#my cousin wanted to watch it together but she wouldn't understand it

[sugaroto]

Can't believe 2 of my friends left halfway through Barbie cause they were bored and sleepy meanwhile my friend who hated barbie her whole life enjoyed the movie

[moghedien]

if you raise the egg with Lae'zel and stay in Faerun, she'll mention to you in the epilogue that he's being watched by "your newest allies" who she "trusts completely" tonight and just immediately wondering who that could possibly be that Lae'zel would trust completely to watch your son.

and it just made me think, that if you're playing a Tav who isn't an orphan, maybe has some siblings and somewhat of an extended family who they might want to get back in touch with now that they don't have a tadpole threatening them and everyone around them and also they have a githyanki wife and child that they want to introduce people to, Lae'zel would have absolutely no vocabulary for even just most of Tav's familial relations but she'd defintely have no concept of "in-laws."

She thought parents were made up and fake until like a week after you started traveling together and she admits that her "cousins" she mentions didn't indicate a familial relationship in like a societal standpoint and just indicated that they hatched from the same clutch as her. So if Tav started throwing parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces, nephews, actual cousins at her? she wouldn't understand it. So like assuming they're all on good terms with Tav, I could absolutely see her being like "These people seem strangely devoted to you. They have many stories of your past that indicate that they have protected you, but could also bring you to ruin and humiliation should some of these tales be spread. We will form a powerful alliance with them."

like just imagining the epilogue, someone asking Lae'zel and Tav where their son is and Lae'zel being like "He is being watched by our newest allies who are utterly devoted to protecting and keeping him from harm" while Tav just simultaneously goes "He's with my parents"

[jessiexcorner]

Heartbreak Highs. (pt. 3)

Description: Amerie, Harper, and (Y/n). The three were the best of friends until the incest map. A heartbreak high x reader. 

Part 1:

Part 2:

"You sure you’ll be good? You can stay over for longer if you want,” (Y/n) says to Darren as they step out of her car and peer in through the window.

“Yeah, thanks for letting me stay, and dropping me to work.”

“Yea, no worries, see you after your shift?” (Y/n) asks, to which Darren nods. She drives off heading to Harper’s aunt’s place to hang out.

“Hey Harp” (Y/n) says with a smile entering the house. She notices a younger kid next to Harper, her little cousin, they had met a couple of times. “Hey, little star!” (Y/n) raises her hand out for a high five which the kid gladly returns.

“Did you get it?” The kid asks excitedly.

(Y/n) hums and reaches into her bag to pull out some sweets, “Don't eat them all at once your mom will get mad at me if I spoil your appetite..” She tries to warn but the kid already has taken off running to her room with the bag of junk food. “..Just so you know I'm still mad at the fish thing…” (Y/n) states.

“..I got you your favorite snacks as an ‘im sorry’ gift,” Harper says holding out the small bag of treats.

“…Okay, maybe I'm a little less upset.”

Harper laughs and pulls the girl inside the home, wrapping an arm around her neck. They head to the guest room and laze around, talking, and watching a movie together. They lay in bed watching a random film on (Y/n)’s laptop. (Y/n) feels her phone buzz and looks at it to see a notification of a message from Darren, opening it to find an image of Amerie in butchered bangs. She looks up at Harper who’s focused on the movie. She texts 'Oh my god.’ to Darren and shuts her phone, snuggling closer to the blond girl, who doesn't mind. A few minutes later she gets another text from Darren which says ‘Fixed Dora’s haircut.’ With a photo of the new hair and Amerie in a trolly, a place familiar. (Y/n) furrows her brows, sitting up a bit and texting quickly. ‘You're at the roof? I thought you wanted me to pick you up?’ She pauses to read the response. ’Yeah sorry, I asked Quinni, we’re at the roof now. We’re actually going to head to the cemetery for the party,’ ‘What..’ (Y/n) types out but then delete and replace it with an ‘oh.’ She can't really blame them, she never told the two she was close friends with Amerie before she became a Dusty-obsessed mean girl. They only knew about Harper and that she and Harp had a falling out but, now are on better terms. ‘You should come, please? It wouldn't be the same.’ (Y/n) pauses at the message. 'PLEASE COME!!1!’ Another message says. ’That was Quinni, but yes’ (Y/n) smiles a little at the text before responding with ‘okay.’

“Hey Harp, you're going to the cemetery thing yeah?”

“Yeah, why?” Harper looks over at the (h/c) hair girl.

“I wanna come.” Harper looks at her with surprise.

“Really? You never wanted to go before, but alright, if you’re sure,” She says with a smile.

At the cemetery, most teens carry a drink or smoke enjoying themselves. (Y/n) sticks close to Harper as the girl talks with Missy and Sasha, not drinking any alcohol. She looks around waiting for Darren and Quinni. “Hey, you good?” Harper asks.

“Oh, yeah, Darren said that they and Quinni were coming, I'm just keeping an eye out.” (Y/n) explains.

“Ah,” Harper nods understanding. (Y/n) notices Harper is almost done with her drink.

“Want me to get you another?” (Y/n) asks not wanting to stand around silently or awkwardly as Sasha, Missy, and Harper talk.

“If you're okay with it, sure,” Harper says noticing the fact (Y/n) was silent throughout the whole party. The (h/c) haired girl nods humming and walks to the drinks to find an unopened and untampered bottle. As she searches the cooler she notices someone standing next to her, she looks up to see the new kid.

“Hey,” He starts.

“Hi..” She responds going back to her search for the drink.

“Looking for that?” He points out a bottle that seems to be unopened.

“Oh, yeah.. Thanks,” She grabs the bottle, checking it once more.

“I'm Malakai.” He reaches out his hand.

She stands up before reaching her own hand out, “(Y/n).”

“You don’t seem like someone who comes here often,”

(Y/n) raises a brow “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, no I didn't mean, it's just you seem uncomfortable around here…” Malakai tries to explain.

“… it's actually my first time at something like this.” (Y/n) admits.

“Hey, me too.” He smiles.

“Right.” She pauses, not used to talking to a lot of new people, or comfortable talking to someone she doesn't already know.

“Can I offer you a drink?”

“I don't drink.” (Y/n) declines.

“Oh, okay that’s cool.”Malakai is about to say something else when (Y/n) excuses herself.

“I have to get this to my friend,” She points in Harper’s general direction.

“Oh, uh, sure, see you around?” He asks hopefully.

(Y/n) hums but leaves immediately as soon as she gets the chance to run back to her friend’s side.

“Hey, saw you talking to the new kid,” Harper teases a bit taking the drink (Y/n) brought her.

“Hm? Oh yeah.” (Y/n) moves on by not speaking of the topic anymore.

“Well, he seemed like he wanted to talk to you, actually he still seems like he wants to talk to you,” Harper points out, (Y/n) glances at the direction of where the coolers were, and Malakai is looking at the girl and her friend. (Y/n) looks away and awkwardly shrugs. It only took another minute before sundown when Darren, Quinni, and Amerie arrive. (Y/n) spots her friends and is about to say hi, but stops when she sees Amerie. She taps Harper to let her know, who had arrived. Harper looks over and sees the group, and nods in acknowledgment. Quinni finding (Y/n) smiles and waves, which the girl returns back. Amerie on the other hand spotting her old friends wants to turn back. Malakai walks up to Amerie holding out a beer.

"Hey, cunt. My actual name's Malakai, by the way.”

“Amerie.” The girl introduces herself. (Y/n) notices the interaction and looks away focusing on her friends Darren and Quinni. Smiling, she is about to walk up to them but, Malakai seemingly wanting to cheer Amerie up, starts dancing which makes Quinni pull Amerie to the dance floor and begin dancing with her and Darren. (Y/n)’s smile falters a little, pulling back she moves away from the middle of the dance floor back to the sides. Once Amerie seems to be done having her fun with Malakai; Darren and Quinni catch up with (Y/n) and they talk about Quinni’s plan to confront Spider about the rumor and Darren’s encounter with Cash earlier that day.

“Oh really? That's so cool Quinni, it'll be hilarious!” (Y/n) hypes up her friend, encouraging her.

“Oh! I should tell Amreie too,” Quinni walks off with a smile leaving (Y/n) on her own as Darren had left to get a drink. She looks around shuffling before deciding to look for Harper. While searching she bumps into someone.

“Oh, sorry,”

“Oh hey, it's you.” Malakai smiles once more after stabilizing the both of them.

“Oh, uh, yup.” (Y/n) nods turning away.

“Hey, could I ask you something?”

“Hm?”

“Do you not like me or are you just shy?”

“..What?”

“I dunno, you just seem to avoid me, or people in general.”

“..Well, I don't exactly know you enough to not like you.”

“You could, get to know me that is. I would like to get to know you,” He says with a smile.

Oh. Well, this was… different. Not a bad thing, maybe, but strange indeed. “Oh, uh—“ (Y/n) was cut off and a bit distracted when she saw Quinni walking towards Spider to confront him about the 'Lazy kebab' rumor. Malakai glances at what caught the girl’s attention.

"Hey, Spider.” Quinni hands the guy a large blue folder, full of diagrams and images. Spider skims through with wide eyes, and makes a face.

"Yuck! What is this shit?"

"Oh. You don't like vaginas?” Quinni asks, seemingly genuine.

"No, I like vaginas.” Spider corrects her, thinking that the girl is implying something else.

Well, you clearly don't know much about them because if you have a look here…See most vaginas have very pronounced flaps, or labia, and some of them are even lopsided, where I'm assuming you got "Lazy Kebab" from, but it's very, very, normal. You wouldn't know, it's not taught in public schools much. Which is actually very— “ Quinni rambles as she points at the diagrams and pictures. People begin to notice the commotion and Spider’s reactions.

“I've seen heaps of vaginas. Thanks.” Spider says harshly shoving the folder back to the girl.

“Okay. I just assumed, on account of the fact that you were lying about seeing mine, that you were lying about seeing others too.” Quinni says calmly in her usual tone, directly insulting him and discrediting him in one sentence. The kids around snicker and laugh. (Y/n) watches with a proud smile.

"Look, of course, we didn't have sex. Why would I root a fucknut like you?” Spider retorts angrily walking away. A girl, Sasha comes up to compliment Quinni.

“That's your friend right?” Malakai asks (y/n) noticing her smile.

“Yes,"

"she’s amazing,”

“She is,” (Y/n) beams,

“You have a pretty smile,”

That makes (Y/n) pause and nervous. She was never really the best at these things. There is a reason why she was labeled as 'Fish' on the map. She turns her head away chuckling nervously, not sure how to respond. But like a knight in shining armour, Harper links her arm to hers.

“Hey, I needed to take a piss, come with me?” Harper says not paying attention to the boy. Until she notices the fidgety and shy look on her friend’s face and grins. “Am I interrupting?”

“No! I’ll come with you, bye Malakai.” (Y/n) says dragging the blond away who chuckles at her. Malakai stands where he was left with a smile watching the girls walk away.

“So, Malakai is it? Does little (Y/n) have a crush?” Harper teases.

“Why does everyone keep saying that? It's nothing, he’s just being friendly.”

“Yeah, I'm sure he’s being friendly… the ‘you have a pretty smile’ friendly.” Harper says mocking the conversation she heard earlier as she squats near the graves to pee.

“You hear that?!” (Y/n) turns to face away letting the girl piss in peace, but also a little embarrassed.

“Come on it's cute!”

“Shush— Oh shit.“

“What?”

“..Amerie.” (Y/n) says as if warning the other girl. The brown girl walks towards them both staring directly at Harper as she pees.

"Oi, can we talk?” Amerie says, eyeing (Y/n) who doesn't say anything but stays close to Harper, like a guard dog.

"Jesus. Let me finish.” Harper huffs. She pauses and continues, "Just talk until I can get going again."

"Why don't you want to be friends anymore? After everything, Harp? It's killing me. I just want to fix it. Please tell me how to fix it.”

"What happened to your hair?” Harper changes the subject.

"I cut it."

“Yourself?” Harper raises a brow.

"Yes,” Amerie says confidently, making (Y/n) scoff, Darren did her hair. Why lie?

Harper chuckles, pulling up her pants and buttoning them. "I told you not to watch those YouTube tutorials. You never listen."

"And you never talk. What happened? We were fine up until the festival.” Amerie says desperately wanting to get closer, only to have (Y/n) step in a bit, protectively. "I went to your house and you weren’t—“

“Why did you go to my house?"

"You weren't talking to me—“

"So you stalked my house and harassed my dad?"

"I didn't harass your dad,” Amerie says lightly.

"That is such the typical psycho thing for you to do."

"You're the psycho. You ruined my life."

"Ruined your life? All this sh*t, Amerie, the map, your stupid fucking crush on Dusty, do you not understand how unimportant it all is? You're a child.” Harper snaps.

"That's not a reason to dump me. What's happened to you? Harper. I just want to move on.” Amerie says softly.

"And I don't want you in my life anymore,” Harper says harshly, tugging (Y/n) along with her.

“Since when did you replace me with (Y/n),” Amerie retorts in a last-ditch effort.

“I didn’t do shit. Unlike you, she’s actually my friend.” Harper defends (Y/n) while hurting Amerie in the process. Harper and (Y/n) walk away from the brown girl. (Y/n) notices the girl shaking and holding her hand gently squeezing back and letting Harper catch her breath and calm down.

“..Thanks, Harper.. you didn’t have to,”

“i did. You have always been there for me. The least I can do is be there for you too,” Harper says focusing on the way (Y/n)’s thumb rubs over her still-cracked knuckles. The two head back to the party, hand in hand.

@inkpot-winters

@juhdoche

@minnipe

thank you for waiting, sorry for any grammar mistakes and a short chap. <3

[alisonwritesimagines]

Baby Fever ~Simon Ghost Riley Imagine~

Summary: Your niece gets attached to Ghost during a family reunion. And luckily for you and Ghost, you two want a future together.

Author’s Note: This won the poll survey I did so here it is!

Part Two

Reader’s Pronouns: She/Her

Warnings: a couple brief sexual mentions, mostly fluff

Side Note: This is a secondary blog. If you comment a question down below, I will not answer since this is not the main blog. Please send the question to my inbox if you want a response back!

Do not repost this anywhere!

Before meeting you, Simon didn't like leave. He didn't have anyone to go home to, no one waiting for him to come back to, or anything to do even if he did go home. Before you, going on leave was miserable for him.

Then you came along. When you found out the first time that Simon didn't have anywhere to go (nor did he really want to go anywhere), you invited him back over to your place.

"You sure you want me to join you?" Simon asked you.

"I don't see why not. Plus, you can meet my plush toys," you joked. Simon wished you were joking until he actually saw one of your stuff plushies out on the couch when he joined you.

You invited him again on the second and third time you two went on leave. Simon wouldn't admit to you that he liked you. But you knew and he knew that you knew. And everyone knew that you two were together after Simon almost sent one of the newbies to medical after they said that they would tap your ass.

"You two spending leave together again?" Price asked you.

"I don't know. My family invited me to a family reunion and I don't know if Simon is comfortable with that," you tell your Captain.

"True. But yet again, do you really want Simon to be alone during leave?" Price asked you.

"No."

So you ask Simon to join you on leave again to head to your family reunion. He says yes to your surprise.

You tell your family that Simon can be quiet and that he wears a balaclava but that's mainly because of some issues he's had in the past. Your family understands but still tries to make some small conversation with him.

"So, you're the lieutenant she's talked about many times," your sister teases.

"She likes to talk about me?" Simon asked, humored over the fact that your sister had just ratted you out.

"Many times. Oh he's so big and handsome even though he wears a mask," your cousin mocks you as they join in on the teasing.

"Leave Y/n alone please. They just got back," your mother tells the two.

"Glad to know you talk about me," Simon smirks under his mask as he looks over at you.

"Oh shut up. I'm going to help out with the stuff," you tell him as you walk away embarrassed.

Simon sat at a chair, sipping the beer your father handed to him. It wasn't the type of beer Simon would normally drink but he didn't want to be rude.

Simon watched as your family chatted as they got everything set up. He felt a tug on his sleeve, making him look over. He saw as a young girl, no older than five, standing next to him.

"Um, hi," Simon said, unsure how to react.

"My ball went up the tree," the girl told him.

"Okay. Where is it?" Simon asked her as he got up. Her eyes widen from his tall figure. She reached her arms up, motioning him to carry her. Simon let out a sigh before picking her up.

"It's over there," she said as she pointed over at the bright yellow ball on the tree.

"How'd you get it up there?" Simon asked as he walked over to grab it.

"They tossed it up there," the girl said as she pointed over to the older kids.

"Isn't there someone your age to play with?" Simon asked her. The little girl shook her head at him.

This must be Y/n's niece, Simon thought. You had mentioned you had a niece and that she was your first niece in your family.

"What's your name?" Simon asked.

"Lana," your niece told him.

"Nice to meet you Lana. I'm Simon."

"Why do you wear a mask?"

"I just like it."

"Can you play with me?" Lana asked him.

"Alright."

As you helped with getting the party set up, you felt a nudge. You looked over at your aunt who motioned over at Simon and your niece.

"Isn't that cute. Have you two thought about getting married and having kids?" Your aunt asks you.

"Here and there but I think we've been so focus on work, we don't think about domestic life as much," you tell her.

"Well if you two ever decide to have a kid, just know you have free babysitting with us here," your mom mentioned. You smile before looking back at Simon and your niece.

When you both got back to your house, you sat on the couch with Simon.

"Have you thought about having kids?" You asked Simon.

"I don't think I'd be a good father since my father was shit," Simon tells you.

"Well I think today you proved that wrong," you tell him.

"What do you mean?"

"With my niece. You two got along pretty well," you tell him.

"She's a good kid."

"Yeah. But I'm just asking," you tell him before getting up to take a shower.

"Have you thought about having kids?" Simon asked you.

"A couple times. But when I saw you with my niece, I thought it'd be nice to have a mini us. But I don't want to pressure you," you tell him before heading to your bedroom. You turned on the water before stripping off your clothes.

You stepping into the shower before relaxing a little under the water. You heard the door open before the shower curtain opened. You watched as Simon join you in the shower before closing the curtain shut.

"I don't remember asking you to join me," you joked.

Simon shook his head at the joke before pulling you in for a kiss.

"I want it with you."

"What?" You asked confused.

"The whole marriage and kid thing. I want it with you," Simon tells you.

"Are you serious?" You asked in shock.

"Yes. I don't want anyone else but you and if we have a kids then at least I have you to raise them with," Simon admitted you. You smiled up at Simon before leaning up to kiss him.

"I'd like that," you smiled.

"Now, let's get onto baby practicing shall we?" Simon said, smiling down at you.

[miharuki]

Hi, could I request luka couffaine x reader fic please?

Reader is Adrien's twin sister, and she likes luka, and luka feels the same way, but the reader is worried about what Gabriel will think and doesn't want to hurt luka :)

Thank you very much ahead of time ♡

Firstly, sorry about my English cousin, secondly I think I'm going to do part 2, the text was long (2000) words

(fluff at the beginning, angst at the end, gabriel and asshole, secrets)

𝕺𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖀𝖕𝖔𝖓 𝖆 𝕿𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖆 𝕭𝖑𝖚𝖊 𝕷𝖔𝖛𝖊

Once upon a time… A couple, a loving wife who gave up everything for her true love, and her devoted husband who loved her enough to defy reality for her, even if it meant bringing her back to life, and finally waking her from her precious slumber, like a beautiful Sleeping Beauty. Even if it meant making their own children the unhappiest people just for his selfishness, that was Gabriel Agreste, father of Adrien and you, Agreste, twin children born from the same feather but completely different.

Adrien gained total attention from people when he became a model for his father's collections, not only he, but you too. However, you felt lonely in that mansion with no one to talk to, even though you went to school, you felt empty. Why? you wondered.

Until… when your brother introduced him, a friend of his and an ex of one of his friends, Luka Couffaine, a sweet name with a lovely meaning, "luminous." And now you understand why. Since you met him, Luka has proven to be a calm and kind person, always listening and helping others, a light in people's lives when they need it, an admirable person.

"Hello to you too, [Name]!" Luka said as he waved and approached slowly, smiling warmly as you greeted him in return, unaware that someone was watching your interaction. Adrien smiled when he noticed that his sister was opening up more to her friends, and he also noticed how kind Luka was being to his dear sister, making him a friend to Adrien as well.

While for Adrien, it was just a friendly interaction between his friend and his twin sister, someone else saw it as something more: Juleka. Unlike Adrien or anyone else, she noticed the subtle change in her twin brother's attitude, realizing how Luka had started to light up in her presence—not just a friendly kind of happiness. Juleka saw that her brother was looking at you the way he looked at Marinette the first time, a look of love. She was hoping that this time their relationship wouldn't end up like the one with Marinette.

And it didn't. Juleka remembers how her friends began to notice how Luka was acting around you, how he smiled affectionately every time he was with you, or how his eyes took on a dreamy gaze whenever something reminded him of you.

"Luka has a big crush on Adrien's little sister, and it's just so obvious," Ayla commented while chatting with her group of friends, discussing the moment when you and your brother had arrived together on the Liberty boat.

"I bet she won't take long to realize!" Marinette said confidently, giving Luka a thumbs-up as if to say he was doing things right, and indeed he was. It didn't take long for you to develop feelings for the blue-haired musician.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go for a ride, maybe relax…" Luka asked while on his bike, making you smile at his kindness, something you had admired about him since you first met. But he seemed especially bright that day. When you sat on his bike, you felt nervous, which was unusual, especially when Luka turned to ask if you were ready.

"Y-yeah!" you stammered, finding it strange that you were stuttering, which quickly turned into embarrassment for stuttering. Your face turned slightly red with embarrassment as you looked at the back of the boy, riding through the tranquil landscapes of Paris.

And before you knew it, you were in a relationship, an almost secret one, if not for the flushed and blushing faces every time you encountered each other. It was always him you looked forward to seeing when leaving school, wanting to stay a little longer instead of going home. The moments you spent in parks and on the streets, watching the sunset together while enjoying each other's company. You memorized every song he composed, especially the ones where he declared his feelings for you. Your relationship was so healthy that it was impossible not to feel envious of your strong connection. It was impossible not to see the true love that both of you seemed to share.

"I knew it! They were meant to be together!" Rose exclaimed as she hugged Juleka, who blushed at her girlfriend's action but was happy to see her brother in the distance, looking so happy with you, [Name] Agreste, Adrien Agreste's twin sister, a friend, and the object of affection for one of their friends.

"If Luka managed to make Adrien's sister fall for him, I think you can make Adrien fall for you too, Marinette," Ayla teased, elbowing her friend who was now stammering and blushing, while everyone laughed at Marinette's attempt to say something without stuttering.

But the perfect romance can never last forever, not even in a fairy tale. In this case, you couldn't stay with your prince charming. Imagine the surprise when you came home after another date with your boyfriend and saw your father standing there on the stairs. Something told you that something was wrong, especially when your father said in a stern and authoritative tone:

"I heard you've been going out a lot…"

"Well, of course! I've been hanging out with my friends…" you said as you approached your father slowly, stopping at the bottom of the stairs and looking at him with closed eyes.

"Especially with your friend Luka Couffaine?" Your heart stopped. He knew? But you had been so careful. No one else knew that you and Luka were dating; everyone just thought you were still friends, but friends who liked each other. That's what they thought, right? You remember that day vividly.

"…I want to be with you, [Name]. You're the only song playing in my heart and in my mind. I can't stop…" Luka said as he held your hand, the other tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. With a flushed face and a racing heart, you wanted to say yes and pull him into a hug, to tell him how much you loved him. But… what would your father think?

"I would like to… but…" A smile appeared on Luka's face before fading as you continued, "…I don't want the media to hound you. I just don't want to burden you… I'd be a weight…"

Luka smiled softly, realizing that you were just trying to protect him, and he found it endearing. He held your hands and gently moved his face to look at you. He smiled and leaned in.

"So, let's keep it a secret!" The confused look on your face disappeared as he continued, bringing his face closer to yours. "We won't let anyone know. If that puts you at ease, we can love each other even if it's in secret. That way, I won't have photographers hounding me, and you won't have to worry about it. So, what do you think?"

With his face close to yours, lips almost touching, you smiled. A secret, yes, it was perfect. That way, no one could question, and you wouldn't have to worry about the true reason – your father. You were happy and laughed in joy, finally sealing your relationship with the blue-haired musician. "I'd love that."

"You'll have more rehearsals from now on, maybe this way you can focus on your career…" Gabriel said as he turned, scrolling through his tablet and checking the news about his children. When he went up to his room, he placed his backpack on the chair and sat on the bed, grabbing his phone and sending a message to his boyfriend, letting him know that they would have more rehearsals, so their time together would be shorter.

"I don't mind as long as I can be with you, even if it's for a short time! ❤️" You smiled at the message and blushed as you lay down, looking at it with love. You felt happy to have someone like Luka as your boyfriend, embracing your phone with affection.

Even with the short time you had, you were happy to skip some rehearsals to be with your Blueberry, always meeting in secret, embracing each other and enjoying each other's company. That was until Lila arrived, not only lying to Kagami but also destroying your relationship. It was one of those moments when Lila left after the confrontation with Kagami following the akumatization that she saw your figure running somewhere. What were you, [Name] Agreste, Adrien Agreste's twin sister and Gabriel Agreste's daughter, doing running randomly?

It was when she realized that something might be going on that she followed you, watching where you were heading. She noticed that you entered a distant park and slipped into a thicket. Crouching down, she peered through the leaves and saw something surprising: you and a blue-haired boy, embracing. You? With a boy? Acting strangely? So, that's what you were running for.

That's what she thought as she grabbed her phone and took a picture without you two noticing, perhaps a way to hit Gabriel in another way. And that way turned out to be the worst. But everything came crashing down when, in the midst of a photoshoot session, during a break, you looked at your phone and saw a message from your brother.

"Luka is leaving, come quickly!!" This message made your heart race. What do you mean Luka is leaving? And so you ran, apologizing to the photographer as you rushed to get to your boyfriend's house as fast as you could, not caring about the confused onlookers.

"Luka!" Your shouts were heard as everyone turned to look at you, running to catch up with the boy. When he turned his head in surprise to see you sprinting toward him, just as he was about to get into the car, he simply gave up and ran towards you. Your friends watched as both of you ran. "Luka!" you yelled as you approached.

"(Name)!" The boy also shouted as he ran and embraced you, both of you breathing heavily from the sprint. Tears streamed down both of your faces, a rare sight.

"Are you really leaving?" you asked as you looked at him. The boy simply placed his hand on your face, wiping away the tears.

"It's for your own good," he said, trying not to cry, but a few tears were falling on his pale face. He sighed sadly.

"Can we meet again?" you asked, holding onto the hand he placed on your face. "I promise we'll meet again… I promise, my love." And so, for the first time, everyone witnessed the love between Luka Couffaine and [Name] Agreste, sealing their promise with a kiss, a moment that all could witness.

"They just did!?…" Marinette exclaimed in shock while smiling with her mouth wide open. Adrien, it could be said, was also surprised by the turn of events. Ayla took the opportunity to snap a photo of the moment, the last moment they could witness as their friends had just declared their love and made it official.

But soon, Adrien noticed a familiar car approaching Jacket Stone's car and their friends. It was his chauffeur's car, which stopped right behind. From there, Nathalie emerged, adjusting her glasses and immediately grabbing her tablet. She walked toward the couple, who were embracing again, and sighed. Nathalie then got the attention of everyone, including Adrien and Luka.

"Nathalie?" Adrien asked in shock as he looked at his father's assistant. What was strange was that she was here when she's usually always by his father's side. This worried him, especially since she could report directly to his father.

"Miss [Name] Agreste! Leaving your rehearsal abruptly and not responding to any of my calls, you two are in trouble!" Nathalie scolded.

And so, when you separated from Luka's embrace and looked at Nathalie, Jacket Stone, seeing the tension escalating, intervened to put his hand on Luka's shoulder and wake him from the situation. Nathalie had already grabbed your hand and was dragging you toward the car, while Jacket was also directing Luka to get in the car. Before getting into the car, Luka saw you smile at him, and he smiled back before entering his own car.

Adrien noticed Nathalie taking out her phone, and she looked at him, saying, "Don't forget to come home at 6:00 PM; your father only allowed you a few more hours." With that, she got into the car, and Adrien could see her sad expression through the window as the car drove away. Jacket watched with the children, observing your girlfriend's car disappear, just as they were about to leave as well.

"Dating?! Who gave you permission to date this boy?" Gabriel said, keeping his hands behind his back. He sighed in disappointment and pinched his nose. "I knew allowing you too much freedom could end up being a distraction, especially this boy, this Luka Couffaine. He was just a distraction!"

"But father, I—"

"But nothing, [Name]! Leaving after your rehearsals to meet with this boy?! Skipping a photoshoot just for this boy?! What do you think you're doing?! Do you really want to ruin our reputation? I think you deserve more than just a week of punishment! Go to your room now!"

Gabriel said as he fiddled with his ring behind his back. You simply accepted it sadly, walking up the stairs and glancing back to see your father looking at his tablet, viewing a photo from one of your meetings with Luka. You wondered who could have done this.

"Nathalie, make sure [Name] doesn't contact her 'friends' anymore. I don't want any more distractions," your father said before you entered your room, no longer hearing anything else, only the familiar tears returning.

"Luka…"

:(

part 2

[baronessvonglitter]

Cherry, Cherry 🍒 Chapter 5 🍒

"The Party & the Long Walk Home"

pre-outbreak! AU!Joel Miller x f!Reader

Word count: 3,853

Summary: Sarah tags along with you at a party, ending in a confession you never expected.

WARNINGS: 18+ Only! Mature and Explicit, underage drinking (reader --Sarah takes a small sip), drug use 🌿(reader), big ol' age gap (reader is 18, Joel is 35), kissing, some dry humping, reader has hair long enough for a ponytail and wears a skirt, reader's race not mentioned, no use of y/n

Series Masterlist

"I can't wait to go to parties," Sarah says as she leafs through a pile of clothes on your bed. You've gone through everything in your closet and can't find anything to wear. While you're frustrated, Sarah finds it fascinating. She doesn't have an older sister or even any close cousins to experience this with. Having no younger sisters yourself, you are pleased that she's absorbed in the intricacies of this level of life.

"You'll be going to parties soon enough," you tell her, watching with a sisterly care as she puts outfits together with her own style in mind. "Some of this stuff is kinda small for me now. You can have them if you want," you offer a couple of tanks tops and shorts, recalling the dates you'd gone on in those clothes, the trips to Astroworld, weekends in Galveston. You don't know when you'll do any of those things again, or if you'll have someone to do them with. Joel still looms large in your mind, your flirtatious teasing from earlier today still fresh on your mind. You want to see him again, but you're not sure how to instigate such a plan, but being neighbors is an advantage.

Then she asks exactly what you think she's going to ask: "Can I go with you?"

You shake your head. "Absolutely not. Your dad would kill me."

Sarah shrugs. "He doesn't have to know."

"Trust me, he'll know. Plus it's gonna be an older crowd. I don't think it would be safe for you."

Sarah's quiet, and when you look at her you see vexation in her expression. "Your dad trusts me with you," you explain. "And he's the last person I want mad at me."

"Do you like him or something?" Sarah asks suddenly, accusatorily.

You freeze while brushing your hair, keeping your eyes on the mirror at your vanity. "What, like.. what do you mean?"

"You like him. I'm not stupid. The pool party," she says, starting to count on her fingers. "You're always coming around, and when you look at him there's this stupid little grin on your face and you blush.. you have a crush on my dad and it's so weird."

You don't know what to say. In fact she's more astute than you give her credit for. "Sarah, I--"

"It's okay," she cuts you off with a wave of her hand. "I mean, most of my friends do. Have a crush on him, I mean. I'm used to it by now. And he doesn't look at my friends the way he looks at you."

Your heart both stills and pounds, the sound growing louder in your ears. "What do you mean?" You realize you're starting to sound like a broken record.

Sarah looks like she's said something she hasn't meant to. "Forget it. It's weird."

"It's not weird," you try to convince her.

"It is! I mean, I catch him staring at you sometimes, even just staring at your house like he's waiting for you to come out."

You try to keep your expression neutral, but you feel your face blush. "You're probably imagining it," you tell her to try to make her feel better.

She just shakes her head. "Maybe.. how would you feel if your father liked your best friend?"

"I haven't seen him since I was about your age, so I wouldn't know."

She gets quiet, playing with the little fairy lights that hang on your headboard. You get the feeling that she understands, in some way, what it's like when a parent goes away.

"We don't have to talk about your dad," you tell her. "I guarantee he's not interested in me that way. He probably thinks I'm way too young for him anyway." But now you're tempted to ask if he talks about you, mentions you in even the most mundane of conversations. You wish you could see yourself through his eyes, as cliche as it sounds.

Sarah watches you from the corner of her eye, and you hate to wonder what she's thinking, because maybe she's being protective of her father. Wouldn't you be? "This is the weirdest conversation I've ever had," she mutters.

This wrenches a little chuckle from you. "Yeah, me too."

She goes quiet again and you wonder just how deeply this unsettles her, because if it's not a big deal then why does it seem to dominate the room?

"I think he's kinda cute," you admit, as if that's all you have thought of him, as if he's an afterthought to everything else in your life.

A little smile appears, lifting the corners of Sarah's face. "Ew."

You finally decide on a belted denim mini-skirt and a baby blue halter top. You're a little out of your comfort zone of your usual graphic tee and cutoff shorts, but you also want to make a good impression. And, if Joel just happens to see me dressed up, that wouldn't be so bad. You clasp on a silver charm bracelet and swipe on a shimmery pink nail polish, Your hair is styled up, a casual ponytail with soft tendrils framing your face. Sarah helps you put this look together, and in this you have reset your bond of friendship.

You watch movies together at her place, hoping that Sarah will fall asleep first so you can leave without feeling guilty. The only other option is taking her with you to the party and, well, that's not really an option. You're halfway through watching The Blair Witch Project when Sarah goes upstairs. You assume she's getting ready for bed, and when the time Hailey has texts you she's here to pick you up, you get ready to leave, and Sarah comes out after you. She's dressed up similarly to you, looking older, more mature.

"What are you doing?" you ask at the same time she says, "I'm coming with you."

"Like hell you are!" You're shocked that she would even think of coming along. "I already told you no."

Hailey honks her horn as you and Sarah argue on the porch.

"Please! Just for a little bit! My dad's gonna be out all night, he's never gonna know! Please," Sarah begs.

You feel bad for even considering it. But you can't force her back inside. She's not a child, and you remember being her age. The party is just a few blocks away, and you can get a ride back. You'll think of something, you're sure.

"One hour, no more," you say sternly, and let her in the car with you.

At Hailey's, the music greets you first, loud, booming, making everything around you alive. Inside is full of people talking, laughing, dancing, drinking from beer bottles or red solo cups. It's old hat to you, but Sarah is fascinated, sticking by your side. "Just stay with me," you tell her anyway.

You lose Hailey, who joins another group doing shots in the dining room, and make yourselves at home in the kitchen, picking over the rest of Hailey's birthday cake. You consider this is the safest place for her. "It's kind of like what you see in the movies," she says, eyeing the bottles of alcohol and mixers on the counter.

You smile and pour her a soda. "Just pretend there's already alcohol in this and nobody will try to coerce you into drinking," you smirk. You pour one for yourself, and manage to sneak in a little rum when she's not looking.

The crowd is mostly people from Starbucks, and a few older people you feel are too sketchy for you and Sarah to be around. "I thought you said we could be here for an hour. Can we at least walk around?" she asks, as if reading your mind.

"Sarah, I really don't think--"

"Come on! This is probably the only party I'll ever get to go to," she whines, which is so unlike her.

"All right, fine," you pour yourself a little more rum and coke, and bring her to the garage where there's a game of beer pong going on, mostly guys cheering and cursing. You roll your eyes. "Interesting enough for you?" you playfully elbow her. "Just think: this is what I have to look forward to for the next four years." You bring her out to the backyard where most of the action is. Colored LED lights hang in canopy fashion between the trees, a large trampoline sits, empty, in the corner. "Jump?" you suggest to Sarah. She nods eagerly and you get on, downing your drinks and leaving the empty cups on the ground. You jump gingerly at first, testing the endurance of the trampoline, then you both start jumping, laughing, falling down, getting back up. You can't remember the last time you jumped on a trampoline. Your mother was always overprotective, so you never owned anything that could be counted as fun because she worried you'd get hurt. And now you revel in this feeling, this little rush of freedom. Nobody knows where you are, nobody has tabs on you, and you're pretty sure if you jump high enough you might just fly up to the stars..

Then it's interrupted when a couple of guys come up through the netting and watch you and her. Not that you're unfriendly, but you do have Sarah to look out for. "Can we join you?"

Sarah looks to you and you see the hope in her eyes. "Sure," you say, with an edge of wariness to your voice.

You stop jumping as they climb in, and when they sit, so does Sarah. You sigh and join them. It's still a little unsteady when one of you moves, making little bouncy waves on the trampoline. One of the guys pulls out a joint from his shirt pocket and lights it up, passing it to his friend after taking a puff. You look nervously towards Sarah. This is probably the best time to leave. "She can't," you tell them. "She's on probation. She has a parole officer and everything." It's a little white lie, and one you hope will A.) get them to leave her alone and B.) make her feel kind of cool with an older crowd.

"What about you?" The second guy asks, handing you the joint.

Just once, it's not like I haven't done this before.

Shrugging, you take it and inhale deeply, coughing a little as you exhale and pass it back to the first guy.

"Y'all new around here?" they ask of you and Sarah.

"We're here for the weekend," you lie confidently. "We're from LA."

"No shit? Cali babes. What are your names?"

"Shayla," Sarah says, owning it. "And this is my sister Diamond."

You try not to laugh. The alcohol and the weed are already getting to you. "Yeah. Same mom, different dads."

The guys give one another a look, and you don't know if they're buying your story or just laughing at it. "I'm Mike and this is Emilio," they introduce themselves.

You pass the joint between the three of you until it's done, and Mike brings out some apple brandy in a brown paper bag. This time you don't bat an eye when Sarah grabs the bottle after your sip, and you burst with laughter as she takes a drink and coughs, dismissing her future turns.

Not long after, you're all laying on the trampoline, staring up at the night sky. The stars are numerous, like diamonds sprinkled upon dark velvet. Mike and Emilio are nice, not flirtatious, and respect the boundaries you've put up from the get-go. There's a nice, buzzy feeling in your brain and in your heart. Next to you, Sarah reaches her hand out and you hold it.

"It's been more than an hour." Her voice sounds sleepy.

"Hmm? Oh shit." You pull out your phone and look at the time. "It's almost midnight, Cinderella. Time to leave the ball." Your voice sounds odd, and you feel your heartbeat in your ears as you get up. The bouncy movements of the trampoline make you dizzy. "Ready?" you ask her.

There's a commotion from within the house, and people are rushing outside to the patio. "Cops!" someone shouts, and you and the others are alert. "Shit! We've gotta get out of here," you tell Sarah. The guys are already gone, having leapt over the fence and into a neighbor's yard.

You and Sarah follow some people going through a door in the fence, it leads to a darkened area near the highway. Beyond there are lights for hotels, gas stations, and fast food restaurants. "It's too dangerous," you tell Sarah. But can you go back? You take a right, going into the grassy area beneath an underpass, and hear footsteps following you. You know it's not the cops but in your paranoid state you can't be sure. Your grip on Sarah's hand remains tight.

A few of the partygoers, including yourselves, split up, some going towards the lighted areas, but your neighborhood is the other way. It's dark, little traffic, but that doesn't mean it's safe. You follow the highway until it reaches an exit into a more residential area. In your inebriated state you focus harder on recognizing the landmarks. There's a motel, and an all-night restaurant next adjacent. "This way," you tell Sarah, and walk together, trying to stay under the streetlights and out of the shadows. You're out of danger of being caught or arrested, but you still have to make it home. "Shayla and Diamond?" you repeat, recalling the names Sarah had given yourselves. "You had to give us the most stripper-like names, huh?"

Sarah grins. "If you're gonna give fake names, they'd better be good ones."

You pass a few businesses and come up on a bar, with loud rock music blasting as people went in or out. Not a safe place, so you hurry, even though your feet hurt and you desperately just want to sit and take a rest. The world is spinning and you feel like you might fall off. "We make a right here, and then we're just a few blocks from home," you sigh, already dreaming of falling face-first onto your comfortable bed.

"I'm sorry I was such trouble," Sarah says quietly as you enter the dark neighborhood. Dogs bark in the distance, crickets chirp loudly. "I just wanted to go out for some fun.."

"Some fun we had. Party got busted, we almost got in trouble. Your dad would have had a heart attack if he'd had to come get you from the police station."

"Promise you won't tell him?" Sarah's eyes are wide, innocent in the light of the moon.

"Promise," you say, with as much of a smile as your tipsy/high/tired self can give.

You've spoken too soon.

Behind you a truck flashes its high beams and you both turn. You're walking on the sidewalk, so there's no reason for anyone to do that. You both ignore it but he speeds up to catch up with you.

"What the hell's your problem, asshole?" you shout, freezing when you see the driver.

It's Joel.

And he looks pissed as hell.

Your brain races to think of something to say, but in an instant he reaches over to unlock the passenger door. "Get in," he commands, and Sarah dutifully gets in first, followed by you. The bench seats allow you to sit all together, and even before you've closed the door behind you, Joel takes off. It's dead quiet until he speaks.

"What the hell were you both doin' out this late?" His question is aimed at you. You're the adult. You should know better.

Sarah cuts in. "It's my fault, Dad. I made her take me to this party," she says.

"Bullshit! You have no business bein' at a party this late, dressed like a-- like a slut," he utters this last line with a glance in your direction and you want to crawl into the earth. You pull up your halter top and put your arms over your thighs to cover yourself from his accusatory gaze.

"Dad, you have no right to say that!" Sarah sticks up for the both of you.

"You're my daughter and I won't have you puttin' yourself at risk like this. Now tell me the truth: where were you? Did you drink? God damn it, did you do anything else?"

"She didn't," you cut in. It's a lie, because Sarah had that one experimental sip of brandy, but you don't feel bad about this little white lie. "She was safe with me the whole time. The party got busted and we made a run for it. That's the truth."

Joel shakes his head. "I never expected this, not from you."

You feel shame like a poison in your veins. You want to cry.

The three of you remain quiet the rest of the ride home. Joel's anger, his disappointment, weighs down the air, makes the atmosphere heavy. You feel nauseous.

He pulls up to his own driveway. "Sarah, go inside. Wait for me in the living room. We're gonna have a long talk,"

Sarah, with a despondent look in your direction, gets out as you scoot over. She goes inside the house and you make your way out too until Joel calls you back.

"Me and you ain't done."

Your heart is banging in your chest and you get back in. You've never dealt well with getting in trouble. For the most part you've walked a straight line, maybe done a few things you shouldn't have, but never have you gotten someone else in trouble with you.

"I'm sorry," you whisper when he takes forever to talk.

"I thought I knew you better. Thought you had a good head on your shoulders." Joel's voice expresses his disappointment, tinged with anger.

"It was a mistake. It won't happen ever again. I--" you shake your head, on the verge of tears.

He sees you start to cry and he sighs, trying to collect himself. "Don't cry. It's just.. you know why I'm real fuckin' mad, don't ya?"

You nod. There's hope in your chest that you'll be let off the hook. But you never can tell with Joel.

"I'd be mad too. You have every right to be mad. Just.. don't be mad at Sarah. Take it out on me." You're leaning close to him, your eyes begging for leniency. "Leave her out of it, she's a kid. There were many ways out of this and I didn't take any of them. It's my fault alone, and I'm sorry."

He's looking down at his lap, his profile lit up by the streetlight that stands between your house and his. "Joel?.." Something in you is brave when you scoot closer to him, and it all becomes a blur as you gently turn him to face you, and your lips touch his cheek.

His beard is a little rough, and feels exactly as you'd imagined it would beneath your kiss. You feel him tremble, and as you pull away his eyes open to take in the sight of you. He whispers your name as he cups your face in his hands, all his anger gone, replaced with something new. His breath shudders as he moves his touch to your arms, your sides, fingertips lightly skimming over the bare skin between your top and your skirt. You make a sound of surprise and need, and when he hears it he brings your lips to his in a crashing kiss.

Your heart throbs as you eagerly lean into his kiss, and he grabs your waist, pinning you to straddle his lap. His tongue explores your mouth as he cups the back of your head. He tastes like beer and cigarettes, and when you suck on his tongue he emits a deep groan, shifting his hips upward against you so you can feel that he wants you. You rub yourself against the hardness in his jeans, giving little gasps, searching for a way to alleviate the ache that's built up inside you. He grabs your ass as you move, guiding you over him, lifting your skirt until his fingers find the edge of your panties.

It's going to happen! It's finally going to happen! Your brain rejoices, but just as you're about to tell him you want this, he pulls away, gently removing you from his lap. He leans back in his seat, hands covering his eyes, taking deep breaths.

"Joel, what's wrong?" you ask in a small voice.

"FUCK!" his hand slams the steering wheel. He takes another deep breath, not looking at you. "We can't do this."

"What-- why not?" You feel shameful suddenly, like the slut he said you were dressed as just ten minutes before.

"You need to get out and go home. I'll talk to Sarah about this, but you and I need to forget about.. this."

You're so ashamed you could cry. "What did I do?" you ask in that same small voice.

"I just.. can't, sweetheart. We can't."

"I don't know what you think of me, but I've never.. I never have.. I'm a virgin," you practically whisper.

Joel gives a bitter laugh and runs his hands through his hair, eyes closed in longing. "Baby, that ain't makin' things any easier."

"So you don't want me."

"Sweetheart, you're beautiful, you're funny, you're smart, I like you a helluva lot. Of course I want you. You felt how much I want you, right?"

You nod.

"We've both been drinkin', and I'm pretty sure you're a little high right now. I can't take advantage of ya. I won't. As much as I want to be the first to bury my cock into that tight wet pussy, I fuckin' won't take advantage."

Your heart skips a beat, hearing him say these things, and your cunt throbs in response. But you don't know what to say.

"I'm sorry, but you gotta walk yourself home. I don't trust myself around ya, not right now," he says.

You shake yourself out of your fantasy and nod again, rearranging your clothes as you get out. The taste of him is still on your tongue, you can still feel his large, rough hands on your skin and his clothed hardness rubbing between your thighs. Even if you never see him again, this is all you will think about for the rest of your life, ever.

"Good night, Joel," you say softly, getting out and closing the door behind you. Shivering even though the night is warm, you hold yourself as you walk to your house, unlock the door and get in. Lights off, you peek through the windows as you watch Joel finally emerge from the truck. For a moment he goes towards his own house, then changes his mind and heads directly to your door. You gasp as you see him start to come up the porch steps, then he forces himself to turn back, walking resolutely to his own house, door shut for the rest of the night.

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dividers by @saradika-graphics 👑

[bella-rose29]

Deck the Halls (and not your partner) - Part 1

Anthony Lockwood x fem!reader, enemies to lovers, fake dating, set at Christmas (because I'm feeling festive)

Word count: 3.1k

Warnings: swearing, lockwood is an arse, so is the reader, it's enemies to lovers what were you expecting really, Norrie is alive for the plot, I am British so if you're confused about words then that's why, mentions of extended family members being meanies, I think that's it?

Tag list is at the bottom (it's getting too long to put up here now), and as always if you would like to be added to/removed from it, then ask here or send me a note! <3

series master list

"Shit! Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!"

It was safe to say that Y/n L/n was not having a good morning.

George had been watching her over the top of his paper while she paced the living room on the phone, his eyebrows changing between furrowing and raising as he tried to figure out what was happening with only one half of the conversation.

"Are you... alright?" He wasn't the best at this sort of thing, but when it came to his friends he tried to put some sort of effort in to show that he cared about them. Y/n huffed, pinching the bridge of her nose and looking like she was about to break into tears. If that happened George would have to go and get Lucy, because he definitely had no idea how to deal with Y/n when she cried. Normally he went and made her tea and plated up some biscuits, and she always accepted with a grateful smile and a lot of sniffles and let him leave again when he stood awkwardly near her, shuffling his feet on the spot.

He got the feeling that wouldn't be happening now, and he'd be held hostage instead.

"It's my mum. You know I've got this family Christmas thing coming up, right?" She paused while George nodded, taking her hand away from her face to see his reaction, then continuing on as she gestured wildly. "She seems to think I have a boyfriend, which I absolutely do not-"

"What, really?" George exclaimed sarcastically, pressing his hands over his heart in mock surprise. Y/n glared at him, looking incredibly non-threatening in her very jolly Christmas jumper. He resisted the urge to snort, knowing full-well that his friend spent most of the time complaining whenever relationships were the topic of conversation, since she couldn't understand why she was still single.

"As I was saying," another glare was aimed his way, "Mum thinks I have a boyfriend, and my aunt overheard her on the phone just now talking about my non-existent boyfriend, and it was Aunt Linda-"

"The one who gossips to everybody?"

"Yes!" Y/n jabbed a finger in George's direction, expression wild and fierce. "The one who gossips to everybody! So by now I think my entire fucking extended family and every single family friend knows that I have a boyfriend, who does not exist, and thinks that he's coming to our family Christmas in the middle of fucking nowhere!"

"I thought it was your childhood town?"

"Which is in the middle of nowhere! Genuinely nothing but fields and forests and the general countryside for miles and miles. Oh, and to top that all off, my cousin will be there-"

"The bitchy one who makes you feel like shit who you also thought wasn't coming this year?"

"Yes. Her. And Linda is her mum so Steph'll definitely know." Y/n finished, throwing herself into the sofa with a groan, turning over slightly, and screaming into a pillow.

George was about to stand up and head to the kitchen to put the kettle on (Y/n normally screamed not long before crying full-out) when Lockwood poked his head through the door, frowning at the sight before him.

"Everything alright?"

"Y/n's having a crisis. Fancy a cuppa, Lockwood?" George properly got up now, glad that another member of the household was here to deal with the situation. Lockwood nodded, then frowned again when he realised that George was escaping and shutting the two of them in a room together. Lockwood absolutely could have left anytime he wanted, but it was likely that Y/n thought he'd volunteered for the role of caretaker and couldn't leave without looking like an arse, or starting yet another argument between the two of them.

George breathed a sigh of relief, then made for the kitchen. He'd need a cup of tea in a minute when Y/n realised who was there to comfort her.

~~~

"The fuck do you want, Lockwood?"

"I- uh... what's... what's the problem?" His voice sounded pained, like he really didn't want to be in the room, and Y/n rolled her eyes.

"If you don't care, then leave," she said, attempting to hide the wobble in her voice at the thought of having to find someone to drag to her family gathering for three days, where she would be interrogated and prodded and poked and watched every second of every minute of every day, and criticised for every tiny thing she did. She was dreading it, really, but at least the third day would just be her immediate family and her non-existent boyfriend. The first two days would be filled with inquisitive relations that hadn't seen her since last year, wondering about her job and why she hadn't pursued something more stable, or asking about her love life (that was completely uneventful) and why she wasn't thinking about settling down.

Lockwood's frustrated sigh brought her out of her thoughts, and she pulled her face out of the pillow enough to see him clenching his jaw as he studied the wall with a lot more interest than it deserved. "Fine. Vent if you need to. Can I help at all, or are you going to get on my nerves until you leave?"

"Do you always have to be such a dick, Lockwood? Or are you like that because you're compensating?"

"Fuck off."

"Lovely comeback," she snapped, turning to lie on her back, staring up at the ceiling instead of at her boss' face. If she looked at him any longer she might bore holes through his head with the intensity of her glare. Neither of them said anything for a minute, the only sounds the clock ticking away in the corner, counting down to her imminent doom, and George in the kitchen making tea. "My family thing, this weekend. Everyone thinks I'm bringing my boyfriend."

"You don't have a boyfriend though."

"I know that, Lockwood. But my family think that I do have one, and now I have less than forty-eight hours to find one." She heard him snort, and squeezed her eyes shut in the hopes that it would block out his next words.

"Good luck with that. Maybe Kipps'll volunteer? He needs the free food."

"Can't you have just the tiniest bit of sympathy for me?" She pushed up, moving to sit and direct her frustration at Lockwood. "I am in a near-impossible situation here and you're being insufferable right now!"

"Maybe you should take Lockwood," George said, and Y/n jumped at the sound of his voice in the living room.

"Where the fuck did you come from?" she asked, already eyeing up the plate of biscuits on the tea tray. "Wait," Y/n paused as she properly registered George's words. "Take him?" Lockwood looked just as horrified by the idea of it, shaking his head frantically.

"Yeah. Oh, here's your tea, Y/n/n."

"What about you, George?! Surely you could come along and help me out instead?!"

"I thought I told you already, I'm going to my own family's house for Christmas. Lucy's going to stay with Norrie, and Holly's spending the holidays with her girlfriend. Lockwood's alone, in this big old house, and you've got limited time and also limited options." Y/n was annoyed at how right George was, but she wasn't giving in so easily. Not when giving in meant spending three days with the one person she despised more than anything in the world.

"Fine, if you have no other options by the time you need to leave, I'll go with you. But I will not enjoy a second of it if I do," Lockwood finally ground out, and Y/n had to fight back a look of surprise at his words.

"You- what?"

"It saves being in this house alone over Christmas. I've done that one too many times now, and at least your family will be a distraction. And," he added, "a great way to see all your baby photos." His smile was wolfish, and Y/n wondered how anybody ever found it charming.

"Alright. But I'm finding someone else, so it looks like you'll have to miss out on this one I'm afraid." Her smile was simpering, sugar sweet and sickly with how faked it was.

George looked between the two of them, then sank back into his armchair with his tea. "That's that sorted then."

~~~

It was absolutely not sorted.

Y/n was panicking. A lot. Apparently nobody fancied spending Christmas with some random agent for three days in the literal middle of fucking nowhere with her entire extended family, which was incredibly inconvenient for Y/n.

She now was supposed to be leaving in roughly two hours, and was frantically shoving the last few things in her suitcase while phoning anybody that she could attempt to pass off as her fake boyfriend.

Anybody that meant she didn't have to take Lockwood.

Perhaps if he wasn't such an asshole all the time, she'd be less reluctant, but since the first day they'd met he'd been rude to her.

It had been after a job, three years ago back when she was a solo agent taking any work that meant she could keep a roof over her head and food in her belly. Her night had been long, making her tired and weary with how much her bones ached, and she was hardly looking where she was going when she turned the corner onto her street, making her bump into a tall figure. Her first thought when the two of them stumbled away from each other was how gorgeous this boy was, and her second was how utterly awful his personality was. She had apologised before she could see his face, already muttering excuses and explaining her lack of coordination, but within seconds he was opening his mouth and talking, telling her that she should have been more alert and "could she not stand on his shoes, they're new" and she'd taken a proper look at him and decided that yes, he was pretty, but he was also not particularly nice.

Then a few months later she'd seen an ad in the paper for a small agency that had needed a new agent, preferably with strong Touch, and had chosen to go along for an interview. What she hadn't expected was the boy from that night to be the one interviewing her, and evidently he was just as shocked to see her, his expression quickly settling into a frown.

"No thank you. We don't want careless agents like you, thank you very much." His words had stung more than she cared to admit, making the backs of her eyes prick and her throat close up with emotion. She'd almost turned tail and walked out the door (something she very rarely did), but a girl dressed mostly in blue and with an excited smile on her face came in to the room, asking if this was their new recruit. Apparently the boy couldn't say no to her, or the other girl that appeared a few moments later with her clothes all neat and ironed, or indeed the other boy with glasses and curly hair who had ketchup stains on his t-shirt. Within minutes of the three of them arriving in the room, Y/n had a job at the company as an agent with a strong sense of Touch, and was being given a biscuit and a cup of tea.

She had quickly learned that the first girl was Lucy, the second was Holly, and the curly-haired boy was George, and then Lockwood had introduced himself as the head of the company.

"Don't you have... supervisors?" she had asked, confused as to just how this company worked exactly.

"No." His smile had been tight, and he had left the room right after, pushing past his colleagues and heading up the stairs. Lucy had been quick to fill in the rest, explaining all the answers to every question that Y/n had, with Holly and George chipping in when she forgot something.

Lockwood had continued his behaviour from that day ever since, despite Y/n's best efforts to get him to like her, and eventually after a few months of attempted friendship offers, she gave up and leaned into the whole hating each other schtick that was apparently happening.

So no, she did not want to have to bring Lockwood to her family gathering for three days and pretend to love him. She didn't want to do that at all.

Unfortunately, it was starting to look as though she wouldn't have a choice.

~~~

"Well? Please? Come on, I never beg for anything from you."

"I know, and I'm actually rather enjoying it."

"Prick," Y/n muttered, frowning at Lockwood. "You said that you'd do it if you had to. Well, you have to. So pack your bags and let's go; the train's in an hour."

"Fine. But I am not happy about this." He made his way back inside his bedroom, leaving Y/n stood outside the door (she refused to cross the threshold of this one particular room).

"Oh, because I am personally so ecstatic about this situation!" Her voice was thick with sarcasm, and Lockwood paused in his packing to glare at her.

"It's not my fault you couldn't find somebody to pretend to date you for three days."

"No, but I'll blame you anyway."

"Charming."

"Hmm. Hurry up."

"We've got ages, stop fretting like a mother."

"The train leaves in an hour, and it takes ten minutes to get there. Then you have to factor in maybe five to ten minutes of traffic, and difficulties getting through the gates at the station which is what, another five minutes? And then if there are any problems with the actual trains then we want to be early just in case so that a plan can be made to get a different one, and also if there aren't any problems then we at least want to be there early so that we can get on first and get a table. So no, we haven't got ages, we've got minutes before we need to go. Hurry up."

Lockwood had been staring at her in disbelief while she talked, his jaw slack and his eyes wide, but when Y/n glared at him again he went back to packing. "You really think that much about travelling?"

"There is so much that can go wrong with trains, so yes."

"Fine," Lockwood huffed, coming out of his room to cross into the bathroom, grabbing his wash bag out of the cupboard and shoving a toothbrush and flannel in. "Where's the toothpaste?"

"I've got some, so we can share. Trust me, you don't want to share with George. He's like a dragon with the way he hoards his toothpaste."

Lockwood gave her a weird look as he zipped up the bag, heading back into his room to finish stuffing items into the large bag he was taking with him as luggage. Y/n was sure he'd repurposed a kit bag for this, but if it meant she wasn't having to explain to everyone why she had failed at bringing a boyfriend that didn't even exist then she supposed she could forget about where the kit was currently being stored.

"Ok, I think that's everything," he said, running a hand through his hair as he stood up, yanking the bag up and over his shoulder. He was still in a suit, which Y/n thought was ridiculous since they didn't even have any meetings today other than the one with her family, and when they made it to the bottom of the stairs he grabbed his jacket and signature long coat. Y/n was already in her own winter coat, thick scarf wrapped around her neck and gloves poking out her pocket, her boots echoing throughout the building. They were the only two left now, since the other three had already left for their own Christmas celebrations, so Lockwood had to spend an extra minute finding the keys to lock up, and then another minute trying to put them back in his pocket. In the end, Y/n was so frustrated with how long he was taking that she snatched the keys from his hand and shoved them in the chest pocket on the inside of his coat, turning and dragging her small suitcase behind her into the pre-booked taxi.

"Sorry, he takes a while to do things every now and then. He's immensely stupid," she said, smiling at the driver as the man put her suitcase in the boot of his taxi. He looked concerned, frowning up at Lockwood where he was coming down the stairs, then nodded slightly, his expression morphing into confusion.

The drive itself was fast, and there were no problems at the station, but Y/n still couldn't help but feel that something would go wrong on their journey to her parents' house.

"The only thing that's wrong-"

"Don't say that, you bastard!"

"-is me being here."

"Oh. Well, that's true."

"Why couldn't you have just gone on your own?"

"You'll see when you meet everyone. Are you... will you be alright? I mean, it's literally everybody still alive in my family along with all of our close friends, which is near on fifty people, all in my parents' house."

"What are you trying to say?" Lockwood's expression was stony, and a coldness had come into his eyes that Y/n had only ever seen back when she was trying to be his friend and asked about his family. She had since learned that they had died when he was young, and had steered well clear of the subject afterwards.

"I just... it's a lot for me, and I do this every year. I can't imagine how awful this'll be for someone who's..." she trailed off, trying to find the right words.

"Who's family is dead?" Lockwood asked, more forcefully than he needed to.

"No, I didn't mean-" Y/n said.

"Sure," he cut her off, tone sharp and as bitter as the wind that was whipping around them. She tried to speak again, but he scoffed and turned away before she could explain what she had really meant by her words. Lockwood didn't seem to be relenting anytime soon, instead choosing to stare out at the tracks with a clenched jaw. The conversation died, and they didn't say a word until the train pulled up to the platform and they were attempting to find a good seat.

When they were finally sat down, bags secure and able to relax a little, Y/n sighed softly at Lockwood's still tense figure. He wasn't looking at her, which she supposed was a good thing because generally when he looked at her he was coming up with something rude to say. But if they wanted this to work, they needed to be talking.

And apparently, Y/n had pissed off her fake boyfriend.

Ugh, she thought. This is going to be a fucking shitshow.

part 2

Tag list (hopefully this is everyone): @anathemaloren, @augustisintheair, @avdiobliss, @briar-rose23, @curseofhecate, @dangelnleif, @el-de-phi, @ell0ra-br3kk3r, @informedimagining, @karensirkobabes, @locknco, @mischivana, @mitskiswift99, @mrsklockwood, @mrsyixingunicorn10, @no-morning-glories, @novelizt, @ran23sblog, @superpositvecloudshipper, @t2sh0, @taygrls, @tournesol77, @whenselenefallsinlove, @wordsarelife

[miaroseindreamland]

ONE MORE?

Pairing: Han Jisung x reader

Word Count: 1993

Genre: Open relationship/benefits/cute/drama/love

Warnings: fainting/language/suggestive

"You'll do Han's makeup," the coordinator instructed, to which you nodded, scanning the band nervously. "Jisung shi, can you come sit?" The man looked up and nodded.

As he settled into the chair, you prepared everything, feeling a bit uneasy. Han noticed your trembling hands, sensing your discomfort. Unbeknownst to the coordinator, Han was someone you occasionally got involved with, more often than you preferred. Recently, a rumor circulated among the staff about Han's involvement with a new intern from JYP. Initially skeptical, you stumbled upon incriminating messages on his phone after a night together, fueling your anger.

"What's on the agenda today?" Han inquired, but you remained silent, concealing your fury behind a false smile. "Y/n shi?"

Fuck you. You wanted to lash out, but instead, you replied with forced composure, "The usual."

Despite your seething anger and humiliation, you hadn't eaten all morning, consumed by the desire to confront him.

"Are you okay?" Han noticed the change in your demeanor, observing your shaking hands as you struggled to apply the makeup. "Y/n?"

You retreated, unable to control the trembling, prompting Han to call for help. Changbin rushed to your aid, assisting Han in preventing you from collapsing.

"Get some water!" Han instructed, while Changbin gently lowered you onto a nearby couch, awakening a drowsy Hyunjin.

After some seconds you gradually regain consciousness and Han guided you as you sipped it on a cup of water with sugar.

"What happened?" you murmured, bewildered, as you surveyed your surroundings.

"You fainted," Changbin explained softly.

Realizing you hadn't eaten, Han's concern grew more pronounced. "Did you not eat anything?"

"I..." you began, attempting to rise, but a manager intervened.

"Stay down. Rest. I'll fetch you some food," Han looked up to the manager and insisted, offering his card to cover the expense.

"No need. I have money," you protested weakly.

"You can pay me later. Just rest," Han insisted, his tone gentler than before.

--xxx--

As people left, you found yourself alone with Han, who seemed genuinely concerned as he watched you eat.

"I have to go to rehearsal. Are you feeling better?" he asked, and you nodded. He reached out to touch your face, but you pulled away. "We are alone." he assured.

"I just don't want to upset your girlfriend." You said.

"Eh?" he asked, looking confused yet cute.

"Oh, sorry. Your new girl." You roll your eyes.

"I seriously don't understand what you're talking about."

"Oh, cut the crap! At least be honest."

"Y/n, I—"

"Han, we're waiting for you," Chan appeared at the door, interrupting. Han pleaded for 5 more minutes before Chan nodded and closed the door.

"Y/n, I don't have anyone besides you. What did you hear?"

"I saw the messages, Jisung! I saw it. 'Oppa this, Oppa that!' They even saw you eating together and leaving the company together!"

"She's my cousin, Y/n!" Silence fell, and your face started to warm up. "I promised my aunt I would help her around."

"Oh... th-that explains a lot."

"You went through my phone?" You couldn't tell if he was mad or not.

"I did. It's just that everyone is talking about you having a girl."

"And I do. It's you." He caressed your hair. "I just wish you wouldn't look into my phone and would ask me directly. I don't like that."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put pressure on you... It's just that I was developing feelings for you, and—"

"You were? You're not anymore?"

"I mean, I—"

"Look, I have to go... we'll speak about this later." He moved to leave but then returned to kiss you. His hands moved to your cheeks as he pressed his lips against yours. You almost moaned into the kiss, and he smirked as he pulled away. You grabbed his shirt and pulled him down to steal another kiss as he lets you take it. You hear steps outside the door and both break the kiss.

"Wait for me tonight at your apartment," he said, and you nodded.

--xx--

Do you think I should continue?

[dumbasslesbi2]

But I Thought You Had a Girlfriend? ~ Chapter 5 (Agatha x Rio Students AU)

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Summary:

Agatha and Rio are finally finishing their senior year! It defiantly wasn't easy but they made through it!

Notes:

IT'S DONE!!! IT'S OVER!!!!!!!!! Just kidding y'all but this is technically the last chapter lol. This was super fun for me and it's the first time I've ever finished a multi chapter fanfic. There will be a post after chapter but besides that I'm pretty much done and happy with how this mini series came out. As always please tell me if there's any misspelling or grammatically incorrect stuff, I have dyslexia so sometimes I miss some stuff.

It had been months now since Agatha started living with Rio’s grandmother and cousin, slowly but surely it took a bit to adjust but she started to fit right in. Rio even began teaching Agatha some Spanish since Agatha wanted to understand her grandmother better. She regretted only taking French now instead of Spanish in school but Rio says it wouldn't have helped her anyways. Agatha even started watching some of Rio grandmother's novelas with her. Even though she couldn't understand them, she could still tell what was going on and sometimes Rio came in just to translate some parts to her. Even though the pair had now been not only living together but sharing a room together, they actually fought a lot but it was never that serious. They would always fight and then make out, the two were definitely not a regular couple. It had been getting closer to prom and even though Rio always told herself that she would never go, now that she had Agatha she wanted to go. Agatha honestly didn't care either way until she heard Rio was going to be in a suit. The two kept it like a wedding and didn't show each other what outfits they would wear, Agatha even went to Wanda's to get ready and then from there have Rio pick her up. 

“I don't know Wanda, do you think Rio will like it?” Agatha questioned, curling the ends of her hair. “Agatha shut up, you look gorgeous and Rio thinks you look hot in anything. She literally clings on you when you come to school in your fugly sweaters” Wanda said, putting on eyeliner. “Hey! My sweaters are not fugly! Rio said - oh wait ok, I see your point” Agatha told her, groaning. Wanda couldn't help but laugh. Agatha heard a ding and knew it was her phone so she checked it to see Rio was texting her.

Hi sweetheart, you almost ready? I'm thinking of heading out in 20, is that enough time? 💚

Hi baby, yeah 20 works. Wanda’s finishing up her makeup and I'm finishing my hair so you should be good

Perfect, te veo 💚

Agatha couldn't help but smile at her phone. “Stop smiling at your phone weirdo, I don't need you having wet dreams in my bathroom” Wanda said giggling. Agatha acted shocked, “I was not having wet dreams! You just wish that you had a loving relationship like mine” Agatha said with a huff. “I do, we're just not freaky like you two” Wanda said with a deadpan tone. The twenty minutes went relatively quick for the two and before they knew it Rio was already at the door. “Ok you wait here and I'll go get it, I'll call for you to come out. You look grog” Wanda said, rushing to open the door. Rio was semi disappointed to see Wanda greeting her at the door but she understood they wanted to make a bigger deal out of the outfit reveal. “Hey Rio, let me go get Agatha. She's gonna love you in this”Wanda said, rushing to call for Agatha. “Agatha! You can come out!” Wanda yelled from the bottom of the stairs. Slowly but surely Agatha came out and stopped when she saw Rio. She had her hair up in a messy bun with a suit that snatched her curves perfectly. Rio was also just as stunned by Agatha, she had a perfect purple dress that made her look like a princess. Agatha finally made it down the stairs to which Rio took out her corsage. “Surprise, my lady” Rio said, holding out the flower. “Thank you sweetheart” Agatha said, taking the flower and pinning it to her dress. “Awww you two are so cute. Here let me take a pic” Wanda said, pulling out her phone. The two posed and knew they were going to have to take a bunch of pictures later. “Well we're gonna head out, speaking of, where's Vision?” Agatha asked, realizing he still hasn't shown. “Well about that, he-” Wanda was interpreted by a car horn from outside. When they went to go look they saw Vision coming out of a limousine. “Holy shit. No way” said Agatha, in clear shock. “Yes way and you can come with us” Wana said giggling. “Oh my God, please baby please can we go in the limo” Agatha pleaded to Rio. “Fuck yeah” Rio said, still in shock that her friends got a limousine. The limo ride wasn't that long but they got to take a lot of pictures with it at the school and bumped music the whole way to the school. 

Prom was fun for all of them and they were all happy they could spend it with each other. They eventually found Jen and Alice together, the two had shown up late due to “Alice's makeup being difficult” but Rio already knew that it was cause they were fucking or something in that vain. As the night came to a close the prom king and queen was announced to be Wanda and Vision. Agatha couldn't have been happier for her best friend and cheered for the two. As a small celebration, the group went to go party at Alice's after the prom. So here they all were, drinking and sitting in Alice's garage. “So do you guys know what or where you're going after highschool?” Alice questioned, fiddling with her hair. “Well I already told you but I'm going into skincare and beauty products for sure” Jen said, nudging Alice. “That makes so much sense, no wonder you have such perfect skin” Agatha groaned, never connecting the dots. “What about you, Harkness?” Alice asked. “ Well I thought maybe some high end four year but now I'm starting to realize that I never really wanted that. I'm thinking of being a detective so I might just go to community to start with criminal justice” Agatha said, putting her arm around Rio's waist. “Really babe? Are you sure you wanna do community” Rio asked, knowing how bad Agatha had wanted to be accepted into a university. “ Yeah baby, it's cheaper and plus I get to go with you” Agatha said , kissing Rio on the cheek. The friend group couldn’t help but awe but Alice and Jen decided to fake gag which caused Rio to hiss at the two. “Welp, I guess my cat is out of the bag. Community college for moi” Rio said dramatically. “We get it Rio”Alice said with a groan. “Alice, why don’t you tell the group what you told me” Rio said with a smile. “Of course you would do this to me. I’m going to the police academy to become a cop” she said, awkwardly looking down. This caused Wanda and Agatha to almost spit out their drinks. “Wait! You wanna be a cop despite what we’re doing right now is illegal” Wanda questioned, looking around for cameras. “Hey! I’m not a cop yet! Plus people can live a little” Alice protested. “Trust me, I found it funny as fuck since when she told me we were skipping second period and were getting high” Rio said with a laugh. “What about you Wanda?” Rio asked, still laughing a bit. “Oh I’m aiming to become a veterinarian and Vision wants to become a lawyer” Wanda said, giggling looking at Vision. “Yeah it’ll be a lot of work for the both of us but we’ll make it work” Vision said, putting an arm around Wanda. The group continued to discuss their future plants while also just joking around. It didn’t take long though for the time to pass and next thing they knew it was time for graduation.

Agatha was fixing her shawl and pins before ready to leave with Rio. “I’m sorry we have to leave early babe” Agatha looked back apologizing to Rio. “It’s fine, plus we have to make sure Miss Valedictorian is all ready for her speech” Rio said, sneaking in a kiss on the cheek. “Mmm thank you sweetheart” Agatha told her, turning so she could kiss her on the lips. “Alright I think I’m all set to go now” Agatha said, looking again in the mirror to make sure she looked good. “You look perfect baby, come on let’s go” Rio said, dragging Agatha by the arm. Once they got there all their friends were already there since Wanda and Jen were also high achieving students. “Can you guys believe this is real?” Wanda asked, still shocked how fast the time went by. “Eh, it was going to happen eventually, if you wanna have a real dilemma think about when you’re gonna die” Rio said jokingly but shocked Wanda and made her traumatized. “Rio” Agatha groaned, knowing how Rio loves to traumatize people. “Wanda she didn’t mean that, don’t think about that. Think how we’re graduating and how happy you were about that!” Agatha said, basically shaking her friend. Before they all knew it, it was time for the ceremony. Agatha gave her speech and honestly Rio couldn’t remember a word she said but she could tell you how beautiful she looked giving it. Since Agatha was Valedictorian  she got her diploma first and sat back down at her seat at the podium. When it was Rio’s turn to go up she gave zero fucks and after getting the diploma instead of walking down the stairs, she went to go kiss Agatha to which the whole stadium cheered. After getting her kiss she walked down the stairs after the teachers got upset at her, Agatha couldn’t help but laugh. Once they finished and turned their tassels, Agatha went running down from the podium. When she saw Rio she basically flung herself at her and Rio caught her. The two lovers spun for a minute before kissing in the crowd of graduating high schoolers. They weren’t sure what the rest of the future would bring the two but they did know one thing. “I love you Agatha Harkness” Rio said after separating from the kiss. “I love you Rio Vidal” Agatha said giggling, giving Rio another kiss.

[masonmiamor]

always you - mason mount x reader.

Summary: Nothing can go as expected. But you honestly weren't expecting to see him after he broke things off. But now he's willing to earn you back, whatever it takes.

requests are open!

“Does this look okay?” your voice coming off low and unsure. Here you were again asking your best friend if the silky long-black dress fitted you okay. She looked up and gasped, covering her mouth, and stood up squealing. “This! This is the one Y/n! You look amazing, gorgeous!” she hyped you up, and walked around you in a circle.

For the past couple of weeks, you’ve let off the dress shopping for her your cousin's wedding. You just weren't feeling as confident enough to actually go out and buy something you looked “pretty and sexy” with. The constant overwhelming feeling of being insecure about how you look always wore upon you. But here she was, your best friend cheering and hyping you up.

“Okay, I'm getting it…” you smiled and looked in the mirror that was hanging on the wall. You take a couple of selfies to show later to your mom and sister. Your bank account hurt after paying, but it was definitely worth the price as it was a gorgeous gown. You went to a jewelry store to go buy some accessories, and then later went to buy a pair of heels.

You parted ways with your friend and decided to pick up some takeout. You go for your usual order for dinner and patiently wait in your car. After receiving a text with confirmation you go inside and pick up the food. You fidget nervously with your hands, as soon as you saw the line of people waiting to be sat down.

When you got closer, your heart drops at the sound of your name being slightly yelled at. You close your eyes and sigh, turning around and greeting the person with a small smile. You face Ben along with Reece. “Hi, guys! How are you?” you ask, hugging them and kissing them on the cheek. “Great! Great! How are you?” asks Reece as he pulls away.

How do you tell his two best friends how you deeply feel inside? Alone, sad, no hope left in you. That you want to see him one last time and get the closure you've desired. But you act against that, understanding where your loyalty lies. “Im doing well. Just came back from dress shopping. Wanted to pick up some takeout and go home to watch some movies,” you smile.

“Ah that's right! Your cousin's wedding is coming up, very soon. Who are you going with?” asked Ben, with a friendly smile. “The plan was to go with my best friend, but she has to leave out of town this weekend. So for the moment, it's just me, myself, and I,” you joked, earning a chuckle from both of them. “Did you guys order takeout, or are the two of you dining in?” you asked, not wanting the air to feel awkward or uncomfortable. They shared a look, taking mental notes of how quickly their body language changed. Ben clenches his jaw and clears his throat, “We're dining in… Just waiting on Mason, he shouldn't be long.”

Your cheeks burned red. The room closes down on you and you find it hard to breathe all of the sudden. You gulped and attempted to pull yourself together. “Well please, I won’t intervene any longer! I have to get going either way. I got groceries before coming here, wouldn't want them to go to waste,” you quickly lied, not wanting to be around them especially if he was coming.

They sighed and nodded. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. We're here for you, always,” Reece touched your shoulder and offered you a smile. You thanked him and said goodbye. You quickly got your order and walked out to your car. Quickly turning on the engine and driving away.

Ben and Reece couldn't help but feel for you. Especially Ben as he knew how you dealt emotionally. “She’s not doing okay, I can tell…” whispered Reece. Ben sighed deeply, “I was nosy and decided to go through her comments and Jesus Christ. Mason’s fans never take a break. They’re so harsh and mean, blaming her for his latest performances.”

Reece just stared at him not knowing what to say or even think. He didn't know what went down, but it was obvious you had it harder than him. “Jesus fucking christ,” Reece yelped loudly, making Ben turn around and look him up and down. “Mason is going to that wedding… his family and he were invited remember?”

“Who were you talking to?” Mason suddenly appeared, scaring the duos. “An old friend from Leicester, she’s here visiting.” Now it was Ben’s turn to lie, not wanting to reveal who it truly was. “Hmm right. Let’s sit down, I’ve had a damn day,” groaned Mason, pinching the bridge of his nose.

~~~~~

You rolled your eyes in annoyance when you heard your alarm ring at the crack of dawn. You rolled over and shut it off, stretching out of bed and rubbing your eyes. You showered and washed your hair, doing your morning skincare prep before getting ready for the wedding.

You quickly packed your dress, shoes, and accessories, along with your hair and makeup stuff. “I'm on my way! Shall I pick up some breakfast for the girls?” you offered, “Please do! I’d appreciate it so much. I’ll have your coffee ready for when you come!”

After picking up some quick McDonald's, you pull into your cousin's house which is rented out for the weekend. A white Georgian looking home, with lots of green scenery. You greet and acknowledge everyone there, and then set out the breakfast for everyone to eat. “Here you go!” your cousin passed your coffee, you quickly thanked her a took a seat near the windows that had the best lighting.

The whole morning was filled with pure chaos, and it was all like that till the afternoon when the church reception would take place. You did a heavier makeup look than usual, as you wanted your eyes to pop out with the dress you were wearing. With the help of one of the bridesmaids, your dress was on and in place.

You took pictures with everyone and soon headed out to the church. You posted a mirror pic and a selfie, not thinking any of it until you saw his name in the views.

masonmount like your story!

You paid no attention to it and focused on assisting the bride with her special day. The church reception was absolutely breathtaking and gorgeous. You took more photos on your phone and sent them to your best friend, who replied almost instantly.

While your cousin and now husband went to take wedding photos you headed for the event reception. You made sure everything was in place and that any food, musicians, and booths were coming in on time. You guided people into the hall, saying hello to the family you had not seen in a while. They complimented your attire and gushed over how beautiful you were.

“Y/n is that really you?” you turned around confused and stared wide-eyed at one of your university friends. He was dressed in a grey suit, a white button-up, with a black tie. “Oh my god! It's been so long Elijah! How have you been?” you hugged him tightly, his hands gently wrapping around your sides. He took both your hands and smiled big at you.

“It indeed has been so long! Not much, finishing up my minor, and beginning my job soon!” The way he spoke to you was so kind and genuine, feeling overbust with joy of seeing him again. It's been so long since you felt happy with no complaints. Elijah was there throughout your first year of Uni. Helped with assignments and introduced you to different school clubs.

“That’s amazing Eli! I can't wait to see the firm after its remodeled and-”

“Am I interrupting something?” you gulp and turn pale at his voice. Why was he here? Your cousin would've mentioned it, right? Elijah stared at the man behind you confused, his eyebrow raised and mouth slightly opened. “I'm sorry but who are you?”

“Im Mason Mount. You are?” he walked over and stood beside you, you close your eyes and take deep breaths. His stare burned into you, you felt it. “I’m Elijah, Y/n’s date. It's nice to meet you… Mason,” poor Elijah did not know what he was getting himself into. “Oh. How lovely,” Mason spoke fakely. You hadn't dared look his way, knowing with one look of his brown eyes you would fall immediately all over again.

“If you’d excuse me, I need to check in with the maid of honor,” you walked away, picking up your dress so it wouldn’t drag on the floor. Elijah followed behind you, wanting to make sure you were okay.

“I'm sorry for asking but, I'm pretty sure that is your ex right?” you nodded and grabbed a cup, pouring yourself a cup of water. “I don’t want to sound rude, I’d never make you feel that way but, why did you tell Mason you were my date?” your voice coming off shaky and breathless.

“I don’t know how things ended but look at you. He needs to take the hint that he has nothing to do with you, he needs to move on and stop chasing you. He doesn't understand or know how much he hurt you Y/n.”

Elijah was right. Mason didn't know anything about you anymore and didn't even bother to check in on you. “Thank you but you didn't have to-”

“If he's here it is because he wants to convince and confess to you of his love once again. And I’m sorry but you know damn well you’d take him back with no hesitation after believing him.”

“It wouldn't be that easy. I'm not-”

“Don’t fool yourself Y/n. You and I know you still love him, and all I want to do is help you.”

~~~~~

“Change your face and attitude. You brought this upon yourself. It isn't the time or place for your jealousy to be shown, Mason,” Lewis said, trying to calm down his younger brother who was seconds away from walking over to you and claiming you as his.

“I told you it would take a while to accept she might move on…” Lewis began to say but was cut off by Mason.

“I just don't understand Lewis. Why is she hanging out with him if she still loves me?” Mason raised his hand and pointed it towards you. Lewis rolled his eyes, “What makes you so sure she's still in love with you?” Mason chuckled and rubbed his chin, facing an impatient Lewis. “The fact she hasn't noticed or taken off the necklace with my initial and the date of our anniversary.”

Mason stared at you. In his eyes, you were the most beautiful woman in the room. He thought back to when he first laid eyes on you when you walked into the Cobham Interviewing room. The shy girl in you made him fall for you more. It was a “she fell but he fell harder.”

Mason shook his head and took a seat at his designated table. “She is happier now Mase. If you're convinced that Y/n is still in love with you, prove it to her. Show her what she means to you. Don’t let her go again.”

~~~~~

Before the groom and bride arrived you went into the backroom to touch up your hair and makeup. Your heels clicked against the floor as you attempted to find the bag filled with items. “Found you!” you bent down and grabbed the black zip-up bag that was a gift from Mason.

When you stood up, you yelped loudly as you felt hands around your waist. But it's like your body knew who it was before your mind had the process to think of whose hands were around you. Your chest and stomach burst with butterflies, and you closed your eyes as you felt his hands grip you, never wanting to let go.

You find yourself placing your hands over his, and despite wearing heels he still stood taller than you. You felt his nose trace from the back of your ear to your jawline, making you tighten your hold against him. “When did you become his girlfriend?... Hmm?”

“I do not have to explain myself to you,” you bite back. He chuckles against your neck, feeling his hot breath. “Seems like you do if you're still wearing my necklace around here? Remember the one I gave you for your birthday? With my initial and-”

“I can remember clearly.” You attempt to pull away but he holds you back. “Let me go… Please” he sighs and pulls away, you turn around and face him, finally finding the courage to stare back at Mason.

His hair is perfectly styled, and he wears an all-black suit, paired with a silver watch. You look him up and down, feeling shy and intimidated. He licks his lips and stares at your figure, watching how you wrap your arms around your stomach. He frowns and takes a step toward you. “Why are you here?” you question him.

“To make things right.”

“It’s a little too late for that, don’t you think?” He shakes his head and maintains eye contact with you. “No… I don’t think it’s too late. I'm just asking you to think things through with him before making a decision you might regret later on,” Mason says smoothly almost nonchalantly, clearly unaware of how he sounds.

You scoff and laugh, “Mason I told you, no promised you I would respect your decision but look at you. What are you doing here and asking me for an explanation I can't offer you back or that I have to give to you? It’s not fair.” He sees the pleading look in your eyes, observing how your eyes begin to water.

“What I most what is for you to be happy y/n, and I would like it to be with me like how we planned. Not Elijah. Me, only me. Call me selfish, but I don’t care. How did you fall in love with him so fast, huh?” His body was almost touching yours, Mason resisted so hard to grab you. His love language always being touch.

“Who said I was in love with him? Maybe I am, maybe I am not,” you mock and walk around him. “Not,” Mason says sternly, his voice strained with jealousy, your eyes scanning at his clenched jaw.

“Maybe?” you tease.

“Oh fuck it!” You exclaim and reach over, grabbing his face and locking your lips together. Mason groans and quickly wraps his arms around your waist, his tattooed arm reaching dangerously lower to your ass. Your lips mold together along his, finding then how your tongues fight for dominance. You pull away suddenly, remembering that things weren't okay. Mason pinches his eyebrows together, scanning your face, noticing how your lipstick was slightly smudged.

This was Mason's last chance to earn you back into his life for good. No more mistakes or insecurities cross along inside his head. This was you and he would do whatever it took to have you back to him. To wake up next to, make breakfast with, argue over how milk chocolate is better than dark, and take those long walks to watch the sunset you love so much.

“I'm sorry I shouldn't have-” you start to apologize but Mason shook his head. “Don't apologize baby. I missed you so much… you have no idea,” Mason let out a puff of air, knowing time might be running out. “I love you Y/n. I’ve never stopped loving you. You mean so much to me, and I want to value you for who you are, always.

“Mason, look, please don’t make me think…”

“Y/n, please. I want to leave certain stuff in the past, the mistrust, jealousy, everything. Whatever it takes to be with you again. Are you willing to forgive me at some point? Not now, I know it’s too soon,” Mason grabs your hands, and runs his thumb over your knuckles, kissing them gently.

“Yes…” you find yourself saying. It’s always been him, that missing piece in your life you desperately looked for. How could you deny the way you felt around him, knowing he felt exactly the same? How could you let him go all over again and risk him not coming back after he’s here, practically begging to make things right?

“I’ve loved you always for every second, every moment we spent together Mase. It's always been there for you, only you,” you finally admit. You let out a few tears, the overwhelming feeling of having him back into your life. Maybe forever now. He kisses you feverly, not caring if someone walks in or if your lipstick is now smudged over his lips. “Oh Y/n. My Y/n.”

“We need time though. I know right now it seems surreal but, we still have so much to talk about. If we want our relationship to work we have to know where our loyalty lies and communicate,” Mason agreed with you, still holding you close, afraid if he lets go you won't be there anymore. He kisses you once more, making you smile and giggle along his lips. He places his forehead along yours, relishing the feeling.

“Like I said, my love. Whatever it takes to be with you.”

[bostrichidae]

screaming without the v.

so. guess who just watched my adventures with superman season 2.

AUUUUUUGUAUGHHGH (/POS????? I THINK??????)

SPOILERS BELOW CUT

i love kara. i love the way her character was handled, i love her realistic mix of naivety and maturity beyond her years. i'll talk a bit more about her later.

the representation of krypton is beautiful. from kara's point of view, she sees the kryptonian empire as this utopian place where all was well in the world, but clark knows better. he's seen the truth of krypton from a mostly unbiased perspective, and could probably make the connections between krypton and similar empires on earth. he understands that the beauty of a so-called perfect world comes at a devastating price. of course kara didn't know about the destroyed planets due to her brainwashing, but even after she found out she denied it because krypton is perfect, because why would the planets have to get destroyed in the first place? why wouldn't they want to become part of this perfect world?

and clark. aurgh, clark. i stand by my belief that this is the best characterization of superman. his fear of hurting others, his fear of being a weapon, his constant fighting to protect the world from devastation and to unite all peoples within our nation even if the powers of that world reject him for existing. and when he became his worst fear, when his body became a weapon turned against earth, he still fought. he fought to protect his family, his friends, his home. he fought against himself, his origins, and everything he was supposed to be. by breaking free of brainiac's control, both kara and clark claimed their own identities. they separated themselves from their predecessors and ancestors, allowing the kryptonian empire to truly fall without the pillars of the next generation holding it up. i have so many fucking thoughts about the generational trauma of krypton but i won't get into that right now.

now back to kara and her relationship with brainiac. she was a sheltered, manipulated child, and her situation absolutely reeks of stockholm syndrome. she's aware that brainiac isn't her biological father, but he raised her. he saved her from that escape pod, she taught him to be strong. every time he called her weak, beat her, scolded her over small mistakes, he was only helping her get stronger! her father was never wrong, when he called her weak it's because it was true and he wanted to help her be a warrior!

right?

clark is an outside influence, a foreign entity, an unpredictable variable getting in the way of their relationship and helping her to open her eyes. but after everything, after brainiac is revealed to be the kryptonians' murderer, she still despairs when he dies. she feels sorrow for the man who nearly killed her cousin, who wiped out her people, who brainwashed her into acts of genocide. who raised her, who cherished her as a daughter, who shaped her into the warrior she is today. i think it will be fascinating to see how she copes with brainiac's death and her different environment in season 3, especially because we saw she kept part of her father abuser with her. she's a wonderful character they could never make me hate you kara from my adventures with superman. i think rät by penelope scott really works well for her and her life with brainiac, give it a listen if you haven't before.

other stuff i really liked about this season:

lois and sam, how their past together is revealed as their future together constantly shifts trajectories. two lanes diverged, amiright fellas... hahah... yeah. i love how lois still carries her father's lessons with her, even after everything he did. how yes, he was a shitty father, but he truly did care about keeping her safe. that he's a flawed character with problems of his own- and she acknowledges that, and recognizes why he does what he does. but still doesn't forgive him. this show is SO FUCKING GOOD at complicated relationships i swear

livewire and heatwave power couple? fuck yeah. monsieur mallah and the brain returning? hell yes. STEEL??? HELL FUCKING YES.

silas stone cameo and somewhat important role in the first half of the season, hopefully we'll see more of him soon... (hopefully we see victor. im a little bit not normal about victor stone. in a non simp way.)

kara and james is so cute... love me some healthy straight ships in my silly show about a himbo and his emotional support goblins. clois and jara double date RIGHT THIS INSTANT I DEMAND OF YOU

the alternate world where clark was raised on krypton... i kind of want to see more of that. like a short episode released independent from the storyline showing a bit more of kryptonian culture and what it would've been like to grow up there. i just think it'd be really neat

lex. calm down buddy. ur like 12. you don't need to go bald yet. sees season 3 first images LEX. PUT THE WEAVE BACK ON THIS INSTANT.

speaking of season 3... KON EL!!! HE'S ARRIVED!!! i'm actually tweaking out rn i need season 3 to be released. i need to know!!! fanfiction will only indulge my fantasies for so long.

clark and kara doing spiderman kisses with lois and jimmy thank you for coming to my ted talk.

cat grant is such a theater kid... she definitely played patty in a production of grease at some point.

if you've made it all the way to here then thank you for reading my essay(?) on why maws s2 is peak superhero media. and thanks for listening to me as i scream without the v anyways go watch this wonderful show

[theobsessiveloser18]

Joshaya head cannons

•Once or twice a month they meet, spend time together (with their friends)

•Josh has had dinner at the Hunter house, Shawn and Katy love him (Even so they let him know that he must be careful With little Mayaboushka)

“I'm watching you Spawn Matthews”

“Come on Shawn, you and I are like cool cousins, you tried to change my diapers, what's changed now?”

“that you are in a 'we will see' with My adopts child”

“Don't worry dad, if he breaks my heart, his face will be stuck in the floor for my babies." She pointed to his high heels.

“That's My Dwarf Girl”

“i had a little scary”

•Maya goes to her university events, conferences, thesis exhibitions, no matter how boring the antics are she will be there trying not to fall asleep,But if there is some kind of sporting event Josh will be forced to attend, it doesn't matter if he doesn't understand them or doesn't like them, he is a little less enthusiastic than the girl But he makes sure that she doesn't get into fights With those on the opposite tribune

•Likewise, when he discovered that his future girl was an artist, he became his greatest ally (he and Riley constantly compete to see who is the number one fan). He gives her everything she needs In order for her to continue creating, and even materials to experiment with, is she going to exhibit her works at school? He arrived an hour before her and is organizing the space, he has even introduced her to The university artists, so that she continues to grow In the area

“Maybe you can study here, we would see each other daily”

“When I enter, you will be leaving, if at most we would spend a year together” He approached her in a flirtatious manner

“It would be a great year” it was a change of roles now Maya was nervous, she smiled shyly

“Yes, it would be”

•As it was said at the beginning they spend time with each other's group of friends, Josh tends to be a little ignored in Maya's, while in his she is like the favorite

•But the two of them also go out, they go to concerts, the movies, festivals, fairs, anything that screams fun means that Maya will be taking it, although generally they both contribute ideas of where to spend the time,Included in activities that only one of them likes

•What happens on Theirs outings?

Cinema:

~Maya starts an argument in the middle of the movie about what will happen next and how it will end, Josh tries to warn her, but people end up yelling at him and throwing food at him to make him shut up(She'll end up complaining about this, then they'll both laugh)

~When leaving the cinema they will eat whatever comes their way

Concerts:

~Maya will make them something related to the band(s) they are going to see, whether it be a bracelet, a pin, a ribbon, or a kerchief

“It is necessary?"

“Of course it is” (He would prefer to buy them, but oh well,Sometimes it does)

~Josh will carry her on his shoulders so she can see

Park:

~They fed the ducks,Or they'll give Ginger a little spin and pet other people's pets.

~Maya will draw everything she finds interesting, Josh will advise her to draw people for 5 dollars, it will be fine for her.

~They will take advantage to make the market

Amusement park

~They will save enough to go to all the games, literally all of them, that's why they don't go very often, but it's part of their goal list to go 3 times a year

~Many photos will be taken

~They will give away what they get in the games

“Why do you think that a philosophy student Would you have a little cow with a bow and a dress in your room?

“With your face I wouldn't be surprised if you still use a pacifier and bib to eat.

(Delight with these cuteness)😍🤩😊☺️

~Josh will carry Maya while she points out where to go (he will also carry her if she doesn't want to walk anymore or if she is very tired, he offers to do it, more than she asks).

•Maya doesn't waste the opportunity to pretend she's lost, she's amused to see Josh scared, but most of the time he'll notice, and make her believe she's really lost, just to scare her From behind before she calls him.

•She likes to give him constant playful hits on the shoulder or stomach, when he is being very nerdy, very deep, or rather when he is being himself.

•we said that That Josh is going to eat at Maya's house, but the Matthews grandparents (Amy and Allan) love having Maya at home, you could say that Amy would be a better daughter-in-law with her than with Topanga (Amy sucks at Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner at girl meets world, okay? Good)They even talk to Josh about why he shouldn't break a person's heart with that backstory.

“I have learned everything I need to know about the failed relationships of Eric, Morgan, Shawn, and even the infidelity and love drama of America's sweethearts... Yours love story is almost a mystery and frankly I am not interested, I am already raised, I will be the perfectly human right for her, I have been clear about that from the beginning.”

“Wait, wait, wait!!, that's too much” Amy warned him

“We were talking about being the good high school rebound Partner, everyone has had one” Amy looked at him confused and intrigued “Have you thought about marrying her?!”

He looked embarrassed, he didn't respond.

[where-theres-smoak-2]

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 Thoughts

So I have now watched and then rewatched part 2 of Bridgerton season 3, again like part 1, I really enjoyed these episodes and I can now says that I enjoyed the season overall. I will say that I think the second half felt a little more rushed, and there were some writing choices I wasn't a huge fan of, but as a whole it was a solid season. So here are my thoughts on part 2, as I said before my part one thoughts I have not read the books so I went into this blind and my reaction is based entirely on the show alone, also spoilers obviously.

I loved the scene were colin and penelope announced their engagement to the bridgertons. Penelope looked so nervous as they were going in, and it was clear she was worried about their reaction, so it was so sweet and moving when you see how overjoyed they are and how welcoming they are of penelope. Well everyone but Eloise but then she knows about Penelope being whistledown and so is understandably worried about colin's heart getting broken.

I also did find it kind of amusing that the featheringtons, and benedict found out throw lady whistledown and that Anthony and Kate found out right before they were about to announce that they were expecting and then realised they couldn't. On the subject...

KANTHONY BABY LETS GO! Seriously though I was so happy to find out they have a little one on the way.

Another moment I loved was when Colin called out Lady Featherington. I did think that Lady Featherington was being more than a bit hypocritical in the moment before when she accused Penelope of entrapping Colin, as if in season 1 she wasn't actively helping marina entrap Colin or any other gentleman they could and as if she herself didn't orchestrate a scenario with prudence to entrap cousin jack into marriage in season 2. So yeah I am glad Colin called her out on it and on how she has overlooked penelope all this time. But I also think Lady Feathrington's reaction to it was interesting because for the second time this season we actually see her showing guilt and actually having a conscience and reflecting on her words and actions which I just found really interesting to watch, I loved her arc this season.

The polin mirror/couch scene was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥! No notes, perfect, loved the comunication they had throughout, making sure the other was ok with everything that was happening.

The scene between Kanthony where he is laying on her belly was just too precious. And of course seeing Newton is always a win.

Speaking of precious, John Stirling and Francesca talking about marriage whilst out walking and how after he asks if she wants to be married and she says yes but she hopes her husband doesn't hide her piano stool and he has that slip up and says he wouldn't dream of it, clearly showing he is already imagining himself as her husband. Not only that but I love that John loves Francesca for her she is, he wouldn't care if she did wake him up early hours of the morning playing her piano, he wouldn't begrudge her, because her love for piano and music is part of the reason why he loves her.

Another thing I did like was how Lady Featherington did defend Penelope to her sisters and said Featherintons support one another, but it was very telling how Prudence and Phillipa react to this, it just shows how much these women have pitted and competed against each other. I did love the whole plotline of them all coming back together again though, like Lady Featherington helping Penelope with her wedding and prudence actually saying nice things to penelope and how penelope gives money for her sister's to have the ball they want.

I could understand what Cressida's whole plan of revealing herself as lady whistledown was, and what she was hoping for, an escape from her parents and the marriage they were trying to set up for her, but this plan backfired really fast for her. The whole thing did make me feel really sorry for Cressida, obviously I was not ok with her blackmailing Penelope but I could fully understand that she was desperate and looking for a way out. She also didn't have anybody in her corner, she was completely alone really.

This might be a very unpopular opinion, and I do want to preface t by saying I do still love eloise, but that being said, there were times this season when I don't think she was a very good friend and where she rubbed me the wrong way. Namely when after she sought penelope's help with the whole cressida pretending to be Lady Whistledown thing and the result was Colin finding out and then Eloise was kind of like, not my problem about it after but also how she abandoned Cressida after she faked being Whistledown, like Eloise one, knew that Cressida wasn't really Whistledown but also two, knew what Cressida was going through with her parents trying to force her to marry, so I would have thought Eloise would have had more sympathy for her. Obviously I know this comes from how she was faced with scandal last season and wants to aviod it again and how she is still angry with penelope but I still wasn't a huge fan of her behaviour in these instances.

Speaking of Colin finding out that Penelope is Whistledown, that was a tough one to watch, I felt so bad for both of them, they were both so heartbroken. Colin's 'I will never forgive you' was harsh but I can understand why he was so angry. But I didn't like how later when she asks if he's going to call off the wedding he says he won't because they were intimate and that accuses her of entrapping him, like sir, you were the one who initiated it. Penelope was a willing participant for sure but he was the one who took her to the mirror and began to undress her etc. Again understand he was angry but still.

But their little dance in the church earlier in the episode was absolutely adorable.

Another scene that I thought was kind of sad though, was the conversation between Penelope and her mother about how Ladies don't have dreams they have husbands. It goes to show how their society puts so little worth in the Ladies of the ton, outside of marriage. They put all this pressure on them to marry and have children and yet it seems so many of them wish for more than that.

You know what though, the Polin wedding was beautiful. I was a little sad running up to it because they were both so upset and I was worried it was going to be a kind of angsty, sad affair. But the look on Colin's face when he saw Penelope in her wedding dress, you could see how in love with her he was, he was just in awe. I also loved that moment when Penelope hesitates coming down the aisle, she's looking around anxiously at all the people staring at her and you can see she's becoming overwhelmed, but then she locks eyes with Colin and he gives her that little smile and a nod and you can see her get her confidence back and she smiles back and continues down the aisle. I really appreciated that moment and how throughout the wedding they showed that these two people do genuinely love each other no matter what issues they are currently dealing with.

Also penelope looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress and I love that she was walked down the aisle by her mother, Portia looked so proud of her too, I also thought it was nice to see both Eloise and Prudence get emotional when watching Polin get married, there's this moment after Polin are announced husband and wife, where you can see prudence clapping and looking overjoyed and Eloise is crying. It was interesting to see these two in particularly being moved by the ceremony because they've both had some tension with Penelope this season, eloise because of her anger and prudence because of her jealousy. But here they look genuinely happy for her and I just loved that.

Portia finding out about Penelope being lady whistledown was interesting because as angry as she was I do think she was genuinely scared for penelope and how cressida was blackmailing her and whether that would lead to colin asking for annulment. The scene where they tell Colin and Eloise about the blackmail was this strange mix of frustrating and humour, except I don't think it was supposed to have that humorous element. But it was frustrating how both Colin and Portia were talking over Penelope and making all the decisions for her, again I do think this comes from their worry but it was still frustrating to see them not listening to Penelope. But also I can't deny it was kind of funny when Penelope revealed that she has made over 10,000 pounds through whisltedown, especially when you think back to the struggles Portia went through with them almost ending up penniless, to be fair to Penelope its not like she knew how close to penniless they were. I also found it kind of funny how colin was all I will fix this and in the end he just made it worse.

Benedict is bisexual and experiences his first throuple. Honestly this wasn't surprising to me at all. I kind of suspected he was from the moment he met that painter and went to that house party in season 1. So good for him. Although I will say that his threesome was cut and edited kind of oddly, I feel like instead of splitting it up they should have just kept it as one complete scene, because they way they cut it between different scenes kept throwing me off, everyone else's lives are falling apart and then there was Benedict having the time of his life. I think the constant shifts in tone from people having very serious conversation to Benedict having some fun, sexy times was a bit jarring, but hey maybe that was just me. `

I loved seeing Penelope and Eloise coming back together during their conversation while they were waiting for Colin, it just felt so good to see them laughing together again.

It was interesting learning more about Danbury's past and about her relationship with her brother and why she was so angry with him, that scene where they have it out, so to speak, and resolve their differences was another great moment. There were alot of moments like this in the season where people who had been at odds with each other and had broken relationships, found their way back to each other. I would say the theme of this season was very much about healing and reuniting with your loved ones.

Portia and Penelope had some great conversations this season but my favourite has to be the one right after Penelope walks in on Portia's conversation with the Solicitor and learns about Portia stealing the tons money. I think it was a very open and vulnerable conversation for them both and some very good points were made. I also love how we can see how impressed and proud Portia is of Penelope for building something that was entirely her own.

I loved Penelope's speech that she makes when she is revealed as Lady Whistledown. Not going to lie I did get a little emotional and teary eyed over it, just a 10/10 speech. I am also glad that they didn't have Penelope give up Whistledown, though I should think it'll be harder for her to get gossip now, if I were a member of the ton and I caught a glimpse of penelope nearby at a ball I would immediately stop talking about anything scandalous, but then I guess people won't care about spreading other people's gossip.

Ok so now we're at a part that I didn't like. I could be reading into this all wrong but it seemed like when Francesca met John's cousin Mikaela there was some kind of romantic energy there. Here's why I am not a fan of this. Throughout the whole season I have loved the relationship between John and Francesca and the reason why I thought it was a beautiful love story was because it was so different, it had this quietness about it, I suppose the word is, it wasn't your usual sparks fly at first sight type situation. Throughout the season we've had Violet talking about how she thinks Francesca needs someone more outgoing, someone who is kind of the opposite to her and who can pull her out of her shell, and how people in love should have this profound, passionate moment when they meet and fall in love. To me it seemed like through Francesca and her opposition of all that they were telling as that this didn't necessarily have to be true, that the loud, passionate, spark filled love is the only one way to love and sometimes you can have a more simplistic love, as Violet said their is a beauty in the slow approach. This was something I wholeheartedly agreed with and I loved that for once a tv show was exploring this option for a change. I feel like tv shows and films have tricked women all around the world into believing that if you don't have that first initial spark then that's not the person for you, when in reality love and attraction can grow over time as you get to know a person. I can not tell you the amount of times I have seen a friend pass on a perfectly nice guy with the statement of 'he's nice, there's nothing wrong with him, but there just wasn't a spark.' I blame the media industry, I really do. But anyway coming back from the tangent, they built this beautiful, simple love story where two introverted people met, understood each other and fell in love, then in the last ten minutes of the season torpedoed it, in like a couple of minutes flat. Because then Francesca meets extroverted, confident Mikaela, you know Francesca's opposite who can pull her out of her shell that she's perfectly happy being in, and sparks instantly fly and Francesca is fumbling over her words and blushing. I just feel like this one moment negates everything that came before and everything they said about the slow approach being something that can also be beautiful. It cheapens John and Francesca's relationship so much and then there was that weird look Francesca had when they kissed at their wedding, so now it looks like they are trying to say their marriage was some big mistake. I don't know maybe its because I am an introvert myself who got tired of being told I should come out of my shell more often but I just didn't like this plot point. But I guess I'll have to reserve my full judgement until I see the rest of their story in following seasons, but as it stands at the moment I was not impressed with this writing choice.

I loved the ending with them showing that Colin was now a published writer, Penelope was still successful with Whistledown and that all three sisters had babies. As I predicted Prudence and Phillipa had girls and Penelope and Colin had a little boy who will be the future Lord Featherington, but I just liked that scene with all the featherington women together and they're all happy for each other and admiring their little ones.

So that's all my thoughts on part 2, I really loved this season and Polin's relationship, I wish we had seen a bit more of Kanthony, I do find it said that it seems like once their story is told the couples from previous season's are sort of phased out, like we didn't see daphne at all this season and with them sending Anthony and Kate to India I suspect they won't be in next season, I hope they are but I am doubtful. I guess it so they can make room for the new storylines but still I miss those characters. Anyway I am going to stop rambling now.

[ofstarsandvibranium]

Unexpectedly Yours: Part 5

Fandom: Ted Lasso (Regency AU)

Pairing: Roy Kent x F!Reader

Summary: Lord Roy Kent still has yet to marry. He hates the notion that marriage is a way to ensure your status in society. You have delayed your debut to society for years because of the same idea. So what happens when two people who hate the idea of marriage are constantly drawn to each other?

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

You didn't want to speak to anyone the next morning after the dinner. You didn't want to see anyone. You were annoyed and slightly embarrassed with how you behaved last night.

You decided you'd stay in your room for the entire day. Cece had tried to get you to come out and play with her but you expressed that you weren't feeling well. Did you feel bad for lying to your cousin? Yes, but you really just needed to wallow in your room by yourself.

________________

"Lady Clara is here to see you, Miss." Jane announces as she peeks her head into your room.

You sigh, "Did you tell her that I'm feeling unwell?"

"Yes and she's very insistent that she sees you."

You groan as you sit up in your bed, "You may send her up, I guess."

Minutes go by and the door opens. Clara walks in, "Good day, Y/N."

You give a stiff nod, "Clara."

She clears her throat, "I came by to apologize. I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable last night. It was never my intention. My brother has always told me how stubborn I can be. I just-I love him so much. He deserves to be happy. However, I understand that while you and my brother are amicable that doesn't mean you are to be with each other. I apologize greatly for practically forcing you to be together. I am ashamed to say that I'm no better than the rest of society," her head hands low in shame.

"I accept your apology, Clara. Thank you. I admire your love and concern for your brother. He's...a good man. He does deserve love in his life. I'm-I'm just not sure that's me."

Clara nods in understanding, "Yes, well, I'll leave you to rest. I hope you feel better soon," she gives a bow and sees herself out.

As soon as the door closes, you groan and fall back against your pillows.

______________

Roy watches as Cece and Phoebe run around the garden. He's glad that his niece found a friend after moving here. Things haven't been easy for the young girl, and Roy's always done his best to make sure she lives a loving and happy life.

He hears his sister before he sees her. She's walking down the path that leads to where he's sitting, a bench underneath a tree on the property.

"Where did you go off to?" he asks, eyes still on the young girls playing.

"I went to apologize to Y/N," Roy grunts and Clara continues, "I won't meddle anymore. I'm sorry that I've made things uncomfortable for you both."

He nods to his sister, "Thank you. She-She already feels so much pressure on her from her mother, society, she doesn't need more."

"I know, but, Roy...please be honest with me, do you care for her?"

Roy's jaw clenches and he looks away from Clara. He sighs, "I do, but, again, it's complicated. She's so...aggravating, smart mouthed, opinionated. But she's also sweet, she cares deeply for her friends and family. I can't help but be drawn to her."

Clara softly smiles at her brother, she places a hand on his shoulder, "I know I said I won't meddle, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to win her affections. I do think there may be something promising between you two and I don't mean in a business transaction way."

"Clara?"

"Hm?"

"Did you love Andrew?" Clara sits and thinks about her husband, who's passed, "I wouldn't say love, but I cared for him as a friend. He was definitely the best out of the other men that have asked to court me. He was kind, understanding. He's also the reason I have Phoebe. I may not have loved him in a romantic way, but I do hold him dear."

"Do you think you could've fallen in love with him over time?"

She shrugs, "Maybe."

Clara and Roy both look on to Cece and Phoebe who are rolling in the grass. Their laughter echoing throughout the property.

_____________________________

In the late afternoon, you eventually grew tired of your self-isolation. So you called upon Keeley and Jamie to join you for tea.

In the sitting room, the three of you are lounging, sipping from your cups.

"I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," Keeley states as she takes a bite from a biscuit.

"It's been a few days, Keels," Jamie says with a snort.

She waves him off, "Too long. Tell me, what have you been up to?"

You sigh, setting your cup down, "My family and I had dinner with the Kents last night."

"Oh! I heard about that!" you look at her with a cocked brow, "Your mother told mine. Honestly, I'm a little upset you didn't tell me!"

"How was it? Was Lord Grumps his usual grumpy self?" Jamie asks with a smirk.

"We hardly interacted. He seemed quite miserable actually. Then his niece asked when Roy and I would get married." Keeley and Jamie give you a questioning look and you respond, "Because we played princess and dragons with them. They were the dragons, I was the princess, and Roy was the knight who saved me. The princess and the knight always get married in the stories they've read. Anyway, I told her that what we did was make believe and she got upset. She ran upstairs. Roy followed. Clara and my father made a comment that Roy and I should be together and I-I just got so annoyed and upset. I left the dinner."

"Y/N, why are you so against you and Lord Kent being together?" Jamie asks, genuinely.

"I-He-We're just so different. He's so uptight and grumpy all the time! He's probably only smiled five times in his life! Besides, Jamie, isn't he always rude to you?"

"He's rude to everyone, ain't he?" Jamie responds with a shrug.

You point to him, "That's another thing. He's rude!"

Keeley's interjects, "I think that's just him trying to protect himself from anyone getting too close and potentially hurting him." You and Jamie look at her confused, "What? It makes sense! I heard he was previously engaged to this woman name Georgina Afton. They were super in love, at least it seemed that way. Then Georgina caught the eye of a duke and she broke off the engagement. People say Roy was completely heartbroken."

"So...he's just scared of getting hurt?" you ask in clarification.

"Probably."

"Yeah, I suppose that makes sense," Jamie says, "Wow, love. You never seize to amaze me," he says looking at Keeley like she hung up all the stars in the sky.

"Aw, thanks, love!" she leans in and pecks his lips.

The sight makes you smile. You always hoped to find a love like theirs. It was rocky at first, but Keeley and Jamie...they just make sense to you. They fit each other well and you dream of finding someone who fits you.

Is that someone Roy Kent? You're still not sure.

He frustrates you and makes you doubt yourself sometimes, but he also challenges you. He's caring and adores his family. He's quick witted and snarky, but also funny.

Hmmm...you really had to think about this.

Besides, there were other men that could potentially catch your eye. Maybe...maybe you should start taking finding a suitor more seriously...

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.140 Here for you

I returned home late because I walked around the neighborhood for a while to process my evening and reconcile my feelings. Even though I had promised Sophia I wouldn't be gone long, I couldn't bring myself to come home immediately. My emotions were all over the place. I was angry that Mama dumped all of that on me without warning; Sad about knowing I'd soon be without my parents; Content knowing I was a good son and had great relationships with them; Anxious about not knowing when either of them would go. But after a while, I felt kind of crazy and went home. I came in through the backdoor hoping to avoid Sophia for just a few moments longer. She would want to know things, and I wasn't ready to discuss them, but my surreptitious planned failed when I walked in on her having a late-night snack. I was also hungry and cut myself a slice of leftover cake. As soon as I sat down, I took control of the conversation before she had a chance to hammer me with questions about why I'd been gone so long. I asked about her first day with the baby, how she felt, etc. She cooperated, but I felt her watching me the whole time. She heard the stoic, robotic tone in my voice. It also didn't help that I didn't make eye contact. At the first break in conversation, she stole the control and asked if something had happened.

How do I explain it to her when I hadn't decided how I felt about it yet? Now every time I'd see Less' number on my phone, my heart would stop, and I halfway wished I didn't know. I opened my mouth a few times, trying to start a sentence, but cancelled it before my voice caught up. But my brain was tired, and I didn't want to think about it anymore, so I gave up and blurted out something, hoping she'd catch a clue.

"Mama gave me her final wishes. My parents are that old."

"Oh noooo. Are you-"

"Please don't ask me that," I said, regretting the terseness in my voice.

"Okay. I'm sorry."

"I need to spend the day with my dad tomorrow. He's older than her."

"Of course. Don't worry about us. I'm here for you, Luca."

The tenderness in her voice chastised me, even though that wasn't her intent. I was out of character, and she didn't deserve that, so I tried to make it right.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to be rude. She dumped this on me out of the blue, and... I didn't even know they were that old! I just... This is a lot."

"Trust me, Luca. I understand. I may not have had this experience, but I get you. Do whatever you need to do. I'll be here when you need me."

"Thanks. I know. And I appreciate it. I think I want to turn in now."

"Okay. I'll be up in a minute."

I checked on Desi before I got into bed and found her wide awake.

"Were you waiting up for me, pumpkin? That's very sweet of you."

"Did you miss me? I missed you. I went to meet your cousins. They're about a half day older than you. The four of you are gonna have so much fun together when you get older."

"Daddy had a hard night, but being with you makes it all better. I love you so much."

[aebi12]

"Resentment" - Chapter 6 [AemondxRhaena]

Summary

He is the cause of her sufferings. He took her dragon, her betrothed, and her father. Now, he will also take away her future by having to marry him.

With so much history and bad blood between Rhaena and Aemond, their forced union has everything to fail, except that the proximity will make them discover that perhaps they have more in common than it seems.

AU - the Greens win the war.

Masterlist with previous chapters

Tags: enemies to lovers, romance, angst, drama, eventual smut, hurt/comfort

Please remember that english is not my first language, so I'm sorry for the mistakes...

***

 “Did you understand what your purpose is?”

“Yes, brother, for the umpteenth time, I understood you perfectly.”

Aemond narrows his good eye as he watches Daeron's apathetic expression. The prince had preferred to meet his younger brother in his chambers, away from the ears of the council members and the excessive concern that Alicent would surely show upon knowing that he would send him to the Riverlands.

“You must know how to impose your authority”

“You do remember that I led our armies in the Reach during the war, right? Quite successfully, if I may say so."

“Daeron the Daring,” Aemond responds with a lopsided smile, “I hope then that this mission will be a piece of cake for you.”

“It will be, brother, trust me.”

Daeron offers a huge smile on his youthful face and Aemond simply sighs, “When will you be ready to leave?”

“Probably tomorrow afternoon, it is not a long flight,” he responds, “I hope I don't extend my stay too much, I want to arrive in time for the tournament for your wedding.”

The one-eyed prince begins drumming the table with his fingers at the mention of the tournament. A ridiculous thing, in his opinion.

“I do not want you to participate in the jousts, it could become…”

His words are interrupted by the arrival of a messenger boy, who bows to both princes and hands Daeron a scroll. His brother immediately breaks the seal and, as he reads the contents, an expression that Aemond interprets as pleasant surprise appears on his face.

"Good news?" he can't help but ask

Daeron folds the scroll and looks up at him, “It is from Rhaena.”

“Our cousin Rhaena?” Aemond raises his eyebrows, surprised.

“Yes, obviously our cousin Rhaena,” his brother nods, smiling, “She is inviting me for a walk on the beach this afternoon.”

"Hmm"

The prince maintains his mask of neutrality, although internally he wonders why his betrothed contacts his brother and dares to invite him to spend time with her.

"Does it bother you?"

“Of course not,” he replies coldly, “Attend if that is what you wish, you will be the one who must endure her presence.”

Daeron's infuriating smile widens a little, and he even dares to chuckle, “You must be the only one in the castle who finds her unbearable.” When his older brother does nothing but glare at him instead of answering his comment, Daeron sighs, but continues, “She is a beautiful young woman and she will be your wife very soon. It wouldn't kill you to give yourself the opportunity to get to know her, and enjoy her company. Unless you prefer to be miserable sharing your life with someone to whom you barely speak a word”

Aemond makes an indeterminate noise with his mouth and stands up, “Focus on your mission, that is what is expected of you.”

***

“Aren't you planning on reading the books?”

Marianne's skillful fingers move along the long row of little buttons on Rhaena's back, bringing them together to close her dress. The young woman's gaze briefly wanders to the heavy tomes that Aemond had given her the night before and that remain on the table in the anteroom, where she had left them when leaving the Tower of the Hand, "No."

“But maybe they will be useful now that you will have to attend the Festival with him”

“Maybe,” she admits, “But they are huge. "I am not going to spend my days cooped up here memorizing books about the Faith," Rhaena clicks her tongue, "Besides, I know enough and doesn't the High Septon do most of the work? Above all, I will have to stand and endure the sermons, right?”

“I guess so,” Marianne nods, “It is done.”

“Thank you,” Rhaena admires her figure in the mirror, “Have you ever attended the ceremonies?”

“Yes, but not all of them. I usually go only the last day to the Major Ritual and then to the fundraiser and the banquet”

"What is that about?" she asks, curious, turning to Marianne.

“Ah, you know, basically a dinner to allow the Court to clear their conscience before the gods by making donations to the Faith,” she responds with a giggle and a mischievous look.

“Marianne Westerling!” Rhaena exclaims with false reproach.

"What? I'm just repeating what I once heard my aunt Johanna say."

They both laugh and Rhaena applies drops of her rose perfume before looking at herself one last time in the mirror, “Tell me more about that fundraiser.”

“Well, this year Lady Blackwood is in charge of organizing it. I imagine it will be a grand event, I heard that she had hired a company of puppeteers from the other side of the Narrow Sea to liven up the afternoon.”

"Really? Puppeteers? That doesn't sound very...religious."

“Oh, the high septon loves that kind of spectacle,” Marianne assures, “Anyway, it will be something more exclusive this year. Lady Blackwood will invite only a few select members of the court.”

Rhaena smirks at him, “I hope she doesn't send Aemond an invitation.”

“Even if she does, I doubt the prince will attend,” Marianne replies, “Not even Queen Alicent makes an appearance. She usually fasts after the celebrations."

"Good. It will be the perfect occasion to put some distance after all the days I will have to spend next to him,” Rhaena laments, shuddering.

Morning suddenly flies across the room and tangles around her neck, growling as she slams her tail into Rhaena's shoulder, clearly impatient to leave the room.

“Okay, okay, calm down,” the girl is quick to say, calming the dragon with her touch, “We are leaving now”

The dragon roars again, and Rhaena and her lady go in the direction of one of the exits of the Red Keep.

“This was a bad idea,” Marianne comments, visibly pale, rubbing her hands and looking at the empty courtyard, “I don't know why I let you talk me into this.”

“No, it is not a bad idea,” Rhaena assures, taking her friend's hands to stop her from moving them and suppressing a grimace when she finds them cold and sweaty, “Just breathe and be yourself.”

“Yeah, right,” Marianne huffs.

"I mean it. You are lovely, Marianne, my cousin would be a fool if he didn't see it.”

Whatever her lady is about to respond is cut short when Daeron rushes in, heading straight up to them and smiling politely, “I am sorry for the delay, cousin, Lady Marianne.”

“No problem, cousin, we've barely arrived, shall we?”

The three get into a carriage that transports them through the crowded streets of the city towards the beach.

“I am glad you could join us,” Rhaena says after a short silence, “Marianne and I are very excited to leave the palace.”

“Thank you for inviting me, it is always good to get some fresh air.”

The young woman makes a subtle signal to her friend, raising her eyebrows and inviting her to speak.

“Indeed, my prince,” Marianne says after clearing her throat, and when Rhaena subtly squeezes her hand between the skirts of her dress, she adds, “Are you… are you excited about the festivities of the Faith?”

“Not particularly,” Daeron admits, “Besides, I won't be able to attend the Festival, I'll be flying to the Riverlands tomorrow.”

"Pleasure trip?" Rhaena asks, curious.

“Crown affairs, boring matters to your ears, surely”

“Surely,” Rhaena nods and looks at her friend, “Did you not visit Riverrun on the way to King's Landing?”

“Oh yes, briefly…”

The conversation continues until the carriage stops and Daeron helps them out.

Rhaena smiles as she feels the sea breeze full on her face and takes a few steps away from Daeron and her lady, who continue their conversation.

“Come on, fly and be free,” she says to her dragon, who makes a satisfied noise as she untangles from Rhaena’s neck and spreads her wings, “Just don't get too far away.”

“I remember when Tessarion was this little,” Daeron comments.

“It must have been very exciting growing up with a dragon,” says Marianne, looking at Daeron enthralled, her honey color eyes fixed on the prince's every gesture, who smiles at her frankly, as if thinking about the words she just said.

“Well, yes, I remember that I had a hard time learning the orders in High Valyrian. It was very natural for my siblings, but for me…”

Rhaena tunes out their conversation as she watches Morning walk further away than she deems necessary.

“I'll go after her,” she announces, although Marianne and Daeron are already several steps ahead of her and don't seem to hear her.

“Morning, wait,” Rhaena asks, almost running to where her dragon flies. A smile appears on her face as she watches her so relaxed. Although the creature had flown between the halls and gardens of the palace, it must definitely feel much better to be in an open-air environment. The girl gives the order again and this time Morning returns to her side, “I know, I know, I am very happy too,” she tells her in a low voice, “It is good to be able to go out for a while, right? I was already bored in that palace as well”

Morning lets out a flare next to her and Rhaena sighs. At times like this, she really missed the Vale more than ever. She had had so much freedom in the Eyrie that she had taken for granted the most routine activities like taking a simple walk outdoors that now, in the capital, were so rare.

A roar-like noise brings Rhaena out of her thoughts. Her dragon coils tightly around her neck as the girl examines her surroundings looking for the source of the sound.

"What do you think…?"

Her question dies on her lips when the noise is heard again and this time accompanied by a movement of what Rhaena had taken to be a dune near the beach.

“Vhagar”

The girl whispers the name into the wind and takes a few steps back, alarmed, before realizing that the enormous dragon is not moving or following her. In reality, she realizes after a few seconds, Vhagar seems to be sleeping and the sounds she has heard are probably her snoring or her labored breathing.

Rhaena turns in the direction of Marianne and her cousin, but she can't see any of them. She apparently had gotten further away from them than she thought.

“We should go back,” she tells Morning, although her feet don't move.

Her eyes return to Vhagar, who sleeps peacefully among the sands of the beach, to the magnificent creature that had once been Laena Velaryon's mount. Rhaena closes her eyes for a few seconds and tries to remember the time when her mother had taken to the skies with her, the power of her flames, her roars that could be heard throughout Pentos when Laena rode on her back.

Vhagar had been part of her household. And then she had become an enemy of her family. The old dragoness had destroyed her allies and changed the course of the war. Although now, she realizes, there is almost nothing left of that.

She agrees that it is a bad idea, but unable to help herself, she takes a few steps towards the dragon, wanting to examine her. Her wings, even from a distance, look more broken than they had ever been, and her body riddled with more scars than she remembered. Maybe it had been her...

"What do you think you are doing?"

A hand closes tightly around her arm, slowing her progress and turning her so violently that she staggers and it takes her a few seconds to find her balance again.

“What do you think you are doing approaching my dragon?” Aemond asks once again.

"Why are you here?" Rhaena asks in turn, bewildered.

“Do you think Vhagar is like the pet you like to show off and will let you get close to her?” The prince ignores her question, his good eye fleetingly turning to Morning.

“I am not a fool, cousin,” she replies, moving her arm, trying to get out of her grasp, “I wasn't going to get close to Vhagar, I know her temperament very well, I just wanted to see her closer. It took me by surprise to find her here and…”

“Come, we shouldn't bother her, she does not like to be interrupted when she sleeps,” the prince cuts her off.

“I know, I remember,” she replies, annoyed, “I knew her long before you did.”

She knows she's struck a chord with the prince when he tightens his grip on her arm, forcing her to hold back a pained moan, and his icy gaze focuses on her.

“Do you think because she was once linked to your mother that you know her well enough?” he asks in an almost terrifying whisper, “How about we test her loyalty to you? Maybe I should wake her up and find out if she still remembers you.”

Rhaena can't help but wince and Aemond lets go of her arm, although his gaze remains fixed on her.

“I know well that Vhagar's loyalty is yours,” she finally responds, “As I said, it just took me by surprise to find her so…” Rhaena bites her tongue to hold back her words, “Different from the last time I saw her.”

Aemond, however, seems to understand exactly the girl's comment, because his gaze goes to his dragon, who spreads her wings in her dreams, further evidencing her deteriorated appearance. Rhaena seems to notice a hint of sadness in his expression, though it passes too quickly.

“I imagine that the war also left its scars on Vhagar.” She knows that perhaps it is not wise to insist on the subject, but she really wants to know, “Is she like this because of… because of the Gods Eye?”

Had it been Caraxes and her father who caused such a level of damage to the creature?

Aemond stops looking at his dragon, and looks at his cousin for a few moments before lowering his face, “She just needs to rest.”

But Rhaena knows that is not true. She hasn't seen Vhagar fly over the city even once since she arrived in King's Landing. And besides, her cousin's somber expression says it all. For a moment, just a brief moment, the girl feels sorry for the clear pain that the prince is experiencing at seeing the state of his dragon.

“Come, I don't think I can deny Vhagar dinner if she wakes up and finds you and your creature here.”

Rhaena rolls her eyes and starts walking in the opposite direction of her cousin, who, to her surprise, follows her.

“You shouldn't be wasting your time on walks on the beach when you should be catching up on the reading I gave you.”

“Oh, your books,” Rhaena smirks, “They were such an inspiring reading that I finished them just yesterday.”

Aemond makes a disdainful noise and glares at her, but Rhaena just keeps walking. Morning leaves her shoulders and flies a few meters away from her.

“The festival is not a joke, it is a solemn occasion, I think I was very clear when I said that…”

“I will know how to live up to it, my prince,” she cuts him off.

Aemond clicks his tongue, “Where is Daeron? I thought you came here with him.”

How the prince knows that his brother is here, Rhaena neither knows nor asks. She simply turns her face towards the place where Marianne and Daeron had left, “I did, but I kind of lost them while following Morning. Oh, there they are,” she points to the two figures beginning to approach in the distance.

“Who accompanies my brother?” Aemond asks, frowning.

“My lady-in-waiting”

Rhaena tries to mask her excitement at observing how good they look together and how pleased Marianne seems.

“Hmm,” Aemond tilts his body toward his cousin, “Are you returning the favor to your lady by being her chaperone today?”

"What do you mean?" Rhaena blushes and looks at him.

“You are not subtle at all,” Aemond responds, “Did you get bored so quickly with Court entertainment that you are now trying to find a wife for my brother?”

“And what if that were to be the case?” She retorts defensively, “Marianne is more than suitable to be a prince's wife.”

“What is her name again?”

“Westerling. Marianne Westerling,” she replies, annoyed, “I introduced her to you yesterday before dinner.”

“Niece of Lord Tyland Lannister,” Aemond seems thoughtful, “Her house was an important and loyal ally to us during the war,” he doesn't give her time to reply, “I will consider it.”

“It is not like they need your permission to marry,” Rhaena retorts, “And I didn't ask you to intervene in any matter”

The girl is cut off when Daeron and her friend arrive next to them.

"Brother!" The young prince seems genuinely surprised to see his older brother, “I didn't know you would join us.”

“I had some business to attend here,” Aemond replies, “You should be preparing for your mission. You don't need distractions right now."

Marianne blushes violently and Daeron simply smiles, looking at them both, “Excuse my brother's abruptness, my ladies. “Aemond thinks of nothing but the kingdom these days.”

Rhaena bites her lip to keep from saying something that might upset her betrothed, and Marianne simply nods.

“I assure you, brother, that I am well aware about my commitments and responsibilities.  I was just telling Lady Marianne that we should go back because it's getting late and the sun is starting to set."

Aemond nods and they return in silence to the carriage. The trip back to the castle is nowhere near as entertaining as before now that the one-eyed prince sits next to them and his presence seems to discourage any hint of conversation. Rhaena simply ignores him as she watches Morning fly out the window, very close to her.

When the carriage stops in the castle's entrance courtyard and they get out, the girl is surprised to find Queen Alicent waiting for them.

“There was no need to come here, mother,” Daeron immediately approaches her, hugging her affectionately, “You could have waited for us in your chambers.”

“I thought it would be a good idea for Lady Rhaena and Lady Marianne to join us at dinner tonight.”

“We would love to accompany you, Your Grace,” her friend is quick to respond, clearly excited by the invitation and not waiting to consult with Rhaena, who simply smiles and nods.

“My son will take on his first official role as a member of the royal council,” Alicent explains, her voice full of pride.

“It is just an errand in Riverrun,” says Aemond.

Rhaena looks up at him as she hears the clear note of bitterness in his voice.

“He will represent the Crown. And I know that he will know how to fulfill his duty and honor his house."

For some reason she doesn't fully understand, the queen's words seem to have an effect on her eldest son, who tenses beside her and clenches his hands into fists.

Rhaena looks at her lady, searching for her knowing look, but she seems oblivious to everything, her eyes fixed on Prince Daeron who has linked her arm with that of his mother and escorts her into the castle.

Aemond, however, does not move. His gaze is still fixed on Alicent and his brother. And Rhaena, who does not fully understand the tension between the dowager queen and her eldest son, manages to recognize the emotion that Aemond's face reflects because she had seen it reflected in herself the numerous times that her father had preferred her twin, leaving her always on the side.

Pain. Rage. Envy and resentment.

____________________________________________________________

I'm so so sorry for just basically disappearing but life was just too much... and I needed time. Anyway I still love this story, I have evertyhing planned out and I will be updating soon, so... I hope you give this story a chance :) *Second chance* lol

@ammo23 @qyburnsghost @niocel @ithoughtulikedme @avidreader73

Please let me know what you think! And if you would like to maybe be tag in the next chapters :)