#it doesn't feel in line with dany please

[hylialeia]

you don't get it. she loved him once. she didn't have a maester, she had a brother. he sold their mother's crown to keep them fed. he said Dany, please. she loved him, once.

[dcxdpdabbles]

Hi! I love your writing so much!! I'm currently loving your freelance inventor series! I don't see a lot of danny/bruce fics so it's always fun when you post one!! What danny thinks of the justice league, does he think they're just Bruce's extreme sports friends? Or his kids friends parents?

Danny first meets Bruce's extreme sports friends when Dick plans to introduce Wally-his first boyfriend- on a water skiing trip. It went a little hair-walled due to the misunderstanding.

He had been around the manor with some free time, so he asked Bruce if he could join once Dick brought up the trip and made a comment on how important things he needed to talk about.

Usually, Danny wouldn't have bothered, but because it was so long that thier friendship had started he felt like it was a good time to ask.

At first, both the Waynes appeared to be dancing around the subject that, for a second, Danny thought they didn't want him there. Not wanting to make them feel pressured—and a little embarrassed he had assumed he could tag along—he backtracked quickly, making up an excuse about flying out to see Dani.

There was an awkward dinner that evening, so Danny left immediately. He had planned on staying the night at Wayne Manor, but he felt he had overstayed his welcome from his silly request. Instead, he rented a hotel room in the more dangerous parts of the city.

Danny had been on the hotel's phone line all night, attempting to find a plan to take him somewhere close to Dani. He could fly with his powers the rest of the way, but he needed to create some kind of paper trail.

While he listened to the hold music of the airline representative, he felt a wave of shame. At that point, Danny had only known Bruce and Dick for a year- but with various breaks in between visits- and had thought that made them closer. Who did he think he was?

Bruce wanted their relationship to stay as business associates who occasionally hung out but nothing as important as a vacation trip. Danny had just been the idiot who thought himself more important.

Well, he would not be making the same mistake. He would only come back if it involved his work and would find his own lodging from now on. The Waynes had likely not know how to say no to him.

Idiot, Danny thought, pacing in his room and wiping away tears. Idiot. Stupid. Moron. Of course, Bruce Wayne doesn't think of you as a friend! Get a clue!

"Thank you for waiting, Mr. Fenton. A first-class plane ticket to Calais, France, has been booked for you on Monday, July 7th. Would you like to make this a round trip?" the cheerful woman asks him, and he sniffs.

"No. It's a one-way. I won't be coming back here for a while." The words feel like knives in his chest

She doesn't notice as she chirps "Alright then, that has been done for you. Thank you for using Wayne Airlines!"

Ugh, he even used Bruce's planes by accident. At least this will be the last thing he annoys the man with. The following morning, bright and early Danny is out the door with his suit case. He makes it all the way to the lobby where he bumps into a fretting Dick and some red head kid.

"Danny!" Dick cries. He flings himself onto his waist, squeezing with all his might. Danny is flabbergasted. "Danny, I only wanted Bruce to go on the water ski trip because I wanted to tell him about my boyfriend! I haven't told him I was bisexual yet, I wanted to tell him on the trip, but I made him swear not to mention it to anyone else, but then you asked to go, and Bruce couldn't figure out a way to tell you no without revealing that I wanted to talk about something important-but then you got sad, and then Bruce got sad and I-"

"Babe." The redhead cuts in. "Breath"

"Danny, please don't be mad at Bruce because of me!" Dick cries, rubbing his face against Danny's stomach. "I promise we didn't want to exclude you!"

Danny's heart melts, both by how cute Dick is and the knowledge that Bruce was just a good dad and not any of his insecure-inspired conclusions. "Oh, Dick. I'm sorry you felt that. I promise I'm not mad, and I'm so proud of you. Thank you for sharing that part of yourself with me."

He leans down to hug the boy, grinning as the ten year old sighs. Then he directs a glare at the redhead. He looks about twelve and frankly, Dick is far too young for a boyfriend. "Who's this?"

"I'm Wally West-"

"I asked Dick"

"Oh."

Dick leans back. "This is Wally. He's my best friend and boyfriend! Wally, this is Danny- he's like my second dad."

"It's nice to meet you, sir!" The redhead gulps as Danny's eyes narrow.

"Pleasure." He says in a voice that means anything but. "Dick, sweetie, how did you get here? Does Bruce know where you are?"

"Wally and I...ugh took a cap." Dick everts his eyes. "Bruce was talking to his friends trying to convince them to go on the trip too. He wanted to prove you were his special friend to his regular friends."

A thrill ran through Danny. He was Bruce Wayne's best friend!? "You know I think I can take you kids back home myself. Maybe we can still make a water ski trip!"

Both boys blink owlishly. "Yeah...maybe. Let me just call Uncle Barry to make sure he's going, too."

Wally sprinted to the front desk to borrow their landline while Dick stayed behind, babbling to Danny about how he knew he was bi and how he met Wally. Mentally, Danny was drafting a lecture to give Bruce for allowing his boy to date a co-worker and friend's nephew, especially at this young age! He didn't let his thoughts appear on his face, only nodding and smiling between Dick's word vomits.

Meanwhile, on Wally's side, he uses the Justice League hotline to speak to his Uncle. His call was transferred to the meeting with all the original founders as he used the emergency code accesses Barry had taught him.

His call was placed on speaker for everyone to hear.

"Code Teal for B! Code Teal for B!" he hissed into the phone. The rest of the members sat up straighter and sent Batman looks of alarm. Code Teal was a spouse or lover who thought a hero was cheating on them because of the mission's old hours. We needed to come together to cover for them.

Batman was hiding his face in his hands. ".....Confirm Code Teal."

"Oh and before I forget Code Artificial red for Dick and me" Wally shouts, ignoring the imploding shouts from Batman or Uncle Barry.He hung up not wanting to explain that the boys had chosen to use Fake-out-make-out in order to convince Danny to stay.

He wouldn't mind dating Dick, but maybe later when they were both older. Not that Danny needed to know that.

[acesofspadess]

Kids Choice Awards

a/n: I know I know.... but im back! the next chapters are a build up so stay with me!

Award season was not done yet. After the Brits you had limited time to relax as you were heading out to America for the Kids Choice Awards. 

Going through airports would probably never get easier. Paps constantly shouting and the blinding flashes of light was not even the worse. It was the fact that Harry and Niall were the worst at getting through them. You, Liam, Louis, and Zayn always formed a bubble around them. Being friends with Beverly meant you were always in crowds, she was -rightfully so- the most popular girl at school.

After making it through the Paps and security you were headed onto the private jet. “You okay?” you asked the boys who were sitting staring out the window as the plane took off. “Yeah it just doesn't get easier does it?” Harry spoke into the blanket held close to his chin. “It will. I promise it won't take as much affect out of you.” he smiled as best he could at you before looking back out the window

You looked over at Zayn who was already asleep and chuckled before looking at Louis and Liam. Liam had been having a rough patch with his girlfriend and they decided a break was needed between them, you could see how much it really affected him. Louis and Elenor tho, that was something different, they were a relatively happy couple. They had known each other before you all had blown up and you knew Louis cherished that.

‘Li,” you whispered as the seatbelt sign went off. “You ‘right?” you walked over to his chair and he opened his arms for you. You went and sat in his lap as he held you. “Dani and I are thinking of calling it.” He whispered and your heart broke for him. “But i thought you were just taking a break and then getting back when tour was over?” He shrugged his shoulders in response, “told me she didnt want to wait that long.” you hugged him tighter knowing that's all he really wanted. 

“I love you Bow,” you smiled looking down at him, “i love you so much.” you kissed the top of his repeating the same words back to him as he held you tighter. It wasn't easy being a bunch of teens forced into proximity, feelings were going to arise, as they had with you harry and niall, but they same also happened with zayn, louis, and liam. It seemed they all really did have some sort of a crush on you, and you them. 

The lines were blurry, very blurry, but it just changed everyone's meaning of friendship in the band. There was a ton more flirting than any normal friendship group, and your stereotypical boundaries were always crossed. But it worked for all of you, and that's the only thing that mattered. 

You were in a separate room from the boys as Lou was getting you ready. “I don't think you understand how much I love having you here Lou.” you two laughed and continued talking not worried about what the boys were doing.

“We want to make it official with Autumn.” Niall spoke to the boys in their shared room. They all cheered loudly before Harry was shutting them down. “Hey she right there.” he pointed at the wall where you technically were. “She can't hear us.” Zayn shrugged off. “How are you gonna do it? 

“Just do it now.” 

They all snapped their heads towards the door. “You were pretty loud.” Harry and Niall came over to you with their heads down. “We wanted to make it special.” Harry sighed, throwing his head on your shoulder. “I know love.” you giggled at his pout. “I'm sorry.” you whispered looking at him and Niall. ‘Its okay.” Niall added softly. “But will you be with us officially?” 

You smiled widely looking both boys. “Idk, Louis what do you think?” Harry and Niall groaned as everyone laughed. “Don't ask them, they're gonna say no!” Harry complained and you took his face in your hands. “I'm taking the piss of course i'll be with you guys officially.”

You kissed Harry quickly and then Niall as the boys and now Lou and Paul cheered. “I love you three, but we have to go. Autumn, shoes please.” Paul laughed looking at your bare feat which should have been in heels.

So far the awards were exactly what you thought. Very kiddy. It was so cute. Hearing the cheers when you were announced for performances was so cute. 

Seeing all of these celebrities was still such a new thing for you. Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Andrew Garfield who the boys knew was your favourite. 

The entire show was full of the whole band laughing and dancing at all the events of the show. It was finally your turn to perform now.

“After being discovered on the U.Ks X-factor.”

“They just made music history, by being the only british group to top the american charts, with their first album. Which also topped the charts in 15 other countries.”

“They are… Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry, Louis, and my favourite Autumn.”

“Here is One Direction.”

The stage went dark as the 6 screens sketched outlines of your body. The whole thing was like a glitch. Then, there you were as the first notes of ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ played.

All of you were dressed in black and white. You jumped around the stage as if you would in a concert and high fived some of the fans by the stage. You and Harry made sure that you made it back for your solo in the middle as the lights dropped and the spotlight was on you.

You were successful this time around and went back to jumping around on stage, punching the biggest balloon you've ever seen.

The rest of the show went smoothly and when it was done you were meeting so many different people. Michelle Obama wanted to meet you and you almost passed out. Even being from a different country she did amazing things for black women like yourself. 

The boys made sure you met Andrew Garfield which turned out to be in your favour as he had wanted to meet you too. You exchanged numbers promising to stay in touch. You met the cast of Victorious and iCarly and the cast of Hunger Games which made you nervous beyond reason.

At the end of the night at the after party you were all dancing around and saw Harry and Taylor chatting. You saw Harry look at you and waved you over. “Hi it's so nice to meet you.” your accent was a little thicker than normal based on how tired you were. “I absolutely love you in the band.” Taylor commented back and smiled widely as she did. “She is the leader, the only one keeping us together. She's really the best.” you looked up at him with teary eyes. “Stop it Haz.” you pouted as he kissed your forehead and wrapped an arm over your shoulder. 

You ended up leaving them as others wanted to see you. By the end of night your social battery was dead. You fell right into bed between Niall and Harry slowly drifting to sleep. “So happy you're ours.” Harry mumbled into your neck. “So happy.” Niall added before you let sleep over take you.

~~~~~~

tags:

@youcan-nolonger-run @ravenclawdirectioner

@luxiorchive  @superlegend216

Up All Night Masterlist

Worth The Risk Masterlist

[missrubybird]

Seven Sims and a Unicorn

Thanks to the EA Creator Network I was able to get the new Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack a little earlier and right away got to making a bunch of townies to go with the lore and existing pre-made Sims in Chestnut Ridge.

Below the cut you’ll find:

The Sims Download Link

Sims’ Backstories and Traits

CC Links and Credits

All Sims have all 8 Outfits using only HR and Basegame

Have fun!   ♥️ 🦄 ♥️

CC Links: Freckles//Lashes (make sure to download all 3 versions!)

Please Note:

There is CC included in the Download Files, make sure to put it in your Mods Folder along with the CC linked above! 

You need a No EA Lashes mod for the Sims to look exactly like they do in the pictures!

The Unicorn has my Default horse eyes, please be aware of this in case you're using other horse Defaults

Credits:@tamosim@vibrantpixels@vegantrait@rheallsim  Thank you so much for your generous TOUs! ♥️♥️♥️

DOWNLOAD

Sims' Backstories (from left to right and top to bottom):

Issi Miashintubbee (loves the outdoors/loyal/rancher) Tula Miashintubbee (silly)

Issi comes from a long line of ranch owners and was supposed to take over her parents' ranch and business and get married to the father of her daughter Tula. To her family's shock and surprise one day she decided she was tired of everyone's expectations and the path already decided for her and packed her stuff and set off with Tula into the unknown to find out what it is that she really wants. Will she find her fortune in Chestnut Ridge? And what does Tula think of all this?

River Dempsey (loves the outdoors/perfectionist/horse lover) Milla Dempsey (bookworm)

River, widowed and possibly looking for love, is a passionate horse breeder and father who would like nothing more than to impart said passion for riding and horses on his daughter Milla. After all, there are competitions coming up! To his great disappointment Milla is all about books and hopes to one day become a published author. It's not that she doesn't like horses but she would much rather think up stories and spend her free time browsing the library.

Yona Kitegista (cheerful/outgoing/foodie)

Yona has run the Oak Barrel Bar as long as anyone can remember and she takes great pride in making the most popular nectar in town. If only there weren't those two youngsters, Marissa and Dani, who seem to have quite the touch at making new and exiting flavors of nectar. Her old friend and childhood sweetheart Don Gooseman is convinced hers is the best around but Yona isn't sure she won't have to change up her longstanding recipe to keep up with the competition!

Jaxen Tracey (creative/music lover)

Jaxen is Marissa's brother and the newest addition to the household, although Dani isn't too sure what to think of this, since things have been a little tense between her and Marissa lately. And now Jaxen is here, playing that music of his rather loudly! Marissa and Dani can tell that he is quite talented but his electro beats are a bit of a sore thumb among the blues lovers of Chestnut Ridge. All the while, Jaxen isn't so sure either what to make of his new surroundings. Will he eventually don the country fashion, get on that horse and become a blues lover?

Arabella von Rosenberg (intelligent/brave/friendly) Charley Bullhorn (rancher/romantic/familyoriented)

Why does Charley have a pink, sparkling unicorn, you wonder? No one knows, but he sure is proud of his beautiful, prize-winning Arabella. The two have travelled all over the country from shows to competitions but now Charley feels like it's time to settle down and find a permanent place to stay. Some may think he's a bit of a ladies man but actually he's a bit shy and secretly wants to have a big family. Can charming Arabella help him find the love of his life? And maybe Arabella too might find a new equestrian friend?

[throwawayasoiafaccount]

Rhaegar did not love Lyanna, rather it was a seduction to have his prophecy, just as he did not love Elia, that is obvious, it is implied between the lines that he wanted a third child, what they justify to say that he loved her are trivial things.

The story of Bael the bard, for example, is used as an example, but it doesn't say that Bael loved the winter rose, it only says that she loved him.

This quote I saw says the opposite of Rhaegar loving Lyanna someone had a “rhaegar was a romantic hero” shirt. parris agreed then george said there was something romantic to rhaegar. whether a hero or not, depends on the perspective. “today's hero may be tomorrow' villain,” pointing out how time can change reputation.—— asshai interview source of the quote: elio garcia, a writer of twoiaf who was present at the barcelona interview

the opinions about rhaegar are provided by people who were in love with rhaegar joncon cercei or like barristan or jaime who feel guilty and also barristan says that nobody has really met rhaegar but they are based on ned's opinion when ned doesn't speak ill of the dead or badly of people i don't think lyanna told him anything about rhaegar what he did to her if he found her very serious

I think he manipulated her and locked her in his tower without medical help because he didn't do things right because he didn't come to an agreement with his family but he didn't make her his mistress and left her with three guards while he went to fight for his father who killed Brandon and his father and still condemned a child to be a bastard knowing the prejudices of Westeros so it's not a love story

it’s obvious that you have confirmation bias and do not care to engage in a meaningful discussion. it seems that you’d rather play into ridiculous headcanons that border on fanon, but i don’t mind humoring you :)

you claim that it is implied that rhaegar didn’t love lyanna and that he only seduced her for prophecy, and yet the reality is that this is only a headcanon with very little textual basis. the idea comes from one of daenerys HotU visions, which can be interpreted in numerous ways. the idea also sorta comes from a Jon Con chapter when he remembers that the maesters told rhaegar that elia would have no more children. that is all the textual basis that this headcanon has. that is it. there’s no mention of lyanna in any of these scenes. if george wanted to connect the idea that rhaegar only wanted lyanna for a prophecy, he’d find a way to bring it up in a much clearer way. honestly… treating these two scenes like the gospel is dumb as hell, and if i analyzed the text this way i could confirm any crackpot theory i wanted to.

on the other hand, rhaegar and lyanna being a love story has actually already played out in the show (though i hate the show). lyanna and rhaegar also have official artwork where they’re together, and if i need to read between the lines instead of taking POV characters thoughts about rhaegar and lyanna being a love story for foreshadowing, then all i need to do is go to danys chapter as she’s marrying hizdahr as she wishes (putting herself in lyanna’s shoes) that daario would carry her off like rhaegar did with lyanna. that is actual foreshadowing. your headcanon meets the bare minimum requirements of a headcanon, and borders on a fanon take

you also say that bael the bards love story with the winter rose isn’t supposed to be romantic, so i think you actually struggle to read between the lines. please remember that it is ygritte who tells jon snow that bael stole the winter rose. stole. in free folk culture, men stealing women is marriage, and it means the man wants the woman because he chose her. the idea is that a woman must fight back if she doesn’t want to be stolen, and i’d like to remind you that you are the one who said that the winter rose loved bael… so what does that tell you about lyanna’s opinion on rhaegar? also, ygritte actually parallels herself with the winter rose (with some sexual innuendo), which also connects her with lyanna, meaning jon’s playing both bael and rhaegar, and we know for certain that jon did love ygritte. another bael the bard type story that plays out is when jon sends mance to steal arya back. mance calls himself abel and we know that arya was actually jeyne, so i think it’s clear that mance and jeyne are acting as jon and aryas stand ins, which tells me that i should take jon and aryas feelings into account as they are the ones that are actually paralleling the bael (rhaegar) and the winter rose (lyanna). and we know for certain that jon adores arya and that arya wants to go to jon, so i think it’s very well supported that rhaegar and lyanna loved each other. can you tell that i’m reading between the lines? i think i’m doing a great job at it.

you claim that our sources on rhaegar are not reliable, or that bael the bards story isn’t a love story, all while providing a quote (though i do not know where you got it from, and frankly i do not trust you) where george supposedly says that there was something romantic to rhaegar… idk what to tell you at this point. also, the stuff george supposedly says about rhaegar being a hero or not or “todays hero may be tomorrows villain” is literally stated to be about rhaegar’s huge change in reputation. it’s not confirming anything about rhaegar and lyanna. truthfully, it’s only hinting that rhaegar was a romantic. tbh, it seems like geroge considers rhaegar a hero based on the way he worded his thoughts, but that’s just my interpretation of that supposed quote.

your last passage is complete fanon and totally inconsistent with your own logic. if rhaegar supposedly got with her for his prophecy to have a third child, then not having medical help is dumb af. what if the baby died? the reality is that all we know about the tower of joy comes from an unreliable dream ned has. the dream doesn’t depict what actually happened. tbh i don’t even want to cover anything else you’re saying because it’s just not supported by the text.

i don’t think you realize how hypocritical you are.

[kingofthering]

vr46 Marc, a little over 900 words that came from : this video of Vale presenting his helmets collection, this text post of mine and this poll by @moonshynecybin

set in Tavullia at Vale's museum, after Valencia 2023

"Okay, so," Valentino starts right next to his ear. Marc still doesn't think that his step ladder is made for two people and the lack of space has Valentino pressed against his back, their left hands almost touching where they're both holding onto the highest bar. Valentino uses his right hand to point at a line of helmets and Marc follows his instruction. "Here we have the people that made me have my best moments in MotoGP," Valentino says. He's using his teaching voice, the one he uses when he's explaining something to the guys at the ranche, his hand going wild in front of a paper board and the circuit clipped to it. Marc feels hot. He keeps his eyes on the helmets in front of him. "Andrea Dovizioso, Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, and, from the race in Valencia in 2023 when he was racing for my team and helped us win the team championship, Marc Marquez."

Marc looks at his helmet, reads the message that he spent way too much time thinking about before finally being able to put a marker against the visor. He already knows his message by heart. Already could recite what Valentino wrote for him, too.

Valentino's chin dips into Marc's shoulder and his hand cover Marc's on the handle bar. "I"m sorry it took so long to get there but it's fixed, now."

Marc closes his eyes. It's fixed now. Right. The implications of those words feel like so much, even for Valentino's standards.

Marc takes a deep breath. "I almost slept with a stranger in Thailand. A guy I met at the hotel bar."

When Marc opens his eyes, he watches Valentino's hand leave his, can feel the heat from Valentino's chest disappearing as he draws back. When Marc turns around, Valentino is back on the ground, leaning against the counter of the central island just a meter in front of Marc.

Valentino has his arms crossed in front of himself but it doesn't feel defensive, not really. He doesn't seem mad, either. His head is tilted to the side, waiting Marc out.

Marc stays on the top step of the stool. Being taller than Valentino for once is not that bad of a thing, Marc doesn't care about how ridiculous he looks.

"We were just talking and then I received a text from you, the one where you asked me if we could get lunch or dinner together when I got to Malaysia, and I guess something must have showed on my face because I ended up talking to him about you. We moved on after that and he offered to have a last drink in his room and I contemplated it but I just couldn't."

Marc watches as Valentino opens his mouth, ready to react. He shakes his head. "Don't. Don't say I should have or don't apologize, it's not– Don't bother. The not having been with anyone since I got here is a me issue and maybe you played a role in it since we kissed but it's fine. I'll fix it."

It might be a lie and the most ridiculous thing he's said in a while but Valentino doesn't need to know that or worse, call him out on it. It's bad enough that Marc is half admitting to it.

"Marc–"

"And please don't say that you haven't been with anyone else either just to please me. My ego is fine. I don't need that."

Valentino chuckles at that and Marc feels his cheeks go up in flames.

"You really think I've been fucking everyone left and right for the past months? That's who you think I am?"

Valentino does seem a little offended and Marc might feel bad about it, just a tiny bit. "Do you want me to remind you about your "making out while shotgunning just happens easily" thing? And I've seen you flirt with people in the past, let's not pretend you can't have anyone you want."

The pictures from Indianapolis come flooding Marc's mind. Always Indianapolis. The guy on Valentino's lap, Valentino stealing a kiss from him, Valentino's hands finding the guy's hips while he stands behind him to dip his head down and kiss his neck, Marc on the other side of the room trying to not choke on his beer.

"Don't worry, I've left my whore tendencies in the past. I'm too old for that now, it shows."

Marc blinks at him, his face the definiton of disbelief.

"Oh come on Marc, I'm not fishing for compliments here. I'm hitting 45 in three months, you really want to pretend I didn't look better a decade ago?"

Marc huffs. "Well, not with those hideous sideburns, no."

Valentino bursts out laughing at that and Marc finds himself smiling with him, some of the tension in his shoulders getting released.

"Marc," Valentino calls for him again and this time he has one hand extended in front of himself. His face is open, gentle, maybe a little concerned too. It's a bunch of emotions Marc hadn't seen on Vale's face in a long time. It's a bunch of emotions Marc has gotten used to again over the last months, ones he could appreciate seeing more of, in the future.

Marc accepts Valentino's hand and steps down from the stool.

[justplainwhump]

Cemetery

I don't exactly know where this came from, but this has been written for @flashfictionfridayofficial, "An Empty Grave".

Part of my Angel series, set far into her recovery. Dedicated to @winedark-whump.

Content / warnings: Referenced presumed death, past death of a loved one, grief, memory loss due to conditioning/brainwashing, identity struggles, recovery. Set in the BBU multiverse.

Making Angel, the documentary about her was called. Angel hadn't watched it. Others had, Miguel had, and her lawyer. They said it was well done, empathetic but not too much, clear and direct, but not too intrusive. So she'd nodded, and given her approval.

She had however listened to the transcript, at some point. Not the film's audio, but her screen reader with the written transcript, unemotional and distanced. Even filtered as much as possible through the screen reader's neutral, pleasant voice, though, she'd felt sick listening to Danielle Hammond. Or Dany, as her friends called her.

Angel was not her friend.

She had still moved her lips along Danielle's lines, tried to feel her patterns of speech, her relaxed happiness, her careless confidence.

It didn't match.

Why should it? Danielle had had a life that Angel never even had a chance at. From Danielle's first moment on, she'd had the entire world laying at her feet. From Angel's first memory on, she'd been kneeling at someone else's feet.

She'd made it, somehow. She didn't kneel any longer, she would never again. Angel knew she was confident as well, more aggressively so than Danielle ever had. She was famous, even. More famous than Danielle. But still, famous because of her. Because Danielle Hammond had once existed, and now all that was left of her was Angel.

There was a scene in the documentary, set on a graveyard. The transcript contained barely any description, but the name of the cemetery had been mentioned in passing. Fairview. It had been lingering in the far end of her consciousness for days, weeks, nagging, itching. 

It was manageable - Angel had learned the hard way how to ignore an itch. But today, after work, when she got into her car - she didn't drive herself, but Mr Hammond insisted she took the services of his driver - she told Anthony not to take her home directly.

Hearing the name of the cemetery, he just nodded.

They rode in silence, as they usually did. Somehow, though, there was something new embedded in the silence today. Anthony pulled into the parking space and opened her door, waiting until she had gotten out to finally speak up. "I can take you," he offered quietly. "It's a bit confusing to navigate… I know where it is."

She grabbed her bag closer and nodded sharply, shoulders straightened. "Please," she said. 

Anthony locked the car and took a sweeping gaze over the cemetery, with the kind of careful attention Angel knew wasn't just for orientation. He wasn't just a driver. 

Fine by her. She didn't like drivers much anyway.

She stepped to his side and followed his gaze. The cemetery spread over the side of a small hill. It was old, she wagered, winding paths, huge trees, crypts and stone statues littered along the pathways between simpler stones.

"Oldest one in town," Anthony said. "And most beautiful. Costs a fortune, today. Boss doesn't compromise. Not for his lit-" He tracked off.

"Not for his little girl," Angel mumbled with a half smile and looked at his concealed gun pointedly. "Yeah. I figured."

Anthony shrugged apologetically and pointed at the gates to their right. "That way."

"It's not me, you know," Angel said, as she followed him. "His little girl."

 "I know." Anthony's voice had become lower as he crossed the iron gates. Not only him, it seemed like everything turned quieter, softer, suddenly. The trees absorbed the noises of the city's rush hour underneath them. Here, they were almost alone. A small group - maybe a family - was gathered at a grave at the far end, an old lady watered plants a bit further uphill. Apart from that, nobody was there. 

He lead her past hedges and benches, underneath low branches and the extended arms of elaborate statures, to a field of larger family graves. 

Angel felt her own steps slow down, all but pulled in by a grave site, a well kept field of white pebbles lined with a polished, wide gravestone, small stone figure of an angel outstretched over it, as it to keep the grave save. "Here we are," Anthony said. 

It wasn't necessary. She knew. Even as she couldn't distinguish the letters, she could feel the familiar shape of the family name engraved in it, sudden pain tearing at her. Hammond. 

Two brass plates underneath it, with more letters. Should've been just one, she thought. Should've been just -

She sank to her knees. "Mom", she whispered tonelessly. She couldn't remember a face, nor a name, just… grief, melancholy, and longing.

Anthony's hand settled on her shoulder, gently reassuring. "Maeve," he said, reading the name on the plaque. "And next to her-"

Danielle.

A fresh white flower lay on her grave.

"I'm sorry," Angel pressed a hand over her mouth, not to sob. "Please, don't, don't te-"

"It's alright. A branch snapped, when Anthony went to his knees next to her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I won't tell anyone."

She nodded, swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. "Is it… Is the grave-"

"They buried an empty coffin."

"It's still… It's still her grave, right?"

Anthony paused. "What do you mean?"

"I'm here," Angel whispered. "The grave is empty. But Dan- she… I think she's still dead."

"See, Angel," He reached out tentatively, and she clutched his hand. "That's entirely up to you."

Angel turned her head to the side, buried her face in Anthony's jacket, and felt his arms close around her.

She cried, longer than she ever had, until the sun had set, and the cold crept through her jeans and up her knees, and there were no tears left in her.

"Okay," she mumbled as she pulled back. "Okay, I'm done."

Anthony didn't ask with what, or to what conclusions she'd come. He just helped her up to her feet, handed her a handkerchief and a pocket mirror, and then guided her back to the car through the nightly cemetery.

"Get you home?", he asked.

She nodded.

The ride, as usual, passed in silence.

But instead of the nagging, there was something new, something she couldn't quite grasp.

Closure, maybe.

[atopvisenyashill]

What do you think would have happened if Viserys II was a girl? how things would have changed?

Ooooo that's interesting.

Well firstly, I want to acknowledge that there's probably a lot of sexual coercion going on here, because there's already a decent amount of sexual coercion going on with Viserys when he's a boy, let alone a girl. Remember Larra is seven years older than him, and he is effectively a hostage in a foreign kingdom with no one coming to save him bc they think he’s dead. he’s also like, barely above toddler age. gender swapping that, imo, puts a girl viserys (obviously called visenya) in a bit more danger (think to the fact that our introduction to dany is her being sexually abused by like three different dudes in a row, or sansa’s sexual humiliation while a hostage in KL, or even cassella vaith - young girls, especially ones in a hostage type situation, with no one to protect them are simply at higher risk of sexual abuse).

That being said, little Visenya still probably goes along the same lines - taken in by the Tyroshi captain, sold in all but name to a magister, and then sold again to the Rogare family, where she is definitely married (and expected to consumate) to one of his younger sons - it’s very unclear how old Lysandro’s children are besides Larra, but I figure there’s probably at minimum 8-9 years difference here. this age gap is not as notable if visenya is a girl - not to anyone but visenya anyway! Like Larra, I imagine whatever Rogare she marries will act as a pseudo brother, father, protector, AND husband, and she will grow incredibly attached to him as a sort of beacon in a storm. When Alyn finds her and brings her home, however, the Regents - especially that nasty fuck maester munkun - are not going to be pleased by this because Visenya is a girl, and therefore not a true heir. This makes life infinitely harder for both Aegon and Daenaera, because they will have the regents breathing down their necks to consummate despite Aegon’s reticence to do so.

However, I think the biggest change would be after Aegon comes of age. He dismisses the regents and reorganizes the small council to his own liking, because he hated the regents (with good reason - after Tyland and Corlys dies, Aegon not only doesn’t have an adult to protect him, but in fact has several actively attempting to trigger him! fuck those guys and fuck their hurt feelings over being dismissed. Maybe they should have been better guardians if they didn’t want Aegon to tell them to fuck off!). See the thing is, it is made very clear that while Rhaena is the technical heir, she is not a real heir. She is a backup in case Aegon dies and that's it. She is not actually meant to ever take the throne. Visenya would be treated the exact same way - not a true heir, merely a convenient body until Aegon and Daenaera have their own kids. Sure, Aegon would love his charming, dashing, loving little sister but he can't make her his hand without causing an uproar. He might be able to name her husband as hand and have a Ronnel/Elaena situation going on here but considering how disliked the Rogares and specifically Larra was, I do imagine that's a bit of a tall ask. So how does Visenya get to act as Hand in all but name? Well, short answer is she doesn't!

We'll circle back around to that one, but then you get to Aegon's kids. With Aegon dying fairly young, they're not going to rely on their aunt - however loved she may have been! - they're going to rely on the men around them. Daeron probably goes similarly, but Baelor becomes a problem. Baelor is the last male line Targaryen. There is no one after him which means he can't just put aside his marriage with Daena - OR we get Baelor the Blessed who locked up his own sisters acclaiming a sister as his heir!

So, you can see how we're gearing up for yet another dance in this scenario!

I think it's a little difficult to say one way or the other how Aegon III treats Visenya without F&B II. I would say with confidence that he loves her, likely has a deep attachment to her. I think they'd both be aware that in another life they would have been married, and the guilt of leaving your dragonless sister behind in battle probably hurts a bit more than leaving a brother (because Viserys can protect himself, but Visenya can't). Aegon III clearly resents the way he's meant to talk about his mother to keep the peace but feels powerless to make any sort of change because of the regents. I wonder if, under these sort of circumstances, if Aegon doesn't just get depressed as he ages but more outwardly bitter and shitty about the war ending in effectively a stalemate. This is an Aegon who is being dogged by his regents to fuck and impregnate his toddler wife that he specifically chose because he doesn't want to have sex any time soon, who is being told that he's not allowed to call the mother he watched be murdered a Queen, that his line descends from Daemon, that he's Aegon the Elder's heir, and now he's expected to also cut every single family member he has left alive - Baela, Rhaena, and now Visenya - out of the line of succession and completely keep it alive all by himself. I think that's a lot of misery and expectation to put on a teenager who is already self harming and dissociating heavily. I think it's really likely that we almost get a Viserys I + female!Daemon scenario, wherein Aegon lets Visenya run free while everyone is screaming that she's a slut who needs to know her place. However this is handled, I think they're gearing up for yet another Dance whether it be one Aegon and Visenya themselves spark or one that sparks when Daeron and Baelor both die childless.

[emilykaldwen]

Hi! A quick question regarding the callout posts mentioning vampire-exgirlfriend "There is a right and a wrong way to engage with media. That is actually an inarguable fact. And there is specifically a right and a wrong way to engage with Fire & Blood/House of the Dragon." - as far as i understand it, this line in their post was the thing that started the argument. May we know what was the take home message of that? Because from a neutral standpoint it looks like they're shaming anyone who doesn't engage with the canon in the way vampire-exgirlfriend does.

Hello anon! Hope you're having a good one! It is rainy here and chilly.

First off: this is absolutely a question you should be asking @vampire-exgirlfriend about directly and not me. And genuinely, please ask her about it (instead of people who decide they want to name drop her in someone's inbox for... whatever reason).

To your question: That wasn't ever the intent. The conversation that spurred the post was about how fandom and parts of fandom treat F&B as a strictly historical document, and the general sense of feeling like people are forgetting that first and foremost F&B is fiction. It's inspired by historical works and history, but it's not an actual historical document and a ton of information is missing that you normally would have when discussing historical texts (like we see people debating normal historians' takes - have you seen Tudor History tumblr??) And because of this missing information, you have a lot of holes and are having to make assumptions and often times I think it's very easy to turn it into George is a bad world builder, etc, instead of embracing the interesting thematic discussions we had/have about the main book series that are rarely taken over by historical meta.

That's it. That was the intent of the post. It wasn't calling anyone out specifically, it was a frustration in fandom for treating F&B like a real world text and the utter lack of literary discussion about it - discussion that I also think rightfully should be a priority when discussing something fictional. That sort of analysis should come first, and the history second. While George's world is inspired by real world history, it's not 1 for 1 translation. He's making commentary, and often times that commentary is rooted on the patriarchy and harm to women and how we have, for one example, this cycle of brother vs sister in the story and that's the core part of Dany's storyline.

And no one, especially @vampire-exgirlfriend, is saying NOT to have historical discussion about it - again, there has been some really fantastic meta about it! but I think, personally, it's gotten to the 'because this happened in the real world, this is why this side is right in the book' and I think the lit analysis has been lost. I equate it to a discussion I had with my cousin who was going on 'but it was like that back then!' and me taking her by the shoulders and going 'dragons and magic aren't real, this is a fantasy book that's inspired' (when I was expressing frustration with poor Sansa's storyline in the show).

TL;DR: Fire & Blood is not an actual historical analysis therefore should not be primarily engaged with as a historical document because it's fiction, or as I like to call it, a 'mock-u-history book'. The historical analysis should supplement it as framework of George's themes.

[writingsofwesteros]

https://www.tumblr.com/magicsky/721852635280474112?source=share

Aelyra is in the beginning stages of her pregnancy, her stomach barely starting to swell and tits fill with milk. Daenerys watches her sister's changes, both loathing and loving them as her desire and frustration builds. Viserys is out doing something so Aelyra invites Dany to bathe with her for old times sake and to catch up on how married life is treating them both.

As they speak, Dany can't help but get lost admiring her twin's beautiful body. She remembers when they would share a bed and Aelyra would allow her to cuddle close to her chest, sometimes bare as they'd just left the bed. Dany remembers how her sister was the one to teach her desire as her dreams became filled with Aelyra squirming from the pleasure Dany gave her. Though she'd never admit it, Dany had pleasured herself right next to her sleeping twin many nights, pulling away Aelyra's thin gowns to give her a good view of her assets... one time she'd even spread her sister's thighs and put her greedy mouth on her pussy, licking softly all over her folds until they were drenched and Aelyra's body was shaking.

Dany is snapped out of her haze when Aelyra begins stepping out if the tub to dry off. As she watched her sister's tits bounce, Dany's pussy gets even wetter and she can't help but hug herself against her sister's back. Aelyra gasps when Dany reaches her hands in front to grab her tits, massaging them nicely and making Aelyra moan guiltily. Dany pushes her sister on her back and quickly mounts her, slotting their legs together and lining up their swollen clits. Daenerys doesn't give Aelyra time to say anything or take in what's hapening before her hips are swiveling at a fast pace.

Dany roughly fucks her sweet older twin, not caring if their brother or her husband walk in on her taking what should've been hers. If she were born with a cock, Aelyra would be her wife and under her like this every night. She feels Aelyra begin to shake so she rolls them over so Aelyra is rutting on top of her. Dany spreads her sister's cheeks, holding onto them tightly as she helps move her pregnant twin over her, their wetness slapping together as their clits dance. Aelyra's eyes are heavily lidded with a bit of tears in them from the overwhelming pleasure and guilt of cheating on her husband. She can't seem to care as her moans fill the place and she gives into the different sensations of being with a woman.

Dany sucks on her twin's flesh anywhere she can, covering her tits and neck with dark bruises. She wants Viserys to know she fucked his wife, as it was her right as her twin. Aelyra collapses against Daenerys when their sensitive nipples rub together and her throbbing clit meets her younger sister's, she can't take much more of this. Dany smirks a bit and pulls her sister closer before thrusting her hips up and bouncing her sister on her lap, making Aelyra ride Dany's swollen clit. They kiss sweetly as Aelyra spasms on top, her bundle of nerves throbbing so hard Dany can't help but cum first and let her wet juices cover her sister's pussy. Aelyra whines before her own release is let known by her loud scream and splash of wetness that drips between her and Dany's still clenching pussies. Daenerys is amazed and encouraged by making Aelyra squirt, knowing from her reaction that was the first time that's happened. — 👑💀 (i haven't edited this, so it's pure horny thoughts that might not make sense lmao)

THE HOTTEST!! And that gif!! YES PLEASE I'm always here for your thoughts thank you, that was soooo good.

I love how Danny feels entitled to her and of course she played with her twin as she slept!!

[khaleesiofalicante]

There are so many things happening that these are my reactions in a nutshell:

Me: Coming back from a trip all relaxed and happy

University: Here are 5 assignments you have to start on immediately

Dani: Here is a 10k one shot of TLND!Mavid angst

This was a gift and I thank you for your service, the Mavid angst was great motivation (I miss Mavid so much you have no idea🥹)

I also have soooo many thoughts about it that I can't analyse but:

1) Either way, this isn’t David’s burden to carry. It’s his own. And he’ll find a way to work through it.

Max is wrong in my opinion, his insecurity about David? It's not his to deal with, he needs to share it with his partner. Not just the David leaving with the kids part but him loving the kids more than Max and their dynamic sifting. Is it David's job to solve it for Max? No. But he can understand his husband's feelings better, he can be more empathetic towards him, can reassure him if the need arises and can control his reactions (for example if he knew of Max's insecurities then he would have proposed going back to France in a better way, maybe give Max more context, be less adamant about it, reassure him that it is difficult to be without him etc).

2) The difference between someone willingly going to therapy and someone forced to go (TLND!Max/ IALS!Max) was so obvious here. How deep Max reached, how he understood where it was all coming from, how healthy he handled the conversation after his realisations. It's a beautiful thing really. I recently had a conversation with my mum (who doesn't believe in therapy but doesn't know I see a therapist) and I realized how wrong people can view therapy sometimes, or how worthless they consider it. My mum thinks that a therapist tells you you're always right and I tried to explain it to her but she didn't get it. Yet the difference is clear to me, I even see it in myself sometimes and I definitely saw it in the way you wrote Max here. So different from every other version. Not because he doesn't yell or say cruel things. But in the way he handles the aftermath. The way he expresses himself. Especially his conversation with Malec. It's so hard to hold your parents responsible for their misgivings when you love them and admire them so much. I can not see LBAF or even IALS Max admitting their fear or pain to David/Malec like that. Or recognising their insecurities in such a healthy way.

3) Doctor Hassan needs to be a canon event for Max I swear, just get Doctor Hassan in LBAF I'm begging you! Look how nicely Max told David about his fears here! Let him express himself please😭

4) “Yeah,” Lance nods eagerly. “Papa is always sad when you’re away.”

This line got me good and created a little scene in my head. I can totally see Arthur and Lance coming up with a plan to convince Max and David that they shouldn't go back to France without Max. Like they enter Mavid's bedroom all serious and having a whiteboard and presenting reasons why that was a silly plan. And Lance going all serious and saying:

Number one: Arthur needs daddy to sleep (like how Max checked Arthur's room for monsters in LDV)

Number two: Lance needs daddy to eat (this just came to me I don't know why, like what if Lance had trouble eating after the accident because he couldn't see what he was putting in his mouth and would only eat when Max told these elaborate stories that Lance got engrossed in and would eat without realising?)

Number three: Papa needs daddy to smile

And Mavid melting right then and there and resolved the fighting and everything. I love Mavid family shenanigans!

4) “That’s a tough one,” David says. “No amount of time you spend with me is ever enough.”

I just love obsessed David💛

5)Dad’s expression darkens. “Do you want me to fight that French piece of shit? Because I will.”

This was so funny to me, Alec always ready to take Max's side and fight David, I love to see it😂

6) “I can’t get divorced right now,” Max says quietly. “Lance just found a school he loves, and Arthur starts next year. It would be too much for them.”

The IALS trauma is real and it's never going away. Dani Mavid can never get divorced again it's against the laws of the universe please don't do this to us again😭 (Not me saying that while being absolutely obsessed with IALS)

See I said I wouldn't analyse and then I did, I can't help it.

And then of course we have your book.

Me: I don't have time to go to start exercising

Also me: spends an hour going through the wwdc tag and writing down all the information, collecting them posts like they're infinity gems🤷‍♀️

You created a whole country and you sketched it too and it's simply brilliant! We feed on the crumbs you give us I hope you know that🩷

Also me: reading OFRI in one sitting and loving it.

The last chapter, oh it hit me so hard. I'm a little hoe for angst sue me🥰

I have a feeling the way Magnus is reacting and all the things he said to Alec during dinner... is the aftermath of Camille? I could be wrong and I hope I am but all those things about cheating and getting over the love of your life? It just fits somehow.

All in all, I'm super excited and happy for you following a direction that fulfils you, please be proud of yourself for doing something so brave🥰💛

Me when I wake up and find Vicky has sent me an essay

I'm glad the Mavid angst helped(??) lmao. Angst is truly a good motivator, I agree.

I agree with you wholeheartedly about the first point. Max is definitely wrong. His therapist did tell him to talk to David about the insecurity - not just about David leaving but Max feeling he has been deprioritized. These kinds of feelings can be harmful if they are not addressed, so I do hope (Even though we didn't see it) Dr. H brings it up with Max, and Max talks to David about it. This theme is very relevant for LBAF - especially for Other Max because we know he kind of got left out in the aftermath of everything :(

I loooooved your analysis of Max and therapy. It's very true. Just the mere fact that he was struggling and realized he needed to talk to his therapist is a big deal - especially after we know what he was like in TLND about opening up to people. I can see IALS (older) Max eventually getting there, but definitely not LBAF Max rip.

Dr. H is unfortunately not a canon event 😔

I LOVED THIS AHHH. I can also see them doing a small skit or play to act out what will happen. Elyaas will direct it of course.

Obsessed David, my beloved 💙

Alec hating on David is a canon event

Divorce fics truly hit different, huh. Hard same.

I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying the WWCF crumbs. I am so excited for it and more than that, it's just so much to build a whole world of your fun (and so difficult looool). Thank you for the love 🧡

Welcome to the OFRI world! It's not super angsty, unfortunately. But we're currently in the angsty station. The train will leave soon, I promise!!

Sending you lots of love and energy to get through this semester ❤️

[slvt4em1lyprenti2s]

We’re just friends

Originally posted on my Wattpad @MayaBishop_is_myWife

Danielle Savre x fem!reader

Word count: 1.3k Fluff

Proofread

Danielle POV:  I am walking around backstage to try find some mascara because I forgot mine. We're about to go out to the press conference in like 20 minutes I don't have time for this and, another thing that doesn't help my situation is there have been loads of rumours going around about me and y/n recently. We really need to be more careful but to be honest, I just need some damn mascara. 

Y/N POV: Me and the rest of the cast of Station 19 are backstage for a press conference and I can hear someone rushing about and asking everyone something. I couldn't quite make out who it was but I just waited for them to make their way round to me. Danielle - "Oh my god, please tell me you have mascara I can borrow." Y/n - "Yeah, of course I do, here." Danielle - "Thank you, now move up I don't have time to go back to my vanity and do it there."

I moved up the seat and let Dani sit next to me. I was just gazing at her while she did her mascara. It's been a stressful couple weeks for us because of all the rumours going around that we are together. It has put a little strain on our relationship because we've had to be distant and we have argued a little about whether we should just get it over with and tell people or not i said we shouldn't but she didn't think so. 

So, this moment of peace was something we both really needed. She's so gorgeous, I just want to sweep this all under the carpet so we can go back to being normal again. Danielle - "You're staring." Y/n - "And so what if I am, I'm just admiring my girlfriend." She just grinned at me and started leaning in. I did the same. Her hand came up to cup my cheek and I rested my hands on her waist and closed the gap between us. Her lips were soft and gentle agains mine, I started smiling into the kiss and she did the same. Her hand moved from my face to the back of my neck as she swiped her tongue across my bottom lip asking for entrance which I happily grant.

The moment gets ruined when someone knocks on the door and tells us we're on in five.  Danielle - "Crap I still haven't done my mascara." Y/n - "Hey don't panic I'll do it for you."

She said thanks and handed me the tube, the next minute or so was just me say, okay and blink, blink, blink, and so on. Once I'd finished we walked out to where the rest of the cast was in line to be let on stage. Danielle clutched my hand in hers and gave me a nervous smile which i returned and told her we'd be fine. I was about to give her a hug but a man then said on stage "The Station 19 cast everyone!" so I had to let go of her hand and run up on stage. 

Time skip, also I've decided it's a Jimmy Fallen interview because I can and Jimmy is the best

Danielle POV: It was around halfway through the interview and so far no questions had been asked surrounding the rumours which I was thankful for but also I knew they were coming so I just want to get them over and done with. Jimmy said mine and y/n's name which snapped me back to reality. Jimmy - "So, I know there are rumours going around about you two however, if you don't feel comfortable or don't want to address them that's fine of course but, if you don't mind me asking, what's your take on all this? Is it true?" Y/n - "No, it's not me and Danielle are just friends." Jimmy - "Okay, we'll I'm assuming you're okay to talk about considering that response so I'm just gunna say it.. I think you're lying and I have a compilation of clips to prove it. Let's take a look."

I look over to the screen and look at the video that's just started playing..

Video:  Jason - "Hey Danielle, y/n come over here! We're doing an instagram live!" You and Danielle walk into frame hand in hand and don't even realise you're still holding hands because it just became such a normal thing for you guys. You both start chatting to the live.  Grey - "Haha, someone said, 'Are y/n and Danielle in love or something they're holding hands'" Everyone started laughing and so did you and Dani, your hands separated immediately because you were still trying to keep things under wraps with the whole dating thing. Danielle had to think of a cover up quickly. Danielle - "No, we're not in love. I have to hold her hand everywhere so she doesn't run off because she's a child." You had her mouth wide open and stared at her. Y/n - "I am not thank you very much." Danielle - "I beg to differ." You just hummed and the live went on without another hitch. ~  Video two: It's bts of Station 19 and you and Danielle are sitting on the floor, your head in her lap just talking about random thing and she's stroking your hair. Jaina (whispering) - "look at them, they're so cute" The video continues and it's just you two talking and gazing lovingly at each other. ~ Video three: Barret and Jay are teasing you about something random and Danielle come over and hears it. Danielle - "Hey leave her alone guys c'mon." She said it in a teasing but 'if you don't stop I'll kick your teeth in kinda way'.  Barret - "Okay, okay, defending your little girlfriend, I see, I see." Danielle - "She's not my girlfriend I'm just a good person." Then it was a while back and forth between the two about teasing Danielle for defending you.

Videos get paused Jimmy - "Now I'm just gunna say the next video is fresh paparazzi footage so I apologise if you haven't seen this one before but, I think it needs to be shown."

Video unpauses You and Danielle are sitting on a blanket in a park eating ice cream in a pretty secluded area so you thought no one could see you. Danielle shuffled closer to you and leaned her head on your shoulder. You looked down at her and said something the video didn't pick up. Danielle sat up and saw you had ice cream on you lip so she pointed it out to you.  You tried to wipe it off but failed like 3 times so in the end she just grabbed your hand brought it to her lap and kissed it off your face. You pull away from the kiss and look into her eyes lovingly. She says something the video doesn't pick up again and you laugh and peck her lips. You then go back to your ice cream and the video cuts.

Jimmy - "So, ladies. What do you have yo say about that?" 

I'm in complete disbelief, y/n can sense that so she goes to start speaking.  y/n - "Well uhm-" I don't let her finish though because I turn her head around and kiss her. My heart is racing as she kisses me back. She pulls always sooner than I wanted her too but I guess we have to keep it PG because there's still people in the room. Danielle - "Yeah, we're dating, she's my girlfriend and I love her very much."

She grabs my hand, squeezes it and smiles at me.  Jimmy - "Wait are you serious? I was expecting that to be a PR stunt or something?" Y/n - "Nope, I'm in very real love with this woman right here."

There were cheers and applause from the audience and proud looks and words from our friends sat around us. Finally, I thought to myself. I don't have to hide our love like a dirty little secret anymore. I don't know why I was so against coming out in the first place it's so much better now, I can show off my amazing girlfriend now.

[catofadifferentcolor]

Terrible Fic Ideas #50: Jon Snow, but make him the Rogue Prince

Daemon Targaryen is a fascinating character. Admired, beloved, capable, cruel, reviled, and often times vile, he is such a clash of personality traits it almost feels as if he's a multifaceted jewel more than a person, and you have to spend days just turning and turning him around to capture his essence.

So, naturally, I thought: what if Jon Snow was the second coming of the Rogue Prince? Not necessarily his reincarnation - though that could be fascinating - but the inheritor of all his ancestor's best and worst traits.

Aka: The Daemon the Destroyer Fic

Just imagine it:

Everything follows canon except the dragonblood burns just a bit hotter in Jon Snow. Catelyn's treatment leaves him more defiant than downtrodden - less willing to dim his light to please others and more determined to prove his worth.

Jon proves himself a capable swordsman and leader of men from a young age, taking charge of the training of Winterfell's newest men-at-arms until Catelyn forces Ned to put a stop to it, fearing that Winterfell's soldiers will be more loyal to Ned's bastard than his trueborn heir.

He's then placed beneath Steward Poole. Caitlyn hopes that his incompetence as an under-steward will cause Ned to send him away, but Jon defies expectations by excelling in this position. When Poole starts to speak of formally training Jon to be his replacement, Caitlyn should demand Jon be sent to the Wall.

Jon refuses to go. Robb has promised Jon a position of honor at his side once he becomes Lord and Jon means to take him up on it...

...but Ned, seeing much of the Targaryens in his nephew and seeking to keep peace in both his household and the realm, commands him to take the Black regardless. Escaping those ordered to see him to Castle Black, Jon travels to Essos and joins the Second Sons. He rises high in that organization, seizing command from Mero a year or so before Daenerys encounters them outside of Yunkai.

By this point Jon is starting to be touted as The Second Daemon and The Rogue Prince Reborn. Though his coloring marks him clearly as a Northerner, there's very much something blood of the dragon that the Essosi recognize in him. Dashing, daring, dangerous, mercurial and ambitious, he, like Daemon, is the wonder and terror of his age. He should have just enough Northern honor to keep from being despicable and just enough ruthless practicality to succeed in all things.

Naturally, Daenerys is intrigued.

Jon and Dany begin a wildfire romance against the backdrop of her conquests in Essos. They bring out the best and worst of each other, and while there's clearly love there their motivations work against them. Jon doesn't understand why Dany is so desperate to take the Iron Throne when she's built such a successful empire in Essos - and resents that she'll happily keep him as a lover, but refuses to wed him so as to keep her diplomatic options open. For her part, Dany can't understand his indifference to what she sees as her birthright and resents that he wants more from her than she's willing to give.

Nonetheless, Jon and the Second Sons follow Dany across the Narrow Sea and help her retake Dragonstone.

Meanwhile things have been going according to canon in Westeros, with the exception that Ned was sentenced to take the Black rather than executed. He has much of Jon's beyond the Wall plot line, and after taking Winterfell back from the Boltons heads to treat with the Dragon Queen after her forces have retaken most of the south.

Ned doesn't immediately recognize Jon - and when he does he's angered beyond all belief, seeing most of Jon's actions in Essos as betraying the ideals Ned fought to instill in him. (Or, at the very least, betraying his cousins by not returning to fight by their side.) This should turn into a massive public argument during which the words I knew you had too much of your father in you slip out.

The truth of Jon's birth comes out, but doesn't solve anything - in fact, in should make things worse, with Jon angry that it's this that makes Dany consider him a viable husband for the first time and not any of the many deeds he's done in her name.

Things end in one of two ways, with either 1) Dany and Jon putting aside their differences, uniting their claims, and having the kind of contentious marriage that only dragons can have, or 2) Dany takes the throne on her own after making a diplomatic marriage, Jon being made Lord Paramount of the Vale, and having the kind of contentious relationship that portends future civil wars in other houses, nevermind that all of Dany's heirs are born nine months after her nephew's visits.

Bonuses include: 1) Everything about Jon echoing the Rogue Prince, intentionally or unintentionally, minus the rampant whoring and ill-treatment of non-Valyrian women; 2) More concentration given to Dany's actions in Essos, to the extent that she leaves behind a functioning government run by former slaves that's not likely to disintegrate the moment her ships sail out of sight. This should be a battleground of Dany's idealism and Jon's ruthless practicality - to the extent that half the reason Dany refuses to marry him should be her fear that the people prefer him to her, and that any marriage they have will turn her into a figurehead alone; and 3) A relationship that never quite slips into destructive romance but, like all Targaryen relationships, dances merrily about its edge. Jon should make Dany a better ruler, Dany should give him the sense of noble purpose he's lacked since becoming a mercenary - yet ultimately they are so similar they either have to really work to make a relationship work or let it fall apart and let the shrapnel destroy all they have built.

And that's all I have. As always, feel free to adopt this bun, just link back if you do anything with it.

Other Jon Snow Headcanons: Aelor the Accursed | Aegon the Adopted | Aegon the Undying | Aegon the Unyielding | Aemon the Adventurous | Baelor the Brave | Daemon the Destroyer | Daena the Dreamer | Daeron the Desired | Dyanna the Defiant | Jon Whitefyre | King of the Ashes | Lady Arryn | Lady Baratheon | Lady Lannister | Lady Stark | Lord of the Dance | Prince Consort | Prince of Summerhall | Queen Mother | Rhaegar the Righteous

More Terrible Fic Ideas

[tinylilemrys]

Lonely In London

Relationship:

Trent Crimm/Ted Lasso

Additional Tags:

Angst and Romance | Romcommunism | Friends to Lovers | Romantic Comedy | Alternate Universe – Canon Divergence

Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Summary:

Henry, worried about how lonely his dad seems to be in London, writes into an advice podcast for some help. A podcast run by an ex-colleague of Trent's – one that he listens to religiously. If Trent falls a little for 'Lonely In London' because he reminds him of Ted, well that's just coincidence. An homage to romcommunism, largely based on 'Sleepless In Seattle' with a few others thrown in for good measure.

Previous Chapter | Final Chapter

CHAPTER 4

Trent is in a car park in front of Heathrow.

He's trying very hard not to think about the fact that he anonymously told the man who he's absolutely gone for that he'll be waiting for him here in just under four months. It's a dizzying thought.

Right now, he's just waiting for Ted who's making sure Henry safely boards his flight back to Kansas.

He probably shouldn't have offered but he knows firsthand how shitty handovers are and Ted was just going to take an Uber otherwise. Better to save him the money and the bother, offer him the lift, comfort him about Henry, and maybe even come to some sort of understanding about where they're at. The month since the kiss has been fraught with tension and it's getting to the point where the team and staff are noticing. They need to get on some kind of page about it at the very least.

A text from Ted breaks his gloomy train of thought.

Henry's through check-in. It's still a while before he flies and I have to stay here until he's airborne. Let's do lunch? Or at least a drink. Don't think my nerves could take a meal right now.

Trent doesn't need telling twice.

It doesn't take him long to spot Ted. He thinks at this point he'd be able to immediately spot him in the densest of crowds, like the world's easiest and most specific Where's Wally. He smiles privately at how if Ted could hear his thoughts, he would insist on only being compared to Where's Waldo.

He's immensely glad that telepathy is beyond Ted's many talents.

"Well as I live and breathe, if it isn't Trent Crimm, future bestseller." Ted's smile is as wide as ever, but it doesn't crinkle the corners of his eyes the way it usually does. He's heartbroken, as Trent fully expected.

"How are you holding up, Ted?" he asks and Ted's smile settles into something far more tired, heartbroken, and real.

"Ah, well, you know," says Ted, his eyes looking rather misty, "it never gets easier."

His thumb is worrying over a keyring – a little LEGO minifigure that Trent suspects might be made to look like Ted. Likely a gift from Henry. Trent wants to throw his arms around him. To just hold him until it hurts a bit less.

He knows he can't. Not after July.

"Shall we get this drink you threatened me with?" says Trent gently and Ted nods, taking a deep breath.

After they're settled at a booth in a chain coffee shop with their respective hot drinks – Ted with an extremely apt Americano, Trent with an equally on-the-nose Earl Grey tea – Trent finds himself clearing his throat.

"So, do you want to talk about how you're feeling about Henry flying back?" he braves. "Or would you prefer anything else?"

"Anything else," says Ted. "Please, anything else. At least for a while."

"Great," says Trent, clenching a serviette for emotional support. "Perhaps then I could apologise for what happened at the Christmas party?"

"Oh, uh, sure?" says Ted, taken aback. "I didn't think we were actually ever going to talk about that again."

"We don't need to after today," says Trent.

Unless you want to, he doesn't add.

"It shouldn't have happened," he continues. "I think I must have accidentally been drinking from Dani's 'cheekied' punchbowl instead of the polite one. In any case, I forgot myself and I fear I've made things awkward between us."

Ted seems to be working through conflicting emotions. The lines between his brows deepen for a moment. His moustache twitches. He stares down at his coffee like it holds his response, then looks up at Trent.

"Not a worry, Bill Murray," says Ted, his face fixing itself into that same sad smile from earlier. "That night was pretty crazy, huh? Lot of emotions running wild. You don't have to apologise for anything. It was me too. I was like a helium balloon out of the hands of a careless child – just caught up in the atmosphere."

It might just be Ted trying to match Trent's lie, but it doesn’t mean it stings any less. Trent takes a sip of too-hot tea to cover his gloom and instead suddenly has to pretend that he hasn't just scalded his mouth.

"But, Trent, I will say this," says Ted in the most serious tone he's ever had directed at him, as Trent tries to play off the way he definitely just took off a layer of skin from his tongue. "I really like talking to you. As much as I think you like talking to me. I would hate for this to be something that gets in the way of that. Think we can at least promise to try our hand at being friends?"

"I think we could manage that," says Trent. He's almost able to ignore the agony he's in at the earnestness in Ted's voice. "After all, you know how I love our chats."

Ted smiles another real smile at that.

"Good, that's settled then." He lifts his drink. "To friendship moving forward."

"To friendship moving forward," Trent agrees, clinking his paper cup against Ted's, tears now forming in his eyes at the pain.

"Now, one friend to another, did you burn your mouth on that cup of Satan's swill just then?" asks Ted, to his credit, looking like he's trying his level best not to laugh. Trent can only nod. "Yeah, thought so. I'll go get you some ice."

It's still one of the better coffees he's ever gotten with someone.

Trent's mouth heals, as do things between Ted and him. Richmond has had an eventful start to the season with the arrival of Zava who even Trent finds himself moderately starstruck by. There's no denying the man is a football god and as a lifelong Richmond supporter, he can't help but be pleased with the string of victories that come with his place on the team. He does, however, note the way that Jamie seems to withdraw into himself and wonders that Ted hasn't seemed to notice. He thinks Roy does, though. Trent has realised that not much Jamie-related gets past Roy.

Ted's head seems to be elsewhere.

He considers it a moment of immense growth in his commitment to friendship with Ted when, at the opening of Sam's restaurant, Ted leaves with Rebecca's friend and he only stews on it for half an hour.

Sassy? Really? The woman Trent berated for making a mistake in turning Ted down is called Sassy?

Deciding jealousy isn't a good look on him, he decides to go home, and has all thoughts of Ted's romantic exploits pushed from his mind by the sight of Colin kissing someone outside of Sam's restaurant. Not just someone, though. A man.

Now there's a scoop. A scoop Trent would never share, not even in his days as a journalist. Hell, if the fucking Wonder Kid hadn't lost him his job, this would be the next thing that would. He would never out anyone. It was a hard line he'd drawn himself early in his career. After what he saw happen to Justin Fashanu growing up, he simply wouldn't do it. He wouldn't be part of that. 

The idea of that happening to someone from Richmond, this group of people he's come to think of as family, is unthinkable. He hopes and prays he gets a chance to talk to Colin before something happens and the secret gets out. Colin wasn't exactly subtle with his choice of makeout spot.

He thanks the gay gods of football when he gets his chance in Amsterdam.

At first, there's part of him that really wants to find out what Ted's plans are for the evening. It's Museumnacht, of all nights, and all he wants to do is stay out late exploring every single one with Ted, who he imagines would be a great companion on a museum trip. Sure, he'd likely make a joke about every single painting, but Trent knows he would be genuinely curious about them too.

It really would be too much like a date, however, and so he resigns himself to the fact that the right thing to do is to spend the night seeing what the rest of the team gets up to. He watches, with amusement, the heated debate about what the plan for the evening should be. He even tries to unsuccessfully sell them on the idea of Museumnacht. But so far it seems like they're not going to make it much farther than the lobby of the hotel. It's only when Colin slips away from the rest of the pack that Trent realises what his evening in Amsterdam will be.

There's only one reason he could imagine Colin, usually in the thick of things, would want to separate himself from the pack. He's going somewhere he can be himself. And Trent knows that this is his chance to speak to and encourage him.

He realises, unfortunately too late, that following him to the club might not have been the best option. Colin looks genuinely terrified at seeing him there and Trent can't blame him. He doubts he could ever fully understand the level of paranoia Colin's daily life entails.

When he finally manages to calm the kid down enough to get him to sit down and talk over a couple of beers, the last thing he's expecting is for the conversation to be exactly what he needs to hear too. But Colin turns out to have quite the way with words.

"All I want," Colin explains, eyes filled with longing and wistfulness, "is for when we win a match, to be able to kiss my fella the same way the guys get to kiss their girls."

Trent smiles at that, thinking about a particular fella that he'd like to kiss after a big Richmond win.

"And I know we can't fix every ache inside of us," Colin continues. "But I shouldn't have to pretend it's not there either."

This, more than anything, shakes Trent to his core. His longing for Ted is an ache. One that he doesn't know if it's possible to fix, but he's given himself one Hail Mary in the form of a prearranged grand romantic gesture and by god if this kid hasn't just given him the courage to just go for it.

He could never regret this conversation with Colin, but after a somewhat failed attempt at sharing an historical titbit about Anne Frank, he can't help but wonder what a night in Amsterdam with Ted might have been like after all.

Some of the confidence regarding his new resolve to do the big ill-advised romantic gesture wanes a bit in the week after Amsterdam. Ted is so busy trying to find a team strategy that will work, that Trent is sure the last thing on his mind is his love life.

But then Trent sees it. In their match against Arsenal, he can see the pieces connecting. The team are doing it. They're doing total football. A week ago, they weren't doing anything close to it, but this week, here, at this match, they're doing it. They trust Ted that much that they were willing to try it. And not only try it – actually do it with their whole hearts.

It's the Lasso Effect at its full power. And they're going to fucking win the Premier League. He knows it now.

He has to tell Ted after the match. He can't contain his excitement. Ted's going to do it. He's going to fucking do it. And not because he's an amazing football manager. Not because he's a tactical genius.

No, it's because he's Ted Lasso, and he genuinely cares about what he's doing and the people who are doing it with him.

Christmas Eve, now only a week away, cannot come quickly enough.

***

Ted spends all of August trying to fend off questions about whether or not he's going to meet Isolated in Islington. But he wouldn't trade it for the world, because every time is a reminder that Henry is right there, at arm's reach. With him.

Ted's heart is heavy.

The handover at the end of the summer is the hardest one yet. But it's also somehow one of the better ones because of Trent.

He was nervous when Trent offered them a ride to the airport, but Henry was so excited about the idea and Ted was so worried about being alone afterwards that he agreed. And he's glad he did because it ends up being a great time, all things considered. In any case they manage to patch up things between them, and for Ted, that's monumental. He's willing to pretend that what happened between them was a mistake, as much as it hurts, if it means holding onto Trent as a friend.

Zava turns out to be both as impressive as advertised and a huge disappointment in the long run. It's wonderful to have a winning streak to their name – he knows after the disappointment of the Chelsea game, it's a relief for Rebecca. He can, unfortunately, see that it's getting to Jamie, but there's not much he can do about it. As far as team strategy goes, they've got a good thing going, and he can't shake it up for one player. Not without having to field interrogation from all sides including his fellow coaches, the press, Rebecca, and even Trent.

But then, he starts noticing the rest of his team slipping further and further back. He sees how their victories start paling next to their feeling of boredom out on the pitch. By the time they reach the West Ham game, his team is in dire straits, but Ted can't bring himself to focus enough to deal with it, because at the same time, he's accidentally spoken to Dr Jacob for the first time since his last marriage counselling session.

The West Ham match is a blur to Ted. Only three things stick out in his memory of it:

One, the generally sick feeling that came over him every time he thought about how Dr Jacob used to give him marriage advice, only to swoop in the minute his marriage was over.

Two, the anger he felt at Roy and Beard showing the team the footage of Nate tearing up the sign that's come to mean so much to them. It was the last thing the team needed and it made them play the worst match Ted's ever seen them play.

Three, the feeling of helplessness he felt, both at the way his team was playing, and at the way that this awful, unethical psychologist was now around his son far more than he was. That he was the one giving his son rides to soccer practice and helping him with his math homework.

His call with Michelle after the match offers some catharsis, but is ultimately not that helpful. He's exhausted, drawn, and all he wants to do is go to bed. Just as he's about to, however, he gets a call from Trent.

"Hey, Trent," he says, not really in the mood for any of his usual affectations.

"Hi, Ted," says Trent. "I've just managed to get Squish to bed, so I thought I would call and see how you're doing after the match today. We were watching. It looked brutal."

"Yeah, well, they saw your footage," says Ted, a little more biting than he means to be.

"Oh," says Trent. "Yes, I was wondering why they looked like they were out for blood. That explains it."

"Yeah," says Ted, voice still strained with the effort of not completely losing it. He's so angry and hurt and tired he could explode, but he doesn't want it to be at Trent. "Listen, Trent, I appreciate that you might still be trying to work the journalism out of your system, but the next time you find a big scoop that might affect the mental state of my players, I'd appreciate if you ran it by me first."

There's silence on the other end for a moment before Trent's voice comes back, smaller than Ted's ever heard it.

"I'm so sorry, Ted. I really am. And look, I know this doesn't excuse anything by any means, but by way of explanation, let me just say that I think I was trying to get you to feel as angry about the Nate situation as I am. I just… he cost me my career, you know? I liked being a journalist. It wasn't necessarily what I imagined I'd be doing with the rest of my life, but I was good at it. I was a bloody good sports journalist and all it took was one story for it all to fucking collapse."

"That wasn't entirely Nate's fault," says Ted, closing his eyes as though trying to prevent every thought he's currently having from leaving his head. "You didn't have to share that with me. I mean, I appreciate that you did. But you could direct a little of that anger my way."

Trent sighs deeply.

"You know that I can't."

Ted knows that that might be true. He rubs his eyes with his free hand.

"Look, Trent, I have to believe that people are able to be forgiven. I just have to. Because otherwise, when I get back to Henry, when I have to explain to him why I was out of his life for so long… I have to…"

It's the tipping point. He collapses onto the armchair behind him as huge undignified sobs wrack his body. He hates that he's crying like this. He hates that he's crying like this while Trent can hear it. It doesn't matter. There's nothing he can do to stop it at this point.

"Ted, Ted, listen to me," says Trent. "Your son loves you, okay? Whenever that boy isn't at your side looking up at you like you personally hung the sun, he's telling anyone who will hear that you're the coolest dad in the world. Whatever happens, I know that that child knows how much you love him, okay?"

Ted nods, but realises Trent can't hear him.

"I'm gonna hang up now," Ted says. "But it's not because you aren't making a great point. I just think half the battle is that I haven't had a decent night's sleep in over a week and I need to crash. I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"See you at work, Ted," says Trent. He sounds concerned.

Ted pulls himself together enough to put together two packs of shortbread, writing a short note in Trent's one.

Trent – thank you for your kindness last night. I needed to hear that. But I hope that you'll eventually find it in your heart to forgive too. It'll help you feel better too.

He ties it all together with a bit of ribbon he has left from his Christmas in July wrapping and the sunflower hair clasp that he still hasn't returned and leaves it on Trent's desk the next morning for when he comes in.

When Trent opens it and reads the note, he turns in his chair to make eye contact with Ted, smiles, and nods, and Ted feels one of the weights on his heart fall away.

Of course, with Zava leaving and the team having played backup the whole season so far, there's a lot of catch up to do. But it's a challenge that keeps Ted's mind on the game and not everywhere else. For a while, he finds himself able to disappear into managing the headspace of his team, Roy's ideas for stamina and speed training, Beard's best stabs at strategies for them to try.

The only exception to his new workflow is a fairly big scare in the form of reports of Henry bullying another classmate. And Ted doesn't quite know how to feel about the fact that it seems to resolve itself. By the time they talk, Henry seems to have the scope of what he's done wrong and has even apologised the kid for it. Did Michelle talk to Henry about it? Did Dr Jake? There's no way for Ted to know but there's not much more for Ted to add. The thought breaks his heart.

With difficulty, he decides to take it for what it is: a sign that his kid, for the time being, seems to be okay without him. Another weight drops from his heart.

He continues to ignore Henry's nagging about meeting Isolated in Islington. He doesn't have time to think about that. Instead, he decides to focus on the promise he's made to Henry, to the team, to himself: winning the whole thing.

It's in Amsterdam that everything starts coming together.

The so-called friendly match is a disaster and the only thing Ted can do for himself and the rest of the team to make it okay is to give them all a night to let loose.

Somehow, to Beard, this gets translated as "get Ted high", but Ted is so out of ideas at this point that he's willing to try anything. He almost doesn't try it when it's presented to him as a tea, even if it does bring back a fond memory of Trent trying and failing to play it cool after burning his mouth on the foul stuff. Eventually though, Ted decides if he's going to give himself half a chance at anything new, he needs to try something new, so he downs the tea and heads to the front desk to ask about the nearby museums.

He ends up at the Van Gogh museum, specifically in front of the famous "Sunflowers" painting, just staring. He's seen it plenty before, in prints and in digital pictures. He didn't realise, seeing it up close, that it would be possible to see the individual brush strokes. He alternates between being pulled so closely into the details that all he sees is paint in various shades of yellow, green, and blue, to looking at the whole thing and feeling himself trembling at a brand new thought.

He's grown up with sunflowers his whole life. Adorned on any bit of kitsch to do with Kansas. The great big fields he'd drive past on road trips. The ones his mother grew in the backyard and always had in a vase in the kitchen. The ones on his father's grave. The one or two in Michelle's wedding bouquet. It was his state flower, part of growing up in Kansas.

So why, in his mind, do sunflowers only belong to Trent now?

His thoughts are interrupted by a museum guide who shares a Van Gogh quote with him. And, as beautiful as it is, it's his next statement that really sends Ted reeling.

"When you find beauty, you find inspiration. When you know you're doing what you're meant to do, you have to try."

Of course, he realises this applies to his team, and absolutely tonight is about figuring out what the next step there is, but…

But Trent had looked like a sunflower earlier, with his bright yellow shirt and peppery dark hair. So beautiful. And Ted knows he could keep pretending that he doesn’t want him with his whole heart. It would kill him, but he knows he could do it. But there's a part of him, a far bigger part, that wants to give it one more try. That kiss hadn't been nothing. And he owes it to himself to see what could be. To take his own medicine and believe for once.

He accepts the notebook from the guide and decides to make his way to the glimmer of home he's hoping to find in the Yankee-Doodle Burger Barn. As looming as it all is, he can think about Trent in a bit. Right now he has to fix his team.

Eight hours and one placebo-induced drug trip later, Ted has it. At least, he thinks he does. He doesn’t know if it will work – Beard will know more about that than he does – but it's something. And another weight drops from his heart.

He loses the final one a week later.

Total football turns out to be a lot trickier to implement than Ted initially thought it would be. He knew it would be a lot of work to some extent, but he thought that because it was designed to get the team looser it wouldn't be the monumental challenge it's turning out to be. But here they are, playing against Arsenal, still struggling to work together the way he imagined.

But Jamie – proving once again to Ted that his football career will be long and storied – comes to the rescue at half time, explaining where the team is going wrong in the simplest way possible. Ted could absolutely smother him in a hug right now, but he thinks he'll leave that to Roy. He's noticed that he and Jamie seem to be even cosier since Amsterdam and lord help the poor soul that interferes with something Roy Kent cares about.

They still lose, but the second half is absolutely beautiful to watch. The team play off of each other seamlessly. They still seem to be finding their feet, but Ted can see that they finally get it. And that they're having fun. And crowd is having fun watching them have fun.

He's never been prouder to be their manager.

The absolute cherry on top of his success sundae is when Trent quite literally tears into the corridor after the match, looking for him specifically.

"Ted!" he says as he barges through the doors. "It's going to work."

"Great," says Ted, confused as to what could get the cool and catlike Trent Crimm all riled up like a jackrabbit in spring. "What is?"

"Total football." Ted is still confused. "And I'll tell you why. The Lasso Way."

This causes even more confusion. He's only ever heard The Lasso Way used derisively. Used in a biting tone when he does things a little differently or something he tries doesn't work out. He's never heard it said so excitedly with such optimism and hope.

"You haven't switched tactics in a week," Trent continues.

He definitely has. This whole week has been nothing but a new tactic.

"I haven't?" Ted asks, still baffled.

"No! You've done this over three seasons."

Oh. Maybe it was meant to be a little bit derisive then.

"I have?"

"Yes," Trent explains, "by slowly building a club-wide culture of trust and support through thousands of imperceptible moments, all leading to their inevitable conclusion – total football."

Ted tries to believe himself a humble man, one not prone to basking in praise, but something about the way Trent is talking about him, about his achievements, about the achievements of the team, makes Ted want to live in this moment forever.

Trent, Ted realises, is proud of him. Is truly, one hundred percent rooting for him. And Ted feels the final weight on his heart drop as he soars away with it.

"Well how about that," he says, mostly responding to Trent's excited babble, but also to this new feeling of weightlessness and just… happiness that he hasn't felt in months.

And then Trent does the absolute cutest little giddy gesture and Ted knows beyond a shadow of any doubt, he could never be more in love with anyone than he is with Trent right now.

Trent exits the corridor, leaving behind two coaches bemused and one absolutely besotted.

"What a fucking dork," says Roy, not without his own brand of affection.

"Yeah," shrugs Ted, aware of how his feelings are probably plastered across his face, "but he's our dork."

He doesn't miss the knowing look the other two coaches give each other.

Henry calls him later that night to discuss the match.

"It was so cool, dad!" he says. "Do you think Jamie and Roy will teach me how it works the next time I'm there?"

"I'm sure they'd love to, Bud," says Ted, heart so full it could burst.

"Awesome!" says Henry. "Are you still sure you can't come here for Christmas?"

"I'm sure," says Ted, a little pang marring his happiness for a moment. "I have the big Boxing Day match. But that's what Christmas in July was for, remember?"

"Yeah," says Henry, the disappointment in his voice palpable, but as soon as he looks glum, he perks up again. "Hey, that means you can go meet Isolated in Islington!"

"Oh, Bud, no," says Ted. "I can't do that."

He can't do that because it doesn't matter who this Isolated in Islington is, he's got his heart set on Trent. He can't imagine anyone else holding a candle to him, no matter how convinced his son is that this mystery person is his soulmate. He's not ready to tell Henry everything about Trent though, and therein lies the pickle.

"Why not?" says Henry. "Dad, you only get a chance like this once. This person sounds so perfect for you. Can't you just go and see?"

"Look, Kiddo, I really want to be with you on this one," says Ted with a sigh, "but it wouldn't be fair to whoever I'm meeting. I couldn't give them what they're looking for. I'm not saying no because I don't think it's a beautiful idea. I need you to trust that I'm saying no for a good reason, okay? One that you might not understand right now, but I hope you will soon."

Henry doesn't respond. He looks sad, then angry and when Michelle takes the phone from him after a few minutes of pained silence, she also looks concerned.

"He'll come around, Ted," she says. "There's a lot going on at the moment and I think it's just a lot for him to process. Give him a day to cool off and I'm sure he'll be back to his normal self."

But the next day and the day after that when Ted calls, he just gets an apologetic Michelle.

Ted feels some of the weights return.

They all return a few days later, on December 23rd, when Michelle calls him in tears.

"Ted," she says. "Ted, I'm so sorry. Jake took him to the airport and signed him in. He says he got a message from me, but it seems like Henry sent it. Apparently he's safe and I'm on the flight right behind him but oh god."

Ted is about to throw up. He's never heard Michelle this panicked. Ever.

"Hey, it's alright, I'm here," he says, trying to reassure her. "What's going on?"

"Henry's booked himself onto a flight to the UK. Jake helped sign him in."

And then Ted does throw up.

Final Chapter

[owlsinathens]

Good morning on the last day of this first ever Greysnow week! Today is an extra day that we pay the iron price for, so I'm continuing that theme by shamelessly reccing OUR fics today.

Near Mint (surface marks do not affect play) by MymbleHowl @st-clements-steps

Rating: E

Summary: All Time Top 5 Break-ups (in chronological order)

1. Robb

2. Jeyne Poole

3. Renly Baratheon

4. Kyra and Patrek

5. Gilly

Jon Snow is not getting into the Top 5.

Dany says: Where do I start with this gem? It's the High Fidelty AU I had no idea I needed until @st-clements-steps came up with it and then I was already gone, hook, line and sinker. The title in itself is already genius, but then when you read further that pales in comparison to how fucking brilliant this is. The AU is perfectly translated and all our beloved characters and their stories drafted for the fic fit seamlessly. All the Top 5s are hilarious and relatable and/or discussable, and inside all of that you have two sad boys who need to find their way back to each other ♥️ Please do yourself a favour and go read it, and then go and read all of the author's works, because Greysnow or not, her way with words is one of the most unique and fascinating things I've ever encountered.

Mirror at the Wall by @selkiewife

Rating: M

Summary: Theon is reunited with a resurrected Jon at Castle Black. Jon has suffered significant memory disturbances and Theon must help him remember who he is.

Dany says: This. Fic. Is. SPECTACULAR. Two men, broken beyond recognition, but still there, still alive and now reunited after being through the wars - and they do recognize each other (sobs galore!!) The attention to both Jon and Theon's characters is stunning, the descriptions gritty and evocative, the whole AU idea so so SO good. Special mention to Satin, the true MVP. 2 more chapters of this masterpiece are coming, and I couldn't be more thrilled! Go and read and subscribe and bookmark, you won't regret it one bit.

Law of the North by theonsfavouritetoy, aka @owlsinathens, aka – well, me

Rating: E

Summary: Balon Greyjoy has once again declared himself king, sealing his son's fate in the North. Jon doesn't like Theon, never has – but he also cannot stand aside and watch an innocent man being put to death. So he decides to do something that'll change everything.

Dany says: I had a really hard time trying to choose one out of my 100+ Greysnow works (I have either too much time or too little self-control, or both), but in the end I decided to go with my longest fic (so far, I'm pretty sure 1x1 will be double that in the end). I can't objectively say anything about the quality, but I can tell you it was a blast to write and I still love everything about this fic.

....you know what? Since I'm paying the iron price, I'll be even more shameless and rec another of my fics.

Tighter by theonsfavouritetoy aka me

Rating: E

Summary: Theon carefully exhales, feeling his ribs expand against the fabric enclosing his torso, safe and comforting, and yet…

“Tighter.”

Dany says: So, there's this corset in a world where corsets don't exist, and from there everything snowballed and took on a life of its own, resulting in a massive project of a post-GoT Theon lives AU that I'm still in the process of tackling (Using this chance to say that the next ch of 1x1 is in the works). And it all started with Tighter. Which is a fantastic ficlet, and I'm only cringing a little saying that out loud. Please go read it 😏

[jvstheworld]

My Ted Lasso Re-watch:S1E8 (part 1)

The Diamond Dogs

Nate being in the storage compartment of the bus. Pretty good idea if you're drunk, know you're going to be hungover and you have to leave early in the morning. Fair.

Sam calling Nate 'Mon cher' and Dani saying he looks like an beautiful angel. These two, they have my heart. If anyone hurts them... I will act in the same way Dean Winchester would if he found out someone stole the Impala. That applies to Ted too. And Keeley. And Rebecca as well. Well, most of the characters on the show, but these ones especially.

Rebecca forgetting it's her room they went back to and trying to sneak out. Because since her divorce, this has become a habit. But even first thing in the morning, hair a mess, she looks gorgeous. Well, it's Hannah Waddingham, so of course she is going to look gorgeous.

Now to Ted's one night stand and honey, Sassy looks like she had a very good night. Ted can fuck.

Ted is nervous but courteous to Sassy. Giving her the room for a bit longer. But his face when he leaves it... Bless him. Ted does not strike me as someone who has had one night stands, so this might have been a new experience for him, on top of dealing with his divorce. He does not make life easy for himself.

Ted not speaking for 5 hours? Is that a record? I can understand why Beard would be be concerned.

Ted says he doesn't want to talk about it, but as soon as Beard asks he caves. Because he does want to talk about it and is probably confused about what to do in this situation he has found himself in.

Can someone explain why so many women love true crime? I'm not a fan myself, but apparently it's a big thing for women to listen to or watch.

Roy giving Keeley mixed signals. Just tell her you like her and want to go out with her you absolute muppet.

"If you're nuts for buts, have at it" I love that line. Ted's whole thing here is really reinforcing that he's not had a one night stand before. Which is totally fine. It's not for everyone. Could an argument be made that Ted might lean on the Demi side of the spectrum?

Coach Beard just straight up asking if Ted had fun. He did. Nate, very importantly, asking if Sassy had fun. Which she definitely did and Ted does want to brag about his skills in bed. Because he has them, you know he does.

The whole sequence of events that happened the previous night would throw most people off. I know it would throw me off if I went through what Ted did. I can understand why Ted feels the way he does.

Rebecca is hiding something and Higgins knows it, that's why he makes the gagging sound, which then sets off Nate.

Roy's immediate no and then walking away from Ted asking for his opinion is a level of confidence I aspire to have.

Nicely done with the cutting some slack bit. Very smooth. Ted should stop being so hard on himself, but I get why he is. He didn't do anything wrong. The sex was consensual on both sides. They both enjoyed it and both are single, even if Ted did sign the divorce papers not long before she walked in. Hell, Michelle was insistent on him signing the papers, because they both need to move on and let go. Trying to prolong it would have made things worse, but also probably not great timing when your soon-to-be-ex-husband is trying to focus on his job that he's been getting a lot of shit for.

Please don't name any group the Proud Boys. Don't. Nate has the right reaction.

Nate is the one to come up with the name Diamond Dogs, yet he's the one who leaves. And then tries and fails to do the same at West Ham. This sort of thing will only work with certain types of people.