#mainly doing it since it's for charity

[carpediemma]

Did I book a cameo from George Rexstrew? Yes.

Do I feel incredibly weird about it? Also yes.

[dcxdpdabbles]

Not sure if you’ve ever done something like this, but I think a miraculous ladybug style love square featuring Danny would be absolutely hilarious. It can be with literally any bat (I’m partial to either Damian or Tim, but honestly any would be amazing). But literally just Danny coming to Gotham and going out as Phantom, running into the bat of choice and BOOM instant crush. And then Danny running into that same bats civilian ID and BOOM another instant crush going the opposite direction. Not particularly picky about who has the civilian crush, and who has the vigilante crush, but we would definitely need to see interactions between all four identities a la Miraculous.

Danny Fenton loathes Bruce Wayne. It's not because Sam's parents have often attempted to pawn off their daughter onto the guy or that Danny, as her once boyfriend, felt threatened by him. He can see the intelligence in Bruce's eyes, and the man still acts the way he does.

What's worse is that they are the same age, which means when Sam's parents started pushing for her to attend galas at age fifteen, Danny had been forced along to help deflect annoying rich boys. He met Bruce hiding behind curtains, making faces at his butler when the older gentleman attempted to push fifteen-year-old Bruce back onto the dance floor.

He would have felt sympathy for the wealthy heir—being an orphan so young with everyone around him foaming at the mouth for his wealth and titles was rough on anyone—were it not for how he spoke to poor Mr. Pennyworth.

Bruce acted like Mr.Pennyworth was an accessory to his image, as if the man wasn't treating him with the obvious care and attention one would a son.

Danny found his feet, leading him to Wayne just as the teenager instructed Mr.Pennyworth to wait in the car—four hours, four hours, in the freezing cold!

The first words he ever said to Bruce Wayne were, "You do not talk to him like that, you self-centered jerk!"

Then he had to dodge a fist because apparently Wayne had anger issues, but Danny had been dodging ghosts for an entire year. He sidesteps and pushes the boy on his ass. Mr.Pennyworth seemed frozen by the wall, and Wayne dared to stare up at him like someone standing up to him was such a wonder.

Sam had called him away, so with a long look down his nose at the rich boy, he spun around and strutted away.

___________________________________________________________

Bruce Wayne adored Danny Fenton.

Ever since the firecracker appeared in his life, with a grace that rivaled even his best of masters, Bruce has been infatuated with him. Fenton came from a small town in Illinois as a guest of the Manson family.

The Manson were new money, having only developed their wealth two generations ago. They had no real social connections and lived in the middle of nowhere. Mr. and Mrs. Manson were eager to pair their daughter off with someone with better standing, but it is evident that they only pushed a little for her to find a rich husband.

They wouldn't have allowed Fenton to tag along if they genuinely wanted their daughter to build connections through marriage. The couple just seemed to want their daughter to stop being goth.

The teenager was unapologetically middle-class, and Bruce found himself watching Fenton move about Galas with a defiant air that left him breathless. He insulted people to their faces, returned passive aggression tenfold, and someone tried to talk down to him; Fentn had the brain to quickly turn the tides.

The Manson's standing shouldn't have shielded him, not when they barely had any social power, yet somehow no one dared to bother Fenton outside of events. It was all so fascinating.

Fenton didn't often come to Gotham, as the Mansons mainly stayed in their own little part of the world, but every year, without fail, they were there for the Charity event in Spring and the Halloween Fest. The dark-haired, sharp-eyed eye, blue-eyed boy would be at Miss Manon's side, muttering into the goth girl's ear.

Bruce's heart constantly fluttered when the days were approaching the two high society events because it would mean seeing Fenton again. Years passed with Alfred attempting for Bruce to strike a friendship with Fenton, but something always made Bruce nervous.

Excited and nervous, like he was about to hit the drop of a rollercoaster. It was a rush whenever their eyes locked, even if Fenton's hardened into a dangerous glare.

Eventually, Bruce went off to do his training, finally getting close to his goal of making the rot of Gotham pay. He didn't see Fenton for a while, and the angry teenager lingered in the back of his mind until Bruce rocked back to Gotham with his new Brucie persona.

Only to have his jaw drop the moment he caught sight of Fenton. The boy was now the CEO of VladCo. after his godfather had taken a sabbatical for medical reasons. Fenton was still unapologetic about his roots and seemed enraged whenever Bruce brought out his playboy persona.

"Cut the crap," Fenton hissed into Bruce's face, unaware of the swarm of butterflies in his stomach. "We both know you're not dumb. I can see your intelligence, and how you're downplaying it is sickening."

Bruce fought the urge to fan himself, heart racing, as he smiled absentmindedly. "Whatever do you mean?"

Fenton made a screech of outrage before turning and stomping away. Bruce hated watching him go, but he loved to watch him leave.

"Sir," Alfred muttterd as he stepped up behind him. Bruce snapped out of his staring, turning his head slightly to pick up the man's whispered words better. "A break-in at Gotham Bank. Nine hostages"

"Understood." He made a show of diving into the fountain with Fenton, looking like he would pop a blood vessel as an excuse to leave. As he drives, Bruce Wayne fades into Batman in more ways than a costume change, and his mind races with plans to save the hostages.

He just hopes that Dofus Phantom doesn't get in his way again. The ghost would pop up randomly in his city, and no matter how many times Batman threatened him, the idiot came back again and again.

Phantom had no detective mindset. He stopped crimes right before him without considering the bigger picture. Dofus probably died in a small town with low crime rates. He didn't understand the complications of deep corruption, power vacuums, or gang violence.

Out of all the people who could have turned into a poltergeist, it had to be the clumsy fanboy Phantom.

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? 1984

"Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a charity song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia. The BBC News crew were the first to document the famine, with Buerk's report describing it as "a biblical famine in the 20th century" and "the closest thing to hell on Earth". The song was recorded by Band Aid, a supergroup assembled by Geldof and Ure consisting of popular British and Irish musical acts such as U2, Sting, Wham!, Duran Duran, Culture Club, and Phil Collins, as well as the US group Kool & the Gang. The song was recorded in a single day in November 1984, and the single was released in the UK on 7 December 1984.

It entered the UK singles chart at number one, where it remained for five weeks, becoming Christmas number one. It sold a million copies in the first week, making it the fastest-selling single in UK chart history until Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997". UK sales passed three million on the last day of 1984. The song also reached number one in 13 other countries. It was released in the US on 10 December 1984 and sold 1.9 million copies in its first eleven days on release but did not reach number one, due to the more complex chart system, which counted airplay as well as sales. Despite outselling the official number one by four to one, it did not make the top ten due to a lack of airplay, and reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song had sold 11.7 million copies worldwide by 1989 and 3.8 million in the UK by 2017.

Most retailers agreed to sell the record at its cost price of £1.35 including VAT. The British government donated an amount to the charity equal to the amount of tax they had collected on the single. The song raised £8 million for Ethiopia within a year, far exceeding Geldof's hopes. When Wham!, who appeared on "Do They Know It's Christmas?", reached number two with their single "Last Christmas" (poll #445), they donated their royalties to the Band Aid Trust. The success led to several other charity singles, such as "We Are the World" (1985) by USA for Africa, and spin-off charity events, such as Comic Relief and the 1985 Live Aid concert. In 2010, the BBC apologised after falsely reporting that money raised by Band Aid and Live Aid had been diverted by rebels and used to pay for weapons.

Critics objected to the song's depiction of Ethiopia and Africa as barren. Ure said the song was secondary to the purpose of raising money for the cause. It was re-recorded and re-released in 1989, 2004 and 2014. All three reached number one in the UK, and the 1989 and 2004 versions became Christmas number ones. A new mix, combining elements of the previous versions, was released in 2024 for the 40th anniversary. For the 2014 version, several contentious lyrics were rewritten, and the song was changed to focus on Ebola rather than famine. The new lyrics have also been criticised as promoting stereotypes and condescension. Criticism from Africans regarding the song remained: in 2014, African activists and Twitter users complained that the song disregarded the diversity of the continent of Africa and ultimately did more harm than good for the people.

Several publications and commentators have described the lyrics as racist and demeaning towards Ethiopians. Ethiopia is home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, yet the lyrics and title imply that Africans would be unaware of Christmas at all. Peter Gill, one of the few Western journalists in Ethiopia at the time, said: "As Ethiopians have pointed out ever since, they did of course know it was Christmas because the starving were mainly [Orthodox] Christian."

"Do They Know It's Christmas?" received a total of 48,7% yes votes.

[agoodfictitle-shadowban]

Sweet Summer | Pt. 1

Wanda Maximoff x f!Reader

Summary: The Xavier Institude is being renovated for the summer. With nowhere else to go, your best friends Billy and Tommy offer you to stay with them and their mom. But what happens when feelings start to spark between the two of you?

Word Count: 5.5k

Warnings: Trauma, Eventual Smut (in 2nd part), Age Gap (20yo reader, 37yo Wanda)

Tags: mutant!Reader (shadow manipulation), different timeline, everyone is alive (except Pietro, sorry Pietro), no Sokovia Accords, no Thanos, Wanda was young when she joined the Avengers, retired Natasha, top!Reader, bottom!Wanda, but they switch a bit, Vision is a bit of an asshole, divorced!Wanda, mainly cutesy, bit of angst tho

"Are you sure it's okay?" You asked both of your friends as you stood in the doorway of their bedroom. Summer was here, and with it, Professor X decided to do some renovations to the Institute.

For most of the mutants, it changed nothing since they would go home for the summer, but for you, it meant two months in the streets - well not really since Xavier offered all students who couldn't go home to stay at a hotel with the resident teachers, an uncomfortable solution in your opinion that left you with a bad taste in your mouth, like you needed the charity (which you did) before going off to University. Lucky for you, your two best friends had offered you to stay with them. It took a bit of convincing, a lot of reassuring that it wouldn't bother their mother, but in the end Billy and Tommy managed to have you agree to come with them for the holidays.

"We're absolutely certain, stop worrying that much," Tommy said, speeding around to finish preparing his suitcase at the last minute. He disappeared from the room and Billy softly smiled at you.

"He's right. And mom already agreed. She always wants to meet our friends, so I'm sure she'd be disappointed if you changed your mind."

You wanted to ask him if he was telling you all that just to make you feel better, but you fought it off. It was a nasty habit you had to always feel like you were a burden and a bother. The twins always found a way to reassure you, so you knew better than to question them some more. You gave Billy a nod, and watched as Tommy disappeared from the room and came back a second later with more things to stuff in his suitcase. He threw everything in and closed it after fighting it for a few minutes.

"I'm ready!" He declared proudly in a hero pose. You rolled your eyes and looked at the time on your phone.

"Only ten minutes late, a new record," you teased him. The speedster was somehow always late with everything, which in turn made you and Billy late. It would drive the teachers crazy, since the three of you were a package deal. You had been since you were young mutants just joining the Institute, despite being older than them by two years - you were still in the same level classes as them. This proximity never translated during holidays when they were away, beyond staying in contact with your phones. It took you being forced out to finally agree to go to their place.

"We should go now," the more responsible Billy declared as he started to drag his suitcase after him with his powers. "Mom has been waiting for us."

Anxiousness filled you for a second, but you took a deep breath and you followed the twins. You adjusted your bag on your shoulder as you walked down the stairs, saying goodbye to the other people who were getting ready to leave. There were a few fist bumps and brief hugs as your classmates and teachers warmly returned the goodbyes. It was the last time you were going to see some of them as you were leaving for university at the end of the summer holidays. This left you feeling sad and nostalgic, but also happy that you were progressing in life despite everything that happened to you. Those feelings washed over you as you walked through the doors of the Institute into the sun. A bunch of parents were waiting there to take their kids home. You never got to join them until now, but you watched from afar plenty of time, never daring to step closer and meet your friends' parents.

Today, Ms. Maximoff was alone. A few years ago she divorced her husband and father of her children. It had been hard on Billy and Tommy, but eventually, and with some help from therapy, they got over it. They still saw him regularly, and you were going to meet him when they were going to spend a month at his place, taking you with them. Because there was no way you would spend a month alone with their mother.

The twins spotted her first and waved at her from afar. You turned your head to have a good look at her and almost stopped on the spot when you did. She was gorgeous. Her wavy light brown hair, piercing green eyes, small nose, and lips were working all together to give her this unique charming look. But most of all, her smile was radiant. As you kept looking at her, you missed a step in the stairs and almost fell. Luckily, Tommy got you and straightened you up. You could feel all eyes on you for a brief instant, making you blush profusely but briefly as you kept walking, looking where you were going this time. Only when the twins stopped did you stop too and looked up. And there she was, right in front of you, in a white with sunflowers sundress and an open red hoodie. You couldn't help but gawk again while Billy gave her a hug. Tommy noticed and smiled proudly.

"Never seen an Avenger up close before?" He asked, so sure that it was the reason why, and you weren't about to contradict him.

"No, never." Especially not one so utterly beautiful. You shook your head and got a hold of yourself while Ms. Maximoff was hugging Tommy and finally stepped closer to her to extend your hand. "I'm glad to finally meet you Ms. Maximoff."

You barely had time to get those words out before she took your hand and pulled you in a strong hug. You were immediately overwhelmed by her scent and her warmth. You were paralyzed.

"Thank you for looking over Tommy and Billy. And please, call me Wanda."

"Oh, huh, sure, I can do that," you answered before she let you go, her hands still on your shoulders.

For a moment, your eyes met and you swallowed hard, feeling your cheeks burn up before she let go for good. It was like there was a current going through the air and into your body, something you both shared. Your heart skipped a beat. You took a deep breath.

"Let's get going, put your packs in the trunk of the car."

And just like that, it was as if nothing had happened. To be fair, you probably just imagined the connection going on between you and Wanda, so you tried to ignore the way you felt and simply put your bag in the trunk of the car. It gave you enough time to recover before you slid in the back of the car with Billy, after the twins fought for the place at the front.

There was a lively conversation between the twins and their mom, and music, and as you watched the scenery go by the window you found yourself smiling. That was until you arrived in front of a colonial revival style house in the suburbs. It was painted white, with two stories, and a large balcony on the right. A tree in the front yard hid most of the left side of the house, and the lawn was well kept. You followed everyone inside and a smile graced your lips when you saw how homey the place was. It would have completely relaxed you if not for that gnarly feeling of intruding on the family. It was like vines growing alongside your heart, preparing to crush it at any sign that this was true. That thought was interrupted when Wanda addressed you.

"Y/n? Come, I'll show you to your room." She spoke softly and grabbed you by the wrist to direct you towards the stairs. Her hand was soft and warm, and the simple contact elicited a tingling sensation up your arm. "This is Tommy's room, and here is Billy's. This is the bathroom. Here is my room, and here is yours."

She opened the door to the guest bedroom. It was simple, impersonal, with a king sized bed, a dresser, and a full length mirror. Close to the bed there was a door leading to the big balcony, and you guessed by the way things were in the house that Wanda had that same access. She entered the room and went to the door to the balcony to open it.

"I aired the room a few times in preparation of you coming but it still feels a bit stuffy," she pointed out as she looked outside. You shook your head and put down your bag on the bed, offering your host a smile.

"It's no worries, that room is great!"

"I'm glad you think so." She turned around and looked at you, examining your features for an instant. You tried not to squirm under her gaze, before her next words shocked you to your core. "Are you going out with Tommy?"

Your eyes went big like saucers, you opened your mouth once or twice before finally your shock settled and a laugh came out of you. It quickly grew bigger and bigger until you had tears in your eyes. Wanda frowned in confusion until you calmed down enough to answer her.

"No, we're not… I'm not interested in him like that. Actually I'm not interested in men like that," you confessed. You knew Billy was gay and came out years ago to his parents, so Wanda shouldn't have any trouble with this. There was still some brief silence before she smiled at you.

"Good." Her smile got more mysterious and you tilted your head, unsure of what it meant. You took it as a good sign, that she simply was glad that she didn't have to worry about Tommy dating you. "Okay, I'm going to let you organize your stuff. I have some work this afternoon, so have fun with the boys."

"Thank you. And thank you again for letting me stay."

"They talk so much about you, it's my pleasure to finally get to meet you."

You nodded, and Wanda left the room. You followed her movements with your eyes, looking her up and down before catching yourself.

"She's your best friends' mom, come on," you muttered to yourself before starting to take care of your bag.

*

It had been a week since you arrived at the Maximoff's household, and you had been having fun so far. You enjoyed the pool the most, having fun with Tommy and Billy while Wanda was away most of the time on Avenger business. There had been a few touches between the both of you, a hand on your shoulder while she was passing you, lingering close to you when bringing food on the table. You were sure that you were reading too much into it, but at the same time your heart would skip a beat every time it happened, your skin lighting on fire just by her simple presence. You tried your best to ignore it, of course, and so far it was working. With any chance it was going to pass soon enough and you wouldn't make a fool of yourself in the process.

"Hey, Y/n. I just received a message from a childhood friend, he's having a party, you wanna go?"

"Thanks for asking Tommy," Billy said with a roll of his eyes, sitting in an inflatable donut in the pool.

"I already know you'll go, dummy. So, Y/n?"

You laughed at the twins' antiques and approached the edge of the pool. A party would be nice, and it would take you out of the house. Maybe even make you think of something else than Wanda and her mesmerizing green eyes. There were no reasons for you not to go.

"Yeah, that sounds great."

"Great! It's in a week so we should go buy some clothes for it!" Tommy exclaimed before he answered the text from his friend.

"I already have clothes," You groaned before pulling yourself out of the water. It's not that you didn't like getting new clothes, if you were honest, it was that you didn't have the money for it. Something that you had no intention to reveal to your friends.

"Come on, it'll be fun!"

You rolled your eyes, but you knew there was no way out of this. You put your hands up in surrender.

"Alright, alright, we can go all together, you big baby," you smirked as Tommy frowned and put down his phone. He sped at you and pushed you in the water in retaliation, before he jumped in turn to start attacking you. You fought back, ending up climbing on his back like a spider, when Wanda approached the pool with a raised eyebrow. She was wearing a smart casual business outfit. You didn't notice her immediately, not before Billy got to explain what was happening.

"Why don't I come with you? I have an outing soon," Wanda offered as she looked at you and Tommy with an amused grin, now that you noticed her, stopping your playfight. Her eyes were boring into you, waiting for you to answer the question more than anyone else.

"Sure. Yeah, that would be nice." You scratched the back of your neck, a smile on your face as you looked back at her.

The moment was interrupted when Billy's inflatable bumped into you. You all discussed the details and decided to go tomorrow morning, when there would be less people than usual. It meant waking up early, but it wouldn't be a problem for you; you usually slept very little.

*

When morning came, you prepared yourself and went downstairs to surprise everyone with breakfast. You started with eggs and bacon, then pancakes. You were preparing coffee when footsteps came from the stairs.

"It smells delicious," Wanda said before you could even see her. When she finally turned the corner to the kitchen, you smiled at her. She was wearing her hair up in a loose bun, a large gray sweater, and some black sweatpants. Even just in her relaxed state she was gorgeous, and you almost burned a pancake looking at her.

"Thank you. Why don't you sit down and I'll bring you your breakfast." She nodded and went to sit down at the table in the sunroom under the balcony, crossing her arms on it. You prepared a plate and brought it to her.

"What's the occasion?" She asked when you were putting down the plate.

"No occasion, I just want to pull my weight around here." You cleaned the traces of fingers on the plate with a dishcloth while turning the plate properly. "I hope you enjoy it."

"I feel like I'm at one of Tony's fancy brunch."

"Never been to one of those, but it sure sounds like the food would be good."

"It was." For a fraction of a second, her smile turned sad. "It was one of the first things I experienced after coming to the States. I couldn't enjoy the food properly, but having everyone with me… it was special. Especially after…" she cut herself, her eyes lost somewhere away. She came back quickly and turned to you.

"Thank you so much." She put her hand on yours briefly as she thanked you, and your heart skipped a beat. You grinned proudly.

"Of course."

With that you went back to the kitchen, feeling rejuvenated by the simple contact and closer to Wanda after the short conversation, despite being worried about what she decided to hide. You knew you could probably just do some research on her history and come to your own conclusions based on context, but it felt intrusive, so you decided against it. Once you were back behind the stove, Billy then Tommy appeared one after the other, in different states of awakening. With them finally present, you also sat down to enjoy breakfast, then everyone left to go get ready for the day. 

You were quick to arrive at the clothing store and grab whatever caught your fancy. You knew you weren't going to buy anything but it didn't mean you couldn't enjoy trying on nice clothes. There was a leather jacket that caught your attention and you put it on your arm to try it later as you kept going around the store. You looked at some things with Wanda while the boys were in the other section of the store.

"What do you think of this dress?" Wanda asked you as she held a nice black and white garment with a bit of a vintage style in front of herself. You tried to imagine her in it, and if you were honest to yourself you thought she'd probably even look good in a potato bag.

"I think it'd look great!" The woman smiled at you and added it to the small pile of clothes she had collected so far. Now you knew where Tommy's sense of style came from at least.

With that in mind, you joined back with the boys to try on what you had found in the store. Like you, Billy only had a few items, so you went first to try the clothes, putting on a mini show. You really liked the leather jacket, the twins and Wanda complimenting you on it, and you thought for a second that maybe you should buy it. But upon seeing the price again you grimaced and decided to put it with the rest of the clothes you couldn't buy anyway.

After you, Wanda and Tommy started their own mini show of trying their clothes. It was the occasion for you to admire the woman some more without feeling like a creep. You were right in your earlier assessment; Wanda could wear anything and look gorgeous. As both Tommy and Wanda went back into the fitting room, Billy decided to wander back into the store, leaving you alone on the bench where you waited for the rest of the show.

"Billy? Can you come help me with the zipper of my dress?" Wanda called, and you looked around. With your friend gone, you hesitantly approached the fitting room curtain.

"He went back into the store," you simply said to her. A few floating seconds passed.

"Can you help me then?"

You hesitated. On one hand, being in such a small space with her not technically fully dressed seemed like a bad idea for the blooming crush you had on her, and on the other hand, it's not like she was naked or like it was anything more than innocent. In the end, you got a hold of yourself.

"Yes. Yes I can." You entered the fitting room quickly so as to not expose her. There she was, her back turned on you, her back in full view while she was holding the dress up to cover the rest of her body. Your mouth felt dry when you came closer to her.

"I can't catch the zipper, so if you could just…" she trailed off but you understood clearly what she needed.

"Okay, let me just…"

You chased a few strands of hair away from her back to go with the rest, the soft texture burning on your fingers. You noticed a few goosebumps on her skin at this point, and you wanted nothing more than to trace along them on her back. It was easy to imagine the silky skin under your fingertips, the warmth of it against your lips, and the taste between your teeth. There was a dull ache inside of you, like a deep resonance that called to you. But you controlled yourself. With as much delicacy as you could manage, you took the zipper between your fingers and brought it up carefully until it hit the top of the dress.

"There you go," you almost whispered before looking up. Your eyes met in the mirror and you could swear you saw the same hunger as yours deep inside her green irises.

"Thank you," she told you, and you saw her neck bobbed slightly as she swallowed hard. Electricity ran through you and your hand raised, ready to meet hers so you could turn her around and get more than you did the past week.

"Where is everyone?" You heard Tommy ask. You stopped in your tracks, back to reality. After blinking a few times, you took a step back and came out of the fitting room trying to look casual.

"Sorry, I was helping Wanda with something."

She actually came out in turn and showed the dress to Tommy. She looked like nothing had happened - and technically nothing had - but you could still feel the blood filling your ears like the single most important decision of your life had been taken away from you. You contained a sigh and went back to sit while the rest of the time spent in the store flew by.

*

A few days went by, during which you tried to control your growing feelings. You quickly realized it was a futile endeavor the one day Wanda joined you to swim in the morning. Seeing her in her swimming suit, you couldn't help but appreciate the display of skin and how utterly beautiful she looked - leftover traces of pregnancy and all. She caught you looking at her a few times, and without ever missing a beat she smiled at you. It was a simple moment that cemented your attraction to her and whatever else you weren't ready to admit you were feeling. But despite that simple interaction, the peace that came with her small reciprocation didn't last.

You were playing on the PS5 with Billy, while Tommy was outside working on his tan. This day had been slow, until now when Wanda started getting ready for her outing.

"I'm almost ready to leave," Wanda said as she adjusted her long hair over her shoulder, then her carmine dress. She put on her heels and looked herself over in the mirror. "I left you with enough money for whatever you want to order, don't break the house, I'll be back late so be in bed before I come back."

"You hear that Tommy?" Billy relayed.

"No, sorry, the sun is blocking my ears!"

You paused the game and stood up with Billy to see her out when you noticed the luxurious car waiting in front of the house. A man stood up next to it, dressed in a relaxed suit. You frowned slightly as you looked back at Wanda, and it hit you. This 'outing' was definitely a date. Your heart sank to the bottom of your stomach.

"Have fun, mom," Billy said as he gave his mother a hug. Meanwhile you stayed standing in the hallway, frozen as every little sign you thought you saw her give to you came to your mind. Had you been imagining it? Your focus came back on Wanda when you felt her gaze on you, very briefly. You took a deep breath to ground yourself.

"I'll see you all tomorrow," she said before she disappeared through the door. Without another word, Billy taped you in the shoulder on his way to the console. It was enough to get you to automatically join him, your mind lost in speculations.

You spent the rest of the evening coming in and out of your thoughts, unable to share them with anyone, even when the conversation veered towards Wanda's date as you were eating your pizza.

"So, what did the guy look like?" Tommy asked his brother, who shrugged.

"He was a bit far so I didn't get to see well enough but he looked okay."

"What about you, Y/n, saw anything?"

You went back to the moment you saw the man in your head, only the feeling of hating the man for no reason. "There was nothing special besides his cool car."

Tommy groaned at your answer, looking at his pizza with distaste.

"You guys suck at gossiping, I swear."

You laughed lightly, and Billy pushed the last slice of pizza towards you as he spoke very wisely.

"Mom doesn't want us to meet the guy, we shouldn't force it. It's only their second date, there is really no reason to push."

You took the pizza slice, listening intently as you ate.

"I just wish she'd date someone fun or something," Tommy pouted.

"You can't think only of yourself." Billy had a point there, and his brother knew it, but it also hit you. You had to consider them in the equation of whatever you were feeling, whether Wanda liked you back or not. You couldn't just keep thirsting over their mom like that. With that new revelation in mind, you all watched a movie and went to bed. 

The shadows around you were your only company, until you heard someone open the door downstairs. By the sounds she made, it had to be Wanda who was trying to be discreet as she was coming up the stairs. You followed her tracks around the house with your hearing, until she was finally in her bedroom. You closed your eyes, thinking she was going to go to bed but instead she opened the door to the balcony and took one of the chairs to sit on it. You frowned slightly, trying to visualize what she was doing but there was no point, you couldn't hear a thing anymore. You stayed in bed some more time until the curiosity was killing you, then you stood up and joined Wanda on the balcony. She was leaning against the railing, back in comfortable clothes, and looking at the sky hanging so far away from her. There was a glass and a bottle of wine sitting next to her. It was clear that she was lost in thoughts and didn't notice you.

"How was your date?" You asked rather bluntly, surprising her. She turned around quickly, wisps of red at her fingertips that vanished when she saw it was only you.

"Why aren't you asleep?" She returned on the defensive, her accent coming through for once. You approached and leaned against the railing like she did earlier.

"I just couldn't find sleep. Your turn now."

Wanda let out a sigh and resumed her position, not looking at you as she answered.

"I don't think I'm going to see him again." That answer made you feel conflicted. Your heart was making jumps and bounds at that, but her voice was so dejected that you couldn't help but feel bad for her. She grabbed her glass of wine and drank a sip. "Honestly I don't even know why I accepted a second date to begin with."

"That bad?" You tried in support to allow her to empty her mind.

"He just loved talking about himself, would try to order in my stead, and he had questionable opinions. To the point where I wondered why he would go on a date with me, a lowly woman with powers." You frowned at that last bit. Clearly the man was an idiot with an inflated ego.

"If he was that bad, why did you give him a second chance?" There was no blame in your voice, just pure curiosity. She took some time before she answered you, drinking a few more sips of wine.

"Part of it is loneliness, I suppose. Another part is…" she trailed off, her head briefly turning to look at you. "It doesn't really matter."

You hummed, half catching on to what she wasn't telling you. That you were part of the equation, even if she hadn't known you for long. But you had had your epiphany that night, so knowing that didn't matter anymore, you couldn't betray the twins.

"Loneliness sure sucks," you simply agreed. You took the glass of wine from her hand to take a sip while looking at her. Even in the dark you could see a small blush on her cheeks. "Makes us do dumb stuff."

"Aren't you a little bit young for that?" She arched an eyebrow at you and you smirked in return.

"I mean… yes," you admitted. "But not by much. Plus, it's not the first time I drink."

You winked at her and took one more sip before you put down the glass. She took it in turn and drank some more, then refilled it. There was peaceful, comfortable silence between the both of you as you shared the glass.

"Can I ask you something?" Wanda finally asked you, turning more towards you with a concerned but curious look. You shrugged slightly.

"Go ahead."

"How come… where…" she fiddled with her fingers and changed the leg she was most leaning against. "Where are your parents?"

You looked at her, no surprise on your face that she would ask that. It made sense after all that she would worry about it considering that you were invading her place for most of the summer. You linked your hands in front of you and looked away.

"I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. They're monsters." Memories started to surface as your eyes darkened. Visions of a dark basement and blood, of horrible words and terrible faith. When her hand landed on your shoulder, it took you out of those moments and anchored you to the now.

"I'm sorry," she whispered before her arms linked around you in a tentative hug. Her warmth and smell enveloped you like a reassuring blanket and you found yourself melting against her. Your vision became blurry; a few tears trailed down your cheeks. It took you some time, but eventually you calmed down enough to start enjoying the contact with Wanda.

You took a deep breath as you nudged your face closer to her neck and enjoyed the smell of cinnamon, sandalwood, and wine coming off of her. One of her hands made small circles on your back and you relaxed some more, until you emerged from the embrace and your gazes locked. The iridescent greens of her eyes were dancing under the moonlight like otherworldly flames ready to engulf you in its fire. It would have been so easy in this instant to lean closer and capture her lips, caress her rosy cheeks, and make her yours. And she did lean closer, her eyes fluttering shut, as you yourself started to initiate a kiss. But as you felt her breath on your lips, and could almost taste her supple mouth, a small voice in your head stopped you.

"I… I can't," you said, and she straightened up, looking red in shame.

"Oh. It's… I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…" she hid her face behind her hand and turned around, her back to you. Your lips formed a line and you took a step back.

"No, it's not you. I just… now… it's not a good time."

"No, you're right. We can't."

"I'm sorry," you said last before you fled to your bedroom, leaving Wanda alone on the balcony.

*

The dark basement had been your home for the last two years. At first, it wasn't that bad. You were in chains, but you got three meals a day and your parents would come and see you, trying to understand what happened, and encourage you to lose your powers somehow. And you tried, but you could always feel them in you, lurking in each shadow that you could see.

Then came the torture. New ways to deprive you of your 'gift from Satan'. First the exorcisms, then the cold of winter, then the electroshocks, then, then, then. One day, they simply didn't show up. No food and no water were brought to you. But no torture either. At first it happened maybe one time a week, they would forget you. It quickly became a habit. Two days a week, three days a week, five days a week. They would make sure you stayed alive, but it was like they had forgotten you. You were getting weaker and weaker, until one day you heard it.

Your doom.

A baby crying upstairs.

And at that moment you could feel in your guts what was their next step, what they needed to do to make sure that baby would be blessed by a life in the light of God. You almost accepted it. You felt so weak, ready to depart that torturous world that had been so unfair to you. So when the steps came down, you did nothing. When you saw the hammer, you did nothing. You laid there like a lamb waiting for slaughter.

He sat down next to you on your makeshift bed and caressed your hair with a tenderness you hadn't known the past two years. He told you it was going to be okay, that your suffering was over. You wanted it to be. Until you saw his smile amidst the tears, the happiness of finally getting rid of you overtaking him. It made you sick. He brought his hammer up. And then there was blood. Not yours, but his, as you held up a dagger made out of shadows. You stabbed him a second time. A third time. Almost went for a fourth but you couldn't see anything anymore. Everything was blurred by your tears and his screams.

She must have heard him, because she came downstairs. You threatened her for the key, and once the chains were down, you ran. You were no lamb. You were alive.

[sxorpiomooon]

YOU AS A CELEBRITY - PAC READING

Paid readings (tarot and astrology)

Pile 1 Pile 2 Pile 3

pile 1-

the vibe I'm getting is of someone who will get chosen purely on the basis of luck and the potential that they might have and then they'll have to put all the hardwork. Unlike other people your hardwork will come after you get picked. This reminds me sort of the anoy yai situation but a k-pop idol situation also keeps coming to my mind. I also see you being a household name and people or families will love seeing you together and I also see you gaining popularity in your home town. you might be a cancer placement if you took this pile, very ambitious people and I see you being mostly a loner because of all the jealousy and competition that will surround you. I see young people especially having a liking to you lmao there's youthful energy here I also see you guys being the most popular out of these three lmao mainly bc I see you guys going into every field and the promotion will be really good I keep having visions of you sitting in tv shows talking also interacting with the general public.

Pile 2

Ooo people will love you, you will be the star of everyone's eyes. I see you might also be an encouraging and inspiring figure to people and people looking up to you. I see this pole might give really good speeches lmao. I also see you guys becoming popular since day 1 and getting tons of sponsorships, pr packages etc. however I see alot of chaos I think the popularity will of course come with its own disadvantages. You guys might be in people's eyes too much all the time I'm sort of reminded of the Britney situation and I see you guys losing your interest and getting just really exhausted because of this. There is also legacy here this reminds me of the Paris Hilton and Kim k situation she started to gain popularity by being around her in the beginning I see your fame coming from someone else in the beginning be it your family members or friends this is like a pile of star kids someone who might already know popular people or soon will. I'm honestly getting leo vibes but could also be venus ruled signs

Pile 3

I see this pile working hard it gives the vibe of someone who knows that this is want they want and they have to do there is no luck here simply hard work and dedication. I also feel as if this pile might either get scammed in the beginning when they'll be establishing yourself or might just come across alot of tricky people in their life testing their passion. You might also gain appreciation from people for your donations and charity I see this pile speaking up about issues alot and using their platform to spread awareness. I see the fame of this pile taking some time. I see you guys working really hard and in the end it will pay off. You guys will be humble and generous. All the fame that this pile will get will come from their own hardwork it will not be handed to them they will make their own place. Aries, Taurus, Virgo placements i think

thankyou!!!

[to-the-stars8]

The Waynes' Nanny

Batfamily and Reader/ Bruce Wayne x Reader Chapters Ao3

Lonely Hearts Club

Mr. Wayne never brought his partner home. You saw no swingers' parties, orgies, or even a single panty on the floor to hint at the wealth of lovers he supposedly had. In a way, you were disappointed, because you found nothing more entertaining than soaking up the drama that billionaire playboys could offer.

Alas, Mr. Wayne was boring. 

He went to work, played with his kids, attended charity balls and galas, and was a good, boring single father and philanthropist. The only interesting part about him was his troubled relationship with Selina Kyle (and some messy drama with Damian’s mother that Alfred refused to delve deeper into), who had been slowly creeping back into Bruce’s arms. When Alfred told you, you were a little surprised since it seemed he, and the children, were affected by the breakup. 

It was a little past two in the morning when you ventured to the kitchen for a glass of water, and the entire house was relatively quiet. There was the pitter-patter of rain against the windows and the shuffling on your feet, but, distantly, you could hear a conversation between Mr. Wayne and a woman. 

You tried to mind your own business, but, as you poured ice into your glass, you heard Mr. Wayne say, “Selina, please.”

“No, Bruce, we can’t keep doing this,” Selina’s voice was clear, almost stern. 

With how loud their voices were, you assumed that they were in the side hall. You paused, partially due to fear of being caught in an awkward position but mainly because of your curiosity. There was a witty back and forth before Bruce loudly demanded for her to go. It went silent after the door slammed shut, and then you heard Mr. Wayne make his way toward the kitchen.

Panicking, you hurried to fill your glass with water so you could get out of there lest he think you were listening in. Just as it was filled and you started to leave, Mr. Wayne entered the kitchen. He seemed surprised to see you, and you were so scared by the sight of him that you dropped the glass—sending it to shattered pieces. 

“Mr. Wayne,” You gasped, kneeling to clean up the mess. “Sorry, about the cup.”

He shook his head, rushing over to urge you to stand up. “No, don’t use your hands. You’ll cut yourself. Give me a moment, I’ll find the broom.”

Now that you were looking at him, there was a flush on his cheeks—Wait, you thought, could he have been embarrassed? You never knew he could have such a feeling. He also seemed disheveled and smelled a bit like perfume mixed with cigarette smoke. 

“Here it is,” Mr. Wayne said after opening nearly every closet and cupboard in the kitchen. “Move, I’ll do it.”

You sidestepped, eyes flickering between Mr. Wayne and the broken glass on the floor. By the way, he swept, it was clear he was rich. That man looked like he had never held a broom in his life, and, with how much Alfred did for him, you wouldn’t be surprised if he hadn’t. 

“No,” You said, hand going to the broom handle. “Let me do it. It’ll be quicker.”

“Are you saying I can’t sweep,” Bruce spat. 

You looked up at him, tired and agitated all of a sudden. “Yes!”

Bruce let go of the handle and huffed, moving across the kitchen to find a glass. He then turned to the cabinet under the island to pluck out a bottle of scotch. He watched you momentarily before rounding the island while holding his hand out expectantly. 

“I’ll do it,” He said plainly. 

You laughed. “Mr. Wayne, I’m nearly done. Plus, we already established that you can’t sweep.”

“Can’t sweep,” Bruce mumbled under his breath. “Ridiculous.”

“Don’t be so upset,” You remarked. “It’s hardly your fault for being born with a silver spoon.”

“I’m not upset!” He said, raising his voice enough to scare you a little. There was a little silence before he sheepishly apologized. “It’s been a stressful night,” was the excuse he gave you. You wanted to be angry at him for raising his voice, but you quickly got over it. 

After throwing away the glass, you looked at him before moving to sleep. You stopped halfway to return to the island where Mr. Wayne stood. 

“Get me a cup?” You asked. 

Bruce stared at you before doing as you asked. When the glass hit the table, he quickly grabbed the bottle to fill it. You were never one for alcohol, but you were always one to rise to the occasion. 

“What happened?” You asked. 

“Relationship troubles,” He said plainly. 

“I used to say the same thing,” You said. “It’s never just relationship troubles, Bruce.”

The two of you stared at one another for what felt like forever until he let out a long, tired sigh and said, “I don’t know. I thought I loved her, and I thought she loved me—but…I think we want different things. I want her to be a part of my family, but she’s afraid of risking her independence.”

“You can’t fault her for that,” You said, not sure of what else you could say. 

“No, I can’t. No matter how much I want to hate her for it to make myself feel better, I know it’s still her choice.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he threw back the entire glass before reaching for the bottle to pour another. He cleared his throat, before asking, “What happened with you and, uh, whatever his name was?”

“Ah, yes, him,” You said, looking down at the glass and swirling the scotch around inside it. “I thought he was great. He was kind, loving—”

“He was a man,” Bruce said, cocking an eyebrow. 

You chuckled. “Believe me, I know, but I was in love with him, Bruce. I wanted to marry him, ya know?”

“Too bad he fired you,” He said. 

That stung a bit, and Bruce must have seen it on your face because all of a sudden was mumbling an apology. Sucking in a breath, you pulled the bottle toward you to pour yourself more scotch. 

“How’d you know that,” You asked, trying to hold back tears and act like your usual humorous self. “I don’t remember mentioning I was fired in my interview.”

“You didn’t mention much in your interview at all, but you honestly didn’t expect me to look?” He scoffed. Yeah, you should have guessed that he would do some sort of background check since he was a crazed control freak. Sniffling, you tried to keep your gaze on the bottle to keep from crying as you thought about your ex. You hated the man, but part of you missed loving him and, in turn, being loved. “I’m sorry to have upset you,” Bruce said, reaching out to awkwardly rub circles on your back. 

“No, no. I don’t mean to cry,” You said, laughing lightly at yourself. “I shouldn’t be crying in front of my boss, anyway.”

“I don’t mind,” Bruce mumbled. 

“I found out the other day that he’s getting married, too,” You mumbled, voice cracking. “Kind of makes me wonder why not me?”

Bruce was quiet, and you took that all the emotion made him uncomfortable. Quickly, you began to suck your feelings back in. You already felt foolish enough, especially when you felt your nose start running. When you began to excuse what you had said, Bruce quickly stopped you from doing such a thing. 

“Every time Selina and I would break up,” He started, “I used to wonder what I had done wrong, and I don’t think I ever realized that it wasn’t just me until tonight. It was just us.” 

“Maybe,” You said quietly. “I hope you find your person one day, Mr. Wayne. You’re a good man.”

He looked down at you, a ghost of a smile on his lips, “Thank you…and I hope you find your person, too.”

Silently, you agreed with the sentiment. You hoped to one day find that person and prayed that he wouldn’t be your employer this time. 

[seasidefae]

hellooo. i wanted to celebrate 100 followers somehow (thank you for following this yapper who can't drive!) i've been thinking about the carcar wag!oscar au A LOT. but since i don't have enough time and the creative energy to sort all these thoughts out into one 3k word one-shot right now, here are some more headcanons

welcome to the full throttle universe

edit 2.1.2025: now a (major motion picture!) one-shot series

i aged up oscar a little bit so they have a 4-year age difference. 26-year old oscar piastri, architect extraordinaire, with his passion projects that are mainly education and sports related. he also jumps at any chance to participate in pro bono projects for local charities in australia.

that’s how he met carlos, at a gala in madrid oscar wasn’t even supposed to attend but the company needed someone to proxy, kiss ass and what not, and everyone else was busy. oscar thought carlos was an obnoxious 1-percenter trust fund baby asshole who spilled wine all over him (accidentally), meanwhile carlos is the epitome of that one viral tiktok audio going “blah blah blah proper name place name back story stuff” while oscar is angrily whisper-yelling at him. the cherry on top of it all is when oscar complained about his expensive suit being ruined and carlos went, “i will just buy you a new one.” oscar almost punched him. almost.

oscar hasn’t forgotten about the whole ordeal even a year later when he and carlos met again at wimbledon. again, oscar got tickets from a friend and he was alone. carlos was also alone. unsurprisingly, he doesn’t recognize oscar at first. at that point oscar knows this is the rude guy at the gala but he’s aware that this is carlos sainz jr aka formula 1 driver carlos sainz jr. carlos is friendly and enthusiastic, talking in the general direction of oscar about tactics and carlos alcaraz. oscar blurts out, “i thought you were a golf guy.” that’s when carlos finally turns to him and recognition hits. (the attraction hasn’t changed either) he brought oscar to meet carlos alcaraz after, got his number, and the rest is history.

oscar first started appearing in carlos’ ig stories in the 2024 season. they had a year to really think about whether or not they want to commit. turns out they do. whenever carlos is asked about it, he just says, “oh that’s oscar” and redirects the question when he’s asked for details.

ig stories from carlos:

oscar’s ig is private, as well as all his other socials. he has like 50 followers, just friends and family that have been warned about leaks, so he has no trouble posting carlos.

ig stories from oscar:

has carlos ever slipped? the guy is tight lipped when he wants to. but mention oscar within his vicinity and he’ll have that smile that can’t be helped. people can speculate all they want.

oscar first started showing up to races in australia ‘24 aka 2 weeks after carlos’ surgery aka the race he won. oscar tried to talk him out of racing post-surgery but carlos insisted.

that’s also when the rumors started to really hit. like at first it’s a cute little thing that only 5 people have talked about, and the rest accepted the faceless guy in carlos’ ig stories and post as some rando friend named oscar. probably a childhood friend? his sister’s boyfriend? he’s not even tagged. but after australia, seeing oscar in the garage wearing the red headset, having his lower third be just “Oscar Piastri” when he appears on screen, and greeting Carlos at parc ferme when he won definitely raised some suspicion a lot more. it’s not like they weren’t ready for that. it took countless of meetings with pr people that oscar hated, a decision left fully in oscar’s hands and not carlos’ because carlos understands oscar’s need for privacy. “piñon and him have a lot in common.” going to the australian gp was more out of necessity. (for himself, considering he'll be sick with worry staying at home and wondering if carlos, who was 3-weeks post surgery, would fare okay. he just wants to make sure he's FINE.)

[lemonlover1110]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

Satoru Gojo

[Chapter 10] Late Nights

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Pairing: Satoru Gojo x f!Reader

Discord +18 - Twitter - Ko-Fi

Satoru’s behavioral change is something that you never really expected. It seems that he’s warming up once again, even though you’re not giving him the attention he desires. He wants you to be the sweet and loving woman that you were when you were in a relationship, but you aren’t that woman. But it’s fine with him, he’s still warming up and treating you like an actual human being.

The bar is low, but you don’t really expect much from spoiled little Satoru. 

For some reason, you’re not liking this change though. You prefer him as the cold and mean boss that would snap and berate you due to a minor mistake. Maybe it’s because he’s molding and reminding you of the man that you used to love and you don’t want to see traces of the past relationship. Ren is the only reminder you need, and the best reminder because he reminds you how Satoru left you without an explanation.

You hate how he suddenly drops the mean act and is sweet; professional but still sweet. He tries to make an effort by asking how you’re doing, asking you to take breaks during work hours so you don’t tire yourself out so quickly (knowing that sometimes you have to run some errands for his mom), and whenever he orders food he asks if you want anything. You wonder what his mom said to him especially when you remember how he broke down and hugged you out of nowhere. She definitely said something to him.

“Have you started sending out the invitations?” Satoru asks, and you hum in response. Even though he knows you’re busy, sometimes you can’t get out of the task of working late nights. There’s so much to do in one day sometimes, and it’s especially busy with an upcoming charity event. It’s an event that his father would host each year but it consequently stopped when his mother got a hold of the company. Since Satoru is officially the president of the company, he’s honoring his father by bringing back the event– Additionally, it brings great publicity to the company, but that’s just an added bonus.

“Around one hundred people have said yes, a handful declined, and we still have a lot of people that haven’t opened it or are just thinking about it.” You inform him. 

“Have the Zenins said anything? Any of them?” He’s curious to know their response, and you try to recall. You remember the Zenin name coming up a lot while growing up, you never really got to understand the relationship between that family and the Gojos. They’re in constant competition yet they still invite each other to big events.

“Yeah… They declined.” You answer when you remember. He feels relieved to know that. They’re the last group of people he wants to see… A bunch of complicated snobby pieces of shit. He quite literally doesn’t understand why his father insisted on inviting them to every major event. He remembers Naoya, mainly because they went to school together, and that boy was unbearable. Satoru was lucky that he was a year younger. “I remember one of the Zenins–”

You can’t quite remember his name, and you try to remember the name. It’s on the tip of your tongue, but you can’t quite get it. Until Satoru speaks up, “Naoya.”

“Yeah! He asked me out when I was like sixteen. Really awkward… He told me that I’d never amount to nothing and it’d be weird to see him and show him that he was right.” You share, and Satoru finds himself surprised at the information that you share. How has he never heard of that? 

“Good thing that you rejected him. Suguru and I would’ve never allowed that relationship to happen anyway.” He responds, and you raise your brows. It’s weird why he’s bringing it up, but you’re more curious as to why Suguru of all people wouldn’t allow that to happen. You understand why Satoru would’ve been upset– But not Suguru. You chew on the inside of your cheek anxiously, wondering if you should ask the question that comes up in your mind.  In the end you ask,

“Why wouldn't Suguru have allowed that relationship to happen?” And Satoru isn’t sure how to respond. He isn’t sure whether to dismiss the question and get back to work, or to answer honestly. Satoru’s eyes shift back to his computer before he says anything.

“He used to have a crush on you back then.” He clears his throat, grabbing his water and taking a sip of it. You find yourself a bit taken back, a stupid smirk on your lips and it pisses him off. You shift in your seat, adjusting yourself so your back is straight.

“Suguru had a crush on me?” You sound so fucking proud of it, and it takes everything in Satoru to remain his composure. You repeat the question, sounding even more proud than the last time. 

“Yeah, he did.” Satoru says through gritted teeth. You’re way too ecstatic to even care about how he talks. His hands form into fists and he tries to hide them from you. “Why does it matter anyway? We ended up dating.”

“I’m just wondering… We all wonder how life would’ve turned out differently if we had made different decisions.” You answer, and he scoffs. When his hands are visible again, your eyes fall on your wedding band. “It doesn’t matter anyway, we’re here to work.”

“You’re right.” He nods his head in response. He focuses on what you have to do before you go back home. He’s sure you’re in a rush to go back home to your stupid cat.

“Plus, you’re married to someone else. It doesn’t matter if I had chosen to date him.” 

He bites down on his lip. He guesses you’re right. He’s not allowed to get upset. After all, he did leave you without an explanation. Maybe he should’ve let Suguru get with you. 

“Mommy!” Ren yells, the biggest smile on his face when he sees you. You always welcome him with open arms, picking him up from the floor and filling his little face with kisses. Even though you’re exhausted by the time you get home, you always manage to find energy to spend some quality time with him.

As you pay attention to him, brushing his hair out of his face with your fingers, the nanny collects her stuff and says her goodbyes before leaving. It’s your daily routine. While you greet him, she leaves without missing a beat. “Are you hungry, Ren?”

“No.” He answers, and while he says that, your stomach growls. Satoru offered to buy food but you rejected the offer since you wanted to leave as soon as you could. Ren, being the honest little boy that he is, points it out, “Sounds like you’re hungry, mommy.”

“I am. I’m gonna order something.” You say, definitely too tired to cook something up. You smile at him, tilting your head to the side, “Do you have any ideas?”

“Pizza.” He doesn’t waste a second, and you chuckle. You figured. You kiss the top of his head and you put him down on the floor before reaching into your purse to grab your phone. You find a couple of messages on your phone from different people. Mrs. Gojo telling you that you need to talk, a similar message from Shoko, and then Suguru checking up on you.

First thing’s first, you order your food delivery before you send a message to Suguru. You then call Mrs. Gojo, and within the first ring, she picks up the phone. She doesn’t bother greeting you before saying, “What’s up with Satoru?”

“I have no idea. I’m his secretary, not his babysitter nor his mother.” You respond, too tired to care about the way you speak to her. “You should know.”

“I swear to God, if you said anything to him–” She stops mid sentence and takes a deep breath. “Do you have an idea of what’s going on?”

“I have no idea. What did Satoru do?” You ask her. You hear her sigh.

“I’ll talk to him. I’ll call you if I need anything.” She says before hanging up the phone. You turn your full attention to Ren, deciding that anything else can wait until he’s asleep. You walk over to him and crouch down to his level.

“You wanna watch a movie, Ren?” You ask him and he nods in response. He follows you as you walk over to the couch to look for the remote control.

“Can we eat ice cream, mommy?” He looks at you with puppy eyes, and it’s hard for you to say no.

“After dinner, Ren.” You tell him, taking a seat on the couch. He takes a seat next to you, laying his head on your lap.

You will always hold some sort of resentment towards Satoru, but you will always be thankful for the little boy that rests his head on your lap. Ren is your whole world.

When Ren is sound asleep, you find yourself on the couch, finger hovering over Suguru’s contact. And just as you’re about to call him, someone calls you first. The man that you were just thinking of. You don’t waste a second picking up the phone and putting it to your ear.

“Hey, Suguru.” There’s a dumb smile on your face. It becomes bigger when he says your name. You don’t waste any time considering your eyes are shutting on their own. You’ve texted the entire night, talking about trivial things. You just have to come out and say it, “Satoru told me that you liked me back in the day.”

“Is that so?” Suguru responds, and you hum. You bite down on your lip, waiting for him to say something else. Any other time you would be embarrassed to just say that, but your brain is barely functioning, and your confidence is extremely high. “What do you think?”

“That if you had said something before Satoru then…” You swallow thickly. Would you have chosen Suguru over Satoru? After realizing just how immature Satoru is, right now you say you would’ve chosen Suguru. Back then though… It doesn’t matter now anyway. “Maybe Ren would’ve been your kid.”

“Is that so?” You hear how he’s holding back on laughing. Finally you hear a chuckle. “Is that your way of shooting your shot?”

“Maybe…” You respond, and you’re lucky you’re half asleep when you’re saying all of this. The silence would be your biggest embarrassment at any other moment. You smile as you hear,

“Do you wanna go on a date?”

[anim-ttrpgs]

Cover your eyes! Announcing the Gorgon Initiative for Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy

(promotional art by @theblackwarden, one of our team artists)

Okay so, we had a bunch of stretch goals in the Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy Kickstarter, and we actually did hit more of them than expected, but there was one of them we didn’t hit, the playable gorgon.

The gorgon being a playable monster type was stuck at the very back of the stretch goal list, mainly because we thought of it way later than all the other stretch goals, but honestly it was one of the possibilities that I was most excited for, and apparently, so were a whole lot of our fans. The gorgon monster type would perfectly round out Eureka’s roster of playable supernatural creatures, and we would really like to make it happen, despite not really having the budget for it since we didn’t hit the stretch goal.

Here are a few of what the gorgon’s key features would have been:

>Anyone who makes direct eye-contact with the gorgon turns to stone.

>A venomous bite, making them gorgon the second playable monster type to be able to inflict a poison effect.

>Cold-blooded. Won’t feel great in low temperature environments, but won’t show up on thermal sensors either.

>Scaly skin.

>Snake hair optional.

>Claws.

>Eating people like a snake.

And all this wrapped up in Eureka’s unique humanity-focused approach to monsters. How will your PC cope with their power to instantly kill anyone who looks at them wrong, whether they want to or not? That’s the kind of character development you can look forward to with a gorgon in the party.

So here is what we are going to do to make it happen despite the budget not accounting for it. It’s going to be a patreon initiative.

(promotional art by @qsycomplainsalot, one of our team artists)

If we can get up to 50 total paid patreon subscribers by the end of June, we will put the gorgon in the game. Currently, we have 33, so if y'all can manage to make that climb to 50 by July 1st, we will promise to make time and budget to add the gorgon in to the rulebook before final release. Ultimately, even 20-ish more patreon subscribers is less money than the stretch goal would have been, but we feel that it would be a good enough addition to the game to justify, especially because it's what the fans want, and because long-term patreon support is very valuable. You get regular Eureka rulebook PDFs as a part of the patreon, and even though there is also a free demo, the more more-updates copies or Eureka floating around, the better. We want people actually playing this game, and playing better and better versions of it. We’d release it all for free if we didn’t need the money to “earn a living.”

Supporting us on patreon isn’t pure charity either. At the $3 tier, you get access to our patreon discord server where our team discusses development of the game and gets feedback from fans, as well in a vote on which projects we tackle next.

At the $5 tier and beyond, you get that, plus regular PDFs of the most current and up-to-date version of our projects. In addition to a version of the Eureka rulebook with many more features than the current free version, there’s stuff you currently can’t get anywhere else, like Eureka adventure modules, short stories, and even a novella, all unreleased anywhere else.

So, sign up to our patreon, it’s only a few dollars a month, and help out with the gorgon initiative. At the time of writing this, we have 33/50 paid subscribers, and I’ll update the goal as we go.

And below the cut, I’ll show you the current changelog for the Eureka rulebook, so you can see what all $5+ patreon subscribers are going to get in the next big patreon update coming Thursday, June 6th. This changelog isn’t even fully conclusive, as work will continue on the rulebook throughout the week to make it even better before Thursday. That's a whole lot for just $5! I will also post the rough notes that exist for the gorgon mechanics as they appear right now.

(A new version of Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy will be coming to $5+ patreon subscribers on the first Thursday of the month every month until final release, and after that you'll start getting the beta versions of whatever our next project turns out to be.)

CHANGELOG

CHAPTER 1

Have started working on replacing the examples of play with updated ones that actually fit the current and slightly more stable version of the rules. These will be found in various chapters. You can see them in the table of contents.

Added a Foreword, a section on other media to offer you inspiration when playing eureka, and a section on some of the subtler themes of eureka

Copy-edited Foreword

A few minor clarifications in the Making Rolls section

Added a chart explaining the percentage chances of failures, partial successes, and full successes for modifiers from -7 to +7. 

Added Heat optional rule. A whole new set of mechanics for tracking how much police attention the investigators may be drawing, as well as how law enforcement will respond. Currently a work-in-progress, but mostly functional already.

CHAPTER 2

Added the Forgery skill to write-in skills

Many new snoops have been added. 

Removed the “Seating” stat for vehicles, you know how many people can safely fit in a car

Removed the placeholder boat entries from the item list because we did not hit that kickstarter stretch goal

Added Skateboard to item list. 

Added four-wheeler to item list. 

Added Acceleration values to all vehicles in the vehicle list. Acceleration is a new stat used with the new way that Speed is calculated for Chases.

Adjusted the Driving bonus of motorcycles and dirtbikes.

Changed Large Mansion cost to 25 Wealth Points in character creation.

Started copy-editing this chapter.

CHAPTER 3

Added vehicle crashes to irregular forms of damage section

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

Completely revamped the way that Speed is calculated. 

Added a mechanic to determine how many nodes ahead a fleeing character starts.

Added an optional rule for bringing an end to chases 

Added vehicle attack rules for use during car chases

Added more guidelines for how to make your own obstacles

Added recommended numbers of nodes for chases and recommended distance between obstacles 

Added the work-in-progress random obstacle tables

On-Foot Urban Chase Obstacles table is finished but not edited

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

Increased capacity of an unfurled thing from beyond’s ‘stomach’ from three to fourteen.

Thing from beyond can now more easily attempt to engulf more victims after already containing one or more. This now prompts an escape attempt by victims inside rather than automatic escape.

Thing from beyond can now get a bonus to mimicry attempts by consuming a sample of the intended mimicry target’s DNA. 

Thing from beyond can now attempt to mimic a person they have never seen or heard by consuming a sample of their DNA, but narrator makes a hidden roll about it, so accuracy of mimicry will be unknown.

Gave acceleration value to witch’s brooms and other flying transportation

Gave Acceleration of +6 to Superhuman Speed trait

Gave vampire small bat manifestation +2 Acceleration

Gave vampire wolf manifestation +4 Acceleration 

Gave vampire massive bat beast manifestation +4 Acceleration

Gave wolfman wolf form +4 Acceleration

Gave lycanthrope wolf form +4 Acceleration

Added ability to resist curses to fairy and witch

Added ability for fairy to transfer curses to different names as a means of protecting themselves from curses. This gives them more of an incentive to collect names. 

Added a tiny bit about the fairy world

Added Monsters Eating Monsters section to provide rulings for some edge cases where monsters might eat other monsters and what would happen if they did

ROUGH GORGON DESIGN NOTES

[Notes: Turn people to stone by looking them in the eye. Definitely not a power that the Gorgon can turn on and off, they will have to cover their eyes somehow, such as dark sunglasses or a veil, to prevent it happening to everyone they make eye contact with. Also works the other way around so you could protect yourself by wearing dark sunglasses. Still works even if the Gorgon is dead, like in the legends. Does not work through cameras, reflections, images, etc. Turning to stone is permanent, basically instant kill? Works like the witch curse except with infinite duration unless a witch undoes it like a curse. If there is no eye protection, could be a reflex roll on the gorgon’s part or on an aware victim’s part to break eye-contact quickly enough for the curse not to take effect. Also, they could have some kind of bonus to Threaten because all the legends say that they look particularly frightening.

Have claws and maybe scaly skin or scales in patches, maybe snake-like eyes and snake tongue that can taste air? Sharp teeth and maybe venomous snake fangs? People will really really want their gorgons to have snake hair even though in the legends, it was only Medusa herself that had snake hair. Compromise by making it an optional rule agreed upon by narrator and player that they have snake hair. Snakes may have venomous bite attack but the trade off is that it makes it way harder to conceal the gorgon’s identity as a Gorgon.

Gorgons do not regain composure points from turning people to stone, all other monsters regain composure points by *consuming* their victims in some way, except for fairies who regain composure from playing mean pranks because it makes them happy. Keeping with the rule of monsters eating people and also the fact that the legends always describe gorgons as having snake-like trait, maybe they swallow victims whole like a snake? Great horror concept but takes a long time. Could mechanically work very very similar to thing from beyond’s composure restoration where they gain 1 composure point each day for however many days. Could advise loose and bulky clothing to cover this up. Cannot really decide how to codify this because the most obvious way would make it pretty impossible to hide for a very long time. Could probably make multiple optional rules that regain composure at different rates and digest victims at different rates. One option that gets a lot more composure over time from a single victim like the thing from beyond but is very conspicuous that entire time. Other option that digests the whole victim extremely fast so they are only conspicious for a short time but ultimately less composure from a single kill. No option to regain composure from victim without killing them, like thing from beyond. No composure restoration from normal food but can eat it to stay alive, like the thing from beyond?

Do they have proper weaknesses besides just the normal things that everybody is weak to, like sharp objects? Probably should not have the Unkillable trait, but need to come up with at least one weakness that does not stray too far from the legends. Maybe they are cold-blooded, following the snake theme? Makes them very vulnerable to cold temperatures, and jackets and blankets don’t help because they don’t produce their own body heat. Big Physical skill penalties when they are in cold environments?

What is their second mandatory monster trait? They don’t *need* one but every other monster has their powers split across two monster traits.] 

Actually it would be pretty good if they had to make a Monster(fear) Composure check if they saw their face in the mirror

Their blood is either healing or poisonous depending on if it is from the left or right side. left side kills, right side heals. Make it  veinous vs arterial blood.....  But this would have no effect on vampires 

We have GOT to get the gorgon in if we have time, it’s such a good idea

Elegantly designed and thoroughly playtested, Eureka represents the culmination of three years of near-daily work from our team, as well as a lot of our own money. If you’re just now reading this and learning about Eureka for the first time, you missed the crowdfunding window unfortunately, but our Kickstarter page is still the best place to learn more about what Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy actually is, as that is where we have all the fancy art assets, the animated trailer, links to video reviews by podcasts and youtubers, and where we post regular updates on the status of our progress finishing the game and getting it ready for final release.

Beta Copies through the Patreon

If you want more than just status updates, going forward you can download regularly updated playable beta versions of Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy and it’s adventure modules by subscribing to our Patreon at the $5 tier or higher. Subscribing to our patreon also grants you access to our patreon discord server where you can talk to us directly and offer valuable feedback on our progress and projects.

The A.N.I.M. TTRPG Book Club

If you would like to meet the A.N.I.M. team and even have a chance to play Eureka with us, you can join the A.N.I.M. TTRPG Book Club discord server. It’s also just a great place to talk and discuss TTRPGs, so there is no schedule obligation, but the main purpose of it is to nominate, vote on, then read, discuss, and play different indie TTRPGs. We put playgroups together based on scheduling compatibility, so it’s all extremely flexible. This is a free discord server, separate from our patreon exclusive one. https://discord.gg/7jdP8FBPes

Other Stuff

We also have a ko-fi and merchandise if you just wanna give us more money for any reason.

We hope to see you there, and that you will help our dreams come true and launch our careers as indie TTRPG developers with a bang by getting us to our base goal and blowing those stretch goals out of the water, and fight back against WotC's monopoly on the entire hobby. Wish us luck.

[kingpreciouswrld]

If you’re still accepting Miranda Priestly x Reader fic ideas i’ve got one!

Miranda and Reader have been married or a long time now secretly of course to prevent a media mishap. The reader is a stylist who sometimes stops to visit and help with a showcase, maybe she comes in casually to have lunch with Miranda and gets stopped by Andrea and Emily who try to get her to leave as they don’t know her(only Nigel does) and they’re both trying to tell Emily and Andrea that she’s allowed back there without exposing the marriage, eventually Miranda just comes out and asks why they’re touching her wife ( or something of the sort???) feel free to branch from this

ask and ye shall receive!

I hope you like it! It's been a while since I've written for anyone but myself :3

Nobody's Gonna Know

It’s an unusually busy day in your office. The clothes you’ve ordered haven’t arrived yet and your workers seem to not know how to conduct themselves in a manner without the very needed materials. You looked on through the glass doors as your workers ran around like headless chickens, trying to come up with something to show you before you needed to leave.

As a well-known stylist, it was your job to come up with new and creative or out-of-the-box looks to those who paid for your help. You mainly helped with showcases that Runway Magazine held and the clothes you needed today were actually from Runway Magazine. Through the grapevine you’ve heard that their workers were just as clueless as yours when it came to the clothes you were seeking.

As you sat in your little office, you thought back to when you first started out. You were a nobody, hell you weren’t even a New York local. No, you came from a small town in the middle of nowhere. Having nothing to your name, you first tried making it in California. You gained some traction which led you to move to New York. At first you were against it. You didn’t like big cities all that much, it just wasn’t your scene but you knew that your talent and job called for being around big things.

A year into the job, you attended a charity event where you were introduced to the one and only, Miranda Priestly. It was hard to read the woman at first but you saw it in her eyes, she liked you or at least, your work. That’s how it all started. You started to come and do jobs at Runway Magazine while also taking some jobs on the side. Not to mention the growing relationship between you and the editor which also included the lives of her rambunctious daughters and her slobbery saint bernard.

3 years passed and Miranda and you kept things underwraps. Heaven knows you’d have a field day for Page Six and their stinging words, so you have kept your relationship from everyone. Well, everyone except those closest to you.

Sighing, you looked at the clock. It was almost lunch time and Miranda didn’t like to be kept waiting.

You grabbed your bag and slung it over your shoulder, “Annie, reschedule the runthrough until this afternoon. I’m sure Runway will do the same due to the circumstances with its clothing gone missing. I’m going out for lunch.” Your assistant nodded and frantically went to work at her computer as you passed her.

Making your way to Elias Clarke, you weaved through the small crowds before entering the building– blending in with the clackers around you. No one knew about your relationship with the fashion queen so you easily blended with crowds and you loved it. No one bothered you.

Until they did.

You had made your way up to Runway’s floors when you passed the front desk and made your way towards Miranda’s inner sanctum. You’ve been to Runway multiple times so no one blinked an eye as you strolled down the halls.

Reaching the outer office of Miranda’s, you haven’t intended to actually be stopped by her assistants.

Andy was the first to notice you as Emily was out.

“Oh! Y/n! I’m sorry but Miranda is in a meeting so you wouldn’t be able to go in right away.” 

You looked at the clock above the assistant’s desk. 11:56 am. Knowing your wife, you knew she wouldn’t mind if you interrupted her work. She never minded when you did it at home, so why would her workplace be different?

“Trust me, I think Miranda wouldn’t mind Andy. So I’m just gonna…”

You tried to step past the young woman but Andy just stepped in front of you. The assistant’s eyes widened as you tried to step past her again but she blocked your way through.

There was only so much you could do so you sighed as you looked back at the clock. 

11:58 am.

This time, you tried to listen for the soft voices coming from your wife’s office. There were only two that you could pick up on. One was, of course, Miranda’s but the other was a man’s voice. Somewhat…feminine? But not too feminine.

“Is it just Nigel and Miranda in there?”

As you tried stepping past the brunette, again she blocked your path.

“Look Y/n, if you keep this up I’m going to have to call security.”

At this time, Emily walked in and took in the scene in front of her, “Andrea? What’s going on here?”

As Andy was distracted, you tried to step past her again but only to be grabbed by the arm and pulled back, away from Miranda’s office door, “Woah! Okay, no touchy, alright? These cost more than your paycheck alright?”

Emily huffed and rolled her eyes but didn’t release you. Andy looked like she was nervous about losing her job. She knew you were stubborn and wouldn’t stop until you were able to see Miranda.

“Since you already have her, escort her to the lobby Em. She’s been trying to break into Miranda’s office. “ ‘Break into’? I’m just trying to see my– ugh, look, I’ll just wait alright? You guys don’t need to be so touchy about–”

Before you could finish your sentence, the brit was already moving towards the front desk area. You immediately stood your ground so the redhead would have a harder time moving you. You’d show them stubborn.

As the three of you were arguing and you were still struggling against Emily’s hold– you didn’t know how the redhead was this strong– you three failed to notice Miranda’s office door open.

“Look, if you let me go, i’ll make sure you still have your job at the end of the day, alright?”

Emily scoffed, “As if you’re so important here, you’re just a small town no one who just happened to meet Miranda and kiss her ass all the way till–”

“Is there a reason you’re restraining my wife?”

Both assistant’s straightened their posture at the cool voice before they realized what she said.

Emily gaped, looking like a fish out of water while Andy looked more afraid of losing her job this time.

Miranda’s eyes were still where Emily had a grip on you and she glared at the redhead, “Let. Go. Emily.” 

The brit let your arm go as if your arm burned her and you grumbled as you rubbed your arm, trying to soothe the lingering pain of Emily’s grip. Behind the editor, Nigel looked as if he was about to burst out laughing at the girls’ faces.

“Now, how about some lunch my love?”

[mogamuncher]

Brucie is a menace to society: The Thesis

Urrgh the brainworms got to me again, so we're talking about some funky Brucie Wayne headcanons:

• There's a difference between Brucie Wayne interacting with the general public and random rich folks that he isn't too close with vs Brucie Wayne interacting with business partners, friend, or people Brucie is generally a bit more trusting towards

• To the general public and the more distant rich folks? Brucie is a himbo dork, a hot playboy manwhore who donates to charity all the time, a little dumb, a heart of gold, definitely seen as way too naive. Brucie is just a well-intentioned goofball who is very good looking, he's clumsy and kinda adorable, people just generally like him because of his Vibes™. Also just very good with kids, though his habit of adoption is brought up a lot in jokes

• But with long time business partners, friends and people he'd be closer to? Brucie is 100% a smug bitch, absolutely insufferable. He's like, still seem as mostly stupid and vapid, still a manwhore, but as they get to know Brucie more others definitely start to catch on whenever he's just fucking with people. Brucie can no longer get away with pretending like he's naive anymore, because these specific people have 100% caught him saying certain things solely because he thought it would be just so fucking funny

• Because of this, Brucie tends to be more playful with this select group of people, being less of an adorable himbo and more like a loud snarky friend, he's absolutely hilarious if you're actually in on the joke, has an awful habit of teasing others as well

• If you're particularly grouchy or insufferable then Brucie will dedicate the rest of his day to bother you in particular. He can and will just make up any excuse to have a meeting, or to tour at someone else's office, or anything and other to simply be able to annoy bitter people from a close range

• His biggest victims: Oliver Queen, Lex Luthor and Harvey Dent. These three will never know peace, the moment they got close enough to get to the more snarky side of Brucie it was game over. It was really common to see Bruce waltz through parties acting like his normal himbo self, only to do an immediate shift in attitude once he spotted one of them, the press usually found it hilarious

• Lex is the one that suffers under this the most since he's the bitchiest man alive, so Brucie is basically in speed dial to annoy this man 24/7, he's an actual menace about Lex to the point where he will make the trip to metropolis solely to piss Lex off on a completely random Wednesday. They're both the pettiest people to ever exist so the annoyance is actually kinda mutual, but Brucie often wins out since his reactions aren't really fully genuine (on account of being, well, Brucie), something that Lex is endlessly bitter on. To this day no one can tell if they're genuinely actually friends, or if they just hate each other

• Oliver does not get hit by the full brunt of the Brucie Wayne Effect™ as Lex does, but they both still snark at each other all the time, to the point that having a conversation with the two of them present becomes a comedy routine really fast. The accounts of the poor poor survivors that have ever third wheeled their conversations say that it was vaguely reminiscent of being the ball in a game of verbal tennis, as was read in a particularly descriptive article released by several bitter interviewers

• Now, of course Harvey is actually aware that Brucie isn't really fully real, like, he knows that it's mainly a persona, he's actually had full conversations and memories with Bruce instead of Brucie. Still though, Brucie and Harvey are like a menace duo, being targeted by both of them is a sentence to being messed with or manipulated, it's actually really impressive what they can get done together. Of course, they both use their methods for good, and to annoy people that are assholes while still somehow being polite, so it's more funny than anything, really

• Brucie is also just generally more mellow around Harvey, being less snarky and sometimes even quiet, staying in a sweet spot between Bruce and Brucie. Seeing Smug Bitch™ Brucie Wayne chill out a little whenever Harvey was around is a bit surreal to everyone else though, Lex and Oliver will forever complain about it

• Once Harvey became Two Face, Lex and Oliver both actually had some tact (yes, I know right) and gave Brucie some space to deal with it. A week later after the incident Brucie visited both of them with a big confident smile, beer and an invite to a party with only the family friends

• Not much changed after that, Lex is still insufferable, Oliver is still playing along with Brucie's bullshit to some extent, and Brucie is still a menace to society disguised as a harmless himbo playboy. Though sometimes the clear absence of Harvey is felt, especially whenever those quieter and softer moments of Brucie mellowing out simply cease to exist entirely

[lorsdelapluie]

The doctor's diary.

Pairing: sylus x female reader

Genre: Dark shit going on. Including smut. Please read the content warning.

Word count: 4000+ words.

Content warning: mdni, explicit sexual content (but its chill for now), spoiler warning, mention of human experimentation, cult activities, my own twisted thoughts and theories are literally making this way darker than LADS already is. An oc of mine will appear more often in the next chapters, hate him guys, he is not a good guy. English is not my first language sorry for any mistakes.

Note: This chapter ended up longer than I expected somehow. And it is the first one of a three chapter fanfiction. I tend to write nasty stuff, sex wise but also everything else wise so please be prepared for anything literally. The character Castiel that you will meet in this chapter is my own oc that I made up specially for the LADS universe. I hope you will enjoy to hate him.

Chapter 1:

“You want me to go in the N109 zone ? I thought we weren’t allowed to go th-” 

“We are aware you have been going back and forth between Linkon city and the N109 Zone.” 

You pinched your lips at the words coming from Jenna’s mouth, your hand resting on your hunter’s watch. The times you forgot to turn off your watch comes back to light one by one in your mind. Brushing it off everytime you thought that the HQ wouldn't have the time to check on your status. Her arms were still crossed over her chest as she looked at you straight in the face with her dark gray eyes. You felt like a kid underneath this disappointed glare. You opened your lips to say something, to defend yourself but she raised her hand to stop you from doing so. 

“However, you have mainly been doing this outside your working hours. So it is your private life, and you may keep it a secret if you wish. But since you have been going there multiple times, we figured you might be aware of what is going on there better than we do.” She sighed. You guessed that she wasn't the one behind this idea. Maybe some higher ups that you never had the opportunity to meet.

“So this is why we thought you might be the best suited agent for this mission.”

“Oh uhm… Thank you for entrusting me.” 

“Despite this little disagreement, I am aware that you are one of our best agents. However if you think you might need help, you can still ask Xavier to accompany you. Although he has been quite busy lately.”

“No no no ! Do not bother Xavier for this. I am more than capable of handling missions on my own. As for the mission… Can I ask you what is it that I am meant to do ?” 

“Of course. I wouldn’t let you go into the Lions’ den without information.” She said as she slid her hand on her desk, taking a handful of documents stored inside a pocket and handing them to you. “We need you to participate in an auction for charity.”

“For charity…” you mumbled. You never thought you would see the day of a charity auction being held in the a zone so… uncharitable. You start looking through the papers in your hand, brows furrowed in confusion.

“We are as surprised as you look. As nice as the thoughts around this event are, we are particularly interested in one of the prizes that we wish you would purchase for us.”

Your eyes land on the auction picture of a diary, its cover is made of leather and the pages look old, teared up for some of them. “A diary ?”

“This diary seemingly belonged to one of the most wanted people of our organization. A doctor who previously worked here, in Linkon city, and got too deep in his interest for protocores and their links with people’s evol.” 

“He experimented on humans…” you mumbled as you read the notes next to the picture that the intel team had written for you. "On children..."

“He indeed did. And we would like to prevent this diary from falling into the wrong hands. This is where your part comes in. Buying this diary away from that zone.”

You nodded as you guessed the objective of your mission long before she started explaining the reason why they would go fetch that book in the first place. Plus, that diary might bring you answers you are seeking about yourself. And as you remember your partner's jewel like gaze, about Sylus too. You then raised yours towards Jenna, closing the file between your hands and straightening your back. 

“If you will allow me. I’m going to do the best I can to fulfill this mission.” 

“I know you will. The auction is in three days. I hope it gives you enough time to gather any belongings and travel to a safe place in the N109 zone… If such a place exists.” 

“Do not worry about me. I will be safe.”

You smile as Jenna raises her hand slowly with a peaceful expression as she dismisses you from her office. You exit the room, slowly closing the door behind you before walking to your desk, gathering your laptop and phone on the furniture. You then put the file inside your bag as you were already leaving the building. You would take the time to analyze everything once you were safely in the N109 Zone.

Phone in hand you immediately texted Xavier to let him know that you were leaving for a mission in the outskirts of your beloved city. As your thumbs were patting the screen of your phone, it suddenly started to vibrate. Soon enough the icon of Sylus appeared on your phone, a silly picture of him you took when he dozed off while watching a musical a few weeks prior. You frowned at the VERY convenient timing that he always had and picked up, raising your phone to your ear. 

“Yes ?”

“The twins are going to pick you up at 5 this afternoon. Will you have enough time to be prepared before then?” 

“Don’t tell me you hacked Jenna’s computer again. How many times do I have to tell you to not do that?” You frowned, faking or maybe wanting to be angry about that breach of your private life once again.

“There is no need to get angry at me. Be angry at the twins all you want though. They are the ones who insisted on checking up on you while I was away.” 

“How do they even know how to hack-” you stopped in your tracks as you heard your voice the sound of a bike motor in the background of the call. “Are you calling me while driving ?”

“Now this is a reason you can get mad at me for.” he chuckles as you let out a frustrated sound. “Do not worry, sweetie, I have my helmet on. Just checking on you through earbuds.” 

“Unsafe still. Your attention should be fully on the road.” you finally started walking towards the road that leads to your apartment, going through the usual route that takes you near along a river. “I thought you said you would be the one picking me up after Luke nearly got us in a car crash last time.” 

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, sweetie. But I do have some work meetings that need to be attended to." After a moment of quiet, he continued. “I trust Kieran will be the one driving you three back at home. I will be back before dinner.” 

“Fine. Be careful on your way to your meet up… I will see you later.” you could hear a chuckle, and the picture of Sylus’ grin appeared in your mind. Before he could answer, you hung up. 

You sighed as you crossed the street, pushing the door of your building entrance after entering the password on the door’s pad. Slowly you slid the phone inside your bag, totally forgetting about warning your colleague, and your friends, of the mission that will probably won’t let you have time for chit chat. Once you are inside your place, you quickly pull out a bag from the closet in the entrance, walking towards your bedroom to pack your essentials for the next few days. 

An hour flew by without you realizing it before your phone rang. Luke. As you picked up you hear his cheerful voice coming from outside your building, you walked towards your opened window staring down. 

“Miss ! Your carriage is waiting for you !” the masked man yells waving at you from below, catching glances from other people passing by. 

“Get inside the car ! Can’t you see people are staring at you Luke ?” you frowned shooing him away with your hand. 

“Heeeh. I’m hurt ! Are you embarrassed by me perhaps ?” You wondered if Sylus teasing was coming from spending too much time with them or the other way round. 

You frowned not wanting to let your mind wander at that thought, hanging up and closing the window before picking your bag on your bed and leaving your apartment. Once downstairs you were greeted with no one but the black car with tinted windows that was just in front of the house, without giving it much thoughts you walked to the back of the car and climbed inside. 

After exchanging proper greetings with the twins, and a short trip from Linkon city to the twins’ boss base. 

It was night time now and you were settled down in one of Sylus couch in his apartments. You were going through the file once more, eyeing the clock in front of you from time to time. The meal was soon to be put down in the living room and you were definitely imagining eating alone at this rate. You sighed as you let your head roll on one of the sides of the couch, closing your eyes as you let yourself drift to the sound of the gramophone playing the music you put on earlier. 

“Are you asleep ?” a whisper came above the sound of the music as a finger brushed against your cheek. 

Your eyes opened and you looked up to the figure towering over you. Sylus gazed at you as he was leaning with one hand on the couch watching you slowly wake up from your nap. You slowly straight up, your files sliding from your chest and before you could react, Sylus caught it and put it down on the table next to you.

“Mmm no.” 

“Sure you weren’t.” he smiled as he sat on the carpet next to the couch. “Don’t move.” 

“But the dinner…” you mumbled still drowsy. 

“Dinner is cold by now. I was late and you fell asleep. We are in no hurry anymore.” he says as he takes off his jacket, putting it down on the chair behind him, soon followed by his gloves. You sighed knowing that the man next you wouldn't budge. 

“How did your meeting go ?” you asked as you traced every of his movements with your gaze. 

“Productive. But a waste of time at the same time. We wasted 2 hours waiting for someone who never came. I honestly thought I was going to come back really early.” 

“Would have been better…” you muttered.

Sylus' head turned to look at you with that same grin of his when he catches you being off guard. “Missing me I see.” 

“Whatever.” 

“I missed you too, sweetie.” he muttered as his face was now a few inches away from your face. And as always Sylus was the one to close that distance, his teeth started nibbling gently on your lower lip as he kissed you. His right hand comes to brush a strand of hair away from your face. "I missed you a lot."

There was always this conflict inside of you when you felt the lips of Sylus on yours. A shyness that you wished you didn’t have, pushing you to turn your face away. However the drumming of your heart everytime his lips were on yours made you feel safe. Safe and cared for. The man suddenly started pushing his tongue against your lips, deepening the kiss drawing a sound from you in a sigh. 

“Knowing that you were waiting for me here. Probably lying down on that bed or on that couch…” he muttered as he kissed your lips once again then your cheek and the back of your ear. “I wished I could have just left to join you here quicker.”

“You are… so dirty Sylus.” you whispered as you felt his hand slide on your shirt to start unbuttoning it. When Sylus admitted his excitement for you it always made you shiver. Not that it was rare for him to be so blunt. But being wanted and knowing that he was thinking of you that way, in places where he shouldn’t. God, he was the devil in person and he loved playing with his favorite person. 

“If you want to blame me for the tension rising in this room. Feel free to do so…” he said, lips leaving a trailing of kisses from your neck towards your chest. “I would enjoy that.” 

Soon his lips were not the only thing on your skin, his tongue traveled against you with wet kisses. Teeth sometimes nibble on you, trying to mark you as his. However he knew better than to do that or he would have been met with a warning look. Instead his hand slides away the remaining of your top clothes, revealing your skin to his red eyes ravishing each corner of your body, everytime. 

“Your skin is covered in goosebumps. Are you getting worked up sweetie ?” he says smiling, his lips resting against your chest. A thumb sliding against one of your nipples. “I bet that if I slide my hand in your pants, I might find it dripping with excitement.” 

“You are too sure of yourself.” you said trying to keep your voice steady as his lips brushed against your other nipple. 

A low chuckle vibrates through his body at your answer. “Always so feisty, kitten.” he murmured, pinching with two of his fingers the nipple he had in his hand. 

“Then… Shall we take a look ?” 

As soon as the words left his mouth, you closed your legs, preventing his hand from sliding under your pants and between your thighs. His hand stopped mid-way, resting against your lower body. He slowly quirked up his face, arching a brow with a smile. 

“Getting shy ?” he asks, fingers fondling with the zipper of your pants. He soon pulled it down. “You know I don’t particularly enjoy you playing shy. I’d rather have my feisty kitten biting and fighting me than hiding away.” 

Asshole you thought. 

“Should I take out the ropes like last time ? Pull your legs apart ? I thought you learnt how to behave.” he said with a smile. “Or did you enjoy this so much that you want to try again ?” 

Losing control from time to time was nice. But not tonight, you needed the contrary. You need to feel in control of your body. The next few days were gonna be stressful. One of your hands dared to come rest on his cheek as your legs opened against his hand. 

“Good girl..” he said, his lips coming to nuzzle against your hand. And as usual when a kiss comes first teeth soon follow. His fingers able to slide under your pants and underwear come to slide in between your folds feeling the wetness of yourself under his burning gaze. 

“Just as I thought.” he smiles as one of his fingers pushes inside you and you answer with a moan. His lips nibbling on the flesh of your palm, eyelashes brushing against your fingers as he starts going back and forth with his fingers inside of you. 

Your head resting against the pillow of the couch, eyes closing as another moan came from between your lips as he pushed another finger inside of you. The fingers of your hand slowly extended to grasp onto strands of the man’s hair, while the other came gripping on the back of the couch. 

“That’s it. Let yourself go, kitten.” A growl soon followed when you tug at his hair when his thumb rested against your clit making small circles as he never stopped pumping his fingers in and out of you. 

You arched your back, the stimulation of his fingers rubbing against that one G spot inside of you and his thumb massaging your clit made you see stars. You tug on his hair once again in another sound, coming under his watchful gaze. 

“Sylus…” 

“It’s okay. I’m here. I’m always here.” he answered, coming to put a kiss on your forehead. 

Once he pulls his fingers out of you, he slides a hand under you to carry you against him. You look up at him, arms sliding around his neck to secure yourself. 

“And you ?” 

“Oh ? Are you asking for more, sweetie ?”” he chuckles as you frown at him. His lips slowly come against your own to kiss you once more. “This is what I wanted. Nothing more for tonight. But I can not promise you anything just like this for tomorrow.” A devilish smile spreads on his lips. 

“Did you have a shower already ?” 

“I did… Earlier.” you answered as you rested your head against his shoulder. “What about food ?” 

“You are hungry aren’t you.” He said as he settled you down on the bed. “Tell you what. I will come bring you some food and you can enjoy some while I take a shower. Sounds good ?” 

“Sounds good. I will try to not eat everything.” You smile. 

And just like that three days passed. Now you were standing in front of the door, arms crossed on your chest and Sylus blocking your way with his hands on his hips. 

“I will not change my mind Sylus. I need to attend this auction alone.”

“What if I’d like to be charitable tonight?”

You scoff. “Please. You just want to keep your eyes on me.”

“I want to make sure you are safe and sound.” 

“And I told you I can defend myself. If the HQ knows that I am attending an official mission with the boss of Onychinus, I could get in trouble. Because they will keep an eye on me ! Just like you do.” 

Sylus sighs. You could be so stubborn. He slowly raised his hand to pinch his nose’s bridge. “Take Mephisto with you at least. He could help you in any case of an emergency.” 

“That noisy little…” you were met by a glare that was telling you to not push your luck so you resigned. “Okay.”

“Good.” As soon as you agreed to his terms, he snapped his fingers and Mephisto almost appeared on your shoulder. Resting his claws against the fabric of your dress. “I will drive you there. And I will be there again to pick you up soon after Mephisto lets me know the auction has ended. Understood ?” 

“Yes mom.”

He chuckles before pushing the door open, letting you leave the safe base first to get to the car parked in front of the entrance. He soon followed and got inside the car to start driving across the dark streets of the N109 Zone. Mephisto was awfully quiet, head turning around at each corner, as if the bird was already on a mission analyzing what was around him. You stared mindlessly at the street lamps barely shining some cold light on the pavement beneath them as you fondle with your bag between your fingers. 

You were stressed. Stressed to not be able to bring back that diary. What if you came back in Linkon city with nothing to offer but the news that another potential monster had this fucking diary between their hands. How many children would have to suffer from experiments and be kept in the dark before they all stopped ? Without realizing it, you started clenching on your accessory. And the hand of Sylus left the gearbox to come rest on your thigh in an attempt to soothe you. 

“Do not be anxious. People coming to those kinds of fake charity auctions hunt down people like you. Nice face, seemingly weak and rich.” he said. “Mephisto is a sign that you are under my watch but he can’t dissuade them from doing anything if they are crazy enough to try.” 

“So I need to appear confident…” 

“Exactly. I know you can do it. After all, you showed me your acting skills more than once.” he pressed his thumb against your thigh as he kept looking at the road in front of you. “I’m not here physically but Mephisto is my eyes. And I’ll keep an eye on you.”

“I know.” you sighed before taking another deep breath. It will be okay, you thought, Sylus is right. You had to have faith in yourself and in him. It will go by so quickly, you won’t even realize it. 

The car slows down and you are now parked in front of an immense building, maybe even taller than some of Sylus’s ones. You look up from your seat as Mephisto mimics you. “Where are we ?”

“The place of the auction. The HQ of the Eurydike cult. Weird bunch of fuckers.” 

You hummed before pushing the door open, before closing it you looked at your partner flashing him a smile. “I will be back.” He softly smiles back waving, asking you to be careful once more. And you closed the door, walking towards the entrance of the building, taking out the invitation out of your bag to show the bodyguards that you were allowed to enter the place. 

As soon as you stepped foot inside, you were faced with a display of wealthiness and laughter coming from every corner of the giant hall. You were taken aback, thinking for a second that the only man you thought was this wealthy in the N109 Zone was Sylus. The hall was made of black marble with golden cracks, contrasted by high white walls that reflected the light of the candlesticks. Hanging banners here and there with an unknown insignia, and false plants hanging in green. You looked around, looking for a sign indicating the location of the meeting. But unfortunately the place was badly indicated, this auction was probably a place of regulars. However you spotted some people whispering about getting their place already to get closer to the stage, and you figured it would be the best idea to follow them around. Which you did. Everyone here was accompanied, and you were alone. Well accompanied but by a bird that started to get agitated. The sound of your heels against the marble under your steps was ringing in your mind. You stopped near a waiter, grabbing a glass of champagne. You needed to relax, you needed to look like you belonged here. Alcohol might help you settle down. 

So you went to sit at the first row, crossing your legs as Mephisto left your shoulder to take place on the chandelier hanging above your head. You could see some of the objects being displayed on the stage in front of you. Vases, stuffed animals, jewelry and… Wait. Was that one of Raphayel’s painting ? You frowned while taking your phone out of your purse to take a picture. Before you could press the button, you felt a tap on your shoulder. 

You flinched, turning around. “Miss. Sorry to bother you but you are not allowed to take pictures in this room.” A man with green eyes gazed upon you. He was tall, his hair and lashes almost hiding the gaze that you could feel burning on your face. His face did not seem upset, nor angry. Good… The last thing you needed was to attract angry people. 

You smiled. “Sorry, I just wanted to make sure that painting would interest my husband before I start bidding on it.”  

“Oh ?” He looked up at the stage staring at the painting of the seashore painted with different shades of blue and orange, with the silhouette of a faceless woman dipping her feet in the water. “Hm. It is indeed a wonderful painting. From a very famous painter from Linkon City. Although it is one of his earliest works.” 

“Are you familiar with this painter ?” you asked, interested in the knowledge of the person in front of you. To faint uninterest you slowly raise your glass to your lips looking away from the man.

“Familiar would not be right. We are acquaintances.” He then looks down at you smiling as he circles around the chair to finally sit next to you. “Although we haven’t seen each other for many years.” 

“I see.” you nodded looking at that man dressed in white, your eyes landing on the cross shaped brooch on his tie. You swore you have seen this insignia somewhere. “And you are ?”

“Shh little miss. It’s starting soon. We will have all the leisure to chit chat after that auction is done.” 

The auction began, and you drank the rest of your drink before waving to a waiter to come and get rid of you. Under your seat as under that of all the other participants was a small booklet with the passage numbers of each work or object. The one you were looking for was in last place. A sigh escaped from your lips as the first sums of money were thrown out of control. 

Beside you, still stood this same man, his left leg crossed above the right and his hands clasped on his knees, looking at the scene with a satisfied smile. With the light down, you took the time to linger on her face. He had it very hard, like a man who had to face situations that those of Linkon city did not have to face. But this sweet smile on his lips came in contrast with the portrait that could be made of him. You wondered if Sylus knew the man. You slowly raised your head to look towards Mephisto who was looking straight at you under his watchful red eyes. Just like his master. 

An hour and half passed, and you were starting to get numb to all the money that was being spent. The man next to you also did spend some money. He bought the painting you were eyeing earlier. And then came the mention of the diary. 

As soon as you could, you raised your hand to bid. With a glimpse of mischievousness, the man next to you raised his hand. Followed by some other people in the room. After nearly a minute of bidding, you raised your hand again. 

“Please stop playing sir. My husband is rather interested in this diary.” you muttered to the man next to you. “Stick to your paintings.” 

A suppressed laugh came as an answer as your bid was registered as a final answer. The hand of the man next to you extended towards you as the lights turned on. “It’s a pleasure to be doing business with you, little miss.” 

You frowned looking at the man’s gaze. “Business ?” 

“I am the owner of this building and the organizer of this auction. My name is Castiel, pleasure meeting you.” 

You gasped as you came to shake his hand. Dear god, why did you have to talk like that to the man who setted up a charity auction. This is why his brooch reminded you of something, it was literally plastered in the hall. 

“I am very sorry for my-”

“No offense is taken. Should we talk privately ? I will give you this diary your husband so wishes to have.” he lets go of your hand, getting up before offering his arm. 

“Yes.” you nod as you get up too, sliding your hand on the man’s arm. You were so giddy with the idea of success that you nearly didn’t realize Mephisto was cawing. 

However if you didn’t notice, it was not the case of Castiel that turned his head up towards the bird with a frown. He then asked the security to take care of it, and before you could step in and prevent this from happening, you were dragged into the man’s office. 

Once in his office, he let go of your hand. He headed towards the back of his desk, unlocking what sounded like a chest. In the meantime, you take the time to look around. The place was dark, but golden and green touches enhanced the place. You were basking in a warm light which contrasted with the cold atmosphere that was outside the sacred building. You did not move from the entrance, waiting patiently for you to be given what you had bought. 

“This book was retrieved from a bad man’s hands.” His voice broke the silence that was installed between you two. “If your husband really is interested in this script, you should be careful of him.” He said as he got closer to you handing the overused diary. 

“I will keep that in mind.” you nodded before taking the diary out of this man’s large hands. 

He smiled, flashing his perfect teeth to you. This close, you could see the eyebags between his vibrant eyes. A shiver ran up your back. “I hope our paths will cross again, little miss. If charity is what you are looking for, we could always use new members.” 

Charity… “Sure. I would love to stop by once again. The fate of the N109 zone is very dear to me afterall.” You smiled. 

He hummed. “Smart girl.” his fingers brushed your chin before you stepped back. “We should get going, your husband will surely show up in about a few seconds .”

Before you could answer, Castiel’s hand was on your free wrist and was dragging you out of his office, back into the auction room and in the middle of it stood Sylus. A visibly displeased Sylus. Almost angry. He shouted your name as soon as you came into his vision. The man with dark brown hair let go of your hand softly, placing his hand on your naked back. 

“You should go, little miss. I’d hate for your husband to scare away my guests.” 

You mindlessly nodded as you felt a sensation creeping up your back, and you almost trotted back to Sylus, pushing through the bodyguards preventing him from getting closer to their leader. Once in arms reach, the white haired man pulled you under his arm, hiding you beneath his coat. 

And yet as you were leaving the scene, you could feel Castiel’s gaze burning holes in your back.

[cielito--lindo]

Game, Set, Match

It's been weeks, months even. You both agreed that the breakup was mutual, but that was mainly a story that your agencies shared to the press. In reality, it had been your idea. You understood the life of a pro-hero, you lived it every day. But recently, your schedules had never aligned and he started taking up more shifts, leaving you to wake to an empty bed. Whenever you brought it up, it seemed like he brushed you off with scoffs and dismissals. He didn’t think you were serious until he came home to find the apartment you both shared was void of your things. 

You took refuge at Hitoshi’s house for a bit. He and Denki had welcomed you with open arms, you were lucky to share an agency with a good portion of your friends and they weren’t blind to the issues you and Bakugo had been having. It felt like everyone knew before you, which wasn’t the best feeling.

Once you found your own place, it felt like you were finally getting back on your feet. Your days were filled with balancing the best parts of being a hero, but your nights were plagued by the worse parts. The people you couldn’t save, the piles and piles of paperwork, and an absence in your chest that felt like it was starting to fester. You weren’t heartless, leaving Bakugou was one of the hardest things you had done, but you knew it had been for the best. You thought he felt the same since he hadn’t contacted you since. Maybe that was the part that hurt the worst, you knew Bakugou fought hard to keep the things and people he loved close...maybe this whole time you weren’t a part of it. But that was something for your therapist to figure out.

After tossing and turning the majority of the night, you decided to just start your day earlier than usual, especially for paperwork day. You left your hero costume hanging and opted for something comfier, but still professional. After stopping for a coffee and sweet breakfast treat, you strode into your agency building, finding Jiro and Ochako hunched over a magazine. 

“Oo anything good?” You leaned over Jiro’s shoulder. Both heroes let out a yelp and tried to quickly stash the magazine.

“Y/N! Didn’t hear you there!” Jiro cringed at her own voice, lacking nonchalance. 

“You’re here early!” Ochako chirped up, face bright red.

You raised an eyebrow at their antics “The great Earphone Jack didn’t hear something? Oh, so the gossip is really good then.” You held out your hand for the magazine “Don’t keep me out of the loop!”

Jiro and Uraraka shared a look and matching grimace “Babes, I really don’t think you’re gonna wanna read it.”

You gave them both an eyeroll “I knew I shouldn’t have worn that outfit to the charity event, shoulder pads definitely haven’t come back in style.” Uraraka slowly unrolled the magazine and handed it to you. The flash of familiar blonde spikes made your blood freeze. You quickly snatched it from her and fought to keep your hands from shaking.

“Katsuki Bakugou steps out with beau!”

Your eyes were glued to the cover, reading and re-reading the headline over and over again. You willed them to look at the rest of the cover, Bakugou’s arm wrapped around a small waifish model that you immediately recognized. She was one of the main models for his parents’ design company. She smiled up at him as he returned a smile of his own. Fuck, I’m gonna be sick, you thought. 

Looking up, your friends wore completely different expressions. Jiro’s brow was furrowed in concern, making sure you were doing okay. Ochako’s, on the other hand, was practically murderous.

“So, we’re breaking her little chopstick legs right?” She immediately asked. Her comment caught you off-guard as you barked out a laugh. “Babe, I’m serious! He moved on too quickly!” 

You threw the magazine back on the desk and rubbed your brow “I’m the one who broke up with him, remember?” Taking a deep breath, you gave them a small smile “He’s allowed to see other people.” 

Jiro snorted ���Yeah, so can you, you know.” She ignored the look you gave her “Look, I’m just sayin’! You haven’t been out with anyone else since the breakup, it’s definitely time to put yourself out.” She hesitated for a moment. “You know Momo told me that Iida’s back in town...”

Ochako’s eyes lit up “Shut up! Y/n this is perfect! You and Iida haven’t seen each other since graduation! This would be perfect, it’s definitely time for you to get back out there!” She was already reaching for her phone and typing furiously. “He’s back for a week and would be down for dinner tomorrow!”

“Wait, wait. What?” Your head was spinning. Uraraka’s voice became distant as you struggled to grasp what was happening. This was all too much, everything was moving too fast. Were you ready to go back out there? You felt your hands start to shake, Jiro slowly reached out and clasped your unsteady hands in hers. Your wide eyes met hers, they were filled with reassurance and understanding. These girls had seen you at your lowest, nights spent crying into glasses of wine, even helping you pack everything up when you decided to leave. 

“You don’t have to do this” Jiro murmured “Just because he’s out there doesn’t mean you have to be.” You nodded at her and gave her a small tight smile.

Looking at that magazine cover felt like a punch to the gut, but Uraraka was right. How much time were you going to hold out for him? To see if he truly cared and would fight for you. You survived a goddamn war. Katsuki Bakugou was simply just a man and you deserved to have some fun. Tenya Iida was always kind and patient with you, especially when you nervously asked him for tutoring help in Math. It also didn’t help that he was fuckin’ jacked and tall as hell. You could've easily caught feelings for him, if you weren’t daydreaming over Bakugou.

You rolled your shoulders back and steeled your nerves. You can do this! You’re still a bad bitch in there! “Give Tenya my number and tell him we’ll meet for dinner down at that new fancy restaurant downtown.” You quickly turned on your heel and strode to your office before you lost your resolve, leaving your two friends in shock.

“Well, well. This is gonna be somethin’” Jiro muttered, looking over and watching Uraraka’s fingers fly over her phone’s screen “Are you already posting in the group chat?!”

“Prepare to meet your match, Katsuki Bakugou” She giggled, a sinister grin on her lips.

Hi, y'all! So this is my first time writing a my hero academia drabble and actually my first ever reader fic! I'm not sure about writing a part two, please let me know if that's something you'd like to see!

[drunk-person]

Love you, goodbye (The Gossip) P.9

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x cousin!reader

Summary: One of the most talked about gossips among the lower class servants in Kings Landing is the fact (or not) that Aemond Targaryen got involved with his cousin Y/n Targaryen when they were both teenagers. Mainly due to the fact that at the age of 17 she was sent to Old Town overnight. Some employees claim that Aemond was caught between her legs. Some say that, like her father, she had had a horrible fight with her uncle and aunt and was sent away. And other than that none of this happened, she just became interested in the course offered at the Old Town conservatory. But now five years later, Y/n Targaryen is back, and rumors haunt those who favor them.

This chapter is a part of a main story The gossip, you can find the previous chapter, summary and general tags by accessing the link.

Summary of the chapter: After all the things that could go wrong have happened, guilt eats away at those it shouldn't haunt.

Warnings of the chapter: 18+, family fights, dysfunctional family, mention of blood, mild violence, no description for reader.

Word count: 14.300k

A/n: I hope you like the new chapter!! 💕💕 For those who want, the songs in the chapter are Coraline by Maneskin and Angels like you by Miley Cyrus.

"Hey hey kings landing, it seems that the Targaryen family's annual charity ball has just overtaken Cece Lanister's birthday as the event of the year in our city. That's because Aemond Targaryen caused a widespread uproar by physically assaulting Jason Lanister. Those present claim that Jason was merely dancing with Y/n Targaryen, and her older cousin attacked him in a fit of rage while uttering threats. What could cause such a temper tantrum in our dear Targaryen?"

❦❦❦

The music died in the hall at the same moment, leaving only silence and sounds of shock and horror emitted by the guests as they witnessed the scene. Y/n put her hands to her mouth when she saw a trickle of blood running down Jason's chin, who was looking at Aemond in a daze. But the stupor passed slightly quickly, as moments later Jason threw himself forward and punched Aemond in the chin.

Y/n screamed her cousin's name in horror when she saw the movement, but before the Lanister's fist hit him, the Targaryen dodged it with pure practice from the years of swordsmanship training and physical fights that fascinated him so much. Blinded by rage, Aemond threw another punch, breaking Jason's eyebrow and making him stagger back, hot blood gushing down his face and staining both Jason's expensive clothes and Aemond's hands.

Y/n's eyes screamed in panic as she stared at the scene, not knowing what to do. That was when Aegon ran behind her and pulled Aemond off Jason by the lapels of his suit with all his strength, which wasn't doing much good, since Aemond looked like a runaway horse that would trample anything in his path.

-Touch her like that again, Lanister, and I'll kill you! - Aemond shouted as he was held with difficulty by Aegon, whose eyes were wide open. - Did you hear me, you bastard? I'll fucking kill you!

Aegon could barely hold Aemond and nodded for Daeron to help him. The younger brother, who had gone out to get some air, came running from the doors of the hall's garden with wide eyes while everyone watched everything as if it were a spectacle offered at the Targaryen ball.

The guests looked at the scene in shock, none of them expected such an attitude from the always so well-composed Aemond Targaryen, who was now completely out of control being held by his brothers while threatening to kill a Jason Lanister covered in blood.

Y/n's eyes were wide and she could barely move while Daeron and Aegon tried to hold Aemond without success, while Jason was held by two security guards who had arrived. But even so, Aemond did not stop advancing on Jason, his face contorted with pure fury as he threatened him.

Coming to her senses slightly after hearing the whispers of two women behind her, Y/n ran towards Aemond, holding the older man's furious face between her hands while Aegon and Daeron pulled him by the arms and shoulders in an attempt to drag him out of the hall.

-Aemond, please. - She begged with frightened eyes as he tried to free himself from his brothers' grip. - Stop it!

As if looking at her was a point of concentration, Aemond stopped advancing on Jason, staring at her with wide eyes, adrenaline still flowing through his veins. And taking advantage of this, Aegon and Daeron pulled him away from the hall and the shocked looks of the members of high society present there.

Feeling her heart beating as if it were almost in her mouth, Y/n barely looked twice at Jason who was being held by his uncle with some bruises already blooming on his face.

And without looking at the shocked faces of those present at the ball, she just followed her cousins ​​down the hallway with a heavy heart of worry, but before she could go any further Oto blocked her path with his eyes smoldering with pure rage.

-What do you still want? - The older man hissed, taking two furious steps towards her. -Haven't you done enough already?

-That wasn't my intention… - She almost cried in front of the older man who had always scared her as a child, but she held herself back.

-Shut up. - The man roared, making Y/n take a step back with her eyes slightly wide.

-Oto… Oto… Oto… - Before Y/n could have any reaction, the cold and mocking voice of her father came from the end of the hallway. - I think it would be wise of you not to raise your tone to my daughter like that in my presence.

Y/n could feel her father's presence hovering behind her like a shadow. Oto clenched his teeth so hard she thought they might break. And without saying a word to Daemon, he turned and left in the same direction as his grandchildren.

-I didn't ask for your help! - Y/n screeched furiously, going in another direction, leaving her father behind.

She walked through a few corridors before being stopped once more, but this time by the last of the last people she would like to see in the entire universe. Floris Baratheon.

-You don't get tired, do you? - The oldest said ironically, looking at her furiously. - Of drawing all the attention to yourself, no matter the cost.

Y/n said nothing, she just threw her head back and gave an ironic and humorless laugh while looking cynically at Floris.

-If you think you're going to get anything out of this, then you're wrong, because I'm going to marry Aemond Targaryen no matter what! - Floris croaked even more furiously. - I'm going to be his wife and you're just going to be the trash I'm going to throw out after we exchange our vows!

Y/n felt a coppery taste in her mouth when she heard the Baratheon say those words, barely noticing that in her anger she had bitten her cheeks so hard that she had cut them. And with eyes smoking with pure fury she took a step forward, glaring at Floris.

-Do you really want to talk about this, my dear? - Y/n threw her head back, laughing, as if she hadn't been affected by Floris's words, and looked at her venomously. - He doesn't like you, he doesn't even care! He'll never care!

-Do you want to know where Aemond was while you were humiliated in front of the whole city at that ridiculous inauguration last Saturday? - Y/n looked at her, pouting her lips, her eyes shining while laughing.

And approaching Floris, leaving her lips very close to the older woman's ear, she whispered so that only the Baratheon could hear.

-He was between my legs, fucking me on a beach in Lys without even remembering your existence! - Venom dripped from Y/n's lips with each word spoken. - And the best of all is knowing that he never touched you like that and he never will. - Y/n laughed, her eyes shining. - Because he's mine!

Overcome with the fury of humiliation Floris delivered an audible slap to Y/n's left cheek, with enough force to make her face tilt slightly to the side. But the smile didn't leave Y/n's lips, she just laughed even more with that strange glow of anger in her eyes.

Before Floris understood what was happening, Y/n had already headbutted her hard, drawing blood from her nose.

-You bitch! - Floris yelped, holding both hands to her nose, which was bleeding slightly, only the pain preventing her from jumping on Y/n at that moment.

Before things could get really bad, Rhaenys appeared at the end of the corridor with her typical hawk face, even more grumpy, and with long strides she pulled Floris away from Y/n, interposing herself between the two.

-Could it be that you all went crazy today? - She growled, looking between the two, scolding them as if they were children. - There are two women, not war horses!

-Floris, go to the end of the hallway and ask Cole to take you to get that nose taken care of! - She hissed at Floris, whose once impeccable dress was stained by a few red drops of blood that had come out of her nose.

-Y/n, your father is looking for you. - Rhaenys looked at her very firmly as Floris disappeared down the hall with Cole.

-I'm not going anywhere with him! - She hissed, turning her back on Rhaenys.

-You should start considering your actions better, my dear, stop acting so much guided by your emotions and listen to your reason at least a little. - Rhaenys looked at her very seriously with her hands behind her back and serrated eyes. - Things don't usually end well for people who don't know how to control their own temper.

-It's been working well for me so far! - Y/n replied rudely, not wanting to be rude to Rhaenys, but unable to contain herself with so many negative feelings and so much anger inside her at the moment.

-Of course. - The older woman sounded ironic as she curved her eyebrows and lips. - Look where this has brought you.

Without looking back again, or giving an answer, Y/n opened the side door to the corridor and walked as quickly as she could through the gardens, with an almost overwhelming desire to get out of there as quickly as possible, barely able to breathe as she walked through the manicured grass.

She barely felt afraid when reached the empty, dark road that surrounded the place where the family's charity balls were usually held. The only things she could feel at that moment were deep sadness and anger, as she walked alone through the dark street in the middle of the night.

Until a flash of light illuminated the road, almost blinding her, followed by hundreds of others soon after as her name was called from several different directions.

-Y/n, where is your cousin? Is it true that he broke Jason Lanister's nose? - A woman's high-pitched voice sounded as she placed the camera very close to Y/n, who tried to cover her face with her arms without success.

-Are you fucking your cousin? - A man's much rougher and more vulgar voice sounded in the crowd, sending chills through her body as she shook her head negatively, gasping for air, suffocated by the crowd.

-Were you with Aemond Targaryen in Lys last Saturday? - Came the question in a croaking voice as another flash burst very close to her eyes, almost making her fall while she denied everything with her head, barely able to open her lips.

The crowd of photographers suffocated Y/n to the brink of despair. She could barely breathe, in every direction she looked more flashes came burning her eyes and making her dizzy. Her legs seemed to not obey and even if she had a way she didn't know if she would be able to run away from there.

-I heard from a paparazzi friend that he has some very interesting photos of you with your cousin on the beach in Lys. - One of the photographers shouted very close to her in a mocking voice, taking another photo, making Y/n's eyes widen in horror.

Everything was interrupted when a shrill horn blared through the air while the sound of a roaring car engine invaded the environment amidst the deafening noise of the flashes.

-Y/n! - Daemon's loud and firm voice came over the noise of the cameras. - Get that out of her face, you faggot. - He growled, pushing one of the photographers to the ground, causing more flashes to go off.

-Dad! - Y/n sobbed in panic as Daemon pulled her to him by the shoulders protectively, pulling her out of the swarm of photographers and guiding her to the car, slamming the door hard as soon as he put her inside.

-Why did you go out there alone? - Daemon hissed, getting into the car and slamming the driver's door, already accelerating the car once more, threatening to run over the photographers.

-H-he said he has a picture of me with Aemond. - Y/n whined in despair, staring at him and barely hearing her father's question.

-At this point, a photo of you two together isn't even that bad anymore. - Daemon sighed carelessly, watching the paparazzi in the rearview mirror with a furrowed eyebrow.

-A photo of us in Lys on the beach! - Y/n croaked desperately, almost in tears as she trembled slightly, and Daemon frowned, worried about his daughter's disproportionate desperation for a simple photo on the beach.

-Y/n, what were you and that asshole doing on the beach? - He muttered in a very serious voice, pressing his eyes slightly in frustration.

Y/n didn't answer, she just looked at the floor of the car and sobbed.

-What were you doing? - Daemon hissed, more seriously, staring at her.

-W-we swam… naked and then we… we… - She stuttered slightly, unable to say the words in front of her father.

-Fucking hells. - Daemon grumbled, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he understood the connotation of what his daughter was saying.

-W-what's going to happen now? - Y/n whimpered with her hands on her face.

-I'll solve this. - Daemon grunted, looking at the road ahead with a sharp gaze. - I assure you of that.

❦❦❦

Still holding Aemond firmly by the arms, Aegon and Daeron threw him forcefully into a room at the end of the hallway, slamming the oak door hard behind them.

-Holy shit! - Aegon grumbled without expressing any emotion on his face while Daeron looked from one brother to the other in shock.

Aemond still seemed to be slightly fuming with pure rage beneath the surface, pressing his hands together so tightly that his nails tore the flesh of his palms.

Abruptly, the room's door opened with a bang and Oto entered furiously with hard steps, followed closely by Alicent, whose lips were slightly trembling. As soon as he stepped inside, the older man slammed the door behind him with such force that the hinges shook.

-Have you gone completely mad?- He roared. - Lost your mind? Beat up Jason Lanister because of that little prostitute? - Oto hit a wooden table in the corner of the room with force, making Alicent shudder slightly.

For the second time that night, Aemond felt his vision turn red when he heard his grandfather referring to Y/n in such a vile and low manner. And unable to contain himself with such a large amount of anger and alcohol in his blood, he pulled the older man by the collar of his expensive suit, his eyes burning with fury.

-You will never refer to her that way again! - Aemond practically growled at his grandfather, his face contorted with pure rage, his heart racing in his chest - Do you understand me? - It sounded more like a scream than anything else as he almost lifted the older man off the ground. - Talk about her like that again and I swear to the gods I'll forget we're family!

-Aemond, let him go! - Alicent shrieked in panic, but he barely heard her voice, blinded by her rage.

-By the Gods, stop this, brother. - Daeron begged, pulling Aemond back by the shoulders again, along with Aegon, who watched everything in silence, just restraining his brother and not letting him do anything he would regret later.

Aemond released his grandfather abruptly, huffing in anger as he took two steps behind still being held tightly by Aegon and Daeron, while Oto stared at him with wide eyes next to Alicent, who bit the sensitive skin of her thumb unconsciously while her lips trembled.

-What the hell did you do, Aemond? - Viserys hissed, entering the room shortly after, limping slightly with pain in his joints due to the fatigue and stress of the night.

-By the Gods, attacking the boy like that in front of everyone we know?

-He deserved it! - Aemond shouted, making everyone step back slightly. - He deserved it for putting his damn hands on something that isn't his!

And with a bang the door opened once more and Floris entered the room with her face contorted in rage and a visible bruise on her nose still with blood marks, marks that were also on her dress.

-You bastard! - She shouted with bloodshot eyes, going towards Aemond furiously. - Lying son of a bitch!

-What happened to you? - Alicent asked with wide eyes, approaching the girl before she reached Aemond.

-What happened to me?? - Floris laughed ironically, throwing her head back angrily and then shouting. - That crazy bitch attacked me!

Oto lowered his head, placing his fingers on the bridge of his nose, his face contorted with anger and consternation. While hearing Floris curse Y/n, Aegon put his hand back on Aemond's forearm with a frown.

-By the seven, Y/n did this? - Viserys said, looking scared at the girl.

-Aemond? - Helaena's calm voice sounded through the room, completely out of tune with the chaotic environment, as she walked through the open door and towards her brothers. - Are you hurt?

She placed her hand gently on his face, looking at him worriedly, while carefully looking for any injuries on her younger brother's face.

-Where is Jaehaerys? - Aegon asked at the same instant he saw his sister.

-He's with Cole, don't worry, Aegon. - Helaena whispered calmly while still analyzing Aemond's face, who remained silent with his eyes slightly out of focus.

And bringing even more chaos to the room, the rude and cutting voice of Borros Baratheon burst into the corridor.

-Get out of my way, you imbecile! - He growled at one of the security guards in the corridor, already entering the room that seemed to be getting smaller and smaller.

-What does all this mean, Hightower? - He shouted, his face white with anger. - That's not what we agreed upon!

-Mr. Baratheon can believe that all this will be corrected… - Oto began very seriously, but was interrupted by the man again.

-Corrected? - Borros growled. - Your stupid grandson just made my daughter go through the greatest humiliation of her life! Floris has a potentially broken nose!

-You won't talk about my brother like that! - Daeron raised his voice at the same time, stepping in front of Aemond, Aegon and Helaena, as if he were not the youngest of the four brothers, while staring at the man twice his size without a hint of fear in his eyes.

-I'm still going to marry him! - Floris shouted furiously, not paying attention to her father's words or Daeron's complaints.

-Enough! - Aemond shouted with wide eyes and heavy breathing, making everyone's eyes turn to him.

-There will be no wedding! - He shouted, looking at Floris. - There will be no candidacy! - He looked at his grandfather. - There won't be any shit!

-What? - Floris screeched, walking furiously towards Aemond. - How dare you say something like that after everything we've been through?

The moment Floris put her finger in Aemond's face while screaming furiously, he grabbed her hand firmly and pulled the engagement ring with the excessively large diamond from the girl's third finger and threw it against the wall with all the strength he had.

-There will be no engagement! - Aemond shouted, shaking with fury as he let go of Floris's arm. - There never was an engagement because I didn't even agree to it!

-There really won't be any kind of engagement because my daughter won't marry that… that… lunatic! - Borros Baratheon shouted, pulling his daughter away from Aemond with furious eyes.

-You can forget my support in these elections, Hightower! - The man shouted one last time, leaving the room, dragging his daughter with him and slamming the door with a bang.

-What the hell is going on here? - Viserys asked in shock, looking from Alicent to Oto to his children in the corner.

Before anyone could say a word, Rhaenys appeared in the doorway with a deadly serious look.

-Viserys needs to come with me to the hall. - She hissed with serrated eyes. - Damage containment.

-We'll talk about it later! - Viserys murmured, leaving the room with an even more pronounced limp alongside Rhaenys.

A scathing silence fell over the room with Viserys's exit as everyone looked at each other. Aemond's breathing was uneven and he shivered softly, staring at his mother and grandfather, until suddenly a realization dawned on him.

-Where's Y/n? - He murmured, looking fixedly at Helaena.

-It's okay… - She smiled sweetly at her younger brother. - Rhaenys said Daemon was going to take her back to the hotel.

-I need to go see her! - He muttered, frowning, already heading towards the door with long steps.

-Are you completely crazy? - Alicent screamed, on the verge of tears, interposing herself between her son and the door. - Isn’t everything you did enough?

-You're not going to leave here and go after her! - Alicent's voice sounded shrill and angry as she glared at Aemond. - You can't go there! What if someone takes a picture of you after all this? - Distress oozed from her pores as she spoke while she furiously scratched the skin on her thumb. - What if one of the hotel employees at least tells the press that you went there?

Aemond grunted, walking around the room in despair, his skin burned and his head throbbed, the only thing he felt was pain throughout his body.

-What kind of hell is this life where I can't even decide what I want? - He growled, looking at his mother and grandfather in fury.

-You're making me wish I was dead, because being dead is better than being in this family! - He spat out the words in a hateful way with his eyes wide with anger and his breathing labored.

Alicent looked at him in shock with her right hand on her lips, while Oto had a look of disgust boiling in his eyes. Aemond's breathing was so uneven that he felt like he could hear his own heart beating in his ears, with his vision blurred and his hands trembling.

Little by little he felt as if he were observing all of this from outside his own body. Aegon and Daeron's voices echoed through the room along with Alicent and Oto's, while Helaena placed her hand gently on Aemond's shoulder, looking into his eyes, her lips slowly moving in what seemed to be his name.

-Everything will be fine. - She whispered to the youngest carefully, and the sounds gradually began to ring through his ears again.

-No! - Aegon's voice sounded furious as he stared at his grandfather and mother. - I'll take Aemond with me! What do you want to take him to the mansion for?

-To drive his head even more crazy? - The older one laughed ironically - To send him to that septon to mess with his mind? No, not this time! I won't let you!

-My brother is going home with me! - Aegon spoke very seriously, taking the lead from an enraged Aemond.

-Helaena, will you stay with Jaehaerys today for me, please? - He sighed to his younger sister who quickly nodded her head.

-Aegon, this is not your decision to make! - His mother hissed, staring at Aemond who looked away.

-That's enough, we're leaving. - Aegon rolled his eyes, pulling Aemond with him. - Daeron, take Hel and Jae home.

Aemond felt numb, he didn't know if it was from the alcohol or the mental confusion that was eating away at his brain, only realizing he was in the parking lot when he felt the breeze on his face as he got into the car.

-Hey you! - Aegon shouted to one of the valets, sticking his head out of the car. - The one with the weird hat… come here! - He waved, taking a 100 dragon note from his wallet.

-Take my brother's car to our house and give it to the doorman. Tell him I sent you.

And without saying anything else, Aegon accelerated the car and with a loud roar of the engine passed through the garden gates while some flashes were fired around the car.

❦❦❦

Y/n could barely breathe as she passed through the bedroom door, looking in all directions, feeling trapped in the long red dress while listening to her father grumble and shout angrily on the phone. Staggering as she took off her heels, she fell against the bathroom door, and without even undressing, she turned on the shower water and stood under the jet, feeling her heart racing in her chest.

She felt like the diamond choker was suffocating her as if it were a tight hand around her neck. And in the midst of desperation, she pulled hard, making the tiny stones break and fall onto the wet bathroom floor, while she cried, pressing her eyes shut.

Outside, Daemon paced back and forth in the bedroom hall mumbling into the phone.

-Since Sunday? - He muttered, narrowing his eyes. - The bastard has been trying to sell you that photo since Sunday?

-Uncle… - Came Rhaenyra's slightly worried voice on the other end of the line. - He's asking a small fortune for the photo and when I pressed him to see it he wouldn't let me… you know what that means… you taught me what that means… - She grumbled on the other end of the line.

-If he hasn't sold it to any tabloid so far and he won't let you see the photos before payment… - Daemon growled, squeezing the cell phone tightly between his fingers.

-It's because he doesn't have anything really impactful to offer. - Rhaenyra spoke as if she were It was obvious and Daemon was sure she was rolling her eyes.

-Tell the bastard you're buying the fucking picture. - Daemon grumbled angrily reluctantly as he looked toward the open bathroom door, listening to his daughter's sobs.

-What?! - Rhaenyra questioned him in a slightly shrill voice.

-What did you hear. - Daemon rolled his eyes as if she could see him. - She's in despair, I need to get this sorted out right now.

-Uncle, you were the one who taught me that giving in to this kind of thing is never the best way…

-Just do what I said! - He growled, hanging up the phone and putting it in his pocket as he stared at the half-open bathroom door, not knowing what to do, wishing more than ever that Laena had come with him.

With his eyes slightly closed, he entered the bathroom, sighing in relief when he saw that his daughter was still dressed under the water, her arms tightly wrapped around herself and her eyes staring fixedly at a fixed point on the wall. Daemon grabbed the hotel's terrycloth robe and walked slowly towards Y/n, turning off the shower and carefully feeling her flinch at his touch. He cradled his soaked daughter as he had done when she was a child and they were still together.

-Come with me. - He guided her to the room slowly while Y/n shivered slightly, pulling the robe closer and closer to her.

Daemon left her alone to get dressed, returning a few minutes later when he thought it had been more than enough for her to put on her pajamas. Feeling a brief flash of anger when he saw his daughter sitting curled up on the bed, still with that lost look in her eyes.

-Aemond won't forgive me if this picture comes out in the papers. - She whispered without moving a muscle. - It was my idea.

-It won't be published in any newspaper. - He approached the bed, staring at her. - I've already taken care of everything, the bastard wanted to sell the photo to Rhaenyra. I told her to buy it. This ends here, Y/n.

Y/n could barely breathe when she heard her father's words, and suddenly, when she heard him say that everything was fine with such certainty, a feeling of relief embraced her and for a moment she was able to draw air into her lungs again. Until the rest of the night came back like a bucket of cold water, and once again she felt those damn tears wetting her cheeks, while she tried to wipe them away with her fingertips angrily.

-What do you want, Y/n? - Daemon grumbled, sitting on the edge of the bed. - Tell me what's wrong and I'll fix it. - His voice was so convinced that for a moment Y/n almost believed him.

-It's not within your power to give me what I want. - She muttered softly before turning her back on her father and covering herself almost up to her head, pressing her eyes tightly in an attempt to forget that day.

❦❦❦

Not far away, Aegon was putting Aemond under the shower in an attempt to bring his brother back to reality while removing from him the strong smell of whiskey mixed with only the gods knew what else. After helping the younger one get dressed, Aegon frowned when Aemond refused to lie down on the bed, walking to the living room and curling up on the couch, staring at the window, just like in the previous days.

After so many incidents, the sun was almost coming out between the clouds under the melancholic gaze of both brothers.

-Thank you for defending me. - Aemond muttered to the older one without taking his eyes off the window for even a second.

-That's what I should have done a long time ago. - Aegon sighed with a small side smile.

A few minutes later, Aemond heard his brother talking on the phone in the kitchen and immediately paid attention, trying to find out if there was anything else going on in the midst of that endless torment, but it was just Aegon talking to Jaehaerys.

-Uncle Aemy is fine, daddy swears to you. - He murmured softly. - Obey Aunt Helaena and be a good boy. Sleep well, little mouse.

-He cares about you. - Aegon rolled his eyes as he walked into the living room once more after hanging up the phone. - I think it's cute, if you ask me.

Aemond's lips curved slightly in what was not quite a smile, but at least it was something different from the face contorted in anger and anguish of the last few hours. And without the courage to leave the youngest alone, Aegon sat in the armchair and leaned it back, groaning softly as he finally stretched his back after the long day, but feeling a slight discomfort in his butt from having put the apartment keys in his back right pocket.

-Brother? - Aemond's voice sounded sad and empty.

-Yeah? - The eldest turned his head towards him with a worried look.

-Do you think she'll forgive me after what happened today? - His voice still sounded a little strange, and Aegon couldn't tell if it was because of alcohol or sadness.

-Aemond, these things happen, you didn't do anything big. - Aegon rolled his eyes. - Everyone has already wanted punch Jason Lanister at least once in the life

-And well… apparently she broke Floris' nose. - Aegon made a face. - Then I consider you two tied for the biggest psychotic jealous outburst.

-Thank you. - Aemond murmured, motionless with his legs crossed on the sofa, looking more like a statue than a human and giving in to tiredness Aegon passed out.

Inside Aemond, feelings fought among themselves to see which would come to the surface with more force. The guilt for worrying Aegon, Helaena and Daeron. The constant and absolute pain of having hurt Y/n. More guilt for having disappointed his mother and grandfather. Even more pain every time he thought about Y/n, along with that pain of worry about how she was. And below all of that, anger still burned slowly, stirring with more force every time his brain rewound the scene of Jason touching Y/n.

Aemond couldn't say how much time had passed, the only thing he knew was that the sun was high over Kings Landing and that Aegon was moving slowly in the armchair.

-Did you sleep? - Came the sleepy question, but he just shook his head. After all, how could he? With so many thoughts eating away at his brain incessantly and unbearably over the hours that had passed.

-I want to go see her. - Aemond muttered after long minutes without saying anything.

-So go! - Aegon sat down, looking at him.

-I'm afraid. - Aemond finally moved and faced the eldest. - What if she doesn't want to see me?

-I honestly highly doubt that. - Aegon muttered. - I already told you Aemond. Y/n loves you, she wouldn't have come back here after all that shit years ago if she didn't.

-What if this isn't enough to fix things? What if I've hurt her too much for that? - Aemond whispered, squeezing his hands tightly and Aegon finally realized that he was once again holding Y/n's necklace between his fingers as if it were an amulet.

-You'll have to go there to find out. - The older man sighed, staring at him fixedly, his lips curling downwards in a caricatured way while gesturing lightly with his hands. - You know, little brother, when we make a mistake, sometimes no matter how hard we try, we can't fix it. But if we're patient enough… maybe time will fix everything for us.

-I've already wasted too much time.- Aemond murmured in a slightly bitter voice. - I don't know if her love can wait that long.

-Sometimes I wish I knew what it's like to truly fall in love. - Aegon smiled melancholically and Aemond laid his head on the back of the sofa with a sad laugh.

-No, you don't. Look what love did to me. - The pain was almost too much to bear, and he would only bear it if he could be with Y/n at the end of it all.

A little later, when Aegon had eaten something and insisted unsuccessfully for Aemond to eat, he finally decided to check his cell phone for messages from Helaena, but what he found was not what he expected. In addition to the hundreds of messages from acquaintances trying to ask questions in a subtle way, there were photos of Y/n in the middle of the road surrounded by paparazzi in the middle of the night.

-I really need to go out. - Aegon sighed, looking at the phone without letting Aemond see it so as not to go crazy again. - It's only a few minutes, try not to do anything stupid in the meantime.

-Yeah, like spending 10,000 dragons on your corporate card in a whorehouse in the fleabottom. - Aemond scoffed, irritated with the older man.

-This only happened once, and it wouldn't have happened if someone had taken the care to tell me that the corporate card expenses are public. - Aegon rolled his eyes, picking up his wallet from the table.

-Everyone knows that, Aegon. - Aemond closed his eyes impatiently as he heard the door slam behind him as Aegon left.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang and Aemond frowned, still sitting on the couch with Y/n's necklace between his fingers. Feeling a twinge of hope in his chest, he stood up and opened the door, finding himself face to face with none other than his uncle, Daemon Targaryen.

-Great, that's just what was missing in my day. - Aemond grumbled, turning his back on the door and returning to the living room without inviting his uncle in, but he did so anyway, closing the door behind him with a calmness that was unnatural for him.

-What do you want? - Aemond hissed, glaring at him angrily. - Tell me to get away from her? That this is all crazy? Get in the fucking line! - He mocked, sitting in Aegon's armchair angrily with the necklace still in his hands.

-You know, I was just like you when I was younger. - Daemon laughed, sitting down. - Full of repressed anger due to attempts at forced obedience, in my case it was my grandmother and not my mother.

Aemond frowned, leaning forward slowly, listening to his uncle's words.

-I don't like to talk about it. - He fixed his nephew with a scathing look, but even so, Aemond could see a glimpse of pain in his eyes.

-But like you… I fell in love with the wrong person when I was young.

Unable to hide the shock at hearing those words from his uncle, Aemond widened his eyes and stared at him without being able to say a word.

-A belly dancer from Lys who worked in a restaurant on Fish Street. She was beautiful, charming and extremely kind. - The older man smiled melancholy with a somewhat lost look.

-But my grandmother thought she wasn't good enough and made me choose, either I would marry Rhea Royce to strengthen the business and stop all that scandal, or I would be disinherited. - He laughed without humor. - I obviously chose the first option.

-I married Rhea in a grand ceremony held by the high septon with all the members of high society present. - Daemon rolled his eyes in a mocking voice, but Aemond could see a flash of pain in his eyes. - And my life became hell. Saena wasn't the kind of girl who would accept being anyone's lover, and I hated every second I had to share with Rhea.

-Nothing ever worked out in that marriage because nothing grows in bitterness. - His gaze was deadly serious. - Not even after Y/n was born did things get better, because no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't be there. All I felt was hatred for that woman and that damn place.

Aemond listened to everything with his serrated eyes and his breath held in his lungs, as if even breathing would make too much noise in the room.

-Years later, when Rhea died and I finally decided to go to Saena again… - His eyes burned with a mixture of anger and acceptance. - She had already married a fisherman, had two children with him, and it was too late.

-So if you're going to make a decision, make it now, boy. - Daemon growled. - Because it's not just your life, it's Y/n's life too. And you're hurting her.

-You understand very well about hurting her, don't you? - Aemond bit back angrily, after all, who in the seven hells did he think he was saying that, when it was Aemond who dried every single tear that Y/n had shed for Daemon over the years.

-It seems to me that you are starting to master the subject too. - The older man laughed disdainfully at his nephew upon hearing that, already getting up from the couch and looking around Aegon's apartment with clear judgment in his eyes. - Judging by the way she was when I left her earlier.

Aemond froze instantly upon hearing those words, all the anger towards his uncle disappearing immediately upon imagining Y/n once again hurt because of him.

-What did she say to you? - His eyes were glazed as he pressed the silver chain firmly between his fingers.

-Just decide once and for all what direction you're going to take in your life and whether you're not going to choose her… - Daemon hissed, staring at his nephew. -Say it at once so she can follow her own path free of you!

Without waiting for an answer, Daemon left the apartment, slamming the door firmly behind him.

The moment after his uncle left, Aemond felt his own bones compressing under his skin, as if they were going to snap at any moment. The words he had just said echoed in his head loud and clear, as if Daemon was still there repeating them.

Suddenly, the worst scenario he had ever imagined in his life appeared in his mind: Y/n married to another man, with a couple of children that weren't his. Aemond's stomach turned at the thought and, in view of that, he didn't even think about anything, he just left a note so as not to worry his brothers even more, and after passing by his own apartment as quickly as possible in search of clean clothes, he set off towards the Aegon's Fort hotel once again.

❦❦❦

Y/n felt her mind in pieces. She didn't even have the courage to touch her cell phone or read the newspaper with the news of the day, the mere idea of ​​what she could find there made her stomach turn after everything that had happened the night before.

At that moment, all she wanted was to talk to someone and vent about everything she felt, but unfortunately for her, the best friend in her life, who she would usually run to and cry in his arms, was the reason for the tears she had shed in the last few days.

Until a small flame of hope appeared in the back of her mind when she remembered her dear friend who, besides Aemond, had always been by her side. Helaena was so sweet and kind, always treating Y/n as if she were a little sister she had finally gained to play with dolls.

The youngest didn't know if her cousin would still like her after everything that had happened in the last few years, but she was the only person with whom she could consider having a minimally sincere conversation. Y/n put on the first dress she found in her suitcase, a black dress that reached her knees in a light fabric with short sleeves.

Without caring much, she tied her messy hair, still slightly damp from the contact with the fabric of the sheets, into a ponytail that did little to make her look more presentable. Still scared from the encounter with the paparazzi the night before, Y/n didn't dare leave the hotel alone. And just like she had done to buy things for the charity ball, she asked the hotel driver to take her.

The only problem was, she had no idea of ​​Helaena's correct address, she only remembered that Aemond had said that she was living at the exit of Rosby facing the sea, and that was what she told the driver. The man drove down the quieter street in front of the beach and as he passed by the houses, Y/n felt her heart ache and tighten more and more as she saw the happy families playing in the gardens with wide smiles on their faces.

The children ran and their parents chased them, some were going to the beach, probably for a day of family fun and Y/n smiled melancholy as she watched a little girl cross the street holding her mother's hand.

A few meters ahead, something finally caught her attention in one of the houses. A huge arch of leaves over the gate, and behind it a few meters ahead a baby yellow house with a porch that had at least eight different wind chimes and several hand-woven dream catchers hanging from the ceiling.

-Stop the car!

Her voice sounded almost desperate and the driver braked at the same time, only not throwing them forward because they were going at low speed.

Looking quickly around before getting out of the car in search of curious eyes or cameras, and when she didn't find any she opened the door and ran to the gate, pressing the intercom button right away. It took less than a minute for Helaena's gentle, dreamy voice to sound through the receiver.

-Hello?

-Can I come in, Hel? - She whispered into the intercom after a few moments of gathering courage.

Y/n hadn't even finished speaking when the gate had already made a strange noise when it opened and she sighed in relief, walking towards the safety of Helaena's flower garden.

-Cousin! - Helaena appeared at the door with a look of pure melancholy on her face.

-Hi! - Y/n replied, staring at her own feet and then raising her head when she felt Helaena's arms embrace her softly and warmly. Sighing with contentment, she simply hugged her older cousin back, not squeezing her as much as she wanted to, since she knew Helaena didn't like to feel trapped.

-Come in, I have mint tea in the kitchen. - She said, breaking away from the hug and walking back into the house.

The whole place was screaming Helaena's name at the top of its lungs, both outside and inside. There were several plants scattered all over the house, on the sofa a light blue wool blanket that Y/n was sure her cousin had made by hand, and on it a basket full of unfinished embroidery that Helaena placed on the floor so she could sit.

Y/n shivered slightly when she noticed that a large sliding door opened to an adjacent office where there were hundreds of small insects and other things that her older cousin was probably studying. She definitely preferred it when Helaena focused on the turtles and other more pleasant animals.

-How are you? - Helaena returned moments later with two cups of mint tea and sat next to Y/n, looking at her regretfully.

-I don't know how to say it. - Y/n sighed, looking into space, raising the cup tremblingly to her lips and taking a sip of the tea. - It's like I'm being torn apart little by little day after day.

-And things never stop going wrong no matter how much I try to make them work. - Y/n sobbed lightly, covering her face and wiping away a single tear that ran down her cheek before continuing to speak with a slightly choked voice.

-I can't stand crying anymore. - She looked at Helaena with teary eyes. - And I feel like this is the only thing I've done my whole life, it's like things could never work out for me. - She closed her eyes tightly while shaking her head. - As if I wasn't destined to be happy, I wanted so much to believe that Aemond was my destiny… that we were meant to be, but I think my destiny is only sadness and loneliness.

While Y/n sobbed, trying to hold back her tears, Helaena looked at her with a look of deep sadness, not knowing exactly what to say. Suddenly, with a soft snort, Dreamfyre jumped onto the couch and lay down between the two. The gentle Basset Hound stared at Y/n with sad, drooping eyes for a few moments and then licked her leg affectionately, making Y/n sigh and stroke her head.

-What's it like? - Helaena asked curiously, looking at her with melancholy in her eyes.

-How is what? - Y/n frowned in confusion.

-Being in love. I've never been in love in life, I don't even think I will, but I wanted to know what it feels like.

-It's as if there wasn't a chasm too big in the world not to jump over. - Y/n stared at the ceiling with her head lying back on the back of the couch. - I feel like I could jump off the top of Aegon's Hill right now if someone told me that after that Aemond would be mine forever.

-Isn't it absurd that I can have anything my heart desires, and the only thing it wants is Aemond? - She laughed without any humor, just pain and bitterness.

-And I hate so… so much to think that while I cried for him all these years… he simply went on with his own life without me, built new dreams… and just… forgot about me. - She spoke slowly and paused, slightly lost between words.

-To think that while I love him with all my strength, he's no longer sure if he wants me or not. - She gasped almost breathlessly, as if that mere prospect was taking the breath from her lungs.

-He didn't tell you? - Helaena raised her eyebrows in confusion when she heard her saying those words.

-Told me what? - Y/n looked at her, tilting her head to the left side.

-He was devastated, Y/n. - Helaena looked away to the floor as she remembered those days, practically sighing the words. - He didn't want to go back to college, he didn't want to do anything but stay in his room.

-Aegon called me about two weeks later and asked me to come home. - Helaena's eyes roamed the room slowly as she spoke and caressed the warm ceramic of the cup. - I left my college things in Dorne and took a flight to Kings Landing because Aemond wasn't even eating the first few days, asking for you to be brought back from OldTown.

-He was completely destroyed. - Helaena sighed in sadness. - I thought he was going to die from so much pain during that time and none of us knew what to do to help. It took him days to get back on his feet.

-And when he did… he focused completely on his studies and work. - She looked at the floor, playing with the handle of the cup. - He didn't go out anywhere anymore, no trips, no going to the beach, no parties, or anything that could be remotely fun.

-He just stayed locked up at home studying or working at the company. - Helaena bit lips gently, her jaw tense as she spoke. - And when he did go out, it was to go to the Sept to pray and talk to the septon, because if he wasn't our mother start to go mad.

-He asked me to call the conservatory every now and then to check if you were okay without anyone suspecting. - Helaena subtly curled her lips as she remembered that. - He cared Y/n… he never forgot you.

Y/n felt her heart ache as it hammered at high speed against her ribcage at that moment. Every word Helaena said made her want to run to Aemond and beg them to talk. Begging him to be honest with her, even if she herself didn't know if she could be.

-Auntie Hel! - Y/n heard a sleepy and insistent childish voice calling from the stairs. - I want to call Daddy again to see if Uncle Aemy is okay!

-Aegon left Jae with me. - Helaena smiled a little happier as she said that, but soon became serious. - Daeron is trying to calm our mother and grandfather down after last night.

-Aunty Hel? - Jaehaerys called confusedly from the end of the stairs, pulling a thin white hand-embroidered blanket close to him with his eyes still sleepy. - Uncle Aemy is okay, isn't he?

-But of course he's okay, my dear. - She smiled, going to the boy and picking him up with a little effort. - Your daddy is taking care of him and everything will be fine, Uncle Aemy just got very angry with an inconvenient man. - Helaena rolled her eyes as she remembered Jason Lanister.

-But what if he has one of those Sinks? -Jaehaerys held Helaena's face between the palms of his small hands, very worried.

-A sink? - Helaena arched her eyebrows and frowned in confusion, while Y/n watched the equally confused interaction on the couch.

-It's when you go many days without sleeping and fall hard on the floor like a fool! - The little boy explained very seriously to his aunt, still holding her face. - Uncle Aemy hasn't slept in days, Aunt Hel.

-And I don't know if he ate his vegetables too! - He whispered more quietly as if that were a secret.

-My dear, Uncle Aemy will be fine, okay? - Helaena reassured him as she stroked his soft silver hair, even though she herself was not at all calm when she heard that. - He's just going through a really bad week, but everything is going to be okay.

-And you can be sure that I'll make him eat all his vegetables. - Helaena spoke in false seriousness, making Jaehaerys relax and sigh in relief.

-Don't make him eat the asparagus, I hate it when Daddy makes me eat asparagus.

-Okay, so no asparagus. - Helaena smiled and left a soft kiss on Jaehaerys' nose, making him laugh and throw his body back, softening.

Y/n's stomach turned when she heard the boy's innocent words and concerns. As well as seeing Helaena's sweet interaction with the child.

-Hel, I need to go. - She murmured, getting up and straightening her rumpled dress.

-But you haven't even finished your tea! - Helaena looked at her confused, still holding Jaehaerys firmly in her arms, who had now laid his head against her shoulder.

-We'll have another tea later and talk better. - She smiled and spoke hurriedly. - Thank you so much for being so good to me.

-You don't know how much it meant in that moment. - Y/n kissed her own palm and placed it on Helaena's left cheek affectionately as she smiled at her cousin.

-See you later, Bean grain! - She smiled and left a kiss on Jaehaerys' arm, making him smile shyly and hide his face in Helaena's neck.

Leaving the now cold cup on the table she walked again to the hotel car parked in front of Helaena's gate, and before even slamming the door she had already given the driver a new destination, Aemond Targaryen's apartment.

Still fearful after the recent events, Y/n asked the driver to enter through the building's guest parking lot and went up to speak to the doorman right after.

-Can you tell my cousin that I'm here? - Y/n hung on the counter anxiously as she spoke.

-Mr. Aemond left almost an hour ago, miss. - The man said kindly.

-Oh, I see… could you give me the maid's keys so I can wait for him to come back? - She gently curled her lips. - He won't mind, I swear!

Without question, the man handed the keys to Y/n, who thanked him with a slight smile before going up the stairs, avoiding the elevator so she would have time to think as she slowly climbed the stairs, swinging the keys between her fingers.

When she finally arrived at Aemond's floor, she stood in front of the door for what seemed like hours before sighing deeply and opening it. Y/n couldn't help but smile when she saw Vhagar jumping off the soft couch and hiding beneath it as soon as she heard the door open. Little by little, when she saw it was Y/n, the cat took part of her body out of hiding, exposing herself more, making Y/n smile with the action, closing the door behind her.

She walk into the living room and seeing that everything was exactly the same as it had been when she left on Tuesday afternoon. Except for the fact that the room was brighter than usual and she then noticed that the thick, long curtains were open for the first time, illuminating the room with golden sunlight.

But then, her eyes were drawn in another direction, but precisely in the direction of Aemond's once impeccable bookshelf, which now looked unkempt. Since those bright orange clothes from the Lys hotel were thrown haphazardly over it. Frowning softly, Y/n walked over there, holding on her clothes and feeling her heart tighten with pain as she remembered the joy she felt in those days, and she thought with a heavy heart of sadness that she would wear those horrible clothes every day of her life if she could forever feel a third of the joy she felt that weekend.

Still overcome by melancholy, she looked down, feeling curiosity eat her alive when she realized that the trunk that had sparked her interest the other day, had the golden key in the lock, begging to have its secret contents seen. Y/n didn't want to go through Aemond's things without permission, she really didn't, but curiosity spoke louder, practically screaming in her ears.

Taking a deep breath, she turned the key, opening the lid of the trunk and finally looking inside while gently biting her lower lip. The confusion was visible in her eyes momentarily, with a subtle crease forming between her eyebrows, when she saw wooden boxes organized in the left corner of the trunk next to an old and worn book on "how to train your dragon", while in the right corner there were what looked like some scraps of fabric and a blanket.

Still with a frown, she put her hand between the fabrics, feeling something soft in the middle of them, little by little Y/n's eyes began to fill with tears as she began to realize what was stored inside.

Mr. Bunny was there, at the bottom of that trunk lying amidst what Y/n had now realized were poorly sewn clothes and the blue blanket of hot chocolate. He was much more shabby than in childhood, with his thin and thin plush, but even so, hundreds of memories flooded her mind, of all the times they played house and the stuffed bunny was her imaginary little son.

A sob escaped Y/n's lips when she, still hugging Mr. Bunny, pulled one of the fabrics from the bottom of the trunk and realized it was a child's shirt with one long and one short sleeve. The shirt she had made for Aemond the first time she hadtried to sew. The other fabrics were more failed attempts at creating life-size clothes that she had made over the years to give him as gifts, and a carefully folded blue scarf.

Feeling her hands were trembling and damp, she took one of the wooden boxes and placed it on her thighs, opening it carefully afterwards, losing her breath at the same moment when she noticed dozens of polaroids of her and Aemond as teenagers inside. Pictures of them laughing, pictures of them making silly faces, pictures of them exchanging kisses hidden from everyone, pictures that were too revealing for anyone's eyes but their own.

Tears ran freely down her face as she pulled each of the memories from inside the box, with each picture she sobbed as she revisited the moment it was taken. In one of them, Y/n found herself sitting in the meadow with her eyes closed and a smile, holding a bouquet of colorful flowers freshly picked by Aemond and she could see something written on the back, the tears running even faster as she read the words in Aemond's fine and impeccable handwriting.

"Will I see my spring again?"

With trembling hands she took the other box from the trunk, feeling her heart racing as she opened it. At the bottom of the box were a few sheets of paper that she carefully pulled out, sighing when she realized they were drawings she had made for him. Silly things like flowers and bears when she was starting to draw, better and more technical drawings of street cats and an attempt to draw that dragon from a movie the older one liked. But also detailed drawings of Aemond’s hands, face, jaw. Full-body drawings of him, drawings of him in ways that only her eyes could see.

There were several others in the box, and Y/n smiled when she saw one she had made of Aemond with baby Jaehaerys in his arms about one years after he was born, with her own handwriting written in the corner of the drawing.

"Soon it will be ours."

Amidst uncontrollable sobs, reading those words and seeing the drawing of Aemond with the baby in his arms, Y/n raised her head and looked out the wide window, where now with the curtains open she could see the sunset, and a crease slowly appeared on her forehead. Still trembling and feeling her legs barely responding to her, she got up from the carpet holding the drawing against her chest and walked to the window, feeling her heart burn as she looked at the horizon and for the first time noticed what was there.

Visenya's Hills.

Her eyes filled with tears again at the same moment, and when she pressed them she could practically see the memory again, as if the gods were giving her the opportunity to live it once more.

-I love you.

-I love you too, Aem.

-When we're old enough and no one can boss us around anymore, I'll buy a house that will be just for us. Facing Visenya Hills, and we'll be able to get married and build our own lives.. - Aemond's sweet, youthful voice promised once again in Y/n's mind.

He had done it, even if she hadn't come back yet, even if they weren't together. He had saved all those memories, he had bought the house facing Visenya Hills, he had been waiting for her all that time. And a smile appeared on Y/n's lips as she finally reached that conclusion.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the door opened without warning, and with a happy smile she turned towards the entrance, but the smile slowly died as she quickly dried her tears with the back of her hands when she saw Alicent standing at the entrance of the apartment with a deadly look on her face.

-Aunti… - Y/n began, finishing drying her red face, sticky with salt from her tears, but she was interrupted by Alicent at the same moment.

-I told you not to call me that anymore! - The woman spoke in a firm voice, taking a step forward and leaving her bag on the table in the entrance hall.

Those words cut Y/n as deeply as the first time they were spoken five years ago.

-What are you doing here? - Alicent asked in a voice as cold as the look she was giving Y/n at that moment.

-I-I came to see Aemond. - Y/n stuttered slightly, unable to look at her aunt directly.

Alicent gave the girl a mocking look while rolling her eyes, making her even more paralyzed, if that was possible.

-When are you going to stop, Y/n? - Alicent arched her eyebrows, shaking her head and walking slowly towards her. - Stop involving Aemond in your personal tragedies and dragging him to the bottom along with you? Wasn't everything that had happened before enough? Was that spectacle yesterday necessary?

-It wasn't my intention… - Y/n replied with a low and slightly trembling voice

-It's never your intention. - The older woman rolled her eyes in a condescending tone of voice. - And yet Aemond is always in trouble because of you.

-Like when you climbed the tree even when I told you not to… - Alicent squeezed her eyes slightly as she moved smoothly around the room. - And when you couldn't get down, he climbed up to get you and ended up falling and breaking his arm.

Y/n felt a pang of pain in her chest as she remembered that day, about how she really wanted a fruit that was on a very high branch and how when all the adults had moved away she climbed up the branches of the tree to the top, but then was too afraid to go down and screamed Aemond's name until he found her and climbed up to help her. She managed to get down with his help, but when she was almost there, Aemond slipped and fell over his arm, breaking it in the process. The look of pain in his eyes as he told her that everything was okay was forever etched in her memory.

-Or when you decided to play with Balerion even after I told you not to because he was a very irritable animal… - Alicent pointed out once again with an even colder voice as she looked at her from the bottom up, a look that Y/n had seen her use several times with people that her aunt considered inferior to her. - And the one who ended up being bitten in your place was Aemond.

Her aunt poking that wound was even worse, Y/n hated that memory and Alicent knew it. It was about a year and a half after she moved to the mansion, Y/n had always liked animals, her mother had several of them at home and she couldn't believe that Balerion could be so fierce. Until the day she ran her hand over the dog's fur while he was distracted and he advanced his jaw on her with a frightening bark. Before he could bite her hand however, Aemond jumped on him from behind pulling him backwards with all the strength he possessed at such a young age.

He managed to stop Y/n from being bitten, but he couldn't stop the dog from sinking its teeth hard into his shoulder. There was blood and screams, but not Aemond's screams, because he endured everything in silence as was his custom. The screams were from Y/n who cried in panic as she apologized, even though the problem had already been caused.

-You're just ruining his life. You've only been hurting him since the two of you met! - The older woman shook her head as she spoke and got even closer to Y/n, making her feel more cornered by the moment. - Can't you see that?

-I didn't want to hurt him. - She practically whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

-But you hurt! You hurt and get in the way all the time! - Alicent almost screamed as she gestured with her hands at that point, making Y/n take a step back. - He would have been disgraced just like Aegon if I hadn't sent you away at that time! He would be forever tarnished in the eyes of the shareholders, the company, and the media! I would miss the opportunity to surpass Rhaenyra!

-What do you think is going to happen??? - Y/n suddenly screeched upon hearing that, staring at Alicent. - Aemond is the most hard-working and competent person I know, but it's not just about that! Uncle Viserys will never leave him as the main heir as long as Rhaenyra exists because we all know he favors her!

-It's not just about that! Aemond is cunning, intelligent and exceptionally hardworking, he can do whatever he wants! - Alicent scolded, her eyes sparkling with anger. - He can build a political career like his grandfather in the future, but who do you think will vote for a candidate who married his own cousin? No one!

-Aemond has never been interested in politics. - Y/n bit back, because she knew all of Aemond's dreams, and this wasn't one of them. - It's always been business, I've always wanted to be a businessman.

-He didn't tell you about that, did he? - Alicent laughed ironically, turning her back to her suddenly while putting her hands on her waist and shaking her head. - My father got him a unique opportunity, he could be the youngest representative to be elected in the history of Kings Landing, and he was very excited about it.

-But now thanks to you! - She emphasized very firmly as she turned towards Y/n once again. - The party withdrew the offer! They no longer want Aemond to represent them alongside my father in these elections after last night's scandal! Do you know how good that would be for him? And now he's ruined!

Confusion and pain took over Y/n's features as she could barely look at Alicent with trembling lips, feeling as if her voice had been sucked into a black hole and would never be returned again. The only thought in her mind at that moment was "Did Aemond really want that?"

-If you love him as much as you say you do, why don't you leave him alone? He was doing much better before you came back. He was moving on with his own life, building his own future, until you came back and ruined everything by dragging him down with you into this hole bottomless that you call love! Leave my son alone! - Alicent hissed the words more and more angrily, making Y/n's heart flutter while her stomach churned, and as much as she wanted to, she couldn't raise her voice to her aunt. Her chest hurt when she heard those words, each one hitting her like a bullet.

-You ruin all possible opportunities for a bright future for Aemond. He's not like you, he needs more, he needs greatness, and you're only going to drag him down to mediocrity with you! - She shouted angrily, already very close to Y/n and stopping briefly to catch her breath while putting her hand to her chest.

-Just go away and leave him alone so he can be happy. - Alicent muttered very quietly, looking her deeply in the eyes as she said that, and without waiting for an answer, she turned back towards the door and left with hard steps without saying another word.

Y/n could barely breathe, the air was missing from her lungs and she felt frozen in place, as if she would never be able to move again, or speak, or do anything else. Little by little, as the minutes passed, she managed to move her legs from the spot, and still unable to think straight, she just walked back to the building's entrance hall.

-Miss Targaryen, aren't you going to wait? - The doorman asked kindly, and she just shook her head without saying anything else, just leaving the key on the counter and heading to the visitor parking lot.

-Where to, miss? - The driver's voice sounded as he opened the door upon seeing her.

-H-hotel. - She muttered without looking at him, getting into the car and closing the door behind herself.

As the car drove through the streets of Kings Landing, Y/n began to notice the informative signs of the newspapers and tabloids that made her stomach turn more and more with each news headline read.

"Sins of the father?" And right below a picture of Daemon and Laena with a picture of Aemond and Y/n as teenagers next to them.

"Emotional breakdown leads heir to attack Targaryen associate." Written in huge letters with a picture of Aemond at the entrance to the ball, before all the commotion.

"The morbid aggression of Aemond Targaryen that scared everyone at the annual ball."

"Will he be fit to lead in projects as bold as his older sister?"

In one of them a blurry picture of Aemond with his face visibly contorted with fury being held by Aegon and Daeron as he tried to jump on Jason Lanister again.

The sting of tears stung her eyes once again that day, it was her fault. The people of the entire city were thinking badly of Aemond because of her, it was always her fault.

Y/n could barely move her legs out of the car when she arrived at the hotel, having to use all that was left of her strength to walk to the elevator, and as soon as she got down to her room's floor she wanted to turn around and go away again. Since Aemond was sitting on the floor of the hallway in front of her door with his eyes closed and his head leaning against the wall. The moment Y/n turned around trying to get back to the elevator she heard the sound of his voice calling her softly echoing through the hallway.

She just froze in the middle of the hallway, unable to move forward or turn back. She just stood there motionless, with her eyes tightly pressed together and her lips tightly pressed together as she held herself back from crying once more. His footsteps sounded across the wooden floor of the hotel, getting closer to her with each passing moment and Y/n just closed her eyes tightly, barely able to breathe when she felt him stop behind her.

-Please tell me I can touch you. - His voice sounded in a painful murmur close to the shell of her left ear and Y/n felt all her skin tremble at the same moment, she just nodded without being able to say a single word, and also without being able to deny his touch in that painful moment.

When his hands gently touched her forearms, slowly turning her towards him, Y/n felt as if an electric current was passing through her body, and when she finally faced him head on, she thought she would faint right there when she looked at Aemond's eyes full of pain looking back at her.

-I'm sorry for yelling at you. - He murmured, slowly caressing her left cheek with his fingertips. - I'm sorry for the things I said, for hurting you and making you go through all of this, I really am.

Aemond's eyes were red and moist, his heart burning in Y/n's presence, he didn't even care about the fact that they were in a hotel corridor full of cameras when he slowly pulled her in for a kiss, being overcome by the purest disappointment when Y/n turned her face to the side, refusing him.

-L-let's go in. - She murmured very quietly, looking around for curious looks. - Someone can see us.

-I don't care if anyone sees! - He replied again, holding her face between his palms and staring at her. - I really don't care.

-Aemond, please, let's go in. - Y/n begged, looking around with fear visible in her eyes when she saw the red camera light flashing at the end of the corridor.

Letting an audible snort escape his lips, Aemond released her face and followed her back to the bedroom door, entering behind Y/n like a shadow and closing the door behind him. With the sound of the door closing, Aemond pulled her towards him, pressing both their bodies together.

-I want to fix things. - He murmured against her hair. - I can't lose you. I'd rather be dead than be without you!

-You're enough. - He looked into her eyes as he held her cheeks firmly with his palms. - I don't need the company, I don't need anything else. Just you, you are enough for me to be happy.

Those words would have made her scream with joy an hour ago, but now all she could feel was even more pain knowing that he would hurt himself once again for her, giving up his own dreams just for her, and that pain was unbearable.

-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. - Y/n repeated meaninglessly, barely holding back her tears as she thought about Alicent's harsh words. - I'm sorry for hurting you.

-It's okay now…

-No, it's not! - She interrupted him, crying with trembling lips. - Not when I keep doing this! I'm not good for you.

-What? - Aemond's gaze was a mix of confusion and sadness as he held her close to him with his fingers lightly tangled in her hair. - Where did you get that idea?

-It's the truth! - She stared at him fixedly, nodding her head. - I've only brought you trouble! Look at the newspapers, look at everything they're saying about you, Aemond! It's my fault!

-No, it's not. - He murmured, bringing his face closer to hers, barely able to contain the pain in his chest when he saw her eyes so sad. - I did it. I hit that fucking bastard because I couldn't stand to see him putting his hands on you!

-You're mine, Y/n. - He growled softly against her neck, bringing them closer and closer. - Only mine! We were made to belong to each other.

-Aemond…- She began, trying to push him away from her so as not to let things go any further than they had, but he interrupted her at the same time.

-I love you. - His voice sounded raw, torn and sad as he stared at her with red, wet eyes.

-Aemond, no. - She cried and he finally kissed her on the lips, leaving behind a bitter taste of salt, sadness and pure pain.

-I love you. - He repeated as he broke the kiss, leaning his forehead against hers without breaking eye contact, still lightly brushing his lips against hers.

-Aem…

-I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, I didn't tell you as soon as you came back. - He begged, pulling her more and more against him, almost merging her body with his. - I'm sorry. I swear I still love you the same way. That I still want you. That everything is real to me as it is to you.

-We were meant to be Y/n, we always knew that. - He whispered close to her ear, his voice contorted with pain and sadness as he frowned. - From the moment we met for the first time.

-We both got it into our heads that we were destined to be together, Aemond. - She sobbed, feeling him pulling her closer and closer to him and not having the strength to free herself. - But maybe we're not, not when everything seems to be going against us.

"Not when it seems like all I do is disrupt your life." She thought silently, hugging him.

-We'll make it work for us, no matter what. - He grumbled very seriously, laying his forehead against hers again.

-If we were truly destined for each other, the gods wouldn't have brought us so much sadness. - She sobbed, pulling her head away from his, staring at him with eyes shining with sadness as she tried to sound determined, but unable to let go of him.

-My father called me to go live in Pentos with him. - Y/n sniffed as she used all the strength she had in her to move away from him, wiping the tears from her cheeks as more of them fell. - And I'm going with him… to spend some time with my father, my stepmother and my sisters.

-What? - Aemond's eyes widened in shock instantly and he stepped towards her once more. - Pentos? There's nothing for you in that place! Never had! You belong here, with me! You can't just leave again!

-Maybe that's for the best. - The youngest sniffed, looking at him with her lips curved down and her eyebrows curved. She could tell him a hundred lies to push him away, she could tell him that she hated him, that she was too hurt to continue. But she wouldn't be able to, Y/n would never be able to look Aemond in the eyes and lie like that, she would never be able to break his heart as she looked into his eyes. Maybe that was exactly why she didn't have the strength to talk about the past.

-I don't want to lose you. - Aemond's voice was a very low murmur while his eyes were broken with pain, he felt at that moment more than ever as if his heart was being torn apart inside his chest. - Not again.

-I love everything about you. - He kissed her neck with tears in his eyes making Y/n's heart race uncontrollably in her chest even though she didn't want it to. - I love when you get excited and smile in a way that makes my entire life worth living.

-I love that crease between your eyebrows that only appears when you're so focused on something that you forget the world around you. - He laughed melancholy with his trembling hands gripping Y/'s arms and kissing her forehead between her eyebrows with such affection that he almost made her melt and run down the floor, so soft in his arms that she could barely breathe or speak.

-I love the fact that you are sweet and kind to people, even when you don't need to be. - He sighed against her neck, brushing his lips there while he avidly smelled the aroma that was now the orange shampoo that she always loved to use in her hair.

-I missed you every day since the moment you left. - The older man held her cheeks between his palms again, looking at her with teary eyes and a racing heart. - I prayed in secret for your return when what I should have been doing was asking the gods for forgiveness for my indolence and begging them for the grace to forget you. - His lips trembled gently as he pressed his eyes together, as if the mere memory hurt him. -All I could think about all these years was you and how much I wanted you back.

Aemond kissed her on the lips again, this time deepening the kiss and tangling his right hand through Y/n's strands of hair, clinging to her tightly as he devoured her lips with longing. Unable to contain herself, she kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him like a vine, feeling that any closeness would still not be enough.

Slowly, Aemond's hands went down her soft thighs in gentle and soft caresses that caused uncontrollable shivers all over Y/n's body as she sighed against his soft lips. Soft, he brought his hands to the hem of her dress, holding it firmly and pulling it up slowly and timidly, as if he were undressing her for the first time.

Both Aemond and Y/n felt as if they didn't know what they were doing at that moment, all they knew was that they wanted to feel each other with all the strength of their existence. Little by little they got rid of each of the pieces of clothing, leaving them behind until they fell naked on the wide hotel bed. There were no smiles in either of their eyes, only unshed tears of pure sadness and melancholy.

The two exchanged those same salty and slightly bitter kisses as they pressed themselves against each other on the bed in search of more contact, as if each other's bodies could bring comfort where words could not. Y/n felt Aemond entering her, letting out a sigh as he finally felt a good sensation after so many days in agony, but after that he didn't move his hips, he just remained still inside her for a few moments, as if he wanted time to stop and for it not to end here.

Tear-soaked kisses were left by Aemond on Y/n's neck while she kissed the older man's long, soft hair. Slowly, Aemond finally began to move against her, drawing sighs from the lips he loved so much. Carefully, Y/n tangled her hands in his hair and pulled him into a slow, soft kiss where they both released the sighs and gasps resulting from the act they shared.

Their breathing became more erratic and Y/n shivered around Aemond, holding onto him with increasing force, crossing her arms behind his back and trapping him with her legs against her as if she would never let go. Feeling her walls writhing against him, Aemond poured himself deep inside her with his breath panting and collapsing on her body, leaving his head lying on the younger woman's chest, feeling a spark of happiness in his own heart when he heard her heart beating like a hummingbird in her chest.

Aemond couldn't tell if it was minutes or hours before he moved to lie down next to Y/n and pulled her close to him, never losing contact with her body.

The youngest looked at him confused, a mix of emotions eating away at her insides in a more than devastating way. On one side, the love and the desire she felt to be by Aemond's side, and on the other, the purest and cruelest fear that it really was everything her aunt had said, of really being to blame for each of Aemond's bad decisions. She caressed his chest softly and delicately, consumed by those thoughts, until her hand went up a little higher and reached a slight unevenness in the skin.

Y/n gently caressed the scar on Aemond's shoulder where Balerion's teeth had torn the flesh so many years ago. They were almost translucent, disappearing amidst his milky skin. Flashes of memories floated back into her mind, and Y/n pressed her eyes tightly, trying to make them disappear.

-You took such good care of me while I recovered. - Aemond sighed melancholically as he remembered her affection and concern while his arm healed and gently kissed the tips of her fingers that were caressing him.

-It was my fault. - She looked at him with sadness in her eyes. - You wouldn't have gotten hurt if it weren't for me.

-I would hurt myself for the rest of my days if it meant I could have you. - He sighed, leaving a chaste kiss between her hair, and Y/n felt a tear run down her face and land on Aemond's chest.

She couldn't continue hurting him and hindering him for the rest of his life, not anymore. As the hours passed, Y/n could feel his breathing gradually becoming heavy and rhythmic, signaling sleep. With a sigh, she stood up shakily, trying her best not to shed even more tears when she saw him lying naked between the sheets. His face still tense even in sleep.

With deep and uneven breaths, she tied her messy hair in a braid and dressed only in a moss green cashmere blouse with short sleeves and a pair of shorts while drying her own tears that wouldn't obey her and insisted on falling. Holding her arms tightly against herself, she looked at Aemond one last time, putting her hand over her mouth to contain a loud sob that almost escaped into the silence of the room.

-Goodbye. - She sobbed softly, curling her lips tightly into her mouth, biting them with her teeth as hard as she could, and gathering the little strength she had left, Y/n put on her shoes, picked up her bag and left the room, unable to resist looking back one last time and staring at Aemond's sleeping figure that resembled an angel more than anything else on earth. Her angel.

tag list: @afro-hispwriter @fan-goddess @strangersunghoon @zenka69 @callsignwidow @amanda08319 @alesswift-blog @marialikescherries @palomavz

Final Notes: Well, well, maybe Alicent is smarter than Oto after all! The next chapter will probably have another flashback...

We finally found out what was in Aemond's mysterious trunk, were you expecting that?

next chapter

[ladykailitha]

Not All That Glitters is Gold Part 17

This is the last chapter of this story. I do have the sequel halfway written and it will be most of the way, if not all the way done before I post the first chapter.

It's called "Everything I Ever Wanted" and will be four chapters, each based on a part of Steve's new life I wanted to highlight. Retirement, Steve's charity, the bonding and mating, and the birth of their first child and the fallout with his parents.

I will still keep the Glitters tag list for the sequel. I wouldn't normally, but it's such a little thing, it's just easier that way. If you want to be taken off the list for the sequel, let me know.

Here is Steve's happily ever after. As it should be.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16

****

Steve hated his heats before, but he loathed them now. Now he had an alpha he wanted to share it with, only they weren’t allowed to.

It was only a mini heat to clear out a minor faux bond and would barely last twenty four hours, but they would be the most miserable twenty four hours of his life and that included the twenty four hours after he learned he was infertile.

But Robin was the best handler in the business for a reason. The second his body temperature spiked, Xander and her got Eddie out and into her apartment, still in rut as he was.

Then she rebuilt Steve’s nest from scratch to perfection with the minor edition of Eddie’s handkerchief under his pillow.

The handkerchief plus, Eddie’s scent still sending out waves toward Steve’s apartment would help mitigate the absolute misery he would be in, but he still hated it.

Once all traces of the heat were out of his system, and his temperature going back to normal was Steve allowed visitors. Not even Robin was allowed inside his bedroom during his heats.

Though that was mainly because the poor omega was so pitiful and crying that a lot of handlers would be emotional wrecks afterwards.

Robin had made the mistake once when a heat came a week early due to some stress that was happening in Steve’s life and she was a sobbing mess the whole time he was in heat.

No one knew why the sight of an omega in heat drove betas to such an extreme emotional response, but the prevailing theory was that it was an evolutionary throw back to the pre-historic era so that betas would be moved to not take advantage of the omega in their most vulnerable time.

He showered and stepped out to his front room and smiled. Robin and Eddie were on the sofa waiting for him.

“Hey, princess,” Eddie murmured. “How are you feeling?”

Steve groaned and flopped down on the seat between the two of them. “Like I’ve been run over. The mini heats are the worst. Because you can’t prepare for them.”

“Especially since that was his first mini heat,” Robin commented dryly, “that automatically makes it worse.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “You don’t usually get mini heats?”

“Nope!” Steve said, popping the P. “Robin carefully curates my clients so that it’s never happened. I’ve experienced faux bonds before, the chemical bonding of scents instead of an actual bite bond. Those are common enough. But no, no mini heats for me.”

Eddie looked over at Robin who looked smug.

“Well that’s good then,” he said.

Steve nodded. He chewed on his lower lip and sighed. “I think we need to talk about the golden omega thing. It’s not possible, right?”

Robin and Eddie raised their eyebrows.

“Stevie,” Eddie said gently, “not only is it possible, it’s highly probable.”

Steve looked over at Robin and she nodded.

“Wait, what?”

“You don’t have to do anything about it now,” Robin said. “As long as you are a Starcourt escort you’ll spend your heats alone. And then if you want to get bonded to Eddie and have pups with him, walk away from the job and then mate.”

Steve went stock still as he mulled it over in his mind. Eddie and Robin exchanged concerned glances but stayed silent as Steve’s entire world view was shifted on its axis.

Starcourt had always treated Steve like he was special. It was one of the reasons his cherry popping was such a major event. His parents had sneered at the whole experience, but the agency had gone out of their way to make Steve feel safe in the process.

But to be a golden omega for real? And not just because Eddie wanted him to be special. Not that Eddie didn’t already think he was special, but this would cement how special Steve actually was.

He knew his parents would immediately come out of the woodwork to claim more money for being a golden omega, but it would also be the sweetest justice imaginable.

Because they could have gotten more from Steve’s omegahood and chose to throw him away like he didn’t matter. Only coming back when they needed more money.

“Explain it to me,” he whispered.

And they did. Robin leading the way with Eddie filling in spots where he thought Steve needed more clarity. When they were done Steve looked at Robin and said with tears in his eyes, “If I retire do I lose you?”

Robin’s lip quivered and she got up on her knees. She gently took Steve’s face in her hands. “No. Absolutely not. Yes, an omega escort has to be a handler’s top priority, but you are my best friend. My platonic soulmate, you’d have to murder me to get me to leave you. Do you understand?”

Steve nodded and then threw himself into her arms. Having to choose between the love of his life and his best friend would have been the hardest thing he would have ever had to do. But this made it easy.

They talked about it for a bit and ultimately it was decided Steve would retire when he turned thirty. It would give him a couple more years do a job he loved, but still give Eddie and him plenty of time to have pups.

“That’s a perfect solution,” Eddie agreed. “And I think the band will agree to a couple years break making music so we can all focus on our family lives.”

Steve’s omega chirped happily. Eddie chuckled and pulled him onto his lap. He nuzzled Steve’s scent gland and the omega chirped again.

“Look at you,” Robin said happily. “All content and comfortable. You just got every thing you could ever want, you lucky bastard.”

Steve grinned at her. “I am so blessed.”

Eddie blew a raspberry under Steve’s ear causing him to giggle.

“Eddie!” he protested, trying to push the alpha away, but Eddie did it again, this time on his cheek.

Soon they were wrestling and Steve ended up on the floor, looking up at a surprised Eddie.

“Rude,” Steve huffed as he got to his feet.

“Oops!”

Robin shook her head.

Eddie brought out Steve’s silly side and Steve let Eddie be himself. Apparently the universe knew what it was doing after all with these two.

****

The next three years passed by in a blur.

Chrissy had become the star Steve always knew she was. But of course, that meant her ex-boyfriend and her mother found out about her leaving the convent.

Steve was actually there to witness their faces, purple with rage showing up at some event she was at. The alpha actress she was with had to call security to get them removed.

Chrissy released a statement through the agency that spoke of her love of the job, the religious abuse her mother had put her through, and the love she thought was eternal with Jason turning to ash when she found out she couldn’t bear his children.

She spoke of the love that the sisters had shown her when her mother had dropped her off at the convent against the wishes of her father and her own. About how half of her cherry price went to those same sisters who had protected her from the wrath of her mother for years.

She spoke about how she found her people with Starcourt Services. How she had good friends, made good money, and how her father had supported her every step of the way. And how the other half of her cherry price would always be waiting for her if she ever wanted to leave. Something that after some serious soul searching she knew would not be for a long, long time.

Chrissy’s story burst open a scandal that had been the Church’s best kept secret, that a third of the omegas that came to them after learning they were infertile were brought there against their will by religious extremist parents not wanting their omega child to live their own lives.

Max and Lucas finally announced they were bonding after Lucas played his first game in the NBA as the first omega point guard for the Indiana Pacers, having won their law suit.

With Steve retiring, Robin was going to be Chrissy’s handler. Robin hadn’t lasted with Vickie due to them wanting different things out of life. Robin loved her job, but Vickie wanted more of her time to be focused just on her, something Robin wasn’t willing to do.

Tommy had been kicked out of the agency after he had a very public fight with his ex-girlfriend, Carol. He was supposed to be escorting Billy Hargrove but had found him in a bathroom with known omega starlet, Heather Holloway, his dick in her.

Carol had thrown it in his face that he couldn’t even get wandering Billy Hargrove to stay still long enough. Tommy had thrown hands and Starcourt had thrown him out.

Last Steve heard he was working as a pre-school teacher, barely making a tenth the amount he was at Starcourt. But he had found an alpha and they were happy together, satisfied for the first time in his life.

Jonathan was pregnant with Nancy and his second child. Steve was actually happy for them when they announced it.

Eddie’s band was topping the charts and had done a couple of tours. Steve had missed him, but with work keeping him busy, they were able to keep up a healthy communication.

Elinor and Gareth had decided to bond. Elinor knew that she would never reach the heights of Steve or Chrissy so when the last of her cherry price had been paid, she left the agency to be a rockstar’s wife.

Steve couldn’t wait to spend his first heat with Eddie. What was even better was the fact that Eddie’s rut had synced up with Steve’s heat and everyone knew to stay away for that week.

Their bonding and wedding ceremony was the talk of the town, Steve and Eddie surrounded by all their friends and loved ones. The whole Party was there.

Steve had taken preemptive measures against his parents, knowing that they would try and get more money from him, once Eddie and Steve announced that they had gotten pregnant.

He had a protective order ready to spring into affect the moment they tried anything. Lawyers on speed dial, and security on standby.

He had the life he had always dreamed of. A soulmate who would bond him and give him the pups he so desperately desired, who loved and cared for him like no one in his life could match. Robin came close. Because of course she did. Maybe not more or less than Eddie, but different.

And when that first little one came to loving and adoring parents, Steve knew that regardless if Dustin was omega, alpha, beta, or infertile Eddie and Steve would love him and support him no matter where he chose to go in life.

And that was the perfect ending to Steve’s story, he thought. Eddie couldn’t help but agree.

****

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[1moreff-creator]

New Year's themed ask: What would our beloved classes be doing to celebrate the new year? (I mainly care about DRDT and P:EG, but feel free include mainline games and/or the Another Duology if you want!)

Happy New Year's! (again lol) Let's celebrate the start of 2025 with our favorite killing game blorbos! In particular, I'll be taking the casts of the four fangans I've been most invested in lately; Despair Time, Eden's Garden, One Shot, and Tetro Pink! (Sorry mainline, Another duology and Heartless Deceit, it's been a while since I've thought about those :() This will include both wholesomeness and sadness as appropriate, so get ready for anything!

Minor spoilers for all the fangans mentioned in their respective sections.

By the way, I apologize in advance if a lot of them are just "spends it with family/friends", sometimes I can't think of anything actually interesting to say :v

Danganronpa: Despair Time

Ace: Spends the day with his family, and pretends not to be as scared of firework noises as he is.

Arei: Spends the entire day with her friends (or "friends" while she was in high school, depending on who you ask).

Arturo: Doesn't celebrate, but does keep track of what various celebrities do for the holiday.

Charles: Just a get-together with family. He goes to bed as soon after 12:00 AM as possible.

David: Posts something motivational on social media, sometimes does a themed TEDTalk. Then proceeds to spend the entire rest of his day in bed.

Eden: Celebrates her birthday (31st December!) late into the day with all her friends and family, only to switch to celebrating New Year's the moment 12:00 AM arrives. Basically one long birthday party :D

Hu: Depends on the year. Sometimes she enjoys just chilling with her family, sometimes she accompanies her friends to parties to make sure no one gets hurt. Designated driver when said friends drink alcohol, as she likes to feel reliable.

J: Celebrates with Ryan... mostly the fact that Mariabella is Somewhere Else for the day. Also goes out with friends sometimes.

Levi: Doesn't celebrate, and usually doesn't even notice the new year's coming up until he's woken up by fireworks the day of.

Min: She treats it like any other day, though maybe with an extra family visit. Every year, it takes convincing to get her to stay awake until 12:00.

Nico: Spends it at animal shelters, helping any animals who might get scared of fireworks.

Rose: Spends it with her family, and sleeps through most of it. Takes a lot effort from her siblings for her to stay awake at 12:00 AM to see the change in year.

Teruko: Used to celebrate with her brother, but doesn't bother to celebrate at all too much anymore. She mainly just spends the day trying to get as far away from any fireworks as possible (far too dangerous for her luck).

Veronika: Christmas and new year's themed horror marathon! She occasionally manages to drag someone into it with her, but it's not necessary for her.

Xander: Volunteer work with friends during the 31st, and a visit to his family's graves at some point during the 1st.

Whit: Spends the day with friends, but always cooks dinner at home, usually eating alone since his father's usually overseas. He always makes sure to save some food for his mom, though :)

MonoTV: Treats itself to some of its favorite movies of the year. By which I mean it eats the CDs of said movies.

Mai: Hangs out with both friends and family in a way that makes everyone happy. Or, well, she used to, anyways.

Project: Eden's Garden

Cassidy: New Year's charity stream marathon that always starts a few days before and lasts for a few days after the turn of the year. She streams even through the clock hitting 12:00 in her timezone.

Damon: He prefers to ignore the holiday, but his family gets together so he can't exactly manage it. Still studies for a large part of the day though.

Desmond: Takes it a bit easier on the training for the day, but otherwise doesn't alter his routine too much.

Diana: Hangs out with her friends for a good chunk of the day, and particularly enjoys doing their makeup for any party later in the night.

Eloise: Spends the day with her sisters and mother.

Eva: Doesn't celebrate, and probably spends it studying one subject or another.

Grace: Doesn't celebrate, but enjoys watching the fireworks.

Ingrid: Spends the day with her family.

Jean: Usually out at sea, so he celebrates with his crew, drinking and playing around all night.

Jett: Parties hard with his friends all through the night.

Kai: Other than posting a bunch on social media, he doesn't really go out much, and prefers to spend the day with family.

Mark: Doesn't celebrate, but he does post some kind of celebratory post as Mayhem on social media.

Toshiko: Sends postcards to all her family and likes watching firework displays.

Ulysses: Doesn't celebrate, but his museum offers discounts on New Year's, so there's that.

Wenona: Only celebrates in whatever way benefits her business, as long as it doesn't involve making a public appearance. This usually means she doesn't do jack shit.

Wolfgang: Doesn't celebrate, but he's willing to be designated driver if some of his friends want to party.

Tozu: Practices his evil laugh for hours.

Mara: Puts up with Tozu practicing his evil laugh for hours.

Cara: Uh... she's dead chat I don't think she can celebrate.

Sorry a lot of them are just "they don't do anything" but that's the vibes I get from these people T_T

Danganronpa: One Shot

Aidan: Celebrates Old Year's (read as: doesn't do anything special).

Antonia: Watches the fireworks in Vegas with her sister.

Cass: Doesn't really celebrate unless someone close to them celebrates.

Davis: Spends it with his family at home.

Ellis: Party all night long! There's only a 50/50 chance she actually remembers the hour turning to 12:00 after getting blackout drunk.

Grace: Doesn't celebrate, as they consider it a waste of time.

Harper: Does volunteer work around ver community, but ve's always with ver family when the year turns.

Jeff: Doesn't really do anything, but depending where they are, he might stay up to watch some fireworks.

Kennedy: Looks at several large scale New Year's celebrations, looking for secret symbols in firework displays. So far, she's made the connection between the color red, cacti, and the government of Namibia. He's looking into what that could possibly mean, believing to have connected the dots (author's note: she hasn't connected shit).

Mark: [INFORMATION UNAVAILABLE]

Noah: Gigantic party with his frat. He ends up being the only one without a hangover because of his immunity to it.

Paris: Other than some kind of celebratory post on social media, she goes to the biggest party she can to collect all the gossip she can manage.

Robert: Does exactly what the majority of his demographic does, which generally just involves a family get-together.

Taylor: Stays home with their family, and usually goes to bed soon after 12:00.

Vanessa: She spends it with either her family or her friends, and generally has a blast.

Vivi: Generally takes the night shift at her hospital, since she doesn't care as much about the New Year's as her colleagues.

Monoquin: Indulges in his secret pastime: cosplaying Hope's Peak students. He is a mannequin running a killing game implied to be obsessed with Hope's Peak, after all.

Tetro Danganronpa Pink

I'm gonna list this ones by last name instead of first name because that's how I refer to them in my head and you're gonna deal with it >:v

Chiba: Spends it with her family. Or in the hospital.

Hama: Finalizes rituals to expunge all demons from the year as it comes to its end. This involves an obnoxious amount of salt.

Harada: Spends the day in animal shelters, taking care of any animals disturbed by the fireworks.

Hasegawa: Spends a quiet evening with his mother and sister, sends postcards to his father and his father's girlfriend.

Hayashi: Spends it with her parents, it's surprisingly wholesome.

Hiroaki: Parties a lot with his friends, and sometimes sends postcards to his parents when he remembers to do it.

Isono: New Year's stream!!!

Kamimura: Doesn't celebrate, but does send a postcard to his aunt.

Ojima: Hangs out with his brothers, but doesn't do anything too big.

Okazaki: Offers discounts on her unlicensed gender-affirming surgery, sends ominous postcards to anyone she wants to scare, looks at fireworks and commits some other kind of crime.

Sasaki: Spends it with friends, toasts at midnight with her family.

Tamba: Spends the day with her family.

Tsuno: Volunteer work so no one has a bad New Year's. Sends postcards to everyone she feels would appreciate one.

Wada: Watching Isono's stream.

Watari: Stays with her family until 12:00, and then immediately goes to party after that.

Yanagi: Spends it with his family.

Monomoko: Finds no meaning in the human tradition, so it doesn't do anything special.

I'm not doing the researchers I haven't read staffside sorry :(

-

Well, I hope that got you in the New Year's mood (it's still the 31st in my timezone at least)! Thanks for the ask, and happy New Year's everyone!!! Here's to a happy 2025!