#i understand being worried about your daughter and granddaughter

[spocksgotemotions]

today my mom told me she hoped me and my siblings “never have to go through everything she’s dealing with.” and it’s like A) that’s kinda a rude guilt trippy thing to say to your child and B) the big thing she’s “dealing with” right now is MY SISTER RECOVERING FROM AN EMERGENCY C SECTION. MA’AM. Do you hear yourself right now???

[nyrasvoid]

A Knight’s Prize pt.2

Gwayne Hightower x Fem!Reader

Summary: you overhear a scheming conversation between Otto and Alicent Hightower, leading you to doubt Ser Gwayne’s true intentions.

Warnings: none i think?? if you find any let me know

A/N: this second part was written based on one of the comments of part one

- Word count: ≈3.5k

Part 1

The day after your encounter with Ser Gwayne, you find yourself wandering the corridors of the Red Keep. You wore a teal dress, a perfect blend of Velaryon blue and Hightower green, with gold embroidery down the fabric. A simple gold tiara adorned with tiny pearls rests on your head, while a silver pendant shaped like a dragon, its eyes gleaming with emeralds, hangs around your neck. Your heart flutters with a mix of hope and anxiety as you walk, your thoughts consumed by the image of Ser Gwayne. You can’t help but wonder if your paths will cross today, if perhaps he might seek you out again, this time not as a competitor but as a suitor.

As you turn a corner, the sound of voices pulls you out of your imagination. You recognize them instantly, calculating tone of Lord Otto Hightower and the softer voice of Queen Alicent. You pause, turning around and hiding behind the column where they could not see you.

From your position, you peeked around the corner and saw them standing near the entrance to the library. You feel your pulse quicken as you lean closer, trying your best to hear their conversation.

"Father," Alicent begins, her voice filled with worry. "This match between Gwayne and the Princess... it troubles me."

Otto watches her calmly, his expression unreadable. "And why should it trouble you, my daughter? The girl is a Princess of the realm, of Velaryon and Targaryen blood, and a potential queen one day. A union between our houses would solidify our influence over the Iron Throne."

"But she is a bastard," Alicent argues quietly. "The rumors about her parentage... they are known throughout the court. If Gwayne marries her, it could stain our house, taint the Hightower name with whispers and scandal."

You feel a chill run down your spine, your fingers tightening around the fabric of your dress. The word 'bastard' feels to you like a knife, a painful reminder of the whispers and glances that have haunted you all your life.

Otto remains calm, his tone firm and decisive. "Alicent, you must understand the greater game we are playing. Whether she is a trueborn daughter of Ser Laenor Velaryon or not, she is still the granddaughter of King Viserys and the heir to the throne after Rhaenyra. To have her as a daughter-in-law would elevate our house beyond any stain that her lineage might bear."

Alicent hesitates, her gaze fixated towards the ground. "But what of Gwayne? Does he know of these ambitions? Has he agreed to be a pawn in your game?” she paused and took a deep breath. “If he is to marry a bastard and stain our name, he must at least have a say in this.”

Otto smiles, a cold, calculating smile that sends a shiver down your spine. "Gwayne knows his duty, as we all do. His personal feelings are of little to no matter, compared to the power our house could gain. He will do as he is told."

You feel as though you have been betrayed. Could it be true? Is Ser Gwayne merely a pawn in his father’s game? Have his charming words and tender touches been nothing more than a farce, a way to secure your hand and, with it, the power that comes with your name?

You take a step back, tip-toeing slow and carefully to avoid being discovered. Your thoughts becoming a storm of confusion and hurt. Is this the true nature of the man who seeks your favor? Does he see you as nothing more than a prize to be won?

Just as you’re about to leave, you hear Alicent speak once more, her voice filled with doubt. "But what if she learns of this? What if she refuses him? The Princess has her mother’s spirit and the blood of the dragon. She will not be easily controlled if she feels betrayed."

Otto simply responds - "Then we must ensure she does not learn of it. The Princess is young, and like any young woman, she is vulnerable to the charms of a skilled and handsome knight. Gwayne will win her over with affection."

You finally decide to retreat, wanting to hear no more words of their scheming. As you walk through the halls of the Red Keep, you can’t stop thinking about Gwayne. How could you have been so blind? Could Ser Gwayne be part of this plan, or is he a victim of his father’s ambition too?

The sounds of the tournament grow louder as you approach the field, but you no longer feel the same excitement. You watch as Ser Gwayne enters the field, facing the famous Ser Loras Tyrell. Ser Gwayne’s armor gleams in the sunlight, a shining steel plate adorned with the green fabrics of House Hightower. His cloak, bearing the Hightower sigil. A plume of green feathers decorates his helmet, making him stand out against the other knights. He carries his lance with confidence.

Ser Loras, wearing an armour decorated with the golden roses of House Tyrell, sits on his horse, his gaze fixed on Gwayne with a look of superiority. The two knights lower their lances, and at the signal from the herald, they charge.

The first clash is brutal, their lances meeting with a deafening impact, both knights remain mounted. The crowd roars in excitement, eager for more. Again, they charge, and again their lances crash together, breaking into pieces. But neither man yields.

On the third pass, Ser Loras leans slightly into Gwayne’s track, his lance striking against Gwayne’s shield. With the force of the blow, Ser Gwayne is knocked from his horse. He hits the ground hard, and you feel a shiver run down your spine.

You rise from your seat, your heart pounding in your chest as you lean on the gallery’s fence to see what is happening on the field. Rhaenyra and Daemon exchange looks, as they notice your concern. They have not forgotten the disrespects and insults of the Hightowers towards your family, and your growing interest in Ser Gwayne is not something they view favorably.

From behind your seat, Otto Hightower watches with a smirk, his eyes catching the worry on your face. He seems almost pleased by your reaction, his mind already thinking about your betrothal to his son.

As you slowly sit back down, your brother Jacaerys, seated beside you, leans in and whispers, “Do you have any interest in that Hightower cunt?”

You glare at him, your voice low as you reply, “It is of no interest to you, Jace.”

He frowns but says nothing more, his gaze returning to the field as the match continues.

Ser Gwayne, rises from the ground and calls out to Ser Loras, his voice carrying across the field, “Dismount, Ser Loras, and face me with steel if you dare!”

The crowd murmurs in excitement as Ser Loras hesitates for only a moment before dismounting. The two knights draw their swords, the clash of steel ringing across the field.

Ser Loras is fast and agile, but Ser Gwayne fights with a relentless ferocity that soon begins to wear his opponent down. You watch in distress, worrying for Gwayne, your earlier doubts momentarily forgotten in the heat of the moment.

Finally, with a powerful strike, Ser Gwayne forces Ser Loras’s sword from his hand, sending it to the ground. Loras stumbles back and Gwayne presses the tip of his blade against the Tyrell knight’s throat.

“Yield,” Ser Gwayne commands, his voice firm.

Ser Loras meets his gaze for a long moment before finally lowering his head in surrender. “I yield,” he says.

As the day’s events draw to a close, you retreat to the gardens of the Red Keep, seeking solace in the cool evening air.

You reach a secluded corner of the garden, where the scent of blooming roses fills the air, and there, waiting for you, stands Ser Gwayne. His armor has been removed, he smiles as you approach, but the warmth you once felt in his presence is now overshadowed by the coldness in your heart.

"Princess," he says gently, "I've been looking for you. Is something the matter?"

You hesitate, your mind racing with the memory of what you overheard in the library. The scheming of his father and sister, the way they spoke of you as if you were nothing more than a pawn in their game. You swallow hard, unable to meet his gaze fully.

"Nothing is the matter, Ser Gwayne," you reply, your voice cold and distant.

His brow furrows, sensing the change in your behaviour. "We are betrothed now," he says, "Should we not start spending more time together? I want us to know each other, to trust each other."

"Trust?" you echo, your tone filled with sarcasm. "Trust is a rare luxury in a place like this, wouldn’t you agree?"

He looks taken aback by your sharpness but remains calm. "Princess, I understand your apprehension. But we are to be married. We must find common ground, if not for our sake, then for the sake of our houses."

The mention of your marriage—the idea of leaving your family, your mother, your brothers—. You glance away, "It’s not so simple, Ser Gwayne.”

He steps closer, his voice softer. "Should I come to your chambers before the dinner to accompany you? We could speak more... openly."

You nod, though your enthusiasm is lacking. "Very well, Ser Gwayne. If it pleases you."

You return to your chambers, there, you prepare for the dinner. The thought of marriage, the thought of leaving behind everything you’ve ever known to go to Oldtown, fills you with sadness. And then, of course, there’s the matter of children—something that makes you sick to your stomach just thinking about it.

As you finish dressing, you hear a light knock on your door. You take a deep breath and open it to find Ser Gwayne waiting for you, dressed in elegant dark green attire.

"You look beautiful, Princess," he says with a small smile, his eyes tracing the lines of your gown as he extends his arm offering you to hold onto it.

"Thank you, Ser Gwayne," you reply, your voice polite but distant as you accept his arm.

As you walk together through the corridors of the Red Keep, he tries to make conversation. "I’ve been thinking about Oldtown," he begins, his voice calm. "It’s a beautiful city, with a rich history. I think you will grow to love it there, as its Lady."

You nod, but your thoughts are elsewhere. "Perhaps," you say, not wanting to engage in the conversation.

He senses your hesitance and changes the subject. "And what of children?" he asks gently, "I imagine we will have many, strong and healthy. You will be a wonderful mother, I am sure."

The thought of children—of bearing his children—unnerves you. "We shall see, Ser Gwayne" you reply coolly.

As you enter the grand dining hall, you take your seats beside each other. The hall is filled with the noble houses of the realm, and King Viserys announces your betrothal with a smile. There are cheers and applause.

Ser Gwayne turns to you, "Would you honor me with a dance, Princess?" he asks, his voice soft.

But the last thing you want is to dance with him, not after everything. "I’m afraid I do not wish to dance," you reply, turning away from him.

Moments later, Ser Loras approaches and asks for the honor of a dance. Despite your earlier refusal, you accept his offer, rising from your seat and allowing him to lead you to the dance floor. You can feel Ser Gwayne’s eyes on you, a mixture of hurt and confusion in his gaze, but you ignore it.

When the dinner finally ends, Ser Gwayne is there to escort you back to your chambers. The walk is silent, tension in the air. As you reach the door, he stops, his hand gently grabbing yours.

"Princess," he begins, his voice low and strained, "why have you been so distant with me? And why did you dance with another when I asked you first?"

You pull your hand away, feeling the anger within you begin to boil. "I am not distant," you say, though the lie is evident in your voice.

He steps closer, his eyes searching yours. "We should not start our marriage based on lies, Princess. If something is troubling you, tell me. We are to be husband and wife. We must trust each other."

The pressure of his words, finally breaks you. "You want to know what’s wrong, Ser Gwayne?" you snap. "I overheard your father and sister speaking in the library. They spoke of using me, of marrying me off to you to gain power, to strengthen their hold on the realm. How can I trust anything you say?"

Ser Gwayne’s eyes widen in shock. "I had no idea," he says, "I swear to you, Princess, I was not aware of any of this. My feelings for you—my desire to marry you—are my own, not theirs. You must believe me."

You turn away, tears threatening to spill over. "How can I? How can I believe anything when everyone around me is filled with ambition?"

He reaches out, gently turning you back to face him. "Because I will prove it to you," he vows. "I will confront my father and sister. I will not allow them to manipulate us, to use you as a tool for their own gain. I promise you that, Princess."

You stare at him, a storm of emotions going through your mind. Without thinking, you reach up, grabbing his face in your hands. The softness of his skin under your fingers sends a shiver down your spine, leaning in to press your lips against his.

The kiss is desperate, filled with all the confusion you’ve been holding back. His lips are warm and firm against yours, and for a moment, you lose yourself in the sensation. His hands come up to your waist, pulling you closer as he deepens the kiss.

When you finally pull away, your breathing is uneven, your heart pounding in your chest. He looks at you, his hands still resting on your waist.

"We must wait," he says gently, his voice tinged with both desire and restraint. "I do not wish to dishonor you, Princess. We should save this for our wedding night, as it should be." He takes your hand, lifting it to his lips and placing a soft kiss on your knuckles.

You nod, unable to say anything, but before you can even try to speak, Ser Gwayne steps back, “Goodnight, my lady," he murmurs, "I will see you tomorrow."

He turns and walks away, leaving you standing at the doors of your chambers, your heart pounding in your chest.

Slowly, you retreat into your chambers, closing the door behind you. You move toward the vanity, removing the silver pendant from your neck and placing it carefully on the table. Your hands are trembling. You slip out of your dress, replacing it with a simple nightgown. As you slide into bed, pulling the covers up to your chin, your thoughts race.

You try to push the events of the evening from your mind, but it’s impossible. Ser Gwayne’s words echo through your mind, his touch still lingering on your skin. He seemed sincere.

Your thoughts go to the future, to what it means to be Lady of Oldtown, to be married to a man whose family you cannot fully trust. The idea of leaving your mother and brothers fills you with a deep sadness. Perhaps, despite everything, Ser Gwayne might be different. He could be a good husband, a good father. He could make this marriage something more than just a political arrangement.

Pt 3???

[lolasimms]

Matilda - Ellie x Reader

Summary: Your mother agrees to visit for the weekend, but things end with you being reminded of the reason you left home in the first place.

A/N: Bit angsty so just be warned! Comments, reblogs and likes are all appreciated 🤍

_____________________ ୨୧ _______________________

“Do you think she’ll like me?” Ellie asks you as she had one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting on your thigh.

“We’ve talked about this before, as much as I’d like to say she will, I’m afraid she’s not the warm type.” You squeezed the hand on your thigh and smiled apologetically at your wife.

“I know, I just wish she did. I guess her approval means a lot to me.” She turns to look at you, her green orbs staring deep into you.

“She doesn’t even approve of me, don’t take it personal baby.”

“Think she’ll like Céline ?” Ellie gestures to your sleeping daughter who was buckled into her seat in the backseat of the car.

“Yeah, I think she will.”

୨୧

“You’re late.” Wasn’t the greeting one would expect from their mother after not seeing each other for 2 years, but your mother wasn’t the ordinary mother.

“I’m sorry, there was traffic and I had to find a park.”

“Hm.” You knew she wouldn’t show you affection but that stupid brain of yours hoped she’d at-least hug you.

“Ellie’s in the car with Céline, shouldn’t be too long of a walk, here let me hold your suitcase.” You reach over to grab her bag and catch the rude glare she sported upon hearing the mention of your wife.

“I wish you’d get rid of that girl, you’re in over your head if you think marrying a woman is real marriage.” You chose to ignore her words, hoping she’d fix her act before the two of you were in the car with Ellie.

Once you’d gotten to the car, you rounded your way to the trunk to place her case in and then walked her over to the backseat. As you knew very well having her in the passenger beside Ellie would turn sour.

“Hello, Mrs. Y/LN. Nice to meet you.” Ellie turns around and holds out her hand to your mother who simply ignores her. She looks down to her sleeping granddaughter who was in the seat beside hers and finally let out a smile. The first of very few you’d seen.

“M’sorry, she’s in a mood.” You placed a hand over Ellie’s and she smiled back at you, squeezing your hand in support. You appreciated that she was understanding as ever. She knew how hard it was for you to have parents who didn’t care about you or agree with you life choices. So she never blamed you for trying to make things work with your mother, no matter how hard it was on the both of you.

୨୧

Upon arrival at the house, Céline had woken up to a new face and seemingly had hit it off with your mother. Making her the first and possible only William family member to be on your mothers good side. You retreated to the kitchen to get a start on dinner while Ellie headed into work for a short meeting. Before she set of however she made it into the kitchen to check on you.

“Everything okay? It smells really good in here by the way.” You smile, dropping the wooden spoon into the pans handle and turning to your wife. “Thank you baby, and everything’s fine, she’s enjoying her time with Céline, that’ll keep her off our case for a while.”She smiles at this and leans down to peck your nose.

“I’ll be back in time for dinner, so don’t worry about that, I’ll even bring a nice bottle of red.” You smile and nod, nuzzling into her warmth and letting out a sigh of relief. You didn’t know what you’d do without her reassurance, patience and understanding.

“Alright baby, I’ve gotta go before I’m late.” You turn off the stove and walk her towards they exit but not before a brief stop in the living room when she decided to bid your daughter goodbye. Your mother scowls at Ellie as she squishes baby Céline’s cheeks and then kisses her goodbye. Immediately the receptive baby realised her mother was leaving and begins to cry hysterically. Ellie shushes her with kisses and back rubs and you reach into your mothers arms to take the upset baby and calm her.

“Some mother you are making the child cry.” Your mother scoffs. Both you and Ellie are taken aback from the attack and you grab your wife’s arm and take her to the door before the situation escalates.

“I’m sorry about that baby, just ignore her she’s a witch.” You kiss her on the mouth and she envelops you in a hug, then leaning down to kiss Céline once more. “It’s fine, I’ll see you at dinner okay baby?” You nod as you shut the door and let out a long sigh.

୨୧

After Ellie had left you’d had a talk with your mother, expressing that you’d very much appreciate if she’d refrain from making condescending and rude comments towards your wife and be civil. To which she simply hummed and took Céline from you.

Your daughter seemed to be the only reason she’d even come down to visit. Not that you were complaining, it just hurt that she didn’t show any interest in conversation with you. She didn’t ask about how your birth was, how your pregnancy turned out, the general things mothers and daughter spoke about. It hurt but that’s how it has been your whole entire life. That was until you’d met Ellie, she changed you, made you feel wanted and always showed you love.

Surprisingly she’d put Céline down to help you organise the dinner. A tray of vegan lasagna, some caesar salad and a jug of red sangria adorned the dining table, the two of you setting down plates and glasses. She’d been nicer (nice for your moms standards) this meant she hadn’t taken a dig at you or Ellie in the last hour so you had hope for dinner.

“I’m back!” You heard Ellie call from the front door, immediately your daughter jumped at the sound of her mothers voice and began bouncing in her highchair. Ellie walked into the dining room, placing a chaste kiss towards your lips, to which your mother let outa huff. She smiled at your mother civilly, giving her a nod and then picked up her happy daughter.

“Did you bring the wine?” You asked as you caressed Ellie’s head to which she slightly winced.

“My bad, I was in a rush to get home.” She kisses your hand, proceeding to place Céline back into the highchair.

“It’s fine honey, mom and I made sangria with an old bottle from last week.” You smile, pushing on her shoulder for her to take a seat which she does.

“Couldn’t even do the one thing your wife needed from you, hm.” Not a single piece of food was served and your mother was already dishing out heats

“Mom could you not, seriously can’t we just enjoy this dinner?”

“I was pointing out a fact that this woman can’t do anything right, but you’re just putting her on a pedestal.” Your mother yells and immediately Céline begins to cry. You pick her from the highchair and immediately take her upstairs for a feed.

“I’ve been respectful to you for my wife’s sake but the way you treat your daughter is unacceptable.” Ellie’s words catch your mother by surprise and immediately she drops her fork onto the plate.

“Oh save it for someone who cares, you disgust me.”

“You can talk all the talk but you’ve been nothing but a horrible mother to Y/N. Honestly I’m surprised she turned out so perfect considering you showed her no love.”

“Who exactly are you to speak to me that way?” Her fist is clenched and she’s staring daggers towards Ellie.

“I’m your daughters wife, the mother of your granddaughter.” She retorts, the both of them didn’t realise you’d settled Céline down and we’re standing outside the dining room listening in on them.

“You really believe for a second that Céline is your daughter? She’s not even your blood, your last name being attached to hers doesn’t make her yours.” Immediately at those words you’re barging into the room ready to rip your mother a new one.

“Mom that’s enough. Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage here already?” Your mother looks from Ellie to you and shakes her head in disbelief.

“This is really who you’re choosing, this woman over your own mother, over your own family?”

“She’s my wife and no matter what you say she’s Céline’s mother. She’s my family, probably the only family I’ve ever had.”

“Suit yourself then.” She pushes her chair out from the table with force and makes her way up the stairs.

Immediately you broke down into sobs, Ellie rounding the table to hold you in her arms. You wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say, she sensed this and instead the two of you stood there for what felt like hours in a warm embrace.

୨୧

After the confrontation at dinner you, Ellie and Céline had spent the majority of the evening in your bedroom playing. You’d eventually left the room giving your wife and daughter kisses and promising to be back in a minute. To Ellie’s shock however you’d been gone for what was now 45 minutes.

She’d searched high and low throughout the house for you, with Céline in her arms but failed to find you. Just as she was about to call you, you’d walked through the front door, unzipping your leather jacket.

“Where were you, I was fucking worried?” She comes up to you, embracing you in a hug. You place a kiss on her cheek and then one on Céline’s forehead.

“I dropped my mother at a hotel, she’ll be going back home tomorrow.”

“I’m so fucking sorry, I should’ve been more civil with her but I couldn’t stand there and let her speak about you like that .”

“Ellie stop. She deserves it, honestly it was my fault for believing she’d changed. She’ll always be that way and you and I both don’t deserve that.”

“You’ll always have us you know that right?”

“I know.”

[averillaratargaryen]

“A Better Man.”

Chapter VI

“I do not know what you speak of” Aegon shrugs, as he’s stood opposite his mother.

“How else must she have knew his name, after he swore he had not told her!” Alicent responds.

“Then clearly, he lied” Aegon looks at his mother smugly, “you clearly trusted the wrong person.”

“Your father’s ordered to have him beheaded, you do realise that?” Alicent looks at Aegon disappointed.

“And it is well deserved for what he did” Aegon responds, “it is not hard to understand that.”

“He was innocent, Cole-!”

“He tried to assault Viserys’ granddaughter, I highly doubt we could call him innocent” Aegon cuts his mother off, “I want no further part in this conversation.”

Aegon turns his back on his mother, walking out.

~

“We will be leaving” Rhaenyra tells her father.

“So soon?” Viserys asks.

“We must” Rhaenyra responds, “my daughter almost died, father. It is clear, that people despise us. Our family.”

“And all because of what?” Daemon asks, “that cunt, first hand of yours, Otto Hightower.”

“Daemon, please” Rhaenyra whispers, “that was years ago. Let it go.”

“Nonsense” Viserys responds, “you are my only daughter. Everyone loves you.”

“Father, you are unwell. You do not know what you speak of” Rhaenyra tells him.

“Then let me make this right” Viserys informs her, “let us have a meeting and clear the hatred within our families once and for all.”

“You are already very unwell, father. We do not need you stressed anymore than you are” Rhaenyra responds, “the easiest thing is for us to leave. Again.”

“What do you have in mind?” Daemon asks.

Rhaenyra looks at him, confused as to why he were suddenly agreeing with Viserys.

“We are Targaryens, Rhaenyra. This is our house, where we belong. This is our home. It does not belong to the Hightowers” Daemon explains himself.

“It is not about our pride and whose house this is. This is about our children, and how one almost died!” Rhaenyra shouts, looking at both men in disappointment.

“And we had him beheaded, in a matter of seconds” Daemon reminds her, “let that be a lesson to Crispin, Alicent, and whoever she associates herself with.”

“You are the princess, Rhaenyra” Viserys informs her, “and my only daughter. Alicent is merely a… consort. Do not let her stop you from doing what you like, at least here, under my roof.”

~

Aegon’s footsteps echo softly in the dim lit corridor, before his hand finds itself wrapped around his bed chamber door knob.

As he goes to open it, he hesitates for a moment, until he finally pushes the door open, finding Averillara stood by the window, her gaze lost within the clouds above.

Her ears twitched, to the sound of his footsteps, as he closed the door behind him.

“Averillara” he cleared his throat, breaking their silence by speaking her name.

“Aegon” Averillara responds back with an awkward smile.

Her being in her night dress, making her feel even more awkward.

“I’m sorry, i did not realise you would be here” Aegon apologises.

“No need” she shook her head, “this is your chamber, after all.”

“Yes, but i did offer it to you” Aegon gave out a light chuckle, in hopes to lighten the awkwardness away.

Averillara smiled, “well there is no need. I am sure by now, my mother and Daemon have decided for us to leave.”

“So soon?” Aegon asks, taking a step forward.

Averillara looked at Aegon concerned.

Concerned as to why he seemed to be bothered at the idea of Averillara leaving quicker than expected.

After so many years of seeing each other, she only expected that he’d not care, if she were to come or leave.

“I almost got killed, and it is quite obvious that many people do not like us, or see us here. I understand now, why my mother was so worried for us to return. Why we had left for Dragonstone to begin with” Averillara responded.

Her words cutting Aegon deep, knowing he was partially the reason why. Him and his words against Averillara and her family.

“Averillara, what i said-!”

“You were right” Averillara cut Aegon off from apologising, “as i mentioned, four nights ago from our dinner, you are right. I am a bastard. Which is why i do not belong here. I belong in Dragonstone.”

“Of course you belong here” Aegon walks towards her, “you are a Targaryen.”

Averillara smiles, finding his words to be seen as pity, against her, considering of the events that took place three nights ago.

“Thank you, for saving me” Averillara thanks him, “and i wish you the best. With your mother, with.. everything, really.”

Aegon’s silence was loud, as he watched her in awe, captivated by her beauty, as she spoke.

“As for your chamber, it is yours. Let it stay that way, for the better of all of us” Averillara looks away from him, as she speaks.

Knowing his eyes were following hers directly.

As she were to walk away, Aegon was quick to hold her back, as he took her hand. A swift motion, yet a gentle tug to it, her footsteps taking two back, before she finds herself in front of him once again.

The silence between the two continued, yet was deafening, by the sound of their heartbeats, synchronised as they intertwined with one another.

His lips part, as Aegon reaches for words to speak, yet finds himself silent, unable to let his thoughts be heard aloud.

His lips felt dry, quenched in thirst, as he watched her gulp, before looking back into her eyes.

Aegon’s thumb gently rubbed back and fourth, against the palm of Averillara’s hands.

The tension palpated, yet it was one that neither of them could describe.

Not being able to find the words to describe this.. atomic feeling from within.

It made matters worse, for Aegon’s thoughts, knowing she was stood before him, dressed in just her night dress.

The fabric that draped across her breast, yet so fragile and so thin, he could not help but notice the sight of her breasts, before him.

Averillara notices his glances, as he looks down, all around her, yet did not have the urge to fight back, nor did she wish to stop him.

A part of her was glad, he saw her as a woman, as she was seen to be a child all her life, by the people she found herself surrounded by.

“Princess Averillara?”

Averillara jumped, forcing her hand out Aegon’s grip, as she turned to the door, hearing Ser Westerling’s voice, as he called out her name.

“Just a moment” she called out.

Aegon stood still, yet his head turned as his eyes followed her every move, watching how she was quick to grab her night robe, to cover herself.

“Come in” Averillara calls out.

As Ser Westerling walks in, ready to speak, he slaps his lips with silence, for a brief second, when he notices Averillara fiddling with her night robe, his eyes then following behind her, to Aegon.

“Prince Aegon” Ser Westerling gave Aegon a respectful nod, with Aegon giving him a smile in response.

Averillara looked away, slightly embarrassed as to what he might have thought, had happened, despite there being nothing at all.

“Your mother” Ser Westerling looks back at Averillara, “Princess Rhaenyra, she awaits for you.”

“Right” Averillara nods, rushing out.

Ser Westerling gives Aegon one last glance, before pulling the door close, as he follows after Averillara.

~

“What do you mean?” Averillara spoke, “after what had happened, you wish for us to stay?”

“Your Grandsire, he does not wish to see you go Lara” Rhaenyra tries her best with encouraging her daughter.

“Mother, i almost died” Averillara spoke, “it should be loud enough, that we are not safe here. As much as I love our Grandsire, he is far beyond unwell, and has no idea of how to help us.”

Rhaenyra looks at Daemon, shrugging as she looks at him hopelessly, not knowing what to do.

“You almost died, yes” Daemon nods, “but he was beheaded, no?”

“That is not the point” Averillara spoke, “and if we are to stay, where is somewhere, that I would be safe. Because no doubt, Alicent and my father are scheming yet again.”

Daemon and Rhaenyra give each other a look, before Rhaenyra looks towards Averillara.

A look, knowing that her daughter is not going to be to pleased.

“You can not be serious” Averillars whispered with a scoff.

~

“There is no way i am to let that happen” Alicent spat out.

“She is my granddaughter” Viserys spoke.

“And he is your son, Viserys” Alicent spoke, of Aegon, “do you really think he wishes to have another woman sleep within his chamber?”

“If it makes father happy, i do not see why not?” Aegon shrugs, to which Alicent turns her head at him, with a glare.

“You and Averillara were good friends, as kids” Viserys looks to Aegon, “you’d run after one another, train your dragons with one another. You were there, every step of the way of Averillara’s life, growing up. What would helping her one last time, hurt?”

“It is rutheless” Alicent points out, “what will the people say, if they were to find out? And from what we know, they will. Word is quick to spread around here, and our sons same will be put to tarnish.”

“If that is the case, and it comes to such a drastic measure, then there is only one solution. They will have to wed” Viserys confessed.

“Do not speak so lowly of him” Alicent looks at Viserys in disgust.

“You are a consort, hold your tongue before me when you speak!” Viserys shouts, causing Alicent shoulders to let out a little jump, of fright.

“That is my granddaughter, and i will have no one, not even you, disregard her in such a way” Viserys points his finger at Alicent, as he spoke.

“I agree, father” Aegon grabs the attention of both his parents, as he speaks.

“I have kept her under my protection, growing up. And i have made some mistakes, in ways that i have treated her. This will be my chance to make it right. For the peace of both families” Aegon agrees, to let Averillara stay with him.

Alicent scoffs, looking at him it utmost disbelief.

Viserys smiles, with a nod, patting his son against his shoulder, “then it is settled.”

“If this is a way to make me pay, for covering Larys’ doings-?”

“It is not about you, mother” Aegon does not let his mother speak another word, “not everything is for you, or about you. And certainly, not this.”

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

chapter 7

[platinumrosetail]

Yandere Seth x fem reader

Notice: After Set's punishment, he remarried Horus' older sister, the reader. However, one day she disappeared, Seth, without understanding why, searched for her for days and then for years. The reason fem reader ran away is because she got Seth's seed and then got pregnant. Fearful, after a horrible nightmare that could be a prediction, knowing that Osiris, her father. He will hunt her and her baby, and kill them without caring that she is his daughter and the baby is his granddaughter. He ran away without saying anything. After a few years, Seth has a chance encounter with a young woman who looked a lot like his wife, but her hair was reddish like Seth's. This girl was orphaned since her mother died, obviously this red-haired girl is the daughter of Seth and fem reader.

I thank you for once again receiving my request. I'll wait for him.

Ooooh, interesting.

Warning: noob author, female reader, yandere romantic character, and others.

Character: Seth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Seth’s punishment you two married not long after as you two had planned it after the punishment was over and Seth is free to go back to being a god again.

It was a beautiful wedding as everything surprisingly went well than the two of you thought, even ra and sekhmet didn’t pull any pranks or caused chaos which to be honest made you two suspicious of them as they could be going all out next time.

You even found Seth’s seed so that you two could have a baby together when you two decide to finally have a child which happened sooner than you thought as Seth had been wanting a child since he was married to his ex wife.

You two found out that you would be having a daughter as your first child you two would have together.

Everything was going great with the pregnancy until it wasn’t when you had a nightmare that seemed more like a prediction of how your father will kill you and your unborn daughter which brought some paranoia to you as you know your father would absolutely kill you even if you’re his daughter and you have his granddaughter as he would make sure to finally have Seth no matter the consequences or who is in his way even his own children.

Your paranoia got the best of you which lead you to run away from your home not even leaving a letter on why as you didn’t want them to worry about you than they probably would when they find out you ran away.

Seth didn’t know what to expect when he found out you were missing though the only answer that he had to involve your father; Osiris, as he knows that’s the only thing that could make you disappear so suddenly especially when you’re now pregnant.

It took many years for him to find something that involves you on where he could find you but it wasn’t what he had in mind when finally finding a lead to you. He found a girl that would be around the same age as what his daughter age should be if you were able to carry her through the nine months of pregnancy, the girl looked exactly like you but had more dark/light reddish hair.

Your daughter had explained that you died while she was still a child, she thinks it was because of you accidentally stepping into poison flowers as when she found you while still young you were covered in flowers she hasn’t seen before, you apparently anticipated something like this as you always told her about your notes on how to make a living so when she found those notes she basically been living off of the things you wrote and taught her before you had mysteriously died.

Seth made sure to tell her that he was her father and the culprit was your grandfather Osiris that killed you and that Seth would make sure she is protected so nothing like this happened and that he will make sure to find a way to bring you back in order to be one happy family like what he dreamed of and longed for.

What you wouldn’t have expected is that even though your daughter took mostly after you she also took more after her father in more ways than one.

(A/n: hoped y’all liked it 😁 this was interesting to do and I had fun making it so thanks for requesting it 😁, I believe that’s it so hope y’all have a wonderful day/evening/night!!)

[mosneakers]

After tenderly tucking their two darling daughters safely into their warm and cozy beds, Agnes and Erik retire to the master bedroom, preparing to turn in for the night. A bittersweet image is reflected from the luxurious vanity mirror. With each delicate stroke of Agnes's ornate bronze hair brush, her silky golden locks unveil brief glimpses of a hidden frown.

Coraleye beams in awe, watching Agnes's reflection in the mirror. Coraleye: Grandma, you're the epitome of grace and beauty. Look at you! Agnes: [Gently nudges Corarleye with her elbow] Oh quit that, will you.

Coraleye's smile starts to fade. Coraleye: But you look so sad. Even after getting to move back to your home in Sunset Valley? You really weren't excited about having a third baby at this point, were you?

Agnes: I didn't want to be expecting, no. I least I thought I didn't, anyway. Until this night, when I found out I wasn't. That's when the truth was realized.

Coraleye: Oh...

Erik: Aggy, baby, what is it? I thought you didn't want any more kids right now. I figured you'd be glad about your monthly visitor.

Agnes: [Sniffles] I thought so too, darling. I suppose I allowed myself to become excited about the idea. Turns out I'm actually quite disappointed, if I'm being perfectly honest.

Erik continues offering solace to his wife, urging her to confide in him. The spirit of Agnes guiding Coraleye approaches Erik, studying the remaining youth in his features. She gently rests her hand on his chest; though Erik cannot feel her touch, the emotional resonance of the exchange hits Coraleye like a wave, as she wraps her arms around herself in an attempt to hold herself together.

Agnes: He's so young here; What has time done to you, my love? Coraleye, darling, life is awfully short. I want you to always remember, to hold onto your memories and all your heart's desires for as long as you can, and never make the mistake of not listening to them. One day you'll blink, and your memory won't be like it is now.

Coraleye's trembling frown gives way, and tears drop down her rosy cheeks, unable to contain them any longer.

Erik puts on a record, and the vintage melody fills the room. By her hands, Erik leads Agnes to her feet, where he gently wipes the tears from her face. Erik: Let's dance, honey.

Agnes: [Giggles] Erik! What are you doing? It's getting late, we should get to bed. Erik: Aggy baby, if you want a baby, then I've got work to do! We'll figure out the details later, okay? Agnes laughs joyfully as Erik pulls her in closer for a slow dance.

The spirit-guide Agnes smiles at her great-granddaughter lovingly. Her brows furrow as her focus then hones in on Coraleye's tears, still flowing. She gently wipes away a tear and whispers words of comfort.

Agnes: What's the matter, my love?

Coraleye: [Sniffles and wipes eyes] It's just... you two are so incredibly sweet. The love you share is so obvious. The way he looks at you, Grandma! I'm so scared my future won't measure up to yours, or my parents', even. I worry that I'm falling short of the legacy and everything else.

Agnes: Oh, honey... listen to me. Agnes affectionately traces Coraleye's hair behind her ear.

Agnes: You don't have to go about this in the same manner that we did! Forge your own path, dear. The essence of this legacy lies in granting second chances to someone we love, provided they're deemed worthy. It's a profound responsibility for one heart. Understand, the journey won't be simple should you decide to embrace it. Coraleye: ...Should I decide to embrace it.

Agnes: I share this with you not to instill fear, but to equip you for the challenges that lie ahead. Soon, my dear, you'll face a profound pain that may feel insurmountable. Yet, I know you are very capable of weathering it.

Coraleye: [Concerned tone] Grandma, how do you know this? Are you able to see the future? Agnes: The privilege of magic and resurrections isn't taken lightly, and it doesn't come without consequences. Our currency for second chances and love is excruciating pain. Some may see it as a curse, but I find it makes these tender moments all the sweeter. The choice of who is worthy of navigating this journey by your side, is ultimately up to you.

Coraleye: But Grandma... How will I know who that person is? That they can be trusted?

Agnes: You see the way your grandfather looks at me in this moment? That's how I knew, honey. Coraleye ponders for a brief moment, watching them dance gleefully around the room. As their kisses grow more passionate, she senses that her time to observe is running out. Just before the spirit Agnes concludes the session, Coraleye speaks up, her voice breaking.

Coraleye: I... I think I've seen that look before.

[thescarletkiller]

i have a question)) what do Richard and Mary think about Nacha and Anastacha?

//For starters, Richard and Mary are both dead as of the game’s timeline (iykyk) so they never got the chance to meet Nacha and Ana in person.

But if they both get to meet their daughter-in-law and granddaughter, they’d both have different feelings towards them.

For Mary, she’d be ABSOLUTELY delighted to meet Nacha and Ana. Mary thinks Nacha is a sweet woman who treats her son well since as we all now, she wants her son to be happy after what Richard put them through. It makes her so happy that her son got married to a kind, beautiful woman and have a nice daughter together. She’s also glad that Nacha is such a good wife to Francis, with how sweet she is towards him and how she cooks the best meals as a bonus too.. She’d definitely get along with Nacha and they’d especially bond over cooking.

Mary: Oh Nacha! I’m so thankful that my boy has such a kind woman like you in his life. How’re things going along with him?

Nacha: aww Mary, we’re doing just great! He’s such a sweet guy around me. And he’s been doing his best as a father too. But he only shows his nice side around me. The rest is a different story though. He’s also really clingy and he gets jealous a lot of the time. I have to admit, sometimes it’s cute but other times uh… it’s troublesome. But we’re doing just fine. He’s such a good husband and a father. And I’m so grateful that I have him in my life.

Mary: I’m so happy to hear that. Make sure you take care of my little Francis and Ana now, alright? I hope you both treat each other well.

Mary also likes to spend time with Ana too. Even though she doesn’t understand her granddaughter’s indifferent nature, she’d make an effort to connect with her. Don’t worry, Ana likes her grandma back. Mary would gift her some handmade toys and clothes or go out somewhere fun like the park or get her ice cream like she did with Francis when they were young.

Richard on the other hand, doesn’t have a high opinion of Nacha. In fact, he thinks she’s just some “happy go lucky broad that his son got comfy with”. Though I believe his opinion on his daughter in law comes from a place of jealousy. Perhaps he sees his first loving relationship through Francis and Nacha’s, but that’s a story for a different time.

He also think Ana is some “annoying snot nosed little brat” who’s an extension of his son. But maybe that’s also jealousy talking.

I don’t think he’d be the type to get along with them because come on. It’s Richard we’re talking about. He’d rather be in a different room to avoid them. But if he’s feeling cranky and audacious enough, he’d likely mock his son and their relationship in front of them.

Richard: in all seriousness, what in the ever loving fuck do you see in that kid?

Nacha: oh come on! You’re the adult here Mr Mosses! Shouldn’t you be happy that your son found happiness?

Ana: yeah! Why don’t you go back to your retirement home and leave me, my dad and my mom alone instead of being a sad bitter old man or whatever?

Richard: *profoundly triggered*

Nacha: *caught off guard* Ana! Where did you learn to speak like that?!

That’s ok. Nacha and Ana hate him back.

[marymary-diva17]

We see you

Female lani and Jake x neytiri

Living in the shadows of parents and siblings that seem to never do anything wrong, and be picture perfect can really affected someone. That had become lani life she was always been compared to her parents and siblings, she had been told why couldn't she be like them and why did she have to be so different. She had always seen other parent say they see their children by she had never heard those words, come from his parents lips she just once wanted to be see by them.

Lani " what I don't understand what you mean"

tonowari " lani I think it will be best if you and my son don't continue the relationship you two have going on"

lani " is that what Tsireyo wishes"

tonowari " looks lani you are a good girl but you are my son are not perfect together"

lani " I care about him and like him and he does the same for me"

tonowari " my wife and the clan elders along with the clan other think, the relationship is not for best for the clan and my family"

y/n " ......."

tonowari " please respect the wishes of everyone and maybe, you two are meant for each other ..."

ronal " maybe she living delusional world of her own making"

tonowari " ronal"

ronal " my son is density to become the mate with women that special, and one with the great mother ... that is not you as can't seem to do anything right to your family and clan along with our clan... your relationship with my son has already brought doom to the clan and will bring more doom"

lani " ....."

ronal " so do everyone a favor and leave my son alone and stop being selfish, as you actions don't just effected tsireyo they effected the rest of my family and yours as well"

tonowari " ronal i will speak with her"

ronal " please understand where I'm coming from lani " ronal soon walked off from them.

tonowari " please I'm sorry for what has happen but you and him can stay friends but nothing else" tonowari soon left the girl alone as she was trying to understand everything that happened.

later that night

lani " ......"

neteyam " hey lani tsireyo was asking for you"

tuk and spider " ohhh"

tsu'tey " this sounds interesting"

norm " tsu'tey"

neteyam " he was wondering why you haven't came to join us today"

kiri " he was we are worried when you didn't come by"

Jake " kiddo why didn't you join your siblings today"

lani " i was busy at all"

neytiri " oh with what we have heard about everyone else day"

lani " I was exploring that all mom nothing else"

neteyam " you know maybe we can get you and tsireyo some on some work tomorrow, it will be fun and he been working on using a bow maybe you can help him"

lani " i does think that appropriate"

Jake " oh come on it will be fine you kids can date if you wish to at this age"

neytiri " your father is right my children"

mo'at " my granddaughter we have all seen the way you and tsireyo are with each other, and you two are perfect"

lani " we are from two different worlds"

Jake " so are many of there other couples in the clan and they are working out well"

neytiri " yes"

neteyam " see if mom and dad like him then tsireyo good"

spider " see he had nothing to be worried about"

kiri " spider"

Jake " what do you mean young man"

spider " well he was worried you two might not like him"

neytiri " well he wrong lani my daughter you should invite him over for dinner it will be good"

neteyam " wouldn't that give off the idea of romance and maybe courting between the two"

Jake " well I and your mother don't mind that tsireyo a good boy"

lani " can we all stop with this talk about me and tsireyo, when there it was all my delusion and foolish childish dreams that he will ever be with me when I have demon blood and nothing worthy of being with him" everyone had gotten quite after those words had came out of lani mouth.

neytiri " lani ..."

lani " I'm not hungry anymore excuse me please I'm sorry for ruining the meal" lani soon goy jump quickly she felt like she was going to cry.

everyone " lani lani lani come back" lani didn't wait as she ran off from the family home and kept on running until she couldn't, run anymore she soon sat on some rocks. She had dropped her feet and legs into the water as she sat there with tears falling down her face.

???? " may we join you" lani had soon looked back to see her parents standing there, she had wippeder away the tears and said nothing. She had nodded her head as her parents walked slowly to her and sat, down next to her either one of them say anything.

Jake “ we heard what had happened”

lani " how did you hear about it"

neytiri " well after you ran off some members of the clan had come by and told us of the words, that had been spoken to you by tonowari and ronal"

lani " I'm sorry for lashing out on everyone in the family and causing some issues with tonowari and ronal"

Jake " sweetie you have nothing to be sorry about we wish we knew, what had taken place early today but know if we were there your mother would of done something"

neytiri " ma Jake I will defend our daughter honor and name how dare that women act all high and mighty, and say our girl is not good enough for them they are not worthy of her anymore"

lani " mom"

neytiri " listen my daughter I don't care you have sky people blood in you, that makes you special and I love that about you my sweet daughter and if no one else can see that then at on them no you"

lani " thanks mom"

Jake " we love you baby girl and we see you" lani soon smiled after hearing those words coming from her father.

Jake " if that boy can't fight for you and wants to listen to his parents, that that on him and them"

lani " ......."

Jake " listen baby girl we love you and you have been making us proud"

lani " i have"

Jake " yes making sure everyone is okay after coming here helping your grandmother, and take care of you baby sister and trying you best to fit in here ... then taking the blame for someone else actions along with giving someone who was deemed an outcast a chance"

y/n " thanks dad"

neytiri " we know life has been hard for you but what you have faced and overcome has made us proud" neytiri and Jake looked at their daughter she has been changing, since they came here it made them happy but sad as well seeing her growing up.

Jake " do you wish for us to speak with tonowari and ronal"

lani " no I'm good I rather not have a conversation with them at the moment, and if we do I might say something that will change the relationships for everyone"

neytiri " yes my daughter"

Jake " hey if tsireyo is not the one now or ever you will meet someone else, that will fight to be with you sweetie and not care what anyone else has to say"

lani " thank you dad I will still hold out hope for tsireyo I hope he does come around but I understand if he doesn't, and will accept his wishes" Jake and neytiri had nodded their heads and hugged lani, the trio soon retuned homed where lani had been hugged again by the rest of her family. She was happy that she had been able to speak about what happened and get help from her family, but she was also happy that all finally saw her and they are very proud of her as well. That all she need right now at the moment maybe she will keep the relationship she has with everyone now, no matter what everyone else says and does.

[dancingbpierces]

Para → Tea Time With Nana(I know it sucks but.. lol)

Mentioning of Chris Murray, Sam Evans, Arianna, Allison Young (Sam's sister) Flashback with Belle and Lauren. Time Frame → Wednesday night 7:00 PM Location → Brittany's and Chris' house. General Notes →  Brittany have some much needed time with her grandmother and got a job offer of an lifetime!!!

Brittany: was sitting at the kitchen table having tea with her Grandmother who had come to visit her and Ari for a few days. Honestly Brittany was so happy to see her grandmother. It had been almost a year since she saw her. They had made plans to go to Russia to visit. But due to her schedule at work and Ariana doing almost every after school activities it was hard to get out of town. “How is your tea Nana? Is it too hot?” she asked, taking a sip of her tea.

Rose: chuckled softly “It's fine Dear.. don’t worry” she assured her. “Where is my beautiful granddaughter anyways”

Brittany: smiled at the mention of her daughter, sitting her tea cup down. “Oh she is with Sam’s sister. Allison. Every time Allison comes to visit Sam. We can never pry Arianna away from her.” she said with a chuckle. 

Rose: chuckled “I remember when you and Sam were the exact same way. It amazes me how history repeats itself.” she sighed. “It’s okay. I will be here for another day. I will spend time with her then. Even if I have to take Allison with us. I’m gonna spend time with my great granddaughter.” she laughed as she stirred her tea a little. “How is your famous dance studio coming along?! You know I have girl friends that are always telling me when they see you in the newspaper on their tv..?” she asked softly.

Brittany: Nodded her head, “I will let Chris know. So he doesn’t have to worry about picking Ari up from Sam’s place then” she said.  She giggled softly at how excited her grandmother was as she started talking about Brittany’s company and how amazing it is and how she loves bragging over her. “Nana please.. It still needs time to grow more. But It’s getting there…” she chuckled while taking a sip of her tea. 

Rose: chuckled at the mention of Chris and sighed “Good and then maybe you can talk him into giving me his father’s recipe to that pasta sauce that he made last time we all got together.. I won’t rest until I have it” she said dramatically. If you are wondering if hell has frozen over and Chris and Rose are besties. No they aren’t. But they are at a better place than they were when Chris and Brittany were teenagers. She knew she was wrong the minute Chris slammed the door in her face when she tried to get Brittany’s rights over. And ever since  then she tried to stay in her lane and just support Brittany whenever she needed her. She was grateful that Chris was willing to be so forgiven toward her. So she tried to be more understanding and less judgmental when it came to Brittany’s and Chris relationship. Besides she knew Chris was a good dad. In fact she loved seeing them together. But with that being said she had gotten Brittany an opportunity that she knew Brittany couldn’t turn down. Which was why she was here. She knew that Brittany loved her job. But she could tell that Brittany was in a rut when it came to her career. She needed to get Brittany out of this rut she was in. Sure Brittany had her own dance studio and was working with big artists. But She wasn’t touring around the world like she wanted. Instead  It was her students that were getting to do it. “I know.. But I love rubbing it in how successful you are Darling.. They even try to bribe me into talking to you about letting their granddaughters come to your studio after college” she chuckled with a sigh. As proud as she was of Brittany and everything that she had accomplished. She felt like there was more that she should be doing with her amazing career and from hell to high water she was gonna at least try to make it happen. “Listen honey… I know you love your life and your career.. But.. I think you need to get out of her for a while! Experience life.. Arianna is older now.. And you have so many people that would help out if you would ever decide to leave for a while.” she shrugged with a smile. She already knew by the way Brittany raised her eyebrow that she was gonna argue and she just needed to get this out before she could “before you start acting like your old hard headed nana over here. Hear me out.” she said, grabbing her tea as she got up. She grabbed Brittany’s free hand to help her up, leading her toward the couch. “ Life is so short honey.. And you have to live every day as if it’s your last.” she said as she got up to grab Brittany by the hand leading her to the couch for them to sit. “Which is another reason why I had to come see you.”

Brittany: shook her head as her grandmother started asking her about Chris’ fathers recipe. “I am staying out of that. You know the only one who will get that is Ari Nana.” she giggled at her Nana’s dramatics. She  stared at her grandmother as if she lost her mind as soon as she mentioned something about leaving. “Na-” she tried to say before her grandmother stopped her. How could her grandmother possibly think she could leave her daughter? Besides, where would she even go? If she was gonna travel she was gonna make sure her daughter and Chris could go. She sighed softly as she let her grandmother lead her to the couch with their tea in their hand. They sat their cup down as they sat down. “What did you wanna talk to me about?” she asked.

Rose: she sighed taking a sip of her tea before speaking “Well I know someone who is looking for a dancer to tour around Europe for two months with Beyonce” she shouted clapping her hands together. She could see the excitement in Brittany’s face. Which was something she hasn’t seen in a really long time and she already knew Brittany was gonna turn it down due to Ari and missing her too much. “and before you say no.. Beyonce's agent said it was fine to bring your daughter and they even have teachers traveling with them so Ari wouldn’t miss any school work.”

Brittany: couldn’t believe her ears “Beyonce!” she gasped trying to comprehend that THE Beyonce wanted her to be her MAIN dancer! But as excited she wanted to be about all of this. Brittany already knew she couldn’t do it. She had Arianna and there was no way in hell Chris was gonna be okay with Ari missing School even if she would have her school work with her. “Nana.. this sounds nice.. Bu-” she trailed off “Chris would never be okay with being away from Ari that long. and I couldn't ask that of him" she said softly.

Rose: nodded “yes.. Yes.. I know.. But if that’s the case. I could come and get her and bring her back after a few weeks of being with you.” she suggested.

Brittany: thought about it. But she seriously couldn’t be away from Arianna that long either. “I can’t be away from her that long either.. And I-I would miss Chris too..” she admitted. “And I’m telling you Chris wouldn’t be okay with any of this.. “ she shrugged.

Rose: Sighed in frustration she knew Chris would be the biggest roadblock but she really thinks that Chris would be okay with it. Especially since he knew how much and how hard she had worked to get to this point. Chris was annoying but he loved Brittany and he would do anything for her. “Just talk to Chris Brittany… He loves you! He would LOVE this for you. I know I am hard on him. But I know he would do anything for you. Even going to a 10pm dancing performance after he worked a twelve hour shift..” she said, giving Brittany a stern look. “Give him a chance to think about it. Don’t just turn it down Brittany. You may not get this opportunity again.” she warned her.

Brittany: sat back in frustration not knowing what to do at this point. It was Beyonce of all people and in her mind she would be a dumbass to turn this down. And if she took it this would be a dream come true and prove people wrong when it comes to her not having a career even after becoming a teen mom. As she sat there her thoughts kept flashing toward when she had a big blow out with Belle over the fact that Brittany couldn’t find Belle any work. Not because of Brittany. But because no celebrity wanted to work with her because she was hard to deal with.

-Flash back-

Brittany was standing in the front of the studio as Belle was whining and complaining about how Brittany was sabotaging her and her career. Belle has auditioned for so many things and yet not one client has called her to offer or anything. Brittany being her best friend she expected to have the big perks of working with everyone that Brittany got to work with. Like TLC, Chris Brown, Justin Beiber, JLO, and even Taylor Swift. But yet here she was with nothing, while Brittany got everything. Even Lauren and Wendy were getting big opportunities and at this point she was over it. Belle was trying to be nice and understanding but she was done. So what does Belle do when she doesn’t get her way she hits her friends where it hurts. “Maybe if you get your ass out of Chris’ ass You could do your JOB!  News flash Brittany! Chris and Santana are fucking! Just deal with it.” she chuckled bitterly hearing Lauren telling her to shut the fuck up. “NO! She needs to hear it!” she smirked, “ Just because you have no career doesn’t mean you can just go around sabotaging me!.” she continued hearing Brittany’s phone ringing. Belle rolled her eyes and she seen Arianna’s name pop up on her screen

“Awww I guess it’s Brittany’s snot nose bastard child calling” she said ignoring Lauren telling her once again to shut up. 

Brittany stood there as Belle continue to go on and on about what a failure Brittany was and reminding her over and over again that she went to Juliard the best dance school in the country and yet had nothing to show for it but a few music video appearance, some choreography that she created and a dance studio where she was making everyone else’s dream come true but her own. She tried like hell to keep her head held high and remind herself that Belle was just upset because another artist refused to work with her and Brittany wasn’t gonna go out her way to help her. At least not when Belle was constantly screwing herself over. 

 Brittany was about to speak until Belle called Arianna a snot nosed brat and before she could stop herself. She slapped Belle as hard as she could across the face, leaving a red hand print across her face. She ignored the gasp from the other dancers, walking closer to a shocked Belle. “You can say whatever you want about me and my failed accomplishments. Or the fact that I’m not so happy with how close my friend and my boyfriend are right now!  but don’t you EVER! EVER! Talk shit about my child!” She said with tears running down her face. “You’re right Belle! Is that what you wanna hear? That I’m not out there on every stage performing like I have always wanted because I got knocked up at 16?!  How I literally had to give that dream up because being a mom was the most important thing to me?!” She chuckles bitterly, finally looking around to see her students staring at her. This isn’t how she expects her first day back in the studio to go. Brittany just got done sharing dance stages with the likes of TLC and even Chris Brown. But as soon as she got back to reality she was reminded that she still hasn't finished her dream and might not be able to because she is a mom. She thought her best friends would be happy to see her. Not them talking shit about her and she didn’t expect to be reminded once again that no matter what she does in her career she will never have the chance to fully live out her dreams due to the fact she became a mom so young in life. She could feel more tears running down her face and at this point she wanted to be anywhere but around Belle right now. Ignoring the ice cold glare that she was getting from Belle and the sharp pain running through her hand from slapping her. She turned around to wipe away her tears as Lauren gently patted her back.

Lauren felt so bad for Brittany and had enough of Belle. "That's it Belle! You know what Bitch maybe if you would open up your eyes and realize that people don’t like your dumb ass! Then all would be right with the world! Brittany has worked so hard to get you in dancing gigs. But guess what they don’t want to work with you” she gasped dramatically “Shocker right!” she chuckled hearing the students laugh. She could still see that Brittany was shocked at what she just did and felt so bad for her. “You know what.. Belle.. You’re done! Effective and immediately your contract is expired. And if you have a problem. Have your lawyer call ours. You have 2 minutes to get off our property or we will have you physically removed.” she shrugged. Belle Tried to say something but Laruen stopped her with her hand “GO!” she yelled, as she watched Belle storm out like a three year old.

Laruen turned around to comfort Brittany but before she could Brittany was already backing away from her. “Thanks for taking up for me Lauren.. But I-I can’t be here. I need another day.. I’ll call you” she whispered. She turned to her students and sadly smiled at them. They were all giving her comforting smiles and she appreciated them. But she needed some space for a moment.  “I-I got some calls to make.. there’s no classes today.. I’m sorry” she said before turning on her heel without even giving anyone a chance to stop her.

-Present-

Brittany was brought back from her thoughts with the sound of her grandmother telling her to make sure she talks to Chris about it before making a big decision.  She knew her grandmother was right. She needed to talk to Chris about all of this before she even thought about calling the number on her card. The good thing is she had 3 months to decide what she was gonna do. So she could actually think about it herself and then talk to Chris.  Besides she wanted to make sure she was here for Alyssa when she had her son.  “I will grandma..” she smiled sweetly.

Rose:  chuckled, taking a sip of her tea. “ Now enough of that… Can we please watch a movie like old times? I miss those days so badly.” she sighed a little and chuckled

Brittany: smiled brightly at the idea and quickly got up “Sure! I’ll even make your favorite Carmel popcorn and maybe order us some pizza...”

Rose: covered her mouth as she left out an excited laugh “Yes! That sounds so lovely.. “ she said, clapping her hands with excitement before gasping as if she forgot something “Oh and Please make sure they add extra pepperoni with jalapenos… and if they do not put hot honey on it. I will sue them” she teased but was dead serious. .

Brittany: giggled “of course! Of course! Can’t forget that.” she smiled brightly. IF she was honest she was so happy that her grandma was here. After everything that had happened with Belle and the whole Santana situation. She really needed this. She quickly made her way back to her grandma, giving her a big hug “I love you Nana.. Thank you for everything.” she sighed as she nuzzled against her grandma’s cheek forgetting all about Belle and whatever other problems she had in that moment.

Rose: was surprised by the hug but embraced it none to less. “Oh my sweet baby” she singed as she wrapped her arms around her granddaughter “I love you so much and I would move heaven and hell for you” she whispered, kissing Brittany on her head. 

Brittany: felt her tears filling up in her eyes as they embraced. “I know we need to order food and turn on the movie. But can we stay like this for a minute?” she asked.

Rose: laughed softly, squeezing her granddaughter a little tighter “We can stay like this as long as you like my dear.” she whispered.. “As long as you like..”

[lovevalekai]

The daughter of yestay

Chap 4:

Yesti had many questions, but she left it later, but something happened, Yesti got news, she and Isi have to go to Ecuador to look for a 16-year-old girl, they just had to give her information about her and from Ecuador she lives.

While Batsy told her to open the letter for Yesti to read personally, while she opened the letter, Isi went to look for the girls where Batsy and Stella stayed, but a mysterious voice gives strange news to Isi, she must something strange about her, she didn't know what it was and that she wanted to look for that mysterious voice:

?: Isi…

Isi: What do you want from me (Confused and scared).

?: Someone is looking for you, they want to kill Yestalina, you have to be very careful, they don't know what it is, but you must have a lot of protection from her and your loved ones.

Isi: Wait? What? I don't understand? What are you talking about? (He gets confused).

?: A mysterious being, I don't have much time (Disappears).

Isi: Wait...

The mysterious voice left, Isi was very confused, but she continued on her way, meanwhile, yesti was reading the letter:

Dear friend yesti.

My friend, I'm sorry for leaving that damn school so soon, it's not because I hate you, I had an argument with my grandmother, a long time ago she lied to me about my birth, my last name and my origin, then I'll tell you about those details, well I told the deer shaman to give the letter to your parents, so that they could give it to you, I know you are angry, and I'm sorry for being a stupid friend, I promise that I will be with you, well I'll leave you, if you want to see me, I'll let you a brochure about the school I'm in, I hope to see you soon

For your friend: Isi Yoeta.

Yesti, she started to cry, Batsy comforted her to calm her down, while Isi met Yestay, she apologized for leaving her daughter at the school she was at and for the distance away, she told her everything but Yesti knows all that:

Isi: Wait, who told you everything about me.

Yestay: The deer shaman also told us everything about you, my wife and I were worried about you, my daughter wanted to be close to you for your help, because she loves you very much as her sister.

Isi: I know, I also love my little sister very much, and I promise that I will be next to her in case she wants help.

Yestay: The good thing, you haven't changed at all, continue with your dreams, don't let them hurt you and take good care of my daughter, I'm leaving her for you to take with you, I've already enrolled her in her school, I wish you both luck and that Don't ruin your friendship.

Isi: Thank you, say hello to your wife for me and I will tell your daughter to visit you soon.

Isi went to see the girls, but she stopped on the way, she remembers her past, she doesn't want to remember, it was very ugly for her, but she stopped, her girlfriend saw her frustrated, Batsy hugs Isi so she can calm down and take her to Yesti.

When they arrived, Yesti was sitting with Stella, Isi approaches Yesti, but the guanaco girl hears someone's footsteps, she turns to look and gets up and sees her surprised:

Yestalina: Isi, Isiiii (He runs up to her and hugs her).

Isi: My friend Yestalina (Hugs her tightly).

Yestalina: I missed you, I thought I wouldn't see you again.

Isi tells Yesti everything, about her nationality and gives her a brochure with all her information, even an old photo, Yesti reads it and is very surprised:

Yestalina: Seriously, it's strange that your grandmother hides it from you for a long time and it's very unfair (Very serious).

Isi: I know, I always wanted to know at first, but she erased it with some enchicho or voodoo, but that's not all, she told me that I am the granddaughter of a blue deer god, I don't know what she meant (She's confused) .

Yestalina: Wow, will you see more of your grandmother later? (Confused)

Isi: Not after he lied to me all this time, I decided to stay in my real home, I never felt comfortable in my life, since I saw a lot of family and I stayed with my grandmother and the shaman, and before leaving one half-human and skeleton woman took me, but before leaving I asked the deer shaman to give you the letter.

Yestalina: Well… actually my parents gave it to me.

While talking about that conversation between Yestalina and Isi, Yesti had a question: Who was the woman who took Isi, but she prefers to decide later.

But something happened with Isi, her head hurt, she remembers a lot that her grandmother did some bad things with Isi, she also remembers a human child, Batsy, Stella and Yestalina were scared, they ran, Batsy was looking for the sphere to take to Isi to school, but Yesti saw that Stella had one, she grabs it and throws it and they take her away.

When they arrived, Isi wakes up in the infirmary, Batsy was scared, Yesti was worried about Isi, she thought something bad happened to her, but the nurse told them that she had to remember something bad in her life.

Yesti had many questions, but she left it later, but something happened, Yesti got news, she and Isi have to go to Ecuador to look for a 16-year-old girl, they just had to give her information about her and from Ecuador she lives.

[mysteriouslyspookyandcooky]

Tornik the Troll (f/m)

female protagonist with self harm scars, no details of situation or act is described

warnings: violence, language, sexual themes, self harm + scars, mature themes

words: 6387

Among the forest lay the enchanted forest. Well, it really wasn't enchanted in the way people didn't go into it because of a scary curse, but a lot of the mythical creatures lived there. So, when Zovian gets a letter from a raven in a faraway town where her grandfather lives, she heads toward the forest. Being the only member of her family left in that region of the country, she was in charge of packing up her things to head out to see her grandfather.

Arriving in the town by horse, she met many different folks entering the town. The rest of her family was worried about their grandfather living where he did, but apparently, he was happy. Zovain got off of her black stallion and walked beside him. People walked around of all sizes, colors, and races and she smiled when a small orc boy waved to her.

Approaching a stall she looked at the man behind the counter. The tiefling smiled, "Hello, there, how can I help you?"

"I am looking for my grandfather actually…"

He laughs, "That's not very specific."

Zovain chuckles, "Elus. Elus Martal?"

His eyes widen, "Ah, ol' Elus! Who are you?"

"Granddaughter actually," the woman mutters, "He sent for me but I haven't been this way so…"

"Ah! Yes! He mentioned you coming. I'm a bit busy but I can get my friend Tornik to help you out. He lives back that way. He's your grandfather's neighbor."

Zovain nods her head and flinches when the tiefling yells out back for the man. A grumbling noise echoes out and a large man appears. Well, troll. He stands about three feet taller than the woman with grey and green patched skin. He wears a loose tunic over his shoulders and looks at the woman with scrutiny. His eyes are red!

"What do you want?" The troll asks. His voice is deep and reminds the woman of the sound of a rock slide. 

The tiefling motions towards the woman, "This is Elus' granddaughter. Take her there, will you, old friend?"

The troll grumbles but nods his head, "Follow me, woman."

Her stallion huffs at the troll and he looks the steed in the eyes, "Attitude?"

Zovain chuckles, "He doesn't like many people…"

Tornik huffs. They walk in deep silence for a long time, "How long have you been out here?"

The troll seems offended by her speaking, and she notices. He frowns, "Whole life. You? A city dweller?"

Zovain shrugs, "I've been to a lot of places. I like to move around, I guess."

He looks down at her and squints, "Don't wanna settle down, little one?"

She frowns, "I'm not that little."

He smirks, "Sure."

The woman rolls her eyes, "I don't hate the idea of settling down, thank you. I just don't want to have to change my life and job because of someone else, you know? And before you start, I understand that's the whole point…compromises and shit."

Tornik can only laugh at her words, "Such vulgar words from a lady."

"I'm hardly a lady," she tells him, "I used to use a sword almost every day for five years."

"Hm?"

"Bodyguard if you believe it or not," she tells him.

"Who the fuck for?"

Zovain sighs, "It was a job. They were wealthy. I watched over the youngest daughter. She's older, and married now."

"Must fuckin' suck to have a kid marry before you, huh?"

"Must you be such an asshole?" She wonders. He stops and points to a wooden cottage at the end of the road, "I live there. You go over there…"

She nods and follows the trail with her horse. 

"No thanks?"

The woman looks back at him, "I'm sure I'll see you around. There will be other times to thank you I'm sure. And, no, you don't deserve my thanks. Yet."

She bows her head slightly and heads off the dirt road. He watches her walk off and smirks. Hm, he thinks, her ass is nice. He stops then and groans. This was not the time to be thinking of such things. He sighs and walks towards his place.

Zovain enters the house and lightly taps on the door. A loud noise comes from the other room, "Coming!"

The woman chuckles and stands in the kitchen. A man walks down the steps and looks over, "Oh!"

"Hello, grandfather," Zovain speaks. 

The man, who is going grey more every year, smiles wide and almost runs up to her and takes her into his arms, "Ah, it's so good to see you, darlin'."

She smiles, "You too! How are you? Are you okay?"

"Oh, yeah, perfect for my age! I lied just to get you here." Zovain's face falls, "Grandfather!"

He smiles, his crooked teeth showing, "I just wanted you to stay with me for some time."

She rolls her eyes, "I should have known…"

The man smiles brightly, "I saw Tornik out there. I assume you met?"

"Yeah," she sighs, "He's something else."

The man smiles, "He was standoff-ish when I met him too. He helps me with big work around the house though. He's a sweet guy under all the grey."

Zovain rolls her eyes, "Do you mind if I take a nap?"

The man nods, "Go ahead. I'll start dinner. I'll wake you up later on. Your room is the second on the right when you go up the steps."

"Thanks, pap," she mutters and pats his shoulder before grabbing her bags and wandering up the old wooden steps. Entering the room, she sets the stuff on the floor before moving to the bed. Next to the bed, which is against the wall, she can see out the window right into Tornik's yard. He appears from the side door with an axe in hand. She watches as the man cuts logs wider than her with ease.

He stops and looks around before looking her way. She curses and moves out of the window's way. She frowns and lays on top of the blankets. She sighs and lets her eyes flutter closed.

The next day, her grandfather sends her into town, "Just grab these things, kid. You can explore yourself if you want to."

Zovain nods her head and takes the small written list, "That guy I met…the tiefling. Do you know his name?"

"Alec," Elus tells her as he passes her with a woolen sack. She smiles, "Going somewhere?"

"Yeah, the river out back. Get some herbs on my way back too. See you in a little bit," he mutters before grabbing her head and pulling her in to kiss her forehead, "Love ya, sweetie."

The woman smiles, "Love you too, have fun."

"I will." And then he's gone.

The woman gets outside and hops onto Wax. The stallion neighs before heading along the trail. She looks down at the list and looks at it, "Going into town, little one?"

Zovain startles which makes Wax stop in his tracks and stares down the person attached to the voice. She looks over and is met with red eyes, "Tornik."

"Correct," he says.

He looks at her when Wax starts trotting again, "How about you? Have a name mysterious woman?"

"Zovain."

He nods his head, "Ugly name for an ugly person."

Zovain huffs, "You're horrid."

The troll chuckles, "How's Elus?"

"He's fine, headed out to do some stuff this morning. I'm off to pick some things up."

The troll nods his head and walks a bit ahead of the horse. Zovain looks at him and smiles. In an odd way, he's attractive. Strong. Scars litter his skin. He's cocky, that's for sure. Walks like he owns the place, which I suppose he knows more about this place than I do. However, that does not excuse his words. And little one? I am not that small, you know?

Tornik stops and points to a larger pathway, "That is the path to town."

Zovain hums, "Thank you, Tornik. I am sure I will be seeing you around…"

The troll chuckles deeply and it makes me shiver, "I am sure, you will. I have to go into town myself. I will follow you and help you back."

"Why?" I wonder.

"Don't want you getting lost," he tells me with a smirk.

I sigh and shake my head, "You will never leave will you?"

He laughs and lays a large hand on my back. At least it's warm. The troll wanders through town next to me. Many look over at the confusing sight, "So, Tornik. Have you been here forever then?"

He hums, "I have. Parents raised me here."

The woman only nods her head. The troll smirks, "How about you? I have never seen you before. I have heard of you seeing as I've known your grandfather for some years."

Zovain hums herself, "My grandfather, my mother, his wife, and my uncle lived by themselves for years. My uncle, who is the eldest, left when he married and the same thing happened with my mother. Once my mother left I believe he came here. My mother had me first and my younger brother about a year later. I was living with my brother. My mother and father went South since it's warmer."

Tornik nods his head slightly, "Hm and you moved North up here."

"To be fair, my grandfather put on a ploy claiming he was ill. He is not as you can see…"

The troll laughs. A deep rumbling laugh. I can only smile. I then sigh and slow down Wax to hop off, "Anyway I am off. I am sure I will see you around."

Tornik bows his head slightly, "You won't get rid of me, little lady, I can assure you."

I raise an eyebrow, "Oh?"

He looks me up and down and I feel like hundreds of spotlights are on me. I gulp and he smirks, "I am hard to get rid of."

I laugh, "I'll drive you off."

His smile drops a little but it softens, "Hm. Maybe. But," he leans down towards me, "You are not worth driving away."

He winks at me and leaves. I stood there for a moment stunned. Was he just flirting? No. Couldn't be. What would someone like him want with something like me?

I grab Wax and head off towards the variety of stalls. A voice catches me off guard for a moment. It's that tiefling I met!

He sprints up to me and I smile, "Hello! Elus' granddaughter!"

I chuckle, "It's Zovain. And how about you?"

He smirks showing a golden pointy tooth, "It's Alec."

He bows slightly and I smile, "Nice to meet you personally."

"You as well," he states, "Now what have you out here? Tornik scaring you away already?"

I shake my head, "Oh, no. I am just in town to buy some things for me and my grandfather. How about you?"

"On my lunch break," he tells me, "I have my sister watching the store right now."

I nod my head, "You can just leave?"

"Considering I own the place, yes."

I laugh, "Ah, of course!"

He smiles, "How about you Miss Zovain? Any job back home?"

"Oh, I did freelance work myself. I paint for a hobby and people got me to paint portraits."

"Ah ha! That's lovely. You must show me your work sometime, my dear."

I smile, "I need to buy paints actually. I used up the rest of mine before I came so I didn't have to drag all of my stuff here. Does someone sell that by any chance?"

"You're in luck! My sister does!"

He grabs hold of my arm gently and pulls me off towards his shop in mere seconds.

- - - - -

Wax huffs as I pull the reins, "Hey. Don't talk back to me. It's small vials of paint. They barely weigh enough as I do."

The stallion shakes his head and I roll my eyes, "Baby."

He huffs my way and I smile and pet his trunk, "Good boy."

Then he stops. I look at him and I see him staring at the forest, "What? See something, boy?"

He backs off and his front feet kick up. Shit. Wolves jump from the forest and I curse and reach for the dagger I keep in my boot. Wax runs off. Not that I blame him. I trained him that way. Besides, he'd just be in the way. Hmm, let's hope my years of protecting the heiress are still in me.

One lunges but before I can do anything a mass runs in my path and the wolf goes flying backward, "Fuck off, will you?"

I drop my dagger upon seeing Tornik with a large axe in his hand. The wolves growl at him and he twirls his axe and they back off. Damn. I wish I could be that intimidating!

The troll turns to me and sees the blade in my hand and smirks, "I think a sword would have been better."

I sigh, "I don't have it on me…"

"Be more careful, aye?"

"How the fuck was I to know wolves would come this close?"

He laughs, "I like hearing you swear. It's attractive."

I frown, "Pig."

He laughs, "Fair enough."

I cannot help but laugh myself. I sigh then, "Well, thank you for saving me, I guess."

He smiles, "Aye. Let a pretty thing like you get mauled? I couldn't."

"I can handle myself though," I mutter.

He nods and looks down at me, "I am aware. You hold the dagger well. I can only imagine what you can do with it…"

I twirl it in my fingers, "Lots of things."

He smirks, "Good. I like a woman with a bit of bite in her."

I roll my eyes, "I have to find Wax. He probably went home…"

He walks alongside me the entire time. Not that I mind. Besides, he lives in the same place. I roll my shoulders and groan, "In pain, little one?"

"First off, I am far from little. Have you seen me? And second, I slept wrong last night."

He hums "Compared to me you are very little. I can probably use you as a weight to squat."

I laugh, "I am hardly small enough for that."

He stops, "Wish to try?"

I stutter for a moment, "Absolutely not!"

He chuckles, "You're adorable, you know? Those cheeks of yours flush such a pretty dark red. Compliments your dark skin well,"

I stutter once more, "Shut up!" 

He nods his head, "Yes. Yes. I will see you tomorrow, little one."

I wave him off, "Go away, Tornik."

He hums, "You say my name too prettily."

I shake my head and ignore him, heading towards Wax who waits for me. I grab his reins and pet along his trunk, "Good boy."

Elus comes out and smiles at me, "Hey, kid. Come on in. I got dinner started."

I smile, "Could I have some help with my paints?"

He nods and helps take them in and out to the small porch in the back. The scenery is beautiful and I plan to paint it.

I sit across from him at the dinner table and eat with vigor. I wish I could cook this well. He smiles at me, "Like it, kid?"

"Always. Reminds me of when I was a kid…"

He smiles, "I saw you and Tornik coming back. Did he come with you into town?"

"I was actually with Alec earlier. I ran into…a problem and Tornik walked me home."

He nods his head and takes a swig of his drink, "He's a good man. You think so?"

"If he speaks his mind," I mutter.

My grandfather laughs, "That he does!"

I smile, "Has he ever been married or had a partner?"

My grandfather smirks, "Why do you want to know?"

"Curiosity," I answer.

"He's not. Not as long as I have known him at least. Never been one for simple romance I believe…"

I nod my head.

Then why was he flirting with me? 

- - - - -

I started the painting that next morning. The glow of the morning was just perfect. And these paints are better than I could have ever dreamt about. As I paint yellow lines along the top corner, darkness comes over the painting and I look up.

Tornik smiles down at me and I pull my paint brush away, "Hello. Sorry, I didn't see you come up…"

He moves out of the way of the sun and I continue the stroke I was stopped on, "Perfectly fine, little one. No harm. You look cute when you concentrate anyway."

I frown and turn away, hiding the heat slipping onto my cheeks. I put the brush into the water to twist it around and put it back into the small container, "Did you need something?"

He smiles, "Are you free two days from now?"

I raise an eyebrow, "I should be. Why?"

"Join me?"

I open my mouth but before I can say anything my grandfather's head pops out of the kitchen window, "She'll be there. I'll get her to dress nice."

I scoff as the troll before me laughs, "Will I see you then?"

I smile, "Sure. What are we doing?"

"You like to swim? I was thinking of a stroll through the woods and possibly a dip in the stream. We won't have this nice weather for much longer."

I hold back the feeling of dread for a moment but smile, "Yeah. A stroll would be nice. What time?"

"I can pick you up a little after lunchtime. Is that alright with you?"

"Perfect," I mutter, "See you then."

Time flies and soon he is approaching the doorstep. I open it and he appears with a large smile on his face. My grandfather pushes me out of the door and waves me off. I roll my eyes. He looks at me and seems taken aback, "You look beautiful."

"I'm wearing an old tunic and trousers?"

He smiles, "I am talking about you, not the clothes, although they do hug your curves well."

"Do you ever shut up?"

"No," he states.

I chuckle and walk down the steps, "Well, after you…"

Tornik smiles and moves a little for me to take a step down, "So, why are we doing all this? Not that I mind a nice stroll in the woods…"

The troll seems to pause for a moment, "Figured it would be fun to show you around. I assume you'll be staying for a while. Might as well get you situated with the place beyond the town and our homes."

Zovian reaches into her side bag and pulls something out. A small item she twirls between her fingers, "Here."

As they walk the troll grabs the small thing from her fingers and looks at it in his palm, "What is this?"

The woman smiles, "I noticed you have that necklace on with little notches. You have one gem on there but I have some leftover clay so I figured I'd use it up and I made you another item to add to the necklace. You don't have to wear it but I sealed it and fired it so it should be pretty sturdy."

Tornik stops moving and looks over at her with a bit of shock, "You made this for me?"

"Yes? It's not much but I figured you'd enjoy it," she states.

The troll smiles, "Well, thank you. I accept this."

Zovian smiles, "Of course. Now let's get going."

The man leads her through the paths she has yet to explore and she hears the sounds of water falling and smiles. They go up a large rock and it stands above the waterfall. She looks at it and smiles, "It's beautiful, Tornik."

He smiles at her, "It is."

Although he wasn't really looking at the waterfall. He was looking at her and watching as she reaches into her bag to pull out a pencil and a large pad of paper. She sits down on the rock and starts to sketch the area out with jagged, yet perfect lines.

He watches her intently for a moment before going around the side to head towards the waterfall. He looks around the place and examines the water and the little fish twirling around inside of it. Zovian looks up after trying to match the rocks around the water and sees the troll kneeling down and watching the water. She blushes a little and starts to sketch his outline into the picture. She gathers his features in her brain and tries to portray them justice.

After a moment the troll calls for her, "You coming or not?"

She looks up to see the troll has discarded his outer clothes. She nods, "Yeah!"

He chuckles as she scrambles to put her things away before standing to join him down by the water. She sets her bag by the tree, far away from the water that could destroy her things. She turns to sit and take her boots off. The troll steps into the water and it reaches up to his hips. He falls into the water to rinse off his chest before standing again, "Come on, you're taking too long, little one."

She rolls her eyes as she tosses her boots to the side. She takes her belt and sets it down before stalling. She frowns for a moment, "What's wrong?"

The woman sighs, "I don't like being so little dressed…"

The troll nods, "I'm not looking. Wear your underclothes. Trust me, I am used to the feeling of self-hatred."

Zovian takes her tunic off leaving a tank top before folding it to put it next to her boots, her pants following. She walks over to the edge of the water and does notices his wandering eyes. She sits down on the edge to put her feet in, "Oh. I expected it to be colder!"

Tornik chuckles, "There is a hot spring under the waterfall that is connected to the town's hot water. This water tends to be a bit warmer because of it. I come here in the winter months sometimes because of it. Although, I don't recommend you doing it as you are human."

"What does that have to do with it?"

"I have thicker skin than you. Tougher to withstand the cold," he states.

"Ah, I see," the woman starts. She covers her forearms by putting them against her chest and he looks at her as she hesitates to enter the water, "Why do you cover your arms?"

"I have scars littering them from years ago. I am not proud of them. I've been told they're ugly and should hide them."

"Nonsense," Tornik starts, moving closer to her, "Scars tells stories. They are to be remembered even if they are bad."

He offers his hands forward and she hesitates for a moment but lays a hand onto his own. He looks at her arms and frowns, "I was in a very low place for a long time. I was new to the castle and had a hard time fitting in and finding my place. I found friends eventually and even the princess I watched was close to me. I hated myself for doing so. I still do. Not even sure why I did it."

Tornik does the unexpected and traces his fingers over the little scars. She jolts but makes no indication that she wants to move. He leans forward a little, "Do not be ashamed of these. They make you stronger as a person."

Zovian smiles, "Why are you so nice to me? You seemed to have hated me at first."

The troll chuckles, "I am surprised myself that I took a liking to you. But I find you intriguing…"

She chuckles, "Okay then, well I rather enjoy your company, Tornik."

"I like when you say my name," he tells her in a low mutter.

"Tornik."

He smiles and leans forward suddenly and kisses her scars. The action makes her gasp. He brings his head up and she looks at him, "What was that for?"

"I find you enchanting, although I shouldn't," Tornik tells her.

Zovian smiles, "Well, I rather like you as well…thus why I was willing to come with you. I would have said no otherwise."

He nods, "You gave me the necklace charm."

She raises an eyebrow, "Yes?"

"In troll customs, it is common for those who want to court to exchange gifts. I assume you didn't know that but I wanted to clarify if you gave it to me as a friend or in the hopes of being more than that…"

Zovian flushes, "I didn't know that. It was just for friendship but I am not opposed to it being more than that…if you want to as well."

The man smiles, "I will have to get you something worthy of your affection."

She shakes her head, "We humans don't do so. You don't need to get me anything just because I got you something, Tornik."

"Nonsense, I will do as I please."

The woman only rolls her eyes, "Okay, you may do what you want then."

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

- Two Moons Later -

Zovian lifts her knee to lean against it as she moves the paintbrush along the middle of the canvas. The waterfall was forming together perfectly. She was now taking a small detail brush to make little white marks to show the splashing of the water and highlight the rest of the painting.  

She pulls away from the canvas and smiles. It was finished now. All she had to do was put a finish over it so it didn't get nicked. She sets her brush down to put it in the water cup. Suddenly something grabs her and she screeches, "It's just me, love."

She turns and faces Tornik who has a smirk on his face, "By gods, Tornik, don't do that to me!"

He smiles and leans forward to place a kiss on her forehead. Zovian smiles, "Hello, how did you know I was here?"

"Your grandfather," he chuckles.

"Of course, how are you?"

"Good. How are you?"

"Lovely," she mutters, "Just finished this painting of the waterfall."

He looks over and smiles, "Beautiful, darling. Oh, wait. Is that me?"

Zovian flushes, "Yeah, you were there when I sketched it so I decided to include it…"

Tornik smiles, "I love it. You make me more attractive…"

She rolls her eyes, "I only portray what I see."

The troll smiles but stands up, "Come with me."

"Where are we going?"

"Just follow me, love."

They've been courting for the past two months. It's been going well. As a return gift, Tornik had gotten her some fresh paints that he ordered from an artist a few towns over. Zovian almost cried with joy when he presented them to her.

She had decided to stay with her grandfather. The man was overjoyed at the news. She loved him too much to leave again and was starting to love the troll neighbor she had come to know.

As they approached the house, Tornik covered her eyes and took her bag from her so she could walk better. The woman chuckles, "What are you doing, Tor?"

He chuckles back, "Just wait. Be patient."

The man stops, "Okay, open your eyes."

He had moved his hands and she opened her eyes to see a little picnic area set up in an alcove in the ground with little candles set around and a large blanket and pillows set up.

"Did you do this?"

"Who else?"

Zovian rolls her eyes, "This is lovely, Tornik, thank you!"

He smiles and motions for her to go forward. She takes off her shoes and steps onto the blanket. She kneels down and smiles, "It's so soft."

Tornik smiles and joins her but kneels on one knee, "Zovian?"

She looks up at him, "Yes?"

He takes a deep sigh and pulls something from his pocket. He hands the material to her. Its a necklace. She takes it and sees a matching gem like his own on it, "Oh, Tornik…this is beautiful…"

"Marry me, Zovian."

Her head whips up to look up at him, "What?"

"Marry me, Zovian. I cannot wait another day not being married to you. We can do it the human way and I can get you a ring but I am proposing to you the troll way. I present you this gift as a token of my love. Do you accept it?"

Zovian holds back her tears and nods her head before moving to hug him swiftly. She holds him close and wraps her arms around his neck to keep him close, "Oh, Tornik, of course I accept. I would love to marry you!"

He smiles and grabs the necklace to put it around her neck. She looks at it and smiles. She grabs his face and kisses him. He holds her close to his chest and when they pull away he smiles at her and pulls her close to tuck her head in his neck. He smells her scent and sighs happily.

"Thank you," Tornik mutters.

Zovian looks at him, "No need to thank me. I love you for who you are Tornik…"

He pauses, "I love you too."

She smiles and kisses him again. He grabs hold of her hips this time and she moans into the kiss. He doesn't pull away. If anything, he pushes towards her more. Her hands weave into his hair and hold him closely. Tornik sighs and reluctantly pulls away from her.

Zovian grabs hold of him and falls backward onto the blanket. He falls in beside her and holds her to his chest. She trails her fingers down his face and over his tusks. She taps the tooth under her fingertip and he chuckles, "Having fun?"

She smiles, "I am."

Tornik kisses her once again and she moves to lay on his chest and kiss him. The troll grabs her waist and keeps her still. She pulls away and pecks his lips before placing a quick kiss on the tip of his nose. He wrinkles it but smiles when she pecks his lips again before pecking his right cheek.

Then she kisses his mouth once more before trailing her kisses down the side of his neck. He freezes but tilts his neck to give her more access. His fingers tighten a little on her waist and she smiles. She then bites into his neck lightly and he groans and grips her, "Hey."

Zovian pulls back, "I'm sorry, was that too much? I don't want to push anything…"

Tornik groans and leans up to her, "No, you've done nothing wrong. You're doing everything right. We trolls don't do casual sex, Zovian. If we do this, this is commitment."

The woman smiles, "I don't do casual sex either…but I am marrying you. I am already in for the long run. Until we're old and grey."

"I'm already grey," he states with a small smirk.

Zovian rolls her eyes, "Fine. When I'm old and grey."

He smiles and grabs the back of her head to suddenly flip her around to lay on her back on the blanket. She looks surprised for a second but only smiles and moves her hands to hold his face. He kisses her fingertips.

"Would you rather take your clothes off yourself or do you mind help?" Zovian flushes but smiles, "You can help. I like your touch anyway."

"Do you?" He teases, trailing his hand up her side. She shivers, "Yes."

He kisses her again as she shuffles underneath him to kick off her pants. Tornik throws them to the side and she clutches onto him and arches up into him. He falls down a little so he is flush with her and she moans. He leans back and looks at her. She takes her tunic and pulls it up and off. He grabs the edge of her tank top and helps pull it off of her. Admittedly she covers her chest, "Gods, it's cold."

She feels her own nipples pushing against her arms as the troll chuckles, "Well, good thing I'm warm."

The woman opens her arms, "Hug me then."

Tornik moves so she can hold him closer. He moans when her nipples rake against his chest, "You are beautiful, my love."

Zovian smiles, "Thank you, love."

He kisses her lips before trailing down her neck. He nips at her skin and then kisses it afterward to dull the pain. She moans into the forest air as she holds his head close to her chest. He maneuvers down and kisses her breasts before taking a nipple into his mouth. She arches against him and whines as he sucks. Zovian's hands grip his hair harder only for him to groan and grind against her.

He switches to the other breast while his hand, which covers her entire side, encloses around the one he was just, fondling. Her legs close shut as she rubs them together, "Tornik, please…"

He pulls away, "Yes?"

"Please don't tease me, I need you now."

The troll swells with pride, "You have me, but I will not enter you until I open you. You are human, my love."

She whines but he silences her with a kiss. His right hand travels down her side and grabs the edge of her underwear to pull it down her legs. He holds them up and notices the wet spot but says nothing about it as he sets them aside. She looks up at him and he smiles and kisses her again, "Patience."

She groans. He chuckles in response but a finger trails against her labia. She shivers as he swirls around, mapping out her anatomy. His thumb joins and rubs around to find her clit. She jolts when he finds it and he kisses her neck in response. He rubs the bundle of nerves under his finger as he slowly enters his middle finger into her. Zovian keens and arches up into him and moans at the sudden protrusion. 

"Feel okay?"

"Yes!"

She grabs him and kisses him fiercely. He slowly thrusts his finger in and out of her, occasionally bending upwards. She sighs happily and moans into the kisses, "Love, please…"

Tornik nods, "Just a moment, trust me I want too."

Another finger joins the one and she groans. It was a tad uncomfortable at the stretch but his thumb on her clit made her forget all about it as it curls inside of her. Her moans increase, "Tornik, please, I want to be with you."

The troll nods, "Yes, love."

His fingers recede from her and she whines, "Tornik…"

He chuckles, "You are so needy."

Zovian smiles, "You don't care that I am."

"I don't," he confirms.

He pulls his pants down and kicks them over and pulls his cock from his pants, "What the fuck?"

The troll looks at her and she blushes, "Your cock is huge."

He laughs and covers his face with a hand, "Fuck, you can't just say that to me."

She pulls him closer and grabs his cock within her fingers. He hisses as she leads it to her entrance, "Are you sure?"

The woman nods a lot a bit too fast to the point he can only laugh. The troll grabs hold of himself and with her lead, slowly enters her body. She tenses for a moment but relaxes as he slowly pushes in, "Fuck."

He stops, "Are you okay?"

She moans, "Fuck, I think so. I've never felt so full before."

Tornik holds her close as he slowly gets to the hilt. They both sigh, "Fuck, love."

Zovian smiles and grips hold of him, "Move."

The troll kisses her before kissing along her neck as he pulls out and enters back into her, "No pain?"

"No, I'm perfect. Please, keep going."

He nods and starts to thrust into her. She smiles as her head falls back onto the blanket. He smiles and bites the juncture of where her neck meets her shoulder. She groans in pain but doesn't seem to mind as his cock drags out of her.

He apologizes for the bite by kissing her and pressing little love bites up her neck. His speed increases as he grows increasingly more animalistic with her. She moans into his neck and holds him to her chest and smiles as he grunts into her ear. He grabs her arms and pins them above her head so he can bite along her chest without her pushing against him.

She tries to fight against him but it barely makes him budge, "Lay there for me, love, Let me please you."

The woman moans, "Ah, please, Tornik, please."

"I've got you," he mutters and starts to pound into her. He moves one hand to hold both of hers down while his other hand trails down her chest to reach to put his thumb against her clit. She almost screams but holds her voice down.

"Please, let your noises out…"

Zovian sighs and moans louder this time as he rubs her clit in time with his thrusts. He lets her hands go to lean forward and kiss along the scars. The woman starts to cry at the notion and wraps around his neck to keep him there. He kisses her neck, "I love you, Tornik."

He moans, "I love you too, fuck."

They cum together suddenly. Tornik bites into her shoulder as he does and she moans in the pain, "Fuck."

He pulls back, "Sorry, I didn't mean to mark you…"

Zovian smiles, "It's okay, I don't mind. I don't mind being visually yours."

He shivers at the thought and kisses her, "We did this backward. I wanted to make an honest woman of you first but…"

She shakes her head, "You still will. What do you want to do for marriage anyway?"

He chuckles, "I asked your grandpa and he approved. So we can at any time, my love."

The woman smiles, "For now, how about we lay here and eat what you gathered? I think we worked up an appetite…"

The troll chuckles and finally exits her body. She sighs and pulls him closer as he goes to grab the small wicker basket. They snack on sandwiches as the two talk about the possibilities of the wedding and the troll meeting her parents.

[parcequecestnotreprojeeeet]

Hi, it’s me, Fanfic Anon #2. Happy weekend everyone! This is inspired by the new Le Point article (Thank you for posting it, along with all the other magazine articles you’ve posted, EMT. You are the best!!).

“Are you sure you don’t mind keeping the kids overnight?” Tiphaine checked one last time before leaving them with their grandparents after dinner. “I know things have been crazy busy for you two lately, and I don’t want them to intrude on any of the time you do get together, maman.”

“First of all, we’re fine,” Brigitte reassured her daughter. “We did ten years only seeing each other on the weekends, 6 whole months with him on a different continent, so while I don’t like it when he’s away, we’ve been separated by far worse than a two day summit in Brussels.” She paused and turned her gaze lovingly towards her husband who was currently giving their youngest grandchild a piggy back ride in the yard just outside the back doors of La Lanterne, while his older sister was playing with Nemo, all three of them with the biggest smiles on their faces, their laughing joy contagious. “Second,” she continued, drawing her daughter’s attention to the sight in front of them, “look at him. Look at them. How could I ever put an end to that?”

“Mamie! Look!” the little one called out, trying to draw his grandmother’s attention.

“Be careful!” She called back, always the worrier.

“Can you come play now?” her granddaughter looked up from a now napping Nemo, bored now that her playmate had now moved on.

“Let me say goodbye to your mother, and I’ll be right there,” she smiled at her, before turning to Tiphaine, “come pick them up mid-morning tomorrow. Have a good night, my darling.”

“Bye, maman,” she said, hugging her as she left before yelling out, “bye Manu!” laughing as he didn’t respond, too engrossed in what he was doing.

“Now,” Brigitte said turning towards her granddaughter, “what do you want to do? Boys versus girls maybe?”

“Yeah!!”

“Let’s go see what the boys thinks about that,” she winked, reaching out her hand to help her up from the ground to walk towards the rest of their family.

A couple of hours later, after they managed to successfully put to bed their exhausted grandchildren, Emmanuel cuddled up to his wife on the couch, wrapping her tightly in his arms as he balanced her in his lap. “What did Tiphaine want?” he asked after a minute.

“Ahh, so you did notice,” she teased.

“I always notice you,” he answered seriously.

Blushing, she told him, “she wanted to make sure it was okay to leave the kids. She was worried it would cut too much into our ‘alone time.’”

“What did you tell her?” he inquired, now a little nervous about the answer. He knew that they had both been crazy busy this past month, she with the pièces jaunes campaign, he with a couple of trips and conferences, but they had also made an effort to spend as much time together as they could, even if date night this week had to be canceled at the last minute. He knew how frightened she was about this potentially being the last of their “good years” together (while he knows she fears the future, understandable given all the harsh losses she has suffered, he still refused to believe his strong, healthy, happy, beautiful wife wasn’t going to live forever) being taken up by this job, so he had doubled down on making time together his priority, even if they weren’t going out as much as they used to. But if their daughter was worried, that implied Brigitte had said something about it, he thought to himself. He couldn’t let her down.

“I told her we were fine,” she said lovingly, trying to reassure him, feeling how nervous he was by how quickly his hold around her became rigid. “Because we are fine. Sure, we’ve been a couple of very busy people lately, and sure, you’ve been gone a little, but we’ve gone far longer without each other. I don’t like it when you’re not with me, but you always come home.”

“I will always come home to you,” he vowed.

“I know, chéri, besides,” she trailed off with a smile.

“Besides?”

“Besides, I looked over at you in that moment and I saw you playing with them and I thought to myself how could I deny you all that joy just for a couple of extra hours alone with you? And, selfishly, I love seeing you with our grandchildren.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” she confirmed. “Seeing you in protective, loving grandfather mode, it’s very sexy.”

He laughed heartily at that, before kissing that spot on her neck he knows makes her knees week, smiling triumphantly at her quiet moan. “Well, if you think you could keep it down, do you want to continue this conversation in the bedroom?”

“Speak for yourself,” she replied, getting out of his lap and holding her hand out for him to take, giggling like naughty children as they raced towards their final destination.

Hellooo fanfic Anon #2! ❤���

Manu and his grandkids is just something irresistibly adorable 🥰

Conversation... right, let’s call it that 🤭 Careful careful guys, the kids are around, just behave... 😏😏

Thank you so much, fanfic Anon #2! ❤️❤️❤️

[renee-writer]

Loved Her First Chapter 93

AO3

A Year Earlier

 

“I worry about Mercy, mama.” Claire lays her sewing aside and gives her full attention to her eldest. “She is so smart. I am trying to teach her all I can, as is Ian. Even Odina has her learning under her, as you do Storm, but, I fear it isn’t enough.”

 

Claire pats the seat beside her, urging Faith to get off her pacing feet. She stops and does and her mama takes her hands.  “You are right. My granddaughter has a great mind. There is a lot of wisdom here but, you think she needs more?” Faith nods as she chews on her bottom lip.

 

“I know what is expected, that she will marry and have children, being content to teach them. Us Fraser/ Murray women have minds of our own though.”

 

“Yes, your baby sister is still refusing every suitor that comes calling. Your papa worries but I told him when the right one comes, she will know.”

 

“I am glad Ainslie is being so picky. Real love is worth waiting for.” She glances across the room and into the fireplace. She smiles, “I want my sister and daughters to have what you have with papa and I with Ian.” Her eyes clear and she turns back to Claire, “Which is why I don’t want Mercy settling.”

 

“I understand, nor do I. “ She frowns, her fingers moving, seemingly without will, to the bejeweled box that sits on the small table by her. She lifts it into her lap. “There may be a way to help her. It is a big thing,” she opens it up and lifts out the small ruby that was cradled inside. Faith gets it and let’s out a strangled gasp, “Indeed, the one place she can get the education she needs is…”

 

“In the future.” Her daughter whispers.”

 

“If she can hear the call, there is no guarantee…”

 

“Mama, I…” She presses the precious stone into her hands.

 

“Talk it over with Ian and Mercy. I will do the same with your papa.”

 

The lasses are all in their room laughing together when Faith hands Ian the ruby. “What is this?”

 

“A possible way for Mercy to get the education she deserves.” She then goes over all she and Claire talked about.

 

“You wish to send her to your time?” Jamie questions as he sits on the edge of the bed beside his wife.

 

“No, farther forward. My time wouldn’t be far enough. I want to send her to a time where she won’t be looked at as an interloper in a university class. Where she can really learn.”

 

“Not even a known time.” His fingers are bouncing on his bare thigh.

 

“I know. It is scary but so is that brilliant mind of hers not being challenged.”

 

Ian is stunned. He doesn’t say a word as the clock chimes the next hour. Then he raises and walks towards his daughters room. His wife quickly follows. “Ian?”

 

He enters and walks over to Mercy. He hands her the ruby. “Can you hear it’s call?” He asks as all his lasses look at him.

 

Mercy looks down and then up with a smile. “Aye, I can.”

 

He smiles though his eyes are full of tears. “That is good.”

[wiinestories]

Angelo's brows furrowed at her response, surprise and sadness casting over his features. He had been bracing himself for her anger or a demand for him to leave, but her calmness, even in her pain, took him aback. He missed her deeply, and while he knew he couldn't hold her in his arms, just being near her, sharing the same space, was something he yearned for. "They've always been your friends rather than mine, and I have nothing but gratitude for everything they've done for you," he said softly, his voice tinged with regret and longing. He had come to respect Cade, understanding that despite their differences, Cade cared deeply for Eden. He watched her move to sit on the hanging swing and listened to her, her question being another surprise for him. Taking a few steps forward towards her, he tried to understand her calm demeanour, sensing the pain underneath. Listening to her share her plans to attend an event, he felt a pang of regret. These were the things he was always used to, the life they once shared, and he was definitely attending that event.

"Right..." Angelo's voice almost broke on that single word, and he was thankful for the darkness that hid the tears welling up in his eyes. He cleared his throat, rubbing his chin with his index finger, determined not to let her see his vulnerability, even though the pain of not having her was almost unbearable. "I just... I wanted you to know that I'm here," he said, his voice steadier now. "I understand if you need time, if you need space. I get it. But please, don't think for a second that any of this was intentional or that I wanted to hurt you. Because I didn't." He looked at her, his eyes softening despite the darkness. "You're everything to me, Eden. And if it takes a lifetime to make you see that, I'll do it. I just... I just want you to be happy, even if it means being without me." Taking a deep breath, Angelo forced a small, sad smile. "Feel free to text me for anything you might need. I know you'll ace it in that event, and you should never worry about the guests' list."

"I've experienced some of it. I know how easily he can lose his temper." Agatha responded to Margaret, placing her free hand over hers while she kept her eyes closed. "I never expected James to behave like this. It's clear he wanted to fight Cade somehow, and defying Cade like that when it comes to his family won't bring anything good." She let out a sigh at the thought.

"You'll have to excuse me, Margaret, but I won't justify violence in any way, and Agatha knows that," Catherine stepped into the conversation, her expression one of deep concern. "I don't want Cade to lose his temper that easily when he's about to become a family man, and to attack the first man that tries anything with him. It would've been smarter of him to just push that man out of the door and be done with it." She folded her arms over her chest, being slightly upset over Cade's behaviour. "Violence is not accepted in my house, and I don't want my daughter to be exposed to violence and, more importantly, my granddaughter," Catherine stated firmly, glancing between Margaret and Agatha.

"Mother, he's not going to be violent in our home because he knows I don't agree with it either," Agatha responded, opening her eyes to look at her. "I just want peace. This doesn't sit well with me, and I'm worried about him."

"No worries. I'm sure your father will know how to handle him," Catherine reassured, smiling at the thought. She was well aware of how Patrick dealt with anything close to violence, always aiming to defuse the situation without escalating it.

Patrick headed out of the door and straight outside to where Cade had taken James. The more he approached, the more he heard Cade's voice and his answers to James. He suddenly heard the cry of pain from James and rushed, finding Cade holding James against the wall. He heard his threatening words and rushed to grab Cade's shoulders with his fingers and attempt to push him away from James. "Enough, Cade!" James hadn't uttered a word of response, he was too focused on his pain. Patrick stepped between Cade and James quickly, ensuring there was enough distance to prevent any further violence. "This is not the way to handle it, son. We don't solve our problems with our fists. Think about Agatha and the baby. This isn't what they need."

"No. no it's.." she was wringing her fingers, switching hands. Truth be told she found it harder in these kind of tense situations, she never did find conflict easier but... it'd always felt a lot easier when she was holding his hand, her fingers secure in the strength of his larger hand around hers, that assuring squeeze he'd provide. It's why she was fidgeting, she couldn't hold his hand anymore because someone started shouting. Instead she was hoping fresh air would do the trick so she'd slipped out to the back of the building, a quiet and shaded corner, just enough away that she could ignore what was happening inside. "They're your friends too... you don't have to leave if you don't want to."

Eden made a small gesture back into the house but she was quick to resume the way she would fidget and pick at the skin around her nails. "It's more the conflict that makes me uneasy you know after.." all of it. She couldn't finish the sentence, instead she moved to take a seat on a hanging swing, two seated. Her leg was bouncing incessantly. "I think it was just a shock to see you but.. do you want to sit with me, for a little bit?" she still did find it hard to look at him, white suit and.. everything she'd ever wanted. God she should've told him how wanted he is in this world. If it was anyone else with her right now, she imagined she'd clam up, seize talking, be in that state of silent fear but... he'd helped her calm so many times before that talking to him and talking through that unease, was a hell of a lot more easier with him. "I wanted to text you." she revealed. "I wasn't sure if I could I umm.. I got invited to this thing in a couple months, a charity fundraising thing, you know, for the things I do to help reduce food waste and feed the community? Like the grab and go bags of things that are still good and would otherwise be wasted for, anyone in this town that needs it? I know it's the type of thing you.. businessmen do to umm... you explained it to me once, something with taxes and avoiding it, so I just... well I thought I'd let you know that I'd be going because I can't really not go, it'd make a big difference to a lot of people, I hope. There's an awards thing too and.. yeah. I suppose I thought it'd be the kind thing to tell you rather than it be a surprise." her smile pulled, just a hint of it there when she glanced to him. God, this hurt. Even the smell of his aftershave lingering so near, hurt. "I'm a bit nervous to go to something like that without you if I'm honest... you were always a bit of a safety net for me. You never let me make a fool of myself and I suppose... I suppose I'm a little worried that she will be there."

"He's always had a temper." Margaret grimaced, reaching across the table to place a hand over Agatha's. She could see that her son had tried. "There was a time where he'd just.. blow, like a fuse bursting. Always so hot headed, he was worst when he was in his late teens, the discovery of alcohol only made it worse.. eventually he got better but he was like a bull in a china shop once over. I did my best to help him with it, anger management, all of that.. I think him giving up alcohol helped but I can see he still gets hot headed when his temper is pushed." her look was a sympathetic one, what she did know was that he'd only react like that if he felt antagonised and to bring flowers so boldly like that, into another mans home? It must have upset him, and there'd clearly been a prior problem amongst the two. "He handles it a lot better now, it'll all be okay."

"I think Agatha deserves someone that'll protect her from college friend creeps like you James." he laughed, genuinely laughed. "I am possessive, but she knew that and you know what upsets you?" he smirked, head shaking. "You could show up with a million roses, they could all be made of solid gold, hell, fucking diamonds could shoot out of your ass every few seconds, but you know that deep down you could offer her every thing else in the world and she wouldn't pick you now, she wouldn't look at you twice, she didn't back then and she doesn't now and that is what fucking upsets you. You're not man enough for her James, you're a piss weasel trying to wiggle your lonesome little self in with flamboyant displays, pretending you give a single shit about Agatha's wellbeing, truth is you just care about what you can get out of her, how she'd be an asset to you and make you feel good about yourself, like you deserved something after years of being a friend. You know what a good friend would be? Happy for her, because she's happy, I make sure she'll always end up happy, hell I'd get that woman the moon on the fucking string if she asked me to. All you've given her is stress, you put a pregnant woman on the spot, you gave her pressure she didn't fucking need and wanted to sit there and continue it."

"You know what else I do as a violent man?" in one swift movement Cade her dragged him up to his feet, rather than being propped on his hands on the concrete. He made him stand so he could swing his hand back, clenched, and his him with a sickening loud crack across James' jaw, only to grip his shirt and shove him into the wall. He used his other hand to bring his face to look at him, his grip fierce. "I protect her and my daughter. Did you hear that part? My daughter, you think she's going to leave me and pretend to play happy families with you?" Cade scoffed. "You're not even half the man you believe yourself to be.." he didn't let his eyes gave away the next move, which was to grab a single one of James' fingers, the first on his right hand, and proceed to bend it back in one swift crack, enough to hear the crack. "..and now you're even less of a doctor."

"Now- ah, ah, ah. You look me in the fucking eye when I'm talking James." he used his grip to shake his attention back to himself. Cade had no idea of Patrick, he was so in his own rage he barely knew his surroundings. "I want to hear you say it, I'd like to hear the grovel in your words when you tell me that you'll never do anything to make her uncomfortable again, not her, not my daughter and how you understand that if you do... I'll make sure to crush the bones in every finger. I want to hear you understand that when she says jump, you ask how high and when she says leave, you get out of that door quicker than the goddamn wind."

[websterss]

THE LAST DANCE — TOM HOLLAND

SUMMARY: Sometimes the best people are the ones we lose.

WARNING(S): Angst, mentions of dying

WORD COUNT: 1,702

PAIRING: Tom Holland x fem!Reader

A/N: Reposting old fics!!! Hope you enjoy it! Feedback is always welcomed! MEADOWLARK - MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE

MASTERLIST

One afternoon the Holland family and the Y/L/N family came together for one heartbreaking situation. One that was going to affect them forever. They all gathered together at the hospital one long awaiting afternoon. Everyone’s faces held the same emotions, they all felt the same emotions, and it was all for one reason.

You.

They all got the call. They knew what was to come next. You weren’t getting better if anything you had been suffering. You just wanted all the pain to go away. The doctor could see it, your whole family could see it. It broke their hearts to see you this way. It broke Tom’s heart, even more, he wanted you to fight, to be strong, not just for you, or him, but for the little girl that was currently sitting on Tom’s lap. He didn’t want to have to tell his 5-year daughter that mommy was going bye-bye.

“I want mummy.” Your daughter pouted. Tom was having a hard time trying to calm her down.

She didn’t like waiting, she just wanted to see you and have you hold her.

“I know sweetie…I know.” Tom pulled her closer and pressed a kiss on the top of her head.

“But remember what mummy said? To-” He began.

“To be patient and be kind.” She finished.

Her words almost brought tears to his eyes. He remembered the time when you taught her that phrase. She had been crying for having to sit so long that you had enough and taught her the phrase. She never forgot it after that.

“That’s right. We have to be patient now, okay. Grandpa and grandma are talking to mummy right now.” Tom looked down into her sad brown eyes.

“I wanna be with mummy.” She whined, hugging her bear closer.

“You will, my sweet girl, I promise.” Tom embraced her breathing heavily. This had already been so hard for him. It definitely took a toll on him.

Tom continued to watch the minutes go by. He was just waiting for his chance to be with his wife. He missed you so much, he missed having you beside him in bed, going on dates, spending time with you and your little girl, he missed all of it.

As Tom was just about to get up he heard the door from your room open. Out came your parents and his. Each husband embracing their teary-eyed wives. He could see how truly broken they all looked. It just about made him cry right then and there.

“Honey, I would take Ava to see her now.” Nicola gestured to her granddaughter who had her head against his chest. “It’s time.” She sniffed before finding a seat in the waiting room.

Tom let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding in. He didn’t want to say goodbye, he didn’t want to lose you, you were his best friend, his wife, the love of his life, the mother of his child. You were too pure and so innocent that he didn’t understand why you were being taken from him.

“Are you ready to see mummy?” He lifted his daughter from his lap and placed her feet on the floor so she could walk. She nodded and grabbed a hold of his hand when he extended it to her.

The steps to your room felt like a long time. Every step Tom took he swore he could feel the beat of his heart quicken. He took a deep breath as he slowly entered the room with Ava.

There you were. Laying there all hooked up to wires. You were looking up at the ceiling, taking a deep breath every now and then.

“Mummy!” Your little girl exclaimed.

Her voice brought you out of your daze. You turned your head to see her running towards you. Tom, being worried and cautious, grabbed her before she could even jump on top of you. You sat up slowly, frowning as he moved her away from you.

“Woah hey, let’s not jump on mummy, sweetie.” He shook his head at you.

“Tom-it’s okay.” You said slowly.

“I’m sorry mummy.” Ava put her head down.

“No, no, come here…come here, sweetie.” You reassured her as you patted your empty space beside you. She looked at Tom and then approached you slowly.

Tom helped her up and made sure she wasn’t on you, but you swatted his hands away.

“Leave her alone.” You whispered. You grabbed her face and took her in. Her sweet face started making you cry.

“Don’t cry, mummy.” Your daughter brought her hands to wipe away your tears.

“I’m just really happy to see you, sweetie.” You nodded, giving her a sad smile.

“You’re crying because you’re happy?” She looked up at you with her beautiful eyes.

“Yeah,” You let out a breathy chuckle. “I love you, sweetie, never forget mummy loves you so much.” You started crying again. All she did was nod understanding.

Tom started sniffling as he watched the scene in front of him. He hated this so much. He wiped his eyes before coming to sit on the other side of the bed. 

“Daddy mummy’s crying,” Ava told him. “You’re crying too.”

“Yeah, I am.” He laughed. You brought up your hand to caress his right cheek. He leaned into your touch, closing his eyes tightly as he kept your hand there with his own hand. 

“I love you both so much.” You whispered.

“We both love you so much more.” Tom opened his eyes and gazed at you. You stared at him before nudging your head in the direction of your daughter. He immediately understood what you wanted him to do.

“Ava, I want you to know…that we both love you so much.” Tom began telling her. “I also need you to understand that mummy is going to be gone for a little while.” He spoke his words carefully.

“Where is she going?” Her voice was small but curious.

“I don’t know...but we will see her again, eventually.” He wasn’t lying.

“Mummy loves you so much, Ava. Never forget to be-”

“To be patient and be kind!” Ave finished smiling.

“Always.” You nodded before embracing her. Her little body flushed against yours. You caressed her hair and placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Give mummy a kiss,” Tom instructed her. You pulled back and she planted a big kiss on your lips.

“Muah.” You said smiling at her.

“Ava why don’t you go and find grandma and grandpa okay.” Tom helped her get off the bed.

“No, I don’t wanna leave mummy,” Ava whines, pouting her lips at you.

“Ava, sweetie can you let me talk to daddy alone.” You made her look at you.

“Okay.”

“That’s my good girl.” You kissed her head once more. She copied your action and pecked your cheek one more time.

Ava climbed down the bed and ran to the entrance. She stopped and turned around giving you a wave. 

“Bye mummy.” She smiled her sweet smile at you. 

“Bye, my sweet girl…” You choked back a sob at her words.

Then she was out the door. Then the waterworks started. “T-Take care of her, Tom.” You started crying as he hugged you. You began sobbing into his shoulder.

“I will. I promise.” His voice muffled into your hair.

“I love you.” You pulled back and pecked his lips. That wasn’t enough for him though. He held your face in his hands and crushed your lips together.

It had scared you how easily your future could change. All your ambitions and dreams ripped away from you in an instant. Everything you’ve hoped to accomplish wouldn’t happen. A happy life where you would watch your daughter grow up…would not happen. 

“Will you do something for me?” You pressed your head against his.

“Anything, I’ll do anything.”

“Take me somewhere else, I wanna dance.” As silly as your request may have sounded, Tom didn’t argue with you. He didn’t tell you that you had to stay in bed, he didn’t ask if he were allowed to take you somewhere. He just did it.

And that’s how you found yourselves standing in an empty cafeteria. All the lights were off, so the only light in the room was from the hallways. All the tables and chairs were put away leaving so much room to move around.

You clung to Tom not wanting the touch of him to vanish. You didn’t want to go numb to everything you felt.

You both swayed side to side. No music playing at all. That was the thing though, you two didn’t need music to dance. You and Tom could hear the soft melody play in your heads, and in your hearts.

Tom gently grabbed your hand and twirled you around. He couldn’t help but smile at how beautiful you looked even if you were dawning a hospital gown, a brown long cardigan, and worn-out slippers.

You and Tom didn’t need anybody else to make this moment real and true. You started thinking about how he was going to get by without you, but you quickly diminished that thought only wanting to think about this moment right here.

He spun you around again only this time he pulled you even closer than before.

“I love you.” You whispered as you kissed him for the last time.

“I love you so much.” He breathed out.

You rested your head on his shoulder, gripping onto his jean jacket tightly. Tom nuzzled his head into the side of your neck taking deep breaths.

You felt Tom’s arms tighten around you. Almost in a desperate way of not wanting to let you go. You didn’t want to let go. You could feel yourself slipping. You were doing everything you could to hold on. It was hard for you though.

Then that’s when he felt it. Your hands were losing their grip slowly. Your hands began to slide down his back. Tom held your head against his shoulder. 

Then the melody stopped.

Nothing, but the loud sobs of Tom bouncing off the walls could be heard. He sobbed into your neck. He fell down with you limp in his arms.

[phoenixyfriend]

Rey Gives No F*cks About the Grandfather Paradox

Okay so since nobody’s suggested a fic under these terms, I ended up expanding on this post on discord and things snowballed. We kept to the basics of the entire plot revolving around Rey really hating her grandad and leveraging her blood relation to not be unalived about it.

With contributions by @atagotiak​, @dracothulhu​, @thepallaspalace​, and several others. The title comes from @gelpenss​.

The basic thing I absolutely need is this: Rey gets thrown back to the middle of the clone wars, and the subsequent plot leans in really heavily on her being, genetically-via-clone-dad, the daughter of the guy running the entire galaxy.

Nobody knows what to do with her.

The timing is mid-TCW for the past (because I want Ahsoka there) and vaguely between Episodes 8 and 9 because I... never watched E9 and don’t want to worry about the timeline. The only things that matter is that Luke is dead (he can die as he did in canon) and that Rey knows she’s Palp’s granddaughter (not the way she does in canon).

We'll say Luke found out from Anakin's panicked force-ghost and just went "well, fuck, okay, I should tell her this before she ends up in a situation like mine and finds out mid-battle or something."

Luke, prior to time-travel: Okay, so, now that I'm dead I know some things I didn't before. Like who your parents were. In the interest of full disclosure because I was in a very similar situation and I don't want you learning the way I did, I'm just going to come right out and say that your father was a clone was Sheev Palpatine. Rey: ... Luke: Are you okay? Rey: I don't know who that is.

(She grew up on Jakku, the history education was a little subpar.)

Setting The Scene

Imagine Rey showing up during or immediately before the clone wars. There’s this phenomenally powerful feral teenager from a desert backwater who tells you that if you ran a paternity test, it would probably pop up the Chancellor. She may or may not bring up cloning. She accuses said Chancellor of being a Sith Lord.

Your other phenomenally powerful feral teenager from a desert backwater, who may not be a teenager anymore but only barely, is very offended by this because Palpatine’s a Very Nice Old Grandfather Figure, but also he’s a little full of side-eye because if the blood test comes back as proof, then Palpatine had a kid and didn’t even know about them, or lied to Anakin, and that’s! Bad! Family’s important!!!

Palpatine hears about this daughter he apparently? Has? And is very confused because the timing doesn’t match up with ANYTHING he was doing, so the kid isn’t natural, and he says as much. (There is an explanation! It’s not a correct explanation, but he does come up with one.)

Finn and Poe and BB-8 all get dragged along because why not have the gang there? Nobody that’s already born, because [handwave] conservation of souls or something, IDK, point is the only person dragged along that’s even remotely close to already existing is Luke’s Force Ghost, who mostly hangs around begging Rey to be less impulsive. Finn is good because he is a nice polite boy, but for actual useful information they need Poe. The unfortunate situation is that the three do not land together. They land at the same time, in completely different corners of the galaxy. This means that nobody is there to curb Rey being her most impulsive self.

Time travel Rey knows two things. Luke’s dad ends up evil. Palpatine has always been evil.

She can solve one of these problems by killing the other, yes?

Rey: Ready to Rumble

See, the initial idea was this: Rey tried to break into the senate to kill Palpatine, got arrested, and then used the "he's biologically my father" card to get out of jail free. (Force Ghost Luke follows her like “please take five seconds to think this through.”)

But.

But.

It would be very, very, very funny if The Force just dumps her in a flash of light in the senate building and she just attacks Gramps on sight. Just a shouted "YOU!" and no-hesitation attempted murder.

Palpatine has no idea what's going on.

Rey took maybe two seconds to get identity confirmation and then started swinging.

[Image Description: An individual in a green metal helmet with an eye slit, holding a pistol. In the upper left, upper right, and lower middle are the phrases “I do not know who I am...” “I don’t know why I’m here” and “All I know is that I must kill.” End description.]

Of course, she gets arrested. There are Master Jedi in the Senate. There are Clone Troopers. Palpatine isn’t the weak old man he pretends to be. Of course she’s stopped.

But she isn’t executed in time for Palpatine to stop her from ruining his entire reputation.

Immediately after Rey fails to kill her Shitty Granddad, Luke's ghost shows up and begs her to not talk about the Sith thing because it will completely undermine everything she's trying to do. Pass off the attempted murder as something else!

Rey, panicking: "that fucker left me on a desert planet for 10 years!" "You owe me 19 years of child support you son of a Hutt!"

The Jedi have to do the investigation, because the girl showed up with a laser sword, and the conversation is, uh... interesting. (“Where did you get that lightsaber?” “I got it from a mysterious old pirate lady I never met before. I don't know, I was being shown around by a smuggler and a Wookie.”)

Interviewer: Why did you try to assassinate the Chancellor? Luke: Say it wasn't assassination. Rey: It wasn't assassination. Int: You weren't trying to kill him? Luke: Assassination has to be politically motivated. Rey: This was, um... not political. Assassination is political, right? Int: You mean this was personally motivated? Rey: Yes. Int: I see. What personal motivation? Luke: Jakku! Rey: He's my grandfather. Int: ... Rey: Possibly father. Nobody was very clear on that. Int: ... Luke: Tell them to run a paternity test. Rey: Oh hey, a blood test would tell us which, right? Int: ............ Rey: I spent ten years as an orphaned scrapdealer on Jakku. He's my father. I'm kind of a little angry. Int: ........... Luke: Good job, kid. You bought yourself some time. Int: I'm going to get a medic to see about that parternity test.

Obviously, it comes back positive. Congratulations, Sheev, you’re the father.

Rey comes with a ready-made built-in excuse for hating Palpatine that nobody can question or fault her for!

Rey, pouring Truth into the Force: I didn't even know I was related to the Chancellor until a few months ago, but it's his fault I grew up the way I did, and he should take some responsibility!

The entire thing is mostly kept hush hush but someone leaks it to the press and Palpatine's ratings tank.

"Chancellor, I think we'll need to waive family visitation until she wants you a little less dead." "I would like to find out why she wants me dead, and indeed, where she came from." "...sir, for your own safety--"

Who would win? A master plan years in the making spanning decades of manipulating and work? or One (1) paternity test

"Okay, so, Rey Palpat--" "Ew, no, I don't want his name." "You--okay. Sure, we can understand that. Is there a name you would prefer to put on the paperwork?" Rey, who would have gone by Skywalker in honor of Luke but can't do that when Anakin is right there and all: "Can I think about it?"

Rey: I don't know what I want my last name to be but I know I don't want his, and most of the people I’d want a name from have famous families like you... Luke's ghost, pointing out the Literal Nobody that she cares about a lot: How about Solo? Rey: ...Solo, then.

(A few months later she runs into Poe again and he offers for Finn and Rey to both take his name because honestly they need SOMETHING but at that point she’s already decided on Smuggler Dad.)

Backtrack a bit. We’ve got a bigger cast.

They all arrive separately. Poe, for one, does better than Rey, who is aiming for a murder, but not quite as well as Finn, who is currently being adopted and hidden like a secret cat by a bunch of Alpha Clones on Kamino. He vibes with the names-or-numbers thing. He doesn’t necessarily tell them where and when he’s from, but he’s very sweet and a great liar and they adopt him wholesale anyway.

The Finn situation is just... "Buir Ti, we need you to hide this man, we've decided he's our little brother but if Nala Se finds out she'll make him leave."

Of course, this leads into Shaak Ti teaching Finn how to Jedi.

Maybe consider Finn needing to almost be tricked into learning Jedi things because he willfully forgets it could apply to him. Finn does not like to think of himself as special, which is super valid, but frustrating for Shaak Ti when it comes to, you know, getting him to acquire knowledge. Finn's training at some point is "here, levitate objects with the Force to entertain the tubies." It’s a lot easier to convince him to practice when it involves the babies.

(Everyone on Kamino looked at Finn and went “oh I love him I’m keeping him and teaching him things.”)

(He’s just very lovable.)

Poe, meanwhile, buys the trust of Anakin Skywalker via R2D2 declaring BB-8 the absolute most baby of droids. R2D2 met BB-8 three hours ago but.

"Hey Obi-Wan this is Poe I met him like five days ago but R2D2 says he checks out because his droid is a baby." "That's nice, Anakin, did you know the Chancellor has a daughter who tried to assassinate him in broad daylight yesterday? Because guess who had to stop the Chancellor from getting assassinated by his daughter in broad daylight yesterday."

A summary so far:

Finn, on Kamino: Hey, um, I don't know where this is, but it's not where I was a few minutes ago. Do you think you could get me a comm? What's your name? Poe, on [dice roll] Denon: Oh, hey, you're General Skywalker? Nice to meet you, I'm so sorry about my droid, she's a little excitable and thought your R2 unit looked like a friend of hers-- Rey, on Coruscant: DIE, GRANDFATHER

Finn: [Peacefully vibing on Kamino, unaware of the chaos and bonding with the clones] Poe: [Trying to explain how he knows someone who tried to kill the chancellor and defend Rey] Rey: [Arrested for trying to kill the chancellor]

Just... just...

Anakin: Some guy ended up lost on base yesterday with his droid, how’s your day going? Obi-Wan: I had to stop someone who claims to be the chancellors daughter from murdering the chancellor after she seemingly blinked into existence in the Senate building. Poe: 😐

(Poe: Oh, so that's where Chaos^2 went.)

Poe: In her defense, she is his... well we don't know if she's his daughter or granddaughter, but she's definitely related to him, and she definitely grew up in a shitty situation that was his fault, so...

(Poe is trying very hard to explain this and not get arrested on the military base.)

As you’ve probably guessed, what's especially funny about all of this for me is the fact that Palpatine is fully aware that this girl shouldn't exist, but can't find a single piece of evidence about where she came from. He didn't start any experiments that could result in a female child, and he didn't have sex in that period of time, so where the hell--

Rey spends so much time in jail... BUT they do eventually assign her a Jedi Master. Possibly before she actually proves her evil grandfather is in fact evil. Most votes went to either Plo Koon or Obi-Wan. Plo, because he’s dad-shaped, and Obi...

"Obi-Wan, you already raised one feral desert child with implausible amounts of power, you handle this." Rey in return is very "Sweet, you vaguely remind me of Master Luke," and nobody knows who the hell she's talking about. Obi-Wan is NOT on board with this plan, she'd really be better off with Plo or like........ Mace.

Reunion Tour

What I need out of this is the eventual Finn and Rey reunion scene that is just excited screaming while someone in the background explains to Shaak Ti that yes this is apparently Palpatine's terrifyingly force-sensitive daughter who hates him.

(Finn senses Rey’s approach and just. Gathers the everyone to wait. He’s just :D REY MY FRIEND REY GUYS MY FRIEND REY IS COMING.)

Anakin shows up with Poe--just a guy who signed on to the military, no big deal--and then Poe and Rey are EXCITED and everyone's just like "Cool, how do you know this literal terrorist child?" And Poe has to scramble and "Uhhhhhhhhhhhh she saved my droid from a scrapheap once and BB-8 is basically my child so I owe her one."

Rey knows that Anakin ends up evil so she’s maybe not actively hostile but definitely very “I’m watching you.” That said, she vibes with him on a lot of things that he maybe doesn’t actively notice.

Rey picks up a snake, snaps off the head for venom avoidance, and starts biting off chunks. Obi-Wan's reaction: [undisguised horror] Anakin and Ahsoka: Ooh, where'd you find that? (Obi-Wan: And now I’m up to three feral children.)

What Does Palpatine Even Do?

OBVIOUSLY at a certain point, Palpatine is just phoning up every ally he has to figure out who broke protocol to synthesize a daughter for him.

So of course, Palpatine blame Plagueis.

She'd have been born five or so years before Naboo, just a few years younger than Anakin. It's such an EASY theory to build a conspiracy around. It is ENTIRELY WRONG, but it’s plausible! And anyone who might have been involved to say otherwise is probably dead!

A random bio-kid shows up you can’t possibly have contributed genes to? Maybe it’s the evil bio spark that did it.

Palpatine tries to placate her with the ‘my genes were stolen for an experiment and I didn’t know’ thing. It doesn’t work because her actual main complaint is he’s evil in her future but he tries.

It'd be a struggle to even get access to her, because of the aforementioned “maybe don’t try to talk to the daughter(?) that hates you” thing, but you know who Palpatine does have access to? The Chosen One.

Rey kind of decides on her favorites early on (she gravitates to Dad Energy and Sad Old Men so Plo and Obi-Wan are on her list, and that means decent time around Anakin and Ahsoka). It's really easy to talk Anakin into helping to some degree because "he'd like to connect to a daughter he never knew" and "a child of her power on a planet like that, you'd know her struggle, my dear boy" and so on. Anakin tries to connect! He tries to play up Sheev’s kind political work and how it can’t have really been his fault! It doesn’t work. Rey does not believe a word of it. Mostly she doesn’t even seem to hear him.

Rey's just like "...oh right, you're the melted mask that Kylo Ren was always ranting about," which means absolutely NOTHING to Anakin, but he mentions it to Palps, who loses his goddamn mind trying to figure out what she's talking about, because it also means absolutely nothing to him.

Here’s the thing: Rey’s already decided that Obi-Wan is cool, because Luke said so, and Plo Koon is dad-shaped, and she also gravitates towards earnest kindness in general, like she made friends with Finn real quick, so Ahsoka? Already getting along great.

She doesn’t dislike Anakin, really, he isn’t evil yet, he’s just... meh. She’s a little suspicious and she likes him less than the others but... Anakin.

Rey, to Anakin: You are my least favorite. Anakin, to Palpatine: YOUR DAUGHTER HATES ME???

And he goes from “she’s a lil standoffish” to “she doesn’t like me” to “she hates me” as is normal for Anakin.

It’s just an escalation of this one time Palpatine wants Anakin to not have rifts and trust issues with a person, at least not until later, because he needs information.

Meanwhile, that very moment, Rey is just like "huh, nobody here is listening to me about how make a sixth-hand carburetor work, where's Luke's dad?"

Anakin is venting to Palpatine about how hard it is to talk to Rey, and she's over in the Temple just like "Hey, that guy was useful last time, I should ask him," but also she only ever thinks of him as Luke's Dad.

(At one point, Obi-Wan is having a bit of a break down, and then Anakin starts having a breakdown about that, meanwhile the clones are (badly) trying to hide Finn behind their backs, Rey is watching Ahsoka practice and being like "I want two lightsabers," and Poe is trying to keep R2 from stealing BB-8 and Force Ghost Luke is just face palming in the background.)

(Rey deserved a saber staff, maybe one that can detach and turn into a jar’kai set. Possibly a pike. Mostly I just wish she got more chances to whack things with a big stick.)