Are you two going to check out the daycare where Chloe works?” you and Jay had an appointment the following day to go and do a walk through and meet everyone but from running a background check on employees, owners and all other parents you had a fairly good feeling about it. You nodded “We’re going tomorrow”

“Have you talked to him yet about the whole staying at your place thing?” she asked, cutting her eyes over at Jay. You followed her line of sight and smiled when you saw him and Kelly gushing over Addy “No” she looked back at you “Bad timing or simply because you don’t want to?”

You opened your mouth to protest that of course it was just bad timing. You knew you had to talk to Jay. You both had to get used to being alone again, with and without Addy. He wasn’t your husband, hell he wasn’t your boyfriend. You were just his child’s mother and a friend. The two of you never should’ve been sharing a bed while you were pregnant and he shouldn’t have been sleeping on your couch for the last week but the idea of Jay not being there terrified you and the fact of it terrifying you terrified you.

At the look on your face she grimaced “Do we need to talk later?” you sighed, looking at Jay again “Stel, I don’t know if you can get your hands on a ladder deep enough to get me out of this hole” she shook her head “Of course I can. If you need me, call me” then kissed your cheek and called across the gym “Get her home Halstead! She needs a shower and a nap”

“Which one?” Jay asked with a smirk and Stella laughed “Both of my girls” Jay grinned “Yes ma’am”

You got out of the shower and could hear Jay’s voice over the baby monitor where he was talking to Addy. That wasn’t anything new. He’d been talking to her since she started moving in the womb. You walked out of the bathroom and heard him tell her “You’re the absolute best part of me” and felt a smile slip onto your face.

You walked out of your room into the living room and saw him standing in her room, right over her crib. He was leaning down just enough he could trace patterns on her stomach like he used to do on yours while she was still in it. “She asleep?” you whispered and he nodded. You stepped back out of the room and he followed you, not quite closing the door behind himself.

You turned around to face him and hadn’t realized he was quite that close. Your hands flew up to brace yourself on his chest and his hands went to your waist to keep you from stumbling. “Thanks” you mumbled and he smirked “Anytime” his eyes flickered from yours down to your lips then back up before he let his hands drop from your waist and cleared his throat “How are you feeling now that you’re able to get back in the gym?”

You knew Jay was worrying about your mental health. He’d taken special care when researching postpartum depression to ensure he didn’t miss any warning signs. You nodded “I’m good. I am” he smiled “Ok, just know you can tell me if you aren’t” “I know I can Jay. By this point there isn’t a lot I feel like I couldn’t tell you” his smile deepend “Good”

Times like this it was hard reminding yourself he was just Adeline’s father. These emotions, these feelings. They were the love you had for him as your partner, friend and daughter’s father. No matter how fast your heart started beating lately when he kissed your temple or how it stopped you in your tracks some mornings if you came out looking for coffee to find him shirtless in your kitchen.

You knew you still loved Mouse, how you’d felt when he called four days after you had Addy to talk to you was proof of that. That love never wavered in your mind or heart which made these feelings that were starting to pop up towards Jay even more confusing. It was just the rush of everything after giving birth. It would even out as your body healed, right?

You hadn’t realized you’d gone silent until Jay bought one hand up to gently cup the side of your face, staring in your eyes as he did so. “Are you sure you’re ok?” you swallowed hard then nodded “I’m good, I’m um I’m gonna go to bed” he smiled and leaned forward to press a kiss to your head “Goodnight, see ya for midnight feedings” you laughed lightly “I’ll be the one with the baby on me” “The gorgeous one with the beautiful baby that looks like her? Yeah, don’t think I’d miss you two” he teased with a wink.

“Night Jay” you whispered then retreated to your room. You just needed to catch your breath. The last week or so had just been insane, birth was a lot on your body.

You grabbed your phone and sent Stella a text: Got that ladder yet? She texted back Ready & waiting you laughed lightly Our meeting at the daycare is a 10. Can you do lunch? She quickly texted back You got it babe you let out a breath and tossed your phone onto the bed. Damn here you were missing your job. At least Voight was just a pain in the ass.

You were dressing Addy for the cold Chicago weather while Jay got the truck warmed up. She was wearing an adorable little long sleeved outfit Kevin had gotten her complete with a bow headband to match. She grabbed your pinkie and cooed which pulled a smile to your face. No matter the chaos, it was worth it. She was worth it. “What would I do without you love?” you whispered and she cooed a little louder about the time the door opened and you felt a rush of cool wind whip across the living room before Jay’s voice followed “Please tell me you and her are bundled up because it is cold”

You laughed lightly “Shoot Addy, guess the sundresses are a no?” he walked around the corner shaking his head “Funny, I’m just making sure you know how cold it is” you nodded “It’s the last part of February, first part of March in Chicago Jay. I’ve lived here my whole life. I know how the weather gets. Grab me the carrier cover so I can zip it over her”

He passed you the cover then eyed the coat you were wearing. “You need a thicker coat” you raised an eyebrow “This is plenty thick enough” “It's really cold” he argued and you laughed “This coat is fine Jay. Get your daughter ready and let's roll”

________________

Jay parked his truck in the designated area for parents and cut his eyes at you “Do we really gotta do this?” you nodded “Considering you go back to work in a couple days and I go back in a few weeks, I’d say yes. It’s the top daycare around. Everyone has good background checks. Close enough to the precinct and fifty one it wouldn’t take us or Stella long to get to her plus Chloe Cruz works here as the supervisor”

He nodded slowly “I know, I know but baby..she’s so little” you laughed lightly “She won’t start until she’s six weeks old. That’s a normal start time for a child with two working parents” “Ok” he finally agreed then killed the engine. He grabbed her carrier out then walked out to meet you by the passenger side door. He held her between the two of you, so you and her were closest to the building and he was closest to the road as you walked inside.

The receptionist was a twenty six year old woman named Marlene Jacobs who had a child in the daycare herself. Her husband Donald Jacobs was a marine that was currently deployed. They both had clean records and from what you could tell they had a fairly happy marriage,ok maybe Mouse had taught you a little too much.

She stood when she saw the two of you “Detective Kidd? Detective Halstead?” you nodded with a smile “Yes ma’am” she looked towards the carrier “And this must be Adeline” Jay smiled “Yes it is” she looked between the two of you “Well we’ll do the walk through. You’ll meet with the supervisor which I believe you know, Mrs Cruz?” You laughed “Yes, we know Chloe” Marlene laughed “Even better. If you choose to accept the spot, you’ll just need to fill out to paperwork and choose a start date”

You cut your eyes at Jay and he nodded “Lead the way” you told her with a smile. She offered to let you leave Addy’s carrier at her desk so Jay carried her in his arms and slipped his hand into yours as he followed Marlene through the hall to Chloe’s office. You felt him squeeze your hand gently so you whispered “She’ll be fine” a small smile slipped onto his face at your assurance.

______________

“So..let me hear it” you and Jay were back in his truck, Addy was in her carrier fast asleep and the two of you were headed to meet Kelly and Stella for lunch. Stella’s idea was to bring Kelly as a barrier for Jay so you and her could talk. He cut his eyes at you then looked back at the road, a smirk slipping onto his face “You were right” he all but mumbled. You held a hand to your ear and leaned across the console “What was that?” he laughed “You were right Y/N..like always. The daycare is a pretty good place and it’s gonna be good for Addy”

You grinned triumphantly “Just remember that so when she is a teenager and comes over to your house whining how mom is so mean you can remind her that I’m usually right” he shook his head “Yeah, I’ll remember that”

You leaned back across the console and checked the text from Stella “Her and Kelly are gonna grab a booth” he nodded “Sounds good” you cut your eyes at him and not for the first time found yourself thinking just how good Jay looked as a dad. Even bundled up in winter clothes, you could see the chain of his st michael pendant and his eyes kept flicking up to the rearview mirror. You knew how women supposedly glowed when they became mothers, you didn’t see yourself as glowing but you’ll be damned if Jay wasn’t meant to be a dad.

One of those smiles you loved of his slipped onto his face “Ya know it’s kinda weird to stare at me while I’m driving. Turn your butt around and stare at our baby if you wanna stare at a face that looks like mine” you shook your head “You are so full of yourself Halstead!” he cut his eyes at you and grinned “You’ve got to like me at least a little sweetheart. Adeline is proof of that” and you felt your face warm. “Damn you Jay” he laughed lightly “I’m sorry but it was too easy” you shook your head “I don’t know why I haven’t ever shot you” “Too late to consider it now” he teased.

____________

When you got to the restaurant you slid into the booth putting yourself right next to Stella and Addy between you and Jay with Kelly on the other side of Stella. “How was the daycare?” she asked and you looked at Jay with a smile so he rolled his eyes “She was right, I was wrong”

“They normally are right and we normally are wrong” Kelly laughed, looking over the menu. The two of them struck up a conversation so Stella saw that as an opening “What is going on?” she whispered and you shook your head “I gotta use the bathroom. Kel, scoot” he didn’t ask and just stood up to let Stella then you out.

Jay watched you with a curious expression so you gave him a small smile “I’ll be right back” and told him what you wanted. Stella did the same to Kelly and grabbed your arm before the two of you headed for the bathroom.

You weaved your way through the crowd and spotted the bathroom and made a beeline for it. The door was luckily unlocked and it was one of those that was just one room so you could lock the door.She turned to you the moment it was locked “Speak” you let out a huff of air “I can’t talk to him about him needing to quit staying at my house. Every time I try, he looks at me and smiles or I walk into the room and he’s talking to Addy or taking care of her in some way and the words die on my lips. I know, I know he needs to start fully staying at his place. We both have got to learn to be on our own. With and without Addy but …” you scrubbed a hand down your face “I’ve gotten used to him being there and it’s so damn selfish Stel but I don’t want to lose how safe and secure I feel when Jay is there. I know Addy is safe, I know I’m safe. I know nothing will hurt either of us with him there but at the same time if Mouse calls and he’s there I’m locking myself in my room or Addy’s room so Mouse can’t hear him by accident”

She nodded slowly “Honey, is it just that you feel safe or are you starting to develop feelings for Jay?” you felt tears spring to your eyes “I don’t know..I know for a fact that I love Mouse.I am in love with him but the idea of losing Jay…the way it hurts..Stel I don’t know if that’s just the father of my child hurt and I don’t know what to do. There’s still months until Mouse will be stateside then that’s a visit and he’s off to Georgia for eighteen weeks. I don’t want to hurt him anymore, I don’t want to hurt Jay..maybe I should just ask Jay to stop staying with me and fully focus on Addy until I go back to work then go from there?”

She wrapped both arms around you and pulled you into her arms “Honeybee, you need to stop worrying about hurting them. You’re a good mom already, you are focusing on her by showing her to have care for other people.Maybe you could present it like that to Jay? You just want to make sure you’re both used to having her by yourselves? That way maybe he doesn’t feel like you’re freezing him out again?”

You sniffled against her chest “I don’t want his life to freeze for me because I’m confused…my hormones and emotions are so far off the chart..hell I miss Voight yelling at us over this” she laughed lightly “It’s gonna be ok. Somehow it’s gonna be ok”

____________

You followed Stella back to the table and knew Jay would notice your face the moment he looked at you. He looked up when you two got closer and his eyes narrowed. When you slid in he leaned over Addy’s carrier “What’s wrong?” you shook your head “Hormones. I’m ok. I promise” he gently grabbed your chin with one hand, ignoring the fact that you were in public and in front of your sister and brother in law as he studied your face “Talk to me, please”

You cut your eyes at Stella to see her and Kelly were looking at the menu, acting like they weren’t looking at the two of you so you smiled slightly “Later” he held your face for a moment later then finally nodded “Later then” Addy started moving around so you scooted over to be able to get her out of the carrier and Stella squealed lighty “My niece is awake”

Jay automatically moved to get her a bottle and a dry diaper. You leaned up to look at Kelly who was already standing up “Thanks Kel” Stella went to stand to walk with you but this time Jay stood up “I’ll walk her Stel” you shot her a look when she thanked him then fell in step with him to the bathroom,Addy making little noises the closer he got.

You expected him to wait outside the door considering the changing table was in the women’s bathroom but when you moved to push the door open he reached over your head to hold it open for you then stepped in after you. You cut your eyes at him while you cleaned the changing table with a wipe “I could’ve done this by myself Jay” “Yeah well I’d rather do it with you. Besides I want to know why you were crying”

You laid Adeline down and started undoing her clothes to get access to her diaper. “I’m fine Jay. It’s just extra hormones and crap finding their way out. I needed to talk and there is still a thing or two I can’t talk to you about” you felt him step up behind you as you took the wet diaper off her, wiped her down and added powder before putting a new diaper on and started to redress her “Like what? What is bothering you to the point that you were teasing me on the way here then you end up crying in the bathroom? That pretty much tells me I did something”

You ran your hand over Addy’s curls and she made a little noise which made you and him both smile “Jay I just have a lot going on in my head but I promise you from the bottom of my heart that you have done nothing wrong.You have been nothing but amazing to me, a lot more amazing then I probably deserve and you have been an absolute dream as a father to her. There’s nothing I love more than seeing you with her. I promise if it gets to where I think I need your help with it I will tag you in partner” he nodded and leaned down to press a kiss to your temple “Keep that promise. I’m not losing you and I damn sure am not letting her lose her mom”

You picked her up and turned to transfer her to his arms “Well right now she probably needs a bottle and her aunt Stella is dying to talk to her” a smile slipped onto his face “Well let's get back”

When all of you started to leave the restaurant Stella hugged you and whispered “If you need anything, moral support..me to come over while you talk to him..anything call me” you nodded “Love you Stella” she smiled “Love you too” she kissed your cheek then cut her eyes at Jay “And I guess I kinda like you since you treat my sister fairly and you’re a good dad to my niece”

Jay raised both eyebrows and Kelly laughed “Take it Jay. It’s as close to a compliment as it gets. Y/N couldn’t stand me the first few months me and Stel dated. Be glad Addy is the buffer” you acted like you were offended “It’s not that I couldn’t stand you Severide, I just didn’t want anyone screwing with my sister’s emotions and it would look really bad for a detective with the CPD to murder a lieutenant with the CFD”

Both men looked between you and Stella then Jay raised Addy’s carrier to look at her “Sweetheart daddy loves you so much and I’m so glad you’re a daddy's girl because that means Aunt Stella may maim me but won’t actually ever kill me” she winked at him “I don’t care what Y/N says Halstead, you’re smarter than you look”

You shook your head “And on that lovely note, we need to get Addy home. I’ll see you two later. Stel I love you and Kelly you have finally won your way into my heart as well” Stella hugged you once more and Kelly kissed your cheek.

_______________________

You unlocked your apartment door then moved to the side to let Jay in first since he was carrying Addy. He walked in and sat her down on the couch then moved to get her out of it. She was already making little noises and you smiled seeing her reach her tiny hands towards his face. “How did I do all the work and yet she loves you that much?” he looked up from where he was sitting with her in his arms “Don’t act like she doesn’t love her mommy too sweetheart”

You grinned “Yeah but everyone normally loves me more than you, that’s what I’m used to” he shook his head “You’re unbelievable you know that?” you laughed “I’m sorry” and pulled your jacket off, He had already slipped his off too. He watched you walk around the apartment and you knew he was probably wanting to ask again about what all was going on in your head that had led you to crying in the bathroom but you couldn’t face that, not yet.

“Jay?” you turned around and he was already looking at you “Yeah?” you scrubbed a hand across your face “Can we talk? Um, about the whole staying arrangement?” his eyebrows scrunched together for a second like they did when he was trying to figure something out “What do you mean?” you waved a hand around “Jay, how much do you pay for rent versus how much have you stayed at your place since that case with Matthew Riley?” his eyes dropped down to Addy’s small form where she’d fallen back asleep, curled up to his chest “Oh, I-I didn’t realize I overstepped sweetheart” seeing his face fall made your heart crumble in your chest, especially mixed with the way he was holding Addy, looking at her.

“No Jay, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just…we have to get used to being parents without each other. What am I supposed to do if you have to work later over the next few weeks?” he cut his eyes up “I’ll come here as soon as I get off” you smiled slightly “and what about if you want to get Addy used to your place too? I mean you have a room for her there, don’t you want her to be able to use it one day?”

“You and her are welcome in my place any time you want to go there. I don’t even have to be home” you groaned lightly at him having a comeback for everything “And what if you want to date Jay? You’re a man after all. Men have needs and you haven’t had those needs met since we made her. I don’t want to stand in the way of that and it’s not like a woman is going to be ok with you staying with your child’s mother as often as you stay here”

He shrugged “You’re permanently a part of my life. From the moment you decided you wanted to keep her that meant there was no time you wouldn’t be in my life. If someone can’t be ok with you being in my life, they’re basically saying they’re not ok with her and I’m not dealing with that” you wiped a hand over your face and walked into the kitchen “You are freaking impossible!”

You heard him move and knew he was putting Addy down in her bassinet that he’d pulled out into the living room before he walked over behind you “What is this really about?” you turned around to face him and took a deep breath “It’s confusing Jay, to my head. We’re not together, I know I love Mouse but you’re here and you’re so good to her and you have been so good to me and there’s so much going on inside me and I don’t can’t separate what’s me and what’s the screwed up parts from giving birth that hasn’t had time to begin to go back to the levels they’re supposed to be at and-and I am so scared of saying or doing something that may cause you or him more pain or may inadvertently hurt Addy because I’m no longer making decisions that affect just me. They affect her too and-and” you hadn’t meant to start crying but the tears started to flow down your face and Jay pulled you to his chest, wrapping both arms around you.

“It’s ok sweetheart. No matter what screwed up thing is going on in your head you’re not gonna hurt me. I can handle it, for you and her..I can handle anything and Mouse has dealt with a lot, he loves you. We can handle it better than either of us can handle thinking you’re hurting yourself to keep from hurting us. As for you hurting Addy? Baby you could never and even if a decision you made did? Her hot headed daddy is right here waiting to help fix it and her equally hot headed aunt isn’t but a phone call away” he ran a hand down your back, swaying slightly like he did when he was trying to soothe Addy. You felt your muscles loosen against him “I’m just tired Jay. I’m constantly worried I’m gonna mess our daughter up because I can’t even make decisions for myself”

He pulled back to look down at you and you half expected to see maybe a teasing look in his eyes but no there was that same look he had when he looked at Addy. Like you were one of the most important things to him “Then let me help. If it’s too much for you, throw some weight on my shoulders. You just gave birth not quite two weeks ago, everything is gonna be a little sideways still. You’ll keep at it in the gym, boxing again will make you feel better. You can start back with Dr Charles, your sessions with him always helped. If you need a night out with Stella or-or Hailey? She’d be more than glad to take you out so she could tease me about the fact that you’ve dated her and not me for the next week. Hitting the firing range helps your stress and you gotta recert anyways, we can do that to give you something to focus on. If you think we need to talk to Dr Asher about anything going on, I’ll wait in the hallway if you want while you talk to her and just be there for moral support or I’ll hold your hand. If you want to tell me right now I won’t judge you on anything. If you want me to start staying at my place more so we can get used to actually co parenting apart that’s one thing but if you’re pushing me away because you’re trying to do that thing again where you think you have to handle everything on your own? I’m not leaving you to it”

More tears slipped free of your eyes and you pushed his chest playfully “Stop being so damn good to me!” he laughed lightly “No, I’m always gonna be good to you. Even when we argue and I know we will because we always do when we’re working and as parents we won’t always see eye to eye. I will always have your back at the end of the day. No matter what” One of his hands went to your face, holding your chin while the other was at your hip, holding you steady. He held your gaze as he repeated “No matter what. Mouse could come back tomorrow and you could be with him and call and say you need me and if he doesn’t like it he better be ready to fight because I’m coming to your side”

Your eyes flickered from his down to his lips then back up to his eyes, cursing yourself for the fact that your heart was thudding wildly in your chest when memories of what his kiss felt like flashed through your head “Do you think you’d really have to fight him?” you asked quietly and he smiled “Probably not but just wanted to make a point” his hand moved from your chin to cup the side of your face instead “I’ll go through anyone or anything that you and our baby girl needs me to. If Mouse falls in line, great he’s welcome in. You know I love him, I really do but he better know that you’re my girl just as much as Addy is and I will protect you with everything I have”

“You know you don’t have to be this good to me to be a good father” you laughed and he smiled, leaning forward to press a kiss to your right temple “Yeah but you were my partner, friend and other half long before I got you pregnant. Why should I mess that up now?” you shook your head “I love you Jay” he smiled brightly “I love you too Y/N. Now stop worrying about me or Mouse. You and Adeline are what matters the most. Get changed into something comfortable lets watch a movie then if you want me to go home I will or we can figure out a schedule to start getting you and Addy used to me not being here then we can start getting used to her being at my place some”

You nodded slowly “Ok” “Ok” he replied and hesitantly moved his hands away from your hip and face “Whatever you need from me, I’m here” you smiled “I know Jay, I know” you just needed to get through this adjustment period and get back to work then maybe you would feel normal again or at least find a new normal? Or something close to it? Then of course by the time your emotions calmed down Mouse would be stateside and a whole new tidal wave would hit you. One storm at a time.

@desimarie12 @allisonargent144 @nevaehstreater18

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